Epilogue:

The whole village was a sea of black once more as they gathered in front of the neat coffins that were lined up in alphabetical order, the sky had once more opened up its heavens and was drenching then all in sweet sorrow, letting it pour down their faces for the loss of decent villagers and capable shinobi. Sakura stood at the front with the rest of the rookie nine and their teacher's, she stared unseeing at the two coffins covered in damp now dirty white silk. The coffins of Uchiha Sasuke and Uzumaki Naruto, both were to be buried together.

Team seven was no more and Sakura had now dedicated her whole life now to become the world's greatest Medic Nin, no longer a Kunochi. Sakura had now long ago learnt that crying and tears won't help, they will only make you feel more pain, pain that you never wish occur to you. A pain that stabs you on the inside, tearing you, threatening to show weakness. The rosette walked forwards and placed her hands on the two wooden containers and smiled and a single glistening tear almost invisible to the naked eye slid down to join the heaven's star drops that had slid down her face before, giving her and the rest the washed out appearance of misery and sorrow.

The villagers stepped forwards and gave their respects to: Nara Shikamaru, Jiraiya, Naruto, Sasuke and many others that had perished against the Kyuubi's death rampage.

"Sasuke, Naruto… I know you two are happy right now and are probably doing what you usually do… Fighting huh? Well for one thing I know we will all see each other again for sure, I know it… until that day though… I will never forget you guys…" Sakura smiled through the rain at the cold boxed up forms and she went back over to the rest of the nine. Sakura walked up to Hinata, the poor girl was crying her heart out, Sakura smiled and spoke gently to Hinata who merely hiccupped and nodded returning a weak smile, Ino was almost wailing at the loss, Sakura cringed slightly but still went over and comforted the blonde.

"Thanks… S-sakura… You really are a great and kind friend. You have blossomed into a beautiful and mature flower…"Ino sniffed. Sakura nodded and patted her on the back before turning back to Kakashi who was acting out what happened only 13 years ago. Iruka was sobbing on his black clad shoulder repeatedly hitting him as his voice was wracked with harsh sobs.

"W-why!? Kashi!! W-wwhy!? Did they both have to die!!?" The Chunnin pounded his fist uselessly on Kakashi's shoulder as his other hand clenched gripping the soft fabric of Kakashi's clothing as he patted the brown haired man on the back.

"Iruka. We did everything we could. I'm sorry I couldn't do what you asked. But both are at peace now. I'm sorry Iruka." Kakashi made to move away but Iruka grabbed his wrist the rain trickled of his face as he stared into Kakashi's mismatched eyes.

"Look at me Kakashi! What have I become?!"

"You have become to most gentle, loving, caring, sensitive person I have ever met Ruka…" Kakashi murmured a tear slid out of his Sharingan eye as it broke unsealing all his emotions and he then pulled down his mask and placed his lips gently over the plump swollen lips of the smaller man.

Sakura sighed and turned to look back people were leaving now that the ceremony had ended. 'The Chunnin Exams were supposed to begin today… I guess it's going to have to wait till next year…' Sakura mused sadly as she watched the wind play softly over the trees. The sun suddenly shone and a light breeze blew away the stormy clouds and Sakura saw two faint images of her long lost team, Sasuke and Naruto stood there side by side smiling before they touched each other ever so lightly on the lips in a passionate and soft kiss, they turned back and waved, Sakura laughed and waved back and they disappeared with the sun as it too vanished behind a cloud.

Sakura shook her damp bubblegum pink hair out of her face which was still wet and turned back to Iruka and Kakashi both were seeking comfort in the other. She smiled thinking how lucky both were Iruka had found someone and so had Naruto. A bird twittered out its warbling song, before it fluttered off the tree it was sitting on, sailing away onward to the blue yonder. It was free. They were free. The light carefree breeze after storm sang through the branches of trees in natures own composition, it blew dancing Sakura petals from the tree nearby to spiral and twirl over the graves. Sakura allowed one more tear to fall ending her hurt and pain for the two team mates she loved so dearly.

'Yes, they are right I can't carry on crying like this. I have to become strong for them. For all of us. Arigatou and Gomenasai, Uchiha Sasuke and Uzumaki Naruto'

She glanced upward and saw them running together. She saw them smiling together. She saw them kissing and making love together. Naruto winked and hugged Sasuke who waved and gave her a small grin. She smiled and closed her sore red but beautiful green eyes as the vision danced in front of her eyelids. They were free, running up into that sapphire blue sky where they would be happy for eternity … Yes. The sky where they would watch over Konoha for the rest of their lives…

~Owari