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A/N: A finale to this story at last. Spoiler warning! No flames, but reviews welcome!

Consersation

"Naruto," she whispered after Shizune left the room. The blond jumped at the sound of her voice; he thought that she had been asleep. Sakura laughed at his reaction.

"Good morning Sakura-chan," Naruto said, a faint blush on his wiskered cheeks. Had she heard the conversation that had just taken place between him and her co-worker? He hoped she had not. She pulled him closer gently. He carefully turned around to face her.

"I heard what you told Shunize. You still care for me after everything? That promise was a curse for you," she commented.

"I would have tried to bring back Sasuke even if I had not made that promise of a lifetime. He was a Konoha shinobi; he belonged here. End of story," he replied. Once again he squeezed her hand. It occurred to him that they had been holding hands since last night. In response, she gripped his tigher.

"I know, but it still was not right, considering the amount of pain it's caused you. Especially since you fought that battle alone" Her words were simple and honest and true. Her promise had driven him to train harder at times, but at the same time, her words were also wrong. He had wanted to bring back Sasuke as much as she had.

"That fight was always going to be strictly between us. Uchiha Madara foresaw this would happen and the Great Toad Sage even predicted that it would be a fight between us, between the Senju clan's Will of Fire and the Uchiha clan's hatred. It was a legacy that began long ago. We...we broke the cycle yesterday when I killed him."

Sakura's eyes widened. Although she had read of this topic in her many secret visits to the Hokage's library, she thought it had long died with the First Hokage and Uchiha Madara at the Valley of the End. The parallels betwen that event and those of yesterday astonished her.

"History repeats itself," she commented. "I still should have done more to ease your burden. I can never do enough for you. When the Fourth Tail of the Nine-Tails Cloak appeared, when Sasuke nearly killed you and so many other times I could not do more." Naruto was surprised by her statement. Although she had told him that she wanted to be at his side when they did retrive Sasuke successfully, he never thought she had meant it in that way.

"Sakura-chan, you helped every time you were at my side. You healed me. You were the one comrade I could always trust my life to even on the most dangerous missions. I owe you my life several times over."

"I was a burden at times. When we were genin and even now, you've had to protect me and save me from danger. I made you make a promise that paused you pain that I never noticed until Sai, of all people, told me himself."

"I did everything of my own will. Even the best ninja cannot avoid needing help. That is why we are sent out mostly on teams and rarely alone. You're the strongest kunoichi I know."

"I still hurt you. It makes no sense considering how much I do care about you." Once again the simple truth of her words had stunned him. This confession that she cared about him deeply was no surprise; their friendship was strong. However, it seemed like his wish that there had been some truth to her false confession had come true.

"Do you care about me, the way I've cared about you," he asked carefully, praying that this would not be another rejection to add to his impressive tally. He was a tough guy, but she was more than capable of hurting him.

"Yes, I do," she answered.

"What about Sasuke," he asked, fearing her answer.

"He was my first love, but I got over him, especially after that confrontation after the Kage Submit where he nearly killed Karin, me and Kakashi-sensei," she answered honestly.

"What about Lee," he asked jokingly. It all of her self-control to not fling the severely injured sage into a wall. She slapped him gentely.

"Ouch."

"Don't you dare even suggest that Naruto. I've never had those feelings for him, despite his crush on me," she retorted, a hint of anger in her voice.

"I was just checking," he answered, rubbing his sore shoulder. Having a crush on her had always been painful, but since Tsunade's training, it had literally been painful sometimes.

"For someone who is concerned about causing me pain, hitting me does not seem to register with you," he commented, surprised at his nerve. He wondered if it was a side effect of whatever Shizune had given him. Instantly her expression softened. Several quiet tense moments followed. At last, he broke the silence.

"Sakura-chan," he said cautiously. She did not respond.

"Sakura-chan," he repeated, more nervous than he had been previously.

The kunoichi brought herself closer and kissed the blond shinobi. He was in shock. Sakura was kissing him. He kissed her back; he needed to prove to himself that this was not a dream. His free hand found its way into her short pink hair; hers supported his currently fragile ribcage.

"I see I am interrupting something," commented a familar voice. The Fifth was in the doorway, a coy smile upon her face.

"Shishou-sama, you saw," commented Sakura.

"Yes, I did. My only comment is it's about time. Jiraiya and I made a bet regarding exactly this situation years ago. I would have won," she commented. "I've come to tell you that once the autopsy is finished, which will be soon, the Elders have given you permission to hold a funeral for Uchiha Sasuke. I would recommend burying him in the Uchiha clan's section of the cemetary, near his parents."

"We'll make that decision by the end of today," responded Naruto. "Will I be out of here soon?"

"No, but I'll issue you a pass on the condition a medic accompanies you at all times," Tsunade replied. "I will assign the task to Sakura."

"I accept the assignment," said Sakura.

"Good, I will leave you for now. Shizune is almost done her rounds," she said with a wink, leaving the two teens.

"We have a long road ahead of us Sakura-chan," he commented.

"Yes, we do, Naruto," she responded. "We'll be on that road together."

A/N: I will not be writing about the funeral. I already did in "Aftermath", an InoxChouji fanfic I wrote a while ago. I have no sequel planned at the present time. Thanks to all my readers and reviwers!