A/N; Wow. Team 7-centric is something I might never have written… ever. And it's just a hopeless little vignette. (cough, another one, cough)

Disclaimer; I do not own Naruto.

Sibling Rivalry

In some ways, they're just like siblings.

Squabbling, squirming, quarreling triplets, hell-bent on outdoing the other, and vying for one another's attention (and affection).

They all have a certain amount of disdain for each other, and at the same time, a certain amount of love. Not the same love- in fact, in a perfect triangular fashion, each side, each angle is unique. Their feelings were often complex, and you could never ever distinguish the anger from the happiness, or the like from the dislike. There was always something.

But not hate. Never hate.

They each have their own, special way of confrontation.

Naruto was blunt, and often times overly so. He wasn't tactful, and never thought to be. He saw nothing wrong with being his outspoken self. But, oh, how he loved to talk.

Sasuke spoke only when necessary, and rarely more. He didn't mince his words, because he didn't feel the need. He didn't like things to drag on stupidly. If you were worth his time, then you should consider yourself extremely important.

Sakura, though, was the opposite. She frequently danced around a subject, testing, calculating the odds of your reaction. She had a quick mind and an even quicker temper, and she liked to deduct the possibilities of you resisting her throttling. She would give hints and tips here and there, and on the occasion that she would get straight to the point, it was usually a dire situation.

They have a bond that cannot be broken, no matter how each tries to sever the ties. No matter how many times Sakura beats on Naruto, he will always grin when she's around. No matter how many times Naruto will be idiotic, Sasuke will always recognize him as his best friend. And no matter how many times Sasuke leaves Sakura on a cold, hard bench, she will always find it in her heart to forgive him.

They will fight for each other. They will defend each other. They will protect each other. That is their nature. They are one (no matter how they try to deny it).

They each have their roles- Naruto is the steadfast friend. He is motivation. He is the happy, smiling face on a dark day, the dark day that happens to be Sasuke. Sasuke is the skilled Shinobi. He is vigilance. He is the very image of a warrior, and he maintains that position with honor. He is the cold, frosty winter that comes before the spring, which happens to be Sakura. Sakura is the sweetheart, the downsized 'little girl' that is underestimated until she beats you to a bloody pulp. She is a genius and she is a fighter. She is the very opposite of ephemeral. She is steadfast in duty and honor, as steadfast as Naruto. And we begin again.

They are the only ones allowed to pick on one another. It's the number one rule they have- an unspoken one, yes, but one of incredible power. Only Sakura is allowed to beat the crap out of Naruto. Only Naruto is allowed to exchange verbal abuse with Sasuke. Only Sasuke is allowed to break Sakura's heart.

It has always been this way, and will always be. Because their relationship is incomprehensible, and oddly addicting, and for some freak reason, one fact remains:

They wouldn't have it any other way.

- Fin -

Reviews FTW!! (I mean… come on! This ain't even crack here, people!!)

-Bya-chan