AN: Looking back on it, I don't know why this Chapter took so long to complete. On the bright side, the next chapter shouldn't take nearly as long to write as this one did. (That's setting the bar pretty low.)

4 Year Skip

Eat, sleep, crap yourself, and repeat; such was the routine of my infant years. Fortunately (and much to my inner pervert's disappointment) my mother had decided to bottle feed me, thus avoiding any possible awkwardness caused during meal time. As far as diaper changing was concerned, I found that going to my happy place during my cleaning helped lessen my embarrassment, if only a little. Sleeping brought a welcomed respite to the otherwise humiliating routine of my baby years; thankfully I spent a majority of my infancy asleep rather than awake.

Suffice to say that being totally dependent on others to perform even the most menial of tasks was a great motivator, even for someone as laz… indifferent as me. Yes, I was quick to talk, walk, potty train, and all of the other milestones a young human must go through. My father, Naoki, considered me Konoha's next great shinobi prodigy, because only a future Hokage is capable of urinating with such tremendous accuracy on his first try. Who was I to tell him that his son is actually the reincarnation of a twenty year old college student whose rapid development can be attributed to past life experience.

Speaking of Konoha, the entire village is still relishing in the newfound peace brought by the armistice ending the second shinobi world war. A memorial service was held a few days ago for those who lost their lives during the confrontation, a much younger looking Sandaime Hokage led the eulogy as the village mourned loved ones and quietly celebrated the ceasefire. Peace, the ultimate aphrodisiac if the rising number of pregnancies in the village was any indication, my mother among those expecting. Yes, no better time to start popping out kids than right after experiencing the hardships of war. I can't help but wonder how many families will be broken in the coming war, how many of today's newborns will be tomorrow's war orphans, how many will survive the hell that awaits them just around the corner.

A soft knocking broke me out of my contemplation and revealed my father peering around the door, index finger over his lips signaling his desire for silence. Judging by the soft light seeping through the window curtains I could only assume it was early morning, a little too early for the average four year old to be getting up at. Of course in the eyes of Naoki I was anything but average, and I suppose I could understand his thinking. Motioning for me to follow we made our way out of our own home in complete silence, both of us all too aware of the consequences should we be caught by a certain expecting brunette.

Stopping at our usual spot, father finally broke his silence. "Nothing like the cool breeze of an early morning to get some training done, right Yoru" tossing me a pouch filled with blunt kunai he went about setting up my target.

"Hai, just enough sunlight to see the target but not enough to be a bother." I respond, tossing a kunai towards the target in a slow motion, getting a feel for the distance and increasing the speed of my throws on each successive attempt. "So what kind of mission are you doing today?"

Interest piqued upon hearing my question, he reveals nothing and quickly counters. "What makes you think I'm going on a mission today?"

Immediately recognizing the inquiry as another one of his tests, I answer with the confidence and logic he expects from his 'genius' son. "Well, to start we don't usually sneak out of the house for training for another hour or so, secondly you don't usually carry a pack with all of your gear unless you have an early morning meeting time, and what confirms my suspicions is the darker hue of the patches on your face. You only wear those when you're going on some important mission."

A smirk adorns the jonin's face as he ruffles my head affectionately. "Good answer Yoru, you've always been very perceptive for your age. A great asset not every shinobi possesses, definitely one of the more unappreciated traits of an elite ninja. I have an A ranked mission, should only take a few days to complete. The best part is that we're being led by Sakumo Hatake, perhaps the most respected shinobi in the village aside from the Sandaime Hokage."

"Even more respected than the Sanin?" I question, the mentioning of the white fang piquing my interest.

Nodding in affirmative, his answer is filled with admiration. "In terms of skills and abilities, I'd say he's on par with the Sanin. However what truly sets him apart from everyone else is his devotion to his comrades; every mission he led during the second shinobi war was successfully accomplished without suffering any casualties to his team. A feat as close to impossible as it gets."

"Wow, he must be a great shinobi. But what if he chose to forgo the mission for the sake of his comrades, what would you think then?"

Stroking his goatee in thought, he finally answers. "That depends on a multitude of variables. The mission's importance, the other members of the team, the circumstances the village finds itself in, among other things. It's because of these variables that I cannot give you a definitive answer. The shinobi rules say the mission's success should come above everything else. However, it's up to us as individuals to act accordingly without limiting ourselves by following the rules and regulations to the letter. The wise man always adapts to any given situation while the ignorant man only deals in the absolutes when faced with the same situation. Understand?"

Smiling upon hearing my father's words of wisdom, I can't help but respond some wisdom of my own. "Hai Tou-san. To deal in absolutes is for the ignorant… and the sith."

"Good… now what in the world is a sith?"

Before I could respond a third voice cut me off. "A better question might be what the two of you are doing outside so early in the morning." Cool, calm, and composed the voice belonged to none other than Yuzuki Nohara, judge, jury, and executioner of the Nohara clan/household. Despite not being one to resort to physical violence a single glare from the former kunoichi could intimidate even the most grizzled of shinobi. The fact that she was expecting her second child only served to heighten her quiet wrath.

I found myself praying to whatever higher power was listening to my desperate plea. Whatever happens, don't let this get any worse than it already is, in exchange I will offer anything you may desire. My adoration, my soul, human sacrifice, name your price and I'll see it through.

Initial shock finally past him, the raven haired jonin puts his fist against his mouth, clearing his throat for an almost comically long time, obviously trying to come up with a valid excuse. "Y-you see, I was actually preparing for my mission and you know how I like to get up really early to make sure everything is in its rightful order." Good start old man, we might just make it out of this in one piece.

"As I was readying my pack I noticed someone leaving the house, and when I went to check it out I found Yorutaka walking out into the forest. Turns out he was sleepwalking, you know what they say about shinobi prodigies, they have a tendency to sleepwalk." Gee, thanks a lot higher powers, looks like you just lost out on some quality human sacrifices.

Trying to hide her amusement the sole female of the Nohara clan continued her interrogation. "Hmm, and I suppose he just happened to grab a pouch of kunai on his way out."

"H-hai, he must've been sleepwalk-training. Shinobi prodigies do it all the time, isn't that right Yoru?"

A blank expression is all the response I can muster, because when the going gets tough I get going. Even if it means leaving pops to face the brunt of mother's wrath, I wouldn't want to make things worse for myself.

Simply shaking her head the former kunoichi took my hand and began leading us back towards our home. The return trip is a quiet one, to the point of being discomforting, none of the usual scolding, idle threats, or her infamous hidden leaf secret sealing jutsu (latching on to your ear with a vice-like grip and pulling with reckless abandon). In truth it's not the silence of the trip back that troubles me as much as the reasons behind the unusual behavior.

"So… you guys have any plans while I'm away?" Father asks, obviously sensing the same discomfort emanating from his wife that I did.

"Just another appointment with Lady Tsunade." Pouting a little and instinctively place a hand around her growing midsection she lowers her voice to try and keep me from hearing. "She's been giving me such a hard time about the pregnancy, to the point that she's actually recommending-"

Enveloping his wife in a loving embrace they both grew silent for some time while I began to take interest in anything but the scene unraveling before me. I shouldn't have a clue about what ails them, shouldn't have knowledge concerning the future, and yet I did. The little boy they see before them is a lie, and it's in these moments when I feel the façade around me slowly disintegrate, revealing my true identity to them.

A calloused hand gripping my shoulder breaks me out of my little moment of angst. Green eyes staring right into my own, taking in every minute detail as a smile breaks on to the jonin's face. "You're the man of the house while I'm gone, you know what that means right?"

"Hai, Kaa-san is still the boss."

Expression falling upon hearing my answer, the man puts on a fake pout. "Do you really think so little of your old man?"

Outright laughing, the expecting mother continues to pile on the poor man. "Now I see why you think our boy's a prodigy, he sees things for how they really are."

"Mah, no respect for rank among the Nohara clan, what will the rest of the village think."

"Hmm, the real question is what will Sakumo-san think of you when you're the last one to show up for the pre-mission meeting." The former kunoichi, despite no longer being able to access her chakra to perform any jutsus was still a force to be reckoned with when it came to manipulating others. Best of all, she'd do it with a smile leaving most completely unaware of it, or at least that's how it worked out with her husband.

Eyes widening in realization, the jonin sped off into the distance. "I'll be back in a week, two weeks tops." I can't help but stare in amazement as I attempt to follow his fluid movements through the forest, an elite jonin indeed. A small smile creeps over my face, feeling fortunate having the man as a father figure. I say father figure because in the deep recesses of my mind he'll never truly be my father.

A tugging on my hand breaks my admiration as I find myself being lead back towards our home. "Let's get you washed up, Tsunade-sama doesn't allow dirty little boys in the hospital."

Tsunade Senju, known during the second shinobi war as the slug princess found herself slowly drifting off to sleep in an all too familiar scene. With the Second shinobi war officially ending a few weeks ago her former sensei and current hokage had named her director of Konoha's hospital and medical services. A dream position to be sure, controlling research and development of new medical techniques, properly training medic nins for both battlefield and clinic operations, it truly gave her the opportunity to save lives on a scale she never could individually. The only downside being that it was all such a bore, spending a majority of her time in her office going over all kinds of paperwork. Budget cuts, work schedules, medical reports, and the like flooded her office with the only reprieve being the few hours she got to spend on training sessions, hospital walkthroughs, and her own personal favorite, Dan Kato.

A few knocks at the door broke her out of morning daze, much to her irritation. "Can't you read the sign, my office doesn't open up until nine AM." Rising up from her chair with a huff she opened the door looking to kill whoever was responsible for the interruption. "I still have six minutes left before I open, so you'd better have a damn good reason to-"

Opening the door revealed none other than Dan Kato, elite jonin, hokage hopeful, and lover to one Tsunade Senju. "Is this a bad time, because I could come-"

Enveloping her lover in a passionate embrace the slug princess quickly silenced the man with the kiss, mood suddenly taking a turn for the better. "Oh it's never a bad time for you, Dan. I've still got four minutes before I start my shift, should be plenty of time to… relieve some stress."

Removing the blonde's hands before they could continue their magnificent course, the jonin stepped back from his lover. "Actually I have a mission today, but I have a favor to ask of you before I leave."

Pouting slightly from the rejection by her lover, the blonde quickly recomposed herself. "Of course, what do you need me to do?"

Turning back towards the hallway he motioned for someone to enter. That someone being a child of no more than three years of age, with short black hair and a very bashful appearance. "Don't be shy, this is my friend Tsunade Senju, she's the best kunoichi in the village. She also happens to be the most beautiful woman in the whole world." Motioning towards the little child at his side, he continued his introduction. "And this is my niece, Shizune, the cutest little girl in the entire village, if I do say so myself."

Slightly confused but smiling nonetheless Tsunade extended her hand out in greeting, prompting a quick retreat behind Dan from the raven haired toddler. "Don't worry Tsunade, she's a little shy to start, but once she gets to know you she'll talk your ear off."

"Shizune, why don't you take a seat over there while Tsunade and I discuss somethings, hmm?" He quietly implored, receiving a quick nod in return from the little girl.

Beckoning Tsunade to follow him to the other side of the office, his mood changed almost instantly, revealing a side Tsunade rarely got to see from her lover. "Her parents left her with me while they went away on a mission about two weeks ago. They were due to come back five days ago, but we haven't heard from them since they left."

"It could be that they just ran into complications, it happens all the time." Taking her lover's hand in her own in an attempt to comfort him all the while knowing what the more likely cause for the delay was.

"I can only hope that's the problem. Either way the hokage has granted me a few days to go searching for them. If you could look after Shizune while I'm away, I'd really appreciate it."

"Of course Dan, I'll take good care of the girl. Just make sure you take care of yourself, it wouldn't do for you to not come back either, alright."

"Don't worry; I don't plan on leaving my girls anytime soon." Saying his goodbyes to his two 'girls' the elite jonin quickly left the office leaving the cranky kunoichi and timid toddler sitting in an awkward silence.

"So, Shizune, exactly how old are you?" Tsunade asked, not knowing how else to break the uncomfortable silence that arose between the two.

Rather than giving a verbal response, the toddler held up three fingers in answer.

"We're going to be here awhile, do you have anything to entertain yourself with while you're here?"

Once again, without uttering a single word the bashful little girl took out some paper and crayons from a pack she was carrying with her.

A little shy my ass, she's a mute. Abandoning any attempts at communication the hospital director went about her day as usual, going over the seemingly insurmountable piles of paperwork on her desk. When the time came for Tsunade to perform her daily rounds, a devious idea occurred to her involving the paperwork and her new charge.

"Say Shizune, could you do me a favor?" Upon receiving a nod in return a devious smirk spread across her features. "I'm going to be checking in on patients for the next hour or so, while I do that I'd really appreciate it if you could organize all these papers on my desk. All you have to do is put the papers in separate piles depending on the color; think you could do that for me?"

And so Tsunade left her office, satisfied with the results of her own ingenious machinations; keeping her charge busy and with some luck a little less work to do once she finished her examinations. Half way through her walkthrough she was met with an old comrade, not entirely unexpected but certainly earlier than she anticipated.

"If it isn't my little kohai and you've brought the little heir I see, to what do I owe this pleasure. Last I checked your appointment is still an hour from now."

Ignoring the corny clan joke, the brunette quickly apologized. "Forgive me, Tsunade-sama. Actually I arrived a little early to see if I could find someone to watch over Yorutaka while I have my examination. Naoki went off on a mission today and I couldn't find anyone to look after him."

"Hmm, you're in luck. Dan left his little niece with me for the next few days; maybe they can keep each other company. Who knows, it could lead to something more, if you know what I mean." Tsunade teased, wriggling her eyebrows in the little boy's direction.

"That'd be so cute Tsunade-sama, we could set them up on playdates, which would turn into regular dates, and then they'd get married, and give me lots and lots of grandkids." The brunette playfully added, ignoring her son's annoyed scowl.

"Well gaki, you can start by getting her to speak a few words to you. Haven't heard a peep from her since Dan dropped her off this morning."

Children dispatched, Tsunade continued making her rounds until the dreaded hour arrived. If last month's checkup was any indication, today would most certainly end up in another argument. However the test results didn't lie, the pregnancy was taking its toll on Yuzuki's chakra network. Having the first child forced her into an early retirement, having a second child could very well cost Yuzuki her life. At the very best she would be living with some degree of physical disability.

Having known Yuzuki since her days in the ninja academy, Tsunade knew the usual scare tactics weren't going to work as they usually did with patients. This time around she would start out with good news, putting the expecting mother in a good mood, and then she'd finish with the bad. Knocking a few times in advance, Tsunade entered the room with chart in hand, the brunette still in a hospital gown as she lay on the examination bed.

"What's the prognosis Tsunade-sama, is the baby alright?" The question summed up Yuzuki perfectly, selfless in a world of deception and mistrust. Despite all the warnings she'd been given, the danger to her own health, the question remains the same. Is the baby going to be alright?

"The results of the ultrasounds are in; I could tell you the sex of the baby if you want me to. Or you could surprise yourself like you did with the brat; I'll leave it up to you."

Brow furrowed in thought, the former kunoichi finally responded. "I suppose it can't hurt to know in advance this time, the important thing is that my baby is healthy."

"Well then Yuzuki, according to your ultrasound you'll be having a son…" Upon hearing those words the brunette faltered slightly, smiling none the less. "…in law because it's a girl." The pair of squeals following Tsunade's reveal could be heard throughout the hospital, even reaching the ears of a few Inuzuka hounds on the other side of the village.

Moment of ecstasy finally passed, Yuzuki quickly composed herself. "Are you sure, absolutely positive, without a doubt certain that it's a girl Tsunade-sama?"

"Absolutely, I'd bet my life on it." Good mood, check. Now comes the hard part. "You're finally getting the little girl you always dreamed of. I know you waited a long time for this moment and now you're just a few months away from getting your wish. Don't you think you should be there to watch her grow up, offer advice when she needs it, a shoulder to cry on; all the things only a mother is capable of doing."

Yuzuki narrowed her eyes as she began to pick up on Tsunade's transition towards a more pressing matter, one both ladies knew was coming. The brunette remained silent, eyes hard and defiant.

Rolling her eyes at the brunette's perceptiveness, Tsunade continued. "Why risk your health Yuzuki, just hear me out. Women have premature births all the time, nowadays we have better technology, the risk isn't as great as it once was. If we induce labor within the month then I should still be able to lessen the damage inflicted on your chakra network. Waiting the full nine months would cause irreparable damage to your chakra network… it could even cost you your own life. I say this not as a medic but as your friend, please reconsider your decision."

Yuzuki closed her eyes, taking in the plea of her oldest friend and mentor. Upon opening them Tsunade already knew the answer before the brunette even opened her mouth. The determination filled within her hazel eyes an eerie reminder of her younger brother's own persistence towards following his dream of becoming Hokage. It was at this moment that Tsunade finally relented, and in the back of her mind she couldn't help but wonder if perhaps this too would end with the burial of another precious friend.