separated.
Fandom: Naruto
Characters: Uchiha Sasuke & Haruno Sakura & Uzumaki Naruto
Prompt: pov: 2nd person narrative & 024. anniversary party
Word Count: 1220
Rating: T
Disclaimer: I do not own Naruto
Notes: Written for mission insane & times for three. Prompt tables are here & here.
-
You hear a quiet voice call out from the bedroom that it’s time.
Slowly, careful not to rumple the beautiful scarlet kimono you bought for this exact occasion, you drag your feet to the front door, and pause there to wait for your significant other to finally emerge. When the mop of blonde hair finally emerges from the room, clad in a traditional black robe, you can’t help but note that it doesn’t fit the man.
Dully, you note that the butterflies that used to infiltrate your stomach at sighting him still fly around, but are just suppressed by the cloud of heartbreak looming over it.
“You look pretty, Sakura-chan.” His voice automates, the sparkle in his shining cerulean eyes long gone.
You nod in response, not trusting your voice. You wonder how he still manages to compose himself, to at least look strong, because you know him well enough to know that he isn’t as well as he tries to seem. “Thanks,” you reply, your voice just as dull and automatic. “Shall we?”
He nods - a quick tip of his head, ruffling the spiky blonde hair ever so slightly. You two walk side by side down the streets of Konoha - though you are not touching, because it is still too early for that. It beings back once happy memories that now only bring pain when they surface - memories of a time that when you walked, your arms were always linked, and most importantly, there were still three of you.
The walk feels like an eternity, whether it’s because of the missing presence, or because of what’s waiting for you at the other end. You’re not sure - but depression is the second stage of grief, and you’re ready to believe that it’s both, because denial already passed you by.
At last, the Uchiha compound comes into view, and for a second, the two of you hesitate by the entrance, scared of the large, overwhelming estate. Your hand trembles slightly, and your lower lip is slightly swollen from the excessive amount of nervous biting. Suddenly, your hand is warm, and fingers are laced through yours.
Your initial reaction is to flinch away, but you stop it just in time. In the past 12 months, physical interaction between the two of you have dwindled down, and his touch is almost foreign to you. You know he is hurting too, and bringing him more hurt will just make you hurt as well. Because you still love him too - only, the grief from losing a loved one is greater than the euphoria from loving someone.
The door swings open, and an uncomfortable looking jounin steps out, full of nervous smiles, ushering them in. The two of you mumble a ‘thanks’ in unison while being led to the main hall, where the party is being held. The man smiles again before stepping into the hall, back to the party.
Looking at the closed door, you feel a mixed surge of hysteria and heartbreak wash through you, and a bony hand reaches out to grab the cloth of Naruto’s shirt to steady yourself. Though no tears come out, you feel the familiar feelings of despair course through you - the knowledge that the three of you will never again be a part of the same whole.
A comforting hand reaches out to hold you, the other hand prying your hands away from his clothing to pull you closer. “Shh, Sakura-chan,” he soothes, though you can tell by the crack that he too is barely containing his despair. “It’ll be alright. Be strong.”
Again, you marvel at how strong he is - comforting you when he is clearly in pain as well. A part of you is hurting for him - hurting for the fact that he can’t deal with his grief properly because he has to deal with yours first. But your head is clouded, and your mind can only process your pain at the moment, and any comfort is welcome.
Together, you slide the door open slowly, and step inside the room side by side, hands laced tightly together, hidden from view. Inside, the party is in full swing, and the couple standing near the front look up to greet their newest guests. The life around you stop, and suddenly, it’s just the three of you again. Together, in the same place.
Even from the other end of the room, you can tell from his eyes that he’s feeling the same way. And as sudden as the bliss came, you are thrown out of it when a delicate hand reaches out and clutches his toned arm. He snaps his gaze away from the two of you, and turns to his wife, lips moving slowly.
You stare in wonder as a brunette walks up, a small bundle in his arms, and hands it back to them. You can’t hear what he’s saying, but as much as you’d like to deny it, there’s no question that he’s saying what a beautiful baby she is, and how much she looks like her parents.
The beautiful exotic woman by his side is all smiles, cooing the baby bundle in her arms, but you note that he’s unmoving, his eyes wandering back to you.
You feel a small tug at your hand, and you turn to your left, where Naruto has an accepting look in his eye that screams we have to do this, and you look away, but allow yourself to be tugged towards the couple anyway. As you reach them, the woman flashes you a brilliant smile - blissfully unaware of the relationship her husband used to share with the two of you - and thanks you for coming.
Naruto strains a smile for her, and replies on autopilot, “Happy anniversary.” Dull eyes stray to the small bundle in her arms. He opens his mouth to speak, but no words come out. You sense his distress, and somehow, through your clouded judgement, know that it’s best if the woman remains ignorant.
“That-that’s a beautiful baby there,” your voice cracks slightly, but it’s the best you can do. “She definitely takes after the two of you.” At the mention of her daughter, the woman starts a commentary on how much she loves her child, and seems to tune out everything else as she continues on.
As she talks, the three of you look at each other for the first time in a year. Really look. In his obsidian eyes, you see the same heartbreak that you know is mirrored in yours and Naruto’s, but you also see something else. A sort of acceptance is floating there - and although you’re not ready to accept, you know that deep down, it’s the finish line you’ll eventually reach.
And you also know that even though he accepts it, it doesn’t mean he’ll ever stop loving you two - because you know he won’t - that sort of love never fades; it’s a bond deeper than any knife can cut.
And with a small nod, you and Naruto turn away from the married couple, making your way to the back. You know that this heartbreak won’t ever go away, and you clutch Naruto’s hand tighter.
But at least you’ve still got Naruto, and although it’s nothing like the three of you together, you know it’s simply the next best thing.
Characters: Uchiha Sasuke & Haruno Sakura & Uzumaki Naruto
Prompt: pov: 2nd person narrative & 024. anniversary party
Word Count: 1220
Rating: T
Disclaimer: I do not own Naruto
Notes: Written for mission insane & times for three. Prompt tables are here & here.
-
You hear a quiet voice call out from the bedroom that it’s time.
Slowly, careful not to rumple the beautiful scarlet kimono you bought for this exact occasion, you drag your feet to the front door, and pause there to wait for your significant other to finally emerge. When the mop of blonde hair finally emerges from the room, clad in a traditional black robe, you can’t help but note that it doesn’t fit the man.
Dully, you note that the butterflies that used to infiltrate your stomach at sighting him still fly around, but are just suppressed by the cloud of heartbreak looming over it.
“You look pretty, Sakura-chan.” His voice automates, the sparkle in his shining cerulean eyes long gone.
You nod in response, not trusting your voice. You wonder how he still manages to compose himself, to at least look strong, because you know him well enough to know that he isn’t as well as he tries to seem. “Thanks,” you reply, your voice just as dull and automatic. “Shall we?”
He nods - a quick tip of his head, ruffling the spiky blonde hair ever so slightly. You two walk side by side down the streets of Konoha - though you are not touching, because it is still too early for that. It beings back once happy memories that now only bring pain when they surface - memories of a time that when you walked, your arms were always linked, and most importantly, there were still three of you.
The walk feels like an eternity, whether it’s because of the missing presence, or because of what’s waiting for you at the other end. You’re not sure - but depression is the second stage of grief, and you’re ready to believe that it’s both, because denial already passed you by.
At last, the Uchiha compound comes into view, and for a second, the two of you hesitate by the entrance, scared of the large, overwhelming estate. Your hand trembles slightly, and your lower lip is slightly swollen from the excessive amount of nervous biting. Suddenly, your hand is warm, and fingers are laced through yours.
Your initial reaction is to flinch away, but you stop it just in time. In the past 12 months, physical interaction between the two of you have dwindled down, and his touch is almost foreign to you. You know he is hurting too, and bringing him more hurt will just make you hurt as well. Because you still love him too - only, the grief from losing a loved one is greater than the euphoria from loving someone.
The door swings open, and an uncomfortable looking jounin steps out, full of nervous smiles, ushering them in. The two of you mumble a ‘thanks’ in unison while being led to the main hall, where the party is being held. The man smiles again before stepping into the hall, back to the party.
Looking at the closed door, you feel a mixed surge of hysteria and heartbreak wash through you, and a bony hand reaches out to grab the cloth of Naruto’s shirt to steady yourself. Though no tears come out, you feel the familiar feelings of despair course through you - the knowledge that the three of you will never again be a part of the same whole.
A comforting hand reaches out to hold you, the other hand prying your hands away from his clothing to pull you closer. “Shh, Sakura-chan,” he soothes, though you can tell by the crack that he too is barely containing his despair. “It’ll be alright. Be strong.”
Again, you marvel at how strong he is - comforting you when he is clearly in pain as well. A part of you is hurting for him - hurting for the fact that he can’t deal with his grief properly because he has to deal with yours first. But your head is clouded, and your mind can only process your pain at the moment, and any comfort is welcome.
Together, you slide the door open slowly, and step inside the room side by side, hands laced tightly together, hidden from view. Inside, the party is in full swing, and the couple standing near the front look up to greet their newest guests. The life around you stop, and suddenly, it’s just the three of you again. Together, in the same place.
Even from the other end of the room, you can tell from his eyes that he’s feeling the same way. And as sudden as the bliss came, you are thrown out of it when a delicate hand reaches out and clutches his toned arm. He snaps his gaze away from the two of you, and turns to his wife, lips moving slowly.
You stare in wonder as a brunette walks up, a small bundle in his arms, and hands it back to them. You can’t hear what he’s saying, but as much as you’d like to deny it, there’s no question that he’s saying what a beautiful baby she is, and how much she looks like her parents.
The beautiful exotic woman by his side is all smiles, cooing the baby bundle in her arms, but you note that he’s unmoving, his eyes wandering back to you.
You feel a small tug at your hand, and you turn to your left, where Naruto has an accepting look in his eye that screams we have to do this, and you look away, but allow yourself to be tugged towards the couple anyway. As you reach them, the woman flashes you a brilliant smile - blissfully unaware of the relationship her husband used to share with the two of you - and thanks you for coming.
Naruto strains a smile for her, and replies on autopilot, “Happy anniversary.” Dull eyes stray to the small bundle in her arms. He opens his mouth to speak, but no words come out. You sense his distress, and somehow, through your clouded judgement, know that it’s best if the woman remains ignorant.
“That-that’s a beautiful baby there,” your voice cracks slightly, but it’s the best you can do. “She definitely takes after the two of you.” At the mention of her daughter, the woman starts a commentary on how much she loves her child, and seems to tune out everything else as she continues on.
As she talks, the three of you look at each other for the first time in a year. Really look. In his obsidian eyes, you see the same heartbreak that you know is mirrored in yours and Naruto’s, but you also see something else. A sort of acceptance is floating there - and although you’re not ready to accept, you know that deep down, it’s the finish line you’ll eventually reach.
And you also know that even though he accepts it, it doesn’t mean he’ll ever stop loving you two - because you know he won’t - that sort of love never fades; it’s a bond deeper than any knife can cut.
And with a small nod, you and Naruto turn away from the married couple, making your way to the back. You know that this heartbreak won’t ever go away, and you clutch Naruto’s hand tighter.
But at least you’ve still got Naruto, and although it’s nothing like the three of you together, you know it’s simply the next best thing.