"Where's Sakura chan? I was expecting to see the both of you today after your return." Naruto asked raising an eyebrow in suspicion.
"She'll be here when she gets here Naruto." Sasuke said in annoyance. "She had business to finish up with Tsunade." Sasuke finished carelessly. He knew Sakura was an important asset to Tsunade so he didn't bother to pry. Their discussions usually involved hospital work. Although he knew Naruto was asking out of jealousy, he didn't bother to entertain that thought.
"Yea, whatever." Naruto shrugged, aiming his chakra enhanced Kunai at Sasuke. "Let's spar for now."
Sasuke smirked and with that he dodged Naruto's Kunai with one swift turn of his head to the left. "You're always so eager Naruto, don't get ahead of yourself." Sasuke said as he appeared behind Naruto with out a trace of his movement.
"I didn't" Naruto laughed.
Sasuke quickly looked up to see Naruto standing above him in a tree. He quickly sliced the back of the 'Naruto' in font of him, only for it to vanish. Shadow clone jutsu. "That brat." sasuke muttered under his breath.
Naruto and Sasuke continued to spar for a couple of hours. Always pushing each other to their limits, exhausting themselves. And with a thump, both boys landed ass first back to back on the ground.
"Can't keep up with me?" Naruto smiled as he inhaled deep trying to catch his breath.
"In your dreams, loser." Sasuke smirked.
"It's been a long time for Sakura to still not be here." Naruto thought aloud.
"Stop being a pest, she's probably just busy." Sasuke exclaimed as he got up. "Besides, I've got better things to do then wait around all day for her. I'll see you tomorrow for training." Sasuke said before taking off.
"Maybe I'll see Sakura on the way home." Naruto smiled to himself while walking down to his favorite ramen shop.
Naruto sat at ichiraku gulping his usual bowl of ramen after training. It was one of his favorite things to look forward to at the end of the day. He'd sit there for awhile after eating and think about how great everything was. Team 7, his best friends, were finally all back together after a long 4 years. Nothing felt more at home to Naruto than this.
With one last gulp of his glass of water, Naruto sighed. Sakura had been on a mission alone with Sasuke for 6 weeks, which felt like forever. Naruto had requested to go with Sakura instead of Sasuke but he was needed for another mission with Kakashi. Which Naruto understood, Tsunade had her reasons. He was just hopeful he'd get the chance to catch up with his best friend tonight. After all these years, Naruto still loved Sakura through everything. He could only hope that should would return his love one day.
"Why the gloomy face you dope?"
"Sakura chan!" Naruto's eyes gleamed as he turned his body from the table to see Sakura. She was still in her mission clothes, which meant she probably had just left Tsunade's office and hadn't gone home yet. Sakura was wearing her black body suite. It was all spandex, making it easy to fight, which included a mask, starting from the bottom of her nose, covering her mouth and chin. Unlike our childhood years, Sakura's head band was placed across her forehead, tied back behind her head, her short pink hair hiding the knot to hold it tightly.
"Miss me?" Sakura laughed as she pulled her mask down, leaving it hanging around her neck. "You knuckle head!" Sakura laughed as she took a seat next to Naruto.
"Easy on the name calling Sakura." Naruto said as her placed his fist on his chest, above his heart. "You're hurting my ninja pride!"
"You know i'm only joking Naruto. I have to save the best for my favorite team mate.." Sakura winked with a smug look.
"So are you finally confessing your true feelings for me?" Naruto joked back. Although he knew he would love for her to be serious.
Sakura just stuck her tongue out at Naruto as she laughed. Naruto being a little soft hearted toward Sakura as usual, turned his head, scrunching his forehead in annoyance. She always teased him as his best friend. But everyone could tell how Naruto felt about this. He loved Sakura and tried so hard to win her over. Even after years of being turned down, he still tried, even with his hope depleting. It had been a long journey for them together, trying to bring Sasuke back. It ultimately made them closer than ever before. After the war, Sasuke, Sakura and Naruto went back to old ways. Them three, with Kakashi of course, on missions together. They had all grown in so many ways, strength, knowledge, but relationships are what stayed platonic. Sasuke didn't show any interest in Sakura and Sakura didn't show any interest in Sasuke, along with Naruto. Since Sasuke has come home, Sakura hasn't 'fan girled' over him like she would as a kid. But it also made it difficult for Naruto to decipher how she felt and what she wanted.
"Don't get cranky on me Naruto. You know I just love to tease you." Sakura smiled, oblivious to his feelings. Sakura then placed her hand on Naruto's shoulder. "I have to head home now, but I wanted to make sure I saw you before I did."
"Did you miss me while you were gone?" Naruto asked, anticipating her usual, snark reply.
"Always do." Sakura smiled as she used her hand on his shoulder to pull him in for a soft hug.
"Let me walk you home." Naruto expressed the 'want' in his voice as she pulled away slowly.
"Not tonight Naruto." Sakura spoke softly. "I have a long couple weeks ahead of me, I need to prepare."
"New mission?"
"Something like that." Sakura laughed.
"Let me help you gather your tools." Naruto pushed.
"You'll only distract me." Sakura said as she turned on her heal to walk away. As Sakura got further, she turned her head around to smile once more. "I'll see you for training!" She waved.
Naruto smiled back, turning the opposite direction to walk home. He was satisfied he got to see Sakura. Even if it was briefly, he enjoyed it.