Rivals For The Hokage's Love

Princess

They arrived at Konohagakure around sunset. Obito, Kotetsu, Izumo, Kurenai and Kakashi were all waiting for their arrival at the gates, and sighs of relief echoed from the five shinobi. Rin ran straight into Obito's open arms, while Kurenai ran into Azuma's, followed closely by Mina.

"Shichidaime-sama!" Kotetsu and Izumo were both relieved that their Hokage was safe.

"Naruto!" Kakashi strode forth, and looked his old student over, glad that he seemed alright.

"Sorry to be worrying you like that, Kakashi-sensei," Naruto grinned, melting the man's heart.

Shikamaru made a mental note to add Kakashi's name to the list, as he watched the two chat.

"Hey, brat." Naruto turned around to find Jiraiya grinning. "Who's in charge of marriage again?"

"Yugito Ni'i. Uh... you could just go to the Hokage's office, you know, Ero-sennin. It's the last door on the right, from the main office room." Jiraiya shunshined away immediately.

"Jiraiya-sama is getting married?" Kakashi was surprised. "To whom? When did it happen?"

"You sound like you want to get married as well," Naruto teased. "He's going to marry ba-chan, of course. Do you know, he actually proposed in front of everyone, even Gaara?"

"Thank Kami I didn't witness that," Kakashi muttered. "How come Tsunade-sama agreed?"

"Just decided," Tsunade said simply. "Everyone is learning, about time I did too. Sakura has moved on from Sasuke, Naruto from Sakura, Lee from Sakura, and I'm not a fool."

Shikamaru smiled. It was true, but he'd like people to move on from Naruto, instead.

"Well, then, we'll be calling it a night. Wedding is next Saturday, so you all should come!" Azuma waved as he walked away with Kurenai, Mina straddling his shoulders.

"Can't miss that one, no, Shika?" Naruto grinned and Shikamaru scowled.

"Kakashi-sensei, it's fine if he starts work tomorrow, right?" Neji spoke up finally.

"Sure." Though taken aback, and suspicious of the request, Kakashi didn't lie to him.

"Good. Because this idiot needs to rest," Neji said, as he dragged the blonde away.

Then again, Naruto means a lot to Neji. Shikamaru watched them as they left. And I think the same goes the other way round as well. Neji means a lot to Naruto. See how he reacted when Neji died? It actually took Hinata and Kyubi working together to get him back on track!

"Wait a minute, Hinata," Kiba called, as the midnight blue haired beauty made to go home.

"Kiba?" She was surprised. He had always wanted to go home as soon as possible, like her.

"Do you want to go for a walk with me?" he asked, as butterflies erupted in his stomach.

"I'd love to," Hinata smiled. Kiba was so friendly, it was easy to be herself around him.

The two of them walked away, and Shikamaru didn't follow. He hoped it would be alright.

"Hinata... I've meant to tell you for quite a while now..." Kiba looked at his teammate. "I'm in love with you, Hinata. You're always trying harder than the others. I know you love Naruto, but it's you that I'm in love with. That I want to spend my life with. Will you marry me?"

Hinata's eyes filled. This was what Naruto had been telling her. That there were people who recognized her hard work, her talent, her passion. That they were closer than she had thought possible. Maybe it was her love, her blind, young, innocent love, for Naruto, that had held him back all these days. Maybe it took him time to accept that she might not accept him. Why was he so earnest? That wasn't like the Kiba she had grown up with. She was seeing a different side to Kiba, one that she didn't know existed. It was a kind side, one that showed her respect. She decided that she liked this side of Kiba as well. Naruto was right. She had to move on now.

"I-I will, but first, you must receive my father's blessing." Kiba looked up at her in sheer delight.

"I- I have a ring." He pulled out the same blue ring, that he had bought for Naruto. It was perfect for Hinata, he decided, since the sapphire was surrounded by aquamarine gems that were exactly the same shade as her midnight blue hair. He had made the right choice.

"It's b-beautiful, Kiba. Thank you, thank you so much!" Hinata laughed as he hugged her.

"I'm very glad you liked it, Hinata-hime," he smiled, and a deep blush covered her pale cheeks.

"You don't have to call me h-hime," she said, but she was reveling in the feel of the word.

"But you are my princess, so I will call you hime," Kiba said softly. "Come on, Akamaru. Let's give Hinata-hime a ride home, I'm sure you're tired from all the running around, right?"

Hinata simply nodded, smiling. She had always dreamed of being treated like a princess. Even though she knew that Naruto wasn't one to keep princesses. He kept partners in crime. But here she was, with a prince of her own. He didn't have to look outstandingly handsome to be her prince. He loved her. While with Akamaru, she felt like she was in a royal carriage. The night sky was her roof. The crickets and night insects played her a natural melody. Beside her, was the man who had been her teammate, and comrade since their days at the Academy. A man who had witnessed all of her hard work. A man who had grown up, protecting her. A man who had learned every little secret there was to her, without her even knowing about it.

Shikamaru watched as Kiba and Akamaru gave Hinata a lift back to the Hyuga compound. He had a feeling that everything had gone just right. Neji was forcing Naruto to relax, too. He went home, adding Kakashi to his list and reminding himself to talk to Tenten as soon as possible.

Kiba, on the other hand, went to the Hyuga compound, and politely requested one of the guards to ask whether it was possible to have a meeting with Hizashi Hyuga.

Hinata had no idea that her lover hadn't returned home after dropping her to the gates.

"Hizashi-sama is pleased to see you, Inuzuka-kun," the guard said, with a faint smile.

"What would you want to talk to me about, Inuzuka-kun?" Hizashi asked him warmly.

"Please, sir, call me Kiba," he said, somewhat unnerved by the use of his surname.

"Very well, then, Kiba-kun. Do you need assistance with anything?" Hizashi repeated.

"Sir, I have come to ask of you a great thing," Kiba replied, nervous but courageously.

"Of course. I heard how you performed in the Allied Shinobi war, how you never gave up. To such a fine young man, I would like to give my full support," Hizashi reassured him.

"Hizashi-sama, I wish to ask for your daughter's hand in marriage," Kiba told him seriously.

For a long moment, the lord of the Hyuga clan said nothing, simply stared at the younger man.

"You have my blessings, Kiba. Please take care of my Hinata," he said finally, with a smile.

"Of course I will." Kiba smiled, a full, bright smile, that somehow warmed Hizashi's heart too. "I will never let my princess be unhappy, Hizashi-sama. She is my Hinata-hime, after all."