3 chapter 3

GoF

The meeting itself was rather eventful, the first son born since the last century played with the most prominent of clan heiresses while their mothers discussed business over a tea ceremony. The usual things to be expected of a Hokage's child being born were carried out, among the items of discussion was who would be the lucky heiress to marry into the Hokage's bloodline.

Normally this topic would be brushed over, but several of the present clan heads, upon learning that Naruto was actually a boy, were pressing the issue particularly hard. The purpose of the meeting was after all to decide the boy's future, but all the ladies could talk about was marriage, with security and information control being put on the backburner. The Hyūga were the only ones to not bring their children, for understandable reasons considering the recent kidnap attempt on both of their heiresses. If it weren't for Mako's reputation as an efficient S-Class shinobi and her silver tongue, Kumo may have even tried to work the attempt in their favour.

Mako gritted her teeth and simply tried her best to move the subject on.

Naruto had met several girls that day, all of them varied and different in appearance, one swathed in layers of cloth and only had the top her her head peeking out of her jacket, a soft droning emanating from within. She was nice, but she kind of freaked him out. Another actually didn't want to play that much and took up a place at the wall, taking a nap, much to his disappointment.

The one that played with Naruto the most however was one Sasami Uchiha of the Uchiha clan. Due to her status as heiress, she was rather isolated from her peers in the clan, so any opportunity to play was very much appreciated. Sadly, her older sister's time as a prominent kunoichi ate up whatever time she would've liked to spend with her. She was pleasantly happy to have a new playmate.

She was joined by a girl in a fur-lined hoodie, as well as a chubby girl that insisted she wasn't fat (which, to be fair, she wasn't really). The girl that was 'it' was a blonde with teal eyes and a crown of flowers on her head.

Nearing the end of the get together, Mikoto Uchiha, mother of Sasami, hoisted her daughter up on her shoulder and greeted Kushina with a smile. "So this is why I couldn't see your bundle of sunshine when he was born! I wondered if you had forgotten me or something Kushina."

The red haired kunoichi likewise picked up her son, the two young children looked at each other fondly.

"Well now, they certainly took a shine to one another." Mikoto commented in amusement, and looked back over to Kushina, "Remember when we were like that? We became friends the moment we joined academy together."

"Hmm, let's hope that Sasami-chan is more well-behaved than you were when she reached that age," Kushina commented mischievously, "I can't even count how many times that happened with us!"

"Well, seem to recall you managed to get into your own fair share as well…"

"Well of course!"

The two old friends chuckled together, briefly lost in nostalgia.

"Well come on Sasami, it's time to go."

"Mama, can't we stay longer, I'm still it!" The little black haired girl whined.

"Please mama? I want to play with Sasa-tan more!" The blond haired boy likewise agreed.

"Well…" A look was shared between the two mothers as the Hokage's wife continued, "I suppose we can set up a future playdate."

The two mothers predicted the outcome of this statement and held their children at arm's length as they shouted out a cheer. They smiled despite it and began making arrangements for the Uchiha pair to visit.

Eventually Naruto was even able to go outside and visit the pair at the clan house, posing as a girl because of the combined lack of knowledge on what a male looks like, and that he was too young to really distinguish anyway. Just to be safe, Kushina dressed him in a flower-patterned kimono with pink trim.

He would unfortunately gain an attachment to the color due to wearing it so much. It would be the impetus of a highly effeminate wardrobe with it being in the future.

GoF

[One Month Later]

Kushina breathed a sigh of relief as she looked around the personal bath, taking in the empty tile floors lazily.

Things had been progressively less lonely the last month. She had been able to carry Naruto in public without anyone being suspicious and was able to meet with her friends and have a good social life once again.

However, what she really missed was the bathhouse. Sure, compared to the personal facilities in front of her, the public bathhouse was hardly a luxury, but it was also smaller…nobody but her inside.

She was once part of a special little gathering with the older ladies of Konoha years ago, before Naruto was even conceived. It had been a nice time to let off some steam and talk about what was happening around the village. After the new freedom she had gained from the meeting, returning to the norm appealed even more to Kushina than it would have normally. She considered going to Mako to ask her opinion, but then stopped herself. She was already pushing the boundaries with how her son could be out in public; but in a bathhouse? Naked? With other possible observers?

Of course, Monday was the only time the bathhouse was empty, as the kunoichi would regularly reserve it for that particular gathering…at around 8 PM, which was about an hour from now, coincidentally enough.

And there were the ones who were already in the know about Naruto's gender, so there was no real harm in the end anyway.

On that one impulse, she pulled the plug and made her way out of the door, slipping on her slippers and picked up Naruto along the way… of course dressing him up first. It was certainly strange how he couldn't keep his clothes on most of the time. Besides, why not have some company while I'm at it?

[ please suggest a name for the chapter after reading it.]