Authors Note: I DO NOT OWN NARUTO.

Ch. 1 Decisions

Prologue

Time. Hinata Understood that all good things took time as well as patience; which was something she has trained herself to acquire. After her match with Neji and after drinking in Naruto's encouraging words and his promise, she made it a priority to be diligent even when the desired results never came. If Naruto didn't quit after all the trials he went through, why should I? This being a continual truth she'd repeat over and over to herself when she trained.

At first when she was young, her love for Naruto was mere admiration. His smile. And his confidence. Why is everyone so mean to him she thought to herself all throughout her childhood ? I'd have surely given up and yet he still stands. He resists. When she'd follow him and see sides of him each more inspiring than the next, she understood that he was human too. He'd get discouraged. He'd shed tears. The only difference was that he never yielded to that black dog; the depression and negative inner-self that told you "You can't". Hinata was always perceptive of what others couldn't see in him. He was a force to be reckoned with, and she wanted nothing more than to get lost in that force. Years of emotional abuse; both from others and herself had smothered her will but seeing his only fueled her desire to change.

That was the beginning where her selfish desires grew. The more change she saw in herself and thickening in her resolve and her nindo had restored her courage and self-worth. It was all because of Naruto. This boy has done so much for me and he doesn't even know it. When at first she wanted to simply express her gratitude towards him whether through words of encouragement or protecting him, her gratitude evolved into something more. She wanted to cherish him and if possible, be cherished by him too.

This scared her. Hinata knew what type of woman she wanted to be. Humble, graceful under pressure and loving. Accepting even when that person was the epitome of imperfection, like herself. It meant being selfless. Yet here she was wanting to possess the most beautiful person she knew; her savior. Before when her self-worth was nonexistent she would've definitely said she never deserved him. But now that she knew that anything can be attained if you work hard at it, and believe in yourself, she knew she had an equal chance. If he didn't accept her love then at least he'd accept her presence in his life. As a friend, a guardian, or a pillar of support. She would take it.

She made up her mind. I will wait.

Wait until after the war, and grief, and hardship faced with Sasuke and our enemies. When we're back home, and Naruto can finally be at peace. I will wait. Maybe until then will he finally be able to see me the way that I see him.

The End of the 4th Great Ninja War

Hinata was so proud and had never once doubted Naruto. He defeated Madara and simultaneously brought Sasuke home (albeit both lacking a few limbs) and is now regarded as the world's savior. Finally people aren't blind anymore. All of this she thought at the front of the village gates awaiting his arrival. She arrived earlier than Naruto because his injuries needed attention but was now stable enough to return.

It wasn't just her though that waited. The entire village gathered together, ready to welcome their hero with open arms. For the second time since Pain's defeat, the people of Konoha acknowledged Naruto.

The thought of this brought tears to her eyes. She was so happy and so eager to see his smile when he sees the village greet him. She knew it would be big, with pearly whites that reflect the sunshine and she was right. Moments later, Naruto walks through the opening gates and hears the joyous roars of his home; for him and his comrades. He smiled exactly as she imagined it, only so much better.

Pushed and bumped into by the crowds that raced to corner him to lift him up and toss him in the air as they did before, she stayed and watched. Filled with joy at the knowledge that this for her and Naruto will be one of the most beautiful memories they have in their lifetimes. She blinked away the tears that clouded her view of Naruto's smile.

"Welcome home, Naruto-kun." She said softly aloud.

Thus, starting her personal quest to win Naruto's heart or at least his acceptance; one step at a time.

Authors Note: We're on quarantine now and I have the time and the alcohol to proofread and fix this. I hope you like.