Alright, guys, I am experiencing some technical difficulties. As soon as the matter is resolved, I will upload the new chapter. I'm going to write a short one shot to make up for it. I'm really sorry for ny of you who are actually into this story.

Hinata was sitting in her home, waiting for her doting husband to return. He had gone out to fetch her the ramen she was craving. She had offered to go with him to Ichiraku where the two of them could eat but he had declned. He wished for the two of them to dine alone, uninterrupted by others.

She smiled and stared out the window, thinking of his thoughtfulness. She watched as leaves fell from the trees and thought of how her husband had changed over the years. When she had first met him, he had been arrogant and outspoken, not that that had changed much.

His eyes were hard and his heart was vulnerable from the years of neglect. Though she had never doubted him, she felt as though he didn't see her until the Chuunin exam. She was always very meek and shy. She remembered the boy who encouraged her to stand even when she was sure she couldn't stand anymore. She had kept fighting even when she felt she was a goner.

She smiled fondly at the remembrance of how she used to be. She, too, had changed a great deal over the years. All because of him. Alway she wanted to stand beside him, to be his comrade in battle and in life. She trained hard for his recognition and he for everyone's.

She remembered his battle against Pein, she was so scared for him. With her Byakugan, she had watched the fight transpire. Naruto went toe to toe with their dangerous foe and almost succeeded. When she had seen him fall, she could do noting but rush to his side. She knew she was no match for their enemy but if she could buy him just a little more time she knew he could succeed. Even though it was a death sentence, she knew it was something she had to do. That was the first time she had told her husband she loved him.

She had trained even harder after that, wanting to hve the ability to stand by his side in battle. She had nearly driven Shino and Kiba crazy forcing them to train with her. After that, she gained her confidence and her voice. Shortly after, she was finally rewarded with the opportunity to stand by him in battle.

When the Fourth Great War had come to a head, she lost her dear cousin, Neji. The grief stricken Naruto was tempted to surrender to his enemy if only to avoid more loss. She had finlly used her voice to encourage him and he had listened. They joined hands and fought together.

It wasn't until her younger sister, Hanabi, was kidnapped that he finally admitted to returning her feelings. Unfortunately, she'd had to leave him to accomplish a necessary goal but he had come for her. They conquered their obstacle together, as they had done every time after that.

She heard the door open before she turned to see her wonderful husband in the doorway. He had grown much taller than when she first met him, now easily a head taller than she. His hair was close cropped to his head and his eyes had a new light of wisdom in them. He had trained long and hard to become the man he was today and she was very happy for that.

"Hina!" He called over his shoulder, backing through the door with several bags, "I know you just wanted ramen but then I saw this maternity shirt I was sure you would adore. Then I found some sweets I thought you'd like and some amazing baby clothes."

Hinata smiled lovingly at her sweet and thoughtful husband. He had never been anything but polite to her when they were children. Now that they were married? He was a dream come true. She never wanted for anything and though he was often away on missions, she never felt lonely for he was always with her.

"Naruto," She said softly, drawing his attention, "Thank you."

"For what, Hina?" He asked with his eyebrows raised in curiosity.

"For being such a wonderful husband," she said sweely, her soft smile tugging at his heart.

The grin he showed her illuminated her world. There would always be complications; some enemy to fight, missions to keep one or both of them away, children to raise, and stubborn pride after an argument. There was one constant in the young pair's life. One thing that would always ring true.

"I love you."