Beyond a Simple Thank You!

Sakura walked toward the hokage office holding protectively onto an envelope. In this world, everything was quiet and peaceful. She didn't know if Naruto had fully destroyed the cycle of hate, but this as close enough. There was peace, and yet it all felt so strange to her. She had her happy ending; Sasuke and Sarada and yet she couldn't forget the nights when her bed felt lonely. She couldn't forget the moments when she was reminded of their days as Team 7. She couldn't forget the guilt and regret she often felt through-out the years. As she walked toward the hokage's office she made sure to keep her eyes down. No one questioned her presence; after all, she was the disciple of Lady Tsunade. She was a legendary sannin.

She knocked on the door before walking in to see Naruto sleep at his desk. Empty cups of ramen were scattered beside his laptop. She spotted a picture of Team 7 and a warm smile slipped onto her lips. Carefully she reached out to pick it up but stopped when she saw the picture of Naruto with Hinata and their children. The constant throbbing of her heart was replaced with a shattering pain. She glanced over at him. His blonde hair was always cut short now, while slowly Sakura's hair had grown back to the length it had when they were children. After all, Sasuke…did like girls with long hair. She looked down at the envelope, then toward Naruto wondering if she should give it to him at all.

That is until she noticed one of his blue eyes peeking up at her.

"Sakura-chan," he whispered.

He hadn't called her that in years. Sakura-chan. For a moment, she saw the little boy she had spent so many years with. She didn't say anything, but stared at him while clutching her letter.

"Why are you crying, Sakura-chan?" Naruto whispered.

"I…uh…" she began. Why couldn't she say anything?! Why did she feel as though a lump had formed in her throat, choking out her words.

"Idiot," she managed to whisper before forcing herself to laugh, "I'm not crying." She stuffed the letter into the pocket of her lab coat. "I wasn't sure if you were in your office or not. With everything so peaceful, I'm surprised you still spend so much time here."

"It's the duty of the hokage, right?" Naruto lightly smiled.

As of late, Naruto had struck Sakura as being more serious and mature as a whole. He was far more grown up than the boy she remembered, but that smile…she remembered that smile. It was the same smile he gave her years ago during the war when she refused to be left behind. It was the smile that often encouraged her. Her heart was beating so quickly, as tears continued to spill out of her eyes. Playfully she punched him against the side of his head, but it wasn't nearly as hard as she had in the past.

"What about your family? You should spend time with them," she explained. Every word she said, pained her more and more. She felt her stomach twisting with guilt as he continued to smile up at her with those blue eyes. "What?" she asked, unsure of what he was looking at, but he didn't answer, instead he kept smiling.

"Nothing," Naruto laughed before standing to his feet. It was weird, because she could remember when he was so much shorter than her. He was such an impulsive goofball, who dove into dangerous situations without thinking of the risks. Despite his carelessness, his ability to talk to even the most dangerous villains, she never once doubted that he would become hokage. Protecting that dream of his became her duty, and now that he accomplished it…she saw less and less of him. He daughter was now enrolled in the ninja academy…there was no time for living in the past, and asking herself questions of what if.

Naruto started picking up the various empty cups of ramen, and tossed them in his trashcan.

As she watched him, she couldn't help herself but wonder…what would have happened? She often hated that she cried as much as she did, but she couldn't help it. Never before did she have to bottle up her feelings around Naruto. It was always Sasuke. She believed that Sasuke was her dream. She always wondered what their first kiss and first night would be like together, and yet she often felt as though something were missing.

Then Naruto looked back at her and lightly laughed, "Sakura-chan, you're always crying." Gently he wiped away her tears with his hand. Without warning, she tightly wrapped her arms around him, hugging him tightly, burrowing her face into shoulder.

Naruto was always there. She never had to chase him…he was just there. However, he belonged to Hinata. She and Hinata were friends and she would never betray that.

"Sakura-chan," he whispered before laughing, "You're squeezing me a little too hard."

Her face heated up as she quickly released him, and crossed her arms over her chest. Swiftly she glanced away from him, not wanting him to see how badly she was blushing. "Well, I guess I'll let everyone know you're still here," she told him as she waved her hand dismissively. Before she could leave the room, Naruto said, "What's that in your pocket?" She looked down to the envelope poking out of her pocket. She drew out the letter and looked at it for a moment.

With a forced laugh she said, "It's not important," and moved to rip the envelope in half.

"Wait," Naruto said, causing her to pause. "Let me see." And then playfully he yanked the letter out of her hand.

"It's a waste of time," she said as she tried to steal it back, but Naruto held the envelope high out of her reach. She found herself bringing up her hand to slap him, but stopped. "Fine, do what you want." Without another thought she walked out of the office and closed the door behind her.

Naruto opened up the letter to be greeted with Sakura's had writing.

Naruto,

I just want to say thank you for everything you have done for me. Thank you for being there with me during the great times and the bad. Thank you for encouraging and motivating me when I was at my lowest, my weakest state. You endured my temper and protected me when you didn't have to. Thank you for your sacrifices. Most of all…thank you for loving me, more than anyone ever had. There are nights when I wonder what you're thinking, and then I remind myself that Hinata is more suited than I am. I'm not sure I could have ever given you the love that you deserve. This letter isn't to ask for a chance. I know something like that disappeared years ago. This letter is just to let you know that I am thankful, and I realize how special you truly are. I've known for a long time now. So thank you, Naruto, for being a part of my life. I will always be there to support your dreams, even if it's from a distance.

Her name wasn't signed.

Naruto bolted out of his office to see Sakura standing before him. She wore a smile Naruto wasn't sure if he had seen before. He knew it was fake, but he wasn't sure why.

"I told you it wasn't important," she lightly laughed as she took a step back, but then Naruto stepped toward her, and took her hand. Her face immediately burned a bright red. It was stupid how embarrassed she suddenly felt. "Don't be stupid. You're the hokage, a husband, a father—." He suddenly kissed her. She slapped him only to have him hold her hand to his cheek afterward. He parted his lips from hers and stared deeply into her green eyes with his blue ones. Those orbs reminded Sakura of the ocean, they were so beautiful. They weren't cold at all. Her heart was beating rapidly.

"Anyone can see us," she harshly whispered.

Naruto lightly laughed and whispered, "And that's what I like about Sakura-chan."

"What are you talking about?" She questioned, not feeling even more embarrassed than before.

"You've always been so smart, Sakura-chan. And made sure to look out for both of us. That's what I like about you," he answered. "All I've wanted was your happiness, Sakura-chan. If Sasuke doesn't make you happy, then I guess I didn't do my job right."

"Idiot," Sakura cried as she wrapped her arms around his neck. "I wish I could have picked you."
"Don't cry, Sakura-chan," he said, "Who knows…maybe in another life, we could be together."

"Maybe…" she answered.

"But that won't change that you'll always have a place in my heart too," he grinned.

Although it wasn't the answer she was looking for, whenever he smiled like that…she believed him.

'Thank you, Naruto, for still being the Naruto I fell in love with…' she thought to herself as she hugged him once more. 'Thank you.'