Naruto groaned as her eyes slid open. She smiled at the arms wrapped around her waist and tightened her own arms around Hinari. The toddler had refused to leave them, So Naruto had suggested sleeping back at her apartment in the king bed. Her eyes flickered to Haruki, who was sleeping next to Hinari, black hair messierthan usual due to him shifting in his sleep.

For the first time in almost two years, her family was together.

She body switched with a pillow and went to make breakfast. As she started up the stove and placed a few strips of meat in a pan, She stepped into the bathroom to change, pausing as she felt two objects knock together in her pocket. She pulled out the scrolls Orochimaru had given her.

One had the image of a slug on top of a toad, in a monkey's hand, while the other had a feather and a scroll. She put them on the counter and changed into casual clothes, her headband being set next to the scrolls.

She finished frying the meat and started the rice, cracking some eggs and plopping them into the pan.

By the time breakfast was done, everyone had woken up and were seated at the table. Naruto smiled as she placed a bowl with meat, egg, and rice in front of each person. Shikamaru stood to serve drinks as Naruto got some cups out.

They all sat and ate in a comfortable silence. As Naruto finished, she looked at Hinari and Haruki. "So, what were you two doing the past few weeks?" She asked.

Haruki lit up. "We went to the park! And I told Hina-chan stories! And she watched me practice walking up trees! She also showed me her flowers!"

Naruto smiled. "I'm glad you are happy. Hina-chan, Where's your flowers? Maybe you can show me and Papa when we get back from our evaluations."

"Evalyuashions?" Hinari's face scrunched up as she tried to pronounce the new word. "What's that?"

"Momma and I need to go take a test to make sure we're ok on the outside and the inside. We were in a really bad place. With a really bad man."

"Is the bad man dead?" Hinari asked.

Naruto nodded. She stood, and collected the empty dishes, placing them in the sink and rinsing them to wash later. "So, Do you and Haru have any plans while Papa and I talk to Tsunade-sama and Inoichi-san?"

Hinari nodded. "Haru-nii is gonna take me to Haido! I didn't met him yet."

"Haven't met," Shikamaru gently corrected. Hinari beamed and repeated her sentence with the correct words.

Naruto smiled fondly. She had missed this. She went to grab her headband and the scrolls and turned to Haruki. "Take care of her. We'll be home in a few hours, and I want you to take some ryo for lunch. Be home by dinner please."

Haruki nodded and he and Hinari left. Naruto turned to Shikamaru and shyly pecked him on the lips.

"I missed Konoha so much," She murmured. To think she was fifteen, almost sixteen. She felt so much older.

"But we missed her so much more," Shikamaru finished. Shikamaru pulled his hair up, sweeping his bangs to the left. He ran a hand over her right eye, which was a bloody crimson, the pupil slit. A few hours before arriving in Konoha, they had had a run-in with Akasuna no Sasori. Naruto had shoved him out of the way of an attack, her eyeball getting nicked by his deadly poison.

She had immediately flooded the eye with Kurama's chakra, burning out the poison, at the cost of her sight. Kurama had taken over, carefully fixing the burnt-out optic nerves and deflated cornea. He hadn't been able to remove all of his chakra, so her eye remained his. It wasn't as scary as it sounded. The pupil dilated when she wasn't angry, making the eye seem almost docile. 

The two held hands and walked out of the apartment, straight for the Hokage Tower. Curious looks were shot their way, none hostile, even though recognition lit in many eyes, whether for Naruto or Shikamaru, neither knew.

They nodded at Shizune, Tsunade's student, though they had yet to properly speak. "Go on, she's probably shirking anyways. Her and her sake..."

Naruto huffed out a chuckle and tugged Shikamaru forward. They entered the office where sure enough, Tsunade was leaning back sipping a saucer of sake. She looked at them, still perfectly sober. "You're here for your physicals?" She knew they were, but still asked.

"Hai Hokage-sama."

Tsunade stood and walked over to them, hands out and glowing green. As she inspected them, she tried to heal as much of the scar tissue as was possible, which wasn't much, the wounds being too old. When she was finished, she wrote some things down and poked her head out to tell Shizune to fetch Inoichi.

"We're going to do a mind sweep to make sure you don't need therapy, and if you do, make appointments. After that, you'll be informed whether or not you'll be able to return to active duty."

The two nodded, telling their tenants to expect visitors and not to kick them out unless they went into anything further back than the invasion. When the two received confirmation they decided to lean against the wall and wait.

Five minutes later Inoichi Yamanaka walked into the room, and the two straightened. "Naruto-san, Shikamaru-kun. I've been told to review your time in captivity. If you would follow me to a more comfortable setting, we will begin."

Naruto and Shikamaru followed Inoichi to another room in the tower. There was a couch, a table and two chairs across from the couch. Naruto and Shikamaru took a seat on the couch while Inoichi and Tsunade took the chairs.

"Now, which of you will go first?" Inoichi asked, looking between the two.

"Me. I will." Naruto say automatically. It'd be better for the less traumatic memories first. Inoichi placed his hands on the side of her head, and everything went dark.

Inoichi found himself on a hill. Looking around, he saw Konoha in the distance and what had to be Oto next to the village. Behind him were piles of dead bodies with a river of blood flowing through the heart of Oto. Objects expressed memories, and Inoichi flexed his chakra, appearing inside a dark cell. He looked around and averted his eyes as he saw Naruto naked, chained to an operating table.

He watched her scream, watched the fear in her eyes, experience and many run ins with that look running through his mind. He took a mental note as the scene shifted, and Naruto was agreeing to work for Orochimaru so that Shikamaru would live. He discovered their link, and watched Naruto kill innocents. He watched as she changed, matured. He watched her meet Haruki, Reima and the others, and listened to her thoughts.

His respect for her was endless. She was so strong. Already having past trauma, getting captured, managing to get the best possible outcome, and staying sane, was unbelievable. He watched her battles, how she earned a name for herself.

Yes. She was damaged. But what shinobi wasn't? Fresh genin didn't count. But by shinobi standards, she was fine.

The blond Yamanaka pulled out of her mind and wrote down everything. They weren't in the intelligence gathering room where everything was printed out as he saw it.

Ten minutes passed before he was done, and he turned to Shikamaru, who was tense, but at the same time, looked bored. He placed his hands on Shikamaru's head and entered his mind.

He was in an apartment. Everything was blurry, and suddenly he was on the roof of a building, watching Shikamaru rush to protect Naruto, who was unconscious, bleeding from a sword to her stomach. Then he was in the corner while Shikamaru was chained and bleeding, half-conscious. He sifted through over a years worth of torture, discovering the only reason he was sane was because of a self-enforced coma. He watched as Shikamaru got the curse mark, and a loyalty seal. As green eyes dulled and obeyed.

He watched them fight, watched her save him. From two points of view, from two perspectives, one desperate to save, the other desperate to regain control. He watched his nightmares, his waking up every three nights with a kunai to her throat. He watched them become few and far in between. He watched his rehabilitation and recovery with pride for his nephew in all but blood.

He withdrew from the Nara's mind. He spent another ten minutes writing before he turned to them.

"In my opinon, you two are fit for duty. You two are incredibly strong to be as well off mentally as you are after all of that. Naruto-san, I'd like to inform you that I am here if you ever wish to speak of past problems. It isn't something to be kept locked in."

Naruto stiffened before nodding. "Of course Inoichi-sama." She said. 

"Please, Inoichi is fine."

Naruto just nodded, and Inoichi bid them goodbye before leaving. Tsunade gave Naruto a smile before leaving upon Shizune's demands.

"Isn't something to be kept locked in, huh?" Naruto murmured, idly holding Shikamaru's hand as she stood.

"It's up to you to speak to him Naru. He's bound by patient confidentiality, and he's dealt with similar traumas." Shikamaru murmured, his forehead pressing against her longish spiky hair. Naruto just hummed and walked out of the room, pulling Shikamaru with her.

"Let's just go home for now, Hinari and Haruki will be expecting us when they come home."

It had been easy for Hinari and Haruki to bond. They were children who had both experienced something they shouldn't. They didn't overcomplicate things. The two were smart though, and they knew it'd take time to get used to being siblings. Things they were used to doing alone, they now had each other for.

They walk home in silence. Hinari had adored Haido, who was all smiles and grins, cracking jokes faster than he cracked the eggs he had placed in her ramen. After promising to visit, they had left, eager to get home. Haruki had to go to the academy to take a late exam. He hoped he could get in. He had heard that Kusei, Kirato, Miko, and Yuno wanted to go, and that they would be there too. He also hoped he could graduate early. He didn't want to spend eight years in the academy.

Hinari listened to him chatter on about his travels with Naruto eagerly, wanting to know as much about her Mommy as possible. She was starting to understand what 'death' and 'kill' were, Haruki taking the time to explain to her, as most of his stories involved words like that.

Haruki opened the door and let Hinari in first before closing it softly behind him. "Momma?" He heard Hinari call, and followed her through the house. He walked in the living room and took a step back as a finger pushed against his lips. Hinari put her hand down and pointed to the couch.

Naruto was asleep, head lolled back and Shikamaru's head rested in her lap, his feet dangling over the arm of the couch. They both look more relaxed than they had since coming back. Hinari turned to Haruki.

"Let's surprise Momma and Papa." Haruki readily agreed.

Two hours later, Naruto and Shikamaru woke up and went to the kitchen, where they could smell something burning.

"No, Haruki-nii, you burned the rice! Yoshino said it's s'posed to be fluffty!"

"Fluffy." Shikamaru automatically corrected, revealing their prescence. Hinari and Haruki froze, each posed over their individual projects.

"Momma, Papa, you're awake! Me and Haru-nii were gonna surprise you.."

Naruto smiled, taking the knife away from the two year old. "Thank you sweetie. We really appreciate it. Let's finish dinner together, M'kay?"

Hinari smilled and nodded. Naruto took over cutting the vegetables, while Shikamaru helped Haruki empty out the rice and show him how to cook it.

The room was filled with quiet chatter as Naruto tentatively showed Hinari how to handle the knives and cut the vegetables and meat. Shikamaru and Haruki discussed the academy, Shikamaru complaining about his time in the academy, warning him to never anger the girls, because they were terrifying.

That night, they grew closer, Haruki even tentatively called Shikamaru Tou-san. Naruto had later cried in happiness in the privacy of their bedroom.

-

Haruki walked into the classroom, hiding his nerves. He had passed the late entry exam, and had even been moved up two classes. He was one of the youngest entries. All of his friends had also passed, but were in different classes. Kusei was actually one class above him, having learned a lot from Sasuke. Miko was just below him, Kirato was with Kusei, and Yuno was so young she was forced to be in the beginners class. 

He tried to ignore the stares of the ten year old children, taking a seat near the window. A moment later the sensei walked in. "Okay class, we have a new student, a late entry. Please stand and introduce yourself."

Haruki stood. "My name is Uzumaki Haruki. I like my Mom, my sister, training, and protecting the people important to me. I don't like jerks, or takoyaki. I draw as a hobby, and my dream is to keep my family alive."

He bowed and sat down, fingering his pencil. He was already bored, and couldn't wait for the Taijustu half of class.

He stepped out into the sun, revelling in the heat. He followed his classmates to the field, where they lined up. The sensei obviously wanted him to sit out, but he stared at him until the sensei just looked away and began matching the students up.

"-kio and Sokairi, Uzumaki and Nimiae, Saik-

Haruki only listened long enough to find out his match. He met the gaze of a brown haired girl, at least twice his height, with muscles already beginning to form on her slim arms. She smirked at him, mouthing. 'Your ass is gonna get kicked.'

Haruki just smiled, throwing her off.

When it came to his fight he slipped into the center of the field. "Okay you two. No lethal attacks, no Ninjutsu, and no weapons. Begin when ready."

"What's a brat like you doing in the academy? Shouldn't mommy be putting you down for a nap right now?"

Haruki just stared, a habit he picked up from his summons. He crouched, balancing his weight evenly. He was ready to attack or dodge. The girl began getting angry. "You're a cocky little shit aren't you. Guess I should show a runt like you your place!"

She charged at him, not even in the academy stance. Haruki almost felt insulted, then realized she was probably a pampered civilian who thought she knew what real fight was. He easily slid under her legs, springing up behind her and doing a backflip onto her shoulders. His hands on her shoulders, he completed the flip, his feet slamming into her stomach. He used her stomach to kick back off and land on his feet, spinning around into a low sweeping kick, standing over the downed girl, a fist ready to strike her face.

"I win." He said monotonously. She gritted her teeth, glaring at him. The sensei called the match and Haruki stood smoothly. Hardly a hair was out of place, but he still ran a hand through his messy black hair.

Konohamaru almost couldn't believe his ears when he heard there were going to be new transfers, one four, the other eight. He himself was eleven, and would take the graduation exam next year. So he watched in interest as two little boys walked in. Both had a look in their eye that Konohamaru had seen in the mirror. Grief, hidden deep in their eyes. 

"Please Introduce yourselves."

"My name is Hagane Kirato. I like training, and soba. I don't like death, and my hobby is annoying Kotetsu-nii. I want to be strong. Pleased to meet you."

Konohomaru's eyes stuck to the dark haired boy. Something about him drew him in. He looked... lonley. Like how Konohamaru had been, but a bit different. Like, when you are surrounded by your best friends, but still feel alone, like a third wheel.

"My name is Umino Kusei, I like Iruka-tou, Dango, and my friends. I write. I want to be strong and stop people from dying."

The other boy was also interesting. How did a four year old get into a class full of eleven year olds. That hadn't happened since Itashi Uchiha. He had purple hair and faded red eyes that seemed to grow brighter the more you stared at them.

Class would be more interesting. Now Konohamaru just needed to find a time to confrot Iruka-sensei about his 'kid'.

AN// Sorry for the wait, but for a few weeks I kinda had a writers block and the Satan visited and told me school had to start, and then he stabbed my gut and I wouldn't stop bleeding. Now that I have patched up the wound, I decided to make this lovely filler/transfer.

As I said in TGBR, I am soon posting a few side stories that I work on randomly. Three as of now. Grown, Not All Our Eyes Are Red, and Fullmetal Konoha. Grown is a romance. SasuSaku modernish au. NAOEAR is a semi-Sakura centric where they are vampires, and FK is of course a FMA Naruto crossover.

If I post them now, they will not have covers as I've not found the time to create any. Soooo. Yeah. BUT I WILL POST ON FF.NET. My user on there is AnimeFanatic2005, so feel free to give me a follow.

Sorry for the long-ass AN.

Ja ne!