AN: Hi, guys! I am happy to announce that I plan to go ahead with this FanFiction, seeing the reactions were positive. I will keep spoiling you with fast updates, as long as I continue getting reviews. I am really trying to be mindful of your criticism.

(*) In this chapter, I will tackle Hinata's confession to Naruto during the fight with Pain. It is important to note, that whilst she confessed her love to him, she used the Japanese word "daisuki" – one can use it in general also to describe loving a certain item (food, clothes, etc.), not necessarily the person you actually love and this point will be further developed in this chapter.

Enjoy!

Bright blue orbs were taking in the ceiling. The darkness of the room was already receding, it must be morning – shortly before sunrise. He woke up early – too early – yet again. A loud sigh.

"The early worm my ass!", he mumbled to himself, furiously rubbing his eyes.

"It's the early bird catches the worm, you idiot!", Kurama teased.

"Yea, yea, whatever, who knew you were so bright anyways, Kurama!", Naruto felt compelled to reply as Kurama simply rolled his eyes and smirked.

The soft mattress curled around Naruto's back as he had the impression of being swallowed whole, though the mattress had little to do with it. The post-war reality was slowly sinking in. He had way too much time, it was all too quiet and that constrained him to finally look inwards, something he hasn't really done in years.

"That's, of course, if you don't count my interactions with Kurama, 'ttebayo!", he thought to himself and started to chuckle. Another sigh. "Man, I really suck at these introspections!"

The weight of all the emotions he has felt was creeping in – no - more accurately barging in, due to the immense volume of unprocessed thoughts. And Naruto was quite oblivious as to how to deal with such matters.

Naruto opened his window rather unceremoniously and leaned over to take in the fresh morning air, noticing that the sun was just about to rise; even so, there was enough light outside to distinguish the all too new buildings populating the village, all of which had to be rebuilt after Pain's attack. The streets were of slightly different widths, even though the houses or shops were in the same places, their design was slightly changed; everything left him with a feeling of being just slightly off, but off enough to cause him an unknown pain in his chest. The uneasy feeling had returned once again and before he allowed himself to be pulled in again by it, he decided to step away from the window - no – that's his way of describing the action, because in fact, to an unbiased observer, he hastily pulled away. He nearly tripped over his blanket in the process. He wanted to scold himself mentally for not making his bed but who is he kidding, he never does it anyways. He picked up the blanket, shook it a couple of times to remove the dust it must have gotten from the floor, and then threw it back on his bed. He nodded, being pleased with himself.

Even so, his mind was now fixed on Pain's assault, and not even tripping was about to shake his thoughts off. Heading to the shower, he threw his thoroughly worn pajama in the laundry basket and stepped into the shower cabin. That day was when she stepped in for him. When she tried to stop Pain. When she said those words to him.

"Hinata…", he mumbled while starting the shower. Cold. It had to be cold, otherwise, his thoughts would consume him whole. The calcar must have partially blocked the openings of the shower because the water streams were thin, nearly painful. It occurred to him just now that she has to have had a crush on him all along. A crush or maybe, more accurately, she admired him from afar. And here lied the key – they seldomly interacted. Was this just admiration, was this the love you have for a good friend of yours? She told him she loved him, rather, that she liked him because her choice of words was leaving room for interpretation (* see AN). She told him she loved him like one can love rain, flowers, or ramen. Like one can love a friend. He loved her like a friend.

For better or for worse, he heard a few shy knocks on his window – the beak of a bird against the glass - and he knew immediately he'd been summoned by the Hokage. Good thing he'd bought to himself more time to avoid introspection! This morning was proving to be not as bad after all!

Stepping into the hallway of the Hokage tower, he started running for the office just as he nearly bumped into Sakura and Hinata. He grinned apologetically and was about to dart again when noticing he was already there. They were actually waiting outside his office as well. Right, Hinata, the object of his earlier thoughts!

As he took in Hinatas appearance in more carefully, he noted that she did not seem well, in fact, he could not shake the feeling that something was off about her; he just considered that she, as well, still mourns Neji or perhaps has a hard time processing the war. He made a mental note to speak to her about it. Maybe it will prove beneficial to both of them. But because he always speaks before he thinks, he just managed to hear himself yelling:

"Hinata, you look horri-", he managed to get out, before a punch came flying to him, accompanied by the usual "BAKA!" and then he expected to be sent flying into one of the walls, but it turned out to be a rather friendly kick from Sakura, one to which he has yet to grow accustomed. She was growing up as well, gone were the times where her tantrums left physical trauma on his body - one should not confuse her tantrums with the moments Naruto actually deserved a healthy beating, because then, she will more than happily provide him with one hell of an ass-whooping. Rubbing his head, he hurried to explain himself.

"I was just wondering if Hinata is fine, I mean she usually looks better - I mean no, I didn't mean good like that- not that she's not looking fine, she just-", he had to leave it as it was and resigned to sigh rather deflated of his poor communication skills. A barely audible chuckle came from the petite Hyuuga and he grinned. Sakura was not to be seen around anymore for one reason or another, so he stepped closer.

Naruto started rambling furiously, while Hinata's giggle accompanied the blond's rants. As Shikamaru was about to turn the corner to the Hokage's office, a strong hand pulled him back. Too lazy to complain, he compromised sighing. Sakura was pressing a finger against her lips, gesturing him to stay quiet – now he got it – the idiot was finally talking to her. Fine by him, fewer people addressing him, less trouble, so he leaned against the wall and buried both his hands into his pockets. He secretly reached for the pack of cigarettes situated deep into his right pocket, following its contour with his thumb. He wanted nothing more than a smoke right now, but he didn't dare even bring that up in front of the village's top medic, Sakura, unless he felt suicidal. Not that he honestly didn't. The death of his father was still weighing in heavily on his mind. Another sigh, this time deeper.

Kakashi's fake and all too joyous demeanor broke his train of thought. That bastard was way too pleased to have woken the whole squad up so early in the morning. The Hokage promptly asked them to step inside for a debriefing.

AN: This is it for today guys, next comes a mission where our protagonists can hopefully bond some more. Please review, that will lead to a faster update. I am also very open to constructive criticism, this is my first FanFiction and I still have lots to learn. Thanks for reading! See you next time! :)