Chapter 13: Letters from War
A/N: I don't normally do these at the start of a chapter, but I thought it was fair to explain. This chapter will be told in the form of a series of letters sent back and forth between some of the characters, so that's why this is short in terms of word count (again). Sorry if you don't like it but I wanted to try something different.
Letters written in italics are coded.
2nd March 785
From: Naruto Uzumaki
To: Hinata Hyuga
Hey Hinata,
Thought I'd send you this letter, just to see how you were doing. Actually, you've literally only just left about five minutes ago, but I thought it'd be nice if you had something to read when you reach your outpost. You looked so nervous in that oversized flack jacket, don't worry you'll be great! It's mostly the Jonin that are targeted first anyway, so I don't think there's much for you to worry about. Plus, you have Asuma Sensei with you; he'll look after you.
Also, you're not the only one. Apparently Kiba and Shino are going to be sent out in the next few days and Lee has been told that he's leaving next week. I'll probably be the only one left here soon, apart from Shikamaru obviously. I think my Dad knows how lazy he is, wouldn't be much help on a battlefield. Still, I'm supposed to start this training or whatever next week, so that might be fun. Better than sitting around and waiting for news at least. Send me a letter back when you get this, give me something to do!
Naruto
31st June 785
From: Fugaku Uchiha
To: Office of the Hokage
Lord Hokage,
I can report that the outpost is still stable. The barriers are holding up well and the enemy is struggling to mount any serious attacks. Our supply lines are currently steady and we haven't had any serious attacks of note. To me, it appears that the enemy is ready for a battle of attrition with us, so I must advise you that our supplies may be attacked in the future. We have concerns that small groups may be navigating around our outpost in order to advance, but we do not have the manpower to either investigate this further or counter the problem. I make a request for more troops as a result of this.
I also still have my concerns for the suitability of my supporting captain. While he offers a lot in terms of raw power and intellect, I find it difficult to fully work with Itachi. Our relationship complicates matters to an unnecessary extent. It is not the type of subordinate I am used to and I would feel much better if he would be replaced. Yet, there is no one in the division that I feel would be capable of taking such a job. I would request that you send me someone who has acted in this capacity previously.
Regards,
Fugaku Uchiha, Commander of Grass Country Outpost
3rd August 785
From: Office of the Hokage
To: Fugaku Uchiha
Fugaku,
I understand your concerns, but as I have said before there are no Shinobi available at this time. I have already spent a vast majority of our forces to other outposts, some of which are less equipped in terms of manpower than yours. If we send out anymore, then the village is in danger of not having enough Shinobi to defend itself. You just need to manage with what you have, which is the same for all commanders.
In regards to your other query, there is no one suitable. If you want to replace Itachi, you will have to do so with someone already at your disposal. If you want my advice, you should try to work with him rather than replace him outright.
Minato Namikaze, 4th Hokage of Konohagakure
14th December 785
From: Kushina Uzumaki
To: Kakashi Hatake
Kakashi,
How are you? We haven't received a letter from you for a while now. Well, apart from the official communications with Minato I mean. It's so quiet here now, there's barely any Shinobi left in the village and you can really tell the difference. Although, knowing you I doubt you would liven it up too much anyway. You always were quite shy, even as a child.
Naruto's training has been interesting so far I guess. Minato trains him when he can, which isn't as often as he would like. He's a little frustrated though, I guess Naruto doesn't pick things up quite as quick as you used to. It's strange seeing him like that, even when he was training your team as Genin he wasn't this annoyed. He says it's the war but I'm not so sure of that. I might have to sit in on these sessions when I can; it's a little lonely waiting by myself.
Anyway, the main thing is that we all miss you and love you. Is there anything you want me to send you? What's the climate like there, I could send you some clothes if you needed? Or some of that disgusting soup you somehow like? Whatever it is, just let me know.
Kushina
22nd February 786
From: Sasuke Uchiha
To: Kakashi Hatake
Sensei,
Everyone's been writing to people recently so I thought I'd sent you a letter. I don't want to heap too much stuff on you because I know you're busy and under pressure, but it's difficult to talk to anyone here. Father was never one to be open and even Itachi is too busy to have a real conversation with.
I know as a Shinobi I should be able to deal with this, it's what we train for after all. I just don't know if I can handle all of this stuff at once. I can feel the pressure building constantly; I know that I'm somewhat responsible for my teammates lives. The very idea is terrifying. What if I make a mistake? What if someone doesn't come home because of me? What if a child is left without a parent because of me? It keeps eating away at me. I just want to get out, I just want to run away from here and go somewhere safe. I know that makes me sound pathetic, but it's true. Please, tell me how you do it.
Sasuke
29th May 786
From: Office of the Hokage
To: Hinata Hyuga
Dear Hinata Hyuga
It is of my deepest regret to inform you that Ko Hyuga has been declared K.I.A on 24th May. I express the utmost sympathy for your loss, as he was a great asset to Konoha. You have paid leave to return home for the funeral.
Yours sincerely,
Shiranui Genma, Assistant to the Hokage
11th August 786
From: Itachi Uchiha
To: Mikoto Uchiha
Mother
I apologise for not writing sooner, I am sure you must have worried about us. We have been very busy up here so there has been little opportunity to have any spare time in order to write.
There's no need to be anxious, we are all fine up here. Surprisingly, there have been few attacks on the camp as of yet, and the Hokage's barrier ninjutsu keeps us safe. We hear rumours that gains are being made elsewhere, particularly by several teams from Suna against Kumo. If things keep going as they are, we hope that the war will be ending soon and we can return. Until then, I'll continue to keep both eyes on Sasuke as much as I can like you asked, although I find that I do so naturally regardless.
I'll write to you again soon.
Itachi
14th August 786
From: Shikamaru Nara
To: Hinata Hyuga
Hi Hinata
Really sorry to hear about your cousin, I know you guys were close. I'm also sorry that I wasn't able to see you when you were in the village for the funeral but my Dad had dragged me to do some training on my jutsu. It's so much work and I don't even see the point. The Hokage hasn't given any indication that he'd send me out to war and I don't even want to go.
Unlike Naruto, of course. I'm sure he was probably complaining to you about wanting to get out there, prove himself or something. I don't know what he's so attracted to, does he not get what a war is? Well it doesn't matter either way because his Dad isn't letting him go anywhere. How lucky, I keep nervously waiting to get a letter saying I'm getting sent out somewhere.
Anyway, tell Asuma Sensei I say hello and I'll probably send him something a little later.
Shikamaru
29th September 786
From: Anonymous
To: Kushina Uzumaki
Minato
I thought this would be a safer way of contacting you, there's no telling which forms of communication are being intercepted at the moment.
The Akatsuki have gone completely underground, there's been no sighting of any of them since the war began. It makes me uneasy, an organisation like that should be flourishing at a time like this. We need to be on our guard, they could appear and complicate matters at any time.
Unfortunately, the bad news doesn't end there. Seems my informants in Kumo have been found out, I just received a message telling me that they've fled the village. Although, it's not too big of a loss in the grand scheme of things; especially when considering that they had been unable to obtain much information thus far anyway.
Finally, about what you said before. Be very careful when altering that seal of yours on Naruto. I shouldn't have to tell you not to underestimate the power of the Kyuubi; even a fraction of its chakra could be deadly. I'd take Kushina with you as a precaution, her unique abilities might be required should things get out of hand.
Keep me updated with everything that's going on and I'll do the same. Hopefully I'll have more positive news to send next time.
Jiraiya
15th October 786
From: Kakashi Hatake
To: Sasuke Uchiha
Sasuke
I know it's been a while since you wrote but this is the first opportunity I've had to reply to any mail that has been sent to me.
I understand how you're feeling, believe me everyone who has experienced war has been where you are. We're supposed to teach you to just kill off your emotions and not to think of about it, but personally I've found that not to work. So, I'll tell you what I really do. Instead of letting that fear paralyse you in battle, you need to use it as motivation. Every time you and your team are attacked, you MUST be up to the challenge to protect them. Remember, only those worse than scum would abandon their comrades. It's incredible how much power you can have when you are fighting for your friends.
Now, with that done I have a couple more things. First, keep up your training with the change in chakra form that I told you about. I know it's tough but it will improve your versatility with the Chidori tenfold. Secondly, please reply to one of Ino's letters. I've had about five from her myself just asking why you aren't responding. She's not that bad, really.
Until next time
Kakashi
1st November 786
From: Kurenai Yuhi
To: Asuma Sarutobi
Asuma
I received the flowers; they were lovely. How did you know they were my favourite kind? I know you're out there with Sakura, were you able to get it out of her? Still, not very subtle was it? Wasn't being discrete about this your idea?
Anyway, I have some great news to tell you when you get back. Can't wait to see you.
Kurenai
31st November 786
From:…
To: …..
Jiraiya Sensei
I've sent this to Mount Myoboku; hopefully it'll reach you quickly. I have faith though; they've never let me down before.
The training looks like it'll be much more complicated than I thought at first. I only opened the seal ever so slightly, and there was the smallest amount of chakra that leaked out. But it consumed him completely; he was unrecognisable. It was nothing like what happened before; he changed form even. He wasn't my son anymore it was as if he had become a smaller form of the Kyuubi itself. He lost his mind and started rampaging; it was a good job that we weren't in the village. I was just about able to restrain him and suppress the chakra when he returned to normal. What it let me know was that he's not yet ready for it. We'll have to find some other way because letting the chakra out like that will never work.
Any news about the Masked Man? Any scrap you find will do, his disappearance for the last decade makes me nervous.
Minato
24th December 786
From: Kakashi Hatake
To: Minato Namikaze
Minato Sensei
All seems fine here, for now at least. The Kumo Shinobi seemed to have increased their attempts at attacking us but so far nothing has got through. We've tried to stop the small teams from navigating around us but without more men it's impossible. I do understand though, that you can't do that at the moment.
How is everyone doing? I haven't heard from Kushina since I sent my reply to her last letter but I assume that's not a bad thing. Things aren't too bad up here, all things considered. Gai does well to keep everyone in high spirits, although his youthful speeches do sometimes annoy the more traditional soldiers. Although, he's a little down today because I won our arm wrestle.
I wish I could write more but I need to get going. I'll just ask if you could contact Fugaku at his outpost. According to what Sasuke's been telling me in his letters, there's a bit of a communication problem there.
Kakashi
P.S I've just about got those two jutsu completed. A little bit more refining and they'll be ready to use in combat. Hopefully I'll be able to show them to you.
5th January 787
From: Sasuke Uchiha
To: Kakashi Hatake
Sensei
I'm struggling to even write this right now. You can probably tell from my handwriting that I'm shaking. I can't even sit still.
Someone died today. I was out on patrol, nothing too dangerous just a routine check to see if anyone was trying to get around our outpost. I turned off my Sharingan to preserve chakra and that's when it happened. A kunai flew in out of nowhere with a paper bomb attached to it. We all moved out of the way but that's what they wanted. The enemy was on to us though. I did my best I swear, I was trying to help but there was just so many.
I saw it happen. I saw the kunai slit his throat and the blood pour out from the wound. My Sharingan recorded it all perfectly; I can't get it out of my head. I just froze. If Itachi hadn't shown up, I'd probably be dead right now. I'm not like Itachi, or you for that matter. I can't talk to my father as he's always arguing with Itachi, who's always so busy. I can't take it anymore I have to get out of here.
Sasuke
17th January 787
From: Office of the Hokage
To: Kakashi Hatake
Kakashi
I'm aware of the situation with Fugaku and I'm doing my best to resolve it as quickly as possible. Although, it is difficult to do so through letters but it's all I have to work with.
We're all okay down here as well, in fact Naruto was asking after you yesterday. Which is why I'm writing to you actually. He keeps being distracted by everything that's going on, he thinks he's missing out on something cool. It's like he can't grasp the seriousness and horror of what's going on. It's understandable to an extent; almost all of his friends have already left and he's pretty much the only one still here. I've already told Asuma to do the same, but could you send a letter to him explaining the seriousness of war, just so he'll stop with these delusions?
Just be careful with jutsu like that, especially the second one. If you don't get it right you could end up damaging yourself more than your target. Although I'm sure you know that, after all you aren't that naïve kid that goes charging in to a crowd of enemies with a jutsu just for the sake of it anymore.
Minato Namikaze, 4th Hokage of Konohagakure
30th January 787
From: Asuma Sarutobi
To: Naruto Uzumaki
Hey Naruto
I heard that you're training has intensified with your Dad. You're pretty lucky; it's hard not to be jealous of someone getting trained by a legend like your father. How's it going? I'm sure you're nailing it, you always do.
It's got to be better than what's going down here. Trust me Naruto, you're not missing anything good. In fact, it makes me glad that you're nowhere near this place. You're Dad has told me that you want to come out here and I just need to tell you how ridiculous that is. There is nothing glamorous about war, it's the closest thing we have to hell on earth. You spend every day wondering if you're going to wake up tomorrow or whether it's the last letter you're going to send. Do you really want to put yourself through that? Do you want to put your family through that? I'll tell you something; every single person out here would gladly trade his or her position for yours. Don't forget that.
Asuma
1st March 787
From: Office of the Hokage
To: Name withheld
Dear….
It is of my deepest regret to inform you that… has been declared K.I.A on 27th February. I express the utmost sympathy for your loss, as…was a great asset to Konoha. You have paid leave to return home for the funeral.
Yours sincerely,
Shiranui Genma, Assistant to the Hokage
A/N: Chapters will return to normal size next time. As for the final letter, I'll show who the person is and how they died in the next chapter. I'm going to leave two clues about it. The first is that the person who receives the letter has the letters "A" and "U" in their surname (not necessarily in that order). The second clue is the title of the next chapter.
Also, I have exams coming up very soon, so the next update won't be for 3-4 weeks, so sorry about that. On the plus side, after that I should update once every 10 days or so.
Finally, I got the idea for the letters informing a Shinobi of a death from another fic called "Chasing a Legend" by Voiceofsummer. You can find a link to the fic under the "Favourites" tab on my profile. Give it a read; he's an amazing author. A lot better than me that's for sure.
Next Chapter: Death of a Son