Honey, I Can Explain Chapter 25: Dealing with Death

SOOOOOO! Awhile back I was really tired and I decided that I was going to split chapter 24 up at the part with Itachi and Kyoko…and then the next morning I forgot and I thought I deleted that part so I rewrote it. Then when I opened this file I was like $%^* #*&%* %#$^! So I literally have no chapter 25…and I hope whatever I write will be decent enough to fill the gap.

Sorry about this!

WoofumsPup

"Minato, what did you do with Kyoko's little mirror necklace. Mikoto asked about how we came up with a name with her…and I told her about the necklace," Kushina asked searching around their home. She was searching through a drawer in their living room.

"I hid it and I'm not going to go get it," Minato answered reading a book.

"You're joking right?" Kushina said with a groan. Kushina couldn't believe this, he didn't have faith in her?

"No, I'm not. I'm not getting it," Minato replied looking up from his book. She's having one of her days again… Minato thought placing his bookmark on the page he was reading.

"And why not?!" Kushina demanded crossing her arms.

"I'm not going to answer that," Minato replied shutting the book calmly.

"AND why not?!" Kushina said a little louder tapping her foot.

"Because it magnifies Kyoko's power. She still has little to no control over them. So I'm not giving it back to her until she goes home," Minato answered with a sigh.

"Just tell me where it is," Kushina sighed.

"No," Minato answered firmly. Mikoto really doesn't need to see that, why is Kushina so bent on showing her that thing, Minato thought.

"Tell me now!"

"I actually don't know where it is. I had Kakashi hide it for me," Minato replied.

"Aren't you worried about Kyoko freaking out about it being missing?" Kushina asked.

"No I told her that I was going to hide it," Minato answered.

"Kushi!" Kyoko said from the hallway. "I'm hungry." She had woken up from her nap.

"What are you hungry for?" Kushina asked.

"I'm hungry for meat from a fish," Kyoko answered rubbing her eyes. She then adjusted her dress twitching her ears to the sounds of the wind against the windows. Kyoko stumbled to Kushina, tiredly grasping on to her legs.

"How about we have meat from a fish for dinner? Why don't I give you some tasty carrots right now?" Kushina asked. Kushina rubbed Kyoko's cheek getting a silent nod from her.

"She's so cute when she's tired," Minato chuckled.

"Minato, why don't you comb her hair, while I get her some food?" Kushina suggested. Kyoko shifted uncomfortably at the hallway before disappearing to her room. Minato sighed putting down his book.

"Come here Kyoko-chan!" Minato called out. He went to the little girl's room finding that she was huddled on the top shelf of her closet. "Kyoko-chan! There you are!" She's a quick climber with her powers, Minato thought.

"Please don't comb my hair," Kyoko said shaking her head innocently. She stared at him with wide fearful eyes. Imitating Kyoko, Minato cocked his head to the right.

"Why not?"

"Because you comb too hard," Kyoko replied. Well it's true that children are the only honest people…Minato thought.

"How about I brush it?"

"You brush too hard too," Kyoko answered. Too honest, Minato thought.

"Will you at least come down so you can eat your carrots?"

"Kay," Kyoko answered offering her arms to him. He pulled her off the shelf and into his arms.

"Thank you," Minato answered poking her nose. She flinched smiling at him.

"I'm still hungry," Kyoko muttered as he walked her back to the kitchen.

"Minato I thought I told you to comb her hair!" Kushina snapped. Men! They always do the opposite of what you want them to do! Kushina thought angrily. She's definitely having one of her days, Minato thought bouncing Kyoko in his arms.

"Tell her what you told me," Minato chuckled pulling her dress down. He could hear Lady Biwako's nagging words in his head about how to hold a young girl.

"He comb too hard," Kyoko said innocently.

"Still…god damn Minato!"

"Kushina language!" Minato snapped. Kyoko's ears flicked up in curiosity as she held on to Minato with her right hand.

"What does god da…" Kyoko began to ask.

"No! Don't say that Kyoko. That's a very bad phrase that Kushina should not have used."

"Okay," Kyoko answered placing her hands at her mouth in embarrassment. Her face reddened as she glanced at Minato and Kushina. Rolling her eyes, Kushina grabbed Minato's other arm.

"Minato, you're going to comb my hair," Kushina sighed pulling them to their bedroom. She handed him a comb sitting down in a chair.

"I don't think this is a good idea," Minato laughed hesitantly. He put Kyoko on the ground. Kyoko ran to Kushina climbing on to her lap.

"Comb my hair!" Kushina ordered. Minato sighed sticking the comb into her long red hair and pulling down.

"OW" Kushina cried out looking back at her husband. "DON'T START AT THE TOP! START AT THE BOTTOM!" Minato did as he was told only getting the same results.

"Sorry," Minato said in a small voice. This is the exact reason why I let Kushina do her hair, Minato thought. Kyoko swiveled in Kushina's grip to face Minato. She over exaggerated her head cock with a cheerful smile.

"I can see why Kyoko-chan still doesn't allow you to comb or brush her hair. Look, I'll show you how to comb her hair. You have to be EXTRA careful with her because her hair is curly," Kushina answered taking the comb from Minato. Kushina turned Kyoko around sitting her back down in her lap. Taking a small section of Kyoko's hair Kushina began to work the knots out of from the bottom to the top of her hair.

"So that's how you do it," Minato answered.

"Yes, you start with small sections and you work your way up. See no tears, no pouting and no whimpering. If she does start to react hold the section tighter so that she doesn't feel it," Kushina answered. "Now you try with my hair. If you're going to take her home, then you need to know how to do this properly."

"Okay," Minato sighed. He did as he was told combing out a few locks of Kushina's hair. Kyoko fidgeted in Kushina's grip as Kushina finished her hair. Kyoko wanted her carrots that she was promised!

"Go run," Kushina said pushing Kyoko off her lap.

"Thank you," Kyoko answered. "Tachi-kun is at the door!" Her ears perked up twitching towards the door. Well she doesn't want the carrots, Kushina thought rolling her eyes.

"Okay," Kushina answered. "Answer the door Minato."

"Yes My Lady," Minato teased. He left her in the bedroom going to the front door. Kyoko shifted uncomfortably expecting to see Itachi appear in a matter of seconds. Minato opened the door seeing Mikoto and her son.

"Itachi-kun!" Kyoko squeaked throwing her arms around him. She wriggled excitedly wrapping her arms around his neck.

"You said Itachi!" Itachi gasped.

"He wanted to ask her out," Mikoto chuckled looking between Minato and her son.

"Well Itachi-kun…make sure to have her back before 5pm," Minato said stooping down to his level.

"Yes! I'll make sure that I won't have her out later than that! Lord Minato can I marry Koko-hime?" Itachi asked.

"I don't see why not!" Minato chuckled messing with his hair.

"Then I'm going to marry her as soon as I'm old enough than I'm going to marry her!" Itachi answered taking Kyoko's hand. Taking a few steps towards her he gave her a gentle kiss on the cheek.

"Alright! I give you my blessing then!" Minato replied. "I welcome the union between you and Kyoko-hime!"

"Minato, what are you doing?" Kushina demanded.

"I'm giving my blessings," Minato answered standing up. "Itachi-kun wants to marry Kyoko-hime as soon as he's old enough."

"You will?" Kushina asked.

"Yes because you are our red string of fate Lady Kushina!" Itachi said proudly.

"Oh you're so cute," Kushina chuckled. She's going to beat me up later, Minato thought watching his wife put on a "brave" face.

"He always talking about your daughter," Mikoto chuckled. "Itachi and I are going to go to the park so he invited his lady out to play."

"Well that's fine," Kushina answered. "Give us some couple's time." Kushina kissed her husband's cheek. "HEY!... She's doesn't belong to him!"

"Yes and it also gives them some couple time as well. Why don't we put her ribbons on?" Mikoto said sweetly. "I want to learn how so if they ever have a sleepover."

"Okay AND they won't be having a sleepover anytime soon. Itachi-kun why don't you stay here with Minato."

"Alright!" Itachi chuckled.

"Miyana-hime!" Itachi cooed as they played hide and seek.

"Itachi don't go too far!"

"But, Koko-hime and I are playing hide and seek!" Itachi called back.

"Alright but don't wander off," Mikoto called out.

"Kay." Itachi answered. "Miyana-hime!" Itachi rounded a tree to find Kyoko crying on the ground. "Miyana-hime?" He had never seen her so sad in his short life.

"I miss them," Kyoko said quietly.

"You miss your blood parents," Itachi replied.

"Yes," Kyoko answered.

"Do you want to talk about it?"

"I don't know if they're still or living. I just want to know!" Kyoko answered. Itachi sat down rubbing her shoulder.

"What happenend?" Itachi asked.

"We were attacked by bad people. Bad people that wanted to take me away and make me use my powers for their own. So many people laid still for me. No one will be there…at my home…no one…I don't want to go back to that. To live in fear…I don't want to be in fear Tachi-kun!" Kyoko cried.

"I won't tell anyone. I want to protect you Miyana-hime," Itachi said quietly.

"You will?" Kyoko asked looking at Itachi.

"Always and forever!" Itachi answered rubbing the tears out of her eyes. "You don't have to sit and worry Miyana-hime, many people want to protect you so you don't have to cry."

"Thank you Itachi-kun," Kyoko murmured.

"We will be married one day so you should smile Miyana-hime," Itachi chuckled looking up into the sky.

"What makes you sure?" Kyoko asked rubbing her bloodshot eyes.

"Because…I love you, and that's how I'm so sure!" Itachi answered. "I know you and I feel strongly for each other…so it makes sense to get married." Itachi pulled her close as she continued to weep quietly. Her heaving quickly ceased as she drifted off to sleep. Itachi could barely hear his mother call him as he too began to nod off before falling asleep.

"I'm slowly beginning to side with you and Mikoto," Kushina said with a sigh.

"I like how you say 'couple's time' and all we do is talk about Kyoko-chan," Minato teased. He received a disapproving glare before Kushina let out a sigh.

"Well, we could always continue what we started yesterday," Kushina chuckled evilly. Minato blushed shaking his head nervously. For the past few days Kushina had been trying very hard to seduce him, and at times he would almost fall for it. "So…there's another messenger coming soon from Queen Lana right?"

"How's the baby?" Minato asked sitting next to his wife. He snuggled against her.

"Answer the question." Kushina demanded.

"We're having 'couple's time'. So, no. This is not official business couple time…this is let's talk cute to each other couple's time."

"Minato."

"You're so beautiful Kushina-tan."

"You're very pretty yourself," Kushina growled sarcastically. Why can't she just allow me this time to snuggle and be her husband, Minato thought wrapping an arm around her waist.

"Of course I am! And our baby will have your beauty." I've already pissed her off enough today, Minato thought.

"Our beauty." She chuckled placing his hand on her belly.

"Yours…he or she will be as beautiful as you are."

"If it's a boy…he will have to handsome. I'm not going to raise a pretty boy."

"Yes."

"I hope we have a boy."

"Why?"

"Because you're an overprotective Dad with little Kyoko-chan! Since you're such a careful man…you don't even notice when you're doing it," Kushina giggled.

"I am not,"

"Oh please…the way you acted when we went over to Mikoto's. You didn't even want to lay Kyoko-chan next to Itachi. He's too young to have those thoughts yet."

"There's nothing wrong with being cautious."

"Very true." Kushina answered. "If you weren't…Kyoko-chan would still be a wolf and she wouldn't be here with us."

"Yeah. I'm bringing Kakashi with us." What happened to "couple's time", Kushina thought rolling her eyes.

"I don't think Kakashi is a great choice."

"Why?"

"He's a teaser. He would frustrate Kyoko-chan."

"True…but, he's a great fighter."

"Kyoko-chan loves to sing,"

"What?" Minato answered becoming distracted. He looked across the room peering through the window. There's something here…Kushina thought.

"She loves to sing…are you alright?" Kushina replied going through his hair. He's really deeply troubled…whatever this is…It has to be big, Kushina thought trying to put him at ease.

"Something's going on…Stay here," Minato said in a dark tone. He stood up from his wife heading to the closet for his coat. Kushina stood up following after him. She assisted her husband with it before wrapping her arms around him. Kyoko was out and about with Itachi, she couldn't let him go alone this time.

"No, I'm coming with you."

"Stay close then. I can't let you get hurt." He let out a sigh taking her hand.

"What's this?" Mikoto muttered as the ground rumbled beneath them.

"Itachi-kun," Kyoko muttered taking hold of his hand.

"It's okay," Itachi answered in a soothing voice. There's something in the village…and it's probably after Miyana-hime, Itachi thought tightening his grip on Kyoko's hand. Kyoko felt a tingling sensation in her body as she let out a shiver.

"We're heading straight home," Mikoto said with a gentle voice not to scare the children. "Take my hand Itachi."

"What about Kyoko-hime?" Itachi asked wrapping his other hand around Kyoko. He wanted to protect her at all costs. Mikoto grabbed his arm.

"She's going to come home with us right now and Lord Hokage will come pick her up from our home." Mikoto replied pulling the kids towards the Uchiha home.

"Itachi…I have to fight this…" Kyoko muttered to him.

"What?! No!" Itachi whispered back.

"It's here," Kyoko muttered coldly as the vibrations got louder. Grabbing the children Mikoto pushed them behind her. In front of them was a ghoulish looking beast covered in a thick coarse fur. It was at least twice the size of Mikoto with the torso of a human, the legs of a lion and head of a wolf. Itachi turned Kyoko away from his mother's fireball hoping that she wouldn't get involved.

"Itachi take her home!" Mikoto ordered. Itachi nodded only to be surprised by Kyoko breaking free of his grip. Quickly Kyoko placed a barrier over the family before turning into a wolf.

"KYOKO-CHAN!" Itachi hollered from inside. As a wolf, Kyoko barked at the creature leading it away from Mikoto and Itachi. How can I protect her from inside of this barrier! Itachi thought as pushing against it. Mikoto grabbed her son to prevent him from hurting himself. Leading the creature to an open space Kyoko changed back into her human form. The beast snarled at the girl as it halted in front of her. Singing softly, Kyoko approached the beast with a hand stretched out towards it. It continued to snarl baring its teeth at her. Kyoko continued to approach, singing her little song softly to the beast.

"Kyoko-hime," a Shinobi gasped. "Get Lord Hokage." With her hand a few inches away from its nose, Kyoko's crystals began to glow softly as she placed a hand on the beast. The beast instantly stopped snarling relaxing against Kyoko's gentle touch. Kyoko placed another hand on the beast pressing her body against it, in a gentle hug. The markings on her body began to glow and her hair began to swirl around her. A couple of villagers murmured to each other as they gathered around the beast and little girl.

"Kyoko-hime!" Kushina called out appearing on the scene with her husband ten minutes later. What is she thinking?! She's gonna get hurt! Kushina thought worriedly.

"It's okay, Penna," Kyoko replied as the beast closed its eyes. Kyoko continued to sing relaxing against the beast. "It doesn't want to hurt anyone. It's just scared. It went after me knowing that I could calm it."

"I'll get her," Minato replied releasing his wife's hand. Kyoko's a fearless little girl. At times like these, she's a little reckless, Minato thought accessing how he should approach this situation.

"Papa, you won't hurt it right?" Kyoko asked as the beast fell to the ground asleep. Kyoko continued to sing as Minato carefully approached the child and the beast.

"No," Minato answered. "Come here Kyoko-chan, slowly though Kyoko-chan." Kyoko stopped singing placing a hand gently on the beast with a smile. Looking back at Minato she gave him a cheerful nod. Minato watched the beast behind her waiting for it to strike at any moment.

"LADY KUSHINA!" a female villager screamed. Minato tensed as the beast's eyes flew open and emitted a loud roar in front of the child. Startled Kyoko fell to her feet as it towered above her. She let out a small squeal in fear as it snapped and raised its bloodied paw to strike her. Before the beast could cause any damage to the girl Minato flashed to the girl's location before flashing her to a safe location.

"Are you okay Kyoko-chan?" Minato demanded placing her down.

"Don't hurt it," Kyoko squealed dashing to the side of the building. Minato grabbed the little girl pulling her away from the ensuing attack on the creature.

"It's okay Kyoko-chan," Minato replied pulling her close.

"Don't hurt it! Don't hurt it! Don't let them hurt it Papa!" Kyoko squealed thrashing in Minato's hold. I'm going to have to leave Kushina in the care of the villagers until I can get Kyoko to calm down. Damn, what could have possessed that woman to scream?! If she wanted to separate us, she succeeded, Minato thought holding his little girl.

"Kyoko-chan, I need you to calm down so I can talk to you," Minato soothed. Kyoko stopped thrashing letting out a sob. Pulling her away, Minato was saddened by Kyoko tearful expression. "Sometimes Kyoko-chan…"

"NO PAPA NO!" Kyoko interjected thrashing her hair.

"Kyoko-chan, shush. Even if the beast was just scared Kyoko-chan, he was going to hurt you, he was going to kill you. So sometimes Kyoko-chan, we have to kil-put the beast dow-to sleep because it would hurt too many people," Minato explained to the sobbing little girl.

"BUT PAPA!" Kyoko screeched.

"I'm sorry Kyoko-chan, but this is how it has to happen. If I had done nothing, you would have been dead by now or seriously hurt. The other Shinobi were just looking after your wellbeing as well," Minato explained. Kyoko opened her mouth to retaliate but shut it tightly. Throwing her head forward she nodded accepting the beast's fate. She continued to weep as Minato picked her up. The roars of the beast ceased.

"It seems like the wolf hybrid can lull any creature to sleep, including Jinchuriki of the Kyubi, Danzo would want to know about this," a Root agent muttered to himself from the shadows.

"It's not fair Sensei," Kyoko muttered rubbing her watery eyes on her sleeve.

"I know sweetheart….but sometimes we have to do things that are not fair," Jiraiya soothed rubbing Kyoko's head between her ears.

"He wasn't bad…just being controlled…and he was human," Kyoko muttered.

"How did you know he was human?" Jiraiya asked pulling her on his lap.

"When I go all bluey…I can sense things…like the thoughts and true feelings of others. He didn't want to do any of that…he just wanted to go back to his family. Now he won't do that!" Kyoko answered new tears brimming from her eyes.

"Kyo-chan," Jiraiya began wiping her tears away. "There are a lot of injustices in the world. You will experience several more in your lifetime, so they only thing that I can tell you is to learn from this and move on. Why don't you say a prayer for his family, you are a priestess aren't you?" Jiraiya suggested. Kyoko nodded drying her eyes before pushing herself off his lap.

"And for Kushi…She was affected too," Kyoko replied sitting on her knees.

"Kyoko-chan, before you start praying…What did you do to Kushina," Jiraiya asked.

"In your language the song is called 'Solemn Somber'. It's a song that the Gods like to hear when we anger them. It's used to put them asleep like a wuwuby. It works on MANY big creatures. Kushi has the Kyubi in her right?" Kyoko replied. "So I put Kyubi to sleep…and Kushi to sleep…on people like her it puts dem to sleep."

"Okay, why don't you pray Kyoko-chan," Jiraiya answered. Putting her hands together Kyoko began to murmur in her own language. Her control over her power has improved…but the Elders are going to watching Kyoko a little more carefully because of this incident, especially Danzo. He would kill to have the Kyubi under his control. The safest place for Kyoko IS the village, as long as she's here Danzo can't get to her. Also, Minato is the Yellow Flash, no one in his or her right mind would attack or kidnap Kyoko… although many have tried and failed, Jiraiya thought watching Kyoko pray on the ground. Kyoko twitched before standing up.

"Sensei," Kyoko muttered.

"What is it Kyoko-chan?" Jiraiya asked.

"The guy…when I was all bluey, he told me that someone wants to kill me…Is that true?" Kyoko asked in a low voice. Going through his hair he thought of an answer for her.

"Yes," Jiraiya answered with a sigh. Kyoko stumbled backwards falling down.

"O…kay," Kyoko said just above a whisper.

"You have special powers…and you know that. People want to either control you…or they want to kill you so you can't use your power against them. So that's why so many people have come after you, but Papa and I will do everything to protect you," Jiraiya answered to ease her fears.

"But…I'm just a little girl," Kyoko muttered.

"People don't care about that Kyoko-chan," Jiraiya answered.

"O-Oh," Kyoko muttered stuffing her hands in her lap.

"Jiraiya-sensei, you're not telling Kyoko-chan ghost stories are you?" Minato asked in a cheerful tone.

"No," Jiraiya answered. "Come on Kyoko-chan." She stayed on the ground still in shock.

"Kyoko-chan," Minato cooed looking at his little girl. He frowned as she continued to stare off into the distance. Walking over to her Minato picked her up. He tapped her bottom trying to knock her out of her daze but failed. "What did you tell her?"

"I told her the truth. I told her that there is someone who's trying to kill her," Jiraiya answered. Minato pushed Kyoko's head onto his shoulder, holding her closely.

"Sensei, please tell me you didn't tell her that," Minato said rocking and bouncing her in his arms. She looks so pale and lifeless! I really hope Jiraiya-sensei didn't tell her that, Minato thought feeling no movement from Kyoko.

"She said that the creature told her that someone was trying to kill her…and she asked me if it was true. So I told her yes that there was someone after her," Jiraiya explained.

"Please tell me you told her gently," Minato asked.

"Minato, in a situation like this…there was no easy way to tell her," Jiraiya answered. Minato closed his eyes giving a single nod.

"Very well," Minato replied coldly. "Thank you for watching her Jiraiya-sensei."

"How's Kushina and the baby?" Jiraiya asked.

"They're fine, nothing's wrong with either of them. To be safe, they're going to be kept overnight. I just wanted to get my little angel so I could tell her that Mikoto-san and Itachi-kun are okay and at home," Minato answered with a small smile. He went through Kyoko's hair rubbing her back.

"You're my angel too Papa," Kyoko whispered into his ear. She wrapped her arms around his neck closing her eyes.

Well now I have to change things around in the other chapters….Oh well! I hope it's for the better! I hope to see you guys soon!

~WoofumsPup