Naruto really loved training; he loved being busy and learning new things, meeting new people and seeing amazing places. But he also loved that quiet time of night where only the soft chirping of crickets and the boisterous snores of Jiraiya as he dozed could be heard.

It was a time when the blonde haired boy could think.

Being constantly on the move, Naruto didn't have much time to just sit and contemplate. But some nights, when he wasn't too exhausted from his training, he took an extra deep breath and just let himself think.

First he'd think about all the new things he had learned that day, or the people he had met, or how perverted ero-sennin could be at times. And once he was done thinking about that, he would think about how it would be spring in Konoha now and how he missed the blooming cherry trees.

He would then think about how much he missed ramen and that he hoped Ichiraku wasn't out of business because he was gone, but then he would remember that Iruka-sensei would still visit.

He'd smile when he thought of all of the friends he had left in Konoha, and he'd make a silent promise to return as soon as he could.

Next he'd frown and remember his reason for being away from them. He'd think about Sasuke, and wonder if he was training too. He'd wonder if he had changed any, if he would recognize him if their paths crossed. He'd wonder if the darkness in his friend's heart had grown, and if there was any of the old Sasuke left. But then, his look would turn determined and it wouldn't matter.

Naruto was sure he could save him. He had to.

The blonde would shake away the sorrow creeping into his heart and replace it with his own steadfast assurance that everything would be alright.

His thoughts turned lighter, because once he had thought about everything else, he would think about Sakura.

He thought about her last not because she was least important, quite the opposite actually. He thought of her last because she was the one he would think about the most. If he thought about her first, he would never get to think about anything else.

He'd wonder what she was doing at that moment. He'd wonder if she was lonely, if she was sad, if she was worried or scared. And then because he honestly didn't know any of those things, he would regret not being there.

He wondered if she was still heartbroken, or if she was putting the pieces back together. He knew she was working just as hard as he was because he would always see her as strong.

He missed her, Sasuke too of course, but really he knew he shouldn't because they were with him wherever he went.

They were there in every rasengan he created, there were there in every punch he threw, they were there at the tip of every kunai he used. They were there because his strength was for them.

But while Sasuke was the gloom that tugged at his gut, Sakura was the bright spot at the edge of his mind. Naruto had tucked his memories of her deep into his heart, because to him, three years was a long time and he didn't want to forget.

He was growing, he knew, though not quite fast enough for his liking. Now fourteen, his thoughts definitely weren't as innocent as they once had been, but who could blame the boy when he traveled with the most renowned pervert in the fire country?

Focusing on the night sky with its winking stars, Naruto released a dreamy sigh.

The expanse above him would fade and he'd grin as he pictured her in his mind, smiling at him with those bright green eyes and pink locks swaying gently.

It was how she would look in his dreams as well, on the rare occasion his dreams did not hold snakes, fangs, and red smoke.

He could see her smiling, though for what he couldn't be sure. Oddly, her hair was always short in his dreams, and sometimes she would finger it hesitantly, her green eyes losing some of their warmth. But then she would clench her hand defiantly and shake away whatever fear she held. It was then that he would notice her hand was not empty and that she held a familiar looking piece of fabric. At that point Naurto knew he had to know where it ended, had to know who held the opposite end. So he'd follow the orange looking thing from her hand as it stretched towards him. But always, right when he thought he knew, the dream would fade away into nothing.

He'd awaken, her smile still burning in his memory as his thumb, of its own accord, stroked the silk ribbon clenched in his fingers.

And then he'd wonder if she would ever smile at him that way, a real smile, one without any sadness or pain, and what would he do when she finally did?

Naruto turned onto his side, his hand sneaking into his pocket as he fingered his only physical connection to Sakura that he had. Maybe he would dream of Sakura tonight.

He wondered if she felt just as confused as he did, but then again, Sakura had always been the smart one.

Could she be angry with him for leaving? Did she miss him? Would she be happy when they met again?

The final thoughts trailed slowly through his mind as he closed his eyes and allowed his body to fully relax.

Without really knowing why, he felt he knew the answer to those questions.

---

Sakura smiled.

She was completely drained of chakra, and even putting on her own pajamas was almost too much effort for her to muster. Every muscle, every fiber of her being hurt, and her smile widened. This was progress; this was how she wanted to feel. She was growing, developing, getting stronger, and the longer she could keep a fish alive, the more cracks she made in a boulder, the more kunai hit their mark caused her spirits to fly even higher.

She was moving forward finally, and for once she could begin to feel pride in herself and confidence in her abilities.

I'll keep my promise to you for sure, Naruto. I won't hold you back and together we can save Sasuke-kun.

Laying herself down onto her bed, Sakura yawned sleepily, her pink hair fanning out behind her on her pillow. It was hard not to feel lonely at times, being the only member of team 7 left. She missed the old days and yet she was glad things were different. It was strange how the past could hold such good memories and bad feelings at the same time, and more times than not she found herself confused over what she really did want.

She wanted Sasuke back, she knew, but she definitely did not want the old Sakura back, and sometimes she worried she could revert back to how she used to be. She couldn't let that happen; it wasn't fair to her and it wasn't fair to Naruto.

A small smile crept upon her face at the thought of the loud-mouth. With his constant goofing off, she wondered if he ever actually got any training done. But in her heart she had little doubt that he was improving quickly like she was. Somehow, with Sasuke's leaving, a strange bond had formed between herself and Naruto. It was unusual and confusing because she didn't quite know what it meant, but it was comforting to her.

Even though they were apart, they were both working towards the same thing, and somehow that made it seem like he wasn't really gone.

Sakura turned to lay her cheek against her pillow, pulling her covers up around her neck. Perhaps tonight she wouldn't dream of cursed seals, blood, and shadows. Perhaps tonight she would dream of welcoming her teammates back, the one where Naruto gave her a bone crushing hug and Sasuke allowed a small smile just for her.

---

I want to make this dream a reality.

A/N: Finally! Sorry about the wait folks! (In case you are wondering that last thought was dually shared by Naruto and Sakura). /Ahem/ well, this was fun, so fun I almost forgot to include the ribbon. Hah, well, things are moving along for our heroes. Remember I'm trying to keep things as close to the real story as possible, so things can't move TOO quickly. Also, they are getting older, so there should be increased depth with their characters. Hopefully this little interlude before they meet again is enjoyable.

Special thanks to Dasdeke for beta-ing!!

--Miss Soupy