Title: Namikaze
Summary: In a world that is slightly different from the one we know Minato and Kushina live. Now the children of this world must grow up to become the amazing Shinobi we all know and love - only a little differently. Joined by a few new faces can the rookies navigate a world full of blood, politics, schemes, and mysterious enemies intent on killing them?
Akane knew that they had no chance against two full grown men who probably had a lot more combat experience. There was no reasonable hope that Rin and Yasashi would show up to save them. Akane also didn't have the stupid courage her brother had to pull through either. She had to pull a trump card.
The three pronged kunai was that trump card. It was too large for her to actually handle as a weapon. That wasn't why she carried it with her anyway. This kunai had been given to her by parents. If she was ever in trouble all she had to do was put chakra into the weapon and her father would know she needed him. It was a blow to her fresh genin pride to essentially 'go crying to her daddy' but she'd rather not die at such a young age.
As the man's fist forced her head back she shot a burst of chakra into her father's kunai. The burst of energy as Minato manifested sent a shock wave through out the immediate area. The enemy that had punched her was sprawled back at the mouth of the alley. It was an odd feeling when she realized she wasn't holding onto a kunai anymore but instead had the fabric of her father's cloak pinched between her fingers.
Kogeki had never been afraid of the Hokage really. He'd always seemed like a nice guy and Akane often told them stories of his terrible 'dad' jokes. This was not that Hokage. This was not the man who visited their classroom in the academy, or showed up randomly at training, or gave them those stupid missions. This was the Hokage facing down an enemy. The enemy who had to gall to attack his Genin. But most of all this was the Hokage who was also a father to the girl behind him. The girl who was covering half her face out of pain trying to hide a quickly forming bruise.
It was over fairly quickly and Kogeki was pretty sure their Hokage was invincible after that. It was done fast enough that Genma and the rest of his squad didn't appear until after Minato had dealt with the threat. They promptly began securing the men to be sent for interrogation even without Minato telling them to do so. Minato told them to gather up the child as well and take them to be cared for.
"Should we send the Lady over?" Raido asked.
Minato thought about it, "Have her meet us at the hospital." He directed walking towards his daughter.
Akane looked at him in surprise, "It's not that bad. It'll heal in no time."
She didn't need her mom fussing over her too and a certain promise not to get into a fight so soon was ringing in her ears. Or maybe that was the possible concussion she might have. Minato ignored her protest and gently took the hand that was covering her face. The fresh purple bruise covered most of that side and her eye was swelling. He gave her look that told her she was going to the hospital no matter what she thought about it.
"How are you, Kogeki?" He asked examining the boy as well.
Kogeki waved it off, "Nothing too bad. Just a few cuts."
Minato eyed them both skeptically. What was it with hard headed genin these days? Well, he couldn't say he'd been any different back in the day. Kogeki was littered in a myriad of cuts, scraps, and bruises. He had two cuts on his face, one on his cheek and the other above his brow, and both were bleeding heavily. The boy was at least good enough to stand and walk on his own. Akane wobbled a bit on her feet but insisted she was fine. Minato kept a grip on both anyway until some of the Medical Corp showed up to escort them to the hospital.
Kushina was not pleased to say the least. If the two men responsible for her daughter's swollen face hadn't already been taken they'd be dead by now. As it was the only things she could do now was fuss over her daughter. Akane had to admit in a certain dislike for doctors and hospital rooms. She spent plenty of her younger childhood in them that she felt her dislike was justified.
Despite her protest having her mother with her was comforting. Kushina held an ice pack to the back of Akane's head, thankfully there was no concussion, as the Doctor check a few last minute things. She'd gotten an x-ray and the he had poked and prodded her till he was satisfied there was no serious injury. Now she was just impatient to leave. The doctor handed them some sheets of information on head injuries and warning signs then sent them on their way.
They passed Kogeki and his father in the hall as they left. The boy was far to pleased with his injuries as he spoke excitedly to his father. His dark green eyes seemed to brighten as he spotted his teammate when they approached. He pushed back some hair from his face to show off the stitches that criss-crossed the cuts on his face. He informed her that they'd probably scar. That was another thing he was far too happy about. Kogeki's father was not so pleased. While he was not a overly stern father he looked increasingly irritated as his son continued to ramble on. If Kogeki was in better shape the man might have whacked the boy on the head. Before any scolding could be done though Akane's mother interrupted the boy.
"I owe you a thank you Kogeki." She started, "I heard you really helped Akane out. So thank you for being a good teammate to her. I hope you both can continue to work well together."
While Kushina was just being honest with the boy it had served a secondary purpose. No father could be irritated with his son for long when someone, let along the Hokage's wife, praised the boy so earnestly. Kogeki beamed back at them so bright he was practically shining for real. Shugeki, that was his father's name, gently ruffled the boys messy black hair with pride.
"Thank you for the praise Lady Kushina!" Kogeki said bowing respectfully.
The pairs exchanged a few more words and then parted ways. Akane had thought they were headed home but then her Mom lead her past the front entrance and up a few flights of stairs. Eventually they ended up at an unassuming door. Without a word Kushina slid the door open and they both went in.
There was a small boy and nurse in the room. Akane couldn't place where she'd seen the kid before but he looked very familiar. His head was completely shaven bald. He had a few bandages and looked very malnourished, like someone had starved him.
Oh, the kid from the alley.
"Hello there. How are you feeling?" Kushina asked gently.
The boy only ducked his head looking at his new visitors shyly. Akane couldn't contain her curiosity over the child. She'd never seen anyone so badly neglected before. She couldn't imagine anyone doing this to someone else on purpose. Still she was happy to see he was no longer filthy but clean and looked after. He'd recover in no time she thought.
"Do you remember my daughter? This is Akane." Kushina said gently pushing Akane ahead of her.
The boy smiled a little. Akane returned it with one of her own, "Do you have a name."
It took the boy several minutes to work up the nerve to speak, "Kareru."
"That's a nice name." She told him.
He blushed a little at the attention and began fiddling with his hands. It was a good sign that the boy was willing to speak with Akane. A twelve year old probably wasn't as intimidating as the many adults who had come to speak with him. Deciding to give them space Kushina excused herself and dragged the Nurse along with her. Akane was somewhat confused when her mother told her to stay with Kareru. Her mother's light smile was reassuring though and told Akane she had something in mind.
"Just keep talking to him Akane." Her mother whispered as she past.
A few minutes had passed as Akane traded simple question with the boy. How old are you? Nine. How did you get to Konoha? The Merchant. Where were your parents? Back home. Did they know you are here? Maybe. Where are you from? That earned a pause as if he struggled to remember the name of his village. Eventually he identified a village she remembered being a border town.
Ultimately she found out the boy was now nine but had been with the merchant for a couple of years. He only remembered the name of his town because another older child had been taken from the same one. That boy had often spoke of the village and kept telling Kareru that someday they'd return there. Akane felt sickened and enraged as the more she talked to the boy the more it became obvious that the merchant was a slave trader. She learned the merchant's name was Iyashi Teizoku.
Had he come to Konoha looking for fresh slaves or was he looking to sell off the ones he had?
Kareru told her there had been others brought into the village along with him. He couldn't tell her how many though as he couldn't count, had never been taught to. She offered him her hands instead and told him to tap a finger for each person he remembered being there. There were seven not including himself and all of them were children.
"I'm going to get my mom, Kareru. We're going to save the others." She told him resolutely.
Kareru smiled relieved. The time he had spent with the merchant made up most of his memories but there were still those vague ones. Memories of a happier place with light and smiling faces. They shined through the bleak dark ones of the times he spent huddled away in a dark corner alone and scared. He would never regret running for the light when it had presented itself. If he hadn't Akane would never have come into his life. She wouldn't be telling him everything would be okay and that she was going to save the others.
As she left the only thing he could do was say, "Thank you, Akane."
A little shorter than the last couple of chapters but I think the theme of this arc is pretty well established here. I have some many little plot bunnies and spinoffs for this story it isn't even funny.