I do not own any of the Naruto characters. Their ownership resides solely with Masashi Kishimoto.

Normal speech - "Kurama"

Flashback – kurama

Sound effects – kurama

Chapter 2

Naruto stands as still as a statue. Staring in disbelief at the ball that's bouncing under the hoop. As he looks around him, looking past the rushing teammates and fans trying to be the first to reach him, he can hear nothing but the pounding of his heartbeat in his ears.

He finally sees her and starts pushing his way through the increasingly elated crowd, ignoring all the calls of his name, flashes of cameras, and pats on his back. Reaching his little bundle of joy, he picks up Himawari and hugs her as close to his chest as he can. Feeling her little arms wrap around his neck and hearing her joyful laughter and congratulations in his ear, Naurto finally releases the tight hold he has kept on his emotions throughout the game and lets the tears of happiness flow freely down his cheeks.

"I did it Hima-hime. I won." He whispers to her as his friends, family, and teammates surround the father and daughter duo, knowing how much this moment means to Naruto and doing their best to make sure he gets his moment with his daughter.

Fulltime score: Konoha 86 – 85 West Philadelphia.

"Lets give another round of applause for this year's runner-up, West Philadelphia High School!" the announcer said through the mic, allowing the cheering to die down before continuing. "And now, the moment most of you in this arena have been waiting for. Ladies and gentlemen, boys and girls, its with great pleasure and excitement that I introduce to you… Your 2009 National High School Basketball Champions…"

"KONOHAGAKURE INSTITUTION!", the near 5000 packed fans in the arena exclaimed in utter happiness, drowning out the voice of the announcer. As the team walks on to the stage waving their arms in the air the cheering of the fans reaches a fervour pitch. As each team member receives his meddle, their names are called out.

"Shikamaru Nara"

"Sasuke Uchiha"

"Choji Akamichi"

"Kiba Inuzuka…"

The list goes on until there is only one player left. Just Naruto is about to take his first step up the stairs he is told to wait. The announcer then calls out to the coaching staff and managers up for their meddles while every is confused as to while Naruto hasn't been called.

"Now before I announce the next player, I would just like to highlight a few key accomplishments this unique player has under his belt." The crowd grows quite in anticipation for who they know is being mentioned. "Along with four other members of the Konoha team, he has won two Junior High Championships, becoming MVP for both seasons and championship games. Born 10 of October 1991, he is the youngest person to represent the USA U21 national team at just 16 years of age. At 17 years of age, he is the youngest captain to ever lead the U21 national team to victory in the world tournament. Now at 18, he is part of the historical team to bring Konohagakure Institution its very first National Championship! Ladies and gentlemen, allow me to introduce to you, the ace and team captain of your 2009 National Basketball Champions, finishing off the game with a triple double: 21 points; 18 assists; 11 steals, and this year's high school MVP," the crowd erupts into frantic cheers, "Naruto Uzumaki Namikaze!"

As he walks up the stairs, Naruto, stunned by so many people cheering for him, cannot keep the goofy smile off of his face. As the meddle is being put over his head, his teammates start to chant the name that has started to become associated with him around the world.

"Kitsune! Kitsune! Kitsune!"

Just before the MVP trophy is put in his hands, Naruto quickly runs off stage, leaving a stunned audience behind. Before anyone can say or do anything, Naruto jumps back on stage. Only difference is that he has an extra person with him, sitting comfortably on top of his shoulders. Himawari looks out towards the audience, completely oblivious on their comments about her father's act of adorableness, and happily waves at everyone.

As the MVP trophy is presented to him, Naruto crouches down until it is within reaching distance of Himawari. She reaches out and takes it out of the giiver's hands, balancing it on top of Naruto's head. Naruto turns towards the crowd as both he and his Hima-hime hold out peace signs to the cameras.

"Party at my place!", Jiriaya yells out to the team over the noise of the cheering crowd.

"So what's everyone's plans for next year?" Choji asked the group as they were sitting down by the pool just as the last of the guest left. The boys were all sleeping over at Jiriay's again. "I'm going to chef school, already got into the best school in LA. Think its time I start focusing on getting ready to take over the family business."

"Hn," the famous grunt draws their attention to the resident Uchiha, "got accepted to police academy. Three years time I'll graduate and be out in the force. Fives years after that I plan to become a detective. With my family history, Itachi-nii and Tou-san already part of the LAPD, I think I have a good chance of moving through the ranks quickly."

Bark bark bark

"Well, Akamaru just answered where we'll be heading. Becoming a vet will be long and difficult but its something I always wanted to become so I'll put in all the hard work." Contrary to popular belief, Kiba wasn't as dumb as he led people to believe… okay he was but he had to make sure that all his grades were top notch in order to get into veterinarian school.

"Troublesome…", the rest of the guys all snickered as they heard the famous line from a male of the Nara family. "Me and Ruto are going to UCLA on scholarships. Him on basketball and me cause I hear my grades are quite outstanding." The guys all roll their eyes at Shika's nonchalance mention of his grades. Even though he is one of the laziest people any of them have ever met, he still finished top of their marks wise. In fact, he would have been valedictorian if he didn't refuse the title stating, "Writing a speech is to troublesome."

Shika lays down next to the pool and gazes up at the stars with a contemplative look upon his face.

"I'm honestly thinking of becoming Ruto's agent for when he gets drafted into the NBA. He's going to need someone to look after the business side of things so he can focus on the playing aspect." The guys just nod their heads to that statement, none of them doubting for a second that Naruto won't turn pro. Sasuke suddenly perks up.

"Speaking of the dobe, where is Ruto?"

"Went to visit Hinata."

All four boys become silent after that. Each lost in his own thoughts of the future and events of the past.

Walking down a pathway whistling a merry tune along to the song playing through his earphones, Naruto stops and takes out the ear buds. Switching the music off he wraps the cord around his phone and puts it in his back pocket. Straightening his jacket and smoothing back his hair, Naruto carries on walking.

Thinking back to the party he can't keep the smile off his face. Himawari had such an amazing time, never taking off the meddle that she managed to steal from her father, that she fell asleep as soon as he put her to bed. He left Akamaru in the room to make sure someone disturbed her since that dog absolutely adored her.

Turning to his left he greets his parents and informs them that he'll be bringing Hima with him soon enough so that she could tell them all the new things she has done. He stares for a moment before clasping his hands together and saying a pray.

When he is done he continues on his way before coming to a stop again.

"Hey there Hinata-hime. It's been a couple of weeks since I last came to see you. Sorry about that, things have just been hectic with finals, collage applications, and the championship game all happening this month. We won by the way, by a single point." Naruto smiles sheepishly as he rubs the back of his neck. "We didn't really play so well during the first half. We were letting the pressure of the occasion get to us I guess…" he trails off remembering how badly they played. He shakes his head to clear his thoughts and get back on track. "In the dressing room, right before Iruka sensei made his speech, I couldn't help but remember something you once told…"

(flashback start)

It's been 3 weeks since the funeral. Naruto hasn't spoken to anyone, has hardly been eating, and the rest of the gang are certain he has been having trouble sleeping. Last week was his first week back at school since he received the news of his parents' tragic death.

Many people around him, even those that weren't close to him at all, were seriously starting to get worried. The group tried everything to get him to open up but he would just give them a blank look and walk away after they finished speaking.

As he is laying in bed, his back facing the door while he stares blankly at the wall, he hears a knock on his door which he doesn't even acknowledge in the hopes that whoever is knocking will just leave him be. Unfortunately, the person isn't about to leave. Instead, he hears the sound of his door being opened and closed. Not too long after, he feels the compression of his bed right next to his head, indicating someone sitting down.

The moment of stillness is soon over by him feeling a hand run through his hair. He breathes deeply through his nose and cant help but notice the scent of lavender that has permuted the air around him, instantly letting him know who is in the room with him.

She doesn't say anything. Doesn't ask him how he is doing. Doesn't tell him everything will be okay. She doesn't say a single word. She just sits there, rubbing her hand through his hair. Letting him know that she isn't going to leave him to wallow in self-pity by himself.

Soon, Naruto can feel his eyes stinging with emotion. Trying as hard as he can, he can't seem to fight off the tears threatening to spill. Eventually, when it becomes too much to bare, one lonely tear slips out as he releases a heart-wrenching sob. It's almost like the first tear was the key opening a locked door to all his pent-up emotions. For those listening outside the door, trying to think of ways to help the young man who has come to mean so much to them, they are suddenly brought out of their thoughts as the sound of crying reaches their ears. Not just any crying. The type of crying that lets one know that the person is going through heartbreak. The type of wailing that lets one almost feel the amount of pain and suffering they person crying is going through.

"Come on everyone. I think its best that we leave them be. At the moment, she is the only one to get any type of reaction out of him." Jiriaya states as he ushers everyone downstairs. Not one of them managing to keep their eyes dry from hearing someone sound so broken.

Back inside the room, Naruto clings to Hinata as if his life depends on it. She says nothing as she holds him. Allowing him to release everything that has been built up.

Eventually his wails turn into sobs, his sobs turn into laboured breathing, and laboured breathing turn into a few sniffs here and there. They have both lost track of how long they have stayed like that. Just laying there, taking in the other's presence.

"I don't know what I'm going to do now Hinata-chan." Naruto says in a broken voice.

"Why not continue to play basketball?" she asks in that soft angelic voice that holds nothing but love for him.

"I don't know if I can. It was always something I wanted to do with my parents. Now that they are no longer here, I don't think I could give it as much effort anymore."

"Isn't that more reason to reach your goal?" Naruto looks at her in confusion, causing her to go deeper into her thought process. "Well, you aren't just playing for yourself now, Naruto-kun. I'm sure your parents, especially Kushina-Obaachan, wouldn't want you to quit. Not after all the effort all three of you have put in. I know for a fact that both of them dreamt of seeing your dream of being the best come true." Hinata states with absolute confidence. Surprising Naruto since she's normally a little timid and shy around him. "So I don't think you should quit because now you aren't just playing to achieve your dreams alone. You are carrying their hopes and dreams as well. Don't give up Naruto-kun."

(flashback end)

"…hehe, I think that was the first time you spoken to me without a single stutter. Surprised the hell out of me but it was that, that got me through the game today. It also opened my eyes to how much you really mean to me." Naruto stops talking as he feels his pocket vibrate. Taking out the phone, he switches it off without opening the message and places it back in his pocket. "Sorry about that. My phone has been going off ever since the game with collages wanting to offer scholarships even though I already decided on UCLA."

Naruto sits down and leans back on his arms so that he is gazing up at the clear night sky. Bringing his gaze back down, he lets out a wistful sigh.

"If I'm really honest with myself, I doubt I would have gotten half as far as I did without you. You practically lived with me and Baa-chan so that you could tutor me so that I wouldn't be held back that year. I remember your father not being very pleased with that. In fact, now that I think about it, that how we got together in the first place…"

(flashback begin)

A 14 year old, almost 15, Naruto was shooting hoops in the park with Sasuke and Kiba. Shika was laying in the long grass, cloud watching, while Choji was eating his favourite pork chips.

Suddenly Naruto's phone goes off, distracting him and causing him to miss a shot. Running over, he checks the caller ID and answers with a goofy smile on his face that has the rest of the guys snickering at him.

"Hey there, Hinata-chan. What's up?" he answers in with a cheerful voice.

"Naruto-kun! I need you to come take me away from here!" Hinata answers in a frantic voice, instantly switching his mood from cheerful to deadly serious. The others, taking note of Naruto's change in demeanour, pack up their things and start walking toward him.

"Hinata whats going?!" he shouts as he begins to run home, the others right behind him.

"I l-l-locked myself in the b-b-b-bathroom." Hinata answers through stuttering breaths. "My f-f-father d-didn't want me to c-c-c-continue being around you and when I stood up to him he started hitting me. I m-managed to get away and into my bathroom. My chest hurts so much Naru-kun. Please, come sa-"

"Hinata-chan? Hinata?!" Naruto glances at the screen on his phone as it says the call has been disconnected. "Fuck! Guys we have to go get Hinata. She's in trouble and it sounds like her dad is beating her."

The guys are shocked to hear this and start running faster to Naruto's house. As they turn the corner, they see Kakashi and Obito in garage, probably working on one of the many cars Jiriaya owns.

They both look up at the frantic boys. After hearing what's happening they all jump in two cars and are on the road.

"Shikamaru, call Tsunade and tell her to get a room at the hospital ready. Sasuke, as soon as we get there, go to Obito, Kiba, and Choji. Make sure no one gets into the house. I'll take care Hiashi. Naruto, you go straight to Hinata and get her out of there as fast as you can." Kakasih gives out commands while weaving through traffic. The lazy look he normally has on his face replaced by a calm, deadly serious one that is rarely seen on him.

Getting to the house they all barge inside before splitting up to do their jobs. Naruto rushes into the living room where he can hear the sounds of his Hime's cries. Seeing Neji standing ready to kick Hinata, who is curled on the ground, Naurto roars in absolutely anger and shoulder barges Neji with all of his strength. The force of the impact against the wall was so devastating that Neji was knocked out instantly.

Crouching over Hinata is a protective stance; Naruto lifts his head up to stare at the rest of they Hyugas in the room. The look of absolute hatred and fury in those sky blue eyes is enough for all of them to take a step back in fear.

"Take one more step towards her and kill you all myself." Naruto did not shout. In fact, he did not raise his voice at all. That statement was said with such a calm and certain voice that everyone who heard, including those that came to save Hinata, instantly froze where they stood. Too scared to move lest they incur the wrath of this creature, a true embodiment of pure anger and hatred.

The whimpering sound that came from the curled up form of Hinata brought Naruto out of the anger induced haze that covered his mind. Turning around and gently picking Hinata up, trying not to move her so much, he starts walking towards the entrance of the house. As he walks past the Hyuga family members, none of them move an inch to stop him. Even Hiashi cannot help but step aside as the killer intent rolls off of Naruto in waves. They all know that if they make one wrong move right now, Naruto wouldn't hesitate to kill them, consequences be damned.

Stopping next to Hiashi, Naruto tilts his head slightly so that Hiashi can look into one of his endless sky blue eyes that show him nothing but the amount of hate Naruto holds or him.

"Touch her again… come anywhere near my Hime again… and I swear to you, you won't have to wait long to be reunited with your wife again." Naruto continues his walk out the house, his brothers forming a protective circle around him. Getting to the front door, he stops and tilts his head in a gesture of absolute innocence and curiosity.

"I can't help but wonder what Himawari-kaachan would think of all you have done. I think I have finally found something that would've taken that beautiful smile off her face." Saying his final piece, Naruto leaves the house, leaving a shattered Hiashi, broken Neji, and stunned Hyuga family behind.

(flashback end)

"Well… everything worked out for the best I guess." Naruto mumbles while rubbing the back of his head sheepishly. "After Sasuke's dad manage to get custody of you turned over to Tsunade-baachan, I finally worked up the nerve to tell you how I felt and I still can't believe you felt the same."

Naruto sits in silence for a while. Remembering the whole ordeal they had to go through.

"Oh! Before I forgot." Naruto reaches into his breast pocket and pulls out a photo. Leaning over, he places the photo in the box placed next to the flower vase. "That latest picture I put in the box for you to see is a photo of our daughter and I receiving the MVP trophy. Honestly, I don't think I deserve it. The whole season I have just been trying to get my groove back. I know I definitely could have played better." Naruto takes out a picture of him in the championship game. The picture captures his final shot; him in the air, just about to release the ball. Seeing the look of absolute concentration on his face, Naruto remembers that in the moment, all he saw was the hoop. He starts speaking again, without taking his eyes off the photo.

"The Kitsune…" Naruto chuckles at the name. "I can still remember why everyone started calling me that. Honestly, I have never been more terrified of anyone in my life! Yet, the last person I expected to be scared of came barging into the locker room…"

(flashback begin)

(2007)

Konoha were playing away against West Philadelphia. It was to be their first televised match as the Nation wanted to use its youngest basketball representative play. The last time there was so much hype surrounding a young up and coming athlete was when Lebron James was in high school. However, a lot of people watching the game, especially the sports analysts, were betting on Naruto folding under the pressure. None of them believed he could shine in front of so many people watching him.

To make matters worse, someone from Philly found out what happened to Naruto's parents and it spread through the stands at an alarming rate. During warm-up, the section Philly supports started chanting at Naruto.

"Orphan! Orphan! Orphan!"

Naruto was too shocked to move. His teammates had to drag him off to the locker room while the Philly supporters laughed at his distraught expression.

In the locker room everyone was fuming and talking arguing about cancelling the game while Naruto sat quietly in a the corner with a towel over his head. As the arguing is about to escalate, the locker room door bangs open, quickly and effectively silencing everyone in an instance.

In walks a very pregnant Hinata Senju, the look on her face promising pain to whoever gets in her way. Searching around the room she spots Naruto and, with help from a very nervous looking Jiriaya, makes her way over to him. Getting to him, she stands in front of him for a bit before suddenly tearing the towel off his head, scaring him in the process since he has never seen the look of pure anger on her face before. Grabbing his chin and forcing him to look into her eyes, she begins speaking in a quiet yet firm voice. It's almost a whisper but everyone can hear her perfectly.

"Now you listen to me Naruto-kun. I will not allow you to just sit there and let those fucking excuses for human beings get away with insulting Minato-tousan and Kushina-baachan!" You could have heard a pin drop if one were to have fallen at that moment. Hinata, who has NEVER uttered a single curse word in her entire life, just swore in front of not just Naruto, but the entire basketball team as well as Jiriaya. "I don't give a damn how you do it. I honestly couldn't give a shit if you break them so badly they never pick up a basketball ever again in their entire life! Just make them pay for thinking that they could ever get away with insulting the closest people I have had as parents since my mother died!" Hinata finishes her plea with tears running down her face.

"Uh-oh…" Shika, Sasuke, Kiba, and Choji all step away from Naruto. They have known him long enough to know when Naruto is too livid to be reasoned with.

As soon as Naruto saw the tears running down his Hime's face, he went dead still. If you were to ask those who were watching his face what they saw, they would all swear they saw the exact same thing.

"His eyes changed, not in colour but in intensity. Looking into them at that moment was like looking into the eyes of a deadly demon just before its let out of its cage; you just know you are going to die."

Wiping away Hinata's tears, Naruto stands up and walks towards the door. As he's about to step out, he stops and faces the room of people.

"Give me the ball." He turns around and walks back out towards the court, quickly followed by Hinata and Jiriaya, who is crying anime tears because of how scared he is.

"A pregnant hormonal induced angry Hinata terrifies me so much, I don't think I could eat anything for the rest of the game." All members of the basketball team, including Iruka sensei, solemnly nod their heads in agreement with Choji.

Walking down the tunnel, the cheers and chants of the Philly supporters get louder and louder. In their continued attempt to throw the opponents star player off his game, they are unknowingly throwing more and more fuel on the proverbial fire that is Naruto's anger.

As he steps out of the tunnel and into the light, the noise level in the stadium slowly but surely starts to decline. Even the announcers, sports and news reporters stop whatever they are doing. Looking at Naruto, everyone can feel the pressure rising. For those who know the feeling and have been lucky enough to witness it first hand, Naruto was giving off a feeling that reminded them of some of the greatest professional basketball players in the NBA; such as Michael Jordan, Kobe Bryant, Allen Ivernson, and recently, Lebron James.

Bzzzzzzzzzt…

The buzzer goes off to signal the start of the game as both teams take the floor. Silence fills the arena, as both teams get ready for the tip-off. Philly's star player number 10, stands opposite Naruto and gives him a cocky smirk.

"After I beat you, the whole country will see that their golden boy ain't anything special. We both know I'm way better than you. Do yourself a favour and don't embarrass yourself too much."

Naruto just stared right back at the number 10, the intensity and ferociousness of his gaze enough to make his opponent flinch away from him.

When asked what was going through his mind during the game, Naruto would give an answer that would baffle everyone besides those who have experience what he went through first hand.

"Besides, the ball and the hoop, I was colour blind."

The cheering and chanting began anew as the ball is tossed in the air, however Naruto's eyes never left his opponent. Choji wins the ball and tips it to Naruto who catches it but doesn't move. Standing exactly at half court, Naruto looks at all the Philly supporters, making sure he has their full attention. He glances at Number 10.

"Comparing your level of skill to mine is like comparing the light of a single candle flame to that of an inferno." Naruto throws the ball down hard on the floor so that it bounces over Number 10's head as he races pass him. Everyone around the nation watches as Naruto gets behind the defender and comes to a dead stop at the 30 ft line. He jumps, catches the ball, and then releases it, before landing back on the ground and turn to face the number 10. "Compared to me, its like the rest of the world doesn't even know you exists."

Everyone stares in utter disbelief as the ball arcs its way to the hoop…

Swish

On defense, Naruto tells his teammates to guard the three-point line and forget about the paint. As Philly's PG dribbles past the half way line, he can feel a bead of sweat slide down his back as he can's shake the feeling of Naruto's intense gaze off of him. When the PG gets close to the three-point line Naruto does something that stuns everyone, he takes a big step back until he is on the free-throw line and gets into a defensive stance that is comfortable for him; his arms dangling in front of him.

As the crowd of Philly supports yell at their PG to shoot the ball, he steps back in fear of suddenly feeling the immense pressure being exhorted by Naruto as soon as he steps up to take the shot.

When Philly's PG panics and throws the ball at a teammate, Naruto quickly pounces upon the sloppy pass. The crowd waits with baited breath as he races down the court at an alarming rate. As he nears the three-point line, he performs an underhanded throw and tosses the ball at the backboard. Everyone watching the game at that moment, whether they were in the audience, the sports analysts who criticised him in studio, or simply those watching the game on tv; stared with dropped-jaw disbelief as Naruto jumped as high as he could, caught the ball, and performed a one armed windmill dunk.

No one could believe that this kid, of just 5ft 7inches, had the sheer audacity to perform such a difficult move after doing a self alley-oop, and then walking back to defence as if it was the most normal thing in the world for him to do. Not once did his facial expression changed. Hell, even his teammates could not believe what they just witnessed. Naruto was finally forcing the entire world to take note of what he could do.

The silence created by Naruto was shattered as a lone voice spoke up in the otherwise awe-struck arena.

"WOO-HOO! GO NARU-KUN! KICK THEIR ASSES!" Everyone around her, looked at Hinata in utter disbelief before sweat dropping, a single thought going through all their minds.

'Fucking hormones'

On their next attack, Philly tried to pass the ball around but it was again intercepted by Naruto. Racing down the court he slowed down as Philly's top two defenders stood before. Naruto performs a crossover to the left while taking a small step forward, performing another between his legs as he steps back, performs one more crossover as he takes a big step forward, and then taking a large step back behind the three-point line while watching the two defenders fall down with disbelief written all of their face.

Once again, everyone's jaw falls to the ground as they just witnessed Naruto perform an ankle breaker, one of the hardest moves in basketball, on not one, but two defenders at the same time as if it was nothing.

Swish

Everyone's eyes snap to the ball. None of them even registering that Naruto took the shot. He stares at the referee who becomes unnerved. Naruto lifts his arm up and points to the hoop, then the position of his feet. The referee, quickly realising what Naruto is indicating, blows his whistle and announces that the three-pointer was valid.

The Philly supporters were just now beginning to understand that the affect of their cheering and chanting earlier on was having the totally opposite effect as to what they wanted to happen.

The rest of the game progressed in a similar fashion. Naruto stopping almost all of Philly's attacks singlehandedly. When they tried to double, triple, or even quadruple team him, he would just dribble through one or two players before passing to an open teammate with a fancy flick or no look pass.

When there was a break in play, Naruto would sit on the bench with a towel over his head, completely ignoring everyone and everything. Not that anyone was brave enough to risk breaking his concentration when he was giving off such a dangerous vibe.

Halfway through the first quarter, the Konoha supporters, lead by Hinata, started cheering for Naruto. Waiting in suspense for what he might show them next. The Philly supporters and sport analysts who doubted him couldn't even say a single word. They just sat back in embarrassment of their earlier comments. Everyone was watching Naruto play with absolutely no restrictions placed upon him for close to the whole game.

To conserve energy in the third quarter, Naruto started dropping three's from almost every position around the three-point line. He ended the third quarter making nothing but 13 three-point shots, missing only three, a setting to new records in the process.

Close to the end of the fourth quarter everyone noticed that Naruto was moving quicker and quicker. Soon enough, the Philly defenders just gave up on chasing him. Those on the court and close enough to him, heard Naruto mumbling something to himself. As the game drew to a close, the mumbling became more pronounced.

"Faster. Need to go much faster."

With 11.3 seconds left on the board, Kiba blocks shot and throws it to half court for Naruto. Naruto scoops up the ball at a full sprint and races towards the hoop. As he gets close he slows down to settle himself, takes one more dribble before jumping and before a 720 dunk. He lands and looks behind the hoop at all the Philly fans staring at him in wide eyed disbelief.

Bzzzzzzzzzt…

The final buzzer goes off to a silent arena as Naruto walks down the tunnel towards his team's locker room and away from all the people staring at him.

Back in the arena, no one says a word as everyone stares at the electronic scoreboard.

Fulltime score: Konoha 194 – 34 West Philadelphia.

Naruto Uzumaki Namikaze: 143 pt; 16 assists; 19 steals; 7 blocks.

Silence reigns supreme until…

"And that's why you should never insult or threaten my Kitsune's family!"

(flashback end)

"You really scared everyone that day!" Naruto's laughter rings out in the silent landscape.

He spends the next hour just sitting there, staring at all the stars.

"Hima-hime is doing well. She's just so full of energy. Surprisingly enough, she hasn't gone through that 'terrible two's' stage that I have been hearing so much about. Besides the cute whisker marks on her cheeks, she's beginning to look more and more like you."

There's a noticeable change in the air around him. As if Mother-nature herself was synching up with his emotions.

"Even though she is still so young, I can tell she's misses you Hina-hime…"

(flashback begin)

Pain

Confusion

Panic

Forcing his aching body to sit up, Naruto looks around him, struggling to remember what happened. As his eyes land on the wreckage and suddenly it all comes back.

Green light

Hinata sitting next to him the passenger seat

Looking beyond her head to see bright lights oncoming

He frantically searches for Hinata. Finally finding her still in the wreckage, strapped to her seat, he rushes over as he can barely make out the sirens on the way.

Making his was over to her he notices all the blood covering her chest and abdomen. He breaks out into tears as Hinata painful turns her head to him.

"I don't want to die Naru-koi…" she breaks off into a coughing fit.

"Shhhhh don't speak, Hina-hime. The ambulance is almost here." Naruto can barely get the words out through all his tears.

"There is so much I wanted to do with you and Himawari. So much I wanted to experience with the two of you. I never wanted to leave my baby girl alone in the world, like my mother left me alone. I wanted to hear her first words, watch her first steps…" another coughing fit, "…take her to her first day of school, and give her advice about the boy she falls in love. I wanted to do so much…" she falls once more into a coughing fit.

"Hina-hime please save your strength! You aren't going to die! You aren't leaving me or Himawari!" Naruto shouts at her while she gaze at him with all the love in the world.

"You will have to do all those things in my place. Promise me Naru-koi. Promise me that you will look after our baby girl." Hinata uses her lasting remaining strength to kiss Naruto one last time.

The medics arrive on the scene to witness the sight of Naruto holding the hand of a lifeless Hinata Senju, all the while whispering.

"I promise"

"I promise"

"I promise…"

(flashback end)

"…almost as much as I miss you, my Lavender Princess."

Naruto falls done to his knees and finally cries for the woman who loved him with all her heart and who he loved in turn.

A breeze blows the flowers covering the plaque away…

Here lies Hinata Senju

Born 27 December 1991

Died 15 February 2008

A wonderful woman

A true friend

A loving mother even after death

Okay so a couple things about this chapter. I know its long but I wanted to get the Hinata chapter out of the way in one go. no, she won't be forgotten.

For those of you who think that Naruto's stats are unrealistic... well this ifs a fanFICTION so please kindly hold off on those comments.

I'll be using a lot of skills and scenarios from Kuroko no basuke.

hopefully not all chapters will be as long as this one.

I'll being trying to use as close to real-life rosters as i can when Naruto enters the NBA but obviously I'll change up some line-ups.

until next time