Fire and Lightening border

The fire country's defences were, in one word, lousy. One would think the most powerful country had better means for their own protection. Or maybe they were just too confident in their strength. Or cocky. There's a thin line between them.

Sure they had checkposts every few miles on the border and the patrols were carried out to the point of precision by extremely talented shinobi. But what if an equally talented intruder managed to get in, between two patrols. In the cloak of darkness, as silent as the night. After all, every shinobi worth his weight in salt could easily mask their chakra and had good speed. It was just so easy to slip into Hi no Kuni, Kahana wanted to laugh.

These defences, they were practically nothing compared to what she had heard about Uzushio's. Her village had barrier seals that stretched continuously along the borders, making it impossible for an unknown chakra signature to enter without escort. And even if they somehow managed, the alerting seals were activated, so that the village would at least know about the incoming threat. And yet, and yet they had fallen, hadn't they?

Kahana clenched her fists. She had more pressing matters at hand. At this rate, any enemy could easily cross half of the fire country and nobody would be aware till he reached the walls of Konoha. And wasn't it the best time to strike, when the other side's guards are down. How could they be so careless?!

Her red hair fluttered in the wind as she stood on a cliff watching what once used to be the Kannabi bridge. The sole connection to The Land of Lightening. Destroyed in the third war.

Behind her back, she could hear her team's quiet, awe filled whispers.

Five days back, she had been given the rank of Jonin by Commander Shikaku Nara. And the prestigious Konoha headband, which was tied around her neck, glinting in the morning sunlight. Also, she was assigned a team of three jonins who had some basic knowledge in Fuinjutsu. They were to travel the border of Land of Fire and assess the situation and make plans before Kahana had to start laying down the barrier seals.

This was the deal she had made. Her knowledge and skills in return for permission to stay in Konoha and get to know her nephew. Naruto. A small smile worked its way on her lips despite the situation. Two more days. Just two more days. And really, she would do everything she could and more to protect the place her sister's son lived in.

"UZUMAKI SAN!" A now familiar voice called cheerfully. She sighed and turned back with a smile. Yoshiro, her teammate was beckoning her, with a grin on his face. His glasses flashed in the sun. Cheeks flushed. He had been telling her tidbits and facts about all the places they had visited so far. And it was helpful, really. Sweet too. But she really didn't need to know "the onsen the great Hashirama Senju used to enjoy bathing in"! Like, seriously!

She looked at her other teammates for some help, but one was giving her an apologetic look while the other was giggling behind her hand.

Still, not wanting to offend her new friend, Kahana walked over to him. Yoshiro stretched an arm out and pointed to a huge open ground.

"This was where our esteemed Yondaime sama, Namikaze Minato, defeated a thousand Iwa shinobi singlehandedly! We won the war all thanks to him. He too was known for his talent in sealing." Hero worship was swimming in his eyes, in his voice.

As she stared below at what once was a battlefield, Kahana felt an unnamed desire to meet the man. The only one to ever have a 'Flee on sight' status in the bingo books. A clanless orphan, an extremely powerful shinobi. To ask him where he learned sealing from. What made him want to learn something so many others think nothing of. She wondered if he was the ruthless assassin in the books, or the benevolent man like her teammates said. She wondered if he knew Kushina-nee...both of them being into Fuinjutsu.

But these wishes would remain what they were forever...just wishes. For the man in question was dead. Just like her sister. Long gone.

And maybe...maybe that was why Konoha's borders were so unsafe. Because they simply didn't have someone who knew the required fuinjutsu. Because the ones who were supposed to lay down the safeguards were simply not there. And that's why they had accepted her so easily. And wasn't that a sobering thought.

2 days later, Hokage office, Konoha

"...and according to my estimates, it would take about 6 months for the borders to be completely fortified. Still, I need to know any specifications, like trade entry points where completely restricting the area is unsuitable to the village's needs."

Kahana concluded her report looking straight at the Hokage. He scanned the written copy she had submitted with keen eyes before shifting them to the four shinobi in front of him.

Focussing on Kahana he said, "This is fairly detailed. I am impressed." He gave her a wan smile. " This project was something Kushina had started working on. But never got to complete. I give you all seven months. By the end of that, I want to see results. Good ones. Dismissed."

With newfound determination, Kahana turned to leave with her team when the Sandaime stopped her. "Kahana-chan, a minute please. There's something you are forgetting." He muttered around his smoking pipe as he waved off the others.

Perplexed, Kahana stopped and looked questioningly at the Hokage. The old man lazily blew a cloud of smoke from his pipe and went back to the huge pile of paperwork on his mahogany desk.

But she didn't have to wait for long as the door suddenly opened with a..

"Yo old man! Did you finally decide to give that hat to me? Huh? Huh? I told ya, you're getting old and wrinkly, ya know!"

And.

Kahana's.

Heart.

Stopped.

Untamable yellow hair. Not the red ones she had imagined. Paint splattered whiskered cheeks. Eyes as blue as the summer sky. But his grin, the twinkle of mischief in his eyes, his chakra, his "ya know!"...they were so very familiar! He was so small! So soprecious!

Naruto. Her mind whispered. This was Naruto. Her nee-san's son. Her last living family. Her nephew.

Her Naruto.

He was grinning widely at the Hokage. And was that a paintbrush in his hand, dripping orange colour on the floor of Hokage's office?!

She made a choked sound, equal parts a laugh and a sob. Her vision was rapidly blurring. Unable to hold herself back, Kahana reached out to the small child in front of her. Wanting to take him in her arms. Tell him everything was gonna be okay. Tell herself everything was gonna be okay. That they had each other. That they were not alone anymore. That they'd be the last of their kind together.

But her joy, her glee, her relief instantly disappeared. Vanished into thin smoke. Dread took its place like a flashflood as the child flinched, actually flinched away from her.

Wide wide eyes stared at her. Filled with fear. As if she could harm him. As if...as if someone had harmed him. Kept harming him enough that his first response to anyone getting within touching range was to flinch away.

Her blood boiled. Hands limply fell back to her side. Her chakra was rolling, rumbling, struggling to break out and ruin, absolutely ruin whoever put that fear in his eyes. She was aware of the killing intent radiating from her. And so was Naruto, who was looking at her with ever widening eyes and backing away from her with each second.

She stopped. And hung her head. Uncertainty, shame, rage, grief...she was a mess of emotions. Clenched her trembling fists tight enough to leave crescents on her palms. The pain grounded her. She didn't know what to do. Embarrassingly enough, tears rolled down her cheeks onto the floor.

The Sandaime came to her rescue. Getting up from his desk, he walked towards Naruto. The kid instantly latched onto his robes and hid behind the old man. Putting a hand on Naruto's head, the man coaxed him to look at the redhead.

"Naruto, my child, she is not doing anything to you. She just wanted to meet you."

"M..meet me?"

"Yes, little one. I promise."

The little Uzumaki finally peeked from behind his jiji to look at the girl who was standing there and silently crying.

Nobody had ever wanted to meet him. Him. The demon child. The monster. Nobody had ever even looked at him the way the girl had. Like she was happy. To see him! If he had not been so afraid, he would have stood there. Maybe she would have smiled more at him? Maybe pinched his cheek like some nee-chans do to other kids his age?

And now he had made her cry. Maybe he really was a monster like everyone said. A hand on his back pushed him forward. Towards the crying girl.

Naruto stumbled slightly, glanced back at his jiji who gave him an encouraging smile, and then trudged on hesitantly. Finally coming to a halt in front of her. He looked up at her.

Kahana was desperately trying to get herself under control, when little Naruto came into her field of vision. For a moment both of them just looked at each other. Sky blue clashed with midnight-ink. One pair of eyes taking in the small child that had become the centre of her world and the other pair surprised, sheepish and a little nervous.

" 'm sorry I made you cry...ttebayo" the five year old mumbled and looked down, shuffling his feet.

Kahana, she was surprised. At least he was speaking without being afraid. She couldn't take her eyes off the child. The wrath was still there, but something warm was bubbling inside her chest. Hearing him speak to her for the first time...it was...it was overwhelming.

She sank to the floor in front of him. Still uncertain whether to touch him or not, she tried to whisper his name. All the emotion bleeding out into that one word.

"Naruto."

The little boy looked at her with wide eyes. But this time they held surprise. And awe. Like someone calling him so lovingly was new to him. Something unheard of. How heartbreaking. Another tear slipped onto her cheek.

Slowly. Very slowly, Naruto brought his small palm up and wiped off the rolling drop of salt water.

"Don't cry nee-chan."

He looked so earnest, so confused, so sad...Kahana wanted to...she wanted to..she didn't know! She stared at him like a blind man seeing the sun for the first time.

Slowly she raised both her arms, inviting him. Giving him the choice. A teary smile on her face.

Naruto once looked back at the Hokage, and then immediately back to the nee-chan who wanted to hug him. It was like a dream. Was this a dream? He simply didn't get hugs. Not even Hokage jiji hugged him. He got a hair ruffle once in a while if he was lucky, but a hug?

Not knowing what to do but also not wanting to make her wait, lest she change her mind, he took a step towards her.

And then there were arms around him. Not hurting him, but embracing him. Making him feel warm and protected. Loved.

He was pulled forward into her chest and there were soft lips kissing his hair, his temples, his forehead, his cheeks, whispering fervently "I love you, I love you so much! I'm so sorry! So sorry!"

Naruto stood still as a statue. This was a dream. This was definitely, absolutely a dream. How many times had he wanted someone to just hold him, to say they loved him, just once atleast. Was she teasing him? Like the man in the market who once gifted him an apple gone bad?

But what if this was real? If she were real? Maybe finally someone had listened to his prayers? Maybe saying out your wish to a shooting star really worked?

He really wanted this to be real. Really wanted to hug her back but was afraid she might disappear and he'd wake up. But as the nee-chan squeezed him just as desperately, he couldn't help flinging his arms around her neck. Couldn't help burying his face into her neck and letting out a loud wail.

He cried. For the first time he let out his tears, his pain in front of someone and not just his pillow and potted plants.

As he sobbed into her shoulder, this girl, who he didn't even know, had never seen before but was already dearer to him than anyone he'd ever met, just held him. Lovingly. Softly carded her fingers through his hair. Gently whispered to him, "It's okay Naruto. It's gonna be okay. I promise, ya know. I'm here now. I'm here, kiddo."

And he believed her. He completely believed in her, this stranger who was so familiar. Who hugged and kissed him, said she loved him and would make everything okay.

His sobs gradually stopped. He was aware of the tears and snot he had gotten on her shirt. Maybe she'd be angry now? He pulled back slightly to look at her, but all he got was a soft soft smile. The nee-chan pulled out a handkerchief and wiped his face oh so gently, snot and all. And maybe, Naruto thought, maybe this is what it feels like to have a mom.

Someone cleared their throat behind him. Startled, he looked back to watch Hokage jiji watching the two of them softly, sadly. And then he looked at Naruto and told him,

"So...now that you've met each other, maybe exchanging names is not so important anymore, right?" He asked amusedly.

It struck Naruto that he didn't know the name of the kind nee-chan who was now standing behind him, hands on his shoulders. But she knew his name! That was unacceptable!

He swivelled back to look at her. The nee-chan chuckled lowly and again gave him a soft smile.

"I'm Uzumaki Kahana, ya know. Your kaa-san was my older sister. I just came to Konoha a few days back. I'm really sorry Naruto, if I'd known, I'd have come way earlier." She told him seriously.

Naruto was staring slack jawed at her. Uzumaki?! She was...she was family?! He had family?!

There were so many things he wanted to say. To ask.

'You knew my mom?!'

'Who was she?'

'Did she love me?!'

'Where were you before?! For all these years?!'

But all he could do was gape at her. He blinked once. Twice. Rubbed his fists over his eyes. And then told her in all seriousness,

"I'm not calling you obaa-chan. You look more like a nee-chan, dattebayo"

This startled a laugh out of her. Even Jiji was chuckling. She bent low and kissed the top of his head. His eyes went wide.

Still chuckling, she told him, "Whatever you want Naruto-chan. Call me whatever you want."

Finally, a broad grin stretched on Naruto's face and he beamed at her.

The questions could wait, he decided.

Running through the streets of Konoha, his small hand clutching hers and pulling her towards Ichiraku, their laughter loud and bright enough to drown all the glares thrown his way, Hokage jiji walking behind them at a slower pace, a smile on his face...Naruto couldn't ask for more. For the first time he was happy.

And he knew this wouldn't be the last either. Because now he had Kahana nee-chan.

His Kahana nee-chan.

Heya!
I'm back!

I'm so sorry it's been nearly 20 days since the last update. My college started offline classes and life got really busy. And crazy.

So anyways, this chapter was definitely on the more mushy side. I really hope you liked the Kahana-Naruto moment! I've tried to show Naruto a little broken.

About the POV changes, do you think it was irritating? Should I not do so in future chapters? I'd really like a little advice here as English is not my first language and the last literature I've written was an essay in my highschool, which was four years back ?

Please review and tell me what or what not you liked. It's a huge motivation!

Until next time then.

Stay safe and take care ❤️