Hey everyone, hope you're all doing well! Just cleaned this up over the past week, and although it's short, I think it's a bit of a bridge between the characters, so I hope you all enjoy it!

2 days later...

"Sir the specimen Gamma-3011 along with subjects Phantom and Kitana have been recovered. Lab statistics show the damage and decomposition of Gamma-3011 have made the specimen unusable. Statistics show that Phantom and Kitana are both fit for implantation of Solanum Subortus. What do you suggest be done with the surviving subjects?" Kabuto asked. The man he was talking to stood with his back to him, continuously observing a simulation of his virus binding with muscle tissue.

"Put the subjects in experimental containment and have them subjected to the Theta strain to repair any keep the body from decaying any further. Notify me once the reanimation process has been completed, we will decide then on whether or not to introduce them to the Alpha strain. By the way, any results on the tests of the Omega strain?"

"Understood sir, and nothing promising as of yet. Infected specimens show no signs of rational thought, but extreme violence and physical strength, more so than any of the current undead." Kabuto's superior seemed to think for a moment before nodding to him.

"Very well, continue the testing, and keep me updated on any changes with Subjects Phantom and Kitana."

"As you wish Dr. Orochimaru."

Even in all his years in the military, Naruto had never felt more regret or remorse in his life. Gaara's death was horrible on him in every sense of the word, but he didn't have a family.

Gaara didn't have a kid.

He hadn't really slept since their trip into town. All there was were small periods of dozing off, and even those tiny 10 minute windows where his body and mind attempted to rest, he was only plagued by flashbacks and dreams. Each time it was either a replay of Neji or Gaara's final moments, or him stuck behind a pane of unbreakable glass as they were murdered before him. The wicked combination didn't make for a whole lot of rest.

As he continued to stare at the fire, tears just seemed to flow freely, leaving wet spots all across his t-shirt. He ground his teeth as he heard Temari and Tayuya bring back a completely wrecked Hana form the forest once more. That seemed to be the thing she did ever since they're return. Go into the forest trying to escape her situation.

"Shh honey, it's gonna be fine, I promise." Temari consoled, but it did nothing to ease the little girl's pain. She wept. And wept. And wept. Each whimper, sniff, and outcry he heard from Hana was nothing but another knife in his gut.

He hated that feeling. He hated Zabuza. He hated Neji and TenTen for dying on him, leaving their daughter behind. Most of all though, he hated himself. It was under his leadership and guidance that they'd perished, and he would never be able to forgive himself. Swallowing his sorrow, pain, and self loathing, he rose to his feet and walked to where Temari was still holding Hana, trying to quiet her. It seemed as though the girl just couldn't stop, but nobody blamed her. Only 10 years old, and an orphan during the apocalypse.

What a great life.

"I'll be damned if I don't make it better." he muttered, nodding to Temari, who gave the whimpering girl to the blonde. He cradled her, shushing her softly as he walked into the woods. If there was a scrap of good of the situation, it was that she didn't know how to blame anyone for what happened. That was all the saving grace that Naruto needed. He walked to a sturdy looking tree, settling down at the base with Hana still clinging to him. He slowly rubbed her back, doing his best not to break down himself.

"Do you want to know something Hana?" he asked softly, his thunderous voice startling her slightly. She drew back, looking at him with puffy, reddened eyes.

"W-w-what?" she hiccuped. He let his gaze fall down on her.

"When your parents figured out they were gonna have a kid, you wouldn't believe how they both freaked out. Guess what the first thing they did was?" He asked, wiping a couple tears with his large fingers. She sniffled, fighting the urge to cry at the thought of her parents.

"W-what did they do?" she asked.

"They called me and aunt Hina."

*FLASHBACK*

A 20 year old Naruto groaned as his cell phone went off, also waking his pregnant wife. She rolled over, heaving a tired sigh as she looked at her husband, before reaching across to try and get the phone. She squeaked as his massive hand shot up, catching her small arm before gently guiding it down. He heaved a huge sigh of his own before grabbing the phone

"H'llo..." he garbled, his face muffled by the pillow he was trying to drown himself in.

"Naruto? Hey, uh, we've got a situation..." Neji trailed off uneasily, gaining Naruto's attention. He sat up and rubbed his eyes, trying to clear his mind.

"What's up man?" he asked.

"Well, um, I, er...you see..." Neji was a stuttering mess, which did nothing but irritate the blonde.

"Spit it out!" he barked, grimacing as he heard Hinata sigh beside him, trying to sit down.

"Alright, alright! Well...TenTen's pregnant. I've got no clue what to do I need help Naruto what're you guys doing to prepare for your kid cause we've got no fucking clue what we're gonna do and I-"

"Neji slow down! TenTen's pregnant? What a shocker!" Naruto said sarcastically, grinning at his friend's luck. "Listen buddy, I know you guys aren't going to get rid of it, so here's the thing: take it one step at a time, alright? Figure out your station schedules for the next year or two, and plan form there." He said calmly and cheerily, much to Neji's chagrin.

"But what about-"

"Relax."

"But how am I sup-"

"Relax!"

"How do you expect me to relax with a kid on the w-"

"RELAX!" Naruto hissed, trying not to disturb Hinata any more than he needed to. Neji grumbled before going silent.

"Neji, look. Hinata's pregnant, and it's the best thing that's ever happened to us. We're enjoying, well, almost every minute of it," he paused with a chuckle. "Point is, it's a learning experience. You're not gonna be able to just map the entire thing out right away, you've just gotta see where it leads you buddy, but you're smart, I think you can figure it out. Catcha later, i've got sleep I need to catch up on." Naruto abruptly hung up, sticking the phone on the nightstand before flopping back beside his wife, wrapping an arm around her.

Meanwhile Neji, thought hard at what Naruto said, weighing the phone in his hand before setting it down. Turning to his wife, who was sitting at the table, uncharacteristically silent as she stared at her hands. He walked over and knelt by her side.

"Hey, we'll be fine, trust me." He said simply, pressing his nose into her forearm. She gazed to him, her saddened demeanor breaking apart at the warm smile of her beloved husband. She fell to her knees as well, hugging him close, smiling as a few tears trickled down her face.

"You promise?" she hiccuped. He pulled her face in front of him, holding it in her hands.

"I promise." he said with another warm smile.

*FLASHBACK END*

"You were their world Hana. When they had you, i'd never seen them happier. I'd never seen anything mean more to them. They loved you, and even though...even though they're gone, they still love you, and they're still looking out for you." He finished, resting his head against the tree as she flung her arms around his neck and wept. Naruto held her close, shushing her and comforting her as she cried and cried. He lost track of how long they were there, only breaking concentration on Hana to give whoever approached to check on the two a shake of his head. She slowly began to lessen her cries, until she was just holding onto Naruto, hiccuping, along with the occasional whimper. He slowly pulled her in front of him, tilting her chin up as he looked into her pale eyes.

Eyes just like her father's.

"They would've wanted you to be happy Hana, and I know that's far away right now, but they also wanted you to be taken care of, and I promise I'll do my best. I know...I know I let you down by not bringing them back, but as long as it's okay with you, from this moment on, I'll treat you as one of my own . I'll protect you, always make sure you're safe, and I'll do everything I can to make you happy, this I promise Hana." He finished, smiling weakly as a lone tear made it's way down his face.

The small girl's lip trembled as she once again hugged him close, occasionally mumbling 'uncle' as she drifted off. He sat there momentarily, reflecting on everything from the trip, before standing up slowly, walking back to the camp with a sleeping Hana in his arms.

Naruto found himself awake once more, but found it due to the absence of his children. He looked to his left and saw the form of Hana snuggled against Hinata. He gave a sad smile at the sight before turning back up to the sky. Sitting up, he found the two with their heads leaning against one another as they stared up at the sky as it was marred by the smoke drifting up from the city. Just as he was about to crawl towards them, he heard Akari speak up.

"Shinji?"

"Hm?"

"Do you think...do you think we'll die?" she asked, fear coating her voice. The boy seemed to think before answering, throwing both Akari and Naruto for a loop.

"Well I mean, yeah." Akari recoiled, looking at him with a horrified expression. He looked back at her quizically.

"What? I mean everyone dies eventually, that's just kinda what happens." he answered dumbly, earning a smack from his sister as she glared at him before resting her head against his once more.

"No you dummy, I mean, do you think we'll die cause of everything that's happening?"

"Of course not Aka-chan, why would you ask that?"

"Well I mean look what happened to Uncle Neji and Aunt TenTen! I mean, this was the first time they've been to town and already they both died! What if that happens to us? or Dad?" Akari had begun to sob, wrapping her arms around her brother's waist as he pulled her close.

"I miss them too, but you know for a fact mom and dad aren't gonna let that happen to us. If, kami forbid of course, it was just us, you'd better believe that no one's hurting my little sister!" he said determinedly before tilting her chin up.

"Besides, we're invincible." He said softly, holding her close as she flung her arms around his neck and cried softly. They sat in the position for a few minutes before she slowly let go, smiling as she wiped her eyes and nose, before hitting him once more with a smirk.

"Why do you keep hitting me?!" he hissed, rubbing his head. She giggled before looking back up at the sky.

"You idiot, 3 minutes earlier than me doesn't count."

"Totally does..." he muttered. Akari grinned at her brother's behavior. Naruto looked at the two of them thoughtfully, mulling over their words. Could he really protect them like they thought he could? He'd thought he could protect everyone, but Neji and TenTen were both prime examples of how he wasn't the leader he thought he was...

"Nobody's laying a finger on them." he thought fiercely. He shook the thoughts as best he could, going up behind the twins and clasping his hands over their mouths as he pulled them backwards.

"Would you two relax?" he hissed, trying to make them stop the muffled screams. They're eyes searched the darkness for their abductor, glowering as their eyes settled on the smiling face of their father. He let his hands off, raising an eyebrow as they both shot up and glared at him.

"Why do you always do that?" Akari asked exasperatedly, frowning as Naruto chuckled.

"I can't trust you two not to freak out if I come up behind you without warning." He said simply. Both children continued to scowl at him before crawling up against him and wrapping themselves in blankets, looking up into the night sky.

"Dad you're dumb."

"So are you ya little harpy." Akari giggled before settling in farther.

"Dad you're an ass."

"I can say the same of you ya spiky-haired little twat." Shinji muffled his guffaw before stretching out and gazing into the stars. Once more, the Uzumaki family just let themselves fall under the blanket provided by the stars.

And that's a wrap on our sixth chapter! I hope you all enjoyed it, gimme some feedback on the story! As always, reviews good, bad, and ugly are always welcome! Hopefully I'll see you guys soon!

-Fett-spy