Peregrination Chapter 4, a naruto fanfic

A/N: I'm alive! It's a miracle! So my computer crashed several weeks ago and I lost EVERYTHING! I was very distraught. On top of my computer crashing, I had two family members die so my life hasn't been too fun lately. That and school really sucks sometimes. But it is getting better! Fall break is fast approaching so I will have ample time to write. Regardless of what happens in my life, I will be back eventually because I love writing fanfiction too much.

My plan for updating can be found on my profile. I usually keep it updated with how far along I am with a new chapter. Also, so some of you don't freak out, this story is NOT yaoi. In fact, I don't even think that this will have a pairing.

Peregrination

Chapter 04

~05:30

Gesturing to the boy, the nurse asked, "Yumi-chan, could you show this boy to room 531?"

Yumi gave a quick smile and held her hand out to the boy, "Sure! Let's go Chibi-chan!"

Hesitant to leave, the boy moved slowly to stand up. Once he grabbed onto the nurse's hand, she began to lead him out the door. Above, the boy could sense Konpaku-san move to follow him.

Before the door the shut completely behind him, the boy turned back to Minato and waved with a blinding smile, "Bye Minato-san! Bye Kushina-san!"

Minato returned the smile and gave a wave to the small boy.

Inoichi POV

~07:00

Yamanaka Inoichi strolled down the curved hall of the Hokage Tower. Sandaime-sama had summoned him, more than likely to mentally scan a potential enemy. He had heard about the mysterious boy found upon the Hokage Mountain the night Minato and Kushina were hospitalized. If he had to guess, then he would be examining the mind of the boy this afternoon – if the boy had awakened from his coma that is.

No one had yet been able to identify the boy. No orphans were missing from the orphanage; no parents had reported their children missing. He was an unknown character found within the village walls near to where two of Konoha's strongest shinobi had been found unconscious. The entire situation was a mystery.

Maybe he is one of our shinobi's secret love child? Inoichi thought idly. If his parents died recently on a mission, then he would have no one to care for him, which would explain why he is alone. Maybe it was a terrible coincidence that he was found near Minato and Kushina?

The rising tension between Iwa and Konoha had put the entire village on edge. Since it was common for villages to place spies within other villages, usually shinobi children, the unknown boy had been placed under surveillance. He was a potential threat to the village and Konoha could not risk having a spy within their walls with war on the horizon.

The inexplicable disappearance of the Kyuubi was another very hazardous threat. Its disappearance had the entire village on edge. The Hokage had increased the number of shinobi patrolling the village walls and had the genin improving the fortifications of the shelters hidden within the Hokage Monument. No one had yet reported seeing the Kyuubi but the fact that it was no longer caged within Kushina was frightening. If it escaped of its own free will, then there was the possibility that it might come back to destroy the village for revenge. But if it was removed and placed into a new vessel, then they could possibly be facing a very dangerous foe.

Inoichi broke off his thoughts when he noticed that he had arrived at the door of the Hokage's office. He gave a short knock against the painted wood.

A muffled "Come in," was heard and Inoichi entered the office, closing the door behind him.

"Good morning, Inoichi-san," the Sandaime greeted from his seat behind his desk, looking as calm and collected as ever.

Inoichi gave a short bow, "Good morning, Hokage-sama."

"Inoichi-san, I have a mission for you, B-Rank," the Hokage said, handing a scroll to him.

Inoichi nodded and took the scroll. He rolled it open and scanned its contents as the Sandaime continued.

"There are two parts to this mission. First you will need to run a mental scan on Namikaze Minato. Both of my students have confirmed that he cannot remember much of what has happened the night he and Uzumaki Kushina fell into a coma. You will need to determine if his amnesia is chakra-induced."

"Hai, Hokage-sama. So Minato-san has awakened from his coma?" Inoichi asked. Though he would never admit it aloud, Inoichi had been worried that he would lose another one of his good friends.

"Hai," the Sandaime responded with a wry grin. "According to Tsunade, he was attempting to visit Kushina after being only awake for a few minutes."

Inoichi looked at the Hokage in surprise before letting out a soft snort. Nothing ever could keep Minato down for long. Minato's resolve never ceases to amaze me. Inoichi paused his thoughts, asking, "And Kushina?"

The Hokage's face sobered at the question, "Still comatose, unfortunately."

Inoichi nodded gravely and returned to reading the scroll.

"The second part of your mission," the Sandaime continued, "is to scan the mind young boy that was found in the village. He is also awake from his coma and seems to have severe retrograde amnesia. We need to know if he truly has forgotten all his memories or if they were sealed. If his memories were sealed, then I need you to unseal them. If he is a spy, then we need to know which village he is from."

"Hai, Hokage-sama," Inoichi responded.

"Dismissed," the Hokage said with a gentle wave of his hand.

Inoichi gave another bow and exited the office, heading for the hospital.

Inoichi walked into the hospital room and saw his friend sitting silently on the hospital bed. Minato stared unseeingly at the bowl of pasty hospital breakfast sitting in his lap. He had the spoon provided by the hospital spinning on its end through the paste, creating valleys of chalky mush.

The dreary off-white walls and the faded green hospital top and bottom seemed to wash the color from Minato. His skin was a shade paler than when Inoichi had last seen him and his hair seemed dull compared to the morning light.

Minato did not look up upon his entry. Inoichi briefly wondered if Minato had not noticed him enter but then decided that Minato was in deep thought and was more than likely ignoring him. Inoichi waited patiently, giving Minato a few more silent moments of peace.

When Minato stopped spinning the spoon and laid it against the edge of the bowl, Inoichi took the cue and stepped out of the doorway, greeting, "Welcome back to the world of the conscious."

Minato paused a second too long before lifting his head, piercing Inoichi with his deep blue eyes. His eyes bespoke weariness and had dark circles beneath them. Minato gave a strained smile and greeted, "Good morning, Inoichi."

"Good morning, Minato," Inoichi returned as he stepped closer to the bed. "How are you feeling?"

"Like hell," Minato said with a humorless chuckle.

Inoichi snorted, "You look like hell."

"Thanks," Minato responded sarcastically. "Are you here to visit or to check my sanity?"

"Both actually," Inoichi replied stepping closer. "I need to make sure that no one has messed with your memory."

"Right," Minato said as his face grew serious. He placed his bowl of uneaten mush on the table next to the bed and said, "I'm ready when you are."

Inoichi nodded and sat down cross-legged in front of Minato. He ran through several hand signs, muttered the name of his family jutsu, and then placed two fingers to Minato's forehead.

Almost instantly, the room faded out of existence. Inoichi found himself standing on a narrow path. Two cream-colored walls rose sharply on either side of him. Up ahead of him, the path split apart at sharp angles, forming a 'T.' He looked up and beheld a smoke-filled yellow sky. He turned to look behind where he stood and discovered that he was at a dead end.

Inoichi began to walk forward until he reached the split in the path. He cautiously looked around the edge of the wall to gaze down the two new paths. They each formed a 'T' as well that split into two sharp paths with tall walls along their borders.

This better not be what I think it is…

Inoichi looked back up. Maybe if I can reach the top of the walls I can get a better idea of what his mindscape really looks like.

Every person had a mindscape that represented their own personalities and reflected their mental health. Some had very simple mindscapes, containing a few rooms, one of which held a brain. People with these types of mindscapes usually weren't very intelligent.

Those of average intelligence had more complex minds. Their mindscapes usually contained a symbolic physical appearance while sound, touch, taste, and smell took on a much larger role within the mindscape.

These two types of mindscapes were the most common and both were generally easy for interrogators like Inoichi to examine. The more rare mindscape types belonged to prodigies and those with mental disorders. Their mindscapes were difficult. They stretched into unbelievable dimensions and were impossible to navigate for unwelcome guests since they were always changing.

The mindscapes of shinobi were different than that of civilians. Because of their lifestyles, the mindscapes of shinobi usually had unconscious built-in defenses that protected their minds. It was through these defenses that shinobi protected their sanity. It was human nature to survive and the mind was by far the most important tool for survival.

Hopefully, Minato's mind would not attack him. Since Minato trusted him and consciously understood what he was trying to do, Inoichi would not run into too much trouble from Minato's subconscious defenses. This was the only reason Inoichi felt confident in using his chakra to scale the wall nearest to him. If Minato had not trusted him, then his subconscious would have instantly attacked Inoichi as soon as his chakra had come in contact with the wall.

When Inoichi had almost reached the top of the wall, he jumped the short distance to the top of the wall. He landed in a crouch and looked across the surrounding landscape.

Shit…

He stood up slowly from his crouch and gazed around his friend's mindscape. Inoichi was standing on the wall of a maze. Below the yellow sky filled with smoky grey clouds was an intricate network of twists and turns that stretched out as far his eyes could see. (1)

Of course! Only a genius like Minato would have such a damn complicated mindscape! Inoichi quieted his raging mind and gave a sigh of exasperation. He crossed his arms over his chest and sank into thought.

I need to reach the center of his mindscape. That is where his memories will be. If his mindscape is a labyrinth, then there is only one route I can take to reach the center. However, Inoichi opened his eyes and gazed at the endless dizzying twists and turns around him, just looking at it, his mindscape resembles more of a maze than a labyrinth. If his mindscape is a maze, then there could be thousands of paths that I could take to reach the center. (2)

Might as well get started, Inoichi thought as he pushed off of the wall, beginning his search for Minato's memories. The sooner he found them, the more time he would have to get ready for the date he had planned with his girlfriend that evening.

Inoichi stopped on the top of a wall and gave a huff of indignation. He had been searching the maze for the past few hours and still had not reached its center. From what he could tell by looking around him, the landscape had barely changed; it was like he had not even begun his search. A complex matrix still surrounded him on all sides; a yellow smoke filled sky still glared down at him from above.

It was very possible that Minato was unconsciously working against him. Every person had a subconscious. Within their mind, a person's subconscious commonly took on a form within their mindscape. More than likely, Minato's subconscious had taken on the form of the actual walls of the maze.

Damn you Minato! You always have to be so difficult, Inoichi thought irritably. Though I can't really blame him. Benign or not, a person's subconscious always works against foreign invaders. It is expected. Even though his subconscious isn't out-right attacking me, it's hindering my search. If his mindscape weren't so damn complex than I would have bypassed it hours ago!

There has to a trick to getting through this labyrinth. Inoichi let out a frustrated sigh. Outsmarting a genius was not on my to-do list today. A sudden thought hit Inoichi. Maybe I can get his subconscious to work for me?

"Oi Minato's subconscious!" Inoichi yelled out into the air. His voice bounced across the maze, "You're going to have to help me get through this maze. I need access to Minato's memories if I am ever going to help him find out what happened before he fell into a coma. Minato could be in danger but we won't know until I can access his memories."

Inoichi waited with bated breath…

And waited…

Nothing…

Damn… How the hell do I get his subconscious to respond? Inoichi stood silently, mulling over how Minato's brain worked. Survival was always the top concern of the unconscious. Telling Minato's subconscious that Minato was in danger should have prompted it to react. The only cases in which this doesn't work are those who – Inoichi's eyes widened in realization. Of course! Minato's subconscious isn't focused on his own survival. It's focused on Kushina's.

If it was strong enough, love could overrule the subconscious's will to survive in place of the survival of the loved one. There had been so many cases in which a person gave up his or her own life to protect the one they loved, be it husband, wife, mother, father, child, or grandchild. Kushina was the key to getting Minato's subconscious to work for Inoichi rather than against him.

This had better work…

Inoichi lifted his hand and yelled out across the maze, "If I can find out what caused Minato to fall into a coma from his memories then I will also know what caused Kushina to fall into a coma. If you give me access to Minato's memories then that knowledge can be used to help Kushina."

At first, nothing happened. Then slowly, the walls of the maze turned as if on hinges. Damn, he really does love her, Inoichi thought stunned as he watched the changing landscape. When the walls stopped moving, hundreds of long, straight roads had been formed, all leading to one destination.

A triumphant grin stretched wide across Inoichi's face. Finally!

He leapt down from the wall to the path below and began running. He ran for several long minutes, the tall white walls rising above him on either side. The path seemed to stretch on forever and Inoichi was beginning to wonder if he was running in the wrong direction when the view before him changed.

In the distance, he could make out a small dark smudge. As he got closer and closer, the smudge grew taller and greener. Finally, the path opened up into a small clearing. Tall, lush grass covered the floor and a towering maple tree sat proudly within in a small pond. Cautiously, Inoichi stepped out onto the pond and approached the tree.

Found it! Inoichi thought triumphantly as he ran his hand along the rough bark. Looking up, he beheld thousands of leaves swaying in the non-existent wind. Most of the leaves were green but some were yellow, orange, and some a brilliant red. Each leaf held a memory from Minato's past.

I just need to find the leaf containing Minato's memory from October tenth. Since it was a recent memory, it should be closer to the bottom. And since his memory is broken, the leaf should be broken as well…

Inoichi circled the base of the tree, searching for any atypical leaves among the tens-of-thousands of leaves present. After a thorough search from the ground, which yielded nothing, Inoichi jumped up to the lowest branch and continued his search.

Finally, something caught his eye. Suspended on the edge of a branch was a blood red leaf. The entire right side of the leaf was missing; its edges were black and crumbling.

Inoichi tread carefully to the edge of the branch. Surrounding the leaf was an aura of malevolence. Warily, Inoichi reached out his hand and let the leaf rest in his hand, being careful not to break its connection to the tree.

Slowly, Inoichi pushed chakra through his hand and into the leaf. By doing this, he was able to examine the memory via chakra. After several moments, Inoichi came to a conclusion and ended his flow of chakra. He jumped down from the tree and landed gently onto the surface of the pond. He gave his surroundings a final look and formed a hand seal, breaking the jutsu.

Immediately, the world around him faded to black. When Inoichi opened his eyes, intense blue eyes again pierced him. Inoichi could see anxiety rolling beneath a layer of calm blue. He stood up and took a small moment to recollect his bearings. He could feel Minato's eyes on him as he stepped away from the bed.

He gave Minato a hard look and ran his hand through his hair, "You have one of the most complicated and stubborn minds I have ever had the unfortunate luck to examine."

One of Minato's eyebrows arched up before lowering as he gave Inoichi a tired yet sheepish grin, "Was it really that bad?"

"Hai," Inoichi said unenthusiastically. "You mind is a maze. Literally."

Minato's eyes widened in surprise, "A maze?"

Inoichi nodded his head, "Hai, one that's nearly impossible to navigate."

Minato looked down at his sheets in thought before suddenly meeting Inoichi's eyes again, "What did you find?"

Inoichi crossed his arms over his chest and leaned back against the wall behind him before answering, "Nothing too serious. Your memories don't appear to have been tampered with by anyone. Your loss of memory can be attributed to the massive influx of the Kyuubi's chakra when it broke out."

Minato nodded his head in understand. A surge of emotion raced through his eyes and, before Inoichi could identify it, it was hidden quickly behind a layer of calm.

"What about Kushina?" Minato asked, trying to keep the anxiety of his voice. "Will she lose her memories as well?"

At once Inoichi understood Minato's thoughts. He let out a loud laugh and pushed off the wall with a wide grin, "Try not to look so anxious Minato!"

Minato's eyebrows drew together in though. "But – "

"No buts!" Inoichi said, shaking his head. "It's not like she's going to lose all of her memories! At most she'll forget the last few days before she fell into a coma."

Even though some of the anxiety fell from Minato's visage and was replaced with relief, Inoichi could still see some traces of it within Minato's eyes. Again, Inoichi became aware of how tired his friend looked.

It looks like he hasn't been resting since he woke up. Inoichi cracked a grin at his friend, "Minato, if you keep worrying like this then you'll have wrinkles and gray hair by the time Kushina wakes up!"

Minato let his head fall and his shoulders slump, mumbling, "Will not…" underneath his breath.

"Sure, sure," Inoichi laughed, slapping Minato on the back, causing him to wince and send Inoichi a pain-filled glare.

Inoichi raised his hands in defense and let out a nervous chuckle, "Sorry 'bout that."

Minato rolled his eyes but let a small grin form across his face, signaling that Inoichi was forgiven.

Inoichi smiled and moved towards the door, saying, "I have to go examine another head so I'll see you later."

"Ok," Minato said as a mischievous grin spread across his face. "Tell Yoshiko-chan I said hi."

"R-right," Inoichi responded, trying to ignore the blush that crept to his face. "And you," Inoichi pointed at Minato, "get some rest. Kushina wouldn't like it if she wakes up to see her boyfriend looking like something the cat dragged in."

When Minato nodded his head in agreement, Inoichi left to examine the head of the unknown boy.

Notes:

1. Minato's mindscape was inspired by a picture I found on DeviantArt. The link to the picture can be found in my profile.

2. I'm sure that you know what a maze is but this might have been a little confusing. A maze has multiple paths that you can take to reach its center or its exit. (Example: You can choose to turn right or left.) A labyrinth looks like a math but it has only one path. This path always leads to its exit or center. (Example: You can only turn right.)

Yeah I know that the boy isn't in here but the next chapter will be all about Inoichi delving into his mindscape. I wanted/tried to include that in this chapter as well but I figured that I made you guys wait long enough. Also, thank you so much to all of the wonderful reviews that I received! Reviews really make my day so much better and encourage me to continue writing. I promise that the next chapter will not take as long! (Unless my computer explodes again…) Look for it in about two weeks.

As thanks for waiting so long for an update, I've included an Omake below! Love you guys!

Omake (A bonus scene for making you all wait so long for an update. Thanks for hanging in there. This has nothing to do with the plot what so ever – just me f***ing with the characters! Enjoy! ^~^)

Inoichi POV – Within Minato's mindscape

Of course! Inoichi thought. Kushina is the key to getting Minato's subconscious to work for me and not against me!

Inoichi looked up and noticed no change in his surroundings. Damn… I thought that would have worked. Maybe… Maybe I'm going about it in the wrong way. Inoichi closed his eyes in thought. Look underneath the underneath… If Kushina is the key then I should think like her.

Inoichi looked up at the wall ahead of him. How would Kushina get through this? Inoichi sifted through all of his memories of Kushina. Easy. She would just blast through all the walls and walk straight through to the center. Inoichi thought on the idea for a bit. Blasting straight through would destroy Minato's mind so maybe I could just run straight through the walls?

Inoichi opened his eyes and set a steady gaze on the wall in front of him. He shifted his leg back and prepared to rush the wall. If this works, then I should pass right through the wall. Inoichi gave out a yell and ran towards the wall.

Minato POV

Minato sat bored on his hospital bed. Inoichi was sitting directly in front of him, with his eyes closed. They had been sitting in this position for about four and a half minutes. Minato let out an inaudible sigh of boredom and shifted his eyes to gaze out the window. There was a small blue bird singing from its perch on the tree just outside the window.

Minato was running through several different scenarios of hitting the bird with a kunai without killing it when suddenly a large force caused his head to slam back against the headboard behind him. The force was strong enough to cause his head to ricochet off the headboard and slam into Inoichi's head in front of him, causing Inoichi in turn to fall onto his back on the hospital bed, groaning in pain.

Minato fell forward, dazed from the massive migraine that had emerged as suddenly as the unforeseen force. Acting on reflex, his hands shot out to brace against the hospital bed and keep him from face planting into the body beneath him. Finally able to push away the dull throb in his mind, Minato noticed the very questionable position they were in.

Suddenly, a loud smack was heard, causing Minato to whip his head toward the now open door that swinging on its hinges. A flash of red appeared next to his hospital bed and Minato stilled in shock. Kushina… She's awake…

"Minato! Where is that boy? I have to tell you! That boy! He's – "

Kushina cut off her sentence abruptly and her violet eyes widened as she took in their position. Inoichi was sprawled out on his back and with his hands covering his face and moaning. Meanwhile, Minato's own head was in Inoichi's lap, dangerously close to Inoichi's-

Minato realized with growing horror what this must have looked like and shoved roughly against the bed, springing away from the bed. He turned swiftly to Kushina to explain but was stopped by a punch to his gut.

"YOU'RE GAY?"

Read and Review please! Reviews make me happy and I write more when I'm happy!

My Questions for the Readers:

1. Did my explanation of Minato's mindscape make any sense at all?

2. Is there anything I need to improve on?

3. Who or what would you like to see more of?

4. Complete Kushina's sentence from the Omake: "Minato! Where is that boy? I have to tell you! That boy! He's – "