Thanks again for your positive reviews. I am happy that you guys enjoy the story. And we're not even halfway done yet! Some quick thoughts on this chapter. It was tricky to write, but fun. I even teared up while writting it. So, enjoy!

Chapter 18 Towards the future

Naruto woke early the next morning, somewhat dazed. After a few seconds, the memories of last night came flodding back. He smiled as he looked over to see Hinata still asleep, snugglng close to him. He layed there, watching her as she slept. He watched the rise and fall of her chest as she slowly took breathe. He watched as the morning sun caused her dark hair to shine, He loved her. Every thing about her. From her blush to the way her skin gave off a soft glow. Smiling, he gentle kissed her forhead and moved out of bed, aware that he was still naked.

Reaching down, he grabbed a clean pair of boxers out of his laundry basket and put them on. A slight moan caused him to look over at the bed. Hinata had woken up. She laid in bed, remembering the events from the previous night. She smiled as she looked beside her. The smile dissappeared when she saw that Naruto wasn't there. She sat up quickly, keeping the sheet over her chest with one hand.

"Naruto?" She said, somewhat afraid that he'd left.

"I'm right here." He said as he walked over and sat next to her on the bed. She placed her head on his shoulder as he wrapped and arm around her.

"I thought you'd left." She said quietly.

Naruto used his finger to lift her chin until they made eye contact.

"I'll never leave you. That's a promise. And I never go back on my word." He grinned at her as she smiled. She gentle brushed her lips against his. he was just about to return the favor when his bedroom door flew open. In the doorway stood Sasuke, Sakura, and Kakashi. All three stopped as they took in the sight. It was an akward silence as everyone went red, even Kakashi.

"Oh. Well, now we know why you didn't show up to the Hokage's meeting." Kakashi said as he dragged a wide eyed Sakura from the room. Sasuke flashed Naruto a thumbs up and closed the door as he left.

"I guess we better get dressed." He said as she giggled.

After a few minutes, Hinata and Naruto emerged from the bedroom to find Sasuke sitting on the couch, grinning at a bulging eyed Sakura. Kakashi decided to lean against the door frame, hands in his pocket. When the pair entered the room, fully dressed, all hell broke loose as Sakura jumped up and began asking random things. Most of it didn't make sense, so Sasuke caused her to shut up by giving her a deep passionate kiss that caused the young women to completely relax. She sat back down, pink faced and mummbled sorry.

"Well, I hope we didn't disturb anything. But, the Hokage wants to see all of us, including you Hinata." kakashi said, smiling at the pair. He'd be sure he told Jiriya. After all, it's not everyday your favorite student losses his virginity.

The four shinobi stood in the Hokages office as she decided best how to start the conversation. With her, she had Jiriya and Iruka. they would need to hear this as well.

"I'm sure that Naruto hasn't yet told you two anything about his parents, correct?" She asked Sasuke and Sakura. Both shook their heads, letting her know that they didn't know anything.

"Good. I think it's time you all knew. Naruto's parents were a konouichi from the land of whirlpool Kushina Uzumaki and Minato Namikaze, better known as the Fourth Hokage." She let the information sink in. Of course, Naruto and Hinata both knew already. They'd been told the night of Kiba's treachary.

FLASH BACK

Tsunade follwed the four ninja as they entered Naruto's apartment. she'd never been in it, but knew it was small. And it was. She watched as Naruto took a sobing Hinata to the couch and kissed her, calming her down enough for her to apologize.

"Hey, hey, hey, dont apologize. You did nothing wrong. You watched a teammate and a friend betray the village. I'd be crying to." She heard him whisper as he placed a comforting arm around Hinata. He held her for the better part of five minutes as Kakashi, Jiriya and Tsunade sat in what passed for a front room with them. Naruto managed to get Hinata to calm down quickly. Together, they looked towards the Hokage, waiting to see what she had to say. So she started.

"I know both of you want to hear that I'll send as many nin under my command as I can after Kiba. But I can't. Not untill I talk with his parents." She said as she watched the shock and pain cross their faces.

"Why? Why would you wait?" Naruto asked, his voice a deadly whisper as Hinata tried to calm him down.

"Because he's with the Akatsuki. He's untochable. We just have to wait." Jiriya said.

Naruto wasn't convenced but Hinata stopped him from arguing by laying her head on his right shoulder. The action caused him to calm down completely,

"What we're here to discuss, is your heritage, Naruto." Kakashi said.

"That's right. As you heard earlier, you are the son of the Fourth Hokage. Minato Namikaze. He was a great man as you know. He was trained by Jiriya and in turned trained Kakashi."

Naruto listened intently as she continued.

"Your father was born here in the Leaf Village, just as you were. While you have many of your fathers looks and abilities, such as the Rasnegan, you get your eyes and personality from your mother, a former konouich from the Land of Wirlpool, Kushina Uzumaki ."

"I'll say. She was brash, headstrong, and tried to never break her word. Though she did break my nose once. She had a nasty right hook." Jiriya said, smiling. Tsunade noticed that Hinata giggled at the statment. She reminded herself to ask Jiriya why Hinata had called him a pervert, even though she was spot on. Naruto even smiled as he pictured a woman popping Jiriya in the face.

"If I remember correctly, that was because you'd tried to spy on her when she was at the hot springs." Kakashi said, smiling behind his mask.

"Humph."

Naruto looked at Tsunade, a small smile on his face.

"What did she look like?" He asked.

"She was a beautiful young woman, barely in her twenties, like your father. She had firey red hair and a personallity to match. She was naturaly suited for ninjutsu, just like you. And she was kind. She never liked to see people near her hurt if she could help it. You act the same way she did. She was even somewhat of a tomboy." Tsunade said smiling.

"Yeah. I'd say I have her personallity. I do have one other question. Why? Why tell me this now? Why not sooner?" Naruto asked a little hurt.

"Because your father made us swear that we wouldn't tell you untill you were fifteen and had a good head on your shoulders. Well, since Hinata can keep you thinking straight, you fufilled both requirments." Kakashi said, giving Hinata a warm smile. She blushed slightly.

"Arigato, Kakashi-sensai."

"Is that all you came here for?" Naruto asked.

"No. We came here to also give you the last thing that your parents got for you. Minato purchased it for you and had planned to give it to you on your fifteenth birthday. But since he couldn't, I have to." Tsunade stood up and laid a small key on the table along with two scrolls. Naruto leaned forward and picked up one of the scrolls openning it, he saw handwritting that looked familar. He and Hinata began to read.

Naruto, my son,

If you are reading this, than both your mother and I are no longer alive. While it saddens me to think that I will miss your fifteenth birthday, it also brings me joy to know that I can still leave you a message, and you will be alive to see it.

When I found out that I was to be a father, I was estatic. But I couldn't tell anyone. I did not want you targeted by my enemies. The only ones I could trust were my sensai, Jiriya, my student Kakashi Hatake, and the Third. That is why the Hokage presenting you this scroll was instructed to wait untill you became a man. I am sorry for the pain you must have felt at not knowing who your parents are.

I know your probably wondering why you were given a key. the answer is simple. Two days ago, I purchased an apartment near the Hokage Tower for you. It is a modest apartment. I hope that by now, you have someone special in your life to share it with. If you do, never let her go. Always treasure her and love her. Always, always be with her no matter the cost. I love you son, and I hope you can forgive a loving father for wanting his son to grow up safe and happy.

Your loving father,

Minato Namikaze Fourth Hokage, Village Hidden in the Leaves

Naruto brushed away the tear that had started to fall as he finished the letter.

"I forgive you, Dad." He whispered. Tusnade felt chocked by the sight as Jiriya let a single tear fall. Kakashi lowered his head as he closed his eye. Hinata had tears rolling down her face, as she had read the letter with him.

"Naruto, oh, Naruto." She said, kissing him softly on his cheek. He looked at her and wipped the tears from her face, smiling at her. No need to tell me that Dad. I never plan on letting her go.

"Thank you." He said as he rolled the scroll back up setting it back on the table. He picked up the second one and unrolled it, again noticing the similar had writting. He began to read again.

Naruto,

If your getting this, than something terrible happned to your father and me. I wish I could see you now. You must look like your father, but I'll bet that you act just like I did when I was younger. I wish that I could have been there to see you grow. To teach you, to love you, to help you when you were hurt. I know that you have become a handsome young man by now and have girls fawning over you. Your probably strong and protective of the ones you love too.

As much as it hurts to write this, knowing the circumstanes regauring why this letter was deliverd, I do feel better knowing that you are alive and well. As a mother, my biggest fear is that you would end up dead without truly experiancing life. I wish I could be there with you now, celebrating your birthday with you. But, I know that I probably can't. At least not in the physical sense.

Now, I know that your father has left you an apartment, even if you haven't read his letter yet. I snuck a peek at it while he was asleep. I just want to say that, I love you, son. As I write this, you still haven't been born. I'm only six months. I wish you well, and hope that any woman that you love will be sweet, gentle, and kind. I'd say be good, but where's the fun in that?

With love,

Kushina Uzumaki

Naruto began to cry silently as he rolled the letter back up. He now knew who his parents were and how much they loved him. Hinata wrapped her arms around him, tears streaking down her face as she comforted her boyfriend. After a few momments, he managed to calm down and looked back at Tsunade, who had also been crying.

"That is everything. You can move into the new apartment at any time. I hope this will make you feel better, knowing who your parnts were." She said wipping tears away as she stood up.

All three shinobi got up and left the young couple sitting together, holding each other tightly.

END FLASH BACK

The two shinobi were shocked to hear that their friend, the man they thought had come from nothing, was the son of the Fourth Hokage.

"Naruto! That's great!" Sakura said, giving him a dazzling smile.

"Well, looks like you also come from a respected family." Sasuke said, smiling at him.

Naruto smiled at them both thanking them.

"Now, the reason I called you here is because I don't want the village to find out yet," Tsunade said, "The reason why Naruto has his mother's last name is to protect him from the fourths enemies, who I am sad to say, are still alive. Narutro has already told me that he will tell evryone when he is ready. So, I am ordering you two not to tell any one. understood?"

They both agreed, not wanting to cause their friend any pain. As they were dismissed, Naruto stopped everyone.

"Wait. I want you guys to see this." Naruto said, pulling a small box out of his jacket. Sakura, Tsunade, and Hinata gasped while Jiriya, Kakashi, and Sasuke smiled. They already knew this was coming. Naruto kneeled down in front of a stunned Hinata and grabbed her left hand.

"Hinata Hyuuga, you have been the most treasured person in my life. I love you now and forever. I only ask you one difficult question: Will you marry me?" He asked, openning the small balck box, showing a gold ring with a decent dimond on it.

Hinata began to cry as everyone else smiled at them. She looked at Naruto with a tear streaked face, smiling.

"Yes! I will!"She gasped, tears still falling.

Naruto slid the ring on her finger and happily hugged his bride to be, lifting her off her feet as the two kissed deeply. The Hokage smiled as she watched the pair.

Well, Minato, Kushina, your son has found the love of his life. If only you were here to see it. You'd be proud of the man he's become.