The Moon's Desire

Parted Lips

If I'm going to be staying here for a couple more days, I should grab some things from the markets. I was only planning on staying for two days to check in, but... it looks like I've gotten myself into trouble.

"Prices have gone up..." I muttered to myself as I examined the tomatoes laid out in the produce section of the market. It was worth it. I don't buy these tomatoes for the taste as much as I buy them for the nostalgia. I grabbed three of them and two boxes of pre-packaged onigiri.

There were so many people I didn't recognize that wondered the stalls. So many new families happily perusing the merchandise. Was that ever my future? Could this have been a possible outcome for me, or was loneliness always inevitable?

"Wow, Sasuke, you are here!" I heard a certain overconfident voice from behind me. I turned around and was met with bulging eyes and a big smile.

"Lee. It's good to see you." I adjusted the paper bag I was holding, positioning it closer to me. Lee kept his smile.

"How have you been? Sakura has told me you are staying here for a while!" Lee told me. That was a surprise to me, since I never told her how long I was staying.

"She did, did she?" I narrowed my brow and smirked in frustration to the claim. "I'm doing okay." I wished I could exit the conversation somehow, I'm not good at talking to people who are like... this. Well, Naruto is the only exception, and even then. Not good.

"Your baby is uh... cute." I tried to give him a smile. He gave me a strange look, so I must have done that incorrectly. He wasn't phased for long, though.

"Thank you! Toshiko is my pride and joy. She really takes after her beautiful mother, doesn't she?" His voice became smaller as he talked about her. He was right.

"She does." I looked to the floor, remembering the baby's warm pink hair sprouting from her scalp.

"I hope you don't hold marrying Sakura against me, heh heh!" He suddenly said. What is he...?

"Why would I?" I asked.

"I hope you haven't forgotten how obsessed she was with you, Sasuke." He chuckled more. Oh, I guess that's what he meant. I immediately got flustered. He was... completely wrong if he thought I was upset about it.

"O-Oh trust me, Lee, that wouldn't have worked out for a... number of reasons. I can tell she's happy with you." I put my hand in front of me slightly, signaling that he was mistaken. He nodded.

"I hope she is. It was good talking to you, Sasuke, but speaking of Sakura, she needs these." He held up a plethora of bags containing ingredients. I nodded.

"Okay. It was good seeing you, too." I flashed him a wave. He did the same and turned away, walking towards the exit.

Rock Lee treats Sakura better than I ever could. I couldn't—can't—give her what she needs. I've never thought of her in the way she used to when we were young. When I think about it, I've never thought of any woman that way. To be honest though, I don't know what "that way" feels like and I'm 24. It's better this way. I took a deep breath in. I'm pretty sure this is all I need.

I walked out of the market, prepared to go back home and figure out what the hell my plan is. While eating, of course. I'm starving.

Just then, I saw them. They're all out. Does he have a day off today? Naruto and Hinata were both making conversation with Lee. Boruto was holding Hinata's hand, his eyes wandering the many colors of the village around him. He looked just like Naruto. Bright-yellow hair and all.

That's the direction I need to go. If I can just sneak past them...

I saw Lee point towards my direction which turned Naruto and Hinata's attention towards me. Awesome. Naruto gave me a big, fat obnoxious wave. Hinata gave me a small one. I gave them one back along with an awkward smile. Should I... walk over there? No, no I'm sure they're just waving to be friendly. I'll find a different way around. I decided to walk in the opposite direction of my destination.