"Hey, Naruto…"

The blonde wiped the sweat from his brow before looking up at the pinkette.

"Yeah?" he smiled.

The wind gently picked up the locks of the medic as she gazed up at the heavens. Its pale blue surface engraved itself in her memory while the bright, golden rays of the sun wrapped themselves around her peaceful figure.

"Do you think a parallel universe exists?" she asked softly.

Naruto blinked, confused.

"Ummmm, no?" he grinned. "I never really thought about that too much."

"It's a world where we're the exact same people but we took different paths, lead different lives, had a different…everything." She tore her eyes away from the sky and rested them on her blonde friend who still had a puzzled expression.

"Why are you asking me this, Sakura-chan?" he blinked.

"Just out of curiosity." She waved him away.

Naruto continued to stare at her, admiring every single detail that etched her face.

Those brilliant emerald green eyes that were always filled with life. That unusually large forehead that he loved with all of his heart. That harsh yet…yet very soft personality that he could never get sick of. Those hands that could cause a massive earthquake yet heal any wound at the same time.

And her smile.

God, that smile…

It was something he could stare and stare at for hours, for days, for months, for years…

It was so beautiful, so memorable, so enchanting…

A trait that only Sakura could hold.

"Sakura-chan…" he said, still keeping his smile.

"Hm?" she blinked, resting her chin on a hand.

"I love you."

She said nothing for a while.

Then she smiled the smile that Naruto cherished.

"Yeah, I know. You tell me every day, Naruto."

"Do you think I say those words to you in a parallel universe too?"

Sakura frowned, pondering the question.

"Probably not." She shrugged.

"HA?! WHY NOT?!"

"Don't ask me, idiot!" she snapped. "But maybe because we took a different path in that specific world. We might be leading different lives."

Naruto pouted as he looked down at the ground.

"The me living in that kind of world must be stupid." He mumbled.

Sakura giggled, "You're always stupid, though."

"Sakura-chaaaaaan!" he whined.

The medic grinned as she watched Naruto ramble on how extremely smart he was and how he could ace whatever tests and paperwork that may come his way.

And how he was soooooo much better and smarter than Sasuke.

"Ah, Sakura-chan!" he suddenly piped.

"Yeah?" she tilted her head to the side.

"Let's go out on a date! Ichiraku Ramen?! Hm? Hm?! Doesn't that sound delicious?!"

Her eye twitched in irritation.

"Naruto…" she whispered.

"Yes?"

"DO YOU EVEN KNOW HOW TO TAKE A GIRL OUT ON A PROPER DATE?!" she exclaimed loudly, grabbing him by the collar and shaking him furiously.

"B-But Sakura-chan!"

"NO BUTS! WE'RE GOING SOMEWHERE NICE FOR ONCE!"

"HAAAA?! B-BUT RAMEN IS FANCY!"

"WHAAAAT?! FANCY?! ARE YOU BLIND?! OR ARE YOU JUST STUPID?!"

And off she went, dragging behind a very hesitant Naruto with her.

Through his whines and protests, Naruto managed to create a smile as he gazed up at Sakura's tall and proud figure.

Sakura-chan…

If there really is a parallel universe where I can't smile like this with you…

Then I really am stupid.

The me right now…is very, very happy.

Thank you…

For being with me, caring for me, fighting with me, smiling with me, crying with me, supporting me, laughing with me, enduring with me, for…for loving me.

I really, really do love you.

And I always will.

Believe it!