Five months later

Naruto's P.O.V.

"All in favor of the new tax plan?" My staff counted the votes.

"Seventy six to thirty four." Finally!

"The motion passes!" The room cheered. Finally I did something right. Oh it was absolutely fantastic. This was a great feeling, it really was. My fellow senators celebrated me, shook my hand, and then I was able to slip away and get some paperwork done. About two hours later I looked up at Shikamaru.

"Done."

"What?"
"I'm done with paperwork, everything, for like the first time in… years."

"You're kidding."

"No, I'm not, look." He looked through the papers on my desk a shocked expression on his face.

"You're done."

"I'm done!" Before we could celebrate my phone started ringing, we both audibly groaned.

"Well that was short lived." He said sadly.

"No kidding, hello?" I said answering my phone.

"Senator Uzumaki, I have Sasuke Uchiha on the line for you."

"Oh please, yes, put him through." The phone beeped for a second then I heard my boyfriend's voice.

"Hey babe."

"Hey baby, guess what?"

"What?"

"I'm done with paperwork."

"You're kidding."

"Nope totally serious."

"Wow, I thought you were going to be working through the weekend again."

"Nope! We should do something this weekend!"

"Well umm… that's actually why I was calling."

"Oh no what's wrong?"

"My system blew a fuse in the Sound, the whole thing is down, it's a literal crisis over there."

"Oh god!"

"It's no big deal, but I have to leave here pretty soon, I was gonna take the kids, is that alright?" I hate it when he has to go to the Sound, but his contract totally sucks, so he has to.

"Well… maybe since I suddenly have no work, I could go with you?" There was a long pause on the phone.

"Yeah, sure, we'll make it a family trip, celebrate Mikoshina getting through her first semester of middle school, Minatachi finally sleeping through night. I mean I'll be working most of the time, but there are a lot of fun things you three can do around town now."

"That sounds great. I can probably leave here within the next hour or so."

"Great, well I'm just about done packing, I'll pick up Mikoshina from school, you wanna get Mina from your mom's we'll meet at your place?"

"Sounds great, see you soon."

"Love you."

"Love you too." I hung up the phone and smiled, this could be really fun. Unfortunately Shikamaru gave me a look that did not inspire confidence.

"What?"

"Why are you tagging along on Sasuke's trip?"

"We're making it a family weekend."

"Because you're terrified that if he leaves for the weekend he's cheating on you or getting high, or even has a second family over there."

"Oh stop that's crazy."

"Really is that why you had a meltdown the last time he went to the Sound?"

"It wasn't a meltdown."

"Naruto you ate all the ice cream in my fridge and ramen in my pantry while Shikadai and Miko had a sleep over, what exactly do you call that?"

"Okay, I'm not freaking out, it's a family trip, that's none of your business."

"Confront Sasuke."

"No."

"I'm your Kurama right now, thanks to Dr. Iruka, if you're uneasy about something, you're supposed to confront Sasuke. In a non accusing fashion." I rolled my eyes.

"Fine, if when I'm there and I feel uneasy, I will talk to him about it."
"You better."

"Whatever." I finished up final things I had to do for the day, then picked up Minatachi and drove home. Mikoshina and Sasuke were already there, packing up some weekend bags.

"Hey love."

"Hey babe. Everything's packed, you just have to get your essentials." He said after kissing me.

"You are so awesome, I love you."

"I love you too."

"Yeah, yeah, you guys love each other, can we go? I want to get started on the winter reading list during the drive."

"Mikoshina today was your last day of the semester, don't you want to take a break? Just for this weekend?"

"I'll take a break on Christmas, come on guys, let's go." Mikoshina said grabbing her bag, Minatachi's bag and Sasuke's keys and walking out of the apartment.

"We need to do something about that, she's gonna blow a gasket."

"Eh she's an Uchiha, pretty typical of us actually, but she and I have talked about it." I gave him a look. "But I'll talk to her again."

"Thank you." I said packing a few things then grabbing Minatachi's carrier. Sasuke really packed well for me. Another reason he's awesome. I don't know how I would keep my head from falling off without him. He is the best.

Sasuke's P.O.V.

"How is it possible for the circuits to just blow? Seriously this is a wreck!"

"It's called the weather outside Sasuke. You can't just keep forcing lightning to happen when we have the driest weather conditions on record for the winter." Suigetsu said obnoxiously.

"Then why the hell are you guys using it so much? It's for emergencies only."

"Because Orochimaru sucks as a leader and everywhere he goes someone tries to kill him." Karin gawked. I rolled my eyes; this is a disaster. Juugo sat next to me and together we rewrote the formulas, hopefully this new one will put less stress on the system.

"Mikoshina's growing up." Juugo mused. "The last time I saw her she was like a little kid. Now she's… a preteen."

"She start shaving yet?" Karin asked in her intrusive way.

"A couple of girls in her class are starting too I think, they're getting their periods, wearing thongs, it's terrifying."

"You need to introduce a training bra, work up from there."

"Do you have any idea how hard it is for two men to raise a daughter? I don't know any of this stuff, I don't even really know what a tampon is."

"Yup, so I'm out of this conversation." Suigetsu said pulling a box of cigarettes and walking to the balcony.

Karin rolled her eyes. "He can be so immature sometimes."

"Yeah well that's your man." Juugo laughed.

"No kidding. Sasuke, do you want me to talk to her, you know while she's here."

"Wouldn't that be weird, my ex girlfriend talking to my daughter about… girl stuff."

"Ex fiancé thank you very much. And she calls me all the time, I'm really more of a friend, we girl talk."

"You're kidding."

"I bet you don't know she and Chocho got into a huge fight and aren't speaking?"

"What?"

"See you don't know everything." I ran my hand through my hair, I guess she can't talk to me about everything like I thought she could.

"Could you talk to her?"

"It would be my pleasure."

"Thank you, Karin." Juugo, Sui and I spent the rest of the afternoon trying to fix the servers. It was a disaster. I might need more than just the weekend…

After work I met up with Naruto, then the taka and my family all went to dinner. It was a nice ramen house in the jazz district. Naruto was beyond excited to try everything on the menu, Mikoshina too.

"Man you guys can really put away ramen." Sui laughed

"Why don't we have this place in Kohona? Oh my gosh this is the best ramen I've ever tasted!" Mikoshina said in between slurping noodles. Naruto was stuffing his face so hard with ramen he couldn't even talk to us. Oh my lovely family.

"You know who used to make the best ramen?" Karin said.

"Who?"

"Kimmi and Juugo."

"Oh my gosh yes," I said leaning back, my mouth watering just thinking about it. Naruto raised his eyebrows at me, mouth still full. "When you met him he wasn't strong enough to make it anymore, but he'd make the noodles from scratch, hand roll and cut everything, it would take him hours."

"And Juugo would make these pickled deep fried seaweed crunchy things, oh my god it was amazing." Sui said.

"Who's Kimi?" Mikoshina asked Juugo.

"My late husband, he was your other god father Mikoshina, the best cook in the world. Not to mention he was so brave, one of the best sergeants in the military." Juugo said with pride.

"Wow he sounds awesome!"

"He was." I said with a smile, giving Juugo a reassuring glance. He is doing better, a lot better.

"Remember when we were like nineteen and we all got blasted? I don't know how our drunk asses made it to your house Juugo, all I remember of that night was Kimimaro came out of the kitchen and he was like a freakin angel, serving me the best meal of my life! That ramen was like heaven. I heard the trumpets man." Sui laughed. My eyes got big as I threw an oyster cracker at him. "What?"

"Not in front of the C-H-I-L-D Suigetsu." Karin said hitting him over the head. Mikoshina just laughed."I'm well past a 12thgrade reading level Karin, I've read Of Mice and Men, I think I can spell child." So sassy. We all cracked up, it was so nice having my family and my friends enjoying dinner together. I was so happy I thought I was on cloud nine. After dinner we went back to my old home, the adults had a few drinks after tucking the kids in, then Naruto and I went to my old room, no one wanted to change rooms, they just keep the master bedroom and basically the whole upstairs ready for me whenever I come by. It's kinda nice actually. Naruto and I went to bed and I cuddled into his chest, playing with his chest hair. Lee whipped him back into shape after he had Tachi, I can't get enough of him. Even with his ramen food baby right now.

"It's so weird seeing Sui sober."

"No kidding, he's still a dumbass though."

"I'm glad he found Karin, she totally keeps him in line."

"Oh they're great for each other, keep Juugo's spirits up too."

"Yeah, I'm glad to see them doing so well for themselves. I can see how this place was really good for you to get it all together. I'm so proud of you, all of you." That made me feel really good, reassured.

"Thanks babe."

"Sasuke? Can I confess something to you?"

"Of course."

"When I came here this weekend, I was a little worried. I'm… always worried when you go to the Sound, like you're escaping to go take care of your vice. You don't make me feel that way, it's just the suspicion in my head you know?"

"I can understand that. I'm glad you identified it like Dr. Iruka said."

"Well… Shikamaru may have clued me in a bit. But now, coming here, seeing the support system your friends are now, my fears are just gone."

"Good, I'm so glad babe, really."

"I trust you Sasuke. I do."

"You know that means so much to me." I said cuddling harder into his chest. I'm really glad he could see how much I've actually changed. Cloud nine for sure.

Mikoshina's P.O.V.

"The ramen last night was so good Dad."

"I really liked it too."

"I wish we could have tried Uncle Juugo's husband's, it sounded amazing."

"It sure did love." Dad said as he pushed my brother through the shopping center. I love shopping with Dad, it's kind of our thing these days.

"Oooo can we go into the jewelry store? I wanna get some new earrings, maybe a necklace." I have this new blue shirt Daddy bought me and I don't have anything that matches!

"Sure baby girl." Yes! We walked into the store and I started browsing through the necklaces. That's when Mirai texted me.

Chocho is talking crap about you again.

Seriously?

Uh yeah, I just went to the movies with her and Shikadai. She said you're entitled.Me entitled? Of all the things to call me, really? If she only knew what I've been through.

Well she's fat and no one likes her.

Well she's dating Mitsuki, who are you dating?Of course Mirai would take Chocho's side.

"Everything okay Mikoshina?"

"Oh yeah, yeah, I really like this one can you get it for me?" I said handing him the necklace and pulling ten dollars out of my wallet and giving that to him too.

"Where are you going?"

"I have to make a phone call, is that okay?"

"Sure. Stay right outside the door."

"Yes dad." I walked outside and called Shikadai.

"Hey Miko."

"What did Chocho say about me at the movies?"

"Umm… nothing."

"Oh please."

"Why?"

"Mirai said that she said I was entitled." Shikadai cracked up on the other side of the phone.

"You know Mirai likes to play mind games." I let out a sigh.

"Why would she do that?"

"I mean… if she messes with the prettiest girl in the school, throws her off her game, she can take over the school. Don't let her get to you." I blushed, Shikadai always has to go and say stuff like that.

"She's so mean."

"She's jealous."

"Did you finish A Wrinkle in Time yet?"

"Uhhh no, haven't touched it."

"Shika!"

"I'll like read them all the day before school starts then cream you on the test, you'll see."

"Ugh, you're so frustrating." Dad came out of the store. "I gotta go."

"Text me."

"Sure." I hung up the phone.

"Who was that?" He is so nosey.

"Just Shikadai."

"Uh huh." He wasn't buying it, but he wasn't questioning it either. He has no idea I'm even fighting with Chocho right now. "What would you like to do next?"

"We could go to dad's work, he has this room he made for me, it has a slushy machine!" Dad rolled his eyes and smiled.

"Sure, we can do that." We walked out of the mall to the parking lot. Dad was struggling with putting Mina's car seat into Daddy's car.

"Here dad do you need help?"

"Yes! Why is this so complicated?"

"Daddy says it's complicated because it's extra safe." I laughed playfully pushing dad aside and getting in the back. Oh man the seatbelt is stuck. I reached over in a really awkward position trying to pull it. Man it's really stuck in there. Okay… one, two, three, pull!

"Ouch! Owe owe owe." I got the seatbelt out but ouch, owe it hurts so much.

"Mikoshina!"

"I'm okay I'm okay." I said getting out of the car and turning to him. My hand was bleeding, dad completely freaked out.

"Oh my gosh. Oh my gosh." Shake it off Miko it's fine, don't show dad weakness, he'll never let you do anything ever again.

"Dad I'm fine really, it's just a little blood." I said activating my sharingan. Oh no… this is not just a little blood. My pinky finger and my ring finger are broken. That and my father is completely freaking out, meanwhile my brother is now screaming his head off.

"We have to go to the hospital, have to go-" Why couldn't this have happened with daddy? He would have been so much more calm.

"Okay, dad, the hospital is just down the street, give me Minatachi, just drive okay." I said taking my brother out of his hands with my uninjured hand and getting in the car. Man he's freaking out more than I am and I'm the one in pain here. After pausing like a dear in the headlights he finally ran into the drivers seat and got us to the hospital. Karin was there waiting for us.

"What the hell happened?"

"It's fine, I'm fine, don't tell Daddy, please." I said giving her my hand.

"Oh it is definitely broken, Naruto, call your boyfriend. Sorry sweetheart, there's no getting out of this one." She said taking me to a room and starting to clean my fingers. It stung. She pulled out a portable x-ray machine and I slowed down to finally catch my breath. I'm okay… I'm okay.

"Oh my gosh."

"What?" I asked her.

"You're an Uzumaki alright. You're fingers are already healing." I looked at my fingers with my sharingan once more. They were healing…

"Karin."

"I know, your blood is pure. Come on, let's get you wrapped up before your other father gets here and bites my head off." I didn't know I could heal… I mean I've gotten little scrapes in soccer or bruises from dance sometimes, and they heal pretty quick, but this… it's on a whole new level.

"Karin, I need a favor, I want you to give dad a pint of my blood, but tell him it's yours. If I can heal from this, maybe I can heal him too." She looked at me after finishing the splint, thinking it over.

"You are so much like Sasuke, it's crazy. Alright." She said locking the door and setting up the equipment. A few minutes later the bag was full of my blood, and Daddy was pounding down the door. Slowly Karin opened the door.

"Why the hell did you lock this?"

"Because your boyfriend out there was freaking out, and if she can't calm down she can't heal."

"Are you okay Miko?"

"I'm fine Daddy, really." I said using my sharingan to confirm it to him. He ran his hand through his hair and sat down, hugging me.

"Since we're here, lets get you a transfusion." Karin said happily, pushing Daddy back in the chair as Dad came in with a now calm baby brother.

"You're okay Mikoshina?" Dad asked.

"She's absolutely fine." Karin glared, putting the needle into Daddy's arm.

"This blood is still warm Karin." Daddy said.

"Well yeah, I just pumped it right before your crazy family barged in here." I looked at daddy with my gift and he believed it. Good. I just hope this works. After the bag was just about empty I held daddy's hand.

"How do you feel?" He hesitated.

"Amazing. Man I feel like a teenager again. It's been so long since I've had your fresh blood from you, Karin, this is great." He said with a really big smile. Yes! Oh this is fantastic!