The usual group met up at their sakura tree before class. It was only a three day weekend but it felt much longer than that for Sakura.
"I've missed you guys!" Naruto came running in, hooking his arm around Sakura.
"You're so loud Naruto. It's only been three days." Tenten rolled her eyes at the loud blonde.
"Three days too long. It always feels lonely when I don't get to see you guys. You're like my family." Naruto pouted. Sakura gave him a pat on the back as a joking pity pat.
"Well, next time ask us to hangout! It's that simple." Ino said as she managed to glance at him before focusing back on her phone.
Sakura then remembered about the hangout Naruto and Hinata had the day before. She made a mental note to ask the grinning boy next to her about it. Mainly why he didn't ask Hinata out at that time when they clearly had feelings for each other.
"Teme! You're slower than usual. What's up?"
The group turned their attention toward the raven haired male.
Sasuke gave a quick glance, not even bothering to answer Naruto's question.
"Good morning Sasuke." Sakura gave her normal smile.
"Tch" was all that came out of the boy's mouth before he started to lean on the tree.
"What's wrong Sasuke, someone piss you off again?" Ino asked.
"Don't even bother, he won't answer." Shikamaru said giving a big yawn.
"How many times do I have to tell you not to yawn so loudly" Ino gave him the eye roll.
"Yea yea, you're so naggy."
It was their normal arguments and bickering but the group knew that deep down, they cared about each other a lot. That explained why they did so well on the team with Choji. That's how most teams were. Ninjas had their pride. Most didn't want to admit how much they cared about their team members, but at the end of the day they're there for each other. The main example being Naruto and Sasuke.
"You don't need to give us such a scowl Sasuke! Can't you ever just come in with a happy mood. At least a bearable one."
A vein popped on Sasuke's head.
"Maybe if you weren't so annoying, I would be in a better mood" Sasuke spit out.
"What did you say?" Naruto sent him a glare.
It was hard to believe they were best friends but after being there for each other for so long it was only natural. Especially because they always had each other's back.
Sasuke was more relieved about Naruto's constant bickering with him. Sure it was annoying but it really helped to distract the others.
He just couldn't stop thinking about the scar. How did Sakura even get the scar in the first place. How did he know about the scar? Why couldn't he remember anything else.
The buzzing was back. Sasuke flinched a bit from the pain, but almost nobody noticed. Of course, the pink haired gal and the blonde boy standing across him saw it. They noticed everything about him, about each other. They were family.
Sakura couldn't help but worry about him. She always has but now it was different. Someone was forcing him to forget and it was hurting him. Why was that part of their lives so important. All she did was leave to Suna. Well it was pretty life changing for her but how did it involve Sasuke? She didn't want Sasuke to be in pain anymore but she also wanted him to remember her. She missed their past friendship. Not that what they had now was bad, but it just wasn't the same as before.
"Remember that you guys have homework due Wednesday. Dismissed."
The class started to file out for lunch. Sakura decided to wait outside the door for Naruto to come out. If she was going to ask about yesterday, now would be the best chance since none of their other friends had this class with them.
Naruto came out when the halls were nearly empty.
"Finally!" Sakura said as he stepped out the door.
"What's up Sakura. You know I always take this long to come out."
"I have no idea why though. You don't even take notes."
"Hey! I have to at least pretend to."
She laughed. Classic Naruto.
"Anyways, I saw you and Hinata at the mall yesterday."
Naruto gave a small blush and a wide cheeky grin.
"You were there?"
"Yea with Sasuke."
Naruto gave Sakura the eyebrow wiggle.
"Stop it. I'm asking about you not the other way around." Sakura playfully rolled her eyes.
"Wait. How much did you see?"
"The part where she hugged you"
"O-oh you saw that.. did you see anything else?"
"Why didn't you ask her out? I know you like her. We all know that she's liked you before I even met you."
"There was something I needed to do. I can't put my all into our relationship without doing this first. It's much more important.." Naruto looked towards the ground.
"Are you talking about my problem with Sasuke?" His head shot up with his eyes wide.
"What? No of-"
"C'mon Naruto. I know you're dense but you're not forgetful. We both haven't been trying to hide how well we know each other, especially from our younger days. We we're like brother and sister. I know that Ino remembers me too. I wasn't really close to the others to remember me, but the three of you should remember me."
Naruto gave a big sigh. "I know. That's why I want to help. It's weird that he doesn't remember you. Teme is not forgetful. He remembers everything. I thought he'd remember you too. You guys were-. Anyways, I was shocked when you came back but more than anything I was happy. I thought we could be like before. Except, Sasuke was indifferent. He didn't even know you. He was just annoyed when he met you."
It made Sakura sad to think about the past. "Sasuke always said I was annoying." Sakura gave a small, weak laugh.
"There is one thing I never had the chance to tell you though."
Sakura raised a brow at Naruto.
"The summer you left, Sasuke disappeared. There was no word from him. Nothing. Then when he came back in the fall, he said he went to America to visit. He didn't tell me why or what happened there. It was vague. He came back colder too. He wasn't the somewhat friendly guy we knew anymore. He was really closed off. He's not that bad anymore but man he was just so different than what I was used to."
Why doesn't Naruto just ask Sasuke's parents. They surely would tell him.
"Anyways, that doesn't give you a valid reason to go out with Hinata. You like her! Don't let this hold you back. You're not doing this by yourself. More like, you're helping me with my troubles. I'm sure you can juggl both at the same time."
"Hinata understands that I'm helping you. Hinata kind of remembers you too."
"Ah she was always watching you. You were her inspiration." Sakura teased.
"Hey! You're embarrassing me.." Naruto put a hand to the back of his head with another one of his cheeky grins.
From a distance, Sasuke came out of his classroom. His teacher was lecturing him for not focusing. He only got off with a warning since Sasuke was always so serious with his work.
Down the hall he saw Sakura and Naruto leaning against the lockers. He didn't understand why, but he couldn't help but feel angry. Naruto was his best friend, though he would never admit it, but he didn't like it that Sakura was closer to the dobe than him.
Hi! Please remember to review the story and tell me what you think about it. The last two chapters are more what i'd like to know about, but what you think about the story overall is good too! I love hearing from you guys whether its good or bad!
