the last student The Child Arc

chapter 57

Nighttime

*It was finally nighttime in Konoha, Hiruzen was off resting since he trains smart like Goku and doesn't overwork himself like Vegeta. People like Kakashi and Itachi were on a double date with Rin and Izumi, both of them having a pissing contest on who can be the better boyfriend on a date. Kurenai was with Asuma both of them cuddling, since both Kakashi and Itachi were fighting for the silver medal since everybody knew that Asuma was the best romantic partner. Kagura was burning the midnight oil, trying to fix the hospitals of Konoha, Bando was straight chilling at home watching TV while he cleaned his guns, and finally Kushina and his girls...*

Kushina: ok. We're home.

Mito: Is this where Dad and you used to live?

*Mito asked softly as Kushina opened the door to her old home which she and Minato used to live in. It was the last remaining home of the Uzumaki clan in Konoha, a modest home with a large amount of land that remained unclaimed until every single Uzumaki was dead, the state couldn't take any territory that used to belong to the Uzumaki clan of Konoha, which currently was only 3 strong and 1 exiled. Kushina walked inside with a soft smile, touching the walls of the home, and having flashes of memories of when she shared it with Minato.*

Kushina: Yup, we even expanded the house to make room for Narumi, you, and... well. Anyway, let's hurry up and go to sleep.

Narumi: Aw! But I'm not tired!

*Narumi complained, as they walked further inside to the living room. Kushina looked around with a smile that didn't reach her eyes, the place looked exactly as the day she left 5 years ago, like a frozen picture in time, before when things were simpler, when she was happy with the expectation of being a mother and having a loving partner on her side through it all. It was almost like a cold knife to the gut for Kushina, seeing the room unchanged, but she concentrated on her girls, giving them both a look only a mother could give.*

Kushina: Now, now, none of that. We are going to bed. There's nothing we can do at night anyway. Tomorrow you'll be able to explore Konoha, doesn't that sound like fun?

Narumi: Yeah, but I'm not tired!

*Narumi kept whining like any child her age would do, when they didn't want to go to bed, Naruto being no exception so I'd better not see anyone throwing stones. Kushina chuckled, as she sat down on her old sofa, memories of her sitting there while on her lap the head of Minato on it, how she would caress his hair, as he took a nap, exhausted by the job of the Hokage. Kushina blinked those memories away and gave a thoughtful look to Narumi, pretending to think of a compromise, when in reality she knew what buttons to push.*

Kushina: How about this? How about I read you both a bedtime story, before going to bed?

Narumi: a long one.

*Narumi said since she knows if she doesn't say that, her mom will make a very short story, one time for story time she read a short takeout pamphlet that was left at their gates! Kushina smiled with a nod, happy to tell her girls a long story, whatever they wanted, so they'd feel comfortable sleeping here tonight, they never say it, but Kushina knew that Narumi and Mito, especially Mito had trouble sleeping when they were in a new place. But before that, the girls needed to change their clothes, take a shower, and do the usual nightly activities before bed.*

Kushina: Yes, yes, a long one. Come on. Brush your teeth, take a shower, and then get dressed for bed

Narumi: Fine, come on Mito.

* Narumi said as she grabbed her sister's hand and went to the bathroom. Kushina giggled a little since Narumi was so stubborn and confident in herself that she forgot to ask where the bathroom even was, and she'd be too stubborn to come back and ask her. Kushina now that she was alone, could finally stop smiling, and leaned her head back on the couch, looking up at the ceiling, feeling as if this room was filled with ghosts of her past, all of them showing her how happy and carefree she used to be before the masked man came and ruined her perfect life. For what reason Kushina still doesn't know, but one thing she does know. She'll get her revenge one day.*