CHAPTER RATING: T

…

Episode 15: Departure

The morning rays shined through Naruto's window and penetrated his through his eyelids. He pulled his arms up and stretched until he noticed that there wasn't a pressure on his chest. He didn't feel her body against his, and he didn't feel her silk hair on his body. He looked down, and sure enough, Hinata wasn't there.

Was it all a dream? A thought flashed through his mind.

Well, if it was, it was one of the best dreams I've ever had.

He sat up and blinked his eyes a few times. In an effort to clear his vision further, rubbed his eyes. When he opened them, he saw a note, situated on his nightstand. He yawned slowly and opened the piece of paper.

-Naruto-kun, I had to leave early; many people still don't know about our relationship…And we still don't know how they will react when they find out. Whatever lies ahead for us on this path, remember that I will always stand by your side, no matter what.

I love you,

-Hinata

"So, it wasn't a dream." Naruto said aloud with a smile. He took a deep breath and shook his head as he stepped into his shower. He felt the warm water run down his body as thoughts raced through his mind.

Did that really happen last night? Nine-years of nothing, and all of a sudden, she decides to do something…

He lowered his head and let the water stream continuously down his hair.

I know, somewhere, I may have fallen in love with her, but not here.

He turned the shower off and listened to the water slowly subside. Slowly, he changed into his usual clothing and sat down. Before him, sitting on the table were two bowls of ramen that went unattended the night before.

"What a shame. I was looking forward to eating this. I'm sure Hinata's cooking is delicious." He said to himself as he took a bowl in each hand and walked towards the kitchen. He dumped out the night old ramen, and heard a pecking sound clicking on his window.

Confused, he walked over to his bedroom and saw a pigeon sitting on the windowsill. He gently opened the window and extended his hand. The pigeon jumped onto his hand and wrapped it's talons around his index finger.

Hanging from its leg was a small note attached to a string. Naruto slipped the note from its knot and stuck his hand out the window again, with a small flicking motion; he sent the pigeon back on its way to return home. He unwrapped the small scroll and read it out loud.

-To Uzumaki Naruto,

Please report to the Hokage's office at noon today, The Hokage has an important announcement that she must deliver, it directly concerns the Genin group that you were associated with.

Thank you for being prompt and punctual,

-Shizune, Assistant to the Fifth Hokage

Naruto took another deep breath. He closed his window, burned the message, and walked out of the door.

…

He walked among the crowded streets of Konoha while making his way to the Hokage's office. He let his mind wander while gazing up at the passing clouds; still wondering about last night.

"Naruto-kun!" A voiced called out to him, breaking his concentration. He turned and was greeted by the brightest smile he had ever seen, and the tightest hug he had ever felt. Hinata wrapped her arms around him and pulled him in tightly. He smiled softly and returned her gesture."Are you heading towards the Hokage's office?" she asked him.

"I am." He answered with a nod. She pulled away and met his eyes with hers. "Were you contacted about this 'meeting' as well?" He asked.

"I was." She answered him as he turned and continued to walk. Hinata matched her stride with him and walked along side him. "I don't know what it's about, but from what I know is that everyone from our graduating class will be there."

Naruto nodded again, acknowledging her answer.

…

Outside of the Hokage's office, they found waiting for them, the remnants of the original Konoha 11. In between the others stood Tsunade and her original disciple, Haruno Sakura.

"Good you're here! Tsunade shouted as the duo reached ear shot. Naruto's gaze shifted away from Sakura's, he just couldn't bring himself to look her in the eyes.

"Here is the important news. Sakura will need a team to accompany her on a year-long peace-relations mission. You're all here to form a new team for the mission. Who will accompany her?" Tsunade declared.

Rock Lee jumped with ecstatic enthusiasm.

"I will go! I will protect Sakura-san with my life!" Tsunade nodded at his words. From the corner of his eye, Naruto saw Ino nudging Shikamaru with her shoulder. Annoyance seemed to be the expression on his face. He took a deep breath and raised his hand.

"I'll go. I can be the Chuunin in this four-man cell." He said rather sluggishly.

"I'll go to!" Ino replied with opposing joy. She smiled and hugged Sakura. Tsunade nodded to this also.

"Very good then! You're all dismissed! Shikamaru, Ino, Sakura, Lee. Follow me." Tsunade declared again while the newly assembled team followed close behind. Sakura gazed at Naruto one last time with a weakened smile, but couldn't see his eyes.

Together, Hinata and Naruto turned around and began to walk away from the group. She smiled gently as they walked.

"I'll see you again, Naruto-kun. There's something I need to take care of."

"Okay, I'll see you soon." Naruto nodded.

…

Naruto decided to send the rest of his day sitting in the forest, taking in the sounds and sights of nature. If he hadn't willingly resisted it, his stillness could have caused him to enter Sage Mode. He decided to relax and just let the aura of the world take his mind. A tint of orange began to overlap his eyes until he heard a rustling in front of him.

"Naruto…" Sakura said quietly.

"What is it?" He asked with a deep sigh. He pushed up against the tree he sat by and stood up.

"I just wanted to explain what I did last night…" Sakura continued.

"Okay, go ahead." He replied again with a softer voice. Sakura stepped closer to him as he stood still.

"The reason why I did what I did last night is because I won't be able to see you for a long time. I just wanted to let you know how I really feel now." She explained. "I'm sorry for everything that I've done, and I understand why you were upset. I promise that I will never do that again, can you ever forgive me for what I did?"

Naruto stepped forward, with every step, Sakura seemed to flinch with uncertainty as to what was going to happen next.

To her surprise, she felt his arms wrap around her, and gently buried her face into his chest.

"Don't worry, Sakura-chan. I forgive you." He whispered to her.

"Thank you, Naruto." They broke away from each other as they heard a voice in the distance.

"Sakura-san! We're going to leave!" Rock Lee shouted. Sakura smiled at Naruto and turned around.

"Thank you so much, Naruto." She whispered before calling out to Lee. "I'm coming, Lee-san!"

As she faded into the trees, he heard a loud bang followed by the soft rustling of leaves being pushed by dust.

"WOW! SAKURA-SAN! THAT'S AMAZING!" Naruto heard Lee's voice penetrate through the thick forest.

He smiled when he realized what she had done.

…

Hinata and Naruto were called again to the Hokage's office, where it was immediately urgent that they find suitable replacements for the new Team 7 that was required to be formed.

"Okay, as you both know, Team 7 is now fractured, the only people that are currently in Team 7 are you two. We'll need to reform the team, but who should replace the last two?"

Naruto and Hinata shrugged.

…

Thanks for reading!