Chapter 2: The Response
Sakura came into her office with her boxed lunch. She sat down with a sigh of relief, she had just finished making her rounds and it was time for her break. She had a lot going through her mind. She had an experimental medication in the research stages that would cure many types of poison, she had a wedding to finish planning in one month, and through it all in the back of her mind was Sasuke.
She knew that she shouldn't be thinking about him, she knew she should be focusing on Shikamara and the wedding, but she couldn't help it. Maybe it was old habits, but deep down she knew it was because she was in love with Sasuke Uchiha. She always had been and probably always would be. She knew however, that despite any residual feelings she had for Sasuke, she had responsibilities. She was a grown woman, and she owed so much to Shikamara for helping her through the harder stages in her life.
While she was getting lost in her thoughts, there was a knock at her door. "Come in", she said. A young nurse walked in, and said, "Hello Ms. Sakura, you have a letter that was left at the front desk." With that the nurse handed Sakura an envelope, and proceeding to leave the room. The envelope was blank except for the sole word "Sakura" written on the back. She didn't recognize the hand writing, but for some reason it gave her goose bumps. She stared at it for a few moments before curiosity got the better of her, and she began to read:
Dear Sakura,
This is a little weird for me; I don't really remember the last time I wrote a letter to
someone. Not that I really would have had the time. Now seems as good a time as any, because
until I'm allowed to start training again I've got nothing but time.
I guess I'll start by saying thank you. It really was good to hear from you. I was worried
for awhile that something had happened to you. There I go again always underestimating you. I
should know by now that you're intelligent enough to take care of yourself.
I'm sorry I made you feel like you were a burden when we were younger. The truth is
that back than anything that wasn't related to my clan, my brother, and my strength felt like a
burden. Don't misunderstand me; I had some good times with you, Naruto, and Kakashi-sensei,
but I could never be at peace until I settled the score.
Now that I've completed my goal, I don't really know what to do with myself. Revenge
was my sole motivation for such a long-time that I don't really know anything else. I'm happy,
but incomplete. Does that make any sense? I'm pretty sure to you it does, you were always wise
beyond your years. I guess I need to find a new purpose in life.
I wish you would come and see me, but I understand why you won't and I will respect
your feelings. I can't explain it, but I really want to talk to you. There is so much I'd rather say
in person than on paper. Its just strange being around everyone else except you. It's almost like
I've stepped into the past and there's a huge chunk missing.
I understand that I've caused you so much pain, and I'm sorry for ever hurting you. Of
all the people in the world, you were the last one I wanted to feel despair. I'm happy that you
have found peace and contentment in your life. No one deserves it more than you, except for
maybe Naruto. He seems pretty content lately too, its amazing what he love of a woman can do
to a man.
Despite my joy at your happiness, I can't promise I'll attend your wedding, because I'm
still working out how I feel about that. If I don't go it's not because I don't care, it's because I'm
selfish, and I never really thought of a world where you didn't belong to me.
If anything I hope that one day we can at least be friends again. I may not have shown it
when we were younger, but I really enjoyed our conversations. They were my link to the real
world. I was so focused an avenging my past, that even for a few minutes it was nice to put my
ambitions to the side and just live. If you still can't bring yourself to come and talk to me, keep
writing. I'd like to get to know the woman you've become.
If you'd prefer not to write either, I can't say that I wouldn't understand. You were
unable to count on me when we were children, and you may be skeptical about putting your
trust in me now. All I can say is this, if you do, you won't regret it.
Best Wishes,
Sasuke
Sakura placed the letter down on her desk, and than placed her head in her hands. Against her will the tears began falling. She didn't know if they were tears of joy for the fact that after all this time here was proof that Sasuke cared about her, or tears of despair for she knew her stable life was about to be turned upside down. She wanted to find him this minute and throw herself into his arms. She wanted to pour out all the love she had been carrying inside for the past six years and forget about the rest of the world.
Too bad it wasn't that easy. There was too much at stake to just give in to her foolish fantasy. Life was cruel. How long had she dreamed of this moment? Now it was staring her in the face, and she was at an impasse. A few years ago she wouldn't have hesitated to follow her heart, but times were different. One thing was certain. She definitely couldn't face him now. She would just fall to his feet and forget about every responsibility in her life.
She sat there for a bit before she came to a decision. She wouldn't go see him, but she would write to him. She wanted to tell him all about her life, all about her journey to becoming an adult. In turn she wanted to know about him. She wanted to know how he had gone from the cold, aloof adolescent to the man in the letter more open to his feelings. With that last thought she grabbed a pen and began writing, her lunch sitting next to her forgotten.