Disclaimer: I do not own Naruto.
A/N: *sigh* I hate this chapter. Hurt's my Heart! anyways the 4th chapter as promise
Chapter 4 A two sided focus
Naruto had the engagement ring in his pocket. He was more ready than he ever was in his entire life. The more he thought about Sakura the more he couldn't wait. He glanced at Hinata and decided to first enjoy his time with her.
"Um hey, Hinata? where do you want to go?" He wasn't sure if she wanted to go to Ichiraku's or not. He didn't want to be selfish as this was her celebration. Unknown to Naruto, Hinata's favorite restaurant was Ichiraku's.
" Um Ichiraku's ..." She smiled lightly. Naruto couldn't help but grin at her decision. They walked into the restaurant getting ready to eat. They order their meals and waited silently until Hinata's curiosity got the best of her.
" um what is it that you have to try N-Naruto-kun." She asked worried. Naruto didn't feel like telling her. 'meh I need to make it a surprise to everyone.'
"oh nothing special... enough about me. You're Anbu Captain. aren't you happy?" He tried to refocus their conversation. Hinata smiled brightly.
"Hai... I always wanted to do this actually. This is my dream. I always wanted to get stronger and you h-helped me get to that point. so I thank you Naruto-kun." She smiled. The young man shook his head.
"yeah yeah ... you stoled my Ninja way Hinata" He chuckled teasing her a bit. Hinata blushed turning a slight red before she commented on that.
" W-w-well... I personally s-see it as sharing it." She tried to defend herself slightly.
" Hmm thats one way to look at it... but you got to your dream before I got to mine... actually i never really achieved it." Naruto frowned. He didn't like how those words came out of his mouth but, it was true. He gave his dream to Sasuke to ensure the safety of the village. To ensure trust between clans within the village. The uchiha were always frowned upon by the higher up. Naruto wanted the whole village to appreciate them. It was much bigger than just him. He gave up his dream job to his old rival. In a way Naruto lost and to make things worse, Sakura still loved him. Even though she couldn't have him It still bothered Naruto. Thinking about Sakura made him reach into his pocket on squeeze the ring tightly. 'You're my last hope... please see my way this time Sakura.' He would make sure that he made no mistake this time.
" Naruto I don't see it that way, to be honest I think you-"
"Two miso Ramen meals. Here you go!" The man placed their meals down forcing Hinata to drop her last thoughts. The two of them enjoyed their meal talking every now and then. Hinata was really happy that Naruto was asking so much about her and for the first time in Naruto's life he was fascinated with Hinata. As the evening ended, Naruto said his good bye and left. Hinata rushed over to Tenten's house. She was eager to tell Tenten the good news. She knocked on her door and waited patiently for the girl to come. 'Maybe... just maybe... he likes me too!' She contained a squeal from escaping her lips as the door open. Tenten smiled brightly.
"Hey Hinata! It's been awhile. Come on in!" She beamed happily. Kojiro was in the backyard training quietly when he heard Hinata in his house. He jumped on top of the roof top and activated his Byakugan. The window was open so he heard everything clearly.
"So how have you been, girl! You barely come over anymore. It's been about a month." Tenten frowned slightly. She considered Hinata as a sister due to their closeness even though they were really cousin in law. Nevertheless everyone was close like family.
" Um im Anbu Captain now but, thats not why im really happy. Naruto has been hanging out with me more than usual. We just came back from a week long mission. We got to express ourselves around each other." She smiled kindly. Hinata couldn't care less about Anbu Captain. Its true she wanted to focus on herself but, she didn't forget about Naruto. She still loves him more than words can describe. He just had to get himself together. She knew him more than anyone and she was thankful that Naruto is going to continue his life instead of waiting around.
" Anbu Captain? don't just shrug that off, thats amazing Hinata! and to think... that this all came from looking up to Naruto." She shook her head as she took a sip of her tea.
"I know I just really love him! He means everything to me. For him to finally pull himself together makes me happy. I've finally caught up to him... and now it felt like he was walking behind me instead of alongside me. It took me awhile but, now im as strong as Sasuke and Naruto. They both acknowledge me too." She paused letting her eyes rest on Tenten's tea. "Well Naruto use to think I was frail but, that's changed." She finished smiling brightly.
Kojiro smiled. Maybe what his dad protected was still there. He knew he didn't have to do anything as he started rushed back to training. He was eager to let Tsume know she had nothing to worry about.
"Well im happy for you! Go great your dream man!" Tenten teased as Hinata was bright red with embarrassment.
" U-um okay" She said shyly as she stood up and turned towards the door.
" I won't say anything. I hope things go smoothly." The weapon master said as Hinata walked out the door. She then washed her cup as she called Kojiro into the house.
"I hope father's wishes come true." He smiled as he walked towards the kitchen. Tenten smiled sadly. She missed Neji dearly but, she was never mad at Naruto for not going after Hinata even though Neji sacrificed his life in order for them both to be together. He thought it was better him dead than for Hinata to die. Tenten was okay with that mainly because she believed that Neji had always been Hinata's guardian and also because in the end, it was Naruto's life to live. Its not like Naruto told him, let alone anyone, to protect him. It was the mission for every ninja to protect Naruto.
"I know in my heart that they will be together for sure!" she smiled as she went back to washing the dishes. Kojiro grinned and went to his room.
The next day Kojiro came early to the training grounds to talk to Tsume. Tsume was there practicing on her own. They rarely spoke in the morning but, today was different for several reasons.
"Hey Tsume I got good news!" Kojiro spoke quickly. Sakura was there earlier than anyone else but, she was in a tree watching their improvement alone. She did this everyday ever since that day the two of them said it was worth it. The pink haired was slightly paranoid but, she never heard anything out of the ordinary. So, when she saw Kojiro talk to Tsume she shrugged it off going back to her book that she usually read. Nothing perverted like her old sensei.
Tsume looked annoyed at his interrupting voice. She turned towards him rolling her eyes.
"Don't give me that look." Kojiro said reading her face easily. Tsume just glared at him.
"Well? Spit it out!" She crossed her arms and leaned against the tree. Kojiro ignored her tone and began to explain to her.
" So it seems that Naruto is finally starting to realize that he should be with Hinata! Im so excited! This is going to be great!" Kojiro couldn't contain his excitement. Sakura's eyes shot open. She quickly turned towards the both of them in her little hiding spot.
"W-wait really? Oh this is great Kojiro!" She gleamed hugging the boy tightly. Kojiro rolled his eyes.
"Oh so you're not irritated with me?" He teased her.
"Not if you're going to be my cousin soon!" She laughed. Sakura winced at that. She didn't love Naruto but, what was this feeling. She didn't like the fact that Naruto was getting over her. She was going to change that!
"And also... I think its better this way. Our sensei doesn't love Naruto like Hinata does." Tsume smiled. Sakura was annoyed by that statement. She knew it was true but, she felt like doing something about this.
The day went on as Naruto got ready to prepare the ring in a velvet box. He then had a Sakura flower in his hand. This was it! The last chance he had. He strode over to the training field where he saw sakura students just leaving as he arrived. He then made his way over to her. Sakura was sweating bullets. She didn't even see Naruto coming. Naruto hugged her from behind as Sakura jumped in his grasp.
"Eeep! Naruto don't scare me like that!" She yelped and turn around pushing away from him.
"Oh im sorry hehe" He grinned widely as he was preparing himself mentally. Sakura eyes shifted then pulled herself together.
"Naruto... ive been thinking. Maybe-" Sakura began. Naruto put his hand up then replied.
" before you say anything there is something I want to ask you... I don;t care what you say... What ever happens ... happens." He then got on one knee. Sakura was puzzled but he rmind started to race. 'shit he's going to propose to me! oh my god Naruto you really do love me! I was going to ask you out but this is much better!' she smiled softly as her stomach had butterflies.
"Sakura Haruno ... will you... Marry me?" He asked her as he open the velvet box and handed her the sakura flower. Sakura was stunned. Her mind went blank. This couldn't be true. Naruto was sweating bullets as he tried to contain himself nervously. Sakura hesitated.
"I... I..." She thought about Hinata and Naruto. She instantly made her decision. "YES ill marry you!" She smiled and Naruto got up and tackled Sakura laughing and smiling. She giggled as he starred into her eyes.
" Finally.. got you to say yes! I can't wait to tell everyone!" Naruto laughed lightly. Sakura Smiled. They started to kiss and make out for awhile. Naruto then got up and pulled his new girlfriend up with him.
"you know its funny because If you were going to say no... I was going to become the Sage of the village." he laughed playfully. Sakura frowned at that Remark.
"No don't do that... stay here with me. Retire and be the loving husband I know you can be!" Sakura flirted with him making Naruto blush.
"I erm... I okay... I guess your right." Not know what to say. He looked dumbfounded.
"Well Naruto... I guess ill see you later." She kissed him on the cheek and walked towards her home. Naruto had to tell his bestfriend about the good news. He rushed to the hokage building like he did a week ago only this time he found what he was desperately looking for. He found love. the love of his life that he knew he wanted. The love that was right for him, that care about him, something that no girl has ever done for him. 'Sakura... She's the only thing that matters to me. The only girl who loves me for me, who knows me, god am I lucky or what?' he finally made it to the building. He quickly jogged to Sasuke's room. He rushed through the door to find Tsume and Sasuke talking.
"Yea isn't that great father? he's finally going to do it!" Tsume exclaimed. Sasuke smirked he was happy for the idiot. Then his gaze turned towards the door. Speaking of the devil.
"Oh you're here." Sasuke flatly said as he looked up from his daughter to his best friend's face.
"Yes I have great news! How did you know Tsume?" He asked her curiously. Tsume just giggled and sticked her tongue out at him.
"Im the best ninja out there. These ears don't miss anything Mr. uzumaki!" She joked playfully.
"So whats the good news Naruto?"Sasuke asked wanting to hear it from his mouth. Naruto grinned.
"Sakura is now my wife to be! Isn't this great! I finally got her to say yes. This is beyond amazing! So yeah I won't become Sage for the village. Im fine where I am." He smiled. Sasuke smile slipped off his face. His eyes becoming stale. Tsume eyes teared up as her smile left her face. Naruto was confused. He scratched the back of his head.
"Um ... whats wrong guys?" Naruto ask not sure of what to say. Tsume just starred at him with pity.
"You... you really are an idiot huh? How could you? You're... you're not my uncle... I DON'T WANT ANYTHING TO DO WITH YOU!" She yelled. Naruto's heart cracked. He loved Tsume. She cared about him a lot. She was like a daughter to him but, the fact that she denied him even to be his niece. It was unbearable. Naruto reached out to her as his voice croaked.
"W-why?" he asked stepping closer to his niece. she backed away and grabbed onto Sasuke. Naruto looked into Sasuke eyes not understanding. "S-sasuke ..." Naruto numbly called to him. Sasuke shook his head. His eyes glued to his paper work. It seems that Naruto's choice was deadly to them as a family. 'She wants you to be happy Naruto... why can't you see that Sakura isn't the one for you. You're eyes are stronger than the byakugan and the sharigan. it even has more clarity than the rinnegan and you proved that. So why now? Why are you so blind' Sasuke squeezed his eyes shut as his thoughts ran rapidly.
"Naruto... you should just go. She's upset... Ill talk to you later." Sasuke dismissed Naruto. The blonde didn't know what to say. he just walked out of the office hurt and confused. What did he do wrong? It seems that no one cared about him or his happiness. So he finally got Sakura to like him yet they were against him. Naruto decided to just focus on Sakura for now.
Yeah... Things are going to start picking up now. Review Please!