Early next morning before the sun even broke through the horizon, Naruto woke up to being snuggled by both his nee - chan and aneki. He was in the middle hugging and snuggling his nee - chan, who had her arms around him and her face buried in his hair, he could feel her steady warm breath on his head. Behind him was Anko - aneki, who was hugging them both really close and tight, her long arms going over his own holding nee - chan close. It felt like she was holding her whole world in her hands, he could not help but think about that one line from one of his nee - chan's books. This was nice and he did not want to get up so early either but he did thanks to the birds that always sing on their terrace garden. It had been almost three years since he left the village at the age of, well, he was almost fourteen when he left so yes, give or take three years. He was almost eighteen and celebrated Sasuke's eighteenth birthday between missions though it was just them three.
Tanna woke up grumbling but nuzzled Naruto's head again, "I swear, these birds are too loud and energetic for their own good."
Naruto nuzzled her back, "Morning, nee - chan."
Tanna blinked the sleep away, "Mmm.. Good morning Naruto. So, it was not a dream, you really are home."
Naruto grinned, "Yup and since my team completed three S - ranked missions, we can take a nice long break now."
Tanna sat up at that registering the information, "Hold up!!!!! Three S - ranked? I thought it was one? How did it become three?"
Anko was awake as well, "You know, little fox, I am wondering that too."
Naruto shrugged, "It just kinda did. One thing after other came up, and next thing we know we are doing back to back missions."
Tanna got up humming, "Okay, first we have breakfast, I see some strawberries and blueberries are ripe. I am thinking strawberry milkshake with blueberry pancakes. Oh! Mint tea with pine top tea as well."
Anko purred, "A garden breakfast sounds lovely, Tanna - koi. Go clean up first Naru - tan, you will give us any detail you can during breakfast."
Naruto got up as well, "Okay aneki! Breakfast sounds good."
Tanna watched him go as she got to collecting the fresh ingredients, "I know the first one has something to do with the Kazekage of Suna; Gaara, so there is that but I wonder what caused the other two."
Anko sighed as she got up to help her with the prep, "Who knows dear, I swear it is the team Seven curse. That one team always seems to get missions that are actually more complicated and tougher than they look."
Tanna looked like she wanted to say something but shook her head and muttered about fate's favourite toy, as she bustled about the garden then the kitchen. Anko washed and cleaned up while Tanna got to making the mixture and preparing the fruits fresh from the garden. Honestly speaking, turning the terrace into a garden as well was Tanna's idea, so, now they had two gardens actually. One in the backyard, that had large tree fruits; like jack fruit, mangoes, apples and oranges, that could grow together thanks to Naruto's seals and Anko herself helping Tanna - chan out. Then, there were the creeper vegetables like pumpkin, gourds, squash, etc, that grew on the ground that provided them vegetables everyday, sometimes Tanna even shared the veggies with their neighbours. Then the terrace garden had fruits that were manageable in small areas like blueberries, strawberries, lemons and figs.
As for flowers, that depended on the season as both siblings agreed seasonal flowers were best when it came to flowering plants. It was the begining of July when Naruto returned to Konoha and now it was already August. Anko mused, just one more month and Naruto would soon be eighteen which would leave Sakura as the only seventeen year old in the group before she turns eighteen next year as well. How time flies by! It only feels like yesterday when Anko was testing the little thirteen; almost fourteen year old brats for their exams. Tanna went to clean up while Anko watched over their food which was almost done just as Naruto came out washed and dressed and the three sat together as everything was prepared like clock work. They thanked for the food and started eating while Naruto picked up from where they had left their conversation earlier which was about one S - rank turning into three.
Naruto "Yes, the S - rank was originally about Gaara but then we ran into Sasori who Sakura - chan and Shikamaru - kun defeated."
Anko gave a whistle, "They defeated an S - rank, how impressive!"
Naruto beamed, "Right? Anyway, that got marked as an S - rank mission. And Temari and I defeated Deidara and got Gaara back from him which is the original S - rank. Sasuke - kun found out Orochmaru is the new Otokage of Sound which also qualifies as S - rank information."
Anko choked, "Orochimaru is what?"
Tanna pat her back, "You good?"
Anko nodded then turned serious, "Are you sure, Naru - tan?"
Naruto nodded, "The mission to save Gaara took one week give or take. We spent most of the month before returning confirming that particular fact about Orochimaru because Suna also requested for the confirmation."
Anko sat back grabbing the tea cup, "Damn that man! He really is something else, I just can't with him."
Tanna mused to herself, "He really went, 'If I can't be the Hokage there I will be the Otokage there.', didn't he? I wonder how it happened though, it sounds a lot like a novel plot."
Anko made a face, "No kidding! If being petty was a person, it is that bastard."
Naruto scowled, "Yeah, nee - chan, if you are ever approached by someone who feels slime and snake lke, please tell me."
Tanna blinked, "Uh.... Okay? Is there a reason? That is a very specific description."
Naruto was gripping the chopsticks hard, "He said, he told Lee who was dealing with him that, he met you before and that you would be an interesting test subject."
Tanna tensed, "We met? When? I do not recall meeting anyone that strange... Then again, I have met many people, so I guess it could be anyone. This is worrying."
Naruto looked worried, "So, he did meet you but under a disguise."
Tanna had a thoughtful look, "Genjutsu does not work on me though unless... He found a way to disguise himself similar to how you did."
Anko murmured, "His body changing ability, that must be it."
Tanna turned to her, "He can change bodies?"
Naruto gave his utensils to his clone, "Wash everything."
Anko looked serious, "You would not know about it, since you are a civilian but yes, he can jump from one body to another. Also, it is not a genjutsu, so you probably would not be able to see through it like you normally do."
Tanna felt a chill go down her spine and goosebumps appeared on her hands, "So, I would not know if he approached me or not whether in a crowd or somewhere isolated away from a crowd."
Naruto saw the shiver and felt bad, he did not want to scare his nee - chan, "Nee - chan, I promise, he will not touch you. Never again!"
Tanna sighed hugging him, "I am alright, Naruto. Do not worry, though I can think of a few instance where he might have approached me isolated. However, I cannot guarantee you, it is Orochimaru but it will be a start, I think."
Anko rubbed the goosebumps on the brunette's arm, "I know for certain he has not approached you since we got together. That lazy bum over there would tell me."
Naruto turned to where a silver coloured well - fed snake was sleeping, "Oh! I forgot about him. You gave him to nee - chan aftter you got together."
Tanna pouted, "Clopeh is a sweet heart Anko, not a lazy bum."
Anko rolled her eyes, "That you very literally spoiled the brains out of. My other summons hate me for not picking them as a gift."
Naruto, "Should I leave a toad with nee - chan as well? A small one that can deliver messages."
Tanna, "Well, if they do not run away scared of Clopeh, I do not see why not."
Naruto, "I will talk to Ma and Pa about it. They will agree, no doubt. Oh! They are curious about you as Jiraiya apparently bragged about you to them."
Tanna mused, "He did, huh? Fine, I will meet with them. I have heard that summon bosses are interesting conversationalists."
Anko muttered, "Depends on the summon, I hope you never meet Lord Manda."
Tanna, "Lord Manda? Is he or she the giant snake Orochimaru summoned way back then?"
Anko nodded, "Yes, he hates humans. Considers us a nuisance and a lot of nasty things I would rather not repeat."
Tanna sweat dropped, 'I feel like Orochimaru is to blame for that.'
Naruto made a face, "Now?"
Anko noticed and narrowed her eyes, "Who are you talking to?"
Naruto, "Kyuubi wants to train me with four tails and wants nee - chan there."
Tanna pointed at herself, "Well, it is a weekend so, I see no problem."
Anko protested, "I do!!! The Kyuubi's chakra is poisonous and dangerous. It can kill people just by existing in the air."
Tanna, "Um... I have been dealing with it since Naruto was adopted... Didn't I nor Kakashi tell you before? I could have sworn one of us did."
Anko cursed, "He did once, I thought he was giving me the shovel talk. He was actually warning me about the Kyuubi. WTF Kakashi!!!!"
Tanna gave a wry smile at that, "Of course, he threatened you with the Kyuubi. Why am I even surprised?"
Naruto, "Kakashi - Sensei is Kakashi - Sensei I guess. So nee - chan, will you join me?"
Tanna smiled nodding, "Sure! You might want to give the Godaime a heads up though. I do not want to be the reason of her heart problems."
Naruto got up, "Right! I will send a clone and get ready for training. I have to collect a few scrolls first and seals too."
Anko turned to her lover, "You, what else are you hiding?"
Tanna, "About?"
Anko waved her hand, "This, you know? Naruto and Kyuubi and you. What else?"
Tanna scratched her neck, "Honestly, I am not sure at this point. I am pretty sure that I know the most random stuff about Naruto and Kyuubi simply by the virtue of being next to them."
Anko looked flabbergasted, "Random stuff... You know random stuff."
Tanna though looked lost in thought, "Yeah, now that I think about it; I don't even know if I am allowed to talk about it with you... At least, not without getting you in trouble for it."
Anko muttered, "Right! That damn rule, the third passed, it is still in effect."
Tanna nodded, "Afraid so!"
Anko looked determined though, "Alright, I know what to do. You go with Naruto and make sure he is okay. I will got to the Godaime after my work and pester her for permission to learn about the Kyuubi."
Tanna smiled kissing her cheek, "Sounds like a plan. You are planning to marry me and are Naruto's nee - chan too, so it is right you know too."
Anko smiled back kissing her forehead gently, "Yeah, we are a family now."
Naruto came out ready for his training with the Kyuubi and Tanna half recalled Yamato being involved too, wasn't he? Her memory was getting weird the longer she lived in this world and accepted this as her reality. Sure, she wrote down the main points but now, she was starting to second guess those events. There was a fourth member before but now, Team seven had evolved and each member were following their own path and had specialized groups they were part of. Naruto was a proud member of the sealing corps of Konoha, Sasuke was the new rising star of Konoha Police and Sakura was the Godaime's apprentice. She was very proud of her kids and yes, this made her less confident in her own memories but lord help her. Her kids were living fulfilling and happy lives now and she would not change it for anything. Although, she should also be wary about what this meant as she recalls Orochimaru had defected from the Akatsuki too. Here however, he is still part of the group which meant trouble for them in the long run.
Naruto, "Neji - sempai, Hinata - chan, Hanabi - chan, how are you?"
Neji smiled, "Good morning, Tanna - Sensei, Naruto - san. I am well. How are you?"
Hinata smiled, "Hello Naruto - kun, Tanna - Sensei, good day to you too. I am doing great today. How are you?"
Hanabi smiled, "Good morning, Tanna - Sensei, Naruto - Sempai, we are going to have train and then lunch, actually."
Naruto grinned, "Why don't you join us then? Since we are teaming up again in the future we should figure out a rhythm between us."
Neji smiled, "Sounds good actually. Would you mind if Lee and Tenten joins us later?"
Naruto, "Of course not, Lee is aiming for taijutsu Mastery while Tenten is going for weapons Mastery. So, I say they are more than welcome."
Tanna frowned observing them, "Are the Elders being idiots again?"
Hinata scowled darkly, "They tried to use the seal on Neji yesterday. Luckily, Hanabi - chan was there and stopped them."
Tanna was proud of her girls but sent Neji a worried glance, "Neji - kun, are you alright?"
Neji nodded, "Do not worry Tanna - Sensei, the seal that Akari - sama placed on top of the cage bird seal prevents any pain."
Naruto had a dark look as he glared at where the seal was on Neji's forehead, "I will remove it, believe in me, I will. I just need to do something about the soul part and I will get rid of it."
Neji's face softened, "Thank you, Naruto - kun. I can wait, do not worry. Akari - sama's seal is already doing wonders."
Tanna scowled, "You should not even be sealed in the first place. Seals were originally created to make life easier not this."
Neji turned to look at his Academy teacher, "Yes, Akari - sama explained it to me. Tanna - Sensei, we are greatful you asked Akari - sama to help us. But, this is enough for now. If you keep interfering then... I do not even want to think about it."
Hinata nodded, "What Neji nii - sama says, Tanna - Sensei, we do not want to lose you to arrogant old fools who have more money than common sense."
Tanna looked sad now, "I really wish I could do more."
Hanabi, "You did more then our family ever tried to. Please Sensei, do not sell yourself short."
Tanna, "I do not think I will ever stop trying to fight for you. The moment you became my students, you also became my kids. If murder was not illegal... The very thought of Ren - kun and Momo - chan getting those seals turns my stomach."
Hanabi shared a look with her siblings who had resigned expressions and frowned not liking this situation. Naruto sighed and changed the topic saying the three of them had the Byakugan so they probably knew about the Kyuubi. The three nodded, it was one of the first lessons they received as future shinobi after all. Naruto then explained the training that Kyuubi offered and how he waned Tanna - nee there as well. That got startled and worried looks from all three and they questioned if that was a good idea or even safe. Naruto sighed saying the Kyuubi insisted on it as Tanna was apparently not affected by chakra and that lack of effect extended to the Kyuubi's chakra as well. The three did not look comfortable and insisted Tanna should stay behind them none the less, till they confirm it too. Tanna agreed and told them not to worry too much as the Godaime asked an ANBU to keep an eye on us.
ANBU Kitsune landed beside them, "Do not worry, I will ensure Tanna - sensei is safe if things get out of hand."
Naruto, "Yeah, he is here so I am allowing this to happen. Can you believe it?"
Neji, "Yeah, I feel like I walked into an alternate world, you are so protective of your nee - chan, it is bizzare."
Hinata nodded, "Agreed! It is so odd."
Hanabi, "I still remember the prank you played on the Chunin who insult Tanna - Sensei back at the Academy."
Naruto, "Alright! Here we are, let me set up some seals to keep the Kyuubi's chakra from destroying everything first."
ANBU Kitsune looked intrigued, "You made seals for that?"
Naruto nodded, "It is based off my own seal and look here I will explain as I set it up."
Tanna set herself up at the edge of the training grounds under the shade of a tree as Naruto was excitedly explaining the seal to both ANBU Kitsune and Neji. After Akari - san had helped Neji with the cage bird seal, the young Hyuuga had become curious and started learning and mastering the basics of sealing arts. While Neji could not claim the same level of expertise as an Uzumaki, he still understood how the diagrams and design worked. It was in Tanna's opinion, really nice to see Naruto get along with Neji and become close friends, more than what was shown in manga and anime. ANBU Kitsune though tickled something in her mind, Tanna swear he is familiar to her and she knows who that is. However things are very different in this world so perhaps, she may not know who that is at all. She will keep an open mind however and adjust according to how things happen, she has done that really well so far, if she were being honest.
Hinata, "Sensei, what are you thinking?"
Tanna, "Me? Just thinking back and realizing how much you all have grown. It feels like yesterday when I first saw you as little munchkins that barely reached my hips and I am quiet short compared to shinobi."
Hinata, "Oh! I remember seeing you the first time too, Sensei. My first thought was, why you were at the Academy instead of the hospital?"
Tanna laughed, "I can imagine what sort of shock I gave to those with special eyes."
Hinata, "My second thought was, you were pretty. You did not dress like the civilians but you were not a kunoichi either. You had your own style and drove Yamanaka - chan crazy as she tried to find out where you brought your clothes."
Tanna, "Oh? I did not know that. Did she find out?"
Hinata hummed, "She eventually figured out that you had your clothes for yourself and Naruto tailored to fit you. Well, most of the styish ones that you wore during festivities anyway."
Tanna, "Those were designs one of my late cousins made for me. I guess I wanted to remember them by finally wearing them."
Hanabi, "That is the only reason she did not demand those designs for herself. It would be a shit move if she did."
Tanna laughed, "Now, now, I believe I raised Yamanaka - chan to be smarter than that."
Hinata giggled, "You certainly did."
Naruto, "Done! Let's train together a bit and then I will train with the Kyuubi."
Tanna sat relaxing under the tree as one Jounin, one tokubetsu Jounin and two Chunin started to train together. First was the warm up followed by one on one battles between them while the ANBU stayed next to Tanna to keep her safe.