For a perverted old man with more hair than most small mammals, Jiraya was a hard guy to find. Naruto wanted to ask about what he saw in the seal the night before, and figured Jiraya was the guy who'd know the most. He'd already checked the bath house, and then checked it again since he had no other leads. After an hour of searching without any leads he went to the next most likely person to have answers.
"Knock knock it's Naruto" he didn't bother to actually knock before entering the Hokages office.
"Speak of the devil" Jiraya was here for some reason.
"I've been looking for you all day" Naruto pointed at the old man. "Why are you here?"
"Jiraya has been filling me in on some information" the Hokage now spoke up. "Partially about your training, I'm glad to hear it's been going well."
"How amazing I am aside, is my dad the fourth Hokage?" Naruto didn't want to get distracted by bragging so he cut to it.
"Well, guess our debate about telling him is pointless" Jiraya seemed like he'd just won an argument.
"Now, why are you asking this Naruto?" the Hokage ignored Jiraya.
"So last night I got pulled into my mind space instead of dreaming, happens kind of often to be honest, except this time it wasn't cause the fox wanted to talk" Naruto ignore the look of concern when he mentioned the fox. "Instead this guy, you may know him as the fourth Hokage, was there. He filled me on in some details about how he's my dad, but also he had no idea why he was there. Something about something he did to the seal might have gone wrong?"
"Well that's a lot to unpack" the Hokage had filled his pipe during the explanation. "To start, yes Minato the fourth Hokage is your father."
"Cool cool."
"When you say something might have gone wrong with the seal, can you explain what that means?" Jiraya now was asking questions.
"I mean, no I'm no expert" Naruto didn't know squat about seals. "I mean, I did cut most of my chest destroyed a while back and then me and the fox made our time power deal. So maybe it's just that there's more of the fox chakra pumping out of it now?"
"Most of your chest destroyed?" Jiraya was acting more like a concerned grandparent now.
"Yeah Kakashi kinda hit me with a Chidori."
"HE DID WHAT?"
"Not on purpose!" Naruto didn't want to be the cause of Kakashis death. "I jumped in front of it to save Haku."
"You and your dad must be genetically predisposed to risking your lives at every opportunity I swear" Jiraya was now drinking from a flask. "Can you show me the seal?"
"Sure?"
"Just channel some chakra and pull your shirt up."
"Gotcha" Naruto did just that.
Jiraya came over to inspect the seal. After a few moments of careful examination he pulled out a scroll and started to compare it to the seal.
"Yeah it's definitely different now" Jiraya put the scroll away and motioned for Naruto to stop. "But based off everything you've said it still is working."
"Is it a bad different?" Naruto felt this was important information.
"I don't think so? It seems like when your body healed the chakra pathways the seal is bound to got altered, thus altering the seal."
"So it's just a thing? Not good and not bad?"
"Seems that way, if a giant nine-tailed fox is on the loose don't quote me on that though" Jiraya wanted to cover his tail there.
"Ok, that's satisfactory enough I suppose, is this all you wanted to see Jiraya for Naruto?" the Hokage seemed a bit more stressed now.
"Uhhh" Naruto was trying to remember if it was.
'Ask about the house!' goddammit not another one.
"Yeah he's still here, he won't even play cards with me to kill time" great now Naruto had two voices in his head.
"So my dad mentioned his house? Is that still around?"
"As far as I know it is" the Hokage started looking through a drawer. "I have the keys to it somewhere I think."
"I can take you over there" Jiraya seemed excited to do so for some reason.
"Found the damn thing" the Hokage pulled out a keyring and handed it to Naruto. "I'll stop by with the paperwork to transfer the deed to you later today."
"My parents' house" Naruto wasn't sure how he felt about this.
"Come on I know a shortcut this way" Jiraya was climbing out the window and waving him on.
Naruto followed Jiraya out, catching the Hokages mutterings about the window climbing. It was surprisingly a quick trip, probably since it was a shortcut. He was surprised to see it had a front gate. It was certainly bigger than his apartment.
"I haven't seen this place in, well, thirteen years" Jiraya was looking at the house wistfully. "What are you waiting for kid? Open it up!"
"Yeah" Naruto couldn't place the feeling he had as the gate swung open and they headed towards the front door.
The grass was overgrown, vines had grown along the walls, but it still looked majestic to him. The front door stuck a bit, probably from not having been opened in years. Everything was covered in dust on the inside, the furniture, pictures, and mirrors.
"Take a look around, I'm gonna try and clean some of this stuff off" Jiraya started dusting off things in what looked like the kitchen.
Naruto wandered up the stairs, the house felt so huge. The second floor had so many doors he didn't know which one to open. After a moment he just went into the first one on the left. It was a bathroom, but it was at least twice the size of his apartment's bathroom. The shower was like a bath-shower combo, even covered in dust it looked nice. He headed into the room across the hall form the bathroom. The walls were painted a light blue, there were toys scattered around. His eyes stopped on the crib in the center of the room.
'This was going to be your room' Minato's words rung in his head.
Naruto couldn't stop himself from crying. This was going to be his room, in his family's house. He lost all of this. He felt an arm pull him into a half hug. Jiraya had come upstairs after him. He cried into the older man's chest. He cried for the life that died before he was even born.
"I remember when your mom found out" Jiraya's voice felt so soothing. "Her and your dad were so excited they went out and bought everything that day. I thought they were pulling my leg when they said I was supposed to be the godfather."
Naruto felt a tear hit him, Jiraya was crying now too.
"I'm sorry Naruto, I should've stayed here for you. All I thought about was how empty this village felt without them."
"If it makes you feel better" Naruto wiped away the last of his tears. "I think you would've been an awful parent."
"Oh shut it you" Jiraya ruffled his hair, a smile on his face.
The two spent the next few hours cleaning up the house. Jiraya would tell him about his parents whenever something reminded him of a story. Minato would contest some of the things said but Naruto would still laugh at them.
"Not bad for a day's work" Jiraya and the team of Naruto clones had done a pretty good job.
"Cleaning squad, OUT" the clones all popped their mission over.
"Certainly helps that you can make thirty of those things."
"I've found when it comes to cleaning, there is such a thing as too many Narutos."
The two left the house, Naruto made sure to lock it up. Jiraya had to go meet with the Hokage again so they parted ways. Naruto was excited to tell Haku and Hinata the news. He took the fast way back to the apartment. The two were cooking dinner when he got there.
"You're back finally" Haku gave him a welcome home kiss. "Did you find Jiraya?"
"Yeah, and um, I kind of got a house" this earned curious looks from the two. "Oh boy this is gonna take a while to explain."
Naruto explained the details of his dream as well as the meeting and house cleaning. It only took him about an hour to do so, conveniently it took that long to make dinner.
"So" Haku was cutting up his food. "That was, a lot."
"Yeah" Hinata hadn't heard about his mind cage visits before. "Why do you go into your own mind when you sleep?"
"Usually it's because the fox that lives inside me wants to talk" Naruto realized he'd have to explain about the fox. "To clarify the fox is the nine-tailed demon fox that attacked the village thirteen years ago. My dad sealed it in me when I was born."
"Oh, wow, that's, that actually explains a lot of things" Hinata wasn't as surprised as he'd expected.
"I'm confused about the Jiraya thing, why didn't he stay and raise you?" Haku was now eating and talking.
"He apparently runs the villages spy network? So he has to be on the move almost constantly, and he thought the third Hokage would be better at taking care of me."
"Fair, I don't think I want to know how you would've turned out if he raised you" Haku shuddered at the idea.
"Did your dad's house have pictures of your parents?" Hinata had already finished eating.
"Yeah!" Naruto pulled out some of the pictures he'd taken back with him. "My dad Minato Namikaze and my mom Kushina Uzumaki."
"They look so happy" Haku paused eating to look at the picture Naruto handed him. "And based off your dad, I think you should grow your hair out more."
"Seconded" Hinata was going between the pictures and looking at Naruto. "How come no one told you before? You look just like him."
"Apparently my being born was like a super-secret? Since my dad ended the last war they didn't want anyone to come after me, which is why I don't have his name either."
"Hm" Haku was now also looking between the pictures and him. "I'm not saying I don't like your blond hair, but I think red would really look good on you."
"Blame genes I guess?" Naruto couldn't see himself as a redhead.
"I guess I can't be too upset, you're still a total babe at the end of the day" Haku dramatically sighed.
"You know it" Naruto smirked. "And the best part is, we can move into the house in a few days!"
"That's so soon" Haku looked around frantically. "We have to cancel the lease, and I just bought new groceries today too."
"Oh, do you not want to?" Naruto realized he might have just assumed they would want to move in.
"Of course I want! I just don't want to carry the groceries over."
"I" Hinata looked unsure. "I'm not sure I do."
"Why not? It's huge and there's a garden it'll be amazing" Naruto did his best to sell her on it.
"I think you both should absolutely go" Hinata looked down at her empty plate. "I just, think I should stay here."
"Hinata why do you think that?" Haku placed his hand on hers.
"I've kind of just been an intruder on you two, and no it's not that you two make me feel that way. I came here without thinking after I ran away, and you two took me in because you felt bad for me. So I think I should stay here."
"You're not an intruder, you're part of our family" Naruto mimicked Hakus hand holding move. "And if we move into my family's house, my families coming with me."
"Yeah, family means nobody gets left behind" Haku squeezed her hand.
"I feel like you stole that from a movie" Hinata was smiling now.
"So what if I did, it's still true, and fits since you have blue hair."
"Then we're moving out together?" Naruto wanted to confirm.
"Yeah, together" Hinata squeezed his hand.
"I can't wait!" Haku looked like he was back in date night mode. "We can buy a cute little doormat, and I can finally justify the home good magazines I buy."
"I can show you both the place tomorrow, it's not actually too far from here" Naruto didn't know how far it was in all honesty, but they were ninjas so who cared.
"Oh we can have a move in party!" Haku was already days ahead with his planning. "And it can double as a congratulations Naruto party! It's perfect!"
"Maybe we should worry about getting all moved in before planning any parties" Naruto watched Haku for the most part ignore his comment. "Or not I guess."
The three finished up their dinner. Haku occasionally would make a note for either things to get for the house or party plans. Before the three headed to bed they heard a knock at the door.
"Oh it's the old man with the paperwork" Naruto headed over to the door.
"Old man?" Hinata had never heard of any old men with paperwork.
"I do have a title Naruto" the Hokage came inside the apartment earning quite the look from Hinata.
"Lord Hokage" Hinata quickly went into a bow.
"Don't be so formal Hinata" Naruto nudge her. "It's just the old man."
"Naruto, please don't refer to the head of our village as just the old man" Hinata was now scolding him.
"I think I like your new friend Naruto, maybe you'll learn some manner finally" the Hokage chuckled. "But for now I am in fact the old man with the paper work, try and have this filled out and brought back in by the end of the week."
"Why so soon?" Naruto didn't think it'd matter that much.
"We'll be backed up for the finals of the exam next week, lots of visitors means lots of paperwork" the Hokage seemed pre-stressed about it all. "And of course I'll have to award the new Chunnin their ranks."
"You could save time and just promote me now" Naruto figured it was worth a shot.
"Even if I wanted to, I still have to wait for the exam" the Hokage headed for the door. "Have a good evening the three of you, I expect an invite to any house warming parties held in the future."
"Oh I have to send out invites ASAP" Haku was now furiously writing down a guest list.
With a final chuckle the Hokage headed out. The three cleaned up their dinner before preparing to head to bed. Haku still mumbling while thinking through his plans.
"Is it tacky to serve ramen with fish cakes?" He apparently had gotten to what food to serve during his shower. "Or is it just tacky enough?"
"I think it's tacky enough" Hinata headed off to take her own shower.
"If it means ramen I think it's perfect" Naruto would probably be in favor of anything Haku picked out.
"I knew you'd say that, but not everyone I'm inviting eats only ramen" Haku laid down on the bed next to him. "Do we know any vegetarians?"
"I don't associate with people like that."
"Naruto, babe, what the hell?"
"They don't like ramen thus, I don't trust them."
"Babe I don't even like ramen that much."
"I make sacrifices for this relationship, I'd appreciate if you would acknowledge that."
"I do, but that's crazy."
"Not as crazy as not eating ramen, or meat."
"Ok so no vegetarians will be invited I guess" Haku decided to drop the matter.
"If you know a vegetarian you want to invite you can, I just won't talk to them" Naruto knew to compromise on this if he had to.
"Nah it's ok, I don't actually know any" Haku assumed his typical position of laying his head on Narutos chest.
Naruto was glad Haku didn't make the underwear only outfit his permeant pajamas, even if he kind of liked it. It probably helped having Hinata in the bed to deter him from doing it. He also might just save it for date nights, Naruto was too embarrassed to actually ask about it. Before too long Hinata came back, after putting her towel away she climbed onto the bed as well.
'Man Jiraya would be so proud of you right now' dad was this really the kinda shit you wanted to say. 'Fair enough.'
The three drifted off to sleep, Naruto sighed as he ended up back in his mind sewer. The fox and his dad were playing cards.
"I'm not sure if anyone's told you this dad, but the mind pulling is for important stuff" Naruto made a chair to sit by them.
"This is important!" Minato was still focused on the game. "I just have to finish winning this game."
"The scores forty-nine to zero in my favor" the fox was either really good or his dad sucked.
"Make it fifty to zero I guess" Minato folded, he didn't seem to care since they weren't playing for anything. "So, I've heard through word of mouth that no one has ever given you. The Talk."
"The talk?"
"No, not the talk. The Talk" Minato now seemed very serious. "It's an important part of growing up."
"Ok, hit me with it" Naruto's curiosity was piqued.
"So when either a man and a woman, or two men, or two women, or two men and a woman love each other very much. Something strange happens."
"Never mind this is one of the threeway talks" Naruto had heard this from Jiraya.
"Wait no, it's not about threeways. It's about, ok it kind of is about threeways but only because it's about sex."
"I'm just gonna hard pass on this one dad. I've kind of pieced this one together on my own and don't want to be subjected to this talk."
"It's an important father son bonding thing, every single parenting book I read said so."
"You read parenting books?"
"You're not the only orphan here kiddo, and I'm not letting Jiraya give you the talk. His version of it is. Explicit."
"If I say yes can we never talk about this again?"
"Absolutely."
"Fine, talk the Talk" Naruto sat back and prepared to hear whatever this way.