"I'm ready to go whenever you are."

So said, so done. The two became inseparable from that moment on.

Though it had been exhausting at first, having to balance going back and forth between their villages, it was worth it. Nothing felt the same anymore, unless they had the other by their side.

Before anyone knew it, an entire year had flown by.

For the first time in her life, Sakura felt whole again. She was finally living out the life she had always imagined for herself. Her friends and her village were safe, at 23 years old, she had gained mastery in her medical ninjutsu and had even found a guy who was able to love her, truly and whole heartedly, no questions asked. Everything was perfect.

The only thing, she decided she could have done without, was the constant staring, everywhere they went. It seemed with the new alliance between their villages, their relationship had become a visceral representation of the newfound unity between the Leaf and Stone.

Still, as she looked around at the happy, smiling faces of her friends, she wondered not for the first time, what more could she pray for?

"Alright forehead, I have one more surprise for you, close your eyes!" Doing as she was told, Sakura closed her eyes, and when she was finally able to open them, she felt as though her breath was stolen away. There before her, all travel worn was Itsuke, a bouquet of cherry blossoms and a secret smile only they knew.

"Happy Birthday Sakura." Walking up to her, he gently placed the blossoms in her hand before pulling her in for a kiss on her forehead, and an embrace that could be felt for a lifetime.

This she decided, was all she would ever need for the rest of her life.

….

"Where are we going?" Sakura asked for what felt like the millionth time. Sometime during her party, Itsuke had taken her by the hand and led her away from everyone else. He apparently had his own surprise to give to her. They had made it all the way to the forest trails before he stopped them and tied a cloth to cover her eyes. As they made their way along the path, he had one hand secured around her waist and the other to hold her hand as he guided her.

It had taken them almost ten minutes before they came to a stop and he let go of his hold on her.

"You can take it off now."

She was left almost speechless. Her eyes went wide and her hand came up to cover her mouth in shock. She had never seen anything like this in the village.

"How?" Amazedly, she somehow managed to take her eyes off the majestic garden and found Itsuke, his hand nervously dug in his pockets looking back at her.

"Ino and captain Yamato helped."

They had somehow managed to recreate the rock garden from the stone village, the very same one they had been to on their first date. The only difference, there were paper lanterns in the shape of flowers of all kinds, strewn above, and allowed to hang from the surrounding trees, there was also a small stream flowing around and through the garden, filled with petals.

This was really all for her? Going over to him she wrapped her arms around him, feeling as he did the same, she allowed herself to simply melt into him. It had only been a year, but he had somehow become a safe place for her. Her home wasn't the same without him. She felt as he tried to pull her even closer, if that were possible, she could feel his heartbeat as it sped up, before he spoke, his voice filled with so much warmth and sincerity.

"I'm nowhere near as strong as you or your comrades, and I haven't accomplished much as a ninja. I'm only a simple messenger, but I know I can make you happy for the rest of our lives, if you'd let me."

She froze, her own heart feeling as though it were just about to explode out of her chest.

"…are you asking me… to marry you..." nervously, clutching at his back and burying her face into his neck, hoping she hadn't somehow misheard him.

He begun to pull away from her and for a moment Sakura begun to panic, but the moment her eyes had locked onto his, her fear subsided.

Taking in a deep breath, he determinedly set his jaw and gave her a firm nod of his head. She knew in that moment without a doubt that she had heard him right, and he had meant every word.

"Yes!"