Chapter 7: The letter

Hello! I'm back, and now I'll probably update more often!

I've planned out the story now, and it's going to be around 11 or 12 chapters long. Opinions are always welcome, so please PM or send a review if you have anything to add or comment on in the story!

Enjoy!

The village of Konoha laid silent between the hills under the starlit sky above. His old home had changed a bit, but not much from what he remembered it from the last time he laid eyes on it before he left the village for good. At least, that's what he thought back then. Yet, here he was.

Why? He had asked himself that question too many times the last days, without receiving a proper answer. He lured himself to believe it was for the sake of his old friends, but in all honesty he hated the lot of them. But most of all, he hated Sakura. The way she'd always swarmed around him in her childhood, yet she just stood there by idly as he turned to something despicable. They said he'd turned evil, turned dark, when he just felt himself becoming more… himself.

The past didn't matter though. He was here for a reason, and that was to avenge. Avenge the deceit of his former teammates, to show them what he was capable of. Show the whole village what he was capable of, so that they would fear him instead of loath him. Yes, that seemed like a good idea.

Sasuke Uchiha smirked and proceeded towards the village, looking forward to break that pink haired brat.

-X-

"What's the handsigns for this jutsu again, sensei?"

Shikamaru sighed and showed the handsigns for the cloning jutsu once again, he believed it must've been like the thousandth by now. He yawned as he sat back onto his desk again, wishing his shift could be over soon so he could see Ino.

It had been 2 weeks since they had shared their first kiss, and they were now boyfriend and girlfriend to the whole of Konoha city. His life felt like a running river, a complete harmonic flow of happiness. Things finally went well, went as he wanted them. His had a rather well-paying job, he had the girl of his dreams and yesterday he spent his first night in his newly obtained apartment. His mother had just shook her head when he told her about Ino, smiling knowingly and muttering something about "…about time" under her breath.

The students lined up and tried out their newly learned jutsu, and Shikamaru was honestly impressed with how many succeeded at first try. Not even the brightest in his old class had managed it fully at first, with exception of one of course. Damn Uchiha, he'd always been one step behind him, but yet practically invisible to everyone until graduating. He never mentioned it to anyone, yet it had always bothered him somewhere deep inside his mind. The sound of the bell awakened him, but he barely flinched. He was getting kind of used to the ear-piercing sound by now.

"Class dismissed!" he yelled to non-listening kids running out of the clammy classroom. He was just collection his papers when a pair of slender arms appeared in front of him, and in the next moment his eyes were covered. A sweet voice whispered in his ear, making him tremble lightly.

"Guess who?"

"Uhm, I don't know, Naruto?"

Her voice was easily recognized, but he liked teasing her by playing dumb. She sighed heavily, spun him around and gave him a breathtakingly sweet kiss on the lips. He gasped as she let him go.

"Now that was not expected," he said, as he grabbed her by the waist and pulled her closer. "…Naruto."

"Ugh, Shikamaru! Would you please play along in my games for just once?" She frowned at him, but he knew she wasn't really mad.

"But you're so cute when you're mad at me," was his lame excuse, and to that she just stuck out her tongue.

"Ha, ha, ha. Very funny. But anyway, are you free this afternoon?"

"No, I apparently have plans with my very own lovely Ino." She blushed violently, unable to continue for smiling like crazy. Damn, when did he become this smooth?

"Yes you do," she said in a depraved try to be serious. "In fact, you're showing me your new apartment."

Shikamaru's whole being cringed at this, he knew very well what a mess the place was. On the other hand, if he knew himself it would always be messy when he was around so what difference did it make? So he just nodded with a smug smile at her before collecting his things and accompanying her to the door.

As they left the academy he flung his arm around her waist, and the other hand in his pocket. She was babbling about something, he really had no idea what is was about, but he nodded and just concentrated on the beautiful sound of her voice. He was so into his own thoughts, as usual, that he almost forgot to turn on the way that led to his home. Wasn't that just awkward? Not finding your own goddamn apartment, Shikamaru's inner voice scowled.

The fair sense of anxiety came upon him as he fiddled with his keys. It was unnecessary though, since all she did when coming in to the place was pointing at everything and telling him how neat it was.

"Oh, and you have such a pretty, and neat view from here! This place is amazing Shika!" She said with a wide smile, and he relaxed slightly.

"Although... It needs a bit of cleaning."

Oh damn it. Troublesome, wonderful woman.

-X-

Sakura Haruno closed the door of her apartment with a heavy sigh. She had been working at the village's hospital all day, and night, and she was felt dying from exhaustion. She was just about to resort to her awaiting bed, when a white blank envelope on her hallway carpet caught her attention.

She leaned down to pick it up and inspect it. It had no name on, not even her own. When she turned it around she noted that it was sloppily sealed. Curious as she was, she immediately opened it. He fingers could feel a piece of paper, but also something wet and runny. As she pulled out the note some flower petals followed it and fell down onto the floor. It was petals from a sakura tree, the tree that bore the flowers she was named after.

There was some strange looking stains on them, and as she reached out to pick them up she noticed the same stains on her own fingers as well. It took her a second or two to realise what was running down her arm as she held up the note literally drenched in blood. She screamed in panic, and could barely bring herself to read the message that was almost distinguishable on the bloody note.

I never forget, Sakura. And I never forgive either.

She knew all too well who that handwriting belonged to.

-X-

Ino sighed and tried her best to take in the fresh night air out on the balcony of Naruto's apartment. They had gotten here about two hours ago when Naruto called her and Shikamaru, but she was still in deep shock. Sakura had told them all about the mysterious letter, and they had all tried their very best to calm her down, yet she wouldn't stop crying.

For the moment, they had decided to leave her and Naruto alone for a while, but Ino had a hard time focusing. She was too worried about Sakura.

"What kind of a sick bastard is he…" she merely muttered, but Shikamaru who was leaning in the doorframe a bit away seemed to have heard, because he approached her slowly and put his arms protective around her.

"Stop it Ino, there's nothing you can do right now so calm down." He hugged her from behind, and she felt a bit calmer. "If not for my sake, then for your own at least."

He leaned in and kissed away the single tear running down her cheek, and she closed her eyes trying to soothe herself. She was still feeling slightly disturbed by the way Sasuke had harassed her best friend like that, she actually thought better of him. Yes, he had turned evil and bad, but it still seemed illogical that he would do such a thing to Sakura. She was after all his old teammate, wouldn't he have some kind of feelings left?

"But… what do you think he meant with it?"

"I don't know really. He probably just wanted to upset her, he's a douchebag and we all know that."

Ino was puzzled. She knew the good old Sasuke would never do anything like this without having any intention with it, but what about the new Sasuke? He felt foreign, she didn't know that person. She thought through what Sakura had told her. What was the blood all about? She guessed it meant he was capable of violence, and wanted to let them know. But why? They were of no threat to him, so why would he do this?

"I need to talk to her… do you think they're done in there?"

"No idea. You should go check up on them anyway." He answered and followed her inside towards the living room where Naruto and Sakura where situated. Shikamaru cleared his throat before entering, and Ino searched Sakura's face. She looked rather okay for the moment, so she spoke up.

"Sakura, can I talk to you?" she looked over to the boys and added. "In private, please."

"S-sure pig." Sakura sniffled and watched Naruto as he left the room along with Shikamaru.

"First, how are you feeling now?" Ino had taken a seat next to her best friend on the sofa.

"A bit better, I guess. What is it that you wanted to talk to me about?"

"The letter." Sakura flinched slightly, but Ino continued. "Don't you think it meant something?"

"Yes, I've been thinking about that too actually… just didn't want to talk to Naruto about it, you know." She smiled weakly, and Ino smiled back sympathetically. "But I just can't seem to understand it, though."

"Well, I've been thinking it has something to do with violence, and specifically showing us that he's violent. But why would he be violent towards you, forehead? Have you two every really argued?"

She watched Sakura think for a moment, as if she was searching her mind for something that could help them understand the situation. Then, suddenly, she gasped.

"Oh, now I remember!" she said, her expression turning sadder as she started telling Ino. "On… the day he left Konoha for good, the last day I saw him… he said something to me. And those words have just… kind of been etched into my soul ever since, I can't really seem to forget them even after how much I've tried."

She paused, taking a sip from the half full glass of water standing on the coffee table in front of them.

"He said… 'Sakura, I really expected more of you. After all this time, you turn your back on me? You're just like everyone else. Dull, weak, easy to manipulate. And that's why I find you… rather worthless. I hope I never have to see your disappointing face anymore.'"

As she finished, Ino noticed a tear forming in the corner of her friend's eye. Before she could say or do something, Sakura spoke again.

"I never really understood that, I was like "but I'm protecting my friends from you, how would that make me dull or weak?" But I never got an answer to that question, until now. I think that what he meant with that letter… is maybe that he's back, and I still haven't improved in his eyes? I honestly don't know really, I'm just rambling here…"

"Well, if that's his opinion then he can just go fuck himself right away." Sakura flinched slightly at Ino's harsh words, but she didn't care. "Honestly, forehead, look at what you've accomplished! You're the best medic in this village, you have Naruto and everything… oh how I hate him!"

"Who?"

"Sasuke of course! He can't just come in here after all these years and ruin our great lives! Your life, Sakura! We have to stop him before he does something radical!"

"No, Ino, calm down." Sakura snapped. "You almost sound like you're the one who's going to do something radical now, and I don't want you to. You could get hurt! And in that case I'd never forgive myself!"

"Well, maybe… that is just what it takes. But for now, you're right. We'll wait and see okay?"

"Yeah sure… but please let me know if you plan on doing something, okay?"

"Of course Sakura." she said. "But I don't think we should tell, uhm, the boys about this should we?"

"No… probably not. Not yet, at least. Only if it gets worse."

Ino nodded in agreement. She just wished she could feel as brave as she sounded.

-X-