Disclaimer: We do not own Naruto
Co-Author and Beta: Etheral-23
Chapter 27: A series of highly random Uzumaki events
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Some would say it was too early to start drinking, well Jiraiya was a self-proclaimed Super Pervert who openly perved on pretty women. It was obvious by this point he didn't care what people thought about him. After devoting much of his efforts to find his former-best-friend-turned-nemesis with absolutely nothing to show for, he thought about starting the day with a way to make it bearable.
Oh alcohol, the source and solution to all of life's problems.
He tilted the sake plate up as he drank the last drops, setting it down with a heavy sigh. The rays of the sun descended upon his face on rectangular patterns through the terrace roof. He idly grabbed the jug next to him on the large chair he was sitting on; shaking it slightly to feel how much sake was left in.
Good, plenty to get wasted.
Not enough to drown his frustrations sadly.
He set the jug down with a grunt. Regardless of what others thought, Jiraiya was convinced Orochimaru was still somewhere in the village, he could feel it, but that snake of his former teammate was just too slippery. He knew the village inside and out, trying to find him would be like finding a needle in a haystack.
He had ANBU patrolling through every sewer and dark corner he could find, Inuzuka trackers and Aburame literally having their bugs spy through the cracks in buildings. Yet nothing of Orochimaru was yet to appear again. The only thing Jiraiya could do at the moment was waiting and prepare.
What kind of a spymaster was he if he couldn't find an intruder in their own damn village?
He angrily filled the cup again and drank it quickly, letting out a gasp as his throat burned.
"Drowning your sorrows?" A woman's voice spoke.
Looking over the terrace, Jiraiya found that a great beauty of a woman stood before him. Skin like porcelain, she had white hair with a tint of blue that framed the sides of her face and covered a part of her forehead, while the rest was pulled up in a long ponytail. Her heart shaped face was lovely, without any blemish, and her eyes were an exotic red. The white kimono top she wore had a red and black obi that accentuated her generous bust. And those dark blue hakama pants of her did leave a good part of thighs visible.
In any other occasion, Jiraiya would be all over her and most likely getting slapped at this very moment. But right now he was a few drinks in and too pissed to consider it.
"Drowning my frustration more like it" He grumbled, giving the stranger another look over. "We haven't met, miss...?" He prompted.
"Tomoe" She introduced herself with a polite smile and a short bow. "Tomoe Gozen"
"Nice to meet ya" He nodded back, "Jiraiya of the Sannin. No last name to speak of" He poured more sake into the plate. "Care to join me?"
"Um" She looked very nervous of all sudden; "I-I'll pass" She stammered. Odd. Tomoe then cleared her throat, "I've heard much about you"
"All true, I assure you" Jiraiya bragged before pausing, "Unless it was about the bad stuff, in that case, all lies"
The red eyed woman giggled, "Gamamaru was right, you seem to be quite the character"
The Toad Sage stopped just as he was bringing the sake to his lips; he gave the woman a critical look as he set it down. "Gamamaru... You can't possibly refer to a big old toad can you?"
"He's a friend" She replied. "The toads are old allies of mine"
"Huh" Jiraiya tilted an eyebrow suspiciously, "Never mentioned you"
At that, the young woman let out a wary sigh, "I've... been away for a long time. I don't blame them for believing I was no longer among the living"
"You'll forgive me if I don't believe you right away. Can't take anyone's words at face value in this business"
"Understandable" She reached into obi and pulled out a coin, she flicked it his way and he caught it on his hand. The coin had the kanji for oil, the same one he had on his own forehead protector. It had a certain smell to it, the kind belonging to the oil you only found in their mountains. "I trust this prove I'm an ally of them, and by extension, yours"
There was only one way she could have gotten this, the toads gave it to her.
"...This ain't a social visit I gather"
"Not exactly" The woman said regretfully as she approached him, taking a seat right in front of him.
"You are a sage too aren't you?"
"Indeed" She replied with a nod, "I came here because you are a sage as well, and there are things you need to know, things the toads have deemed you ready to hear"
His mind raced, wondering at the possibilities of what she could be talking about, "I already known about the Sage of Six Paths, and the Ten Tails. The toads were very forthcoming about it"
"Yes... but have you ever wondered what came before that?" Her gaze became lost, longing even. There was pain and nostalgia in those eyes. "The world... there is something wrong with it. Things happened that were never meant to happen. I heard about your quest, how you hope to bring peace to these lands, but for that there is much you need to know Jiraiya-san. Things that were put into motion a long time ago"
He looked at her with a confused stare, pondering, trying to grasp the magnitude of what she was trying to say. Part of him didn't believe it, he was almost certain the toads would have told him whatever it was this woman wanted to share with him. But... were they right perhaps, that he hadn't been ready yet? His own status as a senjutsu master was very lackluster all things considered, he couldn't even enter sage mode without turning halfway into a toad...
Oh boy, he was about to have his world turned upside down all over again wasn't he? This was going to be like when the elders talked to him about the Sage of Six Paths...
"Great" He readied himself by drinking his cup fully; shaking his head he motioned for the woman to go on. "Have at it then, I'll listen to whatever you have to say"
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Humming a tune to herself, Kushina in a simple shirt and Anbu pants with sandals walked through the market district of Konoha with idle glances to each shop. Today being a rest from training for everyone the Uzu matriarch decided to take a gander at the market and see how much has changed in twelve years. A part of her felt relieved this area had not changed much at all, save a few new shops had cropped up.
She stopped and smirked at the sight of Kizashi and Mebuki's shop. A chuckle escaped her lips remembering fondly how Kizashi boldly claimed the Haruno mini-market will be the best in the Nation. She wondered how that dream was going.
Her decision made, she started towards the modest business before letting out a quick shriek and fell on her backside. The crowd all sharply turned to her as the redhead groaned and rubbed her sore rump. "What the he-" Her question stopped as she noticed a banana peel...
Seriously... A banana peel?
That did not just happen to her; a ninja does not slip on a banana peel... Except when she pulled the same pranks on other ninja when she was little.
Could it be-?
No, that would be ridiculous. Must have been thrown away by some dumbass that ate the fruit and didn't have the courtesy of just throwing it into a trash can. Stretching her back, the redhead continued on, choosing to ignore this had ever happened. She opened the door to see the familiar faces of the married couple who greeted her with a smile as she entered their mini-market.
"Ahhh Kushina! Welcome, welcome!" The rosette haired man waved at her behind the cashier as his wife swept the floor.
Mebuki warmly said, "So good to see you again"
"I just came by to buy some things at the best store in the village! ...But it was closed, I settled for this place"
Kizashi rolled his eyes, "Oh ha, ha. You made that joke only about a hundred times"
"Well, I gotta make up for the last twelve years" The redhead said with a grin. She walked into one of the aisles, losing sight of two behind the shelves. She skipped the medicine and bathroom items section and went straight for the fruit and vegetables at the end of the store.
Kushina knelt down and smelled the nice red apples, picking up one to check out its firmness. "Look's niIIIIH!" She dropped it the moment a worm appeared from a hole.
"What's wrong?!" Mebuki came running, finding the redhead in an awkward position and avoiding a fallen apple like the plague
"Worm!" Kushina pointed at the fruit.
Sakura's mother made a disgusted face, "Oh fantastic" She picked it up using a bag as a glove, "Hope it's the only one. Sorry about that Kushina" She spoke as she went back to the front to throw it out, leaving the Uzumaki alone again.
"Not your fault..." She sighed. Well so far this day was not going too well. But, it could only go up from here.
Perhaps choosing a dessert would cheer her up. She went over the refrigerators and opened the door, peering inside to look over the various yogurts and ice-cream boxes. Hmm, what to take, what to take...
"The new brand of strawberry yogurt is delicious ma'am" She turned to see an employee with in an apron, a man who didn't look older than thirty, common looks, shaggy dark hair, accommodating various items on the aisle next to the frosty products. "The one with the red cover"
"Oh" She spotted the dessert in question, a six-pack. They looked nice enough, maybe she would try it out tonight. "Thanks!"
"My pleasure" He smiled at her and continued his work on another aisle.
Placing the yogurts into her bag, Kushina stepped back to close the door on the fridge... only to find her hand was stuck to the handle. She blinked a couple of times as she tried letting go, but it was no use, it was as though her hand had been glued to it.
"Oh come on!" She tugged harder and harder, her frustration growing as she let out an irritated growl and pulled with all her strength... tearing the fridge's door off its hinges. "Uh oh"
Kizashi and Mebuki had run over upon the sound of tearing metal. Both froze and gawked at the sight of Kushina holding the fridge door with it no longer attached to said refrigerator; "WHAT THE HELL KUSHINA!"
"Not my fault someone put superglue on the handle!" The redhead said quickly waving her free arm childishly.
With a bit of effort Sakura's parents freed Kushina's hand as Mebuki frowned; "What happened?"
The redhead groaned as Kizashi took the glue off her hand; "That employee guy of yours said you had some good yogurt in stock. Next thing I now, I have a freaking fridge door stuck to my hand" She blinked to notice the odd looks she got from both; "What?"
"Sakura is the only employee we have." Mebuki spoke quietly
Immediately the trio went still with Kushina slowly pulling out a Kunai from her pocket. Her steps were silent as she gazed through each aisle till spotting the 'supposed employee'. Like the wind she was behind him with her kunai at his throat. "Who-"
However, before she could interrogate the man bursted into a cloud of smoke. Sakura's parents ran over "Kushina!" The Haruno matriarch called out. Turning the aisle both covered their mouths barely covering a loud snort at seeing the Uzumaki redhead covered in glitter...
Pink glitter at that, the entire front of her body was shining like a disco ball. Her eyes were closed and her expression controlled but you could see the cracks beginning to form. Kushina opened her mouth slowly and stuck out her tongue, which too was full of glitter, she spat a few times, running a hand over her tongue as to clean it.
Mebuki wasted no time in bringing the Uzumaki woman a wet towel to clean herself. First thing she did was clean her face before furiously scrubbing herself clean. "So that's how you wanna play huh? Well then, I'm game..."
"Is... everything okay?" Kizashi asked; only to receive a very dry and angry glare. "Okay, dumb question. Better one, what the hell is going on?"
"Somebody" She seethed through clenched teeth as she rubbed her clothes furiously to clean them, "is pranking me" The banana peel, the worm in the apple, the door, the human piñata with glitter, it was all very obvious to her now.
"You?" Mebuki replied incredulously, "That's an ironic twist for once"
"Ohohohoho" The Uzumaki chuckled darkly, "They have no idea what they got themselves into. They don't call me the Prankster Queen of Konoha for nothing"
Kizashi dryly spoke, "Nobody ever called you that except yourself"
"No time!" She dramatically declared with a fist pump, "I have to plan my counter-attack!" Before the married couple could say anything else, Kushina ran out to the front of the store.
She nearly stormed with her hurry, if not for noticing the bucket of water hanging on the ceiling, connected by a thin piece of rope and tied to the door. "Pfft, how dumb do you think I am?" With a flick of her wrist and a kunai flying, she cut the rope and carefully opened the door, all the while keeping an eye on the bucket just in case. When this one didn't so much as move, she allowed herself a smile as she face forward once again.
Then a creamy pie hit her in the face.
This was the sight Sakura and Ino came to just outside the shop. Both young girls were wide eyed as the older redhead wiped off her face with her hand; "Are you okay Sensei?" The pinkette meekly spoke seeing Kushina's expression being utterly blank.
Both were graced with a warm smile; "I'm fine Sakura, hello Ino. Could you two be dears and move aside?" doing as she asked she gave nod; "Thank you!" In a blink dust flew from where Kushina stood as she started running; "YOU WANT A WAR WITH AN UZUMAKI MADWOMAN YOU GOT IT! PREPARE FOR HELL!"
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Shock etched on the faces of the eternal chunin as they all heard the echoing roar of Kushina Uzumaki. Standing at the booth Saito sighed beside his son, a pouting Lyn, and indifferent Kya. "The man who dashed ahead is with us so please don't send ANBU to kill him." Saito spoke with a sigh while Kushina kept screaming throughout the village.
"Why couldn't I go with Samenosuke?!" Lyn whined in a childish manner. Her girlfriend only facepalmed with a shake of her head.
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"My, she hasn't changed a bit" The long haired redhead muttered to himself as he looked over a corner on the alley he was hiding. It had been dirty business preparing all those wonderful trap-pranks, got a bit of the stuff on his jacket and hakama pants, the bangs of hair that reached his chest had a bit of glitter in them as well but it was all worth it. "Heh, still has those big lungs"
The screams didn't feel like they belonged to a human, but a very savage animal.
Was it childish? Oh definitely, but he couldn't think of a better way to start reconnecting with Kushina. The two often played pranks on each other when they were kids back in Uzu. So doing this felt right, like going back to simpler times before the tragedy happened.
For years they had remained hidden, away from the only family they knew because they feared slipping up and alerting their enemies of their presence. It wasn't entirely blameless to act like that, more than a few times those accursed snakes had chased them across the nations. Seeking to wipe their bloodline from the face of the earth.
Then they heard Kushina died, and only then did they realize they wasted their chance.
Then Maya-chan, Soujiro's mother, died in childbirth. And Saito swore to keep his son out of danger through any means necessary. Samenosuke loved the man as a brother; he couldn't see how much this wasn't healthy for his son. He bit back a sigh; hoping coming here would do the boy good. Today was a happy occasion; they would reunite their family at last.
Hearing the news of Kushina surviving, it was the best thing he had heard in years.
Samenosuke smiled happily to himself, finding great joy in hearing Kushina rage, it meant she was still the same Kushina they knew even after all these years.
The Uzumaki woman stepped over the blanket that camouflaged itself with the ground very well, letting out a cute cry as she fell into the sinkhole he had dig up and filled.
There was a very short splash of liquid. Oh it wasn't water.
A green slimy hand rose from the whole, grasping the edge and pulling the rest of the body up. A creature covered in bright neon slime came out, like straight out of an old horror movie, the blanket had wrapped itself around her body, and it too had become drenched in the liquid. Giving the woman an unnatural appearance, as she dragged herself up, moaning unnaturally like a creature of the deep.
A few civilians heard something in the alley and soon screamed and ran in terror as an enrage Kushina walked out snarling like a beast; "Oh you're so dead." Her voice seethed as he eyes locked on a figure on the opposite side in the allies; "YOU'RE MINE!"
People gave the slime drenched woman a wide berth as she ran through them roaring like a dragon. The moment she entered the alley the figure was gone and felt a tug on her ankle. Kushina let out a yelp as the blanket hit the ground and she was now hung upside down. But that wasn't the end as a bucket of ice water fell from above her.
People covered their ears as a loud shriek nearly made their ears bleed.
Samenosuke smirked; "Oh I bet hime is a screamer in bed." he chuckled perversely. Before noticing Kushina cut herself down and hit the ground with a thump.
Slowly the Uzumaki matriarch rose as she growled covered in glitter, pie, slime, and now soaked in water.
Was it wrong for him to smile at the sight, and thanking Kushina for wearing a white shirt and seeing the impressive bosom in a lace bra? Oh who was he kidding he loved it!
He whistled before dodging several golden chains coming for him as Kushina spotted him again. The chase was on again!
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When the ANBU came to Naruto's home and told him there was a 'situation' going on, he already knew it was about his mother doing something. It was like she was driven to prove she was even more of a troublemaker than he ever was. Sneaking up on the Inuzuka kennels to play with hordes of puppies, trying to get a free meal by challenging Choji's dad to food competitions, things that would always got her an earful from the old man Hokage. Naruto was getting used to his mother's antics.
This was not a good thing.
So it was a huge surprise when they told him someone was actually playing pranks on HER (He had to sit down for that one), and she was currently on a warpath. So they required him to do 'damage control'.
When Naruto asked them why they couldn't do it, the ANBU informed him (happily he noticed) she wasn't in the ANBU anymore so she wasn't their problem, and so they could sub-contract it to the first shmuck they could find. It just so happened this shmuck was her son and as such responsible for her actions.
He was new to this whole 'being a son' thing, but he was pretty sure it was the other way around...
Naruto sighed as he was about to leave the house, "Hey Karin, can you track my mom?!" He called out to the girl who was in the other room.
"She's running through the north-east district and moving fast, you might want to hurry!"
Oh no way in hell he was chasing her alone, "Aren't you going to come with him?!"
"Chasing after the madwoman of your mother isn't how I want to spend my free day" Came the indignant reply.
He groaned, "I'll buy you okonomiyaki"
"...Fine" Karin grumbled as she walked up to him. "But you better keep-" Her eyes widened momentarily, gaze turning confused as she looked at their front door. "Who are they? They feel... familiar"
Naruto's brow furrowed, "They?"
There was a knock on the door; the cousins exchanged a look before Naruto went to open it. Their eyes widened at the individuals standing outside.
Redheaded individuals.
The man in the front, who looked to be in his late thirties with various lines in his face wearing a kimono, red hair pulled on a ponytail with various strands over his forehead. At his side there was a young boy about their age with scruffy red hair, two long bangs falling at the sides of his face with two thick strands falling over the bridge of his nose, wearing a much similar kimono to the older man.
And finally a woman with a WILD red mane, a heart shaped face with blue eyes and fair skin. She dressed like a classical warrior, white clothes underneath various pieces of armor like a chest piece designed to accommodate her bust, forearm and shoulder guards, her white pants were tucked tightly into the legging pieces. She donned a very distinguished sleeveless haori that was white outside and red underneath.
The man started first, clearing his throat. "Hello, you must be Naruto right? They told me we could find you here"
"What's up kiddo?!" The woman spoke up in a spirited tone and a toothy smile.
The young boy their age gave a small bow; "It's good to meet you cousin." Karin and Naruto both froze at hearing that word.
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Kushina landed in one of the training fields. She huffed as she glared with pure rage at the person who had been pranking the ever loving hell out of her stood in the shadows. "Just who the hell are you dattebane!"
An amused chuckle came from the figure; "Now I'm just wounded Hime. Here I thought you had guessed it by now."
The former captain lifted a brow as the figure came out of the shadows. Time itself froze as a loud gasp escaped Kushina's lips. Her rage had all but vanished as her eyes grew in size. This was a Genjutsu... It had to be! Quickly placing her hands together and generating chakra throughout her body she yelled out kai.
But nothing happened... It wasn't an illusion...
Even if he was older now, Kushina could never forget that face, that hair... Tears formed at the edge of her eyes. Her bottom lip trembled as her shoulder shook; "Samenosuke..." Her voice a horse whisper.
The roguish Uzumaki couldn't hold back his own tears as he smiled. "Hello Hime..." She moved like blur as she embraced her fellow Uzumaki who returned it in kind.
Choked sobs came the female Uzumaki; she couldn't speak as he held one of her oldest friends she thought was lost. Samenosuke was alive!
"I'm not the only one who survived." Kushina grew still as her teared filled eyes looked up at the man who tearfully grinned back.
"Kushina..."
That voice... It had aged but she knew it. Slowly detaching from Samenosuke she turned. A shudder came from her as she covered her mouth with her hand. A soft grin came from Saito as a few tears fell from his eyes.
"Niichan..." Kushina trembled as she muttered through her hand.
Saito slowly strolled forward till he stood in front of Kushina. Before he could say a word she hugged him with all her strength crying fully now. Not far behind them Lyn sighed crossing her arms under her bust. "Does not even acknowledge I'm here," She tried to sound irritated by the stray tears in her eyes belied her real feelings.
Beside her Soujiro waved his hand in front of a dumbstruck Naruto and Karin; "Are they broken?"
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Try as he might, Naruto couldn't wrap his head about this new development. It felt like a weird dream or a very vivid fantasy.
But here they were, sitting on his living room... members of the Uzumaki clan. People his mother knew when she was a child. Her family.
Their family.
Nobody blamed Naruto and Karin for having to sit down to take it all in. A thousand questions ran through their heads, the same number of questions that were popping out of Kushina's face as she talked to the newcomers with the brightest smile on her face. She just sounded so happy, so very much overjoyed.
"I just can't believe you guys are alive" Kushina muttered in disbelief, "I thought you all had died in Uzushio"
"It got close" Their cousin (or uncle as he insisted) Samenosuke said as he stretched back on his seat, arms behind his back. "Even getting to the mainland was struggle after struggle"
Saito nodded gravely, "The four of us were all we had, we did everything we could to survive" His eyes grew melancholic and distant.
"Four?" Kushina frowned.
"Maya was with us" Her cousin said, his tone nearly impassive. Lyn and Samenosuke's looks became downcast. While Saito's son Soujiro remained quiet.
Kushina's eyes widened in realization, "Was..."
Saito let out a saddened sigh, "She's with our ancestors now. But she lives on in our hearts" He smiled at Soujiro, the boy met his gaze. "And in our son"
The boy looked much more composed than his father, his aunt and his uncle. Most likely because he never knew his mother, never experienced the pain of losing her himself, he grown up with the knowledge that his mother loved him, and that was all he needed to know.
Kushina fought back fresh tears before she wiped her eyes, Maya-Chan. Much like Saito was the voice of reason among their little group back in Uzushio. Out of all of them she was the most patient, kindhearted, and gentle among them.
And she was gone... But a part of her did remain. Kushina leaned over to Soujiro who looked back at her; "Yes?"
She said nothing as she simply looked at the boy. A lot of Saito resembled in his face. But she also saw a bit of Maya there as well. Kushina ran her hand through the boy's hair; "Call me Aunt Kushina. Glad to meet you Soujiro-Kun."
"I feel the same." The young boy gave a nod.
Leaning back Kushina dryly turned her gaze to Lyn who stared back; "Nice to see ya Lyn." Wow that was thick sarcasm in her voice.
"Missed you too dear." Okay that was equally heavy sarcasm right back.
Naruto shook his head before looking to Saito; "Where have you guys been?"
"Staying in the shadows. Did work where we could find it and made certain none of our enemies would find us." The oldest of the Uzumaki present paused; "Was not easy but we managed."
Kushina leaned her arms on her legs, "The snakes hounded you guys I imagine" She received a round nods, "Figures, the Kurokiba clan tried to kill me too plenty of times"
Naruto spoke up, "That's the snake clan that helped attack Uzushio right?" He recalled from the lessons he's been receiving, Karin nodded to him in confirmation.
Lyn snorted, "Helped? Orchestrated more like. Who do you think tipped Kumo and Iwa off that Tsukiko-baachan wasn't in the village anymore? Those damn snakes have been our enemies for centuries; they made damn sure they could take us out that time"
"But here we are!" Samenosuke smirked proudly, "They ain't ever gonna take down the clan. The whirlpool flows-"
"Ever onwards!" Kushina and the rest of their relatives sans Soujiro joined in a celebratory cheer. Saito, Samenosuke, Lyn and his mother all looked at each other with fondness and happiness, Naruto and Karin were left dumbfounded as they suddenly began to laugh. It was laughter of relief; a few tears escaped their eyes.
Naruto then understood his mother, his relatives; they were all feeling what he had felt when his mother came back. The joy in getting back something you thought lost. Except... he didn't know how much he needed his mother because he didn't have her growing up. These people were her family, something she held so dear to her heart that losing them must have been like losing a part of herself. Much like how she lost his father...
But fate smiled as often as it frowned. And here they were, together again, reunited after tragedy and decades of strife.
His mother's laughter gradually became sobs. Surprisingly it was Lyn who went over and hugged her first, soon joined by Samenosuke and Saito. Kushina wrapped her arms around them in desperation, clinging to them as if in fear that they would disappear.
Naruto and Karin smiled; even the ever serene Soujiro couldn't help but let his lips curl upwards at the sight.
"What are you kiddies doing there?" Lyn asked with a beaming grin, "Come here you"
XxX ~ xx ~ XxX
"You sure they're not dead?" Lyn asked as she and the rest stood in the Hokage office after a bit of time passed at the house.
Feeling best to let the Hokage know about this surprising reunion, all the Uzumaki went together to the tower. Upon opening the door both Hiruzen and Jiraiya went stock still as they gawked at Saito, Lyn, and Samenosuke. The Sandaime and Gama Sannin had remembered them as children in Uzushio, playing with Kushina.
Both had long thought they had died in the surprise attack like the rest. But the Gods decided otherwise as the now much older trio stood at the Hokage's desk.
"I'm must still be drunk." Jiraiya muttered as he stood by the window.
"Y-You all survived," Hiruzen's voice like a whisper as he stared at each one of them.
Samenosuke gave a toothy grin and thumbs up; "Yup!"
"It has been a long time Sandaime-dono, Jiraiya-sama." Saito gave a small bow.
"...Yeah, no" The Toad Sage spoke with completely dead tone. "Not today, I just can't handle any of this crap anymore"
The other occupants in the room gave him an odd look. "Is something wrong Jiraiya?" His teacher asked him.
The Sannin gave him a strange look, as though he was barely holding back a freak out the likes of this village had never seen before. "Nope" He simply replied before taking a jug of sake from his clothes and began drinking the whole thing.
Well, it was clear Jiraiya was dealing with his own issues at the moments, so they weren't going to press. The Hokage let a bright smile form on his lips as he looked at the gathering of redheads. "My word, you have no idea how good it is to see you here"
"Preaching to the choir here" Kushina smirked.
"We thought nobody had survived" Hiruzen gravely said, "I had my ninja scour every single part of whatever was left of Uzu"
"And I had my contacts checking everywhere," Jiraiya said as he put down his jug, "But it was no use, too much chaos and confusion at the time. But now I see it's clear none of you wanted to be found"
"Exactly," Lyn chirped leaning against the wall with her arms crossed; "The Kurokiba had been hunting survivors since Uzushio fell."
Hiruzen's eyes hardened before giving a nod; "I understand." The Kurokiba were relentless, it was no wonder any Uzumaki who had survived remained hidden; "So why risk coming here?"
"We made the mistake of not being here when we knew Kushina was in Konoha. When we thought she had died we realized our mistake in being too fearful." Saito spoke with some shame in his voice; "Perhaps we could have prevented and killed that masked man." Kushina had filled them all in on what happened to her and about Naruto twelve years ago before coming here. To think there was someone responsible for that terrible day…
Saying they were angry were not sufficient enough words. But that man will get his comeuppances sooner or later.
"Or you all would have been killed like so many others when the Kyuubi rampaged;" The Hokage muttered as he shook his head; "We cannot change the past lad."
"Which is why we came when hearing our Hime was back," Samenosuke said in a rare moment of seriousness. "We had to come here. To be with our family."
It warmed his old heart to see these people reunited at long last. Already the gods had been kind to give Naruto his mother back, but now they were paying him back in full, and for that he could not be more grateful. The smile on the boy's face was one he treasured as much as Konohamaru's.
But the Hokage part of his brain reminded him it wasn't so simple, there were technicalities to address. "So, you will live in Konoha then?"
"If you'll have us" Saito respectfully replied.
As if they even had to ask, "I can grant you asylum as Konoha's old allies" He searched through his drawers for the right paperwork. "Now, I do believe you won't be joining the shinobi forces"
"No offense" Lyn scratched the back of her neck in a fashion that was all too similar to Kushina and Naruto's. "But it doesn't really feel right for us. Konoha is our friend, and we will help you if you need it. But right now fighting your enemies is not high on our list, even if some of them are our enemies as well"
"Understandable"
Jiraiya snorted, "The Council ain't gonna like that. I can already see what Homura and Koharu will say"
Hiruzen replied in a very business-like fashion, "The clans don't have every single member join the corps either; this can be considered a very similar situation. And if anyone feels that joining our forces would be fair compensation for us granting them asylum, I will more than happy to remind them of all the Uzumaki clan has done for us"
A predatory smirk grew on Lyn's lips; "If they still want to gripe just send them my way. Will gladly explain to them why Uzumaki are the last people in the world you don't mess with."
"As entertaining as it sounds," Hiruzen starting to work on the paper he needed; "It won't be necessary."
Cleaning her glasses Karin paused; "The house wouldn't have enough room for you guys."
Samenosuke waved it off; "Oh we're fine at any hotel."
"Oh hell no," Kushina said sternly with her hands on her hips; "Family stays with family."
Lyn dryly squinted much like Naruto; "Are we taking turns on the couch at night while the rest sleep on the floor? And I'm not sharing a bed with you Kushi; I have a girlfriend thank you."
"I'll gladly share a bed with Hime." Samenosuke brightly smiled lifting his hand.
"Of course you would." Every adult in the room droned as Hiruzen and Jiraiya remembered the roguish Uzumaki's antics back in Uzushio. Already a very… energetic young boy when who appeared to have matured early, his attitude seemed to have amplified through the years. Or did they reach Jiraiya levels? The Sandaime was afraid to know in all honesty.
"You can work on house arrangements later. I'll have some rooms ready for all of you in the meantime." The Hokage spoke up finalizing the papers.
Lyn perked up; "Oh add my girlfriend to my room please."
"Where is this 'girlfriend' you keep mentioning, and why haven't we met her yet?" Kushina asked before leaning over Samenosuke, "Is she imaginary, can only Lyn see her?"
"Oh very funny" The wild maned Uzumaki rolled her eyes. "Her name is Kya; she doesn't like crowds so the moment we arrived she went over to that eyesore you call the Hokage Monument" She ignored the indignant 'hey' from the current Hokage, "And there is something else you really need to know..." She clicked her tongue, looking at Naruto awkwardly, "she's a Namikaze"
One could hear a pin drop in the room. In fact, Hiruzen's pen did fall from his suddenly limp fingers.
Jiraiya looked at the jug in his hands for a moment before throwing out the window.
"...Say what now?" Naruto intelligently replied with a tilt of his head.
"Oh, merciful gods you really aren't pulling any punches today" Hiruzen muttered as he massaged his temples.
"You met someone of Minato's clan?" Kushina asked incredulously.
"Yeah, long story. Funny too actually, you see-"
The sound of their conversation was drowned out as Naruto's mind raced at the revelation. Someone from his father's clan... here, in the village, on the same day more of his family arrived to be with them.
He made a mental note to stop by the local temple and leave an offering in thanks.
To everyone's surprise, he suddenly bolted out of the room through a window.
"Wait, kid!" Lyn called out to him, running to the open window and stopping just at the edge as the boy disappeared from sight. "You need to know that Kya isn't what you expect!" She let out a groan, throwing her head back. "I don't think he heard me"
"What's wrong?" Kushina turned her gaze between Saito and Lyn.
Saito sighed before patting his son's head; "It's a long story."
XxX ~ xx ~ XxX
The wind kept an even breeze to Kya's liking as she sat in meditation on one of the heads of the Hokage Monument as Saito had explained before coming here. Not exactly the most well sculpted pieces of art. But they were made as a measure of respect, and the Buxom Namikaze preferred up there than being in the crowd down in the village.
Despite the noise of the people down below there was an air of tranquility here, if there was anything to take away from this place it was that. Kya remained sitting with her eyes closed as they barely twitched.
Looks like Lyn got around telling that boy about her.
Naruto stood a good foot from the older Namikaze who seemed to not to react to him. Another Namikaze, he never thought he'd actually meet one by the tales his mom told about them. But here on sat on his father's head no less with the wind rustling her blond hair.
For what felt like eternity there was nothing but silence between them before Kya let out a sigh and opened her eyes. Her gaze turn up to Naruto as she took in his features; "You look Namikaze."
"I-I..." Kya lifted a brow as the boy meekly stammered; "Dad never left anything about the Namikaze. Mom said his parent didn't either."
"...Sounds about right. Namikaze are not the materialistic type given our nomadic nature. Yes we have scrolls of our history and works, but not a lot of them." She spoke in a calm if not bored monotone.
Naruto sat down in front of her as he took in her words. "Well least that explains a bit." He was about to speak again before Kya raised her hand.
"I already figured you had questions."
The young boy nodded excited, "Damn right I do" And gave her a wide smile, "I'm Naruto"
"My name is Kya" She cordially replied with a nod of her head. "As I understand, you are currently busy with your training for these exams. Once your schedule finds itself more open, I shall teach you what you need to know about our clan"
"Oh" Naruto was taken aback by her direct attitude. It sounded like she wasn't even invested in what she was saying. "Cool" He replied awkwardly.
"I'm glad we had this conversation" She said before resuming her meditation.
...That was it? She didn't even sound remotely interested in getting to know him.
"Don't you wanna... hang out or something?" He prompted, trying to get any kind of reaction out of the mocha skinned woman.
"That is unnecessary" She curtly said.
"Hey don't be like that" Naruto couldn't stop the disappointment in his voice from becoming evident. "Don't you want to get to know each other? We're probably gonna be the only other Namikaze we'll ever meet"
"Here I thought you would have your fill of socialization with your redheaded kin" Kya said, her tone uninterested. "My obligations to you are due to a responsibility to our clan. I would very much like to complete them so I can go back to my own training; personally I find that spending time with other people distracts me from my real calling"
The whiskered boy grunted in irritation, "And yet, you have a girlfriend"
For the first time since they began their conversation, Naruto saw a hint of emotion in Kya. Her eyes twitching momentarily, her gaze growing lost with something he couldn't properly describe.
"The... events of how we found in each other's company are" She gave him a hard stare, "private"
The younger blond winced at the slightest hint of anger in the older blond's tone. He realized he overstepped, though couldn't help it knowing a Namikaze was here. But by their brief words it was clear to him.
She had very little to no interest in getting to know each other. Numbly Naruto got his feet; "I'm sorry."
Kya only shrugged as the boy vanished via shunshin. "Namikaze find their own way Naruto. You'll figure that out on your own."
XxX ~ xx ~ XxX
Well that had been… disappointing. After the amazingly warm reunion he had with his relatives, Naruto expected it to go the same way with a relative from his Namikaze side. But Kya was just so… cold. Uncaring even. Like meeting him was not something that warranted her attention and was only acting out of obligation.
It stung, really. Was it him; was he not what she was expecting? She certainly wasn't what he expected
He comforted himself when he arrived back at the house, knowing he had a much larger family awaiting for him. One he couldn't wait to get to know better.
He arrived to see they were making themselves comfortable, Lyn had dressed out of her armor and instead was wearing a set of short shorts with a tank top and sandals, lazily lying on the couch.
"Heeeey kiddo!" Lyn was the polar opposite of her girlfriend, bright, cheerful and very much approachable. Though that did not extend to his mother as Naruto was finding out. "Met Kya I take it"
"She's… yeesh"
"Heh, yeah. She was the same with me when I first met her"
"How the hell did you two end up together?"
Lyn seemed to ponder for a moment, "Beats the hell out of me" Naruto grunted as he sat in the adjacent chair. "Oh don't worry honey; I'm sure Kya will warm up to you eventually. Just… give her some time okay? She's got her own stuff going through"
"Like what?"
Lyn's lips pressed together, her eyes gained a hard edge to them. Naruto saw how anger and sadness quickly passed through them before she let out a heavy sigh. "It ain't my place to say, that's up to her"
Well, this was gonna be a challenge. But Naruto lived for challenges. "Now!" Lyn's mood did a full turn as she hopped out of the couch, "We're planning a big party today! Let's go help your mom, if the stuff about her food I hear is right, she'll need all the help she can get!" She shouted the last part, earning a furious growl coming from the kitchen.
XxX ~ xx ~ XxX
"Umm, shouldn't this be more a private thing Kushina-sensei?" Sakura asked before being handed a large plate with cooked food.
Kushina only scoffed while she cooked at the stove with Karin. "You're a part of Naruto's team and that makes you family as far as I'm concerned."
The question from the rosette was due to the current situation of a large feast being prepared as news spread like wildfire throughout the village of more Uzumaki having shown up! Said new Uzumaki were at the dining table setting up the plates. The pinkette barely knew what was going on before Kushina-sensei showed up and grabbed her with Sasuke being wrapped in the older redhead's chakra chains.
Currently the said Uchiha mildly glared in his seat at a smirking Naruto and eye-smiling Kakashi; "You should have known arguing with Kushina-sama was impossible Sasuke."
Standing on the kitchen table Ty Lee looked in wonder at the food being made; "So this is human cooking."
Hien and Yasu floated beside her with Gamakichi sniffing the air; "I heard Uzumaki love ramen but come on." The young Toad muttered.
"Hey don't you go dissing ramen, toady" The wild maned Lyn threatened with her chopsticks; "or I'll make soup out of ya"
Never in a hundred years did Sakura think they would meet even more Uzumaki, actual survivors of Uzu to be exact. Then again, Naruto's mother narrowing cheating death as she did; perhaps it'd be best for her to keep an open mind to such possibility. Positivism wasn't an unrewarding trait sometimes.
And good gods, when karma paid you back, it paid back with interest. She thought that perhaps that Naruto had emptied all the good karma accumulated when his mother returned and he had to start over, well there went fate showing her she was very wrong.
Seeing him smile so much... it made her smile as well. Even Sasuke, always some composed, and despite the hints of envy she could see in his eyes, respected Naruto enough to be happy for him. In his own stoic way at least. Kushina-dono was always looking out for him, and she liked to think it was that maternal care she was sharing with the Uchiha that was allowing him to move on and feel something other than hatred.
Heh, this family of loudmouths really did have a positive influence on people.
Then there was a knock on the door, "I'll get it!" Lyn bolted up from her seat and went to open it; they all heard a large cheer. "You came!"
"...I need to eat" Another woman's voice said in defeat.
Lyn came back to the room with the largest smile on her face, tugging at the hand of a what had to be one of the most beautiful women Sakura had ever seen. Flawless mocha skin, messy blonde hair and sapphire blue eyes, plus a figure Sakura would kill for.
Right, the Namikaze woman she heard about... As if the universe hadn't thrown enough curves already.
She sat next to her, momentarily passing an impassive glance at Naruto. The blonde boy actually frowned at her for a moment before smiling widely; Kya just looked at the food being served on the table. Well, it looked like that cheerfulness wasn't shared by their side of the family. She barely even reacted when Lyn planted a big kiss on her cheek, but there was no hiding that soft blush.
"Ahhhh, nothing like family dinner!" Samenosuke, who had already began establishing a reputation around the village as a shameless womanizer (okay not exactly a womanizer as not even men were safe from him) declared with large toothy smile they had seen plenty of times in Naruto. "Ain't that right Soujiro?" He prompted the young shaggy haired boy with a nudge from his shoulder.
"Yes" He replied with a small smile.
Karin shared an awkward look with Naruto. Soujiro seemed to take a lot from his father, being the odd calmed and composed type of Uzumaki. But the boy was just so... passive. Sometimes you could barely tell he showed any interest in anything.
Well... They could probably help him with that. Maybe he didn't have kid his age to be around. That was likely to with it, and thankfully they knew quite a few their age to help remedy that.
Hien floated over to Naruto's shoulder; "Dragon Chief will be most excited to hear this news"
"No kidding," Yasu chuckled as he tried sweets with Gamakichi.
Ty Lee happily chowed down on a large bowl of cooked meat; "You're the most bestest humans ever!" Least that is what everyone thought she said with food in her mouth.
The mood was lively as everyone ate and chatted in a upbeat tone save Kya, Saito, and Soujiro who were more composed while eating.
Kushina only smiled as she watched her son snickering at his dragon partner who ate his own bowl of food and tried using chopsticks.
Absently her mind wandered to the past, remembering those who weren't with them. And a pang in her heart in knowing some was gone forever.
XxX ~ many years ago ~ XxX
The great flower garden was a location many of the children of Uzushio frequented with great excitement, and one of their favorite playing spots. It wasn't the flowers that drew them, though many felt they were very pretty to look at, or that there was something remarkable about that place to their young impressionable minds.
No, the reason the garden was so much visited was due to its caretaker, a person the children treasures immensely. Immaculate sharp features that gave her an air of aristocracy and experience. Fierce red hair pulled back and held by a hair piece, letting it hang low while a few long fangs framed her face that was bereft of any blemish. Green eyes set in perpetual serenity; to the observer they would notice the heavy burden of experience in a very, very long life. Tsukiko Uzumaki had gone through most people knew; that was the general consensus.
But such things went unnoticed by the children.
"Baachaaaan~!" Kushina cried out from her spot, her arms holding unto Tsukiko's head as she sat on her shoulders. "Hurry uuuuuup!" Too long had they been waiting for her to be free of whatever clan business she had been dealing with.
"Patience is virtue, Kushina" Her infinitely patient voice replied.
"But we're bored!" Samenosuke groaned, his form swaying back and forth with the motion of Tsukiko's left leg, which he held unto firmly.
"You were gonna show us the spirits!" Lyn exclaimed, swinging from the other leg. "Come on, we wanna see fairies!"
"Guuuys, you're being rude to baachan" Maya, always the little voice of reason, came to defend their elder. Unlike the three, she was actually walking alongside Tsukiko, holding her right hand tightly, while a sighing Saito held her left.
"But we wanna play with the pretty lights!" Kushina couldn't be swayed. "Right Kosuke!" She turned to the last member of their group with a beaming smile, expecting him to join their side.
Poor Kosuke was too shy to say anything, the short boy with a bowl cut merely clinged to Tsukiko's skirt.
"The spirits are not going anywhere" Tsukiko wisely spoke.
It would always be the children who saw the gentle side the ancient and ageless Uzumaki. Her patience infinite when compared to her dealings with any adults. In Uzushio she had been the unspoken mother figure to many children of the clan. And it was a job she took with utter pride and a gentle smile that conveyed the pure joy she got from it.
Finding her usual stone bench she took a seat as the children looked at her in anticipation. Tsukiko chuckled at their faces before putting her lips together and releasing a soft rhythmic whistle. The tone was soothing, calm, it made Kushina, Samenosuke, and Lyn close their eyes and sway to it.
Soon small orbs of light chimed and rose from the garden which made all the children gasp in awe. Within the faint light were tiny humanoid figures with buzzing wings. They soon flew in a playful manner around the children who soon dispersed following them. Only Kosuke remained holding Tsukiko's skirt tightly, as if trying to hide himself.
"There is nothing to fear Kosuke," the ancient Uzumaki spoke gently placing her hand on the boy's head as he looked up; "Fairies will never harm you. They can be playful and dear friends and amazing helpers."
"I heard they can look scary to hurt people..." He mumbled.
"Yokai come in many shapes and forms" She rubbed his hair as he gave the little boy motherly smile, "The yōsei, the fairies, are no exception. Look" She beckoned one of the spots of light to come forth, she held the spirit in the palm of her palm, "They are of the lesser kind, so their form is more intoned with the minds of mortals. So long as you are gentle to them, so they will be with you"
The spot of light morphed into a long serpentine form with butterfly-like wings, the small dragon spirit peered at the young boy curiously, and who slowly loosed his hesitation to gaze upon the creature with fascination. It touched its glowing snout with the tip of his nose, making him giggle at the tingling sensation. He reached out with his hand to touch it, only for the fairy to playfully slip away from his grasp.
He tried once more, actually letting go of Tsukiko's skirt to chase it. Soon little Kosuke joined the others in their fun, laughing the day away with naught a worry in his mind. As children always should, Tsukiko often said.
"Come back here you!" One of the more humanoid lights made sound that was much like a raspberry at the clan princess. Kushina let out a growl as pounced upon the spirit. Her predatory looks changed to one of surprise and fear as she found herself on collision course with Tsukiko-baachan.
The Uzumaki elder impassively caught the flying child and deftly placed her on her lap.
Kushina blinked a few times at what had transpired before pouting and glaring at the spirit who just made a laughing sound and flew away to join the others.
"How come they listen to you?" Kushina grumbled, crossing her little arms "Is it because you're a sage?"
Tsukiko let out a short laugh, "Were it so simple, my little whirlpool. You only need to know how to handle them" She gave the child a teasing grin, "Much like one must deal with impish little creatures like you. I heard you pulled another prank today"
Kushina only smiled with pride; "Mr. Blacksmith's face was so funny!"
At the child's declaration the elder Uzumaki only rolled her eyes. Placing the girl down with a sigh she resumed playing with the others.
They played so much that they fell asleep right there on the garden
XxX ~ Present ~ XxX
One would look back on those innocent days with happiness and nostalgia, and the wisdom acquired through the years allowed them to see more than they could back then.
"Baachan was really a wise woman" Kushina muttered.
Now they could see a deeper meaning to nearly everything she said. Many times it wasn't even hidden, she always said things as they were, but they just didn't understand it at the time. When she was gone, the clan had lost a very valuable member. A teacher, a mother figure, a protector. She had been so many things to many of them.
To those of the younger generation of Uzumaki like Naruto, Karin and Soujiro, they could only lament they never got to know her.
"I believe Tsukiko-sama would want us to carry on our legacy" Saito muttered, his voice heavy. "The clan lives on, and... I want to believe it will rise again"
"It will rise again," Lyn spoke with utter resolution with a smirk on her lips.
Kya said nothing as she kept eating quietly.
A knock on the door made all of them perk up with Sasuke speaking up; "Anyone else was coming?"
Kushina smiled as she got from the table and to the door. "Took long enough Yugao-chan." The former captain placed her hands on her hips as she opening the door.
A sheepish Yugao, in civilian clothes chuckled beside her boyfriend Hayate Gekkō who remained in his shinobi gear; "Got stuck at ANBU HQ, sorry sensei."
The redhead waved it off before shifting her gaze to Hayate who respectfully bowed; "Kushina-dono."
"Nice to finally meet you." The man lightly coughed, seriously what did this guy have? "Well come in."
"And who are these two?" Lyn asked playfully.
Bringing the two into the kitchen Kushina smiled; "This is my student Yugao Uzuki and her boyfriend..." She paused remembering thinking for a moment; "AH! Hayate Gekkō." Yugao dryly glared at her teacher, well she remembered at least.
"It's -cough- a pleasure" The proctor of the exams greeted, trying and failing to stop his coughing from getting in the middle.
"Really?" The wild maned Uzumaki drone, "Oh honey, you could do so much better"
"Excuse me?" Yugao glared at the woman. "Relative of sensei or not, I will not let you insult my boyfriend"
"Only I can do that" Kushina added.
"I was talking to him" Lyn clarified, growing a smug grin at the look on their faces. "Dating a student of Kushina? Oh woo to the poor bastard"
"YOU WANNA GO?!" Kushina shot up, spreading her arms as if to say 'come at me, bitch'. "COME ON, I'LL KICK YOUR ASS!"
Lyn rose up to the challenge, "YOU AIN'T GO SHIT ON ME, PRINCESS!"
The two pounced at each other and began rolling on the ground, furniture and decorations falling as their fight escalated around the house.
"Um" Sakura mumbled in a frightened tone, "Isn't anyone gonna stop them?"
Kakashi didn't even look up from his now open book as she replied, "You want to get in the middle of that, be my guest" His pinkette student pondered for a moment, before conceding it probably wasn't worth her life.
Naruto had a clear moment of realization, "So, this is life now"
Karin leaned over to bury her head in Naruto's shoulder; "We're living in a madhouse."
"Yup..." He gave his cousin a half-hug
Soujiro only gave a blank look; "You get used to it."
XxX ~ xx ~ XxX
Finally after Kushina and Lyn were separated by Saito, Yugao, and Kya. The group settled down in the living room after eating talking amongst themselves. Ty Lee laid on Karin's lap purring loudly as the redhead petted her while Yasu rested on her shoulder.
Gamakichi sat on Naruto's head with Hien floating around them as the blond spoke to Soujiro with the others getting to know him. The Jinchuuriki tried not to judge, particularly a relative he just met but... oh boy, was Soujiro extremely passive. Naruto was pretty certain Soujiro couldn't speak more than words in a single sentence. Any questions he himself made were all related with training in some fashion.
Geez, only now did he start to realize that Soujiro hadn't had a proper upbringing. Spending all his life hiding, putting all his efforts into training and surviving, he barely had time to just have fun.
Well, starting tomorrow after training, Naruto determined himself to show him just how many awesome things there were to do in the village. Like pranking people, that never got old.
A sudden knock on the door brought silence to the otherwise lively house, his mother went to open it, and revealed Jiraiya standing on the other side.
"Well, now you show up" Kushina reprimanded him, placing her arms akimbo.
"Sorry about that" The old perv apologized. "I was... busy. There's somebody who wants to meet you" He nodded at some unseen figure next to him, and he stepped aside to let her through.
She was pretty, Naruto had to say, beautiful face and eyes, cool white hair with a touch of soft blue, great figure accentuated by a beautiful kimono held by an obi. But he couldn't help but wonder who this stranger was. The young woman looked at Kushina with something akin to longing, nostalgia and regret all mixed up into one, but there was also joy. Her eyes went over every redhead in the room (and him), taking in their sights and committing them to memory.
"Um, hello" She nervously started, "My name is Tomoe Gozen. I... am a friend of the dragon clan"
"Oh" Kushina blinked in surprise as many of their guests looked among themselves in confusion. "Nice to meet you then, I'm Kushina, and this is my family!" She happily waved her arm at the others, who simply waved at the white haired woman. "Except her" She deadpanned while pointing at Lyn, "She's just some hobo we took in out of pity"
"Fuck you!"
Kya put a hand on her girlfriend's shoulder before another brawl would ensue.
"Well hello there~" Samenosuke was up on his feet and in the blink of an eye stood before Tomoe, who eyed him curiously, "My name is Samenosuke, and might I say you are sight casted by the gods themselves" He put on his most winning smile, while everyone else rolled their eyes.
He thought he got lucky when she smiled back, "I'm not interested" Only for his hopes to crash and burn.
Samenosuke stood there frozen for a second before sighing and going back to his spot, "Swing and miss..."
"This happens to you often I take it?" Karin dryly asked.
"At least there wasn't any slapping this time"
"Before my clan scares you away" Kushina quickly brought things back on track, "Would you like to come in?" She politely asked, acting as a proper host.
"I'd like to but, I'm afraid I'm busy. I had other business to attend to, and there are more to be done before the night is even over" She said, though not tiredly nor resigned. "I just... wanted to meet you, if only for a moment. I wanted to see Shishou's descendants, know that her clan was alright"
Multiple eyes gazed at her in confusion, "What do you mean?" Lyn asked. "Who's your teacher? You know someone from our clan?"
"Indeed" The red eyed woman smiled fondly, "You all know her, my teacher is Tsukiko Uzumaki after all"
It was like someone had dumped a bucket of cold water on them.
"...What?" Kushina muttered in disbelief, shaking her head and pinching the bridge of her nose. "Wait, wait, and wait. That... doesn't really add up. For baachan to be your teacher, and how old you look…" Tsukiko-baachan would have to had taught this young woman when she was but a toddler.
"Either you are lying" Saito said in accusation, eyes narrowing at her. "Or you are not telling us the whole truth"
"I am neither lying, nor am I being completely honest with all of you" The white haired woman admitted. "But know I value shishou immensely, she's very dear to my heart"
"She never mentioned you..." Samenosuke muttered.
Tomoe shook her head, "I imagine there was much she didn't tell you. And I wish I could clear everything up, but right now is not the time. If you ever need anything, just ask the toads or the dragons for me" She pulled out a circular tile piece from her obi, and handed it to Jiraiya. She looked straight into his eyes as she grasped his hand and she placed the item on it. "Remember our talk and be ready, we must soon begin to act"
The Sannin gravely nodded, "I understand"
The onlookers could only watch in confusion.
Tomoe gave Kushina one last smile, "It was nice meeting you, I warms my heart knowing the Uzumaki clan will carry on" She let out a short melancholic laugh, "You're all so stubborn... but that's part of your charm" She lifted her fingers in a half seal, "We shall meet again"
Her entire form became ablaze, they had to shield their eyes from the sudden glare even as she disappeared amidst the flames that quickly died down, leaving not even a scorch mark on the floor.
For a moment, nobody said anything. Jiraiya stared intently at the item in his hand, a tile with a flower painted on. A lotus flower.
"Who was she?" Kushina finally asked him. "How did she know baachan, what the hell is going on?!"
"...You wouldn't believe me if I told you"
The night's mood changed from one of merriment to confusion, if only momentarily. More questions than answers were raised, and it was clear neither Jiraiya nor this Tomoe woman was saying anything at the moment.
Naruto didn't know what was going on, or what Jiraiya had gotten himself into. He just got the feeling the exams wouldn't be the only interesting event he'd and the others would go through.
XxX ~ xx ~ XxX ~ xx ~ XxX
"Tomoe Gozen is based on the character of the same name in Fate/Grand Order.
As a reminder, Maiyuri Sasaki, princess of the Land of Fire, is based after Okita Souji from the same franchise.
Kya Namikaze is based from Tia Harribel from Bleach.
Saito is based on Hajjme Saito from Rurouni Kenshin
And Lyn is based on Cis from the Animatrix movie shorts."
For those who wish to be in the know:
Next: Dragon Age Origins: Dovahkiin 'Two Chapters'
Then back to: Naruto: Shoton of Konoha 'Two Chapters'
Anbu Sennin: A Final Fantasy VII Story will be made in-between.
C-ya on the flip side!