Chapter 4

It had taken another month before Jiriaya arrived back with Tsunade, Fugaku, Mikoto, Shikaku and Choza. They would make sure this battle ended and turned out the way they wanted. As they entered, Kita and Ryuu greeted them.

"Where's Minato?" Mikoto asked looking around making Jiriaya laugh.

"My bet is he's with Kushina." He said and looked at the two young ninja who had greeted them. "So then where is the little red head?" He asked making Kita laugh.

"Actually, today Minato is helping with the tower and Kushina is helping to cook dinner. But any other day you would be right." Suddenly she shrieked and jumped when Minato appeared next to her and Kita on the other side of him.

"We heard you got here." Kushina smiled and pushed Jiriaya making everyone look at her. "You said it wouldn't take too long. The men could have used your help a few weeks ago." Jiriaya chuckled and looked at Minato and shrugged.

"So the third sent everyone?" Minato asked and watched Jiriaya and Tsunade nod.

"Yeah. The old man said he wanted this war to be done with. He had sent Orochimaru out on a mission before we got back so he sent the others." Jiriaya said glancing at the others who were silent and looking around.

"These were built recently. Most of the village is all rebuilt from the last attack." Kushina said slowing slightly to walk beside Mikoto. "I'm Kushina." She said shaking Mikoto's hand.

"We already knew that. I'm Mikoto." Mikoto said glancing at Jiriaya with a smile. "He told us all about you. But all the good things." Kushina looked at the tall man walking with Minato and smiled.

"Kita, I think we should take Mikoto around the village." Kushina said and smiled at her friend and looked to the older blond woman. "Would you like to join us also?" Tsunade looked back and gave a small shrug before Kita spoke.

"Yeah, that would be great. I'll get the others and we can all go together." Kita said before she took off to gather the other women.

"And I think I'll go join Yoshi for the night." Jiriaya chuckled but noticed Minato and Kushina glanced at each other. "What?" Minato walked slightly closer to his old teacher.

"Yoshi isn't exactly happy with us right now." Jiriaya looked at him confused.

"He's being an idiot." Kushina said suddenly "He thinks he can control everything and is pissed because he's wrong." She crossed her arms as Minato smirked and Kita laughed softly.

"What is he trying to control?" Fugaku asked looking at the young red headed ninja he had just met.

"My whole life. Anything to do with me." She said looking at Minato's back with her green eyes before looking around and seeing her two brothers run over. "Hey Toshiro!" Kushina smiled and hugged her little brother before Yoshi walked in front of her to separate her from Minato only to have her and Toshiro walk in front of him to walk beside Minato and Jiriaya. The others saw the flash of anger as he looked to the side and saw the pissed off Sotaru join the group.

"Why don't the guys go out tonight while the girls have their fun?" Sotaru suggested making Minato glance at Kushina before giving a shrug. "Then we can meet at Yoshi's favorite bar at six tonight." The men nodded as he, and Ryuu left, and Yoshi moved closer to his sister.

"You will listen, little sister." He whispered before he left also. Kushina looked down as Toshiro tightened his grip on his older sister afraid of his older brother who had completely changed from a few months ago.

"It's alright Shiro." She whispered and smiled down at him. "He can't do anything." He looked up with fear still locked in his brown eyes. She glanced at Minato who was starting a quiet conversation with the man with short black hair and steel gray eyes. She wondered what they were talking about as the two men constantly looked around to see if anyone was listening in.

"When did he start acting like this?" She heard Jiriaya say from beside her. "He looks like a completely different person now."

"It was when you left. I had gone back to my house to get some things before we went for a walk and he tried to corner Minato." She paused while Jiriaya chuckled. "He won't tell me what he said but from what little he did tell me and the way Yoshi's been acting, it has to do with Minato and me. My brother thinks that now he can say what goes on in my life. He is trying to get between us and I don't know how many times in the past month he's tried to get us to hate each other."

"He tried at least once a day." Toshiro said next to his sister. "Jiriaya, are you going to help protect Kushina too?" He asked looking up at the older man. Jiriaya looked at the young boy and paused before he smiled at him.

"Of course. Kushina will be safe, and so will you." The boy's face brightened up as he looked up at the ninja. "Toshiro, why don't you run home and let your mother and father know we arrived." The boy nodded and took off running happily.

"Thank you, Jiriaya. He's been scared to death that Yoshi's going to snap and try to kill everyone. He never doubted Minato would protect us but after a while, he started thinking that it would take more than Minato. There was no cheering him up." Jiriaya nodded with a smile and a glance at Minato.

"He can't do anything while we're here. The man Minato's talking to is Fugaku Uchiha, next to him is Shikaku Nara and Choza Akimichi. I bet you've heard of their clans before." Kushina could only nod as she looked back ahead. "They will help Minato."

"They are a few of Minato's best friends, they won't back down." Tsunade said with a small smile. "We should check out what's going on though." Jiriaya nodded as Kushina started walking with her two teammates.

"So Minato, how long you and Kushina been goin out?" Asked Sotaru as he took another sip of his drink. Minato looked at him and knew he was drunk like most of the men that had go out with them. Minato and his group were sober, all but Jiriaya, but he could sober in an instant.

"Yes, do tell. How long yous been goin out?" Asked Yoshi as he leaned over the table to look at Minato hard in the eye. Minato glanced at his friends before he answered, just to make sure they were ready for anything.

"A few weeks I suppose." He answered and watched the fire burn in Sotaru and Yoshi's eyes.

"You gona go back to yous village and leaves her here?" Sotaru asked raising his voice higher and higher. "Take advantage, break her heart and leave her ta do whatever?"

"Minato would never do that to any one, especially to someone he loves." Choza said standing up glaring at the two drunken men and they stood up and glared back.

"Choza." Minato said looking over at his friend. "It's not going to do any good. They're drunk beyond remembering the last week. Let them say what they want, they won't remember anything they say or we say."

"He's right. We can take care of them when they'll remember." Shikaku said as Choza sat back down next to him. "I wonder how the women are doing."

-With the girls-

"Kushina, I can't believe you got the hot guy." Cheered Kita as she drank again. "All those women are gonna be so pissed at you when word gets out."

"So how far you get with him?" Asked a young woman with short blond hair and dark blue eyes sitting across from Kushina who hadn't drank anything. Kushina looked around; most of her friends were drunk. Mikoto, Saki, Tsunade and herself hadn't drank. Tsunade had wanted to make sure nothing happened and watched as several of the women started to become angry with Kushina for being with Minato.

"Haruko, that is none of your business first of all. Secondly, you all have had way too much to drink and are going to start spouting things you will be sorry for later. I think we should call it a night." Kushina said looking around as three women stood up and looked at her hard.

"We won't regret a word! You took Minato away from us and you will pay for it!" A woman with green hair and black eyes yelled.

"He's ours!" Yelled a second woman with black hair and violet eyes as the third woman with light brown hair and purple eyes stood getting ready to jump across the table as she yelled.

"Yeah you whore! Keep your filthy hands off our Minato!"

"I suggest you sit down." Tsunade said, as she looked at them hard and watched each one look at her afraid, they knew who she was and what she could do. They all sat down as Kushina stood and left while Tsunade, Mikoto and Saki followed soon after. As the three women tried to catch up to the young ninja they couldn't find her anywhere. Kushina had run off so fast she wasn't watching where she was going and walked into the back of someone. She looked up as she was about to apologize when she saw who it was.

"Kushina, what's wrong?" Minato asked looking down at her. "Where are the others?

"I don't know. I had to leave. I- I just couldn't." She said as tears rose to her eyes and she hugged Minato as he wrapped his arms around her shaking form. He and the other men looked to see three women running towards them and the stopped when they saw Kushina crying into Minato's chest as he looked up at them for answers to see Tsunade shake her head.

"Kushina." Saki said as she and Mikoto walked closer. "Kushina, you how they can be. Why don't we go for a walk and show Mikoto around the village?" Kushina looked at her with watery green eyes.

"Come on." Mikoto said wrapping her arm around her newfound friend and started leading her and Saki away from the others while everyone turned to Tsunade.

"A few of the girls got drunk and started talking." She said. "I forgot how mean girls could be. They were yelling at her for going out with Minato and one called her a whore." Minato glanced at the direction the three girls had gone off in and sighed. "How 'bout you guys?"

"Not much better." Jiriaya said. "It seems that Yoshi has taken a few people under his wing and is trying to cause a fight between everyone. At least it doesn't seem the Kage is involved in it." Everyone spent the night talking about what they could do while the two women were cheering Kushina up.

Two months after everyone arrived they group was slowly healing from a small battle that had come suddenly in the middle of the night. The village and most of the villagers were saved with very few deaths. Today the leaf ninja would be leaving for home and Kushina would be going with Toshiro with them as ambassadors. Yoshi and the others were not happy but they could do nothing when the Kage told them they would be going.

"I hope you die on the way whore." A woman said as she passed Kushina who looked at her then saw Minato walking over to her. He knew what the woman said and knew it would only get worse.

"Ready to go?" He asked as he put his arm around her shoulders making many of the nearby women shot nasty looks at Kushina. "Come on. It'll be much better once we get out of here." He whispered to her as he led her to the others and the group took off towards home at last.

Kushina and Toshiro had been in the leaf village for two days now for the millionth time in the past three years, they loved the big village, with all the nice people and huge buildings. Minato had to go talk to the third Hokage that morning and left Kushina and her younger brother to wander and do what they wanted until he met up with them after his meeting.

"Kushina!" a shout came making her turn around and find Fugaku and Kaori walking to her. They were Minato's two best friends and had taken it upon themselves to be her bodyguards when Minato wasn't around. She always thought they were doing it just to show off but Minato was like their brother and they would take care of her when she needed it.

"Hey guys." She said when they stopped in front of her and Toshiro. "Shiro, don't wander too Far." she warned as he moved off to the side.

"Hey, have you seen Minato?" Kaori asked.

"He had a meeting with the Hokage. He said he would meet up with us later. Why?" She asked wondering what was going on.

"I haven't seen him since he got back. I have some news." Kaori smiled. "Akemi had the baby!" he half yelled making Kushina smile at him. "It's a girl." Kushina wrapped her arms around his neck in a tight embrace as Minato showed up.

"Should I be worried?" He chuckled as Kushina gave him a hug before standing back. "Why do you two look like you can't sit still?" He asked

"It's a girl." Kaori said with a wide grin. Minato smirked and shook his best friend's hand.

"Well that would explain it. I think we should all go out and celebrate tonight." he smiled and Kushina looked up at him knowing there was something that made him extremely happy. Her look made him laugh. "alright." he said to her. "The third said he wanted me to be the fourth Hokage." he said and Kushina wrapped her arms around him as his two friends shook his hand. "Looks like it's going to be a good night." his friends smiled as they stood talking about getting everyone together for the night.

"Hey." A voice called making all of them turn around to see Jiriaya walking up. "What's the commotion all about?"

"Talking about getting everyone together to celebrate tonight." Minato said with a smile. "Looks like we have a big night." He smiled making Jiriaya looked at the three men standing in front of him all with a happy smile on their faces.

"Since these three seem unable to say anything." Kushina said elbowing Minato in his stomach. "It seems we have a birth, and…" She looked up at Minato with a smile. "A promotion."

"That does sound like a good night." Jiriaya laughed. "I'm in."

"Meet at Hozuki restaurant and bar? Say about seven tonight?" Fugaku asked and watched everyone nod before they all said goodbye and went their separate ways.

"Hey I can come too right?" Toshiro called as he ran around Kushina and Minato making them laugh. Minato grabbed hold of the boy, held him still, and smiled down at him giving a slight nod. "Yeah!" He yelled jumping out of Minato's grasp only to run around them cheering once again. The two adults watched and laughed.

"Shiro, come on." Kushina giggled taking Minato's arm that he offered and rested her head on his shoulder as they continued their walk to Minato's house while the young boy ran around still cheering.

Once home Toshiro went to the back yard to practice his kunai handling while Kushina grabbed Minato and pulled him to the living room with a smile telling him that they needed to talk. She looked at him nervously making Minato wonder even more about what was going on.

"Kushina, what's the matter?" He asked as she looked to the side biting her lip before she took a deep breath.

"I have to tell you something really important." She paused and glanced at him seeing worry in his bright blue eyes. "Minato, you remember how you told me to go to the doctor?" He nodded and watched her with extreme worry. "Well, you're going to be able to relate to Kaori." She looked at him from the corner of her eye to see his reaction. Minato stood still, he couldn't believe what he had just heard, he blinked a few times before a small smile began to grow on his face. Kushina watched his eyes turn from worry to excitement. He reached out and pulled her into a tight hug before he pushed her back slightly to look down at her.

"What are you going to do about your family?" He asked worried about how her older brother and father would react. Over the past few years, her father had begun to start acting like Yoshi. She just smiled and moved closer to him.

"Don't worry about them. I don't care, I love you and if they don't like it then I'll just come live with you." He smiled down before he leaned closer and kissed her deeply, both melting into each other. Suddenly they both jumped.

"EWWWWWW!" Came a yell, making the two look over at the young boy standing in the doorway making a face of disgusts. "You guys are gross!" He said making the two laughs before Kushina started to chase after him making him laugh hysterically.

That night the three of them met Minato's friends at the bar restaurant. They found that all the friends were there to celebrate with everyone. Tsunade, Jiriaya, Fugaku and his wife Mikoto, Kaori was with his wife Akemi who was holding a small bundle in her arms. Next was Shikaku and his five month pregnant wife Yoshino, Choza and his eight month pregnant wife, Shibi and his wife holding their three month old sleeping son, Inoichi and his four month pregnant wife, Tsume her husband and their four year old daughter. The little girl and Toshiro hit it off straight away and began to run around happily while the adults moved into the restaurant.

"So what are we celebrating tonight exactly?" Tsunade asked glancing at Jiriaya who chuckled. "He wouldn't tell me. Just said we were celebrating."

"We have a lot to celebrate to night." Inoichi said with a bright smile.

"Okay. I'm guessing you're going to be celebrating a lot tonight." Fugaku chuckled. The women all looked at each other and laughed as they went off to talk and giggle looking back at the men every now and again while the men sat together talking and celebrating in their own way. Soon after the girls stopped gossiping and the men started celebrating they joined

"So here's to everyone!" Tsunade called out holding her drink in the air and smiled as everyone else held theirs in the air cheering for each other.

"Here's to the new Hokage!" Kaori called making Minato laugh as everyone cheered for him and drank again.

"It's like just yesterday we were in the academy." Fugaku said. "Now, we're all married, having kids, and showing off." he said the last part making everyone laugh at Minato who had only smirked and raised his glass to take a drink.

"What do you expect from the great yellow flash?" Kaori joked. "You have any other surprises?" He laughed. Making Kushina look up at him making him glance at her with a small smile that did not go unnoticed by the others.

"Spit it out!" Tsume yelled as the two children ran over and Toshiro laughed making everyone look at him. "What is the surprise?" She demanded.

"Kushina said that Minato can relate to Kaori now," He said making Minato look at the boy while Kushina tried to catch him before he took off laughing.

"You have to come back sooner or later." She told him making him stop laughing. The others looked between the two adults. When Kushina looked around her face began to tint pink as she smiled and looked back at Minato.

"Did he mean what I think he meant?" Asked Jiriaya looking at his old student who smirked and gave a nod. "Well this is really a big night then. Another round for everyone!" Jiriaya called with a smile while Kaori punched Minato's shoulder.

"Hokage and father. You have anything else you want to get off your chest while you're at it?" Inoichi laughed.

"No that's about it… I think" Minato said as he took another sip.

The rest of the night was filled with laughing and cheering as they celebrated for each other. The friends talked about the old days and began talking about their futures, which lead to Kaori and Minato joking around about their kids getting married.

"You two never grow up." Akemi said making everyone laugh.

"We're going to get going, Hana's about had it." Tsume said looking at the tiny girl falling asleep on the back of a large black and white dog. Slowly everyone began saying good-bye and left for home until it was down to Jiriaya, Tsunade, Kushina and Minato who was carrying the sleeping Toshiro.

"Have a good night." Tsunade said, saying goodnight with a smile. Minato and Kushina said goodnight and started home leaving Jiriaya and Tsunade standing beside each other with smiles on their faces as they went to drink ant the nearest open bar.

"So now I have to tell my family." Kushina said softly wondering what would happen when she told her father and brother. Minato wrapped his arm around her shoulders and pulled her closer to his side with a smile.

"Don't worry. They can't do anything. Besides if anything happens you can always come stay here." he said with hope in his eyes.

"I will come stay here anyway. I can't exactly have your child and keep it from you. Now can I?" she smiled up at him before looking sadly at her little brother. "I just don't want him or my mom to get hurt."

"If something happens and I'm not there, or even if I am there, you get Shiro and your mom and bring them here. Fugaku and Kaori will make sure your all safe if I'm not here." he said as they came upon their house. "For now though. Let's get some sleep before you go back to your village." Kushina smiled as he walked off to a guest room that was dubbed Shiro's as she went to the room she shared with Minato and waited for him. Once Toshiro was in bed, he joined her and they two held each other tight not wanting to separate the next day.

"Be careful." Tsunade said. "Don't want to get word that something happened to Minato's love." She smiled and hugged the woman as Minato walked up with Toshiro.

"Here take this." Minato said handing her a scroll. "If anything happens use this and we'll come." he said as she took it and put it in her bag with a smile.

"I don't think anything's gonna happen. She's with the fourth Hokage, no one would go after her. Not if their smart anyway." Fugaku said with a smile. Everyone had shown up to say goodbye to Kushina and Toshiro before they left to go back to the whirlpool village. After everyone said good-bye, most of them had to go back to their jobs and assignments leaving only a few at the gates when Kushina walked back to Minato who had been talking to Toshiro. She smiled and wrapped her arms around his neck as his arms pulled her closer as they kissed each other one last time. They pulled back and smiled at each other before they both let go and Kushina and Toshiro left to go back to their home. Minato smirked as he watched them leave before he took off.

"Kushina, are you gonna leave us and go live with Minato?" Toshiro asked looking up at his sister who smiled down at him.

"Well I was planning on it. Can't exactly have our child away from either one of us." She looked at him with a smirk when his face fell. "But you know, Minato always has your room." She laughed when he started to run around cheering before he suddenly stopped and looked at her.

"What about mom. They'll hurt her if we leave her." He said looking at her with fear in his brown eyes.

"Don't worry Shiro, Minato said that if anything happened he would take me, you and mom back to the leaf village and take care of us." she smiled at him. "Now come on. Can't leave mom waiting." She giggled when he started bouncing around with a new explosion of energy.