It's a little cold outside.

In this dark forest...

And they should really find an inn- the nearest one being six miles. But the embers emitting from the small bonfire created a trail of what looked to be stardust in the sky… and it looks magical to him. The stardust momentarily distracts him from thoughts skewing his reality.

It's a little cold outside, and his mother's blue and orange scarf felt like it was choking his neck.

But the faint smell of cherries filled his nostrils as he buried his face deep within the warm wool… and he briefly wondered how, after all these years, a scarf so old could still carry a scent so new, evoking a strange sense of unfamiliar nostalgia.

It's a little- no... It's definitely cold outside, and he's currently on a mission. But he's distracted by words that fuel his thoughts into a raging fire which stains his cheeks red.

Or was it the frosty night air? The night that swallows his warmth until his toes and fingers go numb...

Nonetheless, he's distracted by words that make him feel...something.

Something that he buried deep inside of his mind, to the deepest depths so that hopefully, they could eventually fade away. Those thoughts...these unproclaimed feelings that make no sense to him.

They all start floating back to him. Little by little.

Her words...somehow managed their way in the chambers of his heart. They made him feel warm inside. Maybe a little too much-

"Naruto? What's wrong?"

He blinks and looks up towards the questioning pinkette. Her brow raised and her arms crossed. She was probably watching him for a while.

"You're unusually quiet this evening."

There's nothing wrong. At least not anymore. They didn't need to know that, though.

His nose pokes out from the striped scarf, the crisp air chilling his pores, and he shoots her a warm smile. "Nothin's wrong, Sakura-chan," he could see his breath in the cool air, "Just tryna warm up."

Sakura and Sai side-eye each other.

"We could camp out here for the night, or find an inn close by. I suggest finding an inn, though." Sakura says, rubbing her hands together.

The creation of their small bonfire separates him from their teammates. Towering trees loom over them on this starry night, small dark clouds create patches in the sky. He sits with his legs crossed, and his hands are buried in the opposite sleeves of his coat.

He huffs into the cool air.

"Very well. Before that, let's discuss the new location of where the bandits might be hiding" Sai starts, taking a scroll out of his bag. Naruto nods. But he's only partially listening.

He's trying to focus.

Really! He is...but his mind keeps swirling back to her and it makes him want to stop everything they're doing and run back to Konoha.

'I didn't mind the touching part.'

His eyebrows knotted into a frown.

Did she really think he would just drop it? Because he's not dropping it. Why would he?

He tried to forget about it. To forget about her and that sorrowful look on her face. Forget about her and that guilty edge to her voice. Because she wanted to forget about it. And he tried for her sake. Tried to steer his mind elsewhere but he couldn't stop himself. It was the only thing he could think about.

And it twisted and mangled his fragile little heart. It squeezed his insides and made his gut clenched. Because she didn't mind.

She didn't mind…

She didn't mind the way his hands slid over her warm, soft body. She didn't mind the subtle way his fingertips would trail across her flesh, tracing each slope of her soft skin, each curve...

His mouth suddenly felt dry, and he swallowed. Hard.

This shouldn't be affecting him so much. He shouldn't be thinking about her like this!

He deeply exhales.

Fuck.

Frustrated, he drags his hands down his face. And then a sharp pain abruptly strikes his forehead.

"Naruto!"

"Are you even listening?!"

"Ow! That hurts, y'know!" He pouts, rubbing his head.

Apparently, Sakura picked up a pebble and threw it at his head. And now she's sending a mean glare his way.

Oops.

Sakura crosses her arms and sighs, her warm breath looking like smoke in the chilly night air. The glare that was on her face turns soft until it morphs into a look of concern. "You need to tell us what's going with you. I know that look on your face. When you get like this...all spacey on us as if something is on your mind, it lets us know that you're bothered... So tell us what's up with you! It's been distracting you from the mission and causing you to act carelessly all day! Now spill," she finishes, tapping her fingers on her forearm.

Naruto looks at her with his mouth agape and turns to Sai for support. But then he saw that stupid smile on his stupid pale face, and he lost all hope. "Sakura's right, Naruto," Sai begins in that eerily calm voice, "That dopey look on your face lets us know that you are, in fact, not paying attention to us."

"It's not that important! Also, I always tell you what's going on with me!"

"You think you do, but you don't," Sakura says matter-of-factly.

"Do too!"

"Do not!"

"Naruto, I'd have to agree with Sakura on this one," the pale shinobi starts, and Naruto lets out an audible sigh, preparing himself for his friend's explanation. "From my observations, you get quiet when something is bothering you. It's honestly a little nerve-wracking. Especially considering how boisterous you usually are."

You've got to be kidding me.

He feels Sakura's eyes on him, and he gulps.

"Is it… a girl?"

Just how could she have guessed that?

He fails to hide the nervous chuckle that escapes his lips and shakes his head in disagreement. "What!? No, haha...nooo. Heh, um...what makes you, ah, think that…?"

"So it is a girl." Sai ponders.

"I just said no!"

"It's stated in my readings that slight stuttering accompanied by uneasy laughter is caused by-"

"No. Nope! We are not talking about this."

Sakura ignores his comment as she grins, her eyes alive in mischief. "I'm surprised, to say the least," she rubs her chin, her brows furrowing in thought. "I wonder who the lucky girl is…"

Naruto rolls his eyes and huffs.

It's not his fault that he often thinks of her. Even at times that were inappropriate he sometimes catches himself thinking about her.

Again, it's not his fault.

If anything, she said those weird words! It's her fault!

Yeah...definitely.

He tries not to think about her and looks up into the transcending dark atmosphere. Once again that damned white orb captures his eyes. He sighs, giving up on not thinking about her. The gentle sway of the wind wisps his cheeks, and for the millionth time, he thinks about how the moon will forever envy the forlorn look in her eyes.


Inquisitive minds often lead to trouble.

Curiosity killed the cat, so the saying goes.

Or rather, a fox in this case.

Being inquisitive can be a great thing because it helps decipher the situation at hand...and that's only if one is cognizant of the situation.

Naruto thinks he's inquisitive. A little too inquisitive at times. In all honesty, the word 'inquisitive' has a more positive connotation for the word nosy. Because nobody likes a nosy person.

But Naruto thinks that in this case, being nosy is a necessity.

He wouldn't even call it being nosy… no, no. He would preferably use the word inquisitive.

Because right now, it appears to him that Hinata is eating ramen with the very guy that he got into an argument with not too long ago.

Interesting.

Team seven just got back from their mission not too long ago. They arrived at the gates, and Naruto breathed in a fresh breath of air. It felt good to be home after another successful, easy mission. Getting to the Hokage tower and debriefing felt good too, especially with his sensei. They got out. Sai parted ways. He and Sakura decided to go for a meal at Ichiraku's. Life was great.

But then, in a shocking turn of events, yellow makes contact with blue. And a temporary frown covers his features.

Across from Ichirakus, he stands there. Making eye contact with that guy.

His face was turned so Naruto could only see his side profile, but his one visible eye was on Naruto.

He was giving him the side-eye.

Tch.

Naruto knows for a fact that he recognizes him. Hell, he better.

His lips were moving, talking to the girl that he so desperately wanted to see right next to him. And for some reason, it annoys him.

How do they even know each other?

He probably looks creepy standing across the street from his favorite restaurant. He and that guy having an ultimate staredown, but he didn't give a rat's ass.

Because this guy was testing his patience.

Neither of them breaks eye contact. It was the stare-down of what felt like the century. And to top it all off, he was sitting by Hinata! Hinata out of all people! And she was talking to him which made Naruto feel a little weird. He figures she needs to be warier of the people she surrounds herself with.

It was starting to feel like a millennium now, but neither of them break eye contact. No, not yet. Naruto can already feel his blood boiling. His senses raging. Because what was a guy like him doing with a girl like her?

He didn't even know her. He didn't know Hinata as Naruto did. Was he the replacement for the time he was gone on missions? Because why else would Hinata be talking with him instead of her teammates?

Naruto scoffs at the thought.

She was sitting kind of close to him. There was nobody else in the booth but her and that stupid guy.

And she was looking at him, talking to him and smiling. All while that guy was staring at him from the corner of his eye.

He starts to move forward when a hand stops him.

"Naruto, what's wrong?"

He feels Sakura next to him and turns towards her, pulled from his raging thoughts. He blinks, looking over once more to the pair, only to find that guy's full undivided attention on Hinata.

Now he wants to turn away?

He asks who that guy next to Hinata is.

"I dunno." Sakura shrugs carelessly, as she stands right beside him observing the pair, "probably a suitor."

But Sai told him that Ino told him that she wasn't seeing suitors anymore. He thinks on that topic more before replying. "I thought she wasn't seeing suitors anymore?"

"Why does it matter again?" The pinkette questions with her arms crossed, obviously annoyed by his behavior.

"Because I'm pretty sure it's not a suitor!" He defends, hands gesturing in the air.

"Gods, Naruto I don't know! They probably like each other. She's an attractive girl, and I assume he's an attractive guy." Sakura takes a peek at them, inspecting the pair.

Naruto shakes his head and looks back at them.

She was laughing. Not like a real laugh, but those small giggles that he would consider from her to be a laugh. The type of laugh she would let out when they were together.

It was just...weird. Seeing her laugh with some random guy other than him- or her teammates. Or any of their male friends for that matter.

"It's just weird seeing her being friendly with other people." he shrugs it off, trying to not let it affect him as much. Because he knows he's overreacting over such a small thing.

"Naruto...what. She's friendly with literally everyone."

"No! I mean like...laughing with people outside of our friend group y'know. Because she's shy and all."

He knew she wasn't that shy anymore. But he's kind of losing the argument, so...

He turns and watches Sakura lift a quizzical brow with what appears to be a knowing look in her eye. He looks at her, obviously confused. "What?"

There's a smirk on her face that bothers him, and he's frowning at her. Her next words baffle him. "Does this bother you, Naruto?"

"W-what!? Of course not!" His voice is a few octaves higher than he intended it to be, and he clears his throat, trying to play it off, nice and cool. "I'm just a, ah… inquisitive person, y'know? Besides, shouldn't we look after our friends and who they're with?"

Sakura rolls her eyes, and he turns back to eye that guy with Hinata, and he watches him put a hand on her shoulder.

His jaw automatically clenches at the sight.

He hears an audible sigh next to him, and there's a slight comforting tone in Sakura's voice, "I don't think it's that serious, Naruto."

"Yeah, I know…" he says offhandedly.

He exhales and turns to the medic next to him, a little embarrassed of what he's about to tell her. He's not even sure why he's embarrassed, but in the back of his mind, he probably knows that he's reaching. "Look, I just have a bad feeling about that guy. I haven't told you this before, but I've met him, and got into a slight altercation with him."

Sakura tilts her head at him, a confused look etched on her face as she shifts beside him, watching the pair in front of them. "You did?"

"Yeah," he says absentmindedly, as he turns to watch the pair as well.

There's no reason for him to be so tense. It's not like he's worried or anything, because Hinata can take care of herself. But that guy is with her and they're both laughing at Gods know what-

He's already making his way over to them when he feels a hand on his shoulder, halting his movements.

"What do you think you're doing?"

"Checking up on Hinata." he continues forward. But Sakura's fierce grip stops him in his tracks. Her hands are on her hips, and she's sporting a scolding look on her face that he doesn't wasn't to challenge.

"No, you're not."

He shrugs casually, frowning at Sakura's weird behavior. What's gotten into her all of a sudden? It's not like he was doing anything wrong. He even bets with himself that this isn't even a date.

Yeah...it's not. Because she would tell him these sort of things…

"It's not like they're on a date or anything."

"And how do you know that?"

"Because she would've told me."

Sakura rolls her eyes, groaning an audible sigh as she pats his shoulder, and he gives her a questionable look. He notes the curious gleam in her eye and decides not to press on it. "I'm sure Hinata will be fine, Naruto. She's a grown woman who can take care of herself. The last thing she would want is a friend barging in on her date, ruining everything." She finishes with a glare before walking away, and Naruto thinks to follow her. To forget about the sight in front of him and take the pinkett's advice.

Because Sakura is right. It's none of his business, whether Hinata would tell him or not. If this is what she wants, then so be it.

Hinata would be mad, anyway. Right? It's best to leave it be...

"Let's go find somewhere else to eat." She calls over her shoulder, and Naruto nods.

It was Hinata's choice to have ramen with that guy. Not his.

So he decides to leave them alone.

He stuffs his hands in his pockets and turns to follow in his teammate's strides. But a sudden thought halts his movements, freezing him in the middle of the street. Civilians all over move smoothly around him.

How did Sakura know that everything will be fine? He knows he should take in the medic's consideration. She has a fair point. He really shouldn't barge in on them...and whatever the hell they had going on.

But...for some reason, it irked him. Watching them together.

And deep down, he had an unknown feeling why.

Maybe it's because he's a creep! That's why!

He can feel Kurama shift in his mind, throwing off their connection a little bit. He pays little mind to that, though, because Hinata was giggling at something that guy was saying! Again! She even blushed at whatever comments he was feeding her.

Blushes that were meant for only him.

He watches the guy lean towards her, his hand once again on her shoulder. And all self-restraint inside Naruto disintegrates.

The faint calls of Sakura can be heard in the background as he walks over to them. His strides are calm. The smile on his face masking the storm raging within.

"Hey, Hinata!"

He waves, appearing on the other side of her, then plops himself down on the seat. She looks at him with wide eyes, before giving him a smile in return. "...Hi, Naruto-Kun. Welcome back from your mission."

He thanks her, then flickers his gaze to the guy, then back to her. Looking at her side profile made his cheeks tingle. Only for a little bit.

"Were you eating alone?" he questions, and from his peripheral he can see the guy's jaw clench, his shoulders tensing.

He knew that she wasn't, but he had to play dumb.

He triumphantly smirks as his eyes sought hers again.

Hinata looks at him carefully, her cynical eyes watchful.

"No, um- Kaito-san here is accompanying me for lunch," she vaguely says.

"Nice. Wanna come over after this?"

He watches them both pause.

He hears a subtle scoff from yellow eyes, and Hinata tentatively smiles, asking a question of her own, "...have you two met before?"

Her question was ignored.

For some reason, though, yellow eyes here decided to answer his previous question. "Actually, Hinata-san and I will be taking a stroll after this," he says tersely. "Sorry to inconvenience you." Yellow eyes turn to make eye contact with him before Naruto scoffs and looks back at Hinata.

"Oh," the jinjurki shrugs, not caring at all. "So later tonight?"

His eyes flicker over to yellow eyes and he notices the slight frown on his face. Naruto cheers inside. It's kinda fun making this guy mad.

He looks at Hinata and knows that amid her baffled expression, hidden in her eyes was a glint of amusement. But she also looked confused, as if she were in battle with her thoughts.

"Okay, later this evening it is." she finally says.

He triumphantly smirks, leaning against the counter.

Him barging in on whatever the hell was going here was a success. Light work, if anything.

Because now that guy knows what he's dealing with if he wants to involve himself with Hinata. And no matter what, he will make sure that yellow eyes will know his place.


She was starting to confuse him the more he thought about her. Hell, he was starting to think about her a lot more than he should.

Yeah, it gave him a headache here and there. But it's whatever to him at this point. He guessed in a way...that she was worth the ache. However weird it might sound.

He was certain and doubtful all at once with her, and it caused his head to go for a loop. His heart lurched in all ways but a steady beat. And he couldn't catch it to save his life.

So he ignores the unstable thrashing of his heart, and tunes in to the presence next to him.

Having her in his apartment was always nice. Her scent is also very nice.

Warm vanilla stings his lungs as she sits right next to him, and it sends waves of comfort through his entire body, instantly relaxing him. The thrashing of his heart calming into a steady stride.

It's getting a little weird… how enamored he's becoming with her scent. Like a drug, he was slowly becoming, dare he say, addicted.

Almost as if he's unlocking a new level of being the ultimate perv.

Dwelling on that thought a little longer than needed, he realizes that he is not happy with that testament.

Hearing her shift beside him, he turns to look at her, her doe-like lavender eyes narrowed in what appears to be thought, scanning over some scroll that he discarded ages ago. It was a scroll that he tossed to the side because he got bored of it. Reading it a million times over until he ran out of fucks to give to even try to understand it. And yet, here she is reading the scroll, her eyes taking in the words, sucking up whatever message that stupid scroll conveyed like her life depended on it.

And it was so interesting. How different they were from one another. And yet they seem to correspond so well with each other. He inwardly smiles at the thought.

He also thinks about how he'd stumble upon new things about her. He knew that she liked plants, so that wasn't a surprise to him. He liked plants too. But for everything else...it kinda stings inside that he never thought about the little things that made Hinata...Hinata.

For instance her cooking or her passion for sewing. How she preferred cool starry nights over a warm sunny morning. Or how red was in her top three favorite colors.

Why didn't he pay attention to the finger-pressing thing she did as a kid? Because according to Kiba, she did it often.

How come he wasn't aware of the fact that she liked cinnamon buns so much but everyone else knew? It will forever remain a mystery to him.

Why does this bother him so much? He's not really sure. He doesn't know everyone down to the touch...except for team seven of course. So this shouldn't be bothering him at all.

All of his friends were important to him. He doesn't need to know every single detail about his precious friends to have an awesome connection.

And Hinata was a precious friend to him. They had a connection based on the foundation of friendship. He thinks it's a good connection...as long as he doesn't fuck up in the end.

But for some reason, he wanted to know more about her. Ever since those famous words spilled from her mouth.

He wants to know everything about her and why she does the things that she does and why she feels the way that she feels. And sue him for wanting to dig a little deeper. But what more is there to her that he's missing? He knows something is missing, at least now he does. He feels it in his gut. It's crawling up his skin. Making his nerves all jittery and stuff. There's something else to her that he exclusively doesn't know about. And he wants to figure it out before that weird ass guy that she's starting to hang around does.

Because they seem a little too close for his liking.

He deeply exhales through his nose.

Hinata, Hinata, Hinata.

Why, oh why, does she have to be so warm and friendly and overall genuinely kind?

He's those things too. But she has a greater abundance of it.

And therefore, Naruto thinks that she's too friendly with the wrong type of people. Aka, yellow eyes.

He imagined them together, that guy and Hinata. Imagined how he would eventually take her to his apartment. Show her around his kitchen and maybe even show off his ramen collection.

Tch. Like he even has one.

His weird ass.

"Should we move onto the next, or would you like to take a break?"

Her soft voice lures his attention to her lips, and he instantly looks away.

"Naruto-Kun?" she calls again.

He clears his throat. "Yeah- um, I could make us some ramen? What flavor would you like? I got tons…"

He goes on about this collection of ramen until she decides, and now he's warming up two cups in the microwave. Leaning against the counter, he looks into the living room, watching her form on his couch, reading away.

The way his eyes involuntarily caress her figure was shameful. He eyed the way her oversized pink sweater hid wondrous curves. They trail further down south, digesting the way her grey leggings hugged her slender, long legs. She looks pretty.

Scolding himself, he looks away.

He just couldn't help it. After all, it was in his nature.

He knows this isn't the time to be thinking about it. But his mind steers down that road.

He just feels really, really weird about the entire situation.

Did she really not mind it? Me touching her…

He wants to be a good friend, and not bring it up. But he's itching to know the meaning behind it, and the answers that could, perhaps, rise from it.

The microwave beeps, and he's headed over to where she is with hot cups of ramen.

"Careful," he advises, handing her a napkin and chopsticks before plopping himself down on the cushion right beside her, his leg brushing against hers.

They talk for a little bit. Catching up with each other about recent missions and whatnot. She laughs at a short story he tells her. He marvels in awe when she tells about her clan drama.

"Woah...you stood up to an elder like that?!"

She blushes, nodding her head. He was honestly amazed by her. An old soul that craves the touch of something new? To escape the grasps of tradition that's weighing her clan down. To reach for new light- even if it seems impossible to catch?

In his eyes, she was so cool for that.

"Hinata, that's so badass! Defying your clan and stuff!? If I was there I would've been cheering you on. I bet that old man knows to keep his wrinkly mouth shut next time."

Those lavender eyes widen, her cheeks becoming redder by the second. She shakes her head. "Don't say that..." she mutters, putting down her cup on his coffee table. Books and scrolls pushed aside.

"But it's true!" he urges, slurping the remains of his ramen before setting it beside hers.

"I was only sticking up for Neji-Nissan," she mutters.

"-like a badass," he interjects.

"I got in trouble-"

"Like a badass."

She giggles, lightly pushing his arm. He grabs the spot in mock pain. "Damn, did you push the elder like that?" he laughs.

She gasps. "I would never do such a thing."

"Suuure you wouldn't." he's practically cheesing at this point.

"I wouldn't! Besides, speaking my mind through words will always have the same impact as a hit."

He grins at her, his arms moving behind his head, "Spoken like a true badass."

She laughs this time, and it's a beautiful symphony in his ears. He likes seeing her like this. He likes seeing her happy. It makes him feel good.

"You always had it in you, y'know." He mumbles, his eyes on the ceiling. He hears Hinata shift beside him, coming down from her laughter. "I know I compliment you on your strength a lot...but as you said before, your words have an impact on everyone around you. Your words are strong." At this point, he's just rambling. "You're strong. Inside and out."

He tilts his head to peep at her and looks into her eyes, her expression is unreadable "...thank you, Naruto-Kun."

"...yeah."

They stare at each other a little longer before she breaks eye contact.

The atmosphere in the room feels different now, and he feels his skin warming up.

It's been in the back of his mind. He wants to bring up her little date and doesn't know where to begin without sounding like a jealous bitch. In which he's not.

...Maybe jealous isn't the right word. It's more like...being protective. Yeah!

He feels satisfied with that conclusion. And as soon as the timing felt right, he proceeded with his objective.

"So uh...that guy that you were with earlier. Are you guys dating?"

Those pale lavender eyes widen, and he holds his breath. He hopes she'll say no.

He tried his best to sound as casual as possible. To keep the strain out of his voice.

"D-dating?" she stutters, her cheeks reddening, "Oh no. Not at all..." she answers, fiddling with her sleeves.

He's not even sure why he felt a sudden relief, but he scolds himself for doing so. Hinata can go out with whomever she wants, whenever she wants.

"Kaito-san and I… we're more like acquaintances," she continues.

"Oh, gods you're already on a first-name basis with him?" Naruto pouts.

Hinata chuckles in amusement, raising a brow in question, "A first name basis?"

"Oh yeah! Ya meet a guy and you already know his name. First base activities if you ask me."

Because when yellow eyes said Hinata-san and I- it sounded like nails on an old chalkboard.

Because the sound of her name sounds so much better when rolling off of his tongue instead of that guy.

She chuckles again, turning her head to the side. "I suppose there are steps to friendship if that's what you're getting at. Considering these bases that you speak of..."

No.

"Sure," he murmurs while taking in her side profile, tracing her jawline with his eyes, and it's something he feels like he could do forever. However, her next question puts an end to his peace.

"...Do you not think I have other friends besides you guys?"

He didn't know why, but it hurt to hear. He feels like shit for even implying that. He had multiple circles of friends. So who was he to govern her circles, or even assume that she was limited to one?

The ghost of a blush grazes his cheeks. "What? No! I don't- look, I'm sorry if it came off that way. I just wanted to know...why him? Hinata, I don't think you understand how amazing you are and how many guys would kill to get to know you and-"

"N-No...that's not- Naruto-Kun," she sighs, obviously tired of repeating herself. He cringes at himself for annoying her. "I told you already that we are not dating. And even if people decide to see it as such, I know the real truth- that it was nothing but a friendly outing."

"Yeah, yeah friendly my ass. Listen, Hinata. I don't think you understand what he's trying to do. I know how the male mind works, y'know? Because I am a guy! He has malicious intent!"

"...Does he?"

"Nah, I'm just saying stuff to get you to ditch him. It's working though, right?" He smiles cheekily.

He watches the slight tilt of her head and the subtle crease in her eyes as she studies him. "You've met him only once before…right? There shouldn't be a reason to be agitated by him," she states cautiously as if stepping into unknown territory.

"Yeah, well...I just got a weird vibe from him y'know! I can feel it in my bones," he crosses his arms, nodding in self-assurance. He knows he's right. "Believe it."

Hinata shakes her head, a slight smirk tugging at the corner of her lip as she takes the two empty ramen cups in her hands, heading towards the kitchen. Naruto gets up, trailing behind her.

"I mean, come on Hinata! Are you taking this as seriously as I am? Because I feel like you're not."

A soft hum escapes her throat as she throws away the cups.

Was she even listening?

He doesn't think so.

Deep down in his gut, he knows she needs to hear this.

She needs someone on her ass about this, and he's gonna be the one to tell her. "Look, I'm just tryna look out for you. As a friend."

She stops in her tracks, turning around to face him. Her expression flickers into one of confusion. "Forgive me Naruto Kun, but what does it matter to you about who I go out within the first place?"

He looks at her with wide eyes, his mouth agape. And now he's confused. Because apparently, he couldn't care for a friend anymore. If her teammates aren't worried about her going out with some strange guy, then he needs to take that role. Before he tells her off, though, he notices the way the dim kitchen light made her ivory skin a warm glow. How his dim kitchen light reflected off of those lavender eyes that glared in speculation with her eyebrows furrowed.

Once again, he thinks she looks very pretty. He should really change that damn kitchen light.

He blinks, shaking his head, "Did you just ignore the weird guy part or am I tripping?"

She giggles and moves past him, heading back towards the couch. He follows behind her.

"Hinataaa," he whines.

"Nauto-Kun," she mutters gently, cleaning up the mess of scrolls and books and papers on his coffee stand. He helps her.

"Are you going on another date with him in the future?" He prods.

"It's was never a date, Naruto-Kun-"

"What was it again?"

"A friendly outing."

"Is that what they call it now?" He asks, and Hinata pouts, stacking some papers neatly in a pile.

He picks up a pen, twirling it in his fingers. "Y'know," Naruto starts, "I feel like you can do much better than him. He's weird...and creepy looking."

She stops her ministrations and stares at him tentatively, her brows knotting. "...Exactly what is better to you, Naruto-Kun? What is it that I deserve?"

...

Speechless. He was left speechless, and all he could do was stare at her.

It's something similar to the signal being disrupted when watching a favorite TV show. And then the static happens. Random dots and pixels, glitching left and right.

That was currently his brain. Because how the fuck was he supposed to answer that? He knows that she deserves the world. She deserves someone willing to fight on the moon for her.

"Just… not him," was his feeble response, and he internally cringes inside.

Hinata sighs, and he watches her take a step closer to him, her hand relaxing gently on his forearm. "You don't have to feel this way, Naruto-Kun." She smiles a gentle smile, and it eases his nerves. "I know you're looking out for me as a friend, and I do appreciate it. But Kaito-san and I are only acquaintances."

Her hand leaves his forearm, but her touch still lingers, the nerves in that spot electrifying.

"Besides, I'm strong. Remember? I can take care of myself."

"I know, I know. And you're right, I'm sorry for prying into your business like that…" he shifts on his feet, scratching his neck, feeling embarrassed.

She smiles at him, her eyes twinkling with kindness. "You're only looking out for me as a friend," she quietly laughs. "Am I wrong?"