A spiky haired blonde man took his daily stroll around the streets of Konoha. He whistled happily. His walk was seemingly aimless, but through twists and turns, he still arrived at the same place. Before him stood a small store, settled neatly beside the more popular grocery next to it. The store was by no means unpopular however. It just had a specific clientele. Prime, beautiful women, all looking between the ages of 18-35, walked in and out of the store with smiles.

The man waited, watching the entrance to the store. Sure he wore casual wear, but once the man had seen the initial results of just switching colors a little, he had gone all out in finding what suited him the most. Just like he did in all things of life. He was Naruto Uzumaki, the man who would one day become Hokage! He'd never give anything but his best!

A brown haired woman walked up to him from the store. She wasn't the woman he was waiting for, but she was one of the few people in the village precious to Naruto. Even before he had cleaned himself up, she and her old man Teuchi had never refused him at his lowest. Ayame had long brown hair tied into a ponytail that laid across her shoulder, with sparkling brown eyes as she looked at him and smiled.

"Hey Naruto, fancy meeting you here!"

"Ayame-chan!"

"Naruto, I haven't seen you at Ichiraku lately. What's up!"

He scratched the back of his head embarrassedly,

"Actually I'm finally able to buy groceries! And wear proper clothes!" He showed off his wear, "Looks good, doesn't it? I'll still come by from time to time, but I've been learning how to make all kinds of ramen on my own! I can't afford much else if I eat there everyday... you know? But your ramen is still the best!" 

Ayame frowned. She had been nagging her old man for a while now to lower prices, but he had always refused, talking about how their ramen was the best quality in all of Konoha. No matter what though, good ramen was still just ramen! Even Naruto, who absolutely loved their ramen, just couldn't afford to go. No wonder they were still stuck in that small shack!

Making a mental note to bring it up with her old man later, Ayame refocused on Naruto. 

"You've been a loyal customer for so long though... How about this? Next time you come, all your ramen will be on me, free of charge! Well?"

"Really? You're the best Ayame!"

He spontaneously gave her a hug. Ayame blushed.

"N-naruto! You can't just hug a girl like that!"

Naruto pulled back. 

"Sorry sorry, Ayame-chan! I just really appreciate you and old man Teuchi. Once I can afford it I swear I'll come every day."

Ayame stared into his almost magnetic blue eyes, having to even look up a little because of his height. When did Naruto become this... hot? She blushed even more.

"S-so... What brings you out here? This shop only sells makeup for girls."

She tried to continue the conversation. 

"I'm waiting for Sakura-chan!"

"Sakura?" She had remembered him mentioning that girl before, but she didn't pay too much attention then.

Naruto nodded his head up and down, "She's my teammate. She should be shopping right now."

Ah, I see. For work then.

Ayame looked up at him demurely, "Well when we're both not busy, maybe we can meet out together some time? It could be fun!"

Naruto gave her an unintentionally charming smile, "Of course I'd love to, Ayame-chan!"

Soon after Ayame left, Sakura excitedly walked out of the store. She had specifically picked out new perfumes, better makeup, expensive nail polish, all state of the art weapons of war. Cha! Sasuke-kun wouldn't be able to resist her charm with these! 

A few moments later, her path was blocked by a tall blonde.

"Hey Sakura! Fancy meeting you here."

Naruto had copied Ayame's greeting to him word for word. He was at a loss previously at what exactly to say to Sakura, but it was better to be fluid, natural. The spontaneity of his previous meeting had left a positive impression on him. He wanted Sakura to feel the same way.

"Hey... Naruto."

Sakura froze. After that day, she no longer saw Naruto as a mere punching bag. Rather he was a strong, competent ninja who had held his own even against Kakashi sensei. Even Sasuke seemed to have a begrudging respect towards him! Sakura was jealous, but also wary. 

She couldn't help but feel like a gazelle trapped in the embrace of a tiger. Frozen stiff, only to be played around with, or maybe even eaten! Nothing was up to the prey. Rather, everything was in control of the predator. Naruto's almost feral gaze held her in place. 

He smiled, wrapping his arm around her shoulder. He remembered Ayame telling him he shouldn't just hug a girl randomly, but just an arm should be fine, right? He walked with her as he talked.

"It's so nice to see you outside of missions, Sakura-chan! Would you like to grab something to eat with me?"

"Hahaha..." Sakura laughed nervously, "But you see, I'm carrying this bag of stuff and-"

"Oh don't worry about that!" Naruto snatched the bag out of her hands. "I'll carry it for you. After all, I'm strong. You better believe it, dattebayo!"

Sakura felt a surge of anger and frustration at the way he so casually dismissed her excuse. Couldn't he see that she only wanted to hang out with Sasuke-kun!? If her crush saw her with Naruto like this... Maybe he'd never associate with her again, out of respect for Naruto... No. Maybe that's what he was already doing? That would actually make so much sense! What should she do?

Actually, if that was true, then... Naruto might be the key towards winning Sasuke-kun's heart. Sakura forced a sweet, soft smile, one of many she had spent so long practicing in the mirror for her Sasuke-kun. Her long, lovely pink hair swayed as she tilted her head and gazed at him with emerald green eyes. Even the fair-colored skin of her cheeks were tinted with the slightest flush of red.

She was so beautiful! Naruto couldn't help but feel his heart lurch. The pair had stopped by an empty park at the side of the road, standing near a tree.

"Naruto-kun... Can I ask you something?"

"Yes! Yes! Absolutely, Sakura-chan!" Naruto's eyes were literally hearts at this point.

"Can you tell me... Why doesn't Sasuke like me?"

"Sasuke... Again?" Naruto scratched his head, "I don't know why. But does that even matter? I like you, Sakura-chan!"

He leaned down to look at her, being so close she had no choice but to look him in the eyes.

"I've changed for you." He stepped back, "Look at me! Don't I look good now?"

Sakura couldn't help but nod her head absentmindedly, gazing at him. Then she snapped back to it and spoke,

"Naruto, that's not the point. If I got with you now, what would be the point of all I've been striving for ever since we've been in the academy? It's been 7 years, Naruto. For 7 years all I've ever wanted is for Sasuke to accept me! Don't you understand that...?"

Naruto quivered, "B-but..."

Hadn't he also been chasing after her for all those years? Hadn't he also endured beating after beating, continual verbal abuse, just to let her have the small satisfaction of venting her frustration? To see the smile on her face? Even now he was the closest he had ever been to her, yet still so far away...

"Naruto, I'm sorry. As of late, I've been starting to see you as you truly are, a wonderful man and a strong ninja. However, it's too late for me to even consider you. I can never give up on Sasuke, never. Do you understand? If you really liked me, you would do your best to help me with Sasuke!"

Naruto's heart grew cold. Alright. He understood. She just wanted to use him to get with her beloved Sasuke. There was never a chance for him to begin with...

While feeling like he was stabbed straight through the chest, Naruto tried his best not to break down completely. 

"Sakura... I'm actually pretty stupid, you know? I have no idea how you could pursue Sasuke. Hearing that from you hurts... It hurts so much, dammit!" Naruto sniffled, wiping the tears streaming down his face, "But I know a certain bastard who could actually help... He owes me."