Hey guys! I recently figured out that yes, my family's main PC does indeed have wordpad on it, and seeing as I'm sick and don't feel like hiding in my room for once, I am writing this newest chappie here. I am home alone with nothing more than a box of tissues and the dog for company, and I am bored. Who the hell gets a cold in September anyway? This girl, that's who!

The reaction to the last chapter was wonderful, and I'd like to thank all those who reviewed! So far, I (maybe) have a pairing planned out for Misaki, but it is not with Kakashi. It shouldn't be too hard to figure out who it is. Really, it's probably super obvious. So unless I decide to do a vote or change my mind, Misa-chan will not be getting Kakashi. Their relationship will most likely be platonic... Though now that I think about it, Gai might be interesting to write, even if it would be very similar to Cleaning no Jutsu by Erisah Mae, what with both main characters having disabilities and all. A good read, if you find Gai as wonderful and amusing as I do and like smart and sassy main characters who don't give a shit what others think. I woulnd't be surprised if that's where I got the idea for Kathy's arm from. I recommend it though, it's funny. I don't know, tell me who'd you like to see Misaki-chan end up with in a review, and depending on how may people request different characters, I might have a poll or something!

It has recently come to my attention, via the Nauto Wiki, that the Third Shinobi War didn't begin until Itachi was four years old, which means Misaki would have been about nine. I have decided to claim artistic somethingsomething (can't remember the name, help!?) and say it started before she was born because Drama. So there.

Disclaimer: I own nothing, except for Misa-chan. And even then, there are sometimes I think she owns me instead.

A few days after the Kyuubi attack, the Sandaime summoned me to his office. I had begged and begged Fugaku to let go me to the hospital to see Naruto, but he wouldn't let me. The news of Minato's and Kushina's deaths had hit the entire village hard, like a punch to the gut. In our biggest time of need, our Hokage had died. We were leaderless. There wasn't a day since where Mikoto wouldn't randomly burst into tears. Sasuke was suffering from nightmares and not eating. He was losing weight and fast. Where once upon a time, he'd have sucked down a bottle like Naruto would eventually Ramen, now it took more than an hour for him to even finish half of one. We were all very concerned.

The summons came while I was assisting Fugaku with the rebuilding of a portion of the outer wall, carrying blueprints and order slips as he barked commands. It was a member of Anbu, clad in full gear, probably to look as imposing as possible. Better to prevent citizens from acting out. "Kishimoto Misaki has been summoned to meet with Sandaime Hokage-sama immediately. No one is to accompany her but myself." Their voice was indistinct, not revealing the operative's gender whatsover. Idly, I wondered whether there was a jutsu for that or if you had to practice as Fugaku made to object. The main family had taken to being rather protective of me the last few days. "Uchiha-sama, you are needed here to assist with the rebuilding. I assure you, Kishimoto will come to no harm under my protection."

I gave Fugaku's large hand a reassuring squeeze before handing off my documents to a waiting Genin. They had been rather peeved about how a civilian like me, aka an obvious cripple, was entrusted with more than them. Fugaku sighed resignedly but patted me on my head and punted me in the direction of the Anbu with his foot. I stuck my tounge out at his retreating form, already shouting out more orders, and clutched the operative's hand. It wasn't more than a second or two before I felt the unmistakeable rush of body-flicker.

We appeared in a flurry of leaves in the Hokage's office, with the man himself awaiting us with steepled finger's at the large desk. I didn't think it was possible for Sarutobi to look anymore old than he usually did, but alas. Like I said earlier, the last few days had been difficult.

Slightly unsteady, because body-flicker was quite disorienting, I wandered towards the lone seat posistioned in front of the desk. It was wooden and very uncomfortable, probably 'borrowed' from T&I. Or maybe it was just a shitty chair. Saurtobi and I watched eachother for several moments before he shifted and I felt as if someone had just smothered the room. Hey, even if I hadn't recieved any training with chakra, I could still feel it when focused in large amounts, just like any other civilian. The old man had put up what thought was a privacy seal meaning no one, not even his ever-constant guard would be able to hear us. So we were speaking about Naruto then? Not surprising, but it's nice to have your theories confirmed sometimes.

I waited a beat longer, not acknowledging the seal outwardly, before speaking. For a short period Before, I had considered going into politics and attempting change there. This idea had not lasted long, simply because I couldn't stand the idea of constantly going around and around an issue without outright stating it. A political faux pas, if you will. I simply never had the patience for so much pussy-footing around. And I still didn't. "You wished to see me, Hokage-sama? Is this about Naruto?"

The old man let out a low, humorless chuckle. "Ah Misaki-chan, I'd forgotten how refreshing it could be to someone to cut right to the chase..." I looked at him, obviously unimpressed and impatient. "But yes, this is about Naruto. You were a favorite of my successor and his wife, not to mention several major clans in the Village. They even have you listed as one of the possible candidates for custody over Naruto. Where you aware of this?"

I nodded in agreement. "Yes, and I have been for the last several months Hokage-sama. I was informed almost as soon as they put my name down."

"Then do you have any idea as to why you have been summoned to my office?" was Sarutobi's response, who was smiling slightly now. Sometimes, when he had been invited to dinner by Minato, he had admitted to what a waste my injury had made me, with what my shrewd intellect could have provided the village. I had often been tempted to inform him that it was just because I was mentally over thirty years older than my peers, but I don't think that would have gone over well.

I shifted in the hard chair. It was making my butt numb. "You are trying to decide who, if anyone, should be given custody of their son." He nodded, though I couldn't tell if it was in agreement or acceptance of my words, but gestured for me to continue. "Jiraiya, as godfather, has first dibs. But he's almost completely unsuitable for nothing more than the distant, crazy uncle. He has to focus on his spy network now more than ever and is probably unable to care for a child on a long term basis, let alone a newborn. Uchiha Mikoto, and thus her husband Fugaku, would be next on the list, but if the rumors of Uchiha involvement in the attack are at all true, they will not be even considered, despite the fact she is an accomplished mother of two." I paused to take a breath and consider his reaction. Damn, he has a good pokerface, I wonder if he'd teach me. "Next is Hatake Kakashi, who at first glance, seems like the perfect choice. Accomplished shinobi, student and friend of the Fourth Hokage, last of a clan, etcetera, etcetera. Perfect, even if a little young, until you realize he is most likely on the verge of a mental breakdown and a burnout from overworking himself due to untreated and undiagnosed Survivor's Guilt, stemming from the deaths of two of his teammates, which he both witnessed."

I couldn't tell what the old man was thinking. He really did have a wonderful pokerface, probaly from being a shinobi for so long. I heard the Nidaime, who had been the Third's sensei, had also had an amazing pokerface. Of course, I had also heard (and seen via the anime) that he was smoking hot. He was, but I had more important things to worry about than a hot dead man at the moment. "And what about you Misaki-chan? Would you be willing to raise the creature who killed surrogate parents in cold blood?"

I had the vague awareness of a little voice in the back of my head whispering that this was a test, but I ignored it. I was too angry at his words to listen to reason. "DOES A SCROLL CONTAINING A KUNAI MAKE THE SCROLL A WEAPON TOO OLD MAN!? I thought you were smarter than this! Professor my left ass cheek!" I had shot out of my chair in my anger. I didn't even hear his startled snort. "OF COURSE, I want to raise Naruto! I promised them I would! I don't care about the Kyuubi and it doesn't care about me! The only reason I haven't been coming daily to beg you for him is because the Uchiha Main Family won't let me!" Kushina had often said my anger was like lighting a match. It would flare, bright and hot, before going 'poof' a few seconds later. I had always responded that she just hadn't seen me truly rage yet. Fugaku and Itachi both had, when I had been running errands with them and we caught some punk genin tormenting some civilian girls. I still see them around the village sometimes. They flinch whenever they hear a hammer clang. Good.

"Oh? Why is that?" He sounded amused at the my tantrum, but also rather pleased, like I had confirmed something for him.

My anger had begun to dissipate but I still clinched my one working fist tightly. "Because they think you won't give him to me. I'm probably the most ill-suited to raise a baby. I'm ten years old, still a child myself. I'm crippled and an orphan with no known living relatives. I have no money, no house now that Minato and Kushina are dead, and I hardly doubt anyone is gonna hire a ten year old, especially so soon after a disaster."

"But?" was his response. I looked up at him in confusion. I hadn't realized I had been staring at the floor. "I feel as if there should be a 'but' at the end of that sentence Misaki-chan. How about you tell me what that is?"

I was quiet for several moments, mulling over possible answers to give him. Automatically, I grasped Obito's pendant and began to run my thumb over it. It helped steady me. I breathed deap, calming breaths before finally resonding. "But... I can do it. I know I can. I know how to take care of a baby, I've been helping with Sasuke-chan for months to give his family some sort of break. Kushina and Mikoto practically sent me through Baby Boot Camp. I'm good with children and several Clan Heads like me. Ino-Shika-Cho, even if the Nara only tolerate me because of the Akimichi and Yamanaka. The Uchiha, the Inuzuka, they like me too. The Hyuuga couldn't care less and I've never had the chance to ineract with the Aburame in nothing more than passing, but I think they like me anyway. I'll get as many jobs as I need to care for the both of us, I don't care."

He looked at me expectantly, because it was obvious I wasn't finished. I clutched my left elbow through the fabric of my sling, as if I was crossing my arms or hugging myself. "Naruto... I knew before he was even born that he would be special. He's going to be great. But his life will be very hard, difficult beyond my imagination. The villagers, they whisper, whisper about the 'Demon brat' and how it's all 'the Uzumaki boy's fault.' They say his name as if it's a curse or the name of something particularly disgusting they found on the bottom of their shoes. He's only a week old Sandaime-sama, what will they say when he's older!? They hate him and they will teach their children to despise him and I REFUSE TO LET HIM GO THROUGH THAT ALONE!" My emotions overwhelmed me, and I slammed my hand down onto Sarutobi's desk with an echoing slam. The office was silent as the grave, tense. Because even if his guards had no clue as to what we were saying, they could watch us.

Sarutobi was quiet for several minutes while I calmed my erratic breathing. I had gotten upset, too emotional. I probably had no chance now. I blew it. And suddenly, I wanted to go back to my bed and not the one I slept in at the Uchiha compound. I wanted to storm back to Minato and Kushina's house, back home, and drop onto my futon and not move for a year. I wanted to go home to my bedroom that I would have shared with Naruto. The one where I was only supposed to stay in for a few weeks but never actually managed to leave because everyone was always making excuses for me to stay. I wanted my book collection and my notebooks full of translations I had made of english books, because I had planned on maybe investing in a typewriter and getting them published. I wanted my plush down comforter with it's non-offensive floral print that had surprised everyone when I had picked it out because they were sure I would go with the dark green one. I wanted to go back to Before, when everything had seemed a lot less complicated.

I wanted to give up. I admit it. I didn't want to do it anymore. For those few minutes while the Third Hokage thought over my words, I was really tempted to yell 'Screw it!' and just walk out the door. Out of the village. I wanted to wash my hands of this life so bad, for those few minutes. It was a moment of weakness, I know. But I'm only human, despite what my two lives say about me. And let me tell you something.

I am so glad I didn't.

I ran out of that office like a bat out of hell not two hours later, crying my eyes out. I had done it! I had actually convince Sarutobi to give me custody of Naruto! I laughed, bright and happy, as I dodged a pair of Chunin on their way to see the Hokage. I ignored his secretary's exclaims to slow down and the various shinobi's cries of alarm as I weaved throught the crowds on their way to the mission office. When I ran past the construction site where I had been helping Fugaku and saw him just leaving, even though most of the workers had left hours ago, I barreled into him at full speed. If he hadn't of been a shinobi, I'm sure my tackle would have knocked him into the ground.

Fugaku, despite what the fandom seems to think, is not a right bastard. Not at all, in fact. Sure, he acted like one, but that was how he was supposed to act, as head of the Uchiha clan. He loved his family very much, with all his heart. At this point, he only wanted what was best for both his family and village. He was just very, very bad at showing it. But he did have the grace to actually be outwardly concerned when his psuedo-niece came slamming into his legs, crying. "Misaki, Misaki, what's wrong? Are you hurt?"

I shook my head, nuzzling into his pants. He picked me up, carefully, and settled me into his arms. "Then what's wrong Misaki?" he asked as we began to walk back to the compound. "If I don't know why you're crying by the time we get home, Mikoto will skin me alive."

I laughed and finally lifted my head to look in the face. I whispered to him, in a low voice. "Fugaku... I got it. I got custody." He looked confused for a few seconds before he began to chuckle.

"Well, Misaki-chan, I am telling you now. You have the full support of the Uchiha clan at you're disposal, should you ever need it. Mikoto wouldn't have it any other way, now would she?" I shook my head with a grin. No, no she wouldn't.

Fugaku set me down as we reached the main house. I grasped his hand and drug him inside. Simultaneously, we yelled out "TADAIMA!" and recieved an "Okaeri!" in return. Toeing off my geta, because what would I be wearing otherwise, and sticking my feet into the first pair of slippers I saw, I ran to Mikoto, who was puttering around the kitchen. I ignored the frustrated grumbling from the foyer. Apparently I had stolen Fugaku's favorite slippers in my haste to tell Mikoto. Oops. Sasuke was in his high chair, eagerly gulping down milk from his bottle. This was turning out to be an amazing day.

Mikoto laughed as I slammed face first into the fridge. She had waxed the floors today. "What's the rush Misa-chan?" I didn't answer her, having gotten distracted making silly faces at Sasuke through my pain.

Fugaku answered her question for me though. "Hokage-sama has decided to grant custody of Uzumaki Naruto to her. She just found out a little while ago."

If you had asked me whether Mikoto was upset about not getting custody of Naruto herself, I wouldn't have been able to answer. But she did burst into happy tears, grateful that someone would be taking care of him. Of course, she also grabbed me by the shoulders and made me swear I would do everything I could to give her best friend's son a wonderful life. Of course, I swore on my own. Then she made Fugaku swear he'd make sure I was at least partially taken care of. He informed that he'd already been planning on sending me a check monthly. Mikoto nodded as if she expected as much and returned to making dinner. Once it was finished, I was sent to fetch Itachi. I missed the look the husband and wife shared as I left.

Over dinner, I explained to the Uchiha Main Family exactly what would be happening in the next week or so. Starting tomorrow, a member of Anbu would escort me back to the Namikaze house, where I would proceed to pack my things, grab any furniture I'd need for my new apartment, including the supplies that had been pre-purchased before Naruto's arrival. Things like the crib, bottles, clothes, and assorted toys. I would be provided an apartment that was to be provided by the Hokage and sent a monthly check, required by the Konoha Orphan's Act. It would be a small, one room apartment with just enough room for my futon and Naruto's crib or futon when he was old enough to use one, a traditional table and two cushions, and a small dresser. It would cramped, yes, but it would work. I wasn't complaining though. I purposefully didn't mention that it the only apartment building that didn't immediately reject the Hokage when they saw who'd be living there.

I'll spare you the details of moving in, because it was, well... moving in? Well, there was also a lot of glares, sneers, harsh words, and spit sent our way. Well, more like towards the sleeping, blonde babe on my back. Naruto was cute as a baby, with cheeks pink with life and a smile on his face always, even asleep. Too precious. But I got my books put away, placed Minato's old typewriter on the top shelf of the closet, and everything else was also tucked away.

It was interesting, trying to find a job with a baby tied to my back the next day. Okay, screw interesting. It was fucking pissing me off! I stormed from resturant to grocery store to market stall and was turned away before I can even open my mouth. Finally, I got pissed enough to get into a shouting match with one stall owner. The argument lasted about five minutes before someone had the balls to try and take Naruto, who had been asleep through all of this, off my back. I didn't even hesitate to punch the woman in the face. Glass jaw, went down in one hit. I sneered at her and clutched Naruto's carrier closer to my chest. I only had one useable arm and they knew it. The mob of civilians began to corner me. Luckily, a certain infamous trio had spotted the commotion.

"What's going on?" rang off the walls of the alley I had been trapped in. I knew that voice, had heard it almost every day for a year. "Misaki-san? Is that you?"

I don't think I've ever been happier to see, well, anyone my entire life. "Akimichi-sama! Help! They're trying to hurt me and my little brother!" The mob had been cowed almost as soon as Chouza's bulking frame, followed by Shikaku and Inoichi of course, had blocked the sun coming in from the end of the alley. It parted like the Red Sea for him, and he firmly, but gently, grasped my outreached arm and led me through the crowd. A few blocks away, he let go and turned to face me, eyes barely even glancing at Naruto, who was just now starting to wake up.

"Misaki, what was that about?" asked Chouza, frowning.

I looked at my feet. "I've been going around the village for the last couple hours, trying to see if anyone'd hire me. But they take one look at Naruto and kick me out! Most of the time, I don't even get a chance to open my mouth Akimichi-sama!" I explained the situation. He looked thoughtful for a moment.

"I thought you worked at the bakery run by my wife Misaki? As a bus girl, if I remember right. She told me she was even thinking about hiring you full time."

"I-I... I didn't want to effect your business Akimichi-sama. Your number of clients would decrease signifigantly if I kept working there."

Ino-Shika-Cho shared a look before bursting into laughter. "Troublesome," sighed Shikaku, "Girl, that bakery caters almost exclusively to shinobi."

Chouza nodded, a determined look on his kind face. "And if any of them dislike you working there, I don't wish for them to return. You're a good worker Misaki-san. It's not too late to come back."

I stared at him in shock for several moments, before nodding eagerly. I tried not to cry. We talked a few more minutes, going over my schedule, before we bade eachother goodbye. I returned home with a smile on my face, even if Naruto began to cry as soon as I walked through the door.

That night, as I laid awake listening to Naruto breathe his little baby breaths, I smiled at the small, worn geta leaning against the threshold, waiting for when their new owner was big enough to wear them.

So what did you guys think? I think this is my longest chapter yet! And I'm actually really proud of this one, especially the first half, where's talking with Sarutobi.

Have a good day and don't forget to review!