Chapter 19: Infiltration

Naruto strolled down a long and dusty dirt trail back to his quiet village. The evergreen forest surrounded him like a mother protecting her young. Waiting to hear any word of what was going off with his allies endeavors were taking a toll on him. And with there being no work to do for the Hokage, he could only spend the time wandering around off in what seemed like an endless daydream. He kicked clumps of dirt across the path breaking them into pieces.

"I can't take it anymore," Naruto mumbled to himself, "Waiting for any kind of update is wearing me out just thinking about it. I need something to do."

Then like a light bulb slowy flickering on Naruto remembered the perfect thing to ease his mind and enjoy what he could of the day.

"Why didn't I think of that before?! I'll just go see if Hinata…"

Before being able to finish his own sentence a dark figure came swooping in out of the surrounding woods. A flashing sword came slashing through the air at Naruto as the intruder came sliding across the dirt path. He composedly jumped away from the strike while he whipped a kunai out of his pouch and hurled it towards the hooded attacker. The attacker knocked it down easily with a swing of their sword and charged towards Naruto. Their sword danced through the air while Naruto dodged each and every attack.

"What the…," Naruto's gaze shifted slightly behind him as another hooded attacker appeared behind him launching a sword attack of their own.

The sharp blade barreled into Naruto's back but proved useless as a puff of smoke erupted revealing a simple tree log. The second attacker yanked their sword from the log and looked at their fellow fighter who pointed above them. With his fist clenched back to strike Naruto came flying from above down onto the two assailants; however, before he could reach them another pair of attackers came leaping out of the trees toward him.

"Damn I don't think I have enough time to dodge," he said forming his trademark handseal, "Kage Bunshin no Jutsu!"

A puff of smoke created an identical Naruto below the original. The original Naruto quickly placed his hands on the shoulders of his copy and pushed himself up higher to the air to avoid the two newcomers. Their readied weapons dug into the copy causing it to disappear while Naruto spun through the air away from them.

"You gotta be kidding me!" his gaze met yet another hooded attacker as they came flying towards him as he began his descent to the ground.

As the distance quickly neared between the two, the similar opponent struck forward at Naruto with their sharp ninjato. Moving to dodge it in midair Naruto used the outstretched and wielded arm as leverage as he grabbed onto it flipping behind the hooded one and landing a spinning heel kick to the back of their head hurling them into the ground while Naruto landed on his feet with a hard thud a few yards away.

Reaching into his pouch like before he drew out another kunai ready to dispatch the rest of them. Warily scooting himself around, Naruto's widened and distraught eyes came upon an even bigger cluster of enemies than he had initially started with. Standing before him in a loose zig-zag like formation was a group of fourteen black hooded foes.

"Isn't this just great," Naruto growled, "…Wait where is the guy I just knocked down?"

Before he knew it the recent fighter Naruto had knocked into the ground flashed right behind him. A slender ninjato was held firmly up to the young blonde's neck.

"You're dead," a dark voice spoke behind Naruto.

A slight smirk raised from the corner of Naruto's lips, "You took too long!"

Then without warning Naruto grabbed onto the blade of the weapon, jerking it down as he gashed open his hand, and slammed the back of his head into the surprised opponent. As they staggered back, Naruto whipped around slashing his kunai deep into the person dispatching them as quickly as he would eat a bowl of ramen.

Not wasting another breath Naruto turned back to the group of enemies, charging and hurling his kunai at the closest one. A hooded fighter effortlessly dodged the kunai but received a deadly hit as Naruto buried a Rasengan into their another one down Naruto proceeded to finish of the rest.

Several of the hooded ones responded by launching smoke bombs onto the ground. The large veil of smoke blocked off Naruto's sight as it rose up around him. He readied a kunai in each hand and took a defensive stance for whatever came next. Then metal ricocheted off of each other as Naruto parried the zipping strikes that came at him through the smoke. Attack after attack was dealt to Naruto but he stood his ground as the pattern continued on for several minutes with only a few strikes landing a successful strike across his body.

"I can't work like this," Naruto darted his kunais into the ground and commenced a small sequence of hand signs, "Fuuton: Kibaku Kazejinpuu! (Winde Release: Exploding Wind Gust)"

A large burst of wind discharged out from Naruto that expelled the vexing smoke away. Now with a clear clarity of his surroundings Naruto leaned down and picked up his two kunai.

The hooded fighters were now formed in a circle with their unwavering target right in the center of it all. Each individual had their swords held out firmly in front of them as they assessed their next plan of action. Their faces were covered by the overcasting shadow of their hoods. No emotion could be seen or felt from them as Naruto turned a full circle looking for who would be first to commence the attack.

"Well come on with it already," Naruto egged them on.

One by one they charged at Naruto thrusting and slashing at him, moving in and out back to the circle. Some strikes landed but proved futile as Naruto overpowered them one after the other until there was only a single hooded opponent standing.

"Looks like it is just you and me now," Naruto motioned to the last, "Maybe you could consider giving up and come to Konoha for questioning?"

Not responding to Naruto the last attacker charged forward.

"Guess not huh," Naruto shrugged before hurling his two kunai at the oncoming enemy.

The hooded foe hit them away as they reached their vicinity. Then like a swift and sly fox Naruto kicked up a nearby ninjato of a fallen fighter and in an easy motion cut his last opponents wielded arm clean off and jammed the ninjato through their sternum and out the other side. Blood splattered onto Naruto's signature jacket and face as the last opponent's life came to a close. Naruto began to slide the sword out but to his surprise it was held in place as he noticed the icy tight grip of the attacker on his hand holding it in place. Then for the first time Naruto finally had a glimpse of an opponent's face. The dead and emotionless look in the man's eyes chilled Naruto to the bone. Never before had Naruto seen such a sinister look like this since Orochimaru. A setting of uncertainty rose on Naruto's brow as the man leaned in closer.

"…We won't be the last…," his dying voice whispered out maniacally.

Naruto quickly pushed the now dead body to the ground in a fury of confusion. A startled look rushed over his face as he wobbled backward. A small surge of fear and frustration mangled its way out from the recesses of his mind. Here he should feel at ease having dispatched the attackers after such an unexpected encounter but now Naruto couldn't explain this once dormant feeling he had. The look in his empty black eyes void of an emotion. The sound of his dark and dying voice. There was just something about it that fueled the fear and doubt of a person. Naruto pondered this all as he noticed the arrival of several others.

"You guys are too late," Naruto turned to face a handful of anbu members, Sai, Yamato, and Kakashi.

"Naruto-kun are you alright," Sai was the first to speak.

"Yeah I'm fine," Naruto dusted himself off, "Nothing I couldn't handle."

"Please forgive us Naruto-sama," Yamato apologized, "We should have been here sooner."

"Aw don't worry about it. I was kinda in the need for something different," playing off what he was really feeling, "Waiting and wondering what's going on in Kumogakure is dragging on me."

"Still Naruto-kun it's unforgivable on our part," Kakashi retorted, "You are our Hokage and we need to protect you better than that. We will up security around the village especially when you're out and about."

"Yeah…well anyway let's clear these bodies up," Naruto directed everyone, "Get them to Shizune-neechan and gather an autoposy team to check these guys out. Maybe we can find out something about them."

Everyone followed Naruto's orders while he walked around examining his work. The several bodies lying around were now a bleak after image that seemed to have a lasting imprint on his mind. It settled as something unwelcome to Naruto's psyche. He continued to keep it at bay as he made a round-about when something new caught his gaze. Naruto kneeled down next to one of his defeated opponents and ran his finger along their exposed shoulder that depicted a black tattoo of a sleak skull with a katana stabbed right through it.

"This skull and katana tattoo is pretty interesting," Naruto commented.

"Naruto move!" Kakashi yelled as he hurled his body into Naruto.

The two of them went flying away while the others scattered in every direction. Both Kakashi and Naruto landed with a hard thud with the white haired shinobi covering his leader. What came next was a vast explosion. Debris and dust blew past the two of them in a raged furry. Naruto creeped open his shut eyes after a few seconds passed by to see a slightly scratched and battered up Kakashi standing over him.

"Kakashi-sensei what the hell was that!?" a stunned expression stretched on his face.

"That would be the Black Assassin's Society," he responded looking back to a now barren area, "Looks like this was worse than I originally thought."

"Kakashi-senpai should we send some teams out to see if anymore of them are around?" Yamato came running up along with Sai and the handful of anbu.

"No we should be fine now. By the looks of things they only sent low-ranking assassins that would probably have even a tough time taking down a jounin. This was probably a test for them."

"Well it looks like they almost had me taken care of if their bodies just randomly explode!" an irate Naruto jumped up, "I mean if you hadn't pushed me out of there Kakashi-sensei I could have been seriously hurt or worse. How is it that a dead person can just blow up like that!?"

"The tattoo you saw," Kakashi began to explain, "That is their insignia as well as a seal. In the event of a member's death the seal is released causing what we just experienced right now. It is their last offensive resort against eliminating a target and also their defense against any person wanting to get information from their body."

"And this Black Assassin's Society I assume are the best at what they do?" Naruto inquired further.

"Hai."

"Hmm then I guess next time they try to do something I'll be prepared," Naruto shrugged his shoulders and began walking to the village like nothing had just happened.

"Naruto-sama this is a serious matter," Kakashi said very sternly but the words were to no avail as Naruto was several yards away, "Everyone report back to your posts. I'll go talk to him.

Everyone nodded in unison and dispersed. A concerned Kakashi jogged off towards his former student who slowly trudged along. Placing his hand gently onto Naruto's shoulder he pulled him to a stop.

"Listen Naru…,"

"Onegai (please) Kakashi-sensei…wakarimasu (I understand)," he cut him off, "I know this is something to be taken seriously and I do. To be quite honest it makes me feel uneasy. I know during these kinds of times, especially a time of war, I'm always at a risk of being killed by the enemy and to actually experience something to this severity is completely different and new to me. It makes me fear for my life not just against our enemies but now I have assassins, very skilled at that, after me. I will have to constantly look over my back for the next person that wants to kill me. It's not something that sets well on my mind."

"Naruto you…"

"Let me finish," Naruto raised his hand cutting off Kakashi again, "Even though I feel like this I refuse to let it get the best of me. I'm the Hokage for crying out loud and it's my duty to stay strong for everyone. I know I have you guys there to support and encourage me when I'm overcome with doubt, or to have you protect me, so I'm never worried that I will faulter. I may be scared of what could happen but I will still stand firm against all enemies with my head held high and protect this village until the end. I carry the Will of Fire within me and I will never let it be extinguished."

A larger smirk grew under Kakashi's mask, "I'm very proud of you Naruto-kun. You have grown up so much…Ha it makes me wonder why you still have me around."

"Don't joke like that Kakashi-sensei what else would I do without my always-late-to-everything teacher around," Naruto bursted out in laughter, "But because of all of this it has got me thinking about something that I need to do."

"And what is that?" Kakashi inquired

"I'll tell you but keep it to yourself for now. I've kinda been thinking about it for awhile. This is what I'm going to do…"

"Go!" Omoi yelled being the first to charge, his sword held out straight at his side, towards Team Lightning.

His charge was quickly met by the seductive Kimiko as she jumped forward bracing Omoi's first strike with a kunai. Karui had followed right behind Omoi flipping over his backside and diving downwards with her respective sword. Kuuya rushed in between jerking his dagger from his leftside blocking off Karui's attempt. Then with a strong shove he began to push her towards a smirking Hayao. As she neared him, Hayao readied his fist to strike a battereing blow but in a swift action his swinging fist was abrutly stopped by the blocking palm of Samui.

"Now now it isn't very gentleman like to try to hit a lady," Samui calmly held his fist in place.

"It makes no difference to me if you're a male or female when it comes to these things," Hayao still held his smirk, "Either way whoever is in my way will die!"

Hayao swifly lurched back unsheathing his butterfly swords and came back with a cutting horizontal slash that dug through Samui's torse. Her body then dispersed into a lightning clone that consumed Hayao's sword just as he tossed them up out of his hands. Turning around he dodged several punches from an oncoming Samui before spinning around her to safely retain his swords. He followed with powerful vertical strikes that were met with a set of kunais. Despite her successful block Samui was still forced down to one knee by the sheer brute strength of Hayao.

As that went on Omoi and Karui still held firm their spots on their opponents. Each of them looked over and nodded their heads in acknowledgement of what they would do next.

"Switch!" they both shouted as they jumped over to change opponents.

Omoi didn't waste a moment as he swung his sword several times in fury at Kuuya pushing him back inch by inch. Karui feigned a strike at Kimiko and swung around to attack an unsuspecting Kuuya who was finally pushed into a close enough striking distance; however, Karui's attempt was easily foiled by the tightly gripped kunai of Kimiko as she hit Karui's sword down. Kimiko then followed through with a swinging kick that planted squarely into the left side of Karui's face sending her staggering backwards.

"Don't be so foul," Kimiko's voice resonated, "I'm your opponent now and no one else. So you have to get rid of me before you can even think to go after another person."

"Fine by me then," Karui wiped the blood that was sliding down from the left side of her lips, "I'll make it swift!"

Karui zipped forward as Kimiko performed a few hand signs.

"Raikou Kamikiri! (Rising Lightning Cutter)." Kimiko slammed her hand into the ground.

Suddenly a burst of lightning came surging out of the ground from in front of her towards the charging Karui. With a sly smile on her face, Karui beautifully spun to the side still swooping straight at Kimiko. Quickly she unlatched a scroll and opened it up summoning a giant shuriken. Taking a firm grip on the weapon she vigorously hurled it at Karui. Not having the time to slow down and dodge Karui did the next best thing and readied her sword to block it. A crashing clang rang out as the giant shuriken coiled into Karui's sword easily pushing her back. The ground slightly dug in from her sliding feet until, with all her might, Karui forced the giant shuriken to the sunken ground. Her moment of reprieve was shortly ended as Kimiko dashed behind her hooking both of Karui's arms. She instantly relinquished her sword when Kimiko released a barrage of knees into her back.

"Is this it?! You're pathetic!" Kimiko laughed loudly.

That was all it took for Karui as she surprisingly used her whole body to flip a latched on Kimiko slamming her into the ground. She released her grip and arched in pain from the sudden impact. Karui wasted no time to pick herself up and drill a deadly heel drop into Kimiko's stomach.

"Ah!" Kimiko lurched in agony.

"Looks like you're pretty pathetic. Lying here like this," Karui commented before following up with another heel drop.

The attack was foiled by a desperate block from the grounded Kimiko. She angrily looked up at the cold face of Karui, "I'll show you who is the pathetic one!"

Gaara, Kankuro, and the rest of his group were still making their way through the inner parts of the village coming closer and closer to their final destination. Thanks to Team Samui they were able to make it as far as they have without losing energy or anyone left over from their group. Fights continued to break out around them as their comrades continued their push inwards. Things were still looking good from them. Gaara looked back to his brother to see a stern look on his face as if something was astray. Then with an unnoticed gaze he looked up to the rooftops of the buildings that were falling behind their unwavering speed.

"You've noticed it too Kankuro," Gaara looked back to the front.

"Hai, it only looks like there's one person following us though," Kankuro huffed, "There is no telling when they plan to strike but we can't afford to be stopped again."

"And I assume you want to take the person on by yourself. If we worked together we could…"

"No Gaara," Kankuro interrupted him, "I can handle it. I don't want you to use up anymore chakra than you have to and you need to have as many people as you can with you. You need to save it for the Raikage. Let me get rid of them…Besides I can always catch up as soon as I'm done."

"Don't go dying on me," Gaara spoke with concern.

"Shinpai shinaide (Don't worry). You keep yourself focused on the task at hand. I won't let you down," Kankuro smirked as he came to a halt while the others rushed on.

Reaching behind him Kankuro pulled off the first scroll from his back and dropped it open onto the ground. From the puff of smoke came Karasu (Crow puppet) who Kankuro swiftly directed to the nearest rooftop. An explosion of debris spread its way through the air as a darting figure came flying out of the destruction onto the ground with a soft thud. Slowly the person rose up from the ground turning their sight to a readied Kankuro with Karasu already back by his side.

"You guys already knew I was following you. I'm not surprised," the person dusted off his long sleeve shirt, "My name is Tobikuma Arashi."

"And I'm Kankuro of Sunagakure," Kankuro said with a perplexed undertone, "Wait did you say Tobikuma?"

"Indeed I did…Tobikuma Nozomu is my older brother," he answered, "I just wish to say before we begin that I have nothing against you personally but an enemy of my brother is an enemy of mine."

"I see so I should already assume you're no push over and you're not going to hold back. I guess I'll have to go all out then," Kankuro placed his hands on two more scrolls that were on his back.

"That would be wise," Arashi softly said instantly appearing in front of a surprised Kankuro. Gripping on the hilt of his sword he gracefully unsheathed it and swung down with a quickening force into the front side of Kankuro.

Omoi continued to manuver around the endless barrage of Kuuya's quick attacks. It was easy to tell that Kuuya was by far the best taijutsu fighter out of the three but even Omoi knew that even the best fighters always leave an opening. He examined the strikes that were coming at him to find that very chance. Seconds rolled when he finally noticed there was a slight opening to counter on Kuuya's right side. Omoi quickly parried his dagger and swung for Kuuya's right arm ready to slice it off but at the second of impact Kuuya swung his arm around the deathly strike and revealed a hidden blade from his right arm guard. He instantly slashed upwards reeling Omoi back and letting a line of blood fly into the air.

"You're fast," Omoi ran a finger along the new cut on his cheek, "I thought I had your arm there for a second."

"You're quite fast as well that's why I had to give you a fake opening on me so I could manage a hit but unfortunately my strike was accurate enough," Kuuya responded.

Before he knew it Omoi appeared in front of him slamming an elbow into the armguard shattering it and the hidden blade to pieces and digging a diagonal slash with his sword across Kuuya's front side. Kuuya quickly flipped away in surprise.

"Your fake opening left me with an actual one," Omoi smirked, "And I'm a lot faster than I let on."

"As am I," Kuuya was suddenly behind Omoi. His dagger held firmly to Omoi's throat.

"Impossi…," Omoi began to speak before the dagger dug across his throat.

"Looks like we did it Harou-kun," Kisame stood over a battered body. Blood smeared over his blue skin.

"It's a shame that a lot of our classmates had to go this way," Harou stood beside Kisame, "But sadly that is the way of the graduation exams. I'm just glad its all over."

"Not just yet…there is still you and me," a morose Kisame looked at a somber Harou, "They will kill us both if we refuse to fight till the end…I wish we could have grown strong together but we have to finish."

"Of course Kisame-kun. I won't lose to my best friend," Harou squared away against him.

"Likewise," Kisame smirked, "Let's see who is become number one."

Both men held their ground as their blades slammed into each. Neither Kisame nor Harou gave any leeway to each other.

"So I'm wondering who has become number one eh old friend," Kisame grinned.

"Shall I show you," Harou jumped back from him.

"Please do," Kisame responded as Harou came charging forward.

Kisame easily parried his sword strike while Harou began to circle to his backside. Another swing and he was blocked again. Taking a quick short breath and flipping his sword into the air, Harou proceed through a few hand signs releasing a large flood of water from his mouth. The crashing waves formed a large sea around and below; something that was advantageous to the both of them. Then just before his sword came back down to him he performed another set of hand signs and then snatched his sword from the air. A faint flow of chakra began to engulf the weapon.

"Do you really think that weapon is going to be of any use against Samehade," Kisame gloated, "It will just eat away at the chakra you put into it with each strike you make against me."

"It'll be enough," Harou softly said before treading his sword quickly across the surface of the water freezing it in a direct line to Kisame who easily side-stepped.

Harou dashed across the water to appear at Kisame's side, "Hyouchuu! (Ice Pillar)" he shouted jabbing his chakra imbued sword into the water.

Suddenly a vast pillar of ice shot out from under Kisame consuming him into the freezing attack. Harou eyed the now frozen smirking Kisame. 'Mizu Bunshin (Water Clone) obviously' Harou thought to himself as he swiftly turned around to block an oncoming sword strike from Kisame, who came bursting out from under the water. Kisame pushed him with such force and power across the water it was like a bull easily running through a brick wall. Meanwhile the chakra around Harou's Benishimo was quickly being drained by the hungry Samehade.

"See I told you Harou-kun," Kisame joyfully grunted.

By putting the mass amount of his strength behind his guard, Harou shoved Kisame back and retreated several steps away across the water. Chakra began to flow around his sword again.

"Despite you having such a unique sword among the Seven Swordsman it proves useless against me."

"It is unfortunate that I can't use Benishimo to its fullest extent but alas I am not part of the clan that possessed the kekkei genkai of Hyouton. But I was taught enough to tap into some of its power which is enough to stand against you," Harou retorted.

"Indeed you were taught," Kisame placed his sword on his back and performed a few hand signs, "But no matter the excuses you still don't have what it takes to face me. Misu Bunshin no Jutsu! (Water Clone Technique)"

Four water clones of Kisame rose from the water to surround Harou with each of them holding a hand to the hilt of their swords ready to pounce.

"Let's say we turn this up a notch eh Harou-kun," Kisame said with a devilish grin.

"Kazekage-sama there it is," a sand jounin pointed up to the mountain they were approaching.

Gaara drew his gaze up to the enourmous administration building nestled comfortably in the mountain. There were many clouds that floated around it and the many platforms leading up to the building. It was shaped like a giant air ballon and the simplistic beauty of its architecture matched perfectly with the calm clouds and the setting sun in the distance. Despite the peaceful appearance there was a warmonger that resided within and the sand-nin were so close to reaching him. They hopped from platform to platform, dealing with any enemies that opposed them with ease, until they finally crashed in through the entrance to the administration building.

"Everyone stay sharp," Gaara commanded his troops, "Stay together and be prepared for anything. We haven't found the Raikage yet so don't think this will be easy."

"Hai Kazekage-sama!" they firmly responded.

"I won't lose," Gaara spoke to himself, "In the name of Sunagakure you will not survive this day Tobikuma Nozomu."

It was a beautiful moonlight night and the gentle sounds of the forest were all around. Crickets played their serene tunes and the gentle hooting of owls mixed in with the caressing breeze of the night air. A gorgeous pale-eyed kunoichi dressed in an elegant white kimono dress made her way across a dirt path nestled in the forest. Curiosity flowed through her as she thought about why Naruto wanted her to come out her so late at night. Regardless she was extremely happy that she was going to see her beloved.

Hinata finally came to the end of the path and slowly worked her way through a small area of tall grass. Finally making her way through she came upon a beautiful and dazzling grotto. Many white water lilies floated on the tranquil pond and at the back was a gentle little waterfall that cascaded down in front of a tiny cave. Fireflies danced joyfully around the grotto and the full moon shined brightly reflecting itself in the still pond. And sitting ever so quietly near the edge of the pond was her Naruto. He was dressed in a formal dark blue robe that made his cerulean eyes shine brightly. His peaceful demeanor radiated throughout the place and the way he quietly skipped rocks across the pond brought a cheerful grin to Hinata's face. Naruto skipped another rock before turning to see her standing a few feet away. A soft smile came to his face as he hopped up off the ground and made his way over to Hinata. Intertwining her hands with his Naruto gently kissed Hinata's soft lips.

"You look so beautiful," he said after releasing the kiss.

"Arigato my sweet," she blushed, "I've missed you all day."

"Forgive me," Naruto let out a gentle breath, "It's been a very busy day for me but it's all over now."

Naruto released her hands and walked back over to the edge of the pond. She could tell something was off. As he looked off into the night sky Hinata came up behind him and wrapped her arms around his waist.

"What's wrong my koishii (beloved)?"

"It's nothing," He turned around in her arms and wrapped his around her body, "It's just that today has made me realized a lot of things………You know I love you very much right?"

"Of course I do Naruto," Hinata looked up at him slightly perplexed, "What happened today? You're not acting like your normal self."

Naruto placed a kiss on her forehead, "I won't keep it from you so I'll just come out and say it…a group of assassins tried to kill me today."

"What!?" Hinata shouted as she took a step from him, "And you failed to let me know about this sooner because?"

"Gomenasai (I'm sorry) Hinata-chan I should have told you sooner today but I just needed time to think."

"Think about what?!" anger began to build inside her, "There should be no thinking when it comes to telling me things, especially something of this magnitude. You know you can always come to me Naruto. I can't believe you didn't…"

"Shhh," Naruto placed a finger on her lips stopping her mid-sentence, "Just let me talk I'm nervous as it is."

"Nervous?" she mumbled through his finger.

"Yeah not a bad nervous though," Naruto waved off any bad thoughts Hinata could be thinking, "Yes I should have told you sooner but that's not what is important right now."

"Like hell it's not!"

Naruto raised his hand up, "Please let me finish."

"Fine I'm listening but this better be good," Hinata humphed.

"So like I was saying I spent all day thinking about a lot of things and I've come up with this," Naruto took a deep breath, "This war that is going on right now…I honestly don't know what is going to happen. In all reality there could be a chance that I might not survive it and it scares me…But after what happened today I think I've accepted the fear that I could die but still I know I will do whatever it takes for Konohagakure even something like were to happen…but you know if I did die today I would be leaving this world with one very big regret and I won't continue on in this life without correcting that…so…"

Croak! A tiny green frog bellowed as it hopped across lily pads landing by Naruto. He leaned down to untie a small wooden box that was on it's back.

"Thanks little guy," Naruto said as he took something out of the box and made his way over to a now nervous Hinata, "You know you are the greatest thing that has ever happened to me. I could never love someone as much as I love you Hinata-chan…"

He took her hand and slowly slid a beautiful silver ring with a sparkling gem on it, "…And I won't live another moment without being able to call you my wife."

Tears began to swell up in her eyes, "Are you really asking…"

"For you to marry me. I am with all my heart."

She looked up into his captivating blue eyes as tears streaked down her face. Without even a second thought she already knew with every fiber of her being what her answer was.

"Yes."

With loving smiles on their faces they took each other in an embrace. Naruto leaned down and tenderly kissed his wife to be and Hinata kissed back with a fiery passion. And in that moment they had everything they ever wanted.

They had each other.