Chapter Text
She was only 13 when Sasuke left so it made sense that it emotionally wrecked her so much. But at the same time she couldn’t help but acknowledge, he did that. He knocked her unconscious then left her on a public bench. Did he even think about it? She may have been a kunoichi but she was also a girl.
Emotions ran high that day from the moment she was knocked out till the moment she hoke up hours later. Upon waking up of course her first action would be to alert lady Tsunade. ‘Although she doubts there’s no way they don’t know already… Right?’
So despite this, she would go and report to hokage like a good ninja of konoha would do before spiralling herself to insanity.
Unfortunately nothing got better as once she finished her report to lady Tsunade. Her blood ran cold when she was met with a loud BANG.
‘He’s had about 4 hours to run in any direction and get a head start, he could be anywhere by now’ a little part of her broke inside at the thought he was gone. But among every other issue she had no time to get lost in her thoughts at a time like this.
“THAT DAMN TRAITOR” Screamed lady Tsunade as she prepared for another barrage against her desk.
Instinctively she raised her arms to defend against her teachers wrath. Papers and splinters of wood flew everywhere while Tsunade was yelling for Shikamaru.
‘Why Shikamaru of all people’ she couldn’t help but think. Especially when Kakashi sensei deserved to know, or even Naruto!
But she wouldn’t be one to question the Hokage.
When Shikamaru arrived he looked as though he just awoke from a nap, yawning, and seeming like he couldn’t care less the Hokage just summoned him.
“You summoned me, lady Tsunade?” He lazily spit out.
“Shikamaru, I’m sorry for the late notice but I’m here to give to an extremely important mission. You must find teammates for yourself as I don’t have the shinobi to spare at the moment.”
“Yes lady Tsunade, may I know what exactly this mission is?” His back was straighter now. Obviously deciding to take this mission seriously.
In response lady Tsunade looked at her expecting her to recount what happened last night.
So I took a deep breath a managed to relay what happened last night. From the unexplainable feeling that something was wrong - to my running towards the gate only to come face to face with him. I even pathetically explained how I tried to stop him but just wasn’t strong enough.
Overall, it was a horrifying experience which I somehow managed to get through without my voice shaking like crazy. But Shikamaru saw right through me. Giving me a tender glance before going stoic once again.
“Can I tell you who I want on my team right now? I have decided already and it’s best to gather and get going as soon as possible with a mission like this.” He was cool with his response, almost like he’d been ready for it.
“Of course I’ll summon them as soon as you tell me to save time” she summoned two anbu, to have let do the summoning for her.
Shikamaru nodded, “Right, I’d like Naruto, Neji Hyuga, Choji Akimichi, and Kiba Inuzuka” and within an instant the anbu were gone and Tsunade dismissed us, telling Shikamaru to get ready and me to rest.
‘Of course, despite knowing she was no match for a mission like this it didn’t hurt any less that she wasn’t considered at all.’ She almost forgot she was still walking with Shikamaru if not for him interrupting her thoughts.
“I couldn’t include you on this mission because Sasuke already decided, not because you were weak. If you couldn’t stop him at that gate, than that means we have to take this more seriously.” He read her like a book (almost) if not for the fact he said just about every wrong thing.
“I’m not this holy figure on team 7 like you think I am. I’ve always been watching them on the sidelines, cheering them on, and even being protected rather than trained.” I sighed frustrated, “Up until Tsunade, no one believed that I could truly become anything other than Sasuke the last Uchiha, and Naruto the nine tail jinchuriki’s teammate.”
He scoffed at the beginning on my speech, but ultimately listened and took me seriously.
“Sakura, you’re like the sun. You’ve had all these people revolving around you all your life but you’re too bright to see it yourself.” They were nearing her house and his turn was coming up so she planned on just running away after what he said but a firm hold on her wrist stopped her.
He looked at me. Like really looked at me with an unfamiliar almost fond look. And said “I’m just one of many caught in your orbit so even though one less planet couldn’t mean less to me, I’ll do my best to retrieve it if that’s what makes you happy.”
“What does that mean” I managed to squeak out despite how flustered I was.
“It means you have an army willing to fight for you and bend to your every whim.” I was going to ask him more questions but this time he was quick to put his finger over my mouth.
Effectively shushing me and stunning me.
“I know you have questions but I have to go. I’ll try my absolute best to bring him back for you.” He moved a strand of hair out of my face before turning around and walking away.
I would never notice the blush that engulfed his ears or hands.
And he never would get to hear about how she truly didn’t care whether he came back or not. She understood the gravity of what Sasuke has done and is not stupid.
‘What’s done is done and she can’t let herself get her hopes up.’ Even if Shikamaru’s speech had allowed her to dream a little bit.
—————
When all the boys from the retrieval squad were back they were severely injured. And as selfish as it was she couldn’t help but look for Sasuke among them.
He wasn’t there of course. And Shikamaru and I came to a silent agreement to not talk about his promise or anything he said before his mission.
We just had to go back to living our normal lives now. Which wouldn’t be so hard to do if not for the fact Sasuke was apart of her normal life.
She couldn’t help but envy Shikamaru, he probably couldn’t care less about his absence.
She’s just gonna have to find something that fills the void of what was there.
Whether she’s filling the void team 7 left or Sasuke left she’s not sure. All she knows is she’s gonna have to find something to fill that void fast.