Disclaimer: Naruto and All It's Characters Are Owned By Masashi Kishimoto

A Song of Sorrow


"Minato, your mother and I have something very important to tell you."

Tsutomu Namikaze, secretary to Hiruzen Sarutobi says to his son as his wife Hikari reassures their son with a smile. Minato the boy in question is sitting across the table from his two parents after returning earlier in the day from a mission."Um, I'm not in trouble am I?"

Tsutomu a brown haired man in his late 30's smiles at his son and then to his wife. Tsutomu while not being a very good fighter decided at a young age that he would be better served in the administration than on the battle field.

"No, of course not honey. It actually has something to do with us," states Hikari with joy, smiling at Minato and then Tsutomu. Hikari herself is a Chunin rank kunoichi skilled in Taijutsu, but she does not have much potential to ever rise higher than that, so she is happily content to be a stay at home mother now.

"That's right son, your mother and I are expecting another child and if the doctor is to be believed ... it will be a boy!" Tsutomu states with visible joy and glee.

"Really so I'll have a little brother!" says Minato excitingly jumping to his feet to hug both parents.

"It appears so honey!" says Hikari hugging her son

"So you know that means you will have to look out for him right. Teach him right from wrong and most of all protect him." says Tsutomu smiling at his son.

"Of course I will, I can't wait to tell Kushina." Minato gushes

"Well you can tell her tomorrow because now it's time to go to sleep. I can only imagine how ragged Jiraiya ran you guys on your mission, C-rank right." says Hikari smiling down at her son and brushing her long blonde hair behind her ears

"Ya it was" says a still excited Minato "We traveled to the Land of Forests to spy on some rogue ninja and meet with some of Jiraiya-sensei's spies."what Minato did not reveal was all the spas he took them to so they could peek on women.

"Hmm are you sure that was all." says Tsutomu with a very lecherous look on his face

"We will talk about that tomorrow." says Hikari "Now off to bed"

Minato walks back to his room thinking of how many things he will teach his brother. After closing the door to his room and letting his ninja pack fall to the floor hops into bed and drifts into a quiet sleep thinking of those spas Jiraiya took him and his teammates too.

"So seems like ill head off to bed soon as well" says Tsutomu after kissing his wife and walking into their bedroom.

"Okay see you in a few minutes i'm gonna stay up a little while longer" Hikari says

Tsutomu slowly walks into his bedroom running his hand through his brunet hair. Wondering if this kid will inherit his hair color or his wife's blonde locks. "Seems it would only be fair for him to have mine on account of Minato." says a chuckling Tsutomu before laying down and closing his eyes.

XxX
(6 Months Later At Konoha Hospital)

"Come on Hikari one more push should do it!"

"I AM PUSHING!" shouts a very tired and angry Hikari

"Well keep pushing then" says Tsunade looking a little worse for wear after around 10 and ½ hours of labor. Hikari in Tsunade's opinion look really bad.

Tsutomu is sitting in the corner quietly pacing not taking his eyes off the ground

Tsunade and the nurses are all standing around Hikari coaxing her and offering words of encouragement "Tsutomu stop being useless and come hold your wife's hand! come on help her here, I believe you had a role in her being here today."

"AHHH DAMN IT!" Hikari screams at the top of her lungs for anyone to hear.

"Umm sure I guess" says a visibly shaken Tsutomu walking over to his wife's side clasping her hand before dropping to his knees in pain "PLEASE HIKARI LET GO OF MY HAND THAT HURTS!"

"NO MAN UP AND TAKE IT I'M THE ONE IN REAL PAIN HERE!" screams Hikari in Tsutomu's face

"Good I think I see the baby crowning" says Tsunade ignoring Tsutomu crying in pain and the sounds of Tsutomu's bones crushing "Okay one more push should do it!"

"AHHHHHHH!" Hikari shrieks still crushing Tsutomu hand in hers vice like grip.

I just had to marry a kunoichi didn't I Tsutomu starts nursing his hand before realizing "Wait he's coming?" immediately jumping to his feet in astonishment

"Looks like it, now come on one more push!" Tsunade then takes her place at the foot of the birthing bed.

"Waaaaah!"

"I hear him" says a teary eyed Hikari before he head lolled and then dropped to the pillow

"Nurses quickly take the baby and get him taken care of" says Tsunade delicately handing the baby to the nurses before her hands started glowing green "And take Tsutomu back to the waiting room now!" screaming back at any remaining nurses. "Come on Hikari wake up, come on you need to wake up."

"Hikari …" Tsutomu says quietly while staring at his wife and being escorted to the waiting room.

"Dad whats wrong is the baby alright." says Minato staring at his dad expectantly. When no answer came Minato asked again "Come on answer me dad is it mom?"

"I ... I don't know ..." Was the only response Tsutomu gave his son. Please be alright Hikari please oh God, please be alright.

"Okay nurses start running diagnostic tests I need to know what's wrong with her" Tsunade orders the nurses.

XxX
(Outside Birthing Room 1 Hour Later)

Please be alright Hikari please oh please I don't know what I would do without you. Tsutomu thoughts are interrupted as a very bloody and disturbed looking Tsunade steps out of the operation room. Minato and Tsutomu immediately stand to their feet waiting expectantly, Minato with tears forming in his eyes.

"I … I'm so sorry she … she just simply lost too much blood and exerted too much strength she … she just could not recover I … I tried everything I could I'm ... so sorry" Tsunade staring down the whole time.

No ... no impossible no. Tsutomu drops to his knees "Thats … thats not possible how, how could Hikari she, she can't die how ... how could she leave us like that … oh, oh God no."

Minato's eyes slowly begin to water as he realizes his mother is dead. No how could she die how could she leave me and father and my little brother. Minato comes to a realization "Wait how is the baby is he alright please, he has to be right"

Tsunade smiles a sad smile at Minato and says "Yes he is alright and a very healthy baby boy would you like to see him Minato?"

"Yes please let me."

"Okay nurses please take Minato to go see the baby"

"Yes Lady Senju" says one of the nurses behind Tsunade "Come with me please."says a nurse as she leads Minato away

"Tsunade how can life be so cruel to take Hikari away from me especially now with a newborn baby" says the now sobbing Tsutomu

Tsunade then kneels down beside Tsutomu "I don't know why God choose to take her from us but you have to realize right now is not the time for grieve as you have a newborn son to go meet" she states with a smile

Tsutomu wipes his nose away with a sniffle "Your right so please take me to him."

Tsunade leads Tsutomu to the room adjacent to where Hakari died and after walking through a set of double doors tells him "Here he his, Tsutomu he's very healthy, no disfigurements or ailments it seems"

"Ofcourse not he's Hikari's son after all, he's perfect I know it" he states with a sniffle while looking at Minato cradling the baby.

Minato now noticing his father looks at him "Dad come over and hold him he's so warm."

Tsutomu walks over to his sons and extends his arms out to cradle the baby close to him "There there, hows my new son" smiling down at the small bundle in his arms and slowly raising him close to his face and staring at him 'brown hair just like me…'

"What are you going to name him?"

"Hmm how about …" Tsutomu smiles down at Minato "How about... Minori"

XxX
(4 Years Later)

A now 17 year old Minato stands next to his wife the beautiful kunoichi Uzumaki Kushina and holding her hand is a brunet haired boy of 4 years old crying over a casket.

Kushina kneels down to hug the boy trying to comfort him "It's okay let it all out i'm here" Kushina says to the boy

Be strong Minato, you're a man now you can't cry especially here and not in front of Minori, I have to be strong…so I can be strong for him. smiling down at Minori and beckoning Kushina up "Come over here Minori" the 4 year old in question slowly strides over. As Minato kneels down to his height "Hey come over here" opening his arms for Minori to cry into and then lifting him up and nodding to the casket bearers signifying them to lower his father into the ground and whispering in Minori's ear "Come on lets go home." carrying him the whole way back home with Kushina flanking him as they walk down many citizens and shinobi alike wish their condolences to them. Which despite their good intentions, it was only causing more pain to Minato.

XxX
(13 Hours Later)

Minato after staying with and consoling Minori all day finally walks into his bedroom smiling at Kushina "He's finally fallen asleep thank God." Minato says while taking his Mourning clothes off and laying down next to his wife. "Poor little guy I hate to see him so sad ya know." Kushina says while hugging Minato "Anyway how are you doing?" she says while snuggling up to Minato.

Breathing in loudly Minato says "I don't know my fathers died, I know I should be breaking down now but ... I think it's passed … after all I'm sure Minori cried enough for the both of us." Minato says with a chuckle.

"Do you really think trying to diffuse the situation with laughter will really fool me you know me better than that ya know."

Minato takes another deep breath in before saying "Well I've known it was coming, he looked worse and worse every time I saw him and I really think he was just holding out for Minori," Minato then looks up at Kushina reassuringly "I think i really just prepared myself for this to happen long ago after my mother died I really think dad lost sight of everything."

"I guess I can understand that but I hope Minori will be alright."

"That reminds me I need to ask you something about Minori and where he" "Of Course he can stay with us Minato, did you really even need to ask."

"I love you" Minato catches Kushina lips with his own before lying his head back down on the pillow. "Good thing we have that extra bedroom right, tomorrow I'll post a D-rank mission for some Genin to move his stuff to our house." Minato then closes his eyes "Goodnight"

Kushina smiles and turns off the night lamp "Good night"

XxX
(2 Months Later)

"Really, you really think today is the day you beat me huh" states Kushina

"You bet, today is the day I show you the greatness of Namikaze and how you can never count us out" States a Brunet boy with spiky hair resembling Minato's.

"Okay fine but just so you know the record is 17-0 my favor"

"I know that but after today it will be 17-1 just you wait" Minori smiles at Kushina with flames in his eyes.

"We will see." Kushina says walking towards the door "Well enough talking about it lets go to Ichiraku's"

"Hey wait up!" screams Minori following Kushina out of the door before running back to close and lock it Not gonna do that again.

"Hey Teuchi it's Kushina I'm here to eat" Teuchi then appears from from behind the store

"Hey Kushina here by yourself for lunch?" Teuchi asks while preparing the his utensils for a big order.

"Nope it's your lucky day again because my sweet little Minori has challenged me to another eating competition." She states with fire in her eyes

"Oh really." Teuchi smiles with a gleam in his eyes thinking about how much better this day just got for his wallet.

"HEY YOU REALLY COULD HAVE WAITED FOR ME YA KNOW!" screams Minori appearing from behind the curtains "Oh man I think I'm catching that weird tic of yours"

"Oh really then" Kushina then smacks Minori on the back of the head causing a audible thump

"Ouch you really have a bad temper ya know... oh God I did it again." Minori laughs "Lets start the competition, Teuchi I would like Pork"

"Good choice and you Kushina?' Teuchi says while straining and kneading the noodles

"Hmmm I guess salt ramen for me" she states with a smile "I hope your ready my cute little brother, because I'm gonna win again, try to finish more than one this time, I feel like 9 bowls myself this time."

"Don't worry this is my time to shine I have not eaten anything today so I'm guessing 10 myself" Minori says while breaking his chopsticks apart

(10 Bowls later)

"Ow my stomach it hurts, I can't eat anymore or I'll die" Minori says after finishing 1 and ½ bowls of pork ramen. Then he looks over to Kushina only to fall out of his chair

"Oh is that really all, well looks like I made it 18-0 little brother" Kushina says after dropping the chopsticks on her tower of 9 salt ramen bowls "Well thank you Teuchi it was delicious as always" Dropping the Ryo that she and Minori had accrued on the table.

"Oh anytime Kushina you are one of my favorite customers and you young man good job on breaking your previous record, you should be proud." says Teuchi stowing away the Ryo Kushina dropped on the table.

"Thanks sir but trust me one day I will beat her" Minori says while still clutching his stomach.

"Hey Minori I should introduce you to my daughter Ayame, I think she is your age maybe you 2 should have a playdate huh."

"Sorry sir but I'm investing all my time into beating Kushina and becoming a ninja I don't have time to play anymore." Minori states proudly smiling

"Oh I understand you want to become a ninja like Minato huh."

"Yep and one day I will beat the Red Hot Habanero, still trying to figure out how but I will you watch." Minato says smiling to Teuchi now forgetting Kushina is still sitting right next to him.

"What ... Did ... You ... Just ... Call ... Me!" Kushina says overflowing with killer intent, her hand cocked and ready to knock Minori to the next street.

"Um … thanks for the meal Teuchi and see you at home Tomato" Minori says before running out of the store

"Good bye Minori come back some time and beat that record for me huh." States Teuchi with a smile knowing Minori is going to be in a lot of pain soon.

"GET BACK HERE YOU LITTLE JERK SO I CAN BREAK YOUR LEGS!" Kushina shouts taking off running after him.

XxX

"Well guys I just want to tell you guys how proud I am of all of you" States a gleeful Minato address his team all sitting together with Minori and Kushina in their dining room."So now Obito you and Rin are both Chunin and you Kakashi your now a Jounin, can you believe that we are both the same rank." He states smiling the whole time

"Thanks alot for having us over for dinner Sensei." Rin says

"Ya thanks alot Sensei." Obito chimes in

"Thank you Sensei for having me over for dinner and you too Kushina." Kakashi says while still wearing his mask covering his mouth.

"Oh think nothing of it ya know this is a big day for all of you, I was just happy to help you celebrate it." Kushina says smiling

"Ya this is a awesome day for you all, so Obito you gonna start wearing that sweet vest they give you?" Minori states to his friend

"I don't know it might clash with my style." Obito says while smirking at Minori

"What style?" states Kakashi mockingly to Obito

"Hey nobody asked you!" Obito says to Kakashi

"Hey don't worry Obito me and you can try pranking Kakashi tomorrow maybe by dying his mask pink or something haha." Minori whispers to Obito

"Ya that sounds good or maybe we could pour soy sauce in his kunai bag." Obito says with a smirk to his young apprentice

"You know we can all hear you." Kakashi casually states causing Obito and Minori to both jump at

"Hear?" Obito says scratching his head "What did you hear I was just telling Minori I'll teach him some cool ninja moves tomorrow, right Minori." Obito casually says while winking at Minori.

"Ya tomorrow you can teach me one of the sweet fire jutsu's you know." Minori says, winking back at Obito the whole.

"Hey just because I helped you discovered you can use Fire Style Jutsu does not mean you're ready to learn them you have not even joined the academy yet." Kushina says to Minori

"Ya I guess you're right but you watch, give me one year and I'll pass the academy just like you Kakashi." Minori states smiling at Kakashi

"Thats a tall order, do you think you're up to that." Kakashi asks while his eyes crinkle up meaning he is smiling under his mask.

"Ya I will and when I do and discover I can use Lightning Style then you'll have to teach me the Chidori so how about it then." Minori says with a huge smirk. standing up from the table and putting his dishes away.

"Huh okay fine against the rare chance you pass the academy in a year and have a Lightning affinity I'll teach you the Chidori." Kakashi says looking down and picking up his plate to put it in the sink.

"Cool I'll make you live up to those words then." Minori says and then looks down at Kakashi's plate. When did he finish eating I never saw him even take a bite?

XxX

"Okay guys have a safe trip home and see you all in 2 days at training ground 3." Minato states nodding to his team.

"Bye everyone be sure to come again some time ya know" Kushina screams from the kitchen.

"See you tomorrow Obito and you too Kakashi." Minori says with a grin just imagining all of the pranks they will pull on Kakashi tomorrow.

"Oh and bye Rin" Minori says with a little blush

Rin aware of the crush crouches to his height hugs him good bye causing Minori's face to turn deep red "Good night Minori" Rin smiles and starts walking home.

Minori prepared to walk to his room and turn in for the night is then suddenly stopped by Kushina "Hey Minori can you stay up a little longer we all need to have a talk." Kushina states brimming with excitement.

Huh I was wondering why she was in such a happy mood she even volunteered to do all the dishes, wonder what it's about. "Okay sure." Minori and Kushina sit down at the dining room table and then are slowly joined by Minato taking a seat next to Kushina smiling back.

"So what is this all about guys?" Minori asks with honest curiosity

"Well do you remember when we went looking for a new house last week." Minato asked

"Ugh ya." Minori says back

"Well it's because we will be joined soon with another houseguest soon." Kushina said nearly squeaking with excitement

"Um who's the houseguest?" Minori asks still not getting it.

"Minori I'm pregnant Minato and I are going to have a baby and you'll be an uncle ya know." Kushina nearly shouted at him.

"I... I will be an uncle…?" Minori was very quiet in saying

Minato was beginning to get worried and was about to speak up until

"WAHOO I'M GONNA BE A UNCLE NOW SOMEONE WILL BE ABLE TO LOOK UP TO ME!" Minori screamed at the top of his lungs. Jumping to his feet and then onto the table to hug both Minato and Kushina.

Oh good I thought something was wrong at first. Minato thinks 'Well this is going perfect, but now for the hard news.' "So Minori I know this might be a little weird to ask but you can not tell anyone that Kushina is pregnant okay not Kakashi or Rin or Obito okay, no one." Minato said with a very serious look on his face.

"Yes Minori, Minato is right this is to be kept absolutely secret okay." Kushina said with a loving look for the person she considers her little brother.

"Um ya I guess I could do that but can I ask why?" Minori asks

"No you can't and you want to know why?" Minato asks back

"Sure" Minato asked even more confused

"In missions sometimes even the ninja carrying out the objectives does not even know why he is doing things or what goal he is working to, he only knows that he is following his village's will." Minato says finally smiling again "So think of this a S-rank mission and if you complete it I bet you'll be the first person in Konoha's history to ever complete a S-Rank mission before ever even attending the academy, how does that sound." Minato asks again

The look on Minori's face was a look of pure joy The first person in the Leaf's history to complete a S-rank mission before the academy. No one can ever hope to match up to me with that accolade. "Of course I accept the mission" he says with a large grin

"Good now off to bed it's late." Kushina says before giving Minori a kiss on the forehead and sending him off to bed

"Well that's a load off huh." Minato says with a big exhale

"Yup." Kushina says leaning on Minato's shoulder

XxX
(Next Day)

"Okay Minori now this is the plan." Obito says laying down a Map of Kakashi's house "We will sneak around this way." Obito says pointing out coordinates to Minori on their plan to prank Kakashi by smearing honey all over his pillow.

"Um Obito wouldn't this be a lot easier if we waited for Kakashi to leave before trying to sneak into his house." Minori said with a confused look

"No this is much more authentic for you so it will require us to sneak past Kakashi helping us refine our ninja skills while having fun." Obito said obviously very proud of his reasoning skills 'Actually I thought Kakashi would have been gone by now but I can't let Minori know that.'

"Okay lets go then." Minori stated

"Okay where we going." Stated Kakashi sitting on the roof right above them surprising the two would be pranksters.

"How did you know we were here and how did you sneak up on us?" Obito asked in genuine surprize

"Well this is the entrance to my house you are standing on." Kakashi stated simply "And well, I remember you both saying you were going to prank me today."

"Ya well that was just lucky next time we will both get you." with that Obito throws a smoke bomb down and grabs Minori and runs away

Ugh Obito your dragging Minori down with you. Kakashi thinks and with that he walks off to go train. Only thing that could make this day more annoying is if I ran into Guy.

"HELLO MY ETERNALLY YOUTHFUL RIVAL KAKASHI! shouts Might Guy jumping down from the trees

Ask and you shall receive. Kakashi thinks with a groan

XxX

"Obito I think we have been running long enough." Minori said finally wrenching his hand from Obito's grasp as he gasps for air.

"Okay I bet this is far enough sorry about ruining are prank, being your elder I should have sensed Kakashi before he even snuck up on us."

"Well thats okay he is Kakashi after all, if he did not notice us then that would scare me even more." says Minori with a reassuring grin. "But one day I will be better than Kakashi after all I have to prove to be a good uncle." Minori says with a grin before he stops

"Did you say you have to be a good uncle?" Obito questions the now backpedaling Minori

"Um ahh damn I'm so stupid." Minori says grabbing his head "Ahh Obito I was not supposed to tell anyone it's a S-rank secret that nobody is supposed to know about they made me promise and I broke it, but please don't tell anyone and pretend like you don't even know, please I would die if they knew I broke their trust." taking a deep breath after that mouthful

I wonder why Kushina being pregnant is such a big secret ... oh well. "Okay of course I'll keep the secret my apprentice after all I'm a Chunin now, I'm expected to keep secrets like this, so how about now we go practice our kunai skills now." says Obito adopting his trademark grin

"Ya lets and Obito … thanks." Minori states

"Of course and now it's time to show you my awesome ninja skills." Obito replies fishing in his back pouch for a handful of shuriken and kunai.

XxX
(Later That Day)

"Hey Minori come over here I need to talk to you." Kushina states patting a spot on the couch next to her

Oh god they don't know I spilled the beans already do they. "Hey sis whats up." says Minori sitting down next to Kushina

"We need to talk about you attending the academy okay." says Kushina putting her arm over his shoulder hugging him. "So you know about how chakra and how it flows correct?" Kushina asks Minori

"Well I know about chakra coils and how if you use too much it can kill you." states Minori emotionlessly "I also know that it can divided between Ninjutsu, Genjutsu, and Taijutsu isn't that right Kushina." says Minori smiling at his own knowledge

"Wells thats a few good parts of it." Kushina says rubbing Minori's head "But every ninja has different affinity's remember, just like you have a Fire affinity and Minato has Lightning and Wind." Kushina says "And all Ninja have their own limits depending on how much chakra they possess like Minato and Me are on the higher spectrum but we never started like that we learned and refined it over the years, are you following me so far."

"Ya I think so but why is this so important for me to learn I'm sure I would have just learned this at the academy anyhow."

"I've never known you to turn down a lesson before." Kushina states, shooting a bemused look at Minori "Well yes while you would learn this at the academy I thought you would like to know how strong you are getting." And at this rate he will have more than me and Minato the little brat.

"Hey everyone I'm home." says Minato walking in the front door waving to his remaining family "Anything important I miss?" Minato states with a smile, removing his shinobi sandals and sitting down on the back of the couch.

"Nope me and Kushina are just talking about chakra for some reason." Minori states

"Ya I was just gonna tell him how scary strong he is getting and how fast he's growing." Kushina starts rubbing Minori's head before leaning over and kissing Minato home "I know you're not as good of a sensor as me but even you can tell that ya know." Kushina says to Minato

"Hmm must how slipped my mind …" Minato says with a passive look before smiling "Of course I realize my little brother is growing up." Ruffling Minori brown locks "You even style your hair like me if you keep working hard to be this cool, maybe I'll even teach you the Rasengan, and to think of it if you do turn out to have Lightning affinity, Kakashi said he would teach you the chidori and that also means I could teach you the Flying Thunder God technique than imagine how strong you would be." Minato says laughing at that image

"What do you mean maybe of course I will and when I learn those techniques I"ll be able to beat anyone including you bro." Minori states hoping to his feet in the good guy pose

That seemed to be lacking something… Kushina ponders Maybe a sparkle or something huh.

"Ya of course you will" Minato says with a chuckle

"Whelp I'm really beat so I'm going to sleep alright, night Kushina, night Bro."

"Good night." was The couple's response then after waiting for his door to close "Minato i'm serious though his chakra growth is insane, he already has more than some Chunin and what is he 5?" Kushina states rather shaken "I mean when he's our age he will have nearly double yours and your chakra reserve in itself is impressive but he is starting to resemble a monster with this much already." Kushina states looking to Minato for answers.

"Huh if you're right he really does need to join the academy soon or if he doesn't and he keeps growing like you say he will, then he'll have massive problems properly using it… do you… do you think we should place a seal limiter on him to make it easier to mold?"

"I was thinking that, but I think we should wait to see how he handles it ya know." Kushina then kisses Minato again."Let's go to bed, and enjoy it while it lasts you told me you and your team are going on that mission to blow up the Kannabi Bridge right?" Kushina says while resting her head in the crook of Minato's neck

"Yup we have to go deep into enemy territory and they also gave me my own mission along with theirs."

"What's that?" Kushina says while closing her eyes

Minato closes his own eyes in turn ready to face the coming backlash "Um you know just a regular old front line mission you…"

"WHAT AGAIN WHAT'S WITH HIRUZEN LATELY PUTTING YOU IN ALL THESE DANGEROUS MISSIONS AND WHAT ABOUT YOUR TEAM THEY'RE NOT READY TO BE ALONE IN ENEMY LINE'S, I MEAN JUST LOOK AT OBITO!" Kushina shouts in Minato ears to his displeasure

"Kushina please, me and Kakashi are both Jonin now so the Hokage trusts Kakashi to lead them so why can't you." Minato says still a little stunned from that screaming. hope she does not wake Minori up.

Kushina appears to have steam rising from her head frightening Minato more "We both know that you 2 are not the same skill level, they still need you and to the more pressing matter why are you on another front line mission!?"

"Kushina please Hiruzen asks this personally, we have lost a lot of men there recently and I can break the stalemate he trusts me because he hopes for me to be his successor." Minato states waiting for Kushina to realize the last part.

"You realize I'm pregnant ya know." still obviously steaming "I need you to be around and." Kushina says rather dishearteningly thinking about losing Minato…"WAIT DID YOU SAY HE WANTS YOU TO SUCCEED HIM AS HOKAGE!" Kushina shouts shaking Minato all around the couch.

Kushina shakes Minato like a ragdoll before he grabs her hands "Yes Kushina he wants me to succeed him they are thinking about nominating me next month at the earliest."

"Oh Minato." Kushina says hugging Minato deeply "You're achieving both our dreams ya know."

"Yes I know but Kushina I really have to get packed so I'm ready to go, will you help me pack?" Minato says walking to their bedroom.

"Of course lets go."

XxX
(3 Weeks Later Shinobi Stone)

"Why …" why does this always happen, why do good and honest people always die "Obito … Rin…" Minori says standing over the shinobi grave stone. "Obito now who will I play pranks with… who… who will help me with my shuriken practice?" Rin you were always so kind and easy to talk to... Obito you loved Rin so much you sacrificed your life to protect her.

"So you're here to huh." says Kakashi hobbling over to Minori still injured from his last mission

"Yes of course I am … I thought you couldn't leave the hospital for another week" Minori says still with sounds of sorrow in his voice but never taking his eyes off the large stone monument.

"I'm not but I had to come see them just like you." Kakashi starts tearing up remembering their last mission.

"Of course they were your teammates you should…" says Minori finally standing back up and looking at Kakashi

Kakashi in turn just stares motionlessly at the stone monument.

"Well I'll leave you alone Kakashi so you can have your time alone with them… I guess I'll see you around okay… um take care of yourself." Minori then turns around to leave

"If you ever need to practice you shuriken training come and find me okay."

"Um sure, thanks Kakashi bye now." Minori then starts walking away Ugh I'm really wet I wonder how long i've been out here

Minori then trips on a pothole before cloaked and hooded man catches him.

"Watch your feet wouldn't want you to hurt yourself now." states The Man

"Ya thanks for grabbing me sir um have a good day." Minori says before beginning his journey back home again.

Take care of your self Minori. The Cloaked Man then turns towards the shinobi grave stone.

XxX
(1 Day Before The Kyuubi Attacks)

"Hey Kushina i'm Home!." screams Minori as he walks into his shared home Huh any day now I bet I will have a little nephew I better cool it down with the screaming.

"Hey Minori." says Kakashi coming around the corner "Minato and Kushina told me to watch you today while they are on important business."

"What is that important business then?" Minori asks while taking his shoes off Kushina would kill me if I tracked dirt while she was gone.

"Wells thats an S-rank secret you know." Kakashi says with an amused look

"Is Kushina going through birth?" Minori says causing Kakashi to face fault.

"How'd you know?" says Kakashi getting off the floor

"I just guessed actually… well okay Kushina told me this morning that she felt like the baby was coming, but thought she would be here still oh well." Minori then walks by Kakashi and sits on the couch "You wanna watch some TV?"

Kakashi walks over and steals the remote "Might as well, but we watch my shows."

"Kushina would be mad if she knew I watched porn with you."

Kakashi's sweat drops "Were not watching porn you Baka."

"What ever you say." Minori then closes his eyes to relax. Hope everything goes okay.

XxX
(Later that day)

"Hey Kakashi get over here."

Kakashi looks over at Minato look out the window "Huh what is it?" Kakashi then gets off the couch to go see what's out the window

"It… it looks like a... giant fox?"

"MINORI GET AWAY FROM THE WINDOW NOW!" Shouts Kakashi feeling a huge shock wave hit the house and jumping to protect Minori with his body.

"What… what is that thing." Minori asks still not looking up from the floor.

Minato-sensei what's happening. "Don't worry Minori, Minato's the Hokage now, he'll protect the village at all costs, you know that."

XxX
(1 Hour Later)

"Kakashi we have to get out of here it's not safe inside."

Kakashi looks around and sees Minori huddled over in the corner.

"Minori we can't go out not with the 9 tails still rampaging." Says Kakashi and then a bright light enters the room.

"Kakashi… Minori good you're both safe." Minato then rushes over to Minori catching him in a hug.

"Big bro." says Minori excited at seeing his brother.

"Minato-sensei what's the situation." Kakashi asks running over to Minato

"The 9 tails has broken loose is all I can tell you at the moment, but I also need you to do a favor for me okay?" Minato then looks at Kakashi with a serious expression showing how important this is

"Yes of course I'll join the fighting Sensei."

"NO, absolutely not I've already organized all of your other classmates to not take part in this battle but to instead help get civilians to safety and I want you and Minori to go help them."

"Um Sensei are you sure, I know I can help."

"No just listen to me please and keep Minori safe okay." says Minato on the verge of tears

"Bro is Kushina alright?"

"Yes for now but at the moment I need you to do whatever Kakashi says goes okay." Minori then nods his approval "Good now I have to go back." Minato says before hugging his brother again. "Be safe for me okay."

"Ya sure." Minori says on the verge of tears before a blinding light emits from where Minato was standing

"Okay you heard Minato lets go" Kakashi then runs out the door

"Ya lets." Minori then runs out and then grabs his shoes before slamming the door behind him

XxX
(1 Week After The Kyuubi Attack)

"Hello Minori" says Hiruzen Sarutobi stepping into Minori's room and sitting down at a desk

Last week the Kyuubi attack had claimed the life of Minato Namikaze as well as countless others. Minori himself was visited by Jiraiya the day after the attack and was tasked with the terrible job of telling Minori that his Brother had sacrificed himself to defeat the Kyuubi. Jiraiya also tells him that Kushina and the baby had died in child birth just prior to the attack which caused the Kyuubi to suddenly release itself. After Jiraiya had told Minori, he shed no tears and simply sat there in silence and after a fashion Jiraiya then told him that he would be leaving the village and scouting out any of the other Great Ninja Villages to make sure they don't see this as chance to strike. Jiraiya then sits the boy down and tells him. "Minori I know how hard this must be for you, but you must always keep their memories alive and honor them by becoming exactly what they hoped you would ... and that's to become a better Ninja then either of them." Jiraiya then leaves the young boy to his grief. Hiruzen Sarutobi the Sandaime Hokage has come to the Namikaze residence today to speak with Minori Namikaze, younger brother of Minato to see what his emotional state is after hearing what Jiraiya told him and to discuss his future.

"Hello …" Says a emotionless Minori

Bad signs already any boy his age should be balling his eyes out but his eyes ... but his eyes I've seen them before and they just look … dark. Sarutobi gulps hard "Minori I realize how tired you must be of condolences at the moment so I will skip them if that's okay." Sarutobi says while lighting his pipe. With my retirement I was hoping to quit smoking, but oh well I'll need it to finish this conversation. Continued silence from the young boy caused a feeling of awkwardness. What is he almost 6 I can't even begin to understand his psyche after all the funerals and deaths he's been through. Sarutobi thinks with a puff from his pipe "I was hoping to talk to you about your new living arrangements if that is okay."

"I would like to stay here." Says Minori still with no emotion

"Are you sure, it will be difficult you realize living on your own ... you will have to cook, clean, and do your own laundry are you sure you are up to that?" Hiruzen says with a kindly smile knowing it serves little purpose using now.

"Yes I've prepared myself sir, so I'm sure I can take care of myself … but I appreciate your concern." Minori finishes and then smiles at Hiruzen.

Did he really think he can trick me with this facade, oh well for now I suppose it can't hurt as a trial basis I'd hate to send him to an orphanage. "Okay then for now we will see how you adjust."

"Okay Hokage-sama thank you for your trust in me." Minori then turns to Hiruzen again and smiles up at him.

Hmm he's really laying it thick on me ... and again with that fake smile, a child of his age should not be like this, truly sad. Hiruzen thinks with another puff. "We will help with any and all living expenses until you become a Genin and at that point we will reduce it to include your pay from missions, and that brings me to another subject, I've heard that you would like to enroll this year, correct?"

"Yes that is my intention." Minori then turns from his window.

"Okay you realize that classes will start in 2 weeks correct." Hiruzen says already knowing the boy knows, but he is willing to play this game if Minori is.

"Of course Hokage-sama I'm very excited to attend."

"Ahh of course you should it is a very fun time for most students." But we both know this is all business for you sadly.

"Yes I hope to make some friends and learn a lot of new techniques." Minori says with a little too much sarcasm.

"Good I'll tell my assistants to file the papers for you, and I'd like you to know that anytime you would like someone to talk to or even if you want to visit, my door is always open." Hiruzen adds. I get the feeling his visits will be far and between, sadly. "Well Minori I have other matters to attend to I hope you understand."

"Of course Hokage-sama I'll walk you out." Minori gets up and leads Hiruzen to the door of Minato and Kushina's former house. "I would like to ask one thing though if I may."

"What would that be?" What's could this possibly be about.

"That orphan I heard the 9 tails was sealed into, may I see him?"

How did he already hear about that it's been 7 days since the incident and my law is in effect but someone said it loud enough for a 6 year old to hear."At the moment the child is being protected against any enemies who might see this as an opportunity to strike, you understand Minori?" I might need to take Danzo up on that offer to watch Minori I don't know his intentions at the moment, he may just be a child but he is Minato's brother … spitting image as well in everything but hair color and seems a lot colder as well.

"Yes of course Hokage-sama forget I said anything okay." Minori then adopts a childlike smile.

"Okay then, remember my door is always open." Hiruzen says walking out onto the city street and waving good bye to the boy and watching the door shut.

Hiruzen then sees a shadowy figure emerge from a alleyway behind him.

"Well Danzo, I believe you are correct on your former sentiment on watching Minori" Hiruzen says while walking side by side with his old rival Danzo.

"Hmm it's about time you start seeing my side of things." says Danzo with a rare but faint smile "But what about my second idea?" Danzo questions with a look of anticipation.

Hiruzen then walks ahead a little faster and takes a left and is then staring at the sight of the Hokage's Monument and more specifically Minato's face and then after breathing a sigh."No I will not betray the trust of Kushina and Minato by letting you enter Minori or Naruto into your Root program."

"But can you imagine the potential either of them possibly would have after training day in day out, made to be the perfect weapon."

"I have spoken Danzo and I want no more about this, are we understood." Hiruzen then removes his pipe from his mouth and stows it away in his coat knowing he will be needing it still.

"I hope one day you will reconsider, but at the very least this ... Minori child should be immediately entered into a psyche evaluation, especially after all the death he has seen in his young life." Danzo says stopping in his tracks waiting for a response.

"I'll have Inoichi look at him next week so don't you worry about that." Hiruzen states before walking into the great Hokage Mansion.

XxX
(2 Weeks Later)

Loud ringing sounds echo throughout the bedroom making a certain brunet haired boy jump to his feet. First day of the academy… it's about time I've gotten really tired of polishing my skills myself it's time I learn some new ones and size my self up against others. Minori hops out of bed and starts walking towards his shower and then quickly strips himself and jumps into the hot water to wash away his tension. Come on Minori you're a Namikaze you are a superior breed of ninja you can't be intimidated about the simple academy. Minori shuts the water off and grabs a towel to dry himself wiping the mirror off with his forearm and staring into his own eyes. I have to show everybody students, teachers, and parents alike that the Namikaze name is still one to be feared and not pitied. Minori wipes his hair back into it's normal spiky look. I look like him Kushina used to tell me. Minori walks back to his room and dresses himself in a light grey t-shirt with white shoulders and a pair of black pants and walks out to the kitchen.Huh light breakfast would be best. Minori thinks to himself while picking up a apple and rubbing it off on his sleeve I need to buy some new shoes mine are starting to wear as well, maybe after school I'll go looking. Minori then slips on his blue faded shinobi sandals and then walks out the front door.

XxX
(5 Minutes Later In Front Of The Academy)

Seems I'm a little early ... good now I can size up any competition. Minori then leans against an adjacent wall and looks up at the Hokage's Mansion. Bet he has people spying on me right now, he obviously did not trust me to not pull something. Minori looks up at the sun with closed eyes and smiles. He must think he's real clever sending that Inoichi man to come play with my head… well he's not all wrong I'm sure a lot of people would go crazy in my shoes, but I have a important role to play and with my brother's death I've inherited his goal in life to protect the leaf and this is one mission I will complete. Minori then notices some parents and their kids are starting to arrive.

And so it begins. Minori then begins to study the students as they arrive followed closely behind their parents leaving a faint but still existent pang of jealousy.


Okay everyone thanks for reading and don't worry Naruto will eventually make a appearance but I plan to really immerse Minori (The OC) into the story and give him history with other characters. Also I have a poll open on my profile for you my readers to vote on if Minori should return during the Naruto timeline or Shippuden timeline (The whole reason I'm doing this is because I really can't decide when to bring him into the story so decided to let you choose for me). Thanks for reading and Favorite the story or Follow it if you enjoyed it and if not review and tell me how to improve it.