Epilogue

This is also an announcement for a sequel. I tried to make it fit it with the chapter, which should be it's own story, rather than a continuation , but I couldn't manage it, and it does better on its own anyway.

These chapter titles were inspired the band "The National" notably, "Terrible Love" and "Sleep Well Beast"

"Gotta say, I'm glad your dad finally decided to take the mantle of Hokage after all these years,"

Shikamaru Nara fiddled with a cigarette in his hand. The house didn't smell like smoke, so they must not smoke inside. It was unlit and twirled between his fingers.

"What do you mean by that?" she asked.

He leaned back on his chair and shelved his cigarette behind his ear. He grinned, Shikadai really was just a younger version of his father. "Well, your dad always used to shout on about becoming Hokage when we were kids. A fantasy at that point but grew more realistic."

She wasn't too sure on how to respond on the new information. History wasn't really shared, "Really? He never talked about being Hokage until last month,"

He hummed, a brow raised. "Before your time then, but when I was your age, it was pretty much nonstop when he shouted on being Hokage,"

It was a common thing to hear about her father, especially over the years as a ninja. While she didn't mind it, everyone, everywhere, had something to say about her father. Whether it was praise, a story, or thanks.

While Kaiya enjoyed them, it wasn't something she preferred to hear. "What about my mother?" she asked. "Have you ever met her? Her name was Kaguya,"

Shikamaru traced his beard and squinted his eyes. "I don't think I've ever met a Hyuuga with that name, I think you're better off asking Naruto.

She sighed, "I did, but I was just wondering if someone had stories to share."

Shikamaru nodded, "Understandable, I've asked a few people about my father too. Anyway, your father did live outside the village, but I wasn't living here at the time,"

She wasn't aware of that, all she knew was of the village during her time growing up.

"He did?" she had no memories of her mother, but as far as she knew, Kaiya had lived in the village her entire life.

He nodded, "Or so I've heard,"

"The Lord Hokage is here," Temari Nara came from the other room . Her eyes found her, sharp and piercing., "Shikadai was napping, lazy, like his father,"

Mr. Nara grumbled under his breath. His earlier answer, not aware where his son was at, had been told. She couldn't help but laugh.

"I'm used to that," Kaiya replied.

After a moment, her father appeared with one a ninja in tow. The others greeted with formalities. Quickly, her father found her.

"Kaiya," he said. Her father found the other people in the room. " Where is your son Shikamaru?" her father said. In his hand he had two masks, one for her and Shikadai.

"He's coming,"

Her father grinned, and flipped one of the masks in his hand. "It's plain to see that you made it into the Anbu."

"Oh, nice," she replied. she wasn't really certain on what to say, her father being Hokage was still a new thing. Of course, she expected to make it into the Anbu.

The person behind her father stepped up, "This is the Lord–"

He waved him off, "it's my daughter, and we're far from official business,"

"oh, uh, my apologies. I wasn't aware,"

Her father gave her a mask with the large eyes and prominent painted teeth. She swept a hand over the mask, it felt durable. Her father awaited her to try it on.

She found the mirror on the wall. Her white eyes and pale hair, with the horns that protruded above her temples, they were several inches long now. Always there, always making itself known. It had doubled in length since she remembered when it had grown.

She looked at herself and wore the masked. It felt like she was starring at someone else, a stranger. Her eyes seem to ripple with the shadow. The horns seemed to blend in with the mask, a natural adornment.

"Look at you. When I was your age, I was still a genin. Still am, actually." her father said. He laughed.

He was interrupted by Shikadai rushing down the stairs, his hair disheveled. "Mr– Lord Hokage,"

"No need for that, it's a casual visit. Better than calling you to the office," her father said. Like with her, he held out the mask for him. "Felt like ages ago when I was you guys' age. The time leading up to my seventeenth birthday was quite something,"

His eyes went distant and then found hers, "Especially the day I met your mother,"

Then he turned to Shikamaru and began to talk to them. Her mother, always gone, never here, but always reminded.

Her hand went to her head to feel the strange smooth feel of her horns. No one ever had these, no matter how strange the appearance. He had never told her when they met, she had never asked.

A mother that she didn't know. Perhaps it shouldn't have bothered her, but it had always hung over her, something looming in the corner of her mind.

Whatever conversation they were having, she interrupted.

"Dad," she said. He turned to her, "Can we talk later?"

He blinked and glanced at Shikadai's father. "How about now, privately right?"

"It can wait," she said. He shook his head and waved her off. He sent away his escort, "Outside be alight?"

The attention was unwanted, but she nodded all the same. Her father ended the conversation and went outside. She followed.

"What is it?" he asked.

"I…" she faltered. Memories of their conversations returned at the forefront of her mind. "I wanted to know more about mom,"

Again, that look on his face. She didn't like to see it.

"I mean, I don't even know what she looks likes," she continued.

"Really?" he frowned. He closed his eyes, and he smiled. "Sorry. You were too young to remember. It's only¬ –I mean, you were so little when she left, but I can picture her clearly as the day she left,"

He was quiet, but she needed to know.

"She's still alive, right?"

He blinked, "Of course," he found that funny for some reason. "Imagining your mom dying is impossible,"

Why hasn't she come back yet? Yet, it was as impossible as her father dying, which apparently, had happened. Though it must have been an exaggeration.

"Look," he sighed, and he stared at the village. "I…I know that I've done everything I can as your father. I know I lacked in some aspects, but I tried. I think there are only something that a mother can offer,"

He was silent for a long while. She hated this look.

"I didn't have my mom either, but at least I knew she wouldn't be around. I'm sorry I gave your hopes up,"

She held her arms close, it felt like something was prickling at the back of her mind.

"It's okay," she replied. she didn't have much words to say. "Isn't there a picture?"

He looked away, "uhhh, your mother was pretty old-fashioned, but I think I did managed to get a picture back at the cabin."

"There's a picture? At what cabin?"

"Ya know, at the cabin," he blinked. "Right, we moved a little while ago. When was that? When you were three? Holy hell you're getting old. "

"Dad," she sighed. Was forgetful the right word? No, there was some strange things that her father remembered. Unmindful seemed to be the better one. "How can you forget to bring the picture?"

He scratched the nape of his neck, "well, it was the only one I had."

"You do know they can make copies now, right?"

"Oh, well I guess that would make sense wouldn't it?"

Her feet ached, the tips of her fingers felt tingly. She wanted to move, and her father noticed her state. She remembered that she still wore the mask, but she should get used to it.

"I know," he smiled. He dug into his pocket and brought out his keys. He unhooked a single one, and gave it to her. Then he turned and pointed at the mountain to the northeast. "It's somewhere up there, just find the powerline and it should be pretty simple to find."

"My–"

"Yep," he said. "There's where I used to stay with your mom," he sighed, and stared deeply at the mountain side. "Go on, I'll make your favorite tonight,"

She laughed, "Thanks!"

She was expecting an old dusty house. She stared at the simple, two storied house. Plain, and hidden away from the village with no other cabin along the way, only made for this house.

When she entered, she heard the sink in the kitchen dripping water. It was dark, but the light flickered on to reveal the living room.

Plain, nothing told her of her mother or no picture in the living room. So she wandered the house. She found several rooms, one fairly bare. Paintings on the wall, with a stereo on the desk. Stacks of CD's and other things.

"That's a little old," she said. Though, she stared at the painting before moving to the other rooms.

In one, she found a crib, and other baby products. A little bouncy chair, it tickled at the ends of her head to find it familiar. A simple memory came to her, of running down the hallway. It disappeared as fast it came. Nothing important of child memories. She didn't know how old she might've been, it might've been imaginary.

An empty room, probably a guest room, maybe.

She found a picture on a nightstand. Kaguya and Kaiya, was inscribed underneath. She took a better look. A woman, with long white hair stood with a baby in her arms. It was a candid picture, like someone had called to her and looked behind. She wasn't smiling.

This was her mother, long pale hair, and even the horns. It was unmistakable. No one else had this horns that she had inherited. She was beautiful. Even without a smile in this picture. She saw fragments of herself, and of her father.

How was she? Was she alright? Did she love her? Did she think about her? Did she miss her?

How could her father ever forget about giving her this photo?

Kaiya touched her own horns, "Wow," she muttered.

She wasn't a strange outlier. Unique, but not alone. An Oni, some used to say. A creature from legend. Large, and ugly, an ogre with horns. People can be so cruel.

Kaiya continued to stare at the picture. Old-fashioned, and she even dressed like it. So many more questions to ask, and she hoped she would be back soon.

A/N: Short, yes, but I'm hard at work. It's presentation should be different from this one. so it should be a new story, so be sure to follow me, and my updates, instead of this story. Kaiya will be the major character, but I think Naruto would still have some POVS. It would be a change, rather than the summary-esque of this story. Which was appropriate, I can't commit to how long. Of course, since, of my continuation of the story rather than the death part. It will probably be a focus on the world, and Kaiya, and surrounding her heritage. It will of course be it's own thing rather than canon stuff.