The moon hung cold and silent overhead, its pale light bathing a small courtyard with three humble houses. Here, a family gathered for dinner beneath the stars.
For Minato and Kushina, it was the evening meal. For Kaguya, it was breakfast.
There was something oddly charming about Kaguya's rhythm—her days were the reverse of everyone else's. She slept through the sunlight hours, only rising as dusk fell. Each night, she'd settle herself beneath the Divine Tree in the yard, staring up at the endless stars, lost in thoughts she never shared.
Worried she might feel isolated, Minato had gone out of his way to collect books about human culture. He hoped they'd help Kaguya understand this world, and maybe, just maybe, feel like she belonged.
It had been over a month since this quiet, almost ethereal routine began. The days were peaceful, the nights tranquil—a life both secluded and surprisingly warm.
Tonight, Kaguya sat at the table, finished with her meal, poised and graceful despite her childlike form. She flipped through a book with the air of a scholar, her tiny feet swinging above the floor. At the end of the Fourth Great Ninja War, the Ten-Tails' twisted fate had left Kaguya in the body of a little girl. Minato had once offered to saw down the chair legs for her, but she'd waved him off—"This is fine," she'd said.
As Kaguya read, Minato cleaned up the dishes. Kushina pulled over a small stool and began gently arranging Kaguya's hair.
Suddenly, Kaguya spoke, her voice soft but commanding:
"Minato, I'd like some seeds."
Naruto's voice rang out before Minato could answer, cheerful and loud:
"Hey—Grandma! Seeds? I've got plenty! What do you need them for?"
He strode in from Yomotsu Hirasaka, a massive box slung over his shoulder, stepping onto the moon as if it were just another backyard.
Kaguya closed her book, folded her hands in her lap, and turned to Naruto. "I read about gardening in one of these books. It sounds interesting. I thought I'd plant some flowers in the yard."
Naruto grinned. "Sounds awesome! I'll leave you plenty before I head out."
He dropped the box with a thud. "Dad, here's that range hood you wanted!"
Minato's eyes lit up with relief. "Finally! I was starting to feel like I'd turn into a greaseball if I spent one more day in the kitchen."
Naruto added, "But Kakuzu says the cost is coming out of your paycheck."
Minato's face fell. "Figures… Well, all right."
He disappeared to install the new appliance.
Naruto plopped down next to Kaguya, completely at ease. "So, Grandma, how's life here? You enjoying it?"
Kaguya nodded. "It's nice. Kushina is very thoughtful."
Kushina, ever playful, finished braiding Kaguya's waterfall-like hair into two pigtails, tying them off with ribbons. She made a crab-claw gesture and giggled,
"Hehe~ Twin-tailed Princess Kaguya makes her epic debut, dattebane!"
Kaguya didn't react to the new hairstyle, still lost in her book. But when she spoke, her childish voice carried the gravity of an elder:
"Naruto, when will you bring that girl Hinata here? I'd like to meet her."
Naruto scratched his head, sheepish. "Uh, I haven't mentioned it yet, Grandma, but… Hinata's pregnant. So it's not easy for her to travel. Once she's done with her confinement, I'll bring her over."
Kaguya's usually serene eyes sparkled. "Oh~ That really is double good news."
Naruto blinked, completely thrown.
"Huh???"
He watched as Kaguya took Kushina's hand in her own.
Kushina's cheeks flushed as she gently patted her belly. "Naruto, you're going to have a little sister…"
Naruto shot to his feet, jaw nearly hitting the table.
"Wait—what? WHAT?!"
For a guy who'd lived a hundred lifetimes and faced gods, this was the most gobsmacked he'd ever looked.
Growing up an only child, orphaned and alone, Naruto had never even imagined what having a sibling was like. It wasn't a matter of experience—he'd just never had it, period.
Now, hearing he was going to be a big brother, he reacted like a kid, nearly bursting to run laps around the courtyard.
It took a long moment for him to settle down, and even then, his voice stuttered:
"S-s-so… when's the baby due, dattebayo?"
Kushina thought for a second. "Hmm… About a month along, dattebane."
Naruto's eyes went wide. "Wait, wasn't that right after you and Dad got revived? You two… didn't waste any time, huh?!"
Kushina snorted. "Right? But your dad's so oblivious, dattebane! Pregnant women don't like salt—everyone knows that! It's not even his first time. If Kaguya hadn't noticed, he'd still be clueless, dattebane!"
Minato returned, fruit plate in hand, having overheard. He scratched his head, sheepish. "Honestly, I suspected something, but I figured it couldn't be that fast."
Kaguya glanced at the fruit plate, picked up a carrot, and nibbled quietly, listening to the family's chatter.
Naruto finally managed:
"So, uh… have you picked a name for my little sister?"
Minato looked thoughtful. "At first, I was thinking Uzumaki Hannya-haramita-bashana-yuta…"
Naruto stared. "Whoa! That's so cool!"
Minato sighed. "Right? But Kushina said it was way too hard to pronounce, so we settled on Namikaze Nayuta."
Naruto stroked his chin. "Namikaze Nayuta, huh…"
Minato nodded. "Yeah, I wanted her to have Kushina's surname at first, but your mom insisted she take mine this time. No arguing with her."
Then Minato perked up. "By the way… have you picked a name for Hinata's baby yet?"
Naruto hesitated. "Uh… not yet."
Minato leaned in, excited. "If you're stuck, I've got some ideas!"
Kushina shot him a look. "Minato, enough! What are you planning for my precious granddaughter?!"
Minato pleaded. "Just a trial run! If it doesn't fit, we'll change it!"
Kushina was adamant. "No way! End of discussion, dattebane!"
Minato wilted. "Okay…"
With her pregnancy, Kushina had taken to walking after dinner.
"Naruto, I'm taking your mom for a walk. You stay and keep Grandma company."
Minato swept Kushina up in a princess carry. She wrapped her arms around his neck as he strode out into the night, their silhouettes tracing a graceful arc beneath the moon.
Watching his parents together, Naruto's heart swelled.
"A happy family… Getting to live life over again is the best thing ever."
He was already looking forward to meeting his little sister.
Left alone with Kaguya, Naruto grew serious. "Grandma, I took care of Isshiki…"
Kaguya nodded. "I felt it."
Naruto's voice was gentle. "That whole period is a blank for me. Could you tell me about it? Your time in Takamagahara, what happened when you and Isshiki came to this world…"
Kaguya's eyes lowered, shadowed.
Naruto was quick to reassure her. "If it's too painful, you don't have to force yourself."
After a long, thoughtful silence, Kaguya finally spoke. "It's all right. I've decided not to run anymore. I'll tell you—my true past…"
~~~~❃❃~~~~~~~~❃❃~~~~
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