Kushina's voice echoed from the doorway, prescription in hand. "Where are the two ANBU who were supposed to be watching me?"

  Two masked figures materialized instantly.

  "Lady Kushina," the one on the left asked respectfully. "What do you need?"

  "Take this to Lord Hokage." Kushina's tone turned serious. "Tell him to send those herbs today."

  "Yes, ma'am."

  The ANBU glanced at Tsunade, who stood nearby, and nodded. Technically, he shouldn't have abandoned his post without permission, but with the Fifth Hokage present, it wasn't a problem.

  Kushina closed the door and turned to Uzumaki Miho with a bright smile. "Alright, now we can have some fun. Time for poker lessons."

  Miho's eyes widened. "Eh?"

  "Perfect timing," Kushina said, slapping her forehead. "We've got exactly three people now. Well, four if you count the Nine-Tails, but technically that's not a person."

  "Who's the Nine-Tails?" Miho asked, confused.

  Kushina grinned. "Come on out and meet your poker buddies, Kyuubi."

  Since Lord Hiruzen had approved Miho living here, he'd obviously considered the Nine-Tails situation. No point hiding it now.

  Malevolent chakra surged through the room. Two blood-red tails erupted from behind Kushina's back.

  Miho's jaw dropped. "Is... is that the Nine-Tails?"

  "Yep," Kushina said cheerfully. "It wants to shake your hand."

  Still in shock, Miho hesitantly reached out and grasped one of the massive tails.

  Tsunade couldn't help but laugh. "Aren't you worried about scaring her?"

  "Why would an Uzumaki be scared of the Nine-Tails?" Kushina said proudly.

  The moment she finished speaking, both tails began flailing indignantly. As the most powerful tailed beast, it had a reputation to maintain!

  Miho instinctively stepped back. The Nine-Tails' chakra was endless, infinite, absolutely terrifying.

  "Don't you want to play cards anymore?" Kushina asked innocently.

  The tails froze mid-air, then drooped like a scolded dog.

  "Wow!" Miho couldn't help but exclaim.

  "The Nine-Tails is actually pretty easy to get along with," Kushina said casually. "No need to be afraid."

  Tsunade shook her head slightly. "You can play cards, but you're teaching her ninjutsu too. Miho's got massive chakra reserves—it'd be criminal not to develop them. In this war-torn world, she needs to be able to protect herself. If she learns the Uzumaki sealing techniques, she can escape from Kusagakure without any trouble."

  "I know," Kushina nodded. "Once she's fully recovered, we'll start lessons."

  "Sister Kushina," Hanekawa asked suddenly, "can I sit in on those classes?"

  "Of course!" Kushina beamed. "Teaching two people isn't much harder than one, and it's more fun with a bigger group."

  Tsunade glanced at Hanekawa, considered it, then said nothing. Normally, learning this many different jutsu would scatter anyone's focus. But Hanekawa hadn't shown any problems yet. She'd let him do what he wanted.

  "I'll have the ANBU notify you when we start," Kushina said, clapping her hands. "Now—let's play!"

  The Nine-Tails' tails suddenly came alive, mimicking the clapping motion.

  Tsunade joined the game, though she didn't actually play—just directed Miho's moves.

  Hanekawa felt a headache coming on.

  After a few rounds, Miho figured it out: Lady Tsunade's card skills are absolutely terrible.

  But out of respect, Miho didn't complain and followed every instruction.

  Kushina looked like she wanted to say something but held back.

  The Nine-Tails played badly. Miho played badly under Tsunade's guidance. And despite winning constantly, Tsunade seemed unsatisfied with the victories.

  Stolen from its original source, this story is not meant to be on Amazon; report any sightings.

  "Teacher," Hanekawa said, grabbing Tsunade's wrist and pulling her away. "Miho's already learned the basics. She doesn't need more instruction."

  He couldn't watch this anymore. You don't bully honest people!

  "She keeps losing," Tsunade said, glaring at him. "Where's the learning in that?"

  She doesn't understand why Miho keeps losing, Hanekawa thought, but he just said, "Let her play a couple games on her own."

  Tsunade considered it, then shrugged and stopped giving instructions.

  Within minutes, Miho won three games in a row. She lost the fourth to Kushina.

  "Teacher," Hanekawa asked with a smile, "what do you have to say about that?"

  Tsunade's face darkened. She raised her hand and bonked him on the head twice.

  "What are you doing?" Hanekawa yelped, elbowing her in protest.

  "Kid!" Tsunade wrapped an arm around his shoulders, her voice dropping low. "You want to rebel?"

  Hanekawa's gaze drifted left as Tsunade bent slightly. The outline of her clothes... the dazzling white of her skin...

  Focus, he told himself sternly.

  "I didn't mean anything by it," he said, blinking rapidly.

  "Good. You better not dare." Tsunade released him with a slight smile and ruffled his hair.

  Hanekawa looked away, thinking that someday he'd have to get her back for all these head-pats.

  "That's enough for today," Kushina announced, standing up. "I'm going to make lunch."

  "Lady Tsunade," Miho said politely, "thank you for your guidance."

  "It's nothing," Tsunade replied, looking slightly embarrassed. But she was thick-skinned enough to brush it off. At least she'd taught Miho the rules.

  ---

  After lunch, Hanekawa and Tsunade said their goodbyes and headed home.

  "Ah, there's no place like home," Tsunade sighed, kicking off her high-heeled sandals as she walked barefoot into the living room.

  Hanekawa bent down with a resigned expression and placed the sandals neatly on the rack.

  "Rest up these next two days," Tsunade said, collapsing onto the sofa. "No training. Do whatever you want."

  "What about you?" Hanekawa asked, pouring two glasses of water.

  "The casino!" Tsunade suddenly perked up, eyes gleaming with excitement.

  Of course, Hanekawa thought, sitting across from her. "I knew you'd say that."

  "Come with me if you're not busy," Tsunade said, crossing her legs with a smile. "We'll split the winnings—70% for me, 30% for you."

  Hanekawa glanced at her swaying feet. "You get 30%?"

  "Of course you get 30%," Tsunade corrected, sipping her water.

  "I'm not going," Hanekawa said flatly.

  "Why not?" Tsunade frowned.

  "You're not being sincere."

  "How much do you want?" she asked, irritated.

  "At least 50%."

  "No!" Tsunade leaned forward, emphasizing each word. "I'm your teacher!"

  "If you weren't my teacher, you wouldn't even get 50%," Hanekawa replied. His eyelids twitched as he tried not to look at her leaning forward.

  "You little brat!" Tsunade stood up quickly.

  Hanekawa sensed what was coming and leaned back just as her foot flashed past his face.

  "You're getting faster," Tsunade said with a click of her tongue.

  "Good teaching," Hanekawa replied, then added quickly, "Also, don't aim for the face!"

  Tsunade's eyes narrowed. "Looks like it's time for special training, kid."

  "What kind of special training?" Hanekawa asked warily.

  "Combat experience training," Tsunade said seriously. "In war, you'll face stronger opponents. You need to learn how to handle pressure."

  "..." Hanekawa gave her a suspicious look. "You're sure this isn't just an excuse to hit me?"

  "You could think of it that way," Tsunade admitted, clenching her fist.

  "Teacher, you're a jonin. How could you—"

  "Okay, okay," Tsunade interrupted, her smile widening. "I'm not lying, though. This training does exist. But yes, I also want to beat you up. You're too arrogant, kid."

  So she admits it, Hanekawa thought.

  "Can I say no?" he asked hopefully.

  "What do you think?" Tsunade's smile grew even wider.

  In truth, she wasn't lying. She did have such training. But it was also true that she wanted to pummel Hanekawa. The little brat needed humbling.

  "Fine," Hanekawa sighed in defeat. "When does it start?"

  "In two days," Tsunade said, looking far too pleased with herself. "I'm too tired today anyway."

  "Do you want me to run you a bath? I can get the hot water ready," Hanekawa offered.

  "You're a good kid," Tsunade said, waving him off as she slumped back onto the couch.

  Hanekawa went to the bathroom and filled the tub, then returned to wake Tsunade before heading home.

  ---

  "Hanekawa!" Kurenai's face lit up when he arrived. "Are you training?"

  He noticed the pool of water in front of her—specially dug by her father to help with her Water Style practice.

  "A little," Kurenai explained. "I was getting bored being home alone."

  "Then..." Hanekawa raised an eyebrow. "Will you teach me Water Style?"

  "Yes!" Kurenai's motivation skyrocketed. "Which water jutsu do you want to learn?"

  "Water Style: Water Formation Wall," Hanekawa said after a moment's thought.

  "I can teach you that," Kurenai said, lifting her chin slightly. "But I'm teaching you the Second Hokage's version—Water Style: Water Array Wall."

  "Who taught you that?" Hanekawa asked, amused by her serious expression.

  "Uncle Shinku," Kurenai said, tilting her head. "Don't I look like an excellent teacher?"

  "Absolutely," Hanekawa said diplomatically, reaching out to ruffle her hair.

  "Call me 'teacher' so I can hear it," Kurenai said, putting her hands behind her back in an exaggerated pose.

  "If your actual teacher heard you doing that, you'd get beaten," Hanekawa said with a slight smile.

  "Aw," Kurenai pouted. "There aren't many chances to pull rank like that."

  Though what she really wanted, Hanekawa thought, was to be the Sister.