On the concept of Kushina forgiving Minato, I would agree that is a tough sell, but I think of it as something like Bill and Hillary Clinton, except kept in private. I have no good way to flashback to it, but let me just say there was a flare of demonic chakra felt throughout Konoha the day he confessed his sins.

Sorry about the month plus delay, but I was updating the rest of my stories. This was not forgotten! I also had to sort out ideas, as new story concepts love to pop into my head. Like this new challenge I have (details in my author profile.)

Enjoy the latest chapter of my story, The Letter!

Disclaimer: I do not own Naruto.

…

Inoichi smiled as he entered the Hokage's office with his chunin teammate for the B-Rank mission they had just completed. Normally, they would just send a sole jonin for such a mission, but the Hokage had wanted the chunin to get the experience on infiltration. The mission had gone off with a hitch, the funds having been stolen from a major trading partner of Konoha's, and the thieves had no doubt received a nasty surprise with the decoy scroll. The Hokage let him in with a simple knock, his chunin companion head was up, proud of his success. They handed over the scroll with the funds, totaling over eight million ryo (roughly a million American dollars), and gave their comments on the mission. The Hokage was pleasantly satisfied with the results, and sent the chunin off.

"Are you sending me on another mission already, Hokage-sama? I haven't even seen Nikko-chan and Ino-chan yet."

The Hokage let out a sigh, and put his hand on the side of his desk, pumping a bit of chakra into a seal to activate all the privacy seals he needed for high-security situations. Inoichi saw the faint brightening of the seals, and tensed. Whatever it was, this was not good.

"I'm quite disappointed in you, Inoichi."

"What are you talking about, Hokage-sama? I thought this mission went to your satisfaction." He politely replied, making sure he said nothing incriminating in case he was being charged with some crime.

The Hokage nodded slowly. "It was, but I was speaking about the fact you have been keeping secrets."

Inoichi rose an eyebrow. "What do you mean?" He couldn't think of anything information he had withheld from the Hokage.

"Well, the fact that you hid your daughter's true parentage from me is quite concerning. Especially when this involves something as sensitive as the Yondaime."

Inoichi froze. In all honesty, he had forgotten about it. Spending over nine years telling everyone you know a lie tends to make one believe in it themselves. He swallowed as those repressed facts came to light. "How did you come to know this, Hokage-sama?" It was useless to deny, the Hokage would never make such an accusation without definitive proof.

"You should know of all people to dispose all evidence in order to keep a secret. Four days ago, Ino discovered the letter Minato wrote to her in case he was not alive when the truth was revealed to her. It also disclosed the fact she was the half-sister of Naruto, another fact I did not know you had knowledge of."

Inoichi looked down in shame. He was in deep shit, that was a fact. "I apologize, just… during the pregnancy Minato kept in touch and told us many things, including about Kushina-san's status as jinchuriki and how an Uzumaki were ideal to hold the tailed beasts. Despite your announcement that the child had died because of the Kyuubi, it was obvious to both of us the truth."

The Hokage let out a sigh. "I am quite mad at you for keeping such facts at you. If I were another man, I would bring up charges of treason and have you executed. However, losing a shinobi such as yourself with do only harm to Konoha overall, and hurt your family. Instead, you will be docked thirty percent of your pay for three years, and will be forced to resign from your seat on the Jonin council. The reason you give can be your own."

If it had been any less tense, Inoichi would have let out a sigh of relief. Instead, he only gave a sharp nod. "I understand, Hokage-sama."

"I will also warn you, " the Hokage added, "that Naruto has moved into your house with you. It was actually on Ino's demand, she said she would live with her brother."

Inoichi gulped. "Hokage-sama, how I will explain this? Our family randomly adopting him will bring up many questions, questions I do not know how to answer."

The Hokage internally debated if he should give him advice, but quickly realized how right Inoichi was. What was a good reason for him to have adopt Naruto. No one had commented on it yet, but it would no doubt get out and cause issues. Remembering the events of the past few days, a good excuse came to mind.

"It was seen by many that Ino carried Naruto into the hospital after he was beaten up by a few unknown bullies. We can say that Naruto was in fact defending Ino. From there, we will say Ino got to know Naruto better because of it and came to think of him as a brother in that short time, with Naruto feeling that Ino was like a sister. Deciding her new self-proclaimed brother should have a family, they convinced you and Nikko-san to adopt Naruto. Do you agree with this arrangement?"

Inoichi nodded, realizing it was better than anything he could think up. He could always have let Shikaku think of something, but that would involved revealing the truth to him, if he didn't already know. It was distinctly possible Shikaku had managed to figure out the truth, with that brain of his, but said nothing. Troublesome Nara…

The Hokage relaxed. "Inoichi, while I am mad, I am not without compassion. You are no doubt a better man than I, accepting Nikko-san back afterwards. I must admit I don't think I would have had the courage to do so if Biwako-chan had done the same."

"I would always accept her back." Inoichi said without hesitation. "I love Nikko-chan, and want to spend the rest of my life with her, mistakes and all."

The Hokage smiled for a moment, before his face settled. "I trust you to protect Naruto as if he was your own son."

Inoichi calmly replied. "You needn't worry about that, Hokage-sama. I can do that."

The Hokage proceeded to release the seals. "I'm glad to hear that Inoichi. You are dismissed."

Inoichi bowed very low. "Good day, Hokage-sama." He swiftly left the office, and made the nerve-wracking trip homeward. It wasn't that he was scared about Naruto or Nikko or anything, it was that he was terrified at the thought of his precious Ino's reaction to him. Being raised to believe that he was her biological father, he was afraid she would rebuke him, maybe even hate him. But what scared him worse was if she simply called him Inoichi. That was the thought that fueled his daymares. He landed from his rooftop jump to his doorway, and took a gulp in fear. Then, with only a moment's hesitation, he entered into his home.

As he walked into the living room, he was greeted to a kiss. Letting himself revel into this momentary joy, he smiled and kissed back the woman he loved.

"Nikko-chan." He mumbled against her lips. She gave him another peck before she separated from him.

"I'm glad your home, Inoichi-kun." He saw that, behind her smile, was a ball of stress that he knew the cause of.

"Hokage-sama told me everything. Where are they now?" Inoichi asked.

Nikko let out a sigh. "In his room, the former guest room. She is helping him settle in. It looks like Shikaku and Shikamaru will have to find a different place to hide and sleep when they come over, huh?" Her attempts to lighten the situation were not particularly effective, but Inoichi nodded.

"How are they taking the news?"

Nikko gave a small smile as she looked upstairs, to the room they were in. "Better than expected. Ino is mad at us, for planning on leaving her in the dark, but she has been lessening her glares at me. Naruto, I was surprised that he forgave me so quick. He is more happy that he has a sister than mad that we weren't planning on telling him… When he found out about his heritage, though, he nearly had a heart attack. I can't blame the boy, finding out that he's your father." She emphasized the 'he', alluding to Minato. "The boy is so happy right now… I'm a little worried about how he'll take the news about it though." Inoichi nodded, knowing what she meant. He had always been a little wary of the psychological effect it might have on the boy, and compounding it with this knowledge would only make it worse.

"So, are they acting like brother and sister already?" His gentle probing of the situation continued.

Nikko managed to chuckle. "Quite. It's a little funny, seeing them go from clingy to arguing and back to clingy. We went shopping the other day, and Ino tried to find other colors for him besides orange, but it was a challenge between the two. She had him in a headlock and dragged him into the changing room at one point! I could hardly stop my laughing."

"What did other people think?" Inoichi was worried about how the news was going to spread.

"We went to the small store your cousin runs, Miko's. There weren't really many customers, and nobody said anything anyway."

Inoichi nodded, and promptly filled her in on the excuse they were going to use for the impromptu adoption. Nikko nodded in agreement to it.

"That sounds like a good excuse." She looked back at where the kids would be on the second floor, and then back to Inoichi. "Are you going to talk to them now, or later."

"I think it would be best to talk to them now. I just hope Ino-chan…" He didn't finish the statement, as his wife put a comforting hand on his shoulder.

"Don't worry. Even though you aren't her father, " Nikko winced as she brought up her sin, "she will always be Daddy's little girl."

Inoichi just gave her a nod. "I hope so." Giving Nikko a kiss on the cheek, he walked up the stairs and to the doorway of Naruto's room. He wasn't noticed as the duo were currently arguing.

"But I don't like to read!" Naruto argued. Inoichi almost didn't recognize the boy, with his new outfit. Black cargo pants, and a green jacket that was the same color as a chunin vest, with the Uzumaki swirl on the back of it. He could tell, however, it was not without his beloved color, as it appeared he was wearing an orange shirt underneath his jacket.

Ino stood, hands on her hips, wearing a purple shirt with a white collar and a black skirt that came down to just above her knee. "I don't care, you aren't filling the bookcase with cup ramen!"

"B-b-but your mom won't make ramen that often, so I need to have some onhand!" Naruto argued, hugging a few cups to his chest.

Inoichi could tell Ino rolled her eyes at this. "But in your room?"

"So you won't eat any!" Naruto accused her.

"Why would I eat some of your ramen?" Ino questioned her little brother.

Naruto put on a thinking face as he thought about it, but after staying like that for a few moments, he shrugged. "I dunno, but you would!" He pointed an accusing finger at her.

Ino just shook her head. "Baka brother."

Naruto just pouted. "Evil sister." There was a mutual silence, which continued when they simultaneously looked at one another and huffed again, turning away from each other. It was then Ino finally noticed her father, causing her to 'eep!' Naruto turned around to see what had happened, and saw the man standing there. It was obvious to Inoichi how uncomfortable Naruto was at the moment, so he decided to speak to him first.

"How are you liking our room, Naruto?"

Naruto's eyes went wide in surprise of the question, but he relaxed himself. "Umm, really good Yamanaka-san. Except that Ino-nee thinks I shouldn't have my cup ramen in my room."

Inoichi let himself give an understanding smirk. "You don't have to call me that. Call me…" Inoichi thought of what term would be appropriate. Eventually the right one settled into his mind, "call me Ojisan, alright?"

Naruto nervously nodded and rubbed the back of his head. "I guess." It was obvious he had no clue what to say.

"Say, Naruto, could you go ask Nikko-chan what she is making for dinner tonight?"

Naruto raised an eyebrow to the question, before turning to Ino. Ino gave him a nod, so he nodded back to Inoichi. "Umm, sure thing. Be right back." He then left the room, and it was now just them two.

Inoichi immediately began to speak. "Your mother told me how mad you are at us…I can't blame you. We shouldn't have planned to keep it a secret from you forever, even though we told your father we would tell you at twelve. It was selfish of us, to try and cover up the past, since it only hurt everyone. I just hope…you forgive us soon, Ino-chan." He looked at his daughter, who was keeping her head down, but he saw the few tears begin to fall. He grabbed her by the shoulder in a comforting action "I hope you forgive me, too. I know that, I'm not your real father, but it doesn't matter to me. You will always be my little girl, blood or not. I just hope you can forgive me for lying to you about that."

WHUMPH!

Inoichi bent over, not expecting the punch to the stomach he had received. He had to catch his breath, and he looked up at his daughter, now looking at him, tears in her eyes, somewhat snifling. She then flung herself at him, doing her best to wrap in a hug.

"I still love you, daddy." She spoke into his chest.

Through tears and a smile, he replied. "I love you too."