Musume no Fūin (むすめ の フイン術)
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prologue
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"Uzumaki-chan, please sit! We have amazing news for you!"
Sugoi, she thought. Her eyes never strayed from the line of photos in her hands. The muffled black and white blobs entranced her.
She really couldn't get her mind off of this. Her thoughts didn't stray. The hand absent-mindedly rubbed her swollen belly didn't stop either.
"Twins," she whispered, "two... Not one, two!"
She was right. The blobs in the pictures showed babies. Two tiny figures that continued to grow and grow in her swollen belly. It was amazing. She was greatful for one, she was okay with having one baby. Jinchūriki women were lucky to even have any. It was a secret, but women who were made as vessels to a Bijū were advised not to bare children for the sake of the seal or seals that held the beast. The seal weakens during labor and if the Bijū escapes, it would inadvertently kill the mother and, if the mother hasn't birthed the child yet, the baby.
If the Jinchūriki woman chose to have a baby, she's most likely bound to having one. The strain of labor and trying to keep the Bijū at bay would kill her chances at having another. Though, for Uzumaki women who were Jinchūrikis, they can have more than one. Their sought after longevity allows them to bounce back, allowing them to survive the extraction of a Bijū. The Kyūbi no Yōko Jinchūriki before her, Uzumaki Mito, had at least two or maybe three children. Her children were years apart, about 7 to 10 to be exact. No one wanted to risk her or the baby's lives, any information being let out, or a mishap in the birthing process.
She was so happy to have two at the same time! Her children didn't need to be years apart, and be estranged because she needed to be safe. They can be the best of friends! Her babies, no matter what, will have each other.
"Oi!" She exclaimed. Her hands clapped against both sides of her stomach in surprise and some pain.
"Kushina?"
Oh. It was Minato. And the babies just kicked.
Hm. Babies.
...
"Minato!"
She jumped from her seat on their shared couch and into his arms. His shocked expression forced giggles from her.
"Kushina! You're caring for two now, and we're going into the third trimester soon! We don't want anything to happen to you and Baby-chan!" Minato's eyes widened, his tanned cheeks blushing despite the serious atmosphere he gave off.
Kushina's smile never lessened. Her grip tightened on her lover's biceps. She bounced on her toes while she waited for Minato to notice her opposite mood.
"Ano, why are you so happy?"
Her eyes watered and her cheeks began to hurt. She just couldn't believe it! She really couldn't believe it! Twins.
"I'm caring for three. Baby-chan number one and Baby-chan number two."
The blond Hokage gaped. His mouth falling open and closed periodically. He couldn't help but hold Kushina close. Hold her close, close to him. Close to his heart. He wanted to hold his family. To hold his wife and his children close.
"Kami," he gasped.
"Minato? Daijōbu?"
His head had fallen into the crook of her neck and behind the curtain of her bright red hair. Was he crying? He wasn't sad, was he? He seemed so happy at the thought of one baby! Maybe... Maybe he didn't want this life anymore?
"Arigatō."
What?
"Kushina, arigatō!" He chanted. The tears in his voice melted her heart and she hugged the father of her children harder, closer.
"Itashimashite, Minato..."
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Minato and I were so happy. It was so cliché, but our lives couldn't have gotten better!
We told everyone closest to us, Minato's Genin team, Minato's Sensei, Sandaime-sama, Biwako-sama, Uchiha Mikoto, Hyūga Hiashi, and of course, my Sensei's Sensei and Genin team! They were so happy for us!
It wasn't a surprise but our Genin decided to plan a surprise baby shower for me. I would like to think it wasn't big, but I know it was. The clan heads and their wives were invited, babies were brought along as well — ironically enough, somehow we all decided to have children at the same time? — Sandaime-sama and his wife were also invited as both the Hokage and his First Lady and as the Sarutobi clan leaders.
"Kushina-chan!" I turned and smiled widely when I saw it was Koharu-obaa-sama.
Seeing her made me think of Sensei and I just wanted to cry. It had been years since Sensei's death but he was everything to me. Sensei was like the Otou-sama I never had.
That's why Utatane Koharu was my Baa-chan.
"Baa-chan, I'm so glad you could make it!"
Her eyes were surrounded with crows feet, her mouth shaped into a small grin that was hardly seen anymore. Her kimono robes were light and airy, as it was summer time. The signature two buns with a senbon and a seal tag hanging from it was still there despite her greying dark hair. It looked like someone sprinkled salt all in it.
"Ah, I'm glad I'm alive to see one of my students give me a great grandchild! Twins! Aha, who would've thought." Her arm wrapped around my shoulder and the other settled on my swollen belly.
Which reminded me that I needed new maternity clothes. This one is getting small. I think I should take over washing clothes again...
"So, Kushina-chan, where's that brooding grandchild of mine?" She smirked.
"He's around. Kakashi-chan's been on guard duty, Baa-sama, ever since..."
"Aye, well then, he should see his Baa-chan once in a while! Kami knows this old retired Kunoichi can't do much of walking!"
I barked a laugh with Koharu-obaa-sama, my eyes watering with tears at how much of a lie that was. Baa-sama may be many years old, but like Sandaime-sama and Biwako-sama, she could still kill a person effectively. Koharu-baa-chan wasn't just some old coot. She trained under the Shodaime, Nidaime, and Konoha's First Lady — the actual first First Lady —themselves. Utatane Koharu is also one of Konoha's few Fūinjutsu Mistresses. I was one, Biwako-sama was another.
"Kushina-sensei! You're so...so big!"
Leave it to my student to be so innocently rude, 'ttebane! You know what, nevermind, Maito Gai was my student.
Gai's eyes shone with curiosity as he crouched near my side and poked my belly. "Yosh! Sensei! Your belly is not soft?!"
That's were Ebisu-chan came in.
My smile grew bigger when I saw him appear from thin air in front of me. Before he started on his explanation of why a woman's belly grew hard during pregnancies he greeted me and bowed to Koharu-obaa-sama.
"Hey Sensei." And last but not least, Shiranui Genma-chan.
Honestly, Genma wasn't bad or anything, he wasn't the leader of the group, but he was laid back and lackadaisical. He was more of an observer. Though if something he didn't like was happening he would pull his team back quick and defend them with everything he had.
Genma is great kid.
The shower started just as everyone arrived. Greetings were given, and especially gifts for the babies.
But, the whole time was spent on cloud nine. I couldn't believe that I was surrounded by so many people who were celebrating my and Minato's children. And I couldn't help but think of Mito-sama and how she told me that love is the key of overcoming the Kyūbi's influences. She was so right!
It started out with Sakumo-sensei, and then my teammate, Kami rest his soul. Sakumo-sensei took me in as his own and he never let me go. When I lost him and my teammate, I felt like I apart of me died with them. I felt like I could succumb to Kyūbi. Then came Hiashi, — my only surviving teammate — Koharu-obaa-sama and Jiraiya-sama and Sandaime-sama. They reminded me of Kakashi-chan who was only five and without both parents. So, I took him in and became his Onee-chan. Jiraiya-sama introduced me to Minato — formally might I add. I'd already known who he was, we were in the same academy class —, and it was back and forth between us. I really hated his meek and shy demeanor. It made me angry and I would be rude to him intentionally to see him fight back. He didn't and it was infuriating.
It was a process. When I was kidnapped by Kumo-nin and he saved me I gave him a chance and it went from there. I got my Genin team and they are a riot... Or at least Gai-chan and Ebisu-chan is. Then, Minato's Genin team became mine too. Besides Genma-chan, Obito-chan, Kami rest his soul, is my favorite. Well, what I'm trying to say is: Mito-sama gave me advice that has followed me around my whole life. I feel her with me when I see my precious people, I see her in the Uzumaki insignia, I see her in the Hokage Moutain, in Minato, in Hiashi, in Koharu-sama, in Biwako-sama... And I think: I want to see her in my babies. But, to myself, I hope to see her in my daughter more. I just know that I'll have a little girl in my arms soon, 'ttebane!
"Kushina-chan? Is something wrong? Are you hurting?" Minato kneeled in front of me. His bright blue eyes wide in fear and worry.
My laugh escaped me. I bent over to hug Minato as much as I could and apologized for my laughter and my tears. I say, "No, everything's perfect Minato... I was just thinking of a name if one of the twins is a girl."
Minato's grin ate up the sunshine in the sky and I swear he gushed! "What name did you think of?"
I pushed my hair behind my ears and grinned wide.
"I was thinking of the name: Uzumaki-Namikaze Mito."
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"Naruto? You want Naruto, the hero of the story, to be the kid's namesake?"
Minato ran his fingers through his unruly bangs, "Yes Sensei. But, the hero in your book won't be the namesake. You will, Jiraiya-sensei."
"That would make me your kid's godfather."
"Mm."
Jiraiya-sama's expression doubtful. He didn't look up to the challenge of being the godfather of Naruto. Hell, if he was reacting like this then maybe I shouldn't ask Hiashi-nii to be Mito-chan's godfather. I'll just say I did and write his name on her birth certificate. Mikoto-chan wouldn't mind, in fact, she'd accept in a heartbeat 'ttebane!
"Jiraiya-sensei?"
I squeezed Minato's hand assuringly when he started to look disheartened. Jiraiya-sama's frown deepened as he mulled over the news. I wouldn't say he didn't want to be Naruto's godfather. I could see the happiness in his eyes, he was happy for the prospect. I mean why wouldn't he be? This is his student's and his late best friend's student's child they were talking about!
"Jiraiya-sama, this really shouldn't be a shock, 'ttebane. We already planned to make you our firstborn's goddad, so it's better that we got a name out of it too," I smiled, "I was hoping you could be Mito's Ojii-chan, too, dattebane, in place of Sakumo-sensei. Minato and I want you there in the twins' life, and especially there for the birth."
Throughout me speaking, I could see flashes of guilt, pain, sadness, happiness, pride in Jiraiya-sama's eyes. We didn't want him leaving and being away for so long. Minato and I wanted Jiraiya-sama there for the first few years. At least to see the big milestones, their first steps, first birthday, first training, first kunai, everything! I'd like to think that Sensei would've wanted Jiraiya-sama to watch his grandchildren for him.
"...I'd be honored to, Minato, Kushina-chan. Though for the record if your boy hates the name, I'm blaming it all on you two."
Minato chuckled sheepishly while I scoffed.
"Please, Naruto is the best boy name ever, 'ttebane!"
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Kami, how did everything go so wrong?
I wanted to just stop and pause the world.
Why was this happening?
Why did it have to turn out this way? I mean of course we need the precautions set just in case if Minato couldn't hold the seal and the strain of labor drained me more than we thought it would and let the Kyūbi escape. But... But this.
My face scrunched up in sorrow and my hands balled into fists. I buried my face into between my arms and let the tears fall.
You have to get it together Kushina. Naruto, Mito, and Minato needs you!
With my lower lip clutched between my teeth, I sat on my knees with a look that swore vengeance.
The world around me moved on even if it felt like time slowed down. And I knew I couldn't dwell. Minato had dealt with the Masked Bastard who ruined everything.
Gamabunta-sama distracted Kyūbi long enough for me to chain him down. The Adamantine chains pulled from my back, diving into the floor and created a perimeter barrier large and wide enough to block Minato, Kyūbi and I from the Shinobi forces.
Somehow, I could hear the panicked yells from my Genin team and from my Otouto and Hiashi-nii-chan. Did they know what was happening? How could they know?
When the chains reached the end it jerked back hard enough for me to lurch. My body was already straining itself, the labor, the extraction, and now the use of chakra was killing me. "Kushina!"
Minato was never one to not notice my distress. He cupped my cheeks in his hands smearing the blood falling from my lips on his palm.
Why was I getting so poetic? I remember Sakumo-sensei saying that some people get poetic when they're dying? Maybe it's true, 'ttebane. I miss Sensei.
"-Shina! Daijobu desu ka?"
"'M fine, Mina." I pushed his hands away. "Summon Naruto and Mito."
"Right, this needs to be done."
"Kuchiyose no Jutsu!" Minato bellowed, slamming his palm onto the floor.
As Naruto and Mito were summoned into existence, I summoned the small altar for the sealing. It didn't take me much energy to get so emotional. For some reason I knew the twins' wouldn't be without a disaster. I only hoped for it to go well, it was hope that didn't let me drown in self-guilt.
Minato picked up the babies set them into their shared crib.
Coughs racked my body and the Adamantine chains protruding from my back seized. "Minato...hurry."
His hands flew through the many seals needed to summon Shinigami-sama, whom would do the sealing of the Kyūbi's soul himself.
"Shiki Fuujin!"
My body relaxed and Shinigami-sama appeared, his arms extending to great lengths. The ghostly looking arm grasped the soul of the large Bijū and pulled without any difficulty. He generated his short knife between his teeth and pulled it from its holding place. Tears fell from my eyes as the Yin side of the Kyūbi was sealed into my baby girl.
Minato winced deeply, Mito's stomach now showing through the burned shirt along with the Shiki Fuujin simmering on her stomach.
Mito's wails lit my fury at the Teme who ruined everything. My eyes burned at the simmering Shiki Fuujin, and I knew she was to endure more in just a few minutes.
How dare he? How dare he come into the best moment of my life, take people who mean the most to me, and leave without his dominant arm? And I wondered...
What was on that man's conscience when he did this? What was he thinking? And why me? Why us?
"Naze!" I screamed.
"Naze! Naze! Naze!" I murmured, my throat closing with more tears and I looked up with bleary eyes at the man who gave me the world. I could see his eyes burn with unshed tears.
He looked ready to say something, to say anything.
Kyūbi's large clawed hand rose up and I sobbed.
And everything slowed down again.
I knew we were going to die.
Minato's choked breath bathed the back of my neck and I screamed. It was louder than I screamed when I pushed Naruto out. Louder than I screamed when I pushed Mito out. Louder than the Kyūbi's roar. My scream pierced many ears, bypassing the barrier I created. My hands gripped the Bijū's sharp claw and I felt my skin cut because of how hard I gripped.
Minato dug his heels into the ground and I followed behind him with a vengeance. I panicked when I couldn't get my footing. Kyūbi's hand continued to get closer to the altar that held the twins and I gasped a choked sobbed. "Stop!" and someone finally decided to listen to me.
Minato and my heels were deep into the ground. My feet bloomed in pain along with my abdomen that the amazingly large claw occupied. Our efforts worked, and our mixed blood dripped onto the Twins' chest. All I could here was the ever present growling from Kyūbi. During the desperate attempt to save the Twins, my chakra chains tightened around the Bijū and the barrier stopped flickering dangerously.
"...hah, Kushina... I-I wanted you... to be there for them."
I know, I know I shouldn't have jumped in the way. I shouldn't have let my emotions take over. It was all my fault. But... my children were in danger. They needed me for the first time in their life and I was there.
But, you won't be there anymore. Uzumaki perks won't save you now Kushina...
"Gomen... Minato... but th-they needed me." I cried.
Everything blurred as I spoke the last words I would ever tell my babies, as Minato mentions that some of our chakra will be engraved into the babies seals so we'll see them again. Time blurred when Minato quipped on my speech. And I focused on Minato's chakra as it breezed by.
"Hakke no Fuuin Shiki!"