Since the beginning of Naruto, Sakura has been in love with Sasuke, with the latter much less interested in anything related to romance. What started as a girlish crush evolved into a true yet dysfunctional love. Unfortunately, Sasuke simply did not like Sakura that way, which makes his sudden change of heart toward his old friend at the end much more jarring.
Sasuke certainly cares about Sakura, but their relationship is far from healthy, given how emotionally distant and physically distant he is to her, even when they start a family. Other pairings in Naruto, including pairings with Sasuke or Sakura, are not only healthier, but they make much more sense than the canon SasuSaku.
10 Asuma & Kurenai’s Love Lasted Through The Years
Asuma and Kurenai do not get much focus as a couple, but they are always seen together as fellow jonin and senseis. Their relationship is subtle and professional, yet Shippuden gives viewers a chance to see how their relationship is also romantic. With how they can work together as partners, the relationship is strong and close.
Kurenai even bears Asuma’s child even though he is killed in action. Their relationship ultimately makes sense and is a perfect example of a healthy adult partnership that lasted for years. Sasuke and Sakura have been married for years and have a child together, but Sasuke is much more distant than Asuma from both his wife and his child.
9 Minato & Kushina’s Love Story Is Pure
Naruto’s parents, Minato Namikaze and Kushina Uzumaki, have a sickly sweet relationship that began back when they were children. Kushina, much like her son, was an infamous outcast. Only one person, Minato, held affection for her and liked her for her personality.
Their relationship is similar to Naruto and Hinata’s, but their relationship also makes sense. Kushina was attracted to Minato’s kindness, and Minato felt drawn to Kushina’s strong personality. Sakura’s crush on Sasuke was entirely superficial, and there wasn’t anything about Sakura that Sasuke particularly liked. Although Sasuke and Sakura grew up together and fell in love over time, their dysfunctional beginning just makes their canon status confusing since they never became closer.
8 Itachi & Izumi’s Childhood Relationship Was Much Sweeter
Sasuke’s older brother, Itachi, lost as much as he did, with one of his most tragic losses being his girlfriend, Izumi Uchiha. Itachi and Izumi easily got along as they were both kind, hopeful individuals who grew up together in the same clan. They even worked well together as comrades when teamed up after graduating from the Academy.
Their relationship was wholesome and held no true drama until Itachi was forced to massacre his clan. However, unlike his brother, Itachi was nice to Izumi and never looked down on her or insulted her. Additionally, Izumi’s feelings for Itachi are much deeper than Sakura’s feelings for Sasuke.
7 Rin & Obito Have Always Loved Each Other
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Obito loved Rin dearly, to the point where he became a villain after her death. It’s understandable, though, as Rin was his best friend who always supported him, even when he failed. Obito’s feelings for Rin make sense as she was always by his side, and he wanted to make her proud.
Sakura and Sasuke’s relationship is often one-sided. Sakura has always had a crush on Sasuke, but purely because he was talented and attractive. But Sasuke barely paid any attention to Sakura, even when she supported him. Sasuke does love Sakura, but not the way Sakura loves him. Rin and Obito’s love story makes a lot more sense, given how they were always close and supportive of each other.
6 Shikamaru & Temari’s Growing Attraction Feels Natural
Shikamaru and Temari have a classic enemies-turned-lovers relationship. They were on opposing sides in the beginning until Temari became impressed enough by Shikamaru to rescue and befriend him during the Sasuke Retrieval Arc. From then, the two would often work together and were seen together enough to make their friends believe they were an item.
Eventually, this came to fruition as Shikamaru and Temari worked well together as partners, friends, and a couple. Sasuke and Sakura are seen together in proximity more than Shikamaru and Temari, but their relationship was much rockier and, at one point, unstable. Shikamaru and Temari make sense because their relationship grew steadily and blossomed into romance.
5 Neji & Tenten Are True Friends
Although most of the Konoha 12 are good friends, Neji and Tenten had a strong, if underrated, friendship. Neji wasn’t a friendly person at first, but Tenten always admired him. Fortunately, Neji became kinder and more of a team player. In fact, he would often protect Tenten and respected her abilities.
Their friendship remained strong as they improved as ninjas and grew as friends. Sasuke and Sakura did not have this opportunity, as Sasuke selfishly chased after his revenge, and Sakura kept loving him despite his lack of reciprocation. Neji and Tenten may never get together due to the former’s death, but their closeness would make them a much more logical and healthy couple than Sasuke and Sakura.
4 Ino & Sai Learned How To Fall In Love Properly
Initially, Ino and Sai’s relationship wasn’t taken seriously as a potential canon pairing due to Ino’s crush on Sasuke. Many fans were pleasantly surprised to watch their relationship grow. Ino began with a physical attraction to the awkward Sai, but she grew to know him as a person and even reached out to him in an emotional side story.
Although he had trouble processing his own emotions, Sai gradually fell in love with Ino as they grew closer. While Sakura has always loved Sasuke, it took Sasuke a much longer time to return Sakura’s feelings. Ino and Sai developed a healthy relationship that enabled them both to mature and start a wholesome family, but Sasuke and Sakura’s relationship and family will always have some issues.
3 Lee & Sakura’s Friendship Is Built On Respect
When Sakura first met Rock Lee, she found him off-putting. Meanwhile, Lee fell in love with her at first sight. Although Sakura did not respect him at first, she was grateful to him for saving her life. Ever since then, Sakura became friends with Lee and grew to care for his well-being.
Lee still holds a torch for her, but he remains respectful of her. Their relationship is built entirely on respect. Sakura admires his determination, and Lee cares about her feelings. They have a much healthier dynamic than Sasuke and Sakura, especially since Sasuke doesn’t hold nearly as much respect for Sakura as Lee does.
2 Naruto & Sakura Became Each Other’s Best Friends
Naruto and Sakura have been teammates since the beginning, but they were not always on friendly terms. Naruto had a crush on Sakura, but Sakura found him annoying and was obviously in love with Sasuke. Over time, Naruto and Sakura grew closer, especially when Sasuke abandoned them both.
Sakura now values Naruto as one of her most trusted friends, and Naruto returns these feelings. Although he fell out of love with her, he still cares for her deeply. Naruto and Sakura have been each other’s rock, even in their adult years. In fact, quite a few fans were upset that Naruto and Sakura did not end up together since their friendship growing into a romance would have made much more sense than Sasuke and Sakura.
1 Naruto & Sasuke’s Friendship Is Deep And Passionate
Naruto and Sasuke’s rivalry is iconic. Their relationship is so deep that many fans believe that their feelings for each other went beyond friendship. There is some homoerotic subtext in Naruto and Sasuke’s relationship, especially since both males consider each other’s closest friend.
Naruto gives almost all of himself just to have Sasuke back. And as distant as Sasuke is, he does love Naruto and eventually returns to him. Nobody would have been surprised if they ended up together, but unfortunately, they did not. It is something of a shame since, as a relationship, Naruto and Sasuke make sense. Although it’s had some unhealthy history, the passion between them is undeniable.
