Disclaimer: I don't own any rights to Naruto or its world. I don't own any media or pop culture referred to or mentioned in the story.

AN: I can't do a strikethrough. So the thoughts formatted (In italics and underlined in parenthesis) are the sub-conscious, true feelings of the character. Hope that makes sense!

Please enjoy the story.

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2 Weeks Later - Eastern Shopping District, Konoha

(March 13; Nami's First Year in Konoha)

Kushina is out and about when she sees her.

It was just a glimpse, a literal peek at the corner of her eye, but she instinctively knew that familiar flash of red.

When Kushina turned to look at it better, she's already rounding a corner.

(Go.)

For some reason, Kushina is compelled to follow.

She doesn't understand why that feeling was popping up again. Stronger than before.

(GO.)

She had spoken to the Hokage after reporting for her last mission, asking about the girl in passing.

He assured her the girl was fine.

Four Days Prior - Hokage's Office

"Is there something else, jounin Uzumaki?" The Hokage asked, seeing Kushina still there.

For a moment, the woman paused. It wouldn't hurt to ask…. So before she could talk herself out of it, Kushina asked the Hokage about what's been on her mind. "How… is she?"

Hiruzen raised an eyebrow. "I'm not sure who you mean."

"The girl." Kushina clarified. "I wanted to know how the… Uzumaki girl is doing. What happened to her?"

The Hokage watched Kushina for a minute, making her want to fidget. With a serious expression, he replied. "I don't think that's a good idea."

Stunned at the completely unexpected response, Kushina grew a bit defensive. "What do you mean?" She tried to stamp out her immediate reaction, trying to remain respectful. But she didn't understand why Lord Hokage answered her that way.

"Did…" Kushina's mind began running to darker places. "Did something happen to her?" She immediately started feeling guilty.

The Hokage immediately stopped that train of thought, putting his hand up to interrupt her. "No, the girl is being taken care of." Seeing Kushina's obvious relief, Hiruzen knew he had to push a little. "But I'm curious. Why are you asking, Kushina?" His eyes were serious as he looked at her.

Kushina, of course, was confused. Was it wrong to ask about the girl? She asked just that. "After all, not too long ago you were trying to get me to take her in." A year passed, but it wasn't THAT long ago. "Is there something I shouldn't know about her."

The Hokage shook his head. "I ask, because…" He paused, making sure he articulated his thoughts correctly. "Simply put Kushina, she's not your concern."

She froze. She's… not her concern? (Thump.)

Kushina's heart beat a little harder at the thought. Unconsciously, she rubbed her chest over her vest. "I don't. I don't understand." She was frowning, trying to understand her Leader's words.

Hiruzen hmm'd in thought. He watched her expression after hearing that statement. When Kushina doesn't respond further, he continued. "Kushina," Her name brought her attention back to him. Good, she'll hear these next words. It's important she understood his perspective.

"If I were to give you a play-by-play of her life. Or any kind of regular updates, that would imply and create a relationship." He let that last word linger between them. "In a relationship, you're more likely to get attached to the child." Hiruzen doesn't share the girl's name with her, it would negate his point and give Kushina something to focus on.

He leaned forward in his chair. "Are you telling me that you've changed your mind? Are you trying to take care of the child? Or maybe even sponsor her like some of the other children in the orphanage?" He offered the very real implications her inquiry would result in.

Immediately, seeing Lord Hokage's point, Kushina's frustration cooled down. "No… I…" Kushina was aware of sponsors and endorsements. She was sponsored by Lady Mito Uzumaki. On top of that, Kushina had been hosted by the Senju Clan.

That meant she was practically adopted in all but name, given housing, clothing, supplies, and all her needs covered until she moved out on her own, able to protect herself and contribute independently to the Village.

But it wasn't permanent like adoption. After Lady Mito died Kushina lost many of the protections she once had, including her home in the Senju Compound, which now stood sealed and empty.

If Kushina got the information she wanted about the Uzumaki girl, would she be satisfied with just a mere report?

Kushina knew her answer. And so did Hiruzen. This is why he asked her these questions. It wasn't as simple as, 'She's doing well.' Kushina would want to see the girl, know her name. Maybe even have a hand in raising her….

(The thought felt right. The girl should be with her.)

"You're right, Lord Hokage." With her realization, Kushina agreed with him.

Despite being in a better place, she wasn't able to understand…why was she asking about the girl? "No, Lord Hokage. I haven't changed my mind."

(At least she doesn't think so. Does she want to take her in?)

(Yes. Yes I do. What am I saying, ttebane?)

The village leader watched the woman for a moment. Seeing her understand where he was coming from, he leaned back in his chair. "I can't imagine what you're going through with this situation. To potentially have someone related to you after having no one else for so long..." He nodded solemnly, acknowledging her losses. "It must be an indescribable feeling."

And Hiruzen meant it. His heart went out to the powerful young woman. Kushina has lost more in her life thus far than most people would in their whole lives.

Kushina shook her head, looking out the windows in thought. "It's not that… It's been a long time since I've really cried over the whole Calamity." ** Her eyes followed a bird flying in the sky. "I think I'm asking about her because I know what it's like to be the foreigner, the outsider."

She remembered those early days, when her peers teased her for her accent and appearance. Before she found her comfort people: Lady Mito, Minato, Mikoto.

"When I saw her, it reminded me of myself." Kushina sighed a bit, giving a wry smile when the bird flew out of sight. "I know we're different, Lord Hokage. But I can't help but… wonder, "what if?" You know?" Kushina looked at him, giving a one-shoulder shrug.

Hiruzen hummed in understanding. She made a good point. "Indeed, there are similarities between you two." He gave an amused chuckle, remembering Kushina's younger days. "You both have spunk, that's for sure."

Kushina turned red, "Lord Hokage! I wasn't that bad." She didn't want the Hokage to bring up her rowdier days. (Not that she wasn't still rowdy… But THAT'S BESIDES THE POINT!)

"I was going to be Hokage you know." She reminded him, nodding at him. "That hat was going to be mine."

He chuckled again. "What changed your mind?"

Kushina smiled a little. "I wasn't alone anymore. I…" Minato's face came to mind. "Someone opened my eyes and showed me a better way. I could make my own way. I didn't have to prove myself to anyone."

Hiruzen Ahh'd in agreement, knowing exactly who it was.

"You think I should let her do the same." Kushina voiced her thoughts. "You think I should let her find her way too."

(Thump.) The thought of having no involvement made Kushina's heart skip a beat. It made sense but… it felt...

"Perhaps." The Hokage gave a non-committal answer, surprising her once again. "However, I don't think it's as simple as that."

Kushina nodded thoughtfully in agreement. "No. It really isn't." It wasn't simple. Not when the thought of no involvement felt off. Felt wrong.

(It is wrong and you know it.)

(What am I so afraid of?)

Dang it, those conflicting thoughts are back again. It looked like she needed to think more about her intentions.

Kushina sighed, a bit tired of her indecisiveness.

"Is that all, Jounin Uzumaki?" Hiruzen brought it back to the present.

Kushina stood at attention. Regardless of any thought work she had to do, Lord Third did help her worries. "No sir."

Hiruzen smiled a little before letting his face return to his neutral professionalism. "Then you may go."

Kushina bowed deeper in thanks, turning to leave.

When she left the building a few minutes later, she couldn't help but think of that weird feeling she had.

Whatever it was, she will figure this out later. "Besides, he said she was taken care of." She told herself, heading home.

Back in the Present

He said she was fine.

(GO.)

So why was she rushing? What made Kushina run down that street, desperate to see that familiar shade of red?

(HURRY.)

The jinchuuriki growled under her breath, frustrated. "Shut UP!" She yelled, leaping off the street onto the roofs to get a better look. "I'M TRYING, YOU KNOW."

That nagging feeling didn't insist so strongly this time. Instead, it lingered like a buzz at the back of her senses.

Good to know her temper can keep her paranoia in check.

From there she darted in the direction she estimated the girl went.

From the shadows, Nonō Yakushi slowly emerged, unseen. The file on Uzumaki-san was right, she is susceptible to genjutsu.

Nonō did her best to keep it subtle, not wanting to tip off her presence or the fact that she was putting a fellow leaf shinobi under a genjutsu.

But it was a risk she had to take. The child needed her.

A/N Thanks for reading this chapter!