Disclaimer: Naruto and Company are not mine but enjoy the plot that I've thrown them into.

Chapter 18

I want to be free

as i'll ever be

Send Them Off - Bastille

Saturday Night – Mid September

As per Daniel Harada's request, the Harada Industries party was held at the main corporate office, a four-story building of glass and concrete. To his father he pitched it as a way to show investors and clients the efficacy of their security measures and garner confidence in the company. To his daughter he assured her it was the easiest way to get her in position to use the flashdrive for ROOT.

As Sasuke extended a hand to help Sakura out of a black car with tinted windows, her black combat boots were first to be seen. She smiled at her grandfather when he frowned at her shoes, but her long red dress had already swung back into place to cover her footwear.

"I sent you a perfectly tailored dress well suited for this type of event and your future position with this company."

Sakura felt Sasuke's hand tighten around her own.

"I wasn't wearing that thing. I'm not a five-year-old in a dance recital." The "thing" in question was a fluffy, pink ball gown with layers of tulle.

"Yes, better to look like a woman for hire," he said through a smile he had already directed to the next people in line. He welcomed the two women behind them as Sakura and Sasuke were ushered indoors.

"He's just as you've described," said Sasuke. "And I like the dress." She blushed as the memory surfaced of her trying it on at home to show Sasuke and the kissing that had ensued afterwards.

"Let's just find my father so he can give us his security pass," she said, refocusing her mind to the task.

Sakura opened her clutch purse, checking for the millionth time that day that the flashdrive was still there. She'd told her mom that she was going to see her friends in Suna this weekend, and Gaara promised to cover for her.

The flight over to Stone City had been paid for by her father and they'd had a car waiting for them at the airport that whisked them away to a hotel prepaid for by her father as well.

She and Sasuke searched the crowd for her father, but he was surrounded by a group of people every time they saw him.

Finally, they caught his eye and he nodded, excusing himself from the conversation circle and making his way over to them.

"Hello, Sakura. You must be Fugaku's boy, Itachi?"

"No, that would be my brother. I'm Sasuke," he corrected.

"Right, of course, well," he said, looking uncomfortable, "it's nice to meet you, Sasuke."

They shook hands and Sasuke tried to play nice. "Likewise, Mr. Harada."

"Thank you for coming," he said, looking pointedly at Sakura. She kept her arms crossed but nodded.

He continued speaking. "I-I know I haven't been much of a father, but I hope to make up for that now. I'm on your side in this. Remember that no matter what happens."

Sakura could tell he was sincere, and as much as she wanted to continue hating him in this moment, she was thankful for his assistance.

Her father turned to leave and she started to call him back, ask him where his security pass was that he promised them, but Sasuke cut her off with a look.

He flashed a badge that had her father's name on it.

"When we shook hands," he explained.

Before they could slip away and use the security card, her grandfather searched her out in the crowd. It was time for the opening speech and she was required to play along. Sasuke walked with her right up to the stage, where it was made clear that he would not proceed on with her.

"Stand stage side until I call you forward for an introduction," ordered her grandfather, scowling once more at her outfit.

Sakura stood under the spot light at the podium after her grandfather beckoned her on stage. She read the speech about being a long, lost daughter returned home to a father she was kept from seeing. She made it through without gagging on the lies and just when she thought it was over, her grandfather put an arm around her and made an announcement. Her father stood idly by to the side, allowing the patriarch of the family to preside over the speech.

"And since we've had Sakura in our lives once again this past year, it's been like a dream, getting to know her all over again. Tonight, we celebrate the success of our company, the loyal clients who trust in our products, and the bonds of family that can never be truly broken."

As soon as they were out of the public's eye, Sakura jerked out of her grandfather's embrace. "You sure are good at lying. All that stuff about family bonds."

"It wouldn't do for investors to think we were taking in an estranged daughter no one has known about in the company. It puts their minds at ease to imagine the loving relationship. And if they think we have the family under control, they will be assured that we have the company and their security under control."

"The company comes first," she muttered.

"This company is my family's legacy. My father built it from the ground up, and I'll be damned if I let my no-good son ruin it. Now, we have a few things to discuss since you've finally come to your senses. I will find you once I've made a suitable appearance and spoken with my guests."

He had been gone for less than thirty seconds before Sakura nudged Sasuke toward the corner of the room. "Let's get this over with."

They stepped into the stairwell and looked up. "Elevator would be faster," said Sasuke.

"It's only four flights, and the elevator is in the center of the lobby. Kinda hard to sneak into."

They held up the security badge to the scanner outside of her grandfather's office. She hadn't fully believed that it would work until now.

"The instructions in that envelope said to just insert the flashdrive into the computer. It's supposed to locate and download the evidence against Harada industries on its own." Sasuke tried to support her as he kept a look out at the door.

Sakura circled around the desk and shook the mouse to wake up the desktop. She plugged in the flashdrive and waited.

"It's a good thing this knows what it's doing because I wouldn't know where to start," she admitted.

As she was waiting, she noticed a document neatly sitting atop a stack of papers on the desk. It was a contract with her name on it. Before it could really register with her, the flashdrive completed its process with a soft beep.

"Finished? Alright, let's go." Sasuke expected her to grab the flashdrive so they could mad dash out of there, but she kept staring at the desk.

"Sakura, c'mon. We need to leave."

"There's a contract," said Sakura, sluggish in speech as she stepped out around the large wooden desk. Her mind was still trying to reason it out. She left the flashdrive where it was.

"To sign over the company so you can inherit? Don't worry, you won't have to sign anything now," he reassured but he was hasty and anxious. Getting caught in here would ruin everything.

Sakura held up the paper, struggling with what to say. "It's not –" She cut herself off when she heard a voice outside the door.

"My son told me you might be here." Her grandfather spoke from outside the door in a tired voice as if explaining to children how the red paint on their hands give them away for the red hand prints on the walls. He used his security key and opened the door.

"He ... did?" Sakura was actually surprised, and she hated herself for it.

"Did you manage to get that flashdrive here, Sakura? Yes, I knew all about this little scheme from inception. After all, I orchestrated it myself. Danzo is a dear old friend."

The door clicked shut behind him.

"The kidnapping … was you?" Sakura flashed back to the awful experience with a new perspective.

"You bastard." Sasuke couldn't believe what he was hearing.

Sakura's mind was turning fast, spinning down as her reality unwound. She tried to grab on to the facts that would help. The paper in her hands crinkled under her fingers.

"Since the threat from ROOT is obviously not real, we're safe to turn the flashdrive over to the police – expose your business agreements with criminal organizations," threatened Sasuke.

Atsushi Harada laughed at the threat. "You don't get it. Danzo and I made a deal to get you here, Sakura. You didn't get anything off that computer. That flashdrive was tool – a lie." He scoffed.

"However, my security cameras did catch you both breaking into my office to steal from me. I can have you both arrested tonight. Being that this is your senior year, I dare say it wouldn't look good on those college applications."

"My father is a cop, and I'll tell him everything," challenged Sasuke.

"Yes, I'm aware of my son's old friendship. If you do share, boy, I can't speak to the welfare of your dear father. Accidents do happen from time to time. Tragic but unavoidable … unless Sakura agrees to follow my orders. You did see the contract on the desk? I left it out for you."

"And my father was in on all of this?" she asked.

"His son is ill and needs costly treatment. I will continue providing financial assistance in exchange for his help on this matter. He'd do anything for family." The cruel remark struck Sakura hard.

"You're right. I've never been his family … or yours. And from what I've seen tonight, I'm thankful for it."

Sasuke stepped forward. "You can make threats all you want, but Sakura isn't going to take over your company."

He clucked his tongue in disappointment. "Dear boy, I never intended for Sakura to run the company. I just need it in her name on paper so I can handpick the man I want to run it."

"I don't understand."

"This contract I found on his desk," she spat bitterly, holding up the paper in hand, "is a marriage license."

"He'll take your name, of course," added Mr. Harada.

"Like hell. You're one crazy son of a bitch."

"Please silence your guard dog." Atsushi Harada was bored with his granddaughter's persistent friend. He didn't spare him a glance as he took a seat behind his desk. This boy had nearly ruined the kidnapping attempt by getting himself caught up in it and now he was here, a fly buzzing.

"I will make you a fair deal." He was interrupted by a snort from Sakura, but he carried on undeterred.

"You sign this marriage license, make a few press appearances for optics in the first months of transitioning ownership and I never contact you or anyone else again."

"Yeah right," she snorted.

"I am a man of my word, as I've told you before. I think you would do well to take my offer and consider the consequences of not doing so. Not only can I have you arrested for breaking in here tonight, but I can have you charged as a member of ROOT, as you are working on their behalf –"

"Only because you made us –"

Her grandfather continued talking over Sakura's interjection.

"As well as him," he nodded to Sasuke, "and all of your little friends in both Suna and Konoha. Shall we check in on Naruto Uzumaki and Hinata Hyuuga?"

He pulled out his phone, hit some buttons and then showed them a live video of Naruto and Hinata in Naruto's basement on the couch, watching a movie. It was the backs of their heads, but it was unmistakable. Which meant that someone was there in the house with them and they had no idea.

"What is this?" Her voice was losing steam as she saw her situation spiraling out of control.

"This is incentive."

"You're only prolonging the inevitable. Sooner or later, your company is finished. Someone's going to find out that you hire groups like ROOT to break in to other security systems so you can swoop in and save the day. It's a nasty business plan," snapped Sakura.

Sasuke couldn't believe the lengths that this man was going to in order to get what he wanted, even bringing Naruto and Hinata into this.

"Nasty as you say but quite lucrative. And while that may be true, there is no proof." He smugly alluded to the useless flashdrive.

"We don't need proof. We'll just let the cops start digging around and they'll -"

"They won't find anything. Don't you understand? Your mother was a smart woman. Surely you inherited some of that and know when to admit defeat."

He walked by her, plucking the contract out of her hand and placing it on the desk. He took a seat in his chair and slid a second piece of paper across the desk, putting it right beside the marriage license.

"Sign this one first. Legally, I need you to have the Harada last name. After that has been taken care of, we'll submit the marriage license."

"No. I refuse," she said.

Atsushi sighed, shut off the footage and sent a text. He received a phone call immediately and answered it on speaker. They could hear Naruto shouting and Hinata screaming as chaos ensued on the other line. The thud of a body hitting the floor and Hinata shouting for Naruto.

"Stop! Stop! Okay, I'll do it!"

Atsushi nodded but kept the phone on. "Sign first and then I call him off."

She took a breath.

She took a seat.

She took the pen her grandfather offered, cold and heavy and final.

Sasuke wanted to rip the pen out of her hands.

He also knew that her grandfather would follow through on his threats. Not to mention he was backed by ROOT and could thus act in less reputable channels to solve a problem. It was probably a ROOT member in Naruto's house right now.

He watched her lean forward to sign the paper, slowly, as if swimming against the current.

She scrawled the pen across the documents but slammed her hand over both before he could take them.

"I just want to say one thing first, grandpa." The sarcasm sharp in her voice, she stared him down across the table.

Her grandfather humored her. "Yes, granddaughter?"

"I hope you get what you deserve."

Her grandfather took the papers with glee. "I always do." He sent a text on his phone and the shouting stopped. He left the documents on top of his desk.

Suddenly, Sasuke watched in shock as his brother, dressed as a waiter, entered the room, waving his badge around and spouting off words like "arrest" and "right to remain silent."

"Now what is all this?" Atsushi Harada's stood abruptly, his chair rolling back into the wall.

"Consorting with known criminal organizations, blackmailing children, the list goes on. You've been busy." Itachi ordered him to put his hands behind his back.

"I've done none of those things." He refused to cooperate.

"Apart from the letters you sent Sakura, there's a flashdrive in your computer right now that opened a program to record everything you've said since you walked into the room. I've been listening."

Sakura stared without feeling as her grandfather realized it all.

"There's no way," he breathed, glaring at his granddaughter as Itachi used this moment to retrieve his handcuffs.

"Upset that you were bested by a little girl?" jeered Itachi. "Nice job, getting him to incriminate himself. Although these types always like to brag."

Sasuke heard the click of the cuffs as his brother fastened them around the man's wrists.

"We've got more than enough to charge you with. And your own son has agreed to testify against you."

"See you in court, dad." Daniel Harada stood in the doorway. He wasn't gloating. He sounded tired.

"You traitor," spat Atsushi Harada, red in the face at the sight of his son.

Just as he was about to march her grandfather out of the room, she stopped him. "Itachi, what about Naruto and Hinata?"

Itachi sighed, "Don't worry. As soon as I heard they were in danger, I called the Konoha police. They're fine."

After they were gone, it was just Sasuke, Sakura and her father. It was then that Sasuke excused himself from the room, stepping just outside the door to call Naruto and make sure what his brother had said was true.

Daniel Harada picked up the contracts on the desk. "Let's dispose of these, shall we?"

With the paper shredder running, it was more difficult to hear what Sakura said but not impossible. "Thank you."

Her father didn't seem to know how to react. "You're not angry at me, for lying to you?"

"A little. But at least I know you did it to help me, I guess."

"The trick to beating Atsushi Harada is to let him believe he's already won. Your mom said it best when she came to see me a few months ago. All that we did was to help you. It's the least I could do after all that you've been through."

"Wait, my mom?"

"Yes, I thought you knew. She's the one who fixed the flashdrive for Itachi."

On the flight home, Sasuke was quiet. He was stewing, and Sakura could take one guess as to why.

"Look, I didn't tell you about Itachi because I knew you wouldn't like it."

"Damn right I don't like it."

"He's been after Danzo for years, and he can use my grandfather to get to ROOT. It was a win for both sides."

"I understand that. I'm not angry about that."

"Oh," she said, surprised. "Then what?"

He didn't say anything.

"Come on, Sasuke. I don't have to worry about the Harada problem ever again. It hasn't even sunk in yet, but I can't even begin to absorb it because you're throwing a temper tantrum."

"I am not!" He cleared his throat. "I'm not. It's just … was signing your life away all part of the plan you made with my brother?"

"You're mad because I was going to marry someone?" She kept her voice level, but she couldn't hide the teasing tone.

"No," he said, staring out the window.

"I knew even if I signed it that Itachi was out there. Having the CEO of the business turn out to be on your side was also a plus. I just did it to protect Hinata and Naruto."

"I should have been able to protect you. Not my brother," he said.

That was when Sakura realized the heart of the matter.

"Your brother was helpful, yes, but he didn't protect me. He used me to get what he wanted. So did my father. That's not protection – that self-interest with a side effect of helping me."

She put her hand on Sasuke's arm, and he finally turned to look at her. "Thank you, Sasuke. Not because you have helped me or protected me, because you have, you really have. But more importantly, you gave me the strength to be who I want to be, to be who I am without fear."

Sasuke shook his head at her words. "You're full of it."

She could tell he was touched by her admission though because he put on that smirk of his.

"You're grounded for lying to me about where you went this weekend."

"Mom! C'mon," griped Sakura. They were just getting off the plane and her mother was waiting for her in the airport.

"You knew where I was the whole time. Apparently you're quite the computer whiz."

Rei Haruno opened her mouth but nothing came out. She shook her head and laughed.

"I should have known Daniel would let it slip."

"You actually programmed the flashdrive?" Sasuke couldn't hide his surprise.

Ms. Haruno shrugged in the affirmative. "I told you that I would take care of you, Sakura. You're my daughter and I will do anything for you. Besides, it's the perfect revenge. I think Atsushi forgot that I helped build the software company he stole from my family."

"Itachi told me he had someone for the flashdrive part. I just didn't think it'd be you. How did you even meet up with Itachi in the first place?"

"We'll have all the time in the world to discuss this later, during your grounding. Of course, I suppose exceptions can be made for visitors." She nodded at Sasuke.

New Years Eve – Late December

Sakura followed Sasuke downstairs to Naruto's basement after saying hello to Mr. and Mrs. Uchiha. They saw Naruto and Hinata sitting on the couch, the backs of their heads flashing them back to their trip to Stone City in September.

Since then, her grandfather traded jail time by promising Itachi that he'd meet with Danzo while wearing a wire. During their meeting, Itachi was able to swoop in and arrest Danzo.

Her father had passed on the company to the vice president, stepping down with no opposition from his father anymore, who had been barred from setting foot near Harada Industries as terms of negotiating his deal with the police. Despite him getting out of jail time, Sakura was satisfied with the punishment.

Sasuke took the last seat on the couch next to Hinata and pulled Sakura into his lap.

"Another year gone already," said Hinata, shaking her head.

Naruto gave her hand a squeeze. "It's been a good one though."

"There were a few things that could have gone better," said Sakura, "but overall I agree."

They laughed and it felt so good to be able to laugh about her problems. Because they were in the past. She'd made it through them, and it was thanks in a big way to the people in this room.

They'd also found out who it was that had broken into Naruto's house that night. They'd been unable to catch him because he'd fled town shortly after. They were the only people who knew that Sai didn't leave Konoha for family reasons, unless you considered ROOT his family.

He'd been spying on Sakura and the rest of them long before that day in the park, but he was gone now. Itachi's arrest of Danzo had crippled the organization, forcing them underground and out of mind. They were free of that threat for good.

"Any resolutions for next year?" asked Hinata.

Sasuke shrugged, "I don't really do the new years resolution thing."

"Of course you don't," teased Sakura.

"Mine is to get into college," said Naruto.

"She said resolution, not dream." Sasuke received a punch in the leg from Naruto for that slight.

Sakura wanted to remember this night where they were just hanging out, eating snacks and talking. It was just how she wanted her year to end.

She was up at the table, looking over the finger foods Naruto's dad had made them, since his mom was apparently a terrible cook, when she felt Sasuke wrap his arms around her from behind. She smiled and turned around in his arms to face him.

He started to lean in but she stopped him. "It's not midnight yet," she said.

"You're point," he said.

"We're supposed to kiss at midnight on New Year's Eve."

"We still can," he smirked.

"Fair point, Uchiha."

She didn't know what the next year or years would hold, didn't know where she would be after graduation, but she did know that she could figure it all out on her own as Sakura Haruno, daughter of Rei Haruno and Daniel Harada, and a girl who could make her own decisions.

Just like the decision she made to shove a cupcake in Sasuke Uchiha's face. She burst out laughing at his surprise, his face twisted as he grabbed her cupcake-holding arm.

"Sorry, but I had to," she laughed. "You owe me five bucks, Naruto!"

"Oh nice one, Sakura!" cheered Naruto.

"You bet her to do this?" Sasuke pulled the cupcake out of Sakura's hand, still keeping hold of her wrist with the other.

"Didn't think I could do it. Said you always caught on to pranks before he could carry them out." Sakura kept laughing. There was icing all over his face.

Without warning, Sasuke kissed her, smearing icing all over her face as well. She pushed him away and they stared at each other for a second.

Then Sakura started to laugh again and finally Sasuke joined in. Hinata grabbed them napkins. Naruto handed Sakura the bet money.

Later when the clock struck midnight, no one even noticed, too busy in their conversations. The year melted into the next without much change, which was fine with Sakura. She liked things just the way they were.

Oh my god it's over. I hope the ending was not a let-down. It didn't seem right to have any flashy fight scene or have them crawling spy-style through the air ducts to break through the security at Harada Industries since her grandfather was more about the power of words than anything. And I wanted Sakura to have a part in her own saving but also her mom being there to help made sense to me, like it was closure for both parties.

And I want to thank the anonymous review that asked me for an author's note to reassure everyone that I hadn't abandoned this story. I'd like to apologize for not writing that author's note, but instead I sat down each day and attacked this final chapter.

I want to thank each and every one of you that favorited, followed and reviewed this story. You are the best, and I hope I gave you something worth your time!

See You Next Story,

RadiantSun