A/N: And, finally…drum roll please The epilogue! Wow. 15 parts. I think that's pretty darn funky! . I want to end this by saying a few things. First off, I'd like to thank ALL those who reviewed – and who will review – this story. The names of those who did so before I posted this final installment are not only on the review page, but I'm going to acknowledge them in the ending Author's Note. Secondly, many, many, many thanks to my kawaii friend, Shoujo Queen, who convinced me to keep this gping, gave me plot ideas, proofread most of the chapters, and was generally a major support. Thirdly…well, there is no third thanks. But, anyways, hope you've all enjoyed this story, and, now – READ ON!
But, first, the baka disclaimer, just to give it a sense of completion…
Disclaimer: Poor mortal that I am, I don not own Naruto, or any characters in the series. Heck, they wouldn't even give me that random kunai Orochimaru threw at Sasuke! The one that miussed! Not even important, I tell you! Let that be a warning – studio people are nasty. Better to steal than ask. –holds up hostage Kakashi- -grins-
EpilogueKakashi stretched in the morning air.
He surveyed the city from his perch on the balcony of his apartment, and let the steam from his coffee warm his bare chest and arms.
Today was a good day to be alive.
He hadn't had to go to the hospital – and probably never would again, not with Ayumi around – the Hokage had been pleased with his work, his genin were safe and happy, he had won a bet with Gai, and, most importantly, in a little ceremony in the Hokage's office, he'd married the girl of his dreams.
Well, legitimized their union of years ago, and the unofficial oaths they had taken with each other.
All was right in his little world, and he was satisfied.
He stretched again, and prepared to take a sip of the delicioud smellig coffee.
A scream rose from inside the apartment, and Kakashi proceeded to spill boiing coffee all over himself.
A passerby would have seen a bare-chested, red faced man leap up and scream like a little girl before jumping insde a patio door and muttering something about ice and cold water.
Kakashi raced to their room, and stopped short of the rumpled, empty bed.
"Ayumi!" he called, frantically searching under the bed and in the closet.
He heard her voice from the bathroom, and ran to her.
"Ayumi, Ayumi, dearest – are you all right?"
She looked up at him with tears in her green eyes and a smile on her lovely face.
"Hatake," she murmured tentatively, "I'm pregnant. Again."
Any passerby who had stopped to chuckle at the imposing figure's not-so-imposing screm would have immediately heard a reather loud thump followed by a anxious cry of, "Hatake? Hatake? Are you alright? Wake up!"
OoOoOoOoOoOoOoOoOoOoOoOoOoOoOoOoOoOoOoOoOoOoOoOoOoOoOoOoOo
Naruto nervously twisted his fingers around the steaming cup of ramen as Sakura looked on with expectation.
After a few tries, and still not being able to get a word out (damn that voice! AWOL again!), she touched his hand.
"Naruto? You said you wanted to tell me something?"
He ulped and nodded, then, seeing a familiar blue-haired form, worked up the courage.
"Youknowwe'vebeengoingoutwellIdon'tthinkwe'rereadyforthatImeanweshouldbejustfriendsandIreallylikeHinata."
Sakura blinked.
"What? I didn't understand ANY of that."
Naruto sighed.
"I always thought I liked you as a girlfriend, Sakura, but, now that we're actually dating, it's kinda awkward and…well…I think I like you as a friend, and I just wanted to be accepted, you know what I mean?"
He ducked, expecting a burst of rage from the pink-haired kunoichi in front of him.
Instead, she smiled and heaved a sigh of relief.
"I feel the same, Naruto! I just, well…didn't want to hurt you. We're great as friends! Oh, Naruto!"
She reached over and hugged him tight, until he turned purple and began motioning to his throat.
"Sorry. I…well, that is…will you mind, if I ask Sasuke out?"
The kitsune grinned and adjusted his newly-repaired hiate.
"I won't if you won't mind me asking Hinata out!"
"AHA!" Sakura crowed in triumph. "I knew it! You two are meant for each other, and I can't believe you ahven't nioticed how she looks at you until now."
"She looks at me?"
Sakura sighed and began smashing her head on the tanle.
"Why…are…guys…so…stupid…"
"Sakura-chan," a soft voice whispered, "please stop. You'll hurt yourself."
"Hinata!" Naruto practically catapulted himself at her, then regained his footing, and stood, looking down at her.
She blushed miserably, and he took her hand.
Her eyes went wide as he casually asked, "Wanna get some ramen? Oh, and, while we're at it, you can tell any guy who follows you that you can't go out with him, 'cause you're with me."
The blue-haired Hyuuga nearly fainted in the kitsune's arms, then came to her sense and nodded, an incredulous grin on her fgace.
Salura gave her the tumbs up, and stood to pay the vendor.
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Sasuke scuffed dirt in the alleyway with his feet.
Why had he been so blind?
He had no hope to ever regain her love, now, not after all he had done.
There was no way that he could show her these new-found feelings without getting a alaugh in his face from her and a bloody nose from her boyfriend.
Even Rock Lee, the least attractive in the village, stood a better chance with her than the Uchiha did.
And he doubted that she'd date the bushy-browed Taijutsu master.
She already had someone with her, who really did love her.
A love that the lucky bastard had held for a lonmg time.
A lpve that Sasuke was just beginning to find in himself.
He envied his brother, who had no emotion.
He envied Kakashi, who had all he'd ever wanted in Ayumi. He'd even thrown away all his Icha Icha Paradise books.
But, most of all, he envied him.
The one who had stolen the heart that Sasuke had always thought was his alone.
He swore to himself, that he wouldn't hate him.
That he would continue to work with him, in their new-found teamwork.
That he would work alongside her, and not let his feelings show.
That he wouldn't ever, ever…
Oh, what was the use.
He was going to ahev to win her back.
Somehow.
She would be his.
And no one would stop him.
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Itachi stretched on the bed, watching Nariesha brush her long, brown hair.
The sun glinted off the gold highlights in it's rich deths, and shone on the ribbon in her hand, making it look like a river of green.
She began to plait the straight locks, looking over her shoulder at him when he sat up.
"So," she began, "since you and I are officially together, we should go out to dinner sometimes."
He chose not to correct her "officially together" statement – as far as anyone knew, the two of them worked under the same relationship as before, commander and soldier – and shrugged.
"I don't particularly care. It's up to you."
"Well…"
She tapped the brush against her creamy chin and looked skyward as she pondered.
"There's a nice in, near the road, about three miles southwest. Meet there for dinner tonight?"
He shrugged.
"All right then!" she grinned, "It's settled! I'll meet you there around 8-ish, and," she added as she stepped out the door, "you're paying."
FINITO
A/N: Well. Shortest durn chapter I've written in a while. In any case, I realize the characters my be OOC, but, hey, it's Fanfiction, ne? I also hope you noticed that I've changed things around a tad…I suppose I should have made them all chuunin, but, see, I haven't seen beyond the exams (pity me) and I hadn't seen more that 7 episodes when I started the fic, so…maybe I'll go back and make 'em all chuunin, how'd that be?
So, I've left the way open for a sequel…I've some ideas for that, but I'm not sure if I'll ever do it. Probably won't. It's a bit cocky, making a sequel, ne? Oh well. Here's the part where I thank my gorgeous reviwers for their support and their interest.
Keep reading and writing, y'all!
My many (okay, few. Okay, one) anonymous reviewer.
Shoujo Queen
Qazicle
brokenwind
Kirs Kip and Kat
Sacred Rainbow Tenshi Yuki
Sweet-Plum
Azrix
conlan0414863
mitsuhime
And any other who may review after this chapter is posted.
I love you all!
Youkai kagami