Hey!

I'm back, as usual. So, I still have an idea of making short stories and one-shots for this story attached to this. Do let me know your opinions. Now, the normal.

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

Also, this chapter is dedicated to all those readers who have been frustrated and waiting for so many chapters to see the first meeting between the Rookie group and Naruto's children.

So now, finally, here's the chapter...

Chapter 27: The Uzumaki-Namikaze Family

Uzushiogakure no Sato

Naruto chuckled at the everyday antics of her youngest son. She put him on her hip and ruffled his hair.

"Did you see who are all here?", she asked.

Curiously, he lifted his head and looked behind from Naruto's shoulder. He spotted Iruka and jumped off Naruto and ran to Iruka. "Ruka-oji!", he screamed as he jumped on Iruka. Iruka just laughed and caught him. "Hey there, Kiddo. You've grown taller since the last I saw you." "I missed you Oji!", he said and the kid hugged Iruka tight. "Missed you too, Kiddo".

The others were just silent and trying to absorb the new face in the room. He acted like how Naruto used to when she had first joined the academy. Even almost looked like that same boyish Naruto. Finally, Neji took the first step. "Hey there, Kaede-kun", he said. "Hey, Neji-oji!", replied Kaede, still in Iruka's arms.

"Musuko, where are you Aneki, Aniki and Inari-kun?", Naruto interrupted.

"Nē-chan is in the library and Nī-chan is in the training room, kaa-chan", replied Kaede. "Inari-nī is in his room."

Naruto nodded. "Everyone, meet Kaede, my youngest", she said facing everyone else. Kaede shyly looked up at everyone and said "Hi" before hiding in Iruka's chest. Iruka, Naruto and Neji laughed a bit at his shy behaviour.

"Come on guys, I'll show you all the rooms so that you can change and freshen up. You can also take a shower since you have travelled a lot today. You can come back here once you are done", said Naruto while pointing to a room on the right before guiding them upstairs. In the first floor, they saw a whole set of rooms, about nine doors. "'Ruka-nī, Sasu-nī, you both better take one of the three which are empty in this floor since you'll be staying here permanently. They are the ones without any nameplates at the front." Those two nodded and went ahead along with Kaede in Iruka's arms. Naruto guided the rest to the next floor. This time, there were about twelve rooms. "You all can take whichever room you want. Take your time. Even I need to go and find those kids. Come down once you guys are done." Then she left them to their thoughts.

Naruto went into her room to change into a light blue kimono and headed to get her older kids. Then she started off on the dinner preparation, Konohamaru and Ume soon joined her to help. Kaede as well came into the kitchen and started telling about Iruka to the others.

"So kaa-chan, how do you think everyone will react when they realise you've adopted me?", asked Konohamaru with a smirk. "Asuma-oji said that he didn't tell anyone other than Kurenai-oba. So both have kept the secret".

"I'm sure everyone will be happy, Kono-kun. Bā-chan told me that she has told them that I've taken care of you since you were two. Especially Ruka-nī and Sasu-nī as they have seen me with you from the start."

At the mention of Sasuke, both Konohamaru and Ume's faces turned red. They were angry at how he, their supposed uncle and Ume's godfather, had turned his back and broken their kaa-chan's heart. "Let it go Kono-kun, Ume-chan. I'm sure he has heard enough from everyone back in Konoha. He would have understood. He even looked guilty. Plus, he is your Oji. So try to forgive him", stated Naruto as she saw their looks.

"But Kaa-chan…", Kono started. "No but's. At least try. For me, please. I don't want a fight starting inside this house", added Naruto. Reluctantly, both nodded. Then they all went back to preparing the dinner for everyone. Naruto sent Kaede to get Inari as well.

By the time the others started to come down, Inari and Kaede had helped in arranging the dining table and the other three had finished making miso soup and sukiyaki and arranging that on the table as well. The group entered the huge dining room to the delicious smell of the foods made.

Some of them gasped at the sight of the food. "Naruto, you should have asked for help! You didn't have to make this all on your own!", stated Sakura. "No worries, Sakura. I didn't make this on my own. The midgets helped. It was no worry".

"No fair! I'm almost your height!" With that comment, they finally noticed the other two in the back. Konohamaru looked the same as the last time they had seen him. The only difference was his clothing. He was in nightwear pyjamas instead of the goofy outfit he used to wear in Konoha. "Hey, guys! How are you all?", he responded awkwardly.

Right next to him was a beautiful red-haired girl with the most beautiful eyes. "Hi! My name is Ume! Nice meeting you all after so long", she said. Naruto gave an encouraging smile.

Both Iruka and Neji greeted them back. Iruka even went to hug her and Konohamaru which they gladly accepted. Sasuke felt guilt gnaw at him. He was seeing his nephew and niece that he had helped raise for the first half of their lives. He could see how amazing and strong they had turned out after he had left. Naruto truly had done a splendid job in raising all three of them. He hid behind everyone in the back as he couldn't look at them in their eyes due to his mistakes. He knew that he'd have to talk to them soon as he would be staying with them now on.

Everyone proceeded to sit down and have dinner. "This is delicious Naruto", commented Choji. Other had to agree. Her cooking was splendid. They all asked questions to the Uzumaki-Namikaze family. Even after knowing about Naruto's kids, it was still hard for them to actually come to terms with reality. But they could surely see the motherly and mature side of Naruto, that she used to hide in Konoha, now.

During dinner, Naruto also announced Konohamaru's adoption and people couldn't have been happier. From all that they had heard, Naruto had practically raised him. So it was only justified to have that made legal as well. There were hugs and exchanges.

Finally, after some time, Naruto forced everyone to an early bed since they would have been tired and also since it was the kids' usual sleep time. Everyone went to bed with satisfaction to have met and been accepted by Naruto. Almost everyone. There still remained one person. The so-called elder brother of Naruto was still guilt-ridden and so couldn't get a wink of sleep.

After hours of trying, Sasuke finally got up from his bed and left the room. He explored the pathways in the house before finally arriving at the top floor which had an opening to the outside room. He has a silhouette that he immediately recognised. So, taking a final deep breath, he went to face his worst nightmare of rejection and the guilt that was eating up his mind.

Yup. I'm stopping here... You'll have to wait for Chapter 28 to actually see the actual encounter. But do feel free to guess it and let me know how you think it'll happen!

Also, thank you all for the follows, fav and support! Do review and let me know how you feel about the story!

See you all in the next chapter, Bye!