A/N: The wait is over, and this story is finally done! Here is the last chapter! I'd like to thank everyone who has reviewed or favorite-d this story; it means a lot to me!
Rich Boy, Poor Heart II
Chapter Twenty One
000
"Sakura…Sakura, wake up."
"Nn…" Sakura mumbled as she groggily opened her eyes. Sunlight was flooding from the window; a sign that it was probably past noon already.
"Are we…are we leaving already?" Sakura asked Sasuke reluctantly as he sat down next to her on the bed.
"We're leaving in two hours," He replied calmly, stroking her hair lightly. She frowned.
"Let's go somewhere," Sasuke said, grabbing her hand. Sakura widened her eyes.
"Eh…but"—
"Alone time. We need alone time together," He said, blushing slightly. Sakura also found her cheeks turning pink.
"Um…okay…" She stammered back, embarrassed, but happy.
000
"Where have you two been?" Mikoto asked suspiciously. Itachi and Rain exchanged nervous glances.
"You two never came back home last night, and only came back now. I've been worried!" Mikoto continued. Rain bit her bottom lip.
"Ah, I'm really sorry, Mikoto-san. But…uh…Itachi-kun forced me and"—
Itachi elbowed her, causing her to go quiet. Mikoto sighed.
"Well…it's the last day. So I guess I'll just let you two off," She replied, smiling.
At that moment, both Sasuke and Sakura came down from the stairs, hand in hand.
"And where are you two going?" Mikoto asked, going into her motherly-mode once again. Sasuke rolled his eyes.
"We're going out, mother," He replied as he reached over to open the door.
"Be back soon," Mikoto said. Sakura nodded, beaming.
The couple left the house. Rain giggled.
"They're kind of like us, Itachi-kun," She pointed out.
000
"W…where are we going?" Sakura asked as Sasuke continued to lead her somewhere.
"A place that's quiet. A place where it can only be the two of us," He replied without looking back. Sakura blushed and continued to trail after him.
He stopped walking once they had reached a park. Only a couple people were there, so it was quaint and quiet.
Silently, they walked into a flower field, and sat down there.
"Sasuke-kun…why did you choose me?" Sakura asked. He gave her a slight look of disbelief, and she quickly continued.
"Over Karin, and Ino, and Yumi…why me?" She asked again. He sighed, then smirked when he saw her worried expression.
"I'll admit. You're not the cutest. You're not the sexiest. You're not that talented. But those things still drew you to me. And that's why I like you," Sasuke explained. Sakura sent him a slight glare at the offenses he had given her.
"Why do you like me?" Sasuke asked casually. The pink-haired girl blushed.
"You're not the nicest," She began imitating, and he nearly laughed.
"You're not the sweetest. And you're not the most original. But there are just certain things I like about you," Sakura said, smiling.
"Like?" He questioned, nudging her to go on.
"You're cute. And it's cute when you get jealous," She cooed, causing his cheeks to glow. She smiled charmingly at him.
"I just wish things could stay like this forever…" She mumbled, clutching onto his hand.
"I'm sorry for everything bad that has ever happened on this trip," Sasuke sighed, squeezing her hand back.
"Bad…?" She said, confused. He clenched his teeth.
"Yumi. Karin. What you found out about me and Karin. Sai," Sasuke began. Sakura frowned.
"My dad treating you badly," He added. Sakura shook her head.
"It's alright now. All that's been solved, and we're not in that time anymore," She told him.
"Still…all the bad things happen to you, not me," He pointed out, frustrated. She beamed.
"Maybe I should make you jealous then?" Sakura suggested jokingly. He scowled at her playfully.
"That's annoying," He muttered, glaring lightly at her. She giggled.
"I was kidding"—
He kissed her then. Startled, she tumbled down onto the grass, but he didn't care. He followed down with her, and focused his mind only on her for the moment.
000
"E…engaged…" Sakura whispered, staring at Hinata and Naruto.
"Yes, Sakura-chan," Naruto said.
"KYAAAAAAA!" Sakura yelled, hugging them both. Behind her, Sasuke sighed. Then, he noticed Hinata's hand with a smirk.
"Dobe, you didn't even bother to get her a ring?" He pointed out. Naruto's tanned cheeks turned furiously red.
"I…I didn't think I would really propose to Hinata-chan! I just thought the moment was really nice, so…" He trailed off, at a frustrated loss for words. He glanced over at Hinata, who blushed.
"Sasuke-kun, stop making fun of Naruto," Sakura said, sticking out her tongue at him.
"And I'll make it up to her! The moment we get back home, we're going to go buy a ring, Hinata-chan! I won't buy or eat ramen for weeks!" He shouted, determined.
"A…ah…you don't really have to do that, Naruto-kun…" She said instantly. He shook his head stubbornly.
"Nope! I need to buy you a ring!" Naruto repeated. Hinata stared at him for a while before smiling softly.
"I'll cook you ramen everyday then," She told him. He grinned.
"Really, Hinata-chan?" He asked in disbelief. Hinata smiled and nodded. He embraced her, and she nearly stumbled backwards.
"Hm, we sure are lively this afternoon," Mikoto commented as she entered the room. Sakura beamed.
"Naruto and Hinata are engaged," She informed cheerfully. Mikoto squealed happily, much to Sasuke's slight horror.
"Why are all of you so cute?" She shouted, enveloping the newly engaged couple into a hug. Naruto grinned shamelessly.
"Ah…you really want to make me relive my teen years. I remember your father, Sasuke-kun! It might not look like it now, but he used to be so adorable! He was always annoyed by me, and would avoid me as much as possible!" Mikoto explained passionately. Sakura, Hinata, and Naruto listened intently as Sasuke rolled his eyes.
"However…one day, his hormones got the better of him, and he slammed"—
"Okay, Mother, that's enough!" Sasuke said loudly, covering Sakura's ears furiously.
"Well, anyway, after that incident, your father vowed to stay with me. He confessed that he's been observing me, and that he grew feelings for me! Ah…good times…" Mikoto sighed, shaking her head slowly. Sasuke merely scoffed.
"Typical love story," He pointed out dully. Sakura glared lightly at him before beaming at Mikoto.
"I'm too scared to leave you alone with Sakura now," Sasuke added.
"Why, Sasuke-kun?" Mikoto asked, whining.
"The things you say…" He muttered, shaking his head in disapproval. Sasuke stared at the staircase.
All of a sudden, out of the shadows, Neji stepped out, startling him.
"Naruto…" Neji seethed slightly. Naruto widened his eyes, and quickly cowered behind Hinata.
"How can you get engaged to Hinata without my permission?" Neji demanded. Naruto squeaked out an inaudible answer.
"Speak up, dobe," Sasuke said, nudging him roughly.
"Besides that, you didn't even propose properly, and you didn't give her a ring," Neji added, crossing his arms. Hinata bit her bottom lip.
"It's okay, Neji-nii…I'm happy, so it's okay," She spoke out. Neji frowned, and then sighed heavily.
"I guess…so long as he makes you happy…" Neji fought for the right words. He scratched the back of his head uncertainly, and Sasuke smirked smugly.
"I…approve, I suppose," Neji admitted, glancing away.
"I think you've always secretly approved, Neji-kun," Sakura pointed out, smiling. He continued to avoid eye contact with the others.
000
"Well…the trip's finally coming to an end, huh?" Shikamaru asked as he looked up at the clouds. Sakura smiled sadly, and nodded.
"Wherever you go, just be happy, okay?" He continued.
"Of course," She replied. An awkward silence passed over them.
"Um…" He started, frowning slightly. Sakura touched his arm lightly, and he almost flinched.
"Want to…play shougi one last time?" She asked, tilting her head to the side. He stared at her before smirking.
"Yeah," He replied as he helped her up from the grass.
000
"So…what are your plans after this trip?" Sakura asked curiously as she sat back. The game board was still filled with shougi pieces. Shikamaru's pieces stood out victorious and seemingly glowing.
He sighed, and sat back beside her.
"Probably go back home with Ino. And I guess…find the right time to propose," He shrugged.
"You don't have to force yourself to propose just because everyone else is," Sakura pointed out. He half laughed.
"Actually, I do. It's a man thing, you won't understand," Shikamaru said. She rolled her eyes.
"Ino's actually pretty patient, even if it doesn't look like it. She can wait," Sakura said.
"You would just need to reassure her often," The pink-haired girl added. He rose an eyebrow.
"Reassure?" He questioned. She nodded politely.
"You know, take her out on dates, be affectionate, and the like," Sakura explained, smiling.
"You might as well date Ino," Shikamaru joked. Sakura giggled back.
"But anyway…best of luck to you and Sasuke. Contact us about the wedding if you can," Shikamaru told her as he stood up and stuffed his hands into his pockets. Sakura quickly looked up at him.
"I had fun with you on this trip," Sakura said, beaming at him. He stared, and then nodded slowly.
"Yeah. Yeah, same here," He said, smirking lightly as he left the room.
000
"E…eh…?" Sakura whispered as she tried to switch the lights on. She switched it on and off, but nothing worked. She frowned and put her hands on her hips.
The door, which was letting some light into the room, shut, leaving the room completely dark. She was about to yell, but a hand quickly covered her mouth.
"Shh," A soothing voice said to her. The nerves in her body relaxed instantly at the sound of Sasuke's voice.
"Sasuke-kun?" She whispered. She saw the very faint outline of a person moving, and then heard the sound of a match being lit.
Sakura stared at Sasuke's face as he lit some candles. She smiled as he blew out the match.
"Why couldn't you just turn on some lights?" She asked, teasing slightly. He said nothing as he pulled her into a loose embrace. She inhaled sharply.
"We only have an hour left before we leave," Sasuke pointed out.
"But we'll still be together…" Sakura replied uneasily. He backed up a few steps, frowning.
"You sound scared," He said bluntly. She shook her head lightly.
"You think I'm going to do something to you?" He questioned. Sakura bit her bottom lip.
"We…we should go," She blurted out, attempting to walk over to her packed luggage. A hand caught onto her wrist, and she frowned.
"Sakura, I love you," He muttered, sounding frustrated. Sakura stared at him with her large, green eyes, and understood. He really does love her.
"I love you too, Sasuke-kun," She replied back, sliding back into his hug.
With that, he blew out the candles, and kissed her.
000
"Ah…goodbye, beautiful summer home," Mikoto said, sighing.
"I hope we get to see you again next year," She added. Iko, beside her, grasped onto her arm.
"Don't worry, Mikoto-sama! I'll be here to keep it clean!" She said. Sakura frowned.
"You're going to live here all by yourself?" She asked. Iko grinned, and quickly shook her head.
"Nope! Chouji-kun decided he wants to stay here with me!" The blonde replied. Sakura smiled cheerfully before hugging her.
"I hope to see you again," Sakura said. Iko hugged her back tightly.
"I wish you all happiness and luck," Iko told them as she all went into the limo. They waved and called out to her before the limo turned a corner, and Iko and the summer home were out of sight.
Sakura leaned on Sasuke's shoulder as he wrapped an arm around her comfortingly.
What Naruto had anticipated to be a fun drive to the airport, turned out to be that of an extremely gloomy funeral.
"Oh, c'mon, you guys! We should be having fun!" He shouted. Hinata glanced towards him curiously.
"We won't be seeing each other in a while…so…" Naruto trailed off, sighing.
"That's the point. We won't see each other in a while," Ino pointed out.
"That doesn't give a good reason to why we should be acting like someone died," Naruto replied stubbornly.
"Naruto's right…we shouldn't be acting like this…" Sakura finally said as the boy looked at her gratefully.
"So…who's up for some champagne?" Naruto said as he took a bottle out from the limo's cooler. They all exchanged smiles.
000
"I think the love Itachi and Rain have is stupid!" Sakura yelled. Itachi glared lightly at her as Rain quickly patted his shoulder.
"She's just drunk, Itachi-kun," Rain said nervously.
"Would you mind clarifying that thought, Sakura?" Itachi asked as he drank out of his own cup again.
"Nope! I don't mind clarifying at all! I think you guys should make out more often!" The pink-haired girl continued. Rain choked lightly on oxygen.
"I mean, you guys are pretty old! And even Sasuke-kun proposed before you could. You guys are probably still even vir"—
"Idiot," Sasuke muttered as he threw a hand over his girlfriend's mouth.
"Let her talk some more, Sasuke," Itachi said darkly. Mikoto sighed.
"Itachi always becomes angry when he drinks," She whispered to Rain, who nodded nervously.
"I'll pass on that. You might kill her," Sasuke said calmly as Sakura struggled to get his hand off of her face.
"You're just like Sasuke-kun though! Sasuke-kun's always too scared to kiss me, and you're probably like that too!" Sakura shouted as she pushed down on Sasuke's hand. He frowned at that.
"I'm not," The two brother's said together, defensively.
"Uh huh. I bet Naruto and Hinata kiss more than we do," Sakura muttered, poking Sasuke's chest.
"Maybe Shikamaru-kun's a better kisser than you are," She added, causing Shikamaru to fidget in his seat.
"Hey, you shut up about my boyfriend! You almost stole him from me!" Ino cried out as she poured something more into her glass.
"Yeah, I think Shikamaru might actually be better than you, Sasuke-kun," Sakura ranted on.
"Sakura," Sasuke said warningly.
"Oh, are you going to take advantage of me, like you almost did last time?" Sakura questioned.
"You defiled Sakura-chan?" Naruto yelled. Sasuke cringed.
"I didn't!" He said back.
"Aren't you glad I don't get drunk like that?" Ten Ten asked Neji, who merely sighed and nodded tiredly.
000
"They're a noisy bunch, aren't they?" The driver asked Fugaku, laughing.
Fugaku smirked, and nodded.
000
Sasuke sighed, tired, as he stared at everyone else who was currently asleep. Neji and Ten Ten were cuddled together in an affectionate sleep. Itachi's head was rested on Rain, who was leaning on Mikoto. Hinata's head was buried in Naruto's chest, who was asleep on Shikamaru's shoulder. Ino was sprawled out on the floor of the limo, snoring lightly.
Finally, he looked down at a girl asleep on him.
"She's really something when she's drunk, isn't she?" Mikoto asked softly. Sasuke looked over at her and sighed again.
"Yeah," He muttered back.
"Was anything she said really true?" Mikoto asked suspiciously, yet teasingly. Sasuke scowled lightly.
"Not that much," He replied with glowing cheeks.
"We have arrived at the airport!" The driver called out, startling the sleeping boys, save for Naruto.
The boys woke up the girls and Naruto, and they all climbed out of the limo. They all stretched and yawned as the sunlight hit their skin.
"Okay…so me, Fugaku-kun, Neji, Ten Ten, Itachi and Rain are going back to America," Mikoto said as she held up their tickets.
"That's the first plane to leave…which is in hour…" She added, staring at the large clock.
"Sasuke, Sakura, Naruto, Hinata, Ino and Shikamaru are going back to Japan in an hour and thirty minutes," Mikoto said, handing them each their tickets. She sighed.
"All of you are such good people. Have fun with life, and make good choices, alright?" Mikoto asked, smiling tearfully.
000
An hour later…
"It's time for us to go," Neji pointed out calmly. Ten Ten frowned and looked over at the rest of the girls.
"You guys have no idea how much I'll miss you," She said, rubbing her eyes. Without warning, the girls all went into a large group hug. They all parted, laughing and crying.
"Sakura, if Sasuke-chan does something dumb, you call me, okay?" Mikoto demanded. Sakura smiled, and nodded.
"Your father was a great man, Sakura. I'm sorry for anything bad I have done to you," Fugaku told her.
"I'm sure my dad is happy right now," Sakura replied, nodding.
"Take care, foolish little brother," Itachi smirked, ruffling his younger brother's hair. Sasuke merely smirked back.
"Well, see you," Neji said waving them off, and putting am arm around Ten Ten.
"Don't forget to contact us about the wedding!" Rain shouted out as they walked away.
"Same goes to you!" Sakura yelled back, beaming. She waved weakly, before her arm landed limply by her side.
"They're gone…" She whispered. Sasuke hugged her from behind, putting his chin on top of her head.
"We'll see them again, someday," He told her.
"Yeah…" She finally replied, smiling lightly.
Thirty minutes later…
"We should all get going now," Sasuke said, glancing up at the clock. Sasuke helped Sakura with her luggage as they all walked off.
"K…Kiba! It's Kiba-kun!" Sakura said, pointing. They all looked, and sure enough, Kiba was there. He stood in front of the gate of the plane, wearing a uniform.
"Whoa! Didn't expect to see you guys here!" Kiba announced.
"You work here?" Shikamaru questioned. Kiba grinned.
"Yeah. It's only temporary though," He shrugged. He glanced down at their luggage.
"Well, I'm pretty sure you guys got your luggage checked already. But…uh…it's law that I need to check…well…you know," Kiba said uncertainly.
"Sasuke, arms up," Kiba said quickly. Sasuke scowled before obeying. Kiba quickly patted down his body.
"Okay, you're good. Naruto, you're up," He said. Naruto grimaced.
"I'm not holding anything dangerous," He said. Kiba rolled his eyes.
"I know that. But I still have to check anyway," He informed him. Grumbling, Naruto put his arms up and Kiba patted down his body like he had to Sasuke's.
"Freaking homo. You probably just wanted to touch me," Naruto said, sticking his tongue out.
Kiba checked Shikamaru, and then glanced over at the three girls.
"Oh, no," Naruto muttered.
"I have to check them! It's my job!" Kiba said defensively as he gestured Ino over. Shikamaru glared at him as he patted Ino's body. Ino giggled lightly.
"Ticklish?" Kiba teased, touching her side again.
"That's enough," Shikamaru said, pulling Ino by the elbow.
"I can check Hinata-chan myself!" Naruto said quickly before Kiba could land a hand on her.
"You're not licensed," Kiba said bluntly as he ignored Naruto and patted Hinata's body. Naruto quickly pulled her with him when he was done.
"I should mess with your boyfriend," Kiba whispered as Sakura walked towards him. Sakura giggled.
"I don't think that'd be a good idea," She pointed out. He sighed.
"Yeah, I'll get him next time," Kiba said playfully while patting her body down. Sasuke wrapped an arm around her when he was done.
"Have a good trip!" Kiba called out. The girls all smiled and waved back at him.
"Bastard," Naruto, Sasuke and Shikamaru muttered together.
000
Sakura stared out the window contently. It was a good trip. She was constantly surrounded by friends, and nothing too bad had happened. She became closer with many people, even Karin and Yumi.
And now, she was finally going back.
She smiled over at Sasuke, who held her hand loosely. He smirked back at her.
They were going back, and they were going back together.
000
A figure stood in front of the airport. He held a paper in one hand, and a guitar in the other.
He glanced down at the picture, which was a sketch of Sakura looking down at the koi pond.
The corners of his lips turned upwards as he sat down and strummed at his guitar. He looked back down at the sketch, then up at the plane that was flying away from him.
A/N: It's done! It took me nearly three years to finish, but I finished! Of course, I feel like a part of me has been lost, but I also feel relieved. Hopefully, I can start again on new stories, and keep writing.
I hope that those who support me now will continue to support me! Without you guys, I would be a hopeless writer! So, I hope this last chapter satisfied you all!
Thank you for everyone who has stuck with me until the end, and also to those who picked up on this story later. Every review, every favorite and every alert matters.
Thank you, thank you, thank you!