Saruto | The Celestial War (Part 2)

Chapter 3: Little One

"Please wait out here," Kakashi ordered Choban, Haru, and Tsuki who stood helplessly behind us in the hallway.

There was no doubt what they were thinking about. Shikadami and I have had a little over five years to mourn Inojou. This was new for them. Haru was hurt as she avoided my gaze and stared at the ground. They were distraught and left in the dark. The secrecy of my mission that got Inojou killed probably hurt them.

I watched as Shikadami reached for Kiyomi's hand who followed along and into the room. I followed, first looking back to my friends. I didn't know what to say to them so I stayed silent and then followed my wife in the room. Kakashi then closed the door behind us and then flooded himself into the side of the room to spectate. In the middle of the Hokage's office stood myself with Shikadami by my shoulder and then Kiyomi holding her leg and shyly hiding behind her.

As I looked at the Hokage's table, I saw my grandfather. I almost forgot what he looked like at this age because for so long I worked by his younger self. Next to him standing by his chair was Shikamaru and then in front of the desk to his left was Sasuke. They had their hands to their sides casually before their eyes all widened to see our change in appearance.

After all when I left I was 17 almost turning 18 and now I was 23.

"It's been a while, Grandfather," I smiled.

He smiled too before standing up. Then his gaze shifted down to our legs. I watched as Naruto gave a confused look and twisted his head around to see if he could get a better look. Shikamaru and Sasuke did the same but only subtly glanced down.

Looking down to Shikadami's legs, I could see Kiyomi gripping her mother tight. She was confused. This was an entire different time from what she had always known. Shikadami looked towards me with wonderment in her eyes then put her hand softly on our daughter's shoulders.

Suddenly Naruto got up from behind the desk and slowly started to walk over to us, his eyes not wavering from where Kiyomi peered behind. As he got closer, Kiyomi got even more subtly scared before hiding herself entirely behind Shikadami and I. Even grabbing my own leg for protection. Naruto then knelt down one knee to meet her eye level and then used one hand to reach out for a fist bump.

"Hello," he softly spoke.

Kiyomi still hid behind Shikadami's legs with her little hands gripping her mother tightly. She then looked up to Shikadami for approval.

"It's okay," Shikadami smiled.

Sasuke and Shikamaru then silently and cautiously walked and stood behind Naruto. Each of them was curious to see what their great-granddaughter was like.

Slowly, Kiyomi revealed herself from behind us and then walked a few steps around Shikadami's legs to meet him. Her face was hidden by her hair as she looked down. She blushed as she closed her hand into a fist and softly fist bumped him back. Naruto smiled and she finally revealed her face to him. I could see all their eyes widen at the way she looked.

"S-She..."

"Yes," Shikamaru finished, "she looks a lot like you, Sasuke, when you were young."

Sasuke was intrigued as he got down on one knee next to Naruto to meet her at eye level.

Kiyomi then looked at him in a shy manner.

"What's your name?" Sasuke softly spoke and smiled.

I looked down to her as she bit her inner lip and twiddled her fingers together. I watched as she clicked her left toe against her right heel in a nervous manner.

"K-Kiyo-yomi," she spoke out with a shaky voice and then immediately grabbed my left leg.

"What a beautiful name," Naruto said as he gazed at our daughter.