I would be lying if I said I wasn't hoping for some sort of epic event. A rush, or an action filled adventure that contained just the two of us- I dreamed about that all the time. As I got older, I just wanted him to come home and sweep me up- or for us to find each other. This of course caused a lot of internal struggle as this was completely irrational and beyond stupid to wish for. I knew my love was not enough to save him. What had been a crush and a strong desire had turned into a simple need to be around him at all times. I mentally drug myself under a ton of garbage for just asking if I could follow him when he chose to leave again...How could those words come out of my mouth? I'd grown up- and here I was still unable to bit my lip. Was I really so base as to still want to follow him like some lost puppy.

But there they were, like vomit- a distant and nostalgic plea. Even after so many years, seeing him through all of that- I still loved him. Perhaps that was the first moment that I let myself realize I did truly love him….with an internal groan and a weird sense of relief. I mean I knew it before, but then- in that moment, I ironically accepted myself. The realization had been when I had called out to him, wishing him not to fight Naruto….it was pointless. It had just taken one a year for me to process and come to terms with it.

Naruto took me to dinner that night and commented on the fact that I might break my face I was smiling so much. I hadn't even noticed that I wasn't sad at all. After all- he'd said he'd see me when he came back. It had taken me this long to realize my love was not a weakness or a crutch- that it was apart of my strength. I was smiling because I knew that if I could wait that long, a little longer wouldn't hurt.

Our love story was a slow one and a long one- and truly a journey. But I would be lying if I said it was filled with riveting passion and movie moments. Aside from being proud that I nabbed him, a twelve year old version of myself might be rather disappointed about how ...quiet it all was. But as I am now, it was perfect. It was beautiful, strong, and definitely something that can withstand time.

Like the changing of the seasons and the passing of the cycles, it was no more than one day to the next that built our story from one of one sided admiration to a strong marriage and an unshakeable life together. We still have our days but, simple thing….thats right… Just those silly simple things

"Ow! I'm fine- seriously!" Sakura said, pulling away from her mothers fluttering hands. "Geez, help save the world from its biggest threat yet and somehow you're still convinced a couple bruises could end me" She hissed as she examined her own arm.

"You were missing when giant fire stones were raining from the sky, so sue me if the hairs on the back of my neck raised a little. You should really have those looked at" Her mother commented again, looking to her husband who was busy strategically avoiding this conversation by talking with others.

Really, for all the fear the moon falling to the earth had started, it certainly hadn't done much actual damage. Still, the last war had left Konoha with more than a few scars and skittish behaviors. Everyone was out of their homes and running around- checking in on everyone. Upon returning to the village, Hanabi had been rushed to the hospital as had much of the group to check for injuries- basic procedural stuff.

Sakura counted herself lucky that she had snuck out, not really wanting to be fussed over when she was perfectly fine. Drained- but fine. Being a doctor had its perks. Plus, ever since the moment Naruto had discovered that he was actually in love with Hinata, (albeit all of six hours ago), it was kind of awkward being in a room with them. Mostly because it felt like watching your brother make out with your best friend….but also because well, it was sweet but slightly painful to see him grow up so much in a short week or so.

So here she was, happily maneuvering around the people and doing those mundane and almost useless medical checks with a flustered mother.

"Sakura-chan!" Konohamaru came racing up with Kakashi sauntering close behind him.

"Where is he? Where is Naruto-sempai?" He said, his eyes wide. Sakura just pointed over her shoulder in the direction of the hospital. "Undergoing routine procedures… you shouldn't bu- hey WAIT!" And he was off in a flash. Sakura growled angrily, clenching her fists. "What am I? Chopped liver? DONT YOU DARE BE A NUISANCE KONOHAMA-...Kakashi-sensei" She turned to the hand on her shoulder.

Looking at her he nodded towards the hills. "Would you mind giving Sasuke-san my thanks for his help today, ...before he vanishes for another two years. Something tells me he wont run away from you" He said with his usual bored tone.

"Sasuke-kun?!" She had long ago come to terms with the fact she would always sound pathetically in love when she said his name- but sometimes the speed at which it exited her lips was still alarming. She whipped around, looking for him and turning to head towards the gate but a gentle hand moved to place itself on top of her head.

"That way" He said motioning towards the cliffs overlooking the village with the faces of their past leaders upon it. "Oh, and Sakura…" He added just as she pivoted to head in the other direction. "You did well today, thank you…" He said, content to give bias compliments to his team when he had the chance outside of the public eye. Sakura paused in her movements to smile at him. Those chances meant a lot to Sakura and even Sasuke could wait one minute so that she could enjoy it.

"Bye mom!" She said turning on foot and dashing towards the hills. Mebuki, who had turned to grab her pink haired husband in order to assist in her argument while Sakura engaged children had turned back to see her daughter running off into a crowd of chatting konoha citizens.

"SAKURA! WAIT! oh dear, that girl….." She sighed, hands on her hips as she turned back to Kakashi. With the quick intuition of a seasoned conversationalist, Mebuki smile and grabbed Kakashi's shoulder. "Well this has been quite a day indeed for you Hokage-sama- Why dont you let us town folk give back to you and treat you to some tea!"

Kakashi, who was just thinking how nice it was to see his young genin grow so much, found himself shattering back into reality. He'd get out of it-...after all it was his mistake that he let his age and nostalgia get to him. He really was getting old.

"Sasuke-kun!" She said, her voice coming out in a croak as she touched down and sighed- feeling winded. Too much running around in the last 72 hours..really she needed to take that mandatory hospital break, if only to get some time not on her feet.

He would turn, pivoting with only one lone foot. That- believe it or not, was progress. Sakura stood and smiled at him.

"Leaving so soon?" She pushed out between stabbing motions in her ribs. He nodded, turning fully. Apparently they were going to actually have a conversation. Real progress! Well-...the whole year he was home after the war there had been much progress. While the court went over his sentencing and he and Naruto healed from their wounds, social progress had been made and there had been a lot to talk about.

Sakura had been put on bed rest after the event, her chakra depletion leaving her somewhat prone to fainting spells. Naruto had come to visit her- nearly waking up the hospital as he did so since apparently it was easier to loudly whisper her name into every room rather than just check a directory. Sasuke came twice...once with Naruto because the blonde had found him first. The second because Naruto had fallen asleep in his room and Sasuke couldnt remember which room Naruto was in. Apparently he'd gotten too excited to walk back to his own room. Granted, it had surprisingly taken him a day or two to warm up to Sasukes renewed presence and to trust it with his usual banter. But like a moth to a flame- Naruto did start to run his mouth. A lot.

During that time at the hospital, the three of them had talked about a lot of things. Well, Naruto and Sakura updated him on the village social life, while Sasuke mostly nodded- prone to soft smirks and silent tea sipping nods of acknowledgment. As far as figuring out much about what he had been up too? Well neither Sakura nor Naruto pried much. They figured it wouldn't do any good to chase him away, and he'd never been particularly open with them in the beginning either. Still, if he wanted to talk- he would in his own time and if he never did- neither would care. They were just too stupidly glad he was home.

Sakura had dreams too, however. Every night- that he would leave again. It had been a relief when she had been released from the hospital and was allowed to return to her apartment to sleep without fear of crying out. During that year, as he re-familiarized himself with Konoha and its people, Sakura had gotten to take walks with him and go shopping for him. Slowly he began to talk about leaving again and Sakura said nothing… Then the day came and she said something alright. She said she wanted to go with him. He said he'd see her when he came back.

He was back now and he hadn't come to see her.

"You promised" She reminded him with an exasperated sigh. He just smirked and nodded, coming up to her finally.

"I wasn't exactly ready to come back yet….there still more-"

"'I have to see' I know! But you promised. I'm not asking you to spend the night dont worry- I'm just helping you make good on those promises." She smiled, not wanting to offend him. Even now she was careful around him.

"So what are you here for?" He asked quizzically, raising a brow.

"Just to tell you thank you. Konoha would be rubble-...again, if you weren't here. Kakashi sends his gratitude…" She said, pushing her hair behind her ear as she regained her breath and felt air flow easily through her lungs again. A part of her also wanted to comment on his appearance….another wanted to ask if he really would spend the night, but that was much too forward.

He could feel the odd vibe running off her again...she got this way when he was leaving, and had been this way every time she said hello to him for the first month of him being in Konoha… it was the way she acted when she had something she wanted to stay, but was either judging herself harshly for it or didn't know exactly how to say it. It was cute how she tried to still be mad at him, or teasingly use his faults against him...It was cute when she did it...because in a way it showed just how much she forgave him, and embraces him- despite every normal social convention and reason telling her otherwise.

The first year being here had been hard for him, full of awkward moments that he could care less for. But he always endeavoured to see what she and Naruto were up to, he felt he owed it to them to take interest in their life...why? He couldn't say. Perhaps some part of him accepted it finally, he cared about them. And when you care about someone- you want to know about them. But after hating the world so much, he wanted to love it- and that meant seeing what it was up to as well.

Moving forward, he poked her forehead. "you're annoying" He said, smirking. He then shrugged and turned around, content to keep heading off- back to where he left off. Sakura looked at him with wide eyes- she really didn't understand the head poke. Was he making fun of her forehead- no, his eyes were kind...perhaps he was admiring it.

"You owe me, Sasuke-kun" She said, smiling at his back. "I'll only accept dinner for your slip up."

He just kept walking and for a second Sakura was sure he hadn't heard her. Then he lifted his hand up in the air and waved it once before he continued on his way. When she was sure he wouldn't hear her…..she put her hand to her chest and smiled, feeling so full and happy to have just seen him for one moment….so much so that she felt like screaming and hugging everyone in sight….

"Because when a girl really falls in love….her heart doesn't change that easily. Right, Sasuke-kun?"

Buwahahha- part one of this one shot series is going well. (And by that I mean awful) We'll see how many more simple moments I get to write. Please read and review- let me know what you think. Oh, and yes- I know the title says Solstice instead of solace...that is intentional.