Summary: Rather than Kushina going to Konoha, Minato goes to Uzushio, a village still standing strong... but for how much longer? Focuses mostly on Naruto's childhood in Uzushiogakure.

I'm not even sure myself where I'm going with this, but the majority of Naruto's early childhood will probably be told through Minato's POV.

Pairings: MinaKushi, maybe others. Focuses mostly on Naruto's childhood in Uzushiogakure with his parents and the rest of his clan to raise him.

Warning: I completely messed up the Naruto Universe. You're welcome.

Don't Look Back

Prologue: The Blond Uzumaki of Uzushio

''Ok guys, let's do this one more time.'' Minato called out to the group of young academy students. He turned his back to them and started the kata. ''Right. Left.'' The kids copied his punches and cried out with determination with each hit. ''Knee. Block. Right. Left. Turn and kick.'' He continued on until the end of the series and turned to his students once again. ''Excellent! We'll have some free sparring for the rest of the class, how about that?'' The young students cheered in excitement and instantly got into their usual pairs. Minato made a few shadow clones and walked around the training field to give some feedback to the students.

''Wait, Shindo-kun. Do that again for me, will you?''

''Sure!'' The kid said and did his moves again. ''Like this?''

''Almost. It's pretty good, but when you punch, you stand a little too straight.'' Minato went into a fighting stance. ''See how I'm bending my knees a little? And notice how my other arm is ready to protect the left side of my ribs. Like this, it's harder to hit me back. I'll have a quicker defence response if my body is ready.'' The 9 year old nodded vigorously and tried again. The two boys did their little sparring moves again and, indeed, Shindo was much quicker to respond.

''Was that good, Minato-Sensei?''

''Very.'' Minato grinned and ruffled the child's short brown hair. Class was over before long. Minato let a heavy sigh once the kids were gone. This was going to be a lot of work.

''Already tired of teaching, Minato-Sensei?'' A teasing voice interrupted his thoughts. Minato smiled slightly and turned to the redhead.

''Hey, Risa-san.'' He greeted politely. ''I'm not tired of it. I like it more than I thought actually. I'm happy I can share my skills with so many young students. Plus, I get to stay in the village instead of going on mission, so I definitely won't miss my son's birth.'' He grinned widely at that. To be honest, staying around his wife and future child had been the main reason he decided to take on the teaching position. If possible, he intended on keeping the post for about two years. He'd only started a month ago, and he kind of missed being active already, but he definitely enjoyed his job as a teacher too.

''Right, Kushina's due pretty soon.'' Risa smiled; she was a distant cousin but was only a little younger than Kushina. The two of them had been very close as children.

''Yup, on the tenth.'' Minato confirmed, grin still wide.

''A nice teaching job, a pregnant wife... why the sigh, then?''

Minato hesitated; he didn't want to upset his co-worker, but it's not like he hadn't had that debate before.

''I'm just a little discouraged. They are almost two years behind in taijutsu, compared to Konoha students of the same grade level.'' The Uzumaki raised an unimpressed brow at that. It did not surprise Minato; Uzumaki Risa was the fuinjutsu teacher of the village's ninja academy. She was probably the worst person to talk to about his thoughts on Uzushio's curriculum.

''Even adult, full-fledge Konoha ninjas rarely study fuinjutsu, much less the academy students. You're an exception, Minato-san. I'm willing to admit taijutsu isn't our strength, but our fuinjutsu more than makes up for it. You know our village's reputation.'' She definitely sounded smug. Minato had to keep himself from snorting.

''It's not only taijutsu though; they're also behind in ninjutsu.'' Minato was teaching grade 4 taijutsu and weapons, as well as grade 6 and 7 ninjutsu, so he knew what he was talking about. ''But taijutsu is important because when you no longer have any chakra, you can still defend yourself.'' Back in Konoha, students finished learning all their Katas in grade 2. Yet here, he still had to go through some of them.

''No more chakra? That rarely happens to us, as you know. And isn't it better to be very strong in one of the arts, rather than being average in everything?'' Minato pursed his together, trying not to let his annoyance get the better of him. He needed to stay polite.

''True, Uzumakis have immense chakra reserves, but the other clans of the village aren't as gifted. Some of my students can get chakra exhaustion pretty quickly after using seals. That's when they can rely on their taijutsu. And let's not mention all the circumstances in which ninjas are unable to use their chakra at all. If you met a Hyuuga in battle, for example-'' Risa was well acquainted with the Hyuuga clan of Konoha, but she was not any less convinced and promptly interrupted the blond.

''-Their 'Gentle Fist' stands no chance against even the weakest of our seal masters, but I don't expect an outsider to fully understand the true strength of our village.'' Minato frowned at that. He must have pushed the Uzumaki's buttons too much because he usually didn't get rude comments like that. Uzumakis and their short tempers.

''I suppose not.'' He replied, keeping his tone neutral. ''Kushina's probably waiting for me now. I'll see you tomorrow.''

OoOoO

The sight of his beautiful pregnant wife was all it took to make Minato forget about his argument with Risa. The two lovers decided to eat out that night. Minato had ramen of course, and smiled almost goofily at the little fishcakes in his bowl. He took one with his chopsticks and showed it to his wife, who chuckled in turn. He preferred his own village's Ichiraku Ramen, but he didn't dare mention it to his wife. The Red Hot Habanero was very much enamoured with her Sumo Ramen. After their delicious dinner, the two lovebirds walked together around the village, hand in hand. It was early October, but the weather was still fairly warm for the season and the days still long enough to allow comfortable walks around the busy streets. Even after almost three years in the village, Minato wasn't any less impressed with the village's architecture as he was the first time he arrived. He had fallen in love instantly with the village. And soon after, he had fallen in love with Uzumaki Kushina.

It seemed like yesterday when the young Jounin had come under the Lord Third's special recommendation to go and study seals in the 'Village of Longevity'. The village was an oddly shaped island surrounded by several large turbulent rivers that met to form giant whirlpools. They served as natural defences. The village was only easily accessible through the four large bridges at each cardinal extremities of the island. The village was still expending, but since they were on an island, they were forced to adopt a completely different approach for their architecture. While you could still find the older, traditional wooden-based buildings scattered around, most constructions were getting higher and higher. They were built with large flat stones, but light in both colour and weight. It was awe-inspiring, if you asked Minato. The people of Uzushio were known to be rather rough and proud people. They did not hesitate to plaster their village's symbol everywhere in the village: on large memorial stones, on tall decorative pillars, on banners scattered about everywhere. Minato didn't blame them, though. They had the right to be proud of the legacy they had built.

Minato and Kushina soon reached their favourite park near one of the borders of the village. It was there that they had their first date. They sat on a bench, not so far from the rivers. If you listened carefully, you could hear the strong flow of the waters. Minato pulled Kushina close to him to allow her to rest her head on his shoulder. He gently put his other hand on her stomach. He could feel his little Naruto moving around. Minato smiled fondly. He couldn't wait to see the little redhead. Because he could only be a redhead, right? He remembered when that subject came up at the beginning of Kushina's pregnancy. Kushina had made a similar comment and Minato had innocently replied 'What if he's blond?' Kushina had looked at him as if he had just affirmed that pigs could fly. It had been a little awkward, but even Minato couldn't deny the facts. There was not a single person with Uzumaki blood who didn't have red hair, especially those who were closer to the main branch family like Kushina and weren't mixed with other clans as much. Not that Minato actually cared about something as trivial as hair colour.

The clan name Naruto would receive hadn't been an issue either. They were here, in Uzushio, and Minato was an orphan who definitely did not belong to any important family. He actually had been the first one to suggest it. Kushina hadn't because she was afraid she would offend Minato, but he was, in fact, honoured and proud that his son would bear the Uzumaki name. His little boy would grow up with an entire clan to support and love him and teach all sorts of interesting things. He would belong to something greater than himself, unlike Minato. He was more than happy to give to his son what he couldn't have. Though, thinking back on his day at the academy, he would make sure his son would receive a more balanced training.

''What's making you smile like that, hm?'' Kushina asked teasingly, looking up at him.

''Naru-chan, of course.'' He grinned. Kushina chuckled and looked down at her stomach. ''How are you feeling? Did the seal give you any trouble today?'' Minato asked worriedly. The seal was the only downside of the pregnancy. The seal was becoming increasingly fragile and that had some nasty side effects on Kushina.

''It's mostly the nightmares at night, you know? That damn fox wants to get out. Well I won't let him! I had that strange ominous vibration again earlier, but I'm used to it by now. So don't worry, okay?'' Minato stroke his wife's hair. He hoped the delivery would go well...

OoOoO

Barely a few days later, Minato was pleasantly surprised by the arrival of his old sensei, Jiraiya, and his student, Kakashi, who had decided to make an appearance for Naruto's birth.

That night, when the ninth day of October had just turned into the tenth, Minato was woken by a frantic and excited Kushina who had just broke her waters. The four of them, as well as several Uzumaki clan members, moved to a large hospital room which had been prepared specifically for Kushina's delivery. The Uzumakis' greatest seal masters were present and several demonic chakra suppressing seals were plastered on the walls. It was the first time a Kyuubi Jinchuuriki was giving birth; Uzumaki Mito, the very first Jinchuriki, had sealed the demon after she had given birth to hers and Lord First's children. The Uzumaki clan wanted to take no risks. All necessary measures had been taken to keep the Bijuu at bay as well as to keep both mother and child safe. Minato held his wife's had tightly.

''Hang in there, Kushina!'' He said nervously. He had never seen his lover in so much pain. ''A-are you sure she's alright? And Naruto? And the seal? Is something-''

''Calm down, boy.'' Nadeko, Kushina's mother, said. She looked rather amused to see Minato like this. The blond was usually so calm and collected. ''Everything is under control.'' Kushina was half-panting, half growling in pain. She was literally crushing Minato's hand in hers.

''I'll make you pay for putting me through this.'' She hissed at her husband, who looked behind him toward his sensei and student, silently begging for help. Said two Leaf nins had retreated to a corner of the room, much too overwhelmed by all that was happening.

''I've never seen Kushina-chan looking so scary... and that's saying something.'' Kakashi whispered hastily to Jiraiya, sweating cold in fear. Jiraiya nodded vigorously.

''Seriously, check out all those seals. Those Uzumakis are crazy! It looks more like a satanic ritual than the birth of a child.'' He whispered back.

''Got something to say, perverted old man?'' Nadeko barked over to the two ninjas.

''No-no! Of course not!'' Jiraiya laughed nervously. He should have thought twice before trying to spy on one of Uzushio's public bathes. He had been caught by none other than Kushina's mother. He's been on her bad side since then.

''The seal is weakening again!'' Nanami, Kushina's older sister, cried out urgently. The air suddenly became heavy and serious again. The Fuin masters doubled their chakra input.

''Don't falter, comrades.'' The clan leader himself was overseeing the birth. Their efforts had stayed unshaken for the last 11 hours and now more than ever, as the child was to come any minute, was not the time to get distracted or tired.

''I- I can see his head!'' The clan's doctor cried out. Minato and Kushina looked at each other, beyond thrilled. However, their joy turned to fear with the next statement. ''Wait. How... strange.'' Reading through Kushina's mind, Miinato nodded to her in reassurance before letting go of her hand. 'I got this, don't worry' was the unspoken message. He quickly went to the doctor and nurse; everyone's eyes were on him.

''Stay focused.'' The clan leader reminded the sealers, who brought their attention back to their jutsus.

Minato arrived just as Naruto completely made his way out, crying loud and clear. Minato's insecurities disappeared instantly. Instead, a proud, triumphant smile drew itself on his features. He could feel his eyes water from the all the emotions he was experiencing.

''Incredible...'' The nursed muttered.

''What? What?! What's happening? Is my baby boy okay? I can't see a damn thing, you know! Minato, has he got all his fingers?'' Kushina was beside herself. She was tired, hormonal, and she wasn't sure she liked what she was hearing from the medical staff. Only Minato's goofy smile kept her from completely losing it.

''Our son is beautiful, Kushina!'' Minato exclaimed. His voice was shaky with emotions. He quickly cut the umbilical cord, as instructed by the nurse. He did not leave her side as she moved to the little basin right beside her so she could wash the little baby. She quickly wrapped Naruto in a fluffy cover and handed him over to his father.

The little that was left of Minato's restraint left as soon as his son was in his arms. He let the tears fall freely and landed his very first kiss on a soft scarred cheek.

''I want to see him too, you know!'' Kashina meant to sound firm, but she, too, was overwhelmed by her emotions and joy. Minato laughed an awkward teary laugh before moving over to his wife.

''Meet your mommy, Naruto.'' Minato whispered to the bawling baby. He lowered his arms so she could see him properly. Her breath caught as she saw him. Then, her expression melted into a wide smile, tears threatening to fall.

''Our son was bound to be special.'' She chuckled, taking the baby into her arms. Minato could only nod in agreement.

The hard part was over; the baby was healthy and the seal stayed intact. The seal masters could finally relax. All clan members, as well as Jiraiya and Kakashi, gathered around the new parents, curious to see the baby and what made him so special.

They met Naruto, the very first blond Uzumaki.