After his evening prayers that night Naruto went into the kitchen to eat dinner with just Gamakichi. His father had sent a note earlier that day that said he would be at the office late because another class at the shinobi academy had just passed that morning and they were going to go over all of the information to see what teams that they would be placed on and what shinobi would be teaching them: "Gamakichi do you think that I should show my Papa the gift that Kyuubi-sama gave me at evening prayers?" 'If you feel comfortable showing him Naru-chan then go ahead. Just remember to do it in an open area.'
Naruto nodded and served up the simple pork ramen with some shrimp and vegetable tempura along with some green tea. They went to the table, said a quick prayer and started to eat quietly, the only noise the clinking of the chopsticks on the plates or in the bowls. When they were done and the dishes had been washed and put away Naruto went and curled up on a chair while writing in a brand new notebook his father had given him the month before. He dipped the quill into the ink pot at his side and started writing a new story that he had been thinking about lately. The 9 bijuu had been telling him stories of their lives and had given their permission for him to write them down.
He once again lost himself in the writing and used the entire notebook and half of another one before he covered the ink pot and then fell asleep waiting for his father to come home from the Tower. Gamakichi brought a blanket downstairs and covered his friend before going upstairs to sleep so they could train hard tomorrow for his birthday, the toad not knowing he would not wake up in the morning.
In Naruto's dream he was walking through the large grassy fields towards a body of water that looked dark and frightening. He finally reached the pong and saw Gamakichi staring into the water with a sad look in his eyes: 'Naru-Chan it is time for me to go.' "W...what are you talking about 'kichi? You can't leave me alone!" 'I don't want to leave but I must. A toad familiar can only be in the Ningenkai for so long before we are too weak to remain alive.' "B...but you are my only friend Gamakichi I cannot lose you!" The toad held his friend as best he could and said as the tears rolled down his face: 'I love you so much Naru-Chan and I will miss you greatly. Never forget me my friend.'
Naruto woke up screaming and dashed upstairs, going to his bedroom and throwing open the door. He dashed to where the bed of his friend was and tears started to pour down his face when he saw the body of his friend disappear, leaving behind just his favorite pillow; "No...No...NOOOOO! Gamakichi COME BACK TO ME!" Back at the Hokage tower Minato was finishing off the final lists when he felt a vice grip on his heart: "Angel-Chan!" He jumped out of his chair and flashed to the mansion where he heard the cries of pain coming from the bedroom of his son. He opened the door and saw Naruto curled up on his bed with the pillow of Gamakichi in his arms: "Angel-Chan what is the matter? Where is Gamakichi?"
Naruto started crying even louder and threw himself into the arms of his father, his hands clutching his coat tightly. Minato tried everything he could but his son would not calm down. Finally Naruto grew still and Minato looked down to find that he had fallen asleep, the pillow clutched in his hands. Minato put him to bed and once he was settled went downstairs to find a scroll on the table with the mark of the toads on it. He carefully opened it and as he read his eyes filled with tears: "Oh my poor Angel-Chan! He...oh dear Kami, Gamakichi was his life Familiar and the toad died? Angel-Chan!" Minato dropped the scrolls and ran back upstairs where he burst into the room. He dashed to the bed and started shaking his son, who would not wake up: "Angel-Chan please wake up! Come on my precious baby boy don't leave me all alone! Please wake up Angel-Chan!" "Please calm down Minato Namikaze."
Minato jerked his head up and saw a figure in a green cloak with black gloves and black boots, a hood hiding their face: "Who are you and how did you get into our home!?" "Your son prays to me and the 9 Holy bijuu." "Y...y...you are K...K...Ka..." "Yes I am Namikaze-san. Now I am here to tell you something. The Life Familiar of your son may have died but your son has not." The face of Minato cleared and he held his sleeping son tightly: "So my son is not dead Kami-sama?" "No he is not young one. But he is in desperate need of training that can only occur in his mind-scape. In his mind we will be training him for many years so he will remain comatose until he is 16. If you wise we can send someone to watch over him while you attend to your duties as the Yondaime."
Minato lay his son down on the bed and Kami brushed a gloved hand through the hair of Naruto; "I believe in you and the 9 Holy bijuu so I believe Angel-Chan will be safe here with you." Kami nodded and disappeared, a man in a black cloak appearing. He removed his hood and Minato stood in shock: "S...S...Sakumo Hatake?" The man nodded and said; "Please do not be so loud Hokage-sama. I do not want to disturb Naruto-sama. Now you should go and get some rest and I will remain here if that is alright with you." Minato nodded, gave his son a kiss on the forehead and went to eat dinner before going to bed. Sakumo sat eating the raisins in the pantry with a small smile on his face as he looked at the comatose Naruto: "You remind me of my son Kakashi. Sleep well Angel and train hard for your future."
Mind-scape Year One (Comatose 3½ weeks)
Ichibi
Ichibi, having taken a human form was walking towards the house Naruto had created within his mind for when they were not training. He walked to the far room and saw Naruto sitting on the bed with tears rolling down his face as he held a picture of his best friend Gamakichi: "Why Ichibi-sama? Why did Gamakichi have to leave me all alone? He has been with me since I was eight and a half months old." Ichibi looked at him with wide eyes and asked in a curious voice: 'How far back into your life are you able to remember little one?' "I became aware of my surroundings from the moment I was conceived. I thought that it was all of you that gave me the ability to do so."
Ichibi sat down next to Naruto and asked as the young man lay his head on the lap of the other: 'Is there anything else that you can do or remember little one?' Naruto thought about it for a moment and said: "I (yawn) remember a strange name and another life. The (yawn) name is (yawn) Cam (yawn) Camius." Naruto fell asleep and did not notice that Ichibi had frozen solid, his eyes so wide that they looked as if they would pop out; 'Father Camius! Father Kami must know about this right away!'
Back in the realm of Kami all of the others were sitting in utter shock at what Ichibi had told them when he returned a moment ago: 'What will we do Kami tou-san? Will you try and get back together with Camius tou-san?' They waited in anticipation and after a little while Kami nodded so Ichibi went back happily to begin teaching Naruto to control his new powers.
About three hours later the two were in the gardens but Naruto was looking around nervously, his body slightly tense: 'There is no need to worry about anyone finding you out here little one. We are in your mind-scape so no one can come here without your expressed permission.' Naruto breathed a sigh of relief and nodded: "May I show you something I learned how to do one one of my training sessions with G...my friend?" Ichibi nodded and Naruto said: "You will have to attack me with your sand Ichibi-sama." Ichibi was frightened that he had to attack his father but when he saw the determination on his face Ichibi nodded and sent a vicious wave of sand at him.
Naruto just stood there with his eye closed and after a moment it snapped open and an enormous wave of back and diamond sand destroyed the brown sand: "Iron Whip!" Some of the black sand turned into a whip and destroyed the remaining sand, Ichibi swearing that he saw the form of a ten winged angel over Naruto but it disappeared after a moment, Naruto standing there with a satisfied look on his face: "How did you like my Iron and diamond sand Ichibi-sama? Or would you rather I call you Ichigo?" The eyes of Ichibi widened once more and Naruto smiled softly as he opened his arms: "Can I have a hug my little Ichigo?"
The newly named Ichigo started bawling like a baby and ran forward, going to his knees in front of Naruto to give him a tight hug: 'Papa! I knew that you would come back to us again! What happened to you so long ago? Why did you disappear as you did?' "I will answer all of your questions once my training; ALL of my training is over. So can we get to it Ichibi-sama? You and I only have ten 'mental' years to train before Nibi-sama decides to come. Ichigo nodded, stood up and said as he wiped the tears from his eyes: 'Then we should begin now little one.' Naruto nodded with determination and they got started on the first part of his elemental training as well as physical training, which would effect his body outside of the mind-scape.
Real World
In the waking world it had already been two years and not many things had changed. Sakumo stayed at the house to watch over Naruto, who had grown to be nearly 5'7" and looked as healthy as could be. Minato was still doing extremely well as Hokage. Jiraya and Tsunade were still in the village but Minato did not talk to them anymore. The year before they had once again tried to force him on a date, thinking his previous threats were just words spoken in the heat of the moment. But to their horror their travel rights had been revoked, they had been demoted to genin and he tore up his birth certificate in front of them. He wrote to the royal Uzumaki family of Whirlpool and they happily adopted him, especially when they heard that he refused to dishonor the memory of the late Crown Princess Kushina by marrying another.
He had even taken the name Arashi Minato Uzumaki, much to the great sorrow of his former parents. He had even found the courage to inform the Whirlpool royal council of his son. At first he was deathly afraid that they would want to be mad at him and take his sunshine away but was absolutely overjoyed when the royal council agreed that their new Crown Prince would be safe exactly where he was. But the young man was to decide where he was going to live when he came of age at 21, which was fine with Minato since he would go with his son whatever he decided to do: "Hokage-sama? Hokage-sama are you feeling alright? Do you need me to get a doctor or medic ninja from the hospital?"
Minato shook his head to clear it and turned back to Kakashi and genin team seven, the group with curious looks on their faces: "There is no need to worry about me Kakashi. I was just thinking about something. You and your team are dismissed now. Oh, and Sasuke your mother and brother have returned from the capital and are waiting for you at home." Sasuke thanked him and dashed out of the room with a smile on his face, Kakashi, Sakura and Sai bowing briefly before leaving to do their own things: "Sensei I have returned! Did you miss me?" Minato turned around to find Obito in the window again, the same goofy grin on his face. The previous year he had been chosen by Orochimaru to take over the title of Snake Sannin because he was dying and his daughter Anko had disappeared years before, Minato knowing why but not saying anything.
Obito was not sure he would be able to bond with the snakes but when he first summoned Manda the boss summon immediately liked him and gave is full approval without the need for a test. The Uchiha Clan was extremely proud of him because Obito started out as a prankster who did not do well in the academy or as a genin but now at the tender age of 24 he was a strong and well respected sannin: "So how did your mission go Obito? Were you able to eliminate the threat in Wave?" The young man nodded and was going to say something when his eyes grew dark and he stood up after putting the report on the desk: "I will see you when the trash is gone sensei." Obito went to the window and jumped away just as Kakashi came in: "I forgot to leave our report Hokage-sama."
Minato took the scroll and Kakashi was going to leave when he stopped short and asked quietly: "Hokage-sama have you considered my request." "Yes I have Kakashi and I am not going to force Obito to go and talk to you." Kakashi fell to his knees with tears soaking into the mask he wears: "But sensei that was my last hope in getting Obito to talk to me! I have gone to the Uchiha district and was not allowed in to see him. I have even gone to all his usual spots and am always told that he just left. I even go to the gates to wait for him when he returns from missions but he has always disappeared as soon as he signs in!"
Kakashi looked at his sensei with a tear streaked face and asked: "What can I do to make my best friend talk to me again?" Minato helped his former student into one of the chairs and he said as the secretary left tea before going back to her desk: "What happened between the two of you is not going to be resolved if you keep trying to force him to see you and forgive you. Just give him some time and he may come to speak with you." Kakashi dried his tears, nodded and then disappeared in a puff of white smoke to go home, Minato sitting back behind the desk and running a hand over his tired face.
He sat back and his eyes wandered to the now unused snack seal written in invisible ink on his desk: "Oh Angel-Chan I miss you so very much baby. I know that you are there yet you are not at the same time. Please take care of him Kami-sama as he is the last piece of Kushina that I have." Minato sighed and went back to his paperwork, not knowing someone had overheard what he had been saying and was wondering who the Hokage was talking about.
Mind-Scape (2 months before awakening)
Within the mind of Naruto he was sitting under a tree surrounded by the bijuu in their animal forms asleep while he had his head on the lap of Kami. Naruto had finished his training nearly two mental years ago and was now just honing his skills since his body would not wake up for another two months: "A ryo for your thoughts Camius?" "I was just thinking about my papa again Kami-sama. I was also thinking about the vision I had the other day while I was meditating. Someone is going to find out about me and I am scared that they may try to take me away." Kami embraced his beloved tightly and said as he ran a hand through the ankle length hair of his beloved; "there is no need to worry my love. Our sons, your father, Sakumo, Obito and myself will protect you with everything we have."
Naruto smiled and said: "I need to find a way around my 'episodes' as papa calls them. If I do not then I will never be able to see Obito in person." Kami nodded and the two discussed what they could do on that: "How about bringing different people into the mind...no, because then someone may find out about you and who you are. How about we go looking through your mind to see if it is something we can fix from here." Naruto nodded and they quietly moved around the sleeping bijuu and into the house Naruto stayed in while training there. Kami removed his hood and revealed short white hair and completely white eyes with specks of green and black in them. They walked through the front rooms and opened a door on the far left to reveal an enormous library with books and scrolls as far as the eye could see.
They made their way through the shelves and were looking at the names when Naruto suddenly stopped short, his body going stiff for a moment before starting to shake with eyes widening in fear and breathing getting labored: "S...s...someone is h...h...here! Th...they are 3 s...s...shelves...NOOOOO!" Naruto started to scream and then fell to the ground unconscious, Kami catching him quickly as the 9 bijuu appeared, each of them looking for a fight: 'Who is there and how did you get into the mind-scape of Angel? Come out right now or we will use brutal force to make you come out!'
There was a quick shuffling in the shelves and three boys popped out, 2 looking exactly alike with brown messy hair and brown eyes but the last one had messy black hair with one blue eye and one brown eye, the three of them holding their hands up in surrender: "Don't hurt us we have no idea how we got here!"
Outside of the mind-scape Sakumo was in the kitchen making something to eat when he heard Naruto scream: "Naruto-sama! Angel I am coming!" he dashed up the stairs and was in shock when he found three boys passed out on the floor of the bedroom while Naruto seemed to have screamed in his sleep because he was not awake. Sakumo carefully placed the boys in a different room and placed seals on them that kept them asleep and chakra suppressed if they had it. He then created three shadow clones and told them: "I want one of you to guard Angel in his room, another in the room with those three strange boys and one in the hallway with the two doors open in case something happens with either Angel or the others." They nodded and took their places while the original changed into a bird with the power Kami had given him and taken off to the Hokage Tower to let Minato know what had happened so he could come home and do something about the three young man.
Now I had someone ask if I could make this a SasuNaru fiction but I am not going to do that. I have seen many of those and decided to go in a different direction. But once he is revealed there will be many one sided loves but nothing serious. Now I hope you enjoyed this chapter and may have a short wait for the next one because I am still only about three pages into actually writing it!
Obi-Chan