Sakura entered the Hyuga compound with a sense of apprehension gnawing at her stomach. She had only been reminded about today's wedding the evening prior by her assistant, leaving her almost no time to find a suitable dress and to think about her appearance. As a result, she felt more insecure than on her worst day as a teenage girl.
Besides, had Naruto and Hinata invited the entire village to their reception? She could hear the massive hum of conversation and laughter coming from within. Seeing everyone from the past was going to be so exhausting... She could already imagine the barrage of questions they would throw her way the moment she joined the crowd: "How has your trip been? We're so envious! Tell us, what are the people like over there?" She knew the appropriate answers to all of them by heart, but no matter how well-rehearsed her replies, she still felt raw and vulnerable when it came to her ten-month stay on the Southeastern Continent.
The grandeur of the Hyuga compound only added to her nervousness. Elegant stone pathways wound through perfectly manicured gardens, while cherry blossom trees stood sentinel, their petals dancing in the gentle breeze. The mansion loomed ahead, its wooden beams carved with clan symbols, radiating an aura of wealth and sophistication.
Right. Sakura squared her shoulders and took a deep breath. This was Hinata and Naruto's day and she would not spoil it for them. If she had survived ten months of loneliness in faraway lands, she could certainly survive a few hours of polite conversation and crowded spaces.
As she approached the entrance, she was greeted by well-dressed servants who handed her a delicate glass filled with a light, shimmering liquid.
"Is this alcohol?" she asked cautiously.
"Yes, ma'am," the servant confirmed with a polite smile.
Sakura gave a brief smile of her own, handing the glass back. "Then I need to pass, thank you." It wasn't unlikely she was needed at the hospital tonight and she couldn't afford to be drunk.
The servant nodded, handing her a different glass with what looked like some kind of fancy soda. Sakura accepted it gratefully and stepped through the elegant foyer into the Hyuga gardens beyond. Already stunning on any ordinary day, they had been transformed into a magical setting for Naruto and Hinata's wedding: Lush arrangements of fresh flowers in vibrant colors adorned every table. Strings of origami birds fluttered across the sky, their paper wings catching the light as they swayed in the wind. Small, decorative ponds scattered throughout the gardens were dotted with delicate lily pads, and if you looked closely, you could spot tiny ceramic frogs perched near the water's edge—an unmistakable nod to Naruto's training with the toads of Mount Myoboku.
Sakura's hand went to her dress, smoothing out non-existent wrinkles. It was a deep emerald green gown that had once belonged to her mother. While the dress had a vintage charm that offered her some comfort, it was shabby in comparison to the opulence on display. Leaving again was not an option but she really wanted to.
"Sakuraaaaaa!" Naruto's voice boomed through the garden, drawing more than a few heads as he bounded toward her. He looked almost like a different version of himself in formal clothing, with his signature yellow hair cropped short. But he waved his hands wildly in the air, his grin as wide as ever, before suddenly remembering where he was—and why all these people were gathered here today. His expression shifted to one of almost comical guilt, as though he'd been caught misbehaving. Slowing his approach, Naruto tried, and almost succeeded, in adopting a more dignified demeanor.
"Hey!" Sakura waved back, laughing softly at his attempt to rein in his excitement. "Congratulations on your marriage! I wish you both good health and happiness for many years to come."
The couple had insisted they wanted no presents—if people wanted to give something, they should donate to Konoha's orphanage.
"I'm still so nervous," Naruto confessed, his fingers anxiously fidgeting with the edges of his black kimono. His formal attire, despite its impeccable tailoring, seemed a little awkward on him, as if he hadn't yet fully embraced the role of a husband. But the religious ceremony had already taken place earlier in the morning, at the Hyuga family's private shrine.
Naruto was married. Truly and really married.
Sakura felt an unexpected surge of pride well up inside her—Naruto, who had fought through so much, who had always dreamed of belonging, had married the love of his life, ahead of everyone.
"I almost thought you wouldn't come!" he continued excitedly, bouncing on the balls of his feet. "Everyone got here ages ago!"
Ouch. "Of course, I wouldn't miss it for the world," she replied, wondering whether working until the very last moment was some kind of weird psychological defense mechanism. Perhaps it had been easier to focus on patients, reports, and rounds than to confront the emotions this wedding conjured—the joy for Naruto and Hinata, the nagging loneliness in her own life.
"You look like a real lady!" Naruto exclaimed, his grin widening as his eyes took her in. "A shame that Sasuke isn't here to see you!"
Sakura smiled at the compliment, but Naruto's casual mention of Sasuke felt like a small, sharp twist in her gut. Sasuke—her so-called boyfriend, who was never around. So he couldn't even come to his best friend's wedding? How typical.
"Thanks, Naruto," she replied, managing to keep her tone light despite the sudden anger she felt. "I'm sure he'd... appreciate it."
Naruto, oblivious to what his comment had triggered, carried on with his usual enthusiasm. "Everybody else is here, though! Even Gaara came!"
Yes, she had already spotted the Kage from the Sand standing a short distance away. His flaming red hair was hard to overlook, and his usual expression of intensity was intact, but as he caught her eye and nodded in greeting, she noticed a slight twist of his mouth that resembled a fleeting smile. Gaara's presence was a testament to the bonds Naruto had formed with so many people. He had a way of bringing even the most distant, reserved individuals together. Like them. As Team 7.
Before it had all gone to shit with Sasuke.
Naruto continued to ramble about all the people who had come, dragging her with him to Hinata, then, after Sakura had congratulated her too, towards the thick of the crowd. As she began greeting familiar faces, exchanging pleasantries and receiving a flurry of congratulations on her new position as the head of Konoha's hospital, Sakura began to enjoy herself cautiously. They didn't make her feel bad. Nobody made a snide comment about her old dress or her less-than-perfect skin. Ino—whose family had provided the stunning flower arrangements—was glued to Sai's side and both of them ogled each other with a chemistry that was almost scandalous. Shikamaru was following Temari around like a little lost dog, his usual laid-back demeanor replaced by a kind of awkward eagerness that made her smile. Tenten, Kiba, Shino, Choji, and Lee shared stories, the more embarrassing the better, reminisced about the past, and made plans for the future. All of them involved a family and kids.
"The Rokudaime made sure we could all be here," Rock Lee told her with bright eyes, "no missions for today!"
"Oh?" Sakura was genuinely surprised, but would it ever be possible again not to feel her heart pick up speed when he was mentioned? "But… doesn't the village depend on the money?"
"Kakashi-sama asked the other Kage if they could lend us a few shinobi for today," Lee beamed, his enthusiasm infectious. "It's a new era! We're able to celebrate moments like this without the weight of constant danger hanging over us. I think it's wonderful!" He punctuated his excitement with a fist pump.
Sakura let the warmth of friendship wrap around her like a comforting blanket. They had endured so much together—the battles, the losses, the scars both seen and unseen. Now, after all that, this was their time to be happy and carefree. It was indeed marvelous to be living in a time of peace and prosperity, where people made plans for their futures rather than preparing for war. It was what they had fought so hard for—a future filled with hope.
But as much as Sakura tried to relax and soak in the joyful atmosphere, it all began to feel a bit overwhelming—perhaps not least because she wasn't drinking like the others. The festive energy around her was intoxicating, but she couldn't quite shake the feeling of being out of sync with it. Or perhaps it wasn't the drinks at all. Maybe today was just one of those days where emotions weighed heavier, and everything felt more complicated than it should.
"Excuse me," she murmured politely to her group of friends, stepping away from the lively chatter.
Seeking a moment of peace, Sakura made her way toward a small grove of trees that stood a little elevated and away from everyone. But as she approached, she realized she wasn't alone: Standing under the shade of the trees, looking dapper in a sleek black suit jacket, was Kakashi. Her steps faltered. They hadn't spoken since that night—the night she hadn't allowed herself to think about too much, yet somehow couldn't stop obsessing over. It had become almost a mental game: the harder she tried not to think of Kakashi in nothing but boxer shorts, the more her mind circled back to it.
He noticed her approach and raised an eyebrow. "Hiding too?"
Sakura gave a small, sheepish smile. "I am," she admitted. "Don't you have to give a speech soon?"
"Already did," he replied with a smirk, casually slipping his hands into his pockets. "You missed it."
"You're joking, right?"
"Nope. It was fantastic."
"What did you say?"
"Oh, you know, the usual wedding stuff."
"You're mean, Sensei," she shook her head laughing. "I'm sorry I was late, but it couldn't be helped."
"That used to be my line," his eyes crinkled in amusement. "But you always were my best student."
Sakura felt a rush of warmth at his words, a mixture of nostalgia and pride swelling within her. His best student? Really?! What a flatterer.
The silence that followed was of the comfortable sort, though Sakura found herself acutely aware of his presence beside her, in a breath-quickening, butterflies-in-stomach kind of way. It was altogether useless to deny that the Hokage had quite the effect on her, even if he did absolutely nothing. Every small shift of his body, every breath he took echoed through her, making her hyper-aware of just how close they were standing.
"How's the dog?" Sakura asked to say something—anything, really, because if she didn't say anything, she would have to do something. Like reach over and take his hand. Or something worse.
"Waiting for a name," Kakashi replied smoothly.
Sakura laughed softly, crossing her arms. "You're leaving the naming to me? That's a lot of responsibility."
"Well, you're good with that," Kakashi replied, his tone casual. "Figured you might come up with something fitting."
She raised an eyebrow at him. "Good with what exactly? Naming dogs?"
He nodded, his gaze drifting toward the wedding crowd below them. "Yeah. That and responsibility. And besides, I think he'd like it better coming from you." There was a pause before his eyes flicked back to her. "By the way, you look absolutely stunning."
Sakura blinked, caught off guard by Kakashi's compliment. Her heart fluttered at the way he said it, so casually but with a weight that made her feel... seen. She had put in an effort despite the rush, pairing her mother's dress with simple yet elegant black heels and natural makeup—soft earth tones that brought out her eye color, a touch of blush for warmth, and a neutral lip. Her hair she had styled in an intricate updo, adorned with small white blossoms to match the cherry trees in full bloom.
"Well, thank you," she said quietly. "You don't look too bad yourself." What an understatement. He was a gorgeous man.
Kakashi chuckled. "I try."
Sakura glanced at him from the corner of her eye, feeling that pull again. As if something was drawing her physically closer to him and she knew: There would come a time when resisting it would be impossible.
"By the way, Mr. Puppy confiscated your shirt," Kakashi informed her. "There's nothing I could do. I guess he misses you."
"Then I'll come to visit. Soon," she blurted out. She had already decided not to give back his shirt.
Their gazes locked and held.
"I'd like that," he replied, his voice warm. "A lot."
"When?" she stammered, suddenly feeling out of her depth. "Do you have time tomorrow? At seven?"
"Yes," he answered without hesitation.
Her knees felt shaky, like rubber, and she hoped they wouldn't betray her. It was… like they had just agreed on a date. Had she just asked her superior for a date?! At his place? This was… this was scandalous.
But before she could say something—anything—to diffuse the tension, she noticed Kakashi stiffening beside her.
"Would you look at that," he murmured.
She followed his gaze down to the crowd.
A dark figure had appeared, dressed in black, his face etched with a familiar scowl. He looked every bit the part of a brooding villain, his presence drawing instant attention.
Sakura's breath hitched.
Naruto screeched in delight, throwing his arms around the newcomer, only to be shaken off instantly with a gruff shove.
Sasuke.
He was back, and the mere sight of him sent a flurry of conflicting emotions surging through her. So it really was that kind of day.
"Hi," she said shyly, her voice betraying her nervousness despite her best efforts. In front of him, she felt even more like her insecure younger self again.
After being passed around between old friends, Sasuke was finally alone. With a glass of soda in his hand, he turned slowly. The dark eye visible beneath his messy black bangs swept over her. That gaze—it always made her skin prickle, a mix of warmth and unease.
"Hey," he replied quietly, his body going completely still.
"So… you're back?" Sakura struggled to still her restless hands that wanted to fidget with her hair or the hem of her dress.
"Looks like I am," Sasuke nodded. He was still in his travel clothes, a dark cape draped over full pants and a vest that made him look more like a mercenary than a guest at a wedding. "At least for a bit."
"Are you well?" she asked, the distance that had grown between them over time yawning like a deep abyss at her feet.
"Well enough," he answered, his tone dropping even further into something almost too soft to hear.
Sakura swallowed. She wanted to ask him so much more. Have you finally found what you were looking for? The question itched at her throat, burning her insides. She knew—had known for a while—that he would never find the forgiveness he sought. She wanted to shake him, to make him realize that no matter how far he traveled or how many roads he wandered, he couldn't outrun his own demons.
He hadn't even accepted the prosthetic arm that could have restored what he'd lost, because in his mind, he didn't deserve it. He chose to remain maimed as a kind of penance. As long as he held on to that sentiment, as long as he clung to the scars of the past, peace would remain a distant dream.
But she said none of that.
Instead, she stood there, her heart heavy, while Sasuke gazed back at her with that unreadable expression he wore so well. This was not a comfortable silence. It was the kind that begged to be broken, poisoned by all the things they had never said to each other. Why was it so hard for him to speak? Was it really that difficult to say I missed you, I thought of you often, How are you, I regret what happened in the past?
Her mind flashed back to the days following the Fourth Great Ninja War, when Sasuke had been imprisoned for his crimes. She had visited him often, too often perhaps. She'd always hoped for something—a flicker of recognition, a shared glance, a word. Anything. But Sasuke had never acknowledged her. Not once. He had sat in his cell, staring off into a distance that only he could see, lost in thoughts he never shared.
Even after the Rokudaime had pardoned him—a decision that had caused ripples of discontent through the village—Sasuke had left without a word. No goodbyes. No explanations. Just the hollow emptiness of his absence. At that point, she had let go of all her pride, rushing after him to offer herself. For what? A night with no passion and the weight of a broken heart. It was supposed to mean something, but instead, it had left her with more questions than answers, more pain than closure.
In the time that followed, Sakura found herself trapped in an endless cycle of self-doubt. Had she been too much? Not enough? She had wondered, endlessly, whether he had thought of her even once during his travels, or whether she had simply been another piece of the past he needed to leave behind.
"You have a nerve showing up here like this!"
Yamato's voice cut through the heavy silence like a blade, his face flushed with anger as he bore down on them, looking every bit like an enraged god. Behind him, Shizune hastily followed, her expression one of apprehension. Well, Sakura thought, at least she has her man back.
Sasuke offered a slight quirk of his mouth, but the half-smile faded as quickly as it came. "Uhm, hi," he muttered.
"Gone for weeks without reporting back!" Yamato bellowed. "Do you even begin to understand the worry you caused? We—"
"Shhh." Shizune placed a calming hand on Yamato's arm, her gaze sweeping over the wedding festivities. "Not here."
Yamato's eyes flicked to the crowd as if only now realizing where they were. His posture slackened, and for a moment, he looked weary—pale, as though he hadn't seen sunlight in weeks. What had happened to him? Sakura noticed the strain in his features, the tension in his body, and it made her wonder what the hell was going on. She craned her neck, looking for a silver-haired shinobi in a black suit and found him sauntering in their direction.
"Hey," Kakashi greeted Sasuke, his tone casual. "So nice of you to make an appearance."
"We agreed I'd come back," Sasuke replied, his voice laced with defensiveness. His scowl deepened, the corners of his mouth pulling further downward.
Kakashi tilted his head slightly, squinting. "We also agreed you'd check in regularly." His tone was still light, but there was an unmistakable edge to it now. "We have some pressing matters to discuss." His eyes slid toward Sakura briefly before he added, "But I'll give you two a few more hours to catch up."
Sasuke glanced at Sakura too. "Alright," he muttered, clearly uneasy. "Is there a problem?"
Kakashi gave a slow, deliberate nod. "You could say that. But we'll keep it quiet for now—no need to ruin Naruto's big day."
Without waiting for a response, Kakashi gave a quick gesture to Yamato, who followed him reluctantly, Shizune in tow, leaving Sakura and Sasuke alone again.
Sakura narrowed her eyes at Sasuke, suspicion bubbling up. "You work for him?" She confronted him.
"It's classified," Sasuke mumbled, still looking uncomfortable. Oh, so he was capable of showing emotion?
"You do!" She whispered furiously. "What are you? Anbu?!"
Sasuke's expression hardened as soon as Sakura whispered the accusation. "It's classified," he repeated with emphasis. His jaw clenched as his gaze shifted away.
Sakura huffed in annoyance. All of this. It had felt alien to begin with and now felt like a sad pretense. An era of peace? Excuse her why she laughed at how foolish they all were! An image of Kakashi in his Anbu uniform flashed in her mind. Genma a bloodied mess. Someone poisoning their Hokage. A new era? What a ridiculous lie! The world hadn't changed; it had merely shifted, adapted its masks.
"You piss me off with your secrets!" she spat, not just at Sasuke, but at Kakashi, Yamato, and anyone else who played these games. "Why does he pretend we're at peace when we're not? Why is he lying to everyone?"
"Sakura," Sasuke frowned. "I do what I need to. If you're that unhappy, take it up with your Hokage."
"Oh, you can be sure I will!" Sakura's temper flared, her hands curling into fists at her sides. "But this I take up with you: You disappear for months, never write to me, show up and pretend nothing's happened between us, and you expect me to just accept that? I won't!"
Sasuke turned his full attention back to her, his dark eye locking with hers. "I didn't come back to argue."
"Then what did you come back for?" Sakura snapped. "Scowl, be unpleasant, ignore me? You know what, I am sick of it. Sick!" She felt like throwing something, but there was nothing at hand. "Sick," she repeated once for emphasis, balling her fists even harder.
Sasuke's gaze wavered for a moment, and then he sighed. "It's... complicated."
Sakura's eyes narrowed. "Oh no, it's not," she said, her voice hard as steel. "Either you're in, or you're out. I'm done with waiting."
Sasuke turned away, his face now in profile. There was something unmistakably sad in his expression. She studied him, feeling her heart twist. Why couldn't he confide in her? Just once? But no… she was done with waiting. Truly.
"I agree with you," he finally said, his voice low, almost defeated. "You've waited long enough. I'm sorry, Sakura. I… I cannot be who you want me to be."
Cannot? Or don't want to be.
"We're done," she said instead, her voice barely above a whisper, her chest tight with the effort of holding back the tears. Done? When they had never truly been anything to begin with?
Without waiting for a response, she turned and walked away. In search of something stronger than her resolve—alcohol.
It was dark, around 9 PM, and the Hokage's office was still lit up like a beacon for anyone to see. That burning light only stoked Sakura's fury further. How dare he sneak off to work on Naruto's wedding day!
The Anbu guards let her pass with a nod and no questions. She hated all of them with their stupid masks and their stupid loyalty. She took the stairs by storm and didn't bother knocking; Kakashi would have felt her chakra long before she reached the door.
"We need to talk!" she bellowed, flinging the door open with enough force to slam it against the wall.
Before she could storm inside, a tiny black blur shot toward her, yipping in excitement. The little puppy wagged its tail so hard it looked ready to take off like a helicopter.
"Ohhh, hi sweetie!" Sakura cooed, scooping the dog up into her arms as it licked her face with wild enthusiasm, its little pink tongue darting across her cheeks.
Kakashi sat behind his desk in his usual clothes, fingers steepled in front of him. "You're a day early," he remarked dryly.
"You," Sakura growled, adjusting the wriggling puppy in her arms, "are something else."
"Undeniably," he replied, raising an eyebrow. "But do enlighten me."
"I," she fumed, "have something to say!"
"Yes, I can see that. Do you want to sit…?"
"No!" She shook her fist in the air. She knew all his tricks. He was trying to calm her down, but she was beyond that.
Kakashi leaned back in his chair, a faint smirk playing at the edge of his masked face. "I see. Please, go ahead."
Sakura tightened her grip on the squirming puppy. "Don't you dare try to defuse me with your stupid calmness!" she shouted, her voice trembling with frustration. "I am furious, and you know it!"
Kakashi's eyes crinkled in amusement. "I've noticed. But I'm still unclear on why."
"Because… because…" She inhaled deeply to steady herself. Why was she so furious? Her thoughts just wouldn't sort themselves. "Because you keep these ridiculous secrets! You, Sasuke, even Yamato—everyone treats me like I can't handle the truth, like I'm just supposed to sit back and accept whatever scraps you decide to throw my way!"
"Hmm," Kakashi sighed. "Secrets… Did you have a fight with Sasuke? If so, I'm sorry, it's probably my fault."
What? Sakura pulled a face at the ludicrousness. Ugh, she felt a wave of dizziness wash over her. "Yes, everything is your fault. It all feels like a facade. The wedding, the celebrations—while you're hiding something! We're not in some idyllic era of peace; it's a ticking time bomb!"
"I need you to calm down," Kakashi said, his amusement evaporating. "Sit."
The authority in his voice was enough to make her comply. As she sank into the chair in front of his desk, it felt oddly familiar against her backside. She had occupied this spot countless times as a young kunoichi, eagerly awaiting new missions. But this time, she was wearing a rumpled green dress and uncomfortable black shoes and was feeling like absolute shit. Figures. Out of time, out of place.
"What are you here to tell me?" Kakashi asked.
"I'm sick and tired of this," she mumbled, feeling a wave of exhaustion wash over her now that she was seated. Ouch, her legs hurt.
"You're drunk, Sakura," Kakashi said mildly. "You should go home and sleep it off. Or maybe remove the alcohol poison from your bloodstream. Tsunade mentioned how easy that is."
Sakura snorted, her irritation flaring. Bringing up Tsunade, were they now? "Where is she?"
"Who?"
"Well, Tsunade. She wasn't at the wedding!"
"I don't know where she is," Kakashi shrugged. "Why, do you need her advice? I can help you find her."
Sakura snorted. Suuuuure.
"You really love your secrets, don't you?" she accused, jabbing a finger at him. "Not a single person I ask knows anything about you and Tsunade."
"Because there's nothing to know," Kakashi replied calmly.
"You admitted to the affair yourself!" Sakura exclaimed.
Kakashi shook his head, muttering something that sounded like "oh boy." That only fueled her anger further.
"And you're not even bothered by the fact that she wrote down all the details of your affair! All the intimate details, to be precise!"
"Have you been reading more Sensual Secrets of the Masked Sensei?" Kakashi sighed.
Well, it was hard to miss the recent release of volume 9, was it! Every bookshop in Konoha advertised it like crazy!
"Sakura, I'm still not sure what you're doing here," Kakashi said, throwing a glance at the clock. The clock! Like she was a nuisance! "So far, you've mentioned secrets, a false sense of peace, and my 'affair' with Tsunade. As for keeping secrets, yes, that's part of a Hokage's job. We keep secrets professionally. There are certain people a Hokage has to rely on to maintain that secrecy, and Sasuke is one of them. He cannot disclose his mission to you, and for that, I'm truly sorry."
He was wrong. She wasn't here because of Sasuke. She was done with him and had never felt better. She was about to set him straight, but he cut her off with a raised hand.
"I'm not finished. You say the current peace is a sham. It is not. But peace doesn't just come from nothing; it requires hard work. It's part of my job to maintain this current stretch of peace, and I will admit it takes considerable effort. As for me and Tsunade…"
Suddenly, Sakura didn't want to hear anything more about that. She should never have read Sensual Secrets—especially not after seeing Kakashi in those boxer shorts.
"…it is none of your business," Kakashi concluded his lecture.
To Sakura's absolute horror, she erupted into noisy, sloppy tears that seemed impossible to stop. The puppy in her lap whimpered with concern, only making her cry harder.
"Hey," Kakashi said, kneeling in front of her, his hand gently cradling her head. "What is it? I'm sure we can fix this. He's here for a few more days; you just need to talk it out."
Sakura wanted to laugh, but the tears kept flowing, making it impossible. Talk it out? With Sasuke? That was the funniest thing she had heard all week!
"Stop… talking… about… Sasuke," she managed to gasp between sobs. "I don't want to hear his name ever again."
"Come now," Kakashi said, gently removing the puppy from her grip and pulling her to her feet. "This will pass. Like all things do."
She buried her face into his shirt, sobbing uncontrollably, her hands clinging to him like he was a lifeline. They wandered up his body to his neck, tracing the contours of his face until her fingers brushed against his mask. Without thinking, she pulled it down.
"Please don't push me away," she pleaded, her voice muffled against his chest. "Please."
With her eyes tightly shut, she sought his lips with hers. They were even warmer, softer, and more welcoming than she had ever dared to dream.