NS vs NH and SS
Ultiimately, I believe that NaruSaku will happen as long as Kishimoto has control over the story. He has devoted over a decade to building the relationships between the characters, and to have evolved NaruSaku to this point without canonizing it would be very disappointing to me. Not to mention, that it would go against some of the positive themes that this manga is based on. I've been thinking about this alot since Sakura and Hinata made their appearances a couple of weeks ago and here is what I came up with.
We all know the development of NaruSaku since the beginning, and I feel the very first full spread introducing team 7 illustrates where Kishi is taking us. In that image, Sakura is inside Bunta's coat, shading her eyes, blushing, looking at Naruto from afar. I believe that this symbolizes the fact that Naruto is meant to be with her, but she can't quite see it. Using the bench scene Kishi masterfully set up one of the major struggles in the relationships portion of the manga, making Sakura think that Sauske was the one that truly understood her, when in fact it was Naruto. From that point, Naruto is slowly revealed to be that person. However, somewhere in Sakura's subconcious mind she goes back to that false beginning, and until the truth is revealed, I don't think Naru Saku will happen.
This is where I feel that the the redemption of Sauske becomes vital. Sakura must be allowed to make a true choice, without pressure of "doing what is right." Naruto won't tell her how he feels, unless he is convinced that her feelings are unforced and completely genuine. He also won't bring up the bench scene himself in that scenario. Sauske himself may end up being the one to reveal the truth to Sakura. The only other plausible situation that comes to my mind is that Naruto indirectly makes Sakura realize the truth by making the comment about her forehead again because A. he feels he is heading to his death or B. he is dying. I see these as less likely alternatives as things are happening so fast now. Naruto must face off against the fake Madara and Sauske who may soon receive some trump card thanks to the legacy of Orochimaru. The only thing that he might have time for is to reveal reason he must face Sauske alone to the other rookies. I also don't feel that Naruto is certain of his own death, only that he must withstand all of Sauske's hatred and make him let it go. The Naruto death scene will only take place if the 9 tails is extracted. This one may be slightly more likely as Kishimoto made a point to demonstrate that Uzamaki's don't die directly after a tailed beast is extracted (this one also involves Tsunade performing Chiyo's reanimation technique, which she was able to recreate based on Sakura's description, leading to the rebirth of the 7th hokage and the new sage of the 6 paths, great opportunity for Naruto to meet the sage himself as well). Yet Naruto himself has said many times "I won't die until I become Hokage." so yeah unlikely.
I think Hinata was added as a character that would acknowledge Naruto's strengths in part 1. Let's face it, there was a large portion of part one where Naruto looked out of his league, inferior to Sauske. In order keep readers engaged. Hinata's thoughts concentrated on the Naruto that would slowly reveal himself to the ninja world. However, in part 2, Sakura begins seeing Naruto in the same light. So why keep Hinata engaged in the story?
Sakura and Hinata represent two very different personalities. Sakura represents an assertivve personality with potential for growth and change. Hinata represents a shy withdrwn personality with the potential to break out. Obviously these two personalities are meant to be a reflection of what many of us are or encouter in our lives. That is why some so adamantly insist that Naruto and Hinata should end up together. Her feelings for Naruto remain unchaged since the beginning. So with Hinata's popularity and her current emotional state how does Kishi write a NaruSaku ending?
I think that the answer lies in the fact that NaruHina fans aren't so dead set on that ending as they are Hinta being happy. There's still a war going on, and a lot can happen to change her mind. My hope is that Hinata's most major character development is supporting and encouraging NaruSaku. She has observed Naruto as well as anyone and must have noticed his feelings for Sakura. Let's face it, if Sai can, she can. Therefore, if an end comes and she sees that Naruto has a chance for true happiness with Sakura, because she loves him, she would let him go. I can't think of a much more selfless and character defining moment for her than that. In order for this to happen though, Kishimoto must first introduce an alternate scenario for her happy ending. Perhaps with Kiba, perhaps with Neji, or a complete unkown may yet still emerge.
Ah... had to get that out. Not much Naruto discusion at my house and where I work...