Orange, Spirals and Everything Nice

Ten: Laughing Memories

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.

Naruto numbly roamed around the streets of Konoha that morning on his way to Ichiraku.
Last night had been an entire adventure for him and Sakura because of Madara and his little Infinite Tsukuyomi scheme; which brought the two ninjas to an alternate universe or in a dream — literally.

It was an absolute roller-coaster. One that the blonde ninja will never forget for dear life.

Especially the part where he got to experience being loved and cherished unconditionally by the replica of his late parents. Then there's the alter-egos of Konoha 11 and everyone else they knew in the village, which totally blew him and Sakura out of their minds.

Hell, it was crazy.

Absolutely.

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After the hero had his fill of ramen for breakfast, he decided to head to the training grounds since he didn't really have much to do that day. When Iruka left him late last night after cheering him up, he couldn't help but be filled with emptiness once more.

It must be because loneliness had always been a part of him.

Naruto was suddenly interrupted with his thoughts by an unfamiliar fit of laughter coming from the direction of the training grounds. The cheery sound was definitely coming from a girl. Yet, it was something he hadn't quite heard before.

"That was absolutely hilarious, Shino-kun." Hinata's soft voice echoed across the training grounds and threw her head back as she continued to laugh as she sat on Akamaru's back.
The hero was stunned as he stopped on his tracks once he saw Team 8 having a fun break in the middle of the training grounds. And he was surprised to see Hinata laughing out loud.

The sight was simply beautiful.

Naruto doubted for a second if he was really back in the real Konoha at the moment. Maybe the Hinata he was watching at present was the alter-Hinata from Madara's world. Until Kiba threw another joke to the rest of his team that made everyone laugh.

Yes, including Shino.
Which was odd.

So, as much as he wanted to keep hearing their unusual laughter — especially Hinata for some unknown reason, and because he already heard Shino laugh before, as miraculous as it is, — Naruto finally approached the Team.
But before Naruto could loudly announce his presence, Team 10 suddenly beat him to it by appearing out of nowhere and a moment later, the two teams were arguing before him.

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"We've finally found you, children." Ino said through gritted teeth as she pulled up Hinata by the collar from Akamaru's back.

"Mendokuse." Shikamaru gruffly added as he pinched the tip of his nose in irritation.

"Hey, what's going on here?" Naruto confusedly butted in, earning everyone's attention.

"Naruto-kun!" Hinata squealed and slightly pushed Ino away before running towards the knucklehead and wrapped her arms around him. Naruto blinked at the Hyuuga before he raised his head to the rest of their friends.

Was he really back in his Konoha after all?

"Oi." Ino smirked creepily at 'Hinata' while she made cracking noises with her fingers as she pressed them on her hands. "Hinata never runs to Naruto like that, idiot." she commented with a sneer and an animated popping vein in her forehead.