Note: A possible ending to Seaside Sibling Train, years in the future. Have at it, readers. Eli, this is for you.

Sparkle 8: A Seaside Future

The portal leading to Jack-nii wasn't that big. If anything, it felt similar to Obito's Kamui, but I made sure to stock up on some basic over-the-countertop medication for my motion sickness. Just in case.

Minato-san only gave me a simple look when opening it up with his fuinjutsu. "Are you sure about this, Tomoko-chan? Not telling anyone?"

"I…" The words were on the tip of my tongue, but I still took a breath to say them properly. I couldn't falter now. Even if it was in the face of the village leader and former Jounin who led my friends to some kind of victory. "Yes, I am. You do have full discretion to tell the former Team Minato if you feel it necessary, Hokage-sama, but I do need some time away. Mama and Papa already know what I'm doing."

The Fourth was still giving me that same disbelieving stare. "Tomoko-chan…"

"Really, I'll be okay, Minato-san." I smiled, jostling my bag all the while. My hair was brushing my back, almost itchy, but I ignored it. I could handle it later. "I just need a break from ninja things. And, to be honest, I feel like only Jack-nii can give that right now."

Minato-san closed his eyes. "It's not because of Kei and Kakashi, is it?"

LUB-DUB. The thudding of my heart was still painful against my ribs.

"…What do you think, Hokage-sama?" I said instead, as coolly as I could.

Minato-san shook his head, opening his eyes to look at me with a stare that I knew was both sympathetic and hard, like the father he already was to Naruto and Tatsumaki. "Tomoko-chan. You're not alone. You can talk to them."

It was an idea. I was able to do it before. But…

LUB-DUB.

I instinctively reached out and gripped my Wayfinder necklace, even if it was nestled away in my dress pocket, nodding. The metal was still comforting, even now. "I-I know, Minato-san, I know. I just feel like the happy couple needs some time to themselves. That's it."

They don't need you anymore, that same bit of darkness muttered in the back of my brain.

I shook my head instinctively. That same thought. That same anxiousness. I was tired of it. I was tired of it showing up when I saw Kei and Kakashi together.

With you speaking like that, there's no way I can be around them like this.

Even then, he wasn't buying it. It felt like he knew. Hell, he was the Fourth Hokage. I wouldn't be surprised if he knew. Hisako would probably call it. If she was still here. "Tomoko-chan—"

"Hokage-sama," I interrupted, closing my eyes and ducking my head. My hair was a good enough curtain to hide the start of tears. "Don't say anymore. I know. Please."

A moment of silence passed. All that really echoed in the office was the whirring of the portal before Minato-san let out a soft sigh. "Alright," he said, with a tone of finality to it. "Just, I ask this alone: come back soon and talk to them."

A true smile was already forming on my face as I made eye contact with him. "I know, and I will. Thank you, Hokage-sama. For going with my selfish request."

Minato-san simply shook his head, smiling back at me. "It's no problem. Have a safe trip, Tomoko-chan."

I made sure to give him a hug before jumping through the portal.

The New World didn't seem like it had changed much in my absence. But once I had gotten over the urge to vomit, I looked around. Minato-san had put a Hiraishin marker on Nii so long ago, so he should've been around—

"Tomo?"

I knew that voice. It was a bit older, wiser, but I knew that voice.

I swiveled my head around to make eye contact with surprised, warm brown eyes. "My baby!" My now older, beard-covered Marine caretaker yelled, extending his arms towards me. "Tomo!"

The same ahoge, the same voice. It was Nii.

Still. All that was going through my head was: He got taller and more muscular; What has he been eating to get that buff; and Ohmigod, Jack-nii has a beard, what did I miss?

Then it all changed to happiness. True, genuine, untainted happiness. "H-Hi, Jack-nii." Without even thinking, I was running right into his hug, squeezing as hard as I could to take in his presence for the first time in what felt like forever. Jack-nii didn't seem to mind, judging by his humming above my head all the while. His grip was definitely tighter from what I could remember, along with the added scritch-scratch of his beard on top of my head, but it was still warm and Nii. "I missed you."

The urge to cry was already coming over me as Jack-nii rocked me back and forth in the hug, as if I was a little girl all over again. As if nothing had changed. "I missed you too, sweetheart," he murmured into my hair, pressing a kiss to the top of my head all the while. "What have you been up to?"

"Piano," I choked out softly, because holy shit did I miss him, why did I even leave. "Helping Kei and the others. A-And, um. I-I was hoping to ask you something. Even though it's been a while."

Nii was already pulling away to place his hands on my shoulders, smiling softly in that warm Nii way. "What is it, Tomo?"

I tried not to fidget and looked away instead, because the love in his eyes was unmistakable. The darkness was already starting to come back with the doubt, because I didn't deserve that love. I didn't deserve Nii. It had been years, and yet he was still accepting me. Just, just—

Why?

Jack-nii inclined his head, kneeling down somewhat to meet my eyes. "Tomo?"

"N-Nii…" I choked it out as calmly as I could, trying not to let my voice crack."C-Could I stay with you for a little while? I-If that's that okay?"

I couldn't cry now. Not in front of him.

"Oh, Tomo… My baby…" Still, Nii was giving me those same understanding eyes before nodding, pulling me into a tighter hug. My ribs clattered painfully from the grip, but for once, my heart felt light in my chest. It was Nii. It was still Jack-nii. "Of course you can stay. C'mon, I'll take you to Mom. She's missed you too."

For once since my friends started pairing up amongst themselves, I finally felt at home.