Chapter One
The ground shuddered as another wave of energy surged through the land.
"Get down!" Minato cried from behind a large wall. Several people dived to the ground, but the few who hadn't heard went flying as the force hit them in the chest.
Minato cursed angrily, but resolved his emotions enough to continue fighting. Since the beginning of time demons had reeked havoc upon the world, and this was just another of those times. For the past week the small village of Konoha had been under threat from the manic group of demons, and the village's Shinobi had all braved their lives to defend it. But no one had expected what was going to befall them; no one had expected the twenty leading demons to attack at once.
Breathing deeply Minato peered across the wall, watching as the demons of all grotesque shapes and sizes slowly cleared a path of destruction. He thought of all his possibilities as hard as he could. If all twenty are here, he thought suddenly, it means that if we could defeat them all at once, there would be no demons of any credible danger in the future. These are the only ones that pose a threat to the Shinobi world.
Taking a deep breath he paused. I guess I'll have to attempt to seal them. He thought gravely. There's no way we could dream of defeating them. They're just too strong. He closed his eyes and reviewed his previous training. He was a top-class Shinobi, and had created many ways of sealing, but it would be risky.
Looking around at his comrades he noticed their fatigue and emotional exhaustion. There was no way they would last another day of this. Taking another deep breath he concluded his choice of attack, and standing, he mapped out the plan in his mind.
***
From his hiding place Minato lunged at the first demon; a two-headed creature with oversized fangs and huge puss-filled lumps. Raising his chakra sword he plunged it into the creature's chest, freezing it solid momentarily. Moving his left hand into the correct position he smiled.
"Seal!" The beast suddenly disappeared in a puff of smoke, and Minato collapsed to the ground, exhausted from the chakra that had sapped from his body. He cursed angrily and sat up.
"I didn't think it would take that much effort." He mumbled. Standing, he gathered his wits, and waited for the next to arrive. Using the same method he continued to partially seal eight more demons; sending them into a place Minato liked to call the Underworld. It was a void he'd created to send the worst of demons, did the chance arise. There they would stay frozen for several hours, but before then Minato would finish the seal and close the void for eternity.
Sitting in a hidden crater, Minato rested and watched in anguish as the demons moved closer to the village. He suddenly noticed one break off from the crowd, a large fox-like beast with nine tails that trashed wildly in all directions. He watched in horror as it moved closer to the South side of the village; exactly where his son lay with his wife.
Screaming in horror he ran as fast as he could towards his house.
***
Kushina rushed from the house and peered over her shoulder as she watched the monstrous beast destroying the houses behind her. She held her baby son tightly against her chest as he cried; feeling the horror from his mother.
Minato careered around a corner and shouted when he saw Kushina racing in his direction.
"Kushina!" He cried, tears of joy filling his eyes. They raced into each others arms and embraced softly. "Thank god you're alright." He whispered into her hair. He gazed down into his son's face and smiled, and then turning, egged Kushina onward. "Quickly." He said gently. "We should be safe in this direction." They both hurried onward to safety before finally turning and facing the direction of the monster.
Minato sighed, unsure of what to do. Kushina smiled sadly beside him.
"You've started the seal haven't you?" She asked, knowing Minato too well. Minato nodded.
"But I'm spent already." He murmured. "What am I going to do? At this rate, I won't even be able to close the seal." He said, hope fading in his heart. He suddenly felt Kushina's hand wrap around his arm.
"Don't lose hope. There's always a way." She said with determination. "I will give you my chakra, which should at least close the seal." She stated. Minato shook his head.
"No, we have to stop all the demons, or the village will be destroyed." He paused for a moment. "I have an idea." He murmured. Kushina looked at him curiously as Minato turned to her sadly. He glanced toward his son and sighed. "Maybe, just maybe." He said, "If I were to use your chakra, I would be able to seal all the demons, but I would only be able to temporarily shut the gates." He said, mentioning the gates to the Underworld void. "But if that were to happen, future generations would suffer…" He thought aloud. Kushina struggled to accept what he said.
"But what does that mean? What will you do?" She asked worriedly. Minato gently patted his son's cheeks and a tear fell from his eyes.
"I must give the village a safeguard." He murmured. "A weapon that can protect the village when the gates re-open." He whispered. Kushina's forehead creased in worry.
"But…How?" She asked. Minato sighed.
"Seal one of the demons inside of Naruto." He choked. Kushina stared in horror and pulled her son away.
"N-No! How could you even think of that?" She whispered in anger. Minato closed his eyes as tears fell silently.
"What choice do we have? I love my son with all my heart, but I love everyone in this village. I couldn't bear to seal away the demons, only for them to return even stronger in the future." He cried. "I want to protect everyone, but I have to chose one or the other" His voice trailed off and he fell to his knees in anguish. "Why is this so difficult?" He shouted. Kushina shut her eyes and turned away as the truth of the situation hit her. Pausing she nodded painfully.
"I'm sorry Minato. You're right." She knealt beside him and placed her arm around Minato's waist. "And, if we're both here to watch over him, I'm sure he will become a friend and stronghold for all the villagers." She whispered. Minato bit his lip and silently stood to embrace her once more.
"I truly hope so." He said, speaking from his heart. Turning he faced the demon which was slowly approaching in the distance. "Okay. This demon, I believe, is the Kyuubi from legend. He is the strongest from what I know." Kushina nodded.
"I think so too. Are you sure you can handle it?" he asked nervously. Minato nodded.
"With your chakra, I will manage." He informed. Kushina nodded.
"Are you ready?" She asked determinedly. Minato nodded and stepped back to join his right hand with Kushina's. Closing her eyes she focused, and the bond formed, sending her chakra into Minatos body. After several minutes Kushina pulled her hand away, her eyes now drawn in slight exhaustion. Minato turned worryingly in her direction.
"Thank you." He whispered, kissing her forehead. "You shouldn't have given so much." He said lightly. Kushina smiled.
"And why not? You need it more than I do." She demanded. Minato sighed lovingly and smiled thankfully once more.
"I love you with all my heart Kushina." He said deeply. Kushina smiled.
"I too. Now go, before you miss your chance. I'll be waiting here." She said forcefully. Minato nodded and with one last kiss ran toward the demon.