A/N: Naru/Ino from Sakura's POV . . . bit of a lead in to the drama of the next chapter. Tis short. I'm sorry.
Disclaimer: Masashi Kishimoto's world. I'm just rearranging the continents.
"Sakura, I'm telling you to put down that scroll, walk out of this tower, and don't come back without eight hours of sleep and a full meal. Do you understand?"
"Yes, Tsunade-sama," Sakura nodded, putting down her pen and stretching her fingers. She was a little cramped and hungry too.
"Good. Because you're missing things out there."
She was surprised Naruto wasn't at Ichiriku's when she stopped by for a late lunch. Since she wasn't tired, she decided to wander down to the training fields. Naruto would probably be there and she could get some training in. It wouldn't do to get behind in the physical aspect of her career by being so tied up in the mental bit of it.
As she approached their usual training grounds, she was surprised to hear voices. Naruto and Sai didn't train together, and Yamato was on a mission as was Kakashi-sensei. As she stepped out of the trees, she realized that Naruto wasn't training in his usual manner. The blonde was crouched over a shougi board, biting his lip and talking to himself. Shikamaru was stretched out on the other side of the board, half-asleep and probably still winning. Chouji was offering helpful bits of advice as he munched on his favorite chips.
"Relax, Naruto," the third member of Team Ten ordered as Ino dropped out of the trees above them.
"Could do that better if I had my girl right here," Naruto teased.
To Sakura's shock, Ino laughed and dropped into his lap, kissing his cheek and knocking over the shougi pieces. "Enough games. Pay attention to me."
"I am, believe it."
"How troublesome," Shikamaru complained. "Temari's in Suna this week, so I have to put up with you two."
"And me."
"And Chouji."
Sakura turned around and walked back to the village. Was this what Tsunade meant when she said Sakura was missing things? Sakura had never seen Naruto and Ino together as a couple coming.
But maybe she should have.
Ino always had to have the very best. And in Sasuke's absence, Sakura had to admit the Uchiha's failings. Naruto was the best. He worked hard. He did what he thought was right. And he practically worshipped his precious people. All traits that Ino knew and loved.
Naruto's crush on Sakura had dissipated to her surprise. And it should have. Sakura never gave him the time of day. She had never wanted and still didn't want Naruto. She had wanted Sasuke . . . the one she couldn't have. Ino was much more sensible than that. Ino wanted what she could have and she had the opportunity of selection. Ino was beautiful, loud, stubborn, and talented through her own hard work.
They were equals who fit together perfectly like a puzzle piece. It didn't look right at first, but you try it anyway and it clicks. When the puzzle's all done, you have to admit that it's just where it belongs.
Sakura didn't begrudge them finding their puzzle pieces. She'd even congratulate them later. Right now, she had to go find her own matching puzzle piece.
Finite.