Disclaimer: I do not own Naruto nor will I ever.

Hey everyone and welcome to my new NaruHina story. This is going to be a strictly romance. Takes place right after the pain ark. Rating = M. Good Kurama. So be prepared for some fluff. well anyways here is the first chapter hope you enjoy!

Cheers could be heard from the leaf village for miles, well what used to be the village hidden in the leaves. Now all that's left is a baron wasteland. Konoha had just been through a horrific disaster, along with much destruction and death. So why are they cheering? Well they were just saved a by a certain blonde headed ninja. The savior of the village, protector of the leaf, the definition of the will of fire, and this boy's name is Naruto Uzumaki believe it! "Cue the epic music."

"It's a stupid idea." "But Shikamaru, can't I have any fun!" "I mean I just saved the village from the akatsuki you know." "Naruto I don't think pranking the hokage is such a good idea especially at a time like this." "Come on please." "No Naruto." "Why do you always have to be so troublesome. Naruto flushed at that. Why do you always have to be a stick I'm the mud." "If that's all you wanted to talk to me about I think I'll just be leaving then."

"No not yet." "What do you think I should do about the whole hinata situation?" naruto said while rubbing the back of his head.

Shikamaru smiled at his friend. "I think you should follow your heart." "Thanks shikamaru but that really doesn't help much."

"Trust your instincts naruto, I'm sure you'll find the solution." "Well I better be off I have an appointment with the clouds. "Hehe always the same shikamaru." "See ya later Shika." "Bye Naruto."

The next few hours you could see naruto just walking by himself down streets with no apparent destination. He looks to be contemplating something. -inside Naruto's mind.

"She loves me, she actually loves me." "How am I supposed to answer her." "The words she said to me were so filled with meaning ,and emotion.

"I don't know if I'll be able to return those deep feelings." A deep thundering voice revealed itself within Naruto's seal. "Hey kit stop worrying so much." "All you have to do is show her you're the dominant male ,and the best choice for children and then you mate with her and – "KURAMA THAT'S NOT HOW IT WORKS YOU IGNORANT FOOL!"

"You and your mortal problems, all this talk about wanting to be loved and you have a beautiful woman that so happens to be an acquaintance, part of a royal clan, and a strong fighter overall that's willing to die for you." "Not to mention she's rich and has some other very desirable bonuses-Kurama said with a slight hint in his words.

"Kurama your such a pervert ,but your right." "I'll talk to her I don't know what I'll say but hopefully it turns out well." "Good kit your learning."

Back in reality

"Hey naruto the Hokage sent me to find you." "She said she wanted to talk to you about something important." "Thank you I'll be there right away." "Wait before you go, I wanted to give you this. "In sakura's hand was a tiny brown sack with Naruto's name on it. "What's this?" "just open it later when your alone."

"Alright can do, see ya later sakura." Naruto didn't wait for her reply and speeded off to the hokage tower , bursting through the air.

Hokage's office

"You wanted to see me." "Ah naruto ,yes sit down. Naruto sat in a chair closest to the Hokage's right.

"Well as you know I've been backed up with paperwork for days because of the attack so I never got a chance to properly thank you." "It's no problem granny." Snunade shook her head, determined to make naruto realize the immensity of his actions. "Naruto what you did was no small feat, you saved the entire village and probably the world." "If it wasn't for you we wouldn't be talking right now bit instead buried in debris outside."

"Because of your actions you have received

"Thanks but I really don't need any – No you don't need this but you have earned it." "I'm promoting you." "Naruto Uzumaki you are now a chunin, here is your vest and I hope you know the responsibility and what it means to be a leader of konohgakure and to uphold the safety of the village and it's people before all else."

Naruto took the vest happily and put It over his shoulders to wear it proudly. This also means that you won't have to compete in the next chunin exams

Jumping up and down you could tell naruto was ecstatic. "Thank you thank you thank you" , naruto repeated happily finally knowing that he is finally with his friends.

"Well your apartment was destroyed in the invasion and I don't think the village would want its hero to be sleeping in dirt so I have made Yamato provide you with a 1 story 3 bedroom house included with a kitchen and bathroom."

"We have already provided the appliances but you'll have to stock up food and spices on your-

squeeze.

Snunade flinched as she realized she was being hugged.

"I don't think I could ask for anything more." This is the nicest thing anyone has ever done for me. This brought up emotions in the hokage but she kept them hidden except for a smile. Naruto you deserve it for everything you've done for the village." "Just try to keep it clean will ya" , she said with a laugh. "Hehe I will." "Here are the keys go enjoy yourself." Ok thanks again granny.

On his way out he heard his stomach grumble and thought he'd go grab a bite to eat at his favorite restaurant. Luckily one of the first buildings rebuilt was ichiraku Ramen so he could still enjoy his favorite food

Hinata's P.O.V

Hinata made her way up the stairs with a huge stack of papers for the Hokage's enjoyment, but as she headed up she heard something coming toward her and fast. She had no time to react and CRASH!

Papers, and documents flew in all directions, decorating the hall. The usual kind and shy hinata was about to let lose on whoever caused this until she realized it was… Shizune?

"Oh my, I'm sorry my dear." "Here I'll help you clean this mess up I was just in a hurry hinata to get to" – "Oh don't worry so much, I know your always busy because of being the Hokage's assistant."

"Oh thank you miss hyuga I hope I didn't cause you too much trouble." "Oh not at all your fine." After hinata brought the forms back upstairs she saw an angered hokage throwing a tantrum about all of the work that keeps being thrown at her.

Hinata continued back to the hyuga compound. She was thinking about Naruto. When she rushed in to fight pain she believed that she was going to die.

She thought it was only fair to her and Naruto that she confessed her love for him. She knew that fighting pain was a death wish but it broke her heart to see Naruto pinned and near death so she did the only thing she could she tried to remove the rods and get Naruto free.

It worked but not the way she expected and the only problem with all of this was "…" She lived. So now she has been avoiding Naruto because the fear of rejection much outweighed he possibility of something el in her opinion. She has been fairly depressed lately because of her attempts to stay away from Naruto. She kept clear ichiraku at all cost and isolated herself in her room at the hyuga compound. She also has taken as many D ranked missions as possible just to stay busy. But today her father told her to go do something besides sulking and the hokage won't allow her to take anymore missions. So she's been worried sick all day but still has yet to come across or sense the energetic Uzumaki. It's about 3:00 now and she has been so lucky not to run into any of there friends at least till now.

"Hey Hinata!"

"Hello k-kiba kun." "Where are you headed off to?" "No where in particular." "Well I was hoping you could come train with me and shino we have this new tactic where" – "sorry kiba ,but I have a lot on my mind right now and I don't think training is the best idea."

"Aw hinata , but it won't work without you." "I'm sorry it's just well um." "Your thinking about Naruto again aren't you. Uh uh uh yeah." "You should talk to him I mean you can't avoid him forever." "Yes I know but it's just so hard."

"Well you should at least try hinata just start up with some small talk get into a conversation and go from there and also. I think Naruto has the hot's for you too." "Kiba!"

"Hey I'm just saying the truth, but seriously you should talk to him." Hmph. Ooooooh alright. Yeah! "I knew you could do it." Hinata giggled at his antics. "alright thank you kiba." "Now go get em" , kiba said as he pushed hinata toward town.

Hinata didn't know where to look but she figured going to ichiraku's would be a strong start. She sat on one of the stools in anticipation.

30 minutes passed by and still no sign of naruto. With very high anxiety , hinata felt if she stayed there any longer she was going to explode and right as she was about to leave old man ichiraku came up to the counter and asked for her order.

"Oh!" "I'm sorry just a few more minutes." "No problem at all miss hyuga, it's not often we have a prestigious clan member in our presence , so we will do whatever it takes to please you" the Ramen chef declared with pride!

"Oh you don't have to go to such great lengths for me I'm just waiting for someone." "And is that someone a boy" Ayame asked walking up to the counter. Yes she replyed cautiously. "Well who is the lucky guy?"

Hinata seeing where she was going with this replyed it's not a date it's just I need to talk to him hinata stated a little red." "Well I won't keep prying into your personal life just tell me when your ready to order."

Hinata waited about 2 hours and when he didn't show she decided just to move on. she paid for her one bowl of miso Ramen and left. "what could be taking him so long?" "Usually nothing stops him from his appetite.

Naruto was having a horrible evening he was stopped by 30 or 40 people congratulating or thanking him for defeating pain snd saving the village which is usually fine , unless he's hungry. Then he ran into the fan girls who were a little too friendly.

The women purred as they approached the him. "Naruto over here!" Hey ladies. We've heard SOO much about you." "About how brave you were taking on the that horrible man that destroyed the city by yourself." They started to enclose naruto by crowding around him in all directions.

"Heh heh well thanks a lot , I appreciate that very much." "We appreciate you too naruto the ladies said in unison while each one trying to make seductive poses like playing with there hair or sticking out there chests a little more. Um I gotta go , I'll see you later

Blap.

"No don't go yet the girls said grabbing naruto prohibiting him from going any further. "Please , I have to go!" "No not yet we still have so much to talk about. He finally pried himself lose and ran from the crazy girls.

Ever since pain, he had developed quite the fan base. It was fun at first but he figured out first hand that what they felt wasn't real and they just wanted to be with someone famous. Once he got away from them he hid in an alley hoping he escaped from the crazy teens and not suprisingly young adults.

Once it was all clear he sped about forgetting what he was even doing. Luckily his stomach came in handy and set him back on course to ichiraku's.

He dashed over roof top after roof top at full speed not slowing down for anything and when he finally saw the noodle paradise he couldn't contain his excitement. He flew through the curtains so fast he tripped on a loose noodle and hit his head on the counter knocking him unconscious.

About an hour later he finally awoke to a pretty girl staring down at him.

"…"

He saw who it was and grinned still a little dazed.

"Ayame-Chan it's so great to see you! I wish I could feel the same naruto but not in this condition. "Oh yeah I guess I got a little excited. More than a little ,but I still got you your food ready it's a little cold because you were out for awhile.

"It'll still be amazing naruto reassured." Naruto sat down to his long awaited meal and finally got to quench his hunger.

All that was heard from ichiraku for the next hour and a half was slurping.

Naruto satisfied for now with his stomach swelled decided he better go home or he might pass out here again.

"I think it's about time I leave. I'll see ya later guys."

"Bye Naruto!" "Come back soon."

: "Hey Kit aren't you forgetting something." "Um No I don't think so." "We'll Ill give ya a hint." "It has something to do with a paled eyed girl." OH MY GOD I FORGOT ABOUT HINATA! "Well go find her kit." "It shouldn't be too hard in a village with thousands of citizens." Naruto dashed through the village looking for hinata. Where is she he thought where is she.

Hinata was sitting on a bench in the park looking up at the night sky deep in thought.

"If I confront him will he return my feelings?" "Or will he shut me down right there?" "Maybe it's better not to chance it and remain friends.:

"Although I will have to watch him become hokage without me." "He will eventually share those feelings with someone else." watch them grow old together while we try our best to feel happy for him."

She couldn't hold it in any longer. The emotional state she was already in and the negative thoughts proved to be too much for her.

She burst into tears.

Crystal Tears ran down her smooth cheeks as her mind produced these horrid thoughts. It was hurting her badly on the inside. she sobbed in the dark in isolation.

Naruto didn't know where else to look other than the hyuga compound but that would be pretty awkward showing up at 8:00 at night looking for the hyuga heiress that probably shouldn't be out this late.

Soon after running out of options he saw a light at the end of the tunnel walking the streets right below him.

"NEGI!"

Naruto jumped down from the light pole he was balancing on. Negi looked over to naruto , face blank of expression. Negi greeted naruto with a bow. "Don't be so formal around me negi, we are friends and I need your help."

"Why do you so urgently need my assistance at this time of night?"

"Don't take this the wrong way but I'm trying to find hinata, and I don't low where to look." "What do you need with my cousin? "

Well I I-I-I just need to talk to her okay!?

"Hm." "Very well I will do as you wish. Byakugon.

Negi can see a 1 mile radius in one direction, so he began scanning all of the leaf. "Well she isn't at the hyuga compound or near it for that matter." "She appears to be at the park in that direction.

negi pointed east of the location. "She's alone and crying." "I don't know what that might be about but I'll stay out of it for now. Naruto let out a breath when the words left his mouth. "Thank you negi , I'll talk to you later. N

Negi grabbed Naruto shoulder as naruto was about to take off. "Village hero or not , if you hurt her I will make you pay." "I promise negi , I wouldn't ever do anything to hurt her." Negi released his grasp his eyes still not breaking eye contact.

"Go to her."

As the words left his mouth naruto fired off in the direction that negi pointed out.

I hope she's still there by the time I get to the park. When he reached the entrance he slowed down to a walking pace so not to disturb the quiet.

He walked the path negi told him until in the distance he could make out faint silhouette of a woman.

He couldn't take it anymore he sprinted till he was 10 feet from 10 feet from the park bench she sat on.

He stopped behind a tree to listen. He heard muffled cry' of sorrow and sadness.

She sounded so hurt.

Naruto walked out from behind the tree hinata's head shot up when she heard the intruder.

She froze.

"N-N-Naruto."

Hinata wiped away her tears the best she could but to no use because of the puffy red aftermath.

He stopped walking when he saw her face. In this moment Naruto really thought about her words when she jumped in front of pain to try and protect him.

He remembered her determination.

"You always pushed me back on the right path." He thought about her strong will to keep going.

"I'm here because I want to be." He thought about the admiration she held for him.

"It's time I saved you naruto." He thought about her amazing courage.

"I was always crying and giving up before even trying.

"I made so many wrong turns but you helped me find my way and take the correct path."

"I always tried to chase after you walk by your side be at your side! "You changed me Naruto." "Your smile is what saved me, and that's why I'm not afraid to die for you."

"Because I love you!"

All his memories of hinata flashed throughout his brain but those three words manage to keep cycling and bouncing in his mind. He couldn't keep a smile off his face anymore not one of his big goofy smiles; a real smile of pure happiness.

He ran towards the bench and lifted her from the seat. He swung her in a circle all the while with joyful laughter.

Hinata was expression was confused, but non the less happy. She forgot about her recent sadness and focused on what was happening. After he stopped spinning he hugged her tight to his chest.

He felt her breathing on his cheek. He leaned in close enough, so that he was right next to her Head. With his lips next to his mouth he whispered into her ear.

"... "

"thank you."

Well that's the first chapter of my first naruhina fic. this will be a multi chapter and I will try my hardest to get as many out to you in the quickest way possible this chapter was very fun to write. I had to do a lot and I mean a lot of re editing. I hope you enjoyed. Share the love -Joshua out

P.S. – I'll make the next chapter longer!