This is a Naruto Hinata story, I hope you all enjoy it as I did writing it out. It really is a small fluff as to what should happen in the manga with the two... I do not own any of the characters, if I did I would make these two love one another =D

Please enjoy!

~You are Where I Want to be~

Perhaps the hardest was the thought of letting go, that was not what she wanted yet she knew one day she must, for the boy she loved so dearly but didn't seem to return her affections. She stood up for him in combat and bravely spoke her words, knowing those would probably be her last and gladly she made her move, swift and independent, gladly she would die for the man. She wondered if it would have been better if she died, knowing well that she did it protecting the one she loved the most, perhaps it would have saved her from this agony. No, she couldn't have wished death to fall upon her, life was a never ending struggle and she would throw her life away for him in a heartbeat if the situation were to ever arise again in the future, she would fight and die for him just to see the glowing smile that penetrated is tanned skin.

The dark haired beauty let her lavender eyes sink with sorrow, succumbing to the tears that betrayed her. A ninja must never show weakness, yet she allowed it time again, but deep down there was a sense of happiness, her sadness, her vast ability to care for those around her made her comprehensively strong, a fine kunoichi, however she did not feel she deserved the title. A small sigh escaped her porcelain lips, the lips that uttered those three small words and rushed her to her long awaited fate. Her delicate fingers combed through her strands, silky to the touch but rigid at the bottom. Similar to her, she was caring and many saw her as a wonderful female, naïve and shy, but deep down there were feelings that submerged herself in sorrow and hate.

"But his smile saved me from that rigid fate…" she muttered under her breath, a smile appeared and her eyes shot to the sky.

"Naruto, your smile is the very sun I praise, the very warmth that lightens my day and diminishes those unwanted feelings…"

Hinata spoke softly to herself, remembering the smile. When he was in pain she longed to go and embrace him, yet her timid actions kept her at bay. Her world could never crash down on her with Naruto's words and praise shining down upon her, like the sun's rays which penetrated through the clouds on a dark stormy day. No matter the turbulent times he always made her smile.

"OI, HINATA-CHAN!"

Hinata stopped in her tracks, her heart quickly raced and pounded against her chest. And slowly, she turned. There he was standing mere meters away from her, and though the distance she could feel the warmth radiate off and enter her core.

"N-Naruto-kun," she shifted in her place and played with her fingers nervously.

"I thought you got over that habit of playing with your fingers" he pointed out oblivious as usual. Hinata gasped and shook her head, had he really been that attentive when around, had he really taken a notice to her, she regretted then ever doubting that Naruto truly never cared for her. Yet, images flashed through her head, that fateful day when she did step in between Pein and Naruto, he cared… The very image of her bleeding body was enough to send him into an outrage… she had caused him a disturbance, enough to plunge him into the unwanted chakra of the Kyuubi.

'How selfish of me…'

"That's right!" Naruto slapped his fist into the palm of his hand as the same mischievous grin spread through his features. His cerulean blue eyes held some content, he was finally returning to his normal demeanor. Naruto had suffered so much, all he wished was for love and though it went unbeknownst to him, he thanked her. He never knew how it was to be loved, to be thought of as more than just Naruto, to Hinata he was more and he could never understand why.

"Hinata, let's go for a walk" he pointed to the Hokage's monuments. "Let's go there!"

Hinata's eyes widened and a deep blush spread through her face, he wanted to walk with her. He remembered her words, those words that launched her into some turmoil of doubt, he knows about her feels and yet he doesn't seem to have a disgusted look, nor does he wish to be away from her.

"Let's go!" Naruto said once more grabbing her hand. His rough, warn out hands stained with battle scars, the hands that have been through so much yet hold that glow that makes her very heart skip a beat.

"Uh… yes" she nodded, allowing herself to be pulled along. She trailed slightly behind, unsure as to how to respond to such a situation. They never taught her this in the academy. Hinata closed her eyes tightly and pulled all her strength together to walk at his pace, beside him, not in front nor behind, but beside him as an equal. Naruto's hand still rested over Hinata's, she could feel the pulse and the blood pump through his thin veins, the chakra seep through his body. With every step they grew closer to their destination, her blush never faltered never had she been so close to Naruto and yet she felt so comfortable, it felt completely right. Both stepped through some trees and out; they were overlooking the entire village, a quaint spot to enjoy some relaxation, especially with the impending war on their door steps a small getaway never hurt a soul it always made their tired spirits better.

Minutes passed before words were spoken between the two and perhaps, Hinata would have liked the silence, just being near him made he happy. "Hey, Hinata… please don't give up just yet" Naruto finally said, the declining sun layered his face beautifully, she couldn't turn away.

"Give up" she repeated, Hinata searched for a hint as to what he truly meant by his words.

"Everyone, it seems their against me… don't give up on me just yet" he looked over at Hinata and their eyes met for the first time, a new experience she had yet to encounter with him.

Hinata giggled lightly, "I could never give up on you, Naruto…" she took a small breath in and exhaled. "Naruto-kun, you are the light at the end of the tunnel for many, me included, how could I betray that small glimmer of hope at the end of my tunnel… it's where I want to be."

Naruto looked slightly agape, he had never knew Hinata could be so open and willing to be next to him. His astonishment disappeared leaving in its place his most famous smile. "Is it true, you just wanted to walk next to me… well, I must say you really don't have your hopes set high" he teased earning him a deep blush on his companion's cheeks. He finally understood her odd ways, those off actions that always quirked Naruto about Hinata, her constant fidgeting and blushing, her shyness around him, he finally understood… she loved him. The moment she declared her love and willingness to die for him let him confused, breathless and speechless. Truthfully, he did not quite believe that it was true, yet that moment, this day Naruto knew the truth and was content.

"Oi, Hinata will you wait for me?"

Hinata arched a brow, dumbfounded once more. He spoke without warning, nor without giving any hints as to where his conversation would lead and that is exactly what she loved about him, his ready to go without thinking attitude, he lived with no regrets.

"Wait? We will all wait for you, we will all go to war on your side Naruto-k-" Naruto shook his head and looked at Hinata, she wasn't understanding his words.

"Will you, only you, wait for me? Please hold onto me a bit longer… don't give up on me" Naruto scratched his head, he wanted the perfect words to tell her what his heart and mind were bickering over, why was he so careful with his words toward her perhaps, it was the truth that made him more cautious around her suddenly. "Wait for the day when I can return those feelings, Hinata-chan."

Hinata gasped, he knew, he still knew. Her heart pounded loudly against her chest, why now, why ask her to wait, was he toying with her, creating a illusion within her mind. However, her train of thought was cut short by Naruto's voice once again.

"You see Hinata, you have become the light in my tunnel in which I want to reach and be with…" He grinned foolishly. His words hit her and her face reddened all the more. Hinata could merely nod her head. He wanted to reach her, was she far away to him, unreachable.

"You give me hope that this world has a chance at truly finding peace and when the peace does arrive, I want you to walk beside me, smile with me and be with me on that day… this world should strive to be as gentle and caring like you." He laughed under his breath as his eyes travelled to meet her lavender eyes. They brimmed with happiness; she was being consumed entirely by his words.

"Could you imagine an entire world full of Hinata's, wow... I think I would like that a lot!" Naruto shouted over the village. Then it happened, she fainted in bliss. How could he expect her to stay so calm and tranquil when he shouts about a town full of her.

"HINATA-CHAN!! DON'T FAINT I HAD MORE TO SAY!!"

Please R&R, I would greatly appreciate it!!