Summary: Naruto realized that Himawari is the 'confident version' of Hinata back when they were kids, and that is not good. One-shot

Disclaimer: I do not own Naruto

"speaking"

'thinking'

"Shouting"

Hiashi is having an afternoon tea with Naruto. They are watching Himawari as she plays with her distant cousins in the garden. Hinata and Hanabi are outside the village for some clan business. Boruto is on a mission in Suna.

Naruto just got out from work or we can say that he got kicked out by Shikamaru since he can't stop worrying about his wife. Every time Hinata was out of the village, he can't focus on anything so Shikamaru just told him to go get Himawari and wait for Hinata.

"Ah, it never fails to amaze me every time I see Himawari, I can see what Hinata could have been as a child if she was not treated the way the clan treated her before," Hiashi said. He regrets how he treated his daughter, ever since the attack from Pain he changed his ways and started accepting the gentle nature of his eldest.

"You know, Hinata does not want you to think back to the old days, right? She already forgave you, in fact, she never actually got mad at you for that." Naruto answered. He does not want his wife to find out that her father is still thinking about the past.

"I know that, but I can't say I regret everything too." Naruto frowned, confused.

"What do you mean?"

"Don't get me wrong Naruto, Hinata is naturally shy, no confidence and very self-conscious. She thought she's not beautiful back then. She does not even know that she's got so many admirers wrapped around her fingers." Hiashi answered, he smiled and then frowned at the memory.

"You see, being the clan leader also gives me a lot of paperwork's, like your job as a Hokage. And as a father, it is my responsibility to answer marriage proposals for my daughters. When Hinata turns 13, the legal age for betrothals and suitors, I started receiving about 10 proposals a month. I was wondering how, since Hinata never leave the village, and she was very shy to even interact with boys" He looked at the shocked Naruto. He cannot blame him, even Hinata does not know that she was receiving proposals.

"What!? Why didn't I know that? I know how shy she is back then, so how come she gets those proposals?" Naruto can't believe it.

'Kami! What if I never realized my feelings? It took Toneri to kidnap her before I realized. And I don't even know that I have many rivals even before him. I can never see my future without Hinata!' Naruto thought.

"Well, she doesn't know it either. It seems like some of the kids within the village have taken an interest in her. Even those who are just visiting the village. Ko even reported to me that he had to scare off some boys who used the tactics of following her around or bullying her just to get her attention." Naruto realized that maybe those who are bullying Hinata when they first met also have crushes on her.

"She's also very helpful, some of the boys will even pretend to be hurt just to get her attention. Then when she started growing her hair, I get at least 25 proposals a month. And it is very tiring to send a polite letter just to deny the request. I thought when Neji and her teammates started to get overprotective, the proposals will stop. Apparently, she still have to meet a lot of people outside the village during missions and thus she attracts more."

"To tell you the truth, I thought right after the war you both will already have a relationship. After a year and you're still not asking for her hand, I thought I might need to give chance to those boys who are trying to pursue a relationship with her." Hiashi admitted.

'Fuck, I almost blew my chance! Well if I am being honest, I also had a crush on her, I was just afraid that she was always getting sick whenever she sees me.' Naruto thought, he really can't blame those boys. Hinata was a very nice girl and she's really pretty even back then.

"When I told her about the proposals on her 18th birthday. She told me that she will never get into a relationship without love. And if ever that you will not return her affections, she will move forward on her own and will not use some other guys just to heal her heart." His father-in-law continued, then he brought out a photo album below the coffee table. He browsed the pictures and show them to him.

Pictures of Hinata from she was a toddler up until her teenage days. He looked at the pictures, he noticed a picture of Hinata looking at a Lily flower with a small smile on her lips. Then he noticed his daughter outside the garden. She is holding a Lily and smiling.

He gulped and paled which did not go unnoticed to Hiashi.

"Naruto what's wrong?" Hiashi asked.

"Hima looked like Hinata" he whispered more to himself than to Hiashi.

"Yes, of course. Amazing right? The only difference is Hima smiles a lot and is not afraid to speak for herself. At the mere age of 8, we are all already wrapped around her fingers. I don't think anyone will have the heart to deny her something" Hiashi answered, unaware of the turmoil happening to his son-in-law's head.

"My Princess looked like my Queen" He whispered again. Lost in his thoughts, 'Suitors, Admirers, Boys, Proposals' those are the words swirling in his brain.

"Yes, what's happening to you?" Hiashi asked, confused as to why Naruto looked pale while looking at Himawari.

"Nothing! Sorry, something just popped out of my mind." Naruto squeaked. 'I need to talk to Hinata later' he concluded.

They continue to talk about politics until Hinata and Hanabi arrived after 2 hours.

"How's your day?" Hinata asked once they were both in bed. Hinata's head was resting on his chest while his arm is protectively positioned on her waist.

"Shikamaru let me off after lunch since I can't focus, you know I always worry whenever you're not in the village" he admitted. He was feeling guilty, sometimes he thinks that the only reason why Hinata stopped being an active kunoichi is because he is a paranoid husband.

"You don't need to worry about me, besides even if I am not active, I still train regularly when Hima is in the academy. And I know that the ANBU is not far from me."

Naruto gulped, he thought Hinata doesn't know that whenever she goes out of the village, she was being followed by ANBU guards. Well, his wife is still a Jonin level kunoichi, part of the best tracking team.

"Sorry, it's just ... you know I can't lose you" he whispered to her ear. That's the truth, Hinata and the kids are his anchors. In fact, he's still having nightmares about what will be his life if Hinata did not love him and went to marry Toneri or some other guy, or if Hinata died during the war or during the Pain invasion.

"I know, and I can't lose you too. I love you!"

"I love you too!" He kissed the top of her head. Then he remembered what's been bothering him since this afternoon.

"Hinata? Hima looks like you, and her personality was also like you..." he started

"hmmm," she was encouraging him to continue.

"And your father told me that you had many suitors even back then. Do you… do you think Hima will also have many suitors?" He asked, he really doesn't like the idea of boys looking at his princess like that.

"Maybe, why?"

"It's just I don't think I will be ready for her to have a boyfriend you know..." he admitted, he really can't picture his daughter having a boyfriend then get married. She will move out and leave them.

"Naruto, Hima is just 8 years old. Having a crush on her is normal since she's pretty and cute. What we can do is guide her and give her advice when the time comes. We have a good open-communication with her, so I think when she will have her crush or if someone will have a crush on her, I believe she will tell us."

"I hope so, and I hope it will not come soon." He said. 'Next time, I'll ask her about her past suitors, not today, I can't think anymore', he thought to himself.

"Ok, umm – Hinata, are you tired?'' he asked, while his hand is traveling on her waist, gently caressing her bare skin.

"No" she answered. And that's all he needs to hear.

A week later, they were having a nice family dinner. Boruto just got back from his mission and Naruto is home early for dinner. Finally, they are complete on the dining room.

Naruto is enjoying his ramen made especially for him by his lovely wife.

"Mama, you loved Papa since before your academy days, right?" Himawari asked. Naruto's face lit up with pride. He can't help but feel his heart swell whenever he hears that his wife loved him even when he was a village pariah.

Boruto noticed the shit-eating grin on his father's face. He rolled his eyes, 'Stupid old man, acting like a teenager'. He thought, but he was also happy and proud. His parents' love story is known in the village, hell, maybe in the entire shinobi nation. "The Hero and the Princess"

"Yes Hima, I loved your Papa, even before the academy days. Why do you ask? Hinata asked, curious as to why her daughter brought out the subject.

Naruto grabbed his juice, still grinning while drinking.

"Ah... because I think I have a crush on Inojin too, just like you to Papa when you are younger!" she declared with a huge blush on her face.

Naruto spurted his juice all over the table. Then a loud shout was heard all over the village.

"NOOOOOOOOOOOOOO! My Princess!"

Fin