I feel like Haku is not... appreciated enough in this series. I hope I can help that. I like him a lot.

Posted: Jan 23 2014

I do not own Naruto or Naruto Shippuden

Naruto panted tiredly in the freezing air.

While she got away unscathed, it was still painful.

Noticing that there were people just outside who were going to get in, she tried to hurry.

Finally inside of her apartment, she stumbled into her room. Taking a quick glance at the state of her room she realized this place wasn't safe either, but she simply did not have it in her to continue running, if worst comes to worst, she'd just hide in the 'hole' again.

Oddly enough the noises outside stopped, so she just assumed it was over. She faintly remembered that someone with a weird mask was in the crowd, but didn't look like he was chasing her, just looking at her. She disregarded it. She was too tired to think.

After surveying the wasteland which had become her home, she sighed. The graffiti and broken furniture only reminded her of how harrowing this so called life was to her. The day was finally getting to her, breaking her. The redhead's slim legs could hardly carry her to the tiny space which was the corner where her bed was. Even ripped to shreds she knew it would be the most comfortable place to be.

After slowly climbing on top of her bed, she shakily put her right hand over her seven year-old heart, trying to understand why it hurt so much. She managed to avoid getting hit this year, but it still hurt her, she couldn't understand why she was in so much pain if she never got hit.

'Why... why does it have hurt so much...' she thought, blinking, and blinking again, and then once more, each time with increasing moisture which was threatening to spill.

Bringing her knees to her chest, she felt the dam which were her ocean-blue eyes finally shatter, releasing not only her tears, but her pain as well. Holding herself, she sobbed bitterly.

"I'll show 'em..." she mumbled quietly, "I'll show all of them!" the Uzumaki claimed, a little more loudly, sorrow and rage evident even in her choked voice.

Since Naruto could remember, her dream was to become the Hokage. She thought that if she did, people would be forced to accept and acknowledge her.

That was why she was crying. Acceptance, acknowledgment... love. These were all things she desperately wanted, needed. That was her true dream. Holding herself tighter, she looked out of her window which was next to the bed. Taking in the fact that the window was broken as well, the cold night's breeze flowed in and out of the opening.

With a waterfall of emotions still flowing through her darkened eyes, she slowly let go of herself and crawled closer to the window. Finally reaching the opening, she took in the sight of the full moon and cloudless night, of which were illuminating her trademark Uzumaki red-hair, as well as her pained, teary face. Slowly shifting her heavy vision to the Hokage monument, she looked over the faces which still to this day protected the village with their eternal gaze.

The God of Shinobi, The Shodaime, founder of the village, wielder of the legendary Mokuton. Naruto knew of Senju Hasirama well, as well as the books she had liberated from the community library could teach her.

Looking on further right, she took notice of the Nidaime. Brother to the Shodaime, Senju Tobirama, who was renowned for his incredible water affinity and his effective if questionable policies as Hokage.

Further on stood the Sandaime, Sarutobi Hiruzen. The Professor was a master of his craft. Having created and collected countless jutsu, he became a force to be reckoned with, even in his old age. Wise, humble, and untrustworthy, as far as Naruto knew.

Despite being so young, her experiences forced her to grow quickly. She still remembered why the current Hokage actually got her the apartment she was currently residing in.

Flashback no Jutsu

The night was October 10th, and there in the alley stood a shivering five year-old child with eyes much older than a girl her age should have. It wasn't the best area to be in, she was sure of that now. In front of the redhead stood no less than six people, all fit with a grin that could paralyze a girl much older than herself.

"P-please... I didn't d-do anything," the small blue-eyed girl stuttered. She was deathly afraid of what was about to happen. In the orphanage the worst that could happen was her caretaker starving or neglecting her. This would physically scar her for life.

The mob was coming closer, some bore open smiles, some laughed, some cheered, but she could tell what they shared, they were happy about what was to come to her.

The first came at her quite quickly, running into her and kicking her in the stomach, roughly sending her hurtling into the wall, where she lost conscious from knocking her head on the hard concrete.

The young man was pleased, his revenge against the beast who was responsible for taking his parents away would soon be complete. He and the others stalked closer, but suddenly stopped when they felt a chill in the air. Looking behind themselves, they saw nothing, however when they turned to look back, there was a teen in a weasel mask now in front of them.

The man who had previously punted Naruto took a step forward, despite the fear building inside his chest, and yelled out "Hey! Let us finish it!" A second later he found himself on the floor, his heart pierced, a fate which followed the rest of the mob soon after.

The man in the weasel mask was not fond of killing, and only performed the deed when he found it absolutely necessary, such as when people are needlessly trying to murder an innocent child. He pulled his blade out of the last man, briefly cleaning it with a cloth before sheathing the weapon to his waist.

Turning behind him, he took notice of the small red bundle which was Naruto. A shame he had decided. The teen thought it best to bring her to the Hokage, as she was supposed to be in an orphanage, but she was far away from the nearest one to his knowledge. Walking forward he picked the small girl up, inspecting her for injury as if appraising an antique. Deciding she just knocked her head and was actually okay, he made his way to the Hokage.

The journey to the Hokage's office was relatively short. Despite it being the anniversary of the Kyuubi's defeat, the village was quiet.

Approaching the door, he opened it, and within he found The Professor battling an enemy that only the Yondaime was powerful enough to defeat.

The old man took notice of his ANBU captain and smiled, but that smile was short lived as his withering eyes traveled to the young girl his most promising shinobi was holding. Dropping his paperwork, he waited for the teen to begin.

Weasel recognized the Hokage's prompt and began his report.

"Hokage-sama, I am here to report that the mission to rice country was a success." The teen stated emotionlessly.

The Hokage expected as much. Assassinations were becoming a primary source of income when it came to missions, and Weasel was the best despite his young age. "I see," the old man began, "that is good, Weasel-kun, you have a 100% success record," Hiruzen stated. "Keep up the good work and you may just become my next successor," he stated with a smile. "I will have a new mission ready for you tomorrow, and this time it will be of your choice," he finished calmly.

Weasel almost smiled at that, being able to select his own mission. He knew that Hiruzen allowed him this as a sort of vacation, as it was obvious he would select a courier assignment, where he could take his own pace. However, he didn't miss how the Sandaime nodded a little towards the redhead he was still holding in his arms, silently demanding an explanation.

"Hokage-sama, while I was returning from my previous mission, I saw Naruto alone in an alley approximately two miles from the orphanage she was to be staying in. When I found her, she was being attacked by a group of people who seemingly wanted to destroy the Kyuubi as a sort of revenge. After she was incapacitated by one of the attackers, I intervened and eliminated the threat to the jinchūriki," Weasel spoke in indifference.

The Professor sighed softly, his thoughts of how it would be a disaster should the jinchūriki die. His gaze hardened seeing the small girl shift a little in Weasel's arms. "Weasel-kun, I see you know that we cannot afford to allow our jinchūriki to die. It would lead to ruin for Konoha," the old man stated with authority thick in his voice. He began again, "I must thank you for bringing Naruto to me, it seems as if she was removed from her orphanage..." the old man drawled.

Weasel could see the man thinking, focus clear in his old features. "It seems I must allow Naruto to dwell within her own establishment. I will provide for her an apartment, and I will talk to her about joining the Academy," the Hokage finished, his intentions clear.

Weasel was not a genius for nothing. "Pardon, Hokage-sama, but would it not be more effective to allow Naruto to have individualized training and be molded into a weapon?" He knew it was not morally correct, but it would be best for the village. "If we give our jinchūriki advanced training, we would be at a bigger advantage compared to the other villages." Weasel did not like it, but it was the truth.

The old man sighed, all that Weasel said was definitely true, and it was illogical to continue what he was doing. "Weasel..." the Professor began, his features becoming more rigid, serious. "What you said is without a doubt true, however..." he mumbled the last part, as if in pain. "I made a promise to an old friend, Weasel-kun, and because of that promise, I do what I do."

Weasel simply stared uncomprehendingly at what his Hokage said. The prodigy did not miss how the old man's features become more and more... depressing? He did not understand, but he realized he did not have to. He was not supposed to question the Hokage, his leader. It was out of line to even mention what he did. "I... see..." Weasel stated, in what Hiruzen presumed to be confusion.

The Sarutobi clan head became very serious. "Weasel-kun, sometimes not everything is logical, I still have my intentions for Naruto to become a very powerful Shinobi of this village, and I probably would have done what you had suggested..." He paused, as if to let it sink in. "However, sometimes you must sacrifice for the good of the few, instead of the good of the many. Such as for your loved ones. Otherwise, Weasel-kun, you will become a very hollow man." Hiruzen took in the subtle body language Weasel was emitting.

He knew he got his point across, but it could not hurt to reinforce it." If you need an example, simply examine my old teammate, Danzō. His work had consumed him. He no longer understands the definition of the words 'morality' or 'emotion'." The Professor relinquished his hardened gaze from Weasel, and instead became a calm old man yet again.

Weasel was lost in thought. He was a weapon of the village, a perfect, emotionless shinobi to be used. Hiruzen noticed how Weasel was reacting, and came to a decision.

Smiling, Hiruzen began, "Thank you for your work today, Weasel-kun, please hand over Naruto and I will provide a home for her." Weasel quickly followed the order to the letter, finally releasing the young red-head to the old man. The Hokage looked at the young child with a smile as he held her before looking back to Weasel. "Weasel-kun, you are dismissed."

Weasel bowed and made his way to the door, but as he opening it, he heard the Hokage speak one more time.

"Oh, and Itachi?" the old man began with a smile, waiting for Itachi to look back, which he did. "You are officially off duty for the next thirty days. Use that time to think on what I said." Itachi stared for a split second, before nodding. Hiruzen quietly started, "personally, I suggest spending that time with your family and friends. Goodbye, Itachi."

Itachi nodded again, feeling a rare emotion that he thought he shouldn't feel anymore. Happiness. Happiness that things turned out the way they did. Perhaps it was better Naruto be given a chance at a normal life than being turned into a weapon. With that thought he left to the Uchiha compound, leaving Naruto to The Professor.

Hiruzen sighed softly, putting Naruto down on a chair in his office, before going back to his desk to find a suitable home. After a while, he came to decision. He pulled out the necessary papers for the house, as well as going into his personal vault and getting some ryō for Naruto to start out with.

After collecting what he needed, and went back to the sleeping red-head and picked her up and headed for the new home personally.

The redhead woke up in an unfamiliar environment, but that is what she assumed would be the case. She heard some of the discussion of course. Her five year-old brain trying to understand what she had heard.

"Hello Naruto-chan," the Hokage began with a smile.

Present

Naruto could only grunt indecently as she thought of what she had heard that night in the strange ninja's arms. It was quite obvious that she was supposed to be turned into a weapon but someone she doesn't know stopped it, and that she was going to be killed and was apparently only saved because she was a 'jinchūriki'. After she had heard that she simply forced herself to sleep rather than pretend as she was.

She had learned just exactly what a jinchūriki was not long after, slipping into the library to investigate what one was.

It was the worst learning experience of her life, and it made so much sense. She was a human sacrifice, a holder for one of the nine bijuu.

It explained everything, and it wasn't fair.

She shivered.

'I never wanted this...' she thought bitterly. After making the connections, she became much more withdrawn from society, trying to only be out when absolutely necessary, such as when she had to go to the Academy.

The Hokage had offered the chance to her, like she knew he would from just before the man named 'Weasel' had suggested making her a weapon and the Hokage agreed but said he couldn't. She still regretted forcing herself to sleep, but she knew she probably would have been discovered at that point.

The Academy was a lonely place. She was there two years early, joining at the age of five rather than seven. From what she could tell, the teachers didn't like her, and because of that they made the training hard for her, often training her incorrectly or simply ignoring her.

She also had no chance to make friends there, as all the parents were aware of her existence and warned their children to stay away from the girl.

It wasn't fair, it wasn't justice. She had been tortured over something she had no part in.

Finally shifting her heavy gaze from the Sandaime, she looked at who she considered the greatest of the Kage, even after learning the truth. She couldn't explain it. After she had learned that she was a jinchūriki and what that meant, she realized that her hero was the one that condemned her to the life she currently found herself in.

She took the revelation hard, but, she still had the highest thoughts of the man, and tried to reason why he did it, why he chose her.

Her pain was for the greater good, but that still did not make it any easier.

She was an orphan who had just lost her parents, that probably had a factor in it, because no family would ever let their child bear this kind of burden, right? Better to allow the child freedom from parents who would hate her, by making sure there would be no parents to hate her in the first place.

At that moment she could of swore she saw the Yondaime's head shed a tear. She rubbed her raw, teary eyes. An illusion she thought.

Family she was reminded.

The one thing she wanted so badly but realized could never have.

Sparing one last look at who she thought was the most powerful and awesome of the Hokage, Minato Namikaze, she crawled back into her bed.

Family...

Her emotional state continued to crumble.

"I don't want this!" she yelled for nobody to hear, clutching her stomach, where she likely knew the seal that contained the Kyūbi would be.

"I-it's not f-fair," she mumbled, then becoming more angry at the thought. "IT'S NOT FAAAAAAAAAIR!" she screamed, sobbing into the torn and cold mattress. She began to shake horribly, "I... I just w-want... somebody to l-l-lo-love me..." She continued to twitch, until she eventually fell asleep, still crying horribly. She felt so cold.

She was not the only one crying however, inside the seal she had clutched at earlier stood two adults

A mother with the trademark Uzumaki red-hair was sobbing for her daughter throughout the entire ordeal, wishing she could do more to help, to show her that someone really did love her.

"No, honey," she cried, "it's not fair at all, y'know..."

Encircling the sobbing redhead was a blonde with spiky blonde-hair, trying to comfort his wife, but still feeling horrible himself. "She'll be okay..." he tried to reassure, but his voice still cracked. "She'll know someone loves her soon enough... that she's not alone in this world."

Namikaze Kushina smiled at that, it was so like him to try and cheer her up like that, but she still felt horrible. "That doesn't make it any easier to deal with y'know..." she said heart brokenly.

Namikaze Minato had to agree. The Yondaime's thoughts drifted back to when the sealing took place. He had realized that both of their baby's parents were going to die that night, and they very well should have. But now, they still had the opportunity to be a family.

The Night of the Kyūbi attack

He wasn't a fūinjutsu genius for nothing though, after using the Shiki Fūjin he came to the realization that this was going to be the end.

A thought ran through his head though, while he looked on at his wife saying her last words their wonderful baby girl, their child which was going to be alone in life. No he decided. He was not ready to die yet.

"-all you need to remember is that this world is made up of men and women, so it's only n-natural to take an interest in guys, b-but just don't get hooked on bad men... find s-someone just like your d-dad..."

The pain was unbearable, all three sources of it. The Shinigami taking his soul, the Kyūbi's claw which had impaled him, but most of all his wife's last words to their child, the fact that their daughter would have to grow up without her parents.

He had one last idea to try. Waiting until he could feel the Kyūbi's yin chakra within him, and see the seal to represent the yang was within their daughter, he brought his hands up to form rather familiar seals, and when he finished, he whispered to his love with the last of strength.

"H-hold on..."

"N-naru... we love you..." Kushina whispered, but became confused when she heard her love. "Mina-kun?"

"Fūin!"

Suddenly the father and mother found themselves sucked into a damp sewer.

'It worked!' Minato's eyes widened. He smiled. 'Well, looks like... at the least Naru-chan will be able to meet her mother,' he thought happily.

Kushina was in shock, did Minato just do what she thought he did? "M-m-min-mina-kun?" the redhead stuttered, looking to her chest to see that the wound was in a sort of stasis, and then she took in her surroundings, it was...

She immediately turned around and trapped Minato in an embrace. "You're a genius Mina-kun!" she said excitedly. She was thinking of how they could still be a family, a big happy family, she smiled. Then she noticed the sad smile on Minato's face. 'No...' she thought... The Shinigami was going to steal her husband from her and her daughter, when they had the chance to be a happy family again.

Staring into Minato's eyes she saw the truth in them. "NO!" she screamed, holding him in the hardest embrace she could. "You can't go now! No no no no no NO!" More tears were coming from her eyes. Minato sacrificed everything for her and now he was giving her the chance to be with her daughter, at the cost of his own soul. "N-no..." she croaked.

Staring into her beautiful violet eyes, knowing the shinigami was going to claim him any moment now. "Kushina..." his mind drifted, all of it around the sobbing redhead which was holding him in a death grip. "I love you..." he said absentmindedly. The girl from whirlpool kissed him on the lips, forcing the most love and passion she could.

"You idiot..." she said, breaking off from the kiss. Minato still stared at her as if she was a priceless gem. "You can't go now y'know? We're going to be happy!" she yelled at him, inches from his face. Minato still could only smile. "We were going to be one big happy family" she cried sinking her head into his chest. "I love you so much... you... you can't go now... not when it's all o-over... please..." she begged, demanding he stay here with her.

Minato never once stopped beaming. He lifted her head up and stared into her eyes again. "I have no regrets Kushi-chan... I know you'll find a way out of here and be with our daughter..." He's so calm, she thought. "You've made my life so..." he paused, his eyes watering at memories about the love of his life. "Wonderful" he continued, "you're so beautiful" he mumbled quietly.

"Everything about you... your eyes, your red-hair, your personality, even your cute verbal tick..." he said with love in his voice. She still held his gaze, tears flowing through both their eyes at their final goodbye. "Thank you Kushi-chan..." he started softly, "thank you for making my life so full... so happy... you even gave me a beautiful daughter..." Kushina couldn't take it. He held nothing but love for her, and she felt so guilty. She felt as if it was all her fault... if she hadn't...- "Kushi-chan," he said a little more forcefully, seeing that look in her eyes. "I guess I forgot to mention you always try to take the blame too huh," he said, almost laughing. "This was all me this time..."

They both suddenly felt the sewer shake violently, and Kushina knew this was it. He was going to die for her and their daughter, and they would never be together ever again, he would never see the women their cute baby would become. She tackled him to the ground, sobbing. "It's not fair... it's not fair... it's not fair..." she cried bitterly, wishing for a miracle.

Minato accepted his fate. He of course wanted, badly, to see their daughter grow up and become the incredible kunoichi he knew she would. He turned his focus back to Kushina, knowing he had but seconds left. "Namikaze-Uzumaki Kushina-chan..." he said slowly, "take care of our daughter for me will ya?" Seeing Kushina sadly nod, he smiled even brighter. "I love you..." he said happily.

Minato knew this was the end. He waited peacefully while the sewer trembled. Minato rose up and tried to push Kushina away, but failed. She still held on as if for her life.

They both heard a loud cracking noise and looked towards the source, they saw a massive gate, of which they both realized must be where the Kyūbi's yang chakra resided. They looked closer to the seal which was on the center and noticed that it was emitting something.

"NAMIKZE MINATO! NO ONE SHALL SUMMON ME AND NOT PAY THE PRICE!" They felt the sewer give another violent shake, cause both of them to lose their balance and collapse. The Shinigami was trying to get through the seal and get to him.

Kushina's eyes widened. If it got through then Minato would be lost forever. She immediately rushed forward, through what felt to be an earthquake with the intention of saving her husband. Upon reaching the glowing seal on the cage she immediately began to, as quickly as she could, apply every kind of seal she knew on top of the current one stop to stop the Shinigami, despite the difficulty which was overlapping a seal, and overlapping more complicated skills in such a short amount of time at that. She had the motivation and determination though, this would decide whether her husband lived or died, but she couldn't make a single mistake or the seal combination would unravel to it's simplest form, and then surely the Shinigami would break through.

Minato had his eyes closed, thinking Kushina had accepted what was going to happen to him. He was meditating in what he believed to be his final moments, simply not realizing what Kushina was doing. He had accepted his fate and believed there to be no way out for him this time.

"Four Symbols Seal!" he heard, and his eyes snapped open upon hearing his wife perform the complex seal. 'What is she doing?' he wondered. He saw that his wife struggling to layer seals on top of the one the Shinigami was trying to get through.

"Four Symbols Seal!" Minato heard again, he sprinted over at top speed to help her, realizing, just maybe, he did not have to die. Perhaps he could still be with Kushina... Naruto... They could still be one big happy family.

"Eight Trigrams Sealing Style!" Kushina shouted, seeing that the Shinigami had gotten through the original seal that it itself had helped in creating.

The moment Minato had reached Kushina, power erupted through the many seals and blasted them far back, and then a horrible screeching noise was heard before the Shinigami raged once again.

"NAMIKAZE MINATO! NO ONE CHEATS THE SHINIGAMI! NO ONE!"

Minato's mind was suddenly terrified, he didn't believe he had a chance in the slightest that he would survive summoning the Shinigami, but now there was. He didn't want to die. Both of them stood up and tried to reach the seals again. Just as they were about to reach them, they saw the many seals that had been overlapped unravel, from the base, until all that was left was the final Eight Trigrams Sealing Style and Minato cried for the future he knew he was going to lose that he could have had. It was over, he looked longingly one last time at Kushina who was struggling to repair the seal with tears in her eyes.

The final seal began to shatter, but just as it was, it stopped glowing, and the voice returned.

"CURSE YOU NAMIKAZE MINATO!" the Shinigami roared through the almost broken seal as the sewer continued to tremble, but as it returned again it's demonic voice had faltered, "CuRSE you!" The voice was gone, the shaking of the sewer had stopped

The other seals had fallen apart and all that remained was a damaged Eight Trigrams Sealing Style.

Minato's eyes had widened to the size of saucers. "Kushina..." the Yondaime said in awe. He was still alive, and all was good.

Kushina's tears still hadn't stopped, just instead of them being sad, they were happy. She did it! She had saved her husband from the god of death! The new mother turned from the seal to her love and hugged him while simultaneously forcing her lips to his.

Having not needed oxygen in their new environment, they didn't break until nearly three minutes had passed. "You idiot..." his wife giggled, smiling.

Minato hugged her hard, "T-th-thank you... Kushi-chan... thank you... I-I..." he was cut off when Kushina had kissed him again.

Present

He and Kushina were still alive. That is what mattered.

They had only but wait in front of their daughter, their daughter who was quickly locking her cold and abandoned heart off to the world. They both hated having to let their daughter suffer during her birthday. It was meant to be a day of great celebration, not great sorrow. He and Kushina could still repair the damage, even if it took years more for them to escape the seal, their daughter will know their love.

They were going to be a family. It was decided.