Wax dripped onto the table, decorating it with more and more patterns. Sasuke sat in the room he had rented for two nights, embraced by an inner silence and serenity. Outside the window, the wind blew, moving the wooden ornaments, which made pleasant sounds that reminded him of the melody of one of the lullabies his mother used to sing to him when he was young.

His face was illuminated by the flame from the candle, creating shadows on the wall. His hair was still wet from his earlier bath. He had been wandering around the Land of Fire for a few days, visiting places he had been before. His trip had taken on a nostalgic tone, which he liked. To come to terms with himself, he also had to come to terms with the places where he was fighting a battle with his head and thoughts.

He took another envelope out of his bag. He had been reading letters from Sakura for over an hour. He had been collecting them all for six months, but he was not yet convinced enough whether he should answer them. He was afraid...

His fear might have been unfounded, after all, Sakura had assured him so many times that he was important to her, even more important than others, but he had this overwhelming fear inside him for some time that everything was changing and her feelings might as well. The only thing that kept him believing that when he returned she would fall into his arms was her signature at the bottom of the letters. It always was - Your Sakura.

But for that to happen he had to start writing her back.

Without thinking about it any further, because he finally didn't need to hide his feelings inside himself, he took out his notebook and tore a sheet of paper from it. He leaned over the table and began his letter, pouring onto it all the thoughts that were now coming to his mind.

'From me,

I'm glad to hear that you're doing well. I'm also glad to hear about the changes in Konoha.

It's been a while since I started my trip. I apologize for not writing earlier, but I've been busy. Through seeing beautiful places, one loses track of time.

Now I'm on the border of the Land of Fire in a village where we once had a mission. You probably don't remember it well, but it was memorable to me. Everything here reminds me of all of you. And especially about you, Sakura. I wish you could see it through my eyes.

I have a tree outside my window with cherry blossoms growing on it. I like to look at them.

You don't have to worry so much about me, I eat well and sleep well. I feel better than ever.

Next time I'll send you something better along with a letter, but for now I hope you'll be satisfied with this dried flower. I carried it with me for some time, until I found another cherry tree. Tomorrow I'll pick another flower and carry it until I find another one.

Take care and don't overwork yourself. Write as much as you want. I enjoy reading your letters in the evenings before bed.

Give Naruto and Kakashi my greetings.

To you,

Sasuke'