AN: Edited the last chapter thanks to some mistakes reviewers caught and decided to work on the next. Hope this answers some of your questions and this is the chapter I might lose readers on for what I am about to do. Regardless, I hope you enjoy.

Disclaimer: I do not own Naruto

ITALICS – thinking

BOLD – demon talk/jutsu

Chapter 5: Closer Together, Plans Set

As Kushina and Naruto walk around Uzu, they chat about their past a little which makes emotions go every which way. Some of the older residents recognized Naruto and quickly ran off to spread the word that Hashirama's son has returned; by days' end it was sure to be spread around the entirety of the village.

"So let me get this straight, you and Mito screwed up on a seal which made both of you peer into the future, you got a fox in your gut, and the reason you look 18 is that you put yourself in stasis for the last fifty years."

Naruto nods "Yep that about sums it up; I may look 18 but I am as wise as an old man."

Kushina chuckles "Well since you divulged a serious part of you past I guess I will go next."

She sighs and steels herself for the secret Kushina was about to spill was heart wrenching and basically the reason why she became Uzukage.

"This is not easy for me to retell so please bear with; it involves why I became Uzukage in the first place." Naruto nods and puts a hand on Kushina's shoulder to reassure her.

"Thank you. I once had a lover who gave me that love in return though he was a bit stubborn at first. Anyway, him and I got off to a great start and was about to get married and have a child but that's when the Third Shinobi War broke out and my world crumbled around me."

Flashback – Third Shinobi War

"Hold the line; don't let Iwa get past us!" Kushina yells out

Clangs of sword against sword are heard with the screams and stench of the dying; blood ran like a river on the field making red mud. Jutsu of various elements rain down upon each side causing mass destruction, the sealing prowess of the Uzumaki bolstered their own jutsu and managed to redirect others toward the caster. It was an all-out jutsu and kenjutsu frenzy and both sides seemed to be at a stalemate.

Kushina ducks under a slash of a katana and kicks out the man's knee making him buckle; she follows up by ramming the blade through the man's left eye and out the back of the head. After kicking the body off, she backflips to avoid a pillar of earth intent on impaling her then rushes forward in an attempt to push Uzu and its forces forward. A yell at the flank makes her curse.

"Kushina-tachiou our forces in the flank is falling, if reinforcements don't arrive soon we might not survive this day!"

Kushina makes chakra chains fly out from her body grabbing opposing forces and flinging them like they were made of paper; some she crushed while others she impaled.

"Keep pressing onwards, we have no choice but to hold off! FOR UZU!"

"FOR UZU!" the other forces reply back with gusto

The battle rages on for another 10 minutes; Uzu forces were starting to dwindle and all hope seemed lost when Kushina spotted a yellow flash in the distance followed by a scream of someone dying. She smiles knowing that they were saved and others soon knew that to be so as they saw a salvo of tri-pronged Kunai fly through the air and land in the midst of the enemy. Soon flashes of yellow were seen all around with the splash of blood and scream from the dying enemy; all of Uzu and the other forces cheered seeing the Yellow Flash in action. Within minutes the flashes stop and the massive Iwa force was nothing more; the battleground goes quiet for the first time in what seemed like hours.

Kushina flicks the blood off her katana and sheathes it then runs up to Minato but notices he is having a hard time staying on his feet; Kushina soon knows why as she catches him in her arms. Minato's body was littered with deep cuts and bleeding profusely; he was also breathing hard due to chakra usage and blood loss.

Kushina cries seeing her soon to be husband in this state "C'mon Minato-kun…stay with me. We can get you healed up."

Minato smiles and looks up at Kushina; he puts a hand on her chin "No, I am too far gone, that last battle was more intense then we first realized and I used too much chakra helping you and your forces out."

Minato coughs up a massive amount of blood and his eyes start to glaze over.

Now in full tears Kushina cries out "Don't you die on me Minato, we were going to have a family…please I can get you the help you need."

Coughing and growing weaker by the moment Minato motions for Kushina to get close which she does; in a raspy voice Minato speaks his last words.

"Promise me to live on with your life and find a person like me to marry and have a family with, one that we couldn't have."

Minato coughs out more blood, his eyes getting cloudier by the second; Kushina tries to form the words but cannot and with his last bit of energy kisses her on the lips then perishes in her arms. Kushina couldn't take it and cried to the heavens as the remaining Uzu forces and the Konoha ones from the last battle all gathered round the grieving Kushina in which they grieved with.

Flashback End

Naruto was comforting a crying Kushina with a hug and an occasional rub on her back "Shh, it's alright Kushina, you can let it out and I am sorry for your loss. If you want someone to help you get over this then maybe I can be the one to help."

"Smooth, try to get her on a date while she's grieving…like that's going to work."

"Shut it Kurama, watch and learn though I do feel bad taking advantage of this situation."

Kushina looks up with red puffy eyes and sniffs "R..really, you would do such a thing for me? Others have tried but I couldn't even stomach loving any of them."

Naruto smiles and looks down upon her five foot four frame "I will try and maybe I am the one Minato was talking about."

"But your 68 years old!" Kushina wipes he tears as Naruto chuckles

"Only in mind my dear, I am but just an 18 year old kid."

Kushina smiles "But I am 25, does that not seem a bit odd to you?"

Naruto shakes his head "All sake ripens with age Kushina, and you are no exception."

Kushina punches Naruto in the arm playfully with a blush "You teaser you; fine, I will try a date with you once and see how it goes."

Naruto splutters "A DATE!"

"Oh come on!"

"HA! Told you it would work!" Naruto mentally laughs at Kurama's grumbling.

Kushina smiles "What, I thought that's what you were implying Naruto-kun." She purrs at the end making Naruto blush.

Naruto laughs nervously "OK, OK, fine I will go on a date with you to see how it goes. I got two weeks here after all."

"YAY!" Kushina happily states, her sadness all but gone.

The two look around now noticing that a crowd gathered around them; both turn red as a tomato and quickly Shunshin out of the area making said crowd burst into laughter.

With Team 7, Zabuza, and Haku

Kakashi was talking with Zabuza inside as Team 7 and Haku was training out in the backyard. Now that both former enemies were on their side, Kakashi had no idea what to do.

"So, as we help Tazuna finish this bridge what do we do about Gato?"

Zabuza smirks underneath his bandages "That fat fuck? Well, I bet by tomorrow he will be ranting and raving about how Tazuna is still alive and might hire some more missing nin."

Kakashi deadpans "Great, I guess he might send thugs after his family as well. What do you think Naruto?"

The wood clone forms out of the wall scaring the shit out of Zabuza making Tazuna and Tsunami, whom were sitting at the dining room table, chuckle.

"When'd he get here?!" Zabuza yells holding his heart "You almost gave me a heart attack!

Clone Naruto chuckles "Oh, me I'm just a clone, boss is still at Uzu. Anyway, I can guard the house at any time so no worries there and Sasuke is out training and luckily restraining himself from catching the forest on fire."

Kakashi nods "How's his attitude though?"

Clone Naruto shrugs "Talks to himself about destroying me and his brother."

"Kakashi-Sensei, I demand help!"

Kakashi and Zabuza groan and see Naruto's clone meld back into the wall.

"I guess I will help Sasuke as he won't shut up until I do; at least Naruto will be watching over me just in case."

Zabuza nods "Seriously, his attitude reminds me of the rumors I heard of Madara."

Kakashi gives a stern glare to Zabuza "And that is what Naruto and I are trying to avoid; come along if you want to see a beating."

"Ohh, goody; I love seeing a person being put in his place!"

Naruto's clone, which was in the wall, sweat drops at Zabuza's 180 attitude and decides to watch over to see what Sasuke wanted Kakashi to do. As Kakashi and Zabuza was walking out to the backyard an Uzu ANBU shunshins in front of them making both go on guard.

"Hold, I am not your enemy. Are any of you Kakashi of Team 7?"

Kakashi lowers his guard and steps forward "Hai and you are?"

"ANBU from Uzu, I have orders from my Uzukage to give you this mission statement; you will all be paid accordingly."

The ANBU holds out the letter which Kakashi takes and reads it over and eye smiles "Thank you ANBU-san, tell the Uzukage that we will take the mission."

The ANBU nods "Hai, also Naruto-sama gives his regards."

"Thank you ANBU-san, I will need it." The ANBU shunshins just as Team 7 and Haku congregate around Kakashi and Zabuza.

"Who was that Kakashi-sensei?" Sakura asks

"Mission from the Uzukage, she wants us to take out Gato and his men. I hope you are ready for real ninja work because this will involve killing."

Sakura pales and looks worried but Sai puts a reassuring hand on her shoulder making her smile.

"Sakura might have issues about it but I will make sure she is protected." Sai states making Kakashi nod

Sasuke smirks knowing he would get his wish at killing more people while Haku and Zabuza have the light bulb go off in their head which Kakashi notices.

"What's got you all giddy?"

"Well, remember that we once worked with Gato, we can go inside and convince him that Wave is going to make a rebellion. If that ANBU indicated anything, I'd say that Uzu is here to give aid to them."

Haku finishes for Zabuza "Gato's forces will run into ANBU and Naruto's clone which means that your team has less killing to do; I know that look when some people are not ready."

Kakashi scratches the back of his head and hums "I think that would work out nicely, well team I suggest preparing for this; Zabuza, Haku, how much time do you need?"

"I would say about four days but the problem will be showing that Tazuna is taken care of." Zabuza responds

Clone Naruto melds out of a tree freaking everyone but Zabuza and Kakashi out which makes him chuckle.

"Although I'm a clone, I could make a faux Tazuna that will talk in his voice. Once you give Tazuna to Gato; behead my clone when he orders to. I can keep up the clone to make it look realistic."

Haku, Kakashi, and Zabuza nod and everyone watches in wonder as multiple branches of wood forms off of the clone's right side and soon turn into a replica of Tazuna; sake bottle and all.

"How's this?" Clone Tazuna tests out his voice

"Meh, to high." Sakura states

The clone lowers his voice, one with a drunken slur "I am the super bridge builder Tazuna, and I expect super protection!"

Sasuke slightly smirks while everyone else bursts into laughter.

"Oh ho ho, that is definitely it…damn gaki, you're good." Zabuza chortles

Clone Tazuna takes a swig of his bottle and stumbles toward Zabuza which takes the bottle and smashes it on the ground bursting into wood splinters; another one soon forms and the clone takes another swig.

"HA, ye never going to get my sake!"

Zabuza and Haku shake their head while Haku comments on the clone's breath "You even smell drunk…kami, let's just go and get this over with."

Kakashi nods and the Tazuna clone salutes then follows Zabuza and Haku to Gato's hideout while Kakashi claps his hands and turns toward his team.

"Time to get training."

Tsunami interrupts "TIME FOR LUNCH!"

"Right after lunch." Kakashi finishes and motions for his team to head inside.

Konoha – Hokage Tower

A hawk pecks at the window which Sarutobi opens and lets the hawk jump onto his hand. He sees a message attached to its right leg and takes it off then motions for the hawk to go which it does with a quick call; Sarutobi closes the window then unrolls the message and begins to read.

Dear Hiruzen Sarutobi or Hokage-sama,

I am currently at Uzu with Kushina Uzumaki, the current Uzukage. Before coming here I fought Zabuza and won a bet in which he and his accomplice Haku joined Team 7 to help Tazuna out. Zabuza gave me information about Yagura and the Bloodline Wars; come to find out Yagura holds the three-tails and my tenant says that his actions are not normal. I write to you for permission to go to Kiri and help retake it while attempting to get Yagura on Konoha and Uzu's side via treaty contract. Please respond back soon.

Naruto Senju

Sarutobi puts down the message and chuckles lightly "It never is easy with you around eh Naruto? Well, with Uzu already on our treaty, Kiri wouldn't hurt; I wonder if Wave will think about one as well…hmm doesn't hurt to ask."

He pulls out a piece of paper and a pen and starts to write back; the message would reach Uzu by day's end to give Naruto the response he needed.

"Good luck Naruto, I give you the best of luck with Kiri and the three-tailed beast. I wonder if I should ask Jiraiya to come back to update me on what he found with his spy network; the Chunin exams are coming up in eight months and its best to be prepared."

He finishes with Naruto's message and starts on one for Jiraiya hoping the information he would find out is good, he also wonders if the next book of a certain series was soon to come out. After a few minutes, he finishes with the last message and calls a couple hawks and ties the messages to them then sends them out. Sighing to himself he props his feet on his desk, opens a drawer, and pulls out an orange book and some tissues.

"You dirty Keiko-chan you…*perverted giggle.*"

With Zabuza and Haku – Gato's office

Zabuza and Haku come into Gato's office with Clone Tazuna in tow which plays the part of looking drunk and nervous. Gato, who is sitting behind his desk, smirks and claps his hands.

"I knew you two would do well, now we have to take care of the part of the bridge that was already built."

"You will not put your grimy hands on my bridge…once I die my village is sure to rise against you Gato; I promise you that!"

Gato glares then smirks at Clone Tazuna "Aw, well I will be sure to send my condolences to your family and quell this uprising before it starts."

"Leave my family out of this!"

"Zabuza, be a kind soul and shut this drunken bastard up."

Zabuza nods and chops the clone on the back of the neck knocking him out; it being a wood clone makes it stay intact. Gato then turns to both and asks about this uprising.

"Is this uprising true, I highly doubt they would dare challenge me and my personal army."

Haku nods his head "Some villagers saw us with Tazuna and started to spread the word that their icon was stolen and that they would gather forces."

It was a white lie that hopefully Gato bought; being the money hungry and overzealous man that he is, Zabuza's and Haku's fears were quelled.

"How long, AND I TOLD YOU TO BE DISCREET!"

Zabuza clears his throat "I am not sure Gato but I would guess in four days that they would have a group big enough to severely cripple your men."

Gato smiles "Good, then I will take three quarters of my force and train them so that they can raze the village to the ground and kill everyone in sight four days from now. As for Tazuna, put him in a holding cell with no light and view of the outside world; we will execute him before my men head out."

"Our agreement Gato, surely you have not forgotten our monetary compensation." Zabuza growls out

Gato grumbles under his breath but unlocks a small safe underneath his desk and throws two bags of currency toward the two which they catch.

"I will have my men watching you and expect both of you to participate in razing Wave in four days, you are dismissed."

Zabuza and Haku nod while they exit the office and head to the dungeon to put Tazuna's clone in a cell per Gato's instructions. The clone gives a thumb up and a wink to both which they give a smile in return.

"Gato…what a sick fuck he is; to think I actually agreed to work for him in the first place. Leave a village to rot by sucking them dry and once done with them you raze it to the ground killing men, women and children. I will have fun flaying your flesh from your body once I get my hands on you." Zabuza angrily thinks

Four Days Later – Uzu

It's been four days since Naruto got the letter back from Hiruzen giving him the go ahead with his side mission; it was also four days since he had a heartfelt reunion with Daisuke and Kenshin. Both were quite old and even though they wanted to spar with Naruto, who explained to them why he was so young and why he went missing, their elderly frame would not be able to handle the stress. Naruto, Kenshin, and Daisuke all decided to head to lunch and reminisce about the past while Kushina went back to the Hokage tower to do more paperwork. Thanks to this meeting Naruto had a better understanding of what to expect in this era and how things have changed since he sealed himself; the reunion lasted for three hours but it was time well spent.

Currently, Naruto was getting ready for his date with Kushina which Kurama still couldn't believe happened; he was given a room in Kushina's estate for the two weeks he would spend here. As Naruto got dressed in his black dress pants, blue dress shirt, and black shoes, he felt something deep inside of him, a connection of sorts to Kushina. He wanted this feeling to last and hoped the date would go well and for many more to come; a knock on his bedroom door interrupts his thoughts.

"Naruto, are you ready to go?" Kushina asks from the other side of the door

"Just a moment!" Naruto responds back as he finishes tying his shoe then opens the door only to blush at what Kushina was wearing.

Dressed in red and white skirt with a top to match that revealed her slightly large assets and sandals, Kushina was drop dead gorgeous; add that her long red hair was in a high pony tail and that her purple eyes were sparkling, it only added to Naruto's blush.

Striking a provocative pose "Does Naruto-kun like what he sees?"

Naruto splutters then grins "Very much so, let's go Kushina-chan."

He offers his hand which Kushina takes and both walk out of the home and head off to a restaurant of Kushina's choosing. As they were walking, the villagers smiled at the sight of Kushina going out with Hashirama's son and wondered if he would be the one to make their Uzukage's life complete again.

Restaurant

As the two enter the restaurant, the greeter instantly recognizes the two and picks up two menus and motions for them to follow. Kushina and Naruto are eventually lead to a private room where there is only one table meant for two; the table is covered in a white cloth with a vase of roses in the middle with two candles off to the side. Silverware and place settings are on either side of the table while romantic music plays in the background. After the two take their seats the greeter hands them the menus.

"Take as much time as you need and your waiter will be in soon to take your orders. Have a wonderful time."

After looking through the menu both eventually decided what they would have and just in time as the waiter came in ready to take their orders.

"Hello, my name is Hiroshi and I will be your waiter today. Are both of you ready to place your orders?"

Naruto nods "Thank you Hiroshi-san. I would like the gyudon (stewed beef) donburi and a bottle of your finest sake."

Hiroshi writes it down and turns to Kushina "And for you Uzukage-sama?"

"Kushina is fine and I would like the Sashimi with a side of rice please."

The waiter writes that down as well "Anything else Naruto-sama, Kushina-sama?"

Kushina smiles and looks at Naruto whom smiles in return "Nothing else Hiroshi-san, you may place our orders."

Said person nods and heads out of the room to do as told as Kushina and Naruto look at each other, both wondering who would break the ice first. It was a tense two minutes that seemed to last forever but Kushina decided to speak up first.

"So, I've been meaning to ask, what were the Warring States like to live in? I have only heard stories from Karen when she was still alive and read some accounts from the history books."

Naruto sadly frowns "It's not an easy thing for me to explain as the things I had to do still haunt me to this day."

Kushina smiles and puts her hands onto Naruto's "If you don't want to talk about it, it's alright I can understand."

Naruto shakes his head "No, I cannot keep this side of me bottled up. Like my father told me, don't dwell in the past as the future is much brighter. Well, here I am in the future and it is a much brighter time from the era I came from."

Kushina sadly nods and takes her hands off of Naruto's then points to his scar "You can start about telling me about that scar of yours if you want?"

Naruto takes a finger and traces the scar going down his right eye which stopped at the chin then sighs. He goes into the explanation about what he and Hiruzen had to do that day and how he became overconfident in his abilities earning him the scar and luckily keeping his eye. Naruto also explained other skirmishes in which he was ordered to massacre entire clan's that threatened Konoha and other allies as well. Naruto explained everything in gruesome detail to how blood ran like a river and how the stench of death seemed to always linger in the air; Kushina instantly felt saddened by what she had Naruto do.

"I…I'm sorry I had to make you relive some painful memories; I can see now that losing Minato was not bad at all seeming you had to go through so much more."

"Please don't say that losing Minato was not that bad, he was your first and only lover and I can tell you still care for him. And I thank you for making me get this burden off my chest; I feel lighter and more…happier than before." Narurto quips with a jovial yet serious tone

Kushina nods and smiles lightly then feels something within her, a feeling of connection one that Naruto had before leaving together.

"What is this feeling? I haven't felt such a thing since Minato and I got together…could it really be; can I finally achieve Minato-kun's final wish?"

Her thoughts are broken by the waiter coming in with the food and Sake which make Kushina and Naruto smile.

"Here are your meals, please enjoy. If you need anything just ask, and I will be glad to help."

Naruto nods "Thank you Hiroshi-san."

After the waiter leaves Naruto pours a glass of sake for him and Kushina; they make a toast to Minato and down the sake before filling the glass again and setting them on the table. Over the course of the meal, Kushina and Naruto both fed each other while having some small talk about the past and also what plans were for the future; laughs are had, the meal was satisfying, and the sake all but gone. As they sat next to each other resting after a good meal, they grasped hands once again and enjoyed the relative silence as they looked into each other's eyes with a slight blush. Soon though, Naruto paid for the meal and both headed back home to retire for the evening.

"I really had a good time tonight Naruto and I think that you may be the one Minato was talking about." Kushina states holding Naruto's hand as they walk back home

Naruto shakes his head "Please don't rush into things, I know Minato meant a lot to you so I will give you all the time in the world for you to decide whether I am the one or not. If it's not meant to be, then such is the way of life; we will continue on yet our bond will last in friendship."

Kushina sadly nods and sighs "Yah, your right, it's just I feel this connection of sorts to you, one I have not felt since I met Minato. I don't know if it was a fluke or just me going on a date for the first time in many years."

Naruto opens the front door and leads Kushina inside with him following "Just think about tonight Kushina; I won't dishonor Minato's final wishes to you so take your time, I will be here forever waiting."

Kushina smiles and pecks Naruto on the cheek making him blush "Thank you Naruto-kun, I have a lot to think about; goodnight."

"Goodnight Kushina-chan."

With Team 7 and Kakashi

Tazuna, Tsunami, Inari, and Team 7 were all sitting at the table going over the plans for the raid that would commence at the break of dawn, just as Gato's forces would move into Wave; Naruto's Tazuna clone sent back the information which he then relayed to Kakashi.

In these four days, Inari got a good talking to about suffering and living in the past by Naruto, now Inari insisted on calling him brother which made Naruto laugh and feel warm inside. Also during this time, Naruto decided to talk to Sai about what Danzo actually taught Sasuke and what his potential plans were; Sai gave an explanation to the best of his abilities but some answers he did not have at the moment.

Flashback - 2 days ago

Clone Naruto was watching Team 7 spar and saw Sasuke use what looked like the beginnings of Madara's unique taijutsu style; seeing this, it was time for some answers and only one person knew them.

"Sai, can I talk to you for a moment inside?"

Sai stops his spar with Sasuke and turns to Naruto then had to duck under a cheap shot; Naruto shot a glare at Sasuke with some KI which made him back off. Sai thanks Naruto and follows him inside where a barrier seal is put up.

"What do you need Naruto-sama?"

"Information Sai, about what Sasuke's training entailed. I need to know whatever you know before trying to straighten things out."

Sai shakes his head "That might be impossible to do since he has your fathers' DNA which is rumored to give Sasuke what Madara had near the end of his life; the Rinnegan."

Naruto's eyes widen and steps back in shock "The eyes of the Sage! Impossible!"

Sai shakes his head "No, and to make it worse Danzo is trying to find out how to activate it so that his training can be upped to the next level. Hell, he is even setting something up to where Sasuke can get the Mangekyo Sharingan…"

Naruto finishes with anger in his voice "Which would further his path of hatred…dammit Danzo just what are you planning."

"Do you want to hear more Naruto-sama?"

Naruto laughs "Sure, what can be worse then I already heard?"

"The fact that he is commissioning someone to make Madara like armor and his weapons, that and he's told Sasuke to grow out his hair so that in time he resembles him; as to his plans I have not gotten that far into my investigation."

Naruto palms his face and groans "Great, just great. So let me get this straight, Danzo is having Sasuke get taught what Madara basically had in his arsenal as well as molding him into an almost carbon copy of the guy."

Sai nods "Yes, and I suggest having ANBU trail him whence we get back from this mission; I fear his hate will only escalate in time and if his MS awakens then Kami help us all."

Naruto takes a deep breath and smiles, both knew it was a façade to hide the true emotion within "Thank you Sai, you are a most valuable asset and offer my hand at working with you to take Danzo down."

Sai shakes Naruto's outstretched hand "I will accept your offer Naruto-sama. When I joined ROOT and the Sandaime found me after a failed mission he had his students Jiraiya and Tsunade help; one healed me while the other took the controlling seals off though kept false ones in place. Danzo has undermined your father's village and will gladly standby and help you raise it back to its heyday."

Naruto smiles with tears in his eyes, they were not of sadness but one of happiness "Thank you Sai, a great ally you will be."

Flashback End

Sai breaks from his thoughts and turns to Kakashi with a smile noticing that he was looking at him.

"Sai, were you even paying attention?"

Sai smirked and decided to have a little fun "Hm, you say something Kakashi-sensei?"

Kakashi sweat dropped while Sasuke smirked and everyone else broke out into laughter seeing Kakashi's own words used against him.

Kakashi clears his throat "Well then, I guess I will have to go over these plans again as Sai was…"

Sai interrupts again "Lost on the road of life."

Kaksahi glares at him as snickers are heard from Tazuna's family and his team as well as Naruto who was merged with the wall.

"Will you quit that?!" Kakashi reprimands then takes a deep breath "Like I said before I was interrupted, here is what we are going to do."