Why Orange?

*pulls at hair and screams* THAT IS IT! I GIVE UP!

Itachi: *reduced to puddle of goo* Mmm?

Ri, Madara, and Sai: *exchange glances*

T.W.: I HATE LEMONS!

Ri and Sai: *point at Madara* You ask her.

Madara: *sweatdrops* T.W.?

T.W.: WHAT?!

Madara: What are you ranting about?

T.W.: Lemons are a big gigantic pain in the tushie.

Sai: *snicker* Preaching to the choir here T.W.

T.W.: (growls) I mean they're a pain in the tushie for me to write. I always get stalled on them and anytime it takes beyond forever for me to update or finish a fic it's usually because I'm stalled on a lemon for some fic.

Ri: Ahhh I get it now. You told Mayumi that you were planning on putting one final lemon in WO but you can't can you.

T.W.: (sniffles) No I can't! I've tried a thousand different ways but none of them work, even when I have the perfect set up for a lemon I just can't do it this time.

Madara: Has anyone ever told you that you're a little fucked up?

T.W.: (glares at Madara) Watch it buster. I'm not nearly as fond of you as I am of Itachi so I won't tolerate any sass out of you. (blinks) Speaking of Itachi, where is he?

Ri: He's the pile of useless flesh over there.

T.W.: (stands over Itachi) Itachi? (pokes him)

Itachi: Nnn?

T.W.: Are you alive?

Itachi:...

T.W.: C'mon give me an glare, an insult, a hn, anything.

Itachi: Nuuuu.

T.W.: Holy hell he's so spent he can't even 'hn'. You guys de-Uchihaized him.

Madara: He'll recover soon. Now if you'll excuse me, I have places to go, things to destroy, stuff to steal. (leaves)

T.W.: Ri?

Ri: (braiding Itachi's hair) Hmm?

T.W.: Does Madara have a seme?

Ri: I'm not sure, I'll have to do some research. Why?

Sai: She probably wants to see someone pwn Madara.

T.W.: You know me so well Sai.

Ri: (grins) Oh now that's something I can sink my teeth into. I'll get right on finding out who his seme is once I finish here. (pulls out make-up case)

T.W.: I'm going to pretend I don't have a clue what you're doing and get this chapter started.

People, dear readers who have stuck with me through this entire crazy roller coaster of a fic for two years, three months, and sixteen days this is the very final chapter of Why Orange. That's right it's The End and it has been wonderful fun.

The kids might seem a bit mature for their ages but keep in mind, Uchiha genes, living in a house with Kakashi (a noted genius), Iruka a teacher, and Obito and Sai makes for excellent intelligence in children. Not to mention that I have a four year old cousin who's so smart and has such a big vocabulary it is positively scary so I know that it is possible.

And now, without further ado, I present to you the final chapter of Why Orange

Disclaimer: Pick a chapter, any chapter, and look there. All the disclaimers hold for this final chapter as well.

stats

'thoughts'

emphasis

Chapter 54 Moments

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~triplets 2.4 years old~

Naruto looked up from the scroll he was studying to watch Sasuke mock fighting with the kids. The blond pursed his lips, "Uh Sasuke, I'm not sure that's a good idea."

The Uchiha glanced at his husband, "And why is th-," Sasuke doubled over with a pained groan, hands belatedly shielding his groin. The cause of his pain had been the well placed little fist of Mikomi, who was now mimicking Sasuke thinking that his actions were just another part of the game.

Naruto was biting the inside of his cheek to keep from laughing, "That's why."

Sasuke heard the suppressed laughter in Naruto's voice and gave him a watered down Uchiha glare. The blond set the scroll aside and crouched down to toddler level, "Hey what do you say you all go see if Iru-ji is done baking those cookies?"

All four imps immediately dashed for the kitchen with a war cry as Naruto watched Sasuke grimace, gingerly adjust himself as if checking to see if everything was still in its proper place, and gripe in a pained voice, "Damn that girl hits hard for a two year old."

"Want me to kiss it better?"

"Kiss my ass Naruto."

"Oh did one of them get you there too?"

Sasuke stood awkwardly and waddled away to lick his wounds as Naruto finally lost the battle with his laughter and collapsed on the floor cackling like a mad thing.

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~few days later~

Naruto shunshined into the bedroom and stretched to work the kinks out of his back. he'd been helping Tsunade with paperwork all day and she'd refused to allow him to use Shadow Clones so he'd been sitting in one position for most of the day and his back was definitely feeling it. He walked into the bathroom and nearly had a heart attack.

There, up on the top of the tall towel shelf, sat a very pleased with herself Hikari.

"Hikari!"

The little blond girl smiled brightly and waved, "Kaa!"

Naruto reached up and plucked her down from the shelf, "Baby girl how on earth did you get up there?"

"I climb!"

Naruto gaped and looked from the little girl to the tall shelf she'd been perched on in amazement. He swallowed hard as he thought about what could have happened had his daughter fallen. He looked at her and said firmly, "Hikari no more climbing without a grown-up there."

She blinked those big blue eyes, "Why?"

"In case you fall."

The little girl pouted and pulled out the puppy eyes she'd inherited from her 'mommy', "But I good climber!"

Naruto suddenly gained new respect for Iruka's ability to stand firm in the face of Naruto's many attempts to squirm out of trouble. Taking a page out of his foster father's book, he frowned sternly, "No buts young lady. You don't climb unless there is a grown-up there, understood?"

Her disappointed, drawn out yes almost made Naruto drop the frown and grin as he remembered reaction the same way to some of Iruka's edicts. He nodded, "Good. Now let's see what the others are getting into hmm?"

"OK!"

They made their way downstairs to the family room and Naruto barked out a laugh when he saw Sai being held down by Kaji and Arashi while Mikomi put ribbons in his hair. Obito was sitting in a chair giving the boys tips on how to keep Sai from getting up. The artist gave Naruto a weak glare, "Laugh while you can Naruto."

Three little heads whipped around and the three children abandoned Sai to run to Naruto and Hikari. The blond man knelt and scooped each child into a hug but before he joined them in play, he repeated his order to Hikari. Once he got a chorus of yeses, he grinned and nodded at Sai, "Okay now lets jump on uncle Sai and I'll show Mikomi how to put braids in his short hair."

The boys whooped like heathens and dived onto Sai before the artist could escape while Obito laughed his ass off.

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~triplets 2 and 1/2 years~

Sasuke growled as Kaji struggled against being put down for a nap. The little boy twisted and sank his sharp little teeth into his father's forearm, making the older Uchiha snarl and let the boy go. The past few months Kaji had developed the bad habit of biting people when he was throwing a tantrum.

Naruto entered the room and frowned when he saw Sasuke wiping blood away from the little teeth marks on his arm. The blond pat his husband on the shoulder, "Go and have Iruka-sensei help you out with that. I'll finish putting him down for a nap."

Sasuke, happy to get away from the ornery toddler, left the room and Kaji to Naruto's tender mercies. The little boy frowned at his 'mommy' and crossed his arms as if daring Naruto to try and put him down for a nap. The blond just raised an eyebrow and picked Kaji up.

The toddler immediately began wriggling and fighting and Naruto snapped, "Stop now Kaji!"

Kaji twisted and opened his mouth to take a bite out of Naruto's shoulder but rather than let the boy go like Sasuke had done, Naruto grabbed Kaji's arm and bit the boy back, not hard enough to leave a mark but hard enough to hurt.

The little boy's black eyes widened and his jaw dropped before his lower lip quivered and he let out a loud wail. Naruto shifted the toddler and set him on his feet. He waited until Kaji had paused for breath, "Now you know don't you, biting hurts and you won't do it anymore right?"

Kaji hiccuped and nodded then threw himself at Naruto when the blond held his arms open. Rather than fight to lay the toddler down, Naruto picked him up and sat in a rocking chair with the boy, holding him and rocking until he fell asleep.

Sasuke cautiously poked his head around the door, brows raising when he saw Naruto putting Kaji into his toddler bed. The raven walked over silently and lent over Naruto's shoulder, "How did you get him down? Better yet, why aren't you bleeding from bite marks?"

Naruto chuckled and tugged Sasuke out of the room, "I showed him what it feels like to be the bitten rather than the biter."

Sasuke's eyes widened, "You bit him back?"

"Mmmhmm, not hard but enough so that he knows that biting hurts."

Sasuke shook his head, "Do you really think he'll stop now?"

"Mmmhmm, if he doesn't stop because he doesn't want to hurt anyone, he'll stop because he doesn't want to get bitten back."

Sasuke chuckled, "I wonder if this is a common solution to the biting problem."

"It is, Sakura-chan told me that sometimes it's the only way that some children stop."

The Uchiha shook his head in amazement, "Well as long as it works and doesn't seriously hurt him."

Naruto smiled and led Sasuke to the kitchen, "Well the kids are down for an hour, and everyone else is out. What do you want to do with our free time teme?"

Sasuke smirked and backed Naruto against the counter, "Hmm what could we possibly fit into the space of an hour?"

The blond grabbed Sasuke's shirt front and yanked him forward, "Let me make a suggestion," and he slammed his lips against the raven's in a fierce kiss.

The Uchiha smirked into the kiss before pressing his hips into Naruto's. The blond slid a hand around to the former avenger's ass but before things could get interesting a voice interrupted them.

"Hey Sasuke you he-," Obito paused in the doorway to the kitchen, "oops."

Sasuke and Naruto pulled apart and Sasuke gave Obito a death glare that would have felled anyone but an Uchiha, "Why is it that you always manage to interrupt us?"

Obito held out his hands placatingly, "It's not intentional I swear. I just wanted to know if you were home."

Naruto groaned and face-palmed, "Obito go away before I jump over Sasuke to kill you myself."

"Right, I'm gone. Bye."

Sasuke sighed and slouched over to the table, "He just completely killed the mood didn't he?

"Pretty much. You want something to eat?"

Another sigh, "I suppose I'll have to settle for that until tonight."

Naruto shook his head, "Kakashi-sensei is rubbing off on you."

"Nah the only on I want rubbing on me is you."

"Sasuke! Who put what in your morning tea?"

"Nobody and nothing, I'm just still up for a little playtime but thanks to my cousin that's been de-railed."

Naruto walked over to place a kiss on his husband's forehead, "We'll make up for it tonight but for now stow your inner lech."

Sasuke shook his head, "Fine I'll behave, for now."

Naruto shook his head as he went to rummage in the fridge, getting Sasuke to behave when he's horny is much more difficult than getting toddlers to stop biting. The blond glanced over his shoulder at the raven catching the dark eyes zeroed in on his ass. Much more difficult.

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~triplets 3yrs 2mo~

Naruto hummed happily as he puttered around the kitchen, fixing some dessert for the kids. All four loved lime jello with pineapple tidbits in them, it was one of the few foods they all agreed on. Speaking of the fearsome foursome, the triplets were sitting at the table playing with overlarge blocks, Mikomi however was right there with Naruto, one of her tiny hands gripping his pant leg as if she was worried that if she let go he'd disappear. The little girl was almost always less than two steps away from Naruto, usually right underfoot gripping some part of his clothing. It was a little worrisome for the blond because when he left for a mission she always cried for an hour and when he returned she refused to peel herself away from him for several hours.

Naruto wondered why she was so clingy, perhaps it had something to do with her parents' deaths. No matter how young she'd been she'd been cared for and loved by two people who suddenly disappeared and then carried by a bloody, dying Kisame to Konoha. That had to have left some kind of mark and the girl instinctively sought to keep her Kaa-chan with her as much as possible.

The blond man shook his head as he poured the pineapple bits into the jello, he'd have to bring it up to Sasuke later on. His head whipped up as he heard the faint sounds of footsteps outside the kitchen door. The triplets all looked to the door as well just as it opened to allow Kana to poke her head in, "Hey."

Kaji hopped out of his seat, "Kana-nee!" and ran for the teenager. The girl scooped him up into her arms and gave him a hug, "Hi Kaji! How's my little dude doing?"

The little boy giggled and latched his arms around her neck as the others, sans Mikomi came over to her. She ruffled Arashi's hair, "Hiya stormy," and tweaked Hikari's nose, "How've you been sunshine?"

Arashi pat down his ruffled hair, while Hikari wrinkled her nose and giggled. Naruto chuckled and went over to the girl to give her a hug, "How are you Kana? We haven't seen you in a while."

Kana grinned and stooped down to Mikomi's level as she answered, "I've been good, being a chunin keeps me pretty busy and lately I've been training for the jonin exams," she reached out to smooth a hand over Mikomi's hair, "Hey there princess, how've you been?"

The little girl hid her face against Naruto's leg and mumbled, "Good."

Kana chuckled, "Okay then," and got up to sit at the table with the triplets. Naruto finished pouring the tidbits and went to join them, hefting Mikomi into his lap, "So that jonin exam?"

Kana nodded, "Yeah, though both Daisuke and Hanabi want to wait a year I feel like I'm ready to take it."

Naruto nodded, "Anko's been giving you training right."

"Yup, she's been grinding my butt into the ground."

The blond man laughed and reached out to ruffle her hair, "You'll do fine then."

She smiled, "Thanks," she pointed at Mikomi, "So what's with the little monkey?"

Naruto shrugged, "I don't know, it's like she's terrified that I'll disappear if she lets go."

"Hmmm Obito-tou-san said I was the same way when I was little. He told me that I only stopped clinging when I started training. He figured I just needed another thing to focus on. Maybe you could get her a pet or something?"

Naruto cast a rueful gaze at the triplets, "If I get her a pet then I'll have to get the rest of them one. Not to mention they're all too young to take care of an animal without supervision."

"I think it's a good idea usuratonkachi."

Naruto and Kana turned their gazes to the doorway where Sasuke was leaning. the the triplets squealed and went to rush their father, Kaji squirming out of Kana's arms. Sasuke scooped placed Hikari on his shoulders and scooped Kaji and Arashi up in his arms, walking over to sit next to Naruto.

Kana grinned, "Hey Sasuke-san."

He inclined his head with a smirk, "Kana," he looked back at Naruto, "I think pets would be a good idea Naruto," the triplets looked excitedly at their Chichiue as he continued, "It would teach them responsibility and how to care for something that depends on them. We'll help them until they're old enough to do it on their own."

The blond raised a brow, "Uh-huh and the first time I have to clean out a cage or something like that without a kid in sight because someone's forgotten to do it, guess who I'll be making do it instead."

Sasuke ruffled Arashi's hair, "That's fine Naruto but let's give them a chance."

The blond huffed, "Fine but you are taking them."

The raven smirked, "Hear that kids, we're going pet shopping."

The triplets cheered and Hikari bounced on his shoulders while Mikomi just tilted her head in slight interest. Naruto raised his eyebrow as Sasuke managed to peel Mikomi away from the blond and started bundling the four imps up to go pet shopping. He wondered what kind of animals they'd end up picking out. He shook his head and decided to send a messenger frog to Iruka in case Sasuke ended up needing help.

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And boy did Sasuke end up needing help. The triplets found the animals they wanted fairly quickly, Hikari chose a parakeet, Kaji a corn snake, and Arashi went straight for a golden retriever puppy but Mikomi had yet to find an animal that caught her attention. The triplets had begun to get restless and whiny so Iruka had taken them and their new pets home while Sasuke roamed the village with Mikomi hoping she'd find a pet soon.

It was nearing sunset, they'd been to every last pet store in Konoha and the little girl still hadn't found a pet. He held her hand as they walked along the forest path leading home. A rustling in the bushes caught both their attention and Sasuke turned to face the noise with a kunai drawn only to blink in startlement when an albino pine marten scurried out of the bushes and stood there staring at them with red eyes.

Mikomi poked her head out around Sasuke and studied the marten briefly before giggling and dashing out from behind her uncle towards the animal. Sasuke cursed and tried to grab her before she got to the marten and it bit her but she evaded his grip and scooped the animal up cuddling it. Sasuke stood stock still as the marten nuzzled Mikomi's cheek drawing another round of giggles from her.

His mouth dropped open when the critter scrambled up and draped itself around her shoulders and Mikomi grinned at him and said, "Mine Chi."

Sasuke raised his eyes up to the clouds and glared, "You're mocking me aren't you Aniki?"

The marten chittered, bringing Sasuke's attention back to Mikomi who was stroking the sleek creature's head. The little girl's uncle walked over, crouched down, and smiled, "So this is your pet?"

Mikomi nodded and Sasuke sighed, "Okay but let's take him to Inuzuka Hana before we take him home. Since he's a wild animal we need to make sure he's healthy."

"Kay," the little girl took Sasuke hand and pulled him in the direction of the Inuzuka's compound. Sasuke chuckled, "So what are you going to name him?"

"Kaze."

A black brow rose and he shook his head. His niece had claimed a wild weasel as a pet. Fate was definitely having a good laugh at his expense.

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~triplets 3yrs 7mo~

The marten had definitely worked. Though Mikomi still liked to be underfoot of Naruto it was more like she did it because the blond was her favorite rather than any insecurities about him disappearing. Kaze was rather fond of Naruto as well and not very fond of Sasuke. Though the critter had never bitten the former Uchiha it seemed to delight in destroying some of his favorite clothing and whenever it had the chance it gamboled around his feet to trip him. The white marten was almost always perched on Mikomi's shoulders or curled up next to her when she slept. When not with the little girl, Kaze could be found either irritating Sasuke or begging attention from Naruto.

As for the other animals, the triplets were surprisingly attentive and responsible for their age. The parakeet, which had been named Kureno, was usually perched on top of Hikari's head but spent plenty of time in his cage. Arashi was never very far from his dog, Shigure, and Kaji's snake, Aya, was always looped around his neck except when eating. Though the triplets all adored their pets, Mikomi and Kaze seemed to have a closer bond that eerily resembled that of the Inuzukas and their ninken.

Currently Sasuke was watching as Mikomi played with Kaze and every few minutes the marten would look at the man and he could swear the damn thing was smirking at him. He glared at the sleek white critter and was about to growl when Naruto's voice called out, "Mikomi-chan come here please!"

Mikomi got up and dashed to the kitchen where Naruto was making dinner, leaving Kaze and Sasuke staring at each other. The marten went over to the laundry basket where Sasuke's shirts were pausing when the Uchiha growled, "Destroy my clothes again and I swear I'll stuff you and mount you in my study."

The white ball of fur paused then scurried up onto the arm of Sasuke's chair to stare at the Uchiha. Sasuke snarled, "What," then mentally berated himself for talking to an animal like it could answer him. He was pulled out of his thoughts by something warm and wet on his arm. He looked down at the smug weasel then shot out of his chair with a roar.

In the kitchen Naruto and Mikomi jumped when they heard Sasuke's furious voice bellow, "The damn thing just sprayed me!"

Naruto was hard pressed to keep from laughing when the sounds of his husband chasing a white pine marten reached his ears. The furious Uchiha could be heard threatening neutering by every occupant of the household and most of them burst into laughter. Mikomi however dashed to save her beloved pet from Sasuke's wrath.

Naruto chuckled as he finished his current culinary task. Poor Sasuke, Kaze seemed out to get him and the Uchiha would never be able to do anything about it because Mikomi was better with puppy eyes than Naruto ever had been.

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~kids four years old~

Naruto wearily staggered into the bedroom after his shower, clad in boxers and t-shirt. He'd just gotten back from a mission to apprehend a rogue ANBU operative that had gone to pot. He'd nearly lost one of his team members, the team medic at that, and then been cornered by the rouge so that he'd had to rip his throat out with his Kyuubi gifted claws. It had been bloody, exhausting, and soul wrenching when the injured team member's heart had actually stopped half-way home. Fortunately they'd managed to get the muscle pumping again and get him to the hospital before he was beyond all hope. He'd been stabilized but wasn't out of the woods yet.

Sasuke was waiting up for his husband and when he saw Naruto's weary expression he just held his arms out. The blond crawled into bed and snuggled against Sasuke's chest. the raven pet the blond hair, "Rough one?"

The jinchuuriki nodded, "It got hairy for our medic. He's in ICU right now."

The Uchiha nuzzled Naruto's temple, "What's the outlook?"

"Optimistic," the blond paused for a few moments, "His wife came up to me before I left and thanked me for getting him to help as soon as possible," Naruto's fist clenched against the pale chest of his husband, "He should have needed to be rushed to the hospital damn it. Our information was heavily flawed and we got caught in an ambush."

Sasuke kissed the blond's forehead, "It happens a lot Naruto. Remember our first 'real' mission?"

The blond shuddered, "Sometimes I still have nightmares about that, seeing you die in my arms."

The Uchiha rubbed Naruto's back, "Misinformation is a part of shinobi life Naruto."

"Hmph, too much of one. I think some things are gonna have to change so that misinformation becomes the rarity instead of the norm."

Sasuke chuckled, "If anyone can do it it's you."

Naruto cuddled closer and they began drifting off to sleep when the bedroom door opened and a little head poked in. Naruto got out of the bed, "Arashi? What's the matter? Why are you out of bed?"

Arashi had a tight grip on his Fluffy and Shigure at his heels. The little boy sniffled, "I had a bad dream. Kaa-chan can Shi-chan and I sleep with you and Chichiue?"

Naruto ran a soothing hand over the boy's hair glancing back at Sasuke to see the Uchiha's nod, "Sure but just tonight okay?"

The boy nodded and held out an arm for Naruto to pick him up. The blond scooped his son up and brought him to the bed settling in beside Sasuke. Shigure jumped up on the bed curling up on the very end when Sasuke gave the dog a beady eye.

Sasuke wrapped his arms around his husband and son. Arashi reached a hand to curl into Sasuke's sleep shirt, "Thank you Chichiue, Kaa-chan."

Sasuke kissed the top of the boy's head, "You're welcome Arashi. Go back to sleep now, Kaa-chan and I are here."

Arashi snuggled into his parents' and dropped off soon followed by into dreamland by his parents.

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Naruto hummed as he went into the kitchen to check on the cinnamon buns he'd made and put out to cool. He froze when he saw the buns scattered over the counter missing the middles. The blond narrowed his eyes, he knew Mikomi hadn't done it she didn't like cinnamon buns and he'd just checked on Hikari, who was driving Kakashi up the wall with questions. So that left his sons. He went looking for Kaji and Arashi, who were wrestling with each other, "Kaji, Arashi."

The two paused and looked up at him, exchanging a look when they saw that he wasn't particularly pleased. Arashi tilted his head, "Kaa-chan?"

"Show me your hands."

The boys presented him their hands and he inspected them for stickiness but no go, whoever the culprit was they'd washed their hands. Naruto propped his hands on his hips, looking frighteningly similar to Iruka in lecture mode, "Alright which one of you attacked the cinnamon buns."

Each boy pointed at his brother and said, "He did it."

Arashi scowled at Kaji, "I did not you poo-poo sniffer!"

"You're always the one who does it stupid head!"

Naruto shook his head as they started arguing, "Enough! Until the one who did it fesses up you're both in time out. To the couch, now."

The boys whined about it not being fair and Naruto rolled his eyes as he ushered them to the couch, "Yeah yeah, life isn't fair boys, anyone who says different is selling something."

The boy scowled at each other as Naruto put them on the couch, "Not a word to each other and you keep your behinds on the couch until I say you can get up. This is the last chance you get to fess up with only an extra long time out as punishment. If you don't then you're going to be grounded from seeing Chichiue's spar with Kaka-jiji today."

The boys gasped and Kaji's bottom lips trembled, "But, but we've been wanting to watch that for weeks!"

A blond brow rose, "So whoever took the bun middles better tell me now and they won't get in as much trouble."

Arashi folded his arms and pouted, "I didn't do it."

Kaji mimicked his brother, "Me neither."

Naruto shook his head, it was usually Arashi who was the major imp and prankster though it was usually hard to officially pin it on him since he was damn sneaky, "Okay that was the last chance. Now be quiet and stay there until the culprit feels like confessing or an outside force rats him out."

The blond went to the kitchen to begin making more cinnamon buns, checking to make sure his sons hadn't moved every so often. He was pulling the second batch out of the oven to cool when Mikomi came into the kitchen with Kaze for some juice, "How come Ara-kun and Kaji-kun are both in time out?"

Naruto told her about the missing bun middles and she shrugged, "It was Kaji-kun, he only ate a few and put the rest in his toy box."

The blond raised an eyebrow, "Mikomi-chan can you watch the buns in case someone else wants to snitch one?"

She nodded and took her cup of juice and some weasel treats for Kaze to the table as Naruto went to the boys' room, they'd moved the kids out of the nursery earlier this year and put the girls in one room and the boys in another. When they got old enough they'd let them each have their own room but for now it was better this way.

He went to Kaji's toy box, each child had their own to cut down on arguments, and lifted the lid, scowling when he saw the middles on a paper towel. He picked them up and carried them downstairs to face the boys.

Kaji's eyes widened when he saw what was in Naruto's hand. The blond daddy put one hand on his hip, "So anyone want to guess where I found them?"

Kaji scrunched down in his seat as electric blue eyes looked at him and he mumbled, "In my toy box."

"That's right, Kaji in your toy box. I gave you a chance to come clean but you wouldn't tell me and tried to blame it on Arashi at first. Because of that you won't be watching the spar but Arashi will and he'll get the rest of the middles as a snack during the spar," he looked at Arashi, "You can go play now Arashi."

The younger son glanced at Kaji's sad expression but scooted off the couch and went to play with Shigure. Naruto looked down at Kaji, "I'm very disappointed in you Kaji. You know better and I even gave you a chance to be able to watch the spar if you told me."

"I'm sorry."

The blond nodded, "I know you are, because you got caught. Go to your room for the rest of the day Kaji. I'll bring you dinner after the spar."

The little boy sniffled and walked up the stairs to his room. Naruto sighed, he didn't like seeing Kaji so depressed but he'd given the boy his chance. It wasn't even the fact that Kaji had decimated the buns or tried to hide it that bothered him, it was a typical thing for a kid to do. What bothered him was that Kaji had been willing to let Arashi suffer the punishment with him. He shrugged and went back to the kitchen to put the middles in a container and ruffled Mikomi's hair in thanks for her guarding the new batch of buns.

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~the spar~

Naruto pulled out the cinnamon bun middles and handed them to Arashi, "Here ya go. Head on out and join the others. I'll join you in a little bit."

Arashi nodded and took the middles. He paused in the kitchen doorway, looking down at them then in the direction of the spar before continuing on his way.

Naruto finished getting things cleaned up and went out to where everyone was settled waiting for the spar to begin. Naruto glanced around for Arashi, frowning when the boy was nowhere to be seen. He tapped Iruka on the shoulder, "Where did Arashi go?"

The brunette blinked in surprise, "I thought he was with you. He hasn't come out yet."

Naruto's brows knit in concern, "I'm going to look for him."

Iruka nodded and turned his attention to the spar as it began. Naruto went back inside and closed his eyes, listening for Arashi's voice tilting his head in curiosity when he heard the boy in the room he shared with Kaji. The blond walked up the stairs silently and cracked the boys' door open to see what was going on.

Arashi was sitting with Kaji on the other boy's bed, the cinnamon bun middles split between them, and chattering at his brother. Kaji drew his knees up, "Rash why don't you go down and watch the spar? I'm fine up here."

Arashi gave his brother a grin, "Nah, it's not as much fun without you there. Sides there'll be another spar another day."

Kaji gave the other boy a small smile, "Thanks Rash."

Naruto smiled as he crept away, leaving the boys to themselves. He was so proud of Arashi and Kaji too for trying to get Arashi to go watch the spar. He considered his and Sasuke's schedules and pinned a day for them to spar down. The kids had never seen their fathers spar before and Naruto figured that they'd get a kick out of it. They deserved some kind of reward for this show of brotherly loyalty.

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~few weeks later~

All four children's eyes were wide and their mouths were gaping as they watched Naruto and Sasuke go at it. Naruto had pulled a Rasengan out and Sasuke had charged up a low-level chidori and the two clashed, grinning at each other as the force of the two technique's impact threw them back.

Arashi whispered, "Whoa," getting nods of agreement from the other kids and amused smiles from the adults of the Uchiha household.

Naruto laughed as he summoned a group of clones and charged at Sasuke, it had been way too long since they'd tested each other's limits in a spar. Sasuke's answering smirk had him saying, "We have to do this more often teme."

Sasuke used a chidori nagashi to decimate the clones and rushed Naruto, locking sword with chakra charged kunai, "You read my mind usuratonkachi."

Naruto grinned fiercely as he flipped away from Sasuke and weaved the signs for a new jutsu he'd been coming up with too fast for even the sharingan to catch them all. Tendrils of wind wrapped around the brunette, holding him in place arms and legs spread out. Sasuke blinked, "What the?"

Naruto smirked, "Wind Bind Jutsu, it's new. You like?"

Sasuke focused his fire nature chakra and broke the jutsu just as Naruto almost landed a gut punch. Instead his fist met wood as Sasuke used a substitution jutsu. The blond whirled and blocked a punch from his husband, bringing his leg up for a kick.

The kids were completely engrossed in the fight, amazed at the sight and vowing to become just as good ninjas as the two men sparring in front of them.

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~a few months later~

Naruto chuckled at Arashi as the boy scurried to the window seat to watch the approaching storm. He was named well, had an utter fascination for storms. Kaji and Mikomi were playing shogi under the instruction of Obito and Sai. Iruka and Kakashi were sitting together on the couch debating the best way to make a paper bomb and Sasuke was sitting in his favorite chair reading a book of suspense. Naruto chuckled as he went to find Hikari. He spotted her pacing in the kitchen, muttering nervously.

"Hikari-chan?"

She jolted then turned a smiled on her Kaa-chan, "Hm?"

"Are you okay baby girl?"

"Uh-huh I'm fi-" a loud clap of thunder sounded and the girl jumped half a foot with a shriek, then threw herself against Naruto.

Naruto blinked, he'd never seen his daughter act like this before. He knelt and hugged her, "Hikari are you afraid of storms?"

She nodded against his shoulder.

"What have you been doing when it storms?"

"Hiding in the closet."

Naruto picked her up, "Oh baby girl you don't have to do that. Everyone is scared of something and I can't help you feel less scared if you don't tell me what scares you."

Another clap of thunder had the little girl whimpering and clinging to Naruto. The blond man sat in a kitchen chair, "Is it the thunder that scares you?"

A nod was his answer and he pet her hair, "It's okay baby, the thunder can't hurt you. It's just the kami-sama having a party."

"So the kami-sama aren't angry?"

"No, they're really happy. The lightening is their cameras flashing and the rain is their music. The thunder is from them clapping and dancing."

Hikari cuddled closer, "Why are they having a party?"

"Oh they have parties for lots of reasons but right now I think it's a birthday party."

She pulled back to look at him with watery eyes, "But what about when there's no thunder or lightening? Are they having a party when it's just raining?"

Naruto shook his head, "No when it's just rain if it's cold they're crying for someone and playing sad music but if it's warm rain a new kami-sama has been born."

Hikari snuggled back against Naruto, "Tell me a story Kaa-chan?"

Naruto smiled and set to distracting his baby girl from the storm.

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~5 months til the triplets 5th birthday~

Sasuke smiled down at his exhausted husband as the blond snored away in bed. Tsunade had put him through some grueling paces today, challenging him not to get hit once. He'd succeeded but was completely wiped out when he got home late in the evening. Sasuke glanced over his shoulder as someone knocked on the door. He opened it and looked down at Kaji, "Kaji why aren't you in bed?"

"I can't sleep."

"Why not?"

"There's a monster in the closet."

Sasuke stared at his son in confusion for a moment then realized what Kaji wanted. he wanted Sasuke to scare the monster off. The Uchiha daddy pat Kaji on the head, "Okay I'll be right there."

Kaji nodded and waited while Sasuke got his sword. They went to the boys' room, where Arashi was just as deep in dreamland as his Kaa-chan, and Kaji watched as his father opened the closet swallowed his pride and made a fool of himself pretending to chase a monster out of the closet then kick him out the window, closing said window once he was finished. He turned to Kaji as the boy got into bed and smiled at him, "Thanks Chichiue."

Sasuke chuckled and bent to ruffle Kaji's hair, "You're welcome. Goodnight Kaji."

"Night."

The man watched his son until Kaji dropped off to sleep then returned to his own bedroom to put the sword up and slide in beside Naruto.

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~two months away from triplets 5th birthday~

The fearsome foursome had gotten together and made a plan of attack to get a question they all had answered and decided that the best person to ask would be Kakashi. They found him and Hikari approached Kakashi and tilted her head to the side, "Kaka-jiji we have a question."

Kakashi looked up from his book, "Oh? What do you want to ask?"

She fidgeted a bit, "Well...could you tell us where babies come from?"

The book fell to the floor and Kakashi felt a small surge of panic well up, "Uh I think you should ask your Chichiue or Kaa-chan."

Hikari pouted, "But why can't you tell us?"

His eyes darted about and he did the only thing he could think to do to save himself, he yelled for his lover, "Iruka! Help!"

The brunette dashed into the room, "Kakashi what on earth is wrong?"

The scarecrow waved a hand at the children and managed a choked, "They want to know where babies come from. Ruka save me please?"

Iruka laughed and shook his head at the panicked copy-nin, "What are you afraid of?"

"Sasuke and Naruto will kill me, after turning me into a woman."

"Hmm you've got a point there."

Speaking of the devils, Sasuke and Naruto walked into the room just then, "What's Kakashi got a point about?"

Iruka chuckled, "The kids just asked him a question that he'd rather not answer."

Naruto sat down next to Kakashi and Sasuke settled next to the blond, "What question?"

Hikari piped up and answered her Kaa-chan, "We want to know where babies come from."

Naruto's eyes widened and Sasuke choked on air. The blond waved in Iruka's direction, "Um Iruka-tou-san you're used to answering that right?"

Iruka laughed, "Yes Naruto I am. I'll tell them."

Sasuke blew out a relieved breath and murmured, "I owe you Iruka-sensei."

Iruka just shook his head and explained the birds and the bees to the children without even a blush, he was far far too used to answering this question to be the slightest bit uncomfortable. Once he was finished the girls looked satisfied and Arashi shrugged but Kaji frowned, "So if it takes a boy and a girl to make a baby then how did we come from Kaa-chan? He's not a girl."

Sasuke, Kakashi, and Iruka laughed as Naruto murmured a hallelujah. Sasuke tweaked Kaji's nose, "Your Kaa-chan is a special case because of Kyuubi. We'll explain it more when you graduate from academy."

Kaji nodded, "Okay," and left the room with Arashi and Hikari. Mikomi however stayed behind petting Kaze nervously. Naruto got up and knelt in front of her, "Mikomi-chan? Honey what's the matter?"

She nibbled on her lip, "Y-you and Chichiue aren't my real mommy and daddy are you?"

He exchanged a glance with Sasuke and the Uchiha man joined him kneeling in front of Mikomi. He brushed the girls bangs out of her eyes and for once Kaze didn't bristle or object to Sasuke, "Your daddy was my brother Mikomi-chan. He and your mommy died and he had a friend bring you to us. Naruto and I love you just like we do Hikari, Kaji, and Arashi."

She raised watery green eyes to his, "You do? Promise?"

Naruto reached out to hug her, "Promise Mikomi, we love you like you're our daughter."

"Can I still call you Kaa-chan and Chichiue?"

Sasuke nodded, "Of course you can."

She cuddled into Naruto's hug, "Can you tell me about my mommy and daddy?"

Sasuke glanced over his shoulder at Iruka and Kakashi, tilting his head in the direction that the triplets went. Taking the hint the two went to keep an eye on the triplets while Naruto and Sasuke spoke to Mikomi.

They all settled on the couch and Sasuke smiled, "Where should I start?"

Mikomi pet Kaze, "What did they look like?"

"Well I never met your mother but I saw a few pictures of her and she was very delicate and pretty with light brown hair and green eyes like yours. You father, well you're almost a carbon copy right down to the eye lines."

She glanced up at him, "So my daddy was pretty too?"

Naruto laughed as Sasuke looked stymied and ruffled her hair, "Yup, your daddy was pretty. Definitely in the top three prettiest men I've ever seen."

She nodded and cuddled Kaze, "What was he like?"

Sasuke looked at the wall, remembering Itachi before the massacre, "He was kind and cheerful. He teased me like all brothers do but he also was the one to make sure I was safe and happy. He carried me when I hurt myself and once threatened to turn down a mission so that I'd have someone there at the entrance ceremony to the academy."

Naruto ran a finger over Kaze's pelt, "His name was Itachi. I only met him a few times but he was a very strong ninja, strong enough that he could take on a sennin level shinobi and come out with barely a scratch. He could cast a genjutsu with just one finger and he could kick Kaka-jiji's butt with little to no effort."

Her green eyes widened, "Wow, what about my mommy?"

Sasuke took up the thread, "She was a civilian, the village healer and your daddy met her when he was hurt after a mission. He fell head over heels in love with her and moved to her village to marry her. From what I've heard of her, she was very nice and always doing what she could to help people who couldn't help themselves."

Mikomi fiddled with her shirt hem, "They loved me right?"

"Yes sweetie, they loved you so very very much."

She nodded and bit her lip. Naruto tweaked her nose, "Hey what's the matter?"

"Do you know if there are any pictures of them? Together?"

Naruto smiled and kissed the top of her head, "I'll be right back with the answer."

Sasuke raised a brow as Naruto dashed up the stairs. Mikomi looked up at her uncle, "What's he doing?"

The elder Uchiha shrugged, "Beats me little one."

It wasn't long before Naruto came back with a little box in his hand, he handed it to Mikomi, "Here you go."

She opened it curiously, blinking in surprise when she saw a locket similar to the triplets' lockets except that it was a double chambered locket with just the Uchiha fan on the front. She opened the first chamber and saw the inscription though she couldn't read it just yet she knew what it meant because of the triplets' lockets but what caught her attention was the picture. It was of a dark haired man that looked just like her and a brown haired woman with green eyes holding a baby. Mikomi blinked, "This is them?"

Naruto nodded, "Yup and the baby is you. I made a stop in the village your parents lived in and picked up a picture."

She turned and glomped her blond uncle, making him chuckle, "There's a picture of me and Sasuke in the second chamber along with the Uzumaki-Uchiha symbol. I thought you should have a locket too since the triplets do."

Kaze chittered as Mikomi sniffled, "Thank you," the girl turned to Sasuke and handed him the locket, "Could you help me put it on Chichiue?"

Sasuke smiled and nodded, "Of course," as he fastened the locket his eyes met Naruto's and he let his eyes broadcast his gratitude at Naruto's thoughtfulness, which had essentially saved his cookie. When Mikomi got older they'd have to tell her the whole of her father's past but for now she only needed to know the good things.

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~a month til the triplets turn 5~

Naruto crept into the dark bedroom, hoping that he wouldn't wake Sasuke up only to jump when the light blazed on and an irritated Uchiha stood by the switch glaring at him. The blond rubbed the back of his neck, "Uh hey teme."

Sasuke folded his arms, "What's this I hear about me being promoted to your position dobe?"

Naruto shrugged, "Well I'm uh leaving ANBU."

A growled, "Why," came from the raven.

"Because I have to train a genin team and I don't want to split my time between being ANBU and a team sensei."

Sasuke stalked over to sit on the bed, "Why the hell didn't you tell me you were planning this?"

Naruto settled next to him, "Because I wasn't planning it. Baa-chan brought it up yesterday and I accepted."

"Way to inform me usuratonkachi."

"Are you really mad?"

Sasuke sighed and gave the blond a quick kiss, "No but next time you make a major decision I expect to be informed immediately by you not a middle man."

Naruto chuckled, "You got it teme."

"Hn, take a shower. You smell."

Naruto's indignant response made Sasuke smile as the blond trudged to the bathroom muttering about insensitive bastards. He looked forward to Naruto becoming a sensei, it would be highly entertaining to see how the blond handled it.

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~a few weeks after the triplets turn 5~

The fearsome foursome grinned at their Kaa-chan as he dropped them off for their second day at the academy. Yesterday had been essentially a meet and greet and fortunately they were all in a class with the kids of the rest of the Konoha 12. Obito was one of the teachers along with Ebisu now that Konohamaru and his team were jonins.

Naruto waved them off and headed to the room he was to pick his genin team up in. He pulled out the paper and studied the stats for team four again.

Hyuga Hisoka, age 12, main branch member of Hyuga clan. Rookie of the year, excellent in taijutsu and ninjutsu. Recognizes genjutsu but can not cast or dispel at this time. Quiet, follows orders without question, and well mannered.

'Hmm I'd bet my next five meals at Ichiraku that he's got a fan club to rival Sasuke's and it looks like he may be the first to fall for the bell test trick if he really does follow orders without question.' Naruto read the kunoichi's stats next.

Watanabe Yukiko, age 12, second generation shinobi. Highest scoring kunoichi in class, weak taijutsu, average ninjutsu, excellent genjutsu, can both cast and dispel. Above average chakra control. A bit rough around the edges, asks for reasons behind an order, prefers to focus on studies rather than appearance.

'Oh thank you gods not a fangirl, or if she is she's not like Sakura-chan was. Hmm good chakra control huh? Maybe a candidate for the new medic-nin training program. Genjutsu talent too. This is going to be interesting.' He turned to the last member of the team.

Tsukino Isamu, age 13, parentage unknown. The deadlast of the class in test scores failed the exam once before, average taijutsu, average ninjutsu, no genjutsu talent whatsoever. Prefers to goof stare into space over studying. Difficult and refuses to do as told, no manners, and over-confident.

'Well now there's a familiar profile. So the top rookie, best kunoichi, and class dobe, it's like another team seven. If they pass the bell test this will definitely be fun.'

Naruto arrived at the room where the kids were waiting for their sensei, he opened the door and called out, "Yo Team 4!"

A boy with long dark hair and Hyuga eyes stood and walked over, soon followed by a petite girl with green hair that looked blue and was split into two short pigtails, similar to Tsunade's, her eyes were the same color as her hair and she gave him an assessing look before standing next to the Hyuga. Last to get up was a boy with curly ink black hair that seemed to absorb the light rather than reflect it, his eyes were a light grey and his manner reminded Naruto of a stray dog that was trying to decided if the human meant well or harm. Once the kid reached the others, Naruto grinned, "Alright let's go get acquainted ne?"

He walked out and the fresh genin followed him to Ichiraku. They settled into a booth and Naruto told them to order what they liked, it was his treat. The Hyuga went for shrimp ramen, the girl decided on chicken, and the other boy got beef. Naruto ordered just one bowl of miso and while they waited he propped his chin on his hand, "Okay first thing is first. Introductions. I'm Uzumaki-Uchiha Naruto, I like ramen, my husband and family, and training. I don't like people who hate someone for something they can't control and didn't choose or quitters. My hobbies are gardening, keeping my kids out of trouble, and being the official taster for old man Ichiraku. My current goal is to turn you three into skilled shinobi. My ultimate goal is to become Hokage. That's me now it's your turn. You first," he pointed at the class dobe.

The boy raised his chin, "My name is Tsukino Isamu. I like dango and training. I hate the idiots who think I'm trash just because I don't have parents. I guess my hobbies are bird watching and fishing. My current goal is to become a chunin. My ultimate goal is to become the best ANBU captain Konoha has ever had."

Naruto nodded, "Alright, now your turn green eyes."

The girl raised an eyebrow, "Watanabe Yukiko. I like sushi and a good suspense novel. I don't like leeks and liver or Sohma Mine. My hobbies are reading and sewing. My current goal is to kick Mine's ass and my ultimate goal is to become the best damn medic in Konoha."

Naruto chuckled, "I'm guessing that this Mine is your rival?"

The girl snorted, "What she is, is a stupid bully who thinks she can push me around because I'm smaller than her."

"I see. Well last one."

The Hyuga drew himself up, "I am Hyuga Hisoka. I like origami and sukiyaki. I hate the division of my family. My hobbies are training and origami. My current goal is to become proficient at genjutsu. My ultimate goal is to help Hinata-sama unite the clan houses."

Naruto smiled, "Good. I like your goals and you're all pretty diverse so you can help each other in your training. If the three of you work together you can become a better team than the Legendary Sannin. I'll do my best to help you achieve your goals but in the end it's up to you to get it done. And the first step come tomorrow when I give you your final genin test."

Hisoka frowned, Isamu's jaw dropped, and Yukiko burst out, "What the hell I thought we passed our genin test!"

Naruto shook his head as the food arrived, "Nope, that was just to see if you had the potential to be genin. This is the real test, if you fail you'll be going back to the academy for another year and just so you know, the test has a 66 percent fail rate so the odds are not on your side."

Isamu growled, "There is no chance in hell I'm going back to the freaking academy."

His teammates nodded and Naruto scooped up his first bite of ramen, "We'll see tomorrow, eight am at training ground three, oh and I wouldn't eat breakfast if I were you. Unless you like throwing up."

Hisoka tilted his head, "What kind of test is it?"

"A survival test but not like the ones you had in the academy. You'll be surviving against me."

Three jaws dropped as Naruto continued to eat and the three genin exchanged looks that had Naruto smirking. 'Hmm maybe they'll pass without any trouble if they can already communicate without words.'

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~next day~

Naruto smiled at his genin wannabes, "Okay rules are simple, see these two bells? Well to pass you have to get one from me. Anyone without a bell by noon fails."

Isamu frowned, "But there's three of us and only two bells."

"You got it. One of you will be going back to the academy no matter what. Oh and the loser will be tied to the log while the other two eat the bentos I've brought, they're hidden though so no use trying to get to them yourself."

Yukiko's eyes narrowed, "So that's why you told us no breakfast."

"Yup. You'll have to come at me with everything you've got if you want a bell otherwise you're SOL."

The girl growled, "You suck sensei."

"Uh-huh," he set up the alarm clock, "the test is starting in 3, 2," he hit the button, "Now."

All three genin hid themselves and Naruto grinned as he took out an apple and chomped into it, waiting for the first attack. It came from Hisoka in the form of Jyuken and kunai. Naruto dodged, flipped the boy onto his stomach and tied him upside down hands behind his back from a tree. Next came a vaguely impressive genjutsu from Yukiko, who tried to snatch a bell under cover of the illusion only to fall victim to the headhunter jutsu. Naruto glanced around, looking for Isamu.

"Oi sensei no baka! Looking for me?"

Naruto raised an eyebrow at the boy who was standing just out of basic jutsu range, "Afraid to attack Isamu?"

"Nope I just thought you might like an actual challenge unless you're afraid to come after me."

Naruto chuckled as the bunshin took off and created one of his own to switch with, letting the boy think that he was luring Naruto away when he was actually hidden in a tree watching the proceedings.

The real Isamu dashed out of his hiding place to where Yukiko was stuck in the ground, quickly digging her out then going to get Hisoka down from the tree. Isamu grabbed their arms before they could run off after 'Naruto', "Hold it! I don't think we're actually supposed to get the bells."

Yukiko looked at him as if he'd lost his mind, "What the heck are you babbling about baka?"

"Think about it. We're academy grads, he's a jonin one of the most famous in the village. Do you really think we've got a chance against him one on one?"

She settled, "Alright I'm listening."

"I don't think it's a survival test after all. I think he's testing to see if we can work together as a team."

Hisoka frowned, "What if you're wrong?"

"Then I'll take the fall. Even if I'm wrong we stand a better chance getting the bells if we work together than if we work alone. You two can have the bells and I'll take the log."

Yukiko's brows knit, "Okay I guess we should work together then."

Hisoka nodded, "Agreed."

Isamu smirked, "Okay now here's my idea to get those bells," he drew them in to whisper the plan.

Up in the tree Naruto smirked. 'Dead last my ass.'

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An hour later Naruto had pretended to fall into their trap of a wire net disguised by genjutsu after being driven into it by Hisoka's taijutsu and Isamu using a couple of academy basic offensive jutsu.

Naruto broke out of the net and folded his arms, "Well nice work getting the bells. Yukiko, Hisoka you pass. Isamu I'm sorry but you get the log and another year of academy."

He took a step forward then paused when Hisoka and Yukiko moved to bar him from Isamu, "Okay what's up with this?"

Yukiko frowned at him, "We got the bells as a three man team so either you pass all three of us or you fail all three of us."

Naruto raised a brow, "And if I ordered you to get out of my way?"

Hisoka bowed, "We would have to respectfully refuse sensei."

Isamu tried to push past his teammates, "I told you guys I'd take the fall if I was wrong. I've failed before I can do it again."

Hisoka shook his head, "No Isamu. We would have failed had you not helped us and suggested working together. It would not be right for us to abandon you."

Yukiko nodded, "Yeah you twit. I'd rather be a failed team than an incomplete one."

Naruto frowned, "So you two are going back to the academy because he is?"

They nodded.

"And you Isamu would rather they go ahead on to being genin?"

"Yes."

The frown turned to a smiled and Naruto chuckled, "You all pass."

Jaws dropped and Yukiko said, "Huh? Why?"

"All three of you were willing to sacrifice you own advancement for your teammates, you worked together to get the bells, and actually got them. You saw past what I was saying and took a look at the situation seeing the real meaning beneath the test. To quote my own sensei, you have to 'look underneath the underneath to the truth'. Teamwork is the real test here because even though a ninja who doesn't follow the orders is considered trash, the ones who abandon their friends and teammates are worse then even the scum that drips off the trash."

Isamu wrinkled his nose, "Okay that's a seriously gross image."

Naruto laughed, "Well it's true. So Team 4 is officially a genin team."

Yukiko and Hisoka relaxed and the girl tilted her head, "So does that mean we're starting missions?"

"Not right away. For the next week we're just going to be training and after that it's one mission a day and training after until dark."

Isamu frowned, "How come?"

Naruto reached out and ruffled his hair, "Put simply D-rank missions suck but you have to complete a certain number before we can get a C-rank and when we do get a C-rank I want to make sure you're ready to kick ass and take names."

Yukiko grinned, "Sounds good to me."

Hisoka nodded, "It would be best to prepare as much as we can."

Naruto smiled, "C'mon and let's get some lunch, my treat."

Isamu perked up, "Dango?"

Naruto cast a questioning glance at the other two genin, who nodded, "Sure. C'mon," as they left the training ground Naruto looked over his shoulder and winked in the direction of the chakra signature that had been there through the test.

Sasuke chuckled from his hiding spot where he'd been indulging in his favorite past time of watching his husband. It looked like the future was going to be interesting with that team under Naruto's tutelage and the kids in academy. The Uchiha raised his face to the sun briefly before poofing away to finish his induction as ANBU captain. Yes things were good and he hoped they stayed that way.

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T.W.: And there you have it, the last chapter. Why Orange is finally FINISHED! (throws confetti and rolls around happily) Ah nothing could make my day better.

Itachi: What The HELL!

T.W.: (looks over at Itachi made up like a twinkie with Princess Leia hair) Except that (bursts out laughing)

Itachi: (voice of doom) Where is she?

T.W.: Hahahah w-who?

Itachi: The sadistic bitch you call your muse.

T.W.: Whhhhy?

Itachi: So I can rip her intestines out through her nostrils.

T.W.: What if I don't tell you? and where did Sai go?

Itachi: I'll use you as a substitute and even Sai will not approach me when I am this pissed.

T.W.: (gulps) Well he's back alright. I think she went to find a seme for Madara.

Itachi: Hn, that would be Hashirama. Fine you live for today. (leaves to track down Ri)

T.W.: (slumps in relief) I think I may have to find a new muse in the very near future. Well anyway, I hope you liked this final chapter. Cookies to whomever can guess where I got the names for the triplet's pets.Thanks so much for sticking it out with me through sporadic updates that took way too long for me to post and some major drama. Thanks for reading! Bai Bai!