disclaimer: no.

notes: still recovering from chapter 613 when 614 came out and I can't even- WHY DO YOU DO THIS KISHI? my frail little heart cannot take any more of this.

dedication: to my beloved genius.

inspiration: shikamaru's line in 614, "don't say anything more."

.

.

.

16. Memory

.

.

.

It's on their way home when they see her.

It's almost three a.m. and Sasuke had just picked up Sakura from one of her graveyard shifts. They were walking along their usual beaten path that runs through the civilian district, the Hokage tower, and the benches near the memorial stone, before arriving at their shared apartment. With only the moon as their light, the couple ambled leisurely, the hoots of the owls and songs of the crickets as their music.

Nearing the benches, the two of them felt a third chakra signature.

"Let's go." Sasuke hovered a hand on the small of her back and gently guided her forward.

"Wait." Sakura, who slowed down from their stroll, placed a hand on Sasuke's shoulder. "Shouldn't we…"

"No. Let's just go." Sasuke's hand moved to tangle on her own and lightly tugged, waiting for Sakura to turn to him.

Sakura spared the shadow of the girl another glance, her teeth unconsciously biting her lower lip, before meeting Sasuke's expectant eyes.

"Okay."

Sasuke squeezed her hand before he too took a glimpse of the person standing at the memorial stone. He briefly closed his eyes then softly pulled Sakura.

Sakura bowed her head for the rest of the way.

"Today's his death anniversary." She muttered as they arrived at their doorstep.

"Ah." Sasuke acknowledged, letting go of her hand and instead placing it at the base of her neck then drawing her to a loose embrace.

"I… I don't know what I'd do if I lost you Sasuke. She… she must be so lonely." Sakura mumbled on his shirt. Sasuke tightened his embrace.

Sakura was holding back the prickling in her eyes as she tried to remember: the slight shaking of the girl's shoulders, the stiffness of her usual graceful stance, and the cascade of her hair, for once, in Sakura's memory, not tied into two neat buns.

.

.

.

notes: i cannot express how depressed i am that he is dead. that my secret otp is never happening. that he died such a fitting death.

ugh. i'm mourning a fictional character but i don't care.

in any case, this might be my last update. ever. why? because of 12/21/12 of course. if we survive that though, then see you all next week! reviews are golden.