"I was never the one who was hard to talk to."

Her words echoed through Naruto's mind since the day they spoke.

A day has already passed since then, and today they'll be leaving for Suna.

"...we've already signed that, right? Naruto? Naruto!"

Naruto jumped at his name being called, "Huh? Sorry Shikamaru, can you say that again?"

Shikamaru rubbed his eyes and sighed. This was partly his fault, he admitted to himself.

Ever since Naruto returned from his lunch the day he talked to Sakura, Naruto became dazed. He was so lost in thought the whole day yesterday too, he was actually surprised Naruto was able to pack his things.

"Are you okay?" Shikamaru put down the papers he was holding. "What's wrong?"

Naruto scratched the back of his head, embarrassed, "I'm sorry I'm so out of it. It's nothing." He chuckled.

But Shikamaru wouldn't let it go, "Look, Naruto. You're going on a trip alone with Sakura in a few minutes. It's better if we discuss this now than your guard being down on your way to Suna."

Before Naruto could say something, Shikamaru added, "And don't deny that whatever it is that's bothering you is not connected to Sakura."

Naruto kicked his feet off the ground to spin his chair.

He let out a groan and planted his feet again on the ground.

"Fine..." He sighed.

It's not like he wanted to keep this from Shikamaru. Shikamaru is his closest confidant, besides Sasuke. After Sakura-chan and I lost contact, he thought.

"When I visited the hospital the other day, Sakura overheard me saying to myself that it was hard to talk to her these days."

Naruto leaned forward and placed his elbows on his desk, "And then, after we talked, before she left, she said, 'Naruto, I was never the one who was hard to talk to' and I don't understand, I've always been available whenever she asks to speak to me."

Oh, so that's what this is. Of course. Shikamaru internally groaned, women and their amazing ability to hold a grudge. But going back to Naruto… how can you say to a person that is technically your boss that he's an idiot?

"Naruto, can I be honest?"

Naruto nodded enthusiastically. "Always."

"I have watched your relationship grow since we were children. From Sakura being one of Sasuke's fangirls, to her beating the crap out of anyone who would speak ill of you. She would always say that you were the source of her motivation to be a better kunoichi and person…" This statement made Naruto blush.

"And I've always wondered..." Shikamaru continued, ignoring Naruto's reaction. "How did you end up not talking to each other like that?"

Shikamaru, the astute person that he is, knows the answer to all his questions. But he also knows Naruto. It's better to have him think for himself than laying it all out in front of him.

Naruto narrowed his eyes and scratched his chin, thinking deeply.

"I guess it started when I distanced myself from Sakura because I knew Sasuke was back. I knew she wanted to be with him so I had to give them space. Then, I don't know… I would approach her when she came back from her long term assignments, but it wasn't the same anymore, like there was a wall between us I couldn't reach but…" Naruto paused, a sad look passed on his face but then he smiled weakly.

"...when I saw her with Sasuke, she was always smiling..."

He shook his head. "And then, I don't know, I got married and became Hokage. She came back permanently from her long term assignments and got married herself and then, I don't know… our own married lives and huge responsibilities, I guess?"

Shikamaru kept his eyes on Naruto, "Well, have you ever asked her if she wanted to be given that space you were talking about?"

Naruto, clearly defensive, said, "I didn't have to, I knew Sakura. They deserved to have time with each other after all the time Sasuke was gone! And she loves Sasuke!"

Shikamaru placed both his hands at the back of his head and asked, "Did Sakura tell you that before?"

Naruto's brows furrowed even more, but before he could open his mouth to answer, there was a knock at the door and Shikamaru called for them to enter.

Temari, who was holding a package covered in silk, entered the room. She locked eyes with Shikamaru, conveying that she overheard their conversation.

"Oh! Temari!" Naruto exclaimed almost too happily, like he was saved by a bell. "Is that for Gaara?"

Temari walked towards them, "Yes, well… for the baby actually. If it wouldn't be too much trouble, can you please give this to him?"

Naruto stood up from his chair and went over to take the package from her, "Of course! Let me secure it in my pack."

Shikamaru figured their conversation was over.

Besides, it was almost time for them to go to the village gate anyway.

He stood up and started clearing papers from Naruto's desk, "I'll go over this later." Then he looked at the clock on the wall, "We'll have to get going. You wouldn't want to make Sakura wait, Naruto."

"I'll join you." Temari replied.

Naruto, mind still reeling about that short conversation that they had, nodded his head.

These days, Sakura rarely has time to pause and just think about life.

But if you wake up hours before your agreed upon time of meeting, with all of your things securely packed, and your daughter already at your best friend's house, you are bound to have time to do just that.

So here she was sitting on her kitchen table, steaming hot coffee in one hand, a photo in the other.

Sakura then glanced at her door, "Ino?"

It was indeed Ino who opened the door. Sakura furrowed her eyebrows in worry, "Is there something wrong?"

"Does anything have to be wrong for your best friend to bring you food?" She raised a plastic bag with bread. "It's freshly out of the oven… or so I was told."

Sakura chuckled and stood up to make Ino a cup of coffee while Ino got some plates for their bread.

Once Sakura placed the coffee in front of her, Ino said, "I just knew you'd be awake this early anxiously waiting or something."

Sakura looked annoyed, "Anxiously what?"

Ino, while blowing on her steaming mug, made a pointed look at the photo on the table.

Sakura blushed, realizing she forgot to put the picture away. "I… I just made sure that my things were organized and then I saw the box and got sidetracked, I didn't…"

Ino chuckled, "You don't have to explain anything to me, stupid." She then reached over to get the photo.

Ino examined it and said, "This was from that last festival before the war, right?"

Sakura nodded, still a little flushed, and she took a bite of her bread but didn't say anything.

"Sakura…" Ino put down the photo, "You said it yourself. It's been years. Just… if he tries to connect with you again, can you try to not be so cold?"

Sakura looked at her and slowly nodded. "I could try…"

Ino gave her the photo back and she looked at it again; Naruto's arm on her shoulder, both of them with those big smiles they used to wear only around each other.

How I miss that smile...

As the trio arrived near the village gate, they heard Ino and Sakura first before they saw them.

"I wouldn't know what I would do without you, Ino. Thank you."

Ino let out a laugh, "I know! I'm such a great friend. And Sarada's always been proud when you're called into these missions, she understands."

Sakura gave out a loud sigh, "I know, she's growing up so fast."

"They all are. But don't worry, she's got me as her role model while you're gone."

"That isn't really reassuring." Shikamaru chimes.

The two ladies turned to see Shikamaru, Temari and Naruto. When Sakura and Naruto's eyes met, Sakura quickly looked away.

Ino placed a hand on her hip, "Yeah, right. As if you would be a good role model to Sarada, you'll probably teach her to sleep all day."

Temari laughed, "He probably wouldn't be able to teach her anything since he's asleep."

Both Temari and Ino laughed. Shikamaru's face scrunched in annoyance. "Both of you are menaces."

Temari then approached Sakura, "I haven't gotten the chance to thank you, Sakura. It means a great deal to Kankuro and I." She reached both of her arms to embrace Sakura.

Sakura returned the hug and replied, "It's always been my pleasure to help your family, after all you've done for Naruto… and uh, Konoha."

Both of them didn't see how Naruto's eyes widened, and Ino and Shikamaru made subtle eye contact.

"And besides, Suna has also become a home to me. Don't worry, I'll keep Hakuto and the baby safe." Sakura finished. "But we better get going. Due dates aren't set in stone." Sakura said with a smile as she let go of Temari.

"Tell me about it. Inojin decided to exit while Sai and I were on a date." Ino said, which made all of them laugh. She looked at Naruto and narrowed her eyes, "Take care of Sakura for me Naruto."

"Of course! Have I ever let anything happen to her?" Naruto said with a smile.

Ino was about to say something more but Sakura cut her off and mentioned that they really needed to go.

So they said their round of goodbyes and off, Naruto and Sakura went.

As soon as they were out of the village gate, Sakura jumped off to the trees. This surprised Naruto for a split second, then he followed her.

"Sakura-chan!" He shouted as he tried to catch up to her. Why does it feel like he's been catching up to her since they began talking again? "Hey! Wait a sec!"

Sakura sighed but she did stop at a tree branch and waited for Naruto to settle on his own branch as well.

"What?" She didn't sound irritated at all, and that irritated Naruto. He never did like this Sakura that he couldn't read.

Plus, she was doing this thing that she wasn't looking at him straight in the eyes.

"Isn't it a waste of chakra to travel like this? Wouldn't it be best if we just walked?" Naruto asked.

Sakura still wouldn't look at him. "This will cut our travel time in half. And it isn't like you're ever short on chakra… and neither am I."

"This will be more exhausting!"

"This will be more efficient."

"Why won't you look me in the eyes, Sakura-chan?"

This seemed to startle them both. Naruto more so, as he didn't think he would blurt that out so suddenly.

Great start. He thought.

This did make Sakura look at him for a moment, but all too soon she looked away again.

If he tries to connect with you again, can you try to not be so cold?

Damn you Ino for putting those words in my head. Sakura internally groaned.

"I apologize." Sakura conceded, dodging his last question. "I'm just worried Hakuto's baby would come earlier than expected but... she isn't due until a few days, I guess we can walk." She jumped down and walked towards the paved road without waiting for Naruto.

Naruto sighed, this is going to be a long trip.

After that, their travel became uneventful and silent. They didn't talk even when they took short breaks to refill their water.

And true to her words, Sakura maintained her distance.

They kept their distance from each other so much that if someone crossed paths with them, they wouldn't think they were traveling together.

And all the while, behind Sakura, Naruto was mulling over what to do.

Naruto, the person who was known by the whole world to have won over Pain, was mulling over what to do to reconnect with the kunoichi in front of him.

"Maybe you can use this as an opportunity to reconnect and pick up where your friendship left off."

Maybe Shikamaru could've said how to do that too, the smart bastard.

I guess… I've never had to do this with Sakura because I've known she was my friend from day one. He thought as he looked at Sakura's back. At the Uchiha emblem embroidered on her blouse. When did she start wearing that?

Naruto clenched his fists.

He used to know every single thing about her… even the different stitches done to her clothes because of the tears it received on their various missions.

How she bites her lower lip when in deep concentration… the fire in her eyes whenever she talks to him about a topic she is passionate about… that she loves looking at the stars at night before going to bed... and… that when she thinks he isn't looking, she would look at him with a warm smile on her face…

How she wouldn't explicitly ask Naruto out on a date but rather, would drag and treat him to whichever shop had dangos...

That's it! Naruto had a light bulb moment.

Naruto cleared his throat, "Sakura-chan… would you like to stop by that shop that we went tolast time we went on a mission to Suna? The one with those big portioned dangos?"

Sakura slowed down her walking and turned her head slightly to look at him. "You still remember that?" she asked.

Naruto smiled, "Of course! I still know where it is too."

She looked away again but said, "Sure... but let's be quick about it."

Her answer made something in Naruto's chest lighten a bit and he smiled brightly.

Maybe this trip wasn't doomed after all.

The remote shop that they were talking about diverted a little from their original route, but it was already close to the boundary of Suna, and their food was definitely worth the detour.

The shop didn't have a name but it was a known traveler's stop.

Once they arrived at the shop, they were both mesmerized about how the stone house still looked the same on the outside. There was a lot more greenery though, and vines that crept on the wall, but that just gave the shop more character.

They actually realized that at the back of their heads, they didn't think the shop was still standing.

Even on the inside, It actually looked the same as before, the only difference were the decorations that were hung, and the young lady who was at the counter. She definitely wasn't the older woman they remembered.

"Hi there! What can I get you?" Asked the young lady.

"Oh, six plates of dango please." Naruto replied happily.

"And an iced tea would be great." Sakura chimed.

The lady smiled at the both of them, "Got it! Please take a seat wherever you feel like. The weather's nice today though, so I'd suggest the tables outside." And then she proceeded to go to what they assume is the kitchen.

Both of them settled themselves on a shaded table outside. The weather was indeed nice. And with the perfect tree shading them, the cool air made everything better.

Silence again hung between the two of them but Naruto was determined to talk to Sakura. "So uh, Sakura-chan, how is Sarada?"

Sakura looked at him in the corner of her eye. Don't be cold Sakura, she reminded herself.

"She's well." She paused, thinking of another thing to say, "And uh, she's so excited to go to the academy next year that she's been reading a lot of books now."

Naruto was happy that she volunteered some information. Sarada was a good topic then, he thought. "Like mother, like daughter then?"

Sakura crossed her arms but she smiled, "I wish. I wasn't that diligent before. I was just boy-crazy."

Naruto chuckled.

Sakura continued, "But I do try my best to give her every book she wants, and answer every question she has. I want to give her what I didn't have in terms of knowledge about being a kunoichi."

Naruto nodded. "She'll definitely have an edge."

Their conversation was then cut off by the young lady approaching with their food. They said their thank yous and began eating.

It felt like they were in a truce of some sort as they peacefully ate for a while.

"What about your kids? How are they? Last I saw them was when Boruto cut his forehead open." Sakura asked as she sipped her tea.

Naruto was surprised Sakura continued their conversation that he looked at her with wide eyes but managed to answer, "They're both doing good." He said with a smile, "Boruto's a menace though, always getting into trouble. But so was I when I was his age, so I really can't complain."

He took a bite of his dango. "I swear that kid will be the death of me sometimes." He narrowed his eyes as he continued to chew.

Sakura saw his reaction in the corner of her eye and she laughed out loud. Naruto was caught off guard by her laughing that he just stared at her, mouth open for a second but then he smiled.

How I've missed that laugh of yours Sakura-chan…

"Same here." Sakura said once she recovered from laughing, "Sarada is a careful kid most of the time but sometimes, she gets into trouble because she's got this know-it-all attitude, especially when I bring her to the hospital." Sakura shared.

Naruto, encouraged to talk more, said, "It's like they think they're invincible right?"

Sakura looked at him with a smile and nodded, "We were like that before too. Always thought we knew everything there is to know about the world." she reminisced with a smile.

Naruto nodded in agreement and then he sighed, "Imagine when they finally start going to missions…"

"I don't even want to think about it." Sakura shivered and she rubbed her arms, but her tone was friendlier now, "All I can think about is how we thought that mission in the land of waves was easy and harmless…"

Naruto was brought back to that mission and how difficult it became.

It was also the first time Sakura threw herself to Naruto to protect him.

He looked at Sakura then who was still rubbing her arms, "Don't worry Sakura-chan, I'll make sure that Sarada will end up with a great sensei just like we did."

A strong wind blew suddenly as Sakura was about to take a bite of her last piece of dango that caused her hair to stick to it.

Naruto then absentmindedly reached over a hand to brush Sakura's locks out of her face and he tucked it behind her ears and held it there as the wind continued to blow.

Sakura froze and slowly turned to look at the hand on her face and then at Naruto. They at stared at each other until the wind finally passed.

But Naruto didn't pull his hand away.

Then something snapped Sakura out of the trance and she immediately broke eye contact and started to fix her hair, blushing profusely, while Naruto cleared his throat feigning indifference but was also red in the cheeks.

"I… uh, I appreciate you looking over Sarada's future sensei." She cleared her throat.

They went completely silent again and then Sakura said, "Oh… I wasn't going to say anything now since we are on a different mission but, I was going to propose a mandatory medical ninjutsu training to at least one member per squad."

Naruto looked at Sakura, pride in his eyes. "That's an amazing idea, Sakura-chan! Plus, having you as their sensei there will definitely be a great medic-nin per squad!"

Sakura lowered her head to hide another blush she felt was building on her cheeks. "It's the product of all the worrying I've been doing over Sarada, I guess…"

"You were always such a worry wart, Sakura-chan." Naruto teased.

This made Sakura look at him with an eyebrow raised, but with a hint of a smile on the side of her lips.

"You have two children, Naruto. I only have one so you wouldn't get it."

Naruto then jokingly asked, "Why not just make more babies with Sasuke then?"

Sakura flinched, a hurt look passed on her face so quickly he would've missed it if he wasn't hanging on her every word, and she turned away from him. "It's kinda hard to be intimate with a man you haven't seen for years."

Naruto paused in confusion, "What? Years?"

Sakura didn't respond, she stood up and took her plates and glass. "I'll pay for both of us. Please finish your food so we can go."

"Sakura-chan, wait!" But she didn't. She continued to walk inside. Naruto couldn't care less about his food now. He grabbed his plate and ran inside as well.

A much older lady was now at the counter. And when she saw the two of them, her face brightened. "Oh! I remember you two!"

They both stared at the old lady and Naruto recognized her first, "Oh! You're the previous owner of the shop!"

The old lady beamed, "I'm still technically the owner, although my granddaughter does most of the tasks now."

As if she's been summoned, the young lady came out from the back, "Oh, are you done already? Let me take those plates from you."

While her granddaughter took the utensils and their payment from Sakura, the older lady looked at Sakura and Naruto, and with a teasing look on her face asked, "So… are you two married now?"

"Yes, ma'am."

"Yeah!" They answered simultaneously.

The old lady clapped her hands, a big smile on her face, "I knew it! As soon as I saw the two of you I knew you'd end up together!"

Both Naruto and Sakura were startled and both blushed. Sakura waved both her hands at her, "No! It's not like that!" she said hurriedly.

The old lady blinked and looked at them confused, "Huh? How is it that you're married but not like that?"

Naruto sheepishly answered, "We're not married to uh… each other. We have different partners."

The old lady grew more confused. "What?! How could that happen!?"

"Grandma! Please stop, you're embarrassing them!" The younger woman said. She went over to Sakura to hand her her change. "Here's your change."

Sakura smiled and said thanks to the younger lady and proceeded to put away the money.

"But… what happened?!" The older lady then pointed at Naruto, "You! I specifically remember our conversation about how you're going to marry her someday!"

Sakura looked at her then and said, with a clearly forced smile on her face, "People change ma'am. One day they say stuff like that, and then the next, they don't want anything to do with you anymore."

Naruto snapped his head to look at her but she wasn't looking at him.

She adjusted the strap of her bag. "It was nice seeing you though. Your dango is still as good as ever. I'll visit again soon."

Sakura bowed goodbye to the two women and began to walk outside, desperate to put as much distance as possible between her and memories she's long buried.

She heard Naruto running to catch up with her as she didn't realize how fast she was walking.

Naruto reached out to touch her shoulder but she brushed his hand off as soon as it made contact.

Sakura looked him in the eye, and for a moment Naruto thought she was about to cry but she didn't. She took a deep breath and a cool look overcame her, then she calmly said, "We're close to Suna already, Naruto. Let's just… let's just stop talking and focus on getting to Gaara and Hakuto as soon as possible, ok?"

"Sakura-chan…" he wanted to say more. But her voice, her plea, stopped him.

He wanted to ask her what she meant about what she said to the shop owner, ask her what she meant about not talking to Sasuke for years, ask her how her life was really going...

But something inside him repressed those thoughts, telling him this wasn't the time. So he forcefully focused on what she said… Gaara and Hakuto, right…

Naruto didn't answer so Sakura took it as a sign to turn around and start walking again towards Suna.

They saw the silhouette of Suna's welcoming party from afar.

Sakura slowed down and phased her walking so she and Naruto were beside each other. Naruto was relieved by this because no matter how close their ties were with Suna, it was much better to present a united front.

And of course, despite whatever is happening between Naruto and her, Sakura would never jeopardize his position.

"Gaara!" Naruto greeted him with his usual energy. Gaara smiled and reached immediately for a hug which Naruto returned in earnest.

Once they had let go of each other, Naruto's eyes went to Hakuto, "Oh, Hakuto! What are you doing here, shouldn't you be resting?" He approached her to greet her as well.

"Honestly, you're as bad as them, I can still walk you know." She huffed.

Sakura, who also exchanged greetings with Gaara, chuckled and said, "Men, they don't know how capable we are even when we're growing life inside of us."

"Sakura-san!" Hakuto went over to her but Sakura met her half way and they exchanged greetings and hugs. "I can't tell you how relieved I am that you were able to accept our request."

Gaara walked towards them and said, "Thank you, Sakura, for coming here on such short notice."

Sakura smiled at both of them, "It's my pleasure to help here, you know that. And I know how stressful this time is for the both of you, especially for you." She looked at Hakuto. "I'll make sure your delivery will be the most stress free of all time." She grinned.

"Don't I get a hug?" They all turned towards the voice, it was Kankuro who was walking towards them. "You didn't miss me at all, Sakura-chan?"

"'Chan'?" Naruto mumbled in annoyance and disbelief as Sakura laughed out loud and went to greet him.

"Oh, didn't you know? They dated for a while when Sakura stayed with us before." Gaara said nonchalantly but his eyes seemed to be entertained by Naruto's reaction.

"They what?!"

"I find that reaction quite offensive." Kankuro said but his face clearly looked smug. He went over to exchange greetings with Naruto who accepted his hand shake with a comically annoyed look on his face.

Gaara cleared his throat, "Is the house prepared with Kankuro?"

Kankuro nodded, "Yes, the house is prepared but you could stay with me if you like Sakura-chan." he said teasingly.

"She's married, y'know." Naruto said through gritted teeth.

Kankuro placed a hand on his hip, "Yeah, but not to you."

"Why, you…" Naruto rolled his sleeves.

Sakura sighed dramatically, clearly wanting to divert the attention. She went over to Naruto and forcibly rolled his sleeve down while she turned to look at Kankuro, "Stop it you! I will hit you myself if you don't."

Kankuro only laughed while Gaara looked on as if being entertained. Hakuto only sighed, "It's already late and they've been traveling. It's best if they rest up now."

"Yes please, we'll also have a long day tomorrow for your check up." Sakura said. And with Hakuto's delivery back on their minds, they began to walk towards the village.

"Oh, I miss this house!" Sakura said gleefully.

"We thought you might like to stay in the same house as before." Hakuto said. "Thankfully we hadn't given it to delegates who came for the festival."

"Oh, there's a festival?" Once Hakuto mentioned it, Naruto and Sakura finally noticed the banners and decorations around.

"Yes, it's really been hectic these days for us." Gaara sighed.

"Well, in that case, we wouldn't want to take too much of your time anymore. Where will Naruto be staying then?" Sakura asked.

"Oh, you're staying in the same house." Hakuto said.

Sakura froze. "But… there's only one bedroom in this house."

Hakuto's face became apologetic, "I'm really sorry, Sakura. Since our decision to request for your assistance was all so sudden we have already given the other quarters to the other delegates." She turned her head down, "I didn't think…"

Sakura immediately felt guilty and scrambled to say that it was quite alright, it was really not a problem.

"Sakura-chan's just worried because I snore so loud!" Naruto chimes with a grin.

"So loud! Don't stress about it Hakuto!" Sakura said.

Gaara then approached Hakuto and wrapped a reassuring arm on her shoulder. He looked at both Sakura and Naruto and said, "Thank you again, both of you. Please get your much needed rest. And if you need anything, just let us know."

Both of them nodded and then Gaara, Hakuto and Kankuro said their goodbyes - and also a teasing invitation again for Sakura from Kankuro - before they left.

Naruto and Sakura were left standing on the doorstep, staring at their retreating backs.

"Right…" Sakura squared her shoulders.

They looked at each other at the same time before they turned towards the door.

Sakura reached for the doorknob and opened the door of their home during their stay in Suna.

A/N: Reviews are greatly appreciated. ʕ•́ᴥ•̀ʔっ