ACADEMY DAYS XVII - MESSAGE TO A FRIEND

Hello Takai!

It's been sooo long. I really miss you.

A LOT happened since I left the Hidden Cloud, like you wouldn't believe! Mom and dad started training two more pupils. Yokumaru reminds me a lot of you in some ways. He was kinda shy and quiet at first but he's gotten over that recently. And Shoto's the cool no-nonsense type but he's also kinda loosen up a bit. They're both really strong and have cool ninjutsu.

I've learned a lot, too! I can make so many more birds and they're way bigger now. Not baby chicks anymore. I'm also learning Wind Style and thinking I can maybe learn to fly with it, just like you said.

We travelled to all the big villages and we met a lot of new people and learned a lot of things. We saw even more big monsters like the one in the Cloud! It was really scary but mom and dad beat them all. I made new friends in the other villages, too. Mutsu in the Rain and Tayuri and Sangen in the Sand. Tayuri was a bit of a stick in the mud but she's actually pretty cool.

I've made loads of new friends here in the Leaf Academy, too! Jiriki kinda reminds me of Kitsui. I just hope I don't have to fall off another cliff for him to become more pleasant. Genzai's kinda like Hayai- laidback and chill. And Kashiwama's like your exact opposite- super loud and talkative, but he's still fun to hang out with.

How are you guys doing? Tell me literally everything. And tell Hayai and Kitsui I miss them, too.

I really hope we can see each other soon.

Kotori

-x-

Kotori gives the letter another and grins widely. She carefully folds the letter and places it inside an envelope before rushes out her room, heading straight for the living room where Hinata and Hanabi are currently talking.

Hinata's sitting normally on the sofa while Hanabi has her feet up, hugging her knees.

"I finished it!" She places the letter on the table.

Hinata takes it for safekeeping. "Alright, I'll hand it over to Karui when I see her later. Now go, you'll be late for class."

"Going." Kotori gets closer to hug her and then Hanabi before heading for the door.

Hanabi returns the hug with a smile. "Have fun." But once Kotori exits, she returns to being sulky on the couch.

"So you're going to keep sulking?" Hinata chuckles. "Over a little kiss on the cheek?"

"But it was him." Hanabi hides her face behind a pillow. "Why did I do that?"

"So what's changed? You two would always argue before."

"I don't know." Hanabi falls on her side, face still planted in the pillow. She lowers it so her eyes alone poke out from under, staring at the table as she gathers her thoughts. "Before, when things would get weird, I'd just yell at him and when he opens his dumb mouth, it's easier to hate him. But now with this truce… He's sometimes kinda cool."

"So do you now realize why things would get weird before? A feeling you wanted to hide away and not acknowledge."

"Eh, there's no way I liked that guy before!" Hanabi stands up in protest.

Hinata shrugs. "I never said you liked him. You just did, though."

Hanabi's face flushes red. "Dummy!" She throws the pillow at her sister, who catches it with a light laugh. "I came here for support, not this. Besides, you're not one to talk about hiding feelings; how long did it take you to confess to Naruto?"

Under normal circumstances, that comment would probably revert Hinata a few years back to her shyer self. Not today, though. Instead, she meets the comment with a calm smile. "You're deflecting, Hanabi. Like you've been doing with Konohamaru. It's perfectly alright to feel how you feel, and besides, Konohamaru IS cool. He's passionate about the things he cares about, caring toward his friends, and determined to achieve his goals. He's a lot like Naruto, really."

"Ehh?" Hanabi grimaces. "No way, Naruto's way cooler."

"Why don't we go out for some banana cake?" Hinata offers. "You can vent all about it."

"You're just trying to bribe me with my favourite." Hanabi grumbles.

"Is it working?"

"... Yes." Hanabi reluctantly admits.

"Now if you can only be this honest about Konohamaru." Hinata giggles as she stands up, not forgetting to take Kotori's letter with her.

Hanabi groans. "I think I like my shy sister more. Can I have her back?"

Naruto's office

When seeking out advice, there's few people Konohamaru trusts more than Naruto. Right now, he's in his office for the first time, a very professional looking room; more professional than he would've thought Naruto would have.

There're multiple shelves, stacked with books, scrolls, and parchment for any administrative duty, with a select corner dedicated as a lounging zone with a cough and coffee table. That's where Konohamaru is lying right now, with Naruto sitting next to him, tapping his chin.

"I see." Naruto hums. "And how did that make you feel?" He asks a cliche question that even he's not certain if it actually works.

"I mean… I dunno. I've never been kissed by a girl before."

An uncontrollable chortle comes from the back of the room, where the main workstation is located. There, another Naruto is sitting behind some paperwork and Karin is sitting on another desk besides his, trying her best top contain her laughter.

"So," Karin wipes away a tear. "The pipsqueak's in love?"

"Shuddup!" Konohamaru calls. "Why are you here, anyway?! This is bro's office."

"I work here, numbnuts. This is my office, too."

Konohamaru crosses his arms and turns his back to the room.

The Naruto sitting by the couch pats the boy on the back. "Hey, come one, you got nothing to be ashamed of. So you like a girl, no big deal, right?"

"I don't!" Konohamaru huffs.

"Okay, fine." Naruto sighs. "But if you ever do, you can just be honest. No point in hiding it. If I'd been more honest with my feelings, my life probably woulda been a lot different. Don't live to regret it."

"What's even the big deal?" Karin wonders. "She's strong,"

"I guess." Konohamaru mumbles.

"Smart," She continues.

"Kinda."

"Really cute."

"She's not that cute.."

"She's better than you deserve." Karin shrugs.

Konohamaru whips around. "I totally deserve her!" He clamps his mouth shut the moment he says that.

Karin tries her best not to burst out laughing. Despite themselves, both Narutos have to restrain themselves, as well.

Konohamaru turns beet red and rushes out the door. That's when Karin stops trying and bursts out laughing.

"Konohamaru, wait!" The real Naruto calls through a fit of giggles.

"That was mean, Karin." The Shadow Clone says.

She takes a moment to calm herself, drying away a tear. "He'll be fine. Kid just needs to stop being stubborn."

"And you think that was the way to do it?" Naruto raises a brow.

"The only one who can really do it is that Hanabi girl." Karin shrugs.

Naruto scrunches his nose, uncertain if it's alright to leave the poor boy as is. He plants his arms on his chair's armrests and begins pushing himself up. "I think I should-"

Karin pushes him back down. "Then stop thinking. You got work to do here."

Naruto grumbles but stays to finish his work, deciding to trust that the kid can figure out stuff on his own for now.

-x-

Konohamaru absentmindedly kicks whatever pebbles come his way as he walks to the main gate of the Uzumaki compound.

'That Karin…' He sulks. 'Making fun of me. Why's bro need someone like her, anyway? He can lead the clan just fine on his own.'

Some do recognize him from his constant presence around the place and wave to him and call out to him, but he's currently too absorbed in his thought to hear or see them. He has tunnel vision that focuses only on the road ahead of him, blocking out anyone and anything else.

Anything except for one very light squeak as he passes by a corner. Normally it might not even be a sound he'd register if he was paying attention but for some reason it caught his ears now when nothing else could.

When he inadvertently turns to see the source, he sees the very person who'd been on his mind. Hanabi stands in front of him, locked in place; eyes widened and cheeks reddened.

His own cheeks flush red as he raises a shaky hand to wave a greeting. "Oh… h-hey." He tries to play it off cool.

Hanabi nods stiffly. Once. "Hi."

Silence.

Neither of them move or say anything for a good few awkward moments. They both turn away, trying to look anywhere but at the other.

"So, uh…" Konohamaru tries to break the mood. "Nice weather, huh?" It's… an attempt.

"Ah, yeah." Hanabi hesitantly agrees. "Uh-huh. Good… good for training!"

"Yeah, training!" He exclaims in a slightly higher pitch than he intended. "That's… what I was doing. Going to go... do..."

"Me, too. Me, too. Just making my way there now."

"Same. So," Konohamaru motions with his thumb toward the gate, "I should get going. To train." He gives another slightly off wave. "See ya."

"Yes, see you. Later." Hanabi returns the wave.

They both take a couple steps forward, realizing they're actually going in the same direction.

Hanabi reacts quickly to the situations. "I totally forgot something at my sister's place! Silly me!" She turns around swiftly and instead walks back from where she just came, wondering to herself how long she should wait until she actually leaves.

Konohamaru begins power walking to get away from what just happened.

-x-

While that was happening, Hinata had made her way to Naruto's office for a friendly visit more than anything. She sat down by Naruto and Karin's desks, allowing them to continue doing what they were doing.

"So you, as well?" Hinata giggles.

"Sounds like it." Naruto sighs, scratching his head. "They both got it bad, huh?"

Karin shrugs. "They're kids, after all. This is all probably new to them."

"I do hope they work things out." Hinata smiles. "I think they'd be good together."

Naruto ponders for a moment, tapping his chin. "Actually how'd that work? They're both clan heirs, right? What's the deal there?"

"I've actually wondered that, too." Karin chimes in. "Not too clear on this whole clan business."

"Well," Hinata begins her explanation, "One of them would have to relinquish their title. If Hanabi steps down to marry into the Sarutobi clan, I could be reinstated as heiress but that would mean Naruto would need to appoint a new clan head for the Uzumaki clan and officially join the Hyuga clan."

"That how it works?" Naruto raises a brow.

"Yes." Hinata nods. "However, if Konohamaru steps down to marry into the Hyuga clan, then Genzai would be named heir. The situation becomes slightly complicated if either clan would be left without an heir from the ruling family. It's usually why clans don't always mix with each other."

"What about Ino and Kiba?" Naruto asks. "Won't that be a problem, too."

Hinata shakes her head. "Not at all. Hana is the Inuzuka heir after Lady Tsume so there's no conflict there."

Karin bumps Naruto on the shoulder. "You taking notes? Clan relations are important stuff, you know."

"I know, I know." Naruto sighs. "Still getting used to it all."

"I'm afraid I must leave you with that brief lesson." Hinata stands up. "I've errands to run and a letter to deliver."

"Ehh, already?" Naruto whines.

Hinata giggles and walks over behind his desk. "We'll see each other soon." She leans down to give him a peck on the forehead.

Naruto wraps an arm around her waist and pulls her in for a long embrace, with a light yelp on her part as he does.

Karin shakes her head. "Should I leave or something?"

"No, that won't be necessary!" Hinata says through a brief fit of giggles as Naruto holds her.

Karin looks away.

Naruto finally lets go but not before kissing his wife-to-be on the nose. "See you later."

"See you. You as well, Karin." Hinata heads out the door.

Karin gives a backward wave, her back still turned to them.

Hidden Leaf Academy

The ever present sound and smell of chalk fills the air as Tenten writes on the blackboard, each new letter clacking as she begins writing it, the instructions for their homework slowly filling out the blank spaces. The kids all copy everything in their notebooks.

"So, for next week, I want each of you to write a brief history on a foreign nation, so no Land of Fire. Shoto," She turns around to point at the boy with a piece of chalk still between her fingers. "For you, that's a no to the Land of Earth."

"Yes, sensei." Shoto acknowledges .

"Alright, class!" Tenten gathers everyone's attention with a loud clap. "For the next sparring session, pick a buddy. We'll be trying some teamwork exercises in two-on-two combat this time." On cue, the bell rings, signaling the end of class. "Dismissed." She picks up her books and heads out of the classroom for break.

Kashiwama immediately stands in his seat with his usual eccentricity. "Kotori! Let's team up and show them what a power couple looks like!"

"We're not a couple, Kashiwama." She sighs. "But sure, it should be fun!"

Shoto holds up a fist to Yokumaru. "How about it?"

Yokumaru returns the fistbump. "Yeah."

Genzai groans. "You're gonna make me put in effort, aren't you? Rather not."

Jiriki growls. "Why're you always like this?"

"'Cause you're a pain." Genzai hops from his seat and comes face to face to Shoto who'd just gotten up from his neighboring seat. The Sarutobi looks him over, "You're a pain, too, while we're at it," And heads down the steps to go out for recess.

'I wasn't even part of the conversation.' Shoto looks around confused. "What's that supposed to mean?"

Genzai stops at the base of the steps and turns his head to look back at them. "Means you're both wasting energy, going out of your way to compete for no reason." He sighs. "It's exhausting."

"What's wrong with that?" Shoto asks.

"It's natural to want to be the best at something." Jiriki states. "The better you are, the better you can complete missions, the better you are as a shinobi."

"Maybe." Genzai shrugs. "But an S-rank rogue ninja swinging a sword at your neck isn't going to care if you were first or second at Academy taijutsu. I know what my reasons for being a shinobi are and I train for that." He walks out the door with a wave. "You two have fun, though."

Shoto doesn't move from his gaze from the door, taking in Genzai's words. 'Reason for being a shinobi? Is that what Guy-shisho meant? Striving to become a better version of yourself. But Guy-shisho always challenges Kakashi, so what's the difference?' He turns to look at his Hyuga rival. 'Why am I challenging Jiriki?'

Jiriki glares at Shoto. "What're you looking at?"

"He might have a point. This competition of ours… maybe it'd be better to stop."

"Competition?" Jiriki grimaces in disgust. "There was never any competition, Teshin. You weren't even at the starting line. Get that through the rock you have for a brain." He stands up and goes out the room, as well.

Kotori sticks out her tongue behind his back. If he notices, he doesn't let it show.

"Jerk." Kotori huffs.

"Has it gotten worse?" Yokumaru asks. "Feel like it has."

"Guess it doesn't matter." Shoto leans on his desk. "Maybe I just need to find why I wanna be a shinobi."

Kotori cocks her head. "Wasn't it 'cause you wanted to prove your strength? Restore your clan's honour? Or something like that."

"I guess…"

Kashiwama stands from his desk and claps Shoto on the back. "You guys are thinking way too much over this. Isn't it good as long as you're having fun and doing good work? Worrying about this and that, you guys sound like my grandpa." He leans over the desk to then address Kotori with a cheeky grin. "Wanna go strategize? I think I got a killed combo that'll wipe the floor with everyone!"

Kotori laughs. "Sure." Kotori pats Yokumaru and Shoto on the shoulders and heads out. "You're doing, fine, Shoto. Don't let it get you down."

"I'll try." Shoto nods and turns to Yokumaru. "Should we strategize, too?"

"Sure."

-x-

Later, in Medical Ninjutsu Class

Today, there's a special guest teaching the class alongside Sakura. An elegant woman with a warm smile, explaining the art with much patience and kindness. Ameno from the Hidden Sand is here to teach her specialty- elemental medical ninjutsu.

She's currently standing in front of a still fish on top of the teacher's desk, her hand stretched over it, where a jellyfish made completely out of water covers the fish. Liquid tendrils wrap around it, pumping water through its body. After a few moments of concentration, the fish begins flopping.

[Medical Water Style: Jellyfish]

The kids stare in awe, having never seen anything like this practiced.

"And that's how you utilize Medical Water Style." Ameno addresses the class. "It can be tricky to seamlessly combine medical ninjutsu with elemental ninjutsu but the result is undeniable. The Water Style in particular works well with cleaning wounds and keeping the blood flow of your patient going."

There's immediately a sea of raised hands, eager to ask questions. Sakura and Ameno chuckle as they pick out kids one by one.

"What if we can't use Water Style?" One boy asks.

"We can work on teaching you all a basic Water Style, just enough to enhance your medical skills. You don't need to fully use water like I do, even a little bit can be of great aid." Ameno smiles. "It's easy to pick up, I promise."

"Could we use other elements instead of Water?" A girl wonders.

"It's entirely possible." Ameno shrugs. "In the Hidden Sand, water is precious so we've trained for decades to master its restorative properties. It's possible with Fire Style to cauterize wounds or help someone with hypothermia. Lightning Style may be usable to keep someone's body from shutting down. Unfortunately those are not areas I specialize in, but maybe…" She glances toward Sakura.

Sakura nods. "You're the first person I'd ever seen using elemental medical ninjutsu but if more methods exist, we'll find them."

Kashiwama asks the next, obvious to him, question. "Does it have to be a jellyfish?"

"No, it doesn't." Ameno laughs.

"The effectiveness depends on how much chakra you input and what kind of healing you want to perform. From there, you can shape the chakra as you see fit." Sakura explains.

"For starters," Ameno claps her hands, "How many of you haven't had any elemental training?" She nods as a few kids raise their hand, less than she expected actually. "How many of you have, but not in Water Style?" The majority raise their hands, including Yokumaru. "And how many can use Water Style?" The remainder raise their hands, of which is Kashiwama.

"Elemental ninjutsu still isn't part of some of their curriculum. They're set to officially start in a few months." Sakura explains.

"Then, we can start building the basics on that soon. For now, let's focus solely on medical practice and I'll show you how to mould your chakra differently."

The kids open the scroll present on each of their desks and perform the hand signs that they've become overly familiar with- the act of releasing an item placed in a storage scroll. The dominating smell of fish immediately begins to fill the room but they're used to it by now.

They begin practicing the most basic medical exercise- heal the fish back to life. It's an arduous task that none have actually succeeded so far. It took Sakura many months before she could muster this much and while some of the kids show promise, she doesn't expect them to do it much quicker than she did.

As they perform the jutsu, Ameno provides her own tips of chakra control, that helped her become a medic and master her unique style of healing. Kashiwama tries to perform his own Water Style jutsu but that only results in a wet fish. He grumbles in disappointment but continues the task at hand.

A yelp draws Ameno's attention to one table in particular, a table that is now covered in pink crystalline spikes.

Yokumaru has already stood up and is looking around nervously. "Uh, I'm sorry."

"It's fine." Sakura walks over to make sure he's unhurt. "I think you put too much chakra into it."

"I… tried to follow Ameno-sensei's instructions… But this happened instead." Yokumaru stares the table, slightly distraught.

"That's right…" Ameno hums. "You had the Crystal Style, didn't you? I must admit, that's a wildly unfamiliar territory to me."

Sakura focuses her chakra in her arm and breaks away Yokumaru's crystal with relative ease, piling them on the ground for clean-up later. When she gets to the fish in the middle, it crumbles to pieces from being crystallized.

"Well, I guess we won't be eating this one for dinner." Sakura tries to make light of the citation.

Yokumaru looks down at his feet. "Guess Guren's right. Crystal Style's a jutsu for killing."

"I don't believe that for a second." Ameno interjects and walks over to her table. "I may not be familiar with your particular ninjutsu, but if it's anything like any other jutsu, then it should be applicable to multiple situations." She summons a new fish from her scrolls and goes through the hand signs she used before.

The water coalesces into a sphere as it did previously, before stretching its shape into a jellyfish. The tendrils wrap around once more, this time squeezing onto the fish. Rather than bringing it back to life, the jellyfish sucks out any remaining life from it, leaving is a shriveled husk.

"A single jutsu can have a plethora of uses. The only question being…" She looks at each of the students. "How do you wish to apply it?"

-x-

Guren sighs and leans on the Academy gates.

She'd come to meet up with Yokumaru so they can go train but instead she was met by Sakura and Ameno who explained what happened in class today.

"You people just don't learn do you?" Guren shakes her head.

"Have you ever tried anything like that?" Sakura asks.

"The Crystal Style kills anyone or anything it comes in contact with. How many times do you think I've used it?"

"But have you ever tried not to?"

Guren shrugs. "Never had a reason to. If I needed someone alive, I'd just encase them in a crystal dome but everything that's come in contact with the crystal itself has died. Make of that what you will."

Ameno steps forward. "If it is indeed possible, I'd like aid Yokumaru in learning that level of control while I'm assigned here."

"I'd…" Yokumaru speaks up. "I'd like to learn that, too. If I can heal through my crystals like Ameno-sensei can heal through her water, then… I want to do it."

Guren rubs her head in frustration. "You people… Crystal Style and medical ninjutsu are already difficult enough on their own. Now you want him to heal through his jutsu. You're already being unreasonable, although if he learns that he'd be a pretty valuable asset to the village."

"That's not it at all!" Sakura jumps to defend. "We just want Yokumaru to find himself and what kind of shinobi he wants to be."

"Well it's not this, so stop filling his head with nonsense." Guren begins walking away. "Let's go, kid. We have actual training to do."

Yokumaru lowers his head and drags his feet. "Yes, ma'am."

Uzumaki-clan training ground

Normally, when Kotori cries from joy, it's something that can be heard from everyone in the vicinity. She does not moderate her voice when she's excited. This time, however, her voice is droned out by the sheer speed she's travelling with. Or rather, Garuda is.

Soaring high through the air, Kotori is gripping onto Garuda's neck fluff with all her might as the deafening wind hits her ears. She can hardly even hear herself think, let alone hear herself.

Garuda does eventually slow down to a more reasonable pace, allowing the girl time to gather herself.

Kotori straightens herself on the familiar's back, her hair an absolute tangled mess. At some point she'd lost her hair tie so her usual ponytail is gone, now replaced by a monstrosity far worse than bed hair. She has to fight her own hair to get it to lie down straight.

"That. Was. AWESOME!" Kotori laughs with glee. "WOO!"

"With practice, you will be able to summon birds of my size to do this, as well."

"I.. actually did once. When I first figured out what I can do." Kotori winces as she remembers the experience. "Ended up using all my chakra, though, so I passed out."

"That is to be expected." Garuda explains. "You were not able to learn under the guidance of ones who know of your kin."

"Gotten a lot better since then, though! Check it out." She goes through her jutsu's hand signs.

[Aviary: Condors]

Two of the large predators spring into existence from the feathers summoned by Kotori. They're nowhere near the size of Garuda with his impressive build and massive wingspan but they're clearly nearing adulthood. Almost full size of actual condors, which means Kotori should soon be able to modify their size as she sees fit. For now, though, Garuda deems this as good enough.

"Now, let us test how well they can keep up." Garuda begins flying at a faster speed. Nowhere near what he was just flying at, though.

Kotori has the condors follow, getting them to go faster to catch up before slowing down to match the summons' speed.

"They're not as fast as the falcons or hawks, but they're pretty tough!"

When Garuda speeds up, Kotori has them match it. Until there comes a point that they can't.

"Your command has gotten much greater." Garuda compliments her.

"I wonder if it's the Wind Style training…"

"Perhaps in a way. Training in elemental ninjutsu has a way of refining one's chakra control which translates into other areas, as well." The hawk explains.

"Then let's see how good it's really gotten!" Kotori says with a playful grin.

She releases the condors, letting them disappear in a puff of feathers. In their place, she summons smaller brown feathers that twist and latch onto each other as if magnetized.

[Aviary: Falcons]

Two falcons materialize by Garuda's side.

[Ninja Art: Aerial Ace]

Kotori sends them flying forward at top speed. Up here, she doesn't need to worry about them losing control and crashing into something.

"If it's a race you wish, then it's a race you shall receive." Garuda caws and flaps his wings with enough force to create a gust of wind below him. "Hold on."

Kotori latches onto his back by channeling chakra to her feet so she sticks like glue. Garuda zooms ahead to catch up to the falcons.

Shorin-ryu dojo

In the yard of the family dojo, Shoto sits in front of a tree dogeza-style, sitting on the back of his legs. His left hand is raised in front to form a one handed seal, while the rest of his body remain still.

He focuses his chakra to his right arm, making it turn light brown. After a few more moments of concentration, it becomes darker. After a few moments more- his hand returns to its normal colour and instead his leg gains the properties of his [Earth Spear].

"It's still so slow." Shoto grumbles and stands up.

He keeps his left hand forming the same seal as he punches the tree with his hardened hand. He then stops for a second, transfers his jutsu to his leg and kicks it a few times. He keep switching from punches to kicks, battle cry resounding each time he strikes the trunk.

Bark and splinters fly off in every direction with each strike as the tree continuously keeps losing its coating.

Shoto tries to change things up adding his left leg to the rotation. He does the same thing as before but this time upping the speed of his strikes. He keeps doing until he strikes with his left leg before the [Earth Spear] has taken effect.

Shoto lets out a muffled agonized yell and collapses on his back. He hisses in pain as rubs the sore spot, the pain spreading across his entire trembling leg. Still slow.

He punches the ground in frustration, flattening the grass where his closed fist impacts. 'I have to get stronger… But for what? To pass Jiriki? Prove my family aren't quitters?' He digs his fingers into the ground, taking in mud between his nails. 'Feels so stupid now. Can I be selfish? Should I be? … Would Naruto-shisho be?'

Through the windows of the dojo's second floor, Itosuke and Asami Teshin watch their son's struggles. They critically observe his training, his method, his execution, and now, his frustration. That last bit doesn't seem to last long, however, as Shoto stands in a kneeling position to judge his leg's condition.

"There's nothing much left for us to teach him." Asami sounds resigned to their inability.

"We helped him walk the path of a martial artist." Itosuke crosses his arms. "The path of a shinobi, however,... is far above us."

"Do you ever wonder how our lives would've been different if we'd tried as much as Shoto?"

"I've always wondered." He answers. "Even before Shoto was born. Even before I met you. But it wasn't our time; we wouldn't have been accepted."

"So it was always going to be Shoto's task to restore the Teshin's honour." Asami sighs.

Itosuke shakes his head. "I don't want to place such a task on his shoulder. What happened in the past can't be changed. He should just focus on what he wants."

"Don't you think you should maybe tell him that?" Asami chuckles.

Itosuke grumbles under his breath and turns around to head inside.

Hidden Leaf orphanage

The day Kotetsu and Izumo had been waiting for was finally here, the day they officially become fathers and will take Tama home. They've actually been to the orphanage a few times already to meet her and get her better used to the change she's about to experience.

These two have been in each other's lives for as long as they can remember. First as neighbours, then as classmates, then as friends, then as teammates. They've been inseparable for as long as they could remember and somewhere down the line, they finally realized they never wanted to be separated. Now, their status is family will be firmly cemented and they couldn't be happier.

Hand in hand, they walk through the orphanage's main gate. A woman dressed in the typical black gown worn by the caretakers leads them further in to meet with the head caretaker. While walking around the building, they note that there's not the usual amount of children running around. Usually when they'd stop by before, the kids would be running all over the place. Some playing ball or chasing each other, others- drawing or relaxing in the sun.

It's not until they get further to the back that they actually begin hearing commotion. The closer they get, the more clearly they can make out that seemingly all the kids are gathered back there for some reason.

At one point, a group of kids run around the corner at full speed, chasing after… a sparrow, of all things. What's even weirder is that when the sparrow flies up, it just disappears. Poofs out of existence, leaving behind only a clump of feathers to fall to the ground. Just as the kids voice their disappointment, but oddly enough don't show any shock that a bird just ceased to be, the sparrows pops back into existence and flies off, prompting them to chase it again.

The two share a very confused look as even the caretaker doesn't seem at all bothered by that as she just goes inside the building to fetch the head caretaker while they stay outside. When they round the corner, they both realize what all the fuss is about.

A young girl seemingly about ten years old is running around the yard, followed by an army of kids. Her sparrows fly around her, much to the other kids' delight.

Izumo points to the girl, squinting his eyes. "Isn't that…"

"Naruto's kid? Yeah, that's her."

"Kotori comes here quite often." Their attention is drawn to the door behind, where Urushi steps out to meet them. "She has a way of brightening the kids' day. Speaking of..." He motions to the main building. "Shall we? Tama is waiting."

The three of them make their way through the corridors of the building, seeing others kids walking about and going with their day. Seems like it's mostly the younger kids who're out running with Kotori. Maybe the older ones aren't interested or they've already played and now have to tend to their chores.

Their hearts pound in anticipation despite having come here so often and having met Tama. Now it'll be different. It's a big step in life and as usual, the self-doubt doesn't sink in until the final stretch. Still they march on after Urushi and enter his office.

There, entertained by yet another caretaker, is a young girl. No more than three years of age, flat black hair that reaches her shoulder, a face as cute as a button although her expression right now seems somewhat down, and curiously, a sparrow chirping in her lap.

"Hello, Tama." Izumo immediately greets their future and walks over to the couch she's sat in.

Tama nods her head stiffly and answers in a meek voice. "Hello."

Izumo notices the hesitation in the girl's voice. "Is something wrong, Tama?"

Tama puffs her cheeks and hugs the little sparrow. "I don't wanna leave forever."

Urushi sits down on a chair opposite where Tama is. "Why would you think that?"

"Because… Shinji said I'll go away forever and ever and never see them again." She answers.

"Tama, no..." Kotetsu kneels down in front of her. "We'd never do that. We'll come back often and you can play with everyone else."

Tama lifts her head. "Really?"

"Really." Kotetsu smiles and holds out his pinky.

Tama lets go of the sparrow with one hand and holds onto Kotetsu's finger with her own pinky.

"Pinky swear, if I tell a lie, I'll drink a thousand needles." Kotetsu recites the popular gesture for keeping promises.

Tama's face lights up as Kotetsu leans forward to kiss her hand before letting go of their fingers.

"You'll be an amazing dad." Izumo can't help but feel his heart aflutter. "Is that one of Kotori's birds, Tama?"

"Yep!" Tama holds the little chick up. "For good luck. She said it's her favourite but I shouldn't tell the others." She clamps up when she realizes she just revealed the supposed secret.

Izumo chuckles. "Then we'll keep your secret."

With that settled, Urushi prepares the final formality for the new family to be official. Kotetsu and Izumo sign the adoption paper, making her officially Tama Hagane. As a new family, the three of them walk out the building hand-in-hand, with Tama being carried by Kotetsu.

When they step in the yard, all the kids turn their attention to them and rush over to say goodbyes. Their eyes full of tears, both from joy that one of their sisters has a home but also a hint of sadness that she's going away. Some of the older kids do try to keep them from crowding the little girl too much and that she's not too overwhelmed.

Kotori walks over, as well, and the sparrow flies from Tama's arms to Kotori's shoulder. "Did the little one help?" Kotori grins.

"Yep!" Tama grins back. "He's really squishy."

"I didn't know you came here, Kotori." Kotetsu addresses her.

"I stop by when I can." She plants a hand on a boy standing next to her, ruffling his hair. "I know how much it meant to us when someone visited so I wanted to do the same for someone else!"

"Oh, that's right…" Izumo realizes. "You grew up in an orphanage."

Kotori nods. "That's why I know what a special day it is when someone finds a new home." She walks over and brushes Tama's hair. "Be happy in your new home, Tama. We'll play lots, okay?"

"Okay!"

The kids all send away Tama as she leaves for her new home, going as far as to walk with them to the orphanage's entrance. When Kotetsu, Izumo, and Tama walk far enough from sight, the kids return to the yard, some still trying to dry off their tears.

Kotori runs in front of them and forms her hand signs anew.

[Aviary: Parrots]

A flock of the colourful red birds, yellow and blue wings, flutter about in all directions.

"Come on, guys, we should all be happy for Tama!" Kotori grins. "This is a time to celebrate!"

The kids cheer, chasing after the parrots.

Hidden Cloud Village

Takai sits at the large porch at her home overlooking a large ravine. As always, the condors her family tends to are soaring high with some of their younger kin still getting the hang of this. She pats the younger chicks frolicking around her as she excitedly reads the letter she'd received again.

She's changed a bit since she and Kotori first met. Gone is the quiet girl who always kept her head low and was afraid to express herself. Now, she stands proud of her height, eyes no longer hidden behind a fringe, and a smile that comes more easily to her.

She runs back to their house in a hurry and comes out with pen and paper of her own. She sits down on the ground, pressing her back against the condor hatching house, as a young chick comes and nestles into her lap. Takai gives it plentiful scritches as she begins thinking of a reply.

-x-

Hello Kotori!

I'm really happy we can talk even if it's only on paper. I've missed you, too, and want to see you soon. I hope we sometimes have reason to go to the Leaf so I can see your new home.

We've been doing fine here. Nothing as interesting as what you mentioned, though. We're getting a lot more condors to hatch so it's been busy at home. Dad says it might be time to send some of them off into the wild so their numbers can spread. I'll really miss them but I know they'll be living free.

Hayai's still the same, always laidback and not bothered by anything. Kitsui's changed a lot, though, thanks to you. He's started standing up to bullies and anyone who thinks they're better for some silly reason. He's gotten beat up a few times but he's keeping at it. Hayai watches his back, though, so it's never anything bad.

We've all been training a lot and got stronger. I can't wait to show you.

Takai

-x-

"Takai!" Her dad calls out from the front of the house. "Your friends are here!"

Takai perks up. "Coming!" She quickly folds the letter, places it in her pocket, and stands up. The condor chick that had been snuggling with her hops off and is sent off with a pat on the head as she runs into her home.

AUTHOR'S NOTE

I usually try to keep post-chapter notes relevant to the story or characters but I'm happy to have completed April's Camp NaNo. A mini NaNoWriMo where authors set their own goal they want to achieve during that month. For myself, I set the goal of 50,000 words which I've now achieved it! 5,000 for my Naruto-Pokemon fic and 45,000 for this one! :D