"But you're so much cuter with your hair all messy and disheveled," Naruto teased with his hand still resting on top of her head. "Kunoichi worry more about their skills and crafts than their hair being neatly brushed, my Little Nighttime Firecracker."
"What would you know?" Hanabi retorted. "You only recently became an official ninja."
"Kid, please!" Naruto replied. "I managed to do things that put other veteran shinobi to shame while you still have quite a way to go, especially since you're going to be starting class at the ninja academy tomorrow. But I will admit that your skills in dodging your father and other main house members who themselves are veteran ninja are rather impressive. I should know; I've had my eyes on you for a while now. You may not want to admit it to yourself, but I can see it as plain as day about you."
"And what would that be?" Hanabi asked suspiciously.
"That, in a couple of ways," Naruto grinned, "I've rubbed off on you, and so has Hinata-chan."
"What?" Hanabi retorted accusingly. "How dare you make such a mocking accusation!"
"So then," Naruto teased as he leaned down and whispered into her left ear, "I guess all those times you've been trying to spy on me, hiding behind various objects in hopes of not getting caught was all just an act. Hinata-chan used to do the same thing. And I guess you were only pretending to try so hard to find out as much as you can about me, though you do so while giving a front like you're cold and hardened and have no form of interest in me, giving everyone the outward impression that you're their ideal Hyuuga heiress while pulling mischievous stunts underneath everyone's nose in sneaking around, stealing their expensive imported sake and wine. Be honest with yourself, my Little Nighttime Firecracker, you copied traits of both your older sister and myself."
"I swear," Hanabi snorted and blushed at Naruto's irrefutable logic, which left no room for argument. "You're such a pain."
"I'm fond of you, too," Naruto teased with a large smile. A minute later, Neji appeared on the scene and saw Naruto and Hanabi from a distance. He saw that Naruto still had his hand on Hanabi's head. Frowning at the sight, Neji soon approached them.
"Why are you here, Naruto?" Neji asked with a monotone tone.
"To pay my girlfriend, my Moon's Eye Spring Rabbit, a visit," Naruto replied. "But I had to first say "hi" to my Little Nighttime Firecracker here."
"Your choice of pet names for Hanabi-sama and Hinata-sama are most beneath the Hyuuga clan," Neji remarked with a tone of disapproval. "I fail to see why it's tolerated and why you haven't been put in your place."
"Like I've told others," Naruto replied. "My respect is earned, not given. Plus, I only give such adoring pet names to those I like."
"You're still the same senseless jester fate has clearly defined you as," Neji remarked.
"You need not worry about the pet names Naruto-kun addresses my neesan and me with, Neji," Hanabi said. "Though playful, they're neither demeaning nor offensive. If they were, Father would have addressed the matter long ago."
It missed neither Neji nor Naruto's attention that Hanabi referred to Naruto with an affectionate suffix.
"As you say, Hanabi-sama." Neji said nothing further as he walked passed them and to another location.
It's bad enough that Hinata-sama wanted and chose to become his girlfriend, Neji thought. It's even worse now that Hanabi-sama is following her sister's disgraceful course and is developing an attachment of sorts with that loser. Clearly fate has decreed this upon Hanabi-sama, and her folly will lead to untold consequences.
Neji soon disappeared from their sight, leaving them alone again.
"Naruto-kun, was it?" Naruto teased. Hanabi realized her slip of tongue.
"Don't think too much of it," Hanabi replied. "I just slipped, that's all."
"Right," Naruto remarked. "Keep telling yourself that."
"…I really can't stand Neji sometimes," Hanabi said, changing the subject. "It's always fate this and fate that."
"Maybe someone ought to find a way to free him of that stupid notion of fate and destiny," Naruto suggested as he released Hanabi's head and started walking off to find Hinata.
"But remember," Naruto said, "I have my eyes on you, my Little Nighttime Firecracker."
Naruto said nothing further as he went on his way, leaving Hanabi alone with her thoughts. The young girl stood there and thought about what Naruto told her.
Did I allow Neesan and Naruto-kun to really influence me like this? Hanabi thought before she realized how she referred to Naruto again. Damn it! I did again!
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