Chapter 2: Kushina

Naruto didn't know exactly where he was, but the fourth Hokage had called it the Soul Society. Was this Heaven? He hoped not, this placed looked rundown and in bad condition, kind of like the decrepit red light districted he lived next to. Hopefully this place was a little better than his old home in the slums of Kohona.

'According to that blasted fourth, we need to find some gatekeeper named Jidanbo. Wish he gave us a description of what he looked like,' Kyuubi muttered bitterly.

"Well the best thing to do now is look for a gate, a gatekeeper has to be at a gate," Naruto stated helpfully. Kyuubi just rolled his eyes at the boy's stupidity; of course a gatekeeper would be at a gate, that's what they were for, to guard gates. Unaware of his inner partners bashing of his intelligence decided to put his brilliant idea into action. With no preset direction, Naruto walked off in hopes of just running into this Jidanbo.

After about half an hour later it seemed that Naruto finally found Jidanbo. He was very happy to have finally found him, seeing as he could only take so much sadistic sarcasm from the demon in his head.

"Are you Jidanbo by any chance," Naruto yelled, walking towards the colossal man. Jidanbo looked down at the tiny blonde, "Yeah, what's it to you."

"Sorry to bother you but I'm knew and all, so Minato told me to tell you that I could enter and to find someone named Kushina from the 5th Squad. He said he'd explain everything then, seeing as he had a Hollow to deal with," Naruto replied. Jidanbo looked down at the boy skeptically. He did look a lot like the 5th Lieutenant and judging by this outfit he wasn't from the World of the Living.

"What is your name?" Jidanbo asked a precaution.

"Naruto Uzumaki," the blond replied. Jidanbo's eyes widened at the boys last name. Stepping closer to the gate, Jidanbo reached under and started lifting the gate, opening it for the blonde. Naruto stared in awe at the giant man as he lifted the equally giant stone gate.

"Head inside, someone will come to get you," Jidanbo stated, holding the gate open long enough for the blonde to reach the other side. Naruto thanked the man as the gatekeeper lowered the gate back down.

Naruto stared in amazement at the shire grandeur of Seireitei compared to the worn out town he had just come from. Seireitei had well built homes of white and light shades of various colors. The structures were well built and looked even better than some of the more expensive houses in Kohona. Still taking in the sights Naruto didn't notice the figure walking towards him.

"Hello," a small timid but kind voice of a female greeted. Surprised by the voice Naruto let out a very 'manly' scream. The girl with the brown hair in a bun and brown eyes giggled quietly at the blonde's girly scream. Naruto pouted at the young girl whom seemed to be around his age and about an inch taller.

'It still seems you are still hilariously short,' Kyuubi snickered, noting with a high amount of amusement that no matter where he went he will always be short for his age.

Naruto internally glared at his forevermore partner, but then ignored him when the girl started to speak again.

"My name is Momo Hinamori. I am 4th seat of Squad 5, I have come to get you," the girl stated kindly. Naruto smiled kindly, "Naruto Uzumaki, please show the way." Hinamori stared wide-eyed at the boy's last name, much like Jidanbo did when he heard it.

"Is their something wrong with my name, you're the second person to do that with me today," Naruto asked slightly annoyed. Momo shook her head and silently beckoned him to follow with the wave of her hand. Naruto pouted again, unable to stay annoyed at the small girl for long, and followed her to the Squad 5 barracks.

At the Squad 5 barracks Momo lead him to around the place until they finally found Kushina, who was currently helping rookies with their stances.

"3rd seat Kushina I brought the boy whom Minato requested see you," Momo reported. The beautiful redheaded women with gray blue eyes turned her gaze off the trainee and onto Hinamori and the boy. Upon seeing Naruto tears collected in her eyes and a mantra of 'no, no, no' came out of her mouth, accompanied by a look of horror. Naruto stared at her slightly confuse but completely terrified. That look of horror on her face could only mean one thing in Naruto's mind and that was for some reason she knew about the Kyuubi. Whatever somewhat normal and happy life Naruto was hoping to get here in Heaven seemed to dissipate right before his eyes. He would now once again be known as the Kyuubi, the hated monster himself, even though they were two separate beings. Waiting to be yelled at or struck, he did not foretell the redhead women hugging him as if her life depended on it.

"Oh Naruto, too young, too young," Kushina sobbed. Naruto was completely confused as to what was going on. Looking at the others for help they all looked sad and sympathetic towards the two of them.

"Um Lady, not to be rude but do I now you," Naruto asked politely.

"You don't exactly 'know' me," Kushina sobbed. "I'm your mother." Naruto's eyes widened at the revelation.

"Mother?"