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TO NARUTO
Sometimes I wonder how I managed to fuck up so badly.
- Sasuke
Sasuke. Put away the drama and come home. We screw up, we apologize, we don't do it again. You're making this too complicated!
- Naruto
As usual you don't understand. Naruto.
- Sasuke
I do understand! I transformed into Nine-Tails, Kurama, four of nine tails, actually, but I had no control and I hurt Sakura!
- Naruto
You hurt Sakura?!
- S.
Not the point, Sasuke. The point is I never hurt her again!
- N.
Naruto. Have you ever maimed and killed over five hundred shinobi — just for practice? There is a matter of scale.
- Uchiha Sasuke
Sasuke. Just… come home.
- N.
FROM KAKASHI
I can't explain the Third Hokage’s decisions. And I honestly don't know how much of what Obito told you was true.
Yes, Itachi was in the ANBU under me, but I was unaware of any of his work as a double agent — secrecy being the whole point of a double agent after all. Though I'm not surprised to hear of it. If you're in the ANBU long enough, nothing surprises you anymore.
But why is it you think you can make mistakes, but Itachi or the Third Hokage must either be 100% good or 100% bad?
Everyone is human. Maybe they were both doing their best and were just wrong.
- Hatake Kakashi
Killing my entire family was doing his best.
- Uchiha Sasuke
Did you read the part where I said it was wrong?
You say you’ve seen Itachi's memories. That's allowed you to see his perspective. But everyone is the hero of their own story, so his perspective is biased. It may shock you to know but someone can be both valiant and mistaken.
Haven't you battled someone terrible and respected them at the same time?
- Kakashi
Danzo.
- Sasuke
A perfect example. On so many levels.
- Kakashi
I believe that being “valiant” is pointless when hundreds, even thousands, die from your actions. Results are what matter.
- Uchiha Sasuke
I'm glad we're getting down to what you believe and not just what Itachi says.
But are we talking about the Third Hokage now, or yourself?
- Kakashi
What do you think.
- Sasuke
You're depressed.
- Kakashi
No. I'm realistic.
- Sasuke
This conversation would be easier in person. We're going to wear out the birds….
- Kakashi
FROM SAKURA
Naruto and Hinata — no one can believe he’ll be the first one of us to get married! Shikamaru asked Temari of the Suna on a date, but now they're avoiding the subject, it's both pathetic and adorable. I never realized Shikamaru was shy! Here I thought they'd be the first to get married because they've been flirting for years.
Shino has a third cousin who has eyes for him, but I doubt he's even noticed her. He should snap her up though because not many will put up with the bugs. Oh, and Ino and Sai are always together: they go out dancing all the time. (He's a great dancer.) And all he did was compliment Ino’s hair once and now she won't cut it. It's down past her hips and completely impractical in the hospital.
What else? Chouji’s the same. Kiba’s out of control, so pretty much the same there, too. For some reason he's able to get a lot of girls to go on dates, ugh, I don't see the appeal. He always smells like dog.
- Sakura
Sakura. This is frivolous nonsense. Please tell me you haven't become empty-headed. I respected what I saw of you on the battlefield.
- S.
You're brooding. You could use a little frivolous nonsense.
- Sakura
Alright, I'll bite:
Who's Sai?
- Sasuke
Come home and I'll introduce you. Just stop torturing yourself.
- Sakura
I don't expect you to understand.
- Sasuke
What's there to understand? That you lost and feel sorry for yourself? Stop licking your wounds.
- Sakura
Is that what you think?
There is such a thing as atonement. Sakura.
- Uchiha Sasuke
I don't know how much you've changed, but the Sasuke I knew always raked himself over the coals for even the slightest mistake. You can fool other people but not me—us. Naruto doesn't buy it either.
- Sakura
Sasuke? You didn't answer my last letter. Are you okay?
- Sakura
Small local problem. It's dealt with. It seems word leaked out that my eyes—minus me—are valuable on the black market.
I knew I'd be hunted. I never thought it would be as an ingredient.
- Sasuke
That's awful. You shouldn't be out there on your own.
- Sakura
I'm fine. The poachers have to beat the Sharingan before they can take it.
- Sasuke
Will we see you at the wedding? Naruto said you didn't reply.
- Sakura
I'm sure he’ll be very happy.
- Sasuke
Come home for the wedding at least. It'll be good for us to be together.
- Sakura
Sakura. This marriage of Naruto's is a smart move, whether he realizes it or not. Lady Hyuga Hinata is heir to the Hyuga clan, and this will give him the respectability and connections he's lacked. The fact that the Hyuga have even allowed her to marry him means they know his installation as future Hokage is virtually assured. They're banking on it.
- Uchiha Sasuke
That's not why he's marrying Hinata!
- Sakura
I know. He's Naruto.
But no doubt she knows her clan can help him.
- Sasuke
So marriage is just politics to you?
- Sakura
Not always. But this one is an enthronement. I'd rather be elsewhere.
- Sasuke
I never expected you to be so calculating about something so—so personal!
- Sakura
Sakura. I have always been an Uchiha.
- Uchiha Sasuke
Well, even Orochimaru is going to the wedding so I figured that as Naruto's friend you’d be there too!
- S.
WHAT? Orochimaru’s in Konoha?!
You give me all that blather about the length of Ino’s hair and fail to mention what's important?!
- Sasuke
It's fine. He's under surveillance by the ANBU and working as a waitress. He's completely crazy though—keeps talking about “the wind.” Lord Hokage says that he's embraced the Dao.
People change. You know that, right?
- Sakura
P.S. So you noticed the part about her hair? Ha. Everyone always said you liked long hair.
You misunderstand me and the implications: that Konoha allows a known criminal to freely wander their streets.
Still, his situation is different. He was on the right side in the end. I was the final enemy Naruto had to battle.
- Sasuke
P.S. Waitress…?
Waiter. But people can't tell and he doesn't correct them.
You are wandering freely and you're welcome home.
- Sakura
Sakura. My last visit to Konoha I had a bag over my head and arms chained behind my back as I was shoved down the streets. Then I was questioned by the ANBU for weeks and—insultingly—psychologically evaluated.
When I was released I was happy to go.
- Sasuke
You have a selective memory. Your last visit to Konoha the Hokage himself met you at the gate along with your best friends, and none of us wanted to see you leave.
Plus you passed that psychological evaluation: you're no threat to anyone but yourself, which I could've told them. They just recommended that you stay because you're depressed. They're afraid your atonement is just cover for seeking to get yourself killed.
- Sakura
Sasuke? You didn't respond.
Was there another incident? Are you okay?
- Sakura
The Yamanaka did the questioning. Ino must've stolen my medical records. She needs to learn about patient confidentiality.
And you want me to go back there.
- Uchiha Sasuke
No! The report was sent to her father by mistake. We were just worried and she was reassuring us.
- Sakura
Who's we?
- Uchiha Sasuke
Just your friends.
- Sakura
No friends of mine would do that to me. Who?
- Uchiha Sasuke
You didn't reply, Sakura.
Who?
- Uchiha Sasuke
I'm waiting for your answer.
- Uchiha Sasuke
I'll take full responsibility.
- Sakura
Not good enough. Who?
- Uchiha Sasuke
You've got a lot of nerve! You never tell anyone anything and when we go to admittedly underhanded means—because we care about you—to find out if you're alive or dead, if the ANBU were going to empty your brain of intel and dump your body in a river—Danzo is gone but there are others—or leave your mind razed and pretend you arrived like that—you want to find out who’s to blame! Ino risked her career for you!
Okay then, fine.
Me, Ino, Shikamaru, Chouji, Kiba, Hinata, Shino, and Sai, who's ANBU so he was able to keep tabs on you. He said you were being moved from cell to cell, which was worrying because it might've meant they were planning to “lose” you. He's the one who explained what kind of danger you were in.
- Sakura
Yes. I remember being moved around a lot.
So. Not Naruto then.
- Sasuke
P.S. Oh, Sai’s that ANBU, the assassin. Strange company you keep.
Naruto refused. He said you wouldn't like it. And he believed that the Sixth Hokage as a former ANBU would be able to protect you.
- Sakura
He was right. On both counts.
- Sasuke
No. Sai says it was the Yamanaka clan. They moved fast to get a full psychological profile, which left a paper trail, making it impossible to strip your mind down for parts.
And you should thank every strand of Ino’s long hair, because she thought of it.
- Sakura
All right. I guess I owe Ino’s long hair a favor.
- Sasuke
No! Not owe! Don't you get what friendship is yet?!
- Sakura
I believe in returning a favor, Sakura.
- Uchiha Sasuke
NO! That's not friendship!
Gah! I thought Naruto beat the concept of friendship into you.
Friendship is risking your entire medical career and not caring for a minute because you know your friend is okay. It's not 50/50 or returning favors. It's giving a hundred percent.
So please don't be mad at us. We would never have forgiven ourselves if your body had been found downriver after a supposed “escape attempt,” and we don't have Naruto’s optimism.
- Sakura
Both grim and likely.
And you want me to come for a visit.
- Uchiha Sasuke
Konoha has changed since the end of the war.
Weirdly enough, I think Orochimaru floating around has helped?
It's reminded everyone that their archenemies are people. Plus, showing up with an engraved invitation for Naruto’s wedding is very different from being a prisoner of war.
- Sakura
Don't you think that I'd be a distraction? The proverbial cadaver at the dinner table?
- Uchiha Sasuke
No. You being here would be the best wedding present you could give Naruto. He would be so happy.
- Sakura
Yes. Naruto would be happy. And the Hyuga would be reminded of his unsavory connections and the fact that he's a fool—don't deny it!
Trust me and stop asking.
- Uchiha Sasuke
Okay. I'll tell you all about it then, so it'll be as if you're here.
Hinata is defying traditional red and wearing white. It's a good choice because red would be overpowering on her. She looks gorgeous!
- Sakura
Please. If you value our friendship, don't.
I'm going to be up in the mountains where I can stop hearing about Naruto and his damned wedding in every single village and town.
- Uchiha Sasuke
Friendship? You’ve… never said that before.
- Sakura
What I learned from that fight with Naruto is I don't have a choice.
- Sasuke
I-I don't know what to say.
Thank you.
- Sakura
For…?
- Sasuke
Thank you for admitting we're friends, you pompous Uchiha! If you were Naruto, I would hit you right now.
- Sakura
You would never hit me.
- Sasuke
I wouldn't hit you because you would hit me back. Naruto wouldn't dare.
- Sakura
That's not it.
- Sasuke
Do you want love confessions? Because I think that ship has sailed.
- Sakura
I want something other than your usual superficial nonsense.
You accuse me of telling you nothing, when actually, I've told you quite a lot. More than I meant to.*
But you talk and talk and never tell anyone anything.
So either:
1) you were the smartest girl in our class but it's only good for books, and beyond that there's nothing in your brain but the color of Hinata’s dress.
Or:
2) you tell people less than I do, but hide it successfully with white noise.
It is noise either way, and you're annoying. I'd rather be alone in the mountains with the stars than read one more syllable about Kiba’s B.O.
- Uchiha Sasuke
*P.S. Burn my letters.
You don't like Kiba much, do you?
- Sakura
Neither do you.
- Sasuke
I like Akamaru….
- Sakura
Finally.
What I like about Naruto is that he's real.
- Sasuke
I don't know how to give you what you ask. That's just what it's like to be a shinobi woman. We sacrifice till we don't have anything.
- Sakura
You're not making sense. We all sacrifice. That's the life of a shinobi.
- S.
No, you don't get it.
It's like… Hinata will be happy, but after she's married, she'll be expected to resign from her team. It won't even be a question. That's good for her because she's always imagined being the perfect wife, it fits her.
But Kurenai? She's a great Jonin, one of the best at genjutsu, yet nobody even considered her wishes the moment she got pregnant.
- Sakura
Are all the kids supposed to grow up like orphans? Ask me how well orphans are treated in Konoha.
- Sasuke
It's not that. It's that she's given no choice.
Why can't she teach? Why can't she train people? Why is her life as a shinobi suddenly cut short? You should see her at the window. It's awful. She loves Mirai but it's like she's been put in cold storage. Don't get me started on how the Fifth Hokage was hung out to dry.
- Sakura
Lady Tsunade wanted to travel.
- Sasuke
She wanted a vacation, not to lose everything she'd worked so hard for overnight.
Kakashi Sensei was the “war hero” yet had lost his Sharingan. So the feudal lord and council looked around for a suitable role—and suddenly Tsunade was out. She wasn't even thanked by anyone but Kakashi Sensei himself.
- Sakura
I didn't realize… well, I'm not surprised.
But I didn't know you felt this way. I assumed… well. Never mind.
- Uchiha Sasuke
It's just what you ask is so typical.
You demand what you want, and then it will be thrown away when it's not what you want anymore.
Hinata struggled to be a fighter when she just wanted to care for people. Tenten struggles to be taken seriously when people think of her as a tool shed. Ino’s probably with Sai because he's so messed up, he only knows how to parrot what people want to hear, and that feeds her body issues.
The best thing that ever happened to me was when I had to chop off my hair to stay alive. I think that's what Tsunade saw in me. That I had been set free.
But every plan, every idea I have just gets ignored until it's repeated by someone else. Okay—repeated by one of the guys.
And when I suggest I want to develop a new jutsu, it's dismissed and I'm told “that's not what we need right now.” Nobody said that to Naruto! If it weren't for Tsunade I'd still be Genin.
- Sakura
Sacrifice is the shinobi ideal. I was going to lay down my life for it.
- Sasuke
Having your life wasted is not the shinobi ideal!
- Sakura
I don't pretend to understand.
I do know some of what Tsunade must feel. Not long ago, I had the world at my feet. Now… I have nothing but mistakes.
I don't even have a tent.
- Sasuke
Oh. Are you cold?
- Sakura
Not my point, but I'm fine. The tent was a convenient trap for the poachers but Amaterasu destroyed it.
In some ways it's freeing to have nothing left. And it's a pleasant night. There are a lot of fireflies.
Thank you, Sakura. Writing you makes me feel better.
- Sasuke
Now I would hit you, if I could.
Makes YOU feel better. That's the problem, right there.
There's a difference between “being of service” and “being used.”
- Sakura
Ah.
Now that I understand.
- Sasuke
Oh. I guess you would, wouldn't you.
- Sakura