A/N: So I decided to just put up the full version of chapter 2 on here. Seeing as I couldn't copy and paste my new address into the chapter I figured it would be too much of a hassle.

Disclaimer: DNON =(

Sequel or part two to Carnival of Rust. Enjoy.

Blue Flame

He almost lost her today.

In that moment the memories from three years prior hurled themselves at the back of his eyelids, blinding him.

He saw everything again, the horrible sight of her body crashing to the ground. The blood that ran down her pale face into her hair mixed with the sweat of her struggle and made the long indigo wave.

Such beauty in immense pain caused his stomach to turn uncomfortably.

Another flash of white faded into a smile that caused him to physically freeze yet sent chills down to his heart. Even now she found a way to give him a reassuring smile.

When she told him she loved him earlier on, her back was facing him. Now, however, he could see it, feel her love with just one look and the catch phrase that shaped his existence, "that's my nindo, my ninja way."

How had he missed this for so long?

It had been three years since that event. Three years since the nineteen year olds, agreed to stay friends until his feelings developed. Three years since their first and last kiss at the Carnival of Rust. Three years since he was promoted to Jounin. And now just two days before his birthday, he nearly lost the one thing he had begun to wish for.

Naruto had not felt his heart stir in such a way again until hours ago. It was a simple protection mission. Sakura was backed up at the hospital so Hinata was to replace her and tag along with himself, Sasuke and Sai.

Unfortunately, their client had a very pricey bounty over his head, which didn't bother the four Konoha Jounin, but their client or charge refused to listen to them. Due to the fact that he was a noble, he was stubborn and believed himself to be better than the four shinobi held responsible for his safety. It was a dumb idea for him to say this to their faces, but regardless they refrained from creating an "accident" that would result in his untimely and unfortunate demise.

On day two, just outside of their destination, they found shelter in a small Inn, where the charge requested having a room for himself. Reluctantly the shinobi agreed, as long as one of them was stationed outside his door . It was during the transfer between Sasuke and Hinata's shift that the Byakugan user decided to check on their client through the door only to find out he was gone.

She informed Naruto and Sai while Sasuke set out to search for their missing client.

When they found him he was in a brothel, drunk off his rear and trying in an unsuccessful attempt to fondle one of the women. Disgusted, Sasuke grabbed the man by the back of the neck when they were bombarded by three rogue hunter Nin.

Sasuke moved the man behind his back, black eyes bleeding to crimson as he fought in short range combat with the rogue ninja. Seeing that Sai tackled the second man and Naruto grappled with the last, Hinata took it upon herself to grab the noble and run towards their destination.

The two were immediately pursued by a fourth entity, residing outside of the brothel.

Naruto didn't know what happened from there because she was out of his sight for a while. But when he and his other teammates finished with their opponents they sought Hinata and the noble, only to find the Hyuuga on her last limbs.

Before her was a burly man, equally as bloodied and bruised as she was. The ground around them was in shambles. However, their client barely had a scratch on him, proving that Hinata had taken the full brunt of the attack.

Pathetic.

Naruto didn't have time to sneer at the cowering noble because the rogue ninja hurled something at him which Hinata blocked with her shoulder. She tittered for a moment and collapse on the ground. He rushed to his female comrade while Sasuke and Sai finished off the rogue.

"Hinata…" He said as he reached her side.

He felt like someone kicked him in the center of his chest, knocking the wind right out of him. Ironically she was the one that wasn't breathing.

His heart palpitated wildly from the adrenaline pumping through his veins. It was making him dizzy.

"-Hinata!" He called startled, then screamed, "Hinata, please!" He shook her with a bit more force than he intended.

"Naruto-" Sasuke's voice was grave.

"Hinata, wake up! Damn it, wake up!" His voice cracked, "Please," he grabbed her cheeks, they were slowly growing cold. "No…" Suddenly the helplessness settled in. He wasn't a medic, neither was Sasuke or Sai. Sakura wasn't around and the girl he cared for most in the world wasn't breathing. He couldn't do anything. All the muscle and power in the world couldn't do anything in this situation.

His eyes began to water.

"It may be the dart." He wasn't listening; the last thing he wanted to do now was pay attention to the moron that started all of this. If it wasn't for him Hinata would still be alive.

"What dart?" It was Sai this time.

"The dart she blocked from hitting me before she collapse, it hit the back of her shoulder. She's lying on it."

"Dobe flip her over." He didn't waste a moment and followed Sasuke's command. Rolling the young woman over, he saw a small metallic dart embedded in her left shoulder-blade. Gingerly he pulled in out and threw it in disgust to the floor. "Turn her back over."

He did and waited. Please, please, please, please dear god, please.

Nothing.

His heart, felt like it was closing in on itself. Moron, stupid idiot, that's what he was. You wasted so much time with her…no! No, he couldn't think that way.

"There has to be a way."

"I can try something. I saw it in a book once."

Naruto glared up at Sai. This was no time for his, "I saw or read about it in a book bullshit." Regardless the older shinobi lowered next to him and Hinata before placing his palms on her chest. He pumped, once, twice and finally a third time. Then he did something that left Naruto floored. He parted her lips and pressed his to them before breathing air into her.

He repeated the process. The second time, however, Naruto saw red. His flushed cheeks were now less from embarrassment and confusion and more in anger. A feeling he only felt when he was younger with Sasuke bubbled in his chest.

Jealousy.

"What the hell do you think you are doing?" The blonde shinobi growled as he halted Sai from performing the routine on Hinata a third time.

"I'm trying to help restart her heart."

"It doesn't look-" He stopped at the deep gasp of breath from below.

"See," Sai pointed his gaze down to the Kunoichi.

"-Hi-Hinata?" The young woman blinked a few times as she tried to regain control of her breath. She nodded weakly.

"It must've been dipped in something to stop the heart. If it was in her for any longer, she probably wouldn't be awake." Sasuke said as he examined the pointed tip of the dart Naruto had previously tossed aside. He pulled out a scroll and stored the dart in it, making a mental note to show it to Sakura the moment they returned to the village.

Naruto on the other hand was so overjoyed he threw himself down at Hinata, wrapping her in a tight embrace. She winced slightly and whispered a soft "easy" but returned the hug.

"I'm sorry," He said as he pulled away and looked at her unnaturally pale face. He couldn't believe she had been technically dead for the past ten minutes. Her eyebrows knitted in confusion.

"It's not your fault Naruto, how were you supposed to know about the dart." He looked at Sai who was smiling at him softly. He swallowed suddenly feeling bad about jumping Sai with his unnecessary emotions. The ninja was only trying to help.

"Is Arashi-san okay?"

"Yeah, yeah he is. You did a great job, Hinata-chan."

"Yes, we didn't have much to do by the time we got here. Your pursuer was on his last legs." Sai beamed down at the Hyuuga heiress.

"You would have finished him if you didn't have to look out for that one." Sasuke offered shocking both Naruto and Hinata. After so many years being around both Naruto and Hinata, Sasuke had come to view her as a friend who he trusted almost as much as he trusted Team Seven and Team Taka (who were now finished with their parole in the village).

She was one of the few women who didn't care for his appearance and wasn't constantly barking up his door with date requests. She was also incredibly smart, brave and a formidable sparring partner. Her training in medicine, though paled in comparison to Sakura's, was equally helpful. But the most important thing was that she made the Dobe happy. Though Sasuke would never admit to it, it was something that mattered to him greatly.

Thus he had come to learn how to respond to the Kunoichi in a polite and less condescending manner. He also wasn't afraid to offer compliments, knowing they wouldn't inflate her ego, but help her continue forward.

"Thank you Sasuke-san, Sai-san," She smiled lightly. She tried to sit up but felt woozy, "Mhmm, not a good idea."

"The effects of the dart are probably still in your system."

"Ah," She took a moment to think and then looked up at Naruto. "Could you take the medicine I have in my pack out?"

"Sure Hina-chan." As he did that she slowly removed her jacket, careful to not flash the Uchiha or former Root member her breasts and decided on holding the material against her chest with shaky arms. "…Uh, Hinata-chan?" Naruto's voice quivered as he took in the sight of her naked back through the metal netted shirt.

"Pull the shirt down enough so you can apply the medicine to the spot where I was hit. It should start to sizzle meaning that whatever is still in my system is slowly being drawn out. When I regain enough of my chakra back I'll finish the job." Her voice, though soft and dainty, held so much confidence and assurance that Naruto couldn't refuse even if he wanted to. Which he didn't.

He tried to ignore the smug look the bastard was sending him as he slipped the shirt off her shoulder. He also tried to ignore the way Sai stood up and moved towards the bastards' side as if to give him and Hinata space. God he hoped he wasn't blushing. It was so hot suddenly.

"What does it look like?"

"It's sizzling. Now what do I do?"

"Just leave it. I'll wear my jacket backwards." Naruto cleared his throat and said a quick "okay" as he stood up and sealed her medicine before putting it back in her pack.

"We need to get this one back. Stay here with Hinata while she gets some rest. Sai and I will return him and come back for the two of you so we can leave by morning."

"Sounds like a good plan." Sasuke nodded to Naruto, the smirk that was once on his lips disappearing as he turned back to Arashi and Sai.

"Feel better Hinata-chan," Sai said as he patted her head and led Arashi towards his destination with Sasuke. After a few moments the Hyuuga heiress turned over her shoulder to look at the blonde.

"Thank you Naruto-kun." He stared, startled.

"For what?"

"Saving me" He frowned.

"Sai is the one who you should be thanking. I didn't know what to do. I just…I just got angry." And jealous he thought miserably.

"Don't do that."

"Do what?"

"Get down on yourself. You are better than that, and I'm alive."

He stared at her for a moment. His heart thrumming as he began to walk towards her. He bent down and carefully picked her up bridal style. He remained aware of his hands, not wanting to accidentally push her jacket the wrong way.

"What are you doing?"

"Moving away from this mess and making camp so you can rest." He didn't fail to notice the small smile that crept on her tired lips. She hummed her approval and rested her head against Naruto's shoulder as he found an area not too far away amongst the trees. He placed her up right against a tree stump and left momentarily to look for wood to burn.

When he returned she was slowly drifting into unconsciousness. As he built the fire he called to her.

"Hina?"

"…Hmm?"

"Are you alright over there?"

"Ah, just…sleepy," Naruto smiled at the sound of her voice. She sounded so small. Hardly like the woman that she had developed into.

Shrugging off his jacket and the massive scroll strapped across his body, he placed both items on the ground a bit closer to the fire. Opening the scroll he took out a sleeping bag, a pillow and his extra jacket. He settled the objects next to the burning wood and turned to pick up the now sleeping girl. Opening his sleeping bag he placed her in it and rested her head on the pillow. He covered the bag with his jacket and pulled the spare over his shoulders.

One would wonder why he didn't keep his jacket on and give her the spare, right. But a little birdie once told him that she liked his natural sent the sent that clung to his clothing. Secretly he hoped this would give her peace while she slept.

He sat quietly on a log on the opposite side of the fire observing her. When had she become so beautiful that he found it hard to take his eyes off of her? When had she become the one person capable of making him reach a point of rage that some thought impossible for someone of his personality?

She had changed him so much over the past three years and even before then. She made him more mature to an extent. He knew he wasn't completely there yet, that could be proven by his reaction to Sai.

But could someone really call that immature? The Teme showed signs of jealousy every time another man even glanced at Sakura. What would he have done if he were in his situation?

What situation was he in? Hinata and he were still just friends.

The image of Sai pressing his lips to hers flickered in his mind forcing his eyes to close as if that would help suppress the memory. He exhaled.

Maybe it was time he made them official. When he opened his eyes this time they were sparkling with a fire driven by passion and determination.

"Well you are all good to go Hinata. Everything looks good and thanks to Sasuke I can examine this dart to see what the rogue dipped it in to stop your heart like that." The two young women smiled at each other as Sakura helped Hinata scoot off the hospital bed. "So are you coming out with us tonight?"

Confused the older of the two looked up. "Go where, Sakura?"

"Just Naruto's favorite restaurant as usual. We figured we'd have a small get together before his party tomorrow night."

Hinata smiled, Naruto would be turning twenty tomorrow. Twenty. To think she had known him for almost two decades, that was a little weird yet exciting.

"Of course I'll come, but if it's a small get together won't it be just team seven."

"Mostly and of course Sasuke's other team members," It was the first time Hinata had ever heard Sakura ever say that without a hint of sadness. It was good to see the pink haired medic moving on and getting along with the team Taka members. "But," She continued, "Everyone already views you as an honorary member of Team Seven." This time she grinned at the older girl with a mischievous look. It was so devilish that Hinata found herself turning away as the heat crept up her neck.

"Why are you looking at me like that?"

"You know why. It's only a matter of time." Hinata shook her head not wanting to get her hopes up. "I mean Naruto is slow but I never thought he'd be this slow. You guys have been kind of going steady for three years already. He needs to man up and ask you out already!"

Hinata's eyebrows shot up in surprise. She was a little astounded to find out that Sakura was such an avid fan of the two.

"Maybe he doesn't like me as much as everyone thinks." Now even Hinata didn't believe that, so when Sakura sent her an incredulous look she couldn't blame the girl.

She had realized that Naruto harbored feelings for her years ago when she kissed him. She could feel the connection the moment their lips met and it sparked when he leaned in to continue the kiss. For years they had gone on pretending…well ignoring that it happened. It was a silent agreement to make sure things didn't turn out awkward but regardless she knew there was potential. It only increased as the years went by.

Naruto had grown more handsome in a way that was different to guys like Sasuke. His boyish looks became a bit more rugged and he thickened out with muscle from all his training. He had caught the attention of many women in the village, who to his surprise, began to pursue him in a less scary manner than Sasuke's fan girls.

She could feel the jealousy effervesce in her the first time a younger platinum blonde haired girl had approached him. She was brave, even though her discomfiture stained her cheeks; she still had the confidence to ask Naruto out.

To Hinata's surprise however he declined and continued to reject offers from various other women. She didn't want to believe her presence had anything to do with it because she wasn't always around when it happened. Sometimes she heard through the grape-vine or Kiba would be a little too loud when reprimanding Naruto.

"He does Hinata, believe me. Anyone could tell just by the way he looks at you. It'll happen soon."

The older girl didn't comment, instead she followed Sakura to her office where the medic changed for the evening.

…..

"Hey, Teme!" Naruto ran up to his best friend who was talking to Suigetsu near a magazine stand. The two ninja looked up, one stoic and the other amused as the blonde came barreling in their direction.

"Well if it isn't blondie? Long time no see."

"Shark breath," Naruto nodded to Suigetsu and turned his attention to the Uchiha, leaving the swordsmen with a swinging jaw. "You are coming to the outing tonight right?"

"Hey why aren't you asking the both of us? I was invited too."

"You know I am dobe. If not you then Sakura wouldn't leave me alone about it."

"Hello?" Suigetsu called slowly getting irritated. That is until Naruto's next words.

"That's right you and Sakura-chan have been getting pretty cozy lately. Hey, hey don't give me that look! I saw you two the other day; chatting it up. Your body language screams be mine." Naruto ended dramatically, flailing his arms with a cheesy grin plastered on his lips.

Sasuke's eyes narrowed as the heat crawled up his neck.

"You're one to talk idiot. When are you going to ask Hinata out?"

"Oohh," Suigetsu chimed from the background.

Naruto looked away for a moment making the Uchiha believe he had won his argument but when he looked back his eyes were burning. Sasuke stared.

"I plan on asking her tomorrow."

"Really?" He arched an eyebrow.

"On your birthday?" Suigetsu looked confused for both him and Sasuke seeing as the younger male of the two was keeping his face in check.

"Yeah and if she agrees it'll be the best birthday ever." Naruto smiled and the men in front of him couldn't help but join in their own ways.

"You know she will." Sasuke smirked but Naruto didn't reply. He opted for changing the topic instead.

"Come on lets go eat!"

"For once he's speaking my language," Suigetsu laughed and slapped Naruto's back in a friendly way.

When they arrived at Ichiraku's just about everyone was there.

Sakura and Hinata were inside planning a girls' night out with Ino and Tenten, meanwhile Juugo, who had previously been under a medical therapy with Tsunade, Shizune, and Sakura, was sitting contently next to Sai who was engaging in pleasant conversation with Ayame. Finally Karin stood just beyond the curtains of the restaurant waiting for Sasuke and Suigetsu.

She acknowledged to her distant cousin but returned her gaze towards the water nin. When team Kakashi learned that Naruto and Karin both belonged to the Uzumaki clan there had been unwillingness to accept the fact by both parties. However the idea of actually having blood family alive allowed the two to at least try to be civil towards one another. Besides, Naruto's sunny disposition gave Karin no room to be uncouth.

She smiled lightly at Sasuke but grabbed Suigetsu's arm pulling him into the restaurant next to Juugo. After seeing the looks the Uchiha shot towards his former female companion and the way his chakra would fluctuate whenever the young woman was near, Karin had decided to cut her loses before she got hurt. There was no way to hide what was right in front of her eyes.

Naruto looked up at Sasuke who decided to wait for him to sit down and then turned to search for his former sensei.

"Aren't you going to sit down?"

"Where's Kakashi?" Naruto asked in place of a reply.

"Probably with his woman," The shark tooth ninja arched his head back to look at Naruto's reaction. "We saw them at the market earlier today."

"Oh…" How could he forget Rikku? She was a beautiful woman and a strong Kunoichi with an affinity for Earth. The woman who was a couple of years older than Naruto, Sasuke and Sakura but also a few years Kakashi's junior hailed from various countries, most recently Rock. Itachi, Sasuke's older brother would have been her age had he still been alive.

"Yo!" He looked up to see the very people he had just been thinking about. Both dressed in their casual ninja gear and wearing Konoha forehead protectors.

It had been two years since Rikku had pledged her loyalty to Konoha but a full year since she and Kakashi had begun dating.

"Naruto-kun!" The woman greeted with a bright smile and wave.

"Rikku-san!" Naruto turned to see not just Sakura, but Hinata come out from the curtain to greet the older woman. They were soon followed by Sai.

"What is this? Don't I get a lovely and joyous greeting too?" Kakashi joked.

"Oh sensei you know we love you." Sakura smiled and he patted her head as he had always done.

"Sure, sure."

"Don't be jealous, Kakashi" Rikku chided with a giggle. "Besides today and tomorrow are for Naruto-kun and him alone. We shouldn't be stealing the spotlight."

"Damn right!" Naruto smirked before pulling both people into a hug. While Rikku looked as if this was normal, Kakashi was a bit stunned. "This is going to be a great night. Thanks for agreeing to come guys." Kakashi eye crinkled softly. This kid was just so damn likable.

"Of course, now how about we eat?"

"Yes please!" Suigetsu called from beyond the curtain.

"Quiet, moron!"

"You quiet, you Sea cow! You're yelling too!"

"So Naruto, a little birdie told me you came up with quite the interesting nickname for yourself."

Naruto beamed at Rikku who wiggled her eyebrows at him. Her hair which was normally in a high braided pony tail fell in waves over her shoulders as she squared them in his direction.

"I am interested," Sai said peering around Juugo to look at his good friend.

"Oh I've got to hear this one." Sakura said from beside Sasuke. Though he wasn't looking in Naruto's direction like everyone else she knew he was listening because when Naruto answered he scoffed.

"The Orange Hokage!" He stated proudly.

"Really? Why that?" Karin asked her lips twisting in a state of distaste.

"Well my dad was Konoha's Yellow Flash for his hair and speed and my mom was known as the Red Hot-Blooded Habanerofor her hair and temper. So it only makes sense that I'd be called the Orange Hokage because I will be Hokage and everyone knows me for wearing orange."

"Interesting," Suigetsu added, "But I think you could have come up with something better."

"I agree, I don't like it," Everyone froze at the soft voice of Hinata. Naruto whipped around to look down at her with shocked eyes.

"Hinata-chan?"

"Hear me out?" She looked up at him with pleading eyes suddenly uncomfortable with all of the attention. He nodded mutely and remained quiet. Everyone did, it wasn't every day the Hyuuga heiress had something negative to say about Naruto's choices or likes. "While it's true you are known for wearing orange and everyone believes you'll be Hokage," she paused in case someone refuted. When they did not she continued, "But your parents were named for physical traits that stood out to everyone. You could be something yellow like your father seeing as both their nicknames stemmed from their hair color but I think I have something better."

"What's that," Kakashi asked genuinely intrigued.

"Konoha's Blue Flame."

"Blue Flame?" Naruto asked befuddled.

"Your eyes" She smiled at him, reassuring. "I don't think you realize just how much fire can burn in those irises. While people originally didn't take you seriously for your brash words on the battlefield, all it took was a look in your eyes to see the determination, the flames that burn in your soul. It's a physical trait that no one could miss. That's why I think you should take that on as your nickname…or something like it."

Naruto gapped. This girl. No. This woman, she just did not cease to amaze him.

"I think we've got a winner," Rikku said in a sing-song voice.

"I vote for the cutie's idea."

"No offense Naruto, but I like Hinata-chan's nickname better." Sai smiled.

"Definitely," Sakura agree, "She's spot on."

"Listen to her," Sasuke added before returning to his food.

The indigo haired woman flushed. While she was glad everyone else liked her idea, even Kakashi, who sent her a sweet smile from beyond his mask, she only hoped Naruto liked it as well.

"Thank you, Hinata." That look. It was like the time he was looking at her before she kissed him years ago only more electrifying. "I think I'll be adopting Konoha's Blue Flame from this point on. As long as everyone spreads the word."

"Count me in," Sakura smirked.

"Wouldn't have it any other way. Although, it'll be interesting trying to slip that one into conversation."

"You managed to tell me about the Orange Hokage; Blue Flame shouldn't be hard." Kakashi laughed.

"I meant during battle."

"We'll figure something out," Rikku smiled as she pinched his arm. "Ah! That reminds me! I have a gift for you Naruto. I know your birthday is tomorrow but I picked this up today and I can't wait."

"It has to do with blue flames?" Rikku belted out a laugh.

"No, no but I just remembered I had it. I hope you like it." She reached into her pack and pulled out a rectangular wrapped gift. Hazel eyes watched with anticipation as the young man opened his gift. Unconsciously she squeezed Kakashi's hand beneath the long bar. He squeezed back.

"Its-its…"

"A novel like Icha-Icha!" Sakura gasped. Unknown to her Sasuke was looking over her shoulder curiously.

"Ah! It's not as good as Jiraiya-sama's but it's still rather lovely for the genre. I've read worse."

"Whoa, whoa, wait! You read porn?" Suigetsu asked bewildered. "Was this before or after him?" He pointed rudely in Kakashi's direction. He had yet to completely forgive him for killing Zabuza, even after all of this time. And it didn't help that he had such a 'hot' girlfriend.

"Before," Rikku looked around confused. Kakashi just shook his head.

"They're still young."

"Oh please," She huffed. "Being around you and Jiraiya I'm surprised they haven't been reading it for years now."

"Not everyone has such good taste." Rikku scrunched her face up at her boyfriend and let out a laugh through her nose.

"Mhmm," She looked back at Naruto who was staring down at the book. She bit her lip. "I hope you like it regardless."

"He's only staring at it like that because he can't read." Sakura coughed on her ramen while Suigetsu snickered at Sasuke's remark. Before Naruto could retort with obscenities, Sai added his two cents.

"It is quite interesting Naruto. You should try it and if you need help with reading I'll be glad to assist."

Naruto's jaw dropped. Now everyone was laughing except Sasuke who tried his best to keep it in.

"I can read damn it!"

"Not you too Sai," Sakura whined, "I'm surrounded by perverts." She shook her head in dismay.

"Hn."

Naruto shook his in defeat seeing as no one seemed to be listening to his protests. Thus he decided to move away from the topic. He smiled warmly over to Rikku and let out a thank you before he placed the book in his jacket and set his attention on Hinata.

Around midnight the shinobi who had been idling in Ichiraku's, enjoying the food and good conversation decided to head home. They would all be seeing each other again later the next day at Naruto's party which was being held at the Hokage's house.

Naruto said his goodbye's to his friends, giving some hugs, some fist pounds and others brief pats on the shoulder. One however, he refused to let leave so quickly.

"Hinata!"

"Yes?"

"Stay with me tonight?" She lifted her eyebrows. Why would he want her to stay over if she was going to see him later? "It's just, you left some of your things at my place from the last time you crashed there and I…I'm not ready to lose your company."

At that she gave off the biggest smile she could muster finding it impossible to refuse his request.

When they arrived at his apartment Hinata looked around in wonder.

"You cleaned up?"

"Yeah," He said sheepishly, "I've been trying to keep neat, ya know?"

"It looks great. I'm proud of you." She smiled as she plopped down on his couch.

The sight of her there, sitting on his furniture, looking so at home had the words tumbling out of his mouth like verbal throw up.

"Be my girlfriend?"

"What?" Her head snapped in his direction. He gulped and swallowed again right after. His mouth felt dry and it was felt humid again.

Taking a deep breath he calmly approached.

"I…Well it wasn't supposed to come out like that." She continued to stare from her position on the couch. "It should have been more romantic and asked sometime tomorrow…and I've been meaning to ask you for a while…so…ugh I'm such an idiot." He continued to ramble as she slowly ascended up off the cushion and sauntered steadily in his direction. When she reached him she silenced his babble by placing her hands on his cheeks and tilting his head down towards her.

"If it was said any other way…It wouldn't be you Naruto-kun." His eyes widened at that.

He reached up and pulled one of her hands down towards his chest and placed it over his beating heart. He kept his own hand firmly over hers and he stared deep into her lavender eyes.

"Hyuuga Hinata, would you do me the honor of being my girlfriend?" She responded by moving the hand that still remained on his cheek to the back of his head, twisting her fingers in his hair as she pulled him down and stood on her tip toes.

….

"Well, look who finally decided to grace us with his presence." The current Hokage grinned as she opened the door to her house to not only Naruto but Hinata. Her eyes danced with mirth as she took in their appearance. "Come in, everyone is waiting."

And so they were. The Konoha twelve, team Hawk and all of the former sensei's were in the room. Kohamaru and his teammates were also there as well as Iruka-sensei.

"Happy Birthday, Naruto!" They all shouted once they saw the blonde.

However three girly screams caused everyone in the room to look over at Sakura, Ino and Tenten who had their trained eyes locked on two things: The linked hands of Naruto and Hinata, and the jacket resting over her shoulders.

"Bout damn time!" Ino whooped. The girl beside Naruto pressed her face into the back of his shoulder but kept their hands linked.

"Finally," Came a few replies from the men in the room, including Kiba and Neji. Naruto beamed at his friends' approval. He clutched Hinata's hand as he led them into the room filled with the people he loved most.

Today was the best twentieth birthday any person could ever ask for.

...

A/N: Hope you liked it. I'd love to hear your thoughts so please review.