The scene begins a few months after the war and a few days after Naruto gets out of the hospital.
Hinata and Shinzo are sparing on a lovely spring day. Hinata lands a blow on Shinzo "nice one Hinata" Shinzo smiles, but then frowns when he notices Hinata panting heavily.
Shinzo smiles and says, "ok, how about we take a small break". Hinata immediately snaps back up and says, "No! I can keep going!"
Shinzo smiles again and says "I know you can, but that doesn't mean that you should train yourself to exhaustion. it always a good idea to have some rest every now and then".
Shinzo walks over to a nearby tree and sits beneath it then pats a spot next to him as a signal for Hinata to sit. "come. sit. let's take a break and relax for now." Shinzo says with a smile. Hinata looks at the ground feeling slightly depressed "Okay". Shinzo notices her mood and decides to ask her about it.
"you want to tell me what's bothering you." Hinata looks shocked "Nothing is bothering me, why would you ask me that?"
Shinzo smirks "Hinata, I'm a mind reader, remember? I can read your mind like an open book, but it doesn't take a mind reader to see that something is bothering you, it's practically written all over your face. So, do you want to talk about it?" Hinata looks at the ground and says, "not really".
Shinzo puts a hand on Hinata's shoulder "come on Hinata, I'm your friend. I want to help you, but I can't unless you tell me what's bothering you". Hinata continues to stare at the ground.
a few moments of silence pass before Shinzo decides to speak. "it's about Naruto, am I right?" Hinata is utterly shocked. "how... how did you know that?" Shinzo merely looks at her with a small smirk on his face.
"oh... right... you're a mind reader." Hinata says sounding even more depressed.
Shinzo let's out a hardy laugh and says, "actually I was just guessing" and continues laughing until Hinata says "it's not funny!"
after which Shinzo calms down and says "your right, it's not. but now that I know something about your problem are you going to tell me about it or am I going to have to read your mind?"
Hinata sighs and says, "I'm afraid that Naruto doesn't really like me."
Hinata explains her confession during the Pain incident, as well as her support of him during the war, her brief stint as Naruto's personal nurse during his recovery after his final battle with Sasuke and even how they were hanging out with each other more often now than before the war.
After Hinata is finished explaining she looks at the ground and says, "I'm afraid the he just doesn't really see me as anything more than just a friend." Hinata then begins to sob quietly. Shinzo is over come with compassion pulls her into a warm hug.
after a few moment Hinata calms down and says, "what am I going to do?" Shinzo looks her straight in the eyes and asked, "have you talked to him about it?"
Hinata look back towards the ground and says "no, I was hoping he would bring it up, but he hasn't, and every time I try something always gets in the way." Hinata looks even more depressed than before.
Shinzo suddenly smiles. "hey why don't I try something? I mean I could help you find out the truth of what Naruto really thinks of you."
Hinata looks utterly surprised at Shinzo's offer. "you would really do that for me?"
"Of course, after all what are friends for" Shinzo says with big smile. "ok so here the plan... and that's pretty much it. what do you think?" Hinata looks unsure. "I don't know, are you sure this will work?"
"I'm positive it will work" Shinzo says with absolute confidence. "come on, let's find Naruto". Shinzo says.
Hinata still unsure says "okay, if you're sure this will work, right let's find Naruto."
after a few minutes of search, they can't seem to find Naruto. even after trying to use the Byakugan they still can't seem to find Naruto.
"I wonder if he's out on a mission?" Hinata asks worriedly.
"hmm. I don't think so but maybe he is, hang on let me try something first." Shinzo climbs to the top of the building that they were standing next to which just so happened to be the Hokage building.
once at the top Shinzo opens his 3rd eye. internally thinks "okay Naruto, Now, where are you?" various voices flash by including most of the Konoha 11 (minus Sasuke and Neji for obvious reasons). "hmm." when suddenly Naruto's thoughts are heard by Shinzo. "ah ha... there you are. strange that you are there of all places but then again I never really understand what goes through that head of yours." Shinzo hops down in front of Hinata.
"did you find him?" Hinata asks hopefully. "yes, I found him he's on top of the Hokage Monument, come on."
once they reach the top of the Hokage Monument Hinata hides behind a tree while Shinzo goes to talk to Naruto.
"Oi, Naruto!" Naruto look up from his perch right on top of the 4 Hokage's head and is clearly surprised to see Shinzo standing there.
"oh, hey Shinzo, how'd you find me up here?"
Shinzo smirks and says, "it wasn't that hard, your thought's a practically screaming at me." Naruto looks sheepishly at the ground.
"oh. sorry about that."
Shinzo walks over to Naruto and says "it's quite alright. I'm used to it. you mind if I sit here?"
Naruto shrugs. "I guess it's ok."
a few moments of silence pass before Shinzo starts to speak.
"so, I guess the reason why you're up here is to think?"
Naruto smirks and says, "that and I just really needed to get away from my new fan club".
"Ah, I've heard that you are quite popular with the ladies ever since you saved the world." Shinzo says with a hint of amusement.
Naruto sighs "yeah now I know how Sasuke felt". somewhere across the world Sasuke sneezes.
"fame is not all it's cracked up to be huh?" Shinzo askes amused.
"yeah I miss the days when I wasn't chased through the streets by rabid fan girls." Naruto says exasperated.
"well you could always choose one of them to be your girlfriend and that might stop the hordes of fan girls from descending upon you." Shinzo jokes and behind the tree Hinata frowns.
Meanwhile somewhere in the village below a horde of fan girls is searching for Naruto.
Naruto turns to him clearly not amused. "I don't think so. none of the understand me or know me or what I've been through, they only see "the Hero of the Hidden Leaf" and not the real me." Shinzo is surprised by the level of maturity Naruto has just displayed.
"I see, so you want someone who loves you for you, not what you have done, right?"
"exactly! but there's no one like that around here". Naruto says defeated.
"are you sure about that?" Shinzo says mysteriously with a raised eyebrow.
"Yes, I'm sure" Naruto says angrily.
"well what if I told you that I know someone who has liked you even before you became a hero?" Naruto immediately sits straight up and began to bombard Shinzo with questions, "really you know someone? who is she? is she nice? do I know her too?"
"Calm down Naruto. I can't tell you her name, but she is very nice, and yes you do know her." Shinzo says calmly. Naruto then gets depressed (Like Hashirama) and says, "you're not fair".
"but I'll give you a few more hints. if you can't guess her name from them you are on your own" Shinzo says with a smile.
"Ok!" Naruto shouted excitedly.
"ok then. she's about our age, she has blue hair, she's a Hyuga, and she on my team." Shinzo states calmly. Naruto looks confused for a moment and says, "but the only Hyuga girl on your team is..." Naruto says starting to understand.
Shinzo smirks "yes?"
"Hinata" Naruto says in a whisper.
"bingo" Shinzo says while tapping his nose and barely holding back a laugh.
Naruto's eyes widen suddenly as his mind flashes back to the Pain incident. images flash of Hinata and her fight against Pain but the most important one was of Hinata saying "I Love You".
"AHHHH!" Naruto shouted very loudly.
"Ah! What? What?" Shinzo asks clearly panicked by Naruto reaction.
"I remember now!" Naruto says excitedly.
"remember what?" Shinzo says clearly confused at Naruto's train of thought.
"I remember Hinata's confession during Pain's attack. she said, "I Love You". Shinzo smirks.
"so, you finally figured it out huh? It took you long enough, well the only question remaining now is do you love her?"
Naruto looks down at the ground. "I... I don't know. I mean I know Hinata loves me but I'm not sure if I love her. Truth is I'm not even sure what love feels like".
Shinzo bats an eye. "I see, well then, tell me how you feel when Hinata is around?"
Naruto looks off into the distance in thought for a moment then smiles. "I feel at peace when she's around. like everything will work out in the end. I feel really happy when she smiles and really angry when someone makes her cry, hurts or threatens her."
Shinzo smiles and says, "ok and what do you think of Hinata?"
Naruto thinks for a moment and then smiles and says "at first I thought that she was a shy, quiet, dark, timid, weird girl. but after getting to know her I realized that wasn't true. She was shy and quiet yes, but she was also nice, sweet, brave, strong and completely amazing. she's an amazing Ninja, an awesome cook, a great nurse, a really great friend and a wonderful person to be around and so much more."
Shinzo smile widens. "sounds to me that you think very highly of her".
Naruto smiles and looks off into the distance "yeah she's really amazing, I'm really grateful to have her around."
having heard everything from behind the tree Hinata is smiling ear to ear with tears of pure joy in her eyes while blushing. She finally knew what Naruto thought of her, and it made her so happy.
Shinzo closes his eyes and smiles "then why not give her a chance. you already know how she feels about you, so why not give her a shot and see how things go?"
Naruto thinks it over for a moment. "you know maybe your right. maybe I should give Hinata a chance. after all she's really amazing and nice and she likes me for me."
Shinzo smiles and pats him on the back. "that's the spirit. I know you 2 will be great together." Shinzo says enthusiastically "but just one more thing Naruto"
"what?" Naruto asks confusedly.
Shinzo opens his 3rd eye and glares at Naruto menacingly. "If you break her heart or make her sad or cry in any way... there will be nowhere on this earth that I cannot find you and no force in the universe that will save you from my wrath, do I make myself clear?" Shinzo says menacingly.
Naruto terrified says "sure no problem"
Shinzo then smiles pats Naruto on the head and says, "good then so we understand each other."
Naruto inwardly thinks "I gotta remember not to piss Shinzo off he's really scary when he's mad"
Shinzo smirks and says "I heard that" Naruto is shocked but then remembers Shinzo special ability. Naruto then looks sheepish at the fact that he forgot that Shinzo can read minds.
There is a brief moment of silence before Naruto speaks again.
"Um... Shinzo?" Naruto askes.
"yes" Shinzo replies.
"do you love Hinata? Naruto asks cautiously.
Shinzo simply smiles looks off into the distance and says "I Love Hinata in a way I would love a younger sister, and I know she feels the exact same way. we are like family to each other the same way Sakura and Sasuke are to you." (somewhere in the distance they both sneeze) "but it's not important how I feel about Hinata it's important how you feel about Hinata."
Naruto stands up and raises his fist toward the sky. "you're right I'm going to go find her and ask her out"
Shinzo smirks and says, "finding her won't be necessary, she will come to you."
but before Naruto can question what Shinzo means Shinzo calls out. "alright you can come on out now" Shinzo calls with a smirk.
Just then Hinata steps out from behind the tree.
"HINATA?!" Naruto says clearly shocked.
"Um... Hello Naruto." Hinata says quietly while blushing and playing with her fingers.
"um... how long were you back there?" Naruto says still trying to process what was going on.
"um... the whole time... I'm sorry" Hinata says while blushing and looking at the ground.
"it's ok I guess but then I guess you already know what I was going to ask you, Huh?" Naruto says embarrassed while rubbing the back of his neck.
"um... yes. I do. and the answer is yes, I would love to …. go out…. on a date …. with you Naruto." Hinata says while blushing and smiling.
"Really well how about tomorrow then, I mean if you are not busy?" Naruto asks hopefully
"it sounds perfect" Hinata says with a big smile.
Shinzo clears his throat. "well I don't know about you 2 crazy love birds but I'm heading home. Hey, Hinata, are we still on for Sunday morning at our usual tea house?" Shinzo asks. "Yes, I'll meet you and the others there." She leans over to Naruto and explains that their team always gets tea together on Sunday mornings.
"well then I'll see you then... oh, and Naruto... remember what I said." and with that Shinzo disappears leaving Naruto looking scared and Hinata smiling.
"um... you want me to walk you home?" Naruto asks.
"yes, if it's not too much trouble?" Hinata says shyly.
"it's no problem your house is right on the way to mine." Naruto smiles and Hinata practically melts on the inside.
as they walk home, they talk about recent events and their future plans now that the war has ended until they reach Hinata's front door.
"well I guess this is where we part until tomorrow. Good Night Hinata, sweet dreams" he says and then hugs Hinata.
"Good Night Naruto sweet dreams to you as well." Hinata says as she hugs back.
but before either knew it they wound up kissing each other. when it was over both were blushing hard "well see you tomorrow" they both said at the exact same time.
Hinata ran inside her house and up to her bedroom and Naruto ran all the way to his house and into his bedroom.
When they both reached their bedrooms they flopped on their beds with the biggest smiles on the faces. each fell asleep with those smiles and eagerly waiting for tomorrow and the promise of a new relationship.
the next day Shinzo sat on the roof of the building next to Ichiraku's Ramen. just watching the people walk by. When suddenly he spots Naruto and Hinata out on their date. Shinzo smiles as they walk into the Ramen stand. He was enjoying the peaceful atmosphere when suddenly a red-haired girl dressed in blue sneaks up on him.
"BOO!" she screams.
a startled Shinzo lands the pile of crates that just so happened to be below him.
the girl laughs so hard that tears come out of her eyes. "Ha! Ha! Ha! Ha! I got you". she says with humor in her voice.
"ugh, very funny Mira, and by that, I mean not funny at all." Shinzo says climbing out of the crates with a deadpanned expression.
Mira jumps down from the roof and lands right next to him.
"oh, lighten up. you are such a stick in the mud. what were you even doing up there anyway?" Mira eyeing him suspiciously.
"I was watching my 2 new favorite pair of love birds on a date and enjoying the peace and quiet, when you so casually interrupted me." Shinzo explains while dusting himself off.
"wait which pair of love birds? Mira asks confused.
Shinzo point to Naruto and Hinata. Mira begins gushing over how they make such a cute couple.
"they are so adorable!" Mira squeals in delight.
"I know that's why I was watching them, to see if they are having a good time and to make sure their date goes well." Shinzo says smiling fondly at the new couple, but then looks confused "wait a second, I thought that you were in a meeting with the Hokage to discuss the peace treaty between the Hidden Leaf and the Hidden Mist?"
Mira smiled waved it off and said, "oh I was, and we finished, we agreed that I'm to be the new ambassador from the Hidden Mist to the Hidden Leaf."
Shinzo looked at her from the corner of his eye and said, "Are you sure you want that job? It might be dreadfully boring"
Mira smirked and said, "I can handle it, besides my big sister the Mizukage asked me to do it, so I can't exactly refuse."
Shinzo smirks at this and says, "point taken."
After a few minutes of watching the new couple enjoying their ramen Mira suddenly asks, "well how about you take a break from watching those 2 and show me this tea shop you mentioned to me before?" Mira says with a wink.
"are you asking me out on a date?" Shinzo says clearly surprised
"maybe unless you think I'm too hot to handle" Mira says with sly smile as her breath heats up from her Lava Style Kekkei Genkai.
Shinzo smirks "I do like a challenge."
Mira smirks "good. then last one to the tea shop buys?"
Shinzo keeps smirking "You're on. on your mark... get set... go!"
and so, Shinzo and Mira take off running towards the tea shop and possibly a new relationship. what will happen next is anyone's guess but until then... The end?