A/N: Ah I'm putting this up later than I meant to. I've been really sick lately so I've barely been up to doing much of anything. I ended up ignoring a lot of my school work so as it is I have a lot to do now and I'm still not feeling very well. So grrr to that. The next part is almost done so I'm aiming to bring that out this weekend.

Three very silent teenagers sat having yet to order anything, each within their own thoughts, unaware of any other presence for a time. Naruto still delved within his anger was frustrated at not being able to speak his full mind before, replaying the scene over and over in his mind. He should have said something, he should have ignored Sakura's please, but he couldn't, not with those eyes that gazed up at him. Although his feelings for her had long been gone, he still cared for her deeply as a friend. Sighing, he unconsciously clenched his fist beneath the counter.

Before it was to him that those eyes were directed at, those hateful glares, and those ill remarks, he endured them all but he hated it. He strived to be recognized, hating Sasuke for all the praise he received, for all the looks of admiration and approval and pride. Even though they were the same on certain levels it bothered him for the unfair treatment he couldn't understand. But now...now for those hateful eyes to be directed to the once loved Uchiha prodigy, it sickened him. Was forgiveness and understanding that hard for people? Glancing over at him, Naruto wondered how he managed to stay so calm. It seemed almost as if he didn't care, almost as if nothing had changed for him, other than his increase in moodiness. Turning back to the empty counter before him he sighed, his hunger beginning to wear down his thoughts of anger and confusion.

Sakura was no better. It bothered her how everyone was treating Sasuke, no it more than bothered her, it hurt her. The boy she's always loved, once admired by all was nothing more than a disgrace to the eyes of the village, the same village that held such esteem for the surviving Uchiha. Sasuke...will he be alright? She couldn't imagine how he felt, always with his cold demeanor; it had always been extremely difficult for her to read his expression. Now it seemed nearly impossible. She knew it had to be bothering him, it had to, but she knew his pride wouldn't allow him to show it. Glancing over at him, her sorrowful eyes felt for him.

By now Sasuke had had enough of the silence and enough of them staring at him. It wasn't as if he cared what the village thought of him. They didn't matter to him, they never did. As far as he was concerned nothing had changed when it came down to what truly mattered, his revenge and his clan. "Stop staring at me." He growled, earning a slight from Sakura.

"S-sorry."

"Whatever." As if to break the awkwardness of the situation a bowl was placed before each shinobi. Hoping to take their minds off of their gloom, Teuchi coaxed them with the dish.

"It's a new recipe I've been working on. I figured I'd let you all be the first to try it out, on the house."

"Really?" Naruto exclaimed excitedly, receiving a nod from the owner he cried out cheerfully looking down at the beautifully displayed bowl that looked before him. "Itadakimasu!" Chopsticks in hand, he happily began to eat. Slightly disheartened, Sakura followed suit, displaying her rehearsed smile for the ramen bar owner. It didn't take long though, before their moods lightened, joking amongst themselves, they began to enjoy their meal. With a few words from Sasuke, he still remained stoic, a little withdrawn from the two. Naruto took it as him being himself once again, but Sakura still felt a slight iciness in his demeanor. Though it still bothered her, she could tell he was trying or at least she hoped he was. "Oi, those two only talked about food." Naruto interjected, recalling the two appetite following twins they had faced years ago. Sakura had to laugh at his expression.

"Almost like you," She joked. Struck speechless Naruto gaped at her. Giggling Sakura turned away fro him dipping her chopsticks into her bowl. Out of the corner of her eye, she noticed a slight twitch from Sasuke's lips, s they curved into a smirk. Smiling to herself she slurped up the noodles contently. Over his shock Naruto shot back his reply to Sakura who just ignored him.

"You're too slow dobe." Sasuke mused pushing his bowl back.

"What?"

"You heard me." Sasuke looked over at him still smirking as he rose to his feet. Looking up from her bowl, Sakura looked up at him in surprise. Pointing towards him, his chopstick sticking out predominantly, Naruto's eyes narrowed.

"Are you trying to pick a fight with me? Cuz I'll beat you down." He yelled at the onyx-eyed boy.

"Anytime." He replied walking away. "Oh and Naruto," He started looking back casually, his hands placed inside his short pockets, "Thanks for the meal." His smirk still playing on his lips as he turned away leaving them behind. Hand still outstretched Naruto gaped at the Uchiha, before he turned back to his meal scoffing just as his words sunk in.

"Eh?" His head snapped towards Sasuke's empty bowl, no sign of any money left behind. "Sasuke!" Still looking down the street Sakura wondered where Sasuke was going. Turning towards the angry blonde she sighed shaking her head slightly.

"Naruto, the meal was free." She pointed out. Stopping in the middle of his rant, the blue-eyed ninja blinked a few times.

"Oh...yeah." Grinning sheepishly he laughed at himself. "I forgot." Rolling her eyes, Sakura pushed her bowl back as well.

"You i are /i slow." This caused his grin to diminish instantly, sinking lower in his seat.

"Not you too." Shaking her head once again, she got up.

"Thanks for inviting me out. I'll see you later then."

"Huh? Oh yeah sure." Lifting the flap, the rosy headed girl disappeared. Turning back to his food Naruto went to eat only to notices his bowl was empty. "Eh!" Sulking he hadn't realized he had finished it all already. With one swift movement his bowl was pushed aside and another placed before him.

"You'll be my tester today alright?" Teuchi asked him, which cheered Naruto up instantly as his arm shot up.

"Yosh!" The owner nodded in approval as Naruto began his second bowl.

---

Quickening her pace Sakura searched for any signs of short, spiky dark hair. Although the Uchiha had grown a lot in the past two years, Sakura was still having trouble locating him. "He can't have down far." She mumbled to herself when she finally caught sight of the Uchiha Fan. "Found him." Up ahead away from the crowd Sasuke walked alone.

"Sasuke!" Sakura called out waving at the boy to earn his attention. Turning back he found the pink haired girl running toawrds him happily, stopping just inches away from him. "I thought for a second I wouldn't find you. I figured you could use from company." Sasuke looked at her oddly, of which she picked up, wondering what she had down or said to earn that look from him. "What? Did I say something odd?"

"Not really. I just noticed you're calling me by my name is all." Sakura didn't understand him at first. Thinking back to what she had said she tried to figure out what he meant.

"Oh!" She blushed. "Sorry, I didn't mean to, it sort of slipped out," She babbled embarrassed. Sasuke shrugged walking away.

"That's alright, I don't mind." Eyes slightly widened she stared at his back unsure she had heard him correctly. Letting his words delve deeper into her mind, she smiled shyly to herself before catching up to him.