Disclaimer: We do not own Naruto
Co-author and Beta: Etheral-23
Chapter 23: The Return of the Red Death
XxX ~ xx ~ XxX ~ xx ~ XxX
"Can someone fully explain to me the need or purpose in waking up before even the goddamn sun is up for of all things a meeting?" Tsume growled with tired irritation as she rested her elbow on the clan head seating table with her cheek in her palm.
The majority of those present shared the thought, but unlike the Inuzuka clan head they kept quiet. It had been rather sudden and out of the blue as ANBU had summoned only the major clan leaders and the elders for an impromptu meeting ordered by the Hokage. While it was not called an outright emergency, the timing was still suspicious.
Mostly to Shikaku Nara who was currently sipping a cup of freshly brewed coffee beside a yawning Chōza Akimichi. "Now, now Tsume" Inoichi said diplomatically. "Hokage-sama would not have called us here if it wasn't for something important"
The wild maned woman growled; "Is the village under attack, no? Then why the hell can't I go back to sleep?!"
"One would imagine you Inuzuka to be early risers" The ever collected and nearly monotone voice of Shibi Aburame intoned next to her. "What with all the noise your kennels filled with young pups make every day"
Rather than barking an angry retort, the Inuzuka matriarch just look at him with surprised; "When did you get here?"
"...I've been here all this time" If one were to put more attention they'd pick up the slight tone of annoyance lacing his voice.
"Pretty sure I would have heard or smelled you before if you were" The Inuzuka prided themselves over their animal-like senses for a reason.
Shibi merely looked at her behind his shades, and Tsume got the feeling she had put her foot in her mouth once again. A few of the clan heads rolled their eyes at the antics that were far too much of a common occurrence for their tastes, especially to the head of the Hyuuga clan who merely sat with his arms crossed and his eyes closed, projecting the image a of cold and composed aristocrat he had perfected over the years.
It was only when the new arrivals appeared that he opened his eyes and greeted them. "Honored elders" He politely inclined his head, a gesture soon followed by the others.
The aged visage of elders Homura and Koharu was a familiar sight for the clan heads, as the Hokage's advisors they were closely involved in the Village's day-to-day business and its various operations. Though sometimes differing in ideology and methods to their leader, their opinion was highly valued by the Hokage regardless.
It was the third elder that put the clan heads a bit on edge. Half of his face covered in bandages, an arm hidden inside his robes which often lead people to believe it was no longer as usable as it was in the past due to injuries sustained over a lifetime of service, he walked by supporting his free left on a cane. His visible eye carried a hardened edge that seemed to pierce nearly anything. One couldn't be blamed to compare his visage to that of an old war hawk still on the prowl even after many years of battle.
Danzo Shimura was often a rare sight in meetings with the clans. The Shimura clan was under the leadership of his son (whom rumors stated was not on speaking terms with his father) having long since passed on the role to operate behind the scenes with some of the village's most... questionable activities. And coming from ninjas that spoke a lot of what the old war hawk did. Not that they themselves were much aware of whatever activities Danzo conducted in service to the village. The elder was just rarely involved in village meetings.
"So" Shikaku started, looking at the two elders often found at the Hokage's side, "do you know why Sarutobi-sama has called us?"
"We, in fact, do not" Homura replied tensely. "Whatever is going on, it wasn't brought up to us beforehand"
No one had noticed Danzo grip on his cane had gotten tighter while his face remained unreadable. He was not pleased being left in the dark with zero information given to him. Whatever was going on Hiruzen was playing something close to the chest. His grip relaxed as he simply waited along with others.
The door to the council room opened as the village leader entered; "I thank you all for coming at such an hour."
"Forgive my bluntness Hokage-sama," Tsume unsurprisingly spoke up first; "But if this is not an emergency why the hell did we all have get out of nice warm beds before the ass crack of dawn?"
'...Wonder how she will react with whose waiting outside,' Hiruzen dryly mused as he half wished he had a camera when seeing everyone's faces. He cleared his throat; "Well Tsume-dono please allow me to introduce the reason I have called everyone here. Enter!"
All eyes went towards the door as if opened slowly. Once open, Shikaku who was in the middle of drinking his coffee soon spat it out coughing.
Who came through the threshold and entered the room dawning simple ANBU pants and a muscle shirt was a person everyone in the room had thought they would never see again till their eventual deaths. For Kushina this was a really awkward moment and felt like hiding somewhere upon seeing the expressions of people who to her she's just seen a few days ago.
When in fact it had been twelve years for all of them.
The redhead gave a meek chuckle as she waved; "Uh hi..."
Hiashi had literally stood up from his seat, his rigid cold persona vanished with utter disbelief in its stead; "K...Kushina..."
"Been a while," Nice tension-breaking skills there, Kushina. She berated herself.
The sheer utter shock had pretty much shut down all cognitive functions in everyone's brain. Their minds simply could not comprehend that they were seeing right now. It was an impossibility, Kushina was dead, and that's something all of them were painfully aware of.
But here she was, alive, standing in front of them, looking exactly as she did last time they saw her. Sans the large pregnant belly. If this was the Hokage's idea of a joke then it was a very cruel one. This had to be an impostor. But the notion was quickly rejected in favor of logic (hard as it was to apply it in this occasion), the Hokage would not have brought this individual before them unless he was one hundred percent sure this woman was the real deal.
And yet... Kushina died that day, Minato had died with her. They has lost two dear friends that horrible day all those years ago, two more names added to the far too filled monument of their brave fallen, along with all those who lost their lives that night.
To have her in front of them was possibility that frightened them. Hope was terrifying after all.
It was Shikaku who first managed to ask what was in everyone's minds; "H-How is this possible? How are you alive?!"
"Well..." Kushina rubbed her arm awkwardly, "I guess it I should start with Tsukiko-baachan, you see, years ago before I even came to Konoha she gave me a scroll and-"
And she went on a long explanation about an extremely powerful scroll developed by the legendary goddess of fūinjutsu herself. Honestly, the possibility of such a scroll (even if it did have many drawbacks and was a one on a hundred chance it could work) was a bit too far-fetched for them to believe.
But then again, this was the Tsukiko. A woman whose exploits was up there with Hashirama and Madara. Indeed, they had met her before in their early childhood, on a visit from the seal master on their village years ago. The two hundred year old woman was a legend for a reason, the adults couldn't stop praising her sheer knowledge on the art of sealing, and how many seals used nowadays were designs that came from the woman herself. If Tsukiko Uzumaki created something like that, then it fell into the realm of possibility a scroll like that to have existed in the first place. That woman had left an impression.
It may also have to do with her famed crusade in which she would personally spank misbehaving children who had committed some act of naughtiness or other in her presence to install some discipline into them. Few were spared the wrath of her bent knee and smacking hand. Indeed, legends had it she had spanked all previous Kages in their youth.
The reality of the situation finally dawned on them.
"You're here..." Inoichi whispered loud enough to be heard his voice thick with emotion. "You're actually here..."
Kushina smiled warmly, and it was such a comforting sight; "Sorry I've been away for so long"
To Tsume that was not enough. Having climbed over the table, she strode over the redhead, towering over her by a few inches, and casted a judgmental gaze upon her which Kushina received unflinching. The Inuzuka sniffed, catching the scent coming off from the supposedly returned Uzumaki.
It was the same. Downright to the last detail that was Kushina's scent.
But there was only one way she would know for sure. Her knuckles of her right hand popped as her fist slammed into Kushina's face. "Tsume!" Chōza rose from his seat.
However the redhead rubbed her jaw before spatting out some blood. She grinned right back at Tsume; "That fist of yours has gotten soft, bitch."
"Oh THAT'S the Kushina I know!" Only she could take a punch like that and have a grin that was as feral as an Inuzuka's in return. Tsume grinned back; "Who you calling soft, bitch?" she patted Kushina's belly; "That little scroll might have saved your cute little ass. But that ass is far from fighting shape. This is a soft belly."
"I had just given birth to Naruto you dumb ass! How was your figure after popping out Hana and Kiba?! Twelve years and you're still a stupid mutt!"
"WHAT YOU CALL ME, YOU CUNT?!" Tsume snarled in Kushina's face who snarled right back
"YOU WANT ME TO FUCKING REPEAT, BITCH!"
"I DARE YA TO REPEAT IT!"
The majority within the room collectively sweatdropped at the display. It was like Kushina had never left, the interactions of those two had always been that strange friendship-rivalry of theirs. Annnnd they basically had picked up where they had left off. However the Sandaime cleared his throat loudly enough to get the hotheaded ladies to stop arguing. "You two can get back to your cat fight later." Tsume let out a light growl at the word 'cat'.
Trying to gather themselves in this situation was a monumental task, but they took their seats once again so they could properly carry on their business. Celebration could come later. The Uzumaki took a moment to look at all her friends' faces, they were similar to how she last saw them, but could tell there were more signs of aging. Once again knowing just how long she had been away was a disturbing thought.
"When exactly were you... unsealed?" Inoichi asked.
"Couple of days ago" Kushina replied. "Little before the prelims began actually"
Hiruzen took over; "Of course, I kept this matter private until I could be certain she was in fact our Kushina. We kept her hidden in the forest tower's medical facilities"
"Understandable" Shikaku nodded. "So I suppose the matter at hand now is; what do we do now?" He waved a hand at the red head. "Do we just tell everyone you're back?"
"This is an... unusual situation" Koharu spook up, hands joined over the table as she mused over the long term changes this would bring. "If Kushina rejoins our forces" The Uzumaki in question didn't like how she said 'rejoins', as though she had actually left service on her own. "Then eventually the other nations WILL know. Now more than ever with the Chunin Exams going"
"It is an inevitability" Hiruzen acknowledged. "Eventually, all will know. But I believe this works to our advantage" He gathered their interest with those words. "One of our strongest is back; let our enemies think carefully before provoking us now"
Kushina tried not to smirk too proudly at his words. She failed. "You hear that Tsume? 'One of our strongest'"
The Inuzuka matriarch bared her teeth and growled, to which Kushina just smirked more smugly. Both women quickly back down like ashamed children once the Hokage glared at them.
"As I was saying" He grumbled. "Kushina's return is a boon to this village, in more ways than one. My advice is that we just go with it immediately; let the rumors spread as Kushina walks our streets once again"
The voice of someone who had been quiet so far suddenly spoke up, one that soured Kushina's mood immediately; "And what do you propose we tell the populace? We can't just reveal to them she cheated death by use of an extremely powerful scroll"
Danzo... Gods, she had hoped that old war hawk wasn't still around. But because the universe hated her, here he was taking part of the meeting. This meant he was still overseeing those wet work operations of his. Kushina was no stranger to such black ops, having been in the ANBU for years, but Danzo's methods were extreme. He casually disregarded the lives of their shinobi and wasn't afraid of discarding them like one did a broken tool. The elder was vocal about Kushina mastering the Kyuubi's power to act as a cold and obedient killing machine for the village, which had earned the Uzumaki's despise. She didn't even want to imagine what he would have done had he gotten his hands on her son. His extremely aggressive doctrine was just trouble waiting to happen before he suddenly made the village a new enemy just because he took matters into his own hands and acted out of paranoia.
It had nearly happened in the past. Why the old man kept this warmonger around was a mystery to her.
"We say that she has been lying low since the Kyuubi attack, doing covert operations" Hiruzen proposed. "Certain circumstances led her to take an active duty once again"
Chōza's head shook in disbelief; "That's it? 'She was hiding and now she isn't', that's what we're telling our people?"
"It's better than the alternative. We don't want to give the other nations more reason to seek the Uzumaki's secrets"
What else could do they to her clan that they hadn't already? Kushina thought bitterly but didn't voice it. Instead she said; "Only the ANBU know what really happened. Along with a few people I can trust with this knowledge"
At that everyone slowly agreed with the Hokage's reasoning. Kushina noticed Inoichi looked conflicted as he rubbed his hands; "Inoichi, what is it?"
The Yamanaka head looked up at his old friend before sighing; "I'm trying to come up with some way to ask this without drawing out painful memories. Especially since to you it's only been a few days."
Hiashi closed his eyes; "There isn't an easy way asking what we all want to know."
Kushina's violet eyes casted downwards to the floor; "What happened twelve years ago." After a long silence, she explained the horrible events of October 10th. She gave every detail of the individual who she spoke with pure venom and hatred in her tone. But what sparked everyone's attention was the revelation the masked man had a Sharingan.
Hiruzen raised his hand before anyone could speak; "I want no one to jump to any conclusions. Whoever this masked man is, we do not know if he is indeed an Uchiha or not. Nor can we say it was the Uchiha clan or simply one man who orchestrated the events of twelve years ago."
"You still should have kept watch on the Uchiha regardless," Danzo spoke in a low tone.
Hiruzen only glared back in response. Neither talked, but from the Sandaime's eyes they read; 'this is neither the time nor the place.'
The old war hawk remained quiet before noticing the intense glare from the Uzumaki redhead. He was fully aware of the strong friendship between Kushina and the late Mikoto Uchiha. From their time in the academy to being teammates under Sakumo Hatake. And by the fury that blazed in the redhead's eyes, it was like she was almost daring him to imply her best friend was involved.
Shikaku rubbed his chin; "I don't like the sound of this guy being able to teleport pass our defenses, never mind able to phase through solid objects. Essentially this guy can go anywhere; we need to update the barrier seals." If that could even work against his skills in the first place.
"That's what catches your attention the most?" Tsume said incredulously; "What about the fact he controlled a fucking BIJUU? Something only the Shodai and Madara Uchiha could do!"
Shibi huffed; "I don't think anyone here is ignoring that particular fact, Tsume. For the moment our bijuu is secured. So I find myself worrying that our current defense systems are woefully ineffective against him" It was hard to tell what Shibi was feeling, but that was part of the course for the Aburame. "The Kyuubi had appeared right in the middle of the village, the masked man must have summoned it himself. Which means he got pass the Sensing Barrier"
Kushina did a double take; "The Sensing-? Oh my gods you people are still using that thing?!" The clan heads blinked at her outburst. "Jiji what the hell! I told you that thing wouldn't work! It's the most poorly functional and inefficient sensing system I've seen, I told you it would take decades to even make something like that remotely close to operable!"
The Hokage had the decency to look embarrassed. "The Kyuubi attack left us severely weakened and vulnerable; we had to use every option available to us. Even if the quality wasn't exactly up to par..."
Chōza muttered nervously; "The... Sensing Barrier doesn't work?"
"Oh it works... when it wants to!" Kushina exclaimed. "If that thing truly worked it'd be going off every time a BIRD flies over the village because it's an 'unauthorized passage'. Honestly, that barrier picks up intruders at random; sometimes it barely manages to pick up one if the chakra signature isn't big enough"
Hiruzen lit his old pipe; "I'll have that matter dealt with. In the mean time we find out whatever information we can about this masked man with a Sharingan, whoever he is."
"I promise I'll do more than find information," Tsume snarled almost like a feral hound; "He'll pay for all the lives he ruined. He'll be screaming when I'm done."
From all their gazes, Kushina could see her old friends all looked ready to spill blood. They finally had a real target, the one responsible for that tragedy twelve years ago. But they would to wait in line, because as far as the Uzumaki swordswoman was concerned;
That bastard belonged to her...
XxX ~ xx ~ XxX
Naruto sat quietly in the Hokage's office as he looked down at the floor while Jiraiya gazed out the window to Konoha. It had gotten eerie quiet since the toad sage as he revealed himself being his godfather, as well as his father's sensei. But explained why he was never there as he was the village's spymaster. In truth, Jiraiya felt relieved letting it out. But it was just so damn unnerving not hearing a single word from the brat, being so silent for such a long time was extremely out of character.
"Are you mad?" The Gama Sennin cocked his head slightly and glanced behind him.
The blond's gaze remained at the floor; "I want to be. But I can't, being angry won't change a damn thing. And I get it, you couldn't lug around a kid going all over the nations for missions from Jiji."
"I was an orphan too growing up so believe me I do understand that kind of loneliness." Jiraiya's tone was solemn as he turned around seeing the surprised look from blond; "It's not an easy life but it toughened us up, taught us not to take bullshit when we see it."
At that Naruto could agree to; "So... what now?"
"Now, I know your mom wants to train you, but she also needs to get back into fighting shape. So both me and Kushina will be working on you and pinky, while Kakashi helps me with getting Kushina into fighting shape again."
Training with his mother sounded amazing. That was what a ninja parent was supposed to do with their child right? He was still new to this whole 'having a mother' thing, so honestly he was swimming in uncharted waters. Don't get him wrong, he was beyond happy to have his mother in his life, but this new experience was also somewhat frightening to him. He had no idea what to do as a son.
But hey, he never backed down from a challenge.
It was at that moment that the door opened, and the Hokage and Kushina stepped inside. "Man, I'm beat..." She drawled.
"I agree with you" Hiruzen grunted, this entire affair was a taxing one.
"Everything went well?" Naruto asked.
Kushina flashed a toothy grin; "Yep. Got to meet with old friends after all"
"You spent about at a half an hour in there," Jiraiya thumbed back to the window as the morning sun glowed in the sky. "Think that's a new record for you." Hiruzen rolled his eyes as he took his seat at his desk.
Just as Kushina sat down beside her son on one of the sofas and ANBU appeared kneeling; "Hokage-Sama."
"Hey Iguru!" Kushina smiled with a small wave to which the ANBU glanced with a nod and muttered 'Captain'.
The old Kage lifted a brow; "Something to report?"
"A young girl roughly Naruto-san's age came forward, expressing she had information regarding Orochimaru."
Everyone grew still, Jiraiya narrowed his eyes; "You sure? Could be a trap."
Iguru lifted his head "We brought the girl to an interrogation room; She gave every detail she knew about the Hebi Sannin."
Hiruzen rubbed his beard; "Bring her to me."
"Hai." The ANBU vanished via shunshin.
"Well that is out of the blue," Kushina crossed her arms leaned back on the sofa. "What should we do?"
"Nothing until I meet this young lady and she explains herself to me."
"Should I be here?" Naruto asked; "This sounds above my paygrade"
"And it is" Hiruzen agreed. "But considering the interest Orochimaru has shown on you and Sasuke, perhaps it's better if you too hear what she has to say" With that, he gave the young blonde his permission to stay.
It wasn't long before the ANBU returned, this time bringing with him a young girl wearing spectacles and a headband from Kusa. Her red eyes nervously shifted to the people present, lingering on Kushina for a moment as she seemed to tremble, clearly overwhelmed by the presence of such renowned and powerful individuals.
"Lord Hokage" She bow at the waist as was proper the etiquette. "Lord Jiraiya, and..." She paused at seeing the older redhead.
"Kushina Uzumaki" The woman presented herself.
"...I see" Something seemed to glint in her eyes. Recognition? Nostalgia? Whatever it was it quickly vanished as she looked at Naruto: "We meet again"
"Oh!" He perked up as his gaze shifted. "Y-Yeah! Hi! Uh... you"
"Wait" The girl's eyes narrowed. "You... You do remember me right?"
"Yeeeaaah-No" He confessed. "Sorry, I guess you didn't make an impression"
She face faulted at his words. Jiraiya smacked his own face at his lack of tact with women, while Kushina was openly giggled.
The girl composed herself as she glared at the apologetic blond; "Forest of death, giant bear."
Naruto's eyes sparked with recognition upon those two words; "OH!" He paused as he remembered why the girl was here as he turned serious; "You know about Hebi-Teme?"
She liked that nicknamed, but focused as she nodded and looked back to the Sandaime; "Yes, my name is Karin. I also need to inform you of what I told the ANBU; Otogakure is under Orochimaru's control." Everyone's eyes shot open as Iguru nodded in confirmation to her words; "He created that hidden village."
Now that was one hell of nugget of information. However the old Kage gave the young girl a long scrutinizing gaze; "You're being rather forthcoming with all this, you know full well Orochimaru is a traitor of Konohagakure."
"I am aware, I felt it best to be honest with if I wanted to seek asylum and join Konoha."
"Getting ahead of yourself, Specs," Jiraiya spoke up in a stern tone; "We need to know everything you know about my old teammate."
"Hai"
And so she did. She was part of the recon force, meaning she was an agent of the snake. THAT particular bit of information made all the occupants in the room scrutinize her all the more. Her powerful sensing ability would have allowed Orochimaru to pinpoint the location of certain key figures of the village, as well as targets of interest to him. Naruto and Sasuke, as the Snake Sannin were very interested in their bloodlines.
But what worried them the most was that Orochimaru was mobilizing his forces, which sent off many alarms on the Konoha shinobi's heads. Their target was quite clear to them.
"He's going to attack us" Jiraiya muttered in dread. "Right in the middle of the exams"
"But I thought Oto was a very small village" Kushina shook her head in confusion; "How is he hoping to get the manpower to attack one of the big villages?"
"I do not believe he is seeking an all-out battle" Hiruzen said, his eyes hardened. "Thinking on it logically, he plans on a quick strike to fulfill his objectives and escape swiftly before we can retaliate properly. This means he either wants to take something from the village, or remove something he perceives as a threat; taken that into consideration his most likely objective is that-"
Jiraiya finished for him; "He wants to assassinate you..."
Karin nodded which made Hiruzen sigh; "I had a feeling it would come to this." He tipped his hat as old memories, and regrets came to him. Seeing the image of the young boy so full of promise and potential, who turned into a monster he should have ended if not for the love carried for his apprentice.
His eyes turned to the young girl before him; "And you are a recon scout of Otogakure."
Turning to the ANBU beside her she showed Iguru her pocket. Wanted to show no hostile intent, upon looking, he gave her a nod for which Karin pulled out a metal headband with Otogakure's symbol.
"Young lady you realize this places you in a very complicated situation. You have admitted working for a renowned traitor to this village who wishes for my death."
A grave nod came from the glasses wearing Kunoichi; "I know. But if there was any chance in showing I mean no harm to the village and wish to join I had to be honest about my former employment."
"Why the hell would you work for a bastard like that?!" Naruto exclaimed.
"It was all I had" Karin sighed; "My dad died when I was little, and my mother just a few years after. I was... alone, lost. Orochimaru found me and gave me a purpose, a place to belong. Where I was valued"
The bastard had emotionally manipulated her, Kushina thought bitterly, a sentiment shared by the others. He found a scared and lonely little girl and prayed upon her insecurities and fears so he could better use her for his own machinations. How many orphans had he turned to his side like that? How many people was he willing to use and sacrifice for his own ambitions? And just how many of those poor, directionless youths had he horribly experimented upon all for his sick quest for knowledge and power?
And here was this girl who wanted out. "You saw him for what he really is" Jiraiya said, it wasn't a question.
She nodded. "I did, I just... I just couldn't take it anymore. Not after all I saw, the things he did and what I... helped him do"
The Hokage tipped his hat as he closed his eyes in thought. "And why our village? Why not just go off the radar entirely?"
"Because I know what he's capable of, I fear he might find me anyway. I'm sure it won't be long before he knows I'm no longer obeying his commands" She fidgeted nervously. "And considering this village's history, I thought you might be more lenient with someone of my... heritage"
Okay that made everyone lift a brow; "Your heritage..." Hiruzen shifted his head.
Karin glanced over to Naruto and Kushina before she took a deep breath; "My full name is... Karin Uzumaki..."
Everyone could have heard a pin dropping in the room with the silence that followed. Both mother and son gawked while village leader and toad sage were not fairing any better. Even Iguru by his body language looked surprised. It was Kushina who shook it quickly before glaring; "Young lady," her voice etched with emotion; "if you are lying I swear to you, you will regret it. Who are your parents?"
"Hisao and Kirika Uzumaki," Karin said quickly as she shrunk under the older redhead's gaze.
Kushina froze; "Kirika-chan..." Her voice almost a whisper.
However Hiruzen upon gaining his composure was unreadable; "We will need to take a blood test to prove this claim."
"Use my blood," Kushina spoke quickly; "Kirika was a first cousin of mine. If what she says is true the test will show a familial match with me."
"Iguru." One word was all the Hokage needed for the ANBU to understand his intentions. The ANBU nodded and disappeared, when he returned he had a pair of needles ready to extract their blood.
All they had to do now was wait. Karin couldn't shake off the feeling of uneasy as all eyes continued looking at her in contemplation and suspicion.
XxX ~ twenty minutes later ~ XxX
After what felt like eternity, Iguru came back to the office handing the Hokage the scroll. Hiruzen must have read the results at least three times to make sure he wasn't seeing things, he turned to Kushina and Naruto with an unreadable expression; "They results came positive, there is a familial match... she truly is an Uzumaki"
Both mother and son had their breath hitch in their throats while Jiraiya's eyes widened in shock, They turned to the young girl in the room who cowered under their gazes, she had known these two people in front of her were her kin, though it had been quite a shock to hear she was so closely related to the Red Death Konoha (who wasn't as dead as everyone believed, but that wasn't the point right now).
Karin was simply overwhelmed, unsure on what to do now. These were her relatives, her... her family. Gods it has been so long since she last thought of anyone as her family.
Even if the spectacled girl didn't know how to act at the moment, Kushina on the other hand knew just what to do. She approached Karin, who fidgeted nervously, before dropping to one knee and surrounded her with her arms in a tight embrace.
Karin froze, she couldn't remember the last time someone actually hugged her. Nor could she stop the tears that soon fell from her eyes before returning Kushina's embrace.
"Son of a bitch," Jiraiya muttered as he read the scroll himself. He blinked looking up seeing now Naruto was beside his mother hugging Karin as well, his own tears starting to fall. His gaze shifted to his sensei; "Well old man?"
"I shall her grant asylum. But if she wishes to join the shinobi corps she will be under probation for at least four months." Hiruzen could not stop a smile that formed at the sight in his office.
Kushina rubbed the top of Karin's head before glanced over to Hiruzen and Jiraiya; "She is staying with her family. Orochimaru will never get near her again."
XxX ~ xx ~ XxX
The morning hustle was in full swing as people and businesses went about their day. Well, that would be the case if everyone had not frozen in place as they saw a ghost of a living legend was strolling through the village. Kushina ignored the shocked stares as she, Naruto, Karin, and Jiraiya made their way to the blond's apartment.
Said blond only looked wide eyed as he walked seeing civilian and shinobi alike staring at his mother in absolute disbelief. "I think people noticed you're back, mom."
"Oh I wish they wouldn't stare at me so much" Kushina whispered, cringing as she did her best to ignore the looks she was receiving. "It's so unnerving..."
"Right?" Naruto, more or less an expert on the subject, droned dispassionately. Kushina immediately regretted her words and wished she could eat them.
"It's okay, girl" Jiraiya assured her. "Give it some time, they'll get used to it"
"I hope so..."
One of the ninja they there about to pass by gawked at her; "K-Kushina-dono!" He muttered in disbelief. "You're alive, h-how?!"
"Classified" Kushina replied with such ease that it clashed with her previous mood, almost as if those words were second nature to her.
"Ah" Surprisingly for Naruto that seemed to ease the ninja's surprise a lot. "Understood. Good to have you back" And went about his business.
Naruto's gaze followed the ninja until his neck couldn't turn anymore. "Okay that was weird. He went from getting the shock of his life to having ZERO questions"
"Ninja life kid" Jiraiya wisely said. "Not the weirdest thing it can happen, everyone will most likely believe she was on secret assignments all these years. Black ops is very hush-hush for a reason, you learn not to ask questions"
Walking beside her blond cousin, Karin, who no longer wore a Kusa headband, spoke up; "So where are we going?"
"We're heading to Gaki's apartment and grabbing all his stuff," Jiraiya answered now having both young teens look towards him.
Kushina gave a smile; "We're going to take you to your real home."
The blond's eyes went wide; "Wha-?"
"It was the old man's plan to give you your parent's house when we explained your heritage when you were ready. But since Red here is back, no point now." Jiraiya crossed his arms. "And can finally get those ANBU new mission assignments." He noticed the odd look from his part-time student; "Come on brat, you'd think we wouldn't have you watched over?"
"Wait" It had begun to dawn on him, "you're telling me the people in my apartment block are all ANBU?!"
"Well not all of them. We only have so many ANBU; a fair number of them are though. Others are jounin, chunin, even some retired ninja live there" He snorted at Naruto's incredulous look, "Seriously kid, you're a valuable target. We sure wouldn't have let you live on your own without making sure you were well protected"
"So, nearly all of them-?"
"Yup"
"The lady with the dogs?"
"Inuzuka sensor"
"The old lady that pressed flowers?"
"Retired medic, specialist on herbal medicine"
"The weird anti-social guy?"
"Aburame, 'nuff said"
"...The stoner at the top floor"
"Nnnnnnno that was just a stoner on the top floor"
Honestly, nobody knew where the hell that guy came from. He just showed up and started living on the top of the damn building. But it was shown he was harmless, and really good at making Cannabis.
As Kakashi worked through some reports on his team and the prelims and coming third exam he let out a loud sneeze.
XxX ~ xx ~ XxX
Kushina couldn't shake off the feeling of unease she got from looking at her house. Though part of her felt like she had last seen her just a couple of days ago, the other part of her knew it had been twelve years. She thought it'd look more run down, abandoned, but Jiraiya had assured her Hiruzen had the house routinely checked over and maintained, so one day Naruto would properly inherit it.
The same two stories block with a tower connected right next to it. It was modest on its own right; neither Minato nor herself had ever cared owning a fancy estate.
Minato and her together had made this place a home. To think he was no longer here, sharing this life with her and their son... it sent a stab of pain through her heart. She didn't want to step into the house, didn't want to enter and be greeted with silence instead of her husband's kind voice.
Gods she hadn't even visited his grave yet... And she was terrified of doing so.
But she had to do this right now, face her fears to show her son this was the home he was meant to live in all this time.
The blond and younger redhead looked wide eyed at the place; "This is home." It was more of a statement than a question as Naruto whispered.
His mother gave him a soft smile before they walked up the wooden stairs to the door. Kushina's hand shook as it held the key. She took a long deep breath while Jiraiya could see so many emotions coming from the Uzu woman.
She inserted the key. Upon opening the door she looked to her son and Karin; "You guys first."
Naruto stiffened for a moment before he took a step through the threshold. The interior was rather quite modest and simple. Karin had to admit, this was not what she was expecting of a house that belonged to the Yondaime Hokage and Red Death. The furnishings were kept homey and well cleaned. She did not see one speck of dust anywhere truth be told.
As the two teens wandered around inside, just outside Kushina held her chest with her hand. Her heart wouldn't stop racing.
Seeing her turmoil, Jiraiya placed a comforting hand on her shoulder; "Hey, if you're not feeling ready yet you don't have to stay here. We'll just get you and Naruto another place"
She shook her head after taking a deep breath; "No... No, I need to do this"
He looked at her in concern; "You haven't even properly grieved yet, girl" She had been thrown from the day of her son's birth, her husband's death, twelve years into the future without her having even had enough time to process it and come to terms with it. One would forgive Jiraiya if he thought Kushina clearly wasn't okay.
"Well... I guess this is how I start" She steeled herself and walked inside the house.
The entrance, the living the room, the kitchen, and the rest of the rooms she couldn't see at the moment, they all brought too many memories. Memories that should remind her of happier times were now tinged with heartache and sorrow. For they reminded her of what she had lost. The man who loved her, the life they could have had with their son...
She took a deep breath and continued on, hearing her son's voice coming from the kitchen as he inspected it, clearly impressed with its set up. Kushina prided herself on keeping a fully stock kitchen, with all the tools she required to make the many meals Minato enjoyed. She would cook them now for him, as she was always meant to do.
And Karin, gods the girl had just suddenly appeared in their lives without leaving her a single moment of rest to process everything that happened to her. But she was Kirika's daughter; she had fond childhood memories of her mother from Uzushio, to know that her parents were gone and that she had been in Orochimaru's service... Even with her grief while she tried to piece her life back together, Kushina simply could not refuse giving the girl a home. She was family after all.
So Kushina pushed down her grief, right now she needed to be a mother.
Her composure nearly shattered upon seeing a picture in the hallway. Of her and Minato celebrating when he was named as the old man's successor. A chocked breath escaped her lips, so she brought up a hand to cover her mouth and stop it from becoming a full cry. Even the image of him made her heart throb painfully.
Jiraiya grimaced, though thankful that Naruto and Karin went downstairs as they discovered the old training room Minato and Kushina made. He said nothing as he guided the redhead to the couch in the living room. Her body shook with her hands over her face.
The old Toad sage knelt in front of her; "This is going too fast for you. You need to stop and let yourself adjust." His voice quiet so not to get the kids attention.
"If I stop," she lowered her hands with fresh tears that gleamed around her eyes. "I don't think I'd be able to get back up." Her voice horse in a partial whisper; "Everything feels so wrong... like I was flung into some parallel world where my husband is dead. Mi-Chan is gone. And my son spent twelve years alone to fend for himself. What the hell am I supposed to do?"
Jiraiya honestly thought of himself a poor teacher, regardless of his boasts he didn't think much of himself after a lifetime of failures. Who was he to actually help guide this woman when she clearly needed help? He, who couldn't even save a friend from himself, or protect his student?
But seeing the pain on Kushina's face, the woman who had gone through so much already, tear-stained and lost, reminded him that a poor teacher or not, he was still a teacher. It was his duty to offer guide, especially to the people who he thought of as family.
"Endure" He said strongly, placing a comforting hand over hers. "You know far too well this life will consume you up if you let it. So I all I can tell you is that you need to endure, be a mother for your son, and stay strong because for all that this cruel world has done to you, never doubt for a moment that it will stop. So you need to endure"
Her eyes, angry and mournful, glared at him; "Hasn't this world taken enough from me already? My home, my clan... and now my husband, and my friends, my..."
"You can stay here and wallow about how unfair everything is; knowing it's pointless because doing so won't change anything that happened. Or you can show your famed Uzumaki spunk that makes the universe give up in exasperation" He grinned. "That's the Kushina I know, the Kushina everyone loves... and the Kushina who can still have a life with her son"
'Kushina, why do we fall?' She heard Tsukiko-Baachan's voice in her mind; she still had no answer but…
The redhead closed her eyes before she gazed down to her hands. Her breathing became steady, the old lessons of Baachan echoed in her mind. She soon rubbed her eyes as she looked up to Jiraiya. "Thanks."
"This place is awesome dattebayo!" Naruto cheered as he ran up the stairs with Karin who shared his enthusiasm more quietly but still smiled. Striding to the living room he saw his mom on the couch who smiled at him while Jiraiya stood with a grin.
"Glad you like it. Now this is long overdue. Welcome home Sochi."
XxX ~ xx ~ XxX
Naruto had slept peacefully that night in the guest room, his original room was a still a baby's room, yeah that was something in the process of being fixed... While Karin had spent the night on the couch, he guessed once his room was ready the guest room would be hers. Having a home with a family was weird, but weird good.
Speaking of said family, he had spent all breakfast bombarding Karin with questions, a task his mother joined in while she made breakfast (It was one of the best meals he ever had, which made him very eager for the next if his mother was cooking it), where she was born, how was her childhood, her likes, her dislikes, the spectacle wearing girl took it all in stride... for the first five minutes. Afterwards she started looking... panicked, he guessed? She started making weird faces when the questions just wouldn't stop, muttering to her 'this is my life now...'. She must have been overwhelmed in joy by the idea that she had a family now.
Of course, part of the deal with Karin's probation was that wouldn't be let out of his mother's sight. Former agent or not, working for Orochimaru was a very grave matter after all. Not that Naruto believed there weren't ANBU watching them hiding somewhere.
So that meant Karin followed them everywhere, which honestly he was fine with, all the more time to get to know his cousin (and boy was it odd saying he had a cousin). Like right now, Karin was standing awkwardly to the side while his team gathered in their usual training ground, joined by Jiraiya and his mother for 'something special'.
"So what exactly did you need all of us for," Sasuke feinted annoyance while being genuinely curious while he glanced at Karin. The rest of Team 7 had been filled in on the presence of now a third Uzumaki in the village.
While her former affiliations with a certain snake made him wary. But the open honesty from the glasses wearing girl chose to give her the benefit of the doubt, if nothing else.
The Uchiha felt… glad for the blonde. But a part of him was more jealous than anything; here Naruto now had his mother, a family, while he still had to return to that empty place in the clan grounds…
But jealousy as unbefitting of his pride as an Uchiha, so he would push it aside.
Sakura wasted no time in talking to Karin, and the girls soon found out they had plenty in common, reading, studying techniques, they were of the same intellectual mindset so they quickly hit it off. The pinkette on her part was also very curious about what the sannin and the elder Uzumaki had planned, while Kakashi to had figured out what was going on. And things definitely would not be boring after this. So he remained quiet, smirked under his mask waiting to see the kids' faces. 'Wish I brought my camera for this.'
"Well," Kushina said sweetly wearing her old ANBU pants and sleeveless shirt smirked; "While yes this is something for Naruto and Karin, I wanted everyone here because this will be something you might gain yourselves down the line. A summoning!"
That immediately got a reaction. Summonings were indeed a very valuable asset to a ninja, but not everyone could say they had one signed. A contract with an animal clan was a difficult affair, some clans were little more than mercenaries and you could be whisked away in a moment's notice, much like one did when summoning a creature to fight for you or assist you in such a manner. You repaid their services in kind if that were the case, others were content with money, other valuables, or even favors.
Then there were those contracts built on familiarity, either passed down by a family or forged with trust by the user. Those were more intimate, based on friendship and camaraderie.
"You have a summoning contract?" Naruto asked excited.
Kakashi rolled his eye and snorted. The kids had no idea.
"Boy do I!" Kushina beamed before curiously looking at Jiraiya. "Wait, have you had him sign the Toad Contract yet?"
"Haven't had the time. Figured you could first do a demonstration, I do know 'they' will be happy to see you again"
A somber smile formed on the older Uzumaki, soon before she turned three shades white; "Genryu is probably really pissed right now."
"You think," Kakashi and Jiraiya drawled. "They likely noticed your chakra signature become active again on their end. I'm surprised they haven't reversed summoned you yet Kushina-sama," Kakashi spoke with interest.
Kushina squinted; "If I know that old grouch he wants me to summon him so he can yell at me personally." She shivered recounting the times she got her summoning angry. A thought came to her as she tuned to Sasuke; "Do you have your mother's Tiger contract?"
'Tiger contract?' The Uchiha lifted a brow; "My mother had her own summoning? First I ever heard of it."
"Well, I'm not surprised you weren't told. I mean, yeesh, the Uchiha weren't happy with that particular situation"
"They weren't?" That was strange, what was so bad about his mother having a contract?
"Ohoho boy no! It was quite the drama back in the day. Has to do with Mikoto's grandfather or something having the contract, but he wasn't from the clan and only his descendants could sign it and nobody else, and the clan wasn't too happy about it of course and-" Upon seeing the bewildered expression on his face she stopped her rant. "Oh wow, you really had no idea didn't you"
"None whatsoever..." He had been fairly certain his mother was completely pureblooded Uchiha like his father. "Why didn't anyone say anything?"
"Oh your elders probably didn't like to admit their strongest member wasn't fully born from the clan. They were assholes like that"
That caused Sasuke to frown darkly. "That's my clan you're insulting"
"I'm insulting the people in charge at the time, you probably were too young to understand, but the elders who lead your clan Sasuke? They were horrible people" She clicked her teeth as her expression hardened. "Mi-chan deserved better than following their orders all her life..."
She then realized the very uncomfortable and awkward looks she was receiving, particularly the one coming from Mikoto's youngest. One look at Jiraiya's disapproving glare told her 'Not the time'. She had gotten a bit off-track again hadn't she?
Coughing into her hand, she tried to get back on topic. "I-I'll help you look for the contract later. Anyway! How about you guys meet my clan's partners?!"
Karin adjusted her glasses, welcomed to subject change and just as curious; "I know Hatake-san has the dog summoning from profiles while Jiraiya-sama obviously has the toads given his title. But not even mom told me about our clan's summoning."
Well showing was better than talking, and Kushina soon bit her thumb before going into several hand-seals and slamming her hand to the ground a seal soon spread from her palm outwards; "Kuchiyose no Jutsu!"
A massive plume of smoke engulfed the entire training ground catching the kids off guard. They soon froze upon hearing a loud and deep bestial growl. As the smoke faded, they all looked up and up...
It's body was serpentine, silver scales shone in the morning sun, having legs and arms with four like claws on each limb, a snouted lizard-like head with razor sharp teeth in its maw. Antlers the top of its head with long white mane. It let out a roar so powerful they all had to cover their ears and felt the very ground beneath them shook.
"KUSHINA UZUMAKI!"
A dragon... oh great gods in Heaven it was a dragon.
The dragon clans were a rare sight in the Elemental Nations. Seldom did they interact at all with humans, they preferred to stay away from their politics and power plays. There were many stories about the great serpents, rumors about how they would only speak with those of their choosing. The one great exception being a clan that lived at sea as the stories went.
And that clan just happened to be...
They back away in fright as the dragon lowered its head until it was face to face with Kushina, who kept widely smiling despite his clear anger.
"WHERE IN BLAZES HAVE YOU BEEN?!" The silver scaled beast roared. "WE THOUGHT WE BURIED YOU THAT DAY, THAT THE CONTRACT LINE HAD COME TO AN END, BUT THEN WE FIND THE SIGNATURE OF YOUR CHAKRA IN THE SCROLL ACTIVE! MEANING YOU WERE ALIVE ALL THIS TIME!"
Kushina cheerfully waved at him; "Hey Genryu! Sorry I made you guys worry!"
"TCH?!" A trail of irritation filled sweat travel down his brow, clearly taken aback by her nonchalant attitude towards the whole matter. Taking a deep breath, which made nearby grass flutter forward to his nostrils, the dragon calmed himself down and exhaled. "You have five minutes to explain yourself, or I swear on my ancestors you will regret it"
Well it took longer than five minutes but Kushina had the great dragon's complete attention. Genryu let out a throaty growl; "A dangerous gamble using an untested seal."
"But it worked, I'm still here." Kushina spoke with resolution before she turned to her son and Karin; "and have my son and a niece to raise."
Genryu focused his eyes to Naruto and Karin who froze. "I bid you greetings hatchlings. I am Genryu, chief of the dragon clan." He looked closer to Naruto; "You look more Namikaze than Uzumaki."
"...That good or bad?"
A rumble from the great dragon's throat; "It makes you unique. And that is never a bad thing hatchling."
The youths let their eyes wonder over the mighty creature that projected an aura of awe and majesty. Their instincts told them this was an old being, powerful and wise. They had only seen the likeness of his kind depicted in paintings, storybooks (and more than a few toys), to be in the presence of one of the reclusive dragons was a dream many children had.
In contrast with their astonished expressions, Kakashi and Jiraiya acted very casual regarding the whole 'there is a dragon here' thing. "Yo, Genryu-sama" Kakashi lifted a hand in greeting.
"Long time no see" Jiraiya added with a smile.
"Ahhh, Hatake. Toad Sage. Indeed, I have not seen you in some time" The dragon greeted back with a nod of its large head.
Karin let out an explosive breath; "I... wow I just... I heard the stories but I didn't believe them" Yet it brought even more questions. "But if Uzushio had you all along how did it fall in the first place?"
Genryu's gaze darkened, and Karin felt she had said something she shouldn't.
"...The battle waged all those years was against more than just men" The dragon chief replied, his voice laced with anger. A very old type of anger, one that bordered in hate even. "But that is a tale for another time. And I would rather not stain this moment with painful memories. Now is a day of celebration, Kushina yet lives, and so does the main branch of the Uzumaki clan. Meaning that the dragon contract can continue its honored tradition"
On instinct Naruto rubbed the back of his neck; "I'm new to being a part of an actual clan. But I hope to be a good summoner." Absently Sakura rubbed her friend's back with a reassuring smile.
Genryu lifted a brow at that and glanced to Kushina who waved it off. He turned his attention Karin who stood a bit straighter and spoke; "I'd be honored to follow in the footsteps of the Uzumaki of legends Genryu-sama."
Giving a nod, the silver dragon lowered his right hand as a blue scroll being the same size as the one Jiraiya carried puffed into existence. Kushina soon took it and unfurled it. The kids leaned in and blinked at the contents; "Only your name is on here mom."
The older redhead gave a mournful nod; "When Uzu was destroyed so was the summoning scroll, along with all the names of those who had signed the contract. So a new one had to be made, this one"
And for it to have only her name… it meant the dragons had not found another Uzumaki ever since. That was a depressing thought.
Kushina shook off the sadness before smiling; "Well go ahead you two. Bite you thumbs and sign your names beside mine."
Both Karin and Naruto felt a rush of excitement as they bit down on their finger and wrote their names. Genryu himself grinned; it felt good seeing names back on the summoning scroll once again.
"What are the handseals?" Karin asked as she finished first. Kakashi stepped in explaining the correct signs which both Sakura and Sasuke watched carefully.
"Give it a try hatchlings!" Genryu's own enthusiasm shone through along with Kushina's as she bounced on the balls of her feet.
Naruto and Karin performed the handseals; 'Boar - Dog - Bird - Monkey - Ram' both shout together; "Kuchiyose no Jutsu!" and slammed their hands on the ground.
Naruto was hyped beyond belief; they actually had a contract with dragons! Freaking DRAGONS! Oh he just couldn't wipe the smile on his face as the smoke cleared, revealing-!
"Oh, this isn't my house"
...Two little grass snake-sized critters.
Huh.
Alright perhaps he got a bit too hyped there. Maybe he should have applied more chakra. Karin didn't share his disappointment, though she was staring fascinated at the small blue scaled dragon she had summoned. Naruto took a good look at his own summon, the one who had voice his confusion, he was red which was kind a cool actually, a very nice shade.
"Am I to be a companion?" The blue one said, staring with reverence at Karin. "It must mean the scroll has been signed. It is an honor, my lady" He (Naruto thought it was a he) bowed his head. "I am Yasu, and I am your partner from now on"
Well, that was a respectful little fellow.
His own summon on the other hand still looked very lost, it's little eyes looked everywhere, settling on the great silver dragon above them.
"Oh hi great chief" He waved with his little hand.
"Ahhh, Hien and Yasu, I remember you" The great dragon nodded. "They are young, but they will grow alongside you"
Hien turned back to the blond who summoned him bowing; "Greetings. I am Hien." He took a long look at Naruto; "...Are you Uzumaki? Apologizes for being rude, but I was told Uzumakis were all redheads." The blond slumped forward.
Well, he was polite if nothing else.
Jiraiya cleared his throat; "Alright now my turn. I have another summoning for Naruto which belongs to me and your father Minato."
"AH!" Genryu chuckled in reminiscence; "I have not seen the Toads in ages! How is that surly old Gamabunta doing?"
"Still the same surly old bastard you remember," The Gama-Sannin drawled as he took off the scroll from his back and unfurled it. He glanced to the rest of the kids; "Sorry but this one is just for the brat."
Sakura waved it off; "I'm fine, still have to train myself before thinking of summoning I think."
"I'm going to look for my mother's tiger summoning scroll when I get home." Sasuke simply stated as he watched Hien and Yasu.
Hien looked curiously as he floated on Naruto's shoulder. The blond glanced to him; "You okay with that?"
The little red dragon gave a nod; "It would be an experience meeting the Toads."
With that Naruto looked at the names on the scroll; "Who the hell's Arashi?" Why wasn't his father's name there? He should have been the last person to sign it right?
Then his mother started to laugh. Like, a lot. She had to hold her stomach while tears appeared at the edge of her eyes, threatening to spill. Her knees buckled as she struggled not to fall and roll around on the ground. Okay?
Jiraiya face-faulted; "Can't believe I forgot about that" He sighed. "That's your father's signature"
"...Say wha?"
Kakashi chuckled; "That is indeed your father's name, Naruto"
"It says Arashi," Sakura drawled, squinting.
"Look at the kanji properly, it's actually 'Minato'"
It took them a second to process that. "He was a seal master" Sasuke said incredulously, "HOW could his calligraphy have been so horribly his own name is nearly unrecognizable?"
"In Minato's defense" Jiraiya spoke on behalf of his student, "He was really drunk at the time"
Now did Kushina fall to the ground laughing.
Sweat-dropping Naruto shook his head as his signed his name beside his father's on the Toad summoning scroll. And soon going through the handseals he slammed his hand to the ground; "Kuchiyose no Jutsu!"
In a puff of smoke a small orange toad with purple markings around his eyes, mouth and stomach appeared wearing a blue jacket. "Huh?" The toad blinked as he looked around; "Where the heck am I?!" He turned seeing a blond human who knelt down at him with a floating red dragon? "You summoned me?"
Naruto grinned; "Yup. Naruto Uzumaki. Nice to meet ya! This is Hien." He thumbed to red dragon.
"Hello."
"Gamakichi huh?" Jiraiya spoke as he rubbed his chin, "That's the toad chief Gamabunta's eldest son"
"Oh great, the pervert's here. Pop's gonna love this" The toad drawled unenthusiastically.
"Well I can see you got your father's attitude..."
"Oh ignore the old man" Naruto waved it off, following his own advice by ignoring indignant cry of 'Hey!' "We're gonna be partners from now on!"
"R-Really?" Gamakichi didn't sound so sure. "Look, I'm flattered but I don't really know a lot about fighting"
"Hey not a problem, the three of us can grow strong together" Naruto said, ever the optimist, before turning to his dragon partner. "Right Hien?"
The dragon asked; "How does one 'fight'?"
Naruto and Sakura face faulted at that, much to the amusement of the adults present.
Sasuke deadpanned, "Fantastic"
"Now, now" The great dragon spoke with his booming voice, "We all started young, what's important is that you all grow strong together"
"Woah!" The small toad had pretty much fallen on the palms of his paws, thrown back by sheer shock at the sight of the great dragon. "Y-Y-You're chief Genryu of the Eastern Sea Clan!"
"Greetings young tadpole. Tell your father I'm still waiting for those seven bottles of sake he owes me from losing to Shogi."
Everyone face faulted saved Kushina who just laughed.
XxX ~ xx ~ XxX
Well today had been an interesting day to say the least. Back home as night settled in, Naruto could say he was both still excited and worn out. He had gained two summoning contracts. Along with befriending his personal summonings Hien and Gamakichi. They were different, almost like night and day with Hien being so formal and Gamakichi being a smart-ass.
After having one of the best home-cooked meals ever, everyone deiced to head for bed. Now that the blond's room now had been properly refurnished with a bed instead of crib, he could sleep there.
It still felt like some weird dream...
He turned on the light to his room. Was about the same size of his old bedroom in his apartment. But it just felt different, he couldn't explain it, was this what kids felt like having parents and being in their own home?
Naruto was still adjusting to the fact he wasn't an orphan anymore. He walked over to the dresser by his bed, looking at all the pictures of his friends. Till he noticed something sticking out from the top dresser drawer. Opening it he eyes shot open seeing an envelope with his name and another below it 'Your father'.
Time froze, he could feel his heart pounding; 'D-dad.. When did he...' Almost cautiously he took the letter and sat down on the bed. His hand shook as he opened the envelope taking out a piece of folded paper.
Unfolding it he saw his name again; 'To Naruto; Hey kiddo, in about one month you're going to be born, I can still remember your mother telling me she was pregnant like it was just yesterday' He could almost feel the joy with which his father had written those words. 'I'll admit I'm terrified, out of all the things I've done being a father is completely new territory to me. Mine didn't live to see me become the man I am today, so I don't have a lot of experience in that field'
Hmm, some things just repeated themselves it seemed, Naruto thought grimly before resuming his reading with rapt attention.
'But I know this life... isn't easy. This is why I'm writing this, in case anything happens to me. Hopefully you'll have your mom there, be patient with her kiddo, Uzumaki are a rowdy bunch. But, considering you're half Uzumaki I find myself doubting your ability to be patient'
Well, he wasn't wrong in that regard. The blonde thought with humor.
'If you're reading this, then it means my fears have become reality. And I won't be there to hold you, teach you, guide you along whatever path you choose. For that I am sorry, first thing a parent needs to do is to be there and I already failed in that regard'
Naruto felt his eyes watering. No, it wasn't his fault.
'So, I want you know these things; this world isn't kind, it will try to bring you down every chance it gets. But yours is the choice to either bow in defeat or stand on your feet and make it back down, and I know you'll have the strength to make these lands a better place. You're my son after all'
His father... trusted in him so much?
'Take care of your mom, she already went through so much and she deserves to be happy. In her I always saw a spirit and strength that dwarfed my own or anyone I've ever known, really, I can't think of anyone who loves life more than her. She always knew what to say, never won an argument against her...'
Even through the tears falling down his eyes, he couldn't help but smile.
'You two carry the legacy of a proud nation and a great clan. Remember you are a child of both the Uzumaki and the Namikaze, so you can be as gentle or ferocious as the waves, yet free as the wind. That potential to be your own person is yours alone and nobody can take that from you.'
To be his own person, someone who shaped his own destiny... that's what his father wanted for him.
'But above all, I want you to be happy. And know that no matter what happens, I'll always be with you'
'I love you.'
'Your father, Minato Namikaze'
The blond's body shook as his tears grew in earnest. All his dad ever wanted was for him to be happy and shape his own future. He had heard that from Kakashi, Hiruzen, Jiraiya, even his own mother. But now, looking at this paper that was written by his father. He knew now, his father truly meant it.
Whatever lingering anger he had for his father faded in an instant upon reading that letter. "D-dad," His was horse as the tears flowed.
XxX ~ xx ~ XxX
Restless was what Kushina could sum her feelings right now. So here she was strolling silently through the hallway before stopping at the guest room smiling seeing Karin soundlessly sleeping. To think she'd run into Kirika-chan's kid. She felt a small pang in her chest knowing she'd never see her cousin again.
She shook her head, no sense in being wishy washy. She turned and kept moving through her home and came to notice Naruto's room light was on. Nearing the door she found her son fast asleep on his bed. Though not dress for the night, poor thing must have crash the moment he came in. Walking in and about to cover her son with his blanket, she noticed a paper in his hand.
Curiosity got the best of her and deftly took it without disturbing her son. Unfolding it she froze as she saw the handwriting. 'Minato wrote this!' her surprise soon turned somber as tears threatened to come from her eyes. Of course he planned ahead, he always did...
She choked down a sob as she noticed there was a message for her hidden in the letter. Something she had taught him how to do when they were Genin. His message was simple, but just as heartfelt as his words to their son.
'Be. Happy.'
How?
Just... how?
How could she deal with all this? Minato was gone, Mikoto was gone and...
She took a shuddering deep breath, fighting back the sudden wave of negativity surging within her. No, she couldn't wallow in pity, that wasn't her. Kushina placed the covers over her son and turned off the lights, carefully placing the note on his nightstand, and returned to her room.
She looked at the bed meant for two people, it just felt so empty... She couldn't, or rather didn't want to, sleep on that bed. Not yet.
Kushina walked over the window to open it, she needed some air to cool her head.
'How am I going to do this without you, Minato?' She thought mournfully, 'I'd give anything for you to be here right now, for Mi-chan to be here, for mom to actually come to her senses and come back... I... I need someone to help me, anyone...'
"Hey" Jiraiya's voice came from the roof, and she saw him sitting there with a bottle of sake at his side. The pale moonlight showed his slightly pink cheeks from the alcohol. "Want a drink?"
Kushina did not question why he was on her roof drinking, she merely sat next to him and joined him. Drinking with someone was much better than drinking alone.
Jiraiya placed his arm around her; "It's all gonna be okay, child"
And for a moment, Kushina believed him. Heh, the pervert was always there for her. "You're the closest thing I have to a father in my life, you know that?"
Jiraiya softly smiled, "...That's sad"
"Tch, tell me about it"
Their cups clinked against each other in toast and remembrance for the man who meant so much to both of them, to the people they lost, and for the strength to soldier on.
They were ninja, that's what they did best after all.
XxX ~ xx ~ XxX ~ xx ~ XxX
For those who wish to be in the know:
Next; Dragon Age Origins: Dovahkiin 'Two Chapters'
Followed by; Anbu Sennin: A Final Fantasy VII Story 'Two Chapters'
Then back to; Naruto: Shoton of Konoha 'Two Chapters'