CHAPTER 8: 12 ENVELOPES AND A TAPE RECORDING

Sometimes, there's only one thing left to say. After Sasuke left, he prepared a series of letters for Sakura to secretly open one by one. Not with the intention to make her continue her love for him, but, to deal with her grief, learn to move on, find someone better for her and rediscover herself.

Disclaimer: I do not own Naruto, or any of its characters, or Cecelia Ahern's plot. No copyright infringement intended, whatsoever.

'Thinking'

Flashback

Inner Self

"Speaking"

Letter / Voice Record

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"I always hear people say that 'what's meant to be is meant to be,' and I have to say it really pisses me off. Destiny is not waiting for things to just happen...

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CHAPTER 8

THE COPY TRASH

9/15/2008

I am bored. I've got a fractured leg and the nurse said that I should not move too much for at least a week. To hell with her. By the way, today is Kakashi's birthday and Naruto and Sakura are out with him at the mall, I suppose. My fractured leg has given me an advantage at least---so that I can skip this celebration day full of "kawaii" mascots as Sakura puts it, "slamming delicious, hot" ramen as Naruto said, and buying "bestselling" pornographic novels at the local bookstore today. Thank Kami for a day off without those three. So while I'm stuck here on my bed, with this worthless piece of technology, and a day without any training, I guess I'll just express my anger on words. There's a quote saying that words are the strongest weapon or something like that. That's the thought, I'm not an OC like you.

First, on Kakashi. Note that I don't use any honorific on him (not that I use one on anyone) since he doesn't deserve any respect. Or pity. I mean, he is nothing but a second grade, trying hard, copy fucking cat. See? He has the Sharingan, and he is not even my blood relative (which I'm very grateful for). Where the heck did he get his Sharingan? Did he kidnap an Uchiha and then gouged his eyes out? Or is he a mismatched product of cloning between an Uchiha and a Hatake (I guess that's Kakashi's surname?), what with only his left eye having the Sharingan. He has copied a hundred jutsus, (some people say he has copied a thousand, but I don't believe it. Jealousy is the over exaggerator and I guess those people are just jealous of him. And Fanboys and Fangirls always go over the top with their idol's characteristics.) and HOW OLD IS HE? Is he in his late twenties, or early thirties? He said his hair was natural, and was gray in color since birth.

Maybe he is secretly Benjamin Button in disguise.

Back to the Sharingan copying freak's age. Well, today is his birthday and he's getting a year older, of course, for Kami's sake. Sa-ke. He never really mentioned how old he is to anyone, so let me just guess he is 29 years old today. But, if he is already 29, how come he doesn't even have someone yet? I hear he's one of Konoha's most sought after bachelors and women often chase him around. He's a pervert, I KNOW that, so why doesn't he has someone?

Hm. Maybe Kakashi never likes to be in relationships, not that I find it peculiar since shinobis and kunoichis don't have time for intimate relationships, what with their too-often missions and very unpredictable life spans. My father wasn't even that close to my mother, he was just really used with keeping to himself. Kami knows why my mother even liked him, for the matter. Oh yeah, arranged marriage. They were set in an arranged marriage by my grandfather and my other grandfather. Yes, they were fourth cousins. Uchihas don't mind incest, but I doubt if I really agree with that. (Shrug.)

To conclude my ranting, Kakashi is a copycat, not a copy ninja, he is a mysterious man that may be bisexual or Benjamin Button himself, and he is a loveless, hormonal pervert. Besides being a pervert for reading R-Rated novels in front of minors and everyone, he is also a very, very bad influence. When he was training me during the Chuunin exams, while we were resting for the night, he offered the Volume 1 of Make Out Paradise for me to "explore," as he put it.

"Come on, Sasuke, explore the Book of Men."

"I don't have time."

"Sasuke, you're going to need this with one of your goals."

"How can your book help me kill him?"

"Not that goal, Sasuke. That other goal."

"Huh?"

"You know, if I remember clearly, you once said..."

And then, Kakashi transformed into a bunshin of me, and said, "My name is Uchiha Sasuke, I hate a lot of things and I don't particularly like anything. I don't have any dreams because I will make them a reality. I'm going to restore my clan and kill a certain someone."

POOF! Kakashi reverted back to himself. "See, Sasuke? I remember what you said back then as if it were yesterday."

"Uh. So, why would I care?"

"Sasuke, I thought you were a genius. I was wrong."

"..."

"Didn't they teach you about bees and honey at the Academy?"

"Bees are hymenopterous insects of the superfamily Apoidea. They collect nectar from flowers and store them in their hives as food, producing honey, a sweet, viscid fluid."

Kakashi just chuckled. "You're a nerd, Sasuke."

"..."

"I am not talking about bees and honey, literally, Sasuke."

"How can you talk about bees and honey, figuratively, Kakashi?"

"Bees, flowers and honey, Sasuke."

"What with them?"

"Bees are men, women are the flowers and the honey is the s--------"

"GET LOST, Kakashi." How the hell did I let him spin my mind around? I should have known in the first place that he was talking about that.

"Oh, so you know about reproduction, Sasuke?! Congratulations! Now, now, read this Volume 1 of Icha Icha to increase your knowledge about the miracle of life!" Kakashi threw the book to me, which hit the back of my head. I turned around and glared at him, "Leave me alone, Kakashi. I am not interested."

"Sasuke. Five years from now, you're going to come running to me, your precious, loving, and understanding teacher, for that book. I tell you that. You don't want Sakura to have more knowledge than you in that subject, do you?" Kakashi said as he started to pick up the fallen book from the ground.

"Hn. Don't come near me till tomorrow." After that, I resorted to taking my sleep farther down the hill, away from that bastard.

See? He is a copy trash, a pervert, and... a pervert. And why the hell did he even mention Sakura? Like... Okay, I'm bored. I'm stopping this stupid ranting.

I'll just go watch Final Destination and enjoy how people are killed one by one. Heaven.

P.S. If you think I'm bitter, then I don't mind. As I overheard Sakura telling to herself one time (The heck, yes, she monologues.) "It is good to be bitter, because only then, will you be better." Hn. Have a horrible birthday, Copy Trash. Tanjoubi omedetou gozaimasu your faceless face.

Truly Yours (not really true, I don't belong to anyone.), Sasuke

Sakura snorted. Another snort. And voila. "HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA... freaking hell, Sasuke-kun!!!"

The door opened, her mother, Sumiko, rushing in to her daughter, "Why the hell are you laughing by yourself, Sakura? You look like a lunatic!"

"Mom, I can't help it." Sakura replied, tears on the corners of her eyes, as she rubbed the laptop with her finger. "I've got to print this one out."

"What are you talking about, Sakura? Hurry up and get your hair fixed, for goodness' sake, we're leaving in an hour!" Sumiko scolded, as her black, with silver lining kimono hung loosely on her petite frame.

"Mom, I will. Careful, your brand new kimono may shrink. Haha..." Sakura said as she got the 3 pages worth of Sasuke's essay from the printer on the study table.

'Perfect. I gotta see Kakashi-sensei tonight!'

"Just get ready, Sakura. Your kimono's been pressed already and I think your Aunt can help you with your hair." Sumiko said, turning around to get out the door.

"Why can't you?"

"I'm going to fix your grandmother's hair, ai." Sumiko smiled as she got out the door and closed it with a thud.

"M'kay," Sakura replied absentmindedly as she took off her robe and rummaged through her closet for her kimono. It was in pale purple with a colorful obi and illustrations of cherry blossom branches trimmings. They were going to the annual festival in Konoha and almost all of the shinobis were on break. All of her friends, except Sasuke and Naruto, that is, will be there, enjoying the night off.

Sakura had just secured her obi when someone knocked on her door, and opened it, which revealed to be Saki. Her long, wavy auburn hair, which was often tied up, now cascaded down her back, her green eyes shining.

"Hey, Sakura nee-chan, you ready?"

"Well, I just need to 'do' my hair and I'm ready to go." Sakura replied, gathering all her hair, now three inches below her shoulders, up to form a bun.

"Would you like me to help?" Saki offered as she got the comb lying on the table.

"If you want to." Sakura replied, and oh god was she having a hard time with her short, short hair.

Suddenly, Saki brought Sakura's arms down, and pushed her on the chair. "Ne, Sakura nee-chan, how about a braid?"

Is this an insult?!! BRAID my hair?? MY hair?!

"Saki, you can't braid my hair, it's too short."

"Nothing is impossible with a Haruno girl, nee-chan." Saki responded, as she gathered all of Sakura's pink hair to the left side of her shoulder. "This, is going to be quick."

After a few pulling here and there, sprays of hair products, and a tight elastic, Sakura's hair is done within ten minutes. Though short and choppy, Sakura's hair was thick making her braid look nice. The braiding was loose, so it looked like her hair was just tied to the side, but with class.

Boy, she's a genius!

"There! All done!" Saki exclaimed, clapping her hands together.

"Kami-sama...where did you learn this, Saki?" Sakura asked, turning to face her cousin.

"Well, other than schoolwork, my mother also makes me take Ethics to learn the rules of etiquette, and Cosmetology, to learn to dress myself properly and arrange somebody's appearance during emergencies." Saki told her, as she handed Sakura's slippers.

"Oh."

"SAKI? Sakura? Are you two ready?" Serofina, Sakura's aunt's voice boomed from downstairs.

"Coming, mom." Saki rolled her eyes as she and Sakura got out of the room, and down the stairs, coming face to face with their attired grandparents, and moms.

"Saki, you've done a great job with Sakura's hair!!!" Serofina exclaimed, squeezing her daughter's shoulders.

So...what does that mean? That I look bad often?!

"Hehe... She sure did, Aunt Serofina."

"Come on now, guys. We've gotta ROCK!" Sumiko, Sakura's mother, threw her fists in the air, earning her a disapproving look from her parents.

"You ought to grow up someday, Sumiko." Haruno Aiko, Sakura's grandmother, said with raised eyebrows as she gone outside.

"Just keepin' it young, Mom." Sumiko grinned childishly. "Don't forget to close the lights, hon, or we'll be terribly reprimanded for wasting electricity."

Sakura forced to keep her giggle down, but she knew her grandmother heard it nonetheless. Closing the lights, and with a click of the doorknob, the Harunos proceeded towards the center street of Konoha to attend the festivities.

"Yo." A puff of smoke appeared in front of them, causing someone to mutter, "Holy crap."

And that someone turned out to be none other than the infamous grandmother. :)

"Oh yes, she learns fast." Sumiko muttered under her breath as she caught a flirtatious wink from the gray haired man that appeared before them.

"KAKASHI-SENSEI!"

"A good evening to you, Sakura. How have you been doing?" Her sensei asked, the respect included very uncanny to be coming from him.

"Well, good evening too, Kakashi-sensei. No mission tonight, huh? And by the by the way guys, this is Hatake Kakashi, my squad leader, and teacher." Sakura replied, as a bulb flashed at the top of her head. Essay. Sasuke's essay which she has forgotten on the dining table!!

"Well, yes, Sakura, luckily. So, just greetin' you, I'm sure we'll see each other again in the Karaoke later." Kakashi said amusedly, as he bowed lightly at the other Harunos and shook hands with Sakura's grandfather. "I'll be going,"

"Family, huh?" Kakashi muttered as he walked past Sakura's side.

"Oh yes. I'm going to give you something important later, sensei, be sure to pop out again like a genie later, will you?" Sakura replied through gritted teeth.

"Sure. It's important when you say it is. Ja ne."

As soon as Kakashi got lost in the crowd, and her grandparents had got inside the antique store, Saki immediately squealed, "Sakura-neechan! Like, is he in his early twenties or what? And why does he wear a mask? And why is his left eye covered?! And... he is HOT!!!"

For serious.

"Hehe... well, maybe, I could introduce you two later, Saki." Sakura said, as her cousin was dragged by her aunt to a stall.

Walking towards the cosmetics stall, (where she knew her mom would be), Sakura bumped shoulders with a tall, pale, dark-haired boy with eye glasses. Their eyes met, but he quickly muttered a "sorry," to her after taking off to the east, leaving her fixated on the ground she was standing on.

Instinctively, the boy seemed familiar.

And no, not the cheesy cliche-y feeling of bumping into someone that is a carbon copy of the Boy-Who-Got-Away* that makes you feel all nauseous and woozy.

Not that. That boy just seemed... all too familiar.

Sakura just shook her head and shrugged her shoulders, setting the image of the boy at the back of her head, as she saw her mom.

"Mom, I'll just go back to the house, I forgot something." Sakura said.

"Really, huh? You're not going to wallow and lament on the settee wishing Wonder Boy was here with you, catching gold fishes and eating rice cakes?" Sumiko replied insensitively as she tried a barette on.

Freaking. Shit.

Don't you people have any other thing to talk about other than her love life?! Eff. Off.

"Of course not, Mom. I'm going to meet with Ino later, so that means you will be playing baby sitter to the beautiful relatives." Sakura grinned evilly, as she threw a barette she liked inside her mom's small shopping basket. Her mom wouldn't notice, and she just have to sneak in later to get it. Uh-huh.

"Well, better be a babysitter than a wallowing-sitter, hon." Sumiko winked at her as she took Sakura's barette off her basket and back to the rack.

No way. She noticed!?

Sakura stuck her tongue out, waved her hand to her mom, and walked out the store, back to her house.

The doorknob clicked, and turning the lights on, spotted the printed essay on the counter. Sakura folded it neatly, she just really had to let Ino read this and---- "WHAT THE HELL!??!"

A man, or Sakura was just certain it was a man, in a chocolate bar mascot was standing in the doorway, with a purple balloon in one hand and a rectangular piece of paper on the other.

The mascot cleared his throat, "Ahem. Good evening, Madam, these are for you." The man inside the chocolate bar costume spoke in human words, (like, Sakura was expecting some kind of chocolate language or whatever.) and handed her the rectangular piece of paper--- an envelope--- and the single piece of purple balloon.

With shaking hands, she got the objects from the gloved hand of the mascot and thanked him.

"Um... would you like me to... sing? Dance? Declaim? Cook for you? Anything at all??" The mascot asked, which sent Sakura shiver more than ever.

Or how about try pooping some chocolate?

"Anno... no. You don't have to. Thanks anyway, good evening!" She bowed lightly and closed the door--- or smashed it right into the chocolate bar's face.

"Is that so?! Well, good evening again, and my calling card is right at your mail box, miss! Have a great festival!!!"

Sakura heard the front gate close, and peeping through the curtains, confirmed that the mascot has left. No, she wasn't scared at all, having to deal with assassins every single day of her existence, it's just... it freaked her out when weirdos suddenly appear before her. Or in her doorway.

Pfft. And what are these anyway?

HARUNO SAKURA

No way. NO WAY! Pointy. Neat. Envelope. LETTER!

Tearing the envelope from the top, and taking out a piece of paper, she read:

Sakura,

You wouldn't want to miss the show by the river bank at midnight. You'll see for yourself once you get there.

Sasuke

P.S. You would remember something if you dig hard into your brain. And in a purple balloon. As always, good luck.

WHAT!!?

"And what would I see by the riverbank, Sasuke-kun? And... what should I remember?!" Sakura, like the other letters from the said Uchiha does to her, talked to herself, out loud.

JUST GO. And again, like in most other instances where she doesn't even want to try something, Sakura hears Sasuke's raspy masculine voice urging her to go on.

And off she goes.

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After bonding with Ino, the other Rookie Nine, Tenten, Neji-san and Lee-san for a couple of hours, handing Sasuke's essay to Kakashi with a note to read it before he sleeps tonight (or this morning), and singing---once again---madly at the Karaoke, each shinobi turned to leave as the clock got closer to midnight, either to shop, or watch the fireworks.

"Hey, Ino, I'd just go out and catch some fresh air."

"Sure. Anyway, I still have to look for Mom. See you later? Or maybe tomorrow, then." Ino smirked.

"Expect the latter. Good night, Ino."

"Yep. You too. Say Hi to Saki for me." Ino said, "...and remember..."

Sakura rolled her eyes, but proceeded to finish her best friend's sentence, "no crying, no staring at Team 7's picture for 3 hours, no cursing, and no suicide attempt. Flirting with other boys, a big yes."

"Hah. Your forehead really does its work."

"Tch. You're annoying."

"I love you, too." Ino replied, sarcastically as Sakura walked ahead, off to the riverbank.

__________________________________________________________________________________

Checking her wristwatch, it was quarter till midnight, and a couple of people were around, strolling, talking animatedly with each other, some having a picnic. The ugly truth though, was most of the persons around were couples. Couples.

And the question is... why Sasuke wanted her to go to this riverbank. To slap into her face that she doesn't have someone? Tlliiiiinggggg.

Or, like most everything he does, there's a secret plan to this set-up, and something will happen. Something.

Or someone.

"Hey."

Sakura turned around to the rough baritone voice that "hey-ed" her.

Black hair.

Pale skin.

Charcoal eyes.

... and eyeglasses.

"Haruno Sakura. It's been a long time." The boy smiled, and Sakura recognized it as the one he bumped into earlier. The familiar one.

She cocked her head to the side to remember him, but no information would even seep through. Sometimes, there's just too much information, and sometimes, there's just really an annoying information black out.

"Um..."

"Hah. As I expected, you haven't remembered me." The boy grinned at her, shoving his hands into the pocket of his jeans.

"Well..." Sakura muttered as she took in his features... and that baritone voice.

"Well... just look at the sky." The boy told her as he nodded at her and went closer to the edge of the river bank, his back facing her.

Sakura leaned into the bark of the cherry blossom tree as she rested her torso on it, and stared at the sky. Somehow, this someone made her comfortable. And no, he wasn't creepy at all. He's just so... familiar.

And... silent.

Sakura was still studying his fixated form, almost five feet and seven inches tall, when rays of light descended from the heavens. Her eyes widened as she took in what she saw... meteors. A meteor shower.

The couples who were busy gazing at each other looked up ahead and gasped at the beautiful display of the heavens - - - like angels had scattered bright, endless rays of falling light, and the feeling of making a wish for every meteor you saw.

(I wish that Sasuke-kun would just stop writing me letters, and just go drag his ass home.)

Sakura wasn't even aware whether she has blinked, but it was just so... beautiful. People were arriving, as she heard loud voices of a crowd behind, though she doesn't really mind.

How did Sasuke... know that there was going to be meteor shower?

Or is this all merely by chance?

She doesn't know. Nevertheless, she is aware of one thing - - - Sasuke has once again, made her happy. Happy.

Happiness. It may be a single word, but it brings so many other different things, so many different emotions, and memories.

CLICK.

"SAKURA-CHAN! My mother said there's going to be a meteor shower tonight!!! Let's see it before you leave!!!" A boy, with short, dark hair ran towards her form under the magnolia tree.

"Really?! We should watch it, Lem-chan!!!" She shrieked, petals of magnolia clasped in her tiny hands.

"I'll wait for you, by the river bank tonight. Bring your Mommy, if she wants to. My Mother will come with me." The boy, which she called "Lem," told her, as he helped her stand up.

"Hm! I'll see you later, okay?!" Sakura said, as she brushed the dirt of her skirt.

"Nah, I'll accompany you on the way. My house is close to yours anyway." Lem grinned, his arms behind his head.

"It's my grandparents' house. My mom and I will go back to Konoha after. This is just a short visit." Sakura replied, twirling a strand of hair as they started walking.

"Then, I would visit you there! I promise that!!!" Lem exclaimed, his boyish grin amusing the pink haired girl.

"Do you promise that?" Sakura asked, as she stopped walking.

"Only if you promise that we're going too see the meteor shower tonight!" Lem said, sticking his pinkie finger out.

"Well..." Sakura started, "... I want to have a symbol of our promise!!!"

"Eh?"

"Wait there." Sakura said, as she ran towards the balloon man, (as she called back then), and bought a purple balloon.

Apparently, her favorite color was red and Lem's was blue so if you mix them up, you'll come up with purple. Well, red and blue were their favorite colors back then.

"HERE!!!" Sakura said, as she handed the balloon to Lem, who already has his pinkie finger out.

"Okay, Lem-chan, I PROMISE!!!" She exclaimed as she intertwined her pinkie finger with his, both grinning like mad, and, released the purple balloon up, up into the sky.

Sadly, and somehow, promises aren't always going to happen. They may be kept, and meant, but they aren't always going to take place. Like the purple balloon, that just went up, up, and up into the sky and was never seen again.

That very afternoon, Sumiko announced that she was already tired of staying in that house and dragged, and literally dragged, Sakura back to Konoha.

And... Lem never visited her.

So, like most childhood friends, they don't see each other once the parents do something so idiotic, or they move away. Childhood friends are meant to be friends during childhood. Period.

Till now.

CLICK.

Sakura stood straight and gazed at the boy who was now facing her, the meteors falling behind him decreasing rapidly. The show was going to end. Yet, Sakura's own has just started.

And slowly, the flashback played its part.

"Hey, Sakura-chan, I promised, didn't I?"

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... Destiny is the bridge you build to the one you love.

__________________________________________________________________________________

And like any other chapters... TO BE CONTINUED.

HAHA.

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Please read it, if you haven't yet. It just states my conclusion about loving someone. If you could even call that a conclusion. :)

As for now, my mouth is zipped.

Zipped.

Don't make me.

DON'T!!! :D

Till next chapter!

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