Disclaimer: In any shape or form I own none of Naruto!
Time skip! Here's the next arc of the story!
Twelve years later…
"Is that it?"
"Yes, that is Konohagakure."
"What do you think they'll make of us?"
"Either they'll barely take any notice of us, or they'll report to the Hokage immediately."
"I hope we don't cause too much of a ruckus. I'd hate to not be able to see the place of my birth properly."
"Then come, let us go in."
A woman with long, flowing red hair fastened in twin high ponytails wearing a Konoha headband (like Sakura does hers) and a baby-pink kimono with the Uchiha emblem on her back, stepped through the main gates of Konohagakure, the blonde boy at her side with sparkling turquoise eyes grinning, baring fangs that would have the normal person stepping back in surprise. He wore a traditional Uchiha outfit: black, high-necked shirt with the Uchiha symbol on the back, light gray shorts and black ninja sandals. But his most distinguishing features were the deep red fox ears, whiskers and seven long, bushy tails.
The two chunin watching the gates instantly spotted them, or more specifically, the boy.
"Naruto! What are you doing outside the village, and with that strange woman? And what the heck are you wearing?"
The woman placed a hand on the boy's shoulder and she tilted her head a little before grinning cheekily. "Well, I wouldn't expect brats at the academy to recognize the great 'Crimson Flash of Konoha' as I was called by this village after I disappeared. Look me up in the Bingo Book, I have a very nice photo inside. Many villages don't like me, minus this one. But I wonder what Sandaime-sama will think about me coming back with Kinatsu?"
Kinatsu shrugged and said nothing in reply to his mother's outward thoughts.
The pair of ninja stared agape at how refined this woman was. Was she really a ninja, or a high-standing lady? She held herself with such grace and poise.
"Miss, what's your name?"
"Akakaze Tenchū, and don't you forget it." A/N: Behold, Midori's true name in full at last! Sorry for the interruption!
"Akakaze…then why are you wearing the Uchiha symbol so blatantly?"
"I'm wearing it because it's my heritage. Other than that, you'll have to try and guess which picture in the Bingo Book is mine. Excuse me, I have many things to do today."
She put an arm around her son's shoulders and they walked through the streets, many people staring at the odd pair, especially Kinatsu, in alarm. Especially since Tenchū held him close with no inclination of anything but love. She spotted her first target and almost squealed. She ran up with no worries and lifted him up like he weighed nothing.
"Sasuke-chan! You've gotten so big now! Has it really been twelve years since I last saw you?"
The Uchiha boy was so startled that he froze, even as she rubbed her cheek against his like he was a tiny kid. She twirled around before setting him down, the dark-haired kid wobbling a little before looking at who'd grabbed him.
"Who are you? How do you know me?"
"I guess you wouldn't remember since you were only six months old when I left the village for that huge road trip. I'm your cousin on your mother's side!"
"Cousin? I don't have any cousins."
"None at all? Are you sure no one told you?"
"I've never heard of any red-haired cousins."
"Hmmm. I guess they detest me because I left without any goodbyes save with the six-year-old cutie," she murmured, before shaking her head. "I lived with your parents and older brother for three, almost four years! I got to see you born and helped take care of you those first six months! Would you take me to see them, because I've wanted to apologize for just leaving at the drop of a hat."
Pain flashed in his eyes before he shook his head. "They're all dead."
She jerked, eyes dilating in grief. "Everyone? Uncle Fugaku, Aunt Mikoto, and Cousin Itachi?"
He gestured for her to come closer and he whispered the story to her. He jerked when she hugged him close, her eyes watering but no tears falling.
"I'm sorry that it happened like that. I sympathize with you, since I knew him when he was young. It seems so out of character for him, which is why it's so shocking. If I ever see him again, I'll kill him."
"No, I've sworn to kill him. When I'm strong enough, I'll kill him."
"Then train hard and I'll make sure to tell you if he comes around." She straightened up and poked him in the forehead. "Just know your cousin is here for you when you need her most. I knew from the very start you would be a cute kid."
He held his forehead, eyes wide. "The poking of the forehead…you were the one that started it?"
"I used to poke Itachi's forehead all the time, especially when he was being an idiot. It was a gesture of affection, what did he use it for?"
"To deny me of his company. He'd always poke me and say, 'Forgive me, Sasuke'."
"He sure twisted it, unless he liked doing that just to see your expression. Well, I have to get going, it was nice to see you after so long, Sasuke."
She placed her hand on Kinatsu's shoulder and her young cousin noticed the boy for the first time, smirking.
"Hey Dobe, where'd you meet my cousin?"
Kinatsu rolled his eyes and crossed his arms over his chest. "Who are you to call me dobe, like I'm some stupid kid? If I'm the dobe, what does that make you? Mister-who-walks-around-with-a-stick-up-his-butt!"
Tenchū seized him by an ear, yanking him clear off the ground so his ear was level with her mouth. "What did I tell you about reacting to other people's jibes?"
"Ow! OW!" Kinatsu yelped, tears coming to his eyes.
She dropped him, stuck her thumbs into the corners of his mouth and pulled them outwards. "Is this the mouth I taught to not talk in such a low manner? He was mistaking you for someone else, obviously! You don't look stupid at first sight!"
"I'm sorry, I'm sorry! Please, I apologized!" the boy begged, voice a little muffled.
She huffed, letting him go.
Sasuke was snickering at how the kid let himself get punished like that, when she rounded on him.
"And YOU! Didn't your mother teach you not to talk like that?"
He cried out as she stretched his cheeks out. Seeing the furious look on her face, he whimpered, "I'm sorry, it was an honest mistake!"
"Like I believe that! You're calling some other kid by that name so it wasn't an accident! Just because you don't have anyone looking after you doesn't mean you can use such language!" She let go of his face only to put him in a headlock and grinding her knuckles into his scalp. "If you don't talk better by the next time I see you, this punishment will be dished out ten times over! You understand me, Sasuke?"
"Yes ma'am!" he replied obediently, scared of her fury.
All three looked up when they heard hysterical laughter. Tenchū's eyes widened at the sight of a boy who was Minato in younger form, whiskers on his cheeks, wearing a bright orange jumpsuit and goggles atop his head. He was pointing at Sasuke as he cackled, before he mocked, "Looks like you just got punished like a kid by a girl, Teme!"
Sasuke and Kinatsu didn't envy him when Tenchū was behind him in a second, giving him double punishment compared to her cousin's.
"DID I HEAR WHAT I THOUGHT I HEARD COME OUT OF YOUR MOUTH, NARUTO? WHY ARE ALL THE KIDS I MEET HAVE SUCH DIRTY MOUTHS? IF I HAD A POUND OF SOAP YOU'D BE USING EVERY BIT OF IT TO WASH OUT YOUR MOUTH!" she screeched.
"Help! I'm being attacked by some crazy lady!" he cried, frightened that his life was going to end then and there.
"At least Kinatsu was taught not to speak in such low terms! I don't care if you're an orphan or not, no kid talks like that in my presence! You're gonna contaminate his mind!" She hit him over the head. "Now apologize or you'll regret it for the rest of your life!"
Naruto growled and held his head. "Who are you that you think you have the right to punish me?" he demanded, whirling around to face her. "Do you hate me too?"
She saw the pain in his eyes and embraced him, her tears nearly spilling over, she was so happy and sad to finally meet her friend/father-figure/father of her first child's legacy. "I'm so happy I could meet you, Naruto. So very happy."
She almost added that she missed his father just by looking at him, but knew it was probably forbidden, just like the knowledge that he held the Kyubi inside of him. She released him and turned away, jumping down and landing like a feather, patting Sasuke's shoulder before leading Kinatsu away. She heard Naruto jump down next to Sasuke and ask, "Who's that chick?"
"My cousin," Sasuke answered, just as amazed by her.
"She's really cool."
"I know."
The pair went straight to the Hokage's office, Kinatsu not quite sure what to say to the head honcho of the village. Tenchū knocked on the door, waiting to be allowed to enter.
"Come in."
She did so, bowing low so her forehead protector was seen. "Sandaime-sama, I have returned with Kinatsu."
Kinatsu bowed as well, his ears flat against his head in submission.
"Are you Uchiha Midori?" the old man questioned.
"No, my name is Akakaze Tenchū. That is the name I wish to go by, for it is my true name. I no longer wish to hide."
"So Kinatsu is the boy you had twelve years ago. Sure fits the description."
"Will he be able to become a ninja?"
"There would be difficult, considering his physical condition."
"That is no longer a problem. I've formed a transformation technique that will hide his demon features."
She pressed a hand on Kinatsu's shoulder and almost like they weren't even there, the fox ears were replaced with human ones, the whiskers and tails disappeared altogether.
"Extraordinary. How long does it last?"
"Like a true seal, it won't be released until I do so."
"There is also one problem more."
"Yes?"
"What should be told about him and his relation to Uzumaki Naruto? The two boys look so alike they could almost pass for twins, besides the obvious clothing and behavioral differences."
"I was planning on saying he was no relation at all, that he was my charge, but I see your point. I can't say that they are twins, even though their birth is on the same day… I can't reveal the truth, either because that's what will protect both the boys… It can't be coincidence that they're look-alikes… OH! I JUST DON'T KNOW!"
Kinatsu raised himself up and suggested, "Perhaps we should say nothing, and let everyone make their own assumptions. It might turn out better that way."
The Sandaime smiled. "You're quite the intelligent boy, Kinatsu. Where did you get it from?"
"Tenchū-sama says it's from my father."
" 'Tenchū-sama'? Does he even know his true relation to you?"
The fiery-haired woman nodded. "He knows everything, because I didn't think it right for him to be left in the dark about his parentage and why he's not completely normal. He calls me by the title for safety's sake, since we have been just about everywhere in twelve years. I've taught him the basics, enough for him to be a genin."
"Your timing is impeccable, since tomorrow is the final test in the academy to become Genin. I believe that the test is on the Clone Technique."
Kinatsu smiled a little. "That technique isn't too hard."
"Then you should pass with no problems, Kinatsu. I'll send for Iruka to come pick you up, so wait outside while Tenchū and I have a private discussion."
The boy nodded and bowed. "Thank you, Hokage-sama."
He left, and Sarutobi turned to Tenchū to find that the woman was snickering. "Is something amusing?"
"Iruka? You mean Umino Iruka, that cute little kid who was a couple years older than Itachi? He's a teacher at the academy now?"
"He's quite the excellent one. Now, to more pressing matters. Do you want your status changed from rogue ninja to Konoha ninja?"
"If that's what's best, since I was on the run from hunter ninjas for twelve years, it would be more relaxing if I didn't have to sleep with one eye open anymore."
"Then I'll have your name removed from the ANBU's Bingo Book, although it seems to be outdated, since it shows your disguised form when you were sixteen, only your more well-known abilities, and the name you went by at the time. I heard from many that during the battle with the Kyubi, you used the Hiraishin on it."
"Yes, I did."
"Did the Yondaime Hokage teach you that?"
"Of course, he was the one who created it."
"So my name for you wasn't unfounded."
"I like being referred to as 'Crimson Flash of Konoha'. It has a nice ring to it."
"You do know, being under his tutelage, you have well-enough abilities to become the next Hokage."
"Yes, I do, but I don't wish to have the title. Even though I'd be the first woman Hokage ever, I don't think I'm qualified mentally and emotionally to be the leader and protector of Konohagakure. I love this village, but I must be frank, I was a rogue ninja for the last twelve years, abandoning my comrades during the battle with the Kyubi. For those who know about me, I am a coward and a traitor. It will take a while until I am accepted fully into the ranks as a loyal ninja to the village again."
"If that is your wish, then I shall honor it. Now, for matters of a more sensitive nature for you. Kakashi has gone through great pain not knowing the truth about why you left the village after a short stay in the hospital. He doesn't know whether you're dead or alive, but I know under his rather lazy and unguarded exterior, he still holds a flame for you. Are you going to show yourself to him?"
"Is he going to become a jonin-sensei this year?"
"How did you guess?"
"Call it women's intuition. I guess after he receives his genin team, I'll reveal myself, if he doesn't hear the rumors that must be circling about the village by now about Kinatsu and myself. I might've attracted a little too much attention on the way here."
"What happened?"
"I met Sasuke and Naruto and I…might've blown a fuse when I heard their crude language."
"Those boys are rather coarse with each other, then again, Naruto has always been on the coarse side, because he's never had anyone to correct him on his behavior. Your reaction to him must've shown him what a parent was like. Sasuke has been without his parents for four years, so his manners aren't as clean as they should be, either. Perhaps your presence here might help them shape up."
"Perhaps, although I am a little hands-on when it comes to punishing those I see as naughty. Kinatsu would tell you that."
The elderly Hokage laughed at her description and looked at her with softness in her eyes. "Tenchū, you are the perfect mother, if Kinatsu's manners are anything to judge by."
"I wouldn't call myself 'perfect', but thanks, Sandaime-sama."
"Do you still wish to work as an ANBU?"
"No, I'd rather be a jonin. My days as an ANBU are finished. All the secrecy is getting to me."
"Very well. Your vest will be delivered to you within a day or two. Would you like to be a jonin-sensei as well?"
"I think just Jonin will be fine with me for now. Kinatsu will need some support, although he's basically independent, and I might restart my relationship with Kakashi, which would require more time than a jonin-sensei has, especially with him becoming a jonin-sensei although I doubt this is his first time."
"It isn't, but he's never kept a genin team with a test that that has a sixty-six percent failure rate."
"He's sure hard on them."
"Yes, but that also ups the quality of our ninja. It tests the one thing all the genin so far have failed to realize that's important to all ninja."
"What's that?"
"Teamwork."
"Yes, that may be difficult for some to realize, but every genin team he's taken on? He must be assigned the really rowdy ones that all hate each other."
"Perhaps, yet it seems that no matter how excellent they are, they're failed. I do hope that this year's team passes his test."
"I guess that's all up to how smart they are."
So...how was it? I pretty much made Kinatsu like his mother in temperament, although I'm not sure whether he'll get all nine tails or not... Not sure at all...it might make him too Gary-Stew...
Please review!