I already confessed.

Confessed since the fight with Pain.

And now we're fighting the fourth shinobi world war, fighting Obito, fighting Madara.

But I still haven't gotten the answer.

From him.

But was I really expecting an answer?

After all, I only said 'I Love You'.

I wonder if it was nothing for him. Surely not. He even went berserk when I was stabbed, almost bleeding to death had it not been Sakura-san's excellence in healing.

I'm being pathetic right now.

We're in the middle of war fighting the most dangerous man who was behind the loss we had.

I watch as the reunited Team 7 fight Madara altogether.

"Teamwork" was what I hear from Naruto.

They've all become so powerful.

Because of their new found power and determination, they were able to defeat Madara within an hour.

Everyone rejoiced of course. And so did I.

Naruto-kun suddenly looks my way, or rather, Neji-niisan's way. I'm with my cousin right now. I had to stay with him. His naturally rosy cheeks was too pale and his breathing slow. I doubt a simple healing can fix that.

Naruto suddenly put his palm on Neji-niisan's chest, where he was struck to his death.

"I hope it's not too late." I hear Naruto-kun say.

My cousin's chest suddenly glows brightly. And slowly, his eyes flutters as his life returned once again.

Everyone was shocked but became merry afterwards. I sigh of relief. I look at Tenten-san who immediately went to Neji-niisan's side. It may appear as just a mere happy face, but I know that she's more relieved here than anyone else.

I smile at them. At least she has a chance with the person she loves.

The war ended and it's all thanks to the three heroes.

I just smile.

"I guess it's enough for now, right mother?" I sigh in content as a gentle breeze caress my face.

~Two Weeks Later~

It's been two weeks. The countries are at peace.

And Naruto-kun became hokage.

Though he was quite happy achieving his dream, being hokage does have its downside. He had less time hanging out with everyone because of the many work papers piled on his desk.

He had been busy these days because the Lords of the countries were planning a week of celebration five days from now for everyone's hard work in defeating Madara.

Naruto-kun had to arrange first a few of the destroyed buildings, constructions, and houses caused by the war. It's a tough work. But he'll live.

*sighs*

I still wonder.

Does Naruto-kun still love Sakura-san? But Sakura-san already has Sasuke-kun. I can already see their future.

Hope.

I lay more comfortably on my bed and stare outside my window at two birds on a branch attending to each other's beaks.

Hope?

Naruto-kun, is it alright for me to hope? Hope we would someday be like those birds?

I sigh. I stand from bed and get myself ready. I want to visit my mother's grave and I still need to buy flowers and get a candle. It's dinner time already and I need to hurry up or the Yamanaka Flower Shop might close. I feel my mother's presence more at night. She loves the dusk after all.

I arrive at the flower shop and buy my  mother's favorite flower. White tulip.

It means forgiveness.

The flower became her favorite ever since father bought her a bouquet before. She said she once broke one of father's bones (lol), only minor though. Father forgave her right away of course but she insisted on making him prove his sincerity so he bought a bouquet of white tulips. Then they live happily ever after.

I make my way to the village cemetery. I already have a candle since there was an extra one at the house. I pass by the playground that leads to the large cemetery.

I spot a familiar blonde haired man wearing the hokage robe staring at a large blue grave stone, which were meant  for those people who sacrificed their lives for the village.

Naruto-kun felt my presence and he smiles as he looks at me while I make my way to him. 

Calm down. Calm down.

"Naruto-kun. It's been a while."

He chuckles. "Yeah. Been busy for the upcoming grand festival. Ours is the first to celebrate so that the other villagers from the other countries can visit."

He looks at the blue grave stone. "I needed to visit them. You know, informing them about the success."

He must have been really busy that this was his only time visiting his parents. "I can tell. It must be hard handling all the duty."

He laughs. "It's only for seven days. After then, we can go visit the next country to celebrate their grand festival too. Then the next countries again."

He looks at the flowers I'm carrying. "Are those...?"

"Oh, these are for my mother. They're her favorite. Well then, I must be keeping you. Goodbye, Naruto-kun."

I turn on my heel after bowing politely to him and start to walk towards my mother's grave which was not so far away. I didn't look back. I'll just probably spout some stupid nonsense.

I lay the bouquet of white tulips beside the grave and light the candle.

"Mother, how are you? Are you happy up there? Many things have happened since then. Thank you for understanding When I didn't have enough time to visit you. Don't worry, I'll visit you from now on."

This time, I spoke to mother in my mind.

"Mother, I confessed to him. I finally confessed to him. He saved the world together with his team, together with Sakura-san. Mother, I'm being selfish. I shouldn't be jealous but, I guess it's getting hard concealing it. Mother, help me. I did my best. I don't know if he was just too stupid or dumb or whatever. They're all the same." 

I sigh. "Give me a sign."

The wind blows gently at my face as I stand up. I walk to the gates of the cemetery and notice Naruto-kun leaning on the wall.

He spots me. "Oi Hinata! What took you so long?"

He was waiting for me? "Why are you still here?"

He grins. "Let's hangout first."

...........

We talk about things while was sitting on a swing and him sitting on top of the monkey bars.

We suddenly fell silent.

"Hinata." he starts.

I look at him.

"Are you free on the last night of the festival? I heard there will be fireworks on the last night by 9. I want to take you somewhere."

I blink. My lips almost twitching up.

For real? Naruto-kun wants to go out with me? Like a date?

I forced a gentle smile instead. "I am free. I'll go with you."

He grins back at me. "Then it's decided!"

Should I hope for more, Naruto-kun?

Is it alright to hope for more?

.............

It's already the last day of the festival. I didn't see Naruto-kun so I hangout with the others. It's kind of taking turns.

The first two days were hanging out with my team and the rest of the days were hanging out with all the girls of Konoha 12 but we still included Matsuri. We became friends during the war. Ironic, isn't? During wars, concentrating on your enemy is a must but here we are, making friends while fighting off the zetsu minions.

The girls made me buy a new kimono, slippers, hair ornaments, and makeup that goes with myself. I don't know why but I find it suspicious. They said its for the last day of the festival.

Oh well. Even though it's the last day, they were so many stores around the village. There are fastfood stands, game centers, accessory shops, boutiques, photobooths, foodcourts, attractions, etc. No doubt, Naruto-kun did very well. Must be why he's so tired.

I'm wearing the getup the girls made me buy. We decided to wear kimonos on the last day rather than our usual attire. They say this time it's special. We helped each other dress and put light makeup that would suit our kimono.

I'm wearing a floral ocean blue kimono. My hair is tied up into a clean bun with adorable ornaments. My makeup is light. I only put some light pink lip gloss and powder for blemishing.

I was actually waiting right now at the cemetery. He wasn't at the playground so I just waited by my mother's grave. Then a familiar presence is behind me. He is still wearing his hokage robe. I stand up.

He scratches his cheek. "Sorry for being late. Were you waiting for so long?"

You don't know how many years I've been waiting.

"Not at all." I smile.

He frown. He probably knows I lied. After all, it's only 15 minutes 'till the clock strikes 9.

He grabs my hand and starts running to god knows where. "Don't worry, I'm just taking you somewhere!" He says while grinning.

I smile. My heart flapped its wings as I look at our intertwined hands. I hold tighter, never wanting to let go of this moment.

A moment later we arrive outside the village. He leads me to a clear lake. It's small but still beautiful. They are lights hanging on the branches of the trees surrounding the lake so it's bright enough to illuminate the entire area.

Romantic. Yes, that's the right word.

How stupid of me. Naruto-kun is treating me kindly and yet I think of these things.

"Hinata." Naruto-kun holds my hand tighter.

I look at him. He was looking at the lake with a serious face. So I just look at the lake too.

"Sorry for making you wait this long."

Eh? I didn't expect that. Must be because of that incident.

"Ever since after what happened with Pain, with Nagato, I was thinking about it."

The confession, huh?

I knew it.

Wait what? Naruto-kun is finally thinking?

I really need to slap my stupid self.

"Actually, I also love you too."

*BADUMP*

"Well, it started with an unusual feeling since that time you and Neji fought during the chuunin exams. The feeling was strange so I just brushed it off until that time when we had a mission to search for the bikochu. I had only realized later that it was you who was training at the waterfall that night. Only you could pull that off gracefully. I suddenly felt a feeling of attraction since then."

He knew it was me? But I was naked that time.

How embarrassing.

"Then you confessed that time when you protected me from Pain. I saw him stabbed you. I was angry. Angry at Pain for hurting you, angry at you for stepping in the fight and got yourself a death sentence, but most of all, angry at myself for just watching and letting it happen to you." I could feel his voice shaking when he said that.

"I've been thinking about these new emotions I've been feeling. I've finally realized."

What did he realize? Was it, disgust?

Of course not.

Naruto-kun is not like that. My paranoid self getting to me.

"All those weird swirlings in my stomach, those certain urges to kill anyone who hurts you. When I held your hand that time, I decided to tell you what it is after the war, after everything ends." He pauses.

"Love sure is the weirdest emotion I've come upon."

My eyes widen. I look at him, not noticing that my mouth was slightly open. Enough for a fly to enter.

He looks at me. His blue eyes are filled with contentment, easiness, sincerity, compassion, love. That I was sure now.

"Would believe me if I say I love you since way back but only realized it now?"

Was I the idiot all this time?

I look at him nervously. "I-I don't know. It's not that easy to take in."

He grabs both my hands and grins. "Well BELIEVE IT! 'Cause I really do love you!"

Then he grabs my nape and waist with his other hand.

*BADUMP!* *BADUMP!* *BADUMP!*

HE KISSED ME! 

We break apart after a good ten seconds.

"Naruto-kun!! I-I also love you! Ever since the time you saved me from those kids who bullied me. And I wanted to thank you also for that time. I couldn't seem to grab a moment with you all this time. So, sorry for being late in saying it!"

Waaaahh my face is all red.

He rests his forehead on mine and touches his nose with mine. He closes his eyes. "It's fine now. What matters the most is that we'll together from now on."

I smile and close my eyes. I relax myself in his arms.

"Yes."

The fireworks finally started. Different colors boomed and sparked the sky. The fireworks will be the witness to our oath.

It was worth trying to hope.

Mother gave me the sign.

"Together forever."

The End.