Ah, we meet again. How did you like the last chapter? I hope you found it entertaining. How do you think the mission is going to go? Let me know your thoughts and opinions in the reviews!

Enjoy.

Naruto's alarm went off at... damn, was it really 03:15 already? Ugh, so early.

Despite getting up before sunrise and having to leave his warm bed and loving girlfriend who had clung to him all night, he was quite excited and ready for the day. He had to be in Tsunade's office at 04:00, but he figured he'd get there a little early. After all, how would he look if he, the leader of this mission, happened to show up last? No way he was letting that happen.

In the span of about twenty minutes, he showered, ate some left over curry for breakfast before packing some for later, and prepared his travel kit. He then walked into his room one last time to quietly say goodbye to Hinata.

She was still asleep. Naruto almost laughed out loud at the sight of her. She was sprawled out, her arms and legs taking up nearly the entire bed while clutching her small plushie in her hand. It seemed she missed him already, and he knew exactly how she felt. Although this was sure to be an exciting trip, it wasn't going to be easy staying away from her, especially after last night.

He quietly walked over to her and knelt down, gently planting a kiss on her forehead.

"I love you... so much, Hinata." He whispered as quietly as he could, brushing a strand of her hair out of her face. Even in her sleep, she was incomprehensibly beautiful.

"I love you too, Naruto." Hinata said quietly as her pearly irises slowly revealed themselves.

"Oh, sorry, I didn't mean to wake you!"

"No, I'm glad you did. I didn't want to wake up with you gone before I could say goodbye." She replied as she sat up and looked at him.

"Yeah, I guess I'd feel the same way. You gonna be okay here by yourself?"

"It won't compare to having you here with me, but, yes, I think I'll manage. Father will be back tomorrow, so I think I'll stay here another night. Might check on Hanabi later."

"I'm sorry we can't spend that one more night together. I hope I can make it up to you."

"There's nothing to make up for, my love. I'm happy that you have this opportunity. There will be plenty of other times for us to... hang out. I'm just glad I got to wake up next to you, even if I'm going back to sleep after you leave." She said with a chuckle.

"Some day, we'll be able to wake up next to each other every day."

"W-... what?"

"What?"

"Naruto, what are you saying?"

"I'm just saying... I mean, don't you want that?"

"Of course I do! But, we haven't even discussed..."

"I know, I know. That's... a whole different conversation. I'm just saying, I have no intention of ever waking up next to anyone else. It's always gonna be you. And some day, I'd like it to be a regular part of my routine. Of our routine."

"Me too, Naruto." Hinata said smiling at him.

"I was hoping you would. I... I have to go now, but I'll be back before you know it!" He said smiling his signature grin.

"Naruto..."

"Yes, Hinata?"

"Come home to me."

"I made you a promise, didn't I?"

With one final goodbye kiss, he started to walk out of his room before turning back to take one last look at her. This was it. For a few days, at least.

"You look tired." Naruto said as he entered the Hokage's office. He was the first one here, except for Tsunade who looked as if she was about to pass out on her desk.

"I am tired. It's four in the fucking morning. I hate early mission briefings. If you're gonna be Hokage, you better get used to running a wild schedule. Up late, up early, when does it end? Anyway, how are you feeling?"

"Still nervous, but I'm working up to it. Have you gotten any more intel on the mission?"

"A little, not much. We'll discuss it when everyone else arrives. I'm curious to see who you picked."

Sai was the last to show up, at exactly 04:00. Not surprising, given that Sai was very punctual. He wasn't the type to be late or early. Always right on time.

Tsunade let out a slight groan before getting the attention of everyone.

"Alright everyone, listen up. Firstly, has everyone been informed about the mission details?"

Naruto stood up straight and responded.

"Yes. I made sure everyone knew what they were getting into before they agreed to join. They know everything you've told me."

"Good, then I won't repeat myself too much, just the basics. For this mission, Naruto is squad leader. You will all obey his orders and report to him directly. We have recently come to learn that the group of rogue Shinobi are calling themselves the Owari. They seem to have no interest in anything outside of Amegakure, and are not considered a high level threat. Regardless, they must be dealt with if we are to establish a form of sustainability for the Hidden Rain and its people."

Everyone nodded in understanding.

"Your objective is to remove the threat from Amegakure by any means necessary. This is a B ranked kill or capture mission. If you can make them surrender, great. If not, do what needs to be done. We believe that these Shinobi aren't exceptionally strong, but I urge you to remain careful just in case. After all, our intel on them is still very limited. You will report back to me no later than five days from today. Any questions?"

Everyone looked around to see if anybody had any concerns. Silence.

"Then you're off. Good luck, and be careful. Dismissed."

Naruto, Shikamaru, Sai, and Sakura all made their way out of the office and toward the village gates. Shikamaru put his hand on Naruto's shoulder and gently pulled him back, putting some distance between them and the other two.

"What's up?" Naruto asked.

"When we get outside the gate, give everyone a briefing of your own. Tell us your plans and how you're feeling about this. Establish a connection and make a good first impression as a leader."

"Right."

Naruto thought about what to say until they were all on the other side of the gates. They were officially out of the village and on active mission duty. Game on.

"Uh, hey guys, can I say something real quick?" Naruto asked awkwardly. Everyone stopped and turned to him, giving him their full attention.

"I want to discuss the mission plans before we get too far. Firstly, I want us to use stealth as much as we can, since the intel we've received is so vague. We still don't know exactly what we're up against. My plan is for us to set up a small camp on the outskirts of the Hidden Rain and use it to gather intel before we move in. Sai, I'm counting on you and your bird drawings, both for travel and for reconnaissance."

"Understood." Sai replied.

"Also, we each need to keep in mind that the Hidden Rain still has innocent villagers that live there. It's not an ordinary battlefield, so we can't just go in blasting everything to rubble. Sounds weird coming from me, huh?"

"It does. No tailed-beast-bombs for you." Sakura said.

"How are we going to utilize stealth when we move into the village?" Shikamaru asked.

"For now, my plan is for us to sneak in and use the transformation jutsu to disguise all of us as civilians. If that doesn't work for whatever reason, well, we'll cross that bridge when we come to it."

"Good idea." Shikamaru responded.

"One last thing. I'm sure you guys could probably tell, but this leadership thing is new to me. I won't lie to you, I'm anxious. I don't really know what I'm doing. But if you're willing to be patient with me, I promise you all that I'm going to try my best."

"Don't worry, Naruto. You're doing fine! Just don't forget that we're still your friends, and you can still talk to us." Sakura responded with a smile.

"Yes, Naruto. You have our full support. As your team, and as your friends, please let us know what we can do to help." Sai chipped in.

Shikamaru said nothing and gave him a nod. "Good job" he seemed to say.

"Thanks guys. I can't tell you how grateful I am. We're off, then! Sai, whenever you're ready, we need four birds."

"It would be better if I could summon just two. Much easier on my chakra that way. They'll be big enough to fit two people each."

"Alright then. You and Sakura will take one, Shikamaru and I will be on the other. Let's do this!"

By noon, they had made it about halfway to Amegakure already. Normally, this journey would have taken about a day and a half on foot. Sai's birds really were an exceptional method of travel. Although, not easy to sustain for long periods of time.

"Naruto, could we take a break? Getting a little tired." Sai asked.

"Sure thing. See that small clearing? We'll stop there to rest."

Upon landing, Sai dismissed the bird drawings and quickly sat down to rest. The other members of the team sat down with him and formed a loose circle.

"So, if the Owari don't care to leave the Hidden Rain Village, or have any extensive goals, why did they go through the trouble of giving themselves a name?" Sakura asked.

"I don't know. I've been thinking about that." Naruto replied.

Shikamaru scoffed, a displeased expression on his face.

"Sounds like a bunch of chumps to me. Taking over a village with no protection, causing trouble for people just trying to survive. Assholes probably just thought that a name would sound cool."

"Won't argue with you there. I've got no sympathy for these people." Naruto said.

Naruto felt his stomach rumble and decided this was a perfect time for lunch before pulling out a full container of left over chicken curry. He was glad Hinata had made extra for him, especially since he didn't have anything else to bring. Even his instant ramen stockpile was empty back home.

"Hey, that looks good. Where'd you get it?" Sakura asked.

"Hinata made it for dinner last night. Wanna try some? I've got a ton of it!"

"Ohhh I see. So, how are you two? It's been a while since I've talked to Hinata, I wanna know the latest details!"

"Here we go." Shikamaru groaned.

Naruto almost choked on his food.

"You've been talking to her about us? Uh... what has she told you?"

"Nothing about your, um, privacy if that's what you're concerned about. Just the cute stuff. I just like to know how you guys are doing. It's been a long time coming, you know?"

"Oh, okay. We'll, I'd say we're doing pretty good! It's a little weird, she's the only person that's ever treated me so well and I'm having a somewhat difficult time adjusting to that, but I'm getting there."

The look on Sakura's face seemed to become less happy, perhaps even sad.

"What's her problem?"

"You saw that too?"

"I know we haven't been together long, but she's become the most important person in the world to me. I really do love her, more than anything. I just wish I had understood her feelings sooner, ya know? I'll never forgive myself for missing out on this for so long." He continued.

"We've talked about this, Naruto. You can't beat yourself up over that." Shikamaru chimed in.

"I know, I know. Easier said than done."

"Wait, you two have been talking about this as well?" Sakura asked, seemingly annoyed that she hadn't been included.

"I'm gonna take a walk." Sai randomly interjected.

"Uh, me too. Gotta stretch the legs." Shikamaru said hurriedly and walked off.

Sakura and Naruto were left alone.

"So, she really does make you happy?" Sakura asked.

"Happier than I ever thought I could be."

"Good, because you make her happy too, you know."

"I hope so."

"No, I mean you really make her happy, Naruto. I can tell just by the way she talks about you. You're really special to her."

"I'm glad to hear you say that. I want to make her happy. It's what she deserves. She's shown me a completely different side to people. She's taught me how to love. I never knew I could feel that, and I definitely never thought someone else would feel that way about me."

Naruto then thought he heard her sniffle. Was she crying?

"Sakura?"

"I'm sorry, Naruto." Sakura said softly with tears gently rolling down her cheeks.

"Sorry? For what? Why are you crying?" Naruto asked with concern in his voice.

"I never really apologized for the way I used to treat you. If only I had known just how lonely you really felt, maybe I wouldn't have been so hateful to you. I'm so sorry, Naruto. I hope you can forgive me."

"You don't have to apologize. It wasn't just you."

To his surprise, this only made Sakura cry harder.

"That doesn't make it better! If anything, that makes it worse! Even when we became teammates, I was so harsh to you, and the only reason I had for it was because everyone else was too. You didn't deserve that. Nobody should have to live like that. I'm glad that you and Hinata are together now. You deserve that happiness, and I'll never forgive myself for treating you like you didn't."

"It means a lot to hear you say that, but, I don't live like that anymore, and you don't treat me like that anymore. It's okay, Sakura. People change. People move on, and people forgive."

"So... you forgive me, then?" She said between sobs.

"Of course I forgive you. It's all in the past. At the end of the day, we're still friends, aren't we?" Naruto asked with a smile.

Sakura wiped away her tears and smiled back at him.

"Always."

It was about an hour until sunset when Naruto decided it was probably time to start being careful.

"We're getting close. We'll continue on foot until we can lay eyes on the village. Let's take the high ground, we'll need it for recon."

They landed once more and proceeded to travel for about thirty minutes until they found a vantage point on the edge of a cliff with The Hidden Rain visible in the distance. With the sun's orange hues barely shining over the horizon and the dark clouds overhead, it was quite a beautiful sight.

"We'll set up here. Tomorrow, we'll work on figuring out exactly what we're up against. Everybody doing okay so far?" Naruto asked as he began unpacking camping supplies from his bag.

"You know, Naruto, I gotta say I'm pretty impressed. You're a natural at this." Sakura said.

"R-Really? Thanks, Sakura!"

"She's right. You're doing a lot better than I thought you would." Shikamaru said in concurrence.

"I... I'm not really sure how to take that, Shikamaru."

"It's a compliment, just take it."

"Works for me!"

Naruto finally pulled out the supplies he hated most... the fire starting kit.

He had rarely gotten a successful fire started before, and even then it was usually very difficult. Then again, he had also been about four years old, only making fires as a way to cook the fish he would catch for food.

More recently was the one that Hinata helped him with when they camped above Hokage Rock. For a moment, he doubted he'd be able to recreate his success entirely on his own. To his surprise, the fire he built caught flame rather quickly and continued to burn brightly.

"You used to suck at starting fires. What changed?" Sakura asked.

"Hinata showed me how when we came back home from the war. I can't believe I actually remembered how to do it, though. That night was over a month ago."

"Ah, that faithful night when you two confessed your love for each other." Sakura said blissfully.

"S-Sakura! How do you know about that!?"

"I told you, Hinata talks about you. About both of you."

"I, um..."

"I'm gonna go stock up on firewood. Be back soon." Sakura said after laughing at his embarrassment before wandering off.

After looking over and seeing that Sai was already in his tent, seemingly done for the day, Shikamaru cleared his throat and broke the silence that sat between him and Naruto.

"That reminds me, you haven't told me much about you and Hinata since our last conversation about... you know."

"What, now you're afraid to say the word?" Naruto asked with a laugh as he continued to feed fuel to the fire to make sure it wouldn't burn out before they woke up.

"You know what I mean, jackass. So, what's new?"

"Well, we still haven't done that, but, we've done a couple other things."

"Other things are fun."

"Yeah, I think we're both working up to the main thing though. I know I want to, and I'm pretty sure she does too. I just don't know when we should take that leap."

"You will. When the time is right, you'll know."

"I've been keeping that in mind."

"Good. I'm glad you listened to me before."

Naruto finished tending to the fire and sat down next to his friend, both of them staring into the orange flames. They reminded him of her. He decided that when he got back home, they would have another camping trip soon.

"I miss her." He said solemnly.

"Yeah. You're not gonna get used to that."

Naruto let out a long exhale.

"Yeah. I know."

Once the sun had completely disappeared, everyone had their tents set up and went to sleep for the night.

Naruto laid alone in his tent and tried to imagine Hinata laying at his side, snuggling up to him and holding onto him as if he might slip away if she let go.

He felt rather relaxed despite his pining. So far, the mission was going smoothly. He seemed to be far better at leading than he had anticipated.

Maybe this wouldn't be so hard after all?

Slowly, with the crackle of the fire soothing his mind, he drifted off into sleep.

"Hanabi? Are you here?"

Hinata walked into the kitchen of her house and found her little sister washing dishes.

"Hey big sister! Where have you been?" Hanabi said with a bright smile before embracing Hinata.

"I stayed at a friend's house last night. I'm gonna be staying there again tonight so I just thought I'd stop by and check on you."

"Staying there tonight too? But, isn't Naruto on a mission?"

"N-Naruto? Why would you think-?"

"Come on, sis! A friend's house? Really?"

"Hanabi! You're... you're being ridiculous!"

"You've never stayed at a friend's house before."

"Well, there's a first time for everything!"

"So, right after you started dating Naruto, and when father happens to be out of town, you suddenly decide to stay at a friend's house. Look me in the eye and tell me that's a coincidence."

"You know about Naruto and I being together?"

"Duh. You two have been the talk of the whole village for like a week now. Honestly, I'm a little hurt that you didn't tell me."

It wasn't the villagers Hinata was concerned about. It was her father. If Hanabi already knew, did Hiashi know as well?

"Oh, s-sorry, I wasn't sure if I should tell anyone yet. Well, I guess you know now. It's true, Naruto and I are together. Um, do you think father knows too?"

"I'm not sure. I'd say probably not. You know him, he doesn't really do gossip. If he does know, he hasn't done anything about it yet so I'd say you're safe. For now."

"Thanks. You're so reassuring."

"So? How did it go last night?"

"I don't know what you're talking about."

"Please? I promise I won't tell anyone! Just tell me how it went! Did you two... you know..."

"Well, it seems like you're doing fine here on your own. I guess I'll be heading back now." Hinata said as she began making her way back to the front door, eager to avoid sharing personal and private details with her little sister.

"You're not denying it! Just tell me!" Hanabi yelled from behind, a concerning amount of excitement in her voice.

Hinata quickly opened the front door and stepped out, ignoring the complaints of Hanabi as she shut the door behind her.

"Hinata! Don't you dare leave me hanging!"

"Goodbye, Hanabi! Love you!"

Hinata knew Hanabi would keep quiet either way. Aside from Sakura, her little sister had wanted to see her with Naruto more than anyone else.

She made her way back to the apartment and plopped herself down on his bed before grabbing onto her little Naruto plushie. She knew it was ridiculous, that she was clinging to an inanimate object just because it looked like him, but she didn't care. She missed him, and this was closest she could get to him.

These next few days without him were going to be hell.