Hey everyone! It's been quite a long time since I last updated and published, so this is the sequel to Nagato's Resolution! Like I mentioned and promised!

Naruto's POV

Oh boy, I was really glad the whole thing with Pain/Nagato was over. Now I could go back to Konoha and eat ramen all day. I wandered around the forest back to Konoha and wondered if Hinata really meant what she said. I could relax now, so I had time to think these situations through. Just when I was thinking about it, Master Kakashi came running up to me.

"Master Kakashi? What are you doing here?" I asked.

"To carry you home," he answered plainly. Oh, thanks, Master Kakashi.

The village greeted me when we arrived to Konoha. Sakura came running up to me and threw her arms around me. I saw Hinata grinning at me shyly. The villagers cheered and held me up. Man, it felt good to be a hero! However, I knew the quest wasn't finished. Even though I reasoned with Nagato, the story ain't done. I still had to locate Sasuke and bring him back.

While wandering through the village after my return, I finally found my destination. Ramen Ichiraku! My life, ramen!

I met up with Hinata, Choji, Shikamaru, Sakura (surprised as well?) and Gaara there. We started slurping happily on ramen and talking about our lifes so far.

"Sakura-chan, how's it going with the medical-nin training with Granny Tsunade?" I asked while I slurped. Obviously, Sakura-chan gave me a dirty look because of my manners. What can you say? This was the most decent food I've had in days!

Sakura replied, "It's going well. I'm learning how to heal the fatal wounds and the herbs and medicine that is used for them. Ino is doing okay as well, though let's say I'm a better medical-nin than her!" What did I expect from Sakura-chan anyways?

"Hinata? Can I ask you something?" I turned to a red-faced Hinata. She carefully nodded. "Did you really mean what you said back there, while I was fighting Pain? About... you know?"

Hinata was in the hot-seat. "N-Naruto-kun...yes, I did mean it. B-but, it's o-okay if you d-don't love me t-the same way I d-do..."

"Silly! Why would you think that? You're one of my best friends! You love me as a best friend, don't you? We're like best-" I happily said, not knowing I was breaking Hinata's heart with every word I said. Before I could finish my sentence, tears were streaming from her eyes. I began to panic. Why did she start crying?

"You idiot!" Sakura-chan knocked me with her fist. What did I do? Hinata did love me as a friend, right? I watched as Sakura-chan led Hinata away to the nearby corner. Shikamaru beside me sighed.

"Women really are troublesome. One comment, and they go crying," he concluded. He was right, but Hinata was something else. She would risk her life for me, which surprised me greatly, since I'm the Kyuubi's jinchuriki. "The Fox Kid". I left early, leaving my friends, Shikamaru, Choji, and Gaara to pay for my share. Goddammit! I had to find Hinata quickly before she starts hating me!

I searched the whole place, but there was no sight of the Hyuuga. Where was she-

"Ouch! N-naruto-kun?"

"Hinata! I was looking for you everywhe-" The cheerful Hyuuga had red eyes and a tear-stricken face. Uh-oh. Did I hurt her that badly?

"H-hold on! I'm sorry about what happened earlier!" I reached out to her. She only slapped my hand away.

"It's okay. I understand. To you, I'm your best friend. That's perfectly fine. N-now, I'll be on my way," Hinata coldly responded. I failed to notice that she was trembling. Kuso! I made her cry!

Hinata's POV

I stomped angrily to my home and when I made sure I was completely alone, I broke loose. Tears were streaming down my face and before long, there was a pool of water in front of me. Why? Why, Naruto-kun? Don't you know that those very words hurt me so much? I clutched my clothing tightly and for the first time, I felt pain in my heart. I was only a best friend to him. I wanted to be something more, but he indirectly rejected me. Naruto is an idiot, so if he hurts you, shrug it off. He's not very sensitive to a girl's feelings. If you cry because of what he did, tell me so I can send him flying all the way to the edge of Iwagakure in the Land of Earth! I recalled Sakura's words. It made me feel better that I had a friend who would set Naruto-kun back on track.

Those words comforted me, but I still wept. So this was what "heart-broke" felt. I hated this feeling so much. It was a lonely feeling in my gut that felt like I was no longer loved, and abandoned. I continued weeping and clutching on my clothing, silently wondering why I was only a friend to him. What else did I have to improve for him to accept me?

After hours and hours of what it seemed endless crying, I finally got up and found my resolution. If Naruto treated me as a friend, my feelings for him should be the same. I made a silent vow that starting the next day, Naruto would be only a friend.

Naruto's POV

Kuso! Kuso, kuso, kuso! Hinata was crying while she left! I really had to made it up to her now! I was running at top speed, and bumped into... an angry Sakura-chan.

"You idiot! Look at what you did to Hinata! Go to her house and apologize to her right now, Naruto!" she scolded me. A vein popped from her head and she raised a fist menacingly. "If you don't go there, I'll make you." Fire shot from her eyes. Oh god, help me now.

"Y-yeah. I'm going! No need to raise your fist at me!" I shot like a rocket to Hinata's place. It was better than facing Sakura-chan's fist at least.

I heard grunting and explosions when I arrived at the Hyuuga household. Was that Hinata, taking out all her anger using jutsus? Possible. I passed by the training section and saw the explosions were caused by Neji.

"Hah!" He performed one of his Byakugan moves. O-kay. That was when I heard sobbing. Oh dear, that was surely Hinata.

I knocked on her door.

(Sniff sniff) "Who is it?"

"Naruto."

(Sniff sniff) "G-go away. I-I want t-to be a-alone." Oh god. Now she hates me.

"Sorry Hinata about what happened earlier. I didn't mean it. You're more than a friend to me. I-I didn't know what I was thinking back then. I didn't know what I was saying! So, please, give me a second chance, Hinata! I want to say...I'm sorry!" I blurted out.

Creeeaak! Hinata's door opened. She tearfully said, "Apology accepted, Naruto-kun."

"You were crying?" I asked. She nodded.

"It's just...I'm so weak! I wanted to protect everyone, including you. But, even with the Byakugan, I can't. I need to become stronger," she replied softly.

I spoke softly, "You don't need to. I will always protect you, so that you will never need to raise your ninjutsu against my foe."

We embraced each other. I knew that I needed Hinata in my life, and so did she.

As we walked together down the streets, Granny Tsunade appeared before me.

"Naruto, there you are! Some of the ninjas have spotted Sasuke Uchiha in Konoha! He says he intends to kill you, and it's not a bluff!"

Hope you all like this chapter. Please review as always! I always appreciate your comments about this!

~Shiro Shiryuu