(good night)
—
Hinata smiled at the picture Kushina had texted—bright yellow petals reaching for the sky, warm and happy. A sunflower, growing in Uzu. She could almost feel the sun on her own skin just looking at it. Kushina had taken no time at all in showing her affection, ever since that first meeting over ramen. No hesitation. No holding back. Just warmth. It was overwhelming, but in the best way.
And Hinata—Hinata loved it. Even if she still got shy. Even if sometimes she didn't know what to say when Kushina texted her little things, cute things—things like a recipe, a picture, a reminder to eat. Like a mother. No, not like a mother. She was a mother. Someone who gave affection with no reservation. It was overwhelming, but in the bestest of ways.
"Naruto's favorite flower," the words attached to the picture made her smile, sunflowers reminding her of Neji, too, who would never admit they were his favorite. Naruto probably would, he loved plants. Like herself, he had a bit of a green thumb. She doubted most people who only knew him for his fighting trade would expect that from him—she smiled with the idea that she now knew a few different sides of him.
"Is that my mom?" Naruto's voice, right by her ear, tickled her skin and brought her back to the moment.
She turned, catching his raised brow, his curious look, the way he always leaned in like she was something magnetic. His presence close, the familiar warmth of him pulling her in, giving her an idea…
Before she could second-guess herself, she lifted her phone. Click. A snapshot. Her, grinning. Him, puzzled. Caught before he even knew what hit him.
"Heeeey—I wasn't ready." He chuckled, swiping her phone, eyes scanning the screen. Kushina had already replied. Heart-eyes emoji. He groaned. "My mom is a bit much." Shaking his head, he handed back her the phone after a pause. "She's not making you uncomfortable, is she?"
Hinata blinked. Uncomfortable? Far from it.
She shook her head diligently, fingers wrapping around her phone. "I really like her." Giggling to herself she added in a lower voice, "She's wonderful."
Looking back at him, hoping to see a convinced expression, she was greeted by something so much better.
Her favorite Naruto smile—that big, easy kind of smile that made her heart do ridiculous things in her chest.
Unaware of what he was doing to her, Naruto ran a hand through his hair, looking almost sheepish. "Yeah… she's the greatest."
She hummed in agreement as he pulled her closer, her back meeting his chest, the tree behind them rough against his shoulders—not that he seemed to mind.
The air smelled green—grass, trees, the river close by. Naruto's bike sat parked in the distance, forgotten. Summer had officially arrived. Konoha had been nothing but sun for weeks now, since their strawberry field date. This day, today, had been perfect for a ride. Now, they were here, in some quiet little town unknown to her, just the two of them. Away, an old couple napped under a tree across the river, their grandkids splashing in the water, a dog barking, shaking its fur, sending droplets flying.
Hinata let her head tip back against his shoulder with a content sign, tilting to glance up at him. He was caught already watching her. "You don't need to worry," she murmured with a soft smile. "I really like your mom."
Naruto's throat bobbed as he swallowed. "I won't then." A pause. Then, quieter, she heard him say, "I'm glad you're both connecting."
The way he said it, oh—so soft, so real. She reached up, brushing her fingers over his cheek, keeping his gaze on hers. He leaned in like it was the easiest thing in the world.
And then he kissed her.
A slow, warm touch. The kind of kiss that settled, like the roots growing into the earth underneath the tree they lounged under. She melted into it, lips parting more, her hands finding his neck, his fingers grazing the exposed skin on her thigh—just barely under her shorts, just enough to send a shiver up her spine.
She giggled against his lips.
Naruto grinned, pulling back just enough to see her face. "What?"
"You're teasing me," she accused, resting a hand over his sneaky one on her leg.
His eyebrows shot up, eyes glinting. "Oh, am I now?" His fingers pressed lightly, a squeeze, a test.
Hinata's smile faltered. Her breath hitched.
"Hi-na-ta," he murmured, voice dipping low, playful, but—but a bit more than that.
She was about to get lost in him, fall straight into his deep, impossible blue, darkening eyes…
A bark. A splash. Their heads snapped toward the river at the noise. The kids, laughing, the elders startled, the dog soaking wet, tail wagging, water everywhere around them.
Hinata exhaled, pressing her lips together, pressing herself back against Naruto's chest—taking in the silent little reminder, we're not alone.
His chest vibrated with his groan, lightly frustrated. "Remind me why we came out again?"
She laughed. "Because it's a beautiful day. It was your idea."
His hand found hers at her words. Her fingers welcomed him, trailing over his knuckles—rough, scarred, healed. She knew the feel of them now. She liked knowing it.
He sighed against the top of her head, something slow, something at ease. Any frustration wiped off. And for a while, they just sat there, letting time stretch and bend, letting the world move around them.
"Tomorrow the promotional stuff for the fight starts going out," Naruto said, voice slipping into the space between them, casual, like an afterthought. But Hinata knew better. She had been catching the little hints all week, the way his mind kept circling back to it even when he tried not to.
She hummed softly, her index finger tracing small circles around a tanned knuckle. "How're you feeling?"
A pause before a breath that was a tad too long. "Okay, I guess." His fingers tapped lightly against the back of her hand, restless. "I'm trying not to think about it too much."
"But it keeps coming back to you."
"Yeah…" His hand flexed in hers. "In some ways, it makes me excited, ya' know?"
Hinata shifted, turning slightly so she could see his face, back no longer resting against him. "Excited how?"
He exhaled, adjusting himself against the tree. She moved with him, back to the river and legs folded under her bum. "New experiences, new opportunities—stuff I didn't even think about before." A familiar flicker of energy sparked in his voice. "Like getting to spar with Rock Lee! That's gonna be unbelievable."
She giggled at his enthusiasm.
"The Green Beast, man…" He shook his head, grinning. "I'm so… so pumped." His hand still holding hers tightening briefly. "And to think Neji trains with him all the time…"
"Jiraiya's idea of swapping training partners was brilliant."
"Right?" Naruto laughed, tilting his head back against the tree. "I swear, my chin actually dropped when he suggested it to Kakashi. And I know Neji's chin dropped, believe it."
Hinata laughed. "Oh, he was so surprised. And my father approved almost immediately—he saw the marketing potential right away. I'm pretty sure he and Neji used the word genius at dinner later that week."
Naruto huffed, amused. "Jiraiya has his moments."
After a soft giggle, Hinata paused, remembering something, "I have to say though—Neji is definitely unsettled that he can't find any information on your training partner." She had wondered about that, too. Yahiko. The mysterious fighter she'd never managed to meet—always gone by the time she arrived at Jiraiya's gym when visiting Naruto.
"And he won't," Naruto said simply, a knowing smile tugging at his lips. "It took a lot of convincing from Jiraiya to get him to agree to the swap. We almost called the whole thing off."
Hinata's eyes widened slightly. "Really?"
Naruto nodded. "Yahiko's an extremely private person."
She hummed, curiosity flaring. "I wish I were accompanying Neji…"
Naruto gasped, clutching his chest like she'd stabbed him. "Whaaat? You're not excited to watch me spar with Rock Lee?"
Hinata laughed, shaking her head as he poked her side, trying to get a reaction. She squirmed, grabbing at his hands, her giggles spilling out between words. "Ye-yeah! Of course I am!"
He grinned, victorious.
She caught her breath, eyes shining, cheeks flushed. He was still watching her, that warmth in his gaze, that quiet intensity.
Then, smugly—"You're such a busybody," he teased. "So nosy."
Hinata huffed, pouting. "I'm just curious."
"Uh-huh." He smirked, leaning in, voice dropping lower. "You're also cute."
Her face went hot. "Naruto…"
He laughed as she buried her face against his chest, mumbling something he couldn't quite hear but definitely felt—her warmth sinking into him, her arms wrapped around his middle, holding tight.
His own smile softened.
"I like you," he murmured into her hair. "a lot."
A pause. A beat.
Then, small, muffled against his shirt—
"…like you a lot too."
And just like that, the rest of the world melted away.
—
"You guys seem to be going strong." Sakura smiled over the rim of her coffee mug.
Beside her, Sasuke made a noncommittal sound of agreement as Naruto rubbed the back of his neck.
"Honestly… it's weird that we're not boyfriend and girlfriend yet," he admitted, gaze flicking away. The easy grin he'd worn just moments ago, when they'd been joking about him and Hinata, had faded.
A pause stretched between them, thick and lingering. The steady hum of the dryer in the distance filled the silence.
Hinata was busy that evening, visiting her family home to spend time with her younger sister. So Naruto had popped in instead, showing up unannounced at Sakura and Sasuke's place. They had welcomed him regardless—Sakura lounging in an oversized tee and leggings, Sasuke with hair still damp and in his favorite pair of sweats, the trio surrounded by small but scattered piles of folded laundry in the living room.
Naruto reached for a random garment from the basket between them, folding it with more care than necessary or expected from him.
Sakura's green eyes flicked from her friend to her fiancé, who met her gaze before shrugging and grabbing a piece of laundry himself. She rolled her eyes.
She counted to ten in her head. Boys.
Still, she joined them in the task, determined to keep the conversation going.
"What's stopping you two from making it official?" she asked, cutting straight to the point.
Silence stretched again. Naruto kept his eyes down, focused on folding. When he finally spoke, his voice was quieter, more thoughtful.
"Honestly… I don't know." He let out a breath. "At first, after that picture of us leaked, we agreed we didn't want to rush into anything just because of outside pressure. But that was weeks ago." He hesitated, still not looking up. "And when I'm with her, I already feel like I'm her boyfriend. I don't even think about it."
The shirt he had been folding was finally set aside, but before his hands could still, he reached for another piece of clothing—keeping his excuse from looking up going.
"It's only when I'm alone that I remember we're technically not together."
Another pregnant pause settled between them before something soft hit the side of Naruto's face.
His cerulean eyes snapped up in surprise, only to find Sakura looking just as perplexed—her gaze shifting to Sasuke, who was still methodically folding laundry.
"Idiot," Sasuke said in an even tone, setting his work aside and meeting his best friend's eyes. "I don't know why you're telling us this instead of her."
Sakura's expression softened before she turned back to Naruto.
"I have to agree," she said gently. "What's stopping you from having this conversation with her?"
Naruto hesitated but didn't look away this time.
"I… I don't know."
Sakura debated whether to wait or speak her mind. When Sasuke remained silent, she decided to follow his lead—at least for the moment—giving Naruto the space to add something more.
Just as her patience began to wear thin, Naruto exhaled heavily. His gaze flicked to the ceiling, his face scrunching up in doubt. "Honestly, I don't know. Sometimes…" His eyes returned to his expectant friends. "Sometimes I think back to what her old man said before I asked Hinata out."
"You've met Hyuga Hiashi?" Sakura's brows lifted in surprise. She was sure Naruto had only mentioned indirect contact with the Hyuga patriarch.
"No, not yet." Naruto shook his head. "The day I got scouted by Hatake Kakashi, Hinata showed up at my door." He paused, debating how much to share. There were a lot of details about him and Hinata coming together that he had never spoken about. And he wasn't sure how much Hinata had told the girls. "Her dad knew Kakashi was visiting me because I was being put against Neji. And, apparently, he also knew that Hinata and I had at least been… familiar with each other." He frowned slightly, trying to recall the secondhand account Hinata had given him. "He indirectly warned me to be careful with media exposure."
He let the words settle, then resumed folding laundry.
Sakura hummed thoughtfully. "I guess that makes sense," she murmured, forgetting the laundry as she leaned against Sasuke. "He most definitely understands Hinata's preference for privacy. And, being who he is and the business he's in, he knows how ruthless the media can be." Her lips curled into a small, hopefully encouraging, smile. "He's just looking out for his daughter."
Naruto absorbed her words, letting them sink in as he abandoned the clean clothes. He rested his arms on the back of the couch and let his head fall back, a dull ache forming behind his eyes. "Yeah…" His mind drifted to the day Hinata had cried in his arms. To the rage that had bubbled in his chest when she told him about her grandfather's mistreatment. His blood boiled at the memory of her tears—the weight of years of manipulation, of a father and daughter struggling to rebuild what had been broken by someone who was meant to be their protector. He had held her tightly that day, half to console her, half to keep himself from lashing out. To be present for her, he couldn't let his temper take over.
"What if…" His voice came out quieter this time. "What if I'm not good for her?"
Sasuke didn't even look up as he corrected him. "What if you can't protect her?"
Naruto's head snapped up. He blinked at Sasuke, brows knitting together.
"That's what you really mean, isn't it?" Sasuke continued in his usual monotone, still methodically folding laundry.
"I…"
"You don't know?" Sakura finished for him, tilting her head.
There was no impatience or sarcasm in her voice—only understanding. When he looked at her, she was smiling knowingly.
"Hinata is very capable," she said. "She has a quiet strength that Ino and I have always admired."
"I know." His response came quickly, firmly. So fast it almost surprised her—she was happy to witness his belief in Hinata.
Sakura's smile widened. "Then what do you think she needs protecting from?"
Naruto didn't answer. He just stared at her. But his eyes screamed the answer: Isn't it obvious?
Sakura's expression softened. "Naruto…" Her voice faltered, her heart squeezing for him. "We know you. We also know how hard you've worked to better yourself. And not just in the octagon."
Naruto scoffed, about to brush it off, but Sasuke suddenly rose to his feet, balancing a neat pile of folded shirts in his arms. "Idiot, give yourself some credit," he said simply. "I refuse to have to beat sense into your head again." Then, without another word, he disappeared down the hallway.
Naruto let out a wet laugh. "Bastard forgets I was the one who un-shoved his head out of his ass."
Sakura chuckled, scooting closer and side-hugging him.
She didn't say anything about Naruto's teary eyes.
—
He scrolled through the feed of the verified account, kitsune_watch, tongue clicking in quiet disapproval. Video after video of the blond filled his screen—training montages, move demonstrations, casual clips about diet and routine. Nothing deeply personal. No mentions of family, friends, or relationships. No controversial takes, no reflections on his past. And yet, somehow, he was likable. Relatable. Popular. The engagement on every post was undeniable.
Toneri's grip on his phone tightened.
Hinata had apparently found someone so admired in a field her family prided itself on—a field he himself had never respected. A field she knew he disdained. He had spent years trying to convince her to leave it behind, to step into a world worthy of her intelligence, her elegance. The Otsutsuli's rare metals trade was a prestigious industry, an honorable pursuit. Yet she clung stubbornly to her father's empire of athletes and spectacle. A circus, really.
And now there was him—Uzumaki Naruto. The man she was most likely seeing. No proof yet, but Toneri had no doubt. The idiot already had one crucial advantage over him: he belonged to that ridiculous world Hinata refused to let go of.
His irritation deepened as he scrolled down the comment section of a new reel—Naruto face to face with Hyuga Neji, touching gloves with Hinata's cousin. His shirtless torso exposed his tattooed and oiled skin. Women filled the thread with thirsty remarks. Toneri scoffed under his breath.
"I don't have time for this nonsense."
He tossed his phone onto the desk and forced himself to refocus on the contract he'd been drafting. But before he could type a single word, the device buzzed against polished mahogany. His hand flew to it.
"Otsutsuki Toneri," he answered sharply, already bracing for disappointment.
"It's Zetsu."
Finally.
"You're late," Toneri snapped. "I should dock your payment for making me wait."
A low, contemptuous laugh crackled through the line. "You won't. In fact, you'll wire me an extra twenty percent. Not only do I have evidence of Hyuga Hinata's whereabouts, but I've also secured Uzumaki Naruto's disciplinary records—everything from before high school. Fights. Suspensions. And, as a bonus, a three-minute video of him beating the hell out of a classmate."
Zetsu's unsettling, manic laugh filled the line.
Toneri hung up, fingers moving swiftly over the screen. A moment later, the transfer was complete. His inbox pinged with a bolded new email.
Forty-five minutes later, he locked his office door behind him, a rare smile ghosting his lips. His footsteps were light as he strode toward the elevator, ignoring the secretary he forced to work on a Saturday as she bowed at his passing figure.
In due time, Otsutsuki Toneri would make life fair again.
—
Hinata giggled, delighted, as Hanabi pulled her in for yet another hug.
They had been saying their goodbyes at the Hyuga estate gates for the past half-hour, yet neither seemed willing to let the conversation end. A funny anecdote, a minor problem to solve, or—according to Hanabi—a must-share piece of hot gossip kept them lingering.
Hinata had even stayed the night, turning the original sister dinner date into a weekend-long event. She had spent the entirety of Sunday with Hanabi by the pool while her younger sister made minimal progress on the homework she had begged Hinata to help with. But Hinata didn't mind. In fact, she loved how much Hanabi still wanted her around. Between Hanabi's uni studies, her own demanding work schedule, and Naruto… it wasn't easy finding time like this together.
As she finally pulled out of the estate and onto the road, a soft smile played on her lips at the thought of him. She and Naruto had been seeing each other as often as possible, especially on weekends. Just last Sunday, they had spent a quiet afternoon by the river in that wonderful little park outside of town, lost in conversation and the steady sound of rushing water and child's play.
She missed him. They had just had dinner at Ichiraku on Friday night, but she still missed him.
The setting sun bathed the sky in deep hues of orange and purple as she entered the underground garage of her building. It was an older complex, without an elevator, but she didn't mind the stairs. As she climbed them, she pulled out her phone, already making up her mind to FaceTime Naruto.
She had already added him to her favorites a long time ago, her thumb pressing the call icon as she reached the second-floor foyer. One more flight of stairs, and she'd be home. Might as well let it ring as she finished her climb.
The familiar sound of a FaceTime ringtone echoed through the stairwell, bouncing off the white walls. Her heart jumped—faster than her feet carrying her up the steps. And to her glee, the very person occupying her thoughts was standing right at her door, fumbling with the pockets of his shorts, trying to retrieve his phone.
Hinata quickly hung up before he could answer, a grin tugging at her lips. Taking advantage of his distraction, she tiptoed behind him and blew softly against his ear.
Naruto jolted like he'd been electrocuted, spinning to the side as the hairs on his neck stood on end.
Hinata burst into laughter, doubling over as she clutched her stomach.
Still catching his breath, Naruto exhaled, eyes wide in disbelief. "Holy shit, 'Nata…" His pulse was still racing, but her laughter—bright, breathless, and absolutely unrepentant—made it impossible to stay mad.
Two can play this game.
Before she could react, he surged forward, caging her between his much larger frame and the door, fingers finding the sensitive spots at her waist.
"Oh, love to laugh, huh?" he teased, chuckling as he tickled her mercilessly. "Why don't I help you with that?"
Hinata shrieked, writhing in his grip. "Oh—God! O-kay—okay! N-Naruto!" she gasped between desperate giggles. "Th-the neigh—neighbors!"
A door creaked open on the floor below them.
Naruto paused, still grinning, before finally releasing her.
Hinata wasted no time, breathless as she fumbled with her keys and all but shoved them in. The door clicked shut behind them, muffling their laughter as they tumbled into the warmth of her apartment.
"One weekend with Hanabi, and you come back a prankster," Naruto clicked his tongue in mock disapproval as they removed their shoes, their laughter slowly fading.
"One weekend without me, and I find you camping at my door," she shot back, a mischievous glint in her pearlescent eyes.
He stepped into her space, chuckling softly one last time before his expression turned more serious. "Do you mind?" he asked, placing his hands gently on her shoulders.
Hinata smiled, lifting her hands to rest against his chest. "I gave you the new code for my security door as an open invitation, remember?" she teased, but she meant it, hoping to ease any lingering hesitation he might have.
"I get hit in the head a lot in my line of work—maybe I need a few reminders every now and then." His hands slid from her shoulders to cup her cheeks as he leaned in slightly. "Like… if I can kiss you anytime I want or—"
He didn't get the chance to finish. She was already on her toes, closing the distance between them.
Naruto savored the soft warmth of her lips against his. Hinata was all things good, and he only hoped to be good for her too. He felt the gentle tug of her teeth on his bottom lip, an unspoken request to deepen their kiss. It made him smile, at least in his mind—she was growing more comfortable with him physically, little by little. But despite the sweetness of her touch, he found himself too caught up in his thoughts to fully lose himself in the moment.
Pressing his lips harder against hers for a second longer, he slowly pulled back, still cradling her face in his hands. As he opened his heavy lids, he watched her lashes flutter, as if she were just returning to the present. He swallowed dryly, the butterflies in his stomach dancing wildly. I like you so much, he thought, it kinda scares me.
Coming back to herself, Hinata felt the heat rising to her cheeks under Naruto's gaze. "Hi…" she smiled, taking his hands in hers.
"Hey." He murmured simply, not smiling back. Then, as if snapping out of a thought, he gave a small shake of his head, making her wonder what was on his mind. Naruto was usually a chatterbox, but sometimes, he could be surprisingly tight-lipped. She loved his brash, confident side—she was sure that had she met him when they were younger, she would have admired him from afar. But lately, she found it challenging to get him to open up about the thoughts he kept silently turning over in his mind.
But one of Hinata's greatest virtues was patience. And for him, she would wait.
"I—" he started tentatively, pulling her from her thoughts. Somehow, he had guided them to her couch, and now they sat facing each other, their hands still linked, resting on the cushion between them. "I came over because there's something I need to talk to you about."
Hinata's stomach did a funny twist—not in a good way. Still, she smiled gently and said, "What is it?"
"I've been thinking about something for a while now." Naruto blinked rapidly, struggling to hold her gaze. "I don't know if you've been thinking about it too, ya'know…"
"What is it?" she repeated, hoping to ease the nervous tension rolling off him.
"Remember how your dad was all like, 'enjoy your anonymity'? And then that photo from our date leaked? And then you came over to Jiraiya's with your cousin looking all pissed—I mean, Neji, not you—and I get it, he was not like pissed, pissed. But, Hinata, you have to admit his resting face is kind of pissed, right? And—"
Hinata's mind did a little twirl trying to follow his rapid-fire words, stopping listening altogether. Instead, her eyes focused on how he was looking anywhere but at her. Instinctively, she let go of one of his hands and reached up to turn his face toward hers.
"What are you trying to say, Naruto?" she asked softly, holding his gaze steady.
"Iwannabeyourboyfriend." He blurted in one breath.
At her still-confused expression, he sucked in a sharp breath and tried again, his throat tight, his heart pounding in his ears.
"I want to be your boyfriend."
A moment of silence stretched between them as Hinata blinked at him. He was about to open his mouth—ready to take it back, rephrase it, do something—when her rosy lips curved into a bright, beautiful smile that reached her eyes—pearls happily shining at him.
"I want to be your girlfriend too," she said calmly, but followed by what sounded a lot like a sigh of relief.
Naruto perked up, his hold on the hand she still rested on his cheek tightening in a light squeeze. "Really?"
"Yes. Yes, I do." She nodded for good measure.
"Oh, thank God!" He exhaled, pulling her into a tight hug. He felt her giggle against his chest, her arms circling his torso, her fingers curling into the back of his shirt.
They stay like that for a while, just holding each as the sun completely set outside her window.
"Do you want to stay over?" Naruto heard her mumble against his shirt. Shocked, a breath got caught in his throat. Choking a bit, he slowly held her by shoulders, bringing her back into his view.
"Wh—what…?"
"Would you like to stay the night?"
Oh shit.
—
Naruto had never been inside her room. He had stayed late plenty of times before, but no matter how late it got—even if it was two in the morning—he would always excuse himself and head back to his own place. He never wanted to impose or make her uncomfortable. Every time he came over, they naturally gravitated to the living room, just hanging out there. But now, this was uncharted territory.
Hinata's apartment had always felt warm and personal, filled with small touches that made it unmistakably hers. But standing in her bedroom gave him an entirely new insight into her world.
While she was getting ready for bed in the bathroom, she had pulled out a pair of soft shorts from one of her drawers—something her cousin had left behind once—and handed them to Naruto to change into. After slipping them on, he neatly folded his own shorts and set them on an armchair tucked in the corner by a bookcase. From there, his curiosity got the better of him. He started taking in everything—the little details that made this space so undeniably Hinata.
Her bookcase was packed with novels and poetry books, but one shelf stood out, filled with anatomy and martial arts guides. Her desk was neat and uncluttered, with only a lamp and her laptop resting on its surface. A full-length mirror stood beside a closed door that likely led to her closet. Her bed, large and inviting, was covered in a deep purple comforter with several white pillows stacked against the headboard. By her nightstand, a woven basket held a knitting kit along with an assortment of colorful yarn balls.
There was a lot to take in, but what really caught Naruto's attention was the tall dresser across the room. Its surface was lined with picture frames—dozens of them, in all shapes and sizes. He smiled as his cerulean eyes moved from one to the next, studying the scenes of her life.
A younger Hinata, round-cheeked with a princess haircut, proudly cradling a tiny baby that must have been Hanabi. Another of her standing beside Neji at what looked like his high school graduation. A series of silly arcade photos with Sakura and Ino, their faces scrunched in exaggerated expressions. A childhood picture of her at maybe ten or eleven, squeezed between a boy he didn't recognize and another that seemed vaguely familiar but that he couldn't quite place, and a white puppy resting in her arms contently.
And then, a photo that wasn't of her at all. A beautiful woman who looked just like her, smiling with closed lips and eyes, dressed in a white wedding gown, standing beside a man with Hinata's unmistakable eyes.
Naruto felt his throat tighten as he admired the framed photo, taking in such a precious memory. He couldn't help but think about what he would give to have something like this—a picture of his own parents on their wedding day, a moment that had never come to be.
He only realized he was holding the frame in his hands when he heard Hinata's voice beside him.
"Her name was Hitome."
"Hitome," he echoed, knowing she was talking about her mother. A small smile tugged at his lips. "Hitome, Hiashi, Hinata, Hanabi..." He chuckled softly, carefully placing the frame back in its spot before glancing at her. "Is that a coincidence or...?"
Hinata just shrugged, a quiet smile forming on her lips. Her face was freshly washed, her skin glowing from her nighttime routine. Her hair, brushed to a silky smoothness, cascaded over one shoulder. She was wearing a light blue babydoll pajama set, delicate and soft against her skin. And she smelled... incredible.
Okay, Naruto. He reeled in his thoughts, forcing himself to stay in check. Spending the night together doesn't necessarily mean sex. But damn, did she look irresistible. Don't be a little shit.
He fought back a blush as she reached for his hand, guiding him toward her bed. Surely, this wasn't an invitation for more than just sleeping. Right? She had always been warm and accepting with him, both emotionally and physically, but he had always been careful—watching her reactions, making sure not to cross any lines. The truth was, he wasn't even sure where she stood on that kind of intimacy. Hell, he wasn't sure where he himself stood.
Hinata climbed onto the bed after him, switching off the lamp on her nightstand. The room dimmed, bathed only in the soft glow of the moonlight filtering through the curtains, which swayed gently with the night breeze. She turned onto her side to face him, and as she did, she felt the tips of her ears heat under his gaze. There was something about the way he was looking at her—contemplative, admiring, but also nervous.
Giving up on the guessing game, she offered him a small smile. "Naruto," she murmured, drawing him back from wherever his thoughts had wandered. His eyes blinked, as if waking from a trance. "What's on your mind?"
With him, she often found herself braver—like it was okay to ask, do, talk about anything.
"Why d'ya ask?" he responded, his voice quieter now. He reached up, gently tucking a strand of her indigo hair behind her ear, his fingers lingering before settling into the palm she had offered him on the bed.
Hinata hesitated for only a moment before choosing her words carefully, closing her fingers on his. "Today… or lately, I mean," she mused, "I'm usually the anxious one in the room, so I think I can recognize when someone else is nervous." She bit her lower lip, suddenly second-guessing herself, hoping she hadn't said anything wrong just now.
Naruto hummed, squeezing her hand as he propped himself up on one elbow. "I just… I have a lot of questions in my head. And a lot of 'I don't know' answers."
"What kind of questions?" she inquired softly, her head resting on the pillow as she looked up at him. This time, he wasn't breaking eye contact.
He exhaled slowly. He wasn't sure if he was ready to say everything out loud—not yet. But he wanted to be honest with her. "Different kinds," he admitted. "But mostly… if I'm good enough for you."
Hinata's forehead creased. Without hesitation, she let go of his hand and reached up to caress his cheek, her fingers brushing over the smooth skin and faint whisker-like marks. "Have I ever said or done anything to make you feel that way?"
His stomach dropped. "No!" He answered quickly. "No, oh god, I am a little shit." He groaned to himself, rubbing his face before looking at her again, more desperate this time. "Hinata, you are so good to me. You're so good that I can only hope I'm the same for you."
Her chest ached at the vulnerability in his voice. She knew that feeling all too well—the doubt, the fear of not being enough. "Naruto," she whispered, her thumb tracing soothing circles on his cheek, "I wouldn't want to be your girlfriend if I didn't think or feel that you were good to me."
Her lips didn't curve into a smile, but her eyes held something even more powerful. The moonlight reflected in them, calm and unwavering, like the steady tide pulling him back to shore.
"Hi-na-ta," he murmured, drawing out her name in that way that always sent shivers down her spine. "You are my girlfriend now."
"Yes," she breathed, barely more than a whisper. "I am."
Her lips remained slightly parted, and Naruto couldn't resist. Slowly, he leaned in, closing the space between them. He stole her breath before stealing her lips, capturing her in a kiss that deepened almost instantly.
Hinata's heart pounded as she melted into him, her fingers tangling in his hair, pulling him closer. His weight shifted over her, their chests pressing together, his arm slipping beneath her back, holding her as if she might disappear. His other hand supported his weight, elbow digging into the mattress, but his fingers—his fingers were lost in the silk of her hair.
He kissed her like he had never kissed her before—slow, deep, and thorough, as if he were committing every inch of her to memory. When her lips matched his urgency, his pace, something inside him stirred, a sharp, sweet ache in his lower abdomen. The kind of ache he welcomed.
He needed to stop.
He had to stop.
But she didn't seem like she wanted him to.
And he didn't want to.
She gasped against his mouth when his hand shifted, grazing the side of her breast before settling just beneath it, the warmth of his palm pressing lightly, almost as if cupping it from below. His mind reeled. Holy shit, no bra.
He froze.
His lips stopped moving, his breath ragged as he pulled back just enough to look at her. Even in the dim light, he could see the flush spreading across her cheeks, the way her lips were darker, plumper than before. Her long lashes fluttered, and her soft hands applied the slightest pressure on the nape of his neck.
Then, she nodded.
To hell with everything. She wanted this as much as he did. She nodded. She. Nodded.
But just as he was about to lean in again—
Bzzz.
The sudden vibration of her phone against the wooden nightstand made them both jolt, tearing apart as if their hands were touching fire.
Damn.
Naruto swore under his breath. Hinata pressed a hand over her racing heart.
He moved, setting her free to tend to the offensive device still buzzing—albeit softer than before—next to them.
Flopping onto his stomach, he buried his face into one of her pillows, one arm lazily draped across her stomach as she reached for her phone.
9 PM Alarm: TOMORROW 9 AM - Lee and Naruto Guy's
Her lavender eyes lingered on the screen before she turned off the alarm—one she had set last Monday as part of her meticulous routine to not miss any appointments. Normally, she appreciated her habit of planning ahead, but at this moment, she wasn't so sure.
She poked Naruto's shoulder, urging him to turn his face toward her. One cerulean eye peeked at the bright screen before widening in realization. He sighed heavily into the pillow.
"I almost forgot," he whined, his voice muffled.
Hinata giggled as she set her phone aside, double-checking her alarms for the next morning. Then, rolling onto her side, she reached out, tracing lazy patterns across his broad shoulders.
"Hey…" she whispered.
Naruto finally turned to face her, shifting so they were mirroring each other. He pulled her closer by the waist.
"We should get some sleep," he murmured, lips curling into a lazy smile. "I need my beauty sleep to survive the green beast tomorrow." He joked, but the weight in his chest hadn't fully lifted. His mind felt clearer now, but the moment still lingered between them, unresolved. He wanted to talk about it—what had just happened, or almost happened—but even as the words formed, he knew they wouldn't be right. Not now.
Hinata let out a soft laugh in response, but her eyes held something deeper. "Yes," she whispered, her fingers tracing absent patterns against his shoulder. A knowing glint flickered in her gaze, like she understood his hesitation, like she felt it too. "We'll have more time later."
The promise hung between them, unspoken yet understood.
They shuffled around, adjusting the sheets over them and settling into each other's warmth.
"Good night, Naruto."
"Good night, Hi-na-ta."
—
to be continued…
—
A/N: If you are still reading, please let me know in the reviews! Life kept punching me in the gut last year. It got pretty brutal towards the end. I also feel like I lived three hundred and sixty five days just in January—I'm laughing so I don't cry, lol. But I'm here, mostly in one piece.
Thank you to everyone who has followed this story in the past ten months or so. I hope we get to chat in the reviews. :)
This chapter was such a comfort to write. It moves the plot in a very NaruHina centric way. I have updated the rating to M just to be safe, but know that this story will not get explicit. But we'll have some fun! As a writer, I did have fun experimenting in this chapter, using a couple of different styles and POV-movement. I hope you have enjoyed it! Next chapter is already in the making, and there's an outline for the next three after that. I'm very excited!
Stay safe!