hinata and neji

[EmilLang1000]

Here's the thing, though... Naruto's NEVER shown signs of wanting to see Hinata naked.

Sakura, on the other hand, he has wanted to, and still does.

To quote "Naruto, let me tell you something... it is said that only once was the great Jiraiya ever brought to the brink of death, leaving him with a concusion, a dislocated shoulder, and several broken ribs; these were all caused by Lady Tsunade... right after he did exactly what you're thinking of doing right now..."

I doubt he's stopped loving Sakura at all; rather, given his personality, he thinks she would be happier with Sasuke, and thus tries to see that she gets her wish. Remember, Naruto may be a glory-hog, but when really important matters come about, he'll give anything for someone else's happiness, especially someone important to him.

I admit, Naruto DOES want Sasuke to come back, because they're kindred spirits inmuch the same way that Naruto and Gaara are; to him, Sasuke is like a brother. But you can't deny that he blamed himself for his failure, and Sakura's resulting sadness.

This is why I say Hinata is much better for him. Hinata actually cares about Naruto; Sakura, on the other hand, thinks of herself before anyone else. Even when she's "thinking" of Sasuke, there are hints that it's more of a selfish infatuation than love. Sakura pushes Naruto as a way to get Sasuke back - albeit it's a subconcious manipulation on her part - rather than consider what he's going through; she always thinks "he'll pull through," or "he'll bounce back," when she doesn't realize just how much of a strain it puts on him. Sure, Naruto would want to get Sasuke back either way, but deep-down it's the guilt of his failing a promise he made to Sakura that drives him more than anything.

Naruto's mentallity works on a strange hierarchy, as far as I can tell. At the very bottom are his own desires - they take presidence last of anything when things really matter; next up are the desires of people he has sympathy for, and people he considers friends - these ALWAYS take presidence over his own wants; and on the top are the desires of his best friends, Sakura and Sasuke - he'll push himself farther than anything to see that these are met, even to the point that death isn't too much of a price. Naruto blames himself if those closest to him are unhappy, and won't stop to see that they achieve their desires; he takes this to the point, however, that he doesn't even realize that his own possible death could be even more traumatizing to them than what he'd achieve from it. It's frightening, really, when you realize that he values his own life at far less than those around him, that he actually believes that they'd be happy if he gave up his own mortallity to help them.

In this respect, Hinata is very similar: to her, her own life is meant simply for the use of others... she lives for Naruto, for her family, and for her friends. Neither trully live for their own dreams, but rather that the dreams of others be fulfilled, even if that means that their own dreams will never be fulfilled. Because of this, Hinata is much more empathetic than Sakura is; it's very likely that, were it she in Sakura's situation after Naruto came back after fighting Sasuke, she would have reacted much more greatly to Naruto's pain, telling him to not push so hard.

Let's review this: right after Naruto's pulverized body was brought back to Konoha by Kakashi, and Sakura learned that Sasuke wasn't back, she went on a pity-party while Naruto lay close to death.

Hinata, on the other hand, after Naruto and Kiba's fight, tended to both of them equally, despite the fact that she cares more deeply for Naruto than Kiba.

I still believe that Naruto has feelings for Sakura, and deep down really wants to be with her, but Naruto's the type of person who would rip out his own heart if it would allow the dreams of someone close to him to come true - this, symbolically, is what he's done with Sakura, and frankly, he deserves some (screw that, a LOT of) happiness for all the pain he's forced upon himself for others.. to quote FMA "Where's the equivolent exchange?"

[Tainted_Eden]

Here's the thing, though... Naruto's NEVER shown signs of wanting to see Hinata naked.

Sakura, on the other hand, he has wanted to, and still does.

To quote "Naruto, let me tell you something... it is said that only once was the great Jiraiya ever brought to the brink of death, leaving him with a concusion, a dislocated shoulder, and several broken ribs; these were all caused by Lady Tsunade... right after he did exactly what you're thinking of doing right now..."

XD Oh yeah, that was defintely funny. But from what I gathered, he heard all of the girls laugh and decided to see everyone naked. But I can see what you mean. If Naruto does see Sakura as a sister, then he wouldn't want to see her naked... Except... Incest maybe?

I doubt he's stopped loving Sakura at all; rather, given his personality, he thinks she would be happier with Sasuke, and thus tries to see that she gets her wish. Remember, Naruto may be a glory-hog, but when really important matters come about, he'll give anything for someone else's happiness, especially someone important to him.

Well said, well said. So you suggust that he loves Sakura, but in that selfless way where he'll help her get anything she wants, even at the cost of his own happiness? *reminds me kinda like Tomoyo from CCS*

I admit, Naruto DOES want Sasuke to come back, because they're kindred spirits inmuch the same way that Naruto and Gaara are; to him, Sasuke is like a brother. But you can't deny that he blamed himself for his failure, and Sakura's resulting sadness.

I think Naruto sees Gaara more as a jinchuuriki (???) brother than anything. He respects Gaara, and can help Gaara understand his emotions 'n at. But... I think Naruto views Sasuke to be even closer. Mainly because throughout their childhood (from the flash backs 'n at), they've always been on each other. But yeah, Naruto defintely is feelin' the angst...

....selfish infatuation than love. Sakura pushes Naruto as a way to get Sasuke back - albeit it's a subconcious manipulation on her part - rather than consider what he's going through; she always thinks "he'll pull through," or "he'll bounce back," when she doesn't realize just how much of a strain it puts on him. ...

I must disagree. I think she's only rooting him on in these instances, rather than selfishly thinking 'Oh, he'll pull through so as I can get what I want'. I personally don't think that she's selfish at all- if she was indeed, then she'd probably be more like Ino. Instead, Sakura defends Naruto from Sai's onslaught of verbal abuse. She sees Naruto now more than someone who can help her get Sasuke- she sees another friend hurting due to the loss of someone close. So when she's rooting for him, she's really supporting him as much as she can 'cause Kishimoto made her useless, yet again. T_T


And Naruto's train of thought is very common for those who are selfless. What I really admire is that in the beginning, Naruto only did things to gain attention 'n at. He was slightly selfish, but then as he grew with each new interaction, he became more and more selfless. He also began to grow maturity and trust in people. I was rereading a chapter, and when Sai first appears, Shikamaru and Naruto have AMAZING team work together. Both trust in each other 'n at.
I think it is scary that Naruto doesn't value his own life, but he gains a sense of self worth by putting himself last. He can see self worth in his life because he's giving a lot of people his trust and his strength. It's his way of saying 'I'm here'.

Hinata would tell Naruto not to push too hard ( I'm giving up on quoting for the moment, it takes up space. ^.^; ), but I know that Naruto would be like 'It's alright, Hinata! I can do it!' and then give her a grin. He would keep telling her that he is going to push and push himself until she finally agrees to it. Sakura is only trying to support Naruto, by letting him know that she acknowledges his strength. So both Hinata and Sakura can support Naruto, because both of them will provide recognition to Naruto's tries at succeeding.

I do agree with you on the equivalent exchange bit. Everything has a balance, and Naruto deserves as much good for himself as he gives. So yeah, Hinata would be a good choice, but I don't see it happening. Placing Naruto into a relationship where he'll constantly have to support her emotions might be a bit trying on him, especially if he's going through an emotional uproar.

Hinata needs to gain a sense of self worth and confidence to truly support Naruto. Hinata has gone through some character development, but she remains the strereotypical shy girl.

Sakura, on the other hand, I will agree. She's totally obsessed over Sasuke, but I firmly believe that this character flaw is because of Kishimoto. Sakura has proven time and time again that she's not selfish, that she is smart and able body to assist others when they're in a tight spot. But no. Kishimoto won't let her advance from the stupid 'fangirl' stereotype. Truthfully, it's getting on my nerves. T_T