AN: Ok… Had to do this story!!! HAD TO… This is prologueish.. and I want to know your opinions… so that I know what to expect… also, I don't yet know how long this will be but I'll try (for those who follow my other story) not to lengthen out the action and give you something a wee bit quicker… How's that?! *looks around expectantly*…. OK! Here goes….

Her screams of pain could be heard ringing through the walls... Asking the baby to come… Pleading, sobbing…

He stood beside the window watching his wife give birth to the bastard, the straining to keep his back had him rigid as a statue… not moving, gripping the window frame so hard he felt splinters slip beneath his nails, puncturing where they entered, drawing pearls of blood, just like her, the pool of blood between her legs getting bigger, her screams crescendoing through the room, piercing the midnight air.

Finally, after what seemed like hours, the baby came, with a wet pop, the little boy came out into the world, screaming, red and wrinkled, cold… the nurses at once gathering him in blankets and handing him into the outstretched, shaking arms of his waiting Mother.

She pulled him close, burying her crying face into his blankets, the deep, azure eyes, with traces of tears disappearing by the second, stared at her curiously. The boy was quiet, as if asking her permission to make a sound.

The man then moved from is place, quick precise steps took him to the foot of the bed, he stared at the woman, his wife… with disregard, sneering.

"Take the whore and the bastard out of here, let her stay with him, who's child this is."

"But sir…" the doctor turned with shock, "the mother went through days of labour, she is not fit to travel."

"I do not care for any of it." He spat, "she is to leave this place at once"

The carriage traveled through the muddy paths, the rain and sleet drove the trees to bend double, creaking, screaming…

The mother was running a high fever, her dry, cracked lips gasped now and again like a fish that was thrown out of it's pond, the maid sitting with her was beside herself with worry for her mistress. But there was nothing she could do, the lady wouldn't let go of the child. Grasping him harder to her whenever the maid even implied that she rest.

"I must… deliver him myself" she wheezed out. A smile forming on her cracking lips.

Shortly, the carriage passed the towering gates and sped up as they cleared the massive gardens, hasting toward the manor situated on the hilltop overlooking it all.

The Mother almost ran out of the carriage, soaked in sweat, hair askew, she grabbed the door knob and pounded with all the strength left in her, before sliding to her knees with fatigue.

The doors opened a warm ray of light sparkling out, and falling on the grotesque scene before it.

"Someone… someone call the master, Quick!" was all the butler managed to scream out as he and two servants picked up the lady and carried her inside.

"Doctor! We need a doctor!" Someone shouted and a messenger was sent out, speeding through the rain as fast at the horse would go.

When Minato ran into the bedroom, wide eyed and panting, he saw the small frame of the woman he so loved surrounded by nurses, they were doing everything in their power to make her comfortable.

"Kushina…" he choked out before running to the side of the bed and falling to his knees, grabbing her hand and holding it tightly. He kissed it, many times, tears running down his face.

"Love how…? What happened?" he whispered into her hand.

She gestured to the bundle in her arms. He looked, noting the golden spikes that covered the small head, "I understand" he whispered.

Just then, the doors banged open and the Doctors rushed in, hassling around the nurses, bringing bowls, preparing to let out blood.

"She lost so much already!" Minato angrily replied, "You will not heal her that way!"

"By the looks of it sir" one of the doctors turned to him, taking him outside the room gently, "she won't make it through the night... she suffered a very harsh pregnancy, and has caught pneumonia… sir, there's nothing we can do now… except pray."

An animalistic sound tore itself through Mianto's chest, he ran back into the room, wild eyes on her… only on her…

"Give me my child" he whispered hoarsely, holding out his hands. A nurse quickly obeyed.

From the inside of her folds, Kushina pulled out two sealed envelopes.

"One is for you, one for Naruto… Read yours love, but don't give him his unless you're sure he needs it."

Mianto nodded vigorously, holding the letters in his fist, looking determined.

That night, Kushina passed away… the last thing she remembered was the strong hand of the man she loved, and the Azure of her firstborn's eyes….

20 years later….

Naruto looked down at his Father's frail form, laying on the bed, his eyes hard, determined not to show regret… not to show any kind of emotion that would start a fountain of bitter anger and sadness… he needed to be strong, for himself... for his dying Father….

"Naruto… there's something you need to know… something I should have told you a long time ago… but didn't…"

Naruto sat at the edge of the bed, he inhaled the smell of fresh laundry, of soap, of tea and of blood, the blood that his father coughed up viciously more and more often now.

"You cannot inherit my property… I have tried every way possible to bend the rules, but you are my illegitimate child, and since that is so, there was nothing I could do…" He looked at his blonde ray of sunshine.

The child that was handed to him so many years ago had grown. The young, tall man that stood before him now was something he was proud of. He had done his best to give Naruto everything he could. And as count, he could quite well. The boy had gotten the best education money could provide, his skill with people and languages had left him as a top student in all fields which he took up. His undying determination to prove himself for his Father had him beaming with pride.

French, English, Indian, Latin, all those languages Naruto wielded with the skilled perfection of a native. His prowess in business and Law was certified, and his training with the Admirals and Gernerals that visited them ensured that the boy had gained a good better amount of muscle than most young men his age…

Sadness marred his features… No matter what Naruto did, no matter how hard he tried, he was still shunned by those youth of his class… For the title of bastard…

This, Naruto seemed to stop minding as soon as he went to school, throwing himself fully into studies and training... and his favorite hobby, hunting.

Yes, they boy was the best huntsman England saw in a long time, his horse and him became one as he rode, maneuvering his gun with deadly precision and accuracy. Never missed a shot, and took on game that many would be afraid to think about…

The pride and joy of his life…

"Father" Naruto looked at him sternly, "I never deluded myself into thinking I was someone who I'm not… Ill have to prove myself by other means than inheritance… I don't mind working to support myself, I was thinking a company in India… for luxury goods, not many people want to make the journey buy I…"

"Let me finish" Minato raised his hand. "You cannot just leave this here, not until everything is settled, wait for the family to come…" his coughing interrupted his words, Naruto rushing to put a handkerchief to his mouth. He noticed blood.

"What family…? We have… family? The Azure gaze looked at him with an intense gaze, Mianto shivered, he had forgotten how Naruto's undivided attention could be very unsettling.

"Yes… my Brother... your Uncle…" he stopped noting how Naruto's eyes widened in shock.

"His son will inherit my fortune, I hate the man, and he is a greedy arse, but his Son, your cousin, I can inherit without letting him get at any of it… let them know when I die… you'll find his address in my desk, in an envelope… and this…" he said, handing Naruto a worn out envelope, sealed; "you will only read this when I pass away, understand?"

"Yes sir!" Naruto looked at his Father hard, and threw himself to the side of the bed, "don't leave me here…" he whispered, grabbing Minato's frail body hard, drawing him nearer.. "Don't leave me…"

When he looked up, his Father was gone…

Straightening up, Naruto waited a couple of moments before exiting the room, maids scurried past him to stop the watches and cover the mirrors.

Naruto saw nothing, he made his way to his Father's study, and pulling out the key from the secret compartment by the side, he opened the drawer and took out the small envelope that laid there.

He scribbled a short letter, realizing that his father's brother lived in America; letting the family know that Mianto passed away, that his cousin was to Inherit all and that he would wait until they got here before he departed.

With shaking hands Naruto closed and sealed the envelope with the family crest, a ring he was given on his 17th birthday, he looked sadly at it now, would he be able to keep it? It was a family heirloom, but also a token of his Father's love…

A Big, flat ruby, engraved with a Swirl, he hoped so…

Closing his eyes, he stepped out of the study and gave the letter to the butler to deliver "immediately" he noted as the servant nodded his understanding.

With a sigh, Naruto set about making the preparations for the funeral, realizing that he would be the only family present at his Fathers' grave.

All he could do was wait….

AN: OK and….? What do you guys think….? Interesting??? It will be! This is strictly life like… no special powers or anything of the like.. but I threw them back some ohhhh 200 years? ;)