I don't own naruto.

lady rine says: wow this fic is now finished!

i know it's sort of short. But that's okay, i was just trying something new.

I hope you guys like this story anyway. It's major OOC, but that's okay, it makes it kindda sweet! (tee hee)

so without further a due, here's the last chapter! enjoy mates!

(heart) always

Lady Rine.

Chapter 15: Finale!

Backstage I cleaned myself up a little bit; fixing the tear-destroyed makeup so I wouldn't look like a raccoon when I went back on stage for the award ceremony. I waited impatiently. I don't know why I suddenly felt like rushing… it's not like I was in a hurry to see anyone afterwards. It's not like anyone was going to bring me home.

Right?

--

The audience was restless. They called up the final contestants. Sasuke watched as Sakura stepped back onto the stage. He heard the audience cheer especially loud for her. Probably because half of the audience went to their school. Never the less, he saw Sakura blush slightly. Although when he caught a glimpse of her eyes, he saw that she wasn't finished crying just yet. But he knew her very well. He knew she wouldn't cry again until she got home.

"Well folks, the time has come to announce our winner for tonight's contest." The emcee started. "Remember that the grand prize winner will receive a 2 year song writer contract from Life-Style Records!" The crowed cheered.

Sakura would not look up. She was fumbling with her fingers.

"Here to present the award is Life-Style Record's CEO Miss Selene Kero."

"Thank you very much!" She said taking the mic. She was middle aged woman, pretty attractive. By the look of her you could tell she was a hardcore business woman.

"We have a lot of talented songwriters out here. All of which was to inspire, attain, and touch an audience's affection. This was the criteria of the contest." Miss Kero turned to look at all the contestants. "You all have been able to do that. Unfortunately there can only be one winner. So without further a due, the envelope please."

There was a drum roll as one of the judges handed Miss Kero a manila envelope. Silence trickled over the room as the tore it open. She opened her mouth.

Sasuke saw Sakura tense up slightly.

"In third place… Even Uto!"

Applause. He took a bow and shook her hand. A pretty stage hand gave him a bouquet of flowers and escorted him to the other side of the stage. The Applause died down as Miss Keto spoke again.

"In second place… Kimiko Lee!"

The Half Korean 20-year-old blushed deeply as she too was awarded flowers and escorted to the other side of the stage.

Drum roll again.

"Finally… our grand prize winner…"

Sasuke held his breath. "Please be Sakura… Please be Sakura!" He crossed his fingers for good luck. On stage Sakura did the exact same thing hiding it behind her back, her gaze not leaving the floor.

"Our first place winner…"

The air in the entire room tensed up with silence.

"Congratulations Miss Haruno Sakura!"

The crowd roared and stood up greeting her.

Sakura blushed madly as she gathered up the courage to look up at the audience. She smiled gently as she was escorted to the centre of the stage. Sasuke watched her… he made his way to the side stage to get a better view. Her eyes were still distant… trapping her tears.

"Congratulations Miss Haruno." Miss Kero extended her hand. Sakura took it and they shook. Flashes went off from every direction capturing such a rewarding moment in time.

--

"SPEECH SPEECH!" The crowd cheered.

Miss Kero handed me the mic.

"Ano…" I started. I didn't know what to say…

"Wow… I didn't think I'd actually win…" My voice was crackly and I did my best to smile. I looked down on the floor.

"I'd like to thank all my friends for coming to support me." I heard my friends cheer. I smiled again slightly.

"Special thanks to Ino and Hinata, my best friends, and umm… Gaara-kun for helping me record…"

I paused slightly,I felt my smile fade.

"But the real thanks belongs to the person I wrote the song for… I know he wanted to be here tonight… and I…"

I felt tears falling down my cheek.

"I… I…"

I wiped them away; I heard the "aww" from the audience.

"I wrote this song for the person… I wish he could hear it… but…"

"SAKURA!"

I froze. I heard a guard say "you can't go up there!" and footsteps came towards me…

"Sakura..." He called my name again.

I knew that voice… I was scared to turn my head. But I did anyway. There he was. Uchiha Sasuke… in all his glory. Smiling at me with his stupid "I told you so" smile.

My lip trembled. My eyes narrowed. He was here… how long had he been here?

"Congratulations Saku… I told you so." He teased.

I let out a small laugh…

"you jerk..."

it was mixed in with tears…

and I couldn't hold back!

I dropped the mic and leapt at him. My arms wrapped around his neck and I felt his around my waist.

"Sasuke…" I whispered more tears falling.

I could hear the audience going mad with cheers and applause. But we both ignored them.

His breath tickled me neck and I heard him whisper…

"I love you…"

--

And that's how it went.

Sasuke did go to school… the following year so we could graduate together. I couldn't be any happier.

I went to Tokyo-U along with Sasuke, but I study English. I still work for Life-Style Records. I still write songs for upcoming artists. So I would say my future looks pretty bright right about now.

Sasuke and I went out for dinner yesterday… where he proposed to me. We're going to have a spring wedding. Our favorite season. Ino, Hinata, Naruto and Shikamaru are flying out, Shizune too. I'm happy.

My life doesn't seem so empty anymore. I'm filled with life. It kind of came like a beautiful dream.

Who would have thought I'd fall in love with my best friend?

I sure didn't.

I sat down at my desk earlier today… planning to write a new song. But the engagement ring caught my eye and I started writing something else…

Instead I wrote out story… the story of our love. And it started like this…

"It was a beautiful autumn afternoon when I first met him…"

La Fin…