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It was just another night in Konoha for the village hero Uzumaki Naruto. After the war the blonde can focus more on about his life.
Despite the numerous amounts of scrolls to study and about political affairs needed for the blonde since he is the next in line future hokage, all he wants is to just sit back, relax and maybe even enjoy a nice bowl of ramen. Then after that go stargazing with his *ahem* girlfriend.
Oh yeah, that’s right. After their grandeur kiss on the moon the two seemed inseparable ever since. Well except missions of course which would worry the blonde ninja about his first official girlfriend and vice versa.
But right now it seems like the two were in their own worlds while hugging each other in their arms watching the stars twinkle and shine the rest of their evening. Hinata was snuggled up on Naruto’s chest while he wraps his arms around her petite form. After a while he would sneak glances at her studying her profile which would always leaves him in awe. Hinata though, blissfully unaware of her lover’s stare was too busy admiring the twinkling lights above. Then she started giggling softly which intrigued the young man next to her.
“What’s so funny?” Asked Naruto who broke out into a smile just by hearing her laugh
God, even her laugh is gorgeous
“Oh, it’s nothing Naruto-kun really”
“Come on, tell me” said the jinchuriiki while slightly poking her sides with a playful pout.
“Noooo it’s .... stupid really” said the shy woman as she continues to hide her face between her palms even though Naruto could tell she was still smiling behind her hands.
“Hrmm come on, you know you can tell me anything Hinata. I promise I won’t laugh”
“....... you’re chuckling right now” said Hinata noticing he was trying to contain his giggles.
“It’s just that...pfft... your face is too cute” said the blonde as he couldn’t contain his chuckles anymore and just continued laughing while Hinata’s face couldn’t get any more red.
“Hmph fine” said the bluenette with a playful pout while crossing her arms and turning her head away. “I’m really not gonna tell you”
Coughing Naruto turned to her fully even though he couldn’t stop his smile that was on his face ‘cuz dammit she’s is too cute!
“Okay okay, I’m sorry Hina. I swear I won’t laugh. Pleaseeee?” While offering his best puppy dog look the young woman looked down still with a blush on her face as she began her usual habit of poking her fingers.
“You know, uhmmmm........well.... ever since I was little…….I used to look up at the stars every night...and hah uhmmm........think of a life with.... you” she finished her sentence while whispering the last part still poking her fingers index fingers.
Huh, me...?? W- then in a flash Naruto remembered all the times she encouraged him and supported him back when he was still a nobody. She was one of those people besides old man Teuchi and Iruka sensei to not see him as a monster. Thinking about all those moments from the time she gave him the ointment after his spar with Kiba, or how she encouraged him about him being a ‘proud failure’ before his fight with Neji.
Neji
thinking of Neji he remembered how Hinata was willing to shield herself in order to protect him from the ten tails attack, but Neji was the one who took the final hit. Of course I could never forget him and his sacrifice. Hinata... this isn’t the first time she’s done this. How Pain mercilessly flipped her to the ground and struck her with those black poles. Remembering how her blood spilled all over the floor giving him the idea that she was-
Naruto didn’t even want to think about the last word and he subconsciously looked at Hinata, specifically to the part where she was stabbed. Getting rid of his thoughts he vow to himself that he will become stronger in order to protect them. To protect her. It’s the least he could do after everything she’s done for him.
“Naruto-kun are you okay?” Feeling a warm hand cupping his cheek gently he looked at those lavender orbs that he loves so much.
Sighing he moved to cup her cheeks with his hands and gave her a kiss on the forehead which ended up making Hinata look like a tomato because of how much she was blushing. Hehe, glad that she doesn’t faint anymore…. well until now atleast. Hopefully. “Hey, you’re not getting lightheaded are you?” Tilting his head while staring into her eyes with his charming smile. The young woman couldn’t contain herself as she kept hiding her face under her palms and using her hair as a way to shield herself from her boyfriend. Ooh my Naruto-kun is so handsome. If she was alone she might be considered crazy and might even squeal just like how his fangirls do but she was a traditional woman. She needs to always be composed and calm despite her furiously beating heart that it seems like it would burst out of her chest at any moment.
“Well...ermmm…...you didn’t answer my question” said the still tomato-faced Hinata as she looked at the blonde.
“It’s nothing really, just…… thought of the past I guess. You know…. when you and Pain….. and Nej-“ “Naruto-kun I’m telling you it’s okay” cutting off the blonde and using her fingers to place them on his lips to shush him. “I know you still keep thinking about what happened. And with Neji-niisan. But I want you to know that he would never hold it against you. He sacrificed himself because you were important. You were the key to stopping the war. And he’s free now, Naruto-kun. Neji-niisan is free because of you”
Opening his mouth to reply the young woman still cut him off before he gets to say something about him blaming himself of a lot of people’s death. “I know it’s not that easy for you, it’s the same for me. I still miss him too but I am not going to let his death be the reason for you blaming yourself” cupping his face to look into his eyes, Naruto made sure to listen to what she has to say next.
“Instead of having these thoughts we should honor them and continue living for those people who lost their lives in the war. Do not let their deaths be in vain, Naruto-kun. Don’t let Neji-niisan’s death be in vain”.
It’s as if Hinata slapped the truth right at his face but with words as she always does.
She always knows how to get through to him. Just a single encouragement from her and it would be enough for Naruto to face the day without one trace of worry or fear in his eyes.
Giving a nod he assured her that he will continue on living and view their sacrifices for the future. Their future. Not only in Konoha but in all the nations as well.
“Yeah. Yeah you’re right!” Feeling a lot lighter than before. He thought of Hinata’s words playing through his head. Do not let their deaths be in vain.
I won’t. And that’s a promise of a lifetime ‘ya know!
Resting his forehead to Hinata’s he closed his eyes and allowed himself to be back in their own personal bubble which he ruined the moment he blurted out the past. But not anymore. Because he’s here now, alive and well. He’s here with Hinata. His Hinata. And that’s all that matters to him at that moment. “I’m so glad you’re here with me Hinata” he whispered. His breath almost tickling her lips. “Oh Naruto-kun, I should be the one saying that” giving a look to his lover she pursed her lips “This is what I’ve longed for a really long time” she continued. “Because after everything you’ve achieved. You have a lot of people admiring you. Looking up to you. Loving you. And yet here you are choosing someone like me…..” with wide blue eyes staring at her, the blonde tried to process what she was telling him. “And just that thought…… makes me incredibly happy” tears are starting to form in the corner of her eyes and before they fall Naruto gently wiped them away with his thumb.
“Hinata…”
“Thank you Naruto-kun, for choosing me and giving me a chance to love you. I can’t tell you how happy this really makes me. I thank the stars that they gave me you”
By this statement more tears flowed down her face and he gently kissed them away whilst telling her that there’s nothing for her to thank. Because he was the one who was supposed to be thanking her. For loving someone like him even before he was considered a hero in the village. And just that thought speaks volumes in the young blonde’s mind. Pulling her face closer to his he knew then and there that this was the person who he wants to spend the rest of his life with. Have a future with. To grow old with.
“Hinata. You can thank the stars all you want but…just so you know” looking deeply into her lavender eyes that held with so much love; and him the same.
“I’ll always be the lucky one”
And He definitely is.
They both are.