Disclaimer:I do not own Naruto.

A/N: This chapter is prob the mid point of the story. Not much else to say. Hope you enjoy it.

Chapter 6 Bitter Sweet

Night had hit Konoha as lights shined in the busiest parts of the village. Snow was falling gracefully and Naruto was a bit annoyed by this. He couldn't get his thoughts together because of the snow that flowed around him and manage to get to the park but, it was covered in snow and the playground was dark. From the distance you could still see part of the village that was lit.

"Hey... thanx for getting me something Hinata... you didn't have to do that." He smiled. Hinata shook her head as she turned towards the blonde.

"I wanted to get you something... B-but... what did you want to talk about?" She slowly transitioned the conversation.

"Well... its about us not hanging out... I told you on that mission months ago that we could be best friends... well... you still are it's just-"

"Don't apologize... you just couldn't k-keep your promise... I-its okay r-really." She spoke turning her gaze from him as her face grew red from the cold air. Naruto didn't say anything. He felt extremely stupid. He sat there shifting his feet, trying to think of how he could make this visit worthwhile.

"U-um... I owe you an apology." Naruto said quietly. Hinata slowly turned her attention to him.

"About your confession... and everything you've ever done for me I-"

"We aren't going to talk about this right now!" She snapped quickly glaring at the man's eyes.

"Um..." Naruto frowned slightly annoyed she shut him out.

"We have to talk about this... I want to tell you what I personally-" Naruto started.

"Im sorry but, It takes you over a decade to finally say something about my feelings? And now we have to talk about it?" She replied silently as a tear slid down her face.

"Hinata I..." Naruto tried to force out.

"No... Just stop Naruto-kun... I wish to just leave things as it is... Can I least keep our friendship? Or are you just going to steal that away from me as well?" Naruto flinched. He didn't like the way that had come out.

"Okay the reason ... the reason I havent been talking to you over the past few months is because... I simply can't..." Naruto tried to tell her. Hinata face became red as she got angry.

"What!? ... I... "Her eyes shifted from his face looking at the snow below them.

"Tenten told me about today... how you played with everyone. and had a good time. You... you still keep in touch with them but, ... you can't talk to me? does the gilt of dating Sakura bother you that much?" She asked as she starred the swings behind Naruto.

"I didn't reply to your confession because I didn't like you like that... Me liking you would deny our nindo." He said quietly. Hinata eyes went back to Naruto's.

"Because you didn't want to give up on Sakura... that's why you've been lost this whole time... You didn't have nothing else to fight for... but her love... is that it? What about my love for you?" She finally said starring up at the retired ninja. Naruto sighed looking up. He watch the snow fall over them before giving her an answer.

"Im engaged with Sakura..." He said. Hinata gasped. She didn't know he was engaged with Sakura this whole time. People just told her that he was dating her. Probably because they didn't want to be the one to hurt her. She became silent.

"I finally achieved my dream... one of them... Our nindo has failed me when it came to my Ultimate goal. I'd be damn if I let another one slip pass me." He claimed. Hinata shook her head.

"S-so... that's it? okay..."She numbly said as she walked away from Naruto. She quietly thought to herself. 'But... what you don't understand is that... You're my failure Naruto... thats what your nindo was based off of... despite never achieving dreams you still lived a legendary life. A grand life... And now that I think about it. You never failed. Your dream was to become acknowledge by the village. You gained that without becoming hokage.' she silently thought as she walked back to her house.

Naruto finally arrived home deciding it was best if he didn't give Hinata a present. Sakura was laying in bed waiting for him.

"So where have you been?" She glanced at him from her book.

"No where... Just shopping." Naruto sat on the edge of the bed. They talked for awhile before going to sleep.

A few days later Christmas had reached Konoha. Naruto woke up and got out of bed not trying to wake up Sakura. He went downstairs and began to make himself some Ramen. Sakura finally woke up 20 minutes after him and rubbed her eyes as she reached the lving room. She saw Naruto eating ramen and rolled her eyes.

"Can't you eat something else once in awhile?" She asked him a bit annoyed. Naruto shrugged as his mouth was full of ramen. Sakura found Naruto's gift and began to open it getting excited. Naruto smiled as he watch her open the gift. When Sakura reached the core of her gift she frowned.

"Really ... emerald ear rings? well... they do look nice." She shrugged and placed them on the table. Naruto shook his head.

"Sorry you know I suck at these things." He frowned slightly. Sakura smiled brightly and bend over to kiss him softly on the lips.

"Thats okay hun..." She whispered. Naruto swallowed hard trying to contain himself. Sakura then rushed over to get Naruto's gift.

"OPEN IT OPEN IT!" She screamed. Naruto winced at her screaming and quickly took the box from her. He open it to find a shirt that says "I Love Ramen!".

" Oh... Thank you... I really like it!" Naruto played it off well. He hated the shirt. 'I eat ramen not wear it... *sigh* ... what ever.' Naruto got up and placed his bowl in the sink. He then remembered him argument with Hinata. Sakura went upstairs to get dress.

" Hey im going to go to Ino's house. Merry Christmas Naruto-Kun!" She said as she jolted out the door. Naruto then went to his room. He went under the bed to pull out Hinata's gift. 'what did she give me? A fucking I love you card? That woman pisses me off the more I think about her... It's like she-' His thoughts stopped as he finally open the gift. He starred at it. Sitting there numbly and dumbfounded. In his lap was his dad famous Kunai set and instructions on how to use it along with the seals. Naruto couldn't believe that Hinata manage to give him this.

"H-how... She..." He stood there. His smile grew on his face.

"This is the best Gift I have ever received... Too bad I don't fight anymore. hmm well its time to head over to the Hokage building. Naruto placed the box under his bed.

He got dress and walked through the snow towards the building. He smiled as he was now in a good mood. He had Tsume's gift and Sasuke gift in his arms. Ready to show them his present and spend time with them.

"Uncle!" Tsume yelled as she saw him come through the door. Karin and Sasuke turned towards the blonde ninja.

"Hey! Merry Christmas!" Naruto said as his smile grew wide.

"Check this out!" Tsume said as she walked to the corner to get her sword. It was Sasuke's sword actually but, he gave it to her. Naruto's eyes grew. He then turned towards the said Uchiha.

"You gave her your sword?" He raised a brow surprised.

" Hn... yea why?" He grinned.

"Nothing...thats pretty awesome, Sasuke" He chuckled.

"Nothing short of..." Sasuke replied getting cocky. Karin slapped the back of his head and rolled her eyes. Sasuke rubbed the back of his head irritated at her actions.

"But... I got something even better than that Tsume!" He replied as he gave her the box. The girl starred as it for a long while before opening it up.

"You got me a frog contract! Am I even ready for summoning yet?" She asked and looked up at Sasuke who choked on his tea.

"What the hell! you idiot why did you get her that?" Sasuke said trying to think about the logic.

"Did you honestly forget that battle me and gaara had or do you just ... you know. Don't want to acknowledge me for being that strong during that time." Naruto said laughing a bit.

"When did you actually learn that?" He asking ignoring Naruto's answer.

"Before the chunin finals. Pervy sage taught me it. He knew I had a lot of chakra which is why he let me use it. That is why im giving it to her. She has huge chakra reserves due to her being an uzumaki. Thats why Karin could sense from far away and such." Karin pushed her glasses up glancing at our daughter.

"Hmm so it seems our family is really strong huh?" Karin Smiled.

"We were just good with seals and had a lot of chakra..." Naruto said trailing off.

"Well Ill use it!" Karin replied quickly. Sasuke shook his head.

"At this rate... you'll become the next Hokage, Karin. Hn..." Sasuke finally said.

"Oh and I got you something too Sasuke... It's not much but, I hope you like it anyways."

"Kunai set... hmm. Top notch too. Thanx" Sasuke said surprised at his gift a tad bit. Karin glarred at Naruto.

"So where is my gift Naruto?" He looked down.

"Im sorry... look Im not good with this. I only got Sakura Sasuke and Tsume something. So don't be mad at me! ... I suck at giving gifts, I really am!" Retired ninja said as he put his hands up in front of himself.

"Hmph fair enough... but next time... I would like something as well!" She said sternly.

"Well... did you get me something?" Naruto said quietly poking his fingers together in a very Hinata fashion.

"NO!" Karin yelled.

"Hey then you can't get mad at me!" Naruto protested

"Like Hell I can!" They began to argue as Tsume and Sasuke rolled their eyes.

"Well that being said... Naruto come with me for a second. I have a problem." Sasuke said standing up briefly and walking out the room. Naruto nodded and walked with the Uchiha. They finally reached the top of the building outside in the snow. Naruto loved the sight of the village as he stood next to Sasuke. It gave him a warm feeling that Sasuke was Hokage and that he looked over the village. Sasuke had Naruto's dream and Naruto had the strength to protect the village alongside him. They were the ultimate duo. Sasuke smirked.

"Just like old times eh?" He started.

" Yea...I miss our golden days where we would only get stronger." Naruto smiled brightly.

"Now... Im not mad... but what did you tell Hinata?" Sasuke said turning towards him. Naruto frowned slightly.

"I Um... why do you ask?" Naruto fumbled with the words. Sasuke eyed him silently before continuing.

"She quit the Anbu." He said firmly. Naruto Paled.

A/N: tbh i didn't know what Karin should get... but anyways I hope you guys enjoyed it. Review please!