A Closer Look – The Last

Disclaimer: I do not own Naruto. It is the property of Masashi Kishimoto, and as such not my intellectual property. There is no financial gain made from this nor will any be sought. This is for entertainment purposes only.

Naruto

Naruto can't help but let out a weary sigh as he nears the main gates into Konoha, the Uzumaki disheartened by the all too familiar sight. Geez I really don't want to deal with them right now. Do they really have to wait for me to come back every time? The blonde laments tiredly as he eyes Kaede, Akane and Tsumie, the most zealous members of his apparent fan club, determinedly searching the faces of the incoming crowd. I know they're just trying to be nice but those girls are kinda crazy.

After years of being a social pariah, Naruto`s many accomplishments during and after the fourth Shinobi war had made him into a genuine celebrity. Indeed, where once most people's faces bore only scowls of disapproval, now they held nothing but praising smiles. Something an attention starved Naruto had admittedly drank up with glee when people`s view of him first began to change.

It was nice being finally acknowledged, but I really wish people would rein it in a little. It is fair to say that after years of constant adulation that the Uzumaki was sometimes worn-out by it all. The truth being that although Naruto greatly appreciated most people's warm receptions of him, he found many of them to be downright crazy and dare he say it annoying. Honestly in the case of the three girls who are apparently searching for him again, they're almost fanatical behaviour was hard to endure.

I just want to walk down the street sometimes without people shoving gifts in my face or clinging onto me for attention. Naruto admits to himself as he tries to make a beeline for the forest that surrounds the village in hopes of evading his welcome party. The fact being that after his long trek through the scorching sand of Suna, Naruto really didn't have the energy to deal with them again. Maybe I can avoid them this time if I'm quick enough.

Alas for the whiskered Jinchūriki the eagle eyed girls spot him before he can make his escape. "Naruto-Kun!", they exclaim with a collective squeals of excitement as they run towards their idol, putting an end to Naruto`s hopes of a relaxing homecoming.

Guess not. Resigning himself to his fate Naruto buries his disappointment and greets them with a warm though false smile as the slender kunoichi reach him. The future Hokage determined to never turn people away without good reason unlike a certain Uchiha he knew, no matter how frayed his nerves became. Though I can kinda get where he was coming from now. Having people praise you all the time can be really tiring.

"Im glad your back Naruto-Kun, I really missed you please accept this." Kaede offers with a sultry smile, a small pink box in hand while she twirls her long blonde hair flirtatiously with the other. Not to be outdone Akane muscles her friend to the side as she presents her own slightly larger baby blue package, the short brown haired girl enquiring excitedly, "Hey Naruto-Kun how was Suna? I bet it was really hot out there."

Finally Tsumie slips to the side of Akane and bows forward, the tassels of her beige woollen hat, covering short black hair, falling forward as she presents a small light green parcel, "Yes I hope your mission went well. I got this for you, I hope you like it Naruto-kun. "

Momentarily taken aback by their three pronged strike Naruto offers them an awkward smile as he rubs the back of his head in embarrassment. Why are girls so crazy? He inwardly groans, finding the rampant attention as nerve racking as it was confusing despite how many years go by. The truth being the blonde hero, after years of being a social isolation, simply didn't know how to properly handle or understand this kind of behaviour. Why do they keep giving me stuff all the time? I mean, I like getting gifts as much as the next guy but it's just plain weird when it isn't my birthday. Do they really think I deserve so much attention?

Still, despite his past misgivings over accepting such a multitude Naruto had at least learned that these encounters would go infinitely easier if he just accepted them. No way I'm making a scene like that again. Naruto muses sourly as he gingerly accepts the offered gifts with an appreciative smile, memories of weeping girls in the middle of a packed street at the forefront of his mind. Besides the last thing I want to do his hurt people's feeling like the Teme always seems to. If it makes them happy then I just have to go along with it. No matter howlittle space i have left in my apartment.

Taking a moment to properly balance his newly acquired bulk under the cupped arms of his black uniform jacket that he had taken to wearing recently, Naruto beams, "Thanks girls it's good to be back. And yeah Suna was pretty hot but the mission was completed earlier than expected so I got to hang out with Gaara for a bit before having to head back. Always good to catch up with the guy even if he takes things too seriously sometimes." He concludes with a good-natured chuckle as he thinks on his solemn friend which fades away quickly once Naruto realises what's he's done.

I just had to mention Gaara. Naruto bemoans as the assembled kunoichi let out an excited gasp before going starry eyed, the girls now utterly enthralled. The guy`s got just as much a problem with crazy girls as I do.

"I think is amazing that you're so close to the Kazekage!", Akane exclaims with boundless enthusiasm with hands clasp together tightly in front of her chest, Kaede and Tsumie nodding in excited agreement as they all lean in closer, "I bet you`ve spend hours alone, telling each other things no one else knows ."

Thinking on the bizarre question, Naruto unsure as to why they would want to know, he remembers the many talks they had in the past about their Jinchūriki status. The talks something that only a fellow Jinchūriki would ever be able to fully appreciate. I suppose that counts I guess.

Still thoroughly confused by the girls' apparent anticipation to his answer, their expected stares unsettling, Naruto replies in bewilderment, "Ehhh...yeah I suppose we have."

A squeal of excitement follows his announcement as the girls begin to giggle amongst themselves, faint blushes adorning their cheeks. A perplexed Naruto forgotten as they whisper excitedly amongst themselves.

I've said it once and ill say it again, girls are crazy. Naruto acknowledges with an internal nod of the head, their behaviour even more confusing than the norm. However this bafflement is soon pushed to the side as Naruto realises with burgeoning hope that the Kunoichi were now apparently distracted. Thank you Kami. I'll try not to squander this mercy.

Seeing his chance to slink away Naruto draws on his misspent youth dodging recently pranked Chūnin and begins to move carefully to the side. Unseen, he manages to move back just far enough to get a clear shot at the first street corner in the village before `Body Flickering` away from the distracted girls.

Casting one last furtive glance back Naruto seals his gifts away and begins to rush round the street corner, hands flashing through the dog, boar and ram seal. In a blink of an eye and a puff of faint white smoke the blonde disappears, a young girl of nine years with dull green eyes and short brown hair appearing in his place. Decked in a simple grey shirt and black shorts the girl was utterly unassuming in the masses of villagers that lined the streets, just as the now disguised Uzumaki planned.

Operation stealthy retreat success. Naruto inwardly crows as he fully rounds the corner and makes haste down the winding street, happy beyond measure that no one was paying the least bit of attention to his new well crafted persona. Indeed his new anonymity is so successful that Naruto has to suppress a bitter grimace as dusty memories of being ignored by the village in his youth rise painfully to the surface.

Be careful what you wish for I guess. Probably shouldn't complain about the attention when the opposite is still a sore point for me. Shaking away those morose recollections of his past, Naruto banishes his childish reaction. Their ignoring me because I want them too, not for carrying Kurama like before you idiot, Naruto acknowledges firmly as he weaves his way through the crowds. I just got to suck it up and remember that that those days are over now and besides there's more important concerns right now.

As if on cue his stomach rumbles its desire for sustenance, conjuring up images of a certain Kami blessed meal. I gotta get home as fast as I can so I can get my hands on some sweet, sweet ramen. The Uzumaki smiles stupidly as a sliver of drool escapes the corner of his mouth, daydreams of a steamy broth instinctively guiding him home. Naruto`s negativity completely forgotten in the face of his overwhelming desire for the Uzumaki`s favourite meal. It's been so long, I can't wait until that tasty broth hits my tongue.

Indeed, Naruto is so distracted that he doesn't check if anyone was coming round the corner of the side street he enters before barrelling ahead into his unsuspecting victim. With a startled cry both stumble back and fall to the ground, a half dozen balls of different coloured yarn flying into the now smoke filled air.

"N-Naruto-kun?", comes the stuttered call of familiar feminine voice; concern the foremost emotion amongst embarrassment and surprise. Regaining his bearing's Naruto rubs his forehead in frustration as he realises that his `Transformation` must have dispelled in the collision. Great, operation get home without getting caught so I can eat ramen in peace is a total failure. However, in an instant any feelings of frustration are gone as he guilty remembers who that soft voice belongs too. Here I am complaining about ramen when I'm the one who ran into her.

Springing to his feet Naruto looks down to finally meet the voices pale lavender eyes as he replies with a sheepish smile, rubbing the back of his in embarrassment, "Sorry Hinata I wasn't paying attention to where I was going." Offering his other hand down to the fair skinned Hyuga, whose cheeks are growing ever crimson by contrast, he continues apologetically, "You ok."

"Y-Yes N-Naruto-kun im fine.", Hinata replies shakily as she seems to reluctantly take his hand before being hoisted to her feet, gaze shying away from Naruto`s own, "I-It's my fault as well."

Damn I guess I must have annoyed her. Naruto surmises as he watches Hinata dust off her lavender hoodie before fixing her long dark blue hair into it usual hime style with a notable frown. Taking a glance around them he can completely underhand why given that he managed to knock her and the wool she was carrying onto the dusty street. I probably ruined that wool she was carrying but Hinata`s the kind of person too polite to say. Gah, why do I always seem to mess things up when it comes to her?

Hinata had proven to be somewhat of an enigma to the social inept blond, the main reason being that he honestly used to think that she hated and feared him for carrying Kurama. Indeed, she always appeared nervous around him, never meeting eye contact and sometimes even feinting if he got too close. A fact he initially attributed to some longstanding sickness and her quiet personality until he noticed that it was mostly around him that it occurred. The only conclusion he could reach therefore was that she honestly couldn't stand to be around him like many villagers but unlike them was too polite to voice her discomfort.

Can't believe I actually thought she hated me. He muses thoughtfully as he gingerly starts to help Hinata pick up her fallen goods, remembering all the times she showed him how utterly wrong he was as the redness in her cheeks brightens. I mean I don't even think she is capable of hating anyone otherwise she would never have asked me to spare Neji.

Indeed, during Naruto`s first Chunin exam Hinata`s branch cousin almost killed her during their match. All because he hated the main branch and took offence to her refusing to surrender to the `Fate` Neji proclaimed unavoidable due to her perceived weakness. Yet to Naruto`s fury, Hinata was nothing but kind to Neji and indeed sought to end the division of the houses. A fact that made Naruto quiet prepared to kill him in their upcoming match in order to avenge Hinata and the injustice her cousin`s actions brought.

But despite him putting you down, almost killing you and landing you in the hospital, you begged for me not hurt your cousin. You said you understood why he felt the way he did and didn't blame him. You even said that you hoped that one day he could be happy and be free from the curse of fate he assigned himself and others. I knew then that I had you completely wrong.

Honestly he already had some inkling that her perceived dislike of him was way off before hand. Letting him cheat off her during the written portion of the exam, giving him that amazing healing cream after his match with her teammate Kiba and her brave stand against Neji demonstrated to Naruto that there was more to her than he imagined. Yet, forgiving Neji cemented two things for Naruto. One that she was unbelievable kind, and two that she saw him as friend. An important friend who later showed that she was able to understand Naruto like few others and who would stand by him no matter the odds.

You cheered me on when I doubted myself before my match with Neji and even defended me from Pain. I can't begin to say how much those moments mean to me. Plopping the last ball of yarn onto the pile in Hinata`s waiting arm, Naruto innocently voices his last thought with a fond smile, "You really are an incredible person Hinata."

Instead of the polite thank you at the genuine compliment Naruto was expecting from his encumbered friend, Hinata goes rigid before exclaiming with a surprised squeak, "W-What...I mean...em..." Fumbling over her words further she almost drops her bundle once more before a perplexed Naruto puts a hand on the teetering balls to steady them.

Hmm maybe that was a bit strange to say out of the blue like that but her reactions are as weird as ever. Still that's ok I guess. I'm kind of weird as well. Hell come to think of some of my most precious people are kinda weird. Naruto decides, ignorant to Hinata`s continuing meltdown now that he had prevented the bundle from falling, What was it pervy sage used to always say "It's the differences in people that makes life interesting". Though then again he was the biggest weirdo of them all so that might not be saying much.

Finally noticing that Hinata looked to be swaying on her feet and moments from feinting, a concerned and guilty feeling Naruto moves his arm to prevent an all too familiar event, "Hey Hinata sorry I guess that was kinda random. I just mean that you're a great friend you know."

Hinata takes one look at Naruto`s arm on hers, mumbles something like " Naruto`s hand" , smiles blissfully then falls unconscious into his embrace. The balls of yarn she held scattering for a second time upon the dusty street.

Not surprised but annoyed all the same that his interaction with her once again had been cut short, something that frequently happened, Naruto lets out a long weary sigh. I really wish I could have a good catch up with her without this happening. I mean I can't remember the last time we properly talked. Next time I'll definitely invite her to Ichiraku`s so we can catch up and that's a promise. However those commendable thoughts are swiftly put to the side as he registers that the swell of Hinata`s sizeable chest was now firmly pressed against his own.

"T-This is...this is really nice." He mumbles with a contented and admittedly slightly perverted smile, the colour in his face doing a fair impression of Hinata when she is flustered. Wait, Wait , wait. Hinata`s an important friend and I shouldn't be thinking of her of like that. I WILL NOT become like pervy sage.

Mindful of the few people in the street who had stopped to stare at the unusual scene, Naruto moves swiftly and forces his mind out of the gutter with a shake of the head. Depositing Hinata gently against a home's wall he wastes no time before collecting her goods and sealing them into a scroll. That done he hoists her onto his back and starts to carry her in the direction of the Hyuga compound.

"Best take her home before I cause anymore of a scene." He grumbles as he tries to move through the streets as quickly as possible, hoping that people would give him a break since he was clearly busy carrying an unconscious woman. Hinata`s family should hopefully know how to care for her since it happens all the time. Naruto begins to scowl as he remembers what Neji told him about her home life. Then again her family seems kinda screwed up. I'll make sure they know what they're doing before I leave her with them and worst comes to worst ill drop her off at Kurenai-Sensei`s. Yeah that sounds like a plan, Kurenai-Sensei seems to really care for her old team.

That decided, Naruto continues his journey without incident until Hinata stirs slightly and mumbles dreamily as her grip tightens around his neck, "Mmmm Naruto-Kun."

Stumbling slightly at the utterance, the longing found in the words making his stomach flutter pleasantly; Naruto manages to correct his step and pushes on. I don't know why, but whenever I'm around her these days I get that weird sensation. I mean it's nice and all but I never feel that way around other people. I wonder why? Skirting round a corner Naruto catches sight of the main entrance to the Hyuga compound and lets of a sigh of relief that he made it without further problems. Ahh well it's probably nothing.

AN: Part one of a quick three shot i decided to write after watching "The Last movie" again recently. Part two will be focus on Hinata. Thanks for reading.