(Author's note: The point of view (POV) always shifted between the author's POV and Sakura's POV only, so don't get confused since I wanted to make the story flow naturally).
Sasuke's pent-up anger towards Sasori boiled over, and he couldn't restrain himself any longer. With a furious punch, he struck Sasori in the face right in front of the gathered crowd. The onlookers erupted in cheers, caught up in the sudden brawl.
Sasuke and Sasori engaged in a brutal, no-holds-barred fight, each landing punches and kicks on the other with fierce determination. The spectacle was intense, and it seemed like the battle might continue indefinitely if left unchecked.
Naruto, realizing the situation was spiraling out of control, along with Sakura, rushed to intervene. Naruto grabbed Sasuke from behind, pulling him away from Sasori, while Sakura moved to separate the two combatants. It took significant effort to restrain Sasuke's rage.
As Sasuke reluctantly retreated from the confrontation, Sasori couldn't resist a parting taunt, his lips smeared with blood from the punch he received. "Pussy Uchiha," he sneered, trying to save face despite his injuries.
Sasuke's pride stung, and he retaliated in a moment of weakness, lunging at Sasori once more. The fight escalated, and it was only when Sasori lost consciousness that Sasuke halted his assault.
Sakura, who had been watching the fight with a mix of disappointment and concern, finally stepped forward. She wore a disapproving expression as she approached Sasuke, her voice stern but caring. "Sasuke, I can't believe you let your anger get the best of you like that."
Sasuke felt a pang of regret, realizing he had allowed his emotions to overpower him. However, Sakura's unexpected reaction caught him off guard. She slapped Sasori's unconscious face forcefully, leaving a visible mark.
Her lips curled into a faint smile as she turned to Sasuke. "I was trying to stop you so I could give him a taste of his own medicine. But thanks for the assist," she said, her gratitude clear in her eyes.
Sasuke, still a bit bewildered, couldn't help but return her smile, relieved that she wasn't too upset with him.
...
In the days following Sasori's exposure and suspension, the school became a hotbed of discussions regarding the shocking incident. Whispers reverberated through the hallways, and it seemed that the revelation about Sasori's true nature was on everyone's lips. The once-mighty Sasori had fallen from his pedestal, and his actions were now laid bare for all to see.
Sakura, finally unburdened by the weight of her secret, carried herself with a newfound sense of confidence. She had confronted her deepest fear and emerged from the ordeal stronger than ever. Sasuke remained her unwavering source of support, and their bond had deepened through the challenging journey they had undertaken together.
On a sunny afternoon, Sakura and Sasuke found themselves seated beneath the branches of a cherry blossom tree in the school courtyard. The delicate petals danced in the breeze, creating a tranquil ambiance around them.
Sakura sighed, breaking the peaceful silence. "I never imagined we'd witness the day when Sasori's true character would be exposed to everyone."
Sasuke nodded, his expression serious. "It was a challenging path, but we faced it together. Your courage was remarkable."
A soft smile graced Sakura's lips. "I had the best partner by my side, Sasuke-kun."
Their contemplative moment was interrupted by the arrival of Naruto and Hinata. They settled in beside Sakura and Sasuke, sharing warm and congratulatory smiles.
Naruto, ever enthusiastic, clapped Sasuke on the back. "You guys did it! You took down that creep!"
Hinata spoke gently, "Sakura, you've confronted something incredibly difficult, and you've handled it with grace."
Sakura's eyes glistened with tears of gratitude. She looked at her boyfriend and friends, overwhelmed by their unwavering support. "Thank you, all of you. I couldn't have done it without your steadfast encouragement."
Hinata placed a reassuring hand on Sakura's shoulder. "We'll always stand by your side, Sakura."
With the weight of her past trauma finally lifted, Sakura felt like a renewed person. She was ready to embrace the future with a sense of determination that had been rekindled. Sakura understood that healing would take time, but with her friends and Sasuke beside her, she was prepared to face any challenge.
As the cherry blossoms continued their gentle descent around them, Sakura silently pledged to herself to treasure life's beautiful moments and to stand firmly for justice, no matter how formidable the battle. With her loved ones as her pillars of strength, she knew she could confront anything that lay ahead.
...
A few weeks later, Sakura found herself half-asleep, holding snacks, and watching the late-night Home Shopping Channel with her father. Her father's eyes remained fixed on the TV, while Sakura struggled to stay awake.
Julian, with his excessive fake tan, enthusiastically presented a product on TV. "This incredibly effective cooking plate is a particular festive favorite of mine. With its unique feature incorporating a timer as a reminder when your food is ready, you can freely multitask while cooking. I guarantee cooking will be less frustrating."
Julian concluded with a cheerful tone, "Have a good night, everyone." He toasted to the camera, and Sakura's mother appeared on screen, giving a slightly nervous and unhappy smile, hinting that all was not well in their relationship.
Sakura exchanged a glance with her father, and he reached for the remote, clicking off the TV.
Kizashi sighed, "I don't understand it - the man has actually turned red now."
Sakura, still half-asleep, responded, "Forget it. We're better off without her. Maybe worse-fed and less clean, but better."
In her pajamas, Sakura placed her leftover snack on a nearby table and kissed her dad good night before heading upstairs to her room.
At that moment, as Sakura inserted her key into the door, she and Kizashi turned to see her mother standing sheepishly in the doorway. Kizashi couldn't believe his eyes. Mebuki, Sakura's mother, looked at him, and their eyes met in an apologetic, nervous first smile.
Mebuki spoke regretfully, "I'm not coming back with my tail between my legs. My tail is firmly in the air. If you're expecting me to be submissive, then I'll just leave again."
Kizashi responded with sincerity, "I'll take you however you choose to come."
Later that evening, Sakura found herself perched at the top of the stairs, dressed in her pajamas, like a child eavesdropping on her parents' conversation in the sitting room below.
Mebuki's voice was tearful as she spoke, "The thing is, up close, he was almost purple, and you're such a lovely normal color. He had a filthy temper, and then I realized I was making the same sort of decisions Sakura always makes—choosing the flashy chaps while the nice chaps never get a look in. And although the jewelry is fabulous and really very reasonably priced, I thought I might ask the nice chap if he'd... take me back. Obviously, with some effort on his part to pay a bit more attention to me. I do know what I'm like sometimes, but it doesn't help that you and Sakura have your lovely grown-up club of two and are always saying, 'What's silly old Mummy gone and done this time?' You know, you used to be mad about me. You couldn't get enough of me. What do you think?"
Kizashi, her husband, sat in deep uncertainty for a moment and replied, "I don't know, Mebuki-chan. I just don't know now. It's been very hard."
Mebuki pleaded, her voice filled with longing, "Oh, Anata..."
A pause hung in the air, but Kizashi couldn't keep up the pretense any longer. A huge smile broke across his face, the first genuine one seen in the entire story.
Kizashi's gaze warmed, and he said, "I'm only joking, you daft cow. Come on, give us a hug."
Mebuki gladly embraced her husband, and they held each other tightly.
Kizashi continued, his voice soft and filled with affection, "My Mebuki, I just don't work without you."
A serene silence enveloped the room as Sakura craned her neck around the stairs to witness her parents hugging each other. She felt a mixture of relief and happiness for them, knowing that they had rekindled their love.
As she watched her mother and father, Sakura couldn't help but reflect on her life. She felt pleased for her parents but also wondered about her future. She hoped she wouldn't encounter the same mishaps her mother made as she entered middle age one day.
- To Be Continued -