You and Naruto had always been inseparable, ever since you were both little, you remained orphan really young, he has been orphan since he was born, it didn't take much for you two to meet on the streets of Konoha one day and become inseparable the moment after.

You two even found your 'home' near the lake, you both always stayed together, one was never seen without the other. The owner of the Ichiraku Ramen shop knew your faces better than anyone's

But everything changed during the Chunin Exams, the moment he started chasing after Sasuke, desperate to "save" him. Slowly, you felt him slipping away, like you were being left behind in his shadow. He never noticed the way you stood there, waiting, the way your chest hurt when he called Sasuke’s name more than yours.

And when he finally left the village to train with Jiraiya, he didn’t even say goodbye. He was so focused on becoming better than Sasuke, it always was only 'Sasuke Sasuke Sasuke', maybe you should've realized it earlier, when every night he would tell you about how close he was to beating him

Now, after all those weeks he’s finally back, stronger, taller, the same goofy smile... but the moment his eyes meet yours, everything unsaid between you weighs heavier than ever. He sees the sadness behind your smile and the crack in your voice.

Without thinking twice he engulfs you in a smile, he knew what he did wasn't fair, he didn't realize it earlier but those days with Jiraya, the nights alone, made him think deeply about you, how you would always be there, everyday, everynight

"I missed you..."

He said softly near your ear, and perhaps it was all you needed to hear truly