Quote of the chapter: "You can't cling to the past because no matter how tight how hold on, it's already gone." -Ted from How I Met Your Mother

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cнαpтer 31

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Sorrow and hurt stung Rina like a blast of a shotgun. Her atmosphere was nothing but melancholic ever since her sister, the one who took good care of her, the one who taught her how to use weapons, the one who stood by as her guardian, had joined their parents in paradise, leaving her all alone in the world of cruelty.

It has been more than a week since Tenten was crowned as one of the hereos in saving Konoha and her lifeless body was buried under the ground. However, it was not only her, there were other ninja that were also recognized and their names were written at the crystal for their sacrifice.

And ever since that time, Rina has been down in the dumps.

She knew that Tenten would wanted her to be happy, but how can she when she just lost a part of herself? How if there is no such thing to be happy about?

Yes, they have obtained victory but she also knows about Sakura's arranged marriage-which is not something to be jubilant about. In addition, the whole town is busy building up the wrecked houses and there is construction everywhere.

What's the point of being happy? She was alone.

She thought about those things as she made her way to her team's training grounds. Konohamaru had told her to come over and help him with some things.

He did not exactly specify because he exclaimed that it was important and no questions asked. So, as an old friend, it was the least that Rina could do since she could not hang out with him since the war had occurred.

On the way there, a voice had called her from behind. "Rina!" She looked back and just like that, her heart thumped for the first time after her sister's death.

"Shiro?"

"Hey," He gave a smile that warmed her heart. "Been a long time since you called me that."

Rina shrugged. "Guess so." She remarked as they walked together.

"Where you off to?"

"At the training grounds, Konohamaru told me to meet him there."

"That's odd," Shiro spoke. "He told me to meet him there as well."

"Really?" Rina arched an eyebrow. "I wondered what could have happened."

It was Shiro's turn to shrug. "He told me it was urgent."

"Same, where's Blade by the way?" Rina had asked once she noticed that Shiro was all alone.

"He was still sleeping when Konohamaru needed me so I left him at home."

"Ah, Blade is one heavy sleeper."

Shiro returned a slight nod. "Exactly."

Once silence surrounded the atmosphere, it was also the same time that they have reached their destination. Though, it was bit different than before.

"What the hell happened here?" Rina walked inside with wide eyes as Shiro trailed behind.

Balloons and lavender petals were scattered everywhere at the center of the field. What was more shocking is that it was lavender-Rina's favourite kind.

She explored or observed rather, the place before turning to her companion.

"Hey, did-" Rina paused when she saw Shiro kneeling down on the grass, not with one foot in the ground, but with both knees on the floor. "What are you doing?"

"I can't marry because underage so kneeling down is close to it, I guess?"

"No, not that-I mean, why?"

Just then, Blade had appeared, biting a kunai as Shiro ruffled the top of his head and thanked him which Blade returned with a bark.

He took the weapon from Blade's grasp. "For all the years we've spent together, did you know that you're the only girl I've fallen in love with?"

"Nope, I-I definitely did not see that coming."

Shiro chuckled lightly at Rina's sudden response.

He extended his hand with the kunai at his palm. A kunai with her name carved on it. "Will you accept to be my girl?"

But all the moment was gone when she replied.

With a rough punch on the shoulder.

"Damn you!" She cursed as tears slowly flow out of her eyes. "All this time, I thought-I thought you liked Lara! Did you know how much pain that felt?"

"What?" Shiro blurted in disbelief. "How did you come up with that conclusion?"

"I don't know, you hang out with her lately!"

"Baka," Shiro pinched her nose once he stood up. "That's because I needed a girl's point of view on how to ask you out!"

"Well I'm sorry, I didn't kno-wait, really?"

Shiro nodded with a smirk plastered on his handsome features. "Is that a no then?" He pretended to pout, but he failed miserably.

"Hell no, of course it's a yes you idiot!" She said, wiping her tears. "I like you ever since we got stuck in the team together." And for the first time, she her smile was evident at her angelic face.

"I missed seeing that smile." Shiro brought up as Rina squished him into a hug, dropping the kunai at the grass while he proudly returned the favor.

"Thanks for being there when I needed someone."

"Don't worry, I'll always be here for you. Besides, I made a promise, didn't I?" He spoke, causing Rina to laugh.

She refused to let go of her grip and neither did he.

"Guess I'm not alone, after all. I miss you, Tenten-neechan."

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There were three people behind the bushes as they eavesdrop on how the plan was going.

"Well, I say that she is a lot like Tenten." Naruto commented once Rina had hit Shiro.

"Yes, she is." Sakura gave her consent as she nodded repeatedly.

However Naruto was not satisfied so he asked. "Konohamaru, is Rina normally like that?"

Konohamaru laughed at hearing his question. "Yup, but don't worry. She likes Shiro as much as he likes her."

After a while, they saw the two newly-formed couple wrapped each other into a hug.

"We did it!" Naruto cheered, giving Konohamaru and Sakura a fist bump.

"Thanks for the help Naruto-nii, Sakura-neechan!" Konohamaru replied as he bumped his fist towards the jinchuuriki and the medic.

"My pleasure!"

"No problem!"

"Oi, we should do this some other time!" Konohamaru inquired as he cracked up once again. Due to his mischievous reply, he earned a whack from Naruto.

"Baka, we're not cupids!"

Just then, realization hit Sakura like a frying pan as if she had been blind all along.

Him.

Konohamaru.

He was their generation's Naruto.

How could she not see this before?

She smiled gladly at while the two bicker in front of her. Closing her eyes, she thought. "Who knew, Tenten? I guess we did find out who was Naruto in the new generation."

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A familiar figure stood by once Sakura bought a cup of coffee.

"Lee-san?"

The happy-go-lucky Rock Lee had turned around and smiled brightly when he saw his friend. "A pleasant afternoon, my cherry blossom!"

"How you holding up?" Sakura asked as they stopped by each other.

"I feel splendid, I didn't cry like before!"

"Really?" Sakura chuckled. "How did you get over it?" She did not bother mentioning since it may be a taboo topic.

"I realized that she is with Neji-san and Gai-sensei. And that is not something to be sad about!" He added with a cheerful smile. "I must go now, the youthful hokage needs me!"

"All right, later." Sakura waved as she went on her way.

She took a gulp of her coffee while walking back home. Her eyes suddenly became blank and she continued to walk with her thoughts clouded like piles of paper waiting to be signed.

Just when she thought that the war was finished and everything will be all right, the decision of her life had dawned her to pick a choice.

Her official decision will be decided tomorrow. She only has to say one word and it will change everything.

She knew that she still loves Sasuke. But she also loves her hometown and she would not want the people to suffer.

Sighing abruptly, she stared at the bridge beside the path she was taking as memories flash back.

It was the meeting place of team seven. Nostalgia erupted through her veins and she frowned. She does not know what will happen next. But she will surely miss Konoha.

Her thoughts diminished once she saw a rose in front of her eyesight to which she automatically stopped moving.

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Anxiety and nervousness built up inside Sasuke's system as he tightly clutched unto the rose that he was holding.

He caught a glimpse of Sakura walking by the path next to a lake and he was hiding at the bushes at the other side of the sidewalk.

Mustering up all of his courage, he stood up and prepared to give the flower.

It was his time.

It was his last chance.

It was his last opportunity to stop her.

And he froze.

Before he forced himself to fall back down.

His eyes wandered carefully as his vision struck the scenery wherein Shee Jin was smiling when he extended his arm towards Sakura-with a white rose in his hand.

He stared at the red rose that he was holding and realized both meanings from Ino when he bought at the store.

White rose means new beginnings, which also means that Shee Jin was encouraging her to marry him. Red rose means love and romance. A perfect flower to express a person's feelings to another.

However in Sasuke's note, he picked the red rose for another reason as well-for Sakura. He heard the story from Naruto that he had an alternate and gave Sakura a red rose, which did not turn out pretty because his alternate was a playboy.

He wanted to prove to Sakura that he was not like that and of course, to stop the wedding.

But with Shee Jin's appearance, Sakura smiling and accepting the flower? That changed his mindset.

Just one glance at the view, Sasuke let go his rose and left the scene before anyone could notice that he was there.

And he swore that he felt something also dropped when he released his grip from the rose.

END OF CHAPTER 31

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//PUBLISHED.6.10.15//

Did that plot twist about thinking that Sasuke was the one who gave the rose hurt you?

Because it hurt me even though I wrote that lmao

Thanks for reading!

Votes and Comments really adds up to my happiness <3

:)

~TheSketcher