Konoha Exiles II
The Time Warp
Disclaimer: I don't own Naruto or the world he resides in. I only own Micahamaru.
Chapter 2
The sky rained heavily upon Konoha during the funeral for the Fourth Hokage. All of Konoha turned out to bury their savior and leader.
Sarutobi retook his position as Hokage and was speaking to the gathering.
"We are gathered here today to pay final respects to our honored dead." He said, his eyes going to where Kushina under the umbrella held by Kakashi and surrounded by Rin, Tsunade and Shizune while she cradled her sons to her in their blankets.
"But it should be noted that this death, takes place in the shadow of new lives. The sunrise over a better Konoha our beloved Yondaime gave his life to protect and we each must nourish the Will of Fire he has passed on to his own children." Sarutobi said, his old eyes seeing Kushina fighting to keep her tears back and rock her children.
"He did not feel his sacrifice a vain or empty one, and we will not debate his profound wisdom he showed while he was amongst of us. Of Minato Namikaze I can only say this; of all the souls I have encountered in my life, his burned brightest with a will of fire that lit the entire nation with its brilliance."
Sarutobi closed his eyes as the sky rumbled as if in agreement. He stepped down from the podium and placed a white flower on the table that had a picture of Minato, it was the day he'd become the Fourth Hokage, his huge grin and squinted eyes and the V of his fingers telling all how proud he was of his quest to become leader of the village.
Civilians came and placed their flowers and slowly left. Soon the council members, and ninja and their families. Sarutobi stood there the whole time as finally Kushina with her sons came forward, Tsunade held Mica while Rin was hold Naruto after they paid their respects.
"Damn you Minato." The red head's voice was rough. She dropped to her knees and Kakashi was there with Jiraiya, but she shrugged them off.
"You left me." Her voice a whisper, "You left me, and your sons." Tears slipped from her eyes. "Not only that, but what you did…"
"You used our sons…damn it Minato, how could you?" she ranted and raged, her words barely a whisper, but the amount of killing intent coming off her was scorching the ground, Tsunade and Rin took steps back with the babies.
"The village hails you a hero…" she slammed her hand on the ground causing a minor tremor. "If you were here I'd kick your ass you stupid blond baka!"
"Kushina…" Sarutobi began.
"Stay out of this or you'll take his place." The red head snarled and the Third Hokage wisely took three steps back and closed his mouth with an audible snap.
Kushina turned back to the urn and picture.
"I am so pissed at you Minato. You made our sons Jinchuriki's. You made them human sacrifices. Well know this, I won't let them be. You had that philosophy, the good of the many shit. Well I have my own. The good of my sons, outweigh the good of the village, or the world. They will grow up strong, they will grow up healthy and happy." She looked at Sarutobi. "And they will be safe from both foreign and domestic attempts."
Sarutobi winced as he recalled his effort the other day to have Kushina deny the boys their heritage and birthright. I think Boar and Ox will be out of the ICU in a month. He thought of the two ANBU who tried to get between the pissed off widow and the Third Hokage. When she learned that Sarutobi had told the council about what Minato had done, he was lucky that he was still standing. The fight amidst the council about killing the twins had been loud. Tsunade had been there as a representative of her family seat and had told the gathered council if they made a move on Minato's sons, then she would personally level Konoha. Jiraiya from his place near the wall had told them that he would finish what she didn't.
Ninja clan heads had agreed. The civilians and a few low level families had fought on until Sarutobi's killing intent had forced them all into their seats and silence. He told them that any attempt on Kushina and her sons would be considered acts of treason.
Shaking his head he saw Kushina was now looking at Minato's picture.
"You stupid goof." The red head said as a sad smile touched her lips. "Come on Kushina, lets get you and the babies home." Jiraiya said.
Sarutobi watched as the red head allowed herself to be taken away. Sarutobi waited until he was alone except for the personal guard. He stood in front of Minato's urn and picture.
"She's right. You are a baka and a goof. I've already made mistakes since I've been back in charge. I should never have told the council about the sealing." He admitted. "And Danzo has dug in deeply with the civilian councils. He's maintaining that he did disband Root like you ordered, and the ninja with him are his families personal guard."
Sarutobi sighed. "I can't do anything at this time against the Uchiha my friend. I have a plan, but I need time to find someone to trust. This is a true cluster fuck in the making Minato, and you left it in my lap." He sighed. "I die, I am kicking your ass as a prelude to what your wife is going to do to you when the time comes."
Turning partially away. "Rest in peace Minato, you went before your time."
Sarutobi sighed as he walked away, his ANBU bodyguards silent and unseen, while overhead the thunder rolled.
XX
Five Years Later…
"GET BACK HERE!" Kushina's voice carried all across Konoha.
At the Namikaze compound two boys laughing raced out the back door, half a step ahead of their bound mother who they finally managed to sneak up on and handcuff her hands behind her back.
Both boys were very proud of that, their mother had been proud to, until Michahamaru mentioned they lost the key. That led to the current chase with Kushina swearing she would make sure they wouldn't be able to sit for a month.
"AND NO RAMEN FOR A YEAR!"
That stopped both boys in their tracks. Eyes wide they turned and looked at their mother who had stopped as well.
She looked at them and their wide eyes filled with tears.
"Don't do that." She said helplessly.
Naruto's bottom lip quivered and Mica sniffled.
"Boys." She said as they continued, the quiver got more noticeable and the sniffles louder.
Kushina knew she'd been suckered, but she could never deny them.
"Just get the cuffs off." She said.
"Ramen?" Naruto asked.
Kushina nodded and both her boys grinned as she knelt down with her hands behind her back. I admit, cuffing my forearms one atop the other keeps me from moving them and picking the locks. The scamps are getting good at this. She thought as she felt them fiddling with the locks.
Hearing a click she felt the cuffs come loose and she brought her arms around and rubbed her forearms.
"So, who taught you two to pick locks…and where did you get the cuffs from?" she asked as both boys came around the front of her. They shuffled their feet and looked away.
"Micahamaru?" the red head looked at Naruto who shook his head quickly and Kushina smiled, already guessing who taught them and gave them the tools.
"Naruto?" she asked the blond who closed his eyes and shook his head.
They know not to look me in the eye when they lie. Shaking her head she stood and put a hand on the boys shoulders.
"Back in the house you two. We need to finish your lessons before we go to the park today."
Both boys made grumbling sounds, but Kushina was adamant about them learning her clans ways at the same age she had been. "You want to be prepared before you go to the academy don't you?" she asked and got dual nods from the boys.
Back in the dojo, she watched as they went through the beginning motions to the Uzumaki style of taijutsu. She smiled as both boys had the same fluid grace her family had and she knew that once she had Minato's style to that they would be nearly unbeatable.
A knock drew her attention to the door where Rin was. Both boys looked ready to pounce on the woman who they considered an aunt, but a look from their mother kept them in place.
"Hello Rin, just get off your shift at the hospital?" Kushina asked.
Her husbands former student nodded, tired look in her eyes. "We really need to train more medics." She said covering a yawn.
"There is some tea in the kitchen still, and I don't think the boys managed to eat all the rolls or sausage this morning."
Rin nodded and passed through waving to the boys who grinned and waved back.
"Keep at it." Kushina said as she followed the dark haired girl across the open courtyard to the main house and then into the kitchen.
"Haven't seen you all week Rin." Kushina said.
The girl paused filling her teacup and sighed. "I am sorry about that. A couple of the Anbu squads have been seeing heavy action near the border." Rin looked at her friend.
"Kakashi's unit been sent out?" Kushina asked.
"Late yesterday." Rin confessed. "I don't know why this is happening."
"Bandits are being organized and they have a lot of nuke nin with them, along with displaced samurai."
Kushina sighed. "Sarutobi asked me to lead a squad out there." She told the medic. "He didn't!" Rin was shocked at this.
"Hai. Tried laying on a guilt trip. I might have split his desk after I was done scolding him like a child."
Rin laughed at that. It had been a rough five years since Minato's funeral. Many in Konoha knew what the boys held despite the Hokage swearing the council to secrecy. There had been a few attempts over the years on the boys lives. Kushina or Rin had been merciless in dealing with those that tried. Kakashi's body count was unknown by either woman, but a report on the Hokage's desk listed at least a hundred attempts, the bodies were incinerated using katon jutsu's outside the village walls.
Kushina decided to change the subject, "I'm taking them to the park after their lessons today, I thought it would be a nice chance for them to play with others now that they're old enough."
Rin smirked. "You just want to get them to burn off some of that energy." Rin sipped her tea. "Sensei was like an energizer bunny on meth with a side of crack and followed up with speed."
Both women laughed. "Minato did have stamina." Kushina said with a soft grin. It still hurt, but it was a good hurt now.
"You want me to come with?" Rin asked.
"No." Kushina said. "You get some rest. You've been at the hospital and burning chakra like candy. Besides, Jiraiya is around, and he never misses a chance to spoil the boys."
At Rin's looks she motioned and led the girl into the playroom. Rin paused seeing the stuffed Toads and various wooden toys that looked to have been hand made with a lot of love and affection.
"He brought those monstrosities the other day." Kushina said pointing at the five foot stuffed orange toads.
"Gah. And they're orange." Rin said.
"Naruto loves them. Orange is his new favorite color now that its come from his godfather."
Rin shook her head. "And Mica-kun?"
Kushina pointed to the stuffed slug. "Tsunade's just as bad."
Rin had to laugh at the competitive nature of the Sannin over their godchildren.
"And don't get me started on Kakashi." Kushina said.
The Uzumaki woman looked at the medic and narrowed her eyes. "And that brings me to you."
Rin gave her a wide-eyed innocent look. "What did I do?"
"Between the stuffed dogs, not to mention the Inuzuka games you've taught them…"
Rin looked away a grin on her face. "And don't think I don't know about all the times you've taken them to Ichiraku's for those Gutbuster ramen-palooza's."
Rin shrugged. "I spoil when I can."
Kushina sighed. "I can't win." She muttered. "Four godparents, I can't win."
"At least you know you have babysitters on call." Rin said heading back to the kitchen.
Kushina nodded. "I appreciate you all. I just…I saw the Uchiha, the youngest and he's so spoiled. He was demanding things from his mother. I just don't want my boys to be like that."
Rin laughed. "Kushina, with Tsunade, Shizune and me around here to counter whatever Jiraiya-sama and Kakashi-baka do, you should know that those boys will be so honorable it won't be funny."
Rin finished eating and Kushina saw that the boys were winding down from their katas and seeing Rin's yawn she shooed her to her room. "You get some sleep. I'll wake you before dinner."
A jaw-cracking yawn from Rin stopped their talks. The boys managed to talk a mile a minute as they followed her before she hugged each of them and ruffled their hair and told them to have fun before entering the bathroom for a shower.
Kushina looked at the pair of boys who turned their eager gazes at her and she prayed that this wore them out for once.
XX
(Konoha Central Park)
Kushina sat on a bench under a tree watching as Naruto and Mica played on some of the equipment. She scowled as several parents came and took their children away while shooting her sons hate filled looks.
She sighed. Fools. You see this Minato-kun? They treat your sons like they carry a plague. These are the people you died for, you cursed our sons for. Kushina thought to the heavens.
She sent a wave of killing intent at one man who had his arm raised as if to strike Naruto. The boys looked up and smiled at their mother, ignoring the man who had been about to attack them, certain in their childlike trust that their mother loved them and would protect them from anything bad.
"They're growing too fast."
Kushina turned. "Sarutobi." She said with a look at the Third Hokage. "They are five." She said chiding him.
"Already?" he mock sighed. "Kushina, about before…I am sorry for my words. I didn't mean them…"
"You meant them old man." Kushina said cutting him off. "But I will forgive you as you are stressed with dealing with the council."
He bowed his head. "I now regret ever telling those fools about what Minato did." He pulled out his pipe and used a small katon spark jutsu to start light his pipe.
"I still say it was Danzo who leaked it. That or your former teammates." Kushina said watching her children play alone. She scowled as parents whispered to the their children to stay away from them.
"Jiraiya tells me you've started their training." The Third said after several moments of silence.
"It is the Uzumaki way. Once their older the perverts have agreed to teach them Minato's style and jutsu."
They watched as Naruto used Mica's shoulders to springboard to a low hanging branch of a tree, then after using his knees to hang upside down, he grabbed his brother's hands and pulled him up.
"Those two will be a handful once they enter the academy." The Third said as he watched them climb higher.
"They're a handful now." Kushina muttered standing up and stepping to the tree. "Boys." She called and got their attention. "Not to high." She cautioned.
"Yes mom." She got back in stereo.
Shaking her head, Kushina went and rejoined the hokage as he enjoyed his pipe.
"Is there anything I can do to help?" he asked as they watched the two boys play.
"Not really. We're set for money, and their godparents spoil them rotten."
Sarutobi smiled as he pulled out a photo. "You might want to add that to your collection."
She looked at it and saw that it was her sons in the Hokage's office, sitting on the desk. Mica wore the robes while Naruto the hat. Between them was Sarutobi doing paperwork. All three grinned at the camera.
"Jiraiya left them with me for an hour. Shizune picked them up and took that. I have one on my desk."
Kushina smiled. "Thanks." She already planned on adding it to the collection.
"Has there been any word about the girl Orochimaru took?" Kushina asked.
"Anko?" the Hokage shook his head. "Not yet, but Ibiki is leading a squad."
Kushina nodded. "He'll find her."
"When the boys begin the academy, is there a chance I could lure you back to part-time duty?"
"We'll see. But right now, they are my only concern old man." Kushina said.
She then looked at him. "You stopping by for dinner?" she asked.
"Regretfully no." the Hokage said standing up.
"OJII!!"
Two missiles realized who was talking to their mother and decided to greet the man they saw as a grandfather figure.
Sarutobi grunted as he was hugged by the twin boys who were heroes at birth.
"Naruto-kun, Mica-kun." The hokage said giving each boy a squeeze and a smile.
"Come play?" Mica asked.
"Alas I cannot. I need to return to the greatest evil to all Hokage's."
at the twin looks of confusion, Sarutobi was saved from answering by a chuckled answer from Kushina. "Paperwork."
XX
And a new routine was added. Mornings were lessons that included, manners, reading, writing, taijutsu and chakra control. Afternoons were spent in the park.
It was on their ninth day visiting the park that the twins made new friends, each in the weirdest way.
AN: BWA-HAHAHAHAHAHAHA! I Chuckles the Silly Piggy…err. Oops, wrong voice in my head. Yes, cliffhanger. This is going to be a slow build. And remember, if you don't like it, I don't want to hear it. No one makes you read. To those who like it and review, I thank you. Stay tuned for more.