It took a lot to decide not to write a goodbye chapter, to add on little bits, to explain, to cry. But what better way to end than to have had Team 7 old and new together again after so many years, so here it is, and I say Goodbye.

I have no rights to Naruto.

Enjoy.

x x x

x

Like that day many years ago, when it had all started for them, silence descended like a blanket onto the clearing. No, Naruto corrected himself, it started years before that. He looked to his left and to his right meeting the wary looks of those with him. Despite knowledge and experience or perhaps because of it, fear took root within.

Over year the stories had grown, the reputation akin to devils, it had not eased as was hoped.

Hoof beats could be heard rumbling in the distance, echoing in the silence of the clearing. A chill entered the air, dew on the grass solidifying before their eyes, turning the grass into an icy carpet. From the trees came the rolling fog, sinister and heavy, an eerie howl accompanying it as it surrounded the group.

The hoof beats grew louder, the pounding increasing with the speed of their heartbeats which thumped erratically in their chests with the knowledge of who was coming. As a large plume of fog rolled from the trees, the shapes of two ominous riders could be seen riding towards them, a group following them.

Strong battle stallions in full spiked armour thundered free from the fog, their riders unmoving, the darkness rolling off them like water, all but one of them holding a visible weapon that's cruelty sang from it's blade, the axe's, sword's and Scythe of the figure in front ready to attack instantly. The two leaders pulled up, dressed in heavy black cloaks, the hoods up their features were hidden, looking up Naruto barely controlled the shiver that threatened to course up his spine, without looking he knew those with him were filled with the same tenseness.

As the shorter figure in front raised a hand, Naruto shifted his weight, his hand reaching back to grab a kunai, releasing a breath and relaxing when the riders relaxed and sheathed their weapons. The group on the ground watched with wary eyes as the large black stallion bent on his front knees and as gentle as a lamb despite it's cruel and dangerous image allowed its rider to dismount. The Scythe bearer followed, sliding off the back of his own mount to stand side by side the shorter figure, narrowly escaping the biting teeth of the large black stallion.

Hands rose, the sleeves falling back to show intricately designed scars as the hood was pushed back and with it the malevolent air disappeared, long silvery hair falling in a cascade as emerald eyes filled with content meet Naruto's happy bright ones.

"Hello Naruto."

"Hello Sakura-Chan."

His arms were filled with the beautiful silver haired woman, his eyes tearing up as he held his ex team mate close, basking in her presence. Pulling back he looked at her, taking in the beautiful clear skin, emerald eyes, silver hair and beautiful smile.

"You haven't changed a bit Sakura-Chan."

Sakura gave her old friend a small smile, her hand raising to cup his cheek as he spoke, her fingers caressing the laughter lines around his eyes and the deepened smile lines framing his lips. Her eyes fell on his blonde hair, shorter than when they last saw each other it gave him a maturity she could not have dreamed of, as did the small glint of silver strands.

"Still as cheerful as ever Naruto"

Turing her head a full blown but somewhat saddened smile took over her face as she moved and one by one embraced the others.

"Kakashi."

She fell into the older man's embrace ignoring how his back no longer bent with laziness alone or how the silver shaggy mop was filled with grey. The kiss on her cheek warmed her, his arms strong around her as he greeted her, filling her with a slightly childish hope that the inevitable would not occur despite her intimate knowledge.

Letting go she smiled and looked at Sasuke, Sai, and Yamato to whom all the years had been kind and if she concentrated hard enough would look just like they had so many years ago, lines, grey hairs and new scars disappearing. Gone were the old honorific's, instead there was an equality, a craving for the old and cherished memories as she greeted her old team mates and even the member of the once hated red and blacked cloaked group.

No questions were asked as to where the now aged, large, blue skinned Shinobi's partner was, the knowledge already known to a saddened Sakura who offered a prayer to the stoic man who had carried her message and came to her people's aid.

"It's been a long time." Sakura offered up quietly as she watched Hidan greet their friends, walking slightly to one side as he greeted and struck up a conversation with his old comrade. "Tell me of our friends, your families and Konoha."

Her Guards pulled back and dismounting ringed the clearing, watching for enemies and always protecting her. With Hades and Marbh taken to the side by one of the Guards Sakura went and sat on the fallen tree trunk, caressing it as she sat, revelling in the change it brought to the clearing that had imprinted on her mind.

They sat, Sai with his ever present sketch pad, offering words here and there, his concentration mainly on his drawings, but he listened and laughed along with the others. Sasuke breaking his usual monosyllable answers to chat freely, a habit that drove his family and friends insane still. Kakashi, Yamato and Naruto, who was the main story teller told her about the years that has passed, the births of nieces and nephews, the loss of old friends.

Too soon the air began to chill and Sakura smiled sadly as Hidan walked over.

"It's time to go Sakura."

Sad farewells were said, and if eyes of the powerful Shinobi and Daughter of Jashin were tearful no one said a word, with Hidan retrieving Hades and Marbh Sakura stood in front of Naruto to say her final good bye, the others walking to the edge of the clearing. Reaching into her pocket she brought out a ring and taking Naruto's hand put it on his small finger.

Raising an eyebrow Naruto looked at the silver ring with it's red jewel. "Uhmm thanks Sakura-chan, but. . ."

"The ring is a sister to the necklace I wear, worn only by the Daughter of Jashin."

Sakura's laughter filled the clearing as Naruto frantically tried to take the ring off, stories of Jashin's punishments running through his head. A delicate scarred hand stilled his movements as with a smile Sakura explained.

"It's a promise Naruto, from the Daughter of Jashin to the Hokage. Whenever Konoha needs aid whether big or small, we will come."She paused and smiled at his awed face. "It is to be passed from Hokage to Hokage, or the most trusted person. Should anyone come bearing it to our gates we will help them."

Naruto looked at the vision of royalty, authority and power that was his old team mate, every bit the Hime and daughter of a God as she stood before him. Standing with all the power and authority of the Hokage of Konoha Naruto bowed his head.

"Thank you Hime-sama. Konoha will not forget it's friends." Politics taken care of Naruto pulled her into a hug, whispering. "Don't leave it so long to visit next time."

A hand caressed his cheek and he was caught in the knowing gaze of her emerald eyes.

"There will be no next time Naruto. I am the Daughter of Jashin, gifted by my Father with powers beyond any mortal's ability. I am immortal, as is Hidan and as our child will be. We do not belong in your world."

Her words were sad, but what she said next hit Naruto with the heaviness he felt when it came to duty, the responsibility it took to assign Shinobi on the most dangerous of missions.

"You will change and grow old, your children taking your place. Jashin is harsh but fair and his way is not for everyone, the lure of immortality is strong and too many would seek it. We will stay in our lands, remembered and known as the people of a God of Pain, Death and Destruction, those who would follow my Father's path will find their way.

But I am selfish too. I wish my memories of you, of all my friends and my home to stay as they are."

Naruto crushed her in his arms with a hug so strong Sakura squeaked, tears falling from his eyes, he wiped them away before he looked into her eyes and smiled, his eyes seeking out Hidan's behind her as he waited with the two mighty stallions.

"Promise me you'll take care of her."

Hidan scoffed lightly but nodded seriously. " It is my duty , my Privilage and my life." He lost the regal air as he sneered. "Of course I'm going to fucking mind my pregnant wife, Jashin himself can't stop me."

"Goodbye Sakura-chan." Naruto whispered sadly giving her one final hug and a kiss on the cheek, a hand rubbing her round stomach, whispering a prayer and good life.

Sakura did nothing to stop the tear that rolled down her cheek. "Good bye Naruto."

Turning she took Hades reins from Hidan and once the mighty stallion had knelt she expertly mounted him, despite her heavy pregnancy. Her eyes ran over the colourful flowers of the clearing, the flowers of death, sadness and regret, the clearing where it had all started, over 30 years ago. Her eyes raising she looked sadly at the people she had grown up with, her friends, her family and the person she once thought of as an enemy.

"Sakura?"

Hidan's patient voice called her, turning to him with a smile she nodded. "I know, time to go home."

With a gentle smile she nodded her head in farewell, swiftly turning Hades head and cantering from the clearing, Hidan following suit similarly with a dip of his Scythe, Fionn nodded; no longer a teenager but now the Head Guard who with the help of Juuga, Jashin's Head Priest mentored Nisou's and Kamon's son - bowing to them as the Guards rode after, watching their backs as the cool fog rolled out of the clearing with them. Naruto watched as the frost on the grass and leaves began to melt, the air warming as slowly the noise of the forest returned to the clearing, birds slowly chirping, the leaves rustling and the animals scampering around.

"Think we'll ever see them again?"

Naruto smiled as he looked at Yamato, Kisame behind them preparing to go his separate way sharing the smile at the familiar words, as he said.

"Perhaps our grandchildren will."

-x

Stopping By Woods on a Snowy Evening

Whose woods these are I think I know.
His house is in the village though;
He will not see me stopping here
To watch his woods fill up with snow.

My little horse must think it queer
To stop without a farmhouse near
Between the woods and frozen lake
The darkest evening of the year.

He gives his harness bells a shake
To ask if there is some mistake.
The only other sound's the sweep
Of easy wind and downy flake.

The woods are lovely, dark and deep.
But I have promises to keep,
And miles to go before I sleep,
And miles to go before I sleep.

-x

x x x

Dia Duit,

This has been a Journey, and there are too many people to thank that have become correspondents, friends and writing buddies over the years ,to name without forgetting one would be impossible so I say thank you all.

In seven and a half years I have gotten engaged, married, moved house, my husband was diagnosed with cancer and is thankfully 3 years in remission Dec 2016 , started building a house and stoped, changed workplace 4 times, finally got my own job, went back to college, relearned Irish to teach with it and grown up.

Thank you to everyone for reading this story, thank you for all your reviews and encouragement.

Here's to the next story, already on my mind but just needing the time to be written.

Lots of Love,

The Rose and the Dagge

p.s yes I did cry reading this and finishing it up.