Naruto: A Little Help


Author's Notes: Hey guys. Nothing much changed in this chapter and will remain the same for future updates. I just corrected some grammar and spelling mistakes, sprinkled hints about the backstory (By sprinkle I mean only two hints.), and made the story flow a bit better. Hope you guys like it. I will try my best to keep the quality of my story steady, if not improve it altogether. Any ways, Onto the story.


Chapter 2: Fear of The Known

"Quest Alert!

Kushina is going to give birth to Uzumaki Naruto the day after tomorrow. You are aware what that event entails.

Objective: Survive

Completion award: +50 Exp, Skill Scroll [Reading: Japanese], +500 rep gain with Yoshida Yua, +600 rep gain with Fukushima, +200 rep gain with Yoshida Genzo and Yoshida Aname.

Failure award: Death or worse."

Ichika was looking at this open quest window in front of her with a twitching eye. 'There isn't even an option to decline!', she exclaimed in her mind. Lately she has been doing this quite a lot, since she is unable to speak coherently due to her undeveloped body. 'Just like back then. How I could only helplessly watch her die, my love.' She reminisced about her past life before refocusing.

This forced quest was something inevitable. She knew this was coming and she was hoping to avoid it by ignoring the window, but the quest failure "award" of death or worse scared her. She just obtained her new lease on life and now she has to survive an event happening outside of her control which can kill her "or worse".

She resignedly dismissed the window and refocused her attention to her happily humming mother as she changed her diaper. This was something Ichika thought she would get used to but she still stiffened unconsciously when her mother changes her diaper, especially when her father was present. Apparently she was teaching him how to change a diaper and take care of the used one. He, in turn, was paying rapt attention and asking genuine question. When confronted by Yua he said that he doesn't want to hurt his little princesses by being illiterate in the art of diaper changing.

Once the process was complete Ichika was picked up by her mother who wrapped her in a muslin and handed her to her husband.

"Look after her for a while. I have to get changed, love." she told her husband, getting a nod with a smile in response, before walking towards the bathroom to get changed for their shopping trip.

After a while the family can be found exiting a clothing store with many bags in tow, most of them being carried by Asa with a goofy smile and pep in his step.

"Our little princess is going to look cute in these outfits!" He said with vigor, "The cutest there is!"

"Aren't you excited." Yua replied with a giggle at her husband's antics and bounced Ichika in her right arm lightly.

"Of course! It's a father dream provide the best for his daughter!" He declared with a fist full of shopping bags clenched in front of him and fire visibly burning in his eyes.

"Pipe down, Akkun. You'll scare her." She replied in a chiding tone. "You are being too loud."

"S-sorry!" he quickly apologized in a hushed whisper.

They were walking down the main street towards their home. It was a half an hour walk but worth it for the best clothes they bought. According to Ichika's quest alert, this was the day, or night, of the Kyuubi's attack and she was feeling nervous. It was one thing watching the anime showing the village being attacked by a nine-tailed monster, but it was completely different experiencing it yourself.

The night was eerily quiet, even though the streets were filled with peddlers, window shoppers, drunkards, and many more walking about. This was the night, where Ichika would either live or die. She looked at her parents, knowing either of them may or may not live to see tomorrow. Even though she only met them a week ago, or two days in case of Asa, she came to love them and cherish them. Her treatment by her family had been wonderful. She didn't want to part from any of them. But tonight might be the night where she would see them for the last time.

As Ichika was pondering over this, the ground trembled. Even though she was safe in her mother's arm she felt the tremor. Then came a terrible roar of a wild animal. When her parents turned towards the direction of the roar they froze. Unable to believe their eyes. 'Something must have happened to Kushina' was the first thought that crossed their minds at the same time.

Right in front of them was the Kyuubi no Yoko, which was supposed to be sealed within their friend, wildly flailing its nine giant tails around, causing widespread destruction. When the rubble started flying high into the sky Yua and Asa turned around and began running in the opposite direction dropping their shopping bags since they will only hinder their escape. Yua was tightly clutching Ichika to her chest with both arms, but loose enough not to hurt her.

They were zipping across the street when an Uchiha Police force member appeared some distance away and started to guide the stampede of pedestrians running from certain death. Following the Uchiha's guide they were cutting through an alley between two mid-rise residential buildings. They were in the alley about to exit when a loud crash resounded from above making everyone stop dead in their tracks.

A piece of flying rubble had struck the roof of one of the buildings which made the roof implode and send even more rubble into the alley. With no chance for Asa himself to escape, since he was running behind his wife and daughter to make sure they were safe, he pushed them out of the alley right before falling rubble crushed him.

Due to the harsh push from the front, Yua fell backwards with a thud outside the alley. Getting her bearings after being so rudely pushed, she tried to find the idiot who pushed a mother and a child. When her gaze went to the alleyway she came out of, her eyes widened in pure shock and horror. Her free hand went to her mouth to cover it and tears began to form in her eyes.

Lying there Below the rubble was a crushed body of Yoshida Asa, her husband, who saved their lives at the cost of his own. Yua stood their not moving along with many people who made it out safely also looking back at the alley, horror evident in their eyes as well.

Suddenly an ANBU member landed in front of the rubble on one knee, checking for a pulse on the crushed body of Asa. When he found none he stood up and turned around. Ichika recognized this ANBU as Inu, also known as Kakashi. When he locked eyes with her mother he immediately realized that this woman was his wife. He felt his heart sink when she approached him with a bundle in her arms, looking at him pleadingly. It was too difficult for him to give her the news but he had to. Slowly he shook his head and cursed himself when she collapsed to her knees wailing loudly and uncontrollably.

Ichika in her arms only had an impassive expression. She wanted to cry but stopped herself, She didn't want to make matters worse. 'Oh, father.', she thought in between stifled sobs, 'I am sorry, again I couldn't do anything. Again I failed to protect someone.'

Controlling her emotions as best she can, she thought with determination. 'Even though I was useless in this situation. I will try to become stronger to protect our family. Rest easy father, you have done your job splendidly, now its my turn. I will not fail again.' she finished with slight tears escaping her little eyes.

The ANBU was called off by another one who reported that the Kyuubi was teleported outside the village by Yondaime-sama. Upon hearing the report the two of them shunshined away leaving behind an inconsolable wife crying for her husband and her newborn daughter, who was trying not to add on more misery to her mother's now fragile mind by crying herself.

As abruptly it had started, the nightmare ended just as abruptly.

X-X

It was two days later that a mass funeral was taking placing. The previous Hokage, Hiruzen Sarutobi, gave the sad news of Yondaime's death and his victory over the Kyuubi. He took back the hat after his successor's untimely death and took control of the situation the very next day. The civilian council tried to get the newborn killed before the Sandaime was reinstated but Shinobi council managed to stall for a while, until Hiruzen arrived in the council chamber. He kept the Yondaime's child and his status as a Jinchuuriki a secret, but his status somehow got leaked out to the general public and people started demanding the death of the newborn child.

Hiruzen had his suspicions as to who leaked the sensitive information but no concrete proof. He was getting old and suddenly taking complete charge was beyond him. He tried to adopt Naruto but the council managed to outplay him and kept the child as the "village's ward". It was decided that the child would be placed in an orphanage and be provided for until he became a Genin or reached the age of 14.

The situation regarding this decision felt suspicious so Sandaime but, with the backing of the Shinobi Clans, he passed a law barring anyone to speak of the demon or telling their children or anyone else about that. This declaration was met with mixed results. The civilians were entirely against it but couldn't go against their Hokage. Shinobi were divided into two factions: one wholeheartedly accepted it, Shinobi Clans among them, while the other faction, mostly Shinobi with civilian background retained their doubts.

The child's future was looking bleak. The old Kage felt the child will be put in many difficult situations. Just because the fools cannot understand what the child is. Secretly he assigned an ANBU to the child in twelve hour shifts to deter the unsavory elements from harming the village's unsung hero.

'I have failed you, Minato, Kushina. Please forgive me for I was unable to fulfill your dying wish.', thought the old man, weary from the meetings with the council.

X-X

Fukushima opened the gate to reveal Uchiha Mikoto with little Sasuke in her arms. Even though she had mastered the craft of fake smiles, the one that graced her very pink and very thin lips was a genuine one.

"Uchiha-sama, it is a pleasant surprise to see you today.", said the, self-proclaimed, servant. "Please come in. Maybe you can help me cheer up Yua-san."

"Good morning, Shima-chan.", the Uchiha matriarch replied in a pleasant tone, before her facial features turn worried. "Is she still locked up in her room?", she asked with concern.

"Unfortunately." was the Fukushima's reply as she led her towards Yua's room. "May I hold Sasuke-kun?"

"Of course!", said Mikoto cheerfully, before handing over Sasuke.

Fukushima, as stoic as she was, still had a soft spot for children. She loved to look after Ichika and Sasuke whenever she could. Right now she would look after Sasuke while his mother tried to coax her mistress out of her room.

Arriving at the door to said room, Mikoto knocked softly, "Yua-chan! It's me, Mikoto. Please open up.", she said in a soft voice.

After a few seconds with no reply she knocked again. "Yua-chan!".

A beat later the door slowly opened revealing Yoshida Yua in a very weak state, as if she hadn't eaten properly for days, and which was true. Tears stains could be seen below her eyes and her disheveled hair and yukata indicated that she haven't been taking care of herself. In her arms was Ichika Yoshida, stroking her mother's chin with, what appeared to be, worry in her eyes. At least her state wasn't as unkempt as her mother's.

"Oh, Yua-chan…", said the raven haired woman before extending her arms to motion for Yua to hand over Ichika, "Give her to me, and for my sake come out of your room. Just look at yourself!"

Reluctantly the brown haired woman gave her daughter to her friend, who took her and smiled. With her free hand she grasped Yua and led her to the living room and practically ordered her to take a seat, which the woman did, albeit hesitatingly. Mikoto then took a seat right next to her friend with Ichika still in her arms, and draped her free arm to Yua's opposite shoulder.

Upon contact, Yua felt her vision getting blurry again, about to tear-up. Mikoto quickly admonished her softly with just her gaze before speaking, "Something tells me you haven't come out of the room until just now."

Silence was her reply indicating she was correct in her assessment, "Yua-chan, I know it must be hard for you to accept the reality of what happened, but shutting yourself away is not the correct answer. You should talk through your pain. It's not alright to be alone when you are vulnerable."

Continued silence met her before she continued, "Look at me.", she said placing a hand under her chin and rotating her friends head towards herself. "You have friends and family to share your pain. Bottling up will only hurt you. You need friends. That's why I am here right now. Please talk to me…" she let her voice trail off as she was trying to wipe away tear stains from Yua's cheeks.

After a moment of silence, the brown haired woman finally spoke, "He's gone…", she said choking on every syllable, gazing deeply into Mikoto's onyx eyes with her own tear-filled ones. "I can't believe he's… gone…".

As she was about to cry, she was enveloped in a gentle one handed embrace. That action from her friend broke her dam as she started crying again into her friends chest. Fukushima took Ichika to allow the two some privacy and took both children towards her own room.

Back in the living room, minutes passed by before the woman of the house was able to calm down and speak coherently, "Mikoto-chan, please don't leave me right now.", she managed to get out still clutching her friend close to herself.

Mikoto, said nothing as she just tightened her embrace to comfort her friend. Their hug went on for a long while before they separated.

"Feeling better?", Uchiha matriarch asked wiping away her fresh tears.

"…Yes…", replied Yua nodding slowly before continuing, "Thank you, Mikoto-chan."

Mikoto smiled at her softly and cupped her cheek. "Don't worry. I am here for you."

"Mm hmm…", replied the brown haired woman. Finally calming down she smiled weakly back, then asked a question out of curiosity, "Did you need me for something?"

"Well, I originally came here to check up on you, but I do have some more grave news.", answered Mikoto. "I knew you weren't paying any attention at the funeral to Sandaime-sama's words and just locked yourself up immediately afterwards."

Yua's expression turned apologetic. Mikoto sighed and continued, "You must be aware that Kyuubi was sealed inside Kushina, right?"

"Yes, she told me in confidence one day. She was almost scared to reveal that information about herself.", Yua replied, "Why? What happened?"

Mikoto took a moment to steel herself before speaking in a low voice, "When the demon was released Kushina died."

This shocked her friend. After seeing her husband's dead body crushed beneath rubble, she has been in a mournful daze, not paying attention to anyone or anything except her daughter. She knew that Minato-san had sacrificed himself to kill the Kyuubi, but her friends death was news to her. Before she could start crying again, the Uchiha woman spoke up.

"Apparently, the seal which kept the Kyuubi locked in her weakens during childbirth. Somehow, even with Minato-san holding the seal closed, it got out.", She paused to let Yua digest the information before speaking again, "The child birth was successful. Naruto-chan was born. But now he has no family."

Yua's motherly instincts kicked and her face turned serious. "Then why isn't he here with us? We should look after him. I can adopt him if Fugaku has any problem s with him."

"That's not the problem," Mikoto replied before pausing to hold back a tear, "Fugaku wanted to adopt Naruto-chan himself. But the damned civilian council barred us from doing so. Saying they don't want one clan gaining so much power-"

"Power? What are you talking about?", Yua interrupted, "You haven't told me everything, Mikoto-chan."

"I'm sorry, It's just not easy to talk about."

"Okay. I understand. Please continue."

"The story about Yondaime killing the Kyuubi was just a cover-up to keep Naruto-chan hidden from the public eye. The reason for that was because the Kyuubi wasn't killed. It is impossible to kill a Tailed-Beast. The only way to stop it's rampage was to seal it again in a suitable container."

Yua's eyes widened at the sudden realization. Her disbelieving eyes were boring holes into her friend, as if accusing her of lying. Mikoto, to her credit didn't turn away, instead meeting the gaze evenly before continuing. "Yes, I'm afraid your assumption is correct. That is why everyone, even Sandaime-sama is barred from adopting him."

"He is the Hokage, for kami's sake!" Yua almost yelled. "How can he not do that!?"

"The decision was made and agreed upon before he was able to take back the office. It was too late to try to turn back the minds of those of civilian council. Fugaku told me that it took much longer than it should've had taken to get them to agree upon allowing Naruto to live in an orphanage. Those bastards were content on throwing that child away with no care for his well being. Their Fear addled minds refused to accept such an existence."

When Mikoto finished, Yua was positively furious, trembling with rage against those blasted idiots. She stood up and grabbed Mikoto's hand, dragging her out of the house while shouting over her shoulder to Fukushima telling her to look after the house while she is gone. Uchiha matriarch knew exactly where she was being led to so she didn't even protest. She was also contemplating barging in there and having some choice words with the people responsible earlier.

Both women kept walking at a fast rate towards their destination, uncaring of Yua's unkempt state.

X-X

Hiruzen Sarutobi was way too emotional to do anything other than drown himself in paperwork as a distraction from recent events. He had to keep many secrets from being revealed to the public after failing to keep one major secret. These secrets were giving him a migraine and his tobacco wasn't helping him dispel it. One secret that he kept was eating at his conscience. The secret of his wife's death.

His years of experience in keeping cool under the most strenuous circumstances had allowed him to not show the grief he was feeling to others. When he learned that his wife was the first casualty upon the demon-fox's release, he barely managed to keep standing. Biwako was an accomplished medic-nin. Her specialty was gynecology. She was the one who delivered little Naruto, knowing that there was a risk of Kyuubi being released many candidates backed away. Only her determination and duty allowed her to nominate herself. She took care of Kushina through her last days of pregnancy. Her expert advice had kept the Uzumaki healthy and fit.

Even though her death was weighing down on him, he kept a level head to make things better again and try to honor the last wish of his successor and his wife, which he failed miserably.

He was busy with the mountains of paperwork, for once not cursing their very existence and grateful for the distraction they have provided. Suddenly the door to his office slammed open. He quickly examined the faces and told his ANBU to stand down, who came out of the shadows ready to strike down his supposed assailants.

He was dreading this meeting more than the council meeting right after the incident. But this was probably more important than that. He schooled his features and regarded the silent and furious women with apologetic eyes.

"Good morning, Yua-san, Mikoto-san. What brings you two here?", he asked in a neutral tone.

Calming down Yua spoke with barely stifled fury, "I am sure you are aware as to why we both are here, Hokage-sama.". Her tone though controlled and neutral, leaked tiny amounts of rage. "We are here to discuss the adoption of a young child. I'm sure you know him personally, his name is Nam-"

Interrupting her the Hokage spoke with evident worry, "Yes! I am aware of him, Uzumaki Naruto is his name."

The women's confusion was apparent. They tried to question it but decided against it, Mikoto taking over, "We came here to discuss why wasn't I allowed to adopt him, and why the hell her son is being kept at an orphanage where his life is in grave danger."

The old Kage kept his expression even and replied after a moment's pause, "I see.". He said trying to placate the women, unsuccessfully. "Please forgive me for saying this, but the council has decided that they cannot allow Naruto to be adopted by anyone, especially clans."

"Then I can take care of him, please. It was our agreement to look after each other's family if something happened to anyone of us." interjected Yua.

"Please, try to understand. The council made this decision without my input. It cannot be taken back as it qualifies as an emergency decision made in a turbulent time." Replied the Hokage explaining his predicament.

"You are the Hokage, for kami's sake!", yelled Yua, abandoning her collected posture and pointing a finger at the old man, "Why the hell can't you do anything for him. He is just a child!"

"I understand that, believe me I do. But-" the Kage managed to say before being interrupted by Mikoto.

"No. You don't understand. She was treated like a disease due to her status. And that was before the demon took that many lives. This child will suffer a fate worse than her. We need to look after him."

"I know. But I still can't-" Hokage tried to say something but was interrupted again, this time by Yua.

"You can't!?" She practically screeched. "Then who on Kami's green Earth can?"

For a moment the Hokage was silent. Knowing that the women were correct in their arguments. But he also knew his hands were tied. He inwardly scoffed at his title. 'Strongest shinobi, my ass!'.

When the moment of silence stretched longer than Yua and Mikoto's patience, they turned away from his guilty face. "If you cannot do anything then you certainly can't stop us from visiting Naruto-chan regularly." Yua said over her shoulder while walking out of the office.

When the door closed behind them, a young ANBU member with a dog mask faded in from the shadows in a kneeling position in front of his desk.

"Hokage-sama, your orders." The dog-masked ANBU said.

The Hokage regarded him with calculative eyes then gave out an order. "Go after them. Keep to the shadows and make sure no harm befalls them."

The ANBU didn't rise, "If I may, Hokage-sama." He asked for permission to speak.

At hokage's nod, the silver-haired ANBU spoke, "Why didn't you order us to arrest them? Surely taking that tone with you is a crime punishable by weeks in prison."

"You are correct." spoke the old man, without missing a beat. "That is a crime. However, I can't arrest them for it."

"May I ask the reason for it?"

"What's there to ask. As they said, I can't do anything." said the Hokage. The Dog-masked ANBU stayed silent in contemplation. "Besides, what they said was correct as well, I can't stop them from doing as they wish. What I can do is facilitate them in taking care of young Naruto. And you are the most trustworthy person for me to bestow that responsibility. Isn't that right, Kakashi-kun?"

Kakashi stayed respectfully silent until he was dismissed. The Hokage sent the young ANBU with a mischievous smile. 'His future isn't in danger anymore Minato-kun. I would like to see the council stop them when I am the one allowing the regular visits.' The old man thought before adding, 'This means more paperwork. Since they will be coming back here many times with complaints of mistreatment against the orphanage staff. Oh well, this sacrifice of my sanity is worth it if Naruto-chan gets to live a somewhat normal life.'

X-X

Fukushima was used to her master's and mistress' abrupt departures. She always looked after the house in their absence. Right now she was sitting beside a sleeping Ichika and trying to stifle a crying Sasuke. She was glad that young mistress was a quiet one, otherwise it would be hell to look after them and complete her chores. Between Sasuke's fits and her sweeping the back garden, she was also preparing tea in the kitchen, and currently enjoying said tea with Sasuke in her arms and Ichika sleeping in a tiny futon (bedroll).

It has been quite a while since her mistress and her friend went out. She was getting worried. It was almost noon and Ichika's mealtime was approaching rapidly. She took a glance at the sleeping beauty and smiled. Her young mistress was a blessing and she would do anything for her.

Little Sasuke finally calmed down and went to sleep. She picked up Ichika as well with her futon and took them to her mistress' room and placed them on her bed. She pulled up a chair and sat on it beside the duo of young-lings, admiring their peaceful sleeping faces.

A knock at the front door broke her stare and she got up to answer it. Yua came back along with Mikoto. Both wore a furious yet satisfied expression.

"Mistress, is everything alright?" Fukushima asked.

"Yes everything went great…", Yua replied, while both friends entered the house and began walking to the living room. "It's just that they had the gall to prevent us from seeing Naruto-chan like that. Now those idiots are going to enjoy their early retirements."

Uchiha woman snorted before replying, "That will be a lesson for others to never stop us ever again. No one can stop us from seeing Naruto-chan!"

Fukushima smiled at their satisfied smirks and went to the kitchen to prepare refreshments. The friends sat down while chatting about their visit to the orphanage.

X-X

Ichika was feigning sleep in her mother's room and opened her eyes when she felt she was alone, barring sleeping Sasuke beside her. Her brain connected the dots from the barely audible conversation outside. '[The Author] has changed a lot of things himself. It seems that the trio of friends alone have made a massive difference. I still think my inclusion was unnecessary to "keep him entertained", whatever that means.'

She opened her quest window and kept staring at the previous quest which was now completed.

"Quest Alert!

Kushina is going to give birth to Uzumaki Naruto the day after tomorrow. You are aware what that event entails.

Objective: Survive (Accomplished)

Completion award: +50 Exp, Skill Scroll [Reading: Japanese], +500 rep gain with Yoshida Yua, +600 rep gain with Fukushima, +200 rep gain with Yoshida Genzo and Yoshida Aname.

'So, the cost of my survival was a member of my new family.' she thought bitterly. 'It was an abrupt end to such a loving father. If my new life is a story, then his brief introduction and death would be considered cliche.'

'At least, reputation gain is something of a compensation, or a consolation prize. I think I have also leveled up. Status!'

Status

Name: Yoshida Ichika (previously Junaid Ahmed)

Age: 0

Level: 0

Job: Newborn (-5% exp gain 'till age 5)

Status: Healthy

Experience: 48/50

Attributes

HP 10

CP (locked) 6

Str 1

Vit 1

Stm 1

Int 1

Wis 1

Dex 0

Atk 1

Def 2

Lck 15

Points: 0

Titles

Perks

First Born (+1 Vit/Level Up, +30% rep gain with Yoshida Yua & Yoshida Asa, +2% rep gain with Fukushima, +5% rep gain with Konohagakure)

Buffs/Debuffs

Undeveloped Brain (-1 Dex, -10% Exp gain)

Mother's Milk (+1 Vit for 6 hrs., 7% increased immunity permanently)

Skills

Observe (Active) Lv 1 12%(Shows the status of target)

Language Comprehension Lv MAX (Helps you understand the language you learn)

'Huh? I'm just two points shy of a level up. Why?' she thought before looking at the Job she was currently assigned by the system. 'That… fucking… sucks…'