A/N:

Some might notice that this chapter borrows from another famous story, one that is based on Arthurian legend, and had once prompted a noteworthy opera.

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The trees were heavy with blossoms, and butterflies moved like a living cloud.

It was idyllic, the view at Kunoha's greatest public garden. But, the scene that was unfolding was anything but tranquil or serene.

"Hurry!" Sajura shouted. She was directing a large number of medical ninjas. Having caught wind of the happenings, Shizune and Tsunade had rushed to be there too.

"Where's Hinata!" Ino stood and looked around. "She'll want to be here. If he doesn't pull through, she'll never forgive herself."

"Or us," Ten Ten said. "Looking over one of the manicured hedges, she saw Hinata running, accompanied by a large number of people who had heard that Naruto was injured.

"Hinata… I'm sorry…" Neji stood with his arms out in supplication. "I was so angry for your sake… I struck him harder than I intended…"

"NARUTO-KUN!" Hinata tried to make her way to Naruto's side, but was held back by Shino and Kiba. They asked her to let the medical ninjas do their best. If they could stabilize him, he could be moved to the Hospital Center for more intensive measures.

"What has that dumb ass gotten himself into this time," Sasuke asked, before he realized how serious the situation was.

"Ahhhh-hhh-hh-h… It is my fault…" Lee stood off to one side, being consoled by Gai and Ten Ten.

"Mine too," Shikamaru said. Temari stood with him, as did Asuma and Choji.

"I should have been more vigilant," Kakashi said. "I never should have let things happen the way they did."

"Where is that idiot?" Jiraiya walked up. Other than a few tufts of grey hair, he hadn't changed much over the years. "Tsunade, why aren't you assisting Sakura. We can't afford to lose that boy!"

"He's hardly a boy," Tsunade snapped. "Sakura is stronger than me now. It's best that I stay out of her way."

"Will you all please shut up!" Sakura sounded tense. "I'm losing him…"

"What… did… you… do…" Hinata stalked Neji. She was held back by Hanabi, who had happened to be heading to a clan meeting.

"Come sit over here," Kurenai said, putting her arm around Hinata. "Lee, give her the details."

"Ohhhhh-hhhh-hhh-hh-h…" Lee ran a hand through his hair, seemingly in no mood to pose. "You know that we were all sent to the Land of Water to safeguard Princess Brangaene during her trip to the Leaf."

"She had some fertility issues that she wanted to speak to Tsunade about, before she married the Mizukage." Shikamaru added, looking extremely bothered. He stood straighter when Temari elbowed him in the belly. "There are a number of factions in Kirigakure no Sato that are opposed to the wedding."

"We were onboard ship, when unknown forces struck, attempting to sink the craft." Kakashi patted his pocket holding one of the Icha Icha books that he had taken over writing, but left the book there. "Powerful jutsus caused the seas to rise up and come over the sides of the deck."

"Oooooo-oooo-ooo-oo-o… we all fought well," Lee said. "Especially Naruto. But, the princess was told by one of her aides…" He paused, trying to remember the name.

"Kurwenal," Shikamaru said, his mind as amazing as ever. "He must have been a henchman for the forces acting against Brangaene. He told the princess that it was Naruto who was trying to sink us, and that the Leaf was in league with her enemies."

"She was a pretty powerful shinobi herself," Kakashi noted. "Because Naruto wasn't willing to strike a serious blow against her, Brangaene was able to injure him severely. I was able to keep her from killing him, with the help of Lee, Shikamaru, and the ship's crew."

"But… I thought he was injured here…" Hinata looked over to where Naruto lay. He was still in too serious a condition to move.

"He was," Kurenai said. "Let them continue the tale." Hinata nodded her head. Looking over to one side, she saw that Ichigawa was there. His new bakery was nearby. He must have seen the growing crowd. Even as she watched, musicians and actors all gathered at the fringe of the garden. Naruto was dearly loved by all.

"Kurwenal, along with the princess' retainers Morold and Tantris, confessed their part in things after Kakashi threatened to use the Tsukiyomi genjutsu." Shikamaru turned down an offer from Choji to share a bag of chips. He watched as his rotund friend walked over to speak with Ichigawa.

"She was very upset," Lee said. "She wanted to be the one to cure Naruto."

"There were more enemies than we realized, at first." Kakashi mentioned. "That included Brangaene's handmaiden Melot. The young woman was told to bring a healing scroll. Instead, she brought one for a jutsu that acted just like a love potion in the stories."

"What!" Hinata froze. "She used it on Naruto?"

"I'm afraid so," Neji put in. "I heard about his actions from some of the men who had accompanied them all on the journey. I thought he was being untrue to you. When he acted like he had done nothing reprehensible, I fought with him." He looked down at his feet. "He refused to defend himself. I took that as a confession of sorts."

"Ahhhhh-hhhh-hhh-hh-h… if only I had insisted that he see Tsunade right away," Lee said. "She could have removed the effects of the jutsu. Naruto would never have told Neji that he and the princess had become lovers." He took a few steps back, seeing Hinata's face. He didn't care whether or not Ten Ten and Gai might think that act cowardly.

"It grew very tiresome, watching their displays," Shikamaru said. "Never a moment went by when they weren't declaring their burning passion for one another."

"But, I could tell that Naruto was fighting the effects of the jutsu." Kakashi looked over at where Sakura was kneeling next to the village's noisiest ninja. "Maybe it was the power of the Kyuubi. Maybe it was his strong love for you." He was surprised when Hinata threw herself in his arms and began sobbing.

The musicians had struck up a chord, beginning a succession of slow dirge-like musical pieces. As Hinata watched, Sakura stood up, walked over to the Hokage, and collapsed against her. Tsunade signaled to Kurenai.

"I think we should go see him now," Kurenai said. "It looks as if Sakura was unable to help." She took one of Hinata's arms and helped her walk. The crowd all drew closer, and the music played louder.

"Naruto-kun…" Hinata dropped to her knees, tears falling off of her chin. "You have to pull through… I won't want to live without you…"

"Are… are you sure…" Naruto spoke quietly, his eyes still closed. "I've been nothing but trouble to you…" He went silent, and Hinata immediately put her ear to his chest. His heart was still beating. "When we were younger… you always watched me… but I was too stupid to notice…"

"Don't talk, Naruto-kun… shhhh-hhh-hh-h…" Hinata put her finger over his mouth.

"Even as we grew older… and I had returned to the village… I was too clueless…" Naruto gasped and then twitched. "You changed so much… because of me…" Tears fell from his eyes. He was silent again. "But… the changes were wonderful… you've become more than someone like me would ever deserve…"

"Hush…" Hinata hugged Naruto. "Be quiet…" She held him like she never intended to let go. "You are the best man who ever was… you deserve far better than me…"

"It sound like…" Naruto began coughing. Sakura knelt by his side and checked his eyes. She took his wrist and felt his pulse. "It sounds like you and I would have been the perfect match…"

"Yes… we would have…" Hinata gave Naruto a long kiss, tears falling on his face. "We would have been the best of couples…"

The music switched over to a more festive tone. That had Hinata sitting up, a look of anger on her face. This was no cause for celebration. When she turned back to Naruto, she found that he was sitting too.

"Now that I know how you feel…" Naruto smiled and reached into his pocket. "And seeing that I gathered the people who mean the most to you." He pointed. Hyuuga Hiashi stepped out from behind a tree heavy with flowers. "I have a question for you."

"Naruto-kun?" Hinata looked at everyone around her. They had fooled her completely, but she was the one who was supposed to be an actress.

"Would you marry me, Hyuuga Hinata?" he opened a small box. It held a sparkling diamond ring. "There never was any infatuation jutsu. Nothing like that could work on me. Not when I have you." He smiled.

"Yes," Hinata said, wiping the tears from her eyes. "Of course I'll marry you."

"There's just one thing," Naruto said, after a long embrace and a long drawn out series of applause from their friends. "Are you upset that I didn't invite Suzuka and Yukihime to this little charade?"

Hinata shut Naruto up the best way she knew how. Knocking him down on his back again, she smothered him with kisses.

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FINIS