Chapter 14: The Start of a New Beginning

The night seemed to drag on as I continued to space out, staring at the night sky. People once in a while would come and try to cheer me up and drag me into the party. But every time they would come and present their offer or consent, I would push them away.

"C'mon Sakura! It's you're birthday! Lighten up!" Ino would say cheerfully and tug on my arm. I gave a small smile and looked away.

"Sure…fine…I'll be there soon…," I would say. I could sense that she was frowning.

"Oh come on! You said that the last time someone came to you! Pleeeeassseee!" she pleaded. I looked at her and I could see she was trying really hard. I couldn't help but laugh. She smiled at my laughter.

"Yay! You're starting to laugh already! So turn that frown upside down or I'll sick Naruto on you!" she teased. Immediately my face fell into disgust, then sadness.

"Speaking of Naruto, I haven't seen him anywhere…In fact I haven't seen him in a month….and I know he wouldn't miss out my birthday…he always comes no matter what…"

Ino pondered for a while and her face as well, turned into a sad expression. "I'm sorry Sakura…I don't know where he is either. Shikamaru looked all over the village to ask him to come…but he was no where in sight."

I looked away and again I turned to resume looking at the stars. I heard Ino sigh.

"Well…cheer up. He'll show up…eventually. He has to…"

I gave no reply.

"Well…if you feel like coming…just come ok?" Ino said and left.

Time seemed to just slowly pass by and it felt like I really was going to spend most of the night doing nothing. It was my birthday for crying out loud! So I should just enjoy it…I finally came my senses and sighed as I walked over to Ino, Hinata and Ten-Ten who were busy chatting about the day.

"Look who's finally decided to join!" Ten-Ten exclaimed and I smiled.

"There's no use of just doing nothing on my birthday…so why waste it right?" I said. They all agreed.

"Ok, so with that done. What do you want to do now?" Ino asked. I thought….I didn't really know…

"Gifts, I guess…" I said.

"Awesome!! Ok, let's head over and—"

"What about the cake??!!" Chouji interrupted. He groaned and looked, well more likely drooled, at the sign of the cake on the table. Ino sighed and was about to respond when a knock came to the door. We all looked at each other in confusion and shrugged. I then hurriedly ran to the door, with Ino and the others following after me.

My heart started to pound as I reached for the doorknob, hoping that it would be the only person I really wanted here right now would be….

"NARUTO!" I exclaimed. There he was standing there with that same goofy smile on his face. No, my heart didn't really jump for joy, but I still found tears emerging from my eyes.

"Heh, sorry Sakura-chan for being so late…kinda lost track of time and all…," he said and rubbed the back of his head. I then ran and locked him a tight embrace, but then quickly broke away and slapped him hard.

"AHHH!!! Sakura-chan!! What was that for?!" He cried as he grabbed his face in pain.

"FOR BEING A COMPLETE IDIOT! YOU KNOW HOW WORRIED YOU MADE ME!" I yelled and again I was about to slap him but noticed that the hand he was covering his face with was covered in bandages. I then lowered my hand and looked at him.

"Naruto…what happened?" I asked as I inspected his hand. Again he made a cocky smile and rubbed the back of his head.

"Uhh….kinda of a long story. I was kinda trying to get you you're birthday gift…"

I looked at him in shock. Birthday gift? What a bear? What he could have gotten that made him get hurt badly?

"Naruto, w-what are you talking about?" I asked.

"Well….," he stated and then stepped aside. I looked behind him to see, what I thought I would never see again. There leaning against a tree out in the yard, was Sasuke with the same smirk he would always have with his arms crossed. Without thinking, I ran out and embraced Sasuke, never wanting to let go. He in turn placed his arms around me and we stayed that way for a while. We then separated with our faces close to each other. Again I could feel the rush of tears coming out of my eyes and now I could feel how my heart was pounding.

"Wait…what about your brother and—"

He chuckled and brushed a hair out of my face.

"I guess that baka is not so stupid after all. If it wasn't for Naruto…I wouldn't be here…especially in time for your birthday…"

I looked back and saw that Naruto had already diverted the crowd away from the scene and was already talking to Hinata. I smiled at him and he turned, as if he felt my gaze at him.

"Thank you Naruto…" I whispered and he gave his cocky grins. He then led Hinata inside. Sasuke then directed my face back at him.

"Ugh…I'm not really good at this…," he said and sighed. I giggled and placed a hand on his face.

"Apologizing…," he replied. I raised a brow.

"For what?"

"For doing this to you. I mean everything. I was so caught up on getting back at my brother…that I never really…ugh...you know…realized how much I hurt you…and I'm…I'm sorry Sakura."

I smiled and I felt a tear fall down my cheek.

"Sasuke…all I know, is that I'm glad you're back…" I said and nestled my head into his chest.

"Sakura…"

"Hm?" I then brought my head back up and stared into his onyx eyes.

"I'm not going to leave you…remember that. I'll always be here for you. Now that everything is different…and I want you to know that…I…I…uhh…," he stuttered and I could see that he trying hard not to blush. I giggled and briefly kissed him.

"I love you, Sakura...," he said as we broke apart. I smiled and we kissed again.

"I've always loved you Sasuke…and I always will."

And with that he took out a cherry blossom from his pocket and placed it in my hair.

"Happy Birthday…"

I smiled as we then kissed again.

phew! That was a lot to upload! Well, imma just talk here now. Hehe, yes, love the fluff and romance. Worship it. mwahaha! (sighs) Now I reeeallllyy wish they would hook up at the end of the series! THEY BETTER! SASUSAKU FTW!!! (sigh) And their first kiss WILL be amazing! I hope... But yes, don't really know wat to rant about now...so...imma just post the last remaining bit of this story and I'll be done! So read the Epilogue!

-ScarlettR.

(ggrrr...my little icon thing won't work...this "()v" was supposed to be a happy peace face...wahh...)