Changing the River of Time

More Uzumakis

On the second day of the search, Aki found the small hut on the border of sand and forest- just where he remembered Yuki said it was. He knocked on the door and waited until a small girl with bright red hair, brown eyes, and a round face opened the door, her posture radiating innocence even as she carefully kept a hand out of sight. Probably with a poisoned kunai- Yuki said she got into poisons right before her mother passed, after all. "Hello," a timid and soft voice asked. Much softer than the voice he remembered, but he also remembered a particularly drunk night when Yuki shared how shy she was as a kid.

He squatted down to her height and stared into her eyes. Giving a warm smile, he introduced himself. At 'Uzumaki', her eyes widened. "Like me and Mama?"

He nodded his head. "There's another Uzumaki where I'm from. I'm working to rebuild our clan, and I'd love it if you came with me to Konoha."

Yuki opened the door wider (after flicking the kunai into her sleeve) and motioned for him to follow. She led him to a living room and sat, waiting until Aki did the same across from her to continue. "Aki-san... You don't really expect me to take that at face value, do you?"

He smiled, the sort of interview such a 'Yuki' thing to do. She always made sure she knew all of the facts and the other parties before she made a decision. That's why she was such a good ally. He shook his head, crossing his legs as he spoke. "Not at all. I think you're a smart girl, and you'd never follow a stranger out of the blue." At her motion, Aki continued. "I want you to come with me so we can remake a family," Aki simply stated. "The Uzumaki were once a large and powerful clan. I'd like to make it so again by gathering other Uzumaki survivors. Of course, we will eventually go back to Uzushiogakure, but it needs some TLC. While we are small, we can wait in Konoha- a long-time ally of Uzushio- until we find more Uzumaki. No one would try anything while we stay there, and we'd get training. Of course, if you want to stay here, I won't stop you. We can also go to Uzu early if need-be."

The child thought for a moment, carefully considering her options and position. She closed her eyes, tilting her head in a way that Aki recognized as her scanning his chakra. See, Uzumaki sensors- even outside of Kurama- had the amazing ability to sense emotions. At least, on a minor level. They can sense chakra much more accurately than others, and could tell the difference in chakra when someone lied, when they were honest, and when they were telling half-truths. Concluding her search, Yuki finally nodded, standing from her seat. "Okay, mister. Let's go."

He smiled and waited while she packed, the process quick as she, even at a young age, always had the necessities ready to go in case of emergency. He didn't ask about the absent mother and the small, single bag on her back. "Ready?"

"Mhm."

He again squatted down to her height. "I can get us there fast if you want. I have a teleportation seal in the Hokage's office. Do you want to use it or walk?"

"We can use it."

"Then hang on tight for me."

He picked her up and held her close, his other hand making a sign. With a burst of chakra and a red flash, they found themselves in front of the Third Hokage. Aki carefully set the child down and turned to the old man. "Yo."

"Aki. I presume you are miss Yuki Uzumaki?"

She nodded. "Yessir."

"Then welcome to Konoha. All the paperwork is already filled out. Tell me, where is your mother?"

The little girl looked down. "She... she's gone."

"I see... I'm terribly sorry for your loss. Would you accept Aki as your legal guardian, then?"