A/N: There are some points of concern I would like to bring up as questions from my reviewers:

oOoOoOo

Hinata:Chakra control is the basic foundation of Jyuuken yes but suppressing one's chakra takes skill, time and willpower. The Hinata I created has become powerful and I needed a weakness, however trivial. Also, she didn't go with Naruto to Suna because he asked her not to, I would have thought that obvious. She's been away from Konoha for a year and a half now? Time to bring her home. There will be no other explicit lemons for the rest of the story, limes and sensual moments yes, but no lemons.

Team 7:Yes they are alive and I hadn't planned on killing them at all. I made sure there were subtle clues that could lead one to believe they were alive. Closed coffin burial? Naruto not being able to see his teammates and friends? No bodies or corpses mangled beyond recognition?

oOoOoOo

Naruto walked through Konoha's main gate and pulled Hinata behind him as five shinobi sprinted at him. He threw one out the gate, kicked another aside and fell to the ground from the force of the last two. Akina sat on his chest and the girl, Moegi, from Konohamaru's old Genin now Chunnin team sat on his legs. A kunai pointed at his forehead and when Naruto craned his neck back he saw a grinning Konohamaru.

"Gotcha my eternal rival!"

"Do you?"

Naruto poofed and when the smoke cleared a log took his place. The real Naruto whistled from atop the gate and waved when they looked up at him. He laughed when they grumbled and bowed his head at the Princess Akina.

"Shouldn't you be back in Snow Country Princess?"

Akina shook her head and waved her hands, her eyes wide. Naruto narrowed his eyes and twirled a kunai on his finger. Konohamaru looked gob smacked with his mouth hanging open and the rest of the team had similar expressions.

"You're a princess? You told us you were an orphan from Snow Country and that you lived in the orphanage by the river!"

Akina bowed her head, her now shoulder length brown hair hiding her stunning green eyes. Naruto noticed she had highlighted her hair a little with lighter brown streaks and wore combat clothes similar to that of a kunoichi's. Still slender, Akina, now thirteen had subtle differences about her and Naruto's gaze turned stern.

"Hinata finish the escort mission of the Hokage and I'll be along soon. Princess Akina care to join me for a walk?"

Hinata took Tsunade's arm and ushered her away with the rest of the Konoha entourage in tow. Sakura whisked Konohamaru with his two cohorts along with Sasuke's help.

"You just had to ruin it didn't you? I was this close to becoming a Konoha shinobi and living a normal life!"

"Normal? You call my life normal? Princess-"

"I am not a princess anymore! Yukie is with child and I am no longer heiress to the throne."

Naruto froze at this revelation and stared at Akina. Her chest heaved from her exertion of all the screaming and she looked close to tears.

"Yukie doesn't know you're here does she?"

Akina shook her head and Naruto sighed.

"I made sure I was seen out West and told the hotel manager I was heading further into the West. I left a very obvious trail to the hotel and then had a clone go as far West as I could manage."

Naruto smiled and had to admit Akina had a genius of a plan. She had taken all of his lessons and training to heart and made a very good plan.

"How were you planning on becoming a shinobi? You would have been recognized."

"I'm still working on that."

"How about this? I take you and your "team" out on a mission and we'll see how you do. If you do good I'll take you on as a student and neither Konoha nor Yukie can summon you anywhere without my consent."

Akina looked up and smiled. She stood up and placed her hands on her hips.

"Let's do it."

oOoOoOo

"You want to what? Naruto this is crazy, no beyond crazy and Konoha shouldn't recognize a runaway."

Tsunade along with Akina and Naruto stood in her office and Tsunade looked ready to pull her hair out.

"Consider it a favor for a favor."

Tsunade looked at Naruto and raised an eyebrow. Naruto shrugged his shoulders and looked out the window.

"You want me to testify against Danzo. I could very well cite a conflict of interests and the court would dismiss me. Or you could whip up some paperwork and I could be your latest undercover agent."

Tsunade stared at Naruto and he met her gaze. Akina resisted the urge to hop from foot to foot as a long, tense standoff took place.

"I'll pick the mission."

"Fine, but the planning is left up to me."

"A written copy better be on my desk before you leave."

"Alright."

Tsunade turned and looked out the window. Naruto grabbed Akina's shoulder and steered her out of the room. Once outside the Hokage Tower Akina turned to Naruto and smiled.

"Don't ask. You are now my student and I don't talk about training procedures or mission planning."

Akina pouted but smiled again and skipped beside Naruto. Naruto handed her a piece of paper and pointed down the street.

"You're first task is to gather up your team. Convince them of your sincerity; gather up the supplies on this list and do gear check prep in the hotel on this same piece of paper. Be in the hotel lobby by five am in training attire. Go."

Akina looked overwhelmed for a few seconds but shook her head and ran off. Naruto walked down the street and Hinata flickered to his side. She looped her arm through his and hugged him.

"So what's the verdict?"

Naruto looked down at her and grinned.

"Feel like going on a mission?"

"And what would this mission be?"

"That's for the Hokage to decide but I'm heading it and Konohamaru and Akina are fulfilling it."

Hinata raised an eyebrow at him and they walked into Ichirakku's. Ayame smiled and hollered back into the kitchen that Naruto was here. The next couple of minutes were spent catching up but eventually the two sat down to some ramen.

"It's part of the deal. Tsunade hides Akina and I testify against Danzo."

Hinata swirled her chopsticks in her bowl and looked to be in deep thought. Naruto waited with tempered patience for her to say what was on her mind and took a bite of his ramen.

"You're going to testify?"

Naruto's eyes darkened and he almost broke his chopsticks from the force of his grip on them.

"Yes. I owe it to everyone."

oOoOoOo

After the Mission. Two days later

Naruto stared at Hinata's ceiling in her darkened room and thought about everything that would happen today. Yesterday, Hinata, Naruto and Konohamaru's team plus Akina had returned to Konoha in the middle of the day. The Chunnin had stumbled down the street and Naruto had them stretch and cool down while debriefing them. The mission had been a simple transport a scroll to this location at this time and come back. Tsunade had "bandits" attack and Naruto and Hinata did nothing to help. The Chunnin were decent and Akina fared a little bit better but they were all bruised and shaken. Naruto didn't hesitate and had them practice all sorts of field exercises after the bandits' second attack.

"You should still be sleeping Naruto-kun. You have a lot going on today."

Naruto ran a hand down Hinata's bare back and she sighed. A quiet knock sounded on Hinata's door and Naruto went to hide but Hinata tightened her hold on him and muttered "its just Hanabi" into his chest. Hanabi walked into the room, shut the door and bounced onto the foot of Hinata's large bed. Hinata groaned and Hanabi giggled.

"I hope I'm not interrupting anything but it's been so long since I've seen Naruto and all."

"No, you just want to catch us in the act for blackmail and bother us because we took Konohamaru on a mission for the past two days."

Hinata's retort was muffled due to her face being pressed into Naruto's bare chest and Hanabi pouted with her head cocked to the side.

"Well that too but I wanted to see Naruto."

Naruto smiled and sat back up against the headboard.

"Sorry to break it to you midget but Konohamaru won't be able to come out to play until tomorrow at least. He's going to be sore and tired for a while."

Hanabi glared at Naruto but smacked his leg through the blankets.

"Konohamaru told me before you all left that the mission was a simple scroll transfer and then heading back here. He moaned about bandits and combat hunter exercises when he got back."

Naruto grinned and raised his eyebrows. He shifted out from underneath a dozing Hinata and stretched his arms above his head. He didn't have to worry about Hanabi as he wore a pair of shorts and he picked up his shirt from atop Hinata's dresser.

"Sorry Hanabi but I have a very busy day today and have to get dressed. I'll see you later."

Hinata rolled over and held the sheet up to cover her breasts when she sat up. She brushed her hair out of her face and caressed Naruto's cheek when he whispered a goodbye against her lips. Naruto climbed out Hinata's window and Hinata sighed.

"What's he talking about?"

Hinata stood up out of her bed and walked over to her dresser. She pulled out a bra and white summer dress. The two sisters were comfortable with each other and being naked or half naked didn't matter. Hinata finished dressing and sat down to brush out her hair.

"Didn't father tell you that he has an important council meeting all day today?"

Hanabi scrunched her nose and sat cross-legged on Hinata's bed with her chin in her hands.

"Yes. I didn't think anything of it besides meeting with Konohamaru after training and lessons. Why?"

"A top official of Konoha is being tried today and Naruto is a key witness. Doing the mission yesterday with Konohamaru was part of the deal Naruto made with the Hokage."

"Who's on trial?"

"Danzo, head of the ROOT division and councilman of Konoha."

Hanabi's mouth fell open and Hinata finished getting ready for the day as Hanabi digested the information.

"Wait, didn't Naruto work for Danzo?"

"He did. I'm not privy to the details of the deal but with Naruto testifying against Danzo the older man won't have a chance and that's what Tsunade wants to happen."

A knock sounded on the door and Hinata called out for the person to come in as she threw open her curtains. Brilliant sunlight shone into Hinata's room and the Lady Christina walked into Hinata's room. Both girls smiled out of politeness and the Lady Christina smiled as well.

"Good morning. I was looking for you Hanabi as your father wants to see you and I heard your voice from in here."

Hanabi stood up from Hinata's bed and helped Hinata make it.

"Until next time sister."

Hinata nodded and dipped her head in respect to Hanabi. Hanabi didn't like it but both girls followed procedure in front of others and Hanabi left with the Lady Christina.

oOoOoOo

Danzo's Trial That Afternoon

The architects of Konoha had designed the council hall of Konoha with two goals in mind; efficiency and simplicity. The hall could seat around four hundred occupants with the rising levels very much like the old Greek coliseum architecture. A single, marble stone chair sat in the middle of the hall and three narrow windows on the highest level of the hall allowed shafts of sunlight to bathe the seat in sharp contrast of natural lighting. The spot where the chair sat was the brightest point in the room and the lighting made sure everyone's attention would be drawn to it. There were fifty chairs on each ring/level of the hall and there were four rings/levels total. The officials sat in chairs of six, two rows high and the Hokage's chair was in the middle, right in front of the defendant's chair. Today however, the somber air of the council hall would remain as there were only eighteen occupants in the room. Danzo sat shackled in the marble defendant's chair and a now fully strong Team Seven sat off to the side on the first ring/level. The twelve officials' chairs were occupied with the clan heads and Tsunade sat perched in the Hokage's chair.

"The trial of the accused, Danzo, high councilor of Konoha and head of the ROOT division is now in session. Everyone here in this room is sworn to absolute secrecy about all aspects of this trial and you have placed both written and verbal oaths in my office to uphold this."

There were general murmurs of consent and Tsunade leveled Danzo with the full power of her hatred.

"Danzo you are accused of more than a dozen schemes that led to the assassinations or demise of key politicians and shinobi here in Konoha, the general scheme of usurping control from the rightful Hokage and alliances or dealings with prominent enemies of Konoha. How do you plead?"

"Not guilty."

Danzo, stripped of all his bandages and heavy wrappings looked like the average man one might find on the street. His multiple Sharingan eyes had been removed and he had a normal brown eye put in to replace the one in his head. His arm had been sewn back up and he wore the simple kimono of a prisoner in Konoha's prisons. Tsunade's calm expression never faltered and she motioned to the three plain manila folders on the desk in front of Danzo and the councilor's.

"In front of all of you are files and pictures of all the workings Danzo kept in a safe about every ROOT mission and contracts. In another one of the files are the testimonies of Kakashi Hatake, Sasuke Uchiha and Sakura Haruno, which reveal how Danzo made an alliance with, known terrorist Orochimaru-Kabuto and Kratos to kill them. The third file contains a report from Naruto Uzumaki, my acting double agent and the evidence he compiled damns Danzo beyond reprieve. Please take a look at them and ask any questions you may have."

Danzo's head snapped up and he glared at Naruto in surprise. Naruto met his gaze with cool indifference and he fought to keep his chakra patterns normal but on the inside he was smiling because the man that tried to rip every semblance of self from Naruto would die and burn in hell by tomorrow morning.

oOoOoOo

Naruto pushed open the double doors that led back outside of the council hall and took a deep breath to rid himself of all the negativity that was still circulating in the building. He closed his eyes and leaned against the side of the building. Sakura and Sasuke had left five minutes earlier and Naruto knew they would spend the rest of the day in the Uchiha Estate to avoid everyone. Kakashi no doubt would head to the memorial stone and Naruto sighed as he had to digest everything that had just transpired. Tsunade had been ruthless and as the trial progressed the councilors had lost all sense of decorum. Danzo had committed multiple unethical acts, which had devastating effects or crippled Konoha and with every word that was read in those files more nails had been pounded into Danzo's coffin. Slender, gentle hands clasped the back of his neck and a soft, curvy body pressed into him. A warm pair of lips pressed a gentle kiss at the hollow of Naruto's throat and Naruto crushed Hinata to him.

"It's over Naruto. Smile again for me."

Naruto used his father's special transportation jutsu and jumped both of them out of there. He had his own personal angel whose natural innocence and gentleness would be the balm necessary to brighten this dark day.

oOoOoOo

A shrill siren and shouts woke Naruto from a comfortable night's sleep the night after Danzo's trial and he leaped out of his bed. He ran over to his window, leaned out and saw flashes of chakra from Konoha's main gate. Naruto spun around on his heel and in under five minutes jumped out his window in his usual combat attire ever since returning from the Land of Snow. Sakura jumped up beside him on his right and Naruto skipped across the rooftops as both shinobi raced for the front gate. Naruto halted on the roof of one of the towers and nodded to Sasuke who crouched on the other one.

"The night shift guards were attacked by larger than life wolves and one managed to survive long enough to sound the alarm. A hunting party of Lupines attacked."

Naruto growled and dropped down to the front of the gate. The shinobi there gasped but Naruto ignored them and pushed his way past the medic nins who were treating the survivor of the initial assault. He knelt down and placed a hand over the man's chest wound.

"Sorry buddy but this is going to sting."

Naruto focused some of Kyuubi's chakra to flow into the man's body and the man convulsed as Kyuubi's chakra burned the Lupine's venom. Kyuubi's chakra cautered the wound and Naruto stood up. He grabbed the gauze from a shocked medic nin, wrapped the fabric around the man's chest and sighed as the man would have scars but would live. Once done he stood up and flickered over to Tsunade.

"Let me go out there alone and see what the problem is. Give me ten minutes and if I'm not back then send in the cavalry."

Tsunade glanced up at Naruto and narrowed her eyes. The qualities that made her the Hokage were picking up on Naruto's body language and tone of voice.

"What do you know about these beasts?"

"Save it Baa-chan. Call them all back and give me those damned ten minutes."

Naruto didn't wait for Tsunade's answer and shrugged out of his jacket. He handed it to Sakura with a nod and ran off towards the middle of the clearing where the Lupine attack party was finishing off the last of the shinobi. He heard Tsunade's shout for all the shinobi to retreat and he heard confused whispers as he flashed by his fellow comrades when they headed back for the safety of Konoha. With a vicious snarl Naruto rammed into two Lupines and clubbed two more aside with joined, clenched fists. He pulled a kunai out of his thigh holster and gutted one of the Lupines when it leaped at him. A second Lupine died when Naruto axe kicked the beast and its head smashed into the ground. The final two kept their distance and Naruto killed off another by throwing the kunai in between its eyes. Naruto snarled and the Lupine growled back. Naruto's eyes widened and he killed the last Lupine before it could run off. He walked back over to the main gate where every shinobi stood on edge and took his jacket back from Sakura. He slipped it back on and followed Tsunade as she motioned for him to walk with her.

"The Lupine attack party has been dealt with and we are safe for now. Prepare for a small army of refugees Baa-chan and assign a handful of elite security details for an estimated fifteen VIPs'. The Land of Snow is under attack and its inhabitants are fleeing for the safety in our walls."

"What? How do you know this? Naruto what's going on?"

"I'll have a report on your desk about the Lupines in an hour and you'll be able to find out then."

Naruto flickered away and climbed up the mountain pass that led to the top of the Hokage Faces. He ripped his jacket off as he trembled and he growled as his body pulsed with unnatural heat. He could feel Kyuubi trying to break free and his eyes slammed shut as he fought with everything he had not to phase. The battle wasn't going in his favor however and his two chakras swirled around him as both man and beast fought for control. A warm, soft hand pressed on his back and a sliver of light broke through the red haze of Kyuubi's rage. Naruto seized this chance of momentary weakness and forced Kyuubi to subside. With a gasp he dropped to his hands and knees and fought to regulate his breathing. The hand never left his back and now two slender arms hugged him to soft curves.

"Hinata that was beyond dangerous. If I had phased I could've killed you."

Hinata kissed the back of his neck and rested her head against his back. Naruto stood up but Hinata never relinquished her hold on his back.

"You're afraid. Afraid that they'll find out your secret and they won't accept you anymore."

"Yes."

Naruto choked out the word as Hinata had hit the nail on the head. Would his fellow shinobi and everyone that knew him accept him once they found out his new intimacy with the Kyuubi? So much fear resided in Konoha still over the fact that Naruto walked the streets with the Kyuubi inside of him and everyone thought the seal still worked as his father Minato had created it. The news that Naruto had altered the seal and to such a radical degree would no doubt cause a wave of blind panic to ripple out across Konoha once it became common knowledge.

"Don't be. If everyone else abandons you I will still stand by your side and love you."

oOoOoOo

The Next Morning

Naruto walked towards the Hokage Tower where the meeting was being held in the Council Hall and held the door open for Hinata. She smiled up at him from underneath his arm and threaded the fingers of both her small hands into his much larger one. The silent gesture spoke volumes and Naruto pulled her further into his side as they walked to the ornate, heavy maple doors of the Council Hall.

"Rest easy Hina-chan. We're going to be fine."

The confidence of Naruto's smiled calmed some of the butterflies in Hinata's stomach and the warmth from his lips when he stole a quick kiss nullified any remaining fears. Naruto pushed the double doors wide open and ambled in, his striking blue eyes aglow with confidence. The quiet buzz of the hall let Hinata know how packed the hall was and she scanned the room for familiar faces. Shikamaru glanced at them for a moment before he turned back to his conversation with the big whigs in the intelligence division. Sakura and Sasuke were talking in a semi-deserted section on the upper balcony, Kakashi read from his ever-present orange book in a back corner and Neji sat behind her father with Tenten near the front. People still trickled in behind her and she sensed the rest of the Rookie 12 behind her.

"Aiya, Hinata-chan. What is Tsunade-sama making us come here so early in the morning for?"

"Good morning Ino-san. You already know the answer to that question."

Ino grumbled and shook her head. Rock Lee gave a cheerful good morning and left to go find his old mentor. Kiba glared at Naruto but Shino shook his head and steered him away. Chouji nodded and led Ino over to Shikamaru who had finished his conversation. Tsunade headed for the middle of the speaker's floor and Naruto led Hinata to a darkened section of seating off to the left side. He sat down on one of the benches and let his back rest against the wall Hinata sighed and sat down next to him.

"Just because you know all about the Lupines and what havoc they can wreck does not mean you don't need to be here for appearances sake. You need to show your support and your presence speaks volumes alone."

Naruto sighed and let his body relax. Hinata ducked under his arm and snuggled into his side. The warmth of his body still surprised her and she let her hand fall onto his chiseled abs underneath his jacket. No one could see her hand but she knew this gesture comforted Naruto a great deal. Naruto pressed a kiss on the top of her head and focused on Tsunade.

"Good morning all. As you no doubt heard by some way or another we are once again under attack but this time by a new foe. The wild beasts known as the Lupines in the Land of Snow are coming to our village and Princess Yukie has asked for our help."

Tsunade paused for a moment to let her opening salvo sink in and Naruto could feel the unrest in the hall even with his eyes closed. He knew one of the pompous fools in the crowd would speak out in disagreement and he was grateful Danzo was locked away in a maximum security prison as he didn't want butting of heads…so to speak.

"That's preposterous Lady Hokage! The Lupines are fabled myth and there must be an ulterior motive for the Land of Snow moving here; however temporary."

Speaking of a person to complain Naruto knew the voice of the speaker very well. Narissa Tamaho was a young, aspiring politician who supported neither Tsunade or Danzo but spoke from a platform he called "the common citizens". Narissa was very popular which prevented an assassination contract from being drawn up on him and he had many supporters jump on his crusade bandwagon as he attended every political function Konoha held. He was well versed in politics and a quick learner.

"I can assure you Tamaho that the threat we face in the Lupines is very real. You witnessed the attack of one of the Lupine scouts this morning and the beasts in the main force are much larger."

Tsunade looked tired and a person such as Tamaho would just be an annoyance. Before Tamaho could retaliate Tsunade pointed towards the folder on the tables before them and asked everyone to look through them. Naruto didn't bother but Hinata looked at the contents of the folder and Naruto smiled. He stroked her arm with lazy patterns of his fingers and daydreamed of memories from long ago.

"That cat was a Lupine? That was what has everyone walking on eggshells around here? I don't think we need our entire task force mobilized when a shinobi team can deal with this lauded threat."

Naruto's eyes shot open and demon red irises glared at the politician. A deep rumble came from the back of Naruto's throat and everyone looked at him. Faster than anyone could blink Naruto stood on the speaker's floor.

"Naruto-kun!"

Naruto stared down deep into Tamaho's eyes and let his canines grow out. Tamaho rolled his eyes and gave a what the fuck do you want look at Naruto. Naruto let enough chakra out to force Tamaho to his knees and shrugged off his jacket. His naked upper torso shone in the morning light and he heard many gasps from the crowd as they caught a first look at the three gashes on Naruto's side.

"This lauded annoyance? Narissa Tamaho you are young, naïve and befuddled in this ruthless game of politics. Tell me have you ever faced one of the Lupines in mortal combat?"

Narissa Tamaho struggled to raise his head and glared up at Naruto when their eyes met. Contempt shone back out at him and the politician raised his chin.

"Your penchant for theatrics still lives I see Uzumaki-Kyuubi. Your scare tactics won't work on me and you only fuel the village's hatred against you."

Naruto turned to the side so Tamaho could have a full view of the gashes on Naruto's side. The wounds still looked raw and nasty looking.

"As you've stated I have the Kyuubi still inside me and I know you've read all the details in my public profile. Let me tell you an interesting fact that isn't in my file and maybe you won't be such an insufferable know it all. I heal much faster than normal because of the Kyuubi's chakra and no wounds mark my skin after a few days. But, tell me, do you see the marks on my side?"

Narissa Tamaho chose to be offended by Naruto's slight and rolled his eyes.

"Of course."

"This is the venom in the Lupines claws and fangs. Can you imagine what this venom could do to a normal shinobi? Or perhaps a civilian?"

Naruto snarled and dropped his Kyuubi chakra. He bent down and retrieved a scroll from inside his jacket. After biting his thumb he swiped his thumb on the scroll. A scream could be heard from a woman on the upper balcony and gasps rippled through the captive audience. Before them all on the speakers floor crouched a snarling, drooling Lupine of gigantic proportions. The beast snarled and lunged at Naruto. Naruto didn't move and the Lupine jerked to a stop lit it hit an invisible wall. Narissa Tamaho looked like he pissed his pants.

"This my dumb politician is a Lupine like the one's coming to kill us. You've about pissed yourself in fear and all you've done is stare at it. The beast hasn't attacked you and hasn't even noticed you. Now, tell me, are you still willing to just send four shinobi against the hundreds that are coming after us?"

The politician shook his head no and tried to back further away. His movement drew the attention of the beast and it stocked towards him. Naruto didn't move a muscle to restrain the beast when Tamaho glanced up at him and the beast was so close to the politician its pungent breath filled the man's senses. The Lupine snarled and moved to bite clean through Tamaho's jugular when Naruto sliced its own neck open. The blood spattered on the floor and onto Tamaho's face.

"Why don't you let wartime decisions be handled by those who have the balls to do so?"

oOoOoOo

The wind blew through Naruto's spiky hair and let his head fall back through the water of the river. In one of the three rivers twisting throughout Konoha Naruto let his body drift along the rivers current. He figured the meeting would end soon and he wondered who would find the real him first. He had placed shadow clones in his usual haunts and hoped no one would find him here. The warm sun rays blasted his skin and he couldn't be bothered for anything.

"Everyone should be mad at you for your brash actions in the meeting this morning but since the vote passed with unanimous approval everyone is overlooking said actions."

Naruto's lips tugged upward in a ghost of a smile and he tried to picture the image Hinata's words portrayed. He opened his eyes, looked over at Hinata and saw her sitting on a bench with her legs crossed. Her black kimono set against her flawless pale skin made her so much more alluring and breath-taking.

"Stop undressing me with your eyes mister. You should be thinking of a plausible defense for the possible lawsuits that could be filed against you."

Naruto rolled his eyes and waved his hand to assuage Hinata's veiled threats. He would take the lawsuits to break the patter of monotony since his return to Konoha. He hated waiting and this didn't change as he grew older.

"Come on, you need to sleep and don't dazzle me this time. I know you didn't sleep after you dropped me off at home last night."

He didn't try and refute her logic. He needed sleep. He wanted sleep and she was offering him this chance. She held the towel he brought out with him as he walked back up onto the bank and he grinned down at her. She didn't return the sentiment but Naruto knew her annoyance with him was about an underlying issue and he shrugged into his jacket when he was dry. Hinata walked off back into the busy village and Naruto followed behind her. When he stopped to turn down the street to his apartment she called out to him.

"Where are you going? Your ungrateful self is coming with me back to my family's manor where I can watch you sleep and the branch family members are ready to restrain you if necessary."

Naruto followed behind her with a chuckle and raised his hands in surrender when she turned around to glare at him with a raised eyebrow. He offered his hands to her and Hinata turned up the intensity of her glare. Naruto dropped all pretenses and looked into her eyes. Hinata's expression softened and she walked up to stand in front of him. She took his hands in hers and pleaded with her eyes. This worked far better than she knew and he looked down at their linked hands.

"I just want you safe Naruto-kun. Please, you look after me so well and I feel spoiled because I never get to return the attention."

"Okay Hina-chan."

Hinata looked into his eyes to see if there was any fight left there and she when she didn't find any she smiled. She walked down the street and held his arm in her hands. They arrived at the manor and Hanabi met them in the outer courtyard. She eyed him up and down and giggled.

"Been a long time since you've been here Naruto. I'm sure my sister is over the moon that you're here and especially since she's in charge."

Naruto looked at Hanabi in confusion and then down at Hinata. Whatever Hanabi's latter comment meant made Hinata's eyes gleam and a wicked smile cross her lips.

"Hanabi I think I forgot to mention that Konohamaru asked for you earlier. Why don't you take him to the summer house out on the grounds?"

Hanabi returned the sentiment with a devilish smile of her own and clapped her hands as she jumped up and down.

"Father is out courting the Lady Christina for the rest of the day and won't return until after supper."

Hinata stopped her young sister with a hand on her arm and they met eyes. Hanabi seemed impatient to leave but Hinata's gaze remained firm.

"Remember the rules Hanabi. You are of age to court and marry now so the consequences of your actions are on your shoulders."

"Yes nii-chan."

Hanabi's meek tone and light blush made Naruto chuckle. The younger Hyuuga glared at him and he grinned wider. Hanabi huffed and scurried past him but she stuck her tongue out at him before she left.

"You shouldn't tease her so much Naruto-kun. She doesn't need any more ribbing as she has yet to learn to control her tongue."

"So do you but not just with speaking."

Hinata blushed at Naruto's implication and smacked his chest but led him into the manor. She brushed off the servants with quiet rebuttals and carefree smiles. The servants left them alone and Hinata took him up to her bedroom. She pressed him against the door and smiled up at him before she bit his neck. The intense passion that simmered below the surface in their relationship threatened to burst forth and Naruto switched their positions as he tried to control his rapid heart rate. Hinata's eyes were half-lidded with the passion between them and her breasts teased Naruto beneath the thin fabric of her tank top as her kimono had been discarded at the door.

"Hinata! What are you doing?"

Hinata pushed Naruto's jacket off his broad shoulders and his upper torso shone golden in the late morning sun. She didn't want Naruto to think as his good intentions would get in the way and she raked her fingernails down his defined abdomen. Naruto hissed and she smirked as his eyes rolled back. His stomach was hyper sensitive and Hinata thought this was because of Kyuubi's seal.

"Stop thinking Naruto-kun. Just let me please you."

Hinata should've expected it but she gasped when Naruto attacked her neck with searing, passionate kisses and a small flare of pain hit her back as Naruto slammed her against one of her bedposts. All she could do was moan as he worked up her pleasure level and run her hands through his hair.

oOoOoOo

A/N: The beginning of the end for this story. Two more chapters to go so if you want anything to be in this story then you'll have to put in a request quick for my beta and I. Ja ne and it's no secret I just love reviews.