Author's note – And here's the last installment to my first fanfiction: Forbidden! It's been quite the journey for me, even though the story itself was short. It was my first try at publishing a fanfiction, and I must say it went way better than I first expected! I can't possibly thank enough all of you who have supported this story until now, and I hope you enjoyed it just as much as I did writing it!

More information will be added at the end of the page, so just go ahead and read this final chapter! Hope you enjoy it!

Both Sakura and Sasuke were unable to close their eyes that night. All they could think about was each other's well-being, and how things would turn out after the decision that the Uchiha had thoughtlessly done. Sakura sat in her bed, gazing at the star-filled night sky, her thoughts lost between all of her recent troubles and Sasuke's fate. She was going to lose him forever… He wouldn't be able to return to the village ever again. And that wasn't even the worst part. What if he died at the hands of the agents of Shimin? Nothing good was to follow, and that worried Sakura sick.

Sasuke wasn't any better. Staring at the dark clouds that slowly covered the beautiful, light-filled moon, he pondered whether clouds were also trying to ruin his life in a deeper meaning. Upon thinking of the word 'darkness', he came to a shady conclusion.

'I know exactly how I can survive outside with the Shimin agents pursuing me…' – he thought, his body suddenly freezing – 'And it will be two birds in one stone…' – at this, Sasuke smiled eerily – 'If I use Orochimaru for training for a few years, not only will I be avoiding the Shimin assassins, but I'll also attain the power required to kill Itachi once and for all…'

And then he decided it. He was leaving Konoha the following night.

Sakura's P.O.V – The morning after the meeting with the Shimin leader

I couldn't sleep all night. I was too worried thinking about Sasuke and how I was going to save him from his dark, twisted fate. He wasn't going to make it out alive. I couldn't allow the person I love the most in the world to just simply die before me without at least trying to do something! But… on the other hand, I don't know how I can help him out of this at all… It would be easier if he had been forced to do this… but he did it willingly. Oh, Sasuke… who can understand you? It's not me, for sure…

I stood up from my bed. It didn't cost me because I wasn't groggy from sleeping. The dark circles in my eyes, however, were a clear hint of how I hadn't slept at all the previous night. Trying to fight back the tiredness that I felt, I walked into the kitchen to see if there was anything for me to have for breakfast. Nothing. My father ate for a hundred men, and my mother had to buy food every day because of his boundless hunger. Without them in the house, I was left with nothing to eat. Not that I really missed their company, though. I was going to have to eat breakfast at some eatery or something. That way, maybe I could find Sasuke or ask someone about him.

Scene Skip – Sakura eating at a restaurant. She is having a bowl of fried rice, but she isn't eating any of it (Sakura's P.O.V)

I could barely eat. My stomach screamed for something to eat, but my mind refused to conform to the rumbling noises. Ugh, that had to be worse than a hangover…

"Oh, good morning Sakura-san" – I heard a familiar male voice behind me. I turned around to see who it was. It was Lee, who was dressed in his duty outfit even though he was free of missions. I guess that was just his ferocious inner green beast speaking louder.

"Good morning, Lee-san" – I greeted him in the same polite fashion – "Came down for breakfast?"

"Hai" – he replied – "A Shinobi has to eat a very rich meal to start the day with energy, so that it can put more effort into its training! – he continued, with his usual liveliness. I giggled subtly.

"You can sit with me if you want" – I invited him, pointing at the free chair beside me.

"Woah!" – he nearly screamed – "Sakura-san is inviting me to have a romantic breakfast with her willingly!? Today sure is shaping up to be a great day!" – I sweat-dropped. I guess Lee will never change…

He ordered a gigantic meal full with all kinds of vegetables and fruits, and began to swallow it all down while I took small bites off my rice bowl.

"So, Sakura-san, I haven't heard much from you lately. How have you been?" – I sighed discreetly.

"Just life" – I lied – "I came back from a mission yesterday, and spent the rest of the day relaxing".

"Very good, Sakura-san. After an exhausting mission in which I profoundly believe you had success, relaxing is also part of training, you know! You can only avoid really painful physical breakdowns with resting!" – he made sense, but I wasn't in the mood to listen to his training lessons…

"So… huh, what about you? Have you had a lot of missions?" – I asked, trying to make short talk.

"Hai! I came back from a mission today, before the sun even rose in the horizon! It was a B-Ranked mission, but we all dealt with it well!"

"Oh, is that so? What was the mission?" – I asked out of curiosity.

"The leader of Shimingakure" – I nearly choked – "announced that he was departing for a top secret location, and he entrusted us to watch over the village, and if needed, to protect it from any potential enemies during his absence".

"I-I see…" – at that point, I just wanted to get out of there, so I began to eat my rice much faster. So fast, I was surprised I didn't choke on it.

"Well, have you seen Naruto-kun and Sasuke-kun lately?" – great. He had to ask that.

"Yeah, I saw them both yesterday while I was roaming around the village".

"Oh, that's good. How were they?" – luckily, I finished my meal before I had to answer that question.

"Hum… sorry Lee, I have to go right now. I just remembered something I have to do. See you around" – was my quick, completely implausible excuse.

"Oh, okay! See you sometime, Sakura-san! – he screamed on top of his lungs, waving.

I moved away from there, in hopes no one I knew would cross paths with me and ask me the same awkward questions. But because I'm oh so lucky, I came across Shikamaru.

"Oi, Sakura" – he said in his usual bored voice.

"Oh, hey Shikamaru" – I replied, faking my best interested voice.

"So, what are you doing out here so early? Came from a mission?"

"No, actually I returned from my last mission yesterday. I just couldn't sleep more, that's all".

"Meh, too bad for you. If I were you, I would have just slept through the whole morning, but well who cares…"

Gosh, Shikamaru was always the same bored and boring guy… But then, I got reminded of something: Shikamaru was the most intelligent Shinobi in all of Konoha, and probably the universe.

"Huh… Shikamaru?"

"What is it?"

"Actually, I need to find Sasuke, but I don't know where he is…"

"I don't know about that boring guy either. Well then, gotta go. See you 'round".

"Hum… see you around…" – I tried to hide the deception that I felt, but I think I wasn't being that believable.

Suddenly, when I thought I had lost my chance, Shikamaru stopped walking, his face not facing mine.

"Listen, I have no idea 'bout where he is right now, but at night he will be roaming around the forest near the gates" – was his simple answer. I can never stop being surprised by this guy.

"Arigato, Shikamaru… but how do you know?"

"No big deal. Just a deduction" – I sensed him smirking. Well, that was one strange guy: so boring, yet so interesting.

Scene Skip – Sasuke roaming around Konoha at night, near the forest next to the gates (Sasuke's P.O.V)

That was the big moment. I was going to leave it all behind, but it was for a good cause. By leaving Konoha, not only was I going to achieve my so desired revenge, but also Sakura's safety, which to me mattered far more than my own well-being. I had already packed everything I needed for my travel to wherever Orochimaru was. Everything was nicely done and ready. The only thing missing was my own will, but I was going to force it if needed.

As I hesitantly walked through the gates and dived into a green area, I felt someone creep behind me. I turned around to see who it was. It was Sakura. Of course it had to be her…

"Sasuke-kun… So you're actually going…"

"Hai. I'm all set now" – was my quick reply. I didn't want to seem too emotional, or it would hurt her even more.

"Please… can't you reconsider this…? There's still time…" – she weakly suggested.

"There is no time. My decision has been taken" – I coldly responded, never facing her. I could sense her sadness, and it was almost suffocating.

"You're going to meet up with Orochimaru, aren't you? You're going to pursue power, so that you can have your revenge…" – how the hell did she know?

"I am".

"Are you ever going to come back, Sasuke-kun…?"

"I don't intend to" – was the coldest I could sound. I heard her sniffing.

"Then… let me go with you…!" – I was almost stunned at her proposal – "If helping you with your revenge is the only way I can be next to you, then so be it…! I'll help you!"

"No, Sakura" – I responded huskily, trying to break the ice that had formed in my throat – "You don't have anything to do with my revenge".

"But… but what about the Shimin agents…?" – her voice was trembled, like she was about to cry – "They're going to kill you if you travel around all by yourself…!"

"I can kill them alone. I don't need your help…" – I struggled to sound cold and ruthless, but the last part sounded quite too emotive for my own taste.

"But… but…"

"I'm going now" – I began to walk slowly towards the forest ahead of me, but I was stopped by Sakura holding my back.

"No! Don't go! I can't let you go!"

"Sakura… leave me—"

"No! I won't leave you alone! I can't leave you alone, Sasuke!" – this time, I was sure she was crying, and that just made me feel worse – "I can't live without you! My life has no meaning without you around!"

"Sakura, just sto—"

"I love you, Sasuke!" – my heart stopped beating for a split instant – "I love you so much, but you can't see it! I can't imagine my life without you… I get scared just to think of all the days, weeks, months, years without having you with me! Maybe… maybe I won't ever see you again…! That's why I'm not afraid to leave it all behind too if it means I can stand by you every day of my life" – I was shocked, speechless even. Suddenly, all the ice that I felt in my chest suddenly melted and after that I just couldn't control my mouth.

"You're so annoying…"

And before I knew it, I was face to face with her… and lips to lips with her. What the hell was happening? Why was I doing that? I didn't even know, nor did I care. It felt strangely good to do it, and Sakura didn't seem too bothered about it either. After some instants, I let go off her. It was getting out of hand, and my cheeks were getting out of color. For a while, we just stood there, gazing at each other's eyes. In Sakura's watered eyes, I could see a sparkle of joy.

"Sasuke…kun…" – she seemed out of breath. So was I.

"Sorry for that" – was my instant answer that I didn't even think up.

"You don't have to be sorry" – she answered, smiling slightly. It always warmed my chest when I saw her smile.

"Listen, don't take this as a promise, but… Once I achieve my revenge and the business with Shimin is settled, I'll come back to you".

"Hai… I believe you. I'll wait for you, Sasuke-kun" – she smiled weakly. I could see that she was still sad about me leaving her behind.

"I'll see you again one day. I know that" – upon saying this, Sakura approached me and we kissed again, this time more tenderly. Not that I minded.

Scene Skip – Ten years into the future (Sasuke's P.O.V)

I woke up startled at the middle of the night. It was all just a dream… a quite overly realistic dream to say the least, since everything happened exactly like that ten years ago. After leaving Konoha behind, I trained under Orochimaru and learned the art of the sword, and how to mix it with chakra-based techniques. Naruto, Sakura, Kakashi and Sai tried to take me back to Konoha countless times, but I simply defeated them every time, because I had yet to fulfill my revenge and kill Itachi. Not long after their attempt to rescue me, Orochimaru tried to take my body to resurrect in it, but I slashed him in half before he had the chance. Then, I found Itachi and killed him in battle, but it turned out that the Uchiha Clan Massacre was ordered to him as a mission given by the Konoha officials, and if he didn't do it, it would cause a civil war. Upon learning this, I allowed myself to be consumed by hatred, and it awakened my Mangekyo Sharingan… and my will to destroy Konoha. At that time of my life, I only saw revenge, hatred, and darkness. My heart sunk into a state of evil that even my friendship with Naruto and my love for Sakura couldn't defeat. In an occasion, I even tried to kill Sakura… nowadays, it is probably the sin that I regret the most. Then the Fourth Great Ninja War broke loose, and the whole Shinobi world allied to confront Madara Uchiha, a legend revived by the Edo Tensei, and Obito Uchiha, who pretended to be Madara Uchiha behind a mask before the big revelation. Both Obito and Madara were defeated, but then an even more dangerous enemy appeared: Kaguya Otsutsuki, mother of Rikudo Sennin, who himself was said to be the father of all Shinobi. She was so strong, that Rikudo appeared and granted me and Naruto his endless powers, which allowed me to awaken the Rinnegan in my left eye. After the end of the war, I revealed my true intentions of ruling the Shinobi world my own way, and Naruto and I fought our final battle in the Valley of the End. Things ended surprisingly well, with both me and Naruto surviving, but with me losing my left arm and Naruto losing his right arm. At the end of the battle, we made up and with the help of Kakashi, who became the Sixth Hokage, I was able to live on without being arrested for my sins and crimes against the Shinobi Alliance. My contribute in the war also ultimately stopped the Shimin agents from going after me, and Sakura's parents ended up returning to Shimin, leaving Sakura in Konoha as a legal aged Kunoichi. Naruto and Kakashi even invited me to live in Konoha again, but I refused their proposal. I wanted to see the world that I hadn't seen so far with my own eyes, and learn how to correct my mistakes and turn the world into a better place. Sakura was sad about seeing me depart again, but I promised her that I would be back…

And now here I am. In bed with my wife, who is carrying my future child in her belly.

"Sasuke-anata…? Is something the matter?"

"Sorry… Didn't mean to wake you up".

"It's okay" – she snuggled closer to me – "Did you have a dream?"

"Hai. A very familiar dream" – I smirked. Good thing it was all dark in the room.

"Oh, is that so? What was it about?"

"I just dreamed up all that happened ten years ago, exactly like it actually was. You know, before I committed all those sins…"

"I see…" – she immediately understood what I was referring to – "How did you feel?"

"…Who cares…"

"Ugh, Sasuke. You're always the same, even now that we are married".

"Okay, fine. You win this round, I guess… I might have cringed at that memory, yes" – I looked away from her eyes, even though it was all dark.

"Aww, so you were sad!" – she hugged me like I was some kind of fluffy plush. I seriously can't understand girls even to this very day. Why do they always get so cheesy whenever guys miss them or whatever?

"I thought you had noticed that night…" – was my quite muffled answer.

"I did, but I couldn't even believe it".

"Well, I'm not that evil creature you think I still am" – I grunted.

"Sasuke… You were never an 'evil creature', as you like to call it. You were just blinded by negative feelings. You did a lot of bad things, yes, but look at where you are nowadays. Look at the present, Mr. Uchiha".

"…Guess I can't help but to love this present, Mrs. Uchiha" – I sighed, in utter defeat.

"Good. For that, you deserve a cookie" – I felt her lean closer towards me, and then her lips on my cheek. That was what she always meant when she said 'cookies'. I love cookies.

"Well, this dawn session has been quite good until now, but I believe your pregnant self needs to have a nap right now, or else tomorrow you won't leave me alone".

"Hum… I guess your daddy self is right" – that was embarrassing – "Good night, Sasuke-anata".

"Good night, Sakura".

THE END

And this was the final (and oh so cute :3) chapter of Forbidden! I can't possibly thank enough all of you who have supported this fanfiction until the end, and even though it was short, I still feel like it was a good first attempt at writing fanfiction! Special thanks to the anonymous user who came up with the main idea of the story, to all of my readers who have contributed in one way or another for this to happen, to my real life best friend who motivated me to chase my dreams, and to Masashi Kishimoto for creating the wonderful manga that is Naruto.

In the future, I have plans for an original piece of fiction that I've been planning to write for quite a while now, but I'm not sure of when it will actually be released, but expect something to come out in some time!

Hope you all enjoyed my first attempt at writing a fanfiction. If you really liked it, feel free to leave a review! I always read them all, so you can be sure that I will see it ^^

And that was it. Goodbye and good reading!

Japanese Phrasebook

Teme – imbecile, idiot

-san – polite honorific used to refer to someone that you're not acquainted with. It's also a form of a teacher to treat a student, for example.

Hai – yes

Baka – idiot, stupid

-kun – used to treat mostly young males. It can also be used by girls who cherish a certain boy, mainly in a romantic way.

Kumogakure – a fictional Shinobi village in the Naruto universe, ruled by the Raikage. Its English translation is 'Hidden Cloud Village'.

-sama – an extremely polite honorific used only to refer to someone highly respectable such as a boss or a lord of some kind.

-sensei – used to refer to a teacher or an instructor.

Shimingakure – a hypothetical Shinobi village in the Naruto Universe famous for its endless number of civilians and strong military. It was created only for this fanfiction, and it is not canon in the manga nor the anime. Its English translation is "Hidden Civilian Village" (yeah, I know right XD).

Dattebayo – a slang term used by Naruto without any actual meaning in English. He uses it when he's amused, surprised, shocked or angry.

Gomen – sorry

Itadakimasu – a typical phrase used by the Japanese before starting a meal. It roughly translates to "Good appetite".

Iwagakure – a fictional Shinobi village in the Naruto Universe, ruled by the Tsuchikage. Its English translation is 'Hidden Stone Village'.

Kunoichi - female Shinobi.

Anata – a honorific that roughly translates to 'dear', and is a form of a wife to treat her husband.