DISCLAIMER: I do not own "Naruto"

Chapter 18: Hebi

Dear Sasuke,

They know. I guess news travels pretty fast when it's… well, what you've accomplished. I am so proud of you. I know I've already said it, but I feel that positive reinforcement in very important to one's emotional development...

A single brow lifted on Sasuke's face. Was that an attempt at mocking him?

…that was a joke, by the way. Even so, I'm proud of you. Even though you said you would give your body to him if necessary, I never believed you would, I always felt… I always felt you were fooling even him. It's amazing that you've grown so strong to kill one of the great sannin. Sannin… I think that one day, after you've done what you've set out to do, you'll become a sannin. I don't know who has the authority to name a sannin, but I'm gonna find out.

I'm not going to beg you to come home, I know you still have unfinished business, and I can't exactly tell you not to do-

Something was scribbled out at this point. He continued forward.

—I almost said too much. Just know that I'll be seeing you very soon and I absolutely cannot wait. Last time I saw you, I was so shocked, so unprepared. I'd been hoping and praying, but when the time actually arrived, I was at a complete loss as to how I should have reacted. I regret not being able to say anything. I was just so happy to see you… I know it didn't look that way, but truly I was. And you've grown. I knew you would, but… you're very handso—

"What're you reading?" Suigetsu asked lazily.

Sasuke briefly glanced up from the letter to look at his companion. He wasn't sure if the heat on his face was from his blushing or from the fire… either way, it didn't matter. His eyes were hard, but he said nothing.

Suigetsu noticed the glare and raised his hands in defense. "Forget I asked." He tossed a twig into the fire and mumbled, "Probably just from a girlfriend."

Sasuke's nose crinkled as his forehead lowered in a glare.

"He doesn't have a girlfriend. Do you… Sasuke?" Karin asked as jealously flared in her eyes.

But Sasuke didn't reply. He merely looked over at the obnoxious red-headed woman.

"Sasuke-kun?" she pleaded when he said nothing.

He looked back at the letter in his hands and continued his reading.

…you're very handsome. You've always been handsome; I didn't expect you to grow out of that. I'm sorry for rambling on. I feel so at ease when I'm writing to you, like I can talk about anything. It's silly really, considering most of what I write, I probably wouldn't have the courage to tell you in person. As our last meeting would confirm. I think that's why I can't stop writing, because there's so much I want to say to you, and this is the only way I know how. This is the only way I know how to reach you and know that you at least have the option to listen to what I say. Call it a form of self-assurance, but… writing to you gives me so much hope.

I probably won't have the opportunity to send you letters for the next few days… or weeks. I'll still write the letters, so be prepared for a bundle next time. Be safe Sasuke.

Love always,

Sakura

A smirk rested on his lips as he folded up the letter. He was feeling oddly content at the moment, but the feeling was cut short when a certain kunoichi sat right beside him.

"Do you mind?" Sasuke bit out.

"I thought you liked having me around," Karin said in her annoying baby voice. "You're the one who sought me out."

(Flashback)

"Come with me, Karin. I need you." He mentally kicked himself for wording it that way. He was never very tactful when it came to choosing his words. There would be unpleasant repercussions for that.

The shock was very evident on her face, and she barely managed to stutter. "W-what?"

"Orochimaru is dead, you don't need to be here anymore."

"I'm in charge of this place!" she replied hotly.

"Suigetsu, go free the prisoners."

Karin was sweating now. If what Sasuke said was a lie, she could get in so much trouble.

"Whatever you say, boss…" Suigetsu said with a smirk.

Karin was about to object further when Sasuke cut her off. "What would you do with all the prisoners? There's no need for them."

"I'm still not going with you." She was always an independent woman, no man would tell her what to do.

"Fine… I'll get someone else."

She didn't like that idea at all. As soon as Suigetsu left the room, she backed up to the door and locked it, her face suddenly taking on a flush. She couldn't let someone else take her place next to Sasuke, that was unacceptable. "I'll come."

Sasuke's eyes narrowed.

She approached him and took off her glasses. She sat right beside him and batted her eyelashes in a ridiculous manner. "If you really need me… I'll go with you."

"You changed your mind,"

She leaned in close to him. He put up his arm in an attempt to shrug her off.

"I'm tired of this place, honestly."

"Get way, Karin."

"We don't need Suigetsu… we only need each—"

And that's when Suigetsu broke through the door. Thank goodness. Sasuke didn't want to kill her before his mission was complete.

(end flashback)

"Karin,"

She blushed when he spoke her name, removing her glasses to show off her sultry eyes.

"Get away." Sasuke growled.

She straightened up and scooted over. "I don't understand you, Sasuke."

"Good."

"And who are those letters from that you're always reading?" She asked, pointing at the parchment still clutched in Sasuke's hand.

"That's none of your business."

She put her glasses back on and stared at him defiantly. "They're not from a girl, are they?"

"And what if they are?" Sasuke asked as his eyes burned with a mischievous glint. "You have no claim on me."

She gasped and her face reddened in anger. She stomped away from him and took to her sleeping bag. At that moment Suigetsu and Juugo took advantage of the girl's distance to creep over to Sasuke.

"Is it really from a girl?" Suigetsu asked curiously.

Sasuke rolled his eyes.

"Leave him alone," Juugo said. "He doesn't need two teammates pestering him."

"I thought you said girls were a waste of time." Suigetsu's pointed teeth glinted in the firelight as he pushed for answers.

"They are," Sasuke said. He was silent for a moment, thinking of what to say… but decided it was best to just tell Suigetsu so he'd stop bothering him about the subject. "These letters are from… my opponent." It actually sounded very weird to say. "She taunts me with them."

Suigetsu's eyebrow rose. "Your opponent is taunting you with letters?"

"She gives me information, but not enough to know what her next move is." He glared. "She's infuriating. She's... annoying."

"I see…" Suigetsu said before breaking down into laughter. He gripped his sides as he continued to laugh.

"What is so amusing?" Sasuke asked through gritted teeth.

The sharkish boy stifled his laughter and wiped the moisture from his eyes. "Oh nothing… just that you're letting a girl get inside your head."

"Shut up."

Sakura sat in a tree. It was her turn at night watch. She stared intently into the forest for a few moments before drawing up the hood of her cloak and wrapping her arms around herself. It was a chilly night.

"Soon… very soon," she said.

.

.

.

A/N: So... I skipped Juugo's and Sasuke's moment, maybe I'll do a flashback to it like I did with him and Karin. I thought it would be amusing if Sasuke were reading a really mushy letter from Sakura while his team was around. How would they react? Hmm... I may have to have Suigetsu get a peak at what Sasuke's been reading. That could be hilarious. But that just what I think. And Karin... woohoo, I want to make her a green beast of jealousy. So, since I've switched things up and skipped things and so on and so forth, Sakura and Sasuke will actually be meeting a lot sooner than it took in the manga. So, three chapters at best. You ready for what I have in store? If I don't post on Thursday expect it Sunday. And if I don't get a chance: Merry Christmas everybody! Leave me some presents!