𝐈 𝐋𝐎𝐕𝐄 𝐘𝐎𝐔→𝙉𝙖𝙧𝙪𝙝𝙞𝙣𝙖 𝘾𝙤𝙡𝙡𝙚𝙜𝙚 𝘼𝙐

Chapter 6

Chapter 6
"You sure you're ready for this?"

"Yeah. I've been thinking about it a lot, and I'm ready."

"You guys haven't been together very long."

"Long enough for me. And I already have a ring."

"Already, huh? Well I wish you luck."

"Thanks, man. I want you there when I do though. Tonight, at the Italian place in town."

"All right, I'll be there."

Naruto and Sasuke bumped fists and parted ways from the entrance of the diner they'd met up at for lunch. Naruto pulled his beanie down over his ears and made sure his hoodie was zipped up. Even though April was less than a week away, the weather was still chilly. He trudged through campus to the first of his afternoon class, his brow furrowed in thought.

Is it really the right time...?

When classes were over for the day Naruto walked to a courtyard, waiting until he saw his girlfriend.

"Hinata!" He caught her attention before she had even walked outside, waving as he ran closer to her. Hinata smiled when she saw him, a warm and loving smile that turned into a giggle as he scooped her up and kissed her.

"Naruto, hello," she breathed in between kisses.

"Hey, do you wanna go out tonight? There's an Italian place in town I've been wanting to check out. Sasuke and Sakura might meet up with us."

"Oh how nice, of course I'd like to go."

"Good, good. I need to go home and change out of these wet clothes, so I'll pick you up around 7:30, okay? I'm borrowing my godfather's car."

"Okay, I'll see you then."

The couple exchanged another kiss and parted ways, heading to their dorms to change for the evening.

When 7:30 rolled around, Naruto parked his borrowed car outside of Hinata's dorm. She stepped out just a few moments later, having seen him pull up from her window.

"Wow..."

Hinata was dressed in a deep purple cocktail dress cut to her mid-thigh. The neckline was high like a turtleneck, but the fitted fabric showed her womanly curves in a sophisticated manner. Her arms were fully visible in the sleeveless garment. On her small feet she wore simple black pumps, and her hair was pulled up into a bun with tendrils of hair framing her face, which she'd brushed a light layer of makeup onto. Naruto silently praised himself for making sure to wear a proper dinner jacket with a tie and dress slacks.

Naruto helped Hinata into the car and they headed into town. At the restaurant, Naruto recognized Sasuke and Sakura's car towards the front of the parking lot and parked next to it. They headed in and found their friends seated at a small table in the middle of the dining area.

Naruto escorted Hinata to the table and helped her to a seat next to Sakura, then seated himself between her and Sasuke.

"Hey, you guys made it," Sakura said, smiling.

"Yeah, of course! Who could turn down free food?" Naruto chuckled.

"This isn't a free meal, idiot," grumbled Sasuke.

"You never said it wasn't, hehe."

A waiter came by to take their drink orders, cutting off the boys' argument. Once he left, Sakura turned her attention to Hinata.

"Hinata, you look so nice! I've never seen you dressed up."

"Uh, um, thank you, Sakura. You look nice as well."

"Thanks!" Sakura smoothed the wrinkles on her dress. It was white and strapless, with a sweetheart neckline. The chiffon fabric was fitted to her torso and flared out at the waist under a pale green ribbon tied into a small bow at her back. Open toe wedges covered her feet. Sakura's short hair was spun in perfect curls that bounced whenever she moved. Next to Sasuke's completely black suit, she reminded Hinata of a flower blooming in the night.

The waiter came back with drinks and took their food orders. Naruto and Sasuke continued to bicker about the check while Hinata and Sakura joked about their boyfriends. When their dishes came out, everyone quieted down to eat.

As the meal came to a close, Naruto began fidgeting in his seat.

It's getting close to the time...

As the waiter cleared their plates, he inquired if any of them were interested in dessert. Just as Sasuke was about to decline, Naruto piped up.

"Yes, of course we want dessert! Uh, how about a chocolate cake for the four of us to share?" Other patrons glanced in Naruto's direction, clearly annoyed by his sudden outburst. Naruto chuckled nervously and tugged at his collar.

"Hinata, would you come with me to the bathroom?" Sakura asked as she stood.

"Of course." Hinata stood and followed her through the restaurant.

"What the hell was that about?" Sasuke hissed under his breath.

"Sorry man, I got nervous."

"Well don't be."

The girls returned just as the cake was brought to their table. The waiter sliced it and served each of them. When it was gone, he returned with two checks, much to Naruto's disgruntlement.

You'd think for once Sasuke would be a buddy, considering what's about to happen here.

When Naruto and Sasuke sent the waiter off with money for the checks, they gave each other a knowing glance.

Here we go...

He stood and knelt down in front of her, pulling a small box from his pocket.

"I know this is a bit sudden, but I also know I won't love another woman the way I love you. Will you marry me?"

Sakura's eyes immediately overflowed with tears of shock and joy.

"Sasuke, oh my god! Of course, yes of course I'll marry you," she managed to choke out between sobs. Everyone in the restaurant erupted into cheers and applause.

Naruto found himself holding back tears as his two best friends hugged and kissed. When they parted Sakura turned to Naruto and the girls hugged each other. Sasuke extended his arm to Naruto, who took it and pulled him into a hug.

"Congratulations man," he said.

"Thanks, Naruto. Thanks for being here for me."

When they pulled away from each other Naruto took his turn to hug Sakura, and laughed as Hinata gave Sasuke a hug and his face turned pink at the sudden gesture.

After the cheering and hugging died down, the couples parted for the night. Naruto drove Hinata back to her dorm.

"I'm so happy for Sakura and Sasuke," she said.

"Yeah, me too. Though I am surprised. Sasuke and Sakura haven't been together very long, and he never seemed like the kind of guy to wanna get married, ya know?"

"Wel„ not really, I've only known them a few months,"Hinata joked.

"That's true, hehe. I keep forgetting we've only been dating for a month or so. Feels like we've been together almost as long as they have. Heck, I thought we would get married before them, ya know?" Naruto laughed at his own joke, while Hinata's face burst into a bright red.

"M-married.. us..?"

"Oh, Uh sorry! I didn't mean it like that. Well, I mean I did but not like we'd get married right away or anything, uh..." Naruto trailed off, not sure how to explain himself. His nervous response made Hinata chuckle, which made him laugh with her.

"Hinata, I will say this."

"Yes, Naruto?"

"If we ever do get married, you'll be one hell of a wife." He winked and leaned in to kiss her, amused at how warm her skin was when she blushed so brightly.