Disclaimer: I do not own Naruto, or any other elements that I will use in this story. Those rights belong to Masashi Kishimoto and their proper owners.
A/N: First real fan fiction. Just an idea that I wanted to write down. Will accept any form of review/advice.
Prologue: Part 1: A Mysterious Intruder
July 12, Afternoon (2 days after Kushina's birthday)
"It is always good to have you over, Sensei" a spiky blond said to his wise (although more perverted) long white haired sensei. Minato and Kushina (6 months pregnant) were sitting in the living room with Jiraiya discussing the possible names for their unborn child. "Well Sensei, I was wondering if I could use one of your character's names from 'The Tale of the Utterly Gutsy Shinobi', we both thought that it would be perfect for our son" said Minato while holding a small green book in his right hand while hugging Kushina with his left.
"Really? I just got that name while I was eating some ramen while having writers block" stated Jiraiya as he explained why this book did not rank among his top best sellers, but instead his worst yet. "Maybe I should go about writing something new, maybe I could use some of my 'research' as material for them" Jiraiya stated while holding a perverted grin while Minato was sending him a death glare. Minato has caught his sensei doing more indecent acts towards the public hot springs then there were paper work in the Hokage Tower.
"if you even think of using what you saw during my honeymoon in Tori no Kuni (Land of Birds); I will hunt you down and shove a Rasengan so far into your skull that it will make Tsunade-sama's punch feel like a gentle breeze" Minato stated while focusing his chakra to form into a blue sphere in the palm of his hand.
Noticing the slight use of chakra, Jiraiya smirked and countered "There is nothing to be ashamed of, gaki. After all, you did learn from the best". Both student and sensei continued their staring while Minato was deciding on whether or not to use the Rasengan on Jiraiya.
"Naruto, it's a beautiful name" as both Minato and Jiraiya stopped staring and looked at a smiling Kushina rubbing her stomach while pulling some of her fallen red hair out of her face. "Back in Uzu no Kuni (Land of Whirlpools), the word Naruto held another meaning" Kushina said while now looking at both confused faces of student and sensei.
"It means Maelstrom, an endless form of energy. I think it's perfect for our son because it reminds me of two of my favorite places" Kushina said while leaning her head on her husband's shoulder. Minato smiles and kisses her on the top of her head. When he had read the story to try and convince Kushina to think about using the name for their son one night during her first trimester, she fell in love with it so fast that it left him stomped as to why she would agree so quickly. Whenever he asked, she would simply reply that she will explain when they could see Jiraiya to use this name. Now that he knows, he is going to get his sensei's permission to use the name for his son. After several more hours of discussion and debate, Jiraiya had finally caved in and gave them his blessing to use the name 'Naruto'.
Once Jiraiya was gone to resume his self-proclaimed 'research', Kushina began to clean up the living room while Minato was going over a few files that the ANBU brought over this morning on the couch. As she was about to head towards the kitchen, Kushina's vision begins to flicker and blur into different hues.
'Ugh...that's odd, I don't remember any symptoms referring to this when Biwako explained to me about the 'joys' of pregnancy' she thought before feeling a wave of fatigue overcoming her entire body. "Minato…" was the last word she spoke before finally falling towards the floor.
Minato looks over to his wife to see what his wife wanted to ask, only to see that she is falling to the floor face first. Panicking, he throws one of his tri-pronged kunai towards her before using his signature Hiraishin no Jutsu to catch her. "You need to be more careful, Kushina-chan" Minato smiled as he began with a little banter only to be rewarded with silence.
"Kushina?" he said but when he looked down, only to see that she has begun to lose a lot of color in her face. "KUSHINA?!" he began to yell, trying to wake her up to no avail. "ANBU" Minato screamed as a squad came a moment after their Hokage called. "Yes, Hokage-sama?" replied Boar, the current ANBU captain stationed near the Hokages Residence.
"Send word to the hospital to prepare a room immediately, have them prepare any and all test to diagnose what the problem that is occurring with my wife. Go NOW!" as the Hokage ordered, the ANBU vanished to carry out his will. Minato turned back to his wife and started to pick her up from the ground to carry her.
'Please hold on. Don't give up on me, both of you' were his last thoughts before he began his run to the Hospital in hopes of finding either Biwako or Taji.
Kushinas Mindscape
Kushina begins to stir from her slumber at the scent of salt in the air and the bright light radiating off the sun. As she tries to sit up while rubbing the sand out of her eyes, she tries to get a feeling of her surroundings. As she gets up from the ground, she senses a familiar chakra from behind and raises an eyebrow at it. The only one question that came to her mind when she looked around was 'why am I in the seal containing Fur ball'.
The scene around her is that of an island surrounded by whirlpools and within its center lays a forest with Kyūbi chained to an altar behind her struggling to break free. As she begins her walk over she yells from the beach "What do want, Fuzz ball. I don't have the time or the patience to deal with you right now." Kyūbi growls at her and says "I did not call you here Human; I take no pleasure having to remain here more than you do in containing me. So why would I wish to converse and waste my time with you". She raises an eyebrow at that statement and tries to understand what brought her here. "Forgive me for the intrusion, but I am in need of your expertise, Kushina-san". Shocked from the third voice that appeared out of nowhere, Kushina turns around prepared to fight what has entered her mindscape, only to see what looks to be a child covered in a black coat from head-to-toe. The child appears to be male no older than 16 at best sporting an all-black outfit adorned in silver chains around his coat with his hood up to hide what is left of his face. The only detail that Kushina can make out of him was that he has long silver hair that is braided over his left shoulder extending towards his hip. 'I'm taking no chances here, whoever this child is. He was able to bypass Minato's seal around the house and even more so, enter my mindscape without my knowing' as Kushina begins to expand chakra in the form of chains from the ground with several hand-signs. "Chakra Chains Barrier" she shouted as chains begin to move through the air to form a dome around said outsider. The outsider looks at the chains that begin to take form, crisscrossing over each other to make a dome.
"It would appear that I have angered you to a degree, Kushina-san. I would suppose that the proper course would be to apologize, but I am unsure as to what that is? It is not as though I would deliberately call you 'Tomato Head' just to get your attention". As soon as he said that, the chains immediately stopped moving and everything was silent. The outsider sighed, figuring that he finally got Kushina's attention, only to be rewarded darkening clouds in her mindscape and a sudden chill running down his back. 'W-what's going on, why do I feel like the Shinigami is right behind me' the outsider thought as it began to get even colder when moving his head back left and right to find this strange phenomenon.
Kushina's right eye began to have a noticeable twitch 'did he just say the forbidden word directly to my face'. So to refrain from losing face, she decides to close her eyes and begins to smile calmly while releasing so much KI (killing intent) to stop a full grown heart and make the Kyūbi remain silent. "It seems that no one has taught you proper manners; care to say it once more". The outsider looked back finally finding the source coming from her, but was a bit confused as to why Kushina was releasing all of this KI towards him as he began to ask "well, I-". Before he could start, Kushina began to perform hand-seals, (Ram, Horse, Snake, Dragon, Rat, Ox, Tiger), inhaling as much air as her lungs can handle while aiming at the barrier. "Katon: Karyū Endan" (Fire Dragon Flame Bullet). Releasing all of her breath, flames began to move in from three different directions of the child.
Preparing to at least defend from the attack, he began several hand-signs, only for the chains to once again start moving at a more intense speed and the dome shrinking in size. Kushina's chains began to attack from all angles, forcing the outsider to try and outmaneuver the chains, which prove to becoming more difficult with limited/decreasing space and an oncoming attack heading towards you in several seconds. 'It would appear that I need to calm her down before we can talk to one another. I just hope she will be reasonable' as the outsider stopped moving and allowed the chains to wrap around his limbs. Having the chains finally caught her target; Kushina began to tighten her Chakra to ensure that there would be no surprises. Seconds after, the Katon jutsu was able to enter the barrier and consuming the remaining space in an intense flame from all directions.
Kushina let out a grin noting that the intruder was finally caught in her chains and that the flames had hit her mark. This tactic was old, and yet was still a tasteful one to ensure that the deed was done. Releasing her jutsu, the chains began to crumble into sand and blend into the islands beach. As she was beginning to leave, Kyūbi spoke "if you intend to leave, care to clean up the vermin that still remains in here, worthless human". On instinct, Kushina was about to retort to Fuzz Ball only to see that the scorched area did not contain a corpse, but a variety of metal weapons from broadswords, claymores and spears. 'What's going on, I know I got him with that last hit. There is no way he could have used a substitution while within my barrier' Kushina thought as trying to figure out where the gaki went to. She began focusing chakra into the air to try and get some kind of reaction, only to side step from the three spears that appear directly beneath her.
"…ton: Hyaku eiyū no maisō" (Burial of a Hundred Heroes) was all that Kushina heard when the ground began to shake violently. Dozens of weapons began to erupt from the ground all around, heading towards the sky and descending straight to her. Kushina began to do a series of side steps, avoiding a majority of the bladed weapons. A few had managed tear at her clothes near her left shoulder, right thigh, and several threads of hair. When the last spear hit the ground, she began to look around at what she could only describe as a graveyard that she once saw during the Third Shinobi War near Kusagakure. One of the locals explained to her the blades were there as a symbol to honor their previous lives and to guide the next generation. 'Our bodies may have fallen but our spirit still stands to this day'.
"Have you calmed down yet, or do I need to use anymore unnecessary chakra to have a discussion with you" said the Intruder as he surfaced from the ground. Kushina turned around and backed up to prepare for another assault until he spoke "or are you willing to sacrifice your unborn child just to have a fight" as he stated coldly to get the point across. Kushina froze at that one comment about Naruto being in danger because of her.
Her hands came undone from the hand-sign and wrapped them around her stomach where said child gave a slight kick to assure Kushina that he was alright. Smiling at the reassurance, she looked at the gaki who was now holding a 5 foot long Broadsword, three inches thick with a hilt that covers a one-fourth of it (FF7:AC Buster Sword) with partially covered in bandages that looks like it weighs well more than a ton over his right shoulder.
"Alright, alright. I suppose we can be civil about this" as Kushina began to pout at not having to finish a fight but for a good reason. The intruder let out a breath of relief as he stabbed his blade into the ground. As soon as he looked up, Kushina was right on top of him and poked him in the chest, initially causing him to lose balance at the sudden presence. She then had a grin that stretched across her face at the gaki on the ground while viewing ta slight bruise being formed saying "looks like the first hit goes to me…uh".
Blinking out of his stupor from the surprise poke, he finally began to introduce himself. "O-oh, f-forgive me for not introducing myself earlier, Kushina-san. My name is Rune Taiyō (Sun) of Kawa no Kuni (Land of Rivers) and it is an honor to meet you" Rune said as he gave a bow in respect that Kushina is the Hokage's wife. Kushina started to develop a light pink blush at having someone bowing to her, 'now I know how Minato feels when people first bowed to him the few days after the coronation ceremony'. As Rune was coming back up from his bows a portion of his hood showing his mouth with a smile on his face "and your right, first hit goes to you. I still have a lot to learn if I'm making these kinds of mistakes by letting my guard down".
As soon as her blush died down from the sudden praise, she decided to ask several questions that have plagued her mind during that small skirmish. Kushina looks directly at Runes covered face, "I would like to ask a few questions before we can get to the heart of the matter, if that is alright with you Rune-kun" at which he nods gesturing her with his hands to continue with her questions.
She takes a breath and begins with "what are the purpose of those weapons, I know that you weren't carrying any when you showed up or used a sealing matrix to bring them from a scroll due to the fact you were tied up at the moment" while she is pointing towards the area around them that is still covered in weapons with them in the center of it. Not many people, not even bijuu could escape her chakra chains. The proof is that the Kyūbi is still sealed within her, so how could a gaki escape?
Rune tilts his head away from Kushina while his left arm clutches his right elbow as if trying to avoid the question, but thought that she is only trying to see if there were any flaws in it in case the Kyūbi were ever to exploit it. "Sigh…okay, I'll tell you, but please don't tell anyone else. I really don't want to deal with hunter-ninja from one of the five major Hidden Villages" Rune says with a defeated tone which Kushina raises an eyebrow, but nods with a smile saying "I'll assure you that whatever it is, I'm going to remain passive".
He turns his head back to explain what he did while he was captured. "As you said, I couldn't escape from your chains. I was downright scared that I'd be a well over cooked steak. The only reason I got out of it was due to the fact that I have an advance nature kekkei tōta called Kōton (Steel Release), which involves using both Katon (Fire) and Doton (Earth) to create Yōton (Lava Release). While using my chakra to shape the lava, I then combine it with Suiton (Water) to make the shaped lava into a given weapon. A simple Katon isn't enough to melt this metal; one would most likely need a user of Yōton and Enton (Blaze Release) or both to really do some damage. So all I really did was create mass amounts of weapons to act as a shield around me until the jutsu was done and I was finally free from the chains. Umm…Kushina-san, are you alright, you're staring at me like a carp out of water."
If someone were to put a carp next to Kushina, you would say that they were twins with wide eyes and gaping mouths. She has only heard of Kōton from one of the lectures of the First Shinobi War that was taught at the Ninja Academy and the only known ninja with a kekkei tōta is the Sandaime Tsuchikage, Ryōtenbin no Ōnoki (Fence-Sitter), with his renowned Jinton (Dust Release). If it weren't for the fact that she was pregnant, she would have keeled over from shock of said information and how easily a child got out of chakra chains. It wasn't until Rune was waving his hands in front of her that she finally snapped back to reality (her mindscape) to continue their conversation.
"Oh, yes I'm fine. Just a little overwhelmed that there were other kekkei tōta users out there. I'm just…wow". Rune nods "that's pretty much all I did really. It's not that special compare to most shinobi like the Senju Clan, the Uchiha Clan, the Hyūga Clan and even your husband the Yondaime Hokage. All of them are considered to be treasures of the Leaf from Kawa". What Rune just said snapped Kushina back into the conversation.
"YOU BAKA" as Kushina proceeds to hit Rune on top of his head, forcing him into the ground making a sizable crater in the sand. "You were able to stand your ground against me, the jinchūriki of the Kyūbi no Kitsune. Granted I'm pregnant and can't use all of my jutsu, and you were still able to hold your own. I want you to repeat these words after me".
Rune holds his head shielding it incase Kushina decides to hit him again and listens to what she has to say.
"Saigo made akiramenai". (Don't give up until the very end)
Rune blinked at what she said while tilting his head to the right. "Huh?"
Kushina was about to hit Rune on the head again but he replied, a bit scared though while bringing his hands to cover his head. "S-s-s-sai-go m-m-made a-a-a-akiramenai".
"There, now that wasn't so hard now, was it Rune-kun?" she smiles as he shakes his head fast to make sure she knew that he got it. Kushina got more answers then she could have asked from just that one question. She was able to get a view on his personality and character. Rune was spontaneous scatter brain with a knack of knowing how to read situations. Overall, she could at least help him with his errand.
"Do you have any more questions that you would like answered?" Rune asked knowing that there are more important questions then his kekkei tōta. Yet once again, Kushina surprises him with her question. "Is there anything that I can do to help you with? I may not be a genius like Minato, but I'm sure with the two of us we will be able to figure it out (Da) ttebane" with a smile that could melt gold. "After all, you were able to get into my mindscape with what I would guess was easy for someone like you. Not even the Yamanaka's are able to breach in here".
"..nk...ou" was all that Kushina could hear from the whisper from Rune. Before she could reply, he moved his hands into his hood rigorously wiping his face from what she could only assume were tears.
After a few minutes, he was finally able to talk to Kushina. "The reason that I have come to you today is because I am looking for an item that was once in possession of Mito Uzumaki-Senju. I was hoping that if you had any information on the whereabouts or if it is still in Konoha".
"Might I inquire as to why you would ask me and not Tsunade-sama, since she is Mito-sama's granddaughter?" asked a very confused Kushina about her old caretaker from well over a decade ago.
Rune shook his head "I do not believe so, as this item was given to Mito-sama so that she could look after it and study it. You were the only one that was with here during her final days. I was hoping since she has now passed on, that the item could be returned, if it is not too much trouble".
"If you could, can give me a description of the item, I would be more than happy to return it to Kawa. I see no reason not to return it to its rightful owners" she said with a smile rubbing her stomach to sooth Naruto's constant kicking.
Rune nods with a smile finally appearing on his face "yes, of course. The item that Mito-sama was researching was a Sealing Statue in the form of our first female Daimyō. In Kawa, women are the rightful rulers and she was one of our greatest since the time before the First Shinobi War".
Rune pulls out an old scroll from his sleeve and unravels it showing an ink style portrait of a woman. The woman was shown having long braided hair wrapped around her head before falling down towards her back. Upon her head, she wore in intricate crown that took the form of flames being levitated off of her head. Her face was stern with a regal look from years of political training, but her eyes held that of what a mother would show to her children. From what Kushina could understand of fashion, the late Daimyō wore a kimono that expressed her true value if not equal to that of Mito-sama. The one thing that caught Kushina's eye was that the unique tattoo that was upon her forehead in the shape of the sun. Overall, this portrait of Kawa's First Daimyō could be considered as one of the few epitomes of beauty.
"I must say, I'm rather jealous. From my understanding from viewing this portrait, this would have to have been the most beautiful woman in all of Kawa no Kuni" Kushina stated while holding back a pout for underestimating her own fight to win over every women's bane.
"…yeah… she certainly was" Rune said in a somber tone before rolling the portrait back up. "So, Kushina-san, have you ever seen a statue or bust of her anywhere in Konoha or have an idea as to where Mito-sama would put it for safe keeping?" Rune said wanting to continue their previous discussion.
Kushina had a calm look upon her face when she decided to answer. "I am sorry, Rune-kun, but I have never seen any bust of this description and if I had, it would certainly have been one of the few memories I would never forget". Rune's head and shoulders began to fall down in defeat having run into a dead end in his search. "However,"
Rune looks up with some hope at her words "I have seen the forehead design that was on the Daimyō's in one of the few sealing scrolls that Mito-sama taught me. I can't remember much of them since I was a little…preoccupied at the time, ha ha. But I think it had something to do with Natsu no Kuni (Land of Summer), which I believe is about a three day boat ride south-east from Tsuki no Kuni (Land of the Moon)" Kushina rubbing the back of her head in embarrassment from the times she decided to cut lessons to pull some 'minor' pranks on the village.
"Thank you so much, Kushina-san. This information is truly, if what was said in those scrolls, happens to be true are more valuable than a mountain of gold. You have the gratitude of a nation, thank you" Rune stated bowing his head as far as it could go. Kushina began to show a little pinker in her cheeks from all of the bowing Rune was giving her.
Coming back up, Rune takes a look at the sky. "It would appear that while I have obtained what I needed, I have taken some of your time. Perhaps it is time you returned to your husband. I am more than sure he is worried for your wellbeing"
"OH SWEET KAMI, MINATO!" Kushina began to panic while getting up quickly and leaving her mind but before that. "Rune-kun, please take care of yourself. You're bound to become a great shinobi and I cannot wait to meet you outside of my head. I might even let you treat me to some ramen. I'll see you soon, I promise" she gave a wink and vanishing in a bright light; waving a goodbye, Rune letup from his smile which began to turn into a small frown.
"I am sorry Kushina-san, but I do not believe I will ever be able to see you again" Rune said as he began walking to the altar that chains the Kyūbi no Kitsune. Upon reaching the altar, Kyūbi lets out a feral growl at least trying to intimidate the intruder.
"What is it that you want Human, have your questions not been answered by my so called Warden. Or perhaps you decide to mock me as my Warden does every damn time I try to break free" Kyūbi spoke with venom with when he refers to humans. Rune had not budged from his place. Silence was all that remained for several minutes before Kyūbi began to lose his temper. "ANSWER ME HUMAN, WHY DO YOU CHOOSE TO REMAIN SILENT. YOU INSOLENT SACK OF FLE-" the Yōko yelled before it was interrupted by Rune.
"I am merely surprised that you have chosen to remain silent during the exchange of words I shared with Kushina-san. Are you perhaps trying to figure out my purpose with searching for that bust or the reason why I chose to fight with Kushina, knowing that if I had continued then her child would have gotten involved, O Spirit of Curiosity and Misfortune?" as Rune stated before turning from the altar and walking away.
Kyūbi became rigid in his spot and wide eyed at the title that this child referred to him as. "HOW DO YOU KNOW THAT TITLE?! NO HUMAN IN THIS ERA SHOULD HAVE THAT KNOWLEDGE?! WHAT ARE YOU?!" Kyūbi began screaming at this thing that knows about its title that only one man ever gave it.
Rune halted in his walk and looked back at the Yōko from over his shoulder. "Perhaps another time, Kyūbi, for I do not believe that it is the proper time for answers. I hope that you can remain passive when it comes time for your next vessel. Until then, behave, Spirit of Curiosity and Misfortune" was all that was said when Rune Vanished in a flash of light.
After making sure that its warden and the intruder were no longer present, Kyūbi began to ponder out loud to itself. "What is happening to the outside world, Father?"
July 13, Morning Hospital Room
Minato was sitting in a chair next to Kushina who, to his relief, was gaining some color back to her face. Biwako Sarutobi, The Sandaimes wife, had assured him that his wife is merely exhausted either from stress of lack of sleep and that she should wake up in a few hours. That was thirteen hours ago and every nerve in his body is being shot from staying awake. Every twitch that Kushina makes was raising his hope that she will wake up seconds later only to stop moving and resume sleeping.
"Please, Kushina, please wake up so that I can be sure that you're safe. I'll scout the entire continent is search of Tsunade if she could wake you up that much quicker" Minato announced to no one in particular but just hopping that she would at least wake to his voice. When she didn't move, apart from her breathing, he laid his head on her stomach to hear the heartbeat of both Kushina and Naruto.
"Naruto, if you can hear, I need to tell you that your mother is in need of some help. I know that I am asking a lot from you, when we haven't even met yet, but I would really like to see your mothers beautiful eyes again. I know you can do it Naruto, you are my son after all" Minato said in a whisper so that his son, if by some miracle, heard him. He waited for a few more minutes, just listening to the steady beating of both hearts when he felt a kick from Naruto.
Minato then felt a few more kicks from Naruto until his son stopped. Shocked at what his just did, he looked to Kushinas face to see any change. Nothing had changed that beautiful sleeping face as before. He chuckled at the thought before leaning his head down once again to talk to Naruto, "it was a very good first try, Naruto. I am proud at what you can do". He began to feel the effects of sleep without the use of a soldier pill. He was starting to close his eyes when he heard someone call his.
"Mina…to" Kushina spoke in a wispy voice that would have gone unnoticed. Minato bolted right up to see those glimmering violet eyes. He smiled and finally felt the reassurance at seeing her well again. He got out of his chair to move close to her, grabbing her by the chin ever so gently as to not cause her any discomfort, and slowly taking her lips into his own. They remained like this for several seconds more until he broke away trying to catch his breath while Kushina had turned a lighter shade of red from her hair. 'He hasn't kissed me like that since our days as genin' she thought blushing even more at one particular memory.
Minato smile just grows ever bigger with each second and says "I'm glad that you're alright. For future reference, please rely on me more. I want to make sure that you're safe all the time, even…in...Your…dreams" before his eyelids grew heavy and forcing him to sleep from his own worries right beside her.
Kushina was a little worried as to what happen during her time from blacking out to her husband's kiss. But now that she saw him with a smile on his face and sleeping soundly, all of her worries seem to melt away. She moves her left hand over his head and begins to stroke through the blond hairs. She then whispers to herself so as not to wake Minato up. "Jeez, what am I going to do with you?" Sighing, she continues talking to herself "well at least you know that I will always be here by your side, no matter what".
She then looks out the window to see all of Konoha beginning their day as she goes over the events that had transpired within her. 'I know we will meet again someday soon, Rune-kun. Of that is a promise of lifetime' she smiles as she gets more comfortable to sleep with her husband for a few more hours.
A/N: a great way to start a chapter. If you are having trouble picturing this world, go to my profile and click the link to have a better idea. Wish me luck on the next chapter of "FDTR".