It was an ordinary day like any other day in Konoha. The streets were full of people especially children as it was the first day of summer vacation. The days started getting hot, but that didn't stop the 3 friends from training intensively.

"We should rest now. We have a few hours of shuriken training. My stomach is calling for food, you know," Naruto said as he rubbed his stomach with his hand.

"I guess you're right, and I'm getting hungry right now. Where do you guys think we should have lunch?" Sakura asked as she crossed her hands behind her back.

"Where else would Naruto want but Ichiraku," Sasuke said as he packed his shurikens.

"Come on now, I challenge you to tell me another food that tastes better than ramen. Come on, I'm waiting," Naruto said with an annoyed face.

"How about we make a change today, seriously I'm not in the mood to eat ramen again for the 7th time this week," Sakura said pointing once at Sasuke and then at Naruto.

"Anything for you, Sakura-chan! I'd even drink poison!" Naruto said, playfully nudging her.

"Heh, liar," Sasuke said as he shoved his hands in his pockets and glanced straight at Sakura and Naruto.

In these moments, Sasuke's mind was no longer on the food, but on the way these 2 of his friends behaved with each other. If he were to talk about Sakura, well, she would always get irritated with Naruto and this irritation was scary especially when she ended up hitting him. But Naruto didn't, he never bothered with it. It seemed like Naruto tolerated everything Sakura did and this fact surprised Sasuke.

Unlike Sasuke, Naruto was the chatty type. He knew and was friends with almost the entire academy, the fact that he was the Hokage's son had helped the others to approach him first, but Naruto was not left behind. He was approachable to everyone, but he didn't treat them the way he treated Sakura. Did he have a crush on her?

"Hellooo, calling for Sasuke! Are you here or have you fallen into the dream world?" Naruto shouted.

"Huh, what?" Sasuke said confused.

"We were thinking of going to a barbeque Sasuke-kun, but it seems you were distracted. A- are you okay?" Sakura asked quietly worried while one of her cheeks turned a light pink color.

"I'm fine, let's go," he said in an annoyed voice as he ran in front of them.

"What happened now?" Naruto asked with a raised eyebrow looking at Sasuke's back.

"I don't know," Sakura said in a slightly sad voice. "anyway let's go."

The three together decide to have lunch at Yakiniku Q. The sun beat down on the quiet street as the aroma of grilled meat wafted from nearby restaurants. Sasuke remained silent, his focus distant, while Naruto animatedly argued about the superiority of ramen over barbecue. Sakura was confused by this behavior, a few minutes ago Sasuke was fine. All morning he had been helping Sakura with the shuriken throwing technique and seemed in a good mood, while now he was like a gloomy cloud.

'Maybe he's tired, it was a hot day today,' thought Sakura.

The children sat down in the restaurant and were waiting for their order when they saw a group approaching them. It was Gai's team, they had exchanged some small talk with them as a result of the close friendship between Kakashi and Gai.

"Well, hello team Kakashi," Neji said to them. Sakura swore that there were no more serious people in this world than those of the Hyūga and Uchiha clans.

"Hello and to you, have you come for lunch too?" asked Naruto.

"We're just done," Tenten said.

"Greetings, Sakura-san! Your beauty shines as brightly as the sun, and your spirit is as strong as your kunai! I'm here to support you in any way I can!" Rock Lee said with an ear-to-ear grin.

"Well, thanks I guess. I don't think there's much you can put up with right now," Sakura said with an embarrassed laugh.

"Please Sakura-san, let me cool you down with this fan. On these hot summer days I can never let a flower like you suffer," Lee said as he bowed before Sakura.

"No no, there's no need honestly," Sakura said as she waved her hands.

"But please Saku-,"

"Stop with this ridiculous behavior," Sasuke said in a slightly irritated tone. "Didn't you hear what she said, she said no, or are you deaf?"

"Lee oh god get up! Why are you being so stupid?" Tenten said. "We are leaving, have a nice day!"

"Sakura-chan don't get me wrong but Bushy Brows has a big crush on you. He acts like an idiot in front of you it's so funny," Naruto said laughing.

"Lee has always been an idiot, that's not new news," Sasuke said as he separated his chopsticks to eat.

"Don't talk like that, you two. He's just trying to be nice… although… he goes too far sometimes," Sakura said as she tied her hair into a ponytail.

"Aww Sakura-chan, if I didn't know you I'd say you have a crush on him too," Naruto said and turned his head to Sasuke to see his reaction.

Sasuke was now frowning and looking irritated. 'Interesting' Naruto said to himself.

"What?! What the hell are you saying Naruto?" Sakura shouted and kicked Naruto hard in the back.

"Oi Sakura-chan I'm sorry please, I was just kidding please don't shoot me anymore," Naruto said as he pretended to cry.

"Well you better be, I don't want to hear anything like that ever again," Sakura said. 'Especially in front of Sasuke,' she thought, 'I never want him to think I might have a crush on someone else.'

"As you order boss," Naruto said and so they continued to eat.

As they ate, Naruto's eyes flickered to Sasuke, who remained unnaturally quiet, his brow furrowed in concentration. Sasuke was very good at hiding his emotional state, but he wasn't good at hiding it from Naruto. Come on now Naruto knew Sasuke when they were still babies in diapers, he could easily tell when he was happy, sad, and irritated like he is now.

'We are going to have a chat together Mr. Sasuke, let's see if my thoughts are correct,' Naruto said to himself.

After they finished lunch, Sakura left as she had to help her father with some things at his store. Naruto and Sasuke decide to take a walk by the lake in the village. The sun reflected on the lake and two boys decided to sit under the shade of a tree to cool off.

"What's going on Sasuke?" asked Naruto.

"What do you mean?" Sasuke said, from the way he called his name he knew that Naruto wanted to have a serious conversation.

Naruto leaned in, eyes narrowed in suspicion, noticing the way Sasuke was avoiding eye contact. "Don't play dumb now, what did you have today? Why were you so angry that you didn't say a word during lunch?"

"I don't know what you're talking about, but anyway, I'm telling you that I have nothing, I'm fine, are you happy now?"

"Do you like Sakura-chan?" Naruto asked.

Sasuke widened his eyes and froze. His mouth was dry and he was not talking.

"I asked you a question Sasuke, do you like Sakura-chan?"

"What problem do you have with this topic? Or will your plans be ruined?"

"I knew it! I swear I knew it! You have a crush on her," Naruto said shouting.

"So? Why do you care about that, Dobe? Or are you asking because you have a crush on her too," Sasuke's heart raced at the thought, irritation bubbling beneath the surface. He quickly brushed it aside.

"What? Where did that come from? Sasuke I-" Naruto said as he placed his hand on Sasuke's shoulder.

"Stop playing games with me now," Sasuke said angrily and threw his hand away. "I've seen you, you act differently with her and you look at her with a different eye. You tolerate Sakura for everything, play with her, laugh louder at every joke she tells, and many other things like this."

"You always called me a fool but today I realize that you are more than me," said Naruto as he lay down on the grass placing his hands under his neck.

"Tch whatever,"

"Teme, if you had asked me when I was still a 5-year-old child, I could have said that I like Sakura-chan. But now this thing does not exist. Sakura-chan is like a sister to me. In this life, the thing I have wanted the most is a sister, bigger or little, it didn't matter, but I wanted a sister. The same for her too, she always wanted to have a brother and now and forever she will have me," Naruto said as he turned his head to Sasuke.

"So, do me a favor and don't think like that ever again. It's annoying you know."

Sasuke leaned against the tree. He had not calculated this possibility in his brain. 'Sister huh, good' he thought to himself. Turning to Naruto, Sasuke noticed an unusual silence. For a hyperactive person like him, this was a rare occurrence.

"Sorry if I pissed you off," Sasuke said half-heartedly, "Maybe I overdid it."

"Hey don't say that, we're like brothers, aren't we? Best friends. These things are normal to discuss and remember this there is nothing in the world that can make me mad at you," Naruto said with a smile on his face.

"Yeah right, thanks," Sasuke said with a small smile.

"However, advice from me, try to be closer to Sakura-chan. There is a possibility that she has a crush on you," Naruto smirked.

"Funny," Sasuke said.

"What's so funny here? Haven't you seen how she behaves in front of you? When she is near you she shakes her hair, which she has left long just to catch your eye, she blushes like a tomato when she looks at you. What do you want more? To jump on your neck and kiss you?"

Sasuke widened his eyes and blushed. "Why are you talking about kisses, you fool!"

Naruto grinned from ear-to-ear. "Owww baby, do you really want Sakura-chan to kiss you? Maybe you should start practicing with a pillow!"

"Naruto shut up! I didn't say that."

"Sasuke wants Sakura to kiss him. Sasuke wants Sakura to kiss him," Naruto continued singing as he quickly ran away from Sasuke.

"Hey idiot, come here and shut that mouth!" Sasuke shouted, trying to suppress a smile.

When it came to these things, 2 boys behaved exactly like 2 children. The two were running in the midday heat without resting for a second and Naruto accidentally bumped into a child.

"Hey look where you walk!" cried out the child.

"Oh sorry but I'm so happy, my brother wants to kiss my sister!" Naruto said with a big laugh and left.

'What the hell? That's gross! Who the hell kisses his sister on the lips?' thought the child.

"Naruto come over here and stop talking stupid things!" Sasuke shouted as he walked past the child.

'This seems to be the crazy brother. Agh whatever!' said the child to himself as he left for his work.

Sakura was standing in front of the counter in her father's shop as she packed some small packages of a medicinal plant. Her mind wandered to Sasuke and his attitude during lunch. She knew that in order to make Sasuke speak, heaven and earth must unite, but he had never reacted like today. She let out a small sigh, confused as to what she should have done.

'Maybe I should have asked him again what was wrong, maybe he didn't want to talk in front of Naruto,' thought Sakura.

"Still daydreaming sweetie?" asked Kizashi while flipping through a medicinal book.

"No Dad, I'm not daydreaming," Sakura said as she placed the finished packages on the side of the counter.

Kizashi took off his glasses, closed the book, and got closer to his daughter. "You know, this boy with dark hair has always annoyed me, I don't know, he seems arrogant to me. At this age, he has an uneducated way of speaking, imagine when he grows up."

Sakura frowned slightly in irritation as she turned her head to look at her father. "Dad, Sasuke-kun is not arrogant, much less uneducated. You've never even met him, how can you judge?"

Kizashi let out a sigh, crossed his arms, and leaned on the shop counter. "I wasn't even talking about your precious Sasuke-kun, I was talking about the cobbler's boy across the street. He just walked past the shop," he said as he shook his head slightly.

Sakura felt her throat go dry and her cheeks began to heat up, turning a light pink color. Sakura's hands fidgeted with the hem of her shirt as she desperately avoided eye contact, wishing she could vanish into the shelves of herbs. Sakura's father was humorous, if it could be called such because his jokes were terrible.

"Well, you really like him, remember just be yourself. And, confidence is key! Just don't trip over your own feet like you did last week at Ichiraku!" said Kizashi with a smile.

Her father leaned in conspiratorially, a twinkle in his eye. "You know, I used to know a thing or two about impressing girls. Maybe I could teach you my secret techniques."

"Dad, no! Your 'techniques' involve wearing that old fishing hat and pretending to catch fish with your bare hands!"

"Hey, that worked with your mother!" he protested, chuckling.

Sakura shook her head, half-amused and half-exasperated. "I really don't think that would work on Sasuke-kun."

"Okay, don't believe me. My idea is perfect, we can even-,"

"Dad no!" Sakura interrupted.

"Okay okay, I will shut up but remember, if you ever need help, just call for me. I'll be there with my fishing hat!" he said as he winked at his daughter.

Sakura started laughing and sat down in one of the chairs her father had in the shop. "You didn't tell me what those little bundles of herbs were for."

"Oh, they're for your father-in-law," Kizashi said quietly. "Your mother-in-law came this morning and ordered some simple calming herbs for your brother-in-law, but I didn't have them ready, so now your father-in-law is coming to get them."

Sakura raised an eyebrow and was confused. Did her father hit something with his head or was this one of his jokes?

"Dad, are you okay? What are you talking about?"

"You never know how to catch a joke, sometimes I think you got more of your mom's DNA than mine. I'm talking about Fugaku, your Sasuke-kun's father" Kizashi said as he imitated his daughter's voice.

"OH MY GOD, DAD!" Sakura shouted and immediately jumped out of her chair. She went in front of the mirror and started fixing her hair and dress.

"I thought you had a crush on Sasuke, not Fugaku," Kizashi said with a laugh. "My beautiful girl, you have a few more years until it's time to make a good impression on your father-in-law, or are you planning to get married early?"

While Sakura and her father were talking to each other, the shop's doorbell rang. Fugaku entered with his usual stoic demeanor and widened his eyes.

'Why does Kizashi always look like he just emerged from a cotton candy factory? The man should change his hairstyle to something more...more normal.' thought Fugaku as he approached the shop counter.

He cleared his throat, trying to maintain his composure. "Good afternoon Haruno-san, I came to pick up an order my wife made."

"Good afternoon Uchiha-san, here is your order. There are some calming herbs you can drink as well, looks like they might work for you," Kizashi said as he pointed the package towards him.

Fugaku raised an eyebrow. "Calming teas? I have no need for such things."

Kizashi chuckled, running a hand through his colorful hair. "Oh, come on! You look like you could use a little relaxation. You're so serious all the time! Just imagine sipping tea by a peaceful lake instead of plotting your next mission!"

Fugaku crossed his arms, a slight smirk creeping onto his face. "I have a reputation to maintain."

"Reputation? For being the village's most notorious brooder?" Kizashi teased. "You know, if you added a splash of color to that dark outfit of yours, people might actually think you enjoy life!"

'Color? And look like candy? No, thank you.' Fugaku thought, shaking his head.

Fugaku raised an eyebrow, his expression still serious but now laced with amusement. "I'll stick to these medical herbs, thank you Haruno-san."

"Fugaku-san, forgive my father, he loves humor. He just wanted to make a little joke," Sakura said with an embarrassed smile.

"Oh, my daughter, always worried about keeping the Uchiha's spirits up," Kizashi said with a chuckle.

"Dad, what are you talking about?" Sakura said smiling, talking through gritted teeth.

"Uchiha-san, not a day goes by in our house without Sasuke being mentioned. Sakura is always saying, Sasuke-kun this, Sasuke-kun that, as if she has seen the god herself."

Sakura blushed so much that her face felt like it was on fire. She was shooting at her father with her foot so that Fugaku wouldn't notice her. What was her father thinking by saying these things? It was embarrassing, if there was a sack now, Sakura would have stuck her head in it.

Fugaku smiled, "They have a special friendship, they are different from other teams, and they value each other a lot."

"Of course, they value and love each other a lot," Kizashi said as he cleared his throat.

"Thanks for the plants, have a nice day! Sakura-san we look forward to seeing you again with Naruto at the Uchiha compound, don't forget us," Fugaku said as he left for the door.

"Ah, Thank you Fugaku-san!" Sakura said smiling as she felt some small butterflies in her stomach.

Fugaku nodded, a small smile lingering on his lips as he stepped outside. As he walked away, he couldn't shake the feeling that perhaps there was something special brewing between Sakura and Sasuke. He glanced back once more, catching Sakura in a moment of laughter, and felt a warmth in his chest. Maybe this wasn't such a bad day after all.

The sun was beginning to set over the Uchiha compound, casting a warm glow on the training ground where Sasuke was practicing his shuriken throwing. Shisui and Itachi were nearby, engaged in a sparring match, when Sasuke hesitated and approached them, a rare nervousness in his demeanor.

"Hey, guys," Sasuke began, his tone slightly hesitant.

Itachi paused, lowering his guard. "What's on your mind, little brother?"

Sasuke shifted his weight, trying to appear casual. "I... I have a crush on someone."

Shisui raised an eyebrow, a smirk appearing on his face. "Oh? Do tell! Who is it?"

"It's... Sakura," Sasuke mumbled, his cheeks flushing slightly.

Both Itachi and Shisui stopped, turning to look at him in surprise. It wasn't a surprise that he had a crush on Sakura, but the fact that he was ready to open up to them. Shisui's smirk widened, and he clapped Sasuke on the back.

"Sakura-chan, huh? The pink-haired girl who always chases you around? You've got good taste!"

"It's not like that," Sasuke shot back, but he couldn't hide the hint of a smile. "I just... I want to know how to act around her."

Itachi crossed his arms, a thoughtful expression on his face. "Well, you should be yourself, Sasuke. But maybe try to show her your softer side."

"Softer side?" Sasuke echoed, incredulous. "You mean like what? Making her a bouquet of flowers?"

Shisui burst out laughing. "Why not? Just imagine it! You, the stoic Uchiha, standing there with a bunch of flowers, completely clueless."

"Shut up!" Sasuke protested, a bit embarrassed but unable to suppress a grin. "I'm serious!"

"Okay, okay," Shisui said, composing himself. "But in all seriousness, just talk to her. Ask her about her day. Be genuine. Girls appreciate that."

Itachi nodded in agreement. "And don't overthink it. If you show her you care, she'll notice. Just remember, she might appreciate small gestures, not just grand ones."

Sasuke frowned, deep in thought. "Small gestures, huh? Like what?"

Shisui leaned in closer, lowering his voice conspiratorially. "Offer to share some of your favorite training tips. Or maybe invite her to train with you. You could even teach her some jutsu."

Sasuke pondered this, imagining Sakura training by his side. A small smile crept onto his face. "That could work."

"You could create special moments together, like your brother who takes Izumi-chan to the lake for dango after missions. It's those little rituals that mean a lot." Shisui said elbowing Itachi.

"And?" Sasuke asked confused.

"And, you find something similar, maybe after the training always accompany her home, do something of your own, do you understand what I mean?"

"I believe..."

"Take it easy little brother, you'll be 13 in a few days, you're still young. You both have a lot of years ahead of you, just don't act, be yourself," Itachi said as he patted Sasuke on the head.

"Got it, big brother, thanks," Sasuke said and smiled at his brother.

"Now, let's go home. Mother is waiting for us to make dinner, if we're late, she'll be upset," Itachi said, and so they left.

The sun dipped below the horizon, casting long shadows over the training ground. Sasuke's heart raced with newfound determination.

'Maybe I can really make her smile,' he thought, the support of his brothers giving him courage.