Chapter 15

"Cherry Blossom Rasengan!"

The endless white of the snowy field reflected pink as Sakura's attack connected. Chakra expanded out from the technique to form a massive ball of magenta and lilac hue. Naruto had to move back quickly to avoid being caught up in the blast. The hiss of their combined chakra spinning was deafening until, suddenly, it became totally silent. The chakra dispersed in the night sky, leaving a massive crater where the battlefield once was, and a dissipating cloud of smoke where Sakura and Toneri were in the sky.

When Naruto looked again he was awestruck. He saw a battered and beaten Toneri fall straight down into the newly formed crater in the ground, but he was more worried about the pinkette who was now free-falling to the surface thirty feet below. She was covered in battle damage and her breath was heavy, but even from far away he could tell she was smiling her victory smile. It was a look he was familiar with after their years of comradery, and one he secretly wished to replicate outside of battle. His heart swelled.

"Go get her kit" he heard Kurama say before the beast's laugher echoed in his mind and faded into nothing. Despite himself, a smirk pulled at his lips. He didn't have to be told twice. Channeling chakra into his feet, he jumped high into the air.

Sakura looked down at the ground far below her and her smile faded. She couldn't believe how much chakra her blonde idiot had poured into that attack, and she certainly wasn't expecting the ground to be that far away. The medic began to brace herself for impact but gasped when she felt strong arms grasp her behind her shoulders and knees. As they moved through the air she was pulled against the hard surface of his chest. Naruto landed a moment later, skidding some distance with Sakura in his arms. She looked up and the scene she saw took her breath away. In the background, remnants of their combined chakra continued to fade away causing little pink lights to pepper the air. In the foreground all she saw was him. His teeth were not on full display as per usual. Instead, he gave her a soft and warm smile she had never seen from him before. Despite her embarrassment and the butterflies in her chest, she smiled back and wrapped her arms around his shoulders, pushing her face further into his chest.

"Nice catch..." she whispered quietly against him, but he heard it and she felt his chest rise and fall when he laughed.

"Nice hit" he responded, nodding his head around to their surroundings. His laughter stopped abruptly. Sakura looked back at his eyes and any sense of humor or lightheartedness was gone. What replaced it was concentration, seriousness, and something that she still couldn't quite name but was quickly become addicted too.

The reality of all that had happened on this mission and the days leading up it caught up to her, and Sakura suddenly felt uncertain. It was clear that the steady ground of friendship they had built was not the same. Something had shifted, his kiss had proven that, but she still wasn't sure what was going on in his head. She had so many questions she wanted to ask, but instead, all she did was get lost in his eyes above her as the pink lights reflected in each iris's corner.

Naruto was the one who planned on breaking the silence. He opened his mouth to speak but was interrupted when he Hinata land a few yards away with her sister. The Hyuga princess blushed seeing the two in such an intimate position. She could feel fresh tears coming on but pushed them away. This sight was something she might have to get used to, but right now Hanabi came first. Naruto saw Hanabi with a blindfold covering her eyes and remembered the mission wasn't quite over yet. He looked back to the pinkette in his arms and shrugged apologetically. Sakura just shook her head, blush still coating her cheeks, before getting down from his grasp and walking toward's Hinata.

—

"I can see the cave!" An overly enthusiastic blonde shouted as he looked out into the distance. He was currently on top of one of Sasuke's hawk as they sped through the air of the realm where their mission began. Sitting next to him was a certain pink-haired medical ninja. Awake and now annoyed to have been jerked out of from her brief nap, she smoothed her hair out and got up to see where he was pointing.

Everyone was tired, but the last few hours had gone relatively smoothly.

After Toneri's defeat, Sakura had immediately set upon returning Hanabi's eyes to their rightful owner. It had taken a bit of time, and a lot of medical expertise, but by the end of the procedure Sakura had managed to pull it off. Hanabi still had to wear a blindfold for a week or so, but the medic was confident the young girl's eyesight would make a full recovery. The entire time Hinata sat by her sister's side, holding her hand and whispering soft thank you's to Sakura who updated her as she worked.

When it was finished, Hinata pulled both Sakura and Naruto into a tight hug. She cried as she apologized for letting her feelings get the better of her and for trying to handle everything alone. Naruto and Sakura assured the Hyuga they did not hold any grudge and they understood all that she had gone through. Hinata purposely steered clear of the subject of her love for the blonde before her, but he caught on to the hidden meaning of her words regardless. Sakura seemed too as well and gave the two some space as she made the excuse to brief Hanabi on proper eye-care. The pinkette took her leave and, to her pleasant surprise, didn't feel any jealousy towards the two talking as friends. Hinata apologized to her crush again, but he pulled her into a tight hug, causing her to blush. He whispered into her ear that he was proud of her for fighting for her family and that regardless of what she felt he would always consider her a very close friend. While the words hurt, they also reassured Hinata and she found the strength to hug him back, fewer tears in her eyes this time.

Naruto had then gone over to the defeated Toneri. He sat down next to him with a thud. The pale, now blind man could no longer move his body and could feel that he was dying. There was no pain, and he was surprised by how merciful the combined force of those two was. Sakura's medical chakra had caused his body to go numb, so he wouldn't feel the damage Naruto's chakra had caused. It was odd, but the villain felt the slightest hint of regret for his actions. This glint of hope was pushed wide open as Naruto spoke. He didn't look at him but apologized things had to end this way. He said he respected the man's conviction, despite his methods, and that he would do everything he could to ensure that the future of Humanity was filled with peace rather than war, and that if Toneri saw it, it would be humanity worthy of being spared. Naruto looked at Sakura talking to Hinata and Hanabi in the distance and smiled. As he got up and left, he thanked Toneri for leaving the truth-seeking orb in the cave, and said he believed everyone had good in them, and that was Toneri's way of showing it. Toneri couldn't help but smile as he passed on: He too had his heart changed by the blonde even if he didn't know it.

After finishing everything, Naruto found the Chakra signature of his father's Kunai. Grasping his teammates he used most of his nine tails chakra to teleport them all back to the other realm. A second later They all appeared in the cave they had taken shelter in, scaring the living hell out of a sleeping Uchiha who nearly killed Naruto as he defended himself against the unknown intruders. After Sakura stopped a fight that was surely brewing between the two, Sasuke had summoned two hawks. Naruto and Sakura took one, and everyone else piled on the other. The entire ride was quiet as it was close to 4 am in the real world and everyone was nodding in and out of sleep. Despite the lack of communication Naruto's hand clung to Sakura's the entire time. Even though they had yet to talk, she relished the contact and didn't protest.

Sakura stretched after she rose from her seat on the flying beast. Sure enough, the cave was indeed coming into view in the distance. They would be home soon, and the kunoichi felt an uncontrolled smile appear on her lips. She always missed home more than she let on, and the thought returning was a welcome one. The hawks began their descent and she felt Naruto's gaze back on her. When she met it her pulse sped up and her lips became dry. He had the same look he had on after Toneri's defeat.

The blonde shot Sasuke a look across the air that any other person would have missed, but being their teammate she picked up on. The Uchiha scoffed, although he failed to hide a knowing smirk. Sasuke raised his bandaged hand, and the Hawk Naruto and Sakura were riding on took a sharp left. It rose higher into the air and began to take a small lap through the sky, allowing Sasuke and his passengers to get further away.

"Don't take too long." The raven-haired man deadpanned, before his hawk flew into the cave, taking Hinata and Hanabi back with him to the other side. After another moment, their hawk made its final descent and disappeared as its passengers dismounted. Naruto got off first and stood between her and the cave. She shot him a questioning glare and the blonde sighed.

Naruto couldn't hold it in anymore. He needed to be sure. He needed her to know how he felt before they returned to the real world. He steadied himself before addressing his now confused companion staring at him.

"Naru..."

"Sakura-Chan..." His voice came out weak and unsteady and he took a deep breath to calm himself. "I...I know we already talked about it...that night...but I have to be sure." Sakura felt her eyebrows raise. She didn't expect for this to happen now, yet part of her was relieved. All she could think about the entire ride back was the memory of his lips on hers, and the desire to feel it again. It had been painstaking sitting next to him, with his hand around hers. Naruto really had no idea the physical reactions he could get from her, and she shuddered at the embarrassment should it ever be revealed. She nodded for him to continue, and he did.

"Those memories. Your...feelings...it's all true?" She saw the uncertainty flash in his eyes and it dawned on her that he was just as nervous as she was. The thought was enough to ease her nerves a bit and she nodded again.

"Yes." She watched as his eyes widen, but he remained cautious.

"And those feelings...they are for me? Not...for Sasuke?" he whispered his brother's name.

She saw the thought hurt him, but she understood his need to be sure. Having rejected him for a long time, she should have guessed it wouldn't be as easy as flipping a switch. Although she had thought that literally seeing her thoughts and kissing the life out of her would be enough. She also knew Naruto could be dense at the worst of times. She wanted him to be sure, once and for all. There was no going back. Slowly, the pinkette took the needed steps to reach him, looking down at the ground to hide her blush until the last possible second. His breath hitched when she stood directly in front of him, and he had to look down to meet her gaze when she finally raised her head. Sakura slowly lifted her hand and gently rubbed his cheek. She felt his whiskers against her palm and silently clocked the fact that they weren't just for show and tickled a bit. She quite liked the feeling. It was so comforting. So him. She looked up into his eyes and took a deep breath before she spoke.

"You. Never Sasuke." She realized the error of her words and backtracked. "Well uh...I guess that's not true. I had feelings for him for a long time, so I can understand you asking but..." She closed her eyes for a moment before opening them with even more resolve than before. The sheer determination Naruto saw reflected in her Jade pools was astounding. "This is different. The feelings I had for him just aren't even close to on the level of what I feel for you. I'm sorry it took me this long but everything I said at the lake and everything you saw in those memories is the truth. Naruto...I know it could take time for you to believe me but...I can't imagine a life anymore where you aren't by my side. I don't know what the future holds but I know I want you in it." Emotion overcame her and tears formed at the corner of her eyes but she would not be stopped.

"Naruto I...I love you, you idiot!" She shouted out.

"..."

Sakura could feel her heart pummeling in her ears when he didn't respond immediately. For a moment, everything was silent. Naruto stood there as his mind shortcircuited. Then, the gears turned all at once. His eyes widened more than she thought possible and his mouth opened and closed, before small tears formed in the corner of his eyes. She caught the quickest glimpse of a grin before she felt his arms on her waist and she was thrown high into the air as she yelped.

"YATA!" He yelled as he threw her above him. The blonde caught her by the waist and secured her in his arms as she came down before he spun around. Sakura let out infectious laughter than only served to spur on his antics. She playfully hit his chest between laughs and told him to stop, but he continued regardless.

"Sakura loves me! Sakura loves me! Sakura Haruno loves me!" He shouted as he relished the feeling of her in his arms. The sensation of his feelings being returned was overwhelming and he couldn't wipe the smile off his face even if he wanted to. He didn't care if he sounded foolish. He was pulled out of his joy when he felt Sakura's hand on his cheek again. He looked down and saw that, while happy, her eyes too were full of caution.

"Naruto...I need to know too...How do you...?" She spoke quietly and stopped herself, doubt and fear dripping back into her thoughts. His eyebrows shot up higher than they already were. Was it possible she really didn't know? He looked down at her. Taking her in, a blush covering her face and water glossing her eyes, he laughed. She immediately furrowed her brow.

"What's so funny!?"

"Sakura-chan? Isn't it obvious?" She gasped as he cut her off and again hooked his arms under her knees, as he shifted so he was carrying her bridal style. Sakura squealed when he lifted her off the ground so easily and instinctually secured her arms around his shoulders. The medic saw the telltale signs of an idea forming on her teammate's expression, and her earlier anxiety was replaced with incredible curiosity. She shot him a quizzical look.

"Naruto what are you..."

Sakura didn't have time to finish her thought as the blonde channeled chakra into his feet and, with all the excitement he could muster, launched himself through the cave to the other side.

—

Shikamaru worked a knot out of his neck and sighed. He watched the medical team as they looked over Hanabi's wounds. The man was currently standing in the middle of the cave with a team of Anbu. Sasuke Uchiha stood next to him, having just finished explaining the entire situation after arriving minutes ago.

The Nara was still shocked by Hinata's actions, but couldn't say he was all that surprised. The girl had harbored a crush on his friend since they were in the academy and old feelings die hard. Regardless, he was glad Naruto and Sakura were able to protect her and bring her back in one piece. It must not have been an easy task for him, and he had to remind himself to ask his blonde friend how he did it later.

Suddenly a loud roar came from the other end of the cave followed by a flash of orange chakra.

Shikamaru looked up for a split second, and in that time he caught a glimpse of one Naruto Uzumaki smiling like mad with one very flustered Sakura Haruno in his arms. He pinched the bridge of his nose, but chuckled and smiled anyway. He cocked his head back to watch the pair. Then, as the situation dawned on him, his brow shot up.

"Naruto! The roof!" The panicked genius yelled.

"You think I'm stopping there!?" Naruto shouted back.

Raising the arm that wasn't hooked under Sakura's knee, he formed a Rasengan as he headed towards the top of the cave. Sakura looked up as they traveled and was overwhelmed by it all. She found scenes from her and Naruto's past popping into her head as she reflected on just how much it had taken to get to this point. How much he had grown, how much they had grown. How excited she was for them to grow more. All of it flashed in the pinkettes mind in the blink of an eye.

She was brought back to reality when his technique crashed through rock and stone. The pair shot through and kept going high into the night sky. It was well past midnight when they emerged. The only light source was that of the full moon behind them. Crushed bits of debris blew in the wind, glittering as the inner quartz of the rocks scattered about.

Naruto softly let go of her, and time moved in slow motion as they came apart. The two seemed to float on the air as they looked into the eyes of each other. His soul was reflected onto her own and vise versa as everything vanished from thought except one another. She felt his bandaged hand on the back of her neck. In one movement, Naruto pulled her towards him and kissed her with everything he had.

The kiss was chaste but filled with emotion. A tear fell down Sakura's cheek as she felt herself drowning in the feelings Naruto was trying to convey to her. She was on the edge of falling into them when her mind kicked in to remind her to do something, anything. The pink-haired girl kissed the blonde boy back with just as much fervor, and the two stayed like that, suspended in time, for what felt like an eternity.

When the pair gently landed they were still entwined. Sakura's arms found their way around his shoulders and Naruto's arms firmly gripped her waist. Their foreheads leaned against each other and their eyes were shut tight, afraid that they were in a dream that would vanish if they opened them. When they finally did open their eyes, Naruto smiled his biggest smile yet.

"I love you too, Idiot!"

Sakura gasped before she was pulled back into another kiss. This time it was her turn to bury her hand in his hair as she took her time to feel all of him against all of her.

The two were blissfully unaware of the audience they had on the ground below. Shikamaru looked up with a smile on his face. He didn't know exactly what happened but he was damn glad to see the blonde get a chance at the love he had always yearned for. Hinata looked on as well. She felt the blush in her cheeks and the tears at the corner of her eyes but was surprised by another feeling. Despite everything, the girl was happy that Naruto was happy. She knew that healing would take her time, but she was glad that the hostility she originally had for the pair was already fading.

But is was Sasuke Uchiha who watched the movie-esqe scene with the most pride. He snickered to himself. That loser really could do the impossible, and the pinkette in his arms was his perfect match. He was truly happy that his teammates were done hiding from one another, maybe now he could get a little peace and quiet when they returned to the village.

Naruto and Sakura pulled away again, but he didn't let her out of his grasp as he lightly traced a pattern on her hips.

"Sakura-Chan?" He said her name, a blush still fixed on his face. "What happens now?"

"Now?" Sakura tilted her head and smiled warmly at him. "Now you take me home."

—

As soon as the village gates came into view, Naruto grabbed her wrist and practically dragged her along the path as he beelined towards their home.

"Naruto! Slow down! You're gonna rip my arm off." She said through giggles, letting her blonde companion pull her with him. He looked back at her without slowing down and grinned.

"I'm sorry Sakura-chan but we're so close! I'm wiped." He let go of her hand and she fell into line next to him. The medic cocked her head back and saw the beginning signs of sunrise, and it dawned on her just how tired she was as well.

The ninja had made good time but it had still taken over two hours to travel from the cave to the village. The whole time Naruto had stayed as close to her as he could. He was always on the branch behind her as they jumped. Whenever they stopped to rest he would make sure to hug her, or squeeze her hand, or kiss her cheek. The old Sakura might have winced at the thought of such public displays of affection, but the current her didn't give a damn. Maybe it was because of fatigue or maybe it was because he was the one doing it, but she relished every tiny touch she received and didn't care who saw. She had even found herself being the one wanting to instigate a few times. Coming out of her thoughts, she decided to do just that. She held her breath as she intertwined her hand with his and rested her head against his shoulder. He froze for a second, still not used to being so intimate with his favorite person so freely, before he relaxed into her touch.

"I guess I can't argue there…" The pair made eye contact and couldn't contain their emotions as they beamed at each other and started laughed.

Sasuke Shikamaru and Hinata watched the whole scene unfold a few yards behind them

"Disgusting." The Uchiha said as a shiver ran down his spine. While he was still happy for his teammates, Sasuke was quickly realizing that being the third wheel to those two was going to be a major part of his future. Whether he would admit it or not, those two were the most important people in his life and he couldn't imagine not tagging along with them often.

"Bet your gonna get tired of this real quick" Shikamaru voiced the raven-haired man's thoughts and he just scoffed as the Nara walked past him.

"Um, S…Sasuke?"

He turned to see Hinata staring at the ground, back to her usual shy self. It was rare for the two of them to talk, but he could tell she was troubled.

"Hn?"

"I…I was just wondering." Hinata took a deep breath and finally looked at him, worry all over her face. "Is it…really possible that those two will ever forgive me?"

Sasuke looked back towards the pair walking ahead of them. Naruto had said something stupid and Sakura was berating him as she pulled his ear, though a blush tinted the sides of her face. Sasuke let out a soft chuckle before turning back to Hinata.

"Faster then you would ever think possible." He responded, and the sincerity shocked the Hyuga to silence as she just smiled and nodded.

END OF PART 1

AN: Well, here we are! 15 chapters later into something I started completely out of impulse and refusing to accept a stupid ending for a show I loved growing up. I have to admit I am pretty proud of it. From the bottom of my heart, thank you for coming along for the ride with me and for supporting me every step of the way. As a first time writer, the response and encouragement, as well as constructive feedback I have received were more than I ever could have imagined. The story has almost 200 followers which to me is just crazy.

They are finally together! I hope I did it justice. As you can see, this finishes part 1 of the story. I was originally going to do part 2 as a sequel, but decided just to keep adding onto this one! The next arc will be their lives in the village as they grow together. Also. Lemons. That is coming I promise, so be patient.

As always, please please please please please review! It makes all the difference in my writing and everyone one of them makes it feel like writing this is worth it. The last chapter only got a few, so even if you hated it let me know!

Next week is a hiatus while I plan the next arc. Once again, thank you for all the support you guys have given me.

Hope you enjoyed!