Homecoming

It has happened everyone. It has FINALLY happened. Our OTP is real. NaruHina is SO FRIGIN REAL!

*Tears of joy*

It is such a beautiful thing. I'm sure all of you are just as happy as me. So let's get on with this...

Location: Earth, Milky Way, Local Group

Naruto woke up in a daze. So much happened last night that his brain was still recovering from the shock. The first thing he noticed as soon as he woke up was the distinct lack of a certain woman who had seemingly barged into his life quite unceremoniously. But her absence quickly became a cause of panic. Did she leave?

Naruto jumped up and dashed out of the room in search of Hinata. Upon exiting the room however he smelt heaven. The aroma dragged him all the way to the dining room which consisted of an open plan kitchen. There he found Hinata preparing what appeared to be morning breakfast.

"Oh Naruto-kun, you're already up. I didn't bother you since you were sleeping so soundly." She looked at him and said with a smile. "I went out for a bit to get some ingredients. I'm just getting breakfast ready and it's your favourite."

Naruto moved next to her and eyed the dish being cooked in a massive container, his mouth salivating instantly.

"RAMEN!" Naruto screamed in joy. "How did you know I wanted this so bad?"

"Come now Naruto-kun. Of course I would know your likes and dislikes. It's my duty to know. In any case, please take a seat and I'll bring it over in a second."

Naruto could only nod and sit at the dining table. Right now he loved Hinata. Then again he pretty much loved anyone who served him ramen.

It took only a few minutes of waiting before a smoking hot bowl of ramen was served in front of Naruto. To him the bowl looked like something that had come directly down from heaven, beautiful beyond words. It almost pained him to eat, but he couldn't stop himself from doing so.

"It's been a long time since I last prepared ramen, but I hope you'll like it." Hinata handed over the chopsticks to Naruto.

"Thank you for the food. I'm gonna dig in." Naruto devoured the ramen like a beast, not minding anyone or anything around him. In fact within half a minute the whole serving of miso ramen had already been downed…and he was only getting started.

"Here's the second and third." As if on cue, Hinata put forth two more bowls of ramen in front of Naruto making his eyes glimmer with joy.

"THANKS FOR THE FOOD!" Thus he dug in and before long the two bowls were also cleared.

But right as he finished, this time Hinata served three bowls and again it didn't take him long to finish those. Then came four bowls and thus the process continued. It was only when Naruto was on his thirtieth bowl of ramen that it looked like he was slowing down.

"This is the best ramen I've ever had…" He said while rubbing his somewhat enlarged belly, lost in a world of bliss.

Hinata also had a bowl of ramen in front of her but she was having troubles finishing it. She was just happy watching Naruto eat the ramen she prepared for him. His appreciation made the hard work well worth it.

"What's the matter Hinata? Aren't you going to eat?" Naruto finally noticed that the person who had prepared the food in the first place was not doing much eating herself.

"It's okay Naruto-kun. I'm not that hungry and just seeing you eat the food I made for you makes me happy."

Naruto felt a great sense of gratitude towards her. "Thank you for the food. It really is the best I've ever had. I loved it."

"It was my pleasure." She replied with a smile.

"I'm amazed you prepared so many servings. I don't think there's any other person besides me who could eat as much ramen."

"I know how much you love ramen Naruto-kun, so I made sure to prepare enough. In any case, I imagine you probably have a few more questions for me before we work on bringing your memory back. I went back to my spaceship and the process is almost ready." Hinata said while starting to clean up and wash the dishes.

"Yes I did actually." Naruto remembered the one most important question that he had been wondering since last night. "Tell me Hinata, why did you choose to marry me? I understand that you are from a really advanced race with technology that is light years away from what we have on Earth. Your kind also has eyes that we could only describe as fiction because of how powerful they are. Then why would you pick someone like me from Earth with seemingly nothing that compares to you? I don't quite understand."

Hearing what Naruto had to say, Hinata stopped doing the dishes and came back to sit at the table, understanding that the question he had asked was an important one. She sincerely looked Naruto in the eyes before starting to explain. "To answer that question I need to first tell you how it is that we Hyuyans choose our partners since the process is vastly different from the people of Earth."

Naruto gave a quick nod in response, his curiosity now piqued.

"You see Naruto-kun, we do not necessarily "choose" our partners. Rather our partners are chosen for us at birth through a biological process. The physical traits of the person that we are meant to be with can be found in our genes. That is why we call them our "chosen one". When we finally meet that person, we start to react both physically and emotionally towards them unlike anyone else, a clear indication that they are the one for us. It may be akin to the concept of "love at first sight" that the people of Earth seem to be accustomed to, but this reaction is much more intense and driven directly by our genetics." Hinata explained. "This phenomenon of determining one's partner is unique only to our race, although I've heard that there used to exist another race once upon a time which had a similar way of choosing partners."

"Wait so what happens if a female's genes indicate that she is meant to be with a certain male but that male's genes make him fall in love with a different female. Wouldn't that cause a huge issue? Is it possible for you to find another partner beside the one encoded in your DNA?" Naruto asked out of curiosity.

"Those are some very good questions and we have done extensive research on the matter. After studying the genetic sequence of a large number of families we have found that miraculously every male and female Hyuyan who are meant to be together have each other's traits encoded in their DNA. Never has there been a case where one person falls in love with someone while the other does not reciprocate. We still do not know how or why this happens even after a plethora of studies being conducted on the subject, but that is how it has been for generations. As for your other question about whether it is possible for us to get together with another person beside our chosen one, the simple answer is no. I would never fall in love with anyone other than you Naruto-kun since I wouldn't feel any kind of physical or emotional attraction towards them. Simply put you are the special one for me. Also to note is that Hyuyan females such as myself can only conceive the children of their chosen one because my reproductive cells are only compatible with yours. In other words I can only ever bear your children and yours alone."

Naruto's mouth opened and closed like a fish out of water. He was no biologist but what she said was incredibly hard to digest. "So how do you guys go about finding your partners? Do you just walk around the streets for years hoping that you spot the person you're meant to be with?"

"Of course not silly." Hinata giggled at the suggestion. "That would be ridiculous if it was indeed the case. In reality we use one of the most powerful supercomputers we've ever built, known as the "Central Matchmaking System" to do the matchmaking. Whenever a Hyuyan comes off age and is ready both physically and mentally to get married, which is generally at about the age of 20, they upload their genetic data on to the matchmaking system. The computer then searches through its massive database until a match is found between the genes of two individuals. Both parties are then informed of the match and then they follow the normal procedures to meet up and eventually get married. Of course the process is not always instantaneous. Couples don't always upload their data at the same time but in general it takes anywhere between a month to a year to find one's match."

Although Naruto got the basic gist of how things worked for the Hyuyans, an exception came to mind. "What about you Hinata?" He asked. "Since clearly you seem to have accepted me as your chosen one, what happened to you? How did you even know to find me given that I'm from a completely different planet and race than yours? Is this a common occurrence amongst your kind where they end up finding partners from alien races?"

Hearing his questions and remembering the memories of the time before she met Naruto clouded Hinata's face with a veil of sadness. "I am the first person in the history of my race whose chosen one originated from a different race than my own. And the time before I met you was a long and painful one."

Her expression made even Naruto feel a sense of regret for reminding her of times she felt was best forgotten. "I'm sorry if I was being insensitive."

"There's no need for you to apologise. You have a right to know. So I'll tell you my story." Hinata looked at Naruto and smiled wryly. "When I was the age of 20, just like most others in my planet I felt that I was ready to get married. I wanted to find my significant other and start my own family. To us Hyuyans our family is our greatest treasure. They are the ones with whom we belong. I was no different. I wanted to find my chosen one…have children…and to live a happy life just like everyone else. So I uploaded my data on to the central matchmaking system. I was both nervous and excited about the prospect of discovering who I was meant to be with. I couldn't wait to find out. However, months turned into a year but there was no response. The system could not seem to find someone who matched with me. At first I assumed I was perhaps one of the rare cases that needed some extra time. But to my dismay, another year passed by and still no response. At this point my friends and acquaintances had not only gotten married but some of them were also expecting their first child. I was devastated and everyone I met would pity me because in my planet someone being 22 years old and still not having their own family is extremely unusual. When I heard all of my acquaintances tell me about how overjoyed they were with their new lives I could only put on a fake smile. I wanted to be genuinely happy for them, but I was in disarray. I knew it was wrong and the more time that passed the more I hated myself for feeling this way. I was miserable."

As Naruto listened attentively he felt sympathetic for her. He appreciated her feelings as he got to understand them better.

"I couldn't take it anymore and so I decided to escape from my reality, even if for a little bit." Hinata continued. "Since I worked as a researcher in the field of planetary science, I took on a practical research task on observing the planet Earth and its people in detail since the Hyuyan database did not have too much information in regards to this planet or its population. Therefore I made my way over to Earth to indulge myself in this new work and to forget my sorrows. But it was during this time while observing a handful of Earthlings to understand their day to day behavioural patterns that I finally saw you. In a miraculous twist of fate you happened to be one of the people I decided to observe and instantly everything within me started to go out of control. I had never felt like this before. I had only heard from others that these were the same feelings they got when they first met their chosen one. At first I couldn't believe it. How could someone from Earth be my chosen one? It sounded impossible. But with every passing moment I could no longer deny what my own body and mind were telling me. Before long it was clear to me that you were indeed the one and I absolutely had to meet you. However, therein was the problem. In general we are not allowed to reveal our true identity to people who are not yet aware of the existence of other alien races besides their own. But I didn't care. I called my father immediately and told him about my situation. At first he couldn't believe it either but with a little bit a coaxing he came to my support. He wanted to see me happy and so he took all the burdens of working out the issues surrounding me making contact with you. With my father's support and with my own resolution I prepared to meet you with the proposition of marriage. I knew Earth society did not work that way and I feared you would instantly reject me even if I explained to you my true identity. But despite the uncertainties I knew I had to give it my best shot. After all this time I had finally found my chosen one and I was not going to give up, not at any cost. Thus, approximately four years ago we met for the very first time."

Naruto's curiosity was now at its highest point. He wanted to know to what happened next. He needed to know. "What happened then? How did I respond to your identity and to your proposal?"

"You agreed to it and the two of us got married that very first time we met." She replied as a matter of fact kind of way.

Naruto's jaw opened wide. He didn't have any words left to describe the situation.

"I understand you being surprised. Honestly I was surprised too when I heard your reply that time after explaining the situation. But to me I couldn't be happier. You see Naruto-kun, it may be hard for you to understand these feelings that I have for you since you are from Earth, but these aren't some temporary or fleeting emotions. They are deep-rooted feelings that are engrained within the very foundations of my being. It is to the point that seeing you happy grants a sense of true tranquillity and peace to my heart. Seeing you sad is as though someone is trying to rip that very heart out of my chest."

As Hinata described her feelings towards him, Naruto couldn't help but realise how similarly he had been feeling about Hinata ever since they met last night. When he first saw her yesterday his entire body and mind were sent into a state of turmoil unlike ever before. When Hinata was near him, he could feel this unrelenting attraction towards her, both in a physical and emotional sense. Again he had never felt like this before towards anyone else. Just as she had described, seeing Hinata happy brought a sense of ever lasting peace to his heart, while seeing her sad was akin to ripping that very heart out. He didn't understand at all why he would be feeling this way toward a person he just met, but perhaps these were the very reasons why he decided to marry her the very first time they met. After all, from the moment they met yesterday Naruto knew intrinsically even if he was not prepared to accept it that Hinata was someone special to him and there was no way he could ever reject her. He couldn't explain why, but he just knew.

While he was engulfed in his own thoughts, Hinata held his right hand with her own, causing two radiant flowers of light to sprout from the back of their hands and intertwine. Naruto remembered the same thing happen last night when they first met. He wondered what this was.

"This is the proof of our everlasting bond." Hinata explained while looking directly at him. "In our planet when two people get married they share these flowers as a token of their relationship. No matter how far apart the two of us may be, these flowers will bloom whenever we remember one another as long as we're alive, letting us know of each other's wellbeing. The greater our feelings towards each other the brighter they bloom. That is why these are known as the Flowers of Love."

Naruto was mesmerised by how brightly the two flowers emitted light at this moment, almost to the point of overwhelming him. But he knew that the flower did truthfully represent his feelings. He had no doubts any longer. His mind was set. He knew exactly what the person in front of him meant to him.

"Naruto-kun I'm ready to bring back your memories." Hinata said to him gently.

"I am too. But there is something I need to tell you before we do this."

Hinata gave him a surprised look. "What is it?"

Naruto took a deep breath so as to prepare himself for something big.

"I've wanted to get this feeling off my chest ever since yesterday, but I was confused. Now I think I'm finally ready to say it." He looked Hinata eye to eye with an extremely serious look. "I don't know why. I can't explain why. I don't care if this is rational or not. All I can say is that somehow I know this without a shadow of a doubt. So I want to tell it to you now. Hinata, regardless of whether I get my memories back or not…I love you. I love you with all my heart. I love you more than anyone else I've ever met. That is what you mean to me Hinata and I'm glad that we're married."

Hearing his words, Hinata couldn't help but start crying. Naruto on the other hand was taken aback by the reaction.

"What's the matter Hinata? Why are you crying?" He asked while wiping away the tears.

"You lived up to your promise Naruto-kun." She said with a smile. "Just before I locked away your memories you told me that when I returned back, you would still love me whether you had your memories back or not. I'm glad too that we got to meet and create this bond."

Naruto nodded in agreement. "So, how do you intend to bring my memories back?"

"You'll need to close…" She stopped midway, thinking of something better. "You know what, I think I know of a simpler way. Please forgive me if this is too sudden."

Without any notice whatsoever she wrapped both of her hands around Naruto's head and pulled him in for a kiss. Naruto was completely caught off guard and closed his eyes reflexively. It was during this point that he felt a rush of hundreds of memories come back to his brain. The moment lasted only a few seconds but it felt like he remembered a lifetime's worth of events that had transpired. When he opened his eyes, the two had separated.

Hinata looked at him curiously. "Are you oka-"

Before she could finish, it was Naruto this time who pulled her in for a second kiss. Hinata was the one to be taken off guard now but she savoured the moment. If this was his response, it could only mean one thing. The Naruto she knew was finally back. She was filled with joy.

"It took you long enough." Naruto stated with a grin as the two separated once again. "I'm glad to finally have you back."

"Me too Naruto-kun. I'm so happy that you're back as well." Hinata replied just as happily.

"What took you so long?" He asked, to which Hinata's expression changed to a serious one. "Actually let me guess. I'm assuming you ran into some troubles with the Galactic Federation."

"Yes, a lot has happened during the time we've been separated which caused the delay in my return. And you need to know about it all. Now that your memories are back I want to cut straight to the chase. We have no time to waste." Hinata gave Naruto a very resolute look. "I want you…no I NEED you to come with me to my planet Naruto-kun. We've completed all the formalities and preparations to take you to Hyuya. So please accompany me to my home. Someone very important is waiting to meet you there."

The concept of leaving Earth would be farfetched for any person, but to Naruto this was inconsequential right now.

"If that is what you wish Hinata then I will follow you to the ends of this universe." He replied with firm resolution.

Thus a new journey was about to begin.

I wonder if anyone can guess who this important person is that Naruto needs to meet.

Let me know your thoughts as always.

Until next time, let us all celebrate. NaruHina FTW!