Hey guys! Sorry about the wait, I've been busy for a while now and haven't had any real time to recuperate enough to really be in the right mind-set to write. I'm also afraid to say that my update timing will be off for the foreseeable future because of my schedule getting tighter with school and sports up and coming. But fear not! I don't ever plan on abandoning a story! I do apologize as well for not being able to make the chapter longer. I felt that I must have something out for you guys by this time, and with limited scope I don't have many options.

Anyways, on with the show!

Flustered, Hanabi yelled, "I don't need a hug!"

Naruto just smiled. The Hyuuga's were a sort that he knew about from long ago. They were, from Haku's teaching's, rather cold and taught to always keep their composure and to never show outward emotion. And from what Haku had told him, they had branded their branch family with seals that would ultimately cause their death's, if they dis-obeyed.

So he had an idea. "I bet you do. I doubt that many at home give you one and from what I've observed from just watching you I think you have a lot of stress on you." Naruto said gently grabbing her shoulders. She made no move to resist. By the way her eyes moved Hanabi was thinking quickly.

The class behind them all sat in complete silence, waiting for Hanabi's answers. Konohamaru especially—he had a crush on her.

Finally, Hanabi hesitated and did something her sister did more often than not, she stuttered, "I d-don't want a-a hug!" Her voice went shallow as tears made their way down her small pale cheeks. Her small body shuddered under the embarrassment as she lowered her head in submission. Naruto threw his arms around the girl and whispered subtly in her ears sweet nothings as he gently pulled her into a light hug only to be deepened as Hanabi began to cry harder.

Burrowing her head into his jacket she attempted to muffle out her own cries. The only thing that made it better was the contact with him. Physical contact. And each second that passed was like a weight was being lifted off of her shoulders. She shuddered a bit in his grasp. If her father ever found out about this she wouldn't even be considered for head when Hinata turned down the title!

Pushing away Hanabi tried to collect herself before his arms pulled her back in. His mouth came forward and brushed her forehead. "I know what you're thinking. It's about what the clan would think right?" She nodded slowly. "Well forget about them for now."

He raised his voice to meet the ears behind Hanabi, "Do not utter a single syllable about what happened here today!" Naruto roared hollowly, he just wasn't good at acting the tough guy, "Understand!"

All of the students nodded swiftly.

Hanabi regarded herself stiffly as she blushed. It wasn't often when she would be defended like that, and when she was it was by the branch family guards fearing for their lives if they didn't. The golden haired teenager in front of her could very well have black-mailed her if he wished for the rumor to get out. It touched her, slightly.

Was her teaching's wrong?

Naruto smiled back down to her. "There. Problem solved." He gestured for Haku and Tenten. "Do you see these beautiful girls behind me?"

She nodded, both were wearing masks. The only way to tell the apart was by their hairstyles and even then that wasn't much to go off of. One simple change in hairstyles and no one would know.

"Yes."

He nodded. "These girls are my family." Naruto wrapped an arm around either of them. "And I would like to extend an invitation for you to join."

Hanabi bucked her head and Konohamaru's eyes widened. He'd said that loud enough. Fingering his own mask hidden behind him he played with the slit eye hole. When Naruto asked that same question to him he'd immediately said yes, he could only hope Hanabi did the same.

Sadly, Hanabi shook her head. The prospect was valuable, but she just didn't know the people well enough. "I'm so-"

"It's ok." Naruto said rubbing the sides of her shoulders he kissed the top of her head again before bowing to Iruka and leaving, his team-mates in tow.

"Well, it doesn't look like we're going to be getting any presentations today." Iruka muttered, "Okay class, back to work."

As they exited the building Naruto held a content smile on his face. Haku only noticed by peeking over, and from the way Tenten stood would mean she noticed it as well.

Hazel eyes narrowed into the peeking slits. She didn't know why it was bothering her so much but she didn't like how easily Naruto would've let her in. It took her months for Naruto to let her join their family and she wasn't thrilled to find him doing something like that. It bothered her to the very core. Should she ask?

Yes. "Why did you ask Hanabi-san to join our family, Naruto-kun."

Naruto tilted his head and scratched it. He knew the reason why... he just needed to figure out how to say it right. "Do you know the power of chances?" Naruto asked.

Haku's eyes widened. That was a lesson from long ago; she hadn't taught him that since her first few months in Konoha. In fact, it was the first thing she taught him besides what makes one strongest. So she nodded.

However Tenten shook her head calmly.

"The power of chances is frankly something that can change someone. For better or worst depends on the chance you give." Naruto stated, "And what I offered was something heart-warming, something better than the cold environment than what she has now. Now, I'm no psychologist but I think that if someone is offered something they think is better than won't they try to attain it? That can mean becoming a better person, as was my intentions."

Haku continued, "And by offering Hanabi warmness and comfort it should have positive effects on her. Whether she accepted or not."

Naruto nodded as he kissed Haku's cheek. "I didn't forget."

"No you didn't." Haku giggled.

On the other side of Naruto, Tenten stood mouth ajar, she hadn't considered that. Though she wondered... "Haku-chan."

"Yes?"

Turning her head down embarrassed Tenten fidgeted for a moment, "Can you teach me what you taught Naruto-kun?"

Haku tilted here head in question but answered anyway, "Yes."

Later, the team stood in front of the Hokage reporting the mission. Ibiki had mentioned something just before entering the Hokage's office: "Once I start giving my report. You are all free to go."

Naturally the way they all reacted was, of course, by smiling and nodding their heads. Though through the debriefing the Hokage had asked for all of them to stay. No certain reason really showed itself until Ibiki began to truly move into more detailed territories.

Across him the Hokage sat with crossed hands and his chin resting idly. None of them had the slightest as to why the Hokage wanted them to stay. The atmosphere only served to grate on them as time passed and each of them now knew why he wanted them gone.

It was boring.

Ibiki had told all of them previously of what traditionally happens when a mission was completed. Meaning they all respectfully leave a report, in a file, and then leave. This was not what they had thought it would be.

Almost asleep, Naruto put his head on Haku's shoulder. The meeting was taking a substantial amount of time, and if things didn't pick up soon he knew he would fall asleep for sure. Haku lightly patted his head in small drowsy attempts to keep Naruto awake. She knew the situation wasn't favorable but they all had to stay awake, lest they receive punishment. Meanwhile, on the other side, Tenten had fallen asleep just as Naruto was attempting. Grabbing his shoulder she cuddled into his side. She'd been counting, the meeting had been running on and on for over one hour.

Normally that wouldn't have been a problem. In fact, she knew it wouldn't have. Her, Haku, and Naruto had sat and listened to Iruka's lecture's for far longer without falling asleep. So, why then were they having such problems with staying awake now?

Suddenly, a light thought ran through her mind.

Could it be? No, the Hokage wouldn't do that! Shaking her head awake she tried concentrating. Maybe he would.

Tenten slowly brought her hand into a sign and muttered, "Kai."

Right after she felt complete relief and looked around, wide awake. They had put them under a genjutsu? Her eyes widened as she realized something. Quickly reaching over with desperate hands Tenten grasped the sleeping Naruto and Haku before making the hand-sign. "Kai!" She yelled.

Instantly Naruto's eyes widened, as did Haku's.

"Finally awake I see." Their sensei's voice rung out.

Whipping their heads, they all glared. Ibiki raised his hands in front of him defensively before saying, "This was a test." He stated, "Hokage-sama wanted to see how well you all handled genjutsu so we made a bet where you all would fall asleep thinking we were giving a long report. The way I would win was if you all would wake up within the span of two-hours."

Ibiki smirked. "And you did."

"I hope you realize that you just took money from the Hokage."

"I know, but I won it fair and square." Ibiki said, "Now hand it over."

Hiruzen just smiled in his seat before poofing into a small pouch of money. Naruto reared his head back in surprise. Where did the old man go? "Right here." A voice said from behind the couch.

Turning around he chuckled a second. The old man still surprised him. Lifting himself up he went around the couch and brought Hiruzen into a hug, which he gladly returned. Haku and Tenten sat back and watched their interaction. Haku could remember Naruto giving the Hokage the biggest hug after he accepted her arrival.

She closed her eyes. That day. She couldn't remember much. It had been too long since her joining and too long since she'd seen that horrible man and that gray-haired child. The memories surrounding them started to veil during times passing. She shook her head and centered herself.

If she ever found them again. She would kill them. Selfish motifs wasn't what drove her to kill them if she found them, no.

It was the will to protect and be with Naruto.

"Are you done brushing your teeth, Haku-chan?"

Haku spat out the last remains of paste in her mouth. "Yes, I just finished."

Quickly wiping her mouth Haku exited the bathroom, letting Tenten through. She walked tranquilly along the side of the room and picked up a book from a night-stand along the wall. Opening a page she sat down on the couch, cuddling next to Naruto who slept silently. His head propped against the back-part of the couch with his arms resting back. Haku smiled.

Lifting herself up she kissed his nose.

Wiping off the cover again she read the title shyly to herself, "The Tale of the Utterly Gutsy Shinobi." It read of one character who's name was Naruto and the author's name Jiraiya. She'd read the book several times through before. Each time though she noticed something change or something appeared that she hadn't noticed before. But, the best part was reading about the character. The core of the story.

He seemed so much like Naruto, but also not. In the book she noted that the character was boisterous and loud with the density of a rock. What made the two similar was their morals, overall. Never-mind the loudness of the character. Their compasses both pointed in the same direction.

"You're reading that book again?" A drowsy voice said. Looking over she adjusted herself closer and nodded. "Yes. I love this book."

"What's it about anyways?" Tenten asked, emerging from the bathroom. "I never had the chance to read it so why not tell us somethings about it?"

Opening a page Haku simply began to read. It was better to hear from the book itself rather than a person's own drawling, "Standing tall Naruto-"

Before anyone knew it they were asleep. Tenten laid sprawled out on top of Naruto's chest. Lying beside him was Haku, pressed firmly against the back of the couch. And underneath them both Naruto laid peacefully.

A content smile on his face.

Hey guys! Did you like it? I know I did. To be completely honest my love for writing is so much that I will always spare time in my day to write and make sure that I update. That's a promise of a lifetime, dattebayo.

Well look at that. Never thought I'd do that, but there ya go.

R&R and PM, it does help, at the end of the day.

See ya!