A/N: I believe in SS being funny

It started as an innocent, well-meaning gesture on Naruto's part.

The aftermath of the war brought great upheaval across the nations and Konoha's shinobi were in high demand. Sakura had gone on a solo mission to provide urgent medical care to a small village and it, thankfully, surprisingly, went so smoothly that she even found the time to buy souvenirs for all her friends. She got something for herself too. She'd like to remember the pleasant experience.

When Naruto was sent out of the village on his latest solo mission not long after Sakura returned with an arm full of gifts, his friends bid him goodbye at the gate with, "Bring me something good!"

Like he always reminded anyone who would listen, he didn't go back on his word. So Naruto, bless his heart, gave Sakura a necklace inspired by the one Tsunade had given him so long ago.

Except it was horribly ugly. A giant wooden pendant carved in what appeared to be the shape of a toad, it was truly one-of-a-kind — as Naruto kept reminding her — and something only he would have the gall to choose.

"So sweet of you to think of me, thank you," Sakura told him not without sincerity. He beamed in response and went to pass out the other trinkets he got for their friends. It's the thought that counts, right?

Sasuke's departure for his redemption journey (not to be confused with a solo mission, he wasn't allowed to go on those yet) approached steadily and all too quickly like a storm on the horizon. Sakura just wanted to enjoy the sunny weather.

Even though she knew well in advance that he was leaving, she still found herself by the gates brimming with nerves and uncertainty and just a little bit of hope. She didn't expect anything, she just wanted to ask. Might as well put it all out there. Really, it wouldn't be the first or last time.

"I'll see him when he gets back," Sakura mumbled half to herself and half to Ino when they sat down for a cup of tea the next day. It was a promise, not a rejection, and it still had her in a daze.

"Who knows when that'll be. Aren't you going to give him something to remember you by?"

Was the forehead poke not enough for the two of us? Sakura grumbled internally. Not to mention the homemade meals I've been cooking for him lately. There's no way he can forget me, shannaro!

Ino rolled her eyes at Sakura's pensive expression. "Forehead, there's no rule saying you're not allowed to talk to him while he's gone. Send him something, it'll be nice. Maybe he'll get you something too." She sighed dreamily, thinking of Sasuke shopping all over the world for the perfect gift, "Now that would be romantic."

So Sakura sent Sasuke a letter with a small gift sealed on the same piece of parchment.

Dear Sasuke-kun,

I hope all is well. It's only been a short time, and I'm already feeling your absence all too strongly.

I've included a small gift. I hope it reminds you of home. Please stay warm.

Yours,

Sakura

Sakura,

Konoha feels so far away right now. I trust that you are taking care.

I'm returning your gift. It suits you more.

To Sasuke-kun,

The seasons are already changing. You'll never believe how many new buildings are springing up in the village.

I truly think you should have this. Consider this yours, forevermore.

Kindly,

Sakura

Sakura,

Even halfway across the world, people seem to have heard some version of the war we experienced. Their retellings don't even scratch the surface.

Truly, this token is only befitting for such a renowned hero.

With great conviction,

Uchiha Sasuke

Sakura nearly growled upon reading his latest letter. Ooh, that Sasuke! She could hear his words dripping with sarcasm and she hated how even such a short message could get her heart racing.

Their correspondence, however brief, kept her going as she went about her daily duties. Just when the days felt too long and too tiring, she would think of the small stack of letters next to her bed and smile. Even if they seemed silly or inconsequential, a certain degree of care was still imbued in each one.

She sat to write her next letter. This — this little game and these small updates — was enough for now.

Hello Sasuke-kun,

I insist. You were just as much part of saving the world, please don't forget that.

A single gift cannot sufficiently convey my admiration, but I hope you will accept it regardless.

With gratitude,

Sakura

Sakura,

I have been called blunt, but I don't think you give yourself enough credit. Even wrapping a wound (I am fine) proves to stretch my skill set, while I know it would be well-met by you.

Keep it and do take care.

Sasuke

Sasuke-kun,

Your reassurances do little to calm my worries. But I will take your word. Things have been busy here, but I've handled it. I hope the road has not treated you too harshly.

I'm having trouble thinking of what to give a friend for her birthday. Such a shame I can't give her the gift I am once again entrusting to you, but it can't be helped. It just belongs with you.

Sincerely,

Sakura

I'm sure. Hopefully I can travel back to the village quickly enough to return this gift in time for the birthday. Better yet, I hope to make sure it lands safely back in your care, where it well and truly belongs.

Sakura's eyes widened. He was coming back?

His arrival distracted her from thinking about the stupid necklace. It wasn't her fault that he was so tall and handsome and cool and-

Anyway. He was just distracting and his intensity had not been watered down by the passage of time. If anything, Sasuke and his Sasuke-ness had gotten worse since so much of his attention was now directed at her.

He had just finished kissing her breathless when she found it. They were on their way out to dinner and Sakura went to grab her keys to lock up, only to find the great offender had taken up residency on her cute trinket dish.

"I was waiting for you to find that thing," he smirked.

"Sasuke!" she gasped hotly, "I seriously don't want this!" She never expected the necklace to rear its ugly head in her own home again, but there it was.

He frowned. She rarely called him just Sasuke.

"I don't want it either. Give it to someone else." Then he leaned in for another kiss. Dinner could wait a bit longer.

"Naruto," Sakura started seriously, "as your two best friends, just know we're really going to miss you."

Naruto had looked like he was on the verge of crying when they got to the village gates — before Sakura even said anything — so her words were making it really hard for him to hold it together.

Sasuke shoved his hand in his pocket and waited for Sakura to continue. She was a good actress.

"I know Team 7 will always be a family, but we just thought it would be nice to give you something, you know, to remember us by." Sakura held out her palm and showed him the pendant. "We thought of you as soon as we saw it! Wear it everyday, yeah?"

The dam burst and he threw his arms around his two friends. "I'm really, really gonna miss you guys. Sakura-chan, this is the nicest gift anyone's ever given me!"

Sasuke extracted himself from the group hug after offering an awkward pat on the back. "We'll be back eventually. Enjoy the gift," he said casually.

When Naruto could only wave to the backs of their steadily receding figures, he took a look at the wooden pendant and furrowed his brow. Had he seen this before..?

He shrugged and slipped the cord over his head, feeling its weight on his chest. Maybe it wasn't the most practical gift, but he appreciated the personal touch. They just knew him really well, he supposed.

"I can't believe you didn't say anything about your kid!" Naruto admonished Sasuke, punching him in the arm. The Uchiha family's return to the village was certainly welcome, but also a major surprise given that they had grown by one member.

Sasuke met Naruto's gaze steadily, "We were a bit preoccupied." Sure, he could have sent a note, but trying to explain that they were having a baby always seemed like more of a headache than it was worth. Instead, they just showed up in Konoha and let Sarada's presence speak for itself.

Naruto sniffed, but got it together shortly after. "Even though you surprised us, I do have something I'd like to give you. Kind of like a housewarming gift? Consider it a welcome home gift, yeah!" he said as he fished around in his pockets and eventually procured a small pouch.

"Oh, Naruto, you didn't have to get us anything-"

"No, I'm serious. I like to think of it as a symbol of protection and loyalty. You guys are really special to me. To the village."

Sakura was truly touched by his words, but then when she pulled out a familiar wooden pendant from the pouch, she grinned. They were definitely home.

Anybody who knew their lazy sensei would know that his retirement was enough of a gift for him to be happy. Still, his favorite students wanted to show their appreciation and wish him well as he lived out a (hopefully) peaceful life after stepping down as Hokage.

"It's supposed to be lucky. We saw it and just thought it had your name written all over it."

"Yeah, what Sakura said! Congratulations on your retirement!"

Sasuke looked around at the massive stacks of paperwork around the Hokage office. He did not envy Naruto or Kakashi.

Kakashi opened the small box and was glad his resting expression was neutral, because wow. This was so ugly.

He gave his former pupils a smile, "Thanks. You're all very thoughtful. I'll be needing the luck." If they thought they could pull this on him, they must be losing respect for him. He'd get them back someday.

"Look Sarada! Kakashi brought you a gift!" As the most adored kid in all of Konoha, Sarada's birthday was well-attended and full of gifts.

The day had been long and most of the festivities were winding down, but Kakashi stopped by and Sakura hoped Sarada would be on her best behavior for a little longer. Tired toddler or not, gifts were intriguing and enough for her to perk up a bit.

Sarada did like Kakashi, though. He was one of the few people she had observed being friendly with both her parents; usually people just seemed to know her mother. So she climbed onto his lap to open her gift and Kakashi almost wished he had gotten her something else more befitting such a precious kid.

Except, the look on Sasuke and Sakura's faces was priceless when Sarada unwrapped what was perhaps the ugliest necklace to grace the planet.

"I've heard kitsch is all the rage these days," Kakashi commented loftily.

"She's three," Sasuke responded dryly. Sakura looked nervous as she waited for their daughter's reaction.

"Thank you," Sarada responded primly before sliding off Kakashi's lap and placing the necklace down on the table in front of her in a casual manner only she could get away with. She had other toys to play with.

Kakashi hung his head. She was indeed her parents' daughter.

A/N: this might not be the perfect canon timeline but it's my fic! This came to me when I was doing my reading for class lol I should maybe focus on that next time instead