I know I know, later in the day again. I think this is going to have to be the norm now, since I don't currently have dependable internet at my new house and have to return to the parents for that. Plus, what with school kicking in (you would seriously not believe how much reading I have to do, gah) I don't have time in the morning for anything other than dragging myself out of bed.

So next week's installment is not currently written, and I can't guarantee it, or any of it's following siblings, will be ready to continue my Friday postings. I promise to try my best, but I can't be sure, so don't hold me to it. Just trust that when I find the time and the inspiration, chapters will be written. Sorry!

(Also, for those of you who read SA, I have four pages. Forgive me.)

Disclamer: not mine

Warnings: more angst, ore flashbackingness

Beta'd by -Nightly Halo-. Yes, there were lots of spelling mistakes, I didn't have time to go over it before I sent it to you. Sorry!

As Uchiha Sasuke sat there on the couch, watching as the blond sobbed quietly, he had the sinking feeling that the story wasn't over. From what he had heard so far, it seemed that Naruto loved his father more than anything. A fire like that… it couldn't have been an accident, could it? And after the mention of a threat… Yes, Sasuke was certain. The story was nowhere near over.

The media were all over the house the next day. Naruto was numb as he stood by Kakashi's polished silver car, Kakashi holding him steady, keeping him standing. A blanket was wrapped around him and his eyes were red. Jiraiya stood nearby, his face full of sorrow as he stared at the house now nothing but mere rubble. The house in which his most beloved pupil had died.

"Naruto!" Naruto looked up as Tsunade rushed toward him and wrapped him in her arms, pressing him closely to her. She cried into his hair. His whole body was shaking; from his own sorrow, and hers, he wasn't sure. Maybe a combination of both.

Strangely enough, the media hadn't gone to harass the now orphaned son of the famous writer. Kakashi's and Jiraiya's threatening auras were probably enough to make them keep their distance.

But the story was all over the news by that afternoon. By the next day, the whole country knew everything there was to know. Almost.

But the following day was when everything really began to fall apart.

Kakashi had practically lived at the Namikaze house, but he did have his own apartment, sparsely decorated. It was to this location that Naruto was taken. And it was here that they found him.

Jiraiya was sitting at the table, going through files that had survived the fire, papers he himself had risked his life to get safely out of the burning house. Naruto was sitting on the couch, looking as dead as he felt. And Kakashi was sitting on the floor by the bedroom door, his book open, but he wasn't reading.

There was a knock on the door.

Kakashi looked up, gazing at the other two occupants before shutting his book and standing. Jiraiya rushed to hide the papers.

Naruto looked up at the door when Kakashi opened it, though he just barely registered the surprise on Kakashi's and Jiraiya's faces at their guests.

"Namikaze-sama." Kakashi spoke, bowing to the older man dressed in traditional kimono and hakama (1) just outside the door.

"Kakashi-kun, it has been a while."

Kakashi nodded. "To what do we owe this… unexpected visit?"

"Hm. Haven't seen you since Minato ran off with Kushina," Jiraiya muttered, coming to stand just behind Kakashi. "Thought I'd never see you again, frankly."

"Jiraiya-san," the old man acknowledged stiffly.

"This is very rude," a woman's voice huffed. It was then that Naruto noticed the small woman who stood behind the old man, dressed in an elegant kimono. "Are you not planning on inviting Father in?"

"Himino-san, another unexpected surprise," Kakashi smiled. It didn't reach up to his eye.

She glared at him.

"I would invite you in, but I'm afraid I don't have much to offer. This apartment is far below your standards." Nartuo could hear the tone from where he sat. Cold, distant. Kakashi didn't like these people, whoever they were.

Himino huffed and looked away.

"We do not plan to stay long," the old man spoke. "Now that Minato is gone, I have only come to take what belongs to us."

Both Kakashi and Jiraiya once more looked surprised and exchanged glances.

"What belongs to you?" Jiraiya questioned.

"As a son of the Namikaze family, all that Minato had now belongs to us. It is Namikaze law."

Naruto stood suddenly. "What?"

Eyes turned to him, and shock registered in the Namikaze this time, before quickly shifting to disgust.

"Naruto, sit down. We'll take care of this," Jiraiya huffed.

He turned back to their 'guests'. "Minato was not a Namikaze. You disowned him when he left with Kushina."

"That has nothing to do with anything," Himino spoke harshly. "That vile woman is dead, and Father has retracted the disownment."

Kakashi stepped forward, and Naruto could have sworn he was growling. "You mean now that he's famous and well-respected you decided it would be okay to accept him again, and especially now that he's gone, you'll take everything he earned. Take it away from his son!"

"You have no say in this matter. This concerns family. You are not family, Kakashi-kun," Himino spoke as she clutched her kimono.

Jiraiya pushed Kakashi back before he could attack them, not that he wasn't on the verge of doing it himself. "We may not be, but Naruto is. And mark my words, you will get nothing that belongs to him. I promise you that." He stepped back. "You may go now. The pleasure was yours."

He shut the door in their faces.

(1) Changed what he was wearing. Hakama are pleated pants.

Updated 3.26.18