Say it.

Once again thank you for the reviews and I don't know why I named the last chapter like I did, I'm obviously losing it in my old age... it was my birthday last week!

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Sitting in his watchtower Naruto grinned to himself, he couldn't help it. He'd been grinning all day. When he'd left Hinata in the morning she'd only just been able to sleepily return his kiss before rolling over and going back to sleep, for once he was extremely grateful to the fox that made sleep a little less necessary and his stamina incredible. His first stop had been the ramen stand, he'd been so cheerful that Ayame had been very suspicious and had questioned him quite a lot, he'd fobbed her off with a quick excuse that Hinata was showing signs of improvement. So happy was he that even as he went grocery shopping a task that bored the hell out of him he'd grinned, even when he was forced to rewrite his report he'd grinned making the hokage equally suspicious... of course she'd been able to interpret his excuse into what had really happened and had spent the rest of the day teasing him but even that had failed to knock the smile from his face.

Last night had been AMAZING!

Hinata had told him during one of the intermissions between sex that they needed to talk about the seal but he had been all too ready to take her again and had agreed that they'd discuss it later. Much later! All in all he'd made love to his sweet little girlfriend nine times last night, impossible for most men but for a jinchurikki just a bit tiring... well actually he could normally only manage five times but he'd been in such a state after not having Hinata for six weeks that he couldn't help himself, sleeping next to her every night was nice but damned arousing as she would make cute noises in her sleep and occasionally mutter his name.

As he tried to concentrate on the evening sky before him Naruto tried to avoid remembering last night, he only had an hour or so more to work before he was back home to her anyway and he had several repeats planned. Instead he wondered what would happen when he returned home tonight. No doubt they'd talk about her seal and she'd probably want to know what progress he'd made, unfortunately even after six weeks of studying day and night he'd still been unable to discover anything of any value. His first thought had been an alteration of the seal but the seal was too defined, there would be no way of adapting it without killing Hinata. Next he'd looked into the legality of the situation, unfortunately that had been a total two weeks wasted. Not only were the Hyuga's well within their right to seal Hinata but they had managed over the years to ensure that the activation of the seal was never questioned, either the Branch Hyuga were too afraid to tell the truth or the elders managed to make it look as though the activation was justifiable not only for their clan but also for the village. Hiashi had broken the rules by sealing Hinata and making her unable to work but the Hokage only had the power to fine them for such an act, the fine was well within the Hyuga's monetary scope so they would pay without even noticing it. Right now the only way to protect Hinata was too keep her out of sight. As long as she was at Naruto's recuperating they would not be able to touch her, of course the moment she was returned to active duty they could do what they like and make it seem as though Hinata had been a threat to them... Naruto had already arranged with Tsunade to extend Hinata's recovery limit on her charts making her seem defenceless for longer but that wouldn't work forever. Breaking the law was for too easy on this one.

Naruto knew that legally he hadn't a leg to stand on and even if he did do something legally it didn't protect Hinata completely.

He needed to find a way to block the use of the seal. That was his new plan, it had occurred to him the night before last, a new seal needed to be added. This new seal would stop the activation of the current seal but would not alter it in anyway. This would mean that the Hyuga's bloodline limit would still be destroyed after death so they would be unable to fight his new seal but it would block the control the Hyuga's had. He'd left a clone studying today, he was not going to quit on this one, he had always been interested in the Hyuga's and had looked into the seal before but he was desperate now. Hiashi hated him and if he could force Hinata to leave him he would, in fact if he could hurt Hinata just to make Naruto suffer he had a feeling that he would.

No a new seal was needed and to do that he would need help. He had already sent a message to the only man he trusted to help him and he hoped he would soon receive a reply.

*~*~*

Talking to Naruto's clones was an odd experience, Hinata felt as though she was talking to a different person but at the same time he would flirt with her and drop loving kisses on her person. It made her feel like she was cheating on Naruto but as the clone pointed out he would receive all his memories when he was dispelled and besides... he had all Naruto's memories especially last nights. As he said that her face had burned with one of her famous blushes and she'd been unable to have a proper conversation with the clone for at least an hour... it was like someone had been watching them and could now tease her about it...no matter how hard she tried Hinata would always see Naruto as a separate entity from his clones.

She had slept most of the day away, Naruto had left her at around lunch time with reports to get done and training to fit in before his shift at the tower and she hadn't awoken till the evening when he would be just starting work. Hinata couldn't understand how he had been able to wake up at all, she had been so exhausted even after getting in eight hours of sleep Now she and the clone were pouring over the research and it surprised her how much had been done. it was similar to her own research, at first Naruto had followed the same path as her although she'd never looked into the legality of the seal. The seal had always been there so she had never thought to question the Hyuga's right to use it. Of course he'd scrapped that idea but pat of her would like to continue that research. Naruto's current focus was on her but once they had discovered how to help her she'd like to have the law on her side when she helped everyone else.

His current plans were interesting though, she'd never managed to get away from the complete removal of the seal, her research had always been to stop the process entirely but the addition of a second seal was the perfect compromise and if a seal could be developed that only prevented the removal of the eyes and the use of the limit after death then it would help her when she finally brought her case forward, in fact it could be something that other clans with bloodline limits might like to use. Most clans with a gift like the Byakugan feared the theft of their abilities and a seal that would stop anyone from being able to steal those abilities would mean that she would have the backing of many clans.

She offered the clone a meal but he didn't need to eat, she didn't feel right eating in front of him but unlike her or Naruto the clone had no need of sustenance. She had been surprised to find the fridge fully stocked as she had been sure she needed to shop but a sweet note informed her that Naruto had done it for her, she blushed at the postscript that informed her she needed to be well fed as he fully intended to exhaust her all over again tonight.

She was just standing near the fridge hoping the cool air would help her blush fade when a heavy pounding sounded at the door. She wanted to activate her Byakugan to ensure that it was not a Hyuga clan member but was under strict instructions not to use any chakra until Tsunade cleared her for it. The clone solved the situation by yelling to the door and asking who was there

"Open the damn door Gaki"

"Damn it" the clone got up and walked over to the door slowly, he had been expecting this visitor for sometime but Naruto had been hoping it would be him that met him not a clone.

"Hey there Naruto!" Jiraiya ruffled the clones hair as he entered the apartment, Clone Naruto sighed and ran a hand through his hair. It annoyed him sometimes that Jiraiya and Tsunade still treated him like a kid, on the other hand it was kind of nice, it made him feel like a part of a family. "So what's all this I hear about you shacking up with the Hyuga heiress?"

"I'm a clone old man" the blond hit Jiraiya in the arm as he indicated Hinata "And yes Hinata and Naruto are living together. Hinata you've met the pervert right?"

"Uh… yes" Hinata nodded with a nervous smile "Hello Jiraiya-sama" her innate politeness meant that she would treat Jiraiya with the utmost respect and her knowledge of his strength meant she was a little in awe of the older man but she was on guard. Naruto had told her many funny stories about his trips with his sensei but each story had hit home how perverted Jiraiya was.

"Well hello my dear I am…"

"We have work to do" Naruto cut in before more could be said. He knew that Jiraiya would at least be a little subtle but his conversation would filled with double entendre's and innuendo plus he really didn't want to sit through another one of Jiraiya's grand introductions.

"You do realise that a sanin affiliated with the Hokage really shouldn't be helping you cause a major disruption in the Hyuga clan."

"And you do realise that I have more dirt on you than every single person in this village combined"

"I regret nothing and have nothing to hide"

"Not even the redhead in the county spring resort…?"

"SO!" Jiraiya interrupted rubbing his hands together and chuckling "How about I take a look at what you've done so far."

*~*~*

"Hina-honey?" Naruto frowned as he got home, the apartment was silent and aroma free. Usually Hinata had something cooking for him when he got home, it wasn't that he expected it from her but the absence of sound and smell worried him "Hinata!" running throughout the apartment Naruto was in a state of panic when he didn't find his girlfriend, he was about to run to Tsunade and get her to send out search parties when he noticed a note in the middle of the kitchen table

Naruto

I'm sorry that we are not going to be home when you get here, Jiraiya insisted on going to the Hokage's library for a little while. If you come join us I will sort out your meal there,

I love you

Hinata

Sighing in relief Naruto smiled at the note, he couldn't help but be relieved that Hinata was alright and the knowledge that Jiraiya was finally here made him feel even more at ease.

Instead of going straight to the Hokage tower Naruto made a little detour via Ichiraku's ramen stand. He knew that Hinata would insist on making him something when he got to them but he didn't like to take her for granted. When he walked into the library raised voices were arguing heatedly and he grinned to himself as he walked towards the source of the argument.

"If this is done like this then death by the seal would be impossible!"

"They have thought about that, if you look at the points here and here you'll be able to see where they placed counter measures" Hinata exclaimed sounding very frustrated.

Angry at having a young girl pointing out his mistakes so easily Jiraiya began to yell back at her "I'm merely saying that the disconnection of this point from this point could mean the difference between slight pain and all out control."

"Slight pain?" Hinata responded getting angrier by the second "Have you ever seen this being used on someone."

"I have actually and I know the thing they feared the most was impending death from seal activation!"

"If the pain remains then death is still highly probable, the pain lessens the ability to fight back disabling the Hyuga and making death an inevitability"

"I'm just saying if we start small…"

"This is something that could cause a civil war within the clan, there is no starting small!"

"Naruto's Back!" the clone who had been sitting looking from Jiraiya to Hinata in complete surprise was more than happy to be dispelled, in fact he willingly whacked his head against the table and disappeared in a cloud of smoke. Naruto almost dropped his armload of takeout as memories of the day poured into his brain, he couldn't help but grin as he witnessed Hinata slowly losing her respect for the sanin and even the start of their current argument "How about a little food and we all take a break?" Naruto asked holding up the warm ramen as a peace offering.

"Fine" Hinata agreed walking up and planting a soft kiss on Naruto's cheek "But I would have gone to Ichiraku's myself"

"I know, but I guessed you'd have been studying all day"

"I'm going to go wash my hands" Hinata walked away purposefully leaving Naruto to greet his godfather alone.

"Hey Jiraiya" Naruto grinned at the old man but thanks to the clones memories it felt weird saying hello again "So, you've met my girlfriend."

"She's beautiful, nice little body on her, very respectful when I first met her, cute and a good cook but then…" Jiraiya frowned and shook his head "She's also stubborn, opinionated, and treats me with no respect"

"You like her then huh?"

"If I were a few years younger"

"You've never let that stop you before" Naruto chuckled at the white haired man's disgruntled expression.

Jiraiya growled looking over to where Hinata was now returning form the bathrooms "She's like Tsunade only she's nicer when she's in a good mood."

Naruto nodded and smiled to himself, Hinata had two sides, one very adorable and charming, the other strong willed and actually a little scary very few people had ever made her mad enough to show it, he personally had seen it twice, once when Kiba had made her believe Naruto didn't care about her and the other time during a fight where he himself had been hurt.

*~*~*

Jiraiya remained in the library after Naruto and Hinata left, he had a clone for company and a lot of work to do. Naruto however carried Hinata home, she argued that she was perfectly able to walk herself but didn't make any real effort to get out of his arms.

"Naruto?"

"Yes?"

"Well…. About the research you were doing. Why didn't you tell me?"

"I didn't want to get your hopes up, I'm not exactly a genius about these things I just kinda… make it up sometimes. Of all the people to change the Hyuga I gotta say I'm the most unlikely…" Hinata placed a hand over his mouth.

"Not to me, I truly believe you can do anything you set your mind too."

Naruto's own eyes filled with tears now "You really believe that?"

"Yes, but sometimes you will need help with what you do and we're a couple Naruto, I'm the first person you should turn to for help."

"Because you're my girlfriend?"

"No…. well yes, but mainly because I've wanted rid of that seal since I was seven years old. But like I told your clone I've done a heck of a lot of research on it myself and some of the stuff I know can only be found in the Hyuga library… are you listening to me?" Hinata asked frowning at Naruto, he had a slightly distracted expression on his face "Naruto!"

"You look cute in that" Naruto told Hinata with a smile, she tilted her head to one side and gave him a questioning look "The chunin vest," he informed her. It had been a long time since she'd worn her shinobi clothes, he'd forgotten how well they suited her.

She knew he was just changing the mood as they were getting closer to his apartment but she shrugged "I just disappoint my father because I haven't excelled further" Hinata sighed as she was carried along by her boyfriend, it was painful at times to talk about her father. It was almost as if Naruto could sense her pain and his lips tenderly touched her forehead. Turning to look at him she gave him a shy smile. They continued on their way noting the occasional sharp looks and double takes that came from the people they passed.

Naruto sighed to himself, he had never really thought about how much revealing their relationship would lower Hinata's standing in the world, he was just beginning to feel really depressed when Hinata, noticing his mood, moved her lips closer to his ear and whispered.

"I want you Naruto"

Naruto broke out into a run, he needed to get her home soon or else he'd be very tempted to duck them both into the nearest alleyway.

Hinata grinned, she'd finally managed to find a way of handling him and she was going to use it as much as possible.

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Please R&R