Naruto tried to follow after Hinata however the guards stopped him. "Our apologies Naruto, however we cannot let you enter yet."
Naruto huffed. "Why not?"
"Oh come on! Don't worry about it just come with me." Mai said trying to sound as flirtatious as possible while snaking her around his waist.
This time his body wasn't frozen. He quickly pushed her arms off, not concerned for her feelings. "I'll be back later to see Hinata." He told Ko as he turned to walk away.
"You're going to regret treating me this way Uzumaki!" Called Mai.
Naruto went for a walk, heading to one of his favorite spots. From the hokage face stone he could see the whole village. Still a lot of construction going on but almost everything looked back to normal. His new apartment complex was almost complete, within a week he and many other single shonbi would be able to move in. Which thank goodness the tent life was getting old and his back was starting to show its age.
"What a drag. I was hoping no one would be here."
Naruto looked over at his spiky haired friend, he knew his complaint had no merit. "Is this your day dreaming spot?" Naruto laughed. His friend had been busy being the hokages right hand man, he must take any chance he can get to cloud watch.
"Best spot for it." Shikamaru said as he laid down next to Naruto.
The two men were silent for a while. Naruto was dying to tell his friend about what had just happened. However he knew it wasn't often Shikamaru could just clear his head and didn't want to bother him.
"Alright what is it?" Shikamaru said as he rolled over onto his side to face his blonde friend.
Naruto chuckled. "Is it that obvious that I have something on my mind?"
"You're hardly ever silent."
With that Naruto told Shikamaru what had happened. "So I guess I'm worried that my chance with Hinata is over before it even started. I think her hand was promised to another." He looked back up to the sky, stupid traditions, he made a mental note of another thing he would do away with once he was the hokage.
"Well what your move?" Shikamaru also rolled back to his back.
"I don't think I have a move?" The blonde questioned already knowing his friend knew what his next move should be.
"Well all depends how serious you are about Hinata, but sounds like you need to go talk to her father. Present yourself as a better option for her."
"Better option?" Naruto scratched his head he wasn't following the thought.
"Well yeah. Men are currently presenting them selfs as the best options for Hinatas hand. So you need to throw your hat in the circle."
Naruto's head was spinning, he knew he had feelings for Hinata and from what he could tell she had feelings for him aswell. Whoever what shikamaru is talking about is marriage! Was he ready to commit to that?
"Or come to terms that she'll never be yours." Shikamaru sat up. "Well I should be getting back to work." With a long sigh he stood and walked off, hands in his pocket.
'Never. Be. Mine.' The blonde felt his blood boil. He didn't like the sound of that. He'd never consider himself a jealous person but just the thought of someone else being with her made him want to beat the shit out of some trees.
Well now, better option? What did make him the better option? 'Come on think'
'Yo kit, let me help you.'
Surprised that the grumpy fox would wake up and speak over "such silly human matters" Naruto focused he must have something good to say.
'Don't get used to my kindness! I just need you to blow fuse trying to think.'
"Right or maybe you just have a soft spot for me in your heart."
'Do you want to hear what I have to say?'
"Okay okay. Yes please help me!"
