Chapter 15: Aftermath

"Three hundred and forty dead, eighty five injuries, and countless destroyed buildings." An ANBU member reported in, arms crossed across his chest staring toward his Hokage, Tsuunade.
Tsuunade closed her eyes and grimaced at the results of the battle that had previously taken place in Konoha.
The ANBU member sighed and changed the topic slightly, "However, it seems as though one major threat to Konoha has been taken down. It's all thanks to Kabuto on this part for distributing the information."
Tsuunade sighed, "Is he still in the infirmary?"
The ANBU nodded his head, "Indeed, Tsuunade-Sama."
Tsuunade stood up, "Very well, you are dismissed sir."
The ANBU member left as told, leaving Tsuunade to her room alone. She picked up a file and slowly read it over. The file of the Uchiha Massacre, the only threat possibly left for Konohagakure, for Naruto, had Kyuubi.
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At the Inuzuka distict, Kiba paced around outside the door with Arashi and Akamaru who watched his every movement. The rice door panel slid open, and slowly Inuzuka Hana walked from it's corridors. Kiba quickly stopped and pivoted his head to her direction with curious eyes. Hana removed her gloves and moved aside for Kiba to enter, "She's alright, but in pain. A few cracked ribs, and a broken arm. Kiba's pained look soondispersed torelieved smirk, and he entered the room lookingdown at her in the bed. Arashi quickly ran into the room and jumped beside her in the bed, licking her face.
"Haha, Arashi! Stop!" She chuckled at her partner, patting him with her good arm on his ears.
Behind Arashi, Kiba soon took a seat on the floor on his knees, inspecting her.
She smiled and looked over at him, "Hey...mutt." She half teased, a look of both discontent from her wounds could still be seen.
Kiba raised a brow then grinned warmly, "Hey Uchiha." He sighed, and put his hand over hers this time, like she had once done for him.
She blushed slightly however, entwined her fingers with his and spoke up, "Kiba?"
"Hm?"
"I need to tell you something."
"What is it?" He asked with a full sincerity now.
"...during the time, I lost control of myself. Kakashi told me of my demon side from the second stage of the curse. I couldn't control myself. However, last night, you were all I could think about during that stage." She paused momentarily and continued slowly, "Kiba...I think...I'm in love with you."
Taken aback he slowly stood up, and smiled widely. His head slowly moved slowly toward her, and he placed his lips against her own, kissing her. Hana, who had stood at the door grinned watching her brother and the Uchiha, and left closing the rice panel door.
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Sasuke and Sakura stood outside of the Inuzuka district discussing over the health of Sasuke's cousin Taraka. Hana soon walked out, her hands at her sides, a calming grin over her appearance. Hana grinned toward the two and spoke softly, "She's alright. Kiba's taking very good care of her."
Sasuke smirked, and Sakura gave smiled and tugged onto Sasuke's hand, toward the direction of their house.
"Let's go and see them Sasuke-Kun."
"Hn." He simply said, and followed after her disregarding the fact that she had his hand.
Sakura walked over to the door, and slowly slid the door open quietly, surprised to see the two kissing eachother.
Sakura started laughing and gave a sheepish smirk as Kiba and Taraka quickly pulled away from eachtoher.
Taraka turned red, 'busted' she thought on the inside.

"Oy, Sasuke-Kun, Sakura-Chan. I didn't hear that you guys were coming to visit as well."
Sakura grinned evilly, "Well I didn't know you were busy."
Taraka's gaze followed Sakura's arm down to Sasuke's handa nd also grinned, "Well neither did I."
Sasuke rolled his eyes and let go of Sakura's hand pulling something out of his pocket, it was a Uchiha crest necklace. Sasuke handed it to her, and smirked. Taraka looked down at it in awe, and immediatley knew the meaning of it, and looked up to her cousin.
"You are my only family left, Sasuke-Kun. I thank you for this."
Kiba sat on the bed and put his arm around herand pulled her in closer looking in curiousity. "What is it for?"
Sasuke backed away and put his one hand in his pocket and the other taking Sakura's again answering, "Kiba, it's a crest for the highest ranking members of Uchiha. It symbolizes mastery of every aspect."
Kiba nodded his head, "Well, I guess it's fitting."
Sasuke shook his head, "You better take good care of her."
Kiba raised a brow and tilted his head, "...I haven't before?"
Sasuke smirked, "...actually no you haven't." With that, Sasuke tugged Sakura away with other plans in mind.
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As the day passed the evening grew, and cherry blossoms fell from the spring's wind, Sasuke came to a hault and paused then abruptly turned around. He dropped to his knee, and pulled something out from his pocket this time something smaller in size. Sakura's eyes widened and watched his every movement. He pulled out a ring, and slowly spoke, "Haruno Sakura, would you...marry me?"
Sakura's eyes widened, tears brimmed in her eyes and she nodded, "Yes."