Coming Home

"Naruto, w-why did you want to become Hokage?"

The sudden question startled him from his tonkotsu ramen. He turned towards his petite companion in curiosity. What had prompted such an abrupt question? Her head was tilted shyly, waiting for a response, her long hair draped to the side.

Her heatbeat rapidly and off temp as it always did when she was with him. 'Oh dear. Maybe he thinks I'm doubting him, or something.' She almost turned to apologize when he responded.

"Because I wanted to be noticed." He told her honestly, looking at her from behind his messy bangs. His eyes shone with his usual clarity and openness.

"Oh, I see." She was a bit speechless, it wasn't what she had been expecting.

"The 3rd asked me the same question, and he told me that I couldn't become Hokage after I answered him."

"I-I'm sorry." She apologized for the question and for what he had been told. She began to fidget with her chopsticks, moving the Udon noodles around her bowl in nervousness. She would not look at him either.

"It's nothing to be sorry about." He replied thoughtfully. "I remember being so pissed the day he told me that, told me to let go of the one dream I was holding onto."

He gently reached for Hinata's hand holding the chopsticks, stopping the movement and causing her to look up at him in surprise.

"But you know he was right and I'm grateful to him for telling me so."

"Huh?"

"Because you see, he made me find the right reason for becoming Hokage."

"And w-what was it?"

He quickly grasped her hand, tugging her hurriedly and lifted her up into his arms. She confusedly looked back at their lonely bowls of soup, apologetically nodding towards Teuchi and his daughter. 'I promise we'll pay.'

Naruto quickly leapt with her numerous squeaks ringing in his head. They flew from rooftop to rooftop, a freeing sensation filling them both. He finally landed atop a fairly large telephone pole, precariously perched at the tip, his cloak fluttering, the orange contrasting with the darkness of her hair. His grip on her tightened as the wind buffeted the two.

She looked up at his kind face, the shadows of the setting sun slowly outlining his handsome features. He nodded towards the village, inciting her to look as well. And she did.

She saw parents and children walking the brightly lit streets hand in hand. She saw the jovial banter of the shop keepers and the shogi games of the elders in coffee shops. She smelled the aroma of Ichiraku and the BBQ restaurant and the myriads of flowers in the Yamanaka shop. And lastly, she saw some of her friends, making their way through the lovely village. She saw Konoha breathing. She saw it living and laughing.

She looked back towards Naruto, his gaze still directed towards Konohagakure, a fierce determination burning within his eyes. And wordlessly she understood that he had found his reason for becoming Hokage.


Naruto sat on the head of his father, his head buried in arms as the memory of her ran through his mind. 'I can't stop.'

And he hadn't stopped thinking about her. He had tried everything these past few days. He had studied more politics, had sparred with Lee and Chouji consecutively for ten hours straight. He had cleaned his apartment from top to bottom. He had even tried going to the bar with Sai to teach him how to flirt. (That had been embarrassing to say the least.)

"I need to focus right now."

He glanced up at the purple night sky, strewn with stars and celestial bodies. Shining like 'her eyes.'

"Gaah!" He growled in frustration, running his hands through his hair. Now was not the time to wonder about the Hyuuga. His initiation as Hokage was coming up in two months and he still had so much training to undergo, not to mention he was put in charge of writing to their allies and inviting them to the event. He paused. Someone's light steps could be heard shuffling across the rough stone of the monument.

"What is it now Shikamaru?"

"Tch, Tsunade sent me to find you. She wants you to be at the gate when the ambassador returns."

"Okay."

"You know the ANBU sent to pick her up was Hawk right."

"…"

"Since you won't talk to me, I figured you'd want your best friend back. He's on his way."

"I saw her file the other day."

Shikamaru stilled, finally coming to the root of his friend's frustration from the past few days. He sighed, knowing the pain that Naruto was going through; the endless regret and what-ifs that had been playing with his emotions for the past five years. Most of the time, he seemed okay; calm, collected and still energetic with normal social interactions. Yet there were moments; moments when his eyes would dull and he would lose track of whatever conversation he was having.

It had been happening more frequently in the past two days.

"It wasn't your fault, you know that."

"Tell that to Tenten, Kiba and Shino. Heck, even Ino doesn't trust me anymore."

Shikamaru was for once at a loss, knowing that no amount of speech could rouse the blond. 'I wish there was a Naruto Uzumaki for all situations.' He turned to leave.

"The ambassador will be here at approximately 7 PM, she's a day late."

"…"

"Naruto."

"Yeah."

"I'm on your side." And with that parting statement, he flickered out of sight, blending into the very shadows he could control.


When Naruto arrived towards the main gate at precisely 6:58 PM, there was already a crowd of several hundred gathered there, among them the remaining Konoha 13. He proudly walked through them, making his way quickly and confidently to the front of it. He was to stand by Tsunade and greet their global ambassador as the successor. And as walked, his stride lengthened and his usual orange cloak whirled behind him, signaling to all that the Uzumaki Naruto, the Hero of the Leaf and the world had arrived. He didn't even flinch when the cheers broke out at his arrival.

He forced his signature grin, and vigorously waved to the crowd, grateful for their acknowledgement and wanting to show his appreciation, no matter what he may have been feeling earlier. These were his precious people, and he would protect them with his life.

He wondered however as to why though such a large crowd had shown up simply for the return of an ambassador, and how the word had gotten out so quickly about her. He didn't even know who she was, but he had heard rumors of her kindness and her fierce loyalty to Konoha. Daimyo and other political leaders who had spoken with her had also met with him after.

And because of her success in establishing ties and even singlehandedly causing seemingly impossible peace treaties to be signed, she had become famous here in Konoha. Despite this, her identity still remained a mystery to all but a few.

"Tsunade-baa-chan!" He smiled warmly at his predecessor, affectionately throwing an arm around her shoulder. The abruptness of the acting caused her to spit out her sake.

"Eheheh, sorry about that." He apologized, rubbing the back of his head.

"Naruto, what have I told you about calling me that in public." She muttered under her breath, the smell of alcohol wafting in the air. She nudged her elbow into his side in a silent warning. He was scared, but then Tsunade was thankfully distracted by-

"Hey, Naruto!"

He turned towards the crowd, spotting a flash of cotton candy pink and maroon. Sakura was widely waving at him, garnering his attention with her usual demeanor. He waved back at his team, an affectionate and nostalgic warmth filling him with some measure of happiness. She stepped forward, awkwardly patting him on the arm in greeting.

Her viridian eyes glittered with curiosity and expectation as they both turned towards the gate.

"They're here!"

And so they were, the ANBU escort had entered first, his stride purposeful and heavy with pride, much like Naruto's was. His hawk mask turned towards the Hokage and her successor, nodding in greeting and as a way to confirm the completion of his mission. He took his place next to Naruto, standing at the ready for any command.

But all heads had turned towards the entrance in expectation. A collective gasp was let loose as she entered. Murmurs broke out and light applause broke out in welcome.

And for Naruto, the world stopped.

Hyuuga Hinata had not changed much in appearance over the five years. But there were differences, and they made her all the more 'amazing.'

Her back was straight and proud and her figure was no longer obscured by an oversized jacket, but rather she was clad in a simple navy long sleeve with dark athletic leggings clinging to her long legs. Her hair like liquid night was layered with its longest points brushing her hips. Several tendrils flowed behind her, dancing in the moonlight.

But best of all were her eyes. Her periwinkle eyes shimmered with an inner joy that had not been there previously. A luminescent glow surrounded her, lighting every crevice and feature of her pale face. It seemed as if the Hinata that had left was but a hint, a taste of what the real Hinata could become. And here was the final product, molded by time and experience into something very…'bright.'

She stopped, right in front of the present and future Hokage, and gave a quick bow.

"Hyuuga, Hinata. Konohagakure's Global Ambassador reporting for summons."

"Welcome back Hinata." Tsunade said fondly, internally wincing at the pained expression on Naruto's face. 'So he didn't know.'

Hinata looked up, surveying her future leader with a serene and guarded expression.

"Good evening Naruto-san. It's a pleasure to see you doing well."

With a slight nod in his direction and wave at the crowd gathered, she leaped from the gate, heading towards the Hokage Tower to finish filing her very long report.

A/N: I'm not very happy with this chapter, but it was necessary to finally have her come home. Now the real interactions start and the story can progress. I also want to thank everyone who has followed or favorited this fanfic. It really means a lot, and I hope I won't disappoint. Special shoutout to Ayrmed who had reviewed every chapter thus far. And I would like to thank Johnny (Guest) for his honest opinion. It's nice to have some criticism so I know what I may work on.