13 years before kyuubi attack
-I will never again be able to look at snow after this mission.- That was main course of Namikaze Minato's thoughts for last two days. He, his fiancée Uzumaki Kuishina along with Hyuga Hiashi and Uchiha Fugaku were sent on a mission to Koori no kuni. As Hokage-sama said there was recent fuss with their ninja village and he wanted to know what's exacly happening there. But there was no reason for sending 4 jounins to reckon mission. But hokage thought otherwise, and orders are orders, as his sensei used to say. He let small sigh when he though about how his team was taking this. Kuishina only asked how cold is in Koori. Her homeland, Uzu no kuni was located on several islands east from Kirigakure. Along with hot ocean current it made he homeland nearly tropical paradise, so cold climate of Koori wasn't her most desired place to go on a mission.
Hiashi just stood there, impossible to read.
Only Fugaku, as always, made fuss about the mission. Reckon meant minimum fighting, and with no fighting his sharingan couldn't copy more techniques to add them to his family library. Of course he didn't say this. He only muttered several words about jounins having more important things to do than going and checking the rumors. It had taken much effort from blond jounin not to hit the young Uchiha hier, when he heard how he spoken to hokage.
-It's late. Let's find a spot for a camp. It wont make any good if we become four shinobi flavor ice creams- He said with a small grin. Not waiting rest he started heading to nearby forest.
On the next day early afternoon they finally reached Koorigakure. Kuishina was more then pleased to finally have an opportunity for a bath in village's hot springs. Not that her teammates weren't relieved to finally get out of snowstorm, but even combined it was still like candle compared with Gokakyu no jutsu. But what she saw caused blood to freeze in her veins. The whole village was deserted. Several roofs collapsed under weight of snow. When they came closer they noticed sharp ice spikes piercing through stone walls of several buildings. One of those spikes pierced not only the wall but also stomach of young woman. Her hands still were clutching on ice blade. She died incredibly painful death. Her face was still screwed up, immortalized by thin layer of ice.
Going further between buildings, they found more bodies. Some bearing deep cuts, some suffering with chakra burns. A number of them partially eaten by animals. Hiashi's byakugan also haven't found anyone alive who could tell them what happened. There was only one thing they could do now.
Burying the bodies took them rest of the day. Buy there was one body they couldn't touch. In one of the smaller buildings on the side of village they found body of a young woman with black hair, dressed in blue kimono decorated with snowflakes, placed inside something that could only be coffin formed of ice. It took them a moment before they noticed hundreds of ice flowers covering walls and celling.
-Its beautiful here.- Kuishina whispered as she and Hiashi approached the coffin. For some reason this place forced them to keep silence.
-She's similar to you Uzumaki-san – Said Hiashi. He tried to sound like this place didn't have any impact on him but even famous Hyuga cold demeanour couldn't bear such calamity. Even if this place in the contrary to rest of the village excuded tranquility.
-If not for her hair we could pass for sisters. Someone tried to give her proper funeral but he, or she, was too unskilled or too weak. -
-Someone weak couldn't get this coffin here. It looks heavy, and look. It does not melt under my touch.- He replied as he withdrew his hand and activated his bloodline limit. -There is great amount of chakra flowing in this thing. Someone strong had to create this.-
-That person made a great effort to protect her body. I think we should leave it here. - Hiashi could only nod in agreement.
Koorigakure hot springs were probably one of best on continent comparable with Hot Spring's village and fortunately for Kuishina village bathhouse was one of the buildings that suffered least. It still was in good shape in you don't count several holes in walls. She didn't have any scruples when she seized most of it for herself. She always enjoyed hot baths and in this circumstances it was even better than usual. Tension slowly leaked out of her, like a sun which slowly slid under the horizon, when suddenly she heard silent sound of breaking icicle. She opened her eyes fully expecting to see her boyfriend.
-If it is any of you three, you're screwed.-
Instead she saw young boy, no older then 3 or 4 years, with shoulder long messy red hair, fair skin and green eyes, dressed in grey cloak full of holes and dark blue jacket that she could see trough them. Before she could say anything boy squealed an jumped out of hole in the wall.
-Wait!- Shouted big redhead. Several seconds later her teammates banged into the room, only to find naked kunoichi standing from the hot spring. Situation lasted for several seconds before women reacted in only proper way. Very painful for her rest of her team.
Next thing that 3 males saw (not counting many bright stars) was red face of their female teammate. They could not say it was from embarrassment or anger. But they could certainly hear concern in her voice.
-OK you three. If you are awake we've got something to do Moment before your rude intrusion I've seen a boy. Red hair, worn out grey cloak. We have to find him.- She said as she turned away and run between the buildings.
-You heard her. Scatter and search everything. - Ordered Minato fallowing her.
Fugaku was furious. First he was sent on the end of the world to do some unimportant mission. Then he got cold in dis damn blizzard. And now he was being ordered by this damn women to look for some insignificant child that probably was her own imagination. But this idiot believed her so now he was stacked in a search party. It took him nearly two hors to find footprints in snow, at the back of the house with ice coffin.
-Hiashi-san! Come here! I've found something! - He shouted as he fallowed the trail. It was faint, but for his enchanted eyes it was clear like fire in dead of night. Soon he hears faint sound of crumpling snow, and only second later he saw the boy running over the corner of the building into alley no more then 20 feet away of him. He quicken his steps. But he got there only to find it empty, with footprints disappearing on the dead center of dead ended nook.
Not far away from him Hiashi saw something that he couldn't believe. He saw the boy quickly dissolving. He could still see his chakra but his body disappeared.
-Did you find something?- Question came from nearby roof.
-Yes. That way. But I doubt you find the boy. Only my byakugan can see him now.-
-What are you talking about.-
-I'm not sure but boy seem to have an ability to dissolve. He already got out of Fugaku's grasp.-
-Show me where he is.- She said.
-That boy is good- Fugaku had to admit. Running out of grasp of 4 jounins for good quarter of an hour was no small feat. At least not for 3 years-old. Buy this time boy was too tired when he run into the building.
-Show yourself! There's no point in hiding!- And he truly meant that, as he fallowed the sound of breaths. He found his prey curled in the corner of concrete enclosure of something that could only be a garden. At least some time ago.
-I'm tired of this. Who you are!?- He demanded only to get high squeal.
-Answer before I lost patience.- He said reaching toward the boy.
-Back off.- Demanded Kuishina, as she appeared next to him.
-Why should I listen to you. You're not out team captain.-
-But I am. And I also want you to back off. - said Minato as his head appeared over the edge of the roof of the building.
-So small one. Who are you? Where are your parents? I am Uzumaki Kuishina and this blondie is Namikaze Minato, my boyfriend. - Asked redhead kunoichi, with concerned voice, as she knelled several feet away of the boy. But he only squealed again, and hid his face behind his hand.
-Get him something to eat. He must be starving. - She demanded. And moment later Hiashi returned with pieces of bread, cheese and cup of hot tea.
-Here. You should eat something.- She said with hands extended toward the boy.
She only got loud sniff and quick terrified peek. One by one her team left the site leaving them alone. It was nearly morning before child reached for some food from her hand.
-We should find what we can about the boy!- Shouted angry woman.
-We completed our mission. Take the boy or leave him, but we are going back!- Replied equally angry Fugaku.
-Kuishina-sam. Fugaku-san has a point. We should head back before hokage-sama send next team to find us.-
-Kuishina-chan. We don't have enough food to stay here. We have to go back.-
They argued nearly whole morning before redhead kunoichi admitted her defeat, and now all 5 were heading toward their home. New member of their team riding on the back of Minato, fallowed closely by Kuishina. Their teammates not to far in front of them. Women watched boy closely as was turning back every minute or two looking at his old home, with concern plastered on his face.
Next morning.
Namikaze Minato was currently in the pleasant state between deep sleep and being awake. So he wasn't pleased when he felt someone shaking him. Slowly he opened his eyes to find heavy black shoe on his arm. Shoe was the beginning of long leg he'd recognize anywhere, anytime.
-Where is he?- That was first thing that he heard from his fiancée. -You said you'll keep taps on him.-
-That child is making more of a burden then he is worth. I say that if he want to stay there leave him there.- Said Fugaku rolling his sleeping bag, but couldn't end this sentence before his face connected with fist of a very angry kunoichi.
-Say something like this one more time and you'll never have your own children.-
-Now you understand why I don't have a girlfriend?- Asked Hiashi whispering.
-Because they are horrifying when they are mad?- Asked Minato in the same tone. Hiashi didn't even have to answer.
It didn't take them long to find his footprints heading in the opposite direction then they were heading. They found him 5 minutes later. He was too small to know how to use chakra to keep himself from drowning into snow.
-Probably he run away with this dissolvement thing.-She guessed as she tapped boys shoulder. - You are completely wet. You need to change clothes before you get sick.- Boy turned his had for a moment before resuming his march.
-Okaa-san- He replied. In first moment she thought he is calling her his mother. But quickly she realized that he want to see his mom. But she couldn't let the boy die there. And he would certainly, if she let him go. He started to cry when she had taken him in arms, and she couldn't help this, so she cradled him in her arms until he was too tired to cry and fell asleep.
-As I see, you come here not only with report from a mission.- Said Hokage when Mianto and Kuishina came inside his office.
-Sarutobi-jiji. Koori was completely whipped out. There was no one left alive excluding the boy. Most of the victims were killed by ice spikes, probably from some kind of ice ninjutsu. Some were wearing signs of charka burns. We think that it happened about 2 to 3 weeks before we got there as many bodies were already, partially eaten by animals. Those in warmer places were starting to decay.- he replied
-What will happen with the Itami-kun?- She said tightening her hug over the child.
-Itami?- Minato asked.
-He told me yesterday evening.-
-I will arrange him a spot in the orphanage.- Replied Sarutobi – For now, we can give some genin a mission to get him new clothes.
Kuishina didn't like waking up early. So sun was already high on the sky when she opened one of her eyes to confirm it was already a day. Her sight slided from the window to the young men next to her, and then redhead sleeping in between them. She gave man light peck in a cheek, leaned to kiss boy's head and closed eye heading back into sleep. She stayed like this for several minutes before her eyes opened suddenly. She reached to wake up her boyfriend.
-Yes Honey?-He asked
-You said you checked door and windows before going to bed.-
-Mhmm- He replied nestling himself more comfortably.
-Minato-kun, open your eyes.-
-Yes?- He asked after several seconds of struggling with his eyes.
-And look here.- She said as she put her hand on boys head.
-...It's Itami.- He replied and closed his eyes again. But it took him considerably less time to register the fact. - Do you think I should check them once again?-
She nodded. He didn't find anything.
Itami woke up about half an hour later, and soon he found himself cross-examination. But it haven't taken too much time for two adults understood that they don't get any answers from redhead. So they done only thing that they could. Prepared breakfast, supposing that soon it will become completely normal to do it along quiet boy.
-So, you found our small fugitive.- Hokage greeted two redheads as they com to his office. - Yuka-san, was here this morning to tell me he disappeared.-
-Yes, Sarutobi-sama. He came to us last night. Or maybe I should say he broken in our home.- Bigger redhead said with slight smile and smaller just bowed his head and tightened grip on bigger hand.
-Am I the only one who doubts he stay in the orphanage.-
-No. I doubt he will stay with anyone in this village except me.-
-So you're willing to take care of him.-
Day of Kyuubi attack
-You've got a son sensei- Said 11 year old chunin as soon as he came into office
-How are they?-
-Your son is ok, but as for Kuishina-nee-san..-
-What happened with Kuishina?- Asked the blond hokage with more than a slight worry in his voice
-I seriously doubt she will make it.- Answered Itami lowing his head. -Doctors are doing what they can but I know enough to tell she's dying.-
-I knew from the beginning I won't be here for him. But this is too much. He will lose both his parents before even meeting them.-
-So you're planning to use that technique.-
-Perceptive as always. Sometimes I hate you for this.- Hokage shook his head. - We're going. I will need you to keep Kyuubi from killing me as I perform the sealing.-
-If she'll ever find out even death won't be enough save you from nee-san wrath-
-Joking in the time like this. Sometimes I wonder if anything can disconcert you.- said yondaime hokage before disappearing from his office.
-Even if he was greatest ninja ever born he was too idealistic- Jiraya said bitterly.-If we tell people that Kyuubi is sealed inside him they...- he was to disgusted to continue.
-...will, at best, kill him.- Finished redhead chunin, standing next to him, with emotionless tone. Both of his interlocutors were amazed how much thiner he become in only several hours. And he was on battlefield for only couple of minutes.
-At best?! It doesn't matter to you what happen to your good doer son? What kind of human are you?- Jiraya asked.
-There are things far worse than death. And it does matter. Sensei and nee-chan saved me so I have to save their son, but brooding won't help us- Came a reply in the same emotionless tone
-He has some point Jiraya. But still, Minato's wish was that Naruto will be threated like a hero. I can't just ignore this.- Hokage said
-Indeed. But I prefer not fulfilling sensei's wish in favor of his son's happiness.- Said Itami in response.
-You know that if he stays in village I can protect him. His father was detested in Iwa. When they find out Naruto is Minato's son they will hunt for him.-
-If they find out. We are only people that know sensei is Naruto's father. I made sure that he will be given his mother surname. Everywhere he is registered as Uzumaki Naruto.-
-You can't deny him his glorious heritage. - Said Hokage with sign of anger in his voice.
-We will rise him far away from the village. I have a student. I can ask her to take care of Naruto and teach him everything that is needed to be known to become shinobi. He will come back here in 12 years to become konohagakure genin. When he reach jounin rank you, sensei, or your successor will tell him everything.-Jiraya decided to put in.
-Why not to ask Tsunade?-
-I doubt she will listen to us. You remember that her brother and lover died in sake of this village. We will be lucky if she will only yell at us-
-So who is this student?-
-You remember sensei when I told you about three children we met in Ame? Konan can take care of him. I believe she is more than enough skilled to teach him.-
-We will have to tell her about Kyuubi. And what about raising him.- Redhead asked
-Have some faith brat- Itami started to reply, but it was moment when Naruto started to cry. So he had no choice but to take care of him.
Two weeks later in Tanzaku Gai
Itami dug the heels in going with Jiraya. He couldn't believe that old pervert will be good caretaker for Naruto, and he didn't conceal with that what irritated Jiraya to no end. But it also had some good sides. Thanks to him Jiraya could go and cultivate his favorite hobby. He was currently hiding in bushes, giggling like a madman.
-Oh yessss. Now ...-
The next second bushes were cut into tiny pieces leaving only stumps. Pervert could not help it, he had to scream. He jumped back landing on his butt and turned his head right only to see another shuriken going straight between his eyes. Screaming again he dodged the missile, stood up and shouted in the direction from witch missiles come.
-You can come out Konan.-
-It's been a long time sensei. It's good to see you didn't rusted. - From behind his back came a reply spoken in soft, velvet voice. Jjiraya felt heebie-jeebies traveling down his spine. She certainly got better since he saw her last time. Not to mention she also look better then 15 year old girl he remembered. She had long, silky, blue hair with inherent origami rose in it covering her left eye. Too bad she covered her body with long black cloak with high collar.
-Beautiful as always. Haw are Nagato and Yahiko?-
-Well enough. But I doubt you asked me to meet you here to talk about old times.-
-Unfortunately you're right. I want to ask you a favor.-
-If it's for being role model in one of this perverted trash you call books then answer is no. Even Yahiko thinks you should return to your old style.-
-No, no. I'm being serious. I need your help.- Said Jiraya rising his hands in negation. -Look. I need you to take care of certain child. He can't stay in Konoha. He certainly can't be raised by civilians. And, for sure, he can't stay with me.-
-Why he can't stay in village?-
Jiraya replied in whispering to her ear- Because he is container for Kyuubi. - He saw slight twitch of her brow, which was, for perfectly self-controlled woman, counterpart of screaming.
-As you can see he is in mortal danger if anyone find out.- He added louder. -You're the only person I know that can rise and protect him, not arousing suspicion in the same time.-
-This child must be very important for you. -
-He is son of Konohagakure no sato shinobi. He is family.- He replied and waited for her answer.
Couple minutes later she said -Very well sensei.- She said with a small sigh- I will take the kid. But you owe me.-