A few days later, Team 7 was out training. Konohamaru had set them off on an exercise and was sitting, enjoying the nice weather. Minka appeared seemingly out of nowhere, a small box in her hands. "Hungry?" she asked.

"Very," he chuckled.

"I figured. I've seen how much you can eat," she said, her eyes getting wide.

Konohamaru took the box and opened it, some pork buns and rice looking fresh and smelling amazing appearing. A corner of the box was sectioned off, probably dedicated to a side dish or sauce, but instead featured a cinnamon roll, wrapped in paper to eat it easier by hand. "Oh, this looks great. Where'd you get it?"

"I made it," she said. "Learning to make comfort food is a must when most of the year is winter."

He dug in, starting with the pork buns, and pausing once he bit into it and started chewing. He finished chewing and swallowed, looking at Minka. "I promise I'm telling the truth when I say… I think this is the best pork bun I've ever tasted. Don't tell aunty." He immediately returned to his food, wolfing down the buns and rice.

Minka blushed but laughed. "I'm glad you approve! Do you need any help today?" she asked.

He shook his head. After swallowing another mouthful, he said, "I don't think so. But I never mind your company."

She sat down next to him. "Likewise."

They enjoyed each other's company for a while and Team 7 eventually returned, sweaty but happy. "Oh, hey Minka!" Boruto greeted her. "Why do you bother spending so much time with big bro Konohamaru? He's pretty mean."

"Hey, for the last time, it's Konohamaru sensei, Boruto!" Konohamaru huffed. "And I'm really only mean to you!"

The two of them bickered while Sarada and Mitsuki came and sat with Minka. "You have a Hidden Leaf headband!" Sarada gasped. "Does this mean you're a leaf shinobi?"

Minka smiled proudly. "Yep, I'm one of you!"

Mitsuki held out his fist. "Congratulations."

She chuckled, accepting his fist bump and saying thanks.

"Can you show us more Land of Snow stuff today?" Sarada asked.

"Definitely!" The two of them got up and Minka talked Sarada through an exercise. Boruto and Konohamaru finally finished arguing and all were sitting down together.

"Did she bring you food?" Boruto asked, sniffing. "Are you two dating or something?"

Konohamaru stiffened up. "Yes, she brought me food, and no, we're not dating-"

Boruto cut him off. "You're practically living together."

"She's at my family's living quarters, but definitely in her own space. It's a long story - don't worry about it," Konohamaru said, sighing and propping his chin on his fist.

"My dad says she's doing community service. Why?" Boruto pushed.

Konohamaru glared at him. "If you're so curious, ask her yourself."

"Fine!" Boruto scoffed. He jumped off, Mitsuki following, to where Minka and Sarada were.

Konohamaru assumed they were asking Minka about details, and knowing them, it'd be a long discussion. He frowned, wondering if he shouldn't have encouraged Boruto to ask. What if she gets how she was before? Minka looked at him briefly, giving a small smile, before returning to Team 7. He assumed for now that meant she was okay with things.

He took a moment to admire her. With everything that was going on, she always seemed so hopeful and ready to push forward. She was ready to protect anyone in a heartbeat and was clearly clever and determined. She had just as much care and kindness to kids as she did to adults, and he still didn't even know just how powerful or extensive her jutsu was. He liked her spark, and he always felt happier seeing her bright eyes, dark hair, and big smile. What he said to Ino was true - when he saw her, it reminded him of blue: there were so many shades, but all were calming and peaceful. Her words about the meaning of the flowers popped back into his head and it made him smile a bit.

Boruto seemed to argue with Minka a bit, and she remained calm and fairly nonchalant. After a long time of her speaking it seemed the team had come to terms with what was going on, and the determined look they all had said that they would support her and the kids. Konohamaru stood to approach. "Everything ok?" he inquired.

Sarada nodded. "Yeah! You both could have told us earlier," Sarada chastised.

"It's not like you were busy and needed to focus on your training or anything," Konohamaru shot back.

The team was soon dismissed for the day and Konohamaru and Minka walked back to the Sarutobi complex. When they arrived, the kids were in the kitchen helping with dinner and they rushed towards the duo with hugs and laughter. Minka savored these moments - it felt like unconditional love when these three got so excited about her simply existing.

"Minka, guess what?" Amuri asked. At Minka's encouragement, she said, "I'm going to start at the Academy next year! I want to be a shinobi!"

Minka smiled, but paused. "Amuri, you need an adult to help you register," she began. "Do you mean you want to sign up for next year?"

Amuri nodded, determined. "Yeah! We'll find a way to stay, and I want to go to the academy here."

Minka wrapped her in a huge hug, patting down her hair. "I couldn't be prouder, Amuri," she let her know.

"Do you think we're staying?" Amuri asked once she was released from Minka's bear hug.

Minka felt teary eyed - she was so proud of Amuri's spirit, and was now extra concerned about staying. "Honestly I'm not sure yet, but I hope so. Um… Something that'll work in your favor is that if the law decides you go to a next of kin, then you would be staying here," she began.

"Really? Who's our next of kin?" Kya asked.

She smiled, taking in the dining room full of people. "I'm your half sister, you guys. We share a father."

Lin wasn't really listening, and didn't really care, but Amuri and Kya paused. They both seemed thrilled and devastated. "So… You lived with him, too?" Amuri whispered.

She nodded. "I grew up with him. People like him are why I became a shinobi," she growled.

Amuri and Kya ran and hugged her, Lin eventually joining so he wasn't left out. "I'm so sorry Minka," Kya said. "But we're glad you're our family!"

Minka shed a tear or two but tried to revel in the love they showed her. She looked up, the Sarutobi clan members smiling, and even Aunty Sarutobi getting teary eyed. "I'm so glad to have all of you," Minka said. "Now, let's make sure we have a great dinner, okay?"

They eventually sat for dinner, Minka sitting next to Konohamaru like usual. She felt Konohamaru's hand sit gently on her knee, giving a reassuring squeeze while they looked at one another, before he returned to getting something to eat. She felt warm inside, glad for his support and care. The flowers he got her were still surviving in a vase next to her bedside and she got to smell them every morning so far. The blue reminded her of him, which both made her happy and flustered. Even though she'd decided to make Konoha her home she wasn't thinking past the trial and what would happen to the kids.

Konohamaru and Minka walked to their rooms after bidding the kids goodnight, following their usual routine. He leaned against the wall as Minka stood in front of her door. "Your name, Konohamaru… it's after Konoha, right? Because of your grandfather? she asked. Amuri was so amazed when she heard Konohamaru's grandfather was the third Hokage and was able to tell Minka all of the details. Minka was doing her due diligence and learning about the Leaf on her own time as well, but she never knew Konohamaru was related to a previous Hokage.

He nodded. "Yeah, he named me," he said, beaming. "He was a great man."

"I heard… he died in battle," she whispered. "That's awful, but he was protecting the village. I'm amazed by his story, and… I can see how you're related to him," she finished shyly.

He blushed, scratching his head. "Thank you, very much… That really means a lot."

"Sorry if it's a sensitive topic, I just wanted to let you know… Amuri learned about him the other day and I think he's one of her biggest heroes now!" Minka smiled.

"It's okay, really," Konohamaru replied. "It's something I'm proud of, but it's also kind of sad… He died, and then not long after, my uncle was killed, too. I was close to both of them, and really young…" he said, his head dropping low and his voice full of grief.

Minka put a hand on his chest. "I'm sorry, Konohamaru. I don't know what you believe, but I know their spirits live on in you," she whispered. "They'd be so proud."

He placed his hand over hers, looking up to meet her eyes. His eyes were a little watery but he still seemed peaceful, just reminiscing. "Thank you, Minka," he said. "I… think I've always known that they're still with me."

She smiled, stepping forward to give him a hug. He stopped her, placing both of his hands on her arms, and leaned down, kissing her gently on the lips. She inhaled deeply, surprised by this but immediately filling with warmth when it happened. She cupped his face with her hands and returned the kiss, their mouths pulling apart after a moment.

They were both blushing deeply but with slight smiles on their faces. "Good… goodnight," Konohamaru stuttered.

Minka nodded, proceeding forward with her hug. "Goodnight."