"I'm nervous," Naruto confessed over the phone.

"That's understandable," Gaara consoled him. "You're positive you want to do this?"

Naruto sighed remorsefully. "It's time. Besides, she deserves to know."

Guren had finally reached out to arrange a meeting with him. The only thing Naruto found comfort in while waiting for her to arrive was talking it through with one of his fated brothers. On the outside he was tranquil as ever, but inside was a maelstrom of anxiety.

"You know I would have flown out right away if you asked, right?" Gaara's concern was heart warming.

Naruto was touched. He found himself fiercely missing the redhead. "I know. Part of me wanted you here but it's something I have to face alone."

"I understand," Gaara muttered. Obviously feeling uncomfortable with Naruto facing things alone again.

Naruto couldn't help but chuckle at the redhead's reproach. "I'll be alright Gaara, promise."

Gaara sighed softly. "I know you will. It's just, I worry about you. You still try to do everything on your own and you don't need to anymore."

Naruto hung his head and shut his eyes. "I know you don't like it, but this is something I have to do alone."

"Not even with the Uchiha?" Gaara grumbled.

Naruto snorted. "Especially not with him."

"Oh? Things not working out?" There was a wicked curiosity in the redhead's voice.

Naruto shook his head even though Gaara couldn't see him. "No, that's not it. Things are progressing well."

"Then?" Gaara prompts him to continue.

A strangled groan escaped Naruto's throat. "Well we talk daily but we still haven't talked about what happened back then. Or I haven't and he hasn't asked."

"And that bothers you?" Gaara guessed aloud.

Naruto sighed irritably. "Yes and no."

"I'm going to need more than that Naruto," Gaara realised long ago that getting the fox to open up was worse than pulling teeth.

Naruto leaned over and pinched the bridge of his nose. "I don't want to talk about it but at the same time it's a conversation we need to have if we ever plan on moving forward."

Gaara mentally scrutinised Naruto's words. "And you plan on moving forward with him?"

A sound of affirmation escaped Naruto. "It's impossible not to. Being here, being close to him is unlike anything I've ever felt before. Fuck, even Kyu's effected."

After a pause, Gaara snorted. "Shukaku called him a horny fox."

'Tell that Tanuki I'll show him a horny fox,' Kurama interjected menacingly.

Naruto laughed at his companion.

'What's so funny?' Kurama grumbled.

'Oh nothing, I just remembered when I found out you were a male and not some genderless energy source like I originally thought.' Naruto chuckled fondly.

Kurama huffed. 'Oh, you mean when I threatened to bend Shukaku over and show him how male I was?'

Naruto smirked. 'That would be it.'

Amused, Kurama shook his head. 'You should have known. I was once an animal after all.'

Naruto shrugged. 'I had a lot on my plate.'

Kurama hummed softly. "Hn, can't argue there.'

"Naruto?" Gaara's voice beaconed him from his mind.

"Shit sorry. Kyu was threatening Shukaku with his dick again," Naruto laughed lightly.

Gaara snorted. "That makes sense, Shukaku's been egging him on as well."

The two Jinchūriki shared a good laugh and came to the conclusion that the two beasts probably just wanted to bang each other. That also earned them both an earful from the same beasts.

Gaara let out a deep breath, finally calming his diaphragm down before continuing their conversation. "So, you plan on talking to him?"

"Yeah, he's actually coming over this weekend," Naruto answered easily.

"To your place?" Gaara couldn't hide his surprise.

"Hn," Naruto hummed effortlessly.

Gaara had raised his eyebrow. "And you're fine with that?"

"Yeah I am," Naruto paused, he shook his head and snorted at himself. "It's funny, I spent all those years trying to keep the divide between us and now I'm shattering the last piece that keeps us separated and I can't find it in me to care."

It was bizarre for Gaara to hear Naruto so unguarded. "What the hell happened after his party?"

"Nothing, just the constant tug of our bond. The more I see him the stronger it gets. It's an indescribable fe-'' Naruto gets cut off by an intricate sounding doorbell. "Shit that's her," he quickly mutters anxiously.

"Just breathe," Gaara calmly commanded. "You're going to be fine."

Naruto took a deep breath just like what was asked of him. "You're right. I'll call you later, yeah?"

"You better," Gaara's voice was teasing and full of calming affection. Gaara didn't sleep much anyways so the time difference didn't matter to him.

They bid each other goodbye and Naruto ended the call. When the doorbell sang again he pocketed his phone and slid his mask on then proceeded to walk towards his door. When he reached the grand door he took one final deep breath and opened the door.

"Ms. Kesshō, Yūkimaru, thank you for coming," he moved aside and gestured with his arm. "Please, come in."

"Thank you for having us, you have a lovely home. And please, I thought we already established that you may call me Guren." She falsely scolds with a kind smile on her face.

Under the mask, Naruto tightly smiled and nodded. "My apologies, thank you, Guren."

"Your house is really cool, Kurama!" Yūkimaru interrupted excitedly. He couldn't believe he was allowed to skip school to go to his idols house. "I've never seen another place like this in all of Konoha."

Naruto closed the door behind them. "Thank you, it was modelled similarly to where I stay overseas," he gestured with his head to follow him. "Your husband couldn't make it?"

Guren and Yūki followed. "No, unfortunately his work had a mix up with a lumber shipment and they required him on sight."

"Hn," Naruto hummed softly as he ushered them to a cosy living room.

The wood walls of the room were a soft hickory with huge windows that allowed ample lighting in, and the one wall was dominated by a large stone fireplace. The floors were a gorgeous espresso and at the centre was a cream rug that sat under two auburn sofas. Both the coffee table and end tables appeared to be made from repurposed wood giving them a rustic feel. A couple plants decorated the corners of the room along with a few tranquil nature stills lining the walls.

Entering the room Naruto slips into gracious host mode. "Can I get either of you anything to drink?"

"Tea please. That is if you have it," Guren smiled politely.

"Water please," Yūkimaru beamed.

"Coming right up. Please make yourselves comfortable. " Naruto tips his head and retreats.

Guren and Yūkimaru find themselves sitting on the plush sofas. Yūkimaru picked up one of the magazines on the tables and begins to thumb through it while Guren observes one of the nature stills. It was a lone tree on a hill just as dusk was taking over. The image was saturated in cold purples and tinged with warm pinks and oranges. It was very calming.

Before long Naruto was back with a tray of refreshments.

"Sorry for the wait, I wasn't sure how you took your tea so I brought everything," Naruto sounded a bit bashful as he placed the tray down on the coffee table.

"Oh you didn't have to, black is fine," Guren waved her hand to put the man at ease.

Yūki raised his eyebrow at his mother. "Mom, you always have milk in your tea."

Guren blushed. "Ah well…um…I didn't want to be an inconvenience."

"But he asked," Yūki pointed out dryly.

"Traitor," Guren pokes him playfully.

Naruto chuckled as he sat across from them. "It's fine, really. It's not a bother, I just hope you don't have a nut allergy. Almond milk is all I have."

With a smile, Guren lifts the creamer containing almond milk and pours some in her tea. "It's perfect, thank you."

Yūki sighed dramatically. "Adults are weird."

Guren feigns offence. "Ouch my son, you wound me."

Naruto shakes his head fondly at the pair. He never had a mother so it's not like he knew what that was supposed to feel like but he'd like to think that Kushina and him would be playful like them.

Smirking, Yūki snatched his bottle of water like it was gold. 'I'm totally going to keep this and brag to my friends later.' He was forbidden from taking pictures or discussing what was said there, but that didn't mean he couldn't take the bottle as a souvenir.

After everyone had their drinks Guren decided to jump right into it. "So, you want to sponsor Hope for Tomorrow?"

"No beating around the bush huh?" Naruto rubbed the back of his neck sheepishly.

Guren shrugged. "I don't see the need."

"In that case yes and no." Naruto lifted his mask slightly then picked up his coffee and blew on it before taking a tentative sip. Both Yūki and Guren couldn't keep their eyes off the new patch of face they'd been revealed. I wasn't much but it was still a piece of the masked man's alluring face that previously hadn't been seen.

Guren mentally shook her head before raising her eyebrow at him in confusion. "What does that mean?"

Naruto looked from Guren to her son who was looking inquisitively around the room. "You're free to explore if you'd like."

Yūki's head snapped back to the fox. Shock was evident in his face. "Seriously?"

Naruto nodded. "Seriously."

"I don't know if that's a good idea," Guren looked at the fox incredulously.

Naruto waved his hand dismissively. "It's fine."

"Yeah mom, you heard him, it's fine!" Yūki practically shook with excitement as he looked at his idol. "Do you have a music room, or studio or whatever?" He rambled out eagerly.

Naruto shook his head with an amused snort. "If I told you, what would be the point in giving you free rein to snoop be?"

A shit eating grin stretched across the young teens face. "So cool!"

"Yūkimaru don't you-" before Guren could finish her son had raced off leaving a trail of invisible smoke behind him. "You little…" she exhaled loudly as she hung her head in dismay.

Naruto leaned back and lifted his mask to take another sip of coffee. "He'll be fine."

Ignoring the produced mouth this time, Guren let out a resigned sigh. "You don't know how clumsy that boy is."

Naruto shrugged as he put his coffee on the table. "It's just stuff. Stuff can always be replaced. Why not let him have some fun?"

She raised a disbelieving eyebrow at him. "You're not worried about him seeing something he shouldn't? By the looks of it, this is your personal home. Yūki is a curious boy and you just handed him the keys to the kingdom and gave him zero restrictions."

Naruto anxiously fiddled with the lip of his mask. "You'll both be leaving with a secret far greater than anything his expedition could procure."

Fright flickered across her face as her breathing picked up. She just realised she was alone in a secluded area with her son and a man she didn't know. "Wh-what does that mean?"

Naruto scolded himself when he saw the woman's distress. What an idiot he was. "Shit, sorry. I didn't mean to scare you. It's just you asked me if I wanted to sponsor Hope for Tomorrow right?"

Guren nodded hesitantly, Kurama's deep voice was rather soothing. "Yes?"

"I'm kind of already a sponsor," he responded sheepishly.

She looked perplexed. "What? I know all the names of our private sponsors and Kurama isn't one of them."

Naruto slowly looked down at his lap. "What about Taroun Mukuzai?"

"How-" her face paled. "T-that's you?"

Naruto nodded his head but held his downwards gaze. "Yes."

Her brow furrowed. "Why? You've donated over twenty million dollars since I founded Hope for Tomorrow, that feels a little deeper than just being a victim."

"I truly wanted to help your cause," Naruto's voice was soft.

"It's not that I'm not appreciative but you were half a world away. Why help my cause and not one closer to you?" Guren's voice shook with bewilderment. "Why my cause? Why reveal yourself to me now?"

"Because I'm from here," Naruto wistfully answered.

"What? Really?" It wasn't something Guren had expected to hear.

Naruto finally looked back up at her with shimmering cobalt sapphires. "Yes, really."

Guren could have sworn the man's eyes were red. "Your eye's weren't they-"

Naruto cut her off. "You said you created Hope for Tomorrow as a way of helping abuse victims as well as being a way of showing thanks to Naruto?"

"Yes, why?" Guren seemed hesitant as she squirmed in her seat slightly.

Naruto closed his eyes and exhaled heavily. "What if I told you Naruto already knew everything you wanted to tell him?"

Guren grit her teeth furiously. "I don't need another person who knows nothing about that night telling me what Naruto may or may not know." Over the years she'd lost count at the amount of people who have told her the whole, "he knows" spiel.

Naruto opened his eyes and snorted. "I know just as much as you."

"No you-" Guren stopped mid sentence as she watched the man reach for the back of his mask and slowly pull it off. All the colour left her face. She barely muttered, "oh my god," before tears filled her eyes.

"Hey," Naruto sheepishly smiled.

"You…it's really you?" She sniffled as she covered her mouth with her hand in disbelief. He had changed, but it was definitely him.

"Yeah, it's me,' he nodded softly.

Guren took a few deep breaths trying to calm herself. It was all a little overwhelming. Here he was, her saviour. He was alive and thriving. "How?"

"You'll have to be a little more specific," his tone was apologetic.

A flood of questions bombarded her brain. 'How are you alive? How are you here? How did you stay hidden? How did you escape? How did you survive with Minato for all those years?'

But only one question escaped her. "How have you been?"

Naruto smiled gently at her. "I've been well."

The woman quickly bows her head. "Thank you. Thank you for saving me and allowing me to watch Yuki grow up."

"Please sit up, You don't need to thank me. I already know," he finished with a teasing smirk.

"Sorry," Guren chuckled as she straightened up and wiped her tears away, the humour wasn't lost on her.

"Pfft, you don't need to apologise either," Naruto rolled his eyes playfully.

"You say that but I feel like I do," she let out a shaky breath before sipping her lukewarm tea. "This is a lot, you know?"

Naruto nodded understandingly. "I can imagine."

Guren placed her tea back down as she continued to compose herself. "If you don't mind me asking, why reveal yourself to me now? It's been years."

"I just moved back to Konoha, it felt like the right time," he shrugged nonchalantly.

Guren knitted her brow pensively. "And you couldn't have reached out sooner?"

Naruto shook his head ruefully. "No, I wasn't ready for anybody to know about me. Even now there aren't many people who know I'm back."

A poignant frown pulled at her lips. "I just wish I could have been there for you. We probably could have helped each other."

Naruto's lips twitched into a small, tender smile. "I think you've done splendidly. And I turned out alright didn't I?"

"Of course you did," Guren's frown deepened sorrowfully. " But I didn't speak to anyone but Yūki and my doctors for months, I wouldn't call that splendid. And you—you disappeared after life saving surgery. How?"

Naruto's smile dropped but his face was composed. "Let's just say I had some help."

"Who moves a post op patient? Where did you go?" Guren began to ramble.

Naruto sighed heavily, he should have expected this. "I can't tell you that."

Guren leaned forward and rested her face in her palms. "Have you at least spoken with the police since returning? All those men were out of prison after five years because you weren't here to testify against them."

"They would have been out regardless of my testimony," Naruto responded bitterly.

She looked up dubiously. "How do you know?"

Naruto clenched his jaw. "Men like them always get off easily."

"But you can't be certain," she muttered frantically.

Naruto's voice was dangerously low and laced with finality. "We're not discussing this."

Guren swallowed audibly at the atmosphere change. Perhaps that was a bit distasteful of her to try and delve into. "Sorry," she quietly apologised.

With a head shake, Naruto exhaled softly. "No, I'm sorry. It's just…it's something I'd rather not talk about."

Guren nodded in understanding. "I can understand that. Even with regular therapy It's still hard to stand up to crowds and talk about what happened to me. I can't imagine how hard it is for you."

In a gentle tone, Naruto quickly redirected. "Everything you've been doing, it really is amazing Guren."

Guren bowed her head bashfully. "Thank you. I'm glad I have the approval of the person who inspired it all."

Haku would consider himself a rather mellow man. He doesn't pry into others' business unless it's for work, he's kind to strangers, he even volunteers at the local shelter from time to time. However, to find out his best friend has been hiding a secret love from him was infuriating. Okay, maybe Sasuke wouldn't agree about the whole best friend thing, but he knew deep down in the man's cold, stoic heart he held their friendship in high regards even if he'd never admit it. So finding out through the grapevine that was Shisui Uchiha that Sasuke's behavioral change was due to love was unacceptable.

Haku stalked off the elevator and proceeded to pass Karin on his way to Sasuke's office.

"He's in a meeting!" Karin grumbled.

Haku pursed his lips at her. If Sasuke was busy he'd just go to a more resourceful source. "And Itachi?"

"He's waiting in Sasuke's office," she muttered.

Haku turned away and headed towards Sasuke's office, ignoring the mutterings of the redhead. If Itachi was waiting for Sasuke that meant he wasn't busy. From the distance Haku could see that the office door was open which boded well for him, he wouldn't need to knock.

As soon as Haku was within earshot he had to fight the urge to tuck tail and leave. A voice he could clearly identify as Kisame's came guffawing through the office's speakerphone. "Humongoid boobaloos Tachi! Things could have crushed the car. Actually, I'm not even sure how she was able to drive. Over time, turning the steering wheel would surely give her nipple burn."

Itachi snorted. "Well your day's certainly been interesting."

"That's putting it—Shit! I gotta go, she's back." Kisame muttered quietly like he was a child hiding from a monster. As the line went dead, Itachi couldn't hold back his laughter.

Even though the door was open, Haku decided it was wise to knock after dropping in on a conversation he had no business in hearing. Actually, he'd like to permanently forget he heard whatever the hell that conversation was.

Haku knocked heavily on the door.

"Come in," Itachi says breathily from his laughter. He was sitting in Sasuke's comfy office chair like it was his own office.

"Um, hey Itachi," Haku awkwardly greets.

Itachi smirked. "Hello Haku, What brings you here on this fine day?"

"Well, I came to find out why I had to find out from Shisui that Sasuke has a love interest!" Haku grumbled.

"Oh, Shisui said that, did he?" Itachi narrowed his eyes making Haku gulp.

"Um yeah." Haku nodded dumbly.

"What else did my dear cousin say, hn?" Itachi's face was doing that creepy thing where he smiled but his eyes seemed feral.

Haku broke eye contact. It was too intense. "Oh, um not much. Just that-"

"My office isn't a gathering place," Sasuke sighed, cutting him off as he walked into his occupied office.

"But there's so much room for activities little brother," Itachi smirked sarcastically.

Sasuke rolled his eyes. "Your office is bigger, do your activities there and leave me alone." Sasuke looked over to Haku. "What are you doing here?"

Haku crossed his arms. "I came to find out why my best friend didn't tell me he was seeing someone."

Sasuke's face froze. "What?" A million things went through his mind and he immediately worried about Naruto. Did someone really find out? He was so worried he even overlooked the fact that Haku proclaimed himself as his best friend again.

Itachi snorted. "Shisui apparently said you've been quite the love stricken puppy lately."

"That wasn't what he said!" Haku quickly unfurled his arms and waved them around in defence.

Sasuke scowled. "What. Did. He. Say?"

"That you have a love interest," Haku muttered barley loud enough to comprehend.

Sasuke quickly schooled his face as he walked towards his desk. "I don't know what you're talking about. And Itachi, get out of my chair."

"What do you mean you don't know what I'm talking about?" Haku narrows his eyes at him. "You haven't been photographed with anyone but Kurama in…Oh my god! You're seeing Kurama!" Haku's mouth gaped.

"Haku, if you don't want to be out on your ass, shut your mouth," Sasuke growled with clenched fists.

"But-" Haku began.

"Listen to him, Haku," Itachi interjected sternly, still making no move to get up from Sasuke's chair. "This isn't any of your business. You'd be wise to remember that."

"I thought we were friends," Haku whispered as he hung his head dejectedly. He was so excited about his friend's love life. Zabuza never contacted him after their steamy night the Nine Tails opened and he really needed someone's love life to focus on. It hurt to think that Sasuke didn't regard him highly at all.

Sasuke sighed, he couldn't take a pitiful Haku. "Listen, it's not something I can talk about alright?"

Haku slowly lifts his head. 'So you're not denying it?"

"Haku," Sasuke warned sternly.

"I understand," Haku grinned triumphantly. Sasuke may not have come out and said he was right, but he wasn't denying it and Haku knew that was as good as Sasuke telling him it was true. If it wasn't true, Sasuke would have made it known loud and abundantly clear.

"Not a word to anyone, Haku," Itachi's voice held an edge sharper than any blade.

"And no poking around either," Sasuke glared.

Haku places his hand over his heart. "Scouts honour."

Sasuke and Itachi sigh simultaneously.

Itachi then shook his head. "You really have been hanging out with Shi too much."

"Speaking of Shi, if you'll excuse me, I have a secluded hole in a deep, dark forest that I need to introduce him to." Sasuke grinned like a maniac as he turned to leave. Nobody messed with his and more importantly, Naruto's privacy. Not even his goofy, lovable, idiotic cousin.

Itachi jumped up quickly and followed. He was of the same mindset regarding their kitsune's anonymity. "I'm coming, I'll bring the shovel. We can do lunch after."

Haku stood there rooted in his spot. Itachi's voice could be heard faintly in the distance. "Karin, hold our calls."

Haku blinked dumbly. 'What the fuck just happened?'

"Maybe we should go look for Yūki?" Guren laughed. He'd been gone for two hours while she and Naruto acquainted themselves.

"Sure," Naruto stood up and stretched.

"Are you really not going to put the mask back on?" Guren asked hesitantly as she too stood.

"Am I that terrible to look at?" Naruto feigns hurt.

"You are definitely not terrible to look at. In fact you're quit easy on the eyes." Guren teased before her concern returned. "But aren't you worried?"

"Nah. To be honest, it's nice not wearing that stuffy, smelly thing." Naruto chuckled.

Guren scrunched her nose. "I didn't even think of that."

Naruto shook his head, still chuckling lightly. "Yeah, it's great for privacy but after the novelty wears off it's a pain to deal with."

Guren grimaced as she began to follow the blond. "I can't even imagine."

"Yeah, you learn to appreciate fresh air on a whole new level," he joked.

Guren chuckled. "So, where do you think my spawn is?"

"Oh I have an inkling." Naruto smirked as he led her to a stairway that led to the basement. "My studio's down here."

"Ah, that would be a good start I guess," she hummed.

"Yeah. So you said he's in a band?" Naruto asked, genuinely curious. Music was his passion after all.

"Oh yeah, he does vocals but he started out playing the flute," Guren paused. "Don't tell him I told you he plays the flute, it would embarrass him."

Naruto's face was reproachful. "There's nothing wrong with him playing the flute. It's a beautiful instrument. I play the flute as well."

Guren sighed. "I agree, but he's at that age."

"Hn, maybe I'll play for him," Naruto muttered.

They came up to a thick, heavy door and all seemed quiet until Naruto opened it. When the door opened a simple rhythm was being played on the drums.

When Yūki looked up from the drums he had to do a double take. He thought his mother was with another man but he remembered Kurama was wearing the same black tee and torn black skinny jeans.

"Yūki, this is Naruto Uzumaki," Guren introduced him like he had never had a secret identity.

Yūkimaru's face paled. "Kurama is Naruto? As in, the Naruto Uzumaki who saved your life?"

Guren smiled kindly. "Yes."

Yūki put the drum sticks down then slowly stood up and walked towards them, Naruto eyed him curiously. He was trying to figure out what the young teen was thinking. When Yūki was directly in front of him he bowed so low Naruto was surprised his head didn't touch his knees. "Thank you for saving my mother."

Guren smiled with such pride while Naruto rubbed his neck awkwardly. He didn't know how to accept praise even to this day. "Stand up. You never have to thank me for such a thing."

Yūki remained bowed but shook his head. "You're wrong. Because of you I still have a mother, please accept my thanks."

Naruto sighed uncomfortably. "Okay, but only if you stand up."

Yūki shot up with a beaming smile. "Thank you,"

Naruto deflected by ruffling his hair. "Sure squirt."

"Hey! I'm not a kid. I'm not that small either," Yūki harrumphed as he folded his arms across his chest. Guren shook her head and chuckled at the exchange.

Naruto smirked down at him. "Everyone's short to me," he paused and looked off thoughtfully for a moment. "Well, except for Han, he has five inches on me."

Yūki furrowed his brow with a tilt of his head. "Han?" He wouldn't admit but Naruto was really tall, the thought of meeting anyone taller was daunting.

Naruto mentally shook his head and returned his gaze to the teen. "Kokuō," he loosely explained.

Yūki's eyes widened comically. "Han's his real name?" It made sense, he knew Kokuō was taller than Kurama.

Naruto chuckled. "Yes it is."

"Wow, so cool," the teen muttered in wonderment.

"Of course that doesn't leave this room," Guren's voice dipped into motherly warning.

Yūki rolled his eyes with a huff. "I know that mom."

Guren placed her hands on her hips. "I'm just making sure."

As mother and son teased one another Naruto took the opportunity to walk towards the back of the room where one of the sound panels hid a closet. Pushing it in, the hidden door popped open. Inside was a variety of cases that held various instruments ranging from the guitar Sasuke gifted him to the small rectangular case that housed the flute that Naruto was now digging out.

Yūki looked over at him curiously. "What are you doing?"

Naruto walked over to one of the stools and sat down. He looked up at Yūki after flipping open the silver clasps on the sleek black case. "I'm playing you something," he answered dryly.

"B-but that's a flute," the teen tried to hide his curiosity and cover in with a failed attempt at distaste.

Naruto cocked his eyebrow at him. "So?"

"Isn't it kind of...girly?" Yūki muttered his last word, feeling ashamed for even having thought it.

"Yūki!" Guren scolded furiously.

Naruto proceeded to assemble his flute. "No. I don't believe there is such a thing as something being girly...or masculine for that matter. People should feel free to express themselves and do things they enjoy without fear of scrutiny. Your way of thinking is a dangerous thing Yūki," the warning in his tone as Naruto made eye contact with the teen had shivers running down Yūkimaru's spine.

Somehow Naruto was even more intimidating without the mask. But this was the man who saved his mother and he would respect him even more than he had Kurama. Yūkimaru harshly swallowed back his shame. "Sorry."

Naruto shook his head. "As long as you learn from it you have nothing to be sorry for. You play the flute, correct?"

Yūki was shocked for a moment but nodded his head hesitantly.

"Well, so do I. In fact I dabble in just about as many instrument's I can get my hands on." Naruto smiled kindly.

"Really?" Every new bit of information he gained from the man excited the teen. It was a sight that warmed Guren's heart.

'Hn," Naruto hummed affirmatively then cocked his head. "Now, want to hear me play?"

"Yes!" Yūki all but shouted.

Naruto chuckled. 'Alright." With his large hands it was a little more difficult for him to comfortably play the flute without fumbling but years of practice had done wonders. He arranged his finger along the cold intricate instrument, lined his morphed lips against the mouthpiece, took a deep breath and began to play.

Naruto chose to play something he knew by heart, Cécile Chaminade's Concertino, Op. 107. The story behind it was rather amusing. Cécile Chaminade had composed it for her lover but he ended up being engaged to another woman. Cécile ended up crashing the wedding and playing what she wrote as a wedding gift. Afterwards she had received a letter from the bride's mother thanking her but on the back of the letter was a death threat.

The song was a bit incomplete without the accompanying instruments but it was beautiful nonetheless and both Yūki and Guren found themselves clapping in awe as he finished the piece flawlessly.

"Holy shit that was epic!" Yūki squealed.

"Normally I admonish you for your language but I agree," Guren gaped in bewilderment.

Naruto placed the flute on the lip of a stand and rubbed his neck sheepishly. "Thanks."

"Are you even real?" Yūki muttered.

Guren shot him an incredulous look.

Naruto shook his head in amusement. "I assure you I'm real."

"It's just crazy. You're seriously amazing," Yūki gushed. "I wish my band could meet you."

"Don't push your luck," Guren playfully scolded.

Intrigued, Naruto titled his head. "Tell me about your band."

"Wh-what?" Yuki gaped.

"Tell me about your band," he repeated, ignoring the teens evident shock. "Are you guys a fully formed band? Do you guys make your own music? Practice frequently? You know that sort of thing."

'We-well yes we are and we do. That is, we make our own music and practice regularly." Yūkimaru stammered out. He couldn't believe Kurama...or Naruto was taking an interest in his band.

"Hn, have you guys signed up to perform at Nine Tails?" Naruto asked curiously.

The teen nodded eagerly. "Yes, but we haven't been given a spot yet though."

Naruto appeared to be running something through his mind. "Well, while you guys wait to hear back, maybe you would like to perform for me sometime?"

Yūkimaru's jaw hit the floor, "Are you serious?!"

"Of course," Naruto responded seriously.

"Yes! We'd love to!" Yūki excitedly declared.

"Yūki, I'm sure Naruto's a busy man," Guren didn't want her son burdening the man.

Naruto waved his hand dismissively. "Honestly it would be a pleasure. I haven't had a lot of anything going on lately so it would give me something to look forward to as well."

"Well…if you're sure," Guren turned to point an accusative finger at her son. "But I don't want you guys giving him any trouble!"

Yūki beamed. "Wouldn't dream of it!"

By the time Guren and Yūki left Naruto felt delightfully light. That went way better than he could have ever imagined. He'll continue to support Hope for Tomorrow but as Kurama now. He was excited to listen to Yūkimaru's band now as well. It was something his previous schedule never had time for. With a small smile pulling at his lips he digs out his phone.

The phone rings twice before Gaara picked up. "How'd it go?"

Warmth radiated from the blond. "It went well."

"Come on mini-chi, this isn't fair!" Shisui protested from behind the door.

"Maybe this'll teach you to watch those loose lips of yours," Sasuke shouted smugly through the door.

"Just get out here already. You know you're getting off lightly," Itachi added as he leaned against the wall with his arms elegantly folded.

"Not you too Tachi," they could easily decipher the pout in Shisui's whine.

"Just get out here," Sasuke snickered.

"Fine, but I won't fucking like it," Shisui grumbled as he opened the door and walked out in a tailored suit he's never worn.

Itachi whistled. "Well, would you look at that?"

"Hmph," Shisui grunted petulantly.

Sasuke scowled. "Where's the tie?"

Shisui narrowed his eyes back at his younger cousin. "You wouldn't."

"You want your band tees and ripped jeans back or not?" Sasuke taunted smugly.

"God you guys suck! How do you wear this crap to work everyday anyways?" Shisui grumbled while pulling his wedged inseam down while making his way back into his room.

Itachi shrugged. "It's not that bad."

"Tch, lies," Shi clicked his tongue in annoyance.

Sasuke smirked as his cousin disappeared from sight. "And no clip-ons either!"

A string of very colourful expletives soon followed.