February's breath swept across the landscape, sharp and biting, as gusts of wind curled around the bare branches like eager fingers. The sky wore a dull gray cloak, heavy with clouds that threatened snow but held back, as if reluctant to release their frigid burden. Beneath this canopy, the ground was a patchwork of frozen earth and stubborn patches of snow, remnants of winter's long reign.
It had been 4 months since Naruto and Sasuke left on their new adventure. Time seemed to pass a little quickly, the boys sent letters every week to their families and also to their best friend. Their letters were always long, filled with details about their training and what they were doing all week.
Sakura was sitting in her office at the hospital, her head resting on her left hand on the table, as she typed some reports about the patients in the hospital register. Every moment her gaze turned from the sky, waiting for the hawk that would bring their letters. It was Friday and every Friday a hawk would come to the window of the hospital or the window of her bedroom and bring her Naruto and Sasuke's letters and she would put the letters she had written for them the day before.
She drummed her fingers on the desk, the tapping echoing her anxious thoughts. Her leg bounced beneath the table, a nervous energy coursing through her as she glanced out the window again. Suddenly she saw the hawk and her eyes widened with happiness. Sakura rushed to the window, her heart racing as the cold air seeped in. A shiver ran down her spine, but the thought of their letters warmed her. She caught the hawk's leg, her fingers trembling with anticipation. Her brows furrowed as she saw that only Naruto had sent her a letter and not Sasuke.
Postponing her surprise at this fact, she arranged her papers in the envelope caught in the hawk's leg and closed the window. She quickly opened naruto's letter.
'Hey Sakura-chan!
How are you? I hope you are well and not working in the hospital more than usual. And how dare you tell me you're eating ramen at Ichiraku without me?! Do you know what deep pain this fact causes to my heart and soul? (YOU ARE A TRAITOR!)
Anyway, I'm fine Sakura, just a little tired. This week has been intense, as always! Jiraiya has been pushing us hard. He says it's to prepare us for whatever comes next, but some days I feel like my legs might just fall off!
Yesterday, we had a little break and went to a hot spring. You should have seen Jiraiya—he was so focused on writing that new book of his that he almost forgot to relax! I had to remind him that hot springs are meant for unwinding, not for getting inspiration. I jumped in first and it felt amazing after all that training. I thought of you (NOT IN THAT SENSE ... DON'T KILL ME PLEASE!) and how you'd probably have a great time there too. I can't wait to take you there someday!
Hey and thank you for being there for my mom during my absence. Anyway, I hope you're taking care of yourself! I can't wait to hear about everything happening back home. And don't forget to eat well! I'll be counting on you to keep everyone in shape when we get back.
Take care, and I'll write again next week!
Your most fantastic and most beautiful best friend, the future Hokage,
Naruto.'
Sakura started laughing, she missed her crazy friend. But her smile faltered as a familiar weight settled in her chest. Why hadn't Sasuke written? Had something gone wrong? Was he too busy? She bit her lip, pushing away the unsettling thoughts. 'Maybe he's just exhausted,' she reassured herself, clinging to hope.
The bare branches of the trees gave way to green ones, winter was gone and summer had arrived in Konoha in the blink of an eye. Months rolled by like the changing seasons, each Friday bringing a letter from Naruto, but still no word from Sasuke. Sakura poured herself into her work at the hospital, her skills sharpening with each passing day. Yet, every Friday, she found herself glancing at the sky, heart hopeful for a sign of Sasuke.
With each week, Sakura found herself more immersed in her work. She had begun leading surgeries and mentoring younger medics, her confidence blossoming. Yet, no matter how busy she became, her thoughts drifted to Sasuke, wondering if he was okay, if he missed her.
Now, ten months had passed since they left. Sakura still hadn't received a single letter from Sasuke. Still, she wrote to him every week, pouring her thoughts onto the page, even though she knew he wouldn't respond. She had seen that he was sending letters to his family, was he so busy that he didn't have time to write her a letter too? The thought confused Sakura.
And here came another Friday, the last Friday of the month of August, and as a result, this Sakura had a break from her job. She was on the usual weekly leave that every hospital worker gets, and she decided to take it easy on her first day off.
Sakura left the house just before lunch with a box of cookies in her hand. It was now a habit that she would bake some cookies to send to Kushina. Sakura was spending more time with him since she was alone most of the time until Minato finished his chores.
She walked up to the door of Naruto's house and knocked. "Come in, the door is open," Sakura heard from the other side of the door. Sakura entered and headed towards the kitchen where the sounds of cooking utensils could be heard.
"Oh, hello Sakura-chan! I wasn't expecting you I thought you were at work," Kushina said as she wiped her hands on a napkin.
"I'm off for a week. I made some cookies for you," Sakura said as she placed the box on the kitchen counter.
"That's very sweet of you, thank you," she said and opened the box to take out a cookie.
"Please it's nothing," Sakura said and glanced at her. "Kushina-san have you been crying?"
"Oh, well, you know. It's not easy for a mother to have her child away, especially when she hasn't taken her eyes off him for 17 consecutive years. I think every second how he is, has he eaten, has he been killed during training, did she miss us, these things in general," Kushina said as she removed her apron and looked out the window.
"Time is flying, Kushina-san, just a little patience and he will come. I'm sure he's fine," Sakura said with a smile that hopefully could calm Kushina down.
"Yeah, and what did I tell you about this suffix. Don't listen to you call me Kushina-san, just Kushina or better Aunt Kushina. When you call me aunt it makes me feel like I have a big family you know."
"Sorry, it just comes naturally," Sakura said as she turned to give Kushina a hug. She loved him so much, Kushina had something that made everyone feel good and comfortable.
"What a sweet girl you are, how about we have lunch together today? Minato won't honor me with his presence even today, he has a lot of work especially now that Kakashi is Hokage, as if Minato was better than Kakashi."
Sakura laughed at the way Kushina made fun of Minato. She adored the fact that how much this couple loved each other and how well they got along, they had a chemistry that she had not seen in any other couple.
"With pleasure, can I help you with anything?"
"Yes, can you help me open the table on the balcony? The weather is perfect even though it's hot, but at this hour it starts to blow a little, what do you think?"
"Perfect, I'm moving on, I'll come help you in the kitchen for a bit," Sakura said as she headed towards the balcony.
Both of them arranged the table on the balcony, the good smell of miso soup and chirashi began to be felt in the air, and Sakura's appetite increased. They started eating and talking when suddenly a familiar hawk appeared in the sky. Sakura went to retrieve their letters from the envelope at his feet, and again she didn't see a letter from Sasuke.
Sakura and Kushina started reading the letters that Naruto had sent you and were laughing at his hilarious and embarrassing stories that he and Jiraiya had been through together. Well, these stories weren't enough to lift Sakura's mood in these moments, even though she didn't want to give herself away. The kitchen put the papers on the corner of the table and her gaze fell on Sakura as she saw her playing with the rice on her plate.
"Is there something wrong Sakura-chan?"
"Hm? Oh... nothing to worry about just a few small thoughts," Sakura said as she gave him a smile.
Kushina's gaze fell on Sakura's untouched plate. 'Didn't Sasuke send you a letter?' she asked, concern etched on her 's eyes widened and she started playing with her fingers.
"No, it's been a few months since he wrote to me," she said in a low voice.
Kushina was a little surprised, she knew that the boy sent letters to his family every week, that's what Mikoto had told her. It was strange that he did not write to her as well. "Don't worry prematurely Sakura-chan, he might be too busy. You know what they say about Orochimaru, at least I've heard that he gives his students very intense training."
"I know, I'm not bothered by that fact, I just miss him," Sakura said looking down at her plate.
I know love has its ups and downs," Kushina said, her eyes twinkling as she winked. Sakura felt a warmth flush her cheeks, a mix of embarrassment and affection.
Sasuke stood on a cliff, the wind whipping through his hair as the sun dipped below the horizon, casting an orange glow over the landscape. Ten months had passed since he and Naruto left Konoha for training. Oto felt starkly different from Konoha—a smaller village devoid of joy. This bleakness seeped into his emotional state, deepening his longing for the vibrant colors and warmth of home.
The training was both grueling and rewarding, pushing him further each day, testing his limits and sharpening his skills. Yet, amid the relentless focus on power, a hollow ache settled in his chest, growing stronger with every week. He had met new faces—Suigetsu, Karin, and Jūgo—but his thoughts remained consumed by one person.
Thoughts of Sakura occupied his mind, especially the night before his departure when they had shared their first kiss. He could still feel the warmth of that moment, etched into his memory. What was she doing now? Was she safe?
Despite the urge to reach out, Sasuke had made a conscious decision to write to everyone except her. He had sent letters to his family, sharing updates about his training and progress, hoping to ease their worries. He even found himself exchanging messages with Naruto, recounting their shared experiences. But when it came to Sakura, he hesitated, swallowed by uncertainty and fear.
The longing and feelings he was experiencing towards her were becoming a problem for Sasuke. After writing to him, he found himself wandering where this wandering became a problem in his training. Sasuke wasn't making the progress he had calculated, he wasn't moving at the pace he wanted and he couldn't allow himself this. If he would continue like this, these 2 years would pass in vain.
He believed the best solution was to lock Sakura away in a corner of his mind, to suppress his feelings and avoid distractions. Longing for her could derail his goal: becoming stronger for himself, for his clan, and for Konoha.
Yet, even as he cut off communication with her, he was painfully aware of her continued efforts to reach out. He knew she was writing, pouring her heart into letters he had never opened. The thought weighed on him, an unfulfilled promise lingering in the back of his mind.
The only thing he wanted was for these 2 years to pass quickly and for this longing to end.
It was the middle of September, the day had begun to shorten little by little, leaving the night shift to be longer. The air was crisp and refreshing, carrying the earthy scent of fallen leaves. The trees, once vibrant green, were now adorned in shades of amber and crimson, forming a breathtaking canopy overhead.
As the sun began to rise, Sakura opened her window and gazed at the unfamiliar view before her. She and her family had moved to a new house 1 month ago.
Under Kakashi's leadership as Hokage over the past two years, Sakura had seen Konoha evolve dramatically, a mix of excitement and nostalgia swelling within her, the village had changed a lot. New houses had been built and everything in the village looked more modern. In a field that was once empty, now there was a complex of modern villas, where Sakura and Naruto's parents had invested to get a new house, a modern 2-story villa filled with colorfull flowers.
Perched on a gentle hill, the new residential complex offered residents a stunning view of the village center, just a short distance away. The mountain with the faces of the Hokages, the roads, the new hospital, the new police station and next to their neighborhood another completely new complex.
Following Kakashi's guidance, the Uchiha clan relocated to the heart of the village, constructing a beautiful new compound adjacent to the modern neighborhood. A compound between the modern and the classic, something very beautiful that attracted the attention of every tourist who visited Konoha.
After getting ready, Sakura stepped out for a walk before her shift at the hospital. A walk in the new park near her neighborhood with a coffee in hand was what she needed before starting a tiring day at work As she strolled, a familiar chakra tingled in the air. Her heart raced with happiness. No way…Naruto?
A flash of blonde caught her eye, and she turned to see Naruto racing toward her, waving excitedly. "Hey Sakuraaa-chan!" he called out, his voice brimming with enthusiasm.
Sakura sprinted toward him, her heart swelling with joy, "Naruto you're back! Welcome home!" She wrapped her arms around him tightly.
"Actually it's been 2 hours since I came and I ran home. I'm sorry I didn't come but it should have been a surprise, plus it was very early you should have been asleep," said Naruto with his big smile.
"It's no problem stupid, I missed you," Sakura said as she patted him on the shoulder. "By the way, what does the neighborhood look like? Did you find your new place easily?"
" Don't even ask! I found the neighborhood fine, but I accidentally climbed through the window of an old lady's room! It's embarrassing Sakura-chan."
Sakura laughed until tears filled her eyes, relief washing over her. "I've missed your ridiculousness! It couldn't be more shameful than what my dad did. He messed up his house, and he had a fight with the owner of the house saying that he had entered Dad's house by mistake, not Dad's."
"Well what can I say, we smart people tend to make mistakes," Naruto said as he ran his fingers through his hair. "Anyway, have you had breakfast Sakura-chan? I haven't, I thought we'd eat together before you go to work and now I'm starving, do you have time?"
Sakura pulled her phone from her pocket, glancing at the time. "Yes, I have an hour and a half to start work. Come on, let's go, I know a very good place to have breakfast."
"Sakura-chan, what the hell is that clock plate on you?" Naruto asked confused.
" It's a cell phone, silly! Didn't you notice it on your way here? Come on, I'll catch you up as we walk."
Sakura led Naruto to a cozy little café that had recently opened in their new neighborhood, its warm wooden interior bustling with villagers enjoying their morning. The smell of fresh coffee and baked goods filled the air, making Sakura's stomach growl in anticipation.
"Welcome to my favorite breakfast spot!" she said, gesturing to a chalkboard menu filled with colorful options.
"Whoa! Look at all this food!" Naruto exclaimed, eyes wide. "They even have ramen-flavored pancakes! Is this heaven?"
Sakura chuckled. "It's called 'innovation,' Naruto. Konoha is modernizing! Did you know we're digitizing everything now? Even the hospital has a new system for patient records. No more scrolls!"
Naruto blinked, looking utterly bewildered. "Wait, wait. You mean to tell me that instead of cool ninja scrolls, you're using… computers? Like, those clunky boxes with screens?"
"Exactly! We're getting rid of all the old scrolls and going digital," Sakura said, her eyes sparkling with excitement. "It's going to streamline everything! No more searching for scrolls in dusty old archives. Just a few clicks, and voila! Patient history at your fingertips!"
Naruto stared, his mouth agape. "Sakura, you're telling me that if I get hurt, instead of a cool ninja medic with a scroll, I get a… a computer? What if it malfunctions and starts giving me a virus instead of healing jutsu?"
"Don't be ridiculous!" Sakura laughed, swatting his arm. "It's not like we'll replace all the ninjas with machines. It's just a tool to help us work more efficiently."
"Tools?! Now you're talking about training a computer? What if it turns rogue and starts trying to take over Konoha?" He pretended to shudder dramatically, flailing his arms. "I can see it now: 'Evil Computer: 1, Konoha Ninjas: 0!' "
"Okay, okay, I get it! You're the only person I know who can turn a breakfast into a crisis scenario," Sakura said, rolling her eyes playfully as they ordered their food.
As they settled at a table with their breakfast, Naruto leaned in, a mischievous grin on his face. "Speaking of changes, you won't believe what Sasuke is up to in training!"
Sakura's interest piqued. "What?"
"He's been training with Orochimaru, mastering new jutsu that might even rival the Rasengan!" Naruto exclaimed, puffing out his chest proudly. "But the best part? He's been making some crazy progress—like, even faster than me!"
Sakura's heart sank a little. "Oh… that's great. But wait, have you talked to him at all? I mean, how do you know these? Has itachi sent you any letters? "
"No silly, he has sent me letters, and wait for the best part…Every week! For 2 years straight, can you believe it? He has sent letters to Kakashi-sensei too, every week, heh Teme!" Naruto said, as if it were the most natural thing in the world.
Sakura's eyes widened, a mix of confusion and frustration washing over her. "Every week?" Her voice trembled slightly, the hurt evident.
Naruto frowned, sensing her growing agitation. "He wrote you too, didn't he?"
"No!" Sakura said in a slightly raised voice, she was feeling betrayed now. In 2 years, it was normal for him to write to his family, but he wrote to Naurto and not to her? He had even written to Kakashi!
"Hey, calm down, it's okay," Naruto said gently, leaning forward. "He hasn't written you at all since he left?"
"For the first four months, he wrote to me every week, then as if everything was cut with a knife, he hasn't written to me with any letter until now. I sent him letters every week and no response."
Naruto watched her closely, understanding the hurt behind her words. "Maybe it's not what you think, Sakura. He might just be dealing with his own stuff. You know how he is."
"Yeah, but it feels like he didn't even consider how I'd feel about it," she replied, her voice softening but still laced with disappointment.
"Sasuke can be a real idiot when it comes to feelings," Naruto said, trying to lighten the mood. "But I know he values you. Just wait a little bit more, he will be here in a month."
"Wait? For what?" Sakura said in a strained voice. "Do you understand Naruto? During all this time he has been writing to you, his family, and even Kakashi-sensei every week. When he wrote all these letters didn't he have time to write me at least one 'I'm fine' sentence?"
"He might have a reason for that, don't stress yourself out with negative thoughts Sakura-chan."
"Yeah right, I'm asking too much it seems."
They finished their breakfast and Sakura headed to the hospital. As if all the irritation caused by Sasuke wasn't enough, today the whole hospital was full of patients. It was autumn and such a boom was expected from seasonal viruses, especially among children.
The dim light of the hospital office flickered as Sakura meticulously organized her reports, the last remnants of paperwork before heading home. The clock ticked loudly, amplifying the stillness that enveloped the room. Sakura sighed, glancing at the pile of files that seemed to mock her progress. She felt restless, her mind racing with thoughts of Sasuke.
Just then, the door swung open, and Ino strode in, her usual vibrant energy filling the room. "Hey, forehead! What's with the gloomy vibe?" she asked, raising an eyebrow as she surveyed the cluttered desk.
Sakura looked up, forcing a smile. "Oh, Ino. Just trying to wrap things up before I leave. It's… it's been a long day."
Ino crossed her arms, leaning against the doorframe. "Long day or long thoughts? You look like you're about to explode. Spill it!"
Sakura hesitated but eventually relented, her shoulders slumping slightly. "I had a chat with Naruto this morning."
"Naruto? Did he come back?" Ino said as she sat down in a chair near her desk.
"He's back. He told me that Sasuke-kun has been writing to him and Kakashi-sensei every week."
Ino's expression shifted, curiosity piqued. "What? Seriously? He's been writing to Naruto and Kakashi every week, but not to you?"
"Yeah," Sakura admitted, her voice tight with frustration. "It's like he just… cut me off. I thought maybe he was too busy, but Naruto said he's making incredible progress. It's just—"
Ino interrupted, tilting her head thoughtfully. "Sakura, what if… What if he found someone else in Oto?"
Sakura's heart dropped. "What? No! Sasuke-kun wouldn't do that! He's focused on training, not—"
"Come on, think about it!" Ino pressed, stepping closer. "He's been away for almost two years. It's a different village, new faces, new experiences. Maybe he's moved on?"
Sakura felt a mixture of disbelief and anxiety swirl within her. "You can't seriously believe that! We had something! You know what happened that night just before he left."
Sakura's hands clenched into fists on the desk, frustration bubbling over. "It's not fair! I've been here, pouring my heart into letters that went unanswered. He could at least send a short message! Just one!"
Studying Sakura's face Ino said, "Okay, let's take a breath. You know Sasuke—he's not great with feelings. But you're his teammate, his friend. You need to talk to him when he gets back. Clear the air."
Sakura nodded slowly, though the unease remained. "Yeah… you're right. But what if your right? What if I find out he's with someone else?"
"Then you'll deal with it," Ino said firmly. "You're stronger than that. Just remember, you deserve someone who sees your worth. Don't let this ruin your time before he comes back."
Taking a deep breath, Sakura forced a smile. "Thanks, Ino. You always know how to push me."
"Of course! Now, let's finish up here so we can grab some dinner. I'll help you with those files." Ino started organizing the paperwork, her presence a comforting distraction.
As they worked side by side, Sakura couldn't shake the feeling of uncertainty, but Ino's unwavering support gave her a glimmer of hope. Sakura's mind drifted back to Sasuke.
'What are you doing out there, Sasuke?' she thought, the familiar ache of longing swelling within her. 'Do you think about me at all?' The memories of their shared moments replayed in her mind—their first kiss, the laughter, the easy camaraderie that had developed over the years.
'Is it really possible that you've found someone else?' The thought felt like a weight on her chest, each beat of her heart reminding her of the connection they had shared. She couldn't shake the feeling of betrayal, not just by his silence, but by the idea that he could move on without her.
'I've been here, waiting, hoping you'd reach out,' she mused. 'You always said you wanted to protect those you care about. How can you protect me if you won't even talk to me?'
Ino's voice broke through her thoughts. "Sakura, are you even listening?"
"Sorry, I was just… thinking," Sakura replied, forcing a smile. But her heart remained heavy.
With Ino by her side, she felt a little stronger, ready to face whatever awaited her in the coming days. But in the quiet corners of her heart, the uncertainty lingered, waiting for Sasuke's return.
'A little more... just a little more.'