Naruto laid in bed after training with Konohamaru, throwing a plastic Kunai up in the air and catching it in his hand over and over again. For the last twenty-four hours he couldn't help but think of Hinata. He just couldn't believe...

"Hey, Naruto," Sasuke said, as he opened the door to Naruto's apartment and let himself in.

"Yo, what's up?"

Sasuke made his way over to Naruto's fridge, shook his head at its contents, and grabbed a bottle of water before closing it shut once more.

"Not much, just stopping by before heading over to talk to the...hokage," Sasuke replied with a slight smile.

"Weird right?"

"Meh."

"You're alway so unimpressed."

"Keep your expectations low so that people can constantly surprise you," Sasuke said, tipping the bottle towards Naruto before taking a swig. He studied his friend for a moment, noting that he looked a bit more reserved than usual, "So, you and Hinata, huh?"

Naruto tried to hide his smile, "Yeah."

"Am I going to have to start knocking?"

"W-what? No no, I-I"

Sasuke burst out laughing at Naruto's sputtering, "Calm down, I was just joking. Don't get all riled up."

"Why are you busting my balls, fucking bastard," Naruto said as he whippped a pillow at Sasuke's head.

He missed, obviously, and knocked down a houseplant Sakura had given a while back. He rolled his eyes at the mess, it was dried out anyways. He wasn't one for watering it as much as he should.

"Be honest, you're a virgin, right?"

Naruto sat up and looked at Sasuke head on, "At what point in the last few years would I have time to have sex when I spent all of it cleaning up your mess?"

Sasuke rolled his eyes, "Didn't you train under the most famous erotic writer and playboy in the land? Seems like a waste to me."

Naruto groaned loudly, "Is that what you came here for?"

"No, I was thirsty," He said lifting up the bottle once more, "But seriously, do I...need to give you the talk?"

"You could say goodbye and go."

"Well, when you're ready, you know where to find me. Just...you know...knock. And wait for an answer next time."

"Because you'll be having sex?"

"Most likely."

Naruto turned a bright red at the confirmation, meanwhile Sasuke remained as cool as ever. He hated that nothing ever unnerved the Uchiha.

"How did you...was Sakura your...first?"

"No. She wasn't."

"Then while you were gone?"

"You spent that whole time obsessing over me, I spent it getting stronger...in everything."

"I was not obsessed with you, stop saying that shit! If it wasn't for me-"

Sasuke sighed, "Naruto, I know. I was joking."

"Whatever."

"Look, so you're a virgin. I'm sure Hinata is too. It'll be a learning experience for both of you, and, I don't know, I think that's most of the fun."

"W-Why do you think she is too?"

"I'm venturing a guess, that's all. But if she's not, so what. You two like each other, that's all that matters."

"So...you don't think she is?"

"Idiot, can you please listen to what I'm saying. It doesn't matter whether she is or isn't, or if you are. You clearly are into her, and for some unknown reason she reciprocates those feelings. Just let nature take its course. Isn't that what those stupid Make-Out Paradise books are all about?"

Naruto's entire face lit up as he smiled, "So you've read them."

"Didn't say that," Sasuke said, brushing his hair back.

"Clearly you have, that's where you got your moves from!"

"Enough."

"So you can dish it out but you can't take it."

"I'm running late. I'll stop by tomorrow."

"Yeah, yeah. Run away!"

"Later." Sasuke said, taking the last swig out of the water bottle in his grasp and throwing it directly into the wastebasket across the room.

"Say hi to Kakashi for me."

"Whatever."

And with that Sasuke closed the door behind him, leaving Naruto alone with his thoughts once more. Except...they were even worse.

Now he had questions, so many questions. He knew his experience level, which was basically nonexistent. And, he knew that he was more than willing to learn. But now he wondered just how much she knew. How much he would be lacking if there was someone before him.

Naruto let out a breath and rolled over onto his stomach. He tried to focus on the bright blue sky that could be seen out his window, but it was no use.

Every time he closed his eyes, every time he had a second alone, all he saw was her. All he imagined was doing things to her he had only read in the pages of the Pervy Sage's writing.

While he was ashamed of thinking about dear, innocent Hinata in that way, he remembered the sheer force of her kiss and the unabashed way her hands traced his bare skin. How could he not think of what he would do if she did that again, if he had the chance to...

He shook his head, it was too soon to be thinking about this. Wasn't it? Hinata wouldn't be...

But he knew better, he knew she had to be thinking it too. Perhaps their courtship had just begun, but the chemistry was far too strong to ignore.

:

A few evenings later Hinata found herself waiting outside of Naruto's apartment at his request as his training ran late. She didn't mind having a few minutes to herself to quell her nerves before seeing him again, after all, they had only spoken on the phone since they last saw each other. Both of them were becoming busier as the days passed, a cruel twist of fate for Hinata considering how slowly time had seemed to pass before.

"Hey, Hinata!" Naruto exclaimed, running toward her. His adrenaline was clearly still pumping.

He had Konohamaru in tow, who also seemed pretty beside himself to see her.

Before Hinata could say hello, Naruto wrapped her in a too-familiar embrace for them only to have just begun dating. He gently pressed his lips to the side of her jaw, discreetly trying to hide the need to kiss her all over.

Konohamaru, noting this gesture, smirked to himself before he bowed his head and said, "Nice to see you."

"Hi, Konohamaru," She said, unwrapping herself from Naruto's embrace and adjusting her dress, "How was training?"

"I kicked his butt, as usual," Konohamaru replied with a laugh.

"Alright, alright. Go on home now. We'll see how you do tomorrow."

Konohamaru looked up at Naruto and pouted, but obliged him. He hitched up his knapsack before giving Naruto a two-finger salute, "See you tomorrow, boss. And Onee-San? Can you please let Hanabi-Chan know I send my regards?"

Hinata and Naruto looked at each other knowingly, trying not to giggle. Hinata nodded solemnly and assure Konohamaru, "Yes, I will certainly let her know."

"Thank you! And be good you two!" He quipped before running off in the direction of his own home.

Finally alone with Naruto, Hinata stepped closer to him, got on the tips of her toes and kissed him gently on his cheek.

Taken aback, Naruto flushed and giddy asked, "What was that for?"

"I-I missed you, that's all."

"I did too," He said, grazing the spot her lips had touched with his fingertips, "What do you say we skip dinner?"

"And do what?"

Naruto gulped, "N-Never mind. You know what, why don't I make up for our first date? Maybe we go to a nice sit down place?"

Hinata tilted her head slightly, "I told you our first date was perfect, Naruto-Kun. You don't have to take me anywhere special."

"I insist."

Hinata knew that between the lack of missions while he healed and all of his other living expenses, that Ichiraku was the only place Naruto could afford, but she refused to say it. She knew he wanted to pride himself on treating her, so she said the only thing she could think of.

"I was so looking forward to a bowl of ramen, though. Honestly, I've been craving it since last time."

"Really?"

"Really."

She could see him visibly relax, that is until he said, "God, I love you."

Hinata froze, but was more than willing to let go of the slip. She knew it was an accident. But Naruto, he became a sputtering mess.

"O-oh Oh my g-god! I didn't! I didn't mean!"

Hinata burst out laughing, genuinely couldn't help it. The boy she so adored was finally feeling first-hand the embarrassment she had to live through all these years every time he looked her way.

"Y-you, I," Naruto sighed, "You know what I meant."

"I do," She replied, wiping a tear from the corner of her eye.

"And you let me go on?"

"Revenge," She responded, playfully poking his side.

"You'll pay for that," He warned.

She stuck her tongue out at him and walked on ahead, "Are we going, or what?' She asked, noticing that he still hadn't followed. She reached her hand out behind her and offered to him.

He took pause for a second, just before he took her hand firmly in his.

"Just for that," He muttered, "It's your treat."

"That sounds fair," She shrugged.

"Extra toppings."

"All the toppings you want, Naruto-Kun."

"And dango after."

"I was thinking something different for dessert," She said, avoiding his stare.

"O-Oh, like what?"

"Hmmm, maybe...ice cream?"

"Tease," Naruto mumbled.

"What?"

"Nothing. Ice cream is fine."

Hinata looked up at the starry sky as they walked along the familiar streets, and she couldn't help but feel as if this were not her life. She had barely stuttered in Naruto's presence, had initiated giving him a kiss, and had playfully participated in banter. She felt as if she were living in one of Hanabi's shojo mangas, and in her heart she truly hoped it would never stop feeling that way.

"Hinata?"

"Yes?"

"I've been looking forward to seeing you all day."

She smiled brightly before responding, "Me too, Naruto-kun. Me too."