More than friend, less than girlfriend.
Yep, in between. If he loves Sakura he'll confess. If he doesn't confess, it means that he actually doesn't need Sakura in his life all that much. We always say that Sakura is the problem in NS. I'd say that Naruto is quite problematic too.
Sakura goes Mia will make naruto not to exclusively thinking about sasuke all time.
But it's a technique use by author to prolong the romance resolution.
Just like love interest temporary dead, losing her mind, or losing her memory.
It's a technique that makes the resolution happen (at least). I offered this kind of plotwist in a sarcastic tone. But it may be one of the few ways to make NS move from the dead point.
Edited by Syn11, 04 September 2014 - 03:05 PM.