Why do you love someone who simply causes you more pain than happiness?”

 This question… This seemingly simple question was asked to Scarlett every time she was caught gazing at the person who holds her heart yet is unaware he does.

She was asked this question whenever hurt was seen in her eyes and a broken smile on her lips as she answered with another question.

“How can you teach the heart to stop beating for the one you love?”

~

Scarlett wore a broken smile as she watched the man who holds her heart laugh and hold another woman in his arms. It hurt. God, it was more painful than any pain in her body from years of training. The sting of swords and the ache of bruises all vanished alongside this kind of pain.

She couldn’t look away even though she would try; his smile countered her pain, and it made her feel warmth even now that she was just feeling sorrow.

There truly was beauty in pain.

Jack didn’t love her the way he loved Kagura, to simply put it.

But it was selfish of her to expect more from his friendship; it was selfish of her to ask for more than she was offered. No matter the pain and jealousy it caused.

She would often find herself asking ‘why’ or looking at what flaws she has as to why the shadow ninja did not choose her or even pay her mind more than a rivaled friend. The clear answer would always bring tears to her cheeks.

“-Scar… Scarlett!” Scarlett jumped from her seat when she felt a hand shake her from her thoughts; she turned to the person calling her and froze. In front of her, her red eyes met a pair of brown eyes belonging to the person she loved so deeply. In that moment it felt that it was only him and her in the noisy environment of the cafe.

“Are you ok, Scar? Your face is all red.” Jack’s worried voice filled her ears, making her shift her attention to her hands holding a cup of coffee resting on the table before her.

Her chest tightened at how caring he became of her. ‘Which is normal, since rivals are to make sure one doesn’t forfeit from being ill’ she defended his actions

“I-I’m fine … it’s just the heat,” she dismissed, waving her hand at his concern.

“Well, it is kind of hot today,” Jack sighed, sitting on the nearby chair to her and dropping one arm over her shoulder. He knew it would make the scarlet ninja irritated, but it only made a heart flutter.

And he was right, because Scarlett pushed him away the moment he leaned toward her.

“Ugh! Do you know how heavy you are?” Scarlett exclaimed, making the male ninja laugh.

toward pity;

~

“Why do you love someone who simply causes you more pain than happiness?”

Jack stared at Scarlett’s still eyes as he processed what she just confessed.

He was more than a rivaled friend in her eyes.

Silence filled the air around them as the tension build-up

Scarlett hid her regret and pain well, but emotion’s quick to show on Jack’s eyes

“Scarlett…” He trailed off. Unable to form the right words, there were none.

How did it get to this, you ask? Simple. It was supposed to be just another spar, a usual spar they had before bashing and criticizing one another from the battlefield, and then they would be watching the stars to end the night before retiring for the day. Scarlett took this time to gather her courage and feelings.

Now back to the present. After much silence, when finally Jack found enough words, Scarlett cut him off.

“I expect nothing and know your feelings for her, but… this is the least I could do before moving on and continuing my training.” She announced with a monotonous voice, and Jack’s expression quickly turned into a confused one.

Scarlett decided enough is enough; she needed to move on. The pain is all built up and more unbearable and unimaginable, so there… she said it, and she accepted the result.

She was taught, without experiencing pain, one cannot learn.

“How long?” Jack asked with a frown. Scarlett sighed.

“It does not matte—” 

“It doesn’t matter? Scarlett, doesn’t it?” Scarlett raised her brows at him. “And what would you have done? Avoid me for the sake of my feelings going away? I’d rather have to deal with this than lose what we already have.” She felt rage bubble as the moments passed. 

Jack looked at her with so much regret and pity. She didn’t need that. She didn’t need his pity; what for? to wallow and drown her tears in?

“Save the look of pity and regret, Haya; that’s not necessary,” she sighed, keeping herself in control.

Having completed her task, she got up and brushed the imaginary dust off from her dress, turned, and walked out of the cafe, knowing how this would cause a rift in their relationship… but maybe that’s what she needed—some space to get over what she thought was a great love…

And now she can go after Hanzo, her childhood best friend that loves and treats her like she is his whole world.