AN: Sorry it took me a bit longer to update, but here's the latest chapter.

With some pairing perspectives, so enjoy (this could be my belated Christmas gift to you all)^_^

After she'd thanked Teuchi, who began to clean the stand, and Ayame, who'd returned from the kitchen after she was done with the dishes, Sekiya headed back to her and Naruto's shared apartment.

As she leisurely strolled on the village's streets, she replayed in her head the conversation she had with Naruto...

~*Flashback*~

"Sooo," Naruto had began, "What's going on with you and Bushy-Brow?"

Sekiya had almost choked on her ramen.

"So there is something between you two," Naruto had said.

With a knowing smile.

"There's nothing going on with us," Sekiya had insisted.

After she'd swallowed some water to clear her throat.

"And yet you use the word 'us' to define the two of you?"

Naruto's expression was one of curiosity and playfulness.

Sekiya had raised an eyebrow. "For someone who's usually not observant, you sure pick up on things—too bad you're reading it all wrong."

Naruto had shook his head before he'd commented, "Nuh-uh. I noticed Bushy-Brow being all protective of you when Kiba was getting brash."

"Because he's my friend and chivalrous. That's all."

"Are you sure that's all?"

Sekiya then had a choice to make. In her mind, she'd debated with herself...

He doesn't know for sure that Lee is crushing on me. But if I tell him that, he may want to know if I have feelings for Lee.

With that in mind, instead of answering him, Sekiya had decided to ask her nosy younger (by a year) brother a question: "What about you? Do you still like Sakura?"

Naruto had just pushed aside his emptied bowl and had just started digging into his second.

Which had been why, when Sekiya had said the name "Sakura", Naruto had choked on his mouthful.

Sekiya had permitted Naruto to have his coughing fit before he'd recovered.

It had been then Sekiya prodded him with a curious, questioning stare. "Well?"

"Of course I like Sakura," Naruto had told her.

Before he'd added, "She's my teammate. My comrade."

What had followed afterwards was Naruto getting ready to take a huuuge bite of pork and ramen.

Only Sekiya had called his bluff. With a teasing tone, she'd added, "And she's also your crush since forever."

Since Naruto had already taken a large portion of ramen and pork into his mouth, he again had another coughing fit.

Instead of giving him an opportunity to clear his mouth and defend himself, Sekiya had proceeded even further. "Not that there's anything wrong with Sakura, but maybe you should expand your options and consider other kunoichis. Like Ino, TenTen..."

She'd paused before she inserted one more female. "Or Hinata."

"Sakura is the best," Naruto had insisted.

To which Sekiya had countered, "And everyone else is that much inferior to her?"

She had known Naruto would dislike the comment she'd made.

"No!" Naruto had protested before he explained himself. "Sakura's just...amazing. She's hot, brave, super smart, and really cool."

Sekiya had rolled her eyes as her brother had developed a dreamy expression.

He'd caught her action, though, and in turn had given her a suspicious look. "What do you have against Sakura, anyway?"

Nothing, Sekiya had wanted to reply. I just think Hinata's a much better potential girlfriend for you than Sakura could ever be.

But she'd kept her thoughts to herself.

Aloud, she honestly had told him, "Nothing, really. I just want you to consider other kunoichis before settling on Sakura. I mean, if you haven't explored other options, how can you be sure that Sakura's 'the one' for you?"

"I have too thought about others," Naruto had argued before he'd explained himself. "Let's start with Ino. I can see that she's kind of cute, but she's too bossy, demanding, and a loudmouth—and she's too much of a girly-girl."

Like Sakura isn't? Sekiya had wanted to shoot back, but had remained silent and worked on her meal as Naruto continued.

"TenTen... ... ...I barely know TenTen!"

"Because you've never given yourself the opportunity to get to know her," Sekiya had pointed out before she'd nibbled on a piece of skinless chicken.

"All I know about her is that she's a tomboy and probably likes Neji, with the way she admires him and all, so she's not the type of girl for me."

Unknown to Naruto, Sekiya had unawarely snapped her wooden chopsticks at his statement.

Neither of them had noticed until Ayame had spoken up. "Here's another pair for you," she'd said as she'd handed another set of chopsticks to Sekiya.

Sekiya had responded with a polite yet forced "Thanks" before she'd refocused her attention back to Naruto.

Naruto: "And Hinata..."

Naruto had gone on a longer pause than he'd done when he'd talked about TenTen.

Eventually, he'd proceeded into sharing his thoughts about Hinata. "She's pretty, and she's also very brave and strong, too. The way she never gives up...I think she'd said she'd gotten that from me."

Naruto had given his sister a prideful smile then.

She'd resisted the urge to roll her eyes and had asked, "But...?"

"But she's—no offense—kinda weeiirrd."

He'd said it with no hesitation.

"What do you mean, weird?" Sekiya had wanted to know.

Her question had been almost accusing as she'd came to Hinata's defense.

"She turns red a lot before fainting everytime I see and/or talk to her. At first, I thought she was sick. But Kiba, Shino, and even Sakura said otherwise (though they wouldn't tell me what else it was). And she's really quiet. But when she talks, she always stutters. Maybe she has a problem speaking? I don't know."

She's fricking shy and gets embarrassed around you, baka! Sekiya had wanted to scream.

Apparently, Naruto had caught the restrained fury in his sister's glare, for he'd then hastily added, "But I know Hinata's the most kindhearted, selfless person in the whhoooolllee village. And, if we're on a mission together, she's got my back and I'll have hers. I can trust her with my life."

Sekiya had allowed Naruto to proceed as she'd continued to eat her food.

Naruto: "She's probably one of my closest friends that's a girl."

"But you can't see her as anything more?" Sekiya had inquired after she'd swallowed her mouthful.

Naruto had shook his head. "No offense to Hinata, but Sakura's hotter. And cooler. And..."

As Naruto had drone on and on about the awesomeness of Sakura, Sekiya had inwardly sighed and said to herself, Sorry Hinata. I tried.

~*End of flashback*~

When Sekiya concluded her thoughts, she found herself already at the entryway of where Naruto and her lived.

As she got out her house-key, she said to herself, Maybe I'll do some reading before seeing if Neji, Lee, TenTen, and Guy-sensei want to spar again. And after that, I could join Choji and his team for din...

Her thoughts drifted off after she'd put her key in the lock.

And realized the door was already opened.

AN: Next chapter will be intense! It will have some weapon and jutsu action!

Please R&R. It'd be much appreciated^_^

And I also hope you readers are enjoying the holidays with family and friends=)