Summary: On the day the Kyūbi attacked Konoha, Minato had lost two of his most precious people. Then, years later, when his old sensei came back with a mysterious young girl with him, he felt his shattered hopes coming back together. But there's more to her than meets the eye.
~CHAPTER 1~
Soft shafts of morning sunlight illuminated the forest. Pieces of blue sky could be seen through the boughs of the tall pines. Two people, a man and a young girl, walked the same small path between the trees.
The man has waist-length, spiky white hair that he usually ties back into a pony tail, with two shoulder-length bangs framing his face. There were red lines under his eyes which extended further down his face, going all the way to the bottom. His attire consisted of a green short shirt kimono and matching pants, under which he wore mesh armor that is visible at his wrists and ankles. He also wore hand guards, a black belt, traditional Japanese wooden sandals, and a red haori with two yellow circles on each side. He also wore a horned forehead protector with the kanji for "oil", keeping his bangs out of his face.
In his hand is a notebook which held all of his...research...while making sure his young charge doesn't get to it after the couple of times she had threatened to burn it. Though, in case, he had extras in his backpack.
His young charge, on the other hand, hummed a small tune as she lightly twirled her wagasa. Her waist-long red hair with blond ends tied into two loose ponytails like a certain gambling-loving Sannin swayed lightly with her skips. Her Hikizuri didn't hinder her movements, even as the ends trailed behind her. Underneath that is a black turtleneck shirt and shorts - her battle garment, in case she needs to move around more than needed. She also wore strappy black sandals that went up to her mid-calf with one-inch heels. Surprisingly, she doesn't carry any luggage with her; Only the wagasa in hand and the clothes on her back.
She came to a stop as they neared the village gate, her bright-blue eyes with hints of violet stared at the symbol on the gate, still not believing they're finally here. She took a deep breath and exhaled it out to calm herself, but her trembling hands spoke better volumes.
She jumped when a big hand rested on her head. Turning to her sensei, she gave a small smile, making her whisker-like birthmarks more prominent.
"Try to relax. You'll feel much better that way." He said. "And besides, he's not one to judge that easily."
Doubt still gripped her but she nodded nonetheless as they entered the gates. Jiraiya moved to the side to give their names to the guards. Normally, he wouldn't even bother with the gates at all, let alone the guards, but since he was bringing an unknown person into the village, it was best to follow the protocol. He also wanted his young charge to have time to take in the village, since she was born here after all.
Noticing the redhead's awed expression, the guard with the bandage over his nose, Kotetsu he remembered, chuckled. "First time, huh?" he asked.
Jiraiya nodded. "We are heading to the Hokage's office now."
The guard then looked over the young girl who was hiding slightly behind the Toad Sannin, hands gripping tightly onto her wagasa. He raised a brow; one wouldn't think twice on thinking the wagasa is harmless but seeing they are in a ninja village...
"Going to apply to become a ninja?" Seeing the big man's nod, the guard continued. "Well, I'm sure anyone you see fit to nominate will have no problem with that at all."
The other guard, Izumo was it?, was still watching the young girl who in turn stared back, but he looked more thoughtful. "What's her name again?" he asked.
"Uzumaki Noriko," the first guard replied.
"…Alright." The second guard said as he wrote down her name. "Well, I wish you good luck, Noriko-chan."
The girl blinked before bowing in gratitude and followed after her sensei. The two guards watched them go before Izumo turned to Kotetsu, "You thinking what I'm thinking?"
Kotetsu rolled his eyes, "Even a half-brained idiot can tell the similarities. I'm more concerned if the Hokage would take it kindly... You know how it is when it comes to his family."
Izumo nodded with downcast eyes. He knew of the devastation that had befell Konoha all those years ago but none had it badly than their Hokage who had lost his entire family, his whole world, during the attack.
"Well, Jiraiya-sama is with her so... maybe there's hope?"
"Let's just wish it is..."
Jiraiya kept one eye on his student as they headed into the village. Noriko, while keeping close to him, was glancing all around her, wide-eyed, mouth slightly open, taking everything in. The Toad Sannin didn't miss the surprised glances and double-takes his student was getting from some of the citizens, especially the ninja that seemed to be everywhere here.
It doesn't surprise him though, Noriko did take after her mother in all but personality. Which, thank kami for that, relieved him since he's still scared of the Red-Hot Habanero.
As they neared the Tower, Noriko's eyes came to rest on the great stone faces carved into the bluff behind the village. She tugged onto Jiraiya's sleeve before turning towards the stone faces.
"That, my dear, is the Hokage Monument I told you about." Jiraiya said, chuckling when his young charge's eyes sparkled. Though her gaze lingered the longest on the last one; the image of the Fourth, and current, Hokage.
Soon enough, they reached the wide front doors to the Hokage Tower. The guards waved Jiraiya through with a bow, though they did a double-take when they saw Noriko who had lingered behind to close her wagasa. He entered and proceeded up the stairs, Noriko at his heels.
"Ah, Jiraiya-sama!" The lady by the desk counter called when she caught sight of the tall man coming up the stairs. "Yondaime-sama is expecting you. You can leave your pack here; it will be taken to your room." Her gaze slid to Noriko, who was looking around the place before turning to her, and her eyes widened, but she recovered well. "This must be the student you mentioned. I'll let him know you are here." She turned and entered a hallway opposite the stairs and was soon lost to sight.
Noriko tilted her head before casting a confused glance to Jiraiya. Catching it, he spoke, "Remember how your mother kept saying you looked so much like her?" At the nod, he continued. "Your mother was an excellent Shinobi, alongside your father. They were a force to be reckon, your mother more so."
He shivered as he remembered the unfortunate Shinobi who crossed her in years past. Let it be said that her strength could rival Tsunade's, more so if her precious people were harmed.
Noriko nodded as she fingered the familiar hanging spiral pendant on her wagasa. They turned as they heard the woman coming back.
She gestured to them. "Go right ahead. He's waiting for you," she said with a smile.
"Thank you, my dear," Jiraiya replied with a wink, while Noriko gave a small bow. The woman ignored Jiraiya's flirting (she had been working here for so long that she knows her boss's old sensei's antics) while smiling at the young girl.
Jiraiya sulked at the woman who ignored his flirt before yelping when he felt a not-so gentle pinch to his side. He glared at the girl who feigned ignorance as she smiled innocently back at the woman, who was trying to keep her giggles in.
As they walked down the hall, Jiraiya could easily tell his young charge is nervous to meet the Hokage. I mean, who doesn't?
Though the Hokage was a good man (Kind, caring, compassionate etc), he was only human, and Jiraiya was about to drop one hell of an exploding tag on him. The Toad Sannin could really only guess how he'd react, he hoped his old student would still keep his emotions in control.
Once Jiraiya had decided to bring Noriko to Konoha, he'd tried to prepare the Hokage as best he could without breaking his promise. He'd written letters to his old student describing his new one, dropping any hints he thought he could get away with. It wasn't much, to be honest, but it was something. Hopefully, it was enough.
Taking a deep breath himself, he opened the door. There, sitting with mountains of paperwork on his desk is the Yondaime Hokage.
Despite not meeting for many years, his old student is still as youthful as he was fifteen years ago. The man, who had stopped briefly to see who had walked in, smiled a bright grin.
"Sensei!" he exclaimed as he leap over his desk and hugged the ever living daylights of him. "I am glad to see you. How are you?"
Jiraiya laughed as he returned the hug. "Oh, fine, fine, Minato. You?"
The Hokage was holding him at arm's length now, hands on his shoulders. "I'm well, except for this stupid paperwork," he replied, gesturing behind him, dropping his hands to his sides.
Jiraiya chuckled. "Why do you think I turned down the job?"
Minato laughed at that, but then got down to business. "Well now, sensei, your message said you had someone to introduce to me."
"That's right."
"I have to say, when you said that you have took on a female student. I thought you were joking." Minato said, amused.
Jiraiya huffed, "What can I say? I can be very persuasive. Joking aside, she's an exception."
"So why now?"
"I thought it's time for her to finally see her home village, after all these years."
Minato raised a brow, "Home village? Is your new student from Konoha as well? If so, why haven't I heard about it?"
It's not uncommon for Shinobi to have students from their own home village but even that would spark a lot of gossip, more so if said teacher is a Sannin.
Jiraiya scratched his head, trying the best way to word it, "Technically, she was born here but she was raised somewhere else."
Now Minato was even more confused and intrigued.
"Minato," Jiraiya called him, his face serious. "Before I can get her in here, I need you to listen everything she has to say before you jumped into any conclusion. It may not make sense but trust me."
Minato wanted to ask further but kept quiet. Whenever his sensei gets like this, he knows it's serious. So he nodded.
The Toad Sannin took a deep breath and turned towards the still-opened door, "You can come in now."
Shuffling could be heard but no sign of said student. Jiraiya chuckled, "Come on now, don't be shy. Haven't you been waiting for this moment, Noriko?"
Minato froze when he heard that name. The name that he and his beloved wife had chosen for their newborn daughter that day. The name that belonged to his baby girl who was half his whole world.
More shuffling could be heard and finally, a young girl no older than fifteen appeared at the door, wearing a Hikizuri that is held together by a sash, and a wagasa in hand.
When she caught sight of him, she immediately looked down and skittered towards his sensei before peeking out from behind him. It wasn't much but to him, it was enough; her red and blonde hair, bright-blue eyes, whiskered cheeks. He could see the similarities but most of all, he could see...
"Kushina..."
He didn't realized he had whispered the very name that was given to the woman he had gave his heart to. The woman who had been by his side through thick and thin. The very same woman who had birthed him a beautiful daughter. The same daughter who he thought was dead along with his wife all those years ago could be standing right before him.
"Introduce yourself, Noriko." Jiraiya said as he gently nudged the girl forward.
She nodded as she handed her wagasa to him before turning to Minato with anxious blue eyes (his own blue eyes), "P-Pleasure to m-meet you, H-Hokage-sama."
It took a whole ten seconds for him to notice that she spoke before trying his hardest to remain calm, "Y-Your name is N-Noriko, right?" It certainly didn't help if his voice had cracked. She nodded. "And your f-full name is?"
Half of him wished it was truly her while the other dastard part wished it wasn't.
"I-I was given Kaa-san's maiden name so it's..." She turned to Jiraiya who nodded to her, "...Uzumaki Noriko."
That did it, Minato suddenly became numb as he slumped against his desk. Noriko had made a move to support him but stopped herself. A good move, he though, for he might lash out at her by mistake.
He took a few minutes to regain his control over his emotions before turning to his sensei who had watched all of this with blank eyes, "How certain can you be that she is the one?"
The Sannin smirked and gestured at Noriko who nodded. Out of her sleeves, she took out a letter, "Kaa-san told me to give this to you. She knows that you might not believe me so she wrote this." She held out the letter with shaky hands.
Staring at the letter, it has his name on it along with a hand-drawn spiral. Taking it with calm hands, he opened the letter and almost choked. The handwriting was of Kushina but anyone could have mimic it until he saw the letter itself which, to others, was in some gibberish nonsense but to him, this was a written code that only few people know; namely his sensei, Kushina, Tsunade and him.
It was developed by the redhead as a secret letter code-type of deal when they were still Genin so they could pass information around and even if the enemy do get their hands on it, they wouldn't be able to decipher it.
Minato,
If you're reading this, that means Nori-chan has finally come home to Konoha.
My love, we are not dead if that was what you were thinking. We had been kidnapped. During the Kyūbi attack, Nori-chan and I were taken from Konoha during the chaos and had suffered torture worse than hell, Nori-chan more so. They were planning to use her as a killing machine, Minato! I can't let that happen to our baby girl so I spent every ounce of chakra to escape that hell hole and had managed to run as far as Tea Country. We had hid there for almost four years before we had to move again.
I decided to find Jiraiya-sensei as he's the best possible person to keep Nori-chan safe. I wanted to come home to Konoha, my love, I really do. But I couldn't risked it, for the sake of Nori-chan.
Jiraiya-sensei was kind enough to protect us both but I know that it's almost time's up for me. I had used too much Chakra and the Kyūbi extraction had weakened me close to death, it's a miracle I'm able to survive this long.
Tomorrow, we're heading out to The Land of Hot Water, and from there, we'll be heading home. I'm sorry I couldn't meet you in person, Minato. Not a day had gone by without me thinking of you, wishing you could have seen how much our baby girl has grown. I guarantee she'll grow into a fine woman. And I'll bet she'll be catching every boy's eyes; like mother, like daughter, I suppose.
Promise me, Minato. Promise me you'll keep her safe. Keep her away from that man! That bastard who took us away from you! The one who tried to turn Nori-chan into a living weapon! The one... who almost ruined her life.
With love, Kushina
Minato felt his eyes watered before doing a breathing exercise to keep calm. He looked up to see Noriko (HIS daughter) fidgeting anxiously. He smiled; it reminded him of when Kushina professed her love for him.
He raised a hand towards her but stopped when she flinched. His eyes narrowed; he'll find out whoever was responsible. For now, he has a daughter to tend to.
"Nori." He called. "Nori, look at me." She complied as she timidly raised her eyes to look at him. In them were fear, anxiety and most of all hope. He smiled as he rested a hand on her head. "You've grown so beautifully. You look just like your mother."
Hope blossomed in the young girl's heart as she nodded, "Kaa-san told me the same thing but she also said that it's a good thing I took after you personality-wise."
He chuckled, seeing that's true since, he'll admit, Kushina can be scary when angered. Jiraiya can vouch for that as well, seeing he's one of her many victims of her hot temper. "And it seems you didn't catch on with your mother's verbal tic."
"Actually it did for a short time since Kaa-san stopped me, saying she didn't want that to be passed down the generations." Noriko said sheepishly.
Hearing that, Minato remembered part of Kushina's letter saying about how Noriko would attract boys' attention, which somehow switched on his paternal instincts. No way in Enma are any snot-nosed brats going to touch his baby girl!
Speaking of which...
"Nori, why not you head on to where the lady by the desk downstairs? Tell her that the Hokage had asked you to be sent to your room. I need to speak with sensei for a bit."
The young girl tilted her head before nodding. Taking her wagasa with her, she bowed to the both of them before heading back downstairs. Minato then walked over to the door and closed it before turning to his sensei.
"So what did you want to talk to me about? It's convenient since I need to tell you something." Jiraiya said.
Minato smiled but his smile had a very razor-sharp edge to it, "Oh, we have time to talk about that. I just want to ask you a simple question."
"And that is?" Jiraiya started before flinching when the familiar three-pronged kunai came for his neck.
"May I ask why is my daughter wearing a Hikizuri?"
Around the Hokage tower, the staff jumped when they heard a very girly scream from the Hokage office but none had wanted to investigate. Even the ANBU who were situated in the office had cleverly evacuated, while praying for the Toad Sannin's life.
I recently read an AU!Naruto story so I was tempted to write this one.
Reason why people are surprised and doing double-takes when Noriko and Jiraiya walked through Konoha is because, as it had been said, Noriko is almost a carbon-copy of her mother, Kushina, who was supposedly dead during the Kyūbi attack. So they were trying to confirm that who they were seeing is real and not some figment of imagination.
Besides, if Canon!Naruto looks so much like his father, why not Noriko looks more to her mother?
Now time for some fun facts, some taken straight from Wikipedia:
- A wagasa is a Japanese oil-paper umbrella. Originally from China, it spread across Asia, to Japan, Korea, Vietnam, Malaysia, Myanmar, Bangladesh, India, Sri Lanka, Thailand and Laos.
- A Hikizuri is a type of kimono you don't get to see often unless in Kyoto or Asakusa area of Tokyo. It means "trailing skirt" and the kimono got this name because of its length. This type of kimono is mainly worn by geisha, maiko or stage performers of traditional Japanese dance. Which is why Minato is asking Jiraiya why is Noriko wearing a kimono that ladies from the red-light districts wear.
- Geisha are traditional Japanese female entertainers who act as hostesses. You can technically call them prostitutes since some do practice that but most of them don't. They do flirt with men and playful innuendos; however, clients know that nothing more can be expected. In a social style that is common in Japan, men are amused by the illusion of that which is never to be.