Letters From Home

3 years later...January 284:00 p.m.*Sasuke's Perspective*

———Sasuke hadn't visited his family in years. He missed them dearly. But luckily, Sakura would send him letters every month. Sasuke greatly anticipated receiving her letters....

One warm evening, Sasuke was passing through the Hidden Mist Village when his messenger bird brought him a letter. His heart fluttered as he took the letter. Finally...it's here...

He walked into an empty alleyway and leaned against a wall as he opened the letter. As much as he tried to conceal it, he couldn't help but smile; Sasuke was excited to hear from his wife.

The letter read:"Hi, Sasuke. I hope you're doing well. We finally moved everything into the new house. Maybe you can stop by one day. A few days ago, Karin sent the glasses that she made for Sarada; she can see a lot better now. I'm also teaching Sarada how to spell her name and she's doing so well! She's a very quick learner.

Sarada has asked me about you again. She wants to meet you. Lately, she's been dreaming that you come for her. I feel really bad for her...please visit us soon...

I love you.-Sakura <3"

This was the fifth time that Sarada had asked for him. The guilt of not being there for her was starting to build up in his heart. It wasn't fair for Sarada to have to grow up without him, but this was how it had to be...

He sighed before rereading the letter a couple of times. Sasuke loved to admire Sakura's hand writing — his wife's handwriting. Even though he can't be with them, Sasuke was still proud as ever to have a family of his own.

—February 57:10 a.m.*Sakura's Perspective*—

Sakura was getting Sarada dressed to go to her grandparents' house for the day. Sakura needed to be at work by 8:00 so she was in a rush. But suddenly, Sakura heard a knock at her door.

"Coming!" she shouted as she put Sarada down on the couch. Sakura quickly headed to the front door and opened it.

Finding Aiko at the front door, Sakura smiled happily. "Is his letter here?" she asked excitedly.

"Yes it is!" Aiko said happily as she gave Sakura the letter. "I think it's so sweet that you and your husband still send letters to each other."

"I know right? He's honestly the best." Sakura giggled cheerfully. "Thanks for bringing me the letter, Aiko."

Aiko smiled and gave her a single nod. "It's my pleasure. Have a good day, Sakura!"

"Thank you. And same to you!"

After Aiko left, Sakura returned to Sarada who was patiently sitting on the couch. Sakura sat beside her and opened the letter.

The letter read:"Don't worry about me; I'm fine, Sakura. I'm not sure if I can visit you. But don't think I don't want to. And of course Sarada is a quick learner...she's our daughter.

I know it's hard for you to help her deal with my absence. It must be difficult for her to understand why I can't be with you two...but I'm sure she'll understand one day.

I love you. I love Sarada. Don't ever forget that.-Sasuke"

It wasn't a surprise that Sasuke wouldn't be able to visit them but it still made Sakura sad that he couldn't. She frowned a little as tears formed in her eyes. There was no denying that she'd missed Sasuke and she desperately wanted Sarada to be able to meet him.

However, her frown turned into a soft, bittersweet grin as she read the last line of his letter. All Sakura needed to feel better was for Sasuke to say that he loved them.

Sarada stood up and leaned against Sakura's arm. "Am I going to see grandma and grandpa still?" she asked sweetly.

That's right...Sarada and Sakura had places to be. How could she forget?!

Sakura's eyes widened as she realized that she's going to be late for work. She put the letter down and picked up Sarada before frantically bringing her to the front door. "You are, you are! Sorry!" she said nervously as she hastily put on their shoes.

Sakura didn't get the time to fully appreciate Sasuke's letter like she usually does. The letter will now be on her mind all day...

—December 19:00 a.m.*Sasuke's Perspective*—

Another letter has reached Sasuke. Eager to see what Sakura has said, he opened it the second he received it.

The letter read:"I miss you. I want you here, Sasuke. Please come back. I know we already went through this but I can't take it anymore. I need to see you. You've been gone long enough...you deserve to have a comfortable life with us...you earned it. Just come home please.

-Sakura"

Sasuke sighed as a lump formed in his throat. The letter had a few wet spots on it and some smudged out words; Sakura was clearly crying when she wrote it. And she didn't even bother drawing a heart for him like she usually did...

He'd gotten a few letters like this from Sakura over the past couple of months, but none were this desperate.

Why does she always have to make him regret his decisions..?

Sasuke didn't bother rereading the letter; otherwise, he'd feel a lot worse. He hesitantly threw the letter away in a nearby trash bin. The letter would only remind him of how much he was hurting Sakura. His heart couldn't take any more guilt...

—1 year later...June 148:30 p.m.—

It was a very rainy day so Sasuke decided to camp out in a small cave he'd found. But to his surprise, his messenger bird arrived with a letter. Not only was it rare for his bird to travel in the rain, but he'd already received a letter from Sakura the day prior...so who could this letter be from? Kakashi? Naruto? Sasuke curiously opened the letter.

The letter read:"Sasuke, you need to return to the village immediately. We believe we have found traces of the Ōtsutsuki clan in a nearby village. I want to further discuss this matter with you in person.

P.S. It's strange to be writing to you so formally but I'm finally Hokage! I told you I could do it!

- Lord 7th!!!

Sasuke's heart sank as he read the letter. There was no way that the Ōtsutsuki clan were still out there...right?

It'd been a little over five years since Sasuke had been to Konoha. Sasuke didn't plan on returning anytime soon, but Naruto's message seemed serious and urgent, causing Sasuke to worry. Could the village be in danger?

Could his family be in danger..?———

This is the end of the chapter! I hope you enjoyed!