AN// A double update in celebration of the posting of 'Touched' a book I'm working on. It's top on my profile so please give it a read? I plan to publish it as a book one day. And I'd love opinions on it too! Enjoy the chapter!

Kotetsu and Izumo were having one of their normal boring days on gate duty. Kotetsu was dozing off, and Izumo had his chin propped on his hand, eye half-lidded. It was hot outside, despite the fact that it was late October, and Izumo was sweating. There were no visitors or traders, just the occasional genin team returning or leaving for a mission.

So when a small group of children walked up to him with the oldest holding out a notepad to him, his spirits lifted. Maybe this was just another group of orphans, but walking them to the orphanage was less boring than sitting for hours on end.

"Hello? This is Konoha, right? The main gate?" A girl who looked to be the oldest of the group asked. Izumo nodded, and the kids behind her plopped to the ground, lying flat on their backs and huffing.

The blonde-haired girl rolled her eyes. "Sorry about them, we've been travelling for a month. We're from a village in Kusa. It was burned and everyone but us massacred. We were sent here by a blond guy. He had whiskers and was really nice. He said to tell you we are under the protection of the fox and shadow."

Izumo felt his eye widen. "Naruto and Shikamaru." It was no secret of the two's abilities. "Why didn't Naruto come with you?"

The girl handed him a notepad.

Kotetsu, Izumo.

Let the damn kids in. Take them to Anko. Let the young ones enter the academy should they choose. I can't come back yet, sorry.

-Naruto

Izumo handed the notepad back to the girl and woke Kotetsu. "I'm taking these kids to Anko. They were sent by Naruto. Stay awake."

Kotetsu nodded and Izuma walked out from behind the Guard Booth. "If you'll follow me, I'll lead you to Anko, she's a friend of Naruto's." He sweatdropped at the dead stares the tired kids gave him, and sighed exaggeratedly.

"I can carry two of you. Choose." In the end, he ended up carrying the two girls, the three boy's deciding to tough it out. They were halfway through the village when one of the boys just passed out. Reima ended up carrying him, the two girls asleep in Izumo's arms. Finally, they stood in front of the second door on the right.

Izumo let one of the tired boys knock, his arms full of sleeping girls. The door was instantly opened, and Izumo raised an eyebrow. "Kakashi-san?"

"That's my name. Maa, Izumo-kun I didn't know you, and Kotetsu had been so busy! How did you keep them hidden for so long!?"

Izumo twitched. "They aren't mine. These six are here for Anko. Can we hurry, these kids are dead on their feet."

Kakashi opened the door and the group shuffled in. Soon the couch was full of sleeping children, sans the blonde girl. She was obviously tired, but stayed awake while Kakashi went to grab Anko.

The purple haired woman walked in. "Kakashi why the hell are there kids on my couch?" She sighed when the copy nin just shrugged.

"Ano, Anko-san, These kids were sent to you from Naruto. The blonde has a note from her and everything."

Anko turned to the blonde girl. "What's your name?"

"Reima. Naruto-san wanted me to give this to you." Reima handed the kunoichi the same notepad she handed Izumo. Anko grabbed it and flipped past the note for Izumo and Kotetsu.

Anko,

It's been a year as I write this. These kids witnessed death today. Sadly, I was a part of it. I killed retired shinobi and a few civilians. I didn't want to, but Orochimaru has Shikamaru hidden somewhere and is torturing him. Until I find him I have to do what Orochimaru says. I'll give you the location of one of his hideouts, the one I'm in. Let Shikaku plan whatever attack, but be careful. I haven't explored all of it so I don't know if Shika is there. I'm okay though, and even have a student now. He's one of the orphans, he didn't want to leave me. I'll assume Tazuna has finished renovations, so give the kids a bunk, and have Kabuto check up on them. He'll relate better than most, having been orphaned due to a massacre.

-I miss you all, Naruto.

Anko chuckled, eyes shining. "The brat is okay, though I don't think Shikaku is going to like hearing his son is being tortured." She looked at Reima.

"Get some sleep. I'll wake you for dinner. 'Kashi, I need you to pick up some things, we're inviting Yoshino and Shikaku as well as your team and Team Ten."

Naruto knocked Haruki off his feet for the fifth time that day. They were in the land of Tea, taking the long way back to Oto. Haruki was proving to be a fast learner, and could walk up trees easily. He still slipped sometimes when tree jumping, but he was improving at a steady rate. Naruto had given him her chakra weights, and his stamina and endurance were also increasing. He was still four though, and Naruto wasn't keen on pushing him to exhaustion. 

"Again!" She barked, and he pushed himself to his feet before running at her and trying to land a hit. Naruto easily dodged, and began to correct his flaws as they fought. He never repeated the same mistake after she corrected it, but soon she swept him off his feet again.

"We're done for today. Stretch and go for a walk before coming back. I want to make it to the Land of Lakes before the day after tomorrow." His top speed at the moment was genin, and he could only go that fast for about two hours before growing tired.

Haruki nodded and started stretching. Naruto leaned against a tree and closed her eyes. A year and a month, and it'd been six months since Shikamaru had thought anything other than I'm alive, or 'I love you.'

'Shika? Are you okay?'

'...'

Naruto grew worried. He always instantly responded, 'Kurama, is Yoru responding?'

"He is. He says Nara has a seal and is currently battling against a piece of Orochimaru's soul."

'That damn snake!'

Naruto turned around and punched a tree, the poor thing shattering.

"Naruto?" Haruki was back.

"Yes?"

"Are you okay?"

"No. I'm not. I won't until I get my precious person from Orochimaru. Let's go." Naruto took to the trees just below genin speed so that Haruki could keep up.

"I'm going to get stronger so that I can help you save them." Haruki sprung from branch to branch, each word punctuated by a push off of the wood.

"Thank you Haru, but Orochimaru is strong and I don't know how strong you'll be. We'll rest at sundown, so I'll let you set the pace."

One year, Four months.

Shikamaru hit the floor and grit his teeth. "Kukuku. Ready to join your girlfriend?"

A flare of chakra, and Shikamaru's green eyes dulled. "Yes, Orochimaru-sama."

Cruel laughter rang through the hideout.

The door was open, but nothing came through. That night, Naruto cried for the first time in months. She closed the door herself and locked it. She'd save him. She just hated herself for being unable to do it sooner.

A month later she was leaving Oto, and met up with Haruki in the Land of Fields. From there they made their way to the Land of Demons. Naruto needed to get stronger, so they would go find Demon Summoning contracts, form them, and train under them. It took three weeks to get there, poor Haruki passing out a few hours before arrival. Combat wise, he had reached genin, he had above average chakra control, and he took to books like a fish in water.

When he woke up, they made their way to the Demon Forest.  Kurama guided Naruto to the Demon Fox contract, where she signed her name eagerly. 

One year five months

She was finally making progress. 

Haruki ended up with the Demon Cat contract, and now Naruto wasn't worried about him when she was in the hideout. He was able to train on his time instead of Naruto's so she focused on him being healthy and finding Shikamaru.

If Naruto were to give herself a rank, she'd say she was on Jonin level now. As she did missions and gained experience, she picked up jutsu from rogues or retired shinobi across the elemental nations. She had mastery over most of her wind jutsu and was working on water jutsu.

She had a name across the nation now. No one knew her identity, so they called her the Nameless Soldier. The name was whispered in fear by those who were enemies of the Sound. A blond man clad in black who was quick and deadly.

Konoha got a mysterious influx of orphans who applied for the academy, and Rin's Complex was once again renovated, and an extra floor added and the residents living comfortably. Anko and Kakashi took in Yuno, a five-year-old girl with pink hair so light it was closer to white and doe brown eyes.

Izumo and Kotetsu took in Kirato, the eight-year-old having grown attached after Izumo kept visiting. He had black hair and dark blue eyes, his skin a soft mocha. He was quiet and withdrawn, and entered the academy the day the next year started. He had a bad habit of staring at people who spoke to him, usually making the person speaking feel unsettled.

Jiraiya took Reima, Sasuke, and Kusei with him in search of Tsunade, as Hiruzen was ready to retire.

Naruto and Haruki made their way through Hi no Kuni cautiously, wary of Anbu patrols. They were heading to the Land of Sea. Naruto had been ordered to kill all of the prisoners there and send any of his shinobi back to Oto to be reassigned.

It was risky to rest in Hi no Kuni, but Haruki was tired. "Come on, we'll rest for a few hours. Get some sleep. We'll stop to eat in Tanazaku Gai before pressing on. You need a proper meal."

"I'm fine."

"No, You're too thin. And a four-year-old shouldn't have bags under his eyes. Go to sleep."

Haruki grumbled, but leaned against a tree and soon fell asleep. Naruto took off her cloak and covered him up. She was beginning to see him as her son, and hoped Hinari wouldn't mind a big brother, or Shikamaru another child. She huffed out a silent laugh as he heard his voice.

"Another kid? Troublesome Naru." She wiped her face of any tears as she remembered his voice. It was slightly rough, but that's what she loved about it.

She let Haruki sleep for five hours before waking him. It was around two am and the two quickly set out towards Tanazaku Gai. They leapt out of the forest and onto a dimly lit street. "Keep your chakra concealed, okay? I'm going to have to wear my damn mask, and transform my hair."

Naruto transformed so that her hair was grey and flat, adding some wrinkles and saggy skin to look older. "I'm your grandfather, okay? Sujiro."

"Hai."

The two walked down the street and closer to the active part of the town. There weren't many places still open, so Naruto decided to rent a room in a hotel. "We'll finish resting here and eat and leave in the morning. Here, hop in the bed."

Haruki slid under the covers. "Naruto?" He murmured.

"Yeah, Haru?"

"You'd be a good mommy, you know? I kinda wish," He yawned, eyes already sliding shut. "That you were mine." 

Naruto was frozen. She leaned down and kissed his forehead as he drifted off. "I already see you as my son, Haru. Now, sweet dreams."

Naruto slept lightly, feeling happier than she had in over a year.

One year, seven months.

Yoshino watched Hinari walk through the Nara garden. The child hadn't smiled once since the invasion and barely spoke to anyone she wasn't close to. She watched clouds and drew pictures of naruto and Shikamaru. She asked to be taught how to read and write and took to it faster than a kunai thrown by a jonin.

She was smart, and was taking every opportunity to get smarter. Yoshino did her best to be a good guardian, but Hinari didn't even call her Auntie anymore. She was 2 years old and had gone one year and eight months without her parents.

Naruto and Haruki walked through the town. Naruto was letting Haruki pick where to eat. It was early in the morning, so not a lot of shops were open yet. Naruto had made a spilt second decision to summon Oka, one of her demon fox summons, and hand her a letter.

"Take this to the Leaf. Deliver it to my daughter. You'll know her scent."

"Hai, Naruto-sama." The fox gently took the letter and ran off.

Haruki eventually picked a teriyaki place, and the two were directed to a table and their order was taken. As they waited, Haruki fidgeted in his seat before blushing. "Naruto?" 

"Yes?"

"Ca-can I call you my Kaasan?" Naruto froze. Haruki had never seen her in her normal body, only ever as a guy, even though he knew she was a girl. But he still accepted her for her secrets. 

"Yeah. Did I ever tell you that I have a daughter?"

"Wha-? No! So you are a mom!"

"Mhm. I haven't seen her in almost two years now. I miss her a lot."

Their food arrived. "I hope you and your grandson enjoy!" Naruto smiled and nodded at the waitress. 

When she was gone Haruki dug in. "So, I'm a brother again?"

"Yes, a big brother. She's just over two years old now."

"Just like Reika..." Haruki smiled sadly. Naruto patted his head.

"Let's eat so we can continue with my mission. You'll be staying in the sand dunes while I complete it. I won't have you kill at such a young age."

"I'm almost five though!"

"Too young. Or do you want to kill?" Naruto leveled Haruki with a serious look.

"No, I don't want to, But I want to help you! What if you get hurt and end up dying!?" Haruki wrung his hands. 

"When was the last time I came back injured?"

Haruki stayed quiet. Naruto softened. "Hey, Thank you for wanting to help me, but I can't let you risk your life for mine. How about this, if you stay out of it, I'll tell you one of my secrets. It's why the foxes like me so much."

"Okay!"

Hinari was sad. She had been since her Momma and Papa went missing. She knew her being sad was making auntie Yoshino sad too, but she couldn't help it. She wanted her Momma and Papa back. So she asked Yoshino-oba to teach her to read and write. Maybe if she became a kunoichi like Momma she could bring them back.

She sat in the garden, staring at the spider lillies, her favorite flower, when a fox as big as her poked it's head from between the green stems.

"Are you Naruto-sama's daughter?'

"Momma?" Hinari leaned closer to the fox. "Momma is here?"

"No, kit. Naruto-sama cannot come home. She wants you to have this." The fox nosed a letter on the ground. Hinari grabbed it and her tiny fingers carefully opened the letter. She was able to read it, and began to smile while silently crying.

My pretty little Hinari,

I love you so much, and I miss you more. I can't come home until I save Dada. A bad snake man has him, and I need to find him.

I need you to be strong for Momma. When Momma comes home I'm going to give you the biggest hug.

In a few weeks I'm going to send someone to visit. He didn't have parents, so I took him with me. He's your new big brother. He's going to love you, and I hope you love him too. Be good for Yoshino, and If you want, ask the fox, Oka to bring a message back.

I love you,

Momma.

Hinari looked at Oka. "I want to send Momma letter."

"I'll wait right here, kit."

Hinari got up and ran as fast as her tiny two-year-old legs would carry her. She needed a pencil. She went to Shikaku-oji's office and grabbed one. In messy letters, she wrote her message.

She ran back out and gave it to Oka. "Than' you for bringing Momma's letter."

"You're welcome kit." The fox turned and ran off. Hinari went back to looking at the spider lillies, smiling.

Naruto and Haruki finished eating and left, ready to leave for the Land of Sea.

"Haruki?"

The two turned to see Reima, Kusei, and Sasuke. "Reima? Kusei?" Haruki glanced at Naruto to see if it was okay to go forward. She nodded, and he went to give Reima a hug.

"Where's Naruto?" Reima asked, catching Sasuke's attention.

"Kaa-Naruto is on a mission. She wouldn't let me go with her, so I'm here. Why are you here?"

Reima raised an eyebrow at Naruto. "We're with Jiraiya-sama. We're trying to convince Lady Tsunade to come back to Konoha. Why are you with this man?"

"He's a contact of Naruto's" Haruki lied smoothly.

"Then why does he have Naruto's chakra?" Sasuke asked, Sharingan activated.

Naruto sighed and released her transformation until she was back in her blond male form. She changed her voice again so she sounded like a younger male.

"Hi Sasuke."

"Naruto. Why are you in transformation again?" Sasuke stared at the blonde, who had let her body grow with the henge so she was six foot even.

"Because. I refuse to be myself while under Orochimaru's employ."

Sasuke nodded in understanding. "This drunkard of a Sannin is being difficult." He admitted. Naruto knew what he was implying and rolled her eyes. "Where is she?"

He beckoned for her to follow. She did, telling Haruki to catch up with his friends. They arrived at a bar and Naruto scrunched her nose at the strong scent of Sake. There in all her glory was Tsunade. Naruto walked up to her and slid into the seat next to her.

"Hi Tsunade."

"Who're you?"

"Uzumaki-Namikaze Naruto. Chunin of Konohagakure, and currently MIA. I'm here to convince you to go back home."

"Try to convince me."

"Tsunade Senju. You are in pain. So very much pain. But I'll say this. You aren't the only person who has lost people. I lost my parents the day I was born, lost what made me a child at eleven. I'm trying not to lose my boyfriend, and I almost lost my grandfather. He was almost killed by his own student. You are weak. So very weak to abandon those memories and dishonor all of your loved one's memories. Anyone could be a better Kage than you right now. Jiji is looking for the Tsunade he knew, not the one sitting right here."

Tsunade was obviously pissed, so Naruto placed the bait.

"I'm working for the man who nearly killed your sensei. He has my boyfriend. I'm going against almost all of my morals so that he lives, and I'm protecting Konoha under the snake's nose. I'll be in the Land of Sea outside of Kuisio village is you want to see what you should be."

Naruto stood and nodded to Sasuke before vanishing. "Tell Jiraiya-sensei I said Hi."

Naruto appeared next to Haruki. "Ready?"

The black-haired boy nodded, saying goodbye to Reima and Kusei before the two disappeared, moving too fast for their civilian eyes to follow. 

Naruto and Haruki made their way to the Land of Sea, running nonstop for two days, Haruki taking brief rests on Naruto's back. When the reach the hideout Naruto places Haruki down. "You stay out here. I mean it. This will be done in no time."

Naruto uses her bloodline for the first time in months, flashing in front of the wardens' office. There is a red haired teen lounging around, obviously bored. Naruto walked in and she jumped.

"Who are you?"

"Naruto. Orochimaru sent me to burn the trash. Are you the only one here that isn't a prisoner?"

The girl nodded. "Yeah.'

"Orochimaru wants you back. If I had any say I'd let you run and find a new place to work.  Orochimaru is terrible and I hate him."

Karin nodded and left. "I'll think about it."

With the hideout devoid of anyone who needed to live, Naruto set to work. She walked in the center of the hideout where her voice could be projected.

"IF YOU FUCKERS BEAT ME YOU GET TO RUN FREE."

Naruto activated a security seal, and all entrances closed down tight and cell doors open. Everything dissolved into chaos.

Naruto cut down each prisoner one by one, spiky blond hair bouncy wildly as she weaved and spun, a deadly dance where every move was fatal to her partner. With her bloodline in use, she didn't gain even a scratch. None of her opponents were stronger than high chunin, all of them easy kills. Outwardly her face was cold and uncaring, but inside each face was ingrained in her memory to torture her later.

Tsunade slammed her drink down a few hours after the blonde had left. The words had struck a chord in her, and as much as she tried to drink it away, she eventually stood, slamming a note on the table for Shizune and taking off in the direction of the land of Sea.

Two days later she spotted a boy out in the middle of nowhere and walked up to him. "What are you doing out here kid?"

"Waiting for Naruto. He's in the hideout." The boy pointed to the sealed entrance. Tsunade easily slammed a hole in the entrance and took a step in, freezing at what she saw. The blond was in a battlefield where it was all against one, and he was winning. He took out each enemy with grace and never once let an enemy near the entrance.

He looked powerful. Strong. 

Something Tsunade wasn't anymore.

Something deep down, she longed to be. She watched as hundreds of prisoners became dozens, and dozens became stragglers who were disposed of in seconds. 

She wanted to be strong again.

Maybe... Konoha could help her?

Naruto took down the last prisoner and wiped her blade on a corpses shirt. She dropped it back in her pouch and turned to face the entrance. She smiled at Tsunade and Haruki.

She felt a sharp pain in her abdomen, and looked down. An inky black spike stuck out of her stomach and she swayed, coughing up blood. The spike vanished and Naruto turned around. Kurama healed the wound to the point it was no longer life threatening.

Naruto watched as a figure stepped out of the shadows, feeling despair as her blue eyes met dull green.

One year and eight months.

She finally found him. 

"Shi..ka?"