It's September and the sky is a perfect cloudless blue. I'm walking through the street market, stocking up on food that isn't instant Ramen since Hinata comes round my apartment now.
"Hey, Naruto!" Sakura calls from a few food stands down from me, waving an arm.
I wave and walk toward her. "Sakura, hey. What's up?"
"What's up?" she laughs, "How bout you go first, since you've basically dropped off the map since your date with Hinata."
Sheepishly, I grin at her, running a hand through the back of my hair. It's true, I haven't been out much since that date about three weeks ago. I spend almost every free, waking moment with Hinata. We walk to work together, eat lunch together, and, after work, I spend most of the evening with her either at her place or mine. The only reason I'm not with her now is because she's on a mission outside the village until later tonight. "Sorry, Sakura, I've been a little ..."
"Obsessed with Hinata?" She suggests with a smile.
I chuckle, nodding. "I just want to be around her, make up for all the time I was gone. I guess I forgot about everyone else."
She rolls her eyes, "do you have time to walk with me a while? I need some groceries and I want to hear how things are going." I nod and we wander slowly through market. "So..?"
"So?"
She throws an exasperated look at me "How are things with you and Hinata?"
"Oh," I smile broadly, "great! I mean there are still some times where she mentions how sad she was when I left and then I get sad. But we talk about it and I'd rather that then have her bottle it up."
"I can't get over how mature you are now, Naruto, I keep expecting the dopey kid I knew when we were 13 to come out."
I raise an eyebrow at her, "I'm still pretty dopey. It hasn't all matured. Like I was telling you a few weeks ago, I completely perfected that sexy jutsu." That gets a chuckle out of her. "And I'm still terrible about not being able to keep my mouth shut. Still loud and exuberant, just not as much as before."
"That's true." she gives a quick smile before assuming a comical, business-like expression "But back to what we were talking about. You and Hinata. You guys spend a lot of time together?"
"Yeah. Pretty much every minute we're not at work or sleeping. Like I said, making up for lost time." I shrug, smiling, trying not to feel the tug of sadness that I get whenever I think about those six years.
She keeps looking at me expectantly for a minute before asking, "so what do you guys do?"
Why is she so interested? "We talk a lot. Watch movies. Train." I shrug "Normal stuff."
"So...have you two..." she trails off suggestively.
Oooooh. That's why she's interested. I laugh, "no not yet. Why do you ask?"
"Oh, just something Ino was telling me the other day." Damn, nosy Ino. "She said she walked in on something pretty hot and heavy between the two of you. I was just curious since you told me you two had done it before. I didn't want Ino to be the first to know if that did happen."
It's my turn to roll my eyes, "Don't worry, Sakura, you'll be the first to know. But we're still planning on going more slowly, so don't expect it any time soon" She smiles, satisfied. "So tell about you. I haven't really talked to you about the Sasuke stuff lately or anything else. How are you doing?"
She heaves a deep sigh, switching her bag to her other hand before answering. "I'm getting over it. I realize that he's not coming back and my life is here, I can't go after him. And, at this point, I wouldn't, even if I could. I think I'm okay, Naruto." She hesitates, biting her bottom lip in thought. "Did he seem happy with that other clan?"
I think back to the year I spent watching them. While I'd never describe Sasuke as a happy guy, he definitely seemed less moody there. I remember seeing him offer to clean his elderly neighbors yard after a bad storm and refusing any payment besides some food. "Yeah, I think he was. He lived by himself but there were always visitors and he talked to his neighbors. He did friendly things for them. I don't think he would if he weren't happy there. To me, it seemed like he was making a home there, surrounded by people that care for him."
Sakura nods, smiling wistfully, "I'm glad he found what he was looking for." she takes another deep breath, hesitating slightly and somewhat forcing a cheery grin "But enough about Sasuke. I've sort of been seeing someone. Very casual. I'm thinking of inviting him to Q's this week, so everyone can meet him."
"That's great! What's his name, do I know him?"
"No, I don't think so, he moved here a few months ago from the sand. His name is Kou. He's ...he's a very good guy. I think you'll like him." I smile at her very uncharacteristic blush. I hope things work out with him. Sakura deserves to be happy.
"Can't wait to meet him."
We spend the rest of the afternoon together, buying our groceries and chatting. I've missed spending so much time with Sakura. I'll have to make more time for people who aren't Hinata.
As we reach the end of the line of shops, Sakura and I move to part ways. "Do you want to meet up for dinner later?"
She smiles apologetically, "Sorry, Naruto, I can't tonight. I'm making dinner for Kou." she hefts her bags in my direction, "hence the need for so many groceries. Rain check?"
"Yeah, absolutely. See ya later, Sakura." I throw a hand up in farewell as we walk away from each other. The sun is just starting it's descent in the sky, the afternoon heat clinging to my skin. On my way home I call out a hello to Ino and Sai as they cross my path, looking like they're going out somewhere fancy; Ino in a short, sleek dress and Sai in a nice button down shirt. I can't help but smile. They do make a good couple when they aren't yelling at each other for silly reasons.
I see Konohamaru and his friends too on my way home, stopping to chat a few minutes, until Hanabi meets up with them and they go on their way. I didn't know Hanabi was friends with Konohamaru. She seems kind of cool for them.
The rest of the night is spent making dinner (ramen) and playing some video games. I consider asking Kiba to come over until I remember he's out on the mission with Hinata. Maybe I should get a dog or something. It's a little lonely here without Nata.
I keep checking my phone, hoping she'll get back early and we can still hang out before it gets too late. But no luck there as the clock turns over to 1:06. I stand, yawning and stretching as I walk to my bedroom, taking off my jeans as I go. I open the window wide and switch on the fan set on the desk in front of it, relishing the cool breeze. I tug my tshirt off too and slip into bed. As I roll over, attempting to get more comfortable, I hear a knock on my door.
Groaning, I get back up and pad down the hall. Another knock, "Naruto? Are you awake?" The most beautiful voice in the whole world. I smile, unlocking the door and pulling it open for Hinata.
"Wait" I call, suddenly remembering I'm in just a pair of boxers. "Let me grab a shirt"
She pushes her way in anyway and I catch the tail end of her eye roll. "I've seen you naked, Naruto."
"I guess that is true." I mumble, closing the door again as she pulls off her shoes and drops a backpack on the ground. Her silky hair falls over her bare shoulder as she straightens back up, smoothing her white tank top absently.
Smiling, she moves toward me, arms open, "hi." I pull her in to a hug. It feels especially nice after four days of not seeing her. "I saw your light turn off as I came up to the building so I figured you'd still be awake. I didn't want to wait til tomorrow to see you; we just got back."
"I'm glad you didn't. I missed you."
She pulls back, eyeing my bare chest with a slight blush. "I'll go and let you get back to sleep, it's late."
"No, no. You can stay. I want you stay." I notice now how tired she looks ",Oh but it is late, you probably want to sleep." I look around my dark apartment then back at her, "You could stay the night, sleep here with me. I mean if you want."
"Sleep here?" she gives a huge yawn, "Okay. That sounds nice. Can I take a shower first?"
"Of course," I lead her down the hallway, turning on the bathroom light for her. I pull a clean towel out of the hall closet and hand it to her. "You want a shirt to sleep in?"
She nods, "yes, thank you." She pulls her shirt off as I walk out the door and I get a glimpse of her smooth stomach and purple bra before the wall obscures my vision. I grab an old green tshirt and a pair of boxers, just in case, and dawdle around until I hear the shower turn on and the rustle of the curtain before I set the clothes on top of the closed toilet seat. The pile of clothes on the floor draws my attention and I suddenly can't stop thinking about the fact that my girlfriend is very naked on the other side of that plastic curtain. I force myself to turn away and go back to bed before I do something rash.
A little while later, Hinata's head pokes into the door, smiling sweetly. I pat the bed next to me and she walks over slowly. "Promise you won't be gone when I wake up?" She slides under the sheet, smiling to let me know it's a joke, but it still makes me just a little sad.
I pull her into my arms, inhaling her clean, soapy smell and feeling her damp hair on my shoulder. "I promise."
She snuggles against me, giggles "Do you always wear so little clothing to sleep in?"
I blush "When it's this hot out, yes." I poke her side playfully "Usually no one is around to notice. What, don't like what you see?" I flex my arms, waggling my eyebrows at her.
She laughs quietly, "That's not it at all. Just thinking I might have to stay over more often." She winks and you'd almost believe she wasn't embarrassed if you weren't looking for the light pink in her cheeks.
Scooting down to rest my head on my pillow, I say, "stay over as much as you like. I could get used to seeing those thighs more often." I pull the sheet up to stare at her bare legs. She laughs again, covering them as much as she can with her hands. She swats my hands away and snuggles against my side as the sheet settles back down on us.
She yawns so I reach over and turn off the bedside lamp. "Goodnight, Nata. I'm glad you're back." She cranes her neck up so we can kiss.
"Goodnight, Naruto. Love you"
"You too." I whisper, pulling her closer against me. After a few minutes her breaths slow with sleep. I drift off not too long after that, feeling incredibly happy to have my girl by my side again. Totally worth all of the time and effort and not going on extended missions. It's not even a competition with the feeling I have right now.
(Just a little something. Hope you like it. Thanks for reading)
