Hi guys.

Crazily enough, three years passed. As most of you have probably realized, I ended this story without even meaning to end it. I guess.. somewhere along the way, I lost interest in Naruto. And… I'm no longer in love with Sasuke. Haha.

However, I still have some things written out from… way back. (I discovered this when cleaning out my computer files two minutes ago). So. This chapter will be some last tidbits of A Twist of Fate.

Of course, they're the sappy stuff.

So enjoy, if you like.

Cheers,

Chimamire

(first will be the part I promised in the last chapter.. which was three years ago xO)

A bitter smile reached her lips as she studied the bandages around the Uchiha's left arm.

"I…I did that, didn't I?" she asked him. Her voice was calm, but her eyes had betrayed her. They were clouded and filled with a mix of harmful emotions.

Sasuke gave his partially-healed arm a glance.

There was a long pause as the pink-haired girl battled her inner demons.

"Sakura, you're crying."

A little bit surprised, she brought a hand to her eye and felt the warm tear. It was true. She was indeed crying. Her face tilted away ever so slightly from his gaze.

He noticed.

"Haha…I'm crying, huh.." She inquired, posing the question more to herself than to him.

Silent tears trickled down Sakura's cheeks. No matter how much she forced them back, they continued to fall rebelliously. At that moment, she hated herself for being so weak in front of him.

"I'm sorry." she whispered, followed by a small sniff.

"Don't be. It wasn't your fault."

"If only I'd realized sooner. If only you fought back. Sasuke, I-"

"Forget it. What's done is done."

Sakura quietened. Her wet jaded eyes lingered on the bandages around the avenger's arm. They were already starting to stain with crimson. The remaining traces of her corrosive chakra had prevented the wound from fully healing – even with the use of advanced medical jutsu. She drew in a breath…

"Does it hurt?"

The second those words escaped her lips, she regretted it.

Baka! Of course it hurts… How could it not? The medic laughed inwardly at her own silly question. If only she could unsay things.

She noticed Sasuke's gaze avert onto the wound.

"No. It's fine."

They both knew that was a lie.

His tone was comforting, and at those words, more hot tears welled up in her eyes. The pink-haired girl lowered her head, and tried to blink them away. However, gravity wouldn't let up, pulling them downward. A few drops landed on her hands.

"It's been a while since I saw you cry." The Uchiha stated leisurely, hoping his words would sound encouraging to the girl. He took his gaze away from her, but made sure he was able to see her clearly out of the corner of his eyes.

A small smile bloomed prettily on Sakura's face. The raven-haired boy caught it and almost mirrored it, on instinct, with his own.

"Yeah…" she gave a small laugh, and brought back some memories. Remembering something, she asked cautiously, "Am…am I annoying you?"

Frowning, Sasuke turned to face her, waiting for her to elaborate.

"I try not to cry because…because I know that it's weakness in your eyes." Sakura whispered, half hoping that her words would not reach his ears.

They did.

There was silence again.

Finally, she summed up enough courage to meet his gaze. Slowly lifting her head, the girl glanced across.

However, to her surprise, the Uchiha was no longer there. She stiffened. His presence was now beside her. When had he moved there?

He spoke softly.

"Aa. You're annoying."

For some reason, the pink-haired girl felt better. More secure. She peered at him.

He was close.

His right arm gently rested against her left. His elbows were positioned on his knees and his head was lowered. The pink-haired girl dipped down slightly and snuck a peek at his face.

She smiled.

His eyes were closed and his handsome features stayed relaxed. His breathing was even, but she knew he wasn't asleep.

Pulling her legs against her body and wrapping her arms around them, Sakura rested her chin on her knees. She, too, closed her eyes and allowed her breathing to even.

Sasuke cracked open an eye. Catching the soft smile on her tired face, he smirked.

When he was sure she had drifted off to sleep, he whispered something into the air.

"So annoying that I can't get you out of my head."

Cool night air danced through the open window of the Uchiha's bedroom. The moon was bright and clouds were scarce. Twinkling stars winked from the vast velvet blanket of sky. A few crickets chirped their songs merrily into the darkness. All of this added to the serene feel of a calm night.

Sasuke, however, was definitely not sharing the peaceful mood of his surroundings.

Tossing and turning under the sheets, the Uchiha's sleep was flooded with nightmares. Beads of sweat trickled down the sides of his face. His wounds ached and his head pounded.

And in the blackness, the curse mark pulsed, its echoes beating against the emptiness.

Dammit.

It hurt. It hurt a hell of a lot.

xXxXx

"I didn't expect the meeting to last this long…" Sakura sighed, glancing up at the crescent moon.

She adjusted the strap of her duffle bag on her shoulder and walked the all too familiar paths of the Uchiha district. It was actually quite eerie to walk these abandoned roads under moonlight by oneself…

Expertly, her well-trained ear picked up a silent footstep from behind.

The pink-haired girl tensed and reached to grasp a kunai. Her heart began to beat at an increased speed but she remained steady. Swiftly turning on her heels, Sakura flashed the weapon before her, blade pointing outwards defensively. The metal caught the moonlight and glistened.

"Meow."

It was only a stray cat.

The medic-nin gave a nervous laugh. She was just overreacting. Placing the weapon back into its holster, the girl let out a sigh. She walked on quietly, but couldn't help letting her hand linger within close proximity of the kunai.

Picked out by the silver light of the moon, the Uchiha manor stood tall and menacing. Sakura found herself relieved at the sight of the familiar structure.

She walked through the half-opened gate along the path leading towards the manor. Instead of taking the front doors, the medic circled around to the left of the building. Sasuke usually uses the side door. So he never bothered to lock it (seeing that not many people dare venture into the Uchiha District.)

Indeed it was opened.

The pink-haired girl stepped in. The place was completely dark.

"Sasuke? You there?"

Instinctively, she walked towards his bedroom. The door was left ajar, moonlight poured through. Sakura peeked in, noticing the Uchiha's figure on the bed. Was he asleep?

"Sasuke?" She whispered gently.

There was no response.

Letting herself in, the pink-haired girl tiptoed towards the bed.

Sasuke's eyes were closed.

Noticing his stressed breathing and pained face, Sakura frowned. It was probably a bad dream. Setting down her bag, she decided to wake him. She started with a hushed tone.

"Sasuke? Wake up."

A crease found its way onto the Uchiha's brows. However, his eyes refused to open.

"Sasuke?" she said, a little louder.

Without warning, the raven-haired boy's eyes cracked open as he sat up forcefully. Sakura drew back to avoid his raising head. His right arm flew to grasp the pulsating curse mark. Terror was written across his features.

"Shit." He groaned. His voice came out croaked.

"Sasuke?" the medic spoke. Worry had laced her words.

He didn't reply, but tightened his grip on the base of his neck. Right away, Sakura knew that it had something to do with the curse mark. She sat down on the bed, facing him.

"Is it the mark? It's acting up again…?" She questioned.

Only distraught moans escaped the Uchiha's lips. His head was bent down, preventing the girl before him from witnessing the seizing pain playing about his face. The curse mark was pounding like mad. The sound was too loud. Every beat wrenched his heart and ricocheted endlessly in his ears.

He felt a soft hand caress each side of his face to lift it up.

"Sasuke!" the pink-haired girl called. Her tone was firm.

It was suddenly silent.

The noises stopped.

The pulsing seized.

Only dull pain diffused from the base of his neck.

He grasped the girl's wrists firmly.

The raven-haired boy opened his eyes.

How rare. Sakura noted.

For once in a long while, those stoic onyx eyes were filled to the brim with emotion.

They screamed… Terror. Torment. Suffering. Anguish. Misery. Grief. Despair. Agony.

At that moment, Uchiha Sasuke looked to be in emotional wreck. Vulnerable. And perhaps even defenceless.

The pink-haired girl's frown vanished. The avenger was looking at her with eyes that said he needed her. An understanding smile bloomed prettily on her face. Her features were gently picked out by the silver glow from the moonlit night. Those soft emerald eyes shone affectionately.

The raven-haired boy heard his heartbeat quicken once more, hitting rebelliously against his ears.

Sakura's hands were still holding his face. His grip loosened on her small wrists. The next few seconds, he felt as if his body was moving all on its own.

Gently, he moved her hands off of his face. But his finders remained tight, not wanting to let go of her any time soon. She obliged.

"Ano… Sasuke? Are you alright?" the pink-haired girl inquired, a steady blush rising on her cheeks.

The Uchiha didn't seem to hear. Slowly, he drew closer to her, as he closed his eyes. The raven-haired boy continued to advance until he could feel her breath against his lips.

He stopped dead in his tracks.

Changing course (although reluctantly,) he found himself resting his head on her shoulder instead. Sasuke exhaled deeply, clearing his mind (while slapping himself hard inwardly.)

"Aa. I'm fine." He finally assured her quietly. Thank Kami for the darkness that masked the blush on his face!

Sakura blinked confusedly. She noticed that her cheeks were rather warm and her heart was racing a little faster than usual.

Did he just try to… kiss me?

The pink-haired girl shook the thought from her head, embarrassed. She relaxed, but tensed back up when she remembered that the Uchiha was still on her shoulder.

"Uh, Sasuke?" she called.

He didn't reply.

Must have fallen asleep…

After gently pulling her hands out of his loosened grasp, Sakura placed them against his shoulders in preparation to move him back onto his pillow… she should probably be leaving soon.

Just on the verge of pushing him back, she stopped herself. She didn't get her kiss, so why not settle for a hug instead?

Tenderly circling her arms around his neck, and resting her head atop his, a small, satisfied smile made its way onto her lips.

Closing her eyes, she allowed herself to rest. The last thing she remembered before drifting out of consciousness was Sasuke's warm breath against her neck.

The morning-after is usually beautiful, painful, or awkward. Thankfully, for the pink-haired girl and raven-haired boy who were cuddled snugly against each other in the blankets, this morning was turning out to be the first of the three options.

"Mnn..." the boy groaned, his voice a growly mess of sexiness, allure, and sleep.

He blinked open his eyes to find himself pressed-up comfortably next to the sleeping maiden trapped in the tangle of his arms. Fingers in her soft pink hair, and hand resting possessively on the curve of her waist, the boy noted how well she fit in his embrace. How perfectly her face settled in the crook of his neck. How right her hands looked, tucked against his chest.

Of course, the raven-haired boy assured himself, those were only objective observations. He was only pointing out what was there. Good shinobi can make impartial judgement.

Disrupting his self-assurance, the pink-haired girl stirred.

Hazily, she lifted her face toward his and gave him a sweet smile laced with affection and the warm fading slivers of sleep.

"Morning.." she sighed, her emerald eyes half-hidden almost mysteriously under eyelids that still longed for slumber.

"..Morning.." the raven-haired boy replied, his resonant, sultry voice vibrating against the girl's body.

What happened next was a blur of pink.

All he could make out was a faint taste of strawberries and the growing haste of his heartbeat.

Instinctively, he leaned in closer, almost shyly urging her to let him savour the delicate flavour of strawberries for a little while longer.

He felt her smile against his lips.

Although he was no fan of sweets, he figured it was alright to have this one little exception. This pink-haired, emerald-eyed little exception.

So. I guess this is it, guys. Sorry to have disappointed anyone. I'm a bit disappointed myself because I've planned out an eventful second half of the plot. But that's alright. I whipped the last bit up just now because, you see, they HAD to kiss at least once if i want to deem my story to be one of romance.

Lots of thanks to those who have stayed with the story till now.

Many thanks for those who put up with my poor writing skills (especially in the earlier chapters).

Have a nice life.

Cheers.