The blonde could sense the panic and desperation rising in his friend's voice and his heart went out to her.
As a whole, kunoichi were assigned far more missions that forced them to use their bodies to gain information than their male counterparts and since Naruto had never been in that sort of situation, he couldn't really relate to what she was going through but he sympathized all the same.
He stopped walking and noticed Sakura had been staring at her own feet as she walked, her pretty face scrunched into a worried expression.
"Hey," he said softly, grabbing her hand and bringing her to a stop as well, letting the thinning evening crowds move around them. "If there's anyone I know who can overcome challenges, it's you Sakura."
Her eyes remained stubbornly fixed on the ground, despite the whiskered man's encouragements.
"You have always found a way to get though," he continued. "Like that time in the Forest of Death, even though you had to cut off most of your hair, and during your training with Tsunade and all those years when Sasuke was gone. You're a strong person Sakura. Don't say you can't do this because I know you can."
The kunoichi hesitantly lifted green eyes to meet his lucid blue ones.
"Really?"
"Hell yeah," Naruto said with a smile. "And if Kakashi gives you any trouble, tell him you're going to burn all of his Icha Icha books."
At this, Sakura couldn't help but giggle as she imagined their teacher on his knees in front of a pile of ashes, sobbing over the loss of his porn.
"But if you don't believe you can do it, you've already lost the battle, right?" he said, placing a hand lightly on her shoulder.
She nodded, her eyes reflecting the light of the lanterns all around them.
"I know. It's just…going to be hard for me. I'm going to have to get comfortable with being uncomfortable."
Naruto gave her shoulder a squeeze before letting his hand drop away.
"Yeah, I think that's just part of being a ninja. Our job is fun and fulfilling, but hardly ever easy."
Sakura smiled and nodded again, wondering just when her once obnoxious friend had gained such wisdom.
Even though he had been back from his two years of training for some time, she found she was still surprised with how he had changed, or maybe the change had happened more recently and was just now showings itself in his words and actions.
"Thanks Naruto," she said sincerely, a small smile now gracing her lips. "I'm glad you believe in me. It's really means a lot."
His face split in a toothy grin much more characteristic of his younger self.
"Don't mention it Sakura-chan."
They continued walking in the direction of her house, letting a comfortable silence settle between them before Naruto started to snicker.
The medic was immediately wary, slowing until she finally stood with her hands on her hips.
"What the heck is so funny?"
"Sasuke is such an idiot," the blonde said through his chortles.
"And why is that?"
Naruto sobered a moment, appearing to be thinking over whether he should say the next sentence or quit while he was ahead.
"Well?" Sakura prompted impatiently.
"That bastard doesn't think you're boobs are big enough to dance at a club, but I think you'll look great in a thong and a bra!"
Her jaw clenched at his words. And just why the hell was he imagining her in such an outfit anyways?
"Naruto…" she said, a definite warning tone in her voice.
"Hey, since I don't get to come with you, do you think you could take a picture of yourself in the outfit they put you in and give it to me when you get back?"
Ok, that was going too far!
"Naruto!" she yelled, advancing on him and cracking her knuckles menacingly.
"Oh come on," he laughed, backing away and holding his hands up in defense. "Just one picture?"
"That's it!" Sakura yelled, lunging at him, but Naruto had been expecting her attack and took off laughing, running full speed down the street towards her house, no doubt expecting her to pursue.
And pursue she did. He was lucky she would be gone for a while, otherwise she might have to beat him senseless over the next few days for making a request like that.
XXXXX
Naruto trudged back to his own house just as the last of Konoha's shops and eateries were closing. The food in his stomach had finally caught up with him and he was starting to feel sleepy.
The little chase to Sakura's house has ended with her delivering a powerful blow with her fist as always, but lucky for him, she had spared his face and had instead hit him hard enough in his shoulder to give him a dead arm.
Even now the feeling was only starting to trickle back into it. He didn't really mind though. He was happy he was able to help her take her mind off her troubles even for just a little while.
She had looked so nervous and flustered at diner and he hated seeing her so upset.
It was no secret that he had had a crush on her during their academy years but recently, he found that all the awe and reverence he held for her now was because he thought she was an extremely skilled medic and kunoichi, not because he was head over heels for her.
He wasn't exactly sure when it had happened but his adoration for her had waned and in its place grew an incredibly strong friendship, one that he treasured more than any action of hand holding or hugging.
He thought she was extremely cool, no doubt, all composed and calm in the heat of battle but he didn't chase her like a lost puppy anymore.
Somehow, he knew deep inside that it never would have worked anyways as long as she harbored such deep feelings for Sasuke, although he personally thought she deserved someone better.
However, she threw herself into her work so completely that it seemed unlikely that she would ever find someone new. Naruto secretly though that even though difficult, a mission far away from the village would be good for her. She needed some time away from the hospital.
Naruto had almost reached his house when he saw a tall lanky figure walking towards him.
Even if he hadn't been sporting a messy crop of silver hair or his hitai-ate slanted over his right eye, Naruto would have known it was him in an instant from his pronounced slouch and the fact he was walking along while reading a bright orange book.
"Hey, Kakashi-sensei!' Naruto called, running to catch up with the older man.
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