Kei-Kei Yuki: I love writing Hinata and Naruko relationship along with Naruko and Sakura's sisterly bond. Also, don't underestimate Temari when it comes to her little brother happiness cause the girl is a hardcore shipper~!XD
P.S.: If you wish to read the first two chapters of my version of The Last, featuring SasuFemNaru please go check out my Naruko Gaiden fanfic!
Beta: Ana-DaughterofHades
Growth and Encounters
Walking through the apartment doors, Kakashi removed his shoes and smiled underneath his mask as his mind flashed back to Sakura and Naruko. The kunoichis demonstrated growth that put them apart from their younger genin selves. Then again, he expected this, seeing as Naruko had left to train under Jiraiya. Sakura had trained under Tsunade, inheriting not only the woman's medical skills but also, recalling how Sakura's punch had dented and shattered the earth, the slug sanin's fearsome strength.
Naruko, on the other hand, had truly surprised him, remembering how the sneaky blonde managed to plant a chakra stealing tag underneath the heel of his foot—followed with a binding tag that paralyzed his movements- leaving Kakashi open so that Sakura could land the finishing blow on him. Luckily the jonin was able to substitute himself, or he would've ended up in the hospital right beside Jiraiya.
'It seems Jiraiya-sama has been helping her learn fuinjutsu.' Thinking of this, Kakashi was reminded of Naruko's father who was quite a mastermind mind concerning fuinjutsu, only to pale a little when he was reminded that Naruko's mind was that of tricksters. The girl was sneaky and madly creative, causing him to fear how she'd turn out once fully evolved.
Sitting on the blue couch that he had grown familiar with, Kakashi took out the present Naruko handed to him after their little showdown. Once he saw the cover of the little blue book that she placed in his hands, he refrained from kissing those chubby whisker cheeks and declaring her an angel. Kakashi had only gotten through the first three pages when he sensed a figure walking his way.
A pair of slender light brown arms wrapped around his neck, and leaning her face down beside his, a cute frown marred her scarred face upon reading the first paragraph. "You and those pervy books again," said a voice that belonged to none other than Umino Iruka. If Naruko were present, she would be able to sense how the two were more than just friendly companions.
The change to this relationship took place during the blonde's absence. Iruka bent down to kiss Kakashi's masked cheek before making her way to the kitchen. "Clean yourself up, Kakashi! You are stinking up my couch!" Iruka's voice rang from the kitchen as Kakashi got up from her couch and walked towards her room.
"Ruka-sensei, would you mind joining me~?" suggested the pervy jonin which earned him a smack in the face from the cleaning rag Iruka was holding in her hands, face flustered as she glared at the man.
"Perv!" she shouted at him and Kakashi couldn't stop himself from thinking how cute the brunette looked when she was embarrassed.
Shikamaru was strolling down the main street of the village, walking beside Temari as the two were discussing the upcoming chunin exam, when a loud bubbly voice called out his name. Shikamaru barely had time to look in front of him when he saw an orange blur and was tackled to the ground. "Shika-chan! How's it going? Did you miss me, you lazy sack of bones!?"
Though the voice had matured somewhat, there was only one person who had the guts to wear such a bright blinding color despite her occupation and ambush him in a hug. "So you're really back, eh, Naruko?" A part of Shikamaru couldn't believe he had missed the annoying blonde. Things had already felt weird when they had failed to bring back Sasuke and seeing Naruko without the silent brooding raven at her side, watching the two argue over something pointless, took some time getting used to, much to the surprise of those who grew up with the two and graduated with them.
Despite how much they seemed to dislike each other, Naruko and Sasuke continually orbited around each other, just like the sun and moon. They were inseparable, and suddenly seeing one without the other didn't sit right. The weight on top of him removed itself as Naruko got to her feet and dusted herself off.
"Hi, Temari-chan! How's it been?" Naruko greeted the Suna kunoichi with a friendly wave.
"It's been fine. Good to see you're back." Temari had to admit that when she first formally met the blonde who had healed and befriended her little brother, Naruko's bubbly and friendly nature had caught Temari off guard, not used to being around such a person.
Temari was only able to grow comfortable around the blonde thanks to the mission concerning the borders of Sunagakure- having needed assistance, Tsunade employed both Sakura and Naruko on the case. The task itself lasted for two weeks, during which, Temari understood how Naruko had so effortlessly charmed her little brother. The spunky blonde might not be the smartest, but she did not lack in the strength department.
Seeing Naruko summon clones and pound in the faces of those hired mercenaries earned Termari's respect, finding herself warming up to the blonde when she saved her life during their mission. Not to mention, seeing Gaara's face light up and blush whenever Naruko sent him a letter, eagerly writing a response, inspired something in Temari to pair her little brother and Naruko together. The two would make an adorable pair once the blonde realized the Uchiha was not worth her time and effort.
Shikamaru had just got to his feet when he saw how intensively Naruko was staring at him and Temari. The blonde did this a couple of times before a cheeky grin split across her face. "Oh, could you two perhaps be on a date?" This statement did not sit right with Shikamaru, nor did it with Temari.
"Tch, I prefer someone less lazy!" Temari scowled at the Nara standing beside her, who rolled his eyes.
"I prefer a less troublesome woman," replied Shikamaru to which Naruko seemed unimpressed. Turning her back towards the two, Naruko got ready to make her leave but not before throwing out,
"You two are going to end up married to each other, and if ya have a kid, I call dibs on being the godmother!" Watching Naruko race down the street without a doubt probably searching for Hinata, Shikamaru grumbled to himself,
"Tch, I could say the same concerning her and Sasuke."
Sitting at the park enjoying each other's companies were Naruko and Hinata. The Hyuuga heiress was surprised when she had caught sight of the blonde who ambushed her in a hug from out of nowhere but was happy nonetheless. The two and a half years had seemed too long for Hinata to bear, each day thinking about Naruko's well-being and whether or not she was taking care of herself.
"And this guy tried to run up on me and sneak a grope! If he thought I was a weak target, he learned his lesson when I broke the guy's nose, stole his belongings, and strung him to a tree with nothing but his underwear! Ha, that taught him to try and mess with me again!" Hinata sat beside Naruko, listening to the blonde recite stories of things that took place during her travels.
Seeing those precious azure orbs lively and filled with life, a smile bloomed across Hinata's face. She was so happy to see her Naru-chan in good spirits though she knew deep down inside that the wound he left behind would not heal until she brought him back to the village. Despite everything he put her through, Naruko was still determined to save him.
Deep down in her heart, Hinata could care less about what happened to Sasuke. He broke a taboo when he broke the sun, which Hinata cherished most dearly in her life. Recalling the unblinded fury she felt burning within her when she thought of those loud wails that ripped and shredded her heart into pieces, Hinata promised to end the Uchiha's life for what he did to her Naru-chan.
The scene she oversaw in the hospital had forever changed Hinata. After seeing Naruko break down in tears, Hinata returned home that night and trained so hard that she shattered the wooden dummy that rested outside. Her eyes had shifted into Byakugan, vowing on that cold, moonless night, 'Uchiha Sasuke, you're a dead man!' and Hinata meant each word despite how they went against Naruko's wishes because no one messed with the person she loved.
End of Growth and Encounters