"Lady Kushina, I'm sorry. T-There's no heartbeat," the doctor said, her normal cheerful tone breaking into sorrow. Her assistant Kobura wasn't with her. So when she stood to grab paperwork and forms, Kushina fell into her husband's arms and wept. She heard the doctor quietly leave the room and allow her and Minato to be alone.

While Minato solemnly discussed next steps and options when she returned, Kushina faded into memories of herself as a girl before the Kyūbi had been sealed inside of her to her home, Uzushiogakure, on the lakeshore. She remembered the civil war between those that wished to return the High Lady Mito Uzumaki home after Hashirama's death and those that fought to maintain their alliance and relationship with Konoha as a fervent protector.

But more than those details, she remembered the brief moments of peace, learning sealing jutsu and quick food recipes that she implemented now. Recipes she'd hoped to pass to the child, a girl she'd felt, when it was time.

I'll kill that filthy spawn growing inside of you…

The Kyūbi's threat rang in her ears. It had been only in reference to her thinking on strengthening the seal but perhaps when she had allowed some of the beast's chakra to release, it'd touched areas she hadn't intended. Then, there was the matter of the Kyūbi exerting more of its influence to purify her body of whatever poison had come from the bugs.

And this appeared to be its cruel toll.

Mito Uzumaki had advised her that only love could truly conquer the fox and its putrid influence. But right now, all she felt was her heart tightening and tears flowing down her cheeks as she choked down a wail.

I hate you, she thought.

"Good," came the chilling reply.

Kushina prepared dive into her mind and tighten the shackles holding the beast in place until she heard its bones crack.

"Kushina?" A familiar voice made her snap back into the moment. She blinked and turned her head to see Minato at the door, but he wasn't the one who had spoken. Mikoto Uchiha stood beside him. She gracefully squeezed past the blonde man and approached Kushina's bedside.

In her friend's eyes, Kushina saw the same familiar and gaping emptiness reflected in her own. And felt tears well up. She laid in Mikoto's arms crying and her friend gently rubbed her back. Soon, Kushina heard soft sobbing and looked up to see the Lady of the Uchiha crying as well.

In the midst of it all, Kushina heard herself say, "You don't need to be here."

"Do you remember the promise I made you?" Mikoto asked. They had only made a single promise to each other, back when Kushina had been a young kunoichi just made genin.

That particular day had been a hard one for her. High Lady Mito had just passed away in the night after the Kyūbi had been transferred from her to Kushina. She had been warned that the additional entity inside of her body demanded a larger amount of food be consumed in order to provide the chakra to hold the seal internally. Stressed and saddened, the only solace she had been able to find was at the bottom of a sweet and spicy flavored bowl of ramen. It had been Mikoto's treat.

Kushina had finished two bowls before Mr. Teuchi asked her if she wanted another one. Sheepishly, the red-haired girl looked at Mikoto who simply shrugged and smiled. With the silent affirmation, she ordered another bowl. She blushed though, wondering if she looked like a little piggy gorging herself or some freeloader.

But, Mikoto hadn't made her feel that way. "How are you?" she asked. Kushina had finished the third bowl, clearing it of broth.

"I'm…full," Kushina said, laughing. Mikoto giggled at that.

"I'd hope so. That was the entire payment for this last mission," she said.

Kushina remembered feeling terrible. "I'm sorry," she said. "I'll…I'll pay you back."

Mikoto's near-black grey eyes grew stern. "We're friends, Kushina," she said. "So long as we are, I promise that I'll be here for you, whether it's a great accomplishment or gods forbid, a tragedy. You don't have to pay me back for this or anything."

"But…"

"No 'buts'. That is our agreement." The older girl sipped from her cup and Kushina watched. Then, as well as now, she'd always admired her beauty, confidence, and strength. Even if grief, Mikoto carried herself with grace.

When she cried, she did it quietly and completely, letting the tears flow freely until the well had dried. They sat in the room after they had finished weeping together.

"How is everyone?" Kushina ventured to ask, breaking the silence.

Mikoto sighed softly. "It's quiet at home. Fugaku and Sasuke," she smiled sadly. "They're handling it in a similar way. Fugaku stays in the office, drowning himself in politics and preparing himself, rightfully so, for the shift at home and abroad. Sasuke leaves early and trains most of the day. He comes home just covered in bruises and cuts. Doesn't ask me to help him get patched up. Just goes to the bathroom and then his room after."

"Where does that leave you?"

"Alone with my thoughts. Regrets, mostly. Wondering if we made the right decision to honor Itachi's wishes." She paused and Kushina sensed that Mikoto had probably said too much. But, she continued. "He was very sick. For some time now. Even with treatment, he may not have been able to live a full life, according to his doctor. But…"

"There was another way?"

"There could have been. That's what plagues me. The 'what-if' of it all. What if we had exhausted all of our options? What if we pushed Itachi, as his parents, not to exert himself? If we had every medic-nin in the country work collectively to restore him…"

The danger in that wasn't lost on Kushina. "It would've been hard to hide what you were trying to do. And, I'm no politician but recent events have made clear that your family has too many enemies," she said.

Mikoto sighed. "Both of ours do." She held Kushina's hand. "What's important is that we support each other through these times. Beyond our friendship, it's important for our families to maintain their bond and closeness."

Kushina detected something hidden behind her friend's words, something disconcerting enough that she almost withdrew her hand. Even though they had cried together and shared in their grief, this wasn't simply a house call. She truly was no politician, but she could sense her friend's underlying intentions.

It all ties back to keeping this damn fox close and in line. And by extension, me. Soon, she knew, Naruto would be involved in this political game too. Half of the Kyūbi lay dormant inside of him until Minato was confident he could utilize its power without it overtaking him completely. And knowing her husband, he would begin to fast track that training as soon as he could.

Mikoto and Kushina traded words of encouragement and affection before the Uchiha departed. Kushina willed herself into the kitchen and began to sort through the cabinets looking for bowls. Minato stood in the living room, watching her for a while before he spoke.

"You don't have to cook tonight if you don't want to," he said.

"What'll we eat if I don't?" Kushina replied absently, standing on the tips of her toes to reach a stainless steel bowl on the top shelf. Her husband was at her side in a blink of an eye, his gentle hands holding her waist and pulling her down to her soles. He looked briefly into her eyes and then kissed her. It was soft yet passionate and earnest. Like him.

"I'll treat us all to Ichiraku's. Naruto will be happy to go. Besides, the coming days may be a bit sad for him with the funeral," he said.

"Ok." Kushina sighed and laid her head in his chest, feeling the emotions of the situation begin to well in her. "I'm sorry," she whispered. "I just…"

He rubbed her back and held her close to him. "I know," he said and somehow, she knew he did. They spent a few moments holding each other in the kitchen, swaying back and forth to a song that only they could hear. Kushina was almost lulled to sleep by it, allowing a temporary wave of peace to wash over her.

She felt, rather than saw, Naruto come to her side and hug her too. The trio swayed together to the silent song…until their rumbling stomachs added a different rhythm for them to dance to. After laughing together, Kushina helped Naruto bundle up before she herself put on a coat and scarf.

Kushina took in the fresh cold air for the first time in a few days, closing her eyes as the wind blew the seductive scent of Ichiraku's into her nose the closer they got to the restaurant. Her memories of Mikoto's promise flooded her mind as the sweet and spicy ramen bowl was placed in front of her and she took her first bite.

Naruto had ordered the same thing as her and his feet swung happily as he ate. Minato was more conservative, but seemed amused by their son's enthusiasm. Watching their banter, Kushina couldn't help but smile.

This is enough, she thought. This is enough love to get me through.

She ate her ramen and made a promise to herself.

A promise to heal.