(A/N Just so no one's confused, the intros are always done by the cast of The Bijuu Wars.)

Naruto: Wow, that was a twist! Didn't think you'd have my mom show up like that at the end. Heh, and I gotta say Hinata-chan does look cute with those glasses.

Neokenshin: Glad you like em. Plus I gotta say, it's been like what, a month and this story has took off like a rocket! I dunno what it is, but you readers love it, and for that, I gotta say thanks! Oh hey, look who FINALLY got over everything.

Sasuke: Go easy on me ok. I finally get it, they're not mad at me.

Naruto: Gee ya think! We said that somewhere around chapter 6 or something!

Sasuke: Guess I'm not used to seeing myself as an evil guy again. It's been 3 years with Neokenshin's stories and I've always been a good guy.

Naruto: Yeah yeah, whatever. You're still an evil jerk in the real manga, so just be happy people like you right now! So let's get this thing started! Masashi Kishimoto owns the Naruto bunch, but like EVERYONE knows that. Enjoy everyone!

Chapter 10

Naruto overlooked his apartment one last time. It would be the last time he would see his home for the next two or three years. His mind thought back to everything that has happened to him in the past year. From becoming a Genin, the mission in Wave, the Chuunin Exams, the battle against Neji and Gaara, his trip with Jiraiya to find Tsunade…and then the day that changed his life forever, the day he found out he was the son of the Yondaime and that Hinata loved him.

"Hard to believe so much has happened." Naruto was folding up his bedding to put it away for storage. While he was gone, both Ino and Hinata volunteered to check up on his apartment to make sure there was no dust building up, and to throw out any old food as well. Ino said she'd even make sure his flowers were watered and tended to as well.

As he was finishing up, the pictures on his desk kept reminding him of his life. The first was the picture of Team 7. "Sasuke, I still don't get it. You had everything but you threw it all away. Maybe if I had done something else, maybe you wouldn't have fallen into that lust for power and revenge so badly." All he could do is sigh, knowing that the events of the past could not be changed. That was where the second picture came in. Apparently Ino was a bit of a paparazzi herself, managing to sneak in a picture of Naruto giving Hinata a hug after she got her cast and sling removed. He was so happy for her that she never even saw it coming. So it was him with a big cheesy grin and she was looking shocked, confused, and blushing at the same time!

"Who would have thought you would be the one that started all of this Hinata-chan. There's so much I've learned and discovered because of you." He thought back to his promise the day before, as the two were leaving his father's grave. "I promise I'll have your answer by then Hinata-chan, I just need more time to learn." He knew that she would be waiting his answer. Would he be able to return the love she had given him? Naruto explained that he still didn't know much about falling in love or if he did love Hinata, but he showed he was willing to learn and find out. Finally finishing, he did one last check in his apartment to make sure everything was in order then grabbed his backpack and headed out. Hinata and Ino already had spare keys so he didn't need to hide his own key. As he locked the door, he smiled one last time before setting out on his journey. There were a few things in the village he needed to take care of before he left.

Hinata was watching as Neji was doing some light sparring with her sister Hanabi. Since she had given up the title of Heir, she felt that a huge pressure had been lifted from her. Even though it was caused by the elders being so harsh to her and being a pain to Hiashi, She always felt that her place was not as a clan leader. Since then, she took note to focus more on how she would be helping Naruto in the future and on her medical studies and training.

"That's enough for today Hanabi-sama. You're doing much better with your stances." Neji said as the two stopped. "You still need to work more on your speed and control."

"Thank you Neji-nii-san" Hanabi bowed in respect as she did view him as part teacher as well. "I'll focus more on that for our next session."

"Hinata-sama, did you have any observation you wish to address?" Neji turned to the former heiress for her opinion.

"N-no I didn't see anything wrong." Hinata replied. "Hanabi-chan looked very good."

Both Neji and Hanabi knew her mind was elsewhere. Since it was the day Naruto was leaving, Hinata had done everything she could to cover up the fact that she wouldn't be seeing him for almost three years. "Hinata-sama, it is ok. We know you are focusing on other matters currently. You need not pressure yourself." Neji told her. "However I do believe Hiashi-sama wished to see you this morning. You should tend to his message."

"Of course." Hinata quickly took off towards Hiashi's office, leaving her sister and cousin behind.

"It's hard to believe that a brash, loudmouth idiot could change her so greatly." Neji said to himself, forgetting that Hanabi was still there.

"So what's the big deal with this Naruto anyway? Wasn't he the one that beat you at the Chuunin Exams?" asked the young heiress.

"He was. But he didn't just defeat me. He helped me truly see what is valuable." Neji replied. "It's strange. We of the Hyuuga clan possess the most powerful eyes in existence, able to see so much. Yet Naruto's vision is clearer, and he was able to see something that not even the Byakugan could see at the time."

"What's that?" Hanabi seemed intrigued by his words.

"Naruto is able to see the real person inside. Outward appearances don't exist to him. And because of this, his actions and words are able to make a person see that reality. That in turn causes change. Whether that person wants to accept that change is up to them." Neji replied. "Had he not made me see that I am not a caged bird and that my destiny is not set in stone, I may have been forever sentenced to a life of hatred and resentment towards the Main House."

"So that's why Hinata-chan is so different around him?" Hanabi asked.

"That she is. If not for Naruto, Hinata-sama may have never found her true self and her true calling." Neji answered. "I do know this…my destiny may not be set, but I believe Hinata-sama's destiny is. I believe she is destined to achieve great things at Naruto's side. I believe there may be a change in our own family in the future as well and it will be a good day."

Hanabi just let the words soak in as she thought more about Naruto. She had only seen him periodically but never spoke to him. Most times she only saw him for a few minutes as she was off to other training or studies. It made her think that he had to be a good person if he made her sister so happy.

As for Hinata, she entered her father's study, hoping to find out what she asked of him.

"Hinata, good. I've been waiting for you." Hiashi took note that in the past month after she was declared engaged to Naruto, she seemed more relaxed and in good spirits. This was most likely due to the fact that she no longer held the burden of being the heiress anymore and was not pressured by the elders. "There is something important I wish to discuss with you."

"What is it Otou-sama?" asked the former heiress.

"I believe that we may have a way to turn your problem into benefit." Hiashi told his daughter. "I want you to look at this." Hiashi presented a scroll to Hinata.

"Oh ok." Hinata began to read, "I don't understand. These are Byakugan techniques."

"That they are. But these techniques were considered obsolete because the clan felt it would not allow us to keep our superiority. The clan focuses on range, extending sight to locate our enemies." Hiashi explained. "The techniques I have shown you are for concentrating your focal vision with your Byakugan. As you know, our eyes allow us to see the chakra network. However long ago our clan also had the ability of perfect x-ray sight. They were not only able to see the chakra network, but could clearly see internal organs in the human body and could see through the thickest of fogs and strongest of barriers. In addition, those eyes could be focused to see minute details. Instead of telescopic range, you would have somewhat macroscopic sight." Hiashi walked over and began to point things out. "These eyes were very useful in the eyes of a well trained shinobi. However our clan has since long forgotten the use of focused sight because it reduced the range that a Hyuuga could see, and our family has felt that longer range was more important."

"So this will help me? But I can't go past 30 meters with my Byakugan. If I do it could damage my eyes." Hinata admitted, feeling as if she was bringing more disgrace to the clan.

"That may be true Hinata, but you've proven that your role is not as a standard tracker. With your training from Hokage-sama, you will become quite an accomplished medic. And with the ability to see the organs themselves in addition to the chakra network, you may be able to save many lives." Hiashi told his daughter. "I think this will benefit you more than any Hyuuga it did before. Mind you, the training will be difficult, but I believe that combined with your level of chakra control and ability, you will become an amazing shinobi."

Hinata thought about what she could do if she learned to harness her Kekkei Genkai in such a way. She thought about how she could use it to help her team and what it would do for her in the future. She even thought about how it could help Naruto as well. "I'll do it. Naruto-kun is going to get stronger and I'll do the same for him."

"Minato, that kid of yours is something. Three months and he's helped turn my little girl in a brand new direction." Hiashi thought to himself. "Wonder how things will change when he gets back."

"You know, I'm really gonna miss this ramen." Naruto had just finished off another bowl at Ichiraku's.

"Don't worry Naruto, I'll definitely be glad to treat you to a bowl when you come back home." Naruto had met up with his former teacher Iruka just before he would be leaving out. "It's hard to believe that it hasn't even been a year and now you're setting out on a journey with one of the Sannin."

"I didn't believe it myself. I always knew I wanted to be a great ninja and Hokage, but I never would have known that there was more to my life." Naruto thought hard as he looked at the empty bowl. "I know Ero-sennin will definitely make me better. Part of me though…"

"Part of you wishes that Sasuke never fell down the path of darkness as he did." Iruka said. "You two were great rivals, and that helped your own growth Naruto. You saw him as someone you wanted to be equal to and you did all you could to try and reach his level. But there are some things that no matter what you do, they will never change."

"I wonder…if Sasuke never had lost his clan, would his life have been better?" asked Naruto. "Maybe he wouldn't have been so consumed with revenge."

"These are important questions that lead us to our own answers in life Naruto. The past holds many keys to unlock the doors of the present, which in turn give us the answers to the future." Iruka told him. "It's how each of us takes that knowledge and uses it. Some may use it to better themselves and become wiser, and some may use that for power and eventual ruin. That's why you should remember everything you've learned and use that to make yourself a better ninja and a better person Naruto."

Naruto knew Iruka was right. Being one of the only people he truly trusted, he took Iruka's words to heart. "Thanks Iruka-sensei. I'll definitely remember that." He got up and grabbed his backpack. Saying his goodbyes to Teuchi, Ayame, and Iruka, he left behind his favorite diner, with the promise of returning to see them again.

Sakura stood alone deep in the forest. She had located the final place where Sasuke was executed. All that was left was the acid washed crater from Katsuyu's acid. Sakura stared hard at where the person she loved met his demise.

"Sasuke-kun…why? I wanted to be there for you. I wanted to help you through your pain. I loved you." Tears began to stream from her face as she stared at the ground. "Was revenge all that was in your heart from the beginning?"

"Power and corruption will do that to you. Happens to just about anyone that lusts for revenge." Inner Sakura told her host. "And wasn't it you that said you'd be willing to give everything up to go with him? Would you have wanted to face this end?"

"No I wouldn't. I just wish that I could have done more to change this. If I was only stronger, I could have stopped him." Sakura cried as a light rain began to fall.

"What stopped you from getting stronger in the first place? You had every opportunity to change and make yourself better. But what did you do?"

"I…I…" Sakura was at a loss for words. "I really screwed up my life, didn't I?"

"Sakura, what the hell are you talking about? You're only 13 years old. You're a Genin! You haven't even started a life yet!" Inner Sakura scolded. "As far as I'm concerned, if you want to redeem yourself from this, then you have a big choice to make."

"What choice? All of my friends have abandoned me. I actually tried to kill Naruto for some stupid reason, and even he said he won't be my friend." Sakura fell to her knees in tears. "I really don't have anything at all." That's when she heard her inner persona laughing in her head.

"You know something; Naruto wasn't the idiot after all!" Inner Sakura laughed hard. "You are! You say you don't have anything, you say you weren't strong enough. How about I put it to you in such a basic term that even you can understand it Sakura. Compare Naruto and Sasuke, and I don't mean by their popularity. Look at the two as real individuals from all of the information you know about them."

"Well, Sasuke-kun came from a strong clan. He had a powerful bloodline and was a talented ninja." Sakura said as she started classifying things. "But he lost his family when his brother murdered them."

"And do you remember what he was like BEFORE all of that happened? You do remember when you first met him back in the academy, right?"

"He was…nice back then. Everyone liked him because he was friendly and nice." Sakura remembered what things were like within her first few weeks of the academy.

"Yeah, he was the nice one. But what happened? Everyone started saying he was so cool that it went to his head and when he lost his family, he was so stuck on revenge that it wasn't worth it. Now what about Naruto?" asked Inner Sakura. "Remember how everyone treated him like crap when all he did was just walk into class the first day? Now look at where he is. You understand why he said the things he did to you now?"

It was hard but the pieces fell together. Everyone was right. She had let her own personal feelings and fantasies cloud her own vision. After looking back at everything that happened, she finally understood. "They…Naruto…all of them were right."

"You know the worst part about this pinkie? Naruto was the ONE person that would have done anything for you, no matter what you would have asked him. Hell, maybe in some strange turn of events you might have fallen in love with him instead of Hinata." Inner Sakura responded, making the pink hair kunoichi think even more. "But because you were so consumed with Sasuke, you probably severed the bond with the only true friend you may have had."

Naruto's words rung through her head constantly. Hearing him say that he was going to bring back Sasuke dead or alive, and then later when he showed how badly he was injured and how he wouldn't be her friend broke the final straw. Sakura fully understood her own idiocy cost her big time. "Naruto…I'm sorry!!!"

"Sorry for what?" Sakura turned around to see Naruto with all of his gear.

"Naruto, I…"

"Sakura, don't say anything." Naruto turned to stare at the crater. "I know you're probably thinking that hearing you would get me to change my mind, but I'm still true to my word and I don't go back on it. You know that."

"But you said if I could change, then things could be different?" Sakura didn't know what to believe now. If there was anyone that could tell her, it would be Naruto. "You said if I could fully understand about being a Leaf shinobi, we would be friends, right?"

Naruto looked at Sakura, easily seeing that she had lost it. It wasn't that she was going crazy, but it was more like she was truly afraid in her life. "Sakura, there's nothing else I can tell you. I've wanted to be your friend, hell I even wanted to be your boyfriend ever since I met you because I thought you were the cutest girl I ever met. But all you did to me was push me away. I let you use me, I would take punishments for you, and after we became Genin, I felt that I would die for you Sakura."

Hearing those words tore at her heart even more. Sasuke never would have felt that way about her at all, but hearing it from Naruto made it worse. "Naruto…please say you're lying. Please tell me you wouldn't go that far for me."

"I'm not lying Sakura. That's how it was for me." Naruto saw her head fall as he answered her truthfully. "But that's in the past now. Nothing I can do about it."

"Naruto…do you hate me?" Sakura's voice was filled with sadness as the tears fell from her face. "Please, just be honest with me."

"Honest…ok. Right now I hate the person you are because I know you can probably be someone better." Naruto told her. "When you faced Ino-chan in that fight during the Chuunin exams, I thought you could really beat her by the way you didn't let her win and how you fought her with everything you had. She's the type of Sakura I'd love to be friends with. Look, I have to get going."

Naruto turned away and started walking out of the forest. Sakura knew she had one last chance to do something, "Naruto…you said that your nindo is to never give up and never go back on your word, right?"

"Yeah. It keeps me going every day and it's going to get me all the way to Hokage too." Naruto replied. "Try following it sometime. It helped Hinata-chan, and even Ino-chan likes it too."

"I'll…have to do that." Sakura wiped her face as best she could. "I don't know if it means anything but…have a safe journey Naruto."

For the first time, Naruto felt that her last words were truly honest. "Thanks Sakura. See ya."

Naruto made his way to the gates where Jiraiya and Tsunade were both waiting for him. It would be the last time he would see those large doors for at least two years.

"Get your goodbyes in?" asked the Toad Sage. "You better hope they last you for the next few years."

"Yeah I'm good. Baa-chan, make sure to hold down the fort ok." Naruto replied.

"You idiot." Tsunade smacked him upside the head for the crack before she knelt down and pulled him close. "Listen to me. Train harder than you ever have before. Jiraiya may be a pervy idiot, but he's one hell of a shinobi. With his help Naruto, I know you have the potential to become even greater than Minato."

"Greater…than my dad?"

"Yes Naruto. You have his spirit within you and he's watching you every day. Make him and everyone else here proud of you." Tsunade embraced him warmly.

"Thank Baa-chan. I'll do my best." Naruto replied as Tsunade got back to her feet. She then gave him a scroll.

"Don't open this just yet. Wait until tomorrow to open it." Naruto took the scroll, wondering what it was. "It's something that belonged to Minato that I think you'll like."

"Alright. Well Ero-sennin, let's head out." Naruto said.

"Actually, I think we have to wait just a minute." Jiraiya pointed to the distance where Hinata was running full speed to get to the gates. "I think she has something for you as well."

"Hinata-chan, are you ok?" He noticed she was breathing hard as if she ran clear across the village.

"I wanted to make sure…I got to give you this." Hinata quickly caught her breath and gave Naruto a small box. "I think these will help you in your training."

Naruto opened the box to find a pair of training gloves. On the edge of the gloves, he saw his initials embroidered in. "Thanks Hinata-chan. You're the best."

"Since you're here Hinata, you can keep an eye on this." Jiraiya handed a small scroll over to the pale eyed girl. "I have a feeling you may want to write every now and then. This will summon a messenger toad that will deliver any message directly to me and Naruto. You will also be able to receive letters back this way."

"T-thank you Jiraiya-sama." Hinata bowed as she received the scroll.

"Well then, time to go Naruto." Jiraiya stated.

"Right with you!" Naruto said as the two were walking out.

They had barely made it 10 feet when Tsunade noticed something troubling her apprentice. "Hinata now is a good time as ever to do it. Let him know what he'll have waiting for him when he comes home."

Hinata understood what she was saying and knew this would be her only chance for possibly the next three years. "N-Naruto-kun, wait!"

"What is it Hinata-ch…" Naruto barely could finish as Hinata ran up and kissed him, not on the cheek, but fully locking lips with him. His eyes grew wide as he was getting his first true kiss from a girl.

"I know you said that…you won't have an answer until you come back." Hinata was doing her best to keep from fainting. "I want you to know…I'll be here when you do get back. No matter what your decision is, I'll still be here."

Naruto saw just how red in the face she was. He figured she was using a lot of will power to keep from fainting in front of him. "You have my word Hinata-chan. But while I'm gone, keep this safe for me ok." He took off the necklace that Tsunade gave him. "Think of it as a good luck charm for your training. See ya Hinata-chan." He put the necklace around her neck and walked off with Jiraiya to begin his new journey.

A month later

"Well girls, I guess you two will be my new students. I hope you know that being a medic-nin will not be easy." Tsunade said as she addressed Hinata and Ino in her office. "Hinata I plan to have you fully learn all of my techniques, including my Super Strength arts as well. As for you Ino, you will be getting heavy concentration in poisons from Shizune. Your knowledge of flowers and herbs will help you immensely. Within one year's time, I plan to have both of you as Chuunin. Is that clear?"

"Yes Tsunade-shishou!" Both girls bowed in respect to their new master.

"Very good. For now why don't we go out for some dango?" Tsunade replied. Just as she and the other two girls were about to leave, they got a visitor.

"Hokage-sama?" The three saw Sakura walking through the door. However she was completely different. She wore her hitai-ate around her forehead like a standard shinobi and her fists were completely bandaged up. Ino noticed that the bandages were stained in blood as well.

"Sakura, what happened to you? Are you ok?" asked the blonde.

"Ino, I'm fine." Sakura replied. "Hokage-sama, I would like to request permission to train under you to become a medic-nin."

"Sakura are you serious? You've been missing for almost two months! Where did this come from?" asked Ino.

"I'm tired of being useless and weak. It's time I live in the real world instead of my fantasy world." Sakura replied.

"I hope you understand Sakura, that agreeing to this means I will work you into the ground. Training from me requires nothing but complete commitment and effort. There will be nights where you will go home battered and bruised and I will expect you to be up the next morning ready to go through the same punishment." Tsunade's voice was cold and serious. "Are you absolutely sure you want this?"

"I don't plan on giving up and I don't plan to go back on my word." Sakura replied. Tsunade could see her fire and determination in the girl's eyes. Only those truly committed would have such intensity.

"You may not have gotten through to Sasuke, but it looks like you got through to Sakura. Naruto, you never cease to amaze me." Tsunade thought to herself. "Very well. As of right now, Ino I am removing you from Team 10. Hinata, since Neji has taken your place on Team 8 to help with their tracking, you will now be partnered with Ino and Sakura. Team Medic, training begins tomorrow morning at 5AM sharp! Be ready girls, because I'm going to mold you into three elite medics, and when I do my molding, I get down and dirty."

This will officially conclude the original story line, and the next chapter will shift into the Shippuuden era. I probably won't do an intermediate chapter, but reveal things through flashback. As for those who are wondering about Sakura, she didn't run off and leave the village after hearing about Sasuke's execution. Basically after Naruto told her off when she tried to kill him, she avoided everyone by staying home or staying away from where the others of the Konoha 11 were. Since she had no official team anymore, she wasn't assigned missions.

But the next chapter will hold a lot of revelations. How will everyone's training affect them, especially Hinata's new Byakugan training? Also what was in the scroll Tsunade gave to Naruto, and then the big one...what will Naruto's answer be about the engagement? This one might be a little while because I may work on a chapter for Bijuu Wars next. Till the next time!