I really like thinking about the development of Naruto and Hinata's relationship between The Last and Naruto Gaiden, as I'm sure a lot of you guys do too. So, I decided to start this oneshot series that basically explores what their day to day life may have been like, dating, living together, starting a family, etc. I shared a couple of one shots on Tumble a little while back and they were quite well received, so I've decided to go ahead with it.

Headcanon: Hinata is a talented singer. However, due to her shyness, only a few people actually know. She only really sings when by herself, or to help comfort someone she loves when they are distressed.

Day After Day

#1. Cradle

Naruto dropped his keys on the table beside him, closing the door with a sigh. He leant his sore, tired body back against the wooden frame, raising his arms above his head and stretching out the aching limbs.

It was good to be home.

After five long days out on a reconnaissance mission with Team 7, their successful return home was one that Naruto had been awaiting eagerly. For, the sooner they completed their objectives, the sooner they could return home, allowing Naruto more time to spend with his girlfriend.

Any moment that they could spend with one another, no matter how brief, he was grateful for. With their busy schedules as ninja, and her duties as heiress to the Hyuuga clan, they often didn't get much time alone together. He knew that she would be here, in his home, waiting for him. It had become a tradition of theirs, since they had started dating.

It was surprising how quickly their relationship had progressed. That, after such a short time together they had become so close and shared such an intimate bond, reaching stages in their relationship that would take others years. Though, Naruto supposed it made sense. They had shared a unique connection for as long as he could remember.

She'd admired him for years, and as ninja comrades they had already had to place a great deal of trust in one another. In spite of their clashing personalities, they shared a lot in common. They both strived to improve upon themselves

They had inspired each other to grow.

"Hinata, I'm back," Naruto called, his voice projecting throughout the apartment.

He paused, puzzled, however, when he didn't receive an answer.

That's strange, Naruto thought. He was sure Hinata would be here. Unless she was staying at the Hyuuga compound for a change. Perhaps her family had an important function that he hadn't known about? He stepped further into the apartment, glancing around the room. He noticed her sandals removed and placed neatly by the door, her jacket hanging up on a hook alongside one of his own. She was definitely here.

He confusion was answered, moments later, by the creak of a faucet and the spray of water against tiles. She was in the shower. Naruto smiled softly. At another point in his life, hearing someone else, some signs of activity in his apartment would have elicited a completely different reaction from him. Suspicion, the sign of a potential threat. Now, the presence was familiar, something calming to him.

He had always found comfort in the presence Hinata brought into his home. The mere sound of her footsteps lightly treading through another room, the smell of her shampoo and unique scent, clinging to his bedsheets. Something about it made him feel complete and secure. With the way she moved around his apartment so freely and comfortably, Naruto could tell she had grown to feel welcome here. Perhaps to the point that it now felt like her home as much as it did his. He was happy to know this. It was a sentiment they both shared.

Naruto was broken from his reverie by a pang of hunger in his chest. After the long trek back to the village, he had worked up quite an appetite. Naruto moved to the kitchen, looking to fix some instant ramen for Hinata and himself. He rustled through one of his cupboards for a moment, before his attention was caught by an unusual sound coming from his bathroom.

Naruto glanced over his shoulder, a puzzled expression on his face. There was singing coming from in there. A woman's voice, strong and melodic. Did Hinata like to listen to music while she showered? He had never heard her do it before. Naruto shrugged, turning his focus back to the kitchen cupboard and fixing himself something to eat.

As he produced the two instant ramen packets and prepared the water to boil, Naruto enjoyed the music that was playing in the background. Whoever this singer was, they were very talented. There was something about the emotion, gentle lilt of their voice that really touched him and absorbed him into the song.

He would have to ask Hinata about them later.

Their voice sounds familiar though Naruto thought, as he moved to light one of the hotplates on his stove. Maybe I have heard them before.

Naruto leant back against the counter and shut his eyes with a sigh, allowing the song to reverberate through his entire being, to lull and calm him. It was an effect quite similar to the one Hinata's presence had upon him and his home. Eerily similar.

As the cogs in Naruto's head turned, his eyes shot open abruptly and he glanced in the direction in the bathroom.

It was Hinata.

Hinata was singing in the shower and she sounded amazing.

Naruto could only stare at the closed bathroom door, his eyes wide and jaw slack in shock.

He had never heard her voice sound so confident and clear before. Even over the years, as she had grown out of her shyness, she still spoke softly, rarely feeling the need to raise her voice. However, at the moment, Hinata was completely unaware that she had an audience, and did not show any hesitance. Her voice carried out into the living room clearly.

It was soothing, sending an oddly pleasant tingling down Naruto's spine.

Naruto was surprised that she hadn't mentioned this to him, or he hadn't stumbled upon it earlier. Aside from having been friends for as long as he could remember, they had been dating and practically living together for the past few months.

Lost in thought, Naruto was startled back to consciousness moments later, at the sound of the shower shutting off. His heart suddenly fluttered with excitement, a grin forming on his lips as he remember just how much he had missed Hinata these past few days, how much he was looking forward to seeing her again. Waiting as she remained the bathroom for a few moments after, presumably to dry herself off and change, was torture.

"Naruto-kun!" Her voice rose, pleasantly surprised. "What are you doing here? I thought you weren't supposed to be done with your mission for a few days?"

"Surprise!" Naruto exclaimed cheerfully, moving to embrace Hinata. "We finished early. I didn't want to keep you waiting too long."

Naruto sighed contentedly as her arms surrounded him, her head resting beneath his chin. She was still damp from the shower she had just taken, tiny droplets sliding from her skin and hair. He was probably covered in sweat and dirt and grease but neither seemed to care. He was giddy with happiness, and the scent of her body, freshly clean, was intoxicating to him.

He was completely at peace in her arms, wordless, motionless, content to remain there for as long as he lived. He knew that she would happily let him.

After a moment of standing together in silence, breathing in the warmth and presence they had missed from each other for so long, Naruto pulled away from Hinata slightly, keeping his arms wrapped around her waist and gazing down into her eyes. Hinata smiled at him.

"Welcome home, Naruto-kun!" she greeted warmly.

He was home.

"Say," Naruto began abruptly. He didn't want to ruin the moment, but at the same time, his curiosity had gotten the better of him. "Were you, uh... Did I hear you singing in there just now?"

"You… You heard me?" Hinata said, suddenly having difficulty maintain eye contact.

"Why haven't I ever heard you sing before? You're amazing!"

Hinata flushed, looking down bashfully. "I sing to Mirai-chan sometimes when I'm looking after her, and she becomes restless. Otherwise… I- It's only really something I do privately."

"You should share it more often." Naruto encouraged softly. "I really think other people would like to hear it."

.

Naruto didn't have night terrors very often. Though, on the rare occasions he did, they were bad.

The past that haunted him, the one he was constantly trying to escape would come back. The years of isolation and villagers shunning him, the war, the blood, his friends and loved ones in peril, some even losing their life.

He always could tell it was a dream. He knew that these were terrors from his past, ones that he had lived through and survived, coming back stronger. That didn't mean he wanted to experience them again, though.

Naruto's eyes shot open wildly one night, after a particularly bad episode, his heart pulsating wildly in his chest. His eyes took in the dark room around him, the light sheets now tangled and kicked wildly at his feet. It was all over now. Slowly, he sat up.

As Naruto drew, heavy uneven breaths, a calm suddenly came over him, at the sound of a soothing, melodic voice ringing softly in his ear. He could feel his head pulled against her breasts, her fingers smoothing through his hair gently. Glancing upwards, her bright, vivid eyes caught his gaze, shining at him through the darkness.

She shushed him gently, wiping the sweat away from his forehead, placing a gentle, chaste kiss there.

It awoke memories long from his past, ones he hadn't even known he was still holding onto. Ones hidden deep in the recesses of his mind. Firm arms holding him, safe and secure, a flash of vibrant, red hair and a gentle voice. A face held against his own as he cried.

The day of his birth. The fleeting time he had spent with her before she had given her life to save him. The only time someone had sung to him, one of the few times he could remember someone trying to comfort him at a young age. Fighting away his fears.

The only memory he had of his mother.

Tears stung in Naruto's eyes as his arms surrounded Hinata, a shudder racking his body. She held onto him, a pillar of strength and support, just as he had always been for her. It was a moment of catharsis for Naruto. It was still something he carried with him, and it could very well be something he would never be able to let go of completely.

She gave selflessly to him, offering him the comfort and love he had not always received in his younger years, his moments of weakness, and for that he loved her.

He loved her so much.

.

At the sound of his son's high pitched wailing, Naruto stirred from his sleep. After waking up to him throughout the night for several days, his was really starting to feel the effects. His eyes were heavy and his body tired. Groggily, he pulled the covers from himself, and stumbled over to the room across from theirs to check on his son.

As he approached the door frame, he was surprised by the sound of a soft gurgle, as the crying slowly ceased. Walking into the bedroom, he found Hinata crading Boruto's tiny body in her arms, lovingly, rocking him back and forth gently.

Watching, Naruto couldn't help the smile that pulled at his lips, as his heart swelled with pride and love for this woman. The ease with which Hinata had slid into the role of mother, of being the protector for a new life.

Entering the room, he slowly made his way over to where Hinata sat, moving beside her carefully, so as not to disturb their son. She must have sensed his presence behind her, because she was not startled by his arm surrounding her waist. Instead, she leaned in closer to the embrace, her hold on Boruto's body remaining form and secure.

She smiled softly, as she continued sing. The same song she sung to only a few select, precious people. Those she loved, and those she would soothe and protect from their fears. The small list of people that now included their son.

A/N: Hope you guys liked that! Would you be interested in seeing more? Please drop a review and let me know! Cheers.