The day for Sakura's presentation of her proposal for the clinic approached a lot faster than she had anticipated. She would present it in front of the Rokudaime Hokage, the clan leaders as well as the new council. She was a nervous wreck.

The new council had four members, two male, two female. Two shinobis, two civilians. Two elderly and two younger people. This way there would be more perspective. More balance. Sakura thought it was a good thing. It did not calm her nerves, though.

It was early March, the sun was starting to bathe them in warmer rays of light, the flowers were budding slowly and more birds were chirping by her window in the morning. She breathed in the early spring air, a mix of wet grass and flowers, as she stepped out of her building.

"Are you ready, Forehead?" Ino had been waiting for her at the entrance.

"You're gonna crush it, believe it!" Naruto had been waiting as well.

"Aa."

Sakura looked at her friends, eyes glazing over. "Come on! Don't cry now! You are such a cry baby!" Ino grabbed her hand and started dragging her toward the Hokage Tower.

"I'm sorry, Pig! There's just a lot of pressure, it's got to come out somehow!" Sakura fell into step with Ino and pulled her wrist out of her grip. "What are you doing here anyway? Won't you be in the meeting?"

"Not until I'm eighteen, no. The clan will be represented by my uncle until then. He is under strict instructions to approve the proposal, though."

Sakura glanced back at Sasuke and Naruto, who were following them a few steps behind. Naruto was whispering animatedly to Sasuke, who had his gaze directed toward the clouds. "Hey, guys?" Sakura said over her shoulder. "Thanks for coming, it means a lot," she smiled.

"You got it, Sakura-chan!" Naruto gave her a thumbs up. Sasuke nodded, a tender expression fleeting through his features for a split second.

–––

Sakura was going over her notes in a small office, quietly mumbling to herself. She was walking up and down, occasionally bumping into the desk.

"I'm getting dizzy," Naruto spoke up. "You need to slow down, Sakura-chan."

"Shut up, Naruto, I'm concentrating," she muttered, not even looking up from her notes.

"Do something, dobe. She looks like she's going to throw up before she gives a killer presentation," Naruto shoved Sasuke's shoulder.

"Leave me alone," Sasuke glared at the blond. He'd soon come to regret his choice of words, though.

"Your wish is my command," Naruto bowed deeply and left the room, giving Ino a look on his way out. Ino jumped to her feet and, without a word, followed him out the door.

Sasuke sighed. Sakura seemed to notice none of it, as she seemed to be completely consumed by her notes. Sasuke considered leaving the room as well, but he noticed the deep furrow of her brows, the slight frown on her lips and the tense way she held her shoulders. He sighed again.

"Sakura," he said. She didn't look up. "Sakura," he repeated more firmly.

She looked up for a fraction of a second, but her eyes immediately drifted back to the papers in her hands. "Yeah?"

"Sakura, you need to relax."

"How could I relax?" He had her full attention now. "This might be the most important proposal of my career, of my life! I need it to be perfect!"

"And it will be," he said, not an ounce of doubt in his voice.

"Not if you guys keep interrupting me in my revisions!" She threw her hand up with the notes in it, waving it in his face. She looked to his side, to do the same to Naruto, the main distractor, but found his place on an armchair empty. "Where are they?"

Sasuke just shrugged. "You'll do fine. You know the whole proposal and research by heart."

"What if I choke on my words? What if I forget some crucial data? Or what if I say something completely and utterly stupid? They will think I'm an idiot and reject me and won't even want to hear from me ever again!" Her breathing was starting to speed up.

"Sakura. They know you're the best medic in all the villages. They probably also know that you're smarter than all of them combined. You'll do well." Whenever he said her name, she felt immeasurable comfort wash over her. Sa-ku-ra.

"You really think I'm smarter than all of them?" She was blushing furiously.

"I know so."

–––

Sakura's newfound confidence didn't last long as she stepped into the meeting room. She found dozens of eyes looking at her expectantly. She gazed back in the hallway before the door closed behind her, and caught Sasuke's eyes. He nodded at her firmly. She turned back to her audience, walked up to a board with all kinds of graphics, and cleared her throat.

"I am here today to officially present my proposal for the opening of a children's mental health clinic," she started. She explained the effect the war had had on the children in their care, and the lack of capacity at the general hospital to keep housing them and caring for much longer. She went onto a detailed explanation of her research of post-traumatic stress, especially in children, the many treatments, the dangers of PTSD going undiagnosed and untreated. She broke down the finances that would be required to build an actual building as well as to train medics who would specialize in children's mental health. "Thank you for your attention. Are there any questions?"

"Would there be available places for civilian children in the clinic?" Asked the younger civilian member of the council.

"Of course, the establishment would be for all children up until the age of sixteen."

"I'm looking at the numbers, and I'm just not sure there's enough disposable money for the building and the training," said one of the officials.

"Well, I understand that it is asking for a lot, financially. Obviously, the priority would be the training, so we can start treating the children who are already at the hospital, the building of an actual facility could come afterwards. However, there are many children who are staying with relatives at the moment, who are in need of help, which we cannot provide at this very moment. Both because of lack of space and lack of staff."

More and more questions came, Sakura tried to answer them to the best of her ability, with as much confidence as she could muster. But as the list of questions grew, she felt sweat budding at the nape of her neck and in her palms.

"Alright," said Kakashi. "Let's take ten to consider everything we've heard and weigh out our options. Then we'll have a vote."

Sakura nervously left the room, only to be met by Naruto's ear. "Have you been eavesdropping this whole time?" She asked in shock.

Naruto sheepishly scratched the back of his neck. "Maybe. I couldn't hear much though."

"How did it go, Forehead?" Ino shoved Naruto to the side.

"I don't know, they said they needed some time to decide and they'd have a vote," Sakura's shoulders slackened. Sasuke was leaning against the wall, hand in pocket, silent as always, as he considered Sakura with a careful gaze.

"Haruno-san? Please come back in," a woman Sakura recognized from the administrative offices opened the door for her. Sakura took a deep breath.

She stepped into the room and stood by the board where she'd given her presentation. Kakashi spoke up. "All who approve of the proposal, raise your hand."

Three people remained with their hands down; the official who was concerned about the financial damage, the elder gentlemen of the council and someone Sakura did not recognize. A breath of relief escaped her mouth as tears gathered in her eyes. Kakashi looked at her proudly.

"That is settled then. We'll have a meeting with the financial advisors about the proceedings in a week's time. That should give them enough time to work out a schedule and take a closer look at Sakura's budget," he declared.

Sakura left the room hurriedly and jumped into Ino's arms. "They approved!"

Naruto was quick to embrace both girl in a crushing hug, even with just one arm, as he cried tears of joy for his best friend. Sakura met Sasuke's irises over Ino's shoulder. He gave her a smile, and she could see the pride and gratitude in his eyes. No one would ever have to suffer like he and Naruto did.

"This calls for celebration!" Naruto exclaimed. "Let's head to Ichiraku's!"

–––

Sakura was so busy with developmental meeting regarding the clinic and with shifts at the hospital, that she completely forgot about her own birthday.

"Happy birthday!" loud cheers startled her as she opened the door to her office. Complete shock settled over her face. Cramped in her small office were her teammates, even Yamato, who had been extremely busy with surveilling Orochimaru since the ending of the war, and Kakashi, who no doubt gladly ditched some important Hokage business to be here, there was the rest of Konoha 11, her parents, Tsunade, Shizune, and some of her colleagues she had become friends with.

"I told you she'd forget it. Pay up!" Kakashi held out his hand toward Tsunade, who grunted but handed him some cash all the same.

"Shishou! You can't be serious!" Sakura looked at her incredulously.

"You know me kid, I can't resist a bet," Tsunade shrugged.

"C'mon, Sakura-chan," we made a reservation at some place that is not Ichiraku's, because apparently," Naruto gave Kakashi a look. "That is not your favorite place. I don't believe that for a second, of course, but the place wouldn't fit us all anyway, so I gave in," Naruto threw his arm around Sakura's shoulder and steered her out of her office and down the hall.

"Let her change, dobe."

Sakura was still in her lab coat and work clothes, which must have smelled of antiseptic and body odors of various people, as she had just pulled a twelve-hour shift.

"I don't have a change of clothes," she admitted, embarrassed.

"Taken care of, Forehead," Ino handed her a bag. "I would also take a shower while I'm at it," she grinned.

Sakura narrowed her eyes at Ino. "Yeah, yeah, Pig," she headed towards the changing rooms and showers.

–––

"Wow, Sakura-chan! You look really pretty!" Naruto complimented her when she emerged from the hospital doors. Ino had brought her a simple green dress, that flowed nicely down to just above her knees.

"Thanks, Naruto," she blushed.

"Yes, Sakura-chan! You look as beautiful as the most youthful of flowers!" Lee spoke up.

"Thank you," Sakura replied.

"Come on, darling," her mother laced their arms together. "They won't hold that reservation forever."

As the group walked toward the restaurant, Kizashi thought it would be a great idea to embarrass his daughter on the eighteenth anniversary of her birth. "Honestly, at that point, I think we could have kept the diaper business afloat just on our own!" He bellowed and Naruto was laughing so hard he was crying, Kiba slapped Naruto's back as he doubled over with laughter as well.

"I don't understand," spoke Sai. "All babies defecate a lot. Why is this funny?" Naruto started laughing even harder at that. Sakura buried her face in her hands.

"Tousan…" she groaned.

"Honey, don't embarrass her in front of her friends," Mebuki scolded, though she had a fond smile on her face. Most likely from the memories of her sweet baby girl.

"Too late for that, Kaasan," Sakura mumbled, face still buried in her palms.

"We're here," Kizashi announced as he held the door open for the group. Sakura spotted their tables instantly. The chairs were decorated with cherry blossoms, and in the middle, small weights held down balloons of shades of maroon, green, pink and white.

"Oh, my god," Sakura muttered, then mustered up a smile. "Thanks, you guys. You really didn't have to…"

"Nonsense! My baby girl only turns eighteen one!" Kizashi exclaimed. His lips turned into a comical frown suddenly. "Oh, god! My only child is eighteen! Where has the time gone, Mebuki, where?"

Sakura sighed deeply. This was going to be a long, long dinner. She heard Sasuke scoff to her left. "Find anything amusing?" She quirked an eyebrow.

He looked down at her, the corners of his eyes crinkling.

"I'm glad you're having fun at my expense. At my birthday," Sakura grumbled.

"Do you like it, Sakura-chan?" Naruto butted in. "I helped Ino and Hinata-chan set it all up!"

"Yes, Naruto. You did a great job," Sakura smiled at him.

"Guys, can we eat already? I'm starving!" Chouji whined.

"You're always starving!" Ino scolded. "Tonight is not about you and your bottomless stomach!"

–––

The night flew by, with more embarrassing stories from childhood, exaggerated tales of missions, and, eventually, stories of the war.

"I'm telling you!" Naruto waved his hand. "Sakura marched forward and took out half an army with just one fist! It was beyond awesome! And kinda scary…"

"I am not scary!" Sakura grunted.

"You kind of are though," Naruto said. "Especially with that vein on your forehead. Scary, I'm telling you."

Sakura smiled sweetly. "Remember how I took out 'half an army' with just one fist? Imagine what that fist could do to your face."

Naruto shuddered. "Scary," he whispered quietly.

"Now, now," Sakura's mother scolded. "Don't go starting a fight, honey!"

"Time for presents!" Ino stepped in as well. "Let's open presents, Forehead!"

Sakura hated the attention. She had to sit there and open each present one by one as everyone around the tables looked at her. Most of them were new medical texts, some new fighting gear, some decorations for her apartment and gift cards to some restaurants, because her friends were painfully aware of her cooking skills.

Sasuke's gift, however, stood out from the rest. It was a hairpin, simple but elegant, decorated with white and ruby stones. Sakura's fingers lingered on the intricate hairpiece. "Thank you," she whispered, not looking up. She knew everyone was looking at her, and she wanted the ground to swallow her up.

Sasuke was the first to leave, he hated groups and conversations and socializing. Sakura was glad he came at all. Then her parents left as well. Kizashi joked about getting old and having to go to bed at a reasonable hour or his hip would be throbbing the following week. Lee had decided to drink a glass of sake in Sakura's honor and that wiped him out, so Tenten took him home. Everyone started slowly saying goodbye, and Sakura tried to stifle a yawn.

"Alright, Forehead. I think it's time we head home as well," only Ino, Naruto, Hinata and Sai were left at that point.

"Yeah, let's go," Sakura agreed. "Thank you, again, for tonight."

"It was nothing, Sakura-chan," Naruto hugged her as they left the restaurant. "I'll walk you home, Hinata-chan, I'm headed in the same direction."

"Th–thanks, Naruto-kun. Bye, Sakura! Happy birthday, again!" Hinata waved while sporting a furious blush.

Ino, Sai and Sakura walked in the same direction for a bit. Ino broke off first, as her street came into view, then Sakura headed down an alley to make a short cut. "Bye, Sai!" She waved at him as he continued on.

"Goodnight, Ugly!"

Sakura was walking down the alleyway, hands full of bags of presents. The air shifted behind her suddenly.

"You shouldn't walk down alleyways on your own in the middle of the night," Sasuke said as he grabbed some of the bags from her hand.

"Thanks, Sasuke-kun," Sakura said, slightly confused. "What are you doing here?"

"I need to tell you something," he replied simply.

They walked in silence toward her apartment. Sakura's mind raced with thoughts of what he could possibly want to tell her. And why hadn't he told her throughout the night. She knew the answer to that, of course. Sasuke was a private person; he would never talk about anything remotely private or serious with an audience.

She opened her door and slipped off her shoes. "You can just put those on the table," she motioned toward the gifts in his hand and she sat down the ones in her own. "Would you like some tea?"

"Can you make tea without burning the place down?" He raised an eyebrow at her.

"Ha-ha! Very funny," she rolled her eyes. "I'll have you know I make myself at least two cups of tea a day. Never burnt down anything. Well, a rag did catch fire once, but I put that out in a second."

A breath that felt a lot like a chuckle left his lips. "Tch."

"Come on," she started toward the kitchen. Sasuke sat down at the table while she filled the kettle with water and put it on the stove. She sat down across him, a leg folded underneath her. "So, what did you want to tell me?"

Sasuke's eyes fleeted away from hers for a brief second, and heavy feeling settled over Sakura's chest.

"I'm leaving in three weeks," he said.

"Leaving? Where? Why?" Sakura asked, confused. He was home. He didn't need to avenge anyone anymore. Why was he leaving then?

"I've done terrible things, Sakura," he looked ashamed. "I need to make it right. Atone for my sins."

Sakura wanted to tell him that he didn't need to. That he was forgiven, excused, let off the hook. But she understood. He might have been forgiven, but he was yet to forgive himself. As Sakura looked at him, she wondered if he ever would. She certainly hoped so. He was a good man, who took a couple of wrong turns. She prayed he would see the man she saw.

"Three weeks…" Sakura muttered. "That's so soon." As soon as his probation is over.

"Aa."

"Can I… go with you?" Sakura knew the answer, but it was worth a try.

"I need to do this on my own."

Sakura understood. It hurt like all hell, but she understood. A tear escaped her eye.

"Don't cry," Sasuke said softly. His hand that was resting on the table twitched. She wiped her cheek and rose to her feet to get the kettle.

"I'm sorry," she poured the hot water over the herbs. "It's just… it seems like we just got you back and you're already leaving. But I understand."

She placed the cup in front of him. He grabbed her wrist before she could pull it away.

"Sakura," he said lowly. "I'll be back, I promise."

"Will you write to me?" She asked, hope lacing her voice. Maybe his absence would be more bearable if they kept up some kind of correspondence.

"Aa," he let go of her hand, slowly, fingers lingering. Sakura's heart raced faster than what was healthy for a girl of barely eighteen.

"Okay," she sat down.

They sat and drank their tea in silence. He didn't leave after their cups were empty. He didn't leave when the first rays of sun started to peek through the window. Every now and again, Sakura spoke up. Telling him silly things, nothing of importance, but he listened intently nonetheless, sometimes he gave his opinion in return, other times he just let her ramble on. It was nice. She thought that maybe, someday, they could spend every day like this.

"Would you like some breakfast?" Sakura asked him a bit after six.

"I'll make something," he stood up. "What would you like?"

"I can make breakfast!" Sakura protested as Sasuke opened her fridge. "How about some okonomiyaki?"

Sasuke's shoulders jerked in silent laughter. "Okay."

He made their breakfast quietly. Sakura sat in her chair and watched his every movement. The way his shoulder blades moved under his black shirt, how his tricep tensed as he lifted the pan to shuffle the ingredients in it. He chopped vegetables with precision, even with his one hand. His non-dominant hand. He looked so at ease, so relaxed, and Sakura wished she possessed his kekkei genkai, so she could commemorate this side of him in her memory forever. For nights when he would be gone, and when she would miss him terribly.

Sasuke placed a plate in front of her, then grabbed his own and sat down.

"Itadakimasu."

–––

Sakura tried to spend as much time with Sasuke as she could before his departure. As much time as she could afford beside running the hospital and working on the establishment of the clinic. Naruto invited them for a Team 7 training one afternoon, insisting that they "barely saw each other these days," and that the "teme is leaving soon."

"Where's Sai?" Sakura asked as Naruto arrived at the training ground last. Sasuke was leaning against a tree, while Sakura was perched on one of its branches.

"He got called on a mission," Naruto replied. "Alright! Let's do this! What's allowed?"

"Just taijutsu?" Suggested Sakura.

"No chakra-infused strength, no sharingan," agreed Naruto.

"Aa."

They scattered around the trees, waiting for someone to make the first move. Sakura listened intently. She couldn't hear a thing for the longest while. Then, she heard a branch crack and Naruto shouting. She slowly crept in the direction of the sounds, to find Naruto scrambling to his feet, Sasuke getting ready to strike again in front of him. This was her chance.

Sakura calculated the distance and angle, then jumped from the branch, shifting, so her right foot was leading her descent, kicking Sasuke in the side, and sending him flying. She didn't waste any time, she flipped back on her hands, kicking Naruto in the stomach, slamming him into a tree trunk.

"I said no chakra-infused strength!" Naruto cried.

"I'm not using any! It's not my fault you guys are weaklings!" Sakura said. She felt Sasuke shift behind her and just barely avoided a blow to her ribs. Naruto charged back in, trying to land a hit on Sasuke, but he avoided it swiftly.

The next good while was spent jumping away from kicks and dodging blows. They were exhausting themselves without actually landing that many hits. Sakura's attention slipped for a second, and Naruto managed to kick her legs from under her. She landed on her back with a loud thud. She hissed in slight pain.

"Shit, Sakura-chan! Are you okay?" Naruto crouched down beside her.

Sakura wrapped her legs around Naruto's neck and threw him over her, shifting her own body with his, she sat on his chest, fist raised close to his face.

"Stop treating me like I'm some damsel in distress! I fought in a war you know, punched a goddess! I can handle a fall on my back," she hissed.

"Sorry, sorry!" Naruto whined. "I just don't like seeing you hurt," he said, frowning.

Sakura got off him and threw herself on the ground next to him, exhausted. "Let's call it a day. I'm beat."

Sasuke plopped down against a tree. They rested there quietly for a while, when suddenly Naruto sprung to his feet. "Shit! Shit, shit, shit! I'm supposed to meet Baa-chan like right now!" He grabbed his forehead in panic. "See you guys later!" He called over his shoulder as he jumped to a branch. And he was gone.

Sakura looked at the swaying leaves for a minute, then sat up slowly. She winced again from the fall she took. She put glowing palms on her back, soothing the pain until is completely disappeared.

"Do you need any healing?" She looked at Sasuke.

"You got me good, with that kick," Sasuke said. Sakura sat down next to him and started healing his side. She knew exactly which kick he meant. "Why did you become a medic?" He asked suddenly.

"I didn't want to feel useless, like a liability. I wanted to help… to bring you back…" Sakura said, focused on his side. "That's why I started, at least. But then I realized how fascinating it was. And I was actually good at it. I just fell in love with healing, and the fact that I could help so many people… I don't know, it's kind of an intoxicating feeling you know?"

"I wanted to be on the police force, when I was young. I wanted to help too," Sasuke stared off into nothingness, no doubt recalling something from his childhood. "My father was the police chief, I wanted to be like him. To make him proud."

Sakura smiled at him softly. "I'm sure you would have looked great in a police uniform."

He snapped his eyes to her, and her cheeks heated up. She noted the way his ears turned pink, and suddenly she felt better. He was embarrassed too. He didn't know how to do this either. She smiled at him, open and honest. He smiled back at her, small and reserved, but breathtaking nonetheless.

"I'm starving," Sakura announced after a minute. "Will you make me dinner?"

"Aa."

–––

After dinner, Sasuke helped with the dishes. Sakura washed and Sasuke dried. They worked in a comfortable silence, occasionally murmuring here or got it. Sakura washed slower than usual, and she had no doubt that Sasuke had noticed, but he didn't mention it, so she didn't either. In truth, she wanted to extend their time together as much as possible.

She turned toward him, tilting her head to look at his face. He'd grown a bit in the past few months. He finished drying the last cup and put it down, turning to face her. He was so close, she could see where the black of his pupil met the dark, dark grey of his iris.

"Sasuke-kun," she whispered in a voice so small she wasn't sure he'd heard her. She lifted one of her hands and brushed it against his cheek. His eyes softened and his jaw relaxed. Now or never. Sakura pushed herself on her tiptoes and pressed her lips chastely against his.