"What do you think, Hinata?" Naruto asked anxiously. The shy girl had been in the changing room for nearly ten minutes, trying on a bathing suit Ino recommended he buy for her since summer was quickly approaching. Naruto didn't have a chance to see what it looked like, since they had run off to the fitting rooms before he could even inquire.
"I, I don't know about this… um… Naruto-kun… I think I should try something else… please Ino-san?"
"No way, Hinata!" Ino crowed as she continued to browse the swimwear section, "I think it's pefect, and Naruto will too! Now come out or I'm coming in. A nervous squeak answered her, and the door reluctantly opened. Naruto felt his eyes bugging out, and a serious nosebleed coming on. With her heavy jacket, Capri pants, and conservative ninja attire, it was clear that Hinata's figure had started developing to womanhood. Clad in a modest, but fully liberated two piece bathing suit, Hinata's body screamed for attention in ways that Sakura and Ino could only vocalize. Even Ino was stunned at how nicely Hinata filled out the white two-piece.
Feeling their eyes on her, Hinata looked as if she wanted to run back to the dressing room and lock the door. Bravely, she stood her ground, a full blush coloring her cheeks crimson. After a long moment, Naruto coughed nervously, and brought his eyes up from the ground, worked his way up her feet, slowing as they went up her legs and hips, and stumbling over her chest, and finally coming to a rest on her face.
"I, um… that's um… you look… uh, Hinata…"
"Can't find the words, Naruto?" Ino cackled delightedly, "Buy it now, and you get a ten percent discount… It's a good thing Shikamaru and Chouji went off to do their own shopping… I can't imagine what either of them would have said."
"Ino-san, can I please change now?" Hinata pleaded insistently, "I don't feel comfortable in this swimsuit…"
"Yeah, better go and change," Ino said with a glance at Naruto, "Your would-be boyfriend is having trouble keeping the drool off his shoes." Hinata smiled to herself when Ino called Naruto her boyfriend, but was brought up short when someone cleared her throat sharply. Hinata turned in the direction of the noise and gasped with surprise. Yuuhi Kurenai stood with arms akimbo, a stern expression on her face.
"Hyuuga Hinata, just what do you think you're doing posing for Naruto in that outfit?"
"No-no, it's not what it looks like, Kurenai-sensei!" Hinata half-exclaimed, half squeaked, "I was… we were… with Ino… shopping… summer… bathing suit…" she was stammering too much to be completely coherent, and Kurenai sighed to herself before pointing at the dressing room.
"Change first, then we will talk." Hinata practically scampered back into the fitting room, and Kurenai turned her crimson-eyed stare on Ino and Naruto. Ino gave her a weak smile, bowed politely and ran off – suddenly remembering she had some more shopping she wanted to take care of. Naruto had come out of his stupor the minute Kurenai had cleared her throat, and was now paralyzed by a combination of embarrassment and fear. The beautiful Jounin that was Hinata's instructor had always been polite to Naruto, but she was also fiercely protective of her female student in a way that bordered on motherly. He gulped visibly and braced himself for whatever it was she was going to dish out.
"So, Naruto," Kurenai began in a detached voice, "It's been a long time, hasn't it? Did you get back recently?"
"Uh, yeah," he answered lamely, "Just last week, actually."
"What have you been up to?" she said, sitting down next to him and making a show of taking out one of her kunais. His face turned ashen, and sweat began to pour down his face.
"Well, you know… training so I can--"
"So you can become Hokage someday – I know." She said frostily, "Just out of curiosity, Naruto, who have you apprenticed yourself to?"
"Oh," he said feeling more comfortable, "The old frog hermit, Jiraiya! He acts like an idiot, but he's actually one of the Sannin, a legendary ninja in his own right! He taught me all these cool--"
"I know Jiraiya-sama, Naruto," Kurenai interrupted again, her red eyes narrowing, "In your opinion, what kind of person is Jiraiya-sama?"
"That perverted hermit? He's nothing but a lecherous old man interested in peeping at girls and copping a feel!" Naruto declared with a frown, "Why, he's out on a peeping trip as we speak!"
"Indeed," Kurenai said softly, "And you say you've spent the last two years with Jiraiya-sama, learning everything you can from him?"
"Yeah, he's taught me just about everything he knows! He says I'm his successor--" Naruto trailed off as he realized what Kurenai was implying. He blanched and raised both hands in front of him, waving them in denial.
"No, no! It's not like that Kurenai-sensei! I learned jutsus from the old pervert – not peeping! I don't do that kind of stuff! Ask him! I always ditch him when he goes to the bath house next to the yakiniku restaurant!" Kurenai's eyes widened with shock and she grabbed him by the collar angrily.
"Are you talking about Yano's Outdoor Bath!"
"Uh, yeah…" Naruto said nervously, "Why?"
"Ugh! That bastard!" she growled, "We'll have to find a new place to meet on our days off!"
"Kurenai-sensei, you mean you--"
"Naruto, if I was you, I'd stop talking for a moment." The blonde shinobi shut his mouth quickly, allowing the Jounin to get her temper under control. Sighing again, Kurenai clenched and unclenched her hands.
"Okay, I'll be honest with you, Naruto," Kurenai said slowly, "Hinata has had a crush on you for as long as I can remember. She's extremely shy, and you're extremely dense, so you probably weren't aware of it for a long time." She began to play with her kunai, twirling it in her hands idly, "She's the most kind hearted person I know, and that's despite all she's gone through. She's also extremely precious to me," Kurenai finished the sentence with a pointed glare at Naruto.
"Did she ever tell you what happened to the two Hidden Grass Chuunins that tried to rape her on one of our missions?" Naruto's eyes flashed with anger, and he tried to stand, but was restrained by Kurenai's iron grip.
"They what? I'll kill them!" he snarled. Kurenai stared at him until he settled down and she gave him a grim smile.
"Admirable sentiments, Naruto, but unnecessary – I've already taken care of them. You'd be surprised how long someone can scream before they die." Naruto's eyes widened at the cold menace obvious in Kurenai's eyes. She leaned forward, the tip of her kunai grazing his neck.
"If you take advantage of her in any way," she whispered, "I'll make sure you suffer. Is that clear?" Naruto returned her stare with a glare of his own.
"I would never do that. Not to Hinata, not to anyone. Is that clear?" Kurenai's expression softened, and she gave him a soft smile before ruffling his hair and standing up.
"I know," she said calmly, "Your Kakashi said as much." Naruto grinned at the mentioning of his old teacher. "Tell Hinata I'll see her at practice tomorrow, hopefully in something more appropriate for shinobi work." The Jounin turned and walked out of the store, careful to hide her grin from Naruto. Before the day was over, Kakashi, Asuma, Gai, Iruka, and of course Tsunade would hear about this…
"Naruto-kun?" Hinata inquired after she had walked out of the fitting room, an apprehensive expression on her face. The ninja in the orange jump-suit waved at her with a grin.
"Kurenai-sensei said that she'll see you at practice tomorrow. So, you want me to buy that for you?" he asked, grinning as he pointed at the crumpled bathing suit pieces in Hinata's hands. The Hyuuga girl blushed, and after a moment's hesitation, she nodded. Naruto's eyes widened with shock and he took the two-piece with trembling hands to the clerk to be rung up. Summer better get here soon. Naruto thought to himself with a blush.
"Before Ino gets back to boss us around, I think I know a shop I want us to visit," he said, handing her the small brown package containing the bathing suit, "Let's check it out!" Grabbing Hinata's hand, he led her out of the store all smiles.
The shop in question was a small jewelry store Naruto frequently passed on his way to the ninja supply shop at the end of the main shopping strip. For years, he watched couples young and old walk in and out of the small store, longing to know the feeling of buying something precious for a special person. He grinned with barely contained excitement as he introduced Hinata to the old woman working behind the glass display counters. The jeweler was in her late sixties, wore too much make-up and had bright orange hair that was clearly dyed. Seeing Naruto's bulging wallet, her face lit up with the fire of an imminent sale.
"So…" she said in an oily voice, "What are you two interested in? We have a wide variety of engagement rings limited only by the love in your hearts…" She grinned, knowing that line never failed to give her an edge. Instead, Hinata and Naruto started laughing.
"How much do you love me, Hinata?" Naruto asked between his chuckles.
"A-actually, not that much, Naruto-kun," Hinata said breathlessly, "I think we came to the wrong store… the Recycling Center was two blocks back." That set them off again, which darkened the lady's mood considerably.
"Look," she snarled, "Either you came here to buy something or you didn't, so how about making a purchase or leaving?"
"So they're not allowed to browse?" an indignant voice demanded from behind the couple. Sakura. Her anger was palpable, and Naruto gave her a grateful smile. She winked at Hinata, and stalked forward towards the agitated jeweler.
"Miss Haruno," the older woman said with a nervous glance in her direction, "What brings you here?"
"Tsunade-sama sent me here to pick up her order, but I think she'd be more interested to learn how you treat your customers."
"No, no… It was a mistake… I think you misheard me… I was merely offering to show them a different set of jewelry more suited to the young lady's tastes…" The jeweler's make-up started to run as she began to sweat profusely. Her explanation was ridiculously desperate and everyone knew it. Sakura gave her a predatory smile.
"That's fantastic! And be sure to give them the discount you worked out with Tsunade-sama."
"But--"
Sakura's green eyes flashed, cowing the older woman, who reluctantly nodded. She went to the back to pick up Tsunade's order, leaving Sakura standing next to Naruto and Hinata. Grinning, she punched Naruto's arm in what she assumed was a playful fashion. She rolled her eyes when he fell to the ground, rubbing the gigantic bruise she had just given him.
"Hinata," she said to the other girl, "Naruto's damn lucky to have you on a date… but I can't say the same for you… are you sure you really want to go out with this blonde idiot? Blondes are notoriously stupid… remember Ino?" Hinata giggled as Naruto fumed to himself.
"I'm sure, Sakura-san. Naruto may be an idiot…but I want him to be my idiot." Sakura's eyes lit up and she gave the other a hug. Naruto wasn't sure if he should be flattered or insulted. With a shrug, he started to browse the various jewelry sections while the two girls continued to chat. Eventually, the old lady came out again, carrying a small white package. Sakura gave her several gold coins, and hefted the package. The woman kept glancing at her like she expected her to leave. Sakura stood her ground, giving the woman a slow smirk.
"Naruto-kun, did you find what you were looking for?" Hinata asked softly when she noticed Naruto staring intently at a small section of the display cases. He nodded vigorously, and the lady moved over to unlock the display case. He gestured at two small pendants lying in completely separate areas of the display. One was gold and had black lettering etched on it. The other was silver, with the same black etching. When held together, the two formed a complete heart. The silver one said 'Hina' and the gold one said 'Naru.'
"Naruto," Sakura said with a wrinkled nose, "That's soooo corny."
"I… love it," Hinata said with a catch in her breath. Naruto gingerly slipped the gold pendant around Hinata's neck, choosing the silver one for himself.
"Now we can still 'hang out' with each other even when we're on missions!" Naruto said with a foxy grin, "Get it? 'Hang out?'" Hinata sighed softly, smiling despite herself.
"Gah, you're such an idiot, Naruto," Sakura said with a scowl. Naruto gave her a scowl of his own.
"You're just bitter because you chased Sasuke from Konoha and into the arms of Orochimaru!"
"What? You take that back!" she shrieked, cocking her fist back for a monstrous blow. Naruto ducked, but lost his footing and fell forward. Flailing wildly as he fell, he steadied himself on the first thing within arm's reach… Sakura's chest. A pregnant silence descended upon the store.
"Pads?" Naruto asked, squeezing his hand curiously, "Sakura, did you stuff your bra?" That tore it. With a demonic scream of fury, Sakura gathered chakra into her left hand and took another swing at Naruto. Knowing it was time for a retreat, Naruto dodged again, grabbed Hinata's wrist and yanked her out of the shop. Sakura followed behind, a burning green fire in her eyes. Close behind her, the jeweler was shrieking for Naruto to pay for the two pendants. Naruto glanced behind quickly. Not good.