Reborn as Sakura and Hinata: Lost in the Wind

A Scrap of Hope

The walk home was silent and somber. I buried my face into Kakashi's shoulder as he carried me, attempting to hide from the world. Kakashi made no attempt at conversation, and I honestly appreciated that. What was there to say? Nothing but empty words at this point could be offered.

When Kakashi stopped moving, I looked up to see we were at my house. He set me down gently.

"Would... you like me to tell you when you can see Sasuke?" He asked delicately. I nodded, reaching out to unlock my door.

"Hold on," he grabbed my shoulder, searching his pockets with the other hand, "I have something for you." he held out a note, "Neji gave me this, apparently it's from Hinata."

I took it slowly, staring at the folded piece of paper in my hand, "Thank you." I mumbled.

"Take care of yourself." he said, beginning to walk down the street.

I opened my front door, Jerry jumping up from the kitchen table to receive me.

"Sakura, you're home." he said quickly, "Are you okay?"

I simply shook my head, staring at the floor. Ben walked up to him and placed a hand on his shoulder, "Hey, let's not swarm her right now."

"Sorry," Jerry mumbled, "We were just worried about you."

I nodded again, walking up the stairs before running down the hall to my room to slam the door shut. As soon as the door locked, I placed myself in the middle of the room and promptly screamed. I snatched up a pillow, about to chuck it before deciding that shoving my face into it and screaming more would be the better option. I threw myself onto my bed, still screaming until I had no air left. Winded, I rolled over, seeing Lipstick standing on the edge of my bed. I sat up to pick her up, hugging her to my face and flopping back down. She gave me a solitary lick on the face as I resisted the urge to cry. There was no point in crying; it wouldn't change anything.

I remembered the letter, leaning over to pick it up. What could she have wanted to say? I tentatively opened it to see that she had written in english, and in print. I smiled sadly; she remembered that I couldn't read her cursive. I took a deep breath. Was I ready for what the note might say? A bunch of options ran through my mind. Would she be angry? Would she try to apologize?

I looked down at the letter and began to read.

"Katie, I'm not going to waste your time with any 'I wish things didn't have to be this way', or 'this was my only option' because I know that you know better than that.

The main thing that I wanted to say was that I am sorry I never told you that I was going to leave. I tried to hold out for as long as possible, I really did, but the curse mark is so violent in its effects that by now I am not able to tell you in person because I can't even walk to your house. This is a level of pain I've never experienced before, and while it might be easier emotionally to just lie down and die, I made a promise to you that I would value my life above all else.

It would frankly be offensive for me to give up after everything we've been through, and while everyone else might not understand what that means I know you do.

It's okay if they all hate me; I would understand. The only thing I need is your support and faith. I can't promise that I will survive, but I can promise that I will do everything in my power to survive.

If you get this in time, I hope you can stop them. It would be kind of ridiculous if they all came after me for no reason. It's up to you how much you want to tell them about my situation.

Here's to hoping that we both live to see each other again.

Don't die,

Isabel 'Beth' Sanchez"