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 lightly tugging 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 ran through his mind more times than he would admit. Yet, he never really pulled away. He never stopped you. He never brushed your hand off his sleeve.
It irritated him. It irritated him how easy it was to let you stay by his side and how natural it felt to have you near. He acted with indifference, responded with short sentences, and pretended he didn't care about you. But every time you were in danger, panic arrived first—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 a mission, everything changed.
It was supposed to be a simple mission, until an ambush left you seriously wounded. Your ankle was badly injured and even Sakura couldn't heal it completely. The village was still too far away.
You tried to stand up.
You failed.
Before you could fall again, Sasuke held you.
Silence took over the group.
Without saying a word, he lifted you into his arms.
—Sasuke...!
—Don't move.
His voice was firm and left no room for argument.
You stayed completely still, your cheeks burning, as he began to walk as if carrying you were the most natural thing in the world.
His grip never loosened.
Not once.
—You're reckless.
Months later, you and Sasuke started 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, finally, everything had turned out well.
But as time passed, something began to change.
Little by little, he began to ignore you. Each time he spoke less to you and spent more time with Sakura. His attention was completely focused on her, to the point that he seemed to be in love with her.
During another mission, Sakura suffered a minor injury. Thanks to her knowledge of medical ninjutsu as Tsunade's student, she healed herself in a few minutes.
You, on the other hand, were much worse off. A deep leg wound barely allowed you to stay standing.
When the mission ended, Sasuke insisted on accompanying Sakura back to Konoha.
Sakura shook her head.
—Sasuke, I'm fine. I'm already healed. My wound wasn't serious. She is much worse off; we should help her first.
Sasuke didn't even turn to look at you.
—She will be fine.
Without adding another word, he began to walk next to 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 anyway. There was no one who could help you.
After hours of traveling the road, you arrived on your own at a small unknown village. Your breathing was ragged, blood was still running down your leg, and you could barely keep consciousness.
Coincidentally, that very 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 calmly through the streets when a figure caught their attention.
It was you.
You were staggering, covered in dust, dirt, and dried blood. Your clothes were torn from battle and your leg barely responded. It seemed like a miracle you were still standing.
Naruto's eyes went wide.
—What the hell happened?! You're seriously hurt!
Without a second thought, he ran toward you.
Gaara also stopped. His normally calm expression changed upon seeing you in that state.
When Naruto reached you, your body could no longer handle it.
Your legs gave out.
Just before you hit the ground, Naruto managed to catch you in his arms.
—No! Stay with me! Don't close your eyes!
Gaara quickly approached and observed your leg wound.
—This injury 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 respond.
—He... went... with... Sakura...
Silence filled the place.
Naruto lowered his gaze for a few seconds, in disbelief.
Gaara closed his eyes slightly.
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 wounds.
—Take her to the hospital immediately, —he ordered firmly.
Naruto walked by your side the entire way, worried about your condition, while Gaara led the way to the Sand Village hospital.
Although they didn't know how long you had been enduring the pain, both made a silent promise.
They would not let you face suffering like that alone again.