A/N: More than 200 favs and 300 follows! I am really amazed and honored. Thank you all for the love and support. As I have mentioned earlier, my updates may not be very regular or frequent, since I am a bit busy with my university studies. However, I will continue to update as frequently as possible. In the last chapter, we laid the basis to make NaruHina happen in this story and in this chapter culminate the process. So, nothing much, just more romance and fluff. Have a good read!

A/N: Chapter 8 updated (03/12/2021)

CHAPTER 8: LOVE IS IN THE AIR!

'It's not a dream Hinata-chan. I am sorry that I didn't realize it sooner but I do love you. I really do.'

As Hinata slowly regained consciousness, she fully expected to see that no one was in her room and whatever happened just minutes ago was an illusion. But those words that came from her beloved's mouth held a degree of sincerity that could only be displayed by the real Naruto, not an illusion formed by a genjutsu. 'May be, just may be all of this is true, Naruto-kun is really here and he's confessed to me'. As she was too afraid to look above her chest but then she felt the familiar weight that was there minutes ago. Looking down, she found him still there, looking at her with a bit of concern in his eyes.

(I have to wonder where Naruto's ROOT tail is during this? What, is she on a coffee break or something?)

Meanwhile,

'So that's what all this stuttering and fainting was about? All because she loved me so much that she was overwhelmed with feelings when she was around me and couldn't keep herself from confessing while at the same time, she was most likely nervous that I will just reject her. It's just the same thing that I was feeling when I was on my way here or whatever I was feeling after I realized that I loved her, till now? Damn you Naruto, how could you be such an idiot?'

"Took you long enough to realize Baka!" Growled Kurama with a smirk from inside the mindscape.

"I told you Naru-chan, she will never reject you. I am so glad for you two, Dattebane!" said Kushina while Minato gave him a thumbs-up, which Naruto returned with perhaps the widest grin he ever had.

"Are you okay Hinata-chan?"

The Hyuuga could only dumbly node to him.

"N-Naruto-kun, w-will y-you mind i-if I t-t-turned on my B-Byakugan. I-I w-want to k-know for sure i-i-it's not s-some cruel G-g-genjutsu. Please!"

"Go on ahead."

She nodded, brought her hands before her face and made the seal.

"Byakugan!" she slowly whispered and immediately the veins around her eyes bulged. She then focused on Naruto. There was no genjutsu, no illusion whatsoever. Even the ever-present red chakra that she had noticed long ago was running through his chakra coils. The only difference being that the red charka just seemed more potent than ever. There was no way this person could not be Naruto. So, it was all true, he was there in the flesh and blood and now: he had finally returned her feelings! Her dreams did come true!

"Come over to my side Naruto-kun", she said affectionately, the blonde immediately obliged and joined her in the bed. Now without any hesitation she wrapped her hands over his head, pulled his face into her chest and began caressing his hair. "I love you too…I love you so much Naruto-kun." Hinata said, tightening her embrace. Never in her life had she felt better or more complete than this. For the both of them, the feeling they shared at this moment was just pure bliss. No more words were spoken. They were not needed at all. They didn't even know when they fell asleep, not that it mattered honestly.

In Naruto's mindscape, a crying Kushina hugged Minato who himself couldn't help shed a few drops of tears. As far as Kurama was concerned he was just smirking in victory showing all his teeth. He had finally fulfilled one of the promises he made to himself when he, along with his siblings, had decided to travel back in time.

In the morning a nurse walked into Hinata's room to check up on her and found her peacefully asleep with a wide smile pasted on her lips. She had wrapped a familiar blonde in her arms, who was also sleeping peacefully with his face buried in her chest. Luckily for the both of them, she was one of the few adults who didn't despise Naruto, but she knew that her colleagues won't react kindly to his presence in a patient's room, let alone sleeping with the said patient. She did find the two to be a very adorable and cute couple.

Hesitantly she shook the blonde a bit.

"Naruto-san, Hyuuga-san please get up. If the others see you like this, they will make a scene. Please get up." She whispered. It worked as the teens slowly stirred and started waking up.

When Hinata saw the nurse looking at them with an embarrassed smile, she let out an "Eep!", for being caught red handed.

This finally awoke Naruto from his slumber. (Awaken, My Naruto! Ayayaya!)

"I see that you have had a great night's sleep, Naruto-san", said the nurse giggling. "But as much as I hate to ruin your sleep by waking you up earlier than you'd like, the others might not react well to you being here and its already past sunrise" She added while struggling to stop her giggles.

Upon recognizing the nurse, Naruto let out a yawn as he got out of the bed.

"Oh! Good morning, Keiko-san. How've you been?"

"Well and good Naruto-san, I would have asked you the same thing but I already got the answer. I must admit, you two looked so cute, cuddled up like that. I so wish I had a camera."

The teens blushed heavily at the comment.

"Alright I think I gotta get the hell out of here before others see me because they'll pitch a fit and create havoc over it if they do see me in here."

Keiko only nodded with a smile.

"I guess Inari-kun and the others will be quite happy to know that you got yourself such a cute and beautiful girlfriend." The teens blushed again.

"I might visit tonight again, so can you please be the one to check up on her tomorrow morning as well. Just in case I mean."

"I think I can arrange that. However, she's scheduled to be released tomorrow morning. I heard that you are in the finals, she can be there tomorrow to cheer you up."

"That's great. Dattebayo! All right I'll be off then. See ya tonight Hinata-chan." Naruto said as he gave a quick kiss on the cheek. Before he could run-off though, Hinata grabbed his arm, pulled him towards herself and captured his lips with hers, while cupping his cheeks. There was no need to hold back anymore. Naruto had become hers last night after all. The blonde became frozen for several seconds but then gladly returned the kiss. The two continued for a minute and then separated.

"I will be waiting for you tonight Naruto-kun." Said Hinata with a smile and pink cheeks. Naruto…well…he was blushing hard enough to rival Hinata in her glory days. (don't say it like that, they've only just begun)

'Hinata-chan kissed me. She kissed me…on the lips…wow…just wow…I never imagined it to be so…amazing…It was awesome Dattebayo!' He screamed inside.

"Have a good day Hinata-chan", he said as he leapt out of the window. Hinata kept looking towards the window for some moments with a smile.

"He is quite adorable, isn't he?" the nurse asked her.

Hinata nodded with a smile.

"Ano…you don't seem to be rude to Naruto-kun like the others here. May I ask why?"

"Well, I like many others in my homeland owe it to him and his team for the better lives we live now. You see, I am from the Land of Waves. I got this job just a few weeks ago. Like me, many others from my country got decent jobs or started businesses and started leading decent lives only after Naruto-san and his team brought down Gato and freed our country from his tyranny and then by helping Tazuna-san complete his bridge, they connected our island country with the rest of the world. So, he is seen as a hero in the Wave country today. Even the bridge he and his team helped complete is called 'The Great Naruto Bridge' in his honour." replied Keiko. Hinata smiled proudly.

"I can't still believe he is not well received in his own home village. It's really saddening."

"They are just foolish." Hinata replied.

"They sure are. I am glad that there are people like you in his life. I wish you best of luck and someday I hope I can attend your marriage ceremony." said Keiko as she exited Hinata's room to continue her daily chores. Hinata blushed bright red at the thought of marriage with Naruto, but that was now within the realm of possibilities. She just smiled to herself.

Naruto leapt from roof to roof with a huge grin plastered on his face. He was so lost in his thoughts about the night and the morning that he didn't notice what was in front of him and BAAM! He leapt straight into an electric pole hitting it face first. Then he comically slid down with his face attached to the pole. (hate to rain on your parade but that's what you get for distracted rooftop hopping) Once on the ground, he separated from the pole with a red imprint of it left on his face but the huge grin never left. Naruto then simply walked off with his hands on the back of his head and the same grin plastered on his face. The villagers who saw him had reactions ranging from their usual disdain to confusion. Maybe the demon brat had just completely lost his mind. Some also wondered if him being happy spelled doom for them or not.

One of those who saw Naruto hitting the poll and then walking off grinning like a madman without even uttering an 'ouch' was Kurenai, who was walking towards the hospital to check on Hinata.

'That was Naruto. What's gotten into him all of a sudden? And was he coming from the direction of the hospital?' the red eyed jonin thought as she continued walking towards the hospital.

Once there, Kurenai found Hinata in a never seen before happy mood. She was having a little bit of pink cheeks and was humming some tune to herself while playing with the bangs of her hair. She was too lost in her thoughts to even notice that Kurenai had entered her room.

'Why does Hinata look so unusually happy? She's also…blushing. But she blushes only when she is near…Naruto! And today Naruto was also unusually happy…what's up with these two? Don't tell me they! Oh Kami!' (Worried about having to give the talk?)

"Good Morning Hinata, how are you doing?"

The Hyuuga was suddenly snapped into attention at her sensei's voice.

"G-Good morning sensei. I-I am s-sorry I-I didn't n-notice you."

"No worries Hinata. But you do seem unusually happy today. Did something good happen to you?"

Hinata struggled to hide her blush.

"N-N-Nothing s-s-special sensei", she lied, quite badly at that. Kurenai raised her eyebrow.

"Hmm. You know I saw Naruto a few minutes ago on my way here. He looked unusually happy and was blushing a bit. Not to mention he was so lost in thoughts that he ran straight into an electric pole."

Hinata sighed.

'Next time I will tell him to pay attention to his surroundings. Poor Naruto-kun.'

"Now that can't be a coincidence can it?"

"W-W-What?"

"You two are behaving in an oddly similar way. Tell me Hinata what happened between you two?"

"Well…He…I…we…" that was all she could reply. She was just too overwhelmed thinking about those moments. His confession, her confession, their kiss, sleeping together. (Low hanging fruit, not even gonna take it) All of it in one night…she didn't have quite the words to explain that all.

"Spill it up Hinata, I know something's up between you two and don't tell me that those white lilacs by your bed dropped out of thin air."

Hinata shook her head blushing.

"N-Naruto-kun b-brought t-them."

"And?"

"He… umm…c-c-confessed"

"He WHAT?" Kurenai asked dumbfounded and Hinata nodded shyly.

"That explains it. I never imagined Naruto would not only notice but also return your feelings so quickly. I thought it was still years off."

Hinata didn't reply to that.

"Well then, you two should come over to my place for dinner after the exams."

"Okay sensei."

In the meantime, after brushing his teeth and taking a quick shower, Naruto went to the Ichiraku's and gulped down twenty bowls of ramen in less than twenty minutes in celebration. Teuchi and Ayame did notice that their favourite customer was unusually happy that day. But they decided to pry him later, since he had a match the next day. The blonde then went to training ground 26 and practiced all the techniques and jutsus he had learnt for hours after hours. He even sparred a bit with his shadow clones using taijutsu. At night, the jinchuriki freshened up again and quickly headed to the hospital with a small blush on his cheeks.

A/N: So NaruHina is a couple now and my favorite pairing is on! Hurray!...For those who are fans of drama and angst, sorry guys I am not exactly into that sort of thing, so let me make this clear in advance that there won't be any kind of huge fight, break-up-patch-up etc etc here in this story. They are going to be with each other through thick and thin. Here I have also introduced Keiko, my first OC in this story. She's just a minor character and she may not even have any further appearances in further chapters. I might introduce more OCs ahead but they won't be too OP or major, I don't exactly like OCs having too major a role or being more powerful than the MC(s). Thank you again for all the love and support. I am very pleased and honored that my story has been able to keep you entertained and I hope that it will continue to do so in the coming days. Thanks again and see you in the next chapter.