The Next Day

Naruto feels something warm against his chest as his eyes flutter open and immediately blushes finally seeing his cousin snuggle further into him with his arm loosely around her side. Out of instinct, he pulls her in closer much to his confusion but he doesn't question it noting how her head fits perfectly under his chin even though they were almost the same height. He shakes the thought away, remembering that Karin was his direct cousin; information that he now finally knows thanks to Ero-Sennin. He gently lifts her off of him, careful not to wake her and goes to get himself ready for the day. Just as he stands up, the sound of his guardian's flute playing begins to echo through the house which in turns, causes Karin to awake.

"Mmmh...Naruto?"

The blonde couldn't help but smile seeing Karin, her eyes not fully open yet as she was still half-asleep struggling to sit up, "Time for brushing our teeth & morning stretches."

She groans in response, obviously not in the mood but a familiar voice speaks up, her body responding at full attention.

"Afterwards, we need to talk."

The Uzumaki kids turn to see their guardian standing at the stairway, wearing one of her usual athletic outfits; this time it was her a black knotted, long sleeved crop top over a forest leaved-patterned comfort bra and matching leggings that sat snugly above the hips finished with black aerobics shoes on her feet.

"Good morning kids, after the usual routine we will need to talk about what you guys learned yesterday from Jiraiya-sama."

They nodded solemnly and watched as she left first, her ponytail swishing as she walked to the fitness room.

"Hey Naruto?"

"Yeah?"

"Any idea what time she came home yesterday?"

Naruto shrugs, turning to face his cousin and stretching out his hand to help her out of the sofa, "Don't worry about it Karin, she probably was busy with work or something."

Karin says nothing letting Naruto help her, but she knew what she saw. Peaking out from the neck of her guardian's shirt, was a hickey.

Did Onee-sama have a boyfriend?

At that moment, Kakashi sneezed causing Sasuke who was sitting across from him to look on in disgust.

"At least you had the decency to turn from the table..."

Kakashi rolls his good eye before reaching out for the onigri when Sasuke glares at him, telling him to wash his hands and mouth.

"I wear a mask Sasuke"

"Even more so, who knows how much germs is in there."

Kakashi did not miss the twinkle in the boy's eye, "Still curious about what I look like huh?"

"Hn"

Kakashi couldn't help but smile, Sasuke really did have a cute side to him, noting his cheeks turning slightly pink from embarrassment.

Ino groaned, she just had a really long talk with both her parents this morning over breakfast, it was embarrassing and absolute torture for her face as they gave her the talk, she half-thought she was going to faint from shame.

She rubs at her temples, feeling a migraine coming on. She wondered if Karin-san's talks with Mashiro-san was more comfortable. Suddenly, she remembered the idea she had last night, making her grin.

Let's do this!

"So, how are all of you feeling?" Rina asks her wards as she mixes the pancake batter.

Naruto turned to look at Karin who was still drying her hair after their respective showers from this morning's family stretch and pool workout.

"Guys? Did something happen?"

Rina turns to look at them, looking flawless as ever in her ivory-tone silk robe.

"Onee-sama" Karin began, adjusting her towel over her shoulder.

"We only have one question"

The older kuniochi nods before Naruto attempted to ask the question, "W-why do you care about us? I m-mean not that we are not g-grateful but y-you know, Pervy Sage told us you approached him to tell us everything but how did you know that he knew? Like you must have known something about the Uzumaki clan right?"

Rina smiles softly, resisting the urge to hug her ward because he was a blushing stuttering mess moments before. She folds her arms in front of her chest ignoring the face that Naruto asked more than one question, "To answer that, I will need to tell you all my full name which is one secret that has never been documented or said out loud since my parent's death."

Naruto's eyes widened and Karin adjusted her glasses, curious.

"Both of you, swear on your family name that this information never leaves this room."

They nod their heads, wondering what would make them swear to great secrecy.

"Irina Uzumaki Mashiro"

"NANIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIII?!"

Rina laughs, unable to help it, seeing the baffled looks on her wards' faces, "My mother was an Uzumaki but just like your mothers, became a refugee after the village's land became barren. Maybe one day, we could-"

Before she could finish what she was saying, her kids ran to her and each hugged a leg, crying much to her surprise.

"Karin? Naruto?"

The two continued to sob and unable to decipher what the kids were trying to say through all the sniffles and tears, she knelt down and hugged them tight.
"I brought you two together under my guardianship because we are family. Naruto, you needed a home and someone to watch over you and Karin you needed the support of a someone who truly cares about you. I love you both very much. I have never thought I could be this happy till the two of you became part of my world."

"We love you too Nee-chan/Onee-sama."

Rina smiles and kisses them both on the foreheads before hugging them again. Those two kids were oh so precious to her.

Kiba grinned and high-fived Chouji. The Konoha 12 minus Team 7 were gathered at Training Ground 27 and Ino had just told them her idea. Much to her delight, everyone agreed with the plan.

Shikamaru yawns, knowing that organizing the party will be a drag, "I'm providing location. The Naras have an infertile land near our forest that we use for our own special training area. We could use that but I need to ask my Dad first."

Chouji gave a thumbs up in approval, "My Dad & I will provide food."

"I will do invitations!" announces Ino proudly.

Tenten stands, excited, "Team 9 will handle the decorations."

"That means, we Team 8 are left with entertainment." Shino adds in, his sunglasses glistening under the sun.

"Alright then, let's-"

"Hold it Ino" cuts in Kiba, raising his hand. "I don't think we should invite Sasuke to this party."

There were soft mumbles of agreement among the group even Sakura's name was mentioned thanks to Tenten because she dislikes how Sakura treats Naruto and since no one seemed to object except for Lee because he wants to be nice to everybody; Ino was about to verbally agree but Hinata spoke up.

"Sasuke-kun has had it rough since he came back to the village and Naruto-kun bears no ill will against him. I don't think Naruto-kun will like it."

Kiba growls unhappily, disagreeing, "Sasuke is bastard! He does not deserve pity! He could have actually killed Naruto!"

"But Sasuke-kun has been shown mercy!"

"It is because of him all us were in the hospital Hinata-chan! Or did you forget?"

The Hyuuga closes her mouth and turns away, not knowing what else she could say causing Ino to sigh.

"Look, Rina-san seems like a fair lady, since we are throwing the party for her and her wards, I think she would appreciate the presence of her new team anyway."

Shikamaru shakes his head, "What makes you think Sasuke will even show up?"

The blonde Yamanaka shrugs, "Hey, nobody knows what that broody bastard is thinking. I'll pass him an invitation regardless and if he shows up we just won't let him be a buzzkill okay?"

Akamaru barks in distaste and Kiba just deadpans.

He hopes the Uchiha doesn't come to the party at all.