The Fourth Shinobi War ended a year ago. Now the Ninja world is at peace. Naruto Uzumaki is the hero of the war, he is acknowledged by everyone. He is loved. But what is love? He's still an idiot when it comes to love.
Let's find out how he figures...
"It wasn't your fault Naruto-kun" Hinata said, just as Naruto passed out and landed on her lap. Normally, this kind of closeness would've caused her to faint but today it was different. She kept replaying his words in her mind and the warmth of his hand still lingered on her. I made him happy.. I made him feel loved.. he thinks I'm amazing? The thought smiling to herself. She used to think that he will never notice her but last year it proved to be wrong. Maybe Sakura was right, maybe he doesn't know the difference between loving things and loving people? Whatever the case was, today was her day to shine. She looked around for her bag, it contained something very special she was making for him, although it was taking a lot more time than she expected.
Hinata watched Naruto as he slept on her lap, he looked so peaceful almost as if he was that twelve-year-old boy again. But he wasn't, none of them was the person they used to be. They did get stronger and smarter, but in doing so all of them lost their innocence. Hinata remembered the time when the war ended. It was worse than the war itself. The weight of living was crushing everyone. Survivors had but one job- to carry out the will of the dead. And that's what Hinata wanted to do as well. To protect Naruto, just like Neji did.
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Neji nii-san, Naruto-kun might not need any protection in combat, but I will always protect him from his worst enemy- loneliness. I want him to know that he is acknowledged for who he is and not only for his ninja skills. Just like you gained strength from him and found your freedom Neji nii-san, I also found my strength in him and now so does everyone. I will stand by his side, always. It's not just because of my feelings for him, no, I just- never ever want him to go through all the bitter things in life alone, even if I am present as a friend so be it.
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Sakura was still dancing with Sasuke at the other side of the room, although it felt like they were too close to be dancing. Hinata understood what was happening there and quickly looked at the blonde ninja sleep soundly on her lap. We need to take them home she thought, but she didn't have the heart nor the strength to break apart whatever was happening on the other side of the room. Suddenly, Sakura looked up her green eyes making direct contact with the lavender ones and understood what she was trying to say.
"Let's take these boys to their home, who knows what kind of danger lies in the dark of night for two helpless young drunk boys," Sakura said jokingly.
Sakura
What an amazing night, Sakura thought while she was half carrying and half dragging Sasuke home, it was a difficult task because he only had one arm and he was barely conscious. Hinata on the other hand was giving Naruto a piggyback ride, either Naruto is really light or Hinata is freakishly strong cause there doesn't seem any kind of fatigue on her face. Seeing them together Sakura remembered a talk she had with Shikamaru long ago~
-Flashback-
War ended four months ago, there was still a little bit sad in the air but hope was making its way through. Sakura just returned from the Hokage's office when she saw a familiar orange hoddie with a blue-haired girl in a ramen shop. They seemed to be having fun, she thought as the blonde ninja was saying something which made the girl laugh. Is she actually laughing out loud? Uh you two start going out already!! Everyone's waiting, she thought and smiled to herself. She was on her way home when she bumped into Shikamaru and Kiba.
"Oye! Sakura have you seen Naruto?" asked Shikamaru
"Uh yeah, he's with Hinata at Ichiraku" Sakura replied.
"I don't think so, his smell is coming from a lot of places, that bastard must be using Shadow Clones to throw us off" said Kiba with a frown.
"What's the matter Shikamaru? Do you need him for something? I bet the real him is there." Sakura said pointing to the general direction of the Ramen Shop.
"It's a drag, making that guy study, well I think even he needs his days off. Anyway, it's practically impossible for us to separate him from her" Shikamaru smiled a little after saying this.
"Which reminds me, why do you guys think Naruto has feelings for Hinata?" asked Kiba still frowning a little.
"You are just as dense as him, aren't you Kiba? Don't you remember what happened when Pain attacked the village, when Naruto saw Hinata being stabbed, he instantly went to his SIX-TAILS beast form and if it weren't for Fourth Hokage, he would've ripped up the seal?" said Sakura explaining to him for the thousandth time how Kurama tried to take over Naruto's body while responding to his rage.
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"Kurama when he was not so friendly, responded to Naruto's rage, when we were fighting Orochimaru, I saw his four tails form slowly coming in action, I never imagined him to go straight to six-tails. The emotion he must've felt at time might be his lowest point ever, and it was because of his love towards Hinata but that blockhead has no idea what love is. Plus, have you seen the way he way looks at her? Shikamaru, if you have any book on love please give it to him" Sakura said.
"But doesn't he claim to love you, Sakura?" asked Kiba.
"That was nothing, Kiba. He used to say that because... because.." Sakura started blushing and was unable to finish the sentence.
"Because you love Sasuke and he didn't want to lose to him, right?" Shikamaru finished the sentence for her.
Sakura just nodded, and Kiba stood there dumbfounded.
-Flashback over-
Today Sakura noticed the difference in Naruto's attitude, maybe it was the alcohol, but he seemed to be having some internal conflict whenever he saw Hinata. Well, it's just a start,maybe that idiot will figure it out faster than we thought, she thought, as she saw Hinata turning around the corner to go to Naruto's apartment and she turned around to go to Sasuke's.
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I hope you like this different pov and yes I added this chapter just to prove why Naruhina is "not forced" or came out of nowhere. It was just something I've been meaning to tell everyone, well anyway if you are reading this story then it means you don't need convincing that Naruhina is the best!!
