I'm going to keep posting I DO NOT OWN NARUTO. Now back to the story.
He slept through most of the night until moments before he awoke.
-o-O-o-
Flowers surrounded him as he looked up to the magnificent blue sky. He was mesmerized by the beauty and grace of his surrounding. The feel of the soft breeze enticed him to explore. He wandered down a peaceful dirt path, as he strolled up a hill and was hit with a view of a valley. A vast amount of color was present, as the sun contrasted along the plains. He wasn't sure where he was. He glanced to a river that was close by and slowly walked towards it.
The closer he came to the river the more sounds he heard. As he came within inches of the river, the sound became clear. Laughter carried its way from across the river and into his ears. There was movement in a bush as four shadow figures made their way into his view. Two of which were short and the main source of laughter followed by two taller figures.
He wasn't sure what he was looking at, at first. Then it hit him that it was a family. He watched as the figures ran around and splashed in the water. As stepped closer to get a better look, water rushed up his leg. The figures remained as black figures, but with each step he got a more detailed look.
He could now see two, from the looks of it, little girls playing with each other with their long hair swinging from side to side. He took another step forward, now the water up to his knees. His attention now focused on the older figures. He saw a man and a woman standing next to each other hand in hand. The woman's other hand was resting atop her stomach where there was a visible lump. He was so close and still unable to see any of the people other than their shadow counterpart. He thought his eyes were playing tricks.
As he began to rub at his eyes his vision worsened. The trees and bushes that were behind the family were replete with white light. The man only motioned with his other hand for him to come over. There was a light hesitation before Naruto moved forward. The water was up to his waist and he was passing the middle of the river. He came to a stop as the man slowly moved towards him. As the man got closer he became more identifiable. His face was the first to look normal as he looked back with crystal blue eyes. He saw whisker marks on his cheeks and then long blond hair. The man who presumably was an older version of him had a smile worth a million bucks. He could never remember a smile so pure with happiness, he could only think back to his "fake" I'm fine smile. Just as he was about to say something his eyes jolted open, the sunlight from his window blinded him as he looked around his room.
He wanted to get to the park before any of the girls. As he thought back he couldn't help but kick him self for not telling any of them the time they should meet. He looked over at his clock that read 8:30. He took a second glance to make sure it was right. He had actually gotten a good nights rest and didn't wake so early for once.
He got up, took a shower, brushed his teeth, and put on a orange tee with black shorts before heading out the door. Truth be told he didn't know how things were going to pan out. He had setup a few plans just if necessary but was fine with doing anything they wanted. This would be his first date and to think he had four all today. The thought made his face red.
He stopped at Ichiraku for a bowl of Miso ramen before heading to the library. When he exited the library he held in hand a book on the life of Hashirama Senju, the first Hokage, and set forth to the park. He sat down on the bench and began to read his book in total silence. After awhile he began to fell hot, so he moved over into the shade. Naruto was a decent reader when it came to speed, but compared to his years at the academy he was vastly improved. He turned the page over and at that time he heard two voices making their way towards him.
He looked up to see Ino and Sakura walking with their heads together in conversation. He made two clones appear next to him and gave them a quick nod of the head in the direction of the girls. They soon disappeared from his side and were soon talking to the girls. He didn't hear what the clones had said, but whatever it was made the two girls laugh. They walked off in split directions. What really caught him off guard was Ino holding hands with his clone as they slowly disappeared from sight.
An hour had passed as he remained under the tree, reading his book. He heard footsteps approaching and when he looked up and faced Tenten as she spotted him and was now heading over. She greeted him with an enormous smile as he proceeded to stand. "I promised to help out someone else out too so I hope a clone will go the job" he then gave her a wink and she nodded. He wasn't sure on what side of the fence he should be with Tenten. On one side he promised to help her and on the other he could use this chance to try to find love, as Miyuko would say. He finally came up with the decision to ask her, and let Tenten choose. If she were to actually fall for him then he would have to make a decision if he were to return the love, but if she was still interested in that other guy then he would help as a friend.
Moments later he was left to himself and his book. It had been awhile since Tenten and his clone left and he stood up to stretch from sitting still and reading his book for and hour and a half. He let out a contagious yawn until someone got his attention. She came running out from a bush looking tired. Her lavender hair rested on the breeze and her white eyes focused at him. He smiled and then made a clone appear before him and gave the clone his book. The clone took off as Hinata reached him. "I didn't make you wait did I Naruto?" She asked with a worried look. He shook his head and gave her his usual smile.
He thought that the same concept as Tenten should apply to Hinata. He found himself thinking back to when they were younger; she would always get sick whenever he was around, she would suddenly have a fever. It always struck him as odd that she would pass out only by his presence. They continued walking until they were at the end of the path, where the park ended and buildings surrounded. He felt his throat close as he tried to ask her if there was anything she wanted to do in particular. He looked over at her and the words again refused to leave from his mouth. She only looked back trying to decipher what he was trying to communicate.
It was almost as if the heavens heard about Narutos situation and sent him a gift as Hinatas stomach growled at that moment. She looked down in embarrassment and Naruto used it as a way to go do something and start this date or whatever it was. He grabbed her hand and headed towards a little restaurant he knew of that was not far away. He at first started to speed walk with Hinata stumbling behind, but then slowed his movement to where he was walking normally. She soon caught up and was now walking next to him. She had a heavy blush as he began to apologize for almost giving her whiplash.
They walked all the way to the restaurant and then he realized he was still holding her hand. He suddenly reddened as they sat at a table and finally unlocked hands. Her hands were so soft he thought to himself.
They began to chitchat as they waited for a waiter to come by and he found out she had been sparring with Neji the whole afternoon before she met him. It seems Neji had tried to make her train for longer, but then she finally told him she had to meet someone. He was impressed; he had always seen Hinata as a hard worker. He remembered the Chunin exam they had both participated in when they were younger. She really gave it her all back then.
The waiter came over and placed two menus down for the two to look at. She opened hers and began to inspect the diverse menu. She looked over at Naruto who didn't open his and instead stared at the clouds. He looked back down and faced her. She then looked back down at the menu and pretended she wasn't just ogling him. "You know what's best on the menu? The Mapo Tofu" he said cheerfully. She closed her menu and said "sounds good" along with a smile. She honestly had no clue what to order.
When the waiter returned they both ordered the Mapo Tofu. They began to talk again as they waited for their food. "Um uh Naruto, why did you ask for a date out of no where?" she asked trying to break the ice. He only reddened again. She began to fidget with her fingers as she waited for his reply. "Well I asked you on a d-date because" he began to lose his cool. "I think I might like you" he silently cursed himself for saying the first thing on his mind. She only blushed again as she began to open her mouth. "I-I li" she was interrupted by the waiter as he placed two plates of Mapo Tofu in front of them.
She looked back at Naruto to see him gazing at his plate. She looked down at hers then her stomach became priority as well. They silently ate the spicy yet delicious food. She couldn't believe how good it was. When they were done eating he paid the check, left a tip and now gestured for her to follow him. He wanted to take her to see the view of the village at his favorite bench. He for some reason wanted to feel and hold her hand again, but rejected the thought.
It took them awhile, but then they finally made it half way up the hill to where his bench was stationed. She sat next to him as they stared at the view of the village. It was slowly getting darker and the lights of homes began to appear, creating an entirely different view. They talked about all kinds of different past experiences, such as missions they went on when they were younger. They talked, laughed and then noticed how much time has passed.
It was now night, but there was one last thing he wanted to do before he walked her home. He reached for her hand as they went back down the hill and passed and few trees. They were on no path, passing trees as Naruto led them to an open area of grass. He made a clone appear and soon the clone was gone. She wondered where the clone was going. There was a chili breeze that passed causing her to shiver. They looked up at the night sky and were acquainted by many stars. The view again was breath taking. She wondered how Naruto was able to find all the places he took her today.
There was loud footsteps approaching as the clone returned with a scroll on his back. Naruto took the scroll and opened it. He made hand signs and then a few items were dispelled from the scroll. The clone disappeared leaving a small cloud of smoke. She looked over at what he retrieved from the scroll and saw a blanket, firewood, chocolate, graham crackers, and marshmallows. He handed her the blanket as he began to start the fire. She wrapped herself in it not for the warmth, but because the smell of Naruto was present. She breathed in deeply and signed.
"I've always wanted to eat these like this" he proclaimed as he opened the bag of marshmallows. She smiled as she moved closer to the fire and offered him part of the blanket. They sat next to each other oddly close, roasting marshmallows and eating smores. It was only after awhile she noticed the blanket was vertical and they had been sharing the shorter side. She blushed heavily as he put his arm around her shoulder.
"You know that guy you like, well I really hope it all works out for you two." She turned around to face him and she wanted to tell him that it was always him, but the words never were made. He got up after moments of silence as put the fire out. He put the blanket and plastic wrappings of trash in the scroll and grabbed Hinatas hand once more. It was already getting late and he didn't want her to get into trouble for showing up late.
They walked up to Hyuga complex as she waved back at him. In the corner of his eye he saw someone step out from the shadows. He quickly went into a combat stance until he recognized the person. He looked back at him with a smile and pearl white eyes. As Neji made it over to where he was he couldn't stop thinking about that odd smile on his face. Maybe it was because he was so serious all the time, but why is he all happy right at this moment.
"I just want to say one thing to you, Naruto." Neji stated as looked him in the eye. "That is thank you." Naruto was confused for second before he realized that his clone must have helped Tenten. He slightly nodded said "It was nothing" along with his trademark smile.
After turning the corner, he headed straight for home. As he opened the door to his apartment three other Narutos greeted him. They all smiled back at each other as they remember their date. The rule was that the clones were to go about their date, but when the date was over they would meet at the apartment. This was to prevent him from receiving memories of the other dates while on his own.
In an instance the clones were replaced by smoke and Naruto gained the memories of his dates. His hand came to his lips as he learned about the kiss he and Sakura shared. He was at a lose for words as he stood in silence recollecting his memory of the kiss. Someone knocking on the door interrupted his thoughts. He went to open the door and faced Miyuko.
She looked back at him almost reading his thoughts. She let herself in and sat down on the couch. The smell of jasmine hit him strongly as she began to speak "How was the dates," she asked with a smirk. "I would never have guessed" he replied. He closed the door and went over to the kitchen to put a pot on the stove for tea. For the next twenty minutes he explained to her the events of earlier on his dates while they sipped tea in between. At the end she only replied with an accepting nod. "Sounds like you did everything right and I have to give you kudos for being straight forward."
He left from the couch to fetch something from his room. He returned with two cards in his hands. He was in the moment of handing them over to her when he noticed something that was not on the cards before. He looked down at the cards that now had words present. He looked confused as he read the words "Love is near." He handed them to Miyuko and she closely inspected them. She looked back up with a smile. "I know what this means" her smile now growing. He continued to look back confused. "This means that you will find love very soon." She nudged him.
She got up and headed toward the door, her hand hovered over the knob as he asked her one last question. "When is very soon?" She remained facing the door. "Within a week, could be tonight, but no later." He remained staring at the door even as she left. His hand slowly made its way up to his lips. He was alone, with only his thoughts.
Did anyone catch the Angel Beats reference or the Sybil reference in chapter 2? I'm just full of references. That also includes the Cindy reference in chapter 1 ;)