Hello, I know its been a year, but this shall be finish. I have one more letter chapter and then one epilogue. Thank you all for your support and patience.

Enjoy.


Read when you miss me

Today should have been like any other day, but it wasn't. Today was bright and sunny and the birds were chirping happily. His daughter was on a mission, his youngest son was in Suna with his fiancé, and his eldest son was probably in someone's home nursing a hangover. Sasuke made himself breakfast; simple scrambled eggs and toast. He even cut himself some tomato slices. Today he had nothing to do. Well he did request this day off and pressured Naruto to not assign him anything for today. So today he will go to the market, buy some groceries, buy something nice, maybe visit the park.

Today should be a normal day, but it wasn't.

Sasuke was pushing his mid-thirties, his hair was starting to grey and his face was growing wrinkles, but he didn't mind. It reminded him how much closer he was to reuniting with his late wife. He dressed a Uchiha shirt and plan ninja slacks and sandals. He wore his kunai pouch on his leg, but carried no other weapons on him. He locked the door behind and him and started his day. He liked to visit the small market near Ino's flower shop. It wasn't very pricey and he suppose he was just used to shopping frugal, but he enjoyed family owned shops. He picked up a small metal basket and began to fill it in with some spices, eggs (he ate them all today), bread and milk. He pondered over which he should eat today for dinner. Fish or steak? Fish, he decided and picked a nice fat trout. He piled in a few veggies and paid for his food; thanking to teenager over the counter. He quickly went home and stored is food away before leaving the house again. He went to the antique shop down town and browsed around for a bit. He liked the oak table they had in the back. It was carefully crafted and the price was good too. He decided to put it on leeway for later. He could just pay it up front, but putting it on leeway gave him an excuse to visit the shop. In a curio cabinet there were two tea cups. They were made of porcelain with a pale blue ring around the middle of the and around the rim. They were carefully hand painted designs of fishes, waves, and seashells.

"I'll buy this now. Both of them." Sasuke said to the older woman. She smiled at him kindly and carefully wrapped them to go. He thanked her and made his way back home. The sun was starting to set and before he went home he stopped by Ino's to buy flowers. She wasn't there and he was slightly thankful for that. Instead her son was smiling cheerily at the counter.

"Welcome Uchiha-san." He smiled. "How can I help you?" Sasuke gave him a tight smile and ignored him. It wasn't that Sasuke didn't like Inojin, but it was more so that Inojin creeped him out. He was aggressive like his mother with all the social awkwardness of his father. Sasuke observed the roses and dismissed them. He turned to his left to flinch back when Inojin was standing in front of him with a large smile.

"Lilies are half off today." He said brightly, with that odd, over-bearing smile on his face.

"I'll have the sunflowers." Sasuke said hastily and picked up the long, spiny flowers. Inojin nodded his head.

"Excellent choice, Uchiha-san!" Inojin quickly wrapped the flowers and Sasuke dropped the money on the counter before escaping the shop. He really didn't like Yamanaka family.

-x-

Sasuke dressed nicely that night. He wore something he hadn't worn in years. Not since he lived by the seas and was cradled in its salty air. Not since Hinata was alive. But today wasn't a normal day. He cooked the trout and served two plates. He set it at the alter and made her favorite tea. He didn't need to speak. He knew that she knew everything that he had to say. He ate quietly, the incense burning soothingly near him. Hinata's picture smiled brightly from across from him.

"Happy Anniversary, Hinata." Sasuke murmured softly. Hinata didn't say anything. Her picture remained frozen. He drank his tea in the new tea cups he bought. She would appreciate something like this. In front of him was another letter. He saved this one for his ten years with her. His pale fingers shook when they carefully opened the mouth of the envelope.

Sasuke,

If you are reading this, then you must miss me. I miss you too. Do you remember the day we first met? I like to believe that we met twice in life. Once when we were children and another as people. You probably don't, but I don't blame you. I was a bit of a wall flower back then, but let me paint you a picture. You Aniki just got promoted and you were boasting about how good of a brother he was to our group. Everyone was eager to agree with you. I even was. I wanted friends every much, but I didn't have much. Iruka-sensei told us all to get to our seats and I had dropped my pencil. You picked it up and gave it back to me. I stuttered out a thank you, but you were already gone. I don't blame you. I was a bit pathetic back then.

The second time we met was in that forest. I thought for sure you would kill me, but you didn't. I don't know why. Perhaps you pitied me, but I am forever grateful for that day because that day has given me so much happiness. You and my children. I had never loved anything more that I love you and everything you had given me. As you know, clan life can be cruel and cold. So much is expected of us and I never thought that I could live so freely as I had lived with you. Being with you was my first breath and loving you would always be my last.

I don't know how this letter will find you. Perhaps you are reading this and afterward you will kiss me on the couch and tell me how silly I am with our many, many grandchildren running amuck in our home. Or perhaps you are reading this and I have already passed on. Or perhaps I'm reading this and you have left me before I left you. Whatever the case is, I love you. I don't think I could ever stop loving you.

I know we will meet a third time. A love like ours cannot stop with one life. I hope we meet in our next lives and we love like we do now. I hope our time is long and happy and we don't have the heart ache we had suffered earlier. I hope that the first time you meet me; you never want to stop speaking with me.

I'll see you in our next life my love,

Hinata

Sasuke's eyes burned and his throat was tight with tears. He wouldn't cry though. He had shed so many tears for Hinata that at times he felt like he had nothing else to offer, but his heartache.

"I love you." Sasuke murmured softly and he tucked her letter closer to him. He had waited years to open this and he was happy that he saved it. Hinata loved deeply and wholly. Their lives didn't go as plan, but as she said, they have their next life to look forward to. He didn't know when he would meet her on the other side, but he hoped it was soon. For without her; he felt as if he couldn't breathe.


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