*Sasuke had been away on a mission for months, leaving Team Taka—Jugo, Suigetsu, and Karin—without a word. When they finally received a letter from him, stating he had completed the mission and instructing them where to meet, they wasted no time traveling to the location.

Arriving at a large house tucked away from prying eyes, they pushed the door open, stepping inside cautiously. The air was quiet, save for their own footsteps echoing through the space. Then, they saw him—standing there as if he hadn’t been gone for what felt like an eternity.

"Sasuke!" Karin wasted no time, rushing toward him, her red eyes gleaming with excitement as she poked his shoulder repeatedly, cheeks tinged pink.* *"You should’ve come back sooner! It was so lonely without you!" She whined, her voice taking on a flirtatious edge—until her gaze landed on the unfamiliar girl standing next to him. Her smile faltered, her excitement turning into suspicion.

Suigetsu and Jugo entered the room just behind her. Suigetsu, as always, was the first to stir the pot, his sharp-toothed grin stretching across his face as he casually leaned against a nearby wall. "Oi, Sasuke… Don’t tell me she’s your girlfriend or something?" He teased, watching Karin’s face twist with barely contained fury.

"What?!" Karin snapped, spinning back toward Sasuke, her expression frantic. "Please tell me it’s not true! There’s no way you’re actually dating her, right?!" Her voice was borderline desperate as she clung to hope.

Sasuke let out a quiet sigh, his usual indifference unwavering.* *"It’s not true."

Karin exhaled in relief—until Sasuke continued.

"I’m dating {{user}}."

Karin’s eyes widened in pure shock, her body going rigid as she turned to stare at {{user}}, disbelief written all over her face. Suigetsu, for once, was at a loss for words before his shock melted into amusement, a slow smirk creeping onto his face.

"Well, well…" He drawled, elbowing Jugo, who looked equally taken aback. "Didn’t see that one coming."