Hey guys! This story is a response to a challenge by Noble1998. Enjoy!

A baby's wails could be heard amongst a vast expanse of ruins. The once powerful and proud village had been reduced to small fires and crumbling buildings in every direction. Everything was silent except for the loud cries of an infant. The sound seemed to carry for miles in the deathly silence.

In the middle of the ruins was the source of the noise, lying in between two bodies. One was a woman with long flowing pink hair that was now matted with dirt and blood. Her emerald eyes were focused on the bundle next to her. She smiled despite the blood leaking down the corner of her mouth.

"I'm sorry Natsu did mom and dad wake you?" She apologized. She reached out slowly and gently stroked the baby's small tuft of pink hair. "Its ok baby, mommy's here and she won't let anything happen to you."

The mother pulled her child closer and continued to whisper soothing words while she gently nuzzled the baby's face with her nose. The cries died down a little but Natsu was still clearly upset.

The man on the other side of the baby inched closer to his family. His spiky blonde hair and whisker marks on his cheeks were his most prominent features. His light blues eyes were drawn to his wife and son. He felt an enormous amount of sadness wash over him and couldn't help but think that this was all entirely his fault.

"I'm the worst father ever…" He whispered. Tears were starting to stream down the sides of his face.

The woman reached out to touch his cheeks. A feeling of warmth surged through him as he forced himself to look at his wife. Her gaze held so much love and compassion.

"It's not your fault Naruto-kun." She assured weakly. "You did the best you could. If it weren't for you, then Natsu might not even be here right now."

Naruto was silent for a few moments before whispering: "But I couldn't save you both…"

The woman smiled. Her husband was the most protective and caring person in the world. He puts other people's needs before his own. He would go to the far ends of the earth just so you wouldn't feel sad. It was one of the many things she dearly loved about him.

Naruto felt two gentle hands pull his face down and felt a pair of lips on his own. It was a soft and chaste kiss. No matter how many times they did it, their hearts never failed to beat faster because of the contact. It spoke more volumes than words ever could as they felt the love coming off of each other.

They pulled away in what felt like an eternity but in truth, only a few moments have passed.

Their eyes landed on Natsu who had fallen asleep.

"He must be tired." Naruto smiled as he stroked a finger through his son's tuft of pink hair. "I can't say I blame him."

The couple just laid there for a while, listening to their child's breathing as he slept. It was not only a few days ago when they put him in his crib for the first time and gave him his first taste of baby food. Oh, how they wished for more moments like those. How they longed to see him grow up. To see him walk his first steps, go to the playground, make new friends, got to school, and probably get into trouble. Sadly, they both knew that wouldn't be able to happen now.

"Isn't he perfect Naruto-kun?" Sakura said. "Just look at him."

"I know." Naruto replied.

He didn't have time much longer. He could already feel himself starting to weaken greatly. His wife's breathing came in short and weak rasps. It was only a matter of minutes at most before the end.

"Sakura-chan, do you remember what I discovered while tampering with fuinjutsu?" He asked.

The woman frowned and tried to remember but it was slightly hazy. "The space and time jutsu you experimented with."

Naruto nodded solemnly and it dawned on her. She knew what her husband was thinking.

"Are you sure?" She cast a worried glance at her sleeping baby boy. "We don't know if it's safe or not. What if something happens to him and…?"

The blonde's face was set and his mind was already made up. "It's better than living here where war and bloodshed is inevitable. I know that if I send him there, it will almost be impossible to reverse it. I'm worried out of my mind right now, thinking if what I'm doing is right or wrong. It might be dangerous but I just know he'll be alright."

He smiled down at his son. "Besides, it's a parent's job to have undying faith in their child, don't you agree?"

Sakura bit her lip but conceded he was right. She gave him a nod of confirmation.

Naruto got shakily up to his feet and struggled to keep his balance. Damn, the enemy really did a number on him this time.

He quickly made the hand seals and placed his palm on the ground. An intricate sealing formula began to form on the ground and completed itself. Once he was done, there was another piece of business he had to accomplish. Closing his eyes, he retreated deep into his psyche and stood face to face with a gigantic nine-tailed fox.

"Hello, Kurama," He greeted. He had to make this short

The great bijuu already knew what he came for and truth be told, he was sad. "So, this is where it all ends huh?"

Naruto scratched his head sheepishly and chuckled. "I know that you're not one to get all sappy with goodbyes."

"Got that right brat," Kurama smirked. "It still amazes me that you were once that snot-nosed kid always yelling about being hokage."

The blonde's gaze saddened. "I wasn't much of a hokage. I couldn't even protect my own family."

The fox rolled his eyes. "Brat, you have surpassed all of the kages in my opinion. Your father would be proud of you and also your mother."

"Thanks." It was heartwarming for him to hear it.

"Don't worry boy, I'll watch over Natsu."

Naruto nodded and smiled. He was glad that he could count on his partner for help. They bumped fists as a symbol of their friendship and they both knew that this will be the last time.

He opened his eyes and saw that he was back in the ruins of Konoha. Now it was time.

He helped Sakura to her feet as she cradled their son in her arms. Baby Natsu was still asleep. Sakura sobbed quietly as they walked over to the seal.

"Sakura-chan, I will seal some of our remaining chakra into Natsu so we'll still be able to see him when he's older." Naruto paused. "I'm also going to seal Kurama into him."

Sakura looked up in shock. She was about to say something when her husband put a finger to her lips.

"I know that the life of a jinchuuriki is hard and painful." He said. "Hopefully, the place where I'm sending him to won't even know what a jinchuuriki is. Kurama will make sure that he's safe."

Although she didn't like the idea of her baby boy to carry such a burden, she knew that she didn't have a better idea. At least they would still be able to meet him in the future. That was more than she could ever hope for.

"Natsu, I don't know what the future holds for you but I can't tell you how much your father and I want to be a part of it." She said while holding him close. "I know that you'll probably face many hardships but I want you to be strong and never give up. Eat a lot, but make sure it's healthy. Make lots of friends and make sure to protect them. Make sure you brush your teeth at least three times a day. Study hard. Oh, I almost forgot. Don't drink or smoke. And stay away from perverts."

Naruto chuckled when she said this and couldn't help but think about the toad sage and his jonin sensei.

"Also, find a girl who looks past all of your faults and sees you for the great person I know you'll become. I want you to be brave like your dad and don't let anyone push you around. Oh, my baby, my little Natsu, I love you so much!"

Naruto wrapped his arms around his family and pulled them close. He also had a few words for his son.

"Natsu, I want you to have a dream." He said. "It can be anything. I want you to make your dream a reality and don't let anyone tell you that you can't achieve it. If they do, prove them wrong."

The small family held each other close for a few moments. It would be a long time before they would be whole again.

The parents had one last thing to say to their son.

"We love you."

Naruto flashed as series of complicated hand seals. "Fuin!"

A few hours later a trio of Anbu shinobi found the two bodies of their friends lying on the ground with their arms around each other. They appeared to be sleeping, but they knew their friends were gone.

The one with the raven masked gave a yell of anger and loss while the other two silently wept. Only after they got over their grief was when they noticed a scroll next to their fallen hokage and his wife.

Meanwhile, within a vast forest in the land of Fiore, a child's wailing could be heard. A gigantic red dragon was awoken by the sound and was a bit annoyed. The dragon's name was Igneel and he swore that whatever had disturbed his sleep had better have a good reason for doing so or else they would get eaten.

The dragon sniffed the air and began to follow the scent of the source of ungodly wailing.

Alright, so here's the first chapter. I know that it's short but it's more of a prologue really. So tell me what you think and suggestions are more than welcome. Review and have a nice day!