Turns out I was more than just loosely related to Uzumaki-San. We were Cousins, second or third Cousins to be precise. This meant that our blood and DNA was very similar, almost to the point where you could mistake me for being a direct relation. It took my breath away how I had family, real actual family that wasn't just someone who had adopted me.

"Family huh?"

The word felt foreign to me and I wasn't sure how to let them in, I'm sure with time I would be able to adjust to life with others. The hospital room looked bland and lifeless, the nurse was ticking something off on the board as I played with the hem of my new t-shirt. It was white with a strange red symbol on the front and shoulders, but It was thin and cool in the hot weather. Glancing down at the maroon shorts which fell to my knees I smiled gently, it felt good to be dressed in something comfortable and clean. The nurse in the room was the head nurse, the stern one from before; but a nicer nurse had helped give me my first proper shower. All I can say is that it was bliss. My hair before had been a murky red, clumped in knots, greasy and dirty. Now my hair was as bright and glossy as Uzumaki-Sans' and I couldn't be prouder. Hopping from the bed onto bare feet I moved to the mirror, stepping up onto the small stool to look at myself, emerald eyes sparkling with new-found life. I heard the door to the hospital room open and span around, immediately recognizing the sunny energy. Racing back towards it I jumped at the person, arms wrapping tightly around their legs and burying my head into them.

"Looks like you're ready to go then," the voice chuckled out, hearty but soft. Looking up I grinned at him, at my Otōsan, already content in calling him that! "Well then, why don't we get going? Kushina won't be able to join us till later; she's got a mission today," that made sense, I had wondered where her chaotic energy was. Nodding gently, I was surprised when he picked me up into his arms and held me to his side. "Though I think we will have to make a few shopping stops on the way home, particularly if you want to be walking around." I noticed his glance towards my bare feet, blushing lightly I nodded affirmation as we exited the hospital; the sun temporarily blinding me and causing me to wince slightly. A hand shaded my eyes and I was met with Otōsan's smile. His hand continued to shield my eyes as we moved through the area, rough streets and wood houses made way to market stalls and shops open for business. His hand dropped lightly and my eyes adjusted much more quickly now, responding well to the warm day. As we made our way through the stalls I noticed more than a few glances in my direction, more than a few stares and also heard the mutterings; pretending that I couldn't hear them. A sharp turn distracted me and we entered the shade of a small shop, my senses assaulted by a strange smell.

"Leather?"

My old mind conjured the word and I glanced around, noticing shoes that varied greatly in color, size and style.

"Right now, let's see if we can get you some sandals that will be practical." That made sense, I bounced slightly in his arms; eager to get down and look at all the available options. Sighing Minato placed me gently to the clean shop floor, allowing me some semblance of freedom. Immediately I shot off towards the back area of the shop, drawn to some particularly old-style ninja sandals. They had a thick band around the ankle and over the bridge of the foot, connected by bands that went from the ankle to the arch area. Otherwise they were completely open, they looked practical compared to the more closed over sandals, it would probably be easier to flex my feet more in these ones. I hadn't noticed I'd been staring till Minato reached over to pick up the red pair I'd be looking at; checking the size he had me sit on a small stool in front of a mirror before undoing the ankle band and slipping them on my feet. He adjusted the bands and made sure that they were tight enough before helping me to stand and coaxing me to walk around a bit. Glancing down at my feet I took a few tentative steps, unsure what I was doing. Quickly I felt the comfort of the shoes, they gripped well but also allowed me a lot of maneuverability!

"Plus they are totally my color!"

Squealing internally, I saw that Otōsan was already paying for them, being given a receipt already! Running to his side I cocked my head questioningly, how had he known these were the right ones? He smiled at me and tapped his nose with one of his fingers, raising an eyebrow I gave him a confused look only to receive a sigh and the shake of his head. Taking my hand, he leads me out of the store, allowing me to walk this time now that I had my bright new shoes. It felt like we walked for a while, but I didn't mind; I couldn't stop looking around and a nice old lady had given me an apple! Looking at the fruit I queried how I was meant to eat it, I knew what it was but had never been given one before. Chuckling Minato takes his own apple and raises to his mouth with his free hand, biting into it from the side and chewing on it before watching and waiting for me to do the same.

"Like this?"

Bringing it to my mouth I made sure I was away from the stalk area and the bottom bit too, I opened my mouth wide and bit into it hard; taking away a large chunk. Flavor burst in my mouth and I chewed on the sweet fruit, grinning and hurrying to eat more. I heard laughter and blushed brightly as Otōsan's hand ruffled my hair.

"Oh yeah…"

Raising my free hand tentatively to my short hair I looked solemnly at the floor, eyes distant with sorrow; before I was tugged up into the air and onto a pair of strong shoulders. Squealing silently, I nearly dropped my apple, remembering to hold onto it at the last minute; my other hand resting on soft but spiky yellow hair.

"More like golden!"

I watched as the sunlight glinted off of his hair, mesmerizing me and causing me to startle when he started to walk again; one hand holding me and the other raising his apple so he could eat it. Following his lead, I rested a hand on his head, leaning forward and used my other to raise the apple and keep taking bites out of it. Suddenly something hard was in my mouth and I spat it out to the side of us, pulling a yukky face in shock. Glaring down at the strange black things in the apple I was unhappy, until I was forced to drop the small thing left and grab tightly onto Minato's head with both hands; his shoulders shaking with uncontrollable laughter.

"It's not funny!"

With child-sized hands I batted at his head softly, indignant at being laughed at. Puffing out my cheeks I reached forward and pinched his cheeks on either side, pulling at them as I'd seen some of the older kids do to a younger one once.

"Ow ow ow, okay okay I give!" As he spoke I let go of his cheeks and he lifted me from his shoulders to place me on the floor, standing I glared up at the man as he rubbed his pink cheeks. "No need for that, next time remember that fruit have cores which have seeds." He stifled one last laugh before taking out a strange metal object that I soon realized was a key, looking up I noticed we stood in front of a two story house; it was quaint and pretty. He opened the door and stepped to the side, waving me in but not rushing me. Carefully I put one foot in front of the other and passed through the doorway, jumping slightly when it closed behind us; moving forward I forgot to remove my shoes but wasn't reprimanded. I began to take in my surrounding, new smells and a foreign environment overwhelming me. Staggering backwards onto the entryway I was steadied by gently hands before being helped to remove my shoes, the same hands lead me into the building properly before removing themselves from my form. "I'm going to make us something to drink, feel free to explore," his voice faded away as he passed beneath the arch into, what I presumed, was a kitchen area. Looking around I took a few steps and grew more confident, moving around a tall table with chairs around it and into an open-plan living area. Over to the right was a large sofa that curled around at one side, forming an L shape. Opposite it was a TV set and above that hung a large symbol.

"Family."

Internally I made note that obviously family was important to my new parents, that would help me build trust quicker…I suppose. Looking around I spotted a side table with a paper rack beneath it, many newspapers were tucked inside it and on top was a small lamp attached to a socket extension. Behind this area was a small area that had bookshelves and a small desk, the books were neatly organized but the table was littered with paper, ink pots and a couple of open books. Moving towards it I spotted a few words in one of the books, moving to read it further.

"Fūinjutsu?"

The word was semi-familiar, I had heard it a few times here and there and it rang a bell to something from my previous lives but I couldn't pinpoint it.

"Fūinjutsu is the art of sealing. It can be used to seal objects, living being, chakra and a wide variety more things; it is most commonly known because of the Shinobi of Uzushiogakure and their prowess in its application and usage."

As I internally read the general overview I picked up on the name.

"Uzushiogakure? Sounds similar to Uzumaki?"

Trying to piece it together I was about to read on when I jumped and banged my arm on the table, a hand resting on my shoulder quickly vanished and my newly appointed Otōsan crouched before me and inspected my arm. A nasty red mark had appeared near my elbow and ached, no doubt it might bruise.

"I didn't mean to startle you. Hopefully that should heal quickly if you are anything like Kushina. Now how about we go and have our drink and I can show you your bedroom afterwards?" Nodding I allowed him to show me back to the table with the chairs, briefly glancing back towards the book on the desk; almost longingly. "Don't worry, we will have plenty of time to go through everything. I think Kushina wanted to tell you more about the Uzumaki's and Uzushio herself, I don't want to deny her that." He helped me onto the chair and placed a liquid that was slightly tinted in front of me. Pulling at the cup I managed to tilt it to take a sip, delighted by the taste that resembled apple; greedily I drank more. "Glad to see you like apple juice, at least that is one thing healthy." Looking up I spotted his steaming mug, contemplating what could be inside it. Seeing my inquisitive expression, he moved it forward and allowed me to take a sip; I bucked backwards quickly. Blowing air over my tongue I winced.

"A burned tongue…great…"

Minato cringed and I silently sighed, it had tasted good; but I could tell he was going to have to adjust to having a child around.

"Ack! Sorry, I should have known not to give a child a hot drink," muttering he wiped at his brow and appeared genuinely mortified with himself. I smiled at him and shook my head, returning to drinking my juice and allowing the cool liquid to soothe the burn. He sighed heavily and began to sip at the hot drink, making me wonder if his throat was insulated somehow. We stayed at the table for a while, neither of us quite sure what to do; feeling almost awkward and unsure of ourselves. "So then…how about that bedroom?" I could tell he was searching for affirmation. Jumping from the chair I followed him up the stairs, carefully holding onto the railing and trailing after him as he ascended. The stairs were slightly steeper than the ones at the Orphanage but not too bad, I didn't doubt I'd get used to them quickly. Before I knew it we were at the top of the stairs and turned to the left, looking down a long wood floored hallway that had many doors along it, Minato stopped in front of the first one on the right and beckoned me to follow him inside.

Entering the room, I noticed the pale violet walls and smiled softly, it was a gentle and comforting color that I didn't doubt I'd get used to. Opposite the door was a single bed, at its end was a bookcase that opened up to the other side; away from the bed. Opposite the bookcase was a small wooden desk, three draws on its right and a chair tucked neatly beneath it to the left. On the wall to the right of me, and the door, was a large collection of different hand-painted symbols; beneath which was a chest of draws in the furthest corner, a washing basket beside it and a wooden box that had a cushion seat on top. Glancing around the room once more I cautiously approached the bedside table, reaching out to brush my hand against the violet lightshade on the lamp, hand moved carefully down and over the wood surface; but not continuing onto the three draws that were beneath. Turning I let my hand fall over the violet duvet, hand sliding along its silken surface and tracing to its end; resting on the wooden spindle at its bottom right edge. Next I glanced over the books on the bookshelf and stepped up to the desk, eyes scanning its surface and noticing the neatly placed brushes, pens, pencils, paper and other materials adjourning its top. A small light was plugged into a socket and pointed towards the sitting area of the desk, no doubt to light up the area to allow for working. Turning I continued to the dresser, looking at the flowers on top of it, inside of a violet vase stood the beautiful stems of Iris, Lavender and Violet Pansies.

"Iris for good news, Lavender for Faithful and Pansies for Caring. I read that somewhere, I can't believe they went to the trouble of arranging this message for me! They smell gorgeous too!"

The scent of the flowers filled the room now that I acknowledged it and I was shocked that I hadn't smelt it before, having been to wrapped up in looking at the room…my room. A hand rested gently on my shoulder and I hear him speak softly.

"Like them? Me and Kushina thought it might be nice, do you know what they mean?" He smiled as he spoke, I could hear it in his voice; I nodded quickly as tears sprang to my eyes. Overwhelmed by everything, the thoughtful gesture topping everything off. "I think you should take a nap, don't worry I'll have Kushina come and wake you when she returns," he spoke softly, taking my hand and guiding me to the comfy bed. Pulling back the covers he helped me to settle and tucked me in; hesitating as he leaned forward towards me. Scrunching my eyes tight I wondered what he was doing, until I felt a soft touch to my forehead and heard his steps retreating. I didn't open my eyes until he had left, the door closing softly and quietly. Tears fell silently down my cheeks as I moved to face the windows above the left side of the bed, the whole side of the room had small windows that I could climb to look out of if I wished. Right now I couldn't think, happiness swelled inside me and for the first time I felt safe; as my eyes drifted shut and I began to slip off to sleep my thoughts were full of only a single thought…

"Thank you…thank you so much…Otōsan, Okāsan…thank you…"

Apologies for the long wait, I've managed to burn the tip of my middle finger on my right hand...my dominant hand.

It makes typing hard, so updates make take a short while longer!

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Enjoy!

Wolven x