Weeks later and life was going smoothly in the Hidden Leaf. Minka had moved in with Konohamaru, making his small house a cozy home where friends and family frequently visited, always greeted with Minka's food and Konohamaru's stories and attention. Amuri, Kya, and Lin continued with daycare, but as soon as custody was legally Minka's, Amuri got down to business.
Minka stood in front of Lord Seventh, Amuri by her side, the other two kids and Konohamaru behind them. "Lord Seventh, Amuri and I have a request," Minka began.
He nodded with a smile, ready to listen.
To Minka's delight and pride, Amuri stepped forward and bowed. "Lord Seventh, I want to enroll in the ninja academy!" she stated.
"Well that's not a problem," he smiled. "But this year has already started - you can sign up for next year."
"Lord seventh, I can't wait - I need to join now! It's all I want!" she asserted.
Naruto looked to Minka. Minka had been accepted as a member of the village's Anbu unit, immediately a valued member. She regularly assisted in special training at the academy and would know what Amuri would be entering if she joined late in the school year, even if she was young. "What do you think, Minka?" he asked.
"Lord Seventh, Amuri is truly amazing. She would be fine - I think someday, she'll be a better ninja than me," she said humbly.
Amuri looked at Minka, shocked. She was teary eyed but gritted her teeth, nodding and saying, "Thank you, big sis."
Naruto clapped his hands. "Alright, then! If you have the support of Minka, I have no problem with you entering late, if you're ready," he warned.
"I'm more than ready! I won't let you down, Lord Seventh!" Amuri cheered. Kya and Lin couldn't contain their excitement either, cheering in the back.
"I just have one question for you, Amuri, before you go," Naruto said.
She stopped what she was doing and looked at the Hokage. "Of course, Lord Seventh."
"Have you put any thought into your shinobi way?" he asked.
Amuri smiled, nodding confidently. "Yes, I have. Watching Minka live her shinobi way, there's no way I couldn't think of it. I know I don't have a definite way yet - that's part of training. But I want to become a shinobi so we can continue enjoying peace, and so everyone has the chance to be happy!"
Naruto bowed his head with a smile. "I think that's great, Amuri. Enjoy the academy."
The small family headed into town, grabbing some things for Amuri so she'd be ready for school the following week. They already had an idea of some of Amuri's preferred weapon styles and clothes for training, since Minka and Konohamaru had gladly been helping show her some ropes - even Lin and Kya were welcome to learn some things at their younger ages, if they showed interest.
Minka couldn't contain her pride and knew she'd be a mess at Amuri's first day of school, but she didn't care. Amuri would do well, and in a year or two, Kya would follow. She felt like Lin would also pursue life as a ninja.
The three kids took Minka's last name - one she chose after disowning her father. They got the news that their birth mother was, indeed, jailed as well, and Minka got news a few weeks after the trial that their father had been killed. She did inform the kids, who cried only a little bit, before seeming to relax.
They hosted a celebratory dinner in Amuri's honor, with Team 7 also in attendance. Amuri idolized the Third Hokage, Lord Seventh, and Boruto - they all knew she'd end up just as head strong and confident as Minka and her other idols.
Minka ended her night like normal - saying goodnight to the children, who now lived in an adjoining unit to hers and Konohamaru's, then turning into bed with her love. They usually cozied up tightly until they fell asleep, gradually floating apart as they both rolled and kicked while they slept. Mornings would be groggy as they got ready for work, saw the kids off, then went their separate ways for the day.
Konohamaru couldn't stop smiling all day. "Amuri is going to do great," he said. Minka nodded, agreeing completely. "I'll get to see her a bit more often, too, since I'm at the academy regularly."
"Oh, she's going to brag that Konohamaru sensei is one of her best friends, just so you know," Minka laughed.
"Well she can brag away, because it's true!" he grinned.
They laughed together, Minka talking to him about how proud she was of all of the kids. She got a bit teary eyed discussing Amuri going to the academy, amazed at how old she already seemed after such a short time of knowing the kids. "They really do grow up fast."
Konohamaru held her, nodding. "They do. And they're lucky to have you - they're bound to be great, no matter what they do."
They kissed, smiling at one another, before eventually nesting in bed together and drifting off to sleep.
The next week it was time for Amuri to go to her first day at the academy. She had her book bag in addition to Land of Snow-style pants, which had far more pockets than most Land of Fire pants, complete with some weapons belts. Since the school year had already started it was likely she'd still enter weapons and jutsu training like everyone else - but Minka and the others knew how bright Amuri was. She was doing great in school and Minka was proud of Amuri's developments in training. She was highly skilled with kunai work and had a natural water nature - appropriate for a child who was used to being flexible and able to adapt to anything.
"I can't wait!" Amuri said, clenching a fist. "It'll be hard, but it'll be great!"
Konohamaru was always amazed at the maturity of these kids, feeling a paternal pride towards their progress. Amuri gave everyone hugs, unashamed, and rushed off through the front doors, being greeted by an instructor.
Minka had happy tears in her eyes as Lin and Kya waved and yelled for Amuri to have fun. Konohamaru wrapped an arm around her waist, smiling at her. They led the two other kids back to their own school arrangements and got ready to head out for their own days at work. Before parting, Konohamaru stopped Minka.
They held hands on the sidewalk, lush trees lining the roads and giving them lovely shade. Minka was wearing her Anbu cape over her black clothes, her mask clipped to her hip under the cape. Konohamaru had his signature uniform on, using the thicker scarf that Minka had gotten him when the weather was chilly as fall was encompassing the village.
"Minka, I just wanted to let you know… I love you, and I'm planning on staying by your side, and by the kids' sides," he murmured. Saying goodbye to Amuri earlier sparked something in him - welcoming the four of them to his family had filled in some gaps in his heart, and Minka was the greatest of them all. He knew that he wanted to be her partner forever.
She bumped her forehead against his, rubbing her nose against his, and giving him a kiss. "I love you too, Konohamaru. And don't worry, you're not leaving us! And we're not leaving you," she assured him. She gave his hands a squeeze, gave him one more kiss, and jumped off to work.
Konohamaru couldn't stop smiling, happily strolling to meet another portion of his family - Team 7. The kids teased him about his goofy behavior, but he happily shared that they had seen Amuri off to school today. The three teenagers cheered, promising they'd do their best to be there for her as well.
"Minka is kind of cool," Boruto said. "You should stay with her."
Konohamaru sighed. "Thanks, Boruto. That is the plan."