star vessel
From a jealous boyfriend to missions together, honeymoon, overprotective husband, nightmares and reveries. Everything from the moon and back.
Chronological One-Shots / Canon-Compliant / Post-War / After The Last
(Can be an extension read for secret lovers)
Disclaimer: Characters and several scenarios in this work belong to Masashi Kishimoto et al.
entry eleven
prompt
It's Naruto's first date with Hinata and it's also the moment he reaffirmed his feelings.
*Excerpts from Sakura Hiden (direct Viz translation) are enclosed in [/]*
*NaruHina Week Day 4*
/favorite/
best-loved; dearest
Cherry blossoms began appearing and their wedding date was drawing near. Before things get even busier, Naruto made sure to invite Hinata for their official date as a couple. Yes, they got out a couple of times, but those were before, during or after missions. He hadn't formally invited her out like how he read it in one of Sai's magazines. If it wasn't because of that magazine, he wouldn't know that he should be the one paying for their date's expenses.
Naruto rolled around his bed beating himself while thinking of the many times he let Hinata pay for herself and even worse were the moments she treated him several bowls of ramen.
["Naruto! Hinata!" Turning around, Sakura saw the two of them walking toward her, dressed in street clothes. "What's this? A date?"
"Yup. For once, we're both off duty," Naruto said.
"What about you, Sakura?" asked Hinata.
"A meeting with Ino at the hospital."
"I heard about that, y'know. Aah, that, whaddyacallit, children's... Um, something center?"
"The children's therapy center," she corrected him. "So where are you off to? Dinner?"
"Mm-hmm." Hinata nodded. "At Ichiraku."
"Hey." Naruto came over to whisper into Sakura's ear. "So, like, in the copy of An-An I borrowed from Sai, it said that the guy should pay for the date, but a full-course dinner's super expensive."
Sakura giggled at the slightly pale Naruto. "It's okay," she whispered back. "You don't have to try that hard."
"What are you talking about?" Hinata cocked her head to one side.
"Oh! No! It's nothing. Nothing at all!" Naruto grinned and rubbed his stomach with one hand. "Looking forward to ramen."
Perhaps because the gesture was ridiculous, Hinata burst out laughing. And as the two of them smiled at each other, Sakura felt a broad grin spread across her own lips.
It had been a few months since Naruto and Hinata became an official couple. Sakura had fretted more than a little at the new relationship between late bloomer Hinata and purehearted Naruto, since she was so close to them, but now that they were so happily joined even that fretting was a fond memory.
The news spread like wildfire through the village. Their former classmates and the older ninja teased them for a while, but that period was over now.
The other day, she had gotten an invitation. Their wedding was not far off.
"Right. Why don't you come for ramen with us, Sakura?" Naruto asked, grinning broadly.
"Look, you." Sakura sighed. "What would happen with me there? You're both off duty together finally. Go and date yourselves silly." She stepped behind them and gave their backs a little push.
She watched as they walked off down the market street. Naruto made some joke and Hinata laughed. They looked so happy.]
Hinata was still chuckling silently as they walked hand in hand. Naruto didn't know what suddenly gotten into his girlfriend. Oh, but she knew what was running inside his mind. She knew that he was thinking of ways to giver a good time. This quality of him to see people happy was what really made him so charming, and it made her fall for him all over again.
"Are you alright, Naruto-kun? You must be hungry already." Hinata checked up on him for the second time. She light-heartedly chuckled and cheered. "I told you it's fine. I'm actually very excited to have ramen with you."
Naruto couldn't help but form puppy eyes. How could he deserve her?
On the other hand, much to Naruto's dismay he didn't expect that a full-course dinner would cost that much! He had given up some of his budget for their wedding expenses despite Hiashi's advice to save it for some other things instead. Perhaps, he should have listened to his soon-to-be father-in-law.
This was not the kind of date he had in mind. When he learned of his feelings for Hinata and for how long she was pining for him, he swore he would give her the world. However, he couldn't even give her a set meal for god's sake!
"Woah! Your invitation looks so pretty." Ayame chimed as she marveled at the scroll sealed a camelia flower fresh from Ino's flower shop. "How's the wedding preparation going on so far?"
"Hmmm, well we distributed invitations this morning. We have to plan for the banquet, the attire, the pre-nuptial parties, the decorations so on and so forth." Hinata listed down. "It was a lot, but it's great to be taking a little break."
Naruto rubbed the back of his head and sighed. "True, it was a lot."
"Look at you two! Who would expect you'll end up like this? It all seems just like yesterday when Hinata will treat our little clueless Naruto for ramen. Now it's the other way around! And on the next few months you're finally getting married!" Ayame bore a dreamy look on her face as she wiped dry the bowls appearing as if she was recalling a lot of past details.
Hinata lightly laughed at the memory of a young Naruto-kun, while Naruto chuckled in embarrassment thinking how silly he was when he was younger.
"Sorry to keep you waiting!" Teuchi announced as he arrived with the anticipated bowls of ramen. "Here…Ichiraku Special Date Ramen!"
Two large bowls of premium ramen were in front of the couple. Their eyes sparkled as they saw the finely cooked wagyu beef matched with the signature Ichiraku aroma.
Naruto gulped and tilted his head towards Hinata. Similarly, Teuchi leaned over the counter to watch Hinata. It was as if she was a judge at a cooking show. She tucked strands of her hair behind her ear and took the first slurp. As soon as Hinata finished her initial slurp, she placed her chopsticks back in the bowl, pressed her hands together and gave out the brightest smile ever. "It's the best! I love it!"
Naruto and Teuchi sighed in relief and victory. Ayame cheered and applauded.
"I really did my best on that one since this is the very first time Naruto will treat his girlfriend for a bowl of ramen." The old man commented.
"Ossan~" Naruto whined in embarrassment, which made Hinata giggle.
They all shared stories and laughter all the while the enjoying the warm bowl of the Special Date Ramen.
This was all Naruto could ever wish for. It was just like a dream by how the moment tasted like. And it's not just because of Ichiraku's famous broth nor because of the premium wagyu beef, he knew that there was something else as well this time.
He knew it by the way Hinata smiled whole-heartedly and how her smile made his chest swell hundredfold with an unexplainable kind of joy he only gets when around her. He knew it by how lost he was right in this very moment. He knew it this time. He was sure. It was Hinata he loved, and he loved her more than ramen.
Who would've thought that the only thing who brought him warmth and comfort as a child would be superseded by Hinata alone.
With contented smiles, they greeted Ayame and Teuchi-san good night, and exited the shop. They strolled along the village with hands in each other's as they watched the moon take its full shape.
"Naruto-kun…" Hinata called while looking up at him. "Thank you for today."
Her smile made him jumpy, and he instantly ruffled the back of his head, admitting, "Well, actually…about that…I'm actually planning to treat you to a full-course dinner, however I don't have enough dattebayo."
Naruto let go of Hinata's hand and stood in front of her bowing in apology. "I'm sorry! I'm sorry!"
She giggled and hurriedly went over him. "Don't sweat it, Naruto-kun. I love everything about today. Honest. You love Ichiraku, right?"
Naruto nodded in response.
"Then, I'd like to be a part of everything that you love. This is the best date ever and there's nothing about today that I would change. Besides, just being with you is enough for me."
His heart squeezed at her statement. With wide eyes, he could only dry gulp. Why was she so good at this?
"W-Well! I won't fall behind you! When I become Hokage, I'll certainly treat you to a full-course dinner -ttebayo!" Naruto challenged. "That's right. Believe it! I stand by what I say, Hinata. So be ready for it. Whatever restaurant, name it!"
"I believe you, Naruto-kun." Hinata laughed and took his hand into hers swaying them together as they walked. "Hmm…but how about I'll cook you a full-course dinner instead? What do you say?"
"Whoa! You're gonna cook for me, Hinata? A full-course dinner? Is that true?" He chirped in excitement and embraced her tightly, until he realized that she was defeating him again. "Hmph! Hey!"
She playfully broke out of his embrace and ran. He tried to come after her, pouting and protesting that he'll definitely win her over the next time.
Ramen might have made Naruto's tummy full, yet it was Hinata who filled his heart like it's about to burst.
Hello everyone!
Sorry for the very late update! I was about to write during my birthday which was the 13th, however my both of my grandparents were hit by the virus at the same day so I had to drop everything. I hope this little piece makes your day and I'll try to update as frequent as possible. Next part of Sakura Hiden will be on the next update along with their wedding preparations!
xxQuirrrky