Firsts
“What is the matter with me?!” Two very nervous teenagers thought as they walked to Ichiraku’s.
One felt a tornado of butterflies tumbling in her stomach, the other with hands so sweaty that even his prosthetic hand was drenched.
“I fought against Madera and saved the world from a psychotic chakra eating monster! Get it together, Uzumaki! He nervously chuckled as he looked down at the petite kunoichi.
“It's ok. I.Am.Fine. I am not the same little girl from the academy. I will NOT faint. I-I’m a kunoichi that defended him against Pain and fought along his side during the war. We already kissed for God’s sake. Get it together, Hyuga!”
She turned to smile at him and noticed that he was already looking down at her. They both quickly looked away with matching blushes.
They made to Ichiraku a short time later. He pulled the entrance curtain aside for Hinata to let her in first.
“Thank you, Naruto-kun.”
“So cute!” They both thought.
“Ohayō gozaimasu!” Ayame called out. “What can I get you started with? We are having a special today. But one large bowl, get the second half off!”
“Hi Ayame!” Naruto smiled his radiant smile.
“Hello Ayame-chan,” Hinata slightly bowed with her own smile.
“Ah! Naruto! Hinata! How are you guys? It's been a while.”
“We have been good. Just starving, right Hinata.”
“Mmhm. I was craving Ichiraku,” she chuckled.
“Well then, it's on the house since it's been so long since we have seen our favorite customers!” Ayame was so happy to see them, finally together. She quickly served them their favorites and continued her work.
“So, you too on a date?” Ayame asked after serving the other patrons.
Naruto, unceremoniously, choked on the mouthful of noodles that he was in the process of eating. Hinata was too worried about Naruto to process the question.
“I will take that as a yes!” She chimed, satisfied with Naruto’s reaction.
After making sure that Naruto was ok, she turned to Ayame.
“I'm sorry Ayame. What was your question?” She asked innocently, truly not hearing what she asked.
“I asked if you guys were on a date. And by Naruto’s obvious reaction, it seems like you are,” she giggled. She turned to the kitchen and called for her dad. “Hey dad! Guess who’s finally dating?”
Teuchi runs out to see for himself. And lo and behold, it was Naruto and Hinata.
“About time!” Teuchi teased. “Everyone but you knew she liked ya,” he laughed wholeheartedly, truly happy that Naruto found someone. “Gotcha hands full with this one, ey Hinata?” He teased.
Hinata, however was as red as the brightest tomato. She couldn't speak and her eyes fell on everyone but Naruto.
“Oh no. She's going to faint. What have I done. I just ruined our FIRST date. What do I do?”
Naruto frantically looked around, see how to salvage the rest of his date, when he felt a small, warm hand grasp his. He knows this hand. He has held it many times in his childhood, he would never forget the feel of it. Even then, just this small touch, this calm feeling seeped through him, starting at his hand, spreading to his head, his toes, and then to his erratically beating heart.
“Yes Ayame-chan, Teuchi-san. We are on our first date.” Hinata no longer looked red, just a dust of pink on her cheeks, as she answered their question. “And I hope to have, many, many more.” Her face split into the most beautiful luminous smile he has ever seen on Hinata. “If you don't mind that is, Naruto-kun.”
He turned fully to her now, wanting-no, needing- to absorb her in all her glory. He grinned his boyish, shy grin that she now recently discovered he only let her witness.
“Yea, I'd like that. I’d like that very much.”