Astrocam: Hey guys, I would have got this up sooner for Valentine's Day, but I was busy on Valentine's Day for most of the day and didn't have time to write. Also, had finished it last night and was just going to post it when we lost our power due to a major blizzard. We got the power back about 45 minutes ago so here I am, posting this after a night of freezing my ass off while trying to sleep (I'm still pretty cold but at least our power and heat's back) lol.

Just something I wanted to address, I feel like people have had something to complain about in almost every chapter that I post. Well, I do know that I can't please everybody. If this story isn't living up to your expectations, you can feel free to unfollow. I do accept criticism, but sometimes it gets a little discouraging when someone's complaining every chapter. I'm not pointing at a specific person here, so don't feel like I am. I'm also not saying that you can't leave a negative comment either, because that would be unrealistic. I just wanted to talk about how I feel about this. Again, I can't please everyone no matter how hard I try. That's basically what I'm trying to say here. If everyone was saying this story was horrible, I would probably stop writing, but I do know that some people still like it. So I'll keep posting. If someone makes a suggestion or points out a mistake, I'll try to correct it.

Anyway, with that out of the way, hope people enjoy this.

Chapter Eight – Our Night

Hinata's POV

"Oh, Hanabi..." Hinata murmured upon seeing her sister for the first time since they'd arrived at the hospital. Her and Neji had gone into the room together and Hiashi was already there, sitting on a chair next to Hanabi's bed. The girl was unconscious.

"She was terrified," Hiashi told them. "They had to calm her down. All she kept saying when she first got here was, was 'he beat me, where is he, is he after me'. It broke my heart. We asked her who 'he' was, but then someone told her that he was dead and she screamed that he was in the room with us. That's when they calmed her."

Hinata nodded solemnly, and approached Hanabi's bed. Hanabi's face was swollen, her eye black and bruised, her lip had been busted but they'd stitched it. She had a lump on her forehead, and probably other injuries that were covered by bandages or the blanket.

"I can't believe this happened to her," Neji said in disbelief. "I wonder who was the "friend" who picked her up that night, if it was the guy who hurt her, or someone else." Neji put air quotes around the word "friend".

"Whoever it was, I want the asshole incarcerated for a long, long time," Hiashi growled protectively. "At least the guy who hurt her is dead now."

It was then that Neji brought up the idea of him and Hinata staying at Tenten's place for the night. Hiashi agreed, and said he would call them if something changed with Hanabi.

Hinata called Naruto to let him know she was on her way. At least, she was earlier than she'd expected to be.

She knocked on his door again, and had an odd sense of de ja vu. This time, however, she was carrying a backpack with her things for the night.

He opened his door, still wearing the same clothes he'd worn when he saw her earlier, which was a white t-shirt and blue jeans. Guys could look so good even when they dressed simply.

"Hey!" Naruto grinned, grabbing her in a hug again. "I'm so glad you'll get to spend the night tonight! Although...I am sorry for the circumstances."

"I know, but Hanabi will be okay." Hinata snuggled against Naruto's chest, just wanting to spend the night in his arms.

"Well, we still have a couple hours left of Valentine's Day. What did you want to do?" Naruto asked her.

Hinata shrugged. "Watch a movie?"

"Alright. I have a few." Naruto kept his arm around her shoulders as they went into his bedroom. "I have only one chick flick," he told her as she sat on his bed and he went to the stand that his TV was sitting on, and opened one of the doors. "It's 50 First Dates. Hey, I like Adam Sandler."

Hinata laughed. "Alright, that sounds good."

They changed their clothes into pajamas and Naruto made up some hot chocolate. He'd also apparently run to the store and bought more Valentine's chocolate, because he brought some more into the bedroom in a bowl.

"More chocolate?" Hinata grinned as he sat beside her on the bed.

"Yep. Can't have enough, right?" Naruto popped a chocolate into his mouth as he set the bowl in between them and grabbed the remote to turn the movie on.

They snuggled under the covers, well, as much as they could snuggle while a bowl of chocolate candies was between them. During the movie, Hinata told Naruto all that had happened while she'd been at the scene of Hanabi's rescue. She could tell that Naruto felt bad that he hadn't been there for her, but she didn't care. He was here for her now, that's all that mattered.

"I love you," Naruto murmured about halfway through the movie. They had eaten as much chocolate as they wanted, and had set the bowl on the floor so they could get close. He took her hand and stroked her knuckles under the covers.

"I love you, too." Hinata nuzzled against his chest. She knew that it wasn't "true" love yet, merely infatuation as they had only been dating a month. But no harm in saying the words. She did mean them. She loved him. She just wasn't "deeply in love" yet.

"Are we ready to tell your father?" Naruto asked her cautiously.

Hinata nodded. "Yes. I think so. I'm just afraid he'll forbid me from seeing you, ever."

"If that happens, well...I don't know, we'll think of something," Naruto assured her.

"I'm sure we will," Hinata agreed. She didn't want to lose Naruto, and then end up dating and marrying someone she wasn't truly happy with, only to please her father's standards. "So, the next day we both have off, I'll bring you to my place."

"Sounds good. I'll try to make a good impression, promise." Naruto winked at her. "I have been known to pull pranks. But don't worry, that was in my middle and elementary school years."

Hinata giggled. At least he was making her feel better and she could relax now that her family drama was over with.

"This Valentine's Day was the best, despite my family drama" she sighed happily. "Thank you for everything."

"Oh, you're welcome. You were worth it." Naruto kissed her on the top of the head.

Hinata blushed, and they continued to watch the movie while cuddling. They did not have sex that night, as Hinata wasn't in the mood, but Hinata was just happy to be with him.

Naruto's POV

Naruto prepared himself to go meet Hinata's father, Hiashi. Hinata had told her father that a friend was coming over, she just didn't exactly say that friend was male. Hinata told Naruto that Hiashi probably just assumed the friend was Tenten.

Naruto was nervous. What if Hiashi forbid him from seeing Hinata ever again? What if Hiashi didn't like him because he wasn't a high-class citizen with a ritzy job? What if Hiashi thought he wasn't good for Hinata?

All these thoughts and more were running through Naruto's mind as he adjusted his white, button-up shirt which he was wearing with his nicest, dark blue jeans and black sneakers. He felt his outfit sort of looked smart.

"Alright," he took a deep breath. "I'm going to leave now. Impress that bastard or else you'll never get to see Hinata again." After a last look in the mirror, Naruto turned and strode out of the bathroom towards the entryway of his apartment to get his coat and car keys. "Be confident, be strong, don't look nervous," he told himself. "I'm a cashier at a grocery store. I can handle this. I've dealt with all types of people before."

After he left the apartment and got into his car, he did some more self-pep talks while on his way to Hinata's using the directions she had texted him.

Finally, he pulled into a large, half-moon driveway and was staring up at the Hyuuga mansion.

"Wow, her family really does have money," Naruto mused to himself. "No wonder she didn't want to tell me about this right away, and worry that I'd only want her for this."

He texted Hinata to announce he was here, and nervously stepped out of his car. He could feel his palms sweating already so he stuck them in a snowbank for a second. Better to have cold hands than sweaty hands to shake the hand of your girlfriend's father for the first time.

She replied to his text, telling him she was waiting at the door, and he took a few deep breaths before steeling himself to act normal, and strode purposefully up the steps onto the deck, towards the front door, where he knocked on it.

She opened seconds later, and he resisted the urge to hug her, instead stepped inside, his heart beating hard in his chest.

"Hello, Naruto-kun," she smiled at him, and he could see that she was nervous as well. "Father is in the kitchen, which is the room to the left. I told him your gender and name. He seemed cautious but told me he has to meet you first."

Naruto nodded. At least that was a step and some weight off his shoulders. "Okay. Good. Let's go, then." He removed his sneakers and jacket, and Hinata led the way into the kitchen, where a tall, pale, black-haired man, who's hair was almost as long as Hinata's, and had the same unusual lavender eyes as her, lifted his head from his laptop as he was sitting at the kitchen table.

"F-father..." Hinata stammered, then cleared her throat. "Father. This is Uzumaki Naruto, my friend from ninjutsu class."

Hiashi stood up instantly, and Naruto bowed slightly, a formal greeting. Hiashi nodded and approached Naruto. "Hello, young man. Hinata has told me about a friend she's met in ninjutsu class. I assume that's you."

"Yes sir, that's me." Naruto answered in a clear voice. He surprised himself.

"What are your intentions with my daughter?" Hiashi asked right away.

Hinata gasped, and Naruto saw her blush ten shades of red, but focused on impressing her father. "We are just friends."

"Alright. What is your occupation?"

Here's where he cans me and thinks I'm useless for Hinata to be around... Naruto gulped, but again answered confidently. "I'm a cashier at the grocery store. I work twelve-hour shifts, usually from open until close, but it gives me a few days off a week."

Hiashi eyed Naruto for a moment. "A cashier. But twelve-hour shifts are impressive. Shows that you are hard working and dedicated. Good lad. Well, I'll dismiss you to be with my daughter. Nice to meet you." Hiashi shook Naruto's hand before walking away.

Naruto breathed a huge sigh of relief, trying to calm his pounding heart. "Wow. I had no idea how nerve-wracking that would be." He smiled at Hinata, then she turned and led the way through the mansion.

"I'm so happy he approved!" Hinata grinned, looking back at him as they climbed a set of rather large stairs. "So long as he continues to think we are just friends, he should be fine with you coming here."

"Alright, that sounds easy enough." Naruto felt light-headed and giddy, as though he had just done something brave. It was probably the adrenaline rush after being so nervous to meet Hinata's father. "By the way, how's Hanabi?" he asked her.

"She could be out of the hospital in a couple of days," Hinata told him. "She has a broken hand, lots of cuts and bruises, and a couple of bruised ribs. Apparently, according to her, the jerk beat her often and sexually assaulted her."

"Wow..." Naruto was shocked at what had happened to Hinata's younger sister. "I'm glad he's dead."

"Me, too." Hinata agreed. "People like him don't have remorse for what they've done, so no matter how long he rots in a prison, he'd never feel bad for what he's done to my sister."

Naruto nodded. "So true. And, he won't ever have the chance to harm anyone again."

"Exactly. Well..." Hinata paused outside a door in the middle of a hallway. "Here's my bedroom." She opened the door, leading the way inside.

Naruto liked Hinata's room instantly. It wasn't over done, and showed no signs of her family's wealth. It was just an average bedroom, same as his, although maybe slightly fancier than his. "Nice room," he commented. The walls were pale blue, with white frames around the two windows, and hardwood floor. Her bed had a blue and grey comforter and the headboards looked like they matched the wooden dressers.

"Yeah. It is nice. I like my room a lot. I've spent a lot of time in here." Hinata smiled at him, then closed the door behind them to give them more privacy. "I'm glad to finally show it to you."

"I'm glad to finally get to see it." Naruto walked around for a minute, admiring her simple décor and few photos she had around before sitting on her bed. She sat beside him and he put an arm around her waist.

Then, as he began to lay down, bringing Hinata with him, his elbow landed on something hard, that was sticking out from underneath Hinata's pillow. He glanced up at Hinata, and her face suddenly went red.

"O-oh, that's..." she grabbed for the thing, which was obviously a notepad, and clutched it to her chest.

"What, is it a diary? If it is I won't look while you put it away somewhere."

"No, not exactly..." Hinata sighed, then hesitated, as if she wanted to show him something but wasn't sure if she should. Then she just gave up and handed it over to him, looking away while he took it and read the title that was on the first page.

It was a bucket list.

"Ah, I see you've made a bucket list," he commented. "I don't have one, but I probably should give myself more goals to look forward to. Mind if I read it? Maybe it'll inspire me."

She blushed again, but shook her head.

2015 Bucket List

- Get a real job, no matter if Father thinks I am a good fit or not.
- Earn my blue belt in Ninjutsu.
- Travel to more faraway places.
- Go to more parties and hang out with my friends despite what Father says.
- Lose my virginity, but not just on a one night stand. With someone special of course.
- Prove to Father that I can take care of myself, I am twenty years old after all.
- Get more hobbies such as writing, reading, or some hands-on hobby.
- Go swimming at a beach and wear a bikini for the first time.
- Get a cute, simple butterfly tattoo on my upper right shoulderblade.
- If Hanabi's behaviour gets out of control, I need to tell Father no matter what he will accuse me of. He can't be blind to her forever. Besides, she might need help. It's for her own good.
- Ask Naruto to hang out with me.(HE AGREED!)
- Kiss Naruto (and maybe lose my virginity to him too – but I can't think too far).

Naruto blinked as he stared at the last two items on the list. Different emotions boiled up inside of him. He wasn't sure how to feel. "So...you asking me to hang out was only something to cross off your bucket list?" he asked quietly, not sure if Hinata had just been using him all this time.

"N-no!" she blurted out. "Please, Naruto-kun. I was being silly when I wrote that list. I mean, I'm not using you. The reason those things are on the list was because, well, as you know, I've liked you for a long time. And I thought...maybe it would give me more courage to actually ask you to hang out. I had no idea you would even agree, let alone become my boyfriend and have sex with me."

"I know you've liked me for a long time. But now that you've crossed this off your list, are you going to get rid of me?" Naruto fretted, running his fingers across Hinata's neat handwriting on the page.

"N-no, again. Please believe me. I love you. And I mean that. You're not just something to cross off my list. You know how shy I am. It took a lot of courage to ask you to hang out. Which is why I took so long to do it." Hinata grabbed his arm and cuddled against him.

Naruto sighed, deciding that he shouldn't be upset with Hinata for adding him to a list of things she wanted to do. He knew that her feelings for him were sincere. "Alright. I just have a fear of being used, as it's happened to me before. Girls would mess with my feelings for them and then just brush me off without giving me a reason why. It was like, one day they could be super nice, the next they just gave me the cold shoulder and never talked to me again. Or they would put me in the friendzone like Sakura did, and go after someone else better. That's why I had such a hard time finding anyone, until you."

"I'm not like that, Naruto-kun. I promise." Hinata kissed his cheek, but then something awakened inside of him, and he turned and grabbed her by the shoulders, kissing her full on the lips.

After a moment, he pulled away. Suddenly, she took charge, and pushed him down onto the bed, so that he was now laying on his back while she straddled him, pressing herself against his excitement and moving against him.

"Wow..." he groaned. "Are you sure you want to do it here? Now?"

"My door locks from the outside," Hinata assured him. "We should try and be quiet though, in case someone walks by the door."

"I did bring a condom, just in case." Naruto winked at her.

With that, Hinata sat still and reached down for the hem of her shirt, pulling it up over her head and tossing it onto the floor. Naruto almost drooled at the sight of her full breasts and flat stomach. He'd missed being intimate with her, it had been a few days at least. They hadn't had sex the last time he'd seen her, on Valentine's Day.

Naruto then removed his own shirt, and she got up off of him, allowing him to take off his pants while she took off her pants, bra and underwear as well. They crawled back onto the bed, but this time Naruto was on top.

He made out with her passionately, grabbing both her breasts in his hands, squeezing them, causing her to let out a quiet moan and gripping her nails into his back. He was naked too, so he let his erection brush against her sex to tease her while he fingered, licked and sucked on her nipples. She appeared impatient, as she reached down to grab him and without warning, forced him inside of her, without a condom.

"Whoa!" he gasped as he felt himself enter her. "Are you sure?" he panted, pausing to gaze into her lavender eyes.

She nodded. "I trust you to pull out."

"Alright." Naruto would have felt safer with a condom, but it didn't hurt to do it without once in a while. So long as they used a condom the majority of the time.

It only takes one time, one mistake... he reminded himself as he thrust in and out of her while still playing with her breasts. But I won't let that happen.

Afterward, they lay next to each other, panting as if they had run a marathon. Naruto had pulled out and released himself onto Hinata's stomach, so he was confident that she wouldn't get pregnant. She seemed to feel content, too, as she lay naked against him, pressing her breasts against his chest.

"So, about your bucket list. I saw one of the items was that you wanted to travel to more faraway places. Well, I haven't told you this, but I have a very good friend in Suna." Naruto had a plan forming in his brain. "His name is Sabaku no Gaara. He's the President of Suna, actually."

Hinata stared wide-eyed at him. "Y-you're friends with the president of Suna? How did he become president at such a young age? I'm assuming he's our age. And how did you become friends with him?"

"It's a long story, and I'd rather not tell you when we're still naked," he laughed. "Let's get dressed so I can tell you more about Gaara, and about my plans to travel with you."

Hinata grinned at him, then kissed him and they got up off the bed to get dressed and more comfortable.

Naruto told Hinata the plan as it formed in his mind, and at the same time, began telling her the history of Gaara, how he'd met Gaara, and how Gaara had grown to become president of an entire country at such a young age. His heart swelled the more he talked about Gaara. He missed his friend, and hoped that soon, him and Hinata could actually plan a trip to Suna so he could see his friend again.

He had also decided that he wanted to help Hinata fulfill as many things on her list as he possibly could, to make this a year of accomplishments for her.

Astrocam: Now that Naruto's seen Hinata's list, he wants to help her fulfill things on her list that she would have had a hard time doing by herself. And, we'll get introduced to a new character soon, namely my favourite character in the entire Naruto series, Gaara :3 Don't worry, I'm not gonna make this into some cheesy love triangle, as I'm sure many people are going to think. Sometimes though, you gotta admit, love triangles make a story a bit more interesting :P but mine's not going in that direction.

Anyway, hope you enjoyed. Next chapter you'll learn about Gaara.