A Moment of Weakness

Part 12 (Epilogue)

Sasuke did end up returning, months later, about 3 months before Sarada's second birthday, and stayed until then. Sakura was grateful that he was there but would forever be hurt by the fact that she wouldn't be back with someone who wanted to be with her more consistently, Sasuke really wasn't enough anymore. But that was her problem, not his.

In the end, mistakes, are mistakes. People can choose to hide the fact that sometimes they make bad choices, but can't always cover their tracks.

Unfortunately, that would be the last time Sakura and Lee would ever be intimate in any form. The whole relationship was done and over.

There was no more helping with groceries or babysitting.

There would be no more stolen kisses. Or hand holding.

Sasuke was back. And though, he was never told, he knew. He knew Sakura had done what she'd done. It was the distant gaze, the way she was no longer obsessed with him. It was that Lee's little bit of chakra was now part of Sakura. Sasuke knew, but he wouldn't ever say anything, or bring it up.

Sure, Sakura and Lee felt undeniably guilty and sad, but so did Sasuke. He understood why Sakura would do what she did. He regretted, more than anything at the moment that he had left his wife and child without support, and the times it would happen even after that. And with the way some of the girls acted, he understood she wouldn't have any other crutches, but another part of him was grateful to Lee.

He wished he could thank Lee for taking care of his wife and kid. But doing that would only bring along more guilt for everyone involved.

As he held his wife and child, something else felt off.

Lee had been passing by, and for a moment, he and Sakura saw each other, but Sakura only held onto Sasuke tighter, ignoring Lee's saddened gaze.

The end. This time for sure.