Chapter 14: Taking Hinata Home

As Naruto and Hinata walked back toward Kushina, the warmth of the setting sun cast a soft glow around them. The little girl's steps were hesitant, but Naruto walked beside her with unwavering confidence, as if silently telling her that everything would be okay.

Kushina stood waiting, arms crossed, a playful smirk tugging at her lips. The moment they reached her, Naruto grinned up at his mother.

"Mom, this is Hinata," he said, his voice full of pride as if he had just found a lost treasure. Then, turning to Hinata, he said gently, "Hinata, this is my mom, Kushina."

Hinata's hands clutched the hem of her sleeves as she bowed her head slightly, too shy to say anything.

Kushina raised an amused eyebrow at her son. "Naruto, you were gone for just a second, and you already brought a girl home with you?" she teased.

Naruto let out a carefree laugh. "Hehehehe." Scratching the back of his head, he explained, "She was lost, so I brought her to take her home!"

Kushina's sharp eyes softened as she looked at Hinata more closely. The way the little girl trembled slightly, the way she avoided eye contact—it was clear she wasn't used to strangers. And yet, she had followed Naruto all the way here.

Then, Kushina noticed the telltale pale eyes. "You must be from the Hyuga clan, right?" she asked with a warm smile.

Hinata gave the smallest of nods, still keeping her gaze lowered.

Naruto suddenly turned to his mom, his face scrunched in thought. "Mom, you said the Hyuga have scary eyes that can see through anything…" He paused before beaming. "But her eyes are just cute!"

At that moment, Hinata's entire world tilted. The word cute echoed in her head, and warmth rushed to her cheeks. Her face turned bright red, her small hands gripping her sleeves even tighter. Even the tips of her ears were flushed pink.

Kushina chuckled, shaking her head in amusement. So young and already making girls blush…

Naruto, oblivious to the effect of his words, simply smiled at Hinata, his bright red hair shining under the sunlight, completely unaware that he had just unknowingly carved himself into her heart.

Kushina raised an eyebrow, amused by her son's words. "Did I say that?" she mused, tapping her chin. "Well, most Hyuga can be a little… intense. But I guess you're right—Hinata's eyes are pretty cute."

Hearing those words, Hinata felt her heart pound against her chest. She could barely meet Naruto's gaze, her face heating up as if she were standing in front of a blazing fire. C-Cute? She also thinks my eyes are… cute?

Naruto, on the other hand, just smiled innocently, completely unaware of the effect his words had on her. He turned to his mother, "Mom, can we take her home? I don't think she knows the way."

Kushina chuckled. This boy… He doesn't hesitate to help others, does he? "Of course," she said, placing a gentle hand on Hinata's small back. "Come on, sweetheart, let's get you home."

Hinata's heart skipped a beat at the warmth of Kushina's touch. So warm… She wasn't used to this kind of affection. She hesitated for a moment but then nodded shyly, following them as they made their way toward the Hyuga compound.

As they walked through the streets of Konoha, Naruto kept talking about random things—his favorite food, how he and Sasuke had an eating competition earlier. He never ran out of things to say. And though Hinata barely spoke, she listened to every word, stealing glances at him when he wasn't looking.

For the first time in her life, she didn't feel alone.

As they approached the grand entrance of the Hyuga compound, the towering gates cast long shadows beneath the evening sky. Two guards stood at attention, their sharp eyes immediately locking onto the small figure of Hinata. Relief washed over their faces.

"Hinata-sama, where were you? The Clan Head has been searching for you for so long," one of them said, concern evident in his voice.

Before Hinata could muster a response, Naruto stepped forward, standing between her and the guards. He puffed out his chest, his red hair shining under the fading sunlight.

"She was lost, so we brought her back!" he declared with unwavering confidence, as if he had just completed the most important mission of his life.

The guards' gazes shifted past Naruto to Kushina, their expressions becoming more formal. "Kushina-sama, so you brought her," they said in unison, bowing slightly as a sign of respect toward the wife of the late Fourth Hokage.

Kushina folded her arms, glancing at her son with a smirk. "No, if it weren't for my son, I wouldn't have even met her."

At that moment, Naruto's face lit up with pure smugness. His tiny shoulders lifted, and he let out a giggle, proud of himself.

One of the guards straightened up. "Then, we will take her to the Clan Head," he stated.

Just as they were about to escort her away, Naruto stepped forward again, blocking their path. His small hands balled into fists, his voice carrying a newfound determination.

"No."

The air grew still for a moment as all eyes turned toward him. Even Kushina raised an eyebrow at his sudden defiance.

"I will take her home," Naruto insisted, his voice firm. "You both look unreliable, so I will leave her at home myself."

The Hyuga guards stiffened at Naruto's words, exchanging glances at the sheer audacity of the little boy in front of them. No one had ever spoken to them like that before—especially not a child.

Kushina, standing behind Naruto, stifled a laugh. That's my boy.

The guards tried to regain their composure. "Naruto-sama, we deeply appreciate your concern, but it would be more appropriate for us to escort Hinata-sama to the Clan Head."

But Naruto shook his head, crossing his arms. "Nope. You guys just lost her a while ago, right?" His voice carried a confidence far beyond his years. "If you couldn't even keep an eye on her before, how can I trust you now?"

Hinata's eyes widened as she glanced up at Naruto. No one had ever stood up for her like this before—not outside her family, not like this. The warmth in her chest spread, making her heart beat just a little faster.

The guards hesitated, unsure how to respond.

Kushina smirked. "He's got a point, you know," she added, watching with amusement as Naruto puffed his chest out slightly, feeling validated.

The guards finally sighed in defeat. "Very well. Please, follow us."

Naruto turned to Hinata with a reassuring smile. "Come on, I'll take you home."

Hinata nodded shyly, a tiny but genuine smile forming on her lips. As they walked deeper into the Hyuga compound, she found herself glancing at Naruto again and again, silently realizing that, for the first time, someone outside her family had truly looked out for her.

And in that moment, without even knowing it, Naruto had unknowingly taken his first step into her heart.