Disclaimer: I don't own Naruto
Chapter 11: The letter sent, the letter received, a plan to leave
So here you go, another chapter in the story. A story that I had originally started off to be dark, but now I think it's only slightly there... It's okay though, in my opinion it's important for a story to evolve and such. I get alot of nice reviews too, Thanks alot... Oh, and with the last chapter, it should have been Ryu and Mimi playing cops are robbers, I should change it, but I'm too lazy. And Sakura wants to get pregnant so Sasuke stops bedding her every ten minutes. And yes, I will make the third child a girl. But what to name her... I don't know yet... Next chapter: Underwraps. Enjoy!
A pile of crumbled papers lay scattered on the floor; each one containing giant scribble marks. She sat at her vanity for most of the morning. She would glance up from time to time to tell her husband to be to shut up; because he wouldn't stop laughing. She wanted the letter to be just right; but how do you invite your former kidnappers to your wedding.
'Dear Naruto, Ino, Hinata, Shikamaru, Kiba, Shino…'
"No!"
Sakura crumbled the paper and threw it behind her on the ground.
"Have you written anything yet?"
"Shut up."
'Dear Friends of Konoha…'
"No!"
She flung another paper over her head.
'Dear Everyone…'
"Yeah… I like that."
"Oh. My. God. Alert the Kages, she has a heading!"
"Shut Up!"
"Make me."
"Uh…"
She directed her eyes back to the parchment in front of her.
Dear Everyone,
First off, I want you all to know, I'm not bitter. I've given it some thought and I think I can see where your motives came from. I'm still sticking by what I said when we last meet. I'm staying with Sasuke-kun and my children. But I forgive you.
Now, I hope we can put this ugly mess behind us. Sasuke-kun is still a little mad, but I think I've wore him down a little. He still considers you all friends, weather he says it out loud or not.
Oh, Ino… He told me he loves me. WHO IS THE WINNER NOW!
Anyway, I wanted to let you all know… Sasuke and I are getting married. It was an extremely unexpected proposal and even more unexpected when he told me it would be in two months. We think I might be pregnant again, so he wants to rush it, I guess.
Since I still consider you all my friends, I'm inviting you to the wedding. I don't think I can truly enjoy myself around people who will only be pretending to have fun because Sasuke-kun is around. I want my friends to be there, people I love and care about. All of you.
So please, please, please! Please come to my wedding.
Love,
Sakura
Sakura read the letter over a few times and smiled, being very pleased by it.
"You think you have enough pleases?"
"Shut up!"
"Make me."
She quickly jumped up, turned around, and pounced on Sasuke.
"As you wish."
After her playful romp with Sasuke, she addressed the letter and sent it off to her former home.
"I hope they come."
"Why wouldn't they?"
She turned around and looked at Ann.
"Because…"
"Because why Milady?"
"You wouldn't understand."
"I'm positive your friends will come."
She smiled at Ann before walking back inside.
"I sure hope you're right."
It had been almost a week since Sakura had sent her letter. She didn't expect to receive a response right away, but that didn't stop her from worrying.
"Sakura-sama, don't worry; I'm sure the delay of response is only because of the mail carriers."
"Sakura-sama, would you like some tea to take your mind off stressful things?"
"Sakura-sama, would you like to go shopping in town for a new dress?"
"SHUT UP! I'm trying to read."
Alright, she wasn't that worried.
Knock.
"Come in."
"Sakura-sama, there is a letter for you from Konoha."
She ran towards the door and almost tackled the servant to the ground before grabbing the letter, muttering a word of thanks, and slamming the door in his face.
She hugged the letter against her chest before walking back to the Sasuke filled bed. As soon as slumped back onto it, Sasuke pulled her into a hug.
"Going to open it."
"I'm nervous."
"Sakura-chan, it's only a letter."
"No, it's the future."
"It's a piece of paper."
"No, it's a do or die; an acceptance or denial; a life or…"
Sasuke moved his head around and kissed her on the lips.
"It's a letter; and if you don't open it… I will."
She sighed when he moved back behind her. She looked at the bindings holding it together. She sighed again and cut them open.
Dear Sakura… and Sasuke,
The news of your engagement does not come as a surprise. It had been reported that the Otokage was planning to get married soon.
SAKURA, NARUTO IS BEING A PAIN!
While Konoha and Sound may not be allies, we are.
We accept your invitation and will be there on the day and at the time given by your attachment.
SAKURA, I LOVE YOU! CAN I BE YOUR MAID OF HONOR! INO
Sincerely yours,
Hokage… and friends
Sakura couldn't help but chuckle at the lines she knew Ino wrote.
"See… nothing to worry about. They are coming."
"It does seem rather reluctantly though."
"What does it matter? Your friends will be here."
She turned around and glared at Sasuke.
"No! Our friends will be there. Stop being a party pooper."
"I can't help it… I'm an Uchiha… It's in our nature."
She giggled at him.
"I don't know what's gotten into you… But I love it."
She laughed at him again, before getting up to get Miko out of his crib; the infant had just started crying. He did not follow.
When she returned with Miko in his arms, he was not in the bed. She scanned the room and saw his silhouette on the door leading outside. As she neared the door, she heard Ryu and Mimi playing outside.
She stepped outside to see Sasuke watching the two children chase each other around. He turned to look at her and she could have sworn he saw him smile. He patted the spot next to him and handed Miko over to sit down.
He turned the child around in his arms so that he could watch his brother.
Sakura wasn't going to admit it, but she had always wished for the scenario like this when she had first gotten pregnant. Sasuke and her sitting on the back porch of their home, watching the sunset, watching a child play in the yard while the other sat in one of their laps. And just like in her scenario, she lent against Sasuke's shoulder and sighed a happy sigh.
Shifting Miko to his other side, he brought his arm around her and rubbed her back.
'If anything convinced me he could read minds, this would be it.'
"Sakura-chan."
"Mmm?"
"Do you like it here?"
She looked up at him with a confused face.
"I suppose I do."
"You can be honest with me. Do you like it here, in Sound?"
She turned her gaze from his face to her oldest son playing in the grass.
"No. I can't say that I really do."
"What about it… do you not like?"
"No matter how many lovely flowers or breathe taking trees I plant… nothing can compare to the beauty that Konoha possesses. The air here… it's just not the same."
"What do you mean?" He was looking at her now.
"There were so many smells from so many different restaurants. And the people, I do miss the people. They smiled at you because you were a ninja and you put your life on the line to protect the village. Here, they smile at you because they are afraid of you and don't want to be killed by their own Shinobi."
"Hm."
"Why the sudden interest in my happiness with Sound?"
"I wanted to know if you felt the same way I did."
"And what way is that."
"The same as yours… Sakura-chan… I hate Sound."
"…"
"I hate everything about it. I'm shown false respect; respect based on fear, not on strength and accomplishments. I don't want to be in charge of a place that I don't even consider my home. I don't want to be in charge of anything but my family. This place… Is not where I want to raise my sons. Sakura-chan… I want to leave."
"But…"
"Don't you want to leave too Sakura-chan? Don't you want to return home, our real home? To Konoha? I know you miss your… our friends."
"But what about Mimi, Ivan… Ann!"
"Let's bring them with us. They don't want to be here as much as we don't want to be here. Please Sakura-chan…"
She clasped both her hands around his face.
"Do you really need to beg? Say when and I'll be ready." She lent in and kissed him.
"I love you."
"I love you too, Sasuke-kun."
"Ann, Ivan… You heard all that… right?"
Sakura quickly turned around to see their two servants bowing in the doorway.
"Yes, Milord. We will discretely get everything ready. When would you like to leave?"
"After the wedding."
"How will we do it?" Sakura asked, returning her gaze to Sasuke.
"Why do you think I'm allowing Naruto to come to the wedding?"
"Do you think he'll be up for it?"
"He's the one who gave me the idea."
"What?"
"You'll see my love, you'll see."