Welcome back to my theatre, I hope you're ready for the show. I know a lot of you wanted to see further into the thoughts of Naruko and Kushina, so this chapter may seem a bit slow. Next chapter, however, should be much slower, as I want to get rid of as much necessary 'filler' as possible before the 10k chapter Twenty.

Thanks as always goes to ncpfan for his help in ironing out this story.

I only have one thing before I let the curtains raise and it's about a rather odd review I received last Saturday. A few hours after posting chapter XVII a guest reviewer asked me if I will be continuing the story or if it is permanently retired.

Permanently retired...when I had just updated it...

I find myself rather confused by this and had to pause for a few moments when I first read it.

I'm not exactly sure why they would put that in their review, but perhaps someone in the audience might have an idea that could shed some light on this.

Anyways, I've kept you all from the show long enough.

Raise the curtains!

Relaxed was a bad word to describe him as he walked down the streets of Konoha with Anko and Mai on his arms, but he was certainly at ease with the knowledge that the wolves kept silent vigil over him. There were not many, but with the addition of patrolling ANBU it was more than enough.

A passerby gave him a slight nod as he met their eyes and he had to fight back the smirk that threatened to curve his lips. Unlike the ANBU who used their presence to deter trouble, his wolves kept themselves hidden amongst the flocks. They could not risk being discovered so early into the game and so masks were reserved for within headquarters – or the Den, as Sai called it- and when working outside of Konoha.

With any luck they wouldn't have to worry about that soon. It was going to be a glorious day when his wolves could prowl in full view of the world.

Returning the nod, he let his attention drift to his current company. Mai touched lightly upon his right arm, as if hesitant to make such contact in public. She fought admirably to keep the disinterested face she so often wore but it was ruined by the light blush and the uncertainty that had crept over her features. Nevertheless, he knew she was keeping a careful watch for any threats within the crowds. She always carried a few knives on her and he had no doubt that anything she felt hostile would find two of them buried into it without a second thought.

Anko, on the other hand –and at that, the other arm- seemed completely comfortable being seen on his arm. Perhaps she had grown used to the stares or the slight looks of disgust or maybe she just didn't care what others thought but she walked calmly by his side quite likely more interested in where they would go for dinner than any rumors that might spread. He did not know for certain if she carried any weapons on her, but considering her reputation it was safe to assume she did. He tried not to think about her apparel or how few places it provided to hide any sort of weapon. The last thing he needed to do was provide her with more ways to tease him.

A slight breeze rolled past them, carrying with it the smell of autumn, and he briefly wondered if he should have brought his cloak with him. He had left both of his gifts at home tonight, the cloak and Mōryō's Tooth, but had a Kunai holster on each leg in case something should happen. Looking down at his regular attire of blue shirt and black pants, it briefly crossed his mind that he probably should have worn something other than his Shinobi outfit.

'Too late to change it now.' He mused. And it wasn't as if he was the least well-dressed amongst the group either, Anko's curious choice of attire was far more suited to barhopping within the red-light district than going out for a nice dinner.

Of course, no one would point out something like that to Mitarashi Anko and there were few who would want to. She had an excellent body, one she worked hard for, and she was happy to show it.

And he, like many others, enjoyed looking at it.

He would deny it if she asked him, just to spare himself the teasing, but he had a feeling that she was well aware. In fact, she seemed almost pleased whenever she caught him looking at her. If there was one thing he knew about the woman it was that she loved attention. It didn't matter who she got it from either, just so long as they kept their hands to themselves. He was more than willing to be one of those who gave her the attention she so sought.

And it was now, giving her that attention, that he missed the blue eyes watching as he escorted the two women on his arms down the busy streets of Konohagakure.

Perhaps it was best that he did not see them. He was in a good mood, after all, it would have been a shame to ruin it.

It was there and gone in an instant, but there was no way she could have missed it. Brushing over her senses, she could feel his presence as it ghosted away, like the fleeting touch of a lover you would never see again.

But she would see him again, no matter what it took.

How her body trembled at that brief instant, oh how it ached when he slipped away again. He was there, so close, and yet she could do nothing. So blinding was that glimpse of the sun that now the darkness around her had multiplied a hundred fold. The warmth he brought was taken as soon as she could recognize it, stolen away by fate's cruel mistress.

She could beg, she could plead, but here within this prison he could not hear her, could not see that she needed him again. Two long years had passed, the most miserable years of her life, dreaming about returning to him once more.

Two years plagued by fears and nightmares that he may never take her back.

And now, so close to her escape, salvation was once again denied.

She wanted to scream, she wanted to cry, she wanted to lash out against all that had separated them, but above all, she wanted him.

With every second of the last few years she had come closer and closer to being reunited and now, with every second, he moved farther and farther away.

'Move, go after him!' It was half scream and half desperate sob as she wished her jail could hear her. 'Can't you see him? Can't you feel him? Don't let him get away!'

It would be of no use, her prison could not hear her cries, not like her warden had been able to. No, he had trusted her, had allowed her such freedom that she could speak into his thoughts. His sister had not been so trusting, and perhaps that was more wise than she would care to admit.

He had trusted her and she had betrayed him. It was not the elimination of Tatsuki that was her betrayal, that had been in his best interest even if he couldn't see it or refused to accept it. She had not betrayed him by killing the whore, but by going behind his back to do it. And then, instead of apologizing for doing it without permission, for not taking the time to convince him that this was the best way, she had left him.

Left him when he had needed her most.

Left him when he was most vulnerable.

Left him when she could have cemented herself as the most important part of his life.

She could feel slight bits of anger and jealousy leaking from her jail which told her two things. First, that she had indeed spotted her brother. And second, that he had already found another. That she could have guessed. It had been two years; of course someone else would have been able to enter his life given that much time.

They would be competition for his attention later, she knew, but there was a part of her that couldn't help but be glad. She knew how much her companionship had meant to him. It may have not been in the same manner as the Yamanaka that was often with him, but she was well aware how much the knowledge that he had a constant companion had helped him get through each day.

And then she had not just left him, but she had left those words with him.

Those horrid, horrid words.

Though, if he had found someone new, there was a good chance those words haunted her more than they did him. He seemed to have been able to find companionship despite them, but it very well could be those words that damned her from ever being close to him again.

Because she knew, despite those biting words-

It was she who was not worthy of him.

He seemed relaxed to her, walking calmly down the street. it was a far cry from what she had witnessed just hours before. Gone was the anger, that frozen fury barely restrained behind clenched teeth. She had a feeling that most of his ease came from the two walking with him. Slight jealously briefly flashed in her heart. He was her brother, why was it these two were able to spend time with him when she couldn't? It should have been her walking beside him, should have been her who had caused his anger to dissipate.

Instead, she was simply another body within the crowd, watching as her brother slipped further and further away. Moving through the crowd as best she could, she struggled to keep him in sight. Unlike her, he seemed to have no trouble navigating the mass of bodies despite the companion on each arm.

Both women were older than him, the one on his left more obviously so, and yet they hung off her brother like trollops. The eldest of the group was clothed only in a small skirt and an open coat over fishnet, as if her brother had just pulled her out of one of the many bars or clubs found in the red-light district. There was a pleased grin splitting her face and no sign of shame despite her actions. It was easy enough to see her brother look over to her every few moments, no doubt ensnared by the older woman's appearance. Naruko would put money down that the whore was trying to seduce her poor brother for some nefarious purpose.

The second woman didn't seem so bad, however, being only a few years older than her brother and acting in a far more reserved manner. Her hands rested on his arm gently, establishing just enough contact to show people who she was walking with and to allow her to be guided along as they traversed the roads of Konoha. When Naruko could see the woman's face she could see the slight embarrassment, but at what she couldn't tell.

The older woman, however, was a pretty good guess.

Was this reserved one a friend? Perhaps she was the sister of a friend or even someone who had become lost, but Naruko liked her a lot more than she did the other. Even if she happened to be her brother's girlfriend Naruko had to grudgingly admit that he could have choose worse, at least she wasn't the other woman.

One would not be wrong to say that Naruko really didn't like the purple-haired woman hanging off her brother.

With any luck the woman would lose interest and leave her brother in the company of his dark-haired companion. At least then she'd have a better chance of moving into the group to speak with her brother or catching him alone. Of course, if they could both just bugger off right now, that would be preferable. The sooner she could talk to him the sooner she could get her answer and she wanted answers.

She needed to ask about the blonde from the academy, the Yamanaka who had stopped her, and figure out why she was so scared of him. She had to know why he seemed so cold and distant; she wanted to hear what he had been up to over the past few years. What had he done? Who had he stayed with?

Why didn't he want to talk to his mother or sister?

That probably bothered her the most.

They had been so close just four years ago, but now he acted as if he had never met them. Had they been gone so long that he saw them as strangers to his life? Was it because he had somehow forgotten them? No, that wasn't possible. There was no way her brother could ever forget them, he had loved them both far too much for that to ever be the case. There had to be something else then, something she was missing.

And she would get to the bottom of it.

With every bit of news his prince seemed only greater in his eyes. He was beyond giddy to learn that Naruto had his first kill four years ago and found himself surprised when he tore through his closest known friend two years after that. Hearing that someone had become an enemy of his godson had his blood boiling but to know the clan had been brought to its knees –without violence, even- pleased him to no end.

The picture, in all its perfection, had become far too outdated six years after it had been masterfully created. A new portrait had taken its place, showing the exact same image only aged. There was a hardness in those brilliant purple eyes and a sharpness that sent shivers down his spine.

Lips remained in a dispassionate frown, as if it were distasteful for his image to be confined in a mere picture frame. His features were sharper now, having grown from the young boy into a young man, and brought with it a sense of nobility that far outshone the princely image he had previously. To compare that picture to this one was to compare the corpse of a pig to a divine being.

His prince's hair was still as red as blood, a messy crown of crimson that had grown to reach his shoulders. The artist had taken the liberty to pull some of the hair into a small ponytail at the base of his neck and Orochimaru couldn't help but agree with the decision and the more regal feeling it gave the image.

Pale skin stood out in deep contrast to the dark background, glowing like the moon. It was not natural, could not be natural, to have such perfect skin, and yet that's what this picture showed. He could choose to believe that the artist was lying to him when they painted this masterpiece, but that was to doubt the beauty of his prince.

Orochimaru would never doubt his prince.

He had not seen his beloved prince, not since his departure from the village a little more than a decade ago, but the artist had. He had it arranged for him to be brought into the village, had risked his spies to ensure that the image would be as it truly was. It had been more than worth it.

Of course, good news eventually gave way to the bad, and it would seem Kushina had decided to return. He did not know if she had met with her son yet, or if he was once again living with the family that had left him, but he'd have to hold off on any more gifts until he was certain. It was a pity too; he had finally found something worth giving.

His gaze briefly drew away from the painting to rest on the woman sleeping before him or, more specifically, the necklace that rested on her bare chest. A golden circle of coils shone brightly in the dim torchlight of this room dedicated to his prince. To think, he had managed to come across such an artifact as this. It never ceased to astound him how fortunate he seemed to be when his goal was somehow related to his godson.

Yes, this would be the perfect thing for the young prince, something that could bring them closer than any of the gifts he had given before.

Torchlight seemed to melt over the golden coils of the necklace in agreement, bringing a smile to his lips. Considering what lay before him, or more importantly what it represented, he was quite tempted to keep it for himself but that just wouldn't do. It had been four years now and yet his prince had only received two gifts.

It was unacceptable. He had eight years to make up for and now two for which he had been unable to find anything suitable. He could not take this from him, would not take this from him. It was better in his hands anyway. He was Orochimaru the Snake Sannin; he had no practical use for the amulet of Aū. His prince, however, could make use of it and so it would go to him.

That was one taken care of, now he only had nine more gifts to go.

Idly his gaze moved from the necklace to the one who currently wore it. With long black hair much like his own and skin almost as pale, he found it quite odd to look upon her. Two pale fingers found themselves running carefully over her cheek but he had no fear of waking her. She slept now not by nature, but by his will.

From her cheek his fingers drifted down her neck and over her chest, coning to stop at the red sheet that covered her feet and reached to just above her navel. It was a strange feeling when he thought about it, to be touching yourself without feeling it, for this flesh, her flesh, would soon enough be his flesh.

He entertained the thought briefly of taking advantage of her sleeping state before banishing it from his mind. He wasn't about to allow another body to defile his future vessel, even if both were to be him. He trailed back up her body and ghosted over her ruby lips. Carefully he parted them and it wasn't long before they came to her tongue. This was the prize, the entire reason he had decided that he would use this body as his vessel.

The ability to manipulate such a powerful muscle in the manner this woman could was previously unheard of, but it was here now, just waiting to be claimed. To extend his tongue as if it were a fifth limb was a chance he couldn't pass up, not when none of the other potential candidates had anything more interesting.

He had hoped, briefly, that he might snatch up an Uchiha, but that seemed to be beyond his grasp for now. He'd just have to wait for the last survivor to have some kids he could snatch up or until he had a chance to obtain the last Uchiha himself. The later was preferable timewise, but his chances of success were far better for the former option.

His fingers were removed from her mouth and instead moved to open a single yellow eye. She was so like a snake, so like himself in appearance, that he had to wonder if he might not have had a child he was unaware of. Seed or not, her body would be his within the fortnight and would remain his flesh for two years afterwards.

A lot could happen in two years, he knew, and he was slightly curious if he would first introduce himself to his godson while draped in her flesh. Then again, that could be to his benefit. His spies spoke often of his prince being within the company of women, it seemed almost as if that's all he interacted with on a regular basis. If that was the case, perhaps it would be preferable to meet like this.

And if his little prince was stricken by the beauty of this body, all the better to gain his trust and bring him home. Yes, home, for here, in a place that would bow to his every whim, was the only place that could be a suitable for him to live the life he deserved.

If the prince was still attracted after learning his identity, then so be it. After all, every prince needs the loving guidance of a queen. It wouldn't hurt to remain female a while longer for his godson, he was to be immortal, after all.

What was a few decades as a woman compared to the happiness of his prince?

Noonday sun shone brightly into the house but it could do nothing to impart its warmth and light upon the sole occupant. There was a cold that clung to her, a deep blackness of despair and misery. She had not managed to make it to her bedroom before she had broken down in tears, collapsing into the plush carpet before the green couch of her living room. It was this couch, the one she had sat and told stories to her children on, that she had planned her wedding with her fiancé from, where she had made love with her husband on numerous times, that now caught her tears as she buried her face into the familiar cushions.

His words, few as they were, still cut into her heart with the same icy sharpness they possessed when they passed through his lips. A single sentence had been more than enough to remind her of her failures, her fears, and her deepest regrets, and he spoke it without mercy or hesitation.

She deserved it, she knew she did. The fault rested solely upon her shoulders, the very same shoulders that now shook as uncontrollable sobs racked her body.

Had she not left she wouldn't be having these troubles, she'd instead be congratulating her son on graduating from the academy as she asked him what he'd like to eat for their celebration dinner. The three of them would be here together, as a family, enjoying the close company and familiar warmth they had always shared. Tonight it looked to be only her, Naruko having run off in an attempt to bring Naruto home.

Home.

This was not his home, not since he had been locked from it four years ago. He had a new home now, she had seen it. A comfortable little apartment, far from the clan district, had taken upon itself the role. How long had he lived there? Was he alone or was there someone living with him? There had been a young woman with long black hair that exited his apartment, had she been a roommate of sorts to lower the cost? Perhaps she was a friend he had made in their absence or an elder sister figure.

Until she found Naruto these questions and many, many more would remain unanswered and it was tearing her apart. She needed to know what had happened while she was away, what he had gone through.

Otherwise she'd never be able to make things up to him.

The thought of not making things up, not setting things right, was horrifying. Not just because she had wronged her son but because she would never be able to repair the relationship that seemed to have shattered in her absence.

Could being left with others really have been so bad?

Or had it simply been the fact that she had left him?

She had promised to be there, as he brought up immediately upon their reunion, and instead stole his sister away and left him behind without family. Sure, she had always considered Kurenai her daughter and Tsunade was the godmother of her children, but that had nothing on the bonds of blood that had been severed. The Uzumaki pride family over everything and while it doesn't matter if your family is blood or not, for blood to turn from blood was unthinkable.

And yet that's exactly what she had done.

There was no excuse for an Uzumaki to be left behind. Even if remaining would bring death to them, yourself, and all your people, it was believed that it was better to die with family than to live knowing you had turned your back on them.

She had not been able to bring herself to do so.

Worried for his health and future, scarred for her baby, she had left him behind.

She had betrayed her blood.

And she hadn't even sent a damn letter.

She knew it probably would have meant the world to him to hear from her after she had left, but were she to send letters he would no doubt respond. Sure, she could tell him not to because they would be moving around often during the trip, but to send letter to him that he was forbidden to respond to would have been terrible. What would she have to say to him beyond the progress his sister was making? She could ask questions about his life, but he would be unable to answer. In the end, he would become bitter, hearing only about his sister and how much she seemed to be favored. She would be unable to tell him those thoughts were wrong because he would never be able to share them with her.

His responses, however, would have been far worse. To know how much he missed them, to hear his pleading for their return would break her heart. She wouldn't have been able to do it, she knew, for the first letter he sent would have likely brought her back to Konoha and Naruto back into danger.

She couldn't do that to him.

And yet, perhaps that would have been for the best. Maybe the chance of damaging his chakra coils and taking away his future as a Shinobi was better than damaging her relationship with her son and tearing the family apart.

But the die had been cast, and there was nothing left for her to do but regret.

More sobs shook her frame; her body exhausted both mentally and physically. A nap would probably help her right not, the sweet, ignorant bliss of nothingness could do her wonders. Her body was in favor of such an option, but her heart and mind were of a different opinion.

As soon as her eyes began to droop, two pools of frozen amethyst glared at her accusingly.

'Just going to cry yourself to sleep, are you? I can only imagine how many times he did that wondering where his family had gone.' The words were not in his voice, but neither was it entirely hers. A mixture of both her voice and the voice of her son spoke with a mouth of razors, each lash of his tongue tearing away at her heart. But, it was right. Naruto must have spent countless nights just as she was now and yet had found some way to continue on for four years.

'Look at you, you're pitiful.' The voice spat. 'You have no right to pity yourself for your own mistakes. You deserve this pain, he doesn't.'

The words, though harsh, worked to drain her reservoir of tears and soon enough her crying came to an end. Lifting herself up on shaky arms, she headed to her room. Her son had suffered because of her and that was the bottom line. If she wanted to be able to help him then she needed to get herself together.

The shower she took stretched far longer than it should have and she broke down twice under the steaming water but knowing that her son was depending on her to set things right managed to stop her tears both times. By the time she left her room dressed in sweatpants and a loose robe the sun had begun burning deep orange across the darkening sky.

As she sat at her kitchen table, a warm mug of tea in her hands, and watched the sun vanish behind the horizon she came to the simple understanding that would be able to drive her forward.

'Tomorrow is a new day, another chance for me to make things right.' It brought a comforting warmth to think that, to realize that there was still hope yet to be had. 'And if I can't make them right tomorrow then I'll try the next day, and every day after that, until I have.'

It was a far more relaxed Kushina that retired to bed that evening, one who slipped instantly into dreams of a full, happy family. The soft smile that stretched her lips for the entirety of the night was beautiful.

But there was no one for her to share it with.

It was still odd for her to know that she always had at least one person following her at all times. She was well aware that the Hyuuga guards around the compound would see her during 'patrols' but that was different. The Hyuuga members simply saw her as they did quick scans of the grounds. Her shadows, however, were always present, always watching her and ensuring her safety. It was a miracle they had not been caught by the guards yet.

Kaien had mentioned that it was because they were "just that good", but his smartass comment was quickly dismissed after Kotomi explained that they were aided by seals. It wouldn't survive intense scrutiny but it would suffice to allow them to escape the brief gaze of the Hyuuga guards.

And really, that's all they needed. So long as people didn't know they were there they didn't look and so long as they didn't look they wouldn't be found. It worked well enough. For now, at least.

Hinata was startled out of her thoughts as a door opened close by, a face peering out to confirm her identity.

"Hinata-Sama, we would like to speak with you." The first thing she did was activate her Byakugan, only to be greeted by nothing. That was rather unsettling. By his words there was at least one other person present but she couldn't see what might be going on inside. There were not many of these rooms within the compound, rooms that could give complete privacy. No one could remember how they had done it originally and even the elders didn't seem to know as their homes remained easily seen.

It's why the Hyuuga always acted in such a former manner. When people can look into your life while you're doing absolutely anything without warning or indication, you needed to conduct yourself in the best manner possible.

It was for that reason that rooms such as this were so coveted. Now there were only two major questions; how did this person, obviously a branch member by the band wrapped around his head, manage to get ahold of this room for any length of time and why did they want her to enter it?

Giving a nod to the man, he stepped back, which allowed one of her guards to slip into the room for a quick scout. Entering with due hesitance but slightly reassured by the fact that nothing seemed to have happened to the Wolf, Hinata was greeted to a sight she could not make sense of.

Dozens upon dozens of branch clan members of varying ages had crammed into the room. Torches provided plenty of light but also plenty of shadows amongst the rooms occupants, making it nearly impossible to identify anyone present. There was a split in the crowd, allowing one to get to the other side. She had no doubt that her guard had been forced to move down to the end of the room in order to avoid being discovered, but it was what she saw at the end of the room that had her most puzzled.

There was a picture, a portrait, but it was of her.

Why would this picture be there, where had they gotten it, and what did this have to do with her?

"This way, Hinata-Sama." The door was shut behind her, two members moving to guard it, as the one who let her in ushered her through the crowd and to the picture of herself. The closer she got, however, the more she began to think this picture wasn't of her, but of her mother. That made a bit more sense, both because there were likely to be a lot of pictures of her mother and because the branch members had been very fond of her.

When they had reached the end of the room she felt her hidden guard placed a comforting hand on her arm to ensure she was aware of their presence and she was fairly certain that her other guard had moved to ensure she was flanked on both sides in case anything should happen.

The one to escort her in stepped away and merged back into the crown as an elderly man was helped by a young woman to the front.

"Hinata-Sama," His bow nearly took him to the floor and the young woman at his side did her best to ensure he did not collapse. "Fate has spoken for you who will not be branded; truly it is you who is destined to lead the Hyuuga."

This was a slight surprise, but not entirely shocking. While she had never believed in fate, as both her parents thought it was rubbish, most of the clan had held faith in the mystical power of fate for longer than their history could remember. Even so, she had not expected them to take meaning in the fact that Naruto had been able to aid her with the seal.

Of course, that made things just a bit more clear. With the majority of the clan believing in fate any event was said to have been decreed by such. For her to be kicked out of the head family and yet uncontrolled by the seal of the branch family must have seemed some sort of miracle. If they thought she was fated to lead, however, it left her at a loss to what they were trying to do. Going against the main family was a foolish idea, unless they somehow thought she could free them of the seal.

To be an instrument of fate amongst the Hyuuga, just the idea sent a shiver down her spine. Things were already weird but she had a dreadful feeling that this was only the start.

"There are those who cannot see this," He continued. "But we know the truth."

Falling to his knees, much to the dismay of the woman who had been helping him stand, he prostrated himself at her feet. Everyone else in the room quickly followed suit, bowing upon the floor before her.

More than a little nervous and beyond confused, Hinata look around the room for help that would not be found.

"We gaze upon you, with the eyes of our blood, so that we may witness the true sight of fate's chosen- Hinata no Mikoto!"

The meaning behind his words was not so alarming as the gasps that rang throughout the room as each person present activated their Byakugan. She could pray that the gasp might not mean what she thought it did, but she knew her guards had been discovered. Perhaps the three of them would be fortunate enough to make it outside the room before people could get to their feet.

Almost as one, chakra was pulsed, dispelling the Genjutsu that had allowed her Wolves to sneak into the room with her. Even as the illusion upon them melted off her guards moved to stand before her, hands touching upon their Tanto.

It was the elderly man who ended up deciding the reaction of the room to these intruders.

"Behold!" He proclaimed. "Our goddess is protected by wolves!"

Taking a long look at her before sharing a look between themselves, the two Wolves turned to face her and dropped to one knee.

Still completely out of her element, Hinata gazed around helplessly. She could really use some of Naruto's guidance right about now.

Unfortunately, Naruto wasn't here.

Until the next showing, I bid you all farewell.