She watched him as he clung onto her dress and tried his best to be unseen from the people around them. She frowned as she paid for the fruits and grabbed the bags from the seller before beginning to move, his small body staying in pace with her. Putting her hand down to her side she felt him grasp it as she slowed her pace so they would both be together. He however never left her side and when she took her hand away to use it to inspect items he would cling to her dress until her hand was free for him to grasp.

Soon they were done shopping as they began their walk home just as the sun began to set. She knew what was about to happen as she counted down in her head. Once she reached zero she felt a tug at her long sleeve from a tiny hand. Looking down her onix eyes met his sapphire as he looked away in embarrassment before looking back at her with a slight blush. Rising his hands up to her he gave a child's universal sign that they wanted to be picked up. She smiled as she laid the bags she carried on the ground before getting out a scroll and, using her many years of knowledge as a Jonin, sealed away the food and putting the scroll away as she picked him up into her arms, his head resting on her shoulder as he yawned softly and wrapped his arms around her neck for security, her keeping him stable with both arms holding him tight.

She began her way home once more as she heard his slow and soft breathing. Her smile grew as she knew this was the best way for her to get rid of much of his almost endless amount of energy that he almost never was able to extinguish on his own due to his trauma. Soon she was home as she went through the gates to her compound before reaching the home's front door. Opening it she was met with the sight of her husband who had just entered the house's main hall from one of its many rooms. Both of their eyes met before he looked at the small boy in her arms, and for a brief moment a small smile could be seen on his face before it returned to its usual stony expression. He walked up to her being handed the scroll from her as she went to the bathroom to clean the boy up for the night.

She sat him on the ground as he remained half awake, tired from his walk around the village with her. Rubbing his eyes he waited for her to start the bath as she helped him out of his clothes and placed him in the warm water. It felt amazing as he smiled and closed his eyes, letting her scrub the soap into his hair and washing his head. His eyes stung as he whimpered from some of the soap reaching them but he soon felt water run over his face, the stinging subsiding as he went back into a state of peace. Soon she had finished washing him as she drained the water and grabbed a towel, drying him off and then wrapping him in it before helping him brush his teeth. Once he finished she picked him up into her arms as he yawned once more and laid his head on her shoulder.

They walked out of the bathroom and came to a small bedroom at the back of the house. Sitting him on the bed she got him some clean pajamas and put them on him, grabbing the towel and taking it to a small hamper in the corner of the room where she also dropped off his clothes from that day's events.

Looking back she saw as he laid in bed already asleep as she put the covers over him. Smiling at him she turned out the light as she left the door cracked open, knowing what would happen

later on in the night. Going to the rooms of her children she saw that her eldest was getting ready for bed while her youngest was fast asleep, thankfully due to her husband having already put him to bed while she was away with the boy they now took care of. Walking to the room her and her husband shared she saw him in bed reading one of his favorite books.

"So how was he?" He asked.

"He's doing much better than last night. However he is still very scared around the villagers." She answered as she got into her nightgown.

"Do you think he'll be with us tonight?" He asked as he placed his book on the nightstand.

"More than likely." She sighed as she got into bed and laid her head on the pillows. At the same time he turned out the light on his nightstand and laid his head back, closing his eyes as sleep overtook them both.

XXX

She walked through the streets on that cold rainy day, her umbrella keeping her dry as she approached the road that led to the compound. Looking at her surroundings she didn't see anything out of the ordinary until she noticed a small form in an alleyway. Stopping, she debated on what to do next before activating her Sharingan and finally seeing what the alley held. Walking into it she was greeted to the sight of a small boy no older than 3 huddled in a dissolving cardboard box, shivering and scared, his body showing signs of starvation. However what drew her attention was his yellow spiked hair and the six whisker-like marks on his cheeks, recognizing them from many years ago.

She grew angry as she looked at the boy and noted where he should have been and how it seemed that those who should have been taking care of him had disobeyed their promises to her from when he was born. She grew angry as she looked to the mountain in the distance and more specifically to the third face that was carved into it as her nails dug into her palms, blood slowly pouring out.

Suddenly she heard a cough as she looked down to see that the boy looked like he may have a fever. Running her hand across his head she could feel him burning up as she immediately picked him up into her arms and ran to her home, determination on her face.

XXX

"Mrs. Mikoto?" She awoke from the small voice and the shaking that accompanied it. Opening her eyes slightly she met blue orbs that showed much fear. Sitting up she looked at his small body as she saw him hold his small fox plush tight to his chest. Said plush being the gift she gave him while she was taking care of him when she first picked him up from the streets, his most treasured possession.

"Did it happen again?" She asked. He gave a small nod as he looked away from her in embarrassment. Mikoto sat on the edge of her bed as she went to grab him, he didn't give any resistance as she placed him on her lap and rubbed his hair.

"Oh, it's okay. It's okay. I'm here now baby. Mama's here now." He only gripped her nightgown before he began to cry into the crock of her neck. His crying woke up the other resident of the bed as he sat up and watched Mikoto continue to console the little boy.

"Shh, Shh, I know, I know. It's ok. I know. It's ok." She repeated as she laid the boy in the middle of her and her husband. "It's ok Naruto. They can't hurt you anymore." Naruto only cried harder as his memories of those who hurt him came flooding in. Mikoto could only comfort him as he cried. Soon she heard another voice come from the door to her room.

"Mommy, is Naruto okay?" She looked to the voice and saw her youngest son standing at the doorway, worry all over his face.

"He just had another nightmare, Sasuke. He'll be okay."

Sasuke stayed at the door as he watched Naruto continue to cry. He didn't like seeing him like this and wished he would be happy. Soon another voice rang out from the room.

"Sasuke, would you like to stay with him tonight?" Fugaku's voice called as Sasuke was surprised to hear his father ask him that. After a moment he nodded as Fugaku waved him over to him. Sasuke obliged as Fugaku picked him up and placed him beside Naruto, who had fallen back asleep as Mikoto held him close. Sasuke scooted close to Naruto as he hugged the younger boy to make him feel more comfortable, Fugaku and Mikoto at the ends of the bed as if to keep the two 4 year olds safe as all four of them fell asleep. The night growing silent once more.