Disclaimer – I don't not own Naruto. Disappointing but true.
Chapter 8 – Meeting others
Naruto looked at the two people sitting opposite him in the living room. He was in the living room of the house Tsuchikage was given as a temporary residence during his stay in Konoha.
He inwardly sighed at the situation he was in. He didn't come to Konoha to be interrogated, not by people who he didn't even know. He came with the agreement of giving some information to secure his permanent residency in Konoha and nothing else.
'And now some Tsuchikage comes along to ruin it for me.' He looked at the red head sitting next to him. 'At least I can count on Gaara.'
"Hitsuma-sama, is there any point in this meeting? Because if there isn't I would like to meet Hokage-sama. I still need to talk to her about my position as a Konoha shinobi." Naruto drawled out in the monotone voice he had since his reappearance in Konoha.
The Tsuchikage's eyes narrowed in anger but he didn't say anything to spite him. "Actually Namikaze-san, I have to agree I am quite intrigued by you. It seems that you disappeared from Konoha seven years ago and now you are back. Also I can give you information about your family. I have close friends who knew your father very well."
Naruto wanted to laugh at the man's audacity. Saying something like that in front of Gaara and him, both of whom were fiercely loyal to Konoha.
"Iie (no) Hitsuma-san. I don't think you quite understand what's going on here. I am a Konoha shinobi. And what you are saying," Naruto stared at the Tsuchikage, "does not bode well with me. My father's mentor as well as his student resides in Konoha. I do not need your help."
Kojiro cursed, this was going to be harder than he thought. He stood up and walked towards the large window overlooking a well kept garden.
"Namikaze-san, to tell you the truth I am looking intrigued by you because of your name. Namikaze is a name that was feared long ago, mostly because of your father. Your mother, however, had a strong background until her whole village was wiped out." He turned to look at the bored blond.
"Well almost wiped out anyway. You have a kekkei genkai feared to be more powerful than the sharingan, even though it is a confidential fact. Your whole clan was feared and respected throughout the whole shinobi countries. And now I find out that the feared clan has a survivor. You can't blame me for trying to find out about you."
He focused his gaze on the silent red head. "The kazekage is here for the same reason."
"Hitsuma-sama, do you even know if I have unlocked the kekkei genkai? And more importantly, do even know what it does?" Hitsuma glared at the statement the blond uttered. But he didn't have an answer for the questions.
He turned to look out of the window again. It was mid-morning with the sun starting to heat up the atmosphere. 'What he says is true. I don't specifically know what his kekkei genkai does.'
Hitsuma sighed. 'I have only heard rumors of the past about his clan dojutsu. I need to find more about this, about him. I need to go back to Iwa soon too.' He turned to look at the two men.
"Well it seems obvious that both of you do not want to be here." He was amused to see the two twitch at the blunt statement. "Also I need to go back to my home. I do not want to overstay my welcome. Namikaze-san," the addressed man looked at him, "I hope I did not make you uncomfortable with this discussion." He smiled at the expressionless man.
'Curtsey or fake curtsey, the man at least tried.' "Of course not Hitsuma-sama. I do hope you will enjoy the rest of your stay in Konoha." He got up and bowed formally towards the Tsuchikage.
"Gomen for cutting this meeting short but I still need to talk to Hokage-sama." He turned to the red head who hadn't spoken once during the whole meeting.
Gaara eyed the Tsuchikage with something akin to mistrust, but he soon schooled his features into one of blankness and nodded stiffly to the still smiling man. 'How infuriating.'
Then he turned and walked to the door with the blond close on his heels. He walked outside and was greeted by Neji and Sasuke who had apparently been talking with the two Hyuuga bodyguards of the Tsuchikage.
He nodded at them and turned to the silent Kyuubi container next to him. He caught the azure eyes and let warmth seep into his jade eyes. He nodded at the still silent blond also before walking down the paved path towards the village.
Naruto' eyes lingered in the receding form of the kazekage before he turned. But his eyes were soon caught by two ebony eyes watching him intently.
"Sasuke." He acknowledged the Uchiha as he held the heavy gaze.
"We need to talk, dobe (dead last)." Sasuke's deep voice didn't betray any feelings he felt, nor did his eyes.
Naruto ignored the insult Sasuke seemed to use as a nickname for him. Instead he answered the question which was more of a statement.
"I want to talk to you too Sasuke. It seems we have missed a lot. I heard you have a son, Satoshi?" Naruto replied.
'I wonder who the mother is. I haven't seen Sasuke with anyone. But I'm glad I inquired Tsunade about the rookies before I talked with them. Who would've ever thought Sasuke will be human enough to marry, I certainly didn't.'
The Uchiha was still watching him with mild curiosity. "Hai (yes). Satoshi is my son. He's in the academy, only four. I need to find Gaara; I will see you soon, dobe." With that Sasuke was gone, leaving only a trail of wind behind.
Naruto turned to regard the last two occupants of the front porch of the Tsuchikage's residence. He nodded to the two Hyuuga females. He offered a small polite smile to the Hyuuga main heir.
"Hinata. I see you have grown to be more beautiful and graceful as expected." Naruto complimented the staring girl making her turn pink. 'At least she gained confidence. She doesn't blush as much as before nor does she seem to stutter as much.'
"I'm glad y-you're back, Naruto-kun." She looked at him with her warm lavender eyes.
"I heard you're married to Kiba now? You have a son too? Congratulations." His wishes were sincere.
"Hai. We have a son, he's four and going to the academy with Sasuke-san's son. His name's Hoshi."
Hinata's heart constricted when she thought about Kiba and her small son. She loved Kiba. She loved him so much but she was in love with Naruto.
She inwardly smiled ruefully. She was still in love with him even after all these years. And Naruto was here now.
'Oh Naruto-kun, you don't know about my love to you still. '
She looked at the blond male standing in front of her. His golden hair glowed in the mid morning sun and his eyes, even though blank without emotions, were heart meltingly beautiful.
He looked like a god, standing in the front porch of her client's house, with the sun shining behind him.
'But I'm still in love with him. I hope you forgive me someday Kiba… and Hoshi. Please forgive your Okaa-san, Hoshi-kun. '
"Hinata-sama? We have to go inside," a soft voice to her left made her come back to reality again. Hinata looked at her partner in this mission. Tamaki was from a branch family member but she was a very competent ninja.
"Gomen Tamaki-san." she turned back to the silent intimidating figure of Naruto. She looked at his face, trying to find his azure eyes one last time before she had to leave for her duties.
Naruto saw her wistful and guilty eyes when she had looked at him. And he also saw the undying love in her eyes. He wanted to go back to wilderness beyond the Konoha gates when he saw her eyes. 'Hinata, you're going to get us both into trouble'.
But he kept his thoughts and observations to himself when he let her searching eyes catch his. "Ja ne (See you) Hinata. I have to meet the Hokage now."
He heard her stutter a soft 'Ja' as he walked down the same paved path Gaara had taken minutes before.
Hinata watched him walk away before she turned and walked inside the large house when she felt Tamaki tug on her arm.
Naruto walked in the crowded streets of Konoha. His mind was heavy with the new developments. And they troubled him.
'Hinata still loves me. So troublesome. She's married to Kiba and has a child. I hope you won't take it upon yourself to talk or take actions about your love. It will only bring more trouble for both of us.'
He looked up to see the tall building of the Hokage tower. 'I need to rebuild my clan. I understand. But it's still early. Hinata would have made an excellent wife with her personality and name. But it's too late for her and too early for me.'
His thoughts turned towards the one he was looking for. The man he was looking at every nook and cranny of the shinobi countries for. 'I still have obligations to fulfill also… 'she' is there.'
He nodded at the two guards on the entrance of the tower as he went past them. He hurriedly walked up the stairs to where the Hokage was. If he had time he could make it there at time when they went home.
He knocked on the heavy oak doors of the Hokage's office. He heard a loud 'come in' and pushed open the doors.
Tsunade looked up from the mission reports, glad to have a distraction from the 'stupid papers'.
Naruto walked up to her desk and stood in front of it, relaxing into a casual stance. "Ohayo Hokage-sama."
"Well gaki. I have your verdict from the council. Jiraiya was also there and Tsuchikage gave his ideas too. After much consideration..," she looked at the blond waiting with baited breath before smirking slightly, "they decided to reinstate you as a Konoha shinobi."
Naruto's relief couldn't be seen, but Tsunade was a medic Nin and the best. She read his lax muscles which translated to 'relieved' to Tsunade.
"But," Naruto looked at her, she was stunned to see absolutely no emotion in his eyes, "you will be on probation and constantly watched by an ANBU or jounin. You will be reinstated to team 7 also. Sai retracted from the team. You will take up normal missions from tomorrow. Since you're a jounin you will take solo missions after this month's probation."
"You're lucky gaki, that I didn't label you as a missing nin. Also the council was forgiving when the Tsuchikage talked to them about you. He seemed taken with you, probably because of your name." Tsunade scoffed at the man's shallowness. "And Jiraiya's influence worked too."
Tsunade studied him intently before giving him the final information.
"You are to take up your position as head of the Namikaze clan. You are also in the clan council once the papers of your reinstating are produced."
Naruto inwardly recoiled in irritation when Tsunade finished her news. 'Clan head? I'll take that position but to be a part of clan council? What are those old fossils up to now? Does the name Namikaze hold that much power over the council?'
"Get out of my office if you don't have anything to say gaki. Kakashi will contact about the next team meeting. The team is currently disbanded because of the kazekage's staying and the fights breaking out in the borders. But from Monday it will commence as a team again." she smiled at him softly.
"Aren't you glad Naruto? You get one of your dreams to come true, reuniting of the original team 7."
Naruto looked at her when she said this. 'Original team 7? My dream of reuniting the team'? He thought back to his childhood. 'Heh… I actually wanted that didn't I? It was so long ago. 'He looked back at Tsunade, her expression was one of expectancy. 'She doesn't know. She never knew. Nobody did.'
"Hai, Tsunade." He offered her a smile; she didn't seem to notice the fakeness of it as she smiled back at him.
"I'm glad and very grateful to you and sensei for helping me all this time." Tsunade looked surprised at his admission and thanking.
Her eyes almost bulged when he dropped to one knee in front of her desk with his hands forming an ancient seal. She let out a gasp when she recognized what it was.
'Masaka (Don't tell me)! The phoenix seal! Even I know only know it because of sensei's knowledge. Most of all, how does he know that stance?' Her eyes saddened when she remembered how they bowed like that; using that stance… the Uzumaki clan's bow of respect.
"I will only serve the Hokage of this village; I only serve you, Tsunade-sama." His eyes sought hers and held them when he stated his loyalties.
Tsunade almost broke down crying when he said that, the key word being 'almost'. Instead she gave him a grateful look and nodded her head, accepting his services.
"I hope to see you at the next clan council meeting, Naruto. And please behave during your probation period. You're dismissed now." Tsunade gave him a paternal glance when straightened up and bowed before leaving the room.
But he stopped at the doorway and looked back at her. "I won't let you down, nee-san." then he left the room, leaving behind an elated and gaping Hokage.
Uchiha Satoshi was having a great day. His father was there in the morning to make him breakfast and give him pointers to improve his skills.
'And he promised that he'll be back before dinner time to make me soba! All I have to do is behave myself when Lee-san is looking after me.' Satoshi absolutely refused to name the people watching him when his father wasn't there 'babysitters'.
He smiled at anyone who caught his happy gaze. His ebony eyes shining brightly while his pouting pink lips were stretched from ear to ear in a big smile. Every girl and woman who saw him cooed at his adorableness.
Satoshi came to the entrance doors of the academy and pushed them open with his short arms. It was a hard task since he was the only one pushing the heavy wooden doors but with a little use of chakra they opened.
He ran onto the wide space in front of the academy and he waved cheerfully back at his friend who waved back.
"Ja ne (see you), Hoshi! I'll let you beat me in kunai throwing tomorrow!" he snickered as he watched the boy's little puppy barked at him and his friend's lavender eyes narrowed in poorly concealed anger.
He watched as his friend's father, Inuzuka Kiba, came and lifted the boy on to his shoulders while Akamaru, his big dog, barked at the smaller pup.
Then waved again as the lavender eyed, puppy carrying small boy waved at him from his father's shoulders. He didn't let his sadness show in his eyes.
He turned towards the swing where Lee told him to wait. He walked to the swing and sat down heavily, his book bag on the ground. He drew doodles on the thin sand with his sandals.
He suddenly stiffened when his sixth sense activated, instantly telling him that someone was watching him.
He looked up and scanned through the very few people still gathered around the open space. They were mostly leaving academy teachers lingering for their friends and some other students waiting for their caretaker to pick them up.
His eyes trailed to the grove of trees that were visible from the side of the academy building. That when he saw him, his watcher. Satoshi eyed him a second before going back to his doodle.
He wasn't new to staring. People always stared at him, mostly because of his name and his father's reputation. He didn't mind it when they turned away again, but this man seemed to be set on staring at him to death.
He grew annoyed when he sensed those eyes on him for another five minutes. He looked up with the famous Uchiha glare, intent on making the older man turn his head.
But he was shocked when he saw that the man had come closer to him. He was now leaning on the academy building while watching him. His glare died when he saw amusement dancing on those eyes.
'I'm scared. Who is he? Why is he watching me? Is he a kidnapper?!' Satoshi was thinking with growing panic. 'Otou-sama told me people will try to hurt me because they hate him and I am his son. But what will this man do? '
He looked around wildly, trying to find someone to help him but was despaired when he saw that he was alone in the academy with the man for company. 'Where are the others? Did they leave so early?'
Satoshi started to hyperventilate when he saw the man start to walk towards him. He jumped to his feet quickly grabbed his bag. 'I will run as fast as I can and when I find someone I'll be fine. There are people around the roads at this time.'
He shouldered his bag and turned around while bracing himself to run for his life. But he stopped short when he was suddenly face to face with a dark brown leather belt.
Satoshi was confused momentarily when he tried to wonder how the belt got there when he heard a chuckle. He quickly looked up only to face a pair of dancing azure eyes.
"Yare Yare (my my). You are one to jump to conclusions suddenly aren't you?" Naruto commented as he watched the little child's eyes swim with confusion and panic before focusing on him with fear.
He was mildly surprised when the little raven dropped his bag and fisted his knuckles while spreading his legs and backing away.
"Ah, chibi (little one). I'm not here to fight you. I'm only here to talk to you. You are Uchiha Satoshi, right?" Naruto was amused.
'Such a small child, thinking he can fight a shinobi with fists.' He looked as the smaller version of Sasuke dropped his hands and stood up, confusion written on his face. 'A kawaii (cute) kid too.'
"My name is Namikaze Naruto. I am a friend of Sasuke." He watched as the child's eyes widened when he mentioned Sasuke. "Is someone coming to pick you up today? I can walk you home if you want."
Satoshi stiffened at the suggestion, mistrust and confusion swirling in his big eyes.'Naruto? I haven't heard that name before. He knows Otou-sama though. But everyone knows Otou-sama. I have never seen him in the village either.'
Satoshi opened his mouth to say 'no' and run when they were interrupted by a loud shout of 'Satoshi-kun'. Lee had finally appeared.
Satoshi would never admit it but he was glad to see the weird man. He had dubbed Lee weird ever since he saw Lee give his speech of 'youthfulness'.
"Lee?" a voice interrupted his thoughts and he turned to see the blond man. He was looking at Lee who was gaping back.
"N-Naruto? Is it really you?" Lee stuttered out while his mind was still catching up at the sudden reappearance of his friend.
Naruto nodded while he braced himself for Lee's 'youthfulness'. 'He looks like an exact copy of Gai. I wonder if he has the same skills too. I don't want to this now, but better get this over with.'
Lee looked at Naruto intently for another minute before his face broke into a beaming smile, literally blinding Naruto for a second.
"Naruto-kun! I can't believe my youthful friend has finally returned! I cannot wait to tell this to others! Oh the springtime of youth burns brightly in you Naruto-kun!"
Satoshi could swear he saw a sunset when he looked at Lee sprouting his 'crazy springtime youthfulness'. He looked at the tall blond man again and observed him.
The man was very handsome. Satoshi blushed at the thought. He was tall with blond hair and striking blue eyes that made Satoshi think of summer skies.
Naruto looked at Lee for a minute while he was still talking, more like yelling, about youthfulness before glancing at the Sasuke look-alike. He raised an eyebrow when he saw the small raven looking at him intently while a blush played across his chubby cheeks.
Satoshi quickly averted his eyes when he saw azure eyes looking back at him. 'He saw me staring at him! What would he be thinking!'
For some strange reason he wanted the man to think the best of him. He gave a small glance again at the blond only to see him looking back at the ranting Lee.
"Lee, are you here to pick up Satoshi?" Naruto finally grew tired of Lee's 'youthfulness'.
Lee looked bewildered for a second before his eyes widened. "Satoshi-kun!" then he wildly looked around to spot the child and gave a loud "Yosh!" when he spotted the little raven haired boy standing a few feet away.
"Hai, Naruto-kun. I am here to take Satoshi-kun to his home." Lee picked up the fallen school bag before he walked towards the boy. He gave it to the boy who put it on and he turned back to the Kyuubi container.
"Gomen Naruto-kun. But I have to get him home soon." He looked thoughtful for a second before he gave the 'good guy pose' to Naruto.
"The rookie nine are meeting for dinner at the sushi place Naruto-kun. You know the one we used to meet up in when we were genin." He continued at the nod from Naruto.
"Why don't you come there Naruto-kun? I'm sure everyone would like to see you back. Your youthfulness hasn't been forgotten by us! If you are coming we usually meet up at 7."
Naruto was deep in thought. 'Meet all of them at once? It will cause havoc but it'll get a load off my back. I want this questions finished quickly anyway.' He looked at Lee's hopeful face. He sighed.
"Hai Lee. I'll try my best to be there." 'But I won't promise anything.'
Lee gave a loud shout before proceeding to speeding up to Naruto, intent on hugging him. Naruto lived in the wilderness for seven years so his reflexes were automatic.
Satoshi looked in shock when lee sped off towards the blond man now he knew as 'Naruto'. 'Such speed. '
But he was even more shocked when the blond took hold of one arm of Lee held in front of him and quickly turned around and held it behind Lee's back, effectively immobilizing lee.
'How did he even do it? The speed Lee-san was going at! And he saw it to even pin Lee-san's arms!'
Lee's shock could be seen from his gobsmacked expression. His eyes and mouth were wide and he was staring at Naruto. 'How did he-'
Naruto quickly saw his mistake and released Lee's arms in a split second. He looked away from Lee's eyes for a second before he faced them.
"Gomen Lee. I'm not used to people touching me. I have to go now. I will see you tonight."
'Kuso ! I messed up big time. How could I make a mistake like that? I'm going to have to pay for this soon. I wonder where Jiraiya-sensei wondered off to. I haven't seen him for the whole day.'
Lee stared at the disappearing back of Naruto. 'How far have you gone Naruto? How much have you grown? '
Satoshi looked up at the green spandex clad man to ask why they were still there but stopped short when he saw a frown on the ever smiling face.
"Lee-san?"
Lee snapped out of his thoughts when he heard the soft voice of the small Uchiha.
"Ah gomen (sorry) Satoshi-kun. Shall we go then?" he smiled at the worried face of the last Uchiha and inwardly sighed in relief when the child nodded and started to walk towards the direction of his home.
Lee gave a glance to where he last saw Naruto before he turned and caught up to Satoshi.
'Who are you, Naruto?'
Naruto gave a sigh and stretched his aching muscles. They were stiff from staying at one place and he was hunched the whole time, reading the scrolls. He turned to out of his window and saw a red sunset.
Jiraiya had come looking for food at lunch time when he was cooking in the kitchen of the main house after Lee's encounter. He had then left for 'research' again.
Naruto scoffed when he remembered the perverted glint that came to his sensei's eyes at the mention of 'research'.
He stood up and winced in pain. His legs had fallen asleep. He had been reading scrolls since lunch. He didn't have anything else to do and he needed to learn anything and everything about his father.
He was amazed when he had opened the library. The whole house made him stunned but the sheer vastness and the number of scrolls in the library made him almost faint.
Jiraiya had laughed at his gaping expression when he first entered the library with him, telling him he had the same expression when his father showed him the library for the first time.
Naruto turned from where he had been admiring the stunning colors that lit up the sky as the sun sank into the horizon. He looked at the clock which read '6.45'. 'Almost time, I must get ready.'
Shikamaru yawned as he neared the sushi place where they were supposed to meet. 'How troublesome.'
It was a very rare occurrence when all of the rookies could meet up at once because of their missions and duties. But even though it was troublesome Shikamaru wouldn't miss it for the world.
He entered the shop and walked to where he heard loud shouting from. The sight that greeted him made him almost turn around and walk back to his warm lovely bed and flop down on it.
Ino had Kiba in a headlock while Hinata was trying to coax Ino into letting go of her husband. Chouji was stuffing his mouth with sushi and Sakura was laughing at Kiba. Sai, Shino and Neji watched impassively at them while Sasuke was sipping a warm cup of sake.
Shikamaru sighed and walked towards the empty spot next to Sai and sat down. Ino noticed him the moment he sat down.
"Shikamaru! What took you so long?" she asked him silently. Shikamaru nearly groaned. A silent Ino was equal to a deadly Ino.
"I had to wash the dishes. My mother made me because I wasn't going to eat dinner at their place." He drawled out lazily. Ino's eyes twitched but didn't get a chance to reply when Kiba suddenly poked her ribs making her let go of him.
Kiba crawled away from Ino (as far as he could go considering he was sitting next to her) and half sat on Hinata and half on the mat.
"Yo everyone." Riku sat down across Sasuke, next to Kiba. Sakura narrowed her eyes at him instantly and he threw his arms up in a surrendering gesture.
"I had to talk to the Hokage about my next mission Sakura," he rolled his eyes.
Shikamaru looked around trying to spot their missing friends. He turned to Neji. "Tenten didn't come?" his answer was a shrug.
"My youthful friends! How the springtime of youth burns you!" everyone sighed at the dramatic and embarrassing entrance of Lee, even though they were so used to it.
"Ah my Sakura flower! You glow so beautifully today!" Sakura's eye twitched when Lee sat next to her and exclaimed loudly. Ino was snickering.
Sakura pointedly ignored the bowl cut haired man on her left as she focused on the raven haired man sitting to her right.
"Sasuke-kun? Do you want some sushi? Where is Satoshi-kun?" she looked at the silent man and sighed in disappointment when she received no answer.
"Hey everyone. Gomen I'm late. I had to help father to close the shop." Tenten sat next to Lee when she appeared at their long table.
"I wanted to tell everyone something! You won't believe the youthful friend I met today!" Lee's loud exclamations didn't usually drag attention but they were curious to know who he was talking about since all of them were already sitting at the table.
Lee looked pleased at gaining their attention. But before he could say anything a cough interrupted them.
They all looked up to see who had interrupted them, causing most of them to go rigid, slack jawed and bug eyed.
Neji, Sasuke, Hinata and Shikamaru didn't seem to be phased by sudden appearance. They already knew about it anyway. Shino didn't show any expression, it couldn't be seen because of his hoodie anyway.
Ino, Sakura, Tenten, Chouji, Kiba, Riku and Sai were openly gaping. Well the latter was smiling at him creepily. Sasuke saw it fit to break the sudden silence. "Hn, I didn't know you were coming, dobe."
Naruto's azure eyes shifted to his own ebony ones. He gave a polite small smile to the raven before replying.
"Lee invited me actually. We met at the academy when he was picking up Satoshi. Speaking of him" the blond looked around "where is he?"
"He's somewhere causing mischief probably. He doesn't like to sit still. Kiba's and Chouji's kids are here too."
Naruto nodded, satisfied with the answer and proceeded to between Neji and Sasuke. He ignored the still gaping group.
"How have you been Neji? I heard about your bodyguard duty with Sasuke." Naruto's voice broke through the silence in the group.
The long haired raven nodded. "Hai. I am to assist the kazekage along with Sasuke during his stay. I take it the council's decision wasn't bad?"
"Aa, I am reinstated as a Konoha shinobi but I must have an ANBU or jounin watching me." Neji nodded.
Sakura was the first one of the dumb founded group to snap out of her trance. "N-Naruto?"
Naruto raised his eyes to meet the emerald ones of the pink haired kunoichi.
"Long time no see, right, Sakura."
Inner Sakura was currently eyeing the blond while the outer one was still staring at him. 'He doesn't look half bad. 'Sakura ignored her subconscious thoughts.
Ino and Tenten were gaping openly at Naruto. Both of them were trying to repress nose bleeding at the sight Naruto provided.
The blond's blood red waist length yukata with form fitting black pants was a sight. A black cloth was tied at his waist, holding the yukata firm. It was a simple outfit, yet it was made elegant and beautiful when Naruto's natural beauty added to it.
The group was shaken when four small blurs hurled at them. Two of them hanged on to Chouji and Ino, another one was suddenly on Hinata while the last one latched on to Sasuke's side. This was consequently Naruto's lap. The small blur stilled in Naruto's lap.
Satoshi blinked once, twice before cocking his head to the side in confusion. 'Why was the mat suddenly to squishy and warm?'
Sasuke held back his snickers at his son's bewildered expression. His small son's big eyes focused on to him as if sensing his father's mirth.
"Otou-sama? The mat is squishy." Satoshi's small comment made Naruto snicker. The sudden rumbling made the smaller raven look to where it came from and was nose to nose with the silk of Naruto's yukata.
Satoshi looked up and stiffened before he jumped out of Naruto's lap with a sudden yell. Naruto looked at the boy and had to cross his eyes when a small finger was pointed at his nose.
"The kidnapper!"
Naruto looked at the small Uchiha in confusion. 'Kidnapper?'
"Otou-sama! Otou-sama! This man tried to kidnap me. But I did all you told me to do. I didn't say my name or yours and I didn't yell to make him angry." Satoshi looked at his father proudly.
Sasuke snickered this time. "Satoshi, He's not a kidnapper. He's an old … acquaintance of mine."
Satoshi turned red and looked at Naruto apologetically. He gave his best smile, trying to make the blond man forgive him.
"Aa, Daijoubu, Satoshi. (It's okay)" Satoshi visibly relaxed at his voice.
"Ne ne Naruto. When did you get back? Where were you? Why did you leave? Are you married or do you have a girlfriend?" Ino quickly spat out her questions before anyone could interrupt, which she knew was bound to happen from the intrigued faces of her friends.
"I got back day before yesterday, Ino. I was traveling everywhere so didn't have a specific place. I left because I wanted to see the world like sensei." Naruto didn't answer the last question and opted to question her instead.
"So who're the kids?" he motioned to the two children stuffing their faces.
It was Chouji who answered. "They're ours. Chouko and Choki. Twins." He smiled at Naruto. "Okaeri Naruto."
Naruto smiled back at the big man, even if fake. "Arigatou (thank you ) Chouji. Congratulations."
Chouji nodded his head, his mouth too full to say anything.
"Ne Otou-san. who's the Blondie?" a childish voice exclaimed opposite him. He looked to see a grinning Kiba holding a lavender eyed small boy while Hinata was blushing next to him.
"That my boy, is the dobe, Naruto." Kiba, finally out of his stupor, replied to his son. The small brown haired boy's mouth curved into a matching grin as his father.
"Dobe? Hehe.. you mean like sato-chan over there?" he pointed at the small raven sitting between Naruto and Sasuke. Satoshi glared at the small Inuzuka when he heard the comment but didn't make any move to reply.
"Hoshi-kun.Y-you shouldn't people like that." Hinata reprimanded her son softly. The small boy instantly changed his expression from grinning maniacally to a guilty one when he heard his mother.
"Gomen kaa-san. But I'm right you know." He pouted at her.
"It's only what you think Hoshi. You shouldn't insult people like that based on only what you think." She looked embarrassedly at Naruto.
Kiba saw Hinata expression and recognized it instantly. 'No! She can't! We're finally together. She can't still be in love with him. She told me! She told me she loved me. Maybe I'm just interpreting it wrong. Yeah that's it. Why the hell would I even think something like that! Stupid me!'
Neji narrowed his eyes at Hinata, his expression never betraying what he felt.
"So Naruto, since it seems you're not going to say anything about what you have been doing tell us something else." Tenten intervened.
"Well Tenten, I'm reinstated in team 7 and I'm a jounin." Naruto smiled through the whole sentence.
Kiba choked on his food while Sasuke and Neji looked mildly interested. Chouji was still eating and Shikamaru couldn't be bothered. Sakura was openly gaping.
"So who are you exactly?" Riku was silent through the whole conversation.
'So this was the one who disappeared? He doesn't exactly seem the dangerous type. He seems pretty weak.'
Naruto looked at the brown haired silver eyed man across him. hHe didn't have any expression on his face when he replied.
"My name is Namikaze Naruto. I was previously known as Uzumaki Naruto."
There was only one thought running across the minds of the ones who hadn't seen him before.
'Namikaze?!'
Naruto sighed. "I will not go on to explain my heritage or name change. It is like that and please don't pester me for answers. I'll tell you one thing though. You've all heard the name before?" he looked at the mutual nods. "Namikaze Minato who was known as the Yondaime Hokage was my father."
Stunned silence hung in the table until an excited voice piped up.
"Sugoi (cool)! You're Yondaime's son? That's awesome nii-san!" it was Chouko who had spoken. The girl of the twins smiled at him brightly. Her blond hair was waist length while her light blue eyes twinkled happily.
Her brother looked up with a piece of sushi hanging off his mouth. He was heavily built, unlike her sister who was a copy of Ino he looked like Chouji.
Naruto smiled at them both. "Arigatou (thank you)."
Ino was getting impatient. She didn't care about what going on she wanted to know if Naruto was single. 'With his looks, I don't think he will be for long even if he is now.'
"You didn't answer my question Naruto." Naruto looked up from the grill where he was searching for a stray piece of sushi. "Are you single or not." Ino smiled at him sweetly.
Naruto almost rolled his eyes at her. But he didn't bother. 'Wonder what'll happen if they find out who she is.'
"Iie. I'm not single Ino. I'm engaged." Naruto lifted his left hand where a gold band rested on his fourth finger to prove his point.
For the third time, silence ruled over the dinner table.
A/N- I am so sorry for not updating soon! I really thought I could update within three days but this damn exam came up. Please forgive me *gets on knees and begs*
Reviews are really appreciated!
ja