Hidden Love

A/N: A long time ago, I posted a story called "Love's Perfect Example." It was a pure romance that moved very quickly. It included Naruto and Hinata. But it was a sample of what I would like to write. I got some good reviews on it and in saying so, I wanted to write a full novel. Don't worry, the whole story won't be pure romance. But I hope you enjoy.

Also I have always liked to write in my spare time. I hope to publish real novels in the future. So here's where you come in. I will accept any positive and negative reviews and feedback on my story. Any kind of feedback will help me improve as a writer. So if any of you feel that I did something right or wrong, please tell me. I value any opinion. If anyone would like to email me for further reviews, it's

Anyway I do not own Naruto.

Chapter 1- Rain

Naruto was awakened by a dreaded sound that filled him with disappointment as he lay in bed. The sounds he heard were taps on the roof of his apartment which could only be one thing. He stood up from his bed and walked over to his window where he pulled up the shades and saw to his disappointment that it was indeed raining.

"Damn it." He cursed as he gazed out the window. His plan for the day was to train by throwing kunai and other projectiles enhanced with chakra at stumps and other wooden obstacles. He had slightly touched this training a few years back when he learned to manipulate his wind chakra, but had never put forth much effort to complete this technique due to the issues he faced with Akatsuki, Orochimaru, and Sauske Uchiha. Now that most of these threats were no longer a cumbrance, he found that he had more time for personal training.

Naruto continued to stare out the window and saw a few people with umbrellas dodging the puddles that had formed in the streets from the rain. There weren't as many people out as usual, and the weather played a role in reason. It was a gloomy day indeed. The rain and grey sky did not look inviting. Instead, the outside looked cold and miserable. It was the middle of February, which meant that it was the dead of winter.

Rainy days were common this time of year, and that caused a lot of disappointment for Naruto. He hated being confined to his apartment or stuck at the academy trying to complete minimal training exercises. Anything that created extra downtime for him was a burden. When long periods of time passed without missions, he would either train, or try asking Sakura out on dates which would usually end badly.

After a few minutes in a dead stare, Naruto finally moved into the kitchen and started preparing instant ramen for his breakfast. An amusing thought came to him as he waited for the water to heat up. 'I'll bet Shikamaru is happy knowing it's raining today. Rain will give him a good excuse to loaf around the house. That lazy bum.' He thought with a quiet chuckle.

A couple minutes passed. "C'mon water! Hurry up and boil already. I'm starving here." He grew impatient as he watched bubbles slowly form at the bottom of the pan.

To most people, instant ramen was not an appetizing item first thing in the morning, but for Naruto, it might as well be a food group. He found enjoyment in consuming ramen no matter what time of day it was.

"Finally!" Naruto yelled moments later as he poured the boiling water into the foam cup. He sat his ramen cup along with a pair of chopsticks on the table near the refrigerator. He took a seat and quickly began eating. "So good!" He uttered during a short break for air. He continued shoving large clumps of noodles into his mouth until all that was left was the pork broth at the bottom of the cup, but in one large gulp, the broth was history. Naruto sighed and laid back into his chair with a blank face.

A moment passed and Naruto stood up and walked toward the bathroom. "I guess I'll take a shower." He said with disappointment.

Moments later, Naruto was finished with his shower and was getting dressed when he heard a knock on the door. He bolted toward the door with excitement hoping that this would be more exciting than the rainy day.

He flung the door open revealing a cherry blossom haired figure in the doorway. "Sakura-chan!" He blurted with his trademark grin.

A small amount of time passed and Naruto was still grinning. "Aren't you going to let me in stupid? It's cold and wet out here Naruto." Sakura said with aggression and let herself in. She glanced around and saw clothes piled on the couch, trash on the floor, and an empty milk jug along with a dozen empty ramen containers on the coffee table. "Stupid Naruto! Your place is a mess," she shook her head, "how do you live like this?"

Naruto shrugged and moved his hand to the back of his head and smiled big. "So did you come here to spend time with me? It's raining outside and there's nothing to do. So why else would you be here?"

A vein popped out on her forehead as she glared and grunted at the blonde ninja.

"You did didn't you?" Naruto chuckled. "You wanted to hang out with me. I knew it! I knew it!" He jumped and took Sakura's hand. "So what do you want to do? We can make something to eat, watch a movie, or we can go out on a date." He looked down for a brief second and glanced back up with a brightened expression. "I know . . . we might be able . . ." Before he could finish, a powerful fist struck him in the head and knocked him to the floor.

"Shut up Naruto! Quit being a fool, and stop acting like a child!" Sakura yelled while still holding her fist.

Naruto stood back up while rubbing the point of impact on his head. "Oww Sakura-chan. You didn't need to do that," he said in a low tone.

She grunted and growled. "I didn't come here to hang out with an idiot like you," she grasped his collar and pulled him toward her face. "I came here to deliver a message from Hokage-sama. She has an assignment for you and wants you to go see her in her office right away." She let go of his collar but clenched her teeth. "Think you can handle that?"

Naruto shook his head yes.

Sakura started towards the door. "I would ask to use your bathroom, but I'm afraid of what surprises I might find in there," she said while letting herself out and slamming the door.

Naruto could see Sakura, out the window, walking toward the stairs. He had a straight face and grunted to himself. "I don't get it. Why is she so mad?" He went into the kitchen and gulped down some milk before leaving his apartment.

. . . . .

In a soft shower, the rain continued to come down. Naruto slowly dragged his feet as he walked toward the Hokage tower. 'I wander what granny wants with me anyway. She probably has some stupid D-Rank mission for me, or something of the sort,' he frowned as he pondered the thought. 'Or maybe she has an exciding mission assignment set for me,' he smiled and looked up into the grey sky, but immediately looked down again. 'No, I don't think so. It's been over a week since I've had any missions, and the past few missions have been stupid boring ones.'

Shikamaru, who was walking away from the Hokage tower, saw Naruto walking towards him with a blank expression. "You look worse than I do Naruto," he said with a half smile.

Naruto's face brightened. "Hey Shikamaru! What's up?" he excitedly asked.

"Oh nothing," he sighed. "I'm just delivering an old scroll to Hiashi Hyuga. I can't believe I've been given this troublesome task," he said as he rolled his eyes. "Then after that, Ino is dragging me to get breakfast with her. I don't know what she wants, but all I know is its too early for these troublesome doings. Women are too demanding," he said with a blank expression.

Naruto chuckled. "Don't forget violent."

"Did you make Sakura angry with you again? That task seems to be easy for you," he smiled. "I do my best to avoid confrontations with these belligerent beings." He started walking once more. "Gotta go Naruto."

Naruto finished the walk to the Hokage tower and walked inside and slowly climbed up the stairs. He moved past the ANBU guards and knocked on Tsunade's door.

"Come in!" The voice sounded hoarse and groggy.

Entering in, Naruto saw a sleepy Tsunade whose hair seemed to be a mess, and an 'up to no good' grin took over his face. "Didn't get enough beauty sleep Granny?" He finished with a loud laugh.

Her eyes suddenly widened as she slammed her fist onto her desk shattering her pen into pieces. She immediately stood up; face scrunched with anger, bolted toward Naruto, grabbed him like a ragged doll, and tossed him out of the office. A split second passed and she was standing above a dazed and dumbstruck blonde ninja. "Stupid comments from an idiot like you this early in the morning will only end badly for you." She paused and lifted him up by the shirt. "The next thing out of your mouth better show some form of respect, or I won't hesitate to knock you into The Wind Country," she yelled and released her grip. "Now get your stupid ass back into my office! I have an assignment for you," she said as she walked back toward her desk in her office.

'Maybe I'm getting a little too old to crack jokes like that,' Naruto thought as he rubbed his head while picking himself up off the floor. "Oww," he mumbled to himself.

"Hurry up fool!" a cranky Tsunade yelled from her desk.

A startled Naruto quickly gathered himself, entered the office, and bowed.

The Hokage closed her eyes and smiled. "Much better Naruto," she said calmly. "Anyway, listen up!" she now had a serious tone and look. "As you well know, it's raining outside and the forecast shows rain for the rest of the day. I understand that is cause for disappointment for you and a few others. So I'm organizing training sessions for students at the academy and I have assigned you, as well as Tenten, Choji, Lee, Kiba, and Shino to act as mentors for the students." Tsunade glanced at a piece of paper on her desk. "There are 15 students in this training session; so that leaves each of you with three students."

Naruto shook his head. "Aahhh why am I getting stuck with such a stupid assignment?" he whined. "This isn't a job for a 'top of the line' shinobi like me. I deserve a much better mission than this," he continued as he slumped over.

"This is an assignment, not a mission, you idiot." A vein popped out of Tsunade's forehead as her fists tightened. She was about ready for an outburst when she suddenly calmed herself and smiled. "So tell me Naruto," her voice was calm once more, "it is still your dream to become Hokage one day, right?"

"Yeah you bet! Just you wait and see. I'll become the greatest Hokage in the history of Konoha!" he said while straightening back up, giving two thumbs up, and showing his trademark grin.

"Hmph, I thought so," Tsunade smiled. "You know Naruto, being Hokage means being a leader. Not only do I try to maintain the safety of Konoha, I try my best to lead and set the correct example for everyone to follow. That is part of my job as Hokage." She looked him directly in the eye. "You with me so far?"

"Yeah."

"Good." Tsunade nodded. "Now think of your assignment as more training for you to become Hokage. Your job as a student mentor is to train and set the correct example for your pupil." She stood up and walked over to Naruto. "You have trained hard and have become a great shinobi." She tried to sound inspiring. "Now go to the academy and teach your ways of the ninja to your students. Set the correct example for them and lead them in the right way." She crossed her arms and smiled down to Naruto. "I know you'll make a great leader. That's why I've given you this assignment. This job isn't for anyone." She led Naruto out the door. "Now go!"

He ran toward the stairs and looked back to wave at Tsunade. "I'll do my best. I won't let you down."

She chuckled. "He took that well. It's so easy to inspire that kid," she said with humor.

. . . . .

Running at a fast pace, Naruto headed toward the academy with a head filled with thoughts about his position as Hokage one day. Then an image of Sakura entered his mind. 'I wonder if she'll end up as my assistant," he thought with a smile and a soft chuckle.

Finally reaching the academy, Naruto ran into Kiba and Lee who were headed toward the gym.

Noticing Naruto's goofy grin, Lee quickly began, "The power of youth has its grasp with you today. Let us all give empowerment to our future ninja," Lee's gaze pointed downward and his right arm stretched outward toward the gym. "I'll personally teach all of Gai-sensei's wonderful lessons to these young minds . . ." he bolted down the hall, "I won't let you down sensei!"

The two remaining ninja shared the same blank expression as they watched the taijutsu user run with much enthusiasm down toward the gym.

Kiba ran his finger across his nose to relieve an itch. "Some things just don't change, right Akama . . ." he looked around and frowned, "ru . . . oh right."

"Where is he?" Naruto asked as they started walking.

Running his hand through his hair and a growing evident frown continued to take over. "With my sister. She is watching him for the morning."

"Why?"

Kiba groaned. "Tsunade-sama said he would be a distraction to the students and that he would be unnecessary for their training," he yawned before continuing. "I guess I'll teach the kids how to read maps."

With excitement, Naruto raised both arms before screaming, "I'm going to teach them how to be the greatest leader!"

'Some things really don't change.'

Upon reaching the gym, a crash was heard from behind the doors. Naruto and Kiba shared a glance toward each other and both knew the other had come to the same conclusion.

"Lee," was said in sync between the two shinobi.

What both saw confirmed their conclusion. Lee seemed to have run into a large cabinet filled with kunai and other training material. Items were scattered all over the floor.

Lee picked himself up and took his usual stance while closing his eyes before he spoke to his team. "Even someone as experienced as I will make a mistake now and again. Just remember not all mistakes can be avoided. As for me, this is a learning experience on how to not be too hasty upon entering a building or room where objects are always moved to different places. I want all of you too . . ."

Naruto separated from Kiba in a snicker as he walked further away from Lee's life changing speech. 'And they call me an idiot. At least I don't . . .'

"UZUMAKI NARUTO YOU'RE LATE!" cried a small lavender eyed girl. "Hurry up we've been waiting for you.

Ah Hanabi-chan and uh . . . um . . ." The blond shinobi searched his thoughts as he looked at the other two teammates.

"Ugh don't you remember anything Naruto?" grunted the small Hyuga. This is Shiro and Midori," she pointed to each.

Naruto scratched the crown of his head. "I'm Uzumaki Naruto. I will be your sensei for the morning."

Hanabi giggled. "We know who you are Naruto so stop playing and teach us something."

'What's up with her?' he grunted in his head.

Just then Hanabi's face brightened. "Oh Naruto! Before we begin, I have a question for you."

Growing annoyed he looked over at the smiling girl.

"Do you think I'm pretty?"

Now feeling awkward, he didn't answer.

"Well do you?"

He looked at the smile on her face and her hands behind her back and thought her act was a little cute. "Uhh yeah," he answered. He tried to make reason of the situation, but couldn't figure out where this was going. "Why do you ask Hanabi-chan?

She giggled again. "I'm glad you think so because . . ." she paused and her face turned a slight pink.

Naruto signaled for her to continue.

"Well let's just say that I know something you don't," she lifted her index finger over her lips for a second and then continued, "in fact . . . most who know you well know this . . thing." A wide smile took over her whole face.

Naruto grew puzzled. "What thing?"

Hanabi snickered. "If you can't find out on your own, then you have no right of knowing. That's all I'm going to say."

Naruto rolled his eyes. "Let's start your training so I can go train myself."

The three nodded and they began target practice with kunai.

Training went well for at least three hours. Naruto watched as his team practiced throwing kunai at a small target on the wall. That was followed by Naruto telling stories of his passed missions where he used kunai to stop dangers from harming himself and his team. The team asked Naruto to demonstrate his skills with the kunai and the target. His results were far superior to that of his teammates which caused great disappointment amongst his team's own skills, but Naruto reassured them that he was in the same situation when he was their age and told them that he practiced for many hours before becoming skilled with the sharp objects. There were a few more sessions of target practice, and Naruto noticed an improvement with his team. But hunger started to set in and Naruto decided to end his team's practice.

"Now before I go and eat Ramen, I want to tell you something." The team had their eyes locked on Naruto. "My way of the ninja is to never give up and to never go back on my word. That is my ninja way." Naruto looked serious. "I promise you that if you never give up with your training, you will become some of the greatest shinobi this village has ever seen." He let out a smile and threw his hand behind his head. "And I never go back on my word. So your ninja way should be to never give up."

"Right!" his team yelled.

"Now I'm starving. You're dismissed."

Naruto quickly made it to the gym door and exited into the halls of the academy. 'Granny Tsunade was right. This will help me become a better leader. I feel good about myself,' he thought as he walked at a fast pace toward the front door.

Upon exiting the academy, the rain was still coming down. Naruto thought back to his days as a student at the academy and a smile took over his face. "Even years after my graduation, my training is far from over. I'll just eat and then train for the rest of the day!" he excitedly said with his hands in the air. Just then, Naruto heard a shy voice from off to the side.

"Good luck Naruto. Do your best."

To Be Continued . . .

A/N: I do work full time and go to school, so there will be times where I won't update for awhile. But I hope to finish my next chapter soon. Thank You and I hope you all enjoyed my story so far. Please rate and review.

Daniel