Nine: The Day After

"I think it's time to tell the others."

Naruto almost chokes on the wad of rice that was stuffed in his mouth. With a few hefty pounds to his chest, the rice goes down properly. Hinata's sudden comment had completely caught the young ninja off guard, miraculously halting him from his meal. Stabbing his chopsticks into his bowl, he turns to her.

"Are you serious? Wasn't it you who wanted to keep it a secret?!"

Hinata sighs, removing the chopsticks out of the bowl and placing them down properly. "Well... Last night I couldn't sleep thanks to you so I had time to let my thoughts wander."

Naruto's face flushes, remembering last night as well. "Oh..."

Looking at his pitiful expression made her blush as well. But she clears her throat and stares into her lap as to focus on the objective of this conversation.

"Father was away so he doesn't know anything but once he comes back. But I think if we keep this as a secret, it would do more harm than good."

Naruto sat there in thought, wondering how things would be if their friends and her family would think if they knew they were together.

"What? Hinata got with a moron like you? What a shame."

"I don't care if you saved the village, my cousin is not yours to keep. Back off!"

"I will not give you my daughter's hand! She will not be with someone who isn't her equal! Over my dead body!"

"No way! I still can't believe it."

"Stay away from Hinata!"

Naruto whined, crying exaggerated tears. "Forget it! I can already hear the complaining in my head!"

He pouted, keeping his meal at his side. As much as she wanted to console his feelings, she had already convinced herself the best way to handle this properly is by telling those who are important, the honest truth. With her mind made up, she happily reaches over for Naruto's hand with a smile pressed onto her face.

"Can you do this for me?" She asks, staring into his blue eyes.

He gulped, trying so hard not to fall for that face of hers. But the longer he stared, he easier it was for him to finally nod in agreement.

"Urgh, fine! But only because I love you. I wouldn't do this for anyone else. " He lets out a slight hmph, releasing Hinata's hand and heading back to his meal.

Her face burned in happiness as Naruto had casually admitted his feelings for her. Though they were considered official for a good few days, his love for her always surprised her. The feeling of having a one sided love for so long must have been so accustomed to her. But she is glad she didn't have to feel that way anymore.

"Oh!" She exclaimed, once again turning to the blonde. "Kiba knows, by the way."

Naruto proceeds to choke on his food once again.

VVVVV

When everything was destroyed, it was a scary sight to stand on the walls of Konoha and see the once abundant town has been minimized to what seems like an ant farm.

"Just looking at this view gives me chills." Ino cried, arms folded as Naruto and Neji stared at a similar sight. In unison, the three does a 180 as it being their shift duty of keeping watch on the wall. Having a high volume of manpower on the wall became a norm. There hasn't been any serious cases, fighting off enemies or anything like that but it was only natural that the current state of their home was vulnerable. Usually the highlight of one's day on the wall would be getting pooped on by a bird flying by. But at least today, Naruto stood beside familiar faces.

"Just think of it as one big renovation!" Naruto commented, hands resting on the back of his neck. Ino shoots him a curious expression, her arms still folded.

"You're in an awfully good mood. What's up with you?" Neji asks cooly, not once glancing over to the blondes.

"I'm so into your cousin!" Or it was what Naruto wanted to say. After his conversation with Hinata, he was on the fence if telling everybody the good news was really a good idea or not. Or course, he didn't want to complain any more to his girlfriend and instead kept his worries to himself. Aside from that, Naruto has always came off cheery lately and it was starting to annoy the two that stood on the wall.

"Ah, there's no point in complaining if you already know what to expect from me!" Naruto answers back with a smirk appearing afterwards.

"I guess it's become contagious because I can't tell you how Lady Hinata has been behaving at home lately. If it's not her cheery behavior at home, it you on this wall with the same childish grin." For a moment, Neji sounded as if he was complaining but an identical smirk tugs at his lip after every word. "But I guess it's what this village needs right now. Some positive energy."

For people like Neji, making the area bright and happy wasn't their forte. But he was right about being positive in times like this. It needed people like Naruto and Hinata. Harsh reality will always be there but given the opportunity to smile and rise above the bad, can make things that much better. And just that thought alone, made Naruto smile in satisfactory.

"That's my girl." He thought to himself.

"It's also good to know that no one died." Ino said lightly, "That would be the most tragic."

She looks at Naruto with the corner of her eyes, somewhat thanking Naruto for being there for everyone. Everyone played their part during the invasion but she kind of wondered what would have happened if Naruto wasn't there. Ino thought there was a lot to be thankful for. If it meant standing on the wall from sunup to sundown until the village is back to its original state, she'd gladly do it.

"But I think what's tragic is the shortage on makeup!" She finally admitted, almost tearing.

VVVVV

As nightfall loomed over Konoha, Hinata sat in isolation on a nearby step, watching as many pack up their supplies to head back home. After a long day of work, everyone just wanted to go home and rest their calloused hands and their aching feet from the daily grind. Hinata didn't participate in much helpful activity today aside from her help in feeding the community but she was mentally tired from the thoughts that gnawed at her.

She was reminded the proposal she had came up for Naruto during lunchtime. To finally take that big step in telling everyone the exciting news. It may have been her decision but anything involving her newly boyfriend made her nervous. But it had to be acknowledged regardless, knowing that this secret would eventually reach the ears of her family and of course, her father. Just the thought of her father finding out had placed knots in her stomach, conflicting her conclusion again.

Just when she was about to heave a light sigh of frustration, she felt a brush of warmth beside her. Hinata stiffens slightly at how warm the presence was beside her. Tilting her head to the left, her eyes meeting a pair of cool blue ones.

"Evening, Naruto." she spoke, almost as lightly as air. If Naruto wasn't staring at her lips, he could have almost misread what she was saying to him.

He returns her greeting with a grin and a light stroke to her cheek. She nearly jumps at the subtle touch, causing him to draw back much afterwards. "Ah, my bad. My hands tend to get hold when I'm up on the wall."

"It's okay."

"Okay then let's head out!" Naruto stood to his feet, holding out his hand to his girlfriend. Gladly taking the inviting but chilly palm, the two walk in the direction of her residence.

The walk to the Hyuuga main residence was a quiet one. Naruto was enjoying the walk while Hinata still had her mind on about other things.

"You've been kinda quiet, Hinata. What's up?" Naruto asks, his attention still in the now darkened sky.

Hinata makes little unsure noises to herself, contemplating on if she should express her worries to him or not.

"Well... I've been thinking about how we talked about telling everyone about us."

Naruto's feet calm to a halt, causing her to follow suit.

"We don't have to tell anybody anything just yet. If ya don't wanna then it's okay with me!" he said cheerfully. "If anything, I wouldn't mind it anymore if anyone ever knew."

With a laugh and a grin plastered on his face, Hinata felt slightly unimpressed with Naruto's calm attitude about it. Which was interesting considering how freaked out he was earlier in the day.

The thing with Hinata was that she was more than happy to tell others because of one obvious reason - she would be considered his. The thought of others knowing that her relationship with Naruto was exclusive made her incredibly happy. The only thing that was spooking her really is letting the Hyuuga family know. Because they have a reputation to keep and being completely aware of how stern her father can get, the outcome could be messy.

"But I want others to know." Her light eyes found his in the dark.

Naruto's grin faded, his face as calm as the night.

Maybe trying to cheer her up as a call that was made too soon. Her minimal words to him was usually a norm for her but he knew that she was really having a difficult time try to figure out what to do.

"I think... That I will go with whatever option you pick, Hinata. Just know that what the results may ever be, I can't imagine leaving your side." Naruto reaches for Hinata's hand in the darkness.

She responds by tangling joining her fingers with his. His hands still somewhat chilled suddenly felt secure. Her chest warmed at Naruto's words, who always knew what to say when the time was right. He was always so honest and passionate, and it was one of many reasons what kept her heart sealed with his. The thoughts of uncertainty dissolves in the night mist.

"You always," she whispers, "know what to say. Thank you."

With a sharp inhale from his nose, the young shinobi takes one step forward to continue the walk of their destination. Hinata glances at her boyfriend from the corner of her eyes, her heart fluttering as if she was reminded again that all of this was a reality. Uncertainty was her forte but she finally came to terms that she spent most of her life doing her best to move forward in life. And if it meant that it was a scary road ahead, her will and Naruto would enough to survive it.

VVVVV

A/N: I HAVE RETURNED! I felt bad for leaving everyone high and dry for so long! A bad writer's block, some personal life stress and disasters, and of course college life, has taken a great deal outta me. But fear not! It's the holidays and I am on my break. Do you guys forgive me?! *gross sobbing*