I do not own Naruto.
Naruto stumbled to the ground as he appeared in the safe house. Disoriented, he sat still, blinking as he took stock of his surroundings. While he was used to travelling with his dad through the hiraishin, it was quite another thing to physically travel through a seal by himself.
"Kunami?" he said in surprise as he spotted the slumbering child on a bed nearby. He bent closer to examine his younger sister, his fascination momentarily eclipsing the urgent need that had summoned him there. He gently touched her hair and marvelled at the softness of the bright red tufts. A gentle thud behind him sent him spinning around, instinctively bracing to protect his newborn sister.
"M-mom! Dad!" he stuttered in shock. His parents looked up in surprise, but before he could say anymore, his dad moved past him and gently placed his mom on the bed beside Kunami.
"….why?" Kushina asked wearily. Naruto was shocked by the exhaustion in her voice and realized that she looked completely drained, with deep bags underneath her eyes and sweat beading her pale face.
"Never mind why, just stay here with Naruto and Kunami," Minato said gently. Tears ran down her cheeks as she embraced Kunami, whispering the child's name through cracked lips. Naruto stood quietly, shaken by the seriousness in his parents and the tears in his mother's eyes. His mom never cried. At loss for what to do, he stood still, questions forgotten. A rustle of cloth brought his eyes away from his weeping mother and to his father who was pulling on his cloak.
"Minato….thank you….good luck…." Kushina murmured.
"Dad…." Naruto began before trailing off, unable to voice the words that stuck in his throat.
"Don't worry, I'll be back before you know it," he said calmly before vanishing in a flash without a trace. Naruto closed his mouth, swallowing the unspoken words. He turned towards his mother and steeled himself. It was time to take responsibility and help his parents instead of constantly depending on them for everything.
"Here Mom, get under this," Naruto instructed as he laid a blanket over her and handed her a black pill he had scrounged up from the medical kit. "Have a soldier pill; I know the after-effects are bad, but you need the energy." Obediently Kushina swallowed the pill and relaxed as the blanket draped her form. She smiled faintly up at him.
"Thank you, Naruto. But….how did you get here? And how did you know the seal failed?"
"I was playing cards with Itachi when I felt the resonance with the kyuubi chakra. I figured that something was wrong so I used the emergency teleportation seal you set up to come here so I could help," he explained. "What happened?" Kushina sighed wearily and patted a spot on the bed on the other side of Kunami, indicating for Naruto to sit down. He did so and listened carefully as she began explaining the whole fiasco.
"It all started after I gave birth to Kunami and we were just about to patch up the seal…."
Minato appeared on the stone spike of his engraved visage. He often came here to look over the village and remind himself of the true nature of the village. But today, a gigantic nine-tailed fox was wreaking destruction in his beloved village and he had little time for sightseeing. The fox snapped its head towards Minato and began charging its ultimate attack: the tailed beast bomb.
"Not on my watch!" Minato said as he ran through a series of hand seals at top speed. He snagged a kunai and held it up, just in time for his barrier to activate and swallow the blast of chakra. He focused intently for a moment, connecting with the various tags he was in contact with. Moments later, the blast lit up the sky, hundreds of kilometers away.
I have to tell the Third what happened…. Minato frowned before snapping around and slicing a kunai straight through the attacker's head. The kunai passed harmlessly through the stranger and moments later, the man grabbed his arm.
"You will face me. And….we're done," he said, sucking Minato into a vortex. Instantly Minato activated his jutsu and teleported away.
My attack slipped right through him, but a moment later he was solid and trying to….suck me into some dimension or something. What was that move? he wondered as he rose to his feet. The stranger materialized in front of him and Minato tensed.
"You won't escape me." Minato watched the man while he quickly analyzed and reviewed all he knew about the stranger.
Does he use space-time techniques too? Whatever he did, it must be how he moved so far after taking Kushina! He defeated ANBU under the direct command of the Third, got past the most powerful top-secret barrier we have, and must have known the seal would be weak while Kushina was giving birth….Then with the seal undone he took the kyuubi and marched straight into the Leaf without so much as pausing to deal with the barrier….There's only one man I can think of that makes sense….
"Are you Uchiha Madara?" The stranger slid down his hood, revealing a head of spiky black hair. "No….you couldn't be. He's long dead…."
"Oh….I don't know about that…." the stranger said cheerfully.
"….On second thought, it doesn't matter who you are. But why have you attacked the Leaf?" Minato asked, his eyes narrowing.
"Oh, you know….it's fun, it's part of my plan….to start a war….to bring peace," the man said casually as he pulled out a length of chain.
Whoever he is, he's incredible! He can control the kyuubi, wields space-time techniques that exceed both the second's and my own, and clearly has evil intentions. If I don't kill him now he'll become a foe greater than the fox!
If I teleport back to the village he'll just follow me and things will get even more chaotic. If he really is Madara, then I doubt he can summon the kyuubi for very long. I'll just have to leave the village in the Third's hands and finish him off right here! Minato concluded as he drew a kunai. The man charged, chains whipping through the air with an eerie shriek.
"There's no hope for any of you!" the stranger growled as he phased through Minato and wrapped him with his chains. Minato easily escaped via hiraishin and frowned as he contemplated his situation.
He makes his body intangible to negate my attacks, then solidifies to counterattack. My only shot is to try and trade hits with him! But attacking at all is a big risk for him. If he can only keep the kyuubi summoned for a short time, he won't want this fight to drag on. It all comes down to speed, whoever strikes a split-second earlier will win! His analysis complete, Minato got to his feet and charged, sending his kunai straight through the man's forehead as he ran. The man reached for Minato's shoulder even as Minato formed a rasengan in his right hand. The kunai left the man's head just as his hand touched Minato's shoulder.
"Gotch-" Minato vanished and reappeared above the man, smashing the rasengan into the man's back and snagging the kunai out of the air as he did so.
"That was hiraishin – level two." The man quickly retreated, clutching his left arm. Minato flashed forward, stabbing his kunai into the man's abdomen. With his free hand he slammed the man's chest with a sealless jutsu. The man's eye widened in recognition and he jerked backwards.
"A contract seal?! Are you trying to pull the kyuubi free from my control?!" he snarled.
"No, I already did! He's no longer your weapon!" Minato replied.
"You deserve the title of fourth Hokage….managing to wound me and wrest the fox from my control in one move. But someday it will be mine again. The fox, and this whole world, will bow to my will. Many doors are still left open to me," the man said as he vanished from sight.
Minato frowned. Something tells me he wasn't lying…. Pushing the masked man from his mind for the moment, he turned his thoughts to the village and with another flare of his chakra, reappeared on the top of the Hokage Monument. His eyes widened as he took in the scene before him. This is awful….
"Summoning jutsu!" he growled as he leaped into the air above the kyuubi. Gamabunta slammed down on the fox, pinning it down. Minato hesitated as he considered his next decision. He flashed back to the masked man's final proclamation and bit his lip. Sorry, Kushina…. he said silently as he made his decision.
"Hold the fox down for a minute!" he instructed.
"Look, I may be big, but I'm not a miracle worker!" Gamabunta grumbled.
"I need enough chakra to take him and that blast out of here!" Minato replied as he prepared the jutsu. Moments later, they vanished and a bright explosion appeared on the horizon.
"D-dad?" Naruto stammered in surprise.
"Gotta put up a barrier…." Minato panted.
"My chakra's almost drained…." Kushina mumbled as chakra chains shot out of her body and wrapped around the fox.
"Kushina!" Minato cried as she coughed, blood spilling from her mouth. From Naruto's arms, Kunami stirred and howled with the throaty cries of a healthy baby.
"Sorry Kunami….I didn't….mean to wake you….." she gasped as Kunami cried.
"Kushina…."
"I'll drag the kyuubi….back….and die with it inside me….That'll prevent it from coming back….for a while…. It's the only way to save all of you….with the little bit of chakra I have left." Naruto stilled as he realized what she was saying and his eyes brimmed with tears. Minato's hands clenched unconsciously and his face contorted with a mixture of emotions.
"….Kushina….you….you made me your husband….You made me into the fourth Hokage….you made me our children's father! And I…."
"Don't look so sad….Minato….Naruto. I'm….I'm happy. Happy that you loved me. Happy for the years we've spent together. Happy that it's….Kunami's….birthday. Like….if I try to imagine surviving and the four of us….living together….I can't think of anything….beyond 'I'd be so happy'. If I had any regrets….it would be that I won't see Naruto and Kunami grow up." Minato's eyes brimmed with tears and he looked down at their two children. Naruto clutched her tightly, wrapping his arms around her as he sobbed into her shirt. Kushina gently embraced him, tears of her own flowing down her face.
"….Kushina….you don't need to take the fox down with you. We can use our last bit of chakra to see Naruto and Kunami one more time!" Minato said.
"….huh?"
Minato wiped his eyes and looked up. "I'll seal the last of your chakra in Kunami with an eight trigrams seal. Then I'll seal the kyuubi away with a seal only a non-jinchuriki like me can use, the dead demon seal!"
"….! But that….the user will be-"
"But I'll only be able to seal half of the fox's power….it's just too great, it's physically and conceptually impossible to completely seal it all. I can't let the kyuubi be revived without a jinchuriki, the balance of tailed beasts will be destroyed. But with the dead demon seal I can permanently seal half the fox's power along with myself. And the remaining half….I'll seal the remaining half inside Kunami with the eight trigrams seal!
"I know what you want to say….but Jiraiya-sensei spoke of the world undergoing a revolution, and with it, a great disaster! Tonight I've confirmed two things. The first is that masked man, the one who attacked you….He is the harbinger of that disaster! And Kunami will be the one to stop him, with Naruto by her side. The jinchuriki who will blaze the trail to our future. I just….know it."
"But….Minato," Kushina protested.
"Have a little faith! She is our daughter after all!" Minato smiled. "After I finish the dead demon seal I'll place your remaining chakra into Kunami as well. You'll meet the grown-up Kunami sooner than you think….The time will come when she'll attempt to take control of the fox's power….I want you there to help her."
"Our daughter…."
"That's why! I don't want her to bear such a heavy burden on her own!"
"But why….why the dead demon seal?! There's no reason for you to die….just so I can meet her for a few minutes when she's older! I wanted you to be there for them….I wanted you to raise them! Why….Why are you sacrificing Kunami just to preserve the balance of tailed beasts….to save the village….and the country….Why are you sacrificing yourself for me?!" Kushina protested angrily before subsiding into deep gasps.
"Turning your back on the country, on the village, is just as bad as abandoning a child. You should understand….you saw your own country fall apart. You know the pain of growing up without a home of your own….and you know that we are a family….of shinobi! Besides, even if I lived I could never substitute for you. There are things Kunami needs to be told, things I could never say myself. That's the mother's job, and I need you to carry it out. Even if you only have the briefest of moments to do so. This isn't just for you….this is for Kunami! Dying to make a better life for his children….that's the stuff you let the father handle."
"Dad….I will take the kyuubi." Minato and Kushina jerked, having temporarily forgotten Naruto's presence in their heated debate. "I…. I was born under the kyuubi's influence," he said, touching the whisker markings on his cheek, "and my body is used to its chakra. Let me take the kyuubi!"
"Naruto, you know what being a jinchuriki is like! You….you don't have to do this!" Kushina cried. He turned to her, his eyes bright and determined.
"Jinchuriki…." he said slowly. "Sacrifice...those who bear tailed beasts within them, they are sacrificed to protect the people around them, their friends, their family, and their village….. But I….I choose to sacrifice myself to protect my sister. This is my role….my choice….and my love for her." Kushina looked away, tears falling from her eyes. He touched her hand and smiled at her as she turned to meet his eyes. "Believe in me... I am your son after all. I can, and will bear this burden." Minato smiled at the determination and love shining from his son's eyes.
"And dad….there's no need for you to die either," Naruto said, turning to his father. "The kyuubi's chakra….you can split it between us. With its power split between us, we'll be able to control it easily, and with two of us, we are sure to stop that masked jerk in his tracks!" Minato hesitated before nodding his head in agreement.
"Alright. I'm going to seal the kyuubi's yang chakra into Kunami first, and then the yin into you, Naruto." He ran through a few hand seals before slamming his palm against the ground, summoning the ceremonial throne.
"Okay….Naruto, bring Kunami here…." Minato grunted. Naruto picked Kunami up and kneeling beside the throne, gently laid her on the cushioned surface. Suddenly Kushina broke into a violent coughing fit, hacking and choking as blood spurted from her mouth.
"Kushina, stay with me!" Minato cried, turning towards her.
"Dad! The kyuubi….!" Naruto yelled as he spied the fox striking down at them. He wrapped himself around Kunami and turned away as the claw slashed down at him. The deafening silence was broken by the steady dripping of blood. Naruto slowly turned around to see his parents standing before him, impaled on the kyuubi's claw.
"No….Mom….Dad…." he whispered brokenly.
"If the father can do this job…." Minato began.
"The mother should be even better….right?" Kushina finished with a smile. "You win….First argument….you've ever won….I guess you're really serious."
"Thank you, Kushina…." Shakily, Minato swiped his palm with blood and summoned a toad.
"Ahh, the kyuubi! And fourth, what in the world happened to you?!" the toad cried.
"Gamatora….I'm entrusting you with the key to the seals. Hurry to Jiraiya-sensei….store it with him…." Minato instructed.
"Got it! Good….goodbye!" the toad said, vanishing with a poof.
"That does it…." Minato said. "It's time, Kushina….I'm going to perform the eight trigrams seal on the two of them….and try to leave a little of my own chakra in them, too! We don't have much time….if you have anything left to say to Naruto and Kunami…."
"….Naruto, Kunami….don't be fussy eaters…..eat a lot and grow up to be a big boy and girl! Take your bath every day….got to bed early and sleep well! Make friends….it doesn't matter how many….just make sure they're real friends….people you can trust…..even a few is enough! And study your ninjutsu….I was never very good at it, maybe you will be….Everyone has things they're good at and things they're not….don't feel bad if you can't do it all.
"Make sure you listen to the teachers….at the Academy. And remember, avoid the three vices of shinobi….don't borrow money if you can help it. Save what you earn from missions….no drinking alcohol until you're twenty, and don't overdo it or you'll ruin your body. As for men and women….well, I'm a woman so I don't know what to say, but there are only men and women in this world, and you'll want a girlfriend and boyfriend someday….just try not to pick weird ones….try to find someone like your mother and father…."
"And the fourth warning….watch out for Jiraiya-sensei!" Minato grinned.
"….Naruto….Kunami….you're going to experience a lot of pain and suffering….remember who you are! Find a goal….a dream….and don't stop trying until it comes true! Look after each other and stick together….Remember Mito-sama's words….'before the beast can be housed….we must fill the vessel with love. Do that, and even the host of the kyuubi may live a happy life'. Love and care for each other….your strength comes from your love for others….There's….there's….! There's….there's so much more I want to say….to teach you about….I want to stay with you….I love you….
"I'm sorry Minato….I took all our time…."
"It's okay. Naruto, Kunami….listen….to your motor-mouth mother."
"I promise….I'll remember everything you said….and tell them to Kunami when she grows up. I'll look after her….don't worry about us…." Naruto said through his tears. Minato smiled and began weaving the hand seals for the chakra separation and sealing he would need to perform.
"Naruto….Kunami….we love you," he whispered. "Eight trigrams seal!"
Naruto opened his eyes to the cold white ceiling of a hospital room. He blinked in confusion as he slowly sat up. What was he doing in the hospital?
"Naruto?" a hoarse voice asked. Naruto turned to see a bedraggled, red-eyed Kakashi standing in the door. Instantly, the teen rushed forward and embraced him tightly, tears flowing down his face.
"I was so worried," he choked. "If I lost you too…." Naruto sat frozen, confused. His eyes widened his memories returned in a rush.
"Mom….Dad…." he whispered as he clutched Kakashi. The two brothers clung to each other, exhausting their grief and sorrow as they drew comfort from each others' presence.
"K-kakashi, do you….do you know where Kunami is?" Naruto asked at last, stammering the words between heaving gasps. Kakashi nodded numbly and stood, helping Naruto up as he did so.
"Follow me," he said quietly. Moments later, they entered the private section of the maternity ward. The ANBU guarding the door gave the two a searching look before stepping aside to let them enter the room. A nurse stood inside at the foot of the bed, writing on her clipboard. She looked up as the two entered and gave a stiff nod to Kakashi while pointedly turning her back to Naruto.
"Can I hold her?" Naruto asked quietly. The nurse ignored him, staring determinedly at her clipboard. Kakashi frowned and tapped her back.
"Answer the question," he said sharply. She glared at him, but grudgingly nodded. As Naruto stepped forward, she jerked away from him and hastily left the room, all the while shooting them cold glares.
"Hey Kunami, it's me," Naruto said softly as he cradled the sleeping baby in his arms. "I'm Naruto, your big brother." His voice broke on the last few words and tears poured down his face. Kakashi quickly grabbed him and helped him into a chair.
"Her hair….it's just like mom's…." Naruto choked out, struggling to explain himself. Kakashi wrapped his arms around the weeping boy.
"I know," he soothed. "I know." Tears gathered in his eyes. "I miss them too."
Naruto stood silently before his parents' graves, dry-eyed and brimming with emotion.
"Mom….Dad…. I'm back. I'm sorry I haven't been by in awhile. It's just….these past months, it's been…." he trailed off as he recalled his first few days as an orphan and jinchuriki of the kyuubi.
"….we are gathered here today to remember the ones who were lost in the attack of the Kyuubi two days ago," the Third said gravely. Silence filled the place as the assembled silently paid their respects. Naruto stood alone, weeping silently as memories of his parents flashed before his eyes. He wiped his eyes and listened as the Third finished his speech and stepped back to allow the shinobi to step forward and present their flowers to the deceased. Naruto gripped his own flower tightly and stepped forward to join the line. Three men blocked his path, glaring at him coldly.
"Get out of here, demon," the leader spat. "First you killed our hero and now you come to spit on his grave?!" With a growl, he tore the flower from Naruto's hands and viciously crushed it with his foot. With a cry, Naruto sprang forward in attempt to salvage his flower, but the man's buddies blocked his way and shoved him to the ground.
"Wh-what are you doing?" Naruto stammered as the men surrounded him, cracking their knuckles. The leader smirked.
"Protecting the village."
Naruto ran crying through the streets, fleeing from the hateful stares of the villagers that drilled holes in his heart. He ran until his legs collapsed beneath him and he slumped to the muddy ground, exhausted. The impassive rain pounded steadily against him, washing away the blood that poured from the wounds on his body.
Why….why do they hate me so much? Can they really….can they really not see that I'm still me? Why….why?! With those last fading thoughts, Naruto's eyes slid shut and he slipped into the blissful embrace of darkness.
"….it's been hard," he said at last. "Those first few weeks, they were the hardest. The loneliness and hatred were overwhelming, and I nearly gave up. But….Kakashi and Itachi, they reminded me of this precious life you gave up your lives for. They reminded me of my goal, and the reason that I live.
"I've been staying at Itachi's place for the past several months, and learning how to take care of Kunami and myself, but recently, I overheard something troubling. There have been a lot of rumours that the Uchiha only took me in because they want to control the kyuubi. I also heard that the clan compound might be moved to the outskirts of the village, but if they do, it'll take a while for them to get the clearance for it. I know what I need to do, but it's hard….it's so hard to leave the only family I have left." Naruto exhaled slowly and closed his eyes to force back the tears that threatened to spill out.
"I've learned a lot from these past few months. The villagers….they've given me a lot of trouble, but even so….I will protect this village you've entrusted to me with all of my strength. My dream…. My dream is to become Hokage, one that surpasses all the ones before me. I will treasure this life that you've given me and use it to protect this village that we love so dearly. And I always keep my promises, so believe in me, dattebayo!" With a fierce smile and salute, Naruto left the cemetery with a renewed resolve and a lightened heart. A few gravestones away, he paused and glanced back.
"The next time I come to visit….I will be one step closer to that dream. Just wait for me…."