A/N: Here it is at last. The final chapter of Sakura's secret. I will shut up for now and let you read ;)

Disclaimer: I don't own Naruto

Chapter 22: The start of a new beginning

It was all very crowded for once in the normally silent village. Her whole family gathered from all over the whole world back to come their village to see the ceremony for their new clan leader. Her close friends, who knew about the secret, all looked around, trying to get everything in.

The village looked as if there was a fair going on, everybody was happy and even they hadn't realized that the Haruno clan was really that big.

They looked around for their pink haired friend, who was about to be 'crowned' into her new position. All went looking eagerly except one, the silver haired shinobi didn't really want to see her, especially after that night three weeks ago.

While the group darted forward he lazily slouched after them, not really wanting to move faster than this. He was only here because Tsunade had forced him to. He sighed again and looked up when a familiar voice raised up over the noise.

"Hey guys, I'm glad you all could make it."

The whole group turned around to see Ryou in his formal black robes walking towards them.

"Hey Ryou-san," They all replied back.

"This will mean so much for Sakura-sama to see you all here."

"Speaking of Sakura, where is she?" Tsunade asked looking around, hoping for a glimps of pink hair.

"She's in the control room, getting reading for the ceremony with Sudeki-san, her aunt."

"Can you bring me to her, I have something to discuss before the ceremony."

Tsunade let him see a scroll, and winked. Everybody looked confused, wondering what was going on but Ryou-san seemed to understand her. A bright smile appeared on his face and he took Tsunade by the arm.

"Follow me, Sakura-sama will be most pleased."

Tsunade nodded. "Well this is the least what I could do to make up what I put her through." She turned around to the group. "Alright you lot, stay here and don't cause any trouble."

"Yes, Tsunade-sama," They replied in unison.

Ryou and Tsunade walked away, leaving Kasumi, Kiyoto, Kakashi, Iruka, Naruto, Hinata, Hana and Daichi alone.

"Well, what are we going to do now?" Daichi asked, tugging on Kasumi's sleeve.

"Just wait until the ceremony will begin I guess," Kasumi replied. She let go of Iruka's arm and kissed him softly on his cheek. "Be right back, I need to go to the bathroom."

Iruka nodded and kissed her back, he turned his head slightly and smiled at the teasing glint in Naruto's eyes.

"So when are you going to ask her finally?" Naruto whispered in his ear, his eyes following the black haired kunoichi into the crowds.

"I'm waiting for the prefect moment," Iruka replied back.

"Waiting for what?" Daichi asked confused, looking from the blonde haired man to his sensei.

"Nothing," came the hastily reply.

Daichi frowned, there was something going on there and it bugged him not to know what. He shook his head and turned to see Hyoto walking towards them.

"Hey guys, glad you could make it. I saved some seats for you guys in the front."

"Hyoto-san," Kiyoto nodded in acknowledgement.

"Come on follow me, the ceremony is about to begin.

Kakashi sighed heavily, he was planning to stand in the back, but luck wasn't really on his side today, or that's what he thought. They all followed Hyoto when Kasumi came back and took their seats in the front row.

"I still can't believe Sakura's going to lead this place, right Kakashi-sensei?" Naruto said, looking up from his daughter in his arms and to the silver haired man next to him.

"Hmm."

A half hour later Tsunade took her seat next to Kakashi and smiled.

"How is she?" Kasumi asked softly of the blonde Hokage, leaning a bit forward to look passed her lover.

"She's really nervous but she looks wonderful."

Kasumi smiled and leaned back into the chair. Right at that moment Ryou walked onto the stage.

"Dear relatives and friends, it's an honor to be here today to witness the rise of a new leader of this clan. All of you have known or seen Shite-sama, the wonderful and delicate leader. Thanks to her we have this village and have lived the last decades in safety. She was caring and we wouldn't have come so far without her guidance."

"But that is the past, today we are here for somebody else. The daughter of Hikaru and Hanu Haruno, she grew up in the normal world and just like Shite-sama, has the capacity to be a great leader. Whatever will come down our paths, I know that Sakura-sama will guide us through it."

At that moment the doors were opened and Sakura walked into the room.

"Wow she looks beautiful alright," Kasumi said breathlessly. All that Kakashi could do was nod in agreement, she looked wonderful. His eye was wide and he was so surprised his jaw practically rested upon the floor.

The whole kimono was black silk and it had a Sakura blossom pattern flowing from her left shoulder down to her right leg, all darkening as they 'fell' down the length of the dress, looking as if they were falling into the shadows. The obi around her waist was gold colored just like the trimming at the end of her sleeves which passed her hands, and the trimming around her neck matched.

Her hair rested peacefully on her shoulders, and the slight make-up around her eyes only made her emerald colored eyes brighten and shine out. A soft smile played on her lips.

She kneeled down in front of Ryou, her head bowed and her eyes closed.

"Sakura Haruno, great granddaughter of Shite Haruno, daughter of Hikaru and Hanu Haruno, do you swear to protect this village and this family with all your might, power, knowledge and good will or so help you god?"

"I do."

"When in peace or in war, will you keep your loyalty to this family, guiding us through everything that will come our way?"

"I will."

Ryou grabbed a bottle out of his sleeve and carefully let some liquid drop on his finger. He closed the bottle again and put it away. He turned to Sakura again and laid the finger upon her forehead, making the Haruno symbol.

"Then with the power given by the council, I pronounce you, Haruno Sakura, leader of the Haruno clan."

He pulled away and his smile grew wider after every word he spoke. "Rise up, Sakura Haruno, leader of the Haruno clan and the shadow village."

Sakura stood up and turned the crowd. Everyone in the room stood up and clapped enthusiastically, all cheering for her. Sakura smiled and her eyes stopped at the front row on a certain silver haired man. Tsunade noticed it and smiled, she was really glad she did what she did. Sakura saw her former Shishou and her lips formed the words 'thank you'. Tsunade just smiled and signaled 'your welcome' back.

The ceremony was over and the coronation dinner followed. The group waited for a chance to speak with Sakura, who had it really busy talking with her relatives. Finally almost at the end of the dinner, Sakura had the chance she'd waited all along for to speak with her friends.

"Hey guys."

"Hey Sakura-sama," Tsunade teased and hugged the girl. "You look wonderful but I said that already."

Sakura giggled and greeted everybody with a hug before going to Hinata.

"Hey Hana," Sakura said smiling, she kissed the baby on her forehead, the baby smiling brightly back at her.

"So Sakura, will you leave us forever now?" Naruto asked softly. His usually bright eyes were saddened and Sakura hold in the need to hug him and tell him everything would be alright.

"No, of course not Naruto. Yes I'll be living here and so on but that won't stop me from going back to Konoha from time to time." 'Especially when I'm done with the council.'

They all talked and laughed about everything until it was time to go back. Sakura turned her eyes to Kakashi, she hadn't spoken with him tonight, even though she'd hoped that they could. She hugged her friends' goodbye before turning to Kakashi at last.

"Can I speak with you for a moment," Sakura asked softly.

"Well you'll have to excuse me Haruno-sama, but I really need to get back." His voice was cold but his eye showed otherwise.

"It won't take long." Not waiting for his reply, she grabbed his wrist and yanked him with her. She led him to the garden behind her house and finally let him go when they were alone.

"What do you want from me? You made it clear to me that you didn't want me."

Sakura turned around to face him and her eyes stood soft, even though Kakashi just yelled at her.

"You still didn't understand my message did you?" Was her very confusing reply.

"What message?"

"You asked me to stay in Konoha with you, but I said I couldn't do that."

Kakashi winced inwardly, he really didn't want to think about that again.

"I know that Sakura, it's still scarred into my mind thank you."

"You still don't get it do you?"

"Get what Sakura? You don't want to be with me, it's clear as that."

"Kakashi use your brain for once!" Sakura yelled out in frustration. "You said Konoha, Konoha!"

"So what?!" Kakashi yelled back, "What do you…"

His eye widened and he looked at the new leader of this village. He finally understood what she had said that night. She hadn't said that she didn't want to be with him, she'd said she couldn't be in Konoha with him.

"But what about…?"

"Already taken care of," Sakura said smiling, she grabbed the scroll out of her sleeve, the one Tsunade had given her before the ceremony. She handed it to Kakashi, smiling the whole time while he read it.

Kakashi lowered the scroll when he was finished, he couldn't believe it. "Does that mean…?"

Sakura simply nodded, sliding her arms around Kakashi's neck, burying her face in the crook of his neck and becoming surrounded by his smell. His arms wrapped around her waist, pulling her closer. He buried his nose in her hair, smelling the lovely scent that he was so addicted to.

"I thought you didn't want me."

"You silly, why would I say that I love you and not mean it?"

"But I don't have shadow chakra." Kakashi suddenly said, he drew back and locked his eye with hers.

"Well I'm working on that, just one little drop and you can stay here to, without feeling the consequences of staying here for too long without shadow chakra. I still need to convince the council about that though. So you need to go back for now."

"Hmm. Can't I stay here for now?" He softly began to kiss her neck making Sakura sigh happily.

"I'm afraid not. You'll only distract me," Sakura said smiling.

They softly kissed each other before Sakura freed herself from his arms.

She summoned a portal back to the normal world and turned to Kakashi. She kissed him softly one more time and leaned to whisper in his ear.

"You still owe me a date, secret admirer,' Sakura said teasingly.

"Hmm, do I now?" he kissed her on her forehead before he walked towards the portal. Right before he went to walk in he turned his head and smiled, "You look beautiful tonight Sakura," he said before he disappeared.

A few days had past since the ceremony. Sakura was busy from the beginning, most of the council members thought that she was still too young and had much to learn. Ryou stood by her though, teaching her the tricks she might need.

Even though the council had a mind to keep her busy with the good for the village and let her live there in peace, Sakura had another plan in mind.

She really loved the Shadow village, but she missed Konoha dearly. She'd already spoke with Ryou to think of making a compound in Konoha which he gladly helped her with. The sun was applying since it didn't exist in the shadow realm.

After much whining and begging from Sakura, the council had finally complied, but only if they could check out the place first, to see if it was safe enough for their leader and was good enough. Sakura had already contacted her dear former Shishou about the idea of living there and Tsunade had searched for a good spot right after Sakura was gone. Sakura's parents already owned some ground but it just wasn't big enough, or that was Tsunade's opinion anyway. She added some of the ground of the old Uchiha compound since they didn't have any Uchiha's left or none likely coming back to the village anyway, so she'd added that to the Haruno compound. She made some builders burn the houses to the ground and let her new plan start.

Then finally after 3 weeks it was done and Sakura came to visit with the council members to see if it was good enough. Tsunade dusted her desk one more time out nerves and Iruka could only smile at the behaviour, it was unlike the normal 'I don't care' attitude of his Hokage. They both turned around when a black portal appeared in the room and smiled when they saw Sakura stepping out, followed by the council members.

"Welcome back Sakura-sama."

"Really Tsunade-sama, stop calling me that, it makes me feel old."

Tsunade laughed and hugged the girl. She looked over her shoulder and saw Ryou, Hyoto and 2 other relatives of Sakura appearing in her office.

She turned her head slightly to Sakura, a questionable look in her eyes. Sakura saw it and waved it off. "I'll tell you later when they're in the Haruno compound."

"Welcome to Konoha, Ryou-san, Hyoto-san and…?"

"Reiko-san and Tall-san," Ryou finished her sentence.

"Right, welcome Reiko-san and Tall-san."

They both nodded and started to look around curiously. Tsunade coughed. "Well you all know Iruka-san of course from the ceremony."

The one with short spiky black hair nodded and held out a hand to Iruka. "Nice to see you again, Iruka-san," Reiko said smiling.

"Likewise."

Tall just looked at him and snorted. He turned his head to look at Tsunade and sighed inwardly. He honestly understood the wishes of his leader but he wasn't really happy about this whole thing. 'Ah well, let's get this over with, the sooner we get it done the sooner I'm back home.'

"Well you all know what we're doing here so let's cut the chat and go see the Haruno compound and we'll decide if it's good enough." Sakura meanwhile glared daggers at him for his boldness.

"Reiko-san, I will not tolerate this behaviour of yours, hold in that tongue or you can leave."

"With all due respect Sakura-sama but this if for your own good, we can not allow you to live here when it's not good enough."

Sakura sighed heavily and Tsunade had pity for the girl. "Very well then, Iruka will lead us there."

Since Iruka was quite polite and was good in politics matters, Tsunade let him do all the talking while she chatted softly with the pink haired woman at her left and Hyoto on her right.

When the tour around the new Haruno compound was over, the council members gathered together and started talking while Sakura sighed at their actions.

"I'm really sorry about their behaviour today Tsunade-sama, Iruka-san."

Iruka grinned and just waved her off that it was fine.

"Don't worry about it Sakura-sama, I mean Sakura-san," he quickly said after seeing Sakura's heated glare at him.

"Really Sakura, you should get used to it, the whole shadow village calls you that way and if you live here, this village will do too."

"I know, but I still hate it," Sakura sighed.

"Oh, and before I forget, me and Kasumi-chan are going to get married."

Sakura looked at Iruka with surprise before a lovely smile appeared on her face.

"What wonderful news," Sakura squealed out. She hugged Iruka tight which made the brunette man laugh heartily. While returning the hug he whispered the date into her ear.

"I'll try my best to be there, with these guys you really don't know," Sakura waved to the council. "Mostly I get Hyoto-san and Ryou-san's full support on anything but the other two are just like Danzou-san."

Tsunade grinned. "Welcome to the club girl."

At that moment Ryou walked away from the group and started walking to his niece.

"And, are they satisfied?" Sakura asked, nodding her head to Reiko and Tall.

"Yes, they are they are willing to let you live her with some others if they wish but they want a tour around the village and to check out the defense of this village."

"Well they at least think this is a good place," Tsunade sighed in relief. "I'll summon Ibiki if they want to talk about the defense of this village, Iruka would you like to show them around?

"It would my pleasure," Iruka said smiling before turning to the council members and leading them away.

All in all they were very satisfied with the village. Sakura smiled happily, knowing she could live in Konoha if she wished to do so but she had to promise she would come to the Shadow village regularly for the job as clan leader. Hugging Tsunade and Iruka goodbye, they took off back to their own village.

"Till we meet again at the wedding Tsunade-sama and Iruka-san," Sakura said smiling before walking into the portal which closed behind her.

"You may kiss the bride."

Daichi quickly looked away, a small blush playing on his cheeks while his sister and his sensei were kissing. He glanced over his shoulder hoping that it had ended and couldn't help but smile at his sister when he realised it was. The look she had on her face was priceless to him, and even though she had married his sensei, now turned brother, he really felt happy for them both.

Iruka was an 'awesome dude,' put in his words, and if he made his sister glowingly happy, as she was now, they had his full blessing. Ever since the mission was over and she had lost her best friend and team mate, Takeo Harinoichi, and her captain had moved to a different realm, she really needed some good things to happen in her life.

Not that Sakura had left her, no on the contrary she visited as much as she could. Not only for diplomatic reasons, like she had so frequently claimed, but also for a certain silver haired man living in this village. Speaking of the newly turned, pink haired clan leader, where the hell was she?

He turned his gaze back to the crowd looking for a flash of pink. He did see a mop of silver sticking out, Hinata-san and her daughter Hana, Naruto was there of course, standing next to Iruka as his best man, Kiyoto was standing behind him because he was filling in for Sakura as his sisters maid of honour turned best man if you will, seeing as he was certainly no maid Daichi had ever known. Sakura was asked first of course and had readily agreed, but when she didn't show up, Kiyoto had taken her place.

He sighed and turned back to his sister.

"She probably has a good reason to be late, nee-chan."

"Who do you mean Daichi?" was her confused reply.

"Sakura-san, she missed the ceremony, practically your whole wedding seeing this is the most important part of this party. Aren't you sad?"

"Daichi, Tira came to me a few minutes before I walked down the aisle, she told me Sakura was delayed by a meeting between her family and the new species they have been trying to be make a pact with. I understand that, yes I'm a bit sad but I can't blame her. She'll be coming shortly."

"Oh."

Daichi turned his head and smiled when a camera was aimed at them.

"Sorry I'm late Mr. and Mrs. Umino, can you forgive me?" Sakura lowered the camera and smiled apologetically.

"Sakura!" Kasumi flew into her former captains arms, and crushed her tightly in a bear hug. They both stumbled backwards and Sakura quickly wrapped her arms around the new bride to keep her from falling.

"I'll take it that I'm forgiven then," Sakura laughed, hugging the girl back.

Iruka laughed and hugged her when Sakura was able to release herself from the death grip Kasumi was holding her with. "We're glad you could make it. Is everything alright?"

"Oh yes, they were just acting like they're hard to get, but I have them under control now, only a few more arrangements and we'll officially have another ally," Sakura said smiling.

"I'm glad to hear that."

"We'll talk more at the table, I'm holding up the line," Sakura said with a wink. "Congratulations once again."

Sakura walked over to Naruto and Hinata, who were both currently smiling widely at their daughter.

"She'll break a lot of hearts when she's older."

Naruto looked up and chuckled, "I know, she's beautiful, just like her mother."

Hinata blushed slightly and sighed happily when she felt Naruto's lips press against her cheek.

"So Sakura-san, how are you doing?"

"Busy but fine, how is the parenting going?"

"I love it! She sleeps all night and doesn't cry to much."

Sakura smiled and softly stroked Hana's cheek, who in turn opened her eyes and blinked at Sakura, only to giggle happily and reach out with her petite hands to grab some pink hair strands which hung close to her outstretched hand.

Sakura laughed and kissed her forehead, making Hana squeal in happiness. Naruto watched with a big smile on his lips, knowing exactly who was going to be the godmother of his first born.

"Sakura?"

The said pink haired woman looked up when her friend called her name and looked at him questionably.

"Me and Hinata were wondering if you wanted to be the godmother of…"

"Hell yes!!" She swung herself into Naruto's arms, laughter bubbling from both of their lips. Hinata shook her head smiling, and then looked down at the girl in her arms. "Don't mind that sweetie, they'll be doing that a lot, you'll get used to it."

Hana giggled, succeeding at grabbing a lock of her mother's hair.

They all walked together to the tables, all talking enthusiastically with each other. They all sat at the table of honour with the newly weds, Daichi, Kiyoto, Tsunade and Kakashi also there as well. Sakura, Tsunade and Naruto all talked about the bond between the Shadow village and Konoha, although Tsunade was still Hokage, Naruto was her successor so he of course joined the talk, but soon he joined the others in their conversation instead.

"So Daichi can stay with you Sakura while we're on our honeymoon? You're sure it's not a big deal?" Kasumi asked slightly worried. "I can ask my…"

Sakura waved her off. "Of course it's fine, don't be so silly. I already told the council I'll be staying here for a month."

"How did you arrange that?" Naruto asked amazed. "The council is always on your ass when you stay here."

"A little bit of help from Ryou and being leader does have its perks." Sakura said with a teasing glint in her eyes.

The all knew right away what Sakura had done, they'd all seen that glint once before when she had tried to get some time off from the hospital for a break and confronted the head of the hospital. She got one week for free and the head was in therapy for a week.

"I hope you didn't go to hard on them," Hinata said concerned.

"Nah, they handled it quite well actually, better than the head of the hospital. They only need therapy for a few days, and that does say something." She grinned.

They all laughed and turned to other topics, all having a great time. Sakura stood up when she needed to go to the bathroom and a few moments after that she was followed.

She'd barely opened the door when she was forcibly pushed inside, the door slammed shut behind them and soft, delicate lips where pushed against hers. Sakura laughed inwardly, and slide her arms around Kakashi's neck.

"Impatient much?" Sakura murmured softly against his lips, and he felt a shudder going down his spine when her hot breath touched his now uncovered skin.

"You bet," was his reply before he crushed his lips on hers again.

Sakura laughed this time out loud and turned her head. "I'll be here for a month."

"Precisely, there's no time to waste."

Sakura snickered and carefully pushed her lover off her. "I really need to go."

"I thought that was just an excuse to be alone with me."

"You really look too much underneath the underneath."

"Hmmm." He nibbled softly on her neck, his hands resting on her waist.

"Kakashi…" Sakura sighed and closed her eyes, forgetting the real reason she went to the bathroom in the first place. Although the later wasn't as bad.

"Please, I really need to go."

Kakashi snickered and kissed her on her mouth before replacing his mask. "Fine, I'll be waiting outside then."

He stroked her cheek before stepping out of the bathroom, leaving a flustered Sakura behind.

"One day, he'll get a taste of his own medicine," Sakura said frustrated to herself.

After a few minutes Sakura walked outside and the pair walked hand in hand back to the table.

"Before we join the group I wanted to ask you something." Kakashi suddenly said, stopping his movement and turning to look into his lovers eyes.

"I know I still owe you a date, so do you want to go on a date with me?"

Knowing that Kakashi was referring to the teddy bear message he'd left outside her door, she nodded happily. "I'd love to!"

She kissed him on the cheek and her gaze flicked over his shoulder, feeling a certain presence. She sighed heavily and let her lover go.

"Is everything alright?" Kakashi asked worried, noticing the chance in her behaviour and watching as the happy glint in her eyes vanished.

"I'm gone for a few hours and there is already trouble in paradise," Sakura murmured irritated. "I'll be back over in a few minutes."

Glancing in the direction Sakura was looking at he sighed as well. "Good luck."

"I'll need it. Tell Kasumi and Iruka-senpai I'm sorry."

Kakashi nodded, "Sure, don't worry about it."

She kissed him on the lips before she walked in the direction of a woman standing in the darkest corner, her eyes fixed on her leader. Kakashi sighed, he'd known that her family would claim a lot of his lovers time but this was pushing it.

When he went there next he would try to talk to Ryou about it, he already thought Sakura was working over big time, seeing as they had 4 new species under control in 2 weeks. Even though they were worried that Sakura couldn't handle the leadership, she'd really shown them otherwise. She broke the record of allying new species in her first few months as leader and Hyoto was right. With Sakura as their new clan leader, it was going to be a hell of a ride, something you wouldn't want to miss for the world.

He smiled, his gaze following the pink haired woman he'd fallen in love with. He turned his head back to the table and resumed his way over there, feeling like the luckiest man in the world having Sakura for himself, glancing to the blonde haired baby girl in Naruto's arms, his smile only grew wider. Alone to himself for now anyway.

The End

A/N: Well that's it, no more update's on this story. I first want to thank Arcane Desires for all her wondeful help and being the beta for me and supporting me all the way. Also for making the dress Sakura wore on her cermony: arcanedesires(dott)deviantart(dott)com/art/Shadow-Sakura-92800982.

I want to thank all my readers and reviewers: alwysdncnq101, aml, vbdani, Rangerette, Arcane Desires, kyokyo123, minniemousemom, cherryline, Suzaku911, Hentai-Goddess, elliebellie95, lydia-chan, headeranderson, lilypipo, memorize it XIII, neji'sgirl236,Silent Kunoichi aka. Fiona, sqeaky, SSJFutureTrunks2006, ukaduck, JinxedFairy, I hate Ballet, iKatz, FanFicHolic, arichi Spiritobi, Mateba, raven, weeee2008, DynamicDuo 911, anbu 10, solokitty, Luka1Sakura, Psychedelic Dust Bunny, Konoha's Yellow Flash, Lucky Naruto08, mmmsizzle.

I hope you liked the last chapter. Ciao!