-3rd Person-

As Team 7 approaches the quaint village nestled within the dense forests of the Land of Fire, the orange hue of the setting sun casts a serene glow over the cobblestone streets. The village is quiet, and the sound of distant chattering and the occasional birds chirping are the only noises that fill the air. The atmosphere is peaceful, a stark contrast to the tension that weighs heavily on the group as they edge closer to their mission of retrieving Sasuke.

Yamato turns to the team, his expression calm but firm. "We'll take a short break here before we continue. Get what you need, but stay close. We don't want to waste time."

Naruto stretches his arms over his head, letting out a relieved sigh. "Finally, a break! My legs are killing me." He glances over at Mizuki, who's been quietly walking beside him. 

"You okay, Mizuki?"

Mizuki nods, her red hair falling over her eyes as she gives her brother a small smile. "Y-yeah, I'm okay," she says with a smile.

Sakura, standing a few steps behind them, notices Mizuki's unease and steps forward. "Hey, Mizuki," she says, her tone soft and inviting, "Do you want to come with me to the herbalist? We can get those ingredients for the ointment you mentioned earlier."

Mizuki hesitates, her blue eyes darting between Sakura and the ground. She still feels a lingering nervousness around Sakura, the memories of their past encounters making her wary. But she also knows that Sakura has changed, that she herself has changed. Taking a deep breath, Mizuki nods. "O-okay, that sounds good," she replies.

Naruto flashes them both a thumbs-up. "We'll wait here. You two go ahead. Just don't take too long!"

Sakura chuckles, waving him off. "We won't be long, don't worry."

The two girls walk through the village, the cobblestones cool beneath their feet as the evening air carries the scent of fresh herbs and blooming flowers. The village square is small but bustling with life—children playing in the streets, shopkeepers closing up for the day, and villagers chatting as they go about their evening routines.

As they approach the herbalist's shop, Sakura notices Mizuki's tense posture and tries to ease the tension with light conversation. "This village is really charming, don't you think? It's nice to see such a peaceful place."

Mizuki glances around, nodding in agreement. "Y-yeah... it's pretty," she mumbles, her voice still timid. Despite the tranquility of the village, she can't help but feel a sense of unease, a weight that presses on her chest as memories of the past flicker in her mind.

The herbalist's shop is a small, cozy place, with shelves lined with jars of dried herbs, bottles of oils, and baskets filled with fresh plants. The walls are adorned with hanging bundles of lavender and rosemary, their fragrant scent filling the room and creating a calming atmosphere.

Sakura steps up to the counter, smiling politely at the elderly woman behind it. "Good evening. We're looking for some ingredients to make an anti-mosquito ointment. Do you have any suggestions?"

The shopkeeper, a kind old woman with a warm smile, nods thoughtfully. "You've come to the right place, dear. Let me see what I have." She shuffles off to the back of the shop, leaving Sakura and Mizuki to browse the shelves.

As Sakura looks over the various herbs, she notices Mizuki quietly inspecting a jar of dried lavender, her fingers gently brushing the surface. "Do you like lavender?" Sakura asks, trying to make conversation.

Mizuki looks up, surprised by the question. "I-it's nice... it smells good," she replies, her voice barely audible.

Sakura smiles, nodding in agreement. "It really does. Lavender's great for relaxation, too. Maybe we should get some and mix it into the ointment. It might help us sleep better during the mission."

Mizuki nods again, a small smile tugging at the corners of her lips. "Th-that's a good idea..."

When the shopkeeper returns with a small basket of herbs, Sakura turns to Mizuki. "Do you know how to mix the ingredients?" she asks, her tone curious.

Mizuki nods, looking down at the herbs in the basket. "Y-yes... I remember creating ointments for us when we did the Chuunin Exam a few years back."

Sakura's smile widens. "That's great. You'll have to show me how it's done."

Mizuki blushes slightly at the compliment, feeling a bit more at ease. "S-sure... I'd be happy to," she says, her voice a little stronger this time.

~~~

As they finish their transaction and step out of the shop, the sun is just beginning to dip below the horizon, casting long shadows across the village. The evening air is cool, and the sky is painted with shades of pink and purple.

The two girls walk in silence for a while, the quietness between them not uncomfortable, but filled with unspoken thoughts. Sakura glances at Mizuki out of the corner of her eye, noticing how the younger girl's expression seems lighter now, but still tinged with a hint of worry.

After a few more steps, Sakura suddenly stops, causing Mizuki to halt as well. "Mizuki," Sakura begins, her voice soft but serious, "There's something I need to talk to you about."

Mizuki looks up at Sakura, her heart skipping a beat. The way Sakura is looking at her, with a mix of determination and regret, makes her feel a swirl of emotions—nervousness, curiosity, and a bit of fear. 

"W-what is it?" she asks, her voice barely above a whisper.

Sakura takes a deep breath, her eyes locking onto Mizuki's. "I want to apologize... for what I did to you three years ago," she says, her voice trembling slightly. 

"Back on that ice island... when I left you on that cliff... I was so caught up in my own anger and jealousy, and I took it out on you. I know I've said sorry before, but I don't think I've ever really said it in a way that mattered."

Mizuki's breath catches in her throat. The memories of that day rush back to her—the fear, the cold, the feeling of abandonment. She remembers how Sakura's actions had cut deep, leaving scars that she had tried so hard to heal. But she also remembers how much time has passed since then, how they've grown and changed as people.

"I was wrong, Mizuki," Sakura continues, her voice filled with remorse. 

"I was so focused on my own pain that I didn't see how much I was hurting you. I've carried that guilt with me for a long time, and I need you to know... I'm truly sorry. I don't expect you to forgive me right away, but I want you to know that I'll do anything to make it up to you."

Mizuki stands there, her mind racing. She can feel the weight of Sakura's words, the sincerity in her voice. Part of her wants to hold onto the hurt, to let it fester as it had for so long. But as she looks at Sakura, at the genuine regret in her eyes, something inside her begins to soften.

Taking a deep breath, Mizuki slowly steps forward, her hands trembling slightly. "S-Sakura..." she begins, her voice wavering. 

"I-it was a long time ago... We were just kids, and we didn't know any better. I've held onto that pain for so long, but... I can see you've changed. You're not the-that same person anymore."

Sakura's eyes widen, tears brimming at the edges as she listens to Mizuki's words. 

"Mizuki... I—"

Before she can say anything else, Mizuki closes the distance between them and wraps her arms around Sakura in a tight hug. Sakura stands frozen for a moment, shocked by the gesture, but then she slowly wraps her arms around Mizuki, holding her close.

"I-It's okay, Sakura," Mizuki whispers, her voice filled with warmth. 

"I-I forgive you... The past is the past, and I know you won't hurt me again."

Sakura squeezes her eyes shut, tears slipping down her cheeks as she holds Mizuki even tighter. "Thank you, Mizuki... Thank you so much," she whispers back, her voice thick with emotion. 

"I promise I'll never let you down again. I'll be there for you, no matter what."

Mizuki nods against Sakura's shoulder, feeling a sense of relief wash over her. The pain and resentment she had carried for so long began to fade, replaced by a newfound sense of trust and understanding.

They stay like that for a few moments, holding onto each other as the sky darkens, stars beginning to twinkle in the fading light. When they finally pull apart, both girls are smiling, their eyes red but filled with a sense of peace.

"Let's go back to the others," Sakura suggests, her voice lighter now. "I'm sure Naruto is getting impatient."

Mizuki giggles softly, wiping away the last of her tears. "Y-yeah... He's probably wondering what's taking us so long."

As they walk back through the village, the weight of the past feels lighter on their shoulders. The village seems even more beautiful now, the lights of the houses glowing warmly in the distance. They both know that the road ahead is still long and uncertain, but for the first time in a long while, they feel a sense of hope—a belief that no matter what challenges they face, they can overcome them together.

When they return to the rest of Team 7, Naruto greets them with a wide grin. "Finally! What took you guys so long?"

Sakura and Mizuki share a knowing look before Sakura playfully ruffles Naruto's hair. "Just girl talk, Naruto. Nothing you need to worry about."

Naruto huffs, crossing his arms. "Hmph, fine. But next time, don't keep me waiting!"

Mizuki giggles again, feeling lighter than she has in years. As they prepare to continue their journey, she glances over at Sakura, who gives her a reassuring smile.

They may be on a mission to save Sasuke, but along the way, they've also begun to heal themselves—to mend the wounds of the past and forge a stronger bond for the future.

=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=

YIPEEE THEY'RE OFFICIALLY FRIENDS NOWW....or are they- 

HOW'S TODAY'S CHAPTER? WHAT ARE YOUR THOUGHTS ABOUT ITTT, LEMME KNOW!

Hope you guys have been enjoying the new writing style! I've been enjoying it this way, let me know if there are any missing elements that you guys miss from my previous style.

Bye Potatoes!

Stay Fab!