Author's note: Hello everyone, I know I am a few days late, but here is the next chapter of the story. I am creating a poll as this chapter goes up and will leave it open for three chapters so please vote. Also, keep an eye out on my Forum for updates on the story.

Chapter IV: Explanation and Embarrassment

Last time:

"Lady Tsunade, if you are his grandmother, then who was his grandfather?" Shizune asked looking straight into her master's widening eyes.

The question suddenly seemed to remind everyone about the situation and Naruto separated somewhat from Tsunade so he could ask questions as well. This was an important topic for the boy, and if he got even this much he would be happy. However, he knew he would one day want to learn about his parents and figure out what had happened and hear all their stories.

While Naruto got ready, the others were reviewing the conversation so far in their thoughts. Naruto was a Senju-Uzumaki and who knew what else was yet to be revealed. They also hoped that whoever it was had a good excuse for leaving Naruto alone.

Tsunade knew this day was coming, from the second she learned of Naruto being alive. She knew that she would have a lot of explaining to do, but she wasn't alone. She smiled and said, "Well Naruto-kun, you're grandfather is nonother than my teammate Jiraiya." When she said that everyone snapped to the Toad Sage, though they were all surprised, Shizune was the most shocked. She had been with Lady Tsunade since her uncle, Dan Kato died. However, even though they had been together for a long time, her master never told her about who was the father. She remembered all the times Jiraiya had been rejected from Tsunade and was confused by how this man was the father. For a time she thought her uncle had been the father, though she knew that couldn't be, the boy had been born long before the two started dating.

"Lady Tsunade, when did you two...umm...get together?" Shizune asked she decided to ask the question that many close enough to know the secret thought.

"Well, when we were younger Jiraiya had finally calmed down a bit with his obnoxious actions and-" Tsunade started just to be interrupted.

"Hey!" Jiraiya cut in his right eyebrow twitching before sighing and nodding for her to continue.

"Well, before I was rudely interrupted," Tsunade said before glaring lightly at Jiraiya. She continued by saying, "When he toned down his exuberant nature, we explored our friendship and eventually started dating. Near the end, we weren't exactly thinking straight and we ended up having our son. We were so young and scared, Jiraiya ran from the situation and it took a while before we reunited, by that time I had started dating another man who our son acknowledged as his stepfather." Tsunade explained, she wanted everyone to understand, they lived in more turbulent times and with all the pain, dealing with spies, invasions, the fall of Uzushiogakure, and many deaths including that of her younger brother Nawaki and her lover Dan. She had held a grudge for a long time but got over it and they recovered their close friendship as Jiraiya got the opportunity to be in his son's life.

The listeners were not sure what to think about the situation after all Jiraiya earned a lot of respect from the refugees. He had saved them and during their travels, they learned quite a bit about the Toad Sage. To Hinata and Naruto who learned about the two sages in class quite recently, they were completely surprised. They never heard of Tsunade having a child, only hearing about her being a master of medical jutsu. So the fact that Jiraiya had run away and abandoned his family left a bitter taste. Suddenly and unprompted a voice caught everyone's attention.

"It was a mistake and though like Tsunade said I did get the opportunity to raise my son together with Tsunade. I lost so much time with both of them, and when Dan died, I only was just able to keep Tsunade in the village with our son and me. Eventually, our son and his future wife were old enough and started their life together, so I went to strengthen my spy network and Tsunade and Shizune left on their journey. It's all in the past, though I know we will talk about this again in the future." Jiraiya said to help the group come to terms with the issue. Now though he needed to explain why they were not with Naruto until now.

"Listen Naruto-kun," Jiraiya started and made sure he still had his grandchild's attention. Happy that he could see those blue eyes he continued by saying, "When you were born I was on a mission to investigate rumors on Iwagakure, The Village Hidden by Rocks, was building their forces. They were the force we clashed with the most during the Third Shinobi World War, they harbor a grudge against your father so I felt I needed to check out the rumors. However, when I got a letter by a monkey sent to me by my sensei, the Third Hokage, I quickly made my way back. The letter had told me that my son, his wife, and you were killed by the Kyubi who went on a rampage and killed many people, civilian and shinobi alike. When I got here I found nothing except death and destruction, when I saw the graves of those I loved and no proof that you were alive, I left to protect the village from outside and get distance from the pain clutching my heart."

As Jiraiya finished speaking, tears had pooled in his eyes, all the time he had missed out on with his family brought forward recently buried his usual playful nature and he wanted to be there for his grandchild's life. He knew that if he had been there during the attack, things might have been different and continued to blame himself. However he now wanted to comfort and teach the boy everything he knew, so nothing could ever happen to him. The group sympathized for the man, they felt great sadness for not only his loss but Naruto's and Tsunade's as well. After all the mist refugees Gengetsu, Katsumi, Shingetsu, and Hikari all lost things in the purge. Shizune couldn't help but tear up as well, She knew how much Naruto's parents wanted him and she felt close to the couple. That along with her mistress's losses were the reason they spent so long away from the village in the first place, she didn't blame her mistress for it, though the drinking and gambling still irked her. Hinata lost her mother and she felt sympathy for those around her. While still quite innocent to the ways of the world, it was the loss of her mother that changed her world so she could only imagine what it did to those around her.

Naruto however just bowed his head against his grandmother's shoulder and felt tears spring to his eyes. He wouldn't cry and couldn't allow himself to, however, he felt dismayed that his parents were dead and his grandparents had been away. Still, he understood why they were away and he knew he couldn't blame them, but he wanted to know who lied to them and he wanted nothing more than to have them around now. So when he felt he could speak he said, "I-I understand why you both have been away, but please...don't leave me alone!" Naruto pleaded and it broke the hearts of those around him.

Tsunade tightened her hold on her grandson and nodded into his hair saying, "We will never leave you Naruto-kun. Though we may be called on missions or for other purposes, we will be here. Right Jiraiya?" Tsunade reassured Naruto as well as asking Jiraiya who came forward and patted the boys back.

"Of course, we have much to teach you and beside all that, we have a lot of time to make up for. You couldn't get rid of us even if you asked." Jiraiya joked while promising to bring a true smile on Naruto's face and making those around feeling awkward in being witnesses for this.

"By the way, Lady Tsunade, Lord Jiraiya where will Naruto-kun be staying now?" Katsumi decided to interject, she had been wondering about that since the topic was broached. She at first figured that Naruto would live with the Uzumaki clan in their part of the compound. Now though she wanted Naruto to live with his grandparents and could only hope he would.

"Well, it is up to Naruto-kun," Tsunade replied looking at Katsumi before turning to her grandson and asking, "Naruto-kun, where would you rather live, with the rest of the Uzumaki or with your grandparents and family in the Senju compound? Either way, you choose, we won't leave you or be upset and you also know that you wouldn't be far from your other family." Tsunade asked Naruto, and desperately hoped he chose the Senju compound.

Naruto smiled, knowing the answer was easy if his answer wouldn't hurt his family, and answered by saying, "With you of course Baa-chan". His answer made everyone happy, he would move in with the Senju and get to be near his family.

Hikari looked to her right side and watched Shingetsu smile before stepping forward. She wondered what he was going to say, so far the conversation had focused on Naruto's grandparents and his new living situation. What else could they have to talk about? She had no idea, however, she figured that her best friend had a few things to ask their new friend.

"Naruto, I am happy for you my friend," Shingetsu said drawing Naruto's attention to him and that of the others.

"Thank you Shingetsu, I hope we will get to train together still," Naruto said while smiling. He got out of his grandmother's arms, much to her disappointment, and offered his hand for Shingetsu to shake.

"I'd like that," Shingetsu said and instead of taking the handshake like expected, he grabbed Naruto's arm which made said boy grab Shingetsu's arm. Seeing Naruto's confusion to the odd gesture, Shingetsu smiled and said, "This is a different way to shake, one that is often shared with close allies or those considered brothers."

This surprised the others, The Leaf Shinobi and Hinata that he knew of this and the rest were surprised that he would do such a thing, they had just met after all. Hikari though surprised knew something was up, Shingetsu was someone she knew like she knew her name. He wasn't one to be emotional and was quite logical, he didn't bond easily with others and knew that he had been dreading being in this village. She was worried but hopeful that this would be a wonderful start to their new lives.

"Really?" Naruto asked his tone excited and happy.

"Yes it is an old practice, but one I find important. Naruto I have some news to share with you" Shingetsu said, making everyone even more curious.

"What is it?" Naruto asked and looked between Shingetsu and the approaching Hikari.

"You see, I am part Uzumaki as well. My great grandmother had been the one who leads the Uzumaki to Kirigakure." Shingetsu confesses to Naruto.

"What?!" Naruto exclaimed, looking at his friend who stood in front of him, he wasn't expecting that,

"So, you're like me?" Tsunade asked Shingetsu curiously before looking between Katsumi and Gengetsu. She was trying to figure out which one the Uzumaki blood came from.

"Yes he is, Shingetsu's father Gengetsu-sama is a quarter Uzumaki. However, the Clan itself sees their family as belonging to both clans equally." Hikari answered when she reached Shingetsu and smiled at Shingetsu.

"Why didn't you say anything earlier?" Hinata asked standing with the group now as well.

"I was debating on it, you see there have been people claiming to be an Uzumaki before and we needed to know whether it was true or not. However now we know because we did learn about Lady Tsunade back in Kirigakure and learned she was part Uzumaki as well so...I figured it would be ok to say now...right?" Shingetsu asked with no confidence, he had been thinking about it for a while after all and doubt crept into his thoughts.

"Yes son, that is fine," Gengetsu said reassuring his son, he now turned to the two sannin and smiled. He knew it was getting late and both groups had a busy day for tomorrow and so he said, "Well you four have to get Naruto-kun and Hinata-chan home and we need to get back and find our spots in the tent tonight. So we'll meet up here at five am?" He asked the two sannin.

"You're right, we have an early start tomorrow and we have to make a training schedule for the kids anyway," Jiraiya said agreeing to the idea.

"We'll meet you here at five am." Tsunade reinforced and shook hands with Gengetsu and Katsumi before moving towards the kids.

"T-Tsunade-sama, would you mind if I come along as well?" Hinata asked she wanted to spend more time with her friends. She was a little worried she wouldn't be able to though, she also wanted to train with them but decided to ask at a later point.

"Yes you can Hinata-chan, just make sure to be ready to leave and we will pick you up at your clan's compound," Tsunade answered the girl before turning to her grandson. She smiled and said, "Come on Naruto-kun, we need to get you and Hinata-chan home."

"Yes, Baa-chan," Naruto said and grabbed her hand while smiling. He looked to his new friends and said, "I'll see you two tomorrow. Goodnight."

"Goodnight Naruto-kun, Hinata-chan, Tsunade-sama, Jiraiya-sama, and Shizune-sama," Hikari said before bowing and then waited for Shingetsu to say his goodbyes before they left for the tent.

"Goodnight everyone, be ready for tomorrow. After the academy training begins." Shingetsu said and bowed following Hikari's example and walked away with her and his parents.

"They are good kids," Jiraiya remarked as he started walking away with Tsunade, Naruto, Shizune, and Hinata.

"Yes, they are, though they still have a way to go before they can feel safe again," Tsunade responded.

Morning at the Hokage's office

Tsunade, Jiraiya, Gengetsu, Raiden, and several others stood outside the Hokage's office at eight am. They all had agreed to meet here last night and decided to use the three hours before the meeting to introduce each other and get to know each other. The kids were included and when the time passed, they were sent to the academy. Tsunade smiles thinking of all that has happened in the last twelve hours. Last night after leaving Training Ground Four, they walked Hinata home and once that was done, they went to Naruto's apartment and gathered all his belongings. Though the two sannin were angry at how run down the building was, they knew it was now in the past and took Naruto to the Senju compound. The next morning was very amusing.

Flashback That Morning

Tsunade, Jiraiya, Shizune, and Naruto picked up Hinata and met with the various clan or family heads of the refugees and of course with a blushing Shingetsu and Hikari. Though Shingetsu seemed to actively trying to ignore everyone around him, while Hikari was listening to Katsumi who was chatting with her animatedly. Tsunade could practically taste the potential to tease Shingetsu, who over the whole time they traveled seemed to not have many if any weak points to tease.

"What's going on here?" Tsunade asked once she reached the group, causing everyone's attention to go to Tsunade's group, except Shingetsu who wasn't going to give them any satisfaction.

"N-nothing L-Lady Tsunade," Hikari said quickly, though perhaps too quickly because Katsumi who had been grinning eerily for the past few hours jumped in before she or Shingetsu could explain it away.

"Now now Hikari-chan, no need to lie." Katsumi scolded in a teasing tone causing Hikari to look at Katsumi with eyes that seem to plead for her to stop teasing them. Oh, how she loved her reactions, although her son was trying admirably, she could see his blush from nearly behind the boy and the laughter from the clan and family heads behind them didn't help.

"So? Don't keep me waiting for Katsumi-chan," Tsunade asked again.

"Lady Tsunade, maybe you shouldn't tease them?" Shizune asked though she was curious about what was going on.

"Come off it Shizune, you are just as curious as I am. I can tell Hinata-chan wants to know as well." Tsunade said making both girls squeak at being caught.

"Why are Shingetsu and Hikari blushing?" Naruto asked he didn't understand the social queues yet though. Jiraiya laughed remembering a time he was as dense as his grandson.

"Naruto-kun, these two are embarrassed and did something embarrassing right Katsumi-chan?" Jiraiya asked he hoped this was funny.

"Yes Jiraiya-sama," Katsumi said and then turned to Tsunade. She continued by saying, "You see last night after you all left we all found our spots in a section of the tent. Hikari-chan and her father were in the same section as us but were separated by temporary walls and doors. This morning we found Hikari-chan cuddling with Shingetsu, this wouldn't be as funny if it was just the first time. However, this is an old habit of hers, sneaking to cuddle with her best friend. If she would have woke up first the joke probably would have ended quicker, but she slept through the first minutes of pictures and the awwing of the others. Shingetsu-kun however, was the one who had woken up and was trapped by Hikari-chan. He's long since learned that it is pointless for him to struggle or ask for help though, right Shingetsu-kun?" Katsumi laughed seeing her son twitch wanting to retort, but kept up trying to get through this with as little interaction as possible.

"You got pictures you say?" Tsunade asked she wanted to see the picture if she has it.

"Yes I do, here you go Tsunade-sama," Hikari replied before handing her the pictures she had taken of the two. The first picture shows Hikari with her arms around Shingetsu and her head on his shoulder, the blanket over them. The second one shows Shingetsu waking up and realizing where he was and the final one was him glaring at the camera while blushing.

"That's so cute Shingetsu-kun, Hikari-chan," Tsunade said while snickering.

Tsunade's words were practically echoed by Shizune and Hinata who went to Hikari and accosted the embarrassed girl. Shingetsu's eyebrow twitched in annoyance as he thought, 'this was supposed to die down Not get worse!'

With the Guys

"Oh, so how did you do this kid?" Jiraiya smiled down to Shingetsu, while Naruto was still looking through the three pictures trying to figure out what the big deal was.

"Do you not like cuddling with Hikari-chan Shingetsu?" Naruto asked Shingetsu's head snapped at him while glaring lightly.

"That's not it..."Shingetsu said before turning away again, hearing the laughter around him.

"Oh, so you do like it?" Jiraiya asked, barely containing his laughter. However, Shingetsu didn't respond and Jiraiya kept trying to get a response out of the young Hozuki.

With Hikari and the girls

Hikari looked over at Shingetsu and smiled hearing his response, to many it wouldn't sound like much. To Hikari however, it made being teased about this and having to deal with her father later all worth it.

"So why were you cuddling with him?" Shizune asked from beside Hikari. Hinata on the other side, with Katsumi and Tsunade in front of her.

"It was just the first night in a new place especially after going through the Purge, it was nice..."Hikari answered turning to Shizune.

"I can understand that, but Katsumi-sama said this wasn't the f-first time Hikari-chan," Hinata pointed out.

"Is that true Katsumi-chan?" Tsunade asked looking at the Matriarch of the Hozuki Clan.

"Well it is true, they used to cuddle all the time when they were babies and Hikari would sneak to him as they got older, during the purge when they were near each other that would be where you'd find her as well. Shingetsu-kun only really opens up to her, he will, of course, acknowledge everyone else. Hikari-chan though tricks him into bets during training all the time." Katsumi explained smiling at Hikari.

"Katsumi-sama, you know we are too young to be together or anything like that!" Katsumi said trying to end this once and for all.

"While that is true, we both know the truth Hikari-chan." Katsumi countered.

"Truth? What truth?" Tsunade asked

"Well you see, Hikari-chan and Shingetsu may be best friends, but they are also betrothed. It was drawn up when they became close and in the last days of our time in the Kirigakure it had been approved. I just need to get the document to the Hokage and get it reapproved." Katsumi explains shocking the others and making Hikari sigh.

"A betrothal contract? Why go through all that trouble? They are very close without needing it. Does Shingetsu even know?" Tsunade asked, she was all for teasing the two but a betrothal contract is an extreme measure. Often the couple can find happiness, but there are times in which it will lead to suffering and loneliness and to add to it that the two should be free to marry who they fell in love with was a common belief.

"Well honestly Tsunade-sama, it started as a joke. We just wanted to have the document to tease them when they got older, but they have always been so close and while you could think they would see each other as just friends or siblings. I guarantee you that they both would probably kill anyone else who tried getting as close, it's clear to see that they will end up together one day." Katsumi answered smiling softly.

"Shouldn't they be given that choice then?" Hinata asked, she always feared her clan taking such a choice from her.

"Well we did reveal it to them and they didn't want the document nullified. They reasoned that "We'll find out as we get older if we harbor feelings for each other or not." but you know when they said it, they both were cherry-faced and that was the last time we talked about it." Katsumi reassured.

Turning to Hikari they were all shocked to see Hikari nodding and smiling, she decided to explain since they would ask anyway. So she took a breath and said, "Shingetsu-kun and I, we always knew that we could trust each other, and we had time to talk about it at random points over the past few years. Shingetsu said that he couldn't trust anyone more than me and that we could always decide against it before the deadline. That is true and while the contract is active, neither of us can be wed off. So we have time and comfort to sort out things, but I think he just doesn't want to say how he feels about it. I like the idea of always having my best friend near and we make a good team, everything about it makes sense to me right now. I know things might change later, but I'll take this chance."

It shocked everyone to hear that the two had considered the reality of the situation and not just the face value, it was true that they were bound to each other and that feelings can always change. However, the fact that the two were a good team in all things and the fact the two were close and comfortable with each other was a good starting point.

Back to the present

The kids had gone to their first day of the academy shortly after, while the adults went to the meeting. Standing outside the Hokage's office with her was Gengetsu of the Hozuki Clan, Raiden Ringo of the Ringo family, Ryu Uzumaki of the Uzumaki Clan, and Tetsuo Himura of the Himura clan which wondered around the mist before being found by the refugees.

Ryu Uzumaki was a sixty-year-old man with barely graying crimson hair, he stood at six foot two inches. He was a fair-skinned man with violet eyes and wears an azure kimono with black sandals and a red obi. He was elected the clan head in place of Shingetsu's great grandmother, once he heard that there was still a male Uzumaki in Konoha he was excited to meet the boy. He was family after all and besides getting things settled with the village leadership, he wanted nothing more than to spend time with his grandchildren and this new relative of his.

Tetsuo Himura was a thirty-five-year-old man with a tan complexion. He stood at five foot eight inches tall, he had brown eyes and brown hair. The Himura clan had been traveling for a long time, records show that they had settled once for some time when Gengetsu was the Second Mizukage. However, they took to traveling again and helping others around their country. They were renowned for blacksmithing and holding a kekkei genkai that allowed them to turn their weapons into multiform weapons, binding the weapons to souls. These weapons would seal themselves into their wielder and if they were not of Himura lineage the weapon would hold only one form change, the weapons were also indestructible in exchange for having only one form. The Himura clan members though could shift a simple weapon into four forms, but the weapon wasn't indestructible. Though technically the weapon would only disappear into the person's soul until it was either reforged by their ability or healed on its own over a long time. The clan's specialty was fire jutsu and weapon techniques.

Tsunade knew there were still others that couldn't come forth yet, but it was fine as Gengetsu was the proxy for many during this meeting. She could only hope that the meeting and training would go well.

Endnote: Hello everyone, I want to thank you all for waiting patiently and assure you that this week is an anomaly. So onto the summary, during this chapter we learned that Jiraiya is the grandfather of Naruto, that both he and Tsunade had been lied to, Shingetsu is part Uzumaki through his father's side up until his great grandmother. We got to see an amusing scene and learn a bit more about the relationship between Shingetsu and Hikari. There will be further clarification and even a flashback arc eventually to show different important events in their lives. We also met the clan leaders of a wondering clan and the elected leader of the Uzumaki. The next chapter is the meeting itself and the academy which was originally going to be part of this chapter.

Before we go I thought I would give out recommendations every week during these chapters. So the first one I recommend is called Two Halves (Posted by DameWren) but was reposted by J R LeDoux who even followed up with a sequel. The story is one of the ones that got me into reading fanfics in the first place. The story revolves around Naruto's training period that we didn't see in the manga/anime, except he doesn't leave with Jiraiya but a mysterious girl that Tsunade trusts. It is a Naruhina story and though it can be hard to get through some chapters, just trust me that it gets really good.