Welcome back.

It's been awesome writing this story. But now, this is the final chapter of Fate (MODERN). Fear not, I already have another story uploaded called 'An Uchiha's Legacy'. There will be no sequel but I might just put an epilogue. (Keyword might).

Thank you all for reading!

Enjoy!

REVISED: 6/8/2018

Konoha

Hinata Hyuuga sighed in relief after exiting the room of her final patient for the day. In the few weeks since she began her internship at Konoha Memorial Hospital, she had been much busier compared to her time in the Senju household. Entering the female locker rooms, she collapsed on the nearest bench. Hinata turned over, facing the ceiling and her left hand over her eyes. Has it really been four years? Hinata asked herself. Her mind went over the events after the masquerade ball.

Flashback

They were all in the living-room of Hinata and Ten-ten's apartment; that is, Ten-ten, Naruto, Izumi, Shisui, Neji, Sasuke and herself. The living-room had decorations all over, but a banner stood out with the writing: 'Welcome home Hinata!'

Hinata's eyes shed tears when she saw the banner.

"When did you do this?" Hinata asked, looking at everyone.

"I'd like to know too," Ten-ten said, giving her friend a side hug.

"Shisui and I had this done before going to the ball. Figured we might give Hinata a proper welcome home party," Izumi confessed proudly. Hinata hugged the Uchiha, whispering a 'thank you' in her ear, not forgetting to give one to Shisui as well. Izumi turned on her laptop, plugged in the speakers and hit the play button. As music poured into the apartment, Izumi faced the others who were still standing by the door.

"Well what are you waiting for? A comet? Start dancing!" Izumi encouraged. She ripped off the 'fin' part of her mermaid dress with her bare hands, took a knife and made a slit on her dress so her legs could move freely. Satisfied with the mini dress makeover, she gazed at the others, finding her cousins shaking their heads, and the rest looking away in embarrassment.

"I honestly wonder if there's any sanity left in you, Izumi," Shisui chided.

"You know you love me all the same, Shisui," Izumi cooed. The doorbell rang out and Izumi quickly went to answer.

"Welcome! You're just in time" Izumi greeted. In walked Kiba and Shino, who were embraced by a happy Hinata. As it would seem, Kiba and Shino did not come alone, a whole lot of other people came in. Some Hinata recognized from college, like Shikamaru Nara, Choji Akimichi, Naruto's cousin Karin Uzumaki and Ten-ten's friend Lee. There was also her friend Juugo from Onsen, as for the rest she was unfamiliar with them (but that was fine since they were just ladies who happened to accompany the guys that came). Izumi turned down the music and called forth everyone's attention.

"Hello everyone! Welcome to the After Party. Well technically its more of a welcome home party for Hinata. I admit tonight had quite the drama at the ball, but for now enjoy yourselves. We're all friends here, or at-least, for some, friends of friends. Now let's get this started," Izumi cheered, turning up the music. Shisui resisted smacking his forehead and opted to find a drink. Naruto pulled Ten-ten to the middle of the room -which had been cleared of furniture- and they began dancing. The rest followed suit, letting loose and having fun.

Half-way into the song, Sasuke had grabbed Hinata's hand and lead her away from the dance floor and into the bedroom. He shut the door and locked it behind him. Hinata was about to say something when Sasuke cradled her face in his hands and kissed her. It was a quick chaste kiss and their foreheads were merely touching now.

"You have no idea how much I missed you," Sasuke said. Hinata's cheeks were aflame as her eyes fluttered closed, her hands over Sasuke's that still cradled her face.

"I missed you too," Hinata returned, "Was it true? What you said to your father?"

"I said many things Hinata. Could you be a little more specific?"

Hinata bit her lower lip before replying, "Do you really love me?"

Sasuke lifted his head and opened his eyes, as did Hinata. He caressed her cheek slowly with his thumb saying,

"Hinata, I love you. Never ever doubt that"

Hinata's eyes blinked with unshed tears as she smiled. She slipped her arms around Sasuke's neck, leaned up and kissed him. It was slow and shy at first, but then Sasuke encouraged her by kissing her back. Hinata had never felt so happy in her life. She broke the kiss, much to Sasuke's disappointment, but whispered in his ears, "I love you too, Sasuke"

Flashback end

Hinata's train of thought had been broken when she heard the door open. She greeted the female doctor that entered the room and decided it was high time she left. She quickly changed into her regular clothes of jeans, a purple t-shirt, a black jacket (which happened to belong to her boyfriend), a grey leopard print scarf and a black beanie. Once Hinata was done, she left the room and on the way out, continued her train of thought on the developments in the last four years. The first few months after she revealed herself, it had been difficult to move around freely without the paparazzi showing up everywhere she went. Everyone had wanted to know her, her story, and her future plans since she was Sasuke's bride to be. It had been, for lack of better words, both horrifying and exhaustive. The media didn't have to be that nosy into her personal life. When she expressed her concerns with Sasuke, he merely smirked and said, "Welcome to my world"

Going inside the elevator, Hinata felt vibrations from inside her bag. Opening it quickly, she took out her still vibrating phone, noting that it was a phone call.

Phone call conversation...

H: Hello?

S: Are you done with your shift?

H: Good evening to you too and yes, I am done with my shift for today.

S: You sound cranky. Busy day?

H: More than you can imagine. I've been checking patients, shadowing a few doctors, assisting two births. I'm so exhausted I could just drop on the floor right now and sleep peacefully

(Hinata exits the elevator)

S: I was hoping we could go out, have dinner and a movie

H: I'm so tired, Sasu. Even thinking about driving to Konoha College makes me more tired I think I'll call a cab or ask Ten-ten to pick me up

S:Now that you mention it, I can't possibly allow my dear girlfriend go home in such a condition

H: And what are you going to do about it?

S:Why don't you come out and find out for yourself

Hinata exited the building she was greeted with such a sight. There stood Sasuke, in a tuxedo with a bouquet of blue roses in one hand and his phone in the other against his ear.

"Sly jerk," Hinata muttered, smiling brightly.

"I heard that," Hinata hears. She cut the phone call and ran into the waiting arms of her boyfriend, hugging him.

"For you," Sasuke said, giving Hinata the flowers. She blushed, saying,

"Thank you. But why blue roses?"

"Most women get red roses. Figured I'd do something different"

Hinata went on tip toe and kissed Sasuke's cheek. It seemed that Sasuke didn't mind it, even if they were in public. Then again, the sun had long set and there were a few people around.

"Shall we?" Sasuke asked, holding out his hand. Hinata accepted it and both entered the back of the black car.

Hinata cuddled up to Sasuke as the car started off. She had missed her boyfriend between her busy schedule and his duties as King, it was hard spending time with each other. And yes, Sasuke's been King over the Land of fire for almost a year. He ascended to the throne a week after his last birthday, and before that, had been taking lessons under his father in preparation to succeed him. At his inauguration, he declared that everyone should be treated as equals, that no one was above the and that he would work towards unity of his people, fulfilling his brother's dream. He had servitude system firmly abolished, having an employment system in place so the people could be paid and recognized as working class people.

Sasuke had taken a few diplomatic trips to the towns and villages beyond Konoha. Seeing how life progressed and making sure to set aside sufficient funds for the towns that really needed the assist. Case in point was the town of Onsen. Together with Hinata and their friends, they set out to improve and expand the town. With the Hyuuga back in control, the fish trade began to flourish in Onsen. With the hot-springs and the nearby lake, Onsen became quite the ideal tourist attraction. Visitors ranged from clan heads within the Land of Fire to dignitaries from other kingdoms. Safe to say, great change had taken place and still was in Sasuke's reign.

Hinata sighed contentedly, snuggling closer to Sasuke.

"What's on your mind?" she heard Sasuke ask.

"You," Hinata replied.

"I'm very flattered, Hinata"

"Has it really been four years since that time?"

"I suppose it has. Just how much have you been thinking about?"

"This all just seems surreal to me. I look at where we were then and compare it with now. You're King, Naruto's second in command to his father's business, Ten-ten and I will be completing our final year soon and are often busy with the internships. Neji's now officially Heir of the Hyuuga and there's just so much that has happened that I wonder if I'll wake up and find out it was all an unbelievable dream. And I..."

One minute Hinata had been talking, and in the next, Sasuke was kissing her. She forgot whatever she had been rambling about and melted into the kiss, feeling her stomach burst with fireworks. Sasuke pulled away and gave her one of his rare grins. Rare in that he reserved them specially for her.

"I love you, Hinata. All this is real, not some dream. You're not going to wake up with Tsunade ordering you around. You have people who admire you, friends that adore you, and a family that treasures you. Most important, I love you. We are here, together and what we have is more real than anything in this world"

"I know," Hinata replied softly, then a small giggle followed.

"What?" Sasuke asked.

"I just realised that you sounded so, umm, corny. Especially for you," Hinata said, still giggling

"You know I can't always be straight faced around you. What kind of messed up boyfriend would I be?"

Hinata kissed him and leaned back, it was then she realised that they weren't headed for the college.

"Sasuke Uchiha, just where are you taking me?"

The Gardens of the Manor

"When you said we were going out, I thought you meant some fancy restaurant," Hinata confessed, taking a sip of the bubbling champagne that had been poured for her by Sasuke. They were seated at a table inside a white pavilion. The pavilion was alight with lanterns all around, providing more than sufficient light. The round table that had once been decorated with a lavish feast was being cleared away by waiters. It had been a lovely meal of steak, roasted potatoes and green salad. When the table was cleared, save for the champagne bottle, dessert was brought for Hinata, cinnamon rolls! Hinata was greatly enjoying herself, but quickly noticed Sasuke's silence.

"Sasuke?"

Sasuke looked up and smiled.

"Are you finding the food to your liking?"

Hinata knew then that something weighed heavily on his mind.

"Everything was delicious, thank you. Are you okay, Sasuke?"

"Hn. Let's go for a walk," Sasuke said standing up from his seat. He's hiding something, Hinata concluded. She smiled softly and entwined her hand with his. They strolled through the gardens at a slow pace in comfortable silence. But for Hinata, she could feel the agitation coming of Sasuke. She decided to strike up conversation.

"I met Lady Sakura earlier today. She came to apologise for...before"

"Is that right?"

"It was weird, but it we came to an understanding. It seems that her time travelling with Jiraiya did wonders for her. Sakura has matured greatly. She's actually asked about becoming doctor. Must run in the family"

"Hn"

Hinata had just about enough. She abruptly stopped walking and faced Sasuke.

"What's going on, Sasuke?" Hinata demanded.

"I...argh!" Sasuke stammered, running his hands through his raven locks, silently cursing. He seemed to pace a bit and then stopped in front of Hinata.

"Hinata," Sasuke began, "you have been the best thing that has ever happened to me. We've been through a lot, good and bad. But regardless of that, there's no one else that I could imagine myself with"

"Sasuke..." Hinata whispered. She watched him go on one knee as he fumbled with something in his pocket. He faced her again, face full of nervousness and love, taking Hinata's left hand in his own.

"I love you, Hinata Hyuuga. Would you do me the honor of becoming my wife?"

Hinata's hands flew to her mouth as Sasuke opened the blue velvet box in his hand. Inside was a silver ring with four tiny turquoise stones surrounding a single carat diamond.

"Hinata?"

"Yes. Yes! YES!" Hinata shouted. She leaned down and kissed Sasuke, pouring all her emotions into that single kiss. Breaking the sweet kiss, Sasuke took out the ring and slid it into Hinata's finger. He quickly embraced her, nervousness gone and replaced with joy.

Fate had played a funny role in their lives, but it worked out just fine for Sasuke and Hinata. They had come far, and would face the future, together.

And so ends the tale of Sasuke and Hinata