WHAT'S THIS? An update? Wow! I thought I'd never get around to it…

Anyways, apologies for the waiting. I kept putting things off and writing this story is one of them. But I've got around to planning the plot in a bit more detail.

On another note, I'm using HybridTrash13's timeline. Their rough plans can be seen on their AO3 under the same user, if you're curious…

Also, I'm happy that ya'll are liking this…I guess? I mean, it's a first for me. I'm not very experienced in the SI-OC area or, really, the adding-another-character area…

Original chapter word count: 7k~

Recommended songs: ? idk.

Enjoj! :3

Chapter 6: Dubious Grackles

"Dovresti mangia merde e morire."

Minato looked up at me, his frown very confused and his face almost scrunching as he tried to understand my Italian. He had been skinning a deer for venison and just deer hide in general (along with some bones), and he wouldn't let me do anything. It could've been because I broke some ribs, sustained a minor concussion, a large cut and multiple burns but still…

"I'm sorry, what?" he questioned me.

Anybody would say what to that language in this place. I told him to eat shit and die in one swing. Today was not my day, and it was clear. Nor was yesterday. Yesterday was probably one of my grey days though. I destroyed a valuable route for the enemy, according to Satur, and killed many jōnin and chūnin, and learned that Sakumo was alive—but Kushina looked like she was about to destroy me.

And so did Sakumo.

I didn't know why (a total lie). It might have been because of my recklessness. Honestly, I probably would have died if Minato hadn't teleported in—or whatever he did—when he did. I mean it's not the first time but I've never gotten close to death. But I've never really been saved by a stranger before…so I guess that's a plus to my list of "new things I've tried in this ridiculous new universe".

"Um…earth to Haruto?"

I blinked and stared at him. "Can I carry the hide?"

Minato seemed to be the only one who was…semi-okay with my actions. I found that to be relieving. I didn't really enjoy it when people jumped my ass for answers.

So…I guess I was feeling a bit more comfortable around him…which was odd. The last time I got comfortable around someone so quickly was…well, at this point, almost twenty years.

Kushina and Sakumo, on the other hand, were fucking the bees that buzzed in your ear. Are you okay Haruto; why'd you do it Haruto; what were you thinking Haruto; why'd you take such a dangerous solo mission Haruto; how are your brothers Haruto; are you in pain Haruto; Haruto, please be careful; Haruto, don't strain yourself; Haruto, I swear to the gods above, don't move.

Minato sighed and stood up. "Are you sure you're up to it?"

I glared, crossing my arms. "Never mind, carry it yourself," I growled. What an onager—an ass. With a huff, I spun on my heels. "I will set some traps."

Minato aggravates the fuck outta me now. Fucker. I wasn't sure why (lies) I felt so irritated. It might be because of Sakumo and Kushina. I didn't appreciate worry at this level.

I have my reasons and all…I'm rather closed off from everything else and I preferred it to stay that way. Opening up was something I refused to do. No word in the world could change it. It kinda made my last life chaotic.

This one…this one was getting to be okay, despite the tragedies.

"Hold on, Haruto!" Minato called.

I looked over my shoulder to him. "What?"

He sighed and stood up, brushing himself clean. "You…can help," he said. "I just don't want you to hurt yourself."

I rolled my eyes but didn't go against the offer. He handed me three small layers of deer fur, freshly skinned, but he hadn't given me anything else. I followed him back to the cave camp we had been staying in, man-made but sturdy, and well hidden under a big ass tree of the large ass forest a few miles from Kannabi. It was still burning, and the fire wasn't stopping. Nobody was there to contain it; they all died or didn't really have the means to.

"Are we gonna do anything about the fire?" I asked.

Minato frowned. "I…don't actually know," he replied. "It could cover things more smoothly. A random wild fire starts and destroys the Kannabi! It definitely wouldn't give Ōnoki a second chance to start a fourth war. Kannabi has been illegal Iwa territory for the longest of times. To see it burn in a…natural fire would be amazing."

"Wouldn't they have the brains to figure out that there's a point of origin?" I questioned. "Or that the bridge didn't collapse from burnt wood?"

"Iwa forensics are crappy," he pointed out. "In fact, rumor has it that they don't even exist anymore. I do believe that Konoha is the only village who still teaches forensics to her shinobi. You were in that new advanced encore class, right? Didn't they teach you about or of that?"

"It was an optional course taken over the breaks," I explained. "It never really interested me. Forensics…isn't really my style. I'm more of a ranged combating, or maybe a sniper…a possible close-combat specialist. Honestly, I haven't decided on my sole talent…" I shrugged. "I'm mixed. That's what I've been told by the results."

"You should really listen to what you want," Minato stated quickly. His face instantly went red with sheepishness as I looked at him. It sounded almost…instinctive. He actually seemed more surprised by it.

I smiled. "I will," I said. "Tou-san told me the same thing, too."

"Good to hear that. I don't like that part of the new curriculum. The results tell you what to do," he grumbled. "I'm definitely changing that when I become Hokage."

I blinked and looked at him. "Hokage," I repeated flatly.

He nodded sheepishly. "Yeah, it's a bit of a dream," he said. "I've had it for some time."

I snorted. "Just like my brothers," I grumbled.

Minato raised an eyebrow at me.

"They've got the same exact thing in mind," I said. "I woke up one day hearing them screaming at each other over who would become Hokage first. They even went as far as betting their favorite wooden weapons on who would become the Yondaime."

He chuckled. "Who do you think will make it?"

I rolled my eyes. "I made my own bet and said that I'd make it before them," I replied. "It probably won't happen. I'm not interested in it."

"I heard that most kids around your age would kill for the position," Minato said.

"Too much hard work," I pointed out. I shrugged. "Honestly, I've seen doses of it up close and personal. It's not pretty."

Minato smirked. "Naturally," he agreed. "But I'd still go for it."

I just rolled my eyes, because I didn't understand why and where I didn't understand I struggled in engaging the conversation.

"You made the bet, though," he suddenly pointed out. "I'm sure you'll make it. Just not to Yondaime, that title is mine."

I rolled my eyes again. Yeah. Sure. I'll make it. But then what? What makes a Hokage? Is the position just a leadership figure or someone with actual power? If you become Hokage, what does that make you? Being a leader and having chakra and ninja skills can't be it all. Leaders take a stand, scout into Hell and make it out alive—and the skills of a shinobi just make the chances higher, lethal or full of total annihilation.

So, what makes a Hokage? What makes being a Hokage so damn inspiring? Everybody wanted the title. Even some of the civilians. Even Sakumo. Hell, even Kakashi!

Why is it so special?

"You okay?" Minato chimed. "You look like you're contemplating life and death."

"Minato," I said. "What does it mean to be Hokage?"

He instantly stopped dead in his tracks and stared at the ground intensely, obviously deep in thought. I stopped as well and stared at his custard colored hair that clashed uniquely with his damn blue eyes.

He frowned and looked up at me. "…I…I'll have to think about that," he replied slowly.

"Okay, but will I get my answer?" I asked.

He just nodded, and we restarted our walk in a thoughtful silence…because, truthfully, being a leader with ninja arts up a sleeve couldn't be all.

"You two took your time," Kushina commented as both Minato and I slid carefully and awkwardly back into the cave. She crossed her arms. "Haruto—"

"Yeah, yeah," I grumbled with an eye roll. "I'm fine."

Kushina sighed. "Can I at least check up on your wounds?" she asked. "I want to make sure that you didn't overdo it."

I nodded, handing over the hide to Minato. I walked up to to her, sat down, and let her do her work. The soft buzz of the healing technique sounded in my ears at a consistent rate, while Minato laid the hide out to dry. I honestly didn't think that it had much value; I never really saw animal furs on the market for sale. When I did, they were sold quickly. The same went for claws and bones.

It was intriguing. But it was a question for another time.

"What do you think the Hokage will say?" Kushina asked as she wrapped things up.

"Dunno," I replied. "He could be angry for all I know. His reactions are too mixed to predict." Kinda. Hiruzen would take this with a cool head and when he notices the changes in Iwa's supply system, which he's likely had sharp, but distant eyes, on, basically disappear, he may as well make the connections.

I won't say I know how he'll react; he isn't the type to do it on the spot. But I had an idea.

"He'll be glad that you're alive," Sakumo chimed. "And if your actions change the war any, you might just get a promotion."

I blinked and looked at him. "You think so?"

"I've worked under and around Hokage-sama long enough to know that, with these types of things, he'd take it well."

I smiled a little at that, nodding with appreciation towards Hiruzen despite the fact that he wasn't here. I looked at them all again. "When will we be leaving?"

"Tomorrow morning at the ass crack of dawn," Kushina replied. She sighed and brushed her hands off, finished with her checkup on me. "That fire won't be stopping. I saw smoke clouds overhead when I went to patrol. It's coming our way and fast."

"So why tomorrow?"

"I want you to get one more full night of sleep before we leave dattebane," she explained with a short voice. She gave me a stern look. "And, yes, you're fine but I don't want Sakumo's bank to go dry with medical bills."

I gave a ticked smile and chuckled. "Okay."

"Now get some rest, yeah? I'll make something to eat."

"No, no," Sakumo interjected. "Last time you cooked you almost burned the place down. Minato, you can cook."

Kushina just glared and Minato looked a little bit flustered. I just chuckled and sat down, watching the scene as a red-faced Minato worked under the glare of an irritated Kushina.

The morning coolness was soothing. But it made my ribs ache.

Since my leg had been injured I couldn't exactly join everyone on the expedition of tree-hopping back. That was fine. It was fun and unique as a whole, but it required work—especially when the shinobi do it. It could be a chakra thing or a biological thing, but they can jump really fuckin' high. From the ground to the roof or the grass to the trees; didn't really matter, they just couldn't go any further than fifteen to forty meters—depending on the skill level, that is.

Minato allowed me to ride on his back the whole way, and Sakumo was on his own—with assistance, of course. We had to take many short mini breaks for medical checkups and just for the sake of resting. It slowed us down ridiculously though. Every time we woke up at the ass crack of dawn the smell of burning wood would be alarmingly strong. I noticed that many animals with scorched fur or actual burns were retreating in their same direction, and at one point when I looked up I saw a large cloud of smoke.

But that was put behind us the instant we finished going through the field. A road was found, one fresh with the marks of a carriage and people who decided to take to their feet. It wasn't really taken into account by the others; but one of the prints were bare. Not very suspicious. Hardly suspicious at all, actually. A lot of the poor villagers didn't have shoes, and their struggle wasn't really paid attention to. They held no significance in a lot of shinobi lives.

"Can we stop in a little bit?" Sakumo suddenly asked. He let go of a breath of much needed relief. "I…I'm feeling tired."

Kushina drew herself close to him, nodding in concern. I just glanced at my adoptive father of this world before looking back to the freshly printed set of the barren feet.

"What do you see?" Minato asked, turning his face towards me a little. I was still riding on his back, my arms limply hanging around his neck, my head above his.

I just spared a glance before turning my eyes back to the trail. "Foot prints," I replied. "Fresh ones, too. If we keep going at this pace we'll see them."

"Sharp eye you got there," he commented.

I scoffed but smirked. "I see what you did there," I grumbled mirthfully.

"To be honest, I've always wanted to say that to an Uchiha."

"Oh, well then I guess wishes do come true! Who'd you give the succ to?"

"The…the what?"

I just laughed breathlessly, but stopped with a grunt because ow, my ribs.

"I told you not to laugh dattebane," Kushina chided.

I gave a pout. "Of course, mother."

"Here—let's stop here," the older red head said. She stepped off to the side, allowing Sakumo to sit on a rock. I got off of Minato's back, stretching myself out a little. I looked at Sakumo, who sounded relieved for every breath that he released.

I almost frowned at that, but honestly, he was almost forty years old and injured pretty badly. Not to mention the fact that he was walking. But I wasn't. And I knew that I needed to move and walk around some. "Can I go ahead a little bit?" I asked. "I've got some energy stored in me."

Sakumo looked to Kushina, who looked at Sakumo but when eye contact was made she sighed. Her pale blue eyes looked at me, scanning and judging. "I-I guess it's fine…but Minato should go with you. We can't be too split up 'ttebane."

"Yessir," I said almost dutifully, but it was more in a "respectful mockery" way. "Okay, let's get goin' custard boy! I wanna see where those footprints go."

He rolled his eyes. "Yes, of course you do."

I just grinned, and we started walking in the same direction as the foot prints. It was skidding in, and out, since the dirt wasn't totally cooperative, but it was still trackable. They didn't last very long, either. As a matter of fact, the prints lasted for another minute or so of walking before the origin was found.

It was a young man, dressed in a belted tunic and ragged quarter pants, collapsed face first on the cold, mildly muddy dirt road. His pretty blue eyes were still open, but they were clouded over and looking at nothing. His hair was, also, the exact same custard yellow as Minato's, his skin was fair, he was battered up pretty badly and his cheeks each had three bloody slices to resemble animal whiskers.

"He looks like you," I commented casually.

"I don't have any family if that's what you're wondering," he deadpanned. He sighed, crouching next to the man to feel for a pulse. But then his face became sad and twisted. "He's dead."

"Can…can you flip him over? I don't really like how he died. It just feels dishonorable. Y'know what I mean?"

Minato gave a small nod and flipped his fuckin' doppelgänger over. His front side was slashed and bloody, and he looked like he had been…tortured.

Odd. I didn't spot a single drop of blood on his trail.

The living custard cringed. "He took a beating."

I nodded grimly. Probably because he was a beggar, or for owing money if he went bankrupt. I looked at Minato. "I didn't see any blood, though."

"On his trail?"

"Yeah. Now there's a mutilated murder victim covered in slashes and bleeding out." I crossed my arms, careful with my ribs. "Do you have oNe of those corpse scroll things with you? I really don't want to leave him…here."

He gave me a certain look. "It's a bit risky, Haruto. I'm not sure if it's okay."

"Well you're planning on becoming Hokage, aren't you?" I looked back at him straight in his eyes when he nodded slowly. "Then everyday will be a risk you stupid moron. One more can test you, can't it? Besides, I'd feel too guilty to just…leave him here. You never know what can happen out here in these wilds."

"Haruto—"

"Let's at least honor him. Please? It may be risky but risks are tests and if you aren't willing to take it you won't be able to evaluate your worth." I snorted. "Get 'er goin', Hokage-sama."

His jaw clicked shut. He still didn't look totally convinced, but the instant he looked away and shuffled on his feet in his crouched position I knew he was swayed just enough to do it. "Okay, okay…fine." He sighed heavily and loudly, pulling out a scroll and spreading it out next to the body. He performed those neat little hand seals for jutsu, and in a glowing flash, they body was sealed into the black hole of the fūinjutsu sign. "There, it's finished. You feel any better?"

I smiled, letting go of my tension as he rolled it up and handed it to me. "Thank you…" I mumbled absently.

He pushed himself up and brushed his legs free of any dirt. "Yeah. No problem."

"I never really thought of you as the persuaded type," I commented as we made our way back towards the other two waiting for us in a slow, steady walk. "You come across as headstrong. Was that a favor, or something?"

His face got a little red. "W-well—I-I kinda bought it when you said we could honor him…" he murmured sheepishly. "I-I mean—well. I…I've left some dead teammates behind. W-we've worked closely together for quite some time so it was…difficult—to…to do it. I felt like I disrespected them." He shrugged. "I don't know if you can relate or anything…"

"No. Well—no. But some of the missions I've taken made me feel disrespectful," I stated. "Sabotage and under-handed things aren't really my style. I don't hide things at all."

"I'm sure you've lied before."

"Yeah but not in general."

"What about your team mates? Are they…still, uhm, alive?"

I shook my head. "No. Almost everybody died before we could even take up our first field mission. A few D-ranks was all the time we spent together. Our first C-rank mission totally annihilated my team. Escorts can go so wrong so fast, y'know?"

He face became tight. "I'm sorry for your loss."

"It's not like I made much of a bond with them," I grumbled. "My sensei fell into a comatose state. He's…he's probably not gonna make it. He's getting to be an old man. About as old as Sandaime. I think."

"I think I'll visit him," Minato stated as Kushina and Sakumo came into view. "Who is it?"

"His name's Uchiha Kagami."

"Kagami?"

"Yeah. You know—an Uchiha. Rare to see those."

"Oh…no, it's just that he was Danzō's team mate. I haven't heard anything from Kagami-san for a solid decade."

I narrowed my eyes as I looked at Minato. "…You are stalking him. God, you're such a creep you squirt of mustard."

Kushina burst in laughter the instant my sentence was finished, making her hold herself to prevent her body from falling over. Sakumo was chuckling, and his face just got so red that I joined in on the cheerful mirth. But I didn't laugh as hard as Sakumo or Kushina, I kept it within the circle of giggles and chuckles to prevent myself from hurting.

"Ahh, Minato you got burned dattebane!" Kushina cried out in laughter. "By a ten year old, too!"

His face got hotter with embarrassment, obviously flustered and trying to defend himself. But nobody was convinced and in the end, he gave up.

I grinned at him evilly when he gave me a playfully light-hearted glare once the fits of laughter ended.

"Alright, let's get going," Sakumo spoke. "We can't stay here forever. Konoha is still a long ways away."

I nodded, and Minato allowed me to climb onto his back for a ride again.

"Oh, what's in the scroll?" Kushina chimed when she spotted it in my hand.

"The footprints we followed ended with a corpse," I replied. "He died probably a half an hour ago, or within that time frame. I couldn't just leave him there."

Sakumo ruffled my messily spiked head of red hair and smiled proudly. "That's my girl," he praised. I smiled at him, glad to impress, and happy to know that it was done with approval because it made me feel a bit more…human, I guess, because behind a lot of my words was an underlying meaning or an ugly truth.

Honoring the dead…well, to be honest, that had to be the only send of justice and honor left in me. I've honored my dead enemies and family, along with any friends that died from sicknesses or guns…becuase it didn't feel right otherwise.

I sighed and buried my face in Minato's shoulder. "I'm so tired…" I grumbled.

"You can sleep," Minato said. "You need your rest."

"Uh-huh," I hummed. The scroll was taken from me, but I didn't really care. I really did feel tired, and I knew I was gonna be bored the rest of the way.

So I fell asleep, and dreamt up nothing but a comforting darkness that cradled my consciousness.

"You're back."

I looked at the gate guards and smiled. "Yeah."

She smiled at me. "Good to see you again. I was honestly kind of worried…and so were some others. Your brothers are included. Obito-chan came out a few times asking if you were back."

I smiled back. "Sounds like something he would do," I said.

The brunette then looked at Sakumo. Her eyes widened a little. "Literally everybody knows you're dead," she stated. "A funeral was meant to take place the instant Haruto returned."

He gave a strained smile, pained and tired and feeling it. "It's understandable. The camp was burning, and I was in the middle of it all. I would've thought myself dead as well, but Lady Luck is feeling generous it seems," he replied. "May we gain entrance? My injuries haven't fully healed and I would like to see everyone again."

She snapped out of her surprise and nodded dutifully. She signed all of us in confidentially, and with certification, we entered the village. I started walking again on my own, albeit with a heavy limp but that was fine. Minato seemed relieved at the very least. Some people were staring at Sakumo, all in shock, or awe, or…disdain…what the fuck?

I heard whispers and gossip-sounding murmurs and the instant it started so did that annoying buzzing. The hum of emotion made it difficult to suppress restlessness. I got twitchy very fast and there was that stupid sense of a feeling I was getting. It was very strong, very mixed, and it choked me up and made me fee…small, weak.

"Haruto, are you okay?" Minato asked quietly. We were kind of hanging back, out of ear shot from a casual chat being shared between my adoptive father and my friendly neighborhood babysitter.

I nodded, but I didn't say anything back immediately. "…Yeah…I guess. Everybody's staring, though, and it's giving me really…bad…vibes."

"At your father, you mean."

"Yeah. It's logical to stare, I mean his…death was almost notorious to us all, but they're staring in a way that makes it seem like they're disappointed," I pointed out. I narrowed my eyes. "They…hate him. Do you know anything about this, yellow boy?"

"No…"

I glared at him. "You're a terrible liar."

"What? I'm not lying! I swear, I don't know anything. You should really ask him yourself."

I snorted. "Yeah. As if he'll say anything. He'll tell a half-assed truth and lay me off for months."

"It…could be to protect you."

"I don't need protecting."

"You should accept it, at the very least."

"Yeah but I'm not okay with the lying."

Minato sighed shortly, scratching his head with a scrunched frown. "You sure do have a lot of…that in you," he said.

"All arguments happen to make the rival accept it by shoving it down their throat," I pointed out absently. I spotted a man sneering as he glanced over his shoulder to Sakumo behind his back. "Rolling over and accepting the facts makes it seem too easy. Aggravates people to no end. It's actually kind of provocative."

"You certainly know what you're doing."

"I don't actually. I just do…like, a lot. I've found that I'm a bit of an evil, manipulative overlord with a manipulative god complex," I explained dramatically. He raised an eyebrow at me and I grinned. "I'm joking."

"Uh-huh." He chuckled. "So, where to?"

"Where to what?"

"To the hospital, your brothers, or the Hokage?"

"Brothers, hospital, and then Hokage." I looked at him. "Why ask?"

"Kushina wants me to accompany you. So does Sakumo. They seem…worried, and I'm doubting it's because of your injuries. You've stated and proven more than a few times that you were fine," Minato explained. He frowned ahead at them. "What did you do?"

"Well I did blow up a bridge and destroy a lot of forestry," I pointed out in a whisper loud enough to overcome the busy marketing district. "And I'm doing fine."

"That's true. It's not weighing you down, though, is it?"

"No, not really. Honestly, it's just a bridge. There's a whole lot more out there, y'know," I said. "Hey, tou-san."

He looked at me. "Yes?"

"Is it okay if I go to Kushina's to see Kakashi and Obito?"

"Of course. I'll be reporting to Hokage-sama."

"'Kay, I'll see you later," I said. I waved my farewell to him, and both Custard and I took a turn into a sub-street towards Kushina's home. But I could feel his eyes linger on me. I sighed and scoffed a little.

"He's your father, let him worry about your psychology," Minato chided gently.

"Yes, he is, but I do enjoy my bubble. And it's one big bubble," I shot back. "Worrying violates that bubble."

"Why?" His head ripped a little and his face brightened with curiosity.

I gave him a glare, but the curiosity was still there and the buzzing was back. I clicked my tongue and crossed my arms. "I don't like it," I replied. "It's too…squishy."

"Squishy?" Minato echoed in amusement. He laughed and patted my head. "That's an odd way to explain it."

"What? I can't find any other way to word it!" I rolled my eyes. "I mean, I get worrying, it just doesn't sit well with me." Because why would anyone want to worry about someone like me?

"That's a new thing," Custard stated. "I don't think I've ever heard anyone, especially someone within your age range, say that worrying about some loved one doesn't sit well with them."

I huffed, keeping the intake small and the sharpness evident. "You learn something new everyday, yeah?" I shot back. I looked at Minato. "Hey, how'd you meet Kushina?"

"W-what? Where did that come from…?"

"I'm just curious. You two looked like you were really good friends," I said with a hint of a tease.

"Well…yeah, we are. We aren't dating, though," he stated. "I'm not looking for a relationship. Not right now at least."

"So…you're thinking about it."

"No! No, no…" He shook his head, face red and body language flustered. "B-but she is nice, and I do think she's fallen or falling for me…"

"Lucky you. She really is a great person," I said.

"Yeah, but…" He sighed. "The feeling doesn't feel…mutual. It just doesn't feel right."

"Oh…" I sighed and nodded my understanding. "Instinctual, are you?"

"I guess…there's been this voice in my head, telling me that she isn't the right one for me."

"Ha, yeah. That sounds like a trip," I said. But then I frowned. "It sounds difficult."

Minato nodded grimly. "She's too great for a broken heart."

"Well, I mean…you could try distancing yourself from that kind of relationship," I advised. "I've picked up some things from some old friends, too, so…if you need help I'm all ears and advice."

"Haruto you're ten."

"And livin' the dream!"

Minato smirked and rolled his eyes. "I'm sixteen, it would hurt my feelings."

I rolled my eyes back. "You men and your stupid egos…"

"Indeed."

"Oh, look, there's that turn that gets us closer to Kushina's house," I said right as I turned down an alleyway, stepping in front of him and making him trip over himself a little.

"Really?" He straightened up and glared, though he was smiling.

I grinned evilly, laughing a little as I continued walking. "Come on, you narcissi."

He just huffed and followed, which busted another huff of laughter from me, and the rest of the way was filled with idle chat I haven't had in a long time.

The house was dark and empty when we arrived, and there was a note on the door. I flipped it open, and sighed. "They're going to the gate."

Minato chuckled.

"Think we should stay and wait?"

He nodded and sat down in the doorstep. "Yeah. You also need to sit down and rest."

I just blinked and sat down next to him, ignoring the incoming headache as I settled down. I slouched and put my arms on my knees, settling my chin down with a tired sigh.

"Um…how are you doing?" Minato suddenly asked.

"What are you talking about?"

"Well…I-I mean, your mother died…and for a while there everybody, including Kushina and myself, thought Sakumo was dead too. That's gotta be a big face slapper," he pointed out almost timidly.

"…I think just one of those silent grievers," I said. "You know, take it all in and move on dry-eyed."

He remained quiet.

"But it did feel like a long-term disaster crashing down on us all," I went on. "I honestly didn't know what to do, or…how to do it. So I guess I'm kinda compromising myself."

Minato rubbed my back, gentle with my injuries and clear with the intent of comfort. "You've made it this far, though," he pointed out. "Has it happened before? With your team, I mean."

"Probably."

"Probably?"

"I don't really recall," I grumbled. That was a total lie, though. I remembered it clearly. I hadn't been around them enough to actually care, so when they died…well, it was easy to admit that a small piece of me died a little because my teammates died too young but their significance was irrelevant to me.

"You probably blocked it, then," Minato said as he pulled his arm away. "That means you just cared that much."

I blinked, but I didn't continue the conversation. I highly doubted it. The chances were…too small. I wouldn't have accepted those chances anyway, which makes it practically non-existent to me.

So Minato was wrong.

"You'll do fine, though. But…you're lucky," he said. "At least you have parents."

"…You're an orphan?" I asked, looking at him in surprise. He seemed like the type to be surrounded by family.

"I don't remember my parents very well. They died when I was young," Minato explained. "When I was…three, maybe."

I nodded, but I didn't say anything. I ran my fingers through the hairs on the sides of my head, staring out at the relatively calm street of Kushina's neighborhood. The midday sun was slowly becoming the evening sun, reaching the horizon at a slow rate.

Staring reminded me of Saturn. I should probably talk to it tomorrow. Or whenever possible. My goal was change, and the bridge exploding was most definitely a change…maybe. I don't know what kind of change it'd be, but it'll be a change. Consulting with Everything's older sibling needed to be done.

"Is that them?"

I looked up and at the direction Minato was pointing towards. I smiled a little and nodded stiffly, because they were running, and the instant I stood up they were shouting in glee. Both Kakashi and Obito practically ran me over, their arms tightly wrapped around my stomach and their faces buried into my clothing. Obito was an absolute sobbing mess, and Kakashi kept on telling me about how stupid I was—and, honestly, it sounded more like he was complaining.

I laughed. "Alright, alright! Calm down, my two lovely otouto. I'm fine, and I'm alive," I said. Kakashi looked up at me in a glare mixed with relief. I smiled and patted the silver hairs that stuck up soothingly. "I've got some good news, too."

"W-what kind?" Kakashi mumbled disbelievingly.

I pinched his masked cheek. "You'll see," I replied. "I have to stop by the hospital first."

"What? Why?" They both looked up at me with dark, worried eyes that I just grinned down at.

"Just some minor injuries," I explained. "I wanted to consult with a doctor to see how they're healing. That's all."

"Nee-san, who's that?" Obito whispered, pointing a frail finger at Minato. The yellow-haired shinobi waved almost shyly, standing up with a small smile.

"Oh, that? That, my dear little brothers, is a squirt of mustard." Minato looked sheepish, which made me laugh. "I'm kidding. That's Minato. He's a fellow racer for the title of Hokage."

Obito instantly became enthralled, and glared. But he hid behind me. "He's not gonna beat me," he growled.

I laughed again. "Of course," I agreed. "But I'll beat all three of you."

"That's laughable," Kakashi grumbled, and he pulled away. But his head was bowed.

I ran my fingers through his hair, but they got stuck and his eye twitched under the shadow of his own face. "Someone needs a shower and a hairdresser," I teased.

He pulled my hand out. "N-no I don't," he murmured sheepishly.

I just chuckled. "Let's get going," I said. "We can all walk and talk, can't we?"

Kakashi blinked and looked up at me, his mind and eyes distant. "Huh? Oh…yeah. Sure…"

Obito, on the other hand, was an eager ball of sunshine. He nodded rapidly, and with Minato following, we made way to the hospital.

When I finished up, I left with good scores, a crutch, and some orders for rest. From there, we walked to the Hokage's office at the academy.

I was slower than I would've liked to be, but honestly the pace was decent enough for a chat.

They kept complaining about how Kushina wasn't there and that they had to eat noodles and dango all week.

But…overall, the two did seem to be doing a bit better. I guess staying at Kushina's helped take their minds off of Sakumo and Ren…the reminders were limited and almost nonexistent there. As a matter of fact, Sakumo never really took the family there at all. He let Kushina keep it as her personal sanctuary. But there were times when Kakashi and Obito had to stay the night at her house. This included stormy nights. Especially the stormy nights, actually.

"Race ya to the academy!" Obito suddenly exclaimed, and he bolted.

Kakashi plawfully glared, and started sprinting after his dark-haired brother.

Minato smiled in amusement. "They're surprisingly energetic."

"I hoped they would be," I replied. "Otherwise I would be concerned about them."

"I'm guessing they took the news hard," he said.

I nodded somberly, and the buzzing sound suddenly started back up. "You guessed right. I sent them to Kushina's for that exact same reason," I explained. "Limited the reminders."

"That's bothering me."

I looked at him with a guarded expression. "What is?"

"You leaving them like that," he stated. "Why would you do such a thing?"

I wanted to say that I knew what I was doing. But nowadays I could barely scrape half of an idea off the ground. I was walking around, blind, never truly starting this—this mission, or crusade, or whatever it was that Saturn assigned to me a few years back. The Kannabi Bridge didn't feel like a start. It just felt like I accomplished another means to an end of this damn war. It was probably something short-termed—something ephemeral—that'll die with history.

So I just shook my head with a frown, turning into the courtyard of the academy. "I couldn't do much else for them," I explained quietly. "And I knew that Kushina would provide a healthier distraction. I just didn't know that she was out on a mission. Otherwise I would've waited."

"O…onee-chan…c-can we come with you?" Obito asked breathlessly.

I looked at him as we entered the courtyard. His face was red and he was panting heavily. I chuckled. "No," I said mirthfully. "Go ahead and wait out here. I have a surprise that needs to be prepared anyways, so you best not come in. Okay?"

"What kind of surprise is it?" Obito chirped. Kakashi had sat up, quiet and interested.

I grinned. "The surprise kind," I replied. "Now stay there. We'll be right back."

Obito gave a pouting face, but sat down and rested to catch his breath. Kakashi, on the other hand, was just sitting there half-winded and unfazed.

Minato and I stepped into the academy, walking through the halls in silence. But then the silence disappeared when the stupid custard started asking me questions again.

"What made you think that you couldn't do much else for your brothers?" he asked, almost sounding surprised.

And here I thought he wasn't nosy at all. I swung my crutch outwards and hit him in the ankle—where it probably hurt most, because tears of pain were leaking from his eyes as he cried out in surprise. "Sorry, my hand slipped," I said dryly.

He glowered at me. "That hurt," he whined.

"Yes, yes. Your tears of miserable torture and pain tell me that," I snapped sarcastically.

"Why can't you just answer my question?" he half complained. The other half was a whining bitch ass pussy. "It was pretty simple—ow!"

"Sorry, my hand is really slippery today! Maybe you should stand clear of it, and find some custard to hide in!"

"My hair isn't custard."

"Yes, of course. I was completely wrong. It's the color of a lemon." I glared at him. "Do you know what lemons do? They make you sour. Your hair makes me sour."

He gave me a frown that was confused just as much as it was amused and mirthful. "That—"

"Makes so much sense that you can't comprehend the sense thus it makes no sense to you," I interrupted loudly. I kept my glare on him, pinning him down and giving him the case of nerves. "Now stop pestering me."

He gave me a nervous chuckle and smile, and we stopped talking. But the air changed when the door came into view, and a simple knock allowed us entry.

Inside the office, Sakumo was sitting in a chair. But Kushina was standing, posture elegant and respectful with her shoulders square and her arms at her side. But they did turn to look at her. They were all stiff stares, and even stiffer body languages.

And they were all zoned in on me. Minato was totally ignored, even though he was the one to enter first, to open and close the door and to move the most.

I gave a nervous smile and bowed awkwardly. "Um, did…did I do something wrong…?" I asked hesitantly. Hiruzen's burning stare was grating on my nerves. Not to mention, the buzzing was slowly escalating to a pitched buzz. What came with it was suspicion—alarm, and…fear. And the fear was reflecting on me, too. What was so suspicious and alarming that made the Hokage of all people feel such a combination?

"…Haruto," the Sandaime spoke bluntly. "You're suspended."