A/N: I know it's been too long since I've last updated and I'm so so so sorry for that . Things haven't all gone too well this year, but now everything's okay. Currently in Vermont and loving the scenery here, but too cold for me! Hahah. Anyways, here's the too long awaited Chapter Five and I hope it's to all your liking. Thank you for the patience, even though it may seem frustrating that it took so long.


~Chapter Five~

-On the way to Hokage's office-

As Yoru semi-limped towards the direction of Lady Tsunade's office, Sakura walked close beside him. The two remained silent for the longest of time, unsure what to say now to each other. Misaki hummed and skipped along ahead, stopped and waited for them then returned to skipping along. Sakura watched the lilac-color haired girl, curiosity starting to gnaw at her. She glanced up towards the draconic youth, only to blush again. She hadn't really looked him over since his return to the Leaf Village. He has grown much taller, maybe a good head or two more than Naruto, just maybe a bit taller than Kakashi-sensei, Yoru's adoptive father. She noticed the markings, the tribal tattooing that twisted and danced along the stretch of his forehead and also from his snow white eyebrows to his hairline. Her green eyes traced along the strong line of his jaw to his broad shoulders and well toned arms. A light blush dusted her cheeks at the thought of seeing Yoru without his top on and thought that if he's so well-toned now, he must be so too under all that clot- Sakura came to a halt; her green eyes wide and the blush deepened.

'W-Why am I thinking of that now?! He just returned home and-and not only that, he's injured!' Sakura covered her face and groaned a little.

Yoru stopped and turned to face Sakura three-fourths view, his head tilted a little as he watched her curiously. "Sakura, you alright?" his sounding a bit deeper than she last remembered; an odd accent thick and smooth sounding it rolled over her senses like a silky blanket over her now flushed skin. She piqued and rigorously shook her head then slapped her hands against her cheeks. Yoru blinked and opened his mouth to speak, but closed his lips and thought better not to question what he just saw.

Sakura smiled and trotted up to his side, "Yeah, everything's fine! Let's get to Lady Tsunade's office before she sends someone out to look for us." then passed him without a second look.

"Uh," Yoru was confused by her actions then followed after her at a steady pace to not strain his injured leg too much. "Okay then..."

Misaki giggled and ran back to her adoptive father and took hold of his hand, beaming up to him with a childish smile and Yoru looked down to her. He smiled and ruffled her hair earning a squeal and giggle from her then she pushed his hand away and ran after the fast walking pink-haired konoichi. Yoru watched as his adoptive daughter threw her arms around Sakura's waist, startling the pink-haired girl briefly only to receive a smile and a giggle back. He gave a soft sigh and glanced up to the vast blue skies above them, watching the clouds drift along, thinking of his mother and father during his childhood.

'Maybe... just maybe...' Yoru returned his gaze back to the girls, the little daughter he gained over the few months and the love he so missed during his time away, 'We could be a family one day...'


Yoru and Sakura stood before Lady Tsunade's desk as the elder Sannin looked them both over, mostly the draconic youth. Standing just slightly behind, yet to the side, of Tsunade was Shizune. The draconic youth recognized seeing her a few years back following after the elder Sannin in a casino place, even the little pig she held in her arms, Ton Ton. When his feline-like crimson eyes met with Ton Ton's, the pig jolted and trembled in Shizune's arms out of fright, like it was being watched by a predator at that very moment. By technicality, Yoru was a predatory creature, but had no interest in hunting pork.

"I see you haven't returned entirely unscathed," Lady Tsunade spoke, taking hold of the draconic youth's attention from Ton Ton.

"My escort group was attacked by Sound ninja, but before then I was attacked by my own power hungry Ancestral Uncle..." Yoru tried to contain himself from growling at the end of his sentence, his shoulder started to ache at the reminder.

"So I've read from the Akatsuki's own report, though I am shocked they were even willing to give such information," Lady Tsunade moved the report towards the edge of her desk and Yoru took an easy step forward. As the draconic youth looked over the report himself, she continued. "It also mentioned that during your one mission with two of their members, which included your cousin Itachi Uchiha, and another that has the ability to manipulate clay into explosives, Deidara." Yoru continued to read over the report, but listened carefully to Tsunade's words. "During your time out of the Akatsuki base, you found something and brought it back with you... a small cub or child similar to you."

Yoru lifted his head up to look the Leaf Hokage in the eye. "Yes," he said firmly. "I also found her dead mother, who bore the Senju clan marking. My daughter," Yoru cleared his throat and shifted his weight to his uninjured leg. "Misaki is also a Ryuu Yokai, but I do not know who it is even possible. As in, the Ryuu Yokai are of an ancient Uchiha Bloodline before Madara's time."

Sakura listened to what she was hearing, her eyes watching Yoru's form, watching his usual gentle expression a calm and collected one. A composure she hasn't seen since she first met Yoru. Lady Tsunade slowly nodded her head and leaned forward, resting her elbows on her desk as she laced her fingers together in thought. "It is questioning, how the Senju even have Ryuu Yokai in their bloodline. Maybe there is a possibility that one of the Uchiha's Ryuu Yokai cross-bred with another of Senju blood... but concerning the history both Uchiha and Senju have, it's something that still seems highly questionable." Lady Tsunade then stood up, "Where is the child now?"

Yoru and Sakura glanced at each other and Sakura turned away to walk back towards the door, "She's outside the office with Naruto, Lady Hokage." Yoru responded.

When Sakura opened the door, Misaki came barrelling in her feral form letting out mewling-mreawrs of her own. Sakura had quickly moved out of the way so not to step on the little lion cub-sized baby. Naruto came in after, covered in scratches and bite marks even looked a little disheveled. Yoru looked to his old friend and smirked, a small snicker sounded from the draconic youth.

"Having a bit of a hard time with a cub, Naruto?" he jested, earning an annoyed glare from his blonde friend.

Sakura giggled into her hand and Misaki continued to run in circles around her young adoptive father's feet. Yoru crouched down and gently grabbed the cub by her scruff to keep her in place long enough for him to move his free hand under her belly to pick her up. He carefully stood back up and held his adoptive daughter like a puppy as Lady Tsunade rounded her desk to get a closer look at the baby Ryuu Yokai. Shizune stared at the baby in fascination to her fur coloring, even the oddity of Misaki's eye coloring. They were a soft crystal blue, human-like and a puppy look to them not like Yoru's crimson feline-like ones that read deadly. Lady Tsunade checked over the baby's paws first, oddly unsheathed compared to the sheathed versions before Yoru unsheathed his own for an attack, even her back paws here the same. Misaki's ears were wolfish in comparison to long, pointed-type. Tsunade then tilted the baby's head up a little then to the side gently to get a good look at her short muzzle and her sharp puppy-like teeth.

"Hm," Lady Tsunade hummed softly, "Compared to your feral anatomy, Yoru, her's is more canine than feline. The near complete opposite of you." she let go of Misaki's little muzzle and the baby scrunched and unscrunched her muzzle as she licked at the top of her mouth and nose to rid of the sensation of being messed.

"If an ancestor of mine really did cross-bloodlines with a Senju, do you think the Ryuu Yokai blood was dulled down some?" Yoru questioned, "I mean, I am no medical nin such as you, Lady Hokage." he quickly spoke, not wishing to offend if he accidentally did.

Lady Tsunade paid no mind to it, "It's a possibility, but for now we'll just have to see." she returned to her seat and with a wave of her had dismissed them.


Once outside of Lady Tsunade's office, Sakura stepped up to Yoru and offered to hold Misaki, who was all for the pink-haired girl to hold her. Misaki squirmed and yipped in Yoru's arms just as he was handing her off. He smiled and chuckled at the site of his adoptive daughter's excitement. Naruto stood up from his seat on the couch he had taken moments after entering the room after Misaki. The blonde stretched and started prattling about their previous missions and adventures when the draconic youth wasn't here. How they also missed him and how Sakura used to watch the gates from atop of her roof. Sakura punched Naruto in the arm as she blushed furiously, keeping a good hold of Misaki with one arm in the process. Yoru chuckled and followed at an easy pace with them as they left the building, stepping out into the warm sun of the afternoon.

As they walked, Yoru picked up his pace a bit more to slip an arm around Sakura's waist, startling her for a moment and the pink-haired girl looked up to him. He smiled down to her and Sakura blushed lightly as she smiled back up to him. Misaki looked at the two young adults, who she saw as her parents. Naruto kept on talking and when he wasn't getting any answer from the two, he turned around and noticed how the two had slipped into couples stance. His expression softened as he smiled to his two friends, happy for them both and very happy that his brother-like figure was back too. He turned on his heels and placed his hands behind his head as he continued walking, giving a foolish grin.

Yoru was home and here to stay.


A/N: Okay, I know this chapter seems a bit short, but that's what I had in mind for the three's reunion and the meeting with Lady Tsunade... Mm~... maybe toss out some ideas for the next chapter for me to play with? :3