Yes, the day has finally come. This is deffinatly the LAST CHAPTER. -gasp!- Yes, I know, very shocking. But, you know, the bad guy is dead, and it's got to end eventually, right? Well, please review. Oh, and don't hate me too much, but I just found out a very interesting fact; I suck at endings! God, do you know how hard it is to come up with one line to finish the whole stupid 15 chapters! Very hard, let me tell you! So yes, it does suck, and yes, it is very corny, but just give me a break here, ok!

Chapter 15

First Love, First Loss

It was a warm day, and not one cloud could be seen. Sakura sat on an old, stone bench out in the front garden, watching the sakura blossom's float calmly to the ground below. Men came in and out of the house, dragging furniture as they went. Now that the mission was over, the Stingray gang would be doing whatever they see fit with the house. Naruto had moved all his things back to his apartment the day before, and Sakura had come to collect the last of her possessions as well.

Suddenly, she felt a light tap on her shoulder. She turned around quickly to find Sasuke sitting on the other end of the bench. She smiled at him. "Did you just finish packing up too?" she said, motioning down toward his full bag. He nodded. "Yeah."

The two sat in an acquired silence, and then suddenly, Sakura jumped up, stretching her arms behind her head while letting out a long sigh. She then lowered her arms to her sides. "Isn't it a nice day?" she said, looking around the garden once more. Sasuke too stood up. "Sakura is so beautiful." Sakura nodded. "Isn't it?" Suddenly, Sasuke's large hands grabbed her small shoulder, turning her to face him. "I didn't mean the flower."

Sakura blinked in surprise. She looked up at Sasuke and blushed. 'Did he really mean that?' As if to reassure her, he brought his hand up to her fragile face and began tracing her cheekbone with his finger. She blushed even further as her smile widened. They stood very close to each other. Sakura gazed into Sasuke's eyes, and him hers. Then, the space between their lips decreased until it was totally gone. Sasuke placed both his hands on Sakura's porcelain face while she wrapped her arms around his neck.

As if on queue, a voice was heard near the road. "Hey Sasuke, Kakashi-sir wants you to see him in his office A-sap!"

Sakura and Sasuke both pulled their faces back, yet still stayed only inches from each other. Sakura looked up at Sasuke, and he down at her. They both knew what was going to happen. Now that the mission was over, he would be re-assigned, and who knew how far away it would be. Sasuke's face was always emotionless, but Sakura knew better. She looked up into his eyes and instantly knew; he didn't want to leave her, that without her he didn't know how to survive. She smiled at him. "Well, you better go." Sasuke looked down at her. She too wore a mask, covering her true feelings. But, just as Sasuke, her eyes gave it all away. He knew she was holding back the anger, the sorrow. He knew that without him, she would be just as broken. But still, she put on a smile for him, trying to cover her true self.

He smiled down at her, and then leaned his head forward, kissing her gently on the forehead. He then flung his bag over his shoulder and turned to walk away. They both knew that this was going to be the last time they saw each other, but neither could bring themselves to tell the other how they really felt…

Suddenly, Sakura grabbed Sasuke's hand, stopping him instantly. He turned back around when Sakura quickly embraced him one last time. Her face was pressed against his chest, and his lay in her hair. He took in her sent one last time, and she his. Suddenly, her eyes widened. 'He…he smells just like… peaches.' She smiled a bittersweet smile, pulling away from him. The last piece of the puzzle was found, but she knew that this meant it was really over. He turned to leave once more. Her hand wrapped around his, he began walking away. Soon, her fingers grazed the ends of his and she felt a jerk in her gut. She knew that was the last touch, the last embrace…

She stood, watching him walk away. Finally she realized; she loved him. He was her first love, and as far as she was concerned, he would be her last. As soon as his bike disappeared down the street, Sakura fell to her knees. She didn't have the strength or will to stand anymore. Then, she let the tears fall. Her first love, her first loss, and their would never be any more then that.

Naruto and Sakura had just finished their fourth period class, and were heading back to their lockers to get ready to go home. For the past three days, Naruto didn't dare talk to Sakura. He rather liked his head, and he knew if he uttered even the smallest word, she would bite it off. Even though they didn't speak, Naruto still stayed by her side. He was a good friend and would never leave her alone, not when she felt like this. Ever since Sasuke left, Sakura hasn't been the same. Her usual cheery mask was replaced with one of no emotion whatsoever. She was used to covering her true emotion with a smile, but know, she took Sasuke's route, not showing any emotion at all. It was just easier that way. She also hasn't talked to anyone since that day, not even the teachers during class. At lunch, she ate her food outside, away from everyone; well everyone but Naruto, who insisted on fallowing her. She just… changed.

Suddenly, Naruto stopped walking. Sakura too stopped, turning to face her spunky blonde haired friend. His eyes widened and his face perked up. Sakura looked at him in confusion, then turned to fallow his gaze. There, standing a few feet down the hall was none other then…

"Hinata!" Naruto ran forward, almost bulldozing everyone who stood in his way. As he darted through the crowd, Hinata turned to see who had called her. Before she even realized it was him, Naruto grabbed her waist and lifted her into the air, spinning her around like a three year old. At first, Hinata was startled, grabbing onto Naruto's arms for dear life. Then, her face turned redder then a tomato. She couldn't believe Naruto was doing this, and right in the middle of the hall! But soon, a small smile crept over her face. Still she blushed like mad, but Sakura could tell she was happier then she ever was before.

Naruto put her back on the ground, and then smiled down at her madly. It had been so long since Hinata had come to school. She had been in the hospital ever since he accident. Hinata continued to blush like crazy, and then spoke. "N-nar-" she was suddenly cut off by Naruto's lips. She widened her eyes in surprise, but soon closed them and began enjoying her dream come true. Her face was pure red now, but still, she kissed him in return. After pulling away, Naruto looked down at Hinata. Even he was blushing.

Sakura sighed, and then turned down the hall toward her locker. Finally! She thought Naruto would never make his move! Normally, she would be jumping up and down in joy, seeing the two finally together. But, she wasn't normal, not anymore. She fiddled with her lock until it eventually came open. She slowly put away her books then looked at herself in her locker mirror. She looked so strange without her usual smile, but she just couldn't seem to find it. It was as if it had disappeared along with him, never to return again. Suddenly, she smelt something. Her throat tightened as she held back a sob. 'Why does it have to smell like peaches? Can't everyone just not eat them!' Sakura took a deep breath, calming herself. She then flung her bag around her shoulder and shut her locker door.

She almost jumped when she realized someone was beside her. There, leaning on his locker door, was a familiar raven-haired boy with a small smirk on his face. Sakura's jaw dropped. She couldn't believe it! She was so excided she could scream, but when she tried, not a sound escaped her lips. All she could do was stare in aw. He chuckled at her expression, and suddenly, life seemed to flow back into her. Her eyes got their usual sparkle back, her cheeks were pink once again, and her smile found its way back home on her porcelain face. She was about to try and speak when Sasuke brought his finger to her lips. She immediately stopped. He smirked at her once more. "I forget to tell you something. Sakura, I love you."

Sakura's smile grew larger as her eyes began filling with tears of joy. She immediately flung her arms around his waist, pulling him close. "You don't know how long I've waited to hear that!"

They didn't care that everyone stood watching them. All they knew was they were no longer alone. They had someone to love, and someone to love them in return. They then pulled in for a kiss that they never thought would come.

If you looked into their eyes at that moment, you would see happiness. Pure happiness, something only a few lucky souls get to ever feel, and both knew, nothing could take that away from them.

-Gasp!- that ending sucked more then I thought! Ew! Wow... it's actually over! Noooo! -sniff- Well, I just want to thank every one of my readers for sticking with it all the way through, even when my grammer stank and the plot ran all over the place. And a specail thanks to anyone who reviewed or is planning to in the future. You have all encoraged me to... Ah, screw this! I have like 50 other stories I'm working on, not to mention homeowrk and exams! Thanks for reading and reviewing and all, but I've got so much work, you wouldn't beleive! So, I'm sorry I couldn't rant on and on about how great you all are, but I need to go. So I'll just sum it up for you; You all rock for finishing it, Thanks for reviewing, and Please review one last time. Thanks!Hope ya read my other stories! Dani out!