A/N: Thanks so much for the kind and constructive reviews! I really appreciate them! :D If there are any OOC parts at all please inform me, and I'll try to improve my story as best I can! Thank you! (P.S.: hime means "princess" in Japanese)

Disclaimer: I don't own Naruto.


"I'm tired.." Hinata muffled into Naruto's jacket sleeve as she loosely hugged his arm.

"Me too.." Naruto agreed, yawning loudly.

Naruto glanced over at the empty bowls of noodles that Hinata had previously cooked for him, and scooted closer to Hinata, resting his head on her shoulder. Slowly, he maneuvered his hand around Hinata's small frame and intertwined his hand with her hand. Hinata squeezed Naruto's hand in reply to the unexpected but pleasing touch.

"Well..." Hinata drawled as she took in the heat from Naruto's skin, "Let's go to bed then.."

Naruto smiled at Hinata, the kind of smile that was of a mischievous one that had goofy plans behind it, and unexpectedly jumped off the couch, extending his arms towards her. Hinata expressed to him a quizzical and unsure look, but extended her arms towards him anyway. Suddenly, Naruto picked up Hinata and carried her bridal style.

"N-Naruto!?" Hinata cried out, and draped her arms around Naruto's neck.

"Tell me..." Naruto began, grinning from ear to ear. "Where do we go, my hime?" Hinata smiled understandingly, enjoying Naruto's silliness.

Hinata stifled a giggle, "To the bedroom!" she bossed jokingly, and pointed to their room for emphasis.

At the sound of the giggly command, Naruto marched over to the bedroom and gently set her on the bed, his loving eyes focused on her. His hands hesitantly went up to touch her face, but before he could even do that, Hinata grabbed his wrists, blushing profoundly. She couldn't even look Naruto in the eyes.

"I-I have to change.." Hinata announced, lightly pushing Naruto away and then grabbing an armful of clothes. "Excuse me!" She said before shutting the bathroom door.

It was apparent to Naruto: Hinata wasn't ready for the heavy intimate stuff, and Naruto caught on pretty fast despite being pretty dense about romance and women. He puffed, resting his head on his palm. Hinata...was scared. And he got that and all - even he was pretty anxious about the whole sleeping together thing, but even then, he still wanted to be close to her.

Naruto's eyes surveyed the room, hoping for an answer to the predicament. Eventually, he remembered something that he used to do when he felt scared, and he jumped off the bed to get his trustworthy cap. For some reason, the cap would put him at ease and help him sleep. He smiled at the cap, and heard the bathroom door open. He saw Hinata approach him, a heavy coat completely covering her body.

"Hinata? Why are you wearing that coat?" Naruto asked, but all ready kind of knew the answer.

"O-oh..well...I always wear coats to bed.." Hinata stuttered, her fingers fidgeting.

Those nervous signs of fidgeting and stuttering proved to Naruto that she was lying, and he quickly fitted his sleeping cap on Hinata's head. Hinata looked puzzled, but grazed the warm fabric anyway.

"Naruto... What is this?" Hinata queried, now using two hands to feel the full texture of the cap.

"Back then - when I was alone, I'd sleep with that cap on and it felt like someone was there...comforting me." Naruto answered, his eyes appearing distant. "I know it might be a little big, but...if you want to wear it-"

"Yes!" Hinata exclaimed, tightly holding the cap to her head. "Thank you...Naruto-kun.."

Hinata understood completely - the feeling of being alone was unbearable... Even though she had a family, she was quickly replaced due to her weak and forgiving nature by her own sister, Hanabi. She rubbed the fabric again, feeling the comfort that it must have brought Naruto on those lonely and scary nights.

10 minutes later

Thankfully, Hinata was no longer sporting that heavy trench coat, and the couple were now sleeping in their bed together. Even though the nervousness of sleeping in the same bed with Naruto overwhelmed her, the cap soothed her; she even snuggled more closely to Naruto, allowing his breath to prick the invisible hairs on her neck.