Another relatively short chapter, it's a little fresh off the press because i realised how little time i really have. But writing this is time well spent. Hoping to get the next chapter out over the weekend.

Comment and review if you're enjoying the story and thank you for reading.

Naruto and co. Two days after Monica had returned.

It was late in the evening when Naruto was walking back to his room after a full day of searching. Having the genin to help them tidy up and move boxes helped speed things up in the archives of Iwagakure which was a place where jitsu was strictly forbidden in fear of damaging such records. Most of the boxes consisted of dated archives and administration of the village which probably hadn't been read by anyone for a very long time. Sakura and Hinata both decided to run off and explore the town while they had the break from the mission. Shikamaru had also left to give a daily report to the Tsuchikage. As Naruto entered the hallway into his hotel he could immediately hear the methodical 'whacks' of someone using the small gym space to the right, opposite the lounge. The room in question was good if you needed some clear space to do various activities, exercise being but one of said activities. Naruto would have walked up the stairs and to his room if it wasn't for Lee's voice.

"Now I will do 800 punches!" and the 'whacking' from before changed in pitch but still continued.

"Brushy brow?" Naruto enquired as he entered the gym space. He did indeed see Lee in his usual green attire and giving a training dummy dents from his onslaught.

"Yes Naruto, it is I." Lee stopped punching to turn to Naruto.

"How come you're still training? I thought you did that all day?" Naruto asked.

"Yes, well, I feel like I should be keeping up. A good shinobi should never tire!"

Naruto laughed. "Alright Bushy Brow I'll be seeing you around." The Blond jonin turned to leave with his arms stretched around to the back of his head.

"Wait, Naruto?"

"Hmm?"

"Am I training these genin right?"

"Well you're definitely putting them through their paces, I don't see a problem."

"I mean my team Naruto, I don't think they are working well together."

"I wouldn't be worried about them Bushy Brow, Since Monica returned they've stopped fighting among each other."

"That is a relief!"

Naruto felt guilty for talking to his friend about his team. It had been decided to leave him in the dark about Monica's suspicion as Lee's confidence to teaching would plummet like a stone. No one thought he would take failure well and with good reason, he'd simply push himself too far.

"So how long is left on your multi-village training program?" Naruto hesitantly changed the subject.

"I think another month will do the genin good, the mountain air is great for the youth of tomorrow." Lee spoke as he returned to punching the training dummy. Neither knew how to really speak about the elephant in the room. Naruto got his cue to edge out of the room. "Naruto! When I see you back at Konoaha I want to have another match. I must keep my abilities sharp." He gave the thumbs to Naruto.

Naruto smiled. "you can count on it!" He turned and almost walked straight into Skiamaru, behind him was Sakura. while Shikamaru had an uninterested face on, Sakura had a knowing smile on her face. It reminded Naruto of why he had fallen for her originally but recently Hinata had been an increasing influence on his life. Sure, he still loved Sakura but it's a matured love to a comrade in arms who had helped him through tough times and the great war itself.

"Can I help you Shikamaru?" Naruto inquired

"Actually, you can, Hinata wants you, she's outside, something about shopping."

"Wasn't Sakura? Nevermind I'll go."

"What's up with Lee anyway? I overheard some of your conversation."

"mmph, I think you know." Naruto sighed and it immediately wiped Sakura's smile off her face whist Shikamaru remained stoic.

"I guess we should tell him."

"Tell me what?" Lee called, he had also been listening into the conversation and had actually stopped punching the training dummy for some time now. Shikamaru groaned but before he could open his mouth to answer Lee, Sakura slipped passed and looked at Lee.

"It's Monica, sorry Lee but people are already suspicious of her. She fits the description and her disappearance roughly coincides when people first noticed her, only there are too many unreliable accounts on that."

"That can't be right, she's too kind and gentile to harm the leaf like this."

"And that's why the ANBU aren't going to arrest her until we find out what happened to Druarni once she's out of her coma. Our testimonies, your testimony, and her teammates are currently the only reasons she's safe."

"Yes, I heard about Druarni Sakura. It simply cannot be her though."

"I hope you're right Lee."

"Yeah, I doubt we'd be able to talk our way out of it when it hits the fan." Shikamaru added. A little unhelpful but he was right and the other two shinobi nodded in agreement.

"Druarni must have known something to be attacked but we won't find out until she wakes up. They say she was ran through with a blade." Sakura said.

"Then it cannot be Monica!" Lee spoke with a re-kindled passion. "She doesn't carry around weapons longer than kunai on her."

"That's a very good point, are you sure about that? She hadn't been secretly practicing or anything?" Shikamaru inquired about the new information.

"Mn I am certain, we tried weapons but didn't get around to liking anything other than the kunai."

"I think you just saved your student from the chopping block." Shikmaru patted Lee on the shoulder before going to leave. "You aren't a bad teacher, I'm sure Guy would be proud." With this Lee's passion burned and tears fell from his cheeks as he redoubled his beating on the training dummy. Sakura smiled again knowing Lee feels better and at least it was discussed so she could concentrate on finding that page that put Iwagakure in danger.

Meanwhile on a balcony overlooking one of the many waterfalls that Iwagakure had the pleasure of witnessing; sat Naruto and Hinata. The pair sat and looked over the rock-built buildings of the shinobi village from their vantage point. They were alone up on the path which was much to their liking. Naruto had relaxed into his seat which Hinata was sat straight and pressing her fingers together, she wanted to talk to Naruto but at the same time enjoyed the peace both of them had helped create. The blond haired shinobi may still be energetic but he knew that there were moments to be calm and reflective over how far he has come.

"Y-you look like you're thinking about something." Hinata finally managed to ask. Her words took Naruto out of his gaze, he turned to Hinata and smiled at the bluenette.

"Oh, you know, about how everyone is finally getting along. This is the first time I've been in another village and no one is spying on us. Feels free ya' know?"

"Yes, seems old grudges can be put aside." Hinata replied, referring to when the stone ninja had tried stealing her Byakugan.

"What about you? What are you thinking?"

Hinata looked at her lap briefly before facing Naruto. "About the mission, that we are just waiting for someone to attack us at his leisure. It's stressful."

"When he does come, I am going to beat him up for all the death he's caused."

"We still don't know who he is though Naruto."

Naruto weakly smiled. "Then I'll beat it out of him." Hinata didn't answer, she knew once Naruto had made up his mind there was no stopping him.

"A-atleast I'll be by your side."

"He's dangerous though, if he can teleport like my father could. you don't have to risk yourself for me."

"I don't mind Naruto, I want to be by you no matter how difficult things become. Through to good times and the bad too." Hinata blushed at what she just said without thinking. Naruto heard that no doubt. Slowly she turned to face Naruto who was also blushing. He looked down.

"Sorry, I forget you'd do that for me. You're always to kind to me."

"I'll remind you." Hinata slowly leaned over to Naurto and kissed him on the cheek. Naruto was a little stunned at Hinata constant kind words to him. She knew how to melt through all his internal walls which was something no other person could do. Yes, he knew he was open to others for better or worse but some place inside of him was reserved to only the victor.

"This is the part you kiss her kid." Karuma interrupted the moment. His head on one paw he was lazily watching the two from his own vantage point within Naruto. He was treating the pair like his own personal romance movie.

"Y-you were l-listening Kurama?" Hinata stuttered.

"I'll turn around." Kurama sighed from within. In reality he kept watching but aside from the mental prod he kept quiet.

Hinata hesitated now that Kurama had interrupted her thought process and she froze infront of Naruto. Naruto, suddenly and without warning, leant in for a kiss. He moved quickly and gave Hinata no time to react. His eyes were closed out of respect while Hinata's were wide open in surprise. Their lips parted with Naruto blushing at his own move. He smiled at the blue haired girl who was still stunned.

"I guess I should have done that sooner." He waited for her reply. "Hinata?" Still nothing. "I guess I broke her."

"Y-y-y-y-y-you." She stuttered finally before blushing bright red and touching her lips.

"We've kissed before though."

"Mn no that felt different."

"Heh I guess it was different."

"D-dose this m-mean?"

"If anyone has proved themselves to me, it was you. You saw my worst and accepted me for who I was despite my flaws." Naruto was quickly flicking through memories of Hinata helping and last of all a year ago, when Hinata asked to speak to Kurama in person which was something no one else ever did willingly. The two spoke at length and Karuma respected the woman for doing so. Naruto must have been thinking for too long as Hinata rested her head onto his shoulder.

"I've been wanting to do with for years you know." Hinata spoke softly.

"You should have just asked."

"Hindsight." Hinata muttered.

"So what happens now…"

"First, we beat the crap out of that guy, then, we clear Monica's name"

"Now you're talking." Naruto gave a cheesey trademark grin "I won't let anyone I know fall down that path again. What if Monica did abandon though." The sudden thought wavered Naruto as he realised it was a real possibility.

"Naruto, don't doubt yourself. We both know you'll bring her back, she won't be another Sasuke."

"I know just, she could potentially break this peace we've worked so hard to obtain."

"I will be by your side Naruto, no matter what happens, you'll come out on top."

"I'll not give up on the peace, not now." He took a deep breath. "You're right I've done this before." His smile returned to his whiskered face.

Hinata smiled. "There we go, now think about other things." She leaned in to whisper in his ear, Naruto noticed her blushing with intent. "How about you think about me." For some reason her warm breath, charged with intent, sent a shiver down Naruto's back. Naruto had begun to picture Hinata naked for some reason. Like her words turned him on like a switch. He caught himself wanting for something to happen between the two right on the bench. He shook his head to dispel the thought, Hinata was much to innocent. No matter how much he tried he still felt the wash of warm feelings flood his stomach.

"S-should we get back to the others." Naruto suggested quietly. He needed something to distract him from his perverted side. The sage, Jiraiya, His former sensei-now Hokage, Kakashi. Even Kurama all had their influences on the blond shinobi. He tried not to admit it but since the war he was becoming a little more like them and he noticed that side becoming stronger.

"I was enjoying it here, but yeah I guess we should." Hinata had grown comfortable to Narutos arm and as soon as she got up the cool night air made her shiver.

"Are you cold Hinata?"

"A little." Hinata admitted, in response Naruto proceeded to take his orange jacket off. He handed it to her while only being in a T-shirt.

"I was too hot in it anyway."

The pair walked down the bank slowly. Hinata had cuddled into Naruto, feeling that she had all but officially won over her love's heart.