Chapter Three; Waves of Change

A clearing amid a forest of tall trees whose leaves create an almost roof to the area, surrounded by darkness between the trunks Naruto opens his eyes, squinting at the small beam of moonlight beaming down around him. Pushing himself up to a seated position, he looks around confused "…did… did they drop me in a forest?" continuing to glance round he sighs before looking down and noticing his injuries were gone "What the…?" his musing was cut short as a strong, warm wind blows across him from behind him. Standing up, an unknown feeling began to draw upon him and without his conscious thought, his legs carried him forward.

Through the forest Naruto treads lightly but with purpose, hopping over a fallen tree here and a stump there, it didn't take long before he came across a large cave, no massive cave with tree's blocking entrance. Standing before it the five-year-old gapes up "…what is this…?"
"So you've come here at last…?" a grumbling voice from deep within as a massive snout appears through the darkness, followed by a face, two massive claw like hands, a body of dull orange and black flur and finally a mass of flowing tails, numbering nine in total "Woah." Naruto says automatically causing the beast to smirk as he drops down to peer out at the boy "is that the best you can do you little…?"

"Language!" Naruto calls out interrupting the giant before him, causing said beast to look at him bewildered "…what?"
"Normally when someone says something like that, my ka-chan says language and they change what they say." The little boy then shrugs "Dunno why tho." A low chuckle followed as the beast completely lays down "She sounds wise."
"Yeah, she's the best. She made my wish come true." The boy says also sitting down on his side of the treeline. "Oh…? She did? What wish?"
"That she was my ka-chan. My old Ka-chan wasn't that nice." The kid explains as the beast looks quizzically at the small boy "You got a new mother?" the boy nods "yeah. My old one kicked me out but my new one saved me and brought me home."

"Oh? So that red head isn't who you were talking about?" the boy negates with his head at that "No. My mommy has brown hair, eyes and really cool stripes on her cheeks. My new wish is to get them like her." He exclaims excitedly "I see. So, are you not concerned with why you're here or even why I am?"
"Should I be? You're the first stranger who just wanted to talk with me." Spoke Naruto innocently with a bright smile that even the giant fox couldn't believe he was hearing. "Well, I am a giant fox with nine tails. You know, the one that attacked your village five years ago?"
"Yeah but you are sorry about that right? Or you would be trying to kill me or something." Naruto reasoned which actually caused the giant fox to smile while resting his head on his paws.

The two would talk for hours, just talking about anything and everything with the five-year-old completely unaware of his physical condition. On the other hand, the nine-tailed fox who originally wanted to scare the tiny meat bag of a warden completely forgotten as he got to know this tiny kit before him. Why he left the family that stripped away his strength and sealed him away. Each night Naruto would sleep atop the fox's tail, without any fear as the kitsune watched over him, and each morning he would converse and even teach the little one about history, chakra control, or about his siblings and even told of his origin, edited for such a tiny kit. As always, all good things come to an end as without warning the kit began to fade away "What's happening?"

"You're waking up, kit." The fox explained and the kid looks at him "Will I see you again?" but was unable to hear the response as everything faded to black.

Konoha Village; Room 302

Naruto opens his left eye and is immediately made aware of pain. Pain from everywhere and then the memories assault his mind of the spinning red eyes and pain causing him to jerk about, his heart rate skyrocketing. He was completely unaware of the presences rushing to his side or the aid they provided, nor was he able to actually see anything before blacking out again. He wouldn't awake for another month.

A month later…

Naruto stirs as his eyes begin to part, the room slowly coming into focus as he stares blankly at a white ceiling. His body ached and the feel of general was that of exhaustion. Not that he knew that. Using all his effort turning his head, he saw his mother asleep at his side, cuddling him gently as to not antagonise his injuries further.

Trying to move his arm, he inadvertently nudges her awake "Naru…" she whispers, and he offers a weak smile "…ka…chan…" she slips out the bed and began running a diagnostic jutsu over him "You're doing well, Naru. How are you feeling?"
"T…tired." he wheezes out to which she offers a warm smile "You should sleep a bit…"
"…no…" reaching for her hand to which she takes up "…foxy said hi." His words caused her to freeze "Foxy? You met the nine-tail fox?" he nods slightly, with great effort "He spoke bad words… told him off." She smirked at that "That's my son." He smiled in response but to her it was lopsided. "Try and get some more rest. I'll wake you in the morning, okay?"
"Mm… k." his eyes fall shut and she kisses his forehead.

A month later…

Two blue lined violet eyes flutter open, squinting at the white ceiling that threatens his eyes "…the white is so overpowering." he almost whispered silently that followed a soft sigh. Sitting up he was immediately glomped by his big sister Surena, "You're awake!"

"Thank kami. That was a close one."

"Thought we'd have to carry you out…"
"Onee-chan, you're smothering him." A new voice cuts in and causes the girl to glance down to the near seven-year-old, struggling to breathe between her bust with a fight that was clearly leaving his small frame. "Whoops." As she allows him to drop back on to his bed, eyes swirling and spinning "You really jump before you look." The teenaged Tiga, the youngest sky-blue haired Senju whom took more after her carefree father over her overly combative mother much like her appearance "Shush, Tiga. It was accident."

Konoha Village; Senju Compound

"Naru!" before Naruto could react, his footing was removed from beneath him and he found himself within Rin's arms, cuddled hard. "Ka-chan! Can't breathe…!" Naruto gasps as Rin lets off her strength but didn't release him from her hold, balancing him on her hip "You gave me a big scare."
"Sorry…" he whispers resting his head on her shoulder whilst wrapping his arms around her neck Tsunade appears in the doorway "Hey kido's!"
"Auntie Tsunade." Naruto's almost whisper which caused a frown from the Senju Matriarch at the change of personality that seemed to have settled on her favourite grandson. Her frown vanished when a rogue thought appeared as she led them through the compound, said thought raised her frown to a full-blown smirk and nod 'Yes, that should do them some good.'

"As I said, this will be your room." Tsunade standing in the doorway, as the mother-son duo observed the room "Thank you, Master Tsunade." Rin offering a soft smile whilst placing Naruto down upon the monarch sized bed. "I owe you so much for…"
"I intend on collecting on that." Tsunade cutting off her student, knowing what her students would say "We'll talk over dinner at eight." As she closes the door leaving Rin to try and keep Naruto from jumping on the bed.

At dinner, Rin glared at her sochi who was behaving himself under her gaze to the point that many a nobleman would feel but beggar peasant. Tsunade chuckles at the sight as she remembers raising her own son who would fidget under that same gaze that somehow her student has developed. "Sorry we're late." A new voice enters, all eyes turn to see Surena, Dan, and Tiga stepping into the kitchen. Tsunade hugs her husband tightly before leading him to the table as Surena grabbed up the child of the room, cuddling him like a teddy bear with her hold on him very reminiscent of a girl holding her teddy.

"Now that we've eaten…" Tsunade clearing her throat gaining her families attention, Naruto and Rin included in that category. The warm wooden kitchen was modest yet elegant, but now felt heavy as the granddaughter of the first hokage took charge of the room "…Dan-dear, you have that folder I asked about?"

"Indeed." the Patriarch of the Senju clan pulling out a folder from the bag on the back of his seat "This has been on the back burner for a few months." Presenting it to his wife who double checks it, confirms it before handing to her eldest daughter who scans the title with a raised eyebrow "A hospital request?"
"Yeah." Dan says steeping his fingers as he looks at one of his hospital's top medical personnel "Rin Nohara; This is mission from the hospital or more accurately, the Senju clan. We've been requested to help set up a clinic with the chance to expand into a hospital, depending on various things."
"Setting up a clinic? That will take some time, won't it?" Rin questioned with furrowed brows all the while Tsunade grin with a mischievously glint in her eyes.

Wave Country; Daimyo's Residence

Tsunade steps out from the carriage, Rin steps out after her master while still carrying Naruto upon her hip. She hadn't put him down apart from sleeping, he hadn't complained nor seemed to haven't notice, "This place is rather…"
"Plain…" Tsunade offers to which her student nods "Well…" Surena stepping out last "…Wave is a minor nation, well versed in shipping within the southeast."
"Not an ally but not an enemy." Rin states warily "Right but that's going to change with us." Tsunade states stepping in line with their guide as they enter the reception of the palace.

"Ah, Lady Senju…" Wave Daimyo Krush Dytiopo, greets with his hand out for a hug "…to think you would grace such a meagre lord such as myself."
"Nonsense." Tsunade embracing the older man, a clear sense of humble grace, who was standing at five-foot-five matching the legendary medical ninja in height. Guiding them to the seats, Krush smiles from his seat opposite "Now then, could you please introduce your fellows?"
"Where are my manners, this is one of my prized students…" Tsunade gesturing to Rin who bows her head, pulling Naruto down with her "…Rin Nohara. She will be lead doctor for your hospital."

Wave Country; Nohara Apartment

The following morning Naruto awoke to the smell of bacon and eggs, eagerly he exploded from his bed and rushed to the kitchen to find his aunties and mother chatting at the table, the latter tending the stove. "Morning munchkin." Serena comments with a wry smile that the boy missed "Morning auntie!" as he hopped into his seat, a plate of food materialising before him, Rin smiling alas she ruffled his hair while doing so.

As they eat Tsunade continued where she left off "…as the main building is complete, the responsibility of the rest will fall to you, Rin."
"Really?" Rin squeaked out, snapping to her master who nods and smirks "Yeah, though…" pointing to her daughter "…Serena will remain until the intensive care unit is done. I've been away too long as it is."

"Its funny how two months of work, a promise of a future, and a wad of cash could motivate people forward." Serena chuckled, shaking head, "I do, however, have a request." Tsunade speaking up, gaining their collective attention "Uzushasho."
"What?" was the groups collective response, Tsunade's smirk grew further, "It's nearby and I thought it'd be a good outing."
"True." Serena muses as she finishes chewing her food, pointing her fork at Naruto "Especially for you, Nar."

"Ah…" Rin caught on, "…when did you want to go?"
"Depends on you." Tsunade announces lifting from the table, plates in hand, "Well…" Rin mentioned as her eyes travel around the room before landing on her son "…Xinaru Nohara, what do you think?"

This caught the attention of the young boy, who was very rarely ever called by his new name in place of his nickname "It would be?" clearly curious Naruto unaware of the significance of such a place to him. "You may have been excommunicated from the Uzumaki clan of Konoha, by Konohagakure laws, but you are still a member of the clan at large." Tsunade explained but again the naiveté of his child mind did not fully understand it "So, before I go… let's have a day out?"

Uzu no Kuni; Ruins of Uzu

"Whoa!" Whispered the lone redhead as he is led by his mother, auntie and big sister figure through what was once a minor hidden village. "It was a great place, once upon a time…" Tsunade states as they reach the central administration district, a massive monument of red marble in a swirl erected with the names of the fallen etched into the granite slab at its base.

"After the war, we cleaned the place up." Serena states as she kneels down beside her red headed little brother, who was looking over the numerous names of his clansmen "These are…"

"Family, Naru… they are our family." Tsunade spoke causing the boy to bow, surprise everyone "Thank you." were his words which further confused the group "I may not know you all, but I know I wouldn't be alive without you all. I know I wouldn't have met my auntie, my big sister, or my new mother without any of the actions you all did." He finally stands up "So, thank you." Abruptly a red glow from the monument engulfed the entire group.

Unknown location

"Where…?"

"Xinaru Nohara…!" a voice drew everyone's attention, the entire team noticed the red headed woman with a soft smile upon her visage "Nana?" the eldest woman among the group whispered, causing the new comers nod "It is great to see you again, Su-su." Her pupiless black eyes peer into her granddaughter's own honey brown, before turning to the younger blonde at her side with a smile growing wider "Oh… my great grandchild…?"

"…but how…?" said great grandchild gasps out. Mito nods at that, hand coming out from her kimono sleeves and waved everyone over "We have much to talk about…" eyes moving to the lone clansmen among the group, who had taken up the brown-haired woman's hand with nervous energy irradiated from him but when she gently squeezed his clasped hand it vanished. Mito smiled at that and confirmed their decision "…come!" leading them down the dark corridor which was barely perceptible, yet they all instinctively knew where to go.

The group was led by Mito into a larger chamber, like a senate room illuminated by a wistfully soft bluish green glow from a blue crystal hovering in the centre of the room. As the group arrived at the centre, several figures began to fade in as if a mirage but in reverse, Mito joining them as they stepped towards the group whilst slowly gaining colour "Welcome to the clan council." Mito began as the arrivals bowed "Thank you; but why did you call us here?" Tsunade questioned as the lack of smiles upon the elders, minus her grandmother, was putting her on serious edge.

This time it was Mito who sighed hard before eyes turning to the lone redhead "Well, I wish this was a social call so I could get to know my family more but…"

"Young one!" one of the elders in the back stepping forward, confronting the child redhead in question who froze up and seemed to bury himself further behind the brownette who took up a defensive stance between the two "Stay back." which caused the man to do so. "Relax dearest…" another elder whose presence seemed to command the room; the others seemed to bow before her "…we are here to help our youngest family member are we not?"

The room fell silent as even Mito stepped clear of this elder, much to the surprise of her granddaughter and those who knew of her. Said elder moved forward to stand before the mother and son duo, the level regality making even Mito feel inadequate within her presence. Her pale skin shimmered like the moon beneath her shrine maiden kimono of silver donned with white accents, Nine magatama's belonging to the Outsusuki clan spaced equally around the Uzumaki spiral on her back denoting her family ties. Bright Red hair in a tall hime cut, eyebrows short as a sign of nobility, "My name is Nariaki Uzumaki, the first Uzumaki, daughter of Asura and Tatsuzo Ōtsutsuki, and your eldest ancestor." looking between the two people before her.

"Hello Lady Nariaki Uzumaki…" Rin began with a bow, only for Nariaki to smile and gather two into a bone crushing hug. Just as the two began turning blue, they were released "No need for formalities…"

"…Lady Nariaki…!" spoke one elder who was waived off almost pre-emptively "…we are all family here, and for family…" she winked at them all "…we'll even defy fate and death." This time the living group all bowed "Thank you, Lady Nariaki." Spoke Surena earning a pout from the first Uzumaki.

Mito's throat clearing brought the room back to topic "Right… as to why you're here."

"I wanted to inform you all that yes, what you said Tsunade of the Senju spoke of is correct." Nariaki stated firmly, her childish antics forgotten as a commander like persona now stands before them fit for the leader of a once dominant clan "You Naruto Uzumaki-Namikaze; ney…" shaking her head "…forgive me. From this point you shall only be known by all from this point forward as Xinaru Nohara-Uzumaki." Something deep within Naruto seemed to just click into place, causing him to tilt his head in confusion "…and as a thank you…" Nariaki continued looking from Xinaru to Rin, "…I, Nariaki Uzumaki, as First Matriarch hereby adopt you, Rin Nohara, and your family going forth as one of our own."

"Wai… there's no need." The flustered medical shinobi waving her unoccupied hand around "I was just…"

"We know, dear." Mito speaking up this time with a smile "…but as Lady Nariaki has stated, this is all we can do to thank you for taking in Xinaru." She bowed "Thank you again." The other elders all bow to the lone brownette who's cheeks burn a bright red, clearly not liking being the centre of attention, this time however she was the one to receive a supportive hand squeeze. Looking down, she came eye to eye with her son "Ka-chan, it's okay now, right?" head tilted left causing the woman to smile and nod "Yeah. Everything is okay." The child nodded sagely before they both look forward only for Nariaki to be looking at them Intently, eyebrows furrowed "What?"

"I have a question, just out of curiosity… if you don't mind that is?" the first Matriach proposed causing Rin to nod allowing her to continue "Xinaru… it's a rather…" hands gesturing lazily around as she tries to verbalise her thoughts "Unique?" supplied Rin with a flat look at the woman who nodded "Why Xinaru?"

"It's actually really simple." Rin replies looking down at her son in name, and unknowingly blood now too curtesy of one clan of seal masters, "Well, my family formally resided in the Land of Fang where Xin is a commonly used name but for me, he is my heart. In recent years, I have been spiralling." Finally looking back at the group at large "It was pretty obvious." Looking to the Senju's, who had been talking with Mito quietly until now "Were it not for the Senju's… and later, Naru… I may have done something stupid." Rin admits with flustered cheeks.

"I see." Nariaki speaking gently, allowing the woman to recompose herself and elegantly ignoring the drying of her tears "I then attached Xin, to his more popular name of Naru. Thus getting Xinaru. It also just so happens that my father's name was Zi Xin Nohara." Rin explained with a raspberry poking forward, successfully breaking the growing sober atmosphere "It is a fine name so going forward on the clan scroll and any official documentation it will reflect that as such." Nariaki explained gesturing to the crystal behind, where a large scroll sat resting against the Chakra construct.

"Time is running short Lady Nariaki…" one elder informs gaining a sigh from those confronting their family "Right. The last thing I wish to ask of you, Rin Nohara-Uzumaki." Spoke Nariaki formally, her visage hardened with a stiff yet commanding presence which forced said Kunoichi's retort "Take the Clan scroll with you. We'll wait two days before activating it. This will alert our remaining clansmen to your position as new Matriach, and their dreams will guide them to you."

"Matriach?" stammered a flustered Rin but another hand squeeze from her son shut her mouth "As Xinaru will be the next clan head, assuming he takes a clan bride, you will run it until he is competent enough to do so alone." Nariaki stony visage breaks into a smile "…and we, as a clan, trust you with this entirely…" as the chakra mirages begin to disperse into blue particels "…and to rebuild what is shattered by the hand of a mother whose love knows no bounds. Sounds pretty epic… no?" Nariaki's childishness broke through at the end as the elders all returned to the pure lands, and everything went black.

Wave Country; Daimyo's Office

The day after their expedition to the ruined Eddie village, finds Tsunade and Rin in the office of the Daimyo explaining the situation to him. "So, let me get this right…" the man spoke calmly with a sagelike voice "You want to build a shinobi clan compound within my domain for the forsaken Whirlpool clan survivors, that happen to be coming here soon?"

"In short, yes." Spoke Tsunade with her arms crossed, bust raised for maximum seductive performance "Well, with all the benefits you explained, may I ask why the leaf would be so generous for us housing this clan in their stead?" Krush asked with a brow raised "Short answer, Politics." The Senju matriarch states blankly having noticed her opponents' eyes had not wondered at all "As a scattered clan…" Rin speaking up softly this time "…their opponents within the Leaf Village itself will be many and much more capable."

"Exactly, and despite being of the Senju myself…" Tsunade jumping in here "…and all the sway that has will not be able to protect her clan from vultures that circle for more malicious means to gain power."

"I see." The man sighs hard as he contemplates going forward, his countries prospects and with a direct connection to a village without the overhanging threats of officall joining the Land of Fire politically.

Wave Country; Park

Surena and Naruto can be found standing on two tree's some distance away from one another, tossing a heavy ball whilst remaining stuck to its surface in a game the Senju Clan adopted to train their chakra control. "Good. You're getting better at this…" spoke the blonde kunoichi to her favourite nephew, "It won't be long before we up the weights!" this statement caused the red head, who now supported the same purple cheek markings as Rin, a parting gift from the elders who apparently heard his deepest request to be like his mother figure, to pale considerably.

Unbeknownst to the duo, a family of new arrivals witnessed the display and lack of headbands, tacking a gamble the male light greyish skin, short spiky black hair, dark brown eyes, and small eyebrows. His narrow jawline carried a tight smile, barely revealing his jagged teeth that denoted his former affiliation, "…should we leave?" the pale young woman from his side, her thick black hair carried down her back like a waterfall though the two long bangs over the front of her face were secured away from her face with bandages.

"No." the tall protector of the woman, and her son, spoke softly as his eyes finally spot their clan crests, the woman was a Senju. It was well known that the Senju are a clan that will offer up a helping hand first, fight later. The latter was always an unstoppable force, so much so that it was considered suicide to provoke the clan despite its now lack of numbers. Getting back on track "She may be able to help us in fact." Looking to his self-appointed charges "That's a Senju clansman. They prefer peace and are a very helpful bunch. Stay here, I'll approach alone; I doubt there will be trouble."

"No need for that." A new voice caught them all off guard, the former seven swordsmen pulled a hidden Kunai as he turned to find the blonde senju at a respectable distance in a relaxed stance. It was clear at a glance that she wished them no harm and was simply curious at their presence "May I ask what a shinobi of the mist swordsmen are doing this far away from home?" arms crossed as her brown eyes flowing from one adult to the next, then to the child and her gaze softens "…and with two Yuki-clansmen no less." This caused a flinch from the woman who clutched her son's hand tighter and yet before the taller man could speak, the senju spoke up "I see. You're seeking refuge away from the purge, yes?"

"How'd…?"

"Seven swordsmen, in disguise and lacking headband standing defensively around known bloodline holders. It's rather simple." The senju states "Then…"

"You can stay with us, sure. Though, I'll have to tell my mother of your arrival though she won't doubt of your sincerity, but you'll have to ask permission from the Uzumaki clan Matriach for a house in their compound here."

"Uzumaki?" the man asks with a raised eyebrow before recalling the boys' attire, the back containing the red swirl "Ah, is this…?"

"Yeah." The woman confirmed "We Senju are here to assist our cousin clan finish setting back up here."

"So, we're safe? We can stay?" the woman's voice trembled but before the Senju could respond another voice answered in her place "Yes." All eyes snapping to it revealing one Tsunade Senju, flanked by Rin Nohara, "May we ask for your names?"

"Zabuza Momochi; Seven swordsmen of the Mist. I was about to go rogue but stumbled upon these two being hunted down by their own villagers. I smuggled them out and found ourselves here." Zabuza states knowing full well that right now, he couldn't overpower this gathering of shinobi but also knew that they are non-hostile. "We can keep them safe, and you can go back to see if you save any others." Tsunade offered to which the swordsmen though on the proposal for but a minute before nodding "Yeah. Then, if I get caught…?"

"Escape and we will welcome you here." Rin stated causing the swordsmen to nod "Very well." Before turning to his charges "In that case, I'll see if I can find your cousin and her family."

"Thank you for saving us, Zabuza-kun." The woman bowing, child following his mother's example.


A/N: It's common knowledge that the Senju and Uzumaki are cousin clans, thus the daughter of Asura and his wife (OC). Nariaki, might be used again but very sparingly. As their isn't much regarding the Uzumaki clan in the early days, I had to make some things up.

The next chapter will revolve around Rin and Naruto's growth together, Wave's changes, and the ending is the thraughting of Gatō.