Hi! I'm back! I finally got the first chapter up. This is the sequel to 'Prophecy' and the second in the Oracle trilogy. I suggest any new readers read the first one before you read this. You could probably get away with not reading it, but this will make more sense if you read the first one. I'm sorry this chapter is really short. I'll get to the plot in the next chapter. Also this contains spoliers for the Kakashi Gaiden arc. Anyway, thanks to everyone who supported me in 'Prophecy'. I hope you all enjoy this! As always, constructive critisims are welcome.

Ages

Minato- (P)17 (F) 21

Kushina- (P)16 (F)20

Kakashi- (P)5 (F)10 [I kind of butchered his age and didn't realize it until I started planning this. Oops! Pretend he was just about to turn 6 in 'prophecy']

Aiko- (P)12 (F) 16

Fated

Chapter 1: Goodbyes

The day was grey.

That was the only way to describe it really. It seemed as if all the rain had finally washed all the colors away, leaving the dull grey color. Everything was just a different shade of grey.

Brushing his sodden bangs out of his eyes for what felt like the hundredth time, Minato looked at the two shinobi in front of him, his former students. He didn't need anyone to point out the empty space the group unconsciously made. His sharp eyes noticed the girl's quivering shoulders as she tried to hold back her tears. The white-haired boy just stood as still as death, grey eyes gazing intently at the polished black stone before them, slick with rain.

The group around the Hero's Stone was small. Most of the shinobi that would have attended the funeral were away on missions, and only a few of the closest of the deceased's family dared to venture out into the clearing while the war persisted. Only a few people dared to break the silence cast over the group, in reverence for the dead and in fear of drawing an attack. The war had escalated since they had killed Jun, the leader of the Earth country's military.

Sighing lightly in frustration, Minato blinked the wet locks out of his eyes again. The boy tuned back to look at him with his one visible eye, the other hidden under his slanted headband. The blond felt his heart constrict. Kakashi had to be the one suffering the most from their teammate's death. Not only had the young Uchiha died protecting the prodigy, but the preteen now had to live with a reminder of that for the rest of his life. The boy had finally been opening up more than he ever had since his father's suicide. This recent tragedy was only going to bring him back to square one.

"Something wrong, Sensei,"Kakashi questioned under his breath. Minato almost laughed at that. The fact that their group of four had been diminished to three was enough of a clue. The boy's tone told he obviously wasn't interested in the answer. No one wanted it to be said, because saying it would mean it was real, that it had happened. The entire funeral had seemed like kind of dream and no one was willing to bring everyone back to reality.

"It's nothing Kakashi." The boy's gaze stayed on him for a second longer before he shrugged and returned to staring at the memorial. The Hokage stood on the platform, scratching the name into the rock's glossy surface, another to the already growing list. Minato felt his stomach turn as he noticed how new many of the carvings were. At this rate Konoha wouldn't have anymore shinobi to fight this war. The only consolation was that Iwagakure was also suffering major losses.

The old official turned to look at the crowd and sighed, taking a draft from his pipe which had miraculously survived the rain. "Today, we are here to honor the memory of someone who truly deserves to have his name placed on this stone. It did not matter who or what, Obito Uchiha was willing to help anyone that needed it, no matter the cost to himself. He understood the true meaning of courage that so many of us have forgotten. Courage is not about being brave, but about facing your fears. Obito understood that even at such a young age..

"I know I am not alone in saying that he died far before his time. We expected great things from him. It is a shame to not see him reach his potential." The Hokage paused for a moment and the pattering of rain was the only sound. "Let us honor him." The old man gently placed a white flower next to the picture of the smiling boy below the stone. Family stepped forward and did the same. The line filed toward the stone, each person silently praying for the dead.

Rin placed her flower with Kakashi, and the dam finally broke. Tears poured down her face and sobs wracked her body. Startled, the white-haired boy hesitantly placed a comforting hand on her shoulder. A sob escaped her mouth and she threw her arms around his neck, crying into his shoulder. The boy patted her back hesitantly. Several of the Uchiha clan's members rushed over and tried to soothe the girl.

The rest of the funeral passed by in a blur, and soon most of the group had left. Seeing his students had left, Minato stood by the stone, hand absently sliding over the names. He looked at his fingers and rubbed the grains left over from the engraving between his thumb and forefinger. Sighing heavily, his blue eyes trailed over the list. Faces and memories swam before his vision as other names he recognized jumped off the stone. He focused on one name off to the side. Ryou Daiki. A bittersweet smile pulled at the man's lips as fond memories flooded his vision: the time at the Academy when Ryou had 'accidently' set the teacher's desk on fire; afternoon's spent in the woods outside of Konoha, testing their skill against each other;. teasing each other over having a crush on the town's sweetheart; the first mission they went on together after becoming chuunins; the time spent in the hospital after one of his experimental justus or one of Ryou's new medicines had gone wrong; carrying Ryou home when he had to much to drink with Jiraiya; listening and trying to pretend he didn't know them when Ryou and Kushina had one of their fights. The list never seemed to end.

A soothing chakra rolled over him and he glanced over his shoulder. Jiraiya was watching him, dark eyes serious. Seeing his former student had noticed him, the sage trotted over. "Quite a week wasn't it?" The man's voice was light, but the undertone was sympathetic. "I'm guessing it's a good thing a brought some sake. It looks like you seriously need some." The famous blond looked up and smiled thankfully at his teacher. The white-haired Sannin grinned at him, holding out a bottle of sake and two cups.

"More than you know." He gratefully took the tiny glass and took a sip of the offered liqueur. The drink burned as it went down his throat and settled in his stomach, casting off the chill that the rain had settled over him. The grin faded from Jiraiya's face as the man sat down on the grey stone around the Hero's Stone.

"I know what it feels like to lose a student, Minato. You feel like it's all your fault, that you shouldn't have had them in that situation or should of prepared them better." The man took a swig from his own cup and smiled softly at his former student. "I saw them Minato. You couldn't have trained them better. Don't beat yourself up over it. It's not going to bring him back. All we can do is train them as much and as well as we can and hope for the best. There's nothing else you can do."

The blond looked at his teacher for a moment before smiling darkly and taking another sip of sake. "Is that supposed to make me feel better, Sensei?" The hermit chuckled.

"Not really. It's the truth though. There's no point in beating yourself up about something you had no control over. You're smart enough to know that." The older man watched the blond, eyebrows furrowed in confusion. "But that's not what's bothering you, or at least not all of it." Minato chuckled. Of course the man would figure it out soon enough. He wasn't a legendary ninja for nothing. Though most people thought otherwise, Jiraiya wasn't an idiot. There were times, such as this, when he revealed just how wise he really was. He had earned his title and all it meant.

"No, it's not." Minato sat down and leaned his head against the cold stone, all worries about possible attacks gone. "I can't help feeling how similar this was to my own experience with the Stone. Girl gets kidnaped by enemy, friends go to save her, one friend dies. Except, I'm in Kakashi's shoes and don't know what to do." The sage didn't saw anything, but took a slow, thoughtful sip from his cup. "It's been four years now and I haven't heard a word from her. I don't even know if she's alive!" Jiraiya sighed deeply and mimicked the blond's position.

"So go look for her." Minato turned to stare at his teacher as if he had grown five heads.

"What?" The Sannin sighed and shook his head, grumbling about stupid students.

"Go. Look. For. Her. It's not like she suddenly disappeared off the face of the earth or something. She's gotta be somewhere."

"I can't just leave Konoha. We don't have enough shinobi as it is! How can you expect me to just leave?"

"You don't have to leave. You're on enough missions outside of the nation as it is. It won't hurt to just ask around once in while. Someone's bound to know something. With that girl's looks and attitude, I'm sure someone bound to remember her." Minato glared coolly at the sage as the man's eyes took on a perverted gleam. "What's stopping you? Plus, she could probably help us. There aren't many people who can keep up with you." A grin cracked the man's face, and Minato sighed.

"I have a feeling, finding her isn't going to be that easy. This is Kushina we're talking about after all." This time both men laughed at the memory of the fiery redhead. Jiraiya shrugged and took another swig of sake, smacking his lips in content.

"Can't hurt can it? Anything that can get you out of the slump you've been in since she left. I've been meaning to ask if you were suffering from withdrawal." The white-haired man deftly dodged the punch and jumped to his feet.

"You know it's not like that, Sensei." The blond stood up and glanced at his teacher ruefully.

"But I can dream can't I?" A grin split the man's face as he chuckled as the blond frowned. The older man's face suddenly sobered and a heavy hand landed on his student's shoulder. "Lighten up alright? The gods know things can only get better now. I make sure to ask around next time I'm on the road. We'll find her eventually." A smiled pulled at the Sannin's lips. "Now, the best way to get over a death is with a celebratory toast. I just so happen to know the perfect place."

Shaking his head and getting water down his shirt, the blond couldn't help but smile. His sensei always found a way to take his mind off his troubles. It might not be in the most conventional way, but what in his life had ever been normal? "Thank you, Sensei." The older man just slung his arm around his companion's and lead him toward the village.

" No problem. You can thank me by treating tonight!" The blond groaned good-naturedly, but nodded an affirmative. About to leave the clearing, Minato turned back to face the Hero's Stone. Dipping his head reverently, the man silently said goodbye to his student. With a quiet pop, both men disappeared.