Welcome! Why I do this to myself, I don't know. Every story I have up right now is in a different fandom. This isn't good. But alas, inspiration struck in yet another fandom. Many scenes in this fanfic were inspired by scenes from other places. I'll tell you guys when that is.

Without further ado, enjoy!

I own nothing but OCs.

Prologue: Stay With Me

October 10

"C'mon...heal!"

Green medical chakra flowed from the woman's hands.

"Don't you die on me now! You have a child to raise and village that needs you!"

"Tsunade, it's too late-"

"No! I'm not gonna let the baby grow up alone or let Jiraiya fall into depression because his student died, sensei! I won't let them die!"

"...If you're sure, ok."

The seconds ticked by slowly. No one moved. Even slower, flesh mended and holes shrunk. Ever so slowly, a set of parents were healing.

After what seemed like hours, but was really about ten minutes, Tsunade stopped. She panted while telling the ninja surrounding her that her patients would live but needed a hospital immediately. Three ninja nodded, two lifting a parent each while the third gestured to bring the whiskered newborn with them. Hiruzen nodded and gently gave the baby to his subordinate. The three ninja with the patients vanished in shunshins.

Tsunade relaxed before listing to her right. Hiruzen caught her easily, then gently laid her on the ground.

"Thank you, Tsunade. You've saved many from an awful grief."

"Don't thank me yet; they still have a long way to go before they're fully recovered. It could be years before they wake."

"Then we will need to act as if they died." Tsunade's eyes widened but Hiruzen's hand stopped her questions. "Iwa and Kumo would not hesitate to send assassins if they knew Minato was injured or that his son was born. Measures were set in case Minato were ever injured, however, I believe they need to be augmented. Minato and Kushina's survival will be known to as few as possible, as well as Naruto's true identity." Tsunade gasped. "Naruto is also a target. His parentage must be kept secret until Minato and Kushina are fully capable of keeping him safe again."

Tsunade nodded and sat up.

"I hope you know what you're doing."

"As do I."