Sakura

You shouldn't worry so much.

I know, I know. I'm just your idiot teammate who went and got himself killed, right? After all, that's the only way you could be reading this letter right now.

It's okay, you know. The life of a shinobi is typically short. And anyway, I managed to make most of my dreams come true, despite the odds. So really, there's nothing to be sad about! I lived a really good life, especially after becoming a part of team seven and finding people precious to me!

And of course, I want you to know that you're one of them! So take care of yourself! You're the one who has to keep Kakashi-sensei and Sasuke and Sai and Yamato-taicho healthy!

I guess I want to thank you, too. When I think back to the hopeless crush I used to have on you, I'm honestly thankful you never felt the same way. Besides, you're like my sister! Now that I know what it means to be in love, I know I never really felt that way for you, so you're probably relieved about that, huh?

Do me a favor and smack Sasuke for me, okay? Somebody has to do it now that I'm not around.

I don't want to see any of you for a long time, do you hear me? Take care of the village for me.

-Naruto

[Sakura doesn't cry. For the last several years, she's taken her strength from Naruto, relying on him to be there to help her stand. He's been missing in action for three months, and Sakura hasn't had time to lean on anybody-their friends have all been leaning on her. She can't very well let him down now, not now that he's… gone.]

Sasuke

Bastard!

Don't worry, I'm not going to wax poetic at you or anything-that's not how we communicate!

You understand, right?

Look out for everybody for me, will you? Stay safe.

-Naruto

[Sasuke cries when he reads his letter, bracing himself against the wall of his kitchen with his fist in his mouth to keep his sobs from escaping. Idiot, he thinks, and cries a little harder.]

Konohamaru

I need you to promise me something. Don't ever give up. When you're staring down an opponent so powerful you feel like there's no way you can win, stand your ground and keep fighting. No matter how many times you fall down, keep going.

There will come a time when someone will try to make you question your morals, make you question the things you fight for. There will come a time when you have to reevaluate your stance on certain things.

Always believe in yourself, Konohamaru. There may come a time when everybody else will doubt you, doubt the village, doubt everything. So you'll have to stand tall and hold them up.

You're the best little brother I could have asked for, and I sincerely hope that you won't find me in the Pure Lands for a long time. There's only one exception to the rule, and it's really better if you ask Lee what that is.

Take care of our family.

-Uzumaki Naruto

[Konohamaru smiles through his tears. His brother figure may be gone, but his heart loves on in all the people he's leaving behind. He's going to miss the man, but they're ninja. They've each received letters like this before. Konohamaru wipes his tears, placing his most recent letter into the old shoebox along with his parents', the Sandaime's, and Uncle Asuma's.]

Hinata

Hinata,

If I could shoulder all of the pain and hatred in the world, I would do it. If I was a different man, I would be so in love with you that it would physically hurt. As it is, I'm sorry I couldn't love you the way you deserve. I'm sorry that I will only ever see you as a friend. Overall, I'm sorry for any pain I've caused you.

I hope you'll forgive me for loving him.

Take care of the boys for me. They may hate admitting to it, but they really do need you. Hold fast to your strength. You're brilliant.

-Naruto

[Hinata takes three days to mourn her lifelong friend and the man she loved. Three days, and then she tucks the letter away and holds her head high. Of course she can forgive him for loving that man. She was never upset about it in the first place. All she wanted was for him to find happiness.]

Teuchi and Ayame

I just want to start this off by saying thank you. Thank you for taking care of me all these years, for being my first family, and offering me a warm meal when I was half-starved.

I will never ever forget how much kindness you've shown me.

And Ayame! Take care of the old man for me! He doesn't want to admit it, but his back is starting to trouble him a lot.

There aren't enough people like you two in the world, so stick around for awhile.

-Naruto

[Ayame keeps the restaurant open. Her father had asked her, in the softest tone she's ever heard, if she was sure she wanted to work. She thinks of Naruto's letter and gives her father a smile, telling him to take the night off.]

Lee

Bushy brow! If you're reading this letter, it means that I'm dead. The handful of letters I'm writing are to my most important people, in order from least to most important. (If you tell Sakura that's why she's receiving the first letter, I will come back to haunt you.) The reason I'm telling you this is because I have a favor to ask. There's one more letter that I didn't leave with Tsunade-baachan.

I'm asking you to do this because I trust you more than anybody else to keep this a secret and be supportive. Anyone else would have something to say, either about me or to Kakashi.

But you get me. I would trust you to the ends of the earth, and your enthusiasm never ceases to boost my own.

The truth is this: we have mutual feelings, but Kakashi asked if we could stay friends and nothing more. I never really stopped hoping for more, but Kakashi has to make his own decisions.

Anyway, I'm only asking if you'll get his letter to him for me. I didn't give it to baa-chan because I didn't want anybody else trying to read it. Shizune-nii and baa-chan are horrible gossips, you know.

Lee, you're one of the most talented shinobi I've ever known, and I'm so, so proud to have been able to call you my comrade, and my friend.

P.S. the letter is taped into the very top of my ramen cupboard! Please make sure you place it directly into Kakashi's hands!

-Konoha's Orange Beast!

[Lee's tears pour before he even opens his letter, only becoming torrential by the time he actually reads it. Naruto trusts him this much? Ah, but he shouldn't question his friend's trust, only continue to earn it! Lee has an immense respect for somebody who's Youth continues on after their demise! Of course he will deliver Kakashi-sensei's letter safely!]

Shikamaru

Oi, I was wondering…

Did I ever tell you? You're my best friend, Shikamaru. Sometimes, we don't always get to say the things we need to, and we lose our chance.

I couldn't take that risk.

This may not be a letter you ever wanted to receive, or ever expected to. Most people would think Sasuke-teme is my best friend, you know? But most people don't know me the way you do.

Konoha needs you, Shika. She needs your mind, so stay sharp and stay alive.

And make sure Choji doesn't get an ulcer. You're a good man, Shika. I'm so glad to have been friends with you.

-Naruto

[Shikamaru slams his fist down on the desk in front of him, wood groaning at the impact. He hates this. Naruto isn't supposed to be dead, he can't be! He's their future Hokage! He's the best of them, the village hero! Damn it!]

Neji

I want you to make a promise. Not to me, but to yourself. Can you do that? Can you promise that you won't hide from your feelings anymore? I know how scary it can be. I know shinobi are meant to bury their feelings.

But you know something? All the best shinobi have something-someone-worth protecting. And how can you ever be your best if you can't admit that you have somebody you want to protect?

You may not see it, but she loves you. She loves you in a way she's never loved me, and I couldn't have returned her feelings either way. You should tell her.

I want you to be smiling the next time I see you, you hear?

You're a splendid ninja, and a valued friend. Thank you for being one of the first to accept me.

-Uzumaki Naruto

[Neji is silent in his grief. Silent and unwavering, hours passing though he barely bats an eye. By the time he leaves his home, he has read Naruto's letter to the point of memorization, wanting to keep those words with him, always. His friend's name will be carved into the memorial stone like countless others before him, but Neji doesn't think that's enough. Nothing would ever be enough. Maybe not even if he'd managed to get his face carved into the Hokage Monument. His friend has influenced the lives and opinions of every single person in their village, and many of the shinobi all over the world. Not enough. He helped change Neji's heart.]

Iruka

I'm sorry I'm not getting to tell you any of this in person. I know what you're thinking, too. "Naruto's too young. There are too many things he hasn't experienced. He had his whole life ahead of him." Something like that?

Iruka-sensei. I have so many people to thank for making me the man I am today, and you're at the very top of that list. You were the first teacher who ever tried to teach me something, the first man who recognized the pain in my heart, and the first friend I ever made. Jiji was a busy man, but he was still like a grandfather to me. He did his best.

You did a lot better. You became a father figure, my big brother, my rock through hard times. I know it took you a long time to understand that we both lost our parents the night Obito released Kurama and attacked the village, but you did. You were one of the first to overlook your disgust to recognize me for what I was-an annoying twerp.

Thank you. Eat a bowl of Ichiraku for me, okay?

-Naruto

[Iruka sits on the old swing in the Academy yard, heartbroken and aching. Naruto-his brother… He just doesn't understand how they can declare his death when they haven't even found a body! And Hatake, the Rokudaime- He doesn't want to accept it. The minute Naruto had been declared missing, his teammates returning looking haggard and defeated, all of them dealing with chakra exhaustion on top of extensive injuries, the Rokudaime Hokage had all but foisted his job onto his assistants to aid in the search. And he hadn't found anything. Not a single trace of a scent. Even the Inuzuka hounds couldn't pick up a hint of Naruto. He can't just be gone. His tears fall, but Iruka can't let himself crumble. Naruto wouldn't want it.]

Kakashi

I'm sorry I wasn't able to make it back, Hokage-sama. I know it's one of your worst fears. And I'm sorry for adding to the list of loved ones you've lost. It was already too long as it was.

But shinobi endure, don't we?

You only told me you loved me once, and then you did your best to bury that moment and asked me to move on even though you know I feel the same way. I won't apologize for loving you, though, Kakashi. And I won't apologize for never moving on. Did you think I had after our conversation three years ago? A part of me hopes I backed off enough, held back enough to give you the space you asked me for.

The rest of me hopes I did a horrible job of stepping back. You deserve to be loved, Kakashi, and I will continue to love you even after I am dead. I hope that you received the love I tried to give you even though you didn't want to. Even though it scared you.

You're strong, Kakashi, so I hope I won't see you in the Pure Lands for a long time coming. Still, Rokudaime. If I do, I hope you'll be a little more flexible on the whole relationship thing. I don't mind waiting, you know. Take all the time you need.

Because you have my heart, Kakashi, and it's gonna be yours for the rest of forever.

All my love,

Naruto