..

There was one kid who had the right to call her with that title. Though, she never recognized him as her son, never allowed him to call her his mother. Dan was the one that wanted a child and if he wasn't there to see it growing up, the child wasn't important enough. If she hadn't been pregnant with the child at that time, maybe she would be able to come to Dan side faster, maybe she could better use her chakra to heal him. Sarutobi make sure the kid was adopted into the Senju clan and got a good education. He named the child Minato, and since Tsunade refused to give him her name, he gave him his father surname - Namikaze.

Jiraiya found what she did and sought the child out. He played the part of an uncle and after seeing the potential started to train him, becoming his sensei. The clan took good care of the child, but the toad sannin knew a child needed something more than a place to live and a hot meal. He tried to make Tsunade to recognize the lad as a legacy that Dan left behind, yet it was too painful for her. Looking at his smiles she only saw Dan. Hearing his dream to become a Hokage make her heard the same words utter from Dan and Nawaki.

In Minato bright and optimistic face she never saw a condemnation for her incompetence to love him, only the hope that one day she will see and recognize him. She couldn't bear it. After hearing Minato was chosen as the Hokage her stay in Konoha become unbearable. It was the position Nawaki and Dan so much wanted. She chose to leave Konoha for good. The only connection she had with her child was through the news that Jiraiya feed her. However, even the prospect of becoming a grandmother couldn't coax her back. She got to know Kushina only by a chance meeting while one of the red hair's mission.

And then came the word of Minato and Kushina dying while the Kyubi attack. Her world crashed again. Only too late she recognized that despite her trying she fell for her son easygoing character, hard work and his optimistic attitude. Once again death come and took those most precious to her, before she even had the opportunity to really get to know them.

She didn't know about Naruto until Jiraiya found it himself. The kid, her grandson, was already in the last years of Academy. She wanted to meet him, but in her mind it was too late. As far as she knew the kid was independent, his goals already set. What right had she to encroach upon his life, after leaving him to fend alone for so long?

When Jiraiya showed with the kid up she didn't know how to behave. He was nothing like Dan or Minato. Yet, he was so similar to them in some ways... Seeing him bleeding on the ground something snapped. She didn't have rights to interfere in his life, but she would be damned if she would allow anyone to hurt him.

..

Tsunade woke up to the sounds coming from the kitchen part. With a slight frown she peaked in. A cup was shown in her face. "Herbal tea with honey." Naruto said with smile. "Come in. I already send a clone to Shizune-neechan saying you may or may not to shown in the office."

She rolled her eyes. Indeed, it was a useful information for her aid. At the kitchen table Iruka and Kakashi were sitting, obviously eating breakfast.

"I was a bit... upset yesterday and sensei decided to crash at my place for the night." Naruto explained their presence.

She recognized unease in his behavior and frowned. Was it because of what happened, or...

"I went to the Senju Compound. You keep it in very good shape." She praised and thanked the same.

Naruto put his hand behind his head. A very recognizable move for all who wanted to see. "Thank you."

Kakashi looked up from the increasingly empty plate. "You know about Senju Compound? And you actually can go in?"

"You didn't know that?" Tsunade frowned. "Didn't Sarutobi-sensei told you?"

Kakashi and Iruka looked puzzled at each other. No one of them knew why Naruto could got access to the almost legendary place.

Naruto shook his head. "Jiji never told me about it. Jiraiya sometimes hinted it, I think, but I can't be sure. I only get to know the whole truth after the safe in the seal kicked in. That is, since Pain destroyed Konoha."

The pain in his voice at the memory was unmistakable, though was it about Jiraiya, Konoha or his gained knowledge Tsunade couldn't tell. She wanted to embrace him and cheer him up, but wasn't sure if he would allow it.

"Naruto, what did you found out?" Iruka asked, lost in the conversation. "Otherwise that the 4th was your father, that is." Kakashi added.

Naruto and Tsunade eyes connected. After a moment the boy smiled and turned back to his sensei.

"I discovered that I have a living part of my family, here in Konoha."

"Tsunade-sama?" The dots in Iruka's mind clicked.

"It is a little known fact, that Dan's surname was Namikaze." Kakashi made a big eye. "Wait! Does that mean that Minato-sensei..?"

Tsunade sought Naruto's eyes. "I was his mother. He is... was my son." Naruto beamed at her, hearing her words.

"But... but that means Naruto is your grandson?" Iruka shouted accusing. "Why didn't you said anything?" In the silence after his outburst he flushed. "I'm sorry, it's not my place."

"No, Iruka. You have the very right. Indeed, you have more right to look after him than I ever could acclaim."

"Why?" The younger man asked.

"As far as I gather Minato's-sensei relationship with his mother was very... strained." Kakashi looked pointedly at Iruka, and the teacher understand thee were some family issues.

Tsunade snorted. "What Kakashi is trying so gently to say is, that I never acknowledged Minato as my son, until the day I learned of his death. I didn't know about Naruto until he was old enough to take care of himself. It was my fault Naruto lived such a life as an orphan as small child... What right did I have to his life after he finally fought out his independence and recognition?"

Naruto immediately jumped and embraced her. "You ought already know, that I created my own family. You are a part of it, being my nee-san, baa-chan or... kaa-san."

Iruka looked at them with smile. In his mind his charge deserved all happiness there's possible. He knew he will be the blond's family no matter what, but he also knew Naruto needed some time with his new acknowledged family as well. He nagged Kakashi to leave the apartment, and though the older was reluctant he understand that as well.

tbc

Well, it could be the end of the story, though, there are some issues that will be addressed in the next part.