Snowy Heart. (Naruto FF)

"Yes, Captain Cockatoo."

   A soft humming noise was coming from inside a very special tree early that morning, the sound able to calm all those heard it. And the source of this noise was none other than Saruko Momochi, smiling down at the mini human in her arms.

   "You're getting so big now, aren't ya?" Saruko asked, knowing she won't get much of a response back as she lifted the baby up. "You're such a big boy now. Yes you are, yes you are!"

   Kin, somewhat understanding that she was happy, smiled and drooled a bit. Though it happened practically daily, Saruko still rejoiced at the little things he did.

   Reaching over to the dresser, she grabbed Kin's green teething ring, that she maaay or may not have stolen, and held it up to his mouth. Instantly, Kin started to gnaw on it. Meanwhile, Saruko set him down in his highchair for a minute, popping over by the mirror to check herself.

   Today she was wearing a gray and red two pieced outfit that she recently bought with her newest growth spurt. The top was a light gray and stopped right under her ribcage with a low v-neck. It was paired with a asymmetrical light gray skirt with a red wrap along the waist and a dark gray pair of spandex shorts underneath. Up on her arms were two red bands and bandage wraps took the place of shoes on her feet. Like usual, she had a ninja pack on both legs, though the one on her left was covered by the skirt.

   Her hair was up in a high ponytail, save for the slightest bit of her bangs, and she had moved her ninja plaque from her leg to around her neck. The dark circles around her eyes were almost the color of tar now, and the once thin 'whisker' streaks on her face were now thicker and more predominate, as were her canine like teeth that just poked passed her lips. She noticed that she was thinner in her arms, waist and legs than when she arrived. And no matter how hard she thought, she couldn't remember the last time she's sat down today and ate.

   'I hope that I don't smell like baby powder again. Do I have time to nap? No, I can't risk it. Kami knows what might happen if I fell asleep in the same room as Kin...' Suddenly, a cry made it to her ears, kicking Saruko out of her thoughts and rushing over to where Kin sat, wailing. Instantly, she gave him a once over, noticing that he was surprisingly wet all down his clothes.

   Finally, her eyes landed on the draining teething ring on the ground, several holes puncturing the toy as some weird goo started pooling in her hand. Glancing back at the child, she leaned in close to see that, not only did he have teeth, but several rows of pointed, sharp reptile like teeth. 'Did he really...he broke the damn teething ring!'

   "Oi, Nanny McDweeb. You're gonna be late to your team whatever if you keep playing Mommy with the dragon brat." Yukiharu cut in, growling a bit.

   "I don't need you telling me my damn schedule, Fox." Saruko grumbled, making a quick water clone. Once it appeared, the original started firing orders. "Change Kin and find something hard for him to chew on. Watch over him until I can get back. I'll return as soon as I possibly can. Page me if anything major happens."

   The clone bowed slightly as Saruko made a few handsigns and disappeared in a flurry of frozen air and snow. Within seconds, the redhead was a short ways away from the meeting spot--a bridge overlooking the main river running through the village. As she approached, the figures of three others came into view.

   Noticing her presence first, Naruto turned and smiled at the girl, waving. "Hey, Saruko!! Over here!!" At the sound of her name, the two other members of Team Seven turned and took in their red haired team mate with different expressions.

   Sasuke turned and couldn't help but blush softly at the girl's outfit, noting how well it fit her and how pretty she looked. For the past few months she's been here, he noticed himself opening up a little more to her than anyone else. He would always go out of his way to help her or simply hang out around her whenever he got the chance, feeling ten times better when he was around her, able to see and feel her.