Stuck

Chapter 2- get ready

Naruto was more than excited. During the meeting, Kakashi informed the many Jonin that the mission to capture the notorious group of Viceitors would start early the next day.

When the Jinchuriki was released, he didn't waste time in getting back to his apartment and packed a small travel bag. Nothing too big, ninja are taught to be prepared with little amounts of supplies. Naruto was excited to finally get some action in the field after the long break. But more than that, to be working with Sasuke again on a mission. The last time they had actually worked together was the 4th great ninja war just a year ago, and besides that, when they were newly Genin which was 5 years prior.

Naruto set his packed bag next to the door for the next morning and headed back out of his flat to waste some time. It seemed there was simply too much of it before the next day.

He decided to go check up on his teammates or have a bowl of ramen. Whichever came first, it was nearly lunchtime for him anyways. He leisurely walked down the street, no boost of speed necessary for such a meager task of wasting time.

Not even a minute into Naruto's lazy exploration, he ran into Hinata. They've had a very complicated relationship lately. Naruto isn't avoiding Hinata, but there's been a thick layer of awkwardness between the two ever since they kissed on a mission a month ago, and he found out Hinata's in love with him. He doesn't reject her feelings but isn't quite sure if he experiences the same ones she does either. He's known Hinata since the academy, and she's always been the shy type, so Naruto's never gotten to know her. It seems like Hinata's been beaconing for an answer, or some type of sign from Naruto, one that would clarify everything, but Naruto just doesn't know what to say.

"Hey Hinata, how's it going?" he asked thoughtfully. She smiled and stopped walking, standing in front of Naruto for a chat. "Oh, everything's great, thank you Naruto. I've been meaning to talk to you lately." she explained in her soft voice that grew a hint of confidence since childhood.

"Oh, cool, I was just about to go find Sakura or Sasuke, will you walk with me?" Naruto asked, trying to multitask even though none of his agenda held much importance. Hinata lit up and agreed, turning to walk next to Naruto down the path he was already headed.

"What's happening?" Naruto asked, already nervous with suspicions of what she wanted to talk about. "Have you been avoiding me lately?" she asked after a long pause. It seemed to take a lot of confidence, but she was straight forward. Naruto wasn't surprised but took a moment to collect his thoughts, nonetheless.

"No, I'm not. There's just... not a lot to do lately so I haven't been out to see you." Naruto explained wearily, seemingly uncomfortable. "Naruto, please tell you remember that night, during the mission. You couldn't have forgotten it!" Hinata practically begged. Naruto smiled kindly and shook his head. "No, I remember. But I'm not avoiding you because of it, Hinata. I just don't know how to feel yet. We're so young! I'm only 18! And I don't think I've ever been in love with anything but ramen." Naruto explained, proud of his little joke that he felt ease the tension.

Hinata sighed with a mixture of relief and disappointment, one that just signaled there wasn't anything more to say. When had Naruto gotten so mature that he's able to have a civil conversation like this? No one's all that sure, maybe after he returned to the leaf village after his training with Jiraiya was done. (may you rest in peace Jiraiya)

"Thank you for talking with me Naruto. It's okay if you don't... understand your feelings, I'm happy you know how I feel. Because I do love you Naruto. Goodbye." Hinata said. Turning back around to the way she originally came from and disappeared. Naruto watched after her, thinking intently.

Did he like Hinata? He definitely liked her. Shes very pretty, strong, smart, and caring. All these things make the perfect wife, Naruto thought. She was one Naruto considered at the top of his roster. And on top of all that, her boobs are huge so...

"What are you doing?" Sasuke asked, very suddenly appearing in front of Naruto. Naruto was caught off guard for a second or two, staring at the cloaked figure up and down before smirking. "Nothing much, I was just talking to Hinata about our relationship." He explained cockily. Always the competitive ones they are.

Sasuke didn't falter but raised an eyebrow, walking with Naruto. "Really? You're dating?" Sasuke asked curiously. "No, but she kissed me and told me she loves me so, that's something. Why do you care anyways?" "I haven't seen you in a while." Sasuke explained dully but was surprisingly interested. "In a year!" Naruto corrected jokingly. "yeah, yeah whatever idiot." Sasuke brushed him off.

"I was looking for you or Sakura, maybe grab a bowl of ramen I don't know. I'm just bored waiting for the mission tomorrow." Naruto rambled. Sasuke smiled. "Well, you found me. Let's go eat." Sasuke said. Naruto's face lit up like a Christmas tree. Their relationship was beginning to feel friendly, no longer as hostile as it had been in the past.

The two boys didn't waste time in finding Sakura and got to Ichiraku's ramen shop. Naruto ordered two of his usual, Miso Tonkotsu, knowing he had the savings already. Sasuke just got a bowl of something random form the menu, not being as familiar with the shop as Naruto is.

Naruto ate both of his bowls in a quick and silent 2 minutes. Sasuke was only halfway done. "are you going to eat more?" Sasuke asked curiously. Naruto thought about it. "I don't think so, I don't have the budget for another bowl right now." Sasuke put down his chop sticks and shook his hands. "No, I'm paying."

To be frank, Sasuke is a cheapskate, never wanting to pay for things he doesn't need, or for other people, and never letting other people pay for him in fear of having to owe them. So when he offered to pay for Narto's' two bowls of ramen, and possibly another, Naruto was very shocked.

"w... what? Pay? No, I'm paying for myself." Naruto said, acting as if Sasuke's offer hadn't been made, as If he was hallucinating the interaction.

Sasuke growled in annoyance and faced the owner, making eye contact, and having some sort of mental exchange of agreements. Sasuke seemed to lighten up which made Naruto suspicious. "hey old man, don't you let him pay for me! I'm paying!" Naruto obscenely objected.

Sasuke smirked and finished off his own bowl, completely ignoring Naruto's rising temper.

In the end, Sasuke paid for their 3 bowls against Naruto's will.

"So, what now?" Sasuke asked as the two started to venture away from Ichiraku's after paying. "I'm feeling kind of guilty we didn't find Sakura first before hanging out..." Naruto admitted, holding his arm and staring at the ground in shame. "I had the same amount of enjoyment without her as I would have if shed tagged along." Sasuke shrugged. It was rude, but honest.

"Well, I'm going back home to sleep before the mission, need to sleep early." Naruto said, staring at the now setting sky. Ninjas need adequate sleep before a mission to perform better. "Same." Sasuke nodded, getting ready to turn the corner and go separate ways.

"See you tomorrow, Sasuke." Naruto waved him off.

Narutos so incredibly happy about his and Sasuke's newfound friendship, or maybe their rivalry will reawaken itself on the battlefield. Who knows...