AN: Hello readers…. Well what readers have stuck around. Before reading this chapter, you may want to go back to the chapter titled: Friends?
Content was added to the end of the chapter (somewhere around 1k words of content)

When last I was posting I had said that the last chapter was… the final chapter, and next would be an epilogue. But I have added back in two chapters I had planned earlier, but had cut at the time doing to be unhappy with their execution. Anyway, this is not quite the end. In other words, two more updates after this (One chapter, and then the epilogue). But soon this portion of the twins will be finished.

There will be a sequel.

And just a small heads up… the pov of this chapter shifts exclusively between Minato and Kushina.
Hope you enjoy~


Chapter XXIII: Connections


After monitoring the Namikaze estate for what was two and a half boring hours following their sweep of the property, Kushina's nerves were frayed. To the point she'd nearly started shouting at the anbu who relieved the impromptu mission squad of their duty. Anbu.

Anbu black ops. An entire four man cell of them.

She could not be blamed for feeling alarmed about that.

But she managed to keep herself from committing that faux pax, and quickly hurried to the tower for the verbal report of the emergency mission. And to be sworn to secrecy on it. Which was something she'd experienced before several times in her career as genin… but in this context, it made her feel even more on edge.

She wasn't told she couldn't make contact with the Namikaze though. So as soon as she was dismissed from the tower she made a b-line for the hospital. All the while hoping she wouldn't find any Namikaze were patients.

Although… that wouldn't tell her for certain… so her next destination would be the Hatake compound in hopes of finding some answers there.

She rushed as quickly as she could, over the rooftops, and through alleys. And as a result, as she dashed down the street toward the hospital entrance, she nearly barrelled right into a blond woman.

"Crap, shit, ttebane!" She had cussed as she swerved, almost hit the wall around the hospital grounds, had to run up it several feet, and then flipped back onto the pathway. Then she had turned, cheeks flushed from a mix of embarrassment and exertion, back towards the woman she'd nearly knocked over. "I'm so sorry ttebane!" She breathed out quickly with a bow.

"Kushina-chan," the woman's voice spoke softly, though there was something in her voice that hinted she'd cried earlier. And it was a familiar one too. Not overly so, but she'd heard it recently.

"Minori-san!" She gasped, eyes snapping back up to take in the woman. Her eyes were a little red, another sign she'd been crying. And she looked tired, her shoulders slumped. Her blonde hair was a mess, nearly half of it having failed to be pulled up into her bun (or maybe it had fallen out of it.) She took in a breath, the dread she had been feeling deepening… Why was Minori here? "Um… is… is everything alright Minori-san?" She asked a little cautiously.

The woman gave a slight smile, one that showed true relief, even if it was evident she wasn't entirely at ease. "Its… well its not fine," she answered, "But it will be alright." Then the woman regarded her quietly for a moment more, before she glanced away in what Kushina could only suspect to be nerves. She shifted her feet, and one of her hands clenched lightly in her long skirt. "Kushina-chan… um… would you be able to do me a favour?" She asked hesitantly.

Kushina wanted to say she was in too much of a hurry to find out what was going on with the Namikaze… but she also could tell that Minori likely really could use that favour. That it would ease her current stress. "What is it?" She asked, managing to hold back her verbal tic.

Minori licked her lips in further evidence of her nerves. "Well.." Then she glanced about at the others on the street, before she seemed to somewhat pull herself together. "Walk with me for a bit?" She asked, and gestured away from the hospital.

She reluctantly nodded, unwilling to blow the woman off with how she was acting. Whatever was on her mind, Kushina could tell it was serious.

Minori smiled thankfully, and then started to walk down the street. She was quickly able to identify that they were heading towards the Hatake compound. She fell into step next to the woman, and waited.

When they turned down a quieter street, Minori glanced around, before coming to a stop. So to the best of her ability, figuring Minori had wanted to avoid too many people hearing them, she sensed about to see if there were any around who might overhear. No one nearby seemed like a shinobi though. At least, she didn't think so.

She wasn't a great sensor though. It was something she needed more work on.

"Kushina-chan… do you still have the key Jiraiya-san received from Hashuro-sama?" The woman finally asked. And it hadn't been an expected question.

She blinked… and then realized no one had asked for it back. Even though she had mentioned she'd had it during her report at the tower. And the turn over with the Anbu. "Yes… I still have it." She answers, even though she really wanted to ask who told Minori she had it at all. "Would you like it returned?" She went on to ask.

Minori shook her head. "No, no, that's alright. It's Hashuro-sama's copy, so you can drop it by the Hatake compound later… but for now, I wonder if you wouldn't mind making use of it for me?" The woman dismissed, and then requested. "The Namikaze twins… well, they are fine, but the hospital staff want to hold them for a couple days for observation," She explained. "Minato-kun isn't handling that well… I don't think he could bring himself to leave the hospital now, and all three of them could use some more comfortable clothes." She went on.

Oh.

She stiffens, and then has to force herself to relax. This means there had been some sort of medical issue with the twins earlier. Something serious and uncertain enough that the hospital staff felt the need to hold them for observations. So… maybe Minori was hoping she'd do this errand for her, so she could support Minato-kun, who she could imagine was a mess of worry right now.

"Yes," she answers the woman evenly, calmly. (she would have felt proud she was able to speak calmly right now, at any other time) "Yes, I can do that for you Minori-san."

The woman's shoulders release most of their tension. "Oh thank you Kushina-chan. That… helps a lot," the woman went on. "But… If you don't mind just a little more… Would you stay and talk with Minato a bit when you bring the clothes in? It would really help him, I think," the woman goes on, and then shifts from foot to foot. "I… well… I feel bad about not being able to commit properly to supporting him right now but… With Sakumo also admitted I…"

Wait… Hatake Sakumo was in the hospital as well? Her eyes widened in surprise. And now the disarray of the woman makes a lot more sense.

"And well… I've been taking on the matriarchal duties of the Hatake, so with Hashuro being so busy at the moment…" The woman goes on, shifting again, and it looks as though, for a moment, she is nearly going to start crying. Then she takes in a long steadying breath, and seems to ground herself. "Well… I'd just appreciate this little bit of help."

She nods. "I don't mind helping at all," she tells the woman. "If I can help in any other way at all, please ask, Minori-san," she offers, because she thinks the woman needs that. She might not know her very well… but despite the clear stress she is under, she can see there is a sort of fire in the woman's eyes. One that reminds her, just a bit, of her late mother.

It's a bit of a painful reminder… but she doesn't entirely mind it either.

Minori smiles, but shakes her head. "Thank you, you're sweet girl, Kushina-chan," she tells her. "But I think just these favours will be enough. It's hard… but I can manage it. I knew what I was getting into when I accepted Sakumo's proposal," she tells her, her voice now more even than ever. And the strength in her eyes is more evident. Then she inclines her head. "I do have to get going now though." and she knew it was not a lie.

"Then I'll head to the Namikaze home," She told her, and bowed her head slightly. "Later Minori-san. Please take care."

The woman nods, offering her a similar farewell, before she continues down the side street, at a much swifter pace than before.

For her part she leaps up to the nearest roof, and makes a dash back through the village to the Namikaze home. As she jumps down in front of the gate, she worries that she might just be stopped by the anbu… but she can't even sense them, and none of them stop her when she passes through it and jogs to the door.

For the second time that day she admits herself into the home.


"Minato."

He started at his name, looking over his shoulder to the door of the hospital room. Uchiha Fugaku was standing there. "Uh… Uchiha-san," he greeted, suddenly self conscious of how he must look. Or, well, how obvious it must be that he had been crying. And then there was the fact that he'd also foolishly chased after the kidnapper and may have made this man's pursuit more difficult. His mouth was dry.

He got quickly to his feet and bowed low to the man. "Thank you." he managed. Silence. He held the bow.

Then the other sighed. "Minato, you don't need to thank me," he said in an even tone.

The boy frowned, and straightened slowly, opening his mouth to protest the very idea of not having to thank the Uchiha for their part in saving his sister.

Fugaku held up a silencing hand. And then to Minato's great surprise, he bowed just as low as he himself just had. "I must apologize for my complacency in training my officers for their duties."

What?

"Uchiha-san, please… you don't have to apologize!" He said in a rush. "If it wasn't for your officers, Makiko might not have been retrieved… and that explosion could have taken lives!" He pointed out emphatically. "I'm the one who got in the way of the pursuit by being foolish and emotional…"

Fugaku straightens, regarding him coolly, silently for a few moments. "Call me Fugaku." Is not at all what he was expecting to hear from the man. "You're a clan heir yourself, regardless of how small your clan is. And it will get confusing calling me by my last name, given how often we may be in contact from here on out." The Uchiha explains simply. "I will have to be evaluating my officers more thoroughly moving forward. Including those assigned to your clan."

Minato could only just stare. Because this was… well it told him a lot of things. Confirmed suspicions. But it was also simply shocking. This was the clan heir of the Uchiha, one of the biggest and most powerful clans in Konoha. Yes all clans were supposed to be treated equally within the village, as it was village first… but in actuality that was never really the case. Smaller clans deferred to larger ones, and were expected to show them greater respect. Because larger clans had more influence in the village, if for no other reason.

But Fugaku was essentially telling him they could speak as… equals.

And then there was the simple fact that this, beyond any doubt, confirmed his clan was being protected by the police force.

He swallows. Because knowing for certain was a relief in a way… but the pressure was still there. And there was so much else he needed to know. Lest he fail like this again. "I couldn't possibly, Uchiha-san," he says lowly. "I'm still just a Genin who can't even keep himself from acting on his emotions after all."

Fugaku snorts, startling him. "You are also a Genin who has such speed I could not afford to send one of my men to warn you off the pursuit." He tells him. "And with enough sense and instinct that despite the fact you were acting rashly, we were able to work around your presence, rather than it simply being a hindrance." The Uchiha continues. "And if you had not been present, but the culprit had been driven to that end anyway… there is the very real chance your sister would have met his same end."

Minato winces at this. "If I wasn't there he wouldn't have…"

Fugaku raises a brow, causing him to trail off. "We do not know that. There are many other ways the culprit could have been driven to that point. It may not have even been your presence that caused it." The Uchiha explains simply. "Have more confidence boy, you've more than enough skill to be a Chunin… if you fix that confidence of yours," the Uchiha tells him.

His breath leaves him in a rush. It isn't the first time he's been called talented… that people have told him he had the skill to be Chunin. That people have expected such from him. But… this is the Uchiha clan heir.

"A few words of advice though," the man goes on. "Gathering information may be important. But just as important is to do the best we can with the information we already have." He frowned in confusion at these words, but the Uchiha does not elaborate. Instead, he holds out a scroll, brush, and a bamboo tube of ink. "Now, your statement."

The Namikaze blinked, bewildered. Then he almost wanted to laugh. This was… a little absurd. The Vice Commander of the Konoha Police force, the clan heir of the Uchiha, had come to the hospital to get his statement.

"Right, Sorry for making you wait," He apologies, as he takes the items from the young man. The Uchiha simply shrugs and turns, stepping out of the Hospital room to wait outside.

He regards the now closed door for a moment more, before he takes a seat to write out his statement. He doesn't take too long on it, though he records every detail he can think of. Except that he'd heard Makiko's voice, instead just saying he'd sensed her chakra from nearby. Somehow, he feels too uneasy about the occurrence to put more than that on the page. To admit he'd actually heard her.

When he finishes he goes to the door and slides it open, proffering the scroll to Fugaku. "Thanks again, Fugaku-san."

The Uchiha raises a brow for a moment, and then simply nods. "Two of my subordinates are stationed nearby, should you require them, or to get in contact with me." The man states. "I will be in touch, Minato." And then the Uchiha leaves, unhurriedly. His back is straight and proud, his shoulders unbowed. Yet it no longer feels as if he is looking down on those he walks past, simply by being an Uchiha.


When she'd been in the Namikaze home before she hadn't really been able to properly take in all the small things that give insights into the three who lived here. Now here for a non urgent purpose, these things had stood out to her. The fact that all three Namikaze had a frog or toad motif on their slippers. The twins slippers were orange with green and blue frog images emblazoned on them. Minato's were green, but had small embroidered toads that wouldn't be so immediately noticeable on the side of each slipper. Next she discovered their cute toothbrushes. Minato's handle was actually shaped like a tadpole at the end, and she couldn't help but giggle. But she decided she wouldn't tease him on that… unless he really deserved it. Honestly it was kind of refreshing to see that he didn't seem to mind having such a childish looking toothbrush clearly out in the open.

The twins toothbrushes were both orange, and she was beginning to see the real extent of why Minato ended up in that particular colour combination this morning. The twins toothbrushes were simple though, and she only knew they belonged to the twins because they were too small to be Minato's. They did have cute covers though… Or one of them did. The other she chose not to consider too much. One was a frog, unsurprisingly. The other was a fox.

She had grabbed all three.

Then she had moved on to the bedroom she'd been in earlier, with all the clothes piled up in the middle of the floor. It had been pretty clear before that the three siblings all shared the room, as on top of the folded futon in the closet there had been three pillows. One had been in red, but it had the now quite expected frog or toad Motif on its edges. And it likely belonged to Minato, since the other two pillows were in orange cases. Clearly the twins favourite colour. These two pillows had slightly crooked appliques sewn onto them, of frogs, and foxes.

She wasn't after these though, but clothing. She quickly peeked through the small pile of clothes that belonged to the twins, and found some sort of orange coloured Jinbei. So she folded these and set them with what she had gathered before. There wasn't anything else orange in the pile however, so she picked out shades of yellow and red for an additional set of clothes for each twin. Then she had regarded the large mound of Minato's tracksuits. Really why did he have so many?

She had chosen to go to the closet, where a few had remained hanging, instead of digging through the mound. But most of these had various shades of red featured. And those that did, were hung with far more care than those that didn't. A fact that caused her to raise a curious brow.

She grabbed a black tracksuit with red trimmings, and then found a grey jinbei that was clearly in Minato's side. Then she'd found where Minato kept his mesh shirts, and added one to the pile of clothes she'd set neatly to the side. And she stared at her haul. How was she going to bring it to the hospital? You were allowed to carry in storage scrolls, for security reasons, as it would take too long to check them to be sure nothing dangerous was being brought into the hospital. She could carry it all she supposed… but she had wanted to bring a few more things that might make the twins more comfortable staying the the hospital for a night. Assuming they were conscious. They'd probably like a book or two from the ones she'd seen downstairs. Or maybe a plush.

Minato didn't have a bag in his closet that would be big enough to carry the clothing and other items. Understandably so, as he was a shinobi, and it was more efficient to carry one's supplies in scrolls, to take up less space, and so as not to weigh a shinobi down.

But perhaps in his parents room she might find something. They could have had a bag specifically for hospital visits, since the rule not permitting storage scrolls had been around for at least a decade now.

So she made her way across the hall to the other bedroom… and hesitated at the door. She hadn't had the time to think on it before… but the room had clearly not been used in years. So it somehow felt a little wrong to enter the room that clearly Minato only entered now to keep the dust at bay. The personal items of his parents were still there, including their clothing.

She sighed, and shook her head. It wasn't like she was going to be rifling through their things out of curiousity, let alone to take anything for herself. All she needed was a bag to carry her haul to the hospital for the Namikaze. That was it. She'd be in and out after checking quickly.

She stepped over the threshold, made her way quickly to the closet, which was till open from their earlier sweep of the house. There she peeked behind the hung up clothes, and up on the shelf above them to see if there was a bag she could use. Nothing. But there was some boxes on the floor of the closet. She hesitated a bit, and then gently opened those on top of the two high pile one at a time to peek inside. She didn't dig through them though, as within each she was greeted with rather personal items. A photo album. Art that Minato had likely made for his parents when he was young. Some childhoodl crafts, she thought. A small shoe stained in what she figured was paint was at the top of one of the boxes.

She hesitated again, not sure if she should look at the boxes underneath. It really did feel like she was invading on Minato's family now. So instead she leaned over the boxes as best she could to peak behind them.

"Aha Ttebane!" She cried out in triumph, as she immediately spied the strap of a duffel bag. It was kind of shoved back there, but it was unmistakable. She stretched out her arm, trying not to crush the box she was leaning over, to reach it. She gave a light tug, but it didn't move. Huffing she pulled a little harder, but it still didn't come loose. With a sigh she stepped back. She didn't want to ruin the sentimental trinkets in the boxes, so she would have to move them out of her way, she decided.

Carefully she lifted the top two and set them aside, before turning back to the closet and the bag she wanted. She grabbed the handle again, and gave a light tug, now that it had less weight on it. Her hand brushed against he back wall as she did so though… and her skin tingled in instant reaction to something.

She froze, and stared. Because that reaction was to a seal. But how had the Byakugan not noticed it?

She molded chakra in her hands so she could investigate the back of the closet more closely… and then stopped herself, remembering that there were Anbu potentially outside. And it would look suspicious, surely, if she messed around with a mysterious seal she found in the Namikaze home. She could get herself in a lot of trouble.

So instead she quickly pulled the bag free, and returned the two boxes she'd taken out back to their places. Then she'd left the room in a rush to shove what she'd gathered into the old duffel and leave the Namikaze home.

She almost couldn't stop herself from looking back after she'd locked up behind her and then left through the gate. Because just why was there an Uzumaki seal in the back of Minato's parent's closet?

And how did neither a Hyuuga or an Uchiha notice it?


Although the last thing he wanted to do was leave his siblings alone in the hospital, especially before they woke again, it wasn't entirely possible. If he'd had it his way he wouldn't have left for this though.

But here he was in the hospital's cafeteria, grabbing two cups of jello after he'd finished his bland meal. Because the nurse who last came to check on the twins had basically pushed him out of the room and had made him promise not to come back until he took care of himself a bit first. She had a point that it wouldn't help the twins any if they woke to see him looking miserable. But he also knew that making him leave to feed himself was just an excuse to… get him to leave for a bit. He was a shinobi, and missing a meal or two was no big deal. The nurse likely hoped that some time away would help him… clear his head or something along those lines.

Instead being away from the twins led to him remembering that they hadn't been the only ones involved in the… incident. So he had gone to the front desk to ask if any of those with his siblings had also been admitted, and found Dai-san keeping a red eyed rhythm company where she was clearly waiting in at reception for any sort of news on her new friends.

He'd reassured them both that the twins were alright, though he didn't tell them that they almost hadn't ben. The girl didn't need to hear that.

Dai had then informed him that the Shimura boy had been injured, though it was a minor injury healed immediately by the Uchiha officers who'd responded to the crisis. Still the boy had been brought to the hospital do to some protocol or another. When Minato had inquired at the front desk on if the boy was still in the hospital, he learned that he was. Because it was policy to keep any child admitted to the hospital due to a kidnapping securely in the hospital until a parent or guardian came to retrieve them. Even if they weren't a victim of the incident.

But Kawazo's mother had been at that park. So why hadn't she come for her son yet?

He had gone immediately after that to see the boy, concerned. When he'd arrived at Kawazo's room, the boy was sitting on a hospital bed, staring at the rooms window. He had cleared his throat, and the boy had winced before looking over to the door. His mouth had opened to likely utter a greeting… but when he had seen Minato the boy's mouth snapped shut, and he had looked down in shame.

Minato had greeted him, tried to strike up a conversation, but Kawazo hadn't spoken. Finally at a loss of how to get the boy to come back out of his shell, and worried that maybe a part of the problem was his presence, he had excused himself by saying he needed to get something to eat, but that he'd bring the boy some jello on his way back to his siblings.

But a single cup of jello seemed like it would be a rather pathetic attempt at getting the boy to open up again.

He sighed heavily.

Either way… it may really be his fault Kawazo was like this… this incident must be a lot for a four year old. And given how Kawazo was… he was probably blaming himself…

This was so ridiculous, the genin thought. Absolutely absurd. No academy student could have done any better, especially not another the same age as Kawazo! From what he'd heard from Dia, the boy had reacted immediately to Masato's scream. Although it had got the boy a light injury to the arm, he'd successfully pulled Masato out of reach of the kidnapper.

If the culprit had gotten both twins… the whole affair could have ended a lot worse than it had.

So he made his way back to Kawazo's room, even though there was the chance that the boy's parents had finally come to get him by now.

As he started down the hallway however, he spotted brunette girl, hair down, beaten of glasses askew once more on her nose, sliding open the door to Kawazo's hospital room. He raised a curious brow, wondering just how the girl had even know that Kawaso was here… and why she would bother to visit him.

"Uchiha-san?" Kawazo final spoke, clearly bewildered. But there was also clearly strain in his voice that indicated how troubled the boy was. It sounded as though he'd been crying. Confirmed by a sniffle moments later. "Wh-what are you doing here?"

"I… Well to check on you of course," the girl answered a bit awkwardly. "I mean, I came by to deliver something to my oldest brother since he sent home saying he'd have to remain on duty through the night tonight," she goes on. "And I found out you were here…"

He could tell the girl was not being entirely truthful by the nerves he heard in her voice.

"Anyway… I just thought I should check on you, because at least none of our classmates would and…" She trailed off, then sighed heavily. "Actually… I already knew he might be here." She admitted in a small voice. "I… I was passing the park when I heard a scream… and then I saw you grab a little boy and pull him out of reach of someone…" She says "There was some blood… so I was a little worried… but you look alright now." The girl keeps talking. "But… I thought it was strange when I heard someone at the front desk mention you were still admitted… so I thought maybe you'd want some company?" Then he heard the rustling of a bag. "I have some blank scrolls, and ink and brushes… If you wanted me to show you that technique I mentioned yesterday? While you wait for someone to pick you up?"

There was silence in the room for a long while. Then a very small question. "Why?"

"Why? Because… because Minato-san has been trying to get us to do stuff outside of missions… and I appreciate that you've been trying not to be such a stickler for the rules all the time," She answers candidly. "So I thought… maybe I should try and see if we can get along…" She goes on, more awkwardly. "And… well… I wanted to say… I think if you want to… You'lle make a great shinobi one day too."

Minato covered his mouth to stop himself from chuckling at that. Those were pretty much the same words Kawazo had told her yesterday.

"I mean… you were able to react right away, and saved that boy… that was really cool." The girl goes on more softly.

"You really think so?" The boy asks in just as small of a voice… but there is hope there now.

"Of course I do!" The girl responded immediately.

Minato smiled. Kawazo would be okay, he thinks. And he clearly didn't need to be the one to help him figure out how to proceed. How to get over this. He'd unnecessarily felt solely responsible for helping the boy out since he'd taken on his academy trio. But for Kawazo to really grow, other connections would be more beneficial than just one Genin attempting to help him grow past the way his family had been raising him.

He regards the two cups of jello in his hand. Then he takes the final steps down the hall and entered the room. "Kotome? I didn't expect to see you here," he comments as though surprised. He pretends not to notice how the girl stiffens, and then tries to discreetly hide her glasses.

"Ah.. Minato-san…" The girl greets him a little awkwardly. "What are you doing here?"

"Checking on Kawazo of course," he answers easily. Then he strides to the bed, and sets the two cups of jello on the table next to it. "Here Kawazo. As thanks for your part in saving my brother." He states, and then he bows his head to the boy, seeing how it makes his eyes widened. "Really, it could have been worse if you hadn't been there. Though I'm sorry you got involved in this." He tells him. "Anyway, I should be getting back to the twins now."

As he turns Kawazo calls out.

"Taicho! Uh…"

He pauses at the door and looks back at the boy. "Yes?"

"Well… I know you might not be able to tomorrow… but you're still going to be coming to the academy to take us on missions after this right?"

He grins. "Of course. I'm still taking part in the supervision of academy missions for now." He tells the boy. "I'm sure I'll see you in a couple days."

The boy has a look of complete relief. "Okay… I will see you later Taicho."

"Later," He agrees, and then he looks at Kotome. "Have a good day Kotome." Then he quickly leaves the two younger kids alone.

He didn't have to hope that they'd continue to grow a little closer after this, because he clearly heard Kawazo thanking the girl for visiting, and then the girl insisting that he stop calling her by her surname. The boy had protested, saying he couldn't possibly do that with someone older than him, if they were still calling them by his surname.

He would not be surprised at all if Kotome and Kawazo were calling each other by their first names the next time he took them and Tsume on a mission . Although that might cause some issues with the Inuzuka… but it could also be possible that Kotome could help bring all three of them to an understanding.

As Minato was about to reach the security checkpoint at the beginning of the hall his siblings room was down, he spotted a rather unexpected head of beautiful red hair. It caused him to stop in surprise. "Kushina-san?"

The girl looked back around from where she was showing her pass to the guard. "Minato-kun, what are you doing? I thought you'd be in the room." She comments, looking a little confused.

He rubs at the back of his neck, smiling sheepishly as he walks quickly over to her. He takes out his own pass to show to the guard, who opens the way for them without a word. "Well… A nurse pushed me out saying I wasn't to come back until I was properly fed," He tells her truthfully. "But what about you?"

And then he realizes on her shoulder is an old duffle he once vaguely remembered his father filling to bring to the hospital for his mother, who was recovering from a mission related injury. And that answered why she was here… though not exactly how she got the bag. "Oh, thank you for that," he gestures to the bag. "Sorry to trouble you." He pauses, and then bows slightly. "And I'm sorry for running off on you like that earlier."

She huffs. "It's fine, now come on, there's no point standing around here." She tells him, before she grabs his arm and tugs him into the hall. "How are the twins doing?"

He tears his eyes away from her hand on his arm to look at her, flushes, and then looks properly ahead of himself. "I'm told they'll be just fine… but that it might take several more hours before they wake up." He answers her softly. "Uh.. but no offense Kushina-san… how did you get a pass to come visit?"

She hums absently. "The Hatake clan head saw me with the bag in the lobby and approved my visit," She tells him simply. "Is that a problem?"

Hashuro approved it? Did Hashuro know he liked Kushina? That would be…

Kushina pinched his arm.

He almost yelped, and then he glances over at her to see an impatient expression, making him realize he'd kept her waiting, wondering if her being there was a problem. "No, no it's no problem at all!" He breaths out a little too quickly. "I don't mind, really. The twins like you anyway… I'm sure it would make them happy to see you if they wake while you're here." He goes on.

"Good. I was thinking of staying around for awhile," The girl stated. "I mean, I have to make sure their wuss brother manages to keep it together for them."

He can't help but wince at the teasing remark.

Kushina's hand releases his arm, and he can feel her staring him down intently. He tries to laugh it off, then clears his throat. "Guess I still have a long way to go to be a good brother." He hopes the words don't sound as dejected as he really feels on the matter. And that the smile he tries to give her doesn't give anything away on that point either. He picks up his pace a bit. "The room is just ahead on the right."

Stepping swiftly he makes it to the door and slides it open.

The nurse who'd sent him off isn't even present. He almost sighs in annoyance, because that probably meant he could have just gone away for a few minutes before coming back.

Then again, he had had a chance to witness Kotome visiting Kawazo and how that helped the boy out… And he'd also met Kushina on her way up rather than being surprised by her coming to the door. So it hadn't exactly been a waste?

He glanced at the monitors even though he didn't need to see them to know nothing had changed. He could hear it. Then he steps fully into the room to allow Kushina to follow him in..

Her eyes fix on the monitors, and she frowns, but she doesn't say anything on it. Instead she shifts the duffle bag on her shoulder, pulling it open and rifling through it one handedly, before she pulls out black and red fabric. "Here, you could use a change. I see there's a bathroom there," and she nods her head towards the door along the opposite wall from the beds.

He stares at the fabric in her hand comprehensively for just a moment. She'd… actually gotten clothes for him too? "Th-thanks," he stammers, before he takes the items from her. Then he hesitates a moment. "Ah… they told me they could take them off monitoring if everything remains normal until they wake again… It's just a precaution." He explains, then licks his lips a little nervously. "I'll just… go change… Excuse me."

He shifts a bit, looks over at his brother and sister, back at the girl, and then hurries to the bathroom so he can change.


While Minato went to change Kushina moves to the chairs in the room for visitors, moving two of them closer together so she and Minato can sit and speak, if he wants. She's not so sure that he actually wants her sticking around though, given how… nervous it seemed he was. And she couldn't blame him for having nerves, his little siblings were hooked up to monitors, even if it was 'just a precaution'. And whatever had happened to send them to the hospital.

She wanted to know what had happened, but she wasn't sure she could ask. Miato's tracksuit was torn in several places though, and there were some dried stains of what she figured was blood from small nicks, as they were around several of these tears. He'd been moving quite fast through trees, heedless of any small harm he caused himself, that much was almost certain. Which certainly implied that whatever had occurred either involved him running from someone… or pursuing someone.

But she had told Minori-san she'd keep him company… so if he didn't send her away, she'd try and do that. If he still seemed like he didn't really want her there after fifteen or so minutes, then she'd leave. She could say she had tried then.

With the chairs in place she sets the duffle down on the third chair so it would be easier to dig through it for its contents, whenever they were needed. She also pulled out the two, orange paper wrapped plush toys she'd purchased on her way here. The paper had so far escaped being crinkled or ripped inside the bag, but she didn't want to take any chances on it that she didn't have to. And there was also the possibility, being the nervous brother he seemed to be, that Minato would want to know just what anyone else was going to give his siblings, before they actually received it.

Not that he could find fault with her gifts of course.

The bathroom door slides back open. She turns to look at the oldest Namikaze, and then frowns. The amount of black didn't really suit him that well, she thinks. Theres nothing wrong with the red on the sleeves and collar of the jacket, which he's left half unzipped. And the pants are fine as well. But there is something just… not Minato with the jacket being a predominantly dark colour. Which may have more to do with the fact he always seemed to be wearing a white or light grey, or some other light colored jacket?

Oh well, it wasn't like it really mattered. (But if there was a next time this happened, she'd pick out something that suited him better.)

"Thanks again," Minato speaks up with a less forced looking smile than earlier.

"You're welcome ttebane," she answers almost absently. But the way his smile widens to the point his eyes crinkle in the corner catches her by surprise. She'd not seen him smile quite that brightly before just yesterday. And that had been in response to the Twin's clearly enjoying their lunch. But all she had done was say 'you're welcome'!

"Well anyway… I picked up some plushes for the twins on my way over. There didn't seem to be any at your place," she tells him, needed to say something, because it really was getting weird how different this boy was from how he had always been before. There was… so much more to Namikaze Minato then she had ever thought there could be. "I can keep them until their birthday ttebane. If you'd prefer to be the first one to give them plushes for gifts ttebane."

Minato chuckled. "They have actually already received some from the Hatake, but for whatever reason they seemed to think those toys need to stay at the Hatake's" He tells her. "Maki-chan said it was so Minori-san wouldn't be lonely while Sakumo was away."

She blinks, and then lets out a laugh of her own. "That's adorable ttebane." She comments happily, and then moves to take a seat. Minato doesn't seem to hesitate to walk over and take a seat in the other chair. "What kind of animals did the Hatake give them?"

Minato rolled his eyes. "Dogs, of course. Maki was given a pug, witch she then badgered Minori-san to sew this little orange vest for. She said so it was more orange than Masa's shiba Inu."

She almost snorts in laughter at this. The twins really did like orange. "That would have been cute to see. But why haven't you picked up anything else for them?"

He rubs the back of his head. "Not a lot of funds, to be honest… I found a pile of children's books at a good price, that were in good condition… but aside from that I was more focused on making sure they had clothes, and food."

Clothes and food. Of course… they'd been dressed in rags when they'd been found, and had been malnourished. And Minato was just a genin… with no parents or other family members around. On a Genin's salary it would probably be all he could do to keep them fed and clothed.

And here she'd asked him to treat her yesterday! And he'd even checked his wallet to be sure he had enough, but she'd just accepted it when he said he could. Wow… that had been rather selfish of her… she should have known, logically, that money would be tight for the Namikaze.

"Sorry ttebane," she murmurs, looking away from him a little awkwardly.

"For what?" The boy answers in a bewildered voice. "For lunch yesterday? Don't worry about it, I wouldn't have agreed to treat you if I couldn't afford it" he tells her then, and she can see he's still smiling when she glances back at him from the corner of her eye. She regards him that way for a moment more before she sighs and relaxes back into her chair.

"Do you want to arrange a new time to meet up to shop for them? I did say I'd help you pick out something to match with them that would be less… that," And she nodded absently to the bundle of orange Clothe Minato must have ditched next to his chair when he'd come over to sit.

"Well… I would appreciate that… do you think you'll still be in the village the day before their birthday?" He asks her.

"Definitely ttebane," she answers without missing a beat. He wouldn't know this, but her team wasn't sent on that many missions that kept them out of the village for more than a day or two. There were multiple reasons for this, from her sensei being in demand as the medical genius she was leaving the genin without their Jōnin, to the role she was going to have to fill for the village one day. Of course there was also the fact she still had things to learn from Mito-ba, so she had to see the woman on at least a semi-regular basis. Because she was an Uzumaki… because…

Once again she wondered why the even let her graduate from the academy, because it must have been decided before she even came here that she'd…

She purses her lips and pushes the thought away.

"I'll let you know if that changes," she tells the boy. "Is there going to be a party for them?"

He frowns at this. "I hadn't really considered… they're only turning two, and there has been a lot of changes in their life since… we've become a family." He explains, and she wonders exactly what he was going to say before that. "I don't want to overwhelm them or anything… and after what happened today…" He looks nervous once more, glancing over at the still unconscious toddlers in their beds. "Well, I'm not so sure getting a crowd of people together on their birthday is a good idea… so we do anything for it, it will be pretty small." He goes on. "At most, maybe those on the Nin-kamon… but I think just limiting it to myself and the Hatake might be best…"

She frowns. "What if they'd like a party? Maybe you should ask them."

The blonde looks taken aback for a moment, and then thoughtful. "I… hadn't considered that… I mean, Makiko isn't fond of strangers but…" He looks at the girl in question. "There are a lot more people she really likes and might want to see…" He shifts in his chair a bit then, pulling one of his legs up. "Still… a big crowd… And it's the first birthday thats being celebrated… probably…"

Ah. He was nervous purely because of how much he cared about his siblings. And she'd prodded him about being a wussy brother several times now… maybe that had been unfair of her. He had been suddenly thrown into being a brother and guardian of young twins. "Then maybe it would be better to have a few smaller parties, for anyone else who wants to celebrate their birthday," she suggests. "It's not as though celebrating it on the exact day is the only way one can celebrate someone elses birthday."

Minato laughs lightly. "That's true." He agrees simply, before he also leans back in his chair, closing his eyes a bit and letting out a sigh that sounds tired.

"When did you last get a proper nights sleep?" She asked, now spying the slight bags under his eyes. He grimaces, but doesn't answer. "Minato-kun, you need to take care of yourself, not just them, ttebane." Then she sighs herself, because who was she to tell him that. "But I guess you're also trying to adapt to a lot of changes ttebane. It can't be easy to suddenly be responsible for two other people like this."

Silence spreads between them to the point that she starts tapping her finger on her knee in a rhythm that matches the beeping of the monitors.

"It doesn't matter if it's difficult," Minato finally speaks softly. "It will always be worth it."

Though his words are soft… there is no shortage of determination and feeling in them.

No, Minato was not a wuss at all, she decides. A wuss wouldn't be able to do what he is doing now. He just lacked confidence.

Or he had lacked confidence.

Maybe this was what Mito-ba had meant when she said the vessel had to be filled with love. Well.. not exactly this… the woman had clearly been talking about finding a romantic love. But… it did strike her as been an unconditional love of a high caliber… and it had changed the Namikaze she had known in a big way. That power to change… to make a person stronger. Was that power what she needed to turn the vortex into a spiral?

She felt… just a little jealous of the twins that they had someone who clearly cared for them a great deal, even as she was happy for them.

But the jealousy was perhaps a little misplaced… because whatever had happened… had been targeted. That was the only conclusion she could make, given the sudden mission given to her by Jiriaya. Targeted… because they were Namikaze?

Why? Just who were the Namikaze? Why would a merchant clan have such a… shinobi like clan symbol? Because it didn't in any way relate to making money, or some sort of method of transporting goods. And it wasn't a character of the last name. Those were the most typical styles of symbols merchant clans chose for each other. In fact, most non-shinobi clans followed a similar logic. Even small Shinobi clans often did… it was only a few shinobi clans that chose something more… obscure, yet symbolic. Like the spiral of the Uzumaki clan symbol on her back now. Or the Uchiha fan.

Aside from the clan symbol though… why was there an Uzumaki made seal in the Namikaze home? It wasn't simply Uzumaki designed, it had to have been performed by an Uzumaki for her to have that reaction to it without actually revealing the seal by applying her own chakra.

And maybe not just any Uzumaki… it had a very distinct feel, now that she was thinking about it. One that only came with the chains…

"Kushina-san, is everything alright?" The Namikaze's voice cuts through her thoughts, and she snaps her eyes back to him, taking him in. He's sat back forward in his chair, frowning at her.

Is everything alright. Well… no, she liked his little siblings, and yet here they were in the hospital because of… something. Something to do with his clan that could not possibly be what people believed. And just may be connected to her own.

"Minato-kun," she begins, also sitting forward in her chair, leaning towards him. "Just what is the Namikaze clan? Because I don't believe for a second that they were just merchants."

Whatever Minato had been expecting, that clearly was not it. His eyes widened, his lips part a fraction, and then snapped closed as he looked pointedly away. He shifts in clear nerves and uncertainty in his chair, flicks his eyes back to her, then the twins, and then away again. Then his hand shoots up into his hair as he lets out a frustrated sort of sound followed by a soft curse.

His shoulders relax in a way she knows is deliberate, as he leans back, head tilted back, eyes closed. He takes in a few long breaths, and then tilts his head back towards her as he opens his eyes. "I'm only just starting to really figure that out, Kushina-san." He admits in a low voice. And somehow… she is sure this is no lie.

She frowns at it all the same. "So, what do you know then?" It may be that he wouldn't want to tell her, but she decides she doesn't care, that she will ask anyway. The worst he can do is not answer… probably.

But he does answer.

"The merchant was just one face. They were also shinobi, all along. Or at least some of them," he tells her in a tired sounding voice. "When Shinobi villages first started being established, it seems they initially joined Uzushiogakure." He stops talking then, eyes clearly fixing on her intently… to gauge her reaction.

She couldn't help but tense at the mention of her home village that was now gone. The loss was still too fresh. But not so fresh she couldn't talk about it at all, if it was pertinent. And apparently it was.

The Namikaze were always shinobi. And hailed from her own home village. And Minato had had no idea this was the case… what sort of Shinobi clan would hide behind a merchant mask?

"They specialized in information and infiltration?" She questions in barely a whisper.

"Seems like it," he answers just as quietly. "What bothers me more is the one clan record I'm even allowed to look at mentions some sort of… aptitude only present in twins." There is a heavy sigh after this, and then another aggravated sound as he harshly ruffles his hair in frustration. "It's so… ridiculous, I'm not even allowed to retrieve the clan records of my own clan for myself, and inside them may explain why any of this has happened to the twins!" His frustration grows in his voice with the words, and then he suddenly shoots out of the chair and starts to pace. "But even if there are more records I'm not allowed to see yet, there might not be any more information to be had. Who's to say what I need has even su-" He cuts himself off suddenly, bites his lip almost hard enough to bleed and then lets out a low breath. "Is even in Konoha," He says as if to finish what he'd stopped himself from saying

But she knows what he had probably really been about to question was if it had even survived Uzushio's destruction.

He sighs again, and then marches himself back to the chair stiffly, before he sits back into it with a huff. "Sorry, You didn't need to see that," he tries to apologize.

"Don't," she breaths. "You're understandably upset. I would be too if stupid red tape was keeping me from knowing more about my own family ttebane. Especially if there was even a chance it might help them, or explain why they are in danger ttebane." She tells him calmly. She gets out of her chair then, moving to stand in front of Minato's. She may have enjoyed the way his eyes bugged out, and he seemed to forget how to breath for a moment when she leans over him. "Why don't you come with me next time I go see Mito-ba ttebane. She might know a thing or two, and I'm sure I can sneak you in."

"Wh-what- but… why?" the other genin stammers out.

She huffs, and straightens, placing her hands on her hips. "Because I like the twins, and I want to help them ttebane. And you aren't too bad either." Then she makes herself laugh. "And Mito-ba would love someone else coming to see her for once ttebane." She adds.

She does not tell him the more compelling reason she has for offering though. Not yet. Just in case somehow whatever they are saying in this room is being monitored. She knows, from what he has said about his clan so far, and most especially from his frustration at the lack of knowledge, that he has no idea the seal exists in his home. And while he deserves to know about it, because it just may be the key to answering some of his questions… she doesn't want to spread it about either.

It was a seal from her clan. Not any other clan here in Konoha. And in the home of a clan that also apparently hailed from Uzushio. Which, to her, made it Uzushiogakure business, not Konoha business. So if she could keep them from sticking their noses in it, she would.

Not that she hated Konoha… but she did feel… a little let down by the village that was supposed to be her home's closest ally, not managing to come to Uzushio's aid.

And she was still a little upset over Konoha wanting her for what it did…

But Konoha was also the only place she had left to go that had any connections to her own heritage. Or anyone at all that cared for her.

And that was somehow part of the reason she wanted to help Minato now too. Because he also had a tenuous connection to his heritage, and only a small number of his family that would care about him… and he them. Granted in that part he was better off, since he also had the hatake, and a number of good friends.

She regards him, sitting there with a thoughtful frown, clearly considering. "Namikaze Minato, is now really the time to turn down an offer to meet the Uzumaki Mito, wife of the late first Hokage? Don't be ridiculous ttebane."

He winces a bit, and then lets out a near deprecating laugh. "Alright… If you would be so kind as to introduce me to Mito-sama, Kushina-san."

"You got it, Ttebane."


Word count: 9520


To the Reviewers:

It's entirely possible that none of these reviewers are still around or will ever see this, but I will write a reply to them anyway.

To all reviewers I'd like to say that I do really appreciate you had taken time to submit reviews when you did. And I very much regret that I was not in a good place to finish this at the time you were reviewing. Still, even now, looking back at the reviews does mean something. I am thankful and flattered that so many people did in fact take the time to review even with my very spotty uploads.

CagedHeart7 : Thank you, these kinds of reviews are very touching.

Riku Uzumaki : It was very close indeed. And the teasing will be pronounced when it comes up.

LadyHokageSama : I do very much enjoy these reviews giving me insight on how a reader thought of particular moments in a chapter. Thank you for all of them.

lilLovelyanime : Well, though you may not see this… this particular entry in the series I would say is actually Minato gen. Though it is true focus will need to be split between Minato gen and those closer to his siblings age in future entries.

aGnamZer0 : A very long list of reviews from you, and all in a single day! That fact alone puts a smile on my face, knowing that at the time you chose to read my fic from what looks like the start to the latest chapter that had been posted. And getting that insight into what stood out to readers is something I enjoy as I mentioned before. Each review had me smiling a little just on its own.
It's also very fun to see when a reader guesses at later things, and how close they get. Not everyone picks up on all the same things within a story, so it's very neat to see what people notice and where it leads them! I can say that you were the only reviewer who mentioned a making a particular connection, and that review especially made me quite happy as I was wondering if anyone at all would notice.

To answer one question you did pose though. Frogs, not toads… that was a choice I made simply for the word 'froggies'. It seemed a more child friendly word, and one that the twins my consider using instead in order to seem the children they are. As for a summoning contract… Well yes, they both will summon… something. There is an upcoming hint on that.

And for your most recent review. Why yes, there is a sequel, and one more after that. Depending on pacing there may be a third. Because you are right, this fic has barely covered anything at all. The whole reason they were sent to this reality has yet to be accomplished.

howlwyn1 : yes, hello, here I am. Picking this up again about two years after your review.

JMA-Blazer : this did make me laugh on a day I need a laugh. It is an amusing thought to consider that the former Leader Man did shout that out in such a childish manner. Even though appearing childish was his intention. I also laughed when I wrote it, because it is a little silly.