A Moment of Weakness

Part 2

Sakura had a Saturday off, and her only plan was to sleep, rest, and just let things be. But when looking for something to eat, she smelled something that must have gone bad and started manically cleaning and throwing out everything in the fridge. Once she was done she was left with nothing but a few eggs and a small carton of milk. She moved to the pantry, throwing out anything that was even slightly expired or that she decided she wouldn't eat. By the time she cleared out, almost nothing was left. She ate the last portion of sugary cereal and the rest of the milk. Unfortunately for Sakura, that meant a shopping trip was meant to happen the same day.

A list of things she wanted and needed was thrown onto a takeout receipt and shoved into her bag. It was only a short walk to the grocery store, and since she had her burst of energy from the sugary breakfast, she left. Her hair was left in a messy updo that she slept in, and she couldn't care enough to change out of her pajamas. And while she had only begun to show, anything else she tried to wear made her feel huge in a way she just, didn't like. The pregnancy "glow" didn't quite match how she looked or felt.

She went aisle by aisle in the store, deciding that would be the easiest way to clear her list. Though sometimes the fresh food she would buy might go to waste because she didn't always have the energy to use it, she bought it anyway, assuming it made her look healthier.

The selection of fresh summer fruit showed her everything she craved. Peaches and strawberries,  even a large watermelon she wouldn't be able to finish on her own, but there it went, into the basket, or, onto the floor. It had slipped out of her hands before making it into the cart.

"Here, let me help!" a friendly and familiar voice rushed over to help. Lee grabbed the watermelon and inspected it for any cracks before setting it in her basket. "Hello, Sakura! How are you? You look like you just woke up?"

"It's been a long morning, Lee. Thanks for the help." Sakura smiled and checked her list. "I haven't seen you around now that I think of it. Where have you been?" Lee had a basket of his own but followed Sakura to keep the conversation going.

"Missions, work, training. Just the usual stuff I suppose."

"Keeping yourself busy then?"

"Of course." Lee smiled. "But when I have been out socially with the group, I notice your absence.  Are you doing well?"

"As well as a pregnant lady can be when her husband is out with no idea of when he's coming back." Sakura picked up a sack of rice, and Lee just stared. "I haven't told everyone yet. It's fine you didn't know about the pregnancy."

"Oh no! I knew. Tenten told me last time we were out!"

Sakura laughed "Of course she did." She thinks for a moment, slowly making her way down the aisles. "You and Tenten?"

"What about us?" Lee asks, genuinely confused. It hits him after a second. "No, no. I tried already. I do not think we match very well. We visit Neji together on occasion but that is as far as we are together." He sighs half-heartedly, something Sakura hadn't seen often. "Hey, Sakura, if you ever need help with anything, let me know, I am not very busy and I hear pregnancy is difficult." But that wasn't anything she hadn't heard. Everyone has said something along those lines.  She agrees anyway.

"Thank you, Lee. You are always so nice." Lee is someone she believed though. Everyone had said the same thing, but she truly did think Lee could be relied on. "Would you like to keep shopping with me?"

Lee is a chatterbox. Sakura doesn't mind in the slightest. The company is nice, and he seems to really want to talk to her, compared to how her other friends make her feel, he is a breath of fresh air.

"I just feel so frustrated with him, I mean, he wanted this. He wanted to have a kid and I'm all for it, but him leaving me like this makes me feel like such a tool. A lonely, sad, tool"