Disclaimer: I do not own Naruto. I only wish I could…*sob*

A/N: This part takes place after chapter 485 of the manga.

-Memory-

Two figures covered in plain black cloaks stood on a cliff, overlooking a village that was bustling with much activity. The peaceful silence was broken when the shorter one of the two turned her head towards the other. "It's peaceful," she stated.

Turning his head towards his companion, the man's onyx eyes landed on the girl and his eyes softened. "You'll have to keep it that way. Can you do it?"

The girl's eyes looked at the man then back at the village underneath. Her eyes focused on the expressions of the faces that were covered in sweat. They were smiling. Smiling and laughing even though the job of building a village from scratch must be grueling work under the blazing sun. Turning her gaze back to the man at her side, the girl's soft yet strong voice answered back.

"Hai."

The man then fully turned towards the girl and mussed up her short pink hair. "It will be hard. It will be painful at times…but don't stop and keep walking. Keep moving forward. I'll be looking on from the other side." He dropped his hand from the girl's head and asked his final question.

"Are you ready?"

Looking into the eyes of the man for the last time, the girl gave her reply, "Hai." She closed her eyes quietly when a sudden wind blew from the east. When she opened her eyes again, the only traces of her once companion, mentor, and family were the floating pieces of his cloak.

The gril turned back to the village as a fiercer wind blew her hair everywhere, carrying on last whisper.

Keep going forward

'Keep going forward…'

"I am. Just like I always do…." Sakura's eyes became clear again as her foot pushed against another branch, jumping towards another. "Kiba, can you smell any of them?"

"No, this snow is erasing all of their tracks."

Just then, a black bird landed on Sai's arm. As soon as it landed, it turned into words which its master quickly read. "Looks like we were a bit too late. Sasuke already struck the meeting of the Kages and he's currently going after Danzou-sama." Everyone's eyes narrowed at this statement. "As for Naruto, he's just ahead of us."

"Well, then we better get started," Sakura replied looking up ahead – the place where the meeting of the Kages took place…and where Naruto is right now.

On the rooftop of a damaged building, Madara was having a nice chat with Naruto. Naruto, along with Kakashi and Tenzou were shocked from all the information that Madara told them. It was all so unbelievable. Naruto's face held disbelief… and hurt.

'You and Sasuke are destined to fight each other.'

"Sakura! Akamaru can smell your teammates! They're near that village just ahead of us!"

Sakura steeled herself in preparation for what she was about to do.

"Naruto…I love you." Sakura willed herself to stare straight at Naruto's face, ignoring everyone's surprised stares. "So, you don't have to forever chase after Sasuke anymore-"

"What are you talking about?" Naruto's face was one of outrage. After his talk with Madara, Sakura's statement had just delivered another blow to Naruto. "How could you suddenly give up on our teammate like that? We promised to save him! I…I can't…" Naruto's face was contorted with confusion and sorrow.

Sakura stayed silent, listening to Naruto's words. She had so much she wanted to tell the blond idiot, but…she stayed quiet, saying the words she wished to tell so badly to Naruto only to herself.

'I apologize Naruto-kun. I was supposed to take responsibility of those who lost their way, but instead, I handed that job over to you.' Sakura's eyes lowered in shame.

'The day I first saw you, I was amazed. You were bullied and hated by the villagers your whole life, but you still shined, like the bright, bright sun. Your light comforted me, and I unknowingly believed that I could let somebody else take my responsibilities, because I was tired…so, so tired…I'm sorry.' Sakura's eyes looked up back to Naruto with her new resolve in mind.

'I will take the responsibility now. Thank you for what you've done until now, Naruto.'

"That's enough…Naruto," Sakura whispered. "This whole problem has gotten too big. Naruto, you need to open your eyes. Do you understand? It is no longer your responsibility to save Sasuke…"

She put a hand on her blonde teammate's shoulders as she passed by with her team. "…nor Konoha, nor everyone…" Unknown to Sakura, Kakashi heard her whisper and narrowed his eyes slightly.

However, he had no further time to ponder on her words as Naruto collapsed from exhaustion and shock.

"Is this really ok?" Kiba's voice was tinged with concern for the blonde idiot.

Sakura only gave her teammates a slight nod of her head because she could not get words out of her mouth for what she was about to do. A moment later, Sakura stopped in her tracks and turned around to face her teammates.

"I'm sorry."

"Wha-" Kiba's question was cut off due to Sakura's attack.

Laying down her teammates' bodies onto the grass, Sakura looked back once more to make sure Team Kakashi were coming near the spot. Satisfied, she turned the opposite way and headed off towards Sasuke's direction.

'I'm sorry…but I cannot show you who I am as of yet…'

Finally, it was time to settle things and make everything right.

"Here I come, Sasuke."

Author's Note: Hehe…cliffhanger. Don't you LOVE the suspense? ;)

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Kekekekeke *author runs off while laughing evilly…*