A/N: What's that sound? Is that the pitter patter of little feet? Well, yes it is! The cast has been busy multiplying. Let's see how all the little ones get along.

Revealed Connections

Chapter 12

It was now November of the following year, which meant it was Harvest Festival time once again. Konoha was bustling with activity as everyone prepared for the festivities to come. Kamizuki Izumo and his partner Hagane Kotetsu were manning their usual post at the northern gate. There were a few visitors from other hidden villages who came to join in the celebration. Word of Miyamoto-san's incredible fireworks displays had spread to the surrounding countries. The two gatekeepers hadn't seen any interesting visitors come through the gate until about noon. That's when they saw a five mysterious figures heading towards them. There were four shinobi all dressed alike in tan with black masks that covered the bottom half of their faces, black gauntlets, and black utility vests. Two shinobi flanked each side of the most interesting looking figure who stood in the center wearing a purple and black kimono and a black head dress with the kanji for sound written in purple. As the entourage approached the registration desk the two guards noticed a tiny foot sticking from behind the left side of the center figure's kimono. The two men were finally able to make out the face of a woman with yellow-green cat like eyes.

"Konnichiwa, gentlemen. I was assuming the Hokage would be here to greet me but it appears I may have arrived a bit early." Izumo and Kotetsu just stared at her for a moment, enraptured by her melodious voice. Izumo finally broke the silence when he realized something.

"If you're waiting for the Hokage then you must be..." He was cut off by a voice crying out in the distance.

"Oi, Megumi-sama!" came the booming voice of a very cheerful Uzumaki-san. The entire visiting party turned to see him followed by his two wives, who each carried a child in their arms. Megumi-san bid her companions to follow her as she went to meet with the Uzumaki's. Once they stood facing each other the Siren of Sound gave a respectful bow which Naruto returned. "Otokage-sama, I'm glad you could make it. And who, may I ask, is your little companion?" he inquired when he noticed the tiny foot sticking from within her kimono. In response Megumi pulled back one side of her kimono to reveal a sleeping child with soft, lavender locks.

"I'd like to introduce Hatake Ayame." As Naruto commented on how pretty the baby girl was, Hinata and Sakura brought their sons over to see the younger baby. Both Hideki and Hinode leaned a little closer to get a better look at Ayame. With a yawn and a stretch little Ayame finally opened her dark eyes. All three adult Uzumaki's commented on how here eyes were the same color as Kakashi's right and they all noticed she had that same bored expression. All she needed was an Icha Icha book in her hands the they would practically be twins. After Hinata and Sakura helped each other put their sons in the baby slings on their backs, the two parties headed for the Hokage's tower. They stopped briefly at the daycare center at the base of the tower before heading to the top. Aburame Yuki, who was one of the daycare providers, was delighted to finally meet little Ayame. Her son, Senkou, looked like he didn't belong with the other infants and toddlers because of his size. He was only a little over a year old yet he was walking around with an almost manly swagger. He walked over to look down at the baby girl whom his mother had sat on one of the play surfaces. Ayame simply stared up at him in awe.

"My baby boy sure is big, isn't he, Ayame-chan?" The five month old girl simply continued to stare at Senkou, who smiled back at her. The two mother's laughed at the adorable sight. After making sure Ayame was settled Megumi noticed something through the window/partition that separated the infants and toddlers section from the pre-school section. The Nara's six year old fraternal twins, Aoru and Aori, were playing with their cousins, five year old Mujina and four year old Kaktasu. Since his two daughters were here Megumi figured the Kazekage was also present. The Otokage intended to stop by after her meeting with the Hokage to say hello to Gaara's little girls.

While her mama was busy with grown-up business, Ayame crawled over to a small pile of soft toys to explore. She didn't have far to go since it was a fenced off play area. She squeezed one toy and even bit it, but it didn't make enough noise for her so she lost interest. Yuki then pulled Ayame's rattle, which was a gift from the Kazekage, out of her diaper bag and handed it to the baby girl. It was Ayame's favorite since it made such a delightful noise. The sound even caught the attention of Uchiha Zuiichi, who was one month older than Ayame. He watched Ayame shake the noisy item for a minute before reaching for it. Whether by accident or on purpose Yuki wasn't sure, but Ayame bopped Zuiichi on the head with her toy. It startled him at first but tears soon followed. Yuki took the rattle away from Ayame causing her to start wailing too. All the hubbub got the attention of Hideki and Hinode, who scooted over there to see what all the fuss was about. Senkou was too caught up with playing with some soft blocks to even care. Also, one month old Rock Ken was too young to care. Yuki picked up Zuiichi to comfort him while gently scolding Ayame for playing so rough. Ayame's wailing was now reduced to sniffles as she sat there pouting. Hinode had crawled up beside her and started to babble to her in attempt to start a conversation. Yuki thought that was cute. All the daycare assistants got a case of the awws when Hinode leaned over and gave Ayame's tear stained cheek a big wet kiss. The baby girl apparently didn't think it was so cute since she simply glared at the boy then crawled away to check out Senkou's nifty blocks. That made all the grown-ups laugh. As Yuki set Zuiichi back down in the playpen, she heard an all too familiar voice coming from the daycare center entrance.

"Looks like my little girl is breaking hearts already." Yuki smiled when she saw those famous silvery locks.

"Kakashi-san, how good to see you! You're daughter is causing quite a stir up in here."

"I can see that," Kakashi commented as he lifted Ayame into his arms. He leaned his head back when she tried to pull at his mask. "All right, pretty girl. You and I are going for a little walk. Kurenai and Anko would like very much to meet you." Hatake-san then strapped Ayame into a stroller as Yuki brought him her diaper bag. His wife had told them that her meeting with the Hokage may take some time, so she suggested he take their daughter to visit with friends.

In the meantime, Megumi waited patiently in the council chamber for Naruto. She wasn't alone for Gaara was sitting next to her. The Otokage's four bodyguards didn't say a mumbling word when they saw the Kazekage openly and shamelessly flirting with their leader. He would occasionally lean in to kiss her and even put his hand on her belly. They couldn't hear what he was whispering into her ear, but whatever it was it was making Megumi blush. The rather racy kiss they shared at the moment was interrupted by the sound of someone clearing their throat.

"Sorry to interrupt this love fest, but we have a treaty to negotiate," Naruto teased with a smile. Though he wasn't aware of all the details, he knew there was something serious going on between Megumi and Gaara. Apparently Kakashi knew and seemed to approve, which was why Naruto didn't dare question any one of them. He'd come to learn that all three of them liked to keep their private life private.

After she and Gaara got themselves together, Megumi introduced her four youjinbou.

"Hokage-sama, I'd like to introduce Midori (codename Do), Rei (codename Re), Miki (codename Mi), and Baffa (codename Fa). They accompany me anytime I journey from Otogakure with Ayame. Their main purpose is to protect her at all costs. Since she's with her father now I know she's in good hands." After all introductions were out of the way, Megumi dismissed her youjinbou so negotiations for the treaty between Leaf, Sand and Sound could begin.

At the same time, Hinata and Sakura were in the Hokage's personal quarters preparing special gifts for the Otokage to commemorate this historic event. One gift basket contained samples of some of the best food native to Konoha. Sakura even included some Ichiraku ramen to satisfy Naruto. In another gift package they included a banzai tree cultivated at the Yamanaka Flower Shop and Greenhouse. It also included other small houseplants to beautify Megumi-sama's living space. The third and final package included items for a newborn baby. Megumi had already received plenty of gifts for Ayame. This package was actually for the second child on the way.

"I was surprised to find out Megumi's second child is by Gaara. Were you expecting something like that, Hinata-chan?" Sakura inquired while arranging packets of onesies and baby booties.

"No, not at all. What's odd is Kakashi doesn't seem to mind at all. I think I understand why Gaara fell in love with her though. He was going through a pretty difficult time with his wife and Megumi is such a kind and supportive person. Temari told me that last child Gaara's wife had turned out to be Kankuro's. I believe it's a little boy."

"He divorced Koui, right?"

"Yes, that's right. The divorce was finalized about six months ago. Gaara wasn't surprised by the paternity test though. His sister said that he hadn't laid a hand on her for six months prior to her coming to Gaara claiming she was two months pregnant by him. He tried explaining to her how that wasn't possible, but she just didn't get it. That's when he got a legal separation from her."

"It that why he sometimes referred to her as 'the stupid cunt'?"

"Yeah. I still think that was a horrible thing to call her, even if she's not that bright and had been unfaithful. I think he called her that out of anger, mostly. But I noticed he doesn't call her that any more. And I also notice he smiles a whole lot more than he used to."

"I would smile a lot too if I had a woman as beautiful and sweet as Megumi in my life." That's when Sakura felt Hinata swat her arm. "Eh heh! That didn't come out quite right, Hinata-chan! You're just as beautiful and sweet as Megumi. Even more so than she!" Hinata laughed at Sakura's weak attempt at saving face. She had to admit she had noticed Megumi's beauty and kindness too.

The treaty negotiations had gone very well among the three Kage's. The newly acknowledged Otogakure was making progress in rebuilding. Because of Megumi's positive relations with the Hidden Leaf and Hidden Sand villages, the Hidden Sound village was on good terms with their former enemies. Megumi's uncle Jin felt that his niece would make an excellent Otokage and everyone else agreed. One of the late Orochimaru's labs had been converted into a place to produce sake. The huge rice fields provided plenty of resources to make the popular rice wine. The villagers has also built a mill next to the river not far from the spot where Megumi's parents died. The named it the Kayou Rice Mill in honor of the couple. As soon as everything was up and running the Otogakure would export their rice products to other Hidden Villages. Until then they would receive much needed aid from Konohagakure and Sunagakure.

Later that evening, Tsubaki had a get-together on the top level of her home for her circle of friends. The party was going to be G-rated since two children were present. Everyone was making a big fuss over Ayame. They couldn't get enough of her cute baby cheeks. Megumi stood off to the side with Tsubaki to get an update on what was going on in their circle. She noticed Suki wasn't there and that Jiraiya had a new submissive. Tsubaki explained that her granddaughter had a new master who as of yet had not joined their circle.

"Jiraiya had been training Suki to be a more refined submissive for her current master. You know how loud and boisterous she used to be? I don't think you would recognize her now. She's calmed down a lot since you last saw her. Now she's the perfect little lady. Hiashi-sama is quite pleased with her."

Megumi was in for another surprise when she heard about a new master and submissive that had joined their circle.

"Neji-sama doesn't come as often with his little raven as the others, but I can tell he has his submissive well trained. Seeing the two of them interact is a sight to behold. I never knew an Uchiha could be so humble."

It was getting late and those who had children called it a night while the others decided to descend into the dungeon to play. Megumi pondered all the changes her friends were going through. So far everyone had experienced change for the better, which made her heart happy.

Things had settled down at the Hokage's tower for now. Hideki and Hinode were sleeping soundly after their much needed bath. They both had managed to get more food on their faces and clothes than in their mouths. Both their mothers swore they would never let their father feed them again. The shinobi of The Hidden Leaf now looked forward to raising another generation of ninja. They were determined to do everything in their power to ensure a bright future for their little ones.

Jiendo

A/N: Thank you everyone who enjoyed this story and reviewed. I'm so humbled by the number of hits this story has gotten. In celebration I'm providing the names and ages of the offspring produced from the connections in this story as a sort of preview of the sequel/spin-off.

Baby Connections for the sequel

Uzumaki

Hideki- Jan 3, age 3 (Hinata/Naruto)

Hinode- Jan 4, age 3 (Sakura/Naruto)

Hatake

Ayame - June 16, age 2 (Megumi/Kakashi)

Saburegami

Mujina-April 11, age 7 (Koui/Gaara)

Kaktasu- July 9, age 6 (Koui/Gaara)

Shoji- March 26, 1 (Megumi/Gaara)

Oashisu- Aug 19, age 3 (Koui/Kankuro)

Aburame

Senkou- Sept 6, age 3 (Yuki/Shino)

Nara

Aoru/Aori (fraternal twins) - Feb 14, age 8 (Temari/Shikamaru)

Uchiha

Zuiichi- May 12, age 2 (Ino/Sasuke)

Rock

Ken- October 23, age 2 (Ten-Ten/Lee)

Hyuuga

Ryoku- Dec 9, age 1(Suki/Hiashi)