Disclaimer: I do not, nor will I ever own Naruto or anything affiliated with said show.

"Speaking"

'Thoughts'

Plans Change

Standing out on the porch of his small little house, Naruto smiled softly as he watched another sunset. Thinking back on his past, he realized how different his life was now from what he had imagined. Chuckling, he remembered his life goals. The fist was to become Hokage, and the second was to marry his crush Sakura. It's funny how life never turns out exactly how you plan.

'I'm happy with how things ended up though.' He thought with a smile, as he glanced back into his house. 'If things had been different, I never would have married the love of my life.' Facing the fading sun, he let his mind wander through his memories. Sure, he had always wanted to be the Hokage. But after he fell in love and got married, he realized that he had everything he needed by his side. He no longer cared about earning the respect of the villagers, now all he cared about was making sure his wife was always happy.

Naruto gave a sad smile as he remembered about his longtime crush Sakura. Sure he liked her, but after years of chasing her around like a puppy, he finally decided to give up. It was one of the hardest things he thought he'd ever have to do. In retrospect, it was the best thing that could have happened to him because it gave his wife the courage to admit her feelings to him. His smile brightened as he remembered about the day she finally told him. 'She was so cute standing there with her hands linked together, mumbling about how she thought I was great and she really liked me. Although at first, I did brush her off.'

That led his mind to follow the path of their courtship. It started out rocky since he had to move past the feelings he harbored for Sakura, but when she ended up marrying Sasuke what was left of those feelings just seemed to drift away. 'My heart broke, but thankfully she was there to pick up the pieces.' Naruto mused. 'She sat by my side at their wedding, and even held my hand in a comforting manner.' He thought with a smile. His wife was always so kind. 'Although, it's probably a good thing I didn't marry Sakura. Just look at all the fights those two seem to get into.' And then rubbing the back of his head, he laughed. 'And boy can Sakura hit hard.'

Sakura and Sasuke married when they were 18, and from then on Naruto's new life began. 'Though come to think of it, it took her two years to finally agree to marry me.' Naruto thought suddenly. 'I wonder why?' Before his mind could focus more on the question, the door behind him opened.

"Hey Naruto, it's time for dinner." His wife said softly.

Turning to face her, he lifted up the bundle she was carrying and held his little girl to his chest. Kissing his wife on the cheek, he went to take his daughter inside. Naruto stopped just inside the door, and turned around again. He wrapped his wife and daughter in a hug, and leaned down to whisper in his wife's ear. "I love you Hinata." Seeing the blush she seemed to always have around him darken, he smiled and leaned down to give his daughter a kiss before continuing into their house.

"And I love you as well." Hinata said softly, as she watched her husband and baby girl. "I always will."