Disclaimer/Warning: Nope...still don't own Naruto. Language ahead

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Come What May

[Mine]

Do you remember all the city lights on the water?

You saw me start to believe for the first time

You made a rebel of a careless man's careful daughter

You are the best thing that's ever been mine
~Mine by Taylor Swift

When she first met Naruto Uzumaki it was the summer between her junior and senior year of college and she was in Scarlett's hometown on a weekend they had nothing to do. She didn't want to go, she wanted to spend her free weekend with Sasuke, but Scarlett blackmailed her to go. So, instead of cuddling with her beau she was in for a two and a half hour car ride to the south- the blazing hot south.

"Well at least you'll get a tan," Scarlett joked. "You could use some color on your pasty skin."

Sakura rolled her eyes. "Sorry for not being naturally tan like you."

"Apology accepted. Not everyone can be this awesome."

Upon arrival to the cozy suburb called South Konoha, Sakura admired the view- not totally used to the atmosphere. She had grown up in a busily city and found the culture of the suburb calming.

"Here we are!" Scarlett shouted, eyes full of longing and happiness. Though Scarlett loved college and her party scene, Sakura always knew the red head was homesick and missed her family dearly. "Come on I can't wait to introduce you to everyone!"

Sakura took her duffle bag out of the car and followed Scarlett across the driveway to the front door of the beautiful suburban two-story home where she rang the doorbell numerous times. Seconds later the door flew up and a blond man, at least in his early twenties, with bright blue eyes stood in front of them. The strange whisker-like lines on his face crinkled as he smiled; stashing his cellphone into his jean pockets to give them his full attention.

"Scarlett!" He cried as Scarlett launched herself at him, giving him a tight hug. "I haven't seen you in months!"

"Hey cuz," Scarlett said, detaching herself from him. "Sorry for the lack of communication. I've been busy with projects and stuff." She ushered Sakura inside and closed the door behind them. "Naruto this is my roommate Sakura. Sakura this is my cousin Naruto."

A blush spread across Naruto's face as he looked at the pretty woman in front of him. "H-hi Sakura."

Sakura smiled, inwardly chuckling at the boyish color on his cheek. "Nice to meet you."

That weekend Sakura learned that definition of a close knit family. The Hayes' loved being around each other and welcomed Sakura into the home with open arms as if she was another child of Mr. and Mrs. Hayes. The Hayes family consisted of Mr. Hayes, Mrs. Hayes (who Scarlett was a spitting image of), thirteen year old twins Kikyo and Mark, and cousin Naruto Uzumaki. It was Saturday morning (she had arrived Friday evening) when she had her first full conversation with Naruto over coffee in the kitchen while everyone else was asleep.

"So, what are you doing up early?" Naruto questioned, breaking the calm silence that had engulfed the two over the past few minutes.

"I've just become used to waking up early for classes so my body automatically wakes up around seven," Sakura replied. "You?"

"Same actually. My earliest class is at nine though I usually roll out of bed at 9:45."

"Hmm, so you're one of those roll out of bed and throw on sweatpants kind of guys."

"Hey, no judgment. After a long night of studying the last thing I want to do in the morning is worry about what I'm wearing."

Sakura laughed softly, letting him take that round. He was an entertaining guy who seemed to know how to make her laugh easily. "So where do you go to college and what are you majoring in?"

"I go to South Fire Country University with a major in Education with a focus on history," He replied with a sense of pride in his voice, he was clearly proud of his choice in major and his future aspirations. "I'm also in their FROTC."

"That's awesome," Sakura said, not pegging Naruto for an education major but for some reason could still see it. She also couldn't see him doing basic training for the military though he had an athletic built. "What made you want to join the military?"

"Well, it helps pay for school for one, less money for uncle to spend," He replied. "And I've always wanted to fight for my country. I guess you could call me a patriot."

Sakura truly found these pieces of information interesting. Naruto had a depth to him that she admired and for some reason she whole heartedly wanted to see him succeed. "I really hope you go far."

Naruto flashed his trademark confident smile. "Thanks Sakura. So what do you do?"

"I'm majoring in Nursing," She replied. "I hope to someday own my own clinic."

"You could join the medical unit of the military," Naruto suggested. "They're always hiring nurses."

Sakura pondered on the suggestion. She had never thought of that as an option. "I think I'll give it some consideration."

They talked about college and what they wanted for their future jobs until Scarlett came downstairs an hour later fully dressed- ordering Sakura to get dressed so they could go shopping.

"I apologize for sending you to the frontlines of this battle solider," Naruto joked. "Please come back unharmed from Scarlett's tedious hours of shopping."

Sakura mock saluted him. "I'll try my best sir." Little did she know that she would be having more friendly military inspired banter with Naruto in the coming years.

The months turned into years and her life slowly fell apart- her break up with Sasuke hitting her hard as she drove the two and a half hours from her apartment to Scarlett's in the South suburbs with tears in her eyes. By this time Scarlett had her own two bedroom townhouse so Sakura wasn't intruding the Hayes family.

"Girl, you look like a mess," Scarlett commented softly as she handed Sakura a tissue. "Now tell me what happened."

Sakura told her about the couple in the park and all the way up to the moment that she broke up with the Uchiha. Scarlett sat patiently as her best friend sobbed through her story. She felt sorry for Sakura, she really did, but she wasn't going to sugar coat anything. However, that moment wasn't right for harsh words so she wrapped her arms around her former roommate and let her cry until she fell asleep. When she did Scarlett eased away to go out and buy her ice cream, knowing that she needed it. She left a note on the coffee table before slipping out of the door.

A few minutes after Scarlett left Sakura woke up in a daze. At first she was confused, then she was sad, and last she was depressed and angry. She went to the kitchen where a wine bottle sat mockingly on the countertop. Without much thought Sakura took the bottle and began to pour herself a glass. That one glass turned into four and due to her low alcohol tolerance (seeing as she rarely drank in college) she was drunk on the floor feeling like even more of a hot mess. When Scarlett walked into the townhouse and found the pinkette on the kitchen floor she was caught in between being angry at Sasuke for putting her "sister" in such a state and being furious at Sakura for letting herself fall into that state. She knew at that moment that Sakura had tried to stay strong for so long, but lost herself during those years with Sasuke. When Scarlett was finally able to get Sakura to sober up a bit and get to the living room couch she was even more irritated.

"Sakura the asshole wasn't worth your time anyway," Scarlett said bluntly, making Sakura's eyes sting with raw emotion. "He made you clingy and weak, you weren't yourself at all. You stopped hanging out with everyone just to be with him. A boyfriend should be an addition to your life and better your overall person, not consume it and leave you a shell of yourself."

"He…I…" Sakura tried to stammer out. Any words that she wanted to say wouldn't get passed her lips. She finally hung her head and leaned onto the arm of the couch feeling emotionally and physically exhausted. "Can I go to sleep?"

Scarlett sighed, feeling like she might have gotten through to her friend even in her half-drunk state. "Sure hun, let me help you upstairs."

The next morning Sakura woke up with a raging headache and was grateful that Scarlett left some pain medication and a water bottle on the medication. After waiting a bit for the medication to kick in she moved to get dressed and headed down stairs to find Scarlett. Instead of finding Scarlett downstairs she found Naruto lounging on the couch flipping the channels of the TV absentmindedly.

"Hey Naruto," Sakura said, wincing a bit at her scratchy voice. "Where's Scarlett?"

"She had to go to a meeting at work. She wanted to miss it but her boss wouldn't let her. She said you weren't feeling well and asked me to come by and check on you," Naruto replied.

Sakura made a noncommittal sound as she moved to sit on the couch adjacent to the couch Naruto was on. She had seen Naruto a few times after her first visit to Scarlett's hometown and easily become friends with the outgoing young man. His personality was infectious and could always make her laugh even if he was annoying at times.

"She told me what happened," Naruto said after a while. "Are…you okay?"

All Sakura felt was empty. Was she okay? "I'll be fine."

"If you ever need to talk I'm here," He said, meaning what he said. "It's just that…I believe that relationships only work if both are equally committed and make each other a better person." He sent her a weak smile and chuckled softly as if her being sad and miserable actually made him sad as well. His blue eyes reflected her feelings of sadness with understanding. "When Scarlett told me about Sasuke I almost went to punch the guy in the face. You deserve so much better Sakura, I mean it."

Sakura felt truly touched by the words Naruto had just spoken. The smile that he had on his face filled her with hope that tomorrow would be better and that she really was worth something. She reached over and grabbed his hand, surprising him but he grasped her hand back. It wasn't a romantic gesture, but one of thankfulness and relief. "Thank you Naruto. I needed that."

Now, she sat in the kitchen of her apartment with her husband in her arms. She had stopped crying and now they were simply holding each other- afraid to let go. Hadn't the constant fighting and disagreements between Fire Country and the Sound gone long enough? She thought so.

"Have you told Scarlett or your uncle and aunt?" She asked in a soft tone.

"Not yet," He replied tiredly. "I will in the morning. Can we go to bed now?'

She kissed his forehead, running her hand through his soft locks. "Of course we can." In a matter of twenty minutes they were both passed out in bed.

Sakura was proud to be Naruto Uzumaki's wife. He was generous, loyal, patriotic, and an overall amazing person. They had their ups and downs, but they always made it work because they knew how to communicate with each other. When she watched him stand at attention in his black and grey military uniform her heart soared- the country's insignia proudly worn on the right upper arm. Her husband the history teacher- her husband the solider. She didn't want to let him go, but she knew it was his duty and his passion to serve his country.

"Just remember that he'll be back," Scarlett said, putting an arm around Sakura's shoulder. "This isn't his first time away."

"I know, but this is the first time he's been sent off since he's been with me," Sakura replied. "I miss him already."

The soldiers where dismissed to say one last goodbye to their families. When he wrapped his arms around her she burned the memory in her mind. She engraved in her brain how he smelled and felt in her arms.

"Remember that I love you, okay?" He told her. "I'll be back."

"I love you." She gave him a strained smile. "I'll be waiting."

[Author's Corner]

~Hope everyone enjoyed this chapter!

~In case anyone is wondering about why Scarlett's name as well as her brother's name is pretty American/English it's because her family is a mixed family- her father being a foreigner (hence the last name Hayes). Also, I will get into how Naruto is her cousin in a later chapter (no spoiler for you).