Prologue Part 1
Kurama was pissed off. No other way to say it, he was pissed off.
While he was a pessimist in general (it was hard to be anything else considering the way his existence went), something in him had hopes of things getting better when Mito Uzumaki died. He had naively hoped he could perhaps use that as an opportunity to slip away; revenge wasn't important at this point, only escaping. But that accursed sealing technique…. The Sage had told him to wait for the chosen one who would guide him to the correct path; while Kurama didn't doubt the Sage, that didn't make him not wish that said one would hurry the fuck up!
Sadly, despite all his rage, Kurama knew there was nothing that he could do at this point but stare at the ethereal sky of the new Jinchuriki's mind-scape, and be angry at it. At least the last seal wasn't so uncomfortable. But as he stared at the sky, he sensed a presence, and he looked down the best he could. Standing before him, was a young girl with long red hair, which signified her as an Uzumaki. Kurama recognized the girl as his Jinchuriki.
"The fuck you here for?" he growled. The girl didn't answer at first, as she cocked her head at him in curiosity.
"Did I stutter or something?"Still, he didn't get answer. Letting out an exasperated growl, Kurama rolled his eyes.
"Look, I'm stuck here until you die, which will hopefully be pretty soon," he said, "And I'd much rather spend as little time as necessary with you directly." Again, the girl just looked at him.
"How many times will…."
"What's your name?" the girl interrupted. Alright, that caught the fox off guard. In the list of people who tried to control him (which wasn't a long list), and the list of people who succeeded (which was an even shorter list), literally no one had asked him his name. That surprised Kurama so much he didn't know what to say at first.
"What kind of question is that?"
"I want to know your name," the girl said, "I mean, if you're going to be inside me, shouldn't we know each other?"
"Not if I have a say in it," Kurama said with a snort.
"Well, my name's Kushina Uzumaki," the girl said with a smile, "So what's your's?" Kurama glared at the girl who had just identified herself.
"Why don't you just keep calling me what every human calls me?" he said, "Nine-Tails."
"'Nine-Tails'?" Kushina asked, with a frown, "That's a dumb name, ya'know."
"Deal with it." Kushina wrinkled her nose in thought.
"Nah," she said, "I'm not going to call you that. I'm gonna call you 'Kistu', ya' know!" Once again, Kurama was caught off guard.
"Are you actively trying to make me mad!" he snapped.
"But that's better than not having a name at all," Kushina said, with a grin, "Now we're going to be together for a long time, so we should be friends." Kurama would've laughed at the ridiculousness of that if he wasn't so angry.
"Well, I've got to go now!" Kushina said, waving, "Bye Kistu!"
"That's not my name!" Kurama shouted, but Kushina had already faded away, once again leaving Kurama alone in the mind-scape.
(a few years later)
At the very least, Kurama's time in Kushina wasn't any more unpleasant than his time in Mito. There were times, though, that the child impressed Kurama in the way she handled the other kids who picked on her. At the very least she didn't let other people fight her battles; if someone went after her, she beat them up herself.
In the years since Kurama was sealed within the girl, the girl had become a kunoichi, and decently skilled on at that. While Mito hadn't ever used it herself, Kurama had no reason to believe that Kushina wouldn't some day want to take his power for herself. And when that inevitably happened, Kurama would be ready.
That said, every so often, Kushina would drop in, and talk with him, still using that infuriating name she devised for him. There were times Kurama had been tempted to just tell her his real name if only to get her to stop. But no one but the Sage could call him by that name if he had anything say about it. Generally Kushina would talk about things that Kurama really didn't give a shit about, like foods he liked. But for some mystery reason, the girl didn't give up, and kept insisting on being friendly with him. Kurama seriously could not imagine why.
As if the fates wanted to torture him even further, right then Kushina appeared right before him. She had altered her wardrobe appropriately as she aged, and she was aging fairly well. She was also now wearing the Konoha forehead protector. Kurama hated that symbol with a passion that defied words. It symbolized Hashirama Senju, Madara Uchiha, Konoha, everything that kept him bound.
"Hey Kistu!" Kushina said with a salute, "How's it going?"
"Look at me and guess," Kurama sneered. The sneer bounced right off the red head, who kept smiling at him.
"You really love that evil glare, you know!" she said.
"Ever wonder why?" Kurama said, rolling his eyes.
"Well, why don't you tell me?" Kurama immediately looked down at Kushina in surprise. The girl was looking up at him, with legitimate curiosity.
"Why are you always so angry?" she asked. There was a period of silence between Tailed Beast and Jinchuriki, as the two just stared at each other. It was difficult to assess time in a mental world, but it felt like hours, until Kurama finally spoke.
"You're why."
"Me?" Kushina asked, pointing at herself.
"Its natural that a prisoner would hate its warden," Kurama explained, "You who keep me trapped in oblivion, while I have to watch the world move by, relegated to be just a weapon, like a dagger or sword. And you would question my hatred?" Kushina just listened in silence, as Kurama's glare hardened.
"Don't think I don't see it," the fox growled.
"See what?" Kushina asked. Her feigned ignorance made Kurama's blood boil.
"The looks." Kushina's eyes narrowed slightly, as she listened.
(Flashback)
Kushina strolled down the streets of Konoha, her hands behind her head. As she passed by, she couldn't help but notice something: whispers.
"Isn't that the Nine-Tails?"
"I hear she beat up several kids this week alone."
"Tch, the little demon girl."
"The way they look at you the way they would look at a stain in a rug, or a cockroach in their house. You can feel it can't you?"
"Hey, I heard that!" Kushina snapped, getting the gossipers attention, "You want me to kick your ass!" The gossipers didn't pursue it anymore, but still glared at her, as Kushina huffed, and marched down the road. But unseen to anyone, her jaw tightened, and her fists clenched.
(at the Academy)
Kushina was on the swings, alone, staring at the ground, as she listened to people playing around her. She then heard the sound of someone shouting.
"Look, its the tomato who thinks she can be Hokage," one boy said. Kushina looked up, and saw a group of kids standing over her, glaring.
"Move, its our turn," one said.
"No!" Kushina declared, "I just got on it!" She was then grabbed by the collar, and pulled off the swing.
"We said move!" Kushina was then thrown to the ground, but the red head's response to that was expected.
"All they feel for you is hatred. You're a demon in their eyes, nothing more."
With a shout of anger, she sprung at the boy had thrown her, and promptly had him on the ground, as she began beating him up. The other boys promptly bolted, as the fight got the other people's attention. Tears welled in Kushina's eyes as she continued beating the boy's face, until she was pulled off by some of the instructors.
(End Flashback)
Kushina remained silent, as Kurama finished. The fox smiled grimly.
"Don't you understand?" he asked, "Hatred is all you ever have, and ever will know. It is the true nature of emotion, of people. Always has been, always will be."
"But I don't hate you."
Kurama was quickly realizing just how talented this girl was at rendering him speechless. Kushina just looked up at him with a look that almost looked… sympathy.
"Before you were sealed in me, Lady Mito told me that the only thing that could overcome your hatred was love," she said.
"Tch," Kurama snorted, "Pretty words, nothing more. Everything done in the world is motivated by hatred. What is history but a record of conflicts between men? What is peace but a pause between war? What is love but a temporary reprieve in hatred?"
"Well, I don't believe that," Kushina insisted. Kurama growled at that.
"I can not force you to believe anything," he said, "But it does not make it any less true."
"I will never believe that," Kushina answered, "I will never believe that hatred is the true nature of people. And even if it is…" She then put her fist to her heart.
"Then I will change that!" she declared, "I'll defeat hatred!" Kurama listened to that. Despite himself, images of the Sage of the Six Paths flashed through his mind.
"How many people have made that claim?" he asked, "How many people have declared that they will bring an end to the hatred that permeates this world? You will never defeat hatred; it is unstoppable." Kushina didn't answer, but she still had that confident, resolved look on her face. That sight just served to frustrate the fox even more.
"Why do you think you can do it?" he demanded, "What makes you so confident that you will end that cycle of hatred?" At first Kushina didn't respond, but then, to Kurama's shock, she leapt up to wear he was sealed, onto his nose. She then leaned down, looking into Kurama's eye, who just growled.
"Because some day, I know you and I will be friends." Kurama just opened his mouth slightly, but no words came out, as Kushina left the mental plane of existence. Memories surged through Kurama's mind….
(Flashback)
"Nine-Tails, you are merely a momentary life, a temporary existence of coalesced energy… energy that once was a single ultimate form! An unstable force, lacking in intelligence of sapience, you require a guide to show you purpose. That guide it the Uchiha! The Tailed beasts are but slaves to those with blessed eyes. Obey!"
()()()
"Nine-Tails, your power is too great. I cannot let you roam free anymore."
()()()
"If you use your power, only hatred will come from it. Stay tranquil, deep inside me."
()()()
"Because some day, I know you and I will be friends."
(End Flashback)
Again, images of the Sage again flashed through Kurama's mind. And he couldn't help about what the old man told him and the others.
Could she be the one? he thought, before shaking his head No, that's impossible! But the thought was there, and there it would remain.
(some years later)
For the next few years, Kushina and Kurama barely communicated. This was partially because Kushina didn't have much in the way of opportunity, especially with the outbreak of the war. For the red-head, her first actual exposure to the war was when the Cloud Ninja opted to kidnap her; probably to get access to the Nine-Tails, and even though Minato had managed to save her, it was way too close for comfort. And that was just the beginning…
Kushina desperately dashed through the dark of the forests, trying to keep her eyes open for the enemies, while at the same time, trying to keep another eye on her students; unfortunately the night didn't make it easy. What was the world coming to when children had to be sent out to fight other's war?
"Kushina-Sensei!" Kushina looked over her shoulder, at her genin team, which consisted of Kurenai Yuhi, Asuma Sarutobi, and Raido Namiashi. They were all so young.
"Where are we going?" Kurenai asked.
"Away from here!" Kushina answered, before looking back in front of her, only to grind to a halt, and jump behind a tree.
"What is…," Asuma began, only for Kushina to pull him towards her, her hand over her mouth, as she looked past the tree. A battalion of Mist ninja were gathered in a clearing just outside of the forest.
"Keep quiet," Kushina whispered, "And by all means stay hidden." Her students all nodded their understanding, and for a time, they held their place in hiding.
"What do we do, Sensei?" Raido whispered.
"We wait until help comes," Kushina answered, "For now that's our only option."
"Well that's not entirely accurate." On reflex, Kushina pushed all three of her students behind her, and drew her kunai. Standing before them was Juzo Biwa, one of the infamous Seven Swordsmen of the Mist, with his sword Kubikiribocho on his shoulder.
"All of you, run!" Kushina ordered.
"We can't leave you, Sensei!" Kurenai said.
"That's an order!" Kushina snapped, before springing at Juzo, bringing down her kunai, which was easily blocked by the massive sword. Left with no other choice, the genin fled, as Kushina clashed with the swordsmen. As she did, dodging a strike from the massive blade, she heard the Nine-Tail's voice.
"Damn it Kushina!" he shouted, "Don't forget that if you die, I die too! Don't go risking your life that recklessly!" Kushina did best to ignore the voice of the fox, in order to focus on the fight in front of her, as she delivered a kick to the swordsmen.
"Sensei!" Kushina whirled around, and saw Asuma standing there. And in that instant, Kushina panicked, and she leapt at her student in a state of sheer instinct.
"You fool!" In hindsight, it was quite obvious, but Kushina's instincts as a teacher had kicked in, and all she thought as to protect her student. But when her back was turned, Juzo brought down his sword, leaving a massive gash across her back. Kushina let out a cry of pain, as she tumbled away, noticing the process "Asuma" turning back into a Mist ninja. As she did, Kushina passed out, silently cursing her herself.
(in the mental world)
"Why?" Kurama asked, looking down at the red head. The Uzumaki looked up at the Tailed Beast, who was scowling at her.
"You coming to talk to me?" Kushina asked, "Well that's new." Kurama wasn't amused.
"Why would you stay here?"
"My role as a teacher means that I have to protect my students," Kushina answered, "If I can buy them even the slightest amount of time, then I'm content." Kurama rolled his eyes.
"Your naivety truly knows no bounds," he said.
"Call it that if you want," Kushina said, "But I did what I had to do."
"You think you saved them, don't you?" Kurama said. Kushina looked up in surprise, before sensing something.
(in the physical world)
Kushina weakly opened her eyes, and noticed she was being carried. Supporting her were Asuma and Raido.
"You… two…," she said weakly.
"Sensei!" Raido said.
"Don't worry!" Asuma said, smiling, "We'll get you back to the camp!"
"Where's…" Kushina looked behind her, and noticed Kurenai throwing kunai at the band of Mist ninja chasing after them, with Juzo leading them.
"You… fools…," Kushina murmured.
(in the mental world)
"And they render your actions worthless." Kushina clenched her fists, as she tried to think of something to do. That was when she figured out the only option she had.
"Please help me!" Kurama looked down at her in surprise.Never before had Kushina asked for power.
"You don't me dying either!" she said, "You just said earlier that if I die, you die."
"Fine," Kurama answered, his eyes turning to slits, "You want my help, remove the seal."
"Right!" Kushina, as she began making the appropriate hand signs to remove the seal. Mito had taught her the mechanisms of the sealing technique, if only for the sake of understanding. Needless to say, Kurama was surprised.
"I was being sarcastic!" he said, "You're actually removing the seal?!"
"If that's what it takes to save my students, then I will," Kushina said, as the seals appeared over her body.
"If you let me out, you know I'll kill your students as well!"
"No you won't," Kushina responded, and before Kurama could respond, she continued with a smile, "Because you're not evil. Lady Mito told me that only love can drive out the hatred. I'm starting to think that she wasn't referring to the hatred from others." She then looked Kurama straight in the eye.
"She was referring to the hatred in you." Kurama began to shake at that, as he could feel the seal starting to weaken. The look in her eyes…. the feeling it gave him…
"All humans ever have, and ever will want is power!" Kurama roared, "We Tailed Beasts are nothing more than servants to be drawn upon whenever needed! Why do you insist on these ridiculous concepts?!"
"Because I don't want you to be my servant! I want you to be partner!" Kushina declared. Kurama was taken aback at that phrase. Kushina clenched her fists.
"Maybe I can't erase all the hatred in the world. Maybe I'm just a naive girl to think that I can," she said, "But if I can erase just a little of it, then I'll consider my life well lived!" Kurama listened to her, before closing his eyes, as he remembered his time with her.
(Flashback)
()()()
"What kinds of food do you like?"
"What kind of question is that?!"
()()()
"Hey Kistu, do you have to groom your fur?"
()()()
"Because some day, I know you and I will be friends."
(End Flashback)
"You're really annoying you know," he said.
"You've told me before," Kushina said with a grin. With that, the first of the stakes that sealed Kurama was undone.
"You're way too trusting, as well," Kurama said as he began to full himself free, "How could you know…"
"Because I told you," Kushina interrupted, "you're not evil." Kurama just smirked at that, as the next stake was undone.
"Well, seeing as I don't have anything better to do," he said, "I'll give you a hand." Kushina looked surprised at that, but soon smiled bigger than she had in a while.
"Alright Kistu…," she began.
"Kurama." Kushina blinked.
"When we first met, you asked what my name was," Kurama said, "Well, there it is." Kushina looked surprised, before grinning.
"Let's go, Kurama!" she then declared as the last stake was removed.
(in the physical world)
The genin had gotten as far as they could, but eventually, they had found themselves cornered by the Mist ninja. They had been forced to set Kushina against a tree, and prepare for battle. They were now completely surrounded by nearly thirty enemies, armed only with kunai.
"Look kids," Juzo said, spinning Kubikiribocho slightly, and slamming it into the ground, "Let's just make this easy, and hold still while I dismember you." No one could say that the genin weren't frightened, but they weren't going to break and run now.
"Bring it on!" Asuma said, "We'll kick everyone's ass!" The Mist ninja all cackled at the sound of that, accept for Juzo who just smirked. But no one was noticing the red aura that was starting to build around Kushina.
"Alright then, this is still fun!" Juzo declared, as he sprung at the genin. Despite herself, Kurenai closed her eyes in reflex. She then felt a gust of wind, and when she opened her eyes, she noticed the Mist ninja had all been thrown back, and there was a being in front of her.
The being seemed to be made of swirling red energy, and was on all fours, with a fox like visage. It had large, white eyes, and a jagged mouth. But was really distinguishing were the nine long tails that lashed behind it, and what looked like long hair lashing out from behind the head. The being looked at the genin, who flinched at the sight of it.
"That only stunned them," the being said, in a voice that sounded very familiar.
"Wait…," Raido said, "Kushina-Sensei?"
"I really don't have time to explain right now," Kushina said, "We've got to go now, so hold on!" Before the genin could say anything, three arms made out of what looked like bright red chakra reached out, and grabbed all three genin. With that, the jinchuriki started bounding through the trees, faster than ever they had ever seen.
"Sensei, what happened to you?" Asuma finally asked.
"I told you I don't have to explain it," Kushina answered, "But let's just say I've got a very good partner." While that didn't answer their questions, the genin figured they probably wouldn't get one at this point anyway. Raido looked behind them, and noticed that they were again being pursued by the enemy.
"Sensei…"
"I can sense them," Kushina interrupted, not looking back, "Seems they won't give up."
"What do we do?" Kurenai asked, "Keep running?"
"We do that, we'll lead them back to our camp," Kushina answered, before stopping, and looking at her coming enemies, and setting her students down, "I'll handle them." She then jumped at the Mist ninja, who faced her.
"I don't know what's going on with you," Juzo said, "But I'll chop you to pieces!" Kushina just grinned with that jagged mouth.
"Ready Kurama?"
"That implies that this won't be easy." With that, all the Mist ninja all lunged at the jinchuriki who seemed to vanish.
"What the…," one began, only for Kushina to suddenly appear behind him, and with a swing of her claw, she sent him careening through entire trees.
"There she…" The guy didn't have time to finish either as Kushina cut him down as well. In the next instance, the jinchuriki fell another several enemies.
"Its just one woman!" Juzo snapped, "Get her!"
"But, what kind of woman…," one ninja began.
"I said get her!" Juzo snapped, before picking up that ninja and throwing him at Kushina. Out of Kushina's body, a chakra arm extended out, and caught the guy.
"Here, you can have him back!" Kushina answered, before throwing the ninja back at her enemies. The sheer force of the throw knocked away another two Mist ninja. Before anyone could react, the chakra arms shot out, punching away another several ninja in the process. Meanwhile, Team Kushina watched in silent awe, as their teacher single-handedly wiped out the entire Mist battalion.
"I never knew Kushina-Sensei could do all this stuff," Asuma said.
"I knew she was strong," Raido said, "But that strong…."
"Is.. is that even Kushina-Sensei?" Kurenai whispered, more to herself than anyone else.
Soon enough, most of the Mist ninja had been defeated, as Kushina perched on the tree, looking over her beaten enemies. Her tails lashed out behind her as she then looked at Juzo, the only guy still standing.
"Fine!" the swordsmen said, "I'll deal with you myself!" With that, he sprung at Kushina, bringing down Kubikiribocho with full power. The jinchuriki just held up her hand as the sword came down. The sheer force of the attack broke the branch, and set both combatants down to the ground in a massive cloud of dust.
"Sensei!" Kushina's students all called out. As the dust started to fade, Juzo smirked triumphantly. However, as the dust cleared further, he noticed what had happened. Kushina had caught the sword with her bare hand.
"How…"
"You done?" Kushina asked, with a smirk, "Good, because its my turn now." She then brought back her fist, and slammed it into Juzo's gut. The Mist ninja was sent crashing through an entire, and left an indentation in the next one. The swordsmen hacked up some blood from the sheer force of the attack. But Kushina wasn't done yet, as she started dashing towards her enemy. Noticing that, Juzo quickly made a series of hand signs.
"Water Style: Water Sniper!" From his mouth, he shot a stream of water. It cut through a tree on its way to Kushina, and while it hit directly, the Jinchuriki didn't so much as slow down as she continued the charge. With a yell, Juzo leapt forward with Kubikiribocho, swinging it down. Kushina easily dodged the attack, and heaved up Juzo, before slamming him back into the ground. Juzo looked up weakly, as he saw Kushina glaring down at him with those blank white eyes. Despite himself, Juzo felt himself shaking slightly, as Kushina put her claws to his throat.
"Don't ever threaten my students," she growled, "Clear?"
"Transparently," Juzo answered with a slight cough. Kushina growled slightly again, before getting off him.
"Get out of here." She then jumped off, and landed before her students.
"That was amazing, Sensei!" Kurenai said, now with a look of absolute fascination on her face.
"How did you do all of this?" Raido asked, also amazed.
"I don't have time to explain right now," Kushina answered, "When we get back to camp I'll explain so…"
"Sensei!" her students all shouted at once, as Juzo leapt at Kushina, a manic grin on his face as he brought Kubikiribocho down. Kushina whirled around, and thrust her hand forward. Juzo paused, as he let out a cough, as just looked down. Kushina's claw was embedded in his chest.
"I guess it wasn't clear," she said, as she pulled out her claw. With that, the red energy around her dissipated, as the red-head returned to normal. Her students then noticed that the massive wound on her back had closed, and didn't look nearly as bad as it once did.
"Let's go!" Kushina said, before bounding into the trees.
"Yes Sensei!" her students sounded, as they all followed her. As they started bounding through the trees, Kushina put a hand on her stomach, and smiled slightly.
"Thanks, Kurama," she whispered.
"Hmph, I just didn't have anything better to do, this doesn't make us friends or anything,"Kurama answered. Kushina just chuckled slightly.
"Just you wait, Kistu," she said.
"I already told you my name!"
Note: This is more or less a pet project that's been thumping around in my head for some time now. I was first inspired by seeing some of the filler ideas, which in turn helped feed a concept I'm confident already exists, but I've never really seen in use.
This story will follow canon as much as it can (with the necessary alterations), but will incorporate concepts from both filler arcs, and some of the movies; to what extent will be indicated as the story progresses. Pairings are currently undecided, but for the time being, I'm inclined to follow canon in that regard as well. Because of the nature of this story, there will be OCs in this, all of varying importance. Accordingly, there will be expansions with canon characters, like what I did with Team Kushina. For what its worth, there's no reason to think that Kushina wouldn't have her own genin team before becoming pregnant.
Updates will come when I've got the proper inspiration.
Be sure to review.