Helpless

The next week was somber and quiet, as the whole household seemed to be grieving the loss of the young Uchiha. Rin came over a couple of times to babysit me, but I never saw Kakashi.

And my father, the Yellow Flash, was scarily stoic. The calm, confident, warm man I came to knew spoke in short sentences and was distant. The times he cared for me were as present as they were before, but his demeanor and expression were different. Over time, they softened, as time heals all wounds, but I will never forget the seemingly emotionless face he had as he held me in his arms, as we both just basked in each other's silence. My mother was trying more though, for my sake, but I could tell. Her act was simply that, a façade. Behind her smile was a sad, heartbroken persona.

The week passed, and it was time for my "playdate." To say I was nervous was an understatement. This was a new entity to me, and to my knowledge had no place within the Naruto universe. It was also my first time going into the Uchiha compound. It was not outside the village, like in the show, as the Nine Tails had not attacked yet and thus, they have not been moved. Rather, the clan was more in the middle of the village. I guess you could say it was its heart. No wonder they were so upset to be moved.

As my mother and I walked in, I couldn't help but notice the architecture. Yes, it was similar to their compound in the show, but to see it with my own eyes was different. It was much more traditional than anywhere else in the village, and as a result felt more proper. Many eyes followed our footsteps. It was strange, to be watched like that, like I was walking somewhere I didn't belong. I looked up, and Kushina was undeterred, she was smiling and fought the negativity with her own happiness. It was inspiring and brought me comfort.

As we approached one house, my mother knocked on the door. When it slid open, young Itachi was there with a rather content look on his face.

"Oh, hello Miss Kushina. Come in, let me grab my mother."

My mother smiled at the child, "Thank you, Itachi," she said as she took off her shoes, placing them by the door.

We only had to wait a few seconds, as Mikoto came into the room holding this "Naori" shortly after Itachi left to grab her.

"Itachi is so polite! I hope Menma turns out like him."

"Yes, he is. Although he is very shy around children his own age, and really opens up to adults. We've tried everything, but he only seems to connect with his friend Shisui down the street."

"Well, all you need is one good friend, right?" Kushina said while smiling.

Mikoto smiled back, "I suppose you're right. Come, let us go to the living room."

As we left the entrance of the household and walked into the living room, I couldn't help but thinking it would be bigger. Despite Fugaku being the clan head, he lived rather modestly. My mother and Mikoto placed both of us down on the floor, and they sat in the chair to start gossiping.

"Did you hear what Shikaku did on his last mission? Oh, it was so embarrassing!"

"No, tell me!"

Their talking slowly faded as I focused solely on Naori, who was doing the same to me. I was puzzled by her existence, and wanted so desperately to ask her about it, but I couldn't in front of my mother. I didn't want to give myself away.

The more I looked at her, however, the more she also seemed like she wanted to say something but couldn't.

However, her eyes lit up as an idea seemed to have strike her, and she began picking up one of the markers on the floor along with a piece of paper that were there for us to draw on.

She had picked up a purple marker and drew a small circle, then drew another large circle on top of it, and kept going. It looked like… a Rinnegan?

How would she know what that is? I was puzzled, but she kept drawing. Next to the concentric circles, she drew a question mark. She lifted up her drwaing, and looked from it, to me, as if asking me something.

What could she be asking…?

Rolling her eyes, she started drawing again. This time another circle, but next to it, a waning moon.

These symbols… the Rinnegan… the Sage of Six Paths? And with the question mark… was she asking if I knew who that was?

Shocked, but understanding, I nodded. This confirmed it for me. Like me, an existence that never should have happened, she was also a reincarnate who had talked with the Sage of Six Paths.

It seems like I wasn't alone after all.

As I smiled, the world finally came back to me, and I listened in on Kushina and Mikoto's conversation.

"Now that the war is over, I think Lord Third will be stepping down," Mikoto said.

"Well, with the pressure from the council, it doesn't seem like he has a choice… the war… it could've been handled better."

"I agree. And now the village needs a new Hokage."

"I think it should be Minato," Kushina said.

The room went silent.

"I think it should be Fugaku."

More silence.

Mikoto sighed, "Surely it's our time, yes? The Uchiha have not ever had a leader in this village…"

"Well, neither do the Hyuga!"

"Yes, but our clan is part of the founding members of this village! Yet, we do not get the respect we deserve."

"Mikoto… that's not true…"

"It is… but… sorry, I shouldn't be talking about this, it's not the right place."

…

Kushina, smiling, says "I'm sure either of our husbands will make a great Hokage, ya know?"

"Perhaps," Mikoto responded, not smiling back.

Coming back home, Minato was sitting in a chair in the living room, waiting for us. When he saw us, he got up excitedly.

"Kushina! I have great news!"

Putting me down on the ground, Kushina looked curious, "What news?"

Minato jogged up to us, and hoisted Kushina in the air, earning an "eep."

"Lord Third asked me to be the next Hokage!"

"Minato! That's fantastic!"

They embraced, and I couldn't help but think that Miss Mikoto was not going to be happy…

Two Years Later

After my dad was made Hokage, we didn't see the Uchiha's anymore. The worst part about this was that I never saw Naori again. I can only hope that at the academy, I'll see her again.

At this current moment, I'm in my room, reading a book on seals I stole from Minato's study. Seals always fascinated me in this world, and I wanted to learn them and follow in my father and mother's footsteps. I couldn't exactly read this book in the open, however. It would raise many questions on how, or why, a four-year-old was learning about some of the most complex jutsu in the world.

A knock on my door, and I hid the book under my pillow in one swift motion. My mother walks in the room, holding her belly.

Kushina was pregnant with Naruto. Not only did this reaffirm further that I was an abnormality in the timeline, but it also helped relieve me of the stress that my existence would affect the world negatively. I was also excited to see Naruto.

But I was scared for the night of his birth, for obvious reasons.

"Menma, what are you doing?"

"Uh… talking to my imaginary friend…?"

At this, Kushina giggled. "Do you want to go visit your father?"

"Sure!"

I always enjoyed going to the Hokage tower. Seeing dad at work was always so cool. Like, MY dad was Hokage, it just made me giddy. Walking to the tower was also ALWAYS cool, the sight-seeing would never get old.

Once in the building, we made our way up the stairs and walk to where the Hokage's office is. However, as we were about to open the door, someone walked out of it. An older man, sporting a sling around his arm and adorned in a white robe with shaggy hair. Danzo Shimura.

He turned to us, acting like he was pleased to see us, but it was plain as day he wasn't.

"Ah, Kushina and… Menma, was it? How are you two?"

My mother, scowling slightly, says "Not much better having seen you here."

"Hmph, rebellious as ever, I see," he then looked at me. "Hopefully it doesn't run in the family…"

Kushina gripped my hand slightly and opened her mouth to say something.

"Well, I better be off, until we meet again." He started to walk by us.

"Oh, and before I forget, good luck with your pregnancy. You should be due soon, yes?" He said with a fake smile as he kept on walking.

When he was gone, Kushina kneeled down to my level.

"Menma, listen to me. Don't you ever associate yourself with that man, you hear me?"

I nodded. There wasn't a bone in my body that wanted to hang with Danzo, just knowing the atrocities he committed and would in the future. Well, not if I have any say in the matter.

When we walked in, my father was knee deep in paperwork, signing away at documents faster than the speed of light. It was rather hilarious looking, seeing the Yellow Flash fall prey to some paper.

"Minato? Menma and I came to visit you. How are things?"

At the sound of Kushina's voice, Minato looked up.

"Oh! Kushina… and Menma! What a surprise! Sorry, I'm absolutely swamped with work right now."

"That's alright, we can come another time. Let's go, Menma."

"Actually, wait." My father's tone turned more serious. "We need to talk about the arrangements surrounding Naruto's birth."

"Minato… Menma's here, we can't-"

"Kakashi?"

Suddenly, out of thin air, Kakashi Hatake appeared, adorned in his Anbu gear. He immediately knelt to the ground.

"Yes, Lord Fourth?"

"Please take Menma for a short walk around the tower, my wife and I need to discuss certain matters."

Kakashi nodded at Minato and approached me. Kushina seemed reluctant but let Kakashi take my hand.

"Don't wander too far off Kakashi. This won't be long."

"Yes, Lady Kushina."

"And stop being so formal! I swear you joined the Anbu and got a stick up your ass…"

As we walked outside, we started wandering in the surrounding area. While there was plenty to look at, my focus was on Kakashi.

He was still extremely somber. Who could blame him? After all, in this two-year span, not only did he lose Obito, but he lost Rin as well… by his own hands. I felt absolutely horrible for him.

I couldn't let it stand.

"Um… Uncle Kakashi?"

He perked up a little hearing this, he liked when I called him uncle.

"Yes, Menma?"

"Why are you so sad?" Obviously, I knew why he was sad. But, if I were to make him feel any better, I had to get him to open up.

"…It's nothing… I'm fine…"

…

"Is it about Aunt Rin and Uncle Obito?"

At this, he snapped his head at me, his eyes wide with surprise.

"How could you-"

"I remember Uncle Obito quite well… somehow… He talked a lot about becoming Hokage, and then he just… vanished. The same with Aunt Rin, I don't see her anymore either. They're gone, aren't they?"

Kakashi stood still for a moment, his expression unreadable.

"…Yes… they're gone. I can't believe you remember them, especially Obito…"

"He left an impression on me. How could he not? He always came to talk with me about he and Rin, and to say how he was tired of losing to you…"

Kakashi chuckled, "Yes he had a large crush on Rin… and our rivalry was always one-sided."

"Do you miss them?"

"Yes, I do. Everyday."

"Me too, but I want to make them proud! Especially Uncle Obito, I want to be a ninja just like him!"

"Well, he wasn't the most skilled… but he had the most heart, he was a greater ninja than I ever was."

"Don't say that Uncle Kakashi, you're great too!"

"No, not where it matters most." He knelt down to me and pointed at my chest. "It's here. That's what matters most about being a ninja."

"My heart?"

Kakashi nodded, "Yes, and the guts to never give up. Obito had that in spades."

"You have that too, don't you Uncle Kakashi?"

"Not when it matters most, no."

"I don't think that's the case. But, if you really think so, then…" I pondered for a second, "I guess we'll both have to make them proud, won't we?"

Kakashi's eyes widened again at this, before relaxing into a warm expression.

"Menma… you're oddly mature for your age, you know that?"

At this, I laughed. He didn't know the half of it.

Later in the day, Kushina brought me back home and told me that a week from today, on October 10th, I would be meeting my brother. She had told me that because my dad was Hokage, there would have to be extra security and thus I would not be able to go. Obviously, I knew the real reason why I couldn't go, but she wasn't going to tell me that. I didn't press further.

"Kakashi will be babysitting you that night, is that okay?"

"Yes, mom. That's okay with me!"

She smiled, "It will be a great day, I just know it!"

I wasn't so sure about that… in fact, I've been dreading this moment ever since I heard about my mother's pregnancy. Sure, I would be meeting Naruto, but it might also mean the end of my parents. Maybe I can get Kakashi to interfere somehow? I wasn't sure, and it scared me to death.

Why would the Sage put me here if I couldn't change anything when it mattered? Was this supposed to happen? I just didn't know what to do… and it really bothered me.

One week later

The day has come. And I'm not ready for it. Not in the slightest. I was currently in my bed, trying to read about storage seals. I couldn't really digest what was in the book, not with all the stress I was feeling.

I sighed, 'This day… it's going to be awful… isn't it?'

Dad had already left, hugging me goodbye. He had looked confident, and I knew he was capable, but if the day were to play out like it did in the series, it wouldn't be enough.

A knock on the door, "Menma? Can I come in?"

"Yes, mom!"

Opening the door, she looked as if she couldn't be happier.

"Menma, it's time for me to go."

My heart dropped. This was it. The last time I would see my mother. I started to cry.

Kushina's expression immediately dropped, walking to me and sitting on my bed, hugging me.

"Menma… what's wrong dear?"

Struggling to get out my thoughts, I just started sobbing uncontrollably. I really was just a child, a helpless child.

"I-I… I don't want you to go! I'm scared!"

"Menma… everything's alright, your father will take care of me."

"No, it's not that… it's… it's…"

"It's… what?"

I couldn't tell her. As much as I wanted to say, 'you can't go because you'll die! Obito will kill you both,' I just couldn't. There would be too many questions, her entire perspective of me would change. I would lose my mother in another way besides death.

I can't lose her twice.

"I don't know… I just don't want you to go…"

I lied, it's all I could do.

"It's okay Menma… when we come back, Naruto will be with us, and we'll be one big happy family, ya know?"

"Right…"

There was a pause for both of us. A pause for me for wanting to tell the truth, but not being able to. And a pause for my mother, who wasn't sure how to comfort me.

"You are the best thing to happen to my life."

I looked up at her, who was smiling warmly at me once again, but with slight tears in her eyes.

"You are everything that is right in this world, Menma. You are kind, sweet, so intelligent, and brave."

"I…"

"And don't think I don't know you're reading that book about seals! It's pretty obvious, ya know? To think someone at your age can even slightly understand that material… it's unreal."

She smiled brightly at me, pumping her fist in the air.

"You're going to be a great ninja, ya know?"

I was in awe. I had never felt support like this before, and I started crying again.

"Mom… I love you…"

"I love you too, Menma," she said as she kissed my forehead, "Now, I need to go. Kakashi's here by the way, just let him know if you need anything."

I didn't want her to go… but I couldn't do anything.

"Okay, mom…"

Seemingly content, she left.

A couple of hours later, I was still in my bedroom, having not left. I was stressed out of my mind, and just waiting for the impending destruction that would come from the Nine Tails. I looked outside my window, it was sunset. At any hour, my mother would give birth, and soon after that, both she and my father would give their last breath.

I needed to get out of this house, I was too emotional.

Walking out of my room, I saw Kakashi, reading a novel of the Make Out series… To think he started reading those so young was extremely odd to me.

"Ah, hello Menma. How are you doing?"

"Fine… could we go for a walk?"

After thinking for a moment, Kakashi nodded.

"I suppose we could, but not for long."

Walking outside, we didn't talk. I was just walking aimlessly, and Kakashi followed me close behind, making sure we didn't stray far.

Stopping in the middle of the street, I looked up at the Hokage monument. Later tonight, my father would stop a Tailed Beast Ball from destroying the village from atop his very own head. While it was exciting to watch in the series, I highly doubt I'll be anything of the sorts watching it in person…

All the sudden, I felt a presence. Like someone was watching me.

I turned my head slightly to the right, and out of the corner of my eye I see a man, fully dressed in black robes, but only half of his body. When I turned my head fully, he was completely gone.

However, I could distinctly make out the appearance of a yellow mask, one with black marks. It was undoubtedly Obito Uchiha.

Why was he here? Was he… looking at me?

Then, I got an idea.

"Kakashi! I… I sense Obito!"

Things are ramping up for the big night... What will Menma do?