Chapter 17: Happy Ending?!

Months and days passed in Konoha. A lot of things have changed. Sakura recovered after two weeks or so and Naruto was still there for her. His feelings still hasn't changed. Sakura, together with the other genins, went back to school too. Some of the lives of these ninjas changed.

The love of Neji and Tenten for each other grew so deep. They always spent more time for each other, did a lot of things together, walked together during when going to school and going home. Tenten was introduced to Neji's clan and Tenten did the same. They looked so in loved with each other so deeply.

Ino and Shikamaru were going fine too. Ino already told Shikamaru that she had learned to love him already. He had been so glad about it. On the other hand, Ino was learning to forget all about her heartbreaks and thanks to Shikamaru. But they still haven't stopped teasing and annoying each other, but this time it was just for fun – not to hurt each other's feelings like they did before.

It was already snowing in Konoha the third time that year. Snow Season in Konoha lasted for a month. The third time was what everyone was waiting for, especially Sakura. She had grown gloomy after she recovered from the hospital and everyone knew why. Her heart longs for Sasuke more and more every single day. But she wasn't going to lose hope.

During that third and last Snow Season of the year, everyone started counting the days before Sasuke comes back. It already snowed and he did not come back during the first day. The second day arrived, and so did the third, the fourth and the fifth and still, no Sasuke. Sakura could be found inquiring at the Hokage's building, not only for her special training sessions with Tsunade but also to know if there was news from Sasuke. But Master Tsunade would always shake her head sadly.

Finally, the thirtieth day, the last day of the last Snow Season of the year arrived. Sakura woke up in the morning with crying marks still obvious on her face. She had cried the night before and she always did. She usually cried herself to sleep because she really missed Sasuke. This routine wasn't new to her, because when Sasuke left Konoha the first time Sakura always did that.

Sakura got up and gazed out the window. There was still snow but was getting thinner and thinner. The road that used to be covered by white thick snow was now starting to clear out. The gray color of the road was starting to be seen. Sakura felt sad all of a sudden. What if Sasuke didn't come back? She already asked that question a million times before but didn't want to answer it. She felt like she was going to die if he didn't come back. She couldn't bear a life without him. She shook her head, telling herself that she was thinking such crazy things.

Sakura prepared for school – got dressed, took a bath, ate breakfast, name it. She slowly walked along the roads all by herself. This is the day Sasuke might come back, she thought. She felt both excited and doubtful about it. Although of course, she trusted Sasuke so much.

She finally arrived to her classroom. She walked slowly and gloomily to her seat by down window. She looked out. The snow was really starting to vanish away. "Sakura…" a voice mumbled. Sakura shifted her glance. It was Ino, with a worried look on her face.

"Sasuke's going to come back today, right?" Ino asked, as if she's really sure that Sasuke will come back. Sakura didn't answer. As every minute passes away, she was beginning to feel doubtful that Sasuke wouldn't be able to make it. But she doesn't want to believe those thoughts.

"What if he doesn't come back?" Ino asked sadly. This struck Sakura so hard, that she stood up, glared at Ino angrily and stormed outside the room. "Wait Sakura! I'm sorry!" Ino yelled along the corridors. Tsunade came as soon as Sakura was about to go downstairs. Sakura wasn't really herself that day.

"Sakura, is everything okay? Please go back to the classroom now. I have to make some announcements there." Tsunade said. Without a word, Sakura went back to the classroom and returned to her seat. "Sakura, I'm really sorry… I didn't mean it." Ino said. Sakura nodded and went back staring outside the window. She didn't feel like saying a word and besides, she really felt so weak and voice wouldn't come out from her throat.

Everyone settled to their seats as soon as Tsunade went to the front and took charge. "This is the last day of the last Snow Season. As you all know, this is also the day that we are expecting Uchiha Sasuke to come back. He is an important citizen of Konoha and we must give him a welcome once again as soon as he comes back. Konoha Ninja High School will have an official no-class day today. If Sasuke comes back, everyone is expected to assemble before the terrace of the Konoha building. The welcoming celebration will take place there. That is all. Thank you." Tsunade announced. She tried as much as possible not to mention the possibility of Sasuke not coming back so as not to hurt the others especially Sakura.

Most of the genins went out of the room to enjoy the last day of the Snow Season. But Sakura remained motionless, still staring out the window and not standing up from her seat. But now, she was crying. Naruto noticed it.

"Sakura-chan… Are you okay?" He asked with all concern. Sakura looked at Naruto and wiped her tears. She shook her head, stood up and went walking away. He followed her, and grabbed her by the elbow. "Please, Sakura. Don't feel that way! I thought you really believed that Sasuke will come back. Why are you sad? Be happy, Sakura! Do you think Sasuke will like to see you that way?" Naruto exclaimed.

Sakura struggled out of Naruto's grip and continued to cry. "You don't understand, Naruto! What if he doesn't come back? What would be left of me? I cannot live without him!" Sakura exclaimed back, running away downstairs. Naruto couldn't say anything. Even if he really wanted to have faith that Sasuke will really come back, it was impossible at the moment. They already waited for him for twenty-nine days and today was the last day, but he still hasn't come back. It was hard to assure Sakura. He walked alone and went outside to the Ramen Shop, to eat and try to feel better.

Meanwhile, Sakura went out of the building and started walking along the roads of Konoha. But she did not know where she was going. All she knew was she needed to walk. She was crying so hard. Mixed feelings were overwhelming her. But most of these feelings were sadness and fear of what might happen if Sasuke doesn't come back. She did not know what she was going to do for the rest of her life. She would be incomplete and lonely if that happens, and she would never try to love again. She did not want to be in the same pain she experienced when Sasuke first left her.

Sakura didn't feel like talking to anybody at the moment although of course, she knew she had to let out her feelings. But she didn't and instead, continued walking along and reminiscing the memories. She remembered the time Sasuke asked her to tour him around Konoha and make him remember about the places and the memories. Sakura went to those places and recalled those memories.

Those memories she shared with Sasuke have always been kept in her heart. She treasured them the most and whenever she remembered them, she would cry and sometimes laugh about the different times they have been together. But when Sasuke told her he loved her, the memories that were painful all vanished and were erased by Sasuke's love. And now she longed for that love, which was the only one that could ease her pain.

Sakura continued walking around. Lunch time came but she didn't eat anything. She had no appetite and she was feeling weaker and weaker minute by minute. She was becoming so anxious until finally, evening was about to approach. It was nearly getting dark and Sakura decided to go to the gates of Konoha and sit down on the bench. It was, of course, the place where Sasuke left her first.

The memory was still fresh for Sakura. That was where Sasuke left her all alone and that brought so much pain to her. And now, she felt like the pain was back. Sakura couldn't stop crying. She was frozen at the spot, both feeling cold and painful. She felt like she was alone in her life and felt so helpless. She waited there until about night, and still no sign of Sasuke.

Sakura started falling down on the ground. She fell to her knees first and her hands against the ground. She couldn't stop crying. The last of the snow was falling on her. And all she could think of was how Sasuke did this to her. She thought he was going to fight for her no matter what, no matter how bitter the end seems to be. She thought he really loved her and that they would be together forever. Now she thought that she was all wrong and Sasuke betrayed her once again and she was losing all her hope. But that was what she thought.

As she was crying so helplessly and thinking about these things, a figure emerged in front of her. It was a genin's black sandals. She started to look up and was startled to see the love of her life. No doubt it was really Sasuke. She rubbed her eyes and pinched herself to see if she was dreaming. But no, she wasn't. It was for real. SASUKE IS BACK!!!

Sakura tried to stand up and gained all the strength left of her. She continued crying. "Sasuke-kun… You're back! You're alive!" She exclaimed happily. She couldn't explain the joy that she was feeling at the moment. Sasuke smiled at her and he looked like he was overjoyed and contented too.

"I am, Sakura-chan… I promised that I'm going to fight till the end, right? I promised that we'll go through till the bitter end and I'll fight for our love. I love you so much, Sakura and nothing can bring us apart. Be happy now, Sakura. I'm already here." Sasuke said. Sakura hugged him tightly and he hugged her back, dropping the umbrella he was holding. She didn't want to release him, for she was afraid that he might go and leave her. She didn't release him and he did not struggle either, and hold her too instead.

Sasuke wiped the tears gently on Sakura's eyes with her gentle hands. Sakura felt really glad and what used to be tears of sadness and pain was now tears of joy and happiness. "Sasuke-kun… You jut didn't know how much I missed you and how I longed to see you again. My heart longs to feel your love, Sasuke-kun…" Sakura said. "I missed you too, Sakura. I'm sorry if it took a long time for me to come back. The cure was hard to find." Sasuke said.

"It doesn't matter now, Sasuke-kun… All that matters now is you're here and that you're alive and you came back to me. I love you so much, Sasuke-kun…" Sakura said. "I love you too, Sakura and I always will. Now stop crying please. I don't want to see those tears in your eyes again." Sasuke said, continuing to wipe her tears.

"I'm just so happy that you're back!" Sakura exclaimed in joy. They hugged each other again. After a few moments, Tsunade, together with the genins and the jounins and some other ninjas, arrived. They rejoiced at what they saw. Sasuke is really back!

"Sasuke! Welcome back." Tsunade said. She too wasn't able to contain her emotions. She cried and hugged him too. Sasuke has been close to her too when she helped her get well again when he came back to Konoha. Everyone clapped upon seeing the scene. Kakashi went to them too. "Uchiha Sasuke, my student. You came back!" Kakashi exclaimed happily, patting Sasuke's hair. Sasuke scowled at Kakashi, but laughed afterwards.

"Sasuke-kun… I'm glad you're back." Ino said, as she came near to Sasuke but now she was holding hands with Shikamaru. Sasuke simply smiled and noticed the 'holding hands'. "I think you already found the 'right person'. I'm happy for you, Ino." Sasuke said gladly. Ino nodded. "You're right, Sasuke-kun. And I'm happy with him." She said. Sasuke shook hands with Shikamaru.

Neji and Tenten were the ones next to greet Sasuke and welcome him back. "Sasuke! We're really happy that you're finally here. Everyone longs to see you." Neji said cheerfully. Tenten nodded to show his agreement with Neji. "I'm happy to see you too. I guess Ino and Shikamaru aren't the only ones happy here. Tell me, a lot of things really happened when I was gone!" Sasuke said, chuckling. "Yeah, a really lot of nice things." Neji said, smiling.

Naruto came to Sasuke after almost everyone has greeted him. "Finally, Sasuke, you're back. We waited long enough, I guess." Naruto said. Sasuke smiled. "Yeah, and I apologize for that. It's nice to see you again, Naruto." Sasuke answered. They shook hands.

"I hope everything's fine, Naruto." Sasuke said.

"Tell me straightforward. You're really asking me about my feelings toward Sakura and you being together? I'm okay with it. Sakura and I already talked about everything and it's all… it's all over…" Naruto replied sadly.

"I didn't mean to-"

"It's alright, Sasuke. I understand how you both feel for each other. I am ready to let go. But I have to tell you that it would be really painful. I still love Sakura and it would really take awhile for me to move on. I hope you understand that, Sasuke."

"I understand, Naruto."

"But take care of her, Sasuke. If not, I'll kill you if something happens to her or if ever you make her cry again."

"I'll give you the permission to do that if ever I'll do something that will hurt her. But I promise, I will take care of her and will never leave her again."

"I trust you, Sasuke."

Both boys smiled, remembering that this has been their conversation before. Sasuke and Naruto shook hands again to show their friendship. Sakura smiled at the scene. The two men in my life, she thought once again.

After the greetings for Sasuke finished, Tsunade announced to everyone there that a celebration would be held at the largest hall in the Hokage's building to welcome Sasuke back. Everyone went ahead, except for Sasuke and Sakura who was still holding each other's hand.

"Sakura-chan, I love you so much." Sasuke whispered softly. "I love you too, Sasuke-kun…" Sakura replied tenderly. Sasuke pulled her closer for a long deep kiss. Sakura kissed back and after a minute or so, they recovered and followed the others. Their love for each other was really strong and it survived all the trials that took place between them. And their strong love for each other wouldn't separate them forever and forever…

Yes, nothing could separate them even a loudmouth teammate. From behind, Naruto was still a hurting soul as he observed their deep passionate kiss. Somewhere in his heart, the sharp pain shot directly. He thought no one knew but someone was observing him. And Naruto wasn't numb that someone was watching him from somewhere and when he looked around, he saw Hinata and walked towards her.

"Hinata? What are you doing here? Why don't you go ahead now? I want to spend some time alone by myself." Naruto said. What was Hinata doing there?

"N-Naruto-kun… I-I understand… I know how you feel… How hurt you are…" Hinata comforted softly. Naruto thought for awhile and looked away. Probably Hinata really knows how it feels. But why does she need to care, anyway?

"You understand? It's hard, Hinata. I don't know what to do now. I feel like the world has turned against me and I feel so helpless. What am I going to do now? Oh yeah, it's just a big heartbreak. I feel like my heart is about to explode right now." Naruto said helplessly as he sat down on the bench problematically. Hinata neared towards him.

"I-I'm still here, Naruto-kun… You don't have to waste time loving someone who doesn't love you back… I love you, Naruto-kun…" Hinata mumbled softly. Then suddenly, she felt shock about what she said.

Naruto looked at her, startled. But he smiled anyway. "You do? I always thought so, Hinata-chan… I'm glad you're here for me…" He said. He suddenly stood up to hug her tightly and she hugged him back. "Oh, Naruto-kun…" Hinata mumbled, turning a deep shade of red.

Perhaps they're not the only ones with a happy ending, Naruto thought.