Mizuko POV_
(Ps, thank you for reading, I've had a lot of negative reviews due to the rape and child abuse. Some people just don't read the disclosures. If you made it this far we are finally over the heavier stuff.)
There was nothing I could do, and although it was hard I tried to put it out of my mind.
We were eating dinner. I was sitting with Tadashi and Hisashi at my side so that I could help feed them.
Everyone else was being loud and rowdy. "Kenta, leave Nanami's plate." I scolded him as he was trying to take some of her carrots.
"Mama! No Kenta!" Nanami yelled as she pulled her plate again. "No, no!" She pointed at him angrily.
Fumiko glanced over and tried to grab some of her food.
"Fumiko, no." I scolded and she stared at me for a moment.
"Ryuu, help your sister." I sighed since he was the closest.
"Leave her alone." He swatted at them and picked up her plate. He then set it back down and swatted both Kenta and Fumiko away for good measure. Nanami wrapped her hands around her bowl and kept glaring at them both still angry about the whole ordeal.
Yukio whimpered and I rocked him slightly as I tried to eat.
I turned and gave Tadashi a bit of my food and he happily ate and went back to playing with his toy.
I took another bite before turning to Hisashi, he opened his mouth and I fed him.
They were loud and rowdy. I was happy to see them so full of life and I could feel a small smile on my face.
I rolled up my sleeves and pulled my hair up.
I was scrubbing the floorboards. I had managed to send everyone outside so that they did not run around on the newly cleaned floor.
I could hear them laughing and running outside as I cleaned.
Yukio was in the room sleeping so I was not worried about him since I would still be able to hear him if he woke up.
I was interrupted from my thoughts as there was a knock at the front door.
I glance over and start to get up. I put down the brush and rag.
I stood up and wiped my hands on my apron.
"Be there in a moment." I call out as I hurried to the front door.
"Ye- Akio-san." I gulped as I saw him standing there. My heartfelt like it was beating out of my chest and my eyes widened.
"Please c-come in." I stammer out as I opened the door and stood to the side.
"I know I usually don't visit this early, but I just came back from my mission." He stated and I slowly nodded.
I could feel my cheeks flush as I looked down and noticed my appearance. I looked horrible, my hair was a frizzy mess and my clothes were in disarray.
"So were you injured?" I asked trying to steer the conversation. He shook his head. "Just a high ranking escort. There luckily there was no fighting this time around." He stated as I led him to the dining room.
"That's good, I am sorry for the mess. I was cleaning." I say pushing a strand of my hair back.
"It's not that big of a deal Mizu-chan." He chuckled. "Would you like something to drink?" I asked as we sat down.
"Yeah, I'd like that." He chuckled and I quickly went to brew some tea.
I could feel my body shake slightly, all my previous insecurities rearing their head as I glanced back at him.
"So how has Yukio been?" He asked as I was boiling the water.
"He's bigger, he moves around more. Soon he will be able to start sitting up." I say as I set down his teacup
He placed a hand beneath his chin and smiled at me. "I'm glad to know he is healthy. And what about you. How has your recovery been?" He asked and I blanched.
"I'm well, the doctors have already decided that I would have another baby soon." I stammer out avoiding his gaze. I could feel my hands become twitchy.
He frowned. "What else did they say?"
"T-they mentioned that we aren't compatible. Due to Yukio's albinism. Someone else will be the father." I say as I glance at him, I could see his frown deepen and he placed his hand over mine.
"Don't worry Mizu-chan. I'll talk to them and see what I can do. I won't let them hurt you."
I froze at his words. I turned to him wide-eyed. "They already... I mean I'm already." I stammer out as I looked at him.
My cheeks flushed and I became ashamed and embarrassed. I was already being used, there was nothing of me that remained unbroken.
"It's okay Akio-San, I'm already pregnant." I tried to give him a smile but my face hurt and maintaining it was hard. I looked down trying to hide my tears.
He stayed silent for a while I felt the silence consume me.
With the failed escape plan and capture, they had done things to me that I could have never imagined. I had felt no shame or guilt. I had taken everything in strides not caring as I saw it as a means of survival. but now as I wanted to change and be different. I felt that I didn't add up to being much, insecurities filled me to the brim.
"It's fine though, it's not like I'll ever be normal. My job is to have children for Kusa." I try to reassure him but when I looked at him he was frowning at me. I could feel his uneasiness through his chakra and I could feel my hand's sweat as I fiddled with the hem of my Yukata.
"I hadn't really thought about it like that. I'm sorry that I had never considered what you were going through Mizu-chan." He grabbed my hand and gently pulled me toward him.
He hugged me and I felt myself start to shiver. I don't know why but I could not stop the loud sobs that raked through my body.
I'm not sure why I had done it but I told him of what had been happening.
I told him about the other ninja and how the doctors knew what they had been doing.
They really didn't care, sure I was a key factor to restoring a powerful clan here but my mother had killed so many kusa people and they held those same grudges against me as well.
He didn't say anything, just quietly listened as I rambled on and cried.
That had been a while ago, he had visited often.
I had been shocked when he brought a small bag of milk chocolates. I could still remember the soft taste as it melted in my mouth.
The kids would sometimes approach him but would also keep their distance.
It took some convincing but they were still not too fond of him and it made me sad. But I was sure it was because they weren't used to a man being around them.
To me, his chakra was pleasant to be around. Especially since he did not seem to hate us.
We didn't really sleep together in any sexual way for a while.
He did let me cuddle against him and would gently stroke my hair.
Karin had pointed out that I seemed calmer and I also felt calmer.
Before I knew it a few months passed and I was seven months pregnant.
For a while, it had felt like everything was fine. But as I watched my children play and run around I was reminded that even if things were momentarily alright it would not always be like this. We still had to leave Kusa.
I went into early labor and was once again in the hospital.
Doctors were once again surrounding me and I found myself pushing and breathing heavily.
This had been the longest birth, apparently, we were almost 24 hours in and I still hadn't been able to birth my child.
I could remember the flashes of pain and I got a contraction and was trying to push. The doctors seemed to finally try and help some. They had put an iv on me and apparently some pain medication.
Before I knew it I pushed and felt a wave of relief as I heard the doctors pick the baby up.
"A girl!" I heard one of them say.
From then it was a blur. A day or so had passed and I was cradling Hayami. She had soft silky curly hair and was a light shade of pink. Alike her siblings she had bright red hair and I was happy to have her.
I waited until I was released from the hospital before using my chakra to heal myself.
Everyone was excited to meet Hayami. She was a quiet baby and a bit fussy.
I easily took care of her and was back on my feet.
"Karin! Ryuu and Nanami. If you three don't stop throwing mudballs I'm going to spank your behinds." I cried out angrily from the porch.
Karin stuck her tongue out and ran off laughing to hide from me.
Both Nanami and Ryuu followed. "Ooo nana, ryuu and Kari run away." Kenta laughed as he was playing with Fumiko.
I sighed and huffed. Tadashi and Hisashi and Yukio were playing with blocks silently at my feet.
I sighed and huffed. "You all can't behave."
Hayami started to cry and I quickly began breastfeeding her.
"Mama, look. I have baby too." Fumiko smiled holding up her baby doll and I smiled at her.
"Wow, that's great fu-chan."
"Me too." Kenta smiled holding another doll up. "It a baby." He smiled rocking the doll back and forth.
"You have a pretty baby kenta-chan." I added with a nod and they both giggled.
I stopped when Hisashi started to cry loudly. Yukio stared wide-eyed as his brother cried.
"Awe baby come here." I cooed and he got up and walked toward me. I pulled him into a one-armed hug and noticed a big red mark where it seemed like Yukio threw the block at him.
"Oh baby, let me give it a kiss." I say placing a soft kiss on his cheek.
He cried for a bit longer and I stayed with them outside until I went back in to cook dinner.
When he arrived later that night I had been taken back.
With the kids asleep I quietly greeted him and let him in.
He gave me a soft warm smile and we talked throughout the night.
Before I knew it we were locked away in the room. His calloused hands running down my body and his soft words whispering sweet nothings to me.
It was different than when it was with someone else. There was passion and soft slow kisses that we exchanged. And afterward, I would lay in his arms and let myself bask in his chakra.
"Mizu-chan. If I were to ask you to leave with me, would you?" He asked and I froze.
"What do you mean Akio-san?" I asked as I look up at him. "Me, you and yukio. We could leave." He whispered and I looked down at his toned chest running my finger down it.
"I could never leave the rest of my children though. They are all mine.but if we were to leave where would we go anyway?" I asked as I tried to feel his chakra to see if he was lying but it felt so sincere.
"If we took them all and escape to the iron country. Or maybe the land of hot springs. Would you come?" He asked and I stayed silent.
"Akio-San. To be with you and my children. I would go to the end of the world and risk it all." I mumble as I snuggle into his chest.
And so I steeled myself.
We had a month to prepare. I cooked and prepared food for us to eat on the trip. I made small seals to hid our chakra and hair, but I prepared in silence.
He would take us away and I was willing to go. He said when everything was ready he would come back and we would leave.
Time ticked by and I made sure everyone had clothes sealed away. We still had a lot of things we had packed from the first attempt.
I was terrified. Would we be able to escape? Would I be able to risk it? But as I watched them play outside without a care in the world it solidified my resolve.
I closed my heart and knew that I would do anything for them.
He came at night. I woke up Karin, Ryuu, Kenta, and Nanami. I placed silencing seals on Fumiko, Tadashi, Hisashi, Yukio, and Hayami.
I made Karin carry Tadashi, Ryuu carry Hisashi and Kenta carry Yukio.
I wrapped Hayami in front of me and Fumiko on my back.
"Where are we going, mama?" Karin asked in confusion. "We are leaving Kusa." I whispered back. Akio was at the door waiting for us.
"We can't. They'll catch us again." Ryuu stammered out as he tugged on my Yukata.
I looked down at their pale faces and gritted my teeth.
"This is our final attempt. I swore to get us out and I will do so." I hissed out and grabbed their hands.
"Ready to go?" Akio asked as he was fully geared in his ninja clothes. I nodded as he led us through the night.
I tried to steady my breathing. It was like before. Moving through the night and leaving.
Unlike last time we did not run into anyone. He did not let us rest. I was barely able to make Nanami keep up with us.
She was smaller and was exhausted. I finally decided to pick her up and carry her.
It wasn't long before she dozed off.
Karin was deadly silent, grunting at odd times and neither Ryuu or Kenta looked any better. I could see that their siblings weight was tiring them out.
"We will take a ten-minute break." He stated and we nearly all collapsed.
As the kids rested I changed Tadashi, Hisashi, Yukio and Hayami's diapers. I started breastfeeding Hayami and feeding everyone. Luckily I had some jam and bread.
They ate silently and drank their water. Akio then instructed us back up and once again we were on the move.
We crossed a river and walked in it for a while so that our scent was lost.
The kids had enjoyed it but were forced to be quiet and hurry.
Once we were out of the cold water we were jogging again.
I was parched and tired. It had nearly been a full 24 hours since we last slept.
Kenta and Ryuu were nearly stumbling by now. Nanami was hardly moving and quietly crying, but we trailed behind him.
Karin was trying to stay strong but I could tell she was worn out as well.
Night came and we were starving. We had only had water breaks and only Yukio, and Hayami had eaten.
Akio finally led us to a cave and told us to wait there until he returned.
We rested that night. I made sure we all ate well and drank plenty of water. I had sealed gallons of water in the flasks we were carrying.
I had wanted to stay awake and take watch but I soon also fell asleep in exhaustion.
When we awoke I was busy feeding them and keeping them quiet. We flinched at every noise and I had made sure to rub and tend to their blistered feet.
I had become worried the longer Akio-San was gone. It had nearly been a whole day.
When he did return it was at night.
"I faked your deaths. Burned the house down and made it look accidental." He stated and I was taken back.
"They still are trying to find out what happened. We have a bit longer and hopefully, they don't start searching for you."
With that said we moved more diligently. Hope rekindled inside me and I held onto his hand tightly.
A few more days passed and we were finally far enough that we started to change our appearance.
"I can use seals." I say to him and his eyes widened.
"What?" He looked at me confused. "Yeah, my mother was a Jonin guard of the head family. She was a seal master and she taught me as much as she could before she passed away. Sadly during the invasion, she was poisoned and her chakra system damaged. Had she been well we would have never been kidnapped." I say unsealing slips of paper and placing them at the base of everyone's neck.
Their hair turned dark brown and I smiled.
"Are you a seal master then? " he asked and I smiled at him and nodded.
"Mizu-chan that's great." He chuckled patting my head. "I knew it was a good idea to bring you along. " I smile and blush as I summoned a brush and began hiding the kid's chakra.
"We will be heading to Kumo. With all of us, they will be sure to give us asylum." He stated and I glanced up at him.
"Kumo? Why Kumo? Why not the land of hot spring. It's far enough from here." I asked confused. "Well, they do take in people with bloodlines. And with you by my side, we will start our own clan there. Yukio will be our clan heir too." He smirked as he stood up.
"Now come on. We must hurry we have around three more weeks before we are at the edge of the land of grass." He stated and I nodded.
I watched him from behind and stared at him. A clan? In Kumo?
They hate us, they'll no doubt be worse than Kusa.
I glanced at the children and noticed Ryuu's troubled look. I had felt it as well, that tint of greed in his chakra.
They say love is like pink-tinted glasses. Sadly that means we cannot see the red flags.
I had been more cautious now. Even as he led us to the edge of the land of grass I watched him.
The tics that I had once liked, now seemed possessive. His disregard to my children's well being except for Yukio, was troubling, the double-edged meaning to the things he would say was also troubling.
I could feel it in his chakra, maybe this had been the reason the kids kept their distance.
It was heartbreaking, but I knew one thing for sure. We would never go to Kumo.
Days passed and I made sure to watch the kids.
He would say that we were closer. He had let it slip that it would have been easier if it had just been Yukio, him and I.
I was troubled. And quickly picked up in his biased behavior.
He had told Kenta to be more careful with Yukio. Nearly making my baby cry as he scolded him.
I was making my mind up fast.
As soon as we were out of the country Akio had to go. He was dangerous and a danger to us as well.
And it hurt so much to realize this about a man I loved so much. I wanted to give him more of a chance but there were no second chances, we were all in danger and I was well aware of it.
All we were doing was jogging and walking.
Fumiko, Tadashi, and Hisashi would also walk when we were going at a slow pace.
He mentioned that he had prepared a wagon with a horse to make our trip to Kumo faster.
He also had a map with him. We would make it without him once we were out of the country.
Once again we were at a cave.
The wagon was large enough that we would fit inside.
It had large wooden wheels and an ivory cloth over the top.
Once we rested we would head out to Kumo.
We had snuck by Kusa's last outpost and were currently on the edge of the fire country.
My heart fluttered. Eight years I had dreamed of leaving the land of grass and it had finally came true.
"Thank you." I say as tears swelled in my eyes. I got on my toes and kissed him deeply.
"What do you say Karin watches the children for the night, Mizu-chan?" He asked and I blushed and nodded.
"Karin stay in the wagon, we will be in the cave. Unless it is a life and death emergency no one comes to the cave." I say and she gave me an odd look but nodded.
I followed him in and he lit a small fire.
As he did that I made sure to check my seals and place down the sleeping bag. I unzipped it so we could both lay down.
We ate a bit and then I found his lips against mine as he kissed me deeply.
The kiss was feverish and desperate. I made sure to pump my chakra through him and he seemed to come alive.
His hot mouth left dark bite marks down my body. Rough hands fondled my breast and brought me close to him.
I let out soft moans and pleads. I rubbed myself against him and rocked my body against his, both of us desperate to reach our orgasms.
I watched him through hazy eyes and kissed his lips mumbling my love for him. I could hear him moan my name and promise me the world.
I had pushed my chakra into him until his eyes were dilated and he could barely mumble my name. I kissed him and ignored how he had become sloppier and sat on his lap pushing him down as I rode him.
He was a moaning mess gripping my hips and letting his hands squeeze my ample breasts.
I burned his blissful expression into my memory and let the tears of pain and pleasure run down my cheeks.
When we tired I collapsed beside him and laid by his side as he fell into a deep sleep. I looked at my hands with paralysis seals and just stared at them as he slept peacefully beside me.
I kissed his lips and ran my hands through his hair making sure that my the neurotransmitters would affect him to the point that he would be incapable of fighting.
Slowly I pressed my hands on his chest. "Uzumaki style, Fuin: seal of the serpent." I whispered as he slowly opened his eyes as the seal spread throughout his body.
His body was still and he was barely conscious with the amount of chakra I had poured into him.
I picked up his kunai pouch and slid one out. The metal felt heavy in my hands and I let out a soft cry.
I gently stroked his face as I sobbed placing a last kiss on his lips.
I stared at his bare chest and clutched the Kunai.
I lifted up and let out a sob. The world was unfair. I will never let an enemy of Uzushiogakure have her secrets. My children will live somewhere safe where we won't be used as breeding tools. And we will not be used for his benefit no matter how much I loved him and my heart wanted to justify him.
The moment lasted forever as I struck down. I could hear the flesh against metal as I slammed the kunai down repeatedly. His soft groans of pain filled my ears and I sobbed louder, hot blood covered my hands.
"Akio, I loved you so much. Why would you want to use us." I let out a cry as I didn't stop.
I didn't stop and when I did I was filled with an eerie silence.
I stared in horror and dropped the kunai. "Akio. AKIO!!!" I screamed shaking him. My breath hitched as I no longer felt his soft chakra.
"I'm sorry. I'm sorry. I loved you so much yet." I sobbed louder as I looked at my blood cover hands.
I stayed there until the morning sun lit up the cave. He was dead.
I had planned this from the moment I had laid eyes on him. I was never meant to love him. But maybe in another life. We would be able to be together. But my dream was to make it to the mask temple. To be with other Uzumaki. To be safe, to find a home and it was now or never.
I wonder, did he ever love me? Or did he think I was a perfect bargaining chip to become a Kumo ninja? Would he trade us in for asylum even after betraying Kusa?
I would never know. But that was fine, I would keep my family safe.
We bathed in a nearby river. Ryuu, Kenta, and Karin were shocked when they saw me covered in blood.
We replenished our water, bathed and cleaned our clothes.
I sealed his body away and tossed it in the fire. But I kept his long pants and shirt. I tapped them so that they would fit and kept his weapons.
I kept his Kusa headband as well. And with that, we left the clearing and began our long trek to konoha.
We traveled for a long time, passing through towns. It took a while but Ryuu, Karin and I were the only ones that could drive the wagon.
Throughout the day we moved at a steady pace and the kids would walk alongside the wagon and play. At night we would get off the road and hide. I would make a small fire and we would sleep out in the open or in the wagon.
I had also taken to adding seals to our wagon. The kids all had their own storage seal on the wood where they could unseal their clothes or favorite toys.
The cloth top was reinforced with integrate waterproof seals and the wood wheels reinforced so that they would not break.
It was relaxing and we were all happy. Sure we ate the same food daily and I was the only one to enter towns and bought food but that was fine.
I tried my best to not think of Akio-San. It still hurt to say his name to think of him. But I would not allow him to use us. So he had to go.
"By the sea, we make our home. The ocean breeze is all we know oh as we dance underneath the bright night skies, for all we love, for young and old we dance and sing. We sing and dance!" Karin sang loudly as she steered the wagon.
I was carefully drawing the seals on Hisashi. I had placed the tracking seal on Tadashi and Hayami already and he was the last one to be marked.
"Nooo, nooo." Tadashi squealed as he fought with Fumiko who was laughing loudly.
"I am trying to concentrate, stop fighting. Fu-chan go sit with Karin now." I huffed as I turned to her and she crossed her arms.
"Kenta, take Tadashi out and make him walk. I don't need to hear him yelling anymore." I added.
"Yes, mama." He replied. "Come Tadashi." Kenta turned to his brother.
Tadashi sneered and crossed his arms. "Nooooo. No.no no! Was Fumiko! She was!" He yelled angrily at his brother I could feel Tadashi's chakra spike up in anger.
"Tadashi, you go with your nii-chan. Now!" I point at him as I placed my hand on my hip and frowned at him.
Tadashi blinked and started to cry loudly.
I let out a sigh. "Come here." I say opening my arms and he ran toward me rubbing his face on my chest while crying. I patted his back and sighed as he got snot on my shirt.
"You need to stop fighting with everyone." I tell him and I glanced at Hisashi who was squirming slightly.
"Now I have to finish your brother's seal. Go with Kenta nii-chan." I say and he sniffled and went quietly.
I let out a sigh and went back to drawing the seals.
"Ooo mama got mad." Nanami whispered to Ryuu and he nodded. I sighed as those two gossiped quietly.
"After I'm done with this we will fix your hair. So go get the comb and make sure to finger detangle. And add oil to it as well. Your hair is dry as it is. Then go help your sister wash her hair as well. I'll do Tadashi's hair when he calms down." I say to Ryuu.
"Okay, I'll go do that." He nodded and went to the front of the wagon.
It took another half an hour but soon I was finished.
"Uzumaki style, Fuin: seal of a thousand eyes." I say as the seal compressed itself to the freckle on his wrist.
"Alright, up you go." I sigh picking Hisashi up and began dressing him. He giggled.
"I play?" He asked and I sighed and nodded.
"Nanami, take Hisashi outside with Kenta and Tadashi." I say as I gently kneel at the side of my neck. It had been hard to draw the seal due to the movement in the wagon.
I gently pushed chakra in my hands. I had been practicing my wood style to make things we needed.
Slowly I molded my chakra, it was a wide-tooth comb and I smiled as I finished it. I then made another one but fine tooth and thin to better section the hair.
"Ryuu! Fumiko!" I called out and they both came inside the wagon.
"Who's going first?" I ask and Ryuu stepped up.
"I'm still detangling her hair." He stated as he sat in front of me. Fumiko sat in front of him and let him detangle her hair as she played with a doll.
I sighed as I saw his hair. It was a large bright red afro and I quickly got to work.
"So let's see what design I'll do." I say as I start combing and parting his hair.
We were near a river and I was fishing. Everyone was tired of eating rations and were making it known. Also, the next town was a few days away.
"Kenta and Ryuu go collect firewood, take one kunai each. Remember they are very sharp so no horsing around. If you see anything suspicious you come right back." I say sternly and they both looked excited.
"I'm serious! And if you get hurt you come back immediately. The only reason you are taking one is for if you see an animal or someone tries to attack you." I add and they both look up at me with hopeful eyes.
I sighed and look at them. "Hurry along." I tell them and they start cheering and high fiving as they walked to the wagon.
"Why do we have to stay mama" Nanami groaned as she saw both of them leave.
"They're boys. If they encounter someone they might be able to handle themselves. And they are older than you." I say to her and she huffed.
Fumiko was watching them leave as well. "I wanna go." She huffed and I quickly told them no.
"Karin, Fumiko, Nanami. Take the kids and wash them, while you're at it bathe as well." I say and they nodded.
Karin picked up Hayami and quickly started to take them all down the stream.
"Make sure there are trees nearby. And one of you take the tanto. If any pervert comes by you cut right through them." I call out and Nanami cheered as she went to the wagon to get their clothes, towels and probably the tanto.
I Iet out a sigh as I look back out to the river to see I had caught something.
"Nanami, Fumiko. Pay attention, you have to learn your seals." I growl as I hit them on the top of their head.
"Mama you're so cruel!" Nanami huffed and I let out a sigh. "Just practice your calligraphy! I don't want to hear any excuses.
"Ryuu, Kenta. You two also better be studying. I will quiz you as well. And if I catch any of you slacking I'll make you walk all day tomorrow. Believe it!" I hiss out as I walked to the front to and take the reins from Karin and she quickly went to study her seals as well.
I sigh as I looked out into the distance. A smile made it's way to my face.
It had been about four months since we left Kusa and two months since Akio. I felt free.
Sure traveling with a wagon full of rowdy stubborn kids who would fight about everything and anything was a bit hard.
But I could see the difference. Being away from Kusa they seemed to finally come out of their shells.
Before we were glared at and oppressed even in our small home. To be honest I don't think I knew the names of half of the people I talked to.
It was always doctor, nurse, ninja or Akio. The few names I did know was because I'd overhear conversations and they would just fade back to their normal title of Nurse, Doctor or Ninja.
We passed villages and I made a few ryo by making wood plates, vases, combs, chopsticks, and other household items and selling them as if I was a merchant. The kids stayed in the wagon with the flaps closed.
I still was a bit paranoid so I usually didn't let them speak to the people but I found it odd at how they spoke to me with such ease.
I was not used to people telling me their names and having to introduce myself. I had used the name Chiyo as a cover and told them my children were shy.
But after passing a few towns I let them out. And they were like little hellspawn. They played with all of the kids in the village and made new friends.
I had tried to set up a buddy system but it was no use they went exploring and at the end of the day I had to hunt them down. I was really happy that I had placed that seal on them.
I smiled as I watched them wave goodbye at some of the friends they met and we continued onward.
We had come to a stop. We pulled out of the main road and I had tied the horse to a tree. I placed concealment seals around us and quickly started to cook. We all sat around the fire as we got ready for bed.
"Go to the bathroom. We won't be coming back out till tomorrow morning." I say with a yawn.
Yukio climbed to my lap and laid down, I softly patted his head and hummed.
"Ooo mama can you dance for us?" Kenta asked excitedly and I blushed. "Right now?" I ask and he nodded. "Please!" He begged and I sighed as I stood up.
I removed Hayami from my back and handed her to Ryuu.
I sang loud and clear as I danced to the old Uzumaki song.
Karin started singing along and then everyone else joined in by singing or dancing.
I could feel their chakras buzz happily as we danced beneath the moonlight. Free, we had truly been freed.
It was our sixth month out of kusa and fourth without Akio-san.
Kusa felt like a long lost memory. Hayami was now seven months almost eight. She was bright loud and bubbly.
Life was much simpler as we traveled through the land of fire.
I could only hope that Konoha became our new home. The last thing I needed was another disappointment.
"Alright, we are staying here. Ryuu help me strap the horse and let it rest. Karin and Kenta. Gather firewood and stay nearby. Nanami, Fumiko go ahead and start bringing out the laundry. The sun is nice and bright its laundry day, and make sure to unseal all the dirty dishes you guys are gonna help me wash them all!" I call out as I stopped the wagon.
We all piled out of the wagon leaving only Yukio and Hayami in there where they could crawl around and play.
I could hear their groans and I placed my hands on my hips.
"If this laundry doesn't get done y'all will be running around naked. And we have way too many wooden dishes. They have to get washed." I say loudly as Ryuu followed beside me as he helped me get the horse ready to rest. I brought it a bucket of water and made tall grass grow for him.
Piles of dirty stinky clothes were piled by the river bank and everyone was gathering around to help us.
I made sure to keep an eye on their seals just in case and quickly began looking around to see if there was anything edible.
I was able to find some nice plants that would go well with some spices and maybe some fish. I placed them all in the empty Kunai pouch I had and quickly found my way back to the river bank.
"Mama, we have the firewood." Kenta smiled widely and I nodded.
"Alright before we use the water to wash or bathe let's fill the canteens first. Then everyone is helping with the dishes and laundry." I say as I placed the wild plants in the pot to wash and cook later.
I let nanami watch Yukio and Hayami in the wagon and stayed to wash the dirty laundry.
I used two trees and ninja wire to hang our clothes. I was happy to be washing them and drying them out. I was getting tired of smelling small sweaty children throughout the ride.
After they finished their chores and were playing in the water and bathing I went ahead and started to scrub the dirty floorboards of the wagon.
I cleaned the cloth that covered the top of the wagon on the outside and the inside thoroughly. There was build-up dirt, spit, food and god knows what else in there. They were all very messy sometimes and I made sure to check their seals to see if they had left anything unclean.
I found two more shirts and quickly washed them as well, before hanging them out to dry.
I let out a long sigh as I looked around and noticed I could cook, but I really wanted a bath.
I quickly started dinner and finished it up quickly. We still had some beef from the last town we had been in and the rice was nearly all cooked.
I noticed that they were coming out of the river to come sit around the campfire and eat.
I helped the smaller ones dry and dressed them in whatever clothes were dry.
Thankfully the sun out and it was hot enough to finish drying the futons as well. I smile as I aired them out and rolled them back up.
The kids ate and chatted loudly. They ate like it was their last meal or something. I had finished eating and went down to the river to bathe. I washed my long brown hair and used soap to wash myself.
I was sweaty from cooking near the hot flames and was happy to be washing all of the grime off my body.
I set aside the pants and shirt by a rock near the bank and hummed as I bathed and kept an eye out for any people approaching us.
I could see the kids run around and play after eating. Everything was fine until I felt unfamiliar chakra signatures approach us.
I quickly got out of the water and dressed. "Karin!Ryuu!Kenta! Get everyone over here! Someone is here!" I yelled and they came to a stop.
They grabbed their smaller siblings and rushed towards me. I grabbed the tanto and looked around.
"Who's there!" I yelled as I felt them approach. I could feel their low chakra reserves and the malice in them.
"We are just looking around. No need to get defensive." A man called out as he came out of the woods.
"Leave, there's nothing for you here. We have no money." I say sternly as I gripped my tanto.
"Ah, you see one of my men told me there was a beautiful water nymph by the river and I am looking for it. Make it keep me warm at night." The man smirked and his companions chuckled.
I glare at him and pulsed my chakra. I tried to push my anger and killing intent out. "Leave, there is nothing for you here." I say sternly as I glared at him.
I was terrified, I could not fight so at the moment I was bluffing. But luckily they weren't near our wagon and although we had nowhere to run but to the river behind us I could probably make this work.
"Karin, Ryuu unseal you brushes ink and scrolls. I need you to prepare a fire and brimstone seal. Make sure to level it at 90 degrees with a 90 blast radius." I whisper as the men were approaching us.
"But mama, we can't just create a seal." Ryuu stammered out, I could hear the fear in his voice.
"You can, and will. I think I have an attack I can use but if it does not work completely, I will need that seal. I am not fast enough to create it myself while keeping a defense." I whisper back.
"You won't mind, will you? Being my bitch for the night?" He asked smiling widely as he licked his lips.
"Wood style: sage's lance!" I drop the tanto and slammed my hands to the ground.
I molded my chakra feeling it swirl inside me as I concentrated on their chakra signatures and pushed large wooden spikes toward them.
I could hear their loud cries of pain and I winced.
I opened my eyes and saw some of them had gotten away and I hissed.
"Karin, Ryuu!" I call out and they quickly passed the scroll to me. I only had a moment to glance at it and smirked at the beautiful detail and artwork of the seal. The way the perfect chemical reaction was placed and calculated.
"Uzumaki style, Fuin; fire and brimstone!" I yell a large blast burst out of the scroll. I felt small hands push me from behind and hold me steady as the blast rung through the clearing.
I could smell the charred flesh and felt their chakra vanish. There were scorch marks on the trees and the grass had been burnt off.
"Amazing! A beautiful seal indeed." I exclaim as I turned the scroll around to see the seal.
I glanced back to see the kids still looking at the destruction with wide eyes.
I glance back and frown.
"Let's get out of here. Start packing now." I say picking up Hayami and Yukio.
We had left that place and did not stop moving for three whole days.
I only let the horse rest for 3 hours every 12 hours throughout that time.
I did not want to know if there were more bandits in the area.
I quietly studied the map. We were going to arrive to konoha soon. After months of travel, we were almost there.
I placed my hand on my stomach and rubbed it gently.
It had been eight months since we left kusa and six months since Akio.
I was well aware that I was pregnant with his child and although I still felt sadness over him it had dulled a lot.
I had loved him. I can admit to that. But I was pretty sure he did not love me back the same way. Maybe at first, he did but I think his opinion of me changed when I told him about Hayami.
He had been upset and I guess he decided that maybe I was not worth it.
Kumo would have not been kind to us and I was sure that I would be raped there as well. My clan had been the one to cause them so much loss back in the war.
Karin was also going to be eight soon, Ryuu would be seven, Kenta six, Nanami five, Fumiko four, Tadashi and Hisashi three, Yukio would be two and Hayami was turning one soon.
They were much bigger now, it seemed like yesterday little Karin had just been brought to me.
I was also happy we were out of Kusa, they had been planning to take Nanami away at the age of six and now they would not be able to.
"Mama, we killed them." I heard Karin say softly as she sat beside me while I steered the carriage.
"You mean the bandits?" I asked her and she nodded with a frown.
"Honey, sometimes we have to do things we don't want to do, to protect the ones we love. " I say with a sigh.
"It was them or us. I chose us and I fought back." I say and she glanced at me.
"Did lady also make choices like that?" She asked and I glanced at her.
"You might not remember much of her, maybe you can only remember her singing you songs and telling your stories. Mothers name had been Rumi Uzumaki. She had once been a ninja for our homeland." I say as I glance back and noticed everyone was listening.
"Mother had lost a lot, her home, then her husband and finally her dignity. She fell into a horrible depression and gave up after Kusa ninja broke her feet so that she couldn't escape. With crippled feet and an old war injury that destroyed her chakra system. She was mentally defeated." I say as I look out into the road.
"For the longest time, she hated you guys. She would hurl things at you and curse at you guys loudly when you cried. From you to Nanami she never was fond of you kids. She was miserable and she let it out on everyone. I took a few hits as well ya know."
"But when I gave her paper, ink and a brush she came back to life. Before I knew it she was approaching you and Ryuu and she apologized to me letting me know that she didn't hate you guys. She was just miserable in Kusa and that she was happy to see you singing and dancing Uzu songs and temple dances. She tried to get us out of kusa. I remember her running and fighting. She tried her best and she made sure to make Kusa pay with blood for the pain they caused her. Alike our kin when the invasion occurred she set the village ablaze and they came to hate us for it. She made me swear I would get you guys out, she also wanted us to never share our clan secrets with Kusa. She begged me to promise her that. "
"In the end, they cut off her feet and broke her hands. She couldn't handle it mentally and she just broke. I think she lost her will to live after birthing Tadashi. I remember seeing her in the hospital bed. I took a lock of her hair so that we can make a mask for her when we get to the temple. They burned her body and I tried to scatter her ashes as far from kusa as I could. " I finish saying.
"Mother Rumi then." Karin said sadly as she glanced at me and I nodded.
"Yeah, I wish she could be here. She spent her final days locked in a cell and chained up. She deserved a better life and death. A woman who lost everything. A strong Uzushiogakure ninja to the very end." I say patting her head.
"Just like mother did for me, I will also fight and protect you guys. So yes we killed them but I will always put you kids first. No bandit will hurt my children. Not when I can fight them with the little strength I have."
Days went by and they asked for stories of mother. I told them of my father as well. Daiki Senju, I did not remember much of him
Most of my memories of my father were of his hazel eyes and warm earthy chakra. The kisses he'd place on my cheeks and how much he loved my mother.
They had asked if they had fathers as well and I told them I did not know them. The only man I had really spoken with was Akio-san. Which was Yukio's and my unborn child's father.
I was quick to reassure them they did not need one. They had been Kusa ninja and were not worth being their fathers.
They still seemed upset so I had reminded them that it did not matter, they were Uzumaki. Our blood ran strong through us enough that those men were irrelevant.
It had lifted their spirits up.
I was listening to them bicker when tall gates loomed in front of us.
Konoha. I felt tears gather in my eyes. "Get the color-changing seals off and unseal all of your chakra suppressors! "
"We are here! Konoha is up ahead!" I yell and I could hear them scramble to take a look outside.
"Wow! Is this where lady Kushina lives?" Karin gasped in awe as the village was coming to view.
I could hear their cries of awe and astonishment. I couldn't hell the sobs that escaped my mouth as I undid my own seals and my red hair cascaded down my back.
"Stay here!" I yell out as we were close enough to the booth by the entrance.
"Welcome to konoha. May I get your travel papers?" a man with a goatee, spikey hair and a bandage over his nose spoke with a smile on his face as he noticed me.
"H-hello, m-my name is M-Mizuko Uzumaki. My children and I are seeking asylum here in your Village. We don't have p-papers or anything like that. But I-if you can get someone from our clan, we can prove our identities as part of the Uzumaki clans second guard branch of the family."
And cut! This is nearly 8,500 words.
I know this is what we HAVE ALL BEEN WAITING FOR BUT THE CHAPTER IS TOO LONG AND I HAVE TO GO TO WORK SOON.
next chapter will up soon give me a bit since this will be hard to write out.
Comment what you think. Also, comments make me excited and update faster!
Rosymalik