DISCLAIMER: I do not own NARUTO or any of the characters created by Masashi Kishimoto

A/N Chapter 7 is up a couple of milestones are met. 100+ followers thank you all for following or favoriting with this chapter crossing 20k words. Thanks to Rose Tiger and Sailor moon1996 for adding me to their communities. Another shout out to TheRazgrizDragon for offering to beta. This chapter was not betad, but following will be to improve quality and review and let me know what you think. I would like to get over 50 total reviews. And away we go.

Chapter 7 Birth and Death

It was mid-December and Naruto was searching in his fort for something; for what he didn't know, but it had to be special. Hinata's birthday was coming up and he had to give her a great present. She gave him a great present for his birthday, a professional fuinjutsu calligraphy set with brushes ranging from wide to very fine. Naruto got the most out of her gift, his sealing was improving remarkably. He had passed through to the 3rd volume of the Uzumaki fuinjustu: defensive seals and clothing augmentation. He had an array of storage, explosive, and alarm seals all improving with his natural understanding of the sealing formulas. The Uzumaki fuinjutsu masters had left the concepts of theory and use of seals from their genesis to modes of changing and adjusting them. Teuchi tousan enjoyed the bell seal he had at the opening of Ichiraku. He had it set to a fun tune Amaye-nee chose and even they could change that. Naruto sighed mentally at that. The adjustment of seals to be used without blood or chakra was hard. Not as hard as perfecting Choji's Barbeque ramen, that was still being worked on and he was close on that he could feel it. Now, back to the matter at hand, a gift for Hinata. He dug through the library in his fort, but would a scroll be a good present? He continued his search, he had already given her a jump kunai; there must be something here he hasn't seen yet. He started to look around the desk and noticed an Uzumaki symbol on the underside of the desk. Naruto bit his finger touched his blood to it and applied his chakra. The seal popped and an oak box the size of a dictionary came out of it. 'This looks promising' he thought. Naruto opened the box and he knew he had found the gift he was looking for. The first thing he saw was a gorgeous pearl necklace. There were 5 pearls on a golden band. At the center was an inch in diameter white pearl with a red Uzumaki swirl on it, balanced on each side with two half inch pearls gold then black.

Naruto didn't know that this was an heirloom of the Uzumaki clan to be worn by the matriarch of the clan. It had been passed from Mito to his Mother, saved from the destruction of Uzushiogakure. The necklace was priceless and had a storied history in the Uzumaki clan. Known for their seals, the Uzumaki second best export was their exquisite pearls. Many daimyo had Uzumaki pearls around their wives necks. A good set of Uzumaki pearls cost more than what an elite jonin made in a year. Naruto would know this if he had read 'The history of Uzushiogakure' that was on one of his library shelves. All the oblivious young blonde could think of was 'Score dattebayo! This is perfect for her birthday.' Looking through the box he saw 5 matching pairs of earrings with colored pearls black, white, gold, and pink, and purple there were also two jeweled hairpins, a golden mother of pearl tiara and a scroll entitled 'Seals of Mito Senju.' 'Double score more seals' Naruto thought and put it up in the library for future reading. Mission accomplished Naruto took the necklace and the gold pearl earrings. Then he flashed back to Ichiraku. Naruto smiled at Teuchi and Ayame as his family worked in the restaurant.

"Ayame-nee I have a present for you. Dattebayo" Naruto announced.

"Really Naruto-kun, that is so nice. What is it?" Ayame smiled at her little brother. His seals were a great help to the store and many ninja were now ordering ramen for the bonus storage seal. The family was still oblivious to the quality of the seals Naruto was creating and that they could sell them at a much higher price. The ramen was still so good, that many would buy the ramen and eat in the restaurant. Civilians still stayed away since the seals required chakra and Naruto was a pariah.

Ayame focused back on her brother as he brought from behind his back the most beautiful golden pearl earrings she had ever seen.

"Naruto-kun they're beautiful how did you get them?" Ayame took the earrings and got a closer look. They were perfectly circular and must have cost a fortune.

"I found them in my fort Ayame-nee. Do you like them?" Naruto smiled and rubbed his hand behind his head.

"Of course I do Naruto-kun. Thank you." Ayame bent down and gave Naruto a huge hug.

"Alright you two we have customers waiting." Teuchi called to his kids

"Yes tousan we will be there soon. Ayame-nee do you have a good box and wrapping paper?" Naruto asked his older sister.


"Happy birthday, Hinata-chan!" Naruto yelled and handed Hinata a crudely wrapped gift. "I hope you like it Hinata-chan, I found it in my fort and wrapped it myself dattebayo."

"T-thank you Naruto-kun" Hinata began to open the wrapping. Hinata's mother Haruko smiled down at the two. She enjoyed the joy that the little blonde boy brought her daughter. It took a lot to keep up with him, but he was kind and brought life to the compound. He was even beginning to crack Neji's cold exterior with new pranks and fun spars that mostly ended with Naruto partially paralyzed and laughing at the look on Neji's face. Haruko's attention shifted back to her daughter opening the box that was wrapped. 'What did Naruto-kun get Hinata-chan' she thought 'probably a new ramen concoction or small seal.' The box opened to reveal the exquisite Uzumaki pearl necklace. All looking at the gift took a gasp in surprise. The necklace was beautiful and with the size of the Uzumaki pearls it was at least work a quarter of the Hyuga compound and Naruto had just given it away as a gift. Haruko knew what the necklace was and had only seen Kushina Uzumaki wear them during very formal festivities and balls.

"W-wow Naruto-kun they are beautiful. Are you sure you want to give this to me?" Hinata asked

"Why? Do you not like it dattebayo?" Naruto questioned. Hinata quickly responded

"N-no Naruto-kun I love them, but why are you giving me such an expensive gift?" Hinata did not know the history of the necklace, but knew it was worth at least 100 Ichiraku ramen stands with just the central pearl. The Ichiraku family could use that money for something better than a gift for her.

"Is it expensive?" Naruto questioned "I found it and it seemed an equal gift for what you gave me for my birthday. So if you love them they are yours Hinata-chan." Naruto happily told his friend. Hinata blushed a little and stuttered

"T-thank you again Naruto-kun." Haruko smiled kneeled down and put the pearl necklace around her daughter's neck. She stood up and spoke to Naruto.

"Thanks for the gift Naruto-kun I know Hinata-chan does love it and will wear it on special occasions." Naruto smiled at Haruko then back to Hinata.

"You're welcome Hinata-chan. Let's go have some of your cinnamon bun cake." Naruto grabbed Hinata's hand and ran toward the dining area and all adults started to laugh. Hinata and Naruto were sitting down and enjoying her birthday cake and ice cream when Naruto asked her a question that had been on his mind.

"Um Hinata-chan is your mom getting fat?" Hinata giggled at Naruto's question

"No Naruto-kun. Kaasan is having a baby."

"Really?" Naruto responded

"Yes Naruto-kun, in a couple months I'm going to be a Neesan to my baby sister" Hinata responded happily and ate a bite of cake.

"That's awesome Hinata-chan. You'll be a great Neesan." Naruto stopped for a moment looked down in thought, then back up to Hinata. "How do you know you're having a little sister Hinata-chan?"

Hinata responded happily "Well Naruto-kun Kaasan went to the clan doctor and she was able to tell it was going to be a girl." Naruto nodded at the answer.

"That makes sense." He then looked down in thought again and looked up sheepishly "Do you think I could be a Niisan for your sister as well?" Hinata smiled at her friend brightly

"Of course Naruto-kun we can help take care of her together." Naruto smiled at his friend with a sparkle in his eye.

"It is going to be great to be a Niisan." Naruto started to eat his cake then looked up to Hinata. "I'm going to have to find here a great present too." Hinata nodded and the two began to eat their cake again. Hiashi and Haruko smiled in the background and turned to talk to the other adults that were visiting the compound.


March 28th

The night before the village of Konohagakure had welcomed into it midst a most welcome package. Hanabi Hyuga was born late in the evening of the 27th. Both the baby and mother were doing fine and Naruto was on his way to the hospital to say hi to his best friend and his adoptive little sister. Naruto smiled and looked into his arms. He was carrying his gift to Hanabi it was a light pink blanket that he made himself. He entered the hospital and asked which room the Hyugas were in and was directed to the maternity ward.

"Good morning Hiashi-sama, Haruko-sama, Hinata-chan, and Hanabi-chan." Naruto said happily. The Hyuga family was standing around Haruko holding the small Hanabi in her arms wrapped in white blanket. All three Hyugas looked up and smiled at the young Uzumaki.

"Good morning Naruto-kun" Haruko spoke from the bed. "Why don't you come and take look at Hanabi-chan." Naruto jump toward the bed and got a close look at the newly arrived bundle and smiled.

"Hello, Hanabi-chan. I'm Naruto-nii your new big brother." Naruto looked up at Hiashi. "She has you hair and eye color Hiashi-sama."

"She does Naruto-kun." Hiashi smiled "Is that a present for Hanabi that you are carrying?" Naruto looked at the pink blanket he was carrying and backed away from the bed and smiled even bigger.

"Yes it is Hiashi-sama. I thought hard about what to get, but with Hinata-chan's help I was able to make this." He held up the blanket. Haruko saw the pink blanket and smiled.

"That is very pretty Naruto, thank you." Naruto shook his head and said.

"That's not the best part." He handed the blanket to Haruko "Touch right here." He pointed to a corner on the blanket with the kanji for color. "And think of any color and pattern and apply some chakra." Haruko placed her right index finger on the corner and thought of a pattern of fireworks with a rainbow of exploding color. She then put a little chakra into her finger and the blanket instantly changed into the exact color and pattern that she thought. Haruko was extremely surprised there was no type of cloth like this before. Henges were common, but not a cloth that henged without hand seals and changed to the pattern the person just thought. The blanket also maintained the henge by itself without a chakra source.

"That's not all if you look on this edge I have put in four storage seals. They are my newest seals each can hold 10 cubic feet and open with just a touch of your finger." Naruto took Haruko's hand and place her finger on one of the inch sized seals on the hem of the blanket. A light puff of smoke and a stack of diapers, wipes, and baby powder appeared. Naruto smiled

"Ayame-nee said that this stuff would be helpful and that the more stuff you could seal in there the better. I was also able to put a seal that keeps the blanket warm or cool depending on what the weather is like outside dattebayo. Then I put another seal on it that makes it fireproof and explosion proof. It will harden to protect the wearer when there is an explosion or quick object that hits it." Naruto continued to explain the abilities of the blanket. Hiashi eyes widened at the complexity of what was in the blanket. Naruto had made it for a baby, but it would become an effective tool in the hands of a Jonin. It could camouflage you on a whim, protect you, and store enough material to supply an entire camp for a week.

"Thank you again for the gift Uzumaki-san. It must have been difficult to create." Hiashi spoke factually

"It was Hiashi-sama. I studied the new chapter for defense and augmentation seals. It still took me two whole months to create it, but if I'm to be a good Niisan I need to make sure Hanabi-chan is safe. The stitch seals took a while, but they will stay with the blanket forever. It was also hard to have the blood seal formula work off of skin cells." Naruto had made the seals only work for himself, Hinata's parents and, passed through their DNA, Hinata and Hanabi. The blanket was a masterpiece of sealing and was given to protect Naruto's best friend's sister. Naruto said his goodbyes and went back to Ichiraku to help Ayame and Teuchi. Naruto was shining on his walk back this was one of the best days he had ever had. A new precious person and new mastery of seals; he was going to begin augmenting his own clothes when he got back to Ichiraku.


Haruko had died last week and a cold autumn rain was falling during her funeral. A light had passed from Konohagakure and a clan was in mourning. Haruko's health had deteriorated after the birth of Hanabi. Her death was caused by a rare medical jutsu resistant cancer that attacked her body in a short amount of time. No one could do anything to stop it. It was so aggressive that the clan doctor missed the window that they could have removed the tumor. She kept a strong face during her last days and tried to help those closest to her. One day she collapsed in her garden, was taken to the hospital and died shortly after. Hiashi's wife, his spring, had gone and he was becoming distant and hard. Hinata was hit just as hard if not worse and was starting to withdrawal, but she had a true friend that arrived to help her back to happiness.

Naruto was sad with the passing of Haruko. She was as close to a mother that Naruto had and her leaving did hurt and he could only imagine how it had affected his friend. So he made his way to the Hyuga compound to talk to Hinata. He had been turned away by the guards to allow the family time to grieve privately for the Hyuga customary week long of mourning. He was bringing Hinata her favorite food to cheer her up, cinnamon buns! They were Hinata's ramen and ramen always cheered him up. He walked to her room and knocked on her door then slowly entered her room. Hinata was crying softly on her bed. Naruto approached her and placed his hand on her back.

"Hey Hinata-chan, I brought you some cinnamon buns. Let's go eat them out in your mom's garden." Naruto spoke softly. Hinata wiped her eyes and nodded and followed Naruto to the Hyuga compound garden. The pair sat down on a bench opposite Haruko's favorite spot in the garden. Naruto broke off a roll and handed it to Hinata. Hinata held the roll in her hand and began to cry again. The roll fell from her hand as she turned to hug Naruto and cry into his shoulder.

"I-I-I miss my mom s-s-so much Naruto-kun. It hurts so much I can't stand it" Hinata lamented. Naruto wrapped his arms around his friend and hugged her back.

"I miss her too Hinata-chan. Your mom was kind, beautiful, and loving." Hinata's crying increased remembering. "And it does hurt now that she is gone. But look around Hinata-chan at the life your mother left you." Hinata's cries died down and she looked up at Naruto's bright blue eyes which had some tears forming in them. "I mean look at her garden it's still full of life and blooming like she is saying she is still here. Can't you feel her around Hinata-chan? Like the kind trees in our park, it's like she may be gone but she is still here." A warm breeze picked up in the garden and blew lightly across the two. It carried the smell of lavender and rose to the pair, the smell of Haruko. Both closed their eyes and let the pain of Haruko's passing go with the knowledge that she had left a legacy of love and kindness. Leaning into one another both cried. Each let their combine pain flow out. Having someone helping carry your pain helps you heal quicker. They felt closer as friend and both felt maybe something more.

Hiashi had watched the entire exchange and the normally stoic Hiashi's eyes began to tear up. The same breeze blew around Hiashi. He felt the warmth of his wife again touching her soft lips against his cheek kissing his tears. Hizashi approached his brother and placed a hand on his shoulder. Hiashi turn to look at his brother. Hizashi spoke

"Take care of your family Hiashi. I will take care of the clan while you get better. I remember when I lost my wife. You need more time to mourn. The loss of Haruko is being felt throughout the clan. Enjoy your daughters and be around the family Haruko has given you. I am here for you. The same as Naruto-kun is here for Hinata-chan." Hiashi smiled at his brother.

"Thank you, brother. I do need to mourn further and having your help with the clan will help immensely." Hiashi sighed wiping his tears from his eyes. "I don't know what would've happened if you weren't here supporting me." Hiashi turned and entered the garden to join Naruto and Hinata.

Naruto was digging through his forts library. While true that death was a part of life Naruto was worried about being left alone again. If something happened to Neesan and Tousan he would be all by himself and isolated again. Hinata's tears had Naruto fearing what would happen to him if he had lost his family. He was glad Hinata-chan had her father, sister, uncle, cousin, and the entirety of a clan to watch for her if something was to happen. Naruto had just two who were his family. Naruto had not developed a maturity about family yet not knowing that they Hyuga would care for him like their own if something happened to Teuchi or Ayame, but his fear of being alone was pushing him to find an answer.

Naruto found a scroll that had not been opened yet marked as 'Nidaime jutsu.' He unsealed the scroll and began to read. Most of the beginning jutsus' were water based and required great control of the water element. These were not what he needed, he continued to search. Next was a more basic seal for his 'jump kunai' it was read as 'Hiraishin no jutsu.'

'Huh' Naruto thought. 'So that's was it's called 'Hiraishin.' This seal is a little slower looking then the one I'm using but seeing where it starts will let me adjust the seal to make more kunai.' Naruto jotted down the formula on a separate scroll and came to the last jutsu on the list. It was marked as 'Edo Tensei.' As Naruto read the scroll his hopes rose. The scroll stated what the jutsu would do. It read

'Edo Tensei the resurrection jutsu. I have created this jutsu to bring back my loving wife Sora. Her death and the death of my brother have caused me great pain and I wish to end my suffering. While trying to make this jutsu work I went through many Uzumaki spirit seals. None of them were permanent and required and unknown toll to the shinigami. Edo Tensei jutsu has also lead me to a dead end. I can bring a person back with a little of their body and another person's life. I cannot make myself go through with it. Sora would never forgive me bringing her back if it meant another's life. This shall forever be marked as a forbidden jutsu, but the Hokage in me just can't burn such a useful jutsu. This could be used to bring back our best warriors to fight our battles. I have lost so many shinobi in this war. Maybe one more life to end it all would be worth it, but what my son Koichi used. I can't lose my only son to this war. Sometimes desperate times call for desperate measures. A criminal or prisoner could be used, but would kami forgive me?' After the narrative was a complex jutsu to raise the dead.

Naruto looked at the answer he was given. Would it be okay sacrificing some criminal or nobody for Haruko? Would it be right? Tears began falling from Naruto's eyes and he shouted.

"No! Dattebayo. Anyone worth bringing back wouldn't sacrifice another in their place!" Naruto threw the scroll on the ground. What a horrible jutsu, offering salvation and damnation all at once. As the scroll hit the ground he saw the words 'Uzumaki spirit seals' on the page again. 'Wait' he thought 'Maybe there is something in the Uzumaki sealing books that will have something. Naruto had gone through all chapters of his Uzumaki sealing. Things past the fourth volume were diving into forbidden techniques.

It was there he found what he was looking for; The Uzumaki spirit seals. As Naruto read on the book became increasingly dark. The first seal was more of a story of how the first Uzumaki clan member had defeated the shinigami to bring back the dead. The founder of the Uzumaki clan having defeated death was not able to defeat it for himself and was going to pass into death, but before he left he left to his children different powers. To one his will, to another his jutsu, and to his last born child who was sick and small he left his seals and his life. So respected was this man that the shinigami granted longer life and the power to bring back souls to the last child for the acceptance of the first Uzumaki's entrance into the underworld and the removal of the jutsu that brought back the dead. The first two children were not spoken of again, but the youngest weakest child established the Uzumaki clan in the land of whirlpools.

Naruto baulked, there had been a jutsu to bring back the dead but it had been lost in a deal to gift his clan with longer life. Sighing Naruto continued to read through the forbidden seals of his elders. He came at last to the shinigami sealing masks. The seals on the masks were created by older generations of Uzumaki made with the bones of dead clan members and the soul of the one making the mask. One in total was created with the cost of nine lives made of elder Uzumaki seal masters. The mask gave the wearer the ability to call the shinigami from the underworld and call souls back. Reading it Naruto knew it would take some time to complete. The cost to use the mask was the wearer lost some to all of their life most attempts ended in death. Not many used this jutsu; its cost was so high the risk had to be worth it. It was mostly used to bring back the strongest shinobi souls to gain insight on their jutsus' to be made into sealing techniques. The access given to the Uzumakis' by use of all souls made their seals expand and flourish. All avenues opened and the Uzumaki seals were the envy of the elemental nations. Naruto smiled, he may not have found a way to bring Haruko back to life, but he could bring her back for a short time. Naruto stored the book back on the shelf and flashed back Ichiraku.

The following day Naruto took a field trip to the grounds of his forefathers. The Uzumaki grounds on konoha were in a horrible state of repair. The buildings were falling apart and the grounds were overrun with weeds and overgrowth. Naruto entered the Uzumaki shrine and saw a wall of 36 masks above a never ending black flame. Only one mask was the correct one all others would kill the wearer. Naruto looked through all his Uzumaki books on the masks origins and found the mask he needed. The mask had a sinister look with black fangs and silver hair. The warnings of the flames were given to him as well the black flames never went out and destroyed whatever it touched. Only the most advanced Uzumaki seals kept the flames in check. Naruto pulled out two of his Hiraishin kunai and threw one on the floor of the shrine and then threw the other against the wall next to the mask he wanted. Naruto took a breath and as quickly as he could he flashed to the kunai on the wall grabbed the mask and flashed back to the kunai on the ground with his prize in his hand. Naruto looked at the mask and felt a chill go down his spine. He had more sealing techniques to learn before he could attempt a soul retrieval. He pocketed the mask and exited the shrine.

Naruto looked around one last time. It was sad that his family land was in such a sad state. Naruto made a promise to himself before he left. 'I'm going to return this land to its former glory one day.' Then Naruto flashed to his fort.


A/N Chapter 7 completed. I will be trying to post weekly and get to 50k words. My chapters are expanding and I am going to try to up my average to 5-7k per chapter. I will be with family for the holidays and will not post during that time. Again review let me know what you like or not, again constructive not just a flame.