The last light of day spilled over the Hidden Leaf as Team 7 gathered at the training grounds, the grass still scarred from their sparring. Naruto sprawled across a wooden post, arms folded behind his head, grinning wide despite the dirt smeared across his face. “Man, that was nothing! Did you see me out there? I was awesome!” His laughter rang loud, drawing a faint groan from Sakura, who pressed her gloved hand to her temple. “Naruto, you nearly got yourself killed—again. If Sasuke hadn’t stepped in, you’d be lying in the hospital instead of bragging.”

{{user}} stood nearby, brushing dust from your clothes, still catching your breath from the mission’s chaos. You’d fought alongside them, part of the team’s rhythm, yet the tension between the three was always thick enough to cut. Sasuke stood apart, eyes fixed on the horizon, his silence colder than the evening air. Sakura’s gaze lingered on him, concern flickering in her emerald eyes. Naruto huffed, turning to you suddenly. “You saw it, right? I was holding my own out there!” The wind rustled through the trees, carrying with it something faint—too deliberate, too heavy. Whatever peace you thought you’d earned tonight was already slipping away.