A/N: Hey, Guys! I wonder why I still even have a schedule. I've gone a day over for... quite a while, now. I have honestly missed writing Kushina. Weird how characters grow on you like that... Well, I hope you guys enjoy the chapter, and I'll see you next update!

Imaginary had become our primary form of training together. I was so proud of both my friends. They took to it so well.

A few weeks after the war ended, I was still at Itachi's house, though Mikoto and Fujiko had begun sharing me. Apparently, Shisui's parents really began to appreciate me after the scene in the hallway. Which made me happy, as it meant more time to be spent with my fluffy-head friend. Speaking of whom...

Shisui looked up at me, eyes narrowed, "You. Have been staring at me for the past five minutes. What is it that you require, Tomi."

I replied, "Your hair. It looks really fluffy. It makes me want to pet it."

"Oh. Ok!" Shisui agreed, rolling across our homework papers to put his head in range.

I stroked his hair experimentally. IT WAS COARSE! My search for an Uchiha with coarse hair had finally ended! Or, it was at least semi coarse. As coarse as is possible in the Uchiha clan. Mikoto had let me touch her hair, and had described Fugaku's hair to me because I doubt he'd ever let me touch it. I also was introduced to Itachi's aunt sometime, and she was really strict, but also nice, in her own way. Her husband was pretty lax, so he let me touch his hair. It was so soft. All Uchihas, except Shisui and possibly his father have super soft hair. It has been upgraded to a Theory, if not a Law.

"It's actually kinda coarse, aa!" I observed in awe to Shisui.

Shisui raised an eyebrow at me, "Yeah, that's why I wear it messy. It won't conform to anything other than floppy spikes."

I laughed, "Hehe, well, congratulations, you have ended a search of mine." I let him roll back over to side of the floor.

When he got there, he sat up and asked, "Search for what? Uchihas with coarse hair?"

I nodded, "Yep. Exactly that."

He faked a hurt expression, but his chakra was laughing, "Why did you not include me in this hunt, Hitomi? I am hurt!"

I replied, a hand over my heart, "Ah, alas, Shisui, I simply did not think to notify you that I was trying to pet all the Uchiha's hair."

Shisui burst out laughing, and I couldn't help it, so I followed suit. After a minute, we quieted down and went back to our work.

"Ne, Hitomi, can I ask you something?" Shisui asked, staring at me.

"Uh, yeah. You can always ask me stuff. What's wrong?" I looked up and asked.

He swept his gaze around the room, obviously looking for something.

"What're you looking for?" I asked.

He grimaced, "Hm. Can we take this to... I don't know, not the living room?"

I nodded, "Sure. We can head to one of the guest rooms, or just your room."

He sighed and got up, "Yeah. My room?"

"Whatever works!" I smiled at him.

We walked over to his room, taking our homework stuff with us. We sat in the floor.

I got deja-vu suddenly, as he closed the door, "Have you been reading the History books?"

He started a little bit, "Yeah, how'd you know?"

I shook my head, "Itachi and I have been reading them for a while... I'm assuming you don't like what you see, either?"

He nodded, "Yeah... I tried to ignore it, but I just can't stop thinking about it... the direction Konoha and the Clan are going in is... bad, to say the least..."

I gave a short, dry laugh, "No kidding."

Shisui looked up at me, and I immediately knew he heard something of what was behind what I had just said.

"Hitomi, do you... know something?" Shisui frowned.

I bit the inside of my lip, trying to think of a way to tell him without really telling him.

"Well..." I hesitated, "Shisui, can you trust me?"

Shisui replied in all honesty, "I can. I do, you are a trustworthy person."

I shook my head a little at that, but continued, "I'm glad you think that... Shisui, you're right. I do know something, and I'm going to do something about what I know. But what I know isn't... it can't be shared, if you understand."

He frowned for a moment, then slowly formed, "What... like ANBU kinda things?"

"Worse," I frowned, "There's some pretty deep corruption in here..." I felt Shisui's parents come withing hearing range, "But we can fix that through the triumph over the dishes!"

I smiled at Shisui. He got my hint.

"Yes. We shall triumph over the dishes. Is there any way I might help you triumph over the dishes, dearest friend of mine?" Shisui asked dramatically.

I nodded, "Yes, there is. Don't get caught in a spider's web, Shisui. Also, don't trust the lolipops. They're bad for your teeth."

He frowned at me, confused, so I mouthed, "Tell you later."

He nodded, having understood. Shisui's mom opened the door.

"What are you two doing in here?" Fujiko asked, eyebrow raised in suspicion.

We replied in unison, "Studying!"

We turned to each other and made funny faces before falling over laughing.

She raised an eyebrow, "Really? I heard something about conquering dishes... And that doesn't seem like studying to me."

I held up my hands in an apologetic manner, "I'm sorry, we got off track momentarily. Shisui asked... actually, I don't remember how it started, but I remember something about cows, then fish, then water, and then we got onto dishes."

She shook her head, amused, "Well, get back to studying, you two. I'd better see you two doing your best."

I smiled at her brilliantly and chorused with Shisui, "We will!"

I turned back to Shisui as the door closed and Fujiko's chakra signature walked off. He winked at me. I stuck my tongue out at him. He laughed, and we were back to studying.

Later that night, Shisui came to my room in his house after his parents had gone to bed. I was sitting on the floor, finishing up the draft of the sixth layer of my seal. Jiraiya and I would go over it... sometime. Kushina and Minato hadn't been back, yet. I... was... worrying about them. In my mind, I knew that they were all right, but... my dreams said differently. I would also have nightmares about the night of the Kyuubi attack, and... it was them, and my parents, both sets, that were impaled on Kurama's claw... and instead of Naruto in the basket, it was my... previous little brother. Oh, well.

Shisui closed the door and sat down across from me and looked at my seal, "It has something to do with this, doesn't it."

I snorted a little in morbid amusement as I activated the privacy seals I had set up earlier as a precaution for this conversation, "Yeah... Something bad is going to happen soon, and a lot of people are going to die... if I don't stop it."

"How can I help," Shisui demanded.

Honestly, I had been expecting him to barrage me with questions, not just ask how he could help. I answered, "I'm going to go out of the shelters on a night that the sky is red. I need you to vouch for me."

"Sure. Where will you be going, if you can tell me?" Shisui asked.

I looked him in the eye, "The eye of the storm."

He frowned, confused again. He muttered it to himself, "Eye of the storm... That reminds me. What was that about lolipops and spiders?"

"Stay away from Elder Shimura. Whatever you do, ok, Shisui?" I looked at him, dead serious.

He stared at me for a moment before nodding slowly, "Ok... I can do that. What about the other one? Whichever one he was?"

"The lolipop is not Elder Shimura. The lolipop is orange, wears a black cloak, and comes in the darkest hour bringing despair disguised as hope," I replied.

"So it's a person. Who is this person?" Shisui asked.

I shook my head, "I can't tell you that."

He paused for a moment before nodding decisively, "Ok. I understand. It's something to do with seals, possibly a Jinchurikii, there's someone who looks like a lolipop in a black cloak who I should avoid, and I should also avoid the... spider? You called him?"

"Yeah," I replied.

"And you need me to cover for you during a huge, possibly dangerous event," Shisui clarified.

I scoffed, "Not possibly, Shisui. Hugely dangerous."

He looked at me askew, "Hitomi, if you're doing something stupid..."

I shook my head, "It's only about one fourth stupid, a half selfish, and the other quarter selfless."

He frowned in confusion. I smiled at him, "You'll see when it happens."

He sighed, "I suppose."

He got up and I smiled at him, "Night!"

He looked at me, unusually serious, "Hitomi, just... don't get yourself killed."

I dropped the smile, "I won't. Take that as a promise."

He nodded and turned quickly to go, mumbling over his shoulder, "Night."

The next day, we had school as normal, but when I walked out of the building, Shisui and Itachi at my side (Shisui had been a little more quiet than normal that day. I didn't blame him, though. I had given him a lot to think about), imagine my surprise when I saw vibrant red hair and gold hair standing out front, debating about something. I didn't stop to think. I just started running toward them. Kushina was closer, so I went barreling into her left leg. She looked down at me in surprise, then smiled as wide as she could and picked me up, hugging me tightly. I hugged her back. After she was done with me, I turned around to Minato after giving Kushina a look. She got the gesture and threw me at Minato. (Don't try this at home. Throwing small children is not good for their health.) I laughed as Minato scrambled to catch me.

Minato put me down after I had gotten a proper hug from him. I bounced on my toes and almost asked a question, but Minato beat me to it.

"Are you still right where you want to be in class, Hitomi?" Minato asked, smiling slightly.

"Yep! I kept my grades the same!" I smiled.

It then turned into a barrage of questions, things like, 'did you attend your therapy weekly, did you train, did you enjoy your lessons with Jiraiya,' etc. I then remembered that I had to go get my stuff from Shisui's house.

"Hey, M..." I stopped myself. I exhaled and tried again, "... Kushina, could I get my stuff from Shisui's house? I've been staying with him and Itachi. By the way, Mikoto and Fujiko are my fourth and fifth moms now."

Kushina pouted, "Aww, but where am I?"

I tapped my chin thoughtfully, then burst out in a radiant smile, "I don't know. Maybe third, maybe second, aa!"

Kushina smiled at me, though there was a sad shadow over it which she quickly shook off, "Well, anyway, yes, you may. We'll be waiting for you at the house, ttebane."

I grinned at them, "Ok! See you there!" And ran off to go follow Itachi and Shisui (who had left without me, the jerks).

~Kushina!~

Kushina shook her head sadly, "She was going to say Mom."

Minato looked at her, "I know."

"I wish she let herself call me that," Kushina said wistfully.

Minato put his arm around Kushina's shoulders, "She probably will, in time."

Kushina shook her head, still dejected, "And what's with the five moms? I feel so... betrayed!"

Minato chuckled, "You could ask her about it. She would most likely tell you."

"Hehe, probably, ttebane," Kushina smiled, "Anyway, we should head home, ttebane. We've been gone for a long time. It'll probably need to be cleaned."

Minato nodded, "Probably."

~Hitomi!~

I skipped home, my bag slung over my shoulder, trying to figure out how to whistle. That had been something I had never figured out how to do in my past life, and I couldn't figure it out in this life for the life of me, either! Frustrating.

I had said good bye to Fujiko, Jiro (He had been on duty, just got back the day before), Shisui, Mikoto, and Itachi last of all. He had been waiting for me at the gate of the compound.

I got to the Kushina and Minato's house and went in, taking my shoes off once I was inside the front door. I frowned at the lack of noise and poked my head around the corner to see Kushina gawking at the cleaning I had done last week, Minato chuckling quietly at her stupified expression. I had made it a habit to clean the house while the two were gone, one part of the house per day. It made it pretty easy to get done.

Kushina whirled and stalked over to me, "Hitomi."

I blinked in confusion, "Yes?"

"You clean better than I do, ttebane. You've gotta show me how you do this, ttebane!" Kushina exclaimed.

I smiled at her, "I'll be sure to the next time the house needs to be cleaned."

She grinned back at me before asking, "Do you have any homework?"

I nodded, "Not much. It feels like the assignments have been getting easier. But I do have a monster seal to work on." I smiled at the last part. The seal was coming along great. The sixth layer had been the quickest layer so far. I had finished the draft in three days, and it would take me about four to draw the actual calligraphy in. The other layers had taken at least five days for the first draft, and then a week for the calligraphy.

Kushina smiled fondly back at me, "Well, get to it then. I want to work with you on it a bit, too."

I nodded, "Yes, ma'am!"

I ran to my room and quickly finished my homework, then bringing the monster seal into the living room where all three of us could get a good look at it. Kushina and Minato were surprised at how far I had come in the time they had been gone, and helped me with the sixth layer, helping me set up for the seventh, eighth and ninth layers. There was a lot going on in the seal.

We worked on it for a couple hours, ate dinner, worked on the seal together for another hour, and then we all went to get some rest.

The next day, I went to the Academy, only to find Daikoku standing out front, telling kids that the day was going to be a bit abnormal.

"Hi, Daikoku-san! What's the fuss?" I asked him.

He smiled at me, "The Hokage is going to make an announcement today."

I tilted my head at him, "What kind of announcement?"

Daikoku shook his head, chuckling, "Well, you'll hear that in the announcement, won't you?"

I pursed my lips and replied, "I suppose..."

One of the kids complained loudly, I think it was Saisu Kamano, "Why can't you just tell us now, you old geezer."

I wheeled and sure enough, Saisu was behind me. I replied shortly to him, "Because the Hokage wants to tell us. Learn some patience, will you?"

He glared at me, "Nobody was talking to you."

"But you were behind me," I replied, "And Daikoku-sensei is not a 'geezer,' as you so skillfully stated."

Daioku patted me on the head, "Now, now. Thank you, Hitomi-chan, but it's really not necessary. Saisu, Hitomi is right. It is the Hokage's business to tell you that."

Saisu rolled his eyes, "Yeah, whatever."

I shook my head and went around Saisu to go find Itachi and Shisui. I saw them sitting across from each other, discussing something in hushed voices. I walked over, and they both looked up.

"Hitomi, why didn't you tell me about the pile of dishes?" Itachi asked.

I sighed, "Well, I was going to. Seriously, Shisui? You ruined the surprise. Anyway, now the three of us are all caught up, at least. Sorry I didn't tell you guys sooner."

Shisui rubbed the back of his head, "It's all right."

Itachi nodded, "It is. But tell us before you decide act upon stupid ideas, Hitomi."

I rolled my eyes, "This isn't stupid. Or, at least, isn't completely stupid. It's something that needs to happen."

Itachi and Shisui shook their heads in utter defeat in unison.

Shisui sighed, "Tomi, there's gotta be more ways we can help conquer the dishes."

I shrugged, "The watching out my back for water about to spew on my clothes is enough. And you guys know to be afraid of the spiders and the cavities that lolipops give you, so there's not really anything else."

Itachi sighed and shook his head, exasperated, while Shisui pressed again, "Are you SURE?"

I nodded, completely and totally and absolutely and, ok, there may have been that tiny, teensy tiny corner of doubt hidden deep within the back corner of my mind that nagged and laughed at how a grown woman in the body of a six-year-old was going to try to do something this monumental. Maybe I did have that doubt. Maybe, MAYBE I did. It didn't stop me from answering, "I'm positive."

Shisui and Itachi exchanged glances, and Shisui sighed while Itachi shook his head.

"Whatever you say. We're just waiting for the announcement, right?" Shisui asked.

I nodded, "Yeah. Oh, look at all the people coming to hear the announcement."

Itachi and Shisui turned to look where I was gesturing. Sure enough, a crowd of people all talking excitedly among each other was making their way over. I noticed a few Nara, a wild Fugaku with bags under his eyes and a few nameless Uchiha trailing along behind him, a couple Hyuuga, Hinata's father included, who were trading glares with the Uchiha, a couple Aburame were in the back with the Yamanaka and the Akimichi. The Inuzuka were really boisterous and loud as they walked alongside the small company of Hyuuga. There were also a few clans I didn't recognize, as well as some civilians.

I tried to find Kushina and Minato in the crowd, but couldn't make them out from where I was standing. We were directed to the Hokage tower where I saw Hiruzen on the roof. I turned around to try to find Kushina and Minato again after Itachi, Shisui and I had found somewhere far away from the fangirls to stand. Then I saw Kushina come running from the side, grinning like a madwoman. She scooped me up and nuzzled my cheek, perhaps a bit too hard, then set me down.

I looked at her jubilant face, "I'm assuming you know what the announcement is about?"

She nodded, "Yep, dattebane!"

"Care to share?" I asked with a sly undertone.

She rolled her eyes and booped me on the nose, "Nope."

I pouted, "Aww."

She smiled at me and put me down, turning to the two resident Uchiha, "How are you boys?"

Shisui grinned, "Doing well, thanks, Kushina-san!"

Itachi nodded solemnly, "The same applies for me."

She nodded before performing a little happy kind of dance, "That's good. Hehe, I can't wait for the announcement!"

I tilted my head at her, "Where's Minato?"

She danced a little more, "You'll see."

The cryptic answer wasn't doing anything to help me figure out what was going on, so I just rolled my eyes and smiled.

"Don't you roll your eyes at me," Kushina grinned.

I shrugged. And burst out laughing when I heard Itachi mutter under his breath, "And she told me to use words."

Shisui elbowed him in the side, and Kushina also joined in laughing a bit.

The Hokage's voice rang out from the platform, "Might I have everyone's attention?"

Immediately, a hush fell upon the people gathered.

"I have gathered everyone here today in order that I might announce the potential candidates for Hokage."