A/N: Alright, first off I have to apologize for the extended absence, a friend of mine passed away and I had some other stuff going on personally and just couldn't find motivation to write. The good news is that I have recently felt the inkling to pick this back up, and I have a new, better (in my opinion) direction to take it. So, without further ado, the next chapter.
Naruto was lounging on the bank of a river not far from Konoha, with an arm draped over his eyes when he heard the sound of footsteps. He didn't feel the need to move or address the newcomer, as he knew it was his usual visitor.
The visitor sat down beside the redhead silently, and leaned back on her elbows with a content sigh. They sat in relative silence, taking in the peaceful atmosphere for a while before she spoke up. "How much longer do you think you'll be here before you're sent away as well?"
"I'll be heading out for a bit in another month or two, why do you ask? Upset about the lack of time you can spend with Kurama?" Naruto asked with a smirk.
Hanabi smacked his arm and retorted in a slightly irritated voice, "Maybe… but I'm also worried about you and Hinata, you'll be doing ANBU missions, and we won't get to see you often." Her voice got softer as she continued on, "what if you…" Hanabi trailed off and looked away. When she didn't get an answer she turned around and came face to face with Naruto.
"Baka," he chastised, and flicked her in the forehead. It was a common occurrence with the two, and always seemed to have the desired effect of stopping her train of thought. He continued despite her glare, "I'm sure that isn't the reason you really came. Give me your hand, I'll connect you."
A smile lit up her face as she placed her hands in his. "Uzumaki Sealing Arts: Mind Palace!" he spoke, and a bright orange chakra enveloped the pair. Hanabi let out a little squeal as she delved into Naruto's inner world.
As Naruto kept the jutsu active for Hanabi to spend time with Kurama, he thought back about the last few months. After his return from Suna, Hinata had been assigned a long-term recon mission to prepare for the upcoming war. Naruto was worried about the boredom, but Hanabi had started to visit the day after Hinata left. He had a feeling Hinata had requested she keep him company as his secluded nature would keep him separated from most. Hanabi was happy to oblige as she had been extremely fond of Kurama and would get to spend more time with him as a result. Naruto came to expect daily visits from the younger Hyuuga. She would keep him company, half the time in relative silence, and the other half with random topics or questions she had. Sometimes she even had him help her with her training. At the end of the day he would send her to his inner world, and she would spend as much time as she could with Kurama. Naruto didn't mind maintaining the jutsu, as it drains very little chakra and it gives Kurama some company. He could also hear everything going on in his inner world, and could tell that Kurama had taken a particular liking to Hanabi, even more-so than Hinata. He reasoned it was because Hanabi seemed more interested in Kurama than Hinata was, but hell if he could understand what went through that foxes head.
When Naruto pulled Hanabi out of his inner world, she noticed that the sun was already half set. "It is getting late, and I'm sure your father is wanting you to return to the compound," he said in answer to her questioning gaze.
She nodded and stood, offering her hand to pull the redhead to his feet as well. "Thanks," he said. "And thank you for the company today, I appreciate it, as always," he added.
"I'm sure I enjoy it more than you do, thank you for linking me with Kurama. Tomorrow we will do some training if you want, it has been a couple days." Naruto nodded, and with a smile Hanabi disappeared in a swirl of leaves.
"She is getting good at that, I could hardly hear any air disturbance as she left," Naruto spoke out loud.
'Indeed. She will surpass most of the kunoichi in this village, kit.' Kurama replied.
"You sure that isn't just your favouritism speaking?" Naruto jested with a smirk.
'Probably, I am fond of her. Treat her well kit.'
"What do you… already napping again I see," Naruto sighed out. "Well, I guess I should report to Tsunade, it's been a week or two since I last got an update." He disappeared in a flash of red.
Appearing inside he Hokage's office, Naruto quickly ducked to avoid the book hurled at his face. "Good evening to you too, Hokage-sama," Naruto said sarcastically, moving in to a bow from his ducked position.
"I tell you every time to put your damned seal outside the office, OUTSIDE! Do you not understand what that means?" She replied, irritation clear in her voice. "Anyways, I'm glad you showed up, I have a task for you."
"Personal or ANBU?" He asked as he straightened himself, losing his playful smirk and adopting the signature stone-cold ANBU face.
"Both. Jiraiya has discovered the location of a long-lost Uzumaki temple, and he believes it might hold some answers about your doujutsu. You'll leave tonight and meet up with Jiraiya and Hinata's team at the temple. Jiraiya is currently extracting her team from Ame. I want you to evaluate the intel. Any questions?"
"Who is in Hinata's team? And why are you having them rendezvous with me instead of heading straight back here?" Despite his yearning to see Hinata after the 3 month separation due to her mission, but he knew she was on a recon mission and the intel she was carrying would no doubt be valuable.
"Hinata's teammates are Neji Hyuuga, Rock Lee, and TenTen. They will have valuable intel to report, so I want you to assess the information and decide if you need to investigate further. They have been gathering intel on Ame and the situation there. Evaluate it and make a decision. You and Jiraiya are the most knowledgable about the upcoming war, so I want you to run point on this. The temple Jiraiya found is a few days away from Ame anyways, so you will be in the area if any additional actions are required." Naruto nodded, the plan made sense.
"Very well, is that all?" he asked. Tsunade nodded, handing him his assignment scroll. Naruto read it quickly before rolling it up. He unsealed his ANBU mask, bowed and disappeared in a flash.
Naruto had no need to pack for the mission, as everything he needed was sealed in his containment seals. He appeared behind the Hyuuga compound, and silently entered, making his way to Hiashi's study. Before he could knock, the door opened, revealing Hiashi, with Hanabi seated inside the study at a table. Hiashi took note of the mask, and silently allowed him entry.
As he retook his seat, he focused on the owl ANBU agent before him. "I am assuming this is urgent, what can I do for you Owl?" he asked.
Naruto bowed curtly before addressing both of the room's occupants. "I have been given this," he said, handing Hiashi the mission scroll. Hiashi read through it quickly, and when he finished he took a glance at Naruto before bringing the scroll over a candle, igniting it.
"I see, thank you for informing me. What is the time frame?"
"Two weeks at the least, a couple months at most. I will return before the war starts."
Hiashi nodded, "very well, if there isn't anything else you are dismissed." Naruto nodded and flashed out of the study. After he left, Hinabi stood and sent a pleading look at her father. He nodded as she disappeared in a swirl of leaves.
Hanabi appeared behind the Hyuuga compound, and stopped behind the tall redhead. The moonlight gave the black-garbed figure an ominous glow when accompanied with the red hue of his hair.
Hanabi walked up to the figure silently and hugged him from behind. He placed a comforting hand on her arm before she spoke. "Bring them back safely ok? And come back in one piece yourself." Naruto nodded before flaring Kurama's chakra slightly, letting it linger on her hands as he disappeared in a flash. Hanabi smiled at the comfort Kurama's chakra provided her. "I really have become fond of that fox, haven't I?" She asked the darkness.
"It seems so, and in doing so you have proven yourself a much better person than I," Hiashi spoke as he exited the shadows. "Come, you should get some sleep. Hinata and Neji will be fine, when has Naruto ever failed at protecting what he cares about?" He asked, motioning with he hand for Hanabi to follow.
"I know, it's not them I am worried about. This war is going to be more dangerous for him than anyone else," Hanabi replied, allowing her father to lead her inside. Hiashi opted to stay silent as he led Hanabi back into the compound.
A/N: There it is, a bit short but I wanted to get something out to let y'all know I'm still around. Added a bit of development with Naruto and Hanabi in this chapter, as I want to develop their friendship. I think they make good friends as Hanabi has an isolated nature, just like Naruto.
Anyways let me know what you guys think, and don't forget to drop me a review or a pm. Again, sorry for the long wait. Cheers.