Chapter 1, Heartless

Pierced by a single claw-nail of the Kyūbi, both Uzumaki Kushina and Namikaze Minato slowly writhed. The sound of their beating hearts only reached their ears by luck, and their backs were arched from the constant panting they endured. Hovering over a pool of black, shiny blood, affront was an alter and within was what they protected. Two infants were seen inside, both male, with one having the sun-kissed hair of the Namikaze while the other donned the the crimson locks of its mother, Kushina.

Out of the two children, only one of them wailed, it's small body squinting. The copper-smell of blood entering his system left an unseen mark on the child. He, who would mostly resemble the former Yondaime Hokage, Namikaze Minato, shrieked in its presence.

'I'm sorry, my child.' Were the thoughts of the man himself, pained to see his child in distress.

In spite of his brothers disturbed feelings, the crimson haired babe only doodled with curiosity. And despite of all the tension, the massive killing intent, and the heavy breaths of its parents; it only stared into space.

'Sochi..' The desperate thoughts of Uzumaki Kushina were put on a halt, having to use every-bit of her will to reinforce the chakra chains that held the Kyūbi back.

Looking at the two children, her children, she let small tears strain down her cheeks. "My boys.." She sobbed with a quivering smile. She reached out to the children, faintly trying to grope their cheeks but failing in the process.

Balling her fist, she let her tears fall like rain. 'If only we had more time!' She snapped in her suffering, eyes shut from the pain: both physically and mentally.

Minato, snapping her out of her thoughts with a cough of blood, laid a hand on Kushina's shoulder. "Let's be quick."

At hearing the desperation in his voice, she looked back at him, him clutching the Kyūbi's claw, wincing but faintly trying to keep his tears in. He smiled at her to facade that he was alright. Looking at her two children, her eyes shivered as she slurred her last words:

"This is the first time I lost an argument," She said, still wincing but continued. "Naruto, Hamura.. don't be picky, eat lots and grow strong. Make sure you bathe everyday and stay warm. Also, don't stay up late. You need lots of sleep. And make friends. You don't need lots of friends, just a few. Ones you can really, really trust.

I wasn't very good at it, but keep up your studies and practice your ninjutsu very hard. Remember that everyone has strengths and weaknesses, so don't get too depressed if you can't do something well. Respect your teachers and upperclassmen in the Academy. Oh, and this is important. It's about the Three Prohibitions for a shinobi.

Be extra careful about lending and borrowing money. Put your mission waggings into your savings account. No alcohol until your twenty. Too much can ruin your health so drink in moderation. Another prohibition is women. I'm a woman, so I don't know too much about this but.. all you need to remember is that this world is made up of men and women. So it's only natural to take an interest in girls.. but don't just get hooked on bad women!

Find someone just like me. Speaking of the Three Prohibitions, be wary of Jiraiya Sensei, you know. From now on you're going to face lots of pain and hardship. Be true to yourself. Have a dream and have the confidence to make that dream come true! There's so much.. oh, so much more that I want to pass of to you two! I wish I could stay longer! I love you two!

.. Minato, I'm sorry I used up your time." Sobbing, she finished with an unfocused gaze.

Looking over her shoulder, at his two children, Minato began his own:

"Oh, it's okay," Straining to see his children. "Naruto, Hamura, my message to you two is..

Iguess it's the same as your nagging mother's." He choked with a dry chuckle.

Forming a jointed handsign, he whispered:

"Eight Signed Seal."

Light encased the area, blinding anyone in sight. Once diminished, one could no longer see the Kyūbi's presence, but the glowing of a seal on the sun-kissed babe's belly..

Only reminded what was to come.