Choices - YamaSaku
This is for @adrilari who requested a YamaSaku with the prompt “We were never just friends, and you know it” “I know it, but you deserve someone better than me”. I took some liberties with this prompt to fit the story, hope that’s okay!
Also, I’m still accepting requests from this prompt list if there’s anything you’d like to see!
“Tell me it’s all in my head,” Sakura challenged, pushing a strand of sweaty hair behind one ear. “Tell me that you don’t feel the same way I do, and I’ll drop it.”
Tenzo sighed, letting his katana lower to the ground. He wondered how a simple spar had exploded into this, and how he was supposed to fix it. Sakura stood less than an inch away, cheeks flushed and eyes sparkling with accusation. Fury was written in her posture, in the quiver of nervous energy coursing through her body.
“We’re friends,” Tenzo answered, words breaking through the heavy silence. Sakura scoffed under her breath and turned away. He followed, resting a hand on her shoulder. “You’re one of my best friends.”
“Does the lie make it easier?” Sakura didn’t turn to face Tenzo as she shook her head, chuckling humorlessly.
Tenzo eyed the woman without speaking. He felt like he’d stepped into a trap that hadn’t closed around his leg yet, but it was just a matter of time. Sakura flung the kunai in her hand toward the ground near their packs. Tenzo barely whipped his hand away in time. “I’m sorry, I just—”
Before Tenzo could finish the sentiment, Sakura spun. The fury in her eye ratcheted higher as she pushed into his personal space. “We haven’t been just friends in a long time, and you know it.”
Tenzo opened his mouth to argue that Sakura was wrong, that she had no idea what she was talking about, but he couldn’t force the words out. He thought about the sacrifices that started out as friendship, then ended up being something more. He recalled the warmth of Sakura’s presence in his life, and the hope that she’d rekindled. But, it hadn’t always been easy. Tenzo remembered the drawn expression on Sakura’s face when she woke him from a nightmare, and the fear in her eyes when he lashed out in blind anger. He couldn’t risk that again.
Sakura slammed a finger into Tenzo’s chest hard enough to bring his attention back to the present. “For once in your life, just tell me the truth, Yamato,” she growled.
Tenzo winced at the use of his code name. Sakura hadn’t called him that in months. She meant the words to wound him, and she’d hit her mark. He sighed and gazed down at her upturned face, looking close enough to see the pain beneath the anger. Tenzo almost reached for her, but he wasn’t sure that she would welcome his touch. He breathed her name in hopes of defusing the situation.
“Say it,” Sakura demanded, tears in her eyes. “Tell me that all you feel is friendship.”
As much as he wanted to, Tenzo couldn’t force the lie out. “I can’t.” Before Sakura could latch onto the hope that they might have a chance, he continued. “What I feel doesn’t matter. You deserve someone so much better than me.”
For a moment, the statement hung in the air between them. Sakura shook her head. “You don’t get to decide that.”
“Maybe not, but I can stop you from making that mistake.” Tenzo smiled sadly, feeling his chest squeeze on the admission. “By removing myself from the equation.”
Sakura placed a hand on Tenzo’s arm, sliding it to his shoulder. The warmth made it hard to think, as did the wistful expression on her face. “And if I refuse to let you?”
“I can’t—” The words sputtered out when Sakura rose on her tiptoes to brush her lips against Tenzo’s. An electric current shot through his body, and his hands moved of their own accord, closing around Sakura’s waist to pull her closer. Months of timid flirting and deepening friendship had led them to this moment, but Tenzo still couldn’t believe it was real. When they broke apart, Tenzo exhaled against Sakura’s lips. “I don’t want to hurt you. I’m not—”
“Shh,” Sakura chided, resting her cheek against Tenzo’s chest. “We can figure the rest of it out together, but for now, can we just stay here?”
Tenzo kissed the top of Sakura’s head and closed his eyes, wondering how he’d ever be enough. He hummed in agreement. “For as long as you want.”
