[[Sasuke's P.O.V]]
When I opened my eyes it was dark. The forest canopies now nothing but a silhouette above me. I had obviously fallen asleep after everyone had left from training that afternoon. I stood up and brushed off the grass and twigs that were clinging to my clothes. I listened out for a moment determining if I was alone or not before making my through the trees and shrubs. Walking through the darkness made me feel at ease. It disguised everything. You see nothing except what your mind shows you. It feels as if you truly are alone in your own world. To my dismay, this feeling of solitude was banished when I broke through the last row of trees and out onto the street. The dim lights on the corner separated my hands and feet from that of my night consumed surroundings. As I walked further down the streets, the further into the centre of town I went, the more people who were bustling around. I felt a surge of annoyance.
"Great. It's not as late as I thought. Everything is still open." Although I said it with spite, I was hungry, and I didn't feel like making anything myself. I looked around for the first food stall that I came across although when I found it I was apprehensive of going in. It was Ichiraku Ramen, Naruto's favourite. Of all the stores, it had to be this one. I deliberated with myself quietly and weighed up the chances of him actually being in there.
My decision: I was too hungry to care.
I walked up and pushed aside the large flaps readying myself for Naruto to spring from the chair and attack me in a bid to get me back for earlier. Nothing came, in fact, it was empty. I felt my shoulders slump slightly with the knowledge, and my mood went slowly downhill. I realized I had wanted him to be there. It made me angry to think that I was looking forward to the possibility. Had I completely lost it?
"He has a life too! He's not going to be everywhere I want him to be!" Unfortunately, I had said this out loud and the waitress stood there looking at me.
"What?" I snapped at her, angry that I had let something slip from my mouth.
"Uh ... What would you like to order?" I looked behind her at the menu and pointed to something that looked appetizing.
"Okay it won't belong,." She told me, then turning to face an older man in the back and shouted my order at him.
She turned back to me and leaned on the counter. My first thought was that it was another one of those annoying girls about to ask me out. Turns out I was wrong.
"So, suffering from a crush that doesn't even know about your feelings? She asked me. I tried my best not to look dumbfounded.
"What are you talking about?" I said, in the lowest voice I could. I half wished she did ask me out.
"I just assumed from what you said, but correct me if I'm wrong, did you say he?"
"It's none of your business what I said."
"So I'm right then." She teased.
"Is my order ready yet?" I didn't want to go into this with her. Especially since Naruto was her best customer.
"No." She huffed. I had won this round and she was angry about it. The next five minutes was tortuous. She just kept looking at me, wanting to ask me something, but not sure whether it would offend me or not.
"If you have something to ask, just ask," I said, annoyed of her constant stare.
"Well ... Aren't you the Uchiha boy? Sasuke?" I nodded and she beamed. I found this slightly disturbing but I let it slide.
"You're in Uzamaki Naruto's team aren't you?" I nodded again.
"Hah, I thought so, He talks about you all the time." I couldn't process what she had just said. Does Naruto talk about me?
"Hah, all about him losing I suppose."
"Yes and no, but he always sounded like he put his heart in it. He must admire you... Oh, your meal is done, here you are." I took the bag from her and in a daze walked back home.
[[Naruto's P.O.V]]
Kakashi-sensei had taken me to the hospital to get checked over by a doctor. I told him I was fine and that it was only a few cuts and bruises, but he insisted I go. I was there all afternoon being fussed over and it's all Sasuke's fault. It's not like I can't beat him.
"Well, maybe he shouldn't be such a jerk!" I said, remembering how he refused the bento Sakura had made him.
"She never makes me a bento," I stated, slightly bitter. Getting up from my single bed I poured (the now boiled) water into a cup of instant ramen. I then covered it and sat at the table to wait.
"I bet Sasuke doesn't even eat. I've never even seen him eat before, except that time when we first became genin." The thought that he was some kind of robot scared me but explained how he beat me all the time. Of course, I knew he wasn't but it made me feel better about losing. I started smelling cooked noodles so I knew they were ready.
"Itadakimasu," I said and then began. Afterward, I packed my rucksack for the mission tomorrow.
"I hope it's a hard one. Yeah and then while Sasuke's all choked up wondering what to do I'll rush in and show him up. Ha-ha!" I held that determination in my sights and started thinking up all sorts of insults to throw at Sasuke for when I show him up tomorrow. I packed one last instant ramen packet in my bag then placed it beside the door.
"Okay, I'm ready!" I said racing across the room and jumping on my bed. Almost as soon as my head hit the pillow I was asleep, snoring my heart out.
All too soon I was woken by shouts coming from my front door.
"Naruto are you awake?" It was Sakura's voice. I threw on my day clothes to make it look like I had been up for more than a minute.
"Ye, Yeah. Hold on." I zipped my orange jacket and opened the door and saw Sakura standing there with her hands on her hips, dressed and ready to go. She really was pretty. Her hair was short now after the chunin exams, but I thought it suited her. She didn't care what I thought though, she only cares about Sasuke's opinion.
"What's that look for?" She asked as I closed the door.
"What look?" I said acting dumb.
"The one that looked like you were going to hurt something." She said.
"I don't know what you're talking about Sakura-chan." The argument kept going all the way to the gates until she seen Sasuke, then she abandoned me.