Talking with Akiko took its toll on Nayuki. 'This utterly stupid bastard! How can someone be so persistent about killing a child I nearly died for? Just because he could be a potential strong enemy in the future! I mean from what I know from my history lessons the Sarutobi were strong allies of the Senju! Sasuke will be Hokage-jiji's father! I can't let him die. I won't have much of a choice, do I? I'll have to overrule Akiko as the clan matriarch. I hate to pull the authority card…' At least Akiko brought a scroll from Butsuma telling her to meet up with him and a team about 12 miles away from the clan compound near a waterfall for the negotiations. She wouldn't have let the merchants into the compound but it's nice to know where to head. Taking her time Nayuki watches the Senju shinobi interact with our future trading partners. One of the shinobi reminds her of someone she knows. It's nerve wracking seeing him and not knowing why he seems so similar. His long black hair bound to a high ponytail is framing a handsome face. His stature tells her that he's one hell of a strong man. His whole body is ripped and one can easily see that he must have trained consistently, while his big and trusting honey brown eyes tell her about his easy going personality. It is rare to find a shinobi with such a personality especially in war. He must be strong willed and somehow she believes that he must have an understanding for the meaning of real strength. Growing tired of her upcoming headache she approaches the shinobi in question. "Well, hello there. I'd like to ask you something. Do we know each other? You seem so similar…", Nayuki calls out to him. The man smiles at her and answers slightly amused, "I don't believe so, Nayuki-hime. My name is Kihee. However, I do believe that you know my wife Kaoru and son Yukimura." Nayuki nods slowly, it makes sense to her. Now that he said it, Yukimura is a splitting image of him, a few years younger and less muscular and his short hair is as curly as his mothers but still the resemblance is obviously. She laughs and grins at him happily, "That's where I know you from! You've got a wonderful and handsome son there, Kihee. And let's not forget about your lovely wife, you're one hell of a lucky guy, aren't you?" Kihee himself has to laugh out loud now. 'Yep, that's the start of a wonderful friendship', Nayuki notes to herself as she involves him into a cheerful conversation.
After some time Nayuki returns to check up on her little guest. Fast she forces the young boy out of his clothes and starts with removing his bandages. As soon as she gets rid of the bandages she can see the obvious healing process. Only three days ago he was a bloody mess, but with her medical assistance the wounds heal nicely. Smooth pink skin is visible as it already replaced most of the wounds. She knows that it will leave some scars, but everyone has scars, so what? She smiles at the young boy in front of her and informs him, "If you think you're up to it, I'll give you my permission to return to your home now. I could heal your ribs as good as possible, they will hurt for some days and your wounds are healing nicely too. Therefore, I don't see any problem with letting you return home…" A pair of excited eyes is fixed on her, while a smile tries to split her patients face into halves. "Are you for real? I'm allowed to return home? You won't take me with you as hostage? Thank you! Thank you so much, Nayuki-san!", he shouts out loud as he hugs her briefly. She can hear some chuckles behind her from the Senju guards. They seem to be amused with their matriarchs love for children, only Akiko comes up to the pair and ruins the carefree mood with his input about proper respect to their clans matriarch and that he wouldn't let the boy go, but as it is he can't decide upon the boys fate. Sasukes eyes nearly pop out at the new information. He knew that she is part of the Senju clan but to imagine that the Senju matriarch herself saved his life is surprising. He hardens his resolve and decides to tell his father about the lovable Senju matriarch and her kindness. With another reassuring nod from his live savior he turns to collect his belongings. Clumsily he stumbles around grabbing one article after another till there is nothing left. Ready to leave he eyes the camp and warriors for a last time – letting his gaze linger on Nayuki for some seconds, thanking and smiling at her for a last time – before saying his good bye and vanishing in the trees. Nayuki follows him with her sensor ability until he leaves her range. Smiling satisfied she addresses Akiko ordering him to prepare for their departure. Obediently he arranges every preparation.
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The last days of traveling go by easily without any disturbances and Nayuki is glad. She is grateful that her journey was as peaceful as that. But now knowing that her husband and children are only some final steps away from her, she begins dreading the health of their loved ones. For long she could shove away her worries to concentrate on her mission but now they return and hit her full force. Were they alright? Did they have to starve? Was anyone hurt or worse ill? She won't even think about the possibility that one of the babies was too weak to stomach the harsh change in their environment. Every step seems to take ages as they near the appointed meeting place. Not only because she dreads any bad news but also because she can't wait to hold them in her arms again. Oh, how she missed to cuddle her little sons and play with them. Silently she promises herself to spend the next days with her family if only to catch up with them and spoil her boys a tiny little bit.
Watching ahead she can already catch glimpses of the enormous waterfall they decided to meet at. Instinctively she moves faster. Concentrating a bit more on watching ahead she can at last see Butsuma standing near the water. He looks so handsome wearing his amour while having on his stern mask. After all this time of separation he makes her heart jump of joy. She can see a bit of a weight loss but overall he looks healthy enough. Releasing a breath she didn't know she was holding she moves on to his escort. Next to him waits Shikaku and a few handpicked shinobi, she doesn't know. All of them healthy but a bit starved. She's relieved and would like to run up to Butsuma, however, she refrains knowing to put on a professional mask herself. She's a clan matriarch now – even if it's hard to contain her bubbly personality in order to appear composed. So she stops her sprint and begins to walk again until she comes to a stop in front of her husband. She greets Butsuma with a smile and nods to Shikaku. Butsumas lips twitch at her healthy appearance as he greets her himself. Some of his wrinkles soften and disappear at her healthy stature and she can see his hidden worry vanish. "Nayuki, it is good to see you again. Would you like to introduce me to our trading partner, before you can return to the compound? You can give your mission report later", he addresses her in his all business attitude. Nodding she introduces Byakuren to him before he turns his attention at her again. Sending her off home to get some rest and finally reunite with her beloved sons. Normally she would have protested about being excluded from the important discussion, however, the prospect of seeing her sons again stops any argument from leaving her mouth. Silently she says her goodbyes to the caravan she traveled with so long. In the meantime Butsuma tells Kihee to accompany her and silently promises her to welcome her back more lovingly later. When Nayuki and Kihee begin to make their way to the compound Butsuma starts to talk with their new business partner.
Skilled both shinobi move through the trees anxiously running towards their families. It doesn't take them long until they can see the wall built around the compound. Seeing the gates of the compound in the distance, they take up their pace. As soon as they enter the compound, they excuse themselves and rush towards their homes. While running towards her house she observes the people on the streets. Most look rather hungry and starved. Some of the children running by look like they are wearing clothes that don't fit. Seeing the results of the shortage of food, Nayuki moves faster until she stands at their front door. She takes a deep breath before grapping the doorknob and opening the door the first time in months. Warm air rushes into her face as she enters her home. Silently she searches the house for her sons chakra signatures – finding them in the living room together with Hanabi.
Upon entering the room her eyes fall on the slightly starved looking children in front of her. Her heart clenches at her suffering sons. Trembling she observes them playing together until Tobirama suddenly looks up – directly at her. "Kaa-chan", he whispers breathless. Hearing his brothers words Hashirama too looks at Nayuki. He on the other hand jumps to his feet and runs up to his mother with a loud shout of, "KAA-CHAN!" He throws himself into her, hugging her desperately. Even Tobirama gets to his little feet and runs up to her. Both mutter their fears into her dirty clothes as they cry and hug her at the same time. Nayuki pulls both of them into her as her own eyes fill themselves with hot tears and her trembling hands run through their hair. She reassures them and kisses both over and over again while tears travel down her cheeks. Hanabi watches the happy reunion in front of her and smiles, shedding some tears of her own. Some time later Nayuki lets go of her older sons and moves to pick up her growing baby boys. With Kawarama and Itama in her arms she settles down on the floor and immediately Hashirama and Tobirama cuddle up to her on both sides.
Hanabi decides to greet her friend back too now that her sons have greeted her already, "It's good to have you back my friend. How was your travel? Did you have many problems and could you really find new food suppliers?" Nayukis watery eyes settle upon the pregnant woman before her, "Hai, it's good to see you too. We didn't have many problems. Once I got involved into a blood hunt of the Uchiha as they were going after a Sarutobi team, but that's the most interesting thing that happened besides finding a food supplier in Byakuren and his caravan." Curious children eyes looked at her silently asking for the whole story. Complying the wordless begging she starts telling her story. Throughout the story the faces of her listener go through various emotions. At the end of her tale Nayuki realizes that it's nighttime by now. Hanabi, realizing the same, excuses herself and makes her way home. Nayuki though has to answer her sons curious questions for another half of an hour.
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When the family settles for the night, Hashirama and Tobirama look at their mother figure and ask her about staying with her and their father for the night. "We haven't seen you in such a long time and we really need to make sure that you are here. We want to wake up next to you tomorrow, only to be sure that it wasn't a dream that you came home today", Hashirama explains their behavior to her as Tobirama nods. She sighs and smiles before assuring that it's alright for them to stay. When she finally lays down on her futon, both of them cuddle into her sides and fall asleep. Soon Nayuki follows them into the land of dreams, while holding her sons in a loving embrace. And that's exactly the position in which Butsuma finds his wife and sons upon returning. Smiling to himself he joins his newly reunited family in bed, kissing each of them on the forehead before moving one of his arms protectively around them.