After the Storm.

13.

Sweat dripped off of Sasuke's chin and onto the ground and he huffed. A few feet a way was Naruto, flat on his back in the dirt, huffing as well. The two of them had been training for hours. Waiting for Sakura to arrive since she had to be at the hospital for a few hours because of an emergency. Once Sasuke left Sakura's home, he'd realized he forgot the flowers at his own home and mentally punched himself numerous times.

"Man I'm so tired I can't even hold my arm up." Naruto struggles to hold his arm up, but it does nothing but flop back down into the dirt. Sasuke allowed his legs to give, as he collasped onto the ground and then sat in a sitting position. He used the back of his hand to wipe more sweat off of him before he chuckled and let out a sigh.

"Sorry I'm late!" Sakura can be seen running onto the training grounds in a hurry. Once she reached A worn out Naruto and Sasuke, her facial expression changed into a more regretful one. "I missed it didn't I?"

Sasuke took in a breath and let it out slowly. "Give us a few minutes to catch our breath and we should be good to go for another round."

Naruto looked over at Sasuke helplessly only for the raven to give him a nervous, apologetic smirk. But watching Sakura smile made him happy on the inside.

Then the girl's smile fade. "Ah, I can't do that to you guys." She looks over at Naruto, who's practically sleep on the ground. "Naruto's all tired out."

Sasuke kicked at the blonde's foot only for Naruto to choke on air mid snore and glare at the raven before him.

"If I wasn't so tired, I'd kick your ass." The blonde mumbles towards him.

"I would love to see you try." Sasuke shoots back.

"Grr." Naruto growled frustrated with himself that he's out of stamina to really take Sasuke on at the moment. His eyes glanced sideways noticing Sakura standing there. A smile fell on his face. "Hey Sakura."

"Hey Naruto." She waved slightly at the boy. "Getting ready for exams I see."

"Yeah." Naurto adjusted himself so he was now sitting up. Once comfortable, he let out a sigh of relief.

Sakura sat down what looked like a picnic basket before sitting with the two teen boys and pulled her legs to her chest. "I'm sorry I missed out." She says. "I know it was a good session."

"Oh no worries." Naruto smiles once again at the girl. "Maybe next time you wont have any short notice emergencies."

"Yeah, maybe.."

Sasuke watches the girl as she and Naruto engaged in casual conversation. He admired as she actually treated him like a human, listening to what he had to say and also giving him advice on the things she felt he needed them on. Sakura's changed so much.

"–Right Sasuke."

Sasuke snaps out of his trance at the sound of his name. He looks between both Sakura and Naruto before learning that they both were waiting for him to speak.

"What?" He cocked an eyebrow to listen.

"I was telling Sakura that you should be able to use your right hand in no time!" Naruto repeats himself, hoping Sasuke would keep the same enthusiastic energy as he.

Sasuke blinked once, then twice. "I suppose that could be true."

Naruto deadpanned causing the pinkette to giggle.

"Are you guys hungry?" Sakura asked as she then reached for the picnic basket. "I bought food since I figured we'd be out here all day." She began pulling out food, ride balls and sausages she'd made herself. She also had instant ramen made for Naruto. He greatly thanked her before devouring his food. Sasuke stared at his assortments before he looked over at Sakura who had already began eating hers, and was laughing with Naruto. A warm feeling traveled over the Uchiha that was something he couldn't describe. He was greatful to be in the situation he was in. Thanks to both Naruto and Kakashi, Sasuke has a second chance at living life. Living the life his brother wanted from the start. Where he stayed in the village and did no wrong. Where he knew Sasuke would be the safest. Sasuke was given another chance to redeem himself. Prove that he wasn't the traitor everyone made him out to be. He fought hard for his village and saved the entire nation with assisting Naruto. The both of them together bought peace within the nations. If he would've never changed his mind, he wouldn't be alive; let alone able to see the outside of the confinement for the rest of his life.