Author's Note: Hello people! I want to start by saying I sincerely apologize for the unexpected hiatus. I know I had announced I would return with weekly updates at the beginning of June but I failed to hold up to that. I was working and lost motivation to write because I was exhausted (which happens when you work 5 to 6 days a week). But, now that I am back in school and have a little bit of a better handle on my schedule, I will be back to regular updates!

P.S.: The plan is I will do alternating weekend. This weekend will be Exorcist and Opposites Attract. Next weekend will be The Konoha Life and Cradle. That way I don't drive myself crazy trying to write four chapters for four separate stories. As always, thank you for the continued support!

Last Time:

"You might not think that way soon," Naruto scoffed. He held her hand and looked at him. "I…I need you to think about this. Really think about it because I don't know if you'll have the same answer after…after…"

"After what?" Hinata asked.

Naruto shook his head. He patted her hand and managed a strained smile. "Just…take some more time to think about it, okay? I'll drive you home in the morning."

Opposites Attract: Chapter 38 – "Uzumaki to Uzumaki"

Jazz'd was a popular high-end restaurant within the boroughs of the Tourist District of Konoha. They had live music every Thursday thru Saturday night using local and touring bands as their source of entertainment. Tonight's entertainment was a young man with long black hair that was tied back into a pony tail. He tickled the ivories on the polished piano that reflected the lights hanging overhead.

Their mixologists were all outside hires and some of the best in the city, so their drink menu rivaled that of Yahiko's Place just a few blocks over. Tonight's mixologist were three young people, one woman and two men. The woman had blue hair with a piercing on her lip, one of the young men had orange hair and a piercing above his eye with several in his right ear, and the last young man had brown hair tied back into a high pony tail with a single scar across his nose.

And tonight, sitting in a booth away from the stage and on the second floor, sat Uzumaki Kyosuke and his wife Kaori. They had a standing date night for the last thirty years and this week, Kaori decided on Jazz'd.

"They must've did an overhaul of their staff," Kaori mentioned as their waitress returned with their drinks and appetizer. She smiled at their violet-haired waitress who smiled in return before walking away again. "The pianist is talented though. Do you think we can get him for this year's gala?"

"Possible," Kyosuke responded before taking a sip of his drink.

Kaori pouted. "Honestly Kyosuke, how much longer are you going to sit around and be grumpy about the failed shipment? I told you from the beginning that there was a possibility that Whirlwind would intercept, or Lightning would withdraw. They're friends, Kyosuke. Friends help one another out."

"Associates," Kyosuke corrected.

"Associates," Kaori repeated with a roll of her eyes. "I'm sure tomorrow's meeting will be worthwhile, and we can continue with this conquest of yours."

"Mine?" Kyosuke questioned. "If I remember correctly, you were just as passionate about this as I was. You're telling me that you're satisfied with just having those three Wards to ourselves? Kaori, we used to control all of Konoha and now we barely control a fraction of it."

"And then we lost a portion of it to Phoenix," Kaori reminded him. "And then we lost even more to Whirlwind. Kyosuke, had you listened to me back then then we wouldn't be in this situation. Kushina –"

"Wasn't ready," Kyosuke interrupted and Kaori took a sip of her drink. "She was too wild and didn't have the mentality necessary to control The Eternal Flame. That small gang of hers was nothing more than a nuisance, and then she went and met that ingrate rat."

"Yes, yes, the rich pretty boy from Northern Konoha who you thought was just interested in our daughter because she was different than what he was used to," Kaori muttered. "And despite your warnings against him, Kushina persisted and look at where we are now."

"What's that supposed to mean?" Kyosuke questioned.

Kaori sighed. "Kyosuke, you have to admit that this feud between Kushina and yourself has gone on long enough. You just put her in the hospital over territory that you're not going to win."

"You seemed perfectly fine with reclaiming what was once ours not too long ago," Kyosuke argued.

"That was before you put our daughter in the hospital and kicked out our son," Kaori argued. "I was just as angry with her as you when she decided to go against tradition and marry outside of the clan. I was just as angry as you when she chose him over us but we're getting too old to be holding feuds like this, Kyosuke. We have a grandson. Another piece of our family that we didn't meet until the other day and even then, it wasn't pleasant."

"Excuse me, I just wanted to come over and check on your table and make sure everything was okay?"

"Yes, everything is fine," Kyosuke said before looking up and spotting Naruto standing there in one of his tailored suits, his hair combed back, and a smile on his face. He scowled at him. "What are you doing here?"

"We need to have a conversation," Naruto answered, still smiling. He snapped his fingers and all the patrons in the restaurant got up and left.

Kaori looked around. "How did you…?"

"They're all Whirlwind," Naruto answered. "From the host, to the bartenders, pianist, wait staff, and even the cooks and guests. I figured this was more appropriate than me barging into your house like Otou-san and Okaa-chan have done several times in the past."

"You thought this was more appropriate? Interrupting our dinner?" Kyosuke questioned.

"I'm comping the meal, so I would deem this appropriate enough," Naruto countered before pulling up a chair and joining them at their table. "Though, you're not really one for pleasantries and respect, obviously."

Kyosuke didn't respond.

"Allow me to formally introduce myself, I'm Naruto Jiraiya Uzumaki Namikaze," Naruto spoke formally as he picked up his drink. "It's nice to finally meet you."

"Uzumaki Kaori," Kaori introduced herself. "And Uzumaki Kyosuke."

"Why are you here?" Kyosuke questioned.

Naruto took a sip of his drink before putting it back down. "I already said so earlier, we need to have a conversation. I understand that The Eternal Flame has been having some difficulties as of late when it comes to your territory. I'm sure it's frustrating being limited to just three Wards compared to the eighteen that Whirlwind controls so I don't blame you for lashing out."

"Lashing out?" Kyosuke repeated. "Don't forget that you're the child here at this table."

"But there are some lines that just shouldn't be crossed, don't you agree?" Naruto questioned and noticed how Kyosuke clenched his fist. "Phoenix has been an enemy of all of ours since the beginning of this system that's been created where the Shadow does more than just linger behind the Light. I mean, just recently, Phoenix – well, a portion of Phoenix – decided to try to blackmail my father into exposing Whirlwind. Obviously, he failed."

"We're familiar with Whirlwind's most recent incident," Kyosuke argued. "Do you really think we don't know what happens in this city? Trust me Boy, The Eternal Flame has been in this city since before your mother was born. Don't insult me by thinking you have to inform me of how things work."

Naruto smiled.

Kyosuke sucked his teeth. "You're just like your father with that goddamn smile on your face. Listen," Kyosuke leaned in towards Naruto, his voice low, "The Eternal Flame will regain control of what once was ours. My people failed when it came to killing your mother and father, but they certainly won't fail when it comes to demolishing you and the rest of that band of ingrates you call a 'family.'"

"I'm glad you're passionate," Naruto said. "I'm glad you're determined because you're going to need that once things really pick up. You see, you pissed off literally everyone in Whirlwind with that little attempted public execution of my parents. Clean-up was a nightmare but as you can tell from the lack of media coverage, it was cleaned up."

"Don't think you'll be this lucky forever," Kyosuke said.

Naruto took a sip of his drink. "I consider surviving after being driven off a bridge while on the back of a bike without a helmet, lucky. This however, well this is just pure stupidity on your part, don't you think? I mean, you went to Lightning for guns knowing that Whirlwind and Lightning are associated with one another."

"Excuse me? Stupidity? Do you have any idea who you're talking to?" Kyosuke snarled.

"I'm well aware of who I'm speaking to," Naruto argued. "I'm speaking to a man who was too damn prideful to accept his daughter's decision that he cast her out and hasn't had an actual conversation with her in the last twenty-five years. I'm speaking to a man who tried to kill his daughter. And I'm speaking to a man who is supposed to be my grandfather – by blood – that greeted me by calling me the 'Blonde Uzumaki Bastard.' Trust me, Grandpa Kyosuke, the last thing I want to do is go to war with you."

"Oh, really?" Kyosuke snickered. "You think you can win? It's like you said, Phoenix is involved and even though they have quite the reputation for ruthlessness and heartlessness, I can guarantee that The Eternal Flame inspired them."

"And I don't doubt that for one second, but it's not a matter of if I think I can win or not, it's a matter of how badly I embarrass you in the process of demolishing you," Naruto answered, his smiling fading as he met his grandfather's gaze. "Grandpa Kyosuke, I may be young but that doesn't mean I'm going to act like it and come at you with the full force of Whirlwind at my back. You and I both know that if this goes public, then there are a lot of people we're going to have to answer to and Whirlwind and The Eternal Flame would have to go into hiding for quite a long while. And no disrespect but you're older and you probably won't last until the whole backlash blows over."

Kyosuke grinded his teeth. "You disrespectful brat."

Naruto smirked. "You can come at us with Phoenix or whoever you want at your back, but I can guarantee that you'll fail. Whether you live or not, well, that's something even I can't determine because shit definitely happens."

"I might not even have to reduce things to a gun fight with you and your people," Kyosuke argued. "You have a thing for that Hyuuga girl, don't you? I mean, that's how you got involved the first time. What's keeping my men from picking her up right now and holding her for ransom?"

"Very original of you," Naruto teased and Kyosuke tensed up. "You're more than welcomed to try though. I'll say this though before I go: you won't win this. By the time all of this is over, Whirlwind will just have one hundred percent control over Konoha which will make our lives much easier."

"You're cocky for a kid who was just thrown onto his pedestal," Kyosuke commented. "Are you sure you're ready to play these kinds of games with me, boy? I can tell just by looking at you that you're too pure for this kind of life. Sure, you grew up in Whirlwind but that doesn't mean that you're a part of Whirlwind. Kushina, I raised her to be a part of The Eternal Flame and she did more at your age than you're mentally capable of handling. Sure, you killed one man but that was out of rage. Have you killed someone out of responsibility to your family? Because you wanted to prove a point? You're too soft for this life and going up against us is going to be too much for you. Go on, take your college entrance exams and run off to college, go live a normal life that you were bred for. This on the other hand, you're not ready for this."

Naruto sighed before finishing his drink. "It's like I said, you won't win this." He stood from his seat and put the chair back from the table it took it from originally. He adjusted his tie and his cuffs before looking at Kaori who'd been quiet the whole time. "Uncle Kiyoshi is staying with Whirlwind for the time being. Hopefully next time we meet, it'll be after all of this is over and you can put your feud with Okaa-chan behind you."

Kaori didn't say anything. She looked away and Naruto left. Anko came to the table with their order and placed them in front of each of them along with refills on their drinks. Kyosuke pushed his plate away from him.

"Kyosuke." Kaori looked at her husband.

"We're leaving," Kyosuke said as he stood up. "Come on," he ordered before getting up from his seat.

Outside, Naruto climbed into the back of his father's town car. Kakashi sat in the driver's seat and once the door was shut, he pulled away from the curb. Naruto let out a heavy sigh of relief before loosening his tie. Kakashi glanced back at him through the rearview mirror with a look of concern.

"Are you all right?" Kakashi questioned.

Naruto nodded. "I'm fine. I just felt like I couldn't breathe for a second."

"Want to go by the hospital and get checked out?" Kakashi asked.

"No, I'll be fine," Naruto answered. He coughed and leaned back against his seat. He looked out the window at the passing city, the lights giving him comfort. "Otou-san does stuff like this all the time, doesn't he?"

"He does," Kakashi answered. "It's part of the job."

"Uh-huh," Naruto muttered. He rubbed his face and took a deep breathe in before letting out a long exhale out. He recomposed himself and sat up straight in the back seat. "Any updates on Otou-san and Okaa-chan?"

"Nothing yet," Kakashi answered. "They're still stable though and Lady Tsunade still can't pinpoint when they might wake up. It's likely to be any day now because the head trauma wasn't as bad as it could've been for the severity of the accident. Kiyoshi was there most of the day and just sent updates on when nurses came in."

"I see," Naruto sighed. "And how is Uncle Kiyoshi?"

"He's adjusting. I spoke to him earlier and he said he's not used to having so many people in the Main House."

"It did seem pretty empty over at Grandpa Kyosuke's house."

"Why do you call him Grandpa?" Kakashi questioned. "You barely know the man and he just tried to kill Minato and Kushina."

Naruto thought for a moment. He wore a light smile. "A force of habit I guess?"

"Force of habit?" Kakashi repeated.

Naruto nodded and looked out the window. "I've known for a while now Grandpa Kyosuke and Grandma Kaori's names. It's not too hard to go online and track your family tree, especially if they reside within Konoha; that just made it easier. Anyway, I've wanted to meet them for a while and make our family whole but Grandpa Kyosuke clearly has no intentions of doing so. Grandma Kaori on the other hand, it seems like she's willing to put all of this behind her and move forward."

"Grudges can be a damning thing," Kakashi murmured.

"They can be," Naruto agreed. "It's still too early to tell how the tide will turn, though I'm sure there's nothing for us to worry about on Whirlwind's end. The Eternal Flame may be ruthless in their assaults but I'm sure it won't be anything we can't handle, don't you agree?"

"You're right," Kakashi agreed, a smile forming beneath his mask. "Minato and Kushina spent the last twenty years forming Whirlwind into the powerhouse that it is today. It's survived this long, what's to say it won't survive for another generation, and the one after that?"

Naruto smiled a bit more. He let out a loud yawn before excusing himself and glancing down at his watch. "It's later than I expected. Let's go home for now. I have my entrance exam tomorrow morning."

"Very well."

Back at Whirlwind Estate, Naruto and Kakashi entered the foyer to see Sakura sitting on the steps with Kurama between her legs and his head on her shoulder. She was scratching his back with one hand while texting away with the other.

"Welcome home," Sakura said as she looked up from her phone and smiled at the two of them. "How did it go with Kyosuke and Kaori?"

"Better than I expected though I can't tell if he took my warning to heart or I provoked him to act," Naruto admitted with a nervous laugh.

Sakura gave him a "you did your best" look before looking over at Kakashi. "Kosuke fell asleep a little while ago."

"Thank you, Sakura," Kakashi said before kissing her cheek and heading upstairs.

"You're welcome," Sakura called and watched as Kurama slipped out and away from Sakura before following Kakashi upstairs. She stretched and watched as Naruto took a seat beside her and lounged against the stairs. She mimicked him, the two of them grinning at one another before she rest her head on his shoulder. "You're getting old, Naruto-nii."

Naruto chuckled. "I was beginning to think the same thing. Say, do you think I'll make a pretty good Yakuza Boss in the future?"

Sakura thought for a moment which made Naruto nervous. "I think you'll do the best you can."

"What kind of answer is that?" Naruto whined while Sakura laughed. "Say, this weekend, let's go on a date."

"A date?" Sakura repeated. "Are you sure now is the best time to do something like that? Things aren't exactly safe for us with The Eternal Flame running around and Hagoromo knows where Phoenix is right now."

"It'll be fine," Naruto said as he nudged her. "I have my entrance exams tomorrow and I've been stressed enough about those. Now there's Okaa-chan and Otou-san, on top of Whirlwind fighting with The Eternal Flame and Phoenix and whatever else might be lying beyond the horizon. Plus, I'm sure Otou-san handled this much and more when he was my age and running the Senju Family. I'm allowed to relax every once in a while, aren't I?"

Sakura tapped her lip. "I suppose so. Fine, let's do it. But I'm picking the movie."

"Ah, that's not fair! You're going to make me watch some sappy chick flick," Naruto argued as Sakura got up and began to head upstairs.

"You're right, I am," Sakura confirmed. "It's called And My Heart Will Go On. You're going to love it."

"Sakura-chan," Naruto called as he stumbled up the steps after her. "Sakura-chan, listen to me."

"Good night Naruto-nii," Sakura sang as she headed into her room and shut the door.

Naruto sighed but smiled. "Oh well."

To Be Continued…