He wasn't sure why but he found himself restless as of late. He knew that he wasn't the brightest of Shinobi and despite the favored nickname given to him by the Uchiha, he knew he wasn't dead last. Aside from popular belief, he noticed the subtle changes that happened around him. He had always noticed and felt the stares that he had been given, even though the emotions behind those gazes had changed over the course of a few years. He had always known that people didn't necessarily want to be around him. He could sense the fear and hatred that was within them. He knew and yet he knew that he could change their minds about him. He knew that he could do it and the only way to do so was to become Hokage. He decided at an early age that in order to gain everyone's love and respect, he had to do something huge. Something that could take a lifetime to achieve. Those days of hopeful thinking weren't for nothing.
He had helped save the world.
Now he was certain that wasn't what he had had in mind to make everyone change their minds about him. It was just that he had been the one to take the call, not that he liked to think about it in that manner. In reality, he only saw it as a journey to retrieve the lost Uchiha, engulfed and shrouded by hatred and darkness. It wasn't like he had made this grand scheme to save the world while doing so. Life was unexpected and that just happened to be one of the paths that he had chosen. That path had lead him straight to the man that he had been chasing after since his days as a Genin.
Many would say that he was too humble, unable to fully accept the title as Hero. However, he saw it differently. He was simply one of many that had helped to save the world. All the Shinobi that had been part of the World War, were Heroes in his mind. They had willingly fought alongside one another in order to protect what they felt was important. They had cast aside all former misconceptions of one another and became one. That was what he saw as a heroic act. He simply could not accept that he was the only Hero, especially after all the lives that had been taken from them.
He could only thank the wonderful friends and family that had graced him. He had people who he could trust without doubts filling his wary mind. He had people that he would easily put his life on the line for and vice versa. He had surrogate parent figures that taught him valuable lessons throughout his life. He had been able to met his deceased mother and father, as they lived on inside of him. He was able to fight alongside his father, sharing a feeling that he had always longed for. He had a home, a place that love him and he in return. A place that he finally felt like he belonged. A place that loved and respected him.
He was a happy man.
Despite the happiness and joy that had come into his life, currently, he was confused. A nagging feeling was in the back of his head. His stomach continued to roll and flop throughout the days. His body was clear and open, but his mind was, more often than not, in a faraway place, making it increasingly difficult to focus on what was happening around him. Everyday, he woke up energized and ready for what was to come. However, by the end of the day, he would collapse onto his bed, wondering why it felt like he had been the lucky receiver of Sakura's punch. He was wondering why it felt like he was continuously missing something. He was not the brightest but he was far from dull.
He had asked Granny Tsunade to give him a small physical, making sure that he wasn't suffering from long term effects from the War. When she had given him the 'All Clear' he immediately poked and prodded Kurama about what was making him feel off. The Fox huffed in annoyance, though there was a grin on his snout. Kurama told him that there was nothing physically wrong. His Chakra balance was as normal as it could be, while being his Host. The vague answer that had been given to him was slightly frustrating and when he tried to get more out of the Fox, he was ignored, the Kyuubi falling back into a light slumber, smirk and all.
Something was off and he couldn't figure out what it was.
The heat was unforgiving today. The thick rays of sunshine broke through the trees, casting shadows through the foliage. A few certain areas opened up, allowing the sweltering heat to expand across the ground. There would be a much needed storm, that much he knew. The summer's heat was still lingering in the Land of Fire. Autumn would be here at the end of the month but this summer had been relentless, a few scattered showers here and there but it wasn't enough to moisturize the brittle and cracked Training Grounds. Ah yes, the next storm would probably be closer to a Typhoon, he noted at the sudden change of wind.
With a heavy grunt, he rolled over onto his back, gasping for oxygen in this humid air. The back of his hand wiping of the thick layer of sweat that coated his forehead. His muscles tensed slightly beneath his tanned skin, his body protesting at being thrown hazardously against the dry ground. Training was one way that he let out his pent up energy and frustrations. He dedicated three to four days out of the week to training not only his body but his mind. It was hard to break such a habit as he spent three long years with the Pervy Sage that saw nothing but endless amounts of sculpting of the mind and body. Despite the occasional trip to the bath house or brothel, Jiraiya had been very adamant about his training regimen. Not only had it kept the blonde occupied but it had also taught him many things about himself.
His tongue slid out from his mouth, wetting his dry lips as he grazed up at the vast azure expanse that was the sky. Not a single cloud was out to help lessen the sun's burning gaze. He chuckled to himself, reaching out to grab one of the many canteens that he had brought with him. The cool rush of water down his throat caused a slight shiver to roll throughout his body, as he could feel the cold liquid rush down his esophagus and into his stomach. Sitting up, he poured the water over his head and down his back, shaking off the excess amount. A frown touched his lips. No matter how hard he tried to concentrate on training, it only worked for a few moments.
That feeling always came back to him.
Chewing on the pad of his thumb, his brows furrowed in frustration as he tried to reach into the furthest parts of his mind. Meditation seemed like a good option but he always ended up becoming irritated as nothing seemed to pop out at him. His senses flared up as he felt something approaching from behind and at a rapid pace. He immediately rolled out of the way as a body landed on all fours in the spot where he had been. Their nails and heels dug into the ground to stop themselves from sliding any further. He felt his mouth run dry at the sight.
The female body was nothing new to the Uzumaki. After all, his three year training session with Jiraiya had shown him the wonders that the opposite gender had in their possession. He knew the difference between a civilian and Kunoichi's body. He knew the gentle curves and the soft flesh that women had in their arsenal, some who used it to their advantage, especially against his weak hearted Sage. He knew of the smooth and subtle muscles that hid beneath a Kunoichi's flesh, coiling and tensing when they were prepared to attack. He knew the difference in tone of voice that they used in order to obtain what they wanted. He knew the sensual purr that came between lush lips when climax was close. He knew of how skilled a woman's hands could be. He knew how addictive how their body could be. He knew all of these things, yet he felt like he was gazing up the body of a woman for the first time.
Skin gently kissed by the sun glimmered and glistened in the sun's harsh light, a thin layer of sweat covering her flexible limbs. Each muscle was tensing and flexing from exertion as she held herself steady. Harsh breathing could be heard, causing her chest to rise and fall dramatically, a motion that catch his eyes for more than an acceptable amount of time. Slender arms were firmly holding onto the ground and he could feel a slow and steady pulse of her Chakra reaching out into the ground or maybe that was the sound of his own heartbeat in his ears. Her long, what seemed like endless, legs were stable and taut holding her in a feline like crounch, her posterior settling is a slight turn into the air. Her entire body was like an extension of a graceful, yet deadly, animal. He caught the slight shudder of her muscles ripple beneath her as she jumped out of the way of an incoming fist. The ground trembled and shook as her opponent glanced over his way, emeralds sparkling with determination. During that moment of distraction, her opponent was caught off guard, a leg connecting with her midsection, causing her to shoot back into the direction that she had come from.
The leg settled on the ground, a hand placed upon her wide hips, her exposed stomach flexed slightly. She wiped off the smudge dirt and blood that was at the corner of her lip before her oceanic hues landed on him. If he wasn't at a loss for words prior then surely he wouldn't find any now. There was a slow curl to the corner of her lips that reminded him of a grin that Kurama would give him. She was dangerous, that was what he could conclude from this encounter. The way she held herself was incomparable to the other women he had been around. She had discarded her normal Shinobi attire, just like her opponent. Only in the garments that they wore beneath them. A mesh tube top covering her chest and a pair of black shorts, he had always wondered if she had a weird tanline due to her oddly shaped top. He supposed that was one mystery solved. A dainty hand reached to toss her hair over her shoulder, the flaxen locks looking like gold spun strands in the sun light.
"Sorry for interrupting your training, Naruto," she said in a low tone, probably due to the increasing exhaustion from sparring with her pink haired rival, but Gods did it sound like a sensual purr. With a curt nod, she dashed off into the direction she had come from, leaving behind the speechless Uzumaki behind.
What the hell had just happened?
There were a lot of things that he had to focus on as of late. Of course, he was not suited to be Hokage as of yet or so, that was what he had told Granny Tsunade, much to her shock. He knew that he was far too wet behind the ears to start commanding a Village. He knew that that responsibility would be far too much for him to handle at such a young age. He had all the faith in his former Genin Teacher to command the Village until his time was ready. Besides, he wanted to enjoy the life that he had right now. After the World War had ended, he was finally able to settle down for a while, unlike being thrown back and forth in a chaotic life. He finally had time to breathe and think about all that had happened and that would happen. He needed to figure out a few things before he took on the task of being Hokage, despite his desires to see his face on the Hokage Mountain.
Prior to the War and all the way until the very end, he had been chasing after the man that he could see as a brother. A lifetime friend. It had been a gruesome journey to get to the point that they were at now but the blonde knew things would fall into place. He knew that the Uchiha had many unresolved feelings that needed time to work out. He knew that Sasuke was still unsure of himself. That was why he wanted to dedicate this time to help his friend on the right path this time around. When they were younger, they were rivals. A love-hate relationship had blossomed between them and as hard as Naruto tried to keep Sasuke on the path of happiness and light, Sasuke defected. The more he thought about it, Naruto knew that it was likely the best option for the Uchiha to take at the time. Here, within the Village, Sasuke would have never discovered the truth about the Uchiha Massacre. He would have never known of Itachi's sacrifice. He would have never understood what it meant to be Shinobi.
As much as the people in the Village thought of him as traitorous, Naruto knew that his time away from the Village had certainly benefitted Sasuke. The blonde knew that if he didn't continue to support and uplift the Uchiha then he would follow the similar path as Madara had. He didn't want that to happen, so he was sure to keep an eye of his friend. Not like it was difficult, most of his time was spent with the Uchiha, helping him readjust to life in the Village. Helping him reconnect with those that he had disregarded and cast away in the past. Pushing him to repent for the damage that he had caused in his naivety and self destruction. That was all that he could do for Sasuke, he could only guide him along, hoping that he had truly changed. Sure, he put all his faith into believing that the Uchiha had changed, he had seen his heart, what he truly wanted.
However, Naruto was not a complete idealist. He had to be wary from time to time when a faraway look came to Sasuke's eyes. He had to be cautious when memories of the past caused the raven haired male to still, fingers curling into a tight fist. Only time could heal old wounds. Only a strong will and determination could change a person. He believed that Sasuke would overcome his past, one of these days and Naruto would be by his side every step of the way.
Stepping away from his male teammate, he thought of the girl now woman, who had had his heart for all these years. Was it really his heart that she had? Was he ever truly in love with her? He was sure that the younger version of him did truly love her (he could hear his younger self yelling at him) but maybe he loved the idea of her. Sakura had many perks about her. She was everything that he wasn't at a young age. She was loyal and intelligent. Her Chakra Control was so precise and smooth that he had been surprised during their first training exercise. She was a kind and compassionate woman. However, she had a downfall. Her eyes only saw Sasuke. The Uchiha was all she could ever speak about, think about. Not matter how hard he tried to gain her approval, she only has the red and white crest in her eyes. Still, as a naive boy, he pursued her until the end of the War.
When she had said that she loved him in the Land of Iron, a small part of his heart had fluttered and skipped but he knew that that love was different than the one she had for the Uchiha. He knew that she was lying and as much as he wanted to loathe her for giving him false hope, he couldn't find it within himself. His trust in her had faltered slightly. He caught himself wondering how far was she willing to go for the Uchiha. He knew that he could only be loved like a sibling. He knew that he could never compare to the love that she had created for only Sasuke. He spent many hours laying in bed, staring up at the ceiling, wondering what was so great about the Uchiha. He had done nothing for the pink haired girl. He hardly acknowledged her when they were Genin. He ignored her cries and pleas without feeling any source of remorse. Or maybe he was wrong? He was looking at this out of spite and jealousy. Sasuke had protected her in the Forest of Death, unlocking his Cursed Seal in order to protect her.
He had knocked her unconscious to protect her from chasing after him when he chose to leave the Village, to keep her out of harm's way. He had never intentionally harmed her, well aside from the time that he nearly killed her and she had tried to kill him. Naruto was sure that there was a specific reason why that fight had happened but he wasn't sure if it had to do with love or the resolve to end Sasuke's destructive path of self decay. During the World War, they all had fought alongside one another, as a Team should. They were all in perfect harmony. They were all one. During the their final face off, he had placed Sakura in a Genjutsu, to keep her from doing anything reckless. He even went as far as to apologize for all that he had ever done to her and she happily forgave him. So he supposed that Sasuke still had contributed somehow. He shrugged not truly understanding a woman's love for a man.
A woman's love, huh? He mulled over the thought thinking of the Hyuuga Heiress. Due to the chaos that had come after the battle with Pein, he had had little time to actual figure out how he felt. The Byakugan User had professed her love to him mid-battle, which was not something that he had expected from her. He knew that if he had noticed her sooner then things would have been different. Instead, he spent all his time following after Sakura, idolizing everything that she did. He should have known that she had feelings for him, by the way that her speech impediment increased when he was near. Or how her face would turn as red as a tomato and occasionally, she would faint around him. He had always thought it strange but after a few conversations with Jiraiya, he understood. Gods, how could he have been such an ignorant fool? How could she be in love with someone like him?
A small smile touched his lips as he remembered the words that had been so confidently said on that battlefield. He had to admit, it truly did touch his heart. While they were young, she had never once scorned him. She had accepted him for who he was, despite not knowing that he was the holding Kurama within him. She gave him unconditional love. He, in turn, had given her strength or so that was what she had told him. She truly was a woman that he could see himself with years down the road, she was everything that Sakura wasn't and that was what made her a suitable partner. Hell, even Kurama liked her enough.
However, try as he might, he couldn't reciprocate those feelings for the Hyuuga. He had gone on several dates with the quiet woman and he had to admit, he had a great time with her but he was unable to bring forth those same feelings. He often asked himself, what was wrong. Why couldn't he happily fall head over heels with her? He was trying to figure out for quite sometime. He didn't expect love to hit him full force, make him dizzy and out of sorts. He supposed that it would take a longer about of time to fall in love. That was why he had given up on Sakura long ago, because she had years and years of love for the Uchiha built up. Hinata, too, had years and years of endless love for him but he simply couldn't hold a match to what she had for him. He didn't want to love her in a half-assed manner, she deserved so much more. That was why he was trying to give it is all, in falling in love with her, but it was too forced. It felt unnatural. It didn't feel right.
It had been almost two years since the War had ended and yet he still couldn't produce any results for the awaiting Hyuuga. He felt wrong. He felt like he was leading the Byakugan User along, like some love sick puppy. That wasn't what he wanted. He wanted her to find happiness and love, but maybe that person wasn't him. Perhaps, she loved the idea of him. They barely knew one another and had only recently began to learn more about one another. She had admitted to watching him constantly as a young girl but she was still surprised to find out things that she had missed while idolizing him. He had learned many things about her as well and there was a small connection between the two of them, but he wasn't sure if they could move any further. He knew that he would have to talk to her soon. When the topic of his current relationship had been brought up, he felt uncomfortable. He had tried his best to reply to all of the demanding questions given to him by his female teammate but he was uncomfortable. He didn't enjoy talking about a relationship that was going nowhere. It didn't feel right.
What had felt right?
Well, during their night out, the feeling of a warm body near him had felt right. Her warmth was addictive and alluring when she was around those she cared about. The way she smiled at the conversations was mesmerizing, surely she knew that. She smelled like fresh soil and an array of flowers (lilies were the strongest scent that had come from her). What had felt natural was resting an arm behind her while they enjoyed their time with their closest friends, leaning a little closer to her subconsciously. What had felt nice was the way her Chakra mingled with his, curiously and gently, as she connected their minds in a telepathic link. What had caused his heart to skip was when she leaned across him, her hair tickling his chin faintly and her body sliding across his, causing a small blush to appear on his cheeks. The way she looked up at him to apologize caused a knot to form in his throat. His lungs felt like they would burst, so he drank in order to keep himself calm. She made him feel like he was a wobbling toddler, unable to stand up on his own two legs.
Being around her had felt just and wholesome. She captured the attention of all those around them, her beauty was that of a goddess and she should be easily partnered with one who matched (ie. Uchiha Sasuke). But she stated that she had no interest in anyone and he could only wondered if it was because she hadn't found anyone to match her standards. Who would be far greater suited for her than the Uchiha, he wondered. He didn't wish to believe that she was shallow, for if she was then he was as well. He knew a lot about the Yamanaka, knowledge and information that he had gained over the years. She cared about making connections with other people, as emotions heavily influenced and swayed her decisions. That would make the Uchiha an unlikely candidate, as he chose to keep everything to himself for the majority of time. Ever since the question had been asked, he wondered who could possibly capture the Mind Walker's interest.
They had become friends not too long before he had left on his journey. He had always liked being around her bright and intuitive personality, she had apologized for the way she had treated him. He, later on in the course of time, apologized for being the reason for her father's early departure from this world, which she vehemently denied through her tears. She was similar to both the women that he had had interest in. She was strong willed and determined while having a short temper just like her best friend. She was also compassionate and caring, placing everyone before her. She was ideal but also far from his clutches. Despite becoming closer to her, he felt that she was in a league of her own. The way she carried herself so confidently, the world was her oyster and she would see to have anything she wanted and would devour it whole.
Who was he to even think about her in such a manner? Never in a million years would he have thought of her in such a light. Perhaps it had something to do with the alcohol he had drank that night that caused him to view her in such a manner. Perhaps it had something to do with the way she looked today, those eyes primal and sensual. Perhaps it had something to do with his testosterone racing through his veins that began to see her more than simply a friend but as a woman. Letting out a frustrated sigh, he ruffled his messy locks, disregarding the cool gaze of his companion for the rest of the day.
One thing was for certain, he was not lusting after his close friend, Yamanaka Ino.