Author's note:

Hello again.
I just woke up and there I notice 9 follows already! Wow, that's pretty unexpected!
Also, thank you for your reviews, any type of support is greatly appreciated.

Please enjoy this Chapter, and don't forget to review.

Chapter 1: The world I hoped for.

-Kushina's Point Of View.-

The daily routine strikes once more, in my own little personal environment.
The usual headache I get from being nearly beaten half to death, my twitching fingers due to some of the 'calmer' overdose, my burning throat that is ready to gush out blood at any moment... Can it become any worse than this?

I sighed, not wanting to open my eyes, knowing that the only thing waiting for me was a dark ceiling and a simple jailed window.

"No use waking up... Better sleep more..." I mumble lowly, grimacing in pain from yesterday's hit. My hands were gripping at something extremely soft and comfy while my body was covered up by something thick and warm. I gripped at the soft object tighter, trying to analyze what in the devil's name it could be.

I 'arose from my grave' and began rubbing my eyes. I then stretched my arms and jumped off my bed, walking at slow pace, I tried to acknowledge my room which looked awfully different. My vision was blurry back at that time so I couldn't see very well, I came to the conclusion that it was probably one of Kabuto's injections side effects that made me see such delusions. I yawned, then shrugged it off as if it didn't matter.

Feeling like I should start washing my face, I headed towards the sink who was supposed to be 2 meters away from my bed, I walked steadily while trying to touch it, my eyes still slit from before, I swung my arms left and right, "Where the heck." I muttered frustrated.
After walking a bit further I eventually hit something hard and fell on an incredibly warm ground, the impact opened my eyes wide and awoke me completely. Rubbing it, I realized that it was a wooden floor. Completely confused, I began examining my room, I was completely bewildered. "Wait... This isn't..."
A familiar sound caught my attention as I remained there perplex, I glanced at a nearby window who illuminated the entire room, standing up, I headed towards it in slow pace. My eyes widened in surprise.

The sun... The bright blue sky... The enchanting melody of the chirping birds, the greenery scene I had right in front of my eyes...

"This... Is this I dream?" I whispered to myself, It felt as if I was bewitched by some sort of enchantress or something of the sort. Then again, it felt so real, I was sure of myself that I wasn't under any type of effect, so it had to be true.

I closed my eyes and smiled. Breathing at heaven's fresh air.

"What beautiful scenery..." I murmur while sniffing at the pure air, I felt peaceful. In an instant I almost forgot the past, as if none of it had ever happened.

While I thought I'd remain at peace, I suddenly felt an intense pain on my belly, I lifted my shirt up till it exposed my injured abdomen, covered with bruises. I bit my bottom lip while rubbing it gently, "Owwie... If only he was less brutal, dattebane!"

I then looked left to right for a bathroom, surely, there must be one. Back at my old place, I only had one room with a bed, a toilet and a sink. I didn't get to enjoy the luxury of having a restroom for myself.

I walked carefully, still unsteady from my previous 'dose'. My hands were holding against the wall, I feared that I might lose my balance and fall on the ground, and unfortunately, my headache didn't make anything easier. Only now, did I notice how luxurious my room is, there are a few Japanese traditional paintings on the wall, there were some furniture almost in every corner of the room, tables full of beautiful jars as well as flower vases. I looked at it, amazed. This was too sudden of a change for me, although I'm quite happy with this, I still don't know how I managed to get here. I'm definitely sure those bastards sold me off to someone... But it doesn't matter anymore, as long as I'm not with them, besides, it looks like the people who bought me are actually quite wealthy and well-mannered, to think they'd put me in such a fancy room.

A sudden unpleasant feeling stopped me from digging deeper into my thoughts, and that was my urge to pee.

I continued my way and spotted a random door who was half open, seeing that there was a sink on the other side I knew it must of been a restroom, I rushed there and opened the door, only but to notice a middle-length wooden table, a chair and an oven.

"A... A kitchen?"

I remained bewildered, "Seriously... I don't even know how to cook." I mumbled.

Shaking my head, I realized I was thinking too much, closing carefully the door, I continued to search for a restroom, I then noticed another wooden door next to the kitchen's. Oh god please make it the bathroom!

I let out a relieved sigh when I finally saw the toilet.

After having my business done, I opened the small cupboard who was next to the bathtub, there I saw a pile of towels, bathrobes and a few cosmetics that would come of use to me. Soap as well as shampoo, how long has it been since I last seen those?

I started sniffing my armpits and realized how dirty I was.

If I'm going to meet the guys who bought me, I be clean.

Minutes later after taking a long and warm bath, I started feeling a lot more refreshed then before. I smiled to myself widely at the major improvement that happened to me, having an own personal room to be this big was surely a blessing from the gods! It had to be it.

I headed towards the kitchen and researched the shelves for some food, luckily, I managed to find a box of chocolate chip cookies that seemed to be recently bought. I was so very hungry, and finished the box in less than a minute.

"Uff! My belly is happy now!"

Looking at the clock that was on my nightstand, I noticed the time, it was 5:00PM.

"Hmm, I think I slept too much, then again it's all that bastard's fault for knocking me out," I sighed in delight, "But nooow... Everything's going to be fine! Thank goodness heaven listened to my prayers and granted my wish!"

I was about to enter my own personal dream world until I heard a sudden knock on the door who surprised me to the point of jumping out of my bed and fixing myself up. I then realized that I was still in my bathrobe and began to panic.

"Uhm, excuse me, may I come in?" A very feminine voice asked, I sighed in relief.

"Yes, you may."

As soon as the door opened, a girl who was about my age showed up, dressed in a simple brown dress, she smiled at me, which I replied with a more awkward one.

"I see that you already accustomed yourself to your new room, do you like it?"

I nodded eagerly, "Y-Yes! It's very big and luxurious! I um... Feel kinda' bad at taking it."

The girl giggle lowly, "My, you are a very modest person! Please don't feel bad though, this room was meant for you a long time ago."

I tilted my head, confused.

"Meant for me... A long time ago?"

She cleared her throat nervously, "Um well, forget what I said." Her smile came back and illuminated her small face, "Someone wants to see you."

I gulped, "Eh? Someone... Do you mean the person who bought me here? In other words, my master?"

She looked a bit uncomfortable, "Well, to call him 'master' is a bit... You can say he's more of our... I mean your... Leader."

Ah, I see now.

I get it.

I nodded, "Okay, I'll go, but um..."

"Yes?"

"Where could I get any... Spare clothes?" I asked embarrassed.

"Ah! Of course, I'll bring you some right away!" She said as she closed the door and rushed outside, I sighed and sat on a nearby couch, and started going deep down in my thoughts.

'Leader'... If I was bought here by some kind of big boss or something, then surely, they would want to use me for 'that' sort of thing... I wouldn't want to harm people, then again, I don't want to return to that living hell. I have no choice, I must cooperate. If not then...

I shook my head, Keep calm, Kushina! You're not weak, you're strong! You can do it! There is no way in hell that you...

"Sorry to keep you waiting, here are the spare clothing you asked for! I hope they suit your taste."

I jumped off of the couch and bowed respectfully, "Thank you so much!"

"Oh please don't do something so absurd! I'm nothing but a servant so It's fine! Now please go and change while I'll be waiting outside."

I nodded and took the set of clothes she bought for me, it was nothing special, just a simple sleeveless dark blue shirt and Capri pants, I searched a bit more, hoping to find something that might... Cover up my revealing chest, in other words, a bra. But I found none.

I mumbled a few cursed words and wore the clothes I was given, I then took the simple shinobi shoes and wore them, they were extremely comfy.

After I covered my womanly chest curves with my hair and rubbed my face, I felt like it was about time I'd leave. I opened the door and noticed the girl who was waiting for me like she was told.

"Are you ready?" She asked politely.

I nodded, then followed her.

We were walking on a long hallway who had many rooms, the girl remained silent for a while, she'd kindly turn to face me and ask me if I was doing okay, to which I replied that I was doing fine. Despite still having my headache and drowsiness, I decided I'd try and bear with it until we reach our destination.

After finally reaching the end of the long hallway, she turned again and faced me, "We'll be going upstairs now, do you remember your apartment number?"

I gave her a surprised look, "I uhm..."

She smiled kindly, "It's room 73, please remember it from now on, after all, It's your new home now, right?"

"Yes, um... Thanks!"

She nodded and continued leading the way, we went up long stairs that seemed to be never ending, she'd turn and talk to me a bit, telling me a bit about herself and how she became a shinobi and such. I nodded, trying to catch up with her conversation and laughed when she'd say something particularly funny, I wasn't good with relationships because of me being a shut in. So it was a bit awkward for me.

"Oh yeah, I haven't told you my name yet! I'm Shizuko, and you?"

I gave her a small smile, "Kushina, nice to meet you."

She giggled, "Same here."

We walked a bit for a while and finally reached the top floor, I sighed in relief since I had trouble walking with my two legs, Shizuko on the other hand didn't look the least bit tired. We talked and talked until she stopped walking and started looking at me awkwardly, I asked her what was wrong.

"You must of had it rough huh."

"Huh? Oh." I noticed that since I wore a sleeveless shirt, the bruises on my arms were exposed, I shrugged it off.

"It's fine, I mean... It's nothing but the past now!"

She gave me a pitiful smile, then continued walking. After what seemed an eternity, she finally stopped next to a door, then turned to face me.

"Well, that's it. Behind this door is the Hokage."

I gulped, "Wait... 'kage'? As in... As in..."

She nodded, "Yep! As in a great ninja leader."

"Then... This means we're in the hidden leaf village?"

She nodded once more, "That's right! You didn't know?"

I shook my head, still amazed. To think I didn't notice!

"W-Wait, Shizuko, I didn't know that ..."

Without giving me a second glance she knocked on the door, "Sir, we bought her."

"Alright, bring her in." A manly voice replied, Shizuko turned to give me one last smile before opening the door, then whispered a 'Good Luck!'.

I sighed heavily then entered the room.

However, just as soon as I went in, I saw an extremely gorgeous man with middle-length blonde spiky hair and piercing blue eyes. I could hear my heart throb as my cheeks flushed red. He was sitting on his office writing a few things, then turned his attention towards me, I nearly jumped from the eye contact. And just like it wasn't enough, my fingers started twitching again! I cursed under my breath as I hid both of my hands behind me.

After paying more attention to me he gave me a warm smile made my heart beat faster, I blushed.

"Please sit down." He said gently.

I nodded and sat on the chair that was next to his office, my head was looking at the ground.

This man is... The hokage? But he's so young!

"Did the room we gave you fit your taste?"

"Ah! Y-Yes! Very!" I answered nervously.

"That's good."

"Um." I tried to say.

"Hmm?"

"Are you the person that..."

He shook his head almost immediately, "No, I'm not the one that bought you here, actually, it was the third hokage's decision, not mine."

"Oh..."

That answer saddened me, a bit.

"Ah, I think I should introduce myself; my name is Namikaze Minato, I'm the 4th hokage of this village, pleased to meet you."

"Ah! Likewise! I-I'm Kushina... Kushina... Uzumaki."

He smiled at me, "What a lovely name."

I blushed, it was the first time that someone ever gave me a compliment, even if it was just my name, I felt happy.

He was staring at me for a moment now, and to be honest, it was extremely embarrassing having a man look at me in such a way, I could see how bold he was for doing so, yet I remained quiet.

Then, he stood up suddenly and walked towards me.

"You've never been to konoha am I right? Want me to show you around?"

"Wha... Right away?" I asked, although I knew how dumb that question was.

He nodded, still smiling and reached out his hand to me. I blushed lightly and held it. Oh dear lord, his hands were so big and warm, nothing like Orochimaru's cold touch.

That contact made me feel comfortable, and his smile appeased me. He looked like some sort of angel when he smiles. I unconsciously began dazing off while looking at him.

"Is there something wrong with my face?"

I shook my head and came back to reality, "N-Not at all! I was just... Sorry."

He chuckled, "Heh, well now let's go." He said as he headed towards the huge window of his office room, I looked at him; quite confused.

"Um, didn't you say we we're going to visit the village?"

"I did, but it would be a pain to take all these stairs right?"

I nodded a bit unsure, "But, where are you heading at, Minato?"

He gave me a decisive smile, "Well, you're a shinobi right?"

"Yes?"

"Then I guess it wouldn't hurt to jump from this distance, right?"

I gulped, he wasn't serious, right? Me? Jump from such height! I had trouble keeping myself steady already but now this?!

"I uh... I don't think I can..."

He held my hand before I could protest and gave me a grin, "No worries, I'm here."

My heart nearly jumped from that, He's so good looking...

"Alright! You ready?" He said as he opened a side of the window, I nodded nervously.

We both jumped simultaneously, his hand not letting go of mine. I held myself from screaming despite my extreme fear of heights. I closed my eyes in hope that I wouldn't feel too much pain, If I wasn't weak at the moment, I could've easily managed to land successfully, but in this situation...

I bit my bottom lip in fear, Crap! To think I'd embarrass myself next to him!

I took a slight peek, only but to see the ground getting closer to my face at an intense peek, I gave a shocked expression as I glanced at Minato, who was extremely calm.

Before I knew it, my survival instinct came back at me, and my mind became completely blank. While in mid air, I straightened my body and managed to land successfully.

I let out a relieved sigh, Made it...

I then glanced at Minato, who was looking at me.

"You okay?"

I nodded, "Yeah, no problem!"

He smiled, "Shall we go then?"

I nodded once more, "Yeah!"

And then we walked, just like he promised me, when went and explored every little part there is to see about the village, I was amazed by everything so I kept repeating "wow!" almost every time I see something new. At times I could feel his stare on me, but it didn't bother me somehow, when he'd let me talk, I'd go on and say stuff that I never once thought about, I'd blurt out some random story and add 'ttebane' in the end of my sentences. I felt surprisingly comfortable with him, unlike with Shizuko, it looked like he paid close attention to what I was saying, and it pleased me greatly.

I let myself get carried away and I started talking too much, Minato began laughing.

"Just what's so funny?!" I asked a bit angry, was he mocking me?

He shook his head and smiled sweetly at me, "Nothing, it's just a first for me to meet someone like you."

I blushed, "Um, really?"

He nodded, "Yeah, not many women express themselves as openly as you do."

I took my finger and started twirling it on my hair, messing it casually.

"It's also a first for me to meet someone like you." I said in a low voice.

"Come again?"

"Nothing." I replied teasingly.

We continued our walk and our discussion, and somehow, an hour passed already. We walked and walked until we reached the main street who was crowded with people. As we walked past them, some of them stopped to look at us, or rather... Look at me, more specifically.

I felt uneasy as I saw them whisper a few words into their companion's ear, was there something wrong with me?

Suddenly, I felt Minato's warm hand on my shoulder.

"Is there something wrong? You look rather pale." He asked concerned.

I took a glance at the people who looked rather strange, "I'm alright but..."

Minato sighed, "Hey, don't worry! It's not you they are looking at but me."

"Huh?"

He pointed at his white coat, "See? I'm the hokage of this village, It's not often that I go out openly like this."

I sighed in relief, "Ah, is that so?"

He nodded and offered me his hand, which I held with great enthusiasm.

So far, everything went smoothly, we continued our way and ignored the people that looked at both of us, it was as if we we're in our own world, and know' what? I was happy. Happy to walk beside someone, happy to be treated as someone. Minato listened to what I had to say and answered me whenever I had a question to ask, when I'd get a sudden headache he'd hold me by the shoulder and ask me if I'm alright.

Not once in my life did I get so much attention.

Just by looking at his blue eyes, I start feeling at peace.

But our peaceful moment was interrupted by my stomach growl.

My face flushed red in embarrassment.

Minato gave me a concerned look on his face, "Oh I'm sorry, I made you walk non-stop without asking you weather you were hungry or not."

I shook my head shyly; "It's fine! Don't be sorry!"

He smiled at me then looked at his watch, "It's already past seven, although I don't eat at this hour, I think we can make an exception." He paused for a moment and looked at the sky, "I'm afraid it'll start raining soon, we should hurry up a bit."

"Well um."

He tilted his head in an adorable manner while looking at me, "Where do you want to go? My treat."

I twirled my thumbs, thinking. The only thing they gave me, back in my cell, was cabbage soup with one hard egg. They'd rarely give me meat, most of the time, I'd get half a fish.

"Meat..." I said unsure, Minato got closer.

"What? Could you speak louder please."

"I'd like some meat."

"Well I know just the right place then!"

I smiled at him, what a sweet person.

We walked for a bit and arrived at our destination, it was a small restaurant with only a few people in, it didn't look fancy at all, in fact, it seemed to be more of a rundown place.

I glanced at Minato, "Are you sure we're at the right place?"

He chuckled, "I know I know, it doesn't look really neat, but I guarantee that the meat they cook here is the best in town."

Feeling somewhat reassured, I decided I'd trust him a bit more and followed him. And I didn't regret it, the meat they served us was juicy and tender, it melted inside of my mouth.

Minato looked at me, quite surprised.

"Well now, you seem to be rather hungry."

I gave him one of my meanest looks, "So what if I'm hungry, ttebane!"

He laughed, "Sorry! Just go ahead and eat up all you want!"

As I started chewing and swallowing like a beast, I could tell that Minato was lost deep in his thoughts, even If I didn't really pay that much attention to him (not like he paid any attention to me either) I could tell something was troubling him.

I took a last bite and finished my plate.

"Thank you, it was delicious!" I said cheerfully, Minato smiled; "I'm glad you liked it!"

Suddenly, he began to look at me intensely, "W-What."

"Kushina, don't move." He whispered as he got closer to me.

What is he about to do?

I panicked was he about to... Ki... Ki...

I closed my eyes in panic, until I felt something soft rub the corner of my mouth.

He was wiping my mouth with a tissue.

"There we go, you had a bit of sauce on your face."

I couldn't help but feel embarrassed, "Thank you, but you could had just told me instead of doing it yourself!"

"I'll try to be careful, from now on then." He teased, then looked at the other side of the window.

I felt curious so I turned to see what was going on, I noticed a group of Shinobi carrying some of their injured companions, people started grouping up to help them, Minato looked bothered.

"You can go, you know? You're the hokage after all."

Hearing me, he turned almost immediately, "Eh? Ah, don't worry. This doesn't seem to concern me, well... Not now at least."

I felt curious, "Why?"

He sighed, somehow he looked rather sorrowful; "I'm not the one in charge yet, even though I became the fourth hokage, the third is still the one that pulls the strings and that controls a good part of the village. The troop that you saw just now is the one he personally sent off." He paused and looked at me, "I just became the hokage very recently, they won't trust me completely until I show them what I'm worth of."

"But didn't they choose you to become the fourth hokage? Isn't that coat you wear proudly a symbol of your worth?"

I couldn't tell if I said something absurd or completely stupid, since his reaction looked rather surprised, without a word, he started giggling.

"You really aren't from this village, are you? Then again, that's what makes you rather special."

I looked away, "It's not like I... Said something weird didn't I?"

He shook his head.

"No, what you said made even more sense."

I gazed at him, "Why?" My face starting to flush red.

He smiled, "I don't know, it just sounds pleasant to the ear."

I pouted while hearing that, "Hey, that's not how it works."

"I guess not."

There it is again, the eye contact! Those blue piercing eyes of his looking straight at me, his stare was so powerful that I could feel it miles away. He had a powerful presence, even with such a gentle and gorgeous face, he was a man amongst mans. If he was chosen to be the fourth hokage, then there was no doubt about it, the guy must be strong like hell.

I gulped, then looked away, I couldn't stand being looked at by him in such an intense way, did I fear him? No, I couldn't... Not with such a kind man.

Yet why do I feel so uneasy next to him?

"Uh oh."

"What?"

"Problem."

"Problem? What problem."

He pointed at the window, it looked like it was raining pretty harshly.

"Ah, shi..." I hid my mouth with my hand, I can't curse while him around!

"Crap!" I blurted out.

Minato looked at his watch, "Well now, looks like time goes by pretty fast!"

"Why? What time is it."

"It's past nine."

I gasped, "Wait... We stayed here for two hours?!"

"Guess so."

"Woa..."

"Well, the restaurant is about to close, and this rain doesn't look like it's about to stop anytime soon."

I looked away, "I uh, sorry."

He chuckled, "What are you apologizing for? Come on! Let's go."

I smiled, "But we'll get wet."

He shrugged, "I don't really care, do you?"

I shrugged too, "Neither do I!"

We both laughed and ran outside in the rain, so far we we're practically the only ones without an umbrella, but we didn't seem bothered at all.

We ran and ran and finally found shelter at a nearby Inn that was still open.

Both of us were soaking wet!

"Well, I don't need to shower today." He said teasingly, to which I replied with a smile.

While I paid more attention to my hair, Minato started looking at me weirdly, I glanced at him and he immediately averted his gaze, his face flushed red.

"Minato?" I called.

He didn't reply, instead he took off his coat and handed it over to me.

"It's... Uh, soaking wet, but at least it'll cover you up..."

Wait... 'Cover me up'? No... Don't tell me.

I looked at my torso, who exposed every feminine trait there is to be shown, I gasped and snatched the coat from his hands and covered myself up with it.

I could feel my blood boil, to think he'd see... He'd see me!

Even if my shirt was dark-coloured, it wasn't thick enough to hide my physique, the rain did a good job exposing me!

Minato cleared his throat, "Don't worry I... Didn't really see anything."

Yes you did!

I shook my head, "No, it's okay, I was just careless."

"Yeah."
There was a moment of silence, both me and Minato remained quiet for a long moment, I'd sneak a peek at him once in a while, and god, he was so handsome.

We sat on the bench outside with the Inn's sign that protected us from the rain, Minato would try to start a conversation but it would always end pretty easily, we started saying a few ridiculous things until the silence came back and remained.

And now that I think about it, didn't I have a headache before? And my fingers... Why aren't they twitching?

Come to think of it, wasn't I drowsy to the point of not being able to walk correctly?

How come all of it just stopped so suddenly?

Was it because of Minato?

I sneezed.

Minato got closer, and hugged me tightly.

"Is it warm?" He asked softly.

"Yeah, Kinda'." I answered shyly.

"Kinda'...?"

"You're wet."

He chuckled.

"But it's still warm."

He smiled at me, "Good, I'm glad."

Just yesterday, I was at my dark cold and humid room, praying for a sudden change in my life.
And now I'm in the arms of Namikaze Minato.

Did my wish come true?

Did my prayers reach the skies?

Just for a while, I want this moment to continue a bit longer...

Just for a little while...

In this sweet man's arms.

~ Chapter 1 End ~

~ Chapter 2 Start~

Liked it? I made it a bit long.
More dialogue than usual too.

Please review.

Next chapter will be more serious about the plot and the war.

See ya.