And here is the epilogue for the story! Also it does contain spoilers for the people watching the dubbed version, but I tried keeping it to a minimum. This was just an opportunity I couldn't let pass. Enjoy this last bit!

...

After that Kimberly's life practically only consisted of routine. She would go to school, work and then back home. In the weekends she kind of lost herself, stayed in bed longer and then just read the same books over and over again. But nothing helped her get Sasori off her mind. The only thing Kimberly could hold onto was the promise he had made. That he was coming back. But when more time passed, even the hope for that outcome diminished. What was a girl to do now? She didn't even know where Sasori had gone to. Didn't know his world like he did. She had heard the stories, but what she envisioned was probably not reality.

While Kimberly had tried to move on with her life, Sasori had mostly been sitting in a coffin, still as dead as before. But his soul kept being pulled back, sticking with a body that wasn't his. Somewhere he enjoyed this though, because this body meant he could never die again. This was even better than being an eternal puppet. Now he was human.

In the back of his mind there was this thought that he should go back, be with someone else, but he pushed it away. There were other things to focus on. Like teaching his old teammate, Deidara, a lesson on art. Sasori fell right back into his old pattern, especially when his body was fully revived and ready for battle. This was not a war he wanted to participate in, but he was forced to and then it's better to show off all your talents.

His battle was short and he got captured into one of his own creations. It pissed him off, but on the other hand he was also impressed with the other. The brat had grown, had learned how to use his old puppets and was able to use his previous body. Shouldn't have left that behind… And then the final stab again delivered by puppets he held so dear, the first ones he had ever created. Captured in another hug coming from his mother and father puppet he was completely sealed off and unable to move.

But the brat had learned things, had grown up since their last battle and Sasori realised he was the future. Eternal art did not mean you had to stick around as the creator. As long as the art lives on, you will be always remembered. And with that thought Sasori could move on, let go, because there was still someone waiting on him and perhaps that was not the life he had chosen for himself, it was the life where he had become happier than he had ever gotten here. She would be his new piece of art, his muse and he would stay with her.

Slowly his soul seeped out of the wooden prison he was captured in and he left this world only to return to another again.

…

Kimberly had another routine among the going to school and work thing. And it was easy to follow up on since she passed by it every time she walked to work and walked back home. She would have to pass through the park and walk the path Sasori and she had taken when he had left her.

Here she would go up to the tree, the one where you could still see a few broken branches from when Sasori had fallen through it and she would just look up, in the hope that some kind of miracle would happen. Many times she had imagined that bright light coming back, bringing Sasori home again, but it never happened. Still she would go every time and pray that this would be the day her wish would come true. Just like she did this time. Placing her hands against the dark bark of the tree Kimberly wished for it to happen, murmuring the words under her breath. Her eyes had slipped closed, head slightly tilted forward as a sign of respect to some kind of deity that could help her.

And when nothing happened, like all those times before, Kimberly pushed herself away from the tree again, tears pricking in her eyes. But as soon as she turned away, ready to go back home, a loud scream caught her attention. She glanced around first, wondering where it had come from, but as soon as she realised it came from above, a heavy body landed right on top of her.

Grunting under the weight on top of her, Kimberly tried looking over her shoulder to see who the hell it was and what the hell had happened. And then she noticed the bright mop of red hair. Her eyes widened and she let out a soft whine as she threw herself around Sasori's neck, burying her face in his cloak thing he was again wearing. Sasori was too stunned to move at first and looked down at her a little confused, until he recognised the pair of dull hazel eyes and the bangs framing her pretty face.

'Kimberly,' he breathed out, hugging her close as it dawned on him.

They stayed there for quite a while, in each other's arms on the cold forest floor. At some point they were visibly shaking due to the cold, but they couldn't let go. They had so much to catch up on. But after a kiss and tears being wiped off on Sasori's sleeve, because Kimberly couldn't stop crying, they still went on their way home, not letting go of each other as they walked.

…

Five years later

'Where the hell is my social psychology book?' Kimberly called out, trying to reach the kitchen with her voice while staying in the study, rummaging through cabinets and drawers in search of said book.

With an annoyed look on his face Sasori entered the study, glancing down at Kimberly who was currently on her knees, making a mess off the room, because everything that was pulled out of closets, wasn't placed back in. 'How should I know? It's your book and you put it somewhere. Weren't you reading it in the bedroom last time?' he questioned, raising an eyebrow when the brown eyes widened for a second and Kimberly fled the room after that. Of course she had left it there!

This was how their life usually was right now. Kimberly was majoring in psychology while Sasori was still working at the lab. They had an easy life. Both made enough money to get by and still do fun stuff now and then. Sasori had picked up woodwork again and was selling that on and off to accompany their budget.

It was good and Sasori really fitted with Kimberly. She was a little chaotic, messy and sometimes took too much responsibility on her shoulders, while Sasori was this even force, steadying everything in their life. He would know exactly when to take some of the weight off Kimberly's shoulders and would actually clean up after her with not too much complaining. She was banned from the kitchen though, for good reasons.

Ponytail swishing from side to side Kimberly ran passed Sasori who had slowly followed after her. She was stuffing her book into her bag and trying to put her shoes on at the same time, while also fishing some food from the counter. And late she would be again. 'I got to go!' she called back around a mouthful of a delicious sandwich Sasori had just made her. And then she was out the door already, forgetting to say something very important.

And then the door opened again, hazel eyes peeking around the corner to glance at Sasori who was expectantly staring back at her. 'Love you too,' she said, assuming Sasori had said something already and then the door closed again, Kimberly gone for class.

A soft smile formed on Sasori's lips as he made his way back to the kitchen, wiping the counter clean with a rag. 'I love you,' he murmured under his breath.

Characters © Masashi Kishimoto

I hope you enjoyed this story and let me know what you thought of it!