Hello there my fellow readers! I know, I am late, but I have been busy with my job and I was sick for about a week lol. That and the Manga keeps taking breaks every other week or so. Oh well, here's the next chapter. A bit shorter, but I hope its to your liking! And in the sprite of Christmas and the Holidays, I threw in something nice and wholesome lol. Well, hope you all enjoy!
"An interesting litter you have here, Naruto," Matatabi stated her observations as her two tails gently swayed back and forth behind her lazily. The Two-Tails could tell that two of the kids were not biologically Naruto's, given their scent, but from what she had seen such a distinction was not of concern to the family.
"Hmm, most of them are brats, only one of them is respectful!" Shukaku complained, only to receive a bonk on his head with a frying pan. He flinched as he looked up and half-heartedly glared at the offender.
"Please refrain from calling my cute babies brats." Ai spoke with her eyes closed while she gave him a smile sending shivers down Shukaku's spine.
"Guh! Get away from me, you she-devil!" Shukaku tried to distance Ai and himself with his tail while Matatabi sweat dropped at that.
"Baka." That was all Matatabi could say about her brother's behavior. Well, at least he wasn't bloodthirsty anymore. While the Tne-Tailed battled, as much as he could in his miniaturized form, with Ai with her cooking utilities, Matatabi went back to studying the children.
"So, what are you supposed to be? A Nekomata? Bakeneko? Kasha?" Aqua, who had begun to delve much into Japanese folklore, questioned the Two-Tails, who tilted her head.
"Kitten, I have no idea what those words even mean. I am Matatabi, the Two-Tails and as you already know, that idiot is my brother." Matatabi pointed with one of her tails.
"I am not an idiot!" Shukaku shouted in his defense while Matatabi shook her head.
"Matatabi-san, are your flames… dangerous?" Minato chimed in politely as he looked at his two sisters who wanted to cuddle the two-tails.
"YEAH!" The two shouted their concern with their eyes shining. A Two-Tailed flaming cat? To them that was just way too cute!
"Yes, my flames do burn." Matatabi answered as the two sisters mood damped a bit at that while Aqua raised his eyebrow why Minato smiled, though Matatabi did not like that smile.
"Then why is the house not burning down?" Minato questioned her as Matatabi raised an eyebrow at that. The boy was clever.
"Because I do not want to burn down Naruto's house." Matatabi answered while Minato kept his smile.
"Then… you wouldn't want to burn one of his children, no?" Minato questioned her to which Matatabi smirked. Clever indeed.
"That is true." Was all Matatabi stated before she was scooped up in a duel hug by the sisters.
"SO CUTE~~!" Ruby and Sapphire gushed at the flaming cat while Matatabi chuckled at their reaction. It was refreshing for Matatabi to be greeted by humans with such a reaction. Well, she reasoned that if they had seen her in all of her glory it would cause a small panic, yes a very small panic.
"How you allow yourself to be treated like that by those brats *bonk* STOP HITTING ME!" Shukaku didn't get to finish as Ai prevented him.
"Alright, cut it out your two. Shukaku, stop calling our kids brats. Dear, please stop hitting him, you're only feeding into aggression." Naruto chimed in as he tried to be the peacemaker between the two.
"If he stops, I'll stop," Ai responded to which Shukaku grumbled, but agreed. While the two adults kept Shukaku in check, Matatabi was being cuddled between the two sisters.
"Papa never mentioned that you guys can be so cute!" Sapphire questioned Matatabi as she gently caressed the two-tailed cat's whiskers, to which Matatabi purred, not that she minded it.
"That's because Naruto hasn't exactly known the rest of us. The most he'd know about is probably Kurama." Matatabi answered as she enjoyed the petting. After centuries of being used as a weapon and being sealed away, it was nice to be treated more than that.
"Kurama? Oh, the Nine-Tailed fox! I can't wait to see a mini-fox Nine-Tails!" Ruby expressed her joy by giggling at the thought of that.
"Nine-Tailed Fox, hmmm? So, this… Kurama is a Nine-Tails, correct?" Aqua questioned Matatabi, who nodded at that.
"Yes, why?" She questioned him as he hummed.
"Does that mean that he is also a Tenko?" Aqua questioned further, wanting to see just how much Japanese mythology or folklore aligned with his father's world. As it stood, Shukaku and Matatabi referred to some aspects of Japanese folklore and myths, but beyond their name and some appearance, they had shared practically nothing, maybe this Kurama did?
"What's a Tenko?" Matatabi questioned him as Aqua sighed. Of course, it wasn't going to be that simple.
"A Tenko is a kitsune that has achieved nine tails by living for one thousand years. They ascend into heaven once doing so, becoming benevolent and noble kami's, compared to the lower level of kitsune that tend to be wicked and mischievous." Aqua explained the mythology behind it all. Matatabi began to laugh at the explanation.
"Kurama being benevolent and noble? Please, as if. All you'll be doing is feeding his ego by telling him that. Kurama is the most prideful of us all because he prides on the fact that he is the Nine-Tails. He is only referred to as the Kyuubi because he has nine tails, but I assure you he has not lived for one thousand years." Matatabi stated as Aqua nodded at that as he disgusted that bit of information. Mythology didn't overlap at all beyond names, some appearances, and maybe a few references, but beyond that they shared nothing.
"Nii-sama, what's with the mythology and folklore questions?" Minato questioned his brother who shrugged, acting like he was uninterested.
"Well, the names of all the Tailed Beasts and from the appearances we have seen so far are somewhat related to Japanese mythology, maybe even Chinese and Korean. I was simply interested." He answered smoothly, hiding the fact that he was mainly doing it to uncover the fact if the supernatural was a real deal, on the account that he and Ruby were reincarnated.
"I see. Never actually thought of it that way." Minato responded as Aqua looked at his brother in mild surprise. He expected Minato of all people to see such similarity given how brilliant he was.
"Papa, can we take Matatabi outside, please~~!" Ruby practically begged as she held Matatabi up in the air while Matatabi blinked before smirking.
"Meow~~" Matatabi let out as Naruto's eye twitched, both at his daughter's request and Matatabi's antics. He had expected Matatabi to be mature, but clearly, his children had a certain effect on her.
"Ruby, I have told you that I cannot allow that. How many two-tailed flaming cats have you seen before?" Naruto questioned rhetorically as Ruby pouted, knowing that would have been his answer. Matatabi seeing their disappointment, coughed as she drew their attention.
"You know, I can just do this." Matatabi stated as she was temporarily covered in smoke before it cleared to reveal a normal cat with a blue coat of fur.
"See? I'm a normal cat now." She proclaimed as Naruto's eyes twitched again as Sapphire and Ruby celebrated at the fact that they could finally take at least one Matatabi out. Naruto threw Shukaku a glace, who shook his head furiously.
"Heck no!" Shukaku stated that he was fine with just appearing…in a tea kettle of all places.
"Matatabi-san, let's go outside!" Sapphire stated as she and Ruby quickly headed out with the Two-Tails, who was very amused by the two girls. Ruby was an interesting one, but Sapphire was a ball of energy that reminded her of Naruto in almost every aspect. Having known some Uzumaki in her past, she was sure that Sapphire embodied every aspect of a Uzumaki. Strong, bold, hotheaded, boundless energy and strong conviction. Rarely had seen or heard of an Uzumaki that would betray their family.
"I reckon if I pointed out the fact that she and Ruby were only half-sisters, Sapphire would be very angry." She thought to herself. She could clearly tell the strong bond that the family shared, and that bond was stronger between the siblings. Their blood relations meant nothing to them.
"Blood is thicker, but sometimes water is sweeter. A fine family you have, Naruto." She applauded her new host. Truly, her father had chosen well. While the trio were running out the door, with Matatabi being carried, Minato followed after them while Aqua sighed and turned, heading back to his room. He had much to understand.
"Dear god, when are they going to grow up?" Naruto mumbled as he sat down with a sigh, joined by his giggling wife.
"Well, I seem to recall you saying that they could take a few more decades to grow up." She pointed out as Naruto frowned.
"Yes, they can. I'd rather they never grow up now!" He stated firmly before Ai lightly bonked him causing him to mumble.
"Hush now. Eventually, they will grow up and leave this nest." She said softly as Naruto smiled sadly at that thought.
"But… what if they didn't?" He questioned, with almost child-like innocence. Ai knew that he already knew the answer to that, but she also understood where that thought was coming from.
"You know that is not possible. Eventually, they'll have lives of their own. Children of their own." She stated that Naruto understood that very well.
"I know… it's just… I don't want these moments to fade away, ya know? I remember every single day of my life with you, our kids, everything. Each day is like a new beginning, a new day of antics, and ridiculousness, but I love every single moment." He tried to articulate his feelings into words.
"I understand, Naru-kun. For people like us, knowing the joy of a real family has always been a foreign concept. We don't want things to change. We want our children to be children, but you and I both know that eventually they will grow up." She explained as Naruto sighed once more as he closed his eyes and rested his head on her shoulder.
"You know, this reminds me of the first holiday we spent together with the kids." Naruto stated as she smiled warmly at that memory.
"Well, Minato hadn't been born yet." She pointed out as Naruto chuckled.
"Nah, you were pregnant at the time with him, totally counts!" He said rather cheekily as she giggled.
"I also remember that you had no idea what Christmas was." She pointed out another fact as Naruto pouted.
"Well excuse me for not knowing the holidays!" He huffed out as she giggled before patting his head.
"There there, you big baby." She stated as she recalled that day rather fondly and recalled just how much Naruto was willing to spoil the children.
Flashback:
The mid-December days brought upon the onset of cold weather, and snow as well, much to the delight of the young infant Sapphire, who was seeing snow for the first time in her life.
"Dada! Dada!" She called out to her father as she raised her little arms, opening and closing her small hands, wanting to be taken up by her father. Naruto chuckled as he walked over and picked her up.
"What's up, Hime?" He questioned her while making funny faces as she giggled and looked out the window at the snow curiously. Catching her line of sight, he blinked before realizing.
"That's right! This is the first time you have ever seen snow! Wanna go outside, Hime?" He questioned her as she made some baby sounds which Naruto assumed was yes. Still chuckling to himself, he nodded.
"Ok, ok, let me get you all bundled up." He began to bundle her up in winter clothes.
"Annnnd there!" He said as he congratulated himself looking at Sapphire. The said toddler blinked as the baby was rolled up into a burrito of warm blankets from head to toe, with only her eyes visible. She tried to wiggle a little, but she was rolled into it nicely.
"Dear, I think you might have put her in too many layers." Ai chimed in with a sweat drop as Naruto blinked and looked at Sapphire.
"Hmmm, no. I think these are too little!" He responded rather protectively. What if she was too cold? What if it started blizzarding outside?! He had to think of all the hazards!
"Here, let me handle this, you mother hen." She teased him as she huffed.
"Well excuse me for wanting to have our children protected." He huffed out as she rolled her eyes as she began to undue the blankets, better outfitting the little toddler then her husband did.
"Look how cute she looks~~!" Ai gushed at her little girl who had a set of orange toddler sized winter gear and a nice fluffy hat to go along with it.
"Dada!" Sapphire let out, almost automatically as Ai sighed while Naruto grinned.
"Right here, Hime!" He chimed in and scooped her up as it was now Ai's time to huff. She really wanted for Sapphire to finally say mama, but the little toddler preferred her father.
"Come on Hime, let's go outside!" He grabbed his coat and slipped on some shoes.
"You coming with us, dear?" Naruto called out as Ai thought over it. The twins were still at school for now, and there wasn't much to be done.
"Yes." She responded as she followed the duo. Walking out into the yard, Naruto sighed a bit as he looked at the plants that had lost much of their color thanks to winter, but thankful that the pond wasn't frozen. Little Sapphire looked at the falling snowflakes with wonder as the toddler tried to grab onto them, her childlike curiosity wondering how they seemed to just vanish when she grabbed them?
"It's almost that time of the year, hmm?" Ai spoke as she kneeled down slightly and grabbed a fist full of snow. Naruto blinked at that as he titled his head.
"That time of the year?" He questioned her, slightly confused by what she meant. Ai smirked slightly before she stood up all of a sudden and threw a snowball at him.
"Sneak attack!" She shouted as the snowball landed squarely in Naruto's face. She began to giggle at his blank face as the snow began to fall of his face and Sapphire agreed with her mother by giggling as well.
"So, it's like that, eh?" He smiled mischievously as Ai all of a sudden felt shivers go down her spine. She looked at Naruto as quickly scooped out a bit of snow into his hand all the while keeping Sapphire up.
"H-Hey, no fair! You're a super powered ninja!" She stated as she backed up slightly, but Naruto raised his eyebrow.
"You're the one who carried out a sneak attack, which I might say is very commendable to pull off on a badass like me." He countered as his Sapphire shifted her head cutely, not understanding hose words.
"Close your eyes, Hime, I'm about to kick your mother's ass!" Naruto stated as Ai's eye twitched.
"Language!" She shouted as Naruto flinched slightly. Right, he had to watch his language around the kids.
"Sorry, no, where were we…" He quickly threw the snowball towards her, not giving her a moment to dodge.
"Ugh." Ai cleared the snow from her face before her eyes widened, he had another one ready to go! Thankfully, she managed to dodge this one, but she countered with another snowball of her own. The ensuring snowball fight between the two adult and one giggling toddler would have been a weird sight for most adults to see.
A few Hours Later:
Naruto hummed as he took a sip of a nice cup of hot chocolate, a drink he was coming to enjoy in this winter weather. Sapphire, being the infant she was, was already tired and fast asleep, while Ai was a bit tired from the snowball fight. After all, she was pregnant, so her strength wasn't up to her usual level.
"Ai, you said it's almost that time of the year." He recalled as Ai looked up at him from a book she was reading. She was snuggled warmly in layers of blankets, enjoying the moment before the twins would come home.
"Hmm? Oh, Christmas is right around the corner." She answered as Naruto raised an eyebrow. Christmas?
"Eh, what's that?" He questioned, not knowing what Christmas was. Ai blinked as she looked at him.
"Wait, you don't know?" She questioned him, surly he must have heard something about it. Scratching his head, he chuckled rather sheepishly.
"Well, uh, I never really bothered getting so accustomed with the culture when I… arrived here, you know?" He answered as she quickly realized what he meant. Of course, such a holiday would exist in his world! And with what he was going through….
"Ah, well, Christmas is really a western holiday mostly, but over here it's mostly associated with giving presents, I guess." She answered as truthfully as she could as Naruto raised an eyebrow.
"Huh?" He looked at her, confused. Ai blushed slightly in embarrassment.
"Well, u-uhm, I never actually celebrated it before, cause, you know…" She trailed off, her tone slightly saddening towards the end as Naruto understood what she meant. Getting up from his spot, he walked over to her and sat down next to her, entering the blankets as he cuddled with her.
"No need to explain." Was all he said as she smiled sadly, but thankful. Truly, he understood her like no other. The two simply sat there, enjoying each other's warmth and the moment. It silence was only for a moment, but it felt like years.
"So, what do you want for Christmas?" He questioned her as looked over at him.
"Eh, you don't have to get me anything." She waved it off. Having never taken part in the holiday before, even she was at a loss on what to do.
"That will not! Just name what you want, and it shall be yours!" He claimed boldly causing her to giggle at that. She did not doubt that he actually be able to get her what she wanted, but she shook her head again.
"Naru-kun, you have already given me the greatest gift." She said lovingly as Naruto blinked.
"I have? I mean, of course, I have!" He questioned before puffing out his chest. She sighed before she creased his whiskers. While they might not be real, it definitely made him look sexier in her opinion.
"Yes silly, you have given me the greatest gift I could have ever asked for… a family." She leaned forward and kissed him as the two connected. Pulling back, Naruto smiled at her.
"Well, then you gave me the greatest gift as well!" He shouted as she raised an eyebrow in amusement.
"Oh? And what's that?" She questioned him, though she already knew the answer.
"A family, duh!" He answered as if it was the most obvious think in the world as she giggled at his antics. Smirking, Naruto leaned closer to her ear.
"And the sex is pretty good too." He teased mischievously causing Ai to almost choke on her own spit.
"N-Naruto!" She half-heartedly yelled at him, an atomic blush on her face as she covered her face with her hands. It was weird for her. He was the only one to make her feel so embarrassed about stuff like this that they had already done, but it sent her stomach fluttering with butterflies.
"O-Oh, the baby just kicked." She said in slight surprise. Apparently her unborn son did not want to be left out of it.
"Did he now? Hmm, I wonder if his first words are gonna be dada or mama?" He questioned himself as Ai's eye twitched. As brought hers up and rested them on her pregnant belly.
"I know what Minato-kun's first words are gonna be 'mama'!" She proclaimed happily. She could feel it, her little baby boy was gonna be a mama's boy!
"Minato?" Naruto questioned her causing her to blink before she sheepishly gave him a smile.
"Ah, well, I was going to name him Minato, you know? After your father." She explained to him as Naruto looked at her in surprise. He had wanted her to name all their children because he felt that it was the right thing to do, after all, she was the one carrying them.
"I thought you were gonna name him after another color or a gemstone." He pointed out. Aqua was, well, the named after the color. Ruby was s gemstone, same with Sapphire. So, what changed? Ai smiled as she lovely caressed her belly.
"Oto-san was a good man, and while he never had the chance to be a father, I'm sure he would have made a great father to you. I… I'd like to honor him in a way, you know? I'm sure that like him, little Minato will be just as great." She explained, leaving him utterly shocked.
"Naruto?" She called out to him, but he didn't respond, making her worry slightly. Reaching out and grabbing hold of his only hand, she squeezed it slightly, causing him to break out of it.
"Is it… is it not ok?" She spoke in a low tone that held some sadness to it causing his eyes to widen before he shook his head.
"Ah, no Ai! I think it's wonderful that you would name our son after Oto-san!" He answered rapidly, easing her worries as he pulled her in a hug.
"Naruto?" She let out, this time the one being surprised.
"Thank you, Ai." Was all he said as she smiled and closed her eyes, leaning further into his hug. The more she learned about him, the more she realized just how human he was despite being as powerful as he was.
"You know, Minato means harbor, right?" He pointed out as she nodded before pointing at him teasingly.
"And your name means fishcake!" She teased as Naruto huffed.
"No, it doesn't! It means Maelstrom!" He whined like a child as she giggled at him before bringing a hand up and ruffling his hair.
"I know." She stated like it was a fact, which it was, but that didn't stop Naruto from pouting.
"Ai-chan, you big meanie!" He complained…like a child, which only made her giggle even more. Sometimes it felt like she had five children, not four.
The Next Day:
"Hmmm." Naruto thought to himself as he ran his hand through his hair. After hearing from Ai what Christmas was, he decided to do some research on it and to see what he could get his wife and children. Seeing that neither he nor she had ever experienced the holiday and it would be the first time they would celebrate the holiday, it would be the twins and Sapphire's first time as well.
"I could get toys for the kids, but what would be the best present?" He questioned himself as he scrolled through the net to find ideas for presents. Truthfully, he wanted to give them everything and anything.
"Wait a minute… that's a great idea!" He congratulated himself. Of course, why didn't he think about it sooner?!
"As for Ai…" He trailed off, wondering what the best present for the most important woman in his life would be. A gift wouldn't do. No, this would be the first Christmas they would celebrate, so he wanted to make it memorable.
"Hmm, I think I got an idea." He smiled to himself. Yes, he had an idea to show her how much he loved and appreciated her, and he was thankful for all the novels that he had from his sensei.
"Thanks' a lot, Jiraiya-sensei. You might have been a pervert, and you definitely wrote smut, but thank you. Now I have all the money I need to make my family happy!" He left out a chuckle at that irony. He never expected the novels he had published when he first arrived here to start paying off.
"Now then, let's get shopping!" He declared with gusto, as he began to buy anything and everything on the net that would make a nice gift for the children. Money was clearly not an issue for him.
The Day of Christmas Eve:
"Naruto-kun… why are there so many presents?" Ai asked with a sweat drop as she looked at the living room, which was currently littered with all sorts of presents for Aqua and Ruby, the latter who was thoroughly enjoying herself.
"Look, Aqua! Papa got me a really nice set of cloths!" Ruby bragged to Aqua, who rolled his eyes as he opened another set of his presents to find a nice collection of books.
"Thank you, Oto-san." Aqua thanked him, but he silently agreed with Ai, there were a lot of presents for the two of them. Naruto laughed at the scene as Aqua shook her head. Sapphire, who was currently in her arms, looked at the scene with curiosity.
"I think you got them too many presents." She stated as Naruto waved his hands.
"Nonsense, I think these are too little!" He countered as she shook her head before Sapphire wiggled in her arms, wanting her mother's attention.
"What is it, little Sap-chan?" Ai questioned her with a smile as the little toddler reached out her arms towards her siblings.
"Ruuu." Sapphire let out, attempting to say her sisters name, but could only get out the first bit. Ai giggled as she walked over and set her little girl down, who began to crawl over to her sister.
"Sap-chan! Let me put this on you!" Ruby exclaimed with glee as she put on a shirt, meant for her, on her little sister. The shirt was clearly too big for her, but that just made the baby look even cuter.
"So cute!" Ruby gushed as she rubbed her cheek with her sister's. Ruby clearly loved Sapphire dearly. To her, Sapphire was the cutest baby on earth.
"Look at her, Aqua-baka!" She presented her to her brother, who looked at Sapphire and cracked a small smile.
"At least she doesn't call me Aqua-baka." He commented as he ruffled his little sisters hair gently, who responded with baby noises. While the siblings were enjoying the presents and each other, Naruto and Ai were simply enjoying the scene.
"Next year, you need to let me in on the present selection. And we will be limiting it to two presents each." She stated as Naruto huffed.
"I don't see why we have to limit it to two presents. I mean, if money is the concern, don't be. I have already begun to diversify all the money I have saved up into stocks, bonds, and other investments across the globe." Naruto explained to her as she raised an eyebrow. She never really questioned Naruto about exactly how much money he had, not after the first number he had shown them.
"Really? Cause last I checked you had plenty of zeros in your account." She teased him, but Naruto's face turned serious.
"Ai, when I promised that I'll take all of our needs, I wasn't kidding. I'll save us enjoy money to last for generations to come." He said seriously as Ai blushed slightly at that.
"G-Generations?" She questioned him, slightly unsure. She had never thought that she'd have a family, she never thought that she would have children, or even grandchildren, but with Naruto…
"Yes, generations. There will be enough wealth for our family and the future generations. Growing up… I never really had anyone. Despite the money the old man gave me, I could barely afford to buy food and simply survive. I never want our children and their family and children to go through what I did… what you did." He trailed off the end as Ai looked at him with surprise before she smiled.
"Eh… you really are a wonderful person, Naruto-kun." She bumped her shoulder with his, which was awkward since she was a bit shorter than him, but he chuckled at her attempt, causing her to pout.
"Now then, how about we get to your present?" He offered his only hand to her as she blinked but took it with hers. She had already told him that she didn't need a present, but clearly he did not listen to her.
"Where are we going, Naruto-kun?" She questioned as Naruto chuckled but said nothing as he guided them through their house towards their side door that lead to their large yard. Opening the door, she shivered slightly at the cold wind that blew in, but she instantly felt warmth as Naruto engulfed her in a side hug.
"Ya know, you are the greatest thing to happen to me, dattebayo!" He stated as she giggled. She could tell me really meant it, because when his tic mark slipped up it typically slipped up when he was emotional.
"I'd say that same thing about you." She stated as Naruto shook his head at that.
"I had lost everything. My friends, my home, my dream… I had nothing in this world. Before I meet you, my life was dull; it had no meaning anymore, no purpose. I had no dream… but you changed all of that." He spoke as she looked at him, her eyes slightly widened as she hung onto every word.
"Being with you… with our family… has given me purpose in this new life. I love you Ai. I love our children. I love our family. I love everything about this new life of mine, because of you." He leaned in slightly and gave her a quick kiss as she blushed at his words.
"B-Baka! You're such a hopeless romantic." She buried her head into his chest as she looked down, still blushing madly.
"God, only he can make my stomach do twists and turns like this." She thought to herself. Truly, no one had ever made her feel like this before, made her feel like a person, feel like she was loved and wanted.
"And I'll continue to be that, for you." He whispered to her as she looked up from his chest, seeing his wide smile. God, it was so infectious, and she couldn't help stop the smile growing on her face. Every day it felt like she was falling in love with him over and over again.
"Merry Christmas, Ai." He declared as she heard the sound of… fireworks? Sure enough, she heard the distinct sound of fireworks going off, causing her to turn to look at the sky, only for her eyes to widen.
"To my beloved wife." She read the message that was written into the sky with the help of fireworks as a beautiful show of fireworks followed suit, commemorating their first Christmas.
"I managed to convince the neighborhood and the mayor to sign off on the firework show." He whispered into her ear, answering the question that she was going to inevitable ask him.
"I assume that you sent a lot of money?" She questioned him as Naruto shook his head.
"No amount of money I spent on the joy of this family, and you will ever be enough. If you wanted, I'd delivery this whole world to you." He declared much to her amusement. She knew that he was half-joking. Naruto was powerful, very powerful. If he could fight a goddess and manage to beat her, then this world was child's play for him.
"Careful, I might just as you to do that." She joked as Naruto chuckled with her before she leaned up and kissed him deeply. The two stood there, simply enjoying the moment with each other as the fireworks went off.
"Look! Look! Sap-chan! Papa and Mama as so in love!" Ruby gushed as she held her little sister. While she couldn't hear what they were saying, she could tell that it was all love talk, especially after their two kisses.
"Ruu~ Ruu!" Sapphire let out, in what Ruby assumed, in agreement. The two watched as their parents had their moment while Aqua was simply leaning against the wall. He'd be lying if he said he wasn't enjoying this.
"I never celebrated any holidays in my past life, let alone Christmas. But…I like it." He smiled slightly. He never realized how much the joy of a family really meant. Even if he and Ruby weren't related to Naruto, he never made them feel as if they weren't. To him, they were his.
"Chosen bonds are more significant than the bonds with family, isn't that right, Oto-san?" He muttered to himself. Slowly he was understanding what his father meant. You can't chose the family your born into, but you damn well can chose to make a family with the bonds you make.
"Aqua! Quite standing there and pretending to look all cool!" His eye twitched at Ruby's words.
"Au, Au~~~!" Sapphire also let her, her attempt to say her brother's name. That brought a smile on his face. Sapphire was really the cutest little thing in the family.
Flashback end:
That was the day she realized the magnitude of Naruto's love for her, for their family. There wasn't a thing in the world that he wasn't willing to do for them. And she understood why he was the way he was.
"You never had a family, Naruto-kun. You lost everything, your friends, the village, your whole world…I understand you." She thought sadly. He was a ninja, yes, but he wasn't a mindless killer. He fought because that was the way of his world, it was the environment. Yet, his nature was kind, forgiving, always trying to see the good in people.
"That's because the kitten doesn't like fighting." She blinked as she heard a voice in her head.
"Matatabi?" She questioned. Was she hearing her right?
"Yes. When Shukaku first awoken, you were in Naruto's mindscape. It unknowingly created a mental connection between us and you." Matatabi explained as Ai dumbly nodded. She couldn't pretend how the strangeness that surrounded Chakra. It was like magic to her.
"He's never had a family. Growing up in a village with his circumstances, I'm surprised he didn't go insane and became like Shukaku's host. The kitten was always looking to find ways to prove his worth, that he wasn't the monster people assumed him to be. Truly, our father, the Sage of Six Paths, chose wisely with him." Matatabi explained, having seen all of Naruto's memories. After all, she inhabited his mind, it was almost impossible to ignore them.
"I can tell. He fights to protect, not for enjoyment…" She said absent mindedly as Matatabi hummed at that.
"Whatever the case, the kitten is also emotionally volatile. After everything he's been through… I don't think he'd emotionally sane if he lost any of you. Make no mistake, he WILL burn the world down this time if that happens." Matatabi stated. While she knew that Naruto would never consider doing such a thing normally, you just don't go through what he has been through without deep emotional scars.
"That will never come to pass. He and I will enjoy a loving life with our family into our very ripe old ages." She thought with a giggle, imagining being old and surrounded by grandkids. Matatabi chuckled at that because she believed it as this world was far more peaceful, despite the various on-going conflicts; it was still relatively more peaceful and diplomatic, despite humanities best efforts to wipe each other out.
"Take good care of the kitten and your litter." Matatabi stated before the connection was cut.
"Ai-chan?" Naruto called out to her as she blinked. Oh, she had spaced out when taking to Matatabi!
"Sorry love, I was talking to Matatabi." She answered as Naruto stared at her before he sighed.
"I'm not even gonna ask. I'm sure Matatabi will fill me in." He exclaimed as she giggled.
"No, I can also talk to the tailed beasts!" She declared before she stared at Shukaku, who gulped.
"Call my kids brats and I'll end you." She spoke mentally causing Shukaku to stiffen.
"Dammit Matatabi!" Shukaku shouted through the link, causing the said cat to laugh.
"What? I like her. The kittens got fire." Matatabi replied as she and Ai chuckled while Shukaku fritted his teeth, while Naruto stood on the sidelines.
"Ok, I don't know what you're doing, but no fighting each other, that includes mentally!" Naruto shouted with a tried sigh. By the Sage, hopefully this didn't open a can of worms.
Later at Strawberry Productions:
"Eh, you got a cat?" Kana questioned Ruby as she knelled down to pet the cat that Ruby had brought. Ruby nodded at that with a bright smile.
"What's her name?!" Mem questioned. Despite her devil like features, people also called her a cat too with her looks and outfit. And she also loved cats!
"Her name is Matatabi!" She answered. With Matatabi looking like a real cat, she could freely move around, something that Shukaku refused to do. He was far too prideful to turn into an actual Tanuki.
"Wow! Look at her bright her blue coat is! It almost looks like blue fire!" Mem stated as she marveled at the cat. Matatabi opened her eyes as she looked at Mem.
"My, that girl is perspective." Matatabi thought to herself. While she observed Ruby's group of friends, and talked with Ai, Shukaku and Naruto, Mem was absolutely gushing at the cat.
"SHE HAS HETEROCHROMATIC EYES?!" Mem shouted, her eyes shining. Matatabi's right eye was a bright yellow, while the left was green, but without pupils. She had never seen a cat so unique!
"You know, they say cats are a sign of good fortune and not just in Asia, but other cultures as well." Kana chimed in as Matatabi took note of that for later.
"Eh? Really?" Ruby questioned. She only knew about cats being a sign of good luck and fortune in Japan. Kana sweat drop at that.
"You got a cat without doing any research, did you?" She questioned Ruby, who chuckled nervously.
"Oh, hey guys! Here's Matatabi, THE GIANT FREAKING TWO-TAILED CAT THAT LIVES IN MY FATHERS GUT FROM A DIFFERENT WORLD!" Ruby shouted mentally. No, they'd call her crazy, insane, and ship her off to a mental ward.
"Whatever the case, cats are amazing! The whole world loves cats~!" Mem shouted with a giggle as she heavily petted Matatabi, who was purring at the petting she was receiving.
"W-Well, anyways, we need to decide on who is going to be the center girl, now!" Ruby brought up the topic of that the three of them had been fighting over for the past few days.
"I say we settle this the old-fashioned way; karaoke!" Mem proposed. It would be the most fair way to determine who would be the best for the position. Ruby thought over it before she nodded, she'd he fine with it. Kana thought over it too before nodding as well.
"Then it's decided, we do karaoke!" She declared as all three of them hardened their eyes and looked at each other, their faces gaining a sharper and serious look causing Matatabi to sweat drop.
"I guess I just walked into a battlefield, of sort." She thought to herself. It was amusing and odd to see the mundane life of Naruto and his family. Truly, what a strange bunch.
Meanwhile with Aqua:
The eldest Uzumaki was currently mulling over the recent events that had taken place. Between his new relationship with Akane and being witness to two-tailed beasts returning, his life became far more complicated.
"Hmmm, is it… truly possible for the supernatural to exist?" He thought to himself. He knew that Ruby and him were reincarnated souls who remembered their past lives, that had to mean that reincarnation existed. Did that also mean that others also remembered their past lives?
"And then there is Oto-san. His existence means other worlds exist, no, other realities existed. The supernatural must be real. If so, then… why was I allowed to keep my past life memories? It can't be a mishap." He thought deeply, his face scrunched up in concentration.
"Aqua." He blinked rapidly as his focus was broken from his thoughts to the person sitting in front of him.
"Oh, Akane, sorry about that. Did I space out?" He apologized with a small smile as she giggled slightly at him.
"You know, you look pretty cute when you are thinking so hard." She complimented as Aqua blushed slightly. He had never actually dated, ever. Despite having the mentality and memories of a grown man, he was still a child when it came to the matters of relationships like his and Akane's.
"So, what were you thinking about?" She questioned him as she took a bit out of her food. The two were out on a small date, a much-needed reprieve from their lives for a moment for just the two.
"Well, I was just thinking about who's gonna be the lead-girl." He answered, referring to the conversation that Ruby, Mem, and Kane had during dinner at the Uzumaki's. Akane frowned slightly at the thought of Kane, but smiled almost victoriously at the fact that she had boldly kissed her boyfriend. She saw the look on Kane's face and she realized that the girl had a crush on Aqua.
"What's with the smile?" Aqua questioned her as she chuckled to herself at his question causing him to sweat drop but smiled again. He was glad that she was opening up a bit more after the whole ordeal.
"Oh, just something funny, that's all." She responded with a smile, much like how his mother would. He shook his head at that. God, he really did have a type rooted in his mother.
"Well, I'd say it's more than that." He thought to himself. Akane was shy, reserved, kind, considerate of others, heck, she put others before herself. She was an oddity in an industry where lies and backbiting was rampant.
""Hey, Akane, you wanna come over during the weekend?" Aqua invited her as she tilted her head but nodded.
"Sure. I have nothing going on." She agreed. It'd be nice to see his family as well. Ai would no doubt be as dotting as she was the first time they met, and she enjoyed Ruby's and Sapphires company. Of course, she was also happy to see Minato again. Despite being highly reserved and polite, she knew that Minato was as kind as Aqua and he was a friend too!
"Say, Aqua, what kind of person is your father?" She asked out of the blue as Aqua raised an eyebrow.
"That came out of nowhere, why do you ask?" He questioned her as she chuckled sheepishly. She had an analytical mind. When presented with a mystery she'd try to solve it.
"Because I know a lot about your mother, but I know very little about your father." She answered as Aqua nodded at that. That was true. Ai was an Idol, so her information was far more public.
"Well, you already know that my father is an… infamous writer." He said with a flat face as Akane blushed at that while tapping her index fingers.
"I… may or may not have read his… literature…" She let out as she looked anywhere but at him as Aqua's jaw slowly went down. Did that mean that she was a…
"IS SHE A CLOSET PERVERT?!" He shouted mentally at himself as he banged his head onto the table.
"Oh god, this is just like Kaa-san and Oto-san…" He thought mentally before he sighed and brought his head up.
"You are too kind to call his smut literature." He said flatly as she once again chuckled sheepishly.
"Well, beyond that, Oto-san is… pretty laid back. He likes to train; Sapphire in particular is a training nut. He loves to tend to his garden in his spare time other than writing his new novels." He listed off his father's likes and what not while Akane paid close attention. She wanted to know everything about Aqua, that included his family.
"But his greatest love is our mother." He answered, almost tiringly as she blinked at that.
"Why do you sound tried?" She questioned him as Aqua rolled his eyes.
"Trust me; the two absolutely love to flirt with each other no matter where they are. You saw the tweets about the two at the mall, remember? But did I mention you that they also love to embarrass their kids as well while at it?" He finished with a huff while crossing his arms, causing Akane to giggle at him.
"So, you do know how to act like a child!" She pointed at him as his widened while his cheeks flushed red.
"Do not." He muttered out. He was not a child! Well, mentally anyways.
"Is it so bad to act like one?" A voice in the back of his head questioned him as he looked down slightly. He never had a normal childhood, so, would it be wrong for him to have one.
"Hey, Aqua." He looked up as his eyes slightly widened as his lips were captured by Akane's before she pulled back. His heart skipped a beat as he saw the smile on her face. It was bright enough to light up the world, wash away all the darkness that sometimes crept into his mind.
"Thank you." She thanked him as he nodded dumbly at her.
"Always…" He muttered, almost shyly as Akane returned to her giggling at his reaction while his heart raced at that.
"This is love…right, Oto-san, Kaa-san?" He thought to himself. He was always slightly grossed out at how openly affectionate his mother and father were to each other, but, he was starting to understand why they were like that…
And that's it folks. That is it for now. Let me know what you all think about it, leave a like, review and whatnot! I'll see you all next year!