After getting his teammates to the tower, Naruto opened the scrolls of heaven and earth and discovered that the two made a summing seal. Reacting more on instinct, he tossed the scrolls, only to be shocked to find his Academy teacher, Umino Iruka, smiling and congratulating him on completing the exams thus far. Naruto smiled his mask's smile and thanked Iruka, but walked over to him to whisper in his ear, "The snake has returned to the garden, and it wants to play".

Iruka kept his knee-jerk reaction to the new in check long enough to thank Naruto and told him and his team to rest up for the next portion before shunshining away to tell the Hokage about it. Sasuke and Sakura wanted to know what he told their old sensei, but the blond merely walked off, telling them to get their wounds looked at. At Sakura's question about him doing the same, he merely responded with, "I've had worse…" before disappearing around the corner.

Naruto saw Hinata walking in front of him after he walked away from his teammates. He figured now would be as good a time as any to break the news to her. He called out to her, much to the timid girl's shock, and asked if they could talk somewhere private. She obliged, and soon they were in a room that Naruto put a silencing seal on in case someone where to eavesdrop on them.

"I know you like me, Hinata…", Naruto said, startling her beyond belief. He continued. "I know you like me, but I cannot return your feeling. Now, don't get me wrong", he said, seeing the girl's crestfallen expression. "I would like to, but no one can be close to me. The reason being, I'm the pariah of Konoha. And you are the hier to a very important clan. You really think that will work?"

Hinata simply shook her head in a negative fashion, but it wasn't because of his question. Before he could continue, she interrupted him, "N-Naruto…I don't care. About any of it. I-I…I love you, Naruto!" Said blond's eyes were dinner plates. This girl could have anyone she wanted, and she wanted him? A loser who only knew how to kill and deal with people through violence? Hell, it was a shock that he was being this civil. Normally, he would laugh at something like that. Someone says they love him, only to literally stab him in the back.

But, Hinata was different. She was the nicest girl in their group, hell possibly in all of Konohagakure no Sato. She was also the only Hyuuga who he could have a decent conversation with…well, if she wasn't so shy. It was especially bad around him due to her crush, but he didn't mind. He actually found it cute and flattering that she would be so flustered around him. But, he couldn't let this sweet flower be trampled upon by ignorant dumbasses who don't know anything….wow, he was getting soft.

But back to the point. Naruto picked his jaw up off the ground and told her, "Thank you, but please forget about me. I'm only doing this to protect you…You'll find someone who can love you back for the sweet flower you are, I'm certain. But just no-" . "NO!", Hinata yelled, once more shocking the object of her affections. She interrupted him not once, but twice! Anybody else would be annoying, but with the normally shy Hinata, this was a milestone. She continued, "No! Naruto-kun, I WON'T find anyone else! I love you, and only you! Why are you pushing me away!?"

The poor girl was in tears now. Naruto sighed as he resigned himself to earn this girls hatred too. "You wanna know why? Fine…" He walked closer to her, making her blush, despite himself. But his next words shocked her to the core. "I am the Kyuubi no Kitsune's Jinchuuriki…That is why they call me demon brat and the like…I understand if you hate me now, but I must ask that you keep this a secret. This is SS class information and if you leek it, the consequence will be death."

Hinata was shocked. Her crush was the jinchuuriki of the beast that attacked Konoha 12 years ago? But one thing she knew for certain: he wasn't a monster. Since she started tailing him, she had seen him be abused verbally and physically. She caught glimpses of his true self as he walked, his eyes dead and head bowed. That look scared her…but also made her sad, oh so sad. Even if he was the Kyuubi, nobody deserved that kind of treatment, especially not a child! It was what pushed her to get stronger…so she could protect him from such abuse.

Her mind made up, she closed the distance between them. Before he could question her, she cupped her hands around his cheeks and pulled him into a fierce kiss, full of passion and desperation in order to get her feelings across to him. The orange clad boy was shocked still. Of course, his first thought was pushing her off of him and flick out a kunai for insurance. But then he reminded himself that this was Hinata, that she didn't deserve that. Eventually though, he returned the kiss, albeit hesitantly. How ironic, he thought. Usually she's the shy one, yet here I am being shy…of course, this has never happened before, so I should get some credit right?

After a while, he broke the kiss, panting along with her. "Hinata…", he started, but the midnight blue-haired girl put a finger to his lips, silencing him. "Naruto-kun, I told you I don't care and I meant that. I love you, so I'm going to be with you from now on, whether you want me to or not." Naruto sighed again, saying, "But you don't even know the real me…the person you fell for doesn't exist. At least not anymore". She retorted with, "So let me know the real Naruto".

"You may not like what you find out".

"I don't care".

"You may get hurt because of me".

"I don't care".

"Even if you die?!"

"I won't die. I have you and my own strength now that I have you".

"…"

At last, Naruto sighed. "If you're this dead set on being with me, then I can't guarantee your safety. And I meant what I said before. I'm not who you think I am". Hinata leaned her head on his, responding, "And I meant what I said when I said that I want to know the real you". He took note of the fact that she had lost her stutter for the moment, mentally adding some points to her courage and determination to get what she wants.

Only one thing left to do then…, he thought as he initiated the kiss this time, keeping it chaste, and at the same time making Hinata's heart soar with glee. She had no idea where it came from, but she thanked Kami that she was able to convince Naruto to give them a chance. She felt an abundance of confidence now, like she could do anything. Even fight her Neji-nii-san…

Ok so this chapter is about some fluff between Naruto and Hinata. I know it's a bit rushed, but it ties in with the next chapter. Let me know what you think please.