Me: Hola everyone! It is I, Lexar, returning from the dead! Well actually…it has not been that long since my last update but whatever.
Tsunade: Just get on with the story already! I need to get back to my sake.
Me: Right, right…Anyway what I wanted to say was that, school has started for me, so updates will be sporadic. I will try to update every weekend, but I won't promise anything. Especially since I took 6 AP classes…
Tsunade: 6 AP CLASSES? WHAT THE HELL WERE YOU THINKING?
Me: It seemed like a good idea at the time *sweatdrop*
Tsunade: Here *offers her sake bottle*
Me: What's this for?
Tsunade: You need it more than me.
Me: Thanks.*accepts sake*
*Tsunade and Lexar drink*
Shizune: Hehe well enjoy the chapter. *sweatdrop*

Ch. 10: Stay With Me

She absolutely detested politics. No, detest is not a strong enough word to describe her utter hatred for politics. The closest thing to describe her hate towards politics would be…

"I hate politics with white hot intensity of a thousand suns!" The blonde Godaime cried out as she rubbed her temples to soothe the oncoming headache. She leaned back in her chair as she stared at the ceiling. She was going to kill Naruto after this. He would feel her almighty wrath when he returned. He FORCED her to get involved into even more politics than she usually did.

Being Hokage, she is always surrounded by politics. In fact, she did not mind the usually politics she had to deal with. Dealing with the other Kages was not bad at all. They all respected her and she them. It's damn hard running a ninja village, and whoever does ran one deserves a hell of a lot of respect for it! A great part of it was, that it was not hard to get the other Kages to accept Naruto as the next Hokage. They all greatly respect him after he took down the Akatsuki when he was only sixteen. Naruto also won them over with his personality. His gift of getting people to bet their hopes on him won them over. For that Tsunade is more than happy, but right now she was not dealing with her normal politics. In fact, she was not even dealing with Konohagakure politics. She was dealing with the vilest form of politics that had ever been born in the history of the ninja world. Clan Politics.

Oh she hated getting involved with clans. She normally avoided it if she could. She normally did not have any problems with how the clans ran themselves. Of course she disagreed with some parts of clan politics; for example, the Hyuga Clan Caged Bird Seal, but it was never an issue that she felt she had to get involved in. That would be Naruto's job, since the gaki decided to change the Hyuga. Though, Tsunade could not deny how proud she was of the knucklehead.

Tsunade sat up straight as she mulled over in her head the best way to approach this situation. She was defiantly going to massacre Naruto for MAKING her get involved with the whole Hinata thing. Did she agree with it? Of course not! She grew very fond of the quiet, polite, yet strong Hyuga girl who unknowingly captured Naruto's heart, but it was not her place to get involved. However, the look Naruto had on his face when he found out that Hinata was to be engaged to someone, broke her heart. Granted she was not going to give him an easy time. She was not simply going to let him go on a mission to find Hinata without some difficulty; after all, he was supposed to be inaugurated in a week or so. Tsunade sighed as she poured herself another shot of sake.

"Tsunade-sama, Hiashi-sama, is here to see you." Shizune announced as she walked in with Tonton in her arms.

"Bring him in, Shizune." Tsunade replied as she grabbed a second cup for Hiashi, she figured he would want some sake during this discussion. Shizune nodded, and disappeared to only reappear a few seconds later with Hiashi next to her.

"Hello, Godaime-sama." Hiashi greeted with the utmost politeness that the Hyuga where known for, but one could still feel the air of pride (almost haughtiness) that the Hyuga's carried themselves with.

"Hello, Hiashi-sama, please have a seat we have much to discuss." Hiashi sat across from Tsunade's desk in the chair she gestured to as she spoke. Once they were both sitting down Tsunade poured some more sake for herself. "Would you like some?" Hiashi simply nodded as Tsunade poured some for the Hyuga. "Well, let's get right down to the problem and cut out all the formalities. How did the Hyuga council take to my disagreement?"

"The council respects your concern, but they feel Hinata marrying Akito would be a major asset to Konoha." Hiashi answered.

"Yes, yes, treaty with Iwa, great and all, but there is no need for it." Tsunade waved her right hand in a dismissive fashion. "Iwa has already signed a treaty with us due to Naruto."

"Tsunade-sama, you do not need to convince me. I am opposed to this union as much as you are, but the council needs to be appeased. I was able to hold them off until now from marrying off Hinata, but since Hinata is currently has no suitor…I had no argument against the council." Hiashi stated with a barely noticeable sad undertone. Tsunade nodded. "Aside from that, they said that there is nothing about Akito Narumi that makes him unfit to marry Hinata, therefore they will not change their minds about it." Hiashi finished as he took the last sips of his sake.

"In other words, the only way Akito could not marry Hinata is if he is a missing-nin!" Tsunade let out a sarcastic exasperated comment. The Hyuga Clan was the worst clan to get involved with. All their rules, and stubbornness made them the worst clan to deal with. Tsunade placed her elbows on her desk and laced her fingers together in order to rest he chin on her hand. This is even more of a pain than I had originally thought… "Well, it seems for now, we cannot do anything. I will wait for Naruto's and Shikamaru's teams to return before we decide what course will be taken to avoid this marriage."

"Very well. I will speak to you later than?" Hiashi asked as he stood up along with Tsunade.

"Yes, I will contact you as soon as I know anything." Tsunade confirmed as she watched Hiashi bow and walk out of her office. The second she heard the click of the door closing she sighed and slumped back into her chair. She drank all the sake in her cup before setting the cup down. She grabbed her sake bottle to pour some more, but nothing came out. Tsunade shook the bottle more, and only a measly drop came forth. I need more sake…

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He could invent jutsus that would make any ninja fear him. He could defeat the Akatsuki at the age of sixteen. He could take down any opponent without batting an eye. He could stare death right in the face and smirk in defiance. He could do things that shinobis double his age could only dream of every accomplishing. Yet, the blonde future Hokage is shaking like a leaf. Why? It is simple, because he was going to tell the Hyuga Princess his feelings for her. No one had ever made Naruto feel like this, even when he had a crush on his bubblegum haired teammate. He gulped, but pressed forward to the Heiress that sat on the bridge trying to recover from chakra exhaustion. She noticed him walk over to her, so she picked up her head to stare up at his cerulean eyes as he stared into her lavender orbs.

He has such beautiful eyes…I could stare at them all day.

She has such gorgeous eyes…I could get lost in them. Not that I would mind that idea.

"Hinata-chan." Naruto broke the silence that hung around them as they stared at each other. After he spoke her name, he was at a loss for words. This was rare indeed for Naruto. Hinata saw his hesitation, and decided she needed to say what was on her heart.

"I missed you too, Naruto-kun." Hinata began as her trademark blush found its way onto her pale cheeks. Naruto could feel a slight blush on his tan face as well. He got even closer to her before he sat down next to her.

"Well, I am so glad you are alright. Now we can all go back home. Everyone back home misses you a lot. Konoha was lonely without you, and…"

"Naruto-kun! Please stop." Hinata interrupted. Tears began welling up in her eyes. She was trying to blink them away, but to no avail. Some tears slipped down her cheeks as she hugged her knees closer to her body.

"Hinata-chan, what's wrong? Why are you crying? Aren't you happy?" Naruto asked confused but with concern. It broke his heart to see Hinata cry. He would gladly put a Rasengan into whoever was making Hinata cry.

"I…I…I c-can't g-go b-back w-with y-you." She sobbed and stuttered out. Naruto felt a knot tie in his stomach. Hinata not coming back with us? But she will become a missing-nin! She could get seriously hurt! She could even get killed! Naruto thought as Hinata tried desperately to regain her composure. She knew it was going to be hard to not go back to Konoha, but she never imagined it to be this difficult!

Kit, I suggest you say something to change her mind, or you will be leaving her behind. Please, for the love of all that is right in this world, SAY SOMETHING BEFORE YOU LOSE HER! BAKA! DO SOMETHING! Kyuubi roared in Naruto's mind. Naruto shook his head to shake off his stupor. The blonde turned to look at Hinata who still allowed some tears to fall down her cheeks. He used his thumb to wipe away her tears, and then held her face in his hand. He felt like his rough hand should not be allowed to caress her soft beautiful skin, but she made no move to stop him and he sure as hell wasn't going to stop.

"Hinata-chan, please don't leave me." Naruto began meekly. He sounded like a wounded puppy, but that was exactly how he felt. The very idea of Hinata leaving him again hurt him beyond the description of words. "Please, stay with me."

"W-why? W-why d-does it m-matter to y-you w-what h-happens to m-me? I k-know w-we are v-very g-good f-friends, b-but w-why go to s-such l-lengths for m-me?" She stuttered out, and the second she did, she regretted it. Hinata did not think her heart could take Naruto saying that it was because she was his friend. Don't get her wrong, she is absolutely thrilled to be a friend of Naruto, but after everything he has done to try to get her back…her hopes of him actually returning her feelings were at an all time high. If he did not love her, she would most certain enter a state of deep depression and stay here in waves, seeing as there is nothing left in Konoha for her.

"Because…" Naruto began trying to word what he was going to tell her right. Damn, why is this so hard!

It really isn't, Kit. All you need to say is three little words. The first one starts with 'I' the next starts with 'L' and the last one starts with a 'Y.' JUST SAY IT! Kyuubi growled in annoyance of his tenant. He had grown to admire Naruto for his strength, and ability as a shinobi, but still the knucklehead would get on the furball's nerves.

"I love you." Naruto whispered, but Hinata heard it. She immediately perked up and looked at Naruto. Her tears ceased coming down her cheeks as she looked deep into those cerulean eyes to see if he meant what she thought he said.

"Excuse me, but what did you say?" Hinata asked with her eyes wide in shock. Naruto took in a deep breath.

"I love you." He said again, but this time with more confidence and love in his voice. Her lavender orbs searched his eyes to see if he meant every word he spoke, and his eyes only held love, nervousness, and longing. Hinata smiled as fresh tears came down her face. "Ah! Did I say something wrong?" Naruto asked frantically.

"No, I am just happy because I never thought you would return my feelings for you." Hinata sobbed as she wiped away her own tears. Wait did she say return her feelings? Does that means she…? "I love you too, Naruto-kun. Always have." Naruto smiled a genuine smile as he pulled Hinata close to him as he physically could, and planted his lips on hers. Hinata smiled beneath the kiss and put all her love for Naruto in it, as Naruto did the same for her. Their first kiss was passionate and yet innocent. Just like the two of them. When they pulled away for air, Naruto let out a foxy smile as he looked at the blushing Hinata.

"So, will you stay with me?" Naruto asked praying that she would say yes.

"Forever and always." She replied as she initiated their second kiss. Naruto had never been happier in his life. He deepened the kiss as he pulled even closer to him.

Me: Yuppers, so I hoped you liked the confession. At first I was not going to have Naruto confess to Hinata this chapter. In fact, I kinda wanted someone to interrupt him from doing so, but decided I did not want that.
Hinata: *blushing*
Naruto: Hinata-chan?
Me: I always loved the idea of Naruto confessing to Hinata, so I decided that he should be the one to do that hehe. So what you think Hinata?
Hinata: *faints*
Naruto: HINATA-CHAN!
Me: I'll take that as you loved it! Alright well you know the drill. Review por favor and look forward to the next chapter because another plot twist is underway!