OUR INCREDIBLE TRIO

By Poket!

«º˜˚o˚˜º».-.«º˜˚o˚˜º».-.«º˜˚o˚˜º»

They were in a park where there were many restaurants around so the families, friends or couples could come to have a gathering or date and enjoy the green and the breeze from the park, while their children played around and didn't need to leave to have a nice meal. The ground was covered by well taken cared grass and there were wooden tables with long benches in each side of it all around so they could sit to eat whatever they bought from any of three stands that had there. One was for sea food, the other for vegetarian food, the other served Japanese food and the last one, was owned by Naruto's friend, Teuchi, that served his oh so precious ramen.

Suzume approached the center panting after running from her sister a good distance from where her dad has parked. She stopped to regain her breath but soon started running again when she saw her sister almost catching her. She looked got to the part that people would call center from the park because was where the stands were and looked around, checking the tables' occupants, looking for familiar faces and then she grinned after having found the little group that were waiting for them. She ran to them and when the brunette male adult spotted her he turned to his side and grinned at her, who launched herself at him. This guy, after all, was one of her uncles, of course he would serve as protection from her older sister's annoyance.

But Tsukika wasn't one of those who would stop because of that. She would roll on the floor with the two if necessary. She was very futile, selfish, preppy, annoying; she did care too much for her appearance. But that would be ignored during her sisterly fights or at school with her "gurls". Even though all of that was very true, she could be caring and protective of those she liked. She couldn't be an actual bitch being Naruto and Sakura's kid… cough Sakura would beat her to the pulp if that was the case cough. She wasn't, but she knew how to fool one very well.

Kiba chuckled patting Suzume's head, and turned again only to see an angry Tsukika marching up to them. He sighed, here they were, fighting, again. However, he shifted Suzume to make more room in the embrace and grinned at the new arrival. "Heya, Tsuki, where are my greets?" he said out loud although said girl was right before him. Really, their uncle Kiba was like their father's twin.

Tsukika scowled and hugged Kiba only to attack Suzume who yelped loudly waking Kiba from his family moment when he looked down making his grin turn into a grim line. "Oh no, you two stop that!" he yelled splitting them, holding each collars in each of his hands, apart from each other. Oh where was his moral and respect with them? His scolds would never work, his glares had no impact. How things could've turned this way?

"Tsuki, Suzume, stop it, please." Said quietly the other adult male from the table, sitting across from Kiba. He had his hood pulled down because of the sun shining upon the park, his jacket was not totally zipped up, as he usually wore, leaving only his sunglasses and a little of his nose to be seen.

Kiba frowned when he felt the no need to push them apart anymore because their wild movements have ceased… all because of…

"Hai, uncle Shino" the two girls said apologetically looking to the ground. Well Suzume was looking and sounding apologetic; Tsukika on the other hand sounded and looked annoyed at the intervention, scowling at the poor grass, while her sister pouted.

Kiba sighed. Now, of course, all it took from Shino was to simply say "stop it" that the two brats would stop. He even said please! I mean, Kiba could say "for the name of God" that it would die in deaf ears. He could yell to everybody to hear, that would die in deaf ears. They must enjoy his interaction in their little scenes too much.

"It's ok, it's not necessary for you to be like that. Now, on with the procedure." Shino said simply.

Suzume and Kiba blinked, then it hit them what he was talking about. Kiba rolled his eyes, while Suzume remembered her uncle Shika whispering that it meant he was asking for a huge tight hug but didn't want to say it too simply or to be too obvious. So, like she did that time, she ran around the table and jumped on the surprised man who fell from the bank leaving only his legs hanging on the seat.

Naruto and Ayako arrived just in time to see Kiba, Tsuki and the other boy cracking up pointing behind the table. He walked to them with his youngster on his tow, both confused. Well, he was, because Ayako was already giggling and laughing just by looking at them. Kiba then turned and noticed both, grinning at both and picking the little one in a tight embrace spinning around while her laughter only grew. Naruto came nearer to the table. He looked at his red faced elder daughter and followed trembling pointed finger to see what… "What the hell?" he whispered, arching a brow at the sight of Shino lying on the grass with Suzume hugging him tight repeating "I hug you uncle Shino!" with glee.

Shino had his legs hanging on his previous seat while he lay unmoved on the grass. Of course, his sunglasses were in place so one couldn't really tell his expression. "Uh… Shino? New position or…" he trailed of hesitantly. Really, considering who this was about, he knew Shino better to know he wouldn't be in such position for his own will just to try a "new position", so scratch that. "...or too much affection made the kill?" he asked snickering slightly at the scene. That earned him a pointed look from said man, which Naruto learned to be a glare; the blond finally joined the laughter. "Now, come on, Suzume! Let Shino piece himself back together." Naruto said chuckling watching the girl get off so Shino immediately straightened himself back on his seat. After the laughter died, a little, Naruto walked to Shino's side to find Kiba's nephew, Haruko. He messed the boy's brown hair and grinned down at him "Ohayo, Haruko".

Haruko grinned back. "Ohayo, uncle!"

Naruto then sat on the other side of Kiba, while Tsuki sat on the other and across from Haruko, who sat next to Shino, who sat between him and Suzume.

Suzume – Shino – Haruko

Naruto – Kiba (Ayako was on his lap) – Tsukika.

They've been sitting there for the last two hours, enjoying a good talk, few snacks, some bear, the warming sun and the green that involved the whole place. The kids have been playing around in the grassy field and have made quite few new friends by now. It was fun to watch them play. Tsukika was stubborn while Suzume was competitive. Naruto had a guess that she's been spending too much time with Tenten… But they'd always cover for each other in the game, well, not always, but many times they would. Little Ayako didn't like to be left out so she usually joined her sisters and their friends, unless there was someone her age around, which for her was more interesting, he so thinks. But the two older sisters always looked out for her, while she ran after them not really knowing what was it about but giggling giddily none the less.

Till now Ayako has fallen around five times, and only cried twice, coming to his table for some comfort, support and to hide till the attention wasn't on her anymore so she could go back like nothing have happened. The other three times she was so into the game that didn't care at all about it. One of the times Suzume was there to help her up, the other Haruko came to help her in a way Naruto thought was endearing of the boy, but he didn't get even a tiny blush, I mean, she is his four years old. This was much to Naruto's pride and relief, while Kiba pouted because he was looking forward to tease the blond later. But the chance didn't take long to come, when he helped Suzume after a boy bumped on her, she did blush and they could easily pick that out since it happened near their table. Not that was a surprise!

"Hahaha, see, Naruto? Not even brave Suzume resist the charms of an Inuzuka male, man!" Kiba cheered grinning at the not so cheering blond.

Snort "Kiba, I feel like you are talking about dogs! And no Inuzuka mutt will be finding a seat in my family!"

"Shut up, Naruto! You will swallow that dry, I tell ya, man! Little Suzume will show ya how right I am!"

"Ok, enough of discussing my eight years old love life in the very distant future!" he said loudly and the put a hand on his tummy "Im feeling my food dancing inside me now, damn" he said looking nauseous at the table where was the left overs of their meal.

"Oh come on, Naruto!"

"Kiba, enough. I agree with Naruto-" Shino said calmly.

"WHAT? Even you? What's wrong with you?" Kiba asked looking shocked at Shino while flaying his arms around, making the blond have to dodge one uncontrolled hand found his face, nose to be more specific.

"Ow" this was ignored by the brunette.

Shino who was sitting across from him looked unaffected by the whole thing.

"Uh, problems in the paradise? I see…" said a snickering Naruto earning a glare from Shino and a smack on the head from the brunette by his side.

"Heya, SHUT UP, BAKA!"

At this the three laughed. They always fooled around.

"Hey, Kiba, where is Akamaru?"

"Oh, now you miss him?" he asked sarcastically.

"Damn it, Kiba. I love dogs, but stop being that defensive for yours over nothing, is weird, I tell you that."

Kiba glared at him. "Funny." He said dryly.

"So where is he?"

"He stayed at home 'cause my ma is there so is Kuromaru, so they are catching up…"

"Oh, Mrs. Tsume is in tha house! Huya, I can imagine the loud spank she gave you when she entered that trash… I wish I was one of those flies… damn"

Snort "No you can't" Kiba mumbled.

"I tried to be there but the traffic held me back" Shino said looking at Naruto… well, it seemed so. You could never know with that shades.

"Damn, if I knew! But, oh well, I had the girls so..." Naruto said looking disappointed.

"Yeah, I was upset I didn't get there in time. Its not an everyday thing." Shino said nodding.

"Yeah, but we will have other opportunities, ha!" he said suddenly brightening up with a big grin.

Shino nodded. Both turned to look at Kiba who was gaping at them. "I'm still here!" he hissed "And! How did you two know when I didn't?" he asked in a low voice. WOAH, Naruto could feel the dark aura encircling them, making him gulp and he could see Shino stiffened.

"We…I…Him…"

"Spit it put" he hissed leaning forward to face Naruto.

"Oh, you are uncontrolled, cause I'm sure you don't want me to spit it out with your face so near… too much to my liking at the moment" he added mumbling to himself while leaning away from the Inuzuka.

"Naruto! Shino!"

"We knew" Shino simply said from the other side of the table.

Kiba's head turned sharply at him, while Naruto froze.

"I got that, I asked 'how'"

"You had a hunch, I gave you certain."

"Which was oh so smart of you" the blond grumbled sarcastically while crossing his arms and glaring at him.

"We were at your apartment when she called." Shino said.

"What?! And?!"

Naruto sighed. "Well, you can get it from there… We were there, last week, and you were at the bathroom taking one of your weekly showers" Kiba barred his teeth shooting him a dirty glare but the blond remained unfazed, used to it "And the phone rang but we thought it was one of those absolutely revoltingly irritating twins you were fucking at the time so we didn't pick up leaving it to the secretary."

"And then your mom left a message there saying she would be spending this few weekend with you."

Silence. Children playing. Birds. Adults talking on other tables.

"And why, pray tell me, there's no message there?"

"It disappeared?!" Naruto mocked a shock

"We erased it" Shino said, again, simply.

"Damn, Shino. You don't know how to savor fun even when is on your face." Naruto grumbled with a pout and crossed arms while scowling at Shino.

"ERASED IT? FUN, NA-RU-TO?" he yelled making the blond jump and the other straighten. "You have any idea what is been like since she knocked at my door?"

"A good family moment?" Naruto tried, laughing awkwardly. "Come on, Kiba. Don't go emotional on us 'cuz your mom came to town, blood" he said while scratching his head with one hand and grinning nervously while patting the other's back.

"IT'S BEEN HELL! A DOOMED WEEKEND! AND YOU TWO-"

"Brightened up just by meeting you today in this delightful and peaceful ambient?" Naruto ended with a big grin, no uneasiness this time.

"I'LL-"

"Naruto" both turned to look at Shino who was pointing at the kids "Suzume."

This stopped the entire outburst and the two turned at the direction. The blond stood and jogged to the little amber haired girl. She was kneeling on the floor and looked up at him with red teary face that always got him in most worry, no matter how silly the reasons usually were. It wasn't a daily sight to see Suzumu crying.

"Hey, What is it, peanuts?" he asked kneeling down looking at her.

"Da-Dad… I- My clip- I-"

"What clip?"

"She lost her clip, dad" Tsukika came and kneed on the grass beside him.

"I- du- dunno-"

"It was on her hair and then it fell…"

"Was the one grandma gave her…"

Oh he got it. He knew the clip. He and Sakura were there when his mother gave it to her, eight months ago. And this already explained how silly this one wasn't.

"Gr- granny" she couldn't finish because she was crying very hard, and he knew it wasn't only the clip. He knew all too well.

By now Ayako and Haruko were crouched around them, and he could see Kiba and Shino silently and slowly approaching. Naruto hugged his middle daughter, and managed to give a small smile and shake his head to his two friends. He picked her up and stood up while he walked to a pebbled trail rocking her lightly in his arms while comforting her. Kiba and Shino called the remaining trio for a snack, leaving the two on their own. Kiba picked his goddaughter, Ayako, up and started to talk to her because she was the most hesitant to go, scared of what was happening.

Naruto stopped near a pond and sat on the grass with Suzume on his lap. He leaned forward a bit to brush his fingers on the fresh water of the pond. "Look, mid-toe. There are the fishes. See?" he asked quietly pointing to the many different collored fishes swimming in the clear water. This quieted her sobs, leaving only a few chokes while she observed the animal's movements.

After a while she asked, in a quiet voice. "Ha-have any Koi f-fish here, da-d?" she asked looking at them, certainly looking for any.

Naruto smiled. The koi fish was always a present character in his children's life, thanks to their mother. He looked carefully and sighed shaking his head at her "No, Suz, no Koi fish in this waters."

"Mom wouldn't li-like that…" she sort of warned, and giggled cutely.

Naruto chuckled. "You remember when we went to the river near that waterfall that had many koi fishes, hun?"

"Yes, daddy!" she said with a smile looking up at him.

A beautiful pink haired woman, around 24, sat on big rock, with her legs bent together to the left side while she supported her body with her right hand on the rock. She was wearing a beautiful sea foam sunny dress that reached her knees, now reaching her tights due to the position. Her long up mid back hair was free for the wind to brush its soft pale pink locks with it. A little amber haired girl was leaning on her, with her head on her bent legs while she brushed her short hair at the time with her left hand. The girl was wearing a light yellow sunny dress. Beside them, on the same rock, sat a blond hair man, with his legs hanging from the rock, while he leaned back, supporting his torso up with both hands planted on the rock. He was wearing a white shirt, with a faded image of a sun in light gray on the front and navy jeans. The trio was barefoot.

The pink haired woman was humming while she brushed the little one's hair while she kept her eyes closed enjoying the caress of her mother, her emerald eyes observing the fish on the water, while the man's sapphire blue eyes looked up at the sunny sky.

"Look, Suz, a koi fish!" the woman cheered pointing at a red and white fish. "Naruto, look!"

The girl sat and the blond looked at the waters to see said fish. "Oh there he is, the said koi fish you like so much"

The woman stick her tongue out at him playfully eliciting a giggle from the girl and a soft smile from him. "You two don't know nothing about the koi fish, I do" she said with a grin.

"Oh, pray tell" he said mocking full interest, but he was.

"Curious now, fox?" she asked raising a brow.

Suzume, that was gloomy all day, was now only giggles. She loved when her parents teased each other and bickered. It was fun. All she could feel of it was warm.

"As a fox would" he said grinning.

"Yes, mommy, tell, tell!" she pleaded when the her mother looked down at her.

"Ok, peanuts. The koi fish is also taken by his courage. According to the legend if a koi succeeded in climbing the falls at a point called Dragon Gate on the Yellow River it would be transformed into a dragon. Based on that legend, it became a symbol of worldly aspiration and advancement. More generally, the legend associate koi with perserverance in adversity and strength of purpose. Because of its strength and determination to overcome obstacles, it stands for courage and the ability to attain high goals. Others say it means good fortune or luck. The thing is that he goes against the flow of the river, differente from most fishes." She says.

The girl looks at her then at the fish gapping, while the blond that was hearing with full attention is also looking interested at the fishes.

„So mom..."

„So, like the koi, sometimes, we need to find in us, the courage to go the path we wouldnt usually go... but its the path to home, for the better."

Suzume didnt know if she understood but when she looked at her dad, he was grinning at her mother with something on his look that could only be the best feeling. All she knew is that the story brought her strengh, admiration and courage... for what, she would find out later. And the only thing she felt when her parents hugged her together was warm... the best warm of all.

„I miss granny, dad" she said quietly while wiping a few tears the flashback brought.

„Me too." she heard her dad whisper

"I miss mom too"

"Me too, Suz." He Said caressing her head "All too much" He added for himself. But she heard it all too well.

Hey, here it is the update. Tell me what you think! Should it go on?