Hers (8) -Time Skip-

She had made some progress. In her head, everything was normal. Her days barely changed; therefore, she could ignore the tiny differences. She'd still wake up in the early hours of the morning to get ready for work, having a military ration pill in the morning to avoid having to make breakfast, and sprinting to the hospital to get some early morning exercise. She still spent her late nights at the hospital, and if not, with Sasuke, just like she used to before. In the weekends, if she happened to be free from work, she'd train. All normal things in her everyday life.

Except there was a pretty big absence in it.

Her favorite patient, who'd seemed to get injured every day just to see her, hadn't been around for ages. Months, even. He hadn't been in to have a scratch healed (which didn't even need healing to begin with, as he had incredibly rapid healing already), he hadn't come around bringing her some dumplings, he hadn't been around to smile at her. It wasn't the first time this happened, but this time it felt worse. Much worse, because now she knew it wouldn't return to normal for sure. Not ever. Not after that day.

She'd heard of him, of course. Plenty. Everyone in the village spoke about him constantly. She previously loved how much the people in the village admired him, something he fought diligently to earn, but right n ow at this moment she was starting to dislike such love. There wasn't one person who she treated in that damned hospital who didn't mention him. They'd always talk about him. About his wife. About how lovely he and his wife looked together. About how the honeymoon proved fruitful. About his future child who'd surely grow to do great things.

She felt a sting at her heart every time she heard new news about him, but all she could do was pretend it didn't hurt her and move on with her life. Move on as much as she could. At least.

She didn't look for him. She didn't look for anyone, really. No longer interested in dating, she didn't even attempt to find love elsewhere, spending the little time she was left to her lonely thoughts with her girlfriends, or her ex, who, despite loving her, didn't try to get her back either. He understood that the love that once brought them together was superficial and didn't want part of it anymore. Well, mostly, as his lone nights often brought them together in something purely physical. That chemistry they had; she couldn't deny. There was no reason for her to decline, they were both single, and lonely. He was the only other man to ever touch her, and she didn't desire any other man's touch. Sasuke's, at least, was familiar and comforting. It was messy, she knew, but her life had become a mess and there was no fixing it.

Days went by like a blur, which suddenly turned into hazy weeks, fuzzy months, indistinct years of indifference. Two years flew by like a breeze and found her in a situation she couldn't get out of, an unexpected place in her life she hoped she'd never be in, or at least, not like this. She was 9 months pregnant, being rushed to the hospital by her best friend, Ino, as her water had broken in the middle of the street on her way to work. Horus later, she'd given birth to her lovely daughter, Sarada Uchiha.

The monotony of her life thus far all but ended once she looked into the eyes of her lovely baby girl. She had regretted keeping the pregnancy going some months back, but the unconditional love that filled her as she held her little girl erased all those bad feelings. Suddenly, all her heartbreak and sad years seemed worth it. Abruptly, even though it had not been planned that way at all, she could see herself forming a family beside Sasuke. Rapidly, looking at the little girl they created, she could see herself marrying said man. And she did.

A couple of months after the birth of Sarada, Sasuke and Sakura married, much to the joy of everyone, it seemed. Out of nowhere, support for Sasuke arose, and the revival of the Uchiha clan. Of course, that revival would require more members of the now small family, so the newlyweds agreed on trying for more. All of a sudden, life became bliss. Nights weren't lonely anymore. She didn't have to work overtime to keep her mind distracted. She didn't have to train senseless or get drunk with her friends. Suddenly, life made sense again. Even though he wasn't present. He hadn't even gone to her wedding.

Years flew by this way, her family growing, slowly yet steadily. 12 years later, Sasuke and Sakura had successfully raised three kids: two lovely girls and one lovely boy who they hoped would carry on the Uchiha lineage. Sarada, their oldest, recently graduated from the ninja academy, while Itachi and Mikoto were still students.

Her relationship with Sasuke had evolved into a loving, caring partnership that would probably remain with them until the ends of their lives. What they shared was passionate, playful, and trusting. She couldn't have asked for more from life. Or so she thought.

One lazy evening, at Konoha Hospital, her favorite patient returned. Naruto, the Seventh Hokage, knocked at her door. She welcomed him in with shaky hands, and sat at her desk, wondering what he required of her. However, his presence wasn't really what made her nervous. What triggered such a reaction was his smile. That damned smile that swooped her off her feet back then. That same, big-toothed smile of joy he always gave her. The same look in his face as he leaned against the door frame of her office like he used to do so many years before.

He watched her for a few minutes, and then, in what appeared to be a decision he just made, he walked in, closing the door behind him.

Hello everyone! This is the first of two chapters that will explain a bit of what happened in the span of 14 years. I know it sucks that our favorite pairing haven't been together in all this time, but that's what happens sometimes. Sometimes true love takes time, even if the situation is messy.

Hope you still stick by me and this story I'm trying to tell. See you all soon.