Disclaimer: I do not own Naruto

"What day is it" I yawned stepping out of my bedroom.

Kushina looked up from her examination of seals and in a blur of red crushed me in a hug "Today is the day, little Kei, that I pronounce you a seal master," She cooed, "At least by Konoha standards."

"Seal master? But I'm 4." I squeaked from the depths of the hug.

She released me and held me at arm's length, joy radiating from her eyes "That doesn't matter, you now have the knowledge to create your own seals." At my confused look she took a step back and muttered "Perhaps it would be best to start from the beginning," she nodded her head as if making up her mind and guided me to the table to sit down.

"The history of seals is pretty much the history of the Uzumaki tribe," she sat across from me looking as serious as I had ever seen her, "We were around before the villages were created and even had an ancestral home which started to be known as a village when the system of villages was introduced. It was called Uzushiogakure. For as far as our history goes back we traded in seals, they were our craft and it was from us that the villages first gained their knowledge in the art of fuinjutsu." I nodded urging her to go on.

"We were the most advanced practitioners of fuinjutsu until around 5 years ago when the village was attacked, put under siege and ultimately destroyed by a coalition of other villages." Kushina looked uncomfortable coming to the end of that and I suddenly remembered, she was called Uzumaki, this was her family, her village. She took a moment to get control of herself.

"I… I escaped that village to come here just before this happened. As a result I am the living legacy of the Uzumaki clan and all of those scrolls on your shelves were written by me." My eyes widened in shock, "Now. There was some information lost. Actually more than some. But I was obsessed with fuinjutsu even as a small child and I practically lived in the library. As a result I have taken what I know and created the 5 fuinjutsu grades you have been working to attain." Here she finally cracked a smile "But. The total sum knowledge of fuinjutsu in Konoha only comes to grade 2, everything beyond that is beyond what Konoha would define as a seal master," she gestured to the scrolls I had worked on now "these scrolls were part of a test I was trying to recreate from my home village, given to promising young practitioners it put what people had learned to the test and showed what they could do when actually applying that knowledge. Most 'seal experts'" she put air quotes around those words derisively, "learn as far as grade 2 and are capable of making simple seals for the most part with one or two more advanced ones if they were really dedicated. Almost all of them though are just applying rote knowledge, they don't truly understand seals. This test," she patted the scrolls to punctuate her words "was designed to test your understanding and you have passed Kei, once again with flying colours." She sat back smiling.

"But… I don't feel like I know anything more than yesterday." I said raising an eyebrow

Kushina laughed "have you seen some of the seals you created? No nevermind, come over here." she dragged me over to the bookcase which was now unlocked again to level 2, "Take a look at the test again for level 3, do you see now?"

And I did see. Where the seal seemed a random fresco of different nodes and elements and matrixes it now fell together as if it was always meant to be that way and I realised that the only part was missing was an area in the middle which I could intrinsically tell required my name.

I grabbed a brush from the table and quickly wrote my name into the seal, when the final line had been completed my name disappeared and the seal glowed as if activated and then something unexpected happened.

The seal started crawling up the brush a bit at a time and when it reached my hand it transferred onto me, there was no pain, and there was no question of the trust I held in Kushina so I was not worried about this turn of events.

Crawling steadily up to my forearm it eventually stopped there and I could finally pull my hand away from the brush.

I examined my forearm where an intricate seal now displayed itself. For all it's intricacy though it did nothing as far as I could tell. When I told Kushina she nodded and pushed up her sleeve next to mine to display the same mark.

"It's the mark of a true seal master. It will afford you entrance to many places such as the daimyos court when shown" I grinned at Kushina and she returned it.

"I guess this makes me an Uzumaki now doesn't it" I said, it was the least I could do considering I wasn't allowed to call her sensei and I was keenly aware of how alone the world could feel when your connections to it were cut away.

Kushina though looked a bit upset and I tried to backtrack "Of course I won't take your name if you don't want -"

I was cut off my another crippling hug "Thank you Keiko" she said into my shoulder, I could feel hot tears dripping onto my skin "... Keiko Uzumaki."

We went out that day to Ichiraku ramen to celebrate, here Kushina went on to explain that the only seal master in Konoha that could pass that test was Minato's sensei. Minato himself probably came close but he had chosen to focus on a very specific branch of the art so would never be able to advance as far as a real practitioner, genius as he was with what he had learned.

Whilst we were there we realised that Tuechi's wife was missing, when we asked Tuechi he looked torn.

"She gave birth yesterday," he announced, "she wanted to call her Ayame but she… she's not doing too well. I spent the whole night at the hospital and I couldn't take pacing the floor anymore so I came here to cook. Keep busy." He nodded that last to himself.

"Oh Tuechi…" Kushina trailed off. It was a tough situation and there wasn't much that could be said.

"It'll be OK Kushina," he said "it'll be ok... I need to get some stuff from the back. I'll be right back"

Kushina and I grimaced at each other. We both knew Tuechi was at hard times as it was, with the war on few ate out at restaurants these days and the cost of supplies had gone up because of the difficulty of safely delivering goods with the increased presence of bandits.

Kushina opened her purse to pay and brought out a 10,000 ryo bill, almost ten times the cost of what we'd ordered and seeing a smile and a nod from me took another out, grinning she placed them in an envelope and reaching over the counter left them on Tuechi's work surface.

Kushina then greedily finished her bowl and with a childish giggle we were away.

According to Kushina now that I had reached the level I had in fuinjutsu I had to register myself at the Konoha central administration building. Really it was just a department within the hokage tower.

After being guided through a labyrinth of twists and turns we arrived at a small desk where a sleepy looking chunin was sorting files.

"Hello, we're here to register a new sealmaster." Kushina said

The chunin looked up, saw Kushina, then looked back down and began sorting files again saying "You're already registered Kushina, you have been for some time" she yawned before pushing her glasses back up her nose.

"Not me!" Kushina exclaimed, before grabbing me and lifting me aloft to the chunin's face, "Keiko"

I blinked twice in the ninjas face until she looked back down and sighed, "Well the sole requirement of an existing sealmaster to validate the claim has been passed, any last name kid?"

I looked back at Kushina and at her nod said "it's Uzumaki"

"Hmmm can't find another Uzumaki" she drawled. Looking through a cabinet, a moment later she said "Found Keiko though. Must be a mistake, want me to change it whilst we're here?" At my nod she she started making some changes to the files she had giving me a smile so quick I almost thought I imagined it.

"Well that all appears to be in order, I have the rest of your details here so I'll just use them to complete the rest of the paperwork. Oh my name is Yoshino Nara by the way" she added her introduction to me almost as an afterthought.

"Thank you Yoshino." Kushina said as she whisked me away.

"That was easy. That woman sure seemed tired though." I said

"She's a Nara, they're all like that, scary smart though. You should see her around the guy she's engaged to though, pretty scary."

I nodded, "Hey Kushina, could you put me down yet"

"Never!" she proclaimed.

From there my life seemed to find a rhythm, I kept up my own training as I always had, concentrating in other areas as necessary. I learned early on in the year that as academy students we had access to some parts of the shinobi library which I abused to read everything I could about chakra.

My training with fuinjutsu continued though the complexity of the subject had shot sky high since I unlocked grade 3, many of the scrolls had nothing written on them but seals since Japanese lacked the ability to convey the concepts they were trying to communicate, it kind of reminded me of languages from my old life where there was no way to translate certain words into other languages without losing some of the meaning but this went further, these were entire concepts and ideas that when I came to think of them in my head they were simply represented by images of seals since I knew no way to put meaning to them otherwise.

I didn't lose another spar at the academy and Kakashi only lost when put against me to his increasing irritation. We both excelled with the ninjutsu we were taught at school, they were called 'the academy three' and we more or less had them down after a week of practice. Minato still hasn't returned from his mission and judging by the way Kushina kept looking off to the gates of the village I was beginning to suspect he might not have been entirely honest when he said he wouldn't be at the front lines.

Six months into the academy year Kakashi and i were training at a public training ground when Guy made, or perhaps I should say forced, his way into our lives.

We had started using public training grounds more often as our spars escalated. We had realised that sustained use of a particular training ground was leaving it scarred and damaged.

Today we were using one at the village's edge to spar and were taking a break under the shade of a nearby tree when a boy our age fell from the sky, landing in a lump perhaps 30 metres away.

"HAHAHA" he shouted, "THE FLAMES OF MY YOUTH CANNOT BE CONTAINED BY A HOSPITAL!"

Kakashi and I looked at each other, him likely wondering the same as I what kind of hospital this guy came from. We hesitated too long however as he spotted us and made his way over. The question of the kind of hospital he came from was at least answered in view of him wearing a bandage on his head, having his arm in a sling and his slight limp but despite all these things he walked with an energy that felt like he could make his way through any obstacle put in front of him.

"Hello," he said drawing closer. It was at this point I realised that he didn't shout earlier, that was his normal speaking voice it was only that he spoke with such exuberance that his voice carried very easily. "I am Guy"

He was very straight forward I'd give him that.

"I am Keiko" I said automatically. Kakashi however remained silent

"It is most pleasing to meet you Keiko", he said his teeth shining as he grinned, "I did not however catch your name?" He said pointedly to Kakashi.

Kakashi though remained silent simply staring back at Guy.

"I can see I have a challenge on my hands! Perhaps you are right and we give our names away too easily! Yes I can see that now. Truly you are youthful boy in a mask!"

This Guy was hilarious, I was trying to not to laugh for Kakashi's sake but risking a furtive look his way I could see he was already red faced in embarrassment.

Guy proclaimed "I shall make it my mission to find your name!" So saying he jumped into the trees but we could hear his voice long into the distance "and if I do not I shall find the names of 100 others and if I cannot do that I will…" his voice was eventually lost to the forest at our backs.

"Why didn't you introduce yourself" I asked

"Don't you know who that is?" I shook my head, "That's Might Guy, he runs around the village all the time and he goes to the academy but he's not fit to be a ninja, all he focuses on is taijutsu."

I hummed

"That might be the most short sighted thing I've heard you say."

Kakashi looked at me sharply "Did you not hear him? He's too loud to be a ninja."

"Kushina is loud too but she might be jounin soon" I replied

Kakashi scrunched up his face "That's different though."

"How?"

Kakashi huffed before leaning back into the tree, "It just is."

I didn't say anything and Kakashi grew frustrated because he could feel I didn't agree.

"He was in hospital because he tried to beat up 2 ninja for talking about his father!" He said as though that proved his point.

"So he has values he's willing to fight to protect, and the strength to take on two qualified shinobi and survive? He's sounding like a better ninja all the time" I half joked.

Kakashi though still wasn't happy and he didn't broach the subject again.

It was a few days later when we next saw Guy. I think I audibly heard Kakashi groan at the sight of him, he waved as he saw us.

"Hello there Keiko. And Kakashi! Finding your name was a most refreshing challenge, requiring all of my skill and wit." He said greeting us, perhaps it was because he was wearing a sling earlier but I had not noticed until now Guy's rather unique appearance. He was dressed head to toe in a green jumpsuit with contrasting orange leg warmers that were stretched around his arms and legs and now revealed behind his head bandage were eyebrows taller than some blades of grass. If he was striking before he was impossible to miss now.

"Nice to see you again Guy" I said

"Yosh, truly youth has brought us together this day, would you like to train?"

Kakashi stayed silent plainly trying to ignore him so I spoke up, "We'd love to, what would you like to do, spar?" I asked

Guy smiled widely showing all of his teeth, "Youthful minds think alike Keiko! Come we shall find a place to display our fervour"

He led us to a nearby training field, Kakashi only coming somewhat reluctantly.

"Which of us will spar first?" Guy asked backflipping across the field enthusiastically.

I noticed Kakashi was still paying no attention so I clapped him on the shoulder and said "Kakashi will go first, I'll be the referee"

Kakashi looked at me betrayed but I just smiled and shrugged. It didn't seem like he minded too much though for he stepped forward and took up a spot across from Guy, showing a seal of confrontation.

At my signal they began and I immediately realised that it was going to be a close match, Guy's taijutsu was every bit as polished as ours and his speed might even be edging Kakashi Out, Kakashi seemed to realise this too for after a few engagements he leaped away.

They spent a few moments then circling each other before they leaped together again and despite the speed I could now see Kakashi sporting a wide smile that stretched his mask despite the heavy hits that were being exchanged, they remained in close combat for a marathon five minutes.

When they disengaged a second time both of them were looking worse for wear and breathing heavily with Guy limping again on one leg and Kakashi bearing a shining bruise on his face and his arm hanging limply be his side, his mask had also been torn away at some point during the fight. They were both openly grinning now and when they jumped together for the third time I would not have liked to say who I thought would win. Eventually it finished with 2 overhead punches being thrown into the opposite combatants face and they both fell down where they stood like collapsing accordions.

"I pronounce this match a draw" I said walking over. Kakashi groaned as I lifted him onto my shoulder and I nearly collapsed when I tried to lift up Guy, a second attempt with a stronger grip got him onto my shoulder but my foot sunk into the soil with his weight.

"How do you weigh this much Guy" I ground out as I made my way to the hospital.

Apparently his exhaustion didn't exhaust his voice for he explained in his usual boisterous voice "Apologies Keiko those will be the weights I train in I can remove them if it is a problem?"

"No no, just stay still I'll be fine" I replied 'though', I thought to myself, 'weight training might be something to look into'.

"A most youthful match Kakashi, We should spar again!" Guy said to Kakashi.

I thought for a moment Kakashi wasn't going to respond until I heard a somewhat tired voice from somewhere over my shoulder say say "Huh, did you say something Guy?"

By the time I arrived at the hospital it was approaching evening. The hospital was even busier than usual but someone walking in with two, apparently unconscious, bodies on their shoulders is bound to get attention so we were luckily seen quite quickly, the elderly nurse who took them said that resources were too tight to heal them outright but they had some beds spare they could use for the night.

"Has anything happened in the war?" I asked as the nurse guided us to the room guy and Kakashi was to share.

"Nothing more than usual, we're just under a bit more strain because Tsunade has stopped showing up for her shifts. Can't blame her, she's lost almost everything in this war, poor girl" she explained

I nodded in understanding, it didn't seem right that a medic should get dealt that hand in a war but war was indiscriminate in its devastation.

Once Kakashi and Guy were laid out in their rooms, the nurse and I left them she turned to talk to me as we left.

"They won't be here long, Guy has been here before and is renowned for sneaking out and I've seen that other boys type before. Not one to accept help freely, you understand" she said.

I nodded that I did but had seen something down the corridor that stole my attention, I excused myself from the nurse and made my way down the towards where Tuechi was sat cutting a profile of utter grief. I sat down next to him.

He didn't say anything, at first he didn't even notice he had company. After a few minutes a glance away from his hands to my side indicated he knew I was there. He still didn't say anything and neither did I.

After a few more minutes he sat back looking out of the window but his gaze seemed to rest somewhere else. At length he said "They said she didn't feel any pain. I don't know if they can know for sure. Can you feel pain when you're unconscious?"

I put my hand on his back, some part of my mind registered the fact that he wasn't wearing the clothes he wore when he was cooking and it was the first time I was seeing him dressed casually.

"She was never the same after we had our daughter, always having to sit down suddenly, she collapsed once or twice just from getting up to quickly" he shook his head "She was still young, she didn't think she needed to see a doctor." He wiped his eyes.

"I'm sorry I don't know why I'm telling you this. You're probably too young to understand", he turned round to look at me and something must have caught his attention in my face because he paused for a moment, considering "No, perhaps you do."

I nodded and rubbed his back sitting there for a few more minutes. "I am sorry." I said as I got up and walked away. There was nothing more I could say.

Leaving the hospital I had to do a double take at the person just ahead of me.

"Minato?!"

He turned around and grinned seeing me though I did notice it didn't reach the shadows hanging under his eyes, "Ko! I was just heading to the hokage tower want to come?" He asked, it was getting late and I had the academy the next day but something about Minato made me feel like he didn't want to be left alone at that moment.

"Of course" I said taking up step next to him. We didn't speak much at all on the way to the tower other than him explaining that it was policy for returning ninja to report for a medical before reporting to the Hokage. I think he told me in case I was worried about whether he was hurt.

When we arrived at the tower it was busier than I had ever seen it, Minato noticed my surprise and told me once we finally found ourselves in an empty staircase that everyone was busy because the war might be coming to an end soon. A surprise, but not an unexpected one, there was only so long any war could go on for before the attrition became too much. I wondered if it had anything to do with Minato's mission but now wasn't the time to ask.

We reached the ante room to the hokage's office and even here it was surprisingly busy, Minato told me to go and sit down whilst he made himself known to the Hokage.

I found my seat next to a heavyset man who was sat hunched over his hands. Sitting down I heard the hokage's assistant explain that the Hokage was currently busy with a foreign emissary and that Minato would have to wait.

I glanced towards the hokage's office imagining what could be going on inside when I really saw the the man next to me for the first time. His hair was as white as mine and cascaded in a haphazard fashion down the back of his chair and onto the floor.

He turned to me noticing my gaze and I saw the red lines stretching down his face and suddenly his face drained of all colour.

"Jiraiya!?" I heard Minato exclaim distantly

Suddenly I was in a hospital room 6 months ago where a nurse was demanding why I looked like a man named Jiraiya and then months before when Minato asked me who my parents were as his face reached the same pallor as the face staring back at me now.

I came to the only conclusion that made sense. The only people in this room that did not know I was related to this mountainous man was the man himself and me.

AN: Not sure how I feel about this chapter, some parts went better than expected some parts worse. I also feel kind of like things are happening too quickly but then I worry that I don't want the pace to be too slow. When I started I had a general plan for how I wanted this to go and I did not plan to introduce Jiraiya to Keiko until much later but for some reason doing it now seems right. Anyhow hope you enjoyed. See you in the next chapter.