Summary: What if Sasuke never left for power? What if their lives went on, as they would have? And what if Sakura started liking a certain blonde-haired ninja a little too early for Sasuke's liking? What if their world is different from what it really is? This is reality, and its hitting them all a little too hard.

Disclaimer: No, I do not own Naruto. If I did, many more plot twists & much more Sakura liking Naruto-ness.

Pairings: Naruto/Sakura and slight Sasuke/Sakura

Thanxs to: Gnosismaster, young kagome, Advent Griever, spazzgirl, me like narusaku, Krymsom, simone, wind797, Ed, MiseryluvsDeath, andriod84, Mr. Lee, naner, Chaos star951, Flying Fox of Snowy Mountain, RoyDebonair, Kokuou no Shin'en, ARtemIs07, Becca331110, keko1111, NaruSaku Romance, & drag-eart for reviewing. Thanxs you guys!

Afterword

Sakura's POV

Two weeks. Two solid, full weeks. Had it really been that long… since that mission? That very last mission we went on. Together.

Its the last time I saw him.

I cried at his funeral. What's new? It seems that's all I've been doing lately. I didn't want to, but it seemed as if the tears fell by themselves. And I had no control over them. Did I really want to? I really didn't want to come, I didn't want to see him like this, but I couldn't not come. I'd be kicking myself for it later. Everybody came-that's a good side. If there is one. I guess he really was loved by the village after all.

Sasuke seemed unfazed at it, like he didn't care. Probably didn't. The Rookie Nine, Lee's team, even Gaara and them came all the way from Sand. Lady Tsunade, Jaiaya, Kakashi, Iruka. Everyone came. I'm glad.

Its a silver lining beneath these dark clouds.

The sky had cried for him as well, as the sun set into night. A nighttime funeral. How cliché. Lady Tsunade had talked during it but I couldn't keep my head up. It was too sad. I couldn't just stare up like everything was all right. I hate myself. Why did this have to happen? Its my fault, all my fault.

After it finally ended, everyone departed their ways, the rain still falling down. Everyone cried along with it. I looked at Sasuke as he walked home. I loathed that bastard even more now. We haven't talked since the mission, nor been sent on any more, not that I'm complaining. I never want to be close to that ass again! I'm glad I can see that now, but I just wish… I could have sooner.

Everyone has been down since then. Two weeks is a long time to be down, but how couldn't you? He's like a painful memory that you want to forget, but never can. An image burned into your brain forever, to say whether you like it or not. But would you want to forget? A part of my wanted to, to get on with my life, but I know I can't. He's been a part of it for far too long, and I can't just forget. I would NEVER want to forget, even if it hurts me every night.

Its my fault he's dead, and this is my curse for it. The price I have to pay. I led him down that path, the one never to return from the mission. I can never forget what I did. I'm guilty, and its a part of my soul now.

I sighed, looking up at the sky. Two weeks. Two weeks since that mission. Two weeks since the funeral. Two weeks since he died. I watched the day slowly turn to night as I walked home. Alone. I opened the door to my house, seeing that my parents weren't home. I traveled the stairs up to my room, opening the door, and clicking it shut. I quietly changed into my bedtime clothes, all the while staring at our Team 7 picture.

I crawled into bed, pulling the covers up. I closed my eyes, trying to get to sleep, but all I could see was him. My eyes started watering but I refused to let the tears drop. I sighed, trying to clear my mind of everything. But how can I do that knowing that I'm a murderer. That I've killed my lover? That it was my fault? That I sent him to his doom with my own words, hatred dripping from them? I didn't mean to, I never meant to. I love him. Why did this happen?

I sighed again, now turning on my side to see if it would help. It didn't. Sigh… why must we have fought before? Why did I say what I did? I didn't mean it! And I don't regret it, I don't regret doing anything with him at all! I loved every moment of it, but I was so mad and stupid at the time to admit it. I didn't mean what I said. But its too late now, its too late for anything. Sorry can't help him. Sorry can't do anything. All I can do is feel guilty for what happened. And I do.

I turned back onto my back, staring up at the ceiling. It made me feel tired. And lonely. Visions of the mission filled my head, and I just let them. What else could I do? They would always haunt me for the rest of my days. How could I let this happen? Everything had gone from bad to worse in a matter of days.

I closed my eyes, feeling stupid and foolish for ever saying those words to him at all. I felt sleep overtake me soon enough, and I let it.

:) :p ;)

A feeling. A sense that all ninjas had. A creak of the floorboards. Someone was here, I could feel it. I grabbed the mattress under the covers, wanting to open my eyes and grab the nearest weapon. Yet I couldn't. Like a force had taken over my body, I couldn't open my eyes, I didn't want to.

The bed dipped under the extra weight, but I kept quiet, pretending I was asleep. My heart was racing, as well as my brain. I desperately wanted it to be him, but I was scared that if I opened my eyes, there would be nothing there. So I kept them closed, my mind making pictures of its own.

I felt it crawl up my body until it covered me completely, its mouth by my ear, its hands and knees on the outside of my own. I felt its breath slowly breath onto my ear, the feeling sending shivers down my spine. My heart thumped against my chest, so loud it rang in my ears.

Who was this? How could it be? My mind had pictures of its own, but it couldn't possibly be. They were smiling, I could tell. At least in my mind they were. My body tensed up, wanting to know who it was. It couldn't possible be who I thought it was. Its impossible. My mind shut down, feeling blackness all around me. And the steady beat of two hearts joined in harmony.

"I forgive you."

The End

Author's Note: Well, the time comes in every story where it must end. This, unfortunately, is it. No, I will not make a sequel. This story took WAY too much outta me & my time, to even THINK about a sequel to it! I wouldn't know where to start! Uh... sorry for the lack of length. I tried to make it as long as possible but I ran out of details. Sorry. I actually like this length, after I cut out a few parts & added some. hehe! Anywho, so… what do you think of it? I hope none of y'all are pissed at the ending I wrote. I decided to leave it up to you, the reviewers, to decide what happens. Is Naruto really dead? Or is he? Is it Nar/Sak at the end? Do you think it was a horrible ending? Hopefully its not the last one. Yes, this story ended Nar/Sak. Like I've been saying to several reviewers, it all depends on how you view the ending. And that's what I like about it, that y'all can make up what happens next. I call it… partly Nar/Sak. Its… understood Nar/Sak… if you catch my drift.

Many thanxs to everyone who enjoyed this story & gave me love along the way! I love you all! Long live Naruto!