Author's note: 1. I do not own Masashi Kishimoto's characters, neither Louise Bujold's ideas. You know that.

2. Review! It will help me improve my story in a way you would like. If there is one single person, who wants me to continue writing my story, I'll do it for him. But please review so that I know!

3. I do not write this story only for entertainment. I do it to improve my English, which isn't my native language, so forgive me, if I made a grammar or another mistake. Or even better, show it to me. I'll be glad to accept any correction you make.

Chapter 1

This place had no limits. It was a forest, at least in this part, and in the distance hills could be seen, preceding high mountains with snow caps. Judging by the newly blossomed flowers it was early spring. In the air was the smell of freshness, as it had just rained. It was, practically, beautiful like Heaven.

Which it was, by the way. A Lady with a blue dress, long curly brown hair suddenly appeared in sight, walking slowly among the trees, occasionally kneeling down to touch or smell a flower. Despite the often contacts between the muddy ground and the dress, it didn't get dirty; actually there was not even one spot of dirt on it. This was because of the fact that She was a goddess, the Daughter of the spring.

Her divine origin explained the second thing a casual witness would notice—she was really beautiful. So beautiful and radiant in fact, that no one except another god would be able to look directly at her face. Her eyes were shining with piercing white light; nothing and no one would be able to withstand that gaze.

Suddenly She stood up. Another tall figure was approaching, this time a man. He was as handsome as His Sister, with his straight red hair and equipment for hunting, the human activity he patronized.

He nodded slowly at Her.

"How is she?"

She tilted her head. "She is fine, as always. What about him?"

"As energetic as he has ever been." A soft smile was dancing on his lips. A hint for long and warm autumn days could be sensed in his expression.

"The Bastard's chosen one, however, betrayed his God's trust," she remarked, meeting his gaze.

The Son sighed.

"I know. But what dissuaded him will not affect them."

The expression of content returned to the Lady's face.

"They shall know pretty soon." And with that her eyes looked into another direction, through mists and barriers, to another world. Then in her hand a bright sphere appeared, and in that sphere, a woman with long black hair was watching shyly a man, at the same age, who was talking to someone out of sight.

"There she is"said the Daughter lovingly, as a mother would say to a favourite child. "Uzumaki Kushina-san."

"And there is mine" He nodded. "Namikaze Minato"

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Autumn was just starting and the leaves of the trees hadn't turned brown yet. A nice, sunny day, one of the last for this year, had tempted all the Konoha citizens leave their homes and walk under the sun. Shinobi weren't resting too, and the training grounds were full of enthusiastic young ninja, who were fighting each other, or developing their abilities in other ways.

The Fourth Hokage of the village hidden in the leaves, was standing still, watching the youth of his town. This was the newly opened training ground number three, which was opened only five months ago, exactly when he took the post of guardian and leader of Konoha. Now it was widely used to explain the basic rules of a ninja to youngsters, who had just started their career or were tested for one last time, before given the status of a Genin, just graduated from the Academy.

The warm sun kept his troubles away, at least for now, as he was watching with a smile of pride three thirteen-year-old children, who were fighting each other. His students, Kakashi, Obito and Rin were especially gifted in many ways, but most of all their fighting and analytic skills made them leaders among their fellow students. Kakashi was currently winning the fight, and Obito was already out. Minato sighed.

"Obito, try and use your hands more. You stand there like a puppet and you only help others win by doing the most predictable actions that are suited only for academy students, not for Chuunin like yourself."

Obito looked ashamed and lowered his eyes. "I'm sorry, sensei."

"Then do your best next time."

He looked away from him to the crowd of parents that had gathered to watch their children's progress. A woman caught his sight and smiled, blushing lightly. He smiled warmly in return.

That didn't remain unnoticed by Obito.

"You like her, sensei, don't you?" he asked with a mischievous smile on his face. Minato looked back at him, trying to look more severe.

"You go there and don't return, until you defeat Kakashi!" he ordered.

Obito frowned, but didn't protest. He disappeared again into the fighting crowd.

As soon as he was gone, the Hokage made his way through the crowd of parents to the woman he had smiled to a moment ago, Uzumaki Kushina.

"Hi" he greeted her.

"Hello, Hokage-sama" she answered more formally.

Back at where the children were fighting, Obito looked back at his teacher, smirked and raised his thumbs up. Minato decided to ignore that.

"Your students are doing really well, Hokage-sama." she said.

"Oh, um, thanks" he said, not knowing what else to reply. "Yours should be around here too, I suppose."

"Yes, over there" and she pointed at three children, a black haired girl, deflecting the attacks of two boys, one of whom had a dog on his shoulder, the other wore sunglasses and a jacket that covered his neck. They watched them fight for a while in silence.

"They are pretty good, too" noted the Hokage, impressed.

"Thank you." He liked when she smiled. She did it often, and something in her happy face made him smile too.

It was about time he plucked up the courage to ask her out on a date.

"Soo... urm... what are you doing tonight?" he finally said. Suddenly he panicked. What if she says no? I'll look like a complete fool. Her face darkened. Oh, no she really is going to turn me down!

"Sorry, but I have an arrangement already. Maybe some other day?" she suggested, hoping she hadn't offended him deeply.

"Oh, well, I can only do it today. It's... I have duties." he answered, and suddenly wondered why he hadn't agreed with her proposal. She doesn't want to go out with me anyway.

"Ah. I see. Well then, don't let me take more of your time." So he didn't really mean it.

And they parted briefly and formally. He walked to his students, who had already finished training, deep in thought, while Obito was boasting loudly.

"Sensei, did you see me? I almost beat Kakashi in his own game!"

"Sheer luck," snored the thirteen-year old boy next to him, who had his face covered by a mask. His silver hair resembled his father's colour and hairstyle, from whom he had probably taken the attitude too.

"Yeah, yeah," answered absent-mindedly Minato.

Unsure with whom was the Hokage agreeing, Obito looked suspiciously at his teacher.

"You all did great today" he added, sensing the boy's hesitation. "Now, who's for some treat at the ramen restaurant?"

Obito shouted excitedly and even Kakashi stopped frowning at the thought of food. But Minato wasn't sharing their joy. All that was in his head right now was one single thought. I should have accepted Kushina's offer.

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"The demon fox has found its way to Earth" said the Daughter. There were four other Gods, who had gathered around her and were now listening. "In the period of crisis for the shinobi countries, even greater chaos is about to threaten Konoha.

"In order to prevent that, both of the Earthlings must sacrifice their lives," said the Son.

"Chaos is defeated only by Order," said another figure, grey and cold; it was the Father, god of winter.

The white god, master of demons and Chaos, spoke. "My servant has disobeyed me. How are you sure the courage of yours will not abandon them in the face of the sacrifice they have to make?"

"We shall touch them very soon. The channel their free human will will open shall be as a result of that same fear that made your servant disobey. They both have chosen their path a long time ago, and they cannot change it."

"Only despair can hurt them now," added the fourth figure, dressed in green; the Mother, goddess of summer.