The war had been going on fiercely since a month now, when the Kumo and Iwa forces had together surrounded their island from all sides. The siege near impossible to break due to the vast number of enemy soldiers. Trapped. Inside their own home. While those bastards encroached on their homeland. Resources were depleting. The grain stores had dwindled drastically. Fishing was on hold. No help was visible on the horizon. No response yet from their sole ally, Konoha. It was understandable, really. Konoha herself had her hands full with the war. But the help would have been appreciated. Really.
But giving up was not an option. For 'Win or Die trying' was carved in their very being. The Uzumakis were a proud clan and they would protect their home at any cost. It was their pride. Their nindo.
As sun rose and set, the siege seemed to tighten more and more. They were on the defence. Uzumaki seals were a force like none another but when the enemy was so very humongous, ready to sacrifice its soldiers like fodder, victory seemed difficult. There is a thin line between confidence and ignorance. The Uzumaki clan head, however confident and prideful of his clansmen and their skill, was still a realistic man. And against all heartfelt prayers, he was unsure how long they could hold the borders. Every shinobi and civilian, academy student and Jonin, everyone was giving their everything for their country. And yet all they could really do right now was hold the enemy back and pray for aid from Konoha.
"Arashi-sama! It's time! Hurry!" The frantic calls jolted the clan head from his now perpetual state of worry. Quick as lightning, he stood and ran behind the woman. Within seconds he was by his lovely wife's side who was quite calm as opposed to her husband, who flushed and frantic, caught her hand in a death grip and started checking her for any sign of discomfort.
"Kaori?! Are you alright?! Is the baby coming now? Are you in pain? Do you want anything?" His rant was interrupted by the old midwife clicking her tongue. "Honestly Uzukage-sama, this is not the first time we are in this scenario and you still act like you are the one giving birth" the old woman clucked. "Ah. Apologies Asaki-san" the Uzukage muttered sheepishly, bowing to the wife of one of his trusted council members and a mother figure to him.
A quiet chuckle drew his attention. He looked at his wife laying down on the surgery table, gently drawing circles on the back of his hand with her thumb and laughing at him. Her smile, her loving purple eyes, they were a balm to his soul. His shelter in these tempestuous times. His eyes softened. Pressing a quick kiss to her forehead he again, this time softly, asked her how she was feeling. "Just fine. Stop worrying so much or the head of a clan of redheads is gonna have grey hair soon, ya know!" She teased.
Then, in a soft, sad voice said "I wish Kushina was here too. She would have been overjoyed for having a new baby sister. I can imagine her fussing and cooing over the baby." Arashi understood how she felt. Of course he did. But given the times, it was better that at least one of their daughters was safe. And there would be time for the sisters to meet in the future. He would make sure of it. Somehow. Someway. He squeezed her hand. "She's in a safer place". Kaori smiled ruefully. "Yes. Yes she is."
couple of hours later, the joyous cries of a newborn babe could be heard. With a tuft of red hair, the pride and joy of any Uzumaki, and eyes midnight blue, a copy of her father's...the infant peered at her parents with an innocence so so rare in this war torn world. "Kahana. Turning point. Uzumaki Kahana" said her father. "She will be the turning point in this war. In our lives. Everything will turn out for the better now." He said with a choked up voice as he oh so gently kissed his daughter's tiny fingers wrapped around his large one. Kaori watched this with a heart threatening to burst with love. The little family was in their own bubble of joy and happiness...till it was burst.
The door was thrown open as a shinobi, heavily wounded and bleeding, stumbled inside. "Uzukage-sama! Kiri has joined the invaders! They have broken through our defences. The northwest front is no longer standing. The enemy has entered the islands sir! Takahashi-taichou is confronting them things don't look good!" He was panting by the end and collapsed. A nurse immediately went to his aid.
Three nations. How were they supposed to win against three nations at once? This was...this was not good at all. A soft hand clutched his forearm. He looked at his wife. Face set in determination. Yet her eyes gave away her worry. Her fear. "Go. Don't worry about us. Go. May the winds and seas be with you."
His eyes shot to his tiny daughter. Not even a few minutes old. Unaware of what was going on. Cradled to her mother's bosom...as if it were the safest place in the world. Tears welled in his eyes. So unfair. Life was so unfair sometimes. Kaori was still clutching his arm with all her might. He took her face in his hands and desperately kissed her. It was 'Goodbye' and 'I love you' both in one. "Go to Kushina" he whispered. Then turned to look straight at the midwife, " The breach is in northwest. The enemy will be crowding there to enter the lands. Go opposite. Take them both and flee through the forests at SouthEast and go straight to Konoha. Do not stop till you reach there. Nowhere else is safe okay? Please take care of them both. They..they are my life Asaki-san. I ask you not as your Kage but as your Arashi...please." On seeing the woman nod, he hastliy pressed his hand to little Kahana's head and Shunshined to the battlefield.
Screams could be heard from everwhere. Slaughter. Mindless slaughter was going on all around. For what? Why? Streets were covered with blood and blood red hair of the fallen Uzumakis. Asaki Uzumaki, a powerful kunoichi in her prime, led Kaori and the infant at a brisk pace towards the southeast gate, trying to avoid the enemy's eyes. Both women had hid their hair in scarves and the baby was tightly bundled up.
After half hour or so, Kaori Uzumaki felt her legs leaden. The fatigue of childbirth was setting in finally...despite the adrenaline running rampamnt in her veins. Her whole body thrummed with pain. She couldn't walk anymore. The Uzumaki vitality too had it's limits. That she had jogged for thirty minutes immediately after giving birth was a feat in itself. What was worse, she was slowing them down. Asaki-san had been considerate enough to not comment on how she was falling behind but if she kept dragging them behind, one of the foreign nin was going to notice them and then what would happen of her baby girl? She stopped.
Her companion turned to look at her with questioning eyes, fear hidden in their depths. "No more" Kaori said. "This is where I die. I am holding you back. We'll all die this way. Asaki-san, I entrust my daughter to you. Please treat her like your own grandchild." Cutting off the old woman's objection, she gently caressed her daughter's pink cheek. "My child. My Kahana, kaa-san loves you. So so much. Never forget that okay? I'm sorry. I wish...I wish I had more time with you my baby. But it's not to be. Find your big sister Kushina. Be just like her okay? And listen well to Asaki baa-san. This is where I die. In our home. With your father. But remember, we will always always be with you, my angel." And the tears finally choked her voice. She gave her precious bundle to Asaki and watched till they became but a far away point. When life seeped out of her, was it because of the bone deep exhaustion or the blood stained tanto she saw, she never knew.