Time skip, three years after Aira incident.
Note: I don't own Naruto, but that's ok, because I love cheese.
flashback
"thinking"
"talking"
Chapter 7 - His Angel
by Zynthos
Hinata snuggled close to the warm body beside her. The cold air caused goose bumps to appear on her skin which encouraged her to huddle even closer. Maybe wearing that new, short-sleeved, lavender top was not such a good idea considering how cold the night had become.
The events that unfolded after the attack of Aira went by uneventfully. After a long stay at the hospital for both Naruto and Hinata, they were released back into active shinobi duty. Both of Aira's henchmen were sent to shinobi prison and neither of them caused enough trouble for them to be concerned about. Neither, however, could forget that Aira was still out there somewhere. Sakura and Iraku were both able to recover fully, and Teuchi was found a few days later trapped in a genjutsu of him endlessly making ramen. Relationship wise, Naruto and Hinata grew closer and closer. They began dating immediately after being released from the hospital. This was approved by all their friends, even Kiba. They were called the "epitome of the springtime of youth" by Lee, and Shikamaru even stopped watching his clouds to make fun of Naruto saying that he was finally smart enough to figure out that Hinata liked him. The Hyuga clan was a different story however. Many saw the future head of the clan dating a demon carrier as a sign of weakness. They tried to pressure Hiashi into casting Hinata into the branch family and putting the cage seal on her, or at least forbid the two from seeing each other. Finally after much debate Naruto was called to hear the final decision from Hiashi.
Flashback:
The door opened and Naruto stepped in. The room was very elegant, with thin white rice paper walls adorned with priceless artifacts and pieces of art. On the back wall, the Hyuga flame shone proudly. The people Naruto found inside were just as proper. Behind a large desk filled with important documents sat the four pale-eyed Hyuga whom made up the main family. On the left sat a very stoic Hyuga Hanabi. To the right was a very worried Hinata. It was obvious it was taking all the self-control she possessed not to run and cry on Naruto's shoulder. Finally to her left, was the head of the clan, Hyuga Hiashi. Nervously, Naruto walked towards the group and sat down. He couldn't tell what was going through Hiashi's head, and judging from Hinata's face, he didn't want to know. Finally, Hiashi began to speak, breaking the awkward silence.
"So Naruto-san, I finally get to meet you in person. You know you were very impressive during the chunnin exams, but I digress. I have called you here on the account that you want to 'see' my elder daughter." Naruto was afraid to speak.
"Um… yes-s sir, Mr. Hiashi-sama sir…"
"I see," Hiashi responded, giving Naruto a very cynical look.
"Please sir," Naruto began to plead, "Please let me, we've been through a lot together, and I love her very much"
"Love eh? How does someone as young as yourself know what love is?"
"Sir, I am an orphan and a demon carrier," both Hinata and Hanabi cringed at hearing this, "I have lived without love for much of my life. When it finally does come along, I know because it is totally opposite of what I have experienced before."
"Naruto, you make a good argument, however, there are flaws. A man who is locked in a room with total darkness will not recognize the light as light when he is finally free but rather something foreign. In the same way you cannot recognize love for what it is just because you have only experienced the opposite." Naruto cringed at having his wise-sounding idea so easily rebuked. "Furthermore," continued the Hyuga head, "You're track record suggests that you are an over-hyper prankster with an unhealthy love of ramen."
"Having ADD shouldn't be a problem right? And also I'll have you know, ramen tastes very good" Naruto said defensively, then realizing how rude his comment sounded added, " oh sorry…sir…". Hiashi continued as if there was no interruption.
"On the other hand, you have shown character, and help anyone in need. Also, the fact that you are the most likely candidate to be the Hokage's successor cannot be ignored. You understand that the branch house is giving me a lot of pressure into not allowing this right?" at this Naruto nodded. "I have taken these things into consideration and this is my final judgment." Naruto and Hinata both held there breathe. "I will allow you to court my daughter but you will adhere to a strict regulation". Naruto didn't care about any regulation, the Hyuga clan was allowing him to date Hinata. Both teenagers could barely contain their excitement.
"Thank you Hiashi-sama!" A small smile appeared on Hiashi's lips.
End Flashback
From that point on, any complaint from a Hyuga about the situation became futile as Hiashi's words to them were law. The head of the Hyuga clan was very fair in allowing what the couple could or could not do. Naruto respected him very much. After that, it all became a wonderful dream for Naruto, and he loved every minute of it.
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Kiba sat quietly in his local Starbucks, coffee in hand. He stayed away from the large crowd at the front desk who were waiting for their $4 latte. Instead he sat in the back corner of the coffee shop feeling sorry for himself. Three and a half years had passed since he first sought after Hinata. With time, he had learned that a relationship with her could not happen. After he accepted that fact, Kiba was finally able to accept Naruto and Hinata's relationship. Kiba really was excited for the two of them but deep down, there was still an empty hole. That special someone was still missing from his life. In fact, Kiba was rather envious of Naruto. Here he was trying to find a partner and Naruto strolls in and just 'picks one off a tree'. Still, there was nothing he could do except congratulating the couple. Sure, he could try and break the two of them up but what would that accomplish except both of them hating him and each other? After taking a sip of his caramel macchiato, Kiba held the cup in front of his face letting the warmth of the coffee seep through the cup and into his hand. "It must be nice to be coffee," he thought to himself, "millions of people love you almost to the point of obsession… and me? I sit here alone…"
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Three years had passed since that fateful night, Three years since Aira had kidnapped Hinata, and Three years after Hinata and Naruto had started dating. For Hinata, it was three years of bliss. She now found herself next to Naruto, the man of her dreams, watching the stars. Every time she thought about her relationship with Naruto it sent chills down her back. She was getting married to Naruto in two days! She chuckled when she remembered how Naruto purposed to her.
Flashback:
Naruto and Hinata walked down a small dirt path. They were returning from a delightful lunch together, and were planning on spending the rest of the afternoon walking in the park. Suddenly, Naruto stopped and turned in front of Hinata. Taking both of her hands Naruto looked deep into Hinata's eyes. He looked unsure of what to say and began stumbling over words.
"um… Hina-chan, I was wondering, er… actually, I want you to know… wait, no…" Slightly amused at Naruto's uncharacteristic loss of words Hinata quietly encouraged her boyfriend.
"Y-yes?" She had never quite lost her charming habit of stuttering.
"Well, what I'm trying to say is…" Hinata tried to stop from laughing at Naruto's uncomfortable situation. Her cheeks were rosy and she was failing to hide her giggle. Fed up with not knowing what to say, Naruto took the direct approach.
" Tsunade just told me this morning that she's going to make me her predecessor."
"That's wonderful Naruto-kun! I'm so happy for you!" Hinata exclaimed.
"Hina-chan," Naruto continued, "I would love it if you where there with me."
"Of-f course I'll b-be with you; I'll n-never leave you…"
"No, you don't understand what I mean." A puzzled look came across Hinata's face.
"I know that we're both only nineteen and that this is all so sudden but… ah shoot" forgetting the formalities Naruto got down on one knee and took a small blue box out of his kunai pouch. Opening the box he produced a ring made of gold adorned with bright diamonds.
"Hyuga Hinata, I want to spend the rest of my life with you. Will you marry me? Tears of joy welled up in Hinata's eyes. After what seemed like an eternity for Naruto, Hinata, unable to say anything, gave a small nod. Relief filled Naruto's heart. Taking Hinata into his arms, Naruto kissed her on the forehead. Both stood there, in the center of an old dirt road, neither daring to let go in fear that it was all but a dream, embracing each other as if grasping life itself…
End Flashback
Noticing the small giggle coming from Hinata's lips, Naruto looked down lovingly, pulling her closer to him. He wanted to cherish each and every moment he could with Hinata because as a shinobi, his life could be taken away from him at any moment. Time together would decrease even more when he became Hokage. It was one of the main factors when he decided on hosting the wedding two days before becoming Hokage, but now that he thought back, it seemed like a foolish idea. "Oh well," he thought to himself "I'll enjoy it for all it's worth… which will be quite a bit". Naruto pulled Hinata in and kissed her on the forehead, then remembering how he had done the same after his proposal, and smiled at the thought.
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Tsunade sat at her desk sorting through documents and sneaking a sip of sake here and there. Her thoughts, however, were nowhere near her papers. Instead, she was thinking of How Naruto was taking over the Hokage spot so she could retire. Four more days until she was finally free of all her responsibilities, free to drink as much sake as she wanted. She felt sorry for Naruto. Never again would he be free to get Ramen whenever he wanted. Even worse was the fact that he would not be able to spend time with his wife-to-be alone. Her thoughts drifted toward the talk of the village, the union between the future head of the Hyuga clan and the ramen eating loud mouth. She prayed everyday to Kami-sama for his blessings over the couple. "Kami-sama," she began, "Bless Naruto and Hinata. Both of them have had to fight through so many difficulties. Now they are going to get married! Help them to fall deeper and deeper in love with each other, and as the years go by, allow them to build a bond able to withstand all the onslaughts life may throw at them."
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A yawn escaped a drowsy Hinata signaling the two love birds to finally retire back home. Reluctantly Naruto sat up while Hinata rubbed the sleep from her eyes. Slowly, Naruto helped Hinata to her feet.
"N-naruto-kun," "d-don't you think i-it's a little c-cold?" Hinata said stuttering both from habit and the cold. Pulling Hinata close to his body, Naruto silently took off his overcoat and gently wrapped it around his fiancée.
"Is that better?" asked Naruto. Hinata rested her head on Naruto's chest, and responded with a quiet "uh huh". They stood there for a moment, hearts perfectly in sync.
"Naruto-kun," Hinata asked breaking the silence, "why do you love me?'
"Why do I love you? Because you are the most beautiful person in the world." Hinata looked down-trodden.
"Naruto-kun," she began, "that's exactly what Kiba said…"
"Hina-chan, I think you misunderstand me. Yes, outwardly you are more beautiful then any other person, but that is not what I was referring to. I was referring to your heart Hina-chan. Inwardly, Your beauty shines like… like… an angel! Hina-chan, you are my angel!" Hinata's face beamed with pride. Inside, she asked the agkelos "did you hear that?! Naruto-kun called me an angel!" As she smiled, her inner beauty shone for all to see, so that she looked even more like an angel. Naruto gazed fondly at her and couldn't believe how lucky he was to have her. He leaned over and gave her a peck on the lips. Catching her hand, the two of them began walking down the street.
To be continued…
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AN- This marks the beginning of the end. Unfortunately, my life catches up with me again. Chapter 8 may be a while off yet, but never fear! I will not abandon this story (Unless I die or something like that). Anyways, I hope you enjoyed this chapter. Feedback would be appreciated. Thank you Kovva, and Krissy-chan for your time and ideas. That's it...