This was written so long ago I don't even remember who was following her. So, here it is a darker superhero au because I am still lame af.

Right before Naruto walked into the restaurant, she knew she was being followed. She felt something twitch in her back and years of drills taught her to pause and focus. Pretending to tie her shoes, she knelt down and cocked her head as hands worked the laces into double knots. Just in case running would be involved.

People stepped by her without a glance and she couldn't hear anything pause to wait. That just meant it wasn't an ordinary person after her which just really made things worse. A cape maybe? She was dressed down in civies and even then very few villians would be so disrespectful to bother her now.

Unless, of course, it was tiny, sandy, and broody again. Because crawling into her sheets once a month wasn't enough obviously for him. In that case, she would grab a bite and shoo him off back to his own city. Naruto really didn't feel dealing with 'mommy issues' and being spooned all night while sand filled her bed. Three times was enough, especially after the biting last time.

Whomever it was, she could still sense them watching her as she straightened up and grimaced. It probably was just Gaara or someone else keeping an eye on her movements. Both sides tended to follow their target till one dropped their civvies and then it was free game. That was most likely all it was and they were going to be very disappointed. All she wanted was to stuff herself full of warm noodles and broth.

Slapping on a grin, she strode through the doors and called out to the old man behind the counter. They talked for a bit and discussed a new recipe he was trying out whilst his daughter served up a bowl to Naruto. The taste of salt and fat melted on her tongue and just for a minute, she let herself forget anything of concern. Just her, ramen, and the white noise of the restaurant.

It still wasn't enough for her to consider another bowl like usual. Kakashi would've already smacked her head if he knew she had ate while someone was trailing her. What if they attacked, Naruto? You'll be too busy vomiting to stop them from catching you! And let me tell you what they would do once they did in vivid details. With included graphs of course.

Great mentor. Bad everything else.

Sadly declining another bowl, she rose from the stool and casually made her way out of the restaurant. As soon as the door closed behind, she was glancing around to see if anything was different. Nothing was different which could mean the stalker had left. Or at least was waiting for her to leave. At this rate nothing was going to happen from their end and that left her no choice but to start shit on her own.

At least just to make them back off before she headed home. Taking a quick turn down an alley, Naruto went a few feet before breaking out into a sprint. Clambering over a dumpster, she lept and snagged the tail end of a fire escape. A few moments later and she was alone on the rooftops.

Not even giving a pause to check her surroundings, the girl sped over the cracked cement and jumped from roof to roof. The buildings in this area were jam-packed together like sadrines and she could vaguely remember training on them. These jumps were easy and didn't even require to roll on impact. Right now, that made it easy to gain some distance until she reached a safe spot up ahead.

Soon, she was doubled over panting in a little dead-end alley sheltered by looming walls and criss-crossed clothesline. The only way out was a tight squeeze flanked by two large dumpsters. Kakashi had been the one to guide her here and explain that while you couldn't jump down here or climb out, that meant no one else could. A good place to rest and call for help if needed.

Of course, Naruto lacked a phone. Which was her own dumb fault earlier for leaving it at home. Now she was stuck here and the apartment was the opposite way.

Worst part was she could still fell herself being watched. An overwhelming sense that pricked at her skin and made her breaths shorten into gasps. Backing further into a corner, she struggled to calm herself down and try to make sense of the situation.

Naruto was being followed. The person had been able to tail her easily even as she ran. No attack yet; why? Were they waiting for her to reveal herself as a cape? No, they would have realized she wasn't switching to that tonight. Okay so, they didn't care about that.

Nothing appeared in that little opening, but the sense of dread seemed to double and buckle down on her. That was a normal response but-

Mental attack? Always a chance even if that was rare. If they wanted her dead though they were taking their time doing it. Unless they were just toying with Naruto until she did something funny and they either struck or left.

Or, Naruto was just becoming a parinoid sack of bones like Kakashi. That made more sense actually than anything else so far. Ever since she had come back from that mess with Gaara, every shadow had a monster hidden and each odd noise would herald her death. Even now, passing by a pile of sand had her jittery!

Once again, her problems boiled down to 'fuck you Gaara'. With a nice dash of, 'you suck at raising kids Kakashi'. Per the usual.