Author's Note: A promised Christmas drabble to Cosmo-san (bloomingcosmo from LJ). Merry (very late) Christmas and Happy New Year, Cosmo-san! Hope you like it!
Disclaimer: I do not own Naruto, because, if I did, the manga would consist entirely of stick figures.
Ribbons
by Katako-Chan
The streets of Konoha were bustling with the normal market-goers, hawkers, peddlers, and shoppers. Though, today, being of a special occasion, there seemed to be twice as many people, the noise level twice as loud, and the atmosphere twice as busy. And whatever controlled nature seemed to understand the significance of this day in Konoha as well: the sun seemed a bit brighter, the birds chirping seemed a bit sweeter, and the sky seemed a bit bluer.
The infamous "Number One Ninja at Unpredictability," Uzumaki Naruto strolled down the crowded streets with that swagger he sometimes possessed and a grin to match the mood of the day. When he spotted a dark blue head in the crowd, his grin grew a little wider, and when he realized it was none other than the Hyuuga Hinata, he opened his mouth beyond what is thought capable of a normal human and shouted,
"Hey, Hinata! Over here!"
Immediately, she turned and a pink blush promptly began creeping up her neck when she realized it was Naruto.
"Good morning, Naruto-kun," she returned, suddenly finding the hem of her jacket extremely interesting.
With a slightly embarrassed look, Naruto began talking at a rather fast pace, "Ehe, well, Hinata, I've got something for you. I saw it at a store by Ichiraku, and it reminded me of you, because, well, um, they were pretty, and you're pretty!" At this, the slowly creeping blush enflamed poor Hinata's entire face. "And well, this if for you, believe it!" Finishing his awkward explanation, Naruto thrust a small orange box tied messily with a piece of orange yarn towards Hinata.
"O-oh! Well, t-thank you, N-Naruto-kun," Hinata murmured, her fingers clumsily untying the bow and lifting the lid to reveal two gleaming, ivory-white ribbons meant to be worn in the hair. "Um, N-Naruto-kun...today is White Day, a-and, when you give a girl pr-presents on White Day," at this part, she slowed, staring hard at the ground while attempting to summon up the courage to finish her sentence, "It means y-you l-like her."
"Oh, it does?" Naruto's face, quite suprisingly, turned a little pink. "Oh well, then, 'cause I do like you, Hinata, even if you always act so weird..."
If possible, Hinata turned several shades redder.