Sai's Pen Pal

Chapter seven

So this is my favorite chapter so far, even though the next chapter will probably overshine this! ^^

~It'll Be Alright~

As Sai stared at 'He hit me', he felt an emotion that he had never felt before. It was a searing, intense emotion. Almost as if he couldn't help it, he grit his teeth, smashing the paper in his fist. Then, calming himself down, he smoothed it out. The words still seemed to pop out, as if they were in red.

He went to his apartment and changed. The letter was lying on the table and Sai imagined Fijui's face with a bruise on it. The boy gripped the edge if the desk so hard, it left dents. He blinked as he stared at them, surprised he was reacting this way. He hadn't met Fijui.

'But I know her.'

The thought ran across his head. 'Now I find myself in a peculiar when I know someone but never met them,' he mused to himself as ran his fingers over the chain. The boy took a pen and a pencil, sat down, and started on his response.

Dear Fijui,

I truly don't know how to respond to this. I felt a new emotion when I saw what you wrote. I don't know how to describe it. It wasn't pleasant and it made me grit my teeth. Possibly you know what I'm talking about.

Azora is most likely ashamed of what she did. I don't wish to meet her. Ever. I'm sorry to see that your parents are upset over your current situation. The cancer really worsens the circumstances with your sister.

I do wish you would at least visit. Perhaps you only need to ask your parents for permission.

I apologize for to shortness of this letter. Write back soon.

Your friend,

Sai

. . .

Fijui smiled, holding the letter to her chest. Than had taken to hitting her on her back and her neck. Places where clothes covered the bruises. She sighed as she stared at her blank ceiling. "Stupid boyfriend," she muttered, feeling guilty instantly.

'He's alright to me. He's always super careful after we get into a fight. It'll be alright...'

It seemed that she was telling that to herself a lot lately. "Fijui! Dinner!" said her mother's voice from outside her door. "Coming," Fijui replied, pushing off her bed. Her mother opened the door, eyes concerned. "You okay, baby?" The redhead forced a smile. "Of course. I'm perfectly fine."

"You've changed since you've been out with Than..."

"What do you mean?"

The woman shrugged as she sat down next to her daughter on the bed. "You seem... older, almost. More mature." Fijui smiled again. "Well, you're always telling me to grow up." Fijui's mother took one of her daughter's pillows, hugging it and saying, "It's just so sudden. You're starting to stray away from your friends and us. Is there something you'd like to tell us?"

Fijui thought for a moment. She could tell her parents this and the abuse would be over. She could be free of all the bruises and discomfort. "Mom, I... I miss Azora." She couldn't. Than surely cared for her. How could she betray him like that?

Her mother ruffled her short locks. "It's okay, darling. She'll come back. Now come downstairs. We have a special dinner planned." She followed her down to the dining room and gasped. "Teriyaki? We haven't had this for years!" she cheered, happily sitting down. They ate happily and with much laughing and talking, but Fijui noticed that her parents were avoiding locking eyes.

When her mother brought out dessert, Fijui knew something was up. "Ice cream cake," she said, eyebrows knitted. "Is it not your favorite?" her father asked, running his fingers though his blond hair. "Yes, but... There's something wrong, isn't there?" There was a bit of silence before her mother sighed. "We have something to say to you."

. . .

Fijui couldn't believe it. "You're telling me you're getting a divorce?" Her father smiled. "A break. We'll still be married." Her fist clenched. "And I have to go live with Uncle Nijel? He's a psycho!" Her mother said, "He's not that bad. He's just... Different. And do you have a better idea?"

She was about to shake her head in defeat when an idea flashed across her head. "I could go live with my pen pal! In Konoha!" Her parents exchanged a glance. "In Konoha? Fijui, please." The redhead frowned. "I'd go there by myself! You wouldn't even need to pay for a ninja escort! Is 'at that the reason you're getting rid of me anyway? To save money?"

She regretted the words as soon as they were out. Her mother looked like she had been slapped and her father's look darkened. "Fine. Go and live in Konoha if you want. Your pen pal is a girl, right?" he asked. She thought, 'Oh, damn.' Out loud, she said, "Of course. Her name is... Sakura. Yeah. So... I guess I'll be leaving tomorrow. I'll go pack," she said.

When she got to her room and sat down on the bed, someone touched her shoulder. She almost screamed before realizing that it was Than. "I heard all of that. If you need a ninja escort for free, I'd gladly do it." She smiled at him, resting her head on his chest. "But I thought your pen pal was a boy."

"Shh! What they don't know won't hurt them."

Than laughed against her hair, rubbing her back. "You're still my girl." Fijui felt his lips on hers before he pulled back and said, "I'll help you pack. But you have to handle everything that... well, y'know." She laughed again and they started packing. It didn't take long for them to finish, since she didn't have a massive amount of clothes. "I'll miss you when you're in Konoha." She curled into his chest, her bed creaking a little. "Yeah. I'll miss you, too. Maybe Sai'll let you stay for a few days."

His name felt alien on her tongue, but it also felt right, like it belonged there. "Yeah. Maybe. I've gotta go," he said before kissing her lips slowly. "Bye," she replied before he got up. "And Fijui? It'll be alright," he assured her before disappearing.

"Yeah. It sure will."

. . .

Sai couldn't believe his eyes.

Dear Sai,

This letter is gonna be really fast, so be prepared. I'm hoping it reaches you in time. Okay, so my mom and dad are taking a break or whatever so they can save money for the surgery. I was gonna go with my crazy uncle but convinced them to let me come live with you temporarily.

So I hope that you'll let me. It's easier to ask for forgiveness than permission. So yeah. Forgive me? I'm leaving later today. It's gonna take a long time. Maybe two weeks? So yeah. Than's coming with me. Since he's my boyfriend, would you please let him stay for a few days? Only a few?

I'm excited to meet you finally. The next time we communicate, it'll be in person. I'll see you later, hopefully.

See you soon?

Fijui

(P.S. You were mad.)

He quickly checked the date the letter was sent. 'Eleven days ago,' he thought. 'I've got three days.' Sai practically ran to the Hokage's office. "What is it, Sai?" the blond asked, looking up from the stack of paperwork.

He panted, "Sakura... Pen pal... Iwa... Coming here..." Shizune said, "Sakura got him a pen pal. Apparently, she's from Iwa and coming here." Sai nodded and held out the letter.

Tsunade read it, raising an eyebrow. "Who's Than?" Sai replied, "I believe he's a ninja. They're dating." He felt another stab of this 'anger' go through him but kept calm. "Well, I think that it's acceptable that he stays for a few days. And Fijui, is it?"

"She's not a ninja," Sai said quickly. Tsunade nodded, dragging her thumb across her lower lip. He felt anxious and wondered if she'd let the redhead come and stay with him. "Well, I believe she can stay. She has cancer, am I correct?" Sai blinked. "How'd you know?"

"Don't underestimate a medical ninja. They know what they're talking about."

Sai nodded as he accepted the messy letter. "One more thing. What were you angry about?" she asked as he turned to leave. He tensed and mumbled, "That's..." She smiled and guessed, "Private?" For some reason, he felt a blush rise to his cheeks. "Dismissed," she said, waving him off.

He thanked her and left, feeling another new emotion. It was more pleasant and warm. A genuine smile appeared on his lips, even if it was for a second. When he got back home, he realized that he was happy she was coming. That didn't explain the little fluttering in the pit of his stomach when he thought of her. He slowly placed the letter on his dining room table and started to look for a room she could sleep in.

. . .

Fijui's grip tightened on Than's as the gates came into view. She was definitely excited. The last two weeks had been pure hell. Both of them were tired and wanted to take a hot shower, but they would be able to do so soon. "It's about four o'clock," Than murmured to her. "We can both take a shower. Then by that time, it'll be time for supper. Sound good?" she smiled up at him.

"Sure does."

When she turned back to the gate, there was a boy with pale skin and black hair standing there.

. . .

AHHHHHHHHHH!

THEY'RE GONNA MEET IN PERSON!

I CAN'T WAIT!

SAI'S GONNA MEET THAN! CONFRONTATION!

Wait, what the heck? I'm the author... -.-'

No, I hope that's what my readers are thinking!

Brea: YAY! Review!

Brea, what are you doing here? This isn't even your fanfic!

Brea: (Pouts) But Aleka! I love them together!

(She's my first OC, and also paired with Sai... O.o)

Brea: ^^ Review!