And so begins my first story. Technically, I wrote this years ago, but when I finally fought it out from the Den of the Dustbunnies I thought I could still work with it. So, changing a little of the plot to fit more with canon I hope you enjoy this. XD
No pairings as of yet, but feel free to let me know if you'd like any. I'll take anything under consideration.
The streets were crowded. So crowded that it was hard to tell when one person ended and another began. The people of both Tani and Konoha rejoiced in the happiness that made the village itself glow and buzz with life. While the people in the streets drank their fill, gossiping among their neighbors, and generally having a good time; the heart of the party was within Konoha Hospital. Inside of a delivery room sat a woman, covered with a fine sheen of sweat from the 28 hours of labor she had been through, cradling a small bundle of pink. The fluffy blanket almost swallowed the small body within, but the heavyset man sitting at her side leaned forward to coo at the baby, large finger pushing aside the blanket so that the tiny hands could grab it.
"You did a wonderful job, Hiroko-chan." The woman, Hiroko, smiled a smile so filled with exhaustion, but at the same time seemed to glow with a sense of pride and happiness. "She's so beautiful. Come closer Kushina-chan and let me see your Naruto." The redheaded woman stood at the door, half supported by her husband.
With a little bit of unsteady shuffling, Kushina sat on the bed with her long-time friend, leaning forward so that the small tuft of blond swathed in blue blankets could be seen. Light blue eyes blinked up at Hiroko owlishly, a tiny hand reaching up to tug on a lock of her white hair. Minato chuckled, flashing his infamous grin at his predecessor, "Aren't they amazing, Jiji?"
For once not smoking his pipe, the former Hokage nodded with a broad smile, the scene reminding him of when his own children had been born.
"A fateful day, to have both the son of the Hokage and the daughter of the Kitsune and Tsubasa clan be born so close together." In a lower voice he added, "I'd watch out if I were you, Minato-kun. Your wife might take that as a sign to do some early matchmaking."
Minato choked on his laughter even while Kushina glared a hole in his face. Ignoring her idiot of a husband she turned back to Hiroko and grinned, "Looks like your little girl is going to be inheriting your hair, Hiroko-chan, but her eyes look more like Ginjiro's. What do you plan on naming her?"
Hiroko looked to Ginjiro and the bear of a man crossed his arms over his chest, even as the chair creaked underneath him. "My clan has a tradition of naming our children after our aura colors. As I expected, due to her lineage she has a different colored aura. She'll be the first in clan history to be named as such. From today on, she is Tsubasa Seiran."
"A fine name, dear. Seiran. It feels like it's meant to be." Hiroko cooed, poking the tip of the newly named Seiran's nose, only for the cherubic face to screw up as if preparing for a sneeze.
"You've birthed a fine kit, imouto."
The low voice came from the corner of the room; burning red eyes fixed themselves onto the pink bundle. "Akei. So you've decided to grace us with your presence after all."
Ignoring the obvious barb at his late entry, Kyuubi stepped from the shadows of the windowsill and held out his arms for his sister to place Seiran. Hiroko gently handed over her daughter, Kyuubi cradling the precious bundle in his arms as if she would shatter at the slightest squeeze. Walking over to the window, the demon lord angled Seiran so that she could peer out the glass. "As one of your homes, this will one day be a place you will protect. The people here are your nakama. Do well to remember that, kit."
The room was silent until Naruto began to cry. Kushina rocked him a little, excusing herself and dragging Minato out with her with a hissed, "Leave them to some family time, baka!"Sarutobi followed the two, closing the door behind him with a nod to the occupants inside. "Enjoy your first night as a family."
A soft click and they were alone. Hiroko was quiet, analyzing her brother as he stared out the window. She had lived with her brother for many years, she knew him inside and out. Something was bothering him. Did it have to do with why he came so late?
"Ginjiro, help me up." Knowing that even if he argued that she would rest, he knew that look in her eyes. If he refused, she would just do it herself. Fixing an arm behind her, Ginjiro easily lifted her up and set her onto the floor, acting as her crutch as she slowly made her way over to the demon lord.
"Akei, there is something bothering you. Won't you share it." Kyuubi disliked that tone. That tone she used whenever she wanted to know something and would pester until she got it out of you.
"It's nothing to be alarmed about, just some probable trespassers on our territory." And some brutal murders of our kinsmen. But he couldn't tell her that, not on a day like this.
"You're keeping something from me. What is it."
"Again, it's nothing. A few cocky ninja that think they can sneak past us. Nothing we can't handle."
"…"
"We'll track them down before they can reach the gates."
"…"
"Imouto, enough with the staring."
"…"
"I have nothing more to say to you." Turning his gaze away from his thin-lipped sister, he instead stared out the window and had to force himself to not display the sudden dread that enveloped him.
As calmly as he could he handed his niece back to Hiroko and looked over his shoulder, red eyes locking onto Ginjiro's own gray eyes.
"I'm depending on you to protect her now. She's a mother now. The mother protects the kit, and the husband protects his mate. Don't let me down." Silent words were exchanged between them, vows between men that would only be broken by death. When he was satisfied by the obvious answer, Kyuubi gave a curt nod and vanished. The only sign he had been there was the fading steam that his breath left on this window. And into the approaching sunset, darkness began to fall and atop the Hokage Mountain a figure in black stood. An orange mask sitting on his face with only a single eyehole carved into the wood.
Even while the last of the fog faded from the window, Kyuubi appeared behind this man.
"So you've found me. I wouldn't expect any less of the great Kyuubi no Kitsune."
The man turned slowly until Kyuubi could see his masked face and his own expression turned grim as a single red eye stared at him, three comma marks spinning almost lazily.
"Uchiha Madara. Normally I'd welcome you back, but under the circumstances I sure the formalities can be skipped."
Goal Number 1 - Create a successful cliffhanger. *looks at ending* I think I'll need to work on that some more. However, here it is, The Beginning Arc and how this all came to be. Reviews are appreciated and I hope you stick around for Chapter 2!
Japanese used in this Chapter:
Tani - River
Konoha - Leaf
Hiroko - Prosperous Child
Jiji - Old Man
Hokage - Fire Shadow
Ginjiro - Silver
Tsubasa - Wing
Seiran - Indigo Blue
Imouto -Younger Sister
Akei - Elder Brother
Kyuubi - Nine-Tails
Nakama - Family
Baka - Idiot
Hope that helped ^^
Chaux signing out!