Sifting Changes
Disclaimer: I do not own Naruto.
Warnings: character death (not of main character of this storyline)
Music Choice: Black Balloon (Goo Goo Dolls)
Betareader:PinkSakuraPetals
For earthbender068 and gheeb for awesome reviews (and being the only two who did).

--x--

She is twenty-seven and still is head medic when she goes to tell Naruto something important.

"I'm getting married."

The blonde laughs and doesn't look up to see her when she says it, as if he thinks it is a joke. Maybe he does. She is quiet and he looks back up and the blonde seems surprised that her face is grim and almost filled with despair.

"What?"

"My name will be Hyuuga Sakura in the near future. I thought you should know before we told everyone else."

It's probably the monotone she uses to tell him but he still sputters. "H—huug—ga? Hyuuga?!"

He stands as she nods. "We tell the others at the celebration this following Thursday."

"But that's in five days!" Naruto looks angry. "Sakura, you can't marry Neji."

"That's not for you to decide," she says grimly.

At this moment, Naruto sees the tear stains on her cheeks. "Have you been crying?"

"It doesn't matter, Naruto. Let it go."

"Why? What happened? Where were you just now?"

"Perhaps if you ask Nara Shikamaru, he would be able to tell you in full detail and accuracy. I'll simply state the stupid points in the story."

"What? Shikamaru? What happened? Sakura-chan," Naruto's hand is brushed away when he tries to reach for her.

"It doesn't matter because I'm getting married, Naruto. End of story."

"Your fairytale sucks, Sakura-chan," he huffs out. "It wasn't supposed to go this way. And it really, really sucks."

"It is now, and stop thinking I was supposed to be with someone else."

"We all knew you were supposed to be with Shikamaru."

She eyes him. "Naruto, did you know he was in love with me?"

"He told you, didn't he?" Naruto gives a lopsided grin in attempt to calm her.

"You've always known…haven't you?" she doesn't cry; she can't, not this time. "Why didn't you tell me? Why didn't anyone bother to tell me?"

"Because you were supposed to find out later on…" Naruto sighs out. "And he was supposed to tell you a long time ago…"

"It's too late!" she cries out. "I'm in love with someone else…"

"But that's not—"

"This is real life, Naruto. This isn't a fairytale. And I'm not in a fairytale. Those things I actually believed in when I was a child. Now that's over."

"Sakura-chan, you're in denial," Naruto glares and for once, she backs down and lets him continue. "You're not in love with Neji. You two aren't supposed to be together."

"Stop it, Naruto!"

"Sakura-chan, just listen!"

"No, not anymore! He told me what he thought of me! I know now. I was never there. It was him who cared throughout that dysfunctional friendship. I'm not going to make up all those times. I'm too tired of trying to make up for things, Naruto."

"That's not what I'm asking of you."

"Then what?!"

In the next second, he has her engulfed into a hug and she clings to him as if a lifeline.

"This, Sakura-chan, this is what I'm asking of you."

"What do you mean?" she sobs out as she cries into the Hokage robes he's wearing. "I'm not doing anything…"

"Just love, Sakura," Naruto whispers and gives her a broken smile. "Don't be like me. My real feelings have been closed off for so long, I didn't know how to show them anymore. I still have trouble. Sakura-chan…don't do that. Change…change is hard but I know you're one to learn well from this. I know you'll understand how to show what you feel in no time!"

He grins again and she lets her head rest on his shoulder.

Something inside her breaks.

And a little of something else is healed.

--X--

He is twenty-eight and still likes the clouds when Neji comes into his office.

It's a surprise, to say the least. What does the Hyuuga want this time? Hyuuga doesn't smile or even greet him when he sits on the other side of the desk.

"I'm only here for a little while."

"All right," a nod from the other.

"I wanted to get something across from you," Neji leans across the desk, glaring venomously at the ANBU captain. "You screw up and I—including a lot of others—will have your head."

"Um…I'm sorry… What?"

"She doesn't love me, you dunce. It's you."

Darkened eyes widen. "Excuse me? Who are we talking about?"

"We both know who I'm talking about," Neji says because it's the truth. Neji leans back in his seat and chuckles suddenly, despite himself. "I always knew it. I'm not stupid like you are now,"—they both glare at each other for a moment—"but I thought it could change. It did…but then she fell right back in love with you."

"What? But she said—!"

"Don't," Neji glares. "I'm not finished."

It's quiet for a few moments.

"I broke it off… She loves you too much, even though she won't admit it yet. And to think…she would have gone through with it. Good thing we didn't tell anybody—well, save for you and Naruto."

The other man frowns. "As much as I'm flattered you're spending time to give me more than the usual two words, I have to interrupt here." Neji looks at him expectantly. "Why are you telling me this?"

"Because you're going to stop hiding and you're going to go to her."

"No," the captain chuckles, "I'm not going to do that. Not after our last encounter."

"You mean the one two months ago?" Neji glares. It's returned by another. "I'm telling you, Nara, I'll personally kill you if you don't make her happy."

"I never made her happy. You're the one who did that, remember?"

"For a few months and because you didn't take the initiative, she's someone stuck in her apartment, believing you hate her."

"I don't. She knows that."

"Then stop making her believe it."

"It's not that easy, Hyuuga."

"That's never stopped you before," Neji hisses. "You're wasting your time. Naruto's not too happy either."

"Hyuuga, stop your lecturing and just go back to her," he gestures to the door then glancing to his paperwork. "I'm not going to mess this up anymore than I have already."

"I've giving you till the end of the mission."

"What?"

Neji starts to get up and leave. Before he does, he hisses out, "Remember, you screw this up and you're in trouble."

"Death threats are becoming of you, Hyuuga."

A slammed door is his reply.

--X--

She is twenty-seven and still protects the ones she loves when they are sent on the mission.

Naruto goes, Tsunade personally takes over the position of Hokage whilst he is gone for the few weeks. Neji, Hinata, Sai, Kiba, Genma, Nara, Lee, Naruto and she are all attending the mission; Naruto says if it's gets even more dangerous, they're going to request for Gaara. It will, but there won't be time to ask for help, she figures. She stays near Naruto the whole time and sometimes she catches him and Neji glaring in the direction of their leader—a certain Nara she refuses to speak with.

Neji still speaks with her and she feels broken each time he does. He was the one to stop the engagement. She feels unwanted, though he assures her that isn't the reason. He sincerely tells her it's because they were not meant to be. She doesn't want to believe that but it's gradually settling in and she's starting to loathe herself again.

When they reach up to where Sasuke is supposed to be, they are ambushed. Naruto immediately goes into Kyuubi mode, having now controlled his state now. He channels his charka to knock out Sasuke, though the Uchiha easily defends himself. The other sound-nins are taken care of by the others and a few are left, along with Sasuke.

It's a quick fight, she thinks. Because suddenly, Sasuke temporally paralyzes Naruto and in an instant, he is in back of their leader. Faintly, Sakura hears Hinata's scream, followed by a shout from Neji. She realizes she's screaming as well when Sasuke swipes out his swords and is ready to pierce their precious Nara.

And she moves fast because, because she just has to get there. When she tackles Sasuke in time, she realizes her own time will be up. The sword had fallen against her the process and she's suddenly gasping for air, only to cough up blood. Sasuke, himself, doesn't know what to do and he that costs him his life, for suddenly Naruto is there and throws his kunai at the Uchiha.

Arms embrace her body and she feels them hold onto her gently, as if she will break at anytime. (Too late, she thinks morbidly, I'm already broken.) Her eyes start to loose sight but she knows it's him who carries her. Not Naruto, not Neji. Him. For only a moment, a memory flashes before her eyes and she sees a small boy smiling with a ponytail and sparkling onyx eyes. And when she finally looses consciousness, she whispers something:

"I…I was there…for you."

--X--

He is twenty-eight and still likes the clouds when he is more scared than anything else once again.

Once upon a time, he remembers Sai had told him: "If she dies, I'll kill them all."

True to his word, he killed the remaining sound-nins. Along with the rest of them (Naruto, Kiba, Neji, Genma, Lee, Hinata, he counts) in a matter of seconds. But not him.

He stays there, holding her in his arms. She's still is breathing but he knows that won't last. She's dying slowly and he can't seem to find it in him to do anything else. Her eyes are closed and it has finality about it.

Hinata rushes over and pours charka into the wounded companion. But her eyes are still closed and Hinata nearly passes out. Naruto catches her when she falls and he looks over to the dying woman. She's doing to die, Naruto's eyes seem to say. Their Hokage looks as if he's a hurt puppy and the blonde doesn't say anything else. Sai stands only two yards away, a true frown creasing his features, whilst Neji falls to his knees and clenches his fists. Genma and Kiba stay standing, looking away painfully, whilst Lee tries to suppress the tears.

But that's not it for him. He takes the sword out of her quickly and places his hand over her bleeding wound. He's never known much about medical jutsu, but he strives to remember everything she had taught him in the past. His hand suddenly grows green and the rest watch. Genma suddenly seems to understand what he is doing and plants a hand on the shoulder of his leader, channeling charka into him so that it may help. When he's sure there is nothing vitally wrong with her organs, he works on the wound itself.

He passes out before he can finish.

--X--

She is twenty-seven and still protects the ones she loves when she awakens with a jerk.

It's cold around her but it's not like death. Cold air, but no coldness inside her. She's not dead. But she's somewhere and finally, she comes to realize that she's in a hospital bed. When her green eyes give her vision again, she sees Sai sitting on a chair next to the bed.

When Sai sees her awake, she swears he has a look of complete relief wash over him. And she gestures for him to come over when she can't sit up herself, so when he does, she embraces him because needs to feel if he's real. To know if anything is real. He tightly embraces her back and for once, Sai doesn't say anything offensive. In fact, he doesn't make a sound, instead he rushes out of the room and a couple minutes later, Tsunade is crashing into the room.

"You're back," Tsunade states breathlessly from the doorway.

She nods with a smile. "I am."

And Tsunade is there in a second to tightly hug her, almost smothering her and it hurts suddenly because something in her abdomen shoots pain. Tsunade explains that she was stabbed with a sword (here she says she remembers that), "You were out for two nights and one day," and goes on to say that, "Shikamaru and Genma were able to heal the important parts before it caused any true damage. Shikamaru couldn't stop the bleeding because he fainted from exhaustion before he could. He's been unconscious since. We think it's mostly because of a mental health issue he's dealing with."

Before she can let out a string of question of how everyone was doing and where he was now, someone rushes into the room. Kakashi. She smiles and he only stares.

"Sorry I'm late."

"It's all right, sensei. I'm glad you're here."

There's a nod from her teacher. She sighs and gestures for him to come near. When he does she asks:

"Can I just have one hug from my sensei?"

And he gives her one. Soon, Naruto is there and so is Neji. They all come. Tenten, along with her husband, Kiba, then Lee, Genma (who is only there to see how she is doing), Hinata (who nearly jumps on her) and Choji with his child. They all are there, except for one.

Hinata sees her looking at the door expectantly. "He's resting, Sakura-chan."

"Oh."

"But would you like to see him?"

"Yes," she replies readily, "I would like to be there."

--X--

He is twenty-eight and still likes the clouds when he awakens in a hospital room.

Someone is shaking him and telling him to wake up and he's sure that's Hinata's voice telling whomever it is to stop. He opens his eyes to see pink hair and green eyes. Then he blinks until his vision is regained properly and he sits up, observing the sight before him.

She's in a wheelchair and it's obvious Hinata pushed her there. She smiles and lets her hands rest in her lap. She was in a white hospital gown and it appeared her hair had been brushed very nicely before coming. Hinata wears her usual uniform but a sweet and very unlike-Hinata smile is plastered on her face.

"Y—you're here…"

A heartbeat later: "I'm trying to be."

He smiles, understanding the comment. "And you're all right?"

"Yes. You?"

"I'll be in the other room, Sakura," Hinata says and smiles at him for a goodbye.

Moments later, she's out of the room and they are left alone. It's quiet and he feels comfort in it. It's simply nice to have her there. Just like it always was. Suddenly, he feels her take his hand in hers. He lets his eyes rest on her and sees her sincere smile.

"No more games," she says lightly, "no more hints, no more pretending and no more trying. We're doing this the right way."

He doesn't have to ask what she means. "All right."

"I apologize. I truly never was there and took you for granted—took everyone for granted. But no more of that. I was…wrong. And I know admitting this is the only way to get you back. I'm willing to stop this unruly and horrible friendship to start a better one."

"I am too," he replies and places a hand over hers. "And I…I should have told you everything earlier. Way earlier. I kept…everything from you. That's not what friends do. I didn't take the responsibility well. As troublesome as this is, I'm admitting I was wrong too."

She grins. "Good, because I didn't want to point that out for you."

He sighs. "You're troublesome."

"And you can be annoying. Very much so."

"Then," he grins, "we're even."

"Yes," she leans in and hugs him softly and pulls back before he can wrap his arms around her. He feels her pause and sees the green eyes close and wince in pain from her abdomen. "I had better go now."

He nods, seeing her reasons why. "Good day…"

"What? No extra 'troublesome'?" she jokes and calls for Hinata. He smiles nicely and he knows she's satisfied with that for an answer.

When Hinata pushes the wheelchair that contains the pink haired woman out of the room, the man looks out his window and reflects. A sakura tree blows in the wind; its blossoms at full bloom for spring.

Yes, she was wrong. And so was he.

In the end, it was truly she who was always there.

--X--

She is twenty-seven and still protects the ones she loves when she asks Choji a question.

It's been a week since speaking with the Nara and it doesn't bother her; she used to this sort of cycle. So she is over at Choji's and is helping him with his child. Little two year old Chojian laughs when the ramen plops right in his lap.

The small two year old has found a liking for butterflies, so she usually brings books of the insects or sometimes a small toy. Choji will thank her each time, seemingly too busy to get one for the boy himself. Choji had once said to her that: "He'll ask Shika if he wants to go 'butterfly-watching'. I remember Shika just stared," much to her amusement.

"Could I ask you something?" Choji says as he comes into the kitchen.

"Of course, Choji," she tries to clean up the mess as the toddler makes it harder to do so.

"Would you be his godmother?"

It's a sudden question and she isn't sure she heard right. But he looks at her expectantly as he munches on some chips from the cupboard (he no longer has to hide them, since the death of his wife). She tries to think of a valid and good answer and finally blurts out:

"Yes, I would be honored."

He grins at her answer. "Thank you, Sakura-san."

When she nods, he walks over to the table where his son and she are seated and kneels before them.

"Eat your food, Chojian," the father says smoothly and amazingly, the toddler goes right to work. She eyes the child and rolls her eyes.

"Choji?"

"Yes, Sakura-san."

"How did you know Ino was to be your wife?"

Whenever they talk about Ino, it doesn't feel painful. It's usually welcome, and oh, she feels so good when she can speak with somebody about her best friend. Choji is that person. She finds it interesting how it's the husband to feel this with; he's often said he feels comfortable doing the same thing.

Choji seems to pause, thinking about this for a moment.

"We were like puzzle pieces, I guess," says Choji, as she wipes ramen juice from the toddler's face. "We fit. Everything fell into place."

"Tell me the story," she asks happily, wishing to know. He obliges with a nod.

"T'was Naruto who knocked it into us," he smirks. "I was on a mission and she was on another. We both came back at the same time but we both had gone through 'near death experiences'."

She nods for him to continue.

"Naruto wasn't Hokage, then, as you remember, but when he heard about it, he blew up in our faces. He told us that we only had one shot at life and needed to fill it out before we die. That night, I asked Ino's father if I could have the permission to court her. He said yes, naturally, because our parents are friends. So he helped me send flowers with a note, asking her to date me."

She frowns. "I don't remember Ino ever telling me this…"

"And she wanted to keep it that way," Choji gives her a sad grin, "because of what she did next."

"What?"

"When she received the flowers, she stomped all the way to my place and threw the flowers in my face. She screamed things at me. I remember she said something that just made me want to cry."

"What was that?"

"She told me I wasn't Sasuke and I would never be," Choji smiles, "but the next day, there were many flowers at my door. More than I had time to count. When I asked the Yamanaka's about it, the father said he had no idea. Ino came to me later on in the day and hugged me, saying she was sorry."

She suddenly feels like she's heard this story before. But listens anyway.

"And when I told her I was wrong to push this onto her, she immediately said I was right to. See, Sakura-san, she wasn't ready for change but that day, she allowed her world to finally turn around. Three months later, we were engaged."

"That's a nice story," she says smiling. "A happy one."

"Yes, it's a nice fairytale, isn't it?"

"But that's not where it ends, though," she frowns, "Ino still dies in the end."

"Ah, but, look here, Sakura," Choji taps her nose and grins, "we got our fairytale anyway. You see, fairytales may end at a certain point, but the real story goes on. That's reality. But if we let change sift through our lives, we can taste the fairytales we long for."

For a minute, she thinks upon this. Did she ever have a taste of a fairytale in her life?

Each time she blinks, she sees memories. Suddenly, she gasps. "You're right!"

"Daddy's right!"

Chojian throws his hands in the air and all the pork ramen goes flying through it as well. After a couple of seconds, Choji and she burst out laughing, knowing ramen noodles are all over them. She pulls the long noodles from Choji's hair and he brushes some off her shoulders and lap.

"Yes, Chojian," she giggles, "he's very right. Don't forget it."

She sees the tearful smile and blush Choji has.

--X--

He is twenty-eight and still likes the clouds when he decides to visit her.

But she's at the market when he's on the way to her apartment. He stands behind her when he's sure she doesn't know he's there. She's seems to be in a troublesome decision to buy the cherries on sale. He smirks when he thinks of all the cherries in his own refrigerator.

"I'd get them."

First she glances over her shoulder then turns fully and a gasp escapes her mouth. When her jade eyes fall upon him, he feels himself blush suddenly.

"Shika! I was on my way to see you!"

"How troublesome," he mutters, "I was to go see you."

"Oh? What for?"

He notices she's decided to buy the cherries.

"Just to see you."

She seems to eye him and breaks out in a smile. "I'm honored."

"Don't get too cocky about it, troublesome blossom."

He grimaces. How cliché.

"I love that name," she states and heads over to buy the cherries. "Can I keep it?"

"Troublesome. It doesn't matter…"

"Yes it does," she turns to nudge him gently, "I like it."

"Then you can keep it."

"Will you call me it?"

He rolls his eyes at the attention the pet name was being given. "Yes. But it still doesn't matter."

She hand over the money to a man and the cherries are officially hers. "Y'know…you can be very annoying at times."

"Then we're still even."

A chuckle is heard from her. Then he feels her tap his shoulder. "We were always even."

"That's…good."

"Mm-hmm."

She takes a cherry from the bag and holds it in front of his face.

"What?"

"Want it?"

He rolls his eyes again.

"It doesn't m—"

The cherry is suddenly stuck inside his mouth and he hears her laughter. He glares at her running form and takes off after her. When he tackles her to the ground, it's right on the side of the street and everyone there is watching with bewilderment. He has her pinned to the ground and she's grinning up at him, whilst he smirks.

"Coffee?"

"Your treat."

"Troublesome."

"Annoying."

And at the same time they say: "Even."

--X--

She's twenty-eight and still protects the ones she loves when she is confronted by someone.

"I never liked you before."

Glancing up from her paperwork, she sees Sabuko no Temari. She frowns at the blonde.

"I don't—"

"But I can see why he didn't choose me."

She frowns in confusion again.

"I don't understand."

"Yeah, well," Temari sits upon her desk and grins, "I get that a lot."

"But what does this—?"

"He's never smiled at me like he does to you… And whatever makes him happy…well, I guess I can't get in the way of that."

"Temari-san, I'm sor—"

"Don't," Temari shushes her. "I just wanted you to know that."

Her features soften and she reaches out to cover her hand over Temari's.

"You know…" she begins, "there are many more guys that have been waiting for you glance at them…"

Temari raises an eyebrow.

"What?"

She nods. "But you'll have to look…"

Temari grins. "All right…"

She smiles gently. "'Kay."

"And Sakura-chan?"

"Uh…yes, Temari…-chan?"

"What I meant…was that I like you now."

There's another gentle smile.

"Thank you, Temari-chan."

--X--

He's twenty-nine and still likes the clouds when Naruto approaches him with a glare.

"Can I help you, Hokage-sama?"

"Yeah, you could…" Naruto begins, "Let's take a walk."

He's not sure he wants to.

"All right."

"So you're dating Sakura-chan now, right?"

"…Troublesome. Yes, I am."

"Hn."

"Could I ask you a question?"

"Go ahead."

"Why didn't you stop me?"

"…what do you mean, Shikamaru?"

"When I got Sakura-san on the mission the second time. The one to get…Uchiha Sasuke."

"As you recall, Shikamaru, we didn't 'get' him…"

"In a way, we did."

Naruto smirks. "Yes, I guess you're right."

"So?"

"…It was for her…and myself."

"What do—?"

"Sakura-chan…she needed to confront Sasuke herself. And me…I—I'm not good at helping others too much with that…"

"Hmm."

"I didn't know it would nearly get her killed."

There is a silence as they walk on the path.

"What did you want to talk about, Naruto-sama?"

"Sakura, actually."

"Oh."

Naruto stops walking and gives him a hard stare.

"Treat her right."

"Pardon?"

"Treat Sakura-chan right. It's her birthday soon, ne? Treat her right, Shikamaru."

"What do you mean?"

"Plan her birthday," Naruto grins, "Girls like that."

"…should I be afraid you know that?"

"Perhaps…"

"Troublesome."

"Yep."

--X--

She's twenty-nine and still protects the ones she loves when he asks her a question.

It's at night and he takes her to the field they had once walked upon. He locks their hands together as they walk through the tall grass. The moon is their only light to see but in truth, they're nins and they don't need just the light of the moon. They pad silently through the grass without trouble, hands entwined.

It's an oh-so cool night and she very much likes it that way. The wind blows in her hair frilly pink hair and the white dress she has on blows in it too. He wears a loose black shirt tonight and his usual shorts. It's an interesting change and she likes it. Though, really, she says it's him who she will always like. He tugs at an earring and she takes it as a sign that he's contemplating to say something to her, for that's become a habit.

It's the night of her birthday.

"There's the stream," she says softly and she feels him tense for a moment, so she points in he direction. "See, over there."

"Yeah, yeah, I see it," he finally says with a sigh. When they sit by the running water, he turns to her. She smiles at him.

"Thank you for today."

"It was Naruto's idea to throw the party at Chouji's."

"It was nice of you to plan it, though."

"Hinata did most of the work…"

"But you still went through with it," she smiles.

He returns it with a small one. "Yeah…"

She realizes that's the close to a "Your welcome" she'll get from him. She considers teasing him about it but in the end decides against it. Instead, she leans towards him and kisses his cheek softly, jolting him for a moment. It's nice to hear the stream and to sit besides him again. But in the corner of her eye, she sees his discomfort. He's tugging at the earring again and seems to be in deep thought.

"Sakura?"

"Yes?"

"Marry me?"

She considers it for a few moments. Then turns to him with a smile.

"No."

He narrows his eyes but she can tell his more disappointed than what he's letting on.

"Why?"

"You should know that."

He mutters a 'troublesome' and sighs. "Can't you tell me this time?"

"Too lazy to figure it out?"

"Something like that."

She takes his hand and she sees him wince.

"Ask me tomorrow."

"Why not now? What's so different?" he questions and she knows he has every right to do as such.

"Because I want us to be quiet for tonight."

His eyes narrow again but this time in thought. Soon, he nods and she smiles.

"See," she says, "we see eye to eye now."

"I suppose."

"We're like two pieces of a puzzle."

He thinks on that one. "We fit, you mean?"

"Yes."

They both grin. That night, she falls right into his arms by the stream and he soon lays his head on the grass, for he grows tired as well. When she is sure he's asleep, she reaches up and pulls out the band that ties his hair together. The dark hair is set free and she runs her hands through it silently, hearing his steady breathing.

His eyes flutter open for a moment and his arms around her tighten a little. She soothes him but cupping the side of his face and stroking his hair a little more. Her whispers are enough for him to settle back to sleep.

"It's all right, I'm here, I'm here. I'm here, I'm here."

--X--

He is twenty-nine and still likes the clouds when he wakes up in her arms.

They part ways as soon as she wakes up and he's off to Choji's. He says he'll be proposing to her and Chouji congratulates him heartily. Chouji gives him advice and then information of where to find a nice ring. And he's off again.

He tells Naruto and the blonde literally jumps into the air and laughs. "Finally!" he says and the blonde runs off to find Tsunade and possibly others. He groans…Naruto would be the death of him.

It's a nice and sunny day; wind blows lightly. When he starts off to her house, he tries to think of ways to really ask her. He had so much trouble last night but now it's even harder, since she's expecting it. So he goes over lines in his head.

As he passes the park near her house, he spots pink. He soon realizes that she's sitting in the middle of the green grass of the park, where small wild flowers grow on their will. When he approaches her, she suddenly stands but, look! Her back is to him so she can't see him, oh, no. She starts walking towards a patch of white flowers.

Oh, no! She suddenly falls flat on her stomach and she groans audibly. He cocks his head to the side and he feels like this has happened before (see, he's suddenly forgotten) and walks to her. Look, look! His shadow casts over her form (just it was always supposed to do) and she looks up, appearing miserable.

He grins oh-so nicely and he sees her eyes shimmer at the sight of him. But, wait, is he going to tease her? She's a grown woman after all. And ninja. She shouldn't be stumbling over her own two feet!

"Can I sit there?"

Suddenly, they're not grown up anyone. They're children. His short ponytail and her big forehead. And since he's smiling so nicely at her, she nods her head and doesn't run off like the last time. He plops next to her and he grins again and she returns it with a smile.

He holds out a small hand gives him her own small one. Still grinning, he places a folded red cloth in her hand. She looks at him questioningly and he nods his head. She unfolds it and realizes it's a red ribbon (hasn't she seen this somewhere before?). But, what's this? Something falls into her lap and she glances down to see a ring; its sparkle is beautiful, for it's silver and diamond.

And they're adults again instantly. He still grins and she's laughing, letting a couple tears escape.

"Marry me?"

"You know I will." Because they both know she will.

"Yeah…" he says, placing the ring on her finger.

When she glances up to see his face, her lips are suddenly met with his.

"You're my troublesome blossom officiously as of now," he whispers as his lips move against her softly.

"Will you take good care of me?" Her eyes sparkle.

"You know I will." Because he's sure he can promise that.

"But," she says suddenly, "where did you get the ribbon?"

"Hinata thought it'd be good for me to keep it for a while," he tells her, "and I kept it 'till then."

"I love our friends," she giggles.

"Yeah," he says, thinking of Naruto and Choji, "me too."

And then another crosses their mind and she's sure she saw Ino across the park by the swings, smiling gently at them.

--X--

She is twenty-nine and still protects the ones she loves when she makes amends with her parents.

She gets right to the point, ignoring the awkwardness.

I didn't mean to hurt you all, she tells them.

"We were wrong to just throw you into the Academy," her mother says after many tears and shouts. "We ignored you."

She nods. "But I should have known it'd be that way. I have a family within them now.

But I do love you. Now, at least."

Her father grunts and tries to leave the room.

Sakura turns to her father, "Tou-san, I know change is extremely hard, but, believe me, I regretted never telling you how I felt for a while. I wanted you both to know that I…well, I was… Okay, here's the thing: I always am in danger going on missions. But just a few months ago I was very, very close to death."

Her mother gasps and the father winces.

"It wasn't like the normal near death experiences, Mama, Papa. But…I was saved. I thought of a few things when I was in the hospital. One of those things was my relationship with you. I never got around to telling you sorry for never trying to love you ever again. But I am now. I've had so much bitterness for a while, but it's gone now. Things have finally dawned upon me. Will you forgive me?"

"Sakura…" her mother whispers and suddenly starts sobbing. She's there and starts hugging her mother. "Will you forgive me?! You were our only child but your father's company…! It was so hard to keep track of you and raise you properly. I was never a caring mother, Sakura, will you forgive, my dear?"

"Always, okaa-san," she lets a tear fall, "Now I will always forgive. And I'll try to be there for you now."

Later, when Haruno Mai—her mother—is making tea in the other room, she turns to her father, whose been quiet the whole time.

"Tou-san?"

"You're right."

"Pardon?"

"It's hard to swallow down bitterness," he sighs out. "I was wrong as well, Sakura. I've…always been a terrible father. I've heard from others that your family is truly within the ninja. But…if you want a second home, I'll be…happy if you choose this to be it."

She quickly embraces her father and smiles. "I have a question for you. I've always wanted to know."

"Yes, my daughter?"

"How did you and okaa-san meet? How did you know she was to be your wife?"

He grins suddenly. "This is interesting… A Haruno always asks this question of their father before getting married themselves…"

She smiles. "I'm a Haruno then."

"Yes…" he grunts. "I remember it was my forehead."

"Hmm?"

"Yes. I have a big forehead and when all the children were teasing me about it—I was sensitive child then—Mai, your mother, came out in the middle of all of them and yelled at them all."

"All of them?"

"All of them. And even after that, she asked me the silliest of all questions for the time. We were seven after all…"

"What was that?"

"If I wanted some of her tea…"

She laughs. "Did you say yes?"

"No. But later on, when we met again, she asked again. I said yes and poured it for her. That's how I proposed, you see, I placed the ring in the tea."

She gapes. "…really."

"Yes," he's lost in thought and smiles. "So whose the boy, my daughter?"

"Nara Shikamaru."

He gapes. "Nara?"

"Yes…"

He laughs suddenly. "How interesting."

"How so?"

"I remember he came up to me—Kami, he was fifteen at the time because you were fourteen—and he asked me something interesting."

"What?"

"He asked if I was going to let you court. And if so, he asked if he had my permission. At the time, I didn't know how to react. But I said yes anyway because I didn't really have you under my wing anymore, so it didn't matter."

She's bemused. "He thought of everything."

"Hmm?"

"Nothing. Would you go to my wedding?"

"I would be honored," he says, "but as I understand, there's probably someone who serves as your father, correct?"

"Yes."

"Ah," he smiles sadly. "Then he'll be the one to give you away."

--X--

He's thirty and still loves her when they get married.

He receives many blessings and 'good lucks'. Chouji is his best man and his three year old son is ring barrier ("Can I go butterfly-watching after this, daddy?" "Erm…sure…"). Kiba and Tenten's little girl is the flower girl ("Kiba, there is dog fur on her dress! Brush it off!" "Yes…dear…"). Tsunade does most of the arrangements—the woman has nothing else much to do. ("Who the hell put these flowers here!? It's an alter, people! Not a flower stand! And why are these decorations green?! I specifically said grays, purples, browns and white. Not green!" Kami forbid she plan another wedding…)

Many people attend, in which Naruto stresses that point, for he's the one to marry them off. Iruka and Anko (who gives Iruka a hard time) save a seat for Kakashi, for he is the one to give the bride away as a father. Shizune sits besides them and Iruka (desperately) suggests she sits next in between the both of Anko and him. She doesn't protest (she eyes Anko warily though).

He can see her parents sitting a few rows down, sad smiles plastered on the their faces. The tanned skinned man doesn't think much more of it—too troublesome—but he concludes his soon-to-be-wife had taken his suggestion to set things right with her parents. He can see his own parents, his mother actually smiling for once.

Chouji stands behind him at the alter. His best friend gives him a smile but he notices the glint of sadness in Choji's eyes when he glances around (he misses Ino, he thinks). Kiba is grinning madly, happy for three reasons: his friends are finally getting married, his daughter's in the wedding and his favorite cake is wedding cake, which he'll be enjoying greatly today.

It's how he's always imagined it. It's outside and there's only a cool and gentle breeze. A cherry blossom orchard, he asked Tsunade if she'd make it possible for the wedding to take place in one.

But then she's walking down the aisle and all his attention is on her and on her only. Her pink hair his braided, red ribbons had been twisted in it—a tribute to Ino, he's sure. Small specs of glitter surround her emerald eyes and the flowers she holds are light purple lilies.

Her smile is gentle and content. Kakashi leads her to the alter and before he goes to sit down, she kisses him on his masked cheek; a blink of surprise from her former sensei.

The maid of honor is ironically Tsunade but no one's complaining. But both groom and bride swear, when the wind picks up just a little and blows around the red ribbons in her hair and lightly brushes against her cheek, that Ino's there, like she was supposed to be.

When she stands in front of him, the Nara smiles nicely.

She's a beautiful princess, whilst he's the worthy prince.

Finally.

--X--

He's thirty and she's twenty-nine when they have their first child—a girl of dark brown hair and emerald eyes.

Nara Sakura muses over the fact their child has a large forehead. Nara Shikamaru muses over the fact the child has such a nice smile.

But, look! She turns five and looks around for a place to sit in the playground. There are so many others playing without her. The red ribbon in the little girl's hair suddenly falls out and starts blowing away in the wind. Oh, no! She runs and runs after it before the wind claims it forever.

Oh, but the girl trips and she falls on her face. She hears laughter and looks up to see other children around her age gathering. They laugh and laugh and she feels horrible, oh so horrible. Why do they laugh? One of them points to her forehead and some laugh because she had fallen. The little girl feels tears fall. She didn't do anything to them! Why do they laugh still?

But she hears footsteps and a hand falls upon her shoulder. She looks up to see a brunette with a cheeky smile.

He says he found her ribbon and gives it to her and she takes it cautiously. Will he laugh at her too? But the others start to go away and the little girl turns back to him. Why is he being so nice? Doesn't that mean he'll be teased too? She doesn't know, oh, no, she doesn't understand. She's only a child of five.

The boy says his name is Chojian and that he's seven and a half years old. Then he asks her what's her name.

Wiping away her tears, she says her name is Shikari. He grins widely and she finds that she can't stop staring.

"Would you like to go butterfly watching with me?"

And because no one else has grinned that nicely at her before, she says yes, she'd love to.

Fin.

--x--
Author's Notes

End of Part Two.

"Shika" means deer; "ari" is brave. Unintentional.

Thank to those of you who reviewed and maybe will in the future.

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