Happy Sunday Everyone!

Author Note:

I have the next chapter already written. I just need to make sure it's edited to perfection. It will be out this Wednesday. Hope you enjoy!

Chapter 5
On with the story

Last Chapter

Empress Hinata, wife of the great Emperor Naruto-kun. That sounds nice. Actually, I should say my FULL future name.

Empress Hinata Uzumaki.

Mmm, much better.

Just over a year later...

Hinata

"Wow really? You're one year older than us and you still can't make a basic henge!?" Kiba barked out annoyingly.

Most of the class burst into laughter. Naruto was standing in front of the classroom having shifted into a misshapen version of the hokage. Iruka, who was observing from the side shook his head and began to scribble some notes down on his clipboard.

Naruto was engulfed in smoke, transforming back to his regular self. He had the cutest pout on his lips as he dramatically pointed at the class.

"Just you wait. Someday I'm going to surpass even Sasuke and be the greatest Hokage!" Naruto proclaimed.

The class laughed even louder.

"Get real Naruto. You'll never surpass Sasuke-kun. Not in a million years." Sakura screeched.

Naruto huffed and returned to his seat with his arms crossed. I tried to ignore the murmurs as Iruka called someone else to the front.

Like always Naruto kept pretending to be the "dobe" of the class. He did it in order to avoid drawing unnecessary suspicion to himself. Still, the way most everyone picked on him always angered me. But I wasn't supposed to be too nice to Naruto during class. Naruto, well more Kyuubi, said it would be best. Though it was getting harder and harder to endure the constant disrespect of My Love.

"I believe in you Naruto-kun." I whispered to Naruto.

We sat in different rows to not draw suspicion. I was in the row behind him.

"Oh my gods Hinata. How can you keep supporting that loser?" Sakura spat out.

I gritted my teeth. That's it. I'll make her pay.

It took me a few days to get my chance. I didn't want to be too overt with my actions so I waited until Iruka-sensei called for a sparring session. Everyone paired up. Sakura usually paired up with Ino but I had different plans.

"Sakura-chan, would you like to spar?" I asked in my sweetest voice.

I could tell that her eyes were heatedly on Ino. They'd developed a rivalry to fight for Sasuke's attention. Sakura quirked a brow and shifted her gaze to me.

"Hm, sure. I need practice beating up someone other than Ino-pig."

Ino glared daggers from off to the side. I ignored her and nodded while dropping into a fighting stance. Sakura cracked her knuckles. It took all my willpower to hide my contempt for her. That arrogant, annoying, disrespectful...ugh!

"Here I come Hinata."

She charged me and I pretended to struggle to block her attacks. Kyuubi-sama told us that I should hide my power as well at school. I could do well academically but in terms of strength I had to show restraint.

"Be honest, you like Naruto don't you." Sasuke said while landing a punch against my stomach.

I pretended to recoil.

"W-what do you mean?"

Sakura scoffed.

"Oh come on. Everyone sees the way you look at him, the way you talk to him. You've got a crush on the dead last in class? I'm disappointed in you Hinata. You can do so much better."

I was seething.

"N-Naruto-kun...he's not weak. He's strong. He just needs time." I couldn't say too much but I couldn't just let her keep talking down to him.

"Oh my Gods. You're in love! It's kind of pathetic really." Sakura hissed with a snake-like grin.

She charged me ready to deliver another blow. I narrowed my eyes and dodged it easily before landing a powerful slap to her face. Admittedly I might have gone a little overboard.

Sakura was knocked off her feet and crashed to the ground. She even slid a bit in the dirt.

"Sakura!" Iruka shouted in alarm, having caught the exchange out the corner of his eye while watching over the field.

He rushed over and knelt over Sakura. She was trembling, sending a fearful glance over to me from her defeated position on the ground.

I went wide eyes.

"Oops."

I got strange looks the rest of the day.

After school Naruto and I moved in separate directions like normal. After a while I'd turn and head back to our apartment or our clearing. Kyuubi advised us that we should keep our relationship secret but often I had doubts as to why. I knew why Naruto needed to hide his strength but why couldn't I be outwardly open with our relationship? It was a bit frustrating but Naruto agreed with Kyuubi so I did as instructed. Still….

"Hey."

Someone called out to me, snapping me out of my thoughts as I walked down a common path. I hadn't yet turned towards our apartment yet. I swiveled about and was surprised to see Sasuke.

"Oh...Hello Sasuke." I responded back pleasantly.

What did he want? Sasuke has never really spoke to me or sought my attention. Like most girls I was pretty much invisible to him. Not that I minded. What he did next completely shocked me.

Without warning, Sasuke quickly pulled a kunai from his leg pouch and sent it sailing for my chest. I narrowly dodged it before finding another half dozen kunai sailing my way.

"Sasuke! What…" I called out frantically while weaving through and dodging each deadly weapon which was sent my way.

Sasuke appeared in the blink of an eye just above me. My body moved on instinct. He aimed an ax kick down on my head. I blocked his kick with one hand and gently swept his leg to the side to throw him off balance. Before he could recover I spun and sent a palm at his chest. My strike landed clean, sending him sliding backwards.

Sasuke stopped and grew a satisfied smirk. I had no idea what was going on. Was this really Sasuke? Why would he attack me? I was tempted to activate my Byakugan but I thought better of it. It was too early for that.

"I knew it." Sasuke proclaimed.

I frowned.

"Knew what? What's going on?"I questioned warily.

Sasuke tucked his hands in his pockets and walked up to me with his normal cool swagger. I hesitantly rose up from my fighting stance, though I was still on guard.

"You're stronger than everybody else in class. By a lot. Why are you hiding your strength?" Sasuke asked while stopping right in front of me.

I went wide-eyed and gazed off to the side, unsure of what to say.

"I...um...well…"

I didn't want to make something up. Not when I was so caught off guard. I knew it wouldn't sound believable. So I let out a calming breath and looked up to him with a serious gaze.

"That's my business. Please stop following me." I stated sternly before turning my back to him and beginning to walk off.

Sasuke grabbed my wrist. My Byakugan flared. He made me nervous. I stared him down in warning. Sasuke matched my gaze without falter before letting me go.

"Suit yourself." He said with a scoff, turning away and walking off.

I was about to continue on my way but Sasuke called out to me one last time.

"For the record, pretending to be as weak as the other girls seems pretty dumb. The REAL you is far more appealing." He said with the corner of his eyes lingering on me before he jumped onto a branch and sped off.

My face was as red as a tomato. What did he say!?

"Hahahaha! Oh my gods! Really? I can totally see him saying that!"

It's official. This was the most embarrassing moment of all time. I rushed to the clearing to tell Naruto about what happened and he just started laughing! Like...really hard.

"Naruto-kun...It's not that funny."

I hoped my voice didn't sound too whiny. I couldn't help pouting.

Naruto was currently doing handstand push ups, looking at me upside down. He had a large boulder cradled between his knees. He liked to do this particular exercise without a shirt. Usually I'd be staring at his tone figure but today I was too distracted.

"Oh come on Hinata-chan? You don't think it's even a little bit funny?"

I gazed off to the side with a frown.

"N-not really. Doesn't it make you nervous about another boy saying those things to me?"

I poked my fingers together. I didn't want to admit it but it would be nice if Naruto were at least a tiny bit jealous.

"Why would I be?" Naruto responded nonchalantly.

"Oh...I guess you're right. There is nothing to be nervous about."

As I finished my sentence I heard a loud thud. What immediately followed were Naruto's big blue eyes staring at me an inch away from my face.

Naruto had gotten fast since we've been together. Very fast. Often times I couldn't keep up with his movements even with my Byakugan active. One moment Naruto was doing a handstand and the very next moment he was right in front of me. He wrapped an arm around my waist and tugged me against him. I arched my back and placed my hands against his chest.

"There is no chance in hell I'd let anyone take what's already mine."

Naruto's voice oozed confidence. He wore a cocky smile, eyeing me as if I were prey. I melted completely.

When his lips crashed against mine my knees nearly gave in. I had to grab on to his shoulders in order to keep myself from collapsing. He let out a hungry growl. The sound was amplified by a demonic echo. He'd been doing that a lot recently. The power of his growl sent shivers through my entire body. When he pulled back and let me go I fell to my knees. A looked up to him as if he were a god.

Naruto walked off the side to grab his t-shirt and orange jacket.

"I'm very pleased with what happened today. I've been wanting to talk to you more about my plans for the future. I've been thinking about it a lot and I have a few more details fleshed out." He said while casually walking back towards me and putting on his shirt and jacket.

I nodded in a dumbfounded way.

Naruto chuckled lightly and picked me up bridal style, which caused me to let out a little squeak. He knew how much I loved being carried like that.

He carried me to our favorite spot. It was a little waterfall not too far away. We'd lay along the grass for hours staring up at the sky. Not only was the sound of the waterfall calming but this location was high enough for us to get a very nice view of the sunset. We came here to relax, to talk, to just be with each other.

Naruto lay in the grass on his back. I laid partially atop him with my head resting along his chest.

"I'm sorry about today." I was the first to break the silence.

Naruto grabbed my butt and pulled me up until we were face to face.

"There is nothing to apologize for." Naruto insisted.

I shook my head.

"But there is. I revealed my strength carelessly. Now everyone will look at me differently. Iruka seems suspicious and Sasuke now knows how much stronger I am than everyone else. Besides you of course. I know you and Kyuubi wanted me to hide my strength and I failed."

I ranted with tears threatening to fall from my eyes. Naruto took a serious expression when staring up at me.

"Hinata-chan. I need you to listen to me."

I gasped and nodded right away.

"Ok Naruto-kun."

"Stop apologizing. You made a small mistake. That's ok. As long as you learn from it then there is nothing to feel guilty about. This is simply a learning opportunity. Nothing more, nothing less."

His words were encouraging but I still had doubts. I bowed my head and began poking my fingers together. Naruto grabbed my chin in order to pull my face to his, stealing a kiss from my lips. I melted once again.

"Do as your Emperor says. You stop feeling guilty this instant." Naruto ordered in a playful yet still forceful enough tone.

That brought a smile to my face.

"As you command Your Majesty."

Naruto released another one of his demonic growls. He really liked it when I spoke that way. And I liked it too. We'd been doing that more and more recently. It seemed fitting.

"Good girl."

My toes curled. He knew how his words affected me. I could see it in his satisfied grin.

"Now, let's start that lesson."

That's the end of this chapter. Please review

Alright, see you guys Wednesday!