Sasuke glanced at the figure curled up at his side and cursed himself. He extracted himself from her grasp and got up from the bed, grabbing his clothes. Karin stirred by the movement and raised her head in confusion.

"What's wrong?" She asked groggily. Sasuke put on his clothes before replying.

"You need to leave, Karin." He said flatly.

"This again?" Karin's tone dripped with exasperation as she sat up. "How many times are you going to deny us being together?"

"There is no us," Sasuke gritted out, struggling to keep his temper in check. He couldn't engage in this conversation while she remained naked in bed, so he made his way to the living room, silently waiting for her to get dressed and join him.

When Karin emerged, her expression was one of irritation. "You can't do this to me, Sasuke! You told me to come to you last night, and now you're throwing me out?"

Sasuke ran a hand through his face in frustration. "I was drunk. I wasn't thinking straight."

"Or maybe you finally listened to your heart," Karin persisted, her voice edged with desperation. "Admit it, Sasuke. You want me. Why do you fight it?"

Sasuke remained silent for a moment, grappling with his thoughts. How could he make her understand? How could he convey that he was heartbroken and lonely, and that his actions were born out of a desire to escape his pain, not genuine affection for her? He felt a surge of shame at leading her on, allowing her to believe there was still something between them after Sakura had helped him end their relationship.

What now? Did he allow himself to be pulled back into this cycle or let Sakura help him to end it again because he wasn't man enough to do it by himself?

Sasuke squared his shoulders. Taking a step toward Karin, he leveled his gaze on her. "No, Karin. I don't want you. I am in love with someone else. I will never have feelings for you. I'm sorry. I was lonely and miserable and took advantage of you." He paused to take in her reaction as her eyes went wide, tears glistening in her eyes. She looked like he had slapped her. Sasuke lowered his gaze in further shame, "Forgive me."

Karin took a step toward him and Sasuke looked up. She looked equally enraged and defeated. Sasuke braced himself, fully expecting her to hit him. Which he thought would be fully justified. He had just outright rejected her and could see how it broke her heart. Instead, she clenched her fists at her sides and looked at him with a venomous expression.

"Bastard!" she spat, her voice trembling with hurt and indignation, before storming out of his apartment.

Sasuke sighed deeply, feeling both guilty and relieved at the same time. For too long, he had allowed himself to be consumed by self-pity and despair. But in that moment, as he straightened his posture, a new sense of purpose and determination took over him. All this misery and tendency of self-destruction ended now.

Later that day, Sasuke drove to Naruto's house, parking outside in the serene suburban neighborhood where Naruto had settled after marrying Hinata. As he approached the front door and rang the bell. A few moments later, Hinata opened it.

"Sasuke-kun, what a surprise!"

And it was. Sasuke rarely showed up to Naruo's house like this. Despite his genuine happiness for his friend, he could count on one hand the number of times he had interacted with Naruto's wife.

"Is Naruto home?" Sasuke asked, feeling a bit awkward.

"Yes, please come in," Hinata replied warmly, holding the door open wide to welcome him. Her other hand cradled her noticeably enlarged belly. Naruto had been ecstatic about the imminent addition to their family.

Sasuke entered and walked toward the living room. It was a cozy space they had set up for themselves. As Naruto descended the stairs, a smile spread across his face.

"Hey, what's up? You didn't tell me you were coming."

"Sorry for barging in like this. Can we talk?" Sasuke asked, shifting uncomfortably on his feet.

"Of course!" Naruto replied, his tone cheerful as he grabbed two bottles of beer from the fridge and led him to the small garden outside. They settled down on the garden chairs. Sasuke took a swig from the bottle, gathering his thoughts while Naruto waited patiently.

"Have I been wasting my life, Naruto?" He finally asked.

"Why would you think that?" Naruto asked, surprised.

"Remember the time we wanted to do something different with our lives instead of following the path our families set for us?"

"Yeah," Naruto sighed, "That didn't end well for us though, did it?"

"No, it didn't," he admitted, his gaze drifting to the small tree in the garden, its branches swaying gently in the breeze. "But lately, I've been wondering if maybe we were too quick to give up on those dreams."

Naruto regarded his friend thoughtfully, taking a sip of his beer before responding. "You mean like when we talked about joining intelligence and serving our country?"

"And more," Sasuke said, "Why stop there? We wanted to be part of something bigger than us. There are other ways to achieve that."

"Where are you getting at, man?" Naruto said, setting up straight, "Yesterday you were a mess after that talk with Sakura, and now you're talking about changing careers. You telling me these two things aren't related."

"They are," Sasuke replied honestly, his voice tinged with resignation. "I've spent too long chasing after someone who will never truly be mine. And for what?" He grimaced. "I was a fool to even try to win her when she clearly belongs to someone else."

"I'm sorry man," Naruto said, his voice filled with sympathy for his friend.

"It's alright. I'll be okay," he said, trying to appear casual, "But I can't be what my family expects me to be anymore." He finished his drink and stood up.

"What are you saying?" Naruto asked, looking up at him.

"I will be going away for a while. I need to focus on myself and find out what I want to do with my life. I will be carving my own path. Whatever I do from here, it will be my decision. Not what my family wants or following in Itachi's footsteps."

Naruto stood up, his expression shifted to one of alarm. "You can't just up and leave like that," he protested. "I mean, don't take this the wrong way, but it sounds like you're trying to run away from your problems."

"I'm not, believe me," Sasuke said resolutely, "there's nothing for me here." Nothing but loneliness, he thought grimly.

"Listen, don't make any hasty decisions, alright?" Naruto urged, his tone serious. "Take the time to think things through carefully before you uproot your entire life."

Sasuke met Naruto's gaze, a flicker of defiance in his eyes, but ultimately, he nodded.

"I will."

Itachi was usually a well-composed man, but today, he felt an overwhelming urge to leap for joy and pump his fist in the air. After weeks of meticulous planning with his father, he had finally unraveled Mr. Inoue's scheme to take over the corporation. Having gathered all the evidence and identified everyone involved in the conspiracy, they promptly informed the authorities and reported the crimes of embezzlement and accounting fraud. Subsequently, the police arrived, arresting Mr. Inoue and all his accomplices.

Now, seated before his father in their office, Itachi couldn't help but feel a profound sense of relief washing over him. For the first time in months, both father and son shared a moment of genuine relaxation.

"I never imagined Inoue would betray me. He was my trusted partner for years," his father remarked, swirling a glass of champagne thoughtfully. "I suppose I should have seen it coming."

"No one could have foreseen this," Itachi replied assuredly, "Greed has a way of corrupting even the best among us."

"Hm," his father said noncommittally, "have you given the thought about what you're going to do next?"

"Next?" Itachi asked.

"You have proven yourself to be a worthy successor," his father declared, "It is time for you to depart from your current role and take your place by my side on the board. Train Sasuke and entrust him with the day-to-day operations."

"Yes sir," Itachi replied, "I will discuss this with Sasuke and see what he thinks about it."

"Does it matter what he thinks?" his father retorted, his tone dismissive, "he has a duty to this family. To you."

Itachi remained silent at that. Sasuke didn't like to be forced into things. Even though this was the path laid out for him years ago, he still needed to be eased down into this.

"In addition," his father continued, shifting the conversation seamlessly, "it's time for you to consider marriage. Have you given any thought to that?"

So much, Itachi mused. "Yes, sir. Now that things are peaceful here, I suppose I can make time for marriage."

"Excellent. Sakura is a fine woman. Your mother and I approve," his father remarked. Itachi smiled in gratitude. "Thank you, Father."

The time had indeed arrived to fulfill his long-held intentions concerning Sakura, and he knew just the right time to make it happen.

"Sasuke!"

Sasuke glanced up from his table in the cafe.

"Sakura?" he asked, surprised. She was with her friend, Ino, both of them carrying huge shopping bags as if they'd just entered the shop.

"It's great to see you," Sakura said, a genuine smile lighting up her features.

"Um, yeah, you too," Sasuke replied.

"Mind if we join you?" Sakura asked, her gaze sweeping once across the cafe before settling back on him.

"...sure," he replied, feeling uncertain.

The cafe was mildly packed, but she could've easily found another table to sit at. He had come to this cafe to enjoy his coffee in a quiet, cozy environment alone. He hadn't expected company. Not that he minded Sakura. Ino, on the other hand, was an unwelcome addition. To her credit, she didn't try to make too much conversation with him other than the usual meet and greet.

"How have you been? I haven't seen you for days!" Sakura asked after she and Ino gave their orders.

"I have been busy taking care of some things," Sasuke said evasively, not wanting to tell her about his plan to leave.

"What things?" Sakura asked, having no qualms about invading his privacy.

Sasuke stayed silent. Before Sakura could ask again, Ino suddenly stood up and excused herself to use the bathroom. He suspected it was because she wanted to give them some space to talk.

"Just some things," Sasuke said, hoping she would let it go.

"Aren't you going to tell me?"

"You will find out eventually, I suppose," Sasuke muttered. Sakura's eyes widened. "What do you mean?"

"Don't worry, it's nothing morbid. What have you got in there?" he asked, attempting to change the subject.

"Oh, just some stuff I wanted to buy for my birthday party," Sakura replied, proceeding to show some of the things she had bought, including the dress she would be wearing. It was a dark maroon dress with a black print on it. He could already imagine how exquisite she would look in that dress.

"You're coming to the party, right? I sent you an invitation, but you never responded."

"Ah," Sasuke said, "I don't think I will be able to make it."

Itachi had told him about the party. He had even confided in him his plan to propose to Sakura. But she didn't know about it, of course. Suffice to say, Sasuke had no interest in becoming a part of such an event. He might have accepted the fact that Sakura would never be his, but that didn't mean he had enough grace to watch her become someone else's happiness. Even if that someone was his own brother. That actually made the matter worse.

Sakura looked severely disappointed at that. "Why not?"

"I have to meet someone about something," he replied lamely.

"Sasuke...," Sakura started. But Sasuke didn't give her a chance.

"I have to go." He finished his cup of coffee and stood up. When he looked down at her, something in her expression made him soften up. He sighed.

"I will try to come," he relented finally.

Sakura immediately perked up and smiled widely. "Thank you, Sasuke. I will wait for you."

Their eyes locked for a few lingering seconds. He found himself lost in her deep emerald eyes, which he always loved. He marveled at how their color had darkened in the sunlight streaming through the window, casting shadows across her irises. There was an intensity in her gaze, as if she were focused on something beyond just their conversation.

Then she blinked slowly, as if awakening from a dream, and looked away. He noticed her cheeks had turned just the slightest tinge of pink. Sasuke's brows furrowed in confusion. What was that? he thought. Then he shrugged and bid her goodbye.

Unbeknownst to him, Sakura had watched him go until he had left her sight, deep in thought.