Whirlpool Effect
Mother
***I still own absolutely nothing***
***Kushina Uzumaki***
It happened during a council meeting. The other representatives had been discussing some minor changes to the central road system when one of the seals located on the on my body flared up.
The seal that was directly tied to the health of my son, Naruto.
The seal designed to inform me should he ever become injured.
He was currently in Konoha, being watched over by his godparents. Minato was heading towards Suna on a diplomatic mission.
The meeting had immediately been canceled, while I raced back towards my office in order to make preparations.
My personal team was already assembled by the time I arrived.
"Kushina-Sama, what happened? We received the alert that..."
"Naruto is hurt, I don't know any more than that. I am departing to Konoha in an hour to find out exactly what happened." None dare to question my authority.
"If he was harmed in the village then you will need protection. This could be some sort of trap to lure you in."
Nodding at Yahiko's suggestion I can only agree. He has earned his place as one of my chief counselors over the years, but he had originally been Nagato's friend along with Konan.
The two orphans had arrived from Ame during the war and had quickly bonded with the Uzumaki when he had offered them a place to stay other than a refugee camp. From there they were eventually noted by my husband and I, and trained in the Shinobi arts.
"He is right, with Karin leading us we should have no problem rescuing Naruto and..."
"I need one of you to stay behind."
My words halted any further conversation from Nagato, as the three stare wide eyed.
"B-b-but..."
"I cannot leave Uzu without a leader. Minato will be activating his backup plan for the rank of Kage but there needs to be a village leader as well. It must be one of you three."
"Well then Nagato will stay behind, Konan and I will..."
"Absolutely not! In case you forgot Yahiko, I possess the Rinnegan, if Konoha proves hostile she will need the extra fire power."
"And in case you have forgotten Konoha is practically obsessed with Kekkei Genkai. It would be far too dangerous for you to go!"
"Then we will settle on a compromise... Konan will stay."
The, thus far silent female, immediately glared at the two boys, earning shivers of fear from both. "excuse me?"
"Y-you are the b-best choice Konan..."
"I disagree Nagato... but I do think that it should be Yahiko who stays."
"WHAT!?"
"You are the only of us that is a natural leader and politician. If it was the rank of Kage being filled I would say otherwise but this is for leadership of the village. You are the obvious choice."
The orange haired boy's head fell. I can already tell from his expression that he wanted to be there to protect the one who he considered a younger brother.
"Yahiko, I am entrusting the village to you. I need to know it is in good hands. I need you to keep it safe for me."
I am placing a great deal of trust in him... and he knows it. Such a thing would not be asked without a thought being put in on the other potential contenders as well.
"Of course Lady Kushina, I will not let you down."
"I know. Nagato, assemble the team and prepare for departure to Konoha."
***Orochimaru***
'Prince injured... unknown assailant... Jiraiya and Tsunade not present... Code Ladder is now in effect... prepare for potential hostile actions.'
'Code Ladder' that was the name for the immediate activation of the succession of office for the Uzukage. During the First Shinobi War Uzu had realized the danger of having only one man in charge with no plan for what would happen should he die. The normal elective situation was not appropriate for a war time situation... thus 'Operation Ladder' had been conceived. It was a secret list of individuals that would take over in order should the Kage be rendered unable to do his duties.
This was the first time it had ever been enacted, and I was on the top of the list. It had been more than shocking when Minato had come to me with the offer.
I was an outcast of Konoha, deemed to be 'dangerous' and 'unstable'. There was nothing in my record from the past few years to say otherwise... and yet his smile spoke of trust, of understanding.
The fact that I had been chosen over Jiraiya or Tsunade was shocking enough, but that both Kushina and her husband had agreed on his choice... It gave me hope for the future. The only conditions to my appointment, as well as staying in Uzu, was that I had to report all experiments, before they took place, and results to the Uzukage. Sure some had been denied, but most had been allowed under the condition that the individuals volunteered for any sorts of experiments.
Work under relaxed conditions, with a budget and assistants, or be outcast from all major villages and try to fend for myself. The choice had been a simple one.
From there life had simply gotten better... and then he arrived. A small blonde child with big blue eyes and a curiosity for all things. I immediately had grown to enjoy the company of young Naruto.
When Kushina and Minato mentioned making me one of the boys godparents...
Prince injured
That phrase roars back into my mind, shattering everything else.
"Those... those... BASTARD!" I roar out as my arm slammed his onto table before me, shattering it to pieces in the process.
"Orochimaru-Sensei, what is wrong?" It is my assistant, always there as soon as he feels I need something. He really is a good student.
"Those monsters in Konoha... they have dared to strike my godson. They dare to attack Naruto!?"
Kabuto pales, he knows that I can be a bit... protective of the boy but this is probably a bit extreme for even him "are we sure that it was..."
"OF COURSE I AM SURE!"
The boy flinches back, and I force myself to take few calming breaths, it has been a long time since I lost my temper... I am disgusted at myself with the look of fear I place in the silver haired boy. "I am sorry Kabuto, but you do not understand the village and how they are... I do. Save for a few it is rampant with corruption, Uzukage-Sama just sent me the scroll informing me of..."
"Informing you of what? Jeesh Sensei I can hear you shouting from outside."
Undoubtedly my face pales to a hideous extent at the new voice, sure I was upset... but in my rage I had forgotten about Anko. The young woman was even more fanatical towards the blonde than myself, and for good reason. When we had first moved to Uzu, following my persecution by the counselors of Konoha, Anko had more than a few difficulties. She was young, and already had trouble making friends in a village that knew her.
She became an outcast within only a few days of being in Uzu. With no one to talk to she practically following me around like a lost puppy, that is until the Uzukage and his bride came to visit them with their young son.
I had seen the nervous expression in her eyes, she hadn't yet been rejected or teased by someone this young. How would he react to her?
"Do you like snakes?"
That... had not been what either of us were expecting. Obviously Anko did, in fact it was one of the main reasons that so many had pushed her away. They thought she was creepy.
"I uh... yes?"
"That is so cool! Here, you should have this." with that he had taken a flower out of his pocket and gave it to my young apprentice, not noticing, or perhaps not caring, about the blush that had appeared on her face. "It reminds me of you, cause you are both pretty."
Anko had finally found someone who wanted to be around her, to talk to her. It had only taken a few months but the purple haired girl eventually declared that Naruto-kun would be her 'future husband' with the seriousness of someone taking a Shinobi oath.
Despite my own trepidations both Minato and Kushina had merely found it 'adorable'.
"Well Sensei?" her voice brings me back to reality, and I immediately notice that Kabuto has slowly begun edging away from the girl, seeking somewhere to hide.
Smart boy
"It..." I have to cough and clear my throat to buy time, perhaps I can make it out of the building before her rage brings it down upon us? "Appears as though there has been an... incident in Konoha..."
"Is everything okay? I know that..." Her body freezes, and I can already tell she has connected the dots. "Is Naruto-kun okay?"
Kabuto is nowhere to be seen now, probably already ran while she was distracted... the coward.
"He has been... injured..."
Now she is staring down at the floor to hide her eyes. Do they contain tears of sadness, or a terrible rage? "Uzukage-Sama will be there shortly with him, he has placed me in temporary control of the military until the situation is resolved."
I hear a gasp from nearby as the white haired boy peeks out from behind a pillar.
"They. hurt. my. Naruto-kun?"
"N-now Anko-chan we need to remain calm abou..."
"I AM GOING TO MURDER THEM! I WILL TEAR THEM TO PIECES WITH MY BARE HANDS AND BURN THEIR DAMNED VILLAGE TO THE..."
"Anko, enough!"
This brings her rant to an end, "I need you both to focus. Kushina will undoubtedly be traveling to Konoha which means that we are in a delicate position. This will be the first time that Uzu has had both a substitute Kage and ruler. If the other nations see any sort of weakness..."
"What can we do Sensei?"
A deep calming breath is taken and released again, I need to focus, "I am going to the palace to meet with Kushina and whomever she has placed in charge. I suspect that we will be raising the military level to 'standby'. Kabuto, I want you to transfer my temporary files to the Kage's office, we will be stationed out of there until further notice. Anko you are with me. If Kushina requires aid I will be sending you with her, if not I need you to calm yourself and work with me. We have a lot to do and very little time."
"Of course Sensei!"
***Anko***
"Uzumaki-Dono" the words flow as easily as silk. Although I dislike the notion of having to use honorifics I will gladly bow and gravel on the floor if it means I am allowed to join the caravan. She looks up at me from a few documents she was finishing up, a look of what appears to be amusement on her face.
"Ah Anko-chan, whatever can I do for you?"
There is that smugness in her voice that tells me all I need to hear, she is going to enjoy making me suffer for my request. There is no option besides to bear it.
"I request to join your expedition to Konoha."
"Oh?" the smirk on her face is beyond obvious now, she wants something but the question is what. "I am curious as to why you are so eager to join a simple diplomatic mission."
Ah I wasn't supposed to know this much yet, very well perhaps she just wanted a show of loyalty. "I was informed that the mission is far from diplomatic Uzumaki-Dono. I was told that... there were complications involving your son."
Darkness clouds her eyes for a brief second, and the air grows cold. Perhaps this wasn't the best idea. She wasn't going on a vacation or any such nonsense after all, she was going to punish those responsible for an attack.
She didn't need fangirls on her team.
"That is true... but that does not explain why you want to join us."
It wasn't loyalty she was interested in, it was feelings. She wanted a confession...
"I..."
"Yes?"
"I am... worried about him..."
"There are more than a few who are worried about my son, unless you feel something a bit... more?"
"I-I..." my Sensei's words come back to my mind from years ago. Words that encouraged me to seek what I wanted, to not hold back, to strive for happiness. "I am hoping to begin a courtship with him."
She doesn't even blink, "he is quite young Anko-chan..."
"N-not now of course... when he is o-older..." My face must be completely red from the stuttering and embarrassment. 'Courtship'? Who the hell talks like that anymore? What the hell was I thinking? Naruto is practically a prince and I am just some reject that was taken by a Sanin out of pity. There is no reason that anyone would allow me to...
"Well that certainly changes things... very well, so long as you are able to fend for yourself should something occur..."
"O-of course! Sensei has been instructing me in his free time and..."
Her wave silences me, I already owe her so much, no reason to irritate her through interruptions. "Then you are welcome to join us. We depart in an hour, be ready at the main gate with any supplies you might need for a trip to and from Konoha. Expect to be forced into combat and bring plenty of rations, we don't know if there will be time for resupply."
"O-of course Kushi... I mean Uzumaki-Dono."
***Kushina***
It was a several days journey to Konoha, and I spent my time torn between trying to focus on the events and hand, and allowing my mind to wander.
Naruto
My son
He had been left alone, and thus injured. This was all that I knew, because it was all that my husband knew in the letter as well. Part of me had wanted to stay behind, to eagerly await the news that I would be unable to receive on the road. Yet another portion begged to charge ahead, no breaks and no rest, all to simply reach my little boy as soon as possible. Based upon the tension, and restlessness in the others they were thinking much the same thing. But I had to take a lesson from my husband.
Patience
Rushing ahead, and arriving exhausted, would do no one good. With the man I loved guarding the most important thing in this world to me I knew that there was nothing to fear. Anyone who tried to harm Naruto further would be starting a fight that no one could win.
There was not a soul alive who could defeat Minato Namikaze in battle, and some would say that few of the formerly living could match him either.
The environment around me begins to fade and blur as my thoughts are dragged back to the last time he had actually been in a confrontation, the 'spar' against the Raikage 'A'.
It had been no surprise to either of us that he would challenge my husband to a duel, the man was far too prideful to be a Kage and settling the score of 'who was fastest' once and for all seemed all too important for him. Naturally the beautiful man had defeated his adversary in an instance, but it wasn't until we left the man's company a few minutes later that I realized something was wrong.
To an outsider, even those of incredible political and observation skills, Minato appeared to be the definition of calm and relaxed. He never allowed unwanted emotions, to appear on his face.
He was always in control.
But I knew better, he was young and trained by Jiraiya of the Sanin. Emotional training had never been high up on his 'to do' list.
Thus when I noticed the slight twitch in his smile, the lack of glimmer in his eyes I realized just how close my husband had been to carving the Raikage's intestines out.
***Flashback***
"What's wrong?"
"That man..."
"Minato..." Here I paused and took his face in my hands, forcing him to look at me with those beautiful blue eyes, the pools I could get lost in if I wasn't careful. "Talk to me... please."
"He made a wager just before he attacked."
"I saw him mutter something but I didn't catch..."
"He wanted us to wager our wives..."
I am just able to force down the bile in my throat at the thought. I had known that Kumo was bloodline obsessed but this...
"But you won, so everything is..."
"I was so close..."
I needn't ask what he was speaking of, I can already see it in his eyes. He had been close to killing the man for suggesting such a thing. He had probably been forced to stop his initial reaction of putting a dozen Kunai through the man's skull before deciding on simply 'defeating' him in a less bloody way.
I look into his eyes once more, there is still that spark of anger, of rage. Still the urge to return to that throne room and take the Raikage's head as payment. He needed something to distract him.
"So..."
"So?"
"When is his lovely wife joining us in bed?"
It is always good to know that I can cause his jaw to drop, even after all these years, in surprise.
"Wha-what!?"
"Well I am certainly not going to let you have all the fun. She was fairly attractive... would you mind taking her from behind while I let her crawl between my legs and... satiate me?"
His mind looks like it is on permanent shutdown, probably got it from his Sensei.
"I can imagine that she is quite pent up after all, being in such a dreadful marriage. Should we place bets on who moans first?"
That was as far as my teasing got, before I found myself in his arms, and being whisked back to our room.
***End Flashback***
That had been a very... pleasurable night... but Minato had informed me he turned the Raikage down from his offer out of the goodness of his heart. To this day I wonder if he would have been so chivalrous if I had said I was okay with the idea...
Movement to my right rips me from memories as Karin halts in her step, that can only mean we are expecting company. The Uzumaki girl is an incredibly talented sensor and has been treating my son like her own brother for many years now. I was more than happy when she practically demanded to join me.
"Four of them, ANBU class, North West heading directly for us."
"Undoubtedly from Konoha, orders?"
"Let's see what they want first, I would rather not escalate this anymore before we reach the village" Part of me wonders how this entire incident will be explained. Will Konoha try and make amends or cover it up as an 'accident'?
Minutes later the ANBU appeared, earning weary stares from my escorts.
"Lady Uzumaki, we are here to escort you to Konoha."
"I wasn't expecting an escort, as you can see I have brought my own, unless of course you also have an update for me?"
"We do not, but we have been ordered by..."
"I don't care. I am certainly not under any of Konoha's rules or regulations. If the Hokage wanted to assign someone to keep us company he should have picked from my husband's previous team rather than some faceless Ninja who I have no connection with."
"Ma'am we..."
"You are dismissed, we will be arriving in Konoha by tomorrow afternoon."
Even from behind the mask I can tell that the young man is confused, and more than a little uncomfortable. He isn't used to being ordered around it seems, probably an ANBU captain then.
"I do not think that..."
"Luckily you are paid to follow orders, not think." Nagato's voice sounded from my left as the young man stepped forward, his Rinnegan shifting between each of the Ninja before us.
It looked as if we were going to start the conflict early, before the Konoha captain give a hand signal, and they departed seconds later.
"Well that was a fun start to all of this..." Anko mutters from nearby. I am in agreement with the young girl.
Glancing over I recall the conversation we had before the trip even began. She had been so nervous that it was rather adorable, but I could immediately tell she cared about my son, hell Minato and I had a running bet on if she would confess to him directly, or ask us for permission to date him.
Naturally I am now the winner, which meant a candlelit romantic evening.
Still it was good to see her coming clean with her feelings, far too many Ninja held them in to disastrous results. Both my husband and I had agreed that they would be a rather cute couple, even with the slight age gap, and were more than happy to let them date should they both be interested in the notion.
Perhaps I would have purple haired grandchildren in the future?
***Kabuto***
"Sensei"
My master turns slightly towards me, as he finishes reading over several spy reports. "Yes Kabuto?"
"Do you think it is wise... letting her go with them?"
The snort is answer enough, but he continues on regardless, "I think it would be unwise to try and stop her. You know how she feels about my godson."
"I do... that is why I am feeling a bit on edge about all of this. If the attack truly was planned out sending Anko to the village is..."
"Practically a declaration of war? Yes I am aware, but the fact of the matter is that she is the least of our concerns. Can you imagine what Kushina-Dono will do should this be the case?"
I do not even bother trying to hide my flinch. The Uzumaki Daimyo's wrath is legendary, especially when it comes to those she cares about being injured. Her skills in the Shinobi arts might not be as impressive as my master's... but she holds the Kyuubi inside of her, and with the Uzumaki bloodline... I shudder to think what destruction she could rain down if it was her desire.
"Do you think that he will be okay?"
"Of course he will!" a voice calls out from the doorway as Yahiko strides into the room. Immediately, I notice the cloak draped across his shoulders, designating him as the stand-in for Kushina as the Daimyo.
"Ah Yahiko-san, it is good to see you."
"You as well Orochimaru-san, I wish the circumstances were a bit better though."
"Indeed, perhaps when this is all over we can have tea?"
The orange-haired man nods, before accepting a chair that was gestured to by the substitute Kage. "What can you tell me about the situation?"
Straight down to business, he was a wise choice for the position.
"From my own spy network it seems as though the Hyuga may be to blame. Naruto's Tenketsu were severely damaged along with his Chakra network."
"Suspects?"
"None yet, but we have already narrowed it down to someone with little Ninja experience, either a Genin, academy student, or a child."
"Reason?"
I watch the two go back and forth, if I didn't know any better I would have guessed that this conversation had been planned with how effortlessly they answered each question.
"Although the damage was extensive it was also inaccurate. Only around half of the strikes managed to land correctly which shows someone either in the middle of a fierce battle, or inexperienced. Based upon the medical reports he did not have any defensive wounds on his hands which means..."
"Probably not a Genin, they wouldn't have had so much trouble with a child. Academy student or younger would also explain why he is merely comatose instead of..."
Neither of them appear to want to finish that sentence, and we all know it could still very well come true.
"But why?"
Both turn to me, and I realize that I had spoken up rather than keeping my thoughts to myself, forcing down the slight blush, and clearing my throat, I speak up once more. "I mean why was he attacked? If they meant to assassinate him it would have been someone of more experience. It doesn't sound as if kidnapping was the agenda, so why was he attacked in the first place? Could it have been an accident?"
My master turns to look out at the sea with an inquisitive expression on his face, I have seen it before when he is deeply contemplating something.
"That would make sense based on the age range we are looking at. Plus the time and location of attack. The Hyuga have always been a bit... jumpy..."
"It was not an accident"
We both glance towards the Sanin, as he had finally risen to stand by the window, perhaps to breathe in some of the cool ocean air.
"Jiraiya and Tsunade were both supposed to have been in the village... but judging by our reports will not arrive until a day or more later. There is no way that either of them would have shirked from their duty without a damn good reason... or outside intervention."
An eerie silence falls upon the room once more.
***Asuma Sarutobi***
Why me? Why does it always have to be me? It isn't like there aren't other politically powerful clans that can be called upon to do this crap. It isn't like I am the only one who can greet diplomatic guests...
But no, the Hokage has insisted that I be the one waiting to greet them.
Perfect
Once more I curse every deity I can think of, and several I have just made up off the top of my head, as a chilling breeze whips in from the south.
Odd, usually the warm air is what comes from the ocean this time of year...
My eyes sweep over nearby forest once more as I wait by the main gate. A deathly silence has fallen upon the area and dark clouds are slowly floating in. The calm before the storm perhaps? Of course with everything that is going on 'storm' is probably the nicest way of putting the situation.
The son of a Kage and a Queen has been injured.
Thus far it looks to be Konoha's fault.
Said Kage is already with his son, and his mother is set to arrive within the hour.
And I, Asuma Sarutobi, heir to the Sarutobi clan, have been ordered to standby and greet her when she arrives. I am then ordered to take her to the emergency council meeting that is being called.
Oh yes, because that is the correct action. Rather than allow an infuriated mother to see her injured son we should make her wait around while a bunch of old bastards finish up their tea and gather at a table to talk about useless nonsense for hours at a time. Surely this will improve our relations with Uzu...
Sometimes I curse the fact that I have been born into a major clan, rather than being able to ignore the politics of the village.
A noise echoes through the forest, and birds are sent flying into the air. That is my cue, apparently the convoy has opted not to go with secrecy and stealth. Speed is far more important in this moment.
Seconds later my suspicions are proven true as they walk into the clearing. It is... fewer than I expected to be honest. The rumors were that it would be a full division of Ninja, instead it is her majesty, two young adults, and two teenagers.
Not quite what I was expecting from a major Ninja village.
Kushina's eyes meet mine for a split second, before returning to her path into the village. Now is my, unfortunate, chance.
"Lady Kushina, I am Asuma Sarutobi son of Hiruzen Sarutobi the Third Hokage." Okay so I hate using my name and status as an introduction, but unfortunately I am a Ninja first and foremost which means that everything must be put aside for the good of the village.
"I am aware of who you are Sarutobi-san"
"Uhm yes of course, well I have been instructed to take you to the council chambers. There is a meeting in preparation and..."
She doesn't even stop, just walks by me as if I was talking to myself instead of her.
"Uhm... Lady Kushina..."
"I am here for my son, not for your representatives. Where is he?" Her head turns, allowing the green eyes to focus on me once again. I have to struggle not to break away from her stare. The deadly beauty she possesses is far more impressive than the reports give her credit for.
Part of me wants to just confess. I know that if I had a son in this situation I would be carving out eyeballs right now to get to him. But I know my orders, and regardless of how stupid they might be I am obligated to follow them.
"I am afraid that I cannot..."
Her gaze turns from me, and I can finally let out the breath I wasn't aware I had been holding.
"Karin, find my son... now."
The redheaded teenager gives a brief nod, before closing her eyes in concentration. I am well aware that the Uzumaki are known for producing highly skilled sensors but she is barely...
"Found him, a third of a mile west and then a thousand feet north from there. Third floor, I believe Uzukage-Sama is with him along with Lady Tsunade."
Apparently age doesn't quite seem to matter to them...
"I can assure you that your son is perfectly safe, but we need to..."
"And I assure you that your council can wait. I intend to see my son... now."
Who the hell is going to argue with that?
***Whirlpool***