Hey everybody. Sorry it took so long to post this up. So, you may or may not notice, but I've been getting alot of writer's block lately, lol, so I've decided to wrap up "The Darkness of Sakura". The next chapter that I put up after this one will more than likely be the final chapter to this fanfic. I know, it's sad right? But I've lost some of the ideas that originally would have made this a great fanfic (at least in my opinion. Apparently everyone who's read this fanfic LOVES it. thanks . However, when you read further, I introduce a new character. Who knows? I just might end up making a fanfic about Ryoko, and it might carry on into the whole Sakura evil concept...maybe? Anywho, once this fanfic is done, be sure to look out for my next fanfic. Question is: Should I go with Batman Beyond: Terry/Max love story, or a Code Lyoko Yumi/Ulrich tale? Decisions, decisions. Let me know what to do! And thanks again for all the support! I now present to you:

Immortality

"Mmm…" The midnight moon is high in the sky, surrounded by bright stars. Her green eyes glisten. She was used to rising with the night. Its blackness was well concealing. No one could track you, see you, understand when you were protected by the night. And then, the remembrance of all the…"acts" that she committed floods through her mind. Guilt overwhelms her. Sakura raises out of the hospital bed and treads silently to the open windowsill. Crossing a leg under her, she sits on it and wraps her arm around herself protectively, and gazes at the full moon.

"Sakura?" She jumps, surprised. He gaze falls upon the form of Kakashi beside the bed looking at her. She is slightly shocked at first, and then, ecstatic. Sakura couldn't believe that he was standing there. He was there to not just check on her condition. He was there for something stronger, more powerful. It was always when they were together that the feeling of invincibility flowed through their bodies like chakra. A tear slides down her cheek slowly but her lips hold a smile. Kakashi tilts his head, trying to evaluate her expression, and then walks and sits in front of her on the windowsill. "How do you feel?" his voice asks smoothly.

"Fine," she answers shyly. The wind ruffles through her pink hair. Although she wanted to stare at Kakashi forever she becomes embarrassed and turns away. She explains, "I love looking at the moon. It always relaxed me. So bright and clear, it just gives me hope." She laughs wearily, "But so do you. I guess that explains why I always gravitate to you." She pauses, unsure about what she should say next. That last statement had slipped out. "I feel safe with you." Dammit! Kakashi turns and looks out the window, silent. She shouldn't have said that! He had to be feeling awkward. Feeling completely stupid, Sakura sighs and heaves her shoulders forward in weakness.

Kakashi notices this. The last thing he wanted to do was hurt her. Hurting her was the last memories that he had of Sakura: being cruel to her during the first fight against Orochimaru, letting him take her, and then fighting her in the forest. Bringing Sakura pain was like killing himself over and over again…like his own personal Tsukuyomi. Not wanting to cause her more suffering, and wanting her to understand better, he reaches his hand over and intertwines his finger within hers. "Talk to me. What are you thinking?"

Sakura blushes at this bold move. "Well…" she whispers. "I was just thinking about…" No! There was no way she could say this! Not NOW! But despite her mind yelling for her to halt the confession, Sakura continues, "…how much I've…missed…YOU." Before Kakashi can say anything Sakura quickly explains before she decides to chicken out, "I know this may seem soon, but, I've dreamed about you. I know what you're thinking: What about Naruto and Sasuke? But…Naruto was sweet, but I'm not good enough for him. Hinata is so lucky…" she smiles softly, thinking of the way Hinata and Naruto clinged to each other at her return. It was obvious that they had become a couple, a serious one at that, and that it was a concern for them about what she would think. After all, Sakura belonged to Naruto before "it" happened. But then, she expected as much. Even though Naruto was a real pain for chasing after what he cared for the most, he wouldn't have been able to fight for her love; not after four long years of being engulfed in evil. Sakura wasn't the same girl she had been then, even if her memories had returned, and perhaps it was obvious that she never would be that same girl.

She then continues, "…Sasuke," she frowns, "…ever since I joined my father things were different. He wasn't the same boy I remembered. Sasuke wasn't good enough for me. It's not like I didn't love him, but the love that could have been if he hadn't left and if I hadn't been deceived, wasn't there; it could never happen. My father really ruined things, I guess." A moment of silence ensues and Sakura wipes away tear. "But you…" She looks Kakashi directly in the eye. Her expression is so fierce and intense that he is appalled by it. Nothing he had ever seen compared to that. "I couldn't stop. When I look at you Kakashi," (note that she doesn't say "sensei". A true sign that the teacher /pupil relationship between them needed to be terminated), "all thoughts of my past just melt away. I guess I'm so passionate about this because…Orochimaru did more than just take my memories." She frowns again.

"More?" Kakashi asks. Confusion was playing across his face. "What do you mean?"

"Tsunade looks so young …I will always look young."

"What?"

Sakura states simply, "I will remember my sins forever. I will look like a mature 20 year old forever." She turns back to the moon. "My life has been filled with so much torture. I look back now and see that all the decisions I made were terrible, even though they weren't really mine. I've tried looking for that thing that could make me feel whole, and always came up empty handed…until now. Kakashi…I need you. Perhaps that is wrong. And if it is wrong, I can live with that, and I can walk away and never look back." Her features are pained as she contemplates living a life without him.

"I'm sorry Sakura, but I couldn't live with that and never look back." Kakashi reaches for Sakura's arm and pulls her towards him quickly. It was so relieving to know that someone felt for you what you felt for them! Sakura's eyes widen at his gesture. What was happening? Kakashi puts Sakura on top of him, both his legs in between hers. He wraps his arms around her back, holding tight to the beautiful kunoichi. The time for hiding emotions was over. It had been too long and Kakashi couldn't wait any longer. "I can't live without you."

"Ka-Kakashi…"

"I can take care of you. I can give you love you deserve and been waiting for, just trust me. These years that you've been gone has been torture for me." He presses her body closer to him. "Trust me, because…I …trust you." Without another word Kakashi reaches up to the mask and pulls it down. He leaves the headband over his Sharingan eye. Sakura gasps. He was…beautiful. The most handsome man she had ever seen. She takes this moment and makes the most of it; Sakura knew that this may be the last time she could touch his face. Her hands touch against the warm skin of his face; her fingers trace his perfect nose; his lips were cool and soft, his breath even on his fingertips. Sakura attempts to lift the headband, but Kakashi grabs her arm in restraint. Sakura stares at him hard. Kakashi defends, "Sakura, I don't want you to see…"

"I've seen it in battle, what's wrong with now?"

"It's meant for battle only. Not for anything else."

Sakura asks weakly, "You said you trusted me right? You won't hurt me Kakashi and I won't hurt you. Intertwined souls of love cannot hurt each other." He sighs out and loosens his grip on her hand. And though his face is that of a stern one, Sakura grips the headband and slowly lifts it. She drops it on the floor, but Kakashi's eye is closed. Sakura sighs out. "Please don't hide yourself from me Kakashi. I've been buried under so much secrecy; I could use the truth this once."

Kakashi raises his eyelids carefully. He then gazes into her eyes calmly. There was nothing to fear. He could be open with her, and never be judged. "I want to be with you forever, Sakura." It was true, but it was also a fact. If Sakura was immortal, then he would become immortal as well.

Sakura nods her head. She would give him the immortality and fulfill their desires. Their lips connect, sweet and passionate. Finally! Sweet freedom. Kakashi runs a hand up her back, running his fingers through her hair, and another down her; pulling her body tight to his. Sakura wraps her arms tightly around his neck. The kiss burns with passion. Kakashi looks Sakura in the eyes. He then kisses her forehead. In a swift movement, Kakashi picks Sakura up, cradling her in his strong arms and leaps out of the window. They would continue this elsewhere, where they moon can shine brightly upon them…To shine hope upon their eternal future.

***Sakura lands on the tree branch and narrows her eyes seriously. The shape leaps into the clearing. Now…Sakura raises her fingers up in that familiar position of hers. Her hair stands and electricity dances across her fingertips. Without a word, she lunges her hands forward and the electricity crashes into the earth. As the smoke clears, the male raises his hands and smiles. "You haven't changed one bit mistress."

Sakura smiles coolly and leaps down from the branch. She lands gracefully on her hands and feet. She dusts off her new outfit. A one piece shorts jumper. It fit tight and well to her form, the upper half of the one-piece being off the shoulder and sleeves long, and the shorts portion of the suit raised very short on her legs. The color was a pale red and tied to her thigh was a weapons pack, of course. The outfit was sexy, yet very tasteful. Her headband is on top of her head as it was before, and her pink hair still short.

Renji smiles smoothly and faces the on looking students. Renji was always loyal to Sakura, and so, when she had disappeared, he went to find her. Seeing how happy she was, the blue-haired ninja decided to stay and live in Konoha, where he worked as a protector to its people. Immediately there is a sound coming from behind them. Sakura is not concerned; however the students back away in fear as Kyo emerges. Sakura pets her snake and states, "There's nothing to be afraid of children. Kyo won't hurt you if you don't hurt him…or me." The kids slowly gather around Kyo, petting his scaly body gently. But the more they pet him, the more comfortable they become. Soon enough the students are playing on and around the snake. Kyo doesn't mind. After eight years of living in Konoha he becomes immune to the strange ways of human children (Sakura had never been like these children, so their behavior had caught him off guard at first). They climb on his back and slide down his tail. Sakura chuckles.

"Having fun?" Sakura turns to find her love behind her. She smiles and runs into his arms. Her arms tighten around his neck and she kisses his lips through his mask. It was just as good. Kakashi squeezes onto her tightly. Though there may have been some opposition to the relationship at first, that had all changed. The people of Konoha agreed that their love was a pure one. The two shinobi needed one another to survive. That was plain to see now. Nothing could separate them.

Kakashi holds Sakura's hands, rubbing his finger against the wedding ring on her finger. Even after seven years of marriage, nothing changed at all. And that was perfect. "Mama! Papa!" A young child runs forward to her parents. Her eyes are a silver green, her hair is silver and her skin is fair. She was the most beautiful five year old. Her long flowing hair dances in the wind as she leaps into their arms. She kisses Kakashi in the middle of his head right between the eyebrows, and kisses Sakura on the corner of her mouth. With a giggle, she throws her arms around both of their necks and squeezes. Sakura holds her daughter and buries her face into the child's shirt. Her body begins to shake slightly from her quiet sobs. It was not because she was sad. It was because she was happy. She knew the meaning of love and family just by being in the arms and looking into the eyes of her husband and child. Kakashi rubs her back gently. "Don't cry mommy. I love you."

Sakura kisses her child's forehead, a tear sliding down her cheek as the girl smiles, and whispers, "I know baby. Mommy's crying 'cause she's happy."

"Should I cry too, mommy? I'm happy with you too."

"No baby. You don't have to cry. Mommy's just silly."

"No. You're wonderful. I love you mommy."

Sakura looks at Kakashi gently. He ruffles his daughter's hair as Sakura answers, "I love you to Ryoko." Renji smiles and distracts the kids back to their own parents.

"Hey Sakura! Kakashi! Ryoko!" The once nine "rookies", now all jonin, gather around. It was a celebration. Or more so, a reunion. The feeling of love and unity that flowed between the friends and their once sensei's is so thick it's suffocating. It was perfect. Ryoko cuddles closer to her parents.

****As the Hatake family arrives home, the moon shining full and bright, there is someone standing in front of the door. They don't feel threatened, since they knew him well. Kakashi asks, "Kotetsu, is there anything we can do for you?"

Kotetsu frowns and explains hopelessly, "Kakashi, Sakura, I'm sorry to have to tell you this. But there's a problem."

"Problem," Sakura asks. "Like what?"

Kotetsu looks at them with a sick feeling. "Lady Tsunade sent me. Your family may be in danger Sakura…Orochimaru has resurfaced…and he's on his way." Sakura gulps, her eyes growing wide in terror. What could he possibly want? She thought he was dead, or at least had given up on her. Her legs become weak. "Mommy? What's wrong?"

Everything was wrong. Kakashi orders Ryoko inside the house. Once she obeys her father, Kakashi catches Sakura as she begins to fall towards the ground. Kakashi whispers to her, "It's going to be okay Sakura! It's going to be okay!"

Everything was wrong…

To Be Concluded…