Chapter Text
The Team 7 was gathered at the training ground, a place that had witnessed many significant moments for them. As Sasuke and Naruto approached, everyone shared a silent understanding: Team 7 would be disbanded.
It was the last time the trio would be there together as a team.
At the age of 15, each of them had chosen a distinct path in their ninja careers. Sakura became an apprentice to Tsunade Senju, deepening her knowledge in medical jutsu, an environment where she didn't feel inferior or pressured to keep up with Sasuke and Naruto.
As expected, Sasuke joined the Konoha police, following the traditional path of his clan. As for Naruto, he would pursue his dream of becoming Hokage, training with his father from then on. Internally, Sakura questioned if this didn't represent some favoritism. She took a deep breath, trying to maintain composure. Team 7 had somehow become her family, and now it was about to dissolve, turning into just a memory of her childhood.
Could she preserve this family? This intrusive thought left her feeling depressed, with a bitter taste in her mouth.
"Sakura-chan!" Naruto waved enthusiastically, bringing her out of her reverie. She responded with a smile and shifted her attention to the brunette following him. She felt her hands sweat inside the gloves, her heart betrayingly accelerating.
It was always like this when she saw Sasuke Uchiha, as if he were the core of a planet and gravity pulled her towards him.
As usual, he maintained the same expressionless face, but Sakura could understand something when she gazed into those black orbs. To her surprise, Sasuke looked away from her. Sakura felt embarrassed realizing that she was openly observing him and had been noticed.
Sitting near the logs where, years ago, Naruto was tied for a Kakashi test, Sakura smiled at the sweet memory of their foolish youth.
"What are you smiling about, Sakura-chan?" The hyperactive blonde sat beside her.
"Memories."
He nodded, following the same path as his teammate. Deep down, neither of them wanted this farewell, but it was necessary for growth. There were pains that brought benefits. Sasuke stood in front of both of them, not uttering a word, just watching the two friends attentively.
"I'm glad you're all here," Kakashi spoke behind them, catching everyone's attention. Sakura rolled her eyes; her sensei was always late, even on an important day. "How about one last training session?" Naruto and Sasuke exchanged a glance; even after years together, they were still rivals. They always wanted to outdo each other, and when given the opportunity to fight, they seized it.
It didn't take long for both of them to be in the middle of the field, exchanging punches and kicks. They had significantly improved in taijutsu, but Sakura twisted her face in disgust. Once again, she was being left out during training, not understanding why they excluded her. After getting hurt, they sought her assistance to tend to their injuries. Sakura wondered if her friends didn't consider her worthy of attention on a battlefield.
"Do I only serve as the healer for these idiots?" She observed them as they prepared to resume the fight.
Sasuke hit a Naruto clone with a Chidori; the original blonde was a little behind, forming a Rasengan. Sakura sighed; this would go on for a while. She got up and walked closer to them, not enough to be noticed. She closed her eyes and focused her chakra in her right hand.
Kakashi watched from a distance, amused by what was about to happen. He pulled out his Icha Icha Paradise book and started flipping through it.
"SHANNARO!" Sakura shouted, hitting the ground with all her strength.
The punch was strong enough to open the ground. Sasuke and Naruto, who were exchanging punches, looked scared in her direction after hearing the shout followed by a tremor. The ground opened beneath them, and some rocks hit them, making them fall groaning in pain.
Sakura adjusted her glove and approached both of them, sitting beside them. They were exhausted from using chakra and now sore from the friend's blow.
"You two never learn." Naruto started laughing, and Sakura locked eyes with Sasuke, who was watching her closely. "You should stop this idiotic competition."
"Good punch, Sakura." She nodded in acknowledgment to her sensei and began her healing work. Kakashi closed his book and approached his students. "I think this was a good farewell."
Sakura felt an ache in her heart at that moment but decided not to let it show in front of them. She just smiled and nodded, not trusting the stability of her voice. Sasuke, who was watching her, sensed the falseness behind that cheerful smile. He knew her well enough to identify it. He closed his eyes, exhausted; he would deal with it at the right time.
After healing Naruto and Sasuke, the trio agreed to meet at Ichiraku for a last meal together. Sakura remained sitting in that field for hours after witnessing her friends and her former sensei take different paths. It might seem silly to anyone who didn't have their heart tied to that trio, however, she felt that last image bleed into and mark her soul.
When she was sure she was alone, she allowed herself to cry.
The farewell tore a part of Sakura's heart that afternoon. Even though she knew she would still encounter Naruto or Kakashi on missions, a part of her acknowledged that, on that day, she was bidding farewell to the youthful love she had nurtured for Uchiha Sasuke for years.
She had promised herself that she would change her life, become a great medical-nin, and never allow herself to be seen as fragile and inferior again.