So, yes, I'm alive. Summer was overly busy with no time to spare.

Disclaimer: Nope, don't own nada

Kushina/Minato

Flames NOT welcome - go write your own if you're going to complain

Warning: might seem fast or whatever

Drifting Blossom Chapter 3

Her small frame quivered from the exertion she was putting on her muscles. The medical chakra that coursed throughout her system took away some of the strain, but she was still beyond tired from the training that she was being put through. Ryuga's wooden tanto angled down as Kushina locked gazes with him once more and her grasp on her own wooden tanto tightened before becoming loose. Kushina needed the flexibility or it would injure her wrist and possibly break it.

That was not something she wanted to deal with as of right now.

"Very good, Hime-sama. We'll be focusing on your unique chakra in a couple minutes." Ryuga called out, a small smile crossing his features. Kushina perked up, her mind going over the possible thoughts of her unique chakra.

The Uzumaki Clan had large pools of chakra that caused them to be long lived. There were some with the ability to heal others with just their chakra, and if her father's words meant anything, Kushina was able to make solid chakra chains, something only her mother's side has ever seen.

With a deep breath, she quickly dashed forward, tanto held in front of her body and ready to be used. Ryuga met her, blocking and shoving at her small frame. Kushina strained and swept backwards, dodging out from underneath Ryuga's heavier hit. She was too small, so Kushina had to work around his size and utilize her smaller frame to her advantage.

It had been about two years now, having been placed in this timeline, and Kushina was finding it easier and easier to memorize Fuuinjutsu and the Uzu fighting style. Kushina's medical Ninjutsu had also been going exceedingly well (learning about plants with some medical ninjutsu) , yet one thing that absolutely frustrated her and caused her to almost cry each time it came up, was her chakra control.

Basic Medical Ninjutsu was no problem. It was easily grasped as soon as she gained the required amount of control. Above basic was a bit more strenuous on her smaller body and chakra coils, and anything past that had her doubting her ability to regain her previous status from before.

To put it bluntly, her chakra control was horrid.

No amount of practice was making medical ninjutsu easier. She had also found out (through curiosity and practice) that even one of the academy three happened to be unreachable.

The Bunshin.

No wonder Naruto couldn't do this technique. Even though Kushina was little, she knew the concept of chakra control from before. Now, it felt like she had a large pond within her. Before, when she was this age, her chakra size had been pitiful, and as of now with this new body, it was overflowing within her and it happened to be very foreign to her mind.

After living sixteen years and knowing one's own chakra system, of course it would be foreign to the mind when placed into a new body.

So, her chakra control was botched and it looked like it would be years before she could control the majority of it, but sadly, Kushina had to accept that it would probably never be perfect control. It would seem that she wouldn't be able to surpass Tsunade this time around.

Uzushiogakure on the other hand, was constantly being attacked. It wasn't safe and many Shinobi were on patrol duty, including Kushina having her own small fleet of Anbu.

There was only so much she could take from all of these constant skirmishes and it was finally to the point where Kushina had started seeking a sort of 'peace'. She instantly resorted to reading, or sitting in the small enclosed garden that they had, where she arranged flowers or play Shoji (even if it was against herself most of the time).

She had fallen into her temptation to prank once, and that had ended up with her craving more. Sure, she never really had been a prankster, but it was like a withdrawal being sated. It calmed her down a bit as well, the air being too serious for her nerves.

A true smile once in a while was appreciated.

Ryuga brought Kushina out of her thoughts as he gently took the wooden tanto away from her. Setting them aside, he then gestured for her to sit down. This was one of the things she had been waiting for. So many times it was hinted as to what her mother's line could do and she was beyond ecstatic in finding out about her chakra.

"It happens once in a couple of generations, but your chakra is very special, Kushina-sama, and it appears that you were lucky enough to show some signs of having it. Your mother had been the last one to receive the gene and we were very, very surprised that she passed it down to you as the dominant gene. It happens to be a very powerful chakra technique." He stated and Kushina couldn't help but be fascinated.

Could this be some type of bloodline? It wasn't passed down with each generation, but it could be considered one, even just a little bit.

"I'm going to start helping you form Chakra chains. Eventually you'll have no trouble at all and will be able to use them at will. Mito Uzumaki was the previous one to help your mother, but seeing that she is not available within Uzushiogakure, I'll be the one training you."

Mito Uzumaki. Kushina knew her, wife of their first Hokage. It was also in the scrolls here that Mito was given to the Senju to bring Konohagakure and Uzushiogakure closer together. A treaty was made through their marriage.

The first time she had realized at what point in time she was, Kushina had sighed in some relief. Konoha was thriving, the First Hokage had already went through his reign and it was either the second or third in charge now.

Kushina cursed at her sudden lack of attention, her violet blue eyes squinting as she listened to Ryuga's instructions and then attempted to form the chains. Her horrible chakra control threw her off and the result happened to be horrible chakra chains. They were squiggly and looked like withering snakes, about five inches in length and very thin. Strands of hair if one were to comment on it.

Ryuga sighed at her poor display of chakra control. "Chakra control exercises for the next week. You're slacking Kushina."

Anger ripped through her small frame and she wanted to scream in frustration. She wanted to cry and breakdown right there and be comforted. This household was putting too much pressure on her. Kushina knew, that if she hadn't found out Itachi's real reason for killing his clan, then she would have thought he had been on the right train of thought when destroying them, seeing as to how hard she was being pushed. Kushina didn't even want to know how much pressure was put on Itachi. Ever since she started to show her intelligence, she had been constantly learning and being pushed. Her father was getting stricter and more demanding in what she accomplished as well.

Though, in all, it was usually Hime this. Hime that. Practice, practice, practice. Chakra control this, chakra control that. Kushina knew this already, but her body was struggling. She was struggling. How could she accomplish things with everyone on her back? Sometimes, the thought of finding a stack of books and hiding away for the rest of her life sounded very tempting.

There were no hugs, no happy outings and no playing with other children. There was not warmth from the maids, just full out duty. Ryuga even watched himself around Kushina, making sure not to coddle her too noticeably.

Tears sprung up in Kushina's eyes and she had to struggle with herself to keep from letting those tears fall. For two years, she had been suppressing her emotions and learning, learning, and learning. Reading, storing information, and progressing, but there was only so much a mentally sixteen year old and a four year olds body could take.

Kushina Uzumaki broke into sobs.

Ryuga could only blink in surprise as the child sobbed crocodile tears.

"H-hime!" he stuttered as he quickly went to Kushina's side. "Wh-what's wrong?" he got out and Kushina could only sob even harder. She wanted to go home. To Konoha, to her family, to her Shishou, to her friends!

"Yo-you're pushing me too h-hard, ttebane!" she choked out with a glower on her face. She had red cheeks and her red hair only made her look like a tomato. "Chakra con-trol is hard! I've b-been practicing for months and I'm still h-having a hard time!"

"And father is only pushing me harder! Ttebane." she wailed. She was, in a way, still a child. Mentally sixteen or not, she was going to have a breakdown. Kushina was going to burst out even more words on how she felt, only to be interrupted as Ryuga pulled her into a warm embrace, something that she had truly missed. Human contact.

It was warm and gave off a safe feeling that she hadn't felt for a while. It also gave her goose bumps as Ryuga's fingers ghosted over her bare arms and wrapped tightly around her tiny frame. It was something that caused her breath to hitch as she finally clutched to him with desperation. None of these people knew of her situation and keeping it bottled inside was slowly destroying her without a normal emotional outlet.

"Come Hime-"

"No!" she snapped, her ire rising. "No more Hime! Ttebane!"

Ryuga smiled softly as he watched the small redhead finally throw a tantrum in over two years. He had been wondering when he'd see the little girl finally need an outlet. Sure, he knew she would tear up and submerge herself into her distractions, but he knew there was only so much a child could take.

"Of course Kushina-sama."

That was as good as it was going to get, Kushina realized. Her fingers twitched and she felt the urge to really get him with a prank. Maybe, just maybe, she would find a way to get at him and indulge her need to pull pranks once again.

"We'll take the rest of the day off and continue tomorrow with going over chakra control. We'll strengthen that as best we can."

The rest of the day Kushina spent within the small inner garden with a small tea set and her flower arrangement that reminded her of Ino. Her nerves calmed down and she was getting her emotions under control as best she could while letting the stress seep out of her small frame.

No matter how much she tried to distract herself and keep her mind occupied, she could not forget about her decision to go back and leave everyone she cherished behind. It finally registered just how much she was giving up, just how much she had given up.

No longer was Ino her best friend and rival. No longer was there a Team Seven for her. No longer were her parents hers. She had lost everything, no longer Sakura Haruno, apprentice of Tsunade. And, dare she say, she missed Naruto and his obnoxious attitude that, in a way, seemed to always lighten her mood?

With a sigh, Kushina could only tug at her long tresses while she arranged her flowers in a combination of reds, yellows, and whites.

Ooooo

Dinner plates clinked as Kushina sat with her father and step mother. She ate with her back straight, legs underneath her, and head held high. It had been hammered into her mind that this was how she was supposed to sit while eating dinner with her parents and most importantly, the Head of Clan. Even if he was her father, she had to show respect.

"How is your training going, Kushina?" her father questioned, gaze flickering towards her before he went back to his meal.

"Fine." Was all she got out, voice sounding a bit clipped. Ichiko, who was her step mother, frowned at her tone of voice. Finally, Ichiko turned to her husband with a thoughtful expression.

"Dear, don't you think Kushina-chan could play with the other children tomorrow? I believe that the festival is tomorrow night."

Kushina paused in her eating, looking up at Ichiko with narrowed eyes. That woman never bothered with Kushina unless it was to get the girl out of her hair. Glancing at her father, she could tell that he was mulling over his options before he finally gave in.

"She has been doing well in her studies for quite a while now…" he mused, finally consenting. "But only if Ryuga goes."

There was something not right here and Kushina's gut instinct was to be wary of this offer.

Or, her step mother wanted her out for other reasons, one that actually made her flush and duck her head as she stuffed her face with food.

Kushina shouldn't think of those things.

Ooooo

Smells of different foods filled the air and there was a happiness that filled the air as adults and children bustled about. Games were being played and colorful clothing being worn. Happy chatter filled the area and a nice cool breeze kept the festival comfortable.

Kushina herself was in a baby blue kimono with small branches covered in cherry blossoms making its way up her side. She was staring wide eyed though, at all the people that seemed to be gathering for this festival. Many had, surprisingly, red hair. She hadn't been outside very much and some of the maids had brown hair, but there weren't as many redheads. Here, it was a gathering of them and it made her realize just how many Uzumaki there were now and how little there were in her previous life.

Kushina hadn't realized that the Uzumaki really were quite a decent sized clan.

"Hime-sama!" a joyous cry filled the air and Kushina blinked as Ryuga stepped in closer to her side while many of the people suddenly started looking in her direction. Smiles lit their faces and many called out hello's and other greetings as she passed.

A small smile slowly slipped over her mouth as she began to relax. It wouldn't be so bad to try and have fun tonight. Maybe she could meet the other kids her age as well.

Time passed as Kushina ate some of the foods with Ryuga and when she played the games that caught her eye, a girl, maybe a year or two older than her, suddenly shouted, pulling at her mother's kimono.

"Kaa-san, Kaa-san! Look, it's the Hime!" she gushed, eyes wide as a smile split her face. Kushina watched the mother smile down at her daughter and nod her head, red hair spilling over her shoulders in curls.

"That is the Hime-sama, Cho! She's been very busy these past few years, learning how to become the proper Clan Heir."

The girl bounced and tugged her mother away, being distracted by other children's yelling.

A sad smile flitted across Kushina's face as she sighed. She would seem too grown up for kids her age. Even if she was mentally older, Kushina was truly being prepared to lead these people, so acting her bodies real age would make her father disgruntled with her performance.

Childish behavior was something he seemed to frown upon.

Kushina turned on her heel and continued down one of the lanes, eyes landing on the booth that allowed one to catch fish. With a bit more enthusiasm, she snagged Ryuga's hand and tugged him over, quickly getting a net and a bowl.

Catching fish were easy, for a Shinobi in training that is.

Kushina had three fish before getting them bagged up, smiling at the single bright orange one in the group.

"Come on Kushina-sama, it's time to head home." Ryuga murmured while leading Kushina down the lane with a hand on the small of her back. Kushina had barely gotten a couple of steps away from the booth before her front was soaked with water, the bag with the fish no longer in her hands.

Her violet blue eyes widened a fraction as she watched her three fish hit the ground, flailing without water to keep them alive before trailing to the kunai embedded next to her foot. It was the clank of metal on metal that had her eyes darting towards the sound, taking in Ryuga fighting with an enemy.

Screams pierced the air and Kushina whirled around as more enemies suddenly appeared, her small fleet of Anbu suddenly coming into focus as they appeared before their Hime. Parent's grabbed their children and it was mere seconds before the festival seemed empty.

'Don't run!' Kushina found herself thinking. 'Don't run, you'll only open yourself up to other attackers.'

She was mentally prepared, but physically, she was shaking, her knees weakening and all she could see were her three fish finally stilling as their light flickered out.

An Anbu to her right went down and the enemy lunged, a sword poised to strike. Time seemed to slow down and Kushina found herself stumbling back in fear as the sword sped forward.

'Move!'

'Fight back!'

'Fight!'

Something inside of her snapped back to the present and she barely made it out of the swords main path, her neck only gaining a small cut. Her hands then lit up, a green glow surrounding them as she surged forward.

Her hands just brushed her attacker's arm before he disappeared from his place. Instinctively she knew that his whole right arm was of no use to him from that medical Ninjutsu, but she didn't let her guard down, eyes dancing from one area to the next.

One thing about using medical ninjutsu in battle was that she didn't have to concentrate on changing it to neutral to use on the patient. Using it this way would literally rip anything in its path with just a touch and her intent.

A chakra scalpel would sever, but a mystical palm would rip and tear.

The hairs on the back of Kushina's neck seemed to rise and on instinct, she surged chakra into her legs and leapt. Her attacker ended up in the spot she just vacated and as she hit the ground and tumbled head over heels, an agonizing scream reached her ears.

Red hair whipping around her head as she jerked it in the direction she had just come from, she found her face morphing into disgust as the enemy went down, Ryuga having intercepted him from following. Stumbling to her feet, Kushina lit her hands up once again with medical chakra. She would not let herself be useless.

She may be a Hime, a Clan Heir, but there was no way in hell that she was a useless little girl like she had been long before.

Pain suddenly erupted throughout Kushina's scalp as her hair was snagged and everything went still as a kunai found its way to her throat.

Ryuga froze with a scowl upon his face, his tanto held at the ready.

"Drop your w-" her captor started to say, only to curse as Kushina's glowing green hands wrapped halfway around each wrist. Hesitation on his part was long enough for her to force her chakra up through his arms and straight into his chest, heading for one of the most important organs in the body.

He was dead before he even hit the ground.

Kushina was instantly rushed away from the body, Ryuga making sure she was alright before pulling her face towards his own. His eyes locked with Kushina's and he stared, seeking for something before he finally sighed.

"Are you doing alright? You're not hurt, are you?"

Kushina furrowed her brows before she realized what he was talking about. This would be her first kill in this body. She was a child and should not have to kill so young. Her body was shaking, it was in pain, but she was alright.

"I'm…okay." She murmured, realizing her voice was also shaking. "I'm still alive…sore…but I'm really okay ttebane…"

Ryuga sighed, glancing over Kushina's shoulder and at the body.

"It appears that we'll have to inform your father of your medical ninjutsu ability… I didn't…I didn't realize how deadly it was…" he muttered, more to himself than anything. Kushina could only purse her lips.

Everyone underestimated medics.

They would see them and think them nothing but helpless. They had the ability to heal, but they also had the ability to kill with a single touch. It really did seem like everyone thought medics could only heal. Maybe that was why Kabuto had become a Medic.

As Ryuga was leading Kushina away, the Anbu tightly surrounding them, she couldn't help but glance back at her fish, mainly the orange one that had caught her attention the most.

Ooooo

No longer was Kushina allowed outside of the main compound. Kushina had two Anbu watching her at all times and Ryuga rarely ever let her out of his sight. She was stuck within her clan walls, just like before, but only without the chance to go outside again.

When it came to the inner garden, there were many protective seals set up along the walls, spiraling outwards and on the ground. She was safe within this area.

Kushina could only continue on with her studying and training as she fell back into her regular routine.

Ooooo

Brilliant orange paint dripped from the walls and covered the floor, leaving a cackling Kushina to book away in pure delight.

It took seconds before there was loud shouting and cursing coming from the maids that were hit with the paint.

It was a system that she had set up. The maids tripped the wire required and the buckets overhead were tipped over and went splattering everywhere.

Even if they were angry at the girl, she couldn't help but indulge in something she craved.

Pranking was well worth the punishments she received.

Ooooo

Kushina's fifth birthday passed and she found herself being trained more and more in chakra and Chakra Chains.

She was also required to take a written test and a practical one as well just to satisfy her father in how much she had progressed. He had seemed alright with what she had done, but Kushina knew her father wanted more progress out of her.

She wouldn't be surprised if she snapped under all these pressure one day.

Over the course of a couple months, she was taught tree walking and water walking just so she could strengthen her chakra control. Kushina did accomplish getting the basics of the exercises, but it definitely was not perfect.

Too many times she would put too much chakra into the tree walking and ended up causing the bark to cave and splinter. Water walking was just as bad, but slowly she was getting to know her chakra and how much she needed to use.

Kushina glanced up as she heard her door open. When she recognized who it was, she jerked away from her table and bowed before standing straight.

"Tou-san." She murmured and her father waved for her to sit. With a heavy sigh, he lifted his hand, drawing Kushina's gaze down to the papers that were held within it.

They had scrawled kanji upon them and Kushina's interest peaked as she watched her father drop them upon her desk.

"Mito Uzumaki is requesting your presence in Konohagakure. You are to be the next Jinchūriki of the Kyuubi."

'What?'

Kushina's heart stopped as she face drained of all its color. This was not something she had ever expected. There was no possible way that this could be happening to her. Her mouth opened, but she snapped it shut when nothing could come out.

Naruto had been the last known Jinchūriki and before that, she didn't know. Mito was the first one to house the Kyuubi as well. Had the previous Kushina been the one after Mito and before Naruto?

"I…Tou-san?" Kushina managed, gazing up at her father with a lost look. To be the host of the Kyuubi was something she had never thought possible.

"Kushina, you will be doing this. It is not an option. Your chakra is unique and with those chains, you'll be able to subdue the Kyuubi."

Her knees felt weak and her stomach rolled, bile churning unpleasantly as she stared into space. Her violet blue eyes were wide with horror and her mouth was drawn tight as she trembled.

Tears pricked at the edges of her eyes and she finally gasped for air, having not taken a breath. As soon as her lungs took in oxygen, she burst into a crying mess. Her small body hit the floor and she found her head within her hands, trying to keep in the sobs that wracked her form.

"Kushina Uzumaki!" her father's rough voice thundered, causing the girl to jump in her spot as she had a meltdown.

"T-Tou-san?" she stuttered, looking at him with wide, red eyes.

"Get up. I will not have an Heir who can not shoulder these difficulties."

Still trembling, she pushed herself up and proceeded to shove her emotions behind a blank face. It was hard, but she did it, shivers wracking her form every so often.

"You'll be heading to Konohagakure in a week's time. By then, Ryuga shall have your Chakra Chain's developed quite nicely, I'm sure."

"Yes…Tou-san." Kushina choked, eyes landing on the ground as she barely registered that her father left her room.

"The next…Jinchūriki…"

Even as that name left her mouth, she still couldn't fully grasp what it all meant. It really was unfathomable to her.

How could she, Kushina Uzumaki, be expected to host the Kyuubi?

She doubled over, heaving up her breakfast and lunch because of how unsettled she was. It was just too much, especially being only five years of age.

Could she even do it?

Oooooo

Kushina glanced once more at Uzushiogakure, the Island already too small to really make out. It was a blob in the distance from her position on the boat, but it was still her homeland. A tugging sensation was felt within her chest as she realized that her comfort for the past almost three years was finally being left behind.

"You'll see it again, one day." Ryuga stated with a smile. "From here on out, you'll be living in Konoha as a civilian until classes for the Ninja academy start. Mito Uzumaki has also agreed that you'll live in the Senju Compound with her and she'll give you plenty of Fuuinjutsu scrolls with techniques that we haven't introduced you to yet."

As silenced washed over Kushina, she could only fidget as she realized that yes, she was going to Konoha, her home in a different life.

She didn't know how to really feel, but one thing she knew, was that her heart would take a while to get use to the idea of living there and becoming a Jailor for the Kyuubi.

Already she was dreading going back to Konoha, but, in the far reaches of her mind, she was relieved.

Home.

That was what Konoha was to her.

It was home.

Thanks for all the reviews/ favs and whatnot

Achlys: truthfully, as for the 'having no complications of speech' thing, it totally slipped my mind, bah. I might go back and rework it, but I would rather get chapters out then rewrite/ fix things instead of, Oh a mistake and fix and post and fix if there's another, lol. I'll eventually get to it. But thanks for pointing it out.