LET THE FLAMES BEGIN

Some say the war will end when the fire dies out, the cherry blossoms stop falling and the hurricane ceases to exist.

A four shot collection focusing on the primary deaths of three characters and a finale of life after the war.

Primary Life File.

Chapter 4: Wonderful Life

'You were the first I trusted,

I learned what love is, when we were just kids,

When did you get so lost and how could you think you'd be better off?'

Five years. That was how long it had taken Naruto to gather the courage to ask her out. Five years was a long time, he knew that. Too long. A part of him felt stupid for doing this, he told himself that in all this time her feelings must have changed, and yet, there he had been, following her around the village for the third day in a row. It was a freezing day at the beginning of January that year. Just a few weeks after Sasuke's house arrest had been lifted and about a month of good behaviour away from him being reinstated and being allowed missions. Both Sasuke and Naruto were expected to participate in the next Chuunin exams which would again be held in Konoha. It was only a formality since Naruto was already being trained by Tsunade and Sasuke would be responsible for the new Konoha Police Force, something he seemed quite eager to undertake. Naruto turned back to the task at hand, he watched her turn the street. Her dark hair looking incredibly soft in the sunlight, almost as it did that day when Nagato attacked. He cleared his throat and shook his head, trying not to be reminded.

"What are you doing?" Naruto jumped at Sakura's voice.

"Sakura-chan!" he hissed, pulling her down into his hiding spot.

Sakura peered around the street they were watching, looking for Naruto's possible target, and then her eyes fell on Hinata.

"Oh. I see what you're up to." She said, nudging him suggestively. "You better hurry it up though, Tsunade-sama is looking for you."

"She is?" Naruto looked over at Hinata longingly. "Ah, there's always tomorrow."

"No." Sakura grabbed his collar and threw him forward and out of his hiding place.

"Naruto-kun."

Naruto's head whipped back. Hinata was there, a paper bag in hand, staring down at where he'd been crouched in hiding. He sprang to his feet, laughing awkwardly as he rubbed a hand over the back of his neck. "Ah! Hinata-ch," Naruto coughed slightly over the mistake, "Hinata."

A dusty pink covered her cheeks the longer she'd stayed in his company. "Naruto-kun, why have you been following me?"

"Was I?" Naruto laughed loudly, refraining from hitting his head against the wall. "I mean, yeah, I was."

His conformation turned her pink cheeks a bright red.

"I was – ah – wondering if you wanted to have some dinner with me." Naruto asked, taking the plunge into the deep end.

"Like….a d-date?" Hinata murmured.

"Of course, unless you…" he trailed off when Hinata shook her head fiercely. Her entire face was no red, down to her neck as she closed her eyes. "I…I'd love to, Naruto-kun."

Slowly, his rapidly beating heart slowed. "Great! That's great! I'll pick you up at 7 tonight!" he told her, blue eyes shining with excitement. "I mean, uh, unless you're busy tonight, then-"

"Naruto-kun." Hinata said, shutting his ramble up. "Tonight is perfect." And after a deep breath, Hinata turned away and continued her tasks for the day, leaving Naruto grinning like an idiot.

/

"There's just this…cute little smile she gets whenever we walk into Ichiraku Ramen…" Naruto was saying, three months later, where he found himself at Sasuke's breakfast table, where the latter was glaring steadily. "What makes you think that I want to hear any of this?"

"Well," Naruto began with a sly grin, "I was thinking it might inspire you to get up on the ol' horse, you know," Naruto nudged Sasuke to which he got a deadly glare, "Put those rumours to rest."

Sasuke's eyes shifted to Naruto. "What rumours?"

The blond managed to keep a straight face. He coughed awkwardly. "Well…the one where you don't like the girls."

"I don't like any of them."

"I mean, uh, the rumour is that you don't like girls…at all."

Sasuke caught on at that moment. "What?! That's ridiculous!"

Naruto shrugged dramatically, "That's exactly what I said, but you know how they are. That's why you need to do this as quickly as possible. Rebuilding the Uchiha clan won't happen from petting your one eyed snake alone."

Sasuke's head snapped to Naruto, ready to hit him or choke the life out of him but the Jinchuuriki dodged with a laugh.

"Come on, Teme. At least kiss one girl and see how you feel about it?"

"Like who?" Sasuke asked venomously.

"Well…Sakura-chan?"

Sasuke sighed like he knew that was coming. Sasuke opened his mouth to set Naruto straight.

"What about me?"

Both heads snapped up to the doorway guiltily, seeing that Sakura had let herself in. "If this is about my birthday," Sakura said, sitting down opposite Naruto and next to Sasuke who sat at the head, plopping a baby tomato into her mouth, chewing and swallowing before speaking. "I don't want a party."

Naruto paled. From the look on his face, Sasuke could see he'd forgotten.

"B-But Sakura-chan! How can you do this? You're turning 21!" he sputtered and Sakura gave him a level look. "Look, Naruto, I'm busy. A party just doesn't work for me right now." Sakura took another tomato, giving Sasuke a defiant look before she bit into it.

"Hi, Forehead. I knew I'd find you here."

"What are you doing in my house?" Sasuke snapped, but Ino brushed him off by blowing him a kiss.

"Ino-pig." Sakura said, smiling stiffly. "To what do we owe the pleasure?"

"I'm just here to let you know that I'm planning an outrageously fun surprise party for you since our dear Naruto seems to have forgotten."

"You shouldn't have." Sakura said, the painful smile still on her face.

"What are best friends for." Ino made to go over to Sasuke but he stopped her with a glare that made her laugh. "Bye-bye." She sang on her way out.

The door slammed loudly and Sakura's smile faded into a small real one before she turned on Naruto. "So, Naruto, you forgot my birthday, huh?"

"S-Sakura-chan, I can explain-"

"How about staring with what you were talking about that wasn't my birthday." Sakura grinned, folding her arms across her chest expectantly.

"Well…" Naruto began and Sasuke stiffened. "I was trying to convince Sasuke to put the gay rumours to rest once and for all."

Gay rumours? Sakura hadn't heard any but she nodded, playing along anyway, swallowing down the laugh as it came up.

"I suggested," Naruto began and Sakura prepared herself for the worst, carefully schooling her features for whatever horrible feeling she was about to feel. Honestly, she'd only been able to half-cope all these years because Sasuke hadn't ever had a girl that she had to see every single day.

"That Sasuke kiss you, Sakura-chan."

Sakura's head snapped to Sasuke immediately, he was watching her and then her head snapped back to Naruto before a tense smile bubbled from her lips.

"That's silly." Sakura said in a forced pretence of nonchalance, but a thick silence stretched between the three of them. "Well, I have a shift at the hospital." Sakura announced. "I'll see you guys later." And with that she'd left, both her teammates tried to ignore the fact that her shift didn't start until noon.

Friday night came sooner than Sakura had hoped. Ino had fetched her at the hospital and instead of taking Sakura home, the two headed to Ino's place. The blond had proceeded to sit Sakura down and styled everything from Sakura's pink hair to her toenails. Ino handed Sakura a beautiful red number that was tight at the top and seemed to fan out in different layers and shades of red at the bottom. Ino herself was dressed in a tight purple dress that Sakura could only thank Kami Ino hadn't given her and after some careful position of their weapons, the girls were off.

To Sakura's surprise, Ino took her to the Uchiha Compound. Their path to the main house was carefully lit by cute little lanterns that threw off a red light. "Is Sasuke-kun really ok with this?' Sakura whispered lowly as they approached the front door.

"What? Yeah, of course he is. It was his idea…mostly." Ino told her, shoving the door open so hard that it rebounded on the wall, causing a hissed curse to rise from the darkness that sounded oddly like Sasuke before the lights clicked on suddenly and everyone jumped out with a yell of 'surprise!'

Sakura grinned as everyone came over with well wishes and gifts. It was a small party, it seemed that Ino had only invited the old Rookie Nine and Team Gai, minus Neji of course, Lee and Tenten still seemed a bit lost without him after all these years, somewhat like Sakura and Naruto had been after Sasuke's departure. Sakura had been most surprised when Sasuke approached her last, a small box in hand. He didn't hug her, he had simply handed her the box, looked right at her, nodded, said a happy birthday and turned away. Sakura's hands itched to open it but she set it on the table with the other gifts before Ino had dragged her away and to the drinks table. They started with a few drinks and soon they were dancing. The guys didn't dance much, or at least not the one she wanted to dance with. Sakura danced with Kiba mostly, as well as Naruto and Lee a few times and somewhere during the night, Ino had decided it was the right time for drinking games. A Truth or Dare game where one would spin the bottle and then ask the target either a truth or dare, but they could only pick truth once.

Unfortunately, it had seemed that Sakura had no birthday luck that night when Ino made a target out of her.

"Truth or dare, and remember you already picked truth." Ino said with a wicked grin.

"Fine," Sakura grumbled, "Dare."

"I dare you to spin the bottle and then you have to spend seven minutes in heaven with your target."

"Well, what if my target turns out to be a girl?"

Kiba gave a low whistle and Ino laughed, "You get one re-spin, if you land on a girl again then you have to do it."

Sakura set her hand on the bottle, she fixed Ino with a vicious glare before she span it. It turned around and around before slowing down and almost, almost stopping at Sasuke but it went on by two before stopping at Hinata. The girl's cheeks exploded into a bright red and Naruto laughed, putting his arm around her.

Sakura span the bottle again, this time closing her eyes. She listened to the beats of the bottle turning around and around, and slowly it slowed gently before coming to a stop and everyone was dead silent. And Sakura knew.

"Fine." The Uchiha said and Sakura's eyes snapped open, to see Sasuke getting to his feet and Sakura stumbled to hers.

"I'm timing you two!" Naruto called behind them as Sasuke led her into the coat closet. He reached up to turn the light on but Sakura grabbed his wrist. "Leave it," she said in a small voice. "Please." She paused, taking a deep breath, it was better not seeing him, and it made her feel that smallest fraction calmer. "Are you sure you want this, Sasuke-kun?"

"Aa."

"We could just pretend, you know, for their sakes."

Silence.

And then, "Sakura." His voice was firm, if a little stiff, leaving no argument.

Sakura could feel herself tremble. "Where do you want me?"

"Against the wall."

She closed her eyes, stepping back in the small space and feeling the cold wall touch her shoulder blades and she could feel him in front of her, his breath fanning her hair, the heat from his body.

It had happened all at once and Sakura had no time to prepare herself for it. His lips were on hers and she had to wonder how many times he'd done this. He tasted strangely, wonderfully of heat and fire that seemed to light her up instantly. She unfroze, her hands finding the hair at the back of his neck and pulling him closer. He let out a sharp breath through his nose, almost like he'd pushed back a groan. There was a sort of desperation between them, not in the way they kissed, but like it was a pressure that was weighing down on their shoulders heavily.

Slowly, his kisses grew quicker, deeper and always, always more intense and Sakura lost herself in the feeling of his tongue sliding against hers, his hands on her, one on her hip and the other sliding dangerously up the bare skin of her thigh, pressing her back into the wall as if he wanted to get closer. Finally, desperately, his hand reached over the curve of her thigh and onto her behind, giving it a firm squeeze and Sakura's head fell back, gasping his name. Sasuke had begun trailing kisses over her throat, giving her pulse point a hard suck when the door was ripped open at light flooded the small room. And just like that, Sakura's little fantasy world fell away. Sasuke pushed himself up but she couldn't look at him. Naruto had a blush on his cheeks, his eyes wide as if he expected them to have been doing nothing.

Sakura pushed past Sasuke almost roughly and returning to the circle and instructing Ino to start a new game. The night passed without further incident, and Sakura took it as a strike of good luck that Sasuke seemed to be avoiding her.

The next morning Sakura woke up, on a random bed in the Uchiha house. Thankfully, she was alone in the bed, but not in the room. An ANBU stood next to the open window.

"Sakura-san, the Hokage has requested you."

"One moment," she mumbled, getting up and stumbling into the bathroom, it was after she opened the tap that she noticed the figure sitting in the shower. Not Sasuke, but Hinata. Naruto's jacket thrown around her shoulders. As quietly as she could, Sakura washed her face and applied a healing jutsu to her hangover before she stepped out of the bathroom and followed the ANBU back to the Hokage Tower.

Naruto was standing behind Tsunade, his usual spot, when Sakura entered.

"Good, Sakura, you're here." Tsunade said, mentioning Sakura forward with a wave. Naruto had a sour look on his face as he avoided her eyes and Sakura wondered if he was angry for some reason about what had happened last night.

"Sakura I have great news. The Kazekage himself has requested you by name." Tsunade began. "It's something akin to a Jutsu Exchange Program. If you accept, you will go to Suna and work with their top medics, and learn some of their medical techniques."

Sakura stood still, if anything she had never expected this.

"It's a wonderful opportunity," Tsunade went on, but Sakura knew it was. At least this explained Naruto's mood.

"It would be a six month exchange," Tsunade informed her and all Sakura could think was how six months was a long time. "But, the Kazekage was very clear on the fact that it does have the potential to turn into a permanent position should you want it."

"What?" Naruto finally burst in and Tsunade turned to give him a glare. "Six months is fine but-"

It was at that moment that the door opened and Sasuke strode in. He had a bad habit of just barging in before he was called.

"Uchiha," the Hokage began in a low voice, ready to explode.

"Tsunade-sama. I'll think about it." Sakura said quickly, her back a firm barrier between her and said Uchiha.

"The Kazekage didn't exactly request a time but it wouldn't be polite to make him wait."

"Of course, Tsunade-sama," Sakura gave a bow and eyed the window, wondering if it would be too weird to escape through it, so she wouldn't have to look at Sasuke. After a moment, she sucked in a breath and turned. Sasuke was staring right at her and immediately her eyes were drawn up to him, but she forced them away, moving past him and closing the door behind her.

Her mind was still racing as she took the path home. To think that the Kazekage had requested her by name, Sakura had known that he was close friends with Naruto, but her contact with him was limited. The longest she'd time she'd spent with him was when he'd tried to kill her during Orochimaru's attack on Konoha and once when she'd briefly healed him after the final battle. Maybe that was it. Yet, Sakura had to wonder if this was really what she wanted. Leaving Konoha, her home, for six months. It was a wonderful opportunity for her as a shinobi and would further her career greatly. But was she ready to leave everyone behind? Her mind betrayed her by a sliver of a whisper, 'Are you ready to leave Sasuke behind?'

Sakura ignored it and returned home, but her mind couldn't find peace. It was either jumping between last night or the Kazekage until finally she found herself at the one place that would give her answers. He opened the door before she could even knock.

"I thought you might need help cleaning up, after last night."

"It's done." He replied, not stepping past to let her in.

"I never actually thanked you. I mean, holding the party here was really nice of you-"

"Why are you here, Sakura?"

"I need to know why you did it."

"Why I did what?" he asked, looking over her head at the deserted, dark Uchiha streets.

"Sasuke-kun, don't play this game with me, please."

Slowly, his eyes moved down to hers. "I thought you deserved it, after all you've done for me. But I can't be your bad habit anymore, Sakura."

"Bad habit?" she echoed. "What?"

"That's exactly why you're here, isn't it? For me to make your decision about Suna."

"That's not…no." Sakura shook her head but all she could think about was the fact that Sasuke kissed her was because he thought he owed her. "Because, I've already decided to go. The reason I came was to…say goodbye."

For the first time, she got a reaction from him. His eyes widened a fraction beneath his frown before his face smoothed out again.

"What made you decide to go?" Sasuke asked, not sounding particularly interested.

"Do I really need to answer that?" she asked, actually giving him a small smile and when Sasuke didn't answer she said, "I can't be your friend, Sasuke-kun." He frowned again, but she went on, "I tried, with everything in me. But I hate myself for not being unable to stop feeling what I do for you."

Sasuke seemed frozen where he was and Sakura took her only chance, going up to him and pressing her lips to his. "Take care of yourself, Sasuke-kun." And then she turned her back on him, and walked down the small path away from him, hot tears leaking down her cheeks. She didn't imagine him following her in some heroic attempt to stop her, and he didn't. Her feet took her to the Kage tower. She could hear Naruto and Tsunade arguing over something, but she knocked anyway and let herself in. Naruto's eyes immediately found her. "Sakura-chan?"

She wasn't sure what she looked like but from the concern in his voice she assumed pretty bad.

"Tsunade-sama, please tell the Kazekage that I graciously accept his offer."

After a moment, Tsunade nodded, picking up a scroll from her desk.

"I'll deliver it to him myself." Sakura told them. "I want to go right away."

"Sakura, are you sure?" Tsunade asked.

"Of course, shishou. This is an amazing opportunity."

Tsunade gave Sakura one more look before she nodded. "I'll allow it."

"What? Baa-chan!"

The Hokage ignored his rants, writing the acceptance letter to the Kazekage before holding it out to Sakura who took it, meeting Tsunade's brown eyes.

"Be safe," Tsunade said, "I will ready an escort to meet you at the gate within an hour."

Sakura bowed. "Thank you for everything, Tsunade-sama. I won't disappoint you."

"I know."

And with that, Sakura left but Naruto was right on her heels. "Sakura-chan, what happened?"

"Nothing."

"Was it Sasuke? I thought after last night…"

"Are you serious, Naruto?" Sakura asked, finally turning to face the blond. "What would make you think that Sasuke-kun would ever? Just because I love him doesn't mean he'll love me back. Not everyone is as lucky as you and Hinata." And after a moment, Sakura hugged him. "Don't get into too much trouble while I'm gone. And try not to be too hard on Tsunade-sama."

She let him go and Naruto watched her walk off before heading in a different direction, bounding over the rooftops and hammering on the Uchiha's door, repeatedly until it was yanked open.

"What?!"

"Sakura-chan's leaving! She's under the impression that you don't feel anything for her! You have to stop her!" Naruto demanded insistently.

"That's what I told her." Sasuke told him.

Naruto faltered. "What?"

"And she said goodbye." Sasuke closed his eyes and after a moment, let out a sigh before slamming the door shut in Naruto's face and clicking the lock shut.

"Oi, teme! Open up! What have you done!"

Sasuke didn't answer and after a while of calling, Naruto was about ready to break the door down (which he hadn't done before because the door had been one of the original pieces saved before rebuilding the compound.) when he realized that the hour was up, and by now, Sakura was already gone.

Sakura arrived in Suna three days later, Temari was waiting at the gate which meant that the Hokage had sent word ahead of her.

"The Kazekage sent me to escort you." She informed Sakura, and the two had easy conversation about their mutual friends on the way before they reached the Suna Kage building. Temari knocked twice and was told to enter.

The Kazekage sat at a large desk, much larger than Tsunade's but like her's it was filled with many scrolls and files.

"Kazekage-sama," Sakura bowed, holding the scroll out to him. He smiled, taking it from her and reading it before setting it down on his desk.

"Welcome to Suna, Haruno Sakura. I'm glad to see you accepted."

"You presented me with an amazing opportunity, Kazekage-sama." Sakura was really starting to hate the words amazing opportunity.

He went over the details with her, who she would be meeting at the hospital, what kind of medical missions she would have to undertake and lastly where she would be staying. Temari stood quietly as he did.

"I would also like to remind you, Sakura-san, that the position can become permanent, should you want it." He informed her and Sakura nodded.

"Thank you, Kazekage-sama. I will use the time here to think about it." Sakura bowed again and Temari stepped forward.

"Let me show you to the apartment we've acquired for you."

Sakura smiled at the Kazekage and nodded once more before following Temari to the door.

"Sakura-san," he called after her and Sakura turned again to face him. "Just Gaara is fine."

Her eyes widened and after a moment too long she nodded. "Gaara-sama."

He shook his head, seemingly amused and she turned quickly, leaving with Temari.

The apartment was wonderful. Spacious and wonderfully decorated, but lonely and it made Sakura throw her into herself into her working, staying long hours at the hospital. Slowly, she began to enjoy the moments with Gaara most because he was familiar. He was friends with Naruto and therefore some kind of connection, or maybe it was just the way he looked at her. Maybe it was both reasons.

The first few months were hard, and she found herself crying too often. Missing Konoha, and Naruto…and Sasuke. But soon, she began to find her place and telling herself that she was missing him less and less.

During the fifth month, Naruto arrived to see her unexpectedly. He slept in her spare room and looked like he wanted to say something to her during the entire visit, but he left looking disappointed in himself and weeks later, near the end of her six months, Sakura found an envelope on her desk at the hospital. It's from a soft, fine material and she opened it gently, pulling the card from the inside that had her name printed in a fancy script. Sakura quickly flipped it open, her eyes catching two names. Uzumaki Naruto and Hyuuga Hinata. For a moment, all she could do was stare before she let out a scream, her eyes filling with happy tears. The door opened, and to her surprise, Gaara stood there, his invitation in hand.

Sakura laughed through her tears, and the Kazekage found himself smiling at her.

"We leave tomorrow morning."

Sakura nodded, "I'll be ready."

"Sakura-san," he began, a little awkwardly. "Your six months here have come to an end. I was wondering if you've made a decision about my offer."

Sakura fell quiet. She had thought about it, and had decided to accept. "Gaara-sama, I promise you'll have an answer after the wedding is over." Sakura told him and cursed herself internally for this. She knew that returning to Konoha would somehow make her stay, even when she'd become resolved to leave it behind, for her own sanity.

The trip to Konoha, along with Gaara's entire convoy took four days, arriving just a day before the wedding. To Sakura's surprise, Hinata was waiting at the gates for them, looking a bit panicked.

"Sakura-san! Can I have a word?"

Startled, Sakura nodded, and after waving at the Kazekage, she followed Hinata to the temple.

"What happened, Hinata? What's wrong?"

"I just found out that according to Hyuuga customs, my sister is too young to take part in the wedding ceremony itself." Hinata said in a rush, pacing around the room. "Naruto-kun…well, he thought you wouldn't mind…stepping in."

"Of course, Hinata. It's not a problem." Sakura stopped the girl's nervous pacing, by placing her hands on Hinata's shoulders. "Anything you need."

"I need a maid of honour."

Sakura's eyes widened. "A-Alright. I can do that."

Hinata took a deep breath and nodded. "Ok. Follow me." And then Hinata left the room and went to the main hall of the temple where everything had been arranged already, bright red flowers were set all around and the colour suddenly reminded Sakura of the photo Naruto had shown her of his mother. She found herself smiling, that is, until she saw Sasuke, who was waiting at the altar.

"Thank you, Sasuke-san, for meeting me." Hinata said and Sasuke nodded but he was looking at Sakura.

"Sasuke-san is Naruto-kun's best man. I hope you two don't mind, but you two will be taking part as a pair."

"Hn." Sasuke said at the same time Sakura said, "I'm sure it'll be fine."

Hinata looked between them before she nodded and Sakura was shocked by how much confidence Hinata had gained since the end of the war.

"Sasuke-san," Hinata explained, "will be waiting here with Naruto-kun when we enter. Sakura-san, once I take my place here," Hinata stepped into place at the altar, "You will move to stand on the step." The Hyuuga demonstrated and Sakura nodded, "After Naruto-kun and I are halfway down the aisle," Hinata mentioned both of them into place, "you two must step down, Sakura-san, you will take Sasuke-san's arm and follow us outside, shall we practice?"

Hinata created a bunshin of Naruto in his orange outfit and the two of them went down the aisle. Once they were halfway, Hinata paused to look back and Sakura stepped down, not looking at him as she slipped her arm through his, that was firm and strong before they stepped down and followed Hinata to the now open doors.

"There will be a carriage waiting here to take us to the party, as well as horses for the two of you who will lead the Hyuuga escort." Hinata looked at both of the before she nodded. "Lastly, after the bride and groom's first dance, the two of you will be expected to lead the guests into the dance floor."

Sakura felt her heart drop. She'd have to dance with him. But she needed to, for Naruto and Hinata.

"Alright, I can do this."

"Thank you for coming, Sasuke-san."

He nodded and with one last look at Sakura, leapt onto a nearby roof and left.

"Let's go get your dress fitted." Hinata said as they left the temple. "By the way, I like your hair this way, Sakura-san."

Hinata didn't let Sakura out of her sight, and even let her sleep in the Hyuuga Compound. The next day had started with an early morning in which Sakura had been pampered along with Hinata from head to toe before their make-up and hair was done. The seamstress dressed Sakura in a white dress that reached her knees with a belt that was tied with a bow around her middle that was the same shade as the flowers in the temple with shoes to match. Hinata's wedding dress was exquisite, it was a pure white of the softest material, heart shaped neckline and tight bodice that fanned out widely at her hips, reaching all the way down and brushing the floor. A satin bow in an ever brighter white was tied around Hinata's waist and made into a bow at the back that trailed down and over the train of the dress. Her hair was made up into a high bun with a few hairs framing her face.

"Why are you crying?" Hinata asked, sounding panicked again but Sakura shook her head, she'd never felt more happy for Naruto. "You look really beautiful, Hinata. Naruto won't know what hit him."

Hinata only smiled. "Thank you."

The Hyuuga carriage took them to the temple and Sakura helped Hinata out and onto the steps.

"Ready?" she asked.

"Of course." Hinata said and nodded to Sakura who went around to pick up the train of Hinata's dress.

The doors opened and the wedding march started to play. Sakura watched Naruto's eyes widen on Hinata and get stuck as if he couldn't move them away. Once they'd reached the altar, Sakura set Hinata's dress down and took her place.

The ceremony began and the priest blessed them, and asked if anyone objected. No one did. As per Hyuuga tradition, no vows were to be exchanged and they only needed to accept their blessing for a happy married life, but Naruto began talking before the priest could say anything.

"Hinata-chan, it may have taken me a really long time, even after you told me how it felt, there were too many things in the way, and after the war…I just couldn't find a way, and that day Sakura-chan pushed me into it and gave me the courage and I've never regretted getting to know you. I remember," he laughed, "during the chuunin exam you asked me to cheat off you. But I couldn't and I should've noticed how you felt back then. It would've given me more time with you. What I'm trying to say is, I'm sorry that I've been so stupid. And I really, really love you." Hinata's eyes were shining with tears as he finished. "May I kiss the bride now?" he asked the priest and there were a few chuckles from the seats.

"You haven't said I Do's yet." The priest reminded.

"Well, I do." Naruto said obviously and Hinata smiled. "I do, too, Naruto-kun. I love you." Naruto grinned at her and turned to the priest.

"Now?"

"We, uh, we don't really have that as part of the ceremony."

Naruto glared and the priest sputtered. "You may kiss the bride." And without wasting a second, Naruto tipped Hinata over in his arms and kissed her, the crowd applauded wildly. Naruto lifted Hinata in his arms and carried her through the temple. When they were halfway, both Sasuke and Sakura stepped down and this time she couldn't help herself, she looked up at him. Something clenched in her heart and it was as if it came back to life, beating erratically in her chest. Sakura ripped her head away and slipped her arm into his. Outside, they were expected to ring the bells, to give their friends good luck, and Sakura did so without looking at him.

They went down the steps and Sasuke helped her onto the horse, even though she didn't need the help, before he got on his own and then the followed the carriage to the party.

As Hinata had mentioned, Sasuke and Sakura sat together at their table, but Sakura didn't say a word to him and he didn't speak either. Soon, Naruto and Hinata stood to take the dance floor. Sakura watched them, Naruto more gracious than she'd ever seen him – and more happy, that she found herself smiling. Somewhere near the end of the dance, Hinata mentioned them onto the dance floor and Sasuke held a hand out to her, Sakura took it, still not looking at him as he led her forward. She placed her hands on his shoulders, and his were firmly on her waist.

He moved expertly through the steps, and was even good enough to evade her two left feet.

"I didn't know you could dance." Was the first thing she said to him.

"I'm an Uchiha."

And that was it. Neither tried to speak again and after the dance, Sakura moved through the couples on the floor and took the stairs up to the roof, where she sat down, staring over the night lights of Konoha.

Sometime later, he joined her on his own and it was a long while before he spoke. "You changed your hair."

"It's just a bit longer." She answered automatically.

"Aa…it's….nice."

Shocked, she turned to look at him. "Thanks."

"Did Gaara offer you a permanent position in Suna?"

Sakura gasped, her eyes widening. "How did you know about that?"

"Naruto." He said in an offhand manner, his eyes demanding a question.

"He did." She answered uncertainly. "But that was always the agreement, the position would be there after the six months, should I want it."

Sasuke's jaw clenched tightly but he said nothing.

"Sakura!" someone called from behind them, Tenten. "Come on, Hinata is getting ready to throw it!"

"I should go." She said to Sasuke, getting to her feet and leaving him behind.

Inside, after Sakura joined them, Hinata threw the bouquet, and Ino caught it expertly, turning to grin at Sakura, before dragging her friend to the bar.

"You don't write," she complained loudly, "You don't call."

Sakura sighed, "Ok, ok, I'm sorry."

"If you did, you'd know that I'm seeing someone, very steadily."

"What?" Sakura's eyes widened, "Shikamaru?"

Ino's face fell into a glare. "No," she said flatly. "It's Kiba, actually."

Sakura's head turned to Kiba, who was feeding Akamaru out of his plate. "Really?"

"Yes! Really." Ino said, sounding offended.

"Well, I'm happy for you." Sakura told her friend, pulling her into a hug.

"And you? Found a Suna lover boy yet?"

"Ino," Sakura said with a sigh and the blond rolled her eyes, "Fine, I won't talk about it now, but you're not getting off the hook. We're discussing this." She told Sakura sternly before calling the bartender with a yell of, "Shots!"

Later, Sakura thought the night was going quite well. She thought it too soon. As she was making her way back to the table, someone stopped her. That someone, of course, being a certain Uchiha.

"Why does he keep looking at you like that?" he demanded.

"What? Who?"

"The damned Kazekage!"

He was drunk, she realized and quickly turned away before he could cause a scene, but Sasuke wouldn't have that. He grabbed her wrist, spinning her back to him. "Can't you see that I want you for myself?!"

Sakura gasped loudly, her eyes glued to his, her arm suddenly shaking in his grip, but he was drunk. He couldn't have meant it.

"I should get you home before you embarrass yourself," she muttered, pulling him along to Naruto's table to say goodbye, unfortunately, Gaara's table was right next to it.

"Naruto, I'm so sorry, but he is drunk and I have to take him home." Next to her Sasuke was glaring a shocked Gaara down.

"Leave him," Naruto laughed.

"He's already said some unforgivable things!" she hissed, trying to pull Sasuke away from Gaara.

"Like what?" Naruto asked, leaning forward.

"Like, he wants her for himself," Ino giggled, who was as drunk as Sasuke at that point, "I saw the whole thing!"

"I'm taking him home," Sakura said, leaning down to hug Naruto. "Congratulations. I'm so happy for you two." Sakura told them, giving Hinata a hug too before she dragged Sasuke out of there.

The walk home was quiet as she dragged Sasuke along to the Uchiha Compound. He trailed like a sullen child behind her all the way home.

"Unlock the door." She instructed and Sasuke fumbled around for his keys, he did as told and Sakura pushed him inside.

"Now go to bed, for Kami's sake."

"Don't leave," he said, pulling her inside and Sakura pursed her lips. This wasn't going to be as easy as she'd hoped. She could just leave after he fell asleep. With a nod, she pushed him to his room.

"Change your clothes," she told him and Sasuke grabbed some items from his closet before heading into the bathroom to change. Once he came out, he was dressed only in some Uchiha branded shorts. Sakura looked away, pointing at the bed. "Into bed."

Once he was in, she nodded. "I'll sleep on the couch." It was a lie, but she hoped he was drunk enough not to catch on.
"Don't leave," he said again.

"What? Where am I going to sleep?' she asked exasperatedly and Sasuke just stared at her. "Here, with me."

Sakura's eyes widened and she swallowed thickly. "Sasuke-kun." She begged.

"Stay."

"I don't have anything to sleep in." she said, convincing herself it was just to appease him and that she would leave after he went to sleep.

Sasuke climbed out of bed and went to the closet, handing her a dark blue shirt.

"Help me," she said softly, "With the zipper."

Sasuke nodded and she turned, sweeping her hair out of the way. He set one hand on her back and the other grabbed the zipper and pulled it all the way down. His hands parted her dress, his fingers skimming down her bare skin.

Sakura bit down on her lip, forcing herself away from him, she clutched the shirt to her chest and closed herself inside the bathroom. It was only as she slipped the dress off of her shoulders that she saw in the mirror that she was crying. Before pulling on his shirt, she washed her face.

He was in the bed again, eyes watching her as she went over to her. Sasuke moved the covers for her and she slid in easily. Laying stiffly at his side. The shirt had been his Genin one. The exact blue one she'd said goodbye to him in that first time.

After a moment, Sasuke pulled her to him, into his chest and in a weak moment, she put her arm around him.

"Promise me you won't go." He whispered and she could smell the alcohol on his breath.

"I promise."

"Don't cry." He said right before he fell asleep and Sakura wondered how she could escape without waking him and too easily she decided that she couldn't. Slowly, she let herself sleep in his arms.

Sakura woke with a start, it was still dark outside, but the bed next to her was empty. Hastily she climbed out of bed. Silently searching for some explanation. She didn't have to go far because Sasuke stood on the balcony right outside the bedroom.

"Sasuke-kun."

He didn't turn to her. "You should accept Gaara's offer."

"What?"

"It's better for you there. Without me."

Sakura closed her eyes, trying to avoid the feeling of her heart breaking again. "Sasuke-kun-"

"I tried to kill you Sakura!" he exploded suddenly before taking a breath. "You deserve a man who won't be able to do that to you."

"Anyone is capable of murder Sasuke-kun, if you trust them enough. There may have been a time where I didn't trust you. But I never thought that I didn't love you anymore."

"Gaara can give you what I can't. He can treat you better."

"He tried to kill me too, if you've forgotten."

Sasuke fell silent and Sakura continued to stare at his back as the cold wind brushed over her thighs.

"Maybe," he said eventually, "that has something to do with your taste in men then." He was looking over his shoulder, trademark smirk in place. Almost as if he was telling her she was annoying.

"If I go." She said softly, "In time, I'll probably marry him."

"I know."

"And you're ok with that?" she asked, taking the leap. She needed to know if he meant what he'd said to her at the wedding party when he was drunk.

"Does it matter?"

His reply startled her. She was expecting an affirmative, that he couldn't care less.

"Last night, at the wedding, you said something…"

"I was drunk."

"Did you mean it?"

He didn't answer, she wondered if it was because he didn't want to hurt her…or if it was for the reason she desperately wanted.

"If you tell me to stay, I will." She said suddenly.

"Sakura-"

"Say it and I will."

"Don't-"

Sakura, finally having had enough, turned him to her. "Look at me! You owe me at least that!"

And Sasuke prepared to tell her to go, but he couldn't. The words wouldn't come and before he could stop himself, he kissed her.

"That isn't an answer." She whispered.

"You already promised me you'd stay."

"What?"

"When I asked you to."

"That wasn't for-"

"It was."

"Ask me again."

He was silent for a moment before he said it, "Stay."

"Ok."

Eleven months later, they found themselves at another wedding, not their own, but Ino and Kiba's, after which Sasuke finally managed to do it, he proposed and Sakura had almost said no.

"It's time we got married, Sakura,"

"What?" she asked, and then paused, "Are you…proposing?"

Sasuke said nothing.

"Well, where's the ring?" Sakura asked and then sighed, "I'll give you a do-over to do it properly and we can just forget this, ok?"

"Hn."

The next morning Sasuke was looking for something. Tossing things around the house to the point where it almost drove Sakura mad. At lunch time, Sasuke threw a small red box on the table, sitting down opposite Sakura. "There. My mother's ring."

"There?" she mocked. "Are you being rude on purpose?"

Sasuke groaned, running a hand through his hair. "Fine. Marry me, Sakura?"

"Why should I?" she teased, leaning forward. "Could it because you love me?"

Sasuke ran an annoyed hand down his face.

"Say it, Sasuke-kun. Say it and I'm yours." Sakura said, still teasing him, a wicked grin on her lips.

"Fine. I love you. Happy?" he said, pulling a ring from the box and holding it out to her.

Startled, she stared at him. "Sasuke-kun…" she gave him her hand and he slipped it on.

"Love you too."

Three months later, they were married overlooking the lake in the Uchiha Compound, with her parents coming in from the country to attend, and not exactly nine months after that a baby was born, but Sakura was sure no one noticed. No one but Tsunade, Kakashi and Hinata. Some years after that, they welcomed a second child. A boy this time, and because Sasuke named their first child, Sakura whispered the name Itachi to him. Sasuke had closed his eyes, she almost thought he would refuse, but then he nodded.

Not ten years later, Kakashi had arrived at the hospital. Already dead. It was at that moment that Sakura had realized their mortality. Both Naruto, Sasuke and Sai had been called to the hospital. She'd collapsed and Naruto had caught her as she cried, because Sasuke had been too angry. The three of them had gone soon after to avenge their sensei. For many, many days after that, Sasuke had touched her every time he saw he, almost as if to make sure she was still there.

Four short years after that, they lost someone else. Tsunade had been lecturing Naruto, telling him that he would soon be ready for being Hokage, when she fainted. Shizune had told them that Tsunade shortening her life so many times had finally caught up with her, and Sakura had searched through her books day and night for a way to save Tsunade, who had become like a second mother to her, but the Hokage had died the next day, in her sleep.

All the Kage had attended the funeral and only a week later, Naruto's coronation took place and he stepped into the role of Hokage. Sakura had no idea how he'd made time, but a year later, she'd help deliver Hinata's fourth child to the busy Hokage. The girl was the spitting image of her father.

Sakura fell pregnant again soon after that, by accident. It had happened the night after Sasuke had returned from an extended mission and had been especially ravenous for her. But the Uchiha didn't mind another child, he seemed almost happy about it and so was she.

And Sakura, Sasuke and Naruto had everything they'd ever hoped for and they were happy and no longer afraid to feel it, afraid that something will come to tear it away. There were no more wars during their lifetime, no more Akatsuki and no more hate. The shinobi of the world, for the first time had a long, long era of peace.

The End.

Whoa. This chapter turned out longer than expected.

But there were some things that I wanted the characters to experience before the end.

Sakura needed to spend time away from Konoha, as Naruto and Sasuke both had.

Sasuke had to realize that he cared, on his own.

And Naruto had to become Hokage and have what he's always wanted – a family.

I hope it turned out ok.

I'll start working on finishing one of my other fics now. Not sure which one. Possibly Stand by Me or The World Won't Wait. Still deciding lol.

Just wanted to say a huge thanks to everyone who reviewed and even read this.

Disclaimer:

I don't own Naruto, Explosions by Ellie Goulding, When the Darkness Comes by Colbie Caillat, Slipped Away by Avril Lavigne or Wonderful Life by Gwen Stefani.

Read & Review please :D

Zana-Lee

xoxo