chapter 96

Chapter 96:

– Haru –

I sat across from Naruko and her mother, Kushina, in Naruko's apartment, trying really hard to act like this was normal.

It was one thing to meet your girlfriend's mom. It was another thing entirely when said mom looked like a slightly older, equally gorgeous version of your girlfriend. Sitting side by side like that, same red hair, same violet eyes, nearly identical curves… yeah, it was a little disorienting. 

Honestly, if Naruko didn't have her red fox ears and fluffy tails twitching behind her, I might've thought she'd used a shadow clone just to mess with me. I glanced between them once. Then again. Maybe lingered on Kushina a second too long.

Naruko coughed loudly. I blinked and looked back at her. She was pouting. "Are you seriously checking out my mom?"

"I wasn't checking her out!" I said quickly. "I was… comparing family resemblance."

Kushina burst into laughter. "He's got wandering eyes, this one. You better keep a tight leash on him, Naruko..."

Naruko huffed and folded her arms across her chest. "It's too late for that. He already has a harem."

Kushina's eyes widened. "Excuse me?"

I held up my hands. "Okay, okay—before you go full kunoichi mama bear on me, let me explain! I'm not some two-timing bastard. I love all of them. Genuinely. They're one of the best parts of my life."

Kushina's expression shifted just slightly, her sharp stare softening a bit. "…You better not make my daughter cry."

"I won't," I said sincerely, meeting her eyes. "I swear. I love Naruko. She's amazing."

Naruko's pout shifted into something more flustered. Her tails twitched behind her, and she looked away, cheeks lightly pink. "Damn right I'm amazing…"

I cleared my throat, trying to push past the weird tension hanging heavy in the air. "So… can someone please explain how exactly this happened?"

Naruko sighed and leaned back, fluffing her tails irritably behind her. "It started on that damned mission I was assigned with my brother and his team. You know, tracking down that rogue ninja, Mukade. Anyway, we ended up chasing his ass into the ruins of some ancient city—in a nation I honestly can't even remember the name of." She paused, eyes narrowing slightly at the memory. "When we finally cornered him, the bastard triggered some kind of ritual. There was this crazy burst of chakra, and the next thing I knew, I was thrown straight back into the past!"

I blinked at her. Wasn't that supposed to happen to Naruto? "Well, that's something…"

Naruko gave a sheepish nod. "Things got… complicated after that." She glanced at Kushina, whose smirk had turned into an amused smile. Naruko rubbed the back of her neck, ears flattening a little. "I, uh, ended up meeting Mom there too, obviously."

Kushina huffed indignantly, pouting at her daughter. "My darling daughter from the future just conveniently skipped over quite a few details. Such as the part where, after I'd finally managed to figure out how to reverse Mukade's damn ritual and was literally moments away from sending her back safely, this brat decided to grab onto me at the last second and dragged me straight into the future with her!"

My jaw fell open in disbelief, and I openly gaped at Naruko. "Wait—you kidnapped your mom through time?"

Naruko looked even more uncomfortable, ears pressing flat against her vibrant red hair. "It wasn't kidnapping!" she protested defensively. "I had just finally met her, okay? My entire life, she'd only been stories and memories that didn't even belong to me. Do you know how hard it is to meet your mom for the first time, knowing what's waiting for her? I… didn't want to lose her. Not like that..."

My chest tightened at the emotion in her voice, and I softened my expression. Before I could say anything else, Kushina shifted slightly in her seat, looking awkwardly away.

"Well," Kushina murmured with a soft laugh, "I'm pretty sure my own timeline got completely fucked because of her reckless decision—but I suppose I can't really be upset. At least this way I won't be dying horribly to the irritating fox sealed inside me." She paused abruptly, shoulders twitching as though something inside her was kicking angrily. With a grin, she lightly touched her toned stomach. "Oh, speak of the demon fox. Kurama really doesn't like either of you right now."

I leaned back smugly, folding my arms behind my head. "That's probably because I'm stronger than him," I quipped, winking at Naruko. "Oh, and because Naruko ate our timeline's Kurama and became the Nine-Tailed Fox herself—as you can clearly see!"

Kushina's head whipped around instantly, eyes wide with shock. "Wait—hold on! Is that seriously what happened?" Her gaze darted between Naruko's fox ears and the fluffy crimson tails twitching restlessly behind her. "I honestly just assumed your seal was faulty or something, and you ended up looking… foxy."

Naruko scowled at the pun, ears twitching irritably as her cheeks colored a bright pink. "I didn't eat him on purpose! The voice of another world forced me too..."

"I have no idea what that means." Kushina snorted softly, glancing downward again as she lightly rubbed her belly. "Oh, the fox is really, really mad right now." She even lifted up her shirt a bit to show the seal on toned stomach was visible. 

I couldn't help but glance over…

"Stop checking out my mom, dammit!" Naruko pouted at me again.

I raised my hands defensively, feeling the heat creep up my neck. "Hey, c'mon! I was just, uh—admiring the family resemblance… again?"

I chuckled sheepishly under the weight of both Naruko's and Kushina's suspicious stares. Well, so much for my admittedly fleeting hopes of experiencing the legendary female ninja oyakodon. My ears flattened atop my head in exaggerated mock depression. Clearly, Sansa and Catelyn had been something of an exception when it came to that sort of thing. 

Maybe lightning didn't strike twice after all…?

Shaking off that admittedly questionable thought, I stood up, letting my ten golden tails sway lightly behind me. My gaze shifted gently toward Kushina, sincerity filling my voice as I spoke. "Look, Kushina-san, it really was good to finally meet you," I started carefully, tone softening. "But I'm truly sorry things turned out like this, that you got ripped away from your old life with probably no way back…" My voice trailed off uncertainly—there really wasn't a gentle way to deliver that particular truth was there?

Kushina waved me off casually with a small, surprisingly indifferent shrug. "Honestly, Haru, it's fine. Minato and I had been going through kind of a rough patch anyway." She smiled faintly, a wistful look in her eyes. "I mean, sure, it's comforting to know that in another timeline we somehow ended up together—but clearly that isn't what I was meant for. No use crying over spilled ramen."

I cracked a slight grin, appreciating her resilience. "Fair enough, I suppose."

Glancing at the clock, I realized just how late it had gotten. Well past midnight already—damn, time flew when your girlfriend unexpectedly kidnapped her mom through time.

"Anyway," I said, stretching lazily, "I should probably head back to The Fox Hole. Gotta head back to my own world before I end up crashing on your floor."

Before I could even reach the door, Naruko practically sprang from her seat and grabbed my arm, her fluffy red tails twitching nervously behind her. "Wait! Haru…" She turned those big, impossibly violet eyes on me, hitting me square in the chest with that unfairly adorable puppy-dog stare. "I, um… I need a tiny favor."

"Sure. What do you need?"

Naruko chewed her lower lip, glancing uncertainly at her mother and back to me. "Look, I want to break the news about Mom gently to Naruto and Kakashi-sensei, okay? They're going to freak out, and it's already late enough as it is. So, um—she can't exactly stay here tonight…"

My gaze flicked quickly toward Kushina, who was quietly observing with a raised eyebrow, a mixture of curiosity and amusement on her face. "So you're asking…"

"Could she maybe stay with you tonight?" Naruko finished hurriedly, tightening her grip on my arm. "Just for tonight! I promise."

I looked back at Kushina uncertainly, half-expecting her to immediately shut down the awkward proposal—but instead, she merely shrugged again, clearly not opposed to the idea. "Fine by me," Kushina said casually, a small smirk tugging at her lips. "It beats sleeping on my new daughter's cramped couch."

Naruko shot me another pleading look. "Please, Haru? You're literally the only person I can trust right now."

I sighed heavily, dramatically defeated by her unrelenting cuteness. "Sure, fine, I guess." I shrugged, forcing a casual tone. "As long as Kushina-san doesn't mind crossing dimensions with me?"

Kushina rose smoothly, her smile turning slyly mischievous as she gave me a playful wink. "I suppose it's not gonna be the weirdest thing that's happened to me today, is it?"

—

I calmly stepped out into the cool Kyoto night air, Kushina trailing close behind me. 

Kushina, it seemed, wasn't nearly as calm about the whole situation. Her wide violet eyes darted around at every modern building, every parked car, and glowing streetlight as if she'd just stepped into some futuristic fantasy.

"Holy shit," she breathed softly, openly gawking. "When you said you had to go back to your own world, I figured you were being poetic or something. Not like a literal 'nother world–dattebane!"

"Nope," I chuckled, stuffing my hands into my pockets and casually swishing my golden tails behind me. "Literal interdimensional travel. Sorry if I wasn't clear about that part."

She quickly caught up, shaking her head in disbelief. "And here I thought being hurled decades into the future was already peak crazy. You're telling me your restaurant—the Fox Hole—connects you to entirely different worlds?"

"Exactly." I nodded. "Naruko and Naruto literally walked right into my place one day. The rest is history…"

Kushina let out a small, amazed whistle. "Damn. That's actually incredible, Haru." Then suddenly, her awed expression morphed into a sly, mischievous grin. Leaning in towards me, she dropped her voice to a teasing whisper. "So tell me—are you and Naruko fucking yet?"

I nearly stumbled over my own feet, tails frantically flicking out to steady my balance. "W-what?" I spluttered, ears flattening sharply atop my head. "Did you seriously just ask that!?"

Kushina burst into bright laughter as she clutched at her stomach. "Relax, relax! I'm only messing with you!"

I groaned softly, rolling my eyes skyward. "Uzumaki women…" I muttered under my breath, though it came out more fond than annoyed.

She slapped my back heartily, smirking as we continued down the street. A few passing yokai stopped, bowing respectfully in my direction and murmuring polite greetings of, "Good evening, Prince."

Kushina arched an eyebrow at that, leaning closer. "Wow, Prince? You never mentioned you were kind of a big deal here. My future daughter is dating a genuine prince?"

I shrugged lightly, trying to look unaffected despite the faint blush warming my face. "I guess so," I admitted softly as we drew closer to my mother Yasaka's lavish palace.

Kushina laughed again. "You're blushing, Haru. Cute." She nudged my side playfully, her voice dropping to a mischievous whisper again. "But seriously—how far have you and my daughter really gone in the bedroom?"

This time I managed not to stumble, but the heat still crept rapidly up my neck and across my cheeks. I shot Kushina an exasperated glare. "You really enjoy making things awkward, don't you?"

She just laughed again, more gently this time. Beneath the teasing, I could see it clearly—Kushina was overwhelmed, and trying to mask it all with humor and pranks. 

I softened my irritation into an understanding smile. Being ripped from your entire reality wasn't something easily processed.

"It helps take my mind off… everything else, you know?" she admitted quietly, nudging my shoulder softly.

"Yeah," I said gently, giving her a reassuring glance. "I get it. Keep teasing away if it helps."

Her smirk returned instantly, and she leaned in with exaggerated eagerness. "Oh good, because I have about a thousand more awkward questions to ask you, future son-in-law."

Was that a pun?

I sighed dramatically, throwing my head back as she giggled gleefully beside me. Something told me Kushina was going to fit right in at Yasaka's palace—and with my family.

…And as it turned out, my instincts about Kushina fitting right in were dead-on. The moment Yasaka and Kushina met, they hit it off like two old friends reunited rather than strangers from entirely different worlds. Within minutes, they were already sitting together at one of the palace's elegant low tables, exchanging laughter and animated stories as they shared a bottle of sake. I found it oddly comforting seeing them interact so effortlessly.

My hyperactive little sister, Kunou, came sprinting across the room in a blur of golden hair and fluffy tails. She practically skidded to a halt in front of Kushina, eyes wide with excitement, clutching a manga and a pen. "Kushina-sama!" Kunou squealed, her voice a few octaves higher than usual. "C-can I please get your autograph and a picture with you!?"

Kushina blinked in bewilderment, glancing from Kunou to me with confusion etched clearly on her face. I just smiled apologetically, shrugging helplessly as if to say, 'I'll explain later.' Or, well, someone else would. 

Probably Naruko. 

"Uh… sure, kid." Kushina recovered quickly, returning Kunou's smile with genuine warmth as she accepted the manga. "Never been asked for an autograph before, though. Are you sure you have the right Uzumaki?"

"Oh yes!" Kunou practically sparkled with joy, nodding vigorously as Kushina scribbled down her name in looping characters. "You're amazing!"

Kushina laughed, posing cheerfully as Kunou snapped the picture. The second the photo was done, Kunou dashed off again, clutching her signed treasure to her chest.

Kushina turned toward me, one eyebrow arched suspiciously. "So… should I be worried about that?"

I chuckled nervously, rubbing the back of my neck. "Uh, probably not. Let's just say you're kinda famous in this world."

"Famous?" Kushina repeated skeptically, clearly unconvinced. "For what exactly?"

"Oh, you know…" I waved my hand vaguely, desperately avoiding eye contact. "... It's complicated. I'll let Naruko explain..."

How exactly do you go explaining to someone that their entire existence is possibly fictional? But also not?

Eh, not my problem. 

"Right…" Kushina sighed, shaking her head slightly and turning back to Yasaka. Thankfully, my mother smoothly changed the subject, pouring Kushina another cup of sake and continuing their earlier chat as if nothing strange had happened.

I glanced across the room, spotting Kunou excitedly showing off her prize to Myrcella, Tanya-chan, and her puppy for some reason. Kunou's small puppy wagged his tail happily beside her, barking enthusiastically even though he clearly had zero clue why the little fox princess was practically vibrating with excitement. 

A soft scowl drew my gaze further across the room, where I noticed Cersei Lannister quietly sipping wine and observing her daughter Myrcella with a look that managed to simultaneously radiate protectiveness and icy disdain. 

I sighed softly. Clearly, those therapy sessions hadn't exactly worked wonders yet. Shocker. At least she wasn't completely crazy, trying to kill her daughter anymore…

– Yasaka –

Haru had left with Kunou and the girls to put them all to bed. It was way past the three girls' bedtimes at this point anyway.

Yasaka had to admit—her son certainly brought the most intriguing people into her life. Kushina, in particular, had proven to be an absolute delight. Loud, irreverent, and thoroughly entertaining, she seemed like exactly the kind of person Yasaka might have gravitated toward in her younger, wilder days. And considering Kushina's endless barrage of ninja adventure stories—which grew steadily more outrageous as their cups emptied—Yasaka couldn't help but laugh herself breathless.

"—so there I am," Kushina concluded dramatically, gesturing with her sake cup, cheeks flushed pink, "completely butt-ass naked, right in front of the entire enemy ninja squad! Do you know how hard it is to intimidate bad guys when your tits are out?"

"Actually I do…" Yasaka giggled helplessly into her hand. "Oh, Kushina-chan, you truly are too much."

Kushina smirked proudly, tipping back her cup and downing the sake in one smooth gulp. Then her gaze shifted abruptly, her eyes narrowing curiously across the spacious room. "So what's the deal with blondie over there?" Kushina jerked her chin bluntly toward the distant corner, where a certain golden-haired woman sat, her green eyes fixed in a perpetual scowl as she nursed a goblet of wine. "The one snarling at everyone like someone pissed in her drink?"

Yasaka sighed, taking another long sip of sake. "Ah, that would be Cersei Lannister. She's… complicated. A crazy ex-queen from yet another world, staying with us temporarily—though it feels permanent some days. Unfortunately, her daughter Myrcella and my Kunou are quite fond of each other, so I endure her presence… She's completely harmless on her own at the very least. Even by human standards she is very weak."

Kushina stood suddenly, a playful, determined expression on her flushed face. "Well, screw it! We're all having some late night fun, right? Miss Royal Stick-Up-Her-Ass needs to loosen up and stop scowling at us!" Before Yasaka could even voice a protest or warning, Kushina had already marched fearlessly across the floor, heading straight toward Cersei's isolated corner. "Oi, blondie!" Kushina called out cheerfully, leaning casually against Cersei's table. Yasaka watched, impressed by her audacity, as Kushina flashed a bright, reckless grin. "Quit pouting and come drink with us! We've got plenty of sake and even better company. You look pathetic and it's bumming me out…"

Cersei's eyes narrowed dangerously, voice dripping with icy disdain. "I'm perfectly content right here! I'd rather not mingle with scantily-clad harlots or evil demons."

Yasaka's ears flicked sharply, and a low, dangerous growl escaped her throat, tails bristling irritably behind her. She might have intervened then and there—but Kushina only laughed, entirely unruffled by the insult.

"Ohhh, I see," Kushina teased loudly, drawing eyes from around the room as she leaned forward, smirking down at the haughty queen. "You're just worried you can't hold your liquor, aren't you?"

Cersei visibly bristled, her green eyes flashing indignantly as she straightened in her chair. Yasaka could practically see her pride warring with whatever other crazy thoughts went through that woman's head. Predictably, pride won.

"I can drink the both of you under the table," Cersei snapped sharply, rising from her seat and storming gracefully across the room toward Yasaka's table, chin held imperiously high.

"Oh, this ought to be good…" Yasaka murmured under her breath.

Kushina returned, grinning triumphantly as she dropped back down beside Yasaka. Pouring another generous serving of sake for the seething Cersei, Kushina raised her cup challengingly. "Alright then, your Majesty—prove it."

Yasaka chuckled.

Yes, her beloved son Haru certainly kept life interesting…

…

– Haru –

The next morning, sunlight flooded into my room, rousing me from a surprisingly restful sleep. I stretched lazily and slipped on some casual clothes—a comfortable black shirt and loose-fitting pants—before heading out of my bedroom and downstairs in my bare feet. 

As I walked through the halls of my mother's palace, I passed a handful of yokai maids busy with their morning chores. Each one gave me awkward, amused glances as they quickly averted their eyes, whispering and giggling softly behind their hands. 

My ears flicked uneasily, and I frowned slightly in confusion. Okay, what the hell was that about?

The answer presented itself soon enough.

As I passed the large room from last night, I halted abruptly in my tracks, blinking dumbly at the scene before me.

My mother, Yasaka, lay sprawled gracelessly across the tatami mats. Next to her was Kushina, face-down and drooling. Both of them were snoring softly.

And curled up slightly apart, in a position far less dignified than she would ever consciously allow, was Cersei Lannister. An empty sake bottle clutched protectively in her hand. Even unconscious, she still somehow managed a faintly judgmental scowl.

"...Did they seriously stay up all night drinking themselves unconscious?" I muttered incredulously to myself, shaking my head as amusement slowly overcame my initial surprise. "How is Cersei even alive?" That bottle she was holding was Yokai alcohol…

I guess last night went well, then?

I shook my head again, suppressing a laugh at the bizarre, adorable sight, and carefully slid the door shut, leaving them to sleep in peace. It was the waking up part that they were absolutely going to hate. 

Fortunately, I knew a few particularly effective recipes for hangovers—something told me all three women would be needing every bit of help they could get once they regained consciousness…

XXX