Deep within the heart of the Dragon Empire, a young teen was running from his home. Hours ago, he was banished for failing to stop his friend from running off to one of his villages enemies to seek more power. Even though he tried to bring his friend back without killing him, he was defeated and almost killed as a result.

For weeks he was in the hospital recovering from his injuries. The first week he was in a coma, drifting between life and death. Every time he would drift close to death, something kept him from going to the light.

When he finally woke up, he found that he was covered in bandages. Getting up, he found himself in his least favorite place in the whole village. The hospital.

"Glad to see you awake," a voice to his left said. He turned to see who the speaker was, only to find that it was Shikamaru Nara, the leader of the failed mission. "Then again with the injuries you too I'm amazed to see you alive, Naruto."

"You try having a Chidori shoved in your chest then," Naruto replied. He continued to look around and saw a few cards and some flowers by his bed. The first card was from his sensei, Kakashi Hatake, hoping for him to get well and eat his vegetables to get stronger.

The next card was from many of the rookie teams. Team 10 had brought a basket filled with fruit and some ramen. Team Guy had given him a new jumpsuit. Many of them cringed at the color of it. Team 8 had gotten him some flowers with a hand written get well card from Hinata. The only card not there from the rookies was from his remaining teammate, Sakura.

"How's everyone doing?" Naruto asked.

"Neji and Choji are in worse shape but starting to recover more," Shikamaru began. "Kiba will be in bed for a while. I only broke a finger due to a genjutsu. Lee will be OK, but Tsunade did learn to never let Lee have sake."

"So everyone will be OK?" Naruto couldn't keep the fear out of his voice. He had gained many friends and the thought of losing anymore scared him.

"Everyone will be fine," Shikamaru confirmed. "Just so you know, the reason Sakura never came to visit you is because she blames herself for what happened. When Kakashi-sensei told her what happened, she asked for us to tell you that she's sorry for it."

Just then, the door opened to reveal Hinata with a bouquet of flowers. Her face was down, hiding her blush as she entered the room.

"Hi, Hinata," Naruto said softly. His voice would go from very loud to quiet when she was around. She was one of the few people who he always spoke to when something bothered him.

"H-h-h-hell-o, N-Nar-uto," she stuttered. "H-how are y-you?" Naruto frowned and told her the truth, knowing she could catch him lying very well.

"Not good," he replied. "I failed the mission."

"T-t-that m-means you'll j-just have to try h-harder n-n-next time," Hinata told him, hoping to find a way to cheer him up. It seemed to work as Naruto began to show a small smile.

"You're right, Hinata." Naruto agreed. Hinata smiled as Naruto slowly began to feel better.

Shikamaru, who had been watching the entire scene play out, smirked at the two. He was on of the few that knew about Naruto's soft spot for the Hyuga heiress. He had a feeling that Naruto's crush on Sakura had only been part of the mask he wore to protect Hinata from the villagers hate.

Before anything else could be said, the door opened up to reveal Tsunade and the Shinobi half of the Konoha council. All with grim looks on their faces. The ones that seemed to hold the most grim expressions were Tsunade and Hiashi, Hinata's father.

"Naruto," Tsunade began. "We've just came from the council meeting over what happened on the mission. I'm sorry but the civilian council has demanded for your banishment for failing to bring Sasuke back. All the shinobi side and the elders rejected the idea, but they did something that even I can't stop." All three teens were shocked. Shikamaru was wondering how they went over the hokage. Hinatas eyes began to water. Naruto however, was beginning to feel betrayed.

"What do you mean they did something that you couldn't stop?" Naruto asked, trying not to open up his wound.

"They brought the Emperor into this mess," Hiashi began. "The Hyuga did their best to counter what they did, but they even went one step further. They even brought out a marriage contract that they forged but got full support from the Emperor himself. The contract was for the heir to the Dragon Empire to be married to the eldest daughter of the Hyuga clan." Hiashi looked away as he said that last part, not wanting to see his daughter's sad face. He knew that Hinata had a major crush on Naruto. He was fully ready to even have the two of them court each other when they got older, but now all those plans were gone, ruined by the civilian side of the council.

Hinata finally burst out in tears and latched onto Naruto. Naruto held her, not knowing how else to help her feel better. From what he knew, the heir was at least eight years older than all the teens his age group and was also known for doing many unspeakable things to women. Now it seemed like Hinata would be his next target.

"What's going to happen now?" Shikamaru asked.

"The Emperor has sent the Dragon Army to enforce his will," Shikaku explained. "They'll force Naruto to leave even if he isn't fully healed."

"He's been healed enough to get away from here before they arrive," Tsunade explained. "We just have to get him out without people knowing." The clan heads began to help Naruto up and carried him out the door, Shikamaru and Hinata following them.

As they neared the first corner, Tsunade stopped and tapped on the wall, opening a secret passage.

"This was built by both Jiraiya and Orochimaru after I had to take care of them here," she began. "After their appointment with me, whenever they heard I was their doctor, they always got away from the regular staff, but I always knew where they would go."

After five minutes, they arrived at the outskirts of the village, where all of Naruto's friends were waiting to say goodbye.

"Take care, Naruto!" they exclaimed as they all gave him a hug bye before heading back to the village. Soon the only ones left were Naruto, Hinata, Lee, and Tenten.

"Take care out there, Naruto," Tenten said. "It won't be the same here."

"NARUTO!: Lee yelled out in both excitement and tears. "BE SURE TO COME BACK VERY STRONG SO ONE DAY WE CAN FULLY SPAR!" Tenten soon put her hand on Lee's mouth to quiet him down.

"Will do, Bushy Brows," Naruto said, using his nickname for Lee. Lee smiled.

Hinata didn't know what to say. All she could do was watch as her love got ready to leave. Before she even knew what she was doing, she went up and kissed Naruto right on the lips.

At first Naruto was shocked, not sure what to think. He soon wrapped his arms around Hinata and kissed her back. As the kiss deepened, neither one wanted to let the other go, but the demand for air became too much. As they broke about, Hinata decided to finally let her feelings be fully known.

"No matter what happens," she whispered. "My heart will always belong to you, Naruto." She kissed him one last time before Lee and Tenten escorted her back to the village.

Now all alone, Naruto began to run. No destination in mind. All his gut was telling him was to head west to the ports and get on the first ship he could. No one knew it, but Naruto's destiny was about to take form from a new exile to a great general and eventually, the Hokage he wanted to be.