"Sasuke, have you done the laundry yet?!" I yelled nervously while running around the house.
"Yes. I folded everything up and placed it into your drawers," he replied calmly while sipping on coffee and watching T.V.
"Ugh, you know I never look in my drawers! That's what my chair is for!" I ran back into my room to get the clothes from inside my drawer.
The school trip was in a few hours and I had yet to pack my bags. "Sasuke!" I whined from my room, "Did you buy me any snacks?!"
"Yes. I already packed them in a bag for you," I heard him say.
Thank God I have him. If not I would be struggling right now.
I finally finished packing my bag, so I placed it by the door along with the bag of snacks Sasuke had made for me. I wiped my forehead in relief as I saw my bags ready to go.
"In your snack bag, I made sure to pack your wallet and a new bottle of pepper spray I also went out last night to take some money out from the bank for you," said Sasuke while handing me a few bills in cash.
"Huh?! You didn't have to! And how did you even take out money when you're not even from this time?" I asked in surprise.
"I still remember my bank account information from this time. I only took out a small amount so the current me won't get too suspicious...I was an idiot in this time and I never checked my banking statements, so it's fine."
It's kinda weird how he's just stealing from himself...
I placed the money he gave me into my wallet and back into my snack bag.
"Thanks, Sasuke...really, I appreciate it...but what're you gonna do while I'm gone? It's three days...Will you be okay? Is there enough food for you?! Oh no, should I go out right now to buy some things?!" I began to panic at the idea of leaving Sasuke all alone for three days.
Why didn't I think about this before?! I'm leaving him alone in my apartment for three days, and he's gonna be lonely and maybe even hungry! Ahhhshjsjs
I was yanking on my pigtails in anxiousness as thoughts ran through my mind. I'm like a neglecting parent?! Oh my gosh, is he gonna be okay?!
While I was freaking out, I felt Sasuke's hand pet my head like a child. I slowly looked up to face him and saw him smiling as he laughed.
He's smiling...I think this is the first time I've ever seen his smile be that happy...even his laugh...
I felt my heart begin to pound again as I watched his rare expression. It's happening again...Every time I try to stop my feelings and I feel as if I am, he finds a way to crawl back into my heart. Maybe...Maybe it's time he leaves...
"Um, Sasuke..." I mumbled while looking at the ground, "Things have been going well between Kakashi and me..."
"Is that so...?" He slowly removed his hand from on top of my head.
"Yeah...So I think it's about time you leave..."
"What...?"
I couldn't look him in the eye. The words I spat were not only hurtful towards him but for me as well. "D-Didn't you say you would leave as soon as Kakashi fell for me? That happened, so I think our future will be okay now," I said while trying to convince both of us that he was no longer needed.
His eyes closed for a moment. He then opened them again and carried a cold expression. "...I'll be gone by the end of next week. There's actually one more thing I need to do to make sure that our future is 100 percent fixed."
"One more thing...?"
"Yes. Now go get some sleep. You have to be at school in a few hours."
I nodded my head and turned around to go to my room. I shut the door behind me with a sigh. He's really leaving soon...I...I don't-
I quickly stopped my thoughts and ran to find my phone. Once I had my phone in my hands, I turned on my screen to stare at my home screen.
I'm in love with Kakashi. I don't care that Sasuke is leaving. I don't love him. I love Kakashi.
I stared at the picture of my boyfriend and me as we sat on the train on our way to our first date. I smiled at the memory Kakashi and I shared. He is your future and your happiness.
"Finally, we're here!" I shouted happily as I hopped off the bus.
"The Land of Hot water~ I can't wait to jump into a hot spring~," sang Sakura as she followed behind me.
We both grabbed our bags and made our way to the hotel with our class.
"Remember everyone, please stick together with your group and always check the class chat!" we heard Ino shout while we made our way into the hotel.
Sakura rolled her eyes, mocking her with a face. I chuckled at her gestures, pushing her forward so Ino wouldn't see her.
"Sakura-chan, you gotta calm down that shade," I giggled.
"She deserves every second of it!" she shouted with determination in her voice.
I rolled my eyes playfully as we both received our room keys. "We're here to have fun, Sakura-chan," I reminded her, "Let's hurry up and leave our stuff to go venture out."
She nodded her head. "Groups who?"
"Never heard of her," I laughed.
Sakura wasn't one to break the rules, but if it was Ino calling the shots, you know she would do everything to make her angry. We were going to venture out on our own and screw with Iruka-sensei and Ino.
Naori P.O.V
As soon as my school arrived in the land of hot water, I distanced myself from my group, trying to find the Sasuke from the future.
"I'm over here," I heard him say. He stood against a tree, wearing all black, a cap, and dark-tinted sunglasses.
I stood on the opposite side of the tree, trying not to make our interaction too obvious.
"You remember the plan, right?" he asked as he adjusted the shades on his face.
"Yes...I need to make sure Sasuke doesn't try to save Naruko...How are you going to stop Naruko from running into those thugs? You weren't there when that happened, so what will you do...?" I asked.
"If there's one thing I know about my wife, she's a trouble maker that moves to the beat of her own drum...I just need to follow her and make sure she never leaves her assigned group." He then passed me a small piece of paper. "Here. These are the places where you might run into her. Try to avoid these places at all costs."
I stared at the piece of paper and nodded, folding it back into my pocket. "I'll do my best."
"Thanks, Naori...I owe you," he replied softly.
As much as I wanted to agree with the plan and just walk away, I needed to ask, how can he be sure that all this work he's putting into stopping their meeting will actually work? What if all of this makes the future worse?
"Sasuke-kun...how do you know if you're doing the right thing...?"
He sighed with a heavy heart. "I don't...I can only hope she'll be happier once I'm out of the picture..."
Is this what love is...? Betraying one's own happiness for the happiness of another...?
I didn't understand. After Sasuke told me about the tragedy that befell them in the future, I was saddened by it. It made sense that he would want to let her go so she wouldn't have to suffer, but why? Why let her go instead of fighting for their current love. He has a time machine and the knowledge of the future, so can't he just correct what was wrong and bring himself as well as Naruko happiness?
It just didn't make sense to me. Why would someone who is so in love with an individual, let them go? Don't the characters in movies and stories always fight for their love? So why give up and let go?
"Sasuke-kun, why let her go...? Why don't you fight for your love...?"
He sighed again, fixing the black cap that sat on his head. "Sometimes...the only thing you can do for someone you love is let them go..."
"But...That doesn't make sense..."
"Naori...Naruko and I both love each other greatly, but the suffering she's going through isn't worth it...Sometimes fighting for your love can make the suffering worse...so to ease the pain, you let them go so they can be happy, even if it costs your happiness..."
"I...I still don't understand...? How can someone be so selfless for the well being of someone else...?"
"...You'll understand one day, Naori..."
I stared at the ground in confusion.
Because he loves her, he needs to let her go...? Is that really the reality of love? Is love really that poisonous...? I guess my mother was right...true love never works in the real world. No one can ever live happily ever after in our world, no matter how true one's love may be...
I sighed walking away from the tree and back to our group. "Don't worry Sasuke-kun, I'll make sure to stick to the plan."
Naruko P.O.V
Sakura and I had been running around the land of hot water on our own. We took pictures at every landmark and ate anything and everything we could afford. It was finally the end of the day and the school chat was telling us to report back to the hotel.
Sakura and I sat in front of a dango shop, resting our feet before heading back to the hotel.
"I think I ate enough food to last me all of winter," I sighed while rubbing my belly.
"Same...ugh," she complained while laying on my shoulder. "I gotta take a shit..." she whined.
"Bruh me too...I call dibs when we get back."
"No fair...I said I had to shit first," she mumbled.
"Yeah well, I called dibs..." I mumbled back.
Our stomachs were in a world of pain from eating all day. I held my belly tightly as I felt the gas slowly run through my intestines. Ughhhh I wanna dieeee!
We both looked at our phones to check the time.
"Sakura-chan...I don't think Imma make it to the hotel...I need a bathroom asap..."
"Same..."
We stood up together, holding on to each other's arms as we made our way to the nearest public bathroom.
"Maybe we shouldn't have forced ate that last dango," I complained.
She nodded her head in agreement.
Ugh, I hope Sasuke's having a better time than me...
Naori P.O.V
It was finally the end of the day and I had completed my mission. Sasuke was busy ordering rice balls from a nearby stand when I spotted Naruko walking out of the public bathroom with Sakura.
Sweat began to roll down my forehead at the sight of them. Why...why now?! I had avoided them all day and now this!
I quickly ran up to Sasuke, tapping his arm meekly in fear. "Uh um...Sasuke..."
His eyes glared at me, showing his annoyance for my existence. "What is it now?" he spat.
"Um...We should head back..."
His glare intensified. "Are you commanding me?"
My heart sank in fear from his hateful eyes. "N-no...! Of course not..."
He clicked his tongue, turning away from me as he continued to belittle me: "Hn. You're nothing but a disgrace to the Uchiha name. You abandoned your duties, disobeyed your family's will, and tarnished the reputation of your parents. You have no right to speak to me or even touch me. Stay away from me you disgusting excuse for an Uchiha."
As usual, the toxic words that left the mouth of this time's Sasuke was hurtful.
If only you could meet Naruko...then you wouldn't be like this...
I took a deep breath, preparing to do the unspeakable. I grabbed his hand and tried to pull him away from the stand. We had to go if not, all of my hard work would be for nothing.
"We need to go...!"
"What're you doing?!" He yelled angrily while trying to pull his hand away from mine.
I glanced back to the direction of Naruko and Sakura to see them approaching us. "Please, we need to go now...!"
The owner of the food stand brought out his food. I quickly took it in my hands and ran off with it. We need to go!
"Get back here!" He shouted angrily while chasing me.
I sighed in relief while running away. We'll be okay...
He had finally caught up to me grabbing my arm violently to take back his food. "What do you think you're doing?! Dumb bitch..."
He sat at a nearby bench, not allowing me to sit beside him. "I don't know what suddenly got into you but you need to learn your place...Without me, you would have been kicked out of the Uchiha estate long ago, so you better be thankful that my family even allowed you a chance to marry me."
My hands curled into fists from the anger he made me feel. I hate you Sasuke Uchiha...If only you could meet Naruko, you wouldn't be such a dick...Tch, I just hope Sasuke-kun knows what he's doing...
While I watched him eat his snack, I heard the sounds of panting in the distance. I looked to my side to see Sakura running towards us with two men following behind her.
What?! I thought Sasuke-kun said it was only Naruko who got chased down by thugs! How did he let this happen?!
"Help! Someone help!" she shouted while approaching me. Her eyes widened in shock when she finally noticed it was me: "Naori...?"
I grabbed onto her hand in fear of the situation. "Sakura, we need to run!" I then looked over at Sasuke in desperation. "We need to go!" I shouted.
He shrugged his shoulders while closing up the finished container of rice balls. "They're after her, not us."
"How could you say that?!" I shouted angrily.
"She's not an Uchiha, so why should I care about her?"
This son of a-!
Before I could snap back at him, the thugs had caught up to us, grabbing ahold of both Sakura and me.
"Let us go!" I shouted angrily.
The men that held us grabbed onto our bags, taking them for themselves with a grin.
"Give that back!" I yelled angrily.
"Sorry little girl, but we're taking those wallets," the man that held me laughed as his grip on me tightened.
Sasuke...please help...!
The two men were about to run off with our wallets when Sasuke finally came to our rescue. He fought off the two men, claiming our bags and what seemed like Sakura's heart.
Damn it...this is a mess...how did this even happen?
While Sakura was starstruck by Sasuke, I quickly shook her shoulder, trying to get her attention to ask about Naruko. "Sakura...where's Naruko?"
She finally snapped out of trance at the mention of her best friend's name. "Naruko...oh no Naori we need to go save her!"
"Wa-wait, Sakura, tell me what happened."
"We...we were on our way back to the hotel when Naruko saw a woman getting harassed by a group of men...You know how she always likes to play hero, so she went up to them and tried to save the lady. I begged her to stop, but she kept going until the group of men decided to put her in her place by stealing her money and hurting her. She then pushed me away, telling me to run. So the group of men split up, two following me and three following her...Naori, we need to go right now to save her!"
"Hn."
We both looked towards Sasuke who had mocked her plea for help. He brushed off his uniform before sitting back on the bench. "Don't expect me to go save another girl. If what you're saying is true, your friend was the one to start all this. This is her fault, so she should be the one to clean it up." He then stood up, calling me over to walk with him. "Let's go..."
I bowed towards Sakura in regret. "I'm sorry...I can't do anything...but please trust me when I say she's going to be okay..."
"H-How can you be sure...?"
"I just know...so please, go back to the hotel and wait for Naruko there. And whatever you do, don't mention that we were here...please..."
She nodded her head in confusion as I ran away to follow behind Sasuke. She'll be okay...she has Sasuke-kun watching over her.