Chapter 84: Talks

Reaching the large, red gates of Konoha, we all breathed a sigh of relief, relaxing as we stared at the familiar walls that protected our home.

"Come on. We're going straight to Lord Hokage."

Kakashi led us into the village, Yuga nodding at us while staring at Cameia with narrowed eyes, the Inuzuka woman sniffing the air before frowning.

Keeping Karin in my arms, I chuckled as she pointed at everything in wonder, explaining the various things she asked questions about, Makoto smiling slightly as she walked beside me.

Since we were in the village, and having seen the young girl staring around in awe, Kakashi walked in front of us slowly, reading his book as we made our way towards the Hokage Tower.

"Ooh! That! What's that?"

Karin pointed at the large Academy, where dozens of children were running around out on the field.

"That's the Shinobi Academy, where kids like you learn what it means to be a Shinobi."

"Really? Can I go? Hey, can I go?"

I smiled sadly down at the little girl in my arms, before saying "You might be able to... I don't know for sure, Karin..."

Her little shoulder slumped, before staring back up at me with glee as I said "If you can't you can still learn with Kurenai and I. We'll teach you all you need to know~!"

"Thanks Aunty!"

I staggered slightly, before glaring at the giggling Anko and Kurenai.

"S-Should I not call you that..?"

Turning back to Karin, I sighed before nodding, smiling at her.

"That's fine, Karin."

Pinching her cute little nose, we smiled at each other before she snuggled back into my chest, her eyes still flitting around with wonder.

Stroking her slightly knotted hair, I prayed that this meeting was short enough, just so we could get this girl cleaned up and given a good, hearty meal.

Approaching the large tower, Cameia frowned somewhat as she said "Why are multiple people hiding and watching us?"

Kakashi glanced backwards, closing his book as he stared at her with slight wonder.

"You can sense that well? Tell me; how many are watching, and where?"

"Five; three are atop the tower, one is hiding on top that Academy, and the last is running that skewer stall behind us."

Letting out a low whistle, Kakashi turned towards me and asked "You picked up one interesting woman, Kokoro."

I just nodded, checking the areas that Cameia pointed out.

I could vaguely feel someone watching us from that stall, but the others...

"Don't feel bad; the three on the tower are the Hokage's personal guard, and the one on the Academy... well, she's one of the best assassins I've ever known."

Hearing that praise coming from such an accomplished Anbu Captain, I sighed.

I still have a long way to go... and it seems Anko and Kurenai were thinking the same things, considering the small frowns on their lips.

The two Anbu members standing guard beside the door nodded to Kakashi, opening the door and gesturing for us to go inside.

Climbing the stairs up to the Hokage's Office, I gave Makoto a reassuring smile, saying "Don't worry, everything'll be okay. You and Karin are safe here."

Giving me a shaky smile, Makoto nodded, taking a few breaths to try and calm herself.

Knocking a sequence on the Hokage's door, we heard a gruff 'Come in', Kakashi opening the door and watching us go inside.

Like always Hiruzen sat at his desk, a mountain of paperwork sitting beside him while Shikaku yawned beside him, sorting through the finished documents.

"Ah, Kokoro, Anko, Kurenai! You're back! Good news, I hope?"

The old man smiled gently at us, before his smile stiffened as he stared at Cameia.

"Well... that is certainly unexpected. Is she..?"

Bowing to the Hokage, I said "This is Cameia, a former Priestess from the Land of Demons, and now..."

"Her mate. You are this villages chief?"

Cameia stepped forwards to stand beside me, her gaze meeting the Hokage's.

Chuckling, the Hokage relaxed slightly, saying "Something like that. We have much to discuss, Cameia. First though, Kokoro, who are they?"

He smiled gently at the curious Karin, before nodding to Makoto.

"These were two women we found on our way here in the Land of Demons."

The Hokage's eye twitched slightly, before he said "Is that so? Giria, Haos, Lokshi; leave us."

Three Anbu members appeared beside the Hokage, one stepping forwards to say "Respectfully, Lord Hokage, we should not-"

"I'll be fine; Shikaku and Kakashi are here. Go; take a break. I'll be fine."

The Anbu who stepped forwards turned towards us, before nodding.

"Very well."

Bowing to the Hokage, they disappeared, and he leaned forwards, his eyes serious as he asked "Now, I shall ask again, and I hope this time you tell the truth. Who are they?"

Shikaku also narrowed his eyes, while Kakashi crossed his arms.

Sighing, I gently lifted a strand of Karin's hair, rubbing the dye from her hair as I asked "Respectfully, may I ask if this will stay in this room?"

"That depends on who they are."

Sighing again, I fully removed the dye, making the three men stare at Karin in surprise.

"They're Uzumaki. I believe wholeheartedly that the less people who know, the better. Even if they are Uzumaki, they are civilians; if people know their heritage, it only invites pain and suffering onto them, be it from our enemies or-"

Now it was the Hokage's time to sigh, as he pinched his nose, saying "Indeed, the more pressing would be the people inside Konoha who would want them to reproduce... by any means. Such an archaic, barbaric law, but one that is still in affect. I understand, and I..."

Letting out another sigh, he smiled gently at them, shaking his head as he said "It may not be great, but for now... stay inside the Mitarashi Compound with Kokoro and her family. Please. It's the least we can do for a long time ally of our village."

He bowed his head, Shikaku and Kakashi mirroring him.

Makoto was tearing up again, covering her mouth as she stared at the three men.

Smiling, the Hokage returned his gaze to Cameia, saying "Now that that is over... Cameia, do you mind answering some questions?"

~~~

After reapplying the dye to Karin's hair, we pulled up the hood on her and Makoto's cloaks, before walking back to the Compound.

Two hours or so had passed, the Hokage and Shikaku asking dozens of questions before inspecting the Chakra Ingots and Chakra Beast materials we had brought back.

I had suggested having some set aside for both Sasuke and Naruto, since they were both from near extinct clans, and if they even put in a smidgen of work they would turn into fine Jonin.

Shikaku had agreed, stating that it was the least the village could do, and that it made sense to allow us to have some say in how the materials were used, considering we had procured them.

During the interrogation and mission report, Karin had fallen asleep, snoring quietly into my chest as I sat with her.

Smiling down at the girl in my arms, I wondered if I would feel even happier holding a child of my own one day...

Glancing up towards Anko, I pursed my lips, wondering if the time was right or not...

Shrugging, I returned to staring at Karin, only to jump slightly as I heard "AUNTYYYYY~!!!!"

Turning, I watched as a yellow streak flew towards me, making me grunt as it collided with my midriff.

Seeing Naruto wrapping his arms around my waist as he hugged me, I smiled down at him, ruffling his fluffy hair.

"Hey Naruto. How's it been this last month or so?"

Peering up at me, Naruto was about to say something when he saw the girl in my arms, his eyes going wide as she stirred slightly, grumbling.

"Oh... sorry..."

Hearing his whisper, I chuckled, before gesturing towards the Compound.

"Come inside; have dinner with us and tell me all about what's happened in the Academy or during your training."

He nodded, still staring at the waking girl in my arms.

A sly grin sprung to my face, before I turned and led him inside.

Kurenai was out shopping, so I'd have a few minutes to tease the boy and determine his progress.

---

Alright, skipped over the whole interrogation thing cause honestly?

Would be really boring to write, and I really, really don't want to try and come up with an entire interrogation as well as a mission report...

I'd rather tease the trickster!

Besides that, these next few chapters will be more slice of lifey than anything else, and they'll be discussing their plans for the future, as well as settling back into life in the village.

Also a lemon, cause it's been...

29/30 Chapters since the last one...

Also, this'll be special cause... Cameia loses her virginity.

Anyways, see ya soon~!

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