AN: As promised, here is the ending to my story, in case you have been waiting for this time, it has finally come! It is just too bad I was too much of a sloth to finish it and continue it. Anyway, wudever. This might be a bit weird and all but cut me some slack. I really wanted to finish this fanfic. Haha.

Disclaimer: I do not own Naruto.

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PRESENTING: MY LAST CHAPTER….AT LAST.

Previously: Sasuke and Sakura's project won in their literature project so they were going to present it in a play. Also, they got together! As boyfriend and girlfriend, and they have been very close. Unfortunately, Sasuke tells her that he gets engaged to Ino but, he did not say that he has to leave for another country! (His parents do not know that Sakura is his girlfriend...before)

When Sakura hears this, she gets heart-broken. She hasn't been eating and sleeping well too. The two of them haven't been talking with each other ever since. Now, it's the play and they are going to be the lead characters. What will happen?

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Promises once again

8:30PM and the play has been going on for the past one hour and 30 minutes…

The auditorium was dimly lit and the light was directed to the center of the stage. It was crowded with students, teachers and family members who were all invited by their friends and children. In the middle of the stage stood two people who were very good in acting. Unfortunately, they weren't acting, but the audience seemed convinced enough.

"Why can't you understand? You know something, you've been thinking about yourself ever since the beginning, haven't you!" Sakura screamed at Sasuke. Her eyes were leaking with tears.

"I HAVEN'T! Maybe it's you who is being self-centered! Honestly, you were the one who brought the topic and rubbed it in! I told you I didn't want to say it but you wouldn't listen!" He spat back in return.

This play was about two lovers in denial but in the end got together. The conflict of it was…the boyfriend kept too much secrets and concealed it from her girlfriend.

Their moderator, or, in other words, stage director, was nipping her nail ever since Sasuke and Sakura started their argument. She felt horrible at what was happening! Their argument wasn't supposed to last for this long!

"Sasuke!" She said his name in fury and Sasuke was taken back by it. It was the first time in the play that she said it. Technically, they weren't supposed to since the character's names were Rei and Ayumi.

"How could you do this to me?" She kept weeping. Mixed feelings made her feel dizzy and sick all-together.

How could this be happening? First, they were together and now, they're fighting. Sakura always thought that it could work out but…hearing that Sasuke had been engaged, and to her best friend to! It didn't matter to her if it was and arranged marriage. Itachi told her that Sasuke never mentioned her when he heard about the news. Upon hearing this, Sakura couldn't be anymore heart-broken than she was now.

Itachi was inside the auditorium, watching the play. He wanted his only brother to live a happy life so that's why he made sure that the only source of happiness he got would disappear. The Uchiha was positioned at the back of the auditorium, where he leaned against the wall. In fact,

Sasuke's father was there, with that same, stoic look of his. He was sat down in the front section of the auditorium. Sasuke knew that any second now, his phone would ring and he would have to go outside to answer it but Sasuke didn't care. All he wanted now was to set straight all his problems…before he leaves.

"I---I just thought that since I knew you well, you would understand me. It's too bad I was wrong. Sakura, ever since we were small…I---never wanted to leave you." His eyes darkened.

Sakura's tears just kept falling endlessly. Once she heard Sasuke say that last part of his line, she widened her eyes and looked at the boy who stood in front of her. She felt a pang in her heart as she gazed at his pained look. For once, in their never ending battlefield, Sakura felt guilty…for everything she did to him.

She opened her mouth to say something but nothing came out. An eerie silence fell upon them as the two could not bring themselves to speak. Sakura thought hard in her mind and debated on what to do next. Through all this, Shizune, the stage director, was at the brink of insanity. She expected this to happen actually but not this awkward.

"You've been lying to me from the start. Why couldn't you just tell me the truth? Tell me, was I ever anything to you at all? Did it ever matter to you that---that…" She choked on her own words and couldn't spit it out. With all the might she could muster within her, despite the huge crowd and audience, she said the unthinkable.

"---that I still loved you ever since we were small?" she said in a tone of mixed feelings.

This was getting out of hand for her. Knowing that she wouldn't get an answer from this silent Uchiha, she turned at her heel and was about to make a run for it.

Sasuke gripped her arm right before she could take a step. His grip tightened when she tried to get out of his grasp. Thankfully, she stopped and just went along with it. His mind struggled to speak, and his mouth just gaped. No words came out. Through thinking for some time on what he should do, he just let her go.

Sakura felt his grip loosen and fall. She took the opportunity to leave the stage. The man that stood on the stage was the least thing she ever wanted to see at the moment. She didn't care if she never saw him after a million years! Her mind kept wishing that. Only, she should've been more careful on what to wish for.

The stage lights were dimmed and the audience was left speechless. They couldn't exactly believe what they were doing was acting. If it was, then they were good actors, especially since they had no experience in this. Everyone in the crowd stood up to cheer and applaud for the play. It was a masterpiece.

Itachi kept his stoic face and location. Sasuke did a slight wrong turn there but Itachi knew that there was still a chance to fix everything. If his little brother knew how, then Itachi would be glad but, Sasuke didn't.

It would probably take about a long time before he can realize this. Itachi left it up to Sasuke this time, so he could learn from his own mistakes. 'I know what you are capable, younger brother. You just don't know how to use your capabilities.'

Shizune just stared at what happened, wide-eyed. It surely wasn't scripted, and it was definetly not what they wrote, but she loved it! Especially after seeing the reaction of the audience, her heart was leaping for joy.

As the lights turned off and the curtains closed, Sasuke did not move an inch. He was standing there like a statue made for decoration. Everyone from the cast approached him, namely, Naruto, Ino, Neji, Lee, Tenten, and the rest of Sasuke's friends, and some extras.

"Wow! Sasuke-teme! It was SO realistic! I can't believe I am saying this but…I liked it!" Naruto shouted with a humungous grin.

"Sasuke-kuunnnn!" Ino screeched with her piercing voice. "You were amazing! It was…" She went on, complimenting him but, he didn't really notice. His head was too full of thoughts. Ino may be his fiancé, only, it was an arranged thing.

Maybe, he supposed, it was meant to be this way. He would leave for Korea and marry Ino. 'Yes, it is. This is exactly what Shikamaru was trying to tell me about.' He smiled sadly. 'Women are troublesome.'

OOOOOOOOOO

Later that night, Sakura was on her bed sobbing. After the all the things that have been happening to her, she did not know what to think any longer. Her mind was telling her that she should think about herself but her heart said otherwise.

"Sakura, you are getting skinny! You should eat!" her inner voice screamed within.

"No. I am not getting skinny and I am not hungry." She said. Great, she sounded crazy now.

"Alright, well….it's already 12:30AM in case you haven't noticed!" Her inner self was seriously getting restless.

Sakura was in this state of misery ever since she ran out of the auditorium, which was almost 4 hours ago. After leaving, she ran straight home, as fast as her legs could take her. Tears still kept falling from her eyes. Whatever happened to the rest of the play, it didn't matter to her. All that mattered to her was getting home.

Her house was locked since her parents were still back at the auditorium. She quickly unlocked it and, her legs still kept going on until she reached her bedroom. Not even bothering to eat dinner yet. So, here she was now, in her room, sobbing her heart out and talking to herself.

"Sasuke---Sasuke…what a name. What a silly name. It sounds like a made up name for stupid people." She cried to herself and whispered softly. Her body lay on the bed with a crouched position and her long, pink hair spread out.

Her tears made some of that pink hair stick to her face. Water from her eyes wet the bed and blankets. Her eyes were all red and puffed after crying for such a long time. The tears had made her face all red and innocent. She was very vulnerable to anything, anyone but like I mentioned, she wasn't think about herself.

She began whispering repeatedly. "He is stupid. He is stupid. He is crazy. He is dumb and a jerk. I can't fall in love with him just because…he is good looking, or talented. No! I can't because people fall in love by how they relate to each other. By how they act, live together and give each other occasional laughs and….tears. And…marriage just binds you to responsibility and more problems…."

Sobs were hushed and she pushed her body away from her bed. Her eyes were focused into space but her mind was thinking heavily. 'What if…I was the stupid one here? What if, I was stupid for being dense? There was more to the story than just the conflict. What if---what if…I was the one who made the mistake?' She got up from her bed and hurriedly slipped on clean clothes and got shoes form her cabinet, to dash off outside. Just before she could reach the front door her mother stood there, in front of her.

"Haruno Sakura, what are you doing?" She said with an angry tone, Sakura noticed.

"I need to go! No time!" She said quickly. Sakura expected her mom to move but she didn't.

"And where? To the Uchiha's?" her mother's brow raised. Sakura stared at her mom for a moment and then said she badly needed to go there.

"Sakura, I am not sure what is going on between you and Sasuke but there is something you should know." Her mother looked like she was uneasy and unsure if she should say it. Sakura tapped her foot impatiently.

"Well, I hope it's worth it." Her mom looked at her intently.

"Dear, Sasuke is leaving for Korea tomorrow and…he might not be coming back in just a few weeks or months." Sakura wide-eyed her mother and then replied.

"Uhh….Right. And you know because…his dad said?" She raised her brow at her mother but her mom gave her that straight face. Sakura knew that straight face…she was dead serious.

"So, he kept another secret from me?" She sat down in the closest chair she could find, which was in the dining room. Her eyes focused into space again. The mother of Sakura tried her best to prevent Sakura form concealing herself out of depression but what she received in reply was not what she had expected.

"Don't worry mom, you shouldn't worry about me. I'll be fine. I know what to do." She said with a reassuring smile. Her mother knew that smile of her daughter's. She was dead serious.

OOOOOOOOOOO

The play didn't really end since Sakura fled from the stage, towards only God knows where. Everyone in the auditorium began wondering what was happening but, nonetheless, they enjoyed the play. It was already closing the end and all were anxious to know what it was. There was even a kissing scene, unfortunately, it didn't pull through.

It was after the play, when Sasuke finally changed back to his regular clothes and met up with his father and Itachi. As he left the building to meet them, he saw his father talking to Sakura's mother and father. They had known each other since a long time ago.

Yes…long time ago, when he and Sakura had been friends. What happened? Those kids from long time ago…naïve and immature, were completely different. It was as if they had thrown all those memories into a garbage can like trash. Trash…Did he treat her that way? Like trash? Silently, Sasuke thought about this as he was about to leave.

"Sakura…I---I'm sorry." He whispered low, to nobody in particular. They were leaving back to the mansion, for one more night. It might be the last night there but it would be worth it. Unfortunately for Sasuke, he didn't think that he would be able to sleep well that night.

Itachi watched his brother silently, as he was sitting at the back row of the car, remaining passive. He could tell from his brother's eyes that he was deep in thought. Their driver smoothly drove along the road. The street lamps were lit and the sky was starless. It was really late at night.

Once they arrived at the mansion, which was a long drive away, Sasuke ran to his room, slamming the door and locking it. His father stared at his startling actions, and proceeded walking the steps to his office room. Itachi just watched Sasuke run and thought about what he was doing. 'It was the right thing to do.'

His bed appealed to his eyes and suddenly, his legs felt pain. He just fell flat on his bed and thought about what he was doing. The so-called world that revolved around him just never seemed to give up on giving him surprises. The best surprise he ever got from it was meeting a girl who changed his life drastically. Sakura always mattered to him. Never for once did he think the way Sakura just said. Maybe, he was being a little selfish though...and a bit of a liar.

That's right. He should've told her the truth ever since…he loved her. Young and in love. That was it. What did he do to get all this pain and sorrow? Never, he knew, would he get the answer to that question.

Boredom was killing him. It was the middle of the night and still, he couldn't sleep. He lay on his bed thinking and wondering about what was the best thing to do for, probably, his last night here. After thinking, he got up and approached his computer, turned it on, and logged in to his instant messaging.

Sakura wasn't online, he was sure of that because it was the middle of the night. Why would she still be awake? "Maybe she is having a good sleep. Well, lucky her." He smirked for the first time that night. "I'm happy for her. She doesn't deserve to be thinking about someone like me anyway." How wrong was he, not to know that he was thinking of the exact opposite of what Sakura was doing.

Ino was online. 'Joy.' He silently thought as she started chatting with him.

Ino: Oh Sasuke-kun! You are online. Can't sleep? Well, I understand since this is your last night here.

Sasuke: Yeah.

He wasn't seriously in the mood to chat with her right now. The wedding was arranged by their parents, who were both wealthy and thought about what was 'best' for their children.

Ino: I am going to miss you! I mean, we are going to be married together right?

He frowned when he read that and felt like ditching her then and there but something stopped him. He might not see her ever for the next 10 years.

Sasuke: I'm going to miss you too.

Ino: (smile)

Sasuke cringed at the thought of actually saying that to Ino but plastered a smile on his face and tried changing for the better. Sasuke, change? Never. Of all the many things he was clueless about that night, he this was one. He was wrong about changing because, somewhere in his world that revolved, somebody loved him for who he was.

OOOOOOOOOOOOO

It was dusk and the plane would be arriving soon for his trip to another country. Ino, Naruto, Tenten, Choji, Hinata, Neji and Shikamaru were there. Great friends always support you, right? It was in the airport when they were all bidding their goodbyes.

"Uchiha, when you come back, you better be capable of fighting." Sasuke smirked and they both gave each other their infamous glares. They all sweat dropped as they felt the tension arise between them,

"Alright you two, break it up. Sasuke is leaving so this should be a little bit more peaceful. Well, Sasuke-kun, I hope you have a safe trip." Hinata smiled as Tenten stopped her cousin from causing a commotion.

"This is so troublesome. So you are leaving huh? Well, I hope by the time you get back, you would be less trouble for us." Sasuke just stared at Shikamaru and smiled.

"I swear I won't bring troubles anymore. It's…troublesome." Shikamaru smirked and left it at that.

"SASUKE-KUN! I WILL REALLY MISS YOU!" hugging the poor Uchiha, Ino squealed. Sasuke couldn't help but twitch at her high pitched voice.

"Sasuke-teme! We may be best friends and all but we are enemies at heart. Remember that!" Naruto gave his thumbs up sign and foxy grin. They smiled at each other and did their little hand shake wherein they would lightly punch their fists together.

"Don't forget your souvenirs! I hear that they have tasty chips there." Choji said as he ate his own chips. What a way to say good bye. Oh well, Sasuke knew he shouldn't take advantage of this.

"Sa—Sasuke—sann. I hope you a safe trip-p." Hinata stammered. Sasuke shook his head in reply. There was still someone missing…

"Oh that's right! Where is Sakura-chan? She should be here to say goodbye to her boyfriend. I mean, if she loves him the way I think she does, she should---"He was cut by a cover on his hand by Tenten.

"You idiot! Don't forget they aren't on much of a speaking term." She whispered low.

Sasuke's eyes darkened. Covering his eyes with his bangs, his friends watched him remain silent. They heard the speakers shout that his plane arrived and was boarding.

"Well, you should go now, teme, we will miss you though!" He grinned to lighten him up but with a sad attempt. Before he could turn around and approach where his family was, a voice called him out.

"Sasuke-kun! Wait!" The voice was familiar to him but he couldn't believe it was her. When he looked up, he saw the person he least expected.

"What are you doing here? You should be enjoying your day today." He coldly said as he looked at her. She was panting hard from running a long time, he supposed.

"Well, I think it is just right that I should come and bid you goodbye! After all, I am your girlfriend." She brightly smiled at him and he was fazed at her arrival.

"That's what I said!" The blonde shouted, laughing right after. Sakura just gave him a questioning look and shook it off right after.

"Okay then, say what you have to say, I'm leaving already." Sasuke said, with no hint of shock or happiness. 'I was right.' She inwardly thought, 'he still loves me.'

"Well, first, I want to say that I was sorry for what happened yesterday. There are some things I feel like taking back from what I said yesterday, and most of them…should've been said. I just---couldn't help but let all my frustration out." She said, smiling sadly as she faced the floor. She felt awkward saying this in front of all her friends but nonetheless, this was the only way she could make up for everything that happened.

Sasuke was speechless and so were his friends. Choji seemed to be the most relaxed because it was like some movie to him, with his chips and all.

"Second, Naruto, you need to tone down your voice." She said, wagging her finger at him. Everyone laughed as the said boy grinned.

"Third, Sasuke-kun…I'll miss you. I mean, despite everything that happened the past few days, I learned something. It isn't about how much I love you or how much you love me…it's about how much I want to be with you because without being with you, there is nothing between us." She laughed lightly at the irony and started crying, when her voice played back in her head. She sounded stupid. Somehow, she knew she would regret doing this but for the while, it was worth it.

Tenten and Hinata, the two girls who knew Sakura very well, smiled at the bravery she was showing. Sakura was speechless now.

"Hn. Well, I'm going to miss you too Sakura. Just for the record, I…" he wasn't sure if he should say it but then he remembered that little fact that he might not see them again until after 6-10 years.

"…I never meant to keep anything a secret from you. You just misunderstand a lot." He watched her reaction and went again. "But you want to know something?"

She stopped crying and faced him with a look that said she was concentrating on what he was saying. He walked forward to her and was at least an inch taller than her.

"I promise you…I will come back for you." He smiled at her as she recalled everything that happened in their past. That's right, it was happening all over again. And maybe Sasuke would forget about her…

But no…

Sakura didn't believe that Sasuke would forget about her or his friends back in this country. She hugged him tightly and let her tears fall. It shocked Sasuke but he just let her hug him.

Ino knew the two loved each other. After all, she loved Shikamaru…in a way, so she just smiled at the couple. Naruto suddenly felt like hugging Hinata, and so he did. The poor Hyuuga was turning so red, she felt like fainting. Neji saw this and scolded Naruto.

"Neji-kun, don't be so hard on Naruto. He just wanted to show how much he loved Hinata…I think…" She blinked at how weird she just sounded. Neji faced Tenten and he intently stared at her.

"He was being insensitive to Hinata. If she would faint, Hiashi-sama would blame me." And on and on they argued.

"Sasuke-kun, I know you will keep your promise…because I believe in you…" she hugged him more tightly and didn't want him to leave.

From a distance, Itachi watched the two and smirked. So Sakura was the one who made the move. Well, he wasn't surprised that it wasn't his little brother. By now, he was sure Sasuke learned from this. Their father was waiting on the plane, the 1st class portion.

Ironic, Sasuke thought, as the events occurred. Just last night, they were shouting furiously at one another and now, they have settled it and were hugging. He felt so out of character at the moment but he just shook his head and repeated to himself. 'Women are troublesome.'

Now, I'll hold back my tears.
Becuase I love you more than anyone else in this world,
...With all my strenght,
I'll say good-bye to you and let you go.
(Seiippai no Sayonara- Gackt)

OOOOOOOO

Sakura's POV

Life hasn't been the same ever since he left. It wasn't that we were all gloomy and stuff...hell no! Shikamaru and Ino were still dating, well, that's because Ino was engaged, but there is a rumor I heard that it was cancelled. Oh I hope my ears aren't playing with me!

Naruto was still that happy boy he is and Hinata is changing inch by inch. I noticed. Every moment she hangs out with Naruto, she is becoming more confident.

Neji and my best friend Tenten are together. I am so happy for her…they are perfect together. As for me…I am not dating anyone for the moment. I dated Lee though and it wasn't bad. I just stopped dating him because Sasuke's image flashed in my head again.

I miss him…we send each other emails but I haven't received any reply from him recently. I wonder what happened to him. It's been 7 years already…such a long time…I really miss his scent, his face and everything about him…I sound so love sick. Darn it Sakura! He is engaged!

Anyway, I am now a sophomore in college and the whole gang is studying in the same college as I am. Friends really do stick together forever.

Today, we ate lunch together but something strange happened. As I was walking in the street going back to my house, I saw somebody who looked just like Sasuke, about five times. I thought it was my mind playing a trick on me. When Hinata and Tenten told me they saw him too, I got shocked.

He was back. Naruto said so…and I am going to see him soon. It thrilled me and the others to see him already, after such a long time.

Has he changed?

I doubt it. I wouldn't want him to anyway. The important thing is…he came back and kept his promise.

I wanted to tell him how much I miss him…I want to tell him how happy I am…

I just had to pick the right words to say and the right time to do it…

"Sasuke-kun, promise is a promise forever...and you lived up to it ever since we were 6 years old…aisheteru…" I whispered to the darkness and left it at that.

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AN: R&R I am really sorry for everything but I do hope this pleased you! I worked hard for this fic. DO NOT COMMIT PLAGERISM! (I worked hard for this!) That Seiippai no Sayonara is a song by the infamous Gackt! For those who know him...he rocks! Disclaimer: I do not own that song.

If you start bombarding me with questions, flames, or what not, go ahead. I will be standing firm on the ground, ready to accept it. :)) OOCness was probably evident by a thousand folds here. Haha. :P oh well, that's how things are. You get OOC for the ones you love right? Fluff, it's drowning me too. I know, I know. It was too much but it never hurts too make it that way right…or not.

Sasusaku was the only pairing here but I said that in the first place, the main pairing is SasuSaku. Oh yeah, Ino was paired up with Shikamaru at the start right? Hehe. Welll….about that…don't worry, the sequel, they will be together. Everyone just pray I push through with the sequel. I have ideas already for it but I just have so many things to do! (Not only drowning from fluff but also from school work)

Oh well...I am done and that is that. Now, i need some time to contemplate on what I have done and wish that I fully finished my fic! Hehe, oh well, I hope you guys aren't mad at me. (sweat drop) MANY THANKS TO MY REVIEWERS AND THOSE WHO SUPPORT MY FANFIC! NOW, I WANT YOU GUYS TO ALWAYS SUPPORT NARUTO FOREVER! WHOOT!

Ayumi-aldaba