Shinobi Time

*thud*

*thud*

*crash*

*bam*

*clank*

*boom*

*thud*

*clap*

*bam*

*clang*

*plock*

The ANBU's hidden in the rafters, stationed on the nearby trees, and those on the roofs or leaning on the walls, can't help but twitch and flinch at the clearly violent noises coming from the house in the Senju compound.

Needless to say, they did notice the long absent princess who has now grown up, return home. By which, an ANBU left to notify the Hokage. Also needless to say, the remaining ANBU's left here now envy the one who left.

Of course, as ANBU's whose orders where to be stationed with the Senju's and to protect them, they are well informed and acquainted with Tsunade's temper and strength.

Although the young princess has left for six years, when she was six, her strength although worse than Tsundade's, is definitely above chunin level, around mid-jonin.

By now, it would not have regressed, but surely went up.

Simply put, if not all, she definitely could beat up at least half the ANBU's here.

*shiver*

While the men shivered, half the females did so as well, while the few other's eyes shone in admiration.

Since the noises emanating from the house only consisted of slamming and banging, and not people yelling or groaning, either Tsunade went soft on her daughter, or that her daughter could hold her own.

Two particular ANBU's with contrasting colors of silver moonlight and black night sky were, however, fidgeting on the sidelines.

•

I stood at the doorway, facing a 'you better tell me'-faced Kaa-chan.

*thud* *thud*

She stomped towards me, and I tried to sidestep her.

*crash* *bam*

Kaa-chan extended her arm to block me, crashing against a hanging flowerpot in turn, her hand going through the wallpaper.

*clank* *boom*

The clay remnants of the pot dropped on the floor, and I back tracked. But Kaa-chan also came forward, with her right foot slamming onto the wooden floor, creating a mini crater.

*thud*

Ouch. I fell on my butt.

*clap*

Ow ow OW! Kaa-chan clapped her hands on my shoulders and ...

*bam*

... WHAT ARE YOU - NARUTO?! I wondered, as she literally knocked her forehead onto mine.

*clang* *plock*

A faint shockwave emanated from our position, causing some books on the bookshelf near us to tremble and drop to the floor, along with a few decorations.

Kaa-chan removed her forehead from mine, hers turning pinkish, and mine probably as well.

She stared at me for a moment before tears started coming out from her eyes.

"Don't ... you ... ever", she stammered. "Ever! Leave my side ... for so long. I cannot bear it ... I did not ... I did not get to see you grow up. I ... I-I ...", Kaa-chan words turned into sobbing.

It's not that I don't get it.

I do, really.

But I just felt the need to leave, and think about everything.

Suddenly I remembered that Kaa-chan in the story also left, for many many years. Both to avoid and forget, but to also think about things.

Huh. Guess past life or not, I really am her daughter.

"... emn", I sounded, as I nod my head. "Hai, no more next time."

*sniff*

Kaa-chan sniffled, and then proceeded to engulf me in a bone-crushing hug.

I would have, because I wanted, to return the hug as well, were it not for the stuffy feeling that I suddenly felt.

Apparently Kaa-chan did as well, as she separated us, and we looked down at the same time.

Oh.

You see, when you push a bun against your palm, the distance is short, and your fingers can touch. But if you push a bun against another bun ... well, you get both buns squishy squished. And even if fingers might touch, the distance is further.

"Huh", Kaa-chan looked me up and down. "Guess you ARE my daughter after all." She said with pronounced pride in her voice.

Hehe.

She swept my hair out of my face and patted my head. "I'll make your favorite karaage and eggplant-mixed miso soup for tonight, okay?"

I nod my head enthusiastically.

*knock* *knock*

Both of us swerved our heads and stared at the door.

Kaa-chan sounded, "Enter."

The door opened to show an eagle masked ANBU. "Tsunade-sama. Kanako-hime." He greeted. I nod to him in return. "The Hokage requests your presence."

I looked to Kaa-chan, and she frowns, the sighs. "Come back later for dinner, okay?"

"Hai~", I smiled. "Then, laters, Kaa-chan!"

I gave her a hug, then went off with the ANBU.

•

I arrived at the hokage's office, and knocked on the door.

"Come in!"

I pushed the door open, and there sat Minato-nii-sama, beaming at me.

"Minato-nii-sama! I'm back!"

"Good to see you back. So, are you to ready to join a genin team?"

"Eh~ straight to the point, huh? Not giving me a few days off?"

"Well, I would, but it's you who chose this time to come back. Today is the Academy graduation day, you know?"

I paused. Ah shit.

Minato-nii-sama snickers. "Yeah. So report to the teacher's lounge tomorrow, a sensei will bring to to the class and assign your team."

"Mhmm. Hai~ hai~."

*knock* *knock*

"Aa - I've got another meeting in place. Again, I'm glad you're back. Come over to have dinner sometime soon? We'll have to reintroduce you to Naruto", he smirked.

I smiled at the thought of Naruto.

I wonder how he is now. How his character is.

Of course, firstly, he'll be happy and loved.

But will he be the same rambunctious kid like in the stories? As naughty and silly?

I smiled at that thought.

He'll definitely be well taught though, with Minato-nii-sama and Kushina-nee as parents.

Wait.

With fiercely hot-blooded impulsive Kushina-nee and genius-ingenious jokey punny Minato-nii-sama (when not in his Hokage-mode) as parents and direct role models ... I can somehow imagine how that will shape his behaviour.

I chuckled when thinking of that. I definitely will have to go over for a meal sometime soon ...

Wait.

Diner. Meal. Food.

I paled at that thought.

As if knowing what I'm thinking about, Minato-nii-sama laughs out loud and slaps the table, tears of laugher peaking out of the edge of his eyes. "Don't worry, I'm the one cooking. Although Kushina's cooking did improve over the years."

...

He then whispered in the softest and lowest voice possible. "Just ... barely."

I smiled awkwardly. "I'll drop by sometime soon, then."

I waved goodbye and walked off.

I opened the door, to see Danzo in front of it.

"Ohayo gozaimasu, Danzo-jii-sama!"

"Ah, Kanako. Welcome back." He gave a small smile and nodded to me.

And then I went off, towards home.

Karaage and eggplant-mixed miso soup! Karaage! Eggplant miso soup!