A/N: Well, lost the first version of this chap because the site was being evil, so here's this one! Sorry if it's crap... -.-

Anyway... on to the big news! This is the last chapter! XD Now, I know I say this every time I finish a story, but I had a lot of fun writing this! There were times when it was a pain (but I blame Kyuubi for coming to Edmonton and destroying my home, so it's all good XD) and I'm pretty sure I sold my soul to the fanfiction gods to get the chapters out on time, but I finally finished it! Woot!

Thank you to everybody who reviewed! You're always such a marvellous help in the creative process and I love you all sooooooo much! Now then, stay tuned and read the final author's note for a special note from our sponsors (AKA: me (since I don't get paid to do this (so I have to work in a bakery... =.=)))!

"Congratulations, Sasuke, Naruto, on returning Sakura to where she belongs," Tsunade said, sitting back in her chair, "She seems to have some minor cuts and bruises and a few bones in one of her hands are broken. Her cognitive abilities are slightly, but temporarily, lacking, but that should remedy itself after some rest and recuperation. She should be back to her old self in no time."

Sasuke nodded. "Thank you, Ma'am."

"If there is anything either of you would like, please feel free to ask. This village is very much in your debt at the moment."

"Actually," Sasuke said, cutting Naruto off before he could ask for a lifetime supply of free ramen, "There is something. A bit of a big something."

"Name it."

Sasuke smirked. "Where is Itachi?"

Tsunade's professional expression turned grim. "Except that, Uchiha. We still need him for questioning, so he can't die yet. I've already spoken with him, however, and he is willing to die for his sins if it means yours and Sakura's assurance of safety, so I'm quite sure your family will be avenged soon."

Sasuke had to keep from glaring at Tsunade. He had just gotten his brother back, he was not going to give him up so easily. Especially since his family had already been avenged. He said, "You misunderstand, Hokage-sama, all I want is for Itachi to stay in Sakura's hospital room with her."

The blond's eyes narrowed and she said, "I don't think that's entirely wise."

"With all due respect, Milady," Sasuke replied patiently, "You didn't listen to Naruto all those months ago and look how things turned out. If it makes you more comfortable, put them in a room with no windows and station a guard at the door. Do what you feel necessary, but Itachi needs to be at her side when she wakes up. I intend to give you a full report explaining the situation, but for now, please, just trust my judgement."

Tsunade paused, then sighed in relent. "Alright, I'll take a leap of faith on this one."

"Thank you."

I wonder if she's awake yet. Has she asked for me? Is she in any condition to be asking anything at all? Well, I guess it really doesn't matter now, does it?

Itachi couldn't stop the endless questions running through his mind any easier than he could stop his pacing. It was an endless cycle: step, step, step, wall, turn. Step, step, step, wall, turn and, with every turn, the questions became more forceful, demanding their answers.

"It's rather interesting to see you be the one cracking under pressure for a change."

Itachi looked up at the sound of that familiar male voice and stopped pacing when he saw Sasuke smirking at him through the bars, dangling a key ring on his index finger. "I take it you want to see her?"

"Did... she ask for me?"

The younger Uchiha shook his head apologetically. "She's still unconscious, unfortunately, but I think it would be good for her if you were beside her when she wakes up. She might not remember much beyond the rage and may be afraid that she killed you."

Itachi shook his head. "It would do neither of us any good. Tsunade will put me to death and seeing Sakura will only make things all the more difficult."

"Nah," Sasuke replied, waving a dismissive hand, "I managed to convince her to keep you alive until I can explain the situation and even got her to let me take you to Sakura's room. As soon as everything's sorted out, you'll be a free man."

"But Sakura—"

"Loves you," he cut in, "If you don't want to go up there for yourself, go up for her. She needs to see you more than anybody else in this village, in this entire world even. So, what do you say?"

The elder Uchiha sighed, closing his eyes. Sasuke made a valid point. Even if she couldn't forgive him, even if she didn't love him anymore, even if she hated him, waking up all by her lonesome would be terrifying. Especially after all she went through. So, he opened his eyes to look at his younger brother and nodded his assent, stepping forward.

"Hey, Itachi?"

"Hm?"

"Let's stay together forever, okay?"

"... Okay."

If only things were that easy.

As Sakura's eyes fluttered open, she tried to grasp the most current memory she had, but she could only recall the force of that final rage and Itachi's voice piercing through the darkness. "I love you," he'd whispered.

Itachi... was he okay? She hadn't hurt him, had she? Oh, God, what if she had?

Unbidden, tears of fear welled in her eyes and she didn't have the strength to fight them back. How could they ever stay together forever? How, when every force in nature was fighting to keep them separated?

She spotted some movement from the corner of her eye and turned her head to see Itachi half-sitting in a chair beside the bed with his arms folded on the bed and his face buried in them. Her heart skipped a beat at the sight of him and her mind began working, trying to figure out where they were and how he was alive.

She reached out to him with a weak, trembling hand and placed it on his head, burying her fingers in his short black hair. Her breathing hitched when she felt him under the palm of her hand and she realized that this wasn't a dream, he was really with her.

In response to her touch, Itachi tensed and lifted his head to show a pallid complexion and red-rimmed eyes. It looked like he had been crying for hours and that realization made him look absolutely beautiful to her. He'd been crying for her. Her hand moved down to cup his cheek and he leaned into the caress. He looked so tired and so grief-stricken that a fresh round of tears welled in her eyes.

"Sakura, I—"

"Shh," she hushed gently, stroking his cheek with her thumb, "It's alright."

"Alright?" he repeated incredulously, his face twisting with his self-loathing, "Alright? You're in here because of me. You could have died because of me. I left you alone and now—"

"Itachi?"

He paused, eying her hesitantly. "Yes?"

"Let's... let's be together forever, okay?"

At first, he looked shocked, but then he smiled. "Okay."

She smiled in return.

"You said that once before," he told her, "A long, long time ago. We were having a picnic in the park and—"

"And I was sitting in your lap," she cut in quietly, closing her eyes to concentrate on the memory, "We had... dumplings, I think. The whole thing had been a surprise from you. It was the first time you ever told me you loved me."

He let out a long, soft exhalation. "You remember."

She nodded. "I had been six years old, no naïve. I knew so little... the only thing I had been sure of was my feelings for you."

His eyes widened as he fully grasped the weight of what she'd said and he repeated, "You remember!"

She smiled. "Orochimaru must be dead now. I... don't feel his presence anymore. I used to feel his presence in my mind, but it's gone now. There's nothing keeping my memories from me anymore."

"Oh, God," he whispered in awe, sliding off the chair to kneel at her bedside and resting his head on her belly. "Finally... after all this time, you finally remember."

She nodded, wrapping her arms around his neck. "And what about the Akatsuki?"

He tensed. "It's been nearly a week since Sasuke and Naruto busted me out, so—"

"They did what?!"

He chuckled. "Hard to believe, isn't it? Anyway, Pein and Kisame would have noticed my absence immediately and would fit the pieces together eventually. I doubt it will be long before we see them again."

"So, what do we do?"

Itachi lifted his head to look into her eyes and answered, "The only thing we can do: we rely on our allies and on each other."

Sakura narrowed her eyes. "And if you leave me again, so help me God, I'll—"

"You look thirsty," the Uchiha cut in quickly, grabbing the cup of water on the bedside table and handing it to her with a sheepish grin. "Here, drink up."

She reluctantly did as told.

"Good girl. Now I'll let the guard know you're awake so that he can alert the nurses."

"Guard? Nurses?"

Itachi chuckled sheepishly and rubbed the back of his neck. He said quietly, "We're in Konoha."

"WHAT?! And you're still alive?!"

"Yeah, thanks to Sasuke."

"This just keeps getting weirder and weirder."

The male nodded with a sigh and kissed her forehead. "But let's just be thankful that we're alive, we're together and we're home. We have a lot of reminiscing to do now that you have your memories back and I'd rather do it sooner... before the Akatsuki gets to us."

Sakura smiled. "Right. We're... home."

Home... It was so nice to finally be able to say that. Even if the Akatsuki came after them eventually, all that mattered at that moment was that Orochimaru was dead, she had her memories back and she was home. She was home because Itachi was by her side.

A/N: Okay, people, I'm a bit indecisive at this point, so you guys can make the final decision. On one hand, we have no idea what's going on with the Akatsuki and so have no closure in that area, but on the other hand, this is the ending of the second story, Orochimaru is dead and Sakura has her memories back. I have a plotline made up for a third story and even a title, but it's completely up to you whether you want more or you think this particular idea has passed its zenith.

So, please review and tell me what you'd like! Because, either way, I'll still be writing something.

Anyway, thank you for the marvellous reviews and I hope you enjoyed Reminiscence!

So, until next time, Italova... OUT!