Naruto Fan Fiction ❯ Closer ❯ Thinking of the Future ( Chapter 10 )

[ Y - Young Adult: Not suitable for readers under 16 ]

By: Lynns

Series: Naruto, belongs to Kishimoto-Sama

Pairing: NaruHina

Beta: Narai Moroha

Author: Lynns (Inu-Hugger and Mysteriousgirl)

Thinking of the Future

The soft ticking from the old grandfather clock and the odd cough from one of the elders were the only sounds that could be heard in the small, packed room. Hyuuga Hiashi glanced up from his paper work to check the time and scowled when the hands read quarter to midnight. An impatient sigh passed through his lips before turning his attention to the six elders and the young man sitting around the table before stating the obvious, “It would seem that Hinata will not be making an appearance here tonight. Perhaps we should hold off this meeting till tomorrow?”

Almost immediately the elders started bickering amongst themselves, “We should have someone go out and look for her!”

“Who do you think is responsible for this? No doubt that Jinchuuriki! Hinata has never disobeyed her father! He's becoming a bad influence!”

“We should have dealt with this over a year ago when they were first seeing each other! Now look what's happening!”

Hiashi mentally rolled his eyes and returned to his paperwork. Outwardly he was frowning and scowling like the rest of the clan, but inwardly he was smiling from his daughter's bold move. Yes she had disobeyed his orders, yes under normal circumstances he would be very angry and would be contemplating on the punishment for her actions, but this time was very different. The only non Hyuuga member in the room was sitting at the end of the table. His face was full of confusion and hurt, but at that moment Hiashi could have cared less what the young man was feeling. His name was Takahata Ryuuji, the son of from one of the wealthiest clans in the capitol city. Over the years they had sent numerous arranged-marriage proposals, each of them more generous then the offer before. However, since Hinata would be turning eighteen at the end of the year, they were now more serious about the proposal. They were offering a more generous offer and had sent Ryuuji personally to meet with his daughter. Hiashi had to admit that the offer was very tempting and would be a great benefit for the clan, but for him . . . his daughter's happiness out weighed the offer by a landslide.

Voices were being raised to be heard and the constant bickering was giving the head Hyuuga a headache. Finally hitting his breaking point, hands released the pen he had been writing with as they came flying down onto the table, “Enough!”

The room became silent once again. Hiashi eyes made contact with each of the elders, his gaze burning into theirs as if to say if you dare interrupt me you won't see the light of the next day! Once his gaze reached Ryuuji's did he finally begin to speak, “Yes, it is true that Hinata has disobeyed my orders and not come home tonight. Yes I will deal with her tomorrow and set a punishment for her actions. However, there will also be punishment for the ones in this room!

“I have told you all countless times, that Hinata is currently in a relationship with someone! She is not eighteen yet, so no one aside from myself can have any say on whom she marries! My daughter is still free to choose someone of her own free will as long as they have my blessing! When she does turn of age and is not married, then yes you may accept an arranged-marriage proposal like this one, but until that time comes . . . you will just be wasting everyone's time, this young man included!”

His bloodline was active, his voice colder than winter, his body shaking with contained anger, and his fingertips brushed the hilt of the Hyuuga family sword. No one dared to speak or even breathe as they stared up at the furious Hiashi. Even though Ryuuji looked scared out of his mind, he was the first to speak, “W-Wait . . . you mean Hinata-san is already seeing someone?”

“Yes that is correct. I take it the elders did not inform you of that?”

Ryuuji sat there for a moment, but then suddenly stood and stormed out of the room. “You were right Hiashi-sama, this was a waste of both our time!”

One of the elders made a move to stop the young man, but immediately halted when Hiashi grabbed his sword and muttered, “Sit. Down!”

What seemed like hours to them, were only a few minutes to the Head Hyuuga as he calmed himself down, returned to his seat and started organizing the papers in front of him, “If this happens again . . . which I would wisely suggest it doesn't . . . I will be forced to replace some members of the council. Now do I make myself clear!?”

The elders immediately nodded their answer.

“Good. Everyone is dismissed, I am heading for bed.”

No one argued with him as he left the room.

*************************

Pale violet eyes slowly fluttered open to gaze around the darkened room. At first she was confused at what had woken her up, but upon feeling a pair of warm lips on the back of her neck revealed the answer to her own question. Callused hands moved over her back and across her hips, which caused a tingling sensation to spread across her naked body. A soft gasp escaped her lips as her lovers hands touched her intimately between her legs and gently grasped her left breast.

“Hmmm . . . N-Naruto-kun . . .” Hinata gasped softly.

“Yes?”

She couldn't see it, but she could feel him grinning against her neck, “H-Haven't you . . . I-I mean . . . w-we've already . . .”

Naruto couldn't help but grin as she stuttered and couldn't even speak in full sentences while he touched her. His ego was practically bursting at the seams as he continued his relentless teasing to her body, “We've already what? I'm too distracted right now Hinata-chan,” he whispered against her ear before lightly kissing it, “Do you mean to say that we've already made love three times and that we should stop for tonight?”

“Oh . . .”

Slowly he pulled her closer and moved so that he was on top, his hands still teasing her, “It's also true . . . that I've made it up to you from the time we were at mount Myoboku . . . I especially enjoyed the part where I had you moaning on my table . . .”

“Ah . . . N-Naruto-kun . . .”

“You tasted so good and the sounds you were making . . . I was quite enjoying myself there . . .”

“Oohh . . .”

Naruto lowered his head, lips latching onto the closest nipple as his tongue moved in time with his fingers which were still buried in the wet heat between her legs, “However . . . you are forgetting one important thing . . . I'm insatiable when it comes to you . . . I - will - al - ways - want - you . . .”

With each syllable he spoke, his lips moved up from her breast until he came into contact with her own lips. Naruto hmm-ed approvingly as he felt Hinata kiss him back with just as much or perhaps even more passion and he couldn't seem to think straight with the way she was sucking on his bottom lip. He groaned when he felt her fingers dive into his blonde spike, massaging his scalp. A second groan soon followed afterwards at the feeling of her left leg wrapping around his hip, pulling his body closer to hers.

Hinata whimpered softly against his lips, her hands moving down from his scalp to her lovers back. A jolt of pleasure shot up through her body as she felt his hips slowly grinding into hers, a fine sheen of perspiration broke out over her skin. Her head was spinning, the aching and throbbing feeling between her legs was almost becoming too much for her to handle. She needed more . . .

“N-Naruto-kun, please . . .” she whispered against his lips, her right leg wrapping around his hip, “Please . . .”

“P-Please what?” stuttered Naruto, he was so lost in pleasure that he was finding it hard to think. The way her shapely legs were wrapped around his waist and pulling his hips into hers, any trace of reasonable thinking was quickly leaving his mind. This was going to be his fourth time making love to her, and he knew that even after this he would not be completely satisfied . . . he had spoken the complete truth moments ago . . . he simply could not get enough. Her moans, the feel of her body against his own, being inside of her . . . never would he be completely satisfied . . . he would always want Hinata and only Hinata.

A low groan passed through his lips, the sound echoing off the walls when he felt her lips on his neck, nipping and sucking at the salty skin. She always knew that this was his weak point and he simply melted under her touch, “Oh God, Hinata-chan . . . what are you doing to me?”

Droplets of sweat rolling down his muscular back onto her fingers and the feeling of his flushed skin against her own, Hinata had finally reached her breaking point - she needed him. Hands moved from his back, one wrapping around his neck while the other slipped in between them. She groaned with satisfaction with his reaction to her sly, soft touch when her small hand wrapped around his hard and hot erection. The way he threw his head back and moaned to the ceiling, it caused the coiled spring in her stomach to tighten even more. Her lips continued to torture his neck, biting the pulse point with her teeth. Naruto returned the favor, his fingers between her legs moving faster. Finally he couldn't take it anymore, his hand leaving her hot and wet flesh to grab the small packet on top of the night table. Hinata whimpered softly from the lost contact, but that disappointed was replaced by a throaty hum as she felt the small packet being pressed against her hands.

The first time she did this, her face had been so red and hot it was a miracle that she hadn't fainted. However, now she saw it as a way of touching him intimately down there. Sliding the condom on his erection, Hinata guided him to her opening. Lips released his neck as her head fell against the pillow, staring up into his deep blue eyes. Momentarily her eyes closed in bliss, a soft moan escaping her lips as she felt him slowly push into her. The feeling of him filling that emptiness inside her . . . yes it had been painful the very first time . . . but now it was always blissful.

Naruto slowly started to move as he relished in the feeling of being inside her again, however the overwhelming need for release soon took over. He moved up from his elbows onto his hands, his gaze burning into hers as his hips started increase in tempo.

Hinata gripped his forearms, using them as leverage so she could move along with him. Her hips moving in the opposite direction as his. Naruto shook, his teeth gritting together as he tried to hold on to some sense of control. He desperately moved inside her, sweat dripping off of his nose and chin onto Hinata's body below. However she didn't notice, nor did she care. The sight of him above her, the feeling of his burning body against her own, along with the complete bliss of him being inside her . . . Hinata was so lost in pleasure that she never wanted to find her way out. It felt wondrous . . . it felt amazing . . . it felt mind blowing . . . and yet it wasn't quite enough to bring her over the edge. Releasing her right hand on Naruto's forearm, she moved it down her body until she reached the sensitive nub between her legs. Her moans echoed off the wall as she added onto the pleasure coursing through her body. Earlier on in the evening, Hinata had learned that intercourse alone was not enough for her to reach an orgasm, and so she had to add external if she wanted to find that release with him inside her.

Naruto's eyes rolled into the back of his head as he felt her inner muscles tighten around him, his hands clenching the bed sheets. He was finding it hard to get enough air into his lungs and was practically gasping for breath. His eyes moved away from his lovers face, skimming down her body. They stopped at her breasts for a moment, watching as they lightly bounced from their movements and the mere sight was making even more aroused. Continuing downward his eyes fell onto where they were joined together as one, but what made his eyes almost bulge out of their sockets was seeing Hinata touching herself. He forgot how to breathe; he forgot how to think . . .

“H-Hinata-chan . . . I - I can't . . .”

He couldn't finish his sentence when he felt it, the rippling sensation of Hinata's orgasm. It surrounded him, tightened around him like a vice grip . . . the feeling was so overwhelming and adding on the long whimpered moan that escaped her mouth . . . he joined her in the height of bliss . . .

Naruto collapsed onto his lover. Oh god I'm in heaven . . .

Hinata wrapped her arms around him, whimpering softly into his ear as she rode out the waves of her climax. It had felt so good that she couldn't find the exact word to describe how it felt . . . was there a word that could explain so much? Contentment, pleasure, bliss, ecstasy, fulfillment, complete, want . . . could all of these feelings be described in one word?

A blush soon covered her cheeks on her already flushed skin. It finally hit her that this was the fourth time they had made love in one night. She was a little embarrassed at first from being with him so many times . . . however we haven't been together like this for over a month, and I am with the apprentice of the two biggest perverts in the village . . . was this something she should complain about? The first time they had made love tonight, Naruto had been hesitant and nervous. He didn't want to hurt her again and had moved so slowly inside her, regardless on how many times she told him that she was fine. Their second time had been much better, and so had the third time. This time she was still seeing stars and doubted she could go for another round. If there was one thing Naruto was famous for was his unlimited energy, he was sometimes known as a `stamina freak'. Hinata briefly wondered if this energy would carry on into the bedroom, because if it did she would be worn out all the time!

Naruto slowly shifted off of her, his back falling onto the mattress which caused it to creak under his weight. Both of them laid there for a moment, trying to catch their breath and calm their thundering heartbeats. His eyes slowly opened to stare at the ceiling, a shiver running up his body as he felt a gust of wind caress his sweaty skin. Groaning softly Naruto rolled onto his side so he could reach the blanket that had fallen onto the floor. Pulling the blanket over top of them, he pulled Hinata close to him so that her head was resting on his chest.

The two lovers were in complete bliss and their eyes were starting to close as their bodies tried to find rest from the nights activities. Hinata's soft breathing slowly lulled him into a deep sleep with his arm tightly wrapped around her waist. Her own arm was wrapped around his waist as well and soon she joined him in the land of dreams.

********************

Naruto could not remember the last time he was this scared. After facing many foes and being in many battles, you would think there would have been a time he was terrified for his life. Sure than had been times when he was afraid for his friend's lives, but never really for his own. Right now his whole body was shaking, palms clammy and sweat was rolling down his forehead. Blue eyes looked up from his lap to the shoji in front of him, where Hiashi currently was talking with Hinata. At eight o'clock sharp, Neji had come banging on his door. The Hyuuga said they had only an hour to get cleaned, dressed and be at the Hyuuga estate by 0900 sharp, or he would suffer the consequences. However, Naruto could tell by the bags under Neji's eyes that he had had a rough awakening in the morning as well after not getting much sleep.

So now here he was, sitting in a small room all by himself. It was also not comforting that he happened to be sitting in a room where swords and many other weapons were hanging off the wall. It was like he was about to be executed and was currently been given the time to reflect on why he was being punished.

I hope this has to do with her not coming home last night . . . and I pray to god that he hasn't found out that we're `sleeping' together

Suddenly the shoji slid open to reveal the Head of the Hyuuga clan, his pale white eyes glaring down at him, “You may come in now.”

Naruto immediately stood and followed after Hiashi. After entering the room he closed the shoji behind him, his eyes scanning for any sign of Hinata but she was gone.

“Hinata has been sent to her room. Because she disobeyed my orders she will be grounded for three days, which means in that time you will be forbidden to see her unless it regards missions or absolute emergencies. Do I make myself clear?”

The blond ninja nodded his head, thanking anyone that was listening for his luck that Hiashi was still in the unknown of how far their relationship really was progressing.

“Now, there is something else I must discuss with you and it regards your current relationship with my eldest daughter.”

Crap in a bucket! I spoke too soon . . . I'm dead . . . I'm soooooo dead . . .

“Last night the reason I wanted Hinata home early was because we had a visitor here. Someone who was interested in having an arranged-marriage with Hinata, the elders are growing impatient since she is almost eighteen and not married.”

Naruto's teeth gritted together and hands clenched the material of his pants. Those old bastards are still trying interfere? What the hell is their problem?

“However, I informed the suitor that Hinata is already in a relationship and also threaten the elders. If they pull a stunt like this again I will be taking some serious action so that this never happens again, it is starting to become a real annoyance.

“When Hinata turns eighteen, I will be unable to stop them from accepting an arranged-marriage proposal. The rule stands that the Heiress can pick someone of her own choosing until she is eighteen. If she is not married or engaged by her eighteenth birthday, then the council will pick someone for her.

“I am not blind. I know how far you and my daughter have gone in your relationship and I have to say the urge to use my sword on you is rather strong right now. However I am willing to turn a blind eye to it . . . that is if you answer a few simple questions I have.”

Naruto could feel the killing intent radiating off the Head Hyuuga and he could feel the sweat pouring down his face, “O-Okay . . .”

“First, do you love my daughter?”

“Y-Yes . . .”

“Are you two using protection? By the way,” Hiashi released his bloodline, “I may need to remind you that am a master of the Juuken and Byakugan, and I can see the very pulse that beats through your body. I will know the moment you lie.”

“Y-Yes, we are . . .”

“Good. Now do you plan on marrying my daughter?”

“M-Marry? I-I have to be honest with you sir . . .” Naruto prayed that Hiashi wouldn't kill him with his answer, “I-I haven't really thought about it . . . we are only seventeen after all.”

“I see. However have you had any thoughts of it? Perhaps thinking that further in the future you would take her as your wife?”

Naruto became silent and looked down at the tatami mat. Hinata-chanas my wife? Having her by my side officially . . . living together . . . do I really need to think about that?

“Yes.”

Hiashi inwardly smirked from the boy's firm response, “Excellent. Just so you know, you will have my blessing when you do ask Hinata for her hand in marriage, however you are on a time limit. You have until her birthday to pop the question; otherwise the elders will be taking over in that department.”

“B-But Hiashi-sama . . .”

“I do understand that you feel being married at eighteen is too young. In my situation I was not married until I reached the age of nineteen, so I'm willing to compromise for you two to be engaged for a year. If you ask Hinata on her eighteenth birthday and stay engaged for a year, both of you will then be nineteen. Does this sound fair?”

Naruto was silent, his eyes going back to stare down at the floor. Married at nineteen? That still sounds a bit young for Hinata-chanand me. Not that I don't want to marry her! That's not the point at all . . . I just feel like I'm . . . I'm . . .

“It doesn't sound fair . . .”

Hiashi's eyes widened, “What?”

“I-I mean . . . I feel like I'm being, almost forced to marry Hinata-chan,” murmured Naruto, “I've thought about marrying her sometime in the future, but this . . . this way I feel like I have no choice in the matter.

“I know that there really is no other way because of the elders, but . . . it just doesn't feel completely right.”

God this is such a mess . . . I want to marry Hinata-chan eventually . . . but the way I'm blabbering like an idiot makes it sound like I don't want to get married. What if Hinata-chanthinks I'm being forced to marry her? Or worse . . . what if she thinks that I don't ever want to marry her? Why? Why has it come down to this?

“Well Naruto, you still have time to decide on what you want to do. I suggest talking it over with my daughter as soon as possible so you can both decide on where you want to go with this. However . . . if you dare make her cry, you will find yourself wishing you had never been born! You are dismissed.”

Naruto nodded and stood; not at all scared by his threat since the thought of losing Hinata was weighing on him even more.

****************

Three Days Later . . .

Teuchi and Ayame watched their favorite customer with concerned eyes, wondering why the blond ninja looked as if someone told him he couldn't be Hokage. He wasn't even touching his first bowl of miso ramen and was just simply stirring the noodles around with his chop sticks. Their faces frowned as they heard Naruto sigh heavily; his eyes were unfocused as if lost in a trance.

“Should we say something? He looks so down that he's making me depressed.”

“I'm sure he's just having some girl troubles, Ayame. He'll be back to his old self soon enough.” Teuchi whispered, giving Naruto one last glance before getting back to making ramen for their other customers, “Here you are Kurenai-san,”

The young jounin/mother nodded her thanks and grabbed the bowl from Teuchi, setting it down in front of her. She eyed Naruto suspiciously as he sat there and played with his food. Obviously there was something wrong with the boy, he was so out of it that he hadn't even said hello to her. Yup, he's definitely worried about something. Hinata hasn't mentioned anything being wrong in their relationship . . . so my only guess is that it has to do with something Hiashi said to him. Kurenai looked down at her watch. I'm not due to meet up with Hinata at least for another hour to pick up Hitori . . . so perhaps I can help her boyfriend out here . . .

“Something wrong, Naruto? You look as if ramen disgusts you now.”

Naruto finally looked up from his bowl, “Oh . . . Kurenai-san,” he scratched the back of his head and put on a fake smile, “Sorry I didn't see you there.”

“It's alright. You seemed quite busy staring off into La-La land.”

He continued grinning, “Yeah, I just have a lot on my mind.”

“I don't suppose it has something to do with my student?”

Naruto froze, his eyes widening slightly.

Bingo.

“Or perhaps does it have something to do with her father? I heard from Hinata that Hiashi talked to you, but the details are unknown to her since she's been grounded the past few days. Did he threaten you with the family sword?”

A soft nervous chuckle left his lips, “No, not exactly, but . . . you're right. It does have something to do with Hiashi and the conversation we had . . .”

Kurenai frowned. Damn that old man. What the hell did he say to the poor boy now? I know the elders are being a pain in the ass with this whole arranged-marriage thing and not wanting Naruto to be anywhere near Hinata. You would think he would be happier that someone as strong as Naruto would be with his daughter. “You can tell me what's on your mind. I might be able to help.”

Naruto looked up hesitantly, debating with himself if this was something he could talk to someone about . . . or if he would have to deal with it on his own. Finally, he decided to go with the first, “Do all girls want to get married?”

Whatever Kurenai was expecting for him to say, this was the last thing she would have guessed. She was so caught off guard that her mouth dropped, “Marriage? Wait a minute, Naruto - back up! Hiashi talked to you about marrying Hinata?”

Sighing softly, Naruto broke into the story on why he had been called to the Hyuuga mansion and that he had a time limit to ask Hinata to marry him, “I don't want her to think I'm being forced to, even though I kind of am . . . but I also don't want her to think that I don't want to marry her at all! But then again what if she doesn't want to marry me? I would be perfectly fine with that, just as long as she remained in my life and we were together, we wouldn't have to get married. That's okay isn't it? Even though I have to admit I have thought about it and . . .”

Kurenai suddenly leaned forward and placed her hand over the boy's mouth, “Okay, stop talking or you're going to give yourself a stroke. Now listen to me for a minute, you need to calm down.” She removed her hand, “Come with me.”

After paying their tabs, Kurenai lead Naruto to the outskirts of the village and stopped under one of the biggest trees in the forest. Taking a seat in the shade, she patted the spot beside her, “Have a seat.”

Naruto did as he was told.

“Now close your eyes, and take a deep breath in.”

He gave her a questioning look at first, but once again followed her instructions.

“Good, and again. Now, I know you're a master of the sage arts so take a moment and just relax. Become one with nature, clear your mind.”

Deep breaths in through the nose and out through the mouth, Naruto focused on his surroundings and literally became one with nature. He cleared his mind of all the worries and concerns he had, he could even feel the tension leaving his body.

“I have known Hinata ever since he became my apprentice at the age of 12, and even then I could tell she had a horrible crush on you. It became painfully obvious when she offered you her medical cream. You two were so cute back then.

“Hinata does want to marry you, she's dreamed about it ever since she was a little girl. So, you don't have to worry about that part. Take another deep breath in . . . and out. I know you love Hinata and she loves you. You've been together for over a year, you know each other inside and out. Taking care of her when she was sick was a big step as well, along with becoming lovers. You two have taken the right steps throughout this relationship.

“You want to marry her, but feel it is too soon, and Naruto, you have every right to feel that way. At the age of seventeen, marriage is probably the last thing on your mind. However, the Hyuuga elders feel that the earlier the marriage, the better. They're just a bunch of ignorant bastards.”

Kurenai turned towards Naruto and place a hand on his shoulder, causing his now golden eyes to open.

“However, that is the rule of the Hyuuga Clan. Would you like to hear my advice on the situation?”

Naruto nodded.

“I know you want to marry Hinata, so if the time feels right before or on her eighteenth birthday, then ask her. You two will only be engaged, and since Hiashi is giving you a year you can still back out if you want to. In that year, I suggest Hinata move in with you. That way you can see what a married life would be like with her. And if it feels right, then you should get married. The only thing that will change is Hinata will be taking on your surname and you'll be part of the Hyuuga family . . . which I have to say can be a scary thought.

“I've seen the way you look at Hinata when she plays with Hitori. It's a look of longing and envy, so that tells me that eventually you would want to start a family with her. That, I suggest you hold off on. Just because you're married does not mean you need to start having children. Enjoy the time you have with each other, there will be plenty of time for kids afterwards. And I'm sure Hiashi will give you the same threat . . . if you do get her pregnant accidentally, there will be the removal of certain body parts.”

Naruto paled slightly, but couldn't help the small smile that spread across his lips, “Yeah I've definitely heard that threat before.”

“Feeling better though?”

“A lot better actually. I've been so tense and stressed the past few days, wondering what the heck I was going to say to Hinata-chan.”

Kurenai smiled, “Well now you know what you can do. Just talk it over with Hinata, and I'm sure everything will be fine. In fact, why don't you stop by my place for supper? I'm treating Hinata for watching Hitori today, so you're welcome to join us. This way you'll have a private moment to talk to her, and I will be there if you two have any questions.”

“Sure, that sounds great.”

********************

“And so, that's what happened.” Naruto finished, his eyes glancing over at the clock. He had almost been talking for thirty minutes straight.

Hinata sat beside him on Kurenai-sensei's couch, their hands intertwined as she listened to what had occurred between her father and Naruto. She was downright shocked that her father was giving him a time limit to propose to her, but then of course what choice was there? The council certainly wouldn't bend the rules for her, so really there was no other way. However, she was thankful to her teacher for giving Naruto and her excellent advice on where they could take this. Living together would definitely help the situation, but the real problem would be if her father didn't agree to it. I'm sure if we get engaged he wouldn't complain too much.

“Hinata-chan?”

“Hmm?”

“You . . . haven't said anything.”

“Oh. I'm sorry, Naruto-kun. It's just a lot to take in.”

“I know. You should have seen me over the past three days - I was a mess trying to figure out a solution! I'm just really lucky that you have such a practical and smart sensei, she was a really big help.”

Hinata smiled, “Yes . . . she is.”

“Do you think your father will be okay with it? Us living together I mean? If we do, then everyone will know that we are . . . well you know.”

A small blush tinted her cheeks, “Yes, that's true. But then, everyone would have found out eventually, it was just a matter of time.”

“I'm just surprised your father knew about us being together like that. I thought for sure he was going to kill me.” Naruto had played out many scenarios in his mind on how Hiashi would use the family sword on him.

“I think when he found out about Neji and TenTen sleeping together he got it out of his system then. He wasn't in a very good mood for a few days and kept mumbling about how `the younger generation doesn't have any respect these days' or, something like that.”

Naruto laughed softly, “Well it's getting late. Shall I walk you home?”

The blush on Hinata's cheeks darkened, “Actually, I was thinking I could . . . spend the night at your place again . . .”

A huge grin spread across his face, “Really now? Well you know I would have to be crazy to say no to that.”

“I'll just say good-bye to Kurenai-sensei.”

Naruto waited patiently outside, gazing up at the stars and moon above. It had been a long and stressful day, however now that Hinata would be coming home with him . . . The day may have been stressful, but tonight is going to be bliss.

The front door slowly creaked open as Hinata stepped outside and closed it behind her. Wordlessly, the blonde ninja offered her his arm and with a small smile Hinata took it. They walked down the streets without saying a word to each other, enjoying the comfortable silence while staring up at the stars. Both of them were lost in their own thoughts, but they were basically thinking the same thing.

“You sure about this, Hinata-chan? Being with me . . . forever?”

Hinata smiled, “Do you remember what I told you when I jumped in to save you from Pain? I always chased after you . . . wanting to catch up . . .wanting to walk together with you forever . . . I want to be at your side always. I'll always want to be with you Naruto.”

Naruto stared at the young woman before him in pure amazement. Hinata-chan . . . how is it she always knows just the right thing to say, to make me feel so . . .

“I love you, Hinata-chan . . . I love you so much . . .!” He pulled her towards him, wrapping his arms tightly around her waist and burying is face into her neck. She never ceased to amaze him. Whenever he had doubts about something, she was always there to help him see the brighter, more happier side again, “Let's go home.”

A/N: Please review!