Okay, chapter eleven of Redemption is here. Hope you all enjoy it. I'm sorry I didn't update for ages. I've been so busy with University essays that I just haven't had time to breathe let alone write for my own enjoyment. Anywho, once again, I'm sorry for taking so long.

To my anonymous reviewer, loveless, thanks loads for reviewing. I hope you've enjoed the fic so far.

Oh and to all of you that celebrate it...

MERRY CHRISTMAS READERS!!!

I know it's late but I'm late for most things. Anyway, I hope you all like this chappie.

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Redemption.

Chapter Eleven – Grief.

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The group stared up in amazement as the figure revealed herself. "Kushina!" Itachi yelled. Kushina had definitely changed. Her hair was still very long. It made a cascade of red all the way down to the back of her knees. Her long fringe was brushed to the side. She was taller like Itachi and Saiyuri. She was five foot six. She wore an orange corset, black, skin-tight leather pants, black leather boots and black fingerless gloves. She also wore a black, long-sleeved, short kimono, over her corset. It was tied in place with the usual purple bow that seemed to always be around the waist of Orochimaru's pawns. One thing bothered the group more than the new outfit, and that was the new scar that ran down Kushina's left cheek, from her temple, all the way to the corner of her jaw. She looked fiercer and more seasoned then they had imagined she would. "Kushina!" Saiyuri called out, trying to get her attention. "Kushina-Kun step away from my old comrade. It's time for his exit." Orochimaru stated. Kushina glared back. "No." She stated coldly. "I'll just have to make you." Orochimaru replied. Kushina grimaced in pain. A hand reached out to grip her neck. She was kneeling on the ground within moments, looking as though she were in agony. She still glared up at Orochimaru however. Her face never turned downwards.

"Well it seems you really want Jiraiya to live Kushina. So I can always change my mind about who I kill today." Orochimaru hissed. Kushina's eyes widened. Orochimaru disappeared, and reappeared behind Nawaki. "Nawaki-Aniki!" Kushina yelled out fearfully.

Everything happened in moments. Orochimaru regurgitated his sword, he got ready to swing it. Jiraiya made a few handsigns. Then disappeared. Nawaki ended up next to Kushina, in place of his father, and Jiraiya was the one in front of the blade. The blade came down, straight through Jiraiya's heart. Orochimaru smirked evilly at the quick flow of his former friend's blood, hitting the ground. "DAD!" Nawaki yelled. His voice full of fear. Kushina trembled in anger. "You'll pay for this Orochimaru!" Kushina hissed. "Not by your hand brat." Orochimaru stated. He and Kabuto disappeared and Jiraiya dropped to the ground. Nawaki leapt down to his father's side. Kushina was far slower to move. "Dad, hold on!" Nawaki yelled. Saiyuri was trying to heal Jiraiya but it was having no affect. "I'm sorry Nawaki. I promised you I'd be coming home. Sorry I'm leaving you to explain things to your mother." Jiraiya whispered softly. His energy seemed drained. Nawaki knelt down next to his father, and cradled him gently in his arms. "Dad, we'll get you back to the village! We'll get help! You're gonna be fine Dad!" Nawaki yelled frantically. Kushina was shaking with the pain she felt inside. "Tell your mother and sister I love them Nawaki. You have to be the man of the family now." Jiraiya said gently. He raised a hand up to brush a stray strand of silver hair, behind Nawaki's ear. "I'm very proud of you Nawaki. You and Mayumi are my proudest achievement. I want you to know that. Make sure to tell Naruto that this isn't his fault. He'll blame himself. I volunteered for this mission because he was like a grandson to me. I don't regret it. I was almost convinced I was going to die in my bed for a little while." Jiraiya said weakly. Nawaki had tears streaming down his face. "I love you Dad. You can't just die like this." Nawaki said softly. "We can't choose how we die Nawaki. We're Shinobi. If we're lucky we'll be remembered." Jiraiya whispered.

Kushina had made her way to the group and knelt down on the other side of Jiraiya. "I'm sorry Jiraiya Jii-Chan. I said I'd get you out of there. I failed." Kushina whispered. Jiraiya smiled up at her. "You're good at heart Kushina. No matter what Orochimaru might have said to you, your intentions are good. Find a way to break free of your demons and go home. You're needed there so much kid." Jiraiya said kindly. Kushina allowed tears to fall down her face. Jiraiya looked at Nawaki sadly. "My greatest regret is that I won't see your mother and sister one more time Nawaki. Don't make the mistakes I made. If you love someone, tell them. I waited years to tell your mother. Live life fully Nawaki." Jiraiya said softly. With that, the old Sannin took his last breath. At the age of seventy-three, Jiraiya was dead.

The group were stunned. Nawaki let out an animal howl of grief then slumped to sob over his dead father. Shinobi rules be damned, if you can't grieve over your own father, who can you grieve over? Kushina moved away from the horrifying scene, tears streaming down her cheeks. Itachi noticed Kushina moving away. "Kushina?" Itachi called out to her. Kushina looked at Itachi. "I'm sorry. I wanted to save him. I wanted to stop this. I tried." Kushina whispered. Itachi could see the pain that shone through Kushina's eyes. "I'll make sure he pays Nawaki-Aniki. I will make him pay. I swear it." Kushina said to her Sensei. With that she disappeared. The group all looked around, but saw no trace of Kushina, but the black cloak she'd left behind. Their mission was a failure.

The rest of the group left Nawaki to grieve with his father, as they found material to make a litter, to carry Jiraiya back to the village. They could at least bring his body back for a burial that he deserved. Not even an hour later they were done, and Itachi and Saiyuri were the ones to approach Nawaki. "Sensei?" Itachi said softly. Nawaki looked up at Itachi. His eyes filled with the grief he felt at losing his father. "We made a litter to carry Jiraiya-San back home." Saiyuri said gently. Nawaki nodded and he lifted his father's body to place it on the litter himself. That done, it was Nawaki, Konohamaru, Itachi and Keido to carry the litter back home. Saiyuri, Tamiko and Hoshiko guarded the group as they found their way into Fire Country again.

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Tsunade had just received a letter saying she'd won a jackpot prize in a raffle. She bit her lip hard. Mayumi walked into the room. "What's wrong Ma?" Mayumi asked. "I won a raffle prize." Tsunade answered blankly. "That's a good thing isn't it? I mean you're called 'The Legendary Sucker' because you lose all the time, so winning something is good isn't it?" Mayumi asked. "It's usually a bad omen when I win something." Tsunade replied. Mayumi was still confused. "Are you okay Ma?" Mayumi asked. Tsunade shook herself out of her dark thoughts and gave her daughter a weak smile. "I'm fine Mayumi. Where are you off to?" Tsunade asked. "I'm going to meet Sakumo and Dan. We're training with Naruto-Sensei today." Mayumi said softly. Tsunade nodded and ushered her daughter to go. "Go and have fun. Work hard, and tell that Gaki I haven't seen him for ages. He needs to come and visit me." Tsunade stated. Mayumi nodded and graced her mother with a wide smile. Tsunade wasn't sure why, but Mayumi's smile reminded her of Jiraiya for some reason. "I'll see you later Ma!" Mayumi exclaimed as she left the house. Tsunade still had a feeling of dread.

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Naruto went round to visit Tsunade. When she opened the door, Naruto could tell she was bothered by something. "Are you alright Baa-Chan?" Naruto asked. "I won a raffle prize today." Tsunade said softly. "It might be something silly like Mayumi cutting her finger in training. Don't make too much out of it Baa-Chan. It might not be as bad as you think." Naruto stated. Tsunade nodded and the two started chatting about regular things to try and take their minds off of the worst case scenarios.

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Late that night, the group made their way back into Konoha. The night guards were shocked to see them carrying a litter with Jiraiya's body on it. "My God, we need to go and find Hokage-Sama!" One of them said softly. "We'll be going to find him. Any idea where he is?" Itachi asked. "He's at Mayumi's house with Tsunade-San!" The group turned to see Sakumo. Then Sakumo saw Jiraiya. He bit his lip. "I think I'll come with you." Sakumo said softly. He knew he might need to comfort his girlfriend, and teammate. "Sakumo, go and tell Naruto-San, and my mother and sister to come to the Hokage tower." Nawaki stated seriously. Sakumo nodded. "Not a word as to why. Just that it's important." Nawaki added as Sakumo made to leave. Sakumo nodded and was gone.

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Naruto, Tsunade and Mayumi had arrived at the Hokage tower with Sakumo after he'd told them that the retrieval squad had returned. Naruto walked into the office to see Nawaki, Konohamaru, Itachi, Saiyuri, Keido, Hoshiko and Tamiko standing there, looking like death. Hakuri was whining next to Keido. "What's happened?" Naruto asked. Tsunade and Mayumi looked at Nawaki and noticed some blood on his shirt. "Nawaki are you hurt?" Tsunade asked softly. "No Ma. I'm uninjured." Nawaki said blankly. Tsunade looked around. "Where's your father? Did you not find him?" Tsunade asked. "Yeah Nawaki-Aniki, where's Dad? He's not one to hide away!" Mayumi exclaimed. Nawaki trembled, as he bit his lip, desperately trying not to cry. "Ma, Mayumi, Dad's... Dad is..." Nawaki was shaking violently now, desperately trying to get the words out. "Where is he?" Tsunade asked more urgently. "He's dead Ma!" Nawaki exclaimed. Tears leaked out of Nawaki's eyes and streaked down his cheeks. He looked at his mother so sadly, that Tsunade couldn't deny the truth. Yet she still tried. "He's not dead. Maybe he's just being lazy, that bum! Wait till I see him!" Tsunade exclaimed. The group stared at the female Sannin. "He's not dead!" Tsunade yelled, shaking her head vigorously. "He's not dead." Tsunade added softly. "Ma?" Mayumi asked gently, tears streaming down her own cheeks. Tsunade looked around the room at the sadness in all the faces. She dropped to her knees on the ground and began to sob, like she hadn't sobbed in over twenty years. She buried her face in both hands and just let loose her tears.

Naruto knelt down next to Tsunade and wrapped his arms around her. "I'm sorry Tsunade Baa-Chan. I'm so sorry." Naruto said softly. Tsunade hugged Naruto back. She couldn't help sobbing more, as she buried her face into Naruto's shoulder. This man, who she'd known as a little boy, who'd become family to her, was a needed comfort. Mayumi looked at Nawaki, the same grief reflected in his eyes that was in her own. She ran over to him and hugged him tightly, and both sobbed over their lost father. The rest of the group left the room, to let the family grieve in private.

Naruto turned to look at Nawaki. "Tell me it wasn't..." Naruto trailed off. He didn't want to say his own daughter's name in connection to the death of his old Sensei. "No. It was Orochimaru that killed my father." Nawaki replied softly. Tsunade stared at Nawaki. "I'll kill him." Tsunade hissed. "He seems to have got a new body. He's no longer sharing with Kabuto as we thought before. Kushina... Kushina tried to save him. Apparently she disobeyed Orochimaru to free my father. She wept when he died. She still has a heart. Orochimaru told her to step aside and she refused. So Orochimaru......." Nawaki trailed off. "What?" Tsunade asked softly. Tears still fell down her cheeks. "He came to kill me. Dad used... he used a... a substitution jutsu to swap me and him. I was supposed to be the dead one. He sacrificed himself for me." Nawaki whispered. Tsunade stood up. Even though the tears were still streaming down her cheeks, and it took all the effort she had to make herself stand. She walked over to her son, and pulled him into a hug. He was as tall and grown as his father, and looked so much like him, but Nawaki was still young. Young enough to blame himself for his father's death and Tsunade refused to allow him too. "Don't blame yourself Nawaki." Tsunade said softly. "He said his only regret was that he wouldn't see you and Mayumi again before he died. That Mayumi and me were his proudest achievements. That he loved us..." Nawaki sobbed out. "He told me to tell you not to blame yourself Naruto-San. He said he volunteered for the mission because you're like his own grandson, and he wanted to help you get your daughter back." Nawaki said to Naruto. Naruto nodded gently, tears fell from his own eyes. "I'm sorry Nawaki. I'm so sorry. I shouldn't have let him take this mission. I should've refused. Why didn't I refuse?" Naruto questioned himself, as he leaned against his desk, and looked down at the floor.

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The sky was grey at the funeral of Jiraiya. Tsunade, Nawaki and Mayumi were stood in the front of the crowd, which seemed to be so large that it was never ending sea of black. Many people were crying. Nawaki had to bite his lip to keep his face stern. He knew his father wanted him to be strong for his mother and sister. Sakura and Shizune stood with Tsunade, all the children gathered around them. Iruka stood next to Shizune, and Sasuke was next to Itachi, Hikari and little Naruto. Konohamaru was stood next to Sasuke's family. Everyone that Naruto knew was there, because they all knew Jiraiya. Naruto was stood in front of the crowd, trying to be strong himself. Even though he knew one face was always going to be missing.

"I know that everyone here knew Jiraiya. He was a good man, a great Shinobi and teacher, and a loved father and husband." Naruto started his funeral speech. He felt sick inside having to say all these pleasantries. They didn't offer comfort really and Naruto knew it. He looked at Tsunade, Nawaki and Mayumi as he spoke. Nawaki and Mayumi looked at the ground sadly. Tears streaked down Mayumi's cheeks. Tsunade looked right back at him. Her eyes told him to keep going. "Jiraiya was my Sensei for years. He was my father's Sensei before that. He taught me some of the most important lessons of my life." Naruto added. Nawaki and Mayumi looked up at Naruto, waiting for him to continue. "One of the most important things that he taught me however was that one day people will be able to understand each other. There will be a world where we don't fight all the time. It is a motto that I've followed since the day he taught me, and one I still follow even as Hokage. It was a dream of this one great man, that I one day hope to accomplish, and for that I thank Jiraiya for being the one to teach me. I'm more grateful to him than I ever let on. He was like a grandpa to me, when I didn't have family. I know no man that deserved that title from me more." Naruto ended. He looked at Tsunade. She smiled and nodded. "Is there anyone else who would like to say something?" Naruto asked.

Tsunade stepped forward. Nawaki and Mayumi looked up at her in surprise. She walked up to stand next to Naruto. "I knew Jiraiya from when we were little children. He and I were on the same Genin team, under the same Sensei, our beloved Sandaime Hokage. We fought all the time as children, and even as adults we would argue. But when I really needed him, he was there. To this day Jiraiya was my rock, whenever anything bad happened. Even now, I can imagine what he would say to me, to make me feel less pain. I loved him. I'll always love him. He made me the best person I could be, and I'll always be thankful for that." Tsunade finished. Naruto looked at Mayumi and Nawaki. "Would anyone else like to say anything?" Naruto asked softly.

Mayumi trembled as she walked up to stand beside her mother. "Jiraiya is my Dad. Not was. He is my Dad. Because even though he's gone, and it hurts inside to know that I'll never see his stupid grin again, or hear him talking to my Ma late at night again, I know his spirit is somewhere, watching over us, and protecting us. I'll never stop missing him or loving him. I hope that he knows that. Wherever he is." Mayumi stated. Tears dripped down her cheeks. Nawaki went forward and supported his sister. "I was there when my father died. That hurt more than anything else I've ever felt in my life. But my father told me that we were Shinobi. That we can't choose how we die. That if we're lucky, we'll be remembered. And I will remember him. He was a great man. He always will be because to me he was more than a Shinobi. He was the best father anyone could have." Nawaki stated.

Several people said little things after that. Then people placed flowers in front of the casket. Tsunade, Nawaki and Mayumi were the first ones. Naruto, Sakura, Sasuke and their children were next. Shizune, Iruka, Dan and Taiyuko were afterwards. The crowd went one by one, placing white roses in front of the casket, and then everyone watched as the Sannin was buried. As the sun set, everyone left the cemetery to mourn privately and remember Jiraiya, the legendary Toad Sage.

No one had noticed that another interloper had been watching the funeral the whole time. The black cloaked figure jumped down from their hiding place in one of the many trees, and walked up to the casket. A fingerless-gloved hand dropped a white rose on top of the newly filled grave, and knelt down in front of it. The figure removed their hood, to reveal the face and fire-red hair of Kushina. Tears fell down her face as she stared at the filled in hole. "I'm so sorry Jiraiya Jii-Chan. I wanted to save you. I wish that I'd managed to properly. Why couldn't I save you? No matter how strong I've gotten, or how strong I'll continue to get, I just couldn't save you and I'll never know why. I wish you peace in the afterlife Jiraiya Jii-Chan. I know that you earned a place in Heaven. No one deserved it more then you." Kushina said, as though she were speaking to the dead man. "I'll come back to Konoha Jiraiya Jii-Chan. But I'll make Orochimaru pay for killing you first. That's a promise of a lifetime Jiraiya Jii-Chan." Kushina said softly. She stayed kneeling in front of the grave, saying her prayers silently, for a while. She didn't even know how long she'd been there for. When she stood and turned around, she was shocked to see Tsunade staring at her.

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Tsunade had felt like her heart was being ripped into small pieces all that day. Having to stand till the end at the funeral, and making the speech she had wished to make, had drained everything she had. But she found that once she had made sure Nawaki and Mayumi were safely talking to Naruto and Sakura, she had this need to go and see Jiraiya's grave. She felt as though she'd never be able to relax without making sure that it was alright. She got the shock of her life when she spotted the red flame of hair, on the head of the figure that knelt in front of her husband's grave. When the teenager stood up, and turned to face her, Tsunade knew for sure it was Kushina. The girl's cerulean blue eyes widened in shock to see Tsunade there.

"Have you finally come home?" Tsunade asked her softly. Kushina looked at her, tears streaming down her cheeks as she rushed forward and knelt in front of Tsunade. "Baa-Chan! Please forgive me Baa-Chan! I tried! I really tried! When I found out why the others were there I went straight to Orochimaru's dungeons to find Jiraiya Jii-Chan! I did find him! I freed him and we were going to leave! But his ribs were broken, and I stopped to heal them! Orochimaru saw us and he was going to kill Jii-Chan!" Kushina hugged Tsunade's legs, as tears dripped down her cheeks. "He wanted to punish me because I wouldn't step aside Baa-Chan! He went to kill Nawaki-Aniki but Jiraiya Jii-Chan used substitution jutsu and jumped in the way! I wanted to save him! I really did Baa-Chan!" Kushina sobbed out. Tsunade looked down at the teenage girl, who was on her knees before Tsunade. Tsunade pried Kushina's arms from around her legs, and pulled the tearful teen to her feet. She made Kushina look at her, by gently placing a hand under her chin. "Kushina there's nothing to forgive. This wasn't your fault." Tsunade said gently. Kushina looked into Tsunade's eyes, the tears dripping down the girl's cheeks. "If he hadn't come looking for me he would still be alive." Kushina whispered. Tsunade pulled the teenager into her arms. "Kushina you're not to blame. Orochimaru wanted to kill Jiraiya for a long time. He probably planned to at some point anyway. This isn't your fault sweetie. Just come back home." Tsunade uttered. "I'm going to come back Baa-Chan. I am. I need to keep my promise first." Kushina whispered. Tsunade looked down at the girl, who hugged her tighter. "I promised Jiraiya Jii-Chan and Nawaki-Aniki that I'd make Orochimaru pay for what he did. It's a promise of a lifetime Baa-Chan. I will keep my promise." Kushina said softly. Kushina backed away and within seconds, she had disappeared, leaving Tsunade to ponder over what she'd just seen and heard.

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There was one stop that Kushina wanted to make before she left Konoha. She found herself outside her old bedroom window. Nothing had changed. Her bed was made as always, her closet door was open, as she'd left it. Her scratched headband lay on her bed. She opened the window and snuck in. She placed an orange pack on her old bed. It was in fact the same pack she'd taken when she left for Oto. All her old things were inside it. That included the photo's she'd taken with her. It was these photos she removed from her pack now, placing them back where they had been before. On the shelf above he bed. She placed them gently, without a sound, moving them so they all looked neat. Then she removed her old clothing from the pack, and placed it back in the closet. She put the pack on the floor, next to the open closet, where it always used to be when she was a child.

She left the room, and heard two girl's voices speaking to each other. She listened carefully to the conversation. "Hinata-Chan, do you think Itachi-Aniki will come out of his room soon? He was so sad when he came home, and then he came out today for Jiraiya Jii-Chan's funeral and then he went back into his room." Kushina deduced that this was Hikari speaking. "I don't know Hikari. It's sad when a comrade dies. We all have to deal with it one day, and Itachi-Nii had to deal with it sooner than any of us. He was there when it happened Hikari. Give him time and he'll come out of his room by himself, okay?" Hinata replied. Kushina smiled, thinking that Hinata sounded exactly like their mother. "Are you going to see your grandfather soon? Hiashi-San is really serious all the time." Hikari asked. "So Dad is letting Hinata see Grandfather? He must've told Dad I came to visit him. Maybe my leaving helped with something." Kushina thought to herself. She didn't listen to anymore of the conversation. She walked down the hall, and opened the door to see little Sasuke and little Naruto sleeping in their own little beds. "They still share then." Kushina thought to herself. She saw the two children had shaken their bed sheets loose. Kushina walked forward, so silently that she barely heard her own footsteps. She pulled the covers up to tuck in Naruto, and then she kissed him on the forehead. Then she walked over to Sasuke and did the same thing. Only Sasuke woke up. "Kushina Nee-Chan?" Sasuke asked softly. "Go back to sleep Sasuke-Kun." Kushina said softly. "Don't go away Nee-Chan. I want you to stay." Sasuke said sleepily. "I'll be back soon Sasuke-Kun. I promise." Kushina whispered. She allowed Sasuke to hug her tightly. Then she tucked him in again and kissed him on the forehead.

She left the room and went to where the old nursery had been. In there were two cribs. One pink and one blue. Kushina held her breath as she walked up to the blue crib and looked in. There was her new baby brother, yawning and looking up at her sleepily. He looked at her cutely and lifted his arms up. "Kuku?" He asked cutely. Kushina picked him up and let him rest his small head on her shoulder. "Kuku." He said softly, and stuck his thumb in his mouth, drifting off to sleep. Kushina hugged him, and started humming a lullaby her mother had hummed to her when she was small. She then gently placed him back in his crib, and tucked him in. She placed a kiss on his forehead, and then looked into the pink crib. Her new sister stared up at her too. "Kuku!" The little girl chirped, and then giggled. Kushina picked her up and walked around the room with her for a little while humming the same tune. Chiyo stared at her for the longest time. "Kuku pitty!" Chiyo said happily, hugging her around the neck. Soon Chiyo was also sleeping. Kushina placed her back in her crib, and like she'd done with Minato, she tucked Chiyo in and placed a kiss on her forehead. "Kuku means Kushina you know."

Kushina spun round to see Itachi leaning in the doorway. "Auntie Sakura and Uncle Naruto show them your picture all the time. But they can't say Kushina properly yet so they call you Kuku." Itachi said softly. "How did you know I was in here?" Kushina asked gently. "I have the baby monitor with me. I heard them start talking. Then I heard you humming to them. I just thought I'd let you spend some time with them. I knew you'd run if I came in straight away." Itachi said softly. "You always knew me well." Kushina replied. "Not well enough to dodge that Rasengan I guess." Itachi replied. Kushina walked up to Itachi slowly, and placed her hand over his chest, where she knew the mark would be. "I'm sorry Itachi-Kun. I never meant our fight to get that far." Kushina whispered softly. "I never asked you to apologise Kushina. I just want you to come back home. You belong here." Itachi whispered back. The two teens seemed to move closer together. "I'll be back soon Itachi-Kun. I need to keep my promise to Nawaki-Aniki-Sensei first." Kushina uttered. "You and your damn promises." Itachi whispered back. Their faces were so close that they could feel each other's breath mingle together. "I wouldn't be me unless I kept my promises." Kushina replied. "I heard what you said that day Kushina. It's strange how after you said it, I thought about it more." Itachi replied. Itachi leaned forward and their lips met, their eyes slowly slipped closed. Kushina's arms rose to wrap around Itachi's neck at the same time his arms rose to wrap around her waist. The unplanned kiss became deeper.

"We're back!" Kushina and Itachi shot apart at the voice of Sakura arriving in the house. Itachi looked at Kushina imploringly. "I will be back Itachi-Kun. I swear. Once Orochimaru is finished I'll be back." Kushina whispered. She opened the window of the nursery and made to jump out. "There's proof that I'm coming back in my old room." Kushina added, before she disappeared. Itachi was still standing in the nursery with a dazed look on his face. After all, a kiss from someone you always loved was not something that happened every day.

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Sakura walked into the nursery to see Itachi standing there with a dazed look on his face. "Itachi? Are you alright?" Sakura asked softly. She noted that the window was open. "How long has the window been open Itachi?" Sakura asked. She went and closed the window, and realised that Itachi still hadn't answered her. Naruto walked into the Nursery then. "What's wrong?" Naruto asked. Sakura walked over to Itachi and waved a hand in front of his face. "Itachi! Itachi? Wakey wakey?" Sakura stated as she waved her hand in front of his face. Naruto blinked. "What happened to him?" Naruto asked. "I have no idea. He was like this when I came into the room. If I didn't know better, I'd swear he was a love sick puppy." Sakura stated. A little amusement shone through her voice.

Naruto looked down into Minato's crib, and the boy opened his eyes. He looked at Naruto in confusion. "Kuku?" Minato asked. Naruto blinked. "Have you been showing them pictures today Sakura?" Naruto asked. "No. After I bought them home I went to meet you at Tsunade-Shishou's house." Sakura said softly. Naruto picked up Minato and handed him to Sakura. Minato looked at Sakura with confusion. "Kuku? Wan' Kuku!" Minato stated boldly. His green eyes flashed as he looked around the room. Naruto looked at Chiyo, whose eyes were also open. "Kuku? Wan' Kuku! Cheeyo wan' Kuku!" Chiyo stated. Naruto's eyes went wide. "Min'to wan' Kuku!" Minato stated. The twins looked at their parents with confusion.

Sakura took Chiyo into her other arm, whilst Naruto shook Itachi gently. The boy seemed to snap out of his daze. He looked at Naruto. "Why are the twins asking for Kushina?" Naruto asked. "She was here." Itachi replied. He was still a little dazed. "What do you mean she was here? Didn't you try to stop her from leaving?" Sakura asked. "She said she'll be back. She said she left proof she'll be back soon in her old room." Itachi replied. He still looked a little dazed. Naruto ran up the corridor to Kushina's old room and looked in. That was when he saw the pictures all placed neatly where they had been before. Naruto smiled widely. Sakura came to join him, as well as Itachi. When he saw the pictures he smiled and walked off into his room. Still in a daze. Sakura allowed two tears to fall down her cheeks. "No cwy mommy?" Minato said sadly. "Mommy no cwies." Chiyo also said. Naruto grabbed hold of the twins. "Kushina Nee-Chan is gonna come home you two." Naruto said happily. He hugged the two small children in his arms, with one thought. "She's coming back Jiraiya. She's coming home."

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Well that's the end of this chapter. I hope you all liked it. A bit sappy and sad, but there ya go. Please R&R and tell me what you think and I'll be updating soon.