Disclaimer: Again, I don't own Naruto.

Comments to readers

General Notes: Right now, according to votes and my personal opinion, I will most likely doing a NaruHina. Please don't kill me NaruSaku fans!!! ;;; Updates will vary from 1-2 days usually but schoolwork may interfere with that. Also, I have midterms coming up so updates won't be as frequent next week. Another thing, time will be displayed in military format. For example, 1 PM is 13:00 and 12 AM is 00:00.

Dragon Man 180 – I'll be working on the chapter length a lot soon enough. Read the general notes above for relationship status.

JoeKool – I will try to update every one or two days, but depending on homework load from school, I might not be able to get them out that quickly, especially when I'm aiming for longer chapters.

high voltage – Who's the fat girl? You don't have to answer that but read the general notes above to see the relationship status for now.

Durian – Thanks for the advice. I agree about the paragraphs being blobs and I have trouble remembering to make new paragraphs when they speak. But I'll try to make the revisions in future chapters.

ITAI! – I guess my little abrupt stop makes people wanna know what happened. ; My very evil plan is working!! insert evil laugh

Xoni Newcomer – I'll be trying to get longer chapters that are around 2000 words each. Read the general notes for information about the pairing. I'm not a big fan of LeeSaku myself so I think I wouldn't be able to write it very well if I don't like it. And I'll try to stick in whomever I chose not to be in the relationship to be in frequently.

AkiaBinZaid – Nooooo!!!! Keep reviewing! Thanks for the praise!

Warprince2000 – Thanks for the positive review. Read my response to JoeKool for update info.

Byuu128 – Development is a must! Since I categorized this as a romance fic, there's going to be plenty of relationship development, but I'm also going to throw in some action with Orochimaru and Itachi in chapters further down the line, but I can't say when as I have no clue myself.

TimeShifter – Just start reading to find out!

Nonengel – My thoughts exactly on the ideal relationship. That's what I was aiming for when I started this fic, but provided the option of voting in case the majority of the reviewers wanted to see the other.

Sorry if I forgot to include you in my responses!

Dreams Reborn

Chapter 3: As the Sunshine Bursts Through

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"Naruto...you never failed in my eyes. You've always tried so hard, and I looked up to you. You became strong, and never quit. You had the greatest perseverance. And you always had a smile on your face even when you were hurting inside. That's why...I..."

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"That's why...I...I-I...love you Naruto-kun!" Hinata finally manages to blurt out. For the second time that day, Naruto's eyes shot wide open.

"Hinata...loves me?! How long has she felt this way?!" thought Naruto, his eyes still wide with shock.

Hinata kept talking, tears rolling down her face, "I love you because you're strong in my eyes Naruto-kun. I acknowledge your strength, your courage, your determination. I acknowledge you for who you are!"

"Sh-she acknowledges me for who I am..." Naruto's deep blue eyes start to moisten with tears. And the next moment, he suddenly reaches over and hugs Hinata. Hinata's face turns a deep crimson after she realizes that she's hugging the boy she had watched from afar, and loved.

"Thank you Hinata! Thank you for acknowledging me, for saying that I'm not a failure. I'll try harder from now on...thank you," Naruto manages to cry out.

Outside the door, Tsunade stands watches the two embrace, and smiles to herself. Looks like Naruto found his motivation again. I think I'll let them have some privacy now. Tsunade turned and walked away down the hall.

"So...Hinata...I'm getting out of the hospital tomorrow," mentions Naruto.

"That's great!"

Hinata's signature stutter had disappeared, which, Naruto noticed. "Hey Hinata! You stopped stuttering!"

Hinata blushed a light pink and said, "I guess I feel more confident when I'm around you Naruto-kun."

"Hehe," Naruto put on his foxy grin. "You look a lot cuter when you have confidence!" Again Hinata blushed, but a deeper red this time. "It's true! You smile more and you look really cute! So...umm...do you wanna go get some ramen tomorrow or something when I get out?"

Naruto's words kept ringing in Hinata's head. Is this a date?! "S-Sure Naruto-kun."

"Great! Meet me here tomorrow around lunch time!"

The next day came quickly, and the nurse was surprised to see Naruto in a cheery mood. Soon it was around two and Hinata came, and Naruto left the hospital.

"Let's get some ramen Hinata!" exclaimed Naruto in his usual energetic way.

"O-okay." Hinata was a little nervous. She was finally out on a "date" with her love and didn't really know how to act. Naruto led Hinata through the crowded streets until they reached the Ichiraku ramen stand. They both sat down in two of the four vacant stools.

"Mmmm...what kind of ramen should I get?" Naruto asked himself aloud. "I know! Beef ramen! What're you going to have Hinata?"

"I-I'll have the same," Hinata quietly replied.

"Hey old man! Two beef ramen bowls!" shouted Naruto.

"Hoho, I see you managed to get someone besides Iruka-sensei to come with you this time," laughed the old man. This time both Naruto and Hinata blushed. When they finished their ramen, Naruto had consumed twelve large bowls while Hinata only had one. Naruto slapped the money down on the counter and hopped off his stool.

"Where to Hinata?" asked Naruto with his hands behind his head, elbows sticking in the air. Hinata didn't have a suggestion so Naruto decided they would go to the park. They found a bench and Naruto started to talk about his past missions. Hinata listened to every word he had to say. Naruto was surprised because no one else listened to his stories besides Konohamaru.

When Naruto finally ran out of stories to boast about Hinata finally got a turn to talk, "Wow Naruto-kun. You're so strong."

"Hehe, not really. I still gotta train lots." Naruto gave a thumbs up while flashing a grin. It was getting dark in Konoha now and Naruto insisted that he'd walk Hinata home. Hinata tried to refuse but Naruto never gave up asking. Hinata led him down many roads and finally ended up at the Hyuuga mansion.

"Wow! Your place is huge Hinata!" Naruto stared in amazement. Hinata and Naruto both said good night and Naruto turned and ran off for his apartment.

Hinata stood at the entrance, watching Naruto's distant shadow in the moonlight getting smaller and smaller. "Naruto-kun..."

Naruto unlocked the door to his apartment and walked into the kitchen. He immediately boiled some water and poured it into a cup of instant ramen. "Mmm, I haven't eaten since I had lunch with Hinata"

After Naruto finished his ramen, he went and lay down on his futon. "Wow, I had such a great day today. Hinata a really nice girl...kinda cute too...Hmm I wonder what Sakura-chan did today. I bet if I asked her anything she would hit me again. And Hinata-chan is so much more quiet and less violent than Sakura-chan. Naruto's thoughts drifted back to Hinata as his eyes became heavy and his breathing became more rhythmic and he soon fell asleep.

Naruto awoke to a loud banging on his door. "Who the hell is knocking on my door this early." Naruto walked over to the front door and saw a familiar face.

"Shikamaru!!!!" Naruto points at him while yelling. "What the hell are you doing knocking on my door this early?!"

"You idiot," Shikamaru says in his nonchalant voice. "Why is this idiot always so loud?" Shikamaru thinks to himself. "I'm here to tell you that you're to assemble at the Hokage's office at 11:00 with the other genins. Just be there." With that Shikamaru walks off and doesn't give Naruto a chance to ask any questions.

18:00 soon came rolling by and Naruto set out for the Hokage's office. Surprisingly, Naruto arrives on time with the others. Chouji after taking the last pill, is still recovering in the hospital. They all walk into the Tsunade's office together and were surprised with the presence of their senseis.

Tsunade stood up from behind her desk and addressed the genin, "I suppose you're wondering why I called for you all here. Due to the current situation...I'm going to have to rearrange the teams."

"WHAT!?" all the genin shout in unison (except for Hinata).

"QUIET! This is because Shikamaru was promoted to Chuunin as you know, and that Uchiha Sasuke betrayed Konoha. This makes the teams unbalanced and we have to rebalance the teams. And Team 7's teacher will now be Jiraiya, as Kakashi will be having to do more missions, and Naruto is already his pupil, I see no reason to switch. Now I have already selected the rearrangements, Naruto will obviously stay with Jiraiya, Neji and Hinata will join Team 7 as well."

"Woo!!! Hinata-chan's on my team! And so is Neji!" Naruto jumps around Tsunade's office, Hinata blushes, and the other genin stare at him until he gets punched into the wall by Tsunade.

"Naruto-kun's happy about me being on his team. Does this mean he likes me the same way I like him?" Hinata thinks to herself.

"IDIOT!" Tsunade shouts. "Shut-up until I say you can talk! Anyway, continuing...Gai will keep Lee and Tenten and will add Sakura."

This time, it was Lee's turn to shout out. "Yes! Sakura-chan is on my team! And I get to stay with Gai-sensei!" Lee runs up to Gai and the two hug and cry for joy making everyone stare at them with their mouths hanging open at the very disturbing scene.

Tsunade clears her throat with a loud "ahem" and continues, "Kurenai's team will keep Shino and Kiba, with the addition of Ino. And if you're wondering about Kakashi and Asuma, they have been sent out on missions. You are all dismissed."

As the genin walk out, Naruto runs up to Hinata and starts talking. Sakura, who's behind them observes this, "Since when did Naruto get all close to Hinata? And he's not depressed anymore. And he calls Hinata 'chan.'"

"Hey Hinata-chan! Let's go get some ramen!" Naruto loudly suggests (A/N He says it loudly because he's naturally loud, not to gain attention).

"Okay Naruto-kun." Hinata blushes again.

Naruto notices Sakura walking past and suddenly says, "Sakura-chan! Wanna come too?"

Hinata made a disappointed face because she wanted to be alone with Naruto, but of course he doesn't notice.

"Sure Naruto," says Sakura coolly. Naruto was a little surprised since this was the first time Sakura accepted an invitation for ramen. The three walked to the Ichiraku ramen stand (again) and sat down.

"Hoho Naruto, I see you brought another lovely lady this time." The old man gave Naruto a wink and a thumbs up. Naruto returned them with his signature foxy grin.

Naruto and Hinata ordered the same as yesterday, and Sakura got the same.

"Soo...Naruto..." Sakura started saying in a sly voice. "...How long have you and Hinata been together?" Again Hinata blushes another deep crimson, and Naruto chokes on his ramen from the sudden and direct statement.

"W-we're not r-really t-together S-Sakura-san," Hinata manages to get out nervously.

"Oh sure you are. I haven't seen Naruto this happy for awhile now." Sakura in a very nonchalant voice.

Naruto finally speaks up, "Umm...well...Sakura-chan...Hinata-chan came to see me at the hospital and finally made me realize some things. And she's really nice and cute too." This makes Hinata blush an even deeper crimson red than before.

"Well, it's getting late and I'll be off now." Sakura got up from her stool and paid for her meal and walked off, Naruto and Hinata staring at he dark silhouette disappear.

"We should be going too Hinata-chan," suggests Naruto. He too pays for his and Hinata's meals despite Hinata's protests that he shouldn't have to pay for her meal. And again, he insisted that he should walk her home.

By the time they reached the Hyuuga manor, it was very dark.

"Hinata-chan...I was thinking about what Sakura-chan said and I have something important I want to ask you." Naruto's voice turned serious and had a nervous hint to it.

Hinata noticed and became a little worried. "What is it Naruto-kun? You can ask me anything."

"Well...w-would y-you like t-to b-be m-my g-g-girlfriend?"

Hinata became overjoyed at his question. Her dreams finally came true. Her love was asking her to be his girlfriend, right here, right now.

Naruto starts speaking again, "B-Because I-I was thinking about the other day at the hospital, and even Sakura couldn't get me out of my depression but you did. And the way you've helped me out...before the Chuunin Exam and at the hospital...I just couldn't stop thinking about you...so would..."

Hinata cut him off and hugged him. "Of course Naruto-kun. Of course I'll be your girlfriend." Naruto wrapped his arms around Hinata and drew her closer bringing her warm body closer. And there they stood, hugging with the moonlight shining down upon them.

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Whew, that took a lot out of me, and it seems I turned it into NaruHina very quickly there. I personally like NaruHina more than NaruSaku but I like both, just NaruHina more. ;; I really attempted to make this one much longer than the first two chapters and I think I did alright. There's a reason Tsunade put Naruto and Hinata on the same team, and this will all be explained in the next chapter. Remember to REVIEW. Sorry to disappoint you NaruSaku hopefuls. Sakura will develop a very friendly relationship with Naruto in later chapters, and she will get more development. As for other character appearances, I still have to decide. And for other pairings...I don't know about that either. You can vote for them but I might not even include them. Remember to REVIEW. I'm afraid I moved things kinda fast, but oh well.