Rehearsing something
Sometimes makes it harder.
Have a little faith,
For overthinking creates false realities.
Team 7 and company strolled into town at around midnight. They were all starving, so they decided to head to the only place that was open, Ramen Ichiraku.
"Hey old man, Ayame," the two turned around from the fryer to look at their favorite customer and wave.
"Ramen's on the house for your first mission outside the village. Congrats team 7 and uhh..." they look at the two new patrons. They had never seen these people before. The woman smiled and the man stared at them, deadpanned, "New friends!" Ayame said, obviously intimidated by the bandaged man.
The group all ate and joked as Haku talked to Ayame. "Well we're originally from the hidden mist," she paused, considering whether to tell her about Zabuza's coup, "Zabuza was missing-nin after trying to overthrow its corrupt government. We were working for Gatou of Gatou shipping, and we were released from our contract by Naruto himself."
Ayame looked shocked, and she tilted her head, "Released?" She questioned hesitantly. 'Did she mean that Naruto-'
"Naruto kil-" she was interrupted by a loud "ACK!" And the two women turned to see Naruto, face first in his ramen, Sakura holding his head down.
"You oughta watch what your saying CHA! I like Sasuke's hair," she swooned, "It doesn't look like a ducks butt at all."
'That was the boy who killed Gatou.' Haku thought sarcastically, 'I'll never get this world.'
Hinata was pacing back and forth by Ichiraku. She had a whole plan set out. She would walk up to Naruto, say thank 'you for being my friend,' hand him the scarf she had knitted, bow and then walk away. It was such a simple plan. But she kept thinking about it, 'What if he doesn't take it? What if he doesn't like it? What if he doesn't even consider me his friend and then he spits in my face? What if he hits me for giving him a gift and not telling him before? What if-'
"Hinata-chan?" Naruto popped his head out from Ichiraku. "Come eat with us!" Hinata looked around. She had frozen up. She began to stammer and blush as more and more people popped their heads out. She even saw another woman and began to fear the worst, 'Are her and Naruto...' She began to tear up at the thought. She though the bag with the scarf in it in the direction of Naruto and began to run away, "NOTHANKYOUTHAT'SOKAYGOODNIGHT!" She shouted behind her shoulder.
Naruto just shrugged before heading back into the shop. When he turned around, he saw the glares of everybody in the shop. He chuckled nervously and began to scratch his head before Zabuza, who was still at the counter, spoke, "Everyone deserves to be loved and to love," he turned around and stared through the boy, "right, Naruto." His words were bitter and cold. They sliced into Naruto more than Zabuza's blade ever could. The group shoved Naruto out of the shop. He picked up her bag, 'A scarf?' He began to follow the now sprinting Hinata.
He had been running for a while before he came across the girl, sitting on a swing. "H-Hinata-chan," before he could continue, the girl got up and began to speed walk away.
"I don't really want to talk right now," she stopped when she was suddenly in Naruto's arms. She looked to her left to see Naruto's head firmly planted on her shoulder.
"So then don't," he replied, "Most people don't like silence. I think it's the easiest way to relay feelings." He pulled her in closer and tighter. She felt a warm wave fall over her. Was it chakra? No this was something else. Hinata understood everything. She understood what Naruto was feeling and she returned the hug. She understood it better than any advice she had been given from Kurenai or Ino. Well Ino's advice was... not great.
"You just have to keep annoying him and begging him to get with you until he finally listens."
Yeah. Not helpful really.
Back at Ichiraku, a new person entered the shop, "Hey Ayame, Teuchi," Shisui smiled and waved, "Oh hey guys, and... Zabuza Momochi?" He looked confused at the swordsman, "Why are you here?"
"Oh don't act like you're not happy to see me, baka!" Zabuza shot up from his seat and clasped Shisui's hand, bringing him in for a bro hug.
"It's not that it's just... what are you doing here?"
Shisui sat down in Naruto's seat, and subconsciously began slurping the ramen. Zabuza told him the whole story and how Naruto convinced him to come to the leaf, "Say, Shisui. How do you and Zabuza-san know eachother?" Kakashi spoke up this time.
"Well we met a long time ago while-"
"SHISUI GET OUT OF MY SEAT!" Naruto entered, Hinata standing behind him timidly as Naruto threw the man from his seat. She grabbed onto his arm and blushed, 'so strong.'
"Zabuza," Haku spoke, "let's move down a couple seats," she motioned to the new guest, who quickly took her arm off the boy and looked away. Haku's heart exploded, 'She's adorable!'
The two sat down in the last two seats, and Shisui stood behind them, "Well Naruto, I guess I have to sit on your lap then," he got a glare from Naruto.
"Ask Kakashi."
Shisui looked at said man, who chuckled nervously, "Ask Zabuza."
Shisui turned to his new target, who was still deadpanned, "No."
"I guess I'll just sit on the floor then, if I'm really not that important to you," Shisui let out a tear and he slumped down to the ground. Hinata said her thanks and readied her chopsticks. She noticed Shisui on the ground, and gave her bowl to him. At first he was confused, but then a smile stretched across his face. 'She's a catch, Naruto.'
She ended up beating Zabuza and Shisui in a contest to see how many bowls they could eat. Hinata ate 15 bowls of ramen! She blushed, giggled, and covered her mouth out of embarrassment.
Haku swooned, 'So ADORABLE!'
Hey all! Shorter chapter this time. After these types of bigger missions I like to make a kind of, decompression chapter if you will. I don't like to do a constant onslaught of action because I feel like that just gets repetitive.
Anyway~
Naruto finally (kinda) confessed his love! It's a great day! Speaking of which, have a wonderful day/night (or else!)
Jerry out!