Disclaimer: I do not own "Naruto" or anything/anyone related to the series

Chapter Thiry-seven

Why get so passionate at the mention of being Hokage?

Unlike you, I'll be the heir to the Hokage name no matter what! Tsunade's eyes began to flicker open, the image of Naruto's determined face haunting her dreams. Because being Hokage is my dream.

"Alive?" Tsunade winced, the sun beams blinding her. Slowly, the sanin sat up carefully, glancing towards the window; sitting at the windowsill was Karibi. "I really can't decide if I should be impressed or embarrassed by the amount you drink." The blonde scoffed, rubbing her head before she stood up from the bed.

"Come talk to me when you've grown up a few years, kid."

"Didn't I already tell you not to address me like that?" Karibi eyed the sanin warily, Tsunade meeting her gaze.

The night before was a slight blur, but it was still clear enough in the older woman's mind; her scuffle against Naruto and the wager they had agreed upon.

It gave her enough time to really think.

Karibi had been sour towards Tsunade. Sanin or not, the moment she had put her hands on Naruto and said what she had said to him was the moment Karibi had found her emotions decided. However, her opinion had been swayed with Shizune's late-night visit; it seemed that Tsunade, too, had lost just as much as they had.

They were all so miserably alike in that way.

Silence settled in the stuffy hotel room, both women gazing upon each other. Neither dared to break the still of the moment, trying to gauge what the other was thinking. It wasn't until Karibi stood to her feet, the legs of her chair screeching without warning against the wood of the floor that the peace was broken. "I'm not here to bother you, so you don't have to worry about that." Karibi had had enough of following the sanin for one day. "I was just here to say something very important that I think you need to understand about me." Tsunade raised a brow at that.

"Oh? And what's that?" she inquired, purposeful in her patronizing tone, Karibi narrowing her eyes for a brief second before she cleared her throat.

"We all have our own skeletons in the closet. And eventually, whether we like it or not, we have to deal with them." Karibi knew that feeling well. "I'm not going to sit here and tell you that it's time for you to do that. It's not anyone's place to decide that for you." Tsunade's eyes widened as Karibi took a brave step forward. "But what I will say is this. You are not the only ninja or person in this world that has shadows lurking behind them or monsters hiding under their bed...so, with as much respect as I can say this with, be careful who you're speaking to when speaking ill of Sandaime-sama and Yondaime-sama." Tsunade's gaze hardened at the idle threat that the jonin seemed to be giving her.

"You think you can take me on?"

"Not at all. Doesn't mean I won't try." Karibi took another step closer, only two steps now between the two women; her amethyst eyes were icy. "If you ever speak negatively about Minato-san in front of Naruto again, I'll make hell rain down on you." Karibi didn't bother saying anything else. She merely brushed past the sanin, the sound of her footsteps bouncing off the walls. Tsunade's jaw clenched, her hands balling up into tight fists. There was a pit in her stomach that continued to twist itself up, and it only grew tighter from the younger woman's words.

"Oh." Karibi paused at the door of the hotel room, looking back at Tsunade. "And let me also be clear about yesterday." Tsunade watched Karibi with slight curiosity in her eyes. "I just want you to know that last night—you putting your hands on Naruto like that? That's never happening again." Karibi eyed the sanin closely. "If you lay even one finger on him again, I'll make sure you regret it." And then, she was gone.

Tsunade stood in the wake of Karibi, her heart buzzing and her stomach stirring. She was partially irate with the manner in which the jonin felt she could address her in. The way Karibi spoke—she had no fear nor did she have regret when she talked with her, which was very unlike how most people interacted with Tsunade. But the blonde wouldn't deny the other part of her that was intrigued by the redhead; it was almost amusing—the younger kunoichi's fearlessness.

She was also somewhat impressed by how much Karibi seemed to care for Naruto, but that was a topic her weary heart didn't want to face.

*Two Days Later*

"Ribi-chan—"

"Shut up."

"But—"

"Either you're going to let me feed you or you're going to let me feed you."

"Wa—Wait a minute! Those two options are exactly the same!" Karibi smirked.

He refused to come back to the hotel room, he refused to go and eat properly; Naruto refused to do anything that wasn't training and practicing the Rasengan. And so, Karibi had taken it upon herself to make sure that he was nourished enough and rested enough to keep fighting and training.

Every so often, his spark of faith would flicker, and she would make sure to keep that lit, as well.

Whatever tension that had formed between the two had dwindled enough where they could sit in the presence of one another and not feel the weight of it on their shoulders. Still, Karibi was always watching her next step—tiptoeing around Naruto and making sure that she did what she was supposed to do in order to prove to the boy that she was, indeed, the guardian that she was supposed to be for him.

As for Naruto, he let his emotions settle naturally.

"...It didn't bother you?" Karibi raised a brow, holding a bit of beef with her chopsticks while Naruto gazed up at her with bashful curiosity.

"What didn't bother me?"

"What that old lady said about...about..." He couldn't seem to bring himself to say it; swallowing the truth about his bloodline was harder than he thought it would be.

The redhead's understanding gaze softened, her shoulders sagging before she sighed. "It does bother me. But at the end of the day, Tsunade-sama's words don't mean much to me," the jonin explained with ease. "Minato-san...he was a good person. He was a great Hokage, and he was a great Hokage because of who he was and because of his ideals." Naruto stared up at Karibi with wide eyes, awe shining brightly in them as she spoke. "So, what other people have to say and think about him as Hokage or the idea of being a Hokage—that's why it doesn't faze me." The older Uzumaki smiled softly, her eyes lost in the distance as she thought back to the days she spent with Minato and Kushina.

"You should remember that." The genin blinked, puzzled by his guardian's suggestion.

"Huh?"

"People question you already because of...because of the Kyuubi." Karibi swallowed the lump in her throat before she composed herself and gave the young boy a stern look. "Instead of reacting, you should just remember what's important to you and why you do what you do." The blond blinked innocently before he smiled widely and nodded his head.

"And anyways." Karibi popped another bite of food into Naruto's mouth with a sigh. "I'm sure Tsunade-sama has had her fair share of loss in her life. Otherwise, I'm sure she probably wouldn't feel the way she does now."

*One Day Later*

Karibi frowned at the way Jiraiya sat in front of her with a concentrated expression across his face; it was distracting from her meal. "...If you're that concerned, why don't you go talk to Tsunade-sama?" He had explained his fears and thoughts about Tsunade and Orochimaru. He had revealed what he thought had unfolded between his two former teammates in his absence, and in truth, he was worried; it was the first time Karibi had ever seen the sanin in such a way.

"She's a stubborn one. No matter what I say or do, in the end, Tsunade will do what she wants to do." Karibi thought for a brief second before she took another bite of her rice.

"And you think she's going to agree with Orochimaru's terms?" Saying his name left a bitter taste in her mouth.

Jiraiya shrugged, letting out a deep breath before he finally continued eating his food. He paused, realizing just how lax his companion was, and in that moment, a brow rose. "You seem pretty calm." Karibi shrugged back, finishing off her meal before she leaned back in her seat and gazed lazily up at the ceiling.

"...The stories about Tsunade-sama were always so interesting. She sounded so mature and so strong. But meeting her in person? It's been...it's been interesting in a different way." Because Karibi had seen sides of the Slug Princess that she hadn't realized existed. She had seen a vulnerability that she was sure not many people survived to talk about later. And it was relatable, and it was painful, and it was something that the redhead truly felt within her bones. And so, she was calm. She remained composed and kept her wits about her. Because, somehow, a kunoichi she had grown up hearing about and wondering about was someone she truly understood.

"I don't think she'll succumb to Orochimaru's deceit." Jiraiya listened carefully and then smirked.

"You don't, do you?" Karibi shook her head.

"No."

"And why's that, since you seem to know everything." The jonin grinned wolfishly at Jiraiya.

"Finally admitting it?"

"If you'd read my tone correctly, you'd know that's not true." Karibi glared placidly at the man.

"...When you lose someone—and I'm sure you know this feeling—you drown in your sadness and forget that there's a life worth living...You constantly think about what you could've done differently and what you should've done and how much you wish things could be different." The solemn look upon the Toad Sage's face said it all. "But the people that Tsunade loved and lost...they loved the village as much as she once loved the village...and I think that still matters and means something to her." Karibi sat upright in her seat before she cleared her throat and shrugged.

"But who really knows what's going to happen."

*Five Hours Later*

He was running out of time.

Only a few hours left, and then his deal with Tsunade would come to a close. But he still hadn't mastered it yet; there was still so much work for him to do.

Looking back over his shoulder, Naruto found his gaze on Karibi, who slept quietly against a rock. His gaze softened as he stared at her, observing her every breath that she took; from the way her fingers twitched, she was dreaming of something. The blond took a few breaths to steady his racing heart, turning and trudging his way back over to the woman. After a few seconds, he plopped down beside the jonin and leaned back against the same rock, letting his eyes flutter shut before he relaxed.

This wasn't just about his agreement with the sanin anymore. This was about making a point. This was about proving to not only Tsunade but the world and to himself that he was capable of being as strong as he said he could be.

That he could be as strong as the Fourth Hokage once was.

Naruto had taken the last few days to really absorb what it was the Karibi had told him. The truth that she had finally given him was still settling in bits and pieces in his heart and mind, but the important things had finally been put to rest; his parents had very much loved him, and so did Karibi. The reality of who it was that he was supposed to call mom and dad? That was something he wasn't entirely sure he would ever grow accustomed to; there were many things that Karibi had said that he needed to grow accustomed to.

Forcing his eyes open, Naruto turned his head to his guardian, the woman still fast asleep beside him. His expression softened while he watched her sleep, her even breaths making him slowly smile.

She was still there. She was still beside him after everything; not because she had to be, but because she wanted to be. The story of them had been hard to hear, and he wasn't sure how the puzzle pieces of their life would fit together after this mission. But sitting beside Karibi in that moment, Naruto was sure that things would be fine. After everything they had been through and as much as she had told him about her own life and about the beginnings of his, the genin had no doubts in his mind; they would make it through whatever storm came in their direction.

Suddenly, the blond found a newfound strength inside of his heart. The adrenaline was pumping through his veins once more and jolts of energy were shooting through his body. Naruto was standing back up to his feet in seconds, marching with determination back to the spot he had decided on in the clearing for his training. He could feel chakra flowing through his body, a deep breath falling from his lips.

You should just remember what's important to you and why you do what you do.

Within seconds, he was back at the Rasengan once more.

*One Hour Later*

Shizune stood beside Karibi, the pair gazing down at the blond as he laid bandaged and unconscious on the hotel bed. The redhead glared down at the boy, shaking her head while Tsunade's assistant smiled weakly at the jonin.

"He's dedicated, that's for sure."

"He's an idiot, actually," Karibi corrected before she pulled up a chair beside Naruto and shook her head. "He doesn't know when to quit." Shizune watched the two Uzumaki's closely, a warmth swelling in her heart as Karibi leaned against the bedside and brushed hair out of Naruto's peaceful face.

Tsunade watched quietly from the hotel door.

"Oi, Uzumaki-san." Karibi blinked, she and Shizune looking over to the room door and gawking as the female sanin's eyes lingered on Naruto before flickering to the redhead. "Drink with me."

§

Karibi stole glances of the blonde walking beside her every few seconds, uncertain of what had brought the unexpected request on from the sanin. She didn't bother asking questions, merely following Tsunade's lead and heading into the bar to her left; had Shizune not been there to keep an eye on Naruto, she was certain that she would have declined.

After getting seated, the two settled into their chairs, a bottle of warm sake being placed on their table with two sake glasses. When the pair poured their glasses full, Tsunade was the first to speak. "You said we all have skeletons in our closet, right?" The younger woman blinked, slowly nodding her head.

"I—I did." Tsunade nodded her head, before she leaned forward with interest gleaming in her eyes.

"What are yours?"

Karibi wasn't sure how to respond. There was a part of her that wanted to run and another part of her that wanted to throw a punch into the woman's face; even if that meant she would be knocked out cold, she felt it would be worth it.

The smallest part of her wanted to answer truthfully.

"...I've got too many to count, honestly." Karibi threw back her head to down her drink, Tsunade eyeing her closely before she followed suit. Their glasses slammed on to the tabletop in unison before the younger kunoichi spoke. "...I've been left to die, I've lost family and friends...I've..." Her heart skipped a beat as she recalled the very moment she stood over Naruto in the hospital.

"...I've hurt people that I love." Tsunade watched Karibi closely, reading into every reaction that she gave her. "...Why do you ask?" The blonde shrugged, pouring herself and her companion another drink.

"You're so quick to lecture me about my ways and about dealing with my past and feelings, I assumed that you were speaking from a personal level." Karibi's cheeks almost glowed like a ruby gem, though she fought the embarrassment and shook her head.

"I'm not—I don't—Lecturing? That's not how I meant to come across," she managed to exclaim, quickly throwing back her second drink and holding out the glass to Tsunade; the sanin smirked before she poured Karibi another. "I've just...These last several weeks have been harder than I was expecting, and we've been putting a lot of energy into finding you." A somberness suddenly began festering between the pair.

"...You might not like hearing it, but the Leaf Village needs you...and whatever happened in your past—whatever happened to Dan and Nawaki should not be held against the village or the people." Their names made Tsunade's heart sink. Hearing someone else say their names was almost disturbing. But she was a grown woman—an experienced shinobi; she would keep those perturbing feelings to herself.

Silence fell over the pair, the two drinking to themselves before Karibi spoke. "Maybe it's selfish of me to ask. After everything that I've done, maybe I don't deserve this, but I am asking you to please consider at least coming back to Konoha with us." Tsunade listened intently to whatever Karibi had to say.

"...I've lost everything...I've lost everyone. And I never thought I would ever feel...I never thought I would feel whole again." The sanin stiffened, Karibi's words striking close to home for her. "And it took a lot of work, sweat, tears and forced hope to get where I am today—and by no means am I saying that everything right now is perfect or that I no longer feel despair or remorse for everyone and everything that I can never have back...but I have people now that need me and that love me. I have people now depending on me and waiting for me to come back to them with help...and I am tired of losing people, Tsunade-sama." The older woman's eyes widened, Karibi's raw emotions seeping out of every pore in her body as she stared deeply into her elder's eyes without hesitation. "I am tired of losing people, which means I'm going to do whatever I can to make sure I don't lose anyone else again. And if that means begging you or paying you or bribing you or knocking you unconscious somehow and dragging you back to the village, then I'll do it."

Tsunade's voice was lost in the back of her throat. The way Karibi's eyes shined and the way her lips were pressed into a thin line—the blonde somehow felt every word that she had said to her very core.

"...You want another?" Karibi glanced over to the empty bottle of sake before she relaxed and began to chuckle. Tsunade smiled, for the first time with the redhead, looking over at the waitress and waving to get her attention.

The two finished off the second and third bottle without any trouble.

Hi to whoever and all!

I am back with another update (WOOOO). I'm feeling really good with the consistent uploads for chapters, so I can only hope I can keep his momentum up! With my writer's block out of the way, I've been able to clearly envision what's going to happen, especially during Naruto Shippuden. I've been piecing together how things are going to look with Karibi, and very much like this story, there will be certain things that may being slightly different and then main, important plot points that will inevitably be the same! So, I'm really looking forward to getting to that point of writing it all out! Of course, I'm getting suuuuper ahead of myself, but I just finished rewatching "Naruto" so I think I may be jumping the gun because I'm getting ready to start the long haul with rewatching Naruto Shippuden. I haven't really decided if I will end up watching Boruto/reading the manga. I'm still up in the air about that, so if anyone who is reading this has opinions, please share because I'm undecided LOL

This chapter has more between Karibi and Tsunade, which is fun! Their personalities differ, but they're sort of the similar in certain ways, so it was fun writing them together! As this story continues, we'll definitely be seeing more of them together! And with this next chapter and what's about to go down between the Sanin, it's also going to be very interesting to see all of that too!

Thank you, as always, to those who are reading this! I'm grateful to anyone and everyone who has stuck with this from the beginning. I'm also grateful to those who have recently stumbled upon this little thing and decided to give reading it a shot! I hope to keep the updates going :)

Reviews:

WindyCitySlayer1: Hello! Yes, I'll be doing my best to continue :D As I said before, I've been feeling good about writing and updating so I'm hoping this keeps up! I do apologize, again, for the random pop-ups and then long wait, bit I'm here now! LOL Thank you for reading this and for your patience!

missfites: Thank you for reading! LOL I appreciate your dedication to this story! I promise I will try not to be gone for so long again. I definitely can't promise that I won't because that's just outside of my scope but definitely will try not to be! There's more to unfold as we continue, and with the peak of this arc coming up, we'll see how things go for Karibi and friends! Thanks so much for reading and reviewing :)

10868letsgo: Hi there! Glad you like this story so far! More is to come with what we know happens next in the series, so hopefully that will be to your liking as well! Thank you very much for taking the time to read this story!

atomical: Hey! I can't and say it didn't take me a second to figure out some of the abbreviations you used LOL I am genuinely so happy to hear that you like Karibi as a character! I've been back on the ball with writing her and weaving her into the series plot, so it's always reassuring and comforting to know she is liked by those who are reading! I've tried my very best to make sure she makes sense with the other characters and with her own story as well as the original plot! Tsunade definitely is going through stuff during this part of the series, but I think that's also why Karibi relates to her in such a way since at this point we all know Karibi has been questionable as well LOL So, we'll see how the rest of this goes with them together :D Thanks a bunch for reading this and for reviewing!

ForgeandGred4Ever: Hi! Just wanted to make sure I say thank you so much for reading this story! I've been putting this thing together for so long, so I appreciate the support! This his definitely the big part of this arc in "Naruto" so it's been interesting seeing how things will play out with Karibi in the mix! It's been a balancing act when it comes to putting Karibi together with the original story and the original character! I hope you enjoy what comes! I'll continue to do my best with this! Thank you!

Kiki0078: First, I just want to say, you do not have to be sorry for leaving a late review or anything like that! There's no such thing as a late review! I'm grateful that you're even reading this at all! So thank you! And second, writer's block is TERRIBLE. I'm hoping I won't be dealing with that for a while at least, but we'll see how things go...LOL It's been interesting figuring out exactly how Karibi is going to react with Orochimaru coming up and with planning how things should go with her in the mix. Their history is definitely such a big piece of Karibi and why she is the way she is so it's going to be something when they finally reunite after so long. I hope you end up liking what's to come! I'll do my best! Thank you so much for reading this and for reviewing!