...
"You're not tired yet?"Sasuke leaned back against the tree trunk, arms folded behind his head.
Shizune smiled, sitting beside him with her legs tucked neatly to the side.
"You're the one who said this was training. All we've done is talk."
Sasuke gave a rare grin.
"Talking is training. For me at least."
Shizune chuckled softly.
"You're getting better at it."
A soft breeze passed through the trees, rustling the leaves above them. Sunlight filtered down in specks, dancing across their shadows. The moment was peaceful.
"I'm glad you're here."Sasuke looked at her quietly for a moment.
"Me too."Shizune's face turned a little red, but she nodded with a small, quiet smile.
…
Meanwhile, back at Kakashi's house…
The front door creaked open.
"We're back!" Sakura's voice rang out as she and Karin stepped inside, both still in their hospital uniforms.
"Oh boy."Kurenai looked over from her seat on the couch and raised an eyebrow.
"This is gonna get loud." Anko, sprawled out beside her, snorted.
Kakashi, who was sitting on the center couch with Tsunade perched sideways on his lap, said nothing. He calmly ran his fingers through Tsunade's loose blonde hair, playing with the ends. His expression was unreadable… but he was smiling.
"You're thinking something, I know that face."Tsunade gave him a sideways glance.
"I'm always thinking," Kakashi replied with a lazy shrug.
"Where's everyone else?" Karin took off her lab coat and stretched.
"Training ground." Anko tilted her head toward the back door.
Karin grinned.
"Perfect! Sakura, let's spar. I've been bored all day."
"Huh? You sure?" Sakura raised a brow.
"Yeah! C'mon. It'll be fun." Karin was already walking toward the back door.
Sakura shrugged and followed.
"Wanna bet who wins?" Anko leaned in close to Kurenai.
"My money's on Sakura," Kurenai smirked.
"Let's go watch." Tsunade groaned and slid off Kakashi's lap.
"This should be entertaining." Kakashi stood up and dusted off his pants.
…
Outside, the warm sun lit up the clearing behind the house.
Sakura stepped onto the grass and immediately froze at what she saw before her.
Sasuke was sitting under the tree.
With Shizune.
Laughing.
The smile on his face… it was soft. Peaceful. The kind of expression Sakura had always dreamed of seeing from him, toward her.
Her heart skipped a beat.
Then it shattered.
Kakashi, walking a few steps behind with the others, saw it. He almost swore he saw a yandere aura flare up around her.
But then he saw the tears.
Sakura's fists clenched at her sides. Her feet were as heavy as stone as she walked toward them. She didn't even register Karin calling her name from behind.
Sasuke turned his head and saw her.
"Sakura," he called. "Come here."
She swallowed hard and nodded, forcing her legs to move. Her chest ached.
Shizune stood up slowly. She looked at Sakura with a complicated expression.
She understood.
She had already talked to Tsunade. Anko. Kurenai.
She had refused at first. She told herself Sasuke was too young, that it wasn't right, that he should be with someone his age.
But Anko had leaned in with a lazy grin.
"You really think this kid is normal? He's a Uchiha. They don't fall in love easily. But when they do, it's deep."
"He chose you. That already says a lot." Kurenai had folded her arms.
"Besides, he has a duty to revive the clan. Would you rather he chose someone else to have that childbearing role?" Tsunade had been more blunt.
"You wanna be the one who gives birth and then gets tossed? Or you wanna be the only one who matters?" Anko added with a smirk,
Shizune had blushed furiously at the time. But she'd understood. She wasn't like her teacher, who shared Kakashi with the other women
She wanted him only for herself, although it may look selfish to others, but she doesn't have that mentality. She wanted to be his one and only.
No one else.
And Sasuke had agreed.
Now, standing face to face with Sakura, Shizune gave a small smile.
"Hi."
"…Hi." Sakura's voice caught. She hadn't expected this, Shizune of all people.
"I wanted to talk to you, Sakura." Sasuke's voice was calm, but firm.
"You… like her?"Her heart sank.
"I chose her."Sasuke didn't hesitate.
The words cut deeper than any blade. Sakura's eyes burned with sudden tears. "But… I thought…"
"Sakura…"Kakashi stepped forward and gently touched her shoulder.
But she shook him off. Her gaze was fixed on Shizune, trembling with disbelief. "Do you… Love him?"
Shizune met Sasuke's eyes, then looked back at Sakura.
"…Yes. I do."
Sakura closed her eyes. Her nails dug into her palms as she struggled to steady herself.
"…I love him too." The admission fell from her lips like glass shattering.
"Sakura. I don't want to mislead you, I only see you as a friend and companion. My heart's with Shizune."Sasuke drew a slow breath, his tone final.
The silence that followed was unbearable.
Shizune reached for Sasuke's hand, and he took it without hesitation.
"…I see."Sakura's knees almost buckled. She looked away, her lips trembling into a bitter smile.
Kakashi exhaled quietly, watching her crumble but knowing there was nothing more to say.
"Well… that settles it."Anko arched a brow at the scene, whispering,
Tsunade's gaze softened at her apprentice standing proud beside Sasuke.
"She's stronger than I thought."
Kurenai crossed her arms, sighing.
"And Sakura just learned what it feels like to lose."
…
"Well, now that the drama is over, how about that spar?"Kakashi clapped his hands together.
"Hell yeah, I've been ready."Karin cracked her knuckles.
"You're on."Sakura stood and turned to her, eyes still a little puffy but determined.
They moved to the field.
"I'll referee."Tsunade raised her hand.
"Better you than me," Kakashi smirked.
The spar began.
Sakura came in strong, her strength cracking the ground. Karin dodged, zipping around with chakra-powered speed.
Sparks flew as the two clashed. Their medical ninjutsu enhancements made them faster, stronger, and more unpredictable.
Shizune stood beside Sasuke as they watched.
"She's strong," she said.
"She always has been," Sasuke replied quietly.
"You really want to be with only me?" she asked.
He nodded.
"You sure?"
"I'm sure."Sasuke gave her a rare, genuine smile.
"You're dangerous when you smile like that."Shizune blushed and looked away.
…
The spar ended with both girls collapsing in the dirt, panting and laughing.
"I needed that," Sakura said, lying on her back.
"Same," Karin said, grinning.
"Good job. That's enough for today."Kakashi walked over and helped both of them up.
As the sun started to set, the group gathered on the porch. Drinks were passed around. Laughter echoed through the yard.
Sasuke sat beside Shizune. Their hands didn't touch. But they didn't need to. Not yet.
"Things are finally coming together."Kakashi watched them with a proud smile.
"For now."Tsunade leaned on his shoulder.
"Yeah," Kakashi murmured. "For now."