Naruto looked at Kakashi, confusion and disbelief written on his face. A hint of sickness and anger played in his azure eyes.

"Is...is this some kind of joke?" He wanted to punch himself for the way his voice cracked. He looked at the scroll seated on the desk between them, completely innocuous if not for who it was from.

Five years. It had been five years since he had last seen his master. Five years since he had been informed of his fall in Ame.

How in the hell was this scroll just now showing up?!

"Unfortunately not Naruto. With everything that happened, Pein's attack on the city, the Hokage summit, hell even the war against Madara and...Obito...this scroll wasn't found until recently." Kakashi calmly picked up the scroll and rolled it around in his hands, it looked simple, plan even. There wasn't a damn thing special about it.

Except who it was from.

Jiraiya was a man of many skills, but even more secrets. Frankly, Kakashi mused, it was amazing they found the scroll at all. The back log from the last few years have been a clusterfuck and a half.

"As far as I'm aware, Lady Fifth has a standing agreement to send out select ANBU intelligence teams to pick up information from several safe houses Master Jiraiya held ownership of." Kakashi carried on.

"With everything that happened..."

"No one had time to be sent out..." Naruto finished, a hollow feeling setting in his heart.

"Do...do you know what's in it?" Naruto asked after a moment. It hurt, knowing his late master may have left him some words of wisdom or encouragement that he was JUST NOW RECEIVING, and he wasn't sure he could read it.

"Probably just some things he left for you. A will, if you'd like. It was recovered from one of his safe houses near the boarder of the Land of Wind. It hasn't been opened yet." Kakashi sat the scroll back down, and slowly slid it over to his student.

He knew this was coming out of left field, with the curffule on the moon, his new budding relationship with the Hyuuga Heiress, and the emotional baggage of his youth still weighing on him, Kakashi was amazed Naruto didn't devolve into a screaming fit.

Naruto slowly reached out with his bandaged hand gripping the scroll so hard, he feared he might accidentally destroy it.

"Take the next few days off." Kakashi spoke, "Sort through whatever Master Jiraiya left for you and come back when you are all balanced out."

It made sense, Kakashi supposed. Naruto was one of the hardest working Ninja's under his command. He deserved a bit of vacation time.

"Yeah...thanks..." Naruto stood, a semi-formal bow was given before he disappeared in his now signature orange flash.

Kakashi sighed, he hated days like today. So much emotion. He glanced at the sides of his desk and a bead of sweat rolled down the side of his head.

He still had so much paperwork to do too. How did he let Tsunade talk him into this again?


Naruto sat on the floor of his apartment, eyeing the scroll with a mixture of emotions. He had thought he had gotten over his Master's passing, using the hurt and rage and sorrow he felt in his duel with Nagato. He should have realized it wasn't that easy though.

Naruto hung his head with a sigh, wondering what he should do.

"Well isn't this an odd sight. THE Uzumaki Naruto, unsure of his next coarse of action." A gravelly voice resounded in his skull.

"Hey Kurama..." Naruto shot back, ignoring the barb from his friend and partner. He took the scroll in his hands and stared at the name written along it's length.

Pervy-Sage had really left him a will.

"You seem upset...what is this scroll? A new mission? Don't want to leave your Vixen?" Naruto cracked a small grin at that.

"You know Hinata-chan hates it when you call her that. Says it's so embarrassing." He could practically feel the Fox grinning in the back of his mind.

"Well, it serves her right for calling me fluffy." The Bijuu scoffed. Thousands of years old, as strong as you like, and this mortal had the AUDACITY to try and pet him when they first met??

He would never admit to her hands being very soft though.

"Heheh yeah that's my Hinata..." Naruto let out a good natured chuckle, and the Fox soon followed along.

"So then...what is the scroll if not a mission?" Kurama spoke after a moment of silence.

"Pervy-Sage left it for me...ya know before..." Naruto started, it still hurt thinking about the closet thing to a father he had had in his life.

"Have you read it yet?" Kurama knew the answer, but he supposed talking would help calm Naruto down a bit, the raging storm of the blonds emotions could have been felt by any half decent sensor.

"Just psyching myself up when you decided to chime in." Naruto poked at the Fox, a hint of teasing in his voice.

"Well, on with it boy. You've always been sure of your path before. Don't stumble now."

Naruto gave a slight release of breathe, and pulled the string that binded the parchment.

Naruto

I'm not really sure how to write this. I've never written something like this. Strange how my writing skills fail me with something so important. Tsunade tried to get me to stay, but we needed to know what the Akatsuki leadership is capable of, so I won't be swayed.

I'm writing this because...well insurance mostly. I've lived my life by the seat of my pants, so for the first time I'm really preparing for the unknown. I'm just inside the boarder of Wind and...I don't know. I have this feeling in my gut.

Naruto felt his eyes widen, this...this was written before Jiraiya fought Pein?

I can't say much in this letter, but ask Tsunade about it, if you get it. I'm your godfather. I knew your parents, and hid that from you. For that, first and foremost I am sorry.

Naruto tightened his grip on the scroll, he knew that now, but to know the man confessed it all the way back then... fuck that hit him in the heart.

I promised your mother and father to look after you and some items they gave me to pass onto you. With what I'm about to do...I wanted to be sure you would get them. You can find a seal at the bottom of this scroll, it'll just take a drop of blood. I can't tell you who your parents are right now, but...I NEEDED you to know why I had to go.

You are the only family I have left, and you will need every edge you can get against these monsters. I have spent the last decade and a half tracking anyone that might be a threat to you, and that's why I wasn't there till long after you needed me.

I wish I was more of a man then this. Writing a death letter to let you know how truly important you are to me. Unfortunately I'm a bit of a coward when it comes to things like this. Rejection from women is easy, but from family? Would rather take a beating from Tsunade every day of my life.

Naruto laughed a little at that, it hurt reading his Godfather's words, but Jiraiya still found a way to make it seem light. He didn't know when he started crying.

Your mother and father LOVED you. I know I can never replace those you lost, but I'm so glad I got to watch you grow into one of the finest men I've ever met. You have so much potential and so much more time ahead of you, it terrifies me to think of just how great you will become. I know, if your reading this, you succeeded where I failed. Surpassed the man you have called master these last few years, and where ever I end up, know that I am DAMN proud of you, as I know your mother and father are.

Naruto bit back a sob, trying so very hard to maintain his composure. He dragged a sleeve across his face to halt the tears that spilled from his eyes. It hurt so fucking much.

Kurama lumbered to the back of his host's mind, letting him have a moment in solitude. This was for Naruto's eyes only, and he would give him that. He let a minute amount of his chakra to leak into Naruto, letting the young man know he wasn't alone.

Naruto...there is so much I still want to teach you. So much I want to pass on. I don't know if I'll get that chance, but I do know this. You are the greatest student I have ever had. You may not be the smartest, or the most skilled, hell you may not even be the last one, I was hoping I could train your brats one day too hahah! But, you are the greatest. The one most like me and the one I am most happy to have taught.

I hope you can forgive me and the Third for hiding the truth from you...I hope when me meet again you can look me in the eye and greet me like a long lost family member. If you don't I understand, but I can still hope.

You have made it through your life, mostly on your own. The sheer force of will and determination you hold is incomparable to anyone else, and I'm so glad I got to be a part of shaping you. Never lose that fire my boy. Never back down, or hide from who you are, and face every challenge with that same cocky smile you give me when we spar.

At the bottom of this there will be a seal, it contains some of the most important texts I can ever give you.

Be strong. Be kind. And never forget that you are loved, by so many more than you know.

I love you Naruto. And I can't wait to see how far you go.

The Hermit of Mount Myōboku,

Jiraiya

Naruto held his head in his hands as he wept openly. Years of pent up emotion and repressed despair washing over him, even as a light feeling filled his heart. It hurt, but it hurt in a good way, and for the first time in a while he felt a certain freedom.

"Naruto-kun?" A startled gasp brought Naruto's head around, letting him take in the sight of his girlfriend, Hinata, she held a few bags of groceries, which where quickly disposed beside the still open door.

It was like a warm blanket, the way she rushed and hugged him. Naruto just hugged her back, allowing the tears to roll down his face as the woman he loved stroked his hair and rocked him slowly.

"It's okay Naruto...shhhh...it's okay." She whispered in his ear. It was so odd, Naruto thought, that such a woman could care about him so much. She was so gentle. So kind.

"I love you Hinata." He whispered to her, tightening his old, the scroll laying momentarily forgotten.

"I love you too Naruto-kun." Hinata spoke back softly more concerned than confused at the Blond's upset state.

For a time, they sat there. Just holding each other.


After almost thirty minutes Naruto released Hinata, and brought the scroll back into his hands. Hinata sat at his side, her head resting on his shoulder. She had asked what the scroll was for, and insisted on being with him after he told her. A small smile had crept onto his face, and he let her cozy up to him.

Naruto bit his thumb, and allowed a dropped on blood to soak the intricate seal at the bottom of his Master's scroll.

A proof of smoke erupted from the parchment, and with a wave of a hand, was cleared away. On top of the scroll lay a stack of books. Three in all. On top was a book Naruto was quite fond of, and knew very well.

The Tale of an Utterly Gutsy Ninja.

Jiraiya's first work of literature.

Under that sat a corn-flower blue book, and beneath that sat a journal of some kind. Leather bound and slightly worn.

Hinata picked up the first book, a look of intrigue on her face. Naruto gaze a slight chuckle. It was a strange title, but...

"That's my name sake haha, according to my parents, they named me after the main character in that story." Naruto spoke softly, a nostalgic smile crossing his features.

Hinata looked at him in surprise, before cracking the book open and began reading. She had been desperate t be a part of Naruto's life for years. Now she had a chance to see where his name came from? You beat she's gonna dive in head first.

Naruto looked at the blue book now on top of the stake. It didn't have a title, but it seemed to just call to him.

Naruto took it into his hands and slowly cracked the cover.

Uhh so hi there! I'm...not entirely sure how to start this. I guess I should start with- I'm Kushina Uzumaki. Your mom! So yeah. It's...nice to meet you?

Naruto felt his throat clinch painfully as his eyes scanned the first page. This...this was-

Your father and I found out about you a few days ago, and my friend Mikoto suggested we do...this journal thingie. Something about giving it to you when you have your own kids! A kinda instruction manual, ya know? So you know what to expect, I guess.

Naruto felt a bitter sweet smile split his lips, allowing a small chuckle loose. His mom really was a motor mouth.

So here we are! Mina-kun is at the office right now, so I decided to get started without him. I'm...kinda scared and kinda excited! I've never been a mom, ya know? I can't wait to meet you! We haven't decided on any names yet, but you can bet we will soon! It's getting late now, so I'll keep this entry short. We may have only known about you for a few days, but we love you so much already! Gah! I just can't wait!

We can't wait to teach you everything we know and see you grow up and go to school and just so much!

I really hope you don't get any of my bad habits though! Be more like your daddy okay?

Mama

Naruto choked back a fresh sob as he ran his hand over the page, almost reverently, like the words would fade away if he was too rough on the paper.

A hand on his shoulder brought his eyes to the concerned face of his lover. He gave her a heartbroken smile and chuckled once more.

"It's a journal. My parents made a journal for me." Naruto spoke softly, as he softly took Hinata's hand and kissed it.

"It's suppose to be advice for when I have kids someday." Naruto looked Hinata dead in the eye as he said that.

Even with concern in her heart, Hinata still went neon red at the thought of what Naruto could mean by that, but still did her best to give Naruto a sweet smile.

Naruto, for his part, reveled in the light feeling in his heart even as his eyes stung. Even from the grave, his parents were looking out for him.

"I...I know it's personal, Naruto-kun...but...could we..would it be okay if...we read it together?" Hinata asked softly, hesitation hinted in her speech.

Naruto looked Hinata in the eye and smiled, a sore, but heartfelt smile.

"I'd like that. I'd like that a lot."


A.N. Yo guys! Sorry about being off my other stories, just hit a bit of a block with myself, but I'm getting back in the swing of things. Now this is a story that has been plaguing me for weeks. Hopefully it turns out like I plan.