IMPORTANT: Okay, here's the deal. I am leaving for a trip soon and won't have the time to update. Rather, I'm visiting family in Lousiana for a few weeks and will not be focusing on updating while there. My main goal will be to enjoy time with my family. So until I get back on July 13, this is my last update for the time being. I'll also need a couple of days to relax. So the next update should be around July 16, somewhere in that area. Sorry about this, but I haven't seen them in a year. And one of them is my dad.
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Sakura was eating a bowl of ramen with Ino and Shikamaru that afternoon. "And then," Ino saying, talking about a problem her family was having with their flower shop at the moment. She was interrupted by Shikamaru.
"Isn't that Mariko and Darun?" Shikamaru asked lazily. Ino started at that. Sakura managed to not give anything away, knowing that Mariko and Darun could also be other people. They were common names.
"Mariko! Darun!" Ino thundered, jumping up from her seat. "Did you find your father?" Sakura slowly turned around and fought to contain the smile that was fighting to come out. It was Naruto and Hinata in disquise. Though they were accompanied by someone she didn't recognize.
"Oh, we found him," Naruto said, noticing Sakura. "We delivered the letter and are going home now. But we need to talk to your Hokage first. We were hoping you could introduce us to someone who could get us in to see her. It's very important."
"I'll talk to Tsunade-sama for you," Ino promised. "I'm one of the trainee medic nins under her. So is Sakura here. Sakura, help me get these two in to see Tsunade-sama, will you?"
"Sure," Sakura agreed easily as Naruto's stomach growled. "How about some ramen first though? I would like to hear your story."
"Darun, who's your friend? She wasn't with you the last time we saw you two," Ino asked, pulling them to the ramen stand and ordering three more bowls.
"I'm Toki," Toki said swiftly. "I was worried about these two traveling alone. They're still so young. I've been traveling with him for a few days now and will continue to do do until they are home and safe." While Ino was distracted with talking to Toki, Sakura looked at Naruto questioningly. He answered with his eyes, clearing saying later. Mariko struck up a conversation with Sakura, pretending to be new in town. The five ate their ramen quickly and headed to Tsunade's office. Ino and Sakura were commanded to stay.
"Darun, with your permission?" Tsunade asked. Naruto nodded. "Ino, you're being sworn to secrecy for a little while. Is that understood? You have a right to know now." Ino nodded questioningly. "Well then, how did it go?" she asked Naruto.
"Complete success, Tsunade-baa-chan," Naruto said. Ino gasped at that honorific. He turned to Ino with a grin, showing the green crystal necklace he had gotten from Tsunade so long ago. "That's right. Hinata and I have been on a top secret mission. During the last mission, I almost did die and it was a perfect chance to set this mission underway." Hinata gladly unwrapped her eyes. He turned back to Tsunade. "I need to talk to my aunt. Do you know where she is?"
"A-aunt?" Ino stammered.
"Well, my other aunt," Naruto corrected himself. "Aunt Toki is right behind me." Sakura smiled.
"Ciera Hajin is still in town," Tsunade told him. "But first you try to escape her and now you want to see her? What's going on?"
"It was my father's will. He left something for her. He asked me in his will to see that she got it. And I will." Now Ino was truly confused. "I know it's confusing at first. Long story short, my father left a will for me with my mother's sister. We didn't know what to expect, so we took no chances. I'm not alone as I thought when it came to my family. I have on my mother's side an aunt, uncle, and cousin. And my father's side has a bit of family as well."
Ino felt tears come to her eyes unbidden. "That's why Tsunade-sama was always saying she was forgetting to add your name to the memorial rock," Ino realized with a gasp. "You weren't really dead. You were on a mission. And here I sat crying for you. You idiot!" Hinata placed a hand on her shoulder.
"I had the same reaction until Naruto recruited me for the mission," Hinata gladly told her. "Tsunade-sama, can you please get word to my father that I'm back? It would look funny if 'Darun' here suddenly was without his sister, it would be bad. As a big brother, he's very overprotective." Tsunade roared with laughter.
"Sakura, since you know everything, please go tell Hiashi Hyuuga that Hinata will be home in a few hours," Tsunade requested.
"You knew?!" Ino demanded of her friend/rival. Sakura nodded and left the room. "Who else was in on it?"
"Kakashi-sensei, Tsunade-baa-chan, and I think Shizune may know a little. I'm not sure," Naruto recalled. "Oh! Aunt Toki was witness to the will. We have a way to confirm it." Ino realized that Naruto was just as distractable as ever, which made her happy.
"Show me the proof," Tsunade ordered. From around his neck, he pulled out his mother's necklace and handed it to Toki. Toki took it and laid it down Tsunade's desk, biting her thumb to draw blood, in much the same way one would draw blood in order to summon something. A single drop hit the brilliant gem and another hologram popped up from the crystal.
"I am Toki Uzamaki, twin sister to Kushina Uzamaki, the wife of Minato Namikaze. Hereby I witness the will contained within this necklace to my nephew Naruto. Everything inside it is true and to be enforced to the letter. Until the day he comes to get this will, I will safeguard the documents, deeds, and key to the Namikaze Manor, along with everything else he needs to inherit the inheritance that is rightfully his. This is my witness, true and proper."
"Wow, I was a lot younger then," Toki said with a laugh as the hologram vanished. "Naruto, would you like to go see your house?"
"Sounds good," Tsunade agreed in Naruto's stead. "Ino, please find Kakashi and drag him in here. Use my name if you must, but don't tell him why, only that I need to see him. As you should know, no one is to know these two are back yet." Ino left the room, a curious look on her face.
"I want details later," Ino threatened playfully. "Once your return is official, we'll talk freely." Shizune was called in to lead them to the Namikaze Manor. Naruto's heritage would be made known in a few short hours and the two Konoha nin would be free to walk around as themselves. Until then, they once again assumed the guise of Mariko and Darun and followed Shizune. Toki assumed her identity as a concerned adult.
The manor had always been visible to them. At the time, everyone had wondered who it belonged to, for no one could get in and no one was ever seen leaving or entering the place. It stuck out in prominence in the village, and many potential hokage's had commented that the place would be perfect for a home for the leader. Some had even tried to get the council to declare it the rightful home of the hokage. But it had not worked and a reason had not been given.
Toki handed her nephew a silver key as they approached the front door. "Welcome home," she said softly as Naruto unlocked the door and walked in, Hinata on his arm.