A Hero

Chapter 26

I most assuredly do not own Naruto in any way, shape, or form. Anyone who says otherwise either has not been reading any of the twenty-five previous disclaimers for the chapters and this current one, or is deliberately lying for reasons that I do not understand. Where Kurenai went will be explained later on in the story, possibly in the next chapter if it fits into the story.

Naruto had finally made it to Training Ground Eight, after all the delays and visits he'd had to deal with along the way. Fortunately for him, they had just finished their training for the day, thereby leaving Hinata free to talk to her blond companion.

"Hello, Hinata," Naruto smiled as he approached the relaxed team, "Hello, Shino and Kiba."

"Hello, Naruto-kun," Hinata greeted, returning his smile.

"Hey, Naruto," Kiba grinned while Shino nodded in acknowledgment, "You're just in time. We finished up a bit ago and were about to leave. Kurenai-sensei's already headed out for some reason, so we figured that we were free to go. See you guys."

"Bye Kiba, bye Shino," Naruto replied as the duo left the field. Turning to Hinata, the blond statue said, "Hinata, I have something I need to talk to you about, but I think we need to go somewhere private to discuss the matter."

With that, the pair headed back to the Hyuuga compound, heading to the section of the garden where they usually spent their time together.

"What's wrong, Naruto-kun?" Hinata asked, noticing that he looked out of sorts.

"I've just gotten back from informing the Hokage of an invasion that was going to be attempted during the Chuunin Exams," Naruto replied, seating himself on the bench he used to sleep on, "As such, a potential crisis might be averted."

"That's good," Hinata said cautiously, trying to figure out what the problem was with an averted crisis.

"I agree, though I suspect that there will be a combat situation with the invaders at some point," Naruto said, seeming to deflate at that, "That would mean I would be required to fight."

"I'm sure you won't be needed to fight," Hinata said, realizing what the problem was. She often forgot that he was a living statue unless he brought it up, and therefore often forgot why he was alive.

"I am required to go into a battle to protect the village by my very nature," Naruto said dully, "Due to the fact that I am a statue that was created to protect Konoha, should any force, foreign or domestic attempt to cause problems for the village, I will be compelled to fight of the invaders and get resealed once the battle was over. After that, I will once again become a lifeless statue with a soul inside. It will be nice to watch the tree grow again. It was my favorite thing about being frozen in place."

"I wouldn't let you go," Hinata said firmly, "Even if I have to get everyone else to restrain you, you're not going to go to your death if I have anything to say about it."

"How would you be able to stop me?" he asked sadly, "I was created to defend the village and will be compelled to go, even if I attempted to remain outside of the battle."

"I don't know what I'll do, but if that happens I'll make sure you can't go. Maybe I can get the others to help me hold you in place so you can't run," she replied, trying to come up with a means to keep him safe.

"What if my compulsion makes me use Hiraishin?" he inquired, intrigued by her words. He desperately wanted to believe what she said, but he couldn't see how they were possible.

"I'll latch onto you with my chakra so you can't get rid of me, then go with you so I can keep you away from the fight," she said gently, seating herself beside him as she grabbed his hand, "I'm not going to just let you get sealed away, Naruto-kun."

"Thank you, Hinata," he said, unsure of what else to say, "It feels good to know you care that much."

"You're my friend, Naruto-kun," she said enveloping him in a comforting hug, "I would feel terrible if you didn't get to enjoy life the way everyone else does. I care about you."

"That reminds me," the blond said, feeling better enough to recall the mystery that had plagued him before he had been told of the invasion, "What's a 'girl friend?' The definitions of the two words imply a young female associate who one enjoys the company of, but the tone used each time I've heard it makes it seem like the phrase means something more."

Hinata fell silent for a moment as she broke the hug, caught off-guard by the change of subject and the unexpected question. Concerned for his friend, Naruto asked, "Hinata, are you alright?"

"I'm fine, Naruto-kun," she responded, breaking from her stunned silence, "What was the question, again?"

"What's a girlfriend?" the blond statue repeated, "Sasuke and Tenten called you my girlfriend."

"A girlfriend is a girl that a boy spend most of his time with," Hinata said carefully, "The boy, who's the girl's boyfriend, worries about her and she worries about him. They tend to prefer each other's company. The boyfriend and girlfriend tend to try to protect each other, even if they know they're able to take care of themselves, because they care about each other."

"Does that mean that you are my girlfriend?" he asked, "I do prefer your company to anyone else's and I spend most of my time with you."

"I'm not sure, Naruto-kun," she replied, her cheeks bright red, "That's your choice. Do you want me to be your girlfriend?"

"That sounds like something I would enjoy," he said, smiling gently at her as he took her hand. With that matter settled, the pair fell into a comfortable silence, each content with the other's presence.