Chapter 85: Teasing the Trickster

Entering the Compound we called home, Anko and I grinned at each other as we walked up the gravel path to the giant house ahead of us.

Staring off to the side, where the various smaller houses lay, I directed Makoto's gaze towards them, saying "If you want, you can have your own house, or you can take a room inside the main building."

Pursing her lips, the now black haired woman glanced between the two, before bowing to me.

"It will be easier for us to serve you if we live with you, Mistress."

Waving my hands, I tried to say something, only to fall silent at Makoto continued speaking.

"We owe you our lives for saving us back then, and now we owe you for agreeing to house and protect us... Please, Mistress, allow us to do this much for you and your family..."

Sighing, I pinched my nose, mulling it over before nodding.

"Very well... Thank you, Makoto..."

Giving me a small smile, she said "It's not a problem, Mistress."

Looking down at Karin in my arms, who was starting to stir, I smiled as well.

It might not sit entirely right with me, but...

Well, I can't say I understand what it means to try and giver your everything for the chance that your child could live a better life...

Not yet, anyways...

Peering at Naruto from the corner of my eye, who was staring intently at the stirring Karin, I smirked.

I wonder if he still has eyes for that 'beautiful pink haired and jade eyed' girl Sakura in his class...

"Hey Naruto, where's Hinata?"

Looking up at me with those innocent blue eyes of his, he said "She's currently training herself in medical techniques under a Gini... no, Gika..? Ah, Ginko! A clan member of hers! Haha~! Yeah, she said something about wanting to be a healer... dunno why..."

Pursing his lips, he tilted his head, staring at the clouds.

Scanning over his body, I rolled my eyes when I saw the various bruises and scrapes on his hands and wrists.

She's doing it for you, idiot.

However, I didn't want to toss that tidbit of information out there; who knows how he feels about her, and at this age...

Well, it could ruin any chances the girl has.

Sighing, I entered the main house behind Anko, making our way towards the central garden.

Sitting down and taking in the peaceful atmosphere of the garden, I smiled down at Karin as she woke up, her crimson eyes blinking a few times before she yawned cutely.

"W-Where..? Aunty?"

Looking up at me, she then glanced around the courtyard, her eyes going wide.

"So pretty..."

Turning back to me, she asked "Where are we Aunty?"

Smiling at her, I pinched her adorable little nose and said "This is your new home, Karin."

"R-Really?!"

Letting her stand on her own, I watched as she walked straight over to her mother, who was smiling at her.

"Is this really our new home mama? Is it?"

"It is."

Letting out a little squeal, Karin started bouncing around, a wide grin on her face as she took in the yard.

Turning back to me, she then stared at Naruto for a moment, approaching the blonde boy and holding out her hand.

Smiling at him, she said "I'm Karin! Are you friends with Aunty too?"

Hesitantly taking her hand, Naruto scratched his cheek, blushing slightly as he said "Y-Yeah... Aunty's teaching me how to be a Shinobi! I'll be the Hokage some day, believe it!"

She stared up at the taller boy with wide, shining eyes, muttering "So cool..!"

Laughing, Naruto froze when I said "Introduce yourself now..."

"A-Ah... I'm Naruto! Naruto Uzumaki!"

"Me too! I'm Karin Uzumaki!"

Naruto froze again, before glancing back at me, his face red.

"A-Aunty... what does she mean..?"

Getting up, I crouched next to them, saying "Naruto, Karin, keep this a secret, yeah? Promise me."

The two kids nodded their heads, a serious look on their small faces.

"Naruto, Karin is an Uzumaki; she's distantly related to you. However, no one else can know that... remember how I made you read about the Uzumaki's?"

Naruto nodded again, before his blue eyes went wide.

"Y-You mean someone might hurt or kidnap her because of her name?!"

Karin's crimson eyes went wide as well, and she shivered slightly.

Pulling her into my arms, I glared at the boy before nodding.

He shivered again, before taking a deep breath.

"I-I'll protect you, Karin! Believe it!"

The girl peered back at Naruto, her eyes going wide again as she hesitantly asked "R-Really? You mean it..?"

Seeing his wide, warm smile, Karin blushed again, before burying her face back into my chest.

Anko smirked over at me, making me chuckle.

Naruto seemed confused, only to shake his head.

"Alright! Anko, show Cameia our room. Naruto, once I show Makoto and Karin to their new room, you and I are going outside; I need to see your progress..."

Narrowing my eyes at the boy, I got up and lifted Karin into my arms, before handing her over to Makoto, who gently took her daughter from me.

Anko led the tall Priestess towards our room, while I led Makoto and Naruto towards the smaller room besides our own, making the woman shake her head.

"T-This is to much Mistress! We're servants; we shouldn't-"

"Take the room, Makoto. That's an order."

Not hearing any room for argument in my tone, the woman let out a sigh, before nodding as I added "There's a bathroom inside; clean up before dinner."

"As you wish, Mistress..."

Closing the door behind them, I led Naruto out into the backyard, where he stared bouncing around from foot to foot.

"What's got you so excited?"

Grinning at me, he said "I think I improved a lot, Aunty! You best believe it!"

Raising a brow, I gave the boy a chilling smile as I said "Really?"