#naruhina friends to lovers

[dayseternal-blog]

hello days! can you recommend some naruhina fanfics wherein hinata moved on from her unrequited feelings with naruto and so she got to the point she became sort of a bitch loathing naruto at some point (and maybe plotting her revenge towards him) but then years later they found each other and this time naruto convinced hinata that he’s inloved with her and she should stop being not herself..?

Hello!

So I've been thinking about this one a lot because I don't know any.

hinata moves on from unrequited feelings

hinata loathes naruto for it / would like vengeance

years later they meet each other again

naruto convinces hinata that he's been in love with her

hinata accepts him

The only one I can think of that is close to what you're asking for is specifically lovers-to-enemies-to-lovers with a vengeful Hinata:

“March - Fanfic/Fanart inspo” from “Still Falling For You” by @chloelapomme - Rated M, Pirates AU, Multi-chapter, Complete. It’s time for Hinata to confront the thief who stole her treasure from her.

I don't know any others. If you'd like to see a previous rec list of just enemies-to-lovers it's here.

I almost forgot about this one...it's not enemies really. But Hinata acts pretty cold to Naruto at times.

“A Hallmark Movie” by browniefic - Rated T, Multi-chapter, Ongoing. Naruto and Hinata cross paths six years after he broke her heart. A naruhina Christmas fic.

Now this one, on the other hand, has a slightly vengeful Naruto. It's lovers-to-strangers-eventually back to lovers!

"thus a silenced memory" by @keroppri - Rated T, Modern AU, Multi-chapter, Ongoing. Eight years flown on by and Naruto makes his return to the city where he once fell in love, only for him to leave hollow and broken after she was persuaded to leave him. Plagued by her memory at every corner, a chance meeting changes fates, minds, and hearts. Thus he tries to silence the memories.

omg. I forgot about my own fic lol. Yes, in my fic, Hinata's pining heart was spurned by Naruto's lack of tact, and she becomes pretty darn bitchy to him as a result.

"He calls me the devil" - Rated E, Canon-Divergent AU, Multi-chapter, Ongoing. Ohnej's AU, where Hyuga clan leader Hinata Hyuga and Hokage Naruto Uzumaki can’t tolerate each other. 

I can't believe I forgot about my own fic. It still doesn't hit all the points you requested, though.

Okay, so this next one has that glow-up idea. Where like Hinata gets mad at Naruto for an insult, starts focusing on being sexy, and Naruto starts realizing he's in love with her.

“The Cinderella Makeover Naruto Style” by CharismaHarmony - Rated M, Modern AU, Multi-chapter, Complete. When Hinata’s best friend, Naruto said that she wasn’t the type of woman men fall in love with, she bet him 1000 she’d have a marriage proposal in 3 months.

oooh maybe this one matches? Hinata's never a bitch in this, though.

“Why can’t I give up on you?” by catwithapencil - Rated T, Multi-chapter, Complete.  They use to be great friends but, after a confession, some heart break and a lot of avoiding they grew apart. Now after almost five years they finally reunite in a cafe of all places and now are co-workers? will Naruto and Hinata regain their friendship? or will they become something more?

....and here I thought I only had one possible recommendation. Hopefully one of those 6 fics will satisfy! If anyone can think of anything that matches what anon is asking for, please add on!

[joy-girl]

Naruto 437

[opttagoyeo]

SUDDEN NH IDEA!

Nerd Naruto x Nerd Hinata

Popular Naruto x Nerd Hinata

Office Worker Naruto x Doctor Hinata

He used to be a cute, cute nerd.

He used to hang out with them a lot.

He used to loved the books she recommend to him.

They used to talk a lot.

But now he's the Popular guy, and even an ounce of his attention can't be directed onto her.

Suddenly, her Naruto-kun changed into this, into the man she doesn't recognize.

He used to be so cute, and adorable and.. and.. handsome.

***

"Hinata. You called to me, yeah? Wassup."

*she frowned immediately, where on earth does he learned to speak like that? it was rather embarrassing for him to please people just because he became popular*

"I.. need to talk to you, about something important. "

*his chiseled face turned into a frown*

" And what is it, that you even brought me to the utmost corner of this.. err library? Sounds boring to me—"

*he cannot continue his words for he felt her glare burning him into ashes, he just coughed.*

" Naruto. "

" -kun? Didn't you used to call me Naruto-kun with your cute voice, yeah? What's stopping you, Hi-na-ta? "

*his words ranged to her ear and she almost crumpled the letter on her hands, at first, she thought that Naruto's change was for the better but then, it turned him into this montrosity she's quite not fond of. It ticked her, and she definitely missed the old Naruto-kun.*

*she cleared her throat before carefully glaring to him*

" I'm here solely because you used to be one of my close friend.. and I—"

*his scoffed bounced off against the wall a little too loud, she tried to warned him but he just rolled his eyes*

" What? Used to? Hinata, aren't we still friends?"

*he then laughed*

" Y-yes.. though not as the same as we were before. "

"... " *he didn't replied back anything but his face are saying everything there to be said*

" Erm... as I was saying. You're a friend of mine, and I thought it's important for you to actually know that after this year's graduation, I will go straight to abroad for college. "

*the clock ticked by before realization hit Naruto's gut, widening his ocean eyes*

" What?! "

" S-silence, Naruto! "

*he grumbled as he crossed his arms against his chest, flexing his muscles against the tight shirt he's wearing*

" So you're actually going to abroad, this year? Wow, talk about being in a richa—"

*before he can continue his random babbling, hinata immediately pushed the letter onto him*

"Before I leave, I'm giving this letter to you."

*his gaze fell upon the letter, sealed, with white color. his lips turned into a smirk*

*he leaned back against his chair and stare to her pearly orbs*

"My, my, my! Are you serious? You're not gonna, like, confess to me or something inside this letter right?"

*hinata almost flinched.. almost. but not because naruto 100% right, it's because of his tone which she doesn't like. it's full of mockery and hidden disgust. as if he's used to rejecting girls that worships him.*

"Don't read that letter before I leave. At least read it after I went to abroad. That's my last wish, for you. "

*he stilled, what the fuck is in this letter that makes hinata this secretive? it's just a fucking letter?!!!*

"Now, now, you're making me incredibly serious. I feel like I can't hold back myself and just want to rip it out and.. and—"

" And read it? Please, Naruto-kun. Please read it after I went to abroad, okay? That's the only thing I want from you."

*damn it, he cursed internally. he may reject everyone and don't care about people's wishes. but this is hinata we're talking about. he might be damned if he didn't listen to her, especially when she looks like that, doe-eyed and worried face. fuck it*

"Yeah, yeah. Fine. I won't, happy now?"

*her lips upturned and gave him a timid smile, not the one that reaches her cheeks. but atleast her eyes aren't as worrisome as before. naruto's tiny bit self missed the sunshine-y smile she always gave to him.. he cannot help but reminisce.*

"Thank you."

"I'll get going then. Goodbye, Naruto."

*phew. she's done. she's finally done*

*she left the library with a heavy heart but nonetheless happy how the situation turned up better than she had expected it to be*

10 years later >>>

"Patient Uzumaki?"

*the nurse asked in the hallway, a tall man raised his hands gently before standing up on his all glory.*

"This way, please."

*the two of then entered another room that leads to another dull, hallway with nothing to see other than the slick designed windows on his right that emphasizes the blue sky outside.*

*they came into a halt when they got into a large door, beside it was a intricated bronze plate attached directly to the wall. naruto squinted his eyes, is it.. Hyuuga?*

*a deja vu washed over him when he read that*

"Mister?"

"A-ah!"

*he scrambled to walk when he realized that the nurse was patiently waiting for him to enter the door, which is now opened thanks to her.*

"Sorry."

*the nurse just subtly nods as an answer and naruto cannot help but grimaced to himself*

"Doc, you're patient is here."

*she gently informed against an opaque sliding door, that made naruto think that it was his doctor's office, well, obviously.*

"Please, enter."

*an authoriative voice from the inside affirmed, making naruto suddenly flinched. although he cannot help but to think that the voice is somewhat familiar, as if he had heard it somewhere*

*the nurse opened the sliding door and entered, Naruto did the same before he closed the door behind him*

"Doc, he's here. I'll leave you two, then."

"Thank you, Mikiwa."

*she bowed before turning her heels and walking pass him as she left the room*

"Please, sit."

*the doctor left him with no choice but to obey, his nervousness getting the best of him. his gaze fell upon his knees, his hands on them clutching the fabric of his pants. fiddling them as to reduce the anxiety blooming over him*

"Uzumaki, Naruto.. san?"

"Ah.. yes. T-that's me!!"

*due to the sudden voice, his gaze immediately turn upwards to a pair of pearly orbs directed to him and the familiar midnight hair accentuanting a beautiful familiar face*

*he feel his stomach drop*

"H-hinata?!"

>>> Hinata's drunk >>>

*naruto isn't quite sure how this changed brought to his relationship between hinata but now he's infront of the drunk doctor, sitting infront of her. seeing her on her drunk glory.*

*he can't deny that she looked incredibly adorable but he bite down the thought immediately before he can relish the feeling*

*suddenly, hinata removed the eyeglasses she's currently wearing*

"Naruto-kun~, lean over, here~, okay??"

*her slurred voice pleaded*

*and who is he to disobey it?*

*she immediately puts the eyeglasses onto his, yet delicately even at her current state*

"Wah~"

*she smiled softly to her masterpiece*

"Don't move, ne, Naruto-kun~"

*he gulped nervously, isn't it done? what could she be possibly do in that state huh?*

*his whole world freezes when he felt her hands gently on his hair, before she messily patted it to her desired form*

"Wh-what the hell, Hinata!"

"Shh!~ Aym, busyy~ Hihi!"

*he sighed loudly, he cannot imagine for the love of god that he would be facing this drunk woman and experience this right now. if you told him this would happen, two hours ago, he would've laugh at you on how ridiculous you sound*

* when she's done, she immediately removed her hands on his hair, and damn it, naruto cannot help but miss her hands tangled up on his hair already*

*she sit again across to him*

*her eyes crinkled into a delight smile, her hands under her chin, cupping them and now, she almost shine against the dark of the night. or maybe it's him imagining things again*

"I like it!~"

*she excitedly beamed*

"What do you mean you like---"

*suddenly, she's looming over him, her small hands cupping his cheeks, and then.. and then*

*her lips touched his*

*after she kissed him, she returned to her sit*

*his cheeks burned, the soft taste of hers lingering against his lips*

"Ah.."

*then all of a sudden, she just passed out cold. her head against the table, but before hinata's head hit the wooden table, naruto aided to her by laying out his hands..to support her fall*

>>> A day later >>>

*It's unfair*

"...Like.."

*at the background, shikamaru's voice is busy handling affairs and appointments for his one of a kind boss.*

"Then..I like that, Yuzuru-san."

*he finished talking with the man behind the phone*

*" I like it~"*

*hinata's voice last night boomed against his mind, naruto wants to just work silently but it's not helping that hinata's voice is still lingering, pushing itself on his mind*

*what is she implying by that?*

*does she like his face? or his eyeglasses she gave? or was it his messy hair?*

*he doesn't know which one?!!!*

"Stop, saying like!! "

*he shouted angrily, enough to make the other people flinch in fright.. even shikamaru*

*a grumbling shikamaru arched his eyebrows*

*a silent question, "what the fuck?" looming over shikamaru*

"This is driving me insane, she.. SHE'S DRIVING ME CRAZY!! "

>>>TBC>>>

[kitsuneudon743]

Chapters: 1/? Fandom: Naruto, Boruto: Naruto Next Generations Rating: Explicit Warnings: No Archive Warnings Apply Relationships: Uchiha Sarada/Uzumaki Boruto, Akimichi Chouchou/Shinki, Haruno Sakura/Uchiha Sasuke, Hyuuga Hinata/Uzumaki Naruto, Kakei Sumire/Kawaki Characters: Uchiha Sarada, Uzumaki Boruto, Akimichi Chouchou, Nara Shikadai, Mitsuki (Naruto), Yamanaka Inojin, Kakei Sumire, Kawaki (Naruto), Uzumaki Naruto, Hyuuga Hinata, Haruno Sakura, Uchiha Sasuke, Uzumaki Himawari, Nara Shikamaru, Shinki (Naruto), Yodo (Naruto), Sarutobi Konohamaru, Metal Lee, Kaminarimon Denki, Kunoichi Tsubaki of Konohagakure, Izuno Wasabi, Suzumeno Namida Additional Tags: Friends to Lovers, Best Friends, Alternate Universe - Canon Divergence, Friends With Benefits, Love, Love Confessions, Heartache, Aged-Up Character(s), POV Uchiha Sarada, First Kiss, First Time, Jealousy Series: Part 4 of BoruSara Summary:

Eighteen year old Sarada Uchiha has accomplished a lot. Swiftly on her way to becoming jonin, she is now closer than ever to achieving her dream, the only thing she has ever wanted. At least...it used to be the only thing she ever wanted. Only recently has she come to terms with the fact that perhaps there is something else she wants out of life, and that something else comes with honey blonde hair, whiskered cheeks and a loud mouth.

[silverangel19]

Hi...if you don't mind me asking, who are your favorite romantic relationship's couples in books/ manga/ anime/movies/tv series (can be canon or non-canon)? And why do you love them? Sorry if you've answered this question before......Thanks....

Here are some of my favourites, in no particular order. None of them are canon xD

Terumob (Mob Psycho 100) I love how Teru is so supportive and devoted to Mob?? He is just so sweet to him. And they both love Hagemon! They're just too cute. Sheith (Voltron) They never give up on each other and are always there for one another. I love the devotion and protectiveness they have for each other.

Singyue (Banana Fish) Despite what went down, I liked how Sing was still willing to help Yut Lung. in the end, they became really close to the point where Yut Lung entrusted everything to Sing. Kirisae (Gokuto Jihen) They're best friends! Saeki is very sweet to Kirishima, and Kirishima trusts Saeki immensely. Ninojean (ACCA-13) Best friends! Nino has been watching over Jean since he was young and is very loyal to him. Nino, too, is very important to Jean. Romantic or not, they need each other and will always be a pair. Sormik (Tales of Zestiria) They're childhood friends and practically soulmates, no one can deny that. And Sorey thinks Mikleo is beautiful!! Miritama (Boku no Hero Academia) They are total opposites! I love how someone outgoing like Mirio approached the quiet Tamaki to be his friend. They know each other since childhood and are each other's motivation to improve and be better. Makoharu (Free!) Okay.. I'm seeing a pattern here lol Another childhood/best friends pairing haha USUK (Hetalia) England is a total tsundere. But America is one as well, in a way. They might've hurt each other before but definitely still cared for one another. It has a lot of potential to be an angsty pairing because of their past, and I love angst very much.

[izukatsude]

horikoshi saw naruhina’s “childhood friends to lovers behind the tree scene” and applied it to izuku watching katsuki with the same tiny blush… this ain’t subtle anymore horikoshi 😭

[susililys]

MY SHIKATEMA FANFIC RECS MASTERLIST PART 2

Continuation of my ShikaTema Fanfic Masterlist, click here for Part 1 or Part 3 :

Blank Period / Dating / Shinobi Union CONT.

The Way You Are by: pieceofmind22 ONESHOT Cute Shikamaru defending his girlfriend from unnecessary comments.

Indulgence by: dinosaurspice M | ONESHOT Shikamaru and Temari see each other again after Naruto and Hinata's wedding, good smut.

First Kiss by: silverkunai ONESHOT Cute fluffy blank period first kiss.

double the trouble by: tentendeservedbetter M | ONESHOT Includes InoSai, Shikamaru relucatancly agrees to help Ino with her relationship with Sai by going on a doubledate. Really sweet fic.

summer sweets by: eeveleon DRABBLE Sweet fluffy ShikaTema on a lunch break in the early stages of their relationship with an indirect kiss.

midnight missions by: eeveleon ONESHOT Super cute, ShikaTema on a mission, where Shikamaru chooses to save Temari over completing the mission.

All Caught Up in the Mood by: Meticulous_Melodies M | ONESHOT Smut after the NaruHina wedding gift misunderstanding.

All the Right Moves Meticulous_Melodies M | ONESHOT Temari ends up having to stay with Shikamaru's place due to no other accomdations available, smut after confessions.

Kiss Kiss (Fall in Love) by: Laisaxrem ONESHOT Shared Kiss for different ships, first chapter is ShikaTema and it's really sweet.

The Ruin of Us by: CinderRoses M | COMPLETE Friends to lovers smut, first person, literally amazing. No words.

Jealousy by: narutostuff101 ONESHOT This is such a cute little fic, loved it!

Oh? You don't know who Shiho is? by: ArmchairAnthropologist ONESHOT Fics like this are always fun, sorry Shiho!

Blank Period / Proposals / Engaged / Married

A Long, Troublesome Way to the Altar by: penandpad0613 INCOMPLETE I am a true sucker for fics where ShikaTema have to go through the political struggles in order to get married, especially since those issues were only slightly mentioned in Gaara Hiden and in Boruto filler.

A Business Proposal by: silverkunai ONESHOT Gaara helps convince the Suna council regarding Shikamaru and Temari's marriage.

Epiphany by: mississippimudpiecraves ONESHOT Shikamaru being forced to have a Bachelor party, honestly one of my favorites.

Uninhibited by: Sylversmith ONESHOT This was so funny and sweet, loved every minute of it, drunk Shikamaru antics not recognizing his wife, but being loyal af.

extraordinary love by: chaosnojutsu ONESHOT Always end up coming back to this fic, ShikaTema having to convince the Suna council to get married.

Gaara's Help by: drowninglinguists ONESHOT Temari disscusing her emotions with Gaara before the wedding.

Who she is… by: pieceofmind22 ONESHOT Short and fluffy. Shikamaru's feelings regarding marrying Temari.

If I May Propose by: SpicedGold COMPLETE Different ways Shikamaru could have proposed, they are all super cute! I've been placing my favorite fics from this writer, especially from the Nara Family series throughout.

our hearts beat as one by thecivilunrest ONESHOT Shikamaru proposes to Temari in true lazy fashion, and Temari makes the decision to leave her village.

A Future Together by: thegizka ONESHOT ShikaTema breaking the news of their engagement to Gaara and Kankuro.

Midnight (& Day Off Mini) by: yoursuccubusnightmare M | ONESHOT Newly wed smut.

Love, Marriage and Other Disasters by: Dunesya INCOMPLETE Shikamaru wants to get married, Temari deals with insecurities and issues leading up. So good!

The Request by: BrazilianWriter ONESHOT Shikamaru has a conversation with Gaara about proposing to Temari.

Not Yet by: KiaraShell ONESHOT Very sweet proposal fic.

What's in a Title? by: dentsucree ONESHOT Such a cute/funny family interaction.

Five Hundred Game Tiles by: Lady_Otori ONESHOT

Growth by: owlishdelight ONESHOT Fluffy, just married.

Dangerous Territory by: theskywasblue ONESHOT Shikamaru falls into a trap.

New Parents / Post Chapter 700 / BORUTO / Nara Family

The 700th by: glockcourage COMPLETE Short drabbles, Nara family cuteness.

Falling for you (again) by: BrazilianWriter M | COMPLETE Seriously one of the best things I've ever read, another one I read daily for clear skin. Temari wakes up from a coma due to a severe injury on a mission, and wakes up with amnesia. The process of remembering with her loved ones is perfect, I can't stress this enough!

Back in an Hour… by: ShrimpArmy COMPLETE Good married smut in Ino's flower shop.

The Best Laid Plans by: SpicedGold ONESHOT A group in Suna is not happy about Temari's marriage to Shikamaru, and decide to kidnap Shikamaru/Shikadai and Temari isn't having any of it, loved this!

Endangered Pasts by: Tjwr INCOMPLETE Truly amazing, only bad thing about it is that it's not complete. Includes NaruHina. Shikadai and Boruto are sent to the past.

Home: by: SpicedGold ONESHOT It's Temari's birthday and she just needs to find out what Shikamaru's present is! Way too funny and cute! See the rest of the series here: Nara Family Series

According To Plan by: SpicedGold ONESHOT Shikadai gets hurt during training with Temari and what follows is some cute parenting banter with Shikamaru.

The Sacrifices We Make by: greenho4 ONESHOT Shikamaru discusses what Temari gave up to be with him with Shikadai, extremely sweet.

Ten minutes to Midnight by: KiaraShell ONESHOT Cute fic set during Shikadai and Shikamaru's birthday, where Shikamaru is on a mission.

Just Relax by: clumsydragon28 ONESHOT Much needed Nara family vacation.

Crybabies by: KiaraShell ONESHOT Shikadai gets his ears pierced.

9 Months by: Aspire2B COMPLETE Following Temari's pregnancy, the ending with Naruto in the hospital was so funny.

Ino-Shika-Chou by: Aspire2B ONESHOT

To The Next Year by: SpicedGold ONESHOT Loved this so much, Shikamaru and Temari have a phone call on New Years, beautifully sweet marriage banter bliss.

Office Hours by: OstaraNight M | ONESHOT Hot smut, enough said.

Why by: SpicedGold ONESHOT Shikadai asks about how his parents met. Simply adorable.

Nara Family by: SandriBeee COMPLETE Newborn Shikadai and being new parents.

Being Rescued is a Terrible Birthday Present by: SpicedGold ONESHOT Cute, mostly Shikadai's feelings.

family functions by: eeveleon ONESHOT Sand/Nara family cuteness at the beach.

Can't Reach by: Dunesya ONESHOT Shikamaru calls Gaara and Kankuro to take care of a pregnant Temari while he is on a mission.

[powerful-niya]

— (вεтωεεη υs.)

︶꒦꒷♡꒷꒦︶

˚ ༘♡ ⋆｡˚hαppч nαruhínα mσnth єvєrчσnє!

˚ ༘♡ ⋆｡˚𝙳𝚎𝚌𝚎𝚖𝚋𝚎𝚛 𝟹𝟷: 𝚂𝚝𝚘𝚕𝚎𝚗 𝙶𝚕𝚊𝚗𝚌𝚎𝚜 + 𝙲𝚊𝚞𝚐𝚑𝚝 𝙸𝚗 𝚃𝚑𝚎 𝚁𝚊𝚒𝚗 - (𝙽𝙷𝚖𝚘𝚗𝚝𝚑𝟸𝟹)

Link To Oneshot Below ↴

Wattpad | AO3

Pairing˚ ༘♡ ⋆｡˚Naruhina

Synopsis˚ ༘♡ ⋆｡If you had to choose between doing what you love and being with who you love, could you make that choice?

Naruto and Hinata, the top figure skating duo from Japan, have effortlessly conquered every challenge they've encountered on the ice together. But now, they're up against a new challenge—one that's found in their hearts, rather than on the ice.

This challenge is a love unplanned—a love constrained by a strict contract, putting them both in a very difficult position.

Regular Tags˚ ༘♡ ⋆｡˚ Caught In The Rain • Competitive Skating • Competitive Sports • Contract • Contractual Obligations • Costumes • Drama • December 28 • December 31 • Figure Skating • Forbidden Love • Friends To Lovers • Heavy Angst • Hurt & Comfort• Ice Skating • Love Confessions • Modern AU • Mutual Pining • Partner Skaters • Pretending • Professional Skaters • Romance • Sports AU • Stolen Glances • Tryst • Unplanned Love • Work Partners to Lovers • 2023. 

NSFW Tags˚ ༘♡ ⋆｡˚ Body Worship • Bus Sex • Butt Groping • Celebrity Bus • Cock Worship • Couch Sex • Dirty Talk • Desperation • Desperation Sex • Fantasies & Fantasizing • Flexibility • Longing • Loss of control • Love Making (at first) • Marathon sex • Multiple Orgasms • Overstimulation • Praise Kink • Pussy Worship • Riding • Rough sex (soon after) • Sex in a crisis situation • Size Difference Kink • Spanking • Stripping • Striptease • Stockings • Unprotected Sex  • Vaginal Sex  • 2023. 

Overall Word Count˚ ༘♡ ⋆｡˚17.1K

Tumblr Post: Word Count˚ ༘♡ ⋆｡˚4.3K

Preview ༘♡ ⋆｡˚

Pretending can be a tricky game. 

For some people, it's a breeze—they can slip in and out of different personas as easily as flipping a switch, putting on a convincing act at the drop of a hat or a snap of their fingers. 

Some people actually have a closet full of masks for their pretending, ready to wear whichever one fits the moment perfectly to hide behind. They switch between these masks as easily as changing clothes, effortlessly adapting to any situation like it's second nature.

Like if it was nothing, nothing at all. 

For others, pretending is a struggle—a constant effort that takes a lot of trial and error before they finally get the hang of it.

But for Naruto, pretending wasn't just difficult. It wasn't a minor bump in the road he'd get over soon. It wasn't something he'd get used to or get good at with time or a bit more effort.

No. 

He didn't have the luxury of switching between masks or hiding behind them whenever he wanted, like some people. Pretending wasn't a game or something he did for fun—it was a draining, relentless battle that wore him down every single day.

Pretending was, without a doubt, the hardest thing Naruto had ever faced—the toughest challenge he'd ever had to endure.

And he'd faced plenty of challenges.

As one of the top Japanese male ice skaters in the world, he'd been put through the wringer more times than he could count.

Countless hours of grueling practice, intense competitions, and crushing expectations had pushed him to his limits time and time again, demanding that he give nothing less than his absolute best. 

Each session was a test of endurance for him, and every routine was a shot for him to outshine the competition.

After all, Naruto was a pretty driven man, always pushing himself past the limits set by others to prove himself and excel. And on top of the grueling physical demands, he also had to confront the doubts cast on him as a male skater—doubts that seemed to shadow every step he took.

It was tough. 

Really tough. 

Every time he laces up his skates and hits the ice, he's up against a challenge. But it's one he actually enjoys—the ice, the skating, the music, the cheers, the sweat, the exhaustion, and, most of all, proving everyone wrong.

He loves proving all the doubters wrong—naysayers who said he couldn't do it and the debbie downers who whined that ice skating was a women's sport. 

Naruto even gets a kick out of showing up the critics who claimed he was confused about his identity, out of touch with himself, and that ice skating made him less of a man.

Indeed, proving those people wrong by doing what he loved was fun.

Naruto has spent countless hours on the ice—skating was all he'd ever known, the rhythm of the blades, the chill of the rink, and the thrill of the performance were deeply ingrained in him. Every glide and spin had become second nature, an integral part of who he was.

But there was one thing that stood apart from all of that…

Or rather, one person.

Hinata Hyūga. 

His skating partner.

Naruto stood in the designated waiting area near the rink, his eyes fixed on her as she skated across the ice gracefully. He watched Hinata from the sidelines, waiting for his cue, the precise moment when the music would signal him to join Hinata on the rink.

But for now, it was just her. Just Hinata.

And Naruto watched her in awe. 

He was always in awe of her. 

The blonde skater watched almost in a trance as his partner performed with her opening solo for the prestigious "ISU Grand Prix Of Figure Skating" in Hollywood, LA, California. 

The intensity of the competition was palpable, and the stakes had never felt higher.

The entire arena was hushed, with only the soft scraping of her white skates on the ice, the sweeping classical music, and the occasional gasps and murmurs from the crowd breaking the silence. Every spectator, even the judges, held their breath, captivated by Hinata's mesmerizing performance, all eyes glued to the rink.

Naruto's included.

Hinata's costume dress was a breathtaking piece, its fabric fluttering around her like the delicate feathers of a swan gliding through a gentle breeze. The lights from the arena overhead danced off the glittering embellishments of her costume, causing her dress to shimmer and shine. 

Her costume was the perfect fit to the competition theme: Black Swan. 

Hinata's dress was a striking blend of black and white, split down the middle. The left side was a deep, velvety black, adorned with shimmering sequins that caught the arena's light with every move she made. 

The right side of her dress was a pristine, snowy white, contrasting beautifully with the dark side, adorned with tiny sparkles and swirls. 

Her long gloves followed the same theme, one black and one white, each decorated with delicate sparkles that extended from her hands up to her forearms, matching her dress perfectly. Her usually long, midnight blue hair was elegantly styled into a neat bun on the top of her head, completing her flawless look for the competition. 

Naruto wore a matching outfit to hers, of course. 

He wore a one-piece costume that began with a pristine white at the top, gradually transitioning into a deep black down his toned torso and legs, with white swirls accentuating the color shift.

His right sleeve was all white, while his left sleeve was solid black, creating a striking contrast similar to Hinata's costume.

His costume fit the theme, sure, and it matched his partner's costume, but it was nowhere near as spectacular as Hinata's.

No way.

Hinata seemed to nail the theme perfectly, gliding in sync with the music—a classic piece that everyone would surely recognize.

"Swan Lake" by Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky. 

She surely embodied a swan, her every movement smooth and graceful, just like a swan gliding effortlessly across a lake. The way she floated across the ice, her costume shimmering with each turn, made it look as if she was dancing on air.

Naruto couldn't help but be completely mesmerized by how beautifully Hinata brought the theme to life. 

She was utterly breathtaking.

Graceful yet powerful—that's how Hinata always skated. 

Watching her was like peering straight into her soul with each performance.

She poured everything into her routine. 

She always did. 

From her delicate facial expressions to the emotions that flowed through her movements, and the graceful sweep of her arms as they reached out and then drew back—each performance was a stunning story told through her skating.

This time was no different.

As Hinata performed her solo tonight, she told a powerful story about the strength that comes from being vulnerable. Her movements to the music spoke of the courage it takes to expose one's true self, capturing the delicate balance between strength and authenticity.

It was truly extraordinary.

And on top of that, Hinata made the routine they'd been perfecting for months—through countless rehearsals, late nights, and early mornings—look so damn effortless. 

Hinata glided smoothly from one move to the next, transitioning seamlessly between spins and jumps, just as they had practiced together, just as she had come to memorize down to the finest detail.

Her spins were flawless. 

Naruto watched in awe as she effortlessly transitioned into a fast-paced layback spin, finishing with a graceful camel spin that left delicate circular marks on the ice. 

Her jumps were just as stunning, with perfect double axels and triple lutzes that had her soaring and spinning through the air, leaving the crowd breathless.

She landed on her blades with a satisfying clank each time, back on her feet like a true professional.

Hinata nailed every move flawlessly, putting on a jaw-dropping performance that would definitely set the bar high for the other skaters and likely earn them both some serious points with the judges.

But Naruto wasn't thinking about the competition at all. 

He wasn't thinking about their potential scores. He wasn't concerned about the judges' opinions or even his routine when it was his turn to join Hinata on the ice.

No, he wasn't thinking about any of that.

Naruto's focus was solely on her, the woman dazzling him from the ice, whose lavender eyes occasionally met his own. 

Once. 

Twice. 

Frequently, Hinata glanced at him as she danced across the rink, her lavender eyes seeking him out from the waiting area, hidden from the audience.

Each time their eyes locked—deep blue meeting soft lavender—it felt like the world around them melted further and further into a blur…

…until it was just the two of them. 

The audience's loud wows and awes, the judges' scrutinizing looks, the flashing cameras, the bright arena lights, the announcer's voices, and even the stadium itself—all of it just faded away.

It was only them—just them.

And soon enough, Hinata wasn't skating for the crowd but for…

…him.

It was always like this between them: fleeting, longing but secretive looks where their gazes created warm, private moments just for them. 

Every time they performed together, whenever their hands touched or their bodies brushed close, they were drawn into a private world of their own making. 

Those looks they exchanged, every second of every day, were a silent yearning for something they both desired but couldn't fully embrace—a longing that always seemed just out of reach.

Naruto couldn't ignore what he felt. He couldn't pretend. 

Sure, he could try. 

Sure, he could push his feelings aside. He could convince himself that what he felt was just a passing phase, and that he will just get over it soon. 

Sure, he could try to act like it didn't bother him and play along, but deep down, he knew he'd only be lying to himself.

The feelings he had been struggling with for so long were impossible to ignore now.

A mistake that's come to consume him. 

When Naruto first teamed up with Hinata, he signed a contract that was clear about one thing: no intimate relationships. 

As long as he pursued ice skating professionally with a partner, he wasn't allowed to fall in love or let emotions get in the way of his career.

He knew that.

They both did. 

Naruto always understood what he was signing up for, knew the strict rules, and was clear on what was expected of him.

Because of this, he knew he shouldn't be feeling this way and was fully aware of the risks of letting these emotions take over. He knew exactly how his coach would react if she found out—what she'd do if she discovered his secret.

Their secret. 

Naruto knew the stakes. 

If their secret were ever discovered, it would mean the end of their figure skating careers.

Everything they'd worked so hard for—the endless hours of practice, the sacrifices made, the competitions won, the fame they'd gained, and their very dreams—were at risk of being ruined.

All because love had somehow crept in and gotten in the way.

Suddenly, the music built to a crescendo, growing louder and louder all around, snapping Naruto out of his thoughts.

His cue to take the ice. 

"Damn it," He muttered, shaking his head to snap himself out of it. That was a mistake—a big one. 

He couldn't afford to space out. 

Not here. 

Not now.

He took a deep, steadying breath, pushing aside the swirling thoughts and annoying emotions that clung to him. 

Then he exhaled, letting it all go.

It's showtime. 

Naruto rubbed his hands together to shake off the tension, and took one more calming breath.

"Here goes." He whispered to himself, before finally, darting out onto the ice.

The icy chill of the arena hit Naruto instantly, chilling his face, body, and legs. The cold air blended with the crisp, slippery feel of the ice beneath his skates. 

Naruto could never grow tired of it—the ice. It was a feeling so familiar, as natural as breathing to him at this point. Every time he stepped onto it, it felt like reconnecting with an old friend he always looked forward to seeing again.

And it felt that way now. 

His taut calf muscles tightened with each powerful push he gave his legs, his black skates carving a swift, graceful path across the ice.

The ice hummed a satisfying, almost musical whisper under Naruto's skates, grounding him in the moment. He mentally rehearsed his routine, syncing with it as he joined Hinata on the rink.

Hinata was already in position, gliding effortlessly across the ice toward him. In that moment, Naruto could see nothing but her—her radiant smile, the rosy flush on her cheeks from the cold, and the sparkle in her lavender eyes. 

He met her in the center of the rink with a big grin, and they seamlessly slipped into a synchronized spin. They twirled around each other, close yet so far. 

They didn't touch—just gazed at each other, eyes locked the whole time. 

Blue meeting lavender, once again.

The sight of Naruto and Hinata finally skating together, their chemistry ignited instantly, sending fireworks of excitement across the entire arena. Their connection was evident even on the arena's TVs, causing the crowd to instantly erupt into a frenzy. 

Gasps and cheers merged into a collective roar that filled the entire space.

The announcers, just as thrilled, could barely contain their excitement over the intercom.

"And here he comes, folks—Naruto Uzumaki, joining his partner Hinata Hyūga after her stunning introductory solo!"

"The way they connect is absolutely breathtaking. Just so breathtaking. This is partner skating at its finest, and we are in for a treat tonight, folks!"

Now together, Naruto and Hinata instantly transitioned into their routine, as they'd done it a million times before.

Just for this moment. 

Hinata took the lead, maintaining their synchronized spin as she gracefully lifted one arm to the rhythm of the music, watching as Naruto mirrored her movements flawlessly. His arm swept down and up above his head in a sweeping arc, just like hers, as if she were looking into a mirror.

She moved her other arm the same way, and Naruto followed suit. 

Next, Hinata extended her hand toward him this time, her fingers forming a dramatic claw before slowly curling into a fist as she pulled away, and Naruto mirrored her.

But they never quite touched. 

Each time they reached, they always pulled back. 

Reach. Retreat. Reach. 

Closer and closer, but never quite touching. 

Like a cycle. 

A painful one.

This part of their routine always spoke to them. It shouldn't have—really. It shouldn't have had any impact on them, but..

…it did. 

It perfectly mirrored the feelings they had for each other, always managing to leave a poignant ache in their hearts—a longing for something they both wanted but couldn't have.

No matter how many times they repeated it. 

No matter how many times they practiced it.

The ache remains.

Naruto's eyes revealed such pain, such raw emotion as he watched Hinata glide backward from the center of the rink, moving away from him and further along the ice.

She kept her knees slightly bent, her legs extending and crossing each other like the delicate sway of a ballet's legs. Her skates traced elegant arcs on the ice as she spiraled backward, leaving a long trail behind. 

But even as Hinata drifted away from Naruto, her hand stretched out toward him, her eyes pleading for him to take it. 

Naruto followed her, reaching back.

His arm stretched out through the cold air, determined to bridge the gap between them.

They reached for each other, incorporating a few individual spins where they spun perfectly in sync, even landing together, before turning and reaching out again.

They drew out the moment for dramatic effect, with Hinata gliding smoothly backward and Naruto advancing just enough until their hands finally….

…met.

But when their hands finally touched, it seemed to ignite a powerful rush of warmth that pulsed through their gloves and into their palms like a heartbeat, spreading through their bodies in soothing waves.

The sensation felt incredible—better than anything they had experienced before. 

They had touched countless times, but this..

This was different.

The moment Naruto's large fingers slid between the gaps of Hinata's smaller ones, and curled around her hand, a deep, unparalleled warmth unfurled in both of their hearts. 

The surprising intensity of the warmth made them both gasp softly. Their fingers instinctively tightened around each other, the connection so strong and reassuring that they couldn't bear to let go. 

Not now.

Not so soon. 

Keeping her hand in his, Naruto guided Hinata's arm over her head and twisted her in a graceful spin perfectly in sync with the music. He skated himself over in a smooth glide, positioning himself directly behind her like her shadow. 

Close behind her, he began sliding his hands gently along her arms, and Hinata couldn't hold back the slight moan that escaped her lips. 

Naruto touched her now, and he took it slow.

Along her chest, his gloved fingers brushed the fabric of her costume, feeling the rise and fall of her breath. His hands moved down the gentle curve of her torso, tracing the contours of her muscles, and he felt her body react to his touch almost instantly, with soft shivers and quivers.

Finally, his hands reached her waist, holding her hips firmly yet gently.

Even in the cold of the stadium, with a chill all around them, Hinata felt warm beneath his fingertips.

She was savoring the moment, just as she always did, whenever she was in Naruto's arms.

His touch was always gentle, but now, to Hinata, it felt almost heightened. Every brush of his fingers felt like a trail of fire on her skin, each caress sending electric shivers down her spine.

It was like time slowed to a crawl, and all she could feel was Naruto.

His breath as it brushed against her ears and cheeks, warm and steady. The heat of his toned body as it pressed so close to hers, making her acutely aware of every inch of him...

And his touch...

Hinata always treasured the moments when Naruto touched her. 

Those fleeting instances when his hands met her skin always seem to send a delightful warmth coursing through her body, radiating like a beacon. Whether his strong yet gentle hands glided along her arms, gripped her hips, or lifted her into the air, a soothing, irresistible heat enveloped her whenever he made contact with…her body.

It shouldn't have felt this way, but it did—like a perfect antidote to her touch-starved dreams.

Hinata glanced back at him with a breathless look that made Naruto's heart skip a beat. Her lavender eyes drew him in every time, their expressiveness saying more than words ever could. 

And as he gazed into them now, they seemed to speak to him, whispering…

"Please touch me more, Naruto-kun. Touch me."

It was a gentle, unspoken plea, a tender whisper in her eyes as she looked over her shoulder at him, standing tall behind her.

Naruto bit his lip. 

Truly, he wished he could touch her more. 

Her body always responded so beautifully to his touch, expanding and contracting as if he were the air she breathed, always returning to him with a graceful, magnetic pull. It was intoxicating.

He craved more. He craved—

The blonde skater took a deep breath, trying to clear his mind. Again. 

Reluctant as he was, and how good it was to hold Hinata, he knew he had to put an end to it.

After all, this was a serious competition.

With that realization, Naruto broke away from their intimate moment, shaking off the titillating effect of touching Hinata, and his expression turned serious again. He refocused and shifted his attention to the next part of their routine. 

But when he did, it seemed as if time snapped back to its usual pace, flowing normally like it did for everyone else.

Naruto grasped her waist firmly, and as if on cue, Hinata bent her knees, poised and ready, just like he was. 

The split-second cue he had been waiting for.

With a smooth lift, he sent her soaring into the air in a high twist. Her dress billowed out around her in a perfect spiral, drawing gasps from the crowd as it fluttered like a blooming flower.

Naruto watched as she flew high into the air, spinning gracefully. And in that quick moment, he caught a glimpse of her smile. 

There was an unspoken trust in that smile, a deep trust in him. Because she knew that whenever she fell, he'd always be there to catch her.

Just like now. 

As Hinata began her descent, Naruto was ready. He lifted his arms high and, with practiced precision, caught her around the waist.

He felt that familiar rush of relief and joy, knowing Hinata was secure in his hands after her aerial stunt. Safe and sound. 

Naruto held her close for a moment, savoring the warmth of her body against his, before gently lowering her back to the ice.

As they continued skating together, the audience seemed to blur further and further away until it was only the two of them, as if no one else existed. 

They looked into each other's eyes and suddenly...

Time didn't matter.

The competition didn't matter.

The judges or their scores didn't matter.

It was just them.

Just like in all their performances, Naruto and Hinata stunned the crowd with their chemistry. They moved together on the ice with such closeness, showing raw emotion through their every move and expression that the audience could actually feel. 

It left everyone breathless. 

The music was captivating from start to finish, flowing through every part of their routine. Every spin, every lift, and every glide of their skates across the ice, the music was there, as if guiding them. 

Hinata's grace paired perfectly with Naruto's strength, like yin and yang. Their choreography, whether synchronized or solo, blended together on the ice, revealing not just their countless hours of practice but also the deep understanding they shared. 

Their love. 

It was evident, no matter how hard they tried to hide it.

Their synchronicity was almost magical, like they were of one mind, one body, one soul. 

When Hinata jumped, Naruto was right there to catch her. 

When she spun, he spun, matching her moves perfectly. 

Whenever she reached for him, he was always ready to clasp her hand and guide her.

There was no escaping what they felt. 

The longer their performance went on, that feeling between them seemed to intensify.

It was new and exhilarating, different from anything they had felt before in previous performances or practices, as if it began anew the moment they first touched tonight.

Every time their hands touched or their eyes locked, that feeling inside them just kept growing stronger.

But reality would ruin it for them each time, reminding them that no matter how strong their feelings were, they couldn't act on them.

They couldn't.

They shouldn't.

They…

Hinata couldn't take it anymore. 

As their routine continued, she began to feel the full weight of everything. 

The unspoken feelings she'd been holding in, the constant longing to be close to Naruto, and the pressure to maintain their perfect image—it was all starting to overwhelm her.

She'd managed to keep it together for so long, but even she had her limits.

Tonight, she reached her breaking point.

As they approached the end of their performance, instead of the usual thrill that would sweep over her, she was overwhelmed by a deep, profound sadness.

Naruto sensed it immediately. 

He knew her too well not to notice. 

As the music began to wind down and the final chords echoed through the arena, he drew her into a tight embrace at the center of the rink. Their bodies were pressed close, the warmth of their breath mingling with the chilly air. Their faces were so close he could feel her every breath on his skin, and their eyes met, saying everything words couldn't express.

They held their position, panting and sweating, mostly satisfied, until the last notes of the music faded into silence.

But as soon as the music ended, the applause from the crowd surged through the stadium, a thunderous wave of sound that echoed endlessly in their ears.

With that, Naruto and Hinata reluctantly pulled away, masking their true feelings behind the broad smiles they had perfected and displayed time and time again.

They waved to the audience and the flashing cameras, even taking a hand-in-hand bow to mark the end of their performance.

The announcers' voices boomed through the speaker in no time, hyping up their performance with excitement.

"Ladies and gentlemen, what a show! Let's hear it for Japan's premier ice skating duo, Naruto Uzumaki and Hinata Hyūga! 

"Give these two a big round of applause for another unforgettable performance!"

The announcers gave them one last shout-out, showering them with praise and cheers that would've made Hinata feel overjoyed on another day—grateful, accomplished even. 

But not now.

She didn't know what had came over her.

She didn't know why she had done it. 

Yet, she turned to Naruto, her face showing a sadness she couldn't keep hidden anymore. Her eyes, usually so bright and joyful, were now clouded with a deep sorrow that instantly wiped the smile from Naruto's face. 

And before he could even speak, to react even, she spoke to him, whispered to him. 

She whispered one word, and he heard it clearly. 

"Gomennasai."

Hinata let go of his hand and sped off across the ice, leaving him behind before he could say a single word. 

He gasped and reached out toward her retreating figure.

"H-Hinata-chan!" Naruto called out, but she didn't respond. She didn't turn back or slow down; she just kept skating, moving further and further away from him until she vanished through the designated gate leading backstage.

The blonde stood there, frozen, as the cheers of the crowd faded into the background. Yet, even now, he could still feel the warmth of Hinata's touch lingering in his outstretched palm.

Naruto frowned.

'Pretending is difficult for you too, isn't it, Hinata-chan?'

Continue Reading On Wattpad Or AO3.

— (⋆⁺｡˚⋆˙‧₊☾ 𝐍𝐚𝐫𝐮𝐡𝐢𝐧𝐚 𝐌𝐨𝐧𝐭𝐡 𝟐𝟎𝟐𝟑 ☽₊‧˙⋆˚｡⁺⋆)

[animentality]

when you think about it, the naruto-sasuke romance really had it all.

they had:

childhood friendship

vicious childhood rivalry. literally the spiciest of hostile sexual tension

friends to enemies

enemies to lovers

"he's the only thing i have."

"i understand you when no one else does."

"he's my weakness. i am his."

dark and light

PERFECT ELEMENTAL OPPOSITES TOO. That wind and fire vs electricity bullshit.

both orphaned broken birds who constantly talk about how lonely they were before they met each other

"i'll die and kill for him."

"i have to kill him because he means too much to me and i am too cold and edgy for that."

REINCARNATED BITCHES TOO???? PLEASE.

Their dumb fights were like, the basis of the entire narrative in a way that Kishimoto WISHES NaruHina was.

the sunshine and the grump

THE BLOND AND THE RAVEN HAIRED EMO KID? oh please. oh PLEASE.

I DIDN'T EVEN SHIP THIS. i'm just not fucking blind.

[secrettastemakerland]

thank you again for recc-ing one of mine, days! 💗

I have a fic I'd like to add!

Throughout it all, I'm here for you by bitchylea - Rated G, Modern AU, Multi-chapter (ongoing, I think? maybe?). Naruhina throughout their school years together.

but PLEASE be weary of the small description of a panic attack in chapter 4! if you're sensitive to things of that nature.

I absolutely love your fic Friend of Mine, I love all your other fics too but this one is sooo relatable to me and so sweet and pure, I’m just floored and affected every time I read it. I was wondering if you could recommend similar fics or fics that inspired you to write this (if any). I’m looking for fics where they begin as friends, that’s simple and not too soap-y (if you get what I mean?) they don’t even have to be in the hs realm. I’m sure there’s a prev rec list for this too. Thank u!

it's been ages since you sent this, so you probably don't even remember sending me this. but :D I'm happy that you enjoyed "Friend of Mine"! The song inspired me, so I don't think I used any other fics for reference.

and I don't think I've made a list like this before!

Childhood Best Friends to Lovers AU NaruHina

"One Small Step" by Shawny Wong - Rated T, Canon-Divergent AU, Multi-chapter, Incomplete. What if Hinata had actually found the courage to approach Naruto at the Academy? How would befriending him change their lives? Drastic changes are the result of one small step. NaruHina. Written for the Thirty Kisses community on Live Journal.

"One Small Detour" by Shawny Wong - Rated G, Canon-Divergent AU, One-shot. Detour #1: Valentine's Day. After discovering that Hinata has a secret crush on some boy, Naruto decides that Valentine's Day is the perfect way to find out who it is...

“it was winter” by @eliphya - Rated G, Multi-chapter, Complete.  Hinata and Naruto’s friendship begins on a cold winter day in the bakery down the street, which becomes a special place of comfort and warmth, continuing to be so even years after they have separated.

“The Cinderella Makeover Naruto Style” by CharismaHarmony - Rated M, Modern AU, Multi-chapter, Complete. When Hinata’s best friend, Naruto said that she wasn’t the type of woman men fall in love with, she bet him 1000 she’d have a marriage proposal in 3 months.

“The Ramen Booth” by @chloelapomme - Rated E, College AU, Multi-chapter, Ongoing. Years have passed since her unanswered confession in intermediate school, since his humiliating hazing incident in high school, since blossoming popularity drew their attentions away from each other. Yet time has only sharpened friendship into painful longing, even as their time runs out with the approach of the university fundraiser. Can 7 Minutes in Heaven at a crazy flat party be enough time to clear the air between old best friends?

“August - Cultures/Around the World” from “Still Falling For You” by chloelapomme - Rated T, Modern AU, One-shot. "Diversity is not about how we differ. It is about embracing one another’s uniqueness" - Ola Joseph (One-shot)

“Kiss Me?” by allconspirer - Rated G, Wartime AU, One-shot. Naruto and Hinata have been friends for as long as they can remember but will Hinata regret not giving Naruto what he wants?

"101 Ways to Make Hinata Hyuuga Faint" by Keidra369 - Rated T, Canon-Divergent AU, Multi-chapter, Incomplete. Naruto finds out early on in the academy that he has an amazing talent. He can make Hinata faint! Now he is determined to find all the ways to make her faint. Starts in academy years and ends sometime in their married life.

"Misfired Attempts of an Uzumaki" by Transient Joy - Rated T, Canon-Divergent AU, One-shot. Happy Birthday Hinata! In an attempt to celebrate Hinata's birthday, Naruto causes havoc along the way. At age 5 he pushes her down a hill, at age 9 he almost poisons Hinata and gifts her weeds, and age 13 was a failure. Can Naruto make it right this time? Or will everything crash and burn in it's wake?

"Misstep in the Right Direction" by Solvdrage - Rated T, Canon-Divergent AU, Multi-chapter, Incomplete. It was just a simple good luck wish. This innocent moment created a connection between two lonely children years before destiny intended. This unintended new connection will change the course of history.

"cross your heart and hope to die (that we'll be together forever)" by @secrettastemakerland - Rated G, Canon-Divergent AU, One-shot. in which iruka solves an argument between best friends uchiha-uzumaki naruto and hyuuga hinata and then falls. Prompt: day 21 promise

hmm The Cinderella Makeover is a little soapy imo but I still really enjoyed it.

Happy Reading!

[geeky92]

Let me get this one thing off my chest

I have been a fan of the Naruto series since 2006, when I was just barely a sophmore in high school), and in 2014, I was so happy to have seen my biggest anime ship at the time (NaruHina) finally become canon. That being said, the Boruto manga/anime for me has been nothing but disappointment after disappointment.

Hinata went from being this brave, selfless girl to a complete pushover who barely interacts with her own son, and Naruto just kept border lining into deadbeat dad territory. Boruto himself was a character I used to really like, before I eventually realized he was just a carbon copy of Naruto (and would eventually go on to be a carbon copy of Sasuke after the time skip).

Sarada and Mitsuki were characters that I also used to really like. Mitsuki at least got some development in the first few seasons of the anime, while the manga just keeps treating him like an afterthought in favor of BoruSara. Speaking of which, am I the only one who finds BoruSara to be overrated in terms of Naruto ships? I’m not trying to say that no one else is allowed to ship it, you have your reasons, and I respect that. I just personally find BoruSara to be really cliché and way too derivative of other Naruto ships (especially SasuSaku, SasuNaru, NaruSaku and MinaKushi). Plus, I’m kinda sick of the whole “best friends to lovers” thing between the main boy and the main girl. One of the things that made the original Naruto manga so refreshing to me, was the fact that Naruto grew to accept Sakura’s feelings for Sasuke and remained good friends with her in spite of that.

So far, the only characters in Boruto that continue to be interesting to me are Sumire and Himawari. The former has one of the best backstories in the entire Naruto franchise and she still continues to be useful in the manga, despite only being a side character, and the latter has been getting SO much great character development in the manga so far. And best of all, neither of these girls have their characters tied down by a romantic relationship with a boy (and let’s face it, the last thing this fandom needs is more shipping wars). So, I am going to be REALLY pissed if Kishimoto ever decides to undo all of their development like he did with Hinata and Sakura in the very same manga.

I’m warning you, Kishimoto…if you even TRY to screw over Sumire and Himawari in favor of a male character, that’s the last time I’m ever gonna read something of yours.

[sessakag]

I just wanna say that I absolutely LOVE Butterfly. It’s kinda the only fanfic I care about at the moment lmao I am LOCKED IN. The story itself is great, all of the characters (even the ones everyone hate rn) are interesting, the writing is phenomenal…I could go on and on.

I have a few thoughts I wanted to get out of my head. These aren’t suggestions (cuz it’s your story and I trust where you’re gonna take it), it’s moreso just kinda be me rambling lol:

Sasuke- I know you’ve mentioned he’s going to show up again later, but I’m so anxious to see the role he’s going to play. I don’t really want it to be a romantic thing with Hinata (I am a firm NaruHina lover lol) but I would love to see him be some kind of a protective friend for her? In my head he and Hinata already know each other; like they had some type of group therapy for traumatized teens or after she was removed from her dad’s care she was temporarily in a group home where she met Sasuke and they got to know each other idk. He knows her story and the pain she deals with, and is able to relate in a sense. So he doesn’t want to see her be taken advantage of. Idk, again this is NOT a suggestion lmao just rambling.

Strength- I would argue that Hinata’s the strongest character in the story so far. Even stronger than Naruto. She’s been thru absolute hell and suffers with severe anxiety and depression. The fact she struggles with suicidal ideations and is still making the choice to live is a testament to her strength. I hope that as the story progresses, Hinata starts to recognize that in herself.

Naruto- love the way you write Naruto in this; the chapters in his pov are some of favorites tbh. As someone mentioned before, I too would love to get a few jealous Naruto scenes. Especially since he’s starting to actually *see* Hinata and recognize his attraction to her. I’m assuming that as the story progresses, Hinata will grow into her own person and become somewhat independent of Naruto (like getting her own friends); is that something Naruto might feel threatened by? Since he does have a selfish streak and is immature, I wonder if he would have an issue with keeping Hinata all to himself.

I think those were the main ramblings I had. Chapter 8 is my absolute favorite so far cuz of the cute NaruHina moment we got. I know smut is probably a ways away but I cannot WAIT till we get to it cuz you are one of my favorite smut writers tbh. Anyways that’s all for now. Can’t wait to see what you have in store for us!

Thank you so much! 🙈💕💗so so so happy you're enjoy the fic that much 💕makes my heart do cartwheelssss 🏃🏾‍♀️🤸🏾‍♀️🏃🏾‍♀️💗☺️🫶🏽 and thank you so much for dropping love in my inbox, I absolutely adore you all that do I swear 🥹

Ahhhh, you have some really interesting ruminations🙈

Sasuke- Surprisingly a lot of readers have been waiting to see how Sasuke fits into all this🤭I've gotten some incredibly creative scenarios and prediction from commenters and anons that I've actually added to his role and even moved his entrance up in the timeline😄This is a very interesting scenario and I really, really like it a lot! So many people really want a protective friend Sasuke and I can't say the idea isn't unbearably adorable 💕

Strength- You hit the nail on the head for sure🫡💕Hinata's inner strength is one that's often overlooked, underestimated and underappreciated when compare to more overt forms of strength, or socially constructed ideals of what it means to be strong, and I've really, really been wanting to make a point in the world of fanfiction, specifically the Naruto fandom of fanfiction, that strength is not always aggression, violence and bitchy attitude 🤦🏽‍♀️ because I've seen, for years now, this narrow, short sighted standard of who is strong and who is weak being perpetrated and it's always, always bothered the crap out of me 😤With Butterfly, I'm hoping to open minds and break molds we've been taught to believe are absolute👎🏽but are actually highly subjective👈🏽 I swear, so many of my fics are 'break the mold' type fics, lol, I think I just like to nay say the nay sayers, ya know, shine light on areas and topics that many may make negative assertions and toxic assumptions about while in reality, know very little about the subject matter at all. I think it opens the door for more compassion, understanding and inclusion ️🫶🏽 and honestly, that's what I'm all about.

Naruto- I love, love, love me a Naruto POV 🙈idk what it is about Naruto in particular since I love most make POV but it is soooo much fun being in his head 🤭Butterfly!Naruto and Prey!Naruto are two of my fave Naruto POV's to write in, both are so much fun in different ways 😄For sure Naruto's gonna have his jealousy moments, he's too hot headed and selfish in Butterfly not to🤭Its definitely not out of the realm of possibility that he'll feel some type of way about not being the center of her attention🤔right now, he's the golden boy, he's got the coveted place at her side, he's got exclusive access nobody else has, losing that, well, he might not be too keen on it🤭although, he's been trying to introduce her to his friends and help her with her speech problems, so maybe he'll take it as a source of pride that he's help her find her confidence🤔that's why I love this Naruto 🤭he really can go either way. Like, on one hand, he can be sweeter than cotton candy, some real tooth rotting sweetness, but on the other hand he can be a selfish asshole making scummy choices just to get what he wants😅he gets tunnel vision, and the only thing that matters is reaching his goals by any means necessary. He's just a really fun character🤭

I super duper appreciate you leaving your ramblings here!! I enjoy each and every one of them! Chapter 8 is near and dear to me too!! I enjoyed writing it so, so much, the cuteness almost melted my laptop 🙈💕 I cannot wait to do more sweet bonding scenes for them ️🫶🏽 that's honestly why my fanfics be so long, I get so caught up in just enjoying and marinating in NaruHina love 🙌🏽its like a virus I never wanna get rid of 😫 Smut is indeed a ways off, but I can't wait to get to it too 🙈 and tys, I'm honored to be one of your faves💕 Thank you, thank you for dropping by!!! I really loved seeing your ramblings! 🫶🏽

[13personalities]

Hi....if you don't mind me asking, who are your top 10 favorite romantic relationship's couples in books/ manga/ anime/movies/tv series (can be canon or non-canon) and your top 10 favorite characters ever from any media? Why do you love them all? Thanks if you want to answer my questions....

Hi!! Thank you for this ask! I see that you ask variations of this frequently so I’ll do my best to answer :)

Ships:

These won’t really be in a particular order. Just the ones I thought of first :)

Satosugu (Gojo Satoru and Geto Suguru) - I just really loved (and cried about) their backstory and their relationship. I know a lot of people insist that they’re just friends (and honestly I’m okay with that too) but I ship them anyways lol. [Jujutsu Kaisen]

Byler (Will Byers and Mike Wheeler) - am currently dodging bullets cause it’s shipping war season but I love these two and I’ve shipped them since season two. I respect mileven but I always thought they would be better as platonic best friends. [Stranger Things]

3. Percabeth (Percy Jackson and Annabeth Chase) - favorite friends to lovers arc and they’re just amazing together (when they’re characterized correctly!!) literally a power couple. [PJO]

4. Narusasu (Naruto Uzumaki and Sasuke Uchiha) - no disrespect towards sasusaku and naruhina, I just saw more in narusasu throughout the series and I’m not afraid to say they are just soulmates at this point [Naruto]

5. Marylily (Mary Macdonald and Lily Evans) - such an interesting ship with just the best dynamics but I never see anything about them sadly [The Marauders]

6. Klance (Keith Kogane and Lance McClain) - they have a silly dynamic and I love them. Not much else to say here [VLD]

7. ItaFushi (Itadori Yujii and Megumi Fushiguro) - now I know that they are just friends. This is more of a little ship I love to play around with because I like them and I think it could be a possibility. I see them as friends too but I sometimes love to ship them as well [Jujutsu Kaisen]

8. Killugon (Killua Zoldyk and Gon Freecs) - now before I get flamed, I do only ship them in a romantic manner, and I don’t sexualize them I promise. Those two are just soulmates, what can I say. [Hunter X Hunter]

9. Xander Hawthorne and Max Liu - I remember wondering if their relationship felt extra and rushed but as I’m reading the inheritance games, they become the only couple I would ever be able to stand. I love those two and they both vibe amazingly together [TIG]

10. RanPoe (Ranpo Edogawa and Edgar Allen Poe) - love them and SSKK is right next to them. I love their silly vibes [BSD]

{I do have many more ships that I love but these are the ones I thought of first. There’s still Jegulus and Regulily and Shokohime and Solangelo and Matchablossom and renga and oh so many more lol}

Characters:

This one will be hard to choose from because I honestly have so many…

Megumi Fushiguro (Jujutsu Kaisen) - idk why but I just really love him so much. I wanna give him a big hug even tho ik he wouldn’t appreciate it but it’s the principle of it that counts. (JJK is also one of my favorite shows currently so I have a surplus amount of favorite characters but since I want to talk about a variety of fandoms, I’ll list my other favorites here: Gojo Satoru, Choso, Itadori Yuji, Shoko Ieri, Geto Suguru, Inumaki Toge, Maki Zenin)

Percy Jackson (PJO) - ik ik hes the main character but he’s a loveable main character ya know? I love a lot of PJO characters but Percy will always have my heart

Bachira Meguru (BlueLock) - idk why he’s my favorite but the vibes he gives really work well with mine and I feel like we could be absolute best friends

Shikamaru Nara (Naruto) - smartass, lazyass, sarcastic, literally me. He’s legit the only character with common sense sometimes lol and I always relate to him on some level

~~~Three Demon Slayer characters~~~ Giyuu Tomioka (idk why, maybe it the vibes), Tanjiro Kamado (main character ik but I still really like him), and Kyojiro Rengoku (Spoilers for mungen train arc ig?: I cried bitter tears when he died)

Shadow the Hedgehog (Sonic-verse) - I feel stupid for saying this one cause it’s like little children stuff ig but hey, no judgement please?

Keith Kogane (VLD) - I’m starting to see a pattern here….

Max Mayfield (Stranger Things) - she’s an amazing character and a girl with an actual personality that isn’t just “mean and badass” or whatever. She’s very relatable too. (Other favorite ST characters are Will Byers, Joyce Byers, Steve Harrington, Lucus Sinclair, Eleven Hopper)

Marvel~~~ Bucky Barnes (and winter soldier), Peter Parker (and Miles Morales. Just about any Spider-Man version. Almost all of them), Wanda Maximoff

Regulus Black, Remus Lupin, Lily Evans (all from The Marauders… sorry I couldn’t choose one lol)

sooooo…. That’s a lot more than ten but I tried lol. Thanks for the ask again! It was fun responding to this :)

[floralaix-blog]

NaruHina Playlist

Playlist - Exchange Gift

A Playlist with a little story for KoyukiUzumaki (Twitter).

☆ ✫ ✶ ✻ ☆ ✫ ✶ ✻ ☆ ✫ ✶ ✻ ☆ ✫ ✶ ✻ ☆

The little red riding hood and her beloved wolf

☆ ✫ ✶ ✻ ☆ ✫ ✶ ✻ ☆ ✫ ✶ ✻ ☆ ✫ ✶ ✻ ☆

It‘s a beautiful autumn day for the girl, who was known as the little red riding hood. It was her nickname the villagers gave her. She had a picnic date with her friend who was half-human and half-wolf. The villagers didn’t accept him and have seen him as a bad wolf. There was nothing human for them. She didn’t understand why. Her friend was nice, thoughtful and funny. He made her laugh whenever she was sad. Lately, she wants to be closer to him but had her doubts. She met her friend close to a forest. “I found a nice place for our picnic, you will love it” he said.

▶ Junko Takeuchi - Itsu No Hi Ni Mo (Naruto the Last Movie):

“We're going to walk together. This is where everything starts for us”

He took her hand to make her follow him. Was it good a idea or a bad one? The wolf didn‘t know it yet.

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▶ Nana Mizuki - Fuyu no Owari ni (Naruto the Last Movie)

“I’m sure I won‘t ever fall in love with Someone like this again“

When the wolf took the hand from the little red riding hood…she got shy, her face became red like her hood. Was she really gonna fall in love? Or is she already in love with him? She didn‘t know it yet.

☆ ✫ ✶ ✻ ☆ ✫ ✶ ✻ ☆ ✫ ✶ ✻ ☆ ✫ ✶ ✻ ☆

▶ John Legend - A Good Night ft. Bloodpop

“Everything is gonna be alright. I think I just met my wife“

☆ ✫ ✶ ✻ ☆ ✫ ✶ ✻ ☆ ✫ ✶ ✻ ☆ ✫ ✶ ✻ ☆

Finally they arrived the wolf‘s favorite place. The huge sea within a forest. It was almost getting dark. The moon and the stars were showing in the sky and it mirrored the sea. It looked so beautiful, like the sea was shining. She loved the view of the sea. She felt his gaze, his eyes were watching her. Her heart went warm. The wolf couldn‘t look away from her. He could see that she loved the view. She was really beautiful. He wanted her to stay forever by her side.

☆ ✫ ✶ ✻ ☆ ✫ ✶ ✻ ☆ ✫ ✶ ✻ ☆ ✫ ✶ ✻ ☆

▶ Christina Perri - A thousand Years

“Darling don‘t be afraid, I have loved you for a thousand years. I‘ll love you for a thousand more“

The girl with her red cloak knew in this moment, that her friend, who was a half-human and half-wolf, was her soulmate. He was really more than just a friend. She wanted him to stay by her side forever.

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▶ Ed Sheeran - Perfect

“I found a lover, to carry more than just my secrets. To carry love, to carry children of our own“

He wanted to kiss her but wasn‘t sure if he should take the initiative. Just when he wanted to look away from her, he felt a warm hand on his cheeks and a soft touch on his lips. He realized that they were kissing. He reciprocated the kiss while grabbing her waist.

☆ ✫ ✶ ✻ ☆ ✫ ✶ ✻ ☆ ✫ ✶ ✻ ☆ ✫ ✶ ✻ ☆

▶ Taylor Swift - Love Story

“You‘ll be the prince and I‘ll be the princess. It‘s a love story, baby, just say yes“

Yes, this is it. This is how it should be was in her mind. No matter what the other people will think about them for her this was her love story.

☆ ✫ ✶ ✻ ☆ ✫ ✶ ✻ ☆ ✫ ✶ ✻ ☆ ✫ ✶ ✻ ☆

▶ Sterling Knight - Something About the sunshine

“I know its true, I‘ll never leave, I‘ll never say goodbye“

She was his sunlight in his life. That was sure. He wants to be with her, too. Their love is true and no one can separate them. They will be always together from now on.

[riversimmone]

Three's A Crowd - Chapter 2

RiverOfTheSand

Summary:

SasuSaku. He didn't mean to kill that man. He had simply reacted to being attacked. And now Konoha is forced to hunt down the rogue members of Team 7, or risk open war. Eventual NaruHina.

End chapter notes:

A bit ominous? The trouble is just around the corner. Please review and stay tuned! You won't regret it! ^_^

XXX

Read from the beginning. This is a work in progress story you can find on tumblr and AO3 and completed on FF.NET.

[All tumblr posts will be tagged ‘Three’s A Crowd’ with their corresponding chapter for quick and easy access.]

Enjoy. :)

Chapter Two. Calling Card.

Sakura Haruno murmured softly, waking up slowly but surely as she dimly became aware she was in a tree, her back against the trunk and one leg hanging over the edge of the thick branch. It was night, the soft, cool breeze greeting her like an old lover and she smiled slightly. She was used to this, waking up in an unusual position instead of the comfortable bed with feather pillows she'd had growing up.

To her right, she sensed Naruto, seeing him a moment later as her eyes adjusted to the moonlight in the near darkness; Sasuke was several feet in front of her, his back to her, but wide awake. He was the lookout for the hours that passed over midnight, seeing as though he always seemed to sleep the least out of them all. Sakura was about three hours early in waking up to relieving him.

She could tell he knew she was awake now, but was clearly ignoring her.

Sasuke Uchiha was the epitome of his clan: gruff, arrogant, dismissive, and gorgeous. Sakura wondered sometimes if he even liked her, let alone love. When they were alone, with nothing to do but knock about, he could be so considerate, so loving, that she put aside the picture in her head of the brusque young man who left her alone when she was upset and ignored her advances unless he was feeling particularly amorous. They had all lost loved ones to enemy Shinobi, but Sasuke was the only one who had decided to become emotionally disconnected because of it.

Even Naruto had noticed. But no-one actually said anything about it.

Naruto snored in his sleep, louder than the last time, but the pinkette ignored him, her eyes boring into Sasuke's back.

The country east of the land of rice paddies was called the land of hot water, home to the hidden ninja village, Yugakure. They were currently resting just inside the border, with Hashirōn Town as their next stop before leaving again, heading north-east, to the land of frost. Hashirōn Town was only ten miles south-east of the village hidden in hot water. Sakura glanced up, past the canopy of the treetops, and stared at the stars instead of the ignorant Uchiha. They had been careful not to pick a spot to rest that would normally be used by ninja squads. It wasn't an easy life, but it had its perks: no missions other than the ones they set for themselves, no rules, and regulations other than the ones they had agreed upon as a group.

But Sakura missed those things, even if Sasuke and Naruto didn't. Her eyes returned to Sasuke's back and he shifted slightly, as though sensing her stare. She missed Ino Yamanaka, Kakashi Hatake, and the rest of her friends in the rookie nine. The devastation caused at the Chunin exams seemed a life time ago. Kitsúne was her here and now, and she had come to terms with that.

Sakura sighed deeply as Naruto Uzumaki groaned off to her right, distracting her from her thoughts. She tore her eyes away from her raven haired lover again, and frowned at the blonde instead. She could see his face; his expression morphed right in front of her, from annoyance to glazed lust. He grinned and murmured huskily.

"Fuck me… yeah… like that…"

Sakura raised her eyebrows at him, both flustered and irritated. When was he going to grow up? Naruto was only a foot away from her, lying on another thick branch to her right, so she lifted her leg that was dangled over the side and pushed the blonde. He wouldn't wake up, and instead continued with his suggestive comments. Beyond irritated now, she didn't just push him this time; using her body weight as leverage, she shoved Naruto, hard.

He tumbled over the side of the branch, hit a smaller branch underneath it (really, it was just an oversized twig), half-screamed in his sleep and toppled out of sight, onto the forest floor. If the night wasn't already quiet and if it wasn't dangerous to laugh and caw like an idiot, Sakura would've done exactly that. It was so comical, even though she felt a little bad for the blonde. It wasn't the most elegant of descents.

She stuck her head over the side of the branch she was on, ignoring Sasuke now, as he shifted his head slightly to look down at the blonde as well. The pinkette grinned down at her teammate.

Naruto snorted, groggily waking up, and Sakura giggled at him. He looked up, spotted the pinkette, and stood shakily. He climbed the tree again, but moved out of reach of the violent Kunoichi and mumbled at her.

"I'm getting away from you, you feisty bitch."

Sakura giggled again, knowing he wasn't as angry as he sounded. He never was really, just annoyed. She sighed heavily, trying to get comfortable again, her makeshift bed feeling more comfortable than it did when she'd first fallen asleep. Sasuke returned to ignoring her and she closed her eyes, annoyed at him.

They were heading into enemy territory tomorrow, and if he wasn't careful, she planned on making a scene in front of them just to force the Uchiha to cover their tracks. She giggled to herself, though audible by both of her boys. Tomorrow was going to be so much fun.

X X X

Neji Hyuuga watched the sun rise, thinking about the night gone before. He had been trying out some of the local delicacies with his teammates and due to his own aversion to everything spicy, was the only one not passed out from the smorgasbord laid out for them by the innkeeper. So he'd decided to keep an eye out for their quarry, his senses primed and with the occasional activation of his Byakugan. They were in the land of rice paddies, looking for a cold blooded assassin with ninja abilities who was going around and picking off teams that carried the insignia of either Konoha or Kumo.

The problem was, no-one knew who it was, only that it was a lone assassin.

This was a goodwill mission as well – just another way to boost the relations between the leaf and cloud villages. Even the strongest alliance could fall apart with a single act.

Neji sat up straight, as the orange of the sunrise faded. They had left Gakutsuna town, realising that the disreputable people watching them from the alley ways were all ninja. They were not here to get into a brawl with random Shinobi, no matter how much Lee and Guy Sensei had seemed disappointed when Neji reminded them of this. So they'd set up camp in the forest between the seedy town and a tea shop, seemingly in the middle of nowhere. He prodded his team mates awake; Tenten rose last, the laziest of them all.

"Can't we sleep just for a little while longer?" She asked.

"Come on Tenten," Lee roused on her. He was wide awake the moment his eyes opened. "Where's all that indomitable youthful spirit?"

She groaned. "Still with that dinner I ate last night."

Guy laughed. "All these youthful antics are making me want to break a sweat. I recommend–"

"Wait," Neji said seriously. "Nothing wakes Tenten up better than tea."

The brunette Kunoichi shot him a grateful look and he hid his blush at her attention, as he always did. They packed in silence (well, Neji and Tenten did), and moved swiftly. Apparently, they were racing to see who would get to the tea shop first. Neji had long come to terms with the antics of his Sensei and Lee, but it still made him inwardly cringe, every time. He shared a look with Tenten, knowing she felt the same way.

The outside of the tea shop was quiet and stiffening slightly, Neji realised something was wrong. What was it? He glanced at his comrades, at their expressionless faces. That was the problem: there was no aroma of tea coming from this tea shop. Team Guy entered the shop as though they already knew what they were going to find.

The man was a civilian. Neji's Byakugan confirmed he'd never infused his chakra. There was no development whatsoever. He was murdered, the cuts on his body consistent with quick, precise fatal blows; done by one or more kunai. Neji looked the body over. The man was in his seventies and his shirt had been torn off of him in order to carve a symbol onto his exposed torso. It was familiar somehow.

"This is certainly the work of a depraved Shinobi," Lee said softly.

"Guy Sensei," Tenten said tentatively. "I've seen that symbol before, in Lady Tsunade's office. It's a calling card, isn't it?"

Guy nodded sourly, but it was Neji who responded. "Kitsúne."

X X X

[peppercornpress]

Kimi no Tonari — by Butterfly Cafe (Mamu)… is a freakin’ Masterpiece.

This is my NaruHina book report that NOBODY asked for. But... I can't help myself. Link to BOOK. I just can’t keep quiet about this one!!

Summary:

The story takes place almost a decade after the fourth shinobi war where Naruto is in his late twenties and bemoaning single life. Naruto started to hang out around Team 8 several years before the start of the story… just coincidentally mingling with peers who are still single, and finds himself particularly drawn toward Hinata’s company. Except—This is an AU where Naruto flat-out dumps Hinata after the Pein-attack, and Hinata is haunted by his blunt words of rejection. To complicate matters, Naruto doesn’t remember ever rejecting her and is confused and frustrated whenever Hinata LOUDLY and REPEATEDLY friend-zones him.

Why I think this is a masterpiece:

A super simple premise that's executed perfectly. Best Friends to Lovers Trope (Idiots to lovers, more like). Mutual Pining.

Witty, snappy, and FUN dialogue. So many laugh-out-loud moments.

Artful use of flash-forwards gives the reader a peek into an upcoming scene that sets the tone for the chapter.

A slow-burn romance with WONDERFUL pacing!!!!

A really good fight!!!!! A well-earned, and well-overdue couples-fight!!! Naruto and Hinata spend way too much time together, so the big fight they have that changes their relationship in the middle of this story is EPIC. BRUTAL. INSANE. They both call each other out and say things that cut DEEP. And more importantly, the way they make up and talk things out felt really realistic. There are holes in their arguments, and they brush things under the rug a bit, highlighting how hard it is for friends to become lovers. It also sets them up for their last and final misunderstanding that ultimately leads to them finally talking things out and confessing toward each other. It makes their final scenes together so satisfying.

Hilarious OC characters that test the couple’s patience/relationship. (Hinata's goofy admirer? Naruto's bothersome fangirls? The flamboyant shopkeeper that sells sexy dresses? They're a riot! I loved them!!)

CHARACTER GROWTH!!! Rewarding character growth!!

TEAM 8 being FED UP with both Naruto and Hinata. Kiba was the real MVP of this story. Honestly, HE should be Hokage. HUMPH!!!

Throughout the story, Naruto keeps saying 'My place is by your side' to Hinata (Title of this book). In the beginning, it sounds platonic... especially since he says it to highlight what great friends they are. But the more Naruto says it, the more impactful and romantic it gets as their relationship changes over the course of the story.

The ending is beautiful. I know it must be really hard to end a slow-burn love story, but this one just sticks the landing.

Mamu's known for her other slow-burn BFFs-to-Lovers fic you can read on her Pixiv account for free, but this one is like... a more refined version of that story. The ending especially is what makes this fic shine~!!

Here’s Mamu’s PIXIV-available story that is similar to ‘Kimi no Tonari’… but it’s set right after Naruto get’s his prosthetic arm, so blank-period NaruHina. Bff to lovers.