SEQUEL TO MEMOIRS OF VENUS

Things to remember:

A) I own all characters who you have never heard of.

B) I do not own the characters from Naruto, Fruits Basket, Crescent Moon, or Please Teacher, sadly. But that's okay. I'll live.

C) This is a work of FICTION. So because of this fact, anything I say goes. No complaining if something below does not make sense. I will be more than happy to explain my logic if you ask me.

D) Roughly 31 chapters

More relevant info to this chapter: Christmas 2000

Sincerely wishing you all well,

Kida-Asumi, the Captin of Sirius

With nine of her own children, and Minato's four, Mikoto Uchiha got many paper cuts the first Christmas of the millennium from wrapping so many presents. Her boyfriend Minato suffered as well.

Yet as they climbed the stairs to their bedroom for some rest, she didn't regret it. The children would be thrilled by their gifts, and that's all that really mattered.

She only got six hours of sleep that night. Kida bounced into her bedroom at six am sharp, asking for presents. Oten and Naruto soon followed. L decided to announce his presence 10 minutes later, which woke Yuuri soon after. With two screaming babies, the rest of the household awoke as well. Sharing tired smiles, Minato and Mikoto sent their many children downstairs and each retrieved a baby before joining them.

For nearly two hours the children opened presents. By the time everything was done, Mikoto ordered everyone to put their presents in their bedrooms. Then after that was done, they were to help clean up the wrapping paper and get dressed. They were to go to Minato's parent's house first. The children begrudgingly did as they were told.

So they packed the children into both cars and traveled to Tsunade and Jiraiya's house. As soon as they walked in the house, Tsunade had snatched L from his mother and Rin took Yuuri. Relieved of their youngest two children, the two slipped away to the basement.

"I'm ready for a nap." Mikoto murmured, yawning. Minato pulled her into his arms, nodding.

"Me too. Between the babies, the younger twins, and Naruto, today is going to be a long day." He yawned as well. Mikoto chuckled, leaning up to kiss him softly.

"That's right. But no one ever said that with children, we would get lots of rest." She said, hugging him tightly. He kissed her forehead, brushing back her dark hair.

"We should go away for the New Year." Minato said, resting his chin on top of Mikoto's head. Mikoto wrapped her arms around him, relaxing into his embrace.

"That sounds heavenly. Where would we go?" Mikoto asked, looking up and into his blue eyes. Minato shrugged.

"Wherever you want to go." He promised. Smiling, Mikoto pulled him closer.

"I'll let you know my decision tonight." She promised. Grinning, Minato leaned down to kiss her again.

"Good. Now, shall we go and watch our children open more presents and eat breakfast?" He asked. Mikoto nodded, pulling away.

"Yes. Come on." She insisted, taking his hand. Together they journeyed upstairs.

They went to Mikoto's parents' for lunch. Minato had contacted a separate driver to carry all of their presents.

When they entered into the Kagarashi household, Asami snatched L from his mother and began to play with her nieces and Anko. Mikoto chuckled, taking Yuuri from Minato. When Sana tried to take him, the boy protested and clung to Mikoto.

"He hasn't gotten much Mommy and Me time lately." Mikoto explained. Sana's expression changed into one of compassion and sympathy.

"Poor dear. Well, little Yuuri, Grandma won't take you away from your Mommy. Do you want to get some cookies into him?" Sana asked, placing a hand on Mikoto's shoulder. The dark hair woman nodded, smiling her thanks.

"That'd be great, Mom. Lead the way?" She asked. With a chuckle, Sana did so. As they headed for the kitchen, Mikoto watched her family bond over gifts. She couldn't help but smile at the heart warming sights she saw.

"Last stop, kiddos." Minato assured the children as they pulled up to the Southern Uchiha Compound. With so many grandchildren to account for, Lin and her family had decided to just stay at the Southern Compound for the holidays instead of making Mikoto transport all of them up to the Northern.

"Finally!" Naruto exclaimed, Oten echoing his cry. Chuckling, Minato exited his car and helped the children out. Mikoto was doing the same. As soon as both cars were emptied, he joined his girlfriend, taking L from her arms. The little two month old yawned widely before settling in his arms.

"How cute!" Mikoto breathed at the sight. Minato's face twisted into mock horror.

"Mikki! How could you say that! Boys are handsome or sexy, not cute." He teased. Yuuri giggled at his outburst. Mikoto rolled her eyes.

"Well I am so sorry, my sensitive boyfriend. Can you forgive your Mommy, baby L?" Mikoto asked, cooing to her baby. Of course she got no response, but it did bring about an amusing moment for the little foursome.

"Are you guys coming in?" Lin asked from the porch, her eyes locking on her youngest two grandchildren. The President and the Matriarch nodded, then after linking hands, headed towards the door way.

All was quiet that night. As soon as they had gotten home and the presents had been put in their recipients bedrooms, Mikoto and Minato had begun to get the children bathed. As soon as they were finished there, nearly all of them went straight to bed.

They laid the youngest two down last. After tucking both into bed, the two just stopped for a minute and watched the children sleep.

"They are so precious." Minato whispered, wrapping his arms around Mikoto. She nodded.

"They are. And so very innocent. Picking up the sad tone to her voice, Minato frowned.

"Mikki? Are you alright?" He asked. She shrugged.

"Just thinking of Madara is all. Christmas was his favorite holiday." Mikoto murmured, her voice becoming grief-stricken. Minato rested his chin on her shoulder, his own emotions conflicting.

He had been close to the eldest Uchiha brother too. When he found out about Madara's obsession, his first thought was to protect Mikoto. Then it was to contact Madara. He could relate to that man's feelings for Mikoto. He, too, felt a great deal for Mikoto. For this to make him an outcast from his family must have been terrible.

And now his two best friends were raising his two children.

"Even though I should hate him for so many things, Minato, I just can't. When I think of him, think of the little boy who I was best friends with growing up." Mikoto mumbled into Minato's arms as they watched her youngest two sons sleep.

"It's because he's family." Minato said simply. Smiling, Mikoto understood what he meant.

"So you don't hate him?" She asked. Minato kissed the back of her head, shaking his.

"No. Of course not. He was my best friend aside from you, Mikki." He murmured. Mikoto squeezed his hands, nodding.

"Then we'll keep the children safe and look for a way to cure him." She said. Minato simply kissed the back of her head once more.

He didn't have the heart to tell her that wasn't possible.

A/N: What a busy Christmas!

- Kida-Asumi