*The Bridge Between Time*

Disclaimer:

I don't own Naruto

CHAPTER FIFTEEN

Epilogue

"Mama, I'm back!" A younger girl, at the age of twelve shouted out as she hurried inside the castle doors, ignoring the servants there that tried to hold the door for her. She much preferred doing things herself, it kept things much easier. She liked things simple.

She was beaming as she kicked out of her shoes and left them neatly by the front door. Her skin was still tingling from her travel and for a moment, she stood just there in the entry of her home, taking everything in anew. Having seen it in a whole other light really put things into perspective for her. Now she understood everything she'd been learning over the course of her life. Now she understood just what her parents had gone through.

Now she knew they weren't lying when they said this kingdom was once deserted aside from the two of them.

"Welcome back, Miss Sarada. Your parents are waiting for you out back. You should hurry to them, the queen has been fearful since the second you left."

The young girl, Sarada, smiled warmly at the head maid of the castle. She was a beautiful woman with midnight blue hair and pearl eyes. She was like an Aunt to the young girl, and one of her mother's closest friends. It was she who took it upon herself to lead the daily work inside the castle, while her husband headed the work in the fields.

"Thank you, Lady Hinata. I'll go to them now."

Hinata waved her off as Sarada ran ahead, not bothering to put her shoes back on. It was the same castle, the same lands and yet… everything felt so different. Today, things were lively, both with people and with the scenery just inside the castle.

Where she had witnessed the plain stone walls, some cracked and all worn and aged, everything looked new, polished and clean. There was light, there were paintings, there was even colors, though her favorite was the sleek white on the walls. It was simple, and she liked simple.

She'd grown up to know this castle, in her time. It was always hard for her to believe the stories, that her home had once been in ruins. But now, she'd witnessed it with her own eyes, and she could appreciate all that she had that much more. Though Sarada was already an appreciative young girl.

When she exited the castle through the back doors, she was greeted by nothing but beauty. She stood in place, inhaling the scent of freshness, the gardens in the back were the best place in the entire kingdom to her. It was where her parents had married, it was where they spent most of their time, and it was also her parent's favorite place as well.

She'd witnessed this same land a dying mess, but it was nothing of the sort now. No, now it was full of life and happiness. Everything they needed to survive was growing right here. Just thinking about everything her parents must have endured to secure this peace and glory was enough to bring tears to the girl's eyes and finally, she took off, running through the gardens lined first with gorgeous flowers in full bloom, then the rows of vegetables. Once she was through them then came the endless sight of fruit trees, and in the center of them all was the large cherry blossom tree that her parents claimed was the life of the whole kingdom, and that's exactly where she found them.

The two of them sat on the bench together just under the tree. Her father, the king of their land sat with his arm wrapped around his wife. Her mother sat there with her head resting in the crook of his neck. The girl's heart twisted as she stopped in her sprint to admire them from a distance. Her lip trembled with emotion that washed over her then.

Those two people, they'd done so much to keep this entire kingdom alive. Sarada had no way of knowing everything, though she knew some of it all. Her father had told her numerous times that she wouldn't be able to understand things completely until she was older, and only then would he tell her everything she was so curious about.

She was okay with that. Her parents were very precious to her, and she respected them more than anything or anyone else. She'd never thought much about them, about their love for each other, but after meeting their past selves and taking them in now, she felt she understood much more than she had before.

Deciding not to linger any longer, she hurried over to them, knowing full well her mother probably was a worried mess. She'd been training her for years to prepare for this travel, and Sarada had to learn many things. But, her mother… the queen, she was a genius. Everybody claimed her to be, everybody accepted her as one. The title had been sticking with her as long as Sarada could remember. After all, she was the woman who'd perfected time travel, and made it possible for their world to change for the better.

"Sarada!" Her mother exclaimed with a breath of relief the second she was her gunning for them, only a second later the young girl had tackled them both in a hug. "S-Sarada?"

"Mama… Papa…" She sniffled, holding them both tightly around their necks and they were quick to embrace her back in return.

"Did something go wrong?" Her father questioned worriedly.

"No." She whispered, leaning back and releasing them to smile at them both. They were older now, but to her they were still just as beautiful as they'd been back then. "I'm just… I'm so happy."

"Sit here, sweetie." Her mother slid over just enough to leave room for her to sit between them, and she did so without hesitation. "So you were about to wake your father without issue?"

Sarada nodded happily. "Yes… But, my heart just soared when I saw how relieved he was to see you… and the way you clung to him, oh my… I just, I don't know. Going back there though, it really opened my eyes. I'm glad it had to be me who went."

"I would have gone myself if it wouldn't have caused unnecessary confusion, but it would have definitely stirred up things and it was too early for that then."

Sarada nodded as she absorbed her mother's words. It made complete sense. Neither of them understood the time travel then, they were completely in the dark. A stranger such as herself could have come from anywhere, but even being older, her parents would have recognized themselves.

"I enjoyed the travel though. I can't imagine it being as strenuous as you explained it once to be." Sarada mused.

"No side effects at all then?"

"A little tingle, that's it."

"Well, that's to be expected." Her mother seemed to think over things for a moment, all the while her father remained silent, at least until she turned her eyes, mirrors of his own to look up at him.

"So, Papa…" Her left brow arched suggestively and he gazed back at her, waiting for her to speak what was on her mind. "You really love Mama, huh?"

Seemingly taken aback, her father's lips parted before they snapped shut again and she could have sworn his cheeks turned the slightest shade of pink. "Shouldn't you already know that?" He grumbled, looking away as if embarrassed by her choice of words.

"I do, and I did before… But, there was something special about that day, the look in your eyes. But, you weren't married back then so, did you already love her though?"

Hesitantly, the king turned his head back to look at his daughter once more before a soft smile graced his lips. "Of course I did." He admitted, and she could see the honesty in his eyes. "She's always been my queen."

"Ohhhh, stop!" Her mother giggled girlishly, while pressing her hands to her cheeks. "Sarada, don't ask such things."

"But… I just want to know more about you two. Everybody knows what you have is special. I want to understand it more, that's all."

"Don't make your mother uncomfortable." Her father grunted, but Sarada gave him a sharp look because she knew he was really the one he was worrying about being uncomfortable.

"What about you, Mama?" She pressed. "Did you always love Papa?"

"Oh my." Her mother squeaked, blushing up to her ears. When she didn't answer, even the king turned to look at her curiously. When her mother noticed this, she shook her head vigorously. "Not you too!"

"Mama…" Sarada scoffed.

"Well," Her mother sighed, seeming to relax herself before explaining. "I fell in love with your father very easily. Honestly, it didn't take long at all. He was very precious to me, after saving my life and being so kind to me, even though he was much different back then. And well, he was so… so… stunning and strong, and um… well, how could I not love him?... Wait, Sasuke?!"

Sarada laughed as she watched her father hurrying off towards the castle as if he couldn't listen any longer, and her mother jump to her feet to run after him. Those two were quite amusing to their preteen daughter. They truly loved each other, that much she knew for sure. It was a special kind of love that she hoped she could find for herself one day.

…

Sasuke's feet had led him around the castle and to the front and he didn't stop until he was standing at the very place he'd first found her, the same place that was now a portal used often to travel through time. Sakura was right behind him, she said nothing as she came to stand right next to him, her gaze on the same area his was.

It surprised her that this was still a place he came to daily. He didn't worry about it, he didn't glare at it for hours on end, for it wasn't an unknown anymore. No, it was the very thing that had brought her to him so many years before. This was where he'd found her, unconscious and soaked and deathly pale. He'd thought she was dead, had no idea how she'd gotten there, but she was alive and from then on, he just had to protect her. She had changed everything for him and his kingdom, she'd been precious to him for the longest time and he would forever be thankful that she'd stumbled upon that portal, that he'd found her that day, that she'd changed his way of thinking and feeling and somehow, she'd saved him and all that came along with him.

Now, that portal was a symbol of everything precious to him.

Sakura was thankful too. Aside from her daughter, Sasuke was her life. She knew from early on that this was where she'd belonged. Everything had happened for a reason, and though it may not have been understandable in the beginning, they'd both come to understand long ago. In the past thirteen years, they'd both made drastic changes that altered the world around them, though they were always changes for the better.

Like Sasuke had come to forgive people, and accept his past for what it was. It was hard, when his family was stolen from him and he was left to destroy all those responsible in his all-consuming hatred, and even many innocents. The others had ran away, smartly- and after that everyone left him be, though not before he was cursed because of his actions. He'd blamed everyone for the death of his family, and that's where he'd messed up. His kingdom fell, and if his light hadn't shown up when she did, he'd have been long gone before now.

Yet here she was, his light, his queen, his wife. He cocked his head to admire her silently, for all that she was to him. She'd given him hope, life, happiness. She was his reason for change, for pushing forward. Though he was never willing to let the demons destroy his kingdom without a fight, he was only willing to fight until he went down with it before he'd found her. Then she came, like a beacon of all the things she truly was, she saved everything. She's brought life back to him, and to his kingdom.

Now, Sasuke was more open in all ways. It was true, he kept to himself for the most part. He spent his days with his wife and daughter mostly, and then Naruto a good bit. Naruto's son Bolt had grown into a fine young man, and Sasuke also enjoyed having him around. Him and Sarada were the eldest kids in the kingdom. Any others were infants and toddlers. The Uchiha lord was just glad, and so thankfully that his kingdom was prospering once again.

Then there was Sakura. Aside from helping Sasuke himself, she'd changed the entire world, even if she'd deny it to anyone who claimed that. At first, after her past memories came back to her, and she remembered the man who was once her husband, she was depressed. Things hadn't turned out as she would have liked. It was a while before she finally got herself together and went to work, and once she started, that was all she did.

She studied all the information Neji had left her, did numerous tests and tirelessly, she strived to perfect what that brilliant man had made possible. It was hard, Sasuke was protective, and possessive of his wife, but in the end, he was able to truly respect the man. He'd accomplished things that normal people just couldn't fathom. He was one to be remembered, and Sakura made sure he was recognized for all his work. It going to waste was something she would never let happen.

It was after Sarada was born that she finally decided to test out the portal, after trial and error. She didn't want to risk trying anything while pregnant, for she feared it could have harmed the baby inside her. Sasuke was glad of that, because he didn't want her anywhere near that portal. He did not want her going anywhere and when she came to him telling him she was going for it, going to leave him to see if she had figured things out, he was lost and downright angry and that was when they had fallen out.

Sakura needed him to understand, this was something she just had to do and it was for the good of the kingdom. However, Sasuke had always been adamant about her staying far away from that hole, and he was too afraid of losing her, and this didn't change even after all the work she'd done. If she were to go through it, and never return to him, she'd be taking everything from him.

His hope. His life. His happiness.

These were the things that only Sakura gave him, and he couldn't bear the thought of losing her. But eventually, after she'd put her foot down, he'd relented and let her go. It was the hardest thing he'd ever done in his life. And for an entire hour he was a mess. He watched that portal until she was back, beaming at him and throwing herself into his waiting arms. After that, it was easier for him to let her go because he had the upmost faith in that woman. She was a genius.

After a few years of working things out, she had once and for all perfected the art of time travel. It was no longer a danger to the mind or body, though sometimes there were still side effects, she eventually settled them as well for the most part. Then she'd gone back, to her original time to see that man once again, only that time, Sasuke went with her. It was his first time making the journey through time.

He understood, and he gave her the space she needed when she faced him. That man loved her just as much as the air he breathed, just as much as Sasuke himself did and that was another reason he was able to respect Neji so deeply. He'd been working hard on the serum that would summon the portal at the time they arrived, and he wasn't an old man either.

Sasuke couldn't handle the look in his eyes, and so he'd left them in peace while he checked out the future for what it was… and it was a lot to take in for the Uchiha lord.

Sakura had been glad to go back and see Neji. She had so much respect for him, for never giving up on finding her, for learning all that he had. He was an amazing man. But, if she could have changed anything, it would have been him coming to her as he had, an old man who was once her husband, who died right before her eyes.

She wanted to explain things to him in full, because if anyone could understand, it would have been Neji. Thankfully, seeing her had been enough. He had the relief he needed to know that she was alive, she was okay- there was no more uncertainty. She was remarried, and had Sarada but he even seemed happy for her, and for that, Sakura was just so glad.

After that, Neji could live his life in peace, he could move on, while still working on everything that was rightfully his. Sakura knew that if anyone was the genius, it was him.

Things settled down with her newfound knowledge and abilities to time travel. She went shopping all around the world in different times, and she brought the castle back to life once again. Soon after that, the people started returning. How, Sasuke would never know. All he knew was, she had done it and with her at his side, his people no longer had that fear of him, and they looked to Sakura as if she was everything, just as Sasuke himself did.

"You know, it's crazy… All this time and I've never given this thing a name."

Sasuke raised a brow at her words and glanced briefly at her before his eyes returned to the portal just before them. "Does it even need one?"

Sakura chuckled then. "Well, it deserves one, doesn't it?"

The Uchiha pondered this momentarily, before nodding. If Sakura thought so, he would agree. To him, she was always right. "If you say so." He finally murmured, to which she sighed.

Her hand took a hold of his as a bright smile took to her face, lighting her eyes up right along with it. "I love you, Darling. Thank you for calling me here, for giving me my reason to exist."

"Ah. Same goes to you." He squeezed her hand meaningfully. "So, what's this name you've come up with?"

"I think we'll call it, The Bridge Between Time."

"Hn. Sounds fitting." Sasuke muttered before pulling her into his arms and wrapping her small frame in his cloak. Though she was early on, he could feel the small swell of her belly against him, where she was pregnant with their second child.

She gazed up at him, smiling at him with all the adoration she felt for him, and he smiled back a smile that was dazzling enough to take her breath away. "I love you."

"And I you, my queen."

They kissed then, their lips meeting softly and knowingly. Everything was perfect in their lives, in fact it couldn't have been better. But still, this to them was just the beginning. They had long lives ahead of them, and many things to share with their children. Their kingdom had the brightest of futures with the Uchiha line growing strong, never would it be cursed again. Never would Sasuke allow everything to be taken from him, and never again would he let the darkness consume him, not as long as he had his light.

A/N:

Well, this is it... It's a bittersweet feeling for me to have finished this fic.

I'd like to say a special thanks to everyone who took the time to review this story, and also for everyone who followed it until the end. It means a lot to me!

Thanks to all my silent readers too, you're not forgotten!

I hope that you all have enjoyed The Bridge Between Time as much as I have. Once again, thanks for all of your support!

Thanks for reading!

-TyyTyy