Chapter Text
*It's been a few days since the last chapter, the first therapy session went well according to what both therapists told her, but Naruto was still very silent, and quiet. Naruto's therapist reassured Anko that this will take time, but they are going in the right direction. It was currently Friday in Konoha, normally Anko would be at work, but given what happened to her children, she was allowed to take a paid 2 weeks off for mental health. Anko was sleeping deeply when she was awoken by somebody ringing her new doorbell making the woman groan softly.*
Anko:" 7 in the morning? Who the fuck knocks at somebody's door until at least 9? Where is the common courtesy?
Anko: coming. Coming. I swear to god Itachi if it's you, you better start running.
*Anko said loudly, as it went from doorbell to knocking, Anko got out of bed and looked at herself in the mirror, thankfully she was wearing the same clothes from yesterday, since she was so tired that she had just slept in them. She walked out of her room and froze for a second. She looked to her side and saw the door to her children. She opened it a crack and looked inside. She saw Naruto and Gaara sleeping soundly on the same bed. Anko is choosing to ignore the sand bubble around the bed, and closed the door, what was important was that they weren't showing signs of a nightmare. Anko walked to the main door and opened it, seeing Hiashi Hyuga there waiting for her with that same neutral serious expression he always has on. Anko stood up a little straighter and spoke with respect in her tone.*
Anko: Mr. Hyuga. A pleasure to see you here, but why are you here? I would figure that you had much more important things to deal with. My condolences of course.
Hiashi: Thank you. And you're right. I do. But it's important to take care of the little things, before I deal with the big things
*hiashi said without much difference in his emotion as any other time that Anko and him have spoken, but Anko wasn't an anbu shinobi for nothing, she could see the small details, the man was still grieving, he probably just came here so that he can say to himself that he did something today instead of staying in that house that no doubt now seemed much more bigger to him than before. Anko offered him a small sympathetic smile before speaking in a soft tone.*
Anko: still doesn't feel real does it?
Hiashi:.... no. I still expect to wake up with her there.
*Hiashi said with a small sigh, and Anko saw the expression of the man soften. People can say what they want of this man and his relationship with his wife, hell Anko sure has, but none of them knew what was happening behind closed doors. That expression, the way he was taking this? There was love in that marriage, even if they never showed it publicly. Anko moved aside from the door to allow Hiashi to walk inside.*
Anko: Yeah. Where are my manners? Please. Come in. I'm sure you're servant can make us some tea.
Hiashi: Thank you. You have a lovely new home.
*Hiashi said politely as he walked inside with Anko guiding him to the living room while Hiashi's servant went to the kitchen to make some tea for the two of them. Anko and Hiashi sat down. Before Hiashi could get to the point of his visit Anko started to talk, having a small conversation before they got out of the big one. With everything that happened with his children, she completely forgot about everything else, like Hinata. The poor girl gained a sister but lost a mother in the process.*
Anko: Thank you. How is Hinata dealing with all of this?
Hiashi: better than I expected. I asked her and she said that you're son helped her accept what was gonna happen.
*Hiashi said with a ghost of a smile, even if everything was just so messed up for Hiashi, he could at the very least feel a bit of pride that his little daughter, had been taking this all in stride and in a mature way that he didn't think she had. Of course, Hinata didn't tell him what Naruto said, nor did he ask, since he was too busy with other stuff, but if he did he would've heard the advice of "why should we miss people that never spend enough time with us to be missed? No way would Hiashi have taken it well. Anko had a small smile and nodded, her son always helping people.*
Anko: Yeah, that sounds like my son. Always finds a way to make people feel better. Still, at least that one thing you don't have to worry about. The baby? How is it doing?
Hiashi: still in that incubator. The doctors did say that all signs are positive, she just needs to stay for a while longer.
*Hiashi said with a deep breath, he was trying to stay positive, trying to let the news that his youngest was showing good signs. But every time Hiashi has to see Hanabi in that machine? It breaks him, it manages to break his mask, and makes the proud man cry. Anko nodded solemnly, knowing the chances of a premature baby surviving are high in this day and age is around 95% but surviving is only the first step. This Hanabi will have to deal with so many physical shortcomings.*
Anko: She's already a survivor. But that's one hell of a future that's waiting for her. Babies who are born premature tend to get sick more easily than those at full term.
Hiashi: Thank you for the information. I'll have my people pay extra attention to her physical moods.
*Hiashia said with a small nod, but he already knew all of this. He was told by the doctors that he should expect Hanabi to be born at only 28 weeks inside her mother's womb. A baby born at 28 weeks, while having a high chance of survival, faces numerous challenges due to their underdeveloped organ systems. She'll be at risk for Respiratory Distress Syndrome, because her lungs lack the necessary surfactant to function properly, often requiring breathing support. The immaturity of her brain can lead to a risk of intraventricular hemorrhage, or bleeding in the brain. She'll also be susceptible to heart problems like Patent Ductus Arteriosus, and her underdeveloped digestive system can make feeding difficult and increase the risk of a severe intestinal condition called necrotizing enterocolitis. Furthermore, her immature immune system will make her highly vulnerable to infections, and she can develop retinopathy of prematurity, a condition that can affect their vision. The long and short of it is, that Hanabi will have a lot of problems as the years go by, Hiashi can only hope and pray that the fates are merciful to her. The two of them stayed having small talk until the branch Hyuga came with the tea and placed it on the table with a bow.*
Servant: You're tea, my lord. Mrs. Mitarashi
Anko: Thank you. So. Mr. Hiashi. Apart from the small talk, what else did you come here for?
*Anko asked as she took her tea and took a sip of it, she didn't mind having company in her new home, even if she would've preferred it to be the female companion, but company was company. Hiashi took the tea and took a sip of it, surprised at the quality, at the very least, the Mitarashi didn't skip out and just buy the cheap tea bags from the market. Hiashi put the cup down and started speaking about the reason he was here.*
Hiashi: for 2 reasons. 1 to give you a face-to-face apology. You're son should've never been in that situation, and my guards are being properly punished for this mistake.
Anko: Hm. I know this makes me sound like a heartless bitch. But good. Those are my boys, their safety comes first for me. What even happened in your security to let those Kumo scum enter?
*Anko asked, as she leaned down a little further. Was she being a little cold over a mistake? Her son Naruto hasn't smiled since that day, and she only speaks in one-word responses, so please ask her if she cares about being cold-hearted. Hiashi closed his eyes and took another sip of the tea, to collect his thoughts, he shouldn't be telling this information to anybody, especially not while the investigation was still being run. But he owes Anko the truth, if for nothing else than the fact that her son did what his guards couldn't.*
Hiashi: you're child saved my own and my nephew. I owe you the truth if nothing else. There was a traitor in my family. A member of the branch family that in exchange for my daughter and nephew, would grant him Asylum.
Anko: I see. Probably thought he could get that bird cage thing off his forehead if he gave them something worth the trade.
*Anko said with her eyes closed as she took her teacup and took a sip to calm herself. She is so glad she bought the expensive tea, since the flavors calmed herself enough not to lose her cool and act out of place. Hiashi gave a nod as it made sense, he gave a side eye to the branch family who flinched at the gaze of the leader on him and kept his gaze down on the floor, a mix of shame and fear inside of him, it got worse since it seemed that the side branch was loosing the support of the Mitarashi family, when they used to be such kind people to them.*
Hiashi: Yes. Rest assured that those in the branch family are being shown why this type of disloyalty will not be tolerated again.
Anko: Good to know. If they give that person up to the torture department I'll make it nice and slow as a show of appreciation for giving me this information. It'll help me sleep better at night now that I know why it happened.
*Anko said with an honest sigh, that she at least knows why it happened. In the background, the branch family member, felt like he was punched in the gut hearing this confirmation, that yes. They absolutely lost the support ot the Mitarashi family. One of the few that always seemed to speak out against the treatment the main branch gave the side branch. Anko glanced at the branch member, and Anko couldn't find it in herself to care about what happened to him or his side of the family. Hiashi nodded, glad that they were on the same page as he continued with the conversation.*
Hiashi: Much appreciated. Now for the second reason I'm here. If it wasn't for you're boys and their friend that child from the Kurama clan, my daughter and nephew would not be in Konoha today. That's just a fact. Which is why I'm offering my thanks and a gift of sorts. Ask what you want of my clan and we will provide it.
Anko: Hm. I have a simple request then. I simply want you're clan to pay for the therapy my children are going to. Since this event traumatized them to that extent.
*Anko said with a serious tone, since she went with the therapist that the professional recommended and they weren't exactly cheap, like 200 bucks an hour of not exactly cheap. Hiashi didn't even hesitate and nodded, that was a small price to pay, even if he didn't believe in therapy, for men. But that's the thing, they weren't men yet. They were children. So Hiashi was more than agreeable to give Anko this. He took his checkbook out and wrote a number that he guessed was what the first session would cost, and gave it to Anko.*
Hiashi: done. From now on my clan will pay for you're children's mental health, until you decide they have had enough therapy.
Anko: I can agree to those terms. Is there anything else you would like to talk about?
*Anko asked as she grabbed the check and looked at it, she put her hand out for the checkbook and pen, and Hishashi gave it to her. Anko wrote the real amount she needed for the first session, which was vastly cheaper than what Hiashi had guessed. Hiashi respected Anko for only taking what she needed and not pocketing the rest, as he took the checkbook and original check and stood up. He finished his tea with one gulp and then made his way to the door with his servant following after him.*
Hiashi: Not unless you want to talk about something. I have to start heading to the Kurama clan home to offer the same type of apology and gratitude to them.
Anko: Just a quick little thing. Ask Hinata if she would like to spend some time with my son and Gaara. At moments like this, a friend is very crucial.
*Anko said as she stood up and grabbed the tea sets, to put them back in their place. Anko also wanted Hinata to be here, so that she could talk to her and make sure that she was ok over what happened. She won't be, and Anko knows that, but she wanted to see it for herself. As for Neji? He's a branch member, and given what she knows right now? Anko hopes it gets worse for him. Hiashi nodded as he looked at his servant, he was already leaving, heading back home to tell Hinata to prepare.*
Hiashi: Of course. Expect Hinata around mid-day good day Mrs. Mitarashi
Anko: Good day Mr. Hyuga.
*Hiashi said, before he left and closed the door behind him. Anko took a deep breath and started cleaning the tea set. Thinking of everything that's been happening lately, Anko doesn't know how things could get any more complicated than they are right now. And that's without even thinking again about Naruto being trained, or the chakra chains in the equation. All of it gave her a headache, so she might as well do something useful. She went to her small stereo and opened the disc section. Anko looked at her collection of music and started to decide which one she would start to listen to.*
Anko: Well. I'm awake anyways. Might as well start making breakfast. OK. Let's see here....
https://youtu.be/IQPhLCkUugw?si=Ai2Oits_WoEpCUlH
Radio: Te extraño tanto que voy a enloquecer ¡Ay, amor divino!
Anko: I really need to one day learn this language, one day.
*Anko said with a small chuckle to herself as at the back of her mind she added to her list of "mom duties" learn Spanish, on that list. It could be a good way for Gaara, Naruto, and herself to bond over a language that practically nobody outside those small islands, spoke. But that. Could wait, for now more pressing matters were at hand.* What to have for breakfast.*
Anko: Hm... let's keep it basic, sausage, bacon, eggs, baked beans, small tomatoes, mushrooms, black pudding, and toast.
*Anko said to herself as she started to look for the ingredients, and started cooking for 3, normally it would've been for 4 but no way Hiruzen is visiting for breakfast with how busy he must be dealing with this absolute political mess that Kumo started. No matter what happened one thing was for sure. Kumo drew first blood, not Konoha, so what may happen next to them, is nothing short of simple retaliation.*
Meanwhile with Kushina
*Outside of Konoha, in the closest town to the hidden village, we look inside a bar. Inside that bar was Kushina Uzumaki having a drink. She's been staying in this town for a few nights, since Konoha was dealing with some stuff and wasn't accepting visits, so she had to wait to get an email that she could finally come and be heard by the Hokage. The longer the time that had passed since the revelation the more nervous Kushina was becoming. Kushina looked down at her empty glass and raised her hand for another drink, when somebody stopped that from happening.*
Chiruki; you seemed troubled.
Kushina: I'm sorry?
*Kushina asked as she looked at whoever said that, but saw nobody, she went back to looking at her drink when in the corner of her eye she saw a man sitting there. Has he always been sitting there and she just didn't notice or remember? Kushina didn't know, all she knew was that he had to be the one who spoke. She turned her head and looked at this man up and down, even in her Buzzed state she could see that the man in question was some sort of Monk. Chiruki took a sip of his water before he spoke again.*
Chiruki: You seemed troubled. Like you've got the weight of the world on you're shoulders.
Kushina: Who doesn't?
*Kushina said softly, as she went back to looking at her empty glass. Of course, she weighted the world on her shoulders, she was going to talk to a man who hated her. No. Despised her would be the more correct word. Yes. Hiruzen despised her and she had nobody to blame but herself for burning that bridge. And she was going to talk with a man who despised her and tried to convince him to see that she had seen the unforgivable error in her ways and wanted to correct that by having Naruto back. Chiruki spoke again, answering Kushina's question.*
Chiruki: children. People always try to do what's best for themselves. Even if it's not what's best for the adult in question.
Kushina: Hm. Tell me something. What does your religion say about forgiveness?
*Kushina asked the monk. She was never really all that religious herself, never really cared about where she would end up after this, hard to do it when her clan was the same one that took control over the Shinigami for a spell. Sure it was that show of force that made the other nations attack them but details. Chiruki just hummed as he took a few of the peanuts from the bowl and started to crack them one by one. The sound annoying Kushina a little bit more after every crunch.*
Chiruki: I could give you a long lecture about it but that's not what you need to hear. Neither is that 6th order of alcohol that you were about to order seconds before we started this conversation.
Kushina: Alright Mr. High and mighty. What do I need to hear then?
*Kushina slurred out and then waved at the bartender, who was looking at her weirdly, but walked over to her and refilled her drink. Chiruki remained calm as he ate his peanuts, and remaining quiet, which annoyed Kushina since she asked this guy a question, she had half a mind to get up and leave, if the world wasn't already spinning a little because of the alcohol already in her body. After finishing his little snack, Chiruki finally decided that he would continue the conversation, how nice of thing, was Kushina's line of thought. But what Chiruki said next made Kushina look at him weirdly.*
Chiruki: Do you believe in hell? I do. A place where you'll live out all you're negative karma until it's gone and then you get to leave. But here's the funny part. You could've left at any point.
Kushina: I'm sorry?
*Kushina asked confused as to why the monk was even talking about this. What did hell have anything to do with this? They were talking... what were they talking about anyway? Why did she even indulge this monk in a conversation? He probably just wanted to sell her something or try to convert her to his religion. Chiruki closed his eyes and was about to grab more peanuts, but Kushina tossed them to the ground, making the bartender look at the drunk woman annoyed, but said nothing and just left to find a broom. Chiruku pulled his hand back and responded to Kushina.*
Chiruki: Nothing is holding you there except yourself and you're guilt, and your shame. But for you? You're regret.
Kushina: We all have regret monk.
*Kushina said softly as she drank down the drink, she didn't notice how the bow and the peanuts returned to their original spot, as if somebody waved their hand and reversed time for it. Or how the world twisted and almost glitched out, and they were now in the hotel room that Kushina was renting, till she could go to Konoha. Chiruki stood up from the bed and started to walk out of the room, leaving Kushina with one final message, a warning some would call it, while others like Chiruki would just call it advice.*
Chiruki: true. So let me tell you what you need to hear. Naruto can forgive you one day. Only if you learn to forgive yourself first and let go of the past and this future you want and accept the present that is.
Kushina: How do you know about Naruto? Who are you?
*Kushina asked as she stood up from the bed but then fell back on it asleep, after Chiruki just waved his hand making it happen. Chiruki walked out of the room and instead of a hallway he was back at the temple on the top of the mountains miles and miles away from where Kushina was currently sleeping. Chiruki saw the master of his order there, turning on the candles one by one, and Chiruki walked up to the man who had asked him to go to Kushina and help guide her to the right way.*
Chiruki: just a monk. It is done, master Gyatso. If I may ask. Why ask me to do this? Normally you don't want us to interfere outside the temple
Gyatso: I owed a favor to a friend from another time.
*grand master Gyatso said with that smile he always has on which told that he knew more than he was letting on. As usual for my Naruto stories, the monks were the most overpowered characters in the stories. Gyatso finished what he was doing and sat down in the center of the room to meditate with others joining him. Gyatso gave a small laugh that escaped his lips. The other monks looked at him weirdly, but apart from that didn't pay attention to it. Gyatso for his part, just thought of the person who asked for this favor.*
Gyatso: "The wandering Ronin N, or should I refer to you as Butterfly Samurai N? Either way, you're always worrying about others, even people in completely different branches."
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