Months went by, it had almost been a year since they had started writing to each other.
Naruto was doing better with Hokage training. He had gotten used to filing and organizing documents, something he never thought he could do. Shikamaru didn't have to remind him the procedures anymore. Naruto was even replacing Shikamaru most of the times when Kakashi had to stay overnight with reports. He found himself spending more and more time in the Hokage tower and in meetings. Meetings where he finally was able to participate more, since he finally was more aware of how things worked. Kakashi looked less and less surprised each time Naruto made a smart comment in the meetings. He even found himself smiling of pride each time it happened. Naruto was proud of himself too, he didn't knew he could be so mature, he surprised himself most of the times. The job still scared him, being in charge was going to be very different, but he was starting to believe he was able to do this. As Sakura had told him millions of times already. He was getting excited for when it was his time to step in.
Sasuke's letters came every two weeks. Naruto was not the only one doing better. He was still working on the living complex. He had gotten a temporary residence just as all the other workers, but still denied any payment for the job. A small group of Yugakure workers had taken him in as part of their friend circle, and although Sasuke was apprehensive and shy at first, they grew on him, and now Sasuke considered them comrades. They'd go out, drink and joke around every Friday. He even started training that boy Kai once every week. Naruto was especially happy about this last one.
Soon, Sasuke was news in every village. "The redeemed rouge" they called him in the newspapers. Sasuke was not so happy with the name, it was too soon, but to his dislike, it caught up and everyone started calling him that. Naruto even saw a picture of him with other workers in one of the articles about it. He looked better, more in peace, more happy. His letters confirmed this too. Not like he said it, but the way he talked about his everyday life was happier, hell, he even made a joke in one of them.
Sasuke was indeed feeling better. He was tired, as hell, but the work was rewarding. Every night he'd go to bed and think of the people that had taken him in, the bonds he was creating, something he didn't think he was capable of doing anymore. Kai was growing on him too, it'd remind him to a younger Naruto. He'd also re-read Naruto's letters sometimes, if there wasn't any new ones, his constant words of encouragement made it all worth it. Everytime the work got frustrating, or he'd start overthinking again he'd come back to them, they reminded him that he was worthy of forgiveness, of maybe even love. Someday.
None of them had addressed their feelings to each other, they didn't want to do it through letters. At least not directly. Some "Hope you have a good week" and "Don't just eat ramen everyday, you'll get sick" scaped at the ends of those letters, holding a deeper meaning. And they both suspected it, but ignored the thought as soon as it came. After all, they weren't going to put their hopes too high, right? They knew they could figure it out later. For now, knowing about each other was enough.
"Naruto, could you look through the mail today?" Kakashi asked pointing at the pile of scrolls left at the front of the desk.
"Sure" he said as he quickly went through them. "Report of the refugee situation from Shibuki, maybe they've started the moving" he said as he continued, handing the more important ones to Kakashi. "Mission report, mission report" he read, putting the scrolls in the report trail. "Huh, a message from the Raikage" he said as he saw the personal seal of the leader.
"Like, a direct one?" Kakashi asked. "What does it say?"
Naruto read out loud.
"You and Gaara were right about Uchiha, Naruto. I know when to admit my mistakes." A smile appeared on Naruto's face. "I trust your instincts will be your greatest tool as Hokage. Good job, kid." His smile faded, he didn't know what to do with this praise.
"Those are big words coming from him" Kakashi said, leaning back on his chair.
Naruto kept looking at the scroll, the Raikage was not a person of apologizing, but even he couldn't deny how much Sasuke had changed.
"They are" he said with a smile, rolling the scroll back. I can't wait to tell this to Sasuke, he thought.
"There was something else I wanted to run past you" Kakashi said suddenly, Naruto looked back to him. "I had a meeting yesterday with the council and-" but Naruto interrupted.
"Why wasn't I-?" Kakashi interrupted him this time.
"About your stepping up to be Hokage" Naruto's frowned disappeared, instead, his mouth dropped a few millimeters, eyes widened.
"My-my what?" he asked in shock, blinking quickly.
"Your stepping up as Hokage" he repeated. "Even Tsunade was there" he said with a smile, chin resting on the back of his hand. "They read all my reports, heard what me and Shikamaru had to say, even Tsunade threw her opinion in, and they all agreed" he said, Naruto's mouth just dropped farther, his heartbeat was through the roof, he could hear it pumping in his ears, his eyes filled with sparkles. "As soon as my year as Hokage is over, you'll be named the Seventh Hokage of Konohagakure" he said with what appeared the biggest smile he had seen ever.
Naruto's whole body started to shake, his legs gave in, he had to quickly grab his chair as not to fall on the ground. His hands were out of control. This was it. He was going to be Hokage.
He started laughing, he was anxious, scared, excited, overwhelmed, happy, too many feelings at the same time. He somehow stood up and hugged Kakashi.
"Okay, okay" he laughed as Naruto let go of him.
"I...I don't know what to...um" his brain was not working properly.
"It's okay, kid" Kakashi smiled. "Go tell Sakura, you have the day off" he said shaking his hand towards the door.
Naruto's eyes watered as he bowed in agreement.
"See you tomorrow" Kakashi said before Naruto disappeared through the door.
"WHAT?!" Sakura screamed as he repeated those words to her outside the hospital. Her eyes covered in tears and she gave him the tightest of hugs, crying in the way. Naruto replied to her tight hug, sinking his face on her shoulder. "Holy shit, Naruto, this is so huge" she cried as she let go of him.
"I KNOW!" he screamed, drying his own tears. "I can't stop shaking" he showed her his hands, they were trembling like crazy. "I can't wait to tell this to Sasuke" he laughed.
"His reply should come soon, right?" she asked.
Naruto took a couple of deep breaths. "Yeah, this week" another couple of deep breaths followed.
"Want to have dinner together? How about some celebration ramen?" she asked with a huge smile.
Naruto's breathing was still irregular, he had too much excitement. "That sounds like the perfect night" he smiled as he hugged her again.
---
"Good job today, Kai" Sasuke said to the kid, offering a fist bump, which the kid replied instantly.
"Thanks, teacher" he smiled. "See you next week!" he made a quick salute.
"See you then, kid" he nodded and the kid started to run back home.
Sasuke let out a big sigh, he was tired, satisfied, but tired. He sat down at the grass, looking at the sunset. Yeah, this was as good spot to rest as any.
hiiissssssss
"Hey" he said as he saw the snake coming out of the ground. He gave the snake a snack from his satchel, as always, and started unrolling the scroll.
"HUGE NEWS!"
Was the first thing he read, the big capital letters on the paper made him jump. What was this about?
"As soon as Kakashi's year is over I'm being officially named SEVENTH HOKAGE!"
His eyes widened, his mouth dropped. He was finally going to be Hokage, Naruto had fucking done it. He's accomplishing his dream.
"I can't believe I had to wait two days to tell you this! I'm so HAPPY! Scared as shit, but HAPPY! I wanted to tell you right away!"
That last bit made him smile.
"God, I began shaking again"
No shit, he thought. You could tell from his handwriting.
"I'm so scared but so excited. It's such a weird feeling.
I did it Sasuke, I did it"
Sasuke's eyes suddenly watered. It filled his chest with warmth to read how happy he was. And he could only think of how much he deserved this.
"Kakashi's year ends in two months, just two months. Can you believe that? Because I CAN'T!"
Sasuke chuckled.
"Anyway, enough, I promise I'm done.
Is awesome to know Kai is improving, I knew you'd be a good teacher.
And I can't believe I'm telling you this but, just don't drink that much next time, asshole."
That made him roll his eyes. Who did he think he was giving health advice.
"Keep up the good work, Sasuke.
I'll do the same.
Naruto"
A smile persisted in his face, his words of encouragement always left a warm feeling inside. Sasuke rolled the letter and looked up to the sky, it was already a dark shade of blue and purple, with orange clouds around the sun, the cold breeze of the night starting to creep in. Sasuke threw his gloves on and started walking back to his apartment before it was too cold outside.
As soon as he arrived home he checked the calendar, the construction had only one month left. And that's when a crazy thought came to him. It was so crazy that it was tempting. A smile started to appear as he thought more and more about it. His heartbeat slowly starting to race. The rational part of him said no, but his heart said otherwise. And that's the part he decided to pay attention to from now on.
Congratulations, usuratonkachi.
He wrote his reply and sent it away. A quick look at the calendar made him start to count the days. Sasuke grabbed a pen he had laying around and circled a date in the calendar. A sigh left him as he moved to his bed to rest. Stretching his sore back muscles. His heartbeat was starting to calm down, but the idea that still lurked in his mind was threatening to not let him sleep. It was the first time in a long time he had considered something like it, and this time he felt like he was ready. He was finally ready.