First Naruto fic. Yeah, its romance and lal that. I wrote this for two reasons. One is that the characters deserve some love. they go through hell. Besides, I'm gonna throw in a negative chapter with the happy one. It wouldn't be me if I didnt do that. The second reason, you guys will probably never know.

Oh yeah. I'm aware there are a lot of fics so if thsi seems like someone's, pm me and I'll give credit or take it down. I barely read Naruto fics so if I hurt your feelings tell me.

That's all for this rant. Read and Review. Actually you can review and not read if you want.

Disclaimer-not mine

Chapter 1- I Wish Madara Was Still Around

It was a cheery, bright, and sunny day in Konoha. After all, unless someone died and there was a funeral, it doesn't seem to rain. The war was over. The lands were united. Even the planets were in alignment. (No idea what that meant. Sounds nice though.)It was a great day to be alive, unless you were Naruto.

"I am so screwed," Naruto groaned.

Pretty much everyone in the Leaf and outlying villages has heard about a certain raven-haired female ninja's confession to him. Needless to say, he never answered her feelings because of the war. He was actually grateful for that.

Naruto has experienced love before sure, but more of the familial type. He knew he loved Sasuke as a brother, Iruka like a father, Kakashi like an uncle, Jiraiya and Tsunade as grandparents, and Sakura as a sister. Oh sure, he was quite infatuated with Sakura in the past but now he knew that was just a crush.

Now he had a problem. Well, he had three problems. The first problem gave birth to the other two though. The first problem was responding to Hinata. He owed her honesty. The second problem and the third problem were similar. He had been told in no uncertain terms by Negi and Sakura that if he hurt Hinata in any low down way they would shove some part of him up another part of him until that first part of him would come out his eyes.

Naruto's has two major issues now. One issue was how he felt towards Hinata. The second was what does "low down way" mean? He quite liked that part of him and he would rather not like it in some new place. But well, even that fear paled in comparison to his fear of hurting Hinata.

The girl had been nothing but sweet and kind to him. He honestly could not remember one instance she had even been rude to him. In a way, she treated him better than anyone else ever did. Granted, she barely managed more than a few sentences whenever she was near him but sometimes less was more, especially when you were Naruto. He knew far too well that the more words spoken the more lies there were mixed in. Even if the lies were for his benefit, he was too old to be protected. Saving the village so many times must count for something.

"I wish Madara was still around," Naruto whined, "At least then, I have an excuse not to reply yet."

"Kid. Did you meet your match in a little slip of a girl? I am disappointed," a voice said gruffly in Naruto's mind.

"Shut up fox. You don't know what I am going through," Naruto thought.

The nine tailed fox and Naruto made their peace. The Kyubi decided that compared to Madara and what Madara would do to it, Naruto was the better option, barely. It could have gone either way and Naruto knew that, but he was still grateful for the fox's aid.

"I do. I live within you. Your emotions, your mentality, and your dreams are like an open book to me. I am in essence you after all," the kyubi taunted.

"Don't remind me. I still find that creepy. You are like the stalker I can never escape from," Naruto sighed.

"That doesn't change anything. I am still stuck here because of Madara's final curse. I can't leave here even though I want to," the kyubi scoffed.

"Are you going to whine about how bad it is being stuck in me all day or are you going to actually provide me with some advice?" Naruto asked.

"I'm a genderless fox spirit. What advice do you want from me?" the kyubi said, though Naruto could swear he could see the fox laughing at his misery.

"Then shut up," Naruto snapped, irritated at the fox's lack of compassion.

"It really did shut up," Naruto thought, "Oh wait. It fell asleep."

Naruto pondered his dilemma for another couple of minutes before seeking out advice. He found Shikamaru underneath a tree with Ino, Choji, and Temari by his side.

"Group date?" Naruto grinned.

"Oh man. Not another one," Shikamaru groaned, "Is it too much to ask for some peace and quiet?"

"Oh shut up Shika. What did you want Naruto?" Ino glared at her teammate. Naruto thought Shikamaru must have had the same reaction to the others.

"I need help," Naruto stated.

"That's for sure," Shikamaru mumbled.

"That was pretty mean Shikamaru," Choji chastised.

Shikamaru shrugged, "You try returning home from a mission with no sleep. Then your friends show up one by one interrupting your one day off."

"What did you need Naruto?" Temari asked, ignoring the other two.

"I need love advice," Naruto explained.

"Oh. It's about Hinata right?" Ino chirped.

"How? Never mind. Yeah it's about her," Naruto said, aware that news traveled fast.

"Well. You can try the romantic approach. Bring her flowers, chocolates, that sort of thing. Then invite her for a date. Then moonlit dinner by candlelight, followed by a midnight stroll, before taking her home," Ino said dreamily.

"Just invite her for a simple date. Go to that ramen place you like so much. Just keep it comfortable," Temari countered.

"Barbeque is always good," Choji said.

"That would be too messy for a girl. You know what a pain in the-," Shikamaru added.

"Finish that sentence and I will hurt you," Ino and Temari glared.

Shikamaru shrugged, "Keep it real. Be yourself."

"I agree with the slacker," a voice rang out from behind them.

They whirled around to find Kiba and Akamaru followed by Shino.

"I mean if Hinata could put up with all that before," Kiba indicated, "she should be able to put up with you for a little bit longer before kicking your ass out on the streets after getting to know the real you."

Naruto glared at Kiba while Shino spoke softly, "Trying too hard will just make you seem desperate. The important thing is to not hold a grudge against her no matter what happens." (Irony much?)

He was ignored by everyone again. He then sulked by the tree.

"Don't take advice from men. Are you stupid?" Sakura walked up along with Sai.

"Is this what you call an insult?" Sai asked.

"No Sai. It's a fact. Men are idiots when it comes to love," Ino supplied.

Sakura and Temari agreed. Kiba and Naruto looked indignant. The others just sighed.

"So what's your idea?" Naruto asked.

"Well. Girls love surprises. Take her to some hidden getaway or something. Be a gentleman. That's the most important thing. So no arm farts or burps Naruto," Sakura stared pointedly at Naruto.

"Um, if I may. I read somewhere you are supposed to take a girl to a desolate area. Jump her and have passionate sex," Sai finished.

Everyone gave Sai and weird look and he apologized, "Sorry. Was that wrong?"

"What book did you read?" Sakura narrowed her eyes suspiciously.

"It was Make-Out Paradise I believe," Sai answered.

"Kakashi!" Sakura screamed.

"Um. You called?" Kakashi suddenly appeared with Gai, Lee, Tenten, and Negi in tow.

"Oh great. Who's next? The Hokage? My dad? Let's invite the whole village next time?" Shikamaru groaned.

Sakura ignored him, "Sensei. Stop losing these books. Especially when people like Sai can find them!"

"Sorry. I was engrossed in Make-Out Eternity. It is the last book of the series since you know, Jiraiya died," Kakashi had a stricken look on his face.

"How did you even get that anyway?" Sakura asked.

"Naruto here found the manuscript and added his own mix to it. It is actually the best of the series in my opinion. You have quite a future as a writer Naruto," Kakashi praised.

"Yeah a perverted one," Sakura mumbled.

"Thanks sensei but I really do need advice with Hinata. Lee?" Naruto asked but immediately regretted it.

"Hahaha. That is simple Naruto. Take her in your arms and give her a youthful hug. Then run twenty youthful miles off to the sunset holding hands. Then when you are exhausted from that effort, youthfully return to the village and have a youthful dinner," Lee laughed.

"Totally right Lee," Gai gave Lee a thumbs up.

"Thank you Gai sensei," Lee returned the thumbs up.

"Ignore the idiots. You need to spar with her okay? When she is tired, tell her how you feel. That way, if she is angry or sad, you can run away from her. If she doesn't reject you, then you can carry her tired body home, like a princess," Tenten explained.

"You really are a tomboy aren't you?" Kakashi muttered.

"What was that?" Tenten glared at him.

"Nothing," Kakashi quickly replied burying his face in the book.

"That won't work though. It will seem like I am a coward or I am weak. That will totally ruin my image. Negi, any ideas?" Naruto turned to Negi.

"Drop dead," Negi said coldly.

Everyone sighed. Negi still doesn't like Naruto being in the same room as Hinata. Heck, some of them think he can barely stand Naruto breathing the same air as her. Big change from the cold sadist from pre-Chunin exams.

"Kakashi sensei?" Naruto turned to him hopefully.

"I don't know. Never really dated much. I usually just hit the red light- never mind. Anyways, just tell her how you feel. The last thing you want is regret from not taking action sooner," Kakashi spoke from experience.

"Ah. You guys are no help. I'm just going to wing it," Naruto waved goodbye.

"He had better not make Hinata cry," Negi said stiffly.

"You really don't like him do you?" Tenten asked. The look he gave her answered that.

"Hey. Where did Shikamaru and Choji go?" Ino asked, just realizing her teammates are gone.

"They left a while ago. Shikamaru offered to buy Choji lunch," Sai supplied.

"What? How could they just leave us?" Ino angrily said before stomping off with Temari in tow.

Everyone dispersed to do their thing. Kakashi remained in place though and took a seat up the tree. He laid back and started reading the last chapter of the book.

Meanwhile, Naruto had almost reached the Hyuuga household when he was stopped by a hand shooting out from the shadows. He was about to retaliate when he saw who the hand belonged to. It was Sasuke. His return to the village was to the chagrin of the villagers but Naruto was happy. He got his brother back.

"You're going to confess to Hinata right? Yeah. I know. You don't have to answer. Just try to do what you think is right. I'm probably the last one you want to hear it from but do what your conscience tells you," Sasuke mumbled.

"Idiot. Get over it. The past is the past… and thanks," Naruto grinned.

Sasuke gave him a small smile and disappeared. Naruto went over to the front door and knocked softly. Right on cue, a servant appeared and let him in. He found himself in the courtyard where Hinata and Hanabi were training. When Hinata saw him coming, she bade Hanabi to give them some time alone. Hanabi pouted but obeyed her sister.

"Ah Naruto. What are you doing here?" Hinata said. Over time, she had lost the muttering and stumbling she had around him. She can now talk for a decent length of time with him, much to Naruto's content.

Naruto walked over and looked her in the eyes. Hinata was taken back but stood still. It was then Naruto realized how good she fit him. She was someone who would never run from him. She would stand with him as an equal. She would be his strength not a burden. So he laughed a deep throaty laugh. Hinata was confused.

"Um, Naruto? Are you all right?" Hinata asked.

"I'm fine. I just realized how much time I wasted asking others. If you would still accept me, Hinata, I want to go out with you for a bit. Then we can see what goes from there," Naruto said.

"I can't promise I will love you but we can at least try right?" Naruto continued.

By now Hinata was in tears, "Yes. Yes. Let's try."

She cried in happiness on his shoulder and Naruto let her.

Three years later, they got married. One day the Kyubi disappeared from Naruto, but the night before the departure it stated that the Tailed Beasts were the incarnations of hatred and malice. The energy from the war and Naruto's newfound happiness has balanced out the negativity. Naruto thought it was bullshit and the Kyubi told him the real reason.

"The Tailed Beasts should have never existed in this world. Our last task was to end the line of the Rinnegan and to take part in the prophecy. Now that both have been accomplished, none of the Beasts have any more reason or power to stay in this realm," the Kyubi whispered.

There was not a teary goodbye. There was only a quiet acceptance and well wishes from host to beast and vice versa.

"It's been real kid," the kyubi said.

"Yeah. You were a pain but you were also like a father to me. Goodbye," Naruto replied sadly.

Then the fox was gone. There was no trace of it anymore. Then Naruto went over to Hinata and cried. The next morning Hinata went into labor and their son was born. They named him Phoenix to symbolize the flame that will never burn out; the will of fire will be passed on forever.

Father and mother lived their lives out in peace and harmony. They deserved it.