Disclaimer: I do not own Naruto or any of its characters.

Cinnamon Rolls

Konohagakure: Residential District

It's been a few weeks ever since the construction began. Workers tirelessly toiled every day as the building began to rise from the ground and formed some semblance of a structure. Every day, Hinata walked along the street, curiously looking at the busy site whenever she passed by. For some reason, the quickly-rising structure made her feel uneasy. She had this feeling in her gut that made her worried. Today was no exception as the young girl went to open her shop for the day.

The sun hadn't peered from the horizon yet when Hinata passed by. The building almost had its second level already. With the construction's pace, it might get completed by the end of the month.

Hinata looked away and focused her gaze forward. The street lights were still illuminating the brick path she walked on. With a deep breath, the raven-haired girl quickened her step and reached the corner to her shop.

She took out a bunch of keys from her pocket and unlocked the lock that held her shop's roll-up door in place. With a slight grunt, she lifted the roll-up and proceeded to unlock the front door. Hinata went inside and with her phone's flashlight, found her way to the store's backroom. She found the light switches and turned a few of them on together with the ceiling fans.

"3:00 a.m." Hinata thought as she looked at the clock on the wall.

She took the black apron off a hook and quickly put it on. Hinata took out a hairband and expertly tied her hair into a bun. She put on a hair net and then began to rummage through the kitchen cabinets for the things she needed.

It was almost 4:30 in the morning when Hinata finished putting her pastries in the oven to be baked. With a quick glance at the clock, she removed her apron and hung it once again on the cabinet hook. She took off her hair net and went to the shop's front area with a broom in hand.

The world outside the shop was still, as if waiting with bated breath for the first light of dawn. Hinata however, has no time to savor the tranquil atmosphere. She hurriedly got to work; sweeping dust, wiping the tables and counters, mopping the floor, watering the plants.

Hinata did all of this with practiced efficiency, all her hard work she directed towards the well-kept shop she had been very fond of.

After putting away the cleaning materials, she went to kitchen once again to take out her pastries from the oven. The delightful smell of newly baked bread filled the room as she opened the hot oven. She arranged them on silver metal trays which she then placed inside the display counter beside the register. The other trays she filled went to the store's display window.

With one last sweep of her eyes, Hinata looked at the store and deemed it ready for the day. The sun had started its climb in the sky and the first rays of dawn streamed through the glass windows. With a smile on her lips, Hinata flipped the sign on the front door.

To her, it was just the start of another day. But perhaps, fate has other plans.

Konohagakure: Residential District

Naruto squinted at the morning sun as he got out of his apartment. Most of his things had not arrived yet and the movers just contacted him about a delay. Naruto sighed. He wasn't the type of person to be pessimistic but he couldn't help but think he might have bad luck.

"No, no. Better not jinx myself." he mumbled under his breath.

He wore a casual orange shirt with the words "No Ramen No Life" on it and paired it with black cargo shorts. Naruto glanced at his wristwatch which showed 7:30 on its face. Naruto yawned as he began to walk aimlessly down the street. He had just arrived yesterday and he planned to acquaint himself with the area today. However, his stroll was interrupted when he heard a soft growl and felt a rumble in his stomach.

"Breakfast first…hmm…do they have a ramen place nearby?" Naruto talked to himself as he looked around.

Naruto had always been enamored with ramen ever since he was a child. Despite his mother's protests about his diet, the blonde continued to seek out his comfort food whenever possible. Even with all the money available to him, Naruto did not like fancy restaurants and expensive meals. It just wasn't his thing.

He saw a bespectacled man walking with a small girl wearing a school uniform and a backpack on her back. The man wore a white long-sleeved polo, a black tie, black slacks, and leather shoes. He carried a suitcase with him and he happily chatted with his daughter as they walked. Naruto noticed that the little girl was also eating something wrapped in brown paper.

"Well, I guess bread will do." Naruto thought as he took the path where the pair came from a while ago.

He was really hungry and it didn't look like there was a place nearby that sold ramen. He would just have to make do with whatever was handy.

It wasn't long until he arrived at a cozy shop. On top of the front door was the shop's name: Cozy Delights. Naruto can see the interior of the shop from the large glass windows. The flowering plants hanging above the window were blossoming with little violet flowers. The lights inside combined with the morning sunlight gave a warm inviting glow.

"Oh…this looks nice." Naruto thought.

He observed the shop further and noticed that there weren't customers as of the moment and the register was unmanned. Naruto's gaze then fell on the displayed bread by the window. His stomach rumbled again. He pushed the door and went inside.

The tinkling of the door chimes signaled his entry. The moment he entered, Naruto was immediately taken in by the aroma of coffee and bread that wafted inside the shop. It had the hint of cinnamon and chocolates underneath it. The atmosphere was completed with the soft music gently playing inside the store.

Naruto did not have to wait long as someone came rushing from the backroom. Hinata dressed in her uniform was hastily tying her hair into a ponytail as she hurriedly came out of the kitchen.

"Welcome!" she smiled at the customer.

Naruto blinked at the young woman and just stood there with his mouth slightly open. Hinata, in turn, also gazed curiously at the silent young man.

"Umm…can I help you?" Hinata asked.

Naruto snapped out of his trance and shook his head.

"Oh…ah…No. I mean yes. Sorry. Hi." Naruto managed to say.

"What the hell am I babbling about?!" Naruto screamed in his mind as he mentally slapped himself.

"Hi. Are you new around here? I haven't seen you before." Hinata asked with a gentle smile on her face.

"I just moved yesterday. From Uzushiogakure. So I'm looking around town. You know. See the sights and stuff." Naruto replied, regaining his composure.

Hinata walked to the register as she continued to speak to the blonde customer.

"Uzushiogakure?! That's far away from here." the raven-haired girl replied, her face showing concern. "I haven't been there yet but I hope Konoha isn't that different so you can settle in more easily."

"Well, Konoha seems like a nice place. I'm sure I'll do just fine." Naruto reassured her with a smile of his own.

Hinata was about to say something when a sound interrupted her. Naruto turned a slight shade of red and chuckled sheepishly.

"Now I remember I went here to buy breakfast." Naruto said.

Hinata laughed. Naruto could not help but notice the pleasant sound her laughter made. The way her hair framed her pretty face and the striking lavender-tinged eyes that looked at him with such gentleness. He had to mentally slap and remind himself that he must buy himself some food first.

"So what will you be having?" Hinata asked.

"What do you recommend?" Naruto asked, taking off his gaze from the young woman to the bread on the display counter.

"Hmm…if you like sweets, I'd recommend our cinnamon rolls, chocolate muffins, or our chocolate-filled croissant. We also have apple pies today if you want something heavier. If you're willing to wait, then we also have pancakes." Hinata offered.

"I think I'll have pancakes and a cinnamon roll." the blonde stated as he felt his growing anticipation for food.

"And for your drink, sir?" the young woman asked as she punched the order in the register.

Naruto looked at the menu posted on the wall behind the counter.

"Give me black coffee please." Naruto replied.

Hinata nodded and completed the inputting the order.

"That will be 135 ryo please. Will it be for dine-in or to go?" she said.

"I'll be dining in. I'd like to stay in such a very nice shop a little while longer." Naruto smiled.

"P-please make yourself comfortable." Hinata blushed at the compliment to her shop.

The blonde took out his green frog-shaped wallet and took out the exact amount requested. Hinata caould not help but notice the charming wallet of her customer which made her smile.

"Thank you for giving the exact amount." the raven-haired girl said.

After processing the transaction, Hinata took out a tray and put a plate on it. She placed two cinnamon rolls on it and then filled a coffee pot with freshly-pressed black coffee which she used to fill a cup. She placed everything on the tray and smiled at Naruto.

"Umm…Please make yourself comfortable." Hinata directed at the empty tables behind him.

Hinata began to make her way to the kitchen. Naruto was about to take the tray when he noticed its contents.

"Wait. I only ordered one cinnamon roll, didn't I?" he asked.

Hinata turned around and nodded at Naruto.

"W-well…I put one extra…as a welcome gift for your moving in." the girl smiled gently with a slight blush on her face.

"You don't have to. It's fine. I appreciate it but-" Naruto began.

Hinata shook her head gently.

"It's okay. Please don't worry about it." she reassured him with a small tremble in her voice.

Naruto looked at the cinnamon roll then at Hinata. She wouldn't take no for an answer.

"...Alright. Thanks. I'll repay you one way or another someday." the blonde smiled.

Naruto walked to his seat and set his food on the table. Hinata on the other hand went inside the kitchen and began to make his pancakes. It didn't take her long and within only ten minutes, she emerged from the kitchen with a plate of fresh pancakes ready to be served.

Naruto had already started eating and he couldn't believe that cinnamon rolls could be this good. Ramen was still his favorite food but this cinnamon roll easily took the number two spot.

"I'm sorry for the wait." Hinata said, setting the plate in front of Naruto together with a fork and some maple syrup.

"Thanks. By the way, your cinnamon rolls are awesome." Naruto remarked.

"I-I'm glad you liked it." she blushed at the compliment.

"No. Really! They're great! Do you make everything in this shop?" Naruto gushed.

Hinata turned into a deeper shade of crimson as Naruto continued to shower her with compliments.

"W-well…yes…I do." she mumbled.

"Whoa! That's amazing. I can tell you're really passionate about this." the blonde continued as took another bite of the cinnamon roll.

Perhaps it was the cinnamon roll or the perfectly golden morning sunshine. Whatever it was, Naruto could feel his luck changing.

"I'm Naruto by the way. Sorry I didn't introduce myself properly a while ago." he stood up and bowed respectfully.

"Uh…I-I'm Hinata. Pleased to meet you." the still flustered young woman replied, hastily bowing to hide her growing embarrassment.

Naruto smiled at her. Hinata returned it with a smile of her own although hers was a shy one. She took her leave and escaped behind the counter, pretending to be busy arranging the trays of bread. She still could not contain the feeling of being praised for her work. She did not usually handle compliments well but despite her embarrassment, this time she felt her heart swell with joy from the sincere words she received from the kind young man.

Naruto was left at his table still with a grin on his face as he looked at the flustered young woman.

"Looks like I'll be visiting more often." he thought.

-End of Chapter 2-