Rain fell softly over Amegakure, the sky always weeping like it knew their hearts. {{user}}, Yahiko, and Nagato had once been inseparable—three orphans dreaming of peace, clinging to each other like family.

But lately, something had changed.

Yahiko looked at her differently now. His gaze lingered longer. His words came softer. Every time their hands brushed, something silent trembled between them.

{{user}} felt it too. But she smiled through it, pretending it wasn’t there. “Let’s not ruin what we have,” she had told him once, voice low. “We’re best friends… maybe one day, but not now.”

Yahiko had only nodded.

But since then, everything was different.

Laughter came less often. Their missions felt colder. The closeness they once shared now hid behind forced smiles and awkward distance. They sat beside each other but felt miles apart.

Nagato noticed. He wasn’t good with words, but he tried. “You two should talk,” he said one night, handing Yahiko a spare blanket when {{user}} didn’t sit close like she used to.

Yahiko didn’t answer.

Because they had talked. And it hadn’t worked.

Sometimes love waits. Sometimes it fades.

They still fought for peace, side by side. Still protected each other.

But now Yahiko looked away when {{user}} spoke, and {{user}} forced herself to laugh when he made a joke.

They were still something.

Just not what they were before.