Yosh! The final chapter of this story has finally come! I know I kept you all waiting forever... I just got out of work and have not found time to type until today…but I will not disappoint you…. THERE IS GOING TO BE A SEQUEL!!!!! It will come out soon and I have not thought a title out yet but I know the plot... when you leave this story there are loose ends with Itachi that Sasuke did not tie with him and Sakura… the sequel focuses on that.. it's a lot better than it sounds and many events that no one will expect will occur... so look for in the next couple of months... school starts in like less than two weeks... sigh... well now on to the final installment of this story…..

Disclaimer: You know the drill so I won't bore you with it…

Title: A Ripple In Time

Chapter 14

Recap:

Slowly, the pair approached the Village gates. Sakura warmly welcomed their site, as Sasuke became a little skeptic. The pair landed down in front of the gates and paused for a second. Once they entered that gate, it would be all over and they would have to face the odds. Sakura looked at Sasuke and he nodded signaling that he was ready. Together, both shinobi placed their hands on the gate and pushed it open while bracing themselves for what would happen on the other side.

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4 years later……

"Haruno Sakura, Uzumaki Naruto, Uchiha Sasuke, I have called you three here today to take care of some important matters that have long been neglected. You three have been through a lot these past 4 years and deserve something in return, something I can offer you."

Sakura frowned. To say they had been through a lot was an understatement. Once she and Sasuke had set foot in the village four years ago chaos ensued. The villagers were outraged to see the traitor and cries of protest were heard all over the place. The Godaime had Sasuke apprehended first thing and he sat in a cell for the time being. His trial would begin soon and she couldn't afford to let anything happen before it, which meant his health was also a top priority. She had anbu medics check him out in the cell, his injuries weren't so bad. All at the same time she, Naruto, and Kakashi were all put in the hospital and kept there for a while. The whole time, the Anbu was taking care of the bodies of the two dead nin.

A couple of weeks later, the trial began and the whole village was in tension of what would happen to the infamous traitor. The death of Orochimaru brought some, relief but not enough. Some the tension in the air was so thick everybody was on the edge and fights constantly broke out. Sakura had her hands full, along with Naruto and Kakashi, to defend their teammates. Villagers were constantly taunting him, dissing him, and gossiping about him. This made it hard for the rest of the Konoha 12 to welcome back one of their own and accept him. Sakura, herself, was always yelling at the villagers and fighting them to defend Sasuke. They always got on her nerves. She was relieved her fellow ninja weren't so judgmental.

Once the trial finished, the verdict was that Sasuke would face three years probation. He was not allowed to leave the village and was always to be supervised by Anbu. His chakra was also sealed off so he couldn't do anything. The whole time, they had to offer him extra support and the Konoha 12 began to reach out to him again and finally accepted him. Whenever she went on missions, Sakura would be worried about his well being, but she knew her fellow shinobi were there for him.

One year ago, his probation expired and he was allowed to be a ninja again. Tsunade gave him a new headband and disposed of the one that would have identified him as a missing nin if he wore it. He started doing mission again and Team 7 was reinstated. He was always a bit rusty but got better each day. And no one could be happier and life sort of went back to normal, and except for the fact that some people didn't trust Sasuke still, and it continued that way until now.

Earlier this morning they had all been called to the Godaime's office by anbu. When team 7 arrived there with their sensei, they found the rest of the Konoha 12, their senseis, and other fellow shinobi like Anko, Genma, and Ibiki. The elders and even Jiraiya was there. She could only guess something big was going to happen.

"Now since all your fellow shinobi are here, you three could only guess it has to be something big. Let's just say we are returning the favor."

Sasuke couldn't help but smirk at the women's choice of words. She just loved to make them wait. And if it was something good he could sweeten the deal for Sakura. He had been meaning to take her out sometime, but wasn't sure how to approach her. It was the least he could do for the girl after all she did for him. Throughout these past 4 years she stuck by him and got him to open up more to her and the people around him. And by doing this, he began to gain their trust back. He owed his life to her and he knew she would take good care of him. She always had, even in their genin days. And he was truly grateful for it.

"Now there's no use in making you wait any longer. I---"

"Finally Baa-chan! You made us wait forever!"

Without even a word needing to be said both Sasuke and Sakura smacked Naruto on the head at the same time and he fell to the floor.

"Itai! Teme! Sakura-chan!"

Sakura just laughed and Sasuke smirked. Naruto looked confused for a second but then stood up with a smile on his face and faced the godaime. He knew it was his fault and he didn't mind the hits that much. Tsunade smiled at Naruto for a second and then spoke up.

"I've deprived you of your ranks for long enough. It's time I promote you three. Sasuke you are now a chunin. Naruto, you are now a jounin. And Sakura, you are now Anbu."

Sakura and Naruto looked shocked for a second and then became confused.

"Anbu and Jounin, Tsunade-sama were just chunin and genin 4 years ago."

"Hai, once you brought Sasuke back, I should have promoted you four years ago. I owed you those ranks four years ago."

Naruto and Sakura looked skeptical for a second then smiled. Everyone else in the room was clapping and rejoicing. Sasuke was in pure shock. Sakura had become an Anbu. He knew she was strong, but she was obviously stronger than she thought.

Well I was moving at the speed of sound.
Head-spinning, couldn't find my way around, and
Didn't know that I was going down.
Yeah, yeah.
Where I've been, well it's all a blur.
What I was looking for, I'm not sure.
Too late and didn't see it coming.
Yeah, yeah.

"Sakura, you are the co-captain of your anbu squad. Once you get practice leading a squad, it will be yours. And Kakashi, you are welcomed to join Anbu back anytime you want."

"Arigatou Hokage-sama but I think I'm content with where I am right now."

"Hai."

Naruto grabbed Sakura and gave her a big hug and then the others started coming over to congratulate the three. Later that night, the three shinobi were given a huge surprise in the form of a party. Everyone made it a first priority to enjoy themselves. Soon it became late and everybody left. The only people that remained were Team 7.

While Naruto and Kakashi were playing Chinese poker in the living room, Sasuke took Sakura to the window and they both stared at the sky for a couple of minutes. The moon shined bright and the stars twinkled.

"Sakura, there was something I've been meaning to ask you. Would you like to come to dinner with me Friday night?"

"Is it a date?"

Sasuke blushed for a moment but quickly hid it. Sakura look at him for a second and looked out to the sky.

"Call it what you will Sakura. Well, what do you say?"

"Gomen Sasuke, but I can't."

"Nani?"

And then I crashed into you,
And I went up in flames.
Could've been the death of me,
But then you breathed your breath in me.
And I crashed into you,
Like a runaway train.
You will consume me,
But I can't walk away.

"Believe me, I want to, but it will only cause me pain. As long as you don't dispose of Itachi, you always push me aside and hurt like you always have. I know you are trying to protect me but I can't be apart of something like that. If you can't allow me to help then I don't want it. I've suffered enough because of you and I don't want to suffer anymore."

"Matte Sakura, you're wrong. I won't…"

"That's what you say now but when he appears again it will be another story. Don't tell me for once that you didn't think about Itachi at all while you were on probation. You want power and that's why you left."

For once in his life Sasuke was speechless. He didn't know how to respond or retort. He knew she was right and he loathed that fact.

"Gomen Sasuke. I'm sorry for what I said, I forgave you when you came back even though it doesn't sound like it now. If you can't commit yourself than I don't want it. I love you, believe me but I can't have you."

Somehow, I couldn't stop myself.
I just wanted to know how it felt.
Too strong, I couldn't hold on.
Yeah, yeah.
Now I'm just tryin' to make some sense
Out of how and why this happened.
Where we're heading, there's just no knowing.
Yeah, yeah.

"Sakura…"

By now the kunoichi was crying. Sasuke just wanted to grab her and give her a huge hug but he couldn't. His body didn't seem to want to move.

"Gomen Sasuke."

With that Sakura left the building and went outside and sat down on the front steps. Sasuke shoved his hands in his pocket and walked back to the other two. What he didn't know what that they had overheard the conversation. Everyone one was silent when he entered until Naruto spoke up.

"You should do it. You would be lucky to have her teme. She's more than you deserve."

"It's not that's easy."

"It is if you really love her."

And then I crashed into you,
And I went up in flames.
Could've been the death of me,
But then you breathed your breath in me.
And I crashed into you,
Like a runaway train.
You will consume me,
But I can't walk away.

Sasuke was a bit taken back by this sentence and took a moment to think things over. He hated to admit but they were all right.

"Arigatou Naruto."

"No problem teme."

Sasuke just smirked and Kakashi opened his mouth to speak.

"Go get her Sasuke."

Sasuke merely nodded ran out of the building down the stairs. When he stepped outside, he came face to face with Sakura.

From your face, your eyes
Are burning to me.
You saved me, you gave me
Just what I need.
Oh, just what I need.

"Sakura.. Arigatou. It won't be easy but you'll be by my side to help me."

Sakura just turned around as a small smile began to play on her lips. She had waited for this day all her life and it had finally come.

"Yeah well, you got to catch me first."

Sasuke smirked as Sakura took off fast. He stayed back a bit to admire the girl but then sped off as well. And it was all worth it when he heard her joyous laughter the whole way through.

And then I crashed into you,
And I went up in flames.
Could've been the death of me,
But then you breathed your breath in me.
And I crashed into you,
Like a runaway train.
You will consume me,
But I can't walk away.

And then I crashed into you,
And then I crashed into you,
And then I crashed into you,
And then I crashed into you,
And I crashed into you,
Like a runaway train.
You will consume me,
But I can't walk away

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There you go folks! The story has come to an end. Don't forget that there is a SEQUEL. Tell me what you guys think of having a sequel and tell me anything you would like to see happen in the sequel.

Song: Crashed – Chris Daughtry

I would like to thank all my wonderful reviewers. I could have not done it without you. Thank you all for reading my story. I hope you enjoyed it a lot. I know I did writing it.

Until next Time

Seguha