[fluff]

Useless.

I've been called that my entire life. It had gotten to the point where I thought it was my name. It was what I was—useless.

I was book smart no doubt about it, I would come up with a plan and they would execute it to the T. All while making sure I was out of harm's way. 

I practiced my jutus to try and make them better, and I thought it would show when in sparring. But no, it sucked—it always did.

Then they left, and left me to fend for myself. They could no longer protect me and I knew from then on, I had to protect myself.

But that's all I've been trying to do—protect myself. But they'd always pull me to the side and tell me to stay there, while they risked their lives for me. I hated it. It just made me feel like I really couldn't do it.

Untill I bursted through the doors of the Hokage's office demanding that Lady Tsunade take me under her teachings. I wanted to be strong and what better way to do it than from a legendary sannin? I had to. I had to prove myself and everyone else wrong. Let them know that I can protect myself. That I wasn't useless. That I was a fighter...

I spent days on end trying to become this strong person. I stopped crying, I barely wanted any sweets. I had to take on a persona that I was actually ready for. The inner me became who I am now. This is me; Sakura.

Looking up, I saw the two of them with their backs to me. Clothes torn, dirty and bloody. Again, risking their lives. Clenching my fists at my sides I took a step forward.

No, that's not who I am anymore. I'm not that girl. With all my strength, I reared back and focused a good amount of chakra to my fist before punching the clone before me. It went flying, screeching as it whizzed past both Sasuke and Naruto. The both of them jerking their heads in my direction.

"Awesome." I could see Naruto mouth as Sasuke swallowed. I jumped in the air, concentrating more of my chakra to my fist for my final blow.

I felt the earth breaking beneath me and my ears popped from the elevation decrease. I felt the best I've felt in a while. I-I felt useful. Finally....

"Naruto, don't hold us back." Sasuke says once they joined my side. I smirk. Sasuke, acknowledged me.

I smile. I can do this. I can fight with them.

Years Later...

Pink strands of hair were entangled with raven as I find myself smiling. She's holding our kid, something we created to solidify our love; our bond.

She's chased behind me for years, watching my back while I protect her.

She was wearing one of my shirts with my clan's symbol plastered on her back; something I always found attractive that she did. Then again, anything she does is attractive.

Our daughter's chunky arms are thrown around her mother's shoulders, as her face was tucked deep into Sakura's neck. Small whimpers could be heard as Sakura hummed a song and patted our child lightly on the back to shush her.

Her back was towards me as I leaned on the doorframe watching my wife be a mother.

Feeling me staring, she looked over her shoulder and smiled coyly before turning away from me once more. I stuck my hand in my pocket.

God, I love her.

Now it's our turn to relax together. Under the moonlight. We sat right outside with my head resting in her lap. Her dainty hands tangled in my hair and scratching at my scalp to soothe me. She pushes my hair away from my eye and I find myself looking up at her. Her eyes are glued on the stars making her emerald eyes shine so much brighter than any star ever could. My wife is so beautiful.

"Ne, Sakura." I call to her. She blinks once, then her eyes travel to me before her head tilts down, giving me her full attention.

"Yes Anata, what is it?" Her voice sounding so beautiful. Her hair slipped over her shoulder. I reached up pushing it behind her ear. She blushed as she always did whenever I'd touch her, or even show the slightest bit of affection towards her. Her full lips quivering.

"Remember when you said one day Naruto and I would be gazing at your back?"

She furrowed her eyesbrows in confusion. Wondering where I was going with this.

"A-Ah, I remeber." She answers.

"I think I'm the only one who need to do that." My hand slipped from behind her ear and to her cheek. My thumb slowly tracing over the outline of her lips. Her blushing increased and I felt her breath hitch. "I don't want anyone else admiring you but me." She pulled away from me.

"You can't just say things like that!" She says nervously. Her voice trembling. I tilt my head.

"Why not?" I ask. "You are my wife, aren't you?"

"Y-Yes b-but-"

"But nothing." I close my eyes and turn on my side, wrapping my arm around her small waist. I inhaled her scent. Something I've always found myself doing whenever I was this close to her. Again, she froze.

"Sakura, relax." I tell her. "I'm your husband, this should be natural."

After a few moments, her hands were back in my hair and I found myself smiling.

"I love you Sasuke-kun." She whispers. "And as long as you're gazing at my back, I'll gaze at yours."

"I love you too, Sakura." I tell her honestly.

It's moments like these I cherish. We've come a long way. I neglected her for my own vengeance. And she still loved me. I'll never deserve her. Ever.

"Thank you." I say.

"Hm, what are you thanking me for?"

"For never loving anyone else but me."

I can hear her give a small sigh. A few scratches on my scalp. I feel myself gripping her tighter, pulling her closer as if I even could.

"When you love someone, it's unconditional." She says softly. "Your past doesn't always define who you are."

"Yeah, I know." I tell her.

Her hands leave me and I feel the cool air fill the gaps where her fingertips once were. I frowned. Why'd she stop?

"Ya'know, I always thought I was useless growing up." She says weakly. "I thought I'd just be okay with the brains of it, and rely on the two of you to execute my thought out plans. Who knew that every single time, you'd be risking your lives for me. I couldn't do that to you guys anymore. I had to be able to be shoulder to shoulder with you two. I wasn't gonna rest untill I did."

I look at her. She was leaned back on her hands, staring at those dim stars again. Her eyes sparkling as she revisits the times when Naruto and I put our lives on the line to make sure she was okay. A small smile dancing at the corners of her lips.

"So I got stronger." She continues. "To make it so that the two of you wouldn't ever have to worry about me again." 

The wind crept up my spine as I stared at my wife.

"You were never useless Sakura."

She paused before looking down at me. I blinked.

"You're a woman, back then you were just a little girl. Your life is more important than Naruto's and my own." I lowered my gaze as I turned on my back once more. "If anything would've happened to you, the both of us would've killed. Mercilessly."

"Sasuke-kun..."

I close my eyes. "You'll always be useful." I tell her. When I open my eyes, her green crystals greet me. A pink tint on her face. I smirk. "Plus I wanted to see the look on Naruto's face when you choose me and not him."

Her mouth dropped causing me to chuckle. She slapped my forehead.

"That isn't funny Sasuke-kun!"

"Heh."

"Mama. Papa."

I raised up as Sakura turned around. Our toddler stood in the doorway rubbing her tiny little eyes. She stepped further outside untill her little chunky body collapsed onto mine. I held her. She clutched at my shirt, stuffing her face into my neck as she did her mother.

"Bad dream?" Sakura coos touching our daughter's silky hair.

"Hn." Sarada nodded, making my head move as well.

This. This is my peace. This is my happiness. This what I should've fought for a long time ago.

By: hoekahgay 🤸🏾‍♀️