Manga/Anime: Naruto by Masashi Kishimoto/Studio Pierrot
Words: 1 554
Publish: 06/30/2020
Summary: Under duress, Naruto and Hinata are married for better, for worse...
Author's Note: Thanks to Hippyredfox who really helped me on this short story.
The sun was shining in the cloudless sky during that fine spring afternoon. The ice-cream man displayed his best flavours. Vanilla, chocolate, strawberry, lemon, salted caramel... A colourful array to attract gourmand children.
The line was rather long and it will be soon longer.
"Dad! Dad! I want ice cream, please! Please, can we have some ice cream?"
"Me too! Me too! I want chocolate!"Himawari gestured with her arms. "A lot, a lot of chocolate."
How can you say 'no' to those begging eyes full of innocence when you're such a soft touch with your children?
Identical pupils as their father were sparkling with the same intensity he had at their age.
A sigh was heard next to him. He looked at the person who was looking at him with amusement. In a beautiful purple dress, her hair was now at shoulder-length, Hinata crossed her arms on her chest and raised an eyebrow before a confused Naruto.
"I know you. I'll say 'yes' as soon as I have left."
"They will never let go, and you know it."
After all, everyone would say 'yes' to two lovely children with a few teeth missing.
By the way, he had to remember that the fairy tooth was supposed to come tonight while they're asleep.
"On Monday, they have PE, it's swimming, and then-"
"I know Hinata, it's music, I've marked it in the calendar."
"Oh and Himawari is having nightmares sometimes, you won't forget to-"
"Bedtime story. The one about the Sandman, I already know."
She nodded, completely anxious about leaving for some good, long holidays as lovers with Ino. Well, 'long' was a bit much. But for Hinata, be away from her children more than five days was nerve-racking.
"Oh! And Boruto teddy bear, it's-"
"In the boot of my car, don't worry."
Because of his anticipation, she smiled, touched.
Yes, dads too could be organised!
"You know you don't have to worry, everything will be fine."
"I'm sorry. I know you always take good care of them." she apologised as she patted his hand.
However, Naruto could clearly see she was still biting her lower lip.
"Something else, Hinata?"
"You... You call me if anything happens?"
"All right, but only if it's an emergence... Well, no. I didn't say that because you'll think every time I call is an emergence. And knowing you, as the mom you are-"
"Naruto..."
Rule number one; do not make her panic.
He put his hand on top of her and gave her his most beautiful smile.
"Yes, I'll call you."
Hinata finally seemed to be at peace yet, kept a sad expression at the thought of leaving the twins. But, she needed this. She had to find herself. To accept herself.
She asked for one last tight hug, holding on her sweethearts who were saying all kind of sweet words a mom loves to hear.
Yes, she was a mom but she was still a beautiful woman in any cases. It was like she was dancing while walking, her dress flying about her. On her high heels, she waved at the trio before going to her lover who just arrived by car. Ino made a small wave to Naruto. She too was radiant. And she was now his friend.
One last kiss for Boruto and Himawari. They tried to catch it and answered the same way. A 'thanks', honest and discret, was easy to read in her eyes for Naruto. She smiled to him. Then, Hinata disappeared after having kissing Ino.
Their heart was full with happiness.
Everything was fine.
Since she was fine.
"So, who wants an ice cream cone?" Naruto asked with a childish look.
"Me! Me!" they both said.
Going ahead of him, they ran to the ice cream shop with eyes as shiny as the sun before all the ice-cream cones. Summer was coming. So was snack time. Plus, Naruto loved to spoiled them when it was his turn to take care of them. It was a good deal he found with Hinata when they signed the divorce papers, one month ago. When it was done, a feeling of peace filled the room and his ex-wife's eyes.
And he hadn't any regrets.
They were still friends. A friendship he was cherishing today after all the difficulties they had been through in the past. Now, he was a single dad with two beautiful twins who were pulling each sides of his t-shirt.
They were so impatient...
Always there to stop his thoughts.
Arms on the desk, they almost had saliva on the corner of their lips.
"I want chocolate!" Boruto exclaimed.
"Please dad, can I have strawberry."
'Dad' he loved that word. It always warmed his heart.
Happy, he laughed before looking at the employee, watching his children with a smile. In a pink and white blousy t-shirt, she replaced a lock of her brown hair, which had slipped from her loose bun, behind her ear. Her green eyes were laughing because of the two little and excited monsters
His two little monsters.
"They're really good at this." He tried to explain their behaviour because she seemed touched.
They were Namikaze after all.
"They're so sweet" she said with a soft voice. "How old are they?"
"Eight."
"Fraternal twins eh? Isn't it too hard in everyday life?"
He shrugged, trying to keep his composure.
"I love kids", he confessed. "I always wanted to have kids."
"I understand, I have a two-year-old son and he's lively as well."
"It's always like that at the beginning."
"And to think that you have twins, that's impressive."
Her eyes met his. Silence fell between them before the machine makes a horrible noise. She jumped. Disturbed by his blue iris, she nearly knocked the ice cream cones but she caught it with precision. She put some more sprinkles on top to make it even more delicious.
"Done, chocolate ice cream for the young man and strawberry ice cream of the lady." she gave the cones to the children, already licking their lips.
Her smile could challenged the sun, really. Naruto noticed a nice necklace around her neck. She put away more locks of hair. Her hair wasn't thick enough to stay in her bum. She turned around as he was taking out the cash from his wallet. Then, at the same time, she gave him a cone.
"I-I haven't ordered anything..."
"I know", she said. "But it's on me, take it."
"Me... Me?" he stuttered.
"Of course you." she laughed. "Come one, take it."
Was she... Was she flirting with him?
Lend over the desk a bit more.
"But don't mention it to my boss." she whispered as she winked. "Plus, today is a very hot day, a lemon ice cream won't hurt."
"Lemon?"
"Don't you like it?"
"Yes, yes I do. It's one of my favourites flavours so... I'm surprised you..."
Her eyes softened. Naruto lost his words, rubbing the back of his head. Next to him, his children were laughing and whispering jokes about his behaviour.
"...guessed" his word was nearly inaudible.
"Well, in any case, you don't have to pay like that you can all enjoy."
"Thank you, it's really sweet. How can I... um, return the favour?"
After he asked the twins to stay next to him, he looked at her while she was thinking.
"Just come back when you can, it'll be a pleasure." she spontaneously said.
That's unexpected! Naruto nervously laughed because of the young woman's boldness. She was cute with her dimple on her cheek and her tan skin.
"Come back. Pleasure", he repeated. "Yes, I mean...", he cleared his throat. "Yes, no problem, I..."
He really lost his words now!
He tried to calm down with a inhale and gave her his most beautiful smile. His reaction amused the employee who giggled.
Flirting was definitely not his thing.
"See you next time then?"
But he had to start somewhere.
"I'll be there." she smiled again.
Almost running into someone, Naruto walked away.
The twins in his sight, they walked across the park, following the path of gravels surrounded by trees. The gusts of wind made the leaves move. Screams of joy from the other children mixed with melody of nature.
It was nice.
Exactly like that lemon ice-cream she so nicely gave him.
Just by thinking about it, he laughed. Why not? Maybe it was time for him to move on. Maybe he could ask...
"Oh I'm an idiot!" He smashed his hand over his eyes. "I forgot to ask her her name."
"Daddy, you're in love." Himawari teased.
"Yuk! I don't like girls. They're really annoying and they cry all the time." Boruto grimaced.
"That's not true!"
"It's true!"
Seeing Himawari's painful look, Boruto wished he had kept his mouth closed. With his free hand, he tenderly took his sister's to make her smile again. One look at each other and they understood each other. It reminded him of Hinata.
"Careful dad! Your ice cream's going to melt." his daughter pointed out.
Naruto didn't even noticed he stopped to look at his children.
Yes, his children who were giving him so much joy. Happiness which fed the sun within him. That shining sun, enlightening and showing him the way towards a new life.
To be better. To smile. And to love.
I plan to write some action for July :)