A/N: Well, here it is; the long-awaited epilogue. I had fun with this story, and while I
didn't leave much room for a sequel, I'm might be able to work in a one-shot reflection
piece someday. However, if I do, it won't be for a long time.
And, by all means, any of you readers are welcomed to do so. My only request is that you
drop me a line telling me, so I don't feel too far out of the loop. And please, credit me if
you do so, where the credit is due. I won't impose on your own work in the slightest.
::smile::
At long last, here's the Epilogue.
DISCLAIMER: I don't own Naruto, never have, never will. I only own this story and its
specifics.
ARCHIVE: Go ahead, just drop me a line.
GUIDE
"Blah" - spoken
Blah - thoughts or emphasis
Blah - emphasis in a thought
-Blah- - sound effect
------------ - scene change
..::::.. - not in this chapter
Epilogue
Sakura smiled as she thought back on that. Dawn was rising over Konoha, and she
could see it beautifully from where she stood atop the Monument. She couldn't help but
laugh to herself when she remembered Sasuke's expression when she landed on that
branch. He had regained consciousness while she was away, and was wondering how in
the hell he ended up on a branch.
She had landed before him, and if his hand flying to his chest was any indication,
she about gave him a heart attack. He had stared, mouth open, and had sent Sakura into a
round of laughter. She extended her hand, which he had taken, and helped him stand.
"Genjutsu?" he had asked. She shook her head. "Ninjutsu?" Again, she had
shaken her head. He had looked around, then down, then back up at her. "I'm not dead,
am I?" She had laughed again, unable to resist.
"No, Sasuke," she had told him, "you're not dead. But you are in need of medical
attention, so I suggest we get back to camp." After a moment's hesitation, he had let
himself be hugged from behind, and they had left, flying through the trees.
That was probably a sight to see when I landed at the camp, she thought.
Everyone had wanted to touch her wings, and she had let them. Even Neji had
'accidently' brushed against them. He's not such a bad guy, really. A complete stiff at
times, but he's getting better. More human.
Sakura, the wind whispered.
Yes? she asked.
Sakura... it repeated, and rushed past her, out over the Monument, taking a flood
of cherry blossoms with it.
Thank you, she told the wind.
"You're the one that should be thanked," a voice said. Sakura's eyes widened; it
was the same voice that had spoken to her as she fell from the cliff. She turned her head,
and there, behind her, was a woman.
"Lady Inutsuge," she said softly.
The woman smiled and walked up beside her. Her hair was a shining ebony,
flowing far down her back, various flowers tucked in. She was wearing a kimono instead
of the armor, but Sakura could tell it was she just by the way she carried herself. She
looked out over Konoha, then turned to face Sakura; she had the same jade green eyes.
"Sakura, it is you who should be thanked. You have saved all of this," she said,
gesturing towards the village.
"I... I don't understand. Yes, I won a small victory, but that was a battle, not the
war."
"Yes, I know that; but that small victory will go down in history as the one that
turned the tide of this war. Konoha will survive," she said, still smiling.
"All of this..." Sakura said to herself. She looked at Konoha for a moment, then
turned back to her. "Lady Inutsuge, about the wings...?"
"You are the first of this clan to be able to use them, after myself. It was said in
my clan that the gods bestowed us with the wings as their messengers. I never believed it
myself," she confided, "but we did indeed have wings to call upon. The true history of
their existence was lost to us."
"Did every member have them?"
"Yes, but some only could call upon them in times of great need. Others, like
myself, could call upon them at will. When my children were born, I would watch to see
if any of them ever showed any indication that they could do this, but none did. The same
with my grandchildren. When I died, my soul continued to look over my clan, while my
spirit left to become reincarnated," she said, giving Sakura a motherly look.
"To become me," Sakura said.
"Yes, but never forget, you and I are very different people. You have my spirit,
but you have your own soul and are your own person," she replied.
"Was... was I chosen? Or was it just coincidence?"
"That I cannot answer," Inutsuge said. "However, I can tell you that I never
believed in coincidences." Sakura smiled at that. "You have company." She turned
around, but didn't see anyone. When she turned back, Inutsuge was gone, and only cherry
blossoms danced upon the wind.
"There you are!" She turned around again, and this time saw Sasuke approaching
her. "We need to get you a finding place."
"A what?" she asked.
"A finding place. If we can't find Naruto, we go to the Ichikaru; if we can't find
Kakashi, we go to the adult book store; and if you can't find me, you go to the training
grounds. We need find a place for you," he said. Sakura laughed.
"I think... this place. Yes, this place will do just fine," she told him. He nodded,
looking serious, but Sakura knew otherwise. "You wanted to find me?"
"Yeah. I didn't get to thank you for saving me," he said. She gave him a
questioning look. "I don't remember much. I just remember falling and you catching me.
I also remember gliding over the sea, and at first I thought that I was losing my mind, but
then I saw those wings of yours.... It fell into place."
"Let's just say I was returning the favor," she said. His face grew dark.
"I didn't mean to hurt you like that. I just saw that my teammate was in danger,
and my body moved of its own accord," he said.
"Don't worry. I've gotten over that. In fact, I actually should be thanking you,
because not only did you save my life that day, but you sent me down the path that has led
me to where I am."
"Sometimes I wonder if Neji's right with all that destiny stuff he talks about. And
then I wonder if Naruto's right, and it's all crap, and that you make your own destiny," he
said. He shook his head. "I can't believe I just said that Naruto might be right...."
"You want my advice?"
"Sure."
"Let go," she said.
He gave her an odd looking, making her laugh again. She looked out over
Konoha, sighing. Years ago she would have given anything in the world to talk with him
like this; but now, she had found a greater purpose. She still cared deeply about Sasuke,
but knew it would never be. They both had clans to build, and he still was still an
avenger.
"There's one thing I can't let go," he said, and she knew that he meant his brother.
He looked up at her. "You know things. Will he and I ever...?"
"Yes," she said softly. They will meet. Time is fleeting in this matter. If only... if
only I knew the outcome.... But some things are better left be. He nodded his asent, and
they spent a few minutes in silence, watching over Konoha. "Hey, Sasuke."
"What?" She turned to him and grinned.
"Race you to the bridge?" He seemed to think it over for a moment.
"What do I get if I win?" Sakura sighed, he had definitely been around Naruto too
much.
"I'll cook you a five course meal every night for a week," she said. He nodded,
agreeing. "And if I win, you have to come to dinner at my house tonight and meet my
mother and grandmother. They would be delighted."
"Deal," he said, and then was gone, running down the path. Sakura smiled,
watching him go. She went the edge of the Monument and let herself fall. She flew over
him, and heard him shout, "Hey! No fair!"
She laughed and flew towards the bridge. She had found her strength. It wasn't
just physical, or mental, or power of will, it was also the strength of her heart. She loved
clan, her friends, and most importantly, herself. She wasn't weak, she never truly had
been; she had just been too blind from hating herself to see that. Now, she could, and
now, she could let go, and fly free.
She soared over Konoha under the morning sun.
Her blood was singing....
------OWARI------
"Those who wish to sing always find a song." -- Swedish Proverb
A/N: Yes, yes, I know, all you SasuSaku lovers are probably irritated at me. But I realized
as I was preparing to write this, there was just no way they could be together-- Sakura
would keep her clan name, Haruno, and Sasuke cannot take on another clan name
because he needs to rebuild the Uchiha clan. I take full blame for that, but I couldn't see
going back and changing that fact because, if you look back over it, that would involve a
lot of other changes as well-- a literary can-of-worms, so to speak.
To smooth you SasuSaku people's irritation, I promise I will write something about them
sometime in the near future.
Now, onto reviewer responses.
Maya Amano: Ahh, thank you! Yes, I know, I wasn't expecting this many reviews at all,
but you guys have been more than welcoming. ::grin:: And no, I'm not offended in the
slightest. I know I was a little confusing, and I hope this chapter helped clear that up a bit.
Miszy-Anne: Thanks! And I have always wondered who would win in a staring contest
between those two....
animEvivvErz: ::blushes:: Aw, shucks, it wasn't nothin'.... I'm glad you liked the
metaphor. It was actually created by accident, then I went back and embellished it a bit
more. ::sigh:: The things we authors do....
SkyeWye: I'm glad it finally worked for you. People always tell me I have a unique style,
but I certainly can't see it, unless they mean my often archaic speech patterns. ::shrugs:: It
doesn't matter I suppose-- whatever it is, it works! Glad you liked it.
Datchi: In one word, thanks! (A lot.) ::thumbs-up::
Shiroi Hikari: Oh, yes, they did indeed. I wonder what Neji-kun thinks of them. ::grin::
I'm really glad you liked it.
Poison Death Tree: Thanks, and hey, you never know.... Those odd creative beings
known as muses strike at strange times with even stranger ideas, including sequels. Guess
we'll see, ne?
Kio: Thanks so much. I'm glad you and everyone has really enjoyed this.
Well, that's it. "That's all there is, there is no more." For this story, anyhow. It's been a
fun journey with you guys, and I can't wait to see you next time, on another journey. I'm
glad you could come along for the ride.
Until next time,
CrazyAce
didn't leave much room for a sequel, I'm might be able to work in a one-shot reflection
piece someday. However, if I do, it won't be for a long time.
And, by all means, any of you readers are welcomed to do so. My only request is that you
drop me a line telling me, so I don't feel too far out of the loop. And please, credit me if
you do so, where the credit is due. I won't impose on your own work in the slightest.
::smile::
At long last, here's the Epilogue.
DISCLAIMER: I don't own Naruto, never have, never will. I only own this story and its
specifics.
ARCHIVE: Go ahead, just drop me a line.
GUIDE
"Blah" - spoken
Blah - thoughts or emphasis
Blah - emphasis in a thought
-Blah- - sound effect
------------ - scene change
..::::.. - not in this chapter
Sakura smiled as she thought back on that. Dawn was rising over Konoha, and she
could see it beautifully from where she stood atop the Monument. She couldn't help but
laugh to herself when she remembered Sasuke's expression when she landed on that
branch. He had regained consciousness while she was away, and was wondering how in
the hell he ended up on a branch.
She had landed before him, and if his hand flying to his chest was any indication,
she about gave him a heart attack. He had stared, mouth open, and had sent Sakura into a
round of laughter. She extended her hand, which he had taken, and helped him stand.
"Genjutsu?" he had asked. She shook her head. "Ninjutsu?" Again, she had
shaken her head. He had looked around, then down, then back up at her. "I'm not dead,
am I?" She had laughed again, unable to resist.
"No, Sasuke," she had told him, "you're not dead. But you are in need of medical
attention, so I suggest we get back to camp." After a moment's hesitation, he had let
himself be hugged from behind, and they had left, flying through the trees.
That was probably a sight to see when I landed at the camp, she thought.
Everyone had wanted to touch her wings, and she had let them. Even Neji had
'accidently' brushed against them. He's not such a bad guy, really. A complete stiff at
times, but he's getting better. More human.
Sakura, the wind whispered.
Yes? she asked.
Sakura... it repeated, and rushed past her, out over the Monument, taking a flood
of cherry blossoms with it.
Thank you, she told the wind.
"You're the one that should be thanked," a voice said. Sakura's eyes widened; it
was the same voice that had spoken to her as she fell from the cliff. She turned her head,
and there, behind her, was a woman.
"Lady Inutsuge," she said softly.
The woman smiled and walked up beside her. Her hair was a shining ebony,
flowing far down her back, various flowers tucked in. She was wearing a kimono instead
of the armor, but Sakura could tell it was she just by the way she carried herself. She
looked out over Konoha, then turned to face Sakura; she had the same jade green eyes.
"Sakura, it is you who should be thanked. You have saved all of this," she said,
gesturing towards the village.
"I... I don't understand. Yes, I won a small victory, but that was a battle, not the
war."
"Yes, I know that; but that small victory will go down in history as the one that
turned the tide of this war. Konoha will survive," she said, still smiling.
"All of this..." Sakura said to herself. She looked at Konoha for a moment, then
turned back to her. "Lady Inutsuge, about the wings...?"
"You are the first of this clan to be able to use them, after myself. It was said in
my clan that the gods bestowed us with the wings as their messengers. I never believed it
myself," she confided, "but we did indeed have wings to call upon. The true history of
their existence was lost to us."
"Did every member have them?"
"Yes, but some only could call upon them in times of great need. Others, like
myself, could call upon them at will. When my children were born, I would watch to see
if any of them ever showed any indication that they could do this, but none did. The same
with my grandchildren. When I died, my soul continued to look over my clan, while my
spirit left to become reincarnated," she said, giving Sakura a motherly look.
"To become me," Sakura said.
"Yes, but never forget, you and I are very different people. You have my spirit,
but you have your own soul and are your own person," she replied.
"Was... was I chosen? Or was it just coincidence?"
"That I cannot answer," Inutsuge said. "However, I can tell you that I never
believed in coincidences." Sakura smiled at that. "You have company." She turned
around, but didn't see anyone. When she turned back, Inutsuge was gone, and only cherry
blossoms danced upon the wind.
"There you are!" She turned around again, and this time saw Sasuke approaching
her. "We need to get you a finding place."
"A what?" she asked.
"A finding place. If we can't find Naruto, we go to the Ichikaru; if we can't find
Kakashi, we go to the adult book store; and if you can't find me, you go to the training
grounds. We need find a place for you," he said. Sakura laughed.
"I think... this place. Yes, this place will do just fine," she told him. He nodded,
looking serious, but Sakura knew otherwise. "You wanted to find me?"
"Yeah. I didn't get to thank you for saving me," he said. She gave him a
questioning look. "I don't remember much. I just remember falling and you catching me.
I also remember gliding over the sea, and at first I thought that I was losing my mind, but
then I saw those wings of yours.... It fell into place."
"Let's just say I was returning the favor," she said. His face grew dark.
"I didn't mean to hurt you like that. I just saw that my teammate was in danger,
and my body moved of its own accord," he said.
"Don't worry. I've gotten over that. In fact, I actually should be thanking you,
because not only did you save my life that day, but you sent me down the path that has led
me to where I am."
"Sometimes I wonder if Neji's right with all that destiny stuff he talks about. And
then I wonder if Naruto's right, and it's all crap, and that you make your own destiny," he
said. He shook his head. "I can't believe I just said that Naruto might be right...."
"You want my advice?"
"Sure."
"Let go," she said.
He gave her an odd looking, making her laugh again. She looked out over
Konoha, sighing. Years ago she would have given anything in the world to talk with him
like this; but now, she had found a greater purpose. She still cared deeply about Sasuke,
but knew it would never be. They both had clans to build, and he still was still an
avenger.
"There's one thing I can't let go," he said, and she knew that he meant his brother.
He looked up at her. "You know things. Will he and I ever...?"
"Yes," she said softly. They will meet. Time is fleeting in this matter. If only... if
only I knew the outcome.... But some things are better left be. He nodded his asent, and
they spent a few minutes in silence, watching over Konoha. "Hey, Sasuke."
"What?" She turned to him and grinned.
"Race you to the bridge?" He seemed to think it over for a moment.
"What do I get if I win?" Sakura sighed, he had definitely been around Naruto too
much.
"I'll cook you a five course meal every night for a week," she said. He nodded,
agreeing. "And if I win, you have to come to dinner at my house tonight and meet my
mother and grandmother. They would be delighted."
"Deal," he said, and then was gone, running down the path. Sakura smiled,
watching him go. She went the edge of the Monument and let herself fall. She flew over
him, and heard him shout, "Hey! No fair!"
She laughed and flew towards the bridge. She had found her strength. It wasn't
just physical, or mental, or power of will, it was also the strength of her heart. She loved
clan, her friends, and most importantly, herself. She wasn't weak, she never truly had
been; she had just been too blind from hating herself to see that. Now, she could, and
now, she could let go, and fly free.
She soared over Konoha under the morning sun.
Her blood was singing....
------OWARI------
"Those who wish to sing always find a song." -- Swedish Proverb
A/N: Yes, yes, I know, all you SasuSaku lovers are probably irritated at me. But I realized
as I was preparing to write this, there was just no way they could be together-- Sakura
would keep her clan name, Haruno, and Sasuke cannot take on another clan name
because he needs to rebuild the Uchiha clan. I take full blame for that, but I couldn't see
going back and changing that fact because, if you look back over it, that would involve a
lot of other changes as well-- a literary can-of-worms, so to speak.
To smooth you SasuSaku people's irritation, I promise I will write something about them
sometime in the near future.
Now, onto reviewer responses.
Maya Amano: Ahh, thank you! Yes, I know, I wasn't expecting this many reviews at all,
but you guys have been more than welcoming. ::grin:: And no, I'm not offended in the
slightest. I know I was a little confusing, and I hope this chapter helped clear that up a bit.
Miszy-Anne: Thanks! And I have always wondered who would win in a staring contest
between those two....
animEvivvErz: ::blushes:: Aw, shucks, it wasn't nothin'.... I'm glad you liked the
metaphor. It was actually created by accident, then I went back and embellished it a bit
more. ::sigh:: The things we authors do....
SkyeWye: I'm glad it finally worked for you. People always tell me I have a unique style,
but I certainly can't see it, unless they mean my often archaic speech patterns. ::shrugs:: It
doesn't matter I suppose-- whatever it is, it works! Glad you liked it.
Datchi: In one word, thanks! (A lot.) ::thumbs-up::
Shiroi Hikari: Oh, yes, they did indeed. I wonder what Neji-kun thinks of them. ::grin::
I'm really glad you liked it.
Poison Death Tree: Thanks, and hey, you never know.... Those odd creative beings
known as muses strike at strange times with even stranger ideas, including sequels. Guess
we'll see, ne?
Kio: Thanks so much. I'm glad you and everyone has really enjoyed this.
Well, that's it. "That's all there is, there is no more." For this story, anyhow. It's been a
fun journey with you guys, and I can't wait to see you next time, on another journey. I'm
glad you could come along for the ride.
Until next time,
CrazyAce