About separating the Kannabi Bridge mission into another chapter: I considered making it a big thing but then I didn't want the whole development value for Kakashi to be lost so I didn't want Naru to just carry them through their srs mission - Plus, those Iwagakure shinobi in Kakashi Gaiden were fodder, at best. I couldn't really give you Naru losing all restraints because they plainly weren't worth it; there was also only one nin at that point (You know, reinforcements are en route and he uses that earth style jutsu to collapse the cave? So yeh. It is a war, so there will be opportunities to see her doing her very best ;)

Kakashi adjusted his hitai-ate for the umpteenth time that same day; it had become somewhat of a habit since Obito's near-death - Not too soon after returning, the medical-nin who examined him explained that as someone who wasn't originally meant to wield the Sharingan, an Uchiha, he couldn't deactivate it. The chakra strain was immense to someone who wasn't used to passively and steadily putting out chakra so covering it was the best option.

He sighed, his pen meeting paper. He had wanted to see Obito after his operation but he knew all too well who Obito would want to see out of the two of them and that was Rin. In one of his rare moments of kindness, he had taken it upon himself to write the mission report and assured Rin that it would all be fine. So, here he was, writing a report for a mission that Obito had almost died on, trying to stifle the heavy emotions that came with every character he penned out.

Initially, he had been prepared to write that, in fact, they weren't able to complete the mission - The mission that was crucial to Konohagakure's success in the Third Shinobi War - By destroying Kannabi Bridge, they were effectively blocking Iwagakure's path to Kusagakure and greatly diminishing their military strength. He had wanted to avoid being like his Father. However, a scouting party sent out to scout the surroundings reported back that the bridge was very much destroyed. It wasn't Kakashi nor Rin who had destroyed the bridge - It was a mystery how it happened. Well, Kakashi had a hunch. He often trusted his hunches.

Still, the failure had memories of that day rushing back to him faster than he could ever hope to handle. Ever since that day, the day he came home to find his dear, beloved Father sprawled out on the floor, cold; dead, he had vowed not to be like him. Not to be a fool who put the lives of others above the prosperity of the village.

But he had done just that. His hand roughly tugged at a waning strand of silver; he almost wanted to laugh, it was so funny. No matter how hard he tried to stick to the shinobi rules, follow them to a T, the blood of his foolish Father still ran through his veins and it was truly maddening and perhaps, just a little bit hilarious in a twisted sense. Oh, how Kakashi wondered what his dear old Dad felt looking down at him now - Was he proud? Proud that he'd made a son who would follow a similar path to an early grave? He sure hoped so - One of them should get a kick out of it.

He'd been lucky this time. That woman, that beautiful Goddess made of flames, had saved Kakashi, had saved Obito but what about next time? When the goings get tough, would he turn tail and cut his losses just like today? Surely, he couldn't expect her to be there every time. To always pick up the slack. Oh but Kakashi couldn't stop thinking about that woman.

She was so beautiful, so vibrant, so effervescent. She was like no one he'd ever met before but somehow, she felt so familiar. In the dark depths that was his turmoil, his tortured soul, she had been like a beacon of hope, shining so brightly and shirking off all opposition. She was a light in the dark. She illuminated his path.

Ah but it wasn't like Kakashi to be so reverent. He was only nine years old, yet he was so proud. So mature. Everyone looked at him with eyes that spoke of admiration, though it barely concealed that spark of amusement at his expense - That's right, his Father was that man who caused heavy losses to the Land of Fire simply because he had a heart. Because, as hard as he tried, he was still human and he still cared. That was his downfall and now, it seemed, it would be Kakashi's too.

Because Obito, that idiot, had wormed his ideals into Kakashi's head and they refused to burrow out; they had made themselves a home. Those who break the rules are trash but those who abandon their friends are worse than trash. And he'd said something else.

And Kakashi hadn't wanted to listen. He shook his head because those words were lies but his ears perked up so willingly as if waiting for a moment where someone's, anyone's, lips would mold around those words and take away this resentment that he loathed to acknowledge. Those simple words, that childish voice, had saved him from his hatred.

"I believe the White Fang was a true hero,"

And somehow, Kakashi believed him. Deep down, he thought, maybe, he always wanted to believe those words but no one had been there to concur, to confirm the idea that yes, Sakumo Hatake was someone to be proud of. And maybe, Obito Uchiha wasn't someone to be hated or scorned, either. Because the two were so very much alike that it both hurt and soothed to be near.

His nose caught a familiar scent. His eyes looked up more eager than he ever thought possible. Why? Because that beautiful woman who had captivated him held the faintest scent of-

"Hey, Kakashi!" A voice bellowed from below the branch he was sitting on.

-vanilla.

His eyes looked down, "What do you want?" He drawled, his visible eye betraying none of his earlier brooding. He hid the disappointment that threatened to flicker.

She wasn't the woman. She was just that short, good-for-nothing (except maybe chakra control) he'd met at training. She was just that girl lucky enough to be the daughter of his sensei. He wasn't interested in her in the least.

She beamed up at him, "I was walking past and I saw you sitting here looking all gloomy," She joked, using her hand as a visor to block the sun.

She shouldn't have that scent, not Naruto Namikaze - She wasn't who he wanted to see when he looked up. He wanted to see that woman. "Go away," He said rudely, attention returning to the mission report.

She didn't seem bothered. "Can I come up there?" She asked, ignoring his hostility.

"No," He answered simply because obviously, the girl couldn't take a hint. Not that he hadn't been overtly-blunt from the start.

"Too bad," She told him, "I'm already coming up," Her feet effortlessly exerted chakra as she walked up the tree with practiced ease, slow and steady, as if Kakashi was a cat she had to rescue from a tree. She plopped down next to him on the sturdy limb of the tree with a huff but didn't say a word, simply waiting for him to speak.

Kakashi didn't look at her, afraid that the smallest glance would make her assume he actually wanted her there. He still couldn't bring his hand to move; the fingers holding the pen were rigid. He didn't want to write the report. He didn't want to write that Obito had almost died pushing him out of the way and a stranger had to help them complete their mission. He wanted to write that everything went fine; he wanted to write that no one was hurt and the mission was successful. More than anything, he didn't want to change - He wanted to be the Kakashi he'd always been because he hated change more than anything; he was so set in his ways.

"I start at the Academy soon," She informed him, so used to telling Kakashi-sensei any and all developments happening in her life - Big or small, the man always seemed interested, in his own disinterested sort of way.

His voice was rough, "What does that have to do with me?" He didn't want to talk right now. He just wanted to finish the report and visit Obito. He didn't want this eye anymore - He wanted to give it back.

There were so many things he wanted.

"Try not to feel so bad," Naruto suddenly voiced from beside him. She made to raise her hand - most likely in an attempt to comfort the young Jounin with light contact - but had quickly stifled that urge and just gave a small smile at nowhere in particular.

Now, Kakashi was angry. He remembered a time where being angry was so out of character for him that it was laughable - These days, it felt like second nature. There was always something around him to be angry at - If it wasn't Obito, then it was the girls who fawned over him. And frankly, Naruto was starting to look like one such girl, "What do you know?" He ground out, right eye still set on the paper, glaring holes through the flimsy material. "You don't know what it's like," He finished, pen threatening to break in his grip.

Naruto hummed in thought and gave him a wide smile, probably infuriating the boy but it was the best way she knew to comfort someone, "I suppose you're right," Though he was the furthest thing from right, "But you can't control everything," She soothed in a gentle voice.

Met with such a flat response, no hint of sadness or recoil at his anger, the rage somewhat dissipated. He adjusted himself so that there was no way even a tiny amount of her smile could be seen in his side view. If he ignored her, she would go away.

She didn't. She just sat there, cross-legged and staring at the clearing beneath. She thought it was a rather peaceful place - Slow breeze, long grass; frail flowers. The scenery wasn't bad at all. She didn't mind sitting there for awhile if she could help her beloved sensei.

His nose twitched with every inhale of vanilla. It was maddening but Naruto had the perfect hint of vanilla in her scent; the very same amount that had trailed behind that woman. If he closed his eyes, he could imagine her warm chakra right next to him. "Just leave," He almost growled at her, so sick of that smell taunting him.

"Nope!" Naruto happily chimed, "I'm staying right here until you cheer up, 'ttebayo!" She crossed her arms as if to demonstrate how stubborn she could really be.

Kakashi scoffed - Surely, this girl didn't think she could outlast him, of all people. He had sat hours in silence during missions countless times, just watching. There was no chance she could beat him - In comparison to him, who had grown up during a war with no parents, her seemingly-idyllic upbringing was a joke.

A small, mischievous grin founds its way onto her features, "So, Kakashi," She drawled innocently, "Can I see your face?" She asked nonchalantly, sending him a curious glance.

"No," He said simply with clear finality in his voice. She was just so irritating.

She leaned towards him, big blue eyes focused on him: "Please," She pleaded.

"No," He repeated, shifting away from her slightly.

"C'mon!" She exclaimed, "I'm sure it's not that bad," She assured him jokingly: "What's wrong? Is it really gross? Do you have a rash?" She questioned rapidly with a teasing tone.

He shot her a glare.

It had no effect whatsoever. She leaned closer, "I won't judge you, even if you have a rash," She told him resolutely, "Even if it's the ugliest face I've ever seen, I won't tell you. I'll tell you it's really handsome, so just let me see,"

"Get away from me," He told her with exasperation but not quite anger. Why wasn't he getting angry? Usually, he would be scowling and saying rude things to any girl who got this close. Maybe it was because she resembled Minato-sensei so much. He decided not to dwell on it.

She gave him a bright smile and reached a delicate hand towards his face, hoping to hook her index finger at the rim and pull it down - So maybe she had begun this endeavor to help distract her Sensei from his thoughts but now this was her chance! She could finally see the elusive face of the Kakashi Hatake.

He smacked her hand away, "Don't touch others without their permission," He glowered.

The fact that he wasn't yelling or growling wasn't lost on Naruto and she smiled happily, returning to her former position without qualm, "Are you writing a mission report?"

"None of your business," He told her, though it was painfully obvious that he was.

She glanced at the paper and shrugged, "When you write the report, you should start by listing the team members and their conditions," She told him, basing it off how she liked to receive her mission reports - There actually wasn't one set way to do it. Usually, the Jounin-sensei put in charge would pass their own style down to their students but during her time as Hokage, she found she liked it done a certain way. "After that, write a short summary of events and elaborate later on - It saves time for the Hokage," She continued absently. As an afterthought, she added: "Don't forget to number the pages,"

Kakashi looked at her incredulously. She had just told him minutes earlier that she hadn't even started the Academy - which was bad in its own right at her age - and now she was telling him how to write mission reports? Just... who does this girl think she is? "Mind your own business," He enunciated slowly, following up from his earlier point that the mission report was none of her business.

Naruto watched with amusement as he actually started writing down the names of his team members and their conditions next to them but said nothing. She noticed the slight tremor as he penned out the kanji for Obito's name, "Obito will be fine," She told him suddenly. She let out a sigh, "Grandma Tsunade is the best medic-nin out there - She'll find a way, so don't worry," She tried to comfort him. Though, honestly, she knew nothing about this Kakashi-sensei - He wasn't laid-back and reserved like her Sensei. He was brooding and scarred like Sasuke but dutiful as well - She could tell, no matter how many hardships he'd suffered, his loyalty to the Leaf never wavered (unlike a certain duck-butt she knew).

Kakashi's shoulders relaxed a little - He hadn't known that the Legendary Sannin was the one treating Obito; it was a load off his shoulder, though he'd heard she retired from the profession to pursue a life of vices, "I didn't ask," He grumbled, continuing to write. His writing became neater and his wrist flowed more easily, however and he couldn't deny he was relieved. Not that he'd admit it to anyone, least of all Naruto Namikaze.

Naruto smiled gently, that familiar spark of fondness alight in her blue orbs. This time, she didn't stop herself and raised her hand - It fell on his head and ruffled his silver hair - It was soft, unexpectedly so; she had thought it would be coarse or rigid due to its strange anti-gravity properties but was pleasantly surprised.

"W-What are you doing?" Kakashi slightly stuttered, unused to someone taking such liberties, "Don't touch me," He said without a hint of anger and only the slightest amount of embarrassment.

She beamed at him and laughed playfully, "Sorry, sorry," She said, insincere, "I was just glad you look a bit happier now," She explained before hopping down from the branch and falling onto the ground with a thud, "Keep up the good work, dattebayo!" She called to him as she ran away.

Kakashi grumbled about annoying girls and Sensei deserving a better daughter and not wanting to run into her again as his pen continued to race across the page - He looked much akin to an author who had finally found the perfect muse for inspiration and now wrote in a frenzy. His heart felt lighter knowing that Tsunade herself was taking care of Obito - Now all that was left was to finish this mission report and go see how the idiot's going. Not that he'd tell him he was worried or anything - That's what Rin was for.

Tsunade sighed as she watched the Uchiha boy being hauled down the hall on a hospital bed. She'd ensured that he got his own room for recovery, although that was a rare privilege these days - The war wasn't at full swing right now but more and more injured were coming into the Hospital, staring death in the face, so sharing a room with one or two other people was becoming somewhat mandatory.

In all honesty, Tsunade was quite disappointed in herself. When Naruto, that brat, had stormed into her motel room and demanded that she treat a kid who got crushed by a boulder, she found that she really couldn't say no and that was worrying in and of itself but when she arrived in the operating room, there was blood and, as was expected, she froze - Somehow, she found her composure but had to make Shizune perform the actual surgery while Tsunade looked over the medical research provided by the Nara Clan.

She was impressed with the Nara Clan, as always - They were so thorough and extensive when it came to different herbs for medical use. She had focused primarily on those with bone and muscle regrowth properties - All in all, the Uchiha boy will find he has to ingest a lot of herbal medicines when he wakes up; they won't taste good either. The surgery did well to replace his bones and halt the internal bleeding in his right lung and kidney - Obviously, there was nothing they could do about his missing eye - but some bones had been chipped, resting themselves inside countless muscle cavities and the medics put in charge of them had to extract the pieces. There was no way for them to know which piece fit where and frankly, they couldn't keep cutting open a 13-year-old boy if their aim was for him to survive. Really, the only hope was for the boy to regrow his bones and the damaged muscle surrounding them.

Most surprisingly, the boy's right eye was still in perfect condition - Tsunade had been quite amused hearing a nurse cry out in surprise after checking his eye and finding his Sharingan still active. Even Uchihas couldn't usually keep it up when they fell unconscious, especially not under that level of injury. Somehow, she felt like the boy would be just fine, though she couldn't save him from the scarring - It wasn't anything too disgusting; she'd seen worse - Naruto had informed her that he was an unwavering nice guy, so she was sure it'd work out for him.

She briskly walked towards a small figure slumped over in a waiting room chair, not attempting to quiet the click of her heels, and shook the girl awake, "Oi, the operation's over - Wake up," She said in her usual gruff voice. The girl, Rin, had been sitting there for over twelve hours and even the medics who were on duty when Obito's operation started had long since gone home.

Rin rose her head in a drowsy daze and blinked a few times. She looked up at Tsunade, who she admired as a medic-nin herself, "Where's Obito?" She asked instantly without further thought, "Is he okay?"

Tsunade gave a sound nod but otherwise, didn't attempt to school her features into a kinder expression. "He's recovering in Room 178 down the hall. Don't make too much noise and don't wake him up," She lectured before stepping back, expecting the girl to run right past her towards the room.

Instead, Rin stood and bowed deeply, "Thank you very much for helping Obito!" She bellowed sincerely. After seeing Tsunade nod in acknowledgement, she ran down the hall at full speed towards the room.

Tsunade stood there, scratching her head and let out a yawn. She was damn tired. She'd made the first batch of the medicine and left the list of ingredients with the staff, so she should be fine to go home, drink some sake and sleep - She deserved it.

"Baa-chan!" A high-pitched voice sounded from the entrance to the Hospital.

The older blonde's fist collided with Naruto's head, "What, gaki?" She drawled with sharp eyes.

"Ow," Naruto mumbled, nursing the bump forming on her head. "I just wanted to know how Obito was - You didn't have to hit me, Baa-chan,"

Tsunade resisted hitting her again and simply sighed - Lately, she'd just gotten used to being called 'Baa-chan' by the kid (although she didn't deserve the title when she was only forty-four), "The operation is finished. It all depends on how well he recovers from hereon," She briefed evenly.

"Hm, that's great to hear," Naruto nodded agreeably, "Thanks for taking my unreasonable request, Baa-chan,"

The busty woman's eyes narrowed into slits filled with suspicion, "What's with you being polite, gaki?" She inquired.

The blonde girl sputtered, "I'm always polite," She insisted, winding the handle of the plastic bag she was holding tighter around her hand.

Tsunade's gaze flickered to it, "That boy can't eat yet," She informed her, "Half of his mouth probably won't even work for awhile,"

Naruto's eyes followed hers to the bag in her hand and she scratched the back of her head, smiling sheepishly, "Actually, this is for Mum," She corrected, "I know she likes ramen so I asked Teuchi to make a take-out box for her," She continued.

"Alright then," The medic-nin accepted, "I did as you asked and kept the nurses out of her room," Her honey-brown eyes met blue, "Why did you ask me to do that?"

Naruto's gaze didn't show any hint of unsteadiness or guilt, "I wanted her to be able to sleep in peace," She intoned.

"What if she needed medical attention?" The older raised her eyebrow - Was the girl truly eleven?

"That's why I asked you to watch her," The younger returned.

"You knew I would be helping with an operation for hours," Tsunade debated.

Naruto shrugged and smiled, "My Mother is strong," She said matter-of-factly.

Tsunade nodded - That was true. Even if the Hospital was abandoned, Kushina would most likely be fine with a bit of rest and some hearty food. "I'll leave it to you then, gaki," She finally gave up, her heels clicking as she walked away, "Tell your Mother she should discipline her kid better," She said as she left.

"Will do, 'ttebayo!" Naruto bellowed back. She took quiet steps through the hall, moving towards the room on the second floor her Mother was in. Her blue eyes flickered to the side where she saw Obito lying in the bed, covered in bandages. Rin had fallen asleep again, her face and arms resting on the edge of the bed. Naruto offered a small smile, slowly closed the door to the room and kept moving, resolving to visit the next day.

She began thinking about what Kakashi-sensei would do next - Would he give the eye back? It would make sense and this time was very different from the first time - The donor of his eye was actually alive and without a left eye but she didn't particularly want Kakashi-sensei to be without an eye - She may be showing favoritism here, though. What do you think, Kurama?

I think you should have let those brats die.

Someone's in a bad mood. She teased. Come on, be serious.

What they decide to do is their business, brat. Didn't your sensei tell you to mind your own business?

Yeah but when have I actually ever done that?

A sound point.

I always make sound points.

I beg to differ.

Why do you always try to start fights with me?

Entertainment.

Hmm. I guess it would get boring in there. Should I find you a nice lady-fox to keep you company?

There isn't a fox you could find that would be a suitable mate for someone as great as I.

Who said anything about a mate? Pervert.

You dare to call me a pervert? A truly insolent brat.

Yeah, yeah. Take a joke, would ya?

I didn't find it particularly funny.

Well, I did.

That matters least of all.

Whatever. I'm almost at Mum's room so keep it down, idiot.

Insolent brat.

Naruto gently opened the door, careful not to surprise her Mother. "Mum?" She called, peeking her head through the door. She let out a sigh of relief as she saw her Mother still asleep - Compared to her state before, she looked amazing. Naruto walked up to the side of the bed and sat in the nearby chair. She gingerly shook Kushina awake, "Mum, wake up," She whispered as reinforcement for her efforts, making the chakra cloak dissipate as she did so.

"Mmm," Kushina sounded as her eyes slowly opened, the violet color of her eyes had returned and her complexion was lively again, thanks to the Kyuubi chakra. "Naru, you're back," She smiled softly.

Naruto nodded. She pulled up the plastic bag and took out the take-out box, "I got you some ramen from Ichiraku. It's salt flavored," The blonde tempted, returning the smile, "Sit up so you can eat," She told her before adjusting the bed to support the red-head's new position.

"Thank you, Naru," Kushina's voice was still soft from having just woken up. She pulled the nearby table, which only had a support on one side to allow it to hold food over a bed, and watched as Naruto put the salt ramen in front of her, "You didn't get yourself any?" She asked worriedly, feeling slightly guilty to be eating in front of her.

"I already had some at the shop," Naruto lied, "It was delicious as always," She beamed, passing her Mother the chop sticks. "Have you eaten anything today?"

Kushina shook her head with a light laugh, "I was asleep the entire day," She said with a little embarrassment. "Where's your Father?" She asked a little sterner, swirling the ramen around her chopsticks.

Naruto stifled a sigh of relief - She wouldn't have to explain why there was Kyuubi's red chakra enveloping her. "He went on a mission this morning," Naruto informed her, "He should be back later tonight or tomorrow,"

"That Minato," Kushina sighed, "Didn't even come to visit his own wife before he left," She pouted lightly.

Naruto let out a soft laugh seeing the noodles hanging out of her mouth, "I'll give him an earful for you when he gets home and tell him to come here right away," She assured.

Kushina relaxed a bit more into the bed, "That's okay," She drawled, slurping up more noodles before continuing, "It's his job, after all," She said understandingly. "Since you're here, it's one hundred times better, dattebane!" The beautiful red-head joked.

"Of course, 'ttebayo!" Naruto returned with a hundred-watt smile.

"'ttebayo?" Kushina asked with a certain sense of dread.

"Oh yeah," Naruto began, looking anywhere else but at Kushina - She had been with her Father (who had full knowledge of her circumstances) so much that she'd become careless and let her verbal tick slip out, "I guess I picked it up from you,"

The red-head frowned, "That's the one thing I didn't want you to get from me," She lamented, "You got everything else from your Father but all I gave you was that,"

"That's not true!" Naruto comforted. She lightly prodded her face, "I've been told I have your face," It still counted if Kushina was the one who said that.

"Hmm, really?" Kushina asked with narrowed eyes, inspecting her Daughter's face, "I guess that's true, dattebane!" She brightened, patting Naru on the back. Hard.

"That hurts!" Naruto sobbed, awkwardly bending her arms to rub the painful area, "You're too strong,"

"Ah, sorry, Naru," Kushina frowned, scratching the back of her head, "I guess I don't know my own strength," She joked.

Naruto crossed her arms and fell back into the chair with a huff, "Just eat your ramen," She grumbled.

"Are you mad?" Kushina said with a slightly teasing tone.

"I'm not mad," The blonde girl sighed, "Eat your ramen,"

"Alright, dattebane!" She began slurping up the noodles again, though their temperature was considerably lower than before, "Once I'm finished, can I go home?" She inquired.

"No idea," Naruto returned truthfully, "I'll go ask," She offered as she stood up, flattening out her clothing. She walked to the reception, "Excuse me, is it possible for Kushina Uzumaki to be discharged now?" She asked politely, offering a smile.

The woman clicked away on her computer - It was pretty old-school; the bulky design really made Naruto think about the difference in time from when there was a thin laptop sitting on her Hokage desk, "Kushina Uzumaki..." She hummed as she browsed their files, "I'm sorry, we can't discharge Uzumaki-san until tomorrow morning,"

"I see," Naruto said pensively, "Why is that?"

"Can I ask your relation to the patient first?" The woman said, her brown orbs shifting.

"I'm her daughter," The blonde Jinchuuriki returned, feeling something amiss.

The receptionist hummed for a bit, inspecting Naruto - The girl didn't resemble the beautiful red-head too closely but the woman knew Kushina was married to Minato and she had always suspected the man had strong genes, "Alright," She sighed, "The truth is some of our sensory types noticed powerful chakra coming from her room and they want to run some tests," She came a bit closer, "I'm not supposed to tell you so keep it to yourself," She whispered conspiratorially.

Naruto's eyes narrowed slightly in panic, "What kind of powerful chakra?" She questioned fervently. She had set up the spare chakra concealing seals her Father made around her Mother's bed, so there shouldn't have been any way that they could find out about the chakra cloak if they didn't see it. What was going on?

The black-haired woman looked hapless and wasn't sure if she should say anything - For all she knew, Kushina and Minato hadn't disclosed her Mother's status as a Jinchuuriki, "It was just strong, sweetie, nothing to worry about," She soothed.

The blonde girl's hands balled into fists at her side but otherwise, she didn't show any sign of displeasure, "Does my Mother know about these tests?" She asked tensely.

The receptionist marveled at how mature the girl seemed and shook her head, "Lady Tsunade, of the Legendary Sannin, made sure no one could get into the room but family," She explained nervously, suddenly beset with fear from the look in the girl's eyes, "We haven't had the chance to tell her," She finally added.

Naruto sighed and offered another, albeit reluctant, smile to put the woman at ease, "Thank you very much. I'll tell her myself," She said curtly before turning on her heel and walking away.

"Ah, wait!" The woman called, "It's our job to tell her," She said when the girl stopped in her tracks.

Naruto didn't look back, a little angry that they wanted to perform tests on her Mother like some sort of specimen, "I will tell her," She insisted, leaving no room for argument before returning to the room.

Kushina looked up from the magazine Tsunade was nice enough to give her with a smile as she saw the door open, "Naru, what did they say?" She questioned happily, looking expectantly at the door.

Naruto schooled her features into a smile as she peeked her head in, "Sorry, Mum - They said you have to stay until morning," The blonde girl slowly made her way to her seat, inspecting the ground where she'd left the seals. First one, check. Second one, check. Third one- The third one was gone. She subtly looked at where she had planted the fourth and it was still there, too.

"What are you up to, Naru?" Kushina asked with curiosity, watching her Daughter move around.

"I thought I saw a bug," She had become a bit better at lying lately - She wasn't sure if that was a good or bad thing but frankly, it was the least of her worries right now. She let out a laugh, "Guess I was wrong or it got away," She continued. Her blue eyes trailed to where the seal had been - There wasn't any of it left so it couldn't be that a particularly strong wind ripped it and made it ineffective - Someone had taken it.

Kushina's stare became firmer, "Naru, what's wrong?" She queried - Her maternal instincts were going crazy right now and she didn't know exactly why.

Naruto met her eyes with a shaky smile, "Nothing. Nothing's wrong," She said, scratching the back of her head. Who had taken the seal? Why would they? How'd they get into the room? Her eyes roamed over to the open window. How incompetent were the people in this Hospital? She sighed quietly and went back to her seat, deciding those were questions for another time, "The receptionist said they want to run some tests on you," She blurted out honestly.

"Tests?" Kushina asked, "What kind of tests?"

Naruto shrugged, leaning back on her chair and letting out a sharp exhale, "They said they sensed some strong chakra in here and wanted to run some tests on you. Do you know what that's about?" She inquired with an easy tone that suggested she didn't need to answer if she didn't want to.

The red-head shook her head and smiled, "No idea," She mumbled, looking out the window thoughtfully, eyes resting on the quickly-darkening sky. "Maybe you should go home for today, Naru. I know it'll be lonely but your Dad and I will be home soon. I don't want you going back too late," She said after a pregnant pause.

"I'll stay here with you," Naruto insisted. She gave a light laugh, "I know it won't be that comfortable sleeping on the chair but I don't mind, really," She assured her Mother.

Kushina shook her head again and gave Naruto a pat on her blonde crown, "Go home for today, Naru," She said kindly, though there was an insistence there that was hard to ignore. "I'll be back home before you know it," She rummaged through her belongings next to her and pulled out some money, "I won't be there to make you anything, so go to Ichiraku. Actually eat something this time, instead of saying you did just to make me feel better," She chided with a raised eyebrow.

Naruto sweat dropped. Mothers are frightening. She thought nervously. She reached out to take the money and found it was one of the few times where she was reluctant to go to Ichiraku. "Are you sure?" She wondered, willing her Mother to change her mind.

"Off ya go - I'm tired, dattebane!" Obviously, Kushina didn't plan to change her mind. She ushered her Daughter out with a wave of her hand.

Naruto's head sagged as she left but she brightened with remembrance a moment later, "I signed up for the Academy," She quickly informed her Mother.

Kushina's eyes brightened happily, "That's my girl, dattebane!" She praised, "Don't give up until the very end," She cheered.

"I got it, dattebayo!" Naruto concurred with a large smile, glad that her Mother's liveliness had returned. She paused at the doorway, "Should I bring you some clothes tomorrow morning?" She asked, small hand poised to push open the door.

Kushina inspected herself and noticed she was still in her Shinobi attire, "That'd be nice," She said, a light blush dusting her cheeks, "You know the green dress with the white shirt underneath?"

Naruto's gave a soft smile and an unreadable emotion flickered in her blue eyes, "I know the one," It was the dress her Mother had worn when they first met in her mind. She left the Hospital slightly disappointed but couldn't stifle her happiness at being treated to ramen.

Kushina looked at the sunset longingly and sighed, "Strong chakra, huh?" She mumbled to herself, eyes turning to her abdomen, "What's this all about?"

Naruto made her way to Ichiraku and found the fact that she arrived alone a tad saddening. Back in her time, she would always talk to Teuchi when she didn't have a guest or even when she did but this Teuchi ran the shop almost single-handedly and didn't have the time to make small talk with her. She asked him, for the second time that day, if she could get her ramen to go and drudged her way back home.

She almost walked straight into a stumbling drunk and before she could scold him to make sure he didn't recklessly walk into others, she noticed his tall stature, red haori and long white hair, "Pervy Sage?!" She called out in surprise, gaining a few looks from the surrounding foot traffic, though when they saw the man, they shirked it off since they were all used to him being an all-around weird guy.

"Hey, kid, who are you calling Pervy Sage?" He asked in a slurred tone, cheeks flushed from the sake he consumed. He looked back at the proud establishment he had just stumbled out of, "Goodbye, ladies! I'll be sure to come see you again~" He called to them, offering a clumsy wave.

The women let out, obviously-rehearsed, giggles and batted their eyelashes, "Don't forget us, Jiraiya-sama," Their soft voices called.

Naruto gave him a blank look, "What are you doing, Pervy Sage? Aren't you too old to be going to those places?" Then again, he was much older when she traveled with him and he still went to such places even then.

Jiraiya's eyes fell on the young girl and he struck his signature kabuki pose with his hand outstretched, flicking his hair up and back, "I am the hermit of Mount Myoboku, the Wise and Immortal Spirit!" He bellowed theatrically, "That's right! It is I, the Toad Mountain Sage!" Then he grumbled quietly: "... And I'm only forty-four,"

The blonde girl sighed, waiting for him to realize who he was talking to - Surely, he knew what his own god daughter looked like and he was just too damn drunk to notice. On another note, he was already doing that crap at forty-four?! Some people never change, time travel or not. It was sorta making their heart warming reunion less heart warming and more troublesome,"I already know who you are," She offered with a sigh.

"Ah, it's you!" Jiraiya hollered, his eyes seeming to sober a little. A little. "I've been lookin' for you, kid," He grumbled.

"Why?" She asked dumbly, blinking at the man. Honestly, she was fighting the urge to jump up and hug the man with all the strength she'd acquired over her years on the battlefield but decided against it because the man's reputation wasn't so good that he could be hugged by an eleven year old girl he had no resemblance to and leave socially-unscathed.

"Well, that's because..." His fingers stroked his chin as his drunken mind pondered what he wanted. What did he want? Something about a scroll? Scroll... Toads... Naruto.. "The scroll!" He finally said after a pregnant pause.

"Pervy Sage, you okay?" She questioned, tipping her head curiously to the side. Her blue eyes inspected the man's face - Just like everyone else, he was pretty young. Well, young compared to the one she knew but not particularly youthful in any other way. The fact that he was alive was more than enough for her.

"What? Yes, perfectly okay- Hey, don't call me Pervy Sage, kid!" He nodded continuously, almost in a rhythm, "Anyway, how are you, kid?" He asked, beginning to walk and expecting her to follow, "Your Dad isn't with ya?"

"I'm fine," She returned, "Dad's on a mission," She continued - It felt like she had said those same words a lot today.

Jiraiya hummed, "It isn't like him to leave you by yourself," He recalled, "I guess he got over all that overprotective stuff, eh?"

Naruto shook her head sadly, "He's still like that," She corrected, "He just couldn't turn down the mission," She sped up her pace slightly, her little legs having trouble keeping up with the tall man - Even as an adult, Naruto believed she still would've had to speed up to keep up. It was a bit sad that she'd never had the chance to confirm that idea.

"What about Kushina?" He said with a slight leer.

Dirty old man. "She's in the hospital," She intoned, sending a sharp glare at his perverted expression.

"Oh, that won't do at all!" the perverted Sannin bellowed, "I should visit her - She may need help bathing or dressing herself..." He said quickly, more to himself than her, with a light blush and drool practically falling out of his mouth.

Naruto sent a deft kick to his shin with the back of her foot, "Whose Mother are you thinking about, you dirty old man?!" She snapped, not truly angry - It was, maybe, a little nostalgic.

"Dirty?" He quoted incredulously, "There's nothing dirty about it! I'm worried about my student's wife and you call me dirty?!" His voice raised comically, his fist raised in front of him.

"Yeah, yeah," Naruto grumbled, hands in her pockets, "Say whatever you like, Pervy Sage,"

He noticed the looks others were giving him. "Sh! Don't call me Pervy Sage!" He began with a slightly hushed voice, before his expression turned pensive, "Where are we goin', kid?" He asked her, looking down at her small, blonde head.

"Huh?" Naruto blinked, "I was following you,"

"Ah, well..." He scratched his cheek, "I'm not really goin' anywhere," He admitted.

"Say that before, 'ttebayo!" She yelled, changing direction and moving towards her home.

"As feisty as your Mother, huh?" He mumbled to himself before following. "Where to now?" He questioned, falling into step next to her.

"I guess we're going to my house," She sighed, "I'm sure Dad won't mind,"

Jiraiya nodded thoughtfully, "I was already planning to stay there anyway,"

"You didn't plan anything else?" She asked, then her eyes narrowed suspiciously, "Were you hoping to spend some time with my Mum?"

"Wha? Of course not!" Jiraiya sputtered, his hands up defensively, "I would never!"

"Yeah, okay," She returned quietly, "Why were you looking for me?" She asked curiously as they neared the house.

His face was serious. He didn't answer with words - He bit his thumb to draw blood and expertly performed the seals for a summoning jutsu, slamming his hand down onto the ground, "Summoning Jutsu!" He called. When the smoke cleared, a large toad, Gama, stood there stalwartly - Thankfully, the street was relatively quiet so there was no startled civilians around.

Gama's eyes rolled back to look at the Sage on his head then to Naruto with a look of recognition. His long tongue shot up and wrapped itself around Jiraiya, attempting to pull him into his mouth.

"Don't swallow me, you stupid toad!" Jiraiya struggled, using his geta-clad feet to push off the sides of Gama's mouth, "Stop!" He yelled.

Naruto looked on with a blank look as Gama got a good whack on the nose and let the Toad Sage down. That hadn't happened before.

"Ahem," Jiraiya coughed, smoothing out his clothes and attempting to flick the toad saliva off of his arm and abdomen, "Excuse that, he's been trying to do that for a few days now," He said, clearly embarrassed.

"I see," Naruto uttered simply. Her blue eyes met those of Gama and she offered a small smile.

In response, the toad spat out a familiar scroll and slowly brought it down in front of the small girl, using his tongue like an escalator. A slimy one.

"What's this?" She played along, though rather unconvincingly. She set down and unfurled the scroll with steady hands, noticing her name written on it. She suddenly knew what this was about.

Jiraiya jumped off the toad and landed with a huff. He walked in front of Naruto and grabbed her cheeks, pulling at them, "You know what that is, squirt," Pull. Squish. "It has your name on it, why is that? Why don't ya tell me, huh?"

Naruto felt her eyes going in wayward directions and grumbled something incoherent.

The perverted hermit pulled once more then let the chubby cheeks flop back into place like rubber, "What was that, kid?" He asked, lending her his ear.

"I said, I can't talk if you do that, 'ttebayo!" She yelled in his ear.

He reeled and stuck his pinky finger in his ear, "Ouch, kid - Keep it down,"

"Don't pull on my face!" She snapped in return, rubbing her reddened cheeks.

Jiraiya jumped back onto Gama's head and sat, cross-legged, looking down at her, "Now that you can speak, how about telling me why your name is on that scroll?"

"Uh, well..." She said awkwardly, nervously scratching her cheek with an index finger and sending a conspiring look towards Gama, who held no true answers to her dilemma, "Would you believe me if I said, 'I don't know'?"

"No, I wouldn't," Jiraya's voice suddenly seemed to be booming, though this may just be Naruto's nerves getting to her. "Tell me honestly,"

Naruto pondered for a while - Honestly, the guy seemed like an idiot but he was actually annoyingly wise and deductive. She doubted she could actually fool him - She couldn't even fool her Mother about having eaten ramen, "Well..." She began, looking uncertain. She took a deep breath, "The truth is that..."

~CHAPTER END~

Hm, what did you think of this chapter? I don't know how I feel. I'm glad I got some Kakashi in it and I definitely want to increase their interaction soon.

I really enjoyed Kushina and Naruto talking - I don't know why xD It just seemed so nice, like the mood, you know?

Tell me what you thought in a review (unless it's mean because as I said, I will cry - I'm a fragile maiden, okay?) if ya want. :)