Published at 16th of September 2024 2:22 pm

Chapter 31 The Bonds We Choose ;The Silent Watcher

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Sasuke Uchiha had always been a man of few words, someone who preferred the shadows to the spotlight. His life had been shaped by tragedy, loss, and an unrelenting quest for power and vengeance. It wasn’t until much later, after the war and his journey of redemption, that he thought he had found peace. He had returned to the village, become a father, and tried to live the life of a husband to Sakura.

But Sasuke had never been truly at peace.

For years, he had been haunted by lingering doubts. Was this really the life he wanted? Was Sakura really the woman he loved? He had convinced himself for so long that it was, but deep down, there was always something missing. It wasn’t until recently, after stepping back and watching everything unfold from the shadows, that Sasuke realized the truth he had been blind to for so long.

He wasn’t in love with Sakura.

Sasuke had spent much of his time away from the village on missions that took him far and wide, often for long periods. But despite the distance, he had always kept a close eye on what was happening in Konoha. Through his network of spies, he knew what was happening between Sakura and Naruto long before either of them had admitted it to themselves. He saw the stolen glances, the growing closeness, and eventually, the affair that began to blossom in secret.

At first, the realization that Sakura and Naruto were growing closer should have hurt him, but strangely, it didn’t. Instead, it brought him a sense of clarity. Sasuke realized that the love he thought he had for Sakura was not as deep as he had believed. It wasn’t the all-consuming passion he had once felt. His attachment to her had been rooted in obligation, a sense of loyalty to his old team, and a desire for normalcy after years of chaos.

Sasuke watched from the shadows as Naruto and Sakura’s relationship deepened, as they struggled with their feelings for each other and what it meant for their families. He saw the guilt that plagued them both, but he also saw something else—something real, something that he had never quite felt with Sakura. Their connection was undeniable, and Sasuke couldn’t help but feel relieved.

Because it freed him.

For so long, he had been shackled by the weight of his past, his obligations, and his belief that he had to be with Sakura. But now, seeing them together, seeing the genuine affection between them, Sasuke realized he no longer had to be bound by that. His heart had been elsewhere all along, though he hadn’t fully recognized it until now.

Karin.

Her name echoed in his mind as if it had been waiting there all along. Karin had been a loyal companion during his time with Taka, but back then, Sasuke had been too consumed by hatred—hatred for his brother, for the world, for the curse that seemed to hang over his clan. He had never allowed himself to see her in any other light. To him, love had been a distraction, and he had been focused solely on his mission.

But things had changed. The darkness that had once clouded his mind had lifted, and in its place was a new understanding. Karin had been by his side through some of the darkest moments of his life, supporting him when he was at his lowest. And now, when he thought of her, he felt something that had eluded him for so long: warmth. A sense of belonging.

Sasuke had been keeping tabs on Karin as well. After the war, she had disappeared, retreating into the background as he returned to the village and his life with Sakura. But as he began to question his own feelings, he found himself thinking about Karin more and more. The moments they had shared, the bond they had formed—it had all been so much deeper than he had allowed himself to realize at the time.

And now, Sasuke knew what he had to do. He had to confront his feelings, to break free from the life he had built on shaky foundations. His relationship with Sakura had been an illusion, a shadow of what real love could be. He had thought he loved her, but it had been more about fulfilling a role—a role he no longer felt compelled to play.

As Sasuke traveled through the forests outside Konoha, heading toward the remote hideout where Karin had been staying, he allowed his mind to drift. The guilt that he thought he should feel—about leaving Sakura, about abandoning their marriage—never came. He had done his duty by her and by their daughter, Sarada. He had given them stability when they needed it, but now it was time to move on. Sakura was already on her own path, even if she didn’t fully realize it yet.

He thought of Sarada, the daughter he was proud of, and a small pang of regret tugged at his heart. Sarada had always idolized Naruto, more than she ever had him. The bond between her and her mentor was something he had observed from afar, and he knew it was only growing stronger. Sasuke knew Sarada had feelings for Naruto, feelings she probably didn’t fully understand yet. He had seen the way she looked at him, the way her eyes lingered longer than they should have. Part of him wanted to intervene, to warn her that Naruto’s heart was already taken by both Sakura and Hinata. But another part of him knew that Sarada had to find her own way, just as he had.

The truth was, Sasuke wasn’t surprised by Sarada’s feelings. He saw so much of himself in her—her confusion, her longing for something more than what she had. He knew that she would have to face her own struggles, but he also knew that she was strong enough to handle them. After all, she was his daughter.

Finally, after days of traveling, Sasuke arrived at the hideout where Karin had been staying. The air was thick with anticipation as he approached the entrance, his heart pounding in a way it hadn’t in years. For the first time in a long time, Sasuke felt uncertain. What if she didn’t feel the same way? What if it was too late?

But when he saw her, standing in the doorway, her red hair gleaming in the fading sunlight, all his doubts melted away. Karin looked at him with the same fiery intensity that she always had, and Sasuke knew, in that moment, that everything would be different from now on.

"Karin," he said, his voice steady but soft, "I’ve been a fool."

She smirked, her eyes flickering with amusement and something else—something deeper. "Took you long enough to figure that out."

Sasuke felt a rare smile tug at the corner of his lips. For once, he wasn’t running from the truth. He wasn’t hiding in the shadows, consumed by his past or the burdens of his clan. Here, with Karin, he felt free.

"I was blind," he admitted. "I thought I knew what love was. But I was wrong."

Karin took a step toward him, her eyes searching his face. "And now?"

"Now I know who I really am," he said, his voice resolute. "And I know who I want to be with."

In that moment, Sasuke felt lighter than he had in years. He had spent so long fighting against the currents of his own life, trying to fulfill obligations that no longer held meaning for him. But now, standing here with Karin, he realized that he didn’t have to be bound by his past anymore. He could build a future—a real one, not based on duty or guilt, but on love.

As the sun set behind them, casting the world in hues of red and gold, Sasuke knew that this was the beginning of something new. A life where he was no longer the silent watcher, but an active participant in his own happiness.

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