DISCLAIMER: I do not own "Naruto"

Chapter 15: Challenges

Sasuke,

Bring. It. On.

I'll take you up on that challenge… you wanna be surprised? You got it. Normally, I wouldn't let myself get riled up over a mere genin… but in this case, I'll make an exception. I could never say no to you, Sasuke-kun. I've always been weak when it comes to you. Come to think of it, you'd know all my weaknesses if you've been reading my letters. From this point, I'll have to exclude any information about my training. It's too bad, though… I was so looking forward to telling you about my time spent with Shikamaru and Team Gai. Oh well.

By the way, I knew you wouldn't come back… I've always known. Not until you're ready and I know you're nowhere close to being ready. Not until Itachi is dead. I've known, and I am under no misconceptions that that'll change any time soon. But I am not, AM NOT ready to give up on you. I think what you're doing, what you've done, is the biggest mistake of your life, and I am not going to stand by idly to watch you destroy yourself. That's why I was there, to make you regret every moment of your stubborn stupidity. And so what if I've ever been jealous? How could I not be? You and Naruto have always been so far ahead of me... but I don't care anymore! There's nothing to be jealous of, knowing what I do. What drives me is proving that there is strength in Konoha. I'm going to prove that to you one day. I promise.

I can't wait to see you again.

Love always,

Sakura

Sasuke read through the letter and twice for good measure. The first time with a frown… the second with an arrogant smirk. He had at first been surprised that the letter was devoid of tear stains and pleads for forgiveness, and he was a little frustrated with her harshness. But as he examined the letter closer, he realized that Sakura was exuberant. She was absolutely thrilled that he had written to her, and so she had stepped up to his challenge, realizing it for what it was. She knew that he had merely been looking for answers and she had given many. She was much more intelligent than he had thought.

Though he felt that she was merely responding to his questions, he couldn't help but feel angry at her words in the second half of her letter. She had downright insulted him… on purpose. He had told him before what she thought of his decisions, but she had put it in such a delicate way. Now, she was very blunt. He had never known Sakura to be so hard; it was a side of her he didn't know. How much was there he didn't know about her? The mere idea of not knowing his opponent (for that's what she was now), made Sasuke uncomfortable. He always made sure to study his opponent, if not in advance, then with the use of his sharingan. With an audible growl, Sasuke took out a transportation scroll and performed a couple of hand signs. Within seconds, a cloud of smoke appeared and then a familiar box. The "Annoying" Box. Very reluctantly, Sasuke reached into the box and procured a scroll. This was going to be long and tedious work.

Dear Sasuke,

Today, Ino and I went shopping—

He tossed the scroll back into the box, his eyebrows raised in disgust. Surely she hadn't thought he would be interested in such trivial things. He didn't have the patience for this. He kicked the box away from him and ran his hands through his unkempt hair. Sakura was doing this to him on purpose… he was sure of it. Why hadn't he read each letter as he received it? He would have grown attached… he was already attached.

But he didn't let himself think that way.

Now, with a goal in mind, he could read each letter and critique it, gaining new information on Saku—his opponent. He could find her weaknesses. It was better this way. A cramming session of sorts. He didn't know when they would cross paths again, but he should best be prepared for that moment.

Dear Sasuke,

I haven't written in quite some time… and well, there's a reason for that. You see, Naruto and I just returned from a mission to assist Sunagakure.

Suna… this peaked Sasuke's interest.

It's rather a long story, so I'll try to condense it. You see, Gaara—who is now Kazekage, can you believe it?—is the jinchūriki of Shukaku, the one-tailed tanuki. For whatever reason, the Akatsuki sent two of their own to capture him. One was named Deidara and the other was Akasuna no Sasori…

Sakura sat beside Naruto at Ichiraku's. The smells of salty ramen made her want to gag. How many times had she been here? How many more times would she have to come here? She watched in mild disgust as Naruto slurped the ramen. The stuff made her sick nowadays and she wondered how Naruto could stomach the stuff.

"As I was saying, Sakura-chan, I think you should convince Kakashi Sensei to make training with us a regular thing." He was saying over a mouthful of noodles. "It seems like ever since we got back from Suna, he's always busy."

"Yeah, busy reading those books of your perverted sensei's."

Naruto chuckled. "He must be Pervy Sage's biggest fan."

Sakura's mouth tightened. "He shouldn't encourage Jiraiya Sama."

"Anyway… if you try talking to him, maybe Kakashi Sensei will consider it. He comes out with us, what, Once every month? What's with that? I thought we were Team Kakashi!"

"Like you said, Naruto, he's a busy guy." Sakura replied. "He's probably the best shinobi Konoha's got. He's swamped with missions."

"I don't think he minds." Naruto said with a mischievous glint in his eyes. "That crazy woman's been keeping him company."

"You pervert!" Sakura punched Nartuo's shoulder, causing him to topple of the stool. "Maybe you should be spending less time with Jiraiya and Kakashi, their bad habits are rubbing off on you. If Anko found out you've been talking about her…" she let the threat go unsaid.

Naruto got back on the stool and looked at Sakura with pleading eyes. "Please, Sakura-chan. Please get Kakashi to coming training with us tomorrow."

She sighed. "Fine."

"Thank you, Sakura-chan!" He hugged her and, smiling, Sakura shrugged him off.

She made a show of yawning at that point. "Not that this isn't fun, but I've got a long day ahead of me tomorrow. Tsunade Shishou has me at the hospital at six in the morning."

"I'll walk you home if you don't mind."

Sakura smiled. "Sure."

The walk through Konoha was peaceful. They were both silent, simply content with each other's company. The sound of their sandals against the cobbled street was rhythmic and soothing, the only sound in the quiet city. Stars glistened in the dusky canvas above; the sun had already disappeared and only a few ribbons of pink remained to streak the sky. Sakura gazed into the sky and thought of Sasuke… he should have received her letter by now. Actually, he should have received it days ago. She smiled as his handsome face filled her memories.

"You're thinking about him, aren't you?" Naruto asked in a failed attempted at detachment. The question came out somberly.

Sakura looked over and her face became long. "Yeah."

"I could tell by your smile." Naruto replied. "I don't understand how no matter what happens, he makes you smile."

"You must think I'm crazy."

Naruto shrugged. "Only sometimes."

They reached Sakura's home. She paused in front of the door to observe her teammate and friend. Naruto cared for her deeply, he always had. It must drive him crazy to know that she would never return his feelings, that she would always love Sasuke. Just as it saddened her to know that Sasuke would never return her love.

A pain of sorrow clutched her heart. "Arigato, Naruto-san."

"Oyasuminasai, Sakura."

Sasuke leaned against the stone wall, his face stoic as he mused over what he had just learned. Naruto was a jinchūriki… the host of the nine-tailed kitsune, Kyuubi, the most powerful of the tailed beasts. This explained so much. And this wasn't the only piece of news that shocked Sasuke. In that same letter, he learned the truth behind Sasori's death… Sakura had killed him with the help of the elder Chiyo. They had been awarded information about a spy… Kabuto had spoken about this encounter. Sakura… she had gained the information that had led to their recent reunion. Sasuke wasn't sure what was more shocking: Naruto being a jinchūriki or Sakura's strength.

"Sakura…"

.

.

.

A/N: Omigosh! Beauty and the Beast was on... I love that movie, it's one of my favorites. Anyhow... I hope I fufilled some of your wishes with Sakura's reply to Sasuke. Your replies were absolutely what I had in mind and so perfect. What'd you think? This chapter had a little less angst and a little more light heartedness.

Honestly, as far as the story goes, I only know what's going on in the anime. My hubby reads the manga, so he fills me in on some stuff, but for the most part, I'm as far as the latest episode. I can't stand the amount of filler that's going on, I want to know what happens next!

Anywhoo... I will be starting a new story called "Never More" for a friend of mine who has requested a SakuShika fic. She hates (with a passion) Sasuke... I laugh 'cause we differ so much on Sakura's lovelife. Silly us. Well, even though I feel like a traitor for doing it, I thought I'd be a good friend and write a story for her, so it'll probably be posted in a few days. If you don't mind the SakuShika pairing check it out once I get it up.

Happy Thanksgiving!