Chapter Text
One of the biggest mysteries of Konoha was why Naruto Uzumaki is always at the Uchiha Mainhouse. Everyone knew Hokage’s son and young Uchiha prodigy were best friends - also each other’s only friend as far as Sakura knew - but it didn’t explain the overall reason. Naruto’s visits were so often he had his own meal set at the Uchiha house and an exclusive cabinet full of ramen. He even had his mother Kushina “I only worry if I can see my hyperactive son at the same place for five minutes” Uzumaki worried if he was home right after the academy!
And Sakura, being a ten years old girl in love, was a little jealous of this situation. She didn’t get why Naruto got those privileges. He was loud and restless, he always talked to Sasuke-kun even during classes without worry. Worst of all, whenever Sakura gathered all of her courage to start a conversation with Sasuke-kun during breaks so he would know she exists- Naruto always talked over her. He would just give his opinion about whatever she tried to say and make sure to get every classmate’s attention on him with his loud and irritating voice. And Sasuke - her dear kind Sasuke-kun - unfortunately had to remind him not to be loud. Then his attention would be on Naruto, simultaneously making Sakura lose her courage. She wanted to punch him.
She also wanted his friendship privileges. She wanted to see Sasuke-kun’s home, too! She wanted to play house with Sasuke-kun and to train with him, too! And pathetically enough she only knew where the house was because for some reason Naruto thought everyone dreamed of being or is his friend and one day yanked her arm after deciding their roads were similar enough to walk together. Sakura being a little curious told a pink lie - which could even be called light pink or white - and walked with them until their destination, which happened to be the rumored Uchiha Mainhouse in Uchiha District.
The district had a big entrance, a big and long wall encircling houses. The wall had uchiwa fans every few meters. For Sakura it was a lot of fans. ‘Anyone can tell it’s Uchiha territory. Leave a meter without the clan symbol.’ They walked as some people greeted Sasuke, asking how he was doing. As for Sakura, she loved small stands and colorful houses. A few kids running around, crows sitting on houses’ rooftops… she liked it here.
After passing every building, they finally reached their destination. It was a big house with an even bigger garden and three smaller buildings. She asked them what these were. Apparently Sasuke-kun was a clan head’s son, so they have every clan related thing in their garden and being a founding clan they have to have a big house to show how strong they are? Sakura didn’t really get why they got every other building here but Naruto was shaking his head up and down eagerly so she supposed it was true- not that she didn’t believe Sasuke-kun! It was just that Sakura didn’t know a lot of clan related things since she was from a civilian background.
“You should see Sasuke’s room. It’s like… bigger than our classroom and even has a really big balcony! And it has shelves of books and scrolls, and I think he buys them to look cool but don’t be deceived. Heh, you should also see his dino-" Sasuke smacked his best friend in the back of his head with an irritated look. It was probably the first time Sakura saw Sasuke irritated with Naruto. “Don’t tell everyone about my room Naruto! And I always get new scrolls because I need new material to study, not to look cool.”
Naruto stroked the back of his head, looking a little guilty. He didn’t really get why Sasuke was always so preserved around others, it wasn’t like he said anything really important. Anyone with eyes would see it when they see his room anyway. But he didn’t want to make his best friend any more upset, so he dropped the topic. For now, he will tease him again when they meet Shisui. Or when he sees Obito nii-chan.
—------------
“I’m telling you Ino, that crow was creepy. It cawed a few times and didn’t leave until Sasuke-kun left. And that's pretty much how it went. Then, Naruto went to Sasuke-kun’s house and suddenly I was alone. I thought I would get invited inside this time for sure, shannaro...” Sakura was at Ino’s family flower shop, filling in Ino about her mini adventure.
“Don’t be disheartened Sakura, there is always a next time.” Ino said encouragingly, petting Sakura’s back in support. “I also can’t believe he can just go to Sasuke-kun’s house like that. It’s rude.” Ino said, giving her two ryos. Ino knew Sasuke-kun and Naruto are close but it was also really rude. Then he was a boy, and like how her wise mom always said when dad did something wrong, boys were rude and lazy and stupid. Except Sasuke-kun; he was handsome, kind, talented and goodmannered. Sometimes he was rude to boys and to girls when they bothered him too much but she didn’t really care about that part. That’s why Ino supported her best friend in her pursuit of love, even though it was taking too long to blossom. He was a hard nut to crack, but Sakura’s resolution was harder. When finally Sakura starts a good conversation with Sasuke-kun, he would get charmed by her brain and beauty. Then they would start going on dates, be a super strong ninja couple, get married and name their first child after her.
All they needed was a perfect plan. ‘Maybe I should shove both of them into a room and lock the door. But wait, he is also a trained ninja.’ Ino thought. If only they could go to somewhere Naruto couldn't interrupt them-
"Come on Sakura, we will get you and Sasuke-kun to talk alone even if it’s during lessons! Now I need a pen and paper. Wait for me at the counter." Ino left the pitcher in her bestie's hands, already searching for a pen and paper, shouting her thoughts.
After watering the rest of the flower beds at the shop, Sakura joined her friend at the counter. Ino was already writing something swiftly, barely taking a breath.
The paper had a few rectangles with her classmates' names written on them, though a few were under another title called 'usable'. Shikamaru's name was underlined, Sakura prayed to Kami for him.
"Now my dear friend, we're going to ask Shikamaru and Choji very nicely how we will sit this monday."
Sakura wasn't sure she was following the plan. " Why? You don't even sit with them... Don't tell me you're-"
Ino cut Sakura's speech " Yes, I am. Sasuke-kun will never know what hit him. Hahaha!" While Ino had her maniac laughter going on, Sakura wasn't sure she wanted to continue with this plan for Sasuke-kun.
-----
"As you know Shikamaru, Sasuke only comes really late on mondays with Naruto in tow and they sit next to each other." Shikamaru yawned looking at Ino’s two wooden sticks ‘walking’ to ‘classroom’ and tried not to judge. Unfortunately for them, he woke up at most five minutes ago, found at his favorite cloud watching spot and he was very judgy. "Look Ino, I don't really know what both of them do. I don't watch them nor do I care."
"I haven't asked for your input anyway Shikamaru. Anyway, I only need you to come early this monday and change seats with Yuki. And make sure Choji changes seats with Susumu. I will sit with Sakura at her usual spot, so Sasuke-kun will have no choice but to sit next to Sakura." Ino finished with pride as she put the sticks on separate ‘desks’, showing her mind as the Yamanaka clan's heir. She believed in herself and her plan.
"Let’s say I will do my part in your plan. But don't you overlook something? What if dear Sasuke decides to sit at stick Naruto’s spot? Or better yet, he comes early?"
Ino tossed her hair back. She couldn't comprehend how Shikamaru didn't see her vision, well not everyone was as gifted as she was. "Sasuke-kun wouldn't sit with a loudmouth like Susumu. He likes his quietness and unlike you he actually pays attention in class."
Wanting to dab back to Ino in the name of pettiness Shikamaru didn’t hold back. “And how do you know he pays attention in class oh great strategist Ino?”
“Because as a good ninja, again unlike you, I also pay attention to my surroundings. Hah, eat that lazy-bum!” Ino stood up, telling Sakura their job here is done. And she didn’t forget to add a threat for good measure. “And you better do as I say Shika, or I will tell your mom what you did last time. Don't test me.” Shikamaru watched as Ino and Sakura left the crime scene. As both a victim and participant of Ino's schemes Shikamaru knew it will bite him at the end. He hated here.
After walking a bit Sakura couldn’t help but ask what the threat was about. Ino only chuckled. “I don’t know, he always does something. I was going blind.” Two best friends laughed. Sakura couldn’t wait for monday to finally have a genuine conversation with Sasuke-kun. And Ino couldn’t wait to see her plan working.
“Hurry Sakura, we need to find Choji. I want the baby named after me.”
“...Wha?”