Scenes that were originally to be included…

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Scene 1

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"Ruto-kun!"

Hinata dashed clumsily across the herb garden towards the love of her life (although she still hadn't managed to summon enough courage to tell him that), Ruto, who turned and beamed at her, his welcoming smile somehow obvious despite his mask. As she got close her foot briefly caught on a loose rock and she stumbled forwards, failing to recover as she lost control.

"Hinat-umph!"

Hinata crashed into Ruto and grabbed him to keep her balance just as his arms closed around her to prevent her from falling. She reflexively looked up into the eyes of her saviour just as her momentum…

…caused her lips to meet Ruto's.

Sheer shock held her motionless for a moment, then she relaxed into Ruto's embrace, closing her eyes as she enjoyed the feel of his lips against hers even through the thin layer of fabric, his arms wrapped protectively around her as she enjoyed her first kiss. Opening her eyes again, she found herself looking past Ruto at Tsunade, who was standing watching them with an unreadable expression on her face. Panic rose and the world seemed to whirl away.

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"Ruto-kun!"

Naruto turned and smiled at his best friend (who he hadn't seen in far too long) as she seemed to dance gracefully through the medical garden towards him. As she got closer, she tripped on a loose stone and Naruto quickly stepped forwards to catch her, his arms scooping her up before she could fall and pulling her close to him…

…and their lips met.

Naruto froze in shock, his mind spinning as she seemed to melt against him, her lips locked onto his through his mask. Never before had he been so simultaneously grateful for and yet so irritated by the tradition that kept all the Senju males masked. For a moment, he feared that she would be angry with him, but then he felt her arms tighten around him and he closed his eyes briefly as he realised that it was not just him that was enjoying the situation.

Naruto opened his eyes just in time to see Hinata open hers, then her eyes widened in shock before rolling up as she collapsed bonelessly.

"Hinata!"

Naruto dropped to his knees as he tried to stop her falling to the ground. Cradling her head against his shoulder, he reached up and quickly checked her pulse and respiration.

"Hinata? Hina-kun?"

"I think she fainted." Tsunade said from behind him, her voice full of amusement. Naruto glanced round and saw Tsunade's eyes crinkled with mirth.

"Fainted? What do you mean, kaa-san?"

"She's finally laid claim on you." Tsunade said, then she sighed at Naruto's confused expression. "I don't know how you missed it, gaki, but Hinata's been in love with you ever since you and Kashi rescued her."

"With… me?!" Naruto exclaimed, his face paling with shock. "But… but… she's from Leaf and I'm the Kyuubi Jinchuriki! The Kyuubi attacked Leaf, how can she..?"

"She does, and I don't think it matters to her." Tsunade said. "Or it won't, if you tell her. You're not the Kyuubi, remember? Now, pick her up, I think it best if she wakes up inside."

Naruto lifted Hinata up and followed Tsunade to Hinata's room. Bending over to put her on her bed, he froze as the situation became clear.

"Kaa-san, she's holding onto me, I can't get loose…"

"Then you should stay with her until she wakes up." Tsunade said as she stepped out of the room, grinning at her adopted son's expression. "You may as well get a nap as well."

"Kaa-san!"

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"So, how are they?"

Tsunade smiled. "Having a nap, girl's got quite a grip. Even laid out cold, she wouldn't let Naru go after he carried her to her room. I just told him to get some sleep and let her keep hugging him."

Kakashi chuckled. "Like that, is it?"

Tsunade nodded, then sighed. "Well, we may as well go and see what her old geezer wants. Coming?"

"I wouldn't miss this for the world." Kakashi murmured.

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"Tsunade-sama." Hiashi said, bowing.

"Hiashi-sama." Tsunade replied with a slightly-shallower bow. "I apologise for the delay. You have business you wish to discuss?"

Hiashi glanced at Kakashi and raised one eyebrow slightly.

"Kashi is completely trustworthy." Tsunade said, moving to one of the couches and waving for Hiashi to sit even as Kakashi moved silently to stand behind her. "I hold no secrets from him, or from Shizune."

Hiashi looked round. "Where is Shizune?"

"Shizune is taking care of some business in town for me." Tsunade said with a smile. "She will be back this evening."

"I see." Hiashi said. "Very well. The Hokage knew that I would be escorting my daughter here, and has sent me with a message. In addition, I have something personal to ask as well. Which would you like first?"

"What does the old monkey want?" Tsunade sighed and Hiashi straightened.

"Senju Tsunade, Sarutobi Hiruzen, the Sandaime Hokage, asks that you consider accepting the position of Godaime Hokage."

Kakashi inhaled sharply and Tsunade raised an eyebrow. "Interesting. The old man must be getting really desperate. When does he want my answer?"

Hiashi breathed a silent sigh of relief. "When I return to collect Hinata, so that she can start at the Academy. I have brought several messenger birds with me as well, should you wish to correspond with the Hokage."

"I shall consider it." Tsunade said slowly. "And your personal mission?"

"Hinata is not accepted as being suitable for the position of clan heir by the Hyuuga council." Hiashi said. "I have managed to head off their efforts, but soon, I will probably be forced to name Hanabi as my heir and have Hinata branded with the Caged Bird seal. Unless…"

"A betrothal." Tsunade said as understanding dawned. "You wish to betroth Hinata to my son, Ruto, and have her marry into the Senju clan."

Hiashi nodded and Tsunade closed her eyes.

"I don't know if you are aware of this, but Ruto is not of my blood." She said slowly. Hiashi's eyes widened and Tsunade smiled mirthlessly.

"In fact, Ruto is the son of a close friend of mine who is now dead. I took him in and raised him as my own son. He wasn't the only one who I took in that fateful day."

Hiashi sat unmoving, unableto bring himself to do or say anything that would interrupt the unexpected revelation.

"Ruto is an Uzumaki."

Hiashi's gasp echoed round the room. "An Uzumaki? I thought they were all dead! How?"

"His parents died during the Kyuubi incident." Tsunade said. "Kashi rescued him from those who wished to kidnap him and lacking any other choice, he brought him to me and I adopted him. In an odd way, he saved my life, gave me something to live for. Needless to say, this information is currently beyond SS-rank, the old monkey does not need to know at this time."

Hiashi froze, his eyes wide. "Kyuubi… Uzumaki… Kami! Your son is Namikaze-Uzumaki Naruto!? Which means that… Hatake Kakashi!"

Tsunade nodded slightly and Hiashi took a shuddering breath, then slid off the settee, dropping into a formal prostration.

"Senju Tsunade, you have saved the life of the child of my closest friend, the Yondaime Hokage. Although I cannot tell the Clan this, I shall do all in my power to aid you from this day forwards, even if it costs me my life."

Tsunade and Kakashi exchanged a long glance, then Tsunade sighed.

"Get up, Hiashi. If you want to help, tell me about the latest factions in the Councils. Both the Hyuuga and the Leaf."

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Scene 2

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Hinata swallowed as she entered the classroom, then a familiar presence appeared at her side and a comforting arm draped itself across her shoulders.

"Are you alright, Hinata-chan?"

Hinata smiled at the concerned expression on Senju Ruto's face.

"I… I'm just a bit nervous…"

"Why?" Ruto asked, his expression perplexed. "You're going to be a real kick-ass ninja, you're already way ahead of me in chakra control, remember?"

Hinata smiled as she thought back to ther last training session under the watchful gaze of the Hokage and her niece. Although Hinata had only fallen into the pond twice, Ruto had spent more time swimming to the edge then he had actually spent atop the water. Of course, when he removed his soaked shirt revealed his ripped abdomen, Hinata had got distracted enough to get drenched as well.

Tsunade had almost fallen over laughing when she realised what had caused Hinata's little plunge and for the rest of the afternoon Hinata had had to put up with comments about how she needed to get used to seeing her fiancee less than fully clad.

"Hinata, you're turning red. Are you alright?"

Hinata forced herself out of her memory and gave Ruto another smile.

"Yes, I'm fine. Shall we find our seats?"

Hinata glanced round, then moved towards two chairs beside each other, Ruto following her like a faithful puppy… Hinata blushed again as the image of Ruto clad only in a mask and collar with a leash flashed across her mind and she almost fell onto the first chair.

"Hinata-chan? You're turning red again…"

Hinata felt Ruto's hand gently settle onto her forehead as he checked her temperature and the contact, combined with the images in her mind, were enough to separate her temporarily from the world.