Tsunade turned slowly EVER SO slowly and looked into the casket. There grinning back at her was None other than Naruto himself not in the best of shape, but still very much alive.

--------24 hours later--------

As Tsunade looked up from her bookwork, she couldn't help but smile as Shizune walked in with a grin on her face.

"He'll make it then?"

"You know as well as I that it was touch-and-go for quite a while there, but he appears to have taken a turn for the better. The fever has broken and he appears to be healing at a rate consistent with that of a normal child his age."

Tsunade sighed in relief. It had indeed been touch and go. The last twenty-four hours had been almost more than she could stand. First Naruto woke up after being dead for a week, then he had collapsed from lack of blood. It had been one of the toughest reconstructive surgery she had ever done, but he was a strong kid. He had just a fraction of a fraction over fifty percent chance of living through the first twenty-four hours, but he appeared to be pulling through.

"Is Hinata alright?"

"I'm not certain Tsunade-sama, she passed out and has yet to regain conscious. Considering what she was trying to say, I took the liberty of putting her in a bed next to Naruto's"

Tsunade smiled at her "that's fine. Ohhhh just WAIT till I get my hands on that kid. I'm going to wring his neck, and then hug him till he can't breathe."

"Considering his condition, that may not be the best cure Tsunade" said Shizune

"All I really want to know is how he could have laid there for a week, not bled, and still lived."

"Yes, This should be an interesting tale indeed"

-------One week from the funeral-------

"Tsunade? I believe that he's finally waking up!"

"Thank you Shizune, I'll be down in a moment."

As Tsunade and Shizune made their way to the hospital wing, a certain loudmouthed blue-eyed blonde was finally waking up.

Oh MAN! What a dream! Kyuubi! Kyuubi if you can hear me I'll get you for leaving me in this mess!

What seems to be the problem kit? (Kyuubi does an evil grin that only Naruto can see) Your alive are you not?

Yes I'm Alive! No thanks to you! I'll be laid up here all month unless you change your mind!

Yes and no kit. Oddly enough, I really didn't do much to heal you. Just boosted your body's natural process a little. You seem to heal remarkably fast… for a human anyway.

How the HELL am I going to explain to Tsunade-baba what it was you did to me! Hell I didn't know myself until yesterday!

If you like I could explain it for you (evil grin again) It might be interesting to see exactly how strong this 'Hokage' of your is compared to the last one.

NO! You agreed that you wouldn't make your freedom known. I agreed to continue to carry you, and you agreed to stay put for at least ten years. Hell, it took almost a week for me to get that out of you.

Yes, and as I recall you threatened to keep my mind locked away from my body if I didn't agree.

It was my only card and you knew it. That Bastard Sasuke damaged the seal enough to allow you to touch my world again. I could have finished myself off and then you would have been gone for good.

You as well.

A small price to pay.

You certainly say some interesting things kit.

So I interest you?

Some perhaps… Care to make another bargain kit?

What do you want NOW Kitsune?

I've always been something of a gambler. If this Hokage of your presses you for details. I win, and you have to give me half control of your body.

Half control?

When your mind sleeps I take over.

I don't much like the sound of that.

Your point being?

And if she doesn't? What's in it for me?

I'll teach you.

Naruto mentally paused for a moment.

Teach me what?

Kyuubi had him hooked, and he knew it.

Oh perhaps I'll teach you some Jitsu's I've picked up over the years.

Such as?

Wait and see kit.

Again Naruto paused mentally, to think things over.

I agree on one condition.

What would that be kit?

If you win you will cause NO DAMAGE. To Konoha or it's people

Hmmmm. Mentally or physically?

NIETHER! DAMMIT FOX IF I LOSE YOU GET CONTROL!

Alright, I'll agree if I get to add a stipulation of my own.

And what would that be?

If you win, I get let out when I teach you.

NANI! No way! I think a giant nine-tailed demon might be a BIT noticeable

Don't be stupid kit. I'll make myself look Mostly human.

Fine then, agreed.

It was at this point that Naruto woke up physically. There seemed to be something wrong with his body however. His right arm seemed to be weighted down by something. Turning his head to the right, Naruto looked over to see….

"Hinata?"

As far as he could tell, both Hinata and his arm were fast asleep. As Naruto shifted slightly to attempt to get some circulation into his arm, Hinata was beginning to awaken.

Hmmmnn? What the? Pillows aren't supposed to move. Are they?

Suddenly Hinata remembered exactly where she was. She had been watching Naruto sleep, and had been wondering when he would awaken when she had become tired, seeing how nobody was around, Hinata had just naturally laid her head on the shoulder of her crush. She had only intended to rest her eyes for a moment, a quick nap. But the comforting warmth that emanated off of Naruto had lulled her into a deeper sleep than she intended. Hinata opened her eyes, and the first thing she noticed was a big pair of cerulean orbs staring back at her.

"g…goman na…Naruto-kun"

"for what Hinata?"

Naruto, dense as he usually was couldn't help but notice that Hinata was actually quite lovely. Yes it was true that her hair was in a bit messy, but just as she blushed, the first rays of the morning sun struck her from behind, illuminating her face. These two events conspired to give Hinata the looks of a blushing angel.

Naruto couldn't help himself, he was lost utterly, in fact he was so preoccupied that he didn't hear what Hinata had said.

"um Na… Naruto-kun? Wa...What are you staring at? Asked Hinata.

" An angel."

When Naruto Suddenly realized what it was he said, He tried desperately to cover.

"Um I… I mean I was distracted for a moment Hinata-Chan, would you please repeat what you said?"

Hinata's cheeks turned a shade of red usually reserved for Neon lights. She did however, choose to ignore the comment he had made before. At least out loud.

"Um.. I s..said that I was sorry for resting my head on your sh… shoulder Na… Naruto-kun" what did he mean an angel? He was looking right at me! He couldn't have meant me! My hair is a mess, and I haven't had a chance to change yet.

Naruto noticed that Hinata's face fell as she continued her contemplations.

He was probably thinking about Sakura again. What does he see in her? I mean I'm every bit as endowed as she is! Maybe More so! Just because I don't choose to flaunt it like the rest of the girls… Does he LIKE that type of person?

Naruto had decided at this point that he really didn't much care WHAT he said, as long as Hinata stopped looking so sad.

"Hinata? Do you remember at the Chuunin exams when I said that I Had always thought of you as dark and timid, but that I liked people like you?"

"….."

Hinata chose not to respond vocally, but her body gesture changed. There was a slight lowering of her head, and she hunched her shoulders together as though preparing for a blow.

"I've decided to add that I like you in particular, and you look quite lovely this morning, I kind of like your hair like that."

Hinata Brightened up immediately, and by the look on her face you could have made her queen of the world, and it would have been a minor detail in comparison to what had just been said to her.

"You should smile more often Hinata, you look even better when you smile"

Hinata's blush was so deep; you might have thought the sun was rising again.

Thank you to everyone who reviewed. To be honest, I was getting rather depressed. I Updated this fic about 24 hours ago (I think) and Untill an hour ago, I thought that nobody had responeded. you see, I had my account set up to send any signed responses to my inbox, but appearently I un-checked that option sometime last night. I thought that you had all abandoned me. I'm sorry for doubting you.

Also:
Jiraiya: thanks for the word corrections.

TimeShifter: Yes I was talking about you.

Dragon Man 180: that's a good point, Not many people would have known, but if I read correctly, he didn't exactly keep his nickname for her under wraps. Several people could have heard him, and Rumors tend to have wings :-)

Remember, I don't believe in such as thing as a bad review. So long as it's your honest opinion i'll listen to anyone once ;D (and most of you a whole Bunch!) Keep up the Reviews!

Manatheron