Author Notes:

Dark and Alive Minato, Minato fans beware.

Alive Kushina.

Darker Naruto.

Original Characters x Established Characters

Not sure what everyone's big beef is with a background coupling but it's not going to change, might as well stop reading now.

Chapter 8: Meeting Again

To say that tensions had been high in the house since that night a week ago would be a drastic understatement. Luckily Asuma had gotten the approval for the month of training away from the village, though that did surprise Asuma, wondering if the Yondaime had an ulterior motive. While the group was still in Konohagakure though, he never tried anything. According to Kiro, who was still assigned the mission to actively monitor him, he had been very absorbed in council meetings as of late. That was when Asuma had mentioned that Konohagakure was supposed to be hosting the upcoming Chunin Exams.

Naruto, Darious, Kiro and Kushina were currently all standing at the gate, awkwardly and silently. The two Uzumaki had barely spoken to one another since that night a week ago, making it extremely awkward for everyone else. The most concerning part was that it was also showing in Narutos training, as he was being more destructive and using more Kyuubi chakra from his anger running more rampant.

After about 5 more minutes passed Asuma and Shikamaru came walking up talking until they got there. Asuma smiled at everyone then gave Kushina a quick, nonchalant peck on the lips. The Nara heir was looking at the new people who were standing with the group of people he already did know, "Who are they?"

The two ninja just stared at the Nara heir until Kiro spoke, "Who are you?"

The Nara heir rose his eyebrow at him, he went to respond but that was when Naruko came running up, "Hey everyone! Kiro, Darious why are you here?"

Darious smiled at the girl, "We are going to be taking you all with us for a month. Kushina and Asuma need some alone time away from all their stresses."

The girl had a confused look, "I thought you two were civilians?"

Kiro just stared at her, "We never said that now did we?"

She glared at him then everyone turned and started their walk out of the gates of Konohagakure. It only took them about a half hour to get to the town that Kushina and Asuma would be staying at while the team was off with Darious and Kiro. When they were going to separate the group Naruto was looking at his mother who was talking to Darious. He closed his eyes and turned to leave her alone with a sigh, deciding that he needed to go and stock up on some extra supplies.

Flashback...

The day after Naruto and Kushina had their argument he found his mother early that morning in the kitchen. As usual she was in there making breakfast for everyone, something she seemed to enjoy doing. Naruto stared at her from the doorway, "Kaa-san..."

She didn't stop making breakfast for everyone as he stood there. He wanted to talk to her and try to apologize for the night before. When she didn't turn to face him, he just assumed that she was still upset with him. He looked down at the ground then spoke softly, "... I'm sorry."

Naruto turned to leave the kitchen when she put down what she was cooking to look over her shoulder at him, "Do you understand why I am upset with you Naruto?"

The blond boy just looked at her, "Because I disappointed you again..."

His red headed mother just shook her head and went back to making breakfast, "So you don't get it after all."

Looking at her Naruto moved a step towards her hesitantly, "What is it then?"

Sighing she put down the spatula as she turned to face him, leaning against the counter as she stared at her son. He had a posture and look, one that she wasn't too use to seeing from him anymore, he was uncomfortable in her presence. She just gave him a look then let out another sigh, "You hurt me Naruto. One of the most painful things I could have heard as a parent is that you think so low of me. You think that I can never be proud of you? I already am already proud of you. The fact that you think the only way I can be proud of my child is to have another one hurt me more then you will ever know."

Looking at her she could see the regret in his eyes, that was until he looked at the ground once again and nodded his head, "I understand Kaa-san... I'm sorry."

With that the blond boy left the room and the tensions only got worse from that point. The Uzumakis had barely spoke again. Kushina had internally hoped that explaining it to him would have helped repair the damage that was caused in their relationship. It had the reverse effect, since he knew how he had let her down he had put more distance between them, not wanting to do something else to further her pain.

As Naruto walked away his mother was looking at his retreating back. Darious looked at Naruto then back at her, "Have you tried to speak to him again since then?"

The red head just stared at her son, regret and shame hanging heavy in her voice, "No... he avoids me as much as he can now."

Darious gave her a small smile, trying to comfort the Uzumaki matriarch in some form, "I can talk to him for you on this trip. Maybe help get that bridge started for you two?"

Shaking her head no she looked back at the brown haired man, "I will deal with it when we get back to the village. He is my son and I will fix things between us."

Nodding his head in understanding, "If that is what you want Kushina-san, are you going to say goodbye to him before we leave?"

With another nod the re headed woman went off after him while Kiro came and stood by Darious, both of them watching as she walked away, "You're pestering and inserting yourself into issues that don't concern you."

Turning his attention over to Kiro he couldn't help but nod in agreement, "I know, but I want them to fix their problem. The boy is secluded enough, don't you think? Can you imagine how he would turn out without feeling a connection to anyone? To me that is just a sure fire way to create a monster."

The younger man gave him that, it wouldn't work out well at all, but there were more pressing things to discuss at the moment, "I talked to Jiraiya-sensei's spy in this town and they said Tsunade-sama isn't very far from here at a gambling town. Apparently she passed through here about a week or two ago."

Darious looked at him then nodded, "She is probably in Betto then."

The kohai nodded his head in agreement, that was what he had been thinking as well. Kiro looked at the older man, "Senpai, will you be alright? I know that you're not a huge fan of Tsunade after... everything..."

A nod was all that he got as an answer, making the Ookami believe that he wouldn't actually be okay. Thinking it was best to hold his tongue he looked over at Asuma who was telling his other two students to obey them. Darious, trying to keep his mind focused and not in the past, was wondering how Kushina and Naruto were doing.

With Naruto and Kushina...

While exiting the shop that he bought the extra supplies at he was currently putting them in his bag. Looking up as he exited the shop he saw Kushina standing there waiting for him, making him freeze. The fact that he froze making Kushina's eyes flinch a bit, he had never had that reaction with her, she was always the one he found some comfort in. He looked at her but didn't say anything so she came over to him and gave him a hug, "Be careful out there Naruto."

He didn't say anything but he did slowly put his arms around her to hug his mother back. The red headed woman tightened her grip on him then released him. He released her at the same time and looked at her, his posture still showing how uncomfortable he felt. Kushina just looked at him then kissed his forehead, "When you come home we will fix this, okay Naruto?"

The blond haired boy nodded his head at her as he looked at her. Kushina stood and gave him a kind motherly smile, hoping that it would give him some sort of reassurance. He finally spoke up when she turned to leave, "... I hope you have fun with Asuma-sensei..."

Looking over her shoulder and smiled at him before nodding her head at him. He finished putting his supplies in his bag before he headed back to the group. Everyone said goodbye before the 5 left Kushina and Asuma in the town while heading towards where they thought Tsunade was more that likely at.

In Betto...

An older blond woman was sitting at a gambling table with a saucer of sake in her hand. She was doing poorly at the tables, as she always did, when her assistant showed up, "Tsunade-sama, I think that you should quit."

The woman, now known to be Tsunade, just looked at her helper with a drunken smile, "Ah I am fine... I am just about to go on a heater, I can feel it, just you wait and see!"

Her assistant sighed while the other players were ecstatic, she was easier to beat than anyone they ever played against. Suddenly though they felt a familiar chakra wash over their senses, "Tsunade-sama..."

The once apparently drunken woman had sobered up as she felt it as well. She glared at the door as it slowly slid open showing someone she hadn't wanted to see again. There stood a pale man with long black hair, "Tsunade... long time no see."

Said woman just glared, "Orochimaru, what do you want?"

The Snake Sannin gave his estranged teammate a smile, "Now now, that is no way to say hello Princess. I just wanted to see if you have any interest in a proposition I have for you."

Scoffing at the comment she focused her attention back on her gambling before the missing nin threw kunai into the other player's heads. Her eyes glared over at him again as he came and sat down by her, "As I was saying, I have a proposition."

Sitting there with an clearly irritated and upset look on her face she waited for her old teammate to tell her whatever it was, that way she could just refuse him outright. He smiled at her though, "If you help me with my formula for my experiments then I will give you back Dan and Nawaki."

That made both of the women in the room look at him with wide eyes. Tsunade stared at him, "That's impossible..."

Orochimaru smiled at her, "I have recently mastered a jutsu that can revive the dead. It was created by your Granduncle."

Narrowing her eyes, Shizune connected the dots together quickly and realized the jutsu of which he spoke, "That isn't bringing them back to life, that is forcing their soul into a shell."

The man looked at her then at Tsunade, "You still keep Dan's little niece around huh? You are just so sentimental when you want to be."

Smirking at his own comment he eyed Tsunade, waiting for an answer from her. She looked at him then waved him away, "I will think about it..."

The Snake Sannin nodded his head before looking at her, "I will be back in a few days to get your answer then Tsunade. I hope that you don't let me down."

The man left, leaving Tsunade sitting there looking at the table. Shizune was standing behind her with a concerned look, "Tsunade-sama... you know it's not the same..."

The woman didn't say anything making Shizune worry even more about her master. If something didn't happen she worried that she and her master would be helping Orochimaru here rather soon, an idea that she did no cherish. After all he was a man who was more likely to try and kill them after he got what he wanted than follow through with his end of the bargain. Though, even if he followed through, it is not as if it would be the same as when they were alive.

Outside Betto...

The Konohagakure team, plus the two they were with, landed outside the village and three of them stretched while two panted a bit. Naruto, Darious and Kiro all looked at the other two with a disappointed look. Kiro looking over at Darious with an annoyed look, "Did we really have to bring them along?"

With an annoyed look Darious nodded his head as well, "Yes, for the thousandth time, yes! Now, let's get going already! We know that she will be difficult to convince so we will probably be here for awhile."

Everyone nodded, though Kiro was muttering about people being sensitive, then headed into the town. It didn't take to long for Kiro to track them down by their scents, which lead the group to a restaurant. The five approached the table with Darious leading the group before he bowed as they got to them, "Tsunade-sama, it's been awhile."

Skeptically raising her eyebrow the blond Slug Sannin saw that it was when Darious as the man stood back up straight, "Aren't you Jiraiya's brat?"

Smiling and nodding in the affirmative Darious responded then turned his attention to the black haired woman next to her, "Yes ma'am... hello again Shizune-chan."

The black haired woman looked at him in disbelief, almost unable to recognize the man, "Dar-kun?"

Smiling at her as she used her old nickname for him Darious just looked at her, taking in her stunning imagery. Tsunade looked at the others in the group then back over at Darious, "Who is your entourage and where is your pervert of a sensei? Already peeping at the hot springs?"

Giving her a courteous smile he shook his head no, "Jiraiya-sensei is not here, he sent Kiro and I to do this mission for him. The tall one is Kiro, Jiraiya-sensei's other pupil. The kids are a Konohagakure team we are helping train one of, Naruto Uzumaki, and his teammates Shikamaru Nara and Naruko Namikaze."

Tsunade looked straight at Naruto, "Naruto huh? Who are your parents?"

Shooting a glance at Naruko for a moment, Narutos eyes landed back on Tsunade, "My mother is Kushina Uzumaki and I am a bastard, I don't have a father."

Tsunade hadn't missed the way he looked at Naruko. She had heard the rumors about Minato and just looking at Naruto confirmed them. Tsunade shook her head then sighed, "What do you want Perv Jr?"

Giving a fake hurt gasp Darious put his hand over his heart, "Tsunade-sama, I am hurt you would think so poorly of me."

Said woman just rolled her eyes, "You have spent your whole life with Jiraiya, you can see why I am skeptical."

Hearing a snickering behind him Darious looked over his shoulder to see Kiro laughing, "What are you snickering about? You have been with him for all but 4 years of your life."

After reprimanding Kiro, Darious turned his attention back towards Tsunade, "We were sent to try and convince you to come back to Konohagakure. They want you and Shizune-chan to come take lead of the hospital. I think that it is more a show of power that they have a Sannin in the village personally, but that is just my speculation."

Tsunade rolled her eyes again, "They have two pupils of Jiraiya as well as having Minato, isn't that enough power?"

Pulling out a chair for him to sit on Darious looked at her, "They do not know about Kiro and I yet, we expect that to change soon though."

Looking over his shoulders at his sibling disciple Darious looked at the kids then at Kiro, "Kiro, get the kids some food while I speak with them."

Said man nodded before ushering the kids away as Darious continued to watch them walk away. When they were far enough away to be out of the range of heightened senses he sighed, "What will it take to get you to come back Tsunade-sama?"

As Darious demeanor changed to a more serious approach so did hers, "Give me my loved ones back."

A pained look crossed his face as he looked at the older woman with saddened eyes, "We are sorry for your loss, truly we are, but there are still people there that you care about. Kushina Uzumaki has been there the whole time living a secluded and scorned life with Naruto."

Tsunade closed her eyes as she took a sip of her sake. Opening them she looked at where the kids had walked off too with Kiro, "He is Minato's right?"

Nodding his head yes Tsunade looked over at Naruto as he waited for his food then at Darious, "You said that Kushina is secluded, why? She always wanted a child so I don't understand that one."

Darious ordered himself a water to drink then looked back at Tsunade, "Naruto doesn't get along with people and Kushina's love for him cost her a friend once. He avoids social interactions now due to that. Now, Kushina secluded herself as well, even cutting out a lot of her one time friends because she believes it is in his best interest. In her defense though she does a boyfriend now, Asuma Sarutobi, and that seems to be going rather well for them."

The blond Sannin nodded her head before looking over at Naruto again, "Does anyone know who his father is?"

Letting out a sad sigh Darious shook his head no, "Well, there are rumors but no one believes the great Fourth Hokage could do something like that. Most just believe her to be a slut that spread her legs too many times and got pregnant. A few know the truth though, the Sarutobi among them, but not enough people to really make a difference in the village."

A bit amused by the small growl that emanated from Tsunade he took a drink of his water, "They obviously don't know Kushina."

Nodding his head in total agreement he swallowed the water and responded, "Kushina is hoping you will come back as well to be honest. She is hoping that you would be someone that Naruto would be able to grow close to. I understand that you have a lot of painful memories there, but maybe you could create good ones as well, even enough to outweigh the bad?"

The Slug Sannin stared at him then sighed, "I will consider it as well as the other offer that I have right now."

That caught his attention, "What other offer? Did someone else approach you Tsunade-sama?"

She didn't respond, knowing that as Jiraiya's apprentice he wouldn't approve. Since she wasn't willing to respond to the question though, Shizune did, "Orochimaru offered to use a reincarnation jutsu to bring Nawaki and my uncle back if we help him with his experiments."

Flicking his eyes back over to Tsunade he quickly spoke up, "Tsunade-sama, you know you can't trust the snake. You know that it wouldn't be real."

Her anger flared as she brought a chakra fueled fist down through the table, shattering it into a million pieces, "SHUT UP! YOU DON'T KNOW WHAT IT'S LIKE TO LOSE THE ONES YOU LOVE!"

An angry, serious expression overtook the normally calm, or annoyed depending on Kiro, demeanor of the man, "You forget who you are speaking to Tsunade-sama, both Kiro and I are orphaned. To add insult to injury, YOU took the only other person I cared about away from me. I will leave you to weigh your options for a few days."

Storming away from the table he told the others it was time to go, though Kiro protested saying he just got his food. The look he received from his senpai was all he needed to know to be quiet. As he quickly left the restaurant with the other 4 ninja quickly fell into tow behind him. Tsunade slumped back in the chair with a long drawn out sigh. Her assistant was glaring at her for her outburst, knowing that it wasn't befitting of someone of her status. Tsunade gave a look over to Shizune and saw the look she was giving her, "Sorry for pissing off your boyfriend."

That made it so the assistants face turned beet red as she only glared harder at the comment, "He hasn't been my boyfriend since the day we left the village. Since then we haven't so much as communicated once, not even a word due to both of our travels."

Tsunade again sighed as she leaned her head down on her hand as she considered what it was she was going to do. She looked at her food, 'Help the snake and probably get betrayed or go back to my own personal hell... what great choices I have to choose from...'