Prologue

Howdy! This is probably the first fanfic I've written in years, but after catching up with Naruto recently and reading some pretty freaking sweet fics, I've built my inspiration to start writing! I would greatly appreciate any reviews. Suggestions, anything the like! I will keep writing regardless but the encouragement can only help things come faster. :)

I would also like to warn any readers who have not been keeping up with the anime/manga, this is taking place during Shippuden. There's going to be some spoilers, so if you don't want to ruin anything for yourself, go catch up! Then come back!

Enjoy!

Disclaimer: I do not own Naruto, Naruto Shippuden, nor any characters involved within the series. All of which belong to their respective owners

"Grandma! Grandma! Grandma!"

Tsume woke from a small nap she was taking, sitting in the living room on one of the many couches in the Inuzuka compound. She didn't realize she had dozed off right after the dinner she made for her grandchildren. She gave a loud yawn as Kuromaru gained an awareness of her consciousness, and perked his ear up.

Her adjusting to wake up was short lived, however, as her two young and feisty grandchildren came running into the living room, laughing as they kept saying her name. It warmed her heart to see them so active at their age. She was happy she was just able to see them period. She didn't think she'd be around long enough to meet her grandchildren, but there they are.

They both stopped in front of her, with a big hopeful smile on their face. To the right, her grandson, Kiyosato held something behind his back. He was the oldest of the two, yet still a pup in the eyes of his grandmother. His appearance strongly resembled that of his father, Kiba. His hair was just as shaggy, and the same color, only shorter, the length barely touching the forehead at all. His eyes had the exact same look at his father's as well. His birthmark clearly indicating his alignment with the Inuzuka clan.

It made Tsume cry sometimes, seeing Kiyosato would remind her of Kiba so much when he was a boy, she felt like she was in a flashback. He wore a similar outfit that his father did when he was his age. Mostly mesh, but comfortable.

Her granddaughter stood to her left, right by her brother's side. Just as beautiful as her mother, and at such a young age, it surprised her just as much as her brother. Salayna was maybe a few years younger than Kiyosato, around 5 or so, her brother being around 7. The noticeable birthmarks easily labeled them apart from the rest of the clan, while her hair and facial features resembled her mother more so than anything else. Her eyes carried the exact same color; green. Shade for shade, no mistaking it. Her hair was short, but straight and very fine. It held a dark reddish color. Tsume amused herself at the thought of Kiba and Sakura's hair color mixing in together to create the finished product.

"Kiyosato." She began, looking at him.

"Yes, grandma?" Kiyosato replied with a big grin across his face like he had done something wrong.

"What is it you have behind your back, pup?"

Kiyosato shook his head. "Nu-uh, grandma! You have to guess what it is first!"

Tsume knew what it was by the scent of the headband. It was faint, but it was definitely Kiba's. She figured she could play along, though.

"Hmmm." She thought out loud, looking at Kuromaru with an obviously fein sense of grasp of the situation. "What do you think it is Kuromaru?"

Kuromaru was old. Definitely in his senile years. His days of fighting had been long done ever since sometime after Pain invaded the leaf. All he was at that point was a simple companion. He knew if he tried, he could still fight. But for now, he was forcefully enjoying his retirement. He loved the new pups as much as Tsume did, but he was definitely cranky from being woken up. He quickly stood up and sniffed the air. He walked behind Kiyosato and tugged on his hand, pulling the headband from him.

"Aw, Kuromaru, you're no fun!" Kiyosato pouted as he stamped his foot.

"You haven't awakened your sense of smell yet, pup. It will become vital in the next few years when you enter the academy. When it does, finding simple things such as these will prove a simple task." He answered, setting the headband on the coffee table separating Tsume from her grandchildren.

Tsume looked at the headband, happily reminded of the younger days with her son. His first days at the academy, his first missions, his first love, and looking up at Kiyosato, his first born.

"Grandma..." Salayna spoke up, swaying her right foot around while looking at the ground.

"Yes? What is it?"

Kiyosato pointed to the headband. "Grandma? Can you tell us the story about how Mom and Dad met?"

Tsume was surprised by the request, yet touched by their want of knowing their parents past.

She nodded her head. "Come here, pups. I'll tell you everything you want to know!" She motioned for them to join her, and they happily jumped to the couch, cuddling up next to their grandmother, looking up at her in anticipation.

"So, what is it that you want to know?"

"Everything, grandma!" Salayna cried. "And mommy, too! Tell us about mommy!"

Tsume smiled again. She really did enjoy this. Reminiscing about the past with her new family was something that helped keep her memory sharp, and remind her of the great things their parents brought into the world.

"Alright, pups, listen close and listen well. Your mother and father's names are Sakura Haruno, and Kiba Inuzuka."

Kiyosato raised his hand as if he was in a classroom, wanting to ask a question.

"Grandma! Why does mom have a different clan name? And why doesn't she have the birthmark? And-"

Kuromaru barked, silencing Kiyosato as it startled him.

"Listen, pup. You will learn." He stated before setting his head back down, listening while keeping his mind focused on resting.

"Now then." She continued. "Where do we start..."

END!

And there's the start of it... I'll be throwing up the first *actual* chapter right away. But I would appreciate any input on what you think so far. Thanks!