Disclaimer: I do not own the characters or Naruto.

I hope you enjoy this chapter. I apologize for how long it took. Even now I'm not satisfied with it, so please give me feedback. I'm a perfectionist...

***

Tsunade watched silently through the glass. Karin lay on the other side, within a solid stone room. There was only one bed and an entrance that led to the bathroom; they couldn't take any chances. What would happen once she awoke was unpredictable, and so they were obligated to take extra precautions. She now slept on the bed, completely free of any binding jutsu on her body. Her head was the only part of her body not blanketed, light reflecting off her glasses.

The wound in Karin's chest had been immediately patched up by the medical ninja the moment she entered the village, before they had performed the mind interrogation. It granted the Hokage a self-satisfied sense of relief to see the girl lying there so peaceful and unhurt…unhurt by the torment of consciousness as well as the wounds Sasuke had inflicted upon her.

She sensed Ibiki coming from behind and turned on her heel. He had a serious expression locked into his eyes. His large, muscular arms were folded across his chest.

"Should I help her along, Hokage-sama?" the man asked.

"No, let her wake up naturally…" Tsunade frowned. "Opening one's mind so suddenly has the possibility of being very harmful. Waking her forcefully may increase the chances of this turning out bad."

"Perhaps," replied Ibiki solemnly. He approached the glass window and scrutinized the sleeping woman. "It is like bursting open a dam. Our minds must link memories together in order to make ourselves; who we know ourselves to be. Our old memories are built on top of new ones, for our old memories help us form the new ones from the decisions we make. But most of Karin's memories are completely disconnected with each other. It is like two people living within the same body, and this internal conflict and confusion may be too much for her to handle."

Tsunade moved to stand by his side and watch with him. "That is why I will stay here as long as it takes to monitor her condition."

"And is Naruto coming?"

Tsunade smirked grimly and put one hand on her hip. "We'll see. I sent Kakashi after him, and recently also sent Shikamaru. He can be a stubborn brat sometimes."

Yet her smile melted from rebuke to fondness as she finished these words.

***

"Shikamaru?"

He was casually approaching them with his hands in his pockets, eyes void of enthusiasm and a mild frown tipping his face. "Hey Naruto…Kakashi-sama."

Kakashi nodded at Shikamaru in acknowledgement and turned to Naruto. "I will go now; I have things to do. But if I were you, I wouldn't keep Tsunade waiting." With one jump, the jounin vanished.

Shikamaru stopped in front of Naruto. "Kakashi is right. Let's go."

"Did she send you too?"

Shikamaru rolled his eyes and held out his hand to Naruto. "You know how women are--impatient and hot-headed. It's such a drag."

Naruto accepted the hand to help pull him to his feet. He dusted off his orange jump suit and took in a full breath of air to calm his nerves. Naruto didn't know what he would say to Karin when they met. He didn't know what to expect, or what was expected of him. And he'd rather train so that he could get ready for Sasuke—not deal with something like this. They were total strangers, yet now their blood ushered them into being something more. How was he supposed to do this?

They began walking, side by side, toward the Hokage's building.

Shikamaru sensed Naruto's unease and raised his eyebrows. "Hey."

Naruto looked up and noticed the facetious glint in Shikamaru's eyes.

"Family is a really bothersome …" he said, "heh, more so than hot-headed women…but they can make up for it sometimes."

"How?" asked Naruto with a brattish, skeptical appearance.

"Well, they are really annoying when they get into your business… But at the same time, it's kind of nice. Cuz they are always looking out for you."

"But why? Aren't friends the same way? What does blood have to do with caring about someone?"

Shikamaru shrugged lazily as he stared straight ahead at the junction between the grass and the meandering stone road. "Who knows? Sometimes a family doesn't care at all. I guess it's more about attitude than blood."

"Attitude?"

"Oh, I don't know. Perspective? Some people are cool about making a family and being a family. Others just don't care. I don't know why."

They walked quietly for a moment as Naruto thought about this. He was relieved that the jounin hadn't asked about the last mission.

"Blood bonds are a strange thing," finished Shikamaru after a while. "Not sure how it works."

Naruto's mouth tipped sardonically. "That's what Old Lady Tsunade said."

The silent movement of thought that followed did not last. Shikamaru frowned and watched his feet as they dragged on the ground. "You know, Naruto… I don't want to make this any more troublesome for you…but I feel I should warn you…I wouldn't worry about bonds yet."

"What do you mean?"

"All I know about Karin is that she was helping Sasuke and she is your only surviving relative. If she was helping Sasuke, then wouldn't that mean she was against Konoha?"

Naruto shook his head. "Kakashi said she wasn't herself or something..."

'Hm, the same excuse you give for Sasuke,' thought Shikamaru. "All I'm saying is…I'm not sure what would happen if she really did choose to be Konoha's enemy. How should the leaf ninja respond? Would it mean her permanent imprisonment?"

Naruto's eyes widened. "I didn't think about that…"

"Sorry, Naruto…I just thought I should warn you. It is better to be prepared for the worst."

The rest of the way they walked without saying a word, just taking comfort in each other's company. Naruto thought about Karin; Imagining her permanently imprisoned left a bitter taste in his mouth for some reason. 'But,' he thought, 'If I knew nothing about her heritage, would I still feel this way?'

When they reached the Hokage's building, Ibiki was outside waiting for them.

"What are you walking so leisurely for, boy?" barked Ibiki, his expression shadowed lethally and reminded Naruto with a jolt of nostalgic fear of the exam about three years ago. "When Tsunade asks for you, you come immediately! Does she allow you to disrespect her authority like this so nonchalantly? You are late! Tsunade is meeting with Karin right now!"

* **

The first thing Karin saw was the white, bright ceiling come into focus. She turned her head and noticed the solid walls with a large glass window cut out of the one across from her bed. A woman with a large hourglass figure, blond hair, and sharp eyes watched from the other side. A heavy door was locked in next to the window.

Karin started and immediately sat up in bed, frantically turning her head to view her surroundings. What had happened? Where was she? But the moment Karin asked that question her mind began digging into her memory for answers. She had to catch her breath.

Karin clamped her hands onto her head and began convulsing uncontrollably. In that instant Tsunade burst into the room, her only choice being to improvise a remedy to this situation somehow—Karin's case was unique, and so she had no procedure to follow.

But Tsunade's entrance only frightened Karin further. The girl clawed at her shoulders and leaned into the wall, screaming, "Who are you??! Who are you?! Why is your chakra so great? What do you want from—m-m—me—Who—?!"

Tsunade froze in place and offered Karin stable, firm eyes. "I can answer all your questions, Karin, but you must calm down. Otherwise—"

But Karin didn't hear. Her eyes rolled. She folded into herself and went into a series of more convulsions.

"Shizune!" The Hokake yelled at the open door.

Shizune came running. "Yes, Hokage-sama?"

"Get me the medical team now!" she roared authoritatively.

"Y-Yes!"

"Now, Shizune!"

Shizune disappeared down the hall.

Tsunade rushed to Karin and caught her shoulders in her hands, holding on tightly. "You are Karin of the Whirlpool country, daughter to…"

Blue wisps of light gently twirled up Karin's neck and into her head. The shaking did not cease. Her distress only heightened. "Karin, listen to my voice," commanded the Hokage softly, her eyes focused intensely, "Listen to me, Karin—"

"Old Lady?!"

Ibiki, Shikamaru, and Naruto appeared at the door. Naruto examined the scene with narrow eyes and a suspiciousfrown. What was Tsunade doing? Did Karin choose to become Konoha's enemy? Was this how Tsunade planned to deal with her? He sprinted toward the bed.

"Stop it!" Naruto yelled, pushing the Hokage aside.

Tsunade stumbled to the right, her anger provoked. "I'm not—"

Naruto had to think quickly—If they planned on killing her, he had to get her out of here fast. He scooped her up from the bed and ran for the door just as Shizune and the medical team was entering. They significantly blocked the way, staring at the odd scene in bewilderment. Naruto was about to barrel through when the looks on everyone's faces changed and distracted him. They were staring in amazement at Karin.

Naruto dropped his gaze, surprised to see the girl looking up at him, perfectly still. Her eyes contained disbelief, awe, and relief. Her convulsions had ceased. It was a little uncomfortable. He lowered her to stand on her feet and maintain personal space, but she immediately wrapped her arms around his neck in a tight hug and sighed.

"Minato!" Karin whispered, "Minato! So all the rest really was just a dream… Mi…nato…"

Her whole body relaxed and slid off of him. He had to catch her in his arms to keep her from hitting the floor. She was unconscious. Naruto held her up in a standing position awkwardly, exhibiting his immense confusion. "Er…Old Lady?"

Tsunade released a deep sigh and slowly lowered herself to sit on the bed. "Well, once again your frivolous blunders have been redeemed by lucky success. It seems she thinks you are Minato, meaning her brain prefers the old memories to the new ones."

"Wh…" Naruto was dumbfounded. "What were you doing with her? You were hurting her just now, weren't you? Does she still want revenge on…"

Tsunade crossed her arms. "She was hurting herself. But it seems that seeing a familiar face was what she needed to save her from her panic. So I thank you for actually showing up, or else I don't know what her brain would have done to cope."

"Her brain was doing that? But—But…She…"

"Yes, she thinks you are the 4th. Or at least for now she does." Tsunade gave him a quick sweep with her eyes. "So she will be in your charge from today until I deem fit."

"EHH???!!"

"It's your new mission. A-rank."

"A-rank mission!? Babysitting a grown—"

"It's for her own good. And it will give you both some bonding time."

"But—but I have training—Sasuke is—"

"Go now, Naruto. Karin needs her rest. Give her your bed until we can get you another."

"But—But Old Lady Tsunade—could Sakura—she's a—"

"Karin is your aunt," emphasized Tsunade in an annoyed tone. "Families are responsible for looking after each other's health. And they live together."

Now Naruto could only stare at Tsunade in shock.

"Oh, very well. Sukura!"

"Yes?"

"Help Karin to Naruto's room. Show him what to do."

"Certainly, Hokage-sama."

"But," Naruto objected, "I don't know her!"

Sakura grabbed his hand. "That's enough whining from you. Baka! When the Hokage gives you an order, you do it. Youre always challenging her authority."

"But Sakura-chan—"

And so the chain of ninjas exited the room; Sakura dragging a very miserable Naruto, and Naruto dragging Karin. They received amused and astounded glances on their way out.

Tsunade watched them leave with a mysterious glint in her eye. 'You will see, Naruto,' she thought to herself. 'You'll see in time that I am doing this for reasons more worthy than blood.'