Sasuke's POV
Barging into her office didn't seem like the best thing to do in a situation like this, so I switched on my Sasuke-mode. I knocked on the door as politely as possible. It was quiet for a moment before her voice answered, it raspy from crying.
"I thought I told you not to let anyone bother me? Do I have to come out there and kick your ass?" I stifled a sigh.
"It's me Tsunade-s-". I held off the "sama" with effort. I heard a nearly inaudible sigh on the other side of the door.
"Come in Sasuke". I nodded, not that she could even see the action, before walking in slowly; closing and locking the door behind me. I immediately sat down in the chair across from her desk. Her eyes were red tinged and she looked a wreck, but I could tell she hadn't drunk anything. I almost smiled at that. Naruto would have been ecstatic about that. Naruto… Oh right, I have a reason for being here.
"Tsunade, I have something for you; Something Naruto told me to give you". I said slowly, accentuating each word. Her eyes widened a bit. We were on different ends now. I pulled her letter out of the one of many hidden pockets in on my ANBU uniform before handing it to her. She took it carefully and looked at it for a moment. I stayed where I was, planning on helping her through it if I had too. She may be the Hokage, but everyone had a weakness, and I had a feeling that Naruto was hers'; just like he was mine. She sighed, clenching her eyes shut before opening it.
Tsunade's POV
I looked hard at the note in my hands, thinking this had to be a joke. But I opened it anyway, not bothering to tell the Uchiha to leave. He'd leave when he felt it necessary. The first thing I noticed was that the writing was orange, but what else could I expect from the orange loving freak. I smiled softly to myself before actually taking in the words written on the paper.
Tsunade Baachan,
Hey granny… it's not good is it? I really didn't expect on you having to read this so soon, but things happen right? I know it's gonna be hard on you, since Jiraya… But, Sasuke is still there. I know he can never be me, but I love him, and I want you to treat him like a son-in-law, seeing as he is technically my fiancé. Too bad I can't be there to see it. But can you promise me one thing? Don't drink when you're sad, you know how you get. When you do drink again, I want it to be because you are happy. Because you want to celebrate. I always loved seeing you happy. You know, you were the closest thing to a mother I ever had. You treated me like a son, like I thought a mom should treat her son. I'm really going to miss you. It won't be the same anywhere without you there.
And I want to ask you another favor, if it's not too much. Don't give Sasuke a hard him about him leaving Konoha anymore. Take him off the whole "Can only do high ranked missions with another ANBU captain present with him" thing. He's changed. He won't be going anywhere. He promised… He's not going to turn on you, Tsunade, Believe it!
Oh, and one more thing… go to Jiraya's grave for me sometime will ya? Tell the old timer you miss him, (I know you haven't been there in a while) but now I'm watching over you Baachan! I'll make sure nothing happens to you, I promise. I love you Tsunade Baachan, You'll always be my mom…
Love, your son
Naruto Uzumaki
P.S I miss you…
I didn't put the letter down for a good ten minutes. The tears weren't there yet; I refused to cry in front of Sasuke. He didn't need that. He needed someone strong. I put the note down slowly, looking at Sasuke directly in the eye. And that's when I presume I broke.
That look in Sasuke's eyes held more emotion than anything I've ever seen. I saw a lot of things. Sadness, anger, pain, yes, a lot of pain. I saw exhaustion there to, and his eyes seemed like they mirrored my own. I felt a hot tear slip unwanted down my face and onto the forgotten letter on my desk. My body shook once and I was overcome. I didn't even flinch when pale arms wrapped around me. I just cried harder.
Naruto…
Sasuke's POV
She read the note slowly, taking in every word. I watched her facial expressions, noting every change. The little sad sighs that escaped, and the widening of eyes was a constant. Small smiles sometimes graced her features. Not a single tear though. She was strong, but I knew she would crack. Naruto was her son, or like her son, and she loved him more than anything.
She set the letter down and met my eyes. She looked on for what felt like an eternity before I saw a tear trace her face. She shook with a sob, not looking at me anymore.
I was never good with crying people. I usually just leave awkwardly, or pat them on the back like you see in the movies. But this was a special occasion. She felt what I felt. She lost what I lost. She loved what I loved.
I stood up carefully and made my way over to her, wrapping my arms around her shoulders. She didn't react at first. When she did move, I thought to would backhand me across the room. But instead, she clutched my arms like they were her life line and kept crying. I felt my own tears fall. Not sobs jut silent tears. I didn't cry for me, for I promised Naruto I wouldn't. I cried for Tsunade, I cried for what she lost. And in all that, I knew we shared one thought.
Naruto…