Lost in the Blue

#1 - Naruto

What will we be to each other if the world doesn't end?

~~~

The typical post-war day was a repetitive one.

Naruto cracked an eye open to the clear sound of chirping birds, seemingly stuck in an infinite loop of early mornings.

Crystal blue sky.

The citizens of Konoha pattering about, preparing for their day.

It was getting predictable.

Yet every day he pushed himself to be out of bed, leaving just the right amount of time to wash his face, brush his teeth and have a quick bite to eat.

He ran down the stairs of his apartment, the same one he grew up in, down the same path he always took to the Hokage tower, where he would apprentice alongside his former sensei, Kakashi.

Greetings from all angles: the fruit mart owners across the street, a gaggle of genin, some braver-looking chunin, then a few familiar faces like Sai or Bushier Brows, no one hesitated to wish him a good morning.

Naruto, of course, returned the greeting with ample enthusiasm. The love and care he felt for his village was always there, despite how he was treated in the past. These were the people he had saved before and would do everything in his power to protect for the rest of his life.

He walked past the brand-new mental health facility near the Hokage tower, created under the leadership of Sakura, Tsunade and Shizune.

It was the first in the Land of Fire, and while it was still a little confusing to Naruto, it was so cool that his best friend was the one leading the project.

She must be running around all day, getting to do cool, new and different tasks.

He was jealous but would never tell her.

After a brief scan of the front of the building, he saw no pink hair in sight and continued on his way.

It would be nice to run into her at least once a week. They were so close— the facility a block away from the Hokage tower, yet he rarely saw Sakura.
He sensed Shikamaru's chakra approaching from behind, then heard his friends' usual tired "Hey."

"Mornin." He replied.

Shikamaru was holding the largest cup of coffee he'd ever seen, eyes hollow and glassy.

He had begun training to take over his late father's role, the Head of Jonin or whatever it was called. He was basically going to be the right-hand to Kakashi for the time being, then Naruto when he took over.

Having Shikamaru around all the time was great. They were able to bond over their hatred of mornings, being stuck indoors for nine to twelve hours a day and not being able to nap. Plus, Shikamaru always seemed to have the latest gossip about their friend group— how he kept updated, who knows, but it was a nice way for Naruto to keep track of his friends. He saw everyone else maybe once every two weeks, which was not frequent enough, but his lengthy training days made it difficult to make plans with them.

"Sasuke was out training yesterday." Shikamaru said.

Naruto's pace faltered.

"He's allowed to go out now?"

"Kakashi gave him the ok."

"Are you serious?" Naruto exclaimed, "Why the hell wasn't I informed?"

"Everyone thought you already knew."

Naruto groaned, "No. I haven't been by Sasuke's place in like, three weeks."

"Really?" Shikamaru asked, voice cracking.