*Disclaimer: I do not own "Naruto" or any related characters*

"Naruto, it was me. I'm the reason Sasuke died." Naruto spun around, eyes full of surprise and confusion. Sakura calmly told Naruto all that had happened after he had collapsed after his battle with Sasuke.

"Sakura… I never knew. But if I had been able to reach him, you would not have had to make that choice. It's still my fault."

"Maybe we both fell short; maybe we both were not strong enough. But Naruto, the man who came back to Konoha was not the same boy that left us all those years ago. Yes, I loved that Sasuke. The Sasuke from Team 7, but the Sasuke that attacked our home was not the same. There was nothing we could do." Her words were honest and reached into the heart of her blonde teammate. She stepped towards him, shortening the distance between them. She stopped only when they were face to face. Her gentle green eyes met his dazzling blue. "Naruto, I chose you. I love you."

Naruto looked into the eyes of the woman he had loved since childhood as she confessed her love for him.

"But…" he began; she cut him off.

"No. No 'but's. Haven't we been through enough pain?" A weak smile passed Naruto's lips. He reached out his arms to her, she reached for him. The two embraced one another. He held her close as she melted into his arms.

"I love you Sakura." Naruto whispered in his love's ear. Sakura smiled

"Granny Tsunade!" Naruto bounded into the Hokage's office Sakura right by his side.

"Master, we have completed our mission," Sakura regarded her teacher with respect. Naruto, finally back to his old self, leaned up against the Hokage's desk with his goofy smile plastered over his face. Tsunade could not help but smile in return. Naruto you never cease to amaze me, she thought to herself.

"So, Granny, when do I become Hokage eh? Isn't it time you retired? I mean how old are you anyway?" The blonde cheerfully questioned Tsunade.

Tsunade's eyebrow twitched in annoyance. But she was too glad to have this Naruto as opposed to the gloomy one, to do anything about his blatant disrespect.

"Thought you weren't interested?" she said, eying him quizzically.

"Now what would make you think that?" Naruto and Tsunade shared a knowing look.

Three weeks to the date after their return from Suna, Naruto proposed to Sakura.

12 months later, Naruto considered himself the luckiest man in the world—husband of his beautiful childhood love and Hokage of Konoha.

Sorry the ending is so short; I'm not too good with the happy mushy stuff. I hope you enjoyed my first fanfic! Thanks for reading 3