Mori and Tadao were released from the hospital after a couple days, and even though Mori was happy, her heart was troubled. Kabuto and the Sound had found her easily in the small village with Midori. What would happen if they found her again? Mori already felt responsible for Midori's death. Iruka was in the apartment watching Tadao as his mother went for a walk. Voices ebbed and flowed over her, and these somehow calmed the new mother. She felt her lips lift into a small smile as children ran around her.

Her body walked through the village, mind still wandering.

"Sweet Maidenly youth! Is it Mori? You have returned!" a large booming voice echoed, and Mori yelped in surprise when she was encircled in a pair of arms.

"Um...Gai-sensei? Who's that?" a young girl asked.

"Gai, it's been a long time" Mori said as the man clad in green put her down.

The taijutsu master gave her a wide grin and turned to his team.

"Team! This wonderful maiden is Mori! She has been my and my eternal rivals friend since we were youngsters!" Gai said, and Mori turned her red eyes on his team.

Strong, independent eyes stared back. A smile crept over her lips as one looked exactly like Gai.

'Oh dear, another Gai' Mori thought dryly.

"I'm pleased to meet you!" mini-Gai said, striking a similar thumbs up pose.

Mori let out a giggle.

"The please is all mine. I hope Gai has been treating you all fairly" she said, causing the only girl on the team to giggle.

As the team introduced themselves to her, Mori couldn't help but wonder how her son was doing. Surely he would be hungry by now.

"I'm sorry, but I must be going. Someone needs me" Mori said, interrupting Gai's endless sunset tirade.

"It was nice meeting you!" Tenten shouted as Mori walked away.

Sighing, Mori began her walk back to Tadao. Right now she needed a quiet environment to sort out her thoughts and emotions. Her heart began to race as she continued walking through the village. All these people would be killed when they came for her.

All because of-

Her inner musing were interrupted when she ran into someone. Her red eyes snapped to grey hair as she stepped back.

"Hm? Mori it's been some time since I saw you" Kakashi mused as he gave her a lazy one-eyed smile.

The Jonin noticed a tremble in the woman as she tucked a strand of hair behind her ear. He had heard that Iruka had left with an elderly woman who claimed he had a son. He had a feeling it was Mori, and until they were rushed into Konoha a couple days before he had thought his friend was living a good life somewhere else. Mori took a shuddering breath and gazed at her friend.

"Yes it's been awhile" she murmured.

The two were silent for a moment before Kakashi spoke.

"I heard what happened" he said, and Mori flinched.

"Kabuto and his goons found us. Innocent lives were destroyed because of me. I put the man I love and my son in danger and killed the woman who looked after me" Mori choked out as tears cascaded down her cheeks.

She blinked when she felt a hand on her head, and Kakashi gave her his typical eyed smile.

"You're part of this village, Mori. We protect our people. That includes you" he said, and with a pat on her head, began walking away.

Mori stood there, absorbing his words. They would protect her? Even with all the death and destruction she caused all those months earlier? She heaved a large sigh and began her trek home. These people would protect her. As she continued to walk, it felt like her spirits were lifting. As the sun set, bright pinks and reds streaked across the sky. Stars began to dot the quickly-darkening sky. Lights were lit, casting an almost alien-like glow on its surroundings.

As Mori finally made it to Iruka's apartment, her shoulders were relaxed and her heart felt light. These amazing people would protect her, and she in turn would protect them. Mori opened the door and was greeted to a high-pitched wailing.

She followed the sound of her son to the small bedroom, where Iruka was trying to console the infant.

"I see I've come at a good time" Mori giggled as she came in, and Iruka shot her a thankful glance.

She took her son from his father and sat down on the small bed. Within moments she felt a deep tug as Tadao latched on. His little sounds enthralled Mori as her son had his dinner. She stroked his head and a sense of calm came over her.

"Did you enjoy your walk?" Iruka said, and Mori nodded.

"Yes, apparently it was all I needed" she mused, smiling at Iruka.

As 2 years flew by, Mori returned to her normal self. Tadao had grown into a bumbling toddler, looking more like his father every day. He sprouted a mane of black hair like Iruka, and Mori could see her own personality in her son, as well as her red eyes. His red eyes shone brightly each day, and always seemed to brighten when he saw his mother or father.

Mori and Tadao walked through the streets of Konoha, and her son pointed with his small finger one of his favourite treats: ramen.

"Not today Tadao, we have things to do" she said as they walked past the shop.

"Want! Want!" Tadao exclaimed, but Mori shook her head.

They continued their errands: shopping for food, getting more clothes for Tadao, and buying a toy for him. Mori put her son down as he started squirming. His sandals slapped on the ground as they walked. A particular fruit stand caught Mori's attention, and she stopped to look. Tadao gazed around as his mother looked at different produce. He blinked when he saw an object sparkle in the distance.

"Pretty..." he murmured, and let go of his mothers hand to toddle towards the sparkling object.

A cold shudder went through Mori as she realized her hand was empty. Her heart in her throat, Mori looked around, trying to see her son.

"Tadao? Tadao!" Mori shouted, dropping her bags as she ran down the street.

The toddler had disappeared from her side. She continued running and searching, desperate to find her son. Her wolf chakra spread through the desperate mothers body, and soon four paws pounded down the streets. Her nose skimmed the ground for Tadao's scent. She lifted her muzzle and sent a desperate howl, her heart breaking in two.

Tadao continued following the object that caught his attention. His little face turned into a scowl when he couldn't catch up with it. Soon it disappeared from his sight, and Tadao stopped in disappointment. Blinking, he noticed the darkened alleyway he had wandered into.

A growl stopped the toddler in his tracks. A skinny dog stood in front of Tadao, its lip curled to show pointed teeth.

"Doggy! Hi doggy!" Tadao squealed and reached forward to pet its muzzle.

He screamed and quickly retracted his hand when the dog snapped at it, still growing. Tadao whimpered and scrambled back as the dog began to advance. Tadao shrank back and tripped over an empty can. He landed on his bottom and began to cry, his wails echoing against the walls of the alleyway they were in. The dog snarled as it continued to advance on the sobbing toddler. Another growl sounded, and he looked to see a larger white dog standing behind him. Tadao let out a cry as the skinny dog launched at the toddler, and he hid his face in his hands. A roar sounded from in front of Tadao, and the boy peaked from between his fingers. The two dogs fought in front of him, and he cowered away. The white dog bit and slashed at the other dog, snarling loudly.

The skinny dog latched onto the white dogs foreleg, earning a yelp. Tadao began to cry louder, and this seemed to fuel the white dogs fighting. It bit and slashed at the skinny dog until it finally ran off, tail between its legs. The white dog stood, panting and watching until the other dog ran out of sight. It turned towards the sobbing toddler and took a couple steps towards him.

"No! Go 'way!" Tadao shouted, face red and tears streaming down his cheeks.

The white dog whined and its muzzle lowered to lick his cheek.

"Tadao" his mother's voice floated from the white dog, and Tadao blinked in surprise.

His mother stood in the dogs place, and he scrambled into her waiting arms. He clutched his mother's shirt in his hands and pressed his face into her shirt, soaking it with his tears.

"My little boy I was so worried! Don't ever do that again" Mori said as she clutched the toddler to her chest.

She stood up and walked out of the alleyway she had followed her sons scent to. The toddler continued to hang onto his mother as they walked down the street. Soon his cries were reduced to sniffles as they came to their apartment.

"Time for a bath young man. After all that trouble, you're quite dirty" Mori said.

After a bath, Mori put her son in his pjs before lying him on his parents bed. She laid down beside Tadao and stroked his cheek softly as the toddler grew drowsy.

"Mama is a doggy" he murmured before sleep took him, and Mori smiled.

"Yes, mama is a doggy" she whispered before falling asleep beside her son.