FullMetal*Panic!

Naruto cursed. Again.

Hinata tried in vain to keep from giggling.

The new robe he had bought... the only one left in the garment store... was much too large for him. Not only that, it was a near duplicate to one of the outfits that Jiraiya was often seen wearing. The latter bother Naruto more than the former.

At least it was dry.

And mud free.

Hearing Hinata's unbridled amusement at his expense, Naruto turned a rather perturbed look on her. "Could you please let me know the next time you decide to push me?" He conveniently forgot the reason that Hinata did so.

"Y-Y-Yes N-N-Naruto---k-k-kun...." Hinata was not stammering for her usually reasons. She had broken out in laughter at the look on her companion's face. She marveled at how good it felt to laugh. Why had she laughed so infrequently earlier in her life? "I p-p-promis-s-s-s-se...."

"At least this clothes make me look important or something." Naruto smiled at that thought.

"Y-Y-Yes...." Hinata snorted, immediately feeling embarrassed and crude. That was certainly not ladylike. "Or s-s-s-something...."

"Damn." Naruto groused. The old Naruto would have found some way to get back at Hinata. But he couldn't do that now. Being a boyfriend was so restricting!

Boyfriend.

Him?

Yes. Him. It was his Ninja way.

That was the only reason, right?

Had to be, given the way Hinata was treating him now!

As the two of them made their way towards the fourth restaurant on Naruto's list... the last two were no more a success than the first... the young genin once again tried to sort out his thoughts and emotions regarding his current plight.

Maybe it would help if he considered it an opportunity instead of a plight. Yes, that was the ticket.

The clouds parted overhead. For a moment, Naruto stood framed in a small oval of light, before the brightness expanded to bless the entire area. Looking up, he closed his eyes and felt the warmth on his face. He took a deep breath, trying to place each and every smell that came to his attention. He smiled. He all too infrequently took time to enjoy the wonders that the world had to offer.

Wonders.

More than that. Miracles.

A girl was actually interested in him.

If that wasn't a miracle, what was?

Maybe he should try to appreciate current situation. Sure, Hinata wasn't Sakura-chan---and it had taken a while for him to get over that one-sided attachment, despite the fact that he had realized that she would never have that kind of feeling for him---but that was probably a blessing. He would probably strangle the white-eyes girl if she started saying Sasuke-kun this and Sasuke-kun that.

Hmmmpppfff! He was also glad that Hinata was not in the habit of screeching or yelling the way that Sakura had been. I mean, come on!!!

Naruto suddenly felt philosophical. He hated philosophical.

Life had always seemed so directional. So limited. He hadn't complained before, especially when things had started going in the direction he wanted them to go. But, if his previous existence had been like a long hallway with a single door at one end, his current situation seemed more like a wide room with many doors.

He had choices, after a fashion. Maybe not a lot, but choices just the same. Looking over at Hinata, he wondered what was behind that door. The Lady? The Tiger?

It was almost exciting, not knowing the answer.

'What? get a grip, Naruto! Sheesh.'

"Naruto, I'm going to push...." Hinata's voice broke his reverie.

Squish.

She had kept her word. Naruto wished that she hadn't. She had been too late.

"Shit!!!" Naruto meant that literally. He hadn't been paying attention to where he stepped. He was a good bit less than happy at the moment. His ire rose even more when he took note of the ground around him.

Dog prints lead away from the lumpy brown smear under his foot. Skunk prints lead up to it.

Akamaru.

"I'm sorry, Naruto-kun." Hinata had been feeling guilty at first, then felt a strong surge of empathy. But, she couldn't help but see the humor in the situation. Once again, she felt the need to make a sly comment. "Should we go shopping for new boots now? I'm certain we can find something to match your n-n-new r-r-robe...."

"That's..... alright...... Hinata...... chan....." Naruto bit off his words. "I'll take care of it." He worked a series of hand seals. "No Shit No Jutsu."

That wasn't the true name of the move, but it worked just the same. Working a water jutsu not unlike something Zabuzan might have known, he drew a high pressure stream of water from a nearby trough and cleaned off the bottom of his boot. For a brief moment, he thought about directing a small stream towards Hinata's shirt, but decided against it.

At that moment, an image popped into his mind.

Jiraiya had dragged him out one night to do some 'research' with him. It had been to a bar. On a wet T-shirt night. That had been the first time that Naruto had experienced the geyser-like nosebleeds that he remembered Iruka-sensai, Ebsu-sensai, and the Third having in response to his Sexy No Jutsu.

What would Hinata look like in a wet shirt?

No no no nonononononono no-o-o-o-o. Now was NOT the time to be thinking that!!!

"Naruto-kun, are you OK?" Hinata tilted her head to the side. "You're very red."

"Uh...yes... I'm fine...Hinata. Quite wet. I mean fine, not wet. I was just a little exited. I mean embarrassed." Naruto could feel sweat beading up on his brow. "Hah hah hah... let's get going."

He started off at a quick pace, still very much distracted.

"Naruto-kun, look out!!!" Again, the warning was too late.

Splot.

"Dog crap again?" Naruto asked the question very quietly, even nonchalantly.

Hinata shook her head. "Horse, I think...."

Naruto hung his head. The Fates must be conspiring against him. He was certain of it.

YOUR POWERS OF OBSERVATION LEAVE ME HUMBLED

Naruto clencehed his fists. 'Shut up shut up shutupshutupshutup....'

CERTAINLY

Naruto closed his eyes and sighed.

SHIT FOOT

His eyes snapped open. Naruto stomped his foot in anger. He had chosen the wrong foot.

Kyubi's laughter rang loud in his ears for what seemed like an eternity. Then, it was gone.

Naruto grudingly admitted that the damn fox had every right to be amused. He could just picture it. The Hokage with crap on his boot.

Hinata watched Naruto like a hawk. It was what she did. Habit. Maybe even hobby.

Watching the evolving expressions on his face, and marveling at his various postural changes, she wished that she could read his mind. What was he thinking? There wasn't something wrong with him, she hoped. He had fallen on his head a lot while she watched him try to run up those trees long ago.

But, her thoughts soon tracked away from that. She drank in the changes in Naruto, somehow feeling cheated that she never had a chance to see him grow over the years.

He was a good bit taller now. Broader too. His teacher must have him doing physical labor along with the rest of his training. Something about his face and hair reminded her of a picture she had seen of the Fourth Hokage. Yes, Naruto was actually becoming handsome, even though he didn't realize that.

Her breath caught in her throat. She put her hand over her heart and closed her eyes. She shivered as a quick chill ran down her spine. When she opened her eyes again, she couldn't help but stare.

She was hopeless, wasn't she?

Her face grew warm. Nothing new, but she didn't mind.

Would he ever feel the same way about her? It was way too soon to have any indication of that. And, if every time they were together they were to run into the troubles they had today... well, he might feel relieved when she was not around.

Hinata hoped not. She certainly didn't feel that way herself. Despite all the mishaps and disruptions, things somehow felt right. Fun, even. She would have a lot to tell Kurenai-sensai.

She swallowed hard, stumbling across one particular thought. She doubted that her father would approve! Well... what he didn't know wouldn't hurt him! Oh. And what might Neji think? His opinion mattered a lot to her now. He usually spoke of Naruto in glowing terms.

A mischievous gust of wind blew past, carrying a number of flower petals on its back. The pink and red petals rode the breeze like ships on a swelling wave, before floating gently to the ground. She picked one up and turned it over in her hand.

Hinata looked at Naruto again, wishing she could tell him just how grateful she was. Because of his support, she had stood up to her cousin. Even though she had lost their match, that act----combined with things that Naruto had said to Neji during his own fight with him----had earned her cousin's respect. It had also eventually lead to Neji training with her father. More importantly, her father had begun to see her in a much different light.

Naruto-kun.

When the two shinobi reached a food tent that a kind woman had told them housed a noodle chef from a neighboring village, Naruto was infuriated by the size of the crowd ringing the ramshackle collection of cloth panels and pennants.

"That's it!" Naruto shook his fist at no one and nothing specific. "I have had enough. No, I haven't had any!!!" He took the large scroll off of its hangar and threw it in the air. Hinata watched in awe as it spun about... landed... then unrolled on its own "Time to take matters into my own hands," Naruto huffed.

Hinata wondered what Naruto was going to do. She fervently hoped that he wasn't going to do something illegal or unforgivable. He was just as headstrong as she remembered him, single-minded even. He had needed to be before. Was there some reason that he needed to be the same way now?

Naruto bit his finger, drawing blood. "Summoning No Jutsu." He slammed his hand down on the ground.

A large toad appeared, one the size of a small shack. Its back was painted in a wild and bizarre pattern of colors. A colorful pendant hung from its neck, and a massive axe was tied to its side.

"Gamarakki! Hey! Feel like helping?" Naruto went over and slapped his hand against one uplifted foot of the massive beast.

"Dude! What's the deal? We got something to fight?" The toad swiveled its head to and fro. "Who's that. Is she your...." Gammarakki held up one front hand, all fingers but the smallest folded over.

"Uh..." Naruto put his hand behind his head, then blushed. "Yeh... I guess you could say that." He even smiled. He stopped, when he caught himself.

The huge toad put his snout on the ground, bumping up against Hinata. "My condolences, miss."

Hinata grinned, then reached out to rub the broad area between Gamarakki's nostrils. "I think I must have sinned heavily in a past life," she said with a straight face.

Loud amphibian laughter cleared the tent area for a moment.

'Excellent,' Naruto thought, pumping his hand in the air. That wasn't what he had in mind, but if it worked, he wouldn't complain. Unfortunately, hunger soon out-dueled shock and fear. The crowd ran right back again. 'Oh hell!'

"So. Spill the beans, bro. Whazzup. I got things to do." Gammarakki looked over at Naruto.

"Ramen." Naruto rubbed his abdomen.

"Ah man. Not again." The great toad closed its eyes. A low rumbling noise could be heard.

"Yup! Just like before. This time I want you to leave this in its place." Naruto tossed a small bag of money to Gammarakki. "We're paying. I'm on a... ummm... date."

"OK." Gammarakki sighed. "I come all this way for that." He looked over at the tent, seeing a number of large iron pots, each capable of swallowing up a small child. "Which pot is cool?"

Naruto closed his eyes and used a skill he had developed on his own. After making a series of complex seals, he felt his senses expanding. This was his own version of the byugan. He could sense heat from objects within a certain distance, allowing him to place their location. "Third pot from the left. It's barely warm."

Naruto cut off his jutsu.

No sense wasting chakra.

Just as the self-satisfied ninja had curtailed his power, a cook removed one of the pots and walked it to a V.I.P. area in the rear of the tent. The pot that was now third from the left contained boiling water. Its sides glowed red from the intense heat.

Naruto tugged at his robe collar. "Hey Hinata. Watch this." He was a bit over-puffed with his pride. "Go Gama!"

"Righto!!!" The toad's mouth opened. An impossibly long tongue shot out, pushed past the crowd of people and fabric of the tent, then coiled around the targeted pot.

"Yes!" Naruto jumped up and punched the air. "Noodles!"

"Naruto-kun." Hinata was amazed at her companion's summoning skill.

"OOOOOOOH-OW-OW-OW-OW-W-W-W-W SHEEEEEEEEEET!!!" Gammarakki recoiled its tongue like a scorched bat. A large iron pot bounced down the street outside the tent, scattering a group of pedestrians and a horse or two. Steam filled the air.

"Huh?" Naruto was shocked.

"Oh...." Hinata hid her eyes.

"OUTTA HERE, TWERP!!! OW-W-W-W...." Gamarakki disappeared.

Gulping, Naruto quickly gathered up his scroll and led Hinata away from an angry looking crowd. Whistles were blowing. Somebody was calling for the local constable. The two of them broke into a run.

Turning one corner, they both ran headlong into Iruka, causing all three to tumble to the ground. Looking up, Naruto saw that his friend had been accompanied by Konohamaru, Udon, and Moegi.

"Hi, Naruto...." Iruka said, rubbing his head. "Hinata-chan." He bowed as best he could.

"Iruka-sensai! What are you doing here?" At first, Naruto looked excited, then he looked suspicious. "Are you here to spy on us, too?”

"Ha! Naruto! You clumsy fool. You are no longer talented enough to be my rival, I see!" Konohamaru interrupted Iruka before he could answer. "The Konohamura squad will bear witness to that fact!"

Moegi stepped forward. "I, Moegi, the girl with the amazing womanly attributes, agree!" She put her hands on her hips and did a pirouette.

"Yes! I Udon, who enjoys doing complex calculations and other mental miracles, also concur!" Udon's weapons bag fell off and hit the street with a loud clang.

"Annoying as always," Naruto mumbled under his breath.

"So, Naruto. How the mighty have fallen. Too afraid to meet my challenge, you left our village with a phony excuse." Konohamuru looked over at Hinata. "And, thoroughly embarrassed and rejected by that beautiful girl from before, you have begun dating someone like her." He pointed to Hinata.

Hinata blushed. She hung her head.

Seeing that, Naruto felt his hands transform into claws. His breathing became somewhat ragged. A strong protective instinct filled him. Seeing his face, Udon stepped behind Iruka, who had just gotten back on his feet.

"Yes, she is not as beautiful as me, Moegi, the girl with goddess good looks." She struck a pose. "And, she's not as good looking as that Sakura-chan either. Guess beggars can't be choosers. Right, Udon?"

Udon wisely remained silent.

"Hey guys, that's not very nice. I think...." Iruka never had a chance to finish.

"When I'm Hokage instead of you, I will only hang out with good looking girls!" Konohamura put his hands behind his head in a gesture much like the one Naruto often used.

That was the final straw for Naruto. His eyes taking on a vulpine look, and a growl echoing deep in his throat, he moved with unbelievable swiftness. With deft swings of his arms, he used his claws to shred Konohamuru's clothing, never one scratching his skin or drawing even a single drop of blood. When he was finished, his young friend stood stark naked.

"Hokage, your public awaits." Naruto picked Konohamuru up by the nape of the neck and tossed him a tremendous distance, watching as he landed in the middle of the adjacent street.

The boy's frantic shriek filled Naruto with a feeling of power.

"Naruto...." Iruka held his hands up, but he was too slow.

"Oh, and Moegi...." Naruto walked slowly over to the trembling Moegi. "I don't wish to be rude, but some people might think you're a dog." Concentrating, he created the illusion that a hound's head had replaced Moegi's. Bringing her hands up to her face, she screamed, then ran off down the street sobbing.

"Naruto-kun...." Hinata sounded disappointed in him, but he ignored her.

"Wait...." Iruka tried again, to no avail. He watched as Naruto walked over to Udon.

"Udon...." Naruto smiled. His teeth looked incredibly sharp

With a brief scream, Udon turned and ran straight into a nearby wall, falling to the dirt unconscious.

"Oh. I was only going to commend him for keeping quiet," Naruto said out loud to himself. Then drawing himself up to his full height, he spoke with a deep gravely voice, bordering on a growl. "I...... think..... Hinata...... is...... beautiful..... does...... anybody...... want..... to...... argue....... with...... me......"

'Oooops. Where had that come from?' Naruto didn't really care at the moment. He almost felt like sitting back on his haunches and letting out a series of yips. He really needed to learn better control when he was under the influence of Nine Tail's chakra.

Yes, it felt really good, but he imagined that drugs or alcohol might feel the same way for addicts and lushes.

Hinata looked at Naruto. She folded her hands together and blushed brighter than ever before.

The people in the alley were all running for cover. Naruto looked over at Iruka, who held his hands up. "Yes, she is very cute Naruto." He sighed in relief, seeing Naruto calm down and take on a more human apperance. "I had heard that you were here. We only wanted to visit, and see if you wanted to join us for ramen. I didn't think there would be any trouble."

"Ramen?" Naruto's voice had a wistful quality.

Hinata grinned.

"Yes," Iruka said. "Not finding you, we already ate."

"Ramen." Naruto closed his eyes.

"Mmm Hmmmm." Iruka smiled. "I know how much you love it. I think those was some of the best noodles I ever had."

Naruto's stomach rumbled. Hinata thought about speaking up, asking Iruka to stop talking about ramen. No. That wasn't necessary.

"I think those kids ate enough for both of you!" Iruka laughed. "You should have seen the stack of bowls. Fifteen. Maybe even twenty. Large bowls of tasty noodles."

Naruto began to quiver. Hinata reached out to put a hand on his arm. She squeezed.

"Yes, I thought I was going to burst, too. We cleaned out the shop. If I guess correctly, by the flavor of things, it must be your favorite shop in this neck of the woods." Iruka looked fondly as his one time pupils. "Are you teaching Hinata the glory of ramen?"

Naruto grew fangs again. Looking over at Hinata, Iruka didn't take notice.

"Hah hah! Everyone likes noodles I guess. We couldn't finish all that we ordered, so we left our bowls outside for the dogs. I bet they haven't eaten that well in weeks, if ever!" Iruka's chuckling sounded like an avalanche of boulders in Naruto's ears. "But, I bet you ate you fill too, today. Didn't you?"

Hinata shook her head frantically. She put her finger up to her lip.

"Iruka-sensai, because you are special to me, I will give you a head start." Naruto had listened. The angry crowd from the food tent had finally trailed them. "I suggest you start running." He put his fingers in his mouth and whistled loudly, drawing the crowds attention. "Go!" He worked an illusion, making Iruka look just like Naruto, down to the last detail.

He couched down. "On my back Hinata, fast."

"Uh, Naruto-kun...." Seeing the rushing mob, Hinata followed the instructions.

"Kontserun Henge No Jutsu." Naruto worked the seals. When he was done, he and Hinata looked like a single tall man of average and unremarkable features.

"But...." Iruka looked at the tall stranger, then at the crowd.

"They're after me... and you look just like me now. Bye, Iruka sensai!"

Iruka took off running, Udon in his arms.

"Naruto-kun...." Hinata didn't want things to go too far.

"Don't worry. Iruka-sensai is like a brother to me. I would never let him get hurt. Not even over ramen." Concentrting, he created a wall of stone between Iruka and the onrushing crowd. "Iruka-sensai looked like he had put on some weight. The run will do him some good."

Hinata moved her arms from Naruto's shoulders to up to around his neck, sighing. She had had enough excitement for a number of days. But, she realized that she didn't want it to stop.

Naruto cancelled the disguise jutsu. He was about to suggest that Hinata get down, but stopped. Her head rested against the back of his. She smelled nice. There wasn't any reason to rush, was there?

Carrying Hinata piggy back, Naruto ignored the grins and strange looks that the people around them made. "Hold on, Hinata." He took off in a run. No, they weren't being pursued. All that talk of ramen had him feeling ready to collapse.

Hinata took in the view of the streets from her new height. She didn't mind the bumpy ride, or the cramp in her arms. Previously, she would have given anything to be in this position.

"It's not fair. Everybody else had had ramen. We deserve ramen too. You deserve ramen, Hinata." Naruto zeroed in on his next target. Things were getting somewhat desperate. He only knew of two more noodle shops. "Watch me work!" He set Hinata down gently, swallowing hard when she impulsively gave him a quick hug. "Uh... yeh.... work...."

Hinata blushed. She stored away Naruto's reaction for future consideration.

After making a quick survey of the situation, Naruto worked his next jutsu. "Kage Bunshin No Jutsu." A group of Narutos ran towards the ramen parlor. After using some of his new talents to quickly view the various faces and clothing of the people standing in the shop, she shouted "Henge No Jutsu."

Looking just like patrons of the shop, the clones each grabbed a bowl of noodles, dropped a few coins on the counter top, and ran back out into the street. Their actions drew an unhappy response from the people waiting in line. That response became near murderous when a voice inside the shop yelled "That's it! No more noodles. Go home folks!"

The crowd took off after the running clones.

"Hah! Told you. Nothing can hold Naruto Uzumaki down forever. I'm going to be Hokage some day!!!" Naruto rubbed his hands together in glee, seeing the hoard of clones rushing in his direction. To an onlooker, it might have been a fearful sight.

Someone flashed into view between Naruto and the clones.

"Brother!" Hinata called out, even though Neji was her cousin, not sibling.

"Kaiten!!!" The amount of force that Neji put forth dwarfed Hinata's earlier move.

The clones were all blown skyward, disappearing in mid air. Bowls of ramen plummeted to the ground, shattering on impact. The ground looked as if it were covered with an army of long thin worms.

Shocked by everything they had witnessed. The scores of unhappy customers turned tail and sought a more peaceful section of the town. They could eat tomorrow.

"NO-O-O-O-O-O-O-O-O-O-O-O-O...." Naruto put is hands on the sides of his head and shouted at the top of his lungs. "We...... were...... so...... close......"

Hinata patted Naruto gently on the back.

Neji stood in the middle of the street, wondering just what had happened. He then waked over to pay his respects to his cousin and his friend.

"I thought you were under attack." Neji looked at Naruto, his eyes awash with curiosity. "But those were your clones, were they not?"

"Yes...." Naruto spoke so quietly, no one could hear him.

"Yes," Hinata said. She went on to explain the situation.

"Neji is here too," Naruto whispered to himself. "Wonder where the rest of them are...." He then straightened up, and tried to gather up some of his old bravado. "Really nice move. That was much better than the one you used on me. You've been training!"

"Naturally!" Neji answered as if that were a foregone conclusion. "Hinata-chan should be doing the same. She can't afford too much time for idle pursuits."

"Ummm... ummmm...." Hinata worked her finger tips against one another.

Neji smiled. "Although, certain activities might qualify as a valuable exception." He remembered his cousin's reaction when Naruto left the village to train, and the look on her face when she had blurted out that she had seen him again. He looked over at Naruto. "You ARE taking good care of her, are you not?"

Hinata walked over and took hold of Naruto's arm. She nodded her head, eyes closed and a smile on her lips.

Yes," Naruto said, almost taking the question as a challenge. No, he would think of it as an assignment! "She couldn't be in better hands! Uh... I mean.... Uh....”

Hinata blushed. Neji smiled fondly at two of the most important people in his life.

"Keep up the good work." Neji nodded.

"I will!" Naruto meant it. He smiled, realizing how good that actually made him feel. This boyfriend-girlfriend stuff wasn't so bad.

"You've made a very good choice, Hinata-chan. I approve." Neji was not smiling or laughing. His voice was very solemn. "I do not know if you could have done better. We may have the byugan, but he has the best eyes that I know of. If you understand my meaning."

"Yes," Hjinata said, sounding somewhat solemn herself.

"Awww, c'mon Neji. You’re flattering me....." Naruto put his hands behind his head, closing his eyes.

"No, I am not." Neji shook his head. "I never had time to give you the details of my individual fight against the Sound." Neji placed his hand over one of the sites that a hole had been bored straight through his body by one of his enemy's fearsome arrows. "A lesson I learned from you helped me then. Some day, when there is time---and you are not occupied---" He nodded at Hinata. "I will tell you the tale."

"Ummm... yeh. And I'll tell you the details about... Sasuke..." Naruto's voice faded. He shook his head, as if trying to clear away cobwebs.

Neji nodded.

Hinata reached out and squeezed Naruto’s hand. Neji notice and smiled again. He had seen what he wanted to see.

"I'm due at a mission. I must leave now." Neji waved, then flashed out of view.

"Nice guy," Naruto said. He couldn't believe that he had once thought that Neji was one of the biggest jerks under the sun. No, there had been a reason for that. At the time.

People change. Sometimes for the better. But, sometimes for the worse, too. The image of Sasuke wandered across his mind.

"Yes. Him too." Hinata was looking up at Naruto, an expression on her face that he had never seen before.

"Hah hah hah... Hinata... you can't mean me...." Naruto felt very uneasy, for some reason. But, Hinata's words also touched his heart. He must really mean something to her.

Hinata didn't say anything. She simply smiled and took Naruto's hands. "If at first you don't succeed, try try again. That is our Ninja Way."

"Hinata?" Naruto was so distracted by his feelings, he lost sight of their objective.

"Ramen." Hinata said.

"Right!"