Chapter 2:
A Den of Memories, Part 1
"N-Naruto-kun, can you tell me where we're going?"
"Not yet, but you'll find out soon Hinata, I promise."
She bit her lip and glanced down at her floral lavender dress. "And you're really sure that I'm dressed ok?"
It was Valentine's Day, and this was their first real date, so she had painstakingly selected the nicest outfit in her closet. She just hoped that it would be fancy enough for wherever they were going.
Naruto looked her up and down, then broke into a wide grin. "Yeah, you look great!"
She felt a blush suffuse her cheeks. "Th-Thank you," she said softly, fidgeting with the edge of the ribbon tied around her waist.
"Alright," he said a few minutes later, shooting her a secretive smile. "We're almost there."
She glanced around, trying to think of any nice restaurants that were in this area. This part of Konoha had mostly casual eateries—Yakiniku Q, a dango shop, and of course…
"Here we are!" Naruto announced with a grand flourish.
She stared at the familiar storefront. "Ichiraku Ramen...?" she asked faintly.
"Yep!" He pulled her inside eagerly. "Come on!"
"Welcome!" Teuchi hailed as they entered. His usual white apron had been replaced by a bright red frock embroidered with pink hearts. "Today only we're having our lovey-dovey ramen special! Every couple who finishes at least ten bowls together wins a limited edition Ichiraku's Valentine bowl!"
Naruto turned to her, his eyes sparkling with childish delight. "When I heard about this, I knew that I just had to bring you. With you and I together, ten bowls won't even be a problem! Right, Hinata?"
"Eh?" She blinked. "O-Oh…yes."
"What's wrong?"
She stared down at her shoes. "I-It's nothing." Her best shoes…for Ichiraku Ramen…
"Ah, man." Naruto ran a hand disconsolately through his wild golden locks. "I messed up, didn't I? I'm such an idiot, I really thought you would like it."
"N-No," she stammered, "I…"
"It's ok, Hinata. We can just go somewhere else." He grasped her hand and began to lead her back out into the street.
"No!" she said, surprising even herself with her vehemence. "R-Really, Naruto-kun, this is fine."
He frowned slightly. "You don't have to lie to avoid hurting my feelings, you know."
"I'm not lying." She glanced around the little shop that was home to so many fond memories. It wasn't a five-star steakhouse, but now that she was here, she couldn't imagine having their first date anywhere else. "I really mean it," she said softly. "It's perfect."
"Ok…" Naruto said dubiously. "If you're sure."
"I am," she smiled. "Now let's go win that ramen bowl."
Naruto patted his stomach contentedly as they exited the shop a few hours later. "Man,
that was good!"
"Yes, it was," she agreed, unable to restrain a giggle as she remembered the other customers' faces when they had easily polished off not ten, but twenty-two bowls of ramen.
He flashed a grin. "Do you like the bowl I picked out?"
"I love it," she answered, hugging the pale purple bowl to her chest.There had been a pink one and a red one as well, but Naruto had insisted on this one. Although she didn't really have a color preference, just the fact that he had selected it for her made it infinitely precious.
"I'm glad." He took her hand in his, and the simple gesture made her heart flutter. "Hey, thanks for putting up with me tonight, Hinata. Next time we'll go somewhere you want. You name the place, and we'll go."
She looked up at him, her heart swelling with affection for the wonderful man beside her. She loved him so, so much—words couldn't even begin to adequately describe it. Caught up in the moment and feeling slightly reckless, she stood on tiptoe and kissed him on the cheek.
"Thank you, Naruto-kun."
Thank you, but it really doesn't matter where we go. Just being by your side makes me the happiest girl in the world.
Author's Note: I hope you enjoyed the first NaruHina flashback of this story! From this point onward, the chapters will alternate between present day and the past. Thanks for reading, and please leave a review to let me know what you think!