Disclaimer: I don't own Naruto.
AN: Takes place after Naruto gets back from training with Jiraiya
He grew up.
Those were Sakura's first thoughts when she laid her pretty green eyes on Naruto for the first time in almost three years.
Of course, after he saw and spoke with Konohamaru, Sakura realized that he was still an immature, teenage boy.
Even so, Naruto still grew up. He was more mature, older, and wiser. He was taller than she was now, and his physical appearances had changed slightly too. His voice was a little deeper now. He even toned down the orange on his outfit, slightly, adding black to it.
Sakura didn't know the feeling that had consumed her as she spent some more time with him. Getting the bells from Kakashi was a wonderful feeling, and not because she got the stupid bell she couldn't get three years ago as a genin, but because she had accomplished it with Naruto.
The two and a half years Naruto was away, helped Sakura re-examine her feelings. Not just towards Naruto, but to Sasuke as well. She noticed something about Sasuke. She never really loved him. She wanted to fit in for a while. When she was little, everyone made fun of her because her large forehead, and then Ino came along. Sakura noticed that all the girls had crushes on Sasuke, and because Sakura wanted to fit in, she pretended to have a crush on him as well. After a while, her thought that she actually loved him, when she didn't.
And now she knew that she wanted to get Sasuke back, because he was her friend, her teammate, and not because she loved him.
Speaking on Naruto, she thought he was annoying at first. She hated his guts because he wouldn't leave her alone. He was loud, annoying, and had a large ego. He never thought things through and he always acted on his first impulse.
He grew on her, after a while. She realized how much he truly cared for those who was close to him. He fought for them, no matter what the consequences may be. Even if he were to die in the process, he was okay with it.
It wasn't until Yamato talked to her, that she realized the feelings she had towards Naruto were love. But it was useless now, because the crush he had on her long ago seemed to have faded away.
"Naruto!" Sakura called out playfully, as she saw him walking towards the direction of Ichiraku Ramen.
"Hello, Sakura-chan!" Naruto greeted, smiling at her as he paused in his steps to wait for her. Sakura could feel her heart pounding as she walked to his side, and the two made their way towards Naruto's favorite place to eat.
"Naruto, since you're on your way to eat, do you mind if I come with you?" Sakura asked.
"Of course not, Sakura-chan! I always like having you around." Naruto replied, his smile never leaving his face as he talked to her. She didn't really say anything, but simply listened to what he was saying, sighing inwardly.
It was so good to have him back.