"How are you, Mito?" Nina asked, sitting down on the large white armchair. The redhead had asked to speak with her that afternoon.

"Quite well, surprisingly." She said with a small smile. "I was hoping to talk to you about something." She paused, thinking over what she should say. "You know about the tailed beast that was sealed within me, right? The one Madara had used during that battle." Nina nodded, indicating for her to continue. "It seems very hostile, it has only spoken to me once in these three months." She looked down at the floor, seeming troubled.

"What did he say?" Nina asked, hoping that Kurama was doing well; she hadn't seen him since the battle.

"Actually, he mentioned you. He... asked to speak with you." Mito said slowly, as if she needed to make sure her memory was correct. "Nina, I don't understand, do you know what it wants with you?"

"No, but I do want to speak with him, do you mind?" Nina asked, genuinely hoping to get to speak with the beast. Mito was visibly confused and hesitant, only agreeing upon one condition:

"You have to tell me what this is all about afterwards." She demanded.

"I will." Nina promised. She lifted her hand and placed it on the other woman's forehead; she should be able to access the Kyuubi's chakra through Mito. At first, all she felt was a heavy concentration of the kunoichi's own chakra, everything else was dark. Suddenly felt a wisp of familiar red chakra, distinctly separate from Mito's. Grabbing hold of it, she grew closer and, when she was close enough, felt as if she was being pulled in by an invisible source.

Nina stood up, looking around the dark room. She stepped forward and felt an odd sensation at her heels. Looking down, she saw the floor was covered in water, there was also a distant dripping sound.

"Look who it is." A deep voice behind her mused. A small smirk settled on her face as she felt more and more of the familiar chakra surround her.

"It's been a while, hasn't it?" Nina asked, turning around. In front of her was a large iron cage that towered high above her head, it was blanketed in shadows, obscuring the back half of the inside. A large paw emerged out of the shadows and into view, the rest of the body followed.

"A couple hundred years, yes." The fox said. He laid down, bringing his head to her level. "You haven't changed at all, I see." He recalled the same woman standing in front of him when he was just a kit.

"I could say the same for you." She stated, sitting down on the wet ground. She took a good look at the large beast, he's grown a bit larger since the last time she saw him. "So what have you been up to?"

And they talked for hours, exchanging stories. Kurama spoke about his jinchurikis, from the first to the current, he told the story of his adventures and encounters with different humans and creatures, of all the things he hated about this world. Nina spoke about her encounters with the Senju and Uchiha clans, of her centuries of solitude, and of the people she's met.

"I've made a few friends through the years, but they were few and far apart. Not to mention they've all passed by now." She paused as the years of pain and loss hit her once again. She took a breath and smiled, meeting the fox's eyes. "There are a few left, however: Mito, the woman you're being sealed in now, and Tobirama, her brother in law." The Kyuubi sneered at her words.

"We're above all of them, humans are pathetic and weak." He closed his eyes and rested his head on his paws.

"Well, yes, the human race is in quite the mess right now, but I wouldn't say we're much better than them. If we could see what was happening with my clan at the moment, I'm sure we would see that they have their own issues." Nina reasoned. "And I have met many humans who held quite some power, too, though few of them had good intentions." She admitted. The fox raised his head slowly.

"You're talking about that Uchiha that I was sealed in a while ago." Kurama growled at the thought of the glaring, war clad form of Madara. "Humans like him are repulsive." Nina's gaze fell at this, her expression almost seemed regretful.

"I don't think he was a bad person." Her voice was softer now "He was just misguided."

"Misguided?" Kurama sneered. "He was the-" He stopped when he saw the woman's expression, something he'd never seen on her before: sadness. Not that he understood why it was there, she herself probably didn't even know. "Forget it." He huffed, again resting his head on his paws, carefully watching the woman's face.

"Anyways," Nina put on another small smile, pushing the previous conversation aside, "I shouldn't keep Mito waiting, she's probably quite bored by now." She stood up, stepping forward and reaching her hand through the cage bars. "Bring your head here." Kurama only stared at her.

"I am not a pet, Nina." He stated.

"For old times' sake." She smiled warmly at him, reminding him more of the expressions she used to hold. "If I say please?" The fox hesitated for a moment but soon gave in, bringing his nose down to her hand. She patted him a few times, remembering how she used to do the same thing when he was younger, when they were both younger. Pulling her hand out of the cage, the fox sat up and looked down at her. "I need to go, but I'll talk with you soon." She promised as she disappeared from the room, giving one last smile.

Kurama stared silently at the place where she had stood, a low chuckle echoed around the room.

'I guess I was wrong. Maybe you have changed...'

Nina opened her eyes, pulling her hand away from Mito. The redhead opened her eyes as well.

"Did you speak to it?" She asked curiously.

"I did, thank you." Nina responded, pleased with how things went.

"Well?" Mito looked at her expectantly. "Will you tell me what it wanted with you?" Nina let out a slow breath, she would have to start from the beginning.

Mito was more skeptical than the other two had been, questioning every fact and clearly doubtful at the beginning. However, when Nina explained how she first met the tailed beasts and why she knew Kurama, Mito began to believe her. By the end of the story, she was just as shocked as the Senjus had been.

"Ōtsutsuki... I never would have thought... Does that mean you're-?"

"Old?" Nina finished for her. "Yes, very." She smiled at herself.

"And Tobirama knows?" Mito asked, receiving a nod. "What about..." Her gaze dropped to the floor.

"Hashirama knew. I never got around to telling Madara." Nina knew Mito didn't want to have to say his name. The Uzumaki seemed to have remembered something. "You've never married, right?" She asked suddenly. Nina was taken aback at the sudden change in topic.

"I haven't. Why?" She asked suspiciously. Mito smiled slyly.

"Did you, perhaps... have feelings for Madara?"

Nina blinked once

Twice

Three times before she comprehended the question. Her face immediately contorting into a deep scowl.

"Where did you get that idea?" The white haired shinobi demanded, causing the other woman to chuckle and wave her off.

"Nothing, nothing. I just saw you two together a lot. Anyways," She cleared her throat, getting serious once again. "The reason I asked was because I was thinking about setting you up with Tobirama." She continued before Nina could interrupt her. "He's the Hokage, yet has no family of his own, getting married and having children would certainly help him be seen as more mature, more able to lead. It'll also boost his image in and out of the village. Besides, he's the most eligible bachelor in the village." Mito stated, trying hard to convince her to agree.

Nina stared at the woman as if she had just grown another head.

"What?" Was the first word from her mouth when she had snapped out of her confusion "Did you really just ask me to marry that brat?" Her eyes were wide and unbelieving. Mito chuckled.

"Did you pick that up from Madara?" But Nina did not hear her words.

"Did you not hear anything I just said? You know that marriage is not a part of my duty here."

"But you two get along quite well."

"Mito, I will not be getting married to anyone anytime soon."

"Who's not getting married to anyone anytime soon?" A new voice joined the two women.

"Speak of the devil." Mito smiled. "What do you need, Tobirama?" The said man handed her a scroll. She unfurled it and glanced over its contents. "It's from my clan back in Uzushiogakure, they say something urgent has come up and they need me there." She frowned at the thought of what might be wrong. "It sounds serious..."

"When will you leave?" Tobirama asked. Mito thought for a moment before answering.

"Tonight. I need to be there as soon as possible, just in case there's something that needs my attention." She nodded at herself, deciding that leaving tonight would be best, then she frowned, as if she had just remembered something. "Wait, I had promised my son that I would watch his daughter tonight and tomorrow, he's going on a personal mission with his wife." She pinched the bridge of her nose and squeezed her eyes shut, trying to think of something. Suddenly, her eyes snapped back open. "Will you take care of her for me?" She looked at Tobirama with hope. He immediately shook his head.

"I have something I need to attend to, it will take a while." Mito's expression dropped but soon became hopeful again, this time, her eyes landed on Nina.

"Will you watch her?" She almost pleaded. "She's really not much trouble." Nina sighed, dealing with children was not her strong point, however, if it was to help a friend, she would do it.

"Fine."

"Perfect! I owe you one. Just come back here at sunset and I'll make sure you have everything you'll need. Thank you." She gave Nina a quick hug before turning to her brother in law. "After I get my things ready I'll be on my way, I'll report back with a messenger hawk once I know the situation."

That night, Nina arrived back at Mito's home when the sun was halfway down the horizon and was quickly ushered in by an anxious Uzumaki.

"I've prepared dinner for the both of you already, all you need to do is keep her entertained until she falls asleep. For tomorrow she can just look around the kitchen and see what she wants, my son should be back by this time tomorrow, he knows that you're taking care of Tsunade and sends his thanks." Mito stopped to take a breath. "I should be going now, Tsunade is just in the other room. Thanks again!" And with that she was out the door. A sound from behind her prompted her to turn around. A small blonde girl, maybe three years old, peaked out from behind the doorway between the kitchen and the living room.

"Are you Miss Nina?" She asked tentatively. Nina put on the kindest expression she could manage.

"Yes, and you are Tsunade?" The young girl nodded. "Well, your grandmother asked me to keep you company for a while, is that ok?" Another nod from the girl.

"Granny Mito said you were nice." Tsunade swung her legs at the dinner table, gripping a fork in her right hand. Nina set some plates down on the low-set table, the child eyeing each one as they were put down. She immediately took a forkful of karaage before Nina could even place a bowl in front of her, shoving into her mouth and giving a satisfied smile. "Granny Mito's food is the best!" She said, shifting her attention to the soup next to her. She continued to ramble on about this and that while she ate, Nina occasionally humming to show she was listening.

After dinner, Nina took to washing the plates that had been finished and placing those that had not into the fridge. Tsunade had been running around from the kitchen to the living room, urging Nina to play with her. When the older woman had finished washing and storing away the dishes, she finally gave in and let herself be pulled towards the adjourning room. There was a corner filled with boxes that held various dolls, books, and oddly shaped toys, Nina wasn't too familiar with what children were playing with these days.

"Look!" A book was shoved into her face. Upon closer inspection, she saw it was a picture book about none other than Hashirama. "It's about jiji! Tou-san said he was really awesome!" The blonde grinned at the cover of the book, a cartoon version her of grandfather.

"Your father was right." Nina found the child's energy very entertaining.

"You knew jiji?" Tsunade asked excitedly, eyes shining in wonder. "He was really awesome!" She repeated with a giggle. Nina stared down at the girl, wondering how someone could ever be so happy. Her thought was cut short by a knock at the door. Startled, she turned to look in its direction.

"Who is it?" Tsunade chimed curiously, getting up and running to the door. Nina quickly caught her and pulled her back, telling her to stay there. She stood and walked towards the door, cracking it open slightly. She pulled the handle back some more upon seeing who it was.

"What?" Nina asked impatiently.

"I'm here to see my grandniece." Tobirama said, casually brushing past her.

"Something you needed to attend to, huh?" Nina mocked his previous words, closing the door behind her.

"It appears my business has concluded early." He retorted with ease, earning an eye roll from the woman.

"Tobi-jii-san!" Tsunade ran towards Tobirama when she saw him enter the house. He knelt down and greeted her warmly, Nina observed from the side, amused. "Nina-san, can Tobi-jii-san play with us?" Tsunade asked, practically radiating excitement.

"Of course." She answered simply, following the girl as she dragged the man into the living room, giggling all the while. Tsunade quickly wore out the two adults who simply could not keep up with her energy. Eventually, the blonde nodded off while Tobirama read her a story. He silently closed the book and set it aside, making sure not to wake the child. When she was sure Tsunade was fully asleep, Nina stood and gently scooped up the girl, bringing her to her room. Gently closing the door behind her, she stepped back into the living room, settling herself an armchair.

"You're good with kids." Tobirama commented, Nina scoffed at this.

"I was about to say the same thing." She stated with an exasperated sigh.

"Get some sleep." He said, standing up and walking towards the door. "I'll be back sometime tomorrow."

"Hm. Busy, aren't you?" She asked sarcastically. There was only a 'tch' in response before the front door clicked close. Nina let out another breath, deciding that she should get at least a few hours of sleep before having to deal with the child's unlimited energy again, so she closed her eyes, leaned her head on the side of the armchair and soon drifted to sleep.

Nina seemed to be in a forest. The trees around her rustled back and forth yet made no sound, the river next to her rushed past yet she could not hear its movement. There was no sound at all. The forest was dead.

It seemed to be nighttime, she looked up but there was no moon, there was however, something in the sky. An odd, multicolored orb that was much bigger than the moon. The object was swirled with greens and blues.

She wandered around the forest, trying to find someone or something that could explain what this place was, the entire area seemed so foreign. Something peaked over the tips of the trees; it looked like the roof of a house. Hoping to find some answers, Nina continued towards what must have been a town, meaning to ask someone about this place.

What she saw was more than off putting.

Not a town, but a huge city of houses and buildings lay before her. The structures were all made of pale wood planks and seemed to be an odd variation of the traditional Japanese home. This would have been a nice scene had it not been for the fact that the place was completely abandoned. Some parts of houses had rotted away, the roads overtaken by dust and debris. Walking though the ghost town, she passed at particular house with its door missing, glancing inside, she saw the remnants of a people long gone.

What was it about this place that was so familiar?

"Heeeeeey!" A high voice jerked her from her sleep. Turning her head, Nina saw that it was Tsunade, it must have been a few hours past sunrise. She silently scolded herself for sleeping in so late, those all-nighters she's been pulling lately had taken their toll. "I'm huuungry." The girl complained.

"You didn't find anything in the kitchen?" Nina asked, standing up and stretching her legs. Tsunade shook her head. "What would you like?" She asked while striding into the kitchen and glancing through each cabinet, observing what she had to work with.

"Miso soup!" Came the enthusiastic response. Nina certainly wasn't too fond of cooking nor was she especially talented at doing so, but miso soup had been the dish she lived off of for a good century when she had just began to live in this world. In other words, she wasn't too bad at making this particular dish.

"Granny Mito's is better." Tsunade stated bluntly upon tasting the soup. Nina chuckled, 'Still not good enough.' She thought to herself.

After another day with the peppy Senju left Nina drained by dinnertime.

"Your father should be back soon." She said while watching the child was scarfing down a bowl of rice. At this, the front door squeaked open and a man stepped in. Nina could definitely see some resemblance to Hashirama.

"Hello Nina-san, I'm more than grateful that you have taken time from your schedule to take care of my daughter, I apologize for my mother's absence, I'm sure you know she has important business to attend to." The man bowed slightly, Nina returned the gesture.

"It's no trouble, I'm glad I could help her out." She replied. "I should be on my way now, take care."

As she walked away from the Senju compound, she began thinking; Mito was already a grandmother and Tobirama had a grandniece. Both of them have lived such short lives compared to herself.

'Yet what do I have?' She pondered for a long minute, then chuckled at the answer that came to mind.

'I guess I have time.'