Author note: Hi fellow readers, I'm back after a 2 and a half months hiatus. I'm so happy I'm back because firstly, it felt like forever since I have written anything and secondly, my 'N' levels are finally over so I have more time to focus on my fan fictions.

I would also like to thank those who commented on my fan fiction, your kind words keeps me motivated to write more.

A little reminder if you forgotten. Yes, the next few chapters are taking place on the same night as chapter 3-6 but in Sasuke's perspective. However, the dream he will be having be different from Sakura's so you don't have to worry, you won't be sitting through the same thing that happened throughout the previous 4 chapters. So, onto the chapter.

花

It was just a little past midnight. The moon shown bright and millions of stars lite up the sky. Many were already asleep in the Nadeshiko village.

Uchiha Sasuke remained awake, busy writing the last few sentences in his scroll addressing to the current Hokage.

Dear Kakashi,

Sakura and I have just arrived to the Nadeshiko village like you told us. It's leader, Goru-sama, greeted both of us with open arms and the village seems to be quite welcoming.

As for now, we have yet to gather information about the village's connection to the Sage of Six paths. However, Sakura found out the village's shrine, located on the same grounds as Goru-sama's residence, is only available to the public on the day they hold the Cherry blossom festival, a day commemorate the birth of their guardian deity. This may only be my suspicions but the shrine might be hiding something that has certain connections with the Sage of Six paths.

I have arranged a meeting with Goru-sama to discuss about an alliance between the Nadeshiko village and Konoha. At the same time, I would also ask him about the reason the shrine only opens on one day and if the village really has some connections with the Sage of Six paths.

I would contact you more if I learn anything else about this place. I hope to receive your reply soon.

Yours sincerely,

Sasuke

Once he was done, Sasuke rolled up the scroll and summoned his carrier hawk from another. He then placed the scroll in the pouch that is tied around the hawk's leg.

"Sorry for summoning you so late at night but I have an important message to sent to Kakashi." Sasuke commended as his summon perched on his arm. "Just make sure that he gets to Konoha by tomorrow." The hawk nodded in reply before flying of into the peaceful night sky.

As he watched it disappear into the night, Sasuke stared at the moon and stars shining brightly from the sky. It wasn't the first time he was stargazing, truth be told he did it almost every night for the past two years. However, tonight was different. Sasuke felt a certain warmth in his heart, something that it was impossible for him to describe. Was it because of the warm night? Because he was glad he has a comfortable place to stay for now? He didn't know.

"Still awake, I see." A masculine voice called out to Sasuke, interrupting him from his thoughts. Sasuke lowered his gaze and sees the leader of the Nadeshiko village in front of him. "Goru-sama." He greeted respectfully. "I thought you would be asleep."

"Same goes for you, Uchiha-san." Goru commented as he turned to face the garden. "I often take walks around the courtyard at night. Allows me to sleep peacefully at night."

"Why is that?" Sasuke asked.

"It's because the courtyard is where me and my late wife made the most memories together." Goru replied with a sad smile.

"Your late wife?" Sasuke sat up straight to listen more attentively, curious about what Goru was about to say.

"Yes. Her name was Suisen." Goru began. "We started of as childhood friends. When we were kids, we often cause a ruckus within the village, getting us into big trouble. We often played in the gardens with other village children without my father's concent."

He took in a deep breath before continuing. "As we grew older, our feelings for each other changed. Suisen became more concerned about me and I grew more protective of her. We also started to treat each other like how couples treat each other. And one the day my father announced I was to be betrothed to a merchant's daughter, Suisen broke down in tears and ran to the pavilion where I was painting. It was there were we confessed our feelings for each other."

"A year later, we got married and had our only son, Akira. We lived a brilliant life together until last year, Suisen came down with a serious case of pneumonia and was unable to recover from it." Tears began to well out of Goru's eyes, surprising Sasuke. "During last moments together, she said 'These past 30 years have been the best years I could ever have. Thank you for being part of it. I love you, and I pray will meet again in our next life'."

'Meet again in our next life' Hearing those words made Sauske's eyes widen and heart beat faster. For some reason, those words made him react so strongly but he doesn't know why. Why am I react so strongly to this. I don't understand. No one has said it to me, not even Sakura, but the phrase sound so familiar.

Goru faced Sasuke as he wiped the tears of his face. "I'm sorry, Uchiha-san. I didn't mean to let you feel your prying into my life."

Sasuke quickly snape out of his thoughts and shook his head. "No Goru-sama, it fine."

Goru stared at Sasuke for a second before coming to the conclusion that something was bothering him. "Is something bothering you, Uchiha-san?" He asked. "You seem pretty riled up?"

"Is nothing." Sasuke replied in a slightly irritated tone as he stood up.

However, Goru didn't stop. Somehow, he enjoyed having a conversation with the young man. "That is enough about me. What about you.I saw you with that lady companion of your's eariler. She seemed like a great woman."

"You mean Sakura." Sasuke's expression soften and a soft smile appear on his face as he thought of his pink-haired green-eyed teammate. "Yes. She is a great woman and an amazing shinobi."

The leader of the Nadeshiko village notice the change of expression on Sasuke's face and smiled. "You really love her, don't you."

That brought the ninja back to reality. True be told, he still doesn't know. When Sakura asked if she could join him on his journey, Sasuke was reluctant as first because he knew it was going to be dangerous and he still needed more time to sort out his feelings, but he eventually gave in to her. He expected Sakura to be her as annoying as she was when they were children. However, the past month with her was more fulfilling than Sasuke thought. She was there to heal injuries he received. She was there to fight along said him.

During the past month, the both of them have also became a little intimate with each other. There were times Sasuke and Sakura would tease each other, embrace each other or even give each other a peck on the cheek. There were times they tried sleeping together but Sakura tends to grow shy and refuse (Sasuke hopes this time it wouldn't happen). At first, he hated it but soon grew to love the warmth she give to his broken soul.

With Sakura around, Sasuke felt like the empty void in his heart was finally filled. Her being with him brought him joy and comfort he hasn't felt in a long time.

The loneliness he felt was finally gone and he also saw Sakura as not the girl who has a crush on him since they were kids but as a strong mature woman.

Sasuke knew Sakura did all this because she loves and cares about him and has forgiven him for his past sins. However, he still feels guilty for hurting her years ago. He didn't feel worthy of her love.

"I don't know." Sasuke finally replied to Goru's question.

"Why is that?" Goru asked, puzzled and confused by Sasuke's answer.

"It's because," He began as a guilty expression grew on his face. "I don't think I truly deserve her love. Even as children, I keep pushing Sakura away. There was even a point in time I tried to kill her when we met again years later. And even after all of my wrong doings and evil actions, she couldn't bring herself to hate me."

"What about your feelings?" Goru asked once more. "So far, you have only talked about the feelings of that Sakura girl. How do you feel then?"

"I...".Sasuke hesitated, not knowing how to reply to the older man's question. It was weird for him, he has never paused when answering questions. Somehow, this question was incredibly difficult for him to answer. "I remember before leaving Konoha, I grew fond of Sakura. I've grew to appreciate her love and kindness after leaving the village. I remember feeling...regretful for hurting her feelings."

"Back when I was blinded vengeance then, I voided my heart from any other feeling." Sasuke continued. "Yet...the thought of Sakura getting hurt fills me with rage. That is why I continuously tried to push away, so that I don't have to feel that way. So I could fulfill my ultimate goal. However, now... I feel without Sakura, my life would have been so... different without her beautiful smile to greet me everyday."

Goru smiled. "You know, from the way you describe your feelings, it's hard to believe you were a criminal, Uchiha-san." He let out a soft giggle.

After hearing the leader's comment, Sasuke blushed in embarrassment. Truth be told, he has never told anyone else about his true feelings for Sakura, not even Naruto or Kakashi. "Your actually the first to hear it, Goru-sama."

"Just comes to show that even the most inpenetratal hearts can be overcome." Goru turned to face the main house. "It's getting late. We should to bed, Uchiha-san. We have an important meeting tomorrow, yes."

"Your right." Sasuke said as he opened the entered the guest house. "Good night, Goru-sama."

"Good night." Goru replied before making his way to his house.

樱桃

When Sasuke enters the already dark room, he sees Sakura sound asleep, bundled up under the blanket sleeping peacefully. He quietly made his way to his side of the futon and lied down, covering himself with the shared blanket. As Sasuke watches her sleeping form, he can't help but admire Sakura's beauty. She looked so peaceful, almost like a goddess in a eternal slumber. Her breathing in rhythmic pattern.

Hesitantly, Sasuke ran his fingers through Sakura's hair gently to get a better look at her face, making sure he doesn't wake her up. She flinched a bit by his touch and let out a soft moan.

She must be having a dream Sasuke thought, cupping his face with his hand. Awkwardly, he pulled himself closer to Sakura, wrapping his arm around her body, hugging her tightly against his chest.

"I love you." Sasuke whispered before placing a soft kiss on her forehead. His eyes soon flutter close, sending the ninja into a deep slumber.

花

I'm so sorry.

Sasuke suddenly jolt awake after hearing the soft whisper. He spun around to check on Sakura. However, she was not there. Instead, Sasuke was now sitting in a dark, empty void. He could barely see anything. What is going on He thought to himself Is this a dream

Suddenly, a small ball of light appear in front of him. "What is that thing?" Sasuke asked himself as he try to smack it away with the back of his hand. Instead the sphere quickly moved behind him, preventing itself from getting hit. "Where am I?" He asked angrily.

You can get rid of me that easily The light said teasingly.

"What are you? What is going on?" Sasuke asked once more as he turned to face it, getting angrier and more irritated by the second.

It now your turn The ball of light said as it glowed brighter and brighter, blinding Sasuke.

When it stopped glowing. Sasuke reopen his eyes, only to find himself in a village he has never seen or been before. It has very few houses but the area was surrounded by dozens of paddy fields. In the center of it all, a large ninja house surrounded by tall wooden fences.

Where the hell am I Sasuke thought to himself what is this place. Sasuke also realised he was also dressed differently, now wearing a dark blue yukata.

Sasuke tried to use his Rennigan to teleport himself out of the area but no matter how many time he tried, he couldn't do it This must be dream.

As he stared at his new surroundings, Sasuke heard the clicking of hooves on the dirt ground. When he turned, he spots a brown horse running towards his direction, and at a fast pace. Sasuke quickly moved away from the dirt trail he was standing on to make way for the horse. As he did, he manage to get a quick glance on it's rider.

When he did, Sasuke's eyes widened. The horse's rider had long pink hair and a face that was instantly recognisable.

No way. Sakura? Sasuke was now even more confused It can't be. That girl has blue eyes, not green.

"Stop, Toyohisa!" The young girl yelled out to her horse. He quickly listened to it's master's commanded and slowed down until stopping completely at the entrance of the ninja house.

"That way a little to fast." She whispered to herself as she got down from Toyohisa's back. Sasuke continue observing from afar as the young girl walked into the courtyard, pulling her horse from behind. I should get a closer look. Sasuke thought.

He made his way closer to the ninja house where he sees another child, a preteen boy, walking out of the building. When Sasuke saw the clothing he was wearing, he immediately recognised the symbols around the top of his clothes. Those symbols. Their identical to the ones the Sage of Six paths have on his clothing.

If that's the case, that would mean that I'm in the village of Ninshu, where the Sage of Six paths lived. That ball of light said 'it's now my turn', what is that supposed to mean. However, Sasuke's thoughts were soon interrupted.

"Sakuya-chan!" The boy cheerfully said to the girl. "Good morning."

"Good morning, Ashura." The girl, Sakuya, greeted back in a smile. "Has training started?"

"Not yet." The boy, Ashura, replied yawning. " I'm exhausted. Nii-san made us continue with our reading from last night. What about you, where did you go?"

"I went out for a short ride. It's been awhile since I have gone riding with Toyohisa." Sakuya said as the brown horse nuzzled against her cheek affectionately.

Ashura. That name. That is the name of Hagoromo's younger son. Naruto's previous incarnation. Sasuke confirmed in his mind as he piece the puzzles together And that girl. Sakuya, is the guardian deity of the Nadeshiko village. She is real. The village does indeed have connections with the Sage of Six paths.

Which also means...

"Ashura, is Sakuya back?" Another voice said as its owner walked down the stairs. He wore similar clothing to Ashura and has long brown hair.

"Yes Nii-san." Ashura replied.

"Good morning, Indra." Sakuya greeted the teen boy with a smile.

"Morning Sakuya." The boy greeted back.

That is Otsutsuki Indra.

And that's a rap for the new chapter. I know that it is a bit underwhelming but I still need more time to plan out the story. Plus I wanted to write a chapter focusing on Sasuke and Sakura's relationship.

This 'dream' actually takes place 1 year after Sakura's so Sakuya and Indra will be 13 while Ashura will be 12.

Finally I would like to thank the readers once more for leaving a comment on my fan fiction, it really brightens up my day.

Thank you and hope to see you soon.

-Gi