The Truth

Dairuko and Naruto walked ahead of the group -who just seemed to be conversing about something, which didn't go unnoticed by Dairuko but he chose ignore this and listen to Naruto brag about mastering the Rasengan in a week.

"You should've seen it! I kicked Kabuto's ass with my Rasengan. Believe it!" Naruto said.

"You mean like how Tsunade beat you with just one finger like I said she would." Dairuko deflated Naruto right there.

"Pfff it was a lucky shot." Naruto said defensively.

"Like this?" As Naruto looked at Dairuko he got flicked into the woods they were walking next to, this caught the attention of Jiraiya and the others, that's when Dairuko turned to them. He looked Tsunade dead in the eyes. "Next village we're stopping so I can talk to you privately about what happened." Dairuko said with full seriousness and everyone nodded.

"Why you dirty little-" Naruto started, appearing from the bushes, but Dairuko interrupted him.

"There's nothing little about me, shrimp." the two exchange glares. "Even with a broken arm you still can't take me on."

"I won't need to, 'cause once your arm is better I'll kick your ass at full power."

"Alright enough, you two! We're resting here for now." Jiraiya intervened before Naruto got hurt.

"Good. I could go for some ramen." Naruto smiled.

"They don't have ramen here, Naruto."

"NANI?!" Naruto exclaimed while Dairuko walked off with Tsunade.

"What's this about, Dairuko?" Tsunade asked.

"You know exactly what this about." Dairuko said accusingly.

"Alright I'll-"

"You stood me up for the bill at the bar... what the hell, lady? I thought we were going split the bill as common courtesy has it! But no! You just left me to pay all of it."

"Watch your tone with me, young man!"

"And just who the fuck're you to tell me to watch my goddamn tone?"

"I... am your elder so you shall address me with the same respect as you would any other."

"HA! Every elder I know who calls themselves that is just one wrong move away from me killing them. So if you wanna join them, just try me... I dare you, elder."

"Well I can't really argue with that cause I feel the same way."

"You do?"

"Yeah the elders don't particularly like me."

"I hear that... Say, Tsunade-sama?"

"Yes, Dairuko?"

"How did you know Ren was your son? Or, more importantly why is he with that pedophile Orochimaru?"

"It's a long story, Dairuko."

"We have a long journey."

"How about this. You answer my questions and I'll answer yours."

"Deal."

"You go first."

"Who's Ren's father?"

"Kato Dan. How is it possible for you to do wood-style?"

"It just came to me in my late teens. Since then I've been working to master it ever since... but I'm no First Hokage."

"No one is..."

"Why isn't Ren with you?"

"He was declared stillborn."

"It must've been hard seeing him again in that way."

"That wasn't the hard part."

"What do you mean?"

"Oh no, it's my turn for a question."

"Fine."

"Can I see a picture of your sister?"

"Uhm... sure." Dairuko gave Tsunade a picture of Natsuki, sitting on his shoulder.

"You don't look like you're related."

"That's what makes us special."

Tsunade kept quiet for a moment.

"Is something wrong?"

"No."

"...Well I guess it's my turn... how many children did you have that day?"

"Two sons. Both declared stillborn."

"How long ago?"

"Almost 19 years."

A long silence.

"That's why you stopped me... you couldn't bare to watch one son kill the other."

"Yes... why did you stop?"

"I'm not like that I wouldn't kill a child in front of their parents."

"You're a good person, Dairuko... like your father."

Natsuki lay in her bed staring at the ceiling thinking how boring it is just staying in bed with nothing to do. It would be another story if she was feeling lazy but now it's mandatory to stay in bed.

"So BORING!" Natsuki said "And stupid Itachi left me to go do something 'important' and Ayame has an hour til it's her lunch break." she mumbled to herself.

Natsuki looked around the room then at the machines she was hooked up to and finally outside, then an idea hit her.

"Kage bunshin no jutsu." Natsuki said as she created a clone that disappeared just as quickly, causing her to cough out blood. "Damn it! I can't use chakra without killing myself... what else can't I do? Oh that's right, EVERYTHING!" Natsuki threw her pillow at the door and Itachi, who just arrived, caught the pillow.

"I see you're upset." Itachi stated as Natsuki wiped the blood from her mouth.

"What were you trying this time?"

"Kage bunshin." Natsuki pouted.

"Why must you insist-"

"Because I hate it here! It's so boring I wanna be outside doing something. Why is it that only Dairuko gets to go on an adventure?"

"Natsuki, please just stay here for a little while longer. I'm sure Dairuko will be back soon."

"I know but..."

"Just be patient, Natsuki."

"Tsche. Fine... Itachi, can you do me a favour please?"

"Yes."

"Can you search for some books for me?"

"What books?"

"Anything that will help me get the hell out of here."

"I will start looking when Ayame arrives."

"Alright thank you, Itachi." Natsuki said then gave Itachi a hug. As they pulled away from the hug Itachi slammed his lips onto hers, after a moment of shock, Natsuki began to kiss back and it quickly became heated as Itachi slipped his tongue into her mouth before tasting blood, this caused him pull away remembering Natsuki was still in a pretty bad condition.

"Sorry." was all Itachi said before getting off her and promptly walking out.

"For what?" Natsuki muttered to herself. Ayame walked in.

"Hey, Natsuki~chan." she started then saw the look on her friend's face. "What's wrong, Natsuki?"

"Nothing."

"You can lie to your team but don't lie to me, Natsu-chan."

"I'm not lying."

"Aha... it's Itachi isn't it?"

"No." Natsuki pouted.

"Yeah sure... I brought you food."

"That's why you're my friend, Ayame..." Natsuki said with real tears in her eyes at the sight of real, not-hospital food, "always looking after me."

"What can I say, you're my responsibility when those two are gone."

"I can handle myself."

"I know... but you do have a lazy streak."

"That is true."

"Dairuko, you seem to be taking this revelation quite well." Tsunade stated.

"Well I always knew I wasn't their son by blood, but either way they were my parents, and Natsuki will always be my sister."

"You really love your sister."

"More than my own life."

"You're good person, Dairuko... much like your father."

"I can't deny that or confirm that seeing as I know nothing about my father."

"Just know he was a good man." Tsunade said before getting up to leave.

"Oi." Dairuko called out.

"Yes?"

"Sooo what do I call you... mother, mama, Tsunade-sama uhm, Ka-san? What? Cause it's not everyday this happens to me."

"A mother can't tell her son what to call her, it must come from the heart." Tsunade said and placed both hands over her chest getting a confused look from Dairuko.

"You don't even know what I must call you? Tsche, you got the easy part just call me by my name." Dairuko argued but Tsunade just left.