Letters we wrote

Letter 18

Two weeks later, Kakashi, Naruto and Shikamaru were leaving a meeting with the village committee leaders, but this time was different. Kakashi had let Naruto do all the talking, it was one of his final tests, and to everyone's surprise, even to the blonde himself, Naruto did an outstanding job. Not only he had looked and sound confident, but he gave the report with a calm and optimistic tone, answering even the hardest question in a polite manner. Naruto hadn't realized how much he had grown all these months until that moment. The committee leaders congratulated him as they were leaving the room, everyone with a big smile on their faces.

"You did well, kid" Kakashi said as he gathered the documents to finally step out of the room.

"That was terrifying" Naruto chuckled, helping carrying papers.

"I bet it was, but you surprised me, you surprised everyone" Kakashi smiled.

"I must admit, Naruto, you even surprised me. Well done" Shikamaru smiled.

Naruto chuckled some more with a hand behind his neck, feeling a little embarrassed, but flattered at the same time.

They left the meeting room to head back to the Hokage office, they filed the meeting minutes and organized the rest of the papers back in the filing cabinets.

"Should we head to lunch?" Kakashi asked suddenly.

"Starving" Shikamaru sighed. As they both headed for the door, when they realize that Naruto had stayed quiet, to their disbelief. They turned to find him looking at the table full of papers.

"Naruto?" Shikamaru called for him, he finally turned.

"You guys go, I'll have some instant ramen here" he shook his head, both Kakashi and Shikamaru looked at each other with puzzled looks. "I kinda want to stay and finish filing these" Naruto shrugged.

"Are you sure?" Shikamaru asked, this attitude was not common for him.

"Yeah" he shrugged again.

Shikamaru and Kakashi looked at each other again, shrugged and said goodbye to Naruto as they left the office.

Naruto sighed and looked back at the table. Brushing through the papers he walked around the table as slowly as he had never walked before, he looked up to the rest of the office after he was behind the table, seeing the pictures of all the previous Hokage, the Third, his father, Tsunade, Kakashi. He slowly sat down at the chair, he had never sat there before, he suddenly felt an intense wave of emotion, hitting him like a hammer. Taking deep breaths he tried to calm himself down, but his eyes had already began watering, his lips pressed and his hand gripped tightly to the armrest of the chair. He was scared, nervous to the bone, becoming Hokage was a reality now. He would soon be up there on the mountain, he'd have his picture at the office, he'd have the whole village refer to him as Lord. Was he ready? Was he truly?

A purple snake suddenly crawled up to the table, a sigh of relief left Naruto as he noticed the small animal. "Saki" he chuckled, brushing the water out of his eyes. He pet the snake softly as he took the scroll on his hand and unrolled it.

"Congratulations, usuratonkachi.

You deserve it. So much. So fucking much."

Naruto smiled, his eyes watering again.

"You can do this."

So very few times Naruto had seen this kind of words from Sasuke. He even doubted for a moment, this perhaps was the first time he received them from him. And they made him happy. They helped with that sudden overwhelming feeling he was having. With the sudden question if he was ready. But Sasuke believed in him, and that's all the reassurance he needed.

"Everything else around here is good, Kai is still improving, he kinda reminds me of you when we were younger, too noisy.

The spring is finally getting here, and I think we'll finish this building soon. I've made some good bonds here, and it's going to be weird to leave, but I'd like a change of weather.

Don't know where I'm going from here, though."

Come to Konoha, asshole, Naruto thought. A grin appeared on his face.

"Any suggestions?

And no, Konoha is not an option.

Bye, future Hokage.

Sasuke"

Naruto smiled at the letter for a while, it had made him feel better. Reminded him of his strength and all the hard work he's done so far.

Thanks.

He finished his reply, a little doubtful, but he sent it anyway. And Saki disappeared as soon as it had arrived. Naruto was left alone again in that big office. He took a couple of more deep breaths, drawing a short smile afterwards, and tapping on the armrest he got up and started working with a newly found eagerness.

Another month went by, Kakashi slowly and steadily gave more and more responsibilities to Naruto, he almost limited himself to sign off documents and reports, while Naruto and Shikamaru took care of most of the small meetings and reports. Naruto's confidence increased with every task, every meeting, even the smallest of details would help.

He'd still feel overwhelmed and horribly nervous with each of them, but he overcame them much easier. He'd repeat Sasuke's words on his mind over and over. He knew it was something he deserved and was ready for, he just had to remind himself often.

"Here's something you'll find interesting" Shikamaru said suddenly as he passed the newspaper to Naruto.

Largest building complex in Yugakure is finally opening. Families eager to go back home.

The front page of the newspaper read in huge letters, with a photo of the building with the leaders of Yugakure, Shimogakure and the Raikage cutting the ribbon.

"Read the highlighted part" Shikamaru added.

"The redeemed Rogue" Uchiha Sasuke was also spotted at the opening, together with the hundreds of workers that were involved in the construction for over 8 months.

A huge smile appeared on Naruto's face. It was good to finally hear from Sasuke. For some reason he hadn't heard back from him since that last letter a month ago. Perhaps he shouldn't have insisted in him coming back. Not that he could possibly be upset about that, right? He thought, but he quickly shook his head, he had been over this with Sakura and the conclusion was always the same, he must be busy. That's all. Although a part of him still doubted, he decided to ignore it as much as he could.

Especially because his naming ceremony was in a week, and he needed to prepare.

Meanwhile, Sasuke was at the entrance of Yugakure with his supply bag, ready to departure.

"It's been a pleasure to work with you, Sasuke" one of the workers from Yugakure said to him with a bow. The other 5 that were there did the same.

"Same here" he replied with a bow.

"Teacheeeeeeer!" He heard a cry growing closer and closer, and suddenly Kai was in tears in from of him. "Don't go! I still have things to learn!"

Sasuke chuckled and kneeled down to look at the boy.

"I'm needed elsewhere" he said with a short smile. "There's a friend that needs me"

The kid pouted, crossing his arms in front of his chest.

"Remember what I said" he said with a serious tone.

The kid looked and sighed. "Those who abandon their friends are worse than scum" the kid repeated in a whisper. Sasuke smiled, he stood up and patted the kid on the head.

"You'll be okay" he said, the kid dried his tears and nodded.

Sasuke started walking away, everyone waving him goodbye. Especially Kai. He took a last look at what it had been his home for months. And he knew he'd miss it, that place and those people had given something he thought he'd never had: the belief that he had truly changed, that he was able to keep on the path of light, and that he deserved the forgiveness of others.

He started running to the woods and disappeared between the branches.