Okay so I have started this chapter more time than I can count, I'll be honest a few times I forgot to save and other times it just didn't feel right. I had been extremely depressed for a long time and have just recently started feeling better, I notoriously don't finish project I start because I get sad about them being over but not with this! I will absolutely finish this story, no questions about it. So if you are still with me for this journey, thank you I'm really trying my best so with that here's a new chapter full of characters I do not own.

" Heey Hinata was it? Can we ask you a question?"

A group of girls that Hinata had in her class had come up to her after school today just as she was packing up to leave. To say her anxiety had spiked the moment they said her name would be an understatement. She had never really interacted with these girls before and had heard stories from her peers that they were known for causing trouble. Even her teachers were constantly telling them to stop talking during class and that their 'gossiping could wait'.

"Uh yes? What can I help you with?" Hinata finally gathered all her things in her school bag and clutched it tight to herself as an added sense of security.

The two girls behind the 'leader' must have noticed because they started to giggle amongst themselves.

"Hey don't be shy I promise we don't bite!" Her friends laughed again and Hinata gave an awkward little laugh herself and smiled a tight lip smile.

"I was...WE were just wondering who that high school boy is that we see you with sometimes. You know, the blonde one, he's not your...your boyfriend... is he?"

Immediatly she felt her face go red, her ears burning to a crisp along with steam coming out. She should've known these girls wanted to talk about Naruto. He had been walking home with her when he didn't have baseball practice or something planned after school. He would usually wait near the front gate and together they would walk back to Naruto's house and eat a snack and start on homework, well, Hinata would start on her school work, Naruto usually goofed around for a while until his mom came home and yelled at him for not getting starting on his school work sooner.

What was she supposed to say now about who Naruto was to her, easy answer was her neighbor and her best friend, which was the truth he was both of those things; what made things complicated however was telling these specific girls that. The fact that Naruto was a boy who clearly wasn't related to her made saying the truth feel like a lie, especially a boy that was older than her.

These girls were what Kushina described as 'trouble in a skirt', they all had reputations of spreading rumors with just the tiniest amount of information about someone, sixth grade was hard enough for Hinata without having to deal with these three.

If she was being honest Hinata already didn't have too many friends in class but she was well liked and that was fine with her, no one bothered her and no one knew more about her life other than the fact that she got top scores on her tests and she was often entrusted to run errands for the teachers. She was trying to open up more to her classmates she really was but it just seemed like there weren't too many opportunities to do so, and this didn't really seem like one of them.

"Uh no...he's not, he's my friend, well my neighbor actually. He's both! My friend and my neighbor...we've just known each other for a really long time is all." Hinata was rambling, she could feel herself get even redder if that was even possible.

"Oh so what, is he like just going the same way you are?"

Completely disregarding the fact that she said that he was also her friend and not JUST her next door neighbor.

"Well ya kinda but sometimes we'll stop and get a bubble tea, or even a pastry...sometimes only. For the most part we just go back to his house and do our homework until his mom comes home and makes us dinner." Once again shrinking into herself feeling like she shared too much and wishing they would just go away.

"I see, but he's not your boyfriend?"

"No he's not."

Turning around to her friends she held out her arms and shrugged her shoulders.

"See Rika I told you Hyuga wouldn't be dating a high school boy, ther is just NO way, so you DO have a chance!"

"Stop Tomo!" Rika laughed as she slapped her friend's arm for teasing her.

"What I thought you said he was cute? Here's your chance to make your move!"

The group walked off laughing and talking about how highschool boys were so much cuter and more mature, and how they often flirted with middle school girls because they liked how cute and innocent they were.

"Thanks again girl for clearing that up!" They waved as the walked arm in arm out of the classroom laughing about how they should start putting on makeup after school and take the long way home.

Still standing where the girls had found her Hinata finally took what felt like her first breath since the whole conversation. She couldn't believe that only 5 minuets had past. For her it truly had felt like a lifetime had gone by. She reached up and tucked some hair behind her ear and as her hand brushed against her ear she felt how warm it still was. Upon feeling the heat she looked around the room to see if anyone else was watching her, no one was, and, why would they be, she was just a shy wallflower of a girl. Nothing more nothing less.

Finally getting herself together she brought herself to move from the spot she seemed cemented to and walked out of class.

Today was a day Naruto had baseball practice so she didn't expect him to be waiting for her at the gate. And for once she was grateful. Something about seeing him right now felt almost too embarrassing and Hinata couldn't seem to figure out why. Why had the comment about Naruto OBVISOULY not being her boyfriend seem so upsetting to her? It was true, he was not her boyfriend and she didn't want him to be he was her best friend, surely someone she didn't view in a romantic light, right?

Stopping dead in her tracks Hinata could not seem to fathom the thought that had just entered her mind. Why would she think that?

Naruto was her best friend, in fact he had been her FIRST friend and the most important person in her life. He was there for her constantly and never missed an opportunity to make her laugh and smile. His whole family had been there for he, helped raise her! So why did she feel the need to validate the fact that her dating him was something that didn't need to seem impossible?

Noticing she was still standing in the same place on the sidewalk she quickly looked around shook her head of what she deemed 'silly' thoughts and continued her walk back home...or Naruto's home.

Present day

Hinata and I got back home and she went back over to her house so she could start to get ready for tonight and I did the same. My house still had a lot of people walking around doing finishing touches here and there and both my parents were outside directing things.

If there is one thing my mom is it's that she is a perfectionist with high anxiety, that's for sure something that was not passed down to me. I'm a lot more like my dad when it comes to things, laid back and kinda deciding things as they happen, I know it drives my mom crazy.

I walked upstairs to my room and threw my camera bag on the bed, I sat down next to it and began taking my shoes off. Sitting on my bed I thought about my encounter with Hinata's boss, I couldn't describe it but something about that guy gave me the creeps. He just had this demeanor about him I couldn't quite place, something in between a creepy uncle and a guy that asks 'where's my hug'. Either way I knew I didn't like him, and it wasn't just because he was Hinata's boss, he could be a friend of Sasuke and I still wouldn't trust the guy.

But I can't let Hinata know that I don't trust him, this is exactly the kind of situation that lead to us not being as close, I can't let that happen ever again. Hinata means the world to me, she always has and I'm trying to be better, for her and for me.

With the last of my 'deep' thoughts leaving my head I got myself up and walked over to my bathroom turning on the shower waiting for it to warm up. This needed to be a good day for my folks, they deserved it and I wasn't going to be the reason things went wrong.

I took a quick shower and dried off, walking over to my closet I grabbed my black dress pants and a white button up shirt, the jacket I had no longer fit plus it was going to be a somewhat warm night. I had a a pair of dress shoes but after getting them on I realized they were still a little too new to be comfortable. Damnit, mom's not gonna be to happy about this, oh well sneakers it is. I grabbed a pair of my nicest tennis shoes I owned, they were at least clean and worked well with what I had on. Walking back into my bathroom I dried my hair and styled it the way I liked, nothing special just a bit of product and I ran it through making sure my hair at least looked like I tried. Running through I noticed I probably should've gotten a haircut but too late now.

Giving myself one more glance I put some cologne on grabbed my camera and headed down stairs.

I couldn't believe I was walking around MY backyard, it looked completely different. Tables with center pieces, hanging lights for ambience, a DJ set up with a small dance floor, my parents really went the whole 9 yards with this, they even had an open bar.

As I walked around the elaborate set up my parents had gone through months of trouble to set up I noticed a table on our deck near the back door. It was a guest sign in area that had one of those books for people to write in thoughtful comments and sign their names. But what had really caught my eye was all the photos surrounding it. There was about 15 to 20 different sized photos in frames on this table of not only my parents but of me and Hinata as well. In fact she was in more than half of them, more than I was! She really was apart of my family, there hadn't really been a time that she wasn't around...but there was a time I wasn't, hence the lack of photos with me at a certain point.

Already getting lost in thought at all the memories I didn't feel someone walk up behind me.

"Naruto my boy ain't gonna give your old Godfather a hug!?" I heard him just as I felt him throw his arm around my shoulder nearly knocking me down.

"Jeez you old pervert at least warn me before you go yelling in my ear!"

"I called ya name out several times and I got nothing you little brat!"

I knew what was coming immediately and stopped it before it could be done. Just as Jiraiya reached up to ruffle my hair like he always did I grabbed his wrist and freed myself from his hold.

"Nah not today old man, I actually took time to get ready and I'm not having you fuck it up just to get a kick out of it." I said as I straightened out my white shirt and black tie.

Finally looking up at my Godfather I could tell he to put more effort into his looks. The man had almost a life uniform of wearing creepy robes but not today. He finally looked like someone that could be called a Godfather, except a tie, he's never be caught without some part of his chest showing through like some 70's porn star.

"You look like the same spoiled brat to me." taking a drink from his glass of what I assumed was whisky with a smirk on his face.

"And you look like some wanna be 70's porn star." giving him the same smug look back.

Jiraiya immediately broke out into his boisterous laugh and motioned for me to hug him.

"Good to see you my boy it's been too long without seeing my favorite godson."

"I'm your ONLY godson."

"Which still makes you my favorite!"

Hugging Jiraiya always felt the same, even now getting a hug from one of the most important people in my life I could feel the sense of nostalgia rush over me. The feeling of his larger than life personality mixed in with the fact that he had always towered over me. The smell of the same cologne he never stopped wearing, one an old girlfriend gave to him years back. The lingering sent of cigarette smoke from being in shady clubs frequently, I can still here my mom chastising him for it. And the feeling of his long hair against my hands as they wrapped around his frame, it all made me feel like things would be alright.

Finally breaking apart from our long awaited reunion Jiraiya had asked where my parents were at.

"That's a good question, I just got out here so no clue, I'm sure they're greeting guests or my mom is trying to arrange something else last minute, you know how she is."

"Ya that's true, speaking of I better sign this guest book before I forget and she has yet another reason to yell at me."

I chuckled and agreed. "Ya that sounds good, hey old man I'm gonna grab a drink before the line gets too long I'll catch up with you right now."

As I started walking away I saw Jiriya give me a thumbs up as a few other people started getting in line behind him.

I wasn't much of a drinker anymore but if it was free and made well I also wasn't one to say no to it. My parents really did go all out with this event, and I was extremely happy for them, they deserved all of this and more. I walked up to the small bar set up in the back corner of our yard and asked for my drink of choice. As I waited for it to be made I noticed how many people had arrived already, there had to be at least 20 some people in our backyard, with an expected 40 to be there in total. I couldn't believe it, in that moment I saw one face I did recognize and walked over.

"Hey man!"

"Hey were are you parents?"

"Ya nice seeing you too dude." Sasuke could be so blunt sometimes.

"You know what I mean idiot, I just wanted to congratulate them myself and introduce them to my girlfriend."

"Uh what girlfriend you walked in alone?"

"Oh she's inside talking to Hinata, the two know each other apparently."

"Oh ya my mom did mention that, wait, how old is she then?"

"She's 20 get your mind out of the trash, we're only 3 years apart, but I'm gonna head inside and grab her so you can properly meet her this time."

"This time? When have I met he-oh ya..." I rubbed the back of my neck nervously, a tick I could never shake.

As we walked back towards my house I finally saw my parents standing together along with Jiraiya laughing and talking. Most of the guest had taken their seats or were now in line for the open bar, glad I grabbed my drink.

"There he is my beautiful baby boy!"

"I don't know if I would say that Kushina but I guess the kid cleans up well. Showed him everything he knows." Jiraiya said while taking a sip of his drink.

"God knows how he would've turned out if we let you have him all the time."

"Now now you guys let's be civil. Naruto you look nice son."

A big smile spread acorss my face, just like my dad, I loved him.

"Oh Sasuke you made it! How are you honey?" My mom asked as she went up and hugged Sasuke. He smiled and accepted the hug from my mom greeting her in return.

"I'm good, just busy working, my dad has me doing anything and everything in the office as usual."

"Ah yes Fugaku admires diligents above all else."

"Yes he does."

Just before my dad and Sauske could get into talking more shop a girl with soft pink hair and a long sage green dressed walked out of my house. She was definitely a pretty girl, tall with a thin frame, she kinda reminded me of a K-pop idol with her colorful hair color and her bright green eyes. She immediately walked up to Sasuke with a warm smile and he did the same reaching out to wrap his arm around her waist. So this was the girlfriend, now that I was seeing her close up I for sure remember seeing her around Hinata when she was in highschool, in fact they were really close friends.

That was during the time I stopped coming around more and more. I could see her now in my mind, she started walking home with Hinata at the end of freshman year, my first year in college. Amongst a lot of other things for me.

"Minato, Kushina, this is my girlfriend Sakura Haruno, Sakura these are Naruto's parents, and my second parents honestly."

"It's so nice to formally meet you all, It's funny I feel like I already know everyone here, from Sasuke to Hinata talking about you guys so much, it's nice to get a formal introduction. Oh, and congratulations this is such a beautiful event!"

"Yes Sakura we remember you! You went to school with our Hina, you had to be by the house a few times no?

"Probably but it feels like so long ago and now I'm here as Sasuke's girlfriend, funny hu?"

Everyone laughed and gave a few more words in their introductions and even I said something, though I felt awkward the whole time and I couldn't even tell you what I had said I could see Sasuke getting annoyed at my almost incoherent babbling.

He then said they were going to find their seats and walked off to the tables giving their goodbyes. Sasuke mentioning that they were sitting at the same table as me, so to look for them when I was ready to sit.

As I stood there I felt like I had been sweating bullets, why did I feel so tense and awkward around all these people that I knew. I guess that was my answer right there, they knew me. They were all involved that night some way or another. See when you're around strangers there's an almost liberating freedom that comes with being around people who know nothing about you, it feels like an opportunity to showcase the best parts of you without anyone knowing you're putting on a show. I used to love going to random frat parties in college, the feeling of walking into a room where people only knew you from sharing a few classes together or from a friend of a friend, oh man. I would get wasted and have at least five new friends by the end of the night along with a couple of numbers from girls I couldn't even remember the names of.

But being around people that knew you at certain stages of your life was staring to feel like I was made of glass and everyone was looking straight through me. Like the expectation to behave and act a certain way was so consuming it was like I forgot who I am or ever was. Standing there I could feel my heart starting to race and I was desperately trying to not let it show, and then she walked out.

"Well my my, if that isn't Miss beautiful Hinata Huyga herself, how long has it been, look at ya you're all grown up!?"

"Oh my god Jiraiya hi, it's been a while yes, it's so good to see you!"

Hinata walked over to Jiraiya as he engulfed her in a huge hug lifting her feet off the ground as she let out a laugh.

Once he set her down he held her hand and stretched his arm out and spun her around.

"I mean really who is the beautiful young woman!? It seemed like yesterday you and the brat were running around the backyard pretending to be ninjas."

She laughed along with my parents as she nodded her head, cheeks slightly flushed.

"Ah so embarasing!" she laughed some more as she pulled her hand out of his and looked over at me. Ah shit.

Emerald green was the color of her dress, long but not quite reaching the floor, just to one of her ankles as the dress had a long slit going up her left leg. The velvet fabric of the dress cinched in at her waist and had thin straps mostly hidden by her long hair. Coming down in big waves and curls she had a few shorter pieces framing her face.

Hinata was always known for her eyes, those big doll like eyes that made her look like an anime character when she was little. The eyes that got her bullied from time to time, the eyes that looked so scared and unsure the first day her dad brought her over, the eyes I promised I would never make cry, the eyes I broke that promise to.

Jiraiya was right, she wasn't a little girl anymore, she was a young adult. It's funny ya know, they say two things can be true, meaning one truth doesn't cancel out the other. While yes she was a beautiful young woman, and had never looked so grown to me, she also looked like the little girl that would sneak into my room every night and hold my hand until she fell asleep.

I don't know how long I had been blatantly staring at her or that I was staring at all until Jiraiya chimed in.

"Jesus kid, I know she's beautiful but at least close your mouth if you're not gonna say anything."

I could see Hinata was starting to get uncomfortable and I felt the rush of embarasment go straight to my ears.

"Oh Hina dear you look so gorgeus, I feel like I'm gonna cry. Look at you!"

My mom breaking the tension that hung heavy between us as she reached out for both of Hinata's hands. I could hear Jiraiya chuckling to himself along with my dad, traitor.

"Kushina you look beautiful and so does everything, it's exactly what you had wanted. Everything looks perfect including you guys!"

"Thank you sweetheart, we couldn't have done any of this with out your help."

"Ya seriously Hinata you helped us out so much, thank you."

"Anything for you guys, really you know how much you mean to me."

The feeling of this moment was something I felt so isolated from, like something I should of gave them privacy for. It shook me out of my trance, that or more of the alcohol in my system was kicking in.

"Uh wow Hinata you look really nice, or beautiful I should say." Hoping that didn't come off as sounding sarcastic or creepy just because I had been caught staring a bit.

Stepping back from my parents and fully facing me she gave me a once over with little to no expression on her face. Was she always this good at making me squirm in place? But as she got to my face and looked me in the eye she broke out into the biggest smile I had seen from her all day, my heart skipped.

"Thank you Naruto, you look nice yourself."

Before I could even get a word in Jiraiya decided that he had one more up his sleeve for pissing me off.

"Ah don't go on and say that now, the kid's already got a big head for nothing."

"Jiraiya I swear to god old man one more time!"

His boisterous laugh cut through our entire backyard and even Hinata was giggling along with my dad as my mom shook her head and sighed.

"Alright that's enough you two, Naruto why don't you take Hina to her seat and you can start taking some photo of all of our guests, it seems like mostly everyone is here now."

"Ya sounds good. Hina?" I held my arm out for her, she stared at it for a moment before looking back up at me but eventually hooked her right arm onto my left as I led her to where Sasuke and Saukra were sitting.

"You really do look nice Hina, and I didn't mean to stare I've just never seen you look so grown up ya know."

She smirked "I could say the same thing about you, except well you ARE still wearing sneakers, surprised your mom didn't say anything about it."

I rolled my eyes and laughed.

"Hey cut me some slack, I don't have too many opportunities to dress up, not all of us have a fancy internship at art galleries."

"Sounds like someone needs to start taking more photos to be in art galleries."

She had me there.

"Fair, so with that you sit with Sasuke and Sakura have a good time and I'll be back with some of those photos."

As she took her seat next to Sakura they both began talking to one another, from the looks of it picking up on a conversation they were having before. I set my drink down next to where Sasuke was sitting and he gave me a nod acknowledging that he would keep an eye on it and my seat open. Just as started walking away I felt someone grab my wrist.

"Show me the photos you take when you come back!"

"Only if they're good."

"They will be." Going back to her conversation with her friend like what she said was the most understood thing and didn't need further context. I stood there for a second trying to process her comment and before I could ask her what she meant exactly Sakura and turned towards me and said.

"Well you heard her, so go take some photos and make sure they're good. Sasuke says it's something you're pretty good at."

I looked over at my friend taking a sip of his drink as he gave a look that said anything but he thought I was good at something.

"Oh ya I guess I'll try ya know."

"There's no trying just do it!"

I know that look, I would know that look anywhere, the look someone gave me when they thought I couldn't prove them wrong. I could see why Sasuke was dating her now, he always liked strong women, one of the reasons my mom never seemed to be too much for him, he appreciated it. But it was like she was telling me to just be better in that moment, that she was rooting for me in a way that was maybe more than just my photo taking skills.

I laughed, "You're absolutely right, I will."

Hey guys thank you so much for reading and supporting this story like I said in the beginning I know I promised a sooner update in my last chapter which was like 3 years ago and for that I am so sorry I truly let time sneak up on me and before I knew it years had gone by. I graduated college quite my side job and got a new job in my field and started therapy which wow has been such a journey, which is why I've been having depressive episodes, turns out when you start learning things about yourself everything in your life sometimes feels like a lie lol but I am happier and putting in the work in myself and the things I love! So with that this story will be getting updates more frequently and will be finished I will NOT be leaving this story to die you guys can count on that! :D