[It's the only question worth asking, in the end. Naruto won't really know this Sakura and Sasuke until he's back home and walking into that future with him. He isn't surprised to find that it takes them a few moments to answer. Happiness hadn't ever been worth measuring, at least, they hadn't been taught to see it that way. Naruto's own long held dream had been about acknowledgement and an escape from loneliness more than it had ever been the hope for a happy life. But somewhere along the line, peacefulness and safety just weren't enough. There were too many things that would be traded for those words. There were too many lives lost and too many secrets kept and in that.
Naruto watches her face, watches the way she considers her reply- weighs and measures and really assesses details that he can only guess at. He wonders what Sasuke will say, when he asks him.
His shoulders soften. It isn't quite relief, but if asked Naruto isn't sure what he would call that feeling either. Maybe that's also contentment. Sakura-chan is one of the most important people in his life. After everything, the idea that she would be unhappy-]
Good.
[The word comes out quietly, and Naruto sinks back into the springs- head propped up on shore and face angled towards the sky.]
Even though Sasuke's still a bastard, I guess I can always count on you to keep him in line, right?
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Naruto watches her face, watches the way she considers her reply- weighs and measures and really assesses details that he can only guess at. He wonders what Sasuke will say, when he asks him.
His shoulders soften. It isn't quite relief, but if asked Naruto isn't sure what he would call that feeling either. Maybe that's also contentment. Sakura-chan is one of the most important people in his life. After everything, the idea that she would be unhappy-]
Good.
[The word comes out quietly, and Naruto sinks back into the springs- head propped up on shore and face angled towards the sky.]
Even though Sasuke's still a bastard, I guess I can always count on you to keep him in line, right?