Chapter Text
Season 2 Chapter 1
Uzumaki Minashi felt the exhaustion from her mission settling into her bones. Her team had escorted the Daimyo back to the Capital for the past week. Now, she had kept herself and team in check during the entire trip, but that didn’t mean dealing with the man’s nephew had been anymore pleasant. Especially since she’d been the only Female on the team. Ryouta had to hold Kenji back many times from punching the snot nosed man in the face. Kakashi had been more petty about getting back at the sleazy twenty something old man, despite the biting he suffered from Pakkun later for such humiliating acts. The pug complained many times that he was a ninken, not a untrained house pet.
So, Squad Ro had booked it back to Konoha, all while getting some decent training in along the way. It was teams like theirs that were most demanded while others finished up the rebuilding of Konoha.
This wasn’t to include that Kenji wanted to go squish not only Sasuke’s little cheeks, but little Naoki’s as well. Minashi couldn’t really deny that desire either. Naruto was an active six months old and was already teething. Much to Kushina’s despair when she learned that the hard way.
The shriek about her son trying to bite off her nipple had been something that had echoed across the Senju-Uzumaki Compound in a pained alert two weeks ago.
Minashi had tried really hard to not laugh in her nee-san’s face, but not only had Minashi, but Tsunade, Mariko, and Sukitama had all warned her about breastfeeding Uzumaki babies after five months old. It was practically genetic that Uzumaki baby teeth came in between five and six months and no Uzumaki in their long history had ever breastfeed after the first teeth came in.
Minashi had heard it from Tsunade in her first life, and Miku-oba later. So when Hinata had birthed Boruto; She’d passed on the rumor. Being the smart woman she was, Hinata took the Uzumaki warning seriously.
Kushina…was stubborn and determined to lengthen her private bonding time with her baby boy. Until that first Chomp. Mildly offended and betrayed, Kushina handed Naruto over to Minato to feed from the pumped supply of milk as she’d left to pout in Mariko’s arms.
The Blonde Jounin Team Captain was pulled from her wandering thoughts when the recently refinished gates came into view. Relief filled not only the Blonde uzumaki, but she could sense it from her three other teammates. They were finally home.
Shooting a wave to the Chuunin gate guards, the Four Jounins headed for the Hokage tower to deliver their reports.
A stop at Asuka’s desk informed the team that the Hokage wasn’t in an important meeting so they entered.
Minashi beamed when she found aunt Mariko standing proudly in her doctor’s coat and discussing the hospital budget with Sakumo. She ignored the scent she could smell lingering around Sakumo, no doubt Kakashi was doing the same.
It had been something of normal after Zetsu’s attack. Mariko had stepped up to help the Hospital and Tsunade hadn’t hesitated to put her in charge once she’d proven to be very skilled in the medicinal arts. Her sensitive sensory skills had only solidified her position as the Department head of the Rodalogy (Chakra Science) Department. A department that had been training both Hyuugas and Uchihas to detect, find, and research anomalies of a person’s chakra, including birth defects. An area of study Tsunade hadn’t been able to lend her own expertise in as she had the Surgical and iryojutsu departments to head along with the Hospital itself.
With Shizune, Biwako, and Mariko at her sides, Konoha’s medical programs had never been stronger with Tsunade heading them with her Assistants.
“Mari-oba!” Minashi beamed and approached the older woman who smiled and took the hug with grace and poise reminiscent of their technical statuses as Uzumaki Princesses.
“Mina-chan.” The woman hummed content with the feel of familia chakra against her senses. “You’re finally home. Kushina-chan will be ecstatic.”
Minashi beamed and then turned to the smiling Hatake Hokage, even if it took her clearing her throat to pull the man’s gaze off the Redhead. Sakumo ignored her knowing smirk and ordered for their verbal reports.
The Blonde Uzumaki couldn’t help but let her mind wander even as she reported.
Nagisa sat on the Hokage’s couch as Mariko sat across from her. Sakumo sat quietly at his desk, the privacy seal activated, but he’d be staying out of this conversation.
“Uzumaki Michi only had three sons.” Mariko said firmly, Ruby eyes narrowed on the blue eyed Uzumaki across from her. Now, Mariko may still not be comfortable in the company of strangers, but she’d come to trust the Hokage’s judgment and he’d sworn on his Honor and Hat that this Kitsune turned Nagisa woman was good.
Mariko couldn’t argue otherwise, but didn’t believe him either. She couldn’t feel the woman’s chakra. She didn’t believe the Woman’s story. Kushina may have been isolated from most of the family due to her duty and training as the next container, but it meant that the rest of them did their best to protect her. Mariko was not a fighter, but she’d fight if this woman posed a threat to what was left of her family.
“What proof do you need?” Nagisa asked in return.
“I want to see your chakra.” Mariko noted the eye twitch of the calm woman across from her.
To her surprise the woman’s eyes closed as she sighed. “I will, but you must swear to never speak of what you find. My position and duties will always be to protect Konoha, as do my secrets.”
Mariko raised a sleek red brow and eyed the Hokage who’s chakra had twitched a bit. But all she saw was Coal eyes watching them beneath Long silver Lashes, amusement twinkling in those dark depths- and Mariko whipped her gaze back to Nagisa when chakra began to roll off her.
Ruby eyes narrowed as she read deeper into that…Uzumaki chakra. Familiar Chakra. Identical Chakra. But…no one had identical Chakra— Mariko Choked when she realized that something key was missing from the person before her.
“What are you?” Mariko whispered slightly wondrous yet horrified at the prospects.
Pink lips twitched as Cerulean eyes lit with mirth.
“Sakumo?” Nagisa called.
The Hokage grunted and placed his hand on a seal. A flare of chakra later and Mariko’s cousin Minashi appeared in a shunshin before the barrier was up once more.
Mariko looked between the blonde teen and the Redhead across from her. Identical Chakra except that there was a thin thread of chakra connecting Nagisa to Minashi by their Eighth Chakra Gate. The gate of Life.
“What?” The confused Uzumaki whispered.
“Nagisa is my alter ego.” Minashi answered. “She is a grown up version of myself so that I can act on my goals to protect that which has yet to come.”
Mariko’s mind whirled as forbidden sealing lessons popped up in her head. A part of fuuinjutsu no uzumaki had ever been allowed to venture into because the last time someone had attempted to change fate, they’d died a gruesome death.
“Impossible.” Mariko whispered.
Minashi’s and Nagisa’s lips twitched in twin humor.
“Not when you have the backing of many Seal Masters and the Kyuubi no kitsune.” Minashi answered.
Mariko made some sort of noise, but didn’t have the mental capacity to figure out what. Her mind was still stuck on how her baby cousin had defied the impossible.
“I knew your daughter Karin.” Minashi interrupted the elder Uzumaki’s thoughts. Mariko’s head whipped to the Blonde. “We didn’t grow up together and she didn’t have any better of a life than I did. She sought sanctuary with a mad scientist of a missing nin after your death. She was used and abused and only had a piece of freedom when she traveled the nations with one of my teammates. Before I jumped back, her only request to me was to save you. I kept that promise. Here in Konoha you and Karin can live, flourish, and love like you haven’t since Uzushio fell. Konoha will never be Uzu, but it can still be a home.”
“Thus, we need your cooperation for my position as Kenta’s baby sister with my twin brother Namiyo. Of the Uzumaki that survived you are the only one currently that knows our backstory is false.” Nagisa added calmly.
“I may not have seen Uzu fall, But I saw the Elemental Nations as a whole do so.” Minashi said heart lurching with pain.
“In order to prevent such things from befalling once more, I need this alias.” Nagisa finished for her original, Blue eyes latched onto Ruby.
Mariko looked between the original and some sort of Clone, and felt moved . She could sense it in their chakra. The scars of pain old and new that they had to suffer to get where they were today. Minashi had sacrificed everyone she knew to change the tides of fate.
Mariko’s face eased into a smile of amusement, fondness, and pride.
“Who other than the Uzumaki Princess Heir to challenge the Eddies of Fate?” Mariko stood up and took Minashi’s and Nagisa’s hands. Because Nagisa was just as real as Minashi was, she did wonder if Minashi knew that, but by the knowing glint in their gazes, the Uzumaki’s did. “Your secret is safe with me.”
Mariko cupped Minashi’s cheek with a hand. “I’m proud to have such a brave niece.” She looked up to the hair taller Redhead. “I’m proud to call you cousin or imouto.”
Nagisa smirked. “My age has been questioned many times. Mentally i’m in my thirties.”
Mariko nodded. “We can be hours apart then. Continuously fighting on who was older whenever you and Namiyo weren’t fighting over it.”
Nagisa burst into cackles and pulled Mariko into a hug. The Uzumaki went into it happily as she pulled Minashi in as well. She may not tolerate touch from others yet, but she’d never reject hugs from her family. Even her time traveling ones.
“So, who else is in the know and who isn’t?” Mariko asked and spent the next hour bonding with her family and trying to not stare too long when Sakumo joined in to laugh with them. The man was entirely too handsome for her sanity.
“Well Done Team Ro. Two days off, I don’t have any requested missions for your team specifically, so if that doesn’t change you may choose your next mission at the mission desk.”
“Sweet.” Kenji grinned.
Sakumo huffed amused at all four teens brightened faces. “Dismissed.”
Minashi snagged another hug from Mariko before getting one from Sakumo. She pointedly looked at Kakashi over her shoulder and the boy huffed but took her place to hug his own father.
“Tadaima.”
“Okaerinasai.” Sakumo hummed into Kakashi’s hair, both relaxing as they secretly took in the scent of pack. “I’ll do my best to get home for dinner the next two days. So leave some time for your old man.”
Kakashi hummed secretly pleased and let his dad go. Minashi beamed, grabbed kakashi’s arm and yanked him out to meet Ryouta and Kenji.
“Let’s go!” She cackled.
After agreeing to meet up in a couple of hours to hang out, Team Ro split for their respective homes.
Minashi appeared in a shunshin before the Senju-Uzumaki gates. Relief filled her mind and body once more at the feel of only her family behind the barriers. It hadn’t taken long once Tazuna and his crew had been contracted, for Konoha to be rebuilt. He commanded his people, Konoha’s civilians, and even the shinobi that were put under his charge, and got Konoha’s buildings up and rebuilt in non-mokuton record time. The potential reward of a trading and protective treaty with Konoha had only encouraged the small island to accept the job.
Minashi had also heard Tazuna and Sakumo had agreed to have a bridge built between the mainland and the small island, making trading easier. With this treaty, a patrol bunker would be built in Wave so they would have a protective squad of shinobi on hand at any time.
The Blonde could only pray that this ripple would protect Inari’s step father.
Heading for home, the younger Uzumaki wasn’t surprised to find Sukitama-oba visiting again. Instead of going in through the main door and being glomped by her nieces and nephews (despite the actual blood distance. She’d learned that age defined the distance for Uzumakis, not blood.) Minashi took the walls and roof to her room. Stripping of her dirty and days old uniform -kami forbid they wore comfortable shinobi clothes around the Daimyo- the blonde uzumaki tossed her supply scrolls on her bed before hopping into the shower attached to her own room.
Once clean and dressed in a set of her training clothes, she grabbed her brush and hair ties. A silent footed trip down the stairs and towards the sounds of her family, Minashi prepared to sneak up on her baby cousins.
The blonde had barely taken a step into the room when a head of white hair popped up over the couch and red eyes just stared at her.
The teen resisted the urge to pout when a soft blonde head of hair soon joined with curious honey brown eyes.
“Mina-nee!” Wakana cheered and launched over the couch. Minashi grinned and caught her baby cousin while shooting Tachirama the stink eye. The smug little brat just smirked, making Minashi’s eye twitch. Oh, she’d get the bra back. It was her pride as a sensor to get her fellow passive sensor to not detect her.
“Mina dear, please don’t pick fights with your younger cousins.” Sukitama called from the kotatsu where she was practicing her calligraphy. Indigo eyes glanced up briefly. “It is undignified for a Princess to stick out her tongue so childishly.
Minashi’s tongue snapped in from where she’d stuck it out at the Senju brat that just snickered at her scolding.
“Hai~ Oba-sama.” She called reluctantly even as Wakana stayed attached to her like a koala. Heading to said elder, she whipped her hand out and flicked Tachirama’s forehead. He yelped as he was flung back with a now sore mark on his head. Sukitama ignored the childish complaints from her grandson and instead tilted her head to accept the kiss to her cheek from Minashi.
“Welcome home dear. Thank you for showering before joining us. I’m sure you were quite ripe knowing your team’s history.”
Minashi and Wakana both snorted at the Elder.
“Hai~Hai~” She chuckled “Where’s my sister?”
“Training. She's determined to get back in the field now that Naruto is old enough.”
“So Mikoto went through?” She asked setting Wakana down despite the girl’s protesting whine.
“Yes. The Uchiha girl is more than happy to watch Naruto and even Naoki. With Tachirama and Wakana joining pre-school in a week, I can manage Karin while Mariko is on shift, and Mikoto will have Naruto and Naoki.”
The Blonde teen let out a huff of amusement. “Maybe Mikoto-nee should just open up her own daycare. She loves babies enough to shower them all with love.”
When Sukitama-oba didn’t say anything, Minashi glanced up and saw the elder smirking.
“What?”
“Kushi-chan said the same thing, but to Mikoto’s face.”
Minashi stared before blinking once as her brain processed how Mikoto would react to that. “She is…isn’t she?”
“Yes, with the help of the Matriarchs of Konoha a rotating duty for Clan Heir Daycare has been set up. Hanako is having a ball setting it up with the retired mothers. Currently Mikoto, Hitomi, and Yoshino have a majority of the Heirs together at the Uchiha compound. It is to my knowledge that there is also a new current D-rank going around for babysitting.”
“Oh, the genin must love that.” Minashi snickered.
Sukitama just smirked into her teacup.
“So Naruto and Naoki aren’t home?”
“Afraid not dear. Karin is down for her nap though if you would like to sneak a kiss from her.”
“I will.”
Leaving Wakana with a promise to return, she snuck to the nursery and sure enough, in the daybed across from Naruto’s crib was Karin. Slipping over she gently kissed chubby cheeks of her niece and got a hum from the two year old.
Pulling out the stuffed kitten she’d gotten from the capital, Minashi left the gift for the toddler, and headed to give gifts to Wakana and Tachirama who tried to hide his excitement. It took a hug and apology kiss though for the brat to earn Minashi’s forgiveness. The smile she got from him when gifted his own new Fuuin brushes, was worth it. Wakana squealed happily with her new kanzashi that acted as secret senbon holders too.
Slipping outside to the Uzumaki training ground, the teen wanted patiently for Kushina to finish up her set of katas before stepping in when the older started another set.
Kushina smirked, but continued through as they matched kata for kata. Ten minutes later, the sisters finished together and Minashi happily accepted the hug from her nee-san.
“Welcome Home!”
“Thanks. We haven’t been back for long, but I was making my rounds. Oba-san said Naruto and Naoki are with Mikoto?”
“Yep.” Kushina beamed. “The Daycare Rotation started a few days ago. I believe the Nara are the next week’s hosts with Yoshino, Aburame Yachi, and Yamanaka Umeki.”
The blonde chuckled amazed. “It’s really cool what you all have gotten done and can create with such ease.”
“Don’t exclude yourself too much. There are already votes that you and Nagisa-nee-sama should be added on with the others clan kids of your generation.”
Minashi paled. “Please no. I’m too young to be dealing with socialite society.”
Kushina snickered. “Oh it’s not so bad. Anyways, how long are ya home for?” She asked while they headed for the pathway back towards the house. Kushina having finished her training for the day.
“Hm, next two days off, and barring any requests for my team, we might finally get to pick our own mission.”
“Oh hoh? I bet Kakashi-kun is ready for that.”
Minashi huffed. “Honestly we all are. Just because Kakashi and I have famous family doesn’t mean we want to deal with all of the political wheeling and dealing that comes with it.”
“Such is the life of the hokage’s son, and the sister of the Yellow Flash.” Kushina teased.
“And the sister of the Red habanero.” minashi added and Kushina huffed.
“Please, Kumo is the only one that really fears me. Minato is the internationally known one.”
“Riiiight.” Minashi deadpanned knowing that was total bullshit, but choosing the smart path to not point it out.
Kushina eyed her through narrow slits, but let the sarcastic tone go as they passed inside to tell Sukitama-oba where they were going.
With an absent wave, a pout from wakana and tongue out from Tachirama, the two sisters left to grab the babies.
Taking the roofs, it wasn’t long before they were across the repaired village. There were still parts that needed aesthetics done, but the village was looking much better than before. Very few scars were left from Zetsu’s attack. And while the public knew it as the kyuubi attack, only much higher ups knew that it wasn’t just the fox.
It was also widely gossiped at how once the collar had been removed the kyuubi hadn’t continued attacking, but instead limped away. Someone had controlled a bijuu. Shinobi and civilians alike whispered Uchiha madara, but the strong bond between the clans and the Uchiha kept any nasty rumors from going far.
Thus, without someone feeding the flames to such rumors, the spark was already dying.
Landing at the open gates of the Uchiha compound, the guard on shift waved with a small friendly and familiar smile as the two Uzumaki’s headed for the Main family house. (seeing so many Uchiha relax over the years was something that lifted the worry from Minashi’s heart.)
A short knock announcing their arrival, and the two uzumakis let themselves in, hearing an echoed greeting from further in the house.
Barefoot, Minashi walked into the family room and pouted at Kenji who already had Naoki in arm. On the couch, with a nine month old Sasuke was Little Itachi.
Playing in the middle of the floor were five familiar babies. Shino, Choji, Kiba, Ino, and Naruto. Asleep in Yoshino’s arms as she read in a rocking chair was little shikamaru.
Hitomi Hyuuga walked in with four month old Hinata strapped to her back as Mikoto walked in carrying a tray of bottles and baby bowls.
“Kushi! Mina-chan!” Mikoto greeted, smiling. “Welcome home Mina!”
“Hi Miko-nee.” Minashi smiled and accepted the hug after Mikoto had set down the try on the table. Yoshino was already up helping get the three eldest toddlers strapped into seats for lunch. Itachi reluctantly put sasuke into one of the seats and started helping him with his own mash.
“You two are here for Naruto then?”
“Only me.” Kushina smiled. “I’m all finished training. Mina came to get some cuddles in.”
Which Minashi took advantage of by snagging the orange labeled bottle and her nephew and plopped beside Kenji. He accepted the bottle she’d tossed early and fed the baby senju in his arms.
“You sure took your time getting here.” The Uchiha teen teased.
“Excuse me if I didn't realize what the MK would set up while we were gone.” She huffed back, elbowing him gently.
Kenji snorted, but kept with his task to feed Sensei's youngest. “I’m just surprised this wasn’t something done earlier.” He murmured as they watched Kushina help Yoshino feed the older babies while gossiping with Mikoto and Hitomi.
“The clans weren’t as connected until recent years. Sakumo has really put in the effort for clan cohesion and this is one of the results. Otherwise the clans just raised their heirs behind the walls, or the mothers were forced to retire to take care of them. Now they have a choice to stay or not.”
“Very true. Even Mikoto-oba is rethinking retirement.” He smiled at her. “Dad did say that she wants to try for one more baby though. Said something about there not being enough kunoichi to raise up.”
The Blonde snorted, making Naruto giggle around his bottle, pudgy hands swinging distractedly for her hair.
“True.” Her eyes slid to little Itachi who looked entranced as he made sure Sasuke ate everything. “Your baby cousin is going to spoil Sasuke, if he gets a baby sister…I fear for anyone that dare hurt either of them. He just gives off this air of overprotective sibling already.”
Kenji huffed, amused. “True. So we kidnapping the squirts?”
“As much as I love my nephew and baby cousin, I really want to spend the next couple days just catching up with friends. Ever since I recovered, we’ve been on mission after mission. Konoha is the same, but it feels like I need to walk it to see if things have changed.”
“Understandable. I feel the same. It’s like I found an old favorite t-shirt and I'm not sure if it still fits.”
The blonde eyed her Uchiha friend with a raised brow. “I guess that’s a good description of it. Like we have our arms in and so far it feels like we remember, but-”
“The rest of it still needs to be put on. Yeah.” Kenji smiled at her pleased.
Airy sucking startled the teens and Minashi looked down to see Naruto pouting at the empty bottle. Snorting she lifted the baby blonde to her shoulder and rose. Patting his back until a loud burp left the tiny Uzumaki followed by giggling. Kenji copied moments later with the baby senju who was much more reserved.
Holding and playing with her nephew, cousin, and the future rookies for the next hour settled Minashi’s soul more than anything in the world. The only thing that came close was napping between Minato and Kushina with their scents wrapped around her and reminding her that she was home.
Leaving Kushina at the gates as she took Naruto home for mommy and baby time, Minashi took to the roofs with Kenji.
Halfway to the main district, Kakashi met them mid air. Ryouta joined a few minutes later as they landed on the main street.
“Ya know, I’m not sure if I know what a day off even means anymore, especially after all the practical back to back missions we’ve been on.” Kenji stated as they walked and eyed the reconstructed buildings.
“Hm, agreed. But at least we are teamed up together instead of with those we’d rather bury.” Ryouta sniffed. “Those months before the attack when we were separate were….trying.” He said carefully.
Kakashi snorted. “You mean annoying. At least you three got to leave the village. My solo was in-village.”
“Well, it just means we’ll have to remember. We can always hunt down some of our friends that are off and see what they are up to?” Minashi offered, walking backwards as she faced her three best friends.
Kenji’s grin was excited. Kakashi looked mildly interested. Ryouta’s lips twitched.
“It would be nice to see Koto and Suzume again. Last I heard, Suzume was still under her cousin Torune’s tracking team. Koto apparently earned her Jounin promotion recently.”
“I heard Ibiki’s been apprenticing under Yamanaka Inojiro-dono in T&I.” Kakashi hummed.
“That…doesn’t surprise me.” Ryouta rolled his pale eyes.
“Did you guys notice that Kotetsu and Izumo were at the gate when we checked in?” Minashi smirked. “Not just Isao and Hiroki?”
The three Jounin stopped and stared at their smirking blonde.
“The new generation of eternal Chuunins have begun.” a new voice chuckled and Minashi turned to spotted Genma walking up with Raido at his side.
“There’s already bets going on on how long our friends will last.” Raido smirked.
“Bets you two started?” Ryouta raised a brow at the Tokubetsu Jounins.
Genma just smirked and switched his senbon from one side to another. “Plausible deniability.”
Kenji snorted. “What are you two up to?”
Genma shrugged. Raido sighed. “Day off.”
“Same.” the Uchiha smirked. “Wanna hang?”
“Sure.”
“Food.” Minashi announced suddenly. “I’m starving.”
“Sounds good.” The group agreed and started walking as they debated on which rebuilt or new restaurant to choose from.
“Yooo!”
The group paused at the attention grabbing shout and even the other mixed traffic paused to stare at the brightly grinning Yamanaka standing beside a half asleep Nara Kunoichi.
“Mina-chan!!!” Inomi hollar again.
“Inomi!” Minashi cheered and leapt with a bit of chakra to gently tackle her fellow blonde.
Inomi cackled as she caught her friend and swung her around to stop her momentum. Shikari stole her favorite cuddle partner into a hug and practically fell asleep in her warm arms.
“I’ve missed your warmth blanket-chan.” The Nara sighed teasingly. Minashi snorted even as the guys joined them.
“Right?” Inomi grinned. “We’ve all been so busy! I’m surprised to see Team Ro out of masks let alone in Konoha for more than a passing wave.” The yamanaka wagged a finger at them like they were naughty kids. “How am I supposed to fill you all in on the local gossip if you’re never home?”
“By just gathering more and spilling it all at once.” Genma grinned.
Inomi shot him a sly look, sleek brow raising. “Like all the gossip I've got on you? Gen~ma~ Kun? ” The Shiranui paused and just stared at the smug Blonde.
“You ain’t got shit on me.”
“Tea Country last year. The Client’s youngest daugh-” Genma paled so fast and slapped a hand on Inomi’s mouth so fast that Minashi let out an impressed whistle.
“Genma.” Ryouta scolded frowning. “Fraternizing with fellow shinobi on missions, let alone the client’s family, is prohibited.”
Minashi snorted and heard Raido echo it with Shikari’s own in her ear as the Nara had moved to be a limp backpack to her shorter friend.
“Did you get caught?” Kenji asked curiously.
Genma sighed even as he glared at the grinning Inomi.
“No. I’m a shinobi. The client never found out. So How did you ?”
Inomi pressed a finger to her lips, eyes twinkling at her fellow Tokubetsu Jounin. “Hi~mi~tsu~”
“Gai.” Kakashi announced bluntly. All eyes whipped to their masked friend who was picking at his ear. “The idiot wouldn’t shut up about how un-youthful Genma had been. I had to win a challenge against him to keep his mouth shut before it spread and ruined Konoha’s reputation.”
Genma grabbed the Hatake’s hand with fake tears falling down his face. “Kakashi~~~” He exclaimed. “You DO understand the bro code! I’m so proud-urk” Genma folded over holding his stomach from where the younger nin had punched him.
“Keep your filthy hands off me. I do not know when the last time you washed them was and I can smell who you were last with Shiranui.” Kakashi bit out tightly even as he was glad he’d started wearing gloves around his friends. Hormones. He shivered disgusted at how all his friends were starting to mix scents as they explored . Thank Kami his own team was much better behaved,
Genma’s cheeks flamed as their friends snickered.
Minashi tilted her head curiously and leaned forward to sniff Genma who jerked away blush rising higher. What no one noticed was Raido’s own ears reddening.
Minashi just slowly looked up at her older friend. “Ya know…I think I called this when we were just kids.”
Genma choked, Raido face palmed.
“I do hope he understands what sort of handful you are.” Minashi smirked and Genma’s face just stayed red.
“Wait…He!?” Inomi grabbed Minashi grinning madly and turned to the blushing Genma who looked ready to rabbit away. The Yamanaka grabbed him before he could, grin manic by now. “Ho ho ho? You think you can get away from me that easily, Shiranui? Nu-uh. You will spill.” The yamanaka proceeded to drag Genma into the Yakiniku Q they’d been standing outside.
The rest of them just stared before following. Minashi slowed her pace to match the reluctant Raido’s. She patted his shoulder in commiseration.
“If I didn’t hint at it, Kakashi would have.” She hummed to him softly. Raido huffed with a small shrug.
“We’ve only been dating for a few months. Seeing if we can work as more than just best friends.” The brunette whispered back even as his eyes followed the whining teen into the booth their group was assigned, only to find that Koto and Suzume were already there. Inomi explained they’d been meeting for lunch before Suzume’s kikaichu had alerted them to their arrival.
Minashi touched his arm to gain his attention before they split. Dark eyes met her light ones.
“Congrats all the same. You two smell happy.”
Raido’s cheeks dusted pink even as his gaze slid to his sulking boyfriend. “We are. I know he’s got a bit of a rep, but it’s all for show and practicing mission skills. It’s kinda fun to work together and know that I'm the one he comes home to.”
Minashi’s smile was soft. “Sounds lovely. Now, you know this is gonna cost ya to keep my silence.” She grinned wickedly. Raido’s shoulders slumped, he fell right into that one.
“Damn.” he hissed but took the deal of dealing with the Daimyo’s nephew the next time he came to the village instead of her.
Pushing him to a seat to save his boyfriend, minashi took the seat Kenji had saved for her between him and Kakashi.
Thankfully Shikari had experience in wrangling her best friend and soon they were gossiping about their worst clients over the past half a year. The guys vacated to one end of the table when Minashi grinned and brought up how she’d seen little Naruto and Naoki before lunch. Ino had squealed and brought out pictures of little Ino that she’d been able to sneak away.
Shikari slowly glanced at the guys that had fully devolved into jutsu creation at Kakashi and Kenji’s debate, before giving Inomi a thumbs up.
The Yamanaka leaned close, prompting the other four girls to lean forward.
“So, have you and the wolf started dating yet?” Inomi whispered eagerly.
Minashi blinked before sighing. “No. Why do you think we would? We’re practically siblings.” Which didn’t that hurt Minashi’s heart. Shortly after she’d recovered Kakashi had stopped by the Uzumaki residence to remind her that she was still part of the Hatake pack and was allowed to stay in her room there too. He’d reluctantly admitted to her then that the family didn’t feel complete without her scent mixed in the pack. Her heart had soared before Kakashi had said the damning words. ‘ I like having my sister close enough to keep an eye on her reckless self.’
“Well, he gets protective and jealous like a boyfriend would.” Inomi muttered.
“Or like a littermate would.” Koto grunted softly in sympathy. The girl friends winced at that realization. Minashi shrugged them off.
“I’m probably doomed to be alone anyways. With Hokage-sama as a practical father to me, and Minato-nii as an overprotective brother, no one will dare risk their wrath to date me.”
“She’s got a point.” Suzume hummed.
“Well, speaking of Kids of Kages, did you know Asuma has a crush on Kurenai?” Inomi changed the subject.
“Scented it a mile away.” Koto grinned sharply.
“I heard that the Daimyo is looking at having Asuma join the twelve guardian ninja.” Minashi provided, smirking. “Apparently acting as his guard and guide in Konoha’s walls, impressed the Daimyo.”
The other girls’ jaws dropped. “Really?” They whispered frantically before talking all at once about such an honor and if he would take it and….Minashi felt a fond smile light up her face. She needed to go out with her Kunoichi friends more often. She’d missed them.
They were just ordering another round of drinks and desserts when the doors opened and familiar signatures neared.
“Kakashi!” Rin waved as she jogged to their table. “Hey Minashi-san, Kenji-san, Ryouta-kun.” The Chuunin medic blushed at the former Jounin and latter Jounin.
“Rin-san.” The guys greeted and Minashi set a wave as she sucked down her mango milkshake before her eyes narrowed on the figure rolling up behind the teen.
Minato’s sheepish if apologetic face landed on his imoutos.
“Noooo~” Minashi whined. “We got two days off!”
“Hm, Yes, half of your team does. I’m here to hand Rin off to Kakashi who’s been put as second in charge of Team seven that Ryouta-san will also be joining temporarily until our return.”
Kenji perked up as Minashi’s eyes narrowed. Minato rolled his eyes at his suspicious sister.
“Relax. They are staying within Konoha ally lands.”
“Who else is on the temp team?”
“Obito will be joining. He’s completed his training and Nagisa will be leading as Captain.”
“Where are we going?”
Minato huffed at his once short term hatake student. “Wave. Hokage-sama assigned you all as the first squad to lead the patrol bunker there. Since you and Ryouta have experience doing such during the war, we figured it would be good experience for Rin and Obito too.”
“And us?” Kenji asked ignoring Kakashi’s grumbling and sulking. The Hatake despised Bunker duty.
“You’ll be joining me and a few others on a mission requested from Kazekage-sama.” Minato glanced at his pouting imouto. “Reports are that there might be a lost Uzumaki there as well.”
Minashi perked up. All of the Uzumakis were interested in finding any other survivors after Mariko had been successfully found and rescued.
“When?” The teen blonde asked sharply.
“Debriefing in twenty. Team seven’s debrief in an hour.” Minato had barely finished before Minashi was dropping her share of the bill off and disappearing in a shunshin.
She was dressed and packed for a Suna mission within ten minutes. She spent another five cuddling Naruto and promising to spoil him when she got back before making chain shunshins to the Hokage tower.
‘ I really need to rework the Hiraishin again soon.’ she muttered to herself and her napping companion. A snore was Kurama’s retort.
On time, Minashi stood relaxed as Kenji appeared a moment later. She felt the small flare of chakra before Minato too arrived. Walking up the hall were two shinobi she wasn’t quite expecting.
“Chouza-sama? Shibi-sama?” Minashi greeted with a curious lit in her tone.
The Auburn Akimichi grinned and Shibi gave a small bow.
“Uzumaki-chan.” Chouza greeted grinning wide.
“Hokage-sama’s ready.” Minato called to their group.
A moment later they were before the Hokage’s desk as he handed over the Mission scroll to Minato.
“Rasa has requested Konoha’s assistance. Not only has two Suna squads gone missing, but one of the scouting teams reported that an unaccounted for puppeteer is suspected to be running loose in the western lands of Kaze no Kunai. Due to Kaze’s mostly uninhabitable land, everyone knows that the Daimyo only has control over certain parts of the country. Thus, the old city of Roran is one of the few that run without the Daimyo’s interference.”
Minashi felt her eyes widen as Sakumo held up a picture of a Young woman with a redheaded daughter at her side.
“This is Seramu, Former Queen of Roran. She sent out a request to Rasa last year for assistance in protecting her daughter Princess Sara. Rasa and his Shinobi have not been able to enter Roran without squads going missing. He has requested Konoha’s aid in not only protecting the Princess, but to identify the puppeteer and what his role is.”
Sakumo held up a final picture of a portly man dressed in fine robes. “This is Anrokuzan. The Queen’s prior advisor. The man apparently showed up six years ago, and there is no further proof of his existence beforehand according to Suna Intelligence. This will be your number one suspect for Queen Seramu’s death and Queen Sara’s current Threat.”
“No one just shows up out of nowhere with no background.” Shibi stated monotoned.
Sakumo humed but didn’t answer. “Be careful. You Leave as soon as possible to meet with the Scouting Squad from Suna. They will lead you to Roran. Dismissed. Minashi, stay a moment.”
Minato and her temporary team paused but left to wait for her outside the door.
Sakumo put the barrier back up once the others were gone. “Do you know what will happen? This sounds familiar to how you-”
“Everything will work out, Sakumo.” Minashi promised if a little tightly. “Yes, this involves time travel, but temporary travel. My trip was permanent. This is something that will be fixed as soon as we complete the mission.”
The tension in the Hokage’s frame eased. “Good Luck.”
Minashi nodded and left to join her team for their mission to Roran. The blonde hoped things would go as she later remembered when she at first thought to use such a way to come back. Her papa had shot it down quickly though, as the timeline would tear itself apart to fix the paradox loop.
Thus, Minashi, Kenji, Minashi, Shibi, and Chouza were off to save Queen Sara from her greedy murderous Puppet Master Advisor.