Hello all Storm here with a new chapter, and posting it on the perfect day for Aphrodite! Here we'll be seeing Aphrodite taking a trip back to Olympus to settle some things, as well as learning about the birth of a certain punk demigod, before we see Kushina getting some shocking revelations as well. So, without further ado.
I own nothing
The next day, after waking up and exchanging goodbyes with Kushina, Aphrodite had opened up a portal back to her Earth, directly to Olympus.
'I wonder what the other me's were up to, while I was gone?' Aphrodite thought as she exited the portal into the Hall of the Gods, having split her essence a few times before going to the Elemental Nations to make sure she was still, in a sense, around.
"Aphrodite, glad to see you're finally back." Someone said, making Aphrodite look to the only other person in the room, standing by the hearth in the center.
They were a beautiful and petite girl with a youthful appearance. She has blue eyes that glowed from the fire, and mid-thigh length black hair tied into two twintails which reach down to her mid-thighs. Her hair is tied with hair accessories that feature blue and white petals along with bell-shaped ornaments. She also possessed a small frame which was emphasized by her surprisingly large breasts. Her attire consisted of a white mini dress with a blue ribbon around her neck and one tied under her breasts around her arms, and a pair of white gloves, along with being barefoot.
"Hello Hestia." Said Aphrodite, smiling at the Goddess of the Hearth, Home and Family, with Hestia returning the smile as she tended to the hearth.
"It's good to see you back. You were gone a lot longer than I expected. I take it you found a few new…friends." Said Hestia, only to be surprised when Aphrodite smiled lovingly.
"Just one actually and she is…simply amazing. She's actually able to see my true appearance." Aphrodite revealed, making Hestia look at her in surprise.
"They're a…she…and she can see you're true appearance?" Hestia asked, being one of the few who could see Aphrodite's true appearance, as she loved all her family unconditionally including the Love Goddess, and knew the only way it could be seen.
And it's surprising that she's now met someone who could see it, making the Hearth Goddess curious to actually learn more about her newest lover, if they were just a simple lover.
"Yes, she can, I think you'd really love her too. But tell me if anything's happened while I was away. How much time has passed?" Aphrodite asked, knowing there can be a time different between all the different worlds and wanted to know how long it's been since she left.
"It's been a little over a year now, you're actually very lucky, the last few meetings have been rather…hectic." Hestia replied while smiling nervously, with Aphrodite falling down into her throne and rubbing her temple, knowing that meant there was more fighting than usual.
"Zeus or Poseidon?" Said Aphrodite, being able to guess the reason, one of them broke the Oath.
"Zeus." Said Hestia, looking into the hearth, making Aphrodite sigh.
'That'll make seeing Hera easier, at least.' Aphrodite thought, knowing whenever Zeus cheated on her, Hera would move back into her temple for a while before inevitably going back to Zeus's, so she'd be able to speak to her alone.
"Well, he lasted longer than I expected." Aphrodite stated, having thought Zeus wouldn't last five years before falling off the wagon.
"It was with an actress, with one of those big poofy hairstyles everyone's been getting recently." Hestia said, with Aphrodite shaking her head before getting up and going over to the hearth.
"Boy or girl?" Questioned Aphrodite, with Hestia poked the hearth as the smoke rose up and began swirling until it showed the image of a sleeping baby girl in a crib, with her having a few wisps of black hair and freckles across her nose.
"Her name's Thalia Grace, born on December 22, 1987. She's now three months old." Said Hestia with a frown, knowing her newest niece is going to have a hard life, if she'll even get a chance to survive that long.
With not only Zeus breaking the Oath of the Big Three, but having Hera targeting her and Hades as well, when he finds out. Knowing her brother is still bitter and angry over Maria's death.
"She'll definitely grow into a beautiful one." Aphrodite said, smiling at the baby girl.
"I'm sure she will. Though her mother…she didn't exactly take it well, when Zeus left." Hestia said, making the Love Goddess frown.
"What's she like?" Aphrodite asked, knowing that Zeus's taste in women were based solely around their looks, even if they had terrible personalities.
"Like I said, she's an actress, but also an alcoholic and enjoys performing dangerous stunts to always get into the news. Getting the attention of the King of the Gods, only for him to then leave. It was a massive blow to her ego." Replied Hestia, having been keeping an eye on Beryl Grace after she gave birth to Thalia, and so far, Hestia wasn't pleased at her behavior and lack of care for her niece.
With Aphrodite's frown deepening at this, given her time with Kushina has made her start understanding familial love better, and that children shouldn't pay for their parents sins.
'She'd kill me if I did nothing.' Aphrodite thought before waving her hand, causing Thalia to surrounded by a pink glow before it faded, making Hestia look at her in shock.
"It's just a small blessing to protect her for a few years, keeping monsters away and shielding her from any tricks that Hera may pull." Said Aphrodite, with Hestia still looking at her in shock.
"You've…changed, haven't you." Hestia stated, knowing that Aphrodite wouldn't usually care about helping a demigod that isn't her own, or one whose love life didn't interest her.
"I did say I met someone special. And Kushina would find a way to kill me if I didn't at least try to help." Aphrodite replied with a small smile.
"Kushina? I'd certainly like to hear more about her." Said Hestia, now really intrigued to find more about this woman who's been able to change the Goddess of Love in such a short amount of time.
"Then get comfortable, because there is certainly a lot to tell about her." Said Aphrodite as she sat down beside the hearth, with Hestia doing the same as Aphrodite began telling her about Kushina and their time together.
*Later*
After talking with Hestia and telling her about Kushina, with the Hearth Goddess being surprised at everything she heard. But also very happy to know Aphrodite's actually found someone she wants to be with and even marry, going as far as to want to finally end her marriage with Hephaestus and her relationship with Ares. With Hestia being even happier to learn how much importance Kushina put on family, making her want to meet the redhead, herself.
Though Aphrodite soon had to leave, knowing she had other things to deal with, the first being to speak with Hephaestus and talk to him about ending their marriage. As despite everything between them, Aphrodite felt it'd be good to try and clear the air between them, to give them both some closure.
With her heading towards Hephaestus's temple, which resembled a classic Greek temple with the roof rising up on either side and meeting in the middle, and multiple support columns built around it. The entire temple was also built out of brick with Celestial Bronze plating, decorating it with images of hammers, tongs, anvils and fire. Along with their being numerous giant, rotating gears sticking out of the walls and ground, with smoke rising up from inside it.
Going up to the temple, Aphrodite headed inside, with the temple being much larger than the outside, with several different levels filled with work stations, forges, finished and incomplete projects, as well as even a few cars and other vehicles. The Love Goddess seeing her husband at one of the work stations, hunched over it and working on something closely.
"What do you want, Aphrodite? If you were hoping I wasn't here to enjoy another affair with Ares in my chambers, give me a moment to set up another net." Hephaestus said, without looking at his wife, not really caring why she was here.
With his words making Aphrodite frown, but knew she couldn't really get angry over them, but it also made her think of what exactly she was going to say. Having intended to just tell him she planned to have Hera officially separate them, but now she was at a loss. Making Hephaestus finally stop what he was doing after a while and turn to her.
"Are you going to say something or just stand there?" Demanded Hephaestus, not wanting to have her just hovering in his temple and disturbing his work.
"Did you even want to marry me?" Aphrodite asked honestly, making the God of Forges frown at the random question.
"What're you talking about now? Is this supposed to be some kind of new game for you?" Hephaestus said in annoyance, only for Aphrodite to shake her head.
"No, no more games, tricks, or lies. I want to know; did you even want to marry me? When I first came to Olympus, every god wanted me to themselves, I doubt as a wife and simply just a trophy to parade around. And I know why you didn't try competing for my attention. But if you did compete, would you have actually wanted to marry me, if you'd gotten the chance to get to know me first?" Aphrodite asked, with Hephaestus now looking at her curiously, now starting to feel something…different about her.
Before he fully turned towards Aphrodite, snapping his fingers causing a chair to be quickly assembled behind her, with the Love Goddess sitting down and nodding gratefully.
"Alright, if we're being honest…if I'd had a chance like the others did, I would have loved the idea of being able to marry you. If it hadn't been something that immediately happened, if we were able to get to know each other, then that probably would have changed. Being able to see that you wouldn't have been loyal to begin with, I would have saved myself a lot of trouble and let the other gods fight over you, themselves. But of course, my dear mother couldn't let her perfect family tear itself apart and handed you off to the one god no one saw as a rival." Replied Hephaestus, doubting he would have been willing to even entertain the idea of marrying Aphrodite, if he'd known she wouldn't be loyal.
"Isn't that true. And it's funny, since over half of the Olympians are ones I'm sure she wishes didn't exist, us included." Aphrodite stated with a smirk, making Hephaestus look at her in surprise before snorting in agreement.
Given the fact that out of all the Olympians, five of them were the result of Zeus cheating on her, aside from Athena who was born from his first wife, who he swallowed. While he was the crippled and disfigured son, she hated. And Aphrodite, Hera didn't like her for several reasons, one of the main reasons being when she was chosen by Paris as the "Fairest of All".
"So, any particular reason you're choosing now of all times to ask me this?" Hephaestus asked, a little intrigued at her behavior and different demeanor.
"I'm going to get Hera to divorce us." Said Aphrodite, her words nearly making Hephaestus fall out of his seat, since that's definitely not something he expected to hear.
"What?!" Said Hephaestus in disbelief.
"I'm going to get Hera to divorce us. I think we can both agree it's been a long time coming, and for the best. Neither of us are happy, we both have affairs, and it's something neither of us would have wanted if it hadn't been forced on us. At least this way, we'd both be able to freely choose who we want to be with, you especially would get the chance to move on." Aphrodite explained, with the Forge God looking at her with wide eyes, before he scowled and his beard looked ready to burst into flames.
"And I suppose you'll just go running straight into Ares's arms, believing I won't try catching you two in the act again? If that's what you're intending, then I swear-" Said Hephaestus, believing she's only doing this, so she can freely be with Ares without worry of him humiliating them both.
"I'm going to be ending things with Ares, as well." Stated Aphrodite, which made Hephaestus go completely still in complete shock.
"…Huh?" Hephaestus said, honestly not sure what to think anymore, and was now wondering if Dionysus is plaguing him with madness for something he did.
"Yes, I'm sure that's something you never expected to hear, but it's true. After today, I won't ever be sleeping with Ares again. I'm going to remove all the attraction and affection he has for me; it'll be as if he just stops caring and loses interest in me." Aphrodite replied, with Hephaestus slumping back in his chair.
"…What the fuck happened to you?" Questioned Hephaestus, having never thought he'd see the day that Aphrodite, who loved having all the attention on her and being with Ares, would willing end things with him and make it so he has no interest in her at all.
"I'm sure you probably don't want to hear it, but…I met someone. And before you say anything, they're different from all my past lovers, they…know exactly who I am as well as everything the gods have done, including me. And I do mean everything. I even swore on Styx before telling them that everything I'd reveal is true. They were angry, disgusted, and horrified, I was worried they wouldn't want anything to do with me anymore, but instead…they still accepted me and love me! They also want to get married and have a family with me!" Aphrodite said in excitement, while Hephaestus merely frowned bitterly.
"Well I'm so happy you found a guy that you actually care about." Hephaestus retorted, unable to help feel bitter that she wants to end their marriage for a mortal.
"It's a woman, actually, from the Elemental Nations. Her name's Kushina Uzumaki and she is just…wonderful." Revealed Aphrodite with a content smile, making Hephaestus perk up slightly at this information.
Knowing the people of the Elemental Nations were far above the mortals here in terms of power, even surpassing some of the strongest demigods in history. Having heard that a few possessed the power to rival the gods at their current power level as well. Along with how they worshipped branches of the Shinto, Buddhist, and Hindu Religions, with those gods usually keeping to themselves unless something really big happens.
With the Forge God being especially interested in this Kushina woman's name.
"Uzumaki? That's that clan who specialize in making those seals, right." Said Hephaestus, having heard about them a few times from Athena, with them having been something she's obsessed over due to their potential and the knowledge they came with.
Unfortunately for the Goddess of Wisdom, the Uzumaki Clan were also pretty secretive and protective of their Fūinjutsu knowledge. Only sharing it with amongst themselves and parts of it with close allies, leaving her unable to learn more about seals.
It actually amused Hephaestus, as now Aphrodite was apparently in a very close relationship with an Uzumaki and would have access to that knowledge.
"Yep! And Kushina's a master at Fūinjutsu, she even taught her villages leader nearly everything he knows about it." Aphrodite said proudly at her girlfriends skills, with Hephaestus looking at her for a few moments.
"…You really care about her, don't you." Hephaestus stated, feeling some disappointment and acceptance.
"I do, I really do. I know I was never a good wife, I wasn't even a decent wife, but…I am trying to be better. Kushina makes me want to be better, and isn't afraid to call me out on anything I do. Even after we have any children, I still want to try and limit the lovers I'll take, both for her and to prove to myself I can be better." Said Aphrodite smiling softly, making Hephaestus sigh before nodding.
"Fine, go talk to my mother, though I doubt she'll agree to end our marriage. You know what she is all about, believing that marriage should last forever. But you won't have any problems from me." Said Hephaestus, with the Love Goddess smiling brightly.
"Thank you, Hephaestus. And for what it's worth, I did think you were a kind and amazing husband, all the gifts you made me were unlike anything I'd seen. And I'm sure that there'll be someone who will love and appreciate you, inside and out." Aphrodite said as she stood up, the Forge God smiling slightly at her words.
"Even if things didn't work out between us, I can see how much you care for this woman and wish you luck with her. And good luck with Hera." Hephaestus replied, still having doubts that Hera will agree to end their marriage, with Aphrodite merely smirking wickedly as she turned to leave.
'She'll be the one who needs luck.' Thought Aphrodite as she left Hephaestus's temple, already having the perfect plan to make Hera do what she wants.
*Later*
'Now just to deal with the peacock.' Aphrodite thought as she walked towards Hera's temple, having momentarily stopped to locate Ares and take away the attraction and affection he has for her.
Not even needing to see the God of War nor be in the same area as him, with Ares having been out riding his motorcycle when she located him. Making it quick and easy for her, before she headed towards Hera's temple.
Hera's temple is located in one of the upper levels of Olympus, with it being one of the largest and most graceful ones. Being made entirely out of white marble with slim columns, covered in pomegranate vines and lily flowers, as well as having carvings of peacocks in the walls. While the doors were pure Celestial Bronze with peacock tail feathers opening up at the corners and a blooming lotus flower in the center of them.
Entering the temple, Aphrodite headed towards where she could sense Hera, finding her on a terrace behind the temple in a beautiful garden, drinking a glass of nectar and wine. The Love Goddess taking a moment to look at the Queen of Olympus.
She has long licorice-black hair, large, soft brown eyes that one could get lost in, and a face of regal and unapproachable beauty like that of a supermodel. With her wearing a glowing white gown, a cloak of peacock feathers over her shoulders, a golden crown, and a belt of peacock feathers.
Despite their problems, Aphrodite couldn't deny that Hera was an incredibly beautiful goddess.
'Sucks that she's in fourth place.' Aphrodite thought while mentally smirking.
While she may be beautiful, Aphrodite was still the most beautiful goddess, with her believing Hestia was the second most beautiful, given she had both the looks and personality to attract people. And while she didn't like her, Aphrodite reluctantly admitted Athena was the third most beautiful.
'Shame, she's an owl-brained virgin, she really could pull off the sexy librarian and teacher roles perfectly.' Thought Aphrodite before looking at Hera as the Queen finally turned to her with narrowed eyes.
"What do you want, Aphrodite?" Hera demanded, not in the mood to deal with anyone, especially Aphrodite, after her husband's latest affair and newest bastard.
"Oh, nothing much. You don't have to worry; I just came to ask something and I'll be on my way." Aphrodite said smiling sweetly, only for Hera to look away dismissively.
"Say what you want, then leave. I wish to be alone." Said Hera, with the Love Goddess's smile growing.
"Of course. You're going to divorce me and Hephaestus, right now." Said Aphrodite, with Hera freezing before her head snap towards her, her eyes glowing in anger.
"What did you just say to me?!" Demanded Hera, angry that not only did Aphrodite ask her to end hers and Hephaestus's marriage, but actually said she'd do it right now.
"You heard me. You're going to end my marriage with Hephaestus right now. I've already spoken to him and he's agreed, I've also already ended things with Ares. All that's left is to have you make it official. So get to it." Aphrodite said, still smiling at Hera, who stood up and glared at her.
"And who do you think you are, to demand anything from me?!" Hera said, flaring her power, only for her eyes to widen in shock when Aphrodite put her hands on her shoulders and her power dissipated.
"Who am I? Oh you sweet, naïve, cow-faced peacock." Said Aphrodite before Hera was suddenly forced back down into her seat, shocking her further as she actually felt the marble chair crack.
"I'm the Goddess of Love, the Daughter of Ouranos, and I'm your aunt. But more importantly, I am someone you really, really don't want to piss off. Which is why you're going to end my marriage with Hephaestus or else I'm-" Aphrodite said, only for Hera to cut her off.
"You'll do nothing! Even if I decided to entertain such a foolish request, you can't do anything to me. After all, if you do, then you'll have my husband to deal with." Retorted Hera with a smirk, knowing while she may be angry at Zeus and cutting him off from her, he wouldn't tolerate anyone laying a hand on her.
Though when Aphrodite giggled darkly, the Goddess of Marriage couldn't deny feeling some unease, even more so when she willing let her go.
"Oh, you didn't let me finish. You see, I don't need to lay one finger on you. All I have to do is one. Single. Snap." Aphrodite said while snapping her fingers at the end, making Hera gasp as she felt…something change in her.
"What…what did you do?!" Hera said, feeling confused and worried as her anger at Zeus cheating on her was fading away, along with any care that he cheated at all.
"Oh that? That was just me slowly draining away the love you have for Zeus, the jealousy you have at him cheating on you, and basically any care you have at all for him." Said Aphrodite, much to Hera's shock and horror.
"Wh-what…what?! No, stop what you're doing now!" Said Hera, with Aphrodite creating a seat and began filing her nails.
"Hm, let me think about it…nah! Besides, I thought you'd be grateful, doesn't it feel so good to not being angry anymore at his constant affairs, all the demigods he's sired. I'd imagine it'd be a relief to not care anymore, about what he does." Aphrodite said.
"He's my husband! I am supposed to care and be angry at him cheating on me! And when he finds out what you did, you will suffer!" Hera growled, making Aphrodite paused for a moment.
"Oh yeah, thanks for reminding me. Let's remove his love for you too." Stated Aphrodite, raising her hand to snap her fingers again, much to Hera's horror.
"NO!" Hera screamed, lunging at Aphrodite, only to find herself restrained by shackles made of clouds.
"Oh yes! This way I won't have to worry about any retaliation from him, because he won't care what happens to you, anymore. I mean, of course you'll both still be married and get together, but it'd basically be two dolls making out with each other. No more passion, no more love, no more release, just growing restlessness. And we both know what happens when a god gets restless…" Aphrodite trailed off, with Hera's horror growing at this.
Knowing if Zeus didn't care about her and they couldn't please each other anymore, then he'd be having affair after affair, siring even more demigods, and she wouldn't even care! Hera became even more horrified at another idea, that if she couldn't be pleased by her husband, then what if…she eventually had an affair!
"Alright! I'll end your marriage to Hephaestus!" Hera said quickly, not wanting to even imagine herself having an affair, even if that meant giving into Aphrodite's demands.
"See, that wasn't so hard…now swear on Styx that you'll do it, and that you won't do anything in retaliation against me or those I love, and you also won't tell anyone about this little meeting." Said Aphrodite, wanting to cover her bases.
"I swear on Styx I will end your marriage with Hephaestus! I swear I won't retaliate against you or anyone you love, nor will I tell anyone about this meeting!" Said Hera, with thunder booming overhead to signify the oath being made.
"Good." Aphrodite said, snapping her fingers, with Hera feeling relieved as her emotions returned to normal and her restraints vanished.
Only to find her face being grabbed as Aphrodite glared down at her with glowing pink eyes.
"But let me make this very clear, if you try anything to get out of the oath or ignore it entirely. If I find out you did anything to any of my children or my future wife, I won't just take your affection and love away. I will make you fall in love with Chaos to the point you'd willing throw yourself into the void! Am I clear!" Aphrodite hissed, wanting to ensure she got her message across that she isn't the airheaded goddess everyone saw her as; she's the one they should be afraid of.
The pinkette being pleased when Hera nodded and saw genuine fear in her eyes, making her release the Goddess of Marriage and smile brightly.
"Wonderful! I'm happy we were able to come to an understanding! I'll also be back again to use your sacred bath for my new wife. I want to be at my best for our honeymoon and that includes letting mon chéri take my virginity. Until then, bye!" Said Aphrodite before taking her leave, with Hera watching her leave, wary and a little fearful at how different the bubbly Love Goddess was, wondering what could have caused such a change.
*Earlier-Elemental Nations*
*With Kushina*
Kushina sighed as she sat in her living room with a cup of tea, trying to distract herself since Aphrodite returned to her world to end her marriage with Hephaestus and her relationship with Ares. And despite knowing the goddess would be coming back after she's done, the redhead still didn't like being in the compound alone again. And today was one of her days off from her Ninja duties, so she couldn't even take any missions either.
'I could try seeing if Mikoto and Hitomi want to hang out, but after yesterday…probably better to wait a while before seeing them again.' Kushina thought, before her thoughts turned back to Aphrodite and when they eventually have their wedding.
'Should we get married here or on her Earth?' Thought Kushina, not really minding where they get married, as she did plan to go with the Love Goddess to her Earth, after settling things here in Konoha.
Though Kushina was pulled from her thoughts when she felt several signatures trigger the Security Seals around the compound, making her sigh before standing while switching her clothes.
'Guess I just found a good distraction.' Kushina thought, exiting her home and heading to the compounds training ground, finding it completely empty, but knew all the intruders were surrounding her.
"Well?! Are you all gonna come out or keep hiding?! I mean the end results gonna be the same, me needing to burn a lot of dead bodies and wash the blood off my clothes, again! The only difference is how annoyed you've made me for breaking into my home for whatever reason you're here! And whatever it is, I hope it was worth your lives!" Said Kushina, looking around to see if anyone would come out, only to frown when she didn't sense any of the intruders Chakra so much as flutter.
"You've got to be fucking kidding me? Are you here too, you decrepit fossil?! Or did you just send your drones to do your dirty work?!" Kushina demanded, knowing only a few Ninja that'd be able to remain perfectly calm against her and they all served the same master.
Now even more annoyed at knowing who she's dealing with, Kushina unleashed dozens of her Adamantine Sealing Chains. All of them shooting out of her back as they rushed around her towards where the intruders were hiding, forcing almost two dozen ROOT Anbu to jump out from the trees.
'He only sent this many? Now I'm just insulted.' Thought Kushina, not believing Danzō would send barely any of his agents after her.
"Fire Style: Dragon Fire Jutsu!" Said six of the Anbu around Kushina before they all unleashed large streams of fire at the Uzumaki.
"Water Style: Water Formation Wall!" Kushina said, releasing a jet of water that rose up and formed a dome around, blocking the flames and creating a large amount of steam.
"Lightning Style: Electromagnetic Murder!" Three more Anbu said, jumping up into the air and unleashing blasts of lightning down at the water dome to shock Kushina.
"Wind Style: Shield of the Wind Count!" Said Kushina, making a few hand gestures, creating a shield of wind around herself while dropping the water dome.
Causing the jets of flames and lightning to hit her wind shield, and instantly repelling the Jutsu back at her attackers even stronger and faster. Leaving the Anbu no time to dodge, as they were incinerated by their fire and lightning..
With Kushina then slamming her hand on the ground, causing a seal to light up before a pillar of water shot out of it, the redhead standing on top of it.
"Water Style: Water Shuriken!" Kushina said, causing dozens of shurikens made of water to shoot out of the pillar of water towards the remaining Anbu, who all quickly moved out of the way before going through handsigns.
"Earth Style: Earth Rampart!" Said the Anbu as they all slammed their hands on the ground, causing a massive circular rampart to rise up around Kushina, with them all standing on top of it to avoid the water shuriken.
"Earth Style: Flying Stones!" Four Anbu said, slamming their hands down on the rampart, with multiple stones breaking off and shooting towards Kushina, who quickly deactivated her seal and jumped into the air.
"Wind Style: Flower Scattering Dance!" Said Kushina, creating a massive vortex of wind and flower petals, directing it towards the rocks, sending them flying everywhere, including at the Anbu forcing them to jump out of the way.
Only for Kushina to direct her vortex towards them, sucking up and shredding a few of the Anbu, while the remaining ones were quick enough to use Substitutions to get out of the way.
"Fire Sty-" An Anbu said, only for Kushina to appear behind and decapitate him, before her chains came out again, wrapping around two Anbu that tried striking her from behind only for Kushina to make them impale each other.
"Bringer-of-Darkness Jutsu!" Said someone, before Kushina's eyes widened as she found herself in a pitch black void.
'Great, Genjutsu.' Kushina thought, hating Genjutsu, something she wasn't that good in due to her large Chakra Reserves; even worse, one she can't simply dispel.
"Okay, you want to fight blind. Water Style: Hidden Mist Jutsu." Said Kushina as she created a thick cloud of mist, pumping it full of Chakra so that even the Sharingan and Byakugan wouldn't be able to see through it, only seeing a thick cloud of Chakra around them.
Activating a few seals to silence her footsteps and breathing, along with suppressing her Chakra signature, Kushina looked around for where the remaining Anbu were hiding. Before she quickly turned around, blocking an overhead strike, delivering a spin kick to the Anbu's head and throwing a kunai into their neck.
Jumping away to a different location, Kushina closed her eyes and spread out her senses to try and find whoever was casting the Bringer-of-Darkness Jutsu, to take them out. Smirking as she soon sensed where the caster was hiding and immediately her chains shot out towards them. Feeling her chains wrap around the cast before they could escape, Kushina ripped them apart as the darkness was soon dispelled.
'Good, now I can see much more clearly and deal with-' Kushina thought, only to gasp as she stumbled slightly, feeling her Chakra being drained away.
"Mind Body Disturbance Jutsu!" Someone said, shocking Kushina further as she suddenly felt like she could no longer control her body as she was forced onto her hands and knees.
"Four Violet Flames Formation!"
Managing to still move her eyes around, Kushina's eyes widened when she saw over four dozen Anbu standing around her. With four of them standing in a square with a dark purple barrier rising up around her.
"Excellent job. Yōji, continue draining the Jinchūriki's Chakra, Akihiko prepare to enter its mind." Said a familiar voice that angered Kushina.
"Hai, Danzō-sama!" Two other voices said, though one sounded rather weird and distorted, with Kushina forcing herself to look up, seeing that inside the barrier with her was Danzō and two Root Anbu.
Guessing from his words that one of them was an Aburame whose insects were currently draining her Chakra, and the other is a Yamanaka. They both also looked rather young going by their height and stature, showing they must be skilled if Danzō recruited them and brought them here.
"You fucking decrepit mummy, once I'm free, I'm going to cut off your head and beat every last one of your drones to death with it!" Kushina growled, while Danzō looked at her impassively.
"You have been nothing but a thorn in my side for years girl, the only saving grace was that you were loyal only to Konoha with the rest of your clan wiped out. But now it seems you need to be reminded of where your loyalties lie, rather than spending time with an outsider." Danzō stated, with the Jinchūriki smirking tauntingly at him.
"Awwww, what's the matter, are you mad cause I've got a girlfriend, while you have trouble even getting it up? Or are these puppets also your own personal army of fuck buddies? Do you let them take turns fucking you or do you prefer them all at once?" Taunted Kushina, with the Warhawk scowling at her taunting.
"Akihiko, ensure you also fix the weapons mouth while you're at it." Said Danzō, with the Yamanaka nodding.
"Hai, Danzō-sama." Akihiko said as he approached Kushina and made a handsign.
"Mind Body Switch Jutsu!" Said Akihiko as he projected his mind into Kushina's own, his body falling over once he did so.
"I guess you're more senile than I thought. You should know how dangerous a Jinchūriki's mind can be." Kushina said with a smirk, still in control of herself and knowing the Yamanaka was already dead.
Only to get a sinking feeling when Danzō smirked down at her.
"You misunderstand girl, Akihiko wasn't meant to control you, merely fix those annoying emotions you have and restoring a few things." Said Danzō, with Kushina suddenly gasping and brought a hand up to her head.
The Uzumaki not knowing what was happening only that she was having several thoughts that weren't her own. She wondered why she ever broke up with Minato, why she'd ever want to be with anyone else but him, why she tried replacing him with some outsider. Kushina knew that she belonged with Minato.
"Wh-wh-what…what are…you…doing?!" Kushina demanded as she tried fighting these feelings and thoughts, thinking about…about the…woman she tried replacing Minato with.
"I'm merely helping in restoring the feelings you're meant to have the Yondaime, ensuring your complete loyalty to Konoha." Revealed Danzō, with Kushina's eyes widening at what he meant.
"What do you mean, feelings I'm meant to have?!" Said Kushina, grunting as she tried forcing the thoughts and feelings away.
"Yes, I suppose you wouldn't know the truth. But honestly, did you truly believe you would instantly fall in love with Namikaze simply after he saved you one time, after years of not so much as giving him a second thought? Much less how Kumo Ninja were able to break into Konoha and get close enough to kidnap our weapon." Danzō said, much to Kushina's growing anger.
"What did you do?!" Kushina shouted, now having trouble even remembering the fact she did break up with Minato.
"I did what needed to be done. I had leaked secrets to Kumogakure on ways to sneak into Konoha and where it was the Jinchūriki was being kept. As well as the special Chakra you possessed, making you perfect for controlling the Kyūbi, it was simply too good of a chance for them to pass up. Not knowing that they were playing right into my hands, the only unfortunate part was Kumo hadn't sent any note-worthy Ninja and only mere pawns to capture you. And it was nearly a success, my ROOT Anbu were waiting only a mile ahead to deal with the Ninja and bring you back, to be placed under my control. Not only would I have the Kyūbi under my control as well as one of the few remaining Uzumaki in the world, but it would have paved the way for me to dispose of Hiruzen and become Hokage myself, as well as the chance to deal with Kumo. But you were saved by Namikaze, another thorn in my side. I was nearly tempted to have him killed and continue with my original plan, using him as a potential martyr, only for a new idea to come to mind. Why simply control the Kyūbi, when I could ensure an even more powerful Jinchūriki was created, a child of the Uzumaki Clan as well as a young and talented prodigy like Minato Namikaze." Danzō explained, much to Kushina's shock and horror.
"Y-yo-yo-yo-you…" Muttered Kushina, not believing what she was hearing.
"It was simple enough to have one of my Yamanaka agents help to "awaken" your newfound feelings for Namikaze. After that I simply needed to wait until a child was conceived, ensure the Kyūbi was transferred into it, before arranging unfortunate accidents for the both of you. Then I would have the perfect weapon under my complete control. But yet again another problem arose, you and your clans worthless obsession with family, believing such a thing should come before the safety of one's village. Any true Ninja would be willing to execute their own blood, if it was for the good of the village, but you Uzumaki always were too sentimental. I would have been content in seeing if you would resume your relationship with Namikaze. But yet again, you've proven how annoying you are by fraternizing with an outsider, Namikaze being an even bigger fool for doing nothing to stop it. Leaving it to me to fix things, and once you are finished being reprogrammed to ensure no such thing happens again, Namikaze will be next to be reprogrammed. Then I will be dealing with that outsider and see what she knows, before putting her to a better use." Said Danzō, while Kushina was hyperventilating at all this information.
Her kidnapping had been arranged and planned, Danzō intended to capture her and turn her into a weapon, he manipulated her entire relationship with Minato, none of it was ever real!
'Wa-wa-wait…ye-yes…yes it was…I love Minato…I only love him…I-I-I-I-I…l-lo-lo-lo-love…' Kushina thought before her arms fell limply at her sides.
The sight making Danzō smirk, knowing that soon Akihiko's programming will be finished and it won't be long before he was his perfect weapon. Though suddenly the warhawks attention turned to Yōji when he began choking and gagging. Before his eyes widened in shock as Yōji began coughing up leaves and looked to be growing twigs out of his body.
'Mokuton?!' Danzō thought before he looked around to see all of his other agents were in similar positions, even more shocking was that some of them looked to be in the process of turning into trees.
Only for most of them to suddenly pull out their tantos and begin killing each other, Danzō only being able to see a pink mist surround their heads as they killed each other. With the agents keeping up the barrier soon throwing themselves against it and being reduced to ash.
'What is happening?!' Thought Danzō before looking at Yōji when he went silent, shocked to see the Aburame turning into a tree, before the warhawk soon found himself unable to move.
Gagging when he felt something wrap around his throat and lift him into the air, before Danzō found himself looking into the rage-filled and glowing pink eyes of Aphrodite.
"I'll deal with you momentarily." Aphrodite said murderously before turning her attention to Kushina and Akihiko's body.
Looking at the latter, Aphrodite guessed he must be a Yamanaka, going on everything Kushina told her and the fact he's unresponsive means his mind isn't currently in his body, it's inside Kushina's. Something that only angered Aphrodite more, before she smiled wickedly.
'But that means, anything that happens to his body…happens to his mind!' Aphrodite thought before she immediately stomped her foot onto Akihiko's head, crushing it and splattering blood, grey matter, and skull fragments everywhere.
Once that was done, Aphrodite quickly knelt in front of Kushina, lifting her head up and looking at her in concern. Before she noticed how messed her emotions were, sensing they were being warped and changed, blocking the love the redhead had for her and amplifying the feelings she still had for Minato.
'I'm gonna make you wish I was sending you to Tartarus.' Thought Aphrodite, glaring at Danzō, knowing he must've been doing something to mess with Kushina's memories and emotions.
Looking back at Kushina, Aphrodite placed her hands on her head and pressed their foreheads together, making Kushina gasp as she felt all the changes Danzō's operatives had made being undone. Allowing her true feelings to come back out, as well as erasing all the false ones she was forced to have.
"Kushina, love? Are you alright? What happened? What did they do to you?" Aphrodite asked, with Kushina looking at her with unfocused eyes, still reeling from having her mind and emotions messed with and then fixed.
"Wh-who…who are you?" Kushina asked unable to really make out who was in front of her, showing that she was still somewhat out of it.
"Don't you recognize me? It's Aphrodite, your Dite. Remember, we've been dating for over six months, just yesterday I made you put on a fashion show. One you said you didn't like, but I know you secretly loved showing off for me. You remember right, my precious Gem?" Said Aphrodite, feeling relieved at seeing some light and recognition return to Kushina's eyes.
"A-Aphrodite. I…it…it's all…it was all a lie!" Cried Kushina as she broke down, shocked and horrified at the truth of her kidnapping and relationship with Minato.
"What was a lie?! What did they do?!" Aphrodite asked, swearing to make the elder suffer complete agony for hurting her girlfriend.
"All of it! He arranged for me to be kidnapped, just to turn me into a weapon! But then he manipulated my entire relationship with Minato, just so we'd have a child to turn into a weapon he could use! None of it was real, my feelings only existed because of him!" Kushina said, glaring at Danzō in pure hatred, while the Love Goddess's body was shaking in fury, beginning to glow slightly as she drew in her essence but restrained herself from unleashing her Divine Form.
"You…manipulated…my girlfriend…made her fall in love…against her will?!" Said Aphrodite, glaring at Danzō with glowing eyes, furious and disgusted that he'd manipulate Kushina and her emotions like that.
But she wasn't just angry at Danzō, but at herself as well, given she's guilty of doing the exact same thing! Remembering what she did to Medea, Atalanta, and other women she forced to fall in love with or lust after someone they didn't know nor have feelings for. Angering and disgusting Aphrodite even more that she was no different than the man who had hurt her precious gem.
Though her attention turned back to Kushina, when the Uzumaki hugged her tightly.
"I love you, so much right now." Kushina said, looking at Aphrodite in relief and gratefulness that she got here when she did.
"I love you too, and I'm glad I got back when I did." Replied Aphrodite, relieved she finished her business on Olympus and came back, only to sense Kushina was in danger and rushed to help her.
The Love Goddess then scowled as she stood up and faced Danzō, intending to make him suffer for trying to take Kushina away from her, before the redhead grabbed her hand.
"Whatever you're going to do, only do it to him." Said Kushina, not wanting any innocents to get hurt in whatever punishment Aphrodite would give the warhawk.
"Oh don't worry mon chéri, he's going to be the only one that suffers." Aphrodite said, squeezing her hand gently and turned back to Danzō, looking at him in disgust.
"You are by the far the most hideous and disgusting mortal I've come across. Not just your physical appearance, but just how twisted and disturbed your emotions are, the worst is your so-called love for Konoha. And believe me, I've seen a lot of twisted forms of love, but you…it's so twisted, that you make me want to vomit. However…" Aphrodite said as she reached down and grabbed Akihiko's tanto off his body.
"…it is still a powerful love. So powerful in fact, you don't just want to rule and control the village…you want to become part of it." Said Aphrodite, releasing Danzō as he fell to the ground gasping and panting for air, before looking up as the goddess held the tanto out for him.
"You love your villages so much; it physically and mentally hurts you every second that you aren't part of it. You feel yourself dying more and more, the longer you go not being one with it." Aphrodite said, watching as the Warhawk began gagging and clutching his chest, even looking ready to start crying.
"So…you will be part of this village. Every drop of blood, every piece of skin, every bone, every organ, every part of you, you will make part of the village. And you will do it as slowly and as painfully as you can. And for every second you aren't fully merged with the village, you'll only feel more pain, but will never die, you will keep pushing yourself further and further until you are fully merged with it. But remember…you'll do it as slowly as you can." Aphrodite said, with Danzō rapidly nodding his head.
"Yes! Yes, I love Konoha! I love it more than anything! I need to be part of my village! I can't take being separated from it any longer! Please let me become one with it!" Begged Danzō with tears on pain in his eyes, feeling the physical and mental agony of not being part of Konoha.
"Then what are you waiting for? Start cutting." Said Aphrodite, smiling coldly as Danzō eagerly grabbed the tanto and sliced open his arm before he began slowly walking away.
"Wait for me Konoha! Wait for us to become one!" Danzō said as he bled all around the ground, going as slowly as he could despite the growing pain from being separated from his beloved village.
Once Danzō was gone, Aphrodite went back to Kushina and hugged her gently, rubbing her back in comfort.
"Come on, let's get you back inside." Aphrodite said softly, only for Kushina to shake her head, hatred and resentment shining in her eyes.
With these new revelations as well as Aphrodite undoing the love that was forced onto her, Kushina felt all the anger and resentment she's felt for Konoha as a child coming back, tenfold.
"No! I don't want to stay in this rotten village another second! I'd watch it burn to the ground if I didn't know there are at least a few innocent people, as well as people that I still care about, here! Just…just take me away Dite, please. Take me to your world." Kushina said, wanting to leave Konoha and all of the Elemental Nations behind for good.
"As you wish." Said Aphrodite before snapping her fingers, causing her and Kushina to vanish in a flash of pink light.
The Goddess of Love also using her power to take everything belonging to the Uzumaki Clan and Senju Clan with them, refusing to leave anything of Kushina's behind. As well as swearing to never let anyone hurt her girlfriend like that, ever again.
So, what did you think, good. Yep we see Aphrodite meeting Hestia at Olympus and that Zeus has broken the Oath, leading to Thalia being born, who Aphrodite gives a minor blessing to, knowing Kushina wouldn't want her to suffer for her father's sins, with Hestia being intrigued and amazed at how different Aphrodite is, leading to her learning about her relationship with Kushina. Then we see her going to talk with Hephaestus, with both of them managing to clear the air between them and move on to find their own happiness, before Aphrodite locates Ares and removes his feelings for her and then going to deal with Hera, showing her why she's not just an airheaded, bubbly goddess and that she is one to be feared, forcing Hera to divorce her and Hephaestus as well as swearing on Styx to not try anything in retaliation, unless she wants to become very intimate with Chaos. Then we see Kushina being attacked by ROOT Anbu before being shocked and horrified to learn the truth of her attempted kidnapping by Kumo and relationship with Minato, that Danzō had manipulated the entire thing, originally to gain control of her and the Kyūbi, becoming Hokage, and attacking Kumo, before wanting to create an even stronger Jinchūriki to control.
And would it really be surprising that Danzō was behind all of that, Kumo Ninja being able to sneak into Konoha and kidnap Kushina, who as far as anyone knew was the last Uzumaki and Jinchūriki of the Kyūbi, and the fact Minato was able to take them out showed they weren't anything special. They were able to get to where Kushina was and take her with no one being the wiser until they were already gone. And then Kushina, who never once showed any interest in Minato and didn't even like him, suddenly falls in love with him, maybe she'd develop a crush and admiration, but instant love? It definitely sounds like Danzō would have a hand in this.
Luckily before Kushina can be fully reprogrammed to only love Minato, Aphrodite arrives, taking care of all the ROOT Anbu before removing all the implanted and manipulated feelings from Kushina, restoring her true emotions. Before the goddess then smites Danzō, cursing to want to become one with Konoha and unable to die until he succeeds, all while doing it as slowly as possible. Finally we see Kushina refusing to stay in Konoha any longer, seeing that nothing she felt for the village or Minato was real, and has Aphrodite take her back to her Earth, the goddess doing so along with taking everything belonging to the Uzumaki Clan. So, for those that like the story, thanks for your support. For those that don't or at least don't like the direction taken, you're more than welcomed to drop the story. But thanks for giving the story a chance anyway.
Storm out
