Sasuke stared at the ceiling, blinking in time with the ticking clock. It was around 2:46 AM, and his two year old daughter was sleeping in a crib next to his and his wife's bed. The moonlight shone lightly through the curtains, a slight breeze blowing them lightly around.

It had been three months and one week since he heard his wife speak and see her face, two weeks since she sent a letter explaining her situation.

Clenching and unclenching his hand, he half debated if should run to the Hokages Office, begging for Kakashi-sensei to let him go look for her. The other half scolding him, even yelling at him that he should stay home and take care of Sarada. He gave into the latter.

It was getting to the point where Sarada would yell 'Mommy', only to see that she wouldn't be there. Sarada would even mumble it into her sleep, softly now and then.

Turning to his side table, he picked up the letter his wife only sent two weeks ago. It smelled like her, the perfume of cherries drifting into his nose. It made him blink faster, and bite the inside of his cheek. Opening the letter, he began to read the words Sakura wrote for the seventh time this hour.

Dear Sarada and Regards to Uchiha Sasuke,

To Sarada- Hello my sweet princess! Are you okay? I'm sorry Mommy isn't home a lot right now. She had a lot of work to do, lots and lots of it. I miss you lots, my darling. When I come back, let's go out for some black tea candies. I love you!

Love,
Mommy

To Uchiha Sasuke- Hello Sasuke. Sorry for being gone for a while. It turns out that the village Hinata and I are at, Sotagakure, are entering into battle with the opposing village, Yugagakure. Hinata is out battling, while I'm in the medical tents. They are checking all letters, so it'll be hard to send another one again. Yup, that's how tight security is right now.

Even with my ninjutsu and strength, it'd be surprising if I actually survived this battle. The shinobi opposing us have an incredible doujutsu, Mōmokagun. It's a branch family to the Byakugun of the Hyuga Clan, belonging to the Hikura clan. They're real strong.

If... I don't come back, please take care of Sarada. Don't leave the village again, please. Please don't come looking for me. Take care my parents as well, okay?

That's just in case. I can't wait to see the rest of Team Seven I'm action when we return, you annoying bastard!

-Haruno Sakura

Sasuke shut his eyes and let tears come down his face. He wished Sakura was next to him, teasing him and stroking his hair. He wished he could see her smile again, her little laugh. He knew she wrote her maiden name, 'my parents' and made it seem that Sarada was hey daughter for her protection and for Sarada's. If word got out that she was the "legendary" Sasuke Uchiha's wife, calamity would occur. The Team Seven and annoying bastard part was just her teasing him.

As he read the letter again, he noticed underlines under certain letters. Rereading the parts with the underlines, he bit his lip, folded the paper and shit the light. Sasuke pulled the duvet covers and cursed. How could she be so reckless?

"Your so annoying." Sasuke mumbled outloud.
Then he shut his eyes, his mind replaying the secret message.

I love you.

—————————
Hello! Alica Roux here again. I hope you like my story, even if it's short and a bit sad.

alicarox13