I don't own Naruto. I own some of the characters in this fic, but only those characters. Special thanks to my bestfriend for giving me ideas to make this chapter more romantic. Gosh, I feel so mushy...

ENJOY READING

Chapter 8: A 'little' walk

Naruto walked back to the clinic. Tsunade and Kakashi were still there and of course Hinata too.

"Where is Sakura-chan and Sasuke?" Naruto asked.

"They left to prepare for the party…" Kakashi said.

"How's that ninja doing?" Tsunade asked.

"He's gone…" Naruto said.

"WHAT?!" Tsunade exclaimed

"Don't worry Tsunade-obachan… he's now on our side…" Naruto said but Tsunade still hit him in the head for calling her 'obachan' which she hated the most. "Ouch…" He said.

"But were you able to know some information about him and why he tried to kill you?" Tsunade asked.

"Yeah…" Naruto then told them what Ichiro told him.

"Oh…" Tsunade said. "I think I heard that name before…" Tsunade then snapped her fingers. "That's right! He is Takamura Jiro, a member of the Takamura clan!!!" Tsunade said.

"Takamura clan? I haven't heard about that yet…" Naruto pouted.

"Well it was probably a clan that existed before Kyuubi attacked Konoha." Tsunade said. "I'll ask someone to research about it since I don't remember much about it…" Tsunade added.

"Then we better go…" Naruto then gestured for Hinata to come with him. Hinata approached him and Naruto held her hand. "Let's go Hinata-chan…" Naruto smiled.

---

Naruto went straight into his room. Hinata wondered why. Naruto went inside his room and he locked it. He opened the locked 'drawer' and he grinned when he saw the 'box'. He rehearsed a little bit for 'it.' He then removed his bandages and he had a shower for his little party. Hinata knocked on his door.

"Naruto-kun, it's time…"she said. Naruto then placed the 'box' inside his pocket. He was still topless since he should place bandages first.

He opened the door. "Hinata-chaaan…will you please help me?" He asked.

"What should I help you with?" Hinata asked. She was wearing a beautiful blue Chinese-style shirt and black pants. She looked good on it.

"Help me with the bandages…" Naruto said. Hinata then entered his room. Naruto sat on a chair. Hinata prepared her medicine and some bandages. She applied some bandages in Naruto's wound.

"Naruto-kun, does it hurt too much?" Hinata asked while she applied the medicine in Naruto's back.

"It doesn't anymore…" Naruto said. Hinata just smiled. After applying the medicine, she wrapped new bandages around Naruto's torso. Naruto stood up. "Thanks, Hinata-chan…" Naruto said. He then gave Hinata his signature foxy grin. Hinata smiled. "Hey, what do you think should I wear?" Naruto then scratched the back of his head. Hinata opened his closet and he searched it for Naruto's upper wear.

"Well…" Hinata pulled out his polo shirt. "…How about this?" She asked.

"It's too formal Hinata-chan…" Naruto said.

"Ok…" Hinata placed it back inside his closet. She scanned her eyes around the closet again. "Oh, I haven't seen these before…" she whispered, and then she pulled out a blue and black version of Naruto's orange jacket he used to wear years before becoming the Hokage. She then showed it to Naruto. "How about this?" she asked.

Naruto looked at it and he stood silently while observing it for a while. "Well I think it's alright…" Hinata then gave it to him. "Ugh… Hinata-chan…" Naruto said.

"What is it, Naruto-kun?" Hinata asked.

"Can you go out of the room?" Naruto grinned at her.

"Oh sorry…" Hinata then left his room. After she closed the door, Naruto locked it. He quickly got into his black undershirt and his jacket. He removed the 'box' from his pants and he changed his pants into blue ones which fit together with his jacket. He then got out of the room. Hinata was waiting for him. He grabbed her hands. "Come on…" he said. They went out of the apartment.

---

"All set!!!" Sakura said. A room in the Uchiha mansion was perfectly decorated for Naruto's late birthday party.

"Are you sure, these tables are enough?" Sasuke asked.

"Of course they are!!!" Sakura answered. After a while, everyone arrived. Everyone greeted Naruto belated happy birthday. Everyone gave him a gift. Sakura then served some food and they ate together. (A/N: of course there is Ramen…)

"Sakura-chan, can I have some sake?" Lee asked. He was sitting at the table where TenTen was. Neji was keeping a close watch on him. Of course, TenTen was feeling very tense.

"I can't do that Lee-san…" Sakura took away the sake bottles that Lee was reaching for near Shino's table.

"Tsk… you might wreck this house if you'd drink…" Neji whispered at his seat. Lee then turned his head and he glared at Neji with flaring eyes.

"What did you say, Neji-san?!" Lee asked.

"I said 'you might wreck this house if you'd drink'!" Neji exclaimed.

Lee pointed his fingers at Neji. Still, with flaring eyes "Neji-san, you may be a genius, but you'll never be able to take TenTen that easy!!!" Lee said. Lee stood up and he tried to take some Sake from the other's table. But he wasn't able to take some because no one wanted him to go berserk and do drunken fist because of his rivalry with Neji all of a sudden and wreck Sasuke's house.

"Fuzzy eyebrows, no one will give you any Sake… so give up now…" Sasuke glared at Lee. Lee got back in his sit with a very sad face. Neji and Lee then exchanged glares.

TenTen got angry. "Ok, you have to cut that out!!!" she shouted. "If you don't stop this right now… I'll go with another guy and I'll never EVER talk to the both of you again!!!" TenTen said. Neji and Lee then looked away from one another.

"Humph…" they both whispered.

"Naruto, you might want to open your gifts from us know…" Ino said.

"Ok…" Naruto then grabbed a small gift covered with a pretty simple gift wrapper. He opened it. He sweat dropped when he saw what it was. He then held it up high so everyone can see. It was a small transparent box with two kikai bugs in it.

"Shino what's this?" Naruto asked.

"It's a preserved female and male kikai bug. It is for good luck in love… at least that's what my family believes… "Shino said. (A/N: I only made that up…)

"Oh ok…" Naruto then put it down at his table. He then remembered something.

"Gosh!!!" he then hit slapped his forehead with his hand.

"What is it Naruto-kun?" Hinata asked.

"I-I forgot something back at the apartment…" Naruto said. "I have to go back and get it!!!" Naruto then left the party. The four 'gossip' girls then giggled. Everyone looked at them with a pretty puzzled look in their faces.

"Sakura-chan, is there something I don't know?" Hinata asked.

"It's nothing, Hinata-chan…" Sakura said.

"ARGH!!!" Lee exclaimed. "I can't take this anymore!!!" He then stood up

"What is it Lee-san?" TenTen asked him.

Lee banged his fist in the table. "TenTen-chan, you have to choose from the both of us, right here right now!!!" Lee said. Everyone was watching them.

"Lee-san, you're just wasting your time…" Sakura whispered and she shook her head.

"L-Lee-san…" TenTen said. The room was very quiet.

Lee's sense of hearing was like very focused on TenTen's voice.

"Lee-san…" TenTen closed her eyes.

Lee clenched his fists.

"Lee-san…" TenTen repeated.

Lee clenched his fists harder. 'I can feel it! It's me!!!' Lee thought.

"I hate to say this but…" TenTen said. "…But I knew that sooner or later, I had to say this…" TenTen opened her eyes.

"Lee-san…"

"It is…"

"…not you…" TenTen said. Lee was VERY shocked. It was like he felt his heart break into two. He fell to his seat. He looked very pale. Shino handed him the love lucky charm.

"Here, this might help you next time…" Shino said. Lee took it with very stiff hands.

"Why is it not me, TenTen-chan?" Lee asked.

"You see…" TenTen sighed. "Before you started courting me without me saying 'yes you can do that courting to me'… I was already going out with Neji-kun…" TenTen said. "I didn't want to hurt you so I didn't tell you as soon as possible…" TenTen sighed again.

"I see…" Lee was still pale.

"Chill out Lee-san…" Kiba said and Akamaru barked in a feisty manner.

"Yeah…" Lee then stood up; his eyes were flaring with determination. "There are a lot of women out there!!!" They all sweat dropped. "Ugh TenTen-chan, do you mind if I still sit here?" Lee asked.

"No I don't mind it so feel free!!!" TenTen smiled.

Naruto then arrived back at the party.

"What's happening here?" Naruto asked.

"TenTen just chose from the two…" Shikamaru then yawned.

"Then who is it?" Naruto asked.

"Neji…" Shikamaru said.

"Oh Shika-kun… when are you gonna propose to me?" Ino asked while Naruto and Shikamaru were talking.

"It's too troublesome…" Shikamaru said.

"Then do you mean you don't want to marry me?!" Ino glared at him.

"No that's not what I meant…" Shikamaru said, "You know how lazy I am…" he added.

"What if I say I'm pregnant? Will it still be too troublesome for you?" Ino asked still glaring at Shikamaru.

"Are you, Ino-chan?" Shikamaru's eyes widened.

"No of course not, not yet that is…" Ino said. "Oh by the way, Naruto-"Ino said. Naruto wasn't there. "Huh? Where is he?" Ino said. She then looked around the room to see if Hinata was there. She wasn't.

Ino giggled.

----

Hinata was walking with Naruto. They went to the training grounds which meant a lot for them. They stood there watching the beautiful sunset.

"Naruto-kun, why don't you enjoy the party?" Hinata asked.

"Because I want to spend some time with you…" he answered.

"But you spend a lot of time with me…" Hinata said.

"Those are not enough…" Naruto looked at Hinata with VERY serious eyes. "And in fact, I'm not happy with our relationship…" Naruto then faced her.

I remember so well the day that you came into my life...

You asked for my name, you had the most beautiful smile.

"Listen, Hinata-chan. The first time I saw you, I thought you were a very dark, weird and timid person…" Naruto said

My life started to change; I wake up each day feeling alright

With you right by my side makes me feel things will work out just fine.

"But I was wrong, I knew it since the day you gave me your "proud failure" speech, which gave me the strength to go on and fight…"

How did you know I needed someone like you in my life?

…That there is an empty space in my heart?

You came at the right time in my life.

"And I never knew that I was quickly falling for you. And before I knew it, I was already in love with you. I am very happy that you came in my life…"

I never forget how you brought the sun to shine in my life

…And took all the worries and fears that I have.

"I love you Hinata-chan, you gave me a reason to live and continue with my life. You gave me strength each day. You were my inspiration…" Naruto said.

"But Naruto-kun… you said you are not happy with me, does that mean-"Naruto cut her off by placing his index finger over her mouth. Naruto then kneeled in front of her. He shoved his right hand in his pocket.

"Hinata-chan, the reason why I'm not very happy is because those hours with you aren't enough yet. I want to spend the rest of my life with you. I want to be the man who will rest next to you every night. I want to be the father of your children-to-be…"

I guess what I'm really trying to say,

It's not everyday that someone like you comes my way

No words can express how much I love you....

"I love you Hinata-Chan. Will you marry me?" Naruto then pulled out a small onyx colored box and he opened it in front of Hinata. It revealed a beautiful diamond ring. Hinata gasped and she covered her mouth, tears started falling from her eyes. Naruto then stood up. Hinata hugged him with more tears started to flow from her eyes.

"Hinata-chan, why are you crying?" Naruto asked while Hinata hugged him tightly.

"Because I'm happy Naruto-kun…" Hinata then faced him and stopped hugging him. She then stopped crying

"Then…" Naruto said. He removed the ring from the box.

"Yes, Naruto-kun, I will marry you…" Hinata said with a smile.

Naruto wiped away her tears and he slipped the ring into her finger.

"I love you, Hinata-chan…" Naruto whispered at her ear.

"I love you even more…" Hinata whispered back. Naruto kissed her passionately.

'At last… I'll have a real family…' Naruto thought.

----

More author's notes: Hah! This is the first time in history that I released this chapter first in fanfiction.net. I usually release it first in narutotalk.com but it seems that it's kinda broken right now... could those readers who are members there please tell me what's happening to it? R&R this chap!!! The words in italics are lyrics of a certain song here in the Philippines...

Ther next chap will be the epilogue, but I am still deciding if I'll put a 'special honeymoon fic' for this fic...

Anyway this is ximena-san logging off....