AN: This story is dedicated to Darth-Taisha. Look. Im sorry (not really) if you dont like the ending. Frankly, though, I wrote this story for me and Darth Taisha. This is my story, and if it has disappointed you, then Im sorry, but you can go ahead and write your own. And no, Guest whoever, its not a tragedy just because a character died and it wasn't the pairing you wanted.
Im kind of disappointed at some of my readers. Guest 11, I love your reviews, and you'd still be anonymous even with an account. I say no more except, this epilogue is called Throughout the Years.

Epilogue

LXI.

Sakura was eating cereal when she heard the news. The television was on, and as always, Sakura had switched it to the news channel. It was a habit of hers, a way to stay in touch with the world.

After Sasuke had fired her, it was hard doing that. Sasuke had been her life, her goal, and her dream. Every day, her eyes became red and puffy from the tears she shed over him. Oh, how jealous she was of Hinata! How could that girl be able to receive Sasuke's love so easily? How, when Sakura was there, aiding and encouraging him from the very beginning?

"The rock star, Uchiha Sasuke, died in a fatal car crash." those were the words changed Sakura's life forever.

For awhile, she went numb with disbelief. How could this happen? No way could this happen! Sasuke had to be alive! Sasuke was perfect, impeccable... nothing could kill him. The media had to be bluffing, Sakura assured herself. They had to.

And so, Sakura researched all that there was about Sasuke's 'death'. And to be perfectly honest, there wasn't much. The media didn't even know where the supposed 'grave' was. It was all one big mystery. All but Sasuke's files that proved that he had been admitted to Suna hospital, as well as the solid proof that he died.

Something that Sakura still refused to believe. It was all one big trick to get the attention of the media. Sakura had learned all about this when she went through a managing course.

But the more she searched, the more discouraged she got. There was absolutely no evidence of Sasuke's life; there was nothing even about him being a ghost (which was a popular topic once a media star died). Slowly but surely, Sakura started believing. Especially when she saw his dead body in her nightmares.

Maybe, for the first time in her life, he was calling out to her.

LXII.

Was she really willing to do this?

Sakura stared at the sea waves under her feet. They crashed into the shore in harmonious waves, the soothing rhythm calming her anxious heart. It was a beautiful day; the sea and sky mixing into a blue haze. The sun was an auburn colour, as it went down with a felicitous dignity.

Yes. She was. Sasuke really had meant everything to her; without him, there was no meaning of life, or death. He was someone that she would willingly die for. Without Sasuke, this world really had no place for her. If she thought about it, it never really had a place for her to begin with. She was always Sasuke's shadow, his alone. And this really was the way she wanted to die.

Her only regret in life was not managing to seduce Sasuke. That damn Hinata managed to do it... why couldn't she? But if she started thinking about Hinata now, she would grow angry, and would be unable to rest in peace.

Without hesitation, Sakura took a deep breath closing her eyes, and jumped into the murky waters below. She inhaled freezing icy water that crushed her lungs. Sasuke's name died on her lips. Just like she wanted it to.

LXIII.

Marriage a fickle thing. Hinata could remember the first time she thought that she would get married: her hair stood on end throughout the 'entire' thing. The whole ceremony was nerve wrecking, the whole concept, promise, frightened you.

After the last attempted one, which turned out to be a disaster, Hinata thought that she'd never find herself in such a situation again. Well, life proved her wrong.

Her and Itachi had decided to get married. This time, Hinata did not agree for herself; she agreed for the children, and for Sasuke's spirit. This was what he would have wanted. He would have encouraged her to move on, since he was no longer there to look after her. He would have wanted his children to have a father, and Itachi was the perfect choice.

Hinata knew that Itachi looked like Sasuke. Her mistake was that she brushed it off as a simple coincidence, a twist of fate. Another one of her punishments for being such a failure. It had crossed her mind, maybe once or twice that the resemblance was uncanny; but she had never once thought that this was Sasuke's brother.

If she had known, she wouldn't be here right now. She would have fled, far, far away. Away from Sasuke, away from any Uchiha except her own children. She had loved Sasuke, she really had; and maybe that was the reason as to why she had left. She was a failure. To all. Wasn't that what her father always said? There was no way she could continue to be with Sasuke: not when he was rising to stardom and she was only dragging him down.

In the deep, dark murky depths of her brain, she was aware of the other reason of why exactly she had left. She had been scared. Frightened of cursing someone she truly loved. After all, wasn't that what happened with her mother? But there was no time to dwell on all of this now.

"Do you, Hinata Hyuuga, accept this man, Uchiha Itachi, as your husband, for better or worse, for richer or for poorer, in sickness and health, to love and cherish until death do you apart?"

A sudden nightmare of the door clanging open enveloped her brain. She quickly dismissed the thought, reminding herself that no such thing would happen. Not now. Instead, she took a deep breath, inhaling through her nose. She loved this man. Maybe even as much as she had loved Sasuke. Even though he had lied to her, and broken her trust. "I... do." This time, there were no stutters.

The priest gave them their rings, looking at each of them with a slight doubt in their eyes, as if sensing the heavy atmosphere. "You may... kiss the bride." Itachi gave her a quick, hesitant peck on the lips.

And then it was over. All over.

It had been a very private wedding... just the two of them and the priest. The children were with a baby sitter, leaving them to get on with their business. Hinata hadn't even worn a wedding dress, only a nice black dress that Itachi had given to her, while Itachi himself was in his business suit.

But this type of wedding suited the occasion. It was all about doing the right thing, and... moving on.

LXIV.

"Hinata, you have to be good for Mama, okay? Mama's going to a better place."

Her mother had just given birth to Hanabi. Hinata could hear her pitiful cries echoing from the room beside them, but they went on ignored as the nurses struggled to calm the child. After all, they were doing their best not to tire out the already exhausted Hyuuga matriarch.

She smiled at Hinata, a sad smile as held Hinata's hand. She got out a bottle, a strange brown bottle filled with various small white pills from the cabinet beside the bed. "Remember to take care of your sister. I won't be able to look after her. Your father won't let me."

Hinata watched, curiously eyeing the small pills in her mother's hand. "Mama, what are those s-sweets in y-your hand? Can I h-have one?" She wasn't really paying attention to anything. She was with her Mama, so all was okay. At times, Hinata bitterly regretted her naivety.

"No!" There was a slight panic in her tone. "This is medicine for adults, to make them feel better. You can have it when you're older, Hinata. Or better yet, never at all. Now, quiet. It's time for me to do this."

Hinata watched, wide-eyed, as her mother took the bottle, and gulped it all time in three large swallows. She then raised a glass of water to her trembling lips, her mouth greedily inhaling the water. But she had grown too weak, and the water fell from her hand and clattered onto the floor. The water spilled, soaking Hinata's feet.

A panic arose in Hinata's chest. She immediately left to search for her father, feeling that something was terribly wrong. It was too bad she didn't pause to look back, and see the expression on her mother's face.

But somehow, Hinata was sure that she died with a smile (a warm and light smile). Hinata's memories of her mother were that of a kind woman that she could trust, at least with the few that she had of her. So, she was certain... but she'd never find out for sure.

She got to her father too late. By the time that she went back to her mother's room, dragging her father, it was too late. Her mother's face was deathly pale, and she was cold. So, very cold. And whatever smile there might have been on her face had been wiped out, taken by the greedy clutches of death.

It was only later that she had learned of her mother's chronic illness, and how the pregnancy with Hanabi nearly killed them both. It was only later that she learned that those white sweets in her hands were actually pain killers, for the torture that she had just gone through. It was only then that she realised that she had fewer memories of her mother, because her father never left her to watch after the children too long, scared for her health. It was only later.

That was the start of Hiashi's tauting. Not that Hinata could blame him. She was weak... she had failed her mother in not reaching her father fast enough. All because of her weak legs. She had cursed her mother (just like she was sure to curse, and had cursed, Sasuke, too).

And she had failed her with her promise of Hanabi, as well. After all, she could not protect Hanabi from the Hyuuga's calculative nature...

LXV.

Hanabi was a child of the Hyuuga, through and through. And that was why she was held in such a high esteem, and not allowed much contact with Hinata. The Hyuuga had raised Hanabi, not letting Hinata so much as touch upon Hanabi's daily life.

But it was okay. Hanabi deserved the best. She couldn't even remember her mother... while Hinata had that slight happiness.

They weren't even remotely close. So she was very surprised when it turned out to be Hanabi that had rang the doorbell.

Hinata was carrying Mikoto on her waist, as she lightly played with Hinata's hair. Hizashi was on the baby bouncer chair in the living room, playing by himself. Itachi was at work, as he usually was in the day time.

"Sister?" Hanabi looked at her, her eyes a slight tinge wider than what Hinata supposed that they usually were. Hinata nodded, confirming her statement, but she was still sceptical and baffled at Hanabi's abrupt appearance. "We need to talk."

"That, we do." Hinata agreed, opening the door wider and moving to the side. She felt like she was learning to be more and more like Itachi as the days went by. "Come on in."

Hanabi hesitantly followed her (and Mikoto) into the living room. Hinata gestured her to sit on one of the chairs, in which Hanabi easily complied. Hinata sat on the couch next to her, keeping an eye out for Hizashi. He might have been an exceptionally bright boy (genius), but toddlers were toddlers, after all.

"Yes?" Hinata stated, her eyes flickering to Hanabi's. She had not changed, not at all. Her eyes were still ice cold glaciers, glaring at everything in sight. Her posture was as prim and proper as ever, full of confidence and grace. The favourite. She couldn't compare to Hinata, the embarrassment. Hinata quickly shook the thought out of her head, instead reaching out a hand to pull away Mikoto's hand, that was tugging her hair.

"You've changed." Hanabi quietly stated what was a fact. Hinata nodded, accepting her observation. Yes, she had changed. She had suffered loss, married, and was a mother of twins. It was only normal that she had changed from the stuttering, self-conscious Hyuuga she had once been.

"I concur." Hinata cracked a smile, noting that it was a typical Itachi response. He was rubbing off her a lot more than she thought. Hanabi raised a curious eyebrow, but said nothing.

"Father..." Hanabi took a deep breath, calming herself down. "Father died, two weeks ago. Suffered multiple hear attacks." Hinata's breath was lodged in her throat. It was only Mikoto's insistent tugging that managed to keep her from panicking. She had to stay strong. If not for her children, but for Hanabi, who was obviously miserable.

"Oh. T-thank you for telling me." she cursed the stutter that chose to appear at that moment. She also felt strangely empty and surreal. It was as if the news had not hit her yet, had not sunk in.

But then again, her father was not a big part of her life. He had stopped being so, many years ago; she had not seen him for years. And maybe that's why when it did sink in, she only felt some sadness... and not terribly mournful. Unlike Hanabi, who Hinata could see was struggling to keep herself together. "You're w-welcome." It was Hanabi's turn to curse the stutter that now seemed hereditary.

Hanabi had no real family left... except for her (and Neji, but he was only a cousin). Hinata wasn't really thinking when she said, "This house is surely big enough. You can s-stay with us." But the moment she said it, she knew it was the right choice.

It was time to catch up on what she had left behind. It would be a nice chance to get to know her sister... and maybe, just maybe, fulfil that promise she had made to her mother so long ago.

LXVI.

"And so, the princess married the prince, and they lived happily ever after..." Hinata murmured to a sleepy Mikoto and a sleeping Hizashi. Itachi stared fondly at his children, who had grown into two very beautiful and polite children, already at the age of five.

"Depends on the perspective." Itachi chimed in, a twinkle in his eyes that had been absent for years. It was Hinata who brought it back. He wrapped his arms around her, and his hand never strayed from her bloated stomach. She was evidently pregnant, with what he hoped to be his child (he would immediately file divorce if otherwise), and due in two months.

"Mummy?" Mikoto asked tiredly, her eyelids drooping. "Do stowies always have happy endings?" She still couldn't pronounce her R's properly, substituting it with a 'W' sound. It was especially cute for a five year old. But Itachi felt a painful pang hit his chest as he thought of her question. He gazed at Hinata, perceiving the pain in her eyes that duplicated his own.

"N-not always, honey..." But Mikoto had already fallen asleep.

LXVII.

"Do you have a name for him?" The doctor asked, with a pen and notepad, jotting down the information for the birth certificate.

"Sasuke." Hinata and Itachi said in harmony, then turned to each other, surprised. The name had not been discussed. Itachi had claimed it to be 'bad luck', remembering Hinata's last pregnancy, and had avoided the topic, telling her that they would name the baby when it came out. Hinata, although slightly irritated, had agreed.

"Last name?"

"Uchiha." It was Itachi that said this.

"Congratulations! You have a newborn baby born on the 23rd of July, at exact one pm!" The doctor cried out merrily, proceeding to hum a tune to herself. She mostly went ignored however, as both the parents were lost in their own separate thoughts.

And, unknown to each other, both Itachi and Hinata vehemently hoped for this young child (their child) to take after his late uncle. He would never quite replace the old Sasuke... but it could never be said that his name could ever be forgotten, at least in the Uchiha household.

LXVIII.

Mikoto blearily opened her eyes, before jumping out of bed. It was her sixteenth birthday! A day that she had waited for, for a long, long time! She took her clothes to the bathroom, and got changed (a daily routine of hers). She then headed towards Hizashi's bed, that was on top of hers (they shared a room, sleeping on bunk beds), faced with the arduous challenge of waking him up.

"Hey! Sleepy head! Wake up! You're sixteen already!" Hizashi didn't budge. Mikoto sighed. She didn't want to resort to this, and especially on their birthday, but... desperate times called for desperate measures.

She got back down, fetching a pale of water, before returning to Hizashi's bedside. As she was about to throw the water, a strong hand stopped hers. Hizashi lazily opened his eyes, his other hand going over his mouth to cover a yawn. "I know, already."

"Then... why aren't you excited?" Mikoto frowned.

"I have a bad gut feelings..." Mikoto grimaced at his words. Hizashi tended to be right... in everything. A genius, taking after their father. Mikoto had been told (many times) that he was a leading figure in the business world, creating his own corporation (with the help of others), from scratch. Mikoto differed from him, however.

She was proud of her own talents, though, as she was much like her mother; artistic, and musical (the last was never really proven... but that's what her father said, and he was never wrong, anyway). She was also much like Sasuke.

While she tended to look more into the canvas with her paints, Sasuke was quite the musical genius. He was already at almost professional level with the guitar, and well-acquainted with the piano. His voice was majestic, with an unbelievably long range. And he was only ten. She was a proud sister, that was for sure.

For now though, she would ignore this bad gut feeling of Hizashi's. "Whatever, I'm going downstairs!"

LXIX.

After they had gotten home from school, they were greeted by both Itachi and Hinata. Hizashi felt even more uneasy. Something was wrong; his father never came home before six, at the very least. And their party was tomorrow, since today was a Friday.

"W-we need t-to talk." Their mother began, edgily flicking her eyes to Itachi. Hizashi flinched. His prediction was already being fulfilled; when their mother stuttered... it meant that she was either highly embarrassed, uncomfortable, or anxious. And from her tone of voice, it meant the last option.

Their father decided to take it from there. "What your mother is trying to say, is that I'm not actually your father." Itachi was as blunt as ever, was Hizashi's first thought, before his mind exploded with pure and utter confusion.

Mikoto reacted faster than he did. But then again, Mikoto was always the louder one. "What do you mean that you're not our father? I know that it's our birthday, but there is no reason to joke around like this!" Mikoto laughed uneasily. They both froze at Itachi's serious expression.

"It's t-true." Hinata piped up, and became a target to two pairs of flabbergasted eyes.

"Who is our father?" Hizashi's tone was calm. Much calmer than his emotions, that were a whirl wind of questions and confusion.

"My brother, Sasuke Uchiha."

"Isn't that our brother?" Mikoto asked, her eyebrows furrowing together.

"He was named after this Sasuke." Hizashi answered, his eyes flickering from Hinata to Itachi. "What happened?" He asked quietly, his hands clasping Mikoto's. They held hands, in what felt like the first time in a long while.

"W-well... it was like t-this..."

LXX.

The Uchiha were on their annual trip, that happened the exact same day of each year. Only recently, had Itachi and Hinata begun taking their children.

The gravestone "Uchiha, Sasuke." was still visible, and polished. Itachi had hired someone to keep it that way; never to let the memory of his only sibling rot. Never to let the memory of the father of his two eldest' rot.

Hizashi had taken the news better than Mikoto. But after all, Mikoto had always been more emotional. They had many questions, and fears with this new revelation, but together, Itachi and Hinata had managed to dissuade them all. Itachi had repeatedly reassured them that nothing had changed, and that he would always be their father if they wished him to be.

Slowly, the family of five gathered around the object, and began discussing their experiences throughout the year. They all smiled in some point in time, knowing that in their hearts, somewhere, Sasuke was listening to them and smiling along with them.

A very vague end. I thought it suited this story well. I have finally finished writing this! Took me awhile. All credit goes to, like I said, Darth-Taisha.
Happy 2014, Am.
While the last chapter left you guys emotionally exhausted, I felt this to be the clear ending of this story, slowly showing the beginnings to the ends. I thought it was quite happy myself, actually.
Especially Sakura committing suicide. Grins.
Im a dark person at heart, you might have noticed.
Please review, it would be really appreciated,
Aurora-chan.