Chapter notes: Disclaimer: I do not own Naruto or any other character on the series. Just my own OC's
Please Review
Note: a bit more then a simple edit on this chapter. A few things were rewritten to make things better.

Word Guide:
Onii-chan (honored big brother)
baka (fool or idiot)

'thoughts'
'kyuubi talking'

============================== Chapter 10 ==================================
They had just finished setting up camp for the night. Nagatoyo the Raikage's twin was making dinner for everyone. Hinata looked around the camp site and didn't see Naruto. 'I wonder where Naruto-kun went off too?' She activated her Byakugan eye and instantly saw everyone around her. 'Sakura is talking with that med-nin from cloud. All the other boys are off in a clearing to the left sparing. Natsume is looking around camp as well I see. Well I will not allow her near my Naruto! Ah there's Naruto.' Hinata walked towards the clearing the boys were sparing and took to the trees she headed towards them then veered off towards where Naruto was in the hope that Natsume wouldn't find him. She jumped down from the trees landing to the right of Naruto.
"Huh? Oh good evening, Hinata-chan." Naruto said smiling his over the top smile at her putting his hand behind his head with something in it.
"G...good evening, Naruto-kun….ummm…why are you…out here all alone?"
"Nothing." He quickly replied bring his hand back to the front noticing he still had it in his hand he moved to quickly put it in his pocket. Hinata giggled softly as she realized he hadn't really heard her but answered out of guilty reflex
"What is that?" Hinata asked softly pointing to the large black portfolio Naruto had just began stuffing into his leg pocket.
"W...what?...oh this…umm…." Naruto said pulling it out and holding it up. He stuttered a bit as he thought what he should say.
"Sorry!...I…sh…shouldn't pry. Really sorry, Naruto-kun." Naruto looked up her in surprise "Besides…you seem..like y..you…d..don't want to talk about it." Hinata smiled sweetly at him in apology.
Naruto gave her a real smile that light his eyes "no Hinata-chan. It's not that…umm." He looked down at the portfolio back at Hinata smiling. "It's a picture portfolio. It holdes a picture keeping it safe." He opened the portfolio and handed it to Hinata showing her the picture in it.
Hinata took the portfolio looking at the picture. It was pretty beat up but it showed a young lady with one arm around a small boy who she seem to be showing something too. "OH! This is the picture Takosum-chan described."
"Ya, I use to keep it in a frame in my apartment but…umm…"
"You…d..don't have to tell me."
"I know, but…I…I want to." Naruto said smiling at her. She smiled back at him blushing slightly as he looked down and continued "anyhow I came home one day. The place was a mess. Someone had broken in trashing the place. I found the frame broken real bad and as you can see the picture is a bit scratched and has some small holes in it." Naruto looked back up at Hinata and was surprised that she looked upset. "Hinata-chan?"
"That is horrible…w..who would b..be so mean?"
Naruto pulled Hinata into a hug "Arigatou Hinata-chan. but, it's OK it happened along time ago." He held her a bit longer then he meant too 'what is this feeling? Why does this feel so good?'
Hinata blushed crimson as Naruto hugged her to him 'Naruto's h..hugging me!' When he released her Hinata sighed sadly missing his arms around her.
"Did you say something Hinata-chan?"
"n...no. b...but why didn't you come see my father…umm…h..he did take the picture you said…and…I'm sure he…he would have helped….it sounds like he cares for her..and she cares for you…so..umm…I'm sure he would have helped."
Naruto looked down "I tried….but…I couldn't get pass the gate…they wouldn't even give him a message."
"W..What!" She took his hands into her own causing him to look up into her eyes. "Naruto-kun…w..when we get back tomorrow…I…I promise…I Will make sure you are Never turned away from our compound again."
Naruto watched Hinata's determine face as she made her promise to him and he smiled at her as she finished and pulled her closer risking a light kiss to her cheek as he whispered "Arigatou Hinata-chan" into her ear causing her to blush crimson.
Just then they heard Nagatoyo call out "DINNER!"
"Guess we best get back." Naruto grinned at Hinata only letting go of one of her hands "Come on we don't want to miss the food." Naruto said pulling her along back to camp his trademark grin back in place.
No one missed the fact that Naruto and Hinata re-entered camp together holding hands as the boys had returned from their sparing just before they returned. Kiba smirked "Bout time he opened his eyes to her." He muttered to Shino who didn't say anything in reply to him just kept his eyes on Naruto and Hinata.
"Something smells good come on Hinata-chan lets get in line for the food?" Naruto said leading her to where a line was forming and Nagatoyo and Aiyuki were handing out the plates of food.
Natsume got in line behind Hinata and softly told her "Nice misdirection and evasion technique." Hinata glared at her as she then leaned forward looking around her to Naruto "Hey, Naruto-Kun will you sit with me so we can talk?" Naruto stared at her but before he can say anything they heard.
"Natsume? Aren't you being a bit too familiar with Uzumaki-kun?" Nao said from behind her "Or do I need to drill you on proper manners?"
"N…Nao-sensei, no, no. It's just that Asamiya-san always talked about him. It's like I do know him. She was always saying how much Yuketo-san reminded her of him. I think that was one of the reasons they are such good friends."
Natoshi looked at his sister in surprise at this knowledge "What? Asamiya-chan was friends with Yuketo-chan?"
Natsume giggled a bit "I think they still are friends" She said catching a glance at her sensei she quickly added "Raikage-sama."
"Y...yes." He replied turning back to his food.
Natsume looked hard at him as he ate. Aiyuki handed a plate of food to Naruto and Hinata then she said "Natsume-chan? Natsume-chan!" But she ignored Aiyuki and instead walked over to her brother the Raikage.
"Natoshi, You might be the Raikage but you are my Onii-chan first and foremost and I know you. What's wrong? There is something you're not telling me."
Natoshi looked up at his sister as she was glaring down at him while Nao was fuming not too far behind her at her insolence and Nagatogo was looking on worriedly at his twin. He smiled at her but the smile didn't reach his eyes. "You do know me so well Eh? Little sister." She nodded but said nothing instead she sat down and continued to stare at him waiting. "You're not going to let me get away with not saying anything are you?" she shook her head again not saying anything but remaining quite and waiting. Natoshi sighed "I could just say as Raikage I am not at liberty to say at this time."
She looked at him with puppy dog eyes and said "Is what's bothering you really so secret?"
"no, In fact if we were at home you would already know." Everyone remained quite to listen to this exchange between the raikage and his sister. He sighed again before continuing "Yuketo-chan was one of the ones killed the other day at our checkpoint."
"WHAT!" Natsume and the other cloud nins said. Even Nagatoyo and Aiyuki looked up in surprised.
"B..but that's…" Koreyori started yet Natsume interrupted him finishing his statement.
"Imposible."
"n0. There is always someone better. Look at me I defeated the last Raikage for this title and some would say that was imposible."
"But..Yuketo-san"
"Is it true what you said about what Asamiya-chan said. That Uzumaki-kun was like Yuketo-chan."
"Yes. Why?"
Natoshi looked over at Naruto and then looked at Kurenai before turning back to his sister "No reason. Just curious"
Nagatoyo brought over a plate for Natsume and sat down next to her handing it to her "Come on little sister eat." Natsume took the plate and started to eat not saying anything else. Everyone else started eating as well and slowly people started to converse with each other.
"So Naruto, where you going to take Hinata on your first date?" Kiba said
"KIBA-KUN!" Hinata exclaimed blushing madly.
Naruto looked at Kiba clueless "Huh?"
Sakura looked at Hinata then at Naruto realizing that Kiba stupidly assumed they had decided to start dating when Naruto was still clueless to how Hinata felt towards him. She sighed then got up walked over to Kiba and clubbed him one hard "YOU BAKA!" Akamaru growled at Sakura as Kiba grabbed his head in pain "Don't give me that Akamaru Kiba deserved it. He is just as clueless as Naruto" Sakura snapped back.
"I HEARD THAT!"
"GOOD"
Shino put himself between Sakura and Kiba and Akamaru facing Kiba. "Kiba you really need to learn how to be more observant."
"Huh? What do you mean?"
Shino and Sakura both sweat dropped.
Naruto wasn't paying any attention to what was going on with Kiba he was watching Hinata who was looking down blushing a deep crimson. "Hinata-chan?"
"S...sorry." Hinata stammered as she stood up as few tears escaped her eyes just before she turned and bolted.
"HINATA!" Naruto called out quickly going after her.
"Well Kiba I hope you are happy. You've upset Hinata." Shino said then grabbed his arm before he could take off after her and Naruto. While at the same time he sent some of his bugs after them. "Kiba, let them be. I believe Naruto will come around you just shocked him."
"You think so?" Kiba asked looking hopefully at Shino
"I agree with Shino, It will work out." Sakura said sitting back down.
Kiba sighed with relief 'Sakura is Naruto's teammate. She has to know him better then anyone. If she thinks it will work out OK Then I am sure it will' Akamaru laid down and Kiba sat down next to him leaning against him.
Shino waited for Kiba to sit back down before he too sat down and listen to what everyone else was talking about.
'W..why?
Why did Kiba do that?
What must Naruto think of me?'
Hinata sobbed she couldn't hold back her tears any longer so she stopped running and collapsed onto the ground her hands over her eyes as she cried quitely. 'What...What if….what if Naruto doesn't think of me like that?'
Naruto came to a stop seeing Hinata stop and collapsed to her knees her hands over her eyes. He walked over to her and knelt down in front of her pulling her into him he wrapped his arms around her holding her and stroking her hair. "Shhh…Hinata-chan….It's OK…please don't cry."
Hinata stopped crying though a few tears stilled flowed from her eyes as she went in shock as Naruto pulled her into an embrace. She pulled back a little and looked up into his worried eyes. "Na…Naruto?"
Naruto smiled softly at her removing one of his hands from her to wipe away her tears. "Yes…ummm…Are you okay now?" Hinata softly sighed looking back down sadly as all her questions went swimming around in her head once more. Naruto growled softly his hands fell away from her as he balled them up into fists standing up. It upset him to see her like this "I'll KILL Kiba for upsetting you like this." Naruto took a calming breath unfolding his fists as he softly continued "But what was he thinking anyhow. A nice pretty lady like you wouldn't want to be seen going out with someone like me."
Naruto's words sent a shock though Hinata's system causing her to standup suddenly without thinking said "NO…that's not true." Her hands quickly flew to her mouth 'did I just say that outloud?'
Naruto looked over at her in shock "Hinata?" He gulped "y…you wouldn't mind…being seen with me?"
"Why would I mind…I…I…I" Hinata gulped as she blushed redder and redder she couldn't seem to say it but then she remembered what Sakura told her by the river their first night together on the road. So instead of continuing to try to say what she meant she showed him by kissing him on the lips her arms going around his neck. Her kiss took him totally by surprise and it took him a few before he started to return her kiss his arms pulling her into him closer their kiss deepened slightly before they ended the kiss both of them breathing hard. 'He returned my kiss…maybe.' "Naruto…I…I love you Naruto."
"Hinata…I…umm…Hinata your from one of the most prominent clans….your clan might not like us being together…not to mention the village. Not too many people like me and I don't want you to get hurt."
"I don't care. I…Love…You. And my clan will show respect to you and you will never be turn away from our compound again I already promised you that and I will see it happens."
"Hinata" Naruto smiled down at her "Are you sure?"
"Yes." Hinata smiled sweetly up at Naruto who pulled her to him holding her close. "I don't understand how anyone can not like you."
'she has a right to know.'
'Kit do you want to loose her? You tell her about me and you might scare her away.'
'I wasn't talking to you. Besides I will loose her faster if I don't tell her and someone else does.'
Kyuubi sighed 'I hate to say it but You're probably right kit'
"Hinata-chan. I need to tell you something." Naruto said releasing her slowly
"What is it Naruto-kun. You can tell me anything."
"Let's sit down first." He said holding her hands to help her down then sitting down next to her. He wasn't sure if he could ,look at her while he told her. She leaned against him and he automatically put his arm around her. "You know October tenth?"
"Yes it's when we celebrate the defeat of the Kyuubi."
"Do you know how he was defeated?"
Hinata looked up at Naruto wondering what these questions had to do with what he wanted to tell her but answered anyhow trusting he will tell her when he was ready. "Yes, the Yondaime defeated him."
"Do you know How the Yondaime defeated him?"
Hinata thought about that one for a bit "I don't think anyone has actually said how. I guess he killed him with a special jutsu."
"no. The Yondaime didn't kill the Kyuubi only sealed him."
"Sealed him? Sealed him where?"
"He used a special jutsu that required a newly born infant in order to seal the Kyuubi away and be a living prison for the kyuubi." He swallowed a lump in his throat before continuing. "There was only one baby born that day Hinata."
Hinata thought about what he had said before speaking "Naruto? Are you saying that the Kyuubi was sealed inside you?"
Naruto looked down at Hinata worried about what he would see "yess"
Hinata surprised him by smiling up at him "I always knew you would do anything to protect Konoha and those you care about but you've been doing it since you were born by keeping us all safe from the Kyuubi."
"Y…You don't think I'm a…monster?"
Hinata sat up at this an angry look in her eyes "NO. Anyone who thinks that is the worst baka ever. You are Naruto my sweet Naruto you are not the Kyuubi. Just because he is sealed in you does NOT make you him."
"AK..KUM"
Hinata and Naruto jumped up at Kurenai's cough to get their attention. "Kurenai-sensei, Shino-kun. H…how long h..have you been here?" Hinata worried how much they had overheard.
"Long enough to hear you speaking without stuttering. Now Shino, Hinata I want you Both to understand. What Naruto told Hinata is forbidden to talk about. That means you tell no one else even Kiba or any of your other friends. Understand?"
Shino nodded but Hinata spoke up "But, Naruto's a hero…protecting us all from the Kyuubi."
Kurenai smiled down proudly at her student "The Yondaime would be proud to hear you speaking Hinata. It is what he always wanted when he sealed the Kyuubi away. But people don't think that way. So it is better not to talk about it. And who of your friends are told should be Naruto's choice not yours. It is just bad luck that Shino over heard as I am sure Naruto most likely wouldn't have chosen to tell him."
"no, I wouldn't have. But Shino. Since you do…umm"
"Don't worry Naruto, I agree with what Hinata said in response to you asking her if she thought you a monster."
"Arigatou Shino."
"OK you three lets get back to camp it is getting late and Shino you have second watch with Sakura and Naruto and Hinata have last watch since we are in leaf territory now."
"Understood." They all replied heading back to camp.