AN: A new story. I know I should probably try and focus on my main one but I couldn't help myself. I love this type of AU about seeing ghosts but I haven't been able to read one that's actually been able to pull it off. Or at least one that semi-regularly updates. So I wrote my own. I hope you like it. I know I will.

Disclaimer: I do not own Naruto and all rights of character and plot go to Kishimoto

The Orphanage – 1 year and a half after the Kyuubi Attack

The night was quiet. It was surprisingly calm and all-around peaceful despite the destruction that had occurred only a year and a half ago. The destruction had left many people in Konohagakure defenseless, homeless and vulnerable with only one thing that eased their pain – person to blame for their misfortune. Still, many parts of Konoha needed adamant repairs even after a year and a half but the more collateral damage had been taken care of. The citizens of the hidden village, both civilian and shinobi, grieved for their loved ones – it was a tragedy that would remain for years to come, and many held grudges towards the cause. Their desperate plea for it to be nothing but a nightmare fell on deaf ears, as the cause of their heartache – the Kyuubi – had been locked away in an infant child.

A girl; by the name Uzumaki Naruto.

The one and a half year old girl, forgotten in a corner of the incredibly large orphanage, was curled in her makeshift crib in a tight ball. Her eyes clammed shut as she attempted to keep herself warm. The thin single blanket had fallen from her tiny body and it was only take a noise to wake her. There was no sense of sympathy when it came to the treatment of the pitifully young orphan.

She had once been in the care of the Third Hokage but only until she was able to more solid foods. The Hokage's work was too demanding to take care of a child. As a result, very little care was placed upon the child once she was transferred to the orphanage only because of the creature sealed inside of her.

However, the night was harsh for a child – so were the day, but only during the night were sparkling tears shed by the blonde babe. A soft shimmering glow in the form of a woman walked up the edge of the crib. She took hold of the blanket as best she could, focusing all her spiritual energy on it and pulled it over the shivering child.

A soft feminine voice echoed throughout the room painfully, "Naruto, my poor little girl."

A ghostly hand ran through the quivering child's hair. The late mother cringed at the sight of her daughter to be in such a state; despite being dead she could not help the tears that streamed from her eyes and have never left since the day she died. She wished nothing more than to comfort her, protect her and tell her she loved her and that her and her husband did not abandon her. But there was nothing that she could do. How tragic could a child's fate be?

"Kushina…" Another voice interrupted.

The mother turned to she see her husband; still in the uniform he died in while protecting the village. His body was just as see-through as her's. Kushina rubbed her eyes out of desperation before tucking a thin strand of the red hair behind her ear. She needed comfort and solace was only found in the man she loved, even in death.

"Minato, I wish there was something we could do for her. She doesn't even know that we love her." Kushina whimpered. Her hand clamped tightly onto his shirt, her face buried in his chest as she begged helplessly in his arms. Minato could only squeeze his wife tighter with each sob that passed her lips.

"I know. I'm sorry. I'm so sorry."

It was all he could offer. He loved his little girl just as much as his wife. He prayed alongside her, wishing there was something they could do to pass on a couple words, an 'I love you' or 'you're so brave' was all they asked they could ask for.

Anything...

Kushina and Minato returned to the crib, both ran they hands over the quivering girl; but it was at the moment their hands phased through her, did they notice her shivering to stop. Naruto's eyes slowly opened tiredly, electric blue eyes shifted in the dark lazily. Having been aroused from her attempt at sleep, Naruto rubbed her eyes.

After lying on her stomach for so long, Naruto flipped herself up onto her back, still rubbing her eyes. She didn't understand what was going on, she thought she had heard a noise – probably one of the matrons. Naruto turned her head over to where she assumed the matron would be, only to find two people that were far closer to her crib than what she was prepared for. Not recognising the people, instinct told her to start cry – and that she did.

"What do we?!" Kushina reacted – not registering the miracle they wished had since been answered.

Minato realised straight away and just stared in shock at the sight of his beautiful baby girl. She had seen them, and the suddenness of their arrival had startled her! He moved forward instinctively, his body fazing through the crib as he knelt down so that he was face to face with Naruto.

"N-Naruto," He was so hesitant. He was so desperately to believe what he saw. The Yondaime Hokage once again sent his prays as he reached out to Naruto. "Naruto. Look at me. Please."

Naruto hesitantly removed her hands to look at the blond man that was now in front of her. Their hands were warm and cold at the same time, she didn't know how to explain it but she didn't know whether she wanted to try and hug the man, the fear of feeling the cold again made her hesitate to try at first but if it meant she could have a bit more warmth than she was willing to go to the funny looking man that was only a head.

She rubbed away the stray tears as she sniffed and returned to wearily watching the man before taking a quick glance at the woman behind him.

"…?" Naruto managed.

"My name's Minato. I'm your dad. Dad. Can you say 'dad'?" Minato smiled softly as he continued to hope that his observations were true and that there wasn't one of the matrons behind him.

"T-T'-ch'n." Naruto stammered.

Kushina gapped at the sound of Naruto attempting to call Minato her father. Her prayers had been answered, they could talk to Naruto, be a part of her childhood, teach her what they learned; but more importantly, they could tell her just how much they loved her for as long as the small spell would last.

"N-Naruto." Kushina whimpered. Wishing to get a closer look at her child. Minato didn't need to be told to move out of the way. Kushina knelt down in front of the tiny blonde child, Her red hair immediately caught Naruto's eyes and she could only stare curiously.

She turned to the man for some sort of guidance, she felt that she could trust him. He could only offer a sorrowful smile and small nod of the head.

"Naruto-chan," She said softly.

Naruto's attention perked and her eyes trained back to the redheaded woman. She stared and could only think about how quiet she was, the woman didn't look like a quiet person, at all.

"Naruto, my name's Kushina. I'm your mother. Your mum. I-I'm your mum." Kushina felt her voice break, it felt so good, so natural to finally get to say what she always want to say since she knew she was pregnant. She knew she needed to be strong for Naruto, it was what she deserved, and she needed to know that there was someone that could care for her.

"K-Ka-ch'n."

"Oh, Naruto, I couldn't be happier that you can see us!" Kushina wept. She reached out instinctively to hug her but she passed straight through Naruto and the crib and hit the floor without a sound to indicate the landing. Naruto blinked a couple of times, wondering where the woman disappeared to, absently looking around before staring at the slightly shell-shocked man who could only stare directly at the legs that poked out from underneath the crib.

"K-Kushina-chan?" Minato stammered. His hands twitched, he wanted to help his wife up but knew better. He knew that his wife liked her independence where it was due; helping her up while she was in such a vulnerable state would only further remind her that she was dead. That she could never hold her daughter physically.

Kushina despite the humiliating fall began to laugh, tears of wonder, amazement and relief completely overwhelmed her. She pushed herself up, only after regaining her bearing and slowly rejoined her husband's side. Minato could only offer an arm, he offered her a soft smile, as he tucked her close to his chest. The two of them smiled lovingly at their daughter and they watched in silence as they watched her crawl to the edge of the crib in an attempt to get closer to them. Tears formed in the corner of their eyes, as her crawling was only further proof of her attachment to them.

"N-No go." Naruto sniffed. She had never seen such a loving gaze before, she didn't want it to go away.

It was a surprise to them that Naruto had spoken at all, during the entire time they watched over her she never uttered a peep. The thought of whether she simply spent her time observing since no one spoke to her and encouraged babbling that silenced her.

Kushina drifted over, kneeling down in front of the small crib, allowing her hand to pass through the wooden cage, she was able to run her finger through her daughter's soft golden hair, feeling slightly more power in Naruto's presence. Both of their eyes filled with tears as pressed their foreheads together in best hope of physical contact. Their moment, albeit probably short, didn't stop the family from acknowledging just how good things were, especially to be able to connect to one another without fear.

For so long, Minato and Kushina feared that they would only be able to reconnect with their little girl when she would be on her deathbed. Something they were more than willing to wait a long time for – but now, they dared to hope that they were able to be something like of a family.

Whatever God had blessed them with the opportunity to love their daughter had their absolute gratitude. They wanted to spend every moment looking after her like they wished they could despite the possibly consequences that could come from them.