I Am Here

***With the much criticized reviews of inserting Toneri into the story, I've chosen to re-route the plot back to focus on Hinata and Naruto's development. I took into account all of your comments and hopefully this rewritten chapter will put your minds at ease. Please enjoy!***

The next morning came all too soon.

Hinata was seated next to Naruto in the royal booth hovering above the outdoor stadium. There were noticeably hundreds of people flooding in already and their chattering echoed loudly throughout the stadium.

"So...tell me, how did you and Prince Sasuke become best friends?" She asked curiously.

Naruto crossed his arms and leaned back against his chair. "Well, long story short, he was the first kid to defend me when others were bullying me. The Uchiha family was visiting the Uzumaki kingdom...probably to discuss trade matters with the former Uzumaki king. Sasuke sneaked out when his parents were in a royal meeting, and he ended up wandering the streets. I was getting picked on by some kids in the neighborhood...at that time, Kakashi wasn't home, and I tend to go out on my own to cause mischief. Sasuke came at that exact moment they were beating me up, and because he's trained, he of course knew how to fight them off better than I did. Ever since that day he scared them off and held out his hand to me, we've never been separated. I was surprised his parents let him come visit often despite knowing who I was and what I was born with."

Hinata's eyebrows went up. "That means you've been acquainted with his parents since childhood."

"Yes, I've known the Uchiha family for almost 15 years now."

Wow, Hinata definitely knew little about his past. She never would have thought that Naruto knew the Uchihas for that long...no wonder he was always so casual around Sasuke.

Her ears perked up at the sound of trumpets playing and the whole stadium quieted down. Fugaku stood up from his chair in the booth and faced everyone, stretching his arms out as a welcoming gesture.

"People of the Uchiha kingdom...it's been an absolute pleasure being able to govern as your ruler for the past 25 years. It is time, as tradition, for the heir to come forth to claim his rightful place as the next King. I confidently and proudly announce that Sasuke Uchiha, my only son and heir to the throne, will continue the legacy to guide this kingdom forth in peace and stability as part of the 8 kingdoms under the Uzumaki empire!"

Thundering claps and roars of cheers filled the stadium as Sasuke stepped out to face the enormous crowd. He came next to Fugaku and knelt down on one knee, bending his head down.

"As I step down as King and place my crown on you head, I trust that you will guide this kingdom to prosper and grow in the future." Fugaku reached for his crown, and with both hands, he gently displaced it from his head and hovered it over Sasuke's.

"Citizens of the Uchiha kingdom, I present to you your new ruler, King Sasuke!"

With that grand announcement, Fugaku placed the crown on Sasuke's head, officially making Sasuke the new king.

Hinata couldn't help but adore the insanely proud look Naruto had on his face as Sasuke got up to face the chanting crowd. "Man...to see my best friend become a King and to know he will be a great one is such an inspiring feeling."

Hinata reached over and held Naruto's hand. "...well, he had you. I think that you two inspire each other and bring out the best of each other. I'm glad we are able to witness this moment in history." Naruto nodded and affectionately squeezed her hand in his.

After the official crowning of Sasuke, the stadium stage was filled with entertainment and performers, as Fugaku had mentioned. Hinata was particularly interested when the Uchiha warriors were on stage showcasing their skills. She knew that they were especially skilled with fire and illusion techniques in battle, but actually seeing it in action was far beyond what she imagined.

She couldn't wait to be able to train; knowing that she'll acquire more diverse combat skills will surely give her an advantage over her father. She glanced over at Naruto and wondered if she was going to be able to keep this a secret until the very end. To be honest, she felt so guilty about keeping quiet about it. He opened up to her and genuinely confessed that he loves her...and yet, she still couldn't muster up the courage to tell him that she will be challenging her father in just a few months. There was a slight change of hope that he'll support her for standing up for herself, but another part of her was afraid that he might change his feelings towards her if he knew.

Maybe he'll think she's naive...maybe even unfit for the throne for doing such a disgraceful thing. She knew that challenging her father would probably be the biggest mistake of her life if it went wrong, but if there was just a glimmer of hope that she could prove her father wrong...she'll take the chance.

After the grand coronation, the prestige guests and nobles were invited for a grand lunch buffet and an after-party in the Uchiha dining room.

Hinata clung onto Naruto's arm as they navigated through the crowd. "You're holding my arm pretty tight there, Hinata." Naruto leaned down and whispered. Hinata immediately loosened her grip. "Sorry. I'm just adjusting. I've never been surrounded up close by this much people...not even at our wedding ceremony."

"Yea, the whole Uchiha kingdom is practically invited here today. Just bear with it for a little while longer, ok? We'll be heading home by sunset." Naruto tapped her hand comfortingly. His eyes darted around the crowd and spotted Sasuke and Sakura busy talking to some of the court members and other guests.

"Hopefully he remembers that some of his warriors are coming with us tonight." Naruto chuckled. "...by the way, I was surprised at how you handled that yesterday. I would have never guessed that you would be brave enough to ask to learn the Uchiha's techniques. Even I wouldn't dare to ask."

Hinata simply smiled at him. "Well, I wouldn't have had the courage to ask if you haven't taught me to be confident."

"No, Hinata...I can give you as much advice and inspiring memos as I can, but the ultimate decision comes down to you. I really am proud that you were able to firmly state what you want."

Hinata blushed. He was always so encouraging and lifted her spirits up. When she really thought about it, she owed him her life. He's done nothing but support her since day one and loved her with every sheer ounce of his being.

The thing was, even if she ended up falling for him in the end, how would she even know?

She never knew how it was like to love a man...she wasn't exactly sure how it was supposed to feel like.

"We should go visit your family sometime this week. It's been a while since the wedding." Naruto suggested.

"It's ok, we don't have to." Hinata answered a bit too quickly.

Naruto raised an eyebrow. "Hinata, we cannot avoid your family affairs forever. There has to be a time where we discuss the problems between you and them. Besides, you are the Empress now...what they say about you does not define you anymore."

Hinata let out a small sigh, knowing that what he said was true. She just wasn't ready to face them yet. "I know. I mean, I don't mind visiting them. It's just...we aren't exactly close to where I can greet them with a hug."

"Well then, that's where I come in. Don't worry, I can ease the tension. I'm good at that."

Hinata laughed softly at his confidence. "Well then, when do we go?"

Naruto grinned at her and leaned in to give her a light kiss on the head. "We'll visit in 7 days."

Five days of training with the Uchiha imperial guards were absolutely grueling.

Hinata never knew true exhaustion until now.

Fire techniques were not in her field of expertise so learning how to control the heat energy that came out of her body was challenging.

Steadying her breathing, she composed herself and bowed to the three Uchiha guards to end the training session for today. She then dismissed them to rest before heading over to the Uzumaki garden to see Naruto. She noticed that he often went to go admire the flowers when the sun was the highest in the sky.

"Your majesty." She greeted when she saw him standing next to the roses.

Naruto turned and his eyes lit up when he saw her. "Hinata...I do wish you would start calling me by name."

Hinata blushed and shook her head. "As I've said before, it wouldn't be decent to address you so casually-,"

She stopped when he suddenly put his hand up, silencing her.

Naruto let out a sigh. "When it's just you and me...it's okay to be casual, Hinata." He gently plucked a small rose and walked over to her, tucking it perfectly on the side of her hair.

"How was the training?"

"Hard, but manageable. It's still difficult for me to control heat energy."

"I guarantee that before we go visit your family in two days, you'll master the techniques."

Hinata wasn't sure about that. She felt like it would take weeks before she actually had complete control of her new skills.

"Are you nervous, though? About your family?"

"It's not that I'm nervous...I just don't know what to expect."

Naruto held her hand and pulled her along with him on the garden trail. "I think that you just need to take the first step to initiate a good relationship with your family. I will help guide you." He hoped that she will open up to him a bit more about her family. In order for him to help, she had to at least allow herself to trust him.

"So...first thing's first. Tell me about your family. Let's start with your little sister...Hanabi, was it?"

Hinata nodded. Naruto noticed how her expression softened at the mention of her sister.

"Hanabi is the only one I am close with. Though she excels far above me in almost everything...she was the only one who didn't look down on me. I know she pities me, though. We both know that she can't do anything to change my parents' view of me. Out of everyone living in that household, she's the one I miss the most."

"And your mother?"

Hinata's jaw tightened at the mention of her mother. She never saw her mother as a "mother-figure" at all. "My...mother...was hardly a mother to me. I don't have any memories of her comforting me or caring for me at all. From as young as I can remember, our servants and maids tend to me only. She never spent time with me or my sister. She's always stood in the shadow of my father, and followed whatever he did and thought."

Naruto's heart ached at her description of her mother. That meant that she never even knew a mother's love before. That was something they had in common. He would have never guessed that Hinata's relationship with her mother was almost non-existent. He took a deep breath before he asked the next question, knowing very well that Hiashi was the one who had the most effect on her.

"...your father?"

Hinata could never stop the flood of emotions that consumed her at the mention of her father. It was always anger, sorrow, and an overwhelming feeling of depression whenever she thought about how everyone in the palace treated her because of her father. "I...don't know if I am ready to talk about him to the full extent, yet. I'm sorry."

Naruto stopped walking and turned to face her, pulling her closer. "Please, I want to help you. Whatever you are bottling in about your father, you can let it all out to me." He could see the hesitation in her eyes and sighed. "What are you afraid of, Hinata?"

Hinata swallowed and wouldn't look at him in the eyes. "I...don't want to cry in front of you, my Emperor. If I talk about my father, I don't know if I can hold it in..." She hated how her voice was already starting to tremble.

She was good at keeping her emotions stable and bottling it in was all she's ever known. However, with Naruto, she didn't know why everything seemed to come out all at once.

Naruto could only sigh again. Why couldn't she understand that it was okay to be herself in front of him? She didn't need to act all proper and composed all the time. He was her husband, her life partner, and the very person she was going to grow old and be with for the rest of her life. "Why are you afraid to cry in front of me?" He whispered and boldly leaned forward to put his forehead on hers. "I am here so that you can cry. I will be here to wipe every single tear that falls from your eyes, Hinata. The love that your family never gave you...I am here to give you that love a hundred times more."

Damn it...he always knew what to say.

Before the tears dropped from her eyes, she leaned forward to bury her face in his shoulder. Naruto wrapped his arms around her and his heart shattered at how she trembled, as if the sorrow from her heart completely overflowed to the rest of her body.

"You can let go, Hinata. It's ok to cry."

He finally heard her let out a quiet whimper and felt her hands grasping his shirt tightly.

He couldn't even fathom the pain she was feeling. Sure, he grew up being teased and looked down upon as a child because of his fox powers, and never knew his parents...but in the end, he had Kakashi there to fill the void of a loving family.

Hinata, on the other hand, had her family there right in front of her...but lived as if she was a true orphan, knowing only neglect, silence, and cold shoulders for the past 20 years.

He promised that from now on, he would do whatever it takes to heal her brokenness. He pulled away to take a good look at her, but she still refused to meet his gaze.

"Hinata, look at me." Naruto muttered softly, lifting her chin up. When she finally gathered the courage to face him, he wiped the tears that were still streaming down her face and fought the urge to just kiss her right there and then. His eyes trailed from her beautiful lavender orbs, down the shape of her nose, and then lingered on her slightly parted lips. "...do you...feel at least a little better after letting it out?"

Hinata was choked up from crying, so all she could do was nod at him. She also wasn't oblivious to where his eyes were. She knew that he probably wanted to kiss her, considering how close they were, but was holding back.

Her heart was beating like crazy at what she was thinking about doing right now, but she didn't want to be unfair to him anymore. With all that he's done for her, he at least deserved this.

Drowning out everything around her, she closed her eyes and leaned up, closing the gap separating his lips from hers.

It took a moment for Naruto to even register what just happened. Finally letting go of all restraint, he almost growled at the lusciousness of her lips and kissed her back with a passion that made Hinata's knees go completely numb. He felt her body seemingly melt in his arms and he held her tighter, savoring her warmth.

Hinata slowly pulled back and thought she felt like she would die of embarrassment, she still dared herself to look into his eyes. Her heart swelled when she noticed how incredibly happy he looked. "Did...I do that right?"

Naruto tried to resist, but ended up chuckling at her adorably innocent question. "That was perfect, my queen. So...does this mean I get permission to kiss you whenever I want to, now?"

Hinata turned red. "I...um, I-,"

"I'm just kidding, Hinata. Relax...I won't do anything unless you're ok with it." Naruto laughed and wiped away the remaining tears from her face. He finally gave her some distance as he took a step back from her. "As for your father, we still have two days until we visit your family, so...whenever you're ready to open up and tell me about him, I'll be all ears."

As Hinata watched as he resumed to admiring the flowers in front of him, she couldn't help but change her mind. After they go visit her family, she figured that it would be ok...it would be ok for her to let him know about the bet.

She will just have to take her chances and trust that he will still be on her side after knowing the truth.

Please review. Positive comments as well as constructive criticisms are welcomed.