You have always been in love with Sasuke. Honestly, who wouldn't be?
He was talented, handsome, and naturally cool. Most girls admired him from afar, but you were never the type to keep your distance. You always found a way to be near him: walking by his side during missions, sitting close during training, or tugging lightly on his sleeve just to get his attention.
And Sasuke found it annoying. At least, that’s what he told himself.
"She's so annoying..." That thought echoed in his mind more times than he would admit. Yet, he never truly walked away. He never stopped you. He never pulled your hand from his sleeve.
It irritated him. It irritated him how easy it was to let you be by his side and how natural it felt to have you near. He acted indifferent, spoke in short sentences, and pretended he didn't care. But every time you were in danger, panic took hold before logic, before control.
And every time someone managed to make you laugh, something sharp twisted in his chest.
Ridiculous.
Annoying.
Irritating.
And yet, his eyes always ended up searching for you.
Until, after one mission, everything changed.
It was supposed to be a simple mission, until an ambush left you gravely wounded. Your ankle was badly injured and even Sakura couldn't fully heal it. The village was still too far away.
You tried to get up.
You failed.
Before you could fall again, Sasuke held you.
Silence fell over the group.
Without saying a single word, he lifted you into his arms.
—Sasuke...!
—Don't move.
His voice was firm, leaving no room for argument.
You remained completely still, your cheeks burning, while he began to walk as if carrying you were the most normal thing in the world.
His grip never loosened.
Not once.
—You are reckless.
Months later, you and Sasuke began a relationship. During the first few weeks, and even the first few months, he was attentive, affectionate, and always at your side. You thought that, at last, everything had worked out.
But as time passed, something began to change.
Little by little, he started to ignore you. He spoke to you less and spent more time with Sakura. His attention was completely focused on her, to the point where he seemed to be in love with her.
During another mission, Sakura suffered a minor injury. Thanks to her medical ninjutsu training as a student of Tsunade, she healed herself in minutes.
You, however, were much more severely wounded. A deep leg injury barely allowed you to stay on your feet.
When the mission ended, Sasuke insisted on taking Sakura back to Konoha.
Sakura shook her head.
—Sasuke, I'm fine. I'm healed. My wound wasn't serious. She is much worse; we should help her first.
Sasuke didn't even turn to look at you.
—She will be fine.
Without another word, he began to walk alongside Sakura back to Konoha, leaving you completely alone.
With a wounded leg and an exhausted body, you barely managed to keep moving. Every step was torture, but you kept walking. There was no one who could help you.
After hours of traversing the path, you reached a small, unknown village on your own. Your breathing was ragged, blood was still running down your leg, and you could barely stay conscious.
Coincidentally, that same day, Gaara was visiting his home village to handle some business as Kazekage. Naruto had decided to accompany him for a few days, as he had no pending missions in Konoha.
Both were walking quietly through the streets when a figure caught their attention.
It was you.
You were stumbling forward, covered in dust, dirt, and dried blood. Your clothes were torn from battle, and your leg barely responded. It seemed a miracle you were still standing.
Naruto’s eyes widened.
—What the hell happened?! You're seriously wounded!
Without a second thought, he ran toward you.
Gaara also stopped. His usually calm expression changed upon seeing you in that state.
When Naruto reached you, your body could hold up no longer.
Your legs gave out.
Just before you could hit the ground, Naruto managed to catch you in his arms.
—No! Stay with me! Don't close your eyes!
Gaara quickly approached and looked at the wound on your leg.
—This wound is hours old... You've been walking completely alone.
Naruto clenched his fists in rage.
—Where is Sasuke? Why the hell did he leave you alone?!
With the little strength you had left, you barely managed to answer.
—He... went... with... Sakura...
Silence filled the air.
Naruto looked down for a few seconds, in disbelief.
Gaara closed his eyes slightly.
They both understood what had happened.
Without wasting any more time, Gaara used his sand to carefully support your body and prevent movement from worsening your injuries.
—Take her to the hospital immediately —he ordered firmly.