Naruto (c) Masashi Kishimoto

Dedication: Sara, cause she told me to.

We’re part of a story, part of a tale. We’re all on this journey, no is to stay. Wherever it’s going, what is the way? — Within Temptation

The sky was a clear pale blue dotted with puffy white clouds that drifted lazily through the sky. Birds sang songs to the wind and sun n the branches of the green leafy trees; people walked below the branches in calm manner. The trees of Konohagakure were just starting to get busy, people were taking advantage of the cool morning air before the sweltering heat of the day set in. “Ah! Excuse me! Coming through!” a young girl shouted. She was only eight-years-old, red fang tattoos decorated her cheeks; her black eyes were bright with the fear of being late to school. She wore a dark brown T-shirt and a tan jacket that was open, black crapis and sandals, completed her outfit.

Her brown hair was tied back in pigtails and her bangs framed her face. “C’mon Goro! We’re gonna be later!” the girl shouted, her bag flying behind her as she ran towards Konoha’ Ninja Academy. “Goro, keep up!” the girl shouted and her white dog barked in agreement. Oh, man! If I’m late for class again, Iruka-sensei isn’t gonna be mad! The girl thought as she wove through the crowded streets. Why does Sanosuke have to be such a pain? The girl turned to shout at her dog when she tripped over a pair of feet.

Grunting the girl got up and the owner of the feet helped her as well. “Thank you,” the girl dusted herself off before bowing quickly to the kind stranger, and allowed her dog to sniff her. “I’m Inuzuka Shiba,” she said. The stranger nodded, Shiba stared at him; he was covered from head to toes in loose billowy black clothes, the lower half of his face was wrapped in bandages and he wore a rice patty hat with ribbons dangling from the edge that hid his eyes, but Shiba saw black orbs peering out back at her. “You can’t talk can you? That’s okay,” Shiba frowned, and then snapped her fingers. “You must be the beggar man Mom told me about,” Shiba dug into her pocket and pulled out some ryos. “Here Kojiki-san,” Shiba handed the man some money before Goro yipped loudly. “Ai-ya! I’m gonna be late!” Shiba ran off. “Bye Kojiki-san!” Shiba shouted over her shoulder, waving at the beggar.

The beggar sat there blinking, watching the girl vanish into the crowd before his black eyes drifted to the money in his hand. He pocketed the cash before taking off his hat and looking at the sky, a gentle breeze blew through the streets and it ruffled his ebony hair. “Shiba,” he whispered, “that’s a nice name.”

Uzumaki Zenji sat in his seat, glancing around for Shiba, sometimes using his Byakugan to see down the halls; so far his friend hadn’t shown up yet for class. “Uzumaki Zenji!” the Hokage’s son jumped and flicked his silvery eyes up at Iruka.

“Heheh, hi, Iruka-sensei,” Zenji gulped.

“Where is your homework?” Iruka asked.

“H-homework? What homework?” Zenji gulped.

“Zenji, you may be the son of the Hokage, but that doesn’t excuse you from doing your homework,” Iruka rubbed the bridge of his nose. I’m getting too old for this. I don’t think I can deal with another Naruto, Iruka thought. “So, where is it?”

“You know, Iruka-sensei, funny thing happen, I seem to have fed it to Akamaru when Kiba-san was visiting,” Zenji gulped, trying to shrink into his seat, when the door slammed opened.

“I’m here Iruka-sensei! I’m on time today!” Shiba shouted.

“Actually Shiba, you are five minutes late, now find your seat,” Iruka said. “You also get detention.” Iruka turned his attention back onto Zenji, who was making faces behind Iruka’s back. “As for you, Zenji, if you don’t give me your homework by the end of school today, you’re gonna get detention as well!” Iruka informed the Uzumaki, and walked towards the top row of students.

“Psst! Shiba! Do you have my homework done?” Zenji whispered to the Inuzuka girl that was sitting next to him. Shiba shot him a fierce glare.

“No, I gave it back to you remember!? I told you to do your own homework! Its not that hard idiot,” Shiba said.

“Yes it is! It’s the clone jutsu!” Zenji whined.

“Your dad is the Hokage, he should be able to help you!” Shiba hissed softly.

“Yeah, yeah,” Zenji huffed.

“You two better not be talking!” Iruka shouted, as he walked down to the chalk board.

“Oh, don’t worry Iruka-sensei, if we are talking, we're talking about you,” Zenji smirked, “and how you and Genma-san are really getting it on!” Zenji added.

The class fell silent as Iruka’s face turned red with from embarrassment or anger nobody was really sure. “Zenji! Detention for you!” Iruka shouted over the laughter of the class.

Sasuke hated his job, absolutely hated it and he especially hated the office. The tight cramped little box he was forced to suffer in for most of the day. There was relatively no crimes happening in Konoha and the ones that did, Haya could take care of them by herself because they were petty enough. So, he spent his days doing paperwork, drinking bad coffee and reading porn. This is what he was currently doing, and plotting a way to convince Sakura to allow him to install a fan in the goddamn stuffy box he was forced to call an office.

Sasuke was so enthralled with his book that he didn’t even hear that the door opened or he did and just ignored it. “Sasuke!” the door to his office slammed opened and there stood the Hokage, in his bright orange glory.

“Ah!” Sasuke slammed the book shut and dropped it onto the floor. “Naruto! What the hell do you want? I’m busy!” Sasuke shook his hand at the mess on his desk.

“I can see that!” Naruto grabbed a chair and sat before his best friend. He wore his normal orange and black jumpsuit and the Hokage cloak.

“So, why are you here if you know I have work to do?” Sasuke asked, he wore a dark blue shirt and pants and matching sandals along with his chuunin vest. Both men still wore their Leaf headbands.

“The Chuunin Selection Exams are coming up, and I have two of the three protectors and I was wondering—”

“No,” Sasuke picked up his book, placed his feet on his desk and began reading.

“But you haven’t even heard what I was going to ask!” Naruto protested.

“My answer is still no,” Sasuke peered over to the top of his book. “Okay?”

“Teme! C’mon! Think of the kids! All the hopeful young ninja!” Naruto grinned.

“Fighting to the death, yeah, no thanks,” Sasuke stuck his nose back into his book again.

“Sasuke, just here me out! Please I’ll make it…” Naruto stopped when he noticed the title of the book Sasuke was reading. “Teme, why are you reading Ero-Sennin’s book?”

“Because I find it interesting, now if you are done talking, go and let me get back to work,” Sasuke grumbled.

“Does Sakura know you sit here reading porn all day?” Naruto smirked, when Sasuke lowered the book to glare at his friend.

“You tell me wife and I will never talk to you again!” Sasuke growled. Naruto snickered.

“I bet she’ll be really pleased to know that her dear husband is reading porn is his office,” Naruto stood up. “Well, I must be going,” Naruto turned towards the door.

“Okay, fine! I’ll hear you out!” Sasuke shouted.

“Really?” Naruto sat back down in a blink.

“Really, really,” Sasuke sighed closing his book. “What do you want from me?” he asked.

“I want you, to be the Third Exam Protector,” Naruto grinned.

“No,” Sasuke began reading again.

“But Sasuke! I already got Sarutobi Sumiko as the First Exam Protector and Anko is the second! All I need is a third! And your Sharingan will be perfect for the third exam!” Naruto pointed out.

“Not interested,” Sasuke muttered.

“Fine, I bet Sakura will be really interested in knowing what you do here all day long,” Naruto smirked.

“Fine!” Sasuke slammed the book down. “I’ll do it! Happy?”

“Extremely!” Naruto then leapt from his chair and hugged Sasuke.

“Ach! Dobe get off me!” Sasuke shouted. Naruto got off of Sasuke and smirked.

“Thanks again Sasuke, but I have to go right now!” Naruto waved and left the office. Sasuke picked himself up off the floor and grabbed his book. He watched as his daughter silently closed the door.

“I’m so glad we’re back home,” Chiyo sighed, she wore a blue dress and pale khaki shorts, the Uchiha crest. Her long black hair was in a braid that fell to the middle of her back, and she wore her headband like her mother. Besides her was Hyuga Taro, Neji’s son. The boy had straw blond hair, and Byakugan eyes, he wore a light brown T-shirt and brown shorts. His blond hair was tied at his nape and he wore his headband across his forehead, to hide the fact that he lacked the Curse Seal of the Hyuga Cadet Branch. Besides Chiyo on her left was Michiyo.

Michiyo wore red wrap around her breasts and black capris along with her sandals. Her red hair was done in a myriad of little braids, with ivory beads woven in, that clinked together when she shook her head. How she managed to move soundlessly always amazed Chiyo. Michiyo wore her headband on her left thigh, and her eyes were a dark steel grey, her sandals, like all genin were a dark navy blue.

Behind them stood their teacher, Hatake Kakashi, his nose buried in another book. This one just as questionable as the one he read when he taught Chiyo’s parents.

“Right Taro?” Chiyo elbowed the Hyuga.

“Yeah, it’s nice to be home,” Taro agreed.

“Michiyo?” Chiyo looked at the redhead.

“Meh, I liked killing the enemy better,” Michiyo shrugged and began heading towards the tea shop the team always went to after missions, “because nobody can defeat my Rin’negan,” she added, looking over her shoulder and smirked at Chiyo.

“What?! Your Rin’negan has nothing on my Sharingan! Which is gonna kick your butt one of these days! Just you wait! I’m gonna become jounin before you do! Just you watch Michiyo!” Chiyo shouted and would’ve ran after the Rin’negan user if it wasn’t for Taro grabbing her wrist.

“Why do you always do that?” Taro asked calmly.

“Because her Rin’negan isn’t that special!” Chiyo shouted.

“Actually, Chiyo, the Rin’negan is the most desired out of the Three Great Eye Jutsus,” Kakashi looked up from his book. Chiyo frowned.

“You’re just saying that Kakashi-sensei,” Chiyo huffed crossing her arms over her chest. “You always side with Michiyo,” Chiyo added.

“If you say so,” Kakashi walked passed them following Michiyo.

“I wish you would stop trying to pick a fight with Michiyo, Chiyo-chan,” Taro muttered. Chiyo cocked her head.

“Oh, is Taro-kun worried about me?” Chiyo giggled. Taro frowned but a blush colored his cheeks.

“Hey, you two! C’mon! Otherwise we aren’t gonna get our table!” Michiyo shouted. Chiyo and Taro looked up to see their teammate and teacher waiting for them. Chiyo smirked and ran up to them and past them.

“Last one to the tea house is a rotten egg!” Chiyo shouted.

“Not so fast Chiyo-chan!” Taro raced passed Kakashi and Michiyo.

“Hey! Wait up, you idiots!” Michiyo ran after them as well.

“I’m getting too old for this,” Kakashi sighed, running after the newest Team Seven.

The members of Team Nine walked towards the Yamanaka Flower Shop. “I wonder what’s making Ino-sensei run late?” Tenji asked, Uchiha Kazuki shrugged as he eyed the weapon’s master.

“And don’t back talk me, Yamanaka Inomaru! When you aren’t doing ninja stuff you are running the flower shop! Got it?” Ino’s shrill voice echoed as Kazuki opened the door.

“We’re here Ino-sensei!” Momo shouted. Ino turned to eye her students.

“Perfect,” Ino smiled. “I’m gonna slip into the back and remind Sai to pick up Satori after school, then we’ll head for the Hokage Tower for our mission,” Ino ran off into the back of the shop where Sai had his art studio.

“Uchiha,” Inomaru smirked. Kazuki turned and locked eyes with Inomaru. The Yamanaka heir was the spitting image of his mother, even wore his hair in the same style and wore a masculine version of the same outfit his mother wore during her genin days.

Uchiha Kazuki wore a blue shirt with the Uchiha crest on the back, and khaki shorts. He was the spitting image of his father, save for one small fact. “I’m surprise that headband can fit across your unsightly forehead, Uchiha!” Inomaru sneered.

Kazuki had inherited his mother’s large forehead. “You take that back, Yamanaka!” Kazuki lunged for the blond haired boy, but Tenji and Momo held him back.

“Calm down Kazuki-kun!” Momo shouted.

“Yeah, if you want to fight your eternal rival, at least take it outside! You don’t want Ino-sensei mad at us for destroy the flowers again!” Tenji added.

Tenji was the spitting image of his father, Rock Lee, only Tenji had his mother’s brown eyes and knack for sharp pointy objects.

“Heh, have to have his babysitters hold him back, what a dope,” Inomaru smirked.

“That’s it!” Kazuki’s eyes bled Sharingan as he broke free from his teammates and tackled the Yamanaka boy. Momo stood there, dusting off her tank top, her fishnet shirt covering her torso, her jacket was tied around her waist and she shoved her hands into the pockets of her cargo pants, calmly watching Kazuki.

“Go Kazuki! Show Inomaru your youthful prowess in battle!” Tenji shouted.

“Tenji, shut up or you’ll be next!” Kazuki shouted from the floor. The door jingled open and there stood a girl that looked like she rather be sleeping. She had brown hair tied in four pigtails and pine green eyes. Her shirt had short sleeves and ended just below her breast, a fishnet was across her midriff. She wore a pair of jean shorts that fell to her mid thigh and fishnets around her knees and black sandals. She had her wrists wrapped in bandages and her headband was around her neck.

“Is Kazuki and Inomaru at it again?” the girl asked.

“Yep,” Momo nodded. Nara Shika sighed before walking to the two boys.

“Hey! Stop it!” she shouted. They ignored her and Shika sighed. “This is so bothersome, but,” she made the seal of the Rat. “Kagemane no jutsu!” she shouted and caught the two feuding boys in her shadows. “Much better,” Shika smirked. “Listen, Inomaru, we need to go. Lee-sensei has got us a mission, rescuing some lady’s cat, so get your sorry ass moving!” Shika growled, and let both boys go. Kazuki and Inomaru glared daggers at each other before walking to their respective teammates.

“Where’s Chomori?” Inomaru asked, fixing his hair.

“With Lee-sensei,” Shika sighed as she leaned against the wall.

“Mom! Lee-sensei needs me! Get Dad to watch the shop!” Inomaru shouted, before glaring at Kazuki and heading out; Shika following behind him. Ino soon walked out of the back.

“Well, let’s get this show on the road then,” she grinned at Kazuki. “Ooh! You look so much like your father!” she pinched Kazuki’s cheeks, and the Uchiha boy frowned.

Hana sighed as she walked towards the Ninja Academy, her thoughts scattered at best, but she was glad that Kiba was watching Sanosuke and Yuzuki. Hana glanced at the side of the street and saw the same beggar Shiba met this morning. Their eyes locked for a brief second and Hana felt a shiver run down her spine. Hana snapped her eyes forwards and was glad to see the school just up ahead, only to frown when she noticed what was going on.

Hatake Mizuki smirked as Zenji held back the furious Inuzuka girl. “You take that back Mizuki! My father is alive! He’s just MIA!” Shiba shouted.

“Right, why don’t you just face the facts that you don’t have a father!” Mizuki teased.

“Let me go Zenji! Let me teach her a lesson Inuzuka style!” Shiba shouted. Mizuki laughed.

“What are you gonna do? Give me fleas?” Mizuki sneered.

“I’m warning you, Zenji! Let me go before I beat you too!” Shiba snarled.

“Inuzuka Shiba!” Hana shouted. Shiba stopped flailing to stare at her mother. Mizuki’s smirk vanished as she got the eye of the Inuzuka woman. “Run along home Mizuki,” Hana said. Mizuki glanced at Shiba and smirked before running off to her older brother. Zenji dusted off his black shirt, admiring the orange swirl in the middle; he inspected his blue shorts as well. Hana eyed her daughter. “Shiba,” Hana growled.

“You know, Mizuki, despite the fact that she’s a bitch, has a nice butt,” Zenji mused. Hana blinked only to groan and Shiba narrowed her eyes.

“Baka!” Shiba punched Zenji, sending him flying a good foot. The blue-black haired boy tumbled before skidding to a half on his stomach. Zenji lifted his head up, his pearlescent eyes growing wide as Shiba marched up to him, a furious frown on her face. She grabbed him by the collar of his shirt and began to violently shake him. “I don’t know where you get off calling that hellcat’s butt nice! In fact, I don’t even know why you are looking at her butt in the first place! That’s just wrong! You’ve been spending too much time with Ero-sennin! Stop reading those pervy books that Sasuke-san reads! Otherwise I’m gonna beat you into the ground you perverted loudmouth Uzumaki!” Shiba shouted at the top of her lungs.

“Shibi-chan…y-you’re hurting me!” Zenji moaned. Shiba felt her eye twitch.

“What have I told you about calling me that!? Whenever you call me that everyone thinks I’m from the Aburame clan! I’m Inuzuka dammit! Inuzuka! The dog clan!”

“Sorry! Sorry!” Zenji whimpered and Shiba dropped him. Zenji slowly pushed himself up to his feet.

“If I here you say one more stupid thing, I’m removing your head,” Shiba huffed, crossing her arms over her chest. Zenji glanced up at the sun.

“Gah! I’m gonna be late! Hiashi-ojii-san hates it when I’m late! I need to pick up Hiro as well!” Zenji shouted, before running off, he paused and with a smirk he winked at Hana. “Shibi! You mom as a nice rack!”

“Zenji!” Shiba lunged but Hana grabbed her daughter by her shirt collar.

“Shiba, that’s enough,” Hana watched as the Uzumaki boy ran off. Shiba looked at her mother.

“What?” Shiba frowned. Hana sighed, turned around and began heading towards her house. “Mom, what is it?” Shiba ran after her mother, Goro at the girl’s heels.

“Just wondering where you got your violent streak that’s all,” Hana smiled down at her daughter, resting a hand on the girl’s shoulder. “How was school?”

“Boring, I got detention because I was late again,” Shiba pouted. “Zenji was with me though, because he didn’t do his homework,” Shiba seemed to bright at the fact that her best friend was stuck with her in detention. Shiba looked up at her mother. “Was Father violent like me?” Shiba asked. Hana paused, looking at her daughter, before looking away, unable to look deep into her daughter’s eyes for too long because they were also his eyes. Hana’s thoughts drifted to her daughter’s father; soft yet strong hands, calloused from years of weaving seals for jutsu and handling various weapons, yet his touch was always gentle and loving, his gaze was memorizing and slightly hypnotic. Hana wouldn’t exactly call him a violent man.

“No,” Hana smiled looking up at the puffy white clouds, “your father wasn’t a violent; in fact he was very kind.”

“So, where do I get my violent streak?” Hana asked.

“I think from your grandmother,” Hana chuckled. “She scared your grandfather off,” Hana ruffled Shiba’s hair.

“Ach, Mom!” Shiba shoved her mother’s hand away. “Tsume-baa-chan isn’t that bad, and did she really scare Ojii-san away?” Shiba asked.

“Yep,” Hana nodded.

“Did you scare Father away?” Shiba asked innocently. Hana felt her blood run cold as the last memories of her husband drifted through her mind.

“No,” Hana shook her head. “I didn’t scare your father off. He had a very important mission to do before Yuzuki was born, and is now MIA,” Hana said.

“I was six when Yuzuki was born, how come I never saw him? I don’t even remember him! We have no pictures of Father,” Shiba pointed out.

Damn, she is as smart as you koishii, Hana smiled at Shiba, “He was always on missions sweetie-pie,” Hana said.

“Then how come I was born, and Sanosuke and Yuzuki?” Shiba asked. “He had to be home once in a while for me to have siblings. So, logically I should’ve at least seen him at least once, right?” Shiba gave an imploring look at her mother. Hana looked away not wanting to answer her daughter’s prying questions.

“I ask myself the same question every day,” Hana muttered more to herself than to Shiba. Mother and daughter glanced briefly at the same beggar Shiba ran into this morning, before continuing their way home. Both were unaware of the longing look in the beggar’s dark eyes, wishing he too had a wife and child to go home to.

Zenji burst through the door, causing Hinata to jump in fright. “Mom! Where’s Nee-san!?” Zenji asked. “And Otouto-kun?” Zenji dropped his school bag by the door. Hinata frowned at her son.

“Zenji-kun, but your bag in your room please,” Hinata said.

“Can’t, gotta go to Hiashi-ojii-san’s for training!” Zenji paused and looked at his mother. “Why do I have to go anyways? I’m not Hyuga, I’m Uzumaki!” Zenji pointed out. Hinata sighed; rubbing her forehead in the tired manner only a mother was capable of doing.

“Because, you possess the Byakugan, and only the Hyuga know how to properly use it, so you must learn from the Hyuga,” Hinata explained.

“Well, aren’t you Hyuga too? Sorta…can’t you teach me?” Zenji looked hopeful.

“Just go to your grandfather’s please,” Hinata gave a pleading look to her son who was too much like his father in a sense. Zenji frowned in annoyance, and Hinata was reminded of her husband.

“Nii-san!” Hiro ran up to his big brother. “You’re back! Let’s play!” Hiro beamed up at Zenji. Hiro wore a bright yellow T-shirt with an orange toad on it, and blue shorts. He had his mother’s kekkei genkai as well, and was almost the spitting image of his father, save for the fact that he had bright red hair.

“Later, we have to go to Hiashi-ojii-san’s place for training, but have you seen Hoshi-nee-san?” Zenji asked.

“Uuuh…nope,” Hiro shrugged.

“Ugh, never mind where she is; we hafta go! Stupid Iruka-sensei giving me detention,” Zenji grumbled as he put his shoes on and then put his brother’s shoes on.

“You got detention again?” Hinata squeaked, her silvery lavender eyes narrowing.

“And all he had was ramen! Ick!” Zenji made a face. “When I become legendary I’m gonna destroy all the ramen in the world!” Zenji snickered.

“Zenji, did you get detention again!?” Hinata asked, as Zenji hefted his little brother onto his back.

“Bye Mom! Tell Dad we are at the Hyuga compound!” Zenji waved as did Hiro.

“Bye-bye Mommy,” Hiro smiled. Zenji ran off towards the Hyuga estate and Hinata was left frustrated at the door, watching her sons run off towards her father’s house. Hinata folded her arms over her chest.

“Zenji is in so much trouble when he gets back! I can’t believe he got detention again!” Hinata grumbled shutting the door behind her. She sat down at the kitchen table again, and picked up her book. The door slammed opened a few minutes later.

“Hinata! I got teme to be the third protector!” Naruto shouted. Hinata slammed her book close and looked at her husband.

“That’s nice Naruto-kun,” Hinata sighed. “Didja know that Zenji got detention again?” Hinata asked, watching Naruto fix some ramen.

“He did?” Naruto looked at his wife. “Didja talk to him about it?”

“He left for my father’s before I could get a chance, you need to talk to him, Naruto,” Hinata said.

“Okay, I will,” Naruto poured the boiling water into the Styrofoam cup. “Right after I write a letter to Gaara,” Naruto said, kissing Hinata on the cheek. With his ramen in hand, he ran up the stairs to his study. Hinata sighed, wondering what she was going to do about her son. She picked up her book again, and began reading when she heard Naruto’s voice yell: “Hinata!”

And so ends chapter one.

Yay! Tear Stained Blossoms has begun! I’m so happy!

Ages: Team Hebi, Konoha 11, Sai, and Hana are all in their late thirties early forties. Kakashi and Shizune are in their fifties. The kids range in age from two to twenty-three. Pay attention to last names or lack of last names.

Uchiha kids: Chiyo and Kazuki and Haya (so far, 3 out of 5)

Uzumaki kids: Zenji and Hiro (so far 2 out of 3, Hoshi has been mentioned)

LeeTen: Tenji (so far one out of two)

Yamanaka kids: Inomaru (so far, one out of two)

Hatake kids: Mizuki (so far, one out of two)

Hana’s children: Shiba (so far, one out of three, Sanosuke and Yuzuki have been mentioned)

By the fifth chapter almost all of the children will have appeared. Hopefully.

Again, this is a SasuSaku/ItaHana. Though, there is no SasuSaku development because they are happily married, this does finish off the ItaHana storyline from Blood Kissed Petals (so if you haven’t read Blood Kissed Petals, DO SO NOW!).

Michiyo's hair style is molded after Menolly's from the Otherworld Series.

Sarutobi Sumiko is Kurenai's baby.

Guess for Shiba's father! Cookies will be given to correct answers!

So, enjoy it! And hopefully the next chapter should be up soon.

R’n’R otherwise I’ll hand you over to Hidan as a sacrifice for Jashin.

DJ