Naruto whistled cheerfully as he walked through the village of Konoha. Things had certainly changed quite a bit ever since Pein's attack on the village. For one thing, he'd gotten a Chuunin rank for his heroic deeds (something he'd be sure to throw in Sasuke's face the nice time they met). But more importantly than that, people were treating him like a human instead of a monster. It was really refreshing to have people smile instead of scowl when he walked by...though a lot of the village girls tried to do more than that.
Now that Naruto was no longer "the monster child" several girls would constantly try to catch his attention so they could talk to him or ask him out to dinner, those that were too shy having their mothers proposition him in their place. Even Sakura's mother had suggested that he date her daughter, something that both ninja would still occasionally laugh about. It wasn't that Sakura wasn't his type, but it was a mutual agreement between the two of them that they were strictly friends. That and he was certain she'd clobber him if he tried going past first base.
Besides (much to several girls' disappointment) Naruto was happily spoken for. Ever since that day, Naruto had begun dating a certain heiress. It was later that day, after her confession, that he learned from Ino that Hinata had been crushing on him rather hard ever since their ninja academy days. It was a pretty big shock to hear the second time as it was the first. However, he'd talked to the Hyuuga girl and sorted the whole thing out over dinner; from that day forth they'd been an official couple.
Stopping outside of the Hyuuga compound, Naruto waited patiently for his girlfriend to arrive. Every day for the past few months they'd meet at the gates of her home, talk about their days, stop for dinner, and watch the stars atop the Fourth's head at the Hokage monument (with some making out interspersed here and there...though he wasn't going to tell her father that!). It wasn't long before he noticed Hinata approaching, her little sister Hanabi tagging along with her.
"Yo, Hinata-chan! Chibi-chan!" Naruto greeted.
Hanabi gave him an irritated look for the nickname, as her sister smiled warmly at Naruto.
"Good evening, Naruto-kun," Hinata greeted.
"How's it hanging?" he asked, grinning at her.
Hinata stopped in her tracks. Her smile evaporated as her eyes opened wide. Her face turned as red as a radish. "I-It?" She stared down at the ground as she pressed her index fingers together. "Um, I-I don't know what you're t-talking about, Naruto-kun."
Hanabi shot an evil glance at her elder sister. "You haven't told him yet?" She put her hands on her hips. "And when were you planning to hurl that grenade at him? On your wedding night?"
"Hanabi! Let me handle this. Please!"
Naruto scratched his head, clearly confused at the sudden shift in topic. "Handle what, Hinata-chan?"
"N-Nothing, N-Naruto-kun. It's, uh..."
Hanabi leaned in toward Naruto. She put her hands in front of her, holding them nearly a foot apart with the palms facing. "It's about how much she likes you. About this much, I'd say." She grinned salaciously as the gap between her palms increased.
Naruto stared at her hands with a confused look. "What the hell is that supposed to-"
"Hanabi! Please."
"Tonight, dearest sister," said Hanabi as she started to leave. "Tell him tonight. Or I will."
Hinata bit her lip. In a low voice, she said, "Okay."
Hanabi turned back and winked conspiratorially at her elder sister. "Have fun, sis!"
Naruto wasn't entirely sure why Hinata turned red at that. * * *
Hinata latched onto Naruto's arm as they walked, resting her head gently on his shoulder. Several nearby village girls shot envious looks her way.
"You really should watch your language around Hanabi-chan."
"What language? All I say is ass...and damn...I might've said shit once or twice...and maybe cock-su..."
"Naruto-kun."
"Hey, I'm a good role model!" Naruto said. "I taught her that cool jutsu."
"She burned half of our bonsai garden with it."
"Those plants were ugly anyway," he said. "Anyway, that's just one thing, and I've done more good than bad. I got her a boyfriend, didn't I?"
"Yes, but I think Konohamaru's been bringing...inappropriate magazines to Hanabi."
"They're growing kids; why wouldn't they be curious? Well, what about that new way I taught her to use her Byakugan?"
She frowned at him. "Because of your...'teaching'...she told everyone in her class that Tetsu's..." A light blush covered her face. "...p-p-penis...was extremely small."
Naruto laughed heartily. "Hey, that was really funny! That Tetsu kid is a real pri-"
He noticed that Hinata was giving him a particularly disapproving look. He sighed.
"You need to stop hanging around Sakura," Naruto said, defeated. "You're getting really mean, Hinata."
"Poor baby," she said, teasingly, and pecked him gently on the cheek.
As he watched her, he saw the nervous flicker of her eyes. She was clearly troubled about something. "What's wrong?" he said.
"Do you...like me?"
"Of course I do."
She stared down at the pavement. "A lot?"
He smiled. "Yeah. A lot." He held his hands on front of him, palms facing, as Hanabi had done earlier. "Just as much as you like me." His hands began to spread them far apart.
She grabbed his hand and pulled it down, embarrassed. Then she pulled herself into him, hugging him close, nearly causing him to fall backwards.
In a small, distant voice she said, "Come home with me after dinner. I need you to see me. All of me."
