Disclaimer: I don't own Naruto.
It was almost dark now, the hazy sun low on the horizon. It illuminated the pale sky with a splashes of vivid red and orange until the sun lazily winked out of existence to give way to the darkness of the night.
Hinata loved the colours, the blend of astral golden streaks, puffy rose clouds against a lavender sky never failed to invigorate her. She usually enjoyed watching the sunset, the way it which the giant fireball could be so destructive yet be a life giving essence evoked a sense of calmness in her because despite the rapid changes in the world, there was still something constant.
Today was different, there was no lavender in the sky and the end of the day left a hollow feeling inside her.
Perhaps she shouldn't have been watching them again. She was busy enough in her own life than to take time to torment herself of what she couldn't have.
As if resonating with her thoughts, the little boy on her lap shifted slightly in his sleep, his thumb still secured firmly in his mouth. Hinata knew she would have to break the habit soon and she should have started long before.
Her son was five years old, too old to still be sucking his thumb. After all, he would be starting the Ninja Academy next year when he turned six. Hinata frowned, brushing an errant copper lock of hair from his face, his long straw eyelashes fluttering slightly in his sleep.
He was so young and innocent, so carefree and unburdened by trials of life. Perhaps she could wait a year or two before sending him to the Academy. The first couple years didn't teach much of the ninja arts anyway but rather numeracy and literacy, which she could always teach him at home.
Hinata often worried that she alienated him by keeping him close to her. Their trips to the park was the only time he was able to interact with other children. While her son had many cousins, Hinata's exclusion from the rest of the Hyuuga ensured his separation from them and prevented from ever becoming too familiar with one another.
Her son's tentative friendship to her genin classmate's children was a blessing to her. After all, she had grown up with few friends she hoped to instill the importance of friendship in her son at a young age.
Hinata encouraged her son to play with any child he wanted to, all but the dark haired boy with cerulean eyes.