It was then that she remembered her teacher was a ninja, too.
When Sasuke had left, when Naruto had gone, when she had sought talents to excel in, work had called him. She didn't see any of them anymore and only rarely heard about him from her teacher and master. It was never much, lest vital information be imparted, but only a few sufficing words to let her know that he was okay, that he was safe, that he was away on a mission again.
It was then that she was reminded he was good.
His skills were utilized in fighting the encroaching ninja forces. He was part of the effort – not always a team, she rather astonishingly learned – to keep Konoha of Fire Country territory and upright. His methods were employed to keep them all alive and as safe as they could be, considering. She knew him to be strong, really knew it, and she knew he was ever so worthy of her respect. He'd come to show them all how seriously he took their training, their schooling and experiences, through his unorthodox and round about ways; those lessons stuck with them the most. His warpings on everything taught her to pick apart each segment until all possible arrangements were fully calculated. He taught them caution. He taught them survival of the barest levels. He gave them life. He gave them desire.
It was then that she remembered how much she cherished his presence.
Tsunade had mentioned he was back and away already, heading out further for more recon and prevention applications. She hadn't seen him for a very long time. She hadn't even heard others talking about him, reminiscing or speaking against him as often occurred. She'd learned little about him after all these years but she'd learned his past had not been happy, at all. It was then that she realized she didn't know him at all. It was then that she was barraged with rapidly birthing thoughts. It was then that she longed for him to just be there.
And it was then that she realized she missed him.
It was then that her gut told her she needed to see him.
It was then that she needed to hear his voice, needed him to tell her it would be alright.
It was then that she knew if she heard it from him that she would believe.
It was then that she realized he carried her faith.
Because if he said it, then it must be true.
Because if it was true, then she could be happy once more.