Note to the reader: I estimate that there will be at least, including this chapter, three more chapters before I end this story. By the way, this chapter and the next are dedicated to those who love but aren't loved back. Read to know why. If you can relate, consider these chapters for you.

Summary: Admiration and Love must not be mixed.

CHAPTER X- Love Letters: Part 1

Father Luis received a short letter from the Snow Country one morning. He was comfortably sipping coffee when the muddied envelop was placed on the table where he stayed for breakfast. He took a look at the acolyte who placed the letter on his table before thanking him. Father Luis held the envelope before him for inspection and upon seeing the name of the sender, he almost tore the envelope in haste.

Father Luis,

I am sorry that I have not confessed last night. So, as soon as I got here, I wrote. My confession for tonight is, I did not inform you or anyone about my departure to the Snow Country. I faked the medical papers but I am doing well.

Father Luis had taken his old coat and rushed to Sasuke's apartment.

The civil war has started but my team has nor yet been called to action.

He called for a taxi cab. Inside the cab, he looked out the window and made a dozen signs of the cross.

I will write as soon as possible.

Father Luis hurried up to the third floor and knocked at the door rapidly.

P.S.

A female teen slowly opened the door. Her face was pale and her eyes had lumps under them. Her hair had been messed up and her irises were not glowing with their usual life. There were still traces of fresh tears on her white cheeks and her lips showed no color.

Take care of Sakura for me.

"Haruno Sakura?" Father Luis seemed not to know if he was to be shocked or to be concerned. Sakura was a walking corpse in his perspective and he was unsure how to help her from going insane. "My daughter, Sasuke—"

He had mentioned the magic name that made the pink head flung her arms around his stout neck. He did not know if she was crying out of joy (expecting good news) or she was grieving still. All he knew was that was the detailed reaction he got from Sakura weeks ago.

A month and a half had already come to past and yet there was no news of any returning troop. There were, however, dead bodies being returned to their families and most of them were students. This fact led parents' sanity to a mild breakdown and forced the government to withdraw their sons and daughters. But the government did not heed their call. "You allowed them to go to the field and risk their lives!" The general pounded on his desk in an open forum one afternoon. "We can not withdraw them unless there's an order from the higher office!"

The parents were still raging mad after that afternoon.

The college school where Sakura studied was a lot more quiet than usual. Maybe it was because most of the army students who usually trained under the bleeding sunset had gone to the Snow Country. A few students ran around the oval and fewer were practicing target shooting. Some students of other classes couldn't help but look outside and watch the remaining army students do their training. Though, the popular Uchiha Sasuke was not with them anymore.

There were murmurs in every corner of the school of the fear that Sasuke might be killed in the war. His fans wailed for weeks. The other boys, however, found that one and a half month a rare chance to finally get the attention of the girls who worshipped the Uchiha. Among them was Rock Lee but something told him that he preferred to comfort Sakura rather than steal her from Sasuke.

And that afternoon, Lee sat beside Sakura for the first time in that school year. He took one long look at her before calling her name. "Sakura…"

"Yes Lee?" The girl replied without lifting her emerald orbs.

Lee was hesitating to ask her if she was alright but he managed to raise the subject. "Are you… fine now?"

Sakura's hand halted and turned to him with her most assuring smile. "I am of course."

Lee decided not to ask again. He heard from Naruto that Sakura didn't ever receive a letter from the Uchiha to tell her how he was. He wanted to hate Sasuke for making Sakura wait endlessly for news of his survival. Or perhaps Sasuke is… Lee looked at Sakura once more. It is war after all. He thought. Haruno was silent and attentive as if she had not changed but he felt the strong uneasy stirring of her soul drowning in her emotions.

The class had ended and there was an hour long break. Sakura and Lee parted ways without a word. He followed her with his round coal black eyes until she vanished from sight. Before he left, he heard low murmurs from the corner of the room. He turned and saw Naruto, Shikamaru and Chouji huddled close. He decided not to attract their attention and went on his way out the room.

On the other hand, the trio was still chatting while taking turns in poring over the pad paper Naruto was holding. "Are you sure about this Naruto?"

Naruto's eyes became slits once more. "Well, I need to cheer Sakura-chan up!" He crossed his arms, feeling the very importance of providing his Sakura-chan happiness.

"Naruto, you'll only make her miss him more." Shikamaru shrugged and looked out the window. "How troublesome…"

"Shika's right." Chouji opened a pack of chips and began eating.

"If only Kiba was here, he'd agree with my plan!" Naruto pointed his finger at them. The two looked at him blankly. "Come on, let's just try this once and if it makes her happy, you two will treat me ramen for the whole year!"

"What? I'm not getting in deal with you!" Shikamaru leaned against the wall.

"Okay." Chouji's smile brought life to Naruto's expectations.

"What?" Shikamaru only managed to open his mouth.

"I tell you… this will work." The blonde smirked.

By dismissal, the students rushed home for any news of the returning army volunteers. Sakura, however, maintained her slow pace. She fixed her things and placed the strap of her bag over her shoulder when a white envelope fell from her chair. She picked it up and read the front. "To Haruno Sakura," she read in a mutter. Before she could open the letter, Lee came up and offered her his company.

"You're walking home alone?"

"Yes."

"May I accompany you?"

Sakura looked at those earnest and sincere round eyes before answering. "Thank you Lee."

The path to the main road from the campus was quite a short one but for Lee, it was one of the endless roads he dared no to take. Every second seemed to pass like an hour as he walked with Sakura—who was only inches away from him. He felt himself burn with slight embarrassment and slight timidity. She was so near… so near to the touch…

"Lee?"

Rock Lee jerked back to life. "Yes Sakura?"

"Thank you again for understanding my situation." Sakura smiled weakly.

It was Sasuke that was floating in her mind again. Lee's eyebrows met with imputation as he thought of how much Sasuke made his angel perish in immeasurable gloom. "No problem…" The walk lasted longer than expected and they reached Sakura's dorm after five. It was unusually dark but the evening shone brighter than day the moment Sakura turned to him before entering the front door. "Lee thanks for always supporting me."

If you only know, Sakura, it's more of a pleasure than a favor to help you.

Sakura went up to her dorm room and felt the emptiness of the place. No Sasuke was lying down on the bed with his shoes still on him. She felt herself smile for a moment but her lips dropped afterwards in recalling that she was alone. The letter. She was suddenly reminded that she received a letter from an unknown sender. She sat on the bed and opened the envelope. There was a folded pad paper, neatly written on with a nice, handsome handwriting—perhaps to cover up with the cheap paper. She unfolded it and read with her eyes.

Dearest Sakura,

I've been looking for you for years and now, I have found you at last. I have wanted to meet you in person for months but I have no time and chance to do so. If you have received this note, please reply to confirm that my letter has fallen to the right hands.

I hope to hear from you soon.

PS. Leave this letter at your desk and I'll ask someone to get it for me.

Anonymous

Sakura stared at the letter for a while and reread the whole thing for about a dozen times. This sender is looking for me? Shemoved her gaze around the room and got a pen and paper. She lied on her stomach and began writing whatever words came in her head.

Anonymous,

Excuse me but you did not even tell me your name. Why are you looking for me anyway?

Haruno S.

Sakura bit the end of her pen and reread the letter. Maybe this is a hoax. Or maybe… She felt a hand run down her spine and than sensation made her turn. She saw the empty side of the bed where Sasuke had always slept. Or maybe Sasuke is using his style of leaving notes again. She felt excited and anxious at the same time as she held her own-made letter in her hands. Sasuke…

The next day, Sakura left the letter on her desk and decided not to wait for someone to get it. She went to her next class immediately without giving a last backward glance. After disappearing in the corridor, Naruto, with the other two, sneaked into the room and grabbed the letter. They went to their corner and opened the letter. "It worked!" Naruto exclaimed after finishing. "Told you so!"

"But she's asking for his name. And this anonymous guy is only imaginary." Chouji said.

"Let's use your name Shikamaru!" the blonde head smiled to his direction.

"No way! I will get into trouble that way!" Shikamaru shook his head.

"Hmm… how about… Hishike?"

"Lame."

"Kimiki?"

"Girly."

"Yosuke?"

"Sounds like Sasuke. That would raise false hope."

"Ah… Shino?"

Shikamaru and Chouji thought for a while and then nodded. "Since we don't have any classmates named Shino, that's fine. The name sounds okay too."

Naruto got a white sheet of paper from his bag and began scribbling with the nicest handwriting possible. He did the letter the whole break before leaving it on Sakura's table. The bell rang and Sakura came back to the room and found the reply. That was fast. She opened the envelope and read:

Sakura,

Pardon for being a mystery. I am Shino, by the way. Tomorrow I'll come and see you but not face to face.

Shino

Second Day:

Naruto, Chouji and Shikamaru were at the benches just in front of the window where Sakura usually looked out from. They were ready for props: a newspaper, black round shades and a black wig which stood on spikes. Naruto was somehow right that the plan was actually working. And he had brought materials just to prove that the made-up "Shino" really did exist.

"So what will we do next?" Shikamaru asked after seeing what Naruto had prepared.

"In about five minutes, Sakura-chan will be entering that classroom. Now, I need you, Chouji, to attend classes and see if you can clearly see us from there." Naruto began fitting the wig on Shikamaru's head.

"What are you doing?" Shikamaru almost threw the wig off to a distance.

"I'm converting you into Shino!" the blonde replied with the same irritation. "Now get this on fast or she'll see us!"

Shikamaru mumbled something like, "Naruto, I'll kill you for this," before putting on the wig. He sat on the bench and took the newspaper. Naruto looked at the window for Chouji's signal and nodded to the stout kid after receiving the information that they were coming. The class of Sakura went into the room and she sat in her usual seat beside the window. She saw a note taped on her desk saying, "Look outside your window." She smiled to herself and looked out. She was actually shocked that Shino really did exist!

There was a black, spiked haired man with corresponding black shades. The lower part of his face, as well as his torso, was concealed with a newspaper. Sakura peered more closely that her face was almost against the glass. He really existed.

Naruto was hiding behind a tree and was coaching Shikamaru what to do. "Wave your hand!" He squeaked.

Shikamaru looked at him at the corner of his eyes before waving at Sakura with one hand and the other hand stiffly holding up the newspaper to keep on hiding the rest of his face. After waving, he resumed with holding the damned paper and cursing that foolish pretension inwardly.

Third Day:

It was a Saturday morning yet Shikamaru and Chouji were forced to wake up because of Naruto's constant pleas. The two were still yawning when the blonde led them to a certain dormitory building. "Where are we?" Chouji asked after rubbing his eyes once more.

"Sakura's dorm building!" Naruto showed no sign of sleepiness.

"It's eight in the morning Naruto." Shikamaru scratched his head with slight imputation. "It's closed until eight fifteen—which is minutes from now."

"Exactly!" Naruto appeared to be too enthusiastic.

"I can't wait that long. I promised my father that I'll go with him to Shikamaru's house." Chouji shook his head and looked at Shikamaru. "Right Shika?"

"What are you planning anyway?" Shikamaru raised a question instead of answering.

"I'm just going to shower the front of the door with petals that's all." Naruto took out a basket and carefully showered the path while humming. The two looked at each other and had the same complaint in mind. Why does he have to bring us? They just let the blonde teen finish his business and then watched him place a new letter in the post box. Just when he was supposed to go away, a dog came barking his way.

"Ah! Get away!" Uzumaki shook his leg to get the dog's bite off his pants. The other two were also trying to pull the damned dog.

"Get it off!"

"Come here little doggie…"

"Aw SHUT UP! Dammit! Get off me you mutt!"

"Naruto don't move—"

"Ack! Its fangs! ITS FANGS!"

Naruto seemed to feel the wet sharp fangs of the dog against his leg skin. He was in terrible shaking and he had to be held still be Chouji to keep him from bouncing off to the street.

"Shikamaru! Dammit—"

"YOU'RE PULLING ON MY HAIR! MY HAIR!"

"Come here… come here cute—"

"FUCKIN' CUTE! GET IT OFF! IS THAT BLOOD? RABIIIIIIIIIESSSSSSSSSSSSSSS!"

They only realized, after minutes of shouting, that the people from the dormitory had made them a source of entertainment. They were watching them… not helping them at all. When the panic was already at its peak, a man snapped his fingers and the dog immediately released the terrified teen. Shikamaru, Chouji and Naruto dropped on the ground, panting and still shaking.

"I'm sorry." A man carried the dog in his arms and immediately bowed. "He hates flowers."

Naruto wanted to let the issue go but he saw something which aroused his wrath. "THE LETTER!"

The audience spun to see the dog which was biting the letter.

"Naruto?" a familiar voice was recognized amidst the crowd. "What happened here?"

Before the lady could emerge from the crowd, Naruto, Shikamaru and Chouji had the run for it. That was close.

Fifth Day:

Sakura,

I have thought of your lips lately… and so I have decided that I should give you something to bring back the color of your lips. I have been gazing into your eyes and I see deep melancholy… Let me cast them away…

Shino

For some reason, Shikamaru could not explain where Naruto got all those poetic words; he couldn't even get it how those words got into his head. He just watched him write down those words carefully on another piece of paper before asking, "What are you going to give her anyway?"

"What else? Roses."

"Roses? Are you sick Uzumaki Naruto? Or you're just hiding your romantic side?" Shikamaru smiled. "I never thought you could actually be sweet."

Chouji began munching on chips again. "You know Naruto, I think it's better if you are using your own name in those letters. You are the one who wants to make her happy right? Why do you still have to pretend that you're someone else?"

Naruto suddenly stopped writing and looked at the paper for a moment. He placed his hand behind his head and laughed. He did not answer or show any sign of realization. He continued writing and then placed the letter on the desk. He excused himself from the two and went on his way to the flower shop. I am afraid that she'd think of my feelings as a joke if I claim those letters as mine.

Naruto dropped by a flower shop and began searching for the three freshest roses when someone bumped into him. He quickly turned and found himself face to face with Sakura. "SAKURA-CHAN!" He screamed and covered his mouth immediately.

Sakura's eyes rounded upon seeing her blonde friend. "Naruto, I didn't expect to see you here."

Naruto forced a smile and moved away awkwardly from the roses and uneasily placed his arm on the counter. "W-what are you doing here?"

"I usually go here because Ino's family owns this flower shop." Sakura answered casually and noticed Naruto's face turning pale. "Are you alright Naruto? Is it expired milk again?"

"N-no!" Naruto slapped the counter playfully and forced another laugh. "I am f-fond of flowers!" And he sniffed a sunflower but smelled no fragrance.

"Naruto," she moved the sunflower from his nose and chuckled, "you're silly don't you know?"

Uzumaki blushed at that certain second and the pink color of his face faded after Sakura left the shop. He went back to picking roses and decided to buy a bouquet instead of only three.

Sixth Day:

The next morning, Haruno Sakura felt her knees weaken as she approached her table where a bouquet of roses was laid. She picked it up and gently placed the petal against her lips to feel the silky texture. Naruto, Shikamaru and Chouji watched her from their seats. They noticed that since they had been sending her love letters, she had returned to her usual juvenile self. She had more smiles to offer and less tears to shed. Naruto's plan worked for almost a week… he had made her happy.

By break time, Naruto wrote another letter:

Dearest Sakura,

I have been lurking in the dark and I want to see you face to face but I am uncertain if you can see me. Meet me in the laboratory. Three o'clock.

Shino

Sakura, though she tried to deny, was attracted to the mysterious suitor. She could not help but see the man behind the roses and the romantic, poetic letters. So that afternoon, she hurried past the students and went to the Science Laboratory which, luckily, was empty. She tried to open the door but it was locked. She looked through the large glass which served as a window for observing. Unfortunately, the glass was a one-way mirror. She could not see anything inside but what she did not know was, Naruto was standing right in front of her with his eyes full of emotions. He was looking straight into her eyes which could not see his pained expression.

Sakura's smile was sweet and natural but it gradually faded upon realizing that she could not see a thing inside the laboratory. Naruto was watching her every move… he loved her but she never took heed of that since she was already in possession of someone who had hurt her in different ways.

Why? Why are you looking for someone else when all the while I am here?

Sakura finally looked at her wrist watch and walked away. Naruto moved his forehead against the glass and felt the pain rising within him. It was the pain of an unrequited love.

END

Sorry for the crappy chapter! I didn't really expect that this would be Sakura-Naruto centered. Thank you for the readers!