So this is the awaited sequel of Beginnings and Returnings. I fully expect reviews, since I'm working double time to update two stories, that along with beta-reading. I don't feel like giving a quick summary of Beginnings and Returnings. I took a test to see which Naruto character I was and I came up as Shikamaru. Explains everything. There is a two year time jump. Let's see what happens.

Chapter 1

Hinata knocked on Naruto's door. Saya answered it. "Hinata-sama! Here to see Naruto?" Saya hadn't changed in the two years they had known each other. Saya led Hinata to the living room and went to get Naruto from the study, where he was talking to his mother. Several changes had taken place in the Namikaze household. After the Bear Clan had joined Naruto's family, more people had come here looking for work. So now it was a bustling place, a powerful clan in the council. The Hyuga Clan and the Namikaze Clan worked well together as well. The Hyuga Clan was changing. It was now a nicer place to be, not focusing so much on their fate. Hinata approved of this, as did Neji and Hanabi, her little sister. Not that her opinion had as much value as Hanabi's. In order to be able to go out with Naruto, she had given up her position as heiress.

"Hey, Hinata!" Naruto emerged from the study. "Sorry about the wait. My mom and I had some business to discuss. More of her family finally found us and they want to come visit. But I'm so hungry. Want to go out for some ramen?" Hinata took Naruto's proffered arm and they walked to the door.

"As a matter of fact, I have something to talk to you about. Nothing bad!" Hinata made calming motions as she saw Naruto look shocked. "I don't want to break up or anything. I swear. I'll tell you as we eat." Naruto breathed a sigh of relief and shut the door behind them.

"That's good. I thought the worst for a moment." The two were content to be silent as they walked, hand-in-hand, to Icharaku's ramen. They ordered two bowls and waited. "So what's on your mind?"

"Remember what you said two years ago?" Naruto thought back to two years ago. He remembered a lot of conversations they had together. However nothing big popped up in specific. Hinata noticed his confused look and continued on. "Remember...?"

Flashback:

"What? We've only been dating for a little while and you're talking about marriage already?"

"My father wants to make an alliance with your clan. As you're the head, he asked me to talk to you. Back in the day, alliances were sealed by marriages. I won't have a problem with it if you don't." Silence...

"Alliances I don't have a problem with. As it is, I'm thinking about allowing the Bear Clan to join since their home is now uninhabitable. But you aren't a price to be won. Let's give it some time, maybe a year or two. If we are still going steady then, and your father allows it, as my mother will have a say in it as well, then we'll start planning the wedding." Naruto managed not to choke again on his food.

End Flashback

"Ohh, that? What about it?" Naruto chuckled nervously.

"My father has been getting pressure from the other Hyuga elders to betroth me to someone already. If I have to marry, I want to be someone I love, not someone that has to be forced upon me." Hinata bowed her head. Naruto looked shocked at the gall of the other elders. "My father is content to let me marry when I want to. But..."

Naruto seriously thought, not only as her boyfriend, but as head of the Namikaze Clan as well. Some people had tried to oppose him being the head, especially the ROOT division of ANBU. Sai, someone who had recently become friends with a year ago, had left the ROOT division sometime ago and was now a regular jounin, so Sai had been able to say loyally he approved of Naruto being the head without raising the ire of Danzo. Though Sai had earned a dirty look from him.

"Are you ready for marriage? If you're ready, I'll prepare myself to face your father. Of course I'll have to tell my mother as well. But if you're sure you're ready, I'll do it." Hinata looked up joyfully. "I take it that's a yes. We just need to talk to your father. My mom had already said she approves of you."

"When do you want to do it? My father usually is free in the evenings except on Fridays." Naruto thought for a moment, remembering the fact that it was Wednesday.

"After we eat, how about we stop by your place and talk this over with your father?" Hinata nodded, blushing heavily. "But I would like to hear you say this is of your own free will, that you're not being forced to do this."

"No one is forcing me to do this. This is all of my own free will." Naruto smiled. Their ramen arrived and they ate, Naruto for once not getting seconds. His stomach was full of butterflies, as the saying went. "Shall we go?" Naruto paid for the ramen and got up, taking a hold of Hinata's hand for emotional support.

--

A young Hyuga showed them to the private rooms of the Hyuga head. Hiashi offered him a cushion and sat down. Hinata had decided to give them some alone time. "Naruto-sama." Hiashi had begun to call him that since he had shown so much improvement as being the head of his clan. "How can I help you today?"

Naruto took a deep breath, pretending to ignore the smirk on Hiashi's face. Then he gathered his courage and spoke. "Hiashi-sama, I'd like your permission to ask Hinata to marry me." Naruto blushed heavily. Hiashi stroked his chin, thinking.

"Several people want to marry her. Though I think only you want to marry her for love. I was expecting you to come around soon. I give you permission to ask her." He called in Hinata. When she came she sat down and braced herself for the worse. "Go ahead."

Naruto looked into Hinata's eyes. "Hinata, will you marry me?" Naruto's voice was trembling as he spoke. Hinata smiled gently and took his hand.

"Yes I will." She turned to her father and bowed, pulling Naruto down with her. "Thank you for allowing this." Hiashi motioned that they could get up.

"Go ahead and tell your family Naruto. I'll spread the word here." Hinata and Naruto left, Naruto still trembling. As they finally got outside the Hyuga grounds, he sat down against the wall and sighed.

"That was terrifying. Even after all this time, it still scares me to have to ask him things like this." Hinata offered her now fiance a hand up. He took it. Hinata dragged a now mentally exhausted Naruto to his house. "Wai--! Hinata, my family won't go anywhere. You can slow down."

Hinata slowed to a walk. "I know. But isn't it exciting? Can you imagine Shinobu's reaction? She's been trying to get you to ask on your own for months now." Naruto hadn't noticed this.

"Really?" Hinata nodded and they saw Naruto's house. Hinata slipped her shoes before entering without knocking.

"Oh, Naruto-sama? And Hinata-sama? What's the rush?" Saya was in the middle of setting the table for dinner.

"Saya, where's my mom?" Naruto looked around. Saya pointed to the back of the house, indicating that she was still in the study. "Thanks, this way Hinata." They reached the study and he knocked. It took a moment for her to give them permission to enter. Kushina sat at her desk looking up. Shinobu was in the corner reading.

"Mrs. Uzamaki, Naruto and I have something to tell you. Something important."

"Ohh? If I may ask, what is this important news?" She closed the book she was reading as Shinobu did too.

"Mom, Hinata and I are to be wed."

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Author's Note: As I said before, I expect reviews. Consider it pay for my working double time. Anyway, a hint for the future chapters. Someone will be opposing their union from the shadows, using very drastic measures. The next chapter should be longer.