Hey Guys,
I'm still sick and it is so annoying, damn that mutated influenza virus!
I hope you guys do better?
SquaMata
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27. Life in Suna
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On the next day they had a nice private breakfast in the family kitchen. Temari made the beverages and Kankuro the meal, he seemed to be an amateur chef with quite a lot of talent. The young Suna jounin set a plate in front of Sakura. "Here, just for you, pretty! Enjoy your meal!" He winked at her.
It looked delicious. Scrambled eggs with fresh mint and coriander, there were also hummus, goat cheese, cherry tomatoes, some sliced fresh fruit and a tiny bowl of a Suna delicacy on her plate: a special rice pudding made with goat and camel milk, honey, nuts and dates. Kankuro also put a bread basket in front of her with ambrosial homemade baked goods.
Temari poured her a cup of exotic multivitamin juice. "Do you want coffee or tea?"
The pinkette wasn't used to be so spoiled. "In the morning coffee please. Do you need any help?"
"You're our guests, Sakura. Just relax and enjoy your meal."
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Kankuro sat down next to her as Kakashi had finished eating again with anybody getting a peek. Damn! How could he eat so fast?
Temari returned with her coffee, sat down too and ate. "This is how we brew coffee here in Suna. If you want it any other way, just say a word." The girls smiled. It was a strong double espresso with cinnamon and cardamom, served in the typical oriental way. Sakura fell in culinary love with Suna.
"You must try Kankuro's cinnamon rolls too! They're incredible! Nothing beats them! Ugh, but he refuses to tell me his secret."
Kankuro responded "I told you it's love!"
Temari ignored him and handed the bread basket to the two Konoha nin and they took each one of said sweet pastry. The blonde sister of the kazekage had been right, they were amazing.
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"If you keep on spoiling me like that you will neeever get rid of me again!" Sakura murmured and giggled happily in her taste-buds' orgy.
"That's the plan!" The sand siblings laughed and Kakashi gave her an eye-crinkle.
Oh my god, did I just say that aloud?
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After their wonderful meal, the siblings led the Konoha nin through the village and showed them the main buildings and streets.
"If you want to know a bit more of the history you should ask Gaara, he's a walking history book!" Temari said laughingly.
"Sakura, do you see that large structure over here? This is our hospital and the building on the left is our library, maybe you want to go there tomorrow?" The blonde suggested.
"Oh yeah, great! If it's possible, I would love to!" The pinkette got excited.
"Sure!" Kankuro responded nodding.
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"But you have to promise me we'll go shopping the day after tomorrow, okay? It's been long ago since I had a female friend over." Temari remarked.
"Yeah why not? I definitely need a pair of closed shoes." Sakura responded.
"Great! Now let's show you the magnificent kazekage tower. You've only seen the family annex. Then we'll meet Gaara." The fan wielder said and her older brother opened the doors.
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The tower was a very impressive building, brightly polished beige marble floors led from the huge entry hall with a reception to some seminar rooms and a light-flooded circular staircase. They stopped on the first floor where the council offices were. On the next floor there was a huge council room and next to it was Gaara's office. Sakura felt very nervous and tired of their last days.
Temari knocked at his door.
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"Come in!" sounded Gaara's calm voice.
"Hello Temari, Kankuro!" He looked sceptical at the two Konoha nin.
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His sister pointed at the two Konoha nin "Hatake Kakashi and Haruno Sakura have arrived yesterday afternoon."
"Welcome to our village!" He stood up, walked over to them and shook hands with the two envoys.
"Kazekage-sama!" greeted the copy-nin.
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Gaara continued "It is nice to see you two again under better circumstances. Times of peace are precious."
He looked her deep in the eye and Sakura forgot how to breathe. He had such an impressive and captivating attitude, it stunned her, he was pure power. Tsunade and Shizune had been right, he had grown-up very well. He was a very handsome man now, his face was more clear-cut than she remembered and his chin was more prominent. Gaara had gained in height and he looked like he had trained his body meticulously for the last years.
The kazekage returned to his desk and sat down on his chair "I am afraid I do not have proper time for you now, there is a meeting in half an hour. I will have to meet with the Raikage in a few days. Hatake Kakashi, you could accompany me then as ambassador for Konoha to underline our alliance."
"It's an honour for me, Kazekage-sama." The silverhead nodded respectfully.
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"I will let you know the details after the meeting today. And Haruno Sakura, my siblings told me you would help us to establish a new med school?"
"Yes, Kazekage-sama."
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"I am glad the famous apprentice of the legendary sannin will assist us. We could really need a distinguished expert in the medical fields here. So Temari will show you around and takes care of you while we're away. When I'm back we will discuss the plan in detail."
"Thank you, Kazekage-sama."
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Gaara wasn't really older than her, but he seemed to be so much more mature and composed than her. At such a young age he was a well-respected political leader and a very strong, talented ninja, he even had been one of the main military leaders during the fourth shinobi war. Now his physical appearance matched his powerful fighter personality and his legendary actions. He was a very impressive person.
"It is an honour to have two of Konoha's renowned ninjas here for support. If you need anything do not hesitate to ask. Please make yourself at home and enjoy your stay."
They nodded respectfully and left his office.
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"Do you want to go out tonight?"Kankuro asked highly motivated.
"I'm sorry but I'm too tired. Maybe another time?" Sakura declined politely.
"Kankuro, they had a long travel and our climate is something you need time to adapt. Let them rest a bit. Don't you think the cocktail night at the Coconut Lounge would be a good opportunity to go out all together?"
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"Great idea! So the Saturday night it will be! See you later!" Gaara's brother went downstairs into his own office. He was one of the councils after all and had to fulfil his duties.
Kakashi decided to return to his new reading spot in his air-conditioned room and Sakura wanted to take a long soothing bath, before they enjoyed another gorgeous dinner with the kazekage's siblings.
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Gaara interrupted their meal and bid Kakashi outside to talk.
As they returned Sakura commanded all her courage and asked "Don't you want to join us, Kazekage-sama? This dinner is delicious!"
He smiled at her friendly, but looked very tired. "I have already eaten in my office. I'm sorry I don't have the time right now, there is still a lot of work to do to compensate the days I will be absent. But I promise you I will make sure to rectify that omission soon." His intense look creeped under her skin and he seemed to be fully aware of his effect on her.
He turned to face everyone "May you all have a nice evening!" then he left and closed the door.
That night Sakura couldn't sleep. She couldn't get these intense turquoise eyes out of her thoughts. It was hard to believe what the young red-haired, slender boy she had known had become. She had never imagined such a change. Gaara was the very picture of a man now.
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After a nice breakfast with Temari only, the girls went to the library where the pinkette borrowed up few books she had found and then they entered the hospital.
Sakura watched how the doctors and nurses did their jobs and talked a lot with them. She seemed to get along with them better than Temari thought.
Kakashi and Gaara had set out by dawn with some ANBU accompanying them to the secret meeting spot with the Raikage. They would be back in a few days.
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"We should go to the spa tomorrow and have a nice girl's day. What do you think, Sakura?"
"I begin to feel like I'm no help at all. I'm on a mission, Temari. I can't relax and be spoiled all the time." Sakura chuckled, although she meant what she had said.
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"Take it easy. There's nothing you could do right now, Sakura. Without direct admission from the kazekage you can't start working at the hospital or the training of our medics, you know that. Be a little patient and enjoy your stay, as Gaara said." She winked at her. Suna seemed more and more like heaven for the pinkette.
"Okay, I'll try, but only because my target isn't here right now." She chuckled again.
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"Sakura, if you want to stay in Suna you'll have to adapt to our habits. We're all highly disciplined ninjas, but due to the ever present oppressive heat we take our daily routine slow and so should you. You'll have enough time for that. Trust me!"
The pink-haired chuunin was stunned, she hadn't thought about that and smiled at Temari.
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"Are you hungry? There's one of my favourite stands not far from here. They have the best harira around here. Have you ever eaten harira?"
"Ehrm, no. What is it?" The pinkette had never heard about that dish.
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The fan wielder dragged her in the direction of the market plaza "It's a delicate soup with chickpeas, meat, tomatoes and vegetables. You gonna love it!"
"But only if it's on me!" Sakura stated and Temari nodded happily.
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The Konoha nin liked the fantastic tasting soup even if it didn't look that appealing at first, the oriental spices seemed to turn every simple meal into a feast.
During their meal she decided to ask her "Temari, what is the Kazekage's favourite dish?"
"Promise me you won't laugh?" The blonde's eyes didn't betray her amused mood, even if she sounded serious.
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"Okay." Sakura nodded smiling.
"Grilled ham and cheese sandwich." Temari couldn't hold back a laughter.
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Sakura chuckled and shook her head unbelievingly "You're kidding me! Suna has the most delicious dishes I have ever seen and he prefers a toast?"
"Yep. He likes it because it's quickly made, tasty and it reminds him of the safety in his room as a toddler. It also was one of the first things he could make by himself when he was a child." She answered grinning widely before she continued eating.
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Sakura took another spoonful of her soup. "I'm sorry but I still can't understand that."
They both laughed and finished eating their bowls of delicious harira.
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That night Sakura slept wonderful, she only woke up once as she thought she heard paws running through her room, but it seemed to be only in her dreamy imagination.
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The two girls skipped breakfast to have brunch later in the village after a shopping trip. Sakura got some new boots and shoes and a few clothes of a famous local designer. Suna had plenty to offer not only culinary but also in fashion.
In the afternoon Temari dragged her to the spa. It was on the outskirts of Suna and contained a nice bathhouse with luxurious equipment, modern furniture and an outdoor area secured by a high stone wall.
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They enjoyed the hot spring outside as Temari asked "Sakura, now tell me, how do you like our dear Kazekage?"
The pinkette stammered unintelligible things out, her cheeks went pink.
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"Good. He would never admit but Shukaku's remains drive him insane, that's why he trains every free minute in his private gym upstairs or on a special training ground. He reads and meditates a lot too, also he likes to relax in his whirlpool during his sleepless nights. As you may have guessed the whole top floor is his private living space. His apartment is amazing, Sakura! He has a cute kitchen, a living room, a small gym, a spa-like bathroom, a huge bedroom he never sleeps in and a separated room for special activities with his female visitors - if you know what I mean!" The blonde sand nin giggled and Sakura's eyes nearly popped out.
"But we've never talked about that, okay?"
The pinkette nodded.
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Temari continued "He's not allowed to take girls home anymore anyway." She shrugged.
"Ehrm, but why?"
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"Nevermind. Now you're here and that will change everything!" The fan wielder winked at her. "Sakura, now that we're here in private, tell me about your experiences with men! We haven't seen us since… Ehrm by the way, you shouldn't hang a lantern on your former relationship with Naruto."
"But we have never been a real couple, you know. We were just fooling around and did what teenagers do." Sakura sounded honest and Temari grinned like the Cheshire cat.
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"That's exactly what I hoped you would say!" They smiled at each other. "And what about others?"
Sakura contemplated for a moment, she trusted Temari but she knew she couldn't tell any details of her special training, the methods were a secret of Konoha after all. "Nothing relevant, really. Hopefully this will change soon. And you?"
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"You know I'm unofficially in a relationship for years now, but it's complicated. Due to Suna's political situation it can't be made official before the Kazekage has found his companion." The blonde's mood turned sad and she looked depressed.
"Oh I'm sorry, it must be hard for you. And over that long distance! But you two are such a perfect match, Temari! You're made for each other. The council will see it too." The pink-haired kunoichi smiled reassuringly.
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"Yeah, it is hard especially when we're not together. You should be glad you won't have to deal with something like that. Sometimes it's killing me. Oh, I forgot to tell you, Shikamaru will come next week to stay for a while!" She squealed her last sentence in anticipation.
"Great! I'm so happy for you! How long have you not seen him?" Secretly she was afraid he would come in order of Tsunade to replace Kakashi.
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"Let me think…" The fan wielder tapped a finger on her chin for a few moments.
"Ok, that long!" The two giggled and continued their girlie talk, before they went inside to shower and get their tasty brunch.
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In the evening the sand siblings and the two Konoha nin went to the cocktail night at the Coconut Lounge.
It was a famous bar with a dance club downstairs. Kankuro had reserved the table with the best view over the village. The interior was very modern all in white and grey with colour changing LED backlights, the traditional Suna architecture could be found outside only, which seemed to be a trend now. Appearances are often deceiving.
But there was absolutely nothing what reminded of coconuts.
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"Why is it called the Coconut Lounge?" Sakura asked.
"Wait for it!" Kankuro said and winked at her.
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A waitress came and asked them what they want to drink. She wore a beige floor-length skirt with a slit on the front of each leg up to waistband and a scarf with turquoise pattern was bound loosely around her hips and the two ends fell down to the middle front. The woman also wore an oriental headdress and golden bangles, and a coconut bra.
That is really incongruous!
Temari laughed about Sakura's baffled look, the others followed suit.
"It's a loophole in the law. The council forbids lightly clad people in public. It's an old law, which was only made to prevent carelessness with the dangerous desert heat. The third Kazekage found it funny to make an amendment that coconuts are an exception. Nobody remembers why, but rumours say it happened on a summer party. Since then it's a tradition to have one bar with waitresses wearing coconut bras." The fan wielder explained.
Suna's weird!
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Kakashi asked curiously "So you don't have any strip clubs?"
"No, but we have two brothels. If you want to go there just let me know." Kankuro answered the copy-nin, who crinkled his eye and nodded.
The puppet wielder continued "Suna has a very fine taste in women, you must know."
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An annoyed blonde intervened "Could you please stop talking about prostitutes, my dear brother? We want to have a nice evening!"
"I'm sorry, my dear sister, but that was important information too." Kankuro chuckled.
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The waitress returned and brought their cocktails.
The copy-nin ogled her more or less obviously depending on where you were sitting. The puppet wielder smirked at him "As I said Suna has its advantages."
"I agree." The silverhead nodded.
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Kankuro took his glass and the others did too. "Here is to our friendship and to the hope that our wishes will come true for all of us. Cheers!"
Their drinks were pretty good, but soon empty.
Kakashi went to the bar to order another round while Sakura went to the restroom. As she came back he was still talking with the waitress, both had a drink at the bar seemingly flirting. Smug wolf!
The sand siblings were waiting for her chatting at their table with the new drinks. Sakura joined them and they told her funny stories about Gaara, like when he had found out how he could startle his siblings with his moving sand, or when he had fallen down from his balcony because a butterfly had sat down on his arm and he had been too shocked by the presence of that evil creature to react or when the whole tower had suddenly filled with smoke as he had tried to cook for the first time.
"That's why they bought him a sandwich toaster to minimize the risk!" Temari explained with tears of laughter in her eyes.
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After about 45 minutes the copy-nin finally returned with a new round of drinks.
"I thought you three might be thirsty. It's on me!"
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He buys us drinks? What has he done wrong now!
Wheeeeeh! Cocktails! Cocktails! Cocktails! Look at that pretty pink cocktail!
I don't care!
The cocktails are pure bliss! Also you should focus on Gaara!
Shut up!
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Sakura stood up and put on her jacket. "I'm sorry guys, but I think it's time for me to head back to my room. I'm really tired from the long day."
Kakashi looked at her questioningly, but she faked a smile only.
"I'll go home with you." Temari yawned and put on her jacket too.
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Kankuro watched the two girls leaving the bar, then he looked at a very confused copy-nin. "Is there anything you want to talk about?"
The silverhead found back to his usual stoic attitude and gave him his trademark eye-crinkle. "So what do you recommend for amusement tonight?"
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"We could go to the club downstairs and meet some of my friends if you want?"
"Good plan. Let's go!"
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As Kankuro led the way Kakashi took one look back to their table where Sakura's drink was still waiting for her to taste.
It was a special cocktail he had extra asked for, a so called Sakura Blossom. He had thought she would like it. It had different shades of pink due to the juices of pomegranate and dragon fruit with coconut milk and vodka, garnished with two cherries, a small slice of coconut and a sakura blossom.
She had completely ignored his afford to conjure a smile on her lips. He shook his head in defeat and continued walking behind Kankuro.
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"Sakura is everything alright?" The blonde sister of the kazekage asked worriedly.
"Yes, I'm just tired and craving for a bed. That day was wonderful, thank you Temari! But it seems I'm not used to the deep relaxation in warm climate." She chuckled and shivered a bit, the nights in the desert put a drop in temperature to a whole new definition.
Temari nodded and pulled her own jacket closer to her ears. "I know what you mean! Shikamaru and I often don't have the time to adapt to our different climates, that costs a lot of energy! You should take a hot bath before you go to sleep!"
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They finally reached the tower and ascended the guest floor of the family residence.
"Goodnight, Temari!"
Sakura entered her room, at least it was warmer inside thanks to the finely adjusted air conditioning.
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She went for a shower and felt comfortable warm afterwards. Wearing a fluffy turquoise bathrobe she plopped down on the lounger and looked out of the window. The pinkette felt lonesome and a bit homesick.
It's time to open the farewell gifts!
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She got a wooden box full of different lubes from Anko, a rose coloured negligee with a matching thong from Ino, a bottle of Champaign and black hold-ups with a special sakura blossom seam from Kurenai and a blue candle from Tsunade. It had a rhombus of a darker wax on one side with carved words.
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"Sakura,
Whenever you may feel alone light this candle and think of me.
You will never be alone.
If the candle is burnt down, don't hesitate and stop by.
I'll be always there for you.
Tsunade"
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Sakura set the candle on the desk and lighted it.
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There was another present wrapped in brown paper, it had "from Team7" written on its back. She unwrapped it and laid down on the lounger with it. Surprisingly it was a book made by Sai showing her importance for team 7 in pictures. There were scenes from their genin days, Sai's appearance, the war and many more.
Naruto… She'll never understand how he wanted a family that bad that he had accepted to live in a one-sided relationship while he had his family-like team right in front of him all the time.
Inside of the book there was a letter written by Naruto's antsy fingers.
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"Dear Sakura,
Honestly I hope that someday we could be friends again, I know it happened pretty much, but please don't forget we'd been teammates and close friends for years before it all went wrong. Therefore I think I owe you an explanation of what happened, but please keep this to yourself.
I've never told you that initially I've begun to date Hinata to make you jealous and finally educe a confession of your true feelings for me. Sadly it didn't work and I know now it was immature, but I was young and dumb back then. After trolling about to marry Hinata, you just kicked me out evilly instead of fighting for me, show any true emotions for me or discuss it at least. You were just raging, ranting and raving. That wasn't what I had planned to happen after that perfect afternoon we had spent together, Sakura.
Off all people in Konoha I've never expected Hinata to be sitting in front of your apartment building and witnessing your tirade. I was mortified. I thought she knew now that I'm fighting for your heart by all available means.
Wordlessly she followed me to my apartment like a shadow. Of course I let her in, a talk was unavoidable. Hinata sat down on my only chair and I sat down on my bed. I felt so incredibly tired of fighting for the stubborn and very blind girl you had been.
Hinata's big teary puppy eyes looked at me expectantly "Is it true? You want to marry me?"
Of course she had only heard what she had wanted to hear. I was that heartbroken, hopeless and feeling alone that I did the most stupid thing in my whole life, I nodded.
Hinata embraced me overly happy, kissed me and it felt so good to be loved. The situation became heated soon, but before it could have gone any further she stopped me. She wanted to save that up for our wedding night. My wonderful distraction from your heartless reaction was over and reality kicked in. Hinata put back on her other clothes, kissed me goodbye and stormed away to inform the clan of our engagement. In that moment as I was lying alone on my bed left half aroused and very sorrowful, I saw my life playing backwards.
I wanted to stop Hinata but I knew I couldn't. It was too late.
If I would back off now, I would have to deal with the legal effects for infringing clan policies and they were heavy. On that day I sealed my future and also that of you, Sakura, we would never have a chance to be together. I couldn't find the words to describe how sorry I am. I've never meant to hurt you, I hope you know that. It happened, I'll bear my responsibility and it's not all bad. I have a big family now who loves me and integrates me fully as if I have ever belonged to them. I really feel loved, Sakura.
And I want to excuse Hinata for her behaviour, she was jealous and the way she treated you was not ok, she knows that. Everything is going to change now when you are in a relationship.
I want to let you know we are going to marry in two weeks from now. It will be a small wedding in private, maybe there will be a party someday in the future with all my friends, we will see.
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I miss you, Sakura, but it's about time to let you go.
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I hope you will find what you are looking for. Gaara is a good man.
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Please take care!
Yours, Naruto"
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Sakura put the letter into a drawer of her desk, blew out her candle and went to bed. She snuggled in her cosy sheets and watched the village by night through the nearly room high window on the left side of her bed.
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I've let you go when you left my apartment that day, but I'm glad you're finally ready to go your own way now.
I'm happy for him.
Me too.