A/N and Into:

This story will be AU with a combination of filling in what I always felt were plot holes and things that were in canon more to add mystery and suspense than actually adding to the story in any other way (hiding for so long that Kakashi, Jiraiya and others knew Naruto's father and were very close yet never interacted with Naruto when he needed them as a kid, the training technique for shadow clones, etc) and my own SuperSpecialAwesome flavor with some what ifs thrown in. I hope you enjoy my story. I only decided to write it because I could not find a story like the one I envision. This story is the type of story that I would want to read and will include romance, hurt, some angst, hopefully some comedy at times and plenty of awesomeness. I do however want to try to stay close to the essence of characters while perhaps putting them through things that may change them.

I'm going ahead and say that this story is MA because there may or may not be some tasty lemons as well as a plethora of bloodshed and (un)healthy amount of bloodshed. I welcome any comments and review. Please enjoy

Disclaimer: I obviously own nothing except some free time and an imagination.

Prologue: Auspicious Conversations

It was a damp early morning that found Jiraiya knocking quietly on Minato and Kushina's door. He knew Minato would hear him and hopefully even if he woke Kushina he wouldn't bother her. Her childhood nickname of the 'red hot habenero' was well deserved. The door opened soon after breaking Jiraiya from his inner thoughts. "Sensei it's so good of you to come on short notice! Come on in" Minato exclaimed upon opening his front door. Jiraiya walked in with a smile on his face at his eager ex-student. "Of course, Minato I can't stay long but I'm happy to come for a quick breakfast. I'd much rather eat before I leave the village here than alone at home or on the road. Is Kushina awake? I'd hate to be too loud and wake the 'red hot habanero.'" Jiraiya said this with an elbow into Minato and a pervy grin. Hey, his student had done well for himself and Jiraiya could appreciate a hot woman!

Before Minato was able to warn Jiraiya a false sweet voice was heard from the kitchen "Oh Jiriya-sama would you like some habanero on your breakfast dattebayo?" Kushina waddled into view brandishing a wooden spoon. Jiraiya quickly hid behind Minato sheepishly. "Why Kushina you look wonderful! That pregnant glow is especially beautiful this morning." Minato chuckled at Jiraiya's antics and walked towards the kitchen instead of letting Jiraiya hide behind him (how such a big man could hide behind him, or how Kushina's temper could momentarily cow even a Sannin Minato would never know). Come Kushina, let's not kill Sensei before he leaves on his mission." With that he lead the two of them to the kitchen table and helped Kushina get as comfortable as her advanced pregnancy would allow.

As Minato began serving the delicious, still hot food Kushina had just made he began "so, Sensei we actually asked you here for a serious reason. As you know we've already asked you to be Naruto's godfather ("even though I know nothing of raising brats" Jiraiya muttered which was met by a glare from Kushina) and we wanted to talk more about that before you leave the village as by the time you get back Naruto will likely already be born." Before Jiraiya could make up an excuse to put off any form of serious conversation Kushina silenced him in a serious tone "You know that childbirth is a dangerous time for a Jinchuriki and besides that Minato and I both have been feeling a growing sense of dread. We've been making all the precautions possible and this is just another precaution dattebayo."

Jiraiya's face grew sorrowful and serious at Kushina's obvious concern and decided to suck it up and listen. "I know the world we live in and preparing for the worst makes sense. Fine, go on."

Minato and Kushina looked at each other and back at Jiraiya. "Now Sensei it's nothing too bad. Just some things we want to tell you for the future if the worst should come to pass and you have to be Naruto's guardian. As much as Kushina hopes Naruto to look like me and in a way, I'd love that as what father wouldn't? However, if I and Kushina are not around to protect him we do not want anyone to know that I am his father."

Jiraiya was surprised at this but began to look thoughtful. "That makes sense. I suppose you've made no shortage of enemies. Even dead there are many vindictive enough to get what revenge on you that they could and those ruthless enough to kill a young child to prevent another 'yellow flash.' But realistically, if Naruto has to grow up not knowing who his parents are it'll be even harder... You know I never found out who my parents were... You are one of the few that know how much that has bothered me. You agree with this Kushina?"

"While I do agree that word of who his father is would be very dangerous for Naruto I think it would do more harm than good for Naruto never to know who even his mother is. Few even in the village know that Minato and I are married even if they suspect it. If we are taken away from him… If the worst does happen, I at least want him to know who his mother was and about his clan heritage. As far as I've been able to find out we may be the last of the Uzumaki and he will be Uzumaki Naruto not Namikaze because of that, not only for his protection. Minato and I have agreed that it is a good compromise."

Jiraiya couldn't help thinking that he wished he had at least known who his mother was, if he had been part of a clan and he nodded his agreement at the compromise. "I'm in favor of that compromise but it does come with a small amount of risk. The Uzumaki name is still feared by those that remember it which could still make him a target or that through knowing who his mother is they will find out about who his father is."

Minato nodded in agreement before speaking "While I agree about the possible danger of it being known he is an Uzumaki he would be in no more danger than any of the other prominent clans in Konoha and as for your second point it is why as Hokage I'm classifying as much of my past as possible including the identities of my genin team and other associates. I'll be speaking to Kakashi after this meeting as well. While you are his godfather I want Kakashi to also be a part of his life. Speaking of Kakashi, if something happens to me Jiraiya I'm trusting you to look out for him as well. I know you aren't in the village often but I wouldn't ask you if it wasn't important. We don't live easy lives but Kakashi has lost more than most already."

At Kakashi's mention Jiraiya had begun looking out the window. "I will. Maybe beginning on teaching him to actually hide."

At this Minato chuckled, "he has been part of the additional security around Kushina and I. The only way Kushina would agree was if it was Kakashi. Stealth on your level probably isn't needed anyway. Enough of depressing talk. Let's enjoy Kushina's breakfast before it gets cold. You know her cooking is my favorite."

At this the three shook off the somber air and began eating before Jiraiya hugged them each and said a final farewell "good luck Kushina, Minato, I look forward to meeting your brat and seeing you two as parents. If you are half as good as parents as you both are at being shinobi then you'll do fine."

With breakfast finished and their guest gone Kushina began to clean up the few dishes before heading towards the bedroom "Minato I'm heading back to bed. I swear Naruto is a leach sucking out all my energy dattebayo."

With a smile still on his face Minato called out in normal speaking tone "Kakashi." Kakashi Shunshined into view near the window. "Hai, Sensei."

Minato looked over his last remaining student with pride and sadness at the fact that he was his last remaining student. "I'm assuming you heard everything Kakashi? While Jiraiya is going to be Naruto's godfather I would ask that you also look after him, especially if the worst should come to pass. I hope you know that I want you to be an older brother to Naruto regardless of if he has his mother and I. Don't lose yourself anymore than you have in your grief that you forget to live. You lost your teammates but I lost my precious students and many comrades. I understand your pain but if you don't let yourself live the pain will never lessen, it will eat you alive. Jiraiya has lost plenty in his life and while he is no perfect role model you can look to him as I have if I die or even if I don't. You're precious to me Kakashi. Just as I would want Naruto to be a brother to you I also see you as a son of my own."

Throughout this Kakashi attempted to remain impassive which wasn't exceptionally difficult at first (a mask covering most of your face would really help with that). Kakashi had struggled with showing any emotion even before the deaths of his teammates but Minato's words had a profound impact on him and even Kakashi's stoic mask cracked a bit at the end. He had looked up to Minato for years and did even still now that he was no longer his Sensei if not even more so and to hear Minato say that he looked at him as a son… Kakashi inwardly vowed to be the brother that Minato asked him to be. Kakashi struggled to find words to reply how he felt but only managed "Hai, Sensei I will. And thank you." With a shunshin Kakashi disappeared from view.

Minato sighed before walking away to join his wife in bed. How can I help Kakashi? Why can't I shake this foreboding? All the preparation and conceivable security measures are in place and yet I still am not at ease. With these as his final waking thoughts he cuddled up to his beautiful wife holding her close, subconsciously taking solace in her strength, their excitement to be parents, and embraced the peace that only unconsciousness can bring.