I've finally achieved my lifelong dream. I have become Hokage and earned the respect of the village. Why is it that I still feel empty? Naruto had been pondering this question for a long time. The answer seemed to be eluding him. It also seemed to be clouding his judgement, so he had asked Tsunade to take over until he could sort his thoughts out. But, then, Maybe asking her was an idea created by the clouded judgement. He shrugged. He was walking around the village in his orange jumpsuit-something he had not done since becoming a Jounin. He looked at the other villagers, trying to find the answer in them. Then, while walking past Sasuke and Sakura, the answer hit him. I have no one...That's why. So he tried to come up with a solution. He kept finding himself thinking back to the pair of eyes he always felt on his back while he was training. Maybe...maybe...just maybe...that could be the solution. So he did a few laps around town, making sure that no matter what he caught the attention of those eyes. After he was sure whoever owned them was following, he began to head to a clearing in the forest. He had made it himself, and made sure no one knew about it...only him and 'the eyes'. Naruto decided that whoever owned them was a woman. He arrived at the training area and began to go through warm-ups. Soon enough, he felt her eyes on his back.
"Why do you watch me whenever I train?"
He heard rustling in the bushes...headed away from the clearing.
"No! Please...don't go. I won't ask you to show your face. I just want...someone. Being Hokage...Being Hokage isn't enough. It just isn't enough..."
The rustling stopped. Then it started again, coming toward the clearing. A woman emerged from the bushes. She was beautiful; she had diamonds for eyes, and hair that looked like a waterfall cascading down her back.
"Hinata-chan..."
"Naruto-kun... I'm sorry."
Naruto approached Hinata. "Sorry about what?"
"About never telling you..."
"I'm sorry too..."
"Why?"
"I'm sorry if this is a little sudden."
Naruto leaped forward and embraced Hinata. Then he kissed her.
"Naruto-kun... Thank you."
"I love you Hinata-chan."
Heh. Granny Tsunade can wait. I'm liking this MUCH more than that desk job.