Disclaimer: I do not own Naruto or its affiliated products.

Tell a story, and repeat it a thousand times. Even if you try your very best, will the result ever be the same? Then imagine someone else trying to change the story with every retelling.

How much different would that tale be?

Or better yet, what parts would remain unchanged?

September

It had taken a lot of begging, pleading, and openly cajoling but all the groveling finally paid off. Through great effort I managed to weasel a night spent exploring Konoha out of my notoriously antisocial parents. It had been hard to make my case, and even harder still for it to be taken seriously coming from a four year old, but it'd all paid off in the end.

Unfortunately, Uroko passed on going into the city, citing pregnancy ills befalling her that in her mind made her bed a much more pleasant place to spend the evening.

I, want to take her at her word, but I'd seen how her eyes warily took in the village every time we left the compound walls, how they always darted back and forth like she was looking for something, or like she was scared of whatever lurked in the shadows. I can't help but wonder just what happened to leave Uroko so afraid, what happened to change her from the fiery woman I saw alongside Kaguya into the shell of a person she was now?

But that was a problem for tomorrow, right now I was going to actually enjoy myself.

Murakumo kept a steady but slow pace as we moved through the early evening crowds. The streets were filled with the bustle of families and merchants wrapping up their business of the day and the animated chatter drifted through the breeze and made a pleasant hum in the background. The steady movement of feet on the old dirt roads kicked up slight clouds of dust that stuck to our clothes, but I found it more nostalgic then annoying. Warm summer nights on dusty roads were a big part of my last childhood, and it was nice to have a connection to that life even now.

Even when I was so far from home.

"Everything all right?" Murakumo asked, turned his bright eyes to me and smiling softly. "It's okay to be overwhelmed, we can go back home if you want?"

"No!" I firmly asserted, and it did not sound like a childish exclamation, anyone who said otherwise was a liar. Besides, there was one place I really did want to see tonight, and I wasn't going to go home empty handed.

Murakumo chuckled at my defiance before turning his eyes back to the road ahead. Stores that stayed open later into the evening flicked on their lights one by one as we passed, and the fluorescent colors dancing against the growing twilight made an almost magical sight if one was easily entertained.

I have no shame in saying I am.

The road we were on merged into a larger and much more open thoroughfare. It seemed to me to be a major center of the city given the vast number of villagers traveling down the road. There were farmers pulling along carts heavy laden with produce, housewives carrying oversized bags of groceries, and children running around laughing in the midst of some game only they would ever know about.

If the Sarutobi Compound was the heart of the village, this was a major artery. Possibly one of the most important ones.

"This is the Uzumaki Promenade." Murakumo explained, doubtlessly picking up on my curiosity. His eyes darted back and forth across the buildings and shops lining the area with a hint of jealousy.

I'm not sure I could blame him for that, or at the very least I understood where he was coming from. All these buildings were brimming with people, even the outdoor dining areas were packed, and it was almost dark out.

I remember Murakumo once saying that stretch of desolate and decaying buildings just outside our walls was once the Kurama Clan's own retail area, and I couldn't help but imagine what it would look like filled to the brim with shoppers and villagers going about their way and most importantly spending lots of money.

Imagine what that would do to the Clan finances.

Murakumo pulled himself from his envious daydream and kept walking down one of the quieter aide roads that branched off from the Promenade. And now was as good a chance as any to ask a question that had been eating at me for literal weeks.

"Why is this called the Uzumaki Promenade?" I asked. I know that's Naruto's last name, and I vaguely remember the name belonging to a Clan, but beyond that I couldn't say.

"You're too young to remember this." Murakumo said after a moment, his voice carefully soft and reserved. "But the Uzumaki were once the most loyal allies of Konoha. The First Hokage's own wife was of their blood, and they were integral in making sure that Konoha survived its tumultuous early days. God knows we would've never made it without their help."

A feeling of dread slowly slithered down my spine, and I now had a horrible inkling of a suspicion why the name never showed up in Part One of Naruto.

"Why'd you say 'were', Father?" I asked, but I feared I already knew the answer.

Murakumo's eyes were distant and his voice still so very soft.

"They were," Murakumo chose his words carefully, probably in an attempt to censor himself for the 'child' in front of him's sake. "They died. Some bad people attacked and almost everyone died."

I had to stop for a moment to process that. Murakumo undoubtedly wasn't telling me the fully events of what happened, if he even knew them. But if that was the censored version, what the hell was the real story? Just how morbid and bloody was the truth?

"That's so sad." I whispered. I knew the Shinobi world was a cruel place, Zabuza and Haku had ground that into me even as a child, but it was so easy to forget how dark this world was underneath its colorful exterior. Casual genocide wasn't uncommon, especially in other parts of the world.

It was a dangerous place, and I had to be careful if I was to survive.

"It wasn't a complete loss." Murakumo added, doubtlessly sensing the growing gloom and interjecting to lighten the mood as he always did. "A few survivors of the Uzumaki Clan live in Konoha now, in fact Lord Minato's own wife is one of those survivors." He smiled. "She and countless others have made their lives here, and that's what matters in the end."

While that did lift my spirits slightly, I was hung up on an infinitely more pressing thought.

Minato's wife. Naruto's mother.

Kushina Uzumaki.

I didn't know as much about her as I did Minato, most of what I heard came from fanfics and some half hearted conversations on the internet, but I did know she was likely a seal master, and that she perished on the night of the Nine Tails Attack.

I wonder what she was like? Did Naruto take after her more then he did Minato?

"Another bowl, old man!" A woman's voice exuberantly echoed out in the distance and Murakumo couldn't help but smile.

"Speak of the Devil, and she shall appear. Come on Asakumo, I want to introduce you to someone." I blinked at the suddenness of his words but I quickly followed Murakumo as he expertly weaved through the still present traffic, and a very familiar storefront soon came into view.

It was small and open to the air, with small flaps hanging down for privacy. My skill at reading Japanese still could use some improvement but I could've named the place even if I couldn't read a single kanji.

"Ichiraku Ramen." I gasped with a tone that neared religious awe. I'd dreamed of seeing this place, of tasting its food, and experiencing it since the moment I arrived in this world and now finally here was my chance.

This was by far and without question, the greatest day of my second life. I happily followed Murakumo's lead and stepped under the flaps into the stand itself. The smell of cooking meats and fresh herbs assaulted my senses, and I couldn't help but smile.

My eyes and ears were drawn to the only figure sitting at the bar, and the stack of eight bowls piled in front of her. Her long crimson hair swung back and forth as she animatedly talked to the man behind the counter.

Kushina Uzumaki, alive and in the flesh. She was quite the sight, her hair vibrant and fiery, her eyes a deep and refreshing gray, even her teeth sparkled as she talked.

But I couldn't shake the fact something was undeniably off about her.

"Minato's paying, so keep 'em coming, you know?" She laughed, her pale skin glistening in the light.

Murakumo took a moment to laugh at her antics before smiling.

"You plan on eating our Hokage out of house and home?" He asked. Kushina jerked towards us, as though noticing us for the first time. Her surprise faded quickly and was replaced by vindictive amusement.

"Serves him right for taking the position of Fourth Hokage. Now I'm gonna have to wait for him to retire, you know?" She crossed her arms with a huff before smiling. "It's good to see you, Murakumo, we haven't talked in ages." She leaned out of her seat to look behind us with a puzzled frown. "Where's Uroko? I don't think I've seen the either of you without the other tagging along somewhere since you tied the knot."

Murakumo frowned slightly at her words but didn't dispute them.

"She's feeling a bit ill lately, I blame the pregnancy hormones." He said and Kushina nodded in knowing sympathy before catching herself.

"I heard those are pretty rough from Mikoto." Kushina said hurriedly as an explanation, refusing to make eye contact with Murakumo or myself. "But of course I wouldn't know, it's all just second hand from people telling me, no way I would actually know about that myself, you know the rules about you know what with you know who and I would never consider breaking them I'm an honest shinobi I swear and look here's my food." Kushina finally stopped for air as the Ramen shop owner deposited a bowl in front of her and quickly nodded towards us.

"I'll be with you in a minute, folks." He said briskly before vanishing back into the kitchen as quickly as he came. Kushina, still not making eye contact with either of us, grabbed the steaming bowl of ramen, inhaled its scent deeply, and let out the most satisfying sounding sigh I think I ever heard.

I couldn't help but gape at the grown woman's antics. This was the Jinchuriki of the Nine Tails? The last survivor of the Uzumaki Clan?

I laughed, because that all fit so well. She really was Naruto's mother. An honest person who loves without question, lives every moment to its fullest, and didn't have a dishonest bone in their body. Because clearly Kushina sucked at lying, it was quite obvious she was hiding something. Murakumo noticed something was amiss as well, his face shifting with concern before he stilled it into a more neutral expression.

"Do you mind if we eat with you?" Murakumo asked politely, letting the current topic settle into the background.

"We?" Kushina asked as she slurped up a mouthful of noodles and, as if on cue, my stomach rumbled loudly. Her eyes soften as she turned to me and she gave that oh so familiar smile.

"Is that your kid? Look how adorable he is!" She laughed and I couldn't help but return a grin of my own. While she was clearly being patronizing, her open and honest demeanor made me hate it a little bit less. She was just so happy, it was hard to be mad at her for something so insignificant.

"This is Asakumo." Murakumo said as way of introduction. "Asaku, this is Lady Kushina." I bowed as best I could at his prompting, and Kushina giggled in response.

"He's like a mini you, it's adorable." She darted her eyes back and forth before she leaned in close to me as if she had the most grave secret in Konoha to share. "Between the two of us, you're much cuter than your dad." Kushina whispered. I laughed, because how I could not? I can't believe I never read about Kushina before, that I never took the time to look her up when I had all of the internet at my fingertips.

She was amazing, and I could see why Minato was so taken with her.

Murakumo eased himself onto a stool and I unsteadily climbed up to sit between him and Kushina. I could already smell the glorious aroma of ramen from here, and I was beginning to understand why Naruto loved it so much.

The ramen shop owner, presumably Mr. Ichiraku, returned from the kitchen area and gave us a smile, his eyes as tightly shut as always. How the heck does he see if his eyes are always closed? Chakra? Some sort of Kekkai Genkai?

"Sorry about that wait, I had broth about to boil over." The man dried his hands on the white towel flung over his shoulder and then pulled out a notepad. "Now, what can I get ya, folks?" He asked, completely ignoring my inner turmoil.

Murakumo opened his mouth to reply but a high pitched childish voice interrupted him.

"Daddy! You promised I could do the next order!" They huffed loudly. Ichiraku gave a long suffering but amused sigh.

"I suppose I did." He stepped to the side as the sound of wood scraping on dirt filled the room. A few seconds later a girl not much younger then myself poked her head over the counter holding a miniature notepad and tiny crayon.

She gave a bright and absolutely adorable snaggletoothed smile and Kushina nearly squealed at how cute it was.

"My name's Ayame, and I'll be your server." She repeated with a very intense frown on her face. I guess it would be rather hard for a child to remember that, especially if they weren't a 'genius' like Itachi.

But this was Ayame? I remember her vaguely from the anime as an adult, but I guess she probably would be about my age now. It was nice to see another familiar face, even if they were much younger at the moment.

"What would you like to eat?" Ayame asked, and gave another smile.

At that moment I was struck by a horrifying and shameful realization. I have literally no idea what kinds of ramen there are.

I can guess you could say I know a good bit about Naruto but not as much about naruto. Ok, that one was bad, and I'm probably gonna strike that out from this record at some point.

Murakumo seemed to note my distress and spoke up.

"I think I'd like the chicken ramen, and I'll think he'll have the beef." Eh, that seemed good enough for me. I'll doubtlessly try the entire menu soon enough. Ayame nodded seriously as though this was the gravest task she'd ever been or ever would be assigned. She hopped down off what I assumed to be her stool and started yammering to her father as she walked to the kitchen area.

Mr Ichiraku gave a tired smile to the three of us.

"I hope you don't mind, she has a nasty independent streak going right now."

"Not at all," Murakumo replied with an easygoing grin. "My son is the same way."

I in no way proved his allegation by sticking my tongue out at him. The ramen chef shook his head fondly as several metals pans clanked together in the kitchen and he sighed.

"Ayame! What did I say about messing with the pans?" He called out before slipping into the back area as well. Kushina let out a hearty sigh as she added a ninth bowl to her growing tower.

"Maybe just one more." She said before a wave of nausea crossed her face.

"Ok maybe not, your opinion is noted, little guy."

The shimmer coating her body flickered and it was almost as though her shape rippled like a mirage. It shifted and warped, obscuring her from my sight one moment to almost blinding me with how brightly Kushina shined the next, before ultimately settling back to 'normal'. The only way to know anything had changed at all was the faint sheen of sweat across Kushina's brow.

"What just happened?" I asked, unable to hold back the curiosity any longer. Was that a Jinchuriki thing, an Uzumaki Kekkai Genkai, was I just finally losing it?

Murakumo slowly lost his mirth and he grew serious.

"I'm surprised you could pick up on it, the jutsu was rather well cast, if I didn't know any better I'd have fallen for it as well. But the Kurama Clan can see through many Genjutsu as easily as you can smell smoke in the air." Murakumo gave a stern frown to the nervously sweating Kushina. "Who cast the Genjutsu? Mikoto? Fugaku?"

"Minato actually." Kushina admitted guiltily as she fingered a bracelet hanging around her wrist that I'm certain wasn't there moments ago. "It's more Fuinjutsu than Genjutsu, but in practice it's the same. He thought it would hold up under anything short of the Byakugan or Sharingan." She scratched the back of her head and laughed softly. "I guess we should've thought about the Kurama Clan too. You guys breathe Genjustu."

"No more then an Uzumaki exudes Fuinjutsu." Murakumo retorted. "But that's beside the point, what's so important that you have to hide it so thoroughly?"

Kushina looked back to the kitchen area where Mr Ichiraku and Ayame laughed while they cooked our food before her sad eyes darted to me and she shook her head.

"I can't tell you, it's too secret, you know?" She whispered softly, "But if you can figure it out, I won't deny it."

Murakumo looked her over once more before giving a tired smile.

"It seems like everyone in the village is itching to start a family." He mused.

Kushina laughed and added,

"As if you can talk."

The two adults smiled, and it was clear I was momentarily forgotten. Not that I was complaining, I needed to process for a moment anyway.

Contrary to what many people believed, including myself at times, I'm not an idiot and I can put two and two together well enough. Murakumo's talking about families, Kushina's hiding her appearance, and Sasuke's already been born added up to one very concerning fact.

Naruto was coming, soon. I don't know when, but the clock was ticking and I was running out of time before it happened.

I feel like I need not remind you of what occurred during Naruto's birth.

The ramen shop owner returned to the counter and placed two steaming hot bowls of ramen in front of us. He gave a warm smile as we reached for our chopsticks to begin eating.

The food was, heavenly and that felt like doing the flavors a disservice. The harmony, the way the spices and seasonings danced upon the tongue, it was marvelous.

Before I realized it, I was half way through my bowl and both adults sitting beside me were stunned into disbelief.

"I'll take it that means you like it." Ichiraku laughed and I nervously blushed underneath the attention.

"Are you sure he's not part Uzumaki?" Kushina asked, her tone nearing awe, but I think I picked up a hint of hope buried deep within it.

"He's got too much of my nose to be anyone else's son, and I've never had the privilege of sharing blood with the Uzumaki." Murakumo responded gently, and Kushina ever so slightly deflated once more.

The stool scraped along the ground again as Ayame popped up from behind the counter.

"D'ya like it?" She asked with a gap toothed smile. "I helped daddy make it myself." She added proudly with a puffed out chest.

"That she did." Her father added before ruffling her auburn hair. "She has the makings of a master ramen chef."

"Daaad!" She pouted. "You know I'm gonna be a ninja."

That certainly got my attention.

Ayame was clearly a civilian in 'Canon', did she want to be a shinobi there as well? Or was this an example of an unintentional butterfly effect?

"I want to be a ninja too." I added as an attempt to commiserate with her, but she just huffed in reply.

"It's not the same." She said, "You're from a Clan. They're all ninja."

How did she know I was from a Clan?

Oh right yeah, the clan symbol on our jackets. I keep forgetting Sasuke wasn't the only one to emblazon his clan's crest on anything that stopped moving.

"I'm sure you'll both be great ninja, you know?" Kushina said proudly with a wide smile. "Konoha will be lucky to have you protecting her." We both smiled at the praise, even if I know she was just humoring us.

Murakumo looked outside at the growing darkness of the evening and sighed.

"We really need to be getting home. Uroko isn't feeling well and I don't want her to be alone for too long."

"Please give my condolences to your wife." Ichiraku said with a nod.

"Thank you, Teuchi." Murakumo replied before reaching into his pocket and pulling out several bills. "This should be enough, and keep the change." Ayame's eyes went wide at the money, even if it wasn't a large sum.

"Thank you mister!" She beamed.

"Come on, Asaku. It's time to go." The Kurama Clan Head said and I climbed off my stool myself.

"Good bye, Mrs Kushina, it was nice meeting you." I said with a bow in her direction, and if I never got the chance to see her again I had to say this now.

"Please be careful, a lot of people would miss you if you die. Please take care of yourself," I said as gravely as possible but I had a feeling it fell flat because Kushina merely gave an amused smile.

"I'll try, you know. I'm Konoha's Red Hot Habanero, I'll be fine."

With one last wave to the occupants of the stall we stepped back in to the busy streets of Konoha and Murakumo gave me a confused look.

"What was that about?" He asked.

I shrugged while keeping my eyes firmly on the dirt road in front of me and answered as nonchalantly as I could.

"Mom's sick because she's gonna have a baby, I just want Lady Kushina to be safe since she's having one." Murakumo nodded at that, before turning his eyes to the Hokage Monument in the distance.

"You're perceptive little guy, aren't you?" He asked, and I'm not sure if he expected an answer, but I gave him one with a cheeky grin.

"Like a Fox."

This marks the end of what I liked to call the Countdown to Kyuubi. The stories been rather slow paced thus far, but things are picking up from this point on. I hope you guys stick around to see what's coming, because it's a doozy.

As always, Happy Reading.