Tsunade & Sakura — Under Her Gaze (1/2) (Patreon)

The room felt warmer than before.

Sakura sat close to the edge of the couch, hands resting in her lap, fingers fidgeting slightly. She could feel the attention on her—too much, too direct—and it made her pulse quicken.

Tsunade, beside her, didn’t seem bothered at all.

“Well?” Tsunade said lazily, glancing at the men. “You’re awfully quiet now.”

One of them stepped closer again, slower this time. Sakura looked up at him, her green eyes meeting his for a brief moment—just long enough to feel it—before she quickly looked away, a soft flush spreading across her cheeks.

“I’m… not used to this,” she admitted quietly.

Tsunade let out a low chuckle, leaning back, her arm resting just behind Sakura’s shoulders.

“Obviously.”

Sakura swallowed, then glanced up again—hesitant, but curious. Her gaze lingered a second longer this time, uncertain but not pulling away immediately.

The man noticed. So did Tsunade.

“Careful,” Tsunade murmured, a faint smirk on her lips. “That kind of look gets attention.”

Sakura’s breath caught slightly, her shoulders tensing before she relaxed just a little, still unsure what to do with the moment—but not entirely wanting it to end either.

Tsunade watched her from the side, amused.

“Yeah,” she said softly. “She’ll figure it out.”