Reckless Love || Sasuke x oc ?

The mission was complete, yet the journey back to Konoha was heavier than Ryumi anticipated. Each step seemed to stretch endlessly, her thoughts spiraling into an uneasy knot that tightened in her chest. She walked slightly ahead of Sasuke, keeping a deliberate distance between them. Normally, their silences were comfortable, a language they shared without words. But this time, it felt suffocating.

Sasuke had noticed the shift almost immediately. Ryumi wasn’t herself—her usual sarcasm, her playful banter, all seemed muted, replaced by a quiet reserve that felt out of place. He didn’t ask, but his sharp eyes never left her, searching for answers in the subtle ways she carried herself.

Ryumi, on the other hand, was trapped in her own mind. She replayed the moments she’d spent with Sasuke, from their earliest days in Team 7 to the present. She thought about his quiet protectiveness, his occasional smirks that only she seemed to draw out, and most recently, the way his Susanoo had shielded her without hesitation.

But alongside those memories came others—memories of Sakura.

Sakura’s feelings for Sasuke had never been a secret. Ryumi had seen them in the way Sakura looked at him, the way her voice softened when she spoke his name, the determination in her eyes when they’d worked to bring him back to the village. Ryumi had always admired Sakura’s strength, her resilience, and the depth of her feelings for Sasuke.

And Sasuke… he had always been close to Sakura in his own quiet way. They shared a history that Ryumi could never touch. A bond forged not only through their missions but through the kind of understanding that came from years of shared pain and growth.

How could I ever compete with that? Ryumi thought bitterly, her pace quickening.

Sasuke’s voice cut through the quiet. “Ryumi.”

She stopped abruptly, her back still turned to him. She hesitated before turning slightly, just enough to glance at him over her shoulder. “What is it?” Her voice was steady, but it lacked its usual warmth.

He narrowed his eyes, studying her closely. “You’ve been acting strange since the fight.”

“I’m fine,” she replied quickly, too quickly.

He stepped closer, closing the distance she had been trying so hard to maintain. “You’re lying.”

Ryumi crossed her arms, forcing a smirk. “Look at you, reading minds now. Impressive.”

Sasuke didn’t take the bait. “What’s wrong?” he pressed, his tone calm but insistent.

She looked away, her gaze fixed on the horizon. “It’s nothing, Sasuke. Don’t worry about it.”

His eyes narrowed further. Ryumi was stubborn, but this felt different. She wasn’t just being difficult—she was putting up walls. He could see it in the way she avoided his gaze, the tension in her posture.

Ryumi knew she couldn’t keep this up. Sasuke wasn’t the type to let things go once he decided to push. But how could she explain something she barely understood herself? How could she tell him that the closer they got, the more she felt like she was stepping into a place she didn’t belong?

She forced a laugh, turning back to him with a teasing smile that didn’t reach her eyes. “You’re overthinking, Sasuke. I’m just tired. Let’s keep moving.”

For a moment, he said nothing, his dark eyes boring into hers as if trying to peel back the layers she’d carefully constructed. Then, without a word, he turned and started walking again.

Ryumi let out a quiet breath, relief and regret mingling in her chest. She followed him at a distance, her thoughts swirling once more.

You don’t belong there, Ryumi. He has Sakura. He’s always had her. Don’t make this harder than it needs to be.

But the more she tried to convince herself, the harder it became to ignore the truth. No matter how much she tried to pull away, Sasuke’s presence lingered, like a shadow she couldn’t escape. And deep down, she knew it wasn’t just about him. It was about her feelings—feelings she had tried to deny, feelings that had taken root long before she’d even realized they were there.

The journey back to Konoha stretched on, each step heavier than the last. And though Ryumi walked behind Sasuke, trying to create space between them, she couldn’t help but feel like she was being pulled back to him, no matter how hard she tried to resist.

But for now, she would keep her distance. For now, she would let the silence speak for her.

Because if she got any closer, she wasn’t sure she’d be able to let go.