The Onokage's Son

Until Then

The 3 sat in silence, contemplating the words and implications of the purple haired female.

When Timberlin returned to Naruto several hours later , she removed the protection seal she placed on him. Relaxing she sat at his side and ran her fingers through his bangs. She stiffened when he shifted in his sleep turning to face her. Sighing softly, she reset her hand on his head and gazed at the mess of an apartment. "Oh, Naruto. I'm so sorry, you had to deal with this. Once the Chunin exams are over, I'm taking you away from here. Away from the pain and suffering."

Standing up she started to clear a path from the bed to the front door. Slowly she cleaned room by room, adding protection seals on the walls, floor, and ceilings. She finally got to the kitchen when a horrid smell reached her. "What the hell?" Walking over to the refrigerator, the smell grew worse. Fearing what she would find, she took a final breath before opening the door. There was nothing that could have prepared her for what she smelled nor saw. Gagging she raced to the nearest window and jumped out.

During this time, Tsume Inuzaka, Inochi Yamanaka, and Shibi Aburame happened to walk by, first seeing Timberlin come falling out a window, followed by a horrid smell, then Naruto came out the same window. Timberlin dusted herself off before helping Naruto up from the ground, "Sweetie, why is everything in your fridge beyond rotten?" The three clan heads watched their interaction while trying not to breath. "When I can actually buy groceries, they are usually extremely overpriced and rotten or moldy. Somedays I can't eat in order to save up, so I can pay my rent, that is also extremely high." Naruto said slowly, hesitant to tell his mom how bad his life is. "Teuchi Ichiraku would give me meals for free but I pay him whenever I have extra money. I'm grateful to him, but it still doesn't feel right just to take the food without paying."

The four adults looked horrified at Naruto's proclamation. "Naruto, sweetie. Take off your jumpsuit and top. Now, please." Timberlin said, her voice firm but just above a whisper. Slowly Naruto did as he was told, revealing his small skinny frame covered in faint scars. "I need to get some food in you, but I also really need to clean out that rotten mess, get you some fresh food and new clothes to wear. Along with having a word with a certain landlord." Timberlin growled as she pulled Naruto into a hug.

"Miss, I have some bugs that can take care of the spoiled food for you." Timberlin turned and faced the three clan heads. "I'm sorry but who are you three?" "I'm Shiba Aburame." "Tsume Inuzaka, I can take the kid to get some food while you do your shopping." "And I'm, Inochi Yamanaka. I can deal with the landlord for you." "Oh! Are you three clan heads?" The trio nodded and Timberlin stood from her crouched position after telling Naruto to redress.

"It's nice to meet you. I'm Timberlin Moon, Naruto's new mom. I would gladly appreciate your help. When you're done, you should see Lord Hokage. He may have some information to share with you if he believes you match the requirements I have." Timberlin kissed the top of Naruto's head saying "Behave," before disappearing into the shadows. Tsume grabbed Naruto before fleeing from the area complaining about the smell. Inochi left to find the apartment owner and Shibu made his way into Naruto's apartment. After a few tries, he got inside and opened all of the windows to help air out the area as his bugs worked on the source of the smell.

As Inochi found the landlord of Naruto's apartment, Tsume decided to bring Naruto to her house to cook him a proper meal and not risk the villager's potential trying something with her around. Thinking about his small frame she decided on a soup filled with chicken broth and veggies. While she cooked, Tsume had Naruto take a bath after giving him some of Kiba's old clothes to use until his mom brought him new ones.

In the shopping district of the village, Timberlin was carefully going through the clothing options for her little ninja. She needed to find him proper clothes with accents of orange. She was determined to remove orange completely from his ninja wardrobe. Orange was just too much for a ninja, fine for civilian clothing but not ninja.

She signed heavily as she set yet another top down as it was too big for Naruto's current state. 'Guess I'll need to get him something from home then.' She mentally murmured as she pulled out a scroll to write out a note. She then moved over to the casual civilian selection of clothes. Selecting loose fabric knee length shorts in different colors and some T-shirts, tank tops, and a couple of jackets, she then moved to the counter to check out.

The cashier talked aimlessly at her as she went over everything, Timberlin just gave her an empty smile as she wondered if the woman before he would be this nice if she knew these were for Naruto. She also wondered if she was the one who sold Naruto the kill me Orange jumpsuit he has, or if she ever participated in the mobbing.

Silent Timberlin took her bags and left after paying. Quickly shadow stepping back to Naruto's apartment she placed the bags inside. The air was cleaner when she arrived but there was a lot of noise coming from the kitchen. Peeking inside she saw Shibu with his head out the window and a huge swarm of bugs attacking the refrigerator.

Deciding not to enter she went to Naruto's bedroom and put all of his new clothes way, leaving out a set for Naruto to change into when she got him back from Tsume. Leaving the apartment again, she headed for the market for fresh food, cleaning supplies, and personal hygiene products.

Her goal was to get fresh vegetables and meat, along with nonperishables so when she leaves to get a few extra things set up back in Teru, Naruto will be fine. When she was done with all the shopping, got everything put away after thanking Shibu profusely for his help, she tracked down Naruto and Tsume. She was greeted with the sight of 15 ninja puppies all spread out on Naruto asleep as Tsume was laughing at Naruto's helpless expression.

"Thank you, Inuzaka-san for watching over Naruto." She stopped laughing quickly as Naruto carefully moved the puppies off of him. "Please, Tsume is fine and it was no problem, Naruto was really a sweetheart." The two women smiled at each other as Naruto finally was able to get the puppies off of him. Soon enough Tsume lead them out of the compound and waved goodbye to them.

As it was near dinner time Timberlin had Naruto introduce her to Teuchi Ichiraku. Naruto gained a smile as he bounced around her in excitement. She watched him as she ignored the looks the villagers were giving him as they moved down the street. Happily, Naruto blabbered on and on about Ichiraku's ramen and how it was the food of the Gods. Timberlin laughed happily with him, then laughed at his reaction when she told his he can only have 3 large bowls and no more than that.