the breakup call

chapter 4

a/n: thank you for the reviews lovelys! :D

I don't own Naruto.

.

.

.

"Hinata, what are you panicking for?" TenTen eyeballed her best friend mischievously, smirk dancing across her lips as she gaped at Hinata.

Her mind was obviously elsewhere, and TenTen was set out to find out where it was exactly.

She'd been fretting for the past half an hour, internally preoccupied from work and dropping plates several times due to her clumsiness. Hinata had entirely brushed it off, claiming that she was probably just a bit dazed today or a little sleepy, but TenTen begged to differ. There was very little moments when Hinata was as clumsy as she was today, and she set herself a mission to find out why.

Deadpanned, Hinata froze in her position and stumbled on her words anxiously, "P-Panicking? M-Me? A-About what?" she questioned, her voice breaking numerous times.

TenTen giggled under her breath, appreciating her best friend's obliviousness. Hinata had clearly stumbled over her words, her eyes unfocused on TenTen and lingering somewhere else. She was a mess.

"I don't know, that's why I'm asking you…" the brunette giggled playfully, "So, what's so interesting about your phone that you've been staring at it, like, the whole day?"

Pausing dead in her tracks, TenTen's words silenced Hinata. She fumbled for words, contemplating on how to respond but her eyes entirely gave it away as TenTen saw Hinata's entire body completely pause.

"Checkmate!" TenTen attacked Hinata, and being several inches naturally taller than the Hyuuga, she swiped the phone from her fingers with ease.

Frantically waving her arms about in surrender, Hinata cried, "T-TenTen! No, please—"

While Hinata made a weak effort to retrieve her phone, it was proven ineffective. She looked silly, trying to jump on a girl inches taller and much more physically powerful than her. So she resulted to pleading and begging, yanking on TenTen's work uniform with a sullen beg.

Clamping her fingers around the phone even tighter, TenTen used her free hand to scroll through the contents of Hinata's phone, and an unknown name struck her.

She narrowed her eyes to the name, trying to rummage through her brain to decode who this stranger was and if Hinata had discussed him with her previously. However, if her memory served her right, then TenTen knew that this name hadn't ever been a topic of interest between them before.

"Naruto Uzumaki?" she read aloud, "Who's that? You've never talked about this guy before."

Immediately, Hinata's face flushed upon hearing the name and she took the chance to quickly win back her possession.

"O-Oh, him, he's just…" her words lingered awkwardly. Instantaneously, Hinata began gnawing on her bottom lip, diverting her apprehensive gaze away from TenTen's so they were no longer making eye contact. Her body became completely rigid, muscles tensing and arms crossing to act as a physical barrier of exclusion.

TenTen cocked a smug smirk, eyebrows wiggling. "He's just?" she reiterated her.

"A friend from high school," Hinata responded, eyeballing her phone to ensure the brunette hadn't done anything dodgy on her phone. Utterly oblivious to the fact that her face was growing warmer and gradually more crimson, TenTen poked her cheek.

"If you want to convince me he's just a 'friend', maybe you should stop blushing," TenTen winked, until a thought quickly shot through her. Her mouth hovered open, shock distinct in her eyes. "Oh my god, Hinata — you're not cheating on Kiba, are you?"

Her sentence made Hinata jump, body shaken by what her ears heard. Cheating? The word hadn't even passed through Hinata's brain. But soon, it began to resonate within her heard, ringing like a bell. Horror was beginning to pass through her, completely disgusted with herself for even thinking the answer could be "yes".

Cheating, cheating, cheating.

She immediately shook her head in denial. "No! No, TenTen, no," she refused, "I just think he's a little cute. That's all, I promise."

Curiosity swimming in TenTen's eyes, Hinata's thoughts grew distracted, reflecting on her cruel actions and the consequences of them. However, she forced herself to quickly snap out of her reverie and do what she had been struggling to do in the past half an hour.

"A-Anyway, I have to make a phone call, so…" shying away from TenTen, she briskly walked away with a timid wave and walked upstairs in to the staff changing rooms. TenTen appeared as perplexed as ever, not knowing whether she should have waved back or not.

After all, she didn't really approve of what Hinata was doing, but at the same time, she trusted her. Sure, Hinata made mistakes, but she had a conscience. TenTen knew that Hinata wouldn't do anything that would betray Kiba or harm their relationship. Ultimately, Hinata loved Kiba, and it was just out of her nature to be unfaithful.

Therefore, TenTen let Hinata go and make her phone call, an abundance of faith put in to her best friend as she could only pray deeply that Hinata wouldn't do anything silly.

Meanwhile, Hinata was busy losing her nerves to even think about TenTen. Although it wasn't of the classiest places to make a phone call, she forced herself to bear with it for five minutes.

Breath getting knocked out of her lungs, Hinata choked up the words she'd mentally rehearsed over and over again, practising precisely what to say to Naruto without coming across as strange or utterly bizarre.

She pressed a button and held the phone to her ear, grasping the material so tightly she felt it fit to crack. Hinata felt her chest rise and fall at a quicker pace, her sea of anxiety drowning her lungs. There was a silence for a moment until a voice could be heard on the other end, sounding much more delightful and joyous than the previous times she'd called him.

"Hello?"

Hinata freaked out, jumping at the boisterous sound of his voice. "H-Hello!"

"Hinata," he greeted her, (resulting in her leaping in joy, aware that he'd clearly remembered her name) "What's up?"

"I-I had something I wanted to talk to you about, so I was wondering if you'd like to come to bakery, right now?"

Realising that it was somewhat silly of her to have ordered him to come see her straight away, she internally wished she'd said "tomorrow" or a day where he'd be more like to be free. Despite this, she was just too brimmed with impatience, thus causing her to desperately want to see him that instance.

A silence ensued through the phone, but she could feel him pondering about whether he could make it or not.

"Now?" Naruto repeated her. "It's short notice but I think I can make it. I'll be there in fifteen minutes."

Hinata, ecstatic in knowing that he could make it, said her byes before she instantaneously hung up and sprinted down the stairs. Not even caring about the fact that she'd stumbled multiple times, she leapt as fast as she could back to the kitchen of the bakery in utter delight and face reddening by the minute.

Upon seeing TenTen, she felt a wave of emptiness hit her as she reminisced on her best friend's words. Kiba. She'd even went as far as lying to him about meeting up with Naruto, because she was frightened of his reaction. They both knew she was madly in love with the blonde ever since high school — he had every reason not to allow Hinata to see him.

Every part of her wanted to stop that from happening.

Upon leaving the bakery and waiting for Naruto outside, she watched a car park outside of the store and a blonde maned man exit it in a highly confident manner. Mildly startled, astonishment swam in her eyes as she swiftly tucked a strand of her silky locks behind her ears. A piece of paper pressed against one hand, and the other free hand waving subtly to beckon him over to her.

"Hey, shortstuff," Naruto approached her, fingers running through his tousled locks, "What did you want to talk to me about?" He struck as looking somewhat drowsy, but never failed to give her his signature grin.

The blonde stood close to her, but not so close that she felt restless at his presence. His physically larger frame was loitering tall above her, the height difference between them even bigger than it was between her and Kiba.

Studying him intently, Hinata observed that he was dressed a little formally, a suit and tie fitted on him perfectly. She inwardly suggested that he was going to a party, perhaps. Quickly dismissing this idea, Hinata recalled that he wouldn't be going to a party in the early afternoon. Though she was curious, she couldn't bring herself to ask in case of it being a private matter.

Fixating her thoughts back on the paper she was holding, Hinata pressed against it in her hand even tighter. The edges were only slighted crumpled due to her apprehension and tight grip.

"I-I was just wondering where you were currently working," she inquired, pale porcelain cheeks glowing a lovely scarlet.

"Oh, well," he braced himself, a heavy grumble releasing from his lips, "I was working as a chef. But, y'know, when you don't come in for a a couple of week straight without giving the boss any form of notice, you kind of get fired."

Hinata chortled, glimpsing at his displeased reaction at reminiscing on the reason he was fired. "Kind of," she echoed him gleefully.

The pair sharing a small chuckle, Naruto wondered, "Why did you want to know, anyway?"

Sticking the paper in front of her, the blonde enclosed his fingers around it and released from her grasp. Cerulean hues scanned past the contents, startled as he read further and further downwards. "A job application form?" he read aloud, "You want—"

"I want you to work here," she finished his sentence, "I was thinking about it, and I reckoned this sort of situation, of you getting fired, would occur. Therefore, I'm allowing you to work here, under my authority, until you find a new workplace."

Hinata prepared herself for his reaction, eyes trailing to his confounded expression. It was obvious to her that he would stop coming to work, drowning in his distressing heartbreak. She felt guilty, knowing a part of that reason for being so heartbroken was because of her deceiving him. Most predominately, she wanted to repent for her faults and do some sort of good for him.

Of course, the worst part, that she hadn't previously contemplated much on, was wondering how she'd break the news to TenTen that a new employee would be joining them. Moreover, it'd be the boy TenTen was provoking her about, so her reaction to his arrival would be… priceless, to say at the least.

Naruto, profoundly perplexed, continued gazing away at the sheet before him. "Hinata? Are you sure about this?" he questioned, "I mean… let's admit it, I'm not the most experienced in this field."

"You've got some experience in the food industry."

"Yeah, but making ramen isn't exactly the same thing as making a ten-layered wedding cake."

Hinata appreciated his concern, but he had nothing to worry about — she'd considered all of this before, and thought of a reasonable solution. "Don't fret, I'm not going to make you work in the kitchen. You'll probably be waiting tables or serving at the till, probably some miscellaneous chores here and there."

"I don't know what to say…" the blonde said, scratching his head in a shaken disposition, "thank you, Hinata."

Seeing the boy so flustered in joy set her heart on fire. She hadn't really anticipated for him to be so grateful, let alone even expect him to even accept her offer. Perhaps working with her would make him uncomfortable, she previously thought.

Regardless, he seemed elated, his eyes gradually diminishing any elements of rigour. His formerly rigid composure softened and a pleasant, entrancing smile tugged at his lips.

"D-Don't thank me, it's fine! I wanted to try and make it up to you — even though I did such a horrible thing, you're still talking to me normally. I really appreciate it."

"Ah, it's fine. It's my nature, really," he shrugged, "I'm like this with everyone."

She expected that, really. Hinata was fully aware that he'd always been this friendly and forgiving; it seemed like he really hadn't changed, after all. It had been so long since the two had seen each other, yet his positive, amiable nature hadn't shifted. Hinata was happy about that — it was that kind aspect of him that she loved the most. It'd been a shame if he grew out of it.

"Keep the application form, and give it back to me in three days. That's when you can start," she informed, "6am sharp — no excuses for being late." He nodded at her in response, quickly wrapping up the conversation.

Hinata's unspoken desire loitered in the air, the urge to just keep talking to him a little longer, drag out the conversation perhaps a little more, but there was no room for that. Hinata simply wanted to show him her apology, and though she couldn't precisely demonstrate it in a physical manner, she concluded that this way the best possible way to show it.

This wasn't going to be permanent. His presence would be temporary, and once again, he'd leave again, just like he'd always done. It was only inevitable.

They said their farewells, the paper gripped tightly in Naruto's clutch, as she watched him pace his way to his car.

Hinata watched him walk away from her, blurring and merging in to the distance as he drove away.

xxx

Naruto used to spend long, restless nights drowning in his own raw memories, when he was much younger. He reminisced on unwanted, neglected thoughts that had been stored away over the years due to his own denial.

Sometimes, they'd slither in his thoughts every now and then, haunting him. Scarring his dreams, engraving endless nightmares that'd leave him awoken in a hysterical daze and bewildered of his surroundings, panting and wheezing and palpitating in a choking mess.

It was almost impossible for it to disperse from his memories, after all. They were engrained in his brain, even years after it'd happened.

As much as he'd wish for it to, there was no possibility of him being able to forget about it. He was only very young when it had occurred — the young, naive teenager with constellations in his eyes and the world at his feet was no more. His spirit was adrift, lost at sea. The death of his parents affected him heavily as a child.

Although his memories were fragmented and a little blurred due to being so young when the accident occurred, he tried to envision it as clearly as he could, and pieced the puzzle together.

If it hadn't been for Jiraiya, perhaps he would've been lost for a lot longer, but thanks to him, he turned out absolutely fine. An adult brimmed with a future and hope still swimming in his eyes. He found his soul once again, reconnecting with it and recollecting the warmth back in to his body.

To this day, Jiraiya never failed to stop being a wise figure to him — though perverted and insanely idiotic at times — he would always support and encourage Naruto, fueling the fire inside of him. Despite moving out after university, Naruto never failed to call him every once in a while, check up on how he was doing, and how his "research" was going.

Unbeknownst to the six-year old Naruto, his entire house had been engulfed in flames. In complete oblivion, Naruto had been in his room when his nose picked up the precise, menacing scent of smoke, sending chills down Naruto's entire body and jolted his nerves.

He was supposed to be completing his homework, peacefully doing his maths as his parents claimed they were making dinner. Deep in his gut, he'd prayed that the smoke was simply a result of his dad's bad cooking and he'd burnt the bread like he'd always done. He really, really hoped that was the case.

He leapt from his position and ran down the staircase, crackling sounds distinct against his eardrums. His eyes connected with his parents', upon seeing their distraught faces, a horrified look in their eyes.

Naruto had not foreseen this – he had not foreseen the image of his parents, enveloped by flames, their eyes warning him not to approach any nearer. Utterly terror-stricken, Naruto's fear became a tidal bore, drowning him in the depths of his horror.

"Naruto!" Kushina had yelled, her and Minato surrounded by the flames by the kitchen as they stood helpless amongst it, "Stay away from here! Go back to your room, and listen to me, make sure you close the door!" Her voice broke, face almost full of tears but she reminded herself she had to stay strong — at least, for Naruto.

Naruto was too perplexed, too overwhelmed, too stunned to even move. He simply stood there, trying to comprehend the situation and decipher what the hell was going on. For once in his life, Naruto was so full of fear that he choked back his words, his throat dry and saliva heavy against his mouth. Naruto couldn't do anything.

He was helpless.

"The firemen will be at your room soon, so close your door and open all of your windows!" Minato echoed his wife, words laced with as much fear as Kushina's. Although they were both so terrified their skin pricked and their entire bodies were drown in their sweat, one step forward would mean being buried by the flames.

"Go, now!" they both bellowed, brittle voices and desperate eyes almost pleading for him to escape the treacherous scenery and protect himself.

A surge of adrenaline shot through Naruto, his feet carrying him back to his room.

Everything was a blur. Rooms, doors, windows — everything just blurred in front of Naruto's vision. He was sprinting so fast away from the scene, that he might as well have been flying, with his mind swimming with his own sense of guilt — that he completely left his parents to fend for their own.

Slamming the door with every force he had left in him, he opened his windows; the sirens of the fire engine became higher pitched, as the huge truck was distanced closer and closer to his window. The disturbing, resonating rings of the firetrucks pained Naruto's ears, echoing and vibrating furiously.

Firemen in vivid, red uniform scurried from every corner. Some entered the house from the front door, while some were pointing at Naruto with desperation evident in their eyes. Only moments later, a ladder was reaching for him, a firemen stepping up it in apprehension, and reached the house's second floor — Naruto's room.

"Take my hand, kid, it's all going to be okay," he reassured, voice soothing and composed. He reached out his hand, Naruto reluctant and gazing at the hand with his guilt weighing him down. How could he even have thought of taking that hand, transporting himself to safety, while his parents were helpless against the fire?

"B-But my parents! They're—" Naruto panicked, looking behind and pointing past the door in distress.

"They'll be just fine, don't worry," the fireman replied, nodding, enlightening faith.

So, Naruto believed him. He took the firemen's hand, lumbering out of the window and stepping on to the ladder uneasily. He staggered numerous times, but had the firemen's support with him, helping the poor, distressed child keep his composure.

Naruto almost believed the soothing, calming words — "they'll be fine". Almost.

Kushina Uzumaki and Minato Namikaze died that evening from over smoke inhalation.

It still never really sunk deep in to Naruto's brain that he was completely alone, parentless.

Perhaps only then, when he was introduced to Jiraiya, did he grow less somber and more like his previous self. Certainly, if it hadn't been for living with him, he wouldn't have known how he would cope living in isolation.

Jiraiya helped him fill the void, he stopped him from lingering hopelessly on to the past and grow. He was his saviour, some might say.

Naruto inwardly grinned, thanking Jiraiya for all he had done and supporting him through his troubles — although he was a moronic, irritable child who was not particularly book-smart like a lot of children, there was a distinct spark in Naruto that only Jiraiya noticed.

Inwardly brimmed with happiness, Naruto clutched the steering wheel even tighter as he made a turn. He could see the myriad of white carnation flowers sitting on the back seat of his car, the bouquet enlivening his surroundings.

It was a wintry, late afternoon yet the sun never failed to peak through and melt the iciness of the season. On his way to his parents' gravestones, Naruto felt warmth throughout his body, knowing his parents would be extremely proud to see that this was the son they raised for eleven, blissful years. Although he was not as intelligent as his father, he upheld an irreplaceable sense of determination and perseverance, very much like his mother. He bore through adversity. He was resilient. He was a child that, he was sure, his parents would be proud of, and he was to show them that.

Incandescent warmth of sunrays danced on Naruto's skin, radiating through the windows of the car and melting any signs of ice. He was hopeful, filled with enthusiasm to visit his parents once again. It had been another, long year, and he was content (though slightly nervous) to be back again, returning to their graves, meeting them again.

His car made a final turn, swerving in to an open field with a two, granite gravestone placed in the middle.

Naruto stepped out of his car, ensuring the flowers were tightly clutched to his hands — though clammy, and slipping from grip. He paced his way towards the gravestones, in no particular rush as emotions overwhelmed him like they did every year, mentally echoing the reminder that his parents saved him, that his parents were his heroes.

Skirting pass the brown, frosted leaves, crispy under his footsteps, Naruto glimpsed past the ice crystals hanging from the naked trees, glistening like white quartz against the afternoon sun.

Naruto wasn't upset. He was simply proud to know that his parents were so altruistic and loving they didn't mind sacrificing themselves if their son could live — it was truly a heartwarming thought for him.

Warmth spread throughout Naruto, contentment written across his face. He felt himself erupting with immense pride and raw happiness, to know that these two heroes were his parents. A constant, daily reminder that Minato and Kushina loved him wholly, willing to risk their entire existence for their one and only child. They were truly selfless human beings.

Distancing closer to the gravestones, Naruto nibbled on his lips, wiping his sweaty palms with his sides. Feeling his heart hammer uncontrollably out of his chest, he inwardly laughed at himself. It was strange. He'd done this every year since he was raw age of eleven, yet he still had little moments here and there when his anxiety could consume him.

Although he'd always promised himself they would be proud, he began to actually wonder, would they actually? Would his parents be pleased knowing this was the son they raised for eleven years? Would they be proud knowing he was their son, just like he was proud knowing they were his parents?

"Hey mum, dad," he beamed, and though his voice was a little shaky, while his expression proved otherwise. A soft smile, resembling that of pride, vigour and endurance. Naruto gingerly laid the flowers down, and kneeled down in front of both Kushina and Minato's gravestone, due to the close proximity between both gravestones.

"Looks like it's been another year, huh?" he reflected, eyes unfocused and growing distant at the mental reminiscence of arriving at the same spot, some time last year. "Another year but I miss you both just as much."

Due to pure, accumulated maturity, he'd grown a little less nervous when arriving, and more content. All Naruto wanted was to come with a bright smile and to show he was absolutely fine; after all, he was their son and he inherited their mentally strong characteristics.

He wanted to show he could endure the most threatening of storms and most powerful of hurricanes if he had to, because he was strong. Naruto wasn't their child for nothing.

"That perv, Jiraiya, is fine. Doing pretty well, actually — not that that's any different," he chuckled lightly, nostalgia striking him hard as he mentally developed flashbacks of Jiraiya constantly obsessed over his "research", as he liked to call it.

"As for me, I'm doing… okay. I'm managing," he breathed, a chuckle escaping his lips, not really knowing where to start with his feelings. "Sakura – she broke up with me." The words left a bitter aftertaste in his mouth, a twinge of pain shooting through him.

"Sasuke and I…" he breathed, voice trailing. "Well, we're not that close anymore." His parents knew, everyone knew, of how Naruto and Sasuke were closest of friends, ever since a young age due to their mothers being friendly too. Though both continuously competing and insanely rivalrous in pretty much everything, this only strengthened their friendship. After Sasuke's parent's passed away, and so did Naruto's, they found an indescribable bond beyond words.

However, over the course of the past two or so months, things… quickly transitioned. Sasuke just grew cold — similar to that of Sakura's attitude — and distanced himself away from Naruto, not picking up his calls, never answering his door.

It was clear that something was up. On the contrary, Sasuke was not a naturally affectionate person, nor was he particularly one to discuss his feelings or open up, therefore making Naruto's issue even greater. It was hard to find out what was wrong when he couldn't get a word in edgeways without being hung up on, on the phone.

"…But it's fine, as if I care about him!" Naruto burst out, deception fabricated in his voice.

Squinting due to the natural light striking him directly in the eyes, Naruto felt his sunlit surroundings grow warmer. Ice, which danced across the grassy meadows, quickly melted, trickling down greenery: trees, flowers, bushes, and grass as insignificant water droplets.

"I'm managing," Naruto repeated, "Sakura and Sasuke – they're being cold, and distant. I-I… don't really know why. I'm so confused, I don't know what I've done."

Even though Naruto's trousers were growing wet due to kneeling on the moist grass for a prolonged period of time, he hardly cared.

"But I'll be alright. I'll be absolutely fine, I'm sure," Naruto concluded, his smile returning on his face, because he had to stay optimistic – the likelihood of his best friends being so cold with him wouldn't last forever, he hoped.

"I wish you could just give me some advice – anything," Naruto breathed. "You'd probably tell me that I need to bathe more regularly, sort out my hygiene… and get a hold of myself. Right? I'm so stupidly wound up over a girl, aren't I? Maybe if you were here, you'd both say that."

He quietly muttered the last part of his sentence, "But you're not."

His arm reached forward, fingers stretching to touch the rough, stone texture of the gravestone and feel the writing that engraved the words, "Kushina Uzumaki". He recalled his mother's voice, rhythmic and lovingly replaying in his head, her constantly joyous and fiery disposition warming his insides.

"I mean, it's okay, I'm an adult now. I can fend for my own. But… I've just forgotten what it feels like to have two loving parents by my side, y'know?"

A gush of air blew past Naruto, his fingers still trailing down the bumpy, earthen surface of the grave. Perhaps his expression gave it all away – his hidden vulnerability.

"I think… I should go now," he quavered, struggling to stand once his again. He used all of his force and pushed his body upwards, his frame hovering above the gravestones. "Mum, dad. I'll see you next year."

Slowly but gradually sauntering away from the scenery, Naruto felt the pace of his heart slow down to a more normal rate. His head turned slightly, the gravestones visible at the corner of his eyes and filling him with optimism. Naruto was indescribably proud to be the son of the most selfless parents he'd ever known.

After the death of someone dearly loved, Naruto deciphered that no one ever really moves on. People just find something else to fill the missing, empty void. Life does doesn't stop for anyone, and it certainly didn't for Naruto. He still had to come to school, come to work, walk down the street like he always used to because that's just how humans work.

They can't move on, but they can certainly learn to live with it, and that was exactly what Naruto did.

xxx

"Large vanilla latte for customer number twenty-six!"

The boisterous voices of those participating in chatter were overpowered by the churning sounds of the coffee machine. A harsh, bitter aroma of grounded coffee beans loitered in the vociferous atmosphere, pricking Naruto's sense of smell. He was never really much of a coffee person, due to the bitterness of the flavour, but it helped him keep awake and a little less drowsy than he seemed today.

Then again, Naruto wasn't even sure if he'd be able to get a coffee in the first place due to the rowdiness and commotion of the hectic coffee shop.

After coming home from visiting his parents' graves, his thirst overwhelmed him and with the patience of a ten-year old, Naruto just had to make a stop to allay his longing for a drink.

Stuck in a queue, Naruto shook his head inwardly at what a stupid decision he'd made. He was in a coffee shop, and had been waiting in a line for roughly ten minutes. The queue had extended outside the coffee shop, customers stranded in the iciness of the winter afternoon.

A customer made an attempt to push past him in the queue, perking Naruto's sudden fury.

"Hey hey, stop pushing!" Naruto snapped at a customer, his inevitable rage overcoming him. Said customer stopped indeed, a little overwhelmed by Naruto's fuming anger, and stepped back in the queue. A satisfied smirk strong against Naruto's lips, he nodded and stepped further in the queue as it was almost his turn to order his drink.

Only roughly three people were left until it was his turn to order, but when the number turned to zero and he stepped forward to reach the till, another unknown man swiftly tried to swoop past and push past him.

Naruto grumbled inwardly at yet another customer trying to push past him.

"Can I have a large chocolate—" the man rapidly began to order, receiving an enraged glare from the blonde but went fully unnoticed.

"No, it's my turn to order!" Naruto barked, "You pushed in front of me, idiot!" Yanking on the man's coat, he quickly turned around.

Naruto's eyes grew the size of a planet and his mouth dropped a few inches in disbelief at the familiar face exhibited. Similar, disheveled chestnut-brown mane, narrowed dark eyes and pretentious look — Naruto knew that face absolutely anywhere. There was absolutely no doubt about it.

Choking on his own breath, Naruto tried to stare at the guy a little longer, inwardly praying that this was not the person he thought it was. But unfortunately, it was.

"Kiba Inuzuka?" he bellowed, pointing at the figure in front of him and startled by the face he was witnessing. It was way too coincidental to see Kiba Inuzuka, in perhaps the most random situation he'd ever come across.

Unfortunately, Naruto really did not wish of seeing this particular face ever again, after the constant bickering in high school. Seeing him once again did not warm Naruto's heart at all – in fact, it did the very opposite. A temptation to wish to just back away from the coffee shop and pretend he'd never seen Kiba at all stirred mentally, but he shook his head after doing so.

"Naruto Uzumaki?" The same horrified tone drifted in Kiba's words, eyes lunging out of head and mouth reaching the floor. Their dislike for each other was clearly proven mutual.

The pair had been… not exactly the friendliest two in high school, constantly bickering between each other, never really coming to a resolution in their arguments, and just generally weren't left on the best of terms, not even after graduation when they were supposed to grow in to "mature adults".

While he was more than content to stay in touch with Sasuke, Shikamaru, Chouji and Lee — Kiba Inuzuka was out of the question. He'd considered being acquaintance with him, sure, but being… best friends was just… bizarre. If they'd ever share a class together, all they'd do was snap at each other the entire lesson.

"You're the person who just pushed past me?" Naruto scowled, "I knew it, I've always disliked you since high school!"

In response, Kiba growled heatedly, "You disliked me? Naruto, you were that annoying moron who used to always borrow my pens and never give it back! And I didn't push past you, liar."

Mouth still reaching the floor, Naruto bellowed, "Are you serious? Are you actually denying the fact that you pushed past me?" The blonde's previously composed demeanor quickly vanished and he was now completely fuming.

He popped in to this little shop with high hopes to come in for about five minutes, then leave. Not to wait in a queue for fifteen minutes, meet Kiba Inuzuka (of all people) and start a pointless, inevitable squabble with him.

"Look, squirt, I've been waiting for about twenty minutes now in this damn line, much longer than you probably have, so don't pretend I pushed in front of you, when I clearly didn't." Kiba continued to defend himself, a smirk tugging at his lips while Naruto yanked at his thick collar with his fist, fingers gripping at the fabric of his clothing tightly. "Grow up, Naruto."

Fuming, Naruto bellowed, "What the hell did you just—"

"P-Please don't fight! It's okay, both of you can order at the same time!" one of the waitresses gently murmured, her voice fragile and intimidated by the aggressive aura surrounding the two boys. "We have two free tills available."

She pointed at the following tills, a wave of relief overcoming her as she witnessed Naruto's grip on Kiba release and both of their expression return at ease.

"I wasn't the one who started it, anyway," Kiba said, unaware of the fact that Naruto was too busy rolling his eyes to feed in to what he was saying.

It was almost like the pair had reverted back to their childish, immature selves once again. Except they were now adults, but old habits never died hard.

"Whatever," Naruto grumbled, ordering his drink and refusing to even glimpse once at his old "friend".

As soon as he was done ordering his drink, Naruto quickly escaped the dreadful coffee shop in order to grasp some sort of freedom from all of the hectic commotion commencing inside, and to also get away from Kiba himself. Horror brewed mentally as he even thought of that name, his aggravation for the boy erupting in his insides. He hadn't even bothered looking back or saying a farewell to Kiba, considering it was pointless and he didn't deserve Naruto's farewells anyway, if he was going to be that obnoxious to him.

It wasn't like Naruto hated him as such, it was simply a feeling of dislike, and he… was just really irritating, and had always just seemed to stay that way. He'd seen many from his high school mature in to brilliant adults, while Kiba had not. Oddly, he seemed to be stuck in an endless circle of annoyance, Naruto thought.

Swiftly exiting the coffee shop, Naruto inwardly celebrated the fact that there were many people, including Kiba himself, that he had not kept in contact with, and would hopefully avoid for the rest of his life as well.

.

.

a/n: so, kiba and naruto finally reunite, and in one of the most coincidental ways ;)

I hope you all enjoyed this chapter, please do review! c:

have a great day. :)