"Slice of Life"

Hey everyone! Here's a story that I thought of last night. I hope you enjoy it! This is only the introductory chapter, so tell me what you think!

Disclaimer: I do not own Naruto. Just this plot.

"Listen to me when I'm talking to you, Forehead," Ino shouted, turning Sakura's shoulders to face her. "This is probably the BIGGEST thing that has ever happened in your pathetic, boring life!"

"Well, geez, Pig, thanks for the support," Sakura drawled sarcastically. "And what do you mean by pathetic? And boring?"

Ino sighed. "Seriously, Sakura, do you ever do anything fun?"

"Of course I do!" Sakura retorted defiantly. "I, er…I, um…."

"Exactly, Forehead. You are such a bore, sometimes. I mean, I love you and all, and we're best friends, but you seriously need to loosen up. Besides, if my best friend is boring, that could completely ruin my reputation!"

"As what," Sakura snorted, "as a Pig? Or as an overbearing, nosy #$%* &*$%# #$%&…"

As Sakura and Ino continued to bicker, Naruto (who had been standing a few feet away, next to Sasuke, intensely watching the conversation) decided to step in.

"Uh, Sakura-chan, before you scar some poor kid for life with that surprisingly angry mouth of yours, maybe you should listen to Ino," Naruto interrupted sheepishly, placing his hands behind his head in his trademark innocent pose. He continued to smile through gritted teeth even as Sakura directed her piercing glare at him.

"Now, now, Sakura-chan, don't be mad. I'm just trying to help you see the truth. I mean, if you're not working at the hospital, you're on a mission. And if it's not a mission, then you're training. You barely have time to even hang out with the team anymore. You haven't even eaten at Ichiraku with us in weeks. Even the Teme has missed you!" As if to emphasize his point, Naruto pointed to Sasuke, who was casually leaning against the bridge railing, his hands in his pockets.

"Tch. Dobe," Sasuke said, saying something for the first time since they had been standing there. Naruto huffed up in anger in response.

"Bastard," Naruto rebutted.

"Dead last," Sasuke added.

"Arrogant jerk."

"Useless."

Sakura and Ino shook their heads in annoyance as they turned their attention away from the two fighting boys.

"I don't know, Ino," Sakura said, leaning over the bridge to look out into the water. The two boys stopped arguing momentarily to listen to what she had to say. "I mean, I've never actually been to a formal ball. We're ninja, not high-class citizens. I don't even know how to act at these type of things."

"Forehead!" Ino shouted again, clearly trying to persuade her best friend to agree. "The most eligible bachelor in the entire world has just asked you to the most exclusive formal ball in the entire world and you're having second thoughts?" Ino stared incredulously at the pinkette.

"I don't know, Ino…"

"Besides, Forehead, he told you he could bring a few of your friends. So if you don't accept, then none of us get to go. You wouldn't wish that on us, now would you?" Ino pleaded with innocent, sparkling eyes.

Naruto joined Ino enthusiastically. "Yeah, please Sakura-chan?"

No one seemed to notice how Sasuke stared at Sakura pensively, with some emotion akin to worry evident in his eyes.

"I don't know…"

"Look, Forehead. Think of the situation as a big, yummy lemon pie. Now the question is: do you want to eat a big piece of that pie? Come on, Sakura! Don't be afraid to take a big slice of life! Especially when it happens to involve a majorly good-looking and extremely wealthy bachelor!"

Sasuke scoffed and glared at the water flowing beneath them.

Sakura spared one longing glance at Sasuke. Pushing her emotions down, Sakura put on a smiling face. "I guess I could at least go for a little while. There's no harm in that, right?"

"Right!" Ino and Naruto chorused.

"Yeah," Sakura answered, feeling much more confident. "I will definitely take a big slice of life from now on. Hell yeah!" Sakura did her signature arm pump, and Ino and Naruto cheered. Sasuke continued to glare at the water.

"Woohoo!" Ino hollered, hugging her best friend. "Now, come on, Forehead. We need to go shopping so that we can impress that big hunk of lemon pie that seems to have taken such an interest in you. What was his name, again? Daichi?" Sasuke clenched his fist, but only Naruto seemed to notice.

Sakura blushed. "Yes, Ino-pig. And please, don't refer to Daichi-kun as a piece of pie. He's just a friend. I just happened to save his life, and he is grateful for that."

"Yeah, whatever you say, Sakura," Ino answered knowingly. The two girls gave a small wave to Sasuke and Naruto as they turned away from the bridge, Ino dragging Sakura forcibly. Naruto began to follow a scowling Sasuke in the opposite direction, fully planning on questioning the brooding male, until something clicked in Naruto's brain.

"Wait," Naruto asked, causing everyone to pause and stare at him curiously. "Everyone kept talking about pie. What pie? I still don't see any…"

"Dobe," Sasuke muttered as he walked off with his hands in his pockets.

The girls just rolled their eyes and walked off, leaving a very confused Naruto.

"Aw, man. How come everyone else gets pie?"

Thanks for reading! I hoped you liked it. I know it's short, but that adds to the suspense, right? Please review! It encourages me to write. Peace ;)