Title: Perspective

Rating: PG

Genre: Angst/Romance

Pairing: Sasuke/Sakura

Warnings: Language

Summary: Kakashi called this their odd way of “foreplay”. Of course, one must leave it to their teacher to give this a perverted outlook.

Disclaimer: I neither hold now ownership to Naruto nor am I affiliated with the anime, manga or mangaka of this series. The only thing I own is the plot and whatever made up characters of my own designs. Whatever lyrics used belong to their respectable owners as well.

Author's Note: Ever had a good idea and you can see it in your mind’s eye, but when it comes to putting the words out, and organizing the ideas into visible text it’s oddly hard? This is a rather decent example.

---

Above the steam of his fresh bowl of ramen, Naruto watched his friends as they ate their own bowls. Sasuke as always eat quite politely, chewing his food slowly. From the way he picked up, and held his chopsticks to the way he eat with them further empathized the level of etiquette enforced upon clan children.

Sakura, on the other hand, ate in a manner the average person could relate to. Of course, she didn’t lick her fingers nor swallowed her food down as if she was in an eating contest, but she didn’t eat as slow as a snail either.

It seemed like centuries since they all last sat on the stools of Ichiraku’s. A lot had changed since then, but some things remained the same. Despite what Sasuke said, their bonds though severed, were not entirely gone. Over the two years with time, and patience their friendship mended, strengthen, and grew. Sitting there with a bowl of ramen in hand, and in the company of good friends, it seemed just like old times. The knowledge made his heart warm.

Sakura sat beside Sasuke doing most of the talking, which came as no surprise to anyone who knew them. Sakura was the chatterbox of the pair, while Sasuke only offered a few grunts, and short replies. Of course, that didn’t mean he didn’t have times where he spoke quite a bit, but those were quite rare.

A few minutes later as Naruto worked on his second bowl, Sasuke said something, which made Sakura laugh. He smirked in response, appearing pleased that he made her laugh so loudly, and so happily at what one would presume was some sort of joke. This, of course, would raise a few eyebrows. Sasuke, and joking never did go together, but then again he was a somewhat different person when they were together. Sometimes it confused the hell out of people, but it was pointless to dwell upon it. Trying to figure out Sasuke was like trying to figure out Naruto’s obsession with ramen.

Sakura smiled at her bowl of ramen, and nodded her head. Despite himself, Naruto couldn’t help but to smile as well. Her happiness was contagious, and it was all he ever wanted.

“I want to protect her smile.”

After all these years Naruto still loved her because one didn’t necessarily have the power to determine who they fell in love with, but how deep, and long the affections lasted. Over the three, and a half years Sasuke was gone, he had been her rock, and she his. But she didn’t need him now, not like that. He realized her affections towards Sasuke was more than infatuation, thus his feelings for her were steadily becoming more platonic nowadays.

But there were times Naruto couldn’t deny the occasional envy that would slowly elevate within him when he would watch them, puncturing his heart, and tearing at his soul because he didn’t have someone that loved him the way they loved one another.

But as soon as he felt this, it would ebb away. Although she was with someone else, Naruto was content. Because all her time invested in Sasuke had been worthwhile. He could watch her with him, her head resting upon his shoulder, pink hair merging with deepest black, and smile. Although Sasuke would never admit it, he needed Sakura as much as she needed him. They completed one another in ways his friendship could not.

“Why didn’t you tell me you were injured?” Sakura demanded, inspecting the Uchiha’s arm.

“It’s nothing.” Sasuke replied, snatching his arm back from her hands without trying to wince from the sudden pain. This, of course, earned him a glare.

“That doesn’t look like “nothing”. I’m the medic here, remember? Now hold out your arm.” Her tone implied she wouldn’t take “no” for an answer.

Even so Sasuke looked at her for a second, as if he were about to argue further. But instead, he grunted, wisely did as he was told, and glanced away. “Che. Annoying.”

Sakura merely smiled at his muttered words, he in turn smirked. Kakashi called this their odd way of “foreplay”. Of course, one must leave it to their teacher to give this a perverted outlook.

Naruto was lost in his own thoughts and last couple of noodles when Sakura’s voice managed to break his focus. “Hey Naruto, are you coming?”

“Leave him.” Sasuke replied.

The two were standing up, money where their bowl once were. The medic had her hands on her hips with an inquisitive look meanwhile the dark-haired prodigy had his hands in his pocket, and looked relatively impassive, yet mildly annoyed.

“Hey, I was invited remember?” Naruto placed down the proper amount of money, and hustled to approach his team mates to continue the mild bickering he and the ex-avenger began.

“Hn.” As if he would admit that.

“Oh I see. I’m not dumb you know.” With a sly look, Naruto grinned mischievously, which disturbed his friends. “I bet you’re just trying to get rid of me to do perverted stuff with Sakura.”

“Shut up, Naruto!” He merely dodged the blushing medic’s flying fists with a broaden grin.

Of course, Naruto couldn’t have evaded each punch. Sasuke rolled his eyes as the blonde rolled around in the grass complaining about the large throbbing lump in the head. “You’re such an idiot.”

Naruto sat up, rubbing the lump, and peered at his friends who were waiting still. One looking slightly impatient yet a bit amused, but the other, appearing indifferent, was inwardly annoyed. They were standing apart, their hands just inches away from each other. The envious feeling remained, but anger, and sadness was gone. He didn’t mind that the two were together, not anymore. His fear that he would be forgotten faded as time went by. This was not the end, but only the beginning.

“The tree,” Naruto suggested, and elaborated after seeing their confused expressions. “First one to that tree gets free lunch for a month. No excuses.”

“This is so childish.” Sasuke grumbled, but he didn’t miss the mischievous gleam in Sakura’s eyes. One more bad habit she learned from her mentor was the sudden “rush” when it came to gambling.

“Come on, Sasuke.” Naruto snickered, ignoring the Uchiha’s glare, for he knew the most reliable button to push. “Unless you’re scared I’m gonna kick your ass.”

Eyes narrowed, he retorted, “You’re on.”

“Ready.” Sakura said, standing in between her two team mates, her green eyes focused upon the goal.

“Set.”

“Go!” Naruto sped off, long before saying the final word, and disappeared over the large hill leaving the two literally eating his dust.

“Naruto, you cheater!” Sakura yelled after him.

“Heh heh!” He grinned, and waving back at them as he ran towards the large oak.

Despite being fast on their feet, Naruto still arrived thirty seconds before they did, and was discovered leaning against the tree with a smug smile on his face. “You owe me.”

“Cheater.” They grumbled, and he, being such a good sport, laughed rather loudly. Eventually, the medic did too, and one couldn’t miss the amused, little smile on the ex-avenger’s lips.

They were his dearest friends, his family, and meant everything to him. Despite all that they’ve been through, they were alive, happy, and more importantly together again.

And that was enough for him.

                                   The End.