One Year Later

———A year has gone by since Sasuke left. Sakura has been doing her best to cope with his absence which hasn't been easy. Thankfully, she has friends and family who do their best to cheer her up...and most importantly, she had Sarada to keep her company.

—May 1 4:50 p.m.*Sakura's Perspective*—

Sarada had a play date with Boruto today, so she and Sakura were at Naruto's house. While the children played with their toys, Naruto and Sakura chatted with each other.

"Have you heard from Sasuke at all?" Sakura asked solemnly. He hadn't sent a single letter since he left the village...not even for her birthday. And for some reason, Kakashi wouldn't allow her to send messages to Sasuke.

Naruto sighed and shook his head. "Nope...not a single thing." Naruto was just as disappointed as Sakura. Sasuke was his best friend so naturally, he'd want to hear from him as well.

Their faces fell grim as a heavy silence filled the air. Even though the two have gone through this more than once, they still missed Sasuke...

The silence between Naruto and Sakura broke when Boruto and Sarada started fighting over a toy. They both turned their attention to the kids and chuckled lightly.

They could barely even walk yet and they're already bickering with each other. This was not a good sign for when they learn to speak.

"Will these two ever get along?" Naruto laughed as he separated Boruto and Sarada.

Sakura shrugged and sighed. "I sure hope they do." she giggled softly. "But who knows..."...

—May 16:00 p.m.*Kakashi's Perspective*—

In his office, Kakashi was doing some paperwork before being abruptly interrupted. Shikamaru brought him a letter.

Given that this letter was coming in so late and was being delivered by Shikamaru himself, Kakashi already knew who it was from.

The letter read:"Your suspicions about the gang in the Hidden Rain Village were correct. But I've dealt with them. I'm ready for a new mission.

Also, I need to know how my family is doing.

-Sasuke"

Unlike Naruto and Sakura, Kakashi had been receiving monthly letters from Sasuke. However, Sasuke asked Kakashi not to let Naruto or Sakura know of these letters as well as asking not to allow them to send any to him.

After reading the letter, Kakashi began to write a reply to him...

—May 2710:30 p.m.*Sasuke's Perspective*—

Sasuke was sitting by a lake when he received Kakashi's letter. He was eager to open it. Not because he was determined to get assigned to another mission, but because he wanted to make sure that Sakura and Sarada were alright.

Being away from them felt like hell. He hadn't gone a single day without worrying about them. Sasuke desperately wanted to write to Sakura but he was afraid that if he did, she'd only miss him more.

Swiftly opening the letter, Sasuke's eyebrows furrowed as he read it.

The letter read:"Thank you. I'm glad everything turned out well. Make sure to check any nearby villages just in case though.

As for your family...Come see how they're doing yourself. Sakura misses you so I know she'd appreciate a visit.

-Kakashi"

Sasuke scoffed and crumbled up the paper into a ball before staring off into the distance. Lately, every time he asked about Sakura or Sarada, Kakashi would tell him something along those lines. It was really starting to piss him off. At this point, why even bother asking anymore..?———

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