Archive of Our Own ^beta

Naruto adds salt and pepper and stirs the concoction he calls a curry. Taking in the spicy aroma he smiles to himself. 

Today is his turn to cook for their weekly dinner. Sasuke and Sakura would be coming over soon. 

He wipes his hand on a small towel and walks to the living room, steps light and relaxed. His eyes linger to the wall decorated with memories of his life. 

Frames containing pictures of him laughing, smiling, pouting, cheering, dancing, singing and living. 

He isn't alone in any one of them. Sasuke and Sakura are in most of them, having as much fun as he is. 

A gentle knock comes from the door and he immediately goes to welcome his guest. 

When he opens the door, something collides with his chest, gripping his waist. He looks down at messy pink hair tied in a loose bun. 

Sakura. 

She's hugging him tightly, and it's not a casual greeting. No. 

She's crying and sniffling. 

Naruto wraps his arms around her, warm and supportive even though he doesn't know what's wrong. 

"Hey," he says softly, "what happened?" 

Sakura clutches his shirt firmly, trying to contain her sobs so she can reply. 

Naruto waits patiently, smoothing out her hair with tender care. 

She mumbles through the cracks in her voice, "Mom's death anniversary. I miss her Naruto-" she sighs against his body, "I don't wan- I miss her."

Naruto tightens his grip on her, more grounding this time. 

"I get it," he whispers, always so understanding, always so empathetic, "you miss her and you deserve to miss her. Grieve and mourn after her. It's alright. I'm here, always. Alright? Don't keep it with you, I'm here and I'll listen."

Sakura smiles through her tears. 

"Let's get in first okay?" Naruto says gently. 

Sakura hums and pulls away, some part of her missing his soothing embrace. 

The two walk inside and Naruto ignores how red and puffy Sakura's eyes look. For him, she's still beautiful. 

Sakura sits on Naruto's small but comfortable couch, smelling the fresh curry being cooked in the pot. 

"Your special recipe?" She asks as Naruto hands her a blanket to wrap around herself. 

Naruto grins, "the one and only!" 

Sakura settles in her seat, feeling compeletely cozy in Naruto's house which she always considers her true home. It is a small place, without many decorations or extravagant furniture, but it is still Naruto's, each thing inside is something Naruto loves and cherishes. 

"How was your mission?" Sakura asks, trying to distract herself from memories of the smiles on her mother's wrinkled yet kind face, of the sad frowns that her father always adorns, of the hole in her heart yearning for her mother's company. 

"Quite simple," Naruto begins, taking out plates and cutlery from a cabinet, "It was more about politics than any actual fighting. I've been doing a lot of negotiations lately. Sensei said it's all important for becoming Hokage. It's pretty fun actually, I get to travel too so I'm not complaining. But yeah, I do miss y'all on missions sometimes. Oh that reminds me, were supposed to take a joint teaching session at the academy. All jounins of our generation, so we'll get together again. Kiba and Ino-"

Sakura listens with minimal attention, satisfied with letting the blond chatter idly as he works. She's at ease here, letting her mind wander and loosely comprehend the words she's hearing while not actually thinking about anything in particular. 

This time, the rattling of a window by the end of the living room draws their attention. Sasuke is crouching behind it, pointing at the lock. 

"I'll do it." Naruto informs before Sakura can get up. 

Unlocking the window, Naruto let's Sasuke in whose muscles immediately relax as he steps into the familiarity of Naruto's presence, leaving behind the windy and cool air. 

Naruto looks at him with a raised brow, "You're late."

Sasuke shuffles towards the corner, removing his sword and armour. He places them on the floor and nods, "Yeah, had to file my mission report at the administration office." 

He walks towards Sakura, shaking his arms to get the stiffness out of them, "Took a fuck ton of time." 

Naruto sighs and comments teasingly, "I wonder how Iruka manages to read your reports. It's basically chicken scrawl and even that's generous."

Instead of retorting, Sasuke slumps next to the Kunoichi and smiles a bit. 

Sakura and Naruto both realize how unusual that is for the Uchiha. 

Sakura places a hand on his shoulder and they see his face harden, "Sasuke, something's up? Did the mission not go well?"

Sasuke hesitates, he always does before being vulnerable. Before laying himself bear in front of others. 

But Sakura and Naruto aren't others. 

They're his friends, his family, his constant companions, his confidants, his saviours, they're the ones he truly loves and is grateful for. 

So he forces his walls to crumble and exposes his raw emotions to them. They don't judge, they never do. They accept him compeletely, with his flaws and crimes and his anger and frustration and his hidden kindness and loyalty. 

"The compound," he says as Naruto slips in beside him, laying a strong hand on his shoulder and Sakura wraps her arm around his, "It's sold. The deal was made today. I knew it would be given away but- I - wasn't ready. It's going to be an orphanage now. And that's good. It's great. It's- nice. But, the memories of my clan. It- they're gone now. Truly gone. The compound was all that was left of them."

He doesn't cry but he allows himself to be lost in the comforting murmurs of Sakura's voice that 'its okay, that they'll be happy seeing you moving forward, that they'll always live in your heart, forever and ever', and in the pleasant touch of Naruto's hand against his skin. 

They stay there, linked with each other as Sakura and Sasuke try to forget their sorrow and sadness and feelings of longing. They're in pain but they're together and they're there for each other. In the end, that's all that matters to these three friends who are so thoroughly connected with each other. Their bond going so much deeper than ordinary friendships. They understand each other almost better than they understand their ownselves and that thought doesn't unsettle them. Instead, they hold onto it whenever there's a storm to weather or a battle to fight. 

Later, much later, or maybe just after a few minutes, Naruto untangles himself from Sasuke's hold and gets the curry with rice for them to eat and enjoy. 

With how Sasuke is holding Sakura's hand, he knows that Sakura told Sasuke what today means for her. 

He sets the bowls in the centre table and sits directly on the floor, the other two following suit. It's their little tradition and he smiles as they dig in, instant joy reflected in their eyes. 

"Amazing," Sakura says through a mouthful, "I'll never get over how great a chef you are."

Sasuke chews, but it's faster than usual and that's all the indication Naruto needs to know that the Uchiha is enjoying his food just as much as Sakura is. 

He chuckles, "Yes, yes, I know. I'm very talented." 

Sasuke rolls his eyes even as he puts a huge morsel into his mouth. 

They eat in comfortable silence for a while, the sound of chopsticks hitting the sides of bowls the only sound in the room. 

Once they're done, Sasuke gets up. 

"I'll take the dishes," he collects the empty bowls and walks towards the kitchen. 

Naruto stands up to go back to the sofa but he stops when he notices Sakura. She's still sitting, staring blankly at the table but she's biting her lip hard. 

"Sakura?" Naruto calls out, "Anything bothering you?" 

Sakura doesn't say anything for awhile. 

Then, softly, she speaks up, reminiscing something that pains her as much as it brings her joy. 

"She made it too. Every weekend. Mom loved curry. She-" 

Naruto is next to her now, cradling her face against his shoulder, rubbing his hand on her back as if trying to take away all her pain. 

"Sorry, I didn't mean to make you remember it again-" 

She shakes her head even as tears prick her eyes again, "No, no it's a good memory. One I want to remember. And you've done nothing wrong."

Naruto smiles again and pulls away, cupping the sides of her face. He places a gentle kiss on her forehead conveying all his care and love for her. 

Sakura wipes away a few tears as Naruto says, "Let's get you out of this sappy mood, shall we?" 

They go to Naruto's bedroom this time, Sasuke being pulled in by Naruto. 

They sit in a close huddle, Sakura's leg lying on top of Sasuke's thigh who has his arm around her waist. Naruto is playing with Sasuke's hair whose head is lying on his shoulder. 

"Sing for us," Sasuke asks Naruto, "something nice."

Sakura hums in agreement and Naruto rolls his eyes at them, "Fine, fine."

Naruto clears his throat and starts. 

Hmm... hmm-hmm-hmm-hmm
Hmm-hmm-hmm-hmm
Hmm-hmm-hmm-hmm-hmm
Sometimes in our lives
We all have pain
We all have sorrow
But if we are wise
We know that there's always tomorrow

His voice is honestly angelic, and he sings like he feels, like he knows, like he understands every word he utters. Sasuke rubs circles on Sakura's back while the Kunoichi sways just the slightest bit with the tune. 

Lean on me
When you're not strong
And I'll be your friend
I'll help you carry on...
For it won't be long
Till I'm gonna need somebody to lean on
Please swallow your pride
If I have things you need to borrow
For no one can fill
Those of your needs that you won't let show
You just call on me brother when you need a hand
We all need somebody to lean on
I just might have a problem that you'll understand
We all need somebody to lean on
Lean on me

And they do just that, they lean on each other as the minute vibrations going through Naruto's body reaches Sasuke's head and as he snuggles deeper into Naruto's shoulder, taking in the scent of honey, smoke and spices. 

When you're not strong
And I'll be your friend
I'll help you carry on...
For it won't be long
Till I'm gonna need somebody to lean on
You just call on me brother
When you need a hand
We all need somebody to lean on
I just might have a problem that you'll understand
We all need somebody to lean on
If there is a load you have to bear
That you can't carry
I'm right up the road
I'll share your load
If you just call me

Sakura is humming along now, reaching out and tangling her fingers through Naruto's soft blond locks, body pressed against Sasuke's. She allows herself to be lost in the melody and the message Naruto is trying to give her, to give them. 

Call me
If you need a friend
(Call me)
Call me (call me)
If you need a friend
(Call me)
If you ever need a friend
(Call me)
Call me
(Call me) Call me
(Call me) Call me
(Call me) Call me
(Call me)
If you need a friend
(Call me)
Call me
(Call me) Call me
(Call me) Call me
(Call me) Call me
(Call me)

And these two, Sasuke and Sakura? They know it already. That they'll always call Naruto in their time of need and that Naruto will call them in return. They're each other's supporting pillars, and their feelings for each other aren't just skin deep, they're muscle, bone, heart deep and they don't think they'll ever diminish, ever exitinguish with time. 

Naruto shuts the lamp by the bedside and the three lie down, a jumble of limbs and love. 

Midnight strikes and Sasuke and Sakura together say,

"Happy birthday Naruto."

Naruto doesn't reply but they know he's smiling, grinning like an idiot. 

Before they fall asleep, Naruto thinks that yes, their company is the greatest gift he could ever ask for. 

Sakura and Sasuke feel the same way about him. 

Because,

They're friends, they're partners, they're colleagues, they're ninjas, they're companions, they're lovers, but above all,

They're family. 

And this family of theirs will never, ever grow apart.