"So you figured out what you're getting her, huh?" Sakura asked, studying Naruto as he proudly held a small box in his grasp. They had settled for tea at Amaguriama, waiting for Hinata to meet them to wrap up some last-minute details for their engagement dinner tomorrow night.
The excitement was palpable. Anticipation hung in the air in the small sweet shop where the pair sat. With the Rinne Festival coming up and the year coming to a close, there was a buzz that, really, everyone could feel. Naruto was no exception. Although this time of year tended to feel lonely for him in the past, he was looking forward to a preview of what the holidays would look like moving forward.
He smiled as he held his chin in his hand, bashfully admitting, "Yep, had it made last week. I can't wait to give it to her tomorrow."
"Her birthday isn't for another few days."
"But the Rinne Festival is tomorrow."
"You just can't wait, can you?" Sakura said, stirring her tea with the spoon in her hand.
Naruto chuckled, "You know me."
Sakura looked at the box once more and asked, "Are you not going to tell me what it is?"
"You'll laugh."
The kunoichi furrowed her brow, "How heartless do you think I am?"
"Do I really have to answer that?" Naruto huffed, his hand still protectively curled around the present he had prepared for Hinata.
"Oh, come on. I want to know!"
"Fine, fine," He mumbled, sliding the box across the table, "But hurry up, I don't want her to see it."
Sakura quickly opened the box, her face softening immediately, "Oh, Naruto."
"Too much?"
She shook her head, "It's going to mean the world to her."
"You really think so?"
"Absolutely."
Naruto's hand lingered as Sakura handed him back the box, remembering his and Hiashi's conversation days before.
As promised, the pair had met for tea. Naruto brought with him various cake slices under his arm that made Hanabi giggle as she walked him to the room where Lord Hyuga waited. Hiashi greeted Naruto as always, with a firm nod and a gesture to sit down. Still, though, there was a warmth in his eyes that resonated even deeper than before with Naruto.
After greeting him properly, Naruto placed the cake slices before his future father-in-law and before he could regret it, he nervously slipped the small box in front of Hiashi, just as he would a few days later to Sakura.
"I u-um, wanted to get your opinion on this gift I planned on giving Hinata for her birthday, sir."
He had been apprehensive about giving his future bride what he had thought up a few nights before and believed it best to bring it up to Hiashi first. It was more out of respect than anything, knowing that the gift in question really solidified the life-changing event that was unfolding.
Hiashi gave a small nod as the slightest inkling of a smile played upon his lips as he took a peek at what Naruto placed before him, "She will surely treasure this," He took a sip from his mug before letting out a small breath, "You two are beginning your own family now, bringing new meaning to the name of your clan. Stand tall, Naruto, and be proud. I have no doubt Hinata will wear this proudly."
With a sigh, Naruto put the box away. As excited as he was, he was equally as nervous. He knew he was being ridiculous, but what he was about to give Hinata felt like it was a piece of him. It was an actual symbol of what their life together meant. He found it terrifying to think that there was the tiniest possibility that Hinata wouldn't like the gift.
"What's with the face?" Sakura asked.
Naruto shook his head, "It's nothing. I'm getting in my own head."
"Why? Did Lord Hyuga say something to you when you two spoke?"
"Just the opposite," He reassured the pink-haired kunoichi, "He had the same reaction you did, actually."
"Oh? Well, see, you have nothing to worry about."
"I know, I know. I think...maybe...it's just all becoming so real. I have no idea what I'm going to do when I see her wearing this. I've never..." He took a breath, "I've never had a family, Sakura, much less been a part of a clan. I don't know what that pride feels like, what it means to belong. But I don't think anything is going to compare to seeing Hinata wear this every day after we get married. I think about that feeling and I just..." Naruto shook his head, "My heart, you know?"
Sakura didn't want to cry, especially around Naruto, but hearing him express his feelings this way made her throat close up, "N-Naruto," she placed a hand upon his and squeezed, "I know you don't know what it feels like to have a family right now, but, I have no doubt you will soon. You're going to be an incredible husband and father. And you know what? Hinata's going to be proud to be an Uzumaki, believe it!"
Naruto burst out laughing, making Sakura giggle as well. He knew he was being ridiculous, but the reassurance helped. Sakura said exactly what he had needed to hear.
"It looks like we're having fun."
The two former teammates looked up to see Hinata, smiling brightly at them both. Her cheeks were reddened from the cold, and her mittened hands were running through her hair to rid it of the snowflakes that were still clinging on from her time outside.
"Hinata!" Sakura exclaimed, hopping up from her seat and taking her friend into her embrace, "We've been waiting for you. Oh! Look, I ordered you a cinnamon roll."
Naruto got up from his seat as well, wrapping an arm around Hinata's waist as he led her into their booth, and sat back down next to her. He felt her press into his side after slipping off her jacket and immediately felt a jolt of electricity flow throughout his body.
Sakura slid the sweet treat in front of Hinata, who thanked her and immediately began eating, "Sorry, I haven't had time to eat anything yet today. Hanabi was having me choose floral arrangements from some magazines she bought in the village yesterday."
"Getting some ideas before you two sit down with Ino?"
Hinata nodded, "I know it'll still be a few weeks before we do that, but, Hanabi has officially named herself our wedding planner, so, no use in arguing with her. Besides, it's nice to have someone help with everything. Like you, Sakura-chan. Thank you for helping us put this all together tomorrow."
Sakura fluttered her hand, "Oh, please. It was nothing! But, speaking of, I made sure to make it seem like we were just getting dinner together before heading over to the festival. Everyone's so busy they haven't even thought twice about it."
"Wonderful," Hinata said, smiling appreciatively at her friend, "I'm so excited."
"The reservation at the BBQ place is under my name should you get there early, but please don't. Make an entrance! It's your day."
"Sakura, please."
"Ah, did you get your kimono from the tailor?"
Hinata nodded, "It was ready yesterday."
"Good, good. Oh! I'm also happy to have a 'sleepover' if need be," Sakura said with a knowing smirk upon her face.
The couple turned bright red and Naruto quickly said, "No need for any of that! Lord Hyuga made it clear he'd like for Hinata to sleep in her own bed until the wedding."
Sakura snorted, "He saw right through that lie, didn't he?"
Hinata shook her head, "Let's talk about something else, please."
"Well, I have nothing else for you two. I've already let the restaurant know that it's going to be a big crowd. I've asked everyone to send any gifts they may have planned to bring for Hinata's birthday to the Hyuga compound so we don't have to worry about them at the festival, and I've made sure everyone bought their tickets for the festival so we're ready to go right after."
"Shit! I knew I forgot-"
Before he could finish his sentence, Sakura reached into her purse and placed two tickets in front of Naruto, "With everything going on, I already knew you were going to forget."
"You know him like the back of your hand," Hinata tried to say without giggling.
"I should probably leave you the user's manual," Sakura said, a little too seriously for Naruto's taste.
"Oh! That would be super helpful. I'd appreciate that."
Naruto groaned, "Hina, don't play along when she makes jokes like that."
The two girls looked at him and then burst out laughing.
"I'm always the punchline," Naruto huffed.
"Don't be so dramatic, Naruto. We're just kidding around," Sakura reassured him.
"Exactly, Naruto-Kun. We don't mean anything by it," Hinata said as she wrapped her small hand around his.
"He's just acting wounded so you'll comfort him later, Hinata."
"I am not!"
Hinata looked between the two and fell into another fit of laughter, she knew Naruto was a tad jealous of the relationship she shared with Kiba and Shino, but she'd be lying if she said she didn't get a tad envious of how Sakura and Naruto playfully sparred each other every time they met.
"Anyways, I told Ino and Tenten I'd meet up with them to finish putting our outfits together for tomorrow. So if you two lovebirds are all set?"
"All good," Naruto said, wrapping an arm around Hinata and giving Sakura a thumb's up with the other.
"Great," She said, slipping her coat back on and wrapping a scarf tightly around her neck, "Then I will see you two tomorrow."
"Thank you again, Sakura!" Hinata said as Sakura got up from the table and waved goodbye to the couple.
"Call me if you need anything!"
"We will," Naruto called after her. After assuring that Sakura was out of the shop and on her way, he turned to Hinata and took her into his embrace.
"We're in public," She reminded him, melting into his arms anyway.
"That hasn't stopped you before."
She looked up at him pointedly, "That's beside the point."
"Mmmm I don't think so," He said into her ear.
Hinata shivered and pulled back, her brow still playfully furrowed, "One day I'm going to embarrass you as badly as you embarrass me."
"Good luck."
She placed a hand upon his thigh, making sure there weren't prying eyes around them first. Once she was sure she could move forward, she began bringing her hand higher and higher, until she saw Naruto was holding his breath and about to turn purple.
"Wow," She mumbled, "It was really that easy."
Hinata felt him harden against the top of her hand as she purposely grazed him. She brought her hand back up to the table in an instant, acting as if nothing had happened.
"You think you're so cute," Naruto muttered, trying to fight off the pent-up desire she had left him with.
"Payback."
"In the middle of the sweets shop?"
She shrugged, a smirk playing upon her face, "Stop embarrassing me then."
Hinata took the final bite of her cinnamon roll as Naruto attempted to compose himself, and playfully nudged him, "Are you sure we can't tell father I'm going to sleepover at Sakura's tomorrow?"
"Hina, please. You've already made me into a mess today."
"I'm being serious."
"So am I."
"Well, what if I came over earlier?"
"Actually, if you don't mind, I wanted to take you somewhere before we meet everyone."
"Oh?"
"Yeah," He said, still unable to meet her gaze.
"That's fine. Can I just get ready at your place then?"
"Your father won't say anything?"
"I'll tell him I'm going to get ready at Sakura's."
"Hinata I-"
She placed a finger to his lips to quiet him, "I know you're closer to my father now, and you don't want to lie to him, but I also know that, like me, you're not going to be able to go three months without us being...intimate. So, let it go, okay? I'll keep my promise to sleep in my bed, but let me take care of any loopholes that may pop up."
He nodded and grinned, "I love when you take control like this."
Hinata pulled her hand away and looked down, clearly unable to look him in the eyes after what he said, "So? We have a deal?"
Naruto extended his hand, and Hinata took it with a smile.
"Deal," He said, already looking forward to tomorrow more than he had before.
"I'm excited," She said, eyes bright and cheeks flushed.
He took her into his embrace once more, kissing the top of her head as he said, "It's going to be an unforgettable day. I promise."
Just as Hinata had taken the care to make sure he had a birthday he wouldn't forget, he swore he'd do the same for her with everything that was coming up.
Tomorrow couldn't come soon enough.