Naruto Uzumaki kicked up dust as he made his way out of the Sand Village, having just debriefed Gaara on the events that took place just a few months ago. Lady Tsunade was in the process of stepping down as hokage, allowing Kakashi to take her place. One of her last acts was sending Naruto out to explain to all the Kages just what had transpired while they were under Madara's sinister Infinite Tsukuyomi.

He fidgeted with the bandages on his right hand, recently restored thanks to Tsunade's medical expertise. The Sand Village was his last stop on his lengthly journey, and he was eager to return home to his village and his friends. While he had missed his friends dearly, it was a welcome change being just a part of the crowd, and not the savior of the world as he was known as in his home village. Still, that did not stop those from the other nations who had fought in the war from approaching him and asking him countless questions, but he was not one to complain.

His eyes scanned the skies as he entered the forest that his village called home. He was looking for Sasuke's eagle. They had met up a few occasions after Sasuke's departure from the Hidden Leaf. He had asked Naruto to keep it just between them, not wanting to hurt Sakura's feelings. Sasuke was clear to explain to Naruto that they were not "hanging out" and were strictly updating each other on new information, but Naruto had a feeling he enjoyed the company.

Now noticing the eagle perched on a tree nearby, Naruto's eyes scanned the surrounding for signs of his friend. Seeing nothing, Naruto sat down and begun building a fire and boiling water to get his instant ramen going. He figured Sasuke would show up when he wanted to. It wasn't until the water had reached a boil that a voice called from behind him.

"Oi, Naruto!"

Turning around, Naruto acknowledged his greeting with a nod of his head, preoccupied with trying to pry the lid of his cup of ramen. Sasuke sat without a word- Just his style - Naruto noted. It wasn't until Naruto had pouring the contents of the cup into the boiling water that he spoke.

"What's cookin' good lookin'."

Sasuke narrowed his eyes, "Why are you the way that you are?"

Naruto ignored the response, chuckling to himself. He knew precisely how to get under his friend's skin.

Sasuke turned to look at the fire, "I've got new leads on Kaguya. Apparently there exists a tablet somewhere in the land of lightning. One said to have been left behind by the Sage of Six Paths, that no one has been able to transcribe."

"Sounds like a job for that freaky eye of yours."

"That's what I was thinking."

Naruto took the pot off the fire, pouring the ramen into the empty bowl in front of him, "And after you find the tablet? What then?"

Sasuke looked at him, "I'm not sure, right now I need to make sure that there are no foes as mighty as Kaguya threatening the land."

Naruto stared at his ramen, impatiently waiting for it to cool down. "Are you sure you don't want to come back to the village afterwards?" He leaned in, "You know, I know someone who'd be very happy to see you again." He then gave Sasuke a look that made him shudder, and began to raise his brow very suggestively, "Someone like Sakura."

"I will come back to the village when I'm ready, and to her when I come to terms with all that's happened." Sasuke leaned back and raised an eyebrow, "And what of you, captain dickless, have your eye on any girl in particular?

Naruto had a slight blush to his cheeks as his thoughts went straight to a certain pale-eyed beauty. Hinata, he had not gotten a chance to talk to her much since the war had ended. It wasn't until her confession to him during his fight with Pein that he began to see her in a romantic light. And it wasn't until her tearful speech following Neji's death that he began to feel the deep warmth in his stomach every time his thoughts went to her.

"Um, no, why?" Naruto asked defensively.

Sasuke looked over at him with a slight grin, "Are you sure it isn't that Hyuga girl?"

"What? How?! I'm not-?!" Naruto started now turning a deeper shade of red. "Why do you say that?"

Sasuke leaned in real close, looking him in the eyes, and uttered in a deathly serious tone, "My rinnengan allows me to read minds, Naruto."

Naruto gaped at him, nearly dropping his food, looking visibly shaken. Clearly alarmed, he looked back and forth a few times before leaning in and whispering, "Are you being serious?"

A smirk came to his face, "Of course not you idiot, you clearly haven't gotten any brighter since our Team 7 days."

"You're an asshole." Naruto shot back at him as he began to pack up his stuff.

"Consider it payback for your first comment, you fruitcake." His tone feigning indifference.

Naruto stood up and slung his backpack over his shoulder and stood up, choosing to ignore his comment. He stopped in his tracks when he heard Sasuke say, "You should try talking to her, Naruto."

Easier said than done. He thought to himself grimly. Naruto turned around and said softly, "I dunno, its been a while since she confessed to me, I'm not sure if she feels the same now as she did then."

"I'd say she does."

"How do you know?"

Sasuke stood up and gestured to his eye, "I think I already told you." Giving Naruto a slight smirk as he turned around and started walking the other way.

Naruto scoffed, "I'll see you around, send word when you have more news." Naruto gave him a wave before breaking into a jog towards the Leaf Village.

He isn't exactly a social butterfly, but he's right in saying I should talk to Hinata. Whether she feels the same or not, I owe it to her for all she's done for me. Naruto began to speed up before jumping into a tree, hesitating a moment. I'll talk to her tonight. He smiled to himself. Remembering the times where he was still the village outcast. I was always the odd one out, huh Hinata. Everyone treated me like dirt, but you, you were something special.

With that, he set out with new vigor toward his home, excited to see all his friends again for the first time in a while. Making use of his inhuman stamina, he jumped from tree to tree with earnest as he saw the village coming into view. I'm coming Hinata. He thought to himself. He jumped onto the path leading up to the village gates, slowing to a walk. It's time. He stepped through the gates with vigor, and thought he saw a glimpse of her raven hair standing next to Kiba when all of the sudden-

POOF

"What's up kid?"

Naruto looked up at what appeared to be a giant reddish toad. Gamakichi?

"Eat up now, I made my finest dish just for you. We have a lot to talk about you know!" Naruto instantly recognized it as the voice of Ma. And in front of him laid a warm and fresh bowl of insects.

Great, just great.