A Growing Affection

[Lord Orochimaru rules all]

this is one of the best fanfics ive read in a long time.
btw another I cant find, naruto becomes a fox and hinata takes care of him. multiple shower scenes. sound familiar?

[Elijah Uzumaki]

very nice work xavon. i stopped reading for the summer and now since school is back this ff of yours has my full attention. i finally caught up today and cant wait till you release the next chapter. even though im late.....gratz on the 1 year anniversary of "A Growing Affection"

[Ren Zuki]

Xavon, you have truly one my heart over once again... its good to know that Naru/Hina still lives in a true, pure form... Hats off to you, and may all your fanfic be as good as this!!!

[Leaf_Bandit]

Keep up the good work!

[Xavon]

Chapter 40: Coming of Age

Naruto woke up, confused. He felt oddly rested, but at the same time totally out of place. The room was too bright, the smell was tantalizing yet not entirely familiar, and there was a strange crackling noise. He glanced over at the nightstand; half expecting it would not be there. But it was, and his little digital clock read 8:53. He sat bolt upright in bed. He had overslept by almost three hours. He could have sworn he had turned on his alarm. As he started to scramble out of bed, the odor clarified in his mind. Bacon?

"Good morning, Naruto. Happy birthday."

"Hinata?" Uzumaki's head whipped around so fast he almost got a crick in his neck. She was standing before the burner in his kitchenette, fully dressed and fully awake.

"I had hoped I would be able to wake you up," she sounded slightly disappointed. She moved the bacon from the skillet to the plate, and placed the plate on a tray he had not seen before. He presumed she had brought it with her.

"Hinata, what's going on?"

"Breakfast in bed," she said placing the tray over his lap, and then scooting in beside his legs. It held the half-pound of bacon she had fried, a dozen assorted donuts and pastries, and glasses of milk, orange juice, and apple juice.

"I'm not a very good cook," she said, looking over the meal, "But I thought it would be a good start to the day."

"No this is gremmmm," the last word was cut off as he jammed half of a cinnamon roll into his mouth. After choking down the confection, he picked up a couple of slices of bacon; juggling them back and forth between his hands until they were cool enough to eat. After quickly chewing through them, he took a swig of orange juice. Then he paused and put the cup down slowly.

"Wait, how did you get in here?" he asked suddenly, "And did you turn off my alarm?"

Hinata's hand froze on its way to the lemon danish, and she looked down at the sheet covering his knees

"Oh…I umm… thought you should sleep in for a change, and I wanted it to be a surprise, so I picked the lock and turned off your alarm," she answered, f****ered, "I didn't think you would mind."

Naruto worriedly waved his hand in front of him, "It's fine. It's great. It's just a little forward for you Hinata."

She actually looked happy to hear that, and picked up the pastry.

"I didn't know you could pick locks," he commented as she took a bite, "That's pretty cool. Where'd you learn that?"

Hinata almost choked as her amazement, desire to answer, and manners warred within her mouth. After a tense moment, she swallowed the tart.

"Al… most all Chunin can pick simple locks," she said, trying to amend the statement as it left.

"Meaning everyone but me."

"No," she denied, "Lee never bother to learn, Tenten told me. And Shino doesn't pick locks; he just has his bugs open the lock. There might be others."

"Oh, I suppose that's not to bad then," he admitted, taking another slice of the pork, "But still… Ah never mind, not today, right?"

He smiled at her broadly, "So what's next, Hinata? Training?"

"No, no training today," she smiled coyly, "I was thinking we could get some exercise another way."

Hinata loosened her uniform, and began to pull it down over her left shoulder. The young man's eyes widened, and he leaned back as far as he could, not looking at her.

"Hinata, you… I… didn't think you would… not that I don't want to…" he stammered rapidly.

"Pervert," she admonished gently, with none of the anger or blunt force trauma that usually accompanied Sakura's use of the word. He finally looked at her, and quickly understood. Underneath her shozoku's top, the Hyuga heiress was not wearing a bra, but instead her two-tone blue swimsuit.

"The weather is pretty warm, but it is still October, so the waterfall lagoon probably won't be in use. I thought we could go for a swim after breakfast."

He just blinked.

"If that's ok," she added slowly.

"Ok?" he grabbed her hand, excited, "It's brilliant, Hinata. I would never have thought of that, but going swimming sounds great."

Then slightly more serious, he added, "You gotta relax, Hinata. I'm sure I'll love anything you planned."

"OK," she nodded. His eyes locked on her face, and her released her hands to reach up and snag a bit of pastry and frosting clinging to her cheek. He popped the crumb in his mouth.

"That's the kinda sugar papa likes," he told her slyly. She knew he was just quoting a song title, but she couldn't help but grin and blush. He smirked back at her, and she leaned towards him. Naruto responded enthusiastically to her uncommon initiative, and kissed her warmly. When they broke apart, the look of glorious contentment on her face filled his heart.

"I don't know what I did to deserve you," he said, slightly hoarse.

"I love you, too, Naruto," she touched his face. They started to meet again, but were interrupted by a loud bubbling rumble in his gut.

"Fine," he growled, reaching for a chocolate glazed ring.

"I guess he wants the other kind of sugar," he told Hinata regretfully. She giggled, and resuming her own meal.

"Mood killer," Uzumaki glared at his belly. His stomach just burbled happily in response.

[Xavon]

[chapter 40 - continued]

On their way back from swimming, the pair had stopped at Ichiraku for a quick lunch. All morning, Naruto had tried to wheedle and weasel details out of her; but Hinata 'stood' her ground, even when writhing on the sandy beach from his tickle attack. After they finished eating, she had instructed him to go home and change into something nice, and that she would rejoin him in an hour.

Though he had thought he knew where they were going, Hinata had again shocked him by taking him to one of the Konohagakure's movie theaters for a matinee of the newly released "Dragon Zone 2". Doubly so, because he knew Hinata did not like police/action dramas as much as he did, preferring instead romantic comedies or fantasy films.

Hinata managed to enjoy the movie, or more accurately, she enjoyed Naruto's enjoyment.

"But why'd you make me get dressed up to go to a movie?" Naruto abruptly asked as they walked away from the movie house.

"Because I knew we wouldn't have time to go change before dinner," she told him.

"Does that mean…"

"Of course," she beamed at him, "Where else? Where better?"

They were obviously expected at the Golden Shoe. A slim man, only a few years older than them, was waiting inside the door.

"Lady Hyuga, Master Uzumaki, right this way," he addressed them without preamble. They followed him to the smaller of the dancehall's two private rooms. Designed for six to ten people, it seemed a little large for the two of them. As per Hinata's instructions, the room was decorated with a large 'Happy Birthday' sign, and numerous streamers. There were only two tables, one set up for eating, and another containing a small cake and three wrapped packages.

"Dancing will start at seven, as per normal," the acting manager told them. Then he indicated a phone and a slightly oversized switch on the outside wall.

"You may use this to call the bar for drinks," he instructed, "And turn this on to signal your server."

"Thank you," Hinata inclined her head. Their host returned the bow, and left, closing the door behind him. Naruto stared around the room, open-mouthed.

"Hinata," he gaped, "This is too much."

"No," she disagreed, but her happy expression did not change, "You deserve much more than this, Naruto. Maybe next year."

"They didn't give us menus," he noted, examining the room in more detail.

"I ordered ahead," she told him, "They will be serving dinner at six o'clock."

She almost asked if that was fine with him, but remembered his earlier admonishment. So she bit her tongue, almost literally.

"So what's on the menu," he asked.

"That's a secret," she said.

"OK," he accepted that, "Then what do we do for the next half hour?"

"Presents," she indicated the table.

"I'm no expert, but don't presents usually come after dinner?"

"Usually," she agreed, bringing over the gifts, "but there is one you need to open first, and it doesn't seem right to give you that one, and make you wait on the other two."

He nodded, and asked, "So which one is that?"

She pointed to the middle box, and Naruto removed it from the stack and set it behind the other two packages. She let her amusement show; he looked at her like a child begging for approval.

"Go ahead," she told him.

Having been given permission, the oft-impatient ninja tore into the first, smallest box. Under the bright orange paper, he recognized the logo of Emporium Karin. He knew it would contain a kunai, but he was only partly right.

"Stealth blades?" he let his wonderment fill his voice as he looked at the trio of kunai in the case. Unlike most kunai, stealth blades were neither mass produced, nor recyclable. Karin could only make three or four sets a year, and they were in high demand. The special knives were crafted to facilitate stealth mission in every way. Their surfaces were matte black, seeming to absorb the light around them. The blades were thinner, the handles shorter, and the loops was smaller, to make them easier to conceal. And most impressively, they were crafted from a secret ceramic, strong than most steel, but resistant to chakra. This made the kunai very difficult to detect with machinery or jutsu. The blades were remarkable, and Naruto touched them with awe.

"You said you wanted to work more on your stealth and tracking skills," she reminded him, "So I thought you might like them."

"Hinata, I… How? You told me you only started thinking about my birthday last week."

"Karin remembers who helped her when she first took over the store. She had a set stashed away for a rainy day."

"Thank you," he told her sincerely.

"Keep going," she urged.

With the middle box set aside, Naruto began to peel the largest present. Inside the violet and grey striped wrapping was a portable stereo. It had a two CD changer, and taped to the outside of the box was the latest Princess Gale radio drama CD.

"I know you said your current radio was fine," she said, "But you didn't say you didn't want an upgrade."

He looked up at her with a teary, yet happy, grin.

"Man, Hinata, you can see right through me, can't you?"

"Open the last one," she struggled to keep herself under control, but could not contain the redness that touched her cheeks.

The last of the boxes was enclosed in green Konoha leaves on a white background. As he removed the concealer, a shoebox became visible. Naruto looked at it gingerly, wondering what she had hidden inside.

The gift turned out to be exactly as advertised. Inside the box was a pair of stylish brown leather shoes. They were certainly more fitting with his outfit than the sneakers he had worn, but nevertheless…

"You got me shoes?" he could not keep the confusion and small disappointment out of his tone. But Hinata was expecting that.

"I got you dancing shoes," she told him, just a tiny of smugness in her soft voice, "Formal enough to fit in at a fancy dance hall or high society party, but designed to be comfortable when spending hours on your feet."

Realization and joy filled his eyes.

"That's why I had to open them now," he pointed out, suddenly loving the gift. He set the gifts all carefully on the table, and was on his feet in a second, hugging her.

"This is way too much, Hinata," he told her, "You shouldn't…"

She silenced him by kissing him for the first time. Though she had been more then happy to accept his kisses, and even had occasionally indicated he should kiss her, this was the first time she had closed the gap instead of letting him.

"If you really feel that way, my birthday isn't that far off," she joked.

"I don't know if I could come up with anything to match this," he confided. She looked past him to her wrist, reading the word 'Strength' off her partially tangled bracelet.

"I'm sure you'll do fine," she told him.

Outside the room, their host and a familiar waitress leaned away from the door. The young woman sighed broadly. The manager looked ready to comment, when a third figure approached.

"What are you two doing?" the co-owner demanded.

"Just checking on our guests," the young woman answered as she scooted away.

"What guests? Room two wasn't booked."

"Well, uncle Koji," the manager looked very self-satisfied, "Room two wasn't booked, but you keep saying I need to take more initiative, so when a chance came to rent it for the night, I did."

"Really," the restaurateur was moderately impressed, "To whom?"

"Hinata Hyuga."

The businessman blanched. He turned on his heel, and moved as quickly as he could back to his office.

[Xavon]

[chapter 40 - continued]

"Well?" Tsunade demanded of Kakashi and Neji as they returned. Both Jonin shook their heads.

"They aren't at Naruto's apartment," his teacher informed the Hokage.

"Nor are they at my family's home," Neji added.

The leader of the Konohagakure had figured as much when the runners returned alone, but her annoyance grew nevertheless. Ichiraku was closed, and all of their other normal hangouts had been told to turn them away. The original plan had been for Sakura and Kakashi to be with the couple, and to guide them to the arena. But Hinata had denied their expectations by never approaching Naruto's teammates. With their regular haunts theoretically closed to them, the organizers of the party were at a loss to the location of the 'birthday boy'.

"What a drag," Shikamaru commented, looking around. Most of the partygoers had realized their guest of honor was missing, with varying degrees of confusion, amusement, and annoyance.

"I warned you that this might happen," Shino said dryly, "Hinata can be very determined and very resourceful."

"We should have included her," Kiba said again, "She could have kept this secret."

"We'll just need to widen our search, then," Tsunade ignored them, "They came back to the village just before noon, and have not been reported as leaving again, so they must…"

The rest of her statement was cut off as her phone rang. Her temper flared further, and she flipped open the device, snapping, "What is it? I'm busy here."

"Ah yes, Lady Hokage," the voice of the frightened man was familiar to her, but she could not place it, "I believe I know why."

"What? Who is this?" she demanded.

"This is Koji Kintabi, at the Golden Shoe," he answered quickly, "You are looking for Naruto Uzumaki, are you not?"

"Kintabi, are you saying…" she couldn't complete the sentence. The Hokage reigned in her anger, "I asked you not to give them a reservation."

"And I did not," the owner of the dancehall bristled slightly, "But it seems my brother did not bother to relay your request to his son. And that ne'er do well finally took some initiative and rented one of our private rooms to Hinata Hyuga. The pair of them should be receiving their meals as we speak."

He paused, waiting for her explosion. When she did not he did.

"If you would like, I can pull the fire alarm," he offered, cringing inside at the disruption.

"No," the medical Sannin suddenly smiled, "No, I have a better idea. Thank you, Kintabi."

"Sakura," she shouted, even as she closed her phone. The Kunoichi darted over. Like most of the other guests, she wore civilian cloths, a yellow t-shirt and jean skirt.

"What is it, Lady Tsunade?" she asked carefully.

"How quickly can you get home and change into your uniform?"

-------------------

Naruto was getting ready to try on his new shoes when there was a knock at the door. Reluctantly, he set the present aside, as Hinata answered the summons. Outside was their waitress, carrying the tray with their meals. She deftly slid into the room with the large platter. The two shinobi sat down in a hurry.

"Two Uzumaki sirloins, medium," she informed them setting the plates before them, then set three bowls in between them, explaining, "Fried shoestring potatos, sautéed mushrooms, and vegetable medley. And, of course, skim milk."

She winked at Hinata, and quickly exited, closing the door behind her.

"Uzumaki sirloin," Naruto eyed the steak suspiciously.

"Just try it," she urged, before cutting off a small piece of the entrée and popping it into her mouth. Naruto sawed through the beef, and began to chew on the morsel slowly. His expression instantly changed to one of pleased amazement. He cut off a larger piece, and consumed it.

"This is just like…" he didn't finish the statement, because he was stuffing his face again.

"…dipping it in pears," she concluded, as she finished her second bite in a more polite way, "It seems one of the head chefs was surprised by your order our first time here, and wanted to see what you did with the pear juice. He tried it, and liked it. They told me it took him the better part of a month to get the flavor balance just right. It just went on the menu last week, and it proving to be pretty popular. I thought it was fitting for your birthday dinner."

"Huh," the shinobi looked surprised, "I never thought I'd have a dish named after me. That's pretty cool."

He scooped a handful of fries onto his plate, and Hinata reached for the vegetables. But before they could begin their dinner in earnest, the door burst open.

"Naruto, Hinata," Sakura panted, standing in the portal. Behind her, their server looked annoyed, and the assistant manager was concerned.

"Thank goodness I found you. The Hokage has me and Kakashi-sensei looking everywhere for you two," the pink-haired Kunoichi exclaimed, "There's an emergency mission, and we're the only ones available. Come on!"

"We will watch your effects," the restaurant's supervisor offered, "Or we can have them sent to your home."

Naruto took out the stealth kunai, and passed one to Hinata. Sakura noted the blades with shock, and then annoyance.

"Can you just send the rest of this to my apartment?" Naruto requested. The manager nodded.

"Including the leftovers and the cake," the Hyuga Chunin added.

"Of course."

"Let's go, you guys," Sakura urged impatiently. The couple followed her out.

"You got him stealth blades?" Sakura asked Hinata. Naruto had lagged behind, and Sakura took the advantage. Hinata nodded, and the medic asked, "Why?"

"He mentioned he wanted to work more on his espionage skills," the white-eyed beauty answered.

"He mentioned?"

Hinata nodded, and Sakura pressed, "You don't even have any concrete plans?"

The Hyuga heiress shook her head.

"Must be nice to be rich," Haruno said derisively. Hinata bristled at that.

"We achieved the same ranks at the time, Sakura Haruno," her voice was sad, and lecturing at the same time, "And even if I took any money from my clan, I would never use it to buy Naruto a present."

The slightly older Kunoichi looked ready to counter again, but Naruto suddenly caught up.

"Guys?" he tried to get their attention.

"Stay out of this," Sakura snapped at him.

"Man, Sakura, you don't have to bite my head off," he shot back, "I just wanted to ask where we are going."

Hinata suddenly realized they were headed away from the Ops building.

"Lady Tsunade is at the arena," Sakura explained, looking mildly chagrined, "She is working on getting it setup for a demonstration on Monday, for some potential clients. Since she did not know how long it would take to find you, she decided to keep working while we searched."

Then the proverbial light bulb went off over her head.

"That reminds me, I should let Kakashi-sensei know I found you two," as Sakura took out her portable, she shot them both accusing looks for not carrying their own phones.

"Kakashi-sensei? I found them. We are on our way over now. Ok, good. We will see you there."

"He was close to the arena already," the medical Kunoichi explained. Hinata nursed a growing suspicion, but said nothing. Though slowed slightly due to Hinata's dress and shoes, it still took them under a minute to reach the coliseum

"Why is it dark?" Hinata queried.

"Don't know," Sakura sounded confused, "Maybe they blew a fuse, or are testing a night obstacle course. Either way, we need to get to the Hokage."

She led them inside, and as the doors closed behind them, Hinata activated her Byakugan. She was moderately taken aback by what she saw on the stadium floor, but she swallowed her reaction.

"Lady Tsunade?" Sakura called, "Are you still here? I brought Naruto and Hinata."

All of a sudden, the lights flared to life, and dozens of voices roared, "Happy Birthday, Naruto!"

-------------------

After the first few hours of revelry, Kakashi and Iruka took to the stage, and called for everyone's attention.

"First off, can we get the birthday boy up here?" Iruka requested. Naruto was pushed and prodded to the stage, and practically lifted on to the stone platform. Umino walked to the other side of the stage, and retrieved a large glass bottle.

"First off," Kakashi cleared his throat, "For our guest who might not be aware, a little explanation might be in order."

The Copy-Ninja was looking at Gaara, Kankuro, Temari, and Matsuri as he said that, but his eyes also darted to Shin and Chiasa Busata, Sasame Fuma, and few of Naruto's other friends and acquaintances from outside the Land of Fire.

"In the Land of Fire, it is customary for a father to give his sixteen year old son a bottle of alcohol on his birthday. Of course, as the legal drinking age is eighteen, the boy cannot drink it. Instead the gift represents a bond of trust, that the boy is now an adult and won't open the bottle until he is allowed. And it is also a promise, that once he is able to drink it, they will share that drink together."

"After the booze has had two years to age!" Shikaku Nara shouted from the crowd. This set off scattered chuckles in the group.

"True enough," Hatake nodded.

"Naruto, as your father is no longer with us," Iruka continued, "We hoped you would let your busybody uncles fill in."

He handed the teen the bottle. Naruto took it without complaint, looking a little soft around the eyes.

"Thanks, Uncle Iruka, Uncle Kakashi," despite the mist in the corners of his blue orbs, his voice was mocking as he applied their self-branded familial titles.

"I wanted saké," Iruka told him as Naruto examined the bottle, "But Kakashi wanted whiskey, and he won the coin toss."

"Thank you," this time Naruto was much more sincere.

"Remember, you can't open that for two years," Kakashi instructed.

"I know that, sensei," Naruto groused.

[Xavon]

[chapter 40 - concluded]

Hinata finally worked up her nerve, and tracked down the Hokage. As she passed Ino and Tenten, she caught a snippet of conversation…

"So did the Hokage invite Nyoko?" Yamanaka asked.

"Nyoko told me she had been invited," the weapons mistress answered, "But the Daimyo wouldn't let Nyoko come. He told her if she wanted to attend high school, like a normal student, she could not skip school for a birthday party, like a normal student. Even if he does approve of Naruto."

Hinata wondered what that last statement meant; but before she could worry too much, she located the Sannin. She slid in quietly behind the village leader, but before she could pounce, Tsunade spoke.

"I really am sorry, Hinata," the blonde Sannin started without preamble, "But I just wasn't sure you wouldn't let something slip around Naruto."

"I…" the girl started to protest, but then remembered how quickly she had told Naruto about her failed party, "I suppose I sort of understand."

"And I never could have done all this on my own," the Hyuga clan heiress added.

"Neither did I," her boss confided, "I had a lot of help from Kakashi, Shikamaru, and even the old pervert."

She glared at Jiraiya, who was trying to flirt with Gaara's apprentice…

-------------------

"Lord Hiashi," Naruto had slipped away from Choji and Kiba, and approached Hinata's father.

"What can I do for you, Naruto?" for once, Hinata's father wore a smile that was open and honest.

"I need to ask you something," Naruto fidgeted slightly, "Sort of a favor."

"What is it?"

"Would you let me help plan Hinata's sixteenth birthday party?" the younger ninja asked.

"That is quite impossible," The Hyuga Lord answered imperiously.

"Look, I know it's normally a family thing, but after everything Hinata tried to do for me," Uzumaki pleaded, "I need to do this for her."

"As I said, it is impossible," the girl's father said again, but then his voice became more gentle, as he explained, "Naruto, we finished planning Hinata's party almost two weeks ago. In fact, I am somewhat dismayed we have not received your RSVP yet."

"RSVP?" Naruto blinked, "But I never got an invite."

"Hmm," Hiashi's gaze shifted, but Naruto did not notice where it fell, "I guess it must have gotten lost in the mail, or perhaps stuck to one of the other envelopes. I will have a replacement sent tomorrow."

Naruto started to wonder if he was getting the brush off, until Hiashi added, "If you have not received it by next Friday, come and see me directly."

Naruto blinked, and stammered, "Thanks, old man."

Hiashi merely inclined his head, to indicate it was of no consequence. But in doing so, he also hid the small grin at the familiar form of address. Naruto started to turn away.

"Oh and Naruto," Hiashi caught his attention again. The boy looked back, and Hinata's father told him, "Happy Birthday."

Naruto grinned and offered his thanks again. But as soon as he had vanished back into the crowd, Hiashi's eyes began to search for his younger daughter.

-------------------

October tenth ended, but the party did not. When the clock struck one, the crowd began to thin. Teuchi and Ayame begged off, claiming the need to open Ichiraku for breakfast in only a few hours. Moegi dragged Konohamaru and Udon away soon after. In the end, all that was left was Naruto, most of the group Hinata had called his family, plus Anko and Gaara. As the party had narrowed, Tsunade had started to withdraw, obviously distracted.

"So, Naruto," Anko asked conspiratorially, "Now that you're an adult, are you going to move out of the barracks?"

The Hokage jumped a little at that. The barracks existed for any Leaf shinobi who, for whatever reason, did not have a house or apartment of their own. It also housed Academy students whose families did not live in the Konohagakure. Naruto had had the choice between the barracks, and the orphanage where he had spent his first five years. Which is to say he had no choice. But to Tsunade, the question might as well have been a kunai, aimed at her heart. She reached into her pocket, almost expecting the small metal object contained therein to burn her fingers.

"I don't know," Uzumaki answered, "It would be nice to have a bigger place, and some privacy. But it's a big change, and not exactly cheap."

"You do have another option," the medical expert said quietly, almost hoping he would not hear.

"Huh?" Naruto grunted curiously, "What does that mean, Gramma Tsunade?"

She sighed, no longer able to avoid the issue. She withdrew her hand, a key clenched between her fingers.

"Yukihana Uzumaki owns… owned a condo," she told him, "It has been maintained by the Hokage's office since her death. But as of midnight yesterday, it is now legally yours."

"My mom had a house?"

"A condo," she corrected, "Didn't Hinata tell you that your parents never lived together?"

"Yeah, but…" he paused, mildly humiliated. But then he got annoyed again, "Wait, why am I just finding out about this now?"

"You didn't legally own it until today," Kakashi explained.

"And it wasn't as if you could live there," Sakura added, "It's not allowed."

"So?"

"Do you really think you could have resisted the temptation?" Iruka interjected, "It would have started with just a look. Then you would have made it a hideout. Eventually you would have all but moved in.

"Also, it was within the Hokage's power to sell the property to cover any expenses you might have incurred," Tsunade lectured.

"You were going to sell my mother's house?"

"Naruto, she didn't say that," Hinata chided him gently, taking his left hand in both of hers. He calmed at her touch.

"I would never have sold Yukihana's home," Tsunade controlled her anger at the suggestion, "And the gods know you gave Sarutobi-sensei more than enough reason to do so."

He could not refute the truth of that statement. His eyes narrowed in thought, and he avoided looking directly at the key.

"What's wrong, take it," the Hokage insisted. He raised his hand, but hesitated.

"I think she would have wanted you to have it," Hinata suggested.

"Yukihana would have wanted you to see it, all least once," Tsunade confirmed, "But if you don't like it, or aren't comfortable, you can sell it. She would be OK with that."

Naruto nodded, and grasped the key.

"Will you come with me, tomorrow?" he asked in a small voice, "Or I guess, later this morning at this point."

"Of course," Hinata squeezed his hand. The Hokage inclined her head in agreement as well.

"All of you?" he turned to the rest. Shizune and Kakashi immediately nodded. Iruka looked back at Anko, who shrugged, but also smiled a little.

"We'd be happy to," Naruto's first teacher added, but Hinata caught Mitarashi mouthing 'we?' at her lover's back.

"I would be honored," the Kazekage appeared amazed at his inclusion.

After Gaara's acceptance, all eyes fell on Sakura, who realized she had not said anything.

"Hmm, Naruto's mom's place. Sounds interesting enough. Count me in," she hid her enthusiasm poorly.

"Thanks, everyone."

[superbluff5]

Naruto is moving on up!! To the east side maybe?
Great chapter!! 10/10

[Elijah Uzumaki]

awsome chapter xavon cant wait till the next chapter.....Party at naruto's new condo!!!!!!!!