The days had grown quieter but more chaotic. The pressure of exams, research, and looming deadlines had everyone immersed in their own worlds.
Neji and Sakura spent their days buried in the university's research library, surrounded by papers, books, and laptops as they worked tirelessly to finalize their research conclusions. Neji's sharp analytical mind paired well with Sakura's meticulous attention to detail, though their exhaustion was palpable.
"I'm starting to think this research is a form of punishment," Neji muttered, rubbing his temples.
Sakura chuckled weakly, flipping through another reference. "If we survive this, we'll deserve honorary degrees."
Meanwhile, Naruto and Shikamaru had their own complaints. During a rare break in the quad, Naruto groaned dramatically, slumping onto the bench beside Shikamaru.
"Our teachers are seriously out for blood," Naruto whined. "Do they not know what mercy is?"
Shikamaru smirked lazily, flipping through his notes. "You're just mad because you actually have to study for once."
Naruto glared at him. "And you're not?! You're just as swamped as me!"
"Yeah, but I'm not the one shouting about it in the middle of campus."
Hinata and Sasuke had been working on a shared assignment for their Advanced Strategies class, often partnered with Karin, much to their mutual frustration. Karin's assertive personality clashed with Sasuke's calm, while Hinata found herself awkwardly mediating between them.
"Let's just stick to the parameters Professor Hatake gave us," Sasuke said coolly, not even looking up from his notes.
Karin rolled her eyes, leaning closer than necessary. "Oh, come on, Sasuke. Don't tell me you're not at least a little intrigued by adding something bold to the presentation."
Hinata cleared her throat softly. "Um, maybe we could focus on what's already outlined? It might be safer…"
Over at the hospital, Ino was in the middle of a whirlwind shift. As a nurse, her days were long and demanding, but she often found comfort in the small victories of her job. One such moment was seeing her two friends—Sakura and Sasuke—reconnect after years of misunderstanding.
During a coffee break with one of her colleagues, she couldn't help but smile as she thought about it.
"Why are you grinning like that?" her coworker asked, raising an eyebrow.
"Just…happy," Ino said with a shrug. "Some people I care about are finally getting along."
Her coworker smirked knowingly. "Getting along, huh? Is that what we're calling it now?"
Ino laughed, shaking her head. "It's not like that—well, maybe it is. But they better do something about it."
Later that week, the campus buzzed with the usual midday energy. Students walked briskly between classes, huddled in groups over textbooks, or lounged on the grass enjoying a rare moment of sun. Sakura and Hinata were walking toward the central quad when Naruto caught up to them, waving energetically.
"Hey, you two!" Naruto called out, slinging an arm around Hinata's shoulders. "Done with your stuff?"
"Almost," Sakura replied, adjusting her bag on her shoulder. "Just need to finish up a few more things with Neji later."
As they approached the steps leading to the main building, Sakura spotted Sasuke standing near the entrance seemingly texting someone. Her heart gave an involuntary jolt, as they didn't have much time spent together since that night. She smiled softly, but before she could call out to him, she saw someone else approaching him—Karin.
Karin strode up to Sasuke with purpose, her body language confident and casual. She knew Sakura was watching, therefore before Sasuke could even register her presence, she leaned in and kissed him as tender as possible.
The world seemed to freeze for a moment. Sakura stopped in her tracks, her breath catching in her throat. Naruto and Hinata stood beside her, both clearly stunned by what they were seeing.
"What the-" Naruto started.
"Fuck." Sakura finished.
But the moment passed quickly. Sasuke shoved Karin away, his hands firmly pushing her back as his voice rang out, sharp and furious.
"What the hell are you doing, Karin?" he snapped, his eyes burning with anger.
Karin, unfazed, smirked. "Come on, Sasuke. Don't act like you didn't enjoy it."
"I didn't," he spat, stepping back. "Stop it, damn it."
Without waiting for more, Sakura turned sharply and began walking away, her expression a mask of indifference.
Suck it, both of you.
"Sakura, wait!" Naruto called after her, but she didn't stop.
Hinata grabbed Naruto's arm, gently shaking her head. "Let's go, Naruto. She needs space."
Sasuke watched helplessly as Sakura walked away, with Naruto and Hinata in tow. He cursed under his breath, then turned his glare back on Karin.
"You really can't stop yourself, can you?" he said, voice cold as ice.
Karin shrugged, though her smirk faltered under his gaze. "You're so tense, Sasuke. I was just trying to lighten the mood. You seemed like you needed it—"
Sasuke's anger flared, his expression darker than Karin had ever seen. She faltered, unsure of what had triggered his response. Was it really that serious between him and that pink-haired girl? She never thought it was, mostly because Sasuke had never shown interest in anyone—especially not someone like Sakura.
"If you ever show up in my face again," Sasuke growled, his tone icier than she had ever heard, "I'll make sure you regret it for the rest of your life."
"Sas—"
"Stay out of my business. Don't interfere in my life. Ever again." Sasuke's words were a sharp command as he shoved past her, forcing her to step back.
Without a second glance, he walked away, his thoughts a tangled mess as he tried to figure out how to undo the damage Karin had just caused.
He hated how he felt, though he couldn't quite put a name to it. It wasn't like he and Sakura were anything official, but damn, the feelings were there. Strong, undeniable, and raw. They existed—only for her. She was the one he wanted, the one he craved, the one he needed. The realization made his stomach twist in frustration. He couldn't afford to mess this up again.
She makes me feel.
But chasing after her now felt wrong. It was clear she needed space, and pushing himself into her world at that moment would only make things worse. They were like fire and wind when the air was thick with tension, both unpredictable and volatile. He needed to be the calm one this time, let her have her distance, and hope that time would give them both clarity.
By nightfall, the weight of the situation pressed on him. He couldn't just let it be. He had to fix it, whatever "it" was. So, against his better judgment, Sasuke found himself standing in front of her door. It was a December night, cold enough to make his breath visible in the air, and his hoodie barely offered any relief. But that didn't matter. He wasn't here for warmth.
The door creaked open, revealing Sakura. Her messy bun, oversized shirt, and long legs made her look effortlessly casual, but there was no mistaking the frown on her face as she looked up at him, tired eyes still sharp with emotion.
"Sakura," Sasuke rasped, his voice low.
"What do you want?" Sakura frowned, her arms crossed tightly over her chest, her body language closed off.
Sasuke shoved his hands deeper into his pockets, trying to steady his nerves. He opened his mouth, ready to speak, but the words caught in his throat. Before he could say anything, Sakura spoke again, cutting him off.
"Make it quick. I'm freezing," she said, her tone sharp, though it didn't completely mask the hurt in her eyes.
"That kiss," Sasuke finally started, his jaw tight as frustration flooded through him. He closed his eyes for a moment, collecting his thoughts. "That wasn't something I expected."
Sakura raised an eyebrow, her expression unreadable. "Okay, so?"
Sasuke looked at her, confusion creeping into his frown. Was she really that unaffected? Did she not care anymore? His stomach tightened.
"What—?" He began, but Sakura interrupted him before he could finish.
"Sasuke, I saw it," she said, her voice quieter now but no less firm. "Karin kissed you, not the other way around. It bothered me, yeah, but... it's over now. It's not like we're anything. I don't have the right to be mad."
Her words hit him harder than he expected. He blinked, thrown by her calmness, the ease with which she seemed to dismiss the whole situation.
Sakura's gaze didn't waver as she processed his words, but then something shifted in her. Without another word, she moved quickly, her hand darting out to grab the laces of his hoodie. She yanked him toward her, just enough for him to stumble forward. The sudden closeness caught Sasuke off guard, his chest nearly pressing against hers, and his breath catching at the proximity as he touched her waist.
For a moment, all he could focus on was the warmth of her, the contrast of the cold night air with the heat from inside her house that washed over him. He could feel the subtle tremor of her fingers on the hoodie's laces, and it was as if everything between them—everything unsaid—hung in the space between their faces. His pulse raced, and his heart beat louder than he would have liked.
Sakura's eyes locked onto his, and she was close enough for him to see the faintest flicker of something behind them—frustration, confusion, maybe even a little hurt. Her voice was barely above a whisper, but it carried a sharpness that cut through the tension.
"Don't pretend like you don't care now, Sasuke." The words weren't angry, but they were enough to make his chest tighten. "Don't think I'm stupid."
He stood there, breathless for a second, caught between wanting to push away and wanting to stay in that moment, just long enough to feel the weight of everything between them. But she didn't let go. Her grip on the hoodie tightened, pulling him even closer.
"Don't act like it didn't affect you too," she added, voice steady but with a hint of something raw beneath the surface.
Sasuke opened his mouth to speak, to say something, but nothing came out. Not yet. He needed a moment. A moment with her so close, so real, where everything else faded into the background. He closed his eyes, trying to recompose himself, but there's no room for that as Sakura closed the door by pushing him against it.
He closed his eyes for a second, trying to steady himself, but the space between them offered no room for composure.
Before he could think further, Sakura made a move that pushed him into the present. She slammed the door shut behind him, using her body to press him against it, her eyes fierce, demanding.
"What do you really want, Uchiha?" she asked, her voice sharp and unrelenting. The question hung in the air, her breath close enough for him to feel against his skin.
Sasuke's heart raced, every part of him wanting to take a step back, to keep his walls intact. But in that moment, he couldn't. There was no way to lie, no reason to pretend. He had no defense, no excuse, no words to dodge what she was asking.
Without thinking, he simply answered.
"You."
The word was out before he could stop it, low and honest. And it left the space between them charged, the rawness of it settling over them both. His gaze was intense, fixed on hers, as if daring her to challenge him further or push him away. But for once, he didn't want to hide.
Not from her. Fuck it, not anymore.