„somber news"

Hanako awakens but refuses to open her eyes that will be greeted by the sunlight peaking through the window. She reaches to hold her necklace, only to be stopped by the heavy weight on her left arm. Hanako felt her body stiffen in fear, now she really refuses to open her eyes and see a stranger in her bed. She tries to remember what she did last night and when did she fall asleep.

I was in Naruto's house and then

what

She constructs a strategy to escape in her mind.

I still have my right arm free, I can punch his throat.

She lifts her arm, getting ready to make a blow on the stranger's throat. As she went for the attack, she was engulfed by a large hug.

Hanako lets out a yelp of surprise and opens her eyes, realizing who was the culprit of her kidnapping. She smiles widely, seeing the familiar blonde hair that she missed so much. Hanako quickly hugs back as Naruto puts his legs on top of hers to embrace her even more. She giggles at his movements. As much as Hanako wants to stay and cuddle with him, she needed to pee.

"Naruto-kun, I need to go to the bathroom.", Hanako manages to say.

Naruto frowns and stays still.

"Oi, Naruto-kun."

Naruto opens one eye to check who was calling his name so early.

"Oh, Hanako-chan? What's wrong?"

Hanako looks at him and smiles, "Good morning, Naruto-kun.", the blonde grins at her greeting, feeling warmth and fuzziness.

"Good morning, Hanako-chan."

"Eto, do you mind?", Hanako points out her caged position.

"G-gomen! I usually have a pillow to hug b-but－"

"It's alright. I'll cook breakfast. What would you like to eat?", Hanako says as she went in Naruto's bathroom.

Naruto gapes at her, following the Shinozaki's movements. He is still processing the fact that he went home to a clean apartment and a girl that was waiting for him, a girl who was now going to cook him breakfast.

You're really too kind Hanako-chan.

But what bothers him is the events that happened. Itachi talking to him about Sasuke and if he would kill him if he needed to.

Sasuke, what are you doing right now?

Hanako comes out of the bathroom, a bit surprised that Naruto didn't answer her question. She looks at him and sees the puzzled look in his face.

"Are you alright?", she says worriedly.

Naruto snaps out of his thoughts and looks at the Shinozaki, he grins to cover up the fact that he can't stop thinking about his last encounter with Itachi.

"Of course! Let's eat, I've been waiting for your feast ya'know? You broke your promise.", Naruto teases her.

"Oi! I cleaned your whole apartment. Do you know how tiring it was?", Hanako retorts and Naruto laughs at her reaction.

A knock on the door interrupts their conversation. Naruto gets up and Hanako proceeds to open the door that reveals their silver-haired sensei.

"Kakashi-sensei?", Hanako lets out, surprised by his sudden visit. Kakashi was surprised as well, he looks around to see if he's knocked at the right door.

"Oh, if you're looking for Naruto, he's here.", Hanako informs him as she notices the confused man, "Come in please.", Hanako smiles at him.

"Naruto-kun, Kakashi-sensei is here."

"Oh, Kaka-sensei? What're you doing here?"

Kakashi didn't speak for a while, he eyes the two teenagers in front of him.

"Are you both together?", Kakashi blurts out, making the Shinozaki blush.

"Duh? We're here, in the same house.", Naruto says without hesitation.

"N-no, Naruto-kun, he means if we're dating.", Hanako explains, knowing how clueless of an idiot her friend is when it comes to relationships. This leaves Naruto a blushing mess as well.

How could I miss that? I answered so confidently.

He facepalms internally, embarrassed by his answer.

"So are you?"

"No!"

"No!"

They answered in unison, not wanting the topic to go on.

"Hm, alright.", they both sigh in relief that Kakashi dropped the subject, "Tsunade-sama is summoning you to her office."

"Huh? Why?", Naruto asks, not wanting to leave Hanako so soon when he just got back.

Hanako notices his hesitation in going.

"Naruto-kun, it's alright, I'll be cooking you food while you go there, okay?", Hanako assures him and he nods in reply.

"Alright, I'll come back as soon as I can Hanako-chan.", he hugs the girl out of habit, completely forgetting that Kakashi was in the same room.

Hanako was surprised on how open he was with hugging her even though his sensei was right there. She looks at him and sees that he was watching them.

Geez, what's with the look Kakashi-sensei?

Meanwhile, Kakashi is looking at them, feeling happy that Naruto was getting the care that he didn't have since he was a child.

He definitely needs someone, especially after he hears the news that Tsunade will tell him.

－

Hanako just finished cooking lunch for him, now she's just waiting for his return.

What's taking him so long? Did he go on another mission?

She wonders about him. While doing so, she asks herself the question that has been troubling her for quite some time.

Am I catching feelings for him?

She thinks back to the moment when she just met Naruto. He was a rude idiot but when her anxiety attacked, he shouted for her life even though they've just met.

Hanako smiles at the memory. She thought it was odd back then because it's been a long time since someone wanted to fight for her life. It has been a long time since she was attached to someone, and someone was attached to her. It has been a long time since she woke up feeling like she finally has a future ahead of her, and she wasn't going to spend it alone.

Do I like him? What is the meaning of 'like' anyway?

She starts to question the word. Hanako frowns as she thought of it. She feels the same way for Sakura, right? Maybe it's just because she did not have a friend like them for so long that she feels like she's catching feelings for the blonde.

He's like that with his friends, he would find it odd if I confess all of the sudden. No, I'm not even sure if I really have feelings for him.

She thinks of this too long, too long that hours have already passed and it was getting late.

"He isn't back yet?", she mutters sadly. Naruto would never ditch her, she was in his house.

I'm so fucking attached to him it's annoying. I feel like I'm forcing myself in his life. Is he just too kind to tell me to back off?

She sighs once more. She stands up and reheats the food that she made. Hanako heats up water for instant ramen to add to their meal. Hopefully, he comes home.

Her wish was fulfilled when the door opens. She smiles widely, happy for his return. Unfortunately, the expression on her friend's face wasn't entirely the expression that she was expecting. It looked like he has been crying for hours.

"Naruto-kun? What's wrong? Are you okay?", she quickly dashes to his side. Naruto didn't say anything but he hugs her for comfort. She pats his back as hugs him as tight as she could. Hanako can feel the heaviness of his emotions.

"Pervy Sage, he didn't make it. He was killed on the mission Granny sent him.", Hanako's heart breaks in two when she heard the words go out of his mouth.