Ninja of the Void

Disclaimer: I do not own Naruto or any characters associated with it.

"Talking"

Thoughts

One Week Later

~ Konoha (hokages office) ~ (one week later)

"It's been quite the mess" said Hiruzen looking out his window to the village. "The invasion did take us by surprise. But things are slowly getting back to normal as the reconstruction is nearly completed".

Jiraiya who was also standing next to the hokage's desk looked outside watching on stoically of the progression going about. "I'm sorry I couldn't get back sooner. I only recently learned of the invasion at that time. So forgive my tardiness as I . . . ."

"Enough Jiraiya" the elderly hokage interjected. "What matters is that you showed up and aided the village during it's time of need".

The old sage could only scoff at this while rubbing the back of his head. "Can't really say I did much, after all most of the work was done by them" as he redirected his sight to the hanging hokage portraits in the office. Recalling the battle, it was truly amazing at what occurred. Even though Konoha was handling the situation, once the four hokages appeared on the battlefield leading the counter assault it was almost like a one sided fight as everyone's morale and battle strength jumped by a factor of ten as they swept through the village like a cleansing wind purging Konoha of its foreign invaders. With that, very few casualties occurred for their side to which at that same time many enemy ninjas were captured. For the first time in many years, the prisoner cells have been filled to capacity with many of the sand and sound ninjas as they awaited their fate.

"But speaking of that now" grinned Hiruzen as he turned back around to see Minato sitting in a chair across his desk. "Were all those theatrics necessary back there?"

"Yes" Minato nodded. "It was easier to explain to everyone that I was an impure resurrection brought back by Orochimaru rather than a time traveler accidently coming to the future".

"But then sealing your body in a coffin?"

"As noted by Tobirama-dono, it was necessary. I think everyone can agree that the dead should be allowed to rest as bringing them back like this would be a clear desecration of what they stood for. So for the sake of selling the façade, it was made so that I would be sealed in a coffin like them never to be used against Konoha or for any kind of nefarious plots. After I was buried, I just hiraishin out to which from there the rest in history as we are here now talking".

Jiraiya rubbed his chin as he continued to look to his former student in disbelief. "But I still can't believe it. When you told me of the purpose of the watch, it was hard enough to comprehend the first time. But to move things or people out of time like this . . . ." as the old sage rubbed the back of his head in irritation, "this is all just getting so confusing".

"I was surprised as you" Minato then replied while looking up in thought. "It was a complete accident in how Naruto brought me here to this time. It's definitely something I need to fix".

"But why can't you stay here?" then asked Hiruzen. "With you here it would definitely bring a great ease to the citizens of Konoha not to mention allow me that vacation I'm in dire need of" he half laughed. "But seriously . . . . In regards to this invasion it only reinforced the fact I'm getting old to which it's about time I retire now".

The elder blond gave a slight chuckle as well, but then went silent as his face appeared solemn as if trying to gather his thoughts. "I don't belong here in this time as my place belongs in the past as I'm aware" looking to the two elder men as they looked to him in hesitation, "what is supposed to happen to me. Not to mention if I were to stay here, a paradox would occur threatening to tear apart the time space continuum ending all life and existence as we know it. Now we wouldn't want that would we" he then casually added.

Upon that statement, both Jiraiya and Hiruzen felt a bit awkward as Minato was well aware of what was going to happen to him and furthermore what was going to happen to his family six months later in his time. But seeing how calm the elder blond was, they weren't certain if Minato either had a plan up his sleeve or had already accepted his fate as he had already made his peace with his inevitable death. However they didn't want to question it as this subject was a bit too touchy for either of them at the moment.

Giving a slight pause allowing the tension to ease a bit, Minato continued with what he had to say. "Unfortunately I can't return back to my time as the watch" showing its deplorable state, "is in need of some serious repairs. However if you're serious about asking 'her' to be your replacement then it happens to be on the way of where I need to go to get some replacement parts".

At the mentioning of 'her', Jiraiya couldn't help but cringe as he held his ribs almost out of impulse to the memory of the incident that happened with her. "I really don't think it's a good idea to ask her".

"Oh?" then said Hiruzen. "Are you perhaps reconsidering?"

"Uhh . . . ."

Minato then gave a calm smile as he looked to his former teacher. "I know you'd make a fine hokage Jiraiya-sensei. You should really consider it".

"But . . . ." as he scratched the back of his head, "I refused it the first time for a reason. It just doesn't seem like my kind of deal". But then gave himself a face palm smearing his face a bit. "Ahh! Fine! We'll figure this out at the meeting with the other elders. But still, I highly doubt I'm qualified for the job".

Minato and Hiruzen gave a soft laugh to this. But soon the elder blond stopped as he looked to the third hokage with a slightly crestfallen expression. "If our meeting is done then, I need to have a talk with my wife . . . . Do you know where Kushina-chan is right now?"

Hiruzen already understood the complication his former successor had to face as it was not going to be an easy task explaining himself to the fiery red head. But closing his eyes for a moment, he turned about looking out the window towards the hokage monument where he clearly saw a certain red headed woman sitting which told Minato all he needed to know.

"Thank you Hiruzen-dono" said Minato as he stood up. "But in relation to my final concern . . . . 'He' didn't get his hands on my research has he?"

"No" as Hiruzen shook his head. "You've done well in hiding your research as Danzo in many attempts tried to rediscover your work without much luck. Additionally I have been successful so far in keeping him and his group from getting to Naruto and his ability to use the watch. But from what I've learned during this following week, your son's apartment was destroyed along with all your work. So the only thing left of your research is what lays in your hands now".

"Good, I'll think of a way to deal with Danzo later. However one thing at a time, but thank you Hiruzen-dono for what you've done for me. Now if you'll excuse me, I have to see to my wife". Then holding his watch in his hand, he was about to use it until his teacher approached him looking him dead in the eye. "Jiraiya-sensei?"

The elder sage seems saddened for a moment before looking to his student once again. After all these years, it was something he needed to get off his chest. "I . . . . Never told you this and I know this won't mean much to you now. But . . . ." giving a slight pause as he placed his hand to Minato's shoulder, "after your folks, I've always thought of you as my own kid and after that Kyubi incident . . . . I'm sorry I couldn't be there for you when you needed help the most . . . ."

Minato blinked at this before slowly removing his hand. "It's alright Jiraiya-sensei. Besides it hasn't even happened yet so you don't have any reason to feel sorry. But for what it's worth, it's OK and thank you for your words and for watching over my son" to which with that he activated his watch disappearing to the location of his wife.

Upon those words, Jiraiya appeared calm as a small smile formed, "thank you . . . ."

~ Konoha (hokage monument) ~

Rematerializing from his technique, Minato stood on the monumental mountain behind Kushina as she sat at the very edge looking out over the village.

Watching the red headed jinchuriki, there was a mixture of feelings swirling within him as his very being felt weak before her presence. Anxiety, sadness, guilt, frustration, these were all things that weighed his heart down. As he promised Kushina, they were going to have their talk now. But truthfully, he didn't know what to say as he couldn't pretend it was all going to be alright. I mean how was he supposed to tell his wife that she was going to die in six months and furthermore miss out on their son growing up as the village would come to blame him for both of their deaths and outcaste him because of him being the Kyubi's jinchuriki. Hell, it didn't even sit well in his own stomach that this was what was going to happen and worse he was absolutely powerless to do anything about it.

Minato slowly approaching from behind, Kushina was the first to speak up at hearing his footsteps. "I didn't want to believe it ya know . . . ."

The elder blond stopped in his tracks daring not to move as he decided to quietly listen.

"The moment I met Naruto . . . . I thought it was weird that I could feel the Kyubi's chakra inside of him. But after discovering he was my son, I thought 'perhaps it's because a part of the Kyubi's chakra was born with him'. Then talking to him, I knew something was off. Did you really think I wouldn't notice Naruto's awkwardness towards me?"

At that question, Minato could only grimace at this.

"But then coming here to this time . . . . It all became far too obvious that neither you nor I were alive anymore. I knew something must have happened to us . . . . Even before that snake bastard said anything. But I continued to lie to myself . . . . Even though the truth was staring me in the face, but . . . ." Kushina paused for a moment to gain her bearings. "I can understand why you didn't want to tell me . . . . It was just too awful to say . . . ." to which Minato bit his lip as his eyes wavered before looking down sorrowfully. "But what hurts the most" as sniffling sounds could be heard. "Is that Naruto is going to grow up alone and hated. Without ever knowing us or that we loved him". Kushina then turned her head back as streams of tears were flowing freely from her eyes as her lips rippled as she was trying so desperately not to break down. "It's just too much Minato . . . ." as her final emotional wall broke to which she held her face letting loose as there was no amount of tears she could shed which would compare to the level of sorrow she felt.

Unable to bare it either, Minato soon began to cry as he approached Kushina holding her close from behind as he too despaired at his family's eventual fate. "I'm so sorry Kushina-chan . . . ."

"Shut up Minato . . . . Just shut up . . . ." she sobbed turning around as she cried onto his chest looking desperately for something to comfort her grieving heart.

Holding his wife in a hug, he slowly stroked the length of her back attempting to soothe her pain. "I promise Kushina-chan . . . . I'll do everything in my power to fix this . . . . I swear . . . ." and with that the two continued to console each other as they silently grieved for the rest of the day.

~ Konoha (prison ward) ~ (the next day)

For the first time in many years, the prison ward had been filled to maximum capacity to which a lot of unused cells and chakra draining shackles had to be dusted off and brought into service with all the new occupancy.

"Can't believe my first task of duty has to be watching over you pansies" said Zabuza dressed in Konoha's standard issue ninja attire minus the vest and headband. At this time he was making his rounds around the prison clanging his personal sword against the bars as he walked by. With all the new tenants and his participation in driving out the invading forces, the mist ninja was given probation by the higher ups as he was allowed to join Konoha's ranks under certain limitations. Under the agreement of his probation, he was allowed certain freedoms. However a special chakra ink seal was tattooed around his wrist which not only told tracker teams his exact location at every moment, but also could disable him if he were to rebel. Frankly Zabuza believed this to be a pain in the ass. However it was better than sitting in a cell all day. Plus from everything he's been hearing from Haku, he had come to call Konoha his home. So for now he decided to suck it up and deal with it so long as Haku was fine with it.

Passing by one of the cells was the sand siblings as Temari and Kankuro were watching their guard do one of his daily walkthroughs. But at hearing the rattling of the chains of their other sibling, the two quickly looked in fear as Gaara was regaining consciousness. But who exactly was the one that was waking up was what got them on their toes.

Sitting up slowly, Gaara feeling a bit weary rubbed his eyes before his vision cleared "was I . . . . Was I actually asleep?" So looking around to his new surroundings, the sand jinchuriki looked to his brother and sister as they seemed a bit edgy but soon started to calm down a bit. "Temari . . . . Kankuro . . . . What has happened?"

Allowing themselves to calm a bit, they slowly sat back down as they started to speak. "We . . . . We were captured by Konoha. At this time, no further information has come in as we're not even sure what Konoha is going to do with us". However Temari knew clearly a couple of solid facts. For one thing, Konoha had no obligation to release or barter for the sound ninjas they had captured. Since they were neither a neutral or ally village, the leaf could have very well executed them if they wanted. But seeing as the Suna ninjas were originally Konoha's supposed ally, traitors were treated much differently. If not outright execution, large reparations were demanded in order to secure their release. However that was the entire reason for Sunagakure's invasion since they were hurting for resources in the first place. In their desperation, they agreed to ally themselves with sound in hopes to relieve their village of their problems by taking Konoha's. But being the case that Sunagakure had really nothing to give, it was almost a guarantee that all the captured sand ninjas were either going to be executed or have life imprisonment. So it was not looking pretty either way.

"Was I . . . ." as Gaara continued to rub his face. "Was I actually sleeping?"

"Yes" Kankuro hesitantly answered.

"But how?" he then questioned, "and why . . . . Do I feel so strange . . . . So quiet inside of me?" Then feeling a weird vibe from his stomach, he then lifted his shirt to see a spiral seal clearly drawn over his stomach area which caused Gaara eyes to widen a bit. "What is this? Who did this?"

Temari and Kankuro could only look on in astonishment at what they were witnessing. Seeing for the first time how calm their brother was, they could only reflect back to how this occurred.

~ Flashback ~

It had been three days prior as some of the injured sand and sound ninjas were receiving medical attention. Frankly it surprised most of them that they were being treated with such humility even after what they did. A few of them even felt a slight tinge of guilt for what they did as they were being tended too as they didn't even deserve the slightest bit of being treated humanely.

Waiting in the sand sibling's cell, Kankuro and Temari were backed up against the bars as their eyes were stretched out in horror to what they were seeing.

"Hey! Let us out of here!" the dirty blond screamed as she rattled the bars.

"Those chains aren't going to hold him! We are going to die in here!" added in the sand puppeteer as he was equally as terrified as his sister.

Behind them, sand began to gather around Gaara's unconscious form which was a clear indicator that the Ichibi was coming out the play. As this was occurring, the sand jinchuriki's body seizure and stiffened as it was apparent that something was just trying to claw its way out.

At seeing this, many of the sand and sound ninjas began to rattle their bars in fear as they knew what this meant.

"Let us out! Let us out right now!"

"He's changing! He's changing!"

"Ahh! We're all going to die!"

However they had time. For the chakra draining shackles that Gaara wore was barely managing its task of draining him of his energy. Frankly, the shackles were not designed to contain someone of Gaara's unique background. But it did slow the transformation state as the sand very slowly began to take shape. However this didn't stop the panic amongst the inmates as they weren't only defenseless but trapped with the monster as well.

The medic ninjas who were there watched on with shock to the coming catastrophe at they all eyed the source of the panic.

"What are we going to do?" asked one of the medics to the head.

"One moment" as the head listened to his radio to any new orders. But then gave a look of disbelief. "What? Are you sure? But . . . . I understand sir" to which he then looked to the rest of the medics, "we've been ordered by the hokage as well as all personnel to clear out immediately. No one is to enter here for the next five minutes".

"But sir, that thing" looking to Gaara.

"It was an order from the top".

"But aren't the military going to get in here and do something about this?"

The head just gave a sigh to this. "When it comes to orders like this, it sometimes better not to get curious about them" and on that end note, all the medic ninjas evacuated the area followed by the guards and warden leaving only the inmates in their cells trapped with the Ichibi with them.

But then seconds later after all personnel were evacuated, Temari and Kankuro were surprised at the sudden appearance of some new occupants in their cell which also surprised everyone else there. Before them was an elderly man and woman as it was obvious they were under henge as they seemed to be closely examining their brother.

"How does it look?" asked the man.

The woman dusted away the sand that was gathering on Gaara as she finally made her way to his physical body as she then lifted his shirt peering directly as his stomach. After taking a few seconds to analyze, "this is some rather spotty seal work here. Whoever did this didn't really have much concern for the jinchuriki as the bijuu's chakra is quite literally invading the host's body like a virus". Then looking to Gaara's pained face, "who knows what kind of torture is going on inside of him right now" as she placed her hand to his head as if trying to soothe him.

"Kushina, we're running out of time here! Is there something you can do or not?"

"I was taught by the best when it came to seals. So of course I've got this covered. Just help set up what I need" to which the elder man started drawing seals around Gaara as the elder woman was weaving through a few seals of her own. Upon completion, she slammed five of her fingers onto Gaara's stomach giving a twisting motion as the seals drawn around the sand jinchuriki moved in condensing around his stomach. Then after a moment of settling in, a spiral seal along with four characters on both sides of it appeared as Gaara was now calming down as he seemed to be resting peacefully. "There, although there chakra are still mixing the consciousness of the Ichibi should be locked up now. At least this kid can get some sleep. No wonder he always seemed so cranky".

"We need to go now. The hokage has bought us as much time as he could".

"Right" the elderly woman then said. But then she looked to the two shocked children in the cell with her as she put her finger to her lips indicating a shush expression. "You can keep a secret right?" to which she along with the elderly man disappeared shocking everyone in the prison as soon the personnel came back in.

"What do you think happened?" asked one of the guards.

"Who knows and who really cares so long as it's quiet".

~ End Flashback ~

"It wouldn't really matter" thought Temari. Frankly who was going to believe that someone got into their cell unnoticed by the guards, sealed the Ichibi, and then promptly left without a trace. Truthfully . . . . . No one as such a technique like that either didn't exist or was lost. So there was no point is saying anything about it.

Holding himself and giving his stomach a slight squeeze, Gaara then let his shirt down as he looked to his siblings as an awkward expression began to appear on his face as he thought deeply about the encounter he had with Naruto. But after a bit of time, " . . . . Temari . . . . Kankuro . . . . I'm sorry".

With that statement, the pair looked on for the second time with astonishment as if they had just seen a miracle happen before them. But taking the time to allow this to sink in, "it's fine".

~ Konoha (hospital) ~

The medical staff was hard at work tending to the injured as many individuals dressed in white could be seen running about trying to get multiple tasks done at once. But thankfully things were slowing down after the passing week as all critical patients were stable with the minor ones getting their stitches and band aids before being released back to active duty.

But in one particular room, a certain blond jinchuriki was fast asleep for the entire week due to extreme chakra exhaustion. I mean who could blame him considering the kind of day he had? He fought in the chunnin exam, went time traveling two ways, helped fight back an invasion, and to finish the day off a final showdown with Sunagakure's jinchuriki. Any normal ninja would have died already from the extensive chakra usage if not the danger from doing even half of these feats which only exemplified Naruto's strength of character and incredible potential. So considering what he did, allowing his weeks rest was a fair trade.

However feeling his stomach grumbling, "I am so hungry . . . ." as the blond stirred a bit in his sleep slowly beginning to regain consciousness. "How long have I've been out?" giving himself a self-diagnosis. Then twitching his body a bit, "I feel so stiff; I must have been out for a while. Hmm? Why does my right side feel heavier then my left?" Then blinking his eyes open getting used to the light, he saw a familiar white ceiling which immediately told him where he was. "I'm at the hospital huh? Guess someone did find me after all". But hearing a groaning sound, Naruto picked up on it as he slowly turned his head to see Hinata apparently sitting on a chair while sleeping on his arm. "Well I guess that answers one of my questions" giving a slight chuckle. So using his free arm, he began to shake her to rouse her from her slumber. "Hinata-chan, hey Hinata-chan it's time to wake up now".

Slowly coming back to the waking world, the Hyuga heiress sat up rubbing her eyes as they soon cleared as her face lit up in joy. "Naruto-kun! You're finally awake!"

"Yeah" as he was now pulling IV lines out of his arm. "And I'm really hungry, so why don't we . . . ." but was then silenced as a hard slap met his face. "Oww! What was that for?" holding his reddened cheek as he looked to his friend in outrage. But then became confused upon seeing Hinata's teary eyes. "Hinata-chan?"

"I told you not to go . . . . Everyone was so worried about you . . . . I was so scared that you wouldn't return . . . ." as her petite form couldn't help but shiver in distress as tears began to steadily stream down her cheeks. "Please don't ever scare me like that again!" as Hinata immediately jumped on him giving the blond a deep hug showing him just how much she cared.

Feeling how tense his pale friend was, Naruto's expression softened as he returned the hug as he felt Hinata beginning to calm. "I'm sorry for making you cry Hinata-chan".

"Please stop acting so recklessly with your life, OK?" she sniffled.

"Of course not" which caused Hinata to look up at him. "That's why I'm going to always need you to keep me out of trouble" he then smiled.

Hinata smiled softy to this as she giggled a bit. Then at hearing a grumbling sound, the pair looked to origin which was Naruto's stomach as the blond then gave a sheepish smile.

"I really do need something to eat. So can we go?"

"Yes!" she chirped giving a nod. So turning her back to him, Naruto began getting dressed.

"By the way . . . ." as the blond looked around his room, "what is all this stuff?" as strangely there appeared to have been quite a few get well gifts lined around on his window sill.

"Hokage-sama heard of your battle and reported to everyone of what you did" as she clasped her hands together holding them against her chest giving a serene smile. "Some of them came from our friends and the others are from people that were grateful for what you did. Isn't that great Naruto-kun?"

Upon hearing this, Naruto could only give a blank expression blinking for a bit before giving a small smile. "Is that so . . . ." as he had no words to describe how he felt. But for people, although a few to finally see him . . . . he felt just so warm inside.

Hinata nodded as she knew how much this meant to her blond friend. "Naruto-kun, there is one more thing I need to tell you" as it appeared that this was the next biggest news she wanted to share. But just before she could say it, an elderly pair suddenly appeared in the room which startled both Naruto and Hinata as they jumped back slightly in defense.

Looking around for a moment, the elderly woman smiled deeply as she looked to Naruto. "You're finally awake!" as she knelt down giving the blond child a deep hug.

"Mom?" Naruto questioned to which the elder pair then disengaged their henge revealing themselves to be Minato and Kushina .

"You had me so worried. I was even about to threaten some of the staff if you didn't wake up soon".

"She would have" nodded Minato giving an awkward smile.

Naruto smile widened as he returned the gesture to his mother.

However as much as he didn't want to disrupt this family moment, time was not going to wait for him to which Minato gave a soft cough earning his son's attention. "I'm sorry for pushing you like this, but I would like to ask that you'd come with me on a quick mission that Hiruzen-dono had requested of me".

"Mission?"

"Yes" Minato nodded. "We're going to give Tsunade-sama a visit".

To be continued . . . .

Author's Notes: I hope this chapter was entertaining as I have the next three arcs planned out which I hope will prove to be rather awesome. But we'll see I guess. Also for spoilers, Tsunade is not going to be hokage this time around. Just putting this out there that this is where I'm going to start drastically moving away from canon.

So I thank everyone for taking the time in reading this fic and further extend my gratitude if you can review it as well.