Hinata had realized her life would change when she began dating Naruto. She also knew it would change when she and Naruto became engaged. Just as Naruto had changed her life all those years ago. It had changed for the better just as he had changed the world. His smile had saved her and she still loved it when he saved his best smiles for her. One of the weird things was how people viewed her. Of course her friends and family members treated her just the same. It was more the villagers. Naruto had many female admirers since he became the hero that saved the world.
They were just as fierce as Sasuke's fangirls. At first they saw Hinata as enemy number one. She had "stolen their man" in their eyes. Since the engagement the girls had been a bit heartbroken. They also had sudden interest in her as did a lot of people. "How did you get him to like you"? One girl asked. "Where do you guys go for your dates"? How did he ask you to marry him? "When's the wedding"? What's your secret"? "What will you name your children"? These were typical questions they always asked her. She felt a little awkward and never knew how to answer them.
How could she answer them? Well they normally went out to Irichiraku ramen. They knew that as he would still buy them ramen. That was his way and she was fine with that. She thought it was a little personal to be sharing how he asked her to marry him. She still told them though over and over every time they asked. They were mostly well meaning she knew. She wasn't thinking of children's names right now. They hadn't discussed kids yet. She wanted them and hoped he did. But that was future thinking. They hadn't settled on a date yet so they were actively trying to pick one out.
She didn't know what her "secret" was or if she even had one. She didn't know why he liked her. She would never understand that completely. She just knew he loved her and she was thankful. She only hoped he would continue to watch her and see what she could do. Just as she'd wanted long ago in the chunin exams. She was pondering all this when she was approached by a girl about Hanabi's age. Hinata didn't really talk to a lot of other females apart from her friends, sensei's, and sister. This girl had never approached her wanting to ask questions about Naruto either.
"Lady Hinata". The girl said bowing respectfully. "Hello what's your name"? Hinata said bowing as well. "Megumi". "Pretty name. Umm do you need something Megumi"? "I just wanted to ask your advice about something and wondered if we could hang out"? "Okay sure". Hinata said smiling at her. The two headed to a dumpling shop and ordered some hot tea and desserts. Hinata didn't think she'd seen Megumi before. She briefly wondered if Naruto would be back from visiting Killer b yet. She would have went with him but had just returned from a mission herself.
"So Megumi I haven't seen you here before"? "Oh I lived outside the village in the land of fire. We just moved here for work. With the new work opportunities in the leaf now I came here with my parents". "Oh that's wonderful. What advice did you need Megumi"? "Umm well I wanted to know how you got with someone like Naruto. He's the hero of the village right? Well I just got into the academy so I'm a little behind. But there's this boy in class I like. He's really cool and reminds me of Naruto. How do I get him to notice me"? Hinata smiled as she remembered her own experiences.
"Megumi if he is as much like Naruto as you say then talk to him. He won't mind talking to you. You are a beautiful girl. If you're shy like me then I know it's hard. The easiest thing you can do is work hard for yourself and get his attention. It's wonderful to be acknowledged by someone. Naruto especially and even myself wanted to be acknowledged by someone. Naruto by everyone". "Was Naruto that person"? "Yes he was". She said smiling. "So how did you get him to acknowledge you"? "Well I was his friend first. We worked together on missions with our other friends and we all became precious to each other. We never forgot our friends as we've been through a lot with each other".
Megumi nodded but still looked unsure. "There is also one other thing you can do". "What's that"? Megumi wanted to know. "Chase after him with the goal of walking beside him forever. Just remember to make sure he is the one you want. Sometimes people develop crushes on other people first". Megumi nodded again and finished her tea. Hinata allowed herself to once again be amazed. No one had ever come to her advice before. She usually went to her friends for advice. So this was quite a change of scenery for her. She briefly remembered when Naruto defended her from bullies all those years ago. He also confronted some girls who were angry at her when they began dating.
If this boy Megumi talked about was really like Naruto then he must be quite a guy. It seemed many people were inspired by Naruto. She had been one of the first. And was the better for it. She said goodbye to the girl and headed home. She smiled to see Naruto just entering the house. "Hey". He said kissing her. They took hands and headed inside. He sat down and she climbed into his lap as their kiss deepened. "We gotta wait till the wedding. I will show you a good night". They both blushed before bursting into laughter. 'Do you want me to make you something to eat"?
"No thanks I'm just happy to be with you". "You can be with me and still eat you know". "Yeah I do love your food". "Okay". She said as she headed to the kitchen to make him food. She heard his footsteps following her. He grinned as he sat at the kitchen table. "I wanted to be in the same room as you. Yeah I'm kind of an idiot". He grinned never imagining he would be this way. "No I love you and how you are. If you're an idiot than I'm an idiot too. We can be idiots together".
"No way would you ever be an idiot". They settled down to eat their ramen in comfortable silence. "So I talked to this girl named Megumi today. She asked me advice". "Advice huh"? Naruto looked at her curiously. "I always knew you could give good advice. It sure helped me a lot". "Well I don't know about that. But she wanted advice about a boy she liked at the academy. She moved here with her family recently. She said he was a lot like you. It's amazing how many people use you as an example".
"I'm glad to be an example to so many people. Especially the kids. But not everything I did is admirable". "No but a lot of what you did was. You are admirable Naruto. Especially to me". "You know one person I admire a lot"? "Who"? "You". Hinata chuckled. "No way". "Yes way. You give me strength and inspire me to be a better man". "You never needed me to make you that". "I think I really did. That's the one thing I had been missing all this time. I'm kind of glad Toneri did what he did. He actually helped us get together". "Yeah he did in a way". "I do wish I had known that a lot sooner". "Well we don't have to worry about that anymore. I'm glad were together".
"Yeah me too". Hinata didn't forget that little girl. A few weeks later she and Naruto were strolling around the village. "Lady Hinata Naruto". The turned as Megumi approached them followed by a boy. "Oh Naruto this is Megumi. The girl I was telling you about". "Oh yeah nice to meet you Megumi". "Nice to meet you Naruto. Oh um this is my friend Masashi. He's the boy I was telling you about". She said whispering to Hinata. "Nice to meet you". They both said to him. "Hey it's nice to meet you both. Um Naruto I really look up to you. So can I ask you some advice"?
"Sure". Naruto said grinning at him. Hinata led them to the same dumpling shop she and Megumi had visited weeks before. They ate their dessert and sipped tea as Naruto told Masashi advice for being a better ninja. Masashi was happy to take every bit of that advice to heart. By the end of it Hinata and Megumi were both in love with Naruto all over again. Megumi really hoped Masashi would be like him one day. After they finished eating they said goodbye. The turned to watch Masashi and Megumi waving goodbye before running off. Naruto and Hinata both grinned at a memory.
They both were seeing themselves as kids all those years ago. Naruto should have spent more time with her back then. Hinata should have fought to be by his side from the beginning. Despite their thoughts they were once again just happy to be together. They took hands once more and continued to stroll along the village. Hinata leaned her head on his shoulder briefly. "Their cute right"? "They are". Hinata agreed. "Seeing them together like that reminds me of us. I just wish we got to do that sooner. Glad we are now". They laughed as Naruto let go of her hand to put his arm around her shoulders.
"Who would have thought people would look up to us"? "Two failures". Hinata said. "We did okay for two failures". They smiled looking at the lights illuminating from the village. It really was a beautiful place to live. It was where they were going to continue to make their lives together. They were both full of anticipation to what the future would hold. But it really didn't matter as long as they were together.
.