Orange, Spirals and Everything Nice

Seven: His Thoughts; Her Name

DISCLAIMER: I do not own any of the characters or the setting of the story. They all exclusively belong to Mr. Masashi Kishimoto in all its rights.

The ruins of the Leaf were bathed under the golden rays of sunset as its people continue to rebuild and heal.
It had only been a few hours since the destruction of Konoha and the echoes of everyone's cheers for the new village hero had already drained into the quiet afternoon breeze.

Hinata and the other sensory-type ninjas just finished their rounds across the ruins in search for anyone who were probably still trapped under the debris or if there were still important valuables that could be saved from the rubble caused by the chaos.
She often rubbed her stinging eyes in the last hour or so because she had cried so much for her own good. And yet, she had to continue using her byakugan while helping out with her ninja duties.

She hasn't seen Naruto since that little pact she made with her teammates, with Neji and Tenten a while ago.
Hinata thought she didn't have the strength to see him still, anyway.
Besides, when she returned to where their clan had temporarily settled in, she was distracted by her new clan duties. So, Hinata braced herself and chose to forget her own problems over her priorities.

She can't keep being a nuisance to everyone, specially in dire times as this.

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Naruto had finally settled himself from the overwhelming emotions his 'hero's welcome' had given him.

It had been a loooong and tiring day but most of it were worth it.

It was literally a roller coaster ride with all the fighting, his discussion of peace with Nagato and Konan, then them burying the memories and teachings of their beloved master, Jiraiya ---- Oh, Ero-sennin ---- and of course, him being carried by Kakashi on his back only to be greeted by the whole village and being celebrated as the village hero.

Naruto felt ecstatic.
He felt warm, yet broken.
Although he'd never take everyone's gratitude for granted.
It was everything he'd ever dreamed of and wanted.

To be accepted. Right?

If only Ero-sennin was around to witness his victory.
If only his parents were alive to say that they were proud of him.
If only he could've met Nagato and his friends earlier, maybe he could've save them.
Was he being greedy?

Maybe his poor brain still couldn't take in all the mess of the world and the responsibilities being thrown at him all at once. Now that the village started to acknowledge him, he had more people depending on him.
That's why even if he managed to defeat Nagato, he'd have to keep training and become even more stronger since his battles are just getting started.

Not to mention dear Sasuke.

Naruto let out a sigh after his friends went on their own businesses to help the village and told him to rest even if he refused to. Sakura insisted he rest because she said he had been drained out from the battle.
Naruto couldn't be any happier to hear her worried tone, especially since she had done much more for him a while ago.

She hugged him!!

In front of everyone.
During the heat of the celebration.

She hugged him!!

Naruto had his classic toothy grin on his face, with his blue eyes squished shut as he remembered her warmth against his body when she had hugged him then. Her tears flowed as she whispered "thanks" and "I'm glad" or something in his ear. He wasn't really paying attention then because his heart was racing at the sudden affection, combined with all the cheers the villagers were giving him.