Sakura's tattered boots clamoured unsteadily against the sidewalk. The rain had stopped for a few moments, but she wondered if it would pick up again. Normally she would zip up her coat, but tonight she could barely feel the chill as it encircled her thinning sweater.
Despite her petite figure, she had no fear walking alone, knowing her reputation preceded her. There were many nights when she would wait at home for Sasuke to return. She began to cover the clocks because they would drive her crazy. After work, the time seemed to crawl by, as she longed for company that never came.
It was after too many of those quiet evenings that the green-eyed beauty decided to talk walks, kicking rocks for entertainment, wearing headphones to block her thoughts. She exercised in the morning before work, so these walks were leisurely. Many would find joy in the views, but her mind was elsewhere.
As the blanket of darkness slowly spread, she forgot to turn home, captivated by what the dark sky revealed inside the lit windows. The kunoichi cherished what she saw: Families at dinner, couples watching TV, children doing homework.
It was not that the sites were astonishing. Rather, it was just the presences that made them so enthralling. Sakura had found that most of her recent years had plagued with vacancies - the continual expectation of something, or someone, there that would never be.
Tonight, there was one window that caught her eyes more than most.
The heroin had passed these panes many times before. Tonight she could smell Hinata's dinner, wafting through the creeked sills, undoubtedly to let the crisp air inside.
Sakura heard the laughter, the squeals of Himaiwairi. The screaming of Boruto. She couldn't help but smile. She knew Naruto's past, and the loneliness he had once grown up accustomed to. She knew he would never have to feel such loneliness again.
A small smile crept onto her lips as she remained still, observing the young parents' attempts to gather the toddlers for the meal.
Another feeling… a wet drop. Sakura looked up, wondering if the rain had returned, but was met with dryness. It had been a drop of her own. A tear. For there was part of her that longed for what she observed, and wondered if it would ever be hers.
She loved Sasuke and always would, but there are some people who will never, truly allow themselves to be loved or show love, and she wondered if Sasuke was one of them.
Somberly, she pulled her furry hood over her head, as if to stop the rain she knew was not falling. She knew the only drops this evening would be her own.