Disclaimer: I don't own Naruto and its characters. They belong to the rightful author and publisher.

It is a long dry road

Bumps and turns await

Sore feet walks on

Not minding the pain.

The war is over.

Dozens of dead bodies are scattered down the ground.

The death of thousands of shinobis aren't wasted for we have won.

We've overcome this.

Naruto kun defeated Uchiha Madara and the ten tails.

There he is surrounded by all the remaining shinobis, cheering for him and thanking him.

Once again he is the hero who saved not only our village but the whole shinobi world. Finally his effort to be acknowledge was rewarded. Everyone of those who looked down at him when he was younger are the one's who are looking up to him. He could easily be the hokage. I know he will be.

I always believe in him even before we were kids. He had been my hero even before he had gain this status he has now. But I am always a coward girl, I never had the courage to take one great step to walk beside him. I was always contended looking at him from a far. For me as long as I can see him happy, I am happy too.

But one day, I was overcome by fear of losing him. I mastered all courage that I have and jumped right into his battle. That moment I just want to save him, that even once in my life I would save him. The cost of my life does not matter. He is a lot more important than anything else because I love him. I confessed to him. It isn't like I am waiting for my feelings to be reciprocated but from that day and on, I promised that I will always moved on so one day I will be able to catch up with him.

"Hinata, you done great and as a father I am proud of you."

That is the first time I ever heard those words coming from my father and I feel the warmth spreading in my chest. I hugged him and he hugs me back.

"Thank you father. I'm happy but there's sadness underneath this."

"I know what you feel. I failed protecting my brother's precious momento. Neiji should have not died."

"It's true that losing Neiji niisan hurts. But I know he died with a smile on his face because he died an honourable death. A one suitable for true shinobi. And as Naruto said he will be inside our hearts forever. Let's just be sad for a moment then smile as we carry niisan's memory in our heart."

"That Naruto kid, who would have thought he will be the saviour?"

"Father, he had always been a hero in his own ways."

"Why not join your friends there cheering him?"

I smiled as I run towards my friends.

I want to congratulate Naruto kun. But he is in Sakura chan's arms. The smile on his face is so bright, I never seen him as happy as that. He loves her and I can see it on his eyes. I always know he is inlove with her. It hurts but there's nothing I can do but be happy for him. All those sufferrings he went through he, more than anyone else deserve that ultimate happiness.

"Hey Hinata, aren't you going to hug him too?" Kiba suddenly teased me. "I thought you want to walk right beside him?"

Would I be able to run and hug him? Would I be able to stay true to my promise that if the war ends I will be walking beside him while holding his hand even if I knew he had already some else?

"I will never back out of my words. I will walk beside him, perhaps not as a lover but a comrade. Let's go to him."

Before we reach him, he had already collapse unconcious.

Sleeping peaceful.

As we all around him smiled and slowly feeling tired too.