Mikoto wasn't excited in being in the Council chambers; it was always very taxing in here. Clan politics were something else entirely. In some occasions, the Godaime Hokage joined them to be the referee when there were tense discussions. Sometimes even insults could be thrown around the table. She had her sparring days with the Hyuga. The Uchiha was no longer glorious and mighty as it had been in the days of the old, but they were regrouping. They would return to the strong days. But things had to be difficult. She would not stand things that were done when the Sandaime was still alive. The clan was being pushed away and cut off from political positions in the village.

She didn't want the clan to feel like it was being pushed away once more. It was enough that they suffered when the leaders thought of rebelling against the Leaf and taking over Konoha – just that once was enough. If the clan had such thoughts in the future, it would not survive.

There was one person who was in the meeting today, Naruto. It had truly taken a lot of politicking just to get him in this chamber. The Godaime Hokage had been firm in recognizing the Uzumaki, even though some people thought a clan that was extinct didn't deserve to be here. Naruto hadn't said much during the intense negotiations. He hadn't even fought much about it. Perhaps, it wasn't his main concern. He had been busy focusing on training the young ones in her clan and making business in selling seals.

"Should we get this meeting over with?" Tsunade asked with impatience.

Hiashi nodded. "We should," he said. "But we must first congratulate the Uzumaki on joining us. There isn't much they can offer the village, but perhaps in the next ten years there will be something that they can give to the village."

Naruto stared at the man for a moment before breathing in tiredly. He had been silent when the man said his things. Their last conversation had been fruitful. Perhaps they had worked out the animosity the man had for him. But the suspicion, watchful gaze was still there. He could sit with Hinata and talk to her but the man didn't want any business with the Uzumaki and certainly had a very low opinion of them. Naruto wasn't concerned with how a small person thought of his clan. Hiashi's thoughts were irrelevant. The man had his thoughts, and yet, he was still here.

"There is really no need to start things like that, Hiashi," Tsume said with a glare towards the Hyuga. "Throughout our discussions your attitude towards the Uzumaki has been very disappointing. It is almost sad seeing the 'mighty' Hyuga trying to bully a clan of a handful of members. Or are you just perhaps threatened?"

"Threatened?" Hiashi asked with surprise. "By the Uzumaki? The Hyuga is Konoha's most powerful clan and there is nothing that the Uzumaki can do to threaten it."

"Then why the hostility?" Inoichi asked. "There was no need for those comments. The Uzumaki suffered in the past and they are now trying to revive, you cannot simply just say words like that."

Hiashi shrugged subtly. "Don't you have anything to say?" He asked Naruto.

"Why should I waste my time engaging in pointless chatter that isn't going to get me anywhere?" Naruto asked in a calm tone. "You have your opinions and I have mine. Though, the great Hyuga seems to be forgetting that it is the symbol of the Uzumaki clan that Konoha's shinobi carry around. I'm certain if we took advantage of this, we should be pretty famous."

Hiashi frowned at the thought. He could not ignore the fact that the Uzumaki was once a great clan. For history, it was something worth talking about. It was still just history, wasn't it? "There is no need to stick with past glories."

Naruto shrugged. "Perhaps," he said. "But you cannot forget it. In any case, that isn't why we are here today. I thought the agenda was introduction of the Uzumaki, the talk of Military Police, and the Uzumaki clan's contribution to the village as with every clan."

"Are we going to back to the old military police?" Tsume asked, looking at Mikoto.

"For now, the Uchiha don't have the military might to carry on operations on its own. However, we have around 30 children that Naruto is busy training. Within two years, they should be shinobi. They won't go to the academy. We have arranged for a special exam to be prepared for them within two years to test them."

"Special treatment?"

"Perhaps it is so," Mikoto said, she didn't seem concerned. "But our children are being given training that isn't given in the academy. The Military Police's duty has always been to protect the Hidden Leaf. We want to offer nothing but the best. We want our children to be at least Chunin by the time they are done training. If they are not, we can give it another year until they are ready."

"What kind of training are they going through?" Shikaku asked with curiosity.

"It is a special kind of training," Mikoto said without going into detail about it. She didn't want to discuss it and would not because quite frankly, it wasn't any of their business to know.

"I don't mean to pry," Shikaku said graciously. "But if it is Naruto leading the training, it makes one curious. You have to consider the remarkable change and strength he brought into Hinata Hyuga. It is indeed true that we are not in a time of war, but we have to admit that the academy standards have dropped. We don't know what will be in the future, but we don't want to leave the next generation without the strength to fight."

Mikoto looked at Shikaku with a curious gaze. "What are you suggesting?"

"If the training is something we can all like, it should be something we can adopt in the academy, or at least some parts of it," Shikaku said. "But of course, that is in the hands of the Hokage. I am merely offering my views as the Jonin commander."

Tsunade looked thoughtful for a moment before nodding her head. "That isn't a bad idea," she said. "Are you open to the idea of allowing us to see this training? I know it has been carried out in secret, but it will only be clan heads viewing it."

Mikoto looked thoughtful for a moment. "Fine…" she said.

"There are some who are ready for battle, and we would like for them to begin. However, Tsunade-sama has some thoughts regarding the issue. Of course, my son will be the one heading the police force as the future of the clan…" Mikoto said.

"Because of the Uchiha's lack of resources, we thought it would be best for us to request resources from your clans. It is only a temporary measure that will at least relieve my Anbu's of some of their duties. But it will also get us working in greater cooperation within the clans. Nevertheless, once the Uchiha are ready to carry their duties on their own, your resources will have to return to their clans," Tsunade stated. "Regardless of age and rank, the Uchiha still want to take these people through training."

There was silence that greeted those words. "The Nara doesn't have resources, but we are available for strategic consultations."

Tsunade was certain she wasn't going win with Shikaku saying those words. She sighed, the others remained silent. "Think about it," she said. "The Uzumaki's contribution to the village will be through fuinjutsu. They will develop a new barrier around the village; will be offering seals that are required. It should be obvious to you all, but I have also given them the lands of the Senju clan."

"Is there anything else?"

"Are you going to confirm that the Uchiha is carrying your child?" Hiashi asked, staring at Naruto.

"Why should I?" Naruto asked with indifference. "It doesn't your business. Whether we confirm or deny it, nothing much is going to change. Are you perhaps concerned that the alliance between the Uchiha and Uzumaki will dominate things and turn you into a memory?"

"You seem to be having a hand in things of the future, so it does concern me," Hiashi said. "If we adopt your training methods for the academy, you'll be the one who has to implement it. And you might need to spend time in the academy to oversee certain parts of the training as it might be that only you can successfully implement them. The Uchiha are being trained by you. The village's future security appears to be in your hands, so it does concern me."

"The Hyuga claim the Byakugan can see through all things, you shouldn't worry about missing certain things," Naruto said with a shrug.

"You say that because you have put barriers around the Uchiha and the Uzumaki compounds," Hiashi said with suspicion.

"We can do whatever we want in our lands," Naruto said with a shrug. "It does appear to me that you are just mad that you won't get to spy on us…" the blond said with a stare.

"That is enough," Tsunade said before shaking her head. "I don't think we need to watch this…" she said before standing up.

Before Naruto could leave the chambers, he was stopped by Shikaku. Naruto has never had a problem with the Nara. They were people to keep as friends. But he was very cautious of them because of their thinking capabilities. Perhaps it scared him. But now there was no need to be afraid of anything. Friends were needed. And this was likely the person who'd back him out of everyone in this village.

"You should come some day for a game of shogi, Naruto." Shikaku said with a pleasant smile.

Naruto looked thoughtful for a moment before responding. "It has been ages since I last visited your compound," he said before smiling. "I will make time."

"I hear you have been busy," Shikaku said.

Naruto nodded, "the training I am conducting takes time. I still have to spend hours with mother trying to develop new seals that we can sell. Creating the barrier for the village hasn't been easy either," the blond said. "But I will make time."

When he stepped out of the chambers, he found a smiling Mikoto waiting for him. Naruto didn't mind walking with her in the village streets even though she was very pregnant. He has done it a couple of times in the past weeks after she visited his compound. It was no longer something that people talked about. It was something normal. Then again, that had been the very idea in the beginning.

"Everything went well," she said to him.

Naruto nodded his head. They walked for a bit before they stepped outside of the Hokage Tower. The air was healthy once more. "Hiashi can be annoying at times. One day, I am going to jump over the table and slap him straight on the face."

The Hyuga was certainly being a frustration to him even though they had ironed things out. Well, at least he wasn't accusing him of plotting on taking over the village with manipulative schemes. As long as what he says stays with just clan politics, Naruto could tolerate it. However, if things went personal, he certainly would not be pleased with the man.

Mikoto giggled at this. "That is something I want to see," she said with a smile. She placed her hand on her belly and spoke. "The days are getting nearer," she said. "My third one but this one is the one I am most excited about."

"I won't tell Sasuke you just said that," Naruto said with a smile. "We haven't even figured out the name yet."

"That is because you don't want to know the gender," Mikoto said. "If you had let those people tell us, we would have made preparations already."

"I want to be surprised." Naruto said. "If I get to know the gender, when I get to hold it, I will be thinking that I have already seen it before. Besides, we can think of both male and female now and chose which one to take when we discover the gender after birth."

Mikoto looked thoughtful for a moment before responding. "What will you name her if she is a girl?"

"I don't know…" Naruto said. He smiled. "If she is a girl, you'll name her. I wouldn't mind if we even called her Mikoto."

"Why Mikoto?" The Uchiha asked with surprise.

Naruto smiled but didn't respond immediately. He went through a couple of thoughts before responding. "I think at some point of my life, I began to be content with being miserable. I never really hoped for a better tomorrow that includes my happiness because, really, it was never something I thought. But Mikoto brought me to the joys of the world. Even as we walk like this, I get to think of a warm future because of you.

"There have been moments were I never felt alive. But because of you, I am alive. I am excited about the future because you came into my life. I am glad that we did what we did and we are what are. If I had to choose the one person who I can die with aside from my mother, it would be you. Perhaps this is true; to what you offer to my life; no one will ever be first before you."

Mikoto smiled happily and took Naruto's hand. She didn't mind that people were watching. "I am acting like a little girl now," she said.

Naruto glanced at the woman with a smile and just shook his head. "I expect this kind of behaviour from Ino. Well, when people are truly happy, you can't explain some of their actions."

"When are you going to be truly happy, Naruto?"

"When I hold what is inside of you, Mikoto…" Naruto said in a calm tone. "Perhaps I am expecting too much. If we get a girl, you will name her. But thinking about the next one, I have to name him if it's a boy."

"Next one?" Mikoto asked. "I didn't think you took me seriously last time we spoke about that."

"Well, I did get time to think about it and I thought, there is no one better I would have to be the mother of my children." Naruto said with a smile. "I have acted somehow to Yugao. Sometimes to Ino and Temari, but you've always held a special place in my heart. I wouldn't have admitted this before, but it is true."

"Well, I am honoured…" Mikoto said. "What about your mother?"

"You know, I have always thought of her before anything. When I was younger, I shared a bed with her because I felt she was lonely and she needed me. Well, I can't do that now…" Naruto said with a shake of his head.

"Before, one would have assumed that you had an incestuous relationship with your mother given how close you were to her…" Mikoto said calmly. "She is still a very lonely person. You must comfort her as she isn't going to love another person. Perhaps if she carries another child, it would make her life much simpler and better."

"That is something to think about," Naruto said in thought. "Well, there is still time. I have always watched the boundaries though." He shook his head. "Sasuke will certainly get bored once you move out."

Mikoto shrugged. "He will have his duties to keep him busy. But expect him to be a daily visitor to see his sibling."

"Somehow that doesn't make me happy," Naruto said a sigh. "I generally don't like sharing things that are mine."

Mikoto nudged him over the shoulder with a smile. She waited until he glanced over to her direction before speaking with a look on her face. "You of all people have no right to say something like that. I know you are possessive about things are 'yours' but you are also some people's someone. Don't you think they also feel that they don't want to share you with anyone? I wouldn't be against the idea of having you to myself, but I understand the circumstances."

Circumstances, huh? Restoring of the Uzumaki clan – it was going to be a difficult process, but he has thought over things and he was ready for it. The things you work hard to earn were some of things you cherish the most. He wasn't going to dwell on the past, on the things that occurred for there to be a need for the clan to go through this process. But it wasn't like he was sacrificing anything anyway. He was going to be happy, and he would cherish his life and those around him. Hasn't he always done that though?

"Maybe if things had gone differently, it would have been just the two of us," Naruto said in thought. "Had it not been for the Sandaime Hokage pushing Yugao towards me, I would have certainly not gone after her. Nevertheless, I don't hate that she is one of us. I have grown to like her very well. Looking into what ifs isn't going to change anything anyway."

"But it can help prepare the future." Mikoto said.

"I don't know about that," Naruto said with a slight shake of his head. "Either way, we are here; we are going to bring a life into this world. But I want to hope that this life is also the life that will bring a heart out of me. I never learned to care for other people other than valuing their contribution to my desires. That aside, I have little regard for human life… despite being a human, I've always looked down on things human."

"Let us hope that things end well, Naruto." Mikoto said in a firm tone. "I hope for a new chapter into my life. This just means that the Uchiha and Uzumaki will forever be family. My union between you and me has made this possible. Isn't it something though? A peaceful clan and a once violent clan becoming friends…"

"Miraculous things occur in this world," Naruto said.

About an hour later, Uzumaki Compound

When Naruto arrived home, he found the family sitting outside the main house, by the garden. He could have opted to leave the ladies alone but since Temari and Yugao were present, he decided to join them. It was sort of something they did whenever Yugao wasn't doing her shifts. They all settled down and enjoyed a pleasant conversation. Naruto never stayed for too long because he always had something to do. It wasn't easy being a clan head while trying to rule the Five Great Nations. The schemes to fight for control truly required much attention given that everything had to be detailed and meticulously planned to avoid lapses that would expose him to the world.

When he sat down with a tired sigh, his mother looked up to him. "Was it that tiring?" she said of the meeting with the clan heads. "You weren't even gone that long."

Naruto shook his head. "It isn't that I am tired from the meeting. You know, we have been doing meetings, sitting together to study fuinjutsu and I have other duties as well. It is taking its toll on my body. I feel like I need to take a breather very soon and just relax before I do something to someone…"

"I hope that someone isn't Hiashi," Yugao said with a stern look.

Naruto shrugged. "It might be or not. You never know with these things. In any case, everything went well. There were no problems that arose concerning the clan. Our agreement with Konoha to supply the village's fuinjutsu needs gets a stamp. We should be able to make enough money to sustain the clan and its operations. Perhaps even Karin will be able to produce something that we can use to make more business."

"You've certainly been talking about money a lot recently," Yugao said with a narrowed look. "I mean you never concerned yourself with money before."

"There are expenses that must be paid," Naruto said calmly. "Besides, this place is big, it must be maintained. Karin's work also consumes much of the budget. We don't want to be a clan in poverty. You know, money also buys influence and survival. You can't talk your way into eating every day."

Temari had never seen Karin since she came into the compound. They spoke about the Uzumaki but she had never seen the girl before. Her presence, lack of rather, wasn't something that these people seemed concerned about. If you were an outsider, you wouldn't know that the person really existed. There was no trace of her anywhere in the compound – it was just her name that rang through the walls but never her presence.

She turned towards Naruto and asked. "Speaking of Karin, when am I going to meet her?"

Naruto blinked once and then shook his head. "You haven't seen her since you came here?" Temari shook her head. "I thought she would have made an appearance by now. But then again she seemed really excited when I gave her everything she wanted. She had immediately pushed me away from her lab and locked herself inside before going to work."

"I got her all the kitchen equipment she would need and have to fill her fridge with food just so she doesn't starve herself," Kushina said with a slight shake of her head. "Sometimes she can be so busy; she hardly even recognizes your presence. But you have also kept yourself very busy, Naruto."

"It is necessary," Naruto said quickly. "But it is only for now…" he said.

Sai had already finished everything in Uzushiogakure. Naruto wanted to take his mother there and show her former home. He would end up going there in the future. Perhaps he might not get to move in there, but he hoped that somewhere in the days to come, when the clan has grown and increased in numbers, it would go back to its home. Uzu was their home, but they would still need to keep the channels open with the Hidden Leaf.

"Waiting for the big day, huh?" Temari said.

Naruto nodded his head. He decided against saying anything to his mother with the other two present. He would speak to her alone and then take her. "Yes…" He said to Temari. "How has your stay been? I haven't much time with you…"

"Or me…" Yugao interjected.

Naruto ignored Yugao and continued speaking to Temari. "But with the little moments you have had, you've always worn a smile. If things are not going as you want, you can always say so. We do have an agreement…" he paused and smiled. 'But I don't really want to be pleasant towards you because we have an agreement but because I care. Anything less would be devoid of any feelings, don't you think?"

"Perhaps," Temari was silent for a couple of moments before speaking once more. "But it depends on the reason behind the agreement in the first place. I don't think you'd smile to me if you don't want to. That isn't even in the agreement. As long as we are both happy, nothing else should matter."

Naruto nodded. "Happiness is the key to it all, isn't it?" he said. "Well, one way or the other, we all want to be happy. What defines our character is what actually makes us happy. Some people are happy with torturing other people. I think my happiness comes from my family. If my family is happy, so am I. But I have realized that the family is very sensitive to my mood. For this family, happiness I shall learn to understand and bring forth so that we can all enjoy being alive."

"Saying something and actually doing them are two different things," Temari said to Naruto.

There had been many moments in which Naruto said many things that were kind, but actually doing them was another matter. Temari really wondered if Naruto would be able to live through what he was saying. Perhaps it was his desire, but once you get used to a certain kind of lifestyle, changing can be difficult. It would be a massive challenge even to Naruto who doesn't like being influenced by other people. Outside influence on how he behaves seemed like a forbidden injustice that he did not tolerate no matter what.

"I have to agree with Temari," Kushina said with a nod. "There have been many moments I told you to try to be happy, but you never listened. Admittedly, I don't know how different things could have been if you have followed my urgings." Well, she wasn't complaining much. They were increasing their family, Naruto was working hard. What more could she desire?

"He did try as best as he could," Yugao said, supporting Naruto. "And I know he will do everything he can."

Naruto smiled at the woman, "At least someone has some confidence in me," he said.

Amegakure

Jiraiya never thought that this life of his would take him to such a journey. There had been many troubling situations in his life. So many regrets and failures. But at least he was able to see a world like this; A world that looked set to change the past. There had been many dreams and at times he'd thought that he would end up dying without seeing any of them. Not long ago, he had been thinking about sacrificing his life for the sake of peace. Perhaps it might not have been enough. Either way, he hadn't ended up sacrificing himself and was still very much alive.

The wheels of fate were changing direction. There was no chaos. No dark cloud looming over the Elemental Nations. But you could never say that there was no darkness that was lurking within the shadows. Nobody really knew what tomorrow held. But it was up to them who were alive and wise to prepare for tomorrow. Jiraiya would not allow this peace to disappear because he failed to grasp the situation. And to think that Naruto of all people would have come with the idea.

Stranger things have not happened. Anyone who suggested that Naruto was a peace loving shinobi was a high and insane. Perhaps the blond merely craved for balance. He certainly could not rest if there was trouble out there. Regardless of the reasons, they were in this situation that painted a favorable tomorrow and Jiraiya liked it. He truly hoped that he was able to live long enough to achieve it.

"You have more of that look these days, Jiraiya-sensei…" Nagato said as he walked over to the Toad Sage.

Jiraiya glanced over to the Rinnegan wielder for a moment before closing his eyes. He adjusted his thoughts before responding. "I have been thinking a bit deeply. Not too long ago, I was ready to die. But now I have the rest of my life ahead of me. I don't know what to do with it…"

The Toad Sage shook his head. It wasn't that he didn't know what he could do with his life. There were many options. Of course he wouldn't quit his research. That work was fundamental in his life and his dealings with people. But one thing was for certain, this peace had to be guarded and he would have to lend a hand in ensuring that it was indeed safe from mischievous people.

"You wanted to give your life way?" Nagato said. "Because of the situation with Iwagakure. But I don't think if you had even given your life away, they would have stopped. The fact would remain: Konoha still killed their Kage or so they would have continued to believe. People are capable of nurturing their hatred for years and strike when they think the time is right."

Jiraiya could not disagree with that. He had seen it many times in his life. "But at least this time around, the truth prevailed and we avoided war. More importantly, we avoided the birth of deep contempt between Iwa, Kiri and Konoha."

Nagato nodded. "I was told the second meeting with the Kages was successful…" He said changing the subject.

"Yes it was…" Jiraiya said with a slight nod of his head. "It is still early days but this is a good start. At least we can move forward knowing what to expect. But we certainly cannot fold our hands and think that all is well."

"That would be naïve," Nagato said in a stern tone. "But there is a question of what we must actually do now."

"The Kages will always put their villages' interests above all things. It would certainly be naïve of us to think none of the current Kages would think of invading another nation if it suited them," Jiraiya said in a firm tone. "Nagato have you thought of doing things you used to do before Yahiko died? I think now is a suitable time to continue with that work."

Nagato didn't offer an immediate response. Those days had been happy. Perhaps a bit naïve but if they did things the same, they would certainly not fall for the same trick as they did the last time around. They would gain more comrades and allies not just from the Hidden Rain but from other villages as well. Shinobi of different villages united under a single cause? Unthinkable but it was certainly possible. And they could do it.

He glanced over to the quiet Konan. "What do you think, Konan?" Nagato asked. "Can we really return to those days?"

"I don't think it will be returning to those days but creating new days and memories," Konan said. "But things will be different this time around because we also have to look after Amegakure. This is our home, the village we fought to protect…"

Nagato nodded. He no longer made it rain everyday. Perhaps it was better this way. He no longer needed to protect his secrets because he was not enemy of the Elemental Nations. "Then maybe it is time Amegakure became open to the outside world."

Upon hearing those words, Jiraiya grinned. "You'll know more people and it gives your people a bit of freedom," he said. "And if anything threatens this village I will be sure to even drag Naruto to stand along you…" the Sannin paused for a moment before speaking once more. "I'm pretty certain if something is going to happen to disturb the current balance, he'll be the first person to know…"

Nagato merely nodded.

"You're not surprised…" Jiraiya said eyeing Nagato with a curious gaze.

"Naruto has a web of connections around all major nations. He said he would keep me updated if something was going to happen…" Nagato said in a calm tone. "I guess he assumed that such a talk would arise and if there was a need for us to go out, we would need the information. At the time he said this, I was thinking perhaps it was because he just didn't want to do anything himself."

Jiraiya blinked upon hearing this. "I didn't know about this…" he said. "But I can understand why he wouldn't want to do anything himself. Naruto has a kid coming up. He probably wants to focus on being a father. He has even relinquished all duties he would otherwise do as a shinobi of the Hidden Leaf."

"Naruto a father?" Nagato shook his head.

"Yes, he is planning to restore the Uzumaki clan…" Jiraiya said. "I thought you too would be interested…"

"I have never given that a thought…" Nagato said. "I have always been focused on peace…"

"It looks within reach now…" Jiraiya grinned and glanced over at Konan. "You don't have to go far to love someone. I mean Konan is right here with you…"

Uzumaki Compound

"What is in your mind, Naruto?" Kushina asked as Naruto stared at her without saying anything. She was a bit surprised, Naruto had never been afraid to voice his thoughts. Seeing him staring at her made her feel a bit uncomfortable.

"A couple of things…" Naruto said.

There was no one within the compound. He could not count Karin because she was busy with her machines in her underground lab. He could disappear with his mother and then come back without anyone noticing. Perhaps what made him slightly unsure about this was that he didn't know how his mother would react to it. She had to see it nevertheless. If not today, then tomorrow. There was no avoiding the fact that Uzushio was their home and eventually the Uzumaki would have to return to their ancestral home. Naruto took into account of this when he prepared all planning. Maybe a side of him had brushed aside his mother's thoughts on the subject.

It was no unlike him, wasn't it? He was making plans regardless of how his mother would think about things. He was certain though, even if she tried to talk him out of things, he would insist and she would have no choice but to agree. Perhaps it was the thought that he would not give his mother a choice that bothered him. Well, nothing would be happening in the immediate future. Konoha was their home and they would rebuild here. However, if things changed, they would have to think about Uzushiogakure.

"What things Naruto?"

Naruto stood up from where he sat and stopped must in front of his mother. She was a beautiful woman. He had known. But she was pure person he had loved with everything inside of him. Although incest had been a disgusting thought, if doing it made sure his mother wasn't touched by anyone, Naruto would have thought of it back then.

"I want to show you something," Naruto started calmly. "But I wish to test something first…" he said and wrapped his hands around his mother. He pulled her closer to him, and enjoyed the warmth of her body. He smiled as they separated.

Kushina gave him a confused look, a bit embarrassed.

Naruto shook his head slightly, but maintained the smile on his lips. "I just wanted to see if I had been mistaken to think that your body was warm when I was younger. Admittedly, there is no better warmth…"

"Well I am your mother…" Kushina said.

Naruto nodded. "Indeed." He was silent for a couple of moments before holding out his right hand. "I said there was something I wanted to show you."

Kushina stared at Naruto's hand for a moment before tilting her head to the side. She was a bit uncomfortable. Perhaps it was her thoughts that were making feel that way. "What?" She asked after taking Naruto's gentle hand.

They disappeared in a flash of yellow.

Kushina eyes widened slightly as she looked around. She could never mistake her home. She had lived in this place before it was destroyed along with her parents and the rest of her family. This was home. Even though she was seeing nothing but ruins, Kushina recognized Uzushiogakure. Her body trembled slightly as she took a step away from Naruto. At this point, she hadn't even registered his presence. She was simply overwhelmed with emotions at seeing the home she left to become the Kyubi's Jinchuriki. But going to Konoha had perhaps saved her life.

Kushina closed her eyes as she tried to live the good days she wasn't an outsider. The days the color of her hair was a norm and a symbol of being Uzumaki. It had been something to be proud of; something to cherish. The color was nothing but a symbol of their strong chakra, their long life-force. There was nothing now. Just memories. Jealousy and fear and driven some people to ruin this beautiful home of hers.

As she stepped into the heart of the village, Kushina saw a newly built house surrounded by a huge wall. There was a large Uzumaki symbol on the gate. Kushina touched the symbol and it glowed before the gate opened.

Kushina wanted to cry. She had never been so overwhelmed with emotions. The compound was beautiful. It was surrounded by light red flowers.

She turned out to face Naruto. Kushina nearly jumped on her son before she hugged him tightly. "Thank you, Naruto…" she said in a whisper.

Naruto embraced his mother for a long moment without saying another. When she finally broke the contact, smiling sheepishly, Naruto shook his head before responding. "I was actually afraid about your reaction. But I thought since we are bringing back the clan, our village should also get to live as well. We can visit the place any time you want."

"There was nothing to worry about, I love it!" Kushina said. "When did you do this? I only even taught you barriers recently. And a chakra barrier that? You really are learning…" she said proudly.

"A home of the Uzumaki should show by being warded…" Naruto said. "I only applied the barriers about a week ago. I had Sai work on this before the first Kage Summit. I was sending clones to help the rebuilding."

Kushina looked around for a moment before glancing back at Naruto. "Well? Are you going to show me around the compound?"

Naruto held out his right hand. Kushina gently took it with a smile before allowing Naruto to lead her. He had counted the growth of his family when he had the place built. It even had some underground safe house to store all their important scrolls and documents. He had figured it would mean more if they kept all their important things within Uzushiogakure. Future descendants would live in this place. Perhaps they would rebuild the village, but this was just the start he could provide.

"I'd always figured that you'd want to return here since Konoha never felt like a home for you," Kushina said after the tour around the compound. Being here was rather nostalgic. She was still happy that he had done this – no matter what, this was their home and they simply could not forget where they came from.

Konoha had been a terrible place to live. Things were different now but no matter what, Naruto didn't think that he would ever grow to love that village. Perhaps a miracle would happen in his death bed, but as things stood, he would never love the Hidden Leaf. He could not forget what was done to him and his mother. He didn't hold much contempt for the villagers, but he still didn't like them.

"I figured you wouldn't want to go to any other village aside from the village you were born," Naruto responded calmly. "Sunagakure could have been our home, and I had taken measures to ensure that we were always welcomed and if it ever came to the point where we had to move, we could be taken care of… but it seems there was a never a need for it."

Kushina was tempted to ask what Naruto had exactly done but she shook her head. "Leaving Konoha for another village wouldn't have been pleasant, especially after your father's sacrifice, and your sacrifice, Naruto. But this is our home. I cannot reject this…" she said. "I haven't been the best of a mother, have I?"

Naruto was silent for a couple of moments. It wasn't often that his mother questioned her role as a mother to him. Those days, he would have been afraid, thinking something was wrong. But now he wasn't worried. People often questioned themselves. The human heart was something else. You always wondered if you gave it your all, if you did the right thing. "What makes you say that, mother?"

"I don't know," Kushina said. She adopted a thoughtful look before responding in a quiet tone. "I felt that I was to blame for your lack of emotions for other people. I wasn't strong enough at times when you young. You were a child and yet, I depended on you. I cried on your shoulders. You stopped crying for me. Perhaps I even tried controlling your life and the choices you had to make because I felt everything was my fault."

"The past is the past mother," Naruto said calmly. "Regardless of what has happened, I couldn't have wished for things to be different. If you had been strong, and I weak, perhaps I would have turned out to be a good for nothing brat. Maybe I would have allowed hatred to take over me. We certainly wouldn't be standing here. We have a good future ahead of us, mother. I couldn't have wished for things to have gone any differently."

Kushina stared into the sky with a smile on her lips. "Perhaps you are right," she said. "Would it okay if we moved around the ruins?"

"You know I have always lived to please you, mother," Naruto said with a smile.

Konohagakure, hospital

Tsunade breathed a sigh of relief when she stepped out of the room she'd been helping Mikoto deliver. The Uzumakis were standing just in front of her, barraging her with questions. There had never been concern for both the mother and the child. She just wanted to be safe. She didn't want a scenario in which something went wrong and Naruto exploded. She liked things as they were and anything troubling would only cause unwanted chaos within the village.

The slug princess ignored the ladies and glanced over at Sasuke. He was standing by the wall, hands folded across his chest, looking cool as he could be. She snorted at the image and turned towards Naruto. He was pacing around, but no one seemed to mind him. She smiled and clapped her hands once. "Okay," she said. "Everything is fine, but Mikoto needs to rest. However, Naruto, you can go in and the rest of you will follow me…" she thought it was best to give mother and father some private time with their new born child.

Naruto walked over to the entrance. His heart was pounding ridiculously fast. This was the day, the moment he had been waiting for since Mikoto told him that she was pregnant. But he hadn't thought that he would be filled with so many emotions that he could not explain. He couldn't even contain them in his face. He didn't know whether it was fear or excitement. Whatever it was, it was overloading his senses.

Tsunade shook her head and slapped Naruto on his shoulder. He nearly jumped at the contact. She couldn't help but help laugh. "Get hold of yourself. You are embarrassing yourself…" she said after amusing herself. Her tone was stern and then she pushed the blond inside the room, before standing guard.

Mikoto had a warm smile on his lips, her eyes were softened; she had a tired look about her, but looked happy. Wrapped within a sheet, was the baby she had just given birth to… her child; Naruto's child. When Naruto stepped into the room, she beamed up slightly and looked up to him.

Naruto's footsteps were slow. He steadied himself as he smiled nervously. The image was beautiful. Mother and child. And he was the father, sneaking in graciously just so not to make any noise that might alert the child of his presence. He stopped by the bed and Mikoto held out her hands, handing over the baby Naruto.

Naruto hesitated for a moment before grasping the sheets that covered the little creature. The eyes were closed, hair black, just like the mother. The hands were so small. Slowly, he held out his right hand and tried to tough the hands that were grasping out for something. The child could only grasp just one finger, but the touch was so gentle and so soft, it made him smile beautifully. He breathed calmly, but his smile only widened into a grin.

The child was so small, so precious, so beautiful, so important, and so his child. His child. He still didn't know if it was a boy or a girl. At this point, it didn't matter. He was holding his child and that was all that mattered to him. His heart seemed to agree to this.

Even when the door burst open and Tsunade was shouting something, Naruto didn't turn around. The only thing that caught his attention was a flash of light. He blinked and stared towards Yugao – who was standing on the side of Mikoto's bed with a camera and wide smile on her lips. "I think it is going to rain today. I have never seen such a smile from him."

Naruto attempted to force his smile to go away, but it would not. The life in his eyes even refused to leave him. He just shook his head and settled on the chair next to the bed. His legs felt tired, perhaps it was the excitement.

"I am going to hold the baby?" Kushina asked, hovering over Naruto.

Naruto shook his head, "I can't let go, mother," he said in a quiet tone. Yugao snapped another photo at that moment.

End

I thought it was best to add this. I had some struggles trying to write it, but I managed to do this. I'm not sure it came out perfectly but I tried.

The Omnipresent Sage