Chapter 4
The light that blinded everyone finally died down and they were shocked to see someone they hadn't met in the Elemental Nations. It was someone that was different from the Elemental Nations. She had shoulder-length black hair with red highlights tied back in a half-up/half-down style and wore a hooded cloak which is white outside and red underneath. A high-neck décolletage blouse with studded wristbands on the arms, a black and white overbust corset that hugged her curves and showed her impressive bust, a skirt with white tulle underneath, gray leggings, and black knee-high boots with red soles.
This was Summer Rose and she was looking around in confusion, wondering where she was when she noticed she wasn't alone, but there were several other people that were sitting on some couches.
"Umm, who are you and where am I?" Summer asked with a confused look until her eyes focused on Minato. "Nar…. Wait, you're not him." She said dejectedly, but had her eyes narrowed in suspicion.
"Oh it's you! You're Ruby's mom!" Kushina shouted in excitement. She was getting very excited now that someone from the book had appeared and it was a fellow mother too.
"Ruby? How do you know my daughter? Just who are you?" Summer asked as she narrowed her eyes and was tense ready to fight if needed too.
Minato saw the tension from the woman and couldn't help, but be impressed with how she was ready to fight if needed. She would've been an impressive kunoichi if she had been in the Elemental Nations.
"I'm sorry about my wife, she's just excited and here's why." Minato raised the book up for her to see and she saw the title of it and muttered under her breath. They couldn't make out what she said.
"That's fine. But how do you seem to know me?" Summer asked with a raised brow.
"We were brought here by someone and said for us to read this book as it had connections with Naruto Uzumaki. We've been reading it ever since and it mentioned you in the first chapter." Tsunade said in a calm and placating manner.
"You look like Naruto, but you never gave me your name. It would be polite to introduce yourselves since you appear to know me and why you look like him." Summer said with her guard still up, but had relaxed a bit more.
"I'm Minato Namikaze."
"Kushina Uzumaki dattebane!"
"Tsunade Senju."
"The Galliant and Toad Sage, Jiraiya of Mt. Myoboku!"
"Kakashi Hatake."
"And I'm the Sexy and Single Anko Miterashi!" Anko finished as Kushina said her name in excitement along with Jiraiya who posed for his introduction while Minato and Tsunade were less crazy and Kakashi was lazy in his greeting.
"Wait, that would make you two his parents." Summer pointed at the two shakily who nodded while noticing her breathing had changed. "You're his Godparents, his sensei, and his best friend from Konoha." She took a deep breath.
"Yes and according to the book it's been thousands of years for him." Minato said in an understanding tone.
"You should all be dead, but it's nice to finally meet his parents and family." Summer smiled at them as she was now certain they weren't threats to her.
"Come have a seat, I have so many questions I want to ask you." Kushina said as she patted the seat next to her while Summer chuckled and nodded.
"I'll start reading the next chapter now that we've got this situated." Minato said as he started the next chapter.
Alright. You can do this."
Summer Rose whispered the words to herself as she approached the dust shop.
"You'll be fine." she spurred herself forward in spite of her fear. "It's only been...fifteen years…
Summer grimaced at her thoughts, having remembered how much guilt she felt after what had happened between her and Naruto. It hadn't even been his fault, but hers!
"How exactly do you know our son?" Minato asked with a raised brow in clear curiosity.
"And why did you not speak to him for so long too? It seems strange to not speak to someone you know for that long." Kushina said with narrowed eyes at the Huntress.
"That's kind of complicated to say what happened between us, but if you keep reading, I'm sure you'll find the answers as it'll explain everything." Summer replied while not wanting to explain it in person. She also knew the book would explain things for her. Both parents nodded as they went back to the book along with everyone else having their own questions that hopefully would be explained.
Sure. Fifteen years of total radio silence between the two of them. Summer's confidence -what little she had left!- threatened to shrivel up at the reminder. Fifteen years since their last mission together! And she'd not spoken to him since! It wasn't fair! How was she to know he'd been so close, and yet so far?!
She was all but mumbling by the time she grasped the handle. Her feet cemented themselves to the floor, refusing to budge another inch. It was all she could do so psych herself up. She could do this! She was a huntress! A silver-eyed warrior! She'd faced down Grimm time and time again, escaped certain death, and lived to tell the tale! She could do this! She would do this! Just be brave! She only had a few minutes to do this! Ruby would be reporting for her first day any minute now and she had to get this out of the way BEFORE her darling daughter arrived. Trembling fingers twisted the latch...!
And she heard voices.
...simply doesn't warrant the damages."
Was someone there? Summer stilled, unwilling to interrupt.
"Gentlemen." she heard HIM then, the low timbre of his voice muffled through the wood. "It seems I've been away too long. That I've been forgotten." Silver eyes peeked up through the door window and beheld a familiar face near the entrance. His face. Just as she remembered him. "Are you really trying to shortchange me, here? he spoke unto two men, each wearing crisp white suits. Familiar suits.
One of them muttered something less than flattering.
Summer started snickering trying to hide her laugh, already knowing what was to come. At the time she had been so flustered to see Naruto again that she never got to really laugh at what her lover had done.
This of course got everyone's attention. What was she laughing about?
"What's so funny?" Tsunade asked with a raised brow, wondering what the Huntress was laughing about.
Summer waved her off as she got herself under control which took some time to do so.
"Just keep reading, you'll love what happens in this next bit. I still can't believe that it had actually happened." Summer couldn't stop one final giggle escaping her lips.
"Must be good if the gaki is involved. He always did have the best pranks when he was in Konoha. I wonder what he's going to do?" Anko asked very intrigued at what Naruto was arguing with them about and would do to them.
...thought so. This reeks of Jacques. He's meddling again, isn't he? Alright. Here's what we're gonna do." Naruto climbed to his feet and moved around the counter. "If you schmucks don't pay me the insurance money that I am so rightfully owed for the damage MY shop has suffered," he jabbed one finger into the left man's chest with intent, "Your head," He whipped around and jabbed a digit at the other. "Is going up his arse."
There was a silence as one of them replied.
He sighed. "You sure you wanna ride this train, little man?"
"You can't touch us." this time, the response came through loud and clear. "The SDC would have your hide if you harmed so much as a haaaaaaaaaaaiiiiiiiiirrrrr!"
His words piqued into an ghastly wail as the blond grabbed him by the face and moved. An awful ripping sound filled the air. Punctuated by a second scream that had no business coming from a grown man's throat. Cloth ripped. Something else...tore. Rapid footsteps approached and the door swung open in her face. Summer dove out of the way.
Two men soared out, conjoined in a way no one wanted to imagine, and crashed into a building.
The group stared at the screen as it showed the two men what Naruto had done and it didn't take long for them to start laughing at least for Anko and Kushina while the others grimaced, but still had snickers, but also wondered how that was even possible.
"Oh my god, that was hilarious! I wonder if I should try something like that in one of my interrogations?" Anko wondered with a grin along with Kushina while the others paled a bit and scooted away from them.
"That. That was something else. I don't feel so great after seeing that and I thought nothing could really make me feel queasy by now." Jiraiya said his face white and pale.
"How'd he even manage to get the head to do that in the first place?" Tsunade whispered to her teammate in horror, but was also impressed.
They were still screaming when someone stalked out the door past her.
"Excuse me!"
A young woman all but stumbled past her, pale face sick with nausea, bright eyes half-lidded in embarrassment as she covered her mouth with one hand. Summer had all of an instant to take her in. Clad in a deep red dress that clung to her curves like sin, she was a beauty like no other, golden eyes sharp and framed by long, lustrous midnight black dark hair. Then she was gone, heels clicking harshly against the sidewalk.
"Don't forget to visit tonight!" A familiar voice called at her back.
The young woman pivoted in place and flipped him the bird before she stalked off.
"That was uncalled for, but can't exactly blame her for responding like that if she saw him do that to the two guys." Kakashi said with a slight grimace still.
"Yeah, but only Naruto would be fine with someone who he practically raised giving him the finger and not take it seriously." Summer said with a sigh, but had a nostalgic smile.
"You seem very happy Summer. Is there anything you'd like to tell us?" Kushina asked with a teasing grin when she saw the smile on the Huntress's face.
Summer's face reddened a little at being called out, but didn't say anything to her question.
Summer's heart sank and all her courage withered as a flower would in the dead of winter.
Nope! Couldn't do it!
She whirled to flee; a thorn of concern pricked her heart and held her back. Naruto was in many ways, the wind. He could be calm and gentle, a cool spring breeze to those he loved. But when his wrath was roused, when he was angry, when someone took something from him...well. She had seen the results firsthand. Hurricane, tornado, cyclone, there weren't nearly enough words to describe the absolute avatar of annihilation he became.
After all, one did not simply leave the life of a shinobi behind.
A life like his followed you. It clung to you, infecting everything you were, everything you loved. If there was even the slightest chance that anger was directed at Ruby, unlikely as it may seem...no. She couldn't risk it, no matter how embarrassing it might be for her. She had a duty as a mother. Duty trumped fear any day.
So she plucked up her courage and darted into the shop before that fear could get the better of her and send her scurrying.
"You're a good mother to settle things for your daughter like that. I can respect that." Tsunade said with a nod to the partial redhead who nodded with a smile.
"I couldn't risk Ruby being in trouble when it wasn't her fault and even if it was, I'd do my best to make sure she would be okay." Summer said with a smile as she nodded in resolutely getting nods from everyone else.
"If only every mother could be like that, sadly there are some that would rather just let their child suffer or handle the problems themselves and deal with the consequences." Kushina smiled at her, who gave a thankful smile to the redhead.
Keeping her body low to the ground, she skirted a broken shelf and poked her head around the corner.
'Quietly now...quietly...!
Broken glass crunched underfoot and she was betrayed.
Naruto looked up, caught in the process of toweling his bloodied hands with a damp cloth, and granted her a small smile. "Hello, sweetie."
"Sweetie?" Everyone except Summer thought, giving questioning looks towards Summer who looked away with a blush.
"Just keep reading, you'll find out in a few moments." Summer said and they shrugged and did as told. Kushina however, her mind was running miles a minute as something started to click with a knowing smirk.
Summer's heart skipped a single treacherous beat.
Urk.
Silver eyes were drawn inexorably to blue and without thinking, she yanked her hood up. Without the glass acting as a barrier between them, she could see him perfectly; just as he could see her. Really, it wasn't fair. He hadn't aged a day since she'd seen him last. Nope. Not fair. Not fair at all! Belatedly, his words caught up with her.
The smallest of pouts tugged at her lips. "Thought I told you to stop calling me that."
"You did." he granted her a crooked grin as he leaned against the counter. "I chose not to listen. There's a difference. So?" his head cocked to one side, rather reminding her of a certain fox. "What brings you to my shop after all this time?"
"What do you think?" A familiar yawn arose somewhere behind her. "She obviously wanted to check in on you."
Her gaze found Kurama's false form easily enough; he'd all but curled himself up on a pillow near the counter, much like a cat. Anyone else would've thought him an adorable little fox, albeit one with nine tails. She knew better. She'd seen things. As she looked on, the small fox raised one of his many tails in a lazy greeting. She found herself returning it before she caught her wrist.
"Huh, who would've thought the fox would be acting nice to someone else aside from Naruto?" Anko blinked at what she'd seen and heard. No one could blame her as it was strange to imagine.
"Really? I know he can be a smartass and all, but was he really that bad before?" Summer asked with curiosity as everyone nodded.
"Kurama hated humans for the longest time and it wasn't until the war happened when he became partners and friends with Naruto that things started to change." Kakashi answered, getting "oh" from her.
"Yeah and to see him acting so casually with you like that is a strange sight to see." Kushina said with a grimace. She didn't exactly treat him well when he was sealed in her. It was pretty cruel what she did to him now that she thought about it.
...aren't you angry?"
Both man and beast blinked. "Why would we be angry?"
That was it? Seriously? Just like that? Oh gods, they weren't even mad? It would've been so much better if they were. Anger, she could have dealt with. Sorrow, tears, anything but this. He was just...happy to see her, and Kurama with him. She hadn't expected them to be so calm, happy to see her even.
Had she really come all this way for nothing?
"Summer?"
"M'fine." she leaned on a shelf, only to wince when it crashed to the floor and fell apart at her feet. "Oh, you know, I was just in the area...
"I don't blame Ruby for the damage." his words were a knife, cutting her fears to the quick. "It wasn't her fault, y'know."
Her shoulders slumped. "Oh, thank god...I mean, after all...
Naruto favored her with a rueful smile.
...she's mine, isn't she?"
Ack! Double urk!
Everyone froze at those words except Kushina who was vibrating in her seat, having had come to the conclusion beforehand and it was safe to say that she was excited.
"Finally, I knew it! I have another grandbaby and now a daughter-in-law!" Kushina screamed as she lunged at Summer and hugged the life out of her.
The others were happy, especially Minato for the blonde, but Anko was grinning.
"So the gaki has his own little gaki huh? This is getting interesting and I don't know if the world can handle more like him or if they take after their mothers." Anko said as Tsunade, Kakashi, and Jiraiya all paled at the thought of more kids like Naruto. The world wouldn't be able to handle that many pranks.
Minato put the book down and walked to Summer and his wife who was still hugging the huntress.
"Oh he picked such a beautiful young woman. I had a feeling when he called you sweetie, but this confirmed it. I don't know whether to cry of happiness that he's found someone like you or sadness that I missed so much." Kushina babbled with Summer who had swirls in her eyes from the hug and the shaking that the redhead had done to her.
"Kushina, can you perhaps let her go, she's starting to lose consciousness." Minato chuckled at the pleading look from Summer who was nodding in gratitude.
The redhead heard him and looked at Summer who was about to pass out, let her go and gave a nervous smile.
"Sorry, dattebane, I got excited." Kushina said in apology and an embarrassed smile.
"It's okay, you just caught me by surprise. I can understand the excitement though having learned a lot about your son having a wife and another daughter." Summer smiled at Kushina in understanding who thanked her.
Minato placed a comforting hand on her shoulder with a grin of his own.
"It's nice to know that my son has found a great woman like yourself and to have a family with. Welcome to the family." Minato said as she smiled with tears in her eyes and hugged him as he rubbed her back to soothe her while also having tears of his own knowing that his family was growing.
Kushina joined the hug as the others let them have their moment with smiles on their faces. After they finished, they got back into their seats as Minato picked up the book and where he left off while Kushina held Summer's hand in hers with a grin.
"How..?"
Isn't it remarkable, how four little words can make you come undone? Just like that, all of Summer's carefully wrought plans and schemes were falling apart. She'd come here intending to be an adult about all this; come under the pretense of checking in on him; making sure he was alright after all this time, not plotting Armageddon on his enemies. She hadn't intended to broach the subject of Ruby's parentage quite that bluntly!
"How...?"
"Tai's been dead for awhile, Summer." Naruto picked up an upturned chair and plonked down in with a sigh. "I may be a lot of things, but I'm not blind."
"Speaking of which," Her brow furrowed. "That woman I saw earlier...
"Cinder?" the blond blinked. "What about her?"
"Are the two of you...?"
"Jealousy doesn't look good on you dear~" Kushina gave a teasing grin to the embarrassed huntress who tried hiding in her cloak that was over her head now.
"Someone's looking a little jealous~" Anko practically sang with a large grin. She loved crap like this and teasing was her life.
Summer just looked flustered from the teasing and whined, but said nothing, not wanting to say something to embarrass her more.
The others chuckled while Minato gave Summer a reassuring smile that made her feel a little better.
"What?! No!" He recoiled and made a face. "I adopted her a while back when she was just a runt. She was just paying her respects...and promising her support."
It was a good explanation. Too good. Paranoia reared its ugly head despite her best efforts. "So you're not...?"
"I'd rather shag a cactus than shack up with a girl I all but raised, thank-you-very-much!"
For all his fire and strength Naruto had always been something of a bleeding heart where children were involved. It sounded so very like him to pick a girl off the street and take her under his wing. His words to her earlier made sense. He'd told her to come back tonight. And the way she'd roller her eyes at him, even flipped him off...those weren't the acts of a lover.
Why did that make her feel better?
"We all understand how you're feeling. You don't want someone else going after your man." Tsunade gave an understanding nod along with Kushina. They remembered having to scare off other women when they attempted to flirt with their men. It wasn't a pretty sight.
"Just to clarify," she swallowed once, "I'm sorry about...the way things ended."
He scratched at a whiskered cheek. "That makes two of us. Shit happens. People move on."
...have you?"
Naruto's head snapped up. The rest of him went curiously still. Anyone else might've been concerned by the sudden intensity of his gaze. Not Summer. She kicked at the cracked flooring with one boot, unwilling to meet his eyes for fear of what she might find there. Blast it! She hadn't meant to say it like that! Treachery! Bad brain! This betrayal would be remembered!
"I really haven't." there was a curious note of longing in his voice, one she remembered all too well. "I missed you."
"Aww, that's so cute!" Kushina couldn't help herself, but squealed at the cute scene happening.
Summer blushed at Kushina's actions, but also felt stupid for the fight that had separated them until they reunited.
"It looks like he never forgot about you ever and thought about you a lot." Kakashi said with an eye smile as Summer nodded slowly.
"Yeah." Summer said with a small smile.
She peeked at him through her hair and watched his right hand curl into a fist.
"Me, too." Her heart twitched. She really had missed him. "It really was a stupid fight, wasn't it? I'm sorry I snapped at you back then."
He sighed. "Do you even remember what we were fighting about?"
Her head bobbed in a tiny nod.
She did. She'd tried to change him once. After Tai never came back from that gods awful mission. She'd been hurting at the time, lashing out in blind grief, trying to make him something he wasn't. It had been a futile attempt born from pride as much as selfishness. Some things just weren't meant to be changed. It wasn't possible. You couldn't alter the color of the sky anymore than you could snuff out the sun. Years of self-reflection -and being a single parent raising two girls!- helped her to realize that. And he was standing here before her, looking every bit as miserable as she felt.
Summer flinched as the paragraph described the event and she had felt horrible ever since then. She hadn't meant to push him away, it was just she lost one of her best friends and teammate and didn't want to lose her husband or anyone else. She felt a hand on her shoulder and saw it was Kushina who gave her a comforting squeeze to show her support.
"It's okay. I understand why you would want him to quit the hunter or Shinobi life in Naruto's case. It was out of fear of losing him, so we get it." Kushina said to the Rose who nodded slowly and gave a small smile.
"Thank you. I just wish I hadn't pushed him away for as long as I had and realized my mistake sooner." Summer said in sadness.
"All you can do is move forward and it was in the past. He's back with you now, so be happy about that." Minato said as he gave her a reassuring smile. One that she was glad for.
Well.
That simplified things.
Yes, that simplified things a great deal.
Summer crossed the distance between them in a silver streak. Naruto caught her by the hips and reeled her in. Strong arms closed around her, pulling her into a warm embrace. She yielded to it with a soft sigh and buried her head in his chest, reveling in the faint scent of dust and fire he exuded. Blast it. He really did give the best hugs. And he was so damnably warm...or was that her face? Hard to tell.
...m'sorry." she mumbled against his jacket. "For all of it.
Silence was his sole response.
"Come back. Please." The dam broke and words spilled forth. "Ruby needs a father." she looked up at him, silver eyes shining with unshed tears. "She needs to know who you are." her voice warbled a little as she thought of Yang, not hers by blood, but her daughter all the same. I know Yang isn't yours, but she'd love to meet you...
His arms trembled a little around her. "I think I'd like that."
When he tried to pull away she held tight.
"Summer?"
"Nope." she muttered. "You're mine now. Never letting go."
Reigniting their passion could come later. For now? She just wanted to savor this. It felt good to have him back; like she'd reclaimed a little piece of himself. Here in this moment she didn't care about the past, where he'd gone, who he might have been with, or any such hypothetical concerns. She was first. She would always be first.
"Awww." The women all cooed while the guys sighed, but had smiles on their faces as well at the touching scene.
"That's one hell of a makeup if I've seen any, the only thing missing now is the hot and steamy sex to finish it." Anko grinned pervertedly as she wiggled her brows at Summer whose face turned scarlet like the part of her hair.
It was only thanks to Tsunade who smacked her upside the head that stopped her. Jiraiya and Kakashi were giggling like the perverts they were and were silenced by the Godaime and Kushina.
"That's enough Anko, god I forget you can be as bad as Jiraiya, but I would have to agree that it was quite a wholesome moment for the two of them." Tsunade said with a smile.
Kushina didn't say anything, but did nudge the Huntress and gave her a teasing grin who sighed, but still had a blush on her face. Now she understood where Naruto got most of his antics from.
"I'll talk to Ozpin about the insurance." she babbled into his chest, mouth running away with her. "I know he told you about Ruby working here, but you won't even have to pay her all that much. We'll get this sorted."
He chortled a little against her. "I take it you saw that last bit with the insurance agents...
"Saw it?!" she slapped his chest. "Half of Vale probably heard those two! Did you really have to shove that guy's head up his-
"To be fair, I'm fairly certain they were working for Jacques...
Jacques Schnee? Her smile froze. "Oh. Is that so. I just might have to pay him a visit. Personally…
"Who's Jacques?" Kakashi asked the Huntress.
"He was an owner of the largest dust corporation called SDC that he took over after marrying into a friend's family. He's a pig that will do anything to make a profit and is cruel to everyone, even his wife and kids." Summer told them who frowned not liking the sound of this guy. "The only positive thing is that the kids were never his to begin with and that Willow was putting on a show of being depressed for their sake." Summer said to herself in an afterthought.
"Sounds like a piece of work." Kushina said as she glared at the image of Jacques that appeared on the screen.
"He looks like a weasel and one of those that speaks like he's better than everyone." Anko said, making everyone agree with that.
"You said "was", did something happen?" Minato asked as everyone looked at him, but than realized he was right.
"Keep reading, you'll find out anyway, so why spoil it." Summer shrugged with a grin that made the others chuckle and nod.
Naruto frowned. "Summer, no."
"Summer, yes!
"Ahem!" And then Kurama opened his big mouth. "If the two of you are quite done making eyes at one another, we have a store to run."
Summer scowled at the little red terror. "Oi! Watch it, fox!"
"Oi, watch it, huntress!" he sang right back. "If the two of you want to canoodle, get a room! Preferably one far away from me! You're entirely too noisy!"
"I can wait." Naruto nudged her hip with an elbow. "You can leave out the back when you're ready."
...then can we stay like this?" she leaned up and kissed his neck. "Just for a little while?
Naruto didn't use words. He simply held her.
"Aww, that's so cute to see my son and daughter-in-law showing their love for each other!" Kushina squealed in happiness and had hearts in her eyes much to Summer's embarrassment.
"Damn, Kurama sure knows how to ruin a moment." Anko whistled in amusement as she gave Summer a teasing grin.
"Bastard just doesn't shut his mouth sometimes." Summer said with a frown.
(.0.0.0.)
...its good to be back."
Some time later, Naruto sprawled in his chair with a rueful smile.
Kurama hopped onto the counter to join him and curled up there with a scowl.
"Stop grinning like that. You're contagious. That cleanup took entirely too long."
"Damn the fox is being bossy." Jiraiya whispered to his teammate who nodded, but had to chuckle at why he was annoyed.
"I find it funny that Kurama is annoyed by him grinning like he is for reuniting with Summer." Tsunade said.
"Bastard." Summer said with a scowl as she stared at the book. She'd remember to get back at him later.
...did it?" he sighed and crossed both hands behind his head, too content to take offense. "Did it really?
"Yes!" a tiny tail swatted his arm. "Because you refused to use shadow clones! Really, if you just stopped holding back...
"Nah," he waved a hand. "Where's the fun in that?"
Comfortable silence stretched between them as they lazed about. Neither spoke for what felt like an eternity. Someone might have sought to fill the void with aimless chatter or traded further barbs among themselves, but they didn't feel the need, both man and beast knew one another well enough by now and didn't feel the slightest need to do so. There could be only one course of action from here.
"So?" Kurama yawned at last. "I know what you plan to do, but how do you intend to go about it?"
"For now, we'll let the gears of Vale turn." Naruto considered the ceiling with a sigh. "Roman will stick his head out sooner or later. He can't hide forever."
"And then?"
"Then we chop it off." He made a sharp cutting motion with his good hand. "Once and for all."
"Interesting." Minato muttered to himself. Naruto is more willing to kill someone now, but only when someone crosses him. At least he didn't do it for fun or take pleasure in it.
"You do realize he may well send someone after us in the interim."
A blond brow arched. "And?"
"Fair point."
The bell above the door chimed once as someone opened it from without. Kurama perked up. Naruto's posture shifted just so, his upper torso leaning forward as a knife flicked down his sleeve and into his hand. Summer had only just left, and Cinder wouldn't be returning until later this evening. Junior knew better than to send anyone after him. So then who...?
A familiar voice called out to him when a streak of red and black blurred inside. "I've come to work~!"
"Ruby's now coming into the scene. I can't wait for her to learn that Naruto is her father." Kushina grinned as her body was vibrating in excitement.
"Oh boy." Minato muttered and gave Summer an apologetic smile that Summer waved off with an amused smile of her own at the redhead.
"Jeez, Kushina-senpai is going to be like this the entire time we're reading." Kakashi said to Jiraiya with a sweatdrop who's sitting next to him nodded in agreement. No one saw Summer's eye twitch.
"No kidding, especially when she learns that he has other kids." Summer thought. She still wasn't entirely on board with sharing her lover with the others, but what can she do.
His fingers twitched and it vanished from whence it came.
"Oh," he leaned back, concealing its just you, Ruby."
Now that he knew what to look for, he really could see the resemblance as she scampered through the door. She was Summer's daughter alright, but beneath that he saw something else; those ever-so-faint dual whisker marks tripling her cheeks. Ruby was quick on her feet, almost unnaturally so. Something told him that if he turned his senses on her, he might find the faintest stirring of chakra coils there. He chose not to, if only because she wasn't alone...and for fear of what he might find.
"Those look so cute on her. They really are hard to see though." Tsunade said as the screen of Ruby popped up and you had to squint to notice them as they were light and faint.
No, she wasn't alone at all.
That was most certainly a Belladona on her right, and a Schnee on her left. He'd known a few of both during his heyday...and more recently. Mercifully, neither looked a thing like him.. Or perhaps they simply took after their mothers. In theory it shouldn't be too hard to conceal whiskered cheeks with a bit of makeup. Perhaps he was being too paranoid...
"Wow." a low whistle pierced the gloom. "You really did a number on this place huh, sis?"
He recognized Raven and Tai's brat last; one; because she brought up the rear and two, it was absolutely impossible to miss the blond bombshell. Arms crossed behind her head, she craned her neck too and fro, surveying the damage to his shop with keen lilac eyes. The last living piece of Taiyang Xiao-Long in this world.
Summer sighed sadly and held back some tears at the thought of her teammate and friend. Kushina rubbed her back soothingly while Minato placed a hand on her shoulder to show their support for her.
"Thank you." Summer whispered as the two parents nodded and gave her soft smiles, while everyone else smiled at the moment, letting them be there for their daughter-in-law. Nothing else needed to be said as this was a moment she needed.
It almost hurt to see her. Really, he'd have to pay Raven a visit one of these days and smack some sense into her.
"What does Naruto mean? What happened to Yang's mother?" Tsunade asked with suspicion. She just hoped that she was wrong about it.
"Just keep reading, you'll find out who she is since I'm sure it'll be mentioned in the book." Summer withheld a wince at her former teammate. She still couldn't believe she left her daughter behind like she had.
Everyone nodded and accepted it, but they didn't like the answer that was given and were growing more suspicious of the woman.
Ruby make a keening noise akin to steam escaping a tea kettle, snapping him back to reality.
"Yaaaaang! I already told you! That wasn't me! Well...!" she paused and cast about, as though seeing the damage for the first time in broad daylight. "Maybe the window was, and possibly a shelf or two, but still! Not my fault!"
"You dolt." the Schnee palmed her face. "Do you not know the meaning of restraint?"
"I do!" the little reaper flailed her arms. "But there were so many bad guys...
Naruto took mercy on her at last. "Why are you here?"
"Eh?" she jolted a little, startled by his inquiry. "Ah, Ozpin said I have to work for you on the weekends...until I paid off the damages...
He knew that of course, he'd just said it to make her squirm a little. Really, he couldn't help but tease her.
"Ever the prankster, huh?" Kakashi chuckled along with everyone else. Summer merely sighed, but had a longing smile on her face.
"It's what makes the gaki so awesome. I remember the one time he painted the whole Hokage Monument without anyone noticing until he was done." Anko smirked at Summer who chewed her bottom lip to suppress her laugh.
Ozpin really was a cheeky bastard, making her work for him like this. Was probably afraid of pissing him off. That, or this was his way of getting back at him for forcing Ruby into Beacon two years early. Really hard to tell with the old geezer. Plans within plans, that one, ever trying to gain an advantage while keeping him placated at the same time. At least Salem made some modicum of sense...every now and again.
Now that he was back, he might need to check on her, too. Wouldn't do for her to get too big for her britches...
So many heads to crack, so little time...
"I appreciate it," outwardly, he merely quirked a brow. "But, well, there's not much to be done right now, still waiting on the insurance money." he looked past her. "So? Is this your team?"
Ruby made her introductions with all the energy a fifteen-year old could muster. No faulting her that. Yang he knew, and the dark-haired one was Blake -such a familiar name- but there at the end…
"Familiar? How's the name familiar to our son?" Minato asked as he turned towards Summer who looked at him with a shrug.
"Maybe it's someone he knew before settling down in Vale? Blake is actually a somewhat common name on Remnant." Summer said as he nodded, but wasn't completely convinced. The same went with the others, but would hold off on their questions. For now that is.
"Hmm" His gaze fixated on Weiss in particular. "Aaaaand I see a Schnee. Why am I not surprised? Everywhere I go, there's always a Schnee...
Weiss absolutely bridled. "Excuse me?"
"You're excused." he flicked a hand at her. Now buy something or get. I know you're good for it."
He half-expected her to burst out in a sputter of denial. She did not. Points to her.
"So that's a Schnee, any relation to Jacques?" Kushina quirked an eyebrow at the partial redhead who shook her head.
"At one point yes, but that's for another time. Everything will be explained in the story." Summer said much to Kushina's annoyance and it was made known as she pouted at not getting the answer she wanted.
"Fine, but I better get my answers." Kushina demanded with a hmph as she went back to reading.
What came next forfeited what little good will she'd earned.
"I've heard about this place." Her gaze flitted about, considering what little intact stock he had left. "Your Dust is supposedly second to none." he caught the gleam in her eyes at once and didn't like it one bit. "How much would it take to buy you out-
A muscle jumped in his jaw.
"NO." a hand snapped up, vetoing her. "Why do you silly Schnees always think you can buy me out? Is there a price-tag on my forehead? Ah! No talking!" he jabbed her forehead when she tried to speak. "Schnees never have anything good to say."Really, your mother was the only exception." on a whim, he decided to twist the knife. "Be sure and tell her to visit sometime." He wriggled his fingers once and laughed as she recoiled. "Real lightning between the sheets, that one." One last wistful sigh stole the fight right out of here. "Those were the days…
"..."
"..."
"..."
"Did he just say what I think he said?" Anko said with a perverted grin as she started to cackle madly. Minato sighed, but chuckled a little at his son's teasing nature.
Jiraiya and Kakashi both started giggling pervertedly at what they just heard.
Kushina and Tsunade however both didn't do anything at first until they kept at the two perverts and started beating the hell out of them. Summer just sat there as she watched the entire thing happen and wasn't sure whether to be in awe or fear at what the two older women were doing to them. Who knew the body could bend in a way like that? She certainly didn't.
Yang whistled. Ruby gagged.
Blake...wait why was she taking notes?
"Great another pervert like these two." Tsunade said as she kicked the unconscious toad sage who groaned from the kick as they went back to their seats not even bothering to wake them up.
He supposed it didn't matter. Weiss had already died inside. He saw it in her eyes. "Ex...excuse me?"
"You're excused. Again." he smiled. A speechless Schnee was a good Schnee. "Feel free to pick your jaw up off the floor at your leisure."
Kurama chuckled. It would prove his undoing.
Because the very moment he did? Why, Ruby noticed him.
"Oooh!" she cooed, eyes all but aglow with stats. "Is that a fox?"
Kurama placed his chin atop one crimson paw. "I am no mere fox, mortal!"
"Holy crap! It talks?!" she all but squealed with joy. "Is it a toy? No, wait, toys don't talk like that..."
"Hmm." Blake bulled in from the side and actually had the gall picked him up. "Looks rather lifelike to me...
Kurama bared his fangs at her. "I will bite you, Belladona."
She remained unbowed. "Very lifelike indeed…
"I don't whether to be impressed at their bravery or not for knowing his true size." Kushina muttered with a mused smile at seeing Biju being treated like a pet.
"Kurama seems to know Blake from him calling her by her last name." Jiraiya pointed out once he and Kakashi woke up and joined the others on the couches.
"Interesting, I wonder what they're connection is." Minato wondered, giving Summer a glance in interest.
"Jokes on you," Yang elbowed her partner. "You should see the stuff this one reads. She's probably into that shit."
Blake dropped Kurama like a hot potato and slapped at her arm. Bah, kids these days. He'd seen stranger things eons ago. Really, biting was tame nowadays.
"You know," Naruto thumbed his chin, "I think I might've written a book series once or twice. Still do, in my spare time." His fingers drummed against the counter as he grappled with the vague memory, faded though it was. "Ninjas of something or other...?"
Kurama huffed. "Smutty trash, more like."
Blake pivoted, regarding him with a narrow look. "Do you mean...Ninjas of love?"
"Ah!" He snapped his fingers. "That's the one. You've heard of it? I'm thinking its about due for a sequel."
...he wasn't sure he liked the gleam in her eyes. Was she drooling? She was!
"Can," the young Faunus gulped once. "Can I get your autograph?"
Kurama rolled his own. "Look what you did!"
"WHAT?! MY SON WRITES SMUT?!" Kushina shrieked in absolute horror as can be seen by her eyes widening in shock.
Jiraiya meanwhile was cackling at this new information learning about his Godson. Kakashi was eye smiling at this and was mentally cheering for the blonde in joining the right side.
"And not only that, but Blake is a fan of the Smut book too." Tsunade was in the same boat as Kushina and could only wonder how this happened.
Unbeknownst to everyone, Summer was eyeing the book with a smile and a blush having read it herself in the past and even used it as a source for their times in the bedroom.
"Ignore him, he's a big softie."
Yang scoffed. "Heh, I bet."
It was the straw that broke the fox's back.
Kurama buried his head in both paws and muttered something less than kind.
"Right. You've brought this upon yourself, Branwen spawn. Know that I will show no mercy."
"Whaddya gonna do?" she booped him on the nose. "Bite my ankles?" The rest of his words hit her a moment later. "Wait...Branwen?! You know my mom?!"
"Know, and hate." Came the snarl. "Rip and tear!"
Then he pounced on her.
"You know if I didn't know what Kurama was capable of already, I'd find this entire thing adorable." Kushina said as she watched the screen show Kurama in his chibi form clawing and biting at Yang .
"I know right. I do find it funny though to see him acting like this." Minato said with a smirk. He'd remember this for a long time.
"To be fair, he's nice to most people." Naruto shrugged as Yang reeled back, clawing at the angry bijuu now tearing at her hair. "You should see what he really looks like."
Yang wailed. "Get off, you damn kitsune! Off, off, off!
"You cannot comprehend the amount of tails I do not give!"
"And?" Weiss quirked a pale brow. "What does he really look like? Is this a joke?"
"Weiss, no!" Ruby cried!
Kurama reacted before Naruto could even hope to warn her. In a single bound he leaped from Yang's hair, planted himself on the desk and whirled to meet the sullen Schnee. His fur stood on end, all nine of his tails rigid as red spikes. For an awful moment nothing happened, and Naruto wondered if his partner had lost his touch. And then.
A towering golden maw filled the entirety of the Schnee's vision. "BOO~!"
Weiss toppled backwards with a startled shriek. "Yeek!"
Naruto shook his head with a rueful sigh.
"Well, this is my life now…
"Hahahahahaha! I love it!" Anko laughed at the scene.
"Did. Did Kurama just pull a prank on someone?" Kushina couldn't believe what she read.
"It's better he pranks someone that him attacking and killing everything around him. I call that a win in my book." Jiraiya shrugged his shoulders.
"I suppose so, but still it's strange to see." Kushina said, having known the fox for years and all.
(.0.0.0.)
"He won't get me."
Roman whimpered in the dark.
"I won't let him. Crazy bastard. I'll show him...!"
"Wow, Naruto has him terrified." Anko giggled and gave a thumbs up in response.
"Poor bastard looks like he's about to break down any second now. I should feel bad for him, but at the same time, it's pretty funny." Kakashi chuckled while everyone else agreed and laughed.
(.0.0.0.)
Cinder returned that very evening.
Much to his amusement, she was not alone.
"Welcome back." he looked up as the bell rang. "Any news for me?"
...not quite."
Her face was a curious study of contrasts, equal parts concern and anticipation wrapped up in one package. She squirmed like a naughty little girl with her hand caught in the cookie jar. Fond memories. She'd been such a wild and coltish little thing back then...
"I thought it best to introduce my...associates." under his watchful eye, she nudged two teenagers forward into the light. "To prevent any confusion in the future. This is Emerald," she gestured to the girl on her right, a dark skinned youth with green hair and striking red eyes, "And the boy is Mercury." her left hand indicated the pale silver haired boy at her side. "Please be kind to them."
Naruto looked down at them. Up to Cinder again. Down once more.
Really, there was only one conclusion to make.
"You have kids?"
Cinder's eyes all but bulged.
"Daddy, no!" Her hands clamped down to stifle the outburst, but it was too little, too late. Wide golden eyes narrowed as she realized she'd been had.
"And the Uzumaki Prankster King strikes again." Kakashi said with an eye smile.
"Pranking is in our blood, he gets it from me. I'm so proud of my sochi." Kushina wiped away tears of joy.
"That explains so much." Tsunade muttered to herself.
Really, it was all too easy.
"Wait a hot minute." Mercury gave a startled blink. "You're her old man? Because I don't see the resemblance.
"There isn't one, you louse." Naruto feigned a jab at the younger man's head. "I adopted her when she was about...hmm." He held out a hand and levered it above the counter somewhat. "I'd say about this tall."
Cinder whimpered.
Mercury sniggered softly. "Really?"
Emerald all but twitched. "You adopted Cinder?"
Kurama cackled. "Blunt, this one! I think I like her!"
Mercury blinked. "Is that...a talking fox?"
"Sure is." Naruto didn't bother to contradict him, eyes fixed on Emerald. "What, did she adopt you, too?"
"Yeah, sorta." the tan shrugged. "I mean, she took me off the streets when I was younger and...wait." he saw the moment her thoughts clicked into place. "If you adopted her, and she adopted me," She held up her hands counted, doing the math before turning a hopeful expression on him. "Does that make you my grandfather?"
Naruto's brain fizzled out.
"You've doomed us." Cinder all but sank into a chair. "Here we go…
"..."
"..."
"..."
"..."
"..."
"..."
"Did I hear that right?" Minato whispered as his face grew to a smirk and turned towards his wife who had her hands over her mouth.
"My grandbaby has kids of her own… I'm a great grandmother!" Kushina screamed as she had hearts in her eyes and was bouncing her in her seat.
Everyone around sweatdropped, not knowing what to do.
"What do we do?" Anko asked Minato who shrugged his shoulders in response.
"Let her be. She'll get it out her system shortly. We can get back to reading than." Minato said with a smile.
"Hard to imagine that little Cinder had taken two under her wing like Naruto did with her." Jiraiya said with a smirk. "Like father, like daughter." He said with mirth.
"She'd never admit it, but she does look up to him, even if they were just to help with her plans." Summer said as Kushina was bouncing off the walls.
"Speaking of plans, I wonder what they were if she was trying to keep Naruto out of it before he was roped into it?" Anko was rather curious about them.
"We can only speculate, but it had something to do with Vale or at least attacking the city, but that's it." Jiraiya answered as Kushina finally got herself under control and was now sitting back down, but still vibrating in her seat in excitement.
"Wait," Mercury frowned. "What? I don't get it?"
Naruto did a double take. Blinked.
Once.
Twice.
Thrice, now.
Then he inhaled deeply.
Kurama absolutely hissed. "Don't you DARE-
Too little, too late. "I HAVE A GRANDDAUGHTER TOO?!
Cinder groaned into her palms and doubled over. "Daddy, no!"
"Daddy, yes!" Naruto slammed to his feet! "This is wonderful! I must tell everyone!"
Kushina closed the book with a wide smile. She learned so much in this chapter and was so happy for him and especially his relationship towards Summer. Speaking of which. She grabbed Summer's hand and dragged her away as Summer was protesting, but the redhead didn't listen as she had a determined expression that Minato knew all too well.
"Umm, where's Kushina-senpai taking her?" Kakashi asked his teacher.
"Bonding. Now that she knows her relationship with our son, she's going to want to know more about it." Minato said with an amused smirk that got everyone nodding.
"I see." Kakashi muttered.
Killerssg appeared with a smile.
"Until they get back, there are refreshments and food in the next room over, we'll take this time to get some rest and something to eat before continuing with the story.
Everyone agreed as they were starting to get hungry themselves and made their way out.
And that's the chapter. Hope it was to everyone's liking and enjoyment. Stay safe everyone! Killerssg out!