Naruto - 6 years old

Sasuke - 6 years old

"Hi! I'm Naruto. What's your name?" the blue-eyed boy asked the black-haired boy as they built a grand sandcastle together.

"Sasuke," said the black-haired boy, smiling as Naruto's grin grew bigger.

"I like that name. You wanna be my best friend?" the blond asked, still smiling as he finished the details of the castle's walls.

Sasuke said nothing at first and continued packing the sand into the structure, making sure everything looked perfect before he answered.

"Okay."

"Really?!" Naruto exclaimed, launching himself towards his new best friend, capturing him in a tight hug.

"You're choking me," Sasuke uttered, gasping for breath when the blond released him.

"Sorry," Naruto laughed. Then, his expression changed into one of utmost seriousness. "Best friends forever?"

Sasuke contemplated this for a moment, thinking about how long "forever" was. "Best friends forever," he confirmed confidently, ebony eyes locking with blue ones.

"Pinky Promise?" Naruto asked, daring to feel hopeful.

"Pinky Promise." And they locked pinky fingers.

Naruto - 12 years old

Sasuke - 12 years old

Some big, bad eighth graders towered over Naruto, threatening to beat him up unless he gave them all his money. Naruto, foolhardy as he was, just shouted back, spouting his own threats, which he intended to keep.

"Leave him alone," a voice sounded from behind the eighth graders. Lo and behold - Sasuke Uchiha to the rescue!

"Oh! Sasuke. We were just…uh…" the biggest, fattest bully struggled to make an excuse, but couldn't think quick enough.

"Leave," Sasuke gave the meanest, coldest glare he could manage, and that was enough to send the bullies scampering, their tails tucked in-between their legs, so to speak.

Sasuke said nothing, but Naruto beamed at his savior, running up to the dark-haired boy and crushing him with a big hug.

"You okay?" Sasuke asked, concernedly.

"Yeah. Thanks, S'uke," came the muffled response.

Naruto - 17 years old

Sasuke - 17 years old

Sai quickly retracted his hand from Naruto's back as he came face-to-face with none other than Sasuke Uchiha. He just gave the raven-haired teen a fake smile and acted as if he hadn't just tried to hit on Naruto, Sasuke's boyfriend.

"Hello, Sasu-" was all Sai had time to say before a fist collided with his temple, knocking him out. He fell to the ground, a crumpled mess.

"Sasuke, thank God," Naruto gasped, collapsing into his boyfriend's arms. He tried not to cry, but he couldn't hold it in. He wept against Sasuke's chest.

"Shhh…. It's okay, Naruto. I'm here," Sasuke said, reassuring his boyfriend as he stroked his blond hair, pressing feather-light kisses against his temple.

"I know," Naruto whispered, smiling. "You always are."