Disclaimer: I do not own Naruto.

After we were roughly forced out of the dango shop after Obito-nii got into a verbal disagreement with the owner, we went around the village. It was like time slowed down when we passed by the streets and soft murmurs would follow. The glances and glares were there, especially those coming from my former clan.

We stopped by the academy or what it should be in the future. The place was half-finished. It was probably one of the places they made to prioritize. There were some carpenters working on the place hammering away. But in a way, the place was quiet and…there hidden in the trees nearby were two anbus. It was probably to keep an eye on me. Either I may decide to go rogue or cause trouble or that I may get killed. The last bit wasn't far off. There was the exploding scroll from the Uchiha elders. There are the glares from the civilians and shinobi alike.

Bad case scenario is that a civilian would try to kill me, and being a shinobi…a shinobi cannot harm any civilians, but can defend one's self. I could use taijutsu and my reflexes to protect myself. Worst case scenario a shinobi will try to kill me and I'm under probation restricting large usage of chakra. The point of the anbus.

"Are you still training with Mother, Obito-nii?" I asked after a while of walking.

"I am. I go there during the mornings and have a little spar with Itachi at times." Obito-nii replied. "Itachi is half-way buried with medical scrolls and texts, but he still manages to have time to play with Sasuke. Shisui often comes by."

"Itachi did say he's going to be a medic-nin." I replied smiling at the thought and it was because of me he's even thought of that route. That doesn't mean he won't turn like me, and Mother…she couldn't stop me when she wanted to with my seal making, what of Itachi? He's more stubborn than he looks. Shisui is with him though. I'm sure he'll look out for Itachi.

Our last stop was by the Hokages' monument looking over Konoha. I stood there to see the damage and repair done on the village. While there wasn't any debris anymore, I could see an area where there should have been houses standing. The village was being repaired, but the damage done was because of me bringing Kurama here.

"It's not your fault." Obito-nii said next to me. "Minato-san told us that you were under a genjutsu."

It was late in the afternoon when we went returned to the Hokages' office, and find Minato-san still behind his desk where we left him. He raised his eyes as we stood in front of his desk.

"Any problems?" Minato-san asked.

Obito-nii opened his mouth, maybe to tell him about getting kicked out of the dango shop. The anbu can tell Minato-san that, I don't want more eyes on me than necessary.

"No problem." I responded. "Just glances and silent glares."

Minato-san frowned.

"What are my restrictions?"

"You can't use ninjutsu, or genjutsu. You're allowed only with kenjutsu and taijutsu."

"Am I allowed to work with my chakra?"

"As long as you don't use it for the two I just mentioned."

"What about fuinjutsu?"

"You can make seals, but you're not allowed to test it without my presence or Jiraiya-sans' or Nara Shikas'."

Why Nara Shika? He's not a fuinjutsu expert or master.

"Any training fields I'm not allowed on?"

"No." Minato-san shook his head.

"Am I allowed access as a chuunin in the library?"

"You are."

"Okay." I nodded. "What about my weapon pouch?"

"Your pouch will be returned to you after probation."

"Where will I stay?" I asked. "With the scroll they gave me, I would think I'm not allowed on clan premises."

"You can stay at my place for a while. Minato-sensei will work out something, won't you sensei?" Obito-nii turned to Minato-san.

"I'll see what I can do." Minato-san said. "Iruna-chan, if there's any problem you can come to me."

I was left to wait for Obito-nii in his apartment to return from my house to get me some clothes and personal essentials. While I was there I went about his kitchen to see what food he had. He had one pack of instant noodles, some green vegetables, two onions and orange juice which was expired.

I went to the sofa and sat down then I decided to lie down. I stared up at the ceiling and eventually I fell asleep. I only know I fell asleep because Obito-nii shook me awake so we could eat dinner together. He made curry and it felt like I haven't eaten any food in a while.

Obito-nii had the futon set up next to his bed in his room it was like when we would have a sleepover at his place. Only Itachi isn't there.

"Good night, Iruna-chan." Obito-nii said from his bed.

"Good night, Obito-nii." I replied closing my eyes and letting darkness take hold.

The following day, Guy didn't show up in front of Obito-niis' doorstep. I thought he would, but maybe something came up. After eating breakfast, I told Obito-nii I was going to the Hokages' office. He came with me to the tower. When we entered Maito Guy and Yuuhi Kurenai were inside.

"Obito, I was just about to send someone off to get you, but good timing." Minato-san said. "You have a mission together with Guy and Kurenai."

"Now?" Obito-nii asked.

"Yes."

"But" Obito-nii glanced at me then at Minato-san, and the Hokage got what he meant, but it wasn't just him. I was annoyed though, I'm not someone who needs to be babysat. I'm not that handicapped.

"Kurenai you can brief Obito on your mission." Minato-san said, and that meant they were dismissed.

"Iruna-san! We will have to reschedule for another time." Guy said to me before he followed after his two teammates for the mission leave the office.

"Iruna-chan, before you were apprenticed to Kushina you were already good at making explosive tags and storage scrolls. I believe you even made Obito his storage scrolls."

"Yes." I said confused.

"You've been cut-off your clan, but your Mother won't hesitate to help you when you ask her."

"I'm not an Uchiha anymore. She doesn't have to worry about me."

"You're still her daughter."

"I know, but she has Itachi and Sasuke to worry about too. I'm a shinobi and becoming one meant I was becoming an adult earlier than I should have. My life is my responsibility now, not hers."

"Iruna-chan, you know that some things come with a price."

No kidding I thought, but I nodded in answer.

"You're on probation. Obito won't be there all the time. He like now would be sent out on missions and you would be left by yourself. I understand that you plan to retrain yourself with the two months of being in a coma caused a setback for you."

"Yes."

"I said that if you have a problem just come to me."

I nodded. I only came to his office to ask for camping equipment, and I was planning on asking permission to the forest of death. What is Minato-san getting at?

"I'm restating what I said you can come to me when you need something. That is if I have it on me or I can allow it for you."

"But when I'm going to ask for something like clothes or some scrolls or other things I would need, I would need to do something in return to get them, or have money to pay for them. The favor your doing for me is acquiring them for me to avoid contact with the villagers for a while more seeing as I'm not fit enough to protect myself and being on probation is already bad on my part. Mentioning about explosive tags and storage scrolls, you want me to make those two for me to have a source of income. Only you would be holding onto the money seeing as I would be asking you those items for the three months of my probation."

"Yes." Minato-san nodded smiling. "The shop owner will pay you the same price with his previous supplier, but he wants to see a sample of your tags and scrolls first. He wants to see their quality."

"I can do them now." I said a bit excited. I miss making seals. "I just need two blank scrolls, two blank tags, a brush and ink. Do you have those on you, Hokage-sama?"

I made two storage scrolls and explosive tags right there on the floor of Minato-sans' office. We had to wait though for the ink to dry and that was always the tricky part to leave them to dry especially wet seals.

Wet seals were made using paper, ink and a brush. Dry seals are made using chakra. Chakra can be used to make a marking and with enough control can be used to form the seals. Combining them you would be making a complex seal. I've made those two already, but in combination I haven't on my own. The redirection seal was a creation made with Kushina-sensei and Minato-san.

When the seals were dry then, I handed one of the scrolls and both of the tags to Minato-san.

"I'll be keeping the other storage scroll, if you don't mind? I would need it later on." I said when he raised an eyebrow at me.

He nodded in return, and made his own inspection of the tags and the scroll. He didn't have any comments, but he did order one of the anbus to show this to the shop owner. Ah, the perks of being Hokage.

"Can I borrow your camping equipment, Minato-san?"

"Sure. Come back by one in the afternoon. I'll have it with me then."

"Thank you, sir."

"Minato-san will do Iruna-chan. I'm the Hokage when you're reporting to me, when you need something it will be Minato-san."

I nodded to him and left the office. Now where to go for the mean time?

I dreaded being kicked out of the library, but after speaking to the librarian. It seemed like there were persons that cared more about the history and knowledge that can be lost, than the lost lives.

"What?" The librarian snapped at me then. I had been reluctant to ask where I could find books to help me train.

"Er, I—"

"Spit it out, I'm not going to wait all day for you to get your bearings right."

"Is there a section on shinobi training here?"

"Second floor, left side next to the taijutsu section. Anything else?"

"Erhm, aren't you—I…"

"Ah, the former Uchiha Iruna, now just Iruna. You know the drill in my library. You do not damage the reading materials in here, nor do you go to the areas you are not allowed into. Any breaking of the rules here you are kicked out. Damage anything in here and you are banned. Now, I've answered you question, get going."

I suppose a death is merely a death, and it happens eventually to everyone. No one is just sure when their time will come.

While the section on Shinobi Training was one aisle, I detoured to another section: Kenjutsu. I scanned some of them. They mentioned about the different stances that other countries held also passed down. There was even the mention of the Samurai and how learned kenjutsu and mastered it. While that was interesting to read, I wondered how I'll be able to master the rest of the stances for the Uzumaki style when Kushina-sensei had yet to show me the rest. I only know three stances, and Kushina-sensei had been strict that I had those main three imprinted into my head even while I'm asleep. Maybe they had a scroll or recording here of the style.

"No there is no scroll of that style." The librarian said to me before turning back to their work.

Well, that was a bummer, and so I went back to the second floor this time I did go the Shinobi training section.

I went back to the Hokages' tower, and came across four or five civilians on the way earning sneers and wary glances. Their disdain for me was getting tiring and it was just the second day I've been out of the hospital.

"Ah, Iruna-chan just on time." Minato-san said. "Have you eaten lunch yet?"

Now that he mentioned it, I was famished.

"No."

"I was just about to go out for lunch. Want to come with me, Iruna-chan?"

He was offering. I didn't see the point in refusing his offer. We went to one of the restaurants managed by the Akimichis'. The owner Akimichi Choza was present and seemed to be taking the orders. I followed after Minato-san to a table Akimichi-san lead us to, and there were eyes on us.

"What would you like Iruna-chan?" Minato-san asked me a pleasant smile on him ignoring the attention we had.

I glanced at Akimichi Choza, he gave me a polite smile. He suggested to me some on their menu and I went with Tonkatsu and miso soup. After Minato-san made his order and an awkward silence fell on us, he spoke up.

"You haven't met Naruto yet."

I looked up then. "Who's watching him?"

"Kakashi" Minato-san replied smiling.

"Oh" I giggled at the thought that Kaka-nii was watching Naruto. "I thought he's on a mission."

"He is. It's quite a grave mission to look after him."

"I can imagine how he looked when he read the details of his mission." I said. I bet his eye was twitching. "Does he report everyday about it?"

"He does, and he tells me his missions in great detail."

Thinking about Naruto, I thought about Itachi and Sasuke. I shook my head though, they're fine. I'm sure of it. I have to worry about myself first.

After eating lunch with Minato-san we returned to the tower, and he handed me the storage scroll containing his camping equipment. He also told me the shop owner agreed to buy my explosive tags and storage scrolls there was already an order of a fifty explosive tags and thirty storage scrolls by the end of seven days. Minato-san was kind enough to give me the supplies I would need to make those and handed me the brush and ink I used earlier.

I left the office and went to Obito-niis' apartment, while I didn't have his keys it was easy to unlock the window. I am a shinobi, and unlocking a door or lock is easy. I might have to place a locking seal onto the door and windows later on, but the tags and scrolls were first.

I started off with the storage scrolls making ten of them and after making them I made a mistake on leaving them around the floor. I had to tip toe around them to avoid having to redo them or smudging the ink. I looked up at the clock though finding it was six, and with Obito-nii on a mission it was just me. His cabinet at least was stocked, but most of them were instant ramen. Ha, beggars can't be choosers.

I made myself ramen and there was at least some leafy greens I could add to the ramen in the vegetable compartment. There was even some milk in his fridge and orange juice. I don't recall Obito-niis' fridge having them earlier. Must be Minato-sans' work, but he's already helping me enough.

After eating, washing the bowl and glass I used, brushing my teeth and changing into my sleeping attire. I grabbed the scroll where I stored the book I borrowed from the library to read for a while.

I woke up by four in the morning with the help of Obito-niis' alarm clock the following day to start off with my runs. I circled around the perimeter of Konoha twice before I was drenched with sweat after that I went to one of the nearby training grounds to do my katas and grabbed a broken branch from the floor for my kenjutsu stances. The broken branch wasn't such a good idea for practice my hands were a bit raw from the rough surface. I should ask Minato-san for items I can use for my training.

I went back to Obito-niis' apartment by half to eight then, I washed my hands and made sure to place bandages over them before I made myself breakfast a vegetable omelet and drank a glass of milk then showered, changed into fresh clothes and the bandages.

I checked on the scrolls making sure that the ink and seal dried properly before rolling them up and stacking them on the table. Huh, I can store the storage scrolls in another scroll, but the tags are a problem. I don't want to risk activating them by accident, and I'm a little apprehensive on my chakra control. I'm going to need a box to place the tags in.

I made fifteen of the storage scrolls seeing as I've filled up most of the living area and the top of the dining table, there was no more space for the other five. I'll do those later before I eat dinner. I left then and made my way to the Hokages' tower after I made a list of items I would need to train.

"Minato-san" I said opening the door after knocking.

"Iruna-chan, done with the order already?" Minato-san asked surprised.

"No." I shook my head. "I do have a list of things I would need." I said handing him the list.

Minato-san read the list and I could see his eyebrows rising and meeting.

"A bokken, Iruna-chan?" Minato-san said.

"I need to practice my kenjutsu stances." I replied.

"Fuinjutsu equipment?"

"My fuinjutsu equipment is at our house. Only I can access it though."

Minato-san raised an eyebrow. "Why?"

"Itachi burned my previous fuinjutsu equipment and seals."

"Ah" Minato-san nodded. "Are you free now?"

"I was going to head to the training ground for my chakra control" Minato-san had a frown on him then "but I can push it for later, I guess."

"Great! Have lunch with me." He said smiling just then did an anbu appear carrying two bentos with him. I wonder if the two boxes were deliberate. "Thank you." He told the anbu before he disappeared with a poof.

We left the tower and went to the Hokage monument. We sat on one of the benches there and ate facing the village in silence.

"How is it?" Minato-san asked suddenly.

"It's okay." I said looking at the bento. "It's almost like—" I cut myself off then, I didn't want to mention Kushina-sensei to Minato-san. He maybe the Hokage, but losing someone you love isn't easy.

"You can say her name with me." Minato-san said quietly. "I don't mind."

I glanced at him. "You're only human Minato-san." I said. "We hurt, fall down and eventually get back to our feet stronger. You miss her don't you, Minato-san?"

A soft chuckle came from Minato-san. "You don't have to worry about me."

"I miss her." I told him facing the village. It was the truth. "I wish she was alive to see when I surpass her."

"I'll be here to see it for her." Minato-san said.

The same way he'll watch over Naruto for her too. I grabbed a leaf before we returned to his office, and using my chakra I had it sticking on the back of my hand. Inside his office, he left the bento boxes on a table on the side of the room before taking his seat behind his desk.

"The list you gave me. I'll be sure to have the anbu hand it to you as soon as possible." He said then. "What will you be doing now?"

"Chakra control" I said holding up my hand and at the same time the leaf fell off swaying onto the floor. I stared at it. Huh, I may need to use a good deal of my time with chakra control.

"Why don't you try meditation and get the feel of your chakra? From there do the leaf exercise." He suggested.

I made my way back to the Hokage monument then. There weren't a lot of people that go there, and the trees there are a good cover from any civilians wanting to look over the village. With the cover of the trees, I did as Minato-san suggested.

While I felt my chakra, it was more turbulent like a storm because of Kuramas' chakra that entered my chakra channels. I wondered if my chakra element changed. I started with the leaf exercise placing a leaf on my forehead and concentrating the chakra there so the leaf would stick. It would stick, but not too long. I think it would take minutes before it would fall off.

I returned to Obito-niis' apartment by five, and checked the scrolls I left to dry. They were all good, and I rolled them up stacking them in the corner of the living area. I made myself dinner first before I made the other five scrolls, then ten of the explosive tags. I didn't realize how tired I was until I dropped onto the futon that evening. It was easy to fall asleep.

I woke up by four to do my runs, then katas and as for the stances maybe when I have a bokken. I returned to Obito-niis' apartment, making breakfast and some onigiri because there was some rice with vegetables as a center, fifteen of the tags then leaving to do my chakra control at the Hokage monument.

I didn't know how long I was there with my eyes closed concentrating my chakra. When I opened my eyes I found Minato-san leaning on the tree across from me smiling.

"Lunch?" He held up the bento boxes wrapped in a cloth.

I didn't ask why he was there, but I would guess he was lonely. He could just go to where Kakashi is with Naru—oh, he's worried about me. Minato-san doesn't need to worry about me, but I did accept his offer of food.

After eating and a bit of rest I continued with the leaf exercise. Minato-san had left by then and I stayed there until the middle of the afternoon before heading back to the apartment. I did fifteen of the tags before making dinner, do some reading then sleep.

It was another lunch with Minato-san the following day, and I had to say it then.

"I'm fine, Minato-san. You don't have to come or ask me to eat lunch. I can make my own lunch too."

"I know, but being Hokage there are privileges like having them get me lunch. I may as well include you." He responded.

"Don't you go visit Kakashi and Naruto during lunch?" I asked.

"Kushina, she didn't say it when she was still with us, but she thought of you like her own daughter."

"That's Kushina-sensei, not you Minato-san. You don't see me as a daughter only as her apprentice. You don't have to look out for me like she did. You have Konoha and you have to be a father at the same time. That isn't easy and you didn't answer my question."

He chuckled then. "I know it isn't easy being the Hokage and to be a father at the same time, but there are times that I want a sense of normalcy."

"Then, why not visit Naruto? That has to be more normal than be here and eat lunch with me."

"Blunt aren't you?"

"I have those moments." Silence fell then and I said. "You've done enough for me Minato-san as the Hokage and Kushina-senseis' other half. Thank you, but like you said I'll come to you when I need something. I'm a shinobi and responsibility with my life just fell into my hands earlier than expected."

A sad smile came on Minato-san then.

Two days later I received the items I asked. I decided to alternate between katas and kenjutsu stances from then on. I was done with the storage scrolls and explosive tags in five days. I gave Minato-san the box with the tags and a storage scroll containing twenty nine of the storage scrolls.

"I'll be sure to tell you what the next order will be." Minato-san said then.

AN: I know not much, right? Still it's a stepping stone.