That You Were Relieved She Waited For You

Naruto

Tsunade sat at her desk staring at the fox mask of one of her top ANBU. "Take off your mask, fox, I want to speak with Naruto personally."

Said 17 year old removed his mask and smiled ferally at the older women. "What is the favor, Baa-chan?"

Tsunade smiled at the commander. Yes, Naruto had worked hard to become not a ANBU captain, but commander. He was the coordinator of every genin to jounin after Tsunade. He had all the information of each clan and person in the village. Nothing got past him. He was head of every team captain in ANBU as well, including Neji and Sasuke. Naruto was taken to every other village when Tsunade needed to be guarded and he even had command over other ninja. She could never be more proud.

He, Hinata, Sasuke, Shikamaru, Neji, and Lee had went to take the jounin exams in Suna immediately after they became chunin. Naruto had won them, making Konoha's ANBU commander take interest in him. The man, the original holder of the fox mask, trained Naruto well. When his friends joined ANBU, Naruto was instantly given the commander position.

"I want to ask a favor of you."

Naruto laughed. "Baa-chan. It will always be no if you don't ask. So, go ahead."

"I want you to retain your position as ANBU commander, but I want you on a team as well. I want you to be the captain of team Erito-Ryoku (elite force). Like now, you will still be in charge of them. How does that sound."

"Great, actually. But, who will protect you when you travel to other villages?"

"You, of course. Just because you're joining a team doesn't mean you're forgetting about me. I'll wait to travel until you return from missions. Besides, with you, the missions will be fast."

Naruto nodded. "Who is on this team, may I ask?"

Tsunade looked through the files. "Your girlfriend, Wolf/Hyuuga Hinata, Pigeon/Hyuuga Neji, Hawk/Uchiha Sasuke, Deer/Nara Shikamaru, and Cheetah/Rock Lee. That alright with you, brat?"

Naruto noded. "Hell yeah. But, you do know that those are the top ANBU?"

"Hence the team name. Everyone should be here in a few minutes to speak. You have a mission tonight."

As if on cue, all of Naruto's team members knocked and walked in. Many "good evening, Hokage-sama and Naruto-Shirei's" were heard. Hinata kissed Naruto and ran back over to the others as Neji laughed.

Tsunade stood and faced the new additions. "I already briefed Naruto on what was going on. Since he is okay with it, I will just give you this order. Naruto will be the commander of you all, while retaining his commander position over ANBU. Instead of Naruto going on S-rank missions by himself, he will be accompanied by all of you. Your team name is Erito-Ryoku. Is that clear?"

They nodded, Hinata relieved that Naruto would not take such dangerous missions by himself anymore. "Good. Let's move on. You six are to infiltrate a camp and take some blueprints of the Iwa ninja. It is rumored that the weapons they are building can destroy Konoha. The reason it is an S-class is because there are about three missing konoha ninja from here who can give them our info. You leave tonight. Naruto will plan out the mission. Dismissed."

(Later that Night by the Gates of Konoha)

Naruto, Neji, and Hinata were standing by the gates waiting on the others. Neji was busy complaining about Lee doing something dumb, Hinata was trying to calm him down, and Naruto was talking to Kakashi and Sakura, who were on gate watch.

Unlike the others, Naruto wore the metal flak armor/jacket Jiraiya had given him for a gift. The sannin had wore it during his time in the second shinobi war and deemed it appropriate for Naruto, his favorite student, to have it. His mask was not white, but it was was blood red and had the eyes of the nine-tailed fox. Kakashi admired his student, the one who was the worst of team 7 and the dead lat. He had surpassed him and Sasuke.

"Naruto, I must say that I like your attire." Kakashi gave Naruto an eye smile.

"Thank you, sensei." Kakashi couldn't fathom why Naruto still called him sensei. He was a higher rank, after all. He guessed it showed how much Respect Naruto had for the people who pushed him through the ranks, although Kakashi hardly contributed. "Hinata actually encouraged me to wear this bad boy to distinguish myself. She said it makes me look like sex on legs." Naruto whispered. Everyone missed the scowl that temporarily formed on Sakura's face.

"You really did move up. You came from nothing, no one believed in you, and you were dead last. But now look at you." Sakura added.

Naruto shook his head. "Wrong, Sakura-chan. Sasuke believed in me. He told me a lot, even when he was angry with me. Hinata always believed in me. Even when people picked with me. Shikamaru believed in me, but he was too lazy to show it. Iruka-sensei believed in me, but he did not want to play favoritism. I believed in me. And that was all that mattered."

Kakashi noticed the way Naruto said favoritism, as if disgusted by it. Did Naruto know he was slightly favored by the former ANBU commander and the Hokage herself? Probably not. He decided to do what he should have done six years ago.

"Naruto, you may not know this, but I am so so so proud of you. You were my strongest student, you know?" Kakashi laughed quietly. "In strength now, but when you were twelve, you were the strongest mentally. People despised you, attempted to kill you, you grew up without parent, alone, you gave love and never returned it. I was training Sasuke and Sakura was focused on Sasuke. But, you never gave up, you kept going with a dream to make a mark in this village. You did it, but you still have the Hokage in your mind.

I trained Sasuke, but I want you to know that I noticed you as well. Everyday Jiraiya left, I watched you train more and more to be the best. When Sasuke left, you stayed strong for the whole team, even when you were hurting on the inside. And right now, you are the best. Of my students and of the village."

Naruto's eyes prickled. For years, it had been Sasuke this and Sasuke that. He had never gotten attention from Sakura or Kakashi. The need for Sakura's attention had stopped years ago when Naruto fell in love with Hinata in the chunin exams. But, deep down without him knowing, Naruto still craved the attention of his first sensei; before the first fox and Jiraiya. Kakashi was finally acknowledging him, and while Sakura tried, it meant so much more when Kakashi did it.

Was this how it felt for Sasuke after years of being behind his brother in their father's eyes? Naruto did not know, but as Hinata leaned her head on his shoulder and Sasuke, who had arrived with Shikamaru and Lee just in time for Kakashi's speech, put his hand o Naruto's back, Naruto realized he had let a few tears slip. He put on his fox mask to hide them as Kakashi stared at him with concerned eyes.

"Thank you, Kakashi-sensei. It really, and I mean really, means alot coming from you. I didn't know that I had been waiting so long to hear that. I thought I gave up."

Kakashi shook his head. "You never give up. Now, get on with your mission."

Naruto nodded and briefed his friends on their mission. When done, the others went head, while Hinata snuggled her head into Naruto's chest. "You alright?"

"Yeah. It's just that those words meant a lot when sensei said them." He replied, letting his fingers unconsciously curl the tips of her hair.

"You know I here to listen, always."

"You know I know." Naruto looked at Hinata before she pulled on her mask. Her eyes were glossy, and her lips were moonlight made her look like an angel. Naruto realized that anyone could have Hinata because she was too beautiful. But, she wanted him. 'The moment you realize that you were relieved that she waited for you' Naruto thought.

NHNHNHNHNHNHNHNHNHNHNHNHNHNHNHNHN

"Naruto, get Gamabunta here." Tsunade had yelled.

They were in war. All his friends were by his side. Hinata, his love, was by his side. Somehow, that hurt Naruto, He wanted to be the only one on this field, ready to die, and willing. He did not want others to lose their lives. Nonetheless, He summoned the toad. It's deep voice rumbled.

"What are my orders, Gaki?"

"I need you to help in the fighting." In that moment, Naruto looked down to see three enemies fighting Hinata. "Hold on Gama."

The ANBU commander jumped down and instantly killed them. No one would take Hinata from him. He ran and quickly saved Neji's life and even Tsunade's.

"It's time to end this war." He whispered.

(After the War is Over)

Hinata stood by Naruto when all the bodies were cleaned from the field. Tsunade was speaking, and Naruto to the moment to just stare at the Hyuuga next to him. He wanted to be with her for the rest of his life.

When Sakura was cute, Hinata was blindingly beautiful, gorgeous, out of this world.

When Kakashi never really listened, Hinata took the time to listen and talk.

When Sasuke was young and broody and didn't give a shit, Hinata gave her all to Naruto and then some.

When the villagers hated Naruto, Hinata was slowly falling in love with him.

Hinata was here now. He saw her everyday, made love to her when needed be, loved her, did everything for her.

"-le we all contributed, I think we all know who the hero is." At the hokage's words, Hinata looked at Naruto, only finding that he was staring at her. "What?" she whispered.

Before Naruto could reply, Sasuke interrupted. "Look up, Baka." Naruto scowled and muttered bastard, but looked up nonetheless. Everyone was just staring at him. He glanced round but no one was there.

"Is there something wrong?" He asked. Tsunade shook her head and rolled her eyes.

"You are an idiot sometimes. I was only saying that you were a true hero in this war, and you impressed me, and that I'm announcing you as my successor, and that you'll be hokage in at least two years. But, I guess it doesn't really matter."

Naruto blinked. And then he blinked again. Everyone's eyes were on him. He blinked until he began rapidly blinking to stop the tears. It was unsuccessful; Lee, Nej, Shikamaru, Temari, Gaara, Sai, Kakashi, Sakura, Hinata, and everyone else was staring at him. "Are you serious, Baa-chan?" Was this real? Did he die in the war and this was his type of heaven?

"Deathly" she answered.

Naruto fainted after that. But, he knew Hinata caught him. He always knew.

NHNHNHNHNHNHNHNHNHNHNHNHNHNHNHNHNHNHN

Naruto was jittery when team Erito-Ryoku were leaving. They were in the same positions as they left the village. Hinata and Neji were in the front, tracking. Shikamaru and Lee stayed on the sides to be intelligence. And Naruto and Sasuke were in the back as the the strength.

Someone hit his shoulder. "What's wrong, dobe?"

Naruto turned to his best friend. "Nothing."

Sasuke laughed quietly. "Unfortunately, I'm your best friend. And I notice everything about you. Is it Hinata?"

"Something like that." Naruto smiled lovingly, giving up on trying to hide from Sasuke.

Sasuke watched Naruto's smile and his nervousness. "You're thinking about marriage." He concluded.

"Shh." Naruto chided.

Sasuke apologized as Shikamaru gave them a weird look. "Why are you so nervous, then?"

Naruto gave a dreaded look. And it reminded Sasuke of when Naruto desperately tried to heal Sasuke during the war. "What if she says no and doesn't want to be with me her whole life." Naruto's eyes welled a bit. "I don't know what I'd do."

Sasuke snorted. "You mean to tell me you can become ANBU commander, captain of the most elite ANBU team, and successor of the hokage, but you cannot propose to a girl."

Naruto glared, angry that Sasuke would see him like this. "Not just any girl, It's Hinata."

"Exactly. Hyuuga Hinata, who has been in love with Uzumaki Naruto since she was in her youth and will want to spend the rest of her life with Naruto." Sasuke winked at Naruto, making the commander realize what Sasuke had done. He had used the 'girl' statement for Naruto to come to terms with who exactly Hinata was.

Naruto smiled and threw his arm around Sasuke's shoulder. "You're right. Thanks. I will ask tonight. I love you, man."

"Better not let Hinata hear that, baka."

"It's only brotherly love, dude. She knows." Naruto said.

(Later That Night)

"Uh. Hinata. I was wondering if you could-"

Hinata bit her lip. "If I could what, Naru?"

'Does she know what she does to me?' Naruto thought. "If you could-"

"Yes. Whatever it is I will do it. I don't care. You don't have to say it. But the answer is yes."

"Then I guess we're getting married" Naruto blurted and covered his mouth in shock.

Hinata's pupiless eyes widened. "What?"

"What the hell." Naruto stated. He got down on one knee and pulled out a small box. "Hyuuga Hinata, will you marry this dead last?"

"You know it's a yes. As long as you're happy with this eternal weakling." They kissed and laughed. There was no way in hell the two ANBU could be seen as weak and dead last any more.