Quote of the chapter: "Not all problems end up bad."

A lot of timeskips :P

UNEDITED

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~cнαpтer 23: ɢoodвye~

One week more to go. One week then it is finally school break that everyone has been waiting for. Sadly, they still have to face what they have been studying for the whole school year. It was the final exams week.

Who knew a lot of events swamped Haruno Sakura's life in just between a year? First it was just her normal life then a girl she barely knew changed everything. She was ignored, became invisible in the people's eyes and was hurt just like a shattered glass. She met new friends afterwards and sought revenge when the truth came out. Then her new and former friends united.

What else could possibly occur next?

It has been two and a half weeks since the prom event, the graduating batches took their exams a week ago while the other students will be taking the exams for this week.

The sound of the alarm clock rang inside Naruto's room.

Hearing that evil sound, Naruto groggily walked to his desk like a zombie that has dried saliva at his edges of his mouth. With his early morning strength, he smashed the alarm clock and crashed back to bed.

"NARUTO!" A woman with long red hair slammed the door, making Naruto stood up with his arm in a position of a soldier giving a salute as his eyes were sealed.

"Akyhdsejzu..."

"Wake up!"

"Urdnyjwksh..."

"Naruto, school's about to start in an hour!"

"Ehijukohgfne..."

His mother, Kushina, sighed heavily. "You won't get ramen if you don't wake up."

Naruto jolted his eyes open as he strolled in the bathroom in an instant.

Kushina placed her palm at her forehead as she shook her head, but smiled at the thought of his son being childish even though he's already teenager.

She walked down to the dining room and prepared Naruto's meal. Despite the fact that they are rich and has maids, Kushina takes responibility to wake up Naruto, prepare his breakfast and food for school. It was a mother's job after all.

Gently putting the hot bowl at the table, the maids set the glass of water and the utensils.

Kushina called his husband over the living room who was reading the newspaper with Naruto wearing his complete uniform.

Minato gave a peck on his wife's lips before taking a seat down at the dining table. "Ramen? I can take a guess on who suggested this meal." He chuckled, looking at his only child.

"You said it." Kushina glanced at Naruto.

"Itadakimasu!" They all clasped their hands before breaking the chopsticks.

After a couple of slurps, Naruto was already at his ninth bowl. "Mom's ramen is the best!"

"Take it easy Naruto, you might choke if you eat too fast." Kushina grinned at her son's compliment.

When Naruto checked his watch, he only has half an hour to reach school.

Finishing his nth bowl, he gave both his parents a hug before leaving.

"See you later!" Naruto practically yelled then shut the door closed behind him.

Naruto slung his backpack at his shoulders and began speed-walking to school.

It was the last day of teaching academics because the next day will be the start their final exams. Today is also the last day of submitting the requirements in all subjects, or so they call 'The Amazing Race' since they look around for their teachers inside the campus to let them sign your clearance or else, your exam won't be given unless that paper has signatures of all subjects.

Nervousness corrupted Naruto's mind at the thought, but he was stopped when he spotted a roseate girl and a raven-haired guy walking together, wearing the Konoha High uniform.

He immediately figured out that it was his best friend Sasuke and his sister-friend Sakura.

He wasn't that surprised that the two were close. Sasuke didn't mind sitting next to her during breaktimes and he talks to her from time to time. Not to mention, he asked her to be his date to the prom an-

Wait a minute.

Rewind.

Play.

SASUKE-the icicle-DIDN'T mind sitting NEXT to SAKURA during breaktimes and he TALKS-the Uchiha is mostly silent right?-to her from time to time. Not to mention he asked her to be his DATE to-the frickin-PROM.

Naruto reflected his words then realization slapped him hard. Everything was now back to normal, he can finally ask sasuke about his 'true' feelings towards Sakura if there is.

The only thing that kept him back out was because of Ami and Sakura with the sand siblings.

But now everything is back  as it was before, only better. He can finally confront his best friend! Be decided to ask him after the exams, good thing he kept notes on his evidences.

But for ramensakes, HOW could he have missed that?! Is he really that blind?

Shaking his head, he ran off to his two close friends. "OI SAKURA-CHAN! SASUKE-TEME!" He yelled while waving from a far to catch their attention.

Sakura and Sasuke stopped their tracks to look back and see the blonde sprinting towards them.

Naruto, who expected a warm greeting, earned a punch from Sakura.

"Baka, don't shout!" She scolded. "People are still sleeping at this time of day!"

It was 6:30 am and school starts at 7 am sharp. They were surrounded by the neighborhood houses.

The loudmouth who received an attack, was at the ground carressing his cheek as endless anime tears fall from his eyes. "Sorry Sakura-chan."

"Dobe." Sasuke muttered with half-lidded eyes and he started to walk towards the direction of their school.

Sakura followed Sasuke's pace and Naruto stood up. "Hey wait up!" He caught up to his two friends as they made their way to school.

They were the three people who were always in the same group in terms of group activities after all, so people were sure that they were close. Despite the fact that Kiba was Sakura's best bud, she treats Naruto as her brother and Naruto treats her as his sister.

~

The students were only a half day until the day before the last day so that they will be given a chance to study before the exams.

Once the bell rang, all students bursted out of the classrooms and went on a hunt for their teachers to claim their signatures and be cleared to take the exams.

"Has any of you seen Kakashi-sensei?!"

"I heard that he was in the teacher's lounge!"

"Do you have all the signatures?"

"Why do we have to do this?!"

"This is so hard!"

Complaints and questions can be heard from the hallways. The students crowded the passageways for making a line in signing the clearance sheet.

"Oh hey guys!" Tenten said with a smile as she saw a glimpse of Ino, Sakura and Hinata lined up outside of Kurenai's classroom with Temari beside her.

Ino, who was leaning at the wall, took a step nearer to Tenten. "Where were you two??"

"We just finished our clearance." Temari raised both of their papers full of signatures while Sakura, Hinata and Ino slumped their shoulders.

"So are you all cleared?" Tenten asked.

"Just a signature from Kurenai-sensei and I'm done." Sakura beamed.

Hinata showed her paper. "Me too."

"Ugh. I still need to find Asuma-sensei and Yamato-sensei!" Ino whined with a pout as they moved forward to the line.

"Don't worry about Asuma-sensei, I saw him inside the classroom with Kurenai-sensei when we passed by a while ago." Tenten winked.

"I heard Yamato-sensei was by the gym." Temari shifted to Ino.

"I saw him at the canteen a while ago." Sakura answered then Ino held her shoulders.

"AND YOU TELL ME THIS NOW?!" Ino shook Sakura back and forth.

Hinata placed her hand over at Ino's shoulder for her to stop making Sakura dizzy. "I also saw him but we were running to get Kakashi-sensei's signature at that time, remember?"

"Oh yeah." Ino removed her grip from Sakura while recalling the time when they were runnimg to find Kakashi who was hiding-for fun-from his students, then she looked to her friends. "Can you girls come with me?"

Ino put on her pleading puppy eyes as the girls sighed but all nodded in agreement as Ino jumped happily and went inside the classroom along with the three to sign their papers to Kurenai.

...

Over at the boys

Sasuke and Neji were going back to the classroom to claim their backpacks and leave since they accomplished to get all of their teachers' signatures.

They were lucky that their fangirls were out of the moment because they were too busy with their own clearance papers.

Naruto, Kiba and Kankuro were both cramming, running around the school campus to find wherever their teacher was.

Shikamaru just needed one more signature then he's finished.

Gaara already left since he was one of the first people who got all the signatures in an instant or maybe the only one.

The idiot was sprinting through the hallways and stopped by the classroom then saw Sasuke and Neji with their bags.

"HAVE-pant-YOU TWO-pant-SEEN-pant-GAI-SENSEI?!" Naruto blurted as he placed his hands at his knees for support. Kiba by his side with his head looking up to catch air.

"Dobe, he's at the rooftop exercising for hours. Everyone knew that by now." Sasuke replied, adjusting his backpack.

"WHAT?! I went up and down the stairs, running around the building and he was at the ROOFTOP?! Who the hell would sign students' papers there?? He's supposed to be at the gym and sign..." Naruto kept on saying words about a teacher not doing his job and using his time to exercise at a rooftop as he made his way to his destination.

Just as Naruto left, another prankster slammed the door open. "WHERE THE HELL IS KAKASHI-SENSEI?!"

"I saw him at the library a few minutes ago, but you better hurry up because he uses this time as a hide-and-seek game. Good luck, Kiba. See you later." Neji patted his Kiba's shoulder when he walked pass him and waited for Tenten at the cherry blossom trees by the benches. They were having a group study with Kiba, Naruto and Hinata due to teacher's orders.

"You finished?" Kiba asked to Sasuke.

He nodded as his reply. "Amazing race?"

"Yeah. Well see yah!" Kiba saluted then made a mad expression as he stared at the paper he was holding. "This isn't a clearance sheet. This sheet is shit!" Then he ran to the library while muttering more curses and complaints.

Sasuke just mentally agreed with Kiba in the clearance sheet being poop as he wait for Sakura at the school gates which was now his habit or a part of his routine.

...

"Took you long enough."

Sakura just went out the exit of the school grounds when she heard that voice. She turned to her right side and saw Sasuke leaning by the wall.

"Ino asked us to keep her company. Sorry for waiting but you could've just left without me." Sakura said as they walk to their street.

Sasuke shrugged in response. "Kakashi assigned you as ny study buddy."

"Well yeah."

Before the classes had started, Kakashi gave his students a 'study buddy' so that two can share notes. As said a while ago, Sakura's study buddy is Sasuke.

Ino's study buddy is Shikamaru because Ino is failing math class and Shikamaru was the top.

The sand siblings were all study buddies as requested by them.

Tenten's study buddy is Kiba. Naruto was assigned to Neji because of Social Studies problem and Hinata was included to them to help Naruto with English class. With that, the five of them decided to do a group study at the Hyuga's living room.

"Your house or my house?" Sakura questioned as they went nearer their street.

"If you want my mom and Itachi to disturb us then let's go to my house."

Sakura remembered the last time she went to his house which was the day she was asked to be Sasuke's date to the prom, upon thinking this thought, made her flush. "My house it is!"

~

Darkness clouded Sakura's sight. All of her surroundings were pitch-black. She blinked countless times until a spark of light emerged.

Sakura took a step forward then walked towards the light. Not too soon, she realized that the light was only going further and further away so she eventually ran to catch up until the light completely washed off, gone.

She was back to darkness and began to cry. It was the only way to let out her feelings inside and the only thing she thought capable of doing.

Suddenly, a glowing cherry blossom appeared. Sakura shifted her gaze up as tears stopped flowing. She walked up to the tree which was slowly dying.

The petals were falling to the ground like papers. Sakura picked one up and noticed that the petal flashed a scene. It was the scene that Sasuke and Ino saved her from the bullies. She got another petal that was falling and it was the scene she first met her friends. She looked around the fallen petals and realized that those were the good and important times she had in her life.

She averted her vision to the petals that were still hanging at the tree shows the bad times that Sakura went through. When she was getting bullied, when her parents are gone, when she was an outcast, being ignored and being replaced.

It probably shows that her fears were still there and her wishes had left, dead.

As she took a closer look, it would seem that the petals that shows her hardships have grown bigger and bigger until it corrupted the cherry blossom tree.

Sakura could hear the mean opinions of other people. Bad thoughts.

Taking it as an instinct, she quickly covered her ears using her hands.

"No wonder you have no friends. You're a freak!"

Tears strolled down to her cheeks with her legs wobbling, running out of energy which caused her to land on the ground in a sitting position.

"You don't deserve to live with your ugliness!"

She curled her legs up and wrapped her arms around them while she dug her head at her knees to avoid hearing the bad claims. "Stop!" She screamed to no one in particular.

"You are so dumb and stupid!"

"Stop it!" She continued to sob alone, by herself as the petals were growing non-stop along with the dying tree.

"Uchiha Sasuke is mine so Back. Off."

With that last statement, the cherry blossom tree died by making it blast. "NO!"

"NO!" Sakura screamed and gasped when she found out that she was at a bed. She was panting heavily, breathing in and out. She scanned her surroundings, she was in her room and it was 6:28 in the evening according to her wall clock.

So, was it all a dream?

In a blink of an eye, the door creaked open and revealed Sasuke wearing a hoodie and jeans. "Are you alright?" He entered the room and went nearer to her.

"S-Sasuke!" Sakura immediately ran to Sasuke and grabbed him into a very very VERY tight hug. She also remembered that it was all only a nightmare, but it still haunted her. It was the nightmare that really creeped her out in her entire life. But what does it mean? Are all those pain and suffering going to come back?

Sasuke felt his hoodie getting soaked by Sakura's tears. He reluctantly hugged her back and let him be her crying shoulder. He rubbed circles at Sakura's back to help her be at ease.

The youngest Uchiha was never a conversationalist. He chose to keep his perspectives to himself and let his movements speak. Though in this situation, 'everything is alright' cannot be stated. Why? Because you can never assure it, there is no such thing that can stay the same forever after all. So he said what he can make sure and won't change his mind. "It's okay, I'm here."

When Sakura calmed down, they broke the hug and she sat down on her bed with hugging her pillow instead while Sasuke sat on the computer chair next to the bed.

"Nightmare?"

"How did you know?" She lifted her eyebrows, questioning the raven.

Sasuke pointed his thumb over the door. "I heard your screams across the hallway. What were you dreaming about?"

"Nothing, just fears." She said while gripping her pillow. It was true that her fears caused this so technically, she wasn't lying.

On the other side of the ship, Sasuke looked like he didn't buy it and was about to push the subject.

Before Sasuke could even reply, Sakura changed the topic, hoping he would let it slide. "So, what happened before I fell asleep?"

After a dream, you get confused on which is reality and which was the one the dream since you don't really recall much, right?

"We studied for the exams and made reviewers for hours. When I went to the bathroom you were asleep so I brought you to your bed." Sasuke decided to drop the matter. If she doesn't want to tell him, then so be it. But he can't change the fact that curiosity kills.

Sakura nodded, now making sense to her. "How long was I asleep?"

"About an hour."

Then Sakura beamed in a little while. "Thank you."

Sasuke just nodded as response with the edges of his lips slightly curved up. "Hn."

And there goes his vocabulary.

~

"FREEDOM!" Naruto yelled as he ran at the hallways.

Tenten was the one who punched Naruto to make him shut his mouth. "We still have to go to the gym for final announcements!"

"What a drag." Shikamaru sighed while they grab their bags and line up.

Naruto rubbed his cheek then rested the back of his head at his hands as they walk. "Well at least we're done with the tests  dattebayo!"

Kiba stretched his arms. "Man I'm beat!"

"Chemistry and Algebra was on the final day. Who wouldn't be tired?" Sakura commented on the way as she yawned.

"Damn it was hard." Tenten slumped her shoulders.

"I had a mind block." Temari added.

"I was screwed." Ino said as her memory flashed back.

>>FLASHBACK<<

Ino was at the front row as she received the papers and passed it to the back.

She prepared herself before glancing at the paper, then she scanned the first page of the test.

"Well shit."

>>END OF FLASHBACK<<

"EVERYONE had a hard time." Kankuro joined as they all sat at the gym while waiting for the other sections and batches.

Kiba gave his consent. "Whoever is the best in chemistry would be a legend."

They all agreed as they talked more while waiting for the principal to arrive.

After a couple of minutes, Tsunade finally came at the stage with all the high school batches inside the gymnasium. She was kind of late, but not as late as Kakashi could ever be. "Good afternoon, as you all know today is the last day of school."

The students cheered with claps and shouts.

Tsunade cleared her throat as soon as the yells plummited/plummeted. "We will be having the tradition of our school before we all part ways. You all have your candles in front of you so light it up and we'll get started."

The high school students lit up their candles with the match that was passed.

When everyone held their lighted candles, including the teachers and staff, the principal started the tradition.

"For some that wouldn't know what the candles are for, you will be giving it to the person who you want to say sorry to before this school year ends. Both of you will exchange candles and hug or poke, whatever you want just not PDA. You can roam around the gym to find that person. You will be given twenty minutes. Afterwards, you'll go back to your place and wait for my nect instruction. Clear? Begin!"

Just as Tsunade instructed, the people began to crowd the gym to find the people they want to apologize.

Of course, Ino was the first one who found her best friend. "Forehead!" She called as Sakura turned around, only to be met by Ino's arms.

"I'm so sorry Sakura." Ino managed to speak and she let go, giving the candle to Sakura with a sad smile. "I hope you can forgive me."

"What are you talking about? I already forgave you." Sakura replied, exchanging candles with Ino.

"I still need to apologize to some people so I'll see you later!" Ino waved, disappearing from the crowd.

Sakura's grin didn't leave her face. Her best friend was still stubborn as ever. She felt someone tapped her shoulder to the side and saw Hinata and Tenten.

"W-We apologize for ignoring you, Sakura-chan." Hinata bowed after her statement, receiving Sakura's candle and giving her own.

"I'm sorry Sakura." She gave Sakura an embrace before changing candles.

"It's alright." Sakura grinned making them smile as she thought of who to say sorry to...

Her thoughts was interrupted by a certain idiot. "SAKURA-CHAAAN!"

Sakura's eyes widen with the sudden weight since Naruto jumped, landing on the ground while hugging Sakura's legs. Luckily both of them didn't drop their candles.

"I'm sorry Sakura-chan!" He whined with limitless anime tears falling from his closed eyes.

"It's okay Naruto." Sakura stated as Naruto got up, dusting off the invisible dirt at his pants.

They both traded candles and Naruto gave his usual smile. "I'll be your protective brother from now on, dattebayo!"

Sakura sent her toothless beam as Kiba went to her direction and Naruto left. "Sorry, Sakura." He smiled weakly and they switched candles.

"Don't be sad, you'll always be my best bud." Sakura cheered him up, nudging him at the shoulder.

Then Kiba smiled smugly, showing his fangs. "Who said I was sad?"

"Bastard." Sakura muttered with a grin.

"See yah!" He chuckled before poking her nose instead of hugging or bowing since it wasn't his thing after all.

Sakura shook her head with a sigh. Unconciously, she looked straight. Only to see Sasuke walk in front of her.

"Sorry." He simply said with that husky voice of his as he patted her head, holding out the candle.

Sakura smiled at his gesture. She accepted and gave her candle in return. "It's okay."

Before anything else could happen, Tsunade spoke bluntly to the microphone. "Time's up! I hope you all apologized to the people you wanted to say sorry. But now let's move on to the next. Same guidelines will be followed, the only difference is that instead of apologizing, this is for thanking the person whom you wanted to say thank you before this school year ends. You may start now."

People began rushing off and noises errupted the gym. Once again, Sakura's friends wasn't in sight so she went off to find the person she wanted to thank.

She scanned her surroundings, walked back and fourth, looking around the groups of humans until she spotted the girl sitting at the floor on the corner of the gym.

Sakura went on a faster pace as she halted when she was in front of the person.

The girl looked up to her with a confused expression.

With the awkward atmosphere in place, Sakura reached out her candle to the girl in front of her. "Thank you, Ami." She said with much confidence.

Ami raised her eyebrows and shook her head in disbelief before averting her gaze back.to the pinkette. "Why? Tell me Haruno Sakura, why? All I've done to you was hurt your feelings and make you feel replaced. Why should you thank me? I should be the one thanking you for forgiving me. You're supposed to tell me to rot in hell and get burned by fire or get eaten by wolves."

"I may want to do that to you, but that doesn't mean I would. I am saying thank you because you have taught me a valuable lesson. Without you, I wouldn't meet new friends and I wouldn't be this much closer to my new and old friends. Again, arigatou." Sakura ended her defense with a grin and exchanged candles with Ami. "Good luck in life and I hope you would be a better person."

After Sakura left, Ami stared down to the candle from Sakura. She was an outcast and a lot of people despise her now. She was now quiet and rarely smiles.

Ami took a glimpse of Sakura who was talking with her friends with grins. "I hope so too. Arigatou, Sakura." She said silently in her mind as her lips form into a small smile.

Tsunade snapped her fingers as they all sat to their places.

After giving the teacher's last very short speeches, they gave the principal the microphone.

"And that is the end of this school year. It has been a great year with you and I wish you all have a fun summer vacation. See you next year and as for the students who will be leaving this school, good luck in your future. I will be seeing the seniors again in graduation. Thank you and hope you all enjoy your break." Tsunade finished her announcement as she turned off the microphone with the people cheering.

The students were with their herd of friends, saying goodbye. Hugging and crying people could be seen as the group made their way to the Ichiraku restaurant branch that was near their school.

"So when are you guys leaving?" Sakura asked, pertaining to the sand siblings as they took their seats and orders.

"We'll be leaving later at night." Gaara replied after they gave their orders.

Naruto nearly choked the water he was drinking.

"Why so sudden?" Kiba asked with a frown coming up his face.

Naruto coughed multiple times. "Yeah, are you in a hurry or something?"

"It's not like that." Kankuro defended as the lady served their meals.

"We just need to come there early and take the tests." Temari split her chopsticks into two before eating.

"Tests?" Tenten asked as she blew her steaming bowl.

"What kind of tests?" Shikamaru specified.

"Didn't you just took the exams?" Sakura questioned while looking at her two best guy friends, Kiba and Naruto, devouring their food. Seems like they are in a contest.

"This tests will determine who will be the next main Kazekage." Gaara answered before placing the noodles inside his mouth.

"Taking another set of tests after the final exams? That sucks." Ino commented after swallowing.

"Big time." Kankuro replied as they all continue to eat their meals with talks alongside.

~

At the end, Naruto couldn't be beaten at the unplanned ramen contest with Kiba.

The girls were about to pay for the food but the boys, being self-proclamied gentlemen, payed the meals for them.

They were at the parking lot, outside of the restaurant to say goodbye to the sand siblings.

Ino, Tenten, Hinata and Sakura all jumped on Temari. "WE'RE GONNA MISS YOU!"

Temari laughed with tears coming up. "I'm going to miss you girls too."

"Update us with Ki, girl!" Ino let go of her grasp from Temari.

"As long as you people do the same with your crushes." Temari backfired with her arms crossed.

"Of course." Hinata smiled.

"Will do!" Sakura reassured.

Tenten pumped her fists up. "Hell yeah!"

On the other hand, the boys were just shaking hands.

"I'll beat you in the arcade next time." Kankuro challenged to Kiba as they shook hands.

"We'll see." Kiba responded.

Naruto patted Gaara's shoulder. "If you ever need help or company, just call us."

"Likewise."

"You can visit us anytime." Neji joined with Sasuke beside him.

"Thanks. You are welcomed in Sunagakure." Gaara bowed slightly.

See the difference between the goodbyes?

They all had a group hug before Temari and Kankuro got in the car.

Sakura pulled Gaara into a hug. She considered Gaara as one of the important people in her life. "Thanks for everything." She mumbled.

They let go and Gaara grinned a little. "You're welcome. Keep me updated." He held Sakura' shoulder then passed by Sasuke and whispered. "You're in-charge now."

Gaara went inside the car as he smiled smugly which Sasuke caught. Sasuke smirked, understanding the last message of Gaara to him before they go back to Sunagakure.

The windows were down as they waved goodbye.

"See you soon!"

"Message us anytime!"

"Let's eat ramen next time dattebayo!"

"Have a safe trip!"

The car drove off as they closed the windows and the teens decided to go back to their houses.

On the corner of Sakura's eyes, she could see Ami walking on the other side of the street. She must've left school late due to principal's orders. Despite the fact she got home late, there was a slight smile on her face which made Sakura grin.

Ami will change to a better person and Sakura knew it.

This maybe the last time they will see each other. Fortunately, at least they had a good farewell and Ami had a smile on her face when Sakura-possibly-last saw her.

Goodbye bullies, goodbye old obsessed fangirl Ami and goodbye nightmares.

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PUBLISHED.//6.14.2014.//

UNEDITED

This chapter kinda sucks, what do you think? :(

I own all the ideas on how the boys asked their girls :3

Thank you for reading!

:)

~TheSketcher