Right Off The Bat (NaruHina)

21 - Mother and Her Pretend Daughter-in-Law Bonding Time!

Naruto wondered when during Hinata's stay did she and his mom get so close.

On his fourth day of crash course, he started noticing them.

How Kushina would patiently style and braid Hinata's hair.

Or how Hinata would be so talkative to Kushina.

Something Naruto never seen before.

He wonders...

~Day 1

"Ah! Hinata! You're back!" Kushina cheered as she jumped up from the couch. Hinata smiled sweetly and said "I have brought something for you and mister Namikaze"

"A gift? That's so sweet of you" The red head said. The little bluenette shyly showed her a small stuffed fox, "I-It's not much, I-I just saw it in a store nearby. It's really soft a-and I couldn't help myself. I-I figured you guys might want it, N-Naruto mentioned you guys love foxes"

Kushina looked at the stuffed animal in her hands. Clearly, it wasn't a budget toy. It looked expensive. But the girl didn't look even a little undaunted by the price.

It warmed her heart knowing her son talks about them.

"Thank you, Hinata..." Kushina said as she gingerly held the toy, she looked at Hinata with a loving gaze and said "Your mother is really lucky to have you..."

The bluenette only giggled. But the woman had sharp senses.

"I-I'm sorry! I didn't realize she's- you know..." Kushina said, Hinata shook her head and said "Don't worry. Th-Though... How d-did you know?"

The mother awkwardly laughed and said "I just figured. You seemed to have been taken by surprise when I said it, you know?"

The Hyūga's eyes squinted in amaze as she said "Y-You are very keen, I-I see where Naruto inherited it from. H-He's very lucky to have you as a mom"

"Well, I am amazing afterall, you know!" Kushina boasted, making the both of them laugh.

The red head then said "You know, Hinata. No need to be shy, you could join us for breakfast, lunch, and or dinner whenever you want. Honestly, I was very excited to eat food with you, you seem like a very nice girl"

Minato was surprised as he watched from the other side of the room.

For as far as he knows, only he could get Kushina to calm down fast.

And from what he heard, Hinata's hard to open up.

~Day 2

"My father tried learning how to braid hair for me when I was younger" Hinata said as Kushina worked on her hair "But he ended up getting so stressed on how to even get simple loops right since he always wants everything perfect. So I ended up cutting it, but my brother volunteered to keep his hair long so that he could learn to fix hair and so that he could do mine in the future. It was quite weird, actually. But big brother never got to master it, but up until now, he still keeps it long"

"Well, boys will be boys" Kushina sighed "No mattee how hard they try, girls are just better at them in many ways. And not to brag, but I barely even practiced braiding and I perfected it already! Natural talent, you know? I couldn't practice it much, Minato's and Naruto's hair aren't exactly the easiest to even comb down"

"Um... You're more than welcome to practice on me" The young teen said as she smiled "And if you agree... I would really like it if you teach me how to style..."

"Really?!" Kushina asked "Of course! And I could teach you how to knit, too! And garden! And cook! And sew! And, wah!!! I'm so excited, you know?! Please call me mom or mother-in-law 'cause all of this would cost you if you're just a random person!"

"Wh-Wh-What?!?!"

~Day 3

Kushina loved having Hinata around. Not to brag or anything, but Kushina sees herself in Hinata.

They were both loyal, patient, loving, and understanding. Personality wise, they were nowhere alike, but, if you look close enough.

"You really like her, huh?" Minato asked, Kushina nodded and said "Well, yeah. And Naruto likes her too. I'm so happy"

"And how about that Sakura kid?" The blonde asked, the red head said "They'll be too destructive. And for the record, I don't like how much she hurts Naruto for comic relief purposes, you know?"

"Hm... I guess you're right" Minato said "Hinata is a very special woman. I hope Naruto realizes it"

"WHAT?!?! Do you mean he doesn't know that he's-" "Nope, not a clue" Minato softly laughed to himself "Believe me. You are very much alike, Naruto and you"

~Day 4

Well, as long as Hinata's in good terms with his parents.

Naruto couldn't be happier.