The extraordinary is in what we do, not who we are.
He leapt over the large boulder in his path, barely skidding to the side as another boulder made its presence known. His arms pumped at his side, trying to keep up with the speed his legs were moving at. The muscles in his arms yearned for a moment's break but he knew he couldn't stop now. Pushing himself further, he forced his shoulders forward as his whole body rolled. The upturned root flew over them.
A bright blue orb hovered a few feet in front of him. It reflected the sun's harsh rays and accompanied by its own essence, it was almost blinding.
That was it though. That was his prize. All he had to do was run a bit further. Just a little bit further... Just a...
"Namikaze Naruto, are you on your phone?"
The screen before him was swiped out of his hands. His hands remained in their cupped position as he slowly looked up. Blonde locks of hair fell into his eyes, hiding the slight embarrassment he was feeling.
Looking around quickly, he made a quick guess of where he was. The World War 2 posters were a major tip-off that he was still in history, and being in history class meant he was still at school. Crap. Just his luck.
He slowly looked up at his teacher, a foolish grin playing on his lips. He should've felt ashamed for being caught in class with his phone but he was more worried about the fact he forgot to pause on Sonic BOOM. Last he checked, his BOOM boost was about to run out in the next fifteen minutes unless he used it fast.
Once the bell signalled for the end of the day, Naruto remained back and endured the lecture from his history teacher. How annoying, he thought as he headed for his locker to dump the extra textbooks that he wouldn't need. It wasn't like he was going to fail. He had no intention of failing. His grades were just above average, enough that teachers would overlook his work ethic but not enough that they would make sure to stop by his desk and compare his academics to his sister. Most people didn't see the effort that went into avoiding work. There was the issue of ignoring that little voice at the back of your head who seemed convinced on playing with your emotions, and then there were your parents who would chase you around the house with a dishcloth until you retreated back to your room to study. If Naruto was being completely honest with himself, he still didn't even study once he got back. He would just spend fifteen minutes picking out a decent playlist then another fifteen minutes trying to get into a comfortable sitting position. After that, the hours seemed to fly by once Linkin Park and Breaking Benjamin blasted into his ears.
Reaching his locker, Naruto put in the four digit combination before yanking the metal door open. Streams of crumpled paper fell out but he wasn't bothered with it. He quickly shoved the books in. He took out his Mathematics notebook and textbook before slamming the door shut. He didn't set the lock in and simply trudged down the hall toward the main hall.
A brief background on him, Naruto was known as the class clown but also as the slacker. That meant people and teachers never took him seriously and in turn, he didn't take them seriously. So, his choice of friends were limited. But on the contrary, he had something called trust issues. It wasn't like anything bad had happened to him. He lived a fairly safe life, excluding all the idiots he associated himself with. But he couldn't help but feel that everyone had ulterior motives.
The hallway was packed with its usual swarm of students, all clad in their Musashi High uniform. They bustled together in little groups, making their way toward the exit of the building. He made his way in the opposite direction though. He had to get to the main hall before he got caught up in a stampede.
Dodging the incoming crowd, and ducking down hallways to avoid teachers, Naruto stopped in front of the double doors of the main hall. The lacquered wood was neatly polished and gave off the heavy odour of pine gel. He cringed and held his breath as he pushed the doors open. He searched the empty auditorium for a single person. There were empty rows of maroon seats as far as the eye could see.
That was until he spotted a red blob of hair near the piano. A gentle tune flooded from its keys, angelic yet heart-breaking. Accompanying its melody, was an angelic voice that blended in beautifully with the piano's tune.
"There was a time when I was alone
Nowhere to go and no place to call home
My only friend was the man in the moon
And even sometimes he would go away, too"
"Then one night, as I closed my eyes,
I saw a shadow flying high
He came to me with the sweetest smile
Told me he wanted to talk for awhile
He said, "Peter Pan. That's what they call me.
I promise that you'll never be lonely"
And ever since that day..."
The keys suddenly stopped and a long, pressing silence followed. Naruto walked down the steady slope from where he stood toward the piano. He held onto the back rest of the chair and eyed the pianist curiously. Her crimson hair was pulled up high into a perfectly circular bun with no stray hairs splaying out. Long strands framed the sides of her round face, giving it more of an edge than was actually there.
The girl mumbled to herself, head frantically moving from side to side. Her head whipped across her face, exposing her furrowed brows and twitching mouth. She was completely unaware of his presence, and as much as Naruto loved to appear out of nowhere, he knew he really should intervene.
"Having some writer's block?" Naruto teased, releasing his hold on the chair and making his way to the piano.
"You know very well that applies to writers, Naruto-kun. Not musicians," the crimson haired girl flipped her head to the side, her fringe instantly obeying her commands and moving away from her eyes. A teasing smile played on her lips, giving her that mischievous look the Namikaze twins were known for.
OoOoOoO
Come on, think Namikaze! Kitsune urged herself to remember the keys to the song or at least remember the words. She had recently gone through a "musician tear" where all she could focus on was music. It helped to ease her thoughts, though. Once her fingertips grazed the delicately polished piano tiles, she slipped away into a world where problems didn't exist. The word alone sang out disbelief and prejudice.
And with the way her life was looking at the moment, she needed the escape.
To force the unnerving thought away, she played a simple tune on the keys just to warm herself up. As soon as the melody came alive, Kitsune let out a relieved sigh and went along with it.
"Would you help me find a new way
Would you guide me through all of this again
Don't let me slip away
I need you here till the very end"
"So stay here with me
There's so much love in your smile when I look at your face
And I'm here to stay
You're my first and my last love
And you're my escape"
"So tell me you'll be right here with me
Hearing your voice is like hearing an angel sing
Through the good and bad and all in between
You're the one I want and the one I need
And I know"
Kitsune blinked. Her hands went rigid over the keys and she felt her arms move back. It may have seemed childish to the normal teenage girl but she simply didn't have the pull to handle love songs. All great song writers had a certain type of emotion that was pent up when they wrote that song. Love songs had that raw emotion that came from within. Sure, books and songs made it seem as if love was this spectacular thing that just happens from looking at someone even remotely attractive but Kitsune knew better.
Love was a festering emotion that could control or destroy you if you didn't have the right handle on it. It doesn't just erupt suddenly and become your main objective. It takes time and patience; two things she sure as hell could not handle. Hell, she got frustrated waiting for the toilet to fill up with water. And that usually took a few seconds!
But, Kitsune couldn't resist the smile tugging on her lips. She'd be lying if she said she didn't hope to some day fall in love. Her parents made marriage seem like a wonderful and pleasant thing that completed the puzzle of your life.
She shook her head and instead focused on the piano. The embarrassing conclusion was that she'd never been in love. Despite her age, it wasn't the same generation that her parents grew up in where you were too young for certain things. Suddenly everything was open to fourteen year olds. Violence was almost a normal thing in kids' eyes. They were unaffected by its cruel nature. Kitsune would know. She was one of those kids.
For a few brief minutes she merely ran her fingers across the keys, playing any tune that came to mind. It was well-past clock out and no teachers came by the main hall anyway. She had leverage however if any teachers did happen to pop in.
Being an academic scholar had its advantages.
Which brings us to the present. Her seated before the piano with Naruto leaning over its polished surface.
"Get off, you rotten fishcake! You're scuffing the wood!" Kitsune hissed, swatting her twin brother away like a fly.
"Excuse me, Madam Fussybridges. I just came by to check on you," Naruto replied simply. He moved past and plopped himself into one of the many maroon seats in the hall.
"Now why would you want to check up on me?" Kitsune questioned, nonchalantly running her fingers over the wooden surface of the piano.
"You know exactly why."
She snapped the piano shut violently. She should've expected this conversation to come up eventually. Her lips upturned into a sour expression. Why now, though? She just came out of her happy place and the outside world was still blurry and distorted.
Turning in her seat, Kitsune faced Naruto with a bitter expression. Her mouth was pressed into a thin line and her eyebrows pinched together into a serious scowl.
"It's gotten worse, hasn't it?"
Naruto nodded his head hesitantly, his eyes focused on the carpet. He ran a hand through his golden locks, the individual strands falling back into their original place. "Dad tried to cover it up but I heard last night. I... I don't think Mom's gonna make it out of this one, Kitty."
A whirlpool of emotions surfaced inside of Kitsune; all of which she had been hoping would not occur. But she had been putting it off long enough. It was about time she faced the undeniable fact.
OoOoOoO
Kushina was dying.
A neurological poisoning. It was slowly and accurately sweeping through her system, depleting her life force. There was no cure but it was treatable. But the alarming thing was that no doctors had seen anything like it. Countless examinations and research attempts had turned up no viable cure and each day Kushina grew weaker. It was supposed to be impossible for her to have children, let along go through the trauma of childbirth. But she overcome the impossible.
But maybe that caused her to become weaker. She tried not to show it when Naruto and Kitsune were around, but there was always the times before they went to bed; where they could hear her strangled breaths and her blood-filled coughs. As time passed, it became almost impossible for her to hide it. She was dying and there was nothing the two of them could do.
The twins entered their home as they always did after school: Kitsune's backkpack slung over one shoulder with her blazer hanging on her free one, Naruto carrying his bag in front of him like an extra stomach with the zipper still undone. They stepped into the warm household, instantly relaxing. Kitsune felt the invisible weight lift off her shoulders and let out a tired sigh.
"We're back!" Naruto called, closing the door behind him.
They removed their school shoes and placed them by the small shoe stand near the doorway. The hallway smelt heavily of lavender and with each step they took, they slipped unwillingly across its clean surface.
So Mom went on her cleaning spree again. Kitsune thought, examining the lounge. Sure enough, everything had been shifted into a different place; photographs included. The room was shrouded in a green glow from the floral curtains covering the windows and the pillows were also a light shade of yellow.
The twins exchanged knowing glances. Kushina only cleaned this much when she really needed to focus on something other than the pain.
Light footsteps echoed down the hallway. As they looked up, they were instead greeted by the friendly wave of their father. The twins simultaneously frowned.
What was Minato doing home so early? He worked as a stockbroker that made more money than humanly possible. Maybe it was because he was able to persuade anyone with that confident but cocky smile or that charismatic voice of his that made bedtime stories a wonder growing up. Regardless, Naruto and Kitsune weren't use to seeing him at home so early in the afternoon. He usually only came home around eight o'clock or sometimes even after depending on whether or not he had a meeting with another company.
"Dad? What are you doing back home?" Naruto questioned.
"I thought you were going on a business trip to Beijing for the week?" Kitsune added as she dropped her bag beside her feet.
Minato's face feigned mock disbelief. His blue eyes widened and he placed a hand to his chest as if his heart was shattering. "Is it so bad for me to come home early to see my children after they finish school?"
"You never use to do it when we were in primary school," Kitsune shrugged. She wasn't trying to come across as spoilt but it was the truth.
Once Minato became head of his company, he was barely at home for any of them to see him. Most mornings he had already left to handle company issues. But both Naruto and Kitsune had grown accustomed to it. They always saw him at night and on the weekends... Well, most of the time.
Minato's expression darkened and his eye twitched. It was a blow to the gut every time he was reminded of his faults as a father. There was a large void between him and his daughter, one that was slowly growing each time he neglected to tell them of the truth about what was happening to Kushina. She wasn't as easily swayed as her brother and he knew this. But there were many secrets in their family, some that were better kept under wraps until things could be properly handled.
"Kitsune..." Naruto hissed, jabbing her in the side with his elbow.
"No. Better to say it to my face than behind my back," Minato chuckled nervously, before his face took on a serious expression. "If you must know, I came home earlier so I could take you two to the hospital with me."
"Why would we need to go to the hos-" before Naruto could even get the words out of his mouth, Kitsune bolted up the stairs. She gripped onto the railing for support as she turned the corner, charging down the hall.
Her parents' room was at the very end of the hall. The door was halfway open but the white glow from the curtains gave it an inviting presence.
Shoving it roughly open with her hand, Kitsune stared at the barren room. The bed had been neatly made and all dirty laundry had been placed in the bamboo basket near the private bathroom. But there was no trace of Kushina being there. Just as Kitsune lifted her foot to leave the room, she spotted it. The small scarlet stain by the foot of the bed.
Her body stiffened. It couldn't have been...
The ride to the hospital was filled with complete silence. The tension in the air was thick to the point even the sharpest knife would have difficulty sliding through. It couldn't be helped though. Kitsune nervously chewed at the skin on the inside of her cheek. Anxiety clawed away at her insides like a monster wanting to be released from its prison. Why now? Why did this have to happen when they weren't at home?
The hospital came into view, the trees and buildings making way for its large appearance to be known. Instantly, Kitsune sat up in her seat. Beside her, she could feel Naruto shifting in his seat. He had been silent the entire ride, a rarity in their family. She couldn't blame him.
What if they were too late? What if that leisurely stroll they took wasted their opportunity to see their mother one last time?
As if reading her thoughts, a warm hand latched onto hers and gave a reassuring squeeze. She lifted her and turned to meet Naruto's gaze. Swirls of emotions reflected in his eyes. Sadness, regret, anger; Kitsune saw it all. More importantly, she felt it all. Their bond as twins stretched much further than thought possible. The smallest tug of disappointment could be felt by both parties.
Minato parked the car in one of the free parking spaces. It had become a battle of the stares with one other car, but as soon as the driver realized who Minato was, he retreated and allowed the anxious father to take the spot.
The twins didn't need any vote of approval. They bolted from the car and through the parking lot, narrowly dodging oncoming cars. In his best attempts, Minato rushed after them. The two wouldn't be allowed into the ICU without an adult present, or without permission from the doctor overlooking Kushina's care.
Kitsune dived through the sliding doors. Her shoes squeaked to a stop, her body lurching forward.
The instantaneous smell of death flooded her nostrils. What would you expect from a hospital? Her nose wrinkled and she held her breath. Her dislike of hospitals could wait for the time being.
Naruto came to a stop beside Kitsune, eyeing the room suspiciously. "Where do you think the main doctor is?"
She scanned over the crowd of people rushing past. Men and women dressed in white and pale blue scurried past, fussing over patients seated in the less than comfy plastic chairs.
Kitsune wanted to yell at them to fuss about her mother like that but bit back the remark. Those seated in the waiting chairs looked as if they had gone through war. A man seated near the end of the row on the left-hand side was a sickly shade of green and kept wobbling in his seat. The woman beside him held a handkerchief to the side of her head, blood soaking the white material. All in all, the waiting room was packed with people seeking urgent medical attention.
They should be seeking to those with critical injuries first before handling those with minor wounds. With the way this is going, they're going to have a lot of bodies filling the morgue. Kitsune skimmed over the crowd once more.
She spotted Minato talking quietly to someone near the doors to the emergency ward. When did he get past her? Kitsune held onto Naruto's hand and dragged him toward their father. Every second they wasted out here was a second they could've spent with Kushina.
OoOoOoO
Lately Kushina had been waking up everywhere except in her own bed so once she unglued her eyes she wasn't surprised when she was greeted with the familiar white wall of the Tokyo hospital.
She let out a stifled groan as she tried to shift herself into a more comfortable position. Her body was numb from all the anaesthetic pumped into her and her head felt heavy, worse than waking up after giving birth to Naruto and Kitsune. At the thought of her two darlings, Kushina tried to lift her head from the pillow. Bolts of unbridled pain shot through her spine. She coughed into her hand. What was supposed to be a simple action turned into a coughing fit. Large biles of blood rose in her throat and spurted out as soon as she forced the cough out.
How would she be able to face the twins like this? They couldn't see her like this. She didn't want them to see her like this.
But she knew her life ws ebbing away. No, she didn't know. She could feel it. Everyday her body grew weaker and she knew that there wasn't much time. If only... She rested her head back down on the soft hospital pillow and let out a painful sigh. If only she could see her family one last time.
A gush of cold wind suddenly blew into her room as the door was roughly pushed open. She turned her head to the side. It was probably that four-eyed doctor with the attitude. Kushina chuckled weakly at her own joke, knowing she probably looked insane.
"Kushina-chan!" Minato rushed to her and immediately grabbed her hand. The affectionate gesture alone made her wince and murmur to herself.
"Minato-kun... What are... What are you doing here?" Kushina whispered, trying not to provoke the upcoming headache she was feeling.
Minato's hands were warm and comforting. Through his fingertips, she was able to feel the rapid beat of his pulse. She weakly smiled. He was nervous. How sweet. With what little strength she had, she mustered all of it and gave his hand a reassuring squeeze.
Minato visibly bit his bottom lip. "I brought Naruto and Kitsune. They nearly caused a fight with Dr. Tachibana to get in here."
So that was his name. Kushina never really bothered to learn it regardless of all the times she had been admitted to the hospital.
Another spasm of pain awoke within her and she groaned. Minato's hand tightened on hers, as if he were hoping that were enough to prevent her from leaving. She turned her head toward him and looked at him, her eyes pleading. "I beg of you... Don't let them see me like this... Please."
"I can't deny them the right to see you, Kushina. They have to see you."
One last time. Kushina knew that was the unfinished part of the sentence. Her husband was just too polite to say it out loud, especially at a time like this. She averted her eyes and focused on the ceiling. Spots of black flashed across her vision and she could hear the echo in her eyes. She didn't have much time. "Already my flesh has started to fail me. I won't be able to-"
"You will be able to tell them," Minato said sternly. She looked back at him and saw the serious expression his face took on. "Don't talk like you're leaving us. I won't let you. No matter what, I'll make sure you get through this. I made a promise to you, as your husband, that I will be with you through sickness and health. This is just a-a small bump in the road. You'll see."
Despite his loving words, Kushina could hear the uncertainty. Through all their years together, he never once doubted her. When she heard from the doctors' that pregnancy would be fatal in her condition, she had given up all hope. She had believed herself to be a waste of Minato's time, but instead he stayed on and loved her as if there was no tomorrow. Then, by some god-sent miracle, she was blessed with the two most precious gifts she could ever ask for. Her little angels.
She nodded. Taking that as an approval, Minato stood and hurried to the door but before he left, he pressed a gentle kiss to her forehead. The sudden heat from his lips rushed through her and she shuddered. Even after all their years together, she still got shivers as if she were a teenage adolescent.
He quickly rushed into the hallway. All she could hear from where she lay were hushed whispers and hisses, along with the scuffing of shoes across the floor. So they were outside the door. Kushina sucked in a deep breath and awaited the painful conversation she knew she had to endure with her kids. She could only wish it didn't have to be so soon...
OoOoOoO
"You two have to be extremely quiet when we go inside, okay? Your mother won't be able to handle your usual flow of energy today so you have to keep it to a minimum."
Naruto stared up at his father in question but listened to his lecture. He had already mouthed them off for biting one of the nurses because she wouldn't let them through. Glancing at his sister, Naruto tried not to cringe at the dried blood by the corner of her mouth; blood that wasn't even hers.
"Mom is gonna get out this, right Dad? It's just a cold, right?" Kitsune asked hopefully.
Why do I feel so negative about this? What's going on? Naruto rubbed his arm, trying to reassure himself that everything would be fine. It was probably just a cold. A really bad cold. Yeah, that was definitely it. Once she got her medicine and the usual peptalk from that snot-faced doctor, they would go and everything would be back to normal.
The tightening feeling in Naruto's gut said otherwise. He suddenly felt nauseous and dizzy. As he glanced up at the door to his mother's room, he knew he was swaying from side to side with the dizziness.
That little voice in the back of his head was screaming at him; telling him that going into that room would be the figurative death of him. A part of him would be separated from him as soon as his foot stepped over the doorway.
Naruto watched Kitsune and Minato's lips move in speech but no words reached his eyes. Was this what it felt like to be... worried?
He saw Minato's hands reach out to them. The same gesture you used on a child when you wanted them to follow you. Before Naruto could even respond, Kitsune shoved past their father and charged into the room.
Naruto quickly followed suite but entered the room more calmly than his sister. It was a small white room with a window on the left side wall. Machines beeped all around the room and seated in the middle of the room as well as between the machines was a small bed. His eyes fell upon what was in the bed. More specifically, who was in the bed.
It was as if he was looking at a complete stranger. Kushina looked nothing like herself and part of him couldn't believe that he had not noticed it sooner. Kushina's once porcelain skin was a pale and clammy grey, decorated with bulging blue veins. The gaunt in her cheeks gave her a grim appearance and made her seem... Naruto gulped.
Lifeless.
"Mommy, what's going on? You were doing fine yesterday!" Kitsune exclaimed, leaning over the side of the bed so her face was inches away.
"Kitsune, give your mother some space. You're too far in her personal space," Minato warned. He closed the door behind him and glanced out of the small window. Once he did that, he stopped in front of the foot of the bed and watched quietly.
Naruto tried to ignore the strange feeling in his gut. It was a mix between a suction but at the same time he was being pulled forward. It was like he was neither here nor there. He focused on Kushina's face and felt even more sicker. Her crimson hair was dry and stuck to the pillow beneath her. Her eyes appeared sunken and the beautiful violet colour her irises had been had faded into a dull grey.
This couldn't be his mother. The woman with the flowing red hair that outmatched any redhead. The woman with the boiling temper that would put magma to shame. The woman he grew to love and cherish more than anything in the world. This couldn't be her.
"But it is me, Naruto..." Kushina whispered, her eyes planted firmly on him.
Naruto's eyes widened. Had he said that out loud? He looked toward Kitsune and saw his sister wasn't even focused on him. So his expression was really giving away everything? He shook his head and forced himself to face his weak mother. "Are you coming home with us, Mom?"
Kushina had had her hand on the side of Kitsune's face, stroking her cheek gently. As soon as the words left his mouth, her expression fell. She turned her head to him slowly. Her frail hand slipped away from Kitsune. Her eyes looked downward and stayed that way for a few moments before she responded.
She shook her head.
Naruto felt his world fall around him and couldn't stop the one tear that slid down his cheeks. He knew his eyes were probably as wide as saucers but he couldn't control anything at the moment.
"I wish I could... But this moment will have to be enough," Kushina's voice was so fragile that it was unlike her.
Kitsune took a step back. Her hands clenched at her side and her mouth opened and closed repeatedly, but no words came out. When her voice finally found her, it was soft and broken. "That's not fair," she stepped forward with her fist clenched at her chest. "There has to be something the doctors can do! There... This can't be it..."
Kushina raised her hand and beckoned for the two to come closer. A simple gesture but Naruto found himself unwillingly to move. For he knew if he did, then it would be the last command he would ever receive from his mother. Glancing at his sister, he knew she was thinking the same thing. She shook her head furiously, tears streaming down her face. Her bottom lip trembled as she tried to restrain the frustrated cry that wanted to be released.
Unwillingly, Naruto obeyed and stepped forward. Kitsune's head snapped toward him and she stared at him with wide eyes. Her eyes had turned red from suppressed tears but that didn't stop a long stream from flooding out. If he had been in her position, he was sure that would be him as well. He turned back to Kushina and sucked in his bottom lip, biting down hard.
Kushina blinked at them and smiled weakly. She spoke softly, as if her words were meant for their ears alone. "Don't be picky. Eat lots and grow strong. Make sure you two bathe every day and stay warm; I don't want you stinking up your rooms. Also don't stay up late. You need lots of sleep... And make friends. You don't need a lot of friends. Just a few... Ones you can really, really trust. I wasn't very good at it, but keep up with your studies and practice your spells hard."
Beside him, Naruto didn't notice his father's eyes widen in shock nor did he notice his mother's use of a foreign word. Kushina merely continued.
"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," Kushina smiled again, her eye twitching as she tried to hold on a little longer. "Oh, and this is important. Be extra careful about lending and borrowing money. Put any spare money into your savings accounts. No alcohol until you're twenty. Too much can ruin your health, so drink in moderation. Another prohibition is men and 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... Or boys... But don't get hooked on bad people. Find someone just like me or your father."
Naruto felt the warmth of a tear roll down his cheek. Quickly, he sniffled and rubbed a hand across his eyes.
Kushina laughed and smiled at Minato. "I get the feeling you'll be seeing more your grandpa so be wary of Jiraiya, you know," she suddenly stopped her speech and began to take deep breaths. A look of pain shot across her face. Her hands balled up the sheet beneath her and she sucked in a deep breath. As she opened her eyes again, Naruto saw the swirl of emotions spiralling in her eyes. "Naruto... Kitsune... 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..." tears splayed down her cheeks as she stared at them. "Oh, so much more that I want to pass on to you. I wish I could stay with you two longer. I love you... I love you two so much!"
A heart-shattering sob left Kitsune's lips as she fell to her knees. She clutched at her head an allowed the sobs to rack through her.
Kushina watched silently. Slowly, she stretched her arm out, wincing in pain, and cupped the side of Kitsune's cheek. Her thumb gently stroked her cheekbone. "I thought I would never be able to see you again before I passed... Having you all here... That alone makes me happy..."
"Mommy... No! You can't leave me!" Kitsune cried, holding onto her hand.
"Whenever you feel alone, or when things don't go right... Know that I watch over you always, and that I love you with all that I am..." Kushina whispered, stroking Kitsune's cheek. "Don't be sad."
"I am sad! I don't care what anyone says! You're my mother! I can't go on without you!" Kitsune screamed. "Of course I'm sad!"
With a sudden burst of strength, Kushina pulled Kitsune close to her and cradled her head against her chest. Frail fingers stroked crimson locks. Naruto looked away and focused on the floor.
The room was filled with the anguished cries of his twin and the soft whispers of his dying mother; yet he couldn't move himself from where he stood. His subconscious was right. That one step led to his last moments with his mother. Moments he would never be able to relive.
"Naruto..."
He looked up. Kushina smiled at him to come closer. A small trickle of blood escaped her lips but she made no move to wipe it away.
Naruto slowly stepped forward and was instantly pulled closer to Kushina by her free hand. She stroked the back of his head gently and kissed his forehead. "Protect the future... They need you..."
Before Naruto could question anything, he looked at Kushina to see her staring at Minato. He pulled away and dragged Kitsune with him.
The couple merely stared at each other. No words were exchanged. Only stares. Slowly, Minato walked around the bed and came to Kushina's side. He kneeled down and slowly held onto her free hand, running his thumb across her knuckles. "Kushina-chan, I-"
"Don't look so sad... Minato. I'm happy. Happy that you loved me. Happy that you stayed by me... And gave me the chance to have a real family," Kushina said, squeezing Minato's hand with the last of her strength.
"Please..."
For the first time ever, Naruto looked up and saw what he thought he would not live to see. Minato was crying. Tears ran freely down his cheeks as he watched his wife and the sad smile on his lips spoke more than words ever could. He reached out and cupped Kushina's cheek. Leaning into his hand, Kushina held onto it and let out a tired sigh. "Thank you... It's because of you... I was able to feel love for the first time... I'm eternally grateful to have lived in the same world as you..." Kushina cried a heart-renching sob. "My darling... I don't want to die! A simple life with you...Was all I wanted!"
The heart monitor beside the bed began beeping erratically, the dreaded green lie spiking uncontrollably. Kushina's breaths came out in short, ragged gasps and more blood slid past her chin.
"Mommy, don't leave! Please!" Kitsune sobbed, standing up and grabbing onto her mother's arm.
Kushina turned to the two of them and smiled. It was a small but sincere one that displayed all the love she felt for them. "You've always made me proud... Both of you... I love you so much..."
"We love you too, mom. More than you'll ever know," Naruto replied. His voice was hoarse from not speaking for so long and as the words tumble out, he knew he could never say them again.
Turning her head to Minato, Kushina lifted her arm and lightly grasped onto his neck, pulling him closer. Their foreheads bumped each other gently. She stared deep into his eyes and whispered, barely audible to the Naruto and Kitsune.
"For all our life... And until death..."
Minato smiled and closed his eyes. "Together shall we be..."
"Henceforth till the end of eternity," the two of them said together, finishing it off softly.
Those words... Naruto remembered those had been their ending vows to each other. Jiraiya had spoke of their marriage many times before and how they told their vows with such love, that the Heavens themself shed tears for them. Their love would not be broken by death, and even after that, they would still love each other as if the other were there.
Kushina's head thudded against the pillow but she kept her grip on Minato's neck. "Minato... I won't ever... Say your name again... Or see your face again... My love... Mina..."
Her hand slid away from his neck...
Her eyes slowly closed...
The heart monitor flat-lined...
Her breathing stilled...
Her chest ceased rising...
Kitsune screamed...
Minato watched on...
And Naruto remained still...