Naruto smiles as he shovels in more ramen.

Sasuke is such a good friend! (Not that he'd say that out loud, though.) Today, Sasu brought him to Ichiraku's and paid for it, too! Naruto is so lucky to have a friend like that.

Even his eyes are smiling as he glances over to Sasuke. He's glaring at somethi- someone. Naruto turns to see. It's Neji! And Gaara! Naruto waves to them. "Hey, guys!"

Sasuke frowns, but Neji and Gaara smile and run over. Sasuke scoots closer to Naruto, who starts to talk excitedly to his newly arrived friends. The Uchiha gives them ten minutes.

Three.

Two.

One.

"Bye, Neji. Bye, Gaara," he says.

Naruto follows suit. "Bye, Nej! Bye, Gaa!" He waves even though they're a foot away.

Neji puts on a fake smile. "We're not leaving yet, silly Naru-" Sasuke coughs loudly. "We were having a conversation. You interrupted us," he growls over Naruto's shoulder.

"Goodbye, Naru. Bye, Sasuke," Neji says.

Gaara stares at Sasuke . He doesn't break eye contact until he and Neji are out the door, and even then, as he walks away, he can feel Sasuke's eyes burning possessiveness into his back.

Sasuke warily turns back to the blonde beside him. "Where were we, Dobe?"

"Teme! We were talking about that one..."

Yes, Naruto is lucky to have a friend like Sasuke. Sasuke only ever wants to spend time with Naruto, and doesn't let anyone interrupt! He's such a good friend, paying for Naruto's ramen, coming over to his house, accompanying him almost everywhere...

Sasuke looks at the Naruto meaningfully. The blonde takes another mouthful of ramen and smiles at his friend. His best friend.

After all, that is all they are.

Friends.

Just friends.