Reckless Love || Sasuke x oc ?

The sun had set over Konoha, casting long shadows across the streets as Ryumi and the rest of Team 7 walked back into the village. Their mission had been successful, albeit more exhausting than anticipated. With each step, Ryumi could feel the weight of the mission’s end settling in, and the relief of returning to the village was almost palpable.

As they made their way to the Hokage’s office, Naruto and Sakura exchanged stories from the village, eager to return to their own lives after a long period of travel and danger. Ryumi, however, was a little quieter, her thoughts swirling.

It had been a long few days, and while the mission itself had been taxing, there was something else on her mind—Tetsuya. His sudden attentiveness toward her, his fanboy-like behavior, and those occasional, lingering glances hadn't gone unnoticed. Despite her playful teasing, there was a part of her that was curious about him, though she was determined not to let it show.

As they entered the Hokage office, Kakashi was waiting for them, his arms folded behind his head as he leaned against his desk, looking unusually serious.

“Good work on the mission, everyone,” Kakashi greeted them, his usual laid-back tone replaced with something more professional. “There’s no time to waste. I need Ryumi and Sasuke for an urgent mission. The details are in this scroll.” He handed Ryumi a scroll, and she raised an eyebrow, instantly sensing the gravity of the situation.

“Of course, Hokage-sama,” Ryumi said with a nod, accepting the scroll.

Sasuke, who had been standing quietly beside her, glanced at Ryumi, his sharp eyes narrowing ever so slightly. “Let’s go,” he said, his tone matter-of-fact. Ryumi could sense his unease; there was something urgent in the air, something that had nothing to do with the usual missions they took on together.

Before Ryumi could respond or ask further questions, she heard a voice behind her.

“Ryumi! Can I talk to you for a second?”

She turned around to find Tetsuya standing at the door, his expression a mix of determination and hesitation. He looked like he had something important to say, but she could see the uncertainty in his eyes.

“I’m sorry, Tetsuya, but I—” Ryumi started to say, but before she could finish, Kakashi interrupted her.

“Ryumi, Sasuke, you’re needed immediately. It’s an urgent mission. We’ll talk later,” Kakashi said quickly, his voice signaling the seriousness of the situation.

Tetsuya’s face fell slightly, his shoulders sagging with the weight of his unspoken words. Ryumi hesitated for just a moment, her gaze flickering between Kakashi and Tetsuya. She could see the disappointment in his eyes, but duty called, and she had no choice but to go.

“I’m sorry, Tetsuya,” Ryumi said, offering him a small smile. “We’ll talk later, okay?”

With a final glance at him, she turned and followed Sasuke out of the office, leaving Tetsuya standing there in the doorway, his chest heavy with words that still hadn’t been spoken.

As Ryumi and Sasuke made their way to the village gates, Tetsuya watched from a distance, his heart pounding. His confession had been interrupted once again, and the weight of it only grew heavier. He couldn’t help but feel the frustration bubbling inside him. He had planned for this moment, rehearsed it countless times in his mind. But it seemed that the universe had other plans.

Meanwhile, Ryumi kept her focus ahead, her mind on the mission, unaware of the conflict Tetsuya had been harboring. She trusted him, but at the same time, she couldn't shake the feeling that something had changed between them. He had become more than just a teammate—he was something more, though what exactly that meant, she wasn’t ready to admit to herself.

Sasuke, who had remained silent the entire time, glanced sideways at her, his gaze unreadable. "You’re quiet," he remarked, his voice soft but laced with the same coldness that always surrounded him.

Ryumi shrugged, her attention still on the path ahead. “Just thinking,” she muttered, her tone a little guarded.

Sasuke didn’t push further, knowing she would speak when she was ready. For now, it was back to the mission at hand, and the rest of their personal matters would have to wait.

The night stretched on, and as they disappeared into the darkness, Tetsuya remained in the village, his thoughts swirling in a storm of uncertainty and longing. He had wanted to speak to Ryumi, to finally tell her how he felt, but the mission, and Ryumi’s duty to the village, had taken priority. And so, once again, his feelings were left unspoken, lost in the shadows of the night.

As Ryumi and Sasuke ventured on their mission, neither one of them knew how deeply Tetsuya’s words had lingered in the air, waiting for the right moment to be revealed.