**Chapter 4: Sakura's New Path**

Sakura, though initially heartbroken, began to see the sincerity in Naruto and Sasuke's words as they walked out of the café together. She realized that she's been holding onto her feelings for Sasuke for too long and that it was time for her to move on. The warm sunlight and gentle breeze of the village streets seemed to echo her newfound determination, and she felt a sense of clarity wash over her. As they strolled, Naruto and Sasuke shared occasional glances, their hands still clasped together in a gentle, reassuring grip. Sakura noticed, and a small smile played on her lips. She was happy for them, truly, and she wanted them to be happy. But it was hard to let go of the past, of the feelings she had harbored for so long. The three friends walked in comfortable silence for a while, the only sound being the soft crunch of gravel beneath their feet. Eventually, Naruto broke the silence, his voice light and casual. "Hey, Sakura, do you want to grab some lunch with us? We're starving!" Sakura laughed, feeling a pang of nostalgia. It was just like old times, the three of them hanging out like nothing had changed. But everything had changed, and she knew it. "Yeah, sure," she said, smiling. "I'm buying." As they walked to a nearby restaurant, Sakura couldn't help but feel a sense of gratitude towards Naruto and Sasuke. They had been honest with her, and they had respected her feelings. Now, it was time for her to focus on her own happiness. Over lunch, the conversation flowed easily, and Sakura found herself laughing and joking with her friends. It was a little bittersweet, but she knew that she was going to be okay. As they finished their meal and prepared to part ways, Naruto and Sasuke shared a look, and then Naruto spoke up. "Sakura, we want you to be happy too," he said, his eyes shining with sincerity. "We're here for you, no matter what. And we want you to know that you're not alone." Sakura smiled, feeling a lump form in her throat. "Thanks, guys," she said, her voice barely above a whisper. "I appreciate that." As they said their goodbyes, Sakura felt a sense of determination wash over her. She was going to focus on her own happiness, and she was going to find her own path. She watched as Naruto and Sasuke walked off, hand in hand, and she smiled. She was happy for them, and she knew that they would always be her friends. The days that followed were a blur of activity as Sakura started to explore new interests and hobbies. She had always been interested in gardening, so she started volunteering at a local community garden. She met new people, and she discovered a new passion. It wasn't long before she met someone who appreciated her for who she was, a quiet, reserved man named Saku who shared her love of plants and nature. As Sakura looked back on her journey, she realized that she had been given a rare gift. She had been given the chance to see her friends happy, and she had been given the chance to find her own happiness. And as she smiled, knowing that she was on the path to finding her own true love, she knew that she would always be grateful to Naruto and Sasuke for being honest with her, and for showing her that love comes in many forms.