Well guys, im back with yet another new story. Dont worry, i will still write on other stories but ive been working on this one lately and i thought it would be well received.

This story will have lots of fluff mixed with some action, and will follow canon as much as i can, but i will deviate on certain key events. If you dont like what i just said then this story is not for you, and stop reading right now.

I would like to extend my thanks to my beta reader Leonas, who had given me lots of feedback and has made sure there are as few errors and inconsistencies in this story as possible.

Hope you all enjoy!

Disclaimer: I dont own Naruto

Chapter 1

Day after Kyubi Attack

Hiruzen was sitting in the council chambers with a sleeping baby wrapped tightly in a blanket. There were several council members missing, killed by the Kyubi, and all around the room there was silence, a silent prayer for the many deaths, especially the beloved Yondaime.

Hiruzen stood up. "I have called everyone here to decide a course of action to rebuild Konoha and reinstitute a Hokage."

Shikaku sighed. "I think it's obvious here that we need you to take up the position of Hokage again Sarutobi-sama. That will be the best way to instill hope in the people and prevent any civil unrest."

Hiruzen knew this was going to happen, but he wanted nothing more than to spend the rest of his days in peace, maybe train a few Genin here or there. However, he also had a duty to the village that overruled his personal desires.

"Very well, I accept the position of Hokage."

All around the room there were nods of approval, even from Hiruzen's old team mate, Danzo.

"Now, I will let the civilian side of the council to direct the repairs of the village as they see fit while our Shinobi continue to take missions and secure our borders, we don't need Kumo or Iwa to attack while we are temporarily weakened."

Once again there were nods all around the room.

"Now, I need to bring attention to another matter. The child in my arms was the child chosen by the Yondaime to imprison the Kyubi, and we must decide his future."

There were murmurs all around the table, until one of the civilians spoke up. "We should keep him as a ward of the state to hold his loyalty, then be trained as a Shinobi in order to keep the beast in check. He must only be given the simplest of training, so he can be easily taken care of if he turns on us."

Hiruzen glared at the man, but before he could argue at all Danzo slammed his cane on the ground. "Nonsense! He should be given to me so he can be trained to harness the beast's power and become one of our strongest weapons. I will ensure his loyalty personally."

Shikaku shook his head. "That won't work Danzo. In order to draw on the power of a Biju its host must be in full control of their emotions, and we all know that those are the first things to be erased whenever you train someone."

Danzo was about to reply until Hiruzen stood up. "Quiet! You will wake him… Danzo, council, I will have to decline both your suggestions." Several opened their mouths to argue until Hiruzen held his hand up. "Hear me out. If you allow me to adopt him as a surrogate grandson, then I am willing to compromise."

There were another wave of murmurs, and once it was quiet until the same councilman as before spoke up. "Compromise how Hokage-sama?"

Hiruzen sighed. "I'm going to regret this, but I am willing to make concessions if you agree to my terms. Danzo, I will allow you to keep your ROOT program, without any interference from either myself or the ANBU, as long as you work within the laws of Konoha and don't force anyone into your program unwillingly."

Danzo smirked. "I can live with that. Keep the brat then."

Hiruzen nodded and turned to the civilian side. "I will be willing to lower the standards of the academy so that more of your children and the children of other civilians are able to become Shinobi."

The ten civilian council members turned to themselves and began talking again for a few seconds until the same man from before spoke up. "Very well, we won't oppose you if you wish to take in the child."

Hiruzen sighed. "Ok, now, in order for this deal to go through, I will establish some ground rules. Under no circumstance is anyone outside of this room to learn of young Naruto's status as a Jinchuriki. This isn't just for his safety; it is for the safety of us all. Should another village learn of his burden, then they may kidnap him and turn him against us, and we can't fight the full power of the Kyubi unleashed. Also, no one can interfere in his life or take any action against him, or I will see it as a threat against myself and will respond in kind. Any questions?"

Everyone shook their heads. "Good, then let's go, we have a village to rebuild."

13 Years Later

The rain was pouring down this day, a rare occurrence for a usually sunny part of the world, but then again, the weather did fit the mood. It had been two days since the end of the invasion, and many had died. Shinobi, civilians, pets, children; none were spared from the onslaught of the combined strength of Orochimaru and Sunagakure, not even the third Hokage himself. It was on this rainy day that his funeral was held, and all were weeping bitterly at their loss.

Sure, everyone loved their leader to an extent. Sure, they were all sad when he passed, but for the majority they would just mourn and eventually move on. Such was the natural order of things. Not even his family would be saddened forever, and Sarutobi Hiruzen's memory was doomed to eventually fade into the history books, just like the previous two Hokages.

But this wasn't true for everyone. There was still one who stayed at his grave after all others had left, still one who shed tears after everyone else's had dried up, one by the name of Uzumaki Naruto. Naruto had never had a family to love him, he had never had friends to play with, and he never had a significant other to share his pain with.

Naruto was still kneeling at the gravestone even as it got dark, his body shaking from a mixture of exhaustion and hypothermia, brought on from kneeling in the rain for hours on end.

'Why did you have to leave me Jiji? Why did you have to sacrifice yourself?'

A new wave of tears burst forth from his eyes as the only happy memories of his young life played forth in his mind: Naruto being treated to ramen by the Hokage himself while riding on his shoulders; Naruto walking into Hiruzen's office and embarrassing him by asking about a certain orange book; him being consoled with an ice cream cone after failing the Genin exams… twice. The list went on but they all held a common factor: Sarutobi Hiruzen was the only one to show Naruto any kind of love, they would laugh together, play together, and cry together; and now he was gone.

Naruto held his head in his hands while trying to stop the tears, and felt a hand on his shoulder. He looked over his shoulder to see his sensei Kakashi with a somber expression.

"Come on Naruto, you need to go home and sleep. We have training in the morning and I can't afford to have you sick."

Yes, it was Naruto's hypocritical sensei, Hatake Kakashi. On the outside he may spout bullshit about never abandoning team mates and always living by a high moral standard, but on the inside he was the same as every other villager, selfish and conceited. It had taken Naruto a long time to come to this conclusion, but the facts were undeniable. It started from the beginning, at the bell test when he was tied to a post for trying to get food. Sure he had broken the rules, so he understood why he was tied to a post, but he couldn't fathom why he was the only one. His pink-haired team mate hadn't done anything to advance the team, but she got off scott free, and was even ordered to kill the blonde. Naruto was horrified, and luckily it was all part of the test, but those facts stuck with him.

In Wave country Kakashi only began their training when they were threatened by one of the Seven Ninja Swordsmen of the Mist, and even then he taught them Chakra control, a basic exercise that Naruto had mastered months prior with the help of the Hokage. Naruto of course played the part of the fool and failed intentionally so he wouldn't arouse suspicion, but he was sure that Kakashi suspected something. The fact he let it slide meant two things: either Kakashi didn't want to upset the rest of the team and kept it from them, or he just didn't give a shit. Naruto suspected it was the later of the two.

The final nail on the coffin was after the preliminaries of the Chunin exams, when before Naruto could even ask his sensei for help, Kakashi had pulled Sasuke aside for privileged training. Of course Naruto was shot down when he tried to join them with some excuse such as he couldn't let the two observe each other's training methods in case they fought in the finals, but he knew that Kakashi just didn't want to deal with him. Of course, Naruto got special training under one of the Sannin, so he wasn't exactly complaining, but at after that incident he lost all respect for his sensei. He was just like all the other villagers in Naruto's eyes.

Naruto grudgingly looked back at Hiruzen's gravestone.

"Hai. I'll go home."

Kakashi removed his hand and turned around. "Good, be at training ground 7 at 8 A.M. sharp. Don't be late."

Kakashi disappeared in a swirl of leaves.

Naruto stood up on shaking legs. "Well, looks like not eating all day isn't very good huh? I don't feel like ramen… wow, I guess that's a first."

Naruto chuckled at his own joke. "Guess I'll just eat some bread or something and go to sleep."

Naruto trudged through the rain and mud on his way home, avoiding anyone who might still be out this late at night. He slipped a few times and just lay in the mud for a few moments before he found the willpower to actually get up.

Along the walk he racked his brain thinking of people who still cared about him, but on his life he could only find four. His old academy teacher Iruka, the grandson of the late Hokage Konohamaru, and the father-daughter team who ran the ramen stand he frequented.

In each case he knew that though they did care about him, they never really had the same connection like the one he had with the Sandaime. They would always be people he cared about, but they would never be his light like Hiruzen was.

Hiruzen was one of the few people who would acknowledge his existence. Unbeknown to Naruto, the civilians had found a way around their agreement with Sarutobi. If they couldn't act against him actively, then they would do it passively, by ignoring the fact that he was even there. His entire life, he was simply ignored, when he was alone of course, no one in their right mind would ignore the Hokage. At market stands, at restaurants, at the academy, he would be treated as nothing, like he was never even there, and it hurt Naruto more than the sharpest of kunai.

Never before in his life had Naruto felt so depressed, and his mood was just getting worse when he saw his two team mates outside his apartment building.

Naruto sighed and tried to walk past them but a firm hand on his shoulder turned him around.

"Whatever it is Uchiha, I'm sure it can wait until morning. I'm in a really bad mood and I just want to sleep."

Now Naruto finally knew of Sasuke's pain, and he couldn't help but respect him a little. Having his only family ripped from him, and it felt like he had died inside. He couldn't even imagine losing his entire clan, and somewhere deep down he finally understood Sasuke's drive to avenge his family.

Sakura smacked the back of Naruto's head. "What the hell baka!? We come over to your place in the rain to make sure you're alive and this is how you thank us? Stop acting like such a kid and get over it, he was old anyway! It was bound to happen sooner or later!"

Over the past few years he had been hit numerous times by the pink-haired girl, and from experience he knew that they were supposed to hurt. Apparently she was a firm believer in negative reinforcement. Strangely enough, he didn't even register the pain; in fact, he wouldn't have even known he was hit if his head didn't get pushed forward disrupting his vision. Her insult though, that hit him at his core, and it was something that he wouldn't let slide.

Naruto still had his head hung. "Haruno. Don't ever hit me again. I've had enough, and I think it's about damn time for your little bad habit to stop… or mark my words I'll start hitting back."

Sakura could feel sadness and anger in his words, and she flinched because of it. "Naruto… I… I'm sor-"

Naruto just kept walking through the mud, up the stairs and into his apartment, slamming the door behind him.

Sakura looked at his door and turned to face her other team mate. "Hey Sasu-"

She saw him already walking away. She looked up and Naruto's door, and back to Sasuke's retreating form, trying to decide what to do. After a few seconds of debate she ran after the last Uchiha.

Naruto walked into his bathroom and looked into the mirror. He didn't exactly like what he saw. There were huge bags under his red puffy eyes, his face looked sunken from not eating enough the past few days, and his once bright hair had lost its sheen and looked dull.

He turned on the shower and waited for it to get warmish; it never did get warm enough to be considered comfortable, just warm enough to not catch hypothermia. When he ran his hand under the running water he didn't even feel the warmth, in fact he didn't feel anything, absolutely nothing at all.

Naruto turned off the water and chuckled. "So I guess this is what it feels like to be dead huh? I guess my mind just hasn't caught up with my body…"

The blonde walked out and sat down on his lumpy couch, for once not bothered by the springs poking through parts of the fabric. He let himself collapse onto the cushion and he felt his hand brush against the fabric of the kunai pouch by his side, hearing the distinct sound of metal bumping against metal. An idea formed in his head, and he slowly reached down and pulled out one of the sharp ninja weapons.

He slowly ran the tip of his finger along the edge of the knife, and felt it give him a slight cut. He flinched back and brought the kunai away from his hand.

"Wait…"

He looked down at the small cut oozing crimson blood.

"I can feel that…"

A despairing smile grew on his face. "I just want to feel again… I guess I'll see you soon Jiji."

He rolled the mud-caked sleeve of his outfit up and brought the cold steel against the bottom of his wrist, where he knew the most blood vessels were. He took a deep breath of air, but just as he was about to begin the deed his door flew open.

He didn't register the blue-black blur that flew into the room and knocked the kunai out of his grip, pushing him back into the couch. The air was forced out of him and his vision became blurry from the sudden exertion. When he looked up he saw someone he honestly didn't expect to see.

It was one of the girls from the rookie twelve, a dark and shy introverted girl by the name of Hyuga Hinata. When he looked into her eyes he saw a range of emotions, from grief, to pain, to…anger?

Hinata walked up to him and slapped him across the face, hard. "What do you think you're doing!?"

Naruto couldn't choose which to be more surprised at, the fact that this girl just slapped him or that she was able to form a complete sentence without a stutter. He pushed himself upright on the couch. "What does it matter? I just wanted to feel again, and by doing that I would get to see the only person who cared about me in my entire life…" Tears formed again despite him trying to hold them back. "People looked at Jiji as just the Sandaime, a powerful ninja and the leader of Konoha… but he… he was the only reason I lived… He was the only one there for me all those years…"

Hinata looked horrified. 'How… how can someone live like this all those years? I watched him; he never showed these kinds of pain and sadness… Wait, we did this. We all did…'

Flashback

Images flashed through Hinata's mind, memories of her early childhood. She vividly remembered seeing a young blonde boy inside a store, and he was in asking for help in picking out a gift for his "Jiji". She didn't know who this boy was, but she watched as everyone in the store seemed to ignore that fact that he was there. She watched for about ten minutes as the boy tried to get someone to help him, all in vain. Hinata looked up at her assigned guard for the day, a main house member by the name of Ko.

"What did he do Ko-san? Why is he ignored like that?"

Ko looked at the boy with disgust, then took Hinata's small hand in his and began walking away. "Don't concern yourself with him Hinata-sama, he deserves everything that's happening to him"

Hinata couldn't protest, and just looked over her shoulder and saw the boy begin to sob on the ground.

Fast-forward a year and Hinata was standing outside the Konoha Shinobi academy, once again with Ko.

"Hinata-sama, this is where you are going to be attending soon. You have a lot of people expecting great things, and I know you can do it."

Hinata looked frightened. "Do you think I'll be ok?"

Ko smiled down at her. "Of course you will, you are the heiress of the Hyuga clan after all."

Hinata frowned a bit, and looked behind her when she heard what sounded like rope moving back and forth. She saw the same boy from the previous year on a rope swing looking down at the ground with a look that showed just how lonely he was.

"Ko-san, it's that boy again."

Ko narrowed his eyes and led Hinata away from the building. "Come Hinata-sama, it is time for your training."

It was several months later, and Hinata was in the middle of a forest surrounded by three boys. She had a terrible morning practice and just wanted to be alone, so she ran through Konoha, but she had unintentionally run into three boys from her class and spilt their ice-cream. Now they had forced her on her hands and knees and were trying to get her to apologize. She was silently praying for someone to help her as tears rolled down her face.

"Hey, leave her alone!"

The three boys and Hinata looked at the newest arrival; it was the same blonde-haired boy.

"Oi, get lost punk! She ran into us and refused to apologize, so we're teaching her some manners!"

Naruto scowled at the kid. "No you're not, you're just being mean! I'm sure it was an accident, and you guys are just being mean for no reason!"

The small boy didn't like the tone Naruto was using with him, so he stepped forward and punched him in the face, sending Naruto tumbling to the ground. "Now beat it, before I have to hurt you some more!"

The kid was caught off guard with Naruto jumped at him, knocking him off the ground. Naruto sat atop him, hitting him and trying to keep the boy pined.

"Go, get out of here!"

Hinata knew he was talked to her, but she couldn't move a muscle out of fright. She saw the other two boys drag Naruto off their friend and they all proceeded to beat him mercilessly. She couldn't tear her eyes away from the frightening scene playing out before her, and she would never forget the pleading look in the blonde-haired boy's blue eyes, begging her for help. It was help that never came.

"Hinata-sama!"

Hinata recognized the voice of her guard Ko, and she knew that someone who could help was finally here.

The boys stood up and ran off. "Oh shit, scatter!"

Ko ran over to the Hyuga girl and helped her up on her feet. "Hinata-sama! Are you ok? Are you hurt anywhere?"

Hinata shook her head no. "I-I'm fine, b-but he's h-hurt!"

Ko followed her gaze and saw the unconscious blonde boy with a bloodied face. He grabbed Hinata's hand and began leading her away. "We must return to the compound Hinata-sama."

Hinata slightly struggled in his grasp. "B-but…"

She stole one last look over her shoulder at the boy who was still lying motionless. Hinata turned her head back around and steeled her gaze on the ground in shame, a tear falling down her face.

End Flashback

'I caused this… All those times I could have helped him, and I turned my back on him… That's it! No more. By being alone he's fallen this far. I can't let him go through with what he was about to do, if he dies… then I'll die with him. I guess… I guess I have to be strong, strong for us both. I have to finally talk with him, walk with him, hold him…'

Naruto couldn't hold back the tears and turned his head in shame. He thought that his little display of weakness would make the girl go away, or so he hoped. He felt so pathetic, and he could only picture that he looked the same. Imagine his surprise when he felt someone sit down next to him and wrap their arms around him.

He looked up at Hinata with puffy red eyes, and she looked hurt, as if she was recalling some painful memory. She pulled him down so his head rested on her shoulder and laid her head on his. "Naruto-kun, I don't think I could ever understand what you're going through, but you have to remember that there are others who still care a lot about you."

Naruto snorted. "Sorry Hinata, but the list is pretty short. I realized that when Jiji died a part of me died with him; I just didn't know it yet. It would be better to just leave me be… I don't have a purpose anymore." He started chuckling as tears continued to stream down his face. "It just sounds so pathetic… It's almost funny…"

Hinata gasped. "What do you mean? I thought your dream was to be the Hokage, to be recognized as a strong Shinobi and treated with respect?"

Naruto shook his head. "No, all I ever wanted to be was to be like Jiji. He was so strong, and kind, and understanding. He was a true Hokage, and everyone loved him. He cared about everyone and even though he made some mistakes, he swallowed his pride and apologized, seeking forgiveness and strove not to repeat those mistakes. I don't think I have that strength… I don't think I ever could."

This wasn't the same Naruto that she had known and fallen in love with, this was like she was before, a hollow shell of a person. Hinata sat in silence, contemplating how she could help him, and slowly an idea began to form in her mind.

'No way… that's… it's just impossible! But… that just might make it work.' She stood up and kneeled beside Naruto, lifting his chin to bring him face to face with her. "Naruto… Ano… You said you no longer have a purpose?"

Naruto nodded emotionlessly.

Hinata swallowed a lump. "Do you want one? A purpose?"

Hope flashed through Naruto's eyes, and he nodded again.

Hinata smiled. "Then pack whatever belongings you have. Clothes, important items, toiletries; anything you need."

Naruto looked confused, but stood up and obeyed her command. 'It doesn't matter if I do it or not, but at this point I have nothing left to lose… Anything she has planned for me will be better than staying here.'

Twenty minutes later and Naruto had a small duffel bag filled with different things; clothes, a toothbrush, and his forehead protector. It was sad that he was able to fit his entire life into the small confines of a travel-size bag.

Hinata looked around at Naruto's apartment to make sure he didn't forget anything, and she spotted a picture of his team on the nightstand by his bed. She walked over to it and gingerly picked it up, showing it to the blonde.

"You don't want to take this with you?"

Naruto shook his head. "I was never really a part of the team, just a Genin that was needed to fill the quota."

Hinata flinched. 'I don't know how they could have hurt him so, but that stops now… I'll make sure of it.'

"Come with me Naruto."

Naruto nodded his head and followed the girl across Konoha in silence. She felt oddly confident, a feeling that the young girl had felt only a handful of times in the past, and just as the rain was letting up they stopped in front of a massive wooden gate. They had stopped at the Hyuga compound.

Hinata channeled a bit of chakra into the gate and the doors opened themselves. Hinata looked back and saw the eyes almost bugging out of the blonde's skull.

She giggled at his antics. 'Well at least he isn't just a shell… I'm glad he still has some of that child-like curiosity I love so much.'

"Wondering about the gate?"

Naruto nodded slightly.

"The Yondaime made them. Apparently several years before I was born he made seals for all the clan compounds that made them only accessible to those of the clan they were made for, and those who were specifically invited or were in the presence of someone of that clan."

Naruto smiled slightly. "That's amazing… The Hokages really are great people…"

Hinata smiled and grabbed the blonde's hand, leading him through the compound. Looking over his shoulder Naruto saw the gates close themselves again, and he could saw a seal matrix spread out over the gate, probably as a locking mechanism.

Just as they were about to enter the main building they were stopped by two guards. They were older men who grinned when they saw their clan's heiress approach. They would often delight in politely bullying her at every chance they got in some twisted plot of revenge against the main house. Little did they know that the meek Hinata was gone forever, and the new Hinata was far from amused.

"Hinata-sama, you know the rules. There are to be no visitors unless specifically invited by Lord Hiashi."

The two guards smirked to themselves, they knew that rule only applied to the branch members, but they also knew the heiress was way too timid to confront them about it. Their eyes widened and they began to sweat when they saw the 'timid' heiress bring her hand up in a familiar seal.

Hinata narrowed her eyes dangerously at the two guards.

"I see you two recognize this seal, good. Now I don't have to use it. Don't get me wrong, I abhor this seal, and I will abolish its use as soon as I am made clan head, but I will use it on anyone who tries to usurp my authority. Do I make myself clear?"

The two guards fell to their knees ready to do everything in their power to not face the wrath of the caged bird seal. "Forgive us Hinata-sama! We will never even think of going against you again!"

Hinata smiled and led the flabbergasted blonde into the house. "Excellent, now one of you go inform my father that I will be meeting with him in twenty minutes. Whoever is not doing that will get a change of Hyuga robes for Naruto, and will leave them in my room. Have I made myself clear?"

The guards stood up and bowed. "Crystal clear Hinata-sama." They then ran off to accomplish their tasks.

Hinata sighed and led Naruto down the halls, who was looking around at the pure luxury of the complex. The well-polished bamboo floors were accentuated by the white walls with the Hyuga crest proudly displayed at regular intervals. Naruto couldn't even count the number of doors they passed, and he was informed earlier that this was one of the smaller buildings that made up the Hyuga complex. It was clear that these people were part of a high society that he could never hope to reach. They eventually stopped in front of a room whose door looked more expensive than Naruto's entire apartment put together. Hinata opened it and brought the blonde inside, quickly closing the door behind her to ensure their privacy.

Naruto up to this point had been completely silent, shocked and slightly afraid of the new Hinata, but silent none the less. He looked around the room and noticed that while it was quite large, it was also very plain. There was hardly any color, and the very large bed had plain beige sheets with a matching beige comforter. There was a single dresser and two nightstands on either side of the bed, which Naruto could only assume was as soft as it was large, and a single vanity stand at the far side of the room.

Naruto turned to Hinata to speak but she didn't give him a chance. "Drop your things by the bed. The shower is through those doors near the back of the room, and I will have a towel brought to you along with a change of clothes. Please hurry though, I want to meet with my father before it gets too late."

Naruto just blinked and nodded, doing as he was instructed and went to cleanse himself. Hinata watched his retreating form disappear behind the door of the bathroom and sighed, flopping herself on her bed and waiting for the clothes she requested.

"What a horrible day… I'm just glad I decided to check up on Naruto when I did or he might have…"

She sat up and shook the thoughts from her head. "No, I can't even think it."

Just then there was a knock on her door, so she lifted herself off the bed. "Enter!"

One of the guards from earlier walked in with a full change of clothes and bowed. "Here is the wardrobe you requested Hinata-sama, and your father is most excited to meet with you."

Hinata laughed as she took the clothes from him. "I'm sure he is. You may return to your post now."

The man bowed. "Hai."

Hinata closed the door and walked towards her bathroom. She could hear the water already running but decided to be courteous and knocked on the door. "Naruto-kun, are you in the shower yet?"

There was a quiet "Hai" from the other side of the door so Hinata opened the door and walked inside. She set the clothes on the sink counter.

"Your clothes are here and there is a towel on the rack."

Naruto froze inside of the shower. "H-Hinata? Are you in the b-bathroom?"

Hinata giggled and slightly blushed, she hadn't even thought about the fact that Naruto was naked on the other side of the shower curtain. "Indeed I am, now please hurry, my father is expecting us."

She walked out of the bathroom and closed the door behind her. She sat in front of her mirror and took deep breaths to calm her racing mind. When she looked up at herself she forced herself to steel her nerves.

"You can do this. This is long overdue; be strong Hinata. Be strong for Naruto."

Hinata just sat at the stand looking at herself and going over what she was going to say to her father in several short minutes.

A few minutes later and the shower doors opened, revealing a very different looking Naruto. He looked far more presentable than he ever did in his orange jumpsuit, and the plain colors of black and white did wonders to bring out the contrasting color of his eyes. He wore a black robe with a white sash overtop a smaller white robe. Hinata was amazed at how he was able to pull off the "Hyuga" look so easily. His hair even seemed to have regained some of its sheen, and, though he still looked tired, he no longer looked like a vagabond.

Hinata blushed and walked over to the blonde taking Naruto's hands in her own. "You look much more like the Naruto-kun I know. After the meeting with my father I will take you to the kitchen and get you something to eat, and then we can retire for the night. Does that sound ok?"

Naruto smiled and nodded, prompting Hinata to lead him by the hand out of the room and down the hall towards her father's study.

Naruto looked at each person they passed trying his best to read their faces, and they all just glared back at him. He dropped his head to avoid their gaze, feeling entirely out of place. "Hinata… not that I don't appreciate what you are doing for me, but… why? Why would you go out of your way for someone like me?"

Hinata chuckled and squeezed his hand a little. "It's pretty ironic Naruto-kun; I asked myself something similar about you after the Chunin exams. As for me, well you'll find out soon when we meet with my father."

Naruto didn't argue the rest of the way, and soon enough they stopped in front of yet another a large and expensive-looking door. Hinata slipped her hand out of Naruto's and looked at him.

"Ready yourself Naruto-kun. My father isn't the most pleasant man there is, and he is always trying to find ways to put me down. Just let me handle it, and I promise you everything will be ok."

Naruto nodded. "I trust you Hinata; just let me know if you need anything."

Hinata smiled brightly. "I'm glad you trust me Naruto-kun. Now when we go in there I want you to kneel in front of my father by my side as I do and don't move until the meeting is over. I want you to promise me you won't do anything, no matter what happens."

Naruto looked confused for a moment, but slowly nodded. "I promise."

With a sigh Hinata opened the door and walked inside with Naruto in tow. The two knelt walked to the front of a large wooden desk with a very stern looking man behind it. He had long black hair neatly pulled back behind his head and exuded a serious attitude that almost dared someone to cross him.

Hinata bowed. "Tou-sama."

She looked over to see Naruto bow too. "Hyuga-sama."

Hinata was glad she didn't have to tell Naruto to mind his manners. Hinata let out a breath she had been holding in. 'Maybe this won't be as hard as I thought?' Hinata thought as she knelt down before his desk while Naruto knelt beside her.

"What is the meaning of this Hinata? First you go out past curfew and now you bring him back with you?"

Hinata frowned. 'Maybe not…' "Forgive me Tou-san for breaking curfew, I have no excuse for disobeying your rules and accept any punishment you have."

Hiashi blinked. "Well this is a first. What happened to the stuttering weak little girl who feared to be in my mere presence?"

Hinata looked over to see Naruto's fists clench before she looked back into her father's eyes. "She is gone Tou-san, and I would appreciate it if you wouldn't refer to my future husband as 'him'."

Naruto couldn't believe what he just heard. 'Wait… what? What the hell does she mean "future husband"?'

Naruto looked up at the other male in the room and he immediately became tense. It was quite clear that Hiashi was using every ounce of self-control to not show the anger that was obviously bubbling up inside of him, but that didn't mean he wasn't restraining any of his cold aura.

Hiashi took a deep calming breath before proceeding. "I don't believe I have approved of a suitor for you yet Hinata, and you can be sure that it will be a cold day in hell before he is on that list."

Hinata smirked, something she did very rarely. "As heiress I don't believe that a suitor is necessary. I am free to court and be courted as I see fit, and I have already made my decision on the matter."

The older Hyuga smirked back. "Oh? I don't believe I was speaking about Hanabi, as she is the heiress of our clan ever since the pathetic display you put on last month, in front of the entire council no less."

Hinata was waiting for this, in fact this was what her entire strategy was based on. "Then I demand a rematch. At the time I was still injured from my match in the Chunin exams, and you know it. That was hardly a fair fight, even if I had tried. Under Hyuga clan laws anyone from the head family of the main branch may demand a match for the position of heir or heiress respectively."

This was the last straw for Hiashi; he stood up at his desk quickly knocking back his chair. "Enough of this nonsense Hinata! You will return to your room while I have this… this boy escorted out!"

Hinata stood up too with no less confidence. "Don't you dare speak about him that way! If you ever degrade Naruto in my presence I will personally make sure our line ends with me when I become clan head!"

Hiashi saw red and went to teach his daughter respect via a slap to the face. Naruto stood up to stop him, but he was too late. Hiashi's hand never made it to its target. It was stopped inches away from Hinata's face when she caught his wrist, and she immediately began applying pressure, twisting it at an odd angle. Hiashi felt a surge of pain shoot up his arm and was forced back down into his seat by his daughter's vice-like grip.

Hinata released her father's hand. "I will forgive this incident Tou-san, but if you try something like that again I promise the outcome won't be pleasant for you, and for the record my earlier threat stands."

Hinata took a stunned Naruto's hand in hers and walked out of her father's office. At the door Hinata looked over her shoulder and saw Hiashi was at a loss for words while he was nursing his wounded wrist and pride, something that seldom happened to the man.

"I expect a rematch first thing in the morning, and make sure the elders are there. I don't want to have to put on a repeat performance; I would worry about Hanabi's health."

She left the view of her father's gaze and strode down the halls to her room with a blonde in tow. She was silent the entire trip, but she could feel Naruto's gaze on her back. Thankfully he didn't ask any questions during the trip, and they made it back to her room without uttering a single word.

When they were back in the young heiress's room Naruto couldn't contain the questions anymore. "Ok, what was that all about? What do you mean future husband? And why aren't you the heiress anymore?"

Hinata sighed and walked over to her bed, flopping herself down unceremoniously. "Come sit with me Naruto, it'll take some time to explain."

The blonde nodded and strode to her side, awkwardly sitting down with a comfortable distance parting the two. Hinata chuckled at Naruto's nervousness and scooted closer to him.

"Are you scared?"

Hinata looked over at the blonde, who still had his gaze trained on the ground. "Petrified would be the better word. I'm confident that I can beat my sister tomorrow, but it's after that which scares me."

Naruto stared at the ground for a few more moments before he looked over at the Hyuga girl. "So… why me?"

She smiled took his hand in hers. "Naruto, for the longest time you have been my inspiration, my light, my hope. Whenever I felt weak or was about to give up, I pictured your face and managed to find the strength to continue on. I admired you ever since we were children, and from that admiration a crush grew. Over time though my feelings grew more and more intense. I'm not sure when it happened, but over the past few months I finally came to a realization: I love you Naruto; with all my heart I love you, and I want you to be by my side forever."

She looked deep into his eyes and she saw a range of raw emotion flash under the ocean blue color. She saw fear, hesitation, and sadness. She even saw… regret?

Hinata took a deep breath and continued on. "You said you no longer had a purpose, and I told you I would give you one. Do you want to know the purpose I will give you after what you just heard?"

Naruto hesitated, he looked down at the ground for a few seconds. After what felt like an eternity he finally returned her gaze. "Hai, I want to know my new purpose."

Hinata smiled. "You will stay by my side, now and forever. You will support me as I claim my birthright as Hyuga matriarch. You will father my children, and love them with all the love you can find in your heart. In return I will give you a family, I will give you my unconditional love, and I will do everything in my power to ensure your happiness. Can you do this Naruto? Can you live with those roles, and even if you don't love me now, can perhaps give us a chance?"

This was it. Hinata laid herself bare, showing the full depth of her emotion to the only person she ever wanted to be with. All she wanted to do was curl up in a ball and hide from the world, and every second Naruto didn't answer her tore her heart into smaller and smaller pieces. She didn't know how long Naruto stared at her, but to her it could have been an eternity. She was so sure he would laugh at her, or yell, or just leave, maybe all of the above. She was so busy picturing all the ways this plan could blow up in her face that she didn't hear his response; in fact she only saw his mouth move slightly.

Hinata blinked. "G-Gomen Naruto-kun, can you r-repeat that please?"

Naruto squeezed her hand reassuringly since this was the first time this evening she had stuttered. "I said I would be honored. To the best of my ability I will support you and father our children, giving them all the love I was never given as a child, and even though I can't say that I love you as of right now, I will see if I can."

Hinata couldn't believe her ears. In the span of one evening she had gotten just about everything she had ever wanted since she was a little girl. She just got the love of her life to agree to stay by her side, eventually joining her in holy matrimony and agreeing to father their children. She had never felt such happiness, such utter completion, then at that moment in time.

She began shedding tears of joy, and she latched herself onto Naruto's chest, wrapping her arms around his back. "Naruto… I… I don't know what to say. I, just… Just hold me please, just for a few moments."

Naruto draped his arms around the girl. "Of course, Hinata-hime."

Hinata smiled at his new name for her, and she closed her eyes, taking a deep breath, inhaling as much of his scent as she could. She was realizing her dream, something that she thought would only ever exist in her imagination, one step at a time. The best part was that it was being brought about by her own strength, she was fighting her own battles and overcoming her own obstacles, and she knew it was all because of the blonde holding her.

Just as she was snuggling further and further into his chest she heard a deep rumble. She blinked and sat back up, looking at Naruto.

The blonde scratched his head. "Sorry about that. I haven't eaten anything in a day or two…"

Hinata's eyes widened. "Gomen! I completely forgot to stop by the kitchen!" She stood up and grabbed Naruto's hand. "Come with me, I'll get you something to eat."

She walked him down the halls hand in hand, earning several looks from people they ran into, but no one dared to say anything to them. It would seem news of Hinata's altercation with the guards spread very quickly, and few were willing to cross her, and by extension Naruto.

As they neared the kitchen a boy that looked about their age stepped out from a hallway, and it looked like he would crash with Hinata. Before they met Naruto pulled Hinata's arm back and she flew into his embrace, avoiding the boy. It seemed like this wasn't what the boy expected, as he shot a glare at Naruto as soon as he saw he hadn't crashed into Hinata.

She meanwhile sighed happily being in Naruto's arms, but as soon as she saw who almost ran into her she scowled. "What do you want Modon?"

The now identified Modon smirked at her. "What makes you think I wanted something?"

Hinata shook her head and lead Naruto around Modon as they continued towards the kitchen. As Naruto passed him by the boy grabbed Naruto's shoulder and spun him around.

"And what does a piece of trash like you think you're doing here? You should leave before you taint our good name with your filth."

Naruto shrugged himself out from his grip and kept walking past the boy.

"It figures a pathetic girl such as Hinata hangs out with someone like you. I'm almost upset that I'm going to be betrothed to her next month, almost."

Hinata turned to face him and was about to argue with him, but before she could utter a word a yellow-black blur rushed past her and slammed into Modon. Modon's eyes widened as Naruto picked him up by his neck with his right hand and slammed the Hyuga into a nearby wall, forcing the air from his lungs.

Modon looked down at Naruto with a sneer on his face, trying to break the blonde's iron like grip, Naruto just squeezed tighter. Modon clawed at the hand that held his throat, and his vision started to get blurred from a lack of oxygen, but he froze when he looked to Naruto's face and saw blood red eyes with black slits on them.

"You can insult me however much you want, I don't care. But if you say ONE word about Hinata, I'll make sure that the only place you'll feel safe again is in your nightmares."

Modon nodded weakly and was unceremoniously dropped to the floor gasping for breath with a hand massaging his neck. He looked at Hinata, then at Naruto before he shuddered and ran off. Naruto turned to face Hinata, with his red eyes turning back to their normal blue hue.

Hinata smiled sweetly. "While I appreciate you standing up for me Naruto-kun, I need to fight my own battles, or they will never learn."

Naruto bowed to his future wife. "Gomen Hinata-hime, but I can't just let people talk about you like that. You've already done so much for me… By the way, who was that guy?"

Hinata sighed and took Naruto's hand again, leading him into a very large kitchen. She motioned for him to sit down in a chair near a large table while she began to take out several vegetables and a small slab of meat. As she was dicing the ingredients she sighed again and began talking.

"That particular Hyuga is one of the main branch members, my fourth cousin actually on my father's side. He is a rather… unpleasant… boy who has made it a personal goal of his to seduce a number of the branch members. His father is on the council and apparently has told him to turn his attention towards me in an effort to gain more influence in the clan."

Naruto watched Hinata pour the now chopped ingredients into a pot on the stove. "So, he's your cousin right? Wouldn't that be… you know… incest?"

Hinata sighed and poured water into the pot and turned on the heat. "Not many people know this, but over the years the Hyuga clan has taken in less and less outside Shinobi, resulting in more cases of inbreeding. This wasn't an issue when it was only seventh or eighth cousins, but now it seems the family trees are getting closer and closer."

Naruto grimaced. "That's… that's a little gross."

Hinata nodded and added several spices to the pot, closing the lid to keep the heat in. "Yes it is, but unfortunately my father doesn't seem to be willing to change the practice any time soon. It will be one of the first things I change when I become clan head."

Realization flashed across Naruto's mind. "Wait, you mentioned something about elders earlier and now you mentioned something about a Hyuga council, is that like the Konoha council?"

Hinata scowled as she stirred the pot. "Yes, they are. Though they tend to believe they have more power than they actually have. They will be reminded that their authority is much more limited than they believe it is."

Hinata took the wooden spoon out of the pot and replaced the lid. She walked over to Naruto and took his hands in hers again.

"Gomen Naruto-kun. I've asked of you something very selfish. There will be radical changes to the clan, and it isn't very fair that I've brought you in the middle of it. I won't like to you, we will make many enemies along the way and it won't be easy, but if you stay with me I know we can change the Hyuga for the better."

Naruto smiled and took his hands out of hers, wrapping her in a tight and warm hug. "I already promised to be there for you, and I never go back on my promises. That's my-"

"Our ninja way…"

Naruto pulled back and looked at Hinata with an arched eyebrow. She just giggled and returned to the stove to stir the pot. "I told you already Naruto-kun, you've been my inspiration for a long time, so it's only natural that I follow the same nindo as you do."

Naruto sat back down with a grin. "Yeah, I guess you're right…"

There was a silence for a few seconds, broken by another rumble from the blonde. Hinata giggled and took out a container of rice from the fridge, left over from dinner earlier that night. She poured the warm curry over two bowls of rice and walked over to Naruto, who was still waiting at the table.

Naruto swallowed the saliva building up in his mouth from the delicious aromas of Hinata's cooking. It was becoming painfully evident that he hadn't eaten in so long, and his body was actually aching for some sort of nourishment.

When Hinata set the bowl in front of him he was so focused on the food in front of him that he didn't notice the girl sit herself next to him.

"Ano… Naruto-kun?"

Naruto used all his willpower not to scarf the food down as he answered her. "Wha… What is it Hinata-chan?"

Hinata blushed slightly and twiddled her fingers slightly. "Well… I was wondering if… If I could… If I could sit next to you and… feed you."

Naruto blinked, that certainly wasn't what he was expecting her to ask. "feed me?"

Hinata nodded. "It's been one of my fantasies for a while now… and I figured now would be a good time… but if you don't want to I understand."

Naruto shook his head and chuckled. "No, it's not that. I just wasn't expecting that was all. Sure, by all means."

Hinata giggled and pulled up a chair to sit next to him. Apparently what Naruto thought she meant was quite accurate, she meant to say sit on him. She had his arm wrapped around her shoulder and she lodged her herself as far into his body as she could. The pair looked more like one blob of a person as opposed to two separate people.

Naruto was not used to this close contact, and a tinge of pink flared through his face, making Hinata laugh. Their positions had been thoroughly reversed; now it was Naruto who was embarrassed while Hinata made the steady advances. Hinata broke apart a pair of chopsticks and got a beef tip with a fair amount of rice and brought it up to Naruto's mouth. He opened up and graciously accepted the food in front of his face. Then he did the same for Hinata, taking his time and enjoying the experience and closeness.

They went back and forth, taking turns until the entire meal was finished.

"Wow Hinata-chan, that was amazing! I never knew you could cook like that. I can't wait to try some of your other cooking!"

Hinata basked in the praise, reveling in the bliss of his acknowledgment, and was about to respond until a presence made herself known behind them.

"Nee-san, what is this about a match tomorrow morning?"

Hinata immediately frowned and sighed. "Gomen Naruto-koi, but we should retire for the night. I have a busy day tomorrow."

Naruto looked at Hanabi's angry expression and back to his future wife. For some reason whenever he thought of a future with Hinata he felt happiness bubble up from the pit of his stomach. He felt that he could easily get used to a life with her.

"I understand Hinata-hime."

Hinata stood up and took the two bowls to the sink, leaving them for the morning for cleaning. Waiting behind her was Naruto, who took her hand in his and let her lead him out the kitchen. Hinata smiled at the contact, happy that this time Naruto was the one to initiate the hand holding.

The whole time Hanabi was looking at the pair with mixed feelings. One on hand she was perturbed that she was woken up in the middle of the night by her father just to be told she was going to have to have a spar with her sister in the early morning. This was normal, since they had been sparing against each other for many years now, but what confused her was that this was a spar to determine the heiress of the clan.

She sat up in bed and blinked several times, thinking that she was still partly asleep and had misheard him, but when she asked him to repeat what he said she discovered that she heard correctly. When she asked why this matter wasn't settled when she had won a spar several weeks prior she was informed that 'certain circumstances have come to light that requires a rematch'.

Now she was upset because she had planned morning training with an elder to help her refine several of her clan techniques, and now she had to waste her time humiliating her sister. When she finally found the source of her anger, she found her basically on the lap of a blonde haired boy feeding each other. It was the same boy who had beaten her cousin Neji in the Chunin Exams several days prior, so she had some respect for him, but she still knew nothing about him other than the fact that he was a clan-less orphan; a loser.

And now her sister was being friendly with this loser. "Nee-san, must you continuously drag our name through the mud by associating with this no name orphan? If you feel the need for companionship then ask for someone from a respectful background so the rest of the Hyuga aren't forced to share in your shame."

Hinata was walking past her sister when she froze. She looked back at her sister and was about to yell, scream, or do something, but she felt a squeeze on her hand. She looked over her shoulder at Naruto, who had a lone tear falling down his face and he shook his head.

Hinata sighed and turned back to walk out of the kitchen. "Come Naruto-kun, lets head back to my room so we can get some sleep."

Hanabi snorted. "First you let that trash in our home, then you let him in your bed? You clearly have no shame sister if you are willing to let that… that filth defile you."

Naruto wasn't quick enough to prevent Hinata's next action, though deep down he was cheering at what happened. Quick as lightning Hinata spun around, bringing her hand to rain down on her sister's cheek.

'SLAP!'

The force of the hit sent Hanabi reeling into the counter several feet back, and she brought her hand up in shock. Her sister had never truck her before, even inside of a spar! Hanabi saw red, and she was about to retaliate, but she was immediate blasted by a wave of pure unadulterated rage, all focused on herself.

She looked up in fear at her sister, shaking in anger. "Hanabi… I don't know what caused you to become so hostile and conceited, but I don't give a damn. If you ever insult Naruto in front of me, I will make sure to bring every single one of your nightmares to life."

Hinata retook Naruto's hand in hers and walked out of the kitchen, leaving Hanabi slouched against the counter. Hinata suddenly stuck her face back inside, with the same rage on her face.

"And I wouldn't have anyone else in the entire world besides Naruto defile me, and if you don't like that… well I don't give a damn if you like that or not."

Hinata then left the room for good in the presence of a furiously blushing blonde leaving Hanabi with her mouth wide opened.

As they were walking back to the room Hinata sighed and looked at Naruto, who looked just as he did when she found him in his apartment, dead.

"Naruto-kun, don't believe for a second anything she just said. She is just upset, she didn't mean it."

Naruto looked at her, then looked down at the ground. "But she's right. I am just a no name orphan that only got taken care of out of pity from Jiji. I can't let you drag yourself down for me, I'm not worth it… It would be better if I hmmpf!"

Hinata got tired of him degrading himself so she shut him up the best way she knew how, by placing her lips over his and stopping him mid-sentence. Naruto instinctually pulled back from the contact, but Hinata had grabbed the front of the blonde's robes, pulling him forward and keeping the kiss ongoing. Naruto just reveled in the feeling of his first kiss, pleasantly surprised with Hinata's boldness. He couldn't get over how soft they felt, how moist they were on his own, and how right it felt overall.

After what seemed like an eternity for Naruto, and not long enough for Hinata, the Hyuga girl pulled back sighing happily.

Hinata's eyes fluttered open and she smiled at Naruto's bewildered expression. "Are you better yet?"

Naruto could only dumbly nod.

"Good. Now, I don't want you to hear you ever put yourself down like that again. You gave me your promise that you would stay with me, so you aren't allowed to leave me, ever."

Naruto nodded again. "Sorry Hinata… I… I really don't deserve you…"

Hinata took his hand in hers and led him down the hall to her room. "No Naruto-kun, you are the only one who deserves me, and you are the only one who will ever have me."

Naruto just felt happy for some reason. He didn't know why, maybe it was just him being possessive, but the reassurance of Hinata promising herself to him and him only made him feel more happy than if he was declared Hokage at that exact moment. It was because he had finally found what he was searching for all his life, love. He had found in this formerly shy, dark, quiet girl all the love and acceptance that he could ever want.

When they got back in her room she took her hand out of his and walked over to her dresser, leaving Naruto standing at the door. She took off her beige jacket and let it fall to the floor, showing her black undershirt, which she also took off leaving her only in her purple lacy bra and pants. It became painfully clear that Hinata was definitely an early bloomer, and she didn't show any signs of slowing down.

Naruto's eyes slowly widened, trapped in the trance of watching Hinata strip. He knew he should turn around and give her some privacy, but he just couldn't find the willpower to turn away.

"You can look Naruto-kun, I don't mind."

Naruto jumped and blushed with wide eyes. Hinata looked over her shoulder and giggled at his nervousness. She undid the button on her pants and turned around towards Naruto as her pants fell to her ankles revealing her matching purple lacy panties.

Naruto sucked in a breath, face red and flushed as his eyes unconsciously traveled over her semi-naked form. Hinata walked over to the blonde and hugged him, being made aware of his growing arousal as she brought her head up to whisper in his ear.

"Naru-koi, we can't sleep if you are still fully clothed."

She kissed his cheek and detached herself, walking over to her bed and sliding under the covers. She sat up in her bed and patted the sheets next to her, signaling the blonde to begin moving again.

Naruto blinked several times, snapping back to reality and blushing in embarrassment. "Sorry Hinata-chan…"

She giggled. "For what? I already told you that you are the only one who will ever have me, so why would I get made if you look at me? Besides, it's flattering to think that I am able to make you excited."

Naruto shyly smiled and took off his robes, leaving him only in his burnt orange boxers. Hinata would have laughed if she wasn't looking at him in nothing but his underwear, and even though he was still young and had much growing to do, she knew he would definitely grow into his body well.

Naruto grinned at Hinata when he caught her staring. "Like what you see?"

The Hyuga decided to play along. "Oh yes, very much so."

The blonde's grin dropped and he blushed in embarrassment, rubbing his arms. "Th… Thanks… Look Hinata-chan… I know you like me a lot… but I'm not sure I…"

Hinata smiled. "Naruto. I'm not going to pressure you into anything you aren't ready to do. That involves everything from holding hands to consummating our relationship. I love you, and nothing will ever change that, I'd be happy waiting until marriage if that is what you want to do."

Naruto let out a sigh of relief and walked over to the bed, getting under the covers with his fiancé. The fact that he was able to say that still brought a smile to his face. He sat up and leaned over to kiss her lovingly, spurned on when Hinata threw her arms around his neck.

He thought back to the events of the day. Hinata saved him from the depths of his despair after he lost the only person he could ever think of as a family, and gave him a whole new reason to live. She brought him into her home and faced her fears just to give him a place to live. She even fought with her sister just to defend his honor! And now she was telling him that she was going to let him set the pace of the relationship? It was just so much raw love that it was almost overwhelming, and it was everything Naruto had ever wanted.

"Thank you Hinata-chan. I don't know but… I… I think… I think that I might love you too."

A tear fell from Hinata's eye and her eye lids lowered slightly. She smiled, a smile that she poured all of her happiness into, and she threw herself against Naruto's chest and linked her arms around his back. Naruto rested his head on hers and hugged her back. He noticed she was shaking slightly, and was about to ask her what was wrong until she began talking between sobs.

"Naruto… I… I don't know what to say… I… can't tell you how happy I am. This day has… been one of the best of my… entire life. You can't leave me… you can't ever leave me! I won't ever be happy… without you!"

Naruto chuckled and held her closer. "I wouldn't ever dream of it."

END

Well, hope you all enjoyed it. Some fluff and some promise of action.

Tell me what you think via review or pm, dont really care which.

Peace