Author's Notes: It's my first ever attempt at doing a multi-chapter fanfic. For some reason there are ideas that are bugging me so I started writing this one to get a peace of mind, heh. Hopefully I can manage to update this regularly. No promises, but I'll do my best!

The basic premise of this story was inspired by a fanart from a long time ago drawn by Izumi. I was checking it again just for fun then that drawing suddenly sparked the idea that started this story. Basically, it was a short comic of before and after NaruHina, where before (Shippuden timeline) Hinata would get flustered and be awkward around Naruto's presence, then after (Post War timeline) Hinata started to be comfortable around Naruto that she only blushes lightly and can openly smile to him, making Naruto start to long for Hinata.

So with that idea, this is a post-war AU where Hinata became comfortable around Naruto that while still shy and in love to him, can act openly around him with little to no awkwardness, while Naruto stars to become hyperaware of Hinata that he's now the one who became bashful around her. So I try to keep them in-character for the most part except for the basic premise of course. So no personality swaps here if that's what you are thinking.

Anyway, I'll stop rambling and hope you guys enjoy the story!

Chapter 1: Ramen

It's going to be a good day! That's what Naruto has been feeling since officially getting out of the hospital. A few weeks have passed, but for him it felt like forever. Aside from attending the memorial for their fallen comrades in the war, he had been cooped up in the hospital grounds ever since the war ended. He didn't expect his body to be worse for the tear, with what's left of his cut off right arm taking quite a while to fully heal and his chakra regenerating slower than usual.

While it's been a bore just being in the hospital and having a bit of unpleasant experience getting nagged on by Tsunade and Sakura on their bad days, some days weren't that bad. He got visited by his friends sometimes, just chatting, playing card games, and even sharing lunch. His most frequent visitor was Hinata, and just from the time they shared together in those visits, he got to catch up with her while enjoying her handmade lunch that was considerately made to be eaten by picking with one hand. They talked a lot from their old missions to their friends and everything in between. It seems this down time with her really improved their friendship.

Now that he's been officially released from the hospital, the only way to celebrate the occasion is of course ramen! There is no other way. Entering the flaps of Ramen Ichiraku, he noticed that there is already a customer eating at the counter. A familiar long dark hair and a light purple jacket with white sleeves was all he needed to see to confirm his companion's identity.

"Hinata! Good to see you here!" He greeted her with his usual energetic voice and bright smile.

"Oh, Naruto-kun. Good morning! I didn't know you are out of the hospital today." She looked back at him and greeted him with a soft smile and a faint blush. Naruto for some reason finally appreciated those pink cheeks of hers when she looks at him.

"Yeah, I forgot to mention to you last time, but I just got out today. Back to my usual strong self as you can see!" He said with a bit more of his bravado. He won't admit but ever since, he wants to show off and look cool to Hinata...probably because he got saved by her multiple times.

"I'm really glad, Naruto-kun…" Hinata said with a short giggle. He also won't admit, but he liked it when she giggles. He felt getting tickled for some reason…

He finally sat and their conversation got interrupted with Teuchi's greeting.

"Oh hey Naruto! Long time no see! Let's celebrate your return here with a ramen of your choice, on the house!"

"Wow, thanks old man! It's suffering at the hospital without ramen!" They both laughed at that. Naruto ordered his favorite miso pork ramen. He then noticed that Hinata had an empty bowl beside her and was currently eating her second bowl of ramen. Wow, he didn't know that she likes ramen so much too…

"So what's up Hinata? Didn't expect you to be here alone."

"Ummm…I was going to wait for Shino-kun and Kiba-kun for our mission today, but I forgot to eat breakfast so I got hungry along the way. So I decided to eat first before heading out."

They continued to chat for a bit until Naruto's order arrived. He really was so excited to eat! After grabbing a pair of chopsticks and an emphatic "Itadakimasu!" he started to grab some noodles. Then he paused, his face started to look mortified when he realized…

He doesn't know how to use the chopsticks left-handed!

The first attempt at grabbing some noodles was a big failure. He just couldn't close out the chopsticks properly when grabbing anything in the bowl. After several attempts, he was sweating hard out of frustration and began to get annoyed. He was thinking of just grabbing the bowl and eating like a savage beast when he realized that would be embarrassing. Especially right now when Hinata was beside him. That would be so uncool.

Just as was contemplating on a non-embarrassing solution to his predicament, Hinata noticed his distress and lightly tugged his long-sleeved shirt.

"Naruto-kun, ummm…d-do you need help? I can assist you if that's okay…"

Naruto was contemplating on what to do. On one hand, accepting her help would be so embarrassing, and really so uncool. Yeah, he's very insistent on not looking so uncool in front of others, especially to Hinata. On the other hand, Hinata is a very kind person, and it is her nature to help others in need. Heck, he was the receiving end of her kindness ever since they were just rookie shinobi. Come to think of it, whenever he tries to think about his interactions with Hinata, it's always about helping him with just about everything he needed at those moments…answers in the written exam, ointment for his wounds, motivational speech when he's down…

"Okay. I am in your care, Hinata!" Well, the latter point won him over and decided to accept her assistance. He hoped she won't think negatively of him being a nuisance and all.

He watched Hinata as she prepared to help him eat his ramen, getting a new set of chopsticks, a small plate and a ceramic spoon. She then grabbed his bowl to place near his face and started getting noodles. Seeing that it's still steaming hot, she then softly blew some air to cool down the strips. He can't help but look at her face and be mesmerized.

He realized upon closer inspection that her eyes have a very beautiful shape. Hyuuga eyes are naturally intimidating, but hers are very pleasant to look at. Her nose has a very cute shape that for some reason he had an urge to pinch (yeah, better not do that now, he thought). Her cheeks look puffy, his hand twitch a bit at just imaging him poking her cheeks (again, stop thinking unnecessary things, he thought). Her lips are pinkish and a bit glossy, probably because of the oil of ramen, and when she lightly blew air her lips looked like she's about to kiss…

He's feeling extra warm for some reason…is it because of the hot ramen in front of him? Definitely it is…he thinks.

Hinata served the noodles and he gladly slurped it. Oh Kami-sama, this is the best! Hinata did the same for the sliced pork, fishcake, ramen broth and nori. Man, being away from ramen has made this tastier than what he used to eat, or maybe because it's being served to him by a friend who he feels so comfortable with, or maybe both. Either way, he was consuming the ramen at a pace that he usually eats it. He was definitely glad now that he accepted her help!

He didn't notice that his ramen bowl is almost empty until Hinata gave him the bowl with only a portion of broth remained. He gladly took it from her and gulped everything until the last drop. He was really satisfied, and he only just consumed a single bowl.

"Thanks Hinata! You really are the best!" He can't control his face from grinning like a fool and from feeling oddly warmer than usual.

"You're welcome, Naruto-kun! I am glad to help you. Oh wait a moment you have some broth on your face…" Hinata then grabbed a napkin from the counter and gently wiped his face.

That gentle touch stunned him. Eyes wide as saucers, mouth open, cheeks felt like burning…

He couldn't comprehend why his heart was beating louder than usual and his mind going blank with just that. Hinata just wiped off something from his face, right?

"That ramen was great, isn't it Naruto-kun?" Hinata said while smiling softly at him.

"Uh…uh-huh…" He couldn't think straight at that moment, still stunned.

Then Hinata felt something from his other hand. A kikaichu. A signal for her to meet her teammates. She grabbed her payment for his and her ramen and called for Teuchi's daughter, Ayame, who just arrived.

"Ayame-san, here's for me and his ramen. Thank you very much! Sorry but I have to go, Naruto-kun…See you later!" with a final wave of goodbye, she left the ramen stall.

"Uh…bye Hinata…" His response is too late though, brain still not fully functional.

Ayame shifted his attention to her favorite customer.

"Hmmm, Naruto, did something good happen? You're blushing mad!"

Blushing!? Did she say he's blushing mad!?

"N-n-no, I'm not! There's nothi-oi why are you smiling like that!?"

He really was blushing, as much as he hates to admit it. And his tomato-colored face remained for quite a while with Ayame's continuous teasing.

-Chapter 1 End-