Something woke me in the night. My sharp senses alerting me immediately to a disturbance and fluctuating chakra. Immediately I was out of bed and springing across into Naruto's room with a body flicker technique, freezing in place when I saw someone crouched at the window of his room and holding Naruto in one arm, still sleeping and wrapped up in his blanket. Alarm and fear flared through my entire body with a coldness which I did not know was possible to feel as the ninja flung down a smoke bomb and escaped before I had even reacted. "No!" Dressed only in sleeping shorts and a camisole I stole into the night after the ninja, rushing to the roof and reaching out my senses.
I caught a flicker of movement and immediately latched onto Naruto's signature, dragging the breath into my body as my heart quivered in fear. With all speed I rushed after the ninja, weaving signs and shooting a burst of light up into the air like a flare, the bright orb shining radiantly to signal the Hokage that something was wrong. All I could feel was desperation. Someone was kidnapping my nephew, my sister's son, I could not fail in this, I had to get him back! With a tear streaking down my face I leaped from rooftop to rooftop, chasing after Naruto's signature until we reached the treeline and I had to use the branches as leverage, however when I noticed an explosive tag sealed onto one of the trees so I hastily pushed myself off and flew to the ground.
The tree burst with fire and I dodged the expanse of flames with backward summersaults, turning my attention to the signature which was now a little closer, only this time it wasn't alone. Naruto was still being held by that ninja kidnapper however when I suddenly appeared in front of them with a fire jutsu of my own, he and his companions all halted in shock. "Give my nephew back to me you thieves!" I bellowed at the top of my lungs, hair bristling and rushing as I moved through the air with a fireball to make them scatter, honing in on Naruto who started to cry. I saw their eyes widen in alarm, gripping Naruto securely as he tried to escape but with a quick weave, my fingers blurred through the sequences before I sucked in a deep breath. "Wind Style – Rushing Maelstrom!"
A huge burst of air and wind rushed from my mouth and began to circle and weave through the trees, snapping against the ninja who was thrown off his branch and tumbled unsteadily, losing their grip on Naruto who continued to cry from the cold and confusion. My heart leaping to my throat as I lunged forwards, using the falling ninja as a foothold and pushed off to rise into the air and curl my arms around Naruto. Immediately I felt a sense of relief, clutching him close to me and the moment his cheek became pressed against my skin, Naruto stopped crying and snuggled into me as I expertly wrapped him up in his blanket to keep him warm, supporting his head and tucking him in close as I landed on the ground. "It's alright, I've got you Naruto, you're safe." I promised him as I cried softly, unable to hold them back for the fear I had felt at the prospect of losing him.
"We cannot lose the Uzumaki, now's our chance to get them both." Sitting bolt upright from where I crouched on the ground I stared, finding myself surrounded by enemy ninja as they all prepared their jutsu and weapons. I had no choice but to fight, but I couldn't' risk getting Naruto hurt in the process. Reinforcements would be coming soon, I just had to hold them off until then. As the first attack came I leaped backwards, clearing the distance and pressed my hand into the ground to push myself back up and land on my feet, sliding backwards as I glowered at them. My long red hair flickered under the moonlight, the fine strands outlined in silver as my eyes hardened unforgivingly.
"Light Release – White Barrier!" Touching two fingers to my lips before clapping my hands together, a white orb suddenly surrounding Naruto and I, shimmering brightly as I stood with him, safe and sound. He couldn't be harmed from within here and even if I take the damage, I can withstand anything they throw at me for as long as I need to. The Hokage will be here soon, or at least he'll send someone to protect us, I just need to be patient.
Suddenly sparks of furious lightning slammed against the barrier and I elicited a quiet whimper as I felt the burning sensation dance up my arm, lowering my head and engulfing Naruto completely. I'll protect him. For as long as I live I'll keep him safe and I won't let anyone take him away from me, because he's all I have left. Fire came next and I glanced to my arm and legs to see them become scorched and burned little by little so I placed my fist in my mouth to stop me from biting through my tongue, flinching and wincing as sharp blades tried to cut through the barrier and left long scores in my flesh, drawing endless streams of blood until suddenly I sensed the presence of Konoha ninja.
At their arrival the prospective kidnappers chose to retreat, disappearing into the night and when I felt a warmth from the outside, I lifted my head as Kakashi spoke. "Yume, you're safe now. You can drop the barrier." A part of me didn't want to. I wanted to just stay in here where I knew Naruto would be safe forever and also I didn't want Kakashi to see me bleeding and hurt like this. No doubt he'll blame himself, but when I sensed the Hokage also arrive I knew I didn't really have much of a choice. Letting the barrier drop, I gave a guilty smile to Kakashi as his eye widened at me in shock.
"Well done Yume, you were able to retrieve Naruto. You should be proud." The old man said to me with touching understanding, his eyes scanning my wounds. "Go and receive treatment for your injuries and…" Clearing his throat slightly the old man slipped off his robe and placed it around my shoulders, making me balk and protest.
"Old man Hokage! I can't wear your robe! For one I'll get it bloody and second, it's your Lord Third robe ya know!" I said to him however he insisted, resting his hand upon my shoulder as Naruto squirmed and began to cry again, starting to struggle against me so I jiggled him a little so that he'd calm down. Honestly, one year already and he has a pair of lungs which rivalled mine.
"No lady should be seen in such a position. Clothes may be washed, however the night is cold and you are not wearing very much." He told me pointedly and I blushed at that, accepting the robe and pulling it a little closer, holding it at my throat with Naruto safely tucked underneath it.
"I guess, sorry old man. Didn't really have time to get dressed, I'll be sure to remember if there's a next time." Grinning at him jokingly Sarutobi placed his hand on my head to smooth back my hair affectionately before helping me to my feet, giving his orders to the remaining ninja who hadn't gone after the intruders. He was angry that this had happened and reasoned that someone must have let them in or they had found a way to infiltrate us. I zoned the old man out at that point, looking to Naruto and brushing a finger down his cheek to make sure he was okay and hadn't been hurt. I was glad to find there wasn't even a bruise, so I relaxed a little.
"Lord Third asked me to take you to the hospital. I'll be staying with you for a while to make sure you're both alright." Kakashi said to me a little stiffly and I looked up at him with a blink before smiling warmly.
"I don't need the hospital, Kakashi, I just need to go home. These wounds aren't too serious so I can take care of them myself." Lifting my eyes towards the sky I saw that it was beginning to grow lighter, however there were thick clouds threatening snow. "But I'll be glad to have you with me Kakashi, at least we'll get to spend a little time with each other, ya know?" Giving me an odd look for a moment Kakashi then rolled his eyes at me before suddenly appearing at my back, lifted me off the ground then carried me away. "Hey! I can still walk Kakashi! I'm not crippled, these are nothing ya know!" I protested however he only gripped onto me more tightly as I hugged Naruto to me, snoozing away once more. How was he still sleeping? This child doesn't wake up for anything.
"Let me at least do this much, Yume." Kakashi requested quietly and I could sense his tense expression as he returned us to the village and to my home. Already there were ANBU guards stationed around the perimeter and keeping a close eye on us both.
"Naruto won't even believe any of this happened if I tell him when he's older, he'd probably think I made it all up." I mused as I placed him back in his cot, adjusted his blankets before pulling his window closed and started to activate seals in order to keep anyone from getting in, placing secondary seals so that I would be alerted if anyone tried to unravel the first seals. Going around the entire house Kakashi followed me as I strengthened the seals and defences with everything I could think of.
"Yume you need to rest and heal yourself, plus you're still only wearing your pyjamas and the Hokage's cloak." Kakashi reminded me and instantly I squeaked.
"Oh no! I got blood all over it, damn it. Blood comes off, right? Should I have it dry cleaned? Aw man, this sucks." I moaned as I quickly yanked the article from around me and studied the lining to find specks and patches of deep red. "Just typical, it was a nice gesture but still now I feel bad."
"Yume? You're still only wearing pyjamas." Kakashi told me a little awkwardly, averting his gaze and pointing to my rather exposed legs so I glanced down, regarding them before smirking evilly.
"Does seeing me like this make you uncomfortable Kakashi? Are you finally starting to notice girls?"
"Just put some clothes on!" He ordered me so with a laugh I carefully draped the robe over a chair then skipped into my bedroom. The moment the door was closed, however, my face fell and I stood with my back against it for a few moments, mulling over everything that had happened. Nearly losing Naruto made me cherish him all the more. After all, he was the only link I had left of my sister and Minato. There was no way anything in heaven or earth anyone was going to take him away from me. Gripping my hand into a fist as I trembled I pressed it against my quaking heart, struggling to regain my composure.
Healing myself of my injuries I erased most of the evidence of my quick paced fight with the enemy ninja, though I couldn't heal everything as I wasn't that good with my control yet, I was still learning. The burns were reduced to simple red ridges and old scars that my chakra would heal naturally until I could build up finer control. Disposing of my bloodied clothes I pulled on something clean and warm, including a knitted sweater which I hugged against me, took a deep breath then emerged from my room.
Kakashi was waiting for me in the front room, standing completely still whilst looking out the window, on edge and one hand hovering over his kunai pouch. "You don't have to stand there like a guard dog, Kakashi, we're safe now." I assured him as I came and perched myself on the table. "There's no way they'll be back, I've learned from my mistake and I'll be more careful from now on."
"They could have very easily been after you as well. Remember, no one knows what Naruto is. It is more likely they were after your Uzumaki heritage." His words gave me thought and I hummed as I reflected for a moment.
"This is true, they did mention they wanted us both. Perhaps they only took Naruto to lure me out. It would make sense though it was a bad idea. Obviously they didn't realise just how protective I am over my adorable little nephew." Smiling broadly I clapped my hands to my cheeks. "I mean isn't he cute? He's so squishy and blond and has beautiful blue eyes and his smile is just so cheeky looking I know he's going to be really mischievous when he grows up, I can just tell." Ranting about how perfectly loveable my nephew was Kakashi just looked at me blankly. "What? You don't think Naruto's cute?"
"It's a baby. They all look the same to me." He deadpanned and I feigned hurt and shock as I gripped at my heart.
"Blasphemy Kakashi! There is no baby out there as perfect as my Naruto!" Kakashi just gave me another blank look so I folded my arms stubbornly. "Don't give me that look, I don't care if my opinion is biased it is still the right opinion and the only opinion. No one can argue with me. Naruto is the best."
"Sure, sure, whatever you say Yume. Go to sleep."
"But I'm not tired anymore!" Suddenly Kakashi was gripping my shoulder at a pressure point, making my eyes widen before I started to slump, feeling drained and extremely sleepy. As my body went lax Kakashi opened up his arm and my forehead landed comfortably against his chest as he kept me upright, one hand gently stroking through my hair as he affectionately lifted me up bridal style to take me back to my room.
"Goodnight Yume."