RECAP: Okay yeah it's been awhile, it has, sorry. Just makes me sad thinking that this'll be over soon. So think about it like their kids are teenagers in that they don't know or care what their parents did in the past. They just don't, they're self absorbed so they'll hear these stories and like see their parents not as ninja like in the other chapters, like the way you guys have been reading about them but as just parents...and I did have to do one more pair, couldn't resist.
The others paired off too. Deidara left and found himself with Ino, she'd sent postcards telling them about it. Tenten and Neji got married and had two kids of their own as did Hinata and Kiba. About a year after Minato was born Kankuro had twin girls, Tenma and Mikoto.
Two years later Itachi and 3 had their second son that they'd name Izuna. Sixteen years later. Naru, Shisui, Minato, Izuna and Karura grew up together. Naru and Shisui being one pair of best friends. Izuna and Minato the other. Karura was becoming a kind of apprentice to Naru and she was closest to Tenma and Mikoto. Minato of course surpassed everyone's expectations. He didn't stay small, he got a little taller than Naruto and Gaara, he had Gaara's eyes and Naruto's blond hair although Minato's was much light thanks to Ino, shaggy and cute. Izuna grew to look like a real Uchiha. Sharingan, shaggy black hair, a constant rivalry with Shisui. Even with the odd age differences they all got along easy.
Minato was exceedingly popular at school much to his fathers' relief. Being half of two Jinchuuriki wasn't exactly easy but he was such a great ninja that it didn't really matter what he was, not to mention he was much more charismatic than either of his parents. He and Izuna were very close, best friends, much like Naru and Shisui who were now Jounin too. Kakashi stayed in their lives somewhat. Although they all stayed young-looking, Kakashi seemed to have not aged since their chuunin exams. Gaara had to occasionally go back to the Sand to deal with some Kazekage stuff but he never had to live there.
This time Naruto would be going with to the Sand. Minato was 16, he could take care of himself. That's what he told them both over and over, trying to get himself some space. Both apprehensive about leaving him alone.
"Dads, seriously, you never leave me alone, go to the sand for like two days."
"Alright what do you do if someone breaks in?"
"Get them out. Seriously? I'm almost a Jounin. You need to start trusting my ninja skills."
"...Be careful ok? No parties."
"Ok, love you guys."
They both kissed his head before reluctantly leaving. Minato had no intention of throwing a party. He just wanted to be alone for awhile. Naru and Shisui were on long missions. Karura was training with Tenma and Mikoto daily. The only person there was the only one he didn't want to see. Izuna didn't bother knocking anymore. He came in and sat down on the couch next to Minato.
"Where're your dads?"
"They just left. What are you doing here?"
"...Just came by. Want me to go?"
"No. Just..."
"Somethin' wrong Nato?"
"...Yeah..."
"What is it?"
"...I don't know."
"That's ok. Come on, let's go down to the hospital."
"Sounds good."
They started walking. They loved going down to the hospital without notice. Sakura could never quite censor herself without the proper notice. When they got there interns had messed up. There was some ninja on the floor, bleeding. They were carrying him away while Sakura yelled. Minato and Izuna sneaked up behind her.
"You fuckers almost killed that man because you're miniscule minds can't function properly! What do you have to say for yourselves?"
"...Your nephews."
"My nephews have nothing to do with this you fucking idiot! You god damn fucking idiot! I swear to God I will burn your feet!"
"...No...they're behind-"
Sakura turned around. She dismissed the interns who were crying as they left.
"...H-ey..."
"Geez Aunt Sakura, you've got quite a vocabulary."
"...Don't tell your mom Izuna."
3 came up behind them.
"Oh, 3, I've got a surgery for you if you want it?"
"...Skin graphs aren't surgery. Damn it damn it damn it! How many times are you going to burn feet?"
"...They disrespected me...but I do have a real surgery. Some kid about...Minato's age, arm ripped off on a mission. You wanna reattach it?"
"Yeah...I'll see you two later."
3 left. Sakura apologized again for her swearing.
"So what brings you down here?"
"Boredom. You got something for us to do?"
"...Nope...not yet. I'll let you talk to the patients but that's about it."
"Alright."
"Find one you like and start talking."
They did. A girl about their age. Pretty. Burns on her arm. It didn't bother them. They were more different then her even with her burns.
"Who are you?"
"Sakura's nephews. What happened?"
"I got burned."
"Well yeah, but how?"
"Oh, fire-style bitch! Bitch!"
"...Fire-style...where were you?"
"That's the worst part, that bitch was from this village!"
"...Did she look kind of like Sakura's husband?"
"...Yeah."
"That's her daughter. Naru. Our cousin."
"...Oh...sorry."
"No, we get it. She can be a little abrasive but she definitely didn't mean it."
They talked a little longer. They then got bored and let her sleep. Sakura found them and called them into a young but dying patients room.
"Watch this."
She started feed him her chakra. The two of them were watching amazed.
"...Go...get a nurse...I don't have enough right now."
"Wait, you can use mine, I've always wanted to try this. Dad told me all about how this stuff works, come on use my chakra."
"...Nato I can't use yours get a nurse."
"Come on, I wont mess it up. Please."
"No, get a nurse."
"...What's wrong with my chakra?"
"We'll talk about it later...get a nurse dammit."
Minato wouldn't budge so Izuna went and got a few nurses. Sakura used the majority of both of their chakra before she was done. When she was she was exhausted but Minato was still pissed. The two of them followed her to her office. She sat down and sighed.
"What's wrong with my chakra Aunt Sakura?"
"You...you're the son of two jinchuuriki. You didn't think you'd be normal did you?"
"...What does that mean?"
"Nothing bad but not too many people can handle your chakra."
"Well what's my chakra?"
"A lot, evil and strong."
"..."
"Even when I delivered you I could tell. You turned out just like Naruto though-I mean your dad. He was hated for like...the majority of his life and had no parents. His demon seems to be particularly evil, so does your-other dad. You turned out even better. I'm not saying you're evil...but your chakra is."
"...You can't prove that."
"Damn right. But I can prove that your chakra is too strong for most people or weak patients to handle."
"...Then prove it."
"Alright fine, you little turd, come here."
Minato walked over to her desk. She grabbed his arm fast and turned so he couldn't pull it away. She pulled out a kunai and cut his arm open where it wouldn't do much damage.
"AH! AH! What are you doing?"
"Did that hurt Nato?"
"DAMN IT! GET ME STITCHES YOU PSYCHO!"
"You don't need them."
Sakura got out some healing ointment and put it on the edges of his cut. The three of them watched as it healed itself.
"Does it hurt Nato?"
"...No...what the hell..."
"That's why you'll be a fantastic ninja. Now go away, both of you."
They walked home. Izuna was trying to calm Minato down, he was staring at his arm and breathing heavy. They finally got back and Minato laid down on the couch and Izuna lifted Minato's feet, sat down, then put his feet back down on his lap.
"I'm a freak."
"No you're not, this is cool. Show it off to the other ninja."
"They must already know. They treat me like I'm a prize."
"That's because of your dad though."
"...I'm bored."
"Me too. What do you want to do?"
"Turn the TV on. Find something."
Izuna found the remote and Minato watched as he flipped through the channels, one last turn of the channel and they were going to give up. That last channel was horrific.
"Ah! No! Turn that shit off Izuna!"
"AH!"
Off went the TV and gay porn. Both panting.
"...What the hell did you do?"
"It wasn't me! Damn TV channels!"
"...Ha...it was kinda funny."
"Ha...don't tell anyone we watch gay porn together."
"Like anyone would believe someone as hot as me would ever go for someone like you."
"Are you saying I'm not incredibly hot?"
"Yes I am, ha."
"Very funny...I'm still so bored! Entertain me damn it!"
Minato sat up with his legs still in Izuna's lap. He got a little too close but they didn't acknowledge it.
"What do you want to do?"
"...I don't know."
Minato felt Izuna's hand start going up his leg. He wasn't sure. He jumped up as did Izuna and awkwardly stood there for a few seconds.
"...Um...I've got...stuff to do..."
"Yeah...me too...bye."
"Bye..."
Izuna left. Minato paced and rubbed his face, wondering what just happened to him. He and Izuna had kissed before but it was a long time ago, when they were 11 and 9. The more he thought about it the more frustrated he got. He found a nail gun which he often used to get out most of his frustrations. He walked on to the balcony, plugged the gun in and quickly put multiple nails in the outdoor wall. Next to his other ones. He was the only one that ever went on the balcony so no one noticed.
These nails weren't cutting it. He put one in his hand and watched it bleed. Still not enough. He started pressing it against his lips. He didn't hear Sasuke come in. When he saw Minato he quickly unplugged the gun and grabbed him by the shoulders making him drop the nail gun.
"What the hell are you doing?"
"...Nothing...nothing..."
"Did you do that to your hand?"
"...Leave me alone."
"We have to go get it taken out. Come on."
"...I can do it myself."
Sasuke watched. Minato cringed as he pulled it out. His odd, monster-like chakra healed him fast along with some rubbing alcohol. Sasuke wouldn't leave. Not after that little display. Minato ignored him as he cleaned the blood off of the balcony.
"Uncle Sasuke, seriously, I'm fine."
"...Talk to me."
"...I...I don't have anything to say. I'll see you tomorrow maybe."
"...Give me that nail gun."
"Sure..."
Sasuke took it. He went home and debated telling Sakura what happened. The next day Minato was still in a weird funk. Lying in his bed still in pajamas. Izuna came over again.
"Nato? Nato? Nato, you in here?"
"...In here Izu."
He walked into Minato's room and laid down on the bed next to him.
"What's eatin' ya?"
"...Nothing."
"It's like 3, you're still in bed."
"...Yeah well...didn't have anything to do today."
"Wanna go...find some girls?"
"You're fourteen, you don't need a girlfriend."
"You're sixteen and you do."
"...I don't know if I do."
"Huh?"
"...Izuna have you ever kissed anyone?"
"Well you that one time but not anyone else."
"What if you suck at it?"
"Wow...thanks."
"I'm just saying you should practice."
"...On what?"
"I'll make the sacrifice, you can practice on me."
"...You're a boy."
"Get over it."
Minato laid on his side. Izuna kissed him. Minato kissed back. Izuna noticed his tongue and started worrying.
"What's going on?"
"...Not good?"
"What's happening?"
"Don't think about it."
Minato kissed him again. Izuna didn't think about it this time. He kissed as passionately as Minato. Soon he felt Minato's hands up the back of his shirt. They heard a knock on the door and stopped immediately. They got up and composed themselves as they answered the door. It was Karura.
"Hey you guys. Naru's being a jerk again. She literally sent a letter from that big important mission telling me to get off my lazy ass. Literally. Like doesn't she have anything better to do than pester me?"
"Did you want something?"
"More kunai, I've gotta go train again."
"Be right back."
Minato ran and got her more ninja tools. She left and went back to train. Minato was about to close the door but Izuna caught it and started leaving.
"Wait, you're going home?"
"..."
Minato shut the door after watching Izuna walk off. He slept the majority of the day. He was woken up at around 1 in the morning by a kiss on the forehead. He desperately hoped it was Izuna.
"Didn't mean to wake you up. Why are you sleeping on the couch?"
"...Just fell asleep..."
"What's bothering you?"
"Who said anything was bothering me?"
"I can tell."
"...Dad...how..."
"How what Nato?"
"...How...do you fold that stretchy sheet for beds?"
"That's not what's bothering you. Come on what's wrong?"
"...Which one of you made the first move?"
"Um...I think...yeah it was Gaara."
"...Really."
"So what's wrong?"
"Nothing...I'm just gonna go to bed."
"Night."
Naruto went to put his bags down in their room. Gaara went with.
"Something's bothering him."
"Go talk to him."
"...No I think he needs to talk to you."
"Alright. What do you think's bothering him?"
"...I don't know but there is something wrong. Go."
Gaara left his bag unpacked and went into Minato's room. He was laying face down on his bed, sprawled out. Gaara sat next to him and he turned his head to face him.
"What's wrong Nato?"
"...Dad...how did you know...?"
"Know what?"
"That you're...that way...with guys..."
"I didn't. Not for a while. But I didn't really have to be sure because I knew I loved your father-other father."
"...So...you're not sure?"
"Well now I am but I wasn't at first. At first I just knew I had a huge crush on Naruto."
"...And you were just...ok with that? I didn't...make you want to...put a nail in your hand or something?"
"It scared me but...I was already the loneliest person in my village, I really had nothing to lose. I did try to cut myself a few times, I felt like something was really wrong with me...but my sand wouldn't let me."
"..."
"So what's bothering you?"
"...Dad I have something to tell you..."
"I have a feeling I know what you're going to say."
"...But...I'm not sure."
"That's ok. You don't have to be sure. You'll figure it out."
"..."
"Anything else?"
"...No...I don't think...I don't think so..."
"Alright. Night."
"Night."
"Love you."
"Love you too."
Gaara left and let him sleep. He climbed into bed with Naruto who kissed his neck as he held him closer.
"What was wrong?"
"...You'll know soon."
"Hm...I'm so tired..."
"Then go to sleep."
"...Too tired."
Gaara giggled and kissed him before falling asleep. Minato couldn't sleep very much at all. He got up to get water and just kept going. He only had boxers and a big shirt on but it wasn't that cold out. He wasn't sure where he was going and ended up sitting on the top of the hokage's office. Where he and Izuna used to play when they were much younger. Someone came up behind him, again he hoped it was Izuna.
"...Lady Tsunade..."
"The hell are you doing up here boy?"
"...Just...I'll go."
"Don't go, you can stay."
"...Ok..."
Minato brought his knees to his chest and hugged them. Tsunade sighed and sat down next to him.
"Why are you up so late anyway?"
"...Avoiding paperwork."
"Oh..."
"Something bothering you kid?"
"...Yeah...but...I'm not sure."
"Sure of what kid?"
"...I...I don't know."
"Come on boy what's wrong?"
"Why don't you ever call me by my name?"
"...You're named after your grandfather. The fourth hokage, the best damn ninja in this village other than your father who will one day be the hokage...I knew your grandfather...he was my bestfriend's student...and you look a lot like him. Naruto looks a whole hell like him but he's not named...Minato."
"...Was my grandfather gay?"
"No, he married your grandmother, Kushina...is that what this mopey thing is about? You're gay?"
"..."
"You do realize your parents are gay right?"
"...I don't know if I am though...I don't want to be wrong..."
"You're not wrong. So who's the guy?"
"...I don't know..."
"You don't have to tell me. Who wants to confide in an old lady."
"You're not old...and it kinda freaks me out."
"It's a jutsu, believe it or not, that keeps me looking so sexyfine. You turned out real well for what you are, hell, you turned out well by any standard."
"...Am I a monster?"
"Yep. You're two. Look at your parents, they're both demons. Technically the three of you are monsters but do you really think your parents are monsters?"
"...No I guess not."
"You're over-think a lot. Not like Naruto, that's Gaara. Either Gaara or Ino."
"Ino?"
"Your mother."
"...Mother?"
"You know you had to have a mother right?"
"I know I've just never really thought about it."
"Don't your dads ever mention her, or have they ever told you about her?"
"They did once...I pretended like I wasn't interested. I didn't want to make them feel like I wanted a mom instead of them two."
"That's sweet. You know you've got Gaara's eyes."
"Speaking of his eyes what happened to him? Why is he blind in one?"
"Alright, long story-time. Long long ago when your parents and aunts and uncles were your age-I know, but trust me it actually happened-anyway they went on this really not good mission...that I assigned them...with no jounin...so basically it was my fault. Anyway they were doing good but Gaara's sand was suffocating him and a stray kunai put a hole in his diaphragm-"
"And he's alive?"
"He's a jinchuuriki. This was way back when your Aunt Matsuri was a genin. She was alone with him and so he was like all dead and bloody but she kept him going with chest compressions. So-wait so it was a group of about 8 ninja from the waves. Only they weren't ninja they were farmers. So they cut Kankuro's leg open to drain his blood and, so basically the point is they were very dangerous being farmer-ninja from the waves."
"Wait so they drained Kankuro's blood?"
"Almost. Sakura fixed it before he lost too much but he did pass out. Anyway so Naruto had a huge gash in his chest all diagonal and-just bad. Sakura fixed that too but then your Uncle Sasuke took on the head ninja who trained the farmers and he died. They didn't want him to so Sakura carried him back, cause see at that point they were engaged and had Naru. So Naruto took Gaara who was dead back too and they worked on them. Gaara got a heartbeat first but neither of them woke up for a long while. Sasuke took for-fucking-ever to wake up."
"...They both died?"
"Yeah. Both. But they're fine now."
"...So what happened to his eye?"
"Ah, right. Well we did some brain scans to make sure he was ok after waking up. When we did we fond a tumor, it turned out to be benign but it blinded that eye."
"...Wow...I wonder why they never told me that story before."
"Want to know another family secret?"
"...What else have they done?"
"Not them...wait...I'm a smidgen drunk...probably shouldn't tell you."
"No, you have to. What is it?"
"It's your Uncle Itachi."
"...So you think we're related too?"
"Huh?"
"That guy...Izuna."
"Aren't you two cousins?"
"No, our parents are close and so are we but we're not related."
"Then go for it. Fuck it. I gotta go do paperwork. Bye kid."
"...Thanks for talking to me..."
"No problem."
Tsunade stood up and left. Minato started getting a little cold and was thinking about leaving but Izuna sat next to him.
"...Hey..."
"..."
"Sorry I left earlier...I...yeah..."
"..."
Izuna scooted closer to Minato and laid him down. Izuna reached for his hand and when Minato held it he climbed on top of him and kissed him. Minato wrapped his arms around him and kissed back. Suddenly Izuna's kisses stopped. He lifted his shirt up and began kissing down Minato's chest.
"What are you doing?"
"I don't know..."
Izuna thought about what he was doing and couldn't justify it. He stood up and started walking away. Minato sat up fast.
"Wh-where are you going?"
"Home. It's late."
"...Why'd you do that?"
"...I wanted to..."
"Don't leave."
"...Ok..."
Izuna sat down next to him and Minato put his arm around him. They laid down and stared at the sky. Holding each other tight.
"...What's happening Nato?"
"I don't know..."
"..."
They heard someone coming and scooted away from each other fast but stayed lying down. It was Shisui.
"Hey, why'd you leave in the middle of the night? You know dad isn't as stupid as you think. Sent me out here to get your sorry ass."
"...Just couldn't sleep."
"Hey Nato."
He playfully kicked them both and stood between them, looking at the sky with them.
"When did you and Naru get back?"
"Few hours ago."
"How'd it go?"
"Good except Naru burned one of ours and is a fucking control freak."
"Are you saying that because she's a better ninja?"
"Shut up Nato. Why are you up here?"
"Couldn't sleep either."
"...Hm. Funny you both wind up here."
"...You know I was just talking to Tsunade...she said your dad-or your family has some big secret..."
"Mhm."
"...What is it?"
"Not much of a secret if everyone knows. Come on Izu, time to go home."
"...I'm alright here."
"Ugh. I can't go home without you."
"Why not, I'm old enough to stay out by myself."
"Age doesn't matter, you're not even a chuunin."
"Well Nato's almost a jounin. I'll be fine."
"...Fine, if you're not back in an hour I'm gonna come back and drag you by your ears ok?"
"Alright."
Shisui left. They stayed the same distance apart from each other. Too freaked out to get any closer.
"Nato?"
"Hm?"
"If people at school thought I was gay do you think they'd still like me?"
"What people at school? You've graduated."
"You know what I mean, my graduating class."
"I don't know...what about me?"
"They'll still like you, you're popular anyway. You have gay parents and are double the monsters they are yet you still have masses of friends."
"Not masses."
"A lot...makes me wonder sometimes...how close we actually are...like what if you treat all your friends like me?"
"Izu, no, you're my best friend. Always have been. I mean most of the 'friends' you claim I have are just acquaintances or like friends you don't share secrets with."
"...Good...honestly...other than my team...you're...you're kind of my only friend."
"Me too. I mean when we were still at the academy don't you remember me dropping every other conversation I had going to talk to you?"
"Yeah...I guess you did."
"You're my best friend. No one else even comes close."
"We should go home."
"...Yeah."
They started walking down the stairs and ran into Tsunade on the way. She told them to tell their parents and Aunts and Uncles that they were to report immediately. They dashed home and did so. Both called Sakura and Sasuke, all six reported. It was so late, they were wondering what was going on. Izuna went over to Minato's to worry with him.
"What could it be?"
"...Don't worry...our parents are great ninja."
"...I hope they're ok..."
Naruto and Gaara burst through the door. They both jumped up and waited for answers as they watched the pair grab their ninja tools.
"Nato, wills are in a box marked 'Taxes'. Everything is yours, don't let anyone take it. We love you very much."
Minato's heart sped up at an alarming rate. Naruto and Gaara both kissed his head before leaving in a hurry. Minato could barely breathe. Izuna hugged him. When he did he could hear his loud, fast heart ramming against his chest. They'd done this before, left for missions in a hurry but they'd never mentioned wills before.
"They'll be fine."
"...I'm scared."
"Don't be."
"..."
"Let's sleep. Come on."
Izuna grabbed his hand an guided him to the bed. He laid down first and Minato shakily did the same. Izuna rolled on his side and put his back to Minato as he got comfortable.
"...Will you turn the other way...?"
"Sure."
Izuna did. Minato then got on his side with his back to Izuna and reach back for his hand. Minato put Izuna's arm around him which helped him fall asleep. It still took him a few hours though. Izuna couldn't sleep either.
"...What do you think the mission is?"
"...Border patrol maybe."
"What if they don't come back Izu?"
"Don't think like that."
Izuna held him tighter. Minato sighed and started falling asleep. He had a few nightmares but Izuna calmed him down after each one. Minato couldn't help but feel weak. Here was his fourteen year old best friend, consoling him. He was sixteen and practically a jounin. He couldn't be such a wimp.
The rest of the kids were just as confused as them two. Naru and Shisui were sent on an unrelated mission and couldn't sit and wait for them to come back. Karura and the twins were assigned plenty of D-rank missions to keep them busy. Minato and Izuna were both in transition rank wise so they weren't allowed mission unless it was dire. They hung around the main gates for about four days waiting for them to come back. Temari and Shikamaru came back with three hostages, no time to talk. Two days after that Itachi and Matsuri came back with a few flesh wounds, saying they were there to get more medics. No time to explain. Finally three days after that the other four returned. Covered in blood. Hopefully not theirs. All four hanging off of each other for dear life. Sakura trying to heal them as they trudged.
"DAD! DAD!"
Naruto and Gaara smiled at him then started coughing up blood. Minato froze, terrified. Sasuke helped the wheezing coupled up while Sakura stopped and sat to fix her open leg. The others kept going to the hospital while Sakura tried to prepare herself to take care of them.
"Aunt Sakura what happened?"
"...Nothing."
"Something!"
"Nothing unusual just very, very, very outnumbered by the damn waves again."
"How's your leg?"
"Open. Reach into my bag and get a stint."
"What's that?"
"Fixes arteries, looks like a tiny tiny balloon-ish cylinder."
He found it and handed it to her. She shoved it in her legs and cringed as she did so. The two of them were about to vomit just watching. Sakura then pulled out her staples and got busy on her leg. It was hard to watch but incredible to watch at the same time. She barely flinched. She wiped the excess blood on her shirt.
"...You good?"
"...Yeah...I think..."
She stood and rested her hands on her knees as she breathed deeply. She vomited, it was blood ridden. She didn't pay attention to it but the others were worried. They watched her wiped her mouth, cough up more blood then limp to the hospital. They walked with her although she insisted that she didn't need help.
"Uncle Sasuke should be fine."
"...What about my dads?"
"...Hang on...something's...I must have...something...in my throat."
She began coughing up and vomiting more blood. When she was through she felt around in her throat from the outside.
"There's...there's the problem."
The two watched as she stuck her finger down her throat, gagging as she did. The almost vomited themselves. They'd never seen any of their parents in a real situation like this. She brought her hand out with a shard of what appeared to be a kunai, accidentally swallowed.
"There we go."
She used whatever was left of her chakra to heal her throat so she didn't bleed out, she'd already lost to much from her leg. They finally got to the hospital. The other three were just walking in themselves. The on-call interns nearly cried when they saw their workload. Sakura yelled as best she could for gurneys. They couldn't get any emergency rooms just yet. All three were put on gurneys an interns flocked. Sakura got out a knife and the two of them watched as he cut the shirts off of all of them. Revealing huge gashes in their stomachs, so much blood. Minato and Izuna both vomited but continued to watch the miracle that was Aunt Sakura.
"...Alright...alright...sew em up. Get em rooms. Kyuubi's got another gash in his shoulder. Gaara's got a weird one behind his ear, Sasuke's got another gash in his knee, white cap. All have multiple broken bones. Get to it!"
"...What about you?"
"I can handle myself thank you very much! Someone get me suture materials...and a staple remover."
Most went with the three patients while the others got Sakura the things she needed and the room she needed.
"Boys, either go home or stay with me."
They stayed with her and followed her to an exam room. She started unwrapping her legs. Closed her eyes concentrated and pulled her staples out without one reaction. She then numbed and stitched her leg up. She got herself a blood bag.
"Ok, anyone see any blood on me that isn't dried?"
"...Some on your stomach. Some on your shoulder...does that mean you're bleeding?"
"Yeah."
She lifted the bottom of her shirt to reveal her stomach, technically not her stomach, technically her intestines. Minato and Izuna gagged. She calmed herself after the initial shock and laid down. Suctioned out excess blood, fixed any bleeding and began stitching it up after numbing herself. Her chakra was beginning to restore.
"It's ok boys, I'm all better now."
"All better? Jesus Aunt Sakura, you just stitched your own leg up and your own stomach with all your intestines falling out. What the hell?"
"I'm a medic. Medic's can't get hurt. Take a look at my shoulder."
He did, gross, bloody, he could almost see the blade.
"I'll get an intern, you can't reach."
"...I can't feel it either. Fuck shoulders, I'm gonna go take care of your dads."
Sakura smiled. Minato noticed just how much blood was on her, her clothes were hardening. Was it all hers? They followed as she ran into Naruto's room. He was sitting up and smiling.
"You rat bastard, how the hell are ya?"
"Better than you. Look at your shoulder blade."
"Shut up, some of my innerds were just my outards."
"Gross."
"Fixed all by myself. Almost made your son there throw up."
"Minato!"
Minato ran and hugged him. He stepped back when he felt warm water all over his chest. He then actually looked at his father. He was covered in blood and so was his new gown.
"Is that yours?"
"A little of it is."
Sakura pulled his gown down as she laid him down and started cleaning the blood off of his multiple deep cuts. Minato could barely look.
"You didn't trash the house while we were gone did you?"
"...No..."
"What's wrong?"
"I thought you were gonna die..."
"Me too. Turned out better than I thought."
"This is better than you thought? I can practically see your damn heart beating!"
"Calm down. This is what it's like Nato."
"...So you thought you were going to die and you went anyway?"
"I didn't want to it's my job. It's your job too. This one was important. The Akatsuki is attempting to collect the last three Jinchuuriki..."
"..."
Sakura finished his stitches and he sat up.
"How's Gaara?"
"...He's been bleeding a lot...but I'll go see."
"...Check his diaphragm."
Sakura smiled at him to reassure him but it didn't work. Sakura had to drag Minato out of Naruto's room. He wanted to stay, he also didn't want to see another parent looking so weak. Gaara was about to be put on a breathing tube again. He was refusing it.
"Tell these retards if I can breathe on my own the tube wont go in."
Sakura kicked the intern out. Gaara coughed up blood and wheezed again. He was covered by a blanket from his neck down and it looked suspicious. Sakura pulled it off and Gaara's hand was in his chest, below his ribs. Minato vomited.
"...It's a little embarrassing...twice."
"A stray one again?"
"...Ha...yeah..."
Sakura smiled and they strategically switched their hands out. She used what was left of her chakra to repairs the hole then sewed him up. He was still wheezing but it was getting better. The blood he was coughing up got to be less and less. Minato just wanted to cry. Gaara saw him and motioned for him to get closer. Sakura grabbed Izuna's shoulder and walked him out. She had a large amount of blood on her hands and it was now on Izuna.
"How can you deal with all of this?"
"All of what?"
"Dying friends."
"I don't let them die. They tried it once before but I've brought your Uncle Sasuke and Gaara back from the dead before, I can do it again. Come on, it's Sasuke's turn."
They got to his room. He had been on a breathing tube but they were taking it out now as they fixed up his knee. His chest had been sewn closed in the many places it had holes. Izuna was actually scared by his appearance, he could see all of his scars from many years ago along with the new ones. Sasuke laughed a little.
"It doesn't hurt, don't look so worried."
"..."
"Seriously I'm fine. You'll get your own scars. They don't hurt that bad."
Sakura laughed along with Sasuke and Izuna ran out and back to Gaara's room. He didn't go in. Minato was laying there with Naruto and Gaara, he didn't want to interrupt. He found his mom's office where her and Itachi were. She was stitching up his upper arm. He didn't seem to have any anesthesia. He was just biting the roll of gauze in his mouth. He came in just as she finished the last stitch.
"Hey."
"...You guys ok?"
"Mhm...something wrong?"
"...No just...what happened to the four of them? Why aren't you two as bad as them?"
"We fought the first wave with Shikamaru and Temari. They fought the second and we went back for backup. The Akatsuki minions or whatever are very well trained by Madara himself."
"...You just left them there?"
"That was the plan."
"What if they'd died?"
"Then that's how it goes Izuna, were ninja not babysitters. Sometimes shit happens. It's sad but we've all been trained to suppress those emotions for a reason. Be a big boy."
"..."
Izuna stormed out and Itachi looked over at 3.
"You shouldn't have said it like that Kin."
"He's too soft. Shisui's more-"
"Don't compare him to Shisui!"
"Don't yell at me!"
"...Look...he's...Shisui is a lot like me and Izuna is a lot like Sasuke. I don't want what happened to Sasuke to happen to Izuna."
"...Then you go talk to him."
"I will."
Itachi kissed her cheek and left. He found Izuna sitting down the hall hugging his knees. He sat down next to him.
"..."
"Your mother doesn't have a way with words."
"...You guys don't even seem fazed. Me and Minato just watch Aunt Sakura pull a kunai shard out of her throat as she vomited."
"..."
"And then we come in her and the other three have their insides on the outside and she's working on them. We get to the exam room and she has the same wound. Dad we could see her intestines. She sewed herself up right there...then she fixed up everyone else like it was nothing."
"Adrenaline is a hell of a drug Izuna."
"You should've seen it."
"I have. I've seen your mother do the same thing. Granted Sakura probably can handle more. Medical ninja know how important they are to a team. They push through stuff like that because the others can't fix it themselves. I know it scared you but...believe it or not she does that all the time."
"How...I mean...how can you do that all the time and not being a total mess?"
"She's strong. Only emotionally strong ninja can handle the responsibility of being a medical nin."
"..."
"Cheer up. Your mother is just trying to toughen you up. I don't really think you need to though. You're good at the strategic stuff."
"Don't sugarcoat it dad...I'm not as good as Shisui."
"You're barely a chuunin, Shisui is a jounin. Don't compare yourself to him."
"..."
MEANWHILE
Minato had fallen asleep next to Gaara on his bed. Naruto was sitting in there with them. Gaara was stroking his hair as he slept.
"...We shouldn't have left him like that...he's not used to us going on missions so suddenly..."
"Yeah...we really worried him. I can see why thought. Now wouldn't really be a good time to lose your parents."
"Why now?"
"He might be gay."
"Aw, no wonder he got so upset when we left him like that."
"...Poor thing. He's actually got stuff to lose from this."
"He wont lose it though."
"I hope not."
"Poor thing probably didn't sleep very much since we left."
"Should we wake him up?"
"...I don't think so. Let him sleep. I'm gonna go do the same."
"Night...or...afternoon I guess."
Naruto laughed a little and kissed him before going back to his room to sleep.
Itachi had gone to Tsunade to report the mission's success against the Akatsuki's advances into Konoha. Izuna went to find Sakura. He first check Sasuke's room. He was asleep and she at first glance seemed to have passed out on the floor. As Izuna got closer he realized she had actually laid down and gone to sleep on the floor, not an accident. He sat her up and put her arms around him. He lifted her up and carried her to the empty room next door. She didn't wake up. He then decided to go find Minato.
Minato was waking up next to Gaara who had fallen asleep. Gaara started waking up as Minato turned over.
"...Sorry I'm taking up all the bed."
"It's OK, you alright? Calmed down?"
"Yeah...sorry I'm such a wimp."
"You're not a wimp, just worried. I think Izuna's waiting for you, he's been pacing outside for a while. Go on."
"...Alright, love you dad."
"Love you too."
Minato got up and Gaara started falling asleep again. He ran his hands through his hair and started waking himself up. As soon as he left the room Izuna ran up to him and resisted the urge to hug him.
"...Hey."
"Hey...I uh...I was about to go home...and um...just saw you come out here...so I'm saying hi."
"You OK, you're acting weird."
"I'm fine, I'm fine."
They heard Sakura yelling again. They wanted to see what the commotion was about. Izuna grabbed his hand and lead him to the room he'd put her in. She was just writhing in her bed, the pain of her stitches had finally hit her. She tried to stop it when she saw the two of them in her doorway.
"...B-boys..."
"Aunt Sakura, what do you need?"
"Geh...nothing...I...just need to lie down."
She laid her bed down flat. Her breathing was still heavy and she was gripping the side of her bed as she panted. The two of them got closer.
"Are you alright?"
"I'm fine, I'm fine...I'm good..."
She started using her chakra to help her sewn up wound and her breathing began to calm down. A few minutes later she wrapped some gauze around herself and got up.
"What are you doing? You need to rest!"
"Shut up you two. I have work to do."
She got up and got her lab coat on. She stood up with ease and walked out of her room. The two boys followed her to her interns, they were still shaking. She fluffed her hair and grabbed a chart out of the first intern's hand.
"Alright, this patient is-sitting over in-that bed, follow me."
They did. She examined her, she was asleep.
"Says here that you were supposed to get her into the ICU. What the fuck is she doing here?"
"...Her condition hasn't worsened..."
"You do what I tell you! Don't question my authority! Get this patient to the ICU before you kill her! Is that understood?"
"Yes...yes ma'am."
"...G...Good..."
Sakura threw the chart back at the intern and grabbed the next one. She immediately threw it at him and he failed to catch it.
"Why...why do you have my damn chart?"
"...You're sick Ms. Haruno."
"I'm not sick sick, I've got some flesh wounds."
"Yes but they're worthy of admission."
"Shut up! And...whoo...uh...what was I..."
Sakura clutched her stomach, she was bleeding. She coughed up more blood. She then turned away from her interns and leaned against the wall.
"...Another...what's going...oh damn...goddamn bad shit...oh...ok..."
She got yet another shard out of her throat and threw it away. Her interns were wide eyed and scared, much like Minato and Izuna.
"...Ok, interns...I have...I have like a fuck ton of shards in my stomach...and of course they aren't digesting so I am now coughing them up along with blood. If I couldn't handle this myself I'd be a patient. How would...ugh...how would you handle this everyone?"
"...We...would..."
"Ipecac. Literally, just ipecac. But but, as I cough these up you'd need be to healing my esophagus and stomach as they come up alright."
"..."
"Get out-"
More blood. The interns fled and she began wheezing and healing herself as she cough up the shards into some form of a trash can. She figured those were all of the shards and left the room. They followed her and begged her to go rest. She wasn't having it. As she did her rounds she coughed up more blood and healed herself. She had blood all over herself. Her clothes had already hardened from the other ninjas' blood but she was just adding to it. Finally she stopped coughing up shards. She used her chakra to check her stomach and sure enough they were all gone and she finished her rounds.
"...You two can go home."
"...Aunt Sakura, do you ever take a break?"
"No, god no. I don't know if you've noticed but we really can't take a break, especially now. Border patrol is thicker, everyone's on their top game trying to protect your fathers from the impending Akatsuki invasion."
"Please...just relax."
"I do this on a daily basis. It's ok boys. Nato, you're almost a jounin, you'll have to do stuff like this."
They couldn't take anymore and left. They shakily walked back to Naruto and Gaara's apartment. They were sitting on the couch. Minato was mulling over everything that had happened to his dads. Thinking about what could've happened. Izuna could tell and tried to distract him.
"Wanna watch TV?"
"...No..."
"...Get up."
"And do what?"
"...Teach me...how...to dance."
"To dance?"
"Like the real fancy shit. You know how to right?"
"You don't?"
"Nope, come on get up."
Izuna jumped up and Minato slowly did the same. He got one arm around Izuna's waist and the other held his hand.
"You've got a real girly figure Izu."
"...Shut up."
"Ha, come on, go a little faster."
"I'll trip."
He did but Minato managed to turn it into a dip. Minato stared at him with a sort of stunned expression and Izuna stared back with the same face. Minato leaned down to kiss him but they quickly let go before they could when the front door opened. Shisui walked in and looked at the blushing pair in suspicion.
"...Dad wants to know if you're coming home at any point."
"...I'm sleeping over here."
"Izuna can I talk to you?"
"...Yeah."
"Out here."
Izuna stepped outside with Shisui. Once the door was shut Shisui got a tight grip on one of his arms.
"What the hell is going on?"
"Nothing. Sheesh Shi, you're acting all weird."
"No you're acting weird. You're spending a little too much time with that guy."
"He's my best friend."
"...Why are you hanging around him so much."
"Why is it such a problem?"
"You are two years younger than him. Don't you think that's a little weird?"
"No, I don't. Two years wont seem that weird when were like 60 and 62."
"...So you plan to be hanging around your bestfriend this much when you're 60?"
"...Leave me alone."
"Do you have something to tell me Izu?"
"...Tell dad I'll be home tomorrow."
Izuna shook Shisui off and slammed the door behind him as he walked back into the apartment. Minato was standing there biting his nails. Izuna smiled and hugged him. He hugged back and felt Izuna's hand go up his back. Minato stopped him and held him at an arms length.
"..."
"You're too young...I can't in good conscience...do this."
"Don't think about how old I am. It doesn't matter."
"You're fourteen. You've got a few more years ahead of you. Even I have maybe a few left."
"...Is there anything I can do?"
"...Say you want me."
"What would that mean? What would you do?"
"Anything you want."
"...I want you."
Minato immediately leaned down and kissed him passionately. Izuna put his hands on Minato's face and Minato wrapped his arms around Izuna's waist. They continued kissing for a long time.
"...What now?"
"...You're too young..."
"I'll decide when I'm ready Nato."
"...Well...are you?"
"...Yeah...yeah I am."
Minato kissed him again as he carried the younger, smaller boy to his room. He laid him down and Izuna was clearly getting nervous. Of course it was very understandable. He was only 14, on the verge of being a chuunin. Minato got on top of him and started kissing his neck. He could feel his hear beat, loud and fast.
"Are you sure you're ready?"
"...Maybe not...maybe I'm not."
"That's OK..."
Izuna started crying and Minato sat him up and hugged him as he pulled him into his lap.
"It's ok, sh."
"...I'm so sorry...I'm sorry."
"Don't be, it's OK, it's fine. Calm down."
"...I'm sorry I did that..."
"No, don't be. It's alright, you would've regretted going through with this now if you didn't say something."
"...I'm pathetic."
"It's alright Izu. Don't be upset. Don't cry."
Minato kissed him again. He could feel his tears. Minato held him tighter as he kissed him. Wet, passionate kisses. It was getting late and they were getting tired from the day. Minato laid him back down and stripped to his boxers. Izuna got scared again and his breathing got labored and heavy. Minato smiled and crawled in bed next to him.
"Just getting ready for bed. I'm not going to push you to do anything you don't want to."
"...Thanks."
"Want pajamas?"
"I can sleep in boxers."
Izuna sat up and managed to strip under the covers without getting up. Minato wrapped his arms around him and kissed him everywhere, his mouth, cheeks, neck, chest, everywhere. Izuna's heart was getting faster. Minato slowed down and rolled back onto his back. Izuna rolled on his side with his back to Minato. Minato promptly started drawing lightly on his back which gave him goosebumps.
"...Thanks."
"Don't mention it."
Once Izuna was asleep Minato kissed his cheek and put the house to bed. He called the hospital to see if Sakura was still there. 3 answered.
"H-hey Ms. Uchiha."
"Hey, did you need something?"
"...Is Aunt Sakura still there?"
"What do you think? She's in surgery right now."
"...Is she better?"
"...As well as can be expected...did Izuna make it home?"
"Actually, he's sleeping over here, keeping me company."
"He's not causing a problem right?"
"Of course not, of course not."
"Alright, don't worry about Sakura, I'll keep and eye on her."
"Thanks."
He hung up, got some water and carefully climbed back into his bed. Once he was settled and on his back Izuna rolled over on him in his sleep. Minato put his hand on Izuna's back and pulled him in a little closer. Izuna nuzzled his face against his chest as he slept and Minato loved it. He played with his hair and eventually fell asleep. Izuna woke up first the next morning. He started to get up which woke Minato.
"Hey."
"Hey."
"How'd you sleep?"
"Really well."
"Mm. Me too. What time is it?"
Minato reached and grabbed his clock off his bedside table.
"It's ten."
"Slept late. Come on let's get up."
Izuna sat up and scooted off of Minato. Minato got up which enabled Izuna to get of the bed. Izuna put his clothes back on while Minato got some new clothes. Once they were dressed Minato grabbed Izuna's face and kissed him. This time he used more tongue than last time. Izuna put his arms around Minato's neck. The stopped when they heard a knock on the door. Minato gave him one more light kiss before going to answer the door. Shisui.
"Hey."
"Where's my brother?"
"Izuna! Shisui's here to pick you up."
Izuna fixed himself up and came out of Minato's room.
"What are you doing in Nato's room?"
"Calm down Shi. Let's go."
Izuna walked to the door and clearly wanted to kiss him goodbye but Shisui was right there. He couldn't. Minato understood and they said their goodbyes. Shisui glared at him as he closed the door and the two walked off.
"What are you doing hanging around Nato all the time?"
"What is your problem?"
"..."
"...Shi I have something to tell you..."
"...Is this the part where you say 'guess what Shi, I'm a fag'?"
Izuna couldn't look at him. There was no way he was OK with it. How could he be? Shisui stopped walking and put his hands on Izuna's shoulders and made eye contact.
"Is it?"
Izuna shamefully nodded.
"Well...if that's what you want then it's not a problem."
"Seriously?"
"Seriously. You're my brother and I love you...but does it have to be him? He's the son of two gay Jinchuuriki, how much worse can it get? Not to mention he's too old for you."
"...But...he's my best friend. He knows everything about me...everything."
"...Fine...if that's who you want...then that's who you want."
"Thanks Shi..."
"What I'm here for. I'm glad you told me."
"...Me too...are you gonna make me tell mom and dad?"
"Of course not. Tell them when you want."
They walked home. While they had been walking Minato called the hospital and Sakura picked up.
"How do you feel?"
"Like a million bucks. Hang on - IF I DON'T GET THOSE DAMN SURGERIES DONE BY TODAY HEADS WILL ROLL AND FEET WILL FRY!"
Minato heard the intern she had yelled at mutter something about no available OR's.
"OH JUST LOOK AT ALL THE FUCKS I GIVE RIGHT NOW! GO FINISH UP A SURGERIES AND GET THESE TWO IN THERE PRONTO!-anyway Nato, I feel much better just as usual."
"Are you sure, you looked bad yesterday."
"I'm fine, thanks for checking in."
"How are dad and dad and Uncle Sasuke?"
"Dad and Dad are doing much better, they're jinchuuriki after all. Sasuke is doing good but he cut his knee open so that healing process isn't gonna be fun. We've got guards for your fathers so no need to worry."
"Why do they need guards?"
"The Akatsuki might attack the hospital. Don't worry too much OK Nato?"
"Tell them all to feel better then."
"I will. Dad and dad can come home in a few days."
"Oh, good. Thanks Aunt Saukra."
He hung up and rubbed his face in relief. As soon as Izuna got home he grabbed the phone and ran to his room. Itachi had gone out so Shisui thought he might listen in on another phone. Sure enough he called Minato and he picked up on the second ring.
"Hello?"
"Hey Nato."
"Hey. You left your belt here."
"I know, it's an excuse to come over later."
"You need an excuse?"
"I told Shi."
"Is gonna come murder me in my sleep?"
"No, he seemed fine with it...I think."
"Well...good. Good for you."
"...Did you tell anyone yet?"
"No one to tell really. I don't have siblings and you're my best friend."
"Dads?"
"...Later. Not yet."
"That's fine...Shi says you're too old for me."
"...Right now I think I am. In like two years maybe not but...right now."
"No you're not. We're two years apart. Some people date when they're like ten years apart."
"I guess you're right..."
"I know I'm right."
"...Izu...what do you think everyone'll say?"
"...I don't know...who cares?"
"...Izu...I'm...I'm two demons...with gay parents...are you sure?"
"Of course I am. Can I sleep over again tonight?"
"Yeah, I don't see why not."
"Ok, I'll be over there later, just gotta prove to my dad that I did come home."
"...Nothing is going to happen."
"That's not why I want to come over."
"...Alright...but seriously...not for like another two years...nothing."
"I know, I know."
"Alright, so don't try to like prepare yourself like last night. You'll give yourself a heart attack."
Shisui was getting a little grossed out but if he hung up the phone now they'd hear it.
"...That was really embarrassing."
"It wasn't that bad."
"...It wasn't that good."
"Just forget about it. It's really not a big deal. Whoa...my dads are home already? I gotta go but I'll call you later."
"A-alright. Bye."
"Bye...Izu...I...nevermind."
Minato hung up and jumped off of his bed. Sure enough they were home. They were getting bags out.
"Why are you home? You're supposed to be resting for a few more days."
"Oh, we're fine. But a mere scratch. As Kazekage I have to go and release a full prison full of scapegoat falsely accused men and women. Should be fun. They've already been in there five years. I dug and found out that none of them are behind anything they're in there for. Plus it's a good opportunity to leave Konoha for a day or two to throw the Akatsuki off a little."
"...I'm going with."
"Sure, if you can handle it. The Sand is a lot different than here Nato. They're loveless awful people."
"...Can Izuna come too?"
"Sure, ask Shisui too. We're leaving in a few hours though."
"Alright. I'll ask. Can we take Aunt Sakura?"
"Why?"
"If something happens."
"...Alright, you can ask but don't expect her to come."
He called Sakura, she would go. She needed a break. He called Izuna, he was only allowed to go if Shisui went with. Minato didn't care. He got his stuff ready and they started to leave Konoha. It took them a few days but they got to the sand. Before they got to the main gates Gaara put his hat and robes on. Sakura had gone with before but the kids hadn't. Gaara had never seemed so serious. He was escorted to the monstrous prison. His escort left him and he sighed.
"Alright, you guys can wait out here. This is gonna be embarrassing."
He took some sort of purple pill. Nobody mentioned it.
"Fuck no Gaara, if your stitches come out I will murder you."
"...But I am literally about to pull a speech out of my ass. This is gonna be awful...and that thing I just took, it's supposed to loosen me up for this stuff...but I think I'm just gonna get em too riled up."
"I don't even care."
Gaara sighed and walked them in. He got to the main indoor courtyard, one level below the three other floors of cells. He sighed. Made himself a platform of sand and lifted it to the second level, able to see all of the prisoners. All cheering for him.
"Settle down, settle down. Hey everybody, I got my husband son, good friend, and good friend's sons here so best behaviour. I'm glad you understand."
They continued cheering for him.
"You understand I did have to dig before I just released you all. But now that I have you've all been acquitted of your crimes!"
The cheered even louder and Gaara egged them on. If this went bad they'd kill him, luckily he was already on their good side.
"You have all been wronged! You are all sinners, you are all victims! I want you to leave this place proud! Leave this god forsaken land of the falsely accused! The tyrants of the sand! You sinners! Leave here and earn your revenge, will will not pursue you! Find them, hunt them, catch them, kill them, harm them, maim them, mutilate their faces past recognition! Throw yourselves on pyres and be reborn like the phoenix of the sand you all are!"
They cheered louder, getting excited. Gaara flipped a switch and the cells opened. Gaara yelled more at them as they left. They cheered louder than the other could take, their ears were ringing. Once they were all out and leaving Suna to find the people who had done them wrong Gaara took a few deep breaths and brought himself down from the sand platform. He rubbed his face and they noticed how red he was.
"You don't have to say it. The speeches I pull out of my ass always suck. Sorry but you wanted to come in...man I hope they get the idea that they can't come back..."
Naruto laughed a little. The others had gaping mouths.
"What?"
"...That was a really cool speech dad."
"Well...thanks."
"...They were cheering so loud."
"They're prisoners, if you yell random nouns at them they'll cheer like that. watch."
They started to leave once they got out the prisoners were waiting, just as Gaara had feared. He was first to he made sure the others didn't get in front of him.
"Why are you all still here! Gates! Sand! Birds! POPCORN!"
One lifted him up and he began riding a crowd of prisoners. They were cheering and chanting over and over. Gaara was loving it, everyone else was laughing, he was right, they'd cheer for anything. They put him down and the prisoners filed out of Suna. Gaara dusted himself off and stood up. The others were very amused. Minato was freaked out by how different Gaara could be. One of the Kazekage advisors came up to him.
"How'd it go sir?"
"Can I leave now?"
"Yes but you have a visitor. Two actually."
"...Fine I'll see them."
The others refused to wait elsewhere, wanting to see more of Kage-Gaara. He walked into a large council room. Deidara and his wife were waiting there. Gaara and Naruto stood in front of Minato. Sakura ran to her and hugged her tightly.
"Hey Sakura."
"Why'd you have to go marry someone who keeps you on the move?"
"Well I would've had to leave anyway. Just came to see my favorite adoptive parents. But you're here too which is friggin' sweet!"
"...So you came here so you wouldn't see their son?"
"Yeah...don't know if I could handle it."
"Well...Izuna and Shisui came."
"I get to meet 'em?"
"...Mhm...but...he came too."
Ino looked like she'd seen a ghost. Naruto and Gaara walked over to her and Sakura went back to the other three.
"Hey."
She hugged them both and they all said hi to Deidara. Shisui hadn't seen him in a while. Izuna and Minato had never seen him and didn't go across the room to say hi to the strangers. Naruto and Gaara hugged Deidara too. He looked a lot happier than before, probably thanks to Ino.
"Dad who are these people?"
"..."
They looked at Ino who just nodded. Deidara squeezed her hand. Naruto motioned for Minato and the others to come across the room. Ino stared at him like he was hers. He just looked confused. They had the same hair. Deidara was looking over Izuna, comparing him to Shisui. Shisui smiled and motioned for him to stop.
"Nato...this is Ino...your birthmother."
"...Whoa..."
Ino kept examining his face, trying to get the best mental picture she possibly could. Minato was about to pass out. Deidara took the opportunity to catch up with Shisui. Izuna left with them along with Sakura. Just out in the hallway the four of them caught up.
"So what have you an Ino been doing Uncle Dei?"
"Really wanna know?"
"I meant where have you been?"
"Everywhere. Like everywhere. So how does this little brother compare to you?"
"He's almost a genin, I'm a jounin, it's not fair to compare us yet."
"So he sucks eh?"
"No he doesn't."
"So Sakura, you're still gorgeous, how's your little girl?"
"Not so little anymore, she's a jounin like Shi."
"Wow. Medic?"
"She's too rough on people, she'd kill her patients."
"Wonder where she got it."
"Shut up."
"Who else haven't I met?"
"Well, Minato, Naruto and Gaara's son, there's Tenma and Mikoto, Matsuri and Kankuro's twin girls. Shikamaru and Temari have their girl Karura. The others in our village paired up and have kids now too. What about you two? Kids?"
"...Well."
"Why, she worried they'll have mouth hands?"
Izuna interrupted.
"Mouth hands?"
Deidara sighed and showed him. While Izuna admired and messed with his palms Deidara responded.
"We do have kids. Older boy and girl. Sasori and Konan."
"Aw that's sweet. Still miss him?"
"...Only when I come back here."
"...We can go to the graveyard later if you want."
"...Let's go now. They'll be a while and Ino's scared of graveyards."
The four of them left. Both Uchiha were confused. Who was Sasori? They got to the graveyard. Chiyo was right next to Sasori. They left him alone. Sakura explained he was Deidara's former partner. She also explained that while the Akatsuki was evil and was all of the sudden after Jinchuuriki, Deidara was a former member, not a current one.
"You old bat. How'd you stay so young?...You know I haven't been told to grow up or get serious in a long time. Haven't seen a puppetmaster in a long time either...My boy's named after you...hope you noticed. Konan was always a jerk but I liked her name, ha...well...I gotta quit being a wimp and leave...but...yeah...I'm not sure if you can hear me here or anywhere else but...I'll keep you filled in."
Deidara nodded and walked back with the others.
"...You OK?"
"Course I am. I'm not a fag."
"Hey!"
"Naruto and G-money know it's a joke."
"Ugh, you're impossible."
MEANWHILE
Ino was just staring at Minato. It had been too quiet too long. Gaara cleared his throat hoping they'd start a conversation but nothing happened. He did it again and Naruto joined in. They snapped out of it.
"...So you're my mom?"
"...Technically."
"...Cool..."
"You don't have to talk to me."
"...Thanks for...like...birthing me."
"You can go it's OK."
Minato stuttered a little then awkwardly left. He was panting outside the door. He sat down just outside thinking of all the things he could've said to her. His mother. The other four started walking back. Minato wiped his eyes and walked the other direction down the hall. He made it around the corner but Izuna had seen him. The other four waited outside the door. Izuna said he was gonna go look around and left them. Minato was sitting down just around the corner way down the hall. Red eyes. Izuna sat next to him and put his arm around him. Minato shamefully wiped his eyes.
BOTTOM NOTE: I know what you're thinking, no this wont be all about the new love story, I swear. I just couldn't resist this.