Disclaimer: I don't own naruto and the song 'lullany of the stormy night'
CHAPTER 2
Aftermath
Hiruzen was getting more and more worried as the time pass. First minato and kushina were in the barrier far too long and now their daughter went in as well. He didn't even understand how can a 4 year old manage to get inside the barrier but a knowlegable shinobi in the sealing arts like himself couldn't. The barrier is so thick that its impossible to see through it.
Shikaku is worried too and rightly so seeing as Akiko is his goddaughter. And now she's in direct danger. Kakashi and Asuma(who just arrived) are no different pacing around the barrier, kakashi was trying to find weak spot in the barrier so he can go inside as well. They both see her as their little sister they never had and its killing them both to not know whats happening to her inside the blasted barrier.
The barrier finally disappear and they all see the kyubbi disappear as well , But the newborn baby and a seal on his belly confirms his thought of who the next jinchuriki is, He went towards the babe and scooped him in his arms. He made eye contact with shikaku who was looking at the little infant in his arms with a grave look. The only thought in his head is 'you are too foolish & selfless yondaime'.
kakashi went to minato's side to check his condition,And shikaku like him scooped akiko his his arms and gave him a nod confirming that she's alright merely unconscious.
"Kushina-sama" Inoichi help kushina sit up in her place, she had too many wounds and likely wont survive the ordeal but he still had to try.
"Take her to Leaf Hospital immediately" He order inoichi "summon the medical ninja!"
"Sandaime.." kushina whisperd weakly, he immediately went to her side, the baby securely laid in his arms.
"Kushina…!"he said softly, looking at once strong kunoichi so full of life, dying infront of is so heart breaking.
"Please take... care of... them" she removed her wedding ring from her ring finger and gave it to him "give it to… Aki" she looked at the baby in his arms with such loving care only a mother can give to their children "His name is... Naruto... minato and I... picked it from... jiraiya sensei's novel"
"Naruto ,you say? you don't need to worry. I'll take full responsibility" he reassuared her, promising to do everything in his power to protect the kids.
she turned to look at kakashi with same look she gave her own son naruto just a minute ago " Kakashi.. take care of …yourself" and with those words one of the powerful kunoichi closed her eyes and join her husband in afterlife.
"Kushina-nee" kakashi cried, once more he lost someone precious to him. Hiruzen isn't sure how many blows this child could handle before breaking, but he would try to help him as best as he can.
He looked at shikaku and nodded at him, silently telling him to follow him. He stopped in his steps to look at kakashi who was still crying and raging. He fear for the child but decided to give him space for now and let him grieve for his lost mentor and mother figure.
Akiko wake up the next day blurry and distraught, she looked around the unfamiliar place and panic sets in her every being. She's not in her room nor kakashi's place or Nara compound. Then she remember last night and broke down, she didn't even care for anything at all, she wanted her parents back. They don't deserve it, she don't deserve it. Its not fair that her parents died and leave her alone in the world. Then she remember her brother, she still had her brother, she still had a family. A brother who needs her but she's a little selfish and just sat there and grieve alone for who knows how many hours.
She woke up again but this time at the sound of knock on her door. 'when did she sleep again anyway?' she get out of her bed and open the door she came face to face with kakashi-nii or as face to face she can come with kakashi she suppose.
" Are you okay?" his voice is little hoarse like he screamed at someone all night. 'he possibly did' but he looked worried and tired, so unlike kakashi she know.
"I believe so" Her voice come strained from all the crying she did. "and you" she asked, its not like she's the only one losing her parents. He lost them too. He was their family in all but blood.
"I suppose so" and surprise they both know it's a lie. They are not okay at all. They don't have a father anymore who would love and teach them or a loving mother who would make them eat veggies even though they made all sorts of protest or make their favourite foods when they accomplish something. No one to cheer them if they are upset. No one but each other and a little brother to take care of.
"Where are we?" she asked, trying to change the topic of their conversation. They both know they aren't ready to talk yet. She signal him to come inside the room. She sat down at the bed and he took the only chair in the room.
"Sarutobi compound" he replied, she nodded her head, make sense they won't take them to their parents home anyway. "Sandaime-sama wants to talk to you, if you are ready"
She kowns he would wants to talk, but is she ready? Can she tell them what she saw? Can she talk about it without breaking down again? Is she strong enough?
"I know you need time, heck even I need time but we don't have time. After the funeral they would choose new hokage." She clench her fist. She cant imagine anyone else as hokage but her own father. "and I would say its better to answer sandaime than any new hokage who wont understand fuinjustu at all and it would make explaining a lot harder"
She know he is right, he is always right. But the prospect of expaling what she saw inside the barrier clench her gut. The kyuubi's claw penetrating her parents is the sight that would haunt her all her life. She closed her eyes not wanting to go. But a hand in her shoulder forced her open her eyes and saw kakashi standing infront her looking all tired and miserable but he's still here for her. Her mouth curl into a sad smile and she nodded head.
"Lets go then" he nodded at her and took her hands in his giving her the strength she needed for the pending conversation. She smiled at him weakly for being the pillar in her life even though he was in the verge of breaking himself.
They arrived at the old mans office in his manor, Her dad had one of these too. But he rarely use them seeing as he used to spend most of the time in hokage tower. But he once told her that they use to hold meetings there in war time. Mostly because their house was protected and secured with all types of seals that prevent enemy or spy to overhear their strategy and plans.
In the office her godparents were already present Nara Shikaku and Uchiha Mikoto along with the Sandaime. They all looked at her concerned, like she was some kind of doll and break down any minute. she fidget in her place, feeling uncomfortable at their concerned gaze.
"Are you alright?" her godmother mikoto asked, concern written all over her face. akiko didnot know her godmother that well. she only met her twice or thrice in her short life and she wasn't used to go the uchiha compound seeing as uchihas are a bit private type of people and don't let strangers in their lands. But that still did not stop from mikoto and kushina from being best friends.
She smiled at her godmother and just nodded her head not being able to reply properly. Mikoto return the smile but the sadness in her eyes told her that losing her best friend effect her greatly as well.
"How did you get inside the barrier akiko-chan" The Third asked sofly, seeing how uncomfortable she was getting at everyone concerning gaze.
" I do not know much about barrier as mother just started teaching me. There are two types of barrier: chakra barrier and blood barrier. Father put blood barrier so no one can get inside but seeing as he and I share blood it was easy for me to get inside the barrier using my blood"she explained as simply as she could seeing as not everyone could understand fuinjustu in this room.
Everyone in the room had a thoughtful but awed expression on their face. Awed because even at the time of great danger her dad think about the safety of the village.
"what did you saw when you get inside the barrier?" the old man asked, and she felt tears filled her eyes even at the thought of her parents pierced by one of the kyuubi's claws.
"The Kyuubi was there but shorter in size bound by mother's chakra chains. A figure that looks like a Death God with a knife and kyuubi's claws pierce their boby, it looks like they were trying to protect naruto with there bodies and father use eight trigram seal on naruto perhaps sealing kyuubi inside him?" she manage to say all that without cying out in the middle of explaination. she saw realization dawn on the hokage's face maybe he figured out what exactly her father did.
"Thank you akiko-chan" the sandiame said, " The funeral is tomorrow so be ready okay"
" What would you do to naruto?" she finally asked, she's no fool to believe that they'll do nothing to naruto now he has kyuubi in him. ultimate power, a weapon.
" The council would decide that later on" he said with a bit of venom in his voice for leaving the fate of two children at the hands of a bunch of power hungry people but then again she must have imagine it.
"I can take them in" her godfather said immediately without second thought. She felt grateful to him, he was really good godfather. He used to play shogi with her even when she sucks at it. now she's a little good but not that good.
"You can't, other clans would object. Saying Naras would get more power over others" the third explained softly like it hurts him to say that, But its the truth.
"They can live with me" kakashi spoke for the first time through the whole meeting " I have a decent apartment, I get a decent pay not to mention Hatake's properties left for me, so I can take care of their needs too. When my father died minato sensei all but adopt me now its my turn to reurn the favour"
"As much as I love the idea, kakashi. You still have a clan name. everyone would object" The old man pointed out. Kakashi clench his fist at all the politics of the village. He never liked them at all. He didnot understand its not the same as him and dad. he didnot have a burden of being jailor of the kyuubi, and the intrest of every single clan on him be it positive or negative.
"What clan? Only one member do not make a clan, hokage-sama. All they think about is the power this and power that, what about a child's future. What do you suggest they go to the orphanage and live their life in all the hardships. Is that what my sensei would want for his children. I hope kyuubi would have killed some power hungry old people who did not even show up to fight the kyuubi I might add, instead of my sensei." Kakashi yelled, rage and hurt clear in his voice, his fist clench so tight that it turned white. And without saying another word he left the room closing the door with a bang. It was better anyway, if he stay he'll do something he'll regret later on.
The Hokage sighed massaging his temples, she felt pity for him. it wasn't his fault that the clans are so selfish that they would put anyone life and happiness at stake. They are all shinobi afterall power is all they want.
"Can I can suggest something?" she finally asked an idea forming in her head from kakashi's outburst.
"Go on"Hokage-sama said kindly, she don't know him much, she didn't have opportunity to meet him before, hence the reason of her guarded front at first but clearly her godparents trust him so she would too.
"What kakashi-nii said about orphanage is a good idea. Tell the village that akiko namikaze died too. And we can go and live in orphanage. I'll change my name and disguise myself so no one would recognize me. That way the power balance of the village would be stable. And we can avoid the assassination attempt that would sure to come after me after they learn about my fathers death. It's a win/win situation basically" she explain after she analyze the situation properly. It shows her growth in shogi too if the proud glint in her godfathers eyes is anything to go by." ofcourse when i'll start acadmy i'll discard the disguise"
"That's a good idea, I see, what they say about you being a prodigy is not just rumor then. You would want to use your mother last name I presume" she nodded her head. If she forsake her fathers name then she would at least want her mothers.
"Uzumaki Aoi had a nice ring to it" her godfather said, smiling at her but she furrow her brow, confused. 'Aoi where did that come from anyway?'
"Aoi?" she questioned coufusion clear in her voice.
"That's what your father wanted to name you, but he can't win a fight against kushina" her godmother explained smiling at the sweet memory she shared with her friends.
"Oh! My parents sure do love colors" she murmured but they all heard it anyway and laughed. Atleast someone's laughing.
The atmosphere outside was expressing her emotions perfectly, the storms, rains and lightning struck with perfect harmony. She thought even the gods are mourning for her loss. The sky is dark even though its pretty early. The clouds are so black that it looks like night has come little early.
After the meeting she finally went to meet her baby brother. Sayuri –san, hokages-same's daughter-in-law was taking care of her brother when she arrived in the room. He was crying very loudly so she didn't really have a problem finding the room. When she saw him her breath hitched he looked just like their father with the whiskers of course. Same sunshine blond hair, azure blue eyes he has a chubby face which remind her of her mother.
Tears filled her eyes once again as the memories of her father flooded in. laughing and pouting, sometimes teaching her and others trying to win a fight against her mom. She suddenly realize she wont be his princess anymore, no one would ever call her princess. No one would made her moms special ramen. And it hurts more than she thought it would. Most of all it hurts because naruto wouldn't know their parents.
"Can I hold him sayuri -san?" she asked as approach the women, shes beautiful with her brown locks and dark eyes. A classic beauty not like her mother who was exotic beauty.
"Ofcourse, but be careful okay. I hope you can stop his crying. He didn't stop crying for a long time even mikoto-san can't make him stop" sayuri-san smile at her and show her how to hold naruto properly, she was afraid at first that she might drop him or something but she didn't and soon she got the courage and start rocking him in her arms. She starts to hum so he would stop crying then she remember her mother always singing a lullaby to stop her crying and it always worked.
She hums the tune of the lullaby and before she knew it she starts to sing
"Little child, be not afraid
Though rain pounds harsh against the glass
Like an unwanted stranger, there is no danger
I am here tonight." She rocked her brother and stand infront of the window watching the rains pounds.
"Little child, be not afraid
Though thunder explodes and lightning flash
Illuminates your tear-stained face
I am here tonight." he finally stop crying and she turned away from the window as the lightning flash, and sit on the nearby chair still rocking him so that he'll fall asleep.
"And someday you'll know
That nature is so
The same rain that draws you near me
Falls on rivers and land
On forests and sand
Makes the beautiful world that you see
In the morning." Her voice is soft as she sung, she always loved how her mother describe the nature always thinking of her homeland that was once a powerful village surrounded by this beautiful whirlpool and forest.
"For you know, once even I was a
Little child, and I was afraid
But a gentle someone always came
To dry all my tears, trade sweet sleep for fears
And to give a kiss goodnight." her voice was a whisper like she was sharing a secret with her baby brother, How whenever she had a nightmare her mother would always come and calm her down, singing the same lullaby to make her fall asleep again and always kissing her forehead after making sure that she fall asleep.
"Well now I am grown
And these years have shown
That rain's a part of how life goes
But it's dark and it's late
So I'll hold you and wait
'Till your frightened eyes do close" she looked out of the window it was truly dark now and naruto's eyes is dropping soon he'll fall asleep.
"And I hope that you'll know
That nature is so
The same rain that draws you near me
Falls on rivers and land
On forests and sand
Makes the beautiful world that you see
In the morning" her voice wavers and tears filled her eyes once more she remember her mothers beautiful voice singing to her and now she wont hear it again, reality of the situation finally struck her once again but she didn't stop singing.
"Everything's fine in the morning
The rain'll be gone in the morning
But I'll still be here in the morning" she reassure her brother or herself? Their parents are gone and never coming back but she'll be here, always protecting him as she promised her parents she will. He'll always have her older sister in the morning after a dark night. She looked down and naruto was asleep in her arms peacefully sleeping unaware of his sisters tears or hardships ahead of them.
She looked at sayuri-san, silently asking her to place him in the crib without waking him up. Sayuri-san nodded and took him from her arms gently and place him in the crib without waking him up. She also had tears in her eyes due to her singing perhaps, but she did not wait for the small talk and left the room as quickly as she could.
She went to her room where she wake up in the morning, she threw herself in the bed and cried silently remembering every moment she had with her parents and cried herself to sleep that night.
The funeral next day was big event, the clouds was still present expressing her feelings. But she is glad that it wasn't shining and happy day. Because nothing was happy about this day. She dyed her hair black so no one would recognize her, sandaime-sama will make a seal to disguise herself without dying her hair later on. But for now it'll do.
No one care for a orphan girl standing in the rows of shinobi anyway, everyone was busy mourning their loved ones for noticing a little oddity like that. She's wearing a traditional black dress and her mothers wedding ring around her neck in a chain. The sandaime gave it to her this morning, saying her mom wanted her to have it.
She always loved that piece of jewelry, it's a simple ring, a small topaz surrounded by ruby in a circle woven beautifully in a silver band. Her mom once explained to her that the topaz was her dads azure blue eyes and the ruby was her moms beautiful long blood red hair. 'Just like you' she had said. And she giggled that day but now she only wanted to cry at the memory.
The ceremony ended quickly, she didn't even hear a single word but soon they left the graveyard after paying their respect. Everyone had repairing work to do. The damage was great blow to konoha and it'll need to repair as quickly as they can.
But she did not care, nor did she leave. She just sat there looking at her parents photos like they'll come back to life at her intense staring. her father was looking as handsome as ever in the picture with his hokage robes and warm smile and her mother is smiling happily too.
Hours past but she did not move just staring silently at the photos of her parents. It seems even tears betrayed her and do not fall from her eyes anymore. In the back of her mind she knows her brother needs her but she wanted to give this one day to her parents, just being a child who lost her parents and remember them.
" Why are you sitting here all alone" the voice startled her, pulling her out of her thoughts. She looked up and meet with a pair of beautiful onyx eyes looking at her with concern.
"I – I …." She trailed off, what could she say to him. she's sitting here because she feels miserable or she wanted to drown her sorrow sitting here staring at her parents pictures. the boy is a little older than her, he has short raven locks, and soft features. He looks beautiful, Beautiful is the only word to describe him. he sat down next her not minding the little dampness of the grass at all.
" Its okay if you don't want to answer, I understand" his voice is soft and sweet, his eyes understanding, mature beyond his age. And she felt intrigued by this odd boy.
" I lost my parents" she didn't even understand what came over her as she said that, she did not wanted to answer anyone, so why did she? Maybe it just grieve talking. But he just nodded and did not question her further and just looked ahead where she was looking a while ago "Did you lost anyone close to you too?"
"My godmother" he replied and she nodded not asking anymore question, respecting his privacy "Though i didnot know her very well" he admitted then his eyes land on the photo next to her parents, a little girl with red hair and a big grin on her face, HER picture "I meet the youndaime's daughter once, her mother bought her to uchiha compound but she was only a few months old and so small too. but I really love her hair" she unconsciously touch her dyed black hair. And smiled for the first time today, even though he did not know he just compliment her hair. They sat there next to each other lost in their own thoughts. wind was blowing softly caressing her face and blowing her dyed hair. she closed her eyes and simply enjoying the silence between the two. hours passed and the darkness began to set in she sighed 'Time to go'she thought to herself
"Thankyou for sitting here with me, stranger. It seems I should go now" she stand up and started to walk away. But then she remember his words 'I really love her hair' and stopped midway. She turn around walk up to him and kissed him on the cheek and this time walk away with a smile on her face.
AN : Thanks everyone for the reviews and favourites, I really appreciate it. And sorry for the late update.
