It was a few weeks after his letter from Temari were she threatened to dump him.
He walked casually up to Kurenai, Mirai and Hinata as they sat enjoying lunch in the Genjutsu user's garden with a giant red welt across his cheek; Hinata gasped and ran into the house to soak a cloth in cold water.
"Wha-what happened?" She asked as she held the cloth to his aching cheek.
"Temari broke up with me."
"Oh-oh my goodness! I'm so-so sorry Shika!"
He shrugged. "It's alright, it was going to happen sooner rather than later."
Hinata pouted in thought. "Sh-she broke up with yo-you? But she hi-hit you as well?"
He lowered his head; her hand followed his movements to keep the cloth on his cheek.
"Yea."
He knew she was waiting for more information, so when he didn't give it willingly she poked him in the chest.
"H-hey!" She giggled lightly and it truly was a beautiful sound. "Why did she hi-hit you?" She giggled again. "Do-do I need to hi-hit her ba-back for you?"
He looked up and smirked at her. "You gonna get into a cat fight for me Hinata?" He uncharacteristically winked at her. "That's every man's fantasy you know."
She blushed crimson and gapped at him before throwing her head into his chest to hide and he couldn't help but chuckle.
"I'm joking Hinata I'm sorry," he apologised even as he continued to chuckle. "I'm a drag; I know."
There were a few moments after where he continued to chuckle and he started running his hand over her hair.
"I-I mean it though," he heard her mutter into his jacket and his fingers stilled.
She tilted her head to look up at him and he looked down at her; Kami she was so close.
"I'd-" she seemed to take a few heavy breaths to steal herself before looking determined. "I'd do an-anything for you Shi-Shika."
That's when he kissed her; and it was everything he imagined and more.
A few years later; as he saw Hinata, looking absolutely radiant come down the path in the Nara forest that was the aisle, he had a fleeting thought that, as crazy as it sounds; he owed Toneri a thank you. For if it hadn't been for his manipulation she might never have woken up to the idea of a life without Naruto and he might never have got the dream he never knew he wanted.