A/N: Alright, this is it. Five years in the making the story is finally complete.

Don't forget to review.

-masayume.

Epilogue

A year later.

The sun hung low in the sky, casting a warm golden hue over the village of Konoha. The streets were bustling with excitement, filled with shinobi, villagers, and friends who had gathered to celebrate the joyous occasion of Naruto and Hinata's engagement. The celebration was held in the heart of the village, near the Hokage's residence, where an open-air gathering was underway. Lanterns swayed gently in the evening breeze, and the sound of laughter and cheers filled the air. Sakura stood alongside Itachi, both of them dressed in their finest kimono, their faces lit with smiles as they watched the happy couple be surrounded by friends and family.

Naruto, ever the center of attention, had a wide grin plastered across his face as he stood next to Hinata, who, despite her usual shyness, beamed with a quiet radiance. The couple had been inseparable ever since their return from their respective missions, and now, in front of everyone, they were ready to embark on a new journey together.

"I still can't believe it," Sakura said softly, her voice barely rising above the cheerful noise around them. Her gaze flicked from Naruto to Hinata, a smile of affection crossing her face. "Those two... they've come such a long way."

Itachi stood beside her, his hands casually folded in front of him. His sharp eyes followed Naruto's antics, a subtle warmth in his gaze. "They have," he agreed, his voice low and steady. "They were always meant to be together."

Sakura chuckled, nudging him lightly with her elbow. "I think Hinata always knew it. It just took Naruto a little longer to catch up."

Itachi's lips quirked upward, a glint of amusement in his eyes. "Indeed. But it seems they've both found what they were looking for."

The moment hung between them, the shared understanding of what it meant to find happiness with someone—something that had been hard-won for both of them. They had grown, individually and together, and now they were watching their closest friends find their own happiness.

But as the night wore on, the celebration was soon interrupted by a sudden change in the air. A messenger ninja, garbed in the familiar ANBU uniform of the Hokage's personal guard, appeared at the entrance of the gathering, his face grim.

"Sakura Haruno, Itachi Uchiha," the messenger called, his voice firm but respectful. "You are to report to the Hokage's office in the morning. There is a mission that requires your expertise."

Sakura's smile faltered just slightly, a subtle shift in her expression as she exchanged a glance with Itachi. His face had already transformed, his ever-calm demeanor settling into the focused determination she had grown to admire. Neither of them needed to ask questions—they understood what this meant.

"We'll be there at eight," Sakura replied, her voice composed yet warm as she gave the messenger a small nod. Turning back to Itachi, she added softly, "Looks like the celebrations will have to be cut short. I'll owe Naruto that ramen trip once we're back."

Itachi inclined his head slightly, a faint smile barely gracing his lips, but it was enough to send warmth blooming through her chest. "It was only a matter of time. Two weeks of calm is more than most shinobi are afforded after a mission."

Together, they wandered toward a quiet bench nestled under the shade of a large tree. The sounds of the festival buzzed faintly in the distance, but here, in the stillness, it felt as if the world had slowed just for them. The soft breeze carried the crisp scent of Konoha's autumn, and Sakura tilted her face toward the sky, letting the moment settle over them.

Itachi's gaze was steady as he walked beside her, his presence as comforting as it was unwavering. But there was a shift in the air between them, something unspoken lingering just beneath the surface.

"You've been quiet," Sakura said gently, her voice a soothing balm to the silence. Her emerald eyes searched his face, curious but tender. "What's on your mind?"

Itachi turned to her, his dark eyes meeting hers with an intensity that made her heart skip. For a moment, he didn't answer, letting the weight of his thoughts settle into words.

"I've been thinking," he began, his tone measured but soft, "about us. About what comes next."

Her breath hitched at the sincerity in his voice. Slowly, she stopped walking, her hand brushing against his as she turned to face him fully. "What do you mean?" she asked, her voice no louder than a whisper.

He hesitated, but only for a moment, his expression growing thoughtful. "We've been through so much together, Sakura. A year of shared battles, quiet mornings, and... love." His voice softened at the word, and her heart fluttered. "You've become a part of my life in a way I never imagined possible. My mother practically treats you as family already." A fleeting smile crossed his lips before his tone grew serious again. "And now, I wonder if we're ready for the next step. If... we're ready for marriage."

Sakura felt her chest tighten, a rush of emotions swirling within her. Marriage. The word held so much weight, yet in this moment, it felt light—natural. She had loved him long before now, and somewhere deep down, she had already chosen this path.

"I feel like I'm already married to you," she admitted softly, a gentle smile tugging at her lips. "In all the ways that matter. I don't need ceremonies or rings to know that I belong with you, Itachi. I always have."

His hand reached for hers, his fingers brushing over her knuckles with a tenderness that made her feel like the only person in the world. "I feel the same," he murmured, his voice low and filled with warmth. "But I want to give you that, Sakura. I want us to have something that no mission or war can ever take away. If you're ready."

Sakura's eyes shimmered as she stepped closer, her free hand resting gently on his chest. "I'm ready," she said, her voice steady and sure.

He leaned in, his lips brushing her forehead in a kiss so soft it felt like a promise. "Then we'll take that step when the time is right. Together."

The moment lingered, a quiet bubble of certainty and love. When they began walking again, hand in hand, the air around them seemed lighter, filled with the quiet anticipation of a future they would face side by side.

The mission loomed ahead, but Sakura and Itachi knew one thing for certain: no matter what challenges awaited them, they would face them together—with hearts intertwined and a love that no storm nor curse could break.