A/N Thank you for following this story. I struggled writer's block. I'll probably update with the rest of this chapter later. For now, please enjoy!

Disclaimer: I don't own any rights to Naruto or its world. I don't own any media or pop culture referred to or mentioned in the story.

Hiruzen has questions. He's not the only one…

"What did you say?"

"I said, there's a high possibility that she's an Uzumaki."

Kushina couldn't believe what she was hearing.

Of course, she knew there were other Uzumaki out there, but she never thought she'd meet another person from Uzushio so soon, much less a child so young.

You see, Kushina mourned her lost home long ago. Now, years later, she barely remembers the details of her childhood home. Where she played, her favorite hideouts, names of friends. She barely remembered the sound of waves on the coast. Now, there are only figments she hears in her dreams. Like a lullaby… (Hmm, mmm, mmm, mmm…)

Instead of Uzushio, when she looks back, Kushina sees her home here in Konoha—Lady Mito, Minato, Mikoto, everyone.

Yes, she lost her first home, but she gained another.

Then as time went by, Kushina came to accept that she'd never meet another Uzumaki. In fact, she buried her only family left, Lady Mito, almost 2 decades ago now.

She tries not to think of that day. But when faced with this situation, Kushina's mind can't help but roam back to her final conversation with Lady Mito.

Flashback: 13 years ago — Mito's Day of Rest & Transfer of the Kyuubi

It was a sad day for many when Lady Mito decided to enter her voluntary rest. It was a practice known in the Land of the Long-Lived. In Uzushio, when the Eldest were done, and their lives well-spent, they'd give themselves back to the sea.

Considering her situation, far from the sea in the Land of Fire, Mito Uzumaki decided she didn't want to fall into the curse of her clan, the slow descent into insanity that came from outliving your loved ones—Nawaki, her sweet grandson, gone so young. Her in-laws, the Senju clan, all going off to war and never returning. Tsunade, her light and heart, whose heart was broken too many times. Her people and home, Uzushio, fallen to ruin, pillaged and plundered. And…

"Hashi…" She breathed out, looking at the courtyard of the Senju compound. There, a beautiful tree with ember leaves shone as the sunlight twinkled between it's branches. Even in the middle of winter, it stood strong and vibrant, a sign of life in the frigid surroundings. Just like Hashirama was. A vibrant beacon of life and hope—No, she wouldn't fall into the abyss. While she was in her right mind, Mito decided she was ready to pass the Kyuubi on to young Kushina.

When questioned why the sudden decision, there were several reasons Mito gave at first—politics, the timing of society, the village was established, and the seal corps and barrier teams could move on without her guidance.

But Konoha Officials pushed back. They argued that the Village still needed her. She was a beacon from an era of Legends. She was a Legend herself.

Case and point: back in the early days, when the village was forming, Mito played a pivotal role in negotiations between Konoha and Uzushio. She aided Hashirama and Tobirama with diplomacy and economic deals. Mito played an essential role in the Feudal courts, since many respected the authority of Uzushio's Princess over that of a Warring Clan Head, though respected Hashirama was.

("It takes more than sheer force and charisma to govern, my love." Mito told Hashirama in Uzek. He came home feeling down about a negotiation with a nomadic clan fell through. "It's a game of strategy and power, not unlike the battles you once fought. Except the results of these battles carry over to all people in the Land of Fire."

Hashirama loved seeing his wife dominate the political spaces.)

Along with that, Konoha Officials argued, Mito laid the foundation for the ninjutsu barrier that now protects Konoha. Mito poured so much of herself into it over the years. When asked why, Mito fiercely gave this reason: "To ensure that what happened to Uzushio never happens to Hashirama's dream." No one questioned the Uzumaki Sealing Master after that.

Even though it was based on the barrier that Uzushio once had, Konoha's barrier was completely different in the end, able to withstand time and change in a way Uzushio's barrier couldn't. It would grow with Konoha and protect all who call her home.

But simply, and most important to Mito, why was she ready to die? "There's nothing I am trying to hide." She tsked at the small-minded Officials. "I am tired. I miss my Hashi."

When she calmly told Hiruzen-boy and his advisors her reason, their protests and questions quieted. Preparations were made.

The day she gave herself to rest, passing on her burden to Kushina, she made sure the girl knew the key to being the Kyuubi's jailor and fighting the Uzumaki curse.

"Some people may call us prisoners for our burden." She caressed Kushina's hair back and tenderly pinned the young woman's bangs to the side.

Kushina held onto Mito's robes, shuddering from her tears. She hated that everything came to this. Lady Mito was the only family she had left. But here they were, stuck in this dreadful situation. Despite having prepared for it for years, Kushina hated it.

'Prisoner' was an apt descriptor in the younger woman's opinion.

Mito huffed and smiled, seeing Kushina's mulish expression. Even in tears, the child burned with life. It reassured Mito and gave her confidence that Kushina, her last child, would be fine.

"Listen to me Kushina-dear." She tenderly held Kushina's face, bringing the teen's violet gaze to her brown one. For a moment, the two Uzumaki shared a bond only they felt—tied by blood, tied by duty, tied by love.

In that timeless moment, Mito shared her final reminder with Kushina. "We came here to be the vessels of the Nine-Tails. But before that, it's essential to remember, my child," Kushina's breath caught as she gazed at the deep love, pride, and confidence in Mito's eyes. All of that… for her.

"We must find love and fill the vessel with it." Mito pressed her forehead to Kushina's. "Fill yourself with love and you'll find all the strength you need." She pulled back, both of them misty eyed. "Understand?"

Kushina rubbed her eyes then gave a confident grin. "Lady Mito, you can count on me 'ttebane!" Her nose was red, and her smile was shaky, but Kushina felt sure of her words.

Mito only laughed, wrapping an arm around Kushina's shoulders. "I believe it." Together they walked out the room to the sealing chambers.

Back in the Present

Remembering that time only re-affirmed Kushina's feelings over this whole "Border Girl" situation.

Kushina accepted the fact long ago that she'd never meet another Uzumaki, not until she had children, or if she met another descendent in the field. As enemies from another Village….

Life can be so messed up, 'ttebana.

A/N Thanks for reading! See you next time.