Author's Note:

Hello, There my lovelies! We're already into chapter 5 of this story and I hope you are all enjoying it with as much anticipation and excitement as I am!

Both of our protagonists have finally exchanged names and it appears as if both are intrigued by the other for some unknown reason?

I wonder what will happen with these two?

With that being said,
Get comfy and blast some music on!
On we go!

Hot Tea during WInter

Chapter Recap:

"Naruto Uzumaki…you're such an interesting person. I wonder, what else is there about you…" Hinata thinks this to herself out loud as she continues laying in her bed that night. Also, wondering when their next encounter shall be?

Both concluded that their meeting wasn't just a one-time thing anymore.

"Tama, you ready to go boy?" Hinata asks the orange feline as he looks at her with less enthusiasm than her.

"Now c'mon, you know that you need fresh air. Don't you want to play with your other cat friends," she asks as she picks him up and stares at him. His dark-chocolate colored eyes narrow in annoyance at her, his purrs increasing more at the horrifying thought of….

Going to the park.

Today was Saturday which meant that Hinata was off of work; the Kuma Cafe however continues to remain open since it's open 24hrs a week and Saturdays are where the money is made.

The baristas take turns in alternating weekends off and it so happens to be Hinata's weekend off. However, normally she prefers having off a weekday since most businesses are still open.

"Which is also why you're such a mature woman, Hinata," she says in a mocking tone of voice similar to Ino's.
Her friends try to convince her to take weekends off and go outdoors instead of burying herself in books or asking her professors for extra credit. Which those extra credit essays really go a long way in her defense!

Even so, she does understand that it's important to take a breather every now and then.

This brings it back to the current event at hand.

"Just 10 minutes Tama is all I ask, you can do that can you?" Hinata pleads with puppy eyes and pouting her bottom lip. Tama stares at her in silence for a while and sighs deeply internally.

"Meow…" he says finally giving in. Smiling brightly with joy the girl hugs her cat pressing his face to her bosom. "Tama, you're so good to me! I promise you'll have fun!" she says.

"Meow…"

It was a beautiful day outside today, it had snowed the night before so the streets were all coated in the white fluff of cotton. The sounds of coats rustling against the clothing of people, the laughter of children as they play in the snow and their parents yell at them to get out of the street.

It brings joy to Hinata's heart to see everyone in such a good mood. The winter season always seemed to bring the villagers together in unison. Maybe because having fun and doing things together provided them warmth in a way.

"Everyone is sure lively today…" the girl says to herself as she makes her way to her desired destination.

Just a few blocks down appeared the sign informing Hinata that she had arrived. 'Gamabunta Animal Park' read the sign, the name of this park came in an old Konoha tale of this humongous frog that used to be seen in the land, he would keep the park clean from any clutter and some even say that this was the only first and only frog who smoked cigars!

There's some stigma regarding this tale and some villagers even say that they've spotted two little frogs even though no one's openly seen them in decades. To Hinata, this seems like a cute fairy tale that they tell kids so that they can bring their pets to the park.

The bright side to it is it was made hence the name it was given: Humongous. Trees everywhere, A swing set with a slide, a seesaw, jungle gym, sandbox, and a slide. Most people use this park for recreational activities as well such as walking, running, and adult sports.

This park also has various cat towers and litter boxes to provide the ultimate feline entertainment, not only that but a baseball diamond and a basketball court are all present for the furry creatures of Konoha.

Gamabunta Animal Park is the only park that welcomes both cats and dogs.

Making her way to her regular spot which was in the back corner by a pond that the park also happens to have for entertainment, Hinata sat down while holding Tama still, she watches all the other animals play around the park and interact with one another.

"Alright Tama, go and play now," Hinata says as she puts Tama to the ground. Tama looks at her then towards his back where the other creatures lie then back at her.

"Meow.." If one could understand cat then it would be translated to along the lines of: 'Are you kidding me?'

"Now Tama, no need to be shy just go to that tower over there to start. There seems to be no one on it, just to get some fresh air." Hinata pleads as she points to a tall, big, and grey cat tower that appeared to be vacant.

Seeing that he could enjoy his own time Tama was much agreeable as he hesitantly made his way towards the tower.
Sighing in content and relief Hinata sits back down as she watches Tama to ensure he's staying safe.

Tama is a Norwegian Forest Cat, his long, glossy, and wooly hair provided comfort in the climate changes. His fur was an orange milk color to it, with a strong built and a large body which is a bit more than the average cat. Normally cats like him are very outgoing, adventurous, and social.

Tama however is a special case. He does go out but he keeps his distance from other animals, snuggles with Hinata, and sits on the rooftop are the things that seem to be most interesting to him. This is not a bad thing for Hinata she just would like Tama to have a friend to play with.

"I hope Tama makes a friend, it must be lonely whenever I'm at work." the girl says to herself as she takes a look at her hand which is now completely healed. Her eyes soften as a cheeky smile graces her lips; she's still greatly thankful for Naruto's gift. Even though it was only ointment it touched her heart that he went out of his way to get it.

"He's a quite interesting guy…" she says as she feels her cheeks heat up a bit which she quickly shakes her head. "What's wrong with me? It's not that big of a deal he was just being friendly is all." she convinces herself as she wonders what he could possibly be doing.

"I hope he's doing okay though." her thoughts are cut short when she hears a familiar hiss.

"Tama?" Hinata looks up at the cat tower to see that Tama isn't there. With a bit of worry, she starts looking around the park for the feline. "Tama? Where are you?" she calls out for him.

By the sound of his hiss, it most likely means that there's another cat that's 'threatening' his play area. Hinata just hopes that he doesn't go for the attack until she gets there.

"So much for a pleasant day at the park.." she says disappointed.

Finally locating the cat by another cat tower next to a baseball ring she's caught off when she sees that the other animal in front of Tama is not another cat.

But a dog.

Brown thick fur hair coated his medium-sized body, bloody red eyes looked curiously as its black button nose twitched at the scent of Tama's shampoo which smelled like lavender and rosewater. His triangular ears were up and erect at listening to the sound of Tama's hiss. His neck had a black collar with small red spiral symbols that looked almost like nine-tails.

'Hm, that symbol looks familiar.' she thinks as she makes her way toward the pair and her eyes go wide at how adorable the dog is.
"Tama, what's all the fuss about. Is it this dog?" she kneels toward the animal's level as she pets Tama's head. "I don't think this dog is wanting to hurt you, he may just want to play with you." Hinata looks at the dog as his tail is wagging nonstop and leans in to sniff her hand. Giggling Hinata uses her hand to pet the furry creature.

"You're so cute! What's your name?" she asks him as the dog looks at her with his big red eyes giving her hand a loving lick.

Tama hisses in jealousy as he snuggles toward the girl a little closer.

"Now Tama, he seems like a friendly dog. Maybe he wants to play with you," she tells her feline companion. Her response was met with another and much louder hiss.

"KURAMA!"

The dog stops at his tracks and turns around giving a loud bark and wagging his tail a lot faster. And a figure makes his way toward them and Hinata feels like the world is starting to mess with her.

Wearing a dark grey hoodie and some black jeans with black sneakers and the well-known blonde hair messier than normal due to the heavy wind that's currently blowing in the park stood Naruto.

His eyes go wide as if he too is starting to question the world; he honestly wasn't expecting to see her.

"Naruto?" Hinata asks just to verify if her eyes are still functioning. He grins at her as he waves a hand up "Hey Hinata! This sure is a surprise!" he says as he kneels to her level and the dog jumps on him licking his face. "I see you've already met Kurama here!"

"He's so cute!" Hinata adds as both pet Kurama on the head, the dog breaths heavily as he leans to both the adult's touch.

"He's my little buddy!" Naruto says as he takes a look at the girl in front of him. Just as Hinata was having some thoughts before their encounter Naruto also found himself thinking about her today.
He'd hope that her hand was a lot better which he's relieved to see that it looks like so. It was the first time he's seen her without her work uniform and he couldn't help but be in awe.

She wore an olive green sweatshirt with olive green sweatpants with tan sneakers and her hair was up in a ponytail and she wore some diamond stud earrings.
She looked really beautiful.

"-ruto?" his thoughts come to an end as he sees that Tama is now hissing at him while cautiously touching his hand. "Hey! Little guy!" His loud voice scares Tama into jumping to Hinata's lap. Sighing she rubs the top of his head. "Sorry about that, Tama is a bit of an introvert," she informs us that seemed to not phase Kurama is inching closer to Tama and taking the open opportunity in giving him a lick.

"Meow!" yelling out loudly Tama jumps out of Hinata's lap and makes his way towards the nearest tree. "Tama!" Hinata yells out annoyed as Naruto mainly laughs "Kurama is a lover by nature!" he explains petting his dog.

"I can see that" she replies.

Moments later the pair make their way to a nearby bench; Kurama and Tama were both in front of their viewpoints playing.

Which by playing it meant Kurama trying to play and Tama keeping distance.

"It looks like your hand is all better now," Naruto says after a moment of silence. Nodding Hinata smiles at him "Yes it is, thank you again for the ointment" she says.

"Hehe, hey it's no trouble," Naruto adds as he scratches his head in embarrassment. The two sit and watch their pets with the lovely falling of snow. Hinata takes a deep breath as she musters up the courage to ask something she's been meaning to ask.

"Um, Naruto? Can I ask you something?" looking at the girl in curiousness the blonde-haired man nodded in allowing her to continue.

"H-How are you holding up? You know a-after…" she starts to say but stops when her mind starts telling her that it's not her place.

"I-I'm sorry, I shouldn't be asking such a personal question," she says quickly in hoping that she didn't offend Naruto in any way.

"It's okay Hinata, you don't have to apologize.." Naruto says softly. He looks at his hands as he sighs lowly.
"Some days are harder than others y'know. Almost like a dream in a way." he starts to say. Hinata nods at him, giving him her undivided attention.
"I understand.." she says.

"Like I thought we-" he starts to say as he scratches his head in frustration. "I thought we were happy. I was happy," he says as he's now looking towards the scenery.

"H-How did you two meet?" Hinata asks him as around this time Tama and Kurama came and relaxed with their parents.

"We were high school sweethearts, I did every corny trick in the book to get her to be my girlfriend" he adds with a chuckle; Hinata also smiled empathizing with him.

"When I asked her out during our sophomore year and she said yes, that was the best day of my life. I thought that we would be together forever." His smile starts fading.

"But now that I think back I remember noticing how she wasn't a talkative with me anymore, it sometimes felt like she was annoyed by my presence…" Hinata doesn't say anything but lets him continue.
He needs to let it all out.

"I-I thought that once we talked it out everything was fine, I told her if I needed to change then I would. I"m willing to- I mean, was willing to change anything for her…"

"I see…" Hinata adds as she rubs Tama's head who's starting to doze off in her lap.

"Heh, I guess she just got bored with me. Maybe I wasn't the grown adult she needed. I just hope she's doing okay." he explains as he is also rubbing Kurama's head.

There's silence between the two; Hinata looks at Naruto and she sees that he's still pretty hurt about the situation. "How long were you two together?" she asks him after a moment.

"For 5 years.."

That's longer than what her relationship with Kiba was?! No wonder he's so torn from it.

"I'm truly sorry Naruto," she says.
"Hey, it's o-"

"No, it's not okay!" Hinata's voice cuts him off.

"It's not okay knowing that you've given your whole heart and being to someone and it's not enough. That you've sacrificed so many years of your life to just that one person who you thought was worth it," she says as she starts to reminisce about her past.

"You reply scenarios over and over and try to pinpoint where it all started to go wrong thinking maybe you screwed up and ruined everything…but it's honestly not your fault." In a heat of the moment, she takes Naruto's hand catching him off guard.

"Don't blame yourself for what happened. Sometimes love just isn't enough for some people. A-and we need to just wish them luck and learn to move on…" she feels her eyes wet but tries to hold in the tears.

Meanwhile Naruto, he's shocked at how a girl with such a soft voice could raise her vocals that way. Secondly, he's taken off guard at her words and how she's sympathizing with him.
The way she's speaking is as if it's through experience.

Somehow the idea of someone hurting Hinata made him very angry.

"Heh, you know you're a strange one Hinata," he says with a chuckle. This makes Hinata feel like if she was creeping him out in a way.

"Huh?" she asks and her heart skipped a beat when she felt his hand tighten his grip.

"But I really like you, y'know!" he says with a cheeky grin.

Her heart was beating uncontrollably as soon as Naruto said those words, and at that moment she quickly removed her hand and looked towards the ground; her cheeks go red as she's unsure why her heart was racing that way.

'Hinata, calm down!' she yells to herself as she regains her composer…for a bit.

"Thank you Naruto, I like you too!" It really helps to work as a barista sometimes. You quickly get into character.

"Looks like someone fell asleep," he says motioning to Tama who is passed out.

"He's done for the day." giggling Hinata stands up and holds onto Tama like a baby. "Guess we'll be heading back then!" she says as Kurama walks to her wagging his tail at her.

"Bye Kurama! It was a pleasure meeting you!" she says giving his head a loving pat.
"He really does like you! You seem to have that effect on anyone!" he says with a smirk causing Hinata to turn red for the second time that day.

"I-I believe so," she says with a smile.

"Well, I hope to see you again Hinata!" he says once more before he and Kurama turn to leave as well.
"Same here!" Hinata adds with a wave.

As nighttime is drawing near Hinata makes her way back home as she thinks about what Naruto had said to her. And how her body reacted to it.

'I really like you, y'know!'

That simple phrase, which obviously meant nothing caused her to react in the same way as when she was crushing on Kiba.

Hinata stops walking as she places her free hand on her hot cheek.

"Oh no, what's wrong with me?"

Hello everyone!

Chapter 5 is all done and honestly, it took longer because I was procrastinating on it, ehehe

But I promise to not delay the next one!

Please let me know what you thought about this chapter.

Give it a like if you enjoyed it!

See you next time!