Only one more chapter to go after this one guys and then this story will be over! I'm actually a little sad that my first official story will be ending soon but I have plans to possibly start another one (hopefully much longer than this one) soon! Be on the lookout for my Twitter post where I will be sharing with you a few of the ideas that I have and I will be letting you help me decide on which story you might want to see next (though I think I know which one you will end up picking lol).

It's still a possibility that I may come back and add a bonus chapter to this one, but so far, NO rough draft for one has been made. I may also come back to this one and edit some of it by adding other chapters here and there or possibly extending some of them in the distant future. Even making a prequel to this one is an option... who knows with me lol. I appreciate everyone who has supported this story thus far and I sincerely hope that you will enjoy these last few chapters as much as you have the rest of it!


It was already day six... and the young, budding couple's group of friends had just arrived at her parents' home only a few minutes ago and the boisterous bunch of woman and men began to catch up almost immediately as they took their belongings to their respective rooms. Sakura's mother was working away in the kitchen on an early lunch while her father was long gone; as he said he had some "stuff to do" ... or more likely meant that he simply wanted to get away from the young rambunctious crowd; for just a little while anyway. Sakura Haruno was a jumbled ball of anxious, nervous energy ever since the group first arrived. The pinkette really needed some time to vent to her girlfriends about her decision to start up another romantic relationship with the Uchiha and luckily for her, her best friend and most trusted confidant, Ino Yamanaka picked up on it; suggesting that the women go out for some 'girl time' while the boys stayed behind. Sakura and Hinata both readily and wholeheartedly agreed with her declaration; eager to play catch-up after being apart for a few days.

As she was slipping on her thick, winter coat and boots, the pink-haired woman felt a large, dark presence move in as someone stood behind her. Sakura didn't have to turn around to see who it was; she knew that it was Sasuke. Nobody else made her stomach twist or her cheeks flush the way that her boyfriend did. "What is it, Sasuke," she huffed, slightly irritated, as she tied the last remaining string on her snow boots before righting herself and then turning to face him; her arms instinctively moving to cross over her petite chest as she raised a single, pink brow at the man's slightly darkened expression.

"Hn. Be careful when you go out there, Sakura. The roads are extremely slick." She watched as Sasuke stuffed his hands in his pockets; his lips pulling down into a deep frown. Her green gaze softened slightly, mischievous intent twinkling behind her irises.

"I'm taking my mom's SUV so I'll be completely fine out there. Besides," the young woman said as she boldly stepping into his personal space; watching as the man unconsciously leaned into her while his throat bobbed as he swallowed. "I grew up around here. I know how bad the roads can be. I'm always careful."

Her new lover leaned down to press his forehead against hers gently; one hand coming up to hold the back of her head while the other moved to grasp onto her upper arm lightly. "I realize that, Sakura. I don't doubt your capabilities when it comes to this sort of thing. I'm simply worried about your safety; that's all..."

"I'll be fine, Sasuke. Try not to worry too much. I'll be back before you know it." Sakura closed her eyes and took a deep breath; savoring his unique scent as she slowly wrapped her arms around his thick waist. The male chose that moment to kiss her; hard and long as passion quickly consuming them both for a moment, before someone noisily cleared their throat. Sasuke pulled away from her first, ever so slowly, before turning to frown at the blonde-haired boy who stood awkwardly to the side while scratching at the back of his neck nervously.

"Uh, Sakura's mom asked me if we could go out and get some more firewood. She said it's going to get really cold tonight." Naruto's cerulean gaze switched from his two best friends as they moved away from each other; his eyes flashing knowingly, but thankfully he remained silent... for once.

"Hn. I'll be right there." The Uchiha nodded in the affirmative as he stuffed his hands back into the pockets of his jacket.

The blonde walked away after a single wave of his hand and a small smile in Sakura's direction; leaving them alone in the hallway once again. "I guess I'd better get going now, Sasuke. We will be back soon!" The young woman moved to grab for the front door before pulling it open, allowing the frigid winter air to blow in past her, and was about to take a step out when she heard him call her name softly. She turned to him and watched as his face flashed with an unreadable emotion, for a brief second, before his handsome features significantly softened. "I love you."

'Breath. You can do this. Just. Keep. Breathing.'

Almost instantly a deep, heated blush dusted her cheeks a darker shade of pink than her natural hair color, but the woman was determined to hold his intense gaze with her own; though her small hand tightened its hold significantly around the door knob. She swallowed once and blinked twice before speaking a response; one that she felt deep in her heart was the honest truth, and not just something she said because she knew he wanted to hear it. "I love you too, Sasuke."

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"Oh my gosh, I need this so badly," Ino exclaimed as she brought her coffee mug up to her lips; her eyes rolling to the back of her head as she took a long, drawn-out sip. "Being stuck in a small car with Naruto for nearly ten whole hours... straight was absolutely horrendous. He can catch a ride back with you and Sasuke when we all go home, pinky." Sakura and Hinata exchanged a knowing, joyous look before giggling amongst themselves; causing their blonde-haired friend to frown and glare darkly at the two women.

"It couldn't have been that bad, Ino," the pinkette teased her best friend as she held her own warm beverage between her slightly chilly fingers. She raised a brow at the blonde woman when she got a scowl as a response.

"Hey, where is the nearest ramen shop when you need it? Hey guys, do you think that a fish has an asshole? What time is it? How much longer until we get there? I'm sooo bored. Does anyone else want to go get some ramen before we get there, I'll even pay for it... this time." Ino was attempting to imitate Naruto's voice and it caused both of her female companions to begin to cackle loudly; drawing the attention of several other patrons around them that were currently also occupying in the small shop. Sakura caught herself and quickly apologized to the other customers before turning her attention back to Ino.

"Naruto doesn't sound like that," she huffed as she took a small sip of her hot drink. Ino simply rolled her eyes as she crossed her arms over her ample chest before leaning back in her seat.

"You get the point that I'm trying to make," the blonde grumbled. "Now stop being such a bitch."

"How in the hell am I the one being accused of being a bitch," Sakura sputtered angrily before her viridescent eyes began to narrow.

"Oh, never mind that...," Ino tried to brush off their small argument with a dismissive wave of her hand; her blue orbs twinkling brightly while she leaned over the edge of the table. "I want to hear all about what's been happening over the past few days... you know, with you and the Uchiha? Don't think I missed the way that you two have been sneaking glances at each other since we arrived; and who could have missed that steamy make out session by the front door this morning before we left." Sakura blushed profusely as she looked down at the table; her thin fingers tapping on the side of her mug as she bit her bottom lip, contemplating to what extent she should go in tell them what's happened. She settled for the most obvious answer.

"We're... dating again... officially."

"OH MY GOSH; NO FUCKING WAY! THATS HUGE GIRL! Congratulations! You have to tell us how it happened!" Sakura noticed several heads turn their way and leaned across the table to scold her loud-mouthed friend.

"I will if you keep your voice down," she hissed in irritation before giving the very annoyed patrons a deeply apologetic smile and softly spoken apology.

"Just tell us already! The suspense is killing me!" Ino was practically laying across the tabletop now; her head as close to Sakura as she could reach from her position across from her as her ears strained to hear every single detail.

Sakura sighed before leaning back against her seat; eyes closing briefly before she met the impatient woman's eager gaze. "Well... where do I begin..."

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"... and that's how it happened." Ino and Hinata looked at her in stunned silence; both completely enraptured by her long story. Hinata was the first to break the silence and speak, though when she did the one word that slipped from her tongue had both Sakura and Ino's jaws practically on the floor, for neither of them had ever heard such foul language come from the dark-haired girl.

"Damn."

The two women simply blinked at her for several long seconds before being able to regain their composure; Ino was the first one to voice her curiosity. "Did Hinata Uzamaki just cuss?" Hinata blushed deeply and waved her hands repeatedly in front of her face while she starred wide eyes at the blonde.

"No... I'm not... Naruto and I are just..."

"Dating I know...," Ino said offhandedly. "But I'm sure you will be changing your name... soon." Her gaze then zeroed in on Sakura, and the pinkette frowned as she eyed her best friend closely. "I bet someone else's last name will be changing soon too." Completely satisfied with herself, Ino ignored Sakura's dark glare and took a sip of her coffee calmly; as if she hadn't a care in the world.

"We are NOT getting married!" The pink-haired woman was in complete and utter denial on that one, Ino thought as she rolled her eyes. The two of them had just gotten back together a few days ago! There was absolutely no way; no way in hell that she could see herself getting married to him so soon afterwards... even if they had the four years prior of being in a committed and loving relationship. That was simply a crazy thought to even be considering as a possibility... right?

"Well, maybe you aren't getting married to the guy today but that doesn't mean that tomorrow isn't a good time... or maybe even on Saturday. Yeah, I think that Saturday would be good." 'Ino's smile is almost as creepy as her boyfriend's,' Sakura thought as she glanced warily at her best friend.

"Saturday...," the pinkette asked as a confused expression transformed her feminine features. "You really think that Sasuke and I will be getting married... on Saturday? This coming weekend?" The woman nodded in the affirmative; and it was Sakura's turn to roll her eyes. "I don't think so missy! That's only what... two days away, and it's also Christmas Day... you're completely insane. I think that you've actually lost the plot."

"Oh, come off it, Sakura," Ino persisted after she took a sip of her coffee. "It wouldn't be that far-fetched to think about. You and the Uchiha have history together; you were made for each other. Besides, I heard Naruto and Sai talking on the way down here and I remember them saying that Sasuke told them specifically that he has a big surprise for you on Christmas Eve. They wouldn't say what it was exactly buuttt... I got the district impression that it was, or maybe had something to do with, a certain finger... on your left hand to be exact." Ino held her own hand up and tried to 'discreetly' point at the finger in question; though she failed miserably. The pink-haired woman's bright green irises were bulged at this point and her heart was began to pound an erratic rhythm.

"You... you don't think... that he would...," Sakura swallowed harshly as the warm liquid within her belly began to sour. She felt as if she would be sick any minute now and clutched at her shirt desperately as her vision began to narrow; she tried to even out her harsh breathing so that she wouldn't pass out.

"Yes. He loves you, Sakura. It's obvious to all of us," Ino insisted as she reached a hand across the table to pat her friend's shoulder and smiled softly. "He never stopped loving you. He was just hurt and lost; confused even. Sasuke didn't want to drag you down with him, so he thought it was best to just... let you go."

"He... did he tell you all of that?" Sakura closed her eyes tightly as her hands turned into tightly bound fist. "I... Sasuke didn't say a fucking word to me about how he was feeling back then. I... I could have helped him. I..."

"No, Sakura. He didn't say a word. But anyone, and I do mean anyone, with eyes could see it; the way that it nearly destroyed him when he broke off things with you. He wouldn't leave his house for weeks; weeks Sakura! Naruto had to go over to his house just to make sure that he was still eating properly and taking care of himself. I kind of think that... well actually, I know that you guys are meant to be together. Even if it took you a while to get there. It's worth it in the end though, don't you think."

"I agree with Ino," Hinata spoke up from her seat next to Sakura. She brought one of her hands to wrap around Sakura's fist; lacing their fingers together to give the woman a gentle, reassuring squeeze. "You shouldn't give up on him nor the old dream that you had of being together. You all make a really good couple and it's clear to all of us that you care about each other. Knowing each other for so long and have a past together might be the key to help make things work out between the two of you. You will never know, unless you try."

"I still think that marriage... it might be moving too fast. Plus, you can't know for certain that's what he's planning guys."

"Do what you want Sakura. Just make sure that you won't regret your final decision." Sakura was silently pondering over her friend's words as she looked down into her almost empty mug; now fill with cold coffee. 'Would I regret marrying him if he asked me and I went through with it? Should I say yes or is it too soon? All I know for sure is that I am still wanting to be with him... forever. But if Sasuke is planning on asking me to marry him... and Christmas Eve is tomorrow... I...'

Sakura's green eyes grew wider when she fully realized exactly how soon Christmas Eve actually was. The day that they said her boyfriend was planning something big for her.

'Oh crap!'

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"Naruto," Sasuke growled in irritation as he had to make a grab for the axe that his best friend was attempting to use before the blonde-headed boy managed to take off his own foot or possibly someone else's. "Maybe I should do this part from now on. Why don't you go over and help Sai stack the wood instead, okay?"

"Fine, fine. My arms are starting to get tired as it is." Sasuke could only shake his head at the boy, who had only managed to cut one thing and that had been a very, very thin... log; if you could even call it that. 'How in the hell can Naruto be tired already... from that?' Sasuke rolled his dark eyes but began the task of chopping the remaining wood pieces as his friends put them into a neat pile close to the house. The small group stayed in a companionable silence for a while, before Sai decided to speak up and interrupt the mostly quiet work.

"So, are you going to ask Sakura tomorrow?"

"Hn. (Lift) I was planning on it. (Swing) But I'm not entirely sure when will be the best time to do it. (Wack)" He tossed the broken pieces of wood to the side before grabbing another log from his slowly dwindling pile; placing the large chunk of tree into position before bringing the ax up once more with an experienced ease.

"How about asking Sakura after dinner tomorrow night," Sai suggested casually. "When everyone is gathered in the living room for music and polite conversation. You could even do it in front of the Christmas tree. That would be nice." The young dark-haired man grabbed a few of the broken pieces of wood that Sasuke had just cut before stacking them neatly on top of his own towering pile; brushing his hands together afterwards and whipping at the small beads of sweat that rested just above his dark brow. Sasuke gave his friend a contemplative look.

"That's very romantic of you Sai," Naruto tease him, but was quickly silenced when Sasuke gave the blonde boy an exasperated glare.

"Do...," Sasuke took a deep (what was supposed to be calming) breath before continuing. "... you guy don't think that I'm rushing back into things; do you?" The Uchiha's anxieties and insecurities were mounting; the closer it came to tomorrow evening. He absentmindedly reached in his pants pocket for the small box that rested there before he caught himself and let his large hand fall back down to his side. Sasuke leaned his weight lightly against the axe while his mind wandered to last week... when he went to the jewelry store with Naruto to pick the ring out. The man knew that he was probably being hopeful at this point... but he knew what he wanted. He just hoped that Sakura was feeling the same exact way as him; but was he brave enough to ask her... that was a question yet to be answered.

"I don't think so. You've known Ugl... Sakura for a while now," Sai pointed out as he waved a hand lazily. "It only makes sense that you both should be married by now and with at least one child on the way at that."

"That part won't be happening... for a little while yet anyway." Sasuke was pretty sure he would do well enough to get Sakura to agree to marry him so soon after rekindling their 'lost' love. He highly doubted that the young woman would want to have children with him anytime soon; though, he had to admit that he wasn't completely opposed to the idea... not really.

"Either way, if you want to do it Sasuke, then just go for it I say." Naruto pats his friend's right arm roughly before getting back to work. "Besides, I'm pretty sure Sakura won't be very surprised when you do decide to pop the question." Sasuke looked at him with confusion as he wrapped his long, thick digits around the axes wooden handle as he prepared to cut the remaining fire wood so they could go back inside where it was warmer.

"Why is that," he asked.

LIFT. SWING. WACK.

"She's out right now with Hinata and Ino. That crazy blonde can't keep a secret to save her life." Sasuke stopped mid-swing, onyx eyes zeroing in on his friend; they began to slowly narrow as his temper started to flare.

"How would she even know about it in the first place Naruto? I didn't tell either of them anything about it." His tone was dark, calculating, and downright deadly.

Naruto grew pale as he took several steps back from the angered male; his hands were raised in a surrendering, non-threatening way. "I may or may not have mentioned something about it on the way down here... in front of them..."

"YOU FUCKING TOLD THEM!? Why in the hell would you do that, you stupid idiot!" Sasuke was absolutely fuming at this point; he was furious at his best friend. He threw down the axe to the side and took a large, menacing step forward towards the cowering blonde, who in turn shrieked rather girlishly before running and hiding behind Sai, as if he would work as some sort of protection; though the completely clueless dark-haired man only smiled in response to the whole situation. Sasuke's muscles were tight as he held his hands firmly at his sides; his fist was ready to strike if the male decided to get to close. "I can't believe you told them! No, I take that back, actually I can. This is exactly why I can't tell you anything, you idiot!"

"Don't be too mad at him Sasuke." Sai was trying for a much more calming approach as he took a small step forward; his own hands raised as well in a surrendering gesture. "It's not like it would have been a big surprise anyway. Not with how the two of you were locked in such a heated and passionate moment not too long ago. I'm sure it's not the first time that you both have..."

"You both are so dead." Naruto looked at Sai at the same moment that Sai looked at him. Both exchanged a worried, scared look before taking off at a fast run; the Uchiha was following close behind. Naruto screamed as he barely dodged Sasuke's hand which had shot out as he tried to grab ahold of him.

"Faster, Sai! Go! Run for your life!"


Author's Notes:

(Sasusaku au. Sakura is a very, very forgiving person in this fanfic just a heads up and it is a little fast pace. I hope you still like it anyway. I will most likely go back and improve this short story in the future but for now I hope you enjoy it as is.)

Note: Sakura is very influenced by her love for Sasuke. She is also a very forgiving person so I feel it effects most of her decisions to so readily forgive him; especially since it's not like he cheated on her or anything! That would be unforgivable in my books!

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If any of these sound like your own writing or another you have read I apologize but I didn't copy anyone's work. This is entirely my own writing.