Posted November 1, 2016

*The camera opens up to reveal Fakhouri in her half finished studio fiddling with some wires. The cameraman coughs again to get her attention. She turns around and chuckles nervously*

Fakhouri: "Hey guys! So um..I was looking at the reviews and such and I'm giddy to hear that you guys still are interested with my um...interesting updating schedule! So onto the usual review response!"

To ND99sama: "Thanks for the advice! I'm planning on doing a rewrite one day in the future to add description and such but for now I'll try my best. Also I will take your advice on getting a beta!"

To Silver Heart11DOOM (Chapter 1): "While I like that pairing I can't because of how the story is going so far. But maybe one day I'll try that one on a different story!"

To Erica: "Ah Thank you! I hope I can continue to keep you entertained! Also your vote has been added."

To Firem78910: *Takes the cement, bricks, and lightbulbs* "Thanks! Also I pray for Konoha too..."

To ShadowImageComics: "I will try my best! *Places the statue next to the lamp*"

To chirsasbell3: "Please PM me about that one."

To Guest: "Your vote has been added for the Sasuke one."

To waltae: "I just might do that. Also the pranks...well let's say I wouldn't wish to be the target of any of them..."

To Mystical Musical Ice-Cleopatra: *Activates the anti-Yaoi barrier* "Damnit stop trying to destroy my damn studio!"

To Tonlor: "I hope I can keep you interested!"

To Neander, dksamuri, and justafan: "Your votes has been added!

Fakhouri: "Since I'm still working on figuring out which wire connects the button, I'll just say the disclaimer! I don't own Naruto! Now enjoy!

*Konoha Streets - Just outside the Red Light District*

Kushina sighed as she wandered the streets of Konoha. Naruto had ran ahead while Kumi sighed. She then gave Kushina the address and followed after Naruto. So Kushina was lost in a part of town that wasn't there before. So she resorted to the only option left...

Ask for directions...

She looked around and noticed two people around a makeshift table with a shogi board on it.

One of them was a man with red hair put up in a ponytail. He had a katana on his back and a grimy shinobi headband with the affiliation hidden by dirt and other questionable substances. He was an average man.

The other was a woman with black hair in tomboyish hairstyle. She was fair skinned and she was dressed like someone who would work in a bar as the bartender. She also had a headband that was covered with dirt and grim.

Kushina smiled as she approached them, "Hello there."

The red head look at her while the woman moved a piece, "Uh hello."

"I was wondering if you could help me. I'm kind of lost."

The man raised an eyebrow, "I guess what are you looking for?"

She holds out the paper with the address on it. The man takes it and looks it over, "Continue down this street and take a right on the third one you pass." He hands the paper back to Kushina, who smiles, "Thanks!"

Kushina walked away, not noticing that the two had vanished in a shunshin when she wasn't looking.

Kushina continued down the street as she was told and was getting the distinct impression that this district wasn't a lawful one. Why? Because she has past three brothels and two slums and she hasn't even past one street. She was barely containing her anger at the condition of where her son was living when she turned at where she was told...

Only to be lead into a dead end alleyway.

"You know I was wondering when they would send another one..."

Kushina turned around to see the pair from earlier along with another man. He had orange hair and was about the same height of the redhead. Though his features were slightly younger. He, like the other two, had a headband covered with dirt and grim. He also had a katana on his back. Kushina resisted the urge to reach for her sealed katana, "What do you mean?"

The woman scoffed, "Really? Playing the ignorant one? We know you are a shinobi..."

"How..."

The orange haired one replied, "We sensed your henge. Only people trained in the Shinobi arts would know how to do that."

Kushina was really close cutting down these three, "Alright...but what do you mean another one?"

"Wow they found a expert one...We mean another assassin."

Kushina's blood froze, 'Assassin...Why would Naruto address have anything to do with...!'

The men pulled their blades, "Now leave or, on our honor, we will dispose of you."

Kushina's eyes hardened as she unsealed her blade, unconsiously dropping her henge, "Go ahead and try.."

The men smirked not paying attention to the blade she unsealed. The lady on the other hand...

The men charge Kushina while she brought her blade in a defense form. Their blades clashed in a three way block. Kushina gritted her teeth, 'Such power...'

Meanwhile, the lady gulped as she looked at the blade then at Kushina, "Holy..." She charged the men and proceeded the hit their heads hard enough to send them to the ground. Kushina raised an eyebrow keeping her blade ready. The redhead groan before glancing at the lady, "Rukia what was that for?!" "Yeah what-"

The lady, now identified as Rukia, hissed, "Ichigo, Renji, shut up." She then knelt to one knee, "I'm sorry for their insolence." Renji raised an eyebrow before his eyes landed on Kushina's blade. He gulped and looked at Ichigo, who had done the same. They set their blades in front of them and knelt alongside Rukia.

Kushina was flabbergausted. First they attacked her then they act like she is their leader?!, "What are you doing?!"

Rukia looked down, "I'm sorry, My lady, if we knew you were alive and here we..."

"First off who are you!?"

Rukia blinked. She then remember her headband and tied it to her forehead, the others proceeding to do the same. They then as one, wiped the grim from their headbands revealing the Uzumaki symbol. Rukia then announces some what quietly, "Rukia Uzumaki, under the alias Rukia Kuchiki."

"Renji Uzumaki, under the alias of Renji Abarai."

"Ichigo Uzumaki, under the alias of Ichigo Kurosaki."

Kushina's eyes widened and her blade returned to the seal, "U-uzumaki?"

Rukia nodded, "Yes, my lady."

"But how?!"

"We were out on a mission when our village was attacked. We, along with those that were also out on mission, came here under new identities not long after we heard of your death..."

Kushina was beyond surprise not only did some of her clan survive but they were here! Kushina then gained a thought look, "But how did you know it was me Rukia? After all, I didn't return to Uzu until long after the war and Uzu's destruction."

"Your blade was sent before Uzu's destruction. It was placed with seals that only you and your direct blood family could wield it."

Kushina nodded, "Alright...Now rise..and tell me about these assassins."

*At Naruto's Apartment*

Naruto was frantically running around the apartment picking up his clothes and cleaning while Kumi sat on the, for once, made bed. Kumi sighed, "Naruto you don't have to clean everything..."

Naruto shook his head as he tossed in a load of laundry into the beatup dryer he found years ago in an alley, "Oh yes I do!"

"And why would that be?"

"If Kaa-chan saw my room was a mess-!"

Kumi waved her hand dismissively, "She probably wouldn't mind. Heck her room was covered with sealing scrolls and kunai so..."

Naruto rolled his eyes before starting on the pile of grass...correction pile of moldy dishes in the sink.

A few minutes of scraping, cursing, crashin, and sweeping later, his apartment was in at least presentable shape...

"You know if you clean this fast..."

"Not happening."

Kumi smirked, "Not even for ramen?"

"...Maybe.."

Kumi chuckled as a knock was heard from the door and heads to the kitchen, "Naruto why don't you answer it?"

Naruto gulped and walked to the door, almost knowing who was on the other side.

He opened the door and saw Kushina, in her disguise again, and Renji, who was having a case of W.E.S.*, standing behind her.

He resisted the urge to yell as he raised an eyebrow and looked at Renji, "Renji? What brings you here? And more importantly who is she?"

Renji smirked as he caught onto Naruto act and decided to join in, "Well I heard you were back in down and was coming to let you know where the next game is wen I ran into her. She was looking for your place so I helped her."

Naruto's eyebrow raised even higher than they thought possible, "And you trust her?"

Renji shrugged, "More than I trusted your friends when I first met them."

Naruto's eyebrow was still raised as he moved our of the doorway, "Then come on in."

Kushina bow her head slightlyin acknowledgement before proceeding inside with Renji leisurely coming in after her. Kushina began explore while Renji leaned against the wall. Naruto closed the door and went to stand next to Renji, "You sure you trust her."

"Dandelion, If i didn't you know what I would've done."

Naruto nodded, "Right...So where is the next game, To-GAH!" Naruto was promptly shut up by a delicate hand. He glanced at is and followed it up to the warning eyes of Kumi.

"Naruto whatever you do don't say that nickname...At least not in present company."

Renji silently chuckled as Naruto gulped remembering why Kushina was named "The Red Hot Habanero".

Renji pushed off the wall and moved to the door, "Game was going to be here but we can have it at my place."

Kumi removed her hand from Naruto's mouth and walked back to the kitchen area as Naruto numbly looked at Renji, "Alright..I'll be there."

While they were talking, Kushina was examining the living conditions of her sochi...and, while she was impressed it was clean, she could see signs of rot, mold, and other signs of deterioration. The apartment was livable but in a few years would need re-modelling. She started heading back to the living/bedroom area and heard the front door open and close, signalling that Renji had left. She smiled as she looked at her sochi, the genjutsu around her fading away. Naruto turned around as the genjutsu fully disappeared.

((A/N: I repeat I suck at these moments so any criticism is helpful!))

Naruto walked towards Kushina, "So what do you think about our humble place?"

Ksuhina looked around from where she was standing, "Pretty decent...though I'm not a fan of the neighborhood..." Naruto shrugged as he looked out the window, noting that the sun was setting, "Well sometime you just have to live with it besides the rent is cheaper than most places." Naruto headed towards the table then realized that they were short a chair, "I'll be right back." He then went into another room, looking for said chair. Kushina however didn't notice as her mind was racing, 'Then around here is cheaper? But I thought that the rent payment rate was the same across the village.'

While Kakashi had told her much of Naruto life and how he was treated, he didn't know some facts. Such as that the owner of Naruto's apartment actually chargered less than the flat rate. Compared to every other apartment building in Konoha he was supposedly losing money since they charge more than the flat rate even before the Kyubi attack, they flucuated the rates depending on who was renting.

While Kushina was pondering, Naruto had returned from the room with another chair. This one was old and beat up, but it was enough to sit in. He then went to the kitchen area, "So what are you cooking?"

"It's a surprise."

Naruto chuckled, "Ok can I get a hint at what we would need?"

"Bowls and chopsticks."

Naruto sighed, not getting a clue at what because half of their meals are in bowls, before getting out three bowls and pairs of chopsticks. He then walked over and set them onto the table. By now, Kushina had returned to reality and sat at the table. She was somewhat amazed that Naruto and Kumi had such a close relationship, or at least close enough to talk civilly with each other. She was about to ask him about it as he said down only to have Kumi come in with a pot, "Dinner is served."

She set it down and opened the lid revealing it is...ramen...

There wasn't much talking as both Uzumaki were trying to out eat the other while Kumi was eating hers at a more...normal pace.

*An couple hours later*

After Naruto got beat by Kushina in the unofficial ramen eating contest, they chatted about his life and how his time at the Academy was. Kushina smirked as Naruto talked about Hinata, where if you looked hard enough you could see a subtle blush.

Soon after that though Naruto went to bed...Ok He actually dozed off while talking and Kumi carried him to the bed. Kushina sighed as she sat at the table. Kumi went to the kitchen grabbed a couple of mugs and made some coffee. The coffee was supposed to be drank during dinner but it was forgotten. She walked to the table after heating it up again pouring it in the mug. She set one in front of Kushina as she sat down, "Here." Kushina looked to see the coffee and then eyed Kumi with a wary eye.

Kumi took a sip before answering, "I didn't poison it if that's what you're thinking." Kushina still cautious grabbed the mug and took a drink. After a brief stint of silence, she relaxed, "Decent."

Kumi nodded but didn't respond. Kushina glanced at Kumi fully taking in her appearance since she first 'met' her. Kumi, sensing the stare, decided to ask, "What is it?"

"Are you really female or is this just a form you assumed?"

Kumi chuckled, "Well I am truly female. This form is the form I took for many years before assuming my Bijuu form."

"What do you mean?"

Kumi glanced at her former container, "That is a story for when I can trust you with my life."

Kushina sighed, "Alright..." And brief moment of silence, "How did you convince him to let you out?"

"Easy he offered when we were playing shogi."

"Yes but what made him offer?"

Kumi shrugged, "I honestly don't know. I was content with being where I was."

"Oh?"

"Yep...considering I could actually move and be in this form...unlike Mito and you.." Kushina winced at the small amount of malice from Kumi.

"Right..."

And this is how the night went. Kushina asking the occasional question and Kumi answering until both of them dozed off.

Fakhouri: "And that's all folks! That's the chapter. And that also means that the poll results are next!"

FemHaku: 12 (Poll: 9 Reviews: 3)

Sakura: 7 (Poll: 5 Reviews: 2)

Fakhouri: "And there you have it! And I have double checked and recounted the review votes since the poll opened so this is FINAL! FemHaku and Sasuke."

Fakhouri: "Anyways you know what I'm going to say, Review follow, NO FLAMES!, and if you want to do the disclaimer or have a suggestion PM me or put it in a review! Until next time..."

JA NE!