Disclaimer

Disclaimer! I don't own Naruto or its second part story Shippuden which I have been keeping up with ever since it started. Kudos for me! Anyway this chapter has a lemon in it. Those who don't feel comfortable with it may skim through it and read the rest of the chapter although you may miss a very interesting tidbit in my fanfic but lemons aside give yourself a pat on the back! You're halfway done with my fanfic! We have 9 chapters before we start Uzumaki Chronicles Part Two! Hooray!

Chapter 12: Burning Burdens

"OH SASKAY!!" Sakura dug and latched her nails deep into Sasuke's back to hold on tight. Sasuke thrusted and thrusted again and again, going deeper and harder at each repetition. Sasuke leaned further down while in the missionary position till he reached Sakura's left breast and licked gingerly around her areola driving her wild. Doing this, Sakura couldn't hold back her inhibitions anymore. Her inner self agreed. "Cha! You make it so damn good Sasuke-kun! Harder! Harder!" Sasuke then tickled her nipple with his tongue making her moan uncontrollably, and then he clamped down on it hard. Sakura yelped scraping her nails on his perfectly chiseled back. Sakura matched her hip movement with his thrusting rhythm and panted. Sasuke seemed relentless as the two moaned and panted in each other's embrace. He was deeply immersed within her completely drenched and tight pussy. Sasuke sucked and licked her nipple till he started to gnaw and gnash on the fully erect nipple. Sakura started to tear up from this blissful and lustful pain. She grabbed Sasuke by the head and pulled him in for a hot, steamy passionate kiss. Her tongue forced its way into Sasuke's mouth. Their tongues wrapped and intertwined around each other in their fiery passion.

"Sakura-chan……I'm…."

Sakura put her finger to Sasuke's mouth to silence him. "I already know. I am too. Let's cum together!"

Sasuke couldn't believe the naughty side to Sakura. He hasn't seen this before but he kinda liked it. No he loved it. He obediently nods and thrusts a few more times before he and Sakura release as the two juices hit each other. Sasuke rolled over onto his side of the bed and panted hard, exhausted from passionately making love to Sakura. Sakura laid her head on Sasuke's chest and slowly drifted off to sleep as did he.

Sasuke and Sakura had made so much noise, they kept up their neighbor all night, and unfortunately their neighbor was Kakashi-sensei. Kakashi knew they moved in beside him to gain a personal relationship not only as shinobi but fellow citizens of Konoha. He had to make the best of it, so he decided to wear a black pair of fuzzy earmuffs to block the noise since all the buildings in the Leaf Village are built so close together and when you had good hearing like you did, who wouldn't wear earmuffs? Now he slept soundly without a care in the world.

Dawn arrived several hours later. It has been 3 days since the passing of Hyuga Clan leader Hiashi Hyuga. Everyone felt the somber mood in the air. They knew what today was. It was a day that no one was fond of. Sakura awoke with a dark feeling in the pit of her stomach. That same feeling that stayed with her after that eerie nightmare at the hospital 2 weeks ago. It stayed with her ever since then. Sakura stared at her hands as if they were at fault. "What's happening to me? This ominous feeling like I'm going to die at any given moment." Sakura was brought back to earth when she noticed Sasuke coming out of the shower and putting on the formal black funeral attire which was a white tee and a black long sleeved robe. They haven't worn these things since the third hokage's funeral.

Sasuke looked at Sakura's green eyes filled with concern and sadness. "What's up with you Sakura-chan?"

Sakura quickly shook off the feeling she had, trying not to be a burden to Sasuke and just smiled. "Oh nothing, I'm just still a little tired from last night you bad boy."

Sasuke turned his attention back to his clothes as he buttoned up his robe and zipped up his black pants. Sasuke closed his eyes and smirked at Sakura's pitiful attempt at lying. "You know, you're a really horrible liar, Sakura. I can read you like a book."

Sakura was a little baffled how he knew she was lying but it was futile to squabble with Sasuke. Sakura felt cornered. She had no choice but to tell him as the sad look returned on her face. "Sasuke, the truth is I'm nervous about our mission tomorrow."

"Nervous?" Sasuke put on his ninja shoes.

She bowed her head in disgrace as she held her stomach, feeling that darkness swell up inside her at the pit of her stomach like butterflies only that these butterflies were agitated hornets. "Ever since that day at the hospital, I've been having this weird feeling that I just can't shake and its giving me the creeps about this whole thing."

Sasuke sat down beside Sakura and tied on his black headband. "It's nothing we can't overcome. Together we can do this. Isn't that what you always wanted?" Sasuke joked at that comment meaning Sakura had been hounding him for years and now that she's got him here's your chance to prove yourself. Sasuke kissed her large forehead and stood up. "Come on and get dressed, Naruto must be waiting for us by now."

Those words inspired Sakura and the feeling seemed to disappear as she jumped outta bed and hugged Sasuke by the neck. "Ok Saskay-kun!"

"That's the Sakura I know. As Naruto would say…." Sasuke transforms into an exact replica of his teammate and sounded just like him. "I'll protect you no matter what. That's my nindo, my ninja way! Believe it!" Sasuke transforms back to normal and cracks up laughing. Sakura couldn't help but laugh too.

Naruto and Hinata walked down the street with Neji and Hanabi, all fully dressed at Konoha Tea Avenue. Naruto fixed the headband on his head and noticed the emotionless faces on Hinata and the others. 'Poor Hinata, Neji and Hanabi. They must be taking it pretty hard. I wish I could help them'" Naruto didn't know what to say though. He wasn't very good at breaking the ice, so he kept quiet until he saw three familiar kids in front of him. Naruto flagged them down, waving his hands in the air. "Hey! Konohamaru! Udon! Moegi! Over here!"

The trio turned around to see Naruto grinning from ear to ear like always. Moegi waved back and smiled. "Hey! Long time no see Naruto-kun!" Udon wiped his snotty nose like always then waved. "Hello Naruto." Konohamaru waved but the younger Hyuga sibling caught his eye. Konohamaru tried to greet his old friend but his attention was drawn to the beautiful Hanabi. Konohamaru elbowed Moegi to get her attention as he whispered to her. "Mo, who's she?"

Moegi was reluctant to answer at first but opened up. "That's Hanabi……she was in our graduating class if you could remember."

Konohamaru struggling deep inside himself to try and talk to Hanabi but his bashfulness didn't allow him to. His palms started to sweat a little as his heart pounded a beat in his chest loud enough for him to hear. Konohamaru gulped a ton of spit and sucked up his shyness and decided to break the ice a little. "Hey Hanabi, how are you today?"

'Smooth there, Konohamaru' Naruto thought sarcastically at Konohamaru's attempt to break the tension and flirt with Hanabi. Moegi only slapped her forehead.

Hanabi only shrugged, not even glancing at Konohamaru's way or anyone for that matter. She only looked at her own two feet as they were compelled to continue walking. She hasn't said a single word since her father's death, as she just buried her emotions deep in her heart. She didn't want to cry and show how weak she was in front of her friends and family. 'Father…' Konohamaru heeded the cold and somber glare in Hanabi's eyes. That feeling of hopelessness, the feeling that maybe you could've done something to prevent it. The person you hold near and dear to your heart is dead and there's nothing you can do about. Konohamaru recognized that feeling well, it wasn't long ago that his grandfather, Sarutobi died. Konohamaru felt the warmness of tears in his eyes and turned from everyone to wipe them away. He looked at Hanabi and noticed she didn't have an ounce of sadness in her eyes. She harbored deep respect for her father but teenage angst is a bitch. Konohamaru felt disturbed by this. Holding in your emotions wasn't healthy; at least that's what Iruka-sensei said. 'Poor Hanabi…..I…'

Naruto and the others arrived at the doleful funeral site atop the ninja academy, where all ninja got their start and this is where it ends as well. Everyone gathered in rows and columns of one another with Naruto and his friends in the front row. The gathering was perfectly organized like it was rehearsed. The coffin was long and amazingly sturdy enough to withstand pounds and pounds of dirt, which was a morbid thing to think about. A picture frame sat upon the dark brown coffin with a picture of Hiashi in his younger years with a type of scowl on his face, but with a heart of gold if you look close enough.

Naruto, Hinata, Neji, Hanabi, Konohamaru, Udon, Moegi, Sasuke, Sakura, Kiba, Kohaki, Lee, Tenten, Choji, Shikamaru, Ino, Shino and their senseis along with Iruka, Jirayia and Tsunade stood in order one by one in the front row, showing total respect to Hiashi. The Hyuga clan members stood behind them, Main and Branch member alike. All were grieving for their fallen leader of the household, but sucked up their sniffles and waterworks in order to say their final goodbyes. One by one everyone placed a snow white sweet pea flower near the picture frame. The sweet pea meant "Memories, delicate and fragile like a human soul". This tradition was one to show great respect for the dearly departed.

Suddenly rain slowly started to drip down from the heavens as if the angels themselves were crying. People started to put on their hoods to protect themselves from the drizzle, but Hinata and the others let it trickle down their faces as if to cleanse their souls.

Soon it was Hinata's turn to place a flower and say her final goodbye, Naruto walked with her to support her. He held her hand very tightly, never letting go. It was apparent to everyone their deep love for each other as the display of affection made them feel a little better, besides Naruto and Hinata would make a cute baby together and it would be the next in line to the Hyuga household. Ino giggled at the thought of a cute baby, Naruto and Hinata would make, I mean Naruto's kinda cute and Hinata was the most beautiful girl in Konoha, who wouldn't hope for a cute kid?

Naruto watched Hinata's expression as it changed dramatically from emotionless to heart-breaking as tears rolled down her face but it mixed with the rain. Hinata placed down a feather, a light brown hawk feather. Naruto tilted his head, puzzled that she would place down a feather. "Hinata-chan? Why the feather?"

Hinata sniffled and wiped her face of the trailing tears then she cleared her throat to prepare to speak. "Well…Na.Naruto-kun, father always said that the sky's never the limit. Dreams don't fade when you're a bird, flying high and touching the sky, flying free to accomplish its dreams. I'm glad he got to see me fight and see how strong I've gotten. I wonder if he's happy with whom I've become?" More tears rolled down.

Naruto at that moment lifted up Hinata's head towards him so that she could see the huge smile on his face. "I think he's very proud of you," Naruto kissed her forehead. Hinata blushed a pinkish tint on her cheeks, she wasn't expecting that kiss. Naruto opened his arms to Hinata welcoming her embrace. "Nothing wrong with crying when you're happy. He's in a better place and he left this entire village for you to protect with your heart just as he did, if that isn't love then I don't know what is. Why if I didn't know better he's probably watching you right now, hoping the best for you." That only made Hinata cry even more, but they weren't tears of sadness, but tears of joy. Hinata buried her face in Naruto's chest and cried hard. Naruto cradled her and stroked her head to comfort. "There, there, let it all out. It's ok." Naruto took Hinata back to their spot in the crowd.

Konohamaru followed suit as did Hanabi and walked back to their places. Hanabi not making a sound, not shedding a single tear, keeping her emotionless expression throughout the entire time. Konohamaru peered into those non-blinking eyes, those pupil less eyes. Konohamaru couldn't take it anymore, she was destroying herself in the inside and he never felt so helpless. He just closed his eyes to hide the pain and grabbed Hanabi's wrist pulling her into a giant hug, laying her head onto his shoulder. His hold was so gentle, gentle enough to sleep in. Hanabi madly blushing tomato red on her face, she was in the embrace of a guy she barely knew.

"It must hurt doesn't it? Watching a loved one be there for you one day and gone the next. I know that feeling all too well." His voice was so powerful yet gentle and soft in its whisper.

Hanabi tightly clenched Konohamaru's robe and tried to hold the tears back with all her might. "But why….why does it have to hurt?"

"It's not your fault, it's a way to let go and be a better person in the process. I mean just look at me…"

Konohamaru's words caused Hanabi to look at his face for the first time. At first she was shocked to see her father's smiling face, but she blinked and saw Konohamaru's smile instead. A tear trickles from her eye. 'Father, I understand now, you sent him to protect me didn't you? He has a smile like you do……….father' The tears rolled down uncontrollably. Her bottom lip began to quiver as all the pain seem to flow out like a mad river. She buried her face in Konohamaru's chest which muffled her loud cries. Konohamaru cradled her head as a tear came from his eye as well.

"Be strong Hanabi for I'm always watching you and your sister…….oh and tell Naruto I'm watching him too. He better not hurt my Hinata or else I'm coming for him!" Hiashi's spirit spoke to Hanabi. Hanabi can only smile as a weight was lifted off of her. A burden she didn't carry anymore but Naruto-kun better not mess up or its his ass. Hanabi snuggled Konohamaru as the rain stopped falling as the same bird from before flew above dropping a rose at Naruto's feet.

Naruto noticed it and looked around confused. 'Who could've dropped this? Weird….' Naruto carefully picked it up, mindful of its sharp thorns and showed it to Hinata. "Look at what I found."

Hinata looked at it just as confused as Naruto was. "A rose? Out here? Weird…"

"I know! I said that too….." Finally it clicked with Naruto. "You don't think….."

Hinata realized what he meant and couldn't help but smile. "I think Father is giving his blessing to you, Naruto-kun."

Naruto grinned and handed the rose to Hinata. "Well, that's great to know. I wonder what would've happened if I didn't receive his blessing?" And at that moment the bird lands white crap on Naruto's shoulder. Naruto deeply frowned at the sight of it and everyone spreading out from him. "I just had to ask didn't I?" Hinata fell over laughing her ass off.

A couple of hours later, after everybody said their last goodbyes, Naruto and Hinata stood at the bottom of the Ninja academy waiting for Grandma Tsunade who told them to meet there after Naruto cleaned up. Naruto folded his arms and tapped his foot out of impatience. Tsunade was just as absentminded to time just like Kakashi. "Where the heck is Grandma! She told us to wait here and we've been standing here for 15 minutes already."

Hinata placed her arms onto his shoulders and kissed his lips lightly to gain his full attention. "Just have a little patience, Naruto-kun. Lady Hokage will show up."

"Ok if you say so Hinata-chan." Naruto and Hinata entered another one of their passionate liplocks as Naruto cradled Hinata's curves. Tsunade tapped her foot on the ground waiting for them to notice her. When that wasn't possible, a vein bulged in her left temple that twitched.

"Ahem…."

Failed attempt number one.

"Ahem!!"

Number two…..

"Hey look! I've got ramen!"

Strike three, y'er out!

"Goddamn it!" Tsunade got Naruto by the collar and pulled him from Hinata. "Jeez Naruto! I've been trying to get your attention for the past two minutes!"

"Oh really? I didn't notice at all." Naruto spoke in a sarcastic tone.

That vein bulged bigger.

"Do you want to make it two funerals today?"

Naruto backed off cause he knew Tsunade was completely serious. "Ok ok calm down Granny! What is it?"

Tsunade sighed to calm herself down and began to explain to them what was so important.

"It's about your S-rank mission tomorrow, there has been some changes."

Hinata was curious as to what these changes were. "What kind of changes, Lady Hokage?"

"Well since the Chunin Exams are coming up, we are going to be a little short staffed in Jonin so I'm afraid Kakashi can not join you for he has a new team to instruct."

Naruto was deeply disappointed. He looked at Tsunade with a bit of hurt in his eyes. "So now what?"

"Well Gaara can't accompany you either for the Kazekage has to attend the Chunin Exams as well and Temari and Kankuro are working as ambassadors for Suna, but I have a plan."

"What plan Grandma?"'

"Your shinobi skills have certainly improved over six years. I saw proof of that the other day."

Naruto grew a smug look on his face. "Tell me something I don't know."

Tsunade folded her arms and smirked. "Well well since you're so confident in your abilities, you, Sasuke and Sakura each get to lead a three man squad."

Naruto clenched his fists and jumped up for joy. "Awesome!" Naruto was totally psyched. "I want Hinata in my squad!"

"Alright, calm down since your little display of affection in front of everyone at the funeral," Naruto and Hinata blushed and twiddled their fingers remembering that. "You get Hinata and her team."

Naruto hugged Hinata from behind, just full of joy. "Yay! I have my own squad…..wait…." Naruto then grew a blank stare then frowned and bowed his head when he realized something. "But I'm not a Chunin. So I can't be a squad leader." Naruto was heartbroken when he remembered he was still a Genin.

Tsunade put her hands on her hips and grinned in Naruto's face. "Who says? You proved to not only me but to two members of the Hyuga household, former leaders no doubt that you're more than able to skip Chunin and go straight to Jonin level but circumstances preventing, I'll just promote you to Chunin status."

Naruto was speechless, he couldn't believe what Tsunade was saying. Naruto's eyes was as wide as grapefruits. "Me….Chunin?"

Tsunade tilted her head and giggled. "Yep! You heard me! I hereby promote you, Naruto Uzumaki of the Village Hidden in the Leaves to the rank of squad leader. Congratulations! You're a Chunin now!"

Jubilation struck Naruto as he couldn't help but hug Tsunade by the neck. "Thank you, thank you, thank you, thank you Grandma Tsunade! You're the best!"

Tsunade blushed pink under her eyes. "Ok calm down Naruto. It's my job, I'm the Hokage remember?"

Naruto quickly let go of Tsunade and clenched his left fist with a renewed fire in his eyes. "Yeah and now I'm step closer to becoming Hokage myself!"

Hinata smiled, she was just as happy as he was. She quickly grabbed his hand. "Ooh! Let's go celebrate down a Shushuya! Dinner's on me!" Hinata ran ahead and gained a head start like Naruto does her.

Naruto ran after her. "Hey no fair! You cheated!" Naruto and Hinata ran off laughing in the distance, splashing in puddles of water from the rain, just like the kids they were deep inside.

The bird that carried the rose flew up above flying high into the sky as an image of Hiashi leaning against the sun watching with his brother Hizashi.

Note: There are eight chapters left now! I'm happy that I made it this far. And at the request of one of my friends, I'm currently in the works of another NaruHina Fanfic. This is one is more fluff and cute than this one, so it will appeal to more people. You'll see an chapter of it soon. Go check it out when you get the chance! nn