A soft wind travels through Konoha, signalling the impending autumn. The colours were brighter than usual, making the city come alive, and creating a calming atmosphere. A slight heat remaining from the summer was still present, so people could still enjoy some warm weeks before the change of season.

A tan blond kid walked through town with a smile on his face, greeting the faces that one day had treated him with disdain. He was, after all, one of the people who had saved the world.

Naruto Uzumaki remembered the events that had transpired in the last few months and still could barely believe everything that had happened. In an incredibly short span of time he had lost Jiraiya, defeated Pain, befriended Kurama, and had finally fulfilled his promise and brought Sasuke back to his senses (and to the village). That was, at least to him, his greatest achievement, but nevertheless he couldn't help but feel a little trepidation at the thought of what would happen to the relation he had formed with Sakura, now that Sasuke was back.

"I'm sorry…"

"Sorry? For what?"

"For everything I've done…"

"You'd better… geez." Sakura said, some tears finally falling. "You are so much trouble… stupid."

Nobody had mentioned anything about any potential change in the relationships between them, since they had been kind of busy stopping the end of the world as they knew it, but now that things were finally seeming to return to normality, it had become the elephant in the room (to Naruto, at least).

Without realizing it, the blond had reached the base of the Hokage Mountain. Seeing as he was already there and didn't really have anything better to do, he figured he would walk to the top, to watch the village and relax for a while. He was nearing the end of the stairs when he realized that his usual spot was already occupied by a familiar figure.

"Sasuke."

"Naruto." the black-haired teen replied, without looking back from the village.

Naruto sat beside his long-time rival and friend, contemplating Konoha as well.

"We did it. We saved the world."

"Yeah."

"And I brought you back."

"Hn."

"Told you I'd do it, bastard."

"Shut up, idiot." Retorted Sasuke, the ghost of a smile on his lips.

"Hahaha, you know you love me."

"Losing your arm must've affected your brain, moron."

"Aw, you're no fun, Sasuke."

A couple of minutes passed in silence before Naruto spoke up again.

"You know, some time ago Sakura declared her love for me." That got Sasuke's attention.

"Really now."

"Yeah."

"And what did you do?"

"What do you think?" Naruto said, a fake smile on his face. "I called her on her bullshit, and told her I didn't believe a thing. People don't change their feelings overnight, and it was obvious that she was still in love with you."

Silence followed.

"So…" Naruto began. "You're gonna date her, or…?"

"No." Came the flat reply.

"What?!" Naruto said, startled. "But, you're back! I brought you back! And I thought you had stopped being evil and everything!"

At this, Sasuke actually laughed a bit. "So? I already answered that. I made it pretty clear that Sakura was chasing someone who didn't exist and that she was wasting her time worrying about 'love'. Besides, as you said, feelings don't change overnight. Why should I think differently now?"

Naruto was rendered speechless for a couple of seconds. "But… she loves you, Sasuke."

"So? The fact you love someone doesn't mean that that person is forced to love you back. You still love her, don't you?"

"I…"

"I guessed as much. As I'm sure you have noticed by now, loving someone doesn't mean anything."

An even longer silence ensued.

"I promised her I'd bring you back, you know? Even if it probably meant that you two would end up together and that I'd have to see her with you every day of my life, I didn't care. I just wanted her to be happy."

Sasuke eyed him for a while before looking back at the village again. "You are both idiots."

"What did you say!?"

"Sakura has never been able to appreciate what she has. You are a decent guy, and all she has ever done is chase after me, who for the most part, couldn't care less. And you…" he said when Naruto was about to retort. "…are an idiot to keep on chasing her, after everything she has done. I assume you weren't exactly happy after that 'confession', were you?"

"…No."

"Did you at least tell her that?"

"We haven't really talked about it since it happened…"

Sasuke sighed. "See, that's why you are an idiot. She disrespects you and you don't even lift a finger."

"Sasuke…" and Naruto's voice held a warning tone. "Don't talk like that about Sakura-chan."

"Do you think I've forgotten how she used to treat you when we were still a team? Do you think I'd want to be with someone like that?"

"Sasuke…"

"All she has ever done is hurt you, Naruto. I bet she used you as a confident or something when she felt like crap, didn't her? Did she ever say 'thank you'? Or she just assumed you'd be there no matter what?"

"I don't have to listen to this." Said Naruto, standing up.

"While I, who didn't give a damn about her, am the one she wants. Funny, isn't it?"

"SHUT UP!" Naruto screamed, lunging at Sasuke.

"Don't. Be. An. Idiot." Sasuke stated, sharingan flaring to life, and catching Naruto's fist easily. "Stop doing this to yourself, Naruto."

Naruto pulled back his fist forcefully. "You don't know anything." He said, taking steps backwards. "You don't know anything." He repeated, and disappeared in a swirl of leaves.