Disclaimer: I don't own naruto, only in my dreams, and those the good ones.

Author's note: Wow, two updates in one day! I am really having fun with this story, but it is how I unwind fro studying anatomy and pathology and the like. I already have it completed in a notebook, now I'm just transferring it to this site. My Narnia one is coming along slowly, because the notebook I had it in grew legs and walked off. I can;t find it in the black hole called my room. Oh well, here is the next installment. I need to get some reviews before I post more. Review please. No flames, please!


I sat on top of the Fourth Hokage's stone head, staring out at the sunset, still fuming. How dare he try to control my life? I am the one who has to live it? Why did my mother and Hizashi-jisan have to die? Father didn't get like this until after they died. Oh, Mother, I need you here right now. You would be able to talk some sense into Father.

"Interesting to find you up here, Hinata-imotochan. I thought this was Naruto's spot to think."

I didn't bother to turn around. I recognized the voice, and knew he would be the one to follow me. "Hello, Neji-niisan."

"I overheard your conversation with Hiashi-sama accidentally and know what he wants you to do." My cousin sat down next to me. "I would have broken his nose, not the office door."

"He's still my father, and I love him. I've never been hurt this badly, even when he began ignoring me in favor of training you and Hanabi, He's ignored me since my mother died giving birth to Hanabi, and when I finally find my strength, he decides he needs to make me into a proper heir be forcing me to marry our cousin."

"It's not right. You have changed so much since you and Naruto began dating. Your destiny belongs with Naruto, not our clan."

"I choose my destiny, Neji, and if I have to choose between Naruto and our clan, I choose Naruto. He accepts me, weaknesses and all, and he's willing to help me overcome them. You should lead our clan, Neji-niisan, you are the best suited for it."

He gave a slight smile, "One thing at a time, Hinata-chan. First, we have to find a way to thwart Hiashi's plans for you to wed Takahiro." He placed a hand on my shoulder as he stood up. "Wait here for a moment, I'll be back." With that, he had disappeared among the rooftops of Konoha.

I waited thinking and pondering while the sun slipped further below the horizon. Not long afterward, I heard a familiar voice demand, "What do you mean by Hiashi is going to force Hinata to break up with me and marry some guy she doesn't even like?"

I turned to Naruto and Neji. "It's because he doesn't think you are good enough for the Hyuga heiress." I shook my head, trying to hide my tears with my hair, "He says that because you don't have a respectable family or any resources, meaning that he doesn't think you can care for me."

Naruto was shocked, to say it lightly, "He said what?"

"Please, don't make me repeat it," I whispered, wiping away my tears. His hands stopped mine and proceeded to finish the job. He then took me into his arms and rested his chin on top of my head.

"I'm not letting you get away from me without a fight, Hinata-hime. I finally found someone to love, who for some amazing reason, loves me back," he whispered into my hair.

"You may not need to fight Hiashi, Naruto; there is another way out of this mess." Neji said, and then left us alone on top of the stone head of Naruto's father.

"Does your cousin enjoy confusing me riddles?" Naruto grumbled, his face still buried in my hair.

"He likes for people to figure things out for themselves," I replied, and paused, "Do you mean what you said? Do you love me?"

"Yes, I do, my Hime. I love you."

"That's the first time I have ever heard you say that, but your eyes have said it for months now," I whispered. "Thank you, Naruto-kun. I love you." I stayed silent, also thinking about Neji's cryptic remark.

"What other way was he talking about?"

It hit me all of a sudden. "There is a way without us directly confronting my father. He can't marry me off if I'm already married."

Naruto stiffened, "Are you serious, Hinata-hime? You want to marry me?"

"I don't think I stuttered," I whispered, and gave him a quick kiss. I was blushing in embarrassment for speaking my mind, but inwardly I was on soaring for letting Naruto know my thoughts and hearing his confession.

"Are you sure? Most of the village doesn't like me because of my tenant. Are you willing to put up with it? They would dislike you for joining your life with mine."

"I don't care what everyone else thinks of you. I don't even care what my father thinks. My opinion is the only one that counts, and I say that they are all idiots, for they haven't looked beneath the surface. I love you, Naruto-kun, and I don't give a dang about the Kyuubi."

He gave me one of his tender smiles, the ones I only saw directed toward me. "I love you also, Hinata-hime." He gently pulled me closer to him. "Will you marry this knucklehead?"

I lifted my eyes to meet his azure ones, "Yes, Naruto-kun, I would be honored to become the wife of the Leaf Village's knuckleheaded ninja." And next Hokage, I mentally added.

"Yahoo!" Naruto exclaimed, loud enough for the entire village to hear him. After he calmed down and removed a crystal necklace from around his neck. I gasped as he put it around my neck. It was the Shodai's necklace, which Tsunade-sama had given to him when he was thirteen.

"I don't have a ring right now, Hinata-hime, but this is one of my most precious possessions. I think it is appropriate my most precious person should wear it. That is why I call you hime, you are my princess and I want to protect you." I gave him a long, passionate kiss, stopping his spoken train of thought.

When we finally parted for breath, I began to laugh. "If afterward, we tell my father your parentage; can you imagine the look on his face?"

He also laughed, and picked me up, bridal style. "Let's go, Hinata-hime. I think we need to go see Tsunade-baachan. I have a feeling we're going to need her help to pull this off."


"Hiashi Hyuga wants Hinata to marry one of her cousins? And to stop it, you two want me to help you do what?" Tsunade-sama demanded, disbelief coloring her tone. "You two are seriously planning to elope and defy the most powerful clan head in Konoha?"

We both gulped and nodded. This doesn't seem like the best idea, I thought.

She abruptly began laughing, "Good for the two of you! It's about time Hiashi learns a lesson. What do you need me to do?"

"Can you make up some sort of mission to send the two of us on, that will have us gone for at least a month?" Naruto asked.

"Even better, I won't make one up for just you two, but all of your friends as well. They should be there for this." She smiled at the two of us, standing hand in hand. "I have been meaning to make a trip to Suna, so why don't I assign Team Kakashi to accompany me? That way Gaara, Temari, and Kankuro can also be there."

"Do you mind getting married in Sunagakure, Hinata-hime?" Naruto asked, obviously worried I would object to the location.

"Not at all," I replied, almost in shock. My brain was still trying to process the fact Tsunade was willing to help us.

"Good, now for Team Guy and Team Kurenai, let me see…" She began sorting through the mission request forms on her desk, and pulled out two. "These are near Fire's border with Wind. I'll assign Kurenai's and Guy's teams on these, and arrange passports into Suna so they can be there. I would try to send Iruka on a mission as well, but it would be suspicious for him to leave the Academy. The two teams will meet us their missions are complete. I'll formally assign the missions tomorrow morning. Have a good evening, and Hinata, tomorrow I will help you find a dress. Naruto, you had better get some new clothes as well, because if you show up to your wedding wearing that jumpsuit, Hinata will become a widow. Get it, brat?"

"Got it, baachan. I'll go shopping before we leave for Suna," Naruto promised.

"You are dismissed," she said, yawning, "I'll you tomorrow with your team."

I ended up slipping back into my bedroom after midnight. Naruto and I had continued to make plans for a few hours after we had left the Hokage's office. "Hinata," a voice sounded from the darkness. I managed to conceal the fright it gave me.

"Father," I replied, my voice emotionless, and grateful the Shodai's necklace was hidden underneath my shirt.

"I just want you to know that I only want the best for you," he said, sounding stiff.

I turned on a lamp and stared him down, "Unfortunately, Father, we have to very different ideas about what is the best for me. Pardon me, but I need to get to bed. The Hokage wants to see my team first thing in the morning."

He could tell I wasn't going to budge tonight, he left my room, and I crawled into bed, wanting to sleep to help prepare myself for the coming days.