"Talking"

'Thinking'

Attack names

"Summons/Bijuu Talking"

Just a few days before the Nine-tails attack on the village.

Jiraiya and Minato were walking down the street in Konoha. "Man Minato you must be so excited about finally becoming a father!" Jiraiya slaps his pupil on his back. "Thanks Sensei. So just where are you taking me? Hopefully not to do any of your 'research'. Cause as you know Kushina will have my head as well as yours if you attempt that again." Minato says as he lightly shudders at the thought.

A perverted grin flashes across his face. "Hmm...research...not a bad idea! But no I figured we should go out and have a celebratory drink before I head out again tomorrow morning. Also I have a friend of mine I want to introduce you to." He loses the perverted grin in favour of a normal smile. They walk a little further down the road before coming to a stop at a tavern. "This place looks good." Jiraiya leads the way in and they quickly take a seat in a booth closer to the back of the room.

They sit down and get comfortable. They order a couple of drinks as well as some snacks. "So Jiraiya-sensei? We've spent all this time talking about my future. But how about yours? Have you tried asking Lady Tsunade out yet?" Jiraiya was in the middle of a drink when he starts to cough at that last question. "You know very well she won't have anything to do with me. But that's alright. Not every man out there will achieve that kinda of happiness." He solemnly replies.

They sit in silence for a few moments, suddenly an unfamiliar voice interrupts them. "Oh is that really the case Jiraiya-san?" Both of them look up to see a red haired man about Minatos height standing beside their table. Jiraiya laughs a little at his sudden arrival. "Minato this is the friend I mentioned earlier. His name is Kura..." The stranger interrupts him. "Please just call me Suichi. Isn't that right...Jiraiya-san?"

Sulking a little as he moves to the side allowing their guest to sit down. "Geez I don't know why you don't like being called that. I mean it is your name isn't it?" Minato looks from one to the other in a confused manner. "Oh I guess this is a little confusing isn't it?" Kurama asks the spiky haired blond man sitting across from him. Nodding a little. "Ya you could say that. But if I had to guess...I'd say it was your nickname that your not too proud of?"

"Well...not quite but enough about that. Jiraiya-san was telling me earlier that one of his best pupils was about to be a father. I assume its you?" Kurama asks politely. Letting out a big grin Minato happily replies, "Yep sure am! Not only that...I'm also the Fourth Hokage!"

Smiling back. "Well I guess congratulations are in order. Also Jiraiya-san? I was wondering why did you call me out here today?" He places his elbows on the table and rests his chin upon his hands before turning his head. "Knowing you I'm sure its not just to meet your student and current leader of the village.." Kurama looks directly at Jiraiya with a calculating look on his face.

Jiraiya lets out a low groan. "Ugh...I have no idea how you always seem to know when on a guy has hidden motives. But ya the reason is that since I won't be around when Minatos kid is due...I was kinda hoping you could help out? With your knowledge of plants and herbs it could really help Kushina during the childbirth."

Both Kurama and Minato go silent as they take in what was just said. "But in return I can do whatever it takes to track down that elusive friend of yours."

The red haired man quickly stands up. "You know where Hiei is?" Both Minato and Jiraiya are startled by his sudden movement. "Umm...Sorry about that. Now Jiraiya-san...if they would have me I'd be willing to help out. However...I will just help in preparing the herbs to suppress her pains and make it easier. I will not be the one to deliver the baby though! Its not my place to do so." Kurama slowly sits down.

Jiraiya looks towards his student. "I hope you don't have a problem with this? I assure you that I've never seen anyone else come close to matching Tsunade when it comes to healing. However if I dare say so...Suichi-san here surpasses her when it comes to herbal remedies." As he says this he points his thumb in Kuramas direction.

"Huh? Your seriously that skilled as a medical ninja?" Minato was in awe since there was no one he knew or heard of that was as good as Tsunade.

"While I am somewhat skilled in healing...I'm no ninja...as Jiraiya-san knows full well. However...when it comes to combat. I'll admit I'm no slouch." Kurama glares at Jiraiya as he says this. "I will also ask you to carefully watch what you say Jiraiya-san, since you know about 'that' secret of mine."

Gulping a little before saying anything. "Ya sorry about that Suichi-san...So Minato, will you let him help you and Kushina out?" He then leans over close to Minato and quietly adds. "He is already aware of her...situation...however he found out about it I'll never know. But he is does seem to be quite trustworthy."

Minato looks from one to the other as he lets this sink in. "Alright...however we have to let Sarutobi-sama know about this as well."

Jiraiya places a hand on Kuramas shoulder as he gets up. "Don't worry I'll go let him know right now. I'll see you guys and Kushina later on." He places some money on the table before he departs.

"Well Minato-san. Why don't we get going besides...I have something to show you that I know you will find interesting. Afterwards lets meet this Third Hokage of yours."

XxX

Later on in the evening.

An emergency council meeting was underway. However the only people attending this special meeting were Jiraiya, Minato, Kushina, Hiruzen the previous Hokage, Danzo as well as the two councilmen.

Jiraiya stands before the group. "I assure you that Suichi Minamino can be trusted. His skills are-"

Danzo quickly interrupts. "His skills aren't known by anyone here but you. How can we trust that he won't just release the seal and let the Nine-tails loose! He simply cannot be trusted! Also...just how does he know that its sealed within Kushina?" The two councilmen nod in agreement.

Hiruzen stays silent as the councillors bicker before he silences them. "Please calm yourselves...now Jiraiya. I've known you for quite sometime as we all know. So I know I can normally trust your judgement..however Danzo does have a good point. How can we know that he's trustworthy? The only way is to have him come here and allow us to ask him ourselves."

A voice from someone else is heard. "Bring me in? But I've been standing behind you all for quite sometime." Everyone quickly turns around and notice Kurama standing there before them with a rose in his hand. "I'm sorry for interrupting, however since this conversation involves me I figured I should make myself known." He smiles at all the astonished faces before him.

Danzo get up and points at him. "Just how on earth did you get in here? And why is it that we couldn't we sense your presence?"

Kurama chuckles to himself for a moment before replying. "I can tell that your probably thinking that I'm a shinobi. But I assure you that I am not. Jiraiya-san? If I recall you told me that there was a ninja in the village who was skilled in both reading someones thoughts as well as knowing if they're lying right? If possible could you bring him here? It would be a way to reassure everyone here that I am indeed truthful." Jiraiya nods as he turns to leave. "Ya sure thing Suichi-san."

Hiruzen quickly stops him. "Jiraiya. If you could, would you mind bringing both Shikaku Nara as well as Inochi Yamanaka here? I'm sure their skills would be a great asset in this discussion." Jiraiya nods as he quickly heads out to collect the two shinobi. Once Jiraiya leaves, Hiruzen turns to Kurama. He motions to a seat across the table from them. "Have a seat...Suichi-san was it?"

Flashing Minato a sly smile. "Well if you insist I take a seat then...sure. However if its alright with you, I'd like to make my own." Kurama reaches into his pocket and reveals...a seed. Looks of puzzlement and confusion cover the faces of everyone in the room other than Minato, Kushina and of course Kurama. Danzo glares at the redhead. "So...you intend to sit on a seed. By all means. Lets see now comfortable that is." His expression changes to one of mocking.

The seed in Kuramas hand begins to glow, and moments later he lightly tosses the seed to the ground behind him. He continues to watch the elders as the seed miraculously begins to change. It splits open and the plant within begins to rapidly grow into a large armchair made of roses and thick leaves. The legs were riddled with thorns that penetrate the ground beneath it giving it a solid foundation. "There that should be good enough." He then proceeds to sit in said chair. And makes eye contact with Danzo. "So...there I've shown you how I sit on a seed...however I personally prefer to sit on this version of it. What no reaction? Heh heh heh how disappointing."

Everyone watched with amazement at the sight before them. "Just...just how can this be? How could someone other than the First Hokage be able to use wood style jutsu!" Hiruzen exclaims. Minato stands up as he chuckles a little. "Hiruzen-sama? I was just as surprised as you when Suichi-san first showed me his power. However...he said he doesn't actually know any jutsu which I agree is quite hard to believe. He did also say that he would be willing to explain how its possible to myself and the rest of the council."

Before anyone else could ask or say anything more. "While its true I did agree to explain about my abilities, as well as to assist Minato-sama and Kushina-san here with the childbirth. I do have one condition...And that is that I need assistance in finding a friend of mine, a condition to which Jiraiya-san already agreed to." Kurama informs them all. "But what I have to say I know that none of you will ever believe me without some means of proving what I say is true. So...lets just wait for them to...ah they're here." Just as Kurama finishes speaking the doors behind him open wide as Jiraiya and two others enter the room.

"So...you couldn't just wait patiently...you just had to show off didn't you Suichi-san?" A smug grin spreads across Jiraiyas face. "Naturally." The redhead quickly replies without turning around.

Minato proceeds to inform both Shikaku and Inochi about the situation, up to and including Kushinas secret. "So I just have to read this guys mind and see if he's telling the truth? Easy enough." Inochi sits across from Kurama and places a hand upon his forehead. Just as he's preparing the technique Kurama quickly interrupts him. "I have no problem with what you have to do, however I will give you a word of warning. Don't dive too deeply into my mind. I'm sure you'll understand just as soon as you begin." With a quick nod Inochi closes his eyes and begins.

Moments after he starts he ends his technique and backs a short distance away. "You...your not quite human are you?" Kurama replies with a grim nod. "Yes I'm not human...at least not entirely, however my parents were indeed human. But rest assured, I mean you all no harm. I merely wish to find my friend and find a way back home. But can we continue with the truth detecting? It is getting quite late."

Inochi nods before he returns to his previous spot. He moves one hand onto Kuramas forehead and resumes his previous technique.

After a couple hours of interrogation the council finds that he is indeed trustworthy and agrees to him with providing the herbs to assist in the childbirth...however he had to agree to be watched at all times during his stay in Konoha.

"Well you know where I'll be staying so come and get me when the time comes." Kurama gives them a quick bow as he walks away.

Minato pulls his beloved Kushina close. "Well that went better than I thought it would. At least we shouldn't have any problems when its time for Naruto to be born. Now lets get you home." He picks up Kushina and using his teleportation jutsu he takes them home.