At the beginning of September, at every corner of the city, autumn came in gently. As the leaves withered-ready to be stripped out of their once warm ebony bodies-some friendships's warmth got subsided as well.

Sakura had been counting the days to when her springtime of life would finally fade away, and how her friends would let go of their hands one by another. By doing so she wished she would not fall too deep or wounded too long.

/

• hERe aFtEr •

3.

/

Hokkaido, 2011.

When the snow melted away. January 1st


When the new year came Sakura's annual ritual would be visiting her parents's and Grandma Kaede's graves. Although she visited them almost every months, the annual ritual would be especial things to do for Sakura. She went there alone most of the time, but in a special occasion like this her uncle would accompanied her if he was in town.

Sakura draped in a fancy kimono she occasionally wear, both of her hands full with bouquet of flowers and a bottle of sake; she trudged her wooden sandals to the graveyard.

But, from afar she saw there were two familiar figure stood by the graves.

"Wow, you really wearing a kimono," as soon as he saw her, Naruto gave away his comment.

"Stubborn as always," added another one, from Sasuke.

Sakura's brows furrowed, tried to remember what brought them here, because they supposed to be somewhere else.

"What's going on?" Naruto waved his hands in front of Sakura's face.

"You're gonna hit him, right?" Sasuke hit Naruto's head with a fist.

Sakura sighed, "Naruto, you should be helping your dad right now, don't you?"

She didn't let Naruto answer it, "And then you," said Sakura with a finger pointed to Sasuke, "aren't you supposed to be on your way to your Grandma's house?"

Another sighed from Sakura, to the boys who were casting each other look then remained silent.

Sakura decided to carried on her ritual. She had to admit kimono was not a good choice for her, she was struggling to put down both the flowers and a sake bottle. And her boys did not even bother to give their hands, nor she expected to. They were busy looking at her, yet Sakura let them be.

"I'm going to start praying." Sakura closed her eyes, then she felt the warmth from Naruto's and Sasuke's body when they scooted closer.

"Dear Mom, Dad, and Kaede Baa-chan… today Naruto and Sasuke came with me. It's been a long time since they here, isn't it? They supposed to be with their own families instead of here, but I'm so grateful for that. I miss you guys, I will always miss you, I hope everything is fine up there,

And I… I want to apologize. I think I had to leave our home."

Tears were starting to damped her cheeks. It dropped down to the ground and left a raindrops-like mark.

"I will try my best to be the better Sakura each and every day. As Obaa-chan always said to me, I should be someone who love sincerely and keep strong for whatever obstacles I would face,"

Sakura felt a strong urge to sob.

"Also… about Sasuke-kun, please forgive him… it wasn't his fault nor his parents. The decision I've made was purely based on my own willing, because I wanna pursue my dream as well. I wish whichever path I'd take, you will always be with me. Please forgive me, I love you guys."

When Sasuke finished his praying, he took a look at someone beside him. Sakura's sudden puffy eyes were pointing at him as well. She was trying to curved her lips. A warm smile were formed in front of him.

Sasuke's long left arm wrapped Sakura closer to his side. He let Sakura stared at him for a second, then he felt her head rested gently on his shoulder. He sniffled a bit of flowery scents.

"Super hugs!" Naruto did not want to miss the moment, he throw both of his arms around his two bestfriends.

In times of separation, knowing each other feelings was indispensable, Sakura could think. Before she even realized, she was always in love with these two boys, with only tiny particular difference. And how she managed to understood it with the simplest acts was thrilling.

/

Sakura tried to talk to Sasuke-or at least meet him-for a couple of times. It turned out to be something like mission impossible because he disappeared right after the teachers left his classroom. Sakura never got to know what he was up to, because she was busied with her own agendas.

Her weekly schedules were full for private discussion classes, committee meetings and arrangement for Sotsugyoshiki*. And almost at every weekend Sakura spent her time with Ino to study while helped her working at her family's flowers shop.

So when she finally got to see the jet black hair of certain someone, she was out of control rushing, her smile widened.

"Did you missed your lunch again, Sasuke-kun?"

Sasuke turned his head quickly to see the voice owner, "Why are you still here?"

Sakura sat close to him. The hallways were empty because the students were supposed to got home two hours ago.

Sakura saw a paper peeked under Sasuke's lunch box, which only on a very busy school days his mom would made it for him, like when he had to practice for Judo or Tennis, or when he was having additional class. There were remained three glistening tomatoes inside it.

"Another discussion class. What about you?"

Sasuke looked hesitant, "I… need to see the headmaster."

"Eeh? Haven't you talked to him already?

"Not really, he was apparently always busy."

"Yes, he was. The committee need his approval like a month ago, but he was always went to some seminars and meetings, it made him rarely seen in school. He was insisted to handed the documents to the vice."

Sakura snatched Sasuke's tomatoes, all three of them. He gave her the permission by remained quiet, so she was gladly starting to bit it. Her mind focused on what she was trying to discuss with Sasuke over this past three weeks.

"What's with the letter?" She got distracted anyway.

"Another scholarship application."

"You surely haven't told me anything."

Sasuke made a small laugh, "Because we don't have time to talk, just yet. You are so tied up here and there."

"May I ask to where was it going to be, Sasuke-kun?"

Sasuke handed her the paper. She only needed to catch a glimpse of it and University of Columbia was vividly-typed in bold with all capitals- seen at the center of the letter. You could hardly missed it. All of a sudden the other words were seemed invincible and meaningless.

Sakura held a breath.

"I've been wanting to ask you about it all this time, Sasuke-kun," she was controlling her facial expression.

"I'm sorry, I didn't mean to keep it a secret from you. I've been thinking about a lot of things before finally made up my mind, and this was since Itachi came home."

"It's all set then?"

Sasuke nodded his head. Then there was unpleasant silent hanging between them. Sasuke stared at how strangely firm Sakura's fingers were holding his letter.

"I know I was kinda selfish, not to mention, my parents were trying to sell out our hotel, it'd make my decision sounds terrible. Honestly our hotel were in bad shape right now and they seem as frustrated as me, because I couldn't get any scholarship just like Itachi did."

"I've submitted the scholarships twice, and twice they've been rejecting it as well," He continued with a snort.

"Don't you have plan B? You should have another plan, Sasuke-kun."

Sasuke shook his head right away. He looked dejected and seemed mentally tired.

"You know that I always wanted to surpass Itachi, at least once. I will do it whatever it takes," How Sasuke stated his unwavering resolution, made Sakura's eyes dropped from his face back to the paper in her hand.

"What about your mom and dad?"

"Well, even though they didn't like my plan, I told them I had no other options. It definitely took times for they sympathized and respected my decision. I'm very grateful for them."

Sakura heard a deep sigh escaped Sasuke's lips, "So many things have happened."

Yeah, too many things happened at the same time. Sakura intended to console Sasuke with 'everything is gonna be fine, it is okay', but not a single word could came out of her lips.

"And Todai*, how's your progress going?"

"It all went good, Sasuke-kun, I just-" Sakura made up something quick, "gotta find the right place soon."

Sasuke was nodding, exactly what he had in mind, "Good luck for that."

A little bit of jealousy did not hurt Sasuke. And because he was sure that Sakura could successfully not only majoring in Medical School but she also went to Tokyo University. He sincerely wished the best of luck for her.

That proved Sasuke Uchiha was oblivious, to what kind of state he had Sakura in. His plan would be damned for it could tore apart not only Sakura's heart, but also her already miserable life.

/

A month before the final exam, Sakura felt like she completely lost her friends. Dozens of trial exams and private classes after school had drove her away from her friends. Wherever she went, she was all by herself.

She was on her way home from Ino's at Saturday night, when she spotted the large billboard across the houses. It was displaying a picture of a huge ski resort.

"Your new gateway to Hokkaido's most luxurious resort in 2013," Sakura read the captivating words, "wow, didn't know they would start to build this fast."

Sakura took the beautiful illustration of the resort with a views of snowy mountain and snow-covered trees alongside the ski tracks. The resemblance of her serene neighborhood was nowhere to be seen. Even it became too quiet after the developer was starting to built the resort, since two to three of her neighbors had moved to the neighboring district.

Sakura turned her head and continued her steps.

"I'm home."

/

Hokkaido, 2010.

One day after Christmas Eve.


Sakura walked through an ankle-deep thick layered of snow. She was happy for Ino's mother brought her a box full of home-cook meal, all of the closest shops and dinners had been closed until January.

She looked up to her dim lighted yard, there was a black sedan parked outside her home. To her surprise it was a familiar car. Her slow paces were gradually hastened.

"Hi, Sakura-chan."

It was Uchiha Mikoto who leaned on the passenger seat, "Mikoto-san," a puff of white smoke billowed out of her mouth, "H-how are you doing? Are you coming with Sas-"

As she spoke, she spotted Uchiha Fugaku was waving his hand.

Little bit disappointed, Sakura welcomed them to her home nevertheless. She hastily brought two cups of tea from her cupboard. She was thinking about some late snacks, but then she glanced at the stack of boxes which Mikoto and Fugaku had brought her. By the look of it, she knew it already, it was not the time for any late night snacks and the two cups of tea would be fine.

"The reason why we're coming this late," Mikoto calmly stated, "is that we need your help, Sakura-chan."

Sakura answered Mikoto with a perplexed smile. "Sure, Mikoto-san, you can tell me what is it about."

Mikoto straightened her back, she looked very uncomfortable upon her seat, Sakura assumed it might be the sofa-or might be not.

"We need to sell out our hotel to our fellow developer friends from foreign country. They've been asking us for ages, unfortunately our big family didn't like the idea."

"And, you know that Sasuke wanted to go to New York, right?" Mikoto changed the topic all of a sudden.

Sakura nodded, "I think maybe last month he told me about that."

"That huge intention from him was our final reason to sell out our hotel and move together to US. We had been begging over and over for our family's blessing. We all were struggling for it, but it finally paid off."

Sakura tried to sympathized, yet the confusing part was still on. She merely stared at the Uchiha couple.

She knew that Naruto and his family was temporarily live in Hokkaido, before his dad went to another country and they had to leave Hokkaido as well. But it struck her to the core to knew the Uchiha was also had to leave this town.

"So you guys will going too?"

Slowly with a furrowed brows, Mikoto nodded.

From her side Fugaku was finally speaking, "Another reason is because Itachi finally has the capability to take over our business. He started his small franchise already. I'm getting less nimble, Sakura-chan, you know I have to think about a retirement plan soon."

It was not Fugaku's typical to smile, but Sakura witnessed the sincere smile nonetheless.

"And, about… what could I do to help you?"

"Here is the thing, Sakura-chan. That foreign developer, our foreign friend, was trying to make it in a big scale," Fugaku started to explained, "They wanted to build an one-stop tourist attraction, so it wouldn't be the resort or the ski track only, it also includes a playground, a supermarket, a department store, not to mention dozens of stalls. If they have to stick with the plan, they'd need to take down the closest neighborhood from it. As we are talking now, they've been relocating a few families to another neighborhood.

And the thing I really want to say is, we are sorry because we didn't know this neighborhood would also need to be relocated."

Fugaku and Mikoto's eyes were in deep sorrow.

"And this… h-home," Sakura almost choked by her own words.

"We tried our best, we've been asking them to give you their best assistance for your new place."

Sakura gaped in incredulity.

Sakura's reaction was fair, understandable, yet heart wrenching. Mikoto reached Sakura by the hands.

"You know, you've been like a family to us. I know that Sasuke care so much about you and Naruto. But of course, in my life Sasuke's future is one of the most important thing. Looking at how much struggles and hardships he had been enduring, these were the only things we should do to help him, Sakura-chan."

Mikoto cried in front of Sakura, her tears were on her hands. "I'm begging you, Sakura-chan, please, forgive me… forgive us."

Sakura had no options on her plate. So she was remained silent, but with the slight touch-she held back Mikoto's hand-Sakura felt enough love from a mother who had sacrificed so much for her sons and now begged to be understood.

"I… I always felt the same way… you're like a mother-" talked about a mother once more and Sakura couldn't strong enough to held the tears any longer, "I care about Sasuke-kun too, so much… but, I'm sorry, I also need time to think about all of this."

Mikoto and Fugaku felt a deep misery made a hollow inside their chests after Sakura gave them a big warm hug. Her whole being seemed frail.

Mikoto prayed over and over again for God to forgive them, and did not let their mistake be the damage of Sakura's future.

/

• ePiLoGuE •

Sakura leaned on the school rooftop rail. The freezing air had long gone left Hokkaido. Now the trees were dancing with its finest green leaves.

"Sakura-chan?" Naruto's voice was heard from behind. She turned her head to see Naruto's busied hands.

She immediately smiled; two melted ice creams were in his hands.

"Thaaaank youuuu," Sakura took one ice cream, "what a waste, let me help you," Sakura stuck her tongue out toward Naruto's hands.

Naruto taped Sakura at her large forehead. To her surprise, he was blushing. Naruto then shifted his gaze.

"Heeey, it sticky you know!"

The two were devouring both the ice creams and the views from above. Usually they did it along with the others, today was different, Naruto asked no one but Sakura.

"Does it strange if I ask you to go out with me, Sakura-chan?"

Sakura eyes widened. Did I hear it wrong?

The question was out of the blue. And she didn't, like ever, think it would be made sense.

"You were hearing it just right."

"Funny, you couldn't hear what I was thinking though!?" Sakura hit Naruto's shoulder so har, it kind of hurt her palm.

Naruto's laughter was heard.

"Yeah, I couldn't hear what's inside your head, but I might be able to imagine it. And I imagine it way too much, to the point it got hurt me," Naruto then gave out his typical warm smiles, "could you just date me?" he said while scratching his temple.

Sakura captured the image of Naruto in front of her with her bleary eyes. Her loving precious friends.

"Absolutely I could do that, even hundred of dates I would do it for you, but did you realized that you missed one thing way more important there?"

Naruto held her gaze, "I was serious though."

Sakura answered his seriousness by held his hand then interlocked their fingers, "Trust me, I couldn't be more serious than this, Naruto."

Naruto was glad his insecurities did not get the better of him and he confessed his feelings. He would never regret it. He did not want to lose her, just like he felt the same way with Sasuke, but he had been foolishly miss-translated into something else.

The two hands were interlocking each other that day-which never in a million years crossed his mind-would be Naruto's ultimate revelation to their following years of friendship.

/

*Graduation ceremonial

*Tokyo Daigakuse = University of Tokyo