Welcome to another story created by sheer lunacy and a craving to indulge myself!

I was looking for something similar to read but I could not find anything as the sasuino fandom has been lowkey dead for a while. Since, I am a sucker for rare pairings, the naruto fanfiction archive is of no help and it sucks.

So, I did what every one should do (Please do. We need more of this pairing!), I furiously typed one into existence!

Initially, I was not going to post it but then I decided why not. So, here it is!

To my dearest Itachi,

I am writing this because I need to let it out. It's been a while since we talked other than getting consults and sometimes when we inevitably cross paths in the hospital. It's a blessing and curse in some ways, you know. Did I ever tell you that it was you who paved my way into getting into medicine? I guess I did tell you that but did I tell you that I decided to come here because I knew you would be here? Before you panic and start frowning (even though you will never get this) let me explain.

Well, Sasuke also wanted to be near his family and the program is good and you are here. Your brother loves you very much even though he refuses to show it. It's almost as if we are back to childhood. Sasuke and I bothering you with our constant yelling and whining.

Things were simpler then. I was just your brother's friend not his fiancée. You were just the cool high school kid that was my best friend's brother but it's not the case anymore, is it? If it were so, I would not be writing this.

Even back then you were so kind and patient. I think Sasuke still makes fun of my middle school crush on you. I know that you knew I had a horrible crush on you back in the 8th grade. I promise it was a harmless one. Well, as harmless as first crushes go.

I was in 8th grade and you were going to start premed. Even my hormone crazed teenage brain knew that there was no way you would even think of indulging in my stupid whims to play romance and our age gap would never work.

I knew it was a stupid crush and it would pass. You were going to go to college and I was not even in high school. Still, I vividly remember seeing you off with your luggage outside your house. You hugged me and I cried because it felt like my childhood was going with you. I would never see you when I came over with Sasuke. There would be no one complain to when your stupid brother decided to act like a douche bag. You wouldn't be there with an amused smile on your face as you tried explaining why even if time existed before the big bang, it did not matter.

I know that you would be shaking your head reading this. I know that you stayed in touch and always did afterwards with our phone marathons but it wasn't the same.

You were going and we were staying behind.

Sasuke hated it too, you know. He once told me he didn't want to call and bother you all time. He did not wanted to be that clingy kid who hero worshipped his brother. He totally did and still does.

Do you remember when I got cystic acne in 10th grade and I was feeling so down with everyone giving me tips how to clear it? A sales lady told me that I was so pretty and only if I could get rid of the acne. You told her that I was beautiful and acne or no acne could never change that. I think that was the day when my brain just decided to give a part of my heart to you. I loved you before then but ever since then, I always loved you.

It was you who encouraged my love for chemistry and biology and humored my utter disdain for physics. Who patiently helped me study anatomy because the content scared me shitless and reassured me that forgetting material was normal. It was you who guided me into medicine and lit a passion for surgery. It is still you who shares and gets my love for just being in the OR and it's the closest thing to magic.

You make me feel spellbound.

Don't get me wrong here. I love your brother. I really do. Sasuke is my best friend. He is in his own way everything I could ever want and I love him for that. He is an idiot who has an emotional range of a teaspoon yet he is perfect in his own imperfect ways.

I know that your father did a number on him with his blatant favoritism of you. There are still days when he feels that he is not enough in front of your dad. He took law to connect with your father. He thought him being a lawyer and sharing a profession would somehow make your dad more invested in his life; make him proud of Sasuke and see him outside your shadow. But both of us know that narcissists don't really care about all that. I wish Sasuke would acknowledge it and see himself as we do- A brilliant young man with very real flaws and a massive hidden heart.

Hey, just so you know. Sasuke doesn't resent you. He loves you way too much for that.

I'm really sorry if you feel like I'm jumping from one memory to another haphazardly. My usual eloquence which is pretty shit has left the building and this is a mess, an emotional vomit is more like it.

You know, when your mum heard we were dating, she said she called it years before. Sasuke and Ino. Ino and Sasuke. We have been that for a long time. So did Sakura and Naruto and everyone else but to be completely honest I never did see it back then. He was just Sasuke and then there was you.

Your brother was an ass and he had horrible communication skill (both still hold true) and it's been ten years since we got together. A lot of that time was spent long distant with him being on the other side of the country in law school and me in med school. I told him that I never fell right in love with him and that it was slow and something we built off our friendship. You know what he said, he told me he saw everything he had ever wanted and love was something he didn't realize came as easily until I barged and snatched the football from him in second grade, handing him a teacup and making him play house with me.

How do you not love someone who only sees you and you alone?

I am in love with Sasuke and I don't remember when I wasn't. I loved him as a friend and then as a partner. It wasn't easy. We are both stubborn and quick to anger. He has a horrible possessive streak and I have always been someone who demanded all of his attention. Long distance was incredibly hard. But even after all these years and multiple breakups and diverging career opportunities here we are- still strong and with a ring on my finger.

Since you are never going to get this letter, I will admit that there were days, when we were broken up, I thought about the what ifs. If you would be more understanding and cheer me on where Sasuke simply threw vocal barbs at me. If you would balance my hot headiness with your calm.

Guilt would immediately flood me and I would abandon those thoughts and call Sasuke crying because Sasuke is home. He is like a warm sweater on winter night. He is where I find solace.

Those stupid books and shows make it all look so easy. Photogenic love stories are not real. It's just painful and makes me feel like trash. Loving was easy but letting go is not something that I know how to do.

I know that I do not imagine those small looks that you give me. Small things like how I never drink coffee and how I like my tea, greeting me with my childhood pet name in front of the interns and driving me home when I'm tired even though you have a surgery afterwards. Tucking my hair when I eat something messy and buttoning me up in your jacket when it's cold. Itachi, it's not just you whose hands linger or who hugs a little too long. I do them too.

Little things like that still makes my heart skip a beat and I feel utterly shameless in saying this but a part of me, the sensible part wants them to go away but the other one simply refuses. I'm a horrible person and I know that.

Itachi, I know this is not fair to Sasuke and trust me when I say this that there is nobody who hates myself for feeling this way more than me but what am I supposed to do? If anything such as fate or destiny or all that shit exists then I am sure they hate me.

I love Sasuke more than my feelings for you and I can live with the what ifs but I can never live without Sasuke in my life. I know how that sounds; messy, complicated and ridiculous and well, it's all that.

I can never act on these feelings. It's not because I don't love you, it's because I do. It would destroy Sasuke and that would destroy you and I can never bring myself to do that to either of you.

That's why I should let you go. I really should. This letter is meant for some closure. Things I wanted to tell you but never would. Unsent words, that's all it will ever be and a part of me is glad while the other is in shambles.

I have been trying to shut these feelings in a box and never open them but I have been failing spectacularly for the past decade. I will be honest; it's hard to mash these pesky hormones and feelings down. I wish I could control them. I really do. It would be so much easier. Loving you had been exhausting. It had broken me numerous times yet I would not undo it.

Loving you had been an exhilarating experience. It has helped shape me into what I am today. So, thank you for that. It was a privilege loving you but it's time to move forward. I will always love and care for you but I have been unfair to Sasuke for a really long time and he is there waiting for me. It's about time.

Hey, Itachi. Just because I'm writing this pathetic excuse of self help that google suggested, it doesn't mean that I'm going to let our friendship collapse. Nuh huh. Not on my watch.

You are stuck with me for life. I value your friendship and trust; it's not something that I will ever let go off and will fight for it tooth and nail.

So, I am going to marry your idiot brother and be a kickass neurosurgeon. I will still drop by Cardiothoracic and bug you. We would still brainstorm while Sasuke gloomily works on his latest cases and complains about the firm. We will still tease Sasuke and gush over him when he gives his best man's speech on Naruto and Sakura's wedding. Maybe you will finally pop the question to Izumi and get married. Maybe I will bawl my eyes off when you do that out of sheer happiness or sorrow.

Writing this has been cathartic and I have no idea what the future holds but know this, I will always love you.

All my love,
Ino

I know it's not well written and has numerous errors but I would love to hear from you all.

Maybe I should expand it? I don't know. What do you guys think?

Comments are most welcomed!