Disclaimer: The fantastic manga "Naruto" is soley the creation of KISHIMOTO Masashi. I do not own "Naruto" but I'm a hardcore fan :D

Author Note: please read n review :D onegai!!!

Love Conquers All

Chapter 2: The New Cherry Blossom

Three years later

The pub's door opens, Ayumi Hamasaki music is blasting and every ones eyes fall on the lady who just walked in. Kakashi's eyes searched the girl's body eagerly, all her womanly curves were well displayed in her baby pink dress, she wore pencil heeled scandals and her unique pink hair was in a Japanese style bun. He smiled to himself thinking he would be in real trouble having thoughts about one of his ex-students.

When he looked around the bar, he was relieved to find that he wasn't the only one who found Sakura intriguing. Everyone's eyes followed her every moment, from letting her hair down and flinging the stick straight into the dart board hitting the bull's eye, to the every movement of her body as she danced her famous Sakura dance that entranced all who looked.

Yes, the shy, dependent Sakura we all knew had changed her life from that one moment in her bedroom. She became the new Sakura, the hot babe everyone wanted to date, but knew that it would never happen. Even though Sakura came out of her shell, she still had only one man in her heart, and that man was Uchiha Sasuke.

Due to her revelation that one moonlit night, Sakura immediately begged Tsunade to take her under her wing. Since then, Sakura studied and studied hard to be as strong as Sasuke and now through all her hard work and dedication, Sakura finally surpassed her sensei at the young age of 17. Sakura is now the number one female ninja in Konoha, all her aspiration in climbing the career ladder was a success.

Today Sakura had finally passed her Anbu exam and now everyone was gathering in the local pub to celebrate her success.

"Sakura! Over here!" Naruto cried, catching the pink haired girl's attention. He gestured to an empty spot next to him. Sakura slowly snapped out her trance and beamed at the orange shinobi before making her way over there. She strode over to him and he enveloped her into a hug.

"I heard the good news, Sakura! Wow I can't believe that you actually did it!! Getting into Anbu and also becoming a great Medical Ninja. Congrats!" Naruto smirked happily.

"Thanks Naruto for putting this party together for me, everyone I know and care for is here", Sakura replied gratefully as her eyes fell on the most beautiful pink colored cake. It was shaped into a cherry blossom and on it wrote, 'Congrats Sakura, our #1 Cherry Blossom!'

Tears of joy, relief and anticipation fell from Sakura's eyes. She could finally continue with her mission in helping Sasuke with his revenge. The past three years were tough for her and to help move her along, she began to live her life one day at a was grateful to have friends like Naruto and Inu who supported her all the way. They made her life a little brighter.

"NARUTO!! I leave you for a few minutes to go look for Sakura and here you are making her cry!" Inu furiously lashed out while still holding on to her boyfriend of two years, Shikamaru.

"No no no! It's not my fault! I didn't do anything... promise!" Naruto replied defensively and turned to look at the pink haired kunoichi next to him and wondered, "Err Sakura-Chan, why are you crying?" He was confused; he thought she would be happy, not sad.

Sakura reassured her friends while wiping her tears away," No it's just that. It's just I'm so happy, and grateful to have friends like you two. Thanks guys."

"Hey hey... that's what friends are for, now let's cut the cake before Naruto starts crying and we have to give him his dummy," Inu chuckled, wiping away the tears that had collected itself in the corner of her eyes.

"Hey!" Naruto exclaimed, hurt by Inu's comment but brushed it off when he turned to Sakura, "Come Sakura,let's cut your cake now," Naruto bowed slightly leading the way to the cake.

"Minna!" Naruto cried loudly as his lungs would take and the music stopped abruptly, "we all know that Sakura-Chan is everyone's favorite doctor in Konoha and that we all love her and want to wish her great success in everything she are all gathered here today to celebrate her in entering the Anbu ranks! Everyone give her a round of applause!" Naruto announced, standing on a table and overlooking the whole room.

"YAY! CONGRATULATIONS SAKURA-CHAN!!!!"the whole bar cried, clapping their hands and whistling like maniacs.

The rest of the party went okay; everyone came up to Sakura one by one and congratulated her about getting into Anbu. They also gave her presents. Most of the gifts she had noticed were clothing. Naruto presented her with his favorite teddy to keep in hopes of her remembering him; Inu gave Sakura the most beautiful crystal pink hair pin she had ever seen, while Kakashi gave her a very rare edition of his favorite book series Icha Icha Paradise, the best of the best edition.

You should have seen his face as he let go of it. It was priceless. Throughout the party, Sakura enjoyed herself with dancing, laughing and talking to everyone; it was a great way of seeing everyone all at once. She hated saying goodbye, it always left her heart aching. But having fun with each one of them, she was sure this wouldn't be a teary goodbye.

That night at one in the morning, Naruto walked Sakura to her apartment door. She turned around to look at the orange shinobi.

"Naruto-kun you didn't need to drop me off, you know I can look after myself. I'm a tough chick," smiled Sakura as she turned to face him.

"Ya I know that you're very independent and if anyone messes with you you'll just punch him so hard his teeth will fall off... lol I think everyone uses Jiraya sama as an example, poor sensei he has to wear drenches now... hahaha.." smirked Naruto.

"Now he deserved that, sneaking up on me while I was showering was totally beyond the line...lol" laughed Sakura.

Naruto grabbed Sakura's hand that was covering her laugh, his face changed; it looked too serious for a guy like him.

"Now all the studying is done, why don't you go out with me? Ne,Sakura-Chan?" Naruto replied suddenly. Sakura just laughed it off.

"Naruto, stop joking. You know that you're my best friend, and on top of that you and Hinata-kun you love each so much that anyone would be jealous to have a love like yours. Just think about it, I know you'll make a good couple together. Just confess to her already," Sakura jested.

"You caught me, Sakura-Chan," Naruto replied nervously a hand behind his head, " I knew that if I looked serious, you would see right through me... Yes, I was thinking about Hinata, she's out on a mission right now, but when she's back I'll try somehow to show her my true feelings!" Naruto grinned.

"Anyways I should go sleep tomorrow Tsunade Sama wants me in her office first thing in the morning. Bye Naruto, take care and don't ever change your awesome attitude on life!" Sakura smiled sadly and kissed him on his cheek.

"Sakura, don't say that. It sounds like we're never gonna see each other for a long time," Naruto pouted, " Just know that I'll always come running if you'll ever need help, all right? Well, see you soon Sakura-Chan!" Naruto waved as he started down the road and away from sight.

Sakura stared at his orange back until the darkness engulfed his image. Sadness over came her. Yes Naruto its goodbye for now... Sayonara. Tomorrow is a start of a new chapter in my life...

Author Note: if you have any input you'd like to say about the story feel free to criticize  good criticism helps one to grow better. And if you have any nice idea you'd like to put in the story line feel free to express it :D hope the story is coming along alright…