I suppose that I must apologize in advance for the brevity of the epilogue, but it is what it is. I do hope you're not all terribly disappointed, but this has always been the ending. Thank you all so very much for reviewing or putting me or my story on alert, but above all reading. My summer has been great, and this has definitely contributed. Hopefully you won't feel the need to throw things at me!

Epilogue

The next day, Sakura ascended the steps to Kurenai's apartment, a plastic bag hitting her thigh rhythmically as she moved. Reaching the door, she knocked; a few moments later, she was greeted by a familiar young boy, complete with trademark lollipop dangling from his mouth. Before Sakura could even ask, he said, "She's out."

There was a pause.

"Are you here for the tapes again?"

"Nope," Sakura answered. "I actually came to make a delivery."

Akio's eyes darted to the bag in Sakura's hand before returning to her face, and they stood facing each other in silence. Akio put particular emphasis on a prolonged suck of his lollipop, prompting Sakura to put her hands on her hips. The contents of the bags strained against the plastic as they slid with the movement.

She feigned annoyance. "So, whatever happened to our deal?"

Smacking his lips loudly around the lollipop, Akio said, "You hadn't been keeping your end of the bargain, so I capitalized on my opportunities."

"So your prize was more important than your promise?"

"I could say the same to you."

She raised an eyebrow at this sharp response. How old is this kid?

A smile curled Akio's stained lips. "Where candy is concerned, I give my loyalty to the highest bidder."

Making a noise of reluctant defeat, Sakura said, "Here." She handed him the bag.

"Lollipops?"

"Not quite." Sakura gave him the ghost of a wink. "Say hi to your mom for me." As Akio peeked into the bag, she closed the door and left.

(…)

The night before, Sakura had dreamed.

Sakura was walking through a meadow. She glanced casually at the flowers; wild and colorful, they spread, devoid of a pattern, across the endless, grassy landscape. Squinting, Sakura peered into the distance. She could just make out a girl bending over and picking some.

She started moving towards the girl, beginning in a curious walk but progressing into a run. The girl, however, seemed only to be getting farther and farther away.

"Rin!"

The girl looked up when Sakura called. At first Rin looked confused, straightening up and clinging to her wicker basket. After a few moments, she smiled. "Kakashi," she said, sounding relieved.

Sakura stopped running. Eyes wide, she watched as Kakashi walked past her. She had not sensed him behind her, but he strolled over to Rin, and they embraced. When they broke apart, he turned to scan the area behind Sakura. She opened her mouth to speak, but Kakashi put a finger to his. She found herself frozen, completely entranced by the way the breeze moved his silvery locks. His image began to shimmer, changing in the light as if it couldn't decide whether he was sixteen or thirty-eight.

Frowning, Rin gathered the fabric of Kakashi's sleeve in one hand; Sakura reached out to grab the other. They both began to tug, pulling violently at Kakashi. He did not protest; he merely began laughing hysterically as he had in the hospital tape. His laughter was shrill and almost inhuman, causing the flowers at his feet to wither and die.

They jerked him back and forth, gritting their teeth and cursing each other. Kakashi's arms seemed to stretch with each rough movement, elongating until they were thrice the length of his body. His laughter had transformed into high-pitched shrieks, his hysteria having reached the limit. With an ear-splitting crack, they broke him; and as his arms snapped his entire body became straw, drifting slowly to the ground and falling softly in the flowers.

Both Rin and Sakura fell to their hands and knees, grasping at the straws. They called out his name, but there was no response— only the soft chirping of birds in the background. Distraught, both girls put their hands to their faces and cried.