Quite frankly I'm surprised at the number of hits I've gotten on this story, and compared to the number of reviews there's something incredibly lacking. As of the moment I posted this chapter it is a ratio of 1:204 (roughly) I hope you are all enjoying the story, but I'd like to hear from you and get a feel for how I am doing.

Disclaimer can be found in chapter one.

Characters may seem OoC, but consider the fact that time changes all things, and characters who do not grow or better themselves over time are stagnant and not that well thought out.

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They decided that the flowers should be put into a vase so they headed towards Hinata's home. She left Naruto down the street and hurried inside avoiding everyone. Coming into her room she took a vase from a shelf she filled it with water from her personal bathroom before arranging it on her bedside table. She admired her gift from Naruto and checked the drawer of the table to find that her birthday present for Naruto was still where she had hidden it. She then left the estate and found Naruto kicking the dirt absentmindedly as he leaned against the wall where she had left him.

She stood directly in front of him, but it was as though he couldn't see, his mind was so far away. She smiled deviously and slowly reached her hands towards him before digging her fingers into his ribcage tickling him mercilessly. Naruto laughed uncontrollably but managed to fend off Hinata's fingers and regain his composure. He intertwined his fingers with hers and led her off outside the village into the surrounding forest for a walk to avoid any unnecessary attention. Together they strolled beneath the great trees that surrounded Konoha. Numerous leaves fell all around them, occasionally landing on the pair only to be torn away again by the breeze. They talked of good times and pleasant memories under the fitful shade of autumn trees.

A chill wind caused Hinata to cling to Naruto for extra warmth and he wrapped an arm around her to protect her from the cold. He wondered fleetingly, if it was a cold front that had just passed through, but he lost himself as he watched the wind play tag with the leaves.

"Naruto-kun, what were you thinking about back in the village before I tickled you?" Hinata asked as they sat to rest beside a stream. Naruto draped his right arm around her waist as he leaned his head atop hers. "I dunno; I kind of spaced back there." He said trying to avoid the real answer, which was what he planned to do that evening after the party. 'Why do you always act so strong Naruto-kun? I know you are hurting inside. Why won't you tell me what is bothering you?' Hinata thought as she laced the fingers of her hand with Naruto's.

Naruto on the other hand wasn't thinking about much beyond how happy he was to spend time with Hinata, and he watched multicolored leaves flowing by on the stream surface. He sighed. "Moments like these are rare, aren't they?" He asked quietly. "Hai." Hinata responded just as quietly. "It is a shame they can't last forever." He said with a profound sadness in his voice. Hinata tightened her grip on Naruto's hand. "What is wrong Naruto-kun?" She asked, concerned.

"I wish things could be like this forever, but as time passes all things change." Naruto said staring into the depths of the water. Hinata looked up at him, "What's changing?" He turned to look into her eyes, "Everything. That is the nature of the world. Even our relationship is changing. Right now it seems so simple, but looking into the future, I'm not sure what it will become." She wondered if he was thinking of marriage and children like Iruka had hinted at back at Ichiraku, as she searched his clear blue eyes for clues. Naturally, she began to blush. It was her fondest wish.

Naruto smiled at her. "As always you're cute when you blush." He said before kissing her. When he broke the kiss he looked to the sky, the sun was halfway to the horizon from its position at noon. He decided that it was time he finished his errands. "It is getting late and I have a few things I need to do before the party." He said as he stood up and offered his hand to Hinata to help her up. Once she was on her feet she put her arm through Naruto's and rested her head on his shoulder. "I'll help you." She said after they had been on the journey back to the village for a little while. "That won't be necessary. Besides I have to go get your anniversary present and wouldn't want to ruin the surprise," He said as the gates came in sight in the distance.

Hinata looked shocked. "Naru-kun you didn't need to get me anything other than those flowers." She protested. "There's no need for that Hina-chan. I got this present for you for no other reason than because you are my most precious person." Naruto said with a chuckle. Hinata sighed exasperatedly. 'So close! He almost said it!' "Aw don't be like that Hina-chan." Naruto said. "This is our anniversary; I want you to be happy." He stuck his lower lip out and made puppy dog eyes at her. Hinata looked at his expression and giggled, making him break out into a huge grin. "That's more like it!"

They arrived at the gates of Konoha and parted ways saying to each other, "See you at six!"

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Naruto walked down one of Konoha's main streets wondering which of his final errands he should do first. He needed to get Hinata's present, go get snacks for the party, perhaps a movie or two as well, and he still needed to thank Shizune. He decided to go get the items for the party first so he could prove Sasuke wrong.

After about forty-five minutes of going from one store to another Naruto was laden with several bags of snacks, including double the amount of chips he really thought he needed since Chouji would be there. He had also bought two movies, one action and the other horror. He now decided to head to the more specialized shop district of Konoha to pick up a special something.

Still carrying the grocery bags Naruto entered a rather nondescript little shop that had a hanging sign outside that read "Jeweler." The store was dim and dust motes floated in the shaft of sunlight allowed entrance through a window, but within glass cases, jewelry of all sorts gleamed in the light streaming through the window. Naruto passed by gold and silver pieces and stopped to look at a good number of unset and uncut stones. Placing his purchases on the counter he went to a door on the back wall through which came the only light in the entire shop. The store wasn't closed that was just how its owner preferred things, once he had explained that if a jewel couldn't sparkle in adverse conditions, then it wasn't worth the gold it was mounted on.

Naruto stood in the doorway and watched an old man at a work bench, totally engrossed in his work. Carefully he twisted precious metals into intricate designs that would complement the chosen stone perfectly. Naruto knew better than to disturb the old man while he was at work because the most miniscule imperfection would have him grumbling for hours on end as he redid the entire piece. It was several minutes before the jeweler stopped working and leaned back into his work chair, and away from the powerful magnifying glass that he had been using to aid his sight. He sighed and wiped his sweat covered brow and began rubbing his hands to soothe the pain, before noticing he had a customer.

"Welcome, Naruto. How are you today?" He asked as he stood to greet the blond. "I am tired, but beyond that, quite well." Naruto replied as he shook the old man's hand. "How are you today Master Gin?" "Eh? Drop the master would you? It has been a long time since anyone counted my skills worthy of the title, especially with my arthritis acting up," He said frowning at the young man before him. Naruto smiled at Gin, "I trusted your abilities, didn't I? Does that count for nothing?" He asked. Gin waved at him in fake annoyance, "What would you know about jewelry? You are an upstart youngster." Naruto sighed, shaking his head bemusedly, and decided to get down to business. "Do you have what I requested?" He asked the jeweler who had begun to dust the nearest glass case of his wares with a cloth that apparently was washed at least weekly. This shop may be dark and quiet but it was impeccably clean, probably because its owner had little better to do.

"What do you take me for? One of those bargain chain jewelry stores whose pieces are overpriced and lack originality and soul?" Naruto shook his head to appease the clearly irritated elder. Jewelry was a matter of pride to this man, and that is why Naruto chose him for this most important item. Gin had made his way back to the back room all the while grumbling about the world's many injustices to artists. Now he returned from his foray carrying a wide blue velvet lined box, which had kept closed so Naruto would get the enjoyment of opening it. Placing a desk lamp onto the counter he turned it on to let the piece truly shine. He had enjoyed doing this, simple though it was, and watched expectantly as Naruto opened the box.

In the soft light of the lamp; seeming a glaring protest to the gloom about them, glittered a silver pendant on a silver chain. Against the background of midnight blue the precious metal gleamed all the more brilliantly, as Naruto marveled at the craftsmanship. The pendant was a quarter-sized and thick, circle with a spiral engraved onto the front while the back was as a mirror. Naruto tried to find a beginning and end to the engraving, but his eyes just followed the curving lines endlessly, almost hypnotizing him within its depths. It was on a fine silver chain, dainty but strong as he tested its give. He continued to admire the necklace until Gin spoke. "You got quite the creative mind, young man. If you had proper training I'm sure you would be as successful as I had once been. Your ideas and input were invaluable for creating such a thing of simplistic beauty." Naruto knew this was high praise from a man once lauded as a master smith. He also knew that he was glad he remembered today was his anniversary earlier, otherwise he would have forgotten to come to get the necklace, he had become so absentminded as of late.

"Now, about your payment," Naruto began as he took out a dilapidated Gama-chan and acquired a fairly large sum of money from the wallet and presented it to Gin. "I believe this was the agreed amount." Gin held out his hand, but not to take the money; rather, it was as though he was refusing it, which confused the shinobi. "I'll take only three quarters of what I originally asked, since you helped out so much and because I enjoyed doing it."

Naruto's jaw dropped for a moment before returning to its customary position. "But I wouldn't feel right about going back on our agreement," He argued, frowning at the necklace. "A commissioned artist reserves the right to raise or lower his price, so long as there is good cause," Gin argued back. "For some reason I know that this necklace holds a special significance for you. Now, only three-quarters of the agreed price," Gin said, when Naruto went silent, and held out his hand. Even at only seventy-five percent the original price it was still a hefty sum, and Naruto counted it out to make sure he had the right amount, because he had taken it out of his account as a lump sum and kept it separate from his pocket money so he wouldn't have to bother.

When he finished, Gin pushed the now closed box towards Naruto with a smile, who accepted it with a smile to match and he placed the box in one of the grocery bags before loading up. Gin stashed the money in a lock box before rushing to the door to open it for Naruto who was going to nudge it open with the toe of his sandal. "A pleasure doing business with you," He said to send off the blond who had become his favorite customer if not his best.

Naruto decided that he should drop his purchases off at his apartment before going to see Shizune as he didn't want to haul it all around Konoha or to have people asking what he had and sneaking looks inside. He walked home acknowledging greetings with a nod of his head. When he got home he put the perishable items in the fridge and the rest on the counter. He took the necklace box into his room and hid it beneath his chest of drawers due to the fact that it was highly unlikely that anyone would be in a position to see it. Naruto strictly forbade the more amorous of his friends from entering his room, which surprisingly, were Neji and Tenten.

Satisfied with his hiding place he left the apartment, locking the door behind him and heading to the Hokage tower.

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Entering, as was his custom, unannounced, Naruto immediately went to Shizune and gave her a hug. "Thanks for the present, Nee-chan." He heard a groaning coming from the Hokage's direction and looked over at her. "Naruto, you could try knocking one of these days," She said rubbing her temples. "How would you know it was me then?" He asked. "When I look at you fool." Then she looked as though she had remembered something previously forgotten. "We can continue this later. I need to speak with him right now," Tsunade said to her two guests, who were the Third's two former teammates; they got up shaking their heads in amusement at Naruto. He managed to be able to get on anyone's good side somehow, even some of the most serious people he had ever met. He had not really noticed their presence as he had been focused on completing his errands so he could get back to his house to be ready for Hinata, but he was curious as to what Tsunade needed to speak to him about.

Tsunade motioned for him to sit, which he did, lounging as though he had all the time in the world. The Hokage looked him up and down, he was taller than her and had been for a while topping out at around six feet. He was lithe and strong thanks to the constant training he endured when it wasn't a special day like today. He had come to resemble the Fourth almost as if they were brothers, growing his hair out to a few inches longer than he had when he was younger.

But it wasn't his physical growth that concerned her but more his maturation, his mental and emotional growth. He had changed for the better ever since he started dating Hinata, learning how to behave in proper situations, coming to analyze a situation before acting, showing prudence in his choices. He had grown in battle prowess as well; she believed that he was stronger that she had been in her prime much like his two teammates.

"You have grown up, Naruto," Tsunade said suddenly, stopping Naruto's bouncing leg and catching his attention which had been fixed on the wood grain of the front of her desk. "Yes, time tends to do that to people," he replied nonchalantly. "Do you hold the wellbeing of the village foremost in your heart?" Tsunade asked, drawing a curious look from Shizune. Naruto himself looked in turmoil as he thought about the question and its implications. "Well, I love this village. It is my home and all my precious people live here, but as far as foremost in my heart, Hinata has that place reserved," he said, a slight blush bedecking his cheeks. "But I will protect this village with my life to keep her safe, to keep all my friends safe."

Tsunade decided that was proof enough that he was the right choice. "Then you will be glad to hear that I have decided that you will become the Sixth Hokage!" She announced happily which caused Shizune to beam at Naruto. But his reaction was far from what either of them had expected. Instead of jumping up and down or giving a shout of triumph, he frowned and his eyes grew dark as though he had been told he had a terminal disease, his expression was one of great pain. "What is wrong, Naruto?" Tsunade asked concerned, as she stood up to come around her desk to kneel before him so she could look in his eyes. "Aren't you happy? I thought this would be great news, especially on your birthday."

Naruto gained control of himself and forced a grin onto his reluctant lips. "Of course I'm happy. My dream has finally come true. I'll tell my friends at the party." He said, the cheerful sound of his voice contradicting how he felt inside. "I just forgot to get Hinata an anniversary gift." He lied, trying to cover his blunder. Tsunade seemed to buy it, "Well I think Ino's shop is still open, if you hurry you can get her a bouquet. But I can't believe you forgot. It's on your birthday." She said with a heavy sigh. "Yeah I know," he said as he got up and hugged Tsunade in thanks and gave another hug to Shizune before he left.

When the door closed behind him Tsunade stood and went to the window and looked out over the village. "Did you see his face when I told him about my decision?" Tsunade asked Shizune. "Hai, I thought that the news would please him to know end, but he looked upset." She replied. "It wasn't a ploy to make him happy. He knows I wouldn't kid about this," Tsunade said with a sigh. "You heard him lie to my face right then didn't you?" She asked her assistant. Shizune frowned, "Hai." Tsunade went and dropped heavily into her chair, "What could be bothering him that achieving his dream would actually cause him pain?" She asked the heavens as much as Shizune, who merely shook her head, unable to answer her mentor's question. The blonde Hokage called one of her ANBU guards, "Tell the captain that I need one ANBU member to keep a watch over Naruto tonight," pausing she added almost as an afterthought, "discreetly."

"Hai" was all the response she got as the guard disappeared to do her bidding. Tsunade decided it was the best she could do given that Jiraiya was off, only the spirits knew where, drinking and womanizing. Shizune spoke up then, "Do you think he might be planning to do something foolish?" Tsunade glanced at her and then her gaze turned to the top of her desk, "I don't know. But I do know that I miss the old Naruto." The Hokage placed her elbows on the desk and supported her head in her hands closing her eyes. 'Are you too proud to ask to help when it is so obvious you need it?'

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"DAMNIT!" Naruto cursed as soon as he was out of yelling distance from the tower. Why did fate have to kick him in the teeth at every turn? Always it was that whenever something good came along, something bad would take it away or cancel it out. Naruto knew that he couldn't host a party in his current state. He needed to vent his frustration out on something, preferably something that wasn't alive. He wanted, to the depths of his soul, to deny that that he heard her say those damning words. He sped out of the village and into the surrounding forests to find someplace where he could be alone.

He stopped in a small clearing, the shafts of light from the setting sun striking deep beneath the canopy of the forest. Amongst the trees he found a boulder, which caught his attention and began to receive punishment as though it had forced this pain on the young shinobi. Naruto punched endlessly into the unforgiving hide of the large stone. At first all it did was cause him pain as his hands suffered the continuous blows and the skin on his knuckles split, he lost himself in the pain. But then cracks began to spider web out from the point of impact as he always hit the same exact spot.

He renewed his assault on the boulder aiming to destroy it leaving trails of blood to flow down the cracks and down the as yet unbroken side of the boulder. He accentuated each punch with a "Damn it!" His voice began as a low growl, but as the cracks grew, so did his litany against the injustices the world had forced upon him crescendo. When the boulder finally succumbed to his relentless attacks and crumbled into numerous pieces, his voice had become a shout. He continued to pound away at the ground pulverizing the rock and making the trees shake at his fury, as his cries echoed in the deepening gloom of the forest.

When he had finally decided that he was done he was standing in a small crater, panting from his efforts and his hands were two bloody messes. The rock shards all around him were stained crimson with his blood, which caused him to turn his attention to his hands, which seemed to cry out in pain with each heartbeat. He smiled in grim satisfaction at the sight of his hands and the destruction they had wrought. Soon, however, he was grimacing as his wounds began to mend before his eyes and he wanted to continue to punish some other inanimate object, if only to forget where he was, why he was doing it, or even who he was.

He fell to his knees, wondering at the futility of it all; his eyes directed, yet unfocused, at the pastel sky he could see through the tree branches. His heart told him to shed tears at the unfairness of it all, but he refused to listen; he would never cry again. He wanted to tell them, wanted to tell them all what was wrong, but he knew they could do nothing for him. He knew that his time would soon come and he wanted to spare them all from the pain of seeing him at that moment. That is why he had decided on his course, his head dropped into his hands as his mind put all their faces into a parade for him, finally ending with Hinata. He wished he could spend more time with her, to make up for years of ignorance, years of unbearable loneliness for the both of them.

Taking his hands from his eyes, which were puffy despite the fact he had not cried, he looked at his watch. He cursed under his breath when he realized he had spent too much time out here letting his emotions run their course. It was 5:45pm and he need to be at his apartment to greet Hinata when she came over. His wounds were healed, but his hands were still covered with his blood. He sped towards the village stopping at a stream to rinse his hands clean and splash some water on his face to try to smooth his emotions out. He sprinted the rest of the way home, passing by other villagers as they collected their children for the evening not noticing the shinobi speed by. Luckily, he made it home before Hinata had arrived and rubbed the layer of sweat he had gained off with a towel.

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There you have chapter three. If you are reading this then you have finished reading the chapter and are in a position to tell me what you think, any criticism on where I can improve or something I'm not making clear would be appreciated. (Mind you somethings are left ambiguous for a reason)