"Do you think we're going to have to maintain the Soul Projection for much longer?" Yūshirō asked, somewhat nervously. "Mom's going to have a fit when she finds out that I—"

Naruto wrapped an easy arm around his son's sturdy shoulders, cutting the anxious tirade off. He had hoped, in the past, to do what Sarutobi had done for him: constantly reminding his son of a non-existent past in which he had been amazing at everything, including having a naturally larger frame, but it was hard to do with this sort of massive little monster.

"If she finds out." He said easily. "I won't tell Yugito if you won't."

"…Is this the basis of your relationship?"

"Soldier!" Naruto barked back. "Are you a shinobi or not? Secrecy is our lifeblood."

Yūshirō didn't fall for it, even though Naruto had the commanding presence down to a tee. However, a traitorous grin pulled at his lips. A few meters away, Yoisen watched them fondly, and her eyes seemed a bit wet.

And next to her, of course, was her long departed sister. Asura's lover, and the matriarch of both the Senju and Uzumaki clans; Naotora.

Naruto and his son had elected to give the two some privacy, leaving them to talk alone, in a sound bubble Yūshirō erected. It seemed a rather emotional reunion, too.

Strangely enough, however, was the fact that although Naotora had eyed Naruto with more than a fair amount of suspicion, most of the outright hostility seemed to be fading as the two spoke. He idly wondered what Yoisen was saying exactly. What he could tell, though, was that she seemed rather animated. More than she usually was.

All in all, it was a rather solemn affair. But it had also lasted for a long while. Long enough for the three bystanders to turn to other, more casual matters.

"Eh." Naruto turned to his son and shrugged. "It's fine anyway, it's not our souls that we are projecting. The dead are easier. No real danger here."

That did it.

"That we're projecting?" Matatabi snapped. "Which part are you projecting, exactly, aside from your supposed involvement in this? You have become entirely useless at last, Uzumaki Naruto!"

"Tabi, please!" Yūshirō interjected. "That's not nice."

"Nah it's fine." Naruto shrugged. "Let her take her frustrations out on me — the heavens know this pussy — sorry, demon cat — needs it."

"Dad, please!"

"Do not speak to me that way, human—"

"Would you prefer a more formal address?" Naruto offered, his tone dry.

"I would rather you do not speak to me at all."

Naruto gave his son a long look, pursing his lips — 'See?'

Yūshirō, seemingly unsure what to make of the entire situation, as well as the one-sided dislike between two of the most important people in his life he was growing to learn more about with each passing day, just gave a weak smile.

"…Should we tell Uncle Sasuke about this?" He asked. "If I understand this correctly, she was… she was…"

"Asura's wife?" Naruto asked, before nodding. "She was. But don't concern yourself with it, I'll take responsibility for it when I tell him." He paused. "If Hinata decides to tear me apart in an unwarranted jealous fit, please tell your mother I loved her—"

"Auntie's not like that." Yūshirō shook his head.

"…Has she calmed down over the years?" Naruto mused aloud. "Because if not, you're only able to say this because you haven't seen the way she used to look at some of Sasuke's would-be-suitresses. He was a rather eligible bachelor, once."

"Is that a dig at him? Why?"

Naruto blinked. Perhaps the future really was a different time. "Does he need a reason to criticize me, these days?"

"…Not really." Yūshirō admitted. "He's pretty casual about it."

"Ah." Naruto sighed in near relief.

"…Say, Dad." Yūshirō said, slowly, hesitantly, waiting for Naruto to nod. "…Is it true that you've got children in every city?"

Naruto paused. "Where did you hear this?"

"Gama mentioned it."

"Ah." Naruto smiled. "You had me worried, for a second. Thought it was a reliable source."

"What?" Yūshirō exclaimed. "I thought that you — I even defended you — I — Were you really—"

"Not me." Naruto interrupted him. "But I don't know what the Shadows were up to, over the years, aside from Kaitaro and Hotaru."

While the former had apparently gotten married, the latter and Tayuya were still in that uncertain phase where none of them had confirmed anything to Naruto.

"Oh." Yūshirō breathed out.

"You shouldn't listen to everything Gama says, is my opinion." Naruto finally said. "I think he assumed a few things about me — wrongly, usually. But if you need it, I can clarify our marital arrangement."

"I—I'd rather not." Yūshirō replied quickly, wincing.

They settled into comfortable silence again.

It wasn't long before Naotora made eye contact with Naruto. Eyeing him, she made a motion so furtive and stiff it took him a second to understand she was beckoning him to come to her.

"Ah." He said to his worried son, rather casually. "…Here comes my favorite part."

He walked toward them.

"Naotora." Naruto began, his voice low and falsely even.

They really hadn't had the easiest of times or relationships, back then.

She eyed him warily, her stance unyielding. And as always, she didn't waste much time.

"You carry the spirit of Indra."

The name sounded like a curse, in her mouth. And still, there was something like pity in her eyes — almost. That very same compassion as always.

Naruto nodded. "That's right."

"That is a heavy shadow to emerge from. How can I trust the vessel of a man who once sowed so much discord?" She asked. "A man who brought mankind more trouble, on his very own merits?"

Yoisen sighed but Naruto spoke before she could. "I can't undo the past, and I can't erase those deeds. Nor am I trying to. But I will say this: I strive to mend what was broken."

"Mending is a long process." She said quietly. Neutrally, as though she herself hadn't had the displeasure of knowing just how terrible things could become. As though she didn't know, the same way any of them did, how much bad blood there was between them. "It involves more than just… good intentions. It involves proving oneself."

"Have I not shown proof of my change?"

She made a derisive noise. "Easy words to say, are they not?"

"In that case, know that I was and remain committed to continually proving myself." Naruto asserted, his gaze firm. "If the dead have said nothing of this, then perhaps the Sage has? Would his word be enough?"

There was a brief silence as Naotora considered his words, her eyes flicking to Yoisen for a moment. Yoisen's expression was supportive, encouraging even, as she stood slightly behind Naotora, a gentle hand resting on her shoulder.

"…Yoisen believes in you." Naotora finally said, turning back to Naruto. "And thus, I am tempted to say I believe she is a fool, still."

The sheer offense on Yoisen's face was a sight to behold — pure irritation, the sort of thing only siblings could bring to one, even after a thousand years.

Naotora then sighed. "But she has changed." She glanced at Yoisen, seemingly lost in thought. "…More than I thought she still could. She reminds me of who she used to be. Before… everything."

Before you.

Yoisen only gave her sister a sad smile, and Naruto took her hand in his. Naotora watched it happen with an unreadable expression.

"…She sees something in you that I am unsure exists." Naotora said, before sighing again. "Perhaps I am too blinded by the past to see it, however."

"Sister." Yoisen said quietly.

"It does not matter." Naotora said. "I am well and truly dead."

Yoisen said nothing.

A grudge that went beyond even death was rare, but not unheard of. One that lasted for that long was even rarer, however. Not that there was much Naruto could say about it. It was justified.

"…But I am willing to observe, to see if the man you claim to be is truly who you are now."

Naruto's response was a nod. "That's all I can ask for."

"You cannot ask for anything." Naotora's eyes narrowed slightly, the steel in her voice undiminished by the specter of the afterlife. "Not from me. Not from anyone you wronged."

He shook his head. "I agree. But you know exactly what I meant."

She took a deep breath, the tension in her posture easing somewhat. "…We will see. Time will tell the truth of your intentions."

He nodded, and some of the tension in Naotora's eyes receded. There was a knowing look there. As though she knew exactly what his intentions were.

Perhaps she did.

"You're right. The future is ours to shape, isn't it?" Naruto replied, his eyes locking with hers. "Some choices we make can bind not just our own fates… but entwine the lives of others."

She got it. Yoisen, who was watching, didn't understand, and her eyes darted between them, confusion clear.

"…You seek my blessing, implicitly." Naotora stated, her voice carrying no surprise. "And I believe you already suspect my answer. However, my time has long passed. The dead should not influence the living."

"Maybe not." Naruto admitted. "I'd still like to hear it from you. No matter the fact I do know your answer."

A small smile flickered across Naotora's face, momentarily softening her stern expression. "I find this notion rather ridiculous, especially in light of that fact, but I… appreciate that you would ask at all."

Naruto shrugged. "And who's to say I'm not asking just to honor part, at least, of the tradition?"

Naotora let out a full, rich laugh, and then her brow furrowed a bit as she gave him a speculative look.

"No." She said, looking him in the eye with a bit of wonder. "In that, at least, you remain unchanged."

HAND IN HAND, HEART TO HEART

There were ten thousand things they could have mentioned that could have turned the conversation rather sour, in spite of time's passing and death itself.

But they didn't, and the tension in the air between Naruto and Naotora, mostly, eventually receded. The sisters exchanged more words that Naruto didn't hear, Naotora told Yoisen she would come visit her again, Yoisen cried a bit, and that was it.

Then came the time for Naotora to leave, and after she bid her sister a fond farewell, she gave Naruto, his son, and Matatabi a last lingering look. And slightly surprisingly, she wished for them to take care.

Naotora's spirit departed.

"Thank you, Yūshirō, Matatabi." Yoisen said, her voice breaking the stillness. Her smile was bright despite the redness rimming her eyes. "It meant a lot to me."

The Bijū only shrugged, clearly disinterested in a woman who was both Naruto's lover and Indra's former accomplice.

"Ah." Yūshirō rubbed the back of his head. "Don't sweat it — Boruto would have done it for you, too."

"Maybe, but his mother has all-seeing eyes." Naruto countered. "Which meant he was never really an option."

Yūshirō's face fell slightly, a frown forming as he looked down. "And I was the second best?"

There was a brief pause, a silent exchange of looks among them. Yoisen glanced at Naruto, her eyes carrying a touch of reproach.

"Third choice, actually." Naruto said with a grin. "Mitsuki was too busy with domestic matters — and a hundred wives, really…? That guy really can't stop himself, huh…? Also, I'm not falling for this; you've been faking it since you were four or so."

Yūshirō sighed. "Aw, shucks."

"You can't teach an old dog new tricks, Yūshirō."

His son shot him a wry look, amusement twinkling in his eyes. "I noticed, yeah."

Yoisen stifled a laugh, her shoulders shaking gently.

"All right." Yūshirō clapped his hands. "Do I bring you two home? And you too, Matatabi—" He glanced around.

The Bijū was gone already, in fact.

"Are you in a rush?" Yoisen asked.

"Uh, no, but I thought that…" He trailed off. "You know? That you'd feel, like, down? After…?"

Shinobi had a rather peculiar world view, on top of the dubious morality, and it was apparent to Naruto that this was one aspect Yugito had not tried to pass down to their son. Good.

"Want to go for ice cream?" Naruto asked with a grin. "I remember you had quite the sweet tooth."

"Dad!" Yūshirō said, reddening. "I'm not a child anymore!"

"…Is ice cream only for children, now?" Naruto glanced at Yoisen in question, who shook her head, equally unaware.

"No, but…" Yūshirō rubbed his neck again. "Alright, fine. Let's go for ice cream."

"Great!" Naruto grinned. "I saw an ice cream parlor in Kaminohara just yesterday."

"…Kaminohara?" Yūshirō frowned slightly. "That's on Ring Three, isn't it? Rather far from Umi. And I don't have any coordinates saved, there. Only the default Waygate. What were you doing there?"

Naruto sighed. "You'll pardon your old man for still having a social life in spite of his age…"

"That's not what I meant."

"Of course…" Naruto nodded. "I understand the reason. That is quite a long distance to cover from the main Waygate."

Naruto didn't need to even glance at her for Yoisen to play along. "It is true that the city is rather distant, perhaps too far to even consider—"

"I'll take you!" Yūshirō said, grabbing their arms.

As they vanished in a flash of power, Naruto shot Yoisen an amused grin. The young one had his pride, after all.

And then they were soaring through the skies, a bright flash of blue light, rushing forward.

"That's rather fast." Naruto said mildly. And rather controlled, too, considering he was handling a load of two additional people.

Yūshirō shot him a thumbs up. "I got clearance, don't worry!"

"Is Mitsuki going to be happy about such a use of it?" Yoisen asked.

"…Uh." Yūshirō muttered. "To tell you the truth, I'm not quite sure."

"Do you want me to tell him it was my idea, maybe?" Naruto asked.

"No." Yūshirō said. "That would be nepotism."

"Don't tell Sakura you said that — she hates moralists."

Yūshirō snorted. "Okay, but doesn't she hate like… most people?"

"Of course." Yoisen nodded.

Down below, Naruto could see a rush of motion and color that his eyes could still make sense of, even now, without chakra. Perhaps, just perhaps, this all wasn't so bad.

"You clearly can manage." Naruto began, because he still was a bit of a battle junkie. "Do you do the same when you fight? Are you using Lightning Prediction to read moves — and movement — ahead of time?"

"I have absolutely no idea what you're talking about." Yūshirō said.

"…No?" Naruto muttered.

"Reading the electric signals that your opponents — and allies — emit to telegraph their moves in advance?" Yoisen clarified.

There was a pause as Yūshirō processed the question, his eyes flicking back to distance. "That sounds like something out of a sci-fi series." He finally replied, amusedly. "No, I don't have that kind of ability — I don't think anyone does, really. That's way too precise. My tactics are a lot simpler."

Yoisen glanced at him, and Naruto nodded, a wistful smile playing at the corners of his lips. "Too precise, huh?" He turned his gaze back to the landscape. "Oh, well, I guess you're right. There's elegance in simplicity, too."

Yūshirō smiled, his eyes reflecting a wisdom that went beyond his years. "You taught me that, Dad."

"…Did I?"

"Well, yeah. You said that the best movies were the ones that don't need a lot of special effects to be powerful." Only silence answered Yūshirō, before Yoisen chuckled and glanced away. "Like the flat movies, or those without color. Remember?"

"…I just didn't want to watch any more car movies." Naruto admitted, and his son shot him an utterly betrayed look. "I told you that too, but you weren't listening."

"I thought that was hyperbole!"

"In what way?" Naruto grunted. "I had to sit through three of them every week."

"Well, Auntie Karin loved them!"

"Her taste is… non-standard, admittedly."

As she watched the two squabble, Yoisen could only smile. She was well and truly home.

"Welcome to the Tower of Recursion." A man's voice greeted. "The systems tell me you haven't been registered before, so…" A pause. "Wait. Are you…?"

"Yes, that's right." Sakura confirmed with a nod. "We're here to set a new high score."

It wasn't exactly what the man had meant, and Hanabi knew it.

"Are you… Uzumaki Sakura? And Uzumaki Hanabi?" He asked, somewhat incredulously. "The Uzumaki—"

"Yup." Hanabi nodded easily. "Yūshirō told us about this place."

"I think that in retrospect, he's going to regret it pretty soon." Sakura said. "Where can we check the leaderboard?"

"…There are no leaderboards." The man said, shaking his head.

"I'm not asking for the official answer." Sakura said with a laugh.

"I mean it. All we have are the records. The King never intended for this to be a competition in this sense. And while I'm honored by your presence, and cannot thank you enough for all your efforts, there are no leaderboard—"

"I'll trade you a Rinnegan for access to the records."

"…Come this way."

Sakura and Hanabi exchanged a rather indiscreet fist bump. Five minutes later, and they were staring at a chart of data, compiled into a leaderboard of sorts, through the use of an AI.

"Mitsuki is leading, then?" Sakura asked, humming in satisfaction. "He reached the ninety-sixth floor. My student, truly. What a surprise…"

She sounded a bit too pleased with herself, and Hanabi sighed. "…What did you ever teach him, aside from an unhealthy fascination for power acquisition?"

"Did he need anything else?" Sakura asked neutrally. "Boruto is rather good, too, but I don't think your training made any major difference, considering Sarada also reached Floor Ninety—"

Hanabi shrugged, but there was this very same competitive glint, worming its way in her eyes. "That hardly proves anything. The only way would be to go in by ourselves."

"Are you sure…?" Sakura asked, idly scratching her chin. "With you chakra being as it is, perhaps—"

"Bah!" Hanabi cut her off. "I don't need a Chakra Mode — or eyes, even. I'm sure Toru would go in without chakra at all." She grinned. "And by the time he does, I want him to see my name up there, leading, up somewhere with yours. Oh, the face he'll make will warm my heart during even the harshest of winters."

There was a pause.

"…Let's go for a team session, then?" Sakura asked with a grin.

"You got that right."

Ten minutes later, the registration process was completed. Two minutes after that, on the fifth floor, Makora, Warrior or Renewal, was scattered to the winds, falling to a Void Palm that Hanabi had deemed insufficient.

Roku had been busy for hours when he finally sat down for lunch with his daughter.

The sun was high when Roku finally settled into an old, creaking chair in the shade. He'd been repairing the fence since dawn, the kind of labor that reminded him of his days as a team leader — structured, demanding, necessary.

Except he did it only because he wanted to, these days. There was comfort in routine.

Across from him, Mina arranged her plate with a meticulous care that seemed almost comical contrasted with Roku's slapdash heap of food. She was a teenager, teetering on the edge of childhood and whatever came next, eyes bright with a curiosity that never seemed to wane. For Roku, his daughter was a mystery he'd committed himself to understanding; a commitment forged not by blood but by choice.

Which still felt like a new thing, even years later.

"How were your lessons today?" Roku asked, his voice rough like gravel, not quite shaking off the morning's silence.

Mina looked up, a smile breaking across her face. "It was interesting. We started learning about the solar system. Did you know that there's a universe out there where Earth has seventy-nine moons?"

"Seventy-nine?" Roku raised an eyebrow, a playful note in his tone. "They must've been busy since I was in school."

She laughed, her joy as clear and lifting as the breeze. "Maybe they were just hiding from you. You're kinda scary, Dad."

"Could be." He replied, the lines around his eyes deepening with his smile. Roku took a bite of his sandwich, the bread tougher than he liked but still palatable — he still wasn't a great cook, admittedly.

Watching Mina talk about outer space, her hands waving with excitement, he felt a warmth that outshone the sun above.

"What about you, Dad? What have you been up to today?"

"Ah, just fixing up the fence. Boring stuff, you know." He waved a hand dismissively towards the yard.

The smile faded slightly from Mina's face, replaced by a thoughtful look. "Boring, maybe, but it's important to you, right? Kind of like the stars — they might look the same night after night, but they're doing important work up there."

Roku paused, his sandwich halfway to his mouth.

"…Yeah, I guess so." Roku admitted, a chuckle escaping him. He glanced over at the fence, sturdy and newly upright, the result of this morning's efforts. "It keeps things together."

Mina nodded, her smile returning. "Exactly! "

It wasn't the first time, but Roku realized that his daughter was no longer just the little girl who needed guidance. Rather, a young woman with dreams as vast as the universe. In the quiet of their backyard, shaded by an old tree, he felt the gentle passage of time and the only duty that, to him, didn't feel like a burden: the responsibility of fatherhood.

As they finished their lunch, their conversation meandering from stars to fences, Roku felt a reassuring certainty in his life's choices — harsh at times, solid and necessary, much like the sun and the stars that anchored the night sky.

The heart of the collapsed building was dank and dark, with gray stone sprawled haphazardly on damp soil.

"Bad warding scheme." Fleur clucked, tapping her wand against one of the stones. "It wouldn't have lasted more than another decade even if the battle had taken place elsewhere."

Nacchan grinned. "I know. You've been dawdling. Are you feeling claustrophobic right now?"

Fleur hmphed. "As if. A Veela does not fear the dark. We—"

"Make our own light. Of course, dear."

She preened, the way he knew she would. He followed her light as she led them toward a gaping maw of a wall.

He wasn't necessarily spending a lot of time upon the Celestial Ring, but well, they did have the most interesting assignments — and it helped that Mitsuki was not entirely above nepotism, in a few specific cases. Remote worlds, places where common sense didn't apply, where impossible magics were commonplace. Where else could he continue to learn about just how much was possible, out there…?

Besides, they had received Sarada's letter. They'd be back soon, bringing with them stories of adventures that their children would love.

Some of his coworkers indulged in smoke breaks.

Gama, however, much like his friend and peer Roku, preferred the occasional cigar — something he might have gotten from him in the first place. Though both habits were likely questionable, they were rather common in the research teams. And such concerns were trivial for him, considering his ability to heal from any self-inflicted damage within a mere minute.

Besides, it wasn't just about indulging a vice — although he, as always, rather enjoyed that part.

Gama loved his work with computers: days spent navigating holographic screens, algorithms that fascinated him; both were as much of a joy to him as his family. But even he needed moments away from rooms that constantly hummed with machinery.

Hebi and Jiraiya often reminded him of the necessity of these breaks. "You're more than the sum of your work." Jiraiya would say with a knowing smile.

"Touch some grass, occasionally." Hebi would say, rolling her eyes.

Ryūko, of course, was more lenient about his work habits — but the same way, she didn't understand the whole point of smoking tobacco.

Besides, Gama usually found easy conversation in these smoke breaks. Whether it was friendly coworkers, Hebi's occasional appearance or Jiraiya's hearty laughter, he rarely found himself alone.

No one expected the King to be in Konoha's Sushi Universe.

Especially not in the middle of the week with a grand total of five other customers present. The King sat comfortably in a booth, happily munching on a colorful assortment of sushi rolls. He was dressed casually in a tight black shirt and flowing white pants — a stark contrast to his usual regal attire.

Behind the bar, the chefs worked at a leisurely pace, occasionally glancing over at him with subtle nods of respect.

The door to the traditional restaurant creaked open, and Tanabe Mai stepped inside.

"Mitsuki-sama!" She said. "Kaitaro-sama hinted you might be here, but I hardly believed it…"

The King looked up from his meal with a warm smile. "Ah, Mai, it's refreshing to be out and about now and then." He replied. "Please, join me."

"I wouldn't want to impose—"

"Nonsense." The King waved her concerns away with a casual flick of his wrist. "I insist. It's rare that I get to enjoy your company one on one."

Mai paused, a hint of amusement flickering in her eyes. Was he flirting with her? Despite knowing him well, his enigmatic nature often left her guessing, especially given his marital status. Not that she had much interest in someone she had seen grow up. Or for romantic relationships in general.

"…Very well." Mai said. "You'll forgive my curiosity, but how did you stumble across this place?" And how did Kaitaro know…?

The King's smile broadened. "It was recommended by someone whose opinion I greatly value. He used to eat here often."

Of course.

Itachi put his pen down beside the scroll of good washi paper.

Although more efficient methods to capture thoughts existed, he clung to the traditional ink and brush. It was a simple matter to digitize these writings anyway, and the same way, the reverse was just as straightforward.

As he wrote, his thoughts drifted. Why commit these thoughts to paper? Who was he to discourse on themes of peace and war, the ebb and flow of history? The elder generation lingered still, with ageless bodies. Certainly, others were better equipped to explore these topics.

Naruto, for instance, had penned volumes on such matters, his style fluctuating unpredictably between casual and scholarly. And yet, Itachi persisted.

Wasn't the knowledge he offered already circulating through spoken word? With so many diverse cultures converging on the Celestial Rings, did his efforts not verge on redundancy?

Despite these doubts, his perfectionist nature compelled him to continue. And it made it rather laborious work, penned through the odd moments of quiet.

Over the years, he had meticulously documented his experiences, not solely for historical record but perhaps to enlighten those interacting with former shinobi. This labor, though painstaking, was his attempt to bridge understandings, to clarify the nuanced legacies of their shared past.

He gazed out of the window of the Hokage's study. The tranquil gardens of Konoha spread before him, and they were a stark contrast to the battlefields he still saw in his dreams. It was, to him at least, the most beautiful scene he could imagine, even now.

The knock at the door momentarily pulled him from his reverie. Seconds later, his daughter burst into the room, pulling him out of it, her voice bubbling with excitement as she shared the events of her day. She was a child born into peace, untouched by the shadows of war — a gift beyond measure.

Ah.

Perhaps he was hoping to connect with the next generation, as well. He was not alone in this aspiration, he was sure of it. But perhaps there would be a better moment for it: today was a sunny day, too.

The ink dried on the paper.

"How do you know when you're ready to be a dad?" Shisui echoed, sounding as though he couldn't believe a single word about the question.

But Toru only nodded. Beside him, Anko's initial chuckle morphed into full-blown laughter. Both men turned to her, their expressions a mirror of mild offense.

"Sorry, sorry." She said, still laughing. "It's just — You're asking at the wrong door."

"Knocking. Not asking." Shisui folded his arms. "…She's not entirely wrong, though." He admitted, his voice carrying a hint of amusement. "Why not ask Itachi, or even Sasuke?"

"Or Yūshirō?" Anko said, rather seriously.

Shisui whirled on her. "What did you just—" His words were cut off by another burst of laughter from Anko. Shisui exhaled sharply, a puff of frustration escaping him. "…Very funny."

"So?" Toru pressed, his patience thinning. "Because I am starting to feel as though I would have gotten better advice from Naruto, at this point."

"Don't bring that man into the conversation." Shisui groused, shaking his head. "But what's this about? Did Hanabi suddenly decide to have children and you feel like you have to keep up—"

"…Do you think I'm that dumb?" Toru retorted sharply, his eyes narrowing.

"No, no, of course not, but I know how you two can be…" Shisui hurried to clarify, his hands raised in a placating gesture.

A pause. Toru stared at him.

Shisui scratched the back of his neck, feeling rather unsure. "…Why did you come to me?"

Toru looked at him as though he were particularly stupid.

"Well, you're also my brother, aren't you? Why should I even need to go to Itachi?"

"You want to do the kitchen in tile or hardwood?" Ino asked.

"Why not marble?" Karin asked back.

"Because it's already everywhere." Ino said, before glancing at the projected sheet of information. "We'll need about—"

"I kinda want to replace the kitchen counters, too."

"You want the counters taken out?" Ino asked, sounding slightly concerned.

"Yeah." Karin confirmed, then noticed Ino's expectant look for further explanation. "I don't like them anymore."

"The kitchen's basically all yours already."

"Naruto cooks for us." Karin shrugged. "And considering everything else was redone by you, last time…"

"I was just being tasteful." Ino hmphed, folding her arms defensively.

"Undoubtedly." Karin smiled. "How big are we expanding?"

"Who knows? That's why I prefer to stay on the safe side."

Because the house seemed to be absolutely crowded with people on most days since they had come back. From friends and family to distant relatives they barely remembered, but still welcomed in, to strangely obsessed admirers. After a few days of this constant flow, it was no surprise that Naruto, whose enthusiasm for social outings was notoriously low, had found an excuse to escape. The same thing went for three more of them.

And also…

"Ooh, what's this?" Ino's mother, Noriko, suddenly chimed in, her voice curious and slightly amused as she approached them. "Safe side?"

"Yup." Ino answered simply, not missing a beat.

Noriko scowled playfully at her daughter. "Were you doing this secret telepathy thing again?"

Ino chuckled, shaking her head. "Why would we bother?"

Before Noriko could respond, Yugito appeared behind her, smiling.

"Your mother is a force of nature." Yugito announced, placing her hands upon Noriko's shoulders. "She has been entertaining guests and planning things out."

"Well, of course." Noriko said, with a hint of pride. "It's not every day your daughter is trying for a child. Yū-chan might finally have siblings."

"Oh, wow." Ino said dryly, staring at Yugito. "I didn't take you, out of all people, for a sycophant. Are you trying to become the new favorite daughter?"

Yugito smiled innocently.

"What?" Noriko asked.

"What?" Karin said back, amused.

"What — Oh, I see your game." Noriko muttered. "You're lucky I like your lot. Now, why don't you come down and eat something? There's potato salad — Mebuki brought it."

"Did she put whole cloves of raw garlic in it again?" Ino asked. "Just asking out of morbid curiosity."

"It was not so bad!" Noriko defended. She paused. "Well, it kinda was — but that was years ago."

"She put in black olives and raisins." Yugito supplied, helpfully. "A lot of raisins."

They went down toward the guests, laughing.

"Nothing to say for yourself?" Boruto asked.

Sarada, arms crossed, met his gaze with a defiant lift of her chin. "No." She replied curtly. "I guess not."

Hermione, who had been poring over a thick tome, closed the book with a soft thud and turned to face them. "To think that after everything, you'd still deny eating them." She sighed.

"I didn't steal anyone's food." Sarada said firmly.

Boruto rubbed the bridge of his nose. "Hanami said she saw you do it."

"…Did she, now?" Sarada asked, turning to stare at the daughter in question.

"I saw you do it." Hanami confirmed, meeting Sarada's gaze without wavering. "So I told Dad."

Sarada said nothing.

"Something to add, Sarada?" Hermione's voice cut through the quiet.

"No, not really." Sarada said. "Except that some people should learn what's considered a public space for food. I didn't steal anything."

Boruto groaned.

At the ice cream parlor, people were giving the group a wide berth, and staring at them openly.

None of the three seemed to notice: Yūshirō was used to it, Naruto didn't look as though he cared, and Yoisen was apparently thinking of something else.

"I thought you gave them to her." Naruto said.

Yoisen shook her head. "I let Hanabi borrow them." She sighed, blowing a strand of hair away from her face. "I never expected her to keep them forever."

Yūshirō looked away from the appetizing flavors — vanilla — that seemingly spoke directly to his sweet tooth to glance at them. "The glasses Auntie's wearing? They look cool."

"I think it might have been the problem." Yoisen admitted.

"Why don't you get them back from her?"

"I tried, but…" Yoisen looked away. "…Sakura guilt-tripped me."

"Ah. That would do it."

Although she wasn't Ino, Sakura had a way with words — or rather, a way of saying such awful things out loud, seemingly without pausing to consider why it might not be a good idea — and could usually get people to do her bidding.

'Really, demon child, I'm not sure why you'd feel shy about such matters. We're talking about Anko's daughter. You used to shit yourself standing just fine.'

…Yeah.

The ice cream parlor was cheerfully old-fashioned. Red swivel seat lining the front of the counter, brightly lit and painted candy red and pink. A bell had tinkled when they passed the door.

Yūshirō's Ring Core sent a light pulse. He tended to ignore most messages while he was out with people, but this one, on the other hand…

14:16 There is something going on in the Tower of Recursion, I thought you might be interested :)

14:16 Are you with your father? I realize he might like to know as well. Do mention that the project was my initiative, and that I could use his opinion. Let me know if you both want to take a look. I find it rather intriguing..! :)

Perplexed, Yūshirō wondered what to send back.

"Is something the matter?" Yoisen asked.

"I'm not sure." Yūshirō said, frowning. "Mitsuki has been writing to me. He does that, from time to time."

"Oh?" Naruto asked. "What's up?"

"…He says that some people reached mid-floor nineties."

"Floor Nineties? What's that?"

"A high level — In the Tower of Recursion, I mean. One of the things that Mitsuki set up over the years — it's a… training area, a challenge of sorts."

"Ah, I see." Yoisen said, but she didn't. "And mid-nineties is good?"

"It's not just good, it's…" Yūshirō paused. "Well, it's basically never happened before."

"Oh, nice." Naruto said, sounding as though he had no particular idea what that meant at all.

"I…" Yūshirō began. "…Mitsuki offered to show me. Would you like to see?"

"Sure, why not?"

As they spoke, Yūshirō projected a screen upon thin air, one that flicked into life. Naruto and Yoisen huddled closer to him, eyes wide with matching curiosity. It was... Rather cute, if such a word could apply to them.

The screen displayed the inside of the Tower, but not the ongoing climb, which was what Yūshirō had wanted to show them.

"Can Mitsuki just see everywhere, then?" Naruto asked mildly. "That's kind of a breach in privacy, isn't it?"

"Rather so." Yoisen agreed.

"I think he and Boruto worked something out." Yūshirō pointed out. "…But yeah. He doesn't really see things that way, apparently."

Inside the Tower, there were people gathering, watching a screen of their own, in sheer amazement. Warning more people to come, that something 'incredible' and 'unseen' was happening right now—

14:19 Are you watching? :)

14:19 Should I have food delivered to wherever you are now? :)

14:20 Is the quality of vision sufficient? :)

Yūshirō's frown deepened as he divided his attention between Mitsuki and the screen where a vision unfolded: twin dragons, one shadowy, blurry and the other crackling with thunder, soared across a cloud-filled sky that blurred into the dark, star-speckled cosmos, creating a surreal spectacle.

Amidst this, in the foreground, a swift flicker of pink and brown darted through the clouds, bright with power.

Naruto chortled. "Figures." He said. "I think you can turn it off."

"Why would I?" Yūshirō asked, eyes fixed on the celestial battle.

"Because it is pretty much decided." Yoisen said, with a slight smile.

"Why?" Yūshirō asked. "Are the dragons that strong? Are Aunties in trouble—"

Naruto shrugged off the concern. "Nah. They'll win."

"So are you not interested?" Yūshirō asked, staring at the screen, where the highest level battle he had ever witnessed was still ongoing. No answer came. "…Dad?"

"Hmm? Oh, sorry." Naruto apologized, gaze shifting. "I was just wondering if you were going to eat all that."

Yūshirō frowned and pulled his cold plate of ice cream. "If you want more, you can always order more. Get your own."

"That's not it." Naruto said. "Just… How much are you eating?"

Yoisen chuckled. "Oh, that is rather ironic."

"Huh, what is?" Naruto questioned, turning towards her.

"I believe you know." She said, lightly touching the back of his hand.

He scowled slightly. "I was never that bad — Ino just exaggerates."

"Of course, she does." Yoisen's agreement sounded playfully insincere.

Through it all, Yūshirō couldn't help but notice the rather obvious fondness they had for each other. It was the same warm regard they extended to their other partners. In spite of conventional logic, it seemed to be working just fine for them.

It still felt like madness to him, however—

14:22 Those two always give me trouble, by the way :)

14:22 Not your aunties, I mean the twin kami. Both the intangibility and the shadows are rather problematic, when it comes to my own abilities. But this won't be a problem for them, I believe, whether Hanabi has access to her Mangekyō abilities or not :)

14:22 This is an incredible chakra economy on Hanabi, I have to say! To get that far, with lessened power, truly amazes me — I believe we are witnessing history in the making. Then again, she is fighting alongside my teacher, who might well be the strongest person in the world, right now! As expected of them… :)

14:22 But well, they might find an unpleasant surprise here, considering the dragons have spawned on a floor above Ninety. A surprise of the butterfly sort. It is far from over… By the way, have I ever shown you what always ends up being the Hundredth Floor fight? Or is this considered a spoiler? :)

14:22 And… what about the EX Fight? This one is a solo fighter — that's when he fights best :)

Rubbing his temples against the onslaught of messages, Yūshirō considered just muting the notifications. The worst part was that he was nearly certain Mitsuki was working at the same time, with barely any signs of slowing down.

"Do you participate in that contest as well?" Yoisen asked him.

"Oh? Yeah." Yūshirō said. "…But I never reached any higher than the Thirties." He paused. "Well, no. Fifties, when Harmonizing with Tabi—"

"…What's that?" Naruto asked.

Yūshirō frowned slightly. "I know she can be rude to you, but she is my trusted—"

"No." Naruto laughed. "Not Matatabi. Harmonizing."

"Huh? Oh, it's when Tabi and I fuse into a more powerful hybrid form together."

"What?" Yoisen asked, this time.

"It's like…" Yūshirō shrugged. "I don't know, but we figured it out, at some point." He paused. "Uncle Kage can do the same with Kurama. Some other people can do it too — I think?"

The fact checker confirmed it: there were a total of less than a hundred people who could.

"…That's not just fighting alongside your Bijū, is it?" Naruto asked. "Cause we figured that one out a while ago. Mine's a bit difficult to get along with, and believe me, I tried — it still hasn't figured out how to grow a conscience yet, but it is pretty young. It's always rambling about chaos and destruction." He paused, as though extending his ear. "…Yup, still is."

"No." Yūshirō shook his head. "It's the next level, I guess." He then sighed. "But it depends on the strength of the casters — And I'm not quite at Tabi's level yet…" He paused. "Ah, yeah. There's a level of compatibility required, too, aside from the high affinity and a few other complicated things. Mom can't do it." He paused again. "She's kinda sore about it, by the way. But that's probably because Tabi keeps on mentioning it."

A pause.

"…Dad?" Yūshirō asked slowly. It seemed a fire had lit inside his father's eyes.

"Oh, I have to know more about this." Naruto said.

"You can ask Boruto, I guess." Yūshirō said with a shrug. "He's the one who can tell when someone's ready."

"I'm more interested in the process."

"Same person." Yūshirō said. "But that's the sort of thing Mitsuki and Sarada explain better."

Yoisen smiled. "Less of…"

Yūshirō and she said it at the same time. "Fwoosh, swish, fwoosh." He laughed. "Yeah."

Naruto nodded. "We taught Boruto in our traditions."

Naruto watched him scarf down a full plate of sugar, seemingly impressed. And a bit horrified, too.

"…Uncle Bee told me it's important to eat a lot." Yūshirō justified himself. He paused. "I think he meant protein, but he's a bit old-fashioned."

"Uh huh."

"Do any of you two want coffee, by the way?"

They nodded, and more appeared in their cups. The conversation flowed easily, filled with updates on recent events and stories about people they hadn't seen in a while. Meanwhile, Yūshirō guided them through one of his training runs within the Tower.

"…No." Naruto shook his head. "I think Orochimaru is going to be rather busy."

"Is he?" Yoisen asked. "With the research he mentioned?"

"No." Naruto said. "Not just that, at least. Kaoru has adopted quite a few children over the years." He paused, barking a short laugh. "And apparently, that makes Orochimaru a big brother, now. And because he has some decency, he is helping her along."

She tried to stifle a chuckle by pretending to cough.

"Oooh." Naruto whistled, as he looked at the screen. A pillar of power was rising. "So that's Harmonization. Rather powerful."

"No, that's the Cat Cat King Gamble." Yūshirō shook his head.

"What's that? You youngsters and your names, I swear…" Naruto sighed. " And it's not that Demon Cat Mode, either? No wonder I'm confused."

"No, and that one is Demonic Thunder Cat Mode anyway." Yūshirō said, feeling slightly peeved by the honest mistake. "This is an Absolute Territory technique."

Naruto paused. Yoisen gave Yūshirō a rather proud look, and his cheeks reddened.

"Huh." Naruto said.

He paused some more.

"…Huh."

Yūshirō couldn't hide a pleased grin. "It's kinda unpredictable — though it works slightly better with Tabi around. It taps into my chakra and manifests several possible effects, at random."

"Randomly?"

"Yeah." Yūshirō said. "I'm not fully sure why, though I tried to make it more consistent."

"Well…" Naruto scratched his chin. "A Territory is a manifestation of your inner self, right? I assume that you being able to make use of one means you know yourself well."

"Guess so?"

Naruto gave him a sly smile. "Though I wouldn't have taken you for a gambler."

Yūshirō glanced away. "…I stay away from gacha, these days. Mom didn't really approve, either."

"I see." Naruto said with a laugh. "Now, I'm sure you already understand something like this is rather risky."

"Yeah." Yūshirō admitted. "But aside from the chakra I use to power it up, I don't lose much—"

"You're also opening yourself for a counterattack."

"…Yeah, that too."

"But I suppose that's an inherent binding, then." Naruto continued. "Not being able to choose what happens is a restriction on its own. There is power in that."

"…A binding?"

Naruto smiled. "That's a lesson for another day. Think of it as an inherent balance of sorts: I don't think your inner self wants to die."

"Probably not?"

"What do you summon, usually?"

"Depends." Yūshirō shrugged. "From nothing to an iron fan to a mallet to an eight-spiked shuriken… or temporarily boundless chakra?"

Naruto whistled. "Pretty nifty. But—"

"Yeah." Yūshirō admitted. "Not that useful, especially when Tabi can help me out with that part anyway. It's still limited by my output."

"Useful on your own, then."

"Yeah." Yūshirō said. "Practical for healing. I kinda wish I could modify the conditions, but, well, that's what I got."

"…But you can." Naruto said, with a knowing look.

"What?"

"Just because it's your inner world doesn't mean you can't change anything about it." Yoisen said.

"I tried!"

"The issue is…" Yoisen then glanced at Naruto. "Well, I think your explanation will be better than mine."

"Eh? I don't think that's true, but if you want…" Naruto shrugged, and the expression Yoisen leveled at him was so obviously full of love that Yūshirō felt as though he were witnessing something private. "Your technique is incomplete."

"…Really?" Yūshirō asked.

"Well, yeah." Naruto smiled. "The simple fact that Matatabi's help makes it more consistent should have told you that much."

"Eh, why is that?"

"It's supposed to be an inner domain." Naruto said.

Yūshirō stared at him blankly. "So?"

Naruto raised an eyebrow. "How is anyone other than Ino supposed to help you with making its inner component stable?"

"Uh…" Realization slowly dawned on him.

"Yeah." Naruto said. "That's an in-between technique — something that's too much Matatabi for it to truly work for you, and too much you to even work for her. You… Well, I suppose you two are really close, but…" He shrugged. "You basically just projected a big playground in which you both would play." Then, to himself, muttering. "And with Matatabi, too — No wonder the technique is unreliable."

"Hey, I heard that!" Yūshirō interjected. It did explain the capriciousness of it, to some degree, however. "…Damn it."

"It is rather impressive on its own, though." Yoisen pointed out, with a fond smile. "You must really care for her."

She didn't call Tabi it either, which kinda meant a lot to Yūshirō.

"…Yeah." Yūshirō admitted. He then sighed. "What else is wrong with it? You can be blunt—"

Naruto grinned. "Well, if you're sure. Your Yin affinity is barely trained at all, compared to your Yang, meaning a focus would normally be needed, but given the instability of a technique that requires two chakra systems — yours and Matatabi's — to compound together, despite their unusual resonance, it's likely to fail you for now. The core issue is that this technique heavily relies on Matatabi's… unpredictable essence. While you share a strong bond, it's not fully synchronized, leading to inconsistencies in how the technique manifests. At least, not as it should. I still need to ask about this Harmonization, but I suppose it's closer to a Confluence Binding, or perhaps a Spiritual Convergence than a full-on Compounding. Typically, a focus would help stabilize the chakra, but in this case, where your chakra must uniquely blend with Matatabi's, a standard focus really won't cut it. It's like trying to use a sieve to catch specific fish in the ocean; you might catch something, but not necessarily what you need. I'm not talking about the effect, that's another problem entirely. And frankly, operating this with two separate chakra systems should be done in tandem, which is difficult with such different energy signatures that aren't fully aligned. It's ambitious, sure, but it's also why you're seeing such erratic results."

Yūshirō paused, before letting loose a long sigh. "You don't have to do me like that in public, Dad."

It all sounded like it made sense, however.

"So, yeah." Naruto said. "I'd have to teach you how to fully master compounding first, likely. The theory, that is — the real thing is far too risky, overall, and that's me saying it. Worth knowing in case any life-or-death matter surfaces, but…"

"Got you, got you." Yūshirō grumbled.

"Aw." Naruto laughed, pinching his cheek. "See who's grumpy, now. I can't believe you were laughing at me creating some bastardized technique."

"…"

Yoisen was grinning, too. "The apple doesn't fall far from the tree after all, does it?"

Eventually, the sun set, and Yūshirō left them to meet some friends of his.

Yoisen couldn't shake off the impression he was going to see Yui, however. There had been something in his eyes, as he had watched her and Naruto talk, something that seemed slightly too much like belated realization. The same way, there had been an almost knowing look, aimed at his father, as he left.

"What was the meaning of this?" Yoisen asked Naruto.

He smiled — no, grinned. Eyes shining like twilight skies, holding the promise of a thousand dreams. "He's a cheeky little shit, that's all." A startled laugh escaped Yoisen. "…And aside from the fact he can read hearts, I think he just knows me well."

"He is your son." She said, touching his arm lightly.

"Come with me." He said. "I have something to show you."

There was a hint of suspicion in her. Something full of old uncertainties. "…Something you cannot show me here?"

He shook his head exaggeratedly. "No. You can only see it there."

The same hesitation. "…And I suppose it cannot wait, until… Until…"

"Until what?"

"…"

Naruto shook his head again. She would have found it hard to make him wait, anyway, although she feared what he would ask — his excitement was too infectious. Before, and on some darker days, there was the fear he might tire of her, thinking she was nothing but a burden to him, to them all. Especially now that she was powerless — comparatively so.

She was, admittedly, terrified of losing him. Losing them. That he would someday realize there was no point to her, that he could have something better, less broken, less covered in blood. Or that her dependency on him would drive him away. That he found her too clingy and hated it. Or that he merely tolerated her while she was useful, and that now, that time was about to be over. A nice limbo, while it lasted.

Of course, she knew there was nothing to support that theory, but feelings, especially those born out of past trauma, rarely abided by logic: there was no reason for him to spend time with her, nothing forcing him to.

However, she wasn't worried about that, in particular, tonight.

He stilled some of her worries with a sweet kiss, and then took her by the hand, leading her to the Kaminohara gardens. Even as her worry rose, she tried to convince herself there was nothing particular about them: certainly, the air was filled with the delicate fragrance of jasmine and lavender, a serene atmosphere that could have calmed her racing heart. Yes, that was true. Certainly.

It didn't have to mean anything.

For a while, they wandered between yew hedges, across emerald lawns, and down gravel paths.

"What am I meant to be looking at?" She asked, heart thumping out of her chest.

He smiled. "Nothing in particular. Or everything, I guess. I just thought the view was nice, honestly."

Yoisen took a look at everything, turning slowly. Away from the fountains and the flowers. To the stone archways and the shade of the trees.

"…It is."

"Yoisen." Naruto began, his voice gentle yet steady, "There's something I've been wanting to ask you."

She turned to face him, eyes, filled with curiosity and a hint of apprehension.

"The moon is beautiful tonight, isn't it?" Naruto said, his gaze drifting upwards to the glowing orb hanging in the twilight sky.

Oh, no.

It was a sentence that probably only made sense to her, these days — or to historians, perhaps. It was popularized at a time when directly expressing one's feelings was considered too blunt, and not aligned with modern (at the time) sensibilities, which favored a more subtle approach. This phrase was used then, as a way to convey deep affection in a more nuanced and poetic manner.

And considering she was well aware of his feelings, as he was of hers, it could only mean one thing. Her eyes widened slightly, her mouth fell open.

"Yes, it is." She said softly, voice barely above a whisper.

"Yoisen, I love you." He said. "I have, in some form, for as long as I've truly known you. Even in my darkest moments, you've stood by me, giving me hope and love. I can't imagine my life without you."

Oh. No.

Her heart faltered. She opened her mouth to speak, yet words failed her.

He reached up toward his ear, fingers deftly separating the magatama from its setting, holding it between them.

"Will you marry me, Yoisen?"

Yoisen's eyes shimmered with tears as she looked at the earring, then back at Naruto. Her heart swelled with an impossible mixture of emotions. She smiled a true smile, lovely in spite of the tears.

"I'm sorry, but I can't accept."

"You… you refused?" Ino asked, slowly.

There had been a celebration in the house, apparently. It was the only thing that could explain the unusual number of chairs drawn out. That, and the smell of alcohol upon Ino's breath — worse on Karin's. Yoisen's eyes traced the disorder, her heart weighed down by defeat.

"Yes." Yoisen affirmed, her tone resolute yet weary.

"…Why?" Ino asked, voice pitching quite high. Her disbelief, almost tangible. "I thought…" She trailed off.

Yoisen frowned. Must she be like that? After everything?

For once, she wasn't reading her thoughts, when it would make matters easier. Yoisen found her patience thinning. "Because, Ino, until you agree as well, this entire proposal is moot. How I feel about it doesn't matter. There, happy?"

A heavy silence settled over them, dense and uncomfortable.

"Is that why you avoided answering me, too?" Karin asked from the corner of the table, slowly.

Yoisen only nodded.

More silence.

Karin erupted into laughter, the sound free and uncontrollable. "I'm — I'm so sorry." She gasped between chuckles, trying to compose herself. "I…" Ino rolled her eyes.

Yoisen scowled at them both.

"Are you stupid?" Ino's bluntness cut through Karin's laughter. "Both of you. And Naruto, too. Especially him. I don't know exactly how he phrased it, but knowing him…" She let out an exasperated sigh. "Did you really think I wasn't aware that he was going to ask you? Or that I hadn't been approached about this already by them?"

Yoisen paused, her response faltering. "…Uh?"

"For real?!"

Yoisen hesitated, her voice faltering. "The... line of communication didn't always seem entirely clear, especially regarding these matters."

"That was years ago!" Ino waved a dismissive hand, her tone easing, but undercut with seriousness. "Believe me, we've had long, long discussions about transparency since then." Her smile was sharp, almost predatory, but not without warmth.

There was a long moment of silence, punctured only by Karin's silent shaking.

"Then...?"

"Of course I knew!" Ino cried out.

Another pause.

Overwhelmed, Yoisen buried her face in her hands, groaning softly.

"Would you rather I ask you myself?" Ino asked, huffing. It held a hint of jest, but her frustration was palpable. "Because I will."

Yoisen blinked. "...What?" Her voice came out as a rasp.

"I think you should stay. With us." Ino stated firmly. "Marry us."

At those words, a choked sob escaped Yoisen, her emotions tangling into a knot of relief and surprise.

"Did I say the wrong thing?" Ino's brow furrowed slightly, a touch of concern lacing her question.

"It sounded like an order." Karin said chidingly. "That's why we don't let you do these things."

Ino clenched her fist. "Oh, yeah? And see where yours and Naruto's way got us."

But Karin wasn't looking at her anymore; she was focused on Yoisen. "Oh, no — Please don't cry. I know she can be—"

"No." Yoisen's laughter broke through, shaky but genuine as she wiped away her tears. "I'm not crying because of that. And no, Ino, you haven't said the wrong thing."

Her heart felt suddenly light.

"No. Far from it."

Naruto wasn't sure what to say.

He wasn't even sure how he was feeling, actually. Surprised, mostly. Taken aback. Toru would likely have said something about his massive ego and handling rejection. Sasuke might have chuckled. Kage would have offered him a beer. Kakashi would have... Then he wondered why he heard their voices in his head at all.

Something about his face must have been amusing, because Sakura burst out laughing when she found him. In her wretched defense, she didn't know what was going on.

"Did someone shit on your plate?" She asked, warping them home in a single, fluid movement. "Eh. Can't be much worse than losing to fucking Susanoo-Arashi again, I'm sure."

"…What?"

"Floor Ninety-Nine." Was all Hanabi said, with a long, suffering sigh. "…Well, he was weaker than the real thing, I don't think they had all the data to recreate it. I guess I'll have to go and share the info, so that we can lose with some dignity, next time. And I guess we won't discover what's on the last floor today. I was just glad to be carried, frankly."

"Ah, come on." Sakura said, sounding pleased. "You did your part."

"A bit easier when your partner can make you impossible to reach." Hanabi said, neutrally. "I'm about as useless as Hiashi." She paused. "Perhaps slightly less, still."

"Don't be like that!" Sakura laughed. "Several of these fuckers were able to separate us. You're just it."

"My, you really are in a good mood, huh." Hanabi grinned. "Whatever. I'll take the compliment. Too bad we still lost."

"There's an extra level. Floor One Hundred and One." Naruto said, although his mind went to other places. "…I have no idea what's in there, though."

"Eh, who knows." Hanabi shrugged. "I guess it would depend on who made the place in the first place."

And suddenly, Naruto had some idea of what lay beyond.

"We'll see next time." Sakura said, making a fist. "This shit is better than any therapy session — I'm all fired up. I'll sleep like a gutted boar tonight."

Hanabi shook her head. "That's just your issues talking, dear."

"As though you can talk."

"Say, are you alright?" Hanabi asked Naruto.

"Never been better." He said, and she snorted.

"Clearly. Wanna talk about it?" Sakura asked. "Whatever that is."

"Give me five minutes so I can at least process it."

They entered the home. And then he saw Yoisen, her eyes red and cheeks shiny with tears. A weird anxiety was coursing through him, equal parts anticipation and apprehension.

She stared at him for what felt like forever, with a bright smile. Hanabi glanced between the two with sightless eyes, raising an eyebrow; Sakura greeted Yoisen enthusiastically and went to get herself some food.

"Naruto. Would you…" Yoisen began. "Would you mind coming to my rooms?"

"Huh." Hanabi said, both eyebrows now raised. "After all that talk of waiting?" She shook hear head, with a proud grin. "Color me impressed. I wish I could see that. Have fun."

"No, not… like that." Yoisen tried, but Hanabi was gone already, chuckling lecherously. "...My glasses." She trailed off.

"Of course I can come." Naruto said.

He followed Yoisen up, noticing someone had drawn design plans on some of the walls. Bad practice — Ino and her mother then. Or Karin, perhaps.

He had left a koto in her room, the mini type, that he would sometimes play while she sang. He fingered it absentmindedly, and it felt more like a nervous distraction than mere habit. The music was quiet, and not quite as bright as the stars above.

"I was thinking." He said conversationally, even as he played. Although brooding would have been fairer, in both cases. "I'm sorry for springing that on you — I now realize it wasn't my best…"

She wiped at her cheeks, waiting. "Your best what?"

"My best…" Naruto trailed off. "I don't know." He admitted. "Just that I never wanted to pressure you into anything."

"You haven't."

He blinked. "…Okay. Then I want you to know you refusing changes nothing for me, in regards to what we have." He thought about it. "Or rather that I never felt that it would change anything we already have. That things are perfectly fine the way they are." He paused again. "…I mean this in the best possible way. Just that I feel we are — Not to imply that marriage means nothing, either." He rubbed his temples. "Okay, forget that part. I'm just making things worse. Let me just say that there's always going to be a place for you here."

She choked on a snuffling sob.

"Oh, damn." He muttered, setting the koto down. "I'm normally just eloquent enough — I… Uh."

"What would it mean to you if I stayed?"

He was silent for a moment. "…The world." He shook his head. "But it's not just about me. We all feel the same—"

"What if I said that I love you more than words can express?" She asked.

He blinked. "…That I feel the same." He marked a pause. "And that I'd make sure to spend every day making sure you felt it, the same way I always try to do with all of us." Another pause. "And thank you, perhaps…?"

She snuffled on damp laughter, this time.

He cleared his throat — these matters had seemed simple enough, in the past, when he had been just young enough to be too blunt. "In any case, I really don't want you to feel as though you said anything—"

She interrupted him by throwing herself into his arms, and he barely caught her. He was content to hold her tightly to him, and to kiss the top of her head. Then her lips, when she lifted her face up.

"The moon is beautiful, tonight." She said quietly.

He paused.

She held his gaze. "I am sorry." She told him. "…I misunderstood, back then. I wanted to, of course — Refusing was the hardest — I thought that — I talked to Ino."

He thought he could mostly guess what happened, now. "Oh? What did Ino say? I'm sure we'd agree, but—"

She shook her head, and suddenly, all he could smell was the fragrance of her hair. "That I was an idiot."

He let out a startled laugh. "Okay, that's definitely not what I had in mind. That's blunt, even for her. You shouldn't let her bully—"

"I would love to marry you." She said, and he forgot the rest of his sentence promptly.

"…Did something change?" He muttered.

"Nothing changed." She said, smiling with her eyes. "That was always my answer."

Perhaps it should have felt confusing.

"Alright." He said at last. "That... I would like that."

"May I ask you something?"

"Anything — Yes."

"Will we continue to live here?"

"Yes."

"…And have children? Together?"

There was no hesitation in him. "Yes."

"And that is what you want? What you all want? With me?" She asked, and her voice sounded quieter than usual. "For every day and year that comes…?"

He could only smile. "Yes." He paused. "Or for as long as you can stand us, at least."

She laughed, a choked, free sound. "Yes, and yes, then."

"Great!"

They stood together, arms around each other. "Should we tell them?"

"Yes."

She looked up at him, and didn't seem as though she had any intention of moving. "Would you…" A pause, during which all was stillness. "Would you like some tea?"

"Yes — Sure, yeah, I'd like some tea."

When Yoisen removed a kettle from the fire, poured hot water over spice tea in a large pot and then brought it to the table, none of them moved, and that sudden stillness stayed.

There was something hidden in some of these small moments, moments so light they were unnoticeable. Nothing dramatic about them, nothing quite like lightning striking down the earth with a crack of thunder. But maybe it was time to abandon that rather dramatic notion of life, to stop waiting for and expecting thunder. Maybe he didn't need to be the storm anymore, either.

She smiled at him.

When he returned her smile, he truly saw her, more completely than ever before. All that he already knew, after years, and somehow more. It wasn't just the familiar hauntings of crimson that she believed stained her very soul, the endless shadows of her past deeds — it was closer to the persistent, burning hope that still flickered in her eyes. The boundless love that he saw there, in even the most fleeting of exchanges — a smile, a glance, a touch. The layers of her pain, the depths of her resilience; interwoven like the most beautiful of paradoxes. Fragility and fortitude, mirroring both the horror of the past and the brightness of the future. It was Yoisen.

He saw all of her, fully and without reservation, and he knew she saw all of him in return.

He studied her anew, noting the changes time had wrought. Her simple, pale robes; her lean, strong face with eyes of pure gold, and her pale ash hair. She was no longer the round-faced, red-haired girl from Indra's memories. Hadn't been for a long, long time.

But when she smiled, and her cheeks glowed, and she lifted both hands to cover her mouth with her fingertips, it was hard not to see traces of her.

For an instant all was stillness, as though the world paused for them. The tea steamed softly, already forgotten. Neither of them moved. And yet, somehow, they stepped to another place; a place where they were achingly aware of each other's presence, every sense heightened. The aroma of jasmine, cedar wood; ozone.

Her eyes; the scent of her skin and hair; the pale robe that was one piece with her body. She was as familiar as home, was home, like they all were, and still, felt like a revelation, as though a new color had suddenly revealed to his eyes.

He wasn't sure which one of them moved first. All he knew was that Yoisen was in his arms, her mouth hot on his, as if she were starved for his touch.

As they leaned into each other, their kisses deepened with urgency, and they found they could not think, could not do anything but take each other in; each breath, each movement of lips. There was no pause to consider patience, or old wishes, no hesitation either; only a permission as clear as spring water.

Her body trembled slightly with uncertainty, her actions tentative as she sought what might please him. He responded by nuzzling her neck, eliciting a soft swell of response as she pressed closer, her lips finding his with renewed fervor.

"Oh, to hell with it."

His hands traced her skin with the softness of velvet. He knew the curve of her neck, and still, there was a newness to this.

Some called it a dance, some called it a battle.

Some shinobi spoke of it in sneering tones, as something to be bought and consumed and then discarded; some men spoke of it with a knowing laugh; some women chuckled over it. And for all the easy jokes he himself made about it, nearly any of these occasions, with any of the ones he loved, was beyond words. The same way color could only be experienced, as could the sound of a koto or the scent of cedar wood.

One could describe the curve of a bared shoulder, yes, the certain spark within the eye, the perfume of a throat, or the unique sounds one made when all shields and all blades were lowered, but those were only parts.

A thousand parts that could not do justice to the truth of it; a thousand parts, that when put together, were worth more than their sum.

The tea cooled and the candles flickered out, unnoticed.

His mouth lowered, almost in reverence, and she was trembling under him, fingers tangled in his wild hair, and soon her strong thighs wrapped around his torso. The blankets twisted around her, and she was shivering, although the room was far too warm, already.

Tangled in sweat-matted sheets, she cried his name out, and there was a catch in her voice, a yearning. His mouth, just as his fingers, was ceaseless, following each of her quickening gasps. She begged him not to stop, as though he had any intention of doing so.

Her mouth opened in an inarticulate cry, and she shuddered.

He half expected her to lay still there, in the damp covers, to process it, and perhaps to slow down. Instead, her heavy-lidded expression returned, and her hand slipped over the rise and fall of his belly's breathing, as though stroking smooth, fine cloth, pulling him to her, seemingly feverish all the while.

The room was damp, sweet, and her mouth was eager. Shy and darting at once. There was no hesitation, no doubt, and her hold of him was possessive. Her hands brushed his face, and her long hair trailed across his skin, sticking to it.

She panted what sounded like his name again. Her face was pressed against him, her eyes wide with something wild, and her skin, salty, slick with sweat. She kissed him, and his arm slid under her buttocks, lifting her hips toward him.

And the sum of her sighed Yes.

She writhed beneath him, lithe and soft. She was fire in his arms, hot and sweet, and she was water, drowning. She kissed him again, with careless abandon. Her moans were all the encouragement he needed, and her clasp on his back tightened. All he could feel was her, languid and slow, hot and frantic; her hand, pressing the small of his back; her cries, sounding out in a language only very few of them still remembered; destroying any lingering coherent thought either possessed.

Every near withdrawal had her fingernails carving into his skin; every moan in his ear further undid him. She held his hips prisoner, thighs clamping nearly painfully around him, and it seemed she did her best to climb up his body, as though no nearness would be enough.

Whispered affections, drugging kisses, the steady rocking of hips: she seemed balanced on the edge of madness, with ever-changing expressions as she met his thrusts and chanted his name, somewhere halfway between a desperate prayer and a loving curse.

Yoisen came apart in his arms, her body flushed and hot, sleek muscles arching, all of her arching, taut as a koto string. Trembling, aching, breaking. He buried his face in her neck and surrendered his control, riding the crest of the wave with her, groans chorusing with her gasps.

The image seared itself in his brain, and there they were left, blissful and reeling.

He could hear her heart pounding in her chest, and she sucked in a breath like a woman saved from drowning. He braced himself on his elbow, aware of the weight of his body, and looked at her. The flush to her skin took longer to recede, and she stared at him in what could only be stunned amazement. She opened her mouth, closed it, opened it again. Only to say nothing, lost in a sort of wonder.

Then she kissed his forehead, as though in thanks. He paused, blinking in slight confusion before laughing shortly. She blushed prettily, and gave him an awkward smile.

"…I meant to wait." She said. "But I feel as though we are joined already. In the end, I cannot imagine how vows could truly change a thing between us." She paused. "…Is it silly, or perhaps mere justification?"

Naruto only smiled. "No. I don't think so. Or I feel the same way, at least."

He kissed her, and she kissed him back, and the sun marched west, and they made love a second time. And then perhaps some more, until they were both drowsy.

"A marriage would have been rendered void, back then." She pointed out with a languid smile. "...The proposition still stands, however, I take it?"

"Of course." He said. "When?"

Three days later was her answer, apparently. Coincidentally, it was also Akemi's.

lensdump

i/zLvokq : Naotora

i/zLnFQv : Yoisen

AN: Whoopsie... Skipped a week. And then, FFnet had some trouble too, apparently.

Next chapter: Pleasant Days