Sakura was getting familiar with new faces in her life, she even could call few of her colleagues friends now. She was more happy than she was a few weeks before. Darui was now a constant element in her life and she liked this fact. She grew to like him. His stoic demeanor made her more calm and somehow more at peace. Now she didn't worry much if she was ever going to go back to Konoha. She knew that even if this was where she would spend the rest of her life she would be just fine. Ino has sent her a few letters with a long descriptions of the things that were happening in Konoha. She didn't mention Sasuke and Hinata much but she has written that they were back. For a long time there was no answer from Hinata and Saskura wasn't surprised. But one day the letter came and she felt so nervous about opening it.
Dear Sakura,
Thank you for your letter. It means the world to me knowing that there is a chance to make up.
You have to know it wasn't my intention to hurt you in any way. The things just happened and I had no control over them. It is my deepest regret that what makes me so happy is the thing that made you hurt. I hope it can change in time.
I don't hold any grudges towards you. What happened, happened and we have to live with that. I forgive you so don't worry about that.
I hope you are okay where you are, and that you have good people surrounding you. I will talk with Hokage-sama to bring you back here but you have to know Sasuke isn't really on the same page with me when it comes to you. He needs more time to get over everything but I'm sure he is going to get over it. Either way, Konoha is so much more empty with you gone and everybody misses you here! I'll try my best to get you here soon, promise.
X
Hinata
Sakura smiled while reading this letter. Hinata has always been soft and kind and it hasn't changed. The fact that she's written back and, supposedly, forgiven her meant a lot to Sakura. But she didn't know how to feel about coming back to Konoha, there was no hurry in her. More even! She didn't want to go back right now. It was a strange realization.
She sat down on the floor, her back against the wall and she looked at the selling. She was a young woman, with so much life to live. But she was also a ninja and her past was heavy to carry. She has been blessed with an easy childhood, her only bother has been her large forehead and her parents who have embarrassed her on numerous occasions. But other than that everything has been rather good. She's met Ino early on and from this blonde girl she's learnt to be confident, or at least act that way. She remembered how happy she has been during those times. Even their childish fight over Sasuke made her smile now. Everything has been almost idyllic at that time. And at the academy she's prospered, she has always been quite smart and talented. She has never had any troubles at school academically speaking. And then she has been placed with Sasuke and Naruto into team 7. They've become shinobis and their life started for real. It has never been easy from then on. First there has been this mission neither one of them has been prepared for, then the chuunin exams and Sasuke's departure. Even Naruto has left her. She had to become stronger, and she has but not strong enough for everything that has came next. Not for Akatsuki, not for war and not for physical and psychological damage she had to mend at the hospital. She still remembered empty eyes of her patients and her hopelessness. She's been able to mend most of their injuries but what had happened to their minds was out of her control. Naruto and Ino have been the only ones who have been able to make her smile at that time. And what was even worse she hasn't been hurting because of this the most. She has still been dumb little girl and her heart has been aching for love that never has been.
She smiled and shook her head slightly. She couldn't believe that but right now and then was the first time in such a long time that she was at ease and quite happy. She knew she wasn't ready to go back to Konoha and she wasn't sure that she would ever be. Darui was becoming more and more important to her and she knew he felt similarly. And she knew he was going to be a Raikage one day. He was a powerful shinobi and he was hardworking and calm. She couldn't imagine anybody better for the position. If she wanted their possible relationship to have any chance she had to ponder staying here forever. And what was strange to her was the fact that this thought didn't make her anxious. She smiled when she heard a knock on the door. She knew that it was him because it was a single knock she was getting used to by now. When she saw him she smiled with her eyes closed and head tilted to the side. Life was good and going back to Konoha was not something she wanted to even consider right now. So she put the letter on the top shelf in the kitchen and decided to get back to it later.
„Do you want to go and eat something?" Darui asked and she agreed.
In the morning Sasuke and Naruto went straight to Gaara. They were welcomed with a smile and the red haired man invited them both in.
„It's nice to see you, Gaara!" Naruto almost screamed while he was lowering himself onto the chair. Sasuke grimaced because of the volume his friend has chosen. „How are things?"
„Everything's alright at the moment" Gaara was a calm person and Sasuke appreciated that greatly. He was different than the boy he had been when they have first met. Sasuke still remembered this uneasy feeling in his gut when their eyes have first crossed. But now the man that was in front of him was so much different. He still was rather quiet and reserved but there was more sympathetic look to it. He wasn't looking at everybody with pure hate in his eyes. He really has changed and earned respect and love of his people. It was good to know that it was possible.
Gaara on the other hand was observing Sasuke and had a lot of the same thoughts on his transformation through the years. He saw a totally different man in front of him. There still was a lot of this angry sadness left in his face but he saw something bright in him as well. Kazekage knew that there was nothing certain when it came to change of the heart. He himself was a lucky one to go through it without a sort of relapse towards this emptiness of hate and anger. Most people can't free themselves off of it. He hoped that Uchicha was stron enough to do it and remain that way. For everyones sake.
They talked for a little while and Gaara. Gave then a scroll to deliver back to Konoha. Sasuke sighed at this. Peace has always been what everyone wanted but it was so boring to live through for someone who has been through though missions and fights. He wasn't a shinobi to become a postman but he closed his eyes and took a few breaths in and out. What was important was the fact that he was going to see Hinata in a few days tops.
When they were back in the village Naruto wanted to go and eat something so they stepped in to one of the nearby stands and ordered some food.
„Did you ever think that we would be on a mission together again?" Naruto asked when they sat by the counter.
„I don't know" Sasuke has never really thought much about the future. He's been living day by day and tried not to look back because of the impact the past has had on him.
„I hoped so, but to be honest I didn't think you'd ever come back to Konoha for longer than a few days" Sasuke watched as the cook prepared their food and didn't answer Naruto. „I know that if it weren't for Hinata you wouldn't be here" Naruto laughed. „I still can't believe that anybody could change your mind. You are one stubborn bastard" Sasuke looked at his friend without moving his head.
„Takes one to know one, Naruto"
„Yeah, that's something we both have in common" he laughed but it was a dry laugh that made Sasuke suspicious of his friend's real thoughts on that matter. But before either one of them could say anything the girl behind the counter gave them their food and both of them started eating.
Naruto didn't say much for the rest of the day. They decided to stay for the night in the village and go the first thing in the morning. When they were back in the room Naruto was deep in his thoughts back in the past. Back when he, Sasuke and Sakura were all together, before there was Orochimaru and Akatsuki. Before either one of them had to choose their own path. Just the three of them. He knew that Sakura also missed these times just like he did. But Sasuke didn't. He was probably the only one of them who was at peace now more than then.
