HSA - Allied Shinobi Force & the Final Prophesy [Part C]

Sasuke's Legacy & Hinata's Tune

Sakura lie sprawled out on her futon, her nightgown hanging loosely over her shoulders, traitor thoughts buzzing around in her head. These thoughts were immoral, taboo — but so sparse that they were barely recognizable. Still, she was not proud.

Tormented, restless, she shifted onto her side and bent her legs at the knees, folding herself into a ball. Boredom was picking away at her sanity, and her patience had all but been devoured. Finally, she flung herself upright, like a machine, and looked to the door.

She could take no more.

The girl knew Naruto had brought them here exclusively for the purpose of discussion, but it was such a waste. They were in the hot spring country; there was so much to see and do, even if it was just for a few hours. Instead, they were locked away in a classical Japanese guest house, as if they were hostages or refugees.

Sakura wouldn't stand for this. Even if it was a brief stroll of the clustered streets or a visit to a ramen shop, she had to escape this house and the incessant thoughts that kept her awake. Even if Naruto and Hinata held no interest to go, maybe Kurama would accompany her, instead.

Subconsciously, our Cherry Blossom ambled down the corridor of the hall on her toes, as if she were an unwelcome guest. Her inner child was wild with excitement — the idea of giving the Naruhina couple a decent scare had piqued her interest.

She couldn't restrain herself.

But, when she silently knelt at the paper door, expecting the couple to be engaged in something trivial, she instead heard an amorous moan from the poorly lit room.

It was Hinata.

Sakura's face did a quick heat, and her eyes popped open in her surprise. She had intended to leave as quickly as she came, but something had her pinned — no, nothing physical. It was her curiosity. The ghostly hands held her firm — translucent vectors that bounded her fiercer than the sting of fear.

Sakura swallowed passed the hot lump in her throat, her nerves humming in her veins for what she was about to do... for what she knew she was not meant to do. But the seeds of desire and inquisitiveness had already been buried far too deep.

She quietly slid the door open to a slight ajar.

"Nhh," Hinata let out a cute, angelic moan, her head tilted back on a pillow as she desperately gripped the materials about her.

She was nestled in the silky white sheets of their four-posted bed, her body still flushed from their soak in the spring — an overall spectacle that glittered with otherworldly magnificence, Sakura thought absently. The princess was naked and helplessly possessed by her desire. And, through the transparent mosquito netting, Sakura could see Naruto, too — his eyes were wild, lips wet from his recent excursion. He was between her legs, on all fours, taking delight in the sight of her pink, swollen cheeks.

Sakura's eyes were quivering; she knew she had stumbled upon something sacred and yet she could not tear her eyes away from her friends' sensual foreplay. This was far beyond the boundaries of trivial mischief — based on the swell of her emotions and the gradual boil of her blood, this was nothing short of voyeurism.

But mentally establishing that fact did little to change her primal urge to stay put, and so she didn't opt to move a muscle. The couple's desire had gotten ahold of her, too — a thirsty spectator who was witnessing just how much of dreamboat Naruto Uzumaki was proclaimed to be.

"...It's only been a few hours, but I'm gonna have to punish you right now," Naruto said reversing off the bed, his eyes never leaving hers.

"Eh?" The princess was flustered, and she would much prefer to feel other emotions right now. Hugging her breasts shyly, she quietly inquired his meaning.

"You slapped me while we were in the hot spring earlier," he clarified sweetly.

Hinata's eyes snapped open. "B-But I didn't—"

"Shh."

She bit her lip then, as if he had literally pressed a finger over it. And Naruto was looking at her with his possessive gaze — cold, hard, hypnotic and sexy; seven shades of sin in once enticing look. Hinata swallowed instinctively, her throat parched. She knew she would do anything for him, especially with his "punishments" always promising and yielding such sweet gratification.

Her inner goddess heaved a horizontal 3 of a smile, swooning over the presence of the princess's hunk of a man. Then all too soon — before Hinata could secure her composure — he was pacing toward her wearing his sexy predator look. She was intoxicated by his proximity and delicious Naruto-smell. Her heart pounded an erratic tattoo, blood singing as it coursed through her body, desire pooling, unfurling, simmering... everywhere.

Hinata felt self-conscious when the bed sunk in response to his weight, and her eyes widened in her helplessness. But, with unraveled mystery, Naruto's light blue eyes slowly roved over her slender, beguiling body before he embarked on a slow and meticulous exploration of her silky flesh.

First, he circled his tongue around her navel with a deliberation that made her center clenched. Then he moved on to pressing a chain of feathery-light kisses along her belly to her cleavage. Hinata was already ravenous with need, certain his lips would capture her nipples in the most familiar and delicious of sensations — but, unfortunately, it was an expectation that never came.

His punishment had begun.

Grasping her hips with a neat, wicked smile, Naruto hoisted her body so that her back was no longer on the bed. Hinata was now arched, resting on her shoulders, while Naruto's kneeling up between her legs. Then in one swift, delicious, slamming movement, he's inside her — hard, hot, lean and unyielding.

"Nhh-Ahh!" the princess cried out, restless hands desperately gripping the pillow above her head, her sensitive receptors quaking with a plethora of sensations.

With her lips parted, drooping in a sultry fashion, she looked up at her fabulous knight who was evidently enraptured by the sheer sight and feel of her. His eyes would frequently drift to the plump curves of her vagina, and Hinata could see his fascination.

She wished to see the interaction between their sexes, as well.

As if the image of his cock squeezing into her had inspired him, Naruto began rolling his hips, instilling a new flavor of friction, listening to the stir of her nectar, watching the flicker of emotions over her face. And Hinata couldn't stay still. She wanted to clutch him. She wanted to rake her fingers through his hair and bite into his shoulder, to have him scream like she was inside.

Suddenly, the quiver of her impending orgasm began, and Naruto stilled. The quiver died. Oh no, Hinata whimpered inwardly. He was going to torture her further. "Please!" She protested.

But it was futile.

He gripped her harder, his fingers pressing deliciously into the flesh of her behind as she lay panting, weak, restless. But she wasn't helpless. Purposely, challengingly, Hinata stilled. Very slowly, Naruto started to move again — in and then out... imperiously, agonizingly, tantalizingly slow.

Please! The princess was screaming inside. Her inner goddess was screaming, too. But Naruto was so controlled, so committed to his carnal punishment, and she could no longer bear it.

Please, she begged once more, and, in one swift move, he lowered her back onto the bed. Then he was lying on top of her, his hands on the bed astride her breasts as he supported his weight, and he thrusted into her, all the way inside, over and again her, offering all that she desperately craved.

Hinata fell... free-falling into one of the most intense and agonizingly sweet of orgasms, and Naruto followed her soon after; thrusting hard into her a few more times before finally stilling, and then collapsing on top of her.

Despite the sweat and the heat raging between them, Hinata coiled her arms around him affectionately, holding him close, enjoying the closeness, the warmth, and the reassurance of his weight. But it wasn't long before Naruto was growing again — swelling inside of her with a promise that made her own arousal kindle, clicking awake like the hands of a time-worn clock that had just undergone maintenance.

But Hinata wasn't the only girl being touched and caressed by the hands of Desire — Sakura was also caught in an inescapable web, bewitched and drunk by the couple's sexuality. She was on her knees, propped up on her forearm, her body flushed and sweaty from her arousal.

Even as she spied upon Naruto and Hinata in a daze, her right hand was busy at work — tucked inside her panties and stroking her clitoris. She was hot and wet and needy, the thought of the man who took her virtue a constant memory at the forefront of her mind.

"Mmmmh. Sasuke," she murmured on a hot puff of breath.

She was almost there; she could feel a familiar buildup in her belly — twists and knots that spoke of a delicious finish. Subconsciously, she slumped farther down onto the floor on her forearm, her back arched, a finger slowly slipping inside her wetness. Then she looked toward the couple anew, eager to be swept away by their carnal energy.

"Hinata..." Naruto whispered her name, beckoning to her, and the princess's breath hitched in her throat.

She couldn't fathom how he could squeeze that much amorousness in her name. Her breathing was ragged as she panted, gazing at him with delicious anticipation.

On all fours, she slowly crawled toward the end of the bed, like a goddess intent on enchanting him with her divine charms. Her breasts swayed as she inched closer, her pink tipped nipples hard and inviting.

Naruto's member pulsated.

Hinata paused with a blush at the sight of that. But then she continued, homing in toward his hard length, her eyes glossy in her drunken state. With a low, sexy moan, she pressed a light kiss atop his crest and then parted her lips, taking him in slowly.

"Mmm," she sighed cutely, manipulating him inside her small mouth without the use of her hands, sucking him graciously, tasting the flavors that coated him.

Naruto's mouth opened, and then he's on his toes, his buttocks tightly clenched as Hinata's tongue circled around his hard crown, driving him mad with pleasure. His hips began to move on their own — back and fro, his cock pushing farther than Hinata initially allowed. She whimpered adorably as she labored to accommodate him and oxygen in between, her eyes closed, her cheeks red.

Then she coughed, utterly defeated by him.

But Naruto wasn't through. The veins on his shaft stood firm and vivid — a reflection of his excitement and his urge to stretch and fill her once more. And he wasn't going to wait a minute longer.

"Wrap your legs around me," Naruto commanded once he had guided her off the bed, his voice urgent, strained. "I need you..."

The princess did as she's told, also coiling her arms around his neck, and Naruto moved quickly and sharply, filling groaned upon his entry, and Hinata moaned aloud, holding nothing back. Clutching her behind, his fingers digging into her soft flesh, he began to move, slowly at first — a steady and even tempo... but as his control unraveled and his hunger grew, he sped up... faster, and faster.

"Nhhh! Oh God!" Hinata tipped her head back — her hair a cascading waterfall — and concentrated on the invading, punishing, heavenly sensation... pushing her, pushing her... onward, higher, up... and when the princess could take no more, she exploded around him, spiraling into an intense, all-consuming orgasm.

Sakura joined her, biting her lip as she leaped off the razor's edge into a climax that left her completely breathless and numb.

Throb. Throb. Throb!

"Soo tight...," Naruto said raspingly as he continued to grind his cock into Hinata's convulsing chambers, angling his hips, and it's enough to send the princess flying high — up, farther into the veil of Cloud 9. "Hi-Hinata!" His breathing was ragged in her ear, in perfect unison with hers — a telling call. And he clasped her tighter as he climaxed, both his sex and his body vibrating fiercely as he spewed his hot seed inside of her.

She could feel it.

Hinata heaved a long mewl and buried her face in his neck, his length and width unleashing a sweet storm inside of her — one that spiraled, flailed and snapped in perfect synergy with her own.

Breathless, Naruto turned his back to the bed and reversed gingerly. They both sank onto the inviting mattress, Hinata above him, her knees bent astride his body. Instinctively, she lifted her head and closed her eyes, focusing on the fleeting gratification of his hardness shrinking inside her.

It was marvelous.

No sooner had she decided to spare him her eyes, however, than Naruto's slowly drifted close. And he was gone — helplessly retired into a deep sleep. But the princess didn't miss the gleam of admiration and satisfaction that dwelled in those oceanic depths before they were sealed.

The thought made her smile.

With a sigh of contentment, Hinata rested her head against his chest. Very subtly, she inhaled his sweet, intoxicating Naruto-smell and began drawing patterns on his chest with her fingertips. She wondered if it would always be like this — so overwhelming, so all-consuming, so bewildering and beguiling.

...Naruto-kun.

He made her feel so much: physically, emotionally, even spiritually — happiness that couldn't be replaced, not by family nor by friends. He was a blessing that she had to protect — for both her sake... and their child's.

Lifting her head, Hinata inched closer to his face and gently brushed the fringes of hair on his forehead. She had never seen him fall asleep so abruptly before, and her eyes hooded empathically as she cupped a single lock of his hair.

He hadn't mentioned anything, and he endeavored to guard his composure at all times, but Hinata knew that he was usually exhausted — mentally and physically. Surely having so many clones spawned at once and over such as an extended period was taking some measure of toll on him, one way or the other.

She was worried, truly and deeply worried about him. Yet knew his cause was a necessity for the world's well-being; she couldn't be as selfish as to ask him to cease all his efforts for the sake of their "happily ever after." And so, she would continue to steel her nerves. After all, she said it herself: that they would be able to call forth a stronger power together than to do it separately — she needed to stay true to her own words in becoming the perfect sword and shield for him.

"I love you...," she whispered quietly, pressing a kiss to his forehead.

It was minutes to midnight when Hinata stumbled upon Sakura clasping a glass of milk in the kitchen. The girl was startled, and tried futilely to conceal the glass of calcium in her possession.

Her inner self cringed. To think they would have met face-to-face so soon after you-know-what.

Sakura's face heated as she gazed from the beverage to the curious princess. "Oh. Hinata...," she giggled nervously. "It's customary to drink milk right after taking a soak in the hot springs, y'know." She lied.

While the custom was indeed true, she was in fact just trying to increase the size of her breasts based on an age-old rumor.

Hinata didn't question that truth for she, too, had come for the sole purpose of quenching her thirst with said beverage. Sex with Naruto wasn't only exhausting but dehydrating, too — his fervor, his might and his passion always left her parched and weak in an overkill sort of way.

But Sakura didn't know that. She glowered at Hinata and her glorious chest surreptitiously as the girl tilted her glass and slowly savored the delicious beverage. Just how much bigger could she possibly want those things to become?

BOING!

Spying the flush of her cleavage through Naruto's jacket jostled her state of mind with images of the sacred ceremony she had sullied, with more so her actions than just her mere curiosity.

Sakura averted her eyes, remorseful and ashamed.

"Will you be going to bed now?" Hinata asked quietly, her post-coital glow making her a bit self-conscious.

"I've tried... but I can't seem to fall asleep."

"Me, too!" Hinata informed, far too delighted she wasn't the only one in a crisis. "Since we can't sleep, I think we should do something tonight."

"What do you suggest?"

"Yahoo! You can't catch me!" A group of kids pelted passed Hinata and Sakura, the small boy in front clutching a sparkler in his hand.

The girls smiled warmly, as if the children were their very own. And Hinata couldn't control the excitement that bubbled up inside her as they ambled along the congested streets in their kimonos and sandals. It was as if she and Naruto had never left Fuugetsu at all. She was brimming with her afterglow like she always did and the town's many attractions still piqued her interest.

Apart from the beach, the princess visited all the places she had been with Naruto — the different stalls, the ramen shop, even the groove — and her nerves hummed with recollection as she stood before the Twilight Hotel. It was like she remembered: beautifully accentuated with lit paper lanterns and vibrant colors that stood out in the darkness. Of course, she didn't even consider entering the building; fearing that she would be recognized and glowered at by the jealous vixens who might still be lingering from the time of their stay here.

Shivers!

Things abruptly took a turn for the worse, however... and the awkward, when Sakura demanded that they had a sparring match on the outskirts of the town.

Just what manner of evil was the girl trying to do to Hinata's midnight excursion and happy memories? Thorns — thorns were suddenly coiling around and piercing the fluffy cushions of her complacency. But, despite Sakura's lack of willingness to explain herself, Hinata, in turn, decided to concede to her request.

There was a war going on and she supposed everyone had their own means of coping with the situation. Perhaps this was one of the girl's many channels of closure.

A starless night sky hung over the canopy of the trees, the only light being from the luminous crescent moon that seemed to sit motionless in the distant heavens — the only spectator to what was about to unravel in the gloom of the forest.

Sakura was firmly rooted a few feet away, the combination of her black leather gloves and floral kimono inspiring a bizarre mix. She had already assumed her battle stance, persistent in her endeavor to see this fight through, which would have surely culminated in her victory.

She would carefully ensure that.

Despite her conviction, the girl's eyes gleamed with a hint of unforeseen truth — remorse, guilt, atonement, a plea? Hinata couldn't tell. But the princess would nonetheless provide a challenge befitting her role as the heiress of the Hyūga Clan. Sakura had better be prepared, for there was no reconsidering now; she had called upon a chilling storm that could no longer be dismissed.

Slowly, gracefully, fluently easing into her customary battle stance, the princess allowed her power to swell and to transform. Chakra radiated from her body, swirling around her in the form of microscopic shards of ice. The energy glittered and sparkled wondrously, gently undulating Hinata's kimono as if the garb was caught in a light breeze.

For a moment, Sakura's resolve faltered. The steady aura pouring out from Hinata floated around her as if it were alive, its familiar chill making Sakura wince. And, as much as she couldn't comprehend how it was even remotely possible, she couldn't help but conclude that the chakra-nature was the same as Haku's.

Tekkei Genkai.

But how?

Sakura frowned. It wasn't wise nor strategic to face a Hyūga in close quarter fighting, especially without any well-defined plan. But now Hinata was exerting powers that she had never seen before, adding weight to the unfavorable position she had called upon herself. Now she could only hope that the short time that had passed would prove the girl's newly acquired mastery incomplete.

Before Hinata's newly developed affinity could deter her any further, Sakura steeled her nerves. But, instead of leaping into the fray, without first knowing what new techniques she was up against, the girl retrieved a kunai holstered to her thigh and threw it at her stationary target.

With impeccable timing and an innate passion to serve its master, a wolf forged of ice plummeted down from the canopy of the trees and caught the weapon in its mighty jaws. Frost rolled from the creature's mouth as it shot Sakura an icy gaze and growled sinisterly. In that same moment, less than a dozen crimson eyes — feral, piercing and malicious — popped up in the surrounding brush and undergrowth.

Hinata's eyes were more intimidating — bold, crystalline eyes that seemed to freeze more coldly than her familiars' very being. This wasn't the same introverted Hyūga Hinata as before. At this very moment, for the duration of their duel, this was Hyūga Hinata: a warrior princess who had endured her fair share of burdens and suffering and have risen far above it all.

Sakura lunged ahead, the ground cracking beneath her foot as she pushed forward, building momentum. She gathered and intensified chakra around her fists for a chain of devastating attacks, but she only got a few attempts at Hinata's face and torso before she was ganged and assaulted by the pack of vicious beasts. Their eyes seemed to portray an eerie red streak as they zigzagged and shuffled about the glade to disorient and intimidate their prey. But Sakura wasn't deterred — not by their deep growls, razor sharp hackles and fangs, nor the way the leaves would frost by the creatures' touch, and certainly not by their coordinated movements.

Sakura struck, rendering a wolf to mere fragments with a powerful downward punch. In the same beat, another leaped in for an attack, intent on capitalizing on the girl's wasted movement — but the kunoichi quickly retaliated by headbutting the beast in a crude and domineering maneuver. One by one she continued dispatching the fiends into oblivion, using whatsoever unrefined means necessary to stay on top of her game.

Finally, nothing was hindering her path to Hinata — and she quickly closed the distance between them and jabbed the complacent princess in her stomach with what little chakra she had intensified in that fleeting moment.

But, as the impact reverberated, Hinata's body transformed into a column of ice, trapping Sakura's hand in place. Before she could even mentally commend the girl's spurt in power and maturity, two lions wrought of chakra emerged from the earth and clutched her ankles with paralyzing fangs.

"Aghh!" Sakura wailed.

But that didn't slow Hinata's merciless assault. She drove a perfectly forged Rasengan into Sakura's back — pushing her up, forward, until the girl's mass reverted into a column of wood (substitution).

Following up on her cleverly applied decoy, Sakura appeared while Hinata was still in motion, firing her first into the girl's side. Using her Jūken Fist, the princess released chakra from that respective side of her body, deflecting the attack. And, at the same time, using the force of the blow to gather momentum in the form of a spin, pounding her adversary into the ground with a fierce downward kick.

Sakura flung her arms down, like an anchor, preventing her body from crashing into the hard ground. She wouldn't allow herself to yield, not now, not ever; she wouldn't allow herself to accept such a wide gap between her power and Hinata's.

With a frown and a grunt, the princess slammed her palm down, intent on having the girl concede then and there. The ground whined with a sharp split and crack as the Hyūga missed her mark, fragments of broken earth and dust rising to meet the canopy at the sheer force of her assault.

But Hinata's eyes were keen and watchful through the blanket of debris, fixed on the girl as she zipped through the forest in a speedy retreat.

Without pushing to her feet, Hinata ran through a series of hand seals and a light mist descended upon the forest. Then, in the background — looming and ominous — was the sound of gushing water. A fierce sound, and it grew louder with each passing second.

Ice Release: Rising Serpent — Frozen Pillar.

A massive dragon borne of ice and purpose flew passed Hinata from behind, casting her hair in a flail, hurtling wildly toward its moving target, leaving a frozen wasteland in its wake.

Through the veil of the mist, Sakura spied her reptilian hunter borne of chakra and launched an entire pine tree at the colossal fiend. But the monster merely caught the large projectile in its mighty jaws, rendering it to a mass of ice before crushing it.

With a soulful battle cry, profound and worthy in its femininity, Sakura halted and turned on her heels, gathering just enough power in her fist to confront the looming threat. With a mightier assault than her howl, she putted a stop to the beast with a crippling blow that reverberated painfully in her own body, reducing the creature to splintering shards.

Instinctively, she followed up by leaping backward into the air, over the forest, truly airborne. And, just in the nick of time, too, for two tigers forged of charka had emerged from the spot of earth where she stood, intent on setting her up for a sure defeat.

But that outcome might still be unavoidable, as it would seem she had fallen right into Hinata's trap.

Using the ice shards from her defeated dragon, the princess used her power to twist and shape the broken element into pointed rods, which she sent flying at her defenseless foe. Sakura's eyes widened in her alarm, but she quickly steeled herself and maneuvered her body in such a way that projectiles missed her vitals. One grazed her cheek, her shoulder and her ankles, and those that she didn't have any chance of dodging were shattered by her fists.

Suddenly, there was a growl — an all too familiar growl that was way too close for comfort. But, before Sakura could react, the airborne tiger spun a Rasengan in its jaws like a ball of wool and clenched its teeth.

The kunoichi gave a pained shriek. The shockwave from the explosion blew her from the sky and into a nearby tree. Her kimono was singed all over and she was bruised, but that was the least of her concern.

Before she could will the ringing in her ears to cease, above all else, she heard the high-pitched buzz of a Rasengan within proximity. She leaped from the tree before it was all but rendered to nothingness.

But, in her disorientation, she abandoned her position without any strategic judgment. And Hinata was more than ready to act on her mistake. Focusing her Byakugan, her eyes bright and concise, she launched a controlled Air Palm as Sakura was descending toward the ground, blasting the girl into a sure and devastating defeat.

Sakura was still a bit sore from their fight but, even more so, her ego. But she allowed a polite smile as Hinata happily flew through a mountain of different clothes in the changing room of a local store, always curious about her opinion.

This was the Hyūga's condition, in return, if the kunoichi had lost the battle. And, although it grieved her to have lost, to have found out the hard way that the gap between their strength was truly and indeed vast, she would at least honor this wish.

"Oh. This one is really cute!" Sakura complimented sweetly, adoring the beautifully designed dress and how it clung perfectly to her friend's petite figure.

"Really?" Hinata blushed.

"Yeah," Sakura grinned reassuringly, attired in her own new dress (her kimono was rendered to rags and ash). "I think this one fits the occasion perfectly. You should totally go with this one, Hinata!"

The princess twirled on her toes with a neat smile and an appraising eye, watching how the hem of the fabric rose and fell above her knees with grace and allure. She could feel the magnificence of the garment, as well. Now she was curious about the tale his face would tell as she dealt unto him what he had so wondrously dealt unto her.

Naruto didn't even consider donning his jacket, his boots, or even his ninja pouch. He simply teleported — eager to close the yards, the miles, or the span of the seven seas that separated them. And he would mercilessly crush any foe or army that hindered him from embracing his love.

Instead of a bloodthirsty army strapped in armor and chain mail; however, he simply found himself being pushed down onto a tool beneath a blinding spotlight, before his senses could adjust prior to his teleportation. Flanking him on both sides as well as behind him, on the marble dance floor, were a crowd of passive spectators cast in shadow — and before him was Hinata and Sakura with a purposeful smile on their faces.

They were garbed in a sparkling tiara, fashionably tall gloves and heels, a fancy dress and beautiful makeup and accessories. They looked like popstars — popular teen idols that evidently had some extravagant to share.

Naruto swallowed.

Hinata slowly brought the mike to her lips as Sakura raised a hand skywards, clearly signaling to the music operator that was hidden on some elevated pedestal. The speakers surrounding the building came alive as music began spilling forward, and our hero couldn't do anything but listen and watch; tuning in with both heart and soul for the magic his fiancée was about to evoke.

I still hear your voice, when you sleep next to me

I still feel your touch in my dreams

Forgive me my weakness, but I don't why

Without you it's hard to survive~

Suddenly, the speakers began vibrating with powerful bass, influencing the crowd, instilling excitement and enchantment. And Hinata and Sakura started rolling their hips rhythmically to the upbeat music — gesticulating their arms, swaying their legs, tapping their feet, their dress bouncing over enticing curves and surfaces — demonstrating superb choreography that made Naruto's own excitement sear beneath his skin.

'Cause every time we touch, I get this feeling

And every time we kiss, I swear I could fly

Can't you feel my heart beat fast, I want this to last

Need you by my side

'Cause every time we touch, I feel the static

And every time we kiss, I reach for the sky

Can't you feel my heart beat so

I can't let you go

Want you in my life

Bass blared from the speakers again — louder, possessive, more sensationalized. And Hinata and Sakura skipped around a captivated Uzumaki Naruto, a fist on their swaying hips, their forefingers tracing along his shoulders and back as they went around him.

Our hero's lips stretched into a smooth smile, his eyes gleaming with a sea of emotions as he watched his princess hover around him. Hinata and Sakura — they both looked like goddesses in their flashy dresses accentuated with heavy frills and designs, and their hair was swept up in a careful chignon, not a single strand out of place.

Hinata winked endearingly, twirling a finger at him.

And then she was singing again, pausing in front of him so that their eyes could meet, her voice beautiful and controlled as she sung the words that were a profound portrayal of the feelings she had in her heart. Naruto surrendered to her lyrical confessions and desires, allowing the intensity of the music to wash over him, around, through him. He was hopelessly and madly in love; cast into a fire of obsession that he couldn't escape, that he had no intend of escaping.

His heart was swollen and aching — pounding with glee and admiration. The music had his body bouncing and rocking to the beat, even as he watched his woman seemingly seducing him with her sinuous movements.

The crowd couldn't get enough.

There was constant howling, whistling and cheering, as if a popular celebrity was performing at a concert, with vibrant disco lights coloring the darkness.

The song (Cascade: Every Time we Touch) eventually came to a soothing end, and, amidst the effusive cheering, Naruto slowly pushed to his feet and ambled toward his symmetrical half, his gaze potent and unswerving.

He gently rested his forehead against her own. "Did you enjoy making me fall even deeper in love with you just now?"

"Y-Yes." She flushed, her chest heaving in her exhaustion.

He winked at her, and she went crimson with nervousness.

Pulling away with a friendly grin, Naruto swiftly took the mike and turned on his heels, signaling to the DJ to play a song he had personally requested on their previous visit to Fuugetsu.

(Enrique Iglesias — Hero).

Sakura blended into the background when the sound of a guitar flowed from the speakers. The girls in the crowd screamed when Naruto turned to face Hinata again, his smile cool and intoxicating.

The princess's eyes widened in her nervousness, her silky alabaster skin twinkling with sweat. And her breath hitched in her throat when the back of his fingers lightly skimmed across her cheek, slowly, worshipingly.

Would you dance, if I asked you to dance

Would you run, and never look back

Would you cry, if you saw me crying

Would you save my soul tonight

Would you tremble, if I touched your lips

(he touched her lips)

Would you laugh? Oh, please tell me this

Now would you die, for the one you love

Hold me in your arms, tonight

I can be your hero, baby

I can kiss away the pain

I will stand by you forever

You can take my breath away

Hinata was in a daze at Naruto's sweet method of reciprocation, his strong soprano voice washing over her, gradually stealing the strength from her legs. This time, she knew the song he was singing — and the all-together familiarity of the lyrics and his beautiful sound was a potent cocktail she could not savor alone. The crowd was in an uproar, frantic with excitement and wonder.

But Hinata couldn't tear her eyes away from him to look, not for a second. He was touching her — gravitating around her body like a sensual deity examining something of wonder; touching her lips, her hips, her cheeks, her hair and her forearms. The princess was all nerves, and her heart would not cease its relentless flutter. Her inner goddess was hopelessly awestruck, stars twinkling in her bright eyes.

Naruto was breathtakingly dreamy with his messy hair and bared feet, his delicious collarbones protruded behind his t-shirt, his arms swayed as he spun magic in the air, his tongue pressed against his teeth precariously as he pronounced the words that were ushering her into a quick melt.

"Am I in too deep?" He asked melodiously. "Have I lost my mind?"

Hinata frowned, shaking her head, reassuring him otherwise.

"I can be your hero, baby!" He sings in a higher pitch, expressive and emphasizing, breaking Hinata's heart with a passion that made her soul yell for him.

The audience yelled, too.

Caught in the moment — swayed by the sublime power of the music — Naruto squeezed his eyes shut and clasped his shirt, wringing it about, revealing hard chiseled abs and enticing hip bones that had the females in an emotional uproar.

Suddenly, he dropped to his knees before Hinata, clinging desperately to her cloths as he sung. Tears burned the back of her tears and she felt shivers — tiny sparks of energy made of pain and happiness, and her heart sunk. Without thinking, the princess coiled her arms around him, pulling his head against her tummy, consoling him, loathing the thought of letting go.

And Naruto kept singing, wrapping a single arm around her, an intense feeling coating his every word, inducing a profound and mutual glee amongst the crowd... and within his beloved, pulling everyone together.

I can kiss away pain

And I will stand be you, forever~

You can take my breath away

You can take my breath away

I can be~ your hero

The speakers slowly transitioned into quietness, leaving only the boisterous cheers of the crowd. But as Naruto and Hinata looked into each other's eyes, silently exchanging ardent feelings of love, appreciation, and longing, they only heard the muffled sound of people who couldn't possibly interfere in their moment of passion and magic.

In perfect unison, the couple casted Sakura a telling gaze and Naruto unfurled his arm for her, but she merely offered them a warm smile, shaking her head in denial.

"You both can head back first," she said quietly. "I think I'm going to continue looking around the town some more; there's so much that I haven't seen yet."

Naruto smiled compassionately, studying the girl from his knees. He noted that she was being reticent, but he had no intention to pry. Closure was sometimes best found alone, and this was evidently one of those occasions.

And so, with a slight nod of his head, Naruto and Hinata were gone.

With just four hours 'till dawn, the mist that settled in the valley and wrapped around the mountain peaks were already spilling into the slope of the town, like ghostly hands seeking to pilfer something sacred and divine. But nothing could snatch the beauty and the warmth that Naruto and Hinata shared — not the veil of the autumn's mist, nor the frigid cold that it brought.

Desire. Passion. Possession. Promise, and a searing fire borne of sexual need — all these and more were present at Hirofumi's Cottage as the Naruhina couple desperately sought the pinnacle of pleasure and fulfillment.

Perfectly tucked away in their private room, Hinata's hypnotic knight was on top of her, between her legs, their naked bodies flushed and sleek with the glistening sweat of their guilty conquest.

The dancing flame of a nearby lamp tinted them a soft, golden glow, revealing every curve, nook and cranny that Naruto kissed, licked and savored with alarming effectiveness.

"Nhh!" Hinata moaned and tilted her head back as he explored the sweet column of her throat with tantalizing slowness. And, as if the adorable sound sparked a deeper spell of his craving for her, he fisted her hair and spurred his body forward, pushing inside of her, stretching, filling, beseeching her world.

Hinata groaned, mirroring his husky response.

The princess's heart was beating a frantic tune in her heat. Naruto was hard and lean, pushing deeper into her, stretching her farther, burning her, claiming her vulnerable flesh as his own. And her hips swayed forward to meet his with each time he thrusted into her. The delicious seconds ticked on, and they found a mutual rhythm. Again and again, he found her core, his steely cock stirring her nectar until, finally, she was crying out as a fierce orgasm clutched her, jerk her — pulling her into a sweet and overwhelming spiral of Europa.

"Argh!" Naruto groaned, feeling as her center tighten moistly around his width, cajoling his own climax, demanding his essence. And he was more than willing to deliver, but not yet... not without a challenge befitting the moment.

He was gazing down at her, propped up on his hands, his eyes a smoldering liquid sapphire that burned into hers. Hinata couldn't look away — and, in between her panting cries, she gazed lingeringly at him, worshiping his beauty and his alluring charm. He was a god, and she couldn't keep still, not when he was plunging so deliciously deep and so deliciously hard. Her mind was in disarray, her hands skimming over his face and chest in her bittersweet torment before she found the creamy curves of her own bosom.

Naruto watched her hopeless descent into pleasure, watched the dark, sultry emotions that flickered across her innocent face. Then, with a broken grunt and a moan, he made one final thrust and then stilled, his body shaking as he released his semen deep inside her, relishing in the otherworldly sensation. And Hinata orgasmed again — the hot, thick liquid her lover bestowed upon her triggering another heady downpour.

Exhausted, Naruto maneuvered his body so that he fell on his back on the bed beside her, a smile teasing his lips. They said nothing but laced their fingers together, their chests heaving, bodies the consistency of Jell-O as they both delighted in the sacred ceremony they just shared.

Summoning her strength, Hinata shifted her body so that half her torso rested atop his and, at the same time, threw a leg over one of his own in a possessive kind of affection. Endearingly, she proceeded to draw designs to his chest with her fingertip, worshipping the kind of man that he was.

"Thank you for being you...," she smiled sweetly.

"There's no need for thanks," he breathed silkily in correction. "The strings of fate always had us connected; this man and everything he is was always meant to be with you, Hinata."

The princess's eyes quivered with emotion. She couldn't find the right words, so she simply relaxed her cheek on his chest and allowed her eyes to drift close, reminiscing on the words he just said and the lyrics of the song he had sung to her earlier.

Uzumaki Naruto — her savior, her friend, her lover... a slick warrior and eloquent speaker, who has gained mastery over the keys of her heart and the sacred tunes of her body. Was it even possible there were altitudes beyond the heights to which she loved him right now?

Hinata breathed deeply, allowing her muscles to sag. And, in this quiet moment, as her body melded into his, spent and sated, warm and snug beside him, she felt that she was in the eye of an unavoidable storm. And, in spite of all she had foreseen and didn't, she felt a shower of happiness.

I love you, Naruto-kun...

The Final Prophecy & Naruto's Gambit

Hinata was exhausted and well relaxed in the remnants of her post-coital glow that she hadn't realized the abrupt descent of dawn, nor the fact that Naruto was no longer cuddled beside her in bed.

Hovering at the surface of consciousness, however, she clearly heard as the paper door slide open and felt when his eyes rested on her.

"Hinata, get ready!" He said vibrantly, by means of greeting. "We're heading out!"

"Na-Naruto-kun?"

Once all four of them were gathered in the dining area, Hinata inquired where they were going. Sakura looked just as puzzled and curious for answers.

"Mount Myōboku!" Naruto informed with a small grin.

"Ehh?" The girls were dumbfounded.

Kurama's ear twitched in his light slumber.

"While you both were asleep, I was reversed-summoned to Mount Myōboku by Grampa Fukasaku. Apparently, Giant Grandpa Sage has another prophecy for me. But, I didn't want to be away too long without letting you guys know where I was. Plus," he looked to his fiancée teasingly. "I know Hinata's a hopeless worrywart."

She blushed.

With a chuckle, Naruto held his hand forward in a telling gesture. "I've always thought about allowing you guys to see where I had gone in learning Sage Mode, so I figured this would be a good 'a time as any to have you both tag along. What'dya say?"

"H-Hn!" Hinata nodded, resting her palm atop his. "I want to experience everything that Naruto-kun has!"

Sakura heaved a smile, still a tad weary from her late-night prowling. But she placed her hand across her fellow kunoichi's, eager to witness the environment that nurtured their hero while he trained to defend his home.

"Here we go!" Naruto exclaimed, and then they were gone, leaving the house clean and desolated.

"Uwaah!" Hinata gasped in her astonishment.

"Sugoi!" Sakura exclaimed, sharing the princess's fascination.

Old valleys. Ancient mountains. Foreign undergrowth — the lush vegetation spanned out around them far beyond the eyes could see. The girls hadn't gotten enough time to look around in awe before their attention was stroked by an unexpected guest.

"Welcome back, Naruto-chan!" Fukasaku said with a smile that was more radiant than the norm; it's been a while since they had a visitor apart from Naruto and Jiraiya.

"I'm back!" Naruto returned with equal sentimentality.

"It mus really be convenient havin' dat technique; ya get ta go anywhere ya want in jus da blink of an eye." the elderly sage heaved a commending smile. "Ya 'ave gotten even stronger since da las time we met, Naruto-chan! I can feel it..."

The young warrior scratched at the blush creeping into his cheek.

"Anyhow," the amphibian said, cutting Naruto's egotistical inflation. "Aren't ya gonna introduce me ta these two young lasses ya brought?"

"Oh, right," he rebounded. "Guys, this here is Grandpa Fukasaku — he's the one who taught me Sage Mode. Now, he might be small, but he's pretty strong."

Fukasaku took his turn basking in the glow of praise, but Naruto quickly administered his vengeance by continuing with the introductions — mission accomplished!

"This is Hinata..."

Hinata bowed.

"And this is Sakura-chan..."

Sakura bowed.

"It's nice ta meet ya both," the toad said with warm hospitality, then he looked to Naruto quite casually. "So, are both offspring yours then, Naruto-chan?"

...

"Eh. Ehhh?"

Everyone's expression was the same — that of abject shock and disbelief. How could he presume such a preposterous thing with a straight face, and how did he even know they were both pregnant?

Just then, Gamakichi appeared on the scene. He was practically more giant than he was a few weeks ago. "Eh? Could it be that the day has finally come when Naruto brings his girlfriend?"

"Oh, Gamakichi," Naruto rebounded before the girls possibly could. "Hinata's actually my fiancée, not my girlfriend" He corrected curtly.

The teenager wasn't impressed. "Keh! So, you've finally noticed the opposite sex."

Naruto frowned at the cheeky remark, but choose to ignore it. Things were bound to get worse once What's-His-Face turned up, so it was best to start building his tolerance sooner than later.

Why were toads so hard to deal with — dad, Ero-Sennin... why toads?

"Khaa! Naruto-chan," Fukasaku nudged his shank with his elbow. "You're not as openly perverted as Jiraiya-chan, but ta think ya made two offspring in da same season, 'an with separate women. Oh, ya sly dog ya! You're more a beast than Jiraiya-chan ever was!"

Naruto felt a rather unpleasant shiver shot up his back, sounding off the alarms that there was danger afoot. It was Hinata and Sakura — they were radiating nuclear hostility, clearly enraged by the toad's brazen remark.

"Gramps!" Naruto snapped, shooting the man a hot gaze in his desperation to set things straight. "I said that Hinata's my fiancée, doesn't that tell you anything?"

The old amphibian looked to Sakura sympathetically. "Better luck next time. But, I'm sure Naruto-chan will still provide for ya offspring..."

...

"Ohya!" Shima hopped onto the scene, casually clobbering her husband with her trusty ladle. "So dis is da lovely Hyūga Hinata... you're even more beautiful in person."

The princess's fury gradually settled into a sheepish visage, her eyes gleaming at the compliment. "Th-Thank you very much." She bowed.

"Oh my... you're welcome. My name is Shima," she waved her handy-dandy ladle, whacking Fukasaku atop the head again, once the old foot had scrambled to his legs. "And ya must be Haruno Sakura — apart of Team 7, am I right?"

The girl gasped. Her fury had subsided, as well. "Y-Yes, but how did you know that? I don't believe we've ever met before?"

Shima beamed — the gloating kind of beaming. "A woman's got her way of findin' things out, y'know. Ya shud know 'dat better dan anyone else."

Sakura considered that for a while. "Ha. I suppose you're right."

"I'm sorry for pa's stupidity," Shima apologized, glowering at the man. "He hasn't had breakfast yet, so I suppose it's the hunger 'dat's got him off his rackers."

The girls giggled. But, at the same time, Naruto sighed a breath of relief. If only Shima knew how much of a help she had been to him — she had just inadvertently prevented a disaster, especially on his part.

Women are scary.

"'Ave ya guys had breakfast yet?" Shima asked politely, seeking to brag about her cooking skills should she persuade them to join Fukasaku and herself at their home.

Breaking into a sudden sweat, Naruto jumped in quite awkwardly then, stating the importance of them having an audience with the Great Elder Toad Sage as soon as possible. Fukasaku wasn't aware of his ulterior motive for wanting to be prompt in his meeting with the sage, but he also emphasized the urgency of the matter.

Shima conceded, but warned the girls they would have to deal with her husband's obnoxious behavior, if he lashed out again. But Naruto would much prefer to deal with that than having his palate and taste buds thrown out of whack by the woman's unique cooking again.

He shivered.

"I have brought him forth again, as requested," Fukasaku said, gazing up at his superior's mighty throne and humongous frame.

"Sup!" Naruto saluted as he had on their previous meeting. "I didn't think I'd be seeing you again so soon, Giant Grampa Sage!"

"Ho-Ho, it was I who summoned your presence before me," the sage returned just as vibrantly. "Etto... who are you again?"

Naruto signed nosily, pressing a finger to his forehead with a frown. "And, for a moment there, I actually thought you had remembered this time."

Sakura frowned wearily. "Is this senile old toad really the great elder?" She whispered to Hinata who was just as conflicted about the amphibian's mental state.

"It's Naruto-chan, Great Elder," Fukasaku informed. "U-zu-maki Naruto-chan!"

"Oh, yes! Oh, yes — that's right. Naruto, was it?"

Fukasaku sighed, just as noisily as Naruto had before. "This feels like déjà vu."

"Na-Naruto-kun," Hinata called, trying to pacify the anger he felt emanating from the impatient shinobi, sizzling like flames from a wildfire.

"There's a war going on right as we speak," Naruto sneered, his voice quaking beneath his slipping control. "And you're the one who requested me here; the least you could do is remember the reasoning behind your decision."

In an instant, the Great Elder's eyelids opened to just a sharp slit, holding Naruto in such a stern gaze that it subdued our hero's growing rage, like hot coal exposed to a cold deluge. "The reason for your being here speaks directly to the war, my dear boy."

Everyone's eyes widened.

"Uzumaki Naruto... calm your heart and listen carefully, for this will be your very last prophesy."

"Whaa...?"

"Naruto... contrary to your belief, the Kyuubi's power alone will not be enough to grant you victory in this war."

"Eh?" Sakura exclaimed, sharing everyone's surprise. "But Naruto wasn't even supposed to be a part of this war; what about the battle-power of the Allied Shinobi Force?"

The elder sage shifted his body in the gigantic throne chair. "Despite what the leaders of the Allied Shinobi Force believes, Naruto plays a vital role in the course of this war. The world's prosperity rests squarely upon his shoulders."

Naruto could feel the weight.

"Great Elder," Fukasaku called. "If da Kyuubi's chakra won't be enough ta end this war, then what's Naruto-chan suppose ta do?"

"A few hours ago, I had what you could call a linked-precognition — a rather rare and unusual phenomenon that only occurs during certain crises of great magnitude."

"A linked-precognition...? I've never heard of such a thing."

"It takes place when two individuals, sharing similar psychic abilities, experiences a prediction founded on their combined memories and understanding. In other words, the prediction would not be feasible without knowledge both party possesses.

Naruto," the elder's gaze was serious again. "You must travel to a land, uncharted by shinobi, to forge a contract with another deity of tremendous power. From the Mountain's Graveyard, you will find a continent many miles north of the peninsula, where the deity is sealed — there you will meet a woman who will guide and assist you to where the creature sleeps."

Without a peep, Hinata jotted down notes in a miniature-sized scroll.

Naruto tousled the back of his hair with a sigh. "This is really a lot to take in, especially with everything that's already going on. Do you at least know the name of the woman I'm supposed to meet? That would make things a bit easier."

The elder's eyes were closed now, his body slumped in the chair as he gradually surrendered to unconsciousness. "I do not know her name... but I believe she might be the one who I shared the linked-precognition with. This is all I know, Naruto... and I wish you luck on your journey. Remember, it is the decisions you make henceforth and the courage you demonstrate that will determine the outcome of this war, and the course of the world's future."

And, with that final reminder, the elder toad was fast asleep.

"Wait! Giant Grandpa Sage!" Naruto called impatiently. "There's still a lot I don't understand. You can't just fall asleep without telling me anything!"

"It's no use, Naruto-chan," Fukasaku informed. "Once da Great Elder falls asleep, there's nothin' dat can drive him awake."

"Oh, that's just great," Naruto murmured flippantly, his fingers laced at his nape. "If the world's future is resting in my hands, then the least he could do is keep himself awake for a few more minutes to answer my questions."

Hinata heaved a wanly smile, studying Naruto's face keenly. Beyond his fuming, she could tell that he was also deep in thought. He was already familiar with the weight of his responsibilities, so being told he had to save the world didn't change much of anything. But, being told he had to forge a contract with a deity in a far-off land, did demand a revision in his priorities.

Suddenly, he shrugged, pushing away the mental worksheets in his mind for the moment. "Since Sakura-chan's already being given a tour by Gamakichi, I'll keep my promise and give you a tour of the place. Afterwards, we can all sit together and discuss this whole thing."

"H-Hn!" Hinata beamed. "I'm sure it will be much easier to devise a strategy with everyone being present to pitch their own ideas and suggestions."

"My thoughts, exactly!" Naruto's demeanor suddenly changed, like Liger Zero equipping a new customized body kit. Now, his countenance was soft and cool, the corners of his lips pulling up into a neat smile. "Before we explore that uncharted continent up north, let's explore Mount Myōboku together."

He took her hand chivalrously, leading her into the prelude of their grand adventure.

Liquid flowed in great volume from a lofty mountain face, gushing down into a simply adorned pool. Situated around the immediate area, in various sizes, were large toad statues sculpted in a meditating posture. It was the form assumed when accumulating Senju Energy — an ancient and sacred part of Mount Myōboku's culture.

"And this is the Sacred Oil Fountain — it's where I trained to use Sage Mode," Naruto informed, even as Hinata's eyes flitted to the many fascinating totem statuaries and other attractions surrounding them.

Her excitement amused him.

"Su-Sugoi!" She exclaimed, gazing at the statue of a toad sitting in the pool. It was creatively chiseled holding a leaf over its head, like an umbrella, with oil spilling from its mouth. "This waterfall... is it really all oil?"

"Yup," he grinned playfully, ignoring how bizarre the truth of it was. "I was pretty shocked the first time, too... but when I eventually found how difficult my training here was going to be, I quickly forgot about it."

Hinata's curiosity was still piqued. "In time... did you eventually find out what the oil was for?"

"Yeah, pretty much..." he laced his fingers behind his head nonchalantly. "The oil helped me to become more receptive of Senju Energy during my training. But, if I didn't regulate the energy properly, I would start turning into a toad, which could only be reversed through physical infliction of pain."

"Eh?!" Hinata's eyes widened.

And Naruto laughed. "I recall getting some serious beating from Grandpa Fukasaku when I just started out. But everything worked out in the end."

Taking a right turn from the Sacred Oil Fountain, Naruto led Hinata along a grassy byroad bordered by red, oversized mushrooms and giant water lilies that well towered over their heads. But, by no means, were these massive foliage inconvenient — a matter of fact, the smaller sized toads used them as comfortable beds upon which to relax and sleep.

"Wow, Naruto-kun — look!" She pointed briskly at the large, cone-shaped undergrowth that stemmed from the ground and towered into the sky, like a mountain, overshadowing everything but the bigger mountains that stood farther in the background. The humongous structures had a cascading peak from which fresh water flowed down into the open forestry. "It looks like a cocoon!"

Naruto chuckled, bemused by her innocence and naivete. "I'm pretty sure that was my initial impression, too. But, when I eventually went and explored, it turned out to be the residential structure for the toads. They call it: Myōbokuzan."

"R-Really?" Hinata was surprised, endearingly so. And Naruto watched her carefully — watched how the warm emotions played over her face and how a silky blush crept into her cheeks. "Then those holes I see are the windows, right?"

"Yeah. Even toads need ventilation."

They shared a smile.

Then Naruto took her hand, winning a gasp from his princess's unpainted lips. She spared him a fleeting eye before averting it elsewhere, secretly enjoying the physical contact. "There's somewhere special that I want you to see," Naruto prompted in a soft tone, stirring her nervous even further. "I found it one day after a sparring session with Grandpa Fukasaku..."

As Hinata ambled graciously alongside Naruto, quiet and vigilant of their surroundings, the environment gradually changed into something dark and ominous... then they eventually entered a gray veil of mist. The princess was a bit anxious at first, but when she spied her knight's cool visage, she couldn't help but be reassured there was no need to worry.

In the distance, she could see the outline of a colossal tree towering over a vast expanse of the forest, with many foliage and ferns handing from its limbs. It was the biggest tree she had ever seen in her life. Her Otaku-senses told her it must have been the mother of all trees, but the notion swiftly scattered in the wind as they approached the shadows cast by its giant canopy. With each stride, it was gradually getting darker and lonesome — thicker with undergrowth and trees that knitted close together, like an organic fence.

Hinata couldn't understand why Naruto would bring her to such a dark and gloomy place, but she would confide in him. She knew her fiancé had charm — a magical and addicting flavor that would always wet her appetite and have her inner goddess asking for more. Yes, she knew he had charm and more... so she held back her worrisome questions and kept pacing alongside him.

Naruto heaved a smile. "I came across this place while I was training."

Following his words, the mist dwindled to reveal a lush and surreal world, nestled in the warm embrace of the darkness. All around them, there was a profusion of bioluminescent greenery — those of which they didn't see anywhere else on the island.

Hinata was in a daze, as if she had been spirited away, her eyes widening. With a warm smile, Naruto released her fingers and hovered aside to bask in her evident glee and enchantment. The princess couldn't find the right words. Beaming, like a child, she unfurled her arms and tilted her head, twirling like a ballerina to admire everything around her.

"Naruto-kun... this is so amazing!" She whispered beneath her breath, as if her voice would snatch the light from the verdant meadow around her.

"And it only gets better," he promised.

With a grace that could only be matched by the magic around them, Naruto led Hinata on a quiet adventure. Fireflies followed them as they explored this foreign and exotic paradise in the brush. With each step on the fallen leaves and grass, they would give a fleeting but radiant glow, reverberating with other plant life around them. There were tiny lakes, pounds, and creeks with lovely lights of turquoise, green and purple. Everything around them was alive and interconnected. And Hinata couldn't contain her fascination.

Ignoring her step, she toppled over an open vine, but was quickly rescued before her body could touch the ground. Naruto held her as is, entangled in their customary static electricity. He watched her with breathtaking concentration — adoring the gleam of her eyes, the brush of her hair against flushed cheeks, the curve of her lips, and the alluring column of her throat.

He swallowed.

Before he could act on his emotions, however... on the leaf of a nearby fern, his focus sharpened when he spied a caterpillar in its metamorphosis phase. But it was ensnared in a spider's web and being sucked dry for nourishment by the ruthless predator.

Hinata gasped when he quickly helped her to her feet.

"I just got a really good idea," he exclaimed, gazing unseeingly into the undergrowth as he structured the scheme. "And, if everything goes according to plan, it just might work."

"What do you mean?" Hinata queried. "A plan for what?"

"I'll explain once we meet up with Sakura," he said, then he was touching her and teleporting them both to the girl's side in but a blink of an eye.

"Why do I get the feeling I'll never have my privacy again, so long as I keep this formula of yours on my person?" Sakura said following her surprise.

"Waaaii — it's Naruto-kun!" Gamatsu (What's-His-Face) exclaimed childishly.

Naruto tried to conceal his cringe with a smile.

Sakura was cringing, too.

"Yo, Gamatsu! Long time no see!" Naruto greeted.

"Why did you come here?" The toad asked. "Anyway... gemmie a snack as a present!"

Naruto cringed.

Sakura cringed, as well.

He was tormenting her all this time, wasn't he?

"Sorry, but today I didn't bring anything. I did bring my fiancée, though."

"Hey, hey!" Gamatsu beamed. "What's a fiancée — can you eat it? Is it delicious?"

Sakura cringed.

Naruto threw up a twinkling thumb of confirmation. "You can eat her; there's a unique flavor," he informed frivolously.

"Eh?" Hinata broke out into a sweat.

"Re-Really?" Gamatsu beamed even more, salivating with expectation. "Well, Itadakimatsu!" He murmured gleefully, catapulting his tongue to retrieve his human-sized snack from his Onii-chan.

But Naruto grabbed the slippery ribbon of muscle just in time. "Hey-Hey! Hang on a sec!" He exclaimed, shocked that the toad actually took his joke seriously. "The only one who can eat Hinata is me, her fiancé!" He blurted out in his panic.

The princess was blushing a serious pink by this point, and Sakura pounded Naruto atop the head. "Naruto! More than anyone else, you should understand the dire situation that we're in — and I need to go back to the campsite; we don't have any time to be messing around."

"Well, the tour is basically over, anyway," Gamakichi told her.

"Sakura..." Naruto was serious now, evident by the honorific he deducted from her name. "I have something important that I need you to do, and you're the only one who can do it."

He had everyone's undivided attention now.

"Naruto..." Sakura said in an undertone; his seriousness had her getting nervous. "What is it that you want me to do?"

"We need to incapacitate Kabuto," was all he said.

"Eh?" Hinata responded worrisomely.

"Isn't Kabuto one of the masterminds behind this entire war?" Gamakichi said questioningly, wondering why he would think to go after the king at such an early stage.

Sakura frowned. "Naruto... explain what you're thinking."

"Hold 'dat thought," Fukasaku interjected, hopping onto the scene. "Naruto-chan, there's more ta da elder's prophecy. He told me ta let ya know, on his behalf."

"What did he say?" Naruto demanded.

The minute elder paused to catch his breath, before he attempted to speak. "He said you're not ta kill Kabuto."

Naruto's frown yielded for but a second. "What? And why would I hesitate to kill, Kabuto, if I got the chance?"

"Yeah, why would he?" Sakura questioned, a note of petulance in her tone. "Kabuto is the one controlling Edo Tensei; if we could somehow take care of him, then this war could be one step closer to being over."

Fukasaku clarified by telling them the man needed to be kept alive in order to summon a certain shinobi of tremendous power and skill. It was imperative this shinobi was thoroughly sealed away the moment he was resurrected, to prevent another individual seeking to do evil from summoning him again in the future.

If Kabuto was killed off sooner than later, then there was a possibility another malevolent spirit could walk in his wake, in the future, and re-enact this tragic war. And, worse-case scenario, no one in that era would be powerful enough to subdue the shinobi he would summon through Edo Tensei.

For a moment, there was absolute silence. Everyone was looking to Naruto for a response, but he had his eyes closed and his head hung. No, he wasn't traumatized, nor was he speechless — our orange knight was merely weaving a grand scheme in his mind, taking into account everything that had been said and done in regards to the war.

Finally, his eyes opened — gleaming with renewed conviction. "Sakura," he called her name, not with a request but with a command. "I need you to create a poison — something that Kabuto would be vulnerable to, even if just a little.

Based on what Giant Grandpa Sage said, I'll need to go away for a while — but I don't want to leave the responsibility of protecting everyone up to my clones alone, especially with Granny Tsunade not wanting me out here. With that said, I need to have Kabuto's control over Edo Tensei severed for a while."

Sakura thought about that for a while. "Naruto, I understand what you're saying but — say I do make this poison, how would you even get within a mile of wherever Kabuto's hiding to administer it?"

With a fluent movement of his fingers, Naruto summoned a clone to his side. "For now, just let me worry about that," he said calmly. "You can use this clone to gather whatever supplies you need from both Konoha and the campsite. I think Mt. Myōboku would be the best place to make the drug, with all the exotic plants that are here."

"'Dat's true," Fukasaku agreed. "My wife 'an I know a great deal about medicine 'an da plant types 'dat are here, so we cud aid in da makin' of da drug."

"I'd really appreciate that, thanks." Sakura smiled.

"And, with that, I'll see you guys later," Naruto said, then he and Hinata was gone.

Sakura shrugged her shoulders and sighed. "Naruto... how do you expect me to explain all of this to Shizune-senpai now?"

Kabuto's Reprieve & Naruto's Pilgrimage

"Your little friend here was quite restless while you all were away," Mrs. Hirofumi said quietly, gesturing down at Kurama who, while didn't bear any eyebrows, was obviously frowning.

"Sorry, Pal." Naruto apologized sincerely, briefly patting the back of his head. "Something urgent came up — the very reason why we'll be leaving Fuugetsu right away. Hinata," he cast her his eyes. "Hurry and fetch our belongings."

"Ha-Hai!"

"My bad, Granny Hirofumi... but we'll have to leave a few days earlier than I originally planned."

"That's quite alright," the woman reassured sweetly. "You youngsters now-a-days are constantly on the move. Why, my husband and I were just the same, when we were around your age. Every day was a new adventure!"

"Must have been exciting," Naruto grinned, imagining it.

"Kyaa! That it was. This old lady has had her fill of adventures, mind you." She beamed at the memory. "Since you kids have to go, I'll package lunch so that you can all bring it along with you."

"Thank you, I'd really appreciate that," Naruto said with a smile.

Then the woman was gone — disposing herself to the kind and considerate deed. Once Hinata returned with a curious Kurama atop her head and Mrs. Hirofumi delivered lunch, as promised, Naruto and Hinata said their final farewell and then teleported.

The fresh autumn's breeze gusted across an open greensward, peeling up a few leaves in a harmless whirlwind. The serenity and familiarity made Hinata's heart sag. It was obvious they were no longer at Mount Myōboku, but where exactly had Naruto taken them? Was it possible for navigation go to askew while teleporting — could the technique formula be subjected to flaws?

The princess slowly turned her head around. Behind them, in the far distance, hazy yet familiar, was the lofty skyline of Konohakagure. She had lived in the hidden metropolis for far too long to mistake its arresting and comforting allure.

Before them was a tight-knitted grove, through which Naruto towed them. "I have a surprise for you," was all he said with a look of anticipation.

Following the first few rows of trees — a naturalistic fence of hard, brown wood — the couple eventually came across a quiet glade that nestled a small and attractive cottage within its center. Warm streams of sunlight beamed down onto the structure from the canopies above, coating the building with a fantastical glow that utterly took Hinata's breath away.

A smoking chimney atop the roof; a variety of colorful flowers planted in pottery; a small doghouse at the front; a swing fastened to a limb of a tree astride the house — the princess's femininity crooned in exhilaration. The scenery was so homey, so perfect. She loved and adored it!

Hinata took a step closer and paused, lost in the spectacle. This small house — it couldn't possibly all be there's... could it?

"Surprise!" Naruto exclaimed excitedly, confirming the truth of it when he gesticulated to a signpost that read: Uzumaki's Residence.

For a moment, our Snugglie-Wugglie couldn't quite catch her breath. And she couldn't find the right words to say. "Na-Naruto-kun... this is... when... how did you —"

Smiling, he gently took the hamper from her hand and took a step back, like he always did whenever he wanted to observe her reaction to something new and fascinating. Emotions flickered across Hinata's face, and her eyes sparkled with wonder and curiosity as she pattered toward the cottage and upped the flight of wooden stairs in a flash.

The door opened with a small, but welcoming screech. Inside was quaint in décor. Neighboring the hearth, a large violet rug dominated the center of the living room, a subtle contrast to the dark brown of the lumber paneling the walls. A dining table and chairs sat at a corner, and the kitchen and living room area was separated by a narrow counter. A few tapestries and picture frames hung on the walls, but it was obvious that the cottage was sparsely furnished and adorned.

"Like it?" Naruto said questioningly, his voice suspiciously faint. "I decided I would leave the decorating up to you; since I'm not cut out for that sorta thing." He tousled the back of his head embarrassingly, watching her still.

"Hime..." Kurama whispered, looking back and forth from Naruto surreptitiously. "I don't mean to frighten you, but... I think he's seriously over-exerting himself." His eyes narrowed gravely. "At this rate..."

Before the Bijuu could finish his sentence, they heard as Naruto uttered some form of gibberish before his body hit the plywood, luggage and all.

"Naruto-kun!" Hinata rushed to him.

Kurama was on the floor now, worried and attentive.

"He's running a high fever," the princess said, resting a palm over his forehead. His face was shiny with sweat, his body flushed, breathing quick and uncomfortable. "Ku-Kurama-kun — could you go and fetch some fresh water; we need to bring down his fever right away!"

"Right!" He replied firmly, morphing into his human form before the last of the words could leave his lips. Then he was through the door, like a wild breath of wind.

Brushing off her anxiety-attack, Hinata took a deep breath and summoned her strength. Carefully handling him, she removed his jacket and folded the material, placing it gently underneath his head.

"Naruto-kun," she whispered, dejected as she gazed down at his overheating body. "I should have known," she chided herself quietly. "I was always by your side, so I should've known you were putting yourself under a lot of strain." Her eyes narrowed. "It's just that... you've always been there for me — always known what to say and always doing what must be done, despite the odds. I guess... somewhere along the way... I thought you were invincible. But even the toughest rock and tallest mountain can be vulnerable to the wind, and that's where I come in. I'll give my all to protect you, always..."

Once Kurama returned with a pale of fresh water, Hinata fetched a clean washcloth from her knapsack, which she rinsed, wrung, folded and rested atop Naruto's forehead. Then, she administered some medicine that she also had stowed away. And, within an hour, Naruto's temperature was on a slow decline.

"Looks like his fever has finally broken," Kurama said with relief, having long transformed into his second form and curled into a ball around the young couple — offering comfort, care, and protection.

"Thank goodness," Hinata said with a sigh, looking down onto a complacent Naruto, who was sleeping quite soundly in her lap.

Careful not to stir him from his peaceful slumber, she gently swept her fingers through the golden fringes of his hair, adoring the innocent and carefree visage he wore.

"He did well to hide it for so long," Kurama said in a cool, husky tone, his chin propped up upon crossed arms.

Curiously, the princess pivoted her head around to look at him.

"That Naruto... it must be demanding on his body having so many clones summoned over such an extended period, as well as be using such a high-level jutsu like the Flying God Technique."

Hinata's fingers drifted farther into Naruto's golden mane, her eyes somber, wistful, as she gazed down at him. "I know... I know all that now — but, it's obvious that Naruto-kun is our only chance at winning this war against Madara and Kabuto. And he's the only one who can possibly help Sasuke-kun to regain his morality and walk the right path again; Sakura-san's depending on him for that."

Kurama didn't like to see her frown. "You know all that and yet..."

"I can't bear to see him suffer, Kurama-kun!" She returned ardently, her eyes tightly closed in her frustration. "Sometimes... I feel like begging him to run away with me, but I could never have myself suggest such a selfish thing. And, no matter where we went, Madara would constantly be looking for us. And, his plan for world domination would affect us, too... no matter where we fled."

Moments passed and, when Hinata realized Kurama would not reply, she allowed her mind to drift. Her thoughts staggered and stretched until she was unconsciously weighing truth against reality.

Right there, inside her tummy, something was growing — something special, a miracle, that could only be made by both Naruto and her... together. In just a few months' time, she would be bringing a new life forth into this world.

How bizarre, and yet so spectacular!

The princess could feel an influx of emotions as this foreign ordeal lingered at the forefront of her mind. Would the baby be a boy or a girl — and will it be in full health? What would her family think — Hanabi, Kuwashima, Neji... Hiashi? Would the world be an ideal environment for her child? Did childbirth hurt as much as she imagined?

Hinata was perplexed and strung with trepidation by all the unknowns, but Naruto's support was her solace, her comfort, her wall.

— "Hey, are you crying because you don't believe in me?"

She recalled him saying, whenever she was glum and sobbing.

Slowly, compassionately, the introvert brushed her thumb over the length of her knight's eyebrow, watching how uncharacteristically quiet and motionless he was. This wasn't the energetic and seemingly happy-go-lucky Naruto she was used to being with, and something needed to be done about it.

Perhaps one of her many talents was needed in this crisis.

Dark marbled furnishings, tapestries, floral festoons, foreign designs and concepts — Naruto had even gone and equipped her heaven with a complete set of kitchen tools, utensils, and groceries. The kitchen was the most contemporary part in the house, just for her convenience. And Hinata took her time fawning over both its elaborate decor and Naruto's consideration. Then she preceded to cutting up some vegetables in preparations to cook.

The lunch that Mrs. Hirofumi put together for them was mostly starch and little protein, and there was absolutely no fruits or vegetables. If that was how the woman also fed herself, Hinata was surprised she was in such good health and strength, despite her delicate age.

Rice balls, rice cake, rice porridge, bread rolls, dumplings, roasted fish — the princess sighed at the incongruity of such a meal. It was incomplete, taboo, bland — a brazen insult to health standards and fine dining.

Hinata shivered.

Before she could reach for the sesame oil to grease her frying pan, a pair of hands slowly slipped around her sides and met at her tummy. It was Naruto, and his lips were dangerously close to her sensitive ears, his scent overlapping that of her prepared seasonings.

"Thanks for looking after me," he whispered far too softly, his velvety voice sending shivers down her back and to the soles of her feet.

Hinata pursed her lips, subduing the butterflies in her tummy. Then she breathed — a sweet hot breath through parted lips. "Naruto-kun..."

"No need to worry," he reassured with a smile, noting the hint of worry in her tone. "I'm mostly okay now. I promise..."

She didn't speak. Instead, there was just a telling silence that anchored itself onto Naruto's conscience... urging him to be straight with her.

"I'll be okay," he said with great certitude, gripping her a bit tighter. "I'm sorry, but I don't have the luxury of resting as much as I should, or holding anything back. You know as well as I the magnitude of destruction and chaos this war poses on the world."

"And we must do everything in our power to prevent that from happening, right?"

Naruto could recognize the stifled pain in her words, but he couldn't lie to her that this battle wouldn't take more than they were willing give... and even more so. Steeling his nerves, he swallowed his grief and pressed a hard kiss to the back of her head. "So, what do we have here?" He asked vibrantly, attempting a subject-changer.

Hook. Line, and Sinker.

The princess took the bait, effortlessly nudged into her culinary drive.

"I'm preparing some stir-fried vegetables to go with the lunch Mrs. Hirofumi prepared for us. But, before I can get into that, the first thing that a coordinated food preparation connoisseur must abide by is the concept of mise en place."

"And what's that?" Naruto asked curiously.

"It basically means pre-preparation and organization before one starts to cook," she gestured to all the equipment and prepped ingredients with which her food item would be made — everything gathered to guarantee a swift, tidy, and fluent workflow.

"Mmm. Impressive..."

Vaguely aware of his arms still around her body, Hinata geared into action, gingerly fetching a bowl of cabbage from the counter. "I already greased my frying pan with oil, which is now hot, so I will start adding my ingredients."

Naruto was keenly paying attention.

"First off, I'll add the purple cabbage. I'll be adding some white cabbage, too — but since the purple cabbage is tougher than the white, I'll give it a head start."

Having negative zero aptitude for the art and science of cooking, Naruto looked on in wonder as the vegetable sizzled under the pressure of the hot liquid. Once the heat and steam had softened its fibers a tad, Hinata added the white cabbage, followed by julienned sweet peppers and carrots and diced onions and celery, stirring as she went. Then, after adding pack choy with a measure of salt, black pepper, butter, and a pinch of garlic powder, she added the sauces: soy, teriyaki and hoisin.

Naruto unconsciously released her and took a cautionary step back, when Hinata lifted the frying pan by the handle from the stove and began tossing the vegetables, consequently sparking a marvelous flame that danced upward from the open pan.

Skillfully mixing all the ingredients and thoroughly distributing the heat to induce even cooking, the princess's mission was complete. And, through the rising heat and aromatic steam, Naruto could only watch her — admiring the woman in her natural environment, awestruck by her finesse and refined technique. This was her passion, her domain, and no one held as much contentment and control than she did in his moment.

"That was amazing..." Naruto finally said, his voice a mixture of excitement and admiration. But, before the princess could turn to face him, she felt something hard and alive at the base of her back, once Naruto held her from behind again. His lips brushed her ear. "While we're on the topic of fine cuisine, why don't I tell you what I'd like to served..."

Hinata swallowed.

It had only been a few seconds, but her nerves were already flaring — her body growing hot, skin flushed, and she pursed her lips and closed her eyes as his large hands caressed her tummy. Then they slithered slowly and affectingly down her thighs and back up again.

"My lips would serve as the appetizer," he prompt in a far too velvety voice as he nipped her ear lobe with knowing effectiveness. "The main course would be your sweet 'n sour chicken with pumpkin rice and a side of salad." Hinata gasped, both by his suggestive references and the way his capable hands cupped and fondled her vulnerable breasts. "Then, finally, desert would be me... you... my hard dick... your wet vagina... and hours of fucking!"

Naruto released her abruptly, and her breasts fell and shook erotically as he took a step back. The princess's poor heart was a hurricane in her chest, and her breaths escaped her lips, like a typhoon. Her body was breaking out into a sweat, her center hot and swollen with a crave for what he had described to her.

With a needy and purposeful glow in half-lidded eyes, Hinata covered her frying pan. Then she steeled her nerves through the rush of her arousal and returned into the wall of his chest, wishing they were already naked and him, plunging hard and deep into the delicious depths of her core.

She blushed fiercely at the thought, but managed to coil her arms around him desperately, apologizing in advance for the selfish request she was about to made.

She wanted him to make love to her.

"I... I'll do all the work!" She corrected nervously, failing miserably at hiding the pink blush that stained her cheeks. But she went on to reassure him only energy from his waist down would be strained.

Either way, Naruto wouldn't mind at all; he was amused and eager. Despite whatever toll sex would have on him, he was more than willing to make love to his girlfriend, to stretch and burn her until they were both drained and content.

Hinata sighed.

Against the hearty wall of his chest, she could feel his awesomeness, his courage, his pride, his commitment, his strength, his love, and his fidelity — all these merits combined created a heady cocktail from which the princess was hopelessly drunk. She was love-struck and needy, and it wasn't long before they were on the floor, cloths puddled around them, as if they had been undressed by the wind.

Naruto was sprawled out on his back, abs perfectly chiseled across his stomach as he arched his torso to look up at her. Meanwhile, as nervous as his smoldering gaze made her, Hinata was hovering over him, particularly enchanted by his member throbbing wildly across his navel.

On a breath spurred on by her raging hormones, she reached for his length and slowly pulled it backwards. It was hot... hard... rigid, and rebellious, and Hinata could only imagine the delicious chaos such a marvelous weapon would unravel inside her.

She sighed amorously.

Brushing locks of hair behind ear, the princess lowered herself to take him into her mouth. Her core pulsated vigorously at the nostalgic feeling and, even more so as she nestled him farther. She reversed and sucked his tip moistly, and Naruto groaned her name in his delight, suspense building up a storm in his loins. But Hinata didn't cease her slow and magnificent torture — she washed over him with meticulous strokes and kisses, like a tantalizing storm, building his need as she did her own, until they both could stand no more.

With a sinuous movement that etched itself in his mind's eye, Hinata skillfully maneuvered over him, rubbing her clitoris with his hard crest before taking her seat, stretching herself with the hard, lean length and width of his capable steel. The couple both sighed their exhilaration, the heat of their passion, the rush of pleasure, then Hinata tilted her head skyward and trembled vigorously as her peaking suspense made way for a most violent and satisfying orgasm.

"Nhhhhhhhhh!" She leaned forward as the waves continued to overwhelm and weaken her.

In her moment of high, she pushed the creamy curve of her breasts onto his face, giving him the privilege of sucking and nipping her nipples, even as her center squeezed and caressed his hungry cock, stretching and caressing her in return.

"Naruto-kun!" She moaned, her body hot and melting.

In her favorite loveseat, Hinata's inner goddess was watching their intimate interaction on her new flat screen television, stroking and caressing herself — always eager to be thrown, like a ragdoll, into pleasure's dark and addictive embrace.

Despite their arrangement, Naruto couldn't resist the demanding roars of his testosterones, his masculinity, and his sheer possessiveness. Reaching forward, like a famished and ravenous beast, he cupped the firm curves of her behind with his large hands and began thrusting his hips with delicious purpose.

"Nhh-Ahh!" the princess didn't complain, nor would she stop him.

Automatically — her legs astride him — she hoisted her body, allowing him to fluently dominate her, and Naruto didn't hesitate to capitalize on her generous offer. He squeezed her silky butt cheeks in his excitement, rendering her alabaster skin a lovely pink. His scrotum was taut in his arousal, filled with an abundance of his hot, rich seed — little white miracles with the sole purpose of procreation.

And he continued to trust in and out of her, mesmerized by her feminine screams, possessed by the heavenly feel of her — the heat, the moisture, the texture, the friction. With each push, he brought himself closer to the looming edge, desperate to take her along with him.

Then, finally, he stilled with a throaty groan... pushing deep, pouring himself into her — and Hinata flung her head back as the hot fluid invaded her. Time slowed to this glorious moment: her eyes closed; locks of hair danced and sparkled; her breasts bounced; and her fingers clenched. The powerful sensation induced another rippling orgasm, and the princess fell to a spell of hyperventilation, vibrating violently above her incredible knight, sinking her nails into him.

Then falling as a mass of jell-o against his heaving chest.

Time passed. The couple's pulse normalized, and they snuggled together, sprawled out on the kitchen floor, hopelessly lost in the afterglow of a Naruhina Moment.

"Naruto-kun..." Hinata said, her head resting comfortably on his forearm.

"Do you remember that day —" Naruto interjected softly — "when we left the village for the hot spring country?"

"Hn!" She nodded, seeking his eyes.

"I left a bunch of my Kage Bunshin here, and using what they had learnt from the construction workers and the carpenters, I had them make us this cottage. I wanted it to serve as a commemoration of us getting together — but, after all that's happened between us, I think its value is far more now... don't you agree?"

He didn't wait for a response. "I'm sorry for jumping the gun like that; I just wanted to do something special for you... for us. I was going to surprise you, after the war, but I couldn't wait — and I think there needs to be a grander surprise and celebrations, after the war."

The cottage consisted of four bedrooms, a veranda, and a back porch, which nudged Hinata to ask, with a blush, if Naruto wanted to have three kids. With a hearty laugh that jerked them both, he explained he wanted two kids, and that the extra room was just for guests. Surely Sakura, Sasuke, and Kurama would like to have their individual rooms, when they came over to visit. And Hinata beamed at the thought of that.