Chapter 1- The beginning

Minato woke up slowly, his eyes fluttering open. His mouth was so dry, and his head was pounding. He couldn't recall what had happened the night before.

"Kushina…" he groaned.

He threw off the covers, rubbing his eyes. For some reason his room looked different than what he remembered.

Ugh, my head, he groaned inwardly.

He stood up, but fell back down on the bed when he quickly lost his balance.

That's weird… Maybe my legs are asleep?

He tried to stand again, wobbled, almost fell again, but gained his balance and remained upright. He proceeded to walk around the room, feeling like an old man. He was teetering dangerously, but after a while he managed to stand and walk just fine.

He slid his bedroom door open and stuck his head out. "Kushina?" he called. "You home?" No answer.

He went down the hall, his bare feet slapping at the wooden floors. He got to the back door and slid it open. He looked outside, inhaled the fresh air, and sighed, when he saw her.

Kushina was sitting on the porch, holding baby Naruto in her arms and rocking gently. Apparently she hadn't heard him come outside.

Minato approached warily, not wanting to fall down the steps and onto his wife and child. As he got closer, he could see her head bobbing, and tears falling from her pale, beautiful face. She was whispering something over and over again as if chanting.

He put his hand on her shoulder and immediately felt her tense up.

"Kushina," he asked, "What's wrong?"

She spun around so fast that he didn't have time to blink. Her tear-stained eyes widened in shock and her mouth flew open.

"M-Minato?" She whispered.

"Yes, it's me." He said, smiling. "Were you expecting someone else?"

At this, tears started flowing down her face. She put Naruto in his crib and shakily rose to her feet.

"We thought you were gone for good. The strain was almost too much, and we-" She broke off, wiping her face. "Oh, I'm so glad you're back!" She ran to him and embraced him so hard that he couldn't breathe.

"Babe, you're killing me." He grunted out.

"I don't care." She said, crushing him to herself even more.

"What's this all about?" He asked. He was confused.

She loosened her grip. "You mean, you don't remember?"

Minato felt left out. "No. I have no idea why you seem so worried. I just slept late, that's all. I must have had a big night." He chuckled. "Maybe I shouldn't sleep that long again though, seeing as how you almost just killed me."

Her expression turned solemn. "Minato. You seriously don't remember anything from that night?"

He shook his head. "No, not a thing. And what do you mean, 'from that night?' It's only been a couple days since Naruto has even been born, so what could I have possibly been doing?"

Kushina frowned. "Minato, Naruto is two months old now. You've been in a coma for two months."

Minato froze. "What?"

"That's why I was upset. You haven't shown any signs of recovering; ever. I thought… I thought that I'd lost you forever."

"How did this all happen?" Minato asked. "And why don't I remember? Tell me, what happened?"

Kushina hesitated. "Kushina. Please."

She sighed. "Minato…you… you have the Kyuubi sealed into you." She sounded like she didn't believe it herself.

Minato's blood froze. Flashes of memory burst like fireworks inside his pain-shrouded head: Naruto being born, Madara Uchiha appearing, Kushina's seal being broken, the Nine-tails loose, attacking Konoha, Minato summoning Gamabunta….then nothing. He vaguely remembered that the Third had shown up….but that's it. He couldn't remember anything further.

"Kushina, tell me everything."

"Are you sure?"

"Yes. I need to hear this. I need to remember."

"Okay." She began. "I was pregnant with Naruto, and I was in labor. We both knew that the Kyuubi's seal would be weakest during Naruto's birth, so you were there, reinforcing the seal. Then, Naruto was born. But Madara appeared and killed the ANBU that were guarding Naruto. Madara kidnapped the baby, but you rescued him. That gave Madara time to break the Kyuubi's seal, and the demon was set free. I was dying at that point, because the Kyuubi had been extracted. But, you saved me and won against Madara. You teleported back to Konoha and summoned Gamabunta to fight the Kyuubi, while you were going to prepare to bring forth the Shinigami. That's when the Third came. He stopped you from using the Shinigami, and, instead, performed the technique himself. He sealed away the Nine-tails' chakra into your body, but, your body couldn't take the strain and you collapsed and haven't woken up till now. As for me, the Third sealed away his life force into me in order to heal me. So, thanks to Hiruzen, we both are alive. The ANBU found us and brought us to the village, where the medics took a look at you, and determined that there was nothing they could do. Even Inoichi tried tapping into your mind to see what the problem was, but he was shut out by the Kyuubi. So I've been waiting, praying for you to come back, and now, you have."

"So…I'm a jinchuriki? I have that monster inside me?"

"Yes." She answered. "But you're not a monster; you're my husband, and I love you. The whole village does. They've been in an official state of mourning ever since you were brought back in the state that you were in. Everybody would love to know that you're awake."

"I-I don't know what to do. I'm so lost…I feel like I've woken up into a whole new world." Minato's voice was filled with dismay.

"Well, if you're lost, we'll have to find the way together." She hugged him again. "Now, how about you come say hello to your son?"

Ɵ Ɵ Ɵ Ɵ -Dreamscape-

"Rasengan!" Minato shouted, as he slammed the energy sphere into Madara Uchiha.

The villain gasped in pain and surprise and crumpled to the ground, blood leaking down his mask. To Minato's horror, he got back up. In a mocking voice, he said, "You're doomed, Minato. The Kyuubi will destroy all that you know. Your family, your friends, your nation; eventually it will consume you from the inside out. Then you'll be forced to watch as everything you hold dear is lost to you."

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"No!" Minato awoke, shivering in cold sweat. Kushina was asleep beside him, looking every bit the angel as her face was framed by her gorgeous red hair.

Naruto was crying, and so Minato got up from bed to check on him. He didn't want the crying to wake Kushina up. She deserved her rest.

Minato took Naruto from his crib. As soon as he held the boy, the crying ceased, but Naruto started squirming and wiggling, fidgeting in Minato's arms.

"You sure are a ball of energy, aren't you? Well you can thank your mother for that." Minato said, and laughed quietly as the boy stretched out his little arms and sighed.

"Let's go for a walk Naruto." The baby didn't protest.

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Konoha was so peaceful at night. The shops were all closed, their lights extinguished, and the streets were completely empty. The only sound was the tinkling of wind chimes and the sound of the breeze rustling through the trees. It was calming to Minato's stormy mind.

As he walked through the streets, still cradling Naruto, his thoughts wandered. The Third was dead, and he was a jinchuriki? What had happened to his life? The only thing he knew for sure was that he could no longer remain the Fourth Hokage. While he was aware that the daimyo must have put someone in charge in his stead, now that he was awake, the villagers were going to expect him to resume his leadership. But Minato simply couldn't. While he truly loved his village, he needed to take care of his family first. His poor wife had spent two months taking care of him and a baby. What kind of husband would he be if he abandoned them in favor of ridiculous paperwork?

He thought of suitable replacements. The Sannin? No… Jiraiya was too independent, Orochimaru was too ambitious and Tsunade was nowhere to be found. The village elders were too ingrained in the old ways, and Danzo was not even trustworthy. Who else was both powerful and wise enough to govern Konoha?

Wait…Maybe, Sakumo? Yes, he would be perfect!

Sakumo Hatake was just as strong as the Sannin, and wise too. He also loved the village so much. He would be a perfect Hokage.

Minato smiled. He was happy to find a replacement, but sad at the same time that his life had taken so difficult a turn. Everything he thought he'd known had been turned upside down. If only he'd been stronger, then the Third wouldn't have died to save him. If only he'd been able to kill Madara…

I can make you stronger… A deep, sinister voice called within Minato's head. Just let me help you, Minato; give yourself to me and I'll help you kill Madara. We'll track him down together.

K-Kyuubi? Minato asked.

Who else? Just step inside my prison, and tear off the seal that holds me here. All your fears will be gone.

I will never give anything to you. You're an evil creature and I would never give myself to you. Get it in your head.

You say that now, but you'll give in. You need me.

I don't need you for anything. Go away and leave me alone.

The Kyuubi didn't respond.

Naruto started crying again. The baby could probably detect the Fox's malicious chakra.

"It's okay, Naruto." Minato cooed. "It's okay." But he wasn't so sure.

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Minato slipped the baby back into his crib silently. He looked down at his wife, and his heart filled with love. She was so beautiful, intelligent, caring. She was everything he'd ever wanted, and he knew he was lucky to have her.

He sank into his bed and out his arms around his wife. As if sensing his warmth, she snuggled closer.

"Love you, Kushina." He said, and fell asleep.