Hey everyone! Jutsu did so well the day I published it that I began thinking about continuing the story. Also quite a few of you requested that I write more so here it is finally the continuation of Jutsu of Love. Hope you like it and yes there's more to come!

The Secret's Out

Naruto led the way. He had his hands folded behind his head, face lifted to the sky and he was whistling a happy tune. Squad Seven had just completed a mission and now they were on their way home. Kakashi-sensei was in the rear reading his book. Just ahead of him was Sasuke, hands in his pockets a calm expression on his face. Next to him but with a couple of feet between them was Sakura. Her hands were held behind her back and her eyes went from Sasuke to Naruto but strangely enough more to the blonde-headed boy than her crush Sasuke.

There had been talk lately about Naruto and Hinata. Ino had even sought her out to ask about the two but Sakura hadn't known anything. Naruto was her teammate and she'd known nothing. Usually he told her everything – more than she wanted to know but nothing about Hinata. Deciding it was time for some answers, Sakura ran a few steps ahead to walk beside Naruto.

Kakashi looked up from his book then over at Sasuke who returned the look. Both had wondered when this was going to happen, when Sakura's curiosity got the better of her. Neither said a word but both were very aware of the boy and girl.

"So Naruto, what'd you say we all go get some lunch when we get back? The four of us? We haven't done that in a while." Sakura's face was bright as she made the suggestion.

"Huh?" Naruto frowned and looked over at her. He'd just been thinking about the picnic Hinata had promised to make for them when he got back to the village. "Umm, sorry Sakura, I've got plans already." He laughed. "Some other time okay?" He looked back at the guys but they didn't seem to care one way or the other.

"Plans? You've got plans? Aren't you just going to eat ramen as usual? We'll join you, right guys?" This time it was Sakura who looked back trying to coax them into agreeing but Kakashi and Sasuke remained silent.

"No! I'm not going to eat ramen! I don't always eat it even though it is my favorite food Sakura! I'm meeting someone and we're going to have lunch together so I can't eat with you! Okay?!"

Sakura's smile widened, now she was getting somewhere. "You're meeting someone? Iruka-sensei or that Sage you're always talking about?" She moved even closer to him.

Naruto stopped and looked at her suspiciously. "You're awfully curious about what I'm doing today Sakura. Why, huh? What have you heard?" He crossed his arms and tapped his foot.

She was caught. "Okay, there's been talk that you and Hinata have been seen together a lot lately, like you were dating or something. Are you dating? Is that who you're meeting today?"

"Jeez Sakura if you wanted to know, you should've just asked! Yes, I'm meeting Hinata and yes we're dating." Naruto's frown disappeared and he smiled when he spoke.

Kakashi raised an eyebrow and smiled behind his mask. It seemed Naruto was proud of his relationship with the Hyuga girl. Good for him.

"It's true?! Then why am I only hearing about it now? I'm your teammate; you can tell me anything Naruto!" Sakura was frustrated. She'd tried to draw the information out of him by trickery and now he'd said that all she'd had to do was ask! She felt foolish.

"Why would I tell you about something that has nothing to do with you?" Naruto looked confused. "I'm dating her, not you."

"Oh." Sasuke said softly and grinned.

"I know that! It's just Ino asked me about you the other day and I didn't know anything about what was going on! I should know who my teammate is dating before Ino-Pig does!"

"So because Ino knew before you, you're jumping down Naruto's throat?" Sasuke asked unable to stay silent anymore.

Kakashi looked from his book to the three before him and decided that this real life drama was a bit more interesting and put the book away.

Sakura had the grace to flush. "It's not all about Ino but something big has happened for Naruto and he didn't tell us."

"He wasn't hiding it Sakura." Kakashi said. "They walk through the village holding hands and I've even seen them kissing. Way to go Naruto!"

"Heh, heh, you saw?" Naruto blushed and scratched his head.

"That's right Sakura, Naruto often walks Hinata home and they train together a lot now too." Sasuke said smiling as Naruto pointed at him. "Yeah, I've seen you training her and she's improving Naruto." He laughed as Naruto brightened at the praise.

"You both knew and didn't tell me?! How come I'm the last to know?" She asked exasperated by each and every one of them.

"Maybe because you go out of your way to ignore Naruto most of the time." Sasuke was cold in his manner and tone now. "You haven't even noticed that he doesn't follow you around anymore or try to talk to you all the time. If you really cared about your teammate, you'd have known something was up."

"Hey, I wasn't that bad! Was I?" He asked then stepped back when Kakashi and Sasuke said yes quite loudly.

"I-I don't ignore Naruto!" She blushed again when the three of them looked at her like she was crazy. Sakura knew she did because he was really quite annoying but then she got to thinking that the last few weeks, he really hadn't been dogging her steps like he used to.

"Well anyway, now you know. Hinata and I are dating, satisfied?" Naruto started walking again but his earlier good mood had waned.

Sakura felt bad now and the looks she got from Sasuke and Kakashi-sensei only made her feel worse. "Naruto, I'm sorry! I should have just asked and not made a big deal out of it. So, umm, you two have gotten really close now? Are you serious?" She smiled acting interested but only received another frown from Naruto.

"Why do you have to know so much? Can't we just be a couple without everyone butting in?" Naruto wasn't ready to share his feelings with anyone especially not Sakura, the girl he once thought he loved.

"Sakura leave him be. Naruto has a right to his privacy. You wanted to know if he was dating and he told you. What happens now is between them." Kakashi said then wondered if Naruto needed to have 'the talk'. He and Hinata were kissing but were they doing anything else? He grimaced, that was one lesson he did not want to teach. Iruka! He'd get Iruka to talk to him; he was Naruto's father figure after all. The sweat on his forehead dried as he realized he wouldn't have to explain sex to Naruto. He shuddered imagining the boy's questions.

Naruto sighed with relief. "Thanks Kakashi-sensei." Sakura would have to back off now. All he wanted to do now was get back to the village and disappear with Hinata. They'd probably go to their spot in the woods and he couldn't wait.

"I'm not being nosy! I'm trying to show Naruto I'm interested in what's going on with him that's all. I'm his friend and wanted him to know I care. That's the only thing I was doing." She crossed her arms angrily.

"Yeah, right." Sasuke replied. "You're interested all right! Interested enough to wonder if maybe Naruto's given up on chasing after you. Do you miss the attention Sakura? Do you want all the focus on you again?" There was a sneer on Sasuke's face as he looked at the girl.

"Oh boy." Kakashi said. Sasuke was really saying too much this time even if he secretly agreed with his assessment. "Enough! Look the village is just ahead. We're home and I'm sure we've all got things to do this afternoon. Naruto, take off and have fun. Sakura go home and Sasuke, you walk with me for a while. Maybe I can teach you when to hold your tongue."

"Me? Whatever. See ya Naruto." He did manage a nod for the other boy.

Naruto looked at all three of them wondering just what the hell was going on but he'd been told to go on and Hinata was waiting. He raised a hand, "See ya!" Turned and took off running.

"Sasuke and Sakura, Naruto's relationship with Hinata is his business. If and when he wants to talk to us about then we'll offer our advice otherwise well leave him be. Got it? And stop sniping at each other! We're a squad and squad members need to get along to work well with each other! Alright?" Both had been about to speak when he interrupted them.

"Hmph, I wasn't the one questioning Naruto. He and I don't have a problem – at least not as far as Hinata is concerned." They were still rivals but that was normal.

"Sasuke! I'm sorry Kakashi-sensei. I'll leave Naruto alone." Sakura's feelings were hurt. She couldn't understand why Sasuke was picking on her and now maybe even Naruto was upset with her. She wished Ino had never told her!

Looking up, she watched Naruto run happily to the village to meet his girlfriend. When is Sasuke going to do that for me? Sakura sighed; life sure was full of weird stuff.

Naruto raced home and showered. Funny that he thought about stuff like that now. He changed jumpsuits then raced out again. They were to meet at the edge of the forest but he may have to go get her in case she didn't know he was back yet.

He and Hinata had been dating for about three weeks now and except for missions and group training, they spent their free time together. Thinking about that, he wondered why it took so long for Sakura to find out. They hadn't been hiding anything. It was true that they held hands and kissed in public and walked about the village openly. Dang it, they lived in a shinobi village – not like they could hide anything from all those well-trained eyes!

Was it that she really didn't care what he was doing, that Sakura didn't want to know about his life? Had she been avoiding him so studiously that she'd missed everything that he did? Naruto frowned and he slowed to a walk. Sakura had always been someone he'd admired but to know she'd tried to stay away from him and wasn't the least bit interested in his life, bothered him.

Hinata stood on the other side of the bridge humming as she waited for Naruto to join her. She saw a flash of orange and her spirits lifted. He'd been gone all morning long and she'd missed him. Sometimes after training they then had breakfast together but this morning she'd skipped training and stayed home. Occasionally she would climb the highest tree behind their house and use her Byakugan to look for him. That's how she'd known he was on his way home. She'd immediately gone to pack the lunch she'd prepared earlier, made a quick stop then come here to wait for him. "Naruto!" She called expecting his big, bright smile but saw instead a frown and troubled eyes. "N-naruto? Is something wrong?"

Naruto jerked up his head startled to find he was already there. He saw Hinata holding a large basket and a worried frown. "Hey! Sorry about that, I was thinking about something. Missed you." He took the basket as he leaned in to kiss the corner of her mouth.

Hinata framed his face and deepened the kiss then still holding him she leaned back to look into his eyes. "Missed you too. Are you okay? What's upset you? Was there a problem on the mission?"

"No the mission was good. Come on, we'll talk later. I'm starved!" He reached up grabbed a hand, impulsively kissed it then pulled her along behind him. Naruto sped them through the trees until they reached the spot where they'd first kissed.

In moments they were sitting on a blanket and Hinata was empting the basket. She had fruit, cheeses, sandwiches, chips and to Naruto's pleased surprise – a hot bowl of ramen. "I stopped by Ichiraku's and he fixed it for you. Didn't want you not to have your favorite food. Oh!" Naruto pounced and knocked her backwards. He kissed her longingly for several minutes before lifting his head then moving to kiss her slim neck.

"Thanks Hinata – you're the best! And the appetizer was great too!" He laughed and tapped a finger against her moist lips before sitting up then helping her.

Hinata blushed at the double compliment and straightened her hair. "Silly! You'd better eat that before it get's cold." She told him feeling unbelievably happy.

Naruto grinned then dug in. He ate his ramen then proceeded to eat the food Hinata had fixed with her own hands. They ate without talking but it was a good, happy silence besides they had the sounds of the river and Mother Nature to keep them company.

"Ah, that hit the spot." Naruto flopped backwards spread-eagled.

"Mmm, it was good. The ramen too." She giggled as she put away their things. He'd fed her some of his ramen. Everyone knew how he loved ramen and for him to not only share but feed her some – well Hinata thought that was a big deal.

As soon as the trash was put away, Naruto linked their fingers and pulled until she lay beside him. Both on their sides, they smiled at each other. "So did you train today?"

"Nope! I planned this menu and just hung out at home. Watched Father and Neji train together." She slid her fingers over his calluses.

"So they're getting along better now? No more hate from Neji?" Naruto had been appalled by how he'd treated Hinata during the Chunin exams but since he'd beat Neji things had changed for all of them.

"Oh no. It's like it was before his father died. He even offered to help train me on the days you couldn't. I think I'll take him up on it, I should be better at the Gentle Fist than I am. I won't be as good as he but I could be much better."

"You never know, you could surprise yourself and be just as good." Naruto brushed the hair out of her lavender eyes that the wind had tossed about.

Hinata smiled at him. He never brought her down, it was a good feeling. "So why were you frowning earlier? You looked upset, are you sure the mission went okay?"

"Yes worry wart. It was a piece of cake – no injuries or even scratches." They found that liking someone meant that you worried a little too much about them. Normal couples must go through it all the time but it was even worse for shinobi. They were dealing with it, one mission at a time.

His smile faded and he didn't meet her gaze, "Sakura asked about us today. She went all round about it, asking me to have lunch with the group but I told her I had plans. Then she bugged me until I said my plans were with you. I couldn't believe how nosy she was being. I mean, we haven't been hiding our relationship and there she was all curious and asking a bunch of questions. It made me feel uncomfortable." He grumbled.

Hinata paused. Why was he uncomfortable? Is he embarrassed to talk about me? She didn't know it but she looked shamed and fearful until Naruto grabbed her chin.

"She never asks about me or my life – I just realized that. The only reason she even knew to ask was because Ino had seen or heard something about us. She was upset because she hadn't known first and Sasuke called her on it. That was pretty funny now that I think about it." Naruto leaned forward and kissed her bottom lip. "I didn't want to talk about us because it's private and she only wanted to be able to tell Ino something. Sakura doesn't really care."

Hinata breathed again. She closed her eyes as his fingers traced her cheek. "And Sasuke, Kakashi-sensei? What did they think?"

He chuckled deeply. "They already knew but hadn't said anything. I would have told them at some point. I guess they were just going to wait or something. Kakashi even saw us kissing." Naruto grew red in the face wondering if that's all he'd seen.

Hinata's eyes flew open and her cheeks soon looked just like his. "They both did?" Her voice was super quiet.

"I-I don't know…Kakashi said he did." They were both silent as they stared at each other then burst out laughing. "Oh boy, so much new stuff."

"…Too much new stuff?" Hinata's voice was breathless.

"Stuff to do with you? Nah never, I guess it's just something we'll have to get used to. But I won't tell anyone stuff they don't need to know. I like having secrets with you and only you."

"Me too." Another quiet moment while they stared at each other. "Naruto, so you're not upset with Sakura? How she tried to get information to share with Ino?" Hinata had to ask because it bothered her. Sakura had heard gossip and had tried to weasel information out of Naruto instead of asking like a curious, caring friend.

Naruto frowned and sat up leaning back on his palms. "Yeah it did. I…followed after her. I hung on her every word and if she asked me to do something, I did it. If she got hurt, I did what I could to help but she wasn't the least bit interested in me or my life. She couldn't care less. I couldn't see it then or wouldn't but now, since you…I was a damned fool." He said with disgust and embarrassment.

She sat up and leaned on his shoulder. It hurt him she knew because she'd been hurt watching him do all those things and knowing that Sakura didn't care. Sakura of course only had eyes for Sasuke. Naruto hadn't only a crush on Sakura but he cared about her as a friend too. This hurtful knowledge was going to take him a while to deal with.

"Not a fool just someone trying to be there for the person he cared about. Maybe you were a little over zealous but you meant no harm." She teased.

"Gee thanks a lot!" He grumbled then laughed. There would be some awkwardness between him and Sakura for a while but that was more her problem than his. Hinata was here at his side and there was no doubt that she cared for him. "Come on let's walk or I'll fall asleep on you!" He pushed to his feet and held out a hand for her.

"You can sleep if you want. I'll watch over you." She said softly.

Naruto's grin disappeared at those words. The words touched him deeply. He'd never really had anyone to watch over him as he slept. That was something family did.

Hinata wondered if she'd said something wrong. Naruto looked like he wanted to cry all of a sudden. Quickly she stood. "Naruto I - !" She was pulled into his arms and held tightly. She could feel his heart thundering in his chest and his breathing was unsteady. "Naruto what's wrong?" One hand reached up to hold his head closer to her, the other around his back. "Naruto?"

"Nothing's wrong." His voice was thick as he tried not to bawl like a baby. "Everything's better than it's ever been. Just let me hold you." Naruto would explain later how those simple words meant so much to him. He breathed in deep and took in her scent. It was quickly becoming his favorite smell. …Well I'd put Hinata right up there next to ramen. Naruto laughed at himself and placed his nose against her neck. Yep, Hinata and ramen…

She was thoroughly confused but he wasn't upset with her. His touch was gentle and his breath on her neck tickled her. Hinata leaned into him enjoying being held and holding him. They didn't move for forever until he finally leaned back, eyes clear and bright and smiled at her.

"Come on, let's walk." Naruto clasped her hand and they went exploring.

"So what did you find out?" Ino asked when Sakura answered her door. "What did Naruto say? I figure next we'll go to Hinata and maybe make the girl's day by taking her shopping then question her!" Ino was excited. Naruto the screw up and Hinata the mouse had hooked up and were now the hot topic around the village.

"Shh." Sakura said not wanting her mother to hear. She pushed Ino back so she could step out onto the porch. "Mom, Ino's here. I'm going hang out with her for a while, okay?" When she got the okay, Sakura closed the door and started walking.

"Hey wait up!" Ino called running after her. "Well, what did he say Sakura? Sakura?" Ino leaned forward until she could see her friend's face. It was troubled. "Was the mission that bad?"

Sakura sighed, "No it was fine – no problems. Ino, do I completely ignore Naruto?" She wanted to know if Saksuke was right. Was she really that bad of a friend?

"You ignore any guy that's not Sasuke! What's going on Sakura? You look like you just lost your favorite ribbon or something. You were supposed to get the dirt on Naruto and Hinata. He wouldn't tell you, huh? I bet that's it. We'll just corner Hinata and ask her! She's so timid; we should have the information in no time!" Ino grinned and clapped her hands together.

Sakura felt even more ashamed. Ino's plan was something she would have done only a couple of hours ago but now… "We can't. Naruto told me they were dating and Sasuke and Kakashi-sensei already knew about it."

"What? They knew and didn't tell you? Why not? Is it a guy thing?" Ino was puzzled – guys were so stupid sometimes.

"Nope…they knew this was something new and special for Naruto and were probably waiting for him to bring it up. But the moment, you told me, I began planning how to trick the information out of him instead of being a friend and just asking him. He would have told me too – I know he would have but no I had to get all noisy and curious about something that had nothing to do with me." Sakura could clearly see all her faults now and shame was a heavy weight in her stomach.

Ino frowned at her, "He was mad? But it's Naruto! He's always doing crazy stuff and bugging you! What's he got to be upset about?!" She was lost.

"It's personal Ino! How would you like if Choji got in your face wanting to know who you were dating and how you felt about him?"

"I'd tell him to go get stuffed! It's none of his business! Oh! Oh." Ino finally got it.

"Yeah. Not only that but Sasuke came down on me pretty hard too." Sakura wrapped her arms around her middle feeling sick.

Ino winced as if feeling her pain. "He did? Why?"

She shrugged. "Because I totally ignore Naruto. He said if I'd been paying attention, I would have noticed that Naruto wasn't always beside me like usual or that like him and apparently everyone else, I'd have seen him and Hinata together. They live in the same village as I do but I avoid Naruto so much that I never saw them. I didn't pay any attention to him until you told me about Hinata."

"Damn Sakura! I mean I never saw them myself either but I was always just missing them. Choji gets on my last nerve sometimes but he's fun to hang out with too. I don't avoid him, when he gets on my nerves, I just tell him to go away but you… You actually go out of your way to be places where he's not? That's pretty cold Sakura, I sure he would have backed off if you told him to!" Ino was truly shocked. You avoided people you hate like that, not a teammate who you depended on to have your back.

They walked in silence with Sakura staring at her feet and Ino rethinking everything she now knew. "So they're really dating? Boyfriend - girlfriend stuff? Kissing? What?" She asked when Sakura looked at her in surprise. "I still want to know! I won't bother either of them but if it's no secret…"

"Yes! They're dating! Now leave it alone Ino!" Sakura said a little too loudly gaining some looks from other villagers.

"All right, calm down!" Ino smirked. "So what you're really upset about is Sasuke being mean to you. Huh, you're impossible Sakura."

Sakura couldn't help the blush blooming across her face. "…Yes but Kakashi-sensei seemed upset too and of course then there's Naruto's feelings. I've got to find a way to make up with my team! Teamwork is important and if they're angry with me, the next mission might be a disaster! What should I do Ino?" Sakura took the other's girl's shoulders.

Ino was silent for a moment as she stared at her distraught friend. "I have no idea."

"Ino!" Sakura yelled and shook her but the other girl just shrugged. It wasn't her problem.

"I guess I'll see you tomorrow morning." Naruto said. They'd yet to leave the forest even though it was early evening. Since some people were obviously having issues with the two of them so they'd reluctantly agreed to part before entering the village. But both were having doubts. "I feel like I'm sneaking around when we aren't doing anything wrong!" Naruto yelled. "Come on! No wait, kiss me!"

"Huh?" At first she was being pulled along behind him then suddenly he'd stopped and asked for kiss. "Naruto what's going on?"

"Look, we won't kiss in front of everybody but there's nothing wrong with us being together or holding hands in the village. So kiss me here and then I'll walk you home, okay?"

Hinata tilted her head, thinking. "Okay, yes. I like this plan much better." She hadn't liked the idea of acting like they weren't together so people would stop talking. No she didn't like the talk or the attention but she wanted to be with Naruto more. Moving closer to him she whispered before they're lips touched, "Next time you'll sleep with your head in my lap and I'll stare at your body using my Byakugan." She could help but giggle as he growled then took her soft lips.

"You're incorrigible." He sighed, took once last sip of her tasty lips then took her hand. It only took minutes for them to enter the village proper and both were using their shinobi skills to see if they were being overly watched.

"A few people, that's all." Hinata said squeezing his hand. "They're not staring just looking at another couple walking in the street."

"Yeah, this time but I guess it's to be expected. Most people don't like me and probably can't stand to see you with me. You could do better than…someone like me." He was aware that many of the villagers knew of the Nine Tailed-Fox within him. He wouldn't be surprised if they tried to break them up. They just didn't want him to be happy; in fact he wouldn't be surprised if they didn't want him dead.

"I don't care! I choose who my boyfriend is!" She said vehemently and earned as shocked look from Naruto. He blinked then grinned.

"I'm your boyfriend. Yeah, I like that. Hinata's boyfriend. God, I want to kiss you right now!" He leaned closer and brought her hand up to his mouth. "Guess this will have to do."

Her eyes lit up. She too wanted to kiss him but they held off. It didn't matter anymore that they knew people were watching them. Nope, nothing mattered but the person holding her hand.

At her house, their hands were slow to part and then they just stared for a moment. "It'll be cool in the morning and we're going to do some running so bring a warm jacket. I'll buy lunch tomorrow, don't worry – I'll let you choose what we eat." He knew not everybody loved ramen like he did.

"Oh? Okay then, I'll look forward to it. I enjoyed today Naruto, I always do when I'm with you."

"And with that, I'm going to leave or we'll make-out right here! Tomorrow, my girlfriend!" Naruto grinned like and idiot and ran off.

Hinata used her jutsu to watch his firm ass as he ran. They'd yet to move past kissing and light touching and she wondered how much longer they'd last. He had such a beautiful body. Sighing she turned to go inside. She hadn't gotten very far when her father stepped out of the shadows.

"Hinata, we must talk about that boy." In the darkening night, his eyes seemed to glow.