Hey guys!

It's been a while, ne?

I've been busy with life's twists and turns, but after hearing about the Naruto series ending and the AWESOME news about our favorite couple becoming actual canon, I just couldn't help but dive back into the FanFiction world.

Hope you guys enjoy this chapter, and I plan to finish this story and start a new one very soon!

So stay tuned~

Disclaimer: I do not own Naruto or any of its characters.

Chapter 13- Dreams Can Come True

Now that the Konoha shinobi ball was just around the corner in, literally, 5 hours, Konoha's finest were in a fit trying to figure out last minute details. Dresses and tuxedos arrangements, dates, meet ups with teammates, all the good stuff that comes with a party preparation. Even Tsunade and the adults were feeling jittery and excited, even though they tried to slide it by acting cool and detached. The civilians, who unfortunately could not attend the ball, were still caught up in the excitement in the air as their friends and protectors ran around town trying to prepare.

Unfortunately, there were two individuals who did not care or concern themselves with the commotion around them. What were they actually doing in the midst of all this hype?

Sasuke, not having a care for the world around him, was just training at the Team 7 training grounds, just like any other day in his life. Yeah, he had heard about some kind of ball being held, courtesy of Naruto always coming over and blabbing about what he's wearing and how beautiful Hinata was going to look and how annoying it was that Sasuke wasn't as hype as everyone, but being Sasuke, he didn't give a crap. What's so great about a ball anyways? And plus, with ALL of Konoha shinobis letting their guard down all night? Who's going to protect the village then? He just couldn't understand the logic of some people.

So he, being the sanest shinobi in the village, was spending the entire day training, keeping his body fit and ready for any attack, just in case. He was putting his katana through a tree trunk when he could see someone walking towards him from afar.

Sometimes he liked to imagine that the person was fair-skinned, average height, with pink hair and expressive green eyes, but he knew it was stupid thinking. It wasn't going to happen. Not after everything.

And he was right. As soon as the person became clear, it was obvious it wasn't her. But even Sasuke couldn't stop feeling the slight pang of disappointment inside.

"Dude. Are you serious? I thought you left after sparring in the morning," said Naruto, glaring at his sweaty, slightly exhausted friend.

Sasuke just responded with a shrug before removing his katana from the now decimated tree.

"So let me get this straight. While EVERYONE is going to have the time of their lives at this party, you're just going to be sulking around in your mansion? What a sad, sad life you have," said Naruto, crossing his arms and shaking his head in almost disbelief.

Then again, this was Uchiha Sasuke he was talking about. Guess it's not that surprising.

"Stop bothering me and go get ready. Hinata probably wouldn't appreciate you waiting for her in your dirty orange clothes," said Sasuke, wrapping his hands with white strip of cloth, getting ready for his taijutsu training.

"Hey! What's wrong with orange?! And I'm perfectly clean!"

"Hn."

"Well, I was just trying to be a good person and check on his friend before getting prepared. Aren't you lucky to have me care take of you?"

"I don't need anyone to take care of me."

Naruto sighed in exasperation: "Nothing would be more awesome than arguing with you, but since Hinata is waiting for me, I guess I will see you later."

Naruto walked off, thinking of how to explain to Hinata that their well thought-out plan to help the two reconcile was now down the drain.

As Sasuke looked over at Naruto's retreating figure, he felt slightly bad for treating his only friend so sourly. But he just did not like parties. Balls with dancing even more so. Not that he's ever been to one. Did Naruto really expect him to comply, dress in an uncomfortable tuxedo, and mingle withpeople? He entertained the thought when Naruto brought it up initially, curious as to see how Sakura would've looked in something other than her normal shinobi wear. However, he immediately dismissed the idea. If Sakura was there, it was to have fun with her friends. Seeing him there would just ruin things for her. Sasuke shook his head. He just doesn't like social gatherings. That's why.

He stared into the clearing and closed his eyes. Those green eyes seemed to always invade his mind, even if training did distract him for a bit. He wished things were better between him and Sakura. He wasn't selfish enough to want her for his own for all eternity, but if at least this rift between them was healed. He didn't even need her to return his feelings, didn't expect one bit after all he's put her through. Even if she just accepted him as a teammate, he would be happy. He thought about the past between them. Maybe it really was a good thing that she lost her memories of him. He had caused plenty of pain and suffering for her before. Maybe he should take this chance to mend his ways with the new Sakura who doesn't have a dark history with him. Maybe that would work.

The dark cloud looming over his head seemed to clear slightly. He would prove to her that he can be better. That he will make up for all the mistakes that he's made. She deserves so much, more than he could ever give. But he had to at least try.

Of all the days.

Oh the irony.

Sakura could almost laugh at how busy she was today. She had a bunch of appointments to go to and a lot of paperwork to catch up on. But on top of all that, a group of shinobis rushed in late afternoon with three of their teammates with severe injuries. With most of the medic-nin already dismissed for the day to prepare for the ball, Sakura had to take up the job. Plus, the procedure was really difficult and needed to be conducted by a highly-skilled medic, so she couldn't have given anyone the job regardless. She wasn't really complaining that she had work—she really did enjoy working—but today was the Shinobi ball. She was really considering attending, even though she told her friends the day before that she wasn't feeling it. Ino and Tenten were in an uproar as expected, but even Hinata seemed to be very upset that she wasn't attending. She knew her friends just wanted to cheer her up after they noticed her recent drop in mood, but she just couldn't let go and enjoy herself with all the crazy things going on inside her head. Sakura had already asked Hinata to not tell anyone what happened on the training grounds nearly two weeks ago, and Hinata thankfully kept up her promise. There were just too many things that she needed to think about, that she needed to clear up in her head. Going to a ball wasn't really going to make anything better. Especially if a certain you-know-who had grudgingly attended by the nagging of a certain best friend…

She stopped her thought process right there. Thinking about him at a time like this isn't going to help at all. Especially in such a delicate procedure.

During the day today though, she felt that maybe what she did need was a little loosening up, and she was depriving her body of some rest and fun. So she quickly, but of course not carelessly, went through her appointments, completed all the paperwork, and was just about ready to head out when a nurse opened the door to her office and notified her of the emergency downstairs. And that's where she was now, with chakra glowing from her hands to heal the shinobi's ghastly wounds.

Well…I guess it couldn't be helped. Sorry guys, seems like I can't go to the ball after all.

It was now well into the night that Sakura finally left the hospital. The ball was already underway for hours, and Sakura had to stick around after the surgeries to make sure the patients were stable and that their other seemingly less-injured teammates were healed.

As she was walking towards her apartment, she suddenly felt the urge to just go for a walk. She was dead beat exhausted, but Sakura liked the silence and the coolness of the evening, encouraging her to keep walking. Breathing in and out the fresh air, away from the sterile scents of the hospital, also helped to clear her mind and think.

There was just so much to think about. But first things first.

She couldn't believe that she had lost her memories. Of him of all people too.

Although it may seem like she didn't miss anything at all, especially because her life was completely normal except for the absence of a certain person in her mind the whole time, it was a huge difference in Sakura's mind. A life without knowing who Sasuke was…that was just crazy talk to her. But, nonetheless, it did happen, and the huge shock she received when she encountered Sasuke last was enough to set her brain straight, remembering everything that she had forgotten.

Once her memories had returned that day, she spent the next couple days remembering and bringing her life into perspective once again. There was just so much that happened, so much that she needed to catch up on, now with all of her memories back. She could now understand the awkward and sometimes uncomfortable auras of her friends whenever Team 7 or Uchiha Sasuke or something related to her memories was mentioned in her presence. She was thankful, especially to Naruto, for keeping up the act for her all this time, and being so delicate with her mind. It might have been easier to catch up on everything if she told everyone the good news, but for some reason she felt like she had to deal with things alone first. She needed time to herself to analyze and process everything…especially concerning Sasuke.

Uchiha Sasuke. He was really back home. Sakura felt tears growing in her eyes. She was now really able to appreciate his homecoming and owed Naruto everything. Even though she hadn't remembered who he was and tried to avoid him, Sasuke managed to make his way back into her life.

And…just as ever…I fell for Sasuke-kun all over again… thought Sakura bitterly.

It just couldn't be helped, could it? No matter what she did, she loved Sasuke and would always love him. It just hurt so much that it wasn't returned. But even so, she realized that he must care about her in some way, thinking back to the past couple weeks that she's been taking care of him. He was always so kind to her, letting her rabble on about her day and fussy patients while he quietly listened. He would come around to the hospital and help her out with stuff as well when he didn't need to. As much as she hoped, she wouldn't dare read between the lines of Sasuke's actions. He must've felt indebted to her who was taking care of his health and felt like he needed to do something to compensate. Also, Naruto probably told him about her state, so he was being nice to ease her mind during this time. That's why he was being nice to her. That's it. Right?

Sakura walked over to the nearby pond where she was entranced by the intricate designs made by the glowing fireflies. She had an explanation to Sasuke's recent behavior as well. After that night, the night where she first witnessed Sasuke's horrible nightmares, Sasuke was cold towards her. Perhaps he hated that she saw his moment of vulnerability. It would make sense concerning that Sasuke didn't like being vulnerable, let alone have someone see that kind of state. That's why. Sakura didn't know what she could do though. She wanted to amend things between them, even for Naruto who had been stepping on eggshells around the both of them recently. But how?

Sakura suddenly felt a strong chakra signature coming up from behind. She quickly grabbed a kunai and spun, getting right into her battle stance. There was a person in the shadows, but seriously? What such perfect timing..

Sasuke slowly stepped out of the shadows, eyeing the kunai that she was pointing in his direction. Sakura placed the kunai back in her pouch and eased her stance. Sakura stood there just looking at him. She had no idea why she was just staring, but it was the first time she's seen him since her memories returned, and her breath was taken away by surging emotions.

"Sakura," said Sasuke.

"Sasuke-kun," said Sakura.

Sasuke-kun? Must've been a random slip…

"It's been a long time."

"Yeah…it's been very long."

"…"

Sakura felt too awkward to just stand there and look up at Sasuke, who now moved closer towards the pond, looking out.

"So why aren't you at the shinobi ball?"

Sasuke scoffed, "I think you know me well enough now."

"Right…I guess I do."

"You?"

Sakura was surprised at his question. She didn't think he would be interested.

"Uh…I had a lot of work to do at the hospital. Couldn't go."

"Hn."

"Sasuke-kun, I'm sorry."

Sasuke was now surprised. Sorry for what? And what was with calling him Sasuke-kun?

Sakura lowered her head and closed her eyes: "I'm sorry that I saw you in your vulnerable state that night. I know you don't like being vulnerable and have someone see that. If I offended you with my presence that night, I apologize. I know you don't like people getting in your business, but—"

"Sakura."

"Huh?" Sakura now looked up at him and saw his face with a tint of…frustration?

"I'm not mad at you."

"Oh. Then why…"

Sasuke pointed at her abdomen and Sakura looked down in confusion.

"I hurt you there."

"Huh? Oh, it wasn't that bad of a gash." Where was he going with this?

Sasuke put his hand down and looked into the pond, "I was mad at myself. For hurting you. I didn't want to hurt you ever again…so I avoided you."

Sakura could feel her heart thump loud and fast at his confession. This must be a dream. Sasuke-kun cares? About me?

Sasuke down turned to face Sakura, "But I'm here now because avoiding you isn't going to fix anything. But I will understand if you can't forgive me."

Sakura blinked. He thought she would be mad at him. For hurting her. He couldn't forgive himself for hurting her. He really does care. Sakura looked at Sasuke, her gaze softening as she looked into his troubled eyes.

"Sasuke-kun."

"Hn?"

Sakura closed the remaining distance between them and wrapped her arms around his neck, holding him tightly. Sasuke froze in place at her bold move and at the familiarity of her arms around him, but to her surprise, after a brief second, he wrapped his arms lightly around her waist. Sakura inwardly squealed that he finally returned one of her hugs.

"I forgive you. There was nothing to forgive in the first place."

"But—"

Sakura let go band made eye contact with Sasuke: "I need you to understand that I could never hate you. Even after everything. Because I care about you so much. It took me so long to understand you and look past my own selfish desires, but I finally came to understand you. Like Naruto was able to do right away so long ago."

Sasuke stilled, "Wait…Sakura. Do you…know me?"

Sakura smiled softly, "Of course I do, Sasuke-kun. You're Uchiha Sasuke of Konoha. You're the third member of Team 7 that we've missed and searched for so long. You're the man that I gave my heart to years ago."

Sasuke searched her eyes for answers, "How long has it been since your memories came back?"

"Not long really. It was after I fell unconscious after you called me annoying."

Sasuke flinched at the memory. Of course it was the pain that brought her memories back.

Sakura knew right away where his thought went and stopped him, "What happened is beside the point. The point is that I remember you."

Sasuke closed his eyes, "Even after remembering me and all the pain I've caused you, you still forgive me? You still care?"

Sakura laughed then and Sasuke looked at her. How much her laughter affected him. He wished he could hear that laughter for the rest of his life.

Sakura couldn't believe how adorable this man could be. She felt butterflies in her stomach and her heart soaring seeing this man, one of the strongest shinobi this world has ever seen, stumble and falter over his emotions. Even though he hasn't said that he cared about her in that way, she would be stupid now to not see his blatant expression of care and affection towards her. How could she have missed all the signs before? With this thought in mind, Sakura felt empowered, confident, and absolutely happy.

"Sasuke-kun."

Sasuke looked up at her and immediately Sakura saw his eyes soften slightly at her smile, "Yes?"

"I love you so much. I always have. Always will."

"I know."

Sakura then wrapped her arms around him once again and was satisfied to feel his arms come around her as well. Something told her that life was going to be even more interesting and exciting now.

Although Sasuke would never understand why Sakura had so much love for him of all people, he would accept it and be grateful, trying his best to show his love. For she deserved all of him.