Winter had tightened its grip around Konoha in the weeks since the Winter Festival. There was more snow in the village, more of a need for winter coats and warm meals and the comfort of having someone close to you.
Naruto was on his way to the Hyuuga compound one winter afternoon. The sky was grey with overcast; it had been a few days since the sun had been able to peak its way out. Hyuuga Hinata, his girlfriend, had invited the blonde over to her home for lunch. Naruto had said yes, obviously. Part of him was excited because he had heard from Sakura-chan that Hinata was the best cook out of all their friends; another part of him was terrified though, because Naruto was going to meet Hinata's father for the first time as her boyfriend.
He wondered what the Hyuuga head thought of Naruto. From what little he knew of the noble clan, Naruto could guess that perhaps dating a non-Hyuuga was not entirely acceptable because of the possibility of the Byakugan escaping the "protection" of the Hyuuga. But Naruto and Hinata weren't thinking of kids…yet. After all, they had only been dating for a few weeks.
"Hello, Naruto-san," a guard said as she acknowledged the Uzumaki walking into the Hyuuga compound. "Hinata-sama is in the main training room, sparring with Hanabi-sama. Would you like me to show you the way?"
"No, no, I know the way 'ttebayo! Thanks though!" Naruto shouted, offering the unknown Hyuuga a big grin.
Entwining his fingers together behind his head, the blonde young man made his way to the training room. He found the shoji door opened, and saw that Hyuuga Hiashi was seated off to the side as he watched his daughters fight.
"Hello, Naruto-kun," Hiashi said in a low voice. Naruto was surprised, but figured that the Hyuuga head had sensed Naruto's presence.
Naruto took a seat next to Hiashi, crossing his legs and keepings his hands on his lap. Sitting next to his girlfriend's dad made Naruto slightly nervous.
"Hello, Hiashi-sama," Naruto greeted in a whisper. He didn't want his voice to cause the girls to lose their concentration.
Both Hinata and Hanabi had their Byakugan activated and were attacking one another using their clan's signature Gentle Fist. Ever since their return from the war, Naruto noticed that Hinata had become a lot stronger. She no longer hesitated or doubted it herself; it was clear in the swift execution and last minute decisions she made while fighting. The war had ended two years ago, and the shinobi war was enjoying a time of peace, but that didn't stop Hinata from training everyday with Hanabi. Hinata had told him that the two sisters had decided training a lot more since Hanabi's kidnapping, to gain back the strength of Hanabi's eyes. From the looks of it, the training appeared to be working.
In one blindingly quick move, the match had been decided. Hinata had spun quickly at the last second, avoiding the hand Hanabi was aiming for her sister's chest. Hinata grabbed Hanabi's undefended arm and placed her other hand on the spot between her sister's shoulder blades. Hinata had won.
"Hmph, I'll get you next time, Nee-sama!" vowed Hanabi, pouting slightly.
Hinata's bright smile and small giggle had caught on to Hanabi, who let out her own giggle and hugged Hinata's middle. The look of tender love made Naruto's heart skip a beat.
"Hey Naruto-kun," greeted Hanabi.
"Hey Hanabi-chan. How are you feeling?" the blonde asked, standing up to meet the two sisters in the middle of the training room. The feeling of smoothed out wood felt cold against his bare feet.
"I'll be better once I beat Nee-sama. She's won every single one of our matches since we came back." Hanabi folded her arms across her chest, pouting.
"Don't be too discouraged, Hanabi. Your sister has improved drastically, and you yourself have suffered a trauma not too long ago," Hiashi spoke as he stood. He came to join the teens in the center of the room, his stoic demeanor seeming out of place.
"You'll beat me one day, Hanabi. Let's just do our best, okay?" Hinata said, smiling.
The way the smile reached her lavender-tinted eyes made Naruto smile himself. Something about the way Hinata cared so much for her younger sister made Naruto love her all the more, if that was even possible. Naruto was so happy that Hanabi had been rescued and returned to her family safe and sound.
Kind and strong, he thought as he came up and placed an arm around his girlfriend's shoulder.
The sudden contact startled Hinata briefly, but she relaxed into his body, leaning against him and holding the hand that draped around her own petit shoulder. Looking up, Hinata flashed Naruto a big grin.
Your smile is as bright as the sun, hime. I'll never go a day without sunshine, because you're my personal sunshine. You bring so much light into my world.
Naruto kissed the top of Hinata's head before playfully tousling her navy tresses.