Whispers of the Heart

Chapter 4

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.