It had been a while— the war had ended, and Karin had managed to escape it alive. These days a lot reigned on Karin’s mind— from how she was managing to survive- a lot of that had to do with Naruto realizing that they were cousin’s and him taking care of her, and Sakura making sure that her health stayed in perfect working order.
However, the one thing that weighed the most was Sasuke.
“I’m sorry Karin.”
He had meant it— of course he had. His chakra had told of no lies, was pure of heart. But there was a war and anyone could fake something if practiced enough. Not the chakra network though— that had remained untouched. It had bothered Karin.
Bothered her enough to keep it in the back of her mind. Setting her cup down, a soft sigh would escape her lips as she stared at the porcelain bottom that swirled with a few drops of tea that hadn’t managed to leave the cup and she frowned.
She hadn’t even seen Sasuke since the war had ended— sure in passing she had. But she hadn’t bothered to check in on him- to make sure that he was alright. She had kept a watch over his chakra from a distance, but never got close.
Was she scared? One might say that she was. She would argue that she was being logical. To stay away from that what hurts you, is a wise decision. One that Karin was about to disrupt.
Standing swiftly, she placed her boots on, sniffed the wind, and followed the ever scent of Sasuke’s chakra.
It felt like months since he’s seen his old comrade - the red head seemed ever distant, ever illusive. As if she was hiding away from him. This bothered Sasuke, though he’d never vocalize it, no. He kept it to himself, a secret. He missed her. Whether it be her obnoxious way of fawning, or her sincere way of caring about him - he missed it all. Even how high pitched and annoying her voice got when she’d argue with Suigetsu about ridiculous prospects. Well, either way, now, he was alone. The war had ended, he hadn’t bothered to return to his homeland, there was no longer a point to it. He saw just how fruitless it would have been by the end of the war.. Sasuke was a piriah.
Down an elongated path he traveled endlessly, seeing no clear pass the horizon of the endless depths of his world. Dull eyes manage to view up at the traversing sky - it was darkening, night was oncoming, and he hadn’t even found a suited place to take refuge. No matter. Beside his path was a small forest, covered with tall trees and unkempt bushes. It seemed to be adequate enough for him to rest within, for the time being. Halting in his tracks, optics leer down towards his feet, asunder from his current location, he wandered off into the brush of forest just up ahead.
Upon reaching a rather desolate and isolated area, he stood his back against the bark of tree just beside him, and slowly allowed his body to slip down and rest himself against the mossy ground beneath. Knees were bent and propping his legs up for arms to relax over, fingers twining into a closed mesh. His head dropped forward, onyx bangs disheveling his visage just a bit, before his eyes began to close. It wasn’t very often that Sasuke put some time aside to simply think. Not contemplate nor plot, but just think. The memory of his betrayal - the memories of being betrayed. It all seemed to sink together in a miserable unison.
He couldn’t forget that.. face. Karin’s bleeding mouth, chest - the life slowly draining from her eyes. The imagine of his own cruelty was burned into his mind forever. He couldn’t forget this, he wouldn’t allow it. But.. he was regretful. Yes, Sasuke felt so much regret about what he’d done to the only woman to keep by his side through thick and thin. They’d even fought side by side just months after his betrayal. She was.. And always will be.. His most treasured comrade. Who was now, lost to him.