Hey people!

Wow! Can't believe I crossed 50 follows! Thank you all so much!

As you already know, the disclaimer. I'm don't any of the characters, they belong to Masashi Kishimoto; just this single plot going on is from my imagination.

Now, let's continue with chapter 2 of the other side of the story!

Chapter 18: Karin, in the loop

Outside of Uzushiogakure no Sato

"Come on, Karin", Karin heard as she was brought back to reality. When she listened, she realised that Naruto who was still carrying her son Kaede and Ume held on to Naruto and Konohamaru's hands as they had moved a few steps ahead of her, towards the forest, along with Inari. She immediately caught up with them.

Karin still couldn't believe how different Naruto seemed now than when she had seen her with her friends back in Konoha and during the war. Naruto acted very maturely around her kids, more so in front of Ume-chan and Kaede-kun than Konohamaru. She relaxed a bit of her motherly instincts with Konohamaru. She also seemed to take an elder sister's role with the other boy who had come to drop them from Nami no Kuni, Inari.

It was extremely surprising to see this side of Naruto. It showed that she was opening up and being herself and not hiding behind a mask. It was still fresh in her mind, how she realised about her mask the same day she was given the offer to join her to head to Uzu.

~~Flashback~~

Konohagakure, 4 days before

Karin had just agreed to join Naruto on her return to Uzushio. It hit her then that Naruto had said that she would be going with her family. But from what she knew, Karin didn't recollect any family for the blonde on the other side of the room.

"You said family, Naruto-san", she started. "From what I remember, there are no more Uzumaki's here in this village. Also, I don't expect Konoha to allow Sasuke-kun to join you after all the things he did against this village".

Naruto remained silent for a few minutes before she said, "Come on. Let's inform Tsunade-bā first. Then, once we reach my house, I'll tell you what I meant by that."

Karin agreed and followed Naruto out of the cell and towards the Hokage tower. Once they reached what seemed like the Hokage's office, they both entered after a knock on the door and an approval.

"Ah! Naru-chan," Hokage-sama started. "So this girl agreed to join you, I see." Karin nodded her head. "Then I'll get the papers ready by tomorrow morning so that you all can leave without interference. You can collect it tomorrow morning at the west gate."

"Okay, Tsunade-bā-chan. We were planning on leaving early in the morning so that not many are out and find us. We'll meet you at six near the west gate then." Naruto agreed. "If there is nothing else bā-chan, we'll get going. She still needs to buy clothes and pack them."

Tsunade nodded in response. Karin and Naruto left the Hokage tower and headed to the village area. But before she left, she again transformed into a boy. Once they reached the commercial area, Karin bought clothes and other basic requirements with the help of Naruto and then they headed to Naruto's house. They both chatted throughout the time about general stuff and realised that they had some common Uzumaki likings such as Fūinjutsu and liked to eat a lot. Karin also told Naruto stories about Uzu that she had heard from her parents before they were murdered.

They stopped at Ichiraku's to pick up a huge quantity of parcelled Ramen of many varieties. Karin wondered why but didn't ask out loud. They again spoke and headed out. After some time, they crossed a bridge and reached an area that looked like a clan estate. Once they entered the place, Karin realised from the old signs that it was the Uchiha Clan estate.

They walked in silence until they reached the residential areas. They headed to the lone house that had its lights on. The rest of the estate was so quiet that anyone close by could have heard the sounds coming from the house. Karin thought five people were already inside the house since she could sense Chakra signatures.

When they entered the house, Naruto said, "Tadaime" and got a number of responses, "Okaerinasai".

Immediately a couple of footsteps could be heard coming to the two of them and someone shouting, "Be careful!". A young boy and a girl came first from upstairs. The boy had coffee brown hair and a blue scarf on his neck. He wore a light green shirt and brown pants. He had a Konoha Hitai-ate on his forehead and looked about thirteen or fourteen years of age. But what surprised Karin more was the girl who came behind him.

"Not fair, Kono-nī!", she said. She looked about ten or eleven. What was surprising to Karin was that she had bright red hair and bluish-purple eyes. She wore a chrome yellow kimono with a dark green tie-up. She looked perfectly like an Uzumaki. Karin had never heard that there were other Uzumaki's in this village. So she was shocked seeing the girl.

They both went and hugged Naruto and welcomed her home. The boy even took the bag with ramen from her. "Did either of you see who else is here?", Naruto asked. They both looked behind Naruto and saw her but before they said anything, a boy about four or five rushed down the stairs holding a sheet of paper. He ran to Naruto with excitement and screamed, "Kaa-chan" and jumping on Naruto. The boy had bright blonde hair similar to that of Naruto. He wore a blue shirt that matched his eyes and black shorts.

Naruto laughed and caught him. "Musuko! How are you? Did you enjoy your day today?", Naruto spoke.

Karin's mind seemed to have stopped working. The boy looked like a male version of Naruto and Naruto calling him son put her mind into over-drive. So much that she was startled when the older boy came to her and said, "Hello! You must be Karin-san. Welcome to our household. I'm Konohamaru Sarutobi.", he said. Then he pointed to the girl next to him and said, "And this is my Imōto, Ume-chan". He then tried to ruffle her hair. "No fair, Nīsan", said the upset girl.

"Now, now. Why don't both of you stop fighting? I got ramen for dinner, tonight", said Naruto who was still carrying the young boy in her arms. "Also, Kono-kun, why are you still in your shinobi gear? Go and change after you leave the food on the dining table", Naruto told the boy. "Hai!", said Konohamaru before running off.

Then the rest of them headed to the living room. Kakashi was sitting on the couch and giggling into his orange book. Naruto placed the boy down, went and snatched the book and spoke to him. "Now, Kashi-nī, what have I told you about reading this book inside the house? We can't have the three kids becoming perverted like you. Now you know your punishment". She said the last part with a grin which caused a shock to pass through Karin's spine. Kakashi Hatake looked at her and begged, "No! No! Naru-chan! I won't do it again! Give it back". But she threw it into the fireplace. Kakashi let out dramatic tears. "Serves him right", scoffed Naruto.

The other two kids started laughing before heading off into the kitchen. Another entered the living room. He had dark brown hair and work Konoha-shinobi clothes with a Chūnin vest. "Hello, you must be Karin-san. I'm Iruka Umino", he introduced himself. "Hey, Iruka-nī. Hope they didn't bother you too much today", said Naruto as she rubbed the back of her neck. Iruka seemed to nod it off and just said, "You both should change and come. I'll set up dinner".

Naruto nodded and took her to her room. She then handed Karin a kimono. "I think this will fit you for tonight. You can leave the clothes we bought for you for packing later. Also, I hope you don't mind, Kashi-nī and Ruka-nī will be staying with us tonight", she said.

"What about the others? Also, who was that Uzumaki? I never knew there was another Uzumaki in this village", Karin asked in a hurry to get answers.

"Eh!", Naruto started. She again rubbed the back of her neck before speaking. "You see, Ume-chan, the one you called Uzumaki and Kaede-kun, the younger boy….. They both are actually my children. That's why they are here. Then there is Kono-kun. He has stayed with us since even before Sasuke left the village. He considers the kids, his siblings. All this is a secret and very few people know of their existence and for the time being, I would like to keep it that way." She said the last part with a threatening tone under it.

Karin immediately nodded. Then Naruto left her to her own thoughts and left to go and refresh herself.

~~Flashback End~~

That night, after dinner, Naruto had explained everything to her in detail. Karin had assured her that she wouldn't tell anyone. She now truly understood how strong, a woman, Naruto truly had been.

Still lost in thought, she followed the others into the forest.

Huh... Another chapter is done.

Also, musuko means son. And imagine that Kaede looks like Naruto from the anime.

So, how was this chapter? Liked it? Hated it? Hopefully, not the latter.

Also, comment any other opinions as well!

'Til the next update, bye!