Naruto was exhausted. He felt the frigid cold the winter season brought down to his bones as he trudged back into the village from yet another day's long mission. All he longed for was a cup of the honey tea Hinata had taken to making him and his bed, in that order. But, alas, he still had to file his report at the Hokage's office and give a debriefing before he could make his way back to his apartment.

He sighed as he stretched his arms up into the air, trying to wake himself up before he had to meet with Kakashi and Shikamaru. He knew Hinata would be waiting for him, and at the very least he wanted to spend an hour or two catching up with her before he fell asleep with her in his arms.

He smiled to himself, a habit he hadn't noticed in the last few weeks. It had been others who pointed out that he looked like an idiot, grinning ear to ear when no one else was around. He looked like he was slightly deranged at times, but it was of no matter. He was happy, happier than he could ever imagine. He couldn't help but show it.

Even though he was worn, beaten up, and hungrier than ever, god, he was buzzing.

He tried to calm himself as he walked up the stairs to the Hokage's office, willing himself to think of something other than Hinata's hands running through his hair as his head rested upon her lap. He could practically smell her perfume, feel her loving touch upon him.

Naruto took one last dramatic deep breath before opening he knocked on the large, heavy wooden doors that kept him from his final task before he could call it a day and make his way back home to his beloved.

Shikamaru, unsurprisingly, opened and waved him in, "It's late."

"You're telling me, I should be in bed by now."

Kakashi waved from behind his desk, looking as tired as ever, "Complaining again, are we? Wonder what you're going to think when you're sitting behind this desk."

"That's what you say every time I see you, Kakashi-Sensei."

"Naruto," Shikamaru groaned, "How many times are we going to tell you, it's Hokage-sama. You can't just go around calling the Hokage by his first name"

"No, no. Please, Shikamaru," Kakashi said, waving his advisor away, "Let Naruto call me whatever he wants. I'm tired of the formalities already."

"That's not the point..." Shikamaru responded, shaking his head. It seemed as if they had this conversation daily. Naruto wouldn't have put it past Kakashi. He really wasn't taking to the whole Hokage title as well as people had hoped.

It wasn't that he was bad at the job, Naruto just knew Kakashi was more of a low key kind of guy. The attention, the fanfare, the formalities? Kakashi hated all of it with a passion. He was grinning and bearing it at this point.

"Anyways, Naruto, how did it go?" Kakashi asked, kind and curious eyes assessing his former student.

"Everything was the same as always. Diplomatic bullshit with one village or another."

"What do you think being hokage is going to be like?" Shikamaru muttered, rubbing his temples.

"But it all ended well?"

"Everyone was escorted safely to the Sand Village. Gaara assured me he'd take the rest from there," Naruto turned to look at Shikamaru and suddenly remembered, "Oh! Temari sends her regards, Shikamaru," He added with a smirk.

Shikamaru reddened slightly, but cooly played off Naruto's clear attempt to fluster him, "You know what's funny, Naruto?"

"What's that?"

"We just had Hinata here for a separate debriefing this morning. She didn't mention you, but boy did she look flustered when the Hokage mentioned you two might be partnered up for a mission in the future."

Kakashi chuckled, "We came to the conclusion that may not be the best idea."

"Why is that?"

Naruto looked at Shikamaru, and then Kakashi who cocked an eyebrow as he said, "Too many distractions. Might be best to keep you both on separate teams for now."

"You told him, didn't you." Naurto said flatly.

"He had already figured it out," Shikamaru shrugged.

"You hear a lot of gossip around here, you'd be surprised," Kakashi said, his eyes crinkling, "I'm happy to hear it's not just a rumor, though."

"You are?"

"Why do you sound so surprised? You think I don't want you to grow up?"

Naruto shook his head, "I don't know...it's just..."

"I'm happy for you, Naruto. Really. I couldn't think of anyone better for you than Hinata."

"She really evens him out, doesn't she?" Shikamaru said with a slight smile upon his face.

"What's that supposed to mean?" Naruto asked.

"You know exactly what it means."

Kakashi cleared his throat, "Alright, alright. Naruto, when you two have settled on a date, you come talk to me."

"Wait...what? Kakashi-sensei we haven't even-"

"No need to explain, all that I'm saying is that when the wedding comes around, all I ask is that you don't surprise us and give us enough time to plan."

Naruto tilted his head, "Plan? Why would you...?"

Shikamaru sighed, "Naruto, you've got to be kidding me."

"What!?"

"If you get married it's going to be one of the biggest weddings the village has ever hosted. Not only will the kages want to attend, but you'll have the entire Hyuga clan present," He took a breath before continuing, trying not to sounds as frustrated as he clearly already was with his friend, "The villagers will want to attend too, and not to mention our friends and allies in other parts of the country. You're a security risk! We'll probably have to plan for months to get everything into place."

"Months?" Naruto asked, as he pensively brought his forefinger to his chin and tapped it three times.

"Yes, months," Shikamaru repeated.

"That just won't do."

Kakashi looked from Naruto to Shikamaru, not saying a single word. He didn't dare interfere when Shikamaru got into one of his moods.

"Why wouldn't it do, Naruto?"

Without missing a beat Naruto firmly stated,"We'll most likely be married by spring."

Shikamaru sighed, he knew Naruto wasn't bluffing. When he made up his mind, that was it.

"Should we, maybe, call a meeting with Hiashi when he comes back to the village?" Kakashi asked, trying to diffuse the situation.

"He's not here right now?"

"He'll be gone for a couple of days, he had business to attend to outside of the village."

"Ah," Naruto nodded, "Well, when he comes back I'm going to have to actually meet with him first."

Kakashi could see the vein on the side of Shikamaru's forehead pulsating, and carefully asked, "Why is that?"

"Well, I should probably ask for Hinata's hand first before we start planning the wedding."

"You haven't even talked to Lord Hyuga?" Shikamaru said through gritted teeth.

"I was getting to it! You two have been running me ragged. When would I have had the time?"

"Have you even asked Hinata to marry you yet?"

Naruto chuckled, "Funny you should mention it..."

Kakashi assessed the situation before him and quickly got up to place a hand on Shikamaru's shoulder, "Sometimes we just get swept up in the moment, don't we. Perhaps we should put a pin in this conversation until more details are ironed out?"

"Oh, no. We're getting married by the time the cherry blossoms bloom. I know it doesn't sound like the planning is far along, or like I know what I'm saying, but I'm telling you, Hinata is going to be my wife this spring. No more waiting, you know?"

"Naruto, don't you think this is a conversation you should have with Hinata first?" Kakashi said, trying to reason with him.

"I may not have asked her, but I already know her answer. There are just a few more people we have to check in with before making it official."

"But you still want us to start planning for spring?" Shikamaru asked wearily.

"April."

"April?"

"It's our dating anniversary."

"So we have a romantic," Shikamaru muttered.

"April is doable," Kakashi interrupted.

"Yeah?" Naruto asked excitedly.

"I don't see why not."

Shikamaru pulled out a carton of cigarettes from his side pocket, to which Kakashi said nothing. It was after hours after all, and considering the amount of stress Naruto was putting him through, he deserved a smoke.

"Shikamaru?" Kakashi asked, "What do you think?"

"Well, if Hinata and Lord Hyuga agree...I don't know. Whatever. It'll all be a drag regardless."

Naruto smirked, "Think of it as a crash course for your big day."

Shikamaru reddened once again as he finally managed to light his cigarette, under his breath he mumbled, "Idiot," which only made Naruto chuckle even harder.

"Great, well, glad this was figured out now," Kakashi said, finding his way back to his seat.

"We still need you to brief us on the mission," Shikamaru said, reminding them both that they weren't even close to being finished.

"Oh, that's right," Kakashi pulled out a folder and placed it on his desk before him, "Naruto where do you want to start?"

Naruto's mind, though, was a million miles away. It would be rough to get him to pay attention to anything else while he was there. He was already lost in daydreams of his and Hinata's wedding day.

It was well into the night when Naruto opened the door to his apartment and with a yawn muttered, "Tadaima,"

He didn't hear a response right away and figured that Hinata was asleep in her own bed back at the Hyuga compound. He couldn't blame her, it was already past midnight.

It was when he was already trudging past the kitchen and to his room that he heard the sounds of sheets rustling and his favorite voice whisper, "Okaeri."

He slipped past the doorway and in a heartbeat was already hovering over her and bending down to press his lips to her temple, "Hina, you're here."

"I missed you," She mumbled, "Couldn't sleep in my own bed."

"And Hiashi's not home?" He asked knowingly.

"How did you know?"

"Kakashi mentioned it."

"Ah," She said, attempting to sit up.

Naurot gently pushed her back, "I know you're not trying to get up to warm me up something to eat."

"But, Naruto-Kun, you must be starving."

"I had some instant ramen with Kakashi and Shikamaru. It'll hold me over until morning."

He peeled off his jacket and pants, leaving only his boxer shorts on. Hinata watched with sleepy eyes as he lifted the covers she was under and within an instant wrapped her in his embrace tightly.

They held each other for a few moments in a comfortable silence, taking it all in. Letting their bodies reacclimate to each other.

"Hinata?" He asked, trying to fight fiercely against the sleep that was starting to come over.

"Yes?"

"Are you awake?"

He felt her snuggle her head against his chest as she murmured, "Yes."

Naruto let out a breath and didn't even consider the weight of the words that managed to slip out of his mouth. He just simply stated, "I think it's time."

He could hear her breathing, in and out, letting his words settle around them.

He felt at peace, not at all the anxious mess he thought he would've been having this conversation. Perhaps it was because he was half asleep, or maybe it really was because he just knew they were meant to be together. This was just a formality after all. He knew she was his and he was hers. All that was left was the answer to the question she had told him before she'd be ready to answer when he was ready to ask it.

He didn't know it would be tonight, that it would be in his bed. But there he was, finally allowing himself to say it.

"Are you going to ask?" She peered at him carefully. As if scared she'd spook him if she moved too suddenly.

He leaned back slightly and tilted her chin towards him. He looked into her dreamy, half-lidded lavender eyes and asked, "Will you be my wife?"

Without a second of hesitation she nodded, pressing her lips firmly to his, "Yes, Naruto-Kun. Yes." She managed to say between rapid-fire kisses.

He chuckled as he held her to him, could feel the heat of her cheeks as she pressed them to his. He swore he heard her choke back a small happy sob. It made him tear up as well.

He wasn't usually the type to cry, and he didn't think the decision he was so at peace with would make him so emotional, but the tears he suddenly felt appear in the corners of his eyes said otherwise.

Hinata felt him let out a small sniffle and smiled so warmly at him he thought he was going to pass out from the sheer happiness he felt.

"Oh, Naruto-Kun," she murmured, tracing the whisker-like markings upon his cheeks with her index finger. It was one of the most recent habits she had picked up that made him smile.

She ever so softly dried his tears and couldn't help but laugh as she said, "I'm a little surprised you didn't ask me at Ichiraku."

"We did have a theme going there," He said, placing his hand on her cheek, it was still damp, but she didn't look like she was crying. He found it funny he probably looked like a blubbering mess compared to her.

"I'm sorry every important question I've asked has been like this...so unplanned, you know? I suck at romantic gestures."

"But, I like you asking like this. It makes it feel like this moment belongs only to us," Hinata said as she kissed the side of his face.

Naruto felt his heart beat against his chest, this wasn't at all how he had pictured asking. He didn't even have a ring, much less her father's permission. He was always getting ahead of himself.

She was right, though. He couldn't have pictured it any other way. This was perfect.

"I'm going to speak with your father when he comes back."

Hinata cleared her throat, "A-about that."

"What?"

"I already...kind of spoke to him."

"Oh. Well, what did he say."

"He didn't say no. He actually said he approves"

"It sounds like there's a but coming."

"Not one that necessarily means we aren't getting married. It's just...complicated, Naruto-kun. Far too complicated to ruin this moment. Can we please just let it be, at least for tonight?"

His mind was racing, but his body was exhausted. He couldn't fight sleep much longer, as much as he wanted to.

"Alright, alright. But tomorrow morning I want a full report on what happened."

"Over pancakes?"

Naruto nodded, "I couldn't think of anything better