"Konichiwa~" Miyu called as she entered the familiar apartment. Walking to the kitchen, she opened the cupboard, her gaze passing over the 'Limited Edition Deluxe Ramen' set she had got for Minato's birthday a week ago. Apparently it had also became a frequent thing to see the blond jounin standing in front of the noodles with his mind warring whether or not he should eat them or keep the delicious noodles for sentimental value.

"Good afternoon Miyu." Kushina greeted, lying on the couch and flicking through some magazines. The red-head had also given Minato a wonderful present as well, and was thus on leave for the next nine to ten months. Miyu was anxious yet excited. She was going to be an aunt... to herself...

''Confusing isn't it?'' Kurama noted, padding onto a comfortable chair to curl up on. She nodded but pushed further thoughts out of her mind.

"How was your day, Kushina-neechan?" She asked.

"Boring!" The woman moaned, rolling around on the couch, "I don't know if I can take ten months of nothing."

"Maybe you need a hobby?" Miyu suggested, settling down next to the woman.

"Maybe," Kushina greed thoughtfully, "I'll have to visit Mikoto-chan, I heard she's expecting as well. Maybe we can knit together." For a brief moment an image of a golden haired baby in warm, hand knitted clothes flitted through her mind along with the uncomfortable feeling of jealousy. Miyu dropped the thought in shock. What do I have to be jealous for?

She berated herself internally, my life was perfectly fine, and I even have the chance to do it over.

''Define 'perfectly fine.'' Kurama drawled as he yawned. It was good enough. I would've gotten all I ever dreamed of if it wasn't for that masked bastard. I would've been happy.''But you did not get anything. In fact you had nothing left... you, of all people, are allowed to feel jealousy. If your plan works out this child will grow up happy and loved like you, should have.''The demon's words were comforting in a way, but she refused to fall to such a petty emotion. I'm going to spoil that kid rotten. Miyu declared stubbornly.

"You should definitely." Miyu said aloud re-joining the conversation, "A pair of warm socks and mittens, a nice scarf and a cute beanie." She listed off possible clothing items.

"They would be perfect." Kushina sighed dreamily. Orange would be the perfect colour, a perfect mix of red and yellow.

"I'm home!" A cheerful voice called out as the front door was pushed open, "And I brought some guests." There were three set of footsteps as far as Miyu could tell.

"Kushina!" a second voice greeted. It was warm and hearty, the familiar low tenor bringing a small ache to Miyu's heart. "I heard about the good news, congratulations."

''Kit.'' The fox hopped of his perch and rubbed his face in her side in a soothing manner. Of course, it was just her luck that when she visited there would be guests...

"Ero-sennin!" Kushina chirped back, "It's nice to see you're doing well." Miyu could hear the grumbles and snickers that followed.

"I'm the great toad sage dammit, I demand some respect!" the sage rounded the corner and Miyu was able to catch a glance at her estranged godfather. He was a lot younger, she noticed, several of the lines which used to crease his face missing. His white hair wasn't as long and he seemed ever so slightly thinner. He turned his head and she caught his gaze as he studied her. "Is this the cute little Miyu-chan my idiot student won't stop rambling about?" He asked in a light tone.

"Hey!" Minato cried indignantly, entering the living room with a gorgeous blue haired woman who scanned the area lightly.

"Hello." Miyu waved with a small smile, "I'm Uchiha Miyu." Seeing him was almost as bad as the first time she same Kakashi, but a least the little warning she got helped her to brace herself.

"She's tiny." Jiraiya told his student not noticing the way the girl twitched in annoyance.

"She's perfect!" Minato countered stupidly.

"Whatever you say," the sage shrugged his shoulders lightly. "Nice to meet you midget." The tiny girl growled at him.

"I'm not a midget!" She snapped at him, "Stupid Ero-jiji." She let out a satisfied smirk as he spluttered at the name.

"Ero-jiji?!" He repeated, "I am the great toad sage! One of the three Sannin Jiraiya! I'm not just your everyday pervert," all four of the audience waited for the inevitable last statement, "I'm a super pervert!"

"Idiot." Minato snorted at the self-proclaimed menace. "Anyway... Kushina, Miyu, I'd like you to meet Konan." He introduced the woman at his side, "She's one of Ame's leaders and came over to visit Konoha and chat with the Hokage."

"Welcome," Kushina extended her hand with a warm smile, "I'm Uzumaki Kushina."

"It's a pleasure." Konan smiled back and shook the offered hand. She then turned towards the young girl with golden hair and ocean-blue eyes, her gaze straying slightly to the fox by her side. Miyu tilted her head in acknowledgement.

"Uchiha Miyu, and this is my partner Kurama," She greeted. "It's nice to meet you." Konan hid her surprise and confusion well, as one would expect of any trained ninja.

"Same here, Miyu-chan." She replied.

"So how old is she?" Jiraiya asked his student.

"Eight." Minato answered.

"And judging by the fact she managed to graduate we might have another prodigy." He responded with a small chuckle. Konoha was getting an awful lot of them lately, first the younger Hatake, then this little chibi-Minato and apparently the Uchiha's heir as well. What was next? The Hyuga?

"Mmhm," Minato hummed in agreement, "She and Iruka were the only two to pass the genin test."

"Really? The Umino kid?" Jiraiya thought back to a young brunet with a large bandage over his nose.

"Yep." The two men watched the two women chat about Kushina's pregnancy, with Miyu throwing in her own opinion every now and then.

"Have you thought of a name yet?" Konan asked.

"Not at all, I think right now we have to get use to me being pregnant." Kushina smiled and placed a hand on her flat stomach, "I'm not even showing yet." Konan nodded in agreement, the kunoichi looked as fit as ever. "Do you have anyone?" the Uzumaki asked earnestly.

"Ahh," The blue haired blushed lightly, sparking Miyu's interest, "I-I... not really."

"Who is it!?" Miyu asked curiously.

"W-well no one really..." Konan shifted uncomfortably under the intense dual gazes.

"Don't worry, your secrets safe here," Kushina added, "Were in an entirely different village in the first place and I think that's far enough away from home... unless the guy in question is over here..." She shifted her gaze to Jiraiya in a joking manner.

"No!" the foreign kunoichi denied frantically, drawing the two men's attention before they went back to their own conversation.

"So...?" Kurama threw in his puppy eyes, wondering if they would help any. Konan gave a resigned sigh.

It was a long while before any words were spoken. Both kunoichi listening to the idle chatter that drifted towards them from the living room. Kurama had left to hunt earlier, leaving Miyu alone with the sole woman who knew the most about her current identity.

"Uchiha Miyu? Is that your real name?" Konan finally asked.

"Well technically it's Uchiha Namikaze Uzumaki Miyu." The girl answered with a small smile. There would be no hiding in front of the blue haired woman but at the same time Konan would never get the entirety of her story. "How's Ame doing?" Konan stared at her speculatively.

"Good." She gave, "We have been quick to recover from the civil war and after gaining Konoha's alliance the villagers seem to have a better sense of security, knowing we are no longer alone. Our ninja have been efficient with our missions and I think yesterday Yahiko managed to get one of the younger Roots to smile." Miyu was pleasantly surprised, things were going much better than she hoped then.

"The ninja in Root have done nothing wrong, and by now you should have noticed how emotionless they are." She replied, "I sincerely thank you for returning some semblance of their humanity."

"It's nothing. Even if they are ninja, first and foremost they are humans." Konan responded, "It's what should be done."

"I wish more people saw it that way." Miyu replied. Slate grey eyes stared piercingly at the young girl as they tried to discern her, to unravel the mystery of her appearance and strength.

"Is this what you... look like?" The older woman asked after cautiously.

"If you're wondering if I'm truly a child then the answer is yes." The blonde sighed.

"Then how?" In the entirety of her stay in Amegakure, Konan had visited and spent most of her time with the 'woman', yet had never detected signs of a henge.

"Just an advanced version of a D-rank jutsu." Miyu explained, "I could show you?" The girl offered after a moment of thought, "It doesn't take too much effort to perform, but requires a bit of chakra to regulate it, more so if you're using it for an extended amount of time."

"Maybe another time." Konan declined. Hopefully this offer would give her an excuse to visit again, to come see the strange child who had defeated the legendary Hanzo. Many questions flitted through her mind giving her trouble as to which one to ask. "Then," Konan began, "How are you so strong? How strong are you?"

"...I train," Miyu replied, "Whenever I can. I'm not nearly strong enough yet." So she would become even more powerful, the thought would have unnerved the older kunoichi but for some strange reason it didn't.

"I think you're already plenty strong." She added, "With that fox and those eyes, you are an army of your own. Why do you need more?" Miyu shrugged.

"To protect." She answered simply, "To stop anything that dares harms anyone or anything precious to me." The blue haired woman gave a small nod of understanding.

"I can understand that," Konan said slowly. "It is not something you must do alone though..."

"I'm not. I will protect with all my ability and Kurama will be the one to keep me safe." Miyu stated with certainty. She seemed so much older, wearier, than her child body allowed.

And despite how she appeared Konan would not treat her as a child, everything she picked up on went against that simple façade. The bright smile that contrasted against grim determination, the power that should be impossible for her to have, the deception of her appearance yet her honest personality and the darkness that held no malice. That was the true essence of the girl she knew as Miyu.

"The one Amegakure is indebted to is you," Konan declared, "And as such, regardless of whatever is needed, we will stand behind you, at your beck and call until that debt is repaid."

"And what debt would that be?" Miyu asked with a wry smile.

"The gift of our freedom."

Dream

Naru huffed, hefting the extra baggage over her shoulder before continuing to her main destination. She manoeuvred through the streets of Konoha, passing the weary looking citizens, and stopped in front of a supermarket. Already, prices had begun to rise, it was inevitable in times of war but at least everyone understood that, and for now they were still very reasonable.

"What can I help you with today, Uzumaki-sama?" The attendant asked.

"I've told you countless times to just call me Naru, these formalities are too stiff for me," The blonde replied with a small yawn, "I was up all night searching for this bastard so I just need to pick up some groceries." She nudged Boy Wonder who was still unconscious. Maybe she had hit him too hard?

"I couldn't possibly disrespect you in such away," The attendant replied as usual, while she purchased some vegetables.

"Right, then I guess I'll see you later then." Naru gave a small wave before walking back to her passenger's home. Walking through the residential area she stepped past a couple of guards into a large compound after a small greeting.

"Welcome, Naru-sama." They intoned quietly, sighing in relief as they spotted their astray clansman.

"Better go alert Hiashi that I've found our missing idiot." One of the guards nodded and left immediately while the other resumed his watch. Naru trudged her way to the branch section and pushed oped the door before dropping the groceries and man. He groaned in response, finally coming to.

"Naru?" The kimono clad brunette asked groggily, "What the hell is going on here?" The last thing he could remember was running through the Forest of Death before he was knocked out from behind.

"We're back at the compound," She pointed to the bags of groceries behind him, "And that is going to be your food for the next few days instead of whatever you've been eating in that godforsaken forest. And your uncle will be in her in a couple of moments, hopefully to give you a good tongue lashing." Exactly on time the doors burst open and Hiashi strode in with unconcealed worry.

"Neji!" He exclaimed in relief, pulling his nephew up into a crushing hug unbefitting of the stoic clan. Naru sat back, watching in amusement as Neji got the lecturing of his life afterwards. Hiashi definitely didn't go easy on the young man, droning on for the next couple of hours about Neji's foolishness. He only relented when the moon rose up into the sky, and his youngest daughter came in to find him.

"Otou-san, it's getting late," Hanabi called, peeking from behind the door, "You should let Neji-niisan rest." She spotted Naru and gave her a small smile which the blonde returned warmly. Hanabi understood this was the woman her loved ones fought together with, the one who would succeed Lady Tsunade's position and the one her sister had admired, but more importantly Naruto Uzumaki was the one who had freed her clan and removed the seal from Neji's forehead.

Hiashi sighed but agreed with his daughter, his last remaining daughter, and left the room with a promise to be back early next morning. As the newbie genin disappeared from view, Naru's gaze turned sad thinking back to her deceased friend, Hinata. Kind, gentle Hinata, with her beautiful pale eyes and long dark hair. So fragile and yet so strong...

"Naru?" She was jolted from her reminiscing by Neji, who was watching her with worry, "Are you alright?"

"I think I should be asking you that." Naru replied dodging the question. She was a horrible liar but had found a simple solution in just not answering a question. Neji grunted, truthfully he felt horrible, lost and worst of all weak. "Right, here's the plan for tonight." Naru called pulling out a sealing scroll. She added a tiny amount of chakra and several ceramic bottles popped out along with a pair of small dishes. She uncorked a bottle a poured the clear liquid into both dishes. "We're going to drink our worries away." The blonde stated looking completely serious.

"Aren't those Tsunade-sama's?" Neji questioned, spotting the expensive labels on the sake.

"Yep," Naru replied, handing him the hand sized dish, "A privilege of being Hokage candidate." She picked up her own and locked arms with her old friend. "Now drink." They downed the liquid at the same time, feeling the burn in their throat. Yep, it was quality stuff.

Reality

Miyu woke up slowly with the craving of sake. It was an hour before dawn in the morning and it seemed Kurama had returned, now waiting outside for her with a fresh carcass.

She threw on a grey jumper and some comfortable pants before checking on her seals. A couple of taps here and there and she was moved up to level 6. Once again resistance levels seemed to increase and she was forced to push chakra into her limbs to move efficiently. Stepping outside, her partner was waiting in a quite space in the undergrowth with another dead, and neatly eaten tiger.

''More stew?'' He asked as the girl quickly skinned and packed away the remains of the carcass.

"Mmhm." She hummed in answer. She did promise to treat the Ame leaders and now Konan was here she could take some back. She'd have to introduce Kushina and Jiraiya to her famous recipe as well.

"Hm? What are you doing out this early midget?" Jiraiya asked, casually walking up to the girl. Honestly he had been watching her since the moment she woke up but decided to make himself known after watching her efficiently butcher the overly large feline.

"Ero-jiji?!" The girl jolted in surprise. Neither her nor the fox had picked up the man, maybe he had been downwind? But either way why was he near the compound?

"Midget." He replied to his own derogatory name. They stared each other for a few moments as he tried to see whatever he could find in her eyes. When he had first seen her it had been a mixture of recognition, sorrow, hope and happiness, weariness and determination. Now the mass of emotions seemed to have been masked carefully except for trace amounts melancholy. Unusual for sure, something he would check into. "Let's go for a walk." The sage suggested. Miyu merely shrugged and followed him on a very familiar path, down the business district, into a small's sweets shop. She stood by outside as he made his purchase and lead her up to the top of the Hokage Monument. "Here." He unwrapped a frozen treat and split the double popsicle between them, handing her half.

"Thank you," her voiced wavered slightly. It was a simple yet heart-warming gesture. A lost tradition she had missed after his passing. They sat together silently, watching as the sun rose over their precious village. All the while Jiraiya observed her from his peripheral vision. Any other kid would be complaining out of boredom, of course with a few exceptions like the little Uchiha and last Hatake. It looked like Minato's angel would have to be added to the small list.

"Beautiful isn't it?" He commented. It was times like this he wondered how his teammates could leave their home.

"It is." She wondered if her former sensei would ever realize how precious this view was to her. It was like seeing her loved ones again. It reminded her of all the joys and hardships they went through together and served as a reminder to what she was fighting for. Kurama curled tighter around her shoulders, having climbed up and fallen asleep not too long ago. That response was all Jiraiya needed from her. It erased any doubts he may have had about the tiny blonde child. The raw emotions he saw in her eyes told him that this girl would never harm Konoha, she would protect this village with all her might till her dying breath, and for some strange reason Jiraiya felt as if she already had.

"Guess what I've picked up." Hizashi said cheerfully, walking into training ground 7 to meet his team. Watching both go through some simple katas together brought a smile to his lips. Taking on a genin team had done the recently widowed man wonders, and anyone that couldn't see that would have to be blind.

"Good morning Hizashi-sensei." His cute, little genins greeted in synch. Kurama barked out his own little greeting as well.

"Good morning you two." He smiled and waved the scroll, "So what do you think?"

"It's our first C-rank!" Iruka exclaimed excitedly.

"Correct!" Hizashi shouted back with the same enthusiasm. "So for today we'll forgo training. Instead you're going to have to go home and pack for a couple of nights out of the village. Catch a nap if you can, we'll be moving by night, and meet me at the village gates at sunset." He headed back to the compound to set up a babysitter, leaving behind his eager students.

"I'm going to run home then." Iruka decided, maybe he could get his mum to help him pack, "I'll see you later Miyu-chan!"

"Right." She watched her teammates leave and proceeded home herself, making a couple of stops along the way. First she managed to catch a spandex wearing teen on one of his jogs to inform him of her departure. She wouldn't be able to train with him for the next couple of day so Gai spontaneously decided he would train enough for both of them, efficiently doubling his schedule. She stopped by the apartment, lucky enough to find both Minato and Kushina still there, and finally she made her way to the Uchiha compound, smiling as the guards greeted her respectfully. She returned their gesture with a bright smile and made her way to her favourite little prodigy.

''Chibitachi'' Kurama called as he skipped along beside her. The young Uchiha knew how to give the best pats, second only to Miyu herself.

"Onee-san?" Itachi managed to spot the sunny blonde after hearing the fox's bark.

"Ah, Itachi it seems my team and I are going to be away on a mission for the next couple of days." Miyu called, jogging up to him.

"Alright then," The Uchiha replied stoically, refraining himself from pouting. "When are you leaving?"

"Today, at sunset." She announced. It was much sooner than he expected.

"I'll help you pack then." He offered helpfully.

"Arigatou." He was rewarded with an especially warm smile.

"Right Team!" Hizashi exclaimed, catching their attention, "Have you got everything you need and alerted your guardians?"

"Hai, sensei!" His genins replied with a salute. Miyu had sealed away everything she needed into a couple of scrolls and changed into durable boots and a reinforced fishnet shirt.

Her weapons were all accounted for and packed into the pouch at her hip and she knew Iruka had gone through the exact same preparations. He had changed from his customary t-shirts into a navy turtleneck, and a useful multi-pocketed pair of pants. She looked to Kurama trying to remember if she had forgotten anything. After arriving home she had made enough stew for Konan to take back, Jiraiya and Kushina to try, and for some previsions she sealed away. She had packed some standard equipment for a possible B-rank and then taken a small nap like suggested.

''You should be fine,'' Kurama decided. She was sufficiently prepared unless this became another unfortunate C-rank turned A-rank, but what were the chances of that?

"I better not have jinxed this..." Miyu muttered under her breath. Haku and Zubaza huh... I wonder if I could save them? She thought idly.

"Right, so we'll be doing border patrol for the next 3 days, not including the day it takes to get there. We're to relieve the team stationed at the edge of Wind country." Hizashi briefed, "We'll be moving quickly and should arrive at Takumi village in central Tanigakure by midnight. We're restricted to moving by night so you can spend the day in the village however you want." Their sensei allowed, "For now let's get moving." They took to the canopy and travelled quickly, Miyu with a certain bounce in her step.

''Takumi village, in the Land of Rivers, also known as the village of artisans,'' Kurama remembered vaguely, ''known for the quality and abundance of weaponry.'' Miyu vaguely remembered visiting there in the past when she had started to pick up different weapon styles. She was never as skilled as Tenten in her mastery but she was confident enough that she was advanced in certain areas. Bojutsu in memory of Sarutobi, which then branched out to include spears, naginatas and three-quarter staffs. A pair of jutte or tonfa to strengthen her close combat skills. Tessen, after a helpful tip, to channel her wind affinity. Chakra blades after their more recent owners had passed, and a mediocre amount of kenjutsu that allowed for proficiency with a chokuto and tanto.

No, she wouldn't say weapons were her strong point, but she could cause a lot of bloodshed, and at that time that was all she needed to do. Plus in the end, despite her longing for them, she had never acquired a proper katana. ''Why not rebuild your meagre collection?'' The fox suggested. ''It seems you have all but started with those tantos, and while you are at it we can add some more swords. Katana, wakizashi, nodachi, whatever you feel like.'' Miyu nodded, it sounded like a good idea, though would probably take a large chunk out of her current funds. But Takumi village...

"Hizashi-sensei," Miyu called softly as the team moved onwards.

"Is anything wrong?" The Hyuga was in charge of flanking the team while Iruka scouted just a little but ahead.

"I was wondering about Takumi Village," The girl replied, "Will they welcome us there?" Hizashi had to think about what she meant specifically, not minding the way Iruka slowed to listen to the conversation.

"Honestly, I can be sure. They are a bit resentful of ninja for almost never responding to their help request despite the fact they supply quality weaponry. But at the same time it's stuck between two waring villages, Konoha and Suna, so the situation there is likely to be unfavourable." He explained slowly.

"Why don't we ever send them help?" Iruka asked. He knew Konoha was a kind village that helped all its allies, why was this place an exception?

"Most of the time we just don't have the resources, with all these wars and such going on. It's also the fact that most missions aren't worthwhile. Either a delivery to a far off land that is likely to be hostile or bandit camps which usually pass over in a few days." The man shrugged, "We'll be going in henged anyway so there's no need to worry about the acts, instead worry about what you're going to look like."