"Iruka!" Naruto's usual grin grew even broader as he spotted his old sensei tending bar. A couple of years before, Teuchi had decided to take advantage of the increased traffic to Konoha by expanding Ramen Ichiraku to include a full restaurant and bar. On weekends and special occasions it served as a meeting place for the Leaf's many shinobi. Iruka had initially started to work there when special functions called for something a little more skilled than a regular bouncer. Time passed by and he had found himself spending more and more time there as he discovered that Ayame, Teuchi's daughter shared some common interests with him, the most important of which was a strong attachment for the young man who now stood before him.

"Naruto! How was Suna?" Iruka smile matched Naruto's.

"It was a blast…but I'm glad to be back." He accepted a beer and nodded his thanks. "How's Ayame-chan?"

Iruka shook his head in exasperation. "The woman will not stay put! In her condition she should be at home relaxing but no…she has to have everything done yesterday. She will truly be the death of me. "The look of adoration on his face told a different story. The two had spent more and more time together and after only a few months he had proposed. They were now weeks away from the birth of their first child. Naruto was happy for his former teacher and hoped that all went well for them. The two were the closest thing he had to a family growing up. Though most in the village had looked down on him they had both stood behind him, helping him when he needed it and loving him always.

An angry shout came from the office and Iruka turned to Naruto apologetically. "She's on an ice chip binge, strangest thing I ever saw. She must have run out. Better get more before she breaks something…or someone!"

Naruto nodded and turned on his stool to take a look around. It was probably the first time that all of Naruto's friends had been home at the same time in months and it seemed they had all gathered together instinctively. Shikamaru was here with Temari. She had returned with Team 7 to spend some time with Shikamaru before leaving on a six month training mission in the Cloud. The two chatted idly over a game of shogi. Naruto suspected they were discussing wedding plans. Temari had told Naruto on the way there that Shikamaru had finally popped the question. Ino and Choji were a couple of tables over sharing some sushi. Choji…sharing? He made a note to ask Choji or maybe even Shika about that. Love is in the air, he thought then, chuckling to himself.

It was then that he noticed Sakura and remembering he owed her a drink from the last time they were out he grabbed an extra beer and turned just as she approached. She stood silent for a moment, eyes lowered. When she finally looked up and met his eyes it was with an intense look that darkened her jade green eyes. Worried that she was upset over Sasuke he toyed with the idea of giving her hug and telling her to cheer up but decided against it. He still had a hard time reading the woman's moods and her fist hurt like hell. She would talk to him when and if she was ready. Instead he smiled and handed her the second bottle with a cheerful "Hey Sakura! What's up?"

Minutes later, Naruto is back at the bar, telling himself he needs to talk to Sasuke in the morning. No way in hell was Sakura in love with him. So obviously Sasuke was pushing her away yet again. Naruto figured it was time he got over himself and told their team-mate how he really felt. In the meantime he had his own confessing to do and for once the brave Uzumaki felt in need of liquid courage. Hinata was due to arrive in an hour or so. He figured he should be able to toss a few back before then. He's aware he won't get drunk, his healing abilities are far too good for that, however it does seem to quell the nasty case of nerves he's sudden started to experience. And when he finally spots Hinata, her back to him as she speaks with her old team mates he makes his way over hoping to surprise her.

When he landed on her back, an arm slung over her shoulder Hinata freezes for a fraction of a second, sadness and elation battling each other as recognizes the scent of the man she has loved for most of her life. She relaxes, pushing the emotions down as she realizes she must be there for her best friend when he needs her most. She had been there for a while though Naruto had only just seen her. She had watched the conversation with Sakura and had seen the barrage of drinks he had consumed afterwards. Obviously the man was drunk and in pain and she needed to get him home before he did something stupid. She slid an arm beneath his and slowly pushed him towards the exit.

Naruto was not drunk though when he stumbled and landed with an arm over the slender shoulders of the Hyuga, the unique blend of lilacs and vanilla that she wore overtook his senses. When her arm slid around his chest and pushed him toward the doorway he mentally shook himself. He knew he should tell her he was okay but part of him thought it would be a great way to get her alone. Then he could tell her.

Of course all his noble plans went out the window when they landed on his bed and the only thing he could think of as he felt the tight curve of her buttocks against his crotch wiggling as she tried to escape his grasp was, "Finally hime, I have you where I want you." Her struggling stopped immediately and he knew...

Shit I said that out loud!