A/N: Hey guys. Thanks for the feedback you've given me so far for this story, I really appreciate it. I'm kind of snowed under with Uni work at the moment, but luckily I had this one shot saved from awhile back so I can update this series. I'm not sure when I'll be able to post again, but it might be a couple of weeks. Sorry, I have to defeat those evil final assignments first.

Anyway, hope you guys enjoy this!

#2. Home

Naruto had never really been fond of taking days off.

It was part of his nature, he supposed. He was rambunctious and hyperactive, a constant bundle of energy always itching to move and work towards his next task. He didn't like having to sit and wait, it made him grow restless and agitated.

Naruto's work gave his life meaning. He loved being a ninja and was determined to one day achieve his dream of becoming Hokage. Considering that with each successful mission he found himself moving closer towards that goal, it was no surprise that the moment he finished up one, he was eager to start the entire process all over again.

It came to the point where Tsunade or Kakashi had to trick Naruto into taking breaks, with warnings about potential detriments to his health and well-being. If he was tired or not completely recovered from an injury, he might not function at a hundred percent and be a burden to the rest of his squad. Regularly taking time off would allow him to return to future missions refreshed and as strong as ever, guaranteeing a greater success rate.

This argument, though, didn't really hold much weight. Realistically, considering his chakra reserves, Naruto could probably go for weeks before fatigue began to become an issue.

So much of who Naruto was was derived from his ninja career: defending his village, protecting others, fighting to prove his strength and worth to anyone who doubted him. It was at the point where he felt almost lost without it. When off from missions, Naruto often found himself unsure what to do to pass the time.

It was odd. With the amount of time he had spent training and working as a ninja, he didn't know how to live a life outside of it. In his life, he'd probably spent more time posing as a civilian on undercover stakeouts than he'd spent as an actual one in his own village.

It didn't help that a lot of friends' schedules conflicted with his own, meaning that they were often out on duty when he was home. The people who would probably be able empathise most with him were nowhere to be found. He didn't have anyone to kill the time with, anyone to relate his problems to, and didn't really have a lot of friends outside of his own rookie peers.

.

It meant that he had to face that empty, lonely apartment.

It wasn't that he particularly disliked his apartment, it was really just a means to an end. It was a place to rest, a roof over his head, somewhere to eat and to store his belongings. In spite of the years he had lived there, it had never really transitioned into a home for him. It didn't greet him warmth and love upon his return. It was always as dark and empty as he'd left it.

His friends, his precious people, could only visit for so long. Eventually, they had to return to their own homes and he would be left to that apartment once more. The time that they spent together filled him with unbridled joy. Yet their absence just seemed to widen the void even more.

He would lie awake in there at night, amongst the stale air and old ramen cups. The creased sheets lining his bed that he swore he would change one day when he wasn't busy; he was always busy. Dust collected on the picture frames by his bedside table. He starred up at the ceiling vacantly, moonlight filtering in through his window.

He was itching to leave, desperate for open air and camp fires, miles of trees and stars blanketing the skies.

.

She filled a void that had existed in his life as far back as he could remember. The one that had been left by the passing of his family.

He wasn't entirely sure how it had happened as quickly as it did.

It seemed that Naruto and Hinata had both been so concerned about one another following the ordeal with Toneri, that they wanted to spent as much time together as possible. Even if just to reassure themselves that the other was okay. After what they shared together on that mission, exploring each other, journeying through the cosmos of their memories, their relationship progressed into an area he'd never experienced before. They were inseparable. She was staying over with him regularly, practically living with him. She had become noticeable less self-conscious after they began dating officially.

Naruto had realised just how important Hinata was to him in the past few weeks. Or rather, just what exactly that importance meant. He'd always cared for her.

He supposed that their relationship was unique in that sense. The feeling had always lingered there, passing by them unacknowledged. Yet they were released and acted upon, in sudden and significant bursts.

She had harboured feelings for him for years and nearly sacrificed her life in confessing them. Their first kiss had been sealed by his wish to spend the rest of his life with her. She had seen him in his darkest, weakest moments and held him up, pushing him to fight on. He had seen her heart break, openly mourning the death of her cousin.

She had really left an impression upon his apartment. Though, whether she'd done so knowingly or not, he wasn't entirely sure.

It had started out innocently enough. She'd accidentally leave behind her headband or a scroll, sometimes even one of her mesh shirts or sandals. Neither of them really mentioned it. With the time she spent over there, it only made sense that she would have a few of her own belongings. Some clothes to change into, so that she wouldn't need to make as many routine trips back to the Hyuuga compound.

Over time, it appeared to become a more conscious action, as more and more of her belongings made their way into his space. There were traces of her scattered throughout the apartment. Simple touches brightening everything that surrounded them.

The shampoo bottle in his shower, its smell of lilacs that always clung to her. The scent that made pleasant tingles of excitement flutter through his stomach, slow, shuddering breaths of content to run down his spine. The fresh sheets adorning the bed each morning. The potted plants she had bought him, knowing of his interest and offering the gift to help brighten up the room and to distract him on days off.

Her shoes left in clear sight by the door, so that he would know she was there, even before she had the chance to welcome him home.

The few pictures that he'd hung around his room had increased in number. Photos of him with his team and the remainder of the rookie nine, photos of his parents, his godfather, and the older, recently reunited Team 7. They were framed and lined the side of his bed. A photograph of her cousin, practically her brother, and his friend. The man who had brought them together, and the reminder of the greatest lesson they had learnt through the war. Their lives were no longer their own.

Naruto found himself taking more time to maintain his apartment, cleaning it. Tasks and mundane chores he had put off before he complete diligently, helping to fill the spare time he had between missions.

He wanted her to come back and find it the same condition she left for him. Even if he wasn't around, he wanted the room to exude the same love when she returned, just as she made sure it did for him.

Growing up, Naruto knew that she too had felt out in place in her own home. Even though in recent years, her family grown closer and stronger together, he wanted nothing more than for his home to be anopen, welcoming safe haven for her. The one she had needed during the most difficult years of her childhood.

Bags overflowing with trash and empty ramen cups no longer littered the floor. Loose kunai and scrolls were packed away, no longer strewn haphazardly around the room. It was warmer, brighter.

The room wasn't empty anymore.

His hands rested upon her stomach, her thick hair tickling against his cheek. Their legs were tangled up together, the sheets tossed aside, as the heat of each other's bodies provided them with more than enough warmth. Sunlight filtered through the open window, the sounds of village echoing from outside, love and light resonating throughout everything that it touched.

She laughed softly as his lips brushed against the side of her neck. Her fingers traced his arm, feather light, trailing down to wrap within his own. The gold band surrounding her index finger gleamed in the reflected light.

People were up and about, chatting animatedly. Children ran through the streets laughing and playing, shopkeepers haggling with customers. The world outside was in motion, yet Naruto had no desire to even leave the room. His next mission was not schedule for another three days, yet he didn't find himself dreading the wait.

He had formed an appreciation for the quiet, lazy moments. The breaks in the fast-paced routine that made up their lives. Naruto, despite his hyperactive, unpredictable personality, was more than content to simply lie in bed.

The home they had built together.

A/N: So, in other news, I couldn't but notice that my fic Secret Lovers is pretty close to breaking the one hundred review mark. Let's just say it would really make my day if that happened. ;)

In all seriousness though, you guys are awesome. Thanks again.