"Naruto," he could hear a woman whispering out his name. His eyes opened, and a very beautiful girl greeted him. She smiled cutely, "Naruto!" She hugged the boy, forgetting that his body was still pretty banged up.
Naruto winced in pain, "Any harder, and I would think you're trying to kill me," he grinned. He reached his hand out touching the girl's face. From her soft voice, he could tell who she was. A blush decorated her cheeks, at his touch, "So that's what you look like Hinata-chan," he tried to smile but it came out more like grimace.
"I'm sorr- wait," Hinata looked stunned for a few seconds, staring intently at Naruto, almost pleadingly, "that means you can see!" She was so overwhelmed with joy she hugged him again, "I'm so happy for you Naruto."
"Anymore good news, and I think I'm really gonna die," Naruto said half jokingly and half serious. Hinata hurriedly let go of the young prince, smiling sheepishly.
"Alright guys I don't mean to interrupt, but I really think we should go now," Kiba said already on his way out.
"Yes, we should bring this hug fest elsewhere," Shino agreed, grinning at himself for what he thought was a witty comment.
Hinata let Naruto use her shoulder for support. The group made it to an inn on the outskirts of town. Hinata helped Naruto to bed; he smiled grateful, "Even when I can see, I still need your help."
"What you need now is rest, when you wake you will be stronger. And we will tell you everything." Hinata kissed his forehead.
"No more rest," He said looking up at her, "I'm tired of being in the dark. Even though my body is weak, I'm still very much awake. I feel like I've been asleep for so long. I'm finally awake."
Hinata sighed, "Don't strain your body Naruto. You're going to need it. I promise you that."
Naruto looked up at his best friend. Her black hair fell elegantly on either side of her porcelain face. She had big, lavender color eyes that held his gaze, openly.
"You have honest eyes Hinata-chan," he smiled, "They are beautiful."
Hinata blushed a bright red, and her eyes started to tear up, "That's the same thing I thought about you many years ago," she said softly.
"Who are you really?" Naruto asked, "I don' believe you're a simple maid."
Hinata smiled, "No. I'm not," Hinata bowed her head, almost shamefully, "I have known Naruto since he was a boy in the palace."
"Palace?" he questioned
"Yes, Naruto. You are actually the prince of Konohagakure. Your grandfather was the king, and your father was next in line for the throne. But your grandfather fell from grace and only wanted power and fame for himself. He became paranoid and feared your father was going to over throw him. But your father was not that kind of man. He was kind, smart, and very brave. He was loved by our people. They looked up to him for his mercy and strength. Your grandfather hated that, so he banished your father. But your grandfather cared for you a lot. He refused your father's right to leave with you, but your parents loved you very much. So they ran away from the palace with you."
Naruto did not say a word; he only listened, "Please continue."
Hinata sighed but complied, "I met you in your mother's garden. You were always smiling," she laughed softly, "you often hid from your mother in the flowers because you were so small. The first time you did it, you nearly scared your mother half to death," she smiled fondly at the old memory, "the whole castle was in an uproar, looking for the lost prince who fell asleep in the flower bed. I use to always watch you from a distance, watching you laugh. Naruto there is something, very important that I have kept from you," she looked as if she was about to cry, "It was my fault that you became blind."
Naruto took Hinata hand in his own, "It was Orochimaru who made me like this," he said trying to comfort her.
"No," she shook her head, "You don't understand. I am your guardian Naruto. It is my duty to watch over you. I swore my life to you until the day I die. Guardians are always at our master's sides, risking our lives for their safety. Your happiness becomes our happiness. Your burdens become our burdens. We can never abandoned our chosen ones because our lives would be without meaning. That is what it means to be a guardian. Each guardian is able to give two gifts to their chosen ones. Naruto that day in the flowerbed, when I first saw you, I put a seal jitsu on you. I never wanted to see you cry Naruto, never. I never wanted you to see the world as an ugly place. I never wanted your beautiful eyes to dull. The seal jitsu would activate, when you became afraid and scared of the world around you. When the world became too much for you to bear. Once the jitsu activated, you would no longer be able to see. I'm so sorry Naruto. I was too late. Even though I tried to protect and save you-" Hinata was in tears, when Naruto interrupted her.
Naruto sat up, bringing her closer to his chest. He hugged her tightly, "You were only a child Hinata-chan. You had to live with that burden all your life. You are the strong one. You watched over me, protected me for years haven't you. You lived a lonely life, in the shadows," Naruto lifted her head so that he could see her eyes, "You have never let me down Hinata, never. You saved my life. When I was a child and Orochimaru captured me. Everyday was hell. I wanted to die. But I remember a girl who saved me. That was you wasn't it?"
"Yes," she replied, letting Naruto wipe away her tears.
"You have nothing to be ashamed of Hinata," he rested his forehead against hers,
"You have protected me all these years. It is my turn to protect you."
Naruto laid her down next to him, and when she protested, he said it would make him heal faster. She just smiled and laughed. The two fell asleep together.
Naruto's eyes opened slowly. He was greeted by three very heavy children sprawled on top of him.
"Sorry I tried to stop them, but once they saw you laying with Hinata, all bets were off," he heard the voice of a gruffly old man. Naruto turned his head to the right, where an older man with white hair sat, smiling goofily at him.
"I wasn't able to tell you this, but now that your here," Naruto looked the man dead in the eye, "You're an idiot dad."
Jiraiya laughed, "I missed you too son," he ruffled the blonde's hair, smirking.
Naruto grinned looking down at his brothers and sister, "I always wondered what they looked like." He ran hand through Konohamaru's hair.
"Am I as handsome as you imagined," Jiraiya joked, winking.
Naruto sighed, "You look like a toad old man."
"Ouch," his dad frowned, "tell that to all the ladies who want this."
"Pervy old grandpa," Naruto laughed.
It was good to be back, but he didn't know how long this feeling of happiness was going to last. He couldn't get Sasuke out of his head. He really wanted to see needed to talk to him, tell him that he loved him, and he wanted to be with him.
"I need to get back to the castle, as soon as possible," Naruto said quietly.
"You just came from the castle, you want to go back already?" Jiraiya said, "It will be difficult, considering the war has begun. The security around the castle will be tough. But don't worry. Gaara's soldiers will be here soon, and we will take back your kingdom together."
Naruto looked stunned and it took him a few moments to respond, "War? What are you talking about? Why is Gaara sending soldiers here?"
"Hinata didn't tell you already? Sasuke declared war on Gaara, or more they declared war on each other. Gaara is taking the kingdom back in your name. Gaara's soldiers have already started moving around the village."
"No," Naruto shook his head, "No. This cannot happen! No!" Naruto got up from the bed, making sure not to wake up the children or Hinata.
"I'm not going to fight against Sasuke," Naruto walked out of the room, "take me to Gaara. Now."
"Naruto what is going on?" Jiraiya said irritated, "why can't you fight Sasuke?"
"Because I love him," Naruto almost yelled, "I love Sasuke!"
Jiraiya glared at Naruto, "You have no idea what you're saying! Naruto he killed your family!"
"How did you know that?" Naruto looked at Jiraiya, "I never told anyone…"
Jiraiya growled, grimacing, "I know because I was there."
Naruto eyes opened wide, staring confused at Jiraiya, "You where there?"
"Yes. Naruto. I am your grandfather. I was searching for you and your parents," Jiraiya turned his head in shame, avoiding Naruto's heated gaze, "After I banished your father, I was left with nothing. It wasn't long before I was dethroned, and I realized what I did. I was always looking for my family. I found you the day Sasuke raided your home. But there was nothing I could do. By the time I got there, Itachi took you away with him along with Sasuke. But I saw him Naruto. He killed your parents, without any remorse."
"You lied to me…" Naruto mumbled to himself, "This whole time you've been lying to me," he yelled.
"Naruto I never meant to hurt you or your father. I loved you two very much," Jiraiya fell to his knees. He looked up at Naruto, tears falling down his weathered face, "Please believe me."
Naruto did something that surprised Jiraiya. He hugged him. Naruto held his grandfather tight, "No matter what happened, you where always there for me. I'll always consider you my dad," Naruto smiled, "Even if you're a stupid old man. But listen to me when I say, I will never fight against Sasuke..."