Song of a Cherry Blossom
by Diana-san

Author's Note: I am both happy and sad to say that this is the final chapter. It took a long time coming to get to this point and I want to thank all my readers/followers/reviewers who stuck with me so far. When I had took a long hiatus around Chapter 15, I had no idea where this story was going to go. Certainly, the plot of this was probably a lot different from what I had imagined back in Chapter 1. I had no expectations that the story would go this far and had only imagined to write ten chapters max or maybe twenty. Certainly not expecting to reach almost thirty. I hoped you enjoyed reading it as much as I enjoyed writing it. I was very frustrated at some points when I had writer's block but I got through it with the kind reviews and motivation left by you guys. As for a sequel, it is doubtful I will do one. An epilogue... perhaps if there is a lot of requests for one. Until then, thank you for reading Song of a Cherry Blossom!

Disclaimer: I do not own Naruto.

Chapter 28

Night fell and the group of four traveled in Itachi's car to the front of the Uchiha mansion. Sakura held Sasuke's hand as she felt him tense up in nervousness. It was going to be hard to explain to his parents about the revelation of everything that just happened in the past 48 hours.

Sakura glanced out the tinted window. She could see that there was still a lot of news crew gathered in the front of the gate waiting for answers. The gate in front of them is closed but opens a moment later as it allows their car to go through.

Itachi parks and they sit there for a moment in silence before they all climbed out of the car. It was finally time to face the inevitable.

The four of them walked up to the door where a maid greets them and allows them entry inside. Sakura follows behind Sasuke as he continues to hold onto her hand.

They walk past the foyer and into a grand living room where Fugaku is seated on the sofa alongside his wife. The two glance up as the group walks in.

Mikoto's eyes widened in shock. "Itachi!" she cries out as she runs to her eldest son and hugs him. She cries as she says not another word.

Itachi hugs his mother back. "I've returned," he said.

Fugaku stands up with a hardened expression on his face. He opens his mouth as if about to say something but stops as Mikoto pulls away from Itachi.

"Don't say anything Fugaku," Mikoto said quietly as she slowly wiped away the tears from her face.

Mikoto smiles. "Finally, my two sons have returned home." She turns to hug Sasuke with a relieved smile on her face. "I'm so glad you are home," she whispered.

They all sat down after Mikoto regained her composure and sat down beside her husband.

"I hope there is a good explanation to all this," Fugaku started.

"There is," Itachi replied in return.

Mikoto smiled. "Go on."

Itachi glanced at his brother and Sasuke returned the gaze. "We, Sasuke and I, have decided to form a partnership."

Fugaku said nothing as he listened.

"Since the five years I have been gone, I haven't been just sitting idly away doing nothing. I built and raised Sharingan Inc. from the ground up and as of today, the stocks have gone up after I acquired Uchiha Obito's shares," Itachi continued.

"Obito?" Fugaku said in surprise.

"Yes, he gave me some help a few years ago and has been helping me ever since. I hope to merge my company with the Uchiha family's company. This will hopefully be enough to balance out what you had hope to acquire from marrying into the Tojo family."

Fugaku closed his eyes. "So in all these years, you have managed to become successful on your own."

"You taught me well."

"Why do all this? I thought you gave up on your family name when you left this household."

Itachi turned to look at Sasuke. "For my little brother. I didn't want to leave him behind. I didn't want him to go through a marriage he wouldn't be happy with. I know with my leave, you would have placed Sasuke into my place instead. I know there was a possibility that Sasuke would have not resisted and would listen to your every word."

Itachi turned back to his father as their eyes met. "I had faith in Sasuke though. He and I are a lot alike. He found someone precious to him just like I did." Itachi's eyes flickered over to Sakura, who was seated nervously next to Sasuke.

"Father, for far too long, this family has been torn apart left and right by the lust for power over this company. I want to right that and change the ways of the past. Together with Sasuke, we hope to bring a company that strives to not get lost in the corruption of the business world."

Fugaku sighed. "So be it."

Sasuke's eyes widened. That was his father's response?

"I've been working so hard to try to make this company the best of the best. In the way, I lost myself and disappointed my two sons and even my wife." Fugaku grasped Mikoto's hand. "But seeing how far you come Itachi, I have no doubt that you can take over along with Sasuke." He gave a soft smile at his sons. "I am hesitant about such a merge. I don't know if the board will accept this."

Mikoto smiled as she squeezed Fugaku's hand in hers. "Have faith Fugaku. Just like you had faith in marrying me."

"Ah."

Sakura smiled. Was everything going to work out in the end? She looked over at Sasuke as he smiled back at her.

"But why are you two holding hands?" Mikoto asked as she gazed down at Sakura and Sasuke's clasped hands. "Aren't you dating Sai?" Mikoto asked with a confused expression.

Sai coughed as Sakura's face turned pink.

"She's actually my girlfriend," Sasuke replied as he held firmly onto Sakura's hand.

Fugaku laughed out loud. "I knew it."

Sakura closed her eyes in embarrassment.

Mikoto slowly nodded as she peered at Sakura and smiled. "She's cute. I do like her more than that other girl."

"Speaking of Karin," Sai piped up. "What happened with the Tojos?"

Fugaku rubbed the side of his forehead. "Well, they aren't very happy with us and of course, they have rescinded everything in regards to the marriage and company. I think Karin is going to marry into the Hozuki family instead to their son, Suigetsu."

Fugaku glanced at his two boys. "The board will hold a meeting tomorrow if you two are ready to present your case."

Sasuke and Itachi nodded. Tomorrow was going to be another battle they have to face.

Mikoto clapped her hands together. "In the meantime, let's celebrate the family coming back together!" Everyone laughed at her enthusiasm but couldn't agree more.

Sakura followed Sasuke upstairs as he led her to the guest bedroom. They had spent the night talking over coffee and tea and for the beginning, she felt as if she was intruding on the family reunion between parents and sons. But Sasuke had quickly brought her into the conversation as he boldly announced that she was going to be a part of the family. That quickly made her face turn beet red and Itachi began to chuckle as he explained how she had play a big part in reuniting the family together. But she stepped aside for a moment as she allowed the four to talk amongst themselves. She brewed the tea as she watched Sai take out some cookies from the cupboard. The two of them talked in the kitchen as they both wondered how the next day will go down.

Sakura stopped for a moment in front of a familiar door. It was Sasuke's bedroom and the night of where they shared their first kiss together. Although, if she had to be accurate, her first kiss with him was when she was disguised as Saki.

"Sasuke…" she started out.

"Hm?" He stopped as he turned to look at her.

"Were you ever in love with Saki? Before you knew it was me."

He smiled. "I'm not sure. I guess it was a sort of infatuation. You were beautiful and had an alluring voice. I wanted to know more about you and you seemed more like a prize from the way you were avoiding me."

Sakura laughed. "So it was mostly superficial."

"Yeah, I supposed. Most of my previous relationships were that way. Until I met this one girl. With a tongue full of wit and a stubborn personality." Sasuke smirked as he walked closer to her. "She was really damned annoying," he murmured as he drew even closer so that his minty breath was breathing down on the top of Sakura's head. Sakura's breath hitched as she felt her heart pound faster as the two of them stood in the silence of the hallway.

Sasuke brought a hand out as he lifted Sakura's chin up towards him. "And then he fell in love with that girl," he whispered as he brought his lips down to Sakura's mouth. She kissed him back as she wrapped her arms around his shoulders and tiptoed slightly to bring herself even closer to him.

A coughing sound was heard and suddenly the magic was broken as Sakura broke apart from the kiss despite Sasuke's protests. She quickly pushed him aside as her face flushed pink and she turned her face slightly towards the ground in embarrassment.

Fugaku and Mikoto were standing a few feet away from them. Fugaku had a stern look on his face as Mikoto just smiled at the two teens.

"We just came to wish you two goodnight," Mikoto explained.

"Ah," Sasuke mumbled as he shoved his hands into the pockets of his pants.

"Well, good night," Fugaku mumbled as he and his wife turned around. Fugaku turned back once more as he shot a deadly gaze at Sasuke. "Separate rooms," Fugaku stated.

"Or not," Mikoto replied in a sing-song voice.

"Mikoto!" Fugaku gasped in astonishment.

"What? Sasuke was almost going to get married."

"B-but!"

"Let's go dear! I'm getting sleepy," Mikoto said with a smile as she dragged her husband back down the stairs.

Sakura blushed as she watched Sasuke's parents head down the stairs. "Good night Sasuke," she murmured as she turned to head to her bedroom. She felt a pull on her wrist and she stopped to look at Sasuke. He pulled her in for a hug as he whispered into her hair. "Good night."

That Monday morning, the board convened for an emergency meeting. Fugaku sat at the front as Sasuke walked up to front to explain his proposition. Sasuke took a deep breath as he glanced at his father who nodded at him.

"What are you going to do? Taka World Bank has taken away all their funding!" one board member exclaimed.

"The company is doomed without them. We can't have you run it. It'll run to the ground!"

"The Uchiha family can't hold this company down anymore. It's time for a new leader!"

The board members all murmured in agreement as they talked in agitated tones.

"Quiet down please and hear what I have to say first," Sasuke stated calmly as he stared down the board with a steely expression in his eyes.

One look sent a chilled tingle down everyone's spines as they hushed to a quiet tone.

Sasuke glanced at the door. "Come in, nii-san."

The door opened and Itachi walked in. Gasps went up and down the room as everyone saw who it was. Itachi slowly walked to the front to stand beside his brother at the podium.

"Good morning, fellow board members. If you all recall, I am Uchiha Itachi, eldest son of Uchiha Fugaku and older brother to Sasuke. I was also once your CEO before I left when I got married."

The murmurs continued. The board remembers Itachi.

Itachi smiled. "I am now the CEO of Sharingan Inc. You may recall seeing news about it in the papers recently. I started the company five years ago and kept it hushed about my identity as the president. We are now a world-renown company and recently have come into the limelight as the next company to match Uchiha Corporation. I have decided, however, to help revive Uchiha Corp. by merging Sharingan Inc. and work hand in hand with my brother and this board. That is, if you all agreed to this."

The board seemed to be confused by all this as they looked at each other after hearing Itachi's words.

"A merge?"

"Together?"

"Itachi is the mastermind behind Sharingan Inc.?"

Fugaku stood up as he asked for a vote or show of hands for those in favor of this merge. At first, no one raised their hand but then slowly one hand went up followed by another and then another. Soon, the whole room was filled with raised hands. It was an astounding yes.

"We're surprised to hear of Itachi's sudden rise in the past five years. But if he was able to do such things in five years to become a top notch company then we have no doubt but to trust in his leadership," one man spoke up.

A murmur of agreement filled the room.

"If Itachi is CEO, then I know this company will go in the right direction."

"Hear ye, hear ye!"

Sasuke smiled. His brother did it. Itachi had won them all over. Sasuke couldn't help but be impressed with it all. In one fell swoop, Itachi had changed the tide with both their father and the board. But seeing how swiftly Itachi had reached success on his own, albeit the help of Obito, Sasuke was sure that Itachi would be able to take care of the family company.

The meeting adjourned and only left the two brothers in the room as they stared out the window from the top floor of the company.

"I'm sorry Sasuke. They voted me in as CEO instead of the both of us," Itachi said in apology.

"Are you serious? I'm so glad to not have to do it." Sasuke laughed. "I'm actually sorry for you. That you have to continue to run the company."

"What are you going to do instead? I heard you withdrew from school."

"Well, you had the past five years to go out on your own and explore the world. I think I have to do the same and do what you did. Maybe it'll make me into a great man like you are." Sasuke smiled slightly in embarrassment. "I could only hope to be as impressive as you are," Sasuke said softly.

Itachi smiled as he stared out the window. "You already are."

A knock came at the door. The two turned around to see Sakura standing by the door. "Um, sorry if I'm interrupting. I heard the good news from your father."

"You were waiting outside?" Sasuke asked.

Sakura nodded.

Sasuke smiled as he beckoned for her to come in.

"Are you really going to leave me behind?" Sakura asked as she stood firmly planted a few feet away from Sasuke. She refused to budge from her spot as she crossed her arms. "I heard what you said."

The raven-head boy laughed as he walked up to Sakura. "No way," Sasuke affirmed. "I'm never going to leave you behind. Some creep might try to snatch you away from me while I'm gone."

Sakura smiled. "There's still one more year before we graduate. I plan to see it through."

Sasuke frowned. "So more school?"

She nodded. Sasuke sighed. "I guess we can stay and finish our last year together and then graduate."

"I don't think Father will take kindly to you not graduating," Itachi remarked.

Sasuke gazed into Sakura's eyes as he gives a small smirk. "After we graduate, we can get married," he said boldly.

Sakura's face turned pink. "As if! I'm not considering this an actual proposal. You better do it right if you even want to consider a marriage," she said as she turned her head away as Sasuke smiled.

"What do you intend to do about your dream?" Sasuke asked.

"Well, you know I turned down Danzo's offer. I don't believe that there is only one once in a lifetime opportunity. I want to make music my way. I know there will come another chance when the time is right," Sakura stated.

"Just like how Itachi had faith in you and how your parents had faith in their sons, I want to have faith in myself," Sakura continued. She smiled brightly.

Sasuke reached out to pull Sakura closer to him. He hugged her as he spoke, "Maybe after graduation, we can travel together and find what we are both looking for."

Sakura crinkles her nose. "Does this mean I will be stuck with you 24/7?"

He smirks. "Are you scared to be alone with me?" he asked as he pulled away to look at her.

Itachi glares at Sasuke as he hovers over him. "There will be no hanky panky behind my back until you two are both married," he ordered.

Sakura giggles as she ignores Itachi's words. "Actually, I think you should be more scared of me," she says as she pulls Sasuke in for a kiss on the lips.

"Wha-what are you two doing in front of me?!" Itachi gasped.

Sasuke smirks as he closes his eyes for the kiss while pushing his brother's head to the side in an attempt to thwart Itachi's gaze. Sasuke quickly pulled away from the kiss as he glanced at his watch. "One week of spring break," he breathed out as he grabbed Sakura by the wrist. "Better not waste a single moment before we have to go back to that hell hole of a school."

Sakura yelped as she was dragged away from their spot and out the door.

"Bye nii-san! Good luck with the company! Tell mom and dad I'll be gone for a week!" Sasuke yelled out over his shoulders.

"Where are we going?!" Sakura asked breathlessly as she tried to keep up with Sasuke's pace.

"The world is our oyster so where do you want to head to first?" he asked.

Sakura's eyes danced as she quickened her pace to hurry on ahead of Sasuke. "The cherry blossom festival. To see the fireworks."

As the two of them walked down the hallway hand in hand, Sakura couldn't help but smiling from ear to ear. This was what it was like to be alive. To be happy and to have found a place to call home. She wasn't scared of the future at all because she was sure that the present was exactly where she wanted to be. With him by her side and the worries behind them, she was ready to face anything.

End.

"But you know, I think your brother was halfway in the process of freaking out over us leaving together," Sakura commented as she pressed the button for the elevator going down.

Sasuke laughed. "For leaving me when I was younger, I think he should suffer a little bit. Let his mind think what it wants." He then raised an eyebrow. "Why? Is there going to be hanky panky going on tonight?" he teased as the elevator doors opened in front of them and the two stepped in.

"SASUKE! YOU WOULDN'T DARE!" a voice bellowed out as the two whirled around to see Itachi standing in front of the elevator, with his eyes widened in horror. "I'm too young to be an uncle just yet!" he exclaimed as the elevator door closed on Sasuke and Sakura and leaving Itachi behind.

"Heh, oops," Sasuke murmured as the elevator descended downwards.