author's note: hi, sorry, it's been a while.
Naruto finds himself wandering around Konoha on the rare instance of having what chunins call a "day off". He continues to walk, passing by the occasional colleague or civilian who recognizes him. His aimless trek even stumbles on a few star-struck genin every now and then. Before Naruto knew it, he found himself on a familiar path to a too-familiar building.
The hospital.
For a moment, Naruto's face brightens up and his heart skips a beat. He makes his way to the doors to visit Sakura in a manner that's more instinctual than breathing before stopping as he's about to grab the handle. He remembers that Sakura's been awfully busy lately due to an outbreak of a foreign virus that came from several chunins who came from a mission abroad. Although the issue is contained and handled well, he kicks himself mentally for forgetting that everyone's good health usually comes at the expense of Sakura's free time and energy.
Naruto sighs as he turns away from the medical institution, only to bump into another familiar face.
"Naruto! Sorry, I should've watched where I was going." Tenten says hastily, a faint pink on her cheeks.
"Tenten!" Naruto replies with surprise. "What brings you here today?"
"Oh...it's, umm...my regular check-up. Yeah, check-up." Tenten answers. Naruto's a little thrown off by the reply, but thinks nothing of it.
'Not my business to prod." he thinks to himself.
"How 'bout you? Everything okay?" Tenten asks with concern.
"Oh, yeah, everything's fine. I was just gonna bug Shizu-nee san if she wanted to get lunch with me"
"My, my, are your true colors finally showing? At least let poor Hinata down gently before you go for Shizune-san!" Tenten teases, inciting a blush from the blond. "I didn't think older women were your type, Naruto!"
"It's not like that…" Naruto mumbles, a blush from embarrassment forming on his face.
"I'm kidding! I see how you are with Hina, you two are adorable!" Tenten says with a smile. "Anyway, I should head in, wouldn't want to keep Sakura waiting now. See you later Naruto!"
Naruto snaps out of his embarrassment at the mention of the pink-haired doctor, only to realize that Tenten was halfway through the hospital doors waving at him. He weakly replies with a goodbye that he's not sure is heard, before turning to continue his aimless wandering, this time with a certain bluenette occupying his thoughts.
'Hinata…'
For some reason, the name leaves an indescribable feeling in Naruto. His gut starts to churn with uneasiness and guilt. He's been dating Hinata for roughly the past three months, given both their hectic schedules as jonins. It's a slow burn, but he's been enjoying getting to know the bluenette better as of late.
Naruto chuckles at the thought that before they started dating, Hinata couldn't even look him in the eyes, let alone hold his hands. Now, whenever they're together, there's always some form of physical contact that comes from comfort and familiarity.
Despite that sense of homeliness whenever he's with Hinata, Naruto can't shake off the lingering doubt welling in his stomach about the situation. It's close to happiness, but it's not exactly right.
It doesn't feel right.
It doesn't fit right.
'All this thinking isn't gonna get me anywhere…' Naruto laments. With a sigh of defeat, he makes his way to Ichiraku, hoping a good meal and good company could help him explain what he's feeling.