Yes, yes, I know it has been way to long since I updated! But, Hm, I got back from my wonderful vacation to, one, SNOW FALLING, and two, not being able to update anything? What was up with that? I was kind of worried for a while there, and getting a little bored, too... But, well, here is chapter 8! ENJOY!

Chapter 8, Children.

Tsunade gave me a physical exam. She had me practice, she she could see what I was capable of, with Jiraiya and Kiba, fighting to hurt. Not kill. She was impressed. But I still have not used my powers yet, she recommends against it for now, if I really do want to keep myself hidden. But I don't. Not now. Not after I saw him. After I saw them. I don't want to be invisible. It was a stupid idea.

Completely.

I lay awake at night, staring at the big moon outside the window, still wearing my mask. Tsunade's orders. Konoha has always been beautiful. But I think it is more so now. Maybe it is just because it has been so long since I have seen it. Since I have really been in the middle of a forest. The smells of the trees, the flowers, I've missed it all. Well, maybe not the biting cold of the snow. But the winter flowers smell wonderful.

I moved away from the window and shut it, drawing the curtains closed. I've been here almost two weeks now, and I still haven't been able to leave the building. The attacks are horrible, and all I can do is stand there with Tsunade as I watch people I could have saved die.

Tsunade has bigger plans for me.

I will not use my powers until the moment is right. That is when I will let my presence known to the world. Right now the joined forces called the Nations, the good guys, are planning to confront what Tsunade has nicknamed, the Mob. I think the name is a little funny, too. But until that battle, I am not allowed to use any of my powers. None. But I can fight.

And that is where I am heading to now.

The morning sun is bright, reflecting off the snow and blinding me for a few seconds, though my mask helps to dull it little. Tsunade is having me meet Jiraiya, and someone else she refuses to tell me about, in the old team seven training ground. One of the last still perfectly standing. As I made my way towards it, knowing exactly where I was going, I felt stares. I am the girl without identification. The one people stared at as I passed, the one they whispered about, wondering who I could be. Some say I am from the Mob, turning traitor to help the Nations.

If only they knew, I thought. They would be so dumbfounded they wouldn't believe I have come back to life. So I walked with my chin up, my back straight, and ignoring the pain in my hip. Tsunade said she would look into it after my session. And, thankfully, Tsunade gave me a little spending money. I grabbed a dumpling and ate it once I was out of sight of most of the people. I lifted my mask just to show my mouth and ate it quickly. And it tasted good. I wanted another one, but I was already there.

And there was Jiraiya, and to my amazement, Naruto and Sakura as well.

"There you are!" Jiraiya called, waving his hand over his head.

I couldn't help the smile that formed, but, of course, none of them could see it. Naruto and Sakura stopped their conversation to watch me walk down to them, probably assessing me already. I gave them a curt bow. It felt right to do so. Naruto's grin stretched from ear to ear, one like I've always remembered him having. Sakura nodded her head towards me, a smile of approval on her face. They have changed so, so much. But, yet, they are exactly the same.

"I'm Uzumaki Naruto," Naruto said, linking his hands behind his long hair. I smiled. I know this, dummy! Jiraiya smiled a privet smile, probably knowing what I was thinking. "And this is Haruno Sakura. You have probably heard of us."

I shook my head, no I have not. Just to see what he would do.

Naruto's face fell. Sakura's eyes widened. He cleared his throat. "Well... I'm the Kynuubi. The nine tailed demon. And, I have already been named the next Hokage!" His smile was brighter than the sun.

Next Hokage! That is great! If I wasn't keeping myself secret, I would have jumped at him and hugged him tighter that I ever have. He has reached his dream. And that is amazing. I am so proud of him. Sakura tossed her long bangs to the side of her face, a gentle smile on her face.

"And I am Haruno Sakura, Tsunade-sama's successor in medicine. I've already been named the top medic ninja in the world. And I am also engaged to the famous copy ninja, Hatake Kakashi."

I felt my eyes bulge and my jaw drop. Jiraiya put his face in his hands. What! I wanted to scream at her. No! No, no, no, no! You cannot marry Kakashi! That is your own teacher! I screamed a bunch on things in my head, but all I did physically was give them both another bow. Though I know it seemed stiff.

Naruto seemed pleased. "Now that you know who we are... any chance you'll tell us who you are?"

I shook my head. No.

He let out a dramatic sigh. "Fine."

Jiraiya took this moment to step in, before they could say anything else that would have me screaming at them. "We will call her Doe, for now." His hand shot up at me, stopping me before I could speak. "Tsunade's orders, you deal with her about it. For now, we will begin. Hand to hand combat, only!" he barked. Naruto groaned and stopped the use of his Rasengan.

Sakura smiled at me a little devilishly. "Let us begin!" Her foot turned, the heel of her boot digging into the earth.

All of a sudden a large split in the earth appeared under me. I flipped out of the way and took off at a fast sprint. I can't use the wind to propel myself faster, so I am just as slow as a regular human would be. And they caught up quickly. All of a sudden Naruto was in my face and I was blocking his blows on pure instinct. He is so fast! I have absolutely no memory of anyone being this fast. And I know he is going easy on me!

Sakura was there, then, trying to sweep my feet out from under me. I placed a hand on her shoulder and flipped over her, swinging my foot out at her head when I had landed. But her hand grabbed my ankle and I was being thrown.

I hit that tree hard.

An explosion of pain burst through my whole body. I clutched at my sides, trying to get air in my lungs. It's becoming an almost daily routine to have to fill my lungs with air like this. And it is getting old. Sakura knelt by me with a concerned face, her hand already glowing green. But I faked, not really, but let her think that. I grabbed her head, shoved it towards the ground as I jumped over her, and held my flat hand to her throat.

She sighed. "I'm out!" She called it loud enough for Naruto to hear her. "Good job, Doe," she said to me. I gave her a salute before running off to the direction I felt Naruto's chakra coming from.

But then he was behind me. I gasped as I was pulled backwards, then quickly rolled, moving out of the way of his attack. His hand was buried at least to his elbow in the ground when I glanced back at him. I took this chance for my own attack, aiming for his head. But Jiraiya caught my hand before I could hit him.

"Good," he said. "Now, weapons only." And he disappeared. My hand went automatically to the pouch at my hip.

But I grabbed only air.

Naruto went for my throat with a kunai, forcing me to jump backwards. I sprinted off, cursing Jiraiya for not giving me a weapon. Is this another test? Being able to avoid, not block or attack? Just avoid. I can do that... I hope.

Sakura was back in the game. And this time Kiba showed as well. All three of them attacked me mercilessly with kunai, swords, and, in Sakura's case, a gigantic ax she pulled out of nowhere. I avoided and avoided, but my arms still came out scraped. A long, but shallow, gash appeared on my leg from Naruto's blade, though I could have sworn there was at least two inches between my leg and his blade. But I kept doing flips, ducking, jumping, spinning, twirling, rolling, falling, and tripping away from their blades.

Jiraiya called the session to a stop when all of them had me on the ground with their blades pointed at my face. I heaved for air, sweat trickling off my chin from under the mask. I refused Naruto's hand to help me up. I just fell backwards and laid on the ground, staring up at the blue sky. When my breath finally returned, I stood and walked over to where the four of them were chatting. All eyes turned to me and I waved my hand a little, trying to wordlessly tell them I'm okay. Kiba's eyes held amusement.

Jiraiya put a gentle arm on my shoulder and looked me directly in the eye. "You did great, Doe. These guys are very strong, and to get them in hand to hand combat like you did..." he shook his head in disbelief. "You did great."

I smiled at him, touched.

"But you still suck."

My smile fell and I glared at him, my hands itching to wrap around his throat and choke the life out of him. Kiba burst out laughing and so did Naruto. Sakura just crossed her arms and glared at Jiraiya along with me.

Then her hand was on my arm, and she was pulling me away from them. "Come on, I'll buy you something to eat."

I went along with her, glancing back to stick my tongue out at Jiraiya. Though he couldn't see it, I'm very well aware he knew exactly what I did.

Sakura brought me to the Hokage tower, first. We entered the office without a knock, but Tsunade didn't seem to mind. I could feel Gaara's boiling irritation from across the room. I couldn't help but glanced at him a few times, knowing he is so close. The children are gone, and he is completely focused on the paper in front of him. Or that is how it looks anyway. But I've always been able to read him. His irritation at Sakura is strong. What has happened between them? Last I remember they were always fine together. Though, she has changed. And maybe he has, too. Maybe he doesn't like her engagement just as much as me.

"Tsunade-sama," Sakura gave her a bow. "That mask isn't going to work."

My attention went right back to her, wondering what she was going on about.

"She can't breathe well, and she surely can't eat. And that thing covering her hair isn't going to work, either." She crossed her arms. I felt my head, and, sure enough, hair was starting to stick out the seams. Not to mention the rip created by Kiba tackling me into some bushes. "She is going to need something done about that."

Tsunade gave a heavy sigh. "I swear, Sakura, you will be the death of me." She pulled something out of her desk, my mind automatically thought it was more sake, but then she handed Sakura a small purse. "Don't spend it all... I won't have more until next week."

Sakura's face lit up with her smile, looking similar to the girl who I had known ten years ago. "Hai!"

I believe I received a small case of whiplash from how fast she dragged me out of the office.

– –

"Almost done?" Sakura called.

I stuck my hand out with a thumbs up, then held up two fingers. I pulled the curtain shut. When I looked back at myself in the mirror I couldn't believe how... sexy I looked!

Sakura had picked out a mask that covers three quarters of my face, leaving a small arch open around my mouth and chin. I had been given acrylic paint to make it my own. I chose a purple blue color that had sparkles (how could I not!) and painted around the eyes, like eyeshadow and eye liner. And the best part? It only covers my face. Which means I can leave my hair down. It fell in short curls, having been held flat against my head for so long with sweat. It feels weird, my hair being short again. I just hope it wont be hard to handle. I still had on the ANBU outfit, but changed the baggy pants for tight fitting black leggings and the sandals with high heeled white boots.

And I received a weapon pouch, finally, that I had fastened to my waist.

I smiled at my self in the mirror, and added a layer of bright red lipstick to my lips. There. Perfect! I did a little pose and barely caught myself before I laughed at how ridiculous I am being. It's like I'm seventeen all over again. I yanked open the curtain and gave Sakura a curtsy, smiling wildly.

"You look great!" she laughed. "And I love the paint." She pointed to her own eyes, giving me a smile. "Now, I'm starved! Let's go eat."

We went to this nice little place that had tea. I passed the tea and got water instead. No way I'm going to try that stuff again. I wished they had some wine, but it wouldn't look good in front of Sakura, would it? We ordered some meat and let it cook as she talked, starting with our situation within the city walls.

"When Suna's people first arrived we didn't know how to house everyone. We had many people living in the streets. But then Kazekage-sama built houses, apartment complexes in some of the old training grounds, giving everyone places to live. The leadership is still the same. Suna people obey their Kazekage, and Konoha people their Hokage. But Tsunade-sama and Kazekage-sama are making decisions together now." She stirred her tea and took a sip. "Everyone gets along well enough, though."

I took a pen and wrote on a notebook we had also gotten. It's easier if I write everything down. There is no confusion. I wrote: What of the others? She looked at me a little confused, so I wrote: Konoha 9 on the note book.

Sakura shrugged. "They are around. Why?"

I wrote: Just wondering. I heard you all were like a tight knit family.

"We were." She nodded. "But as we got older, and especially after we all lost a close friend, everyone started going their own ways. It was really hard, splitting up like we did. I rarely see half of the friends I was super close to when I was younger. It seems I only see Naruto on a regular biases, and Hinata. They are together, you know. They got married six years ago."

I felt my eyes widen. Married! Well, I shouldn't be all that surprised. I wrote: Wow!

She nodded. "And it is all because Naruto knocked her up. Triplets, can you believe it? There are three little Naruto's running around! Well, actually four. They had another kid two years ago."

The pen fell from my fingers. And I thought me having twins was something huge! But Triplets? They beat me any day! That must have been a lot of stress on poor little Hinata. How did she cope with raising all of those kids with her shy gentle nature? Naruto must have done a lot of disciplining. I hope none of them inherited his activeness. Poor Hinata.

And that is what I wrote: Poor Hinata!

Sakura laughed loudly. "I agree! It has been hard on her, but shes adjusted well." Sakura took the first bite of meat and continued talking. "She is a great mother. I only hope I'm as good as her when I have children."

With Kakashi? Are you... sure? I had wanted to write "are you crazy!" but I felt that would be a little rude.

Sakura smiled knowingly. "He looks old, yes. And he is a jerk, yes." She giggled at that last part. "But I love him. He is a great guy. He really is."

Why him? You could have anyone!

Her eyes rolled, but her cheeks turned the slightest bit pink. "Because he loves me for me, and he has never tried to change who I am. Throughout my whole childhood he was always there, encouraging me to do my best and to not listen to the taunts of the others. And when my friend died, he was the only one who was there for me. Everyone was so deep in their own grief I felt alone. But there he was, grieving on his own, but still there for me. He helped me get through it. And I guess that is when I realized I was in love with him."

I nodded. But a sadness swept over me. I had hoped, in the back of my mind, that no one would be greatly effected by my "death." But I guess now that was a failed hope. I didn't know what else to write, so I stuffed some food into my mouth and concentrated on eating.

When I finally formed a question in my head, I wrote: How did the war start?

Sakura chewed over this question for a little while, sipping her tea and nibbling the food. "Years ago, maybe twelve or thirteen years ago, Iwa attacked Suna." I remember that, but I said nothing. I simply nodded, showing I knew what she was talking about. "Iwa had been motivated by Oto, who are still the biggest buddies ever. That attack is what really started all of the tension between the nations. And since then others have been testing the boundaries, seeing how they would react. It came to the point where villages were being slaughtered. Way to much innocent blood was spilled." She paused as she chewed some more food, her eyes far away. "It came to the point where we could no longer sit back and watch. We made alliances and we fought back. They didn't like it all that much and thus the war began."

I nodded, understanding. That battle in Suna had been horrendous. I remember it perfectly clear. All of a sudden my knees began to throb as I relived a couple of moments of that battle. I rubbed them with my palms and stared at Sakura. The maturity is clear in her face. I've always thought of her as a very mature, responsible, and kind person. But seeing her now, after ten years apart, I can tell there has been a huge change in her life. She is older in so many ways. She no longer has any innocents to her. But I still believe the old Sakura is there, just changed by the environment around her.

Sakura finished her tea and paid the tab.

"Where do you want to go?" she asked as we left.

I shrugged. Anywhere would be good. I want to see the rest of the village, see how much it has changed. And I wouldn't mind seeing the others.

Sakura's face lit up with a bright smile. "I know! We can go see Hinata! She should be home from her Father's, and Naruto should be along shortly. You can meet the children!" I nodded, it sounds good. I wanted to see her.

We walked through the town to a nice street with decent buildings. I already knew exactly which house belonged to Naruto, because him and a little boy with dark hair were wrestling on the front lawn. Oh, and did I mention it happened to be the only house that isn't a white color? Nope. It is a orange color. I couldn't help my grin. I wonder how he got Hinata to let him paint it that color.

A little girl ran off the steps screaming loudly as she came barreling towards us. Sakura scooped her up in the air, laughing, and settled the little girl on her hip. "How are you this morning, Aiko?" The girl grinned, just as big as Naruto does, and patted Sakura's cheeks.

"Daddy and Kisho are fighting again," she drug out the last word, rubbing her nose with Sakura's, "Auntie Sakura!"

Sakura giggled. "I can see that. Who do you bet will win?" she asked in a whisper. I smiled at them, she is so cute!

Aiko put a finger to her chin and her tongue stuck out a little as she thought. "Daddy! Daddy always wins!" Sakura put her down when she started wiggling and watched as she ran back up the steps and cheered from there.

"Cute, isn't she?" Sakura asked.

I nodded. And so much like her father.

"Come on, come meet the rest of the gang. Aiko is the youngest. Kisho is the oldest out of the triplets." Sakura started back towards the house and up the steps, patting Aiko's head as she walked past. The little girl looked up at me with a grin when I passed her, and she put a finger to her lips in a "shush!" manner. I smiled and winked at her, nodding my head.

I glanced back at Aiko, amazed with how young she is, and how active. Do babies really run around and speak like that so young? I don't think they do. What a talented little girl, I thought. She is going to surpass her Father, no doubt. I followed Sakura into the living room, where Hinata sat on the floor with the other two, a boy and girl. Hinata glanced up and gave us a warm smile, inviting us to sit down with her.

"I'm just helping them with their homework," she said.

It was a little bit of a shock to me. Hinata's shyness sounds like it is completely gone. I never noticed how shy she used to be. But, now, I can tell the difference. She is a heck of a lot more confident, I can tell just from her voice.

"Who is this?" she asked, smiling warmly at me.

Sakura sat next to Hinata and fixed her skirt. "We call her Doe. She doesn't speak. Well, I think she can but is under orders from Tsunade to keep her lips zipped. Right?" When Sakura's bright emerald eyes moved to me I had to think a second before I could nod. I was complete caught off guard when she asked that. "She wont say why though," she laughed at her own joke.

I shook my head, not believing she just said that. Lame! But my amusement could clearly be seen on my face.

Hinata introduced her children. "This is my son Zinan, and my daughter Kyoko."

I studied the two, measuring them up to Hinata and Naruto. They both definitely have Naruto in them. With the shaping of their faces, mostly. Though Zinan looks a lot like his dad, he has his mothers eyes. Kyoko, on the other hand, is a mini Hinata. Her blue-purple hair, her lavender eyes, her pale skin. Only the shaping of her chin and jaw are Naruto. And maybe the slope of her forehead. She will be a very beautiful girl when she is older. I can already see her brothers being very protective of her, with all the guys that will be chasing her around.

The door banged shut and Naruto came in, a screeching Aiko running around his legs, and a angry Kisho over his shoulder. Naruto's nose dripped blood, and a long slash on his arm was also bleeding. My palms itched to heal them, but I knew I couldn't. His eyes landed on me, and his anger seemed to fade.

"I see Sakura got you some new clothes," and his grin was back.

I smiled and nodded, self-consciously pushing my hair behind my ear.

Hinata stood and took her eldest son from her husbands arms and cradled him to her chest. "What is wrong, Kisho?" Her voice tender, and the slight rock seemed to calm him down.

"Dad cheated!" he muttered. "You're not supposed to cheat."

Naruto painfully rubbed his nose. "And you aren't supposed to break my nose, little boy." Naruto ruffled his dark hair and sat down on the couch as Sakura moved to heal him.

Hinata looked down at Kisho with a scowl. "You know better than to do that, Kisho!" She set him down and put her hands on her hips, looking just like a real mother would. "Now, why don't all of you go upstairs? Your father and I would like a few moments of peace with our friends."

All of the children ran for the stairs at once, pushing and shoving their way up. Aiko jumped at Kisho's back and rode all the way up, laughing. I can see them always being really close. I can't imagine them ever fighting. I smiled and followed the others into the kitchen. Sakura healed Naruto's nose right up and gave it a test flick.

"OW!" Naruto whined. "Why'd you have to do that?" He pouted, crossing his arms over his chest.

Sakura just shrugged with a smile. "I can't believe you left yourself open enough for him to do that much damage. How did he manage it?"

Naruto's pout turned into depression. He looked away, and I swear I saw a slight blush on his face. He muttered, glanced, and realized we couldn't hear, so he said it a little louder. But when we still couldn't hear Sakura reached over and pulled hard on his ear. "Ow! Okay, okay! It was because he said Hinata had come outside in her towel." Sakura burst out laughing while Hinata, the one I knew and loved, turned a bright shade of pink. I wonder if she is only strong when it comes to her children. It would makes sense.

"And you believed him?" Sakura covered her mouth, trying to contain her laughter, but failed. Naruto looked away, his lower lip sticking out slightly. "Who knew a six year old could take down his father with such a comment!"

I smirked, knowing had the boy been Naruto, he would have done the same thing. Like father like son. What a handful Hinata is going to have with two boys. And Aiko? A mini Naruto. She is going to be a handful all on her own. I watched as they discussed a few different topics, always going back to Hinata and Naruto's children in some manner. Would it be this easy for me to talk about my own children if I had never awoken in my own world? Would things be different if I let my identity be known at this very moment? I was so close to doing so. But something stopped me.

A presence. A shift in the air current alerted me to it.

I was up in a flash, my kunai already to the throat of the intruder.

But what I found under the sharp blade astonished me. Gaara's finger pushed the cold metal away from his throat, his eyes on mine. "Good, but I am not an intruder," he said, his voice flat. I quickly stepped back, feeling the heat rush to my face. I can't believe I was so close, inches away, from him... and he still didn't notice who I am.

A bolt of pain flickered in my chest, but I pushed it away.

It is good he didn't notice, I told myself.

So. You have met Naruto's family. What do you think? I love the idea of little Aiko! I can't wait to bring her and her siblings more into this story :D Review?