A/N: Soz everyone for making you wait so long for this chapter. I actually had it all written last week but my right hand which is slightly defective hehe was acting up again so I couldn't use it much and then this week I nearly broke my foot (Beware TV's people. They can be rather sneaky)so I was running around dealing with that. I hope you enjoy this one.

The days were beginning to last longer. The cold, frosty air warming itself day by day, the nights didn't seem as dark or lonely anymore, but rather peaceful as the village was comfortably wrapped within the shadows. All seemed as it had once been, at least that's what a few began to believe deep within their hearts. That was more than enough for now.

---

"Ano, Sakura-chan, why are we waiting again?"

"Because I said so."

"Ah, souka." Naruto turned away from his pink-haired friend, his slightly sullen face now staring at the counter. In a few seconds, the fair haired boy was sure that he'd start to visualize the delectable bowl before him. No he was almost certain he could smell its wonderful aroma, wafting up from the imaginary bowl, deep into his nostrils. He inhaled the steam, a pleased look molded as hi mouth watered readily. Reaching for his chopsticks, he couldn't hold back anymore and dipped them down to take his fill. Sakura turned her head wondering what was wrong with him now as she heard him protest unhappily. As she took in the sight, she wished she hadn't. Naruto was frantically looking for the bowl, that moments before had been sitting temptingly in front of him.

"Naruto, what are you doing?"

"Ano saa, ano saa. Sakura-chan did you take my bowl again?"

"What bowl?"

"The one that was here. I was about to take a bite, when my...Ah! Nani!" Looking over at his hand Naruto found the chopsticks had too vanished. Completely bewildered Naruto loudly complained and wondered looking all about for the missing food. Sakura rubbed her temples wondering why she ever bothered wasting her time with him.

"Naruto." She went unheard. "Naruto." She tried again but was ignored by the loud shinobi. "Naruto urusai!" It didn't take much to silence the boy. After all, if there was one thing he understood quite well was pain. Sitting quietly next to the girl, a newly formed bump on his head, Naruto was quite still. Grateful for the silence, Sakura reminded him that they had never ordered so there was no food to begin with.

"Oh." Sighing Sakura was wondering how much longer they'd have to wait. She wasn't sure how long Naruto could hold, not how much longer her patience would last. Naruto stared at the counter before him, this time making sure not too imagine anything thing else. The consequences were not worth the temptingly delicious thoughts.

A steady set of footsteps approached the Ramen Shop; the sound was music to her ears. "Sasuke!" Naruto looked over at Sakura not seeing the dark-haired boy at all. He was about to mention this to her when the Uchiha lifted up the flap giving a small smile to the girl as she jumped up happily. Turning with an overly apparent frown, he pointed an accusing finger towards him.

"You're late."

"Naruto." Sakura warned glaring deadly beams in his direction. Smirking Sasuke took his seat next to Sakura. Wincing at the look Naruto leaned back in his chair not wanting to get hit but the girl again.

Hearing the sudden growl from his stomach he looked over at her with a weak grin.

"Eto, now can we order?" He asked tentatively, a hint of a whine underneath.

"Yes, Naruto, yes already."

"Yosh!" Turning to the owner he excitedly began his order. "First I want..." The list he proceeded to entail consisted of practically everything that came to mind which was almost everything there was to offer. Sakura cringed as the list went on. She hoped Naruto remembered that they each were paying their own meals. Not to mention the sight was a little disgusting for the girl as she watched Naruto gorge himself with everything in view. As soon as he finished devouring one meal another replaced it soon after. Even Sasuke couldn't ignore the scene a little repulsed himself, though the expression etched on Sakura's face was amusing so he didn't mind. Smirking to himself he calmly ate his meal as Sakura unable to handle Naruto any longer was blatantly yelling at him just before she hit him over the head when she found him ignoring her for his meal. Her fist shaking, Sakura took a deep breath before retaking her seat to start with her own meal now in peace. Twitching on the ground, half dazed Naruto had suddenly found himself no longer hungry.

---

Smiling to herself, the content girl walked away from the scene. Somehow things were working out well on their own. For now she'd just let things go at this pace before she'd begin to meddling once again. "Naruto!" Wincing, Ino shook her head.

"I don't know how she does it. Naruto...for all these years." She suddenly found herself extremely thankful for her grouping.

---

"Well that was nice." Sakura beamed happily having finished their meal; the trio was walking together, enjoying each other's company. To her right was Naruto, a slight limp in his gait, and a few bumps protruding from his messy flaxen hair. To her left stood the proud Uchiha, but other than his usual stoic expression a more peaceful, amused one was displayed.

"Aa." Sasuke replied deviating from his usual response, as Naruto nodded grinning broadly despite his minor injuries. Reaching his stop Naruto waved off.

"I'll see you later then. Let's eat together tomorrow."

"Alright." Sakura replied as the blonde walked away from them, humming softly to himself as he began to imagine what he'd order tomorrow.

"Pork, yeah pork." A smile still settled on the girl's face, Sakura was unaware of the dark eyes that were fixed upon her. As she moved away, her lips moved, forming the words she spoke, most of which went ignored by the boy as he mulled over his thoughts. He couldn't deny what little he felt, that already he knew but he wouldn't focus on it anymore. Now he had to more than ever focus on his goals. This sidetrack though unplanned was not a total waste, no it was far from it. It was well worth it actually.

"So I was thinking we should try and get together at least once a week no matter how busy we are. It's nice you know, even though Naruto can be...well Naruto, it's still nice." Sakura rambled on with future plans and get togethers, while next to her Sasuke walked silently, a small smile playing on his lips. No it was well worth it despite what he had believed in the beginning. Perhaps he should have listened earlier, but no really difference would have been made, that he was sure of.

"Sakura."

"Hai."

"You're talking too much. It's annoying." Shutting her mouth, Sakura looked over at Sasuke in slight surprise. The momentary stern expression morphed into an amused smile as he walked past her. The switch was so subtle it could have been missed with an untimely blink. Watching him walk away, she smiled softly to herself, t he past fear and worry she had felt days before gone. She was sure that now things would finally return to normal, almost as if no time had passed at all. There was no time gap; there was never a separation, just the usual day they had always shared but with a stronger bond growing. Though she knew things had changed, time had past and they all had been separated. New words had been spoken, new trials passed and sides of themselves never seen were shown, many tears spilling from it all.

Smiling to herself Sakura knew she'd always be in love with the boy who walked ahead of her, and though she didn't expect a return of feeling, she was more than thankful for his friendship and what she believed to be his trust in her. Sasuke realizing Sakura was lingering behind slowed his pace, to wait for her. For today he'd walk her home, for today he'd wait for her but tomorrow he'd set it aside and look ahead to his unachieved goals and perhaps just perhaps he'd allow them to become involved, but for now today was all that mattered.

A/N: Oh I forgot to mention there will be a sequel to this one. I guess this whole story is a tiny trilogy hehe. I had the middle pretty much thought out. Well a small part of it, and perhaps the beginning, maybe. But yeah I'm still working out the whole thing so I'm most likely not going to put out anything for that for a while.