The Wind To His Fire

Romance in Suna

Sasuke would forever deny that he grinned non stop for a day when he learned that team 7 would be participating in the Suna chunnin exams. He couldn't escape Sakura's knowing looks and Kakashi's murderous glares as they travelled to Suna.

He hadn't seen Naruto in over a year and neither had he hoped that he'd get to see him before his training trip was over. Therefore as soon as they entered Suna's gates, Sasuke broke away from the Konoha contingent and went in search of Naruto. As expected, Sakura and Kakashi followed him. They were at their fourth ramen stand when Sasuke spotted the familiar head of blonde hair. What wasn't familiar was the raccoon eyed red head sitting next to him, taking in every word Naruto said about ramen flavours like they were truths of gospel.

Sasuke felt a green monster rearing his ugly head inside him.

Naruto had noticed them and happily shouted, "Sakura-chan, Kakashi-sensei." It was followed by a quiter and more hesitant "Teme."

Sasuke tried to maintain his confident smirk as he replied, "Dobe", which got a small smile from the object of his affections.

Kakashi apparently was equally hostile all boys that demanded Naruto's attention, and the Suna jinchiruchi was quickly dragged into a harsh interrogation about his meeting and intentions with Naruto.

Sakura, bless her, made an excuse about shopping and left, not before sending a wink towards Sasuke. Thus, Naruto and him were left alone at the table, an empty bowl of ramen between them. Even in a year, Naruto had lost some of his baby fat and gained some height and muscles that Sasuke couldn't help but appreciate. He still looks adorable with his scarred cheeks tinged pink.

"Konoha isn't the same without you." Sasuke couldn't help but say.

He was rewarded with red cheeks. "Shut up, teme. You can't say things like that. Or kiss me out of the blue."

Sasuke smirked, hiding his nervousness. "Why? Didn't you like it?"

Naruto sputtered, but thankfully didn't deny liking the kiss. Though his argument was fair.

"Would you come with me on a date?" He asked, shocking both himself and Naruto for a second, who nodded after a second, his cheeks bright red.

Sasuke was about to tease him further when they were interrupted by Kakashi and Gaara, both of whom were glaring at Sasuke.

Sasuke decided the best course of action would be to make himself scarce along with Naruto, starting their date a little early.

He quickly suppressed his panic because of not having anything planned and being second best to Gaara who had already taken Naruto to ramen.

In the end their impromptu date ended up including sparring, building sand castles, dango, ramen and the entire chunnin exams ( even though Sakura ended up being the third wheel during the exams).

It goes without saying that all three of them left Suna with chunnin vests and Sasuke with a completely unprompted kiss from Naruto.