Chapter 2

The night had finally come. Minato Namikaze, considered one of the greatest ninja in Konoha's history was nervous for the first time in a long while. Kushina Uzumaki, Minato's wife had gone into labor several hours ago and very shortly he would become a father and achieve his final goal. As Minato absentminded paced back and forth across the waiting room floor, a hand caught his shoulder to stop his actions and turn him around.

When he turned around he found himself looking at his best friends and former teammates Kengi Honaki and Hiashi Hyuuga. "Hey guys" was all he said as he went back to pacing a familiar path around the room for what had to be the thousandth time.

"Minato we thought you could use some company while you wait." Hiashi announced.

Thank you both. I could definitely use the company but shouldn't you be with your wife Hiashi. She is pregnant too after all."

Ahhh, no worries my friend. Hana is not due to give birth for two more months. She will be fine, but she did want to come and congratulate the two of you. She will be here in about an hour, you know how long it takes pregnant women to move around" Hiashi declared as Kengi gave a deep belly laugh.

"You know Hiashi you shouldn't speak like that even if it's true. Women tend to get rather upset about things of that nature." Minato responded.

The trio talked about many topics but the inevitably returned to the topic of pregnant wives. "So Hiashi," Minato started, "do you know whether your wife is having a boy or a girl yet."

"Minato what kind of question is that? Hiashi can see clean through your head of course he knows if his baby is a boy or a girl." Kengi declared.

"Actually, I don't." Hiashi said, shocking both his friends. "My wife and I decided that we don't want to know until it is born so neither of us have used or Byakugan to determine if it is a boy or a girl. However, Hana is convinced we are having a baby girl. I honestly couldn't care less. I am just proud that I will soon be a father."

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Minato and Kushina had quite a bit of company. Friends from the different shinobi nations had come to pay their respects to their long-time friends and newborn child. Kushina's closest friend from early childhood, named Miya, had made the journey as well.

When Miya first arrived, Kushina's face lit up with surprise and excitement. The two hugged as Miya congratulated Kushina and Minato.

Kushina gave birth to a beautiful baby boy with a tiny patch of messy, golden blonde hair on his head. Unfortunately, the birth was not without complications. Kushina's life was slowly fading from blood loss. And there was nothing the medics could do to stop the bleeding.As she lay in her husband's arms dying, she visited with all of her company, showing off her new baby with pride written over her face. Miya stayed by Kushina's side until her vitals began to drop drastically and she was forced from the room by the medical staff.

Although the med nins were able to somewhat stabilize Kushina's condition, Miya left the hospital to allow Minato and Kushina to spend their last moments together alone in their lover's arms.

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Suddenly, all hell broke loose as Minato felt a massive amount of Killer intent. The air was thick with an evil aura and the sky darkened as the moon turned red. "Oh no!! Not here, please not here." Cried Kushina. "Minato, something has happened to Miya. I told you that she is a demon, but she is not evil. All she wants is to be accepted. She would never lose control without a reason. You must stop her but please, I beg you, as my last request, DON'T KILL HER, PLEASE!"

"Kushina-hime, I will do everything I can to protect her but If things are as bad as I fear, I may have no choice. Wait for me, I will come back as soon as possible."

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Elsewhere in Konoha

"Dear God what is that thing?" screamed a frieghtened Chunnin. Every Shinobi of the leaf village was aware of the threat that loomed over their village but there was not a single one without fear coursing through their veins.

As the villagers cowered in the safest places they could find, the shinobi made their way towards the threat to meet their deaths with honor, protecting the village and people that they love.

By the time Minato had arrived at the battleground, the situation had deteriorated horribly. Miya had fully transformed into her true form as the Kyuubi no Kitsune, the fiercest of all the tailed demons.

Although Minato tried to get close to Miya in an attempt to calm her down, the tails of the great beast hindered his progress. Finally, out of options, Minato summoned the boss toad Gamabunta. With his help the fourth Hokage was able to get close enough to Miya to talk with her.

Her eyes were a piercing red that promised pain even beyond death to whatever caught her gaze.

When she caught sight of Minato she saw him only as a new threat and attacked without a second thought.

After fruitlessly battling against his wife's longtime friend, Minato retreated to prepare one final attack.

As he withdrew from battle the shinobi began to panic. If the fourth Hokage was unable to defeat the demon then the village was doomed. Minato saw this and attempted to reassured his force. "I WILL BE RIGHT BACK!! I HAVE TO PREPARE ONE FINAL ATTACK! KEEP HER AT BAY UNTIL I RETURN." With this Minato disappeared in a yellow flash.

Minato reappeared in his wife's hospital room with a saddened expression on his face. His wife smiled weakly up at him. "What's wrong love?" she asked.

"What's right?? Today should have been the greatest moment of my life but instead it is definitely one of the worst. Yes we have a wonderful baby boy but you are dying, your best friend is rampaging through the village, countless shinobi have already died, and we haven't even named our son yet." Minato explained as he kissed his wife tenderly.

"How about 'Naruto'" Kushina suggested.

"Naruto Uzimaki Namikaze. I think that is a wonderful name." he replied. "Now, Kushina, I have some troubling news. There are only two ways for me to stop Miya from destroying the village."

"Ok, what are the options?" she asked hesitantly.

"Well, option number one is quite simple, I can kill her with…"

"NOOO! Please don't … she … friend!" Kushina begged incoherently as she began to sob.

Minato held her close to himself comforting her. "Ok, it is settled then. I use option two." Minato whispered.

Kushina's voice, though muffled by Minato's chest, was full of dread. "Um… What is option two?"

I will have to seal Miya into a baby, our baby to ensure her safety. It isn't dangerous at all for Miya or Naruto-kun. It will be painful but they will recover. However, I will die in the process."

WHAT!! NO. Naruto-kun needs at least one parent and this village needs its Hokage. There must be another way."

"No, there is no other way. This is for the best my love. You are dying and I don't believe I could live without you so I will follow you and spend eternity with you in my arms. Though he will not remember us I know that Miya will take good care of him for us. She loves you and Naruto deeply and has come to accept me as a friend also."

We can only wait a few more minutes before I have to take him away. I'm sorry I could not protect the two of you as I should. I love you more than I was ever able to express. I'll follow you shortly."

Kushina trembled as she neared death. She wrapped her baby in one last deep embrace and placed a gentle kiss on his forehead. "I love you my son, I know you will accomplish many great and wonderful things. Above all else remember to always fight for the weak and those most precious to you. This is the will of fire, the way to become truly strong."

After kissing her husband and son one final time Kushina faded into eternal sleep.

There was no time to mourn his loss. His village was in grave danger and he had one last job to do. Minato rushed as fast as he could back to the battlefield with a small bundle of cloth in his arms. The Shinobi were fighting a strategic withdrawal towards the city gates when he arrived. Upon seeing the Hokage the ninjas' morale soared. Their leader had returned and was ready to kill the accursed beast threatening their home and loved ones.

Sarutobi, the previous Hokage approached Minato with curiosity in his eyes. "Minato what do you plan on doing with your baby?" the third asked.

"Sarutobi-sama" Minato sighed, "I plan on sealing the Kyuubi within my son using a variation of the reaper death seal.

So you plan to leave your son without a parent?" Sarutobi asked.

It must be this way. Kushina's dying wish was that I save Miya. Plus, I really want to see my darling wife again. Life has no meaning without her, and I know that Miya will take good care of my son. Please I just ask that you hide his heritage from the public until he is old enough to defend himself; I know my enemies would love a chance at destroying my line."

"It will be done as you have asked." The old man replied as a tear slowly made its way down his age-weathered cheek.

"Oh, two more things. please continue the plans we made to protect the village and ask the villagers to view my son as a hero for carrying a burden as great as this."

Now Minato and Sarutobi were alone on the battlefield. All the other shinobi had fled to the safety of the walls to give their Hokage the room necessary for finishing off the demon.

Minato slashed his palm with a kunai and once again summoned Gamabunta for one last offensive.

"Minato!! " Gamabunta breathed, "You are wearing me out. I need my rest. You owe me some serious sake for all of this fighting, especially against the kyuubi no kitsune."

"Minato frowned at this. "I'm sorry old friend but I will be unable to properly thank you for your help. This attack will cost me my life."

"Hmmmmm." The great toad sighed. "It has been an honor fighting by your side Minato the will of fire burns brightly in you. Truly there has never been a shinobi more worthy of the toad summons than you."

"Thank you Bunta, however, I believe another worthy of your skill will be revealed in a few years. Oh, and ask Sensei for your payment. That old pervert still owes me after all."

"No Minato. If this is to be our last time to do battle then I will lend you my strength free of charge."

As the giant toad approached the Fox demon, Minato began flashing through hand seals as the Kyuubi patiently waited for the shinobi to attack, believing itself to be safe from the jutsu of a pathetic ninja.

Once Minato finished the sequence of seals he turned to the old man at his side and whispered "Hokage-sama, please look after my son.

With that, Minato cast his jutsu and bound his wife's best friend with the body of his newborn son. With his dying breathe he looked into Naruto's eyes and said, "Miya, please take care of Naruto. His mother and I love him deeply.

Everything was silent upon the death of the Fourth Hokage. The Shinobi were completely shocked that their leader had died. But they were more than just shocked, they were angry, furious even. The Kyuubi lived on, in the body of a baby. The demon that had attacked their home, killed their friends and family, and had taken their Hokage from them was alive, and it was now vulnerable to their attacks.

The shinobi advanced on the child now sleeping on the ground beside the third Hokage. It surprised the old man the sheer volume of killer intent radiating from the assembled ninja. Finally a young silver-haired ninja with a mask covering his nose and mouth uncovered a lone sharingan eye and began casting a jutsu which encased his arm in lightning. He rushed the bundle of cloth as the air was filled with the sound of chirping, but before he could strike the baby, the ninja struck a barrier and was thrown onto his back.

Kakashi! The third Hokage yelled, "I thought that of everyone you would have the sense to see that this baby is not the Kyuubi. Do you have so little faith in your sensei that you believe he would half-ass a seal? He was the greatest seal master to ever walk the planet; he would not have done this unless he was sure that it would be safe for the child and eliminate the threat to the village."

We must kill that monster!!" several shinobi yelled at once.

"What if it gets out" screamed another.

"KILL IT BEFORE IT IS TOO LATE!!"

"That is ENOUGH!!" Sarutobi yelled wih fire in his eyes and Killer Intent pulsing off his old body. The third continued, "Before he died the Fourth Hokage asked that the village accept this child and view it as a hero for bearing this burden within him. He has saved the village tonight so we owe him our thanks and protection."

"That's bullshit" screamed a middle-aged ninja. "We owe our thanks to Minato-sama not some worthless demon child. We should kill it now and finish the work the fourth started.

"The old man's killer intent spiked as he spoke his next words. "If anyone so much as draws a kunai I will kill you."

"Sarutobi-sama, the fate of that thing is in the hands on the council not yours. Everyone else is at the Hokage tower already please come with me." said an annoyed Uchiha Fugaku.

"Your escort is not required Fugaku. I have not been out of office so long as to forget the location of the Hokage tower. Proceed to the tower while Hiashi-sama and I talk."

"Thank you Hokage-sama," stated a solemn Hyuuga Hiashi.

"So Hiashi," the old man said with a grimace on his face, "how many did you lose?"

"Well sir I am not sure yet but it seems as though the Hyuuga clan has lost right at fifty ninja tonight since our estate was the closest to the portion of the wall the demon was advancing towards."

"I am deeply sorry for your loss Hiashi. If you require any help overcoming this ordeal let me know."

Hokage-sama there is one thing that would ease the pain of this night." Hiashi said through gritted teeth.

Hiashi, if you are planning to ask for the boy's life I will have to refuse your request. I know that you have been good friends with Minato for a long time correct?"

"Yes, hokage-sama."

Then I will tell you a double s ranked secret, Have faith in Minato's actions. I know that he would not have sacrificed himself and the wellbeing of his newborn son unless he was positive the seal would hold."

Hiashi's eyes widened. "THIS CHILD IS MINATO'S SON? When I heard that Kushina had died I assumed that her son met the same fate."

Now you understand how I know that Minato did not intend for the boy to be killed after the seal was cast. Hiashi!! You are to reveal Naruto's heritage to no one including the council. Minato's enemies would gladly jump at a chance of exterminating his clan for the humiliations he made them suffer during the war. Please help me protect him from the council's quest for blood."

Soon after the discussion Sarutobi and Hiashi Hyuuga arrived at the council chamber on the bottom floor of the Hokage tower.

"Ahh, it's about time. Seeing as how we had a quorum the council decided to proceed with discussion regarding that demon you are carrying. Seeing as the individual in question is neither a shinobi and is responsible for the deaths of numerous innocent civilian lives, we the council, hold the right to pass judgment. As such you will hand it over to us immediately." Exclaimed an old man wrapped in bandages.

Sarutobi frowned but knew that he must play along with the council for the time being. He placed the infant on the table that the council members sat around. However, he was not foolish enough to leave the baby unprotected in a room full of skilled ninja. He stood beside the sleeping boy ready to react to the faintest sign of danger. Although he had arthritis in his hands he still possessed ungodly speed when casting jutsu.

The silence was short-lived and Fugaku Uchiha made his presence know once again. "That thing must be killed this instant. It is a threat to us all. Though the Fourth hokage was a good man and decent shinobi his skill should not be accepted on blind faith. What if he was wrong about the strength of his seal? What if the seal corrodes after he's been dead for a few days? The Fourth has nothing to lose if he was wrong because he, his wife, and his child are all dead!"

Hiashi released wave upon wave on killer intent at this statement. "Watch what you say Uchiha, to speak of the character of a Hokage in such a manner is an insult to all of Konoha and could be viewed as treasonous. I will not allow such things to be said of Minato-sama in my presence." He declared.

The man known as Danzo decided to speak now. "We have deliberated and heard enough arguments. I now call for a vote regarding the future of Naruto Uzumaki."

Sarutobi began to feel slightly nervous he had no idea which way each clan head would vote.

"I agree, it is time to vote." Koharu called from Hiashi's left side. "When I call your name please answer yes or no regarding its execution."

Chouza? "NO!"

Danzo? "Yes."

Fugaku? " Yes."

Hiashi? "Definitely not!"

Homura? "yes."

Inoichi? "yes."

Koharu? "YES" she answered for herself.

Sarutobi? "NO!"

Shibi? "It is illogical so No"

Shikaku? "No" the man replied lazily.

Tsume? "Yes."

It is settled then," said Sarutobi, "Naruto's life shall be spared."

"Hokage-sama I must respectfully disagree, by a vote of 6 to 5 the council has sentenced the container of the Kyuubi no Kitsune to death effective immediately." Fugaku said sternly.

"Shut it Fugaku," stated the Hokage. "We both know that there is nothing respectful about your attitude towards this situation. I have allowed you to have your fun but my decision is final. No harm is to co…

Suddenly a furry mass leapt towards the bundle on the table. Sarutobi reacted with the speed of a man half his age; flashing through hand signs he erected a barrier between Naruto and the dog just before Tsume's fighting companion could finish his task.

"As the Hokage I have full rein over all Shinobi related incidents. Since this infant was used as part of a ninja technique I alone hold the right to determine his future." The old man announced. "Furthermore, any shinobi of the leaf that threatens the life of this child from this moment forward for being the jinchuuriki of the Kyuubi no kitsune will be put to death. DO I MAKE MYSELF CLEAR?" he asked the room of ninja clan heads?

Though several council members grumbled they were not stupid enough to openly challenge the Hokage when he was this serious.

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Despite all of the third Hokage's attempts at making Naruto's life normal, he was unable to provide the boy with the constant attention necessary to ensure his safety. Furthermore, the members of the council that were hostile towards Naruto used their clout to prevent Sarutobi from adopting the boy, saying they would have him removed from office if he did, and they turned the naive villagers against the boy as well.