Sasuke's twin sister, But Neji's first love

Goodbye...For Now

I pressed my back against my door, the wood cool against my spine. I had just said goodbye to Neji. Little did he know, it might be the last time I ever saw him. My chest tightened, a silent ache spreading through me. With a heavy sigh, I pushed myself forward and walked into my room.

I grabbed a small bag and began packing: spare clothes, kunai, shuriken and food pills. My hands moved quickly, but my mind lingered on the warmth in Neji's eyes, the way his hand had brushed against mine when we said goodnight.

A sudden knock echoed, sharp and deliberate. I turned to see Sasuke leaning against the doorframe, already packed and ready. His expression was unreadable, but his dark eyes lingered on me.

"You ready?" he asked simply.

I nodded, slipping the strap of my bag over my shoulder. I brushed past him, but his voice stopped me mid-step.

"Are you sure you want to do this? Or are you doing it only for me?"

I froze, my back to him, my fingers tightening on the strap of my bag. Slowly, I turned to glance at him, my voice steady but laced with steel.

"No offense, brother, but not everything is about you. Just like you, I want to take Itachi down—but for something more than just revenge. Yes, our family deserves to be avenged, but I also want to stop him so he can't ever hurt or take away the people I love and care for. Humble yourself, Sasuke. Cockiness will only get you so far in life."

For a moment, his brows furrowed, pride and anger flickering across his face. But then he gave a single, curt nod. No words. Just understanding—or something close to it.

Together, we stepped out of our apartment, the quiet click of the door closing behind us ringing louder than it should have. Our footsteps echoed in unison down the empty streets of Konoha, past the silent houses and shuttered shops, until the massive gates loomed before us.

But just as we reached the exit, a figure blocked our path.

"Sasuke! Ryuko!"

Sakura. She stood there, trembling, her hands clenched tightly at her sides. Her eyes were already glistening with tears.

"Sakura..." Sasuke muttered, his voice flat, almost annoyed.

"Don't go," she pleaded, stepping closer. "If you leave, you'll never come back. I—I love you, Sasuke. I've loved you for so long. Please... if you have to go, then take me with you." Her voice cracked. "I'll do anything, just... don't leave me behind."

I let out a quiet scoff, shaking my head. "You sound desperate. Do you even hear yourself? Throwing yourself at him, begging like that... you should be embarrassed."

Her eyes widened, tears slipping free, but I wasn't done.

"You'll never make him happy, Sakura. You're clinging to some fantasy. He doesn't love you, and he never will. The sooner you realize that, the less pathetic you'll look."

"Ryuko—!" she snapped, her voice breaking.

I stepped closer, my gaze sharp. "This path isn't for you. Stop humiliating yourself. You'll only get in the way."

Her shoulders shook, but still she turned desperately to Sasuke. "Please... don't go. Stay here—with me. With all of us. We can be happy in the village. I'll make you happy, I swear it."

Sasuke's silence stretched painfully, until he finally moved. In a blur, he appeared behind her, whispering so quietly only she and I could hear.

"Sakura... thank you."

Her breath hitched, hope flashing in her eyes—until he added, "But I don't need you."

Her knees buckled, her tears spilling freely.

"What about Neji, Ryuko? Won't you stay for him?" Sakura's voice cracked, desperate, but her words were sharper than any kunai.

I froze. Just for a moment. Neji's name lit a fire in my chest, pulling at the part of me I had carefully locked away. His steady eyes, the way he looked at me like I mattered—not as Sasuke's sister, not as a shinobi, but as me. A pang of guilt shot through me, deep and unrelenting.

But weakness wasn't an option. Not now.

My glare hardened as I stepped right up to her, venom lacing my words. "Don't you dare talk about him. I don't need to clarify anything to you."

Inside, my heart twisted. Because a part of me wondered if she was right—if Neji was the reason I should stay. The thought of leaving him behind gnawed at me. I remembered the way his hand lingered against mine, the warmth in his gaze that I'd tried to ignore, the quiet strength he carried that had always steadied me when I felt like I was falling apart.

I forced my chest to rise and fall slowly, banishing the ache. I can't. I can't let him see me falter. This path—this mission—it's bigger than what I want. Bigger than him.

Her lips trembled as she shrank back under my gaze, but I didn't linger.

I brushed past her without another glance, my words cold as the night air. "Face it, Sakura. You were never enough to make Sasuke stay."

And with that, Sasuke struck her down with a quick blow to the back of the neck. She crumpled silently to the ground. Without hesitation, we disappeared into the darkness beyond the gates.

As we vanished into the night, my mind drifted to Neji. I imagined him waking up the next day, looking for me, maybe even waiting by the Hyūga compound, hoping. My chest ached in anticipation and fear, and I hated how much I wanted him to understand—wanted him to forgive me before he ever found out I'd left.

I swallowed hard, tightening the strap of my bag. I'm doing this for everyone I love. I'll be back stronger. I'll make sure no one else is hurt again. But... Neji... if you're waiting, I hope you understand why I couldn't stay.

And with that thought, I pushed forward, into the unknown.