I do not own Naruto. But you knew that. At least, I hope you did…

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Chapter Three

Children

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"…alright, Kashi." Tsunade sighed, "What did you do?"

"Ummm, I got your scrolls and herbs?" Kakashi offered sheepishly, proffering a sealing scroll which Tsunade accepted. "I also… kind of escorted some refugees to the village. They'll need some medical exams soon, some of them have odd Kekkai Genkais. That's why they asked me to help them."

"You escorted refugees from the Land of Water… just how many refugees are you talking about?"

"Meh, about a hundred or so." Kakashi shrugged. "Mainly women and children, but there were some ninja amongst them. They helped me guard them, you know."

Tsunade facepalmed, then looked at the two young children and a lady standing behind Kakashi. One of the children was a Kaguya, identifiable by the two red spots on his forehead whilst the other was a child of similar age and indeterminate gender with silky black hair.

"And the two children are?"

Kakashi glanced back as if he'd forgotten about them. "Oh, the children! This one is Kaguya Kimimaro, his clan had imprisoned him because he was showing the strongest Kekkai Genkai they had seen and they wanted to turn him into a weapon, so I sort of liberated him along with some of his clan's scrolls and brought him with me. And the other boy is Yuki Haku, and this is his mother Yuki Haruko. His dad tried to kill him when he used Hyouton, I was in the area and managed to rescue them both and promised them a new life… when Haruko learned who you were, she asked if she could work for you and since you mentioned that we could always use another med-nin trainee…"

Kakashi trailed off and rubbed the back of his head while Tsunade facepalmed.

"Only you, Kashi, only you…" She sighed, then she shrugged and stepped back, waving for everyone to enter. "Well, come in and welcome."

Haku and Haruko looked at each other and then Haruko led her son in while Kimimaro stayed by Kakashi's side until the taller ninja gently nudged him forwards.

"So, where's… whoah! Gotcha!"

Kakashi grabbed the speeding Naruto up off the floor and knelt down to balance him on his knee as Kimimaro and Haku watched with curiosity.

"Got away from Shizune again, did you? Kimimaro, this is Ruto. He's now your new little brother, alright?"

Kimimaro cocked his head in thought, then carefully reached out, smiling as Naruto promptly latched onto his finger.

"Hello… otouto…"

Haku joined them and Naruto promptly reached out with his other hand. Haku giggled as his finger was captured as well.

"Well, I guess that Ruto just got himself a new brother and a cousin." Kakashi half-joked and Tsunade sighed.

"Okay, Kashi, you're in charge of the brats while I talk to Haruko."

"Of course." Kakashi smiled as he stood up. "Come on, let's go to the kitchen and grab some food. I know that you're hungry after all that walking and then we'll get your hair sorted and a Senju mask, shall we, little bro?"

Kimimaro smiled up at Kakashi.

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Hakoru sat down on the chair that Tsunade indicated, twitching her brown kimono back into position as it tried to ride up, then she gratefully accepted the cup of tea handed to her by Shizune. Tsunade sat down behind her desk and pushed the small pile of paperwork to one side before accepting her own tea.

"So, Yuki Haruko, was it?"

At Haruko's nod, Tsunade continued. "I assume that you have the Hyouton Kekkai Genkai like your son? Excellent, there have been many times that I have wished for more ice than I had available at the time."

Haruko looked surprised and Tsunade used her cup to hide her amusement.

"This isn't the Land of Water, Haruko-san. I'm originally from Konohagakure, where they almost have a fetish for collecting and promoting bloodlimits. Now, I have no objection to you staying here, but there will be a few stipulations."

Haruko swallowed and Tsunade held up a finger.

"One, you will learn at least basic first aid, as will your son as he grows older. Even if it's only enough to keep someone alive until I or another full med-nin can get there."

"I… can agree to that." Haruko said quietly.

"Two," Continued Tsunade, "You will write down any and all Hyouton jutsu you know on scrolls that will be placed in a special section of the library under a seal that only a Hyouton user can open. There are already a couple of ice-type jutsu in the library that you may want to learn, assuming that you don't know them already. Just ask Shizune what system we use there, she'll explain it to you.

"Three. You will learn some chakra-control exercises. At the very least, tree- and water-walking. They will come in useful and Shizune or Kashi can easily help you with them."

"Four, you will help with the chores. We won't demand you take over running the House, only help out with the things you are best at or enjoy. I will ask that you help to look after Ruto, though. Little Gaki has way too much energy."

"I'd like that." Haruko demurred with a soft smile on her face. "I always wanted another child, but I was scared because of my bloodline."

"Word of warning," Tsunade smiled, "Ruto's probably got your son wrapped round his little finger by now. Little tyke's cute as anything and uses it to get out of trouble."

"How old is he?" Haruko asked curiously.

"Almost a year old." Tsunade said with a gentle smile. "Yours?"

"Four." Haruko said with a matching smile and Tsunade stood, extending her hand.

"Welcome to the Clinic Of The Waves, Yuki Haruko."

"Thank you." Haruko replied softly, also rising and clasping Tsunade's hand.

"Shizune will show you to your and Haku's rooms so you can get settled in, then she'll give you a quick tour. I have to finish this damned paperwork."

Smirking, Shizune stepped forwards and guided Haruko out of the office while Tsunade flopped back into her seat, scowling at the piles of paper before her.

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"…and this is the playroom." Shizune said as she slid the door open. "It opens onto the garden and is generally where Ruto spends the day when he's not charging around the mansion likea blond hurricane."

Haruko giggled at the description as she followed Shizune into the toy-strewn room, then she stared at the sight before them. Kakashi gaze a lazy wave from the comfortable chair by the large window where he was sat reading a scroll while in the corner, Haku, Kimimaru and Naruto were all curled up together in a happy jumble of arms and legs on a futon in the corner.

"Ruto managed to exhaust them both," Kakashi explained quietly, "So I suggested that they had a little nap. Once they'd settled down, they dropped right off."

Shizune returned her camera to her pocket with a smile as she looked at the young trio.

"If I had any doubts, they're gone now." Haruko whispered. "I haven't seen Haku-kun look this happy in months."

"Looks like they're best friends already." Shizune whispered back.

"He'll be overjoyed to learn we're staying." Haruko replied. "So, what needs doing?"

"Well," Kakashi said, standing up and rolling the scroll up, "If you could take over watching them, I probably need to go down to the village. I noticed that we probably need more fish for tonights tea as well as some more Sake for kaasan."

"Of course." Haruko smiled, moving to the vacated seat and settling into it, her eyes carefully watching the three children for any sign of anything being wrong.

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"Urgh, what a day." Tsunade moaned as she accepted the cup being pressed into her hands. Taking a sip, she froze, her eyes wide, then she stared at the green liquid.

"Wow! This is… wow."

"Thank you." Haruko said as she passed a second cup to Shizune who sipped it appreciatively. "I made some food as well, I've already fed the children. Kashi's watching over them now."

Tsunade shook her head with a grin. "You know, hiring you was probably one of the best decisions I ever made."

Haruko blushed slightly, then quickly vanished from the room, reappearing with a tray of food that she placed on the desk in front of Tsunade.

"Eat up, you need to keep your strength."

Tsunade smiled as she picked up the chopsticks and selected the first bit of sushi. Lifting it to her mouth, she bit into it, then closed her eyes in bliss.

"Mmmmmmmm, this is amazing."

"Thank you." Haruko smiled. "Your sons helped me to make it. And they helped to clean up afterwards."

Tsunade paused for several seconds, then shrugged slightly and helped herself to another serving.

"So, are you enjoying it here? If not…"

"It's wonderful." Haruko interrupted, a soft smile on her face. "Three children to help raise without worrying about their bloodlimits putting them in danger? It's almost like paradise."

Tsunade and Shizune exchanged glances, then Tsunade grinned.

"Be careful what you say, I might ask you to start up a daycare center. You'd have to deal with dozens of hypeactive brats."

Haruko smiled beatifically at the thought, causing Tsunade to sigh and Shizune to look thoughtful.