Jiraiya looked around his apartment helplessly, trying to clear space in his apartment. As the paper take-out boxes indicated, he hadn't done much home cooking. He had skill out in the field, but here he was just a slob occupying a cheap apartment. 'Real classy Jiraiya' he thought to himself. He sighed and cleared a few boxes off a shelf and heard something clatter as it hit the floor amidst the noodle boxes.

Muttering under his breath about what a failure he was at things and would be, he knelt down to pick up the object. "Gah..." He drew back his hand to find the tip of his finger pierced by a shard of glass. He took a moment to consider the wound even as he reflexively pulled the offending piece from his finger. 'Glass...' He cast aside the boxes and his heart almost stopped. He saw the back of a photo frame laying on the ground and was thinking about its contents.

The toad nin picked it up reverently and was rewarded with the view he was expecting. Within the frame was a picture of Jiraiya, Tsunade, Minato, Kushina, and several others. It was from the flower festival earlier that year. It had only been a few months ago, but it somehow seemed like years. His mind fought to keep the images fresh and clear, even though a crack now ran through the picture. "Bakamou... Dyin' like that with a kid on the way? Hah... just wait til...' Til... Damnit, you shouldn't have died."

The apartment seemed totally inadequate for a child, even to Jiraiya's limited understanding of how to raise one. He sighed and got back to work after setting the picture back where it belonged. It was set between an assortment of photos, half of which had his own person half slugged out of the frame, usually by Tsunade. He still needed to get her to write him a love letter! But back to his failings, he made the attempt to get back to work.

Cleaning can be seen as a treasure hunt, and the Legendary sannin wasn't good at it either. Mostly he was finding that he ate an unhealthy amount of ramen cups and take-out fried rice and lo mien. Sometimes he would come across a presumably lost kunai or two and shuddered at the thought of Naruto coming across them unsupervised. He was having luck finding a number of girlie magazines that made his nose bleed and were certainly not child friendly. His progress was slowed considerably when he passed the shelving with the photos, becoming lost to the past.

-----------------------------

"Jiraiya-kun!" a cheerful lady with bright red hair called, running toward the white-haired demonic jounin.

He noticed that her pace had shifted and she seemed lighter on her feet for the way she moved, carefully as if protecting something. She must have come from half way across the village the way she was panting, but the man was not about to run from her. Kushina was a friend. "Oi! You seem energetic today!"

She came to a stop in front of him and lightly tapped the toe of her right shoe to the ground. She was dressed in a loose orange shirt trimmed in yellow and wore black capris. She didn't seem to care about the way the wind had swept her hair and the cheerful smile on her face was twice as bright as he remembered. "I have good news!"

"Oh? Must be. I don't usually see you this hyper, and that's saying something." He laughed as the woman almost tossed him to the ground in a bone-breaking hug. She could too. He wished deep down that he was her boyfriend instead, but... she was too young for him... right?

"I just came from the hospital," Kushina started, holding up a hand when he arched a brow and tried to say something, "I saw Tsunade because I was having some problems and... well it isn't a problem at all!"

"...Meh!? uh...? Kushina-chan? Make sense will ya'? Tsunade and problems don't just.... what the hell'd she say?"

The glowing kunoichi's smile broadened and she giggled. She looked up at him with a wild spark in her eyes suggestive of mischief before she spoke, "I'm pregnant! And even better? You're going to be the godfather! Isn't that great!?"

"H-oo.... Congrats! Wow... ahh..." The jounin's cheeks became red. He only wondered for a moment who the father was before quickly reaching the only conclusion. Then the word 'godfather' struck. "Uhh... have you told him yet?"

She shook her head, "Nope! I was just on my way, but I saw you first!" Her laughter rang, filling his ears.

-------------------------

It was quiet in the apartment, but a little cleaner now that all the remnants of past dinners (many of them well expired) was now safely in the trash. Kushina's laughter kissed his ears all the same and he thought about the first laugh Naruto had given, one her ears would never hear. He gathered up one of the tatami mats off the floor and took it to the balcony to shake it out, a good deal of dust floating into the air.

---------------------------

Minato flew into a fit of coughs which Jiraiya gave him a good slap on the back to break himself from. He was privy to a moment he had no right to. Before him, he could see an exchange of love and knew the lovers were made to be. The disbelief on Minato's face was completely disbanded when he locked his brilliant blue eyes with her smiling cerulean gaze.

"Y-you mean it?" The fourth asked. A nod was his only answer. The Yellow Flash was flash frozen in his seat at Hokage Mansion. Until a few minutes ago he'd been kneeling at a table having afternoon tea until Kushina came flying along, Jiraiya wanting to see how he'd react. "Ku... Kushina."

"Minato-kun, does it make you happy?"

The teacup that was in the Yondaime's hand fell to the table, suddenly forgotten. He embraced his lover in a tight protective hug. Words of love were spoken to her ear and the forgotten sannin was sure he wouldn't have been able to hear them even if he strained because they were meant for her. Light glinted on the spilled tea from the open window while he embraced her, his long robe curling partly around her as doves do to protect their own.

"I was worried you might be upset... We aren't married and..."

"No. You could never make me unhappy." Namikaze assured her.

"I told Jiraiya he could be the baby's godfather," she told him with a laugh tacked on as if that would make him unhappy.

"Him?"

"Well, I decided on a name already."

"You always were impulsive. Tell me."

"If it's a boy, I want him to be Naruto."

Minato's eyes widened a bit. He seemed to think it was a good name too and after some thought, nodded. "Hey..." He finally gave his attention to the sannin who was now trying to sneak away from the scene unnoticed.

"Yes, Hokage-sama?" he replied with a half smile. He was honestly a bit jealous...

"Don't call me that, sensei. When are you going to publish that book? We'll need a story to tell Naruto at night you know, so it had better be good."

A sheepish grin sprouted on his face as he gave a helpless shrug, "I dunno... I got some offers for another story. I .. didn't really think it was that good."

"I loved it! You must publish it Jiraiya-sama! Got it?!" Kushina put in enthusiastically.

He smiled gently at the two. "Got it."

-------------

The toad hermit muttered, "Don't got it," as he looked down on a stack of papers that had sat neglected in a corner of the room. His first book that was soon to be published was something of an embarrassment when he thought of his former student. Icha Icha Paradise volume 1 would be released that spring if all went well. He was having thoughts about it though, it was... mostly a collection of his personal fantasies under the thin guise of being a 'romance novel'. It was smut, and he was feeling pretty bad as he reviewed the material which gave young Naruto his name.

'Why did I stop writing this?'

He looked at the title of the manuscript, "Will of Fire, The Great Warrior Naruto!" He'd named the main character Naruto, obviously, and he was a ninja. He went through great lengths to protect the people of his village, but most of all, the woman he loved.

--------------

Steam rose from the cup of tea Tsunade had just poured for herself and another cup for her boyfriend Dan. It wasn't often she was quiet, but there had been much to think of lately. She could see it in her lover's eyes as well. "Here you go," she said gently and then took a seat on a chair across from him, her eyes fixed on the fresh brew.

"Something troubling you, Tsunade?" The jounin asked gently. He had silvery hair which had a slight blue tint to it and sea-blue eyes as well, the deep kind that the slug sannin could drown in.

"Ah... Yes." She replied, bringing the teacup to her lips in a very controlled manner.

"Well? I'm not a mind-reader you know." he chuckled lightly. He adjusted his black sweater which itched just a bit, but he wouldn't say so in front of her since it was a gift.

"Don't you have enough to worry about? And here I thought you were going to be the next Hokage."

"If Sarutobi resigns, I suppose, but it's up to him again," Dan sighed a bit, "This isn't related to our feelings on medic nins being assigned to squads though... it seems... more personal today. Will you tell me Tsunade-san?"

There was a glimmer of reminiscence in her eyes as she looked at the teacup. It too was a gift. The tea set she used had a blue ocean design on it complete with sea monsters woven through it. It had come from Whirlpool country, as had the tea which was a mixture of jasmine and green tea with a hint of ginger. She hated it.

"Just thinking about some of the people we've lost. You know about Naruto right?"

"Kushina's boy? Yeah. He's been big news since it was revealed he's a demon container. I find it hard to believe myself but..." He shrugged, "why's that concern you?"

"...Sarutobi asked if I would raise him."

Dan sat upright with his gaze fixed on hers. He'd actually wanted to settle down with Tsunade for a while, and of course he wanted children too, so this had definitely sparked his interest. "And...?"

"I told him no." She sighed, "...Jiraiya's going to take care of him, but I don't think he's really capable..."

The ninja hid his disappointment but set his own tea down and gave her a solid hug. "You'd make a great mother," he encouraged.

Tsunade took a deep breath, something in the tea made her remember and she suddenly felt sick.

"Tsunade...?"

The cup fell from her trembling hands as she embraced her lover and began crying, "I don't deserve to be a medic! Dan... I... Kushina died... it was my fault! Even if I wanted to be a mother... I..." she sobbed into his chest, "I let her die Dan! I..."

"Shhh...." He kissed her forehead, "It's not your fault..."

------------------------

"Tsunade." Minato's voice echoed heavily in her ear. He hadn't been there a moment ago, but his face was grave against the evening light which lent only a sliver of gold to outline him.

"Hokage-sama!" Tsunade replied. She was geared for battle as were the others, and the growls of the Kyuubi rumbled through the village.

"I know they need you, but I need you now, as a favor.."

"Huh?"

He grabbed the Legendary Sucker around the waist and in a fraction of a second and they were gone. When they reappeared, it was in Uzumaki Kushina's bedroom. The suffering cry of the woman told Tsunade all she needed. Performing a few quick hand seals, there were now two Minato's in the room, and one hastened to her side.

"I said I would be here for this if it was the last thing I did." Minato laughed a little and put his arms around the redheaded kunoichi. Something in his laugh made Tsunade nervous.

"I see. You can be here and help the village." the blond woman sighed a little, then looked at the mistress from Whirlpool Country. Before she knew it, Minato, or his clone, had disappeared to rally the troops.

At some point while Kushina was giving birth, the Hokage's eyes took on a dark tone to them. They did not belong in the brilliant blue eyes of the Hidden Leaf's shining star. He had left communications open between him and the clone, and both minds were mounting with sadness and loss. It wasn't just a body count, it was friends, family... it was his people, and he wept inside. There was great power out there, but it was not his to wield.

He looked on his suffering love and murmured how it would be over soon. They would have a son, and their family would be complete. With Tsunade close by, there was no way anything could go wrong. But inside, inside he knew their family was broken before it began.

Looking through a number of forbidden scrolls, the Hokage in the tower formulated a plan. His triumph as he went over the seals were clouded soon by tears as he realized what it would mean for his family. "Kushina..."

As sunrise was on its way, and the tired ninja left in the village were being mopped off the battlefield, a small boy's first cries echoed in the confines of a small home in Konoha. "It's a boy!" Tsunade beamed.

"Ahh....! Oh let me see! Naruto-kun!" Kushina squealed with renewed but short lived energy.

"Honey.... I have a plan to stop the demon but..." The fourth started, and looked at his complete, perfect family. He sighed, this would be hard. He outlined his plan and the fact he wouldn't be there for Naruto's upbringing. The new mother shouted protests and insisted there had to be another way, but even so, the boy was pulled from her arms and tears from both hung in the air after he had disappeared.

That was when Tsunade saw the blood. "You... We need to stop this!" It was not uncommon for mothers to have injuries associated with birth, usually bleeding. But she was bleeding out, and worse, she was near-hysteric after her lover had left with their child. "Please! Kushina! Calm down!" But she hadn't, and the great medic was unable to treat her.

It wasn't until she was too weak and the fox had been silenced that she came to her senses. "I'm sorry... Tell Naruto... I'm sorry."

-------------------

"I should have done more Dan.." Tsunade whispered, trembling now at the thought of Kushina's blood. "'I'm sorry'... It just sounds so.. inadequate."

"Tsunade..."

"They trusted me, and I let them down. How can I ever face Naruto? I knew what Minato was going to do and said nothing. I promised to take care of Kushina and I failed. If a healer can't do what they're supposed to then..."

Dan sighed and held the woman he loved close, "We all failed that night." Silence passed between them for a while. "Naruto's still alive. Since Kushina isn't here, you have to tell him what she said, and don't be afraid. If he's anything like Minato, he'll understand."

A small smile finally worked its way onto her face and she began to rest in his arms. "So what now? Train harder?"

"Ganbatte, darling. You know... Do your best."

-----------------

It had taken a great deal of effort, but all stray weapons had been rounded up and put in a weapon's locker. All small chokable objects were in curio cabinets covered in glass. All discarded ramen cups were in the trash. The funky mildewy-whatever-the-hell-it-was-in the bath tub was now gone. The cheap pornography was in the trash (though the higher cut photos Jiraiya really liked were at the bottom of a box of old papers he had sitting up on a shelf in the closet). Most importantly, the room he'd used for storage was now free of debris and ready for habitation by a human being. Everything in the apartment was now spotless and the Toad Sannin felt like he had just fought a long, hard battle.

He flopped down on an overstuffed couch and let a stack of papers sit on the coffee table in front of him. He leaned over and looked at the papers and smiled a little. 'Well. I guess there's no choice now.'

A knock came at the door and the shiroi haired man ambled to the door. "Yah?" He cracked open the door but had to look down to see who it was. "Oh. It's you... Uh... kid from earlier right?" He recalled a faint pain in his shin.

"Iruka, Jiraiya-san." The brown haired boy replied. He scratched the back of his head and his mussy hair shook a bit.

"Umm... So... Why are you here?"

"Oh... Here. I was told to bring these to you, they belong to Naruto," He replied and held up a cardboard box filled with a few items.

"Arigatou." He nodded and accepted the items. He was turning back to the interior of his apartment, but stopped, noticing Iruka was still there. "I got tea going, but there's no food here ya' know."

"Huh? Oh... um... Tea's fine."

Jiraiya sighed. He was no good with kids, even teens. They were the worst kind of kids because they talked back and had minds of their own and did the opposite of what you thought they would. "Right. Come in." The hermit set the box down on the couch, but then decided to look serious and grinned menacingly at the boy, "And don't touch anything! Got it!?"

Iruka looked at the man like he was crazy but nodded and made himself at home, curious of the box's contents. Still, while the man went to get tea, his curiosity was piqued by the papers on the table. He could see the name "Naruto" written on it and began skimming through the story.

"Hey! That's private!" the elite Jounin grumbled, but honestly he had wanted an opinion. He set the tea cups down then made a grab for the manuscript.

"It's good, I didn't know you were a writer."

Jiraiya relaxed a little and grinned, "Yeah. Been working on it for a while. Stupid thing really." He replied and pulled the box into his lap after setting aside the story.

"He needs some friends though." Iruka commented. Jiraiya arched a brow at that, "You made Naruto a great warrior, but he's all alone." The young genin ran a finger across his scar, a motion understood by the older man.

"He has a girlfriend," the elder ninja grumbled.

"Maybe, but.. I dunno... Maybe but if it was me... I'd like to have others with me I could trust."

"...Maybe" he conceded. Iruka picked up the fiction again, and the man didn't stop him. Instead, he proceeded to open the box. It wasn't much of course, a few items for his care, bottles and blankets... but also a funny looking kunai and a scroll with a broken seal. 'Minato...'

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Author Notes: Wow, I actually feel the need to explain something. I read somewhere that both "Uzumaki" and "Namikaze" mean whirlpool. Uzumaki Kushina is from "Whirlpool Country" which is where this chapter gets its name from. I've tried imagining and getting the context of when and where people died in the Narutoverse as well as I could looking through wikis and episodes for help and inspiration. Still, a fanfic gets to bend reality to fit it so I'll just say this.. Dan should be dead already and Tsunade probably also gone from the village with Dan's niece Shizune. At first I was going to just use Tsunade/Shizune as a lead-in in a flashback and I was going to leave Dans' death an open book, not saying explicitly if he is alive or dead. However, Shizune/Tsunade wasn't giving me the feelings I wanted. Dan lent himself to the story so I decided to give him a little life extension. Don't get too attached.