Well, here's the very last section I have written. it would have been posted a couple days sooner, but my laptop has been a REAL pain in my ass lately, the internet on it at my house has been practically nonexistent lately(since I got back), and it's been aggravating me like you would not believe. Anyways, I forgot this in my earlier chapters, but here's my disclaimer: I don't own Naruto, nor do i make any money from this.

[last time]

"Do you really have to give him such a hard time?" Shizune said with a frown.

"I think Hinata's the only person that gives him a hard time."

"What…" Shizune said, but a moment later caught his meaning and blushed heavily as she said "Master Jiraiya!"

Kakashi merely chuckled.

[presently]

After Naruto and Hinata walked back to the village, the couple in question happened to bump into Sakura. "Naruto!" she said in surprise. "Kakashi-sensei just went out looking for you."

"I know. We bumped into him."

"Oh. I see." A few moments later, she decked Naruto. "You idiot! What were you thinking?"

"So you heard, huh?"

"Of course I did!"

"So let's tell the whole village, why don't we?" Naruto said sarcastically.

"What do you mean?"

"I know Grandma Tsunade and Kakashi-sensei. They wouldn't have told you. Then again, you always were good at eavesdropping."

This caused Sakura to blush. "That's besides the point. That's no reason to..."

"Sakura." Naruto said quietly. "Drop it."

"'Drop it' hell! I wanna know, and you're gonna tell me. Why?"

"Naruto isn't r-really comfortable t-talking about it right now..." Hinata added.

"I understand, but he is my teammate, after all."

"It's fine, Hinata. Sakura, do you recall what you said to me before Shikamaru, Kiba, Choji, Neji, and I left to find Sasuke?"

"That was quite some time ago, but yes..."

"The 'once in a lifetime request' you asked of me?"

"Yes..."

"That I swore to you that I would do, my 'promise of a lifetime'?"

"Well..."

"Not only did I fail in keeping that promise to you, but I failed in saving my best friend, who is hell-bent on killing me to avenge his clan. Do you have any idea how overwhelming that is?"

"I... had no idea..." Sakura said in shock. "Wait, killing you will avenge his clan? How the hell does that make any kind of sense?"

"Oh, I suppose Grandma did keep it quiet..."

"Kept what quiet?"

"Sasuke is trying to obtain the Mangekyo Sharingan to bring down Itachi."

"Mangekyo Sharingan?"

"Yeah. Apparently, it's some kind of legendary jutsu of the Uchiha clan."

"And killing you will allow him to obtain it?"

"Yeah. That's the only way one can get it, by slaughtering their closest friend."

"Oh... my God... I'm sorry, Naruto... I had no idea..."

"I figured as much." Naruto said in a slightly sour tone.

"Well... I asked you that back when I was in love with him. You don't have to keep risking yourself to keep that promise."

"You mean you're not anymore? Well, that's surprising. However, a promise is a promise, and I must honor it. Not to mention that in spite of everything, I still consider him my best friend."

"Are you crazy?!"

"No."

"You really are something else, Naruto. Hinata, I gotta warn you that you will have your hands full with this knucklehead."

"Hey!"

"I d-don't think there will be any p-problem."

"Thank you." Naruto said as he nuzzled Hinata's neck. Then he turned to Sakura and said "See?"

Sakura just shook her head.

Hinata said "We really must be going."

"Yeah, we'll see you later, Sakura."

"I wish you guys all the happiness in the world."

"Th-thank you..."

"See you lovebirds later."

"See you."

"G-goodbye."

Naruto and Hinata continued to walk through the village, until they passed a certain person's favorite restaurant. "Hey, Hinata?"

"Hmm?"

"You wanna stop here and get some ramen?"

"S-sure, N-Naruto... I'd l-love to."

Naruto grinned widely as the couple walked into Ichiraku.

As they entered, Teuchi said "Well, if it isn't my best customer! What can I get for you today, Naruto?" As he said that, he noticed that Naruto wasn't the only one paying him a visit.

"I'll have a bowl of miso ramen, and... what do you want, Hinata?"

"M-miso will be just f-fine..."

"Alright, then. Two bowls of miso ramen, please!"

"Coming right up! I expect you're gonna be paying for both, Naruto?"

"Absolutely."

Teuchi chuckled.

"Aww..." Ayame said. "That's so sweet of you, Naruto!"

"I'm surprised." Teuchi said. "You usually start with three or four bowls of the stuff. Tell me, are you trying to cut down to look like more of a gentleman in front of Hinata?"

"Well, she is my girlfriend..."

"So you finally asked her out, eh? I was wondering how long it would take ya."

"Father!" Ayame said. "Never mind him, Naruto. We're both very happy for you two. In fact, you can have half off the second bowl, our way of congratulating you and saying we're happy for you."

"Wow!" Naruto exclaimed. "You don't have to do that, really!"

Ayame giggled, and Teuchi laughed heartily.

A few moments later, Ayame and Teuchi walked over, each carrying a bowl of ramen. "Order's up!" Teuchi said cheerfully. After they set the bowls down, he added "We'll just leave you two alone now." and winked in Naruto's direction.

"... Old man!"(I don't know how he actually addresses Teuchi, so bare with me)

Teuchi chuckled.

"They're... very n-nice people..." Hinata commented.

"Yeah, they are. And they make the best ramen around." Naruto said. "I don't think there's a single negative characteristic about them."

Hinata giggled.

"So... what have I missed since I've been gone?"

"Not really much..." Hinata said. "After you left for your mission... I was so worried about you... I just kept praying that you would come back safe."

Naruto's face fell. "And to think... I was so selfish... I almost left you behind... I'm such a fool..."

"It's okay, Naruto."

"It's not. I would have abandoned you, someone I hold dear, which would have made me no better than Sasuke."

"It's fine, Naruto. I forgive you."

"Why?"

"Because I love you."

"As I you."

"Can you forgive me?"

"For what?"

"For taking so long to tell you how I feel."

"Hinata, how could..."

"If I'd told you to begin with, then you probably wouldn't have had thought of killing yourself like you did at the training field. If you had succeeded... it would have b-been my f-fault..." Hinata said, as she started to cry. "A-and I... wouldn't have been able to l-live with m-myself..."

Naruto gasped. "Hinata..."

"P-please tell me you forgive me, N-Naruto..."

"I do. But you would not have been to blame. It would have been all on me."

"N-Naruto... you don't have to shoulder all the blame..."

"But I'm not gonna blame you, Hinata. I wouldn't be a very good boyfriend if I did that."

"Oh, Naruto."

They kissed, and then ate their ramen, enjoying each other's company. The conversation went uphill from there. As they finished their ramen, Naruto left the money on the table and called out "Money's on the table!" as he took Hinata's hand and walked outside.

"Well, what do you wanna do now?" Naruto asked Hinata.

"Hmm... walking is just fine."

"Really?"

"Yes. Just as long as I get to spend time with you."

"You're a sweetheart." Naruto said with a grin.

Hinata smiled and said "So are you."

Less than a minute later, Neji just so happened to cross their paths. "So, Naruto, you're back. And it seems you've finally noticed my cousin's amorous intentions."

Hinata blushed, but Naruto said "Of course I have. I have for some time now."

Neji smiled and said "Is that so? Then would you mind explaining why it seems only now you've acknowledged said feelings?"

"I actually had the same feelings."

"Really, now?"

"But your uncle isn't exactly the most friendly person."

Neji chuckled. "I guess you're right about that. I suppose I'll take my leave now. Good luck Naruto, Lady Hinata."

"Nice talkin to ya, Neji."

"Likewise."

"G-good bye, cousin."

Neji walked away. "I guess all that remains is to meet your father, Hinata." Naruto said, as he gulped.

"Don't worry, Naruto. He'll like you."

"Yeah... uh... no offense, hun, but that's not exactly encouraging."

"Really, he will. After all, it was all thanks to you that Neji stopped being such an angry person, especially toward my father."

A while later, they arrived at the Hyuga compound. Naruto took a deep breath and said "Well, this is it..."

"Don't worry, Naruto. It'll be fine."

As soon as Hinata put her hand on the door, it opened to reveal Hiashi standing in the doorway. "Hinata, you're late for dinner. I was just going to search for you. Why are you late?" Hiashi then glanced at Naruto, standing by Hinata, looking as nervous as Hinata herself usually was. He even did the finger-twitching. "I see. Out on a little stroll?"

"Yes, father. Naruto, this is my father."

"N-nice to meet y-you, s-s-sir." Naruto said. Hiashi stared at him, pseudo-coldly, then smiled warmly and extended his hand, which Naruto shook, a little surprised at such a warm welcome.

"I am Hiashi Hyuga, and it is nice to meet you, after my daughter has spoken of you. Quite frequently, in fact."

Hinata blushed and said "Father!"

Hiashi chuckled. "Though I am rather surprised at you, Hinata."

"Huh?"

"You should have sent word that you were bringing a guest for dinner."

"Well... I wasn't exactly able to... Neji didn't seem to be walking back to the compound..."

"Ah... speaking of him, Naruto..."

"Yes, sir?"

Hiashi laughed heartily. "You don't have to acknowledge me so formally."

"S-sorry... but yes? You were saying?"

"I owe you a debt of thanks. He had been so hostile, up until he lost at the Chunin exams."

"Uh... you're welcome..."

Hiashi smiled. "Would you like to come inside?" Hiashi said as he stepped aside to allow the couple passage.

"Sure." Naruto said as he and Hinata walked into the house past Hiashi.

"Will dinner be ready soon, Father?" Hinata asked.

Hiashi nodded. "It will be ready in about 20 minutes."

"Okay. Let's go up to my room, Naruto."

"Okay."

Just as the couple continued to the staircase, Hiashi said "Make sure your door stays open, Hinata." That statement caused the couple to freeze and blush horribly.

"Father!"

Hiashi chuckled. "I was only kidding. I trust you two."

"Father, you're going to give Naruto a heart attack! Come on, Naruto." Hinata said as she started leading Naruto up the stairs to her room. As they entered her room, Hinata said "It suits me." Then, after she got no response from Naruto, she looked back at him, to see he was bright red in the face. This caused her to giggle as she said "You can breathe you know, Naruto."

Naruto then took a very deep, almost exaggerated breath. "Oh, geez..." Naruto said as he plopped himself onto Hinata's bed. "That was scary."

"You mean my father?"

"Yes."

Hinata giggled. "I know he seems bad, but once you get to know him he's actually a really nice person."

"Does he always say embarrassing comments though?"

"Sadly, yes. You'd think even I would be used to it, since he always has been like that, but I'm not."

"Are all parents like that?"

"No, just him."

Naruto chuckled.

They had spent the next 20 minutes just enjoying each other's company. In other words, cuddling. They almost jumped when Hiashi called up the stairs to summon them for dinner.

"Hinata! Naruto! Dinner is ready!"

After jumping out of his skin, Naruto said "Holy crap! Uh, shall we go downstairs for dinner now, hun?"

"Mm-hmm."

The happy couple walked downstairs hand in hand. Dinner was going to prove interesting.

Okay. This is all I have written for this story thus far. I tried rereading all of this to get more ideas of where I intend this story to go, but failed horribly. So, if any of you guys could give me some ideas to continue this, I would be grateful. My partner in writing, darkpriestess1617 and I, have not been able to get together for writing in sooo long, and I can always use the help. If you would have some kind of idea where I can go, please don't hesitate to pitch me an idea or 2, and if given help, I will make sure to give credit where credit is due. Please r&r. Much love. Peace!

Dogboy1214