This first chapter is more of a summary to skip through to near canon. Don't think the style of writing is how the entire story will be written.

I do not own Naruto and never will I…and before anyone asks yes I took most of the scene of the Kyubbi sealing and put it in mine! At least it's not exactly the same…

Chapter One:

"Aww come on Tou-san, one more bowl please?"

"I'm sorry son, but your mother will be very mad at me if we ruin your appetite too much. Now come on, we have to talk about a few things, Naruto." The Yondaime Hokage knew that this might turn out badly, but he just had to talk to Naruto about this.

"Oh…all right Tou-san." Turning his head, Naruto shouted back over his shoulder, "Thanks Teuchi-san! The ramen was amazing as always!" Said man chuckled at the young boy's antics and merely waved him away.

Naruto and his father walked through the village at a slow pace, often waving to those they knew and smiling or nodding towards those they didn't and whom politely greeted them on their travels. By the end of it all, Naruto was almost wiped out from all the effort he had had to exert not to scowl. Who would have thought being polite to people would be so annoying and hard? Naruto certainly hadn't and looked up to his father in amazement when he barely showed any signs of fatigue.

Stopping at a small wooden bench that overlooked a tiny creak in a more secluded portion of Konoha's park, both males sat down and silence reigned from there. Naruto for his part simply watched and listened to the water going along its merry way, enjoying the atmosphere about him. His father on the other hand was extremely nervous due in part to the information that he had to impart upon his son who would most certainly not take to it kindly.

Finally breaking the silence, knowing he had to get this over with, the Fourth said, "Naruto…I have to tell you something and you're not going to like it at all…"

Turning his head, said six year old blinked up at his father owlishly, the question coming a moment later, "What do you mean, Tou-san?"

Namikaze Minato just sighed, slumping within his seat as he tried in vain to think of some way to possibly lighten the words he was about to say.

'Might as well just say it' he thought.

Starting as before he said, "Naruto…I can't allow you to be there when your little sister is born. It would be too dangerous for you so you have to stay at home and wait for us."

Naruto was shocked at this news, his eyes widening to that they might actually pop out of his head. Shock quickly grew into anger at what his father had just told him and he immediately got up out of his seat, staring straight at his father in anger. "What?! I'm not allowed to see my baby sister when she's born?! Why not? You know I've been waiting for this for nine months! Nine months! You can't do this!"

Minato sighed again and shook his head, "I know you have Naruto, but it's still too dangerous and I can't risk your safety. You have to understand and do what I say."

Naruto just glared at Minato who, even though he felt the pure anger rolling off the boy, didn't back down from the stare, meeting the icy blue orbs with those of his own. "How can it be dangerous? Kaa-chan is only having a baby! What's so dangerous about that?!"

"There are just some things that you don't know or could understand right now. You have to trust me on this, but no matter what you will stay at home," said Minato, feeling ashamed of what he was saying, but knowing he needed to all the same. Putting Naruto in such a risky situation would not sit well on him and would prove that he was a bad parent if he did so. Like Naruto, Kushina had been furious with the suggestion having wanted their only son to be there at her side while she brought his new sister into the world. The great Yondaime Hokage, the deciding factor in the Third Great Shinobi War, and one of the strongest shinobi ever to grace the planet had cowered in a corner the whole time with his hands flashing before him rapidly to try and placate his red faced, angry wife who had cornered him like predator after its prey. After a thorough beating and one explanation later Kushina had had to agree, albeit grudgingly, and had somewhat accepted the fact that they would be leaving their son behind at home. Compared to Kushina, Naruto was nowhere near as frightening for Minato and he would prove it.

Before Naruto began his next rebuttal, the left hand of Namikaze Minato was raised, all signs of regret gone from his handsome and smooth face; all replaced with the stern expression of the Fourth Hokage. Naruto took in his now colder than ice gaze directed solely on him and gulped, instantly realizing that the blonde man was serious now and he would do well to shut up at this point. Before him was not his father but the leader of their village, the Fourth Hokage, fourth ruler of Konohagakure no Sato.

"Uzumaki Namikaze Naruto, you will not be going to that birth and that is final. You will listen to me and there will be no buts about it. The situation is too dangerous for you and this is only for your own safety. Is that understood?"

Naruto felt tears coming to his crystal blue eyes, his entire body shaking from the feelings welling up deep within him. He grumbled out a response and when the response was not heard, was told to speak up. "H-Hai Hokage-sama. I understand and will not go to Kaa-chan's birth. I will stay home and nothing else. I'm sorry Hokage-sama."

The hard face began to instantly melt away as Minato saw the hurt expression on his son's face. He quickly realized his mistake in transferring over to the Hokage glare and he sighed, hanging his head low in shame for causing his son's current condition. Reaching out, he flinched when he saw the quick jerk of Naruto's body as if trying to jerk away from something vile and bile rose into his mouth. He needed to try and fix the situation fast.

"Listen Naruto, I'm sorry for what I just did. I am the Yondaime Hokage of this village, but before that I am your father. I should not have used that tone and for that I am sorry. You have to understand that as a father, I don't want my little man to get hurt in any way if I have any say in it. I do in this case and you could seriously get hurt or worse if you went with us. I would never forgive myself if that happened…"

Naruto sniffled in response, the back of his hand finding his nose before failing miserably in getting the small amount of snot out of his face. "I-It's okay Tou-san. I understand and will do what you say. Just please…bring everyone home safe."

Smiling down at his son, Minato stood up and placed a consoling hand on his son's shoulder, noting this time he didn't flinch away. "I will make sure I bring everyone home safe. That's a promise."

Seeing the honesty in his father's face, the smile that always spoke truth rather than deceit, Naruto bobbed his head in a gesture of acceptance. "Okay Tou-san. I believe you. Can we go home now?"

"Of course we can Naruto."

Taking Naruto's hand in his own, the Yondaime Hokage guided his only son out of the park, the hint of sadness still plaguing the boy's face. However, there was also a hint of acceptance for, while both weren't thrilled with the decision, both knew it had to be done.

XxX

-One Week Later-

The family was sitting in their living room, the adults looking down at their small, blonde son as he worked over the very basics of the art of fūinjutsu. Due to both being masters in the craft, they had wanted to share their knowledge with their son and from what they could see, he was a born natural for it. The way he painted his kanji's, albeit slowly, looked almost like a beautiful dance as they watched the brush dance across the paper; the kanji's perfect with not a single error in their make. To say the two parents were proud could be construed as an understatement and they pondered if they had another master of fūinjutsu on their hands if the way he acted towards the art was anything to go by.

It was at that moment while the three were just enjoying the atmosphere and good company that a small breeze was felt coming from the open window on the house's south facing side. All turning their heads, they all saw a silver-haired man whose hair seemed to counter even gravity itself and a dark blue mask that concealed the lower portion of his face. He sat there, one leg bent and propped up while the other just hung off the other side of the window. With an orange book in hand and his visible eye looking remarkably lazy, Kakashi no Sharingan sat there giving only a, "Yo," in greeting.

Both Minato and Naruto smiled at the scene and were about to respond to his greeting with ones of their own, but were stopped short when they all heard the loud stomping of one Uzumaki Namikaze Kushina making her way over towards the sitting figure. Both males of her family couldn't see it, but Kakashi, being the one under the woman's gaze, shivered as he saw fire burning in her eyes and a face that perfectly matched the color of her dark, red hair. Gulping, he waved at her, "U-Uh hello Kushina-san. It's nice to see you again."

Knowing what was coming, Naruto and Minato began to shake their heads. They silently saluted their brave comrade who had ventured into the lion's den with the worst food of all, that little orange book known to the world as the Icha Icha series, the most perverted of all books filled to the brim with smut brought to you by an old pervert they all knew and lovingly despised. Poor Kakashi. He had only recently started reading the books, drowning his sorrows away into the pages.

Kushina was having none of that 'Hello Kushina-san' crap and with Kakashi being stunned and afraid for his life, the man who normally could avoid any strike due to his Sharingan that at the moment was covered up, went wide-eyed as said book was yanked out of his grip and tossed across the room to create a small impression into the wall just a foot away from Minato's face, the blonde man quickly realizing he could have been killed from the force of the throw if it had hit him.

"You think you can come in here with that book and not get reprimanded for it, Kakashi! You and that old pervert will rue the day you came into my life with such perverted smut! Now what do you have to say for yourself, mister?!"

While this was going on Naruto had turned and had initially been reaching for the orange book that had slid to the floor. However, his wrist was immediately snatched up and held from proceeding any further by his father who leaned over and whispered urgently, "Never and I mean never let your mother see you with one of those. It will be the death of you and possibly me." Naruto gulped and slowly retracting his hand, stared at the book one last time before turning back to the comical scene of Kushina throttling poor Kakashi who had seemed to have gone slack under her brutal retaliation.

After many minutes and Kushina finally settling down to say hello and offer a smile to Kakashi, they all sat back down, Kakashi now nursing a sore neck while watching in horror as Kushina burnt the orange book to a crisp right before his very eyes. Being the prodigy that he was, the teenager knew not to try and save the now charred remnants of his book or else feel the wrath of the Red Hot-Blooded Habanero once again. From there they all made small talk while also observing Naruto's fūinjutsu work that he had returned to after the brief interruption. Kakashi was very impressed with what he was seeing so far and gave his own little pointers now and again since he too knew a thing or two about fūinjutsu.

It was in this happy moment that both hell and heaven decided to meet as one and strike the poor family. Feeling a tight, rippling pain across her stomach, Kushina immediately hissed at the sudden and surprising pain and instantly knew what it was from. Turning to her husband, she gripped her swollen belly tightly and nodded to him, "It's time, Minato-kun."

Hearing this said man began to freak out but with a hit to the back of the head courtesy of his wife, he quickly composed himself better and giving a whistle, two Anbu members appeared before their Lord. After informing them to fetch Sarutobi Biwako, wife of Third Hokage Sarutobi Hiruzen, they left him. Waiting a few minutes with Kushina experiencing a few more contractions, they all heard a knock on the door. Opening it, they saw Biwako herself standing there and looking back towards his wife, Minato nodded in her direction, silently informing her that it was time to go.

Kushina nodded back before turning her gaze onto her small son. Smiling down at him, she bent her knees to try and get as close to eye level with him as she could since her large stomach refused to allow her to get on her knees. "Naru-chan, I have to go now, but I'll see you later with your new baby sister. I wish I could take you with me, but it is still too dangerous. I know you're going to be an awesome big brother and she is going to love you so much, just as much as your father and I love you too. We'll see you in a few hours."

Naruto gazed up at her, a small amount of worry evident in his easily readable eyes. Getting up, he gently encircled her waist with his arms and nuzzled her stomach as if sharing his love with both her and his soon to be new sister. "I love you both too, Kaa-chan. I can't wait to see my sister so hurry back."

With tears in her eyes Kushina bent over and kissed the top of his head before guiding him over to the open door where Minato and Biwako stood waiting. Wrapping his arms around his son in an affectionate gesture, Minato then ruffled his hair. "You're the man of the house until we get back. I will keep my promise to you so don't be sad."

After getting an affirmative nod, Minato rose and taking Kushina's arm in his, guided her out the house. Naruto watched them go as he stared out the window, seeing Kushina stop to ask a woman Naruto knew as Uchiha Mikoto something. When he heard a faint laugh, he sighed and turned around to face the one remaining figure in the room.

Kakashi, seeing the saddened expression on the blonde's face sighed and moving over to him placed a hand on his back, "Come on. Let's go get something to eat. And yes, we can have ramen." Seeing some of the sadness drain from the boy, Kakashi couldn't help but smile knowing that no amount of money he might spend that night was equal in comparison to the happiness of the young, blonde boy before him.

XxX

Naruto had just finished off his tenth bowl of ramen, astounding all those present beside Teuchi, his daughter Ayame who was roughly the same age as Naruto, and Kakashi who had known that his wallet would be significantly lighter after that night. Slurping up the last of his broth and wiping his face with the back of his hand, Naruto gave a satisfied exhalation of breath and grinned towards the ramen chef. "Amazing as always Teuchi-san!" As always, the older man just beamed at the compliment from his favorite customer.

Getting up from his stool, Naruto made his way out of the shop and deciding to follow, Kakashi was about to leave as well when he heard the clearing of someone's throat and turned around, saw Teuchi holding out his hand waiting for his payment. Grumbling softly to himself about Uzumakis and their damn bottomless stomachs, he coughed over the money and exited the shop.

Upon leaving and looking about for Naruto, his visible eye immediately opened as wide as can be at the sight before him. There, talking animatedly with Naruto wearing a tight, green, latex outfit was none other than the eccentric Might Gai. What scared Kakashi even more was the fact that in the teen's hands was a second latex outfit that was flowing with the wind in all its terrible, atrocious glory. Immediately racing over, Kakashi grabbed Naruto by the arm and began trying to drag him away, not wanting him to get any bright ideas with that horrible outfit.

"Kakashi my rival, how are you on this youthful night?!" yelled out the loud Might Gai as he stopped the pair from wandering off.

"Oh err…we're doing fine Gai. I just need to get Naruto home so that we can go over a bit more of fūinjutsu," answered Kakashi quickly, trying to escape the current situation.

Naruto just watched the event unfolding before him and was still looking at the green outfit he had been offered in curiosity when he heard Gai reply directed towards him. "Fūinjutsu?! Such a youthful art fūinjutsu is! You must be filled with youth, young Naruto-kun! I should come along too to watch your youthful practice!"

Kakashi was behind Gai who had raced over to stand beside Naruto and was furiously waving his hands in front of him, trying to get Naruto to just say no to the man's request. Naruto, taking note of Kakashi, was about to answer when everyone felt a sudden presence, a terrible and vile pressure that pressed down on all.

Immediately alert, the Jounin and Chuunin looked around, wondering where the pressure was originating from, but snapped their heads around when they heard the soft and sorrow filled voice of Naruto.

"Kaa-chan…."

Both boys knew of Kushina's upcoming pregnancy as well as her status as a jinchūriki so upon hearing this, both older boys knew something must have happened. Gai, being the faster of the two, raced off towards the Hokage Tower where many others would be gathering for information.

Kakashi turned towards Naruto and quickly walked over to him. Placing a hand on his shoulder he said, "Naruto, I'm sure your parents are fine, but right now we need to get you to-" It was here that all hell broke loose in the village because out of nowhere appeared the very figure that was feared by all in the Elemental nations; a Biju and most importantly of all the most powerful of them all, the Kyuubi no Youko (Nine-Tailed Demon Fox).

The great beast, its muscles rippling under the thick orange fur that covered its body stood for a moment before suddenly sending one of its great paws forward, destroying a building to smithereens with just strength alone. Standing atop the wreckage, the Kyuubi surveyed the area around it, nose flaring before its slitted, dark red eyes fell upon the small, blonde haired boy near the ramen shop.

Terrified under the gaze he was receiving, Naruto shivered uncontrollably and his fright increased tenfold when the beast spoke, "You…boy…"

Kakashi moved faster than he had ever done in his entire life. Wrapping Naruto in his arms he began a furious sprint away from the area, away from the menacing nine-tailed beast staring fixatedly in their direction. When the beast began to channel chakra into its mouth, forming a small purple hued ball that seemed to vibrate with power, Kakashi knew he wouldn't escape this and muttered, "Shit," knowing his life was at its end and more importantly the life of the small boy in his arms.

The Kyuubi let loose its condescend ball of chakra, its bijudama (Tailed Beast Bomb), and sent it hurtling towards the pair trying in vain to get away from the attack. Right as it was about to hit with Kakashi thinking his life forfeit, the air seemed to ripple, black markings expanding out from a single point and seemed to literally suck the huge purple bomb until nothing existed but a few wisps of smoke. Off in the distance, everyone heard the huge explosion, its bluish white aura lighting the night sky for a few seconds before slowly fading away back to darkness.

Naruto looked up, his face having been buried in Kakashi's flak jacket, and felt his body stiffen and his eyes go wide for there, standing before them, with his white and red trimmed haori flowing about him stood Namikaze Minato in all his splendid glory. The man looked first at the enraged Kyuubi before turning his head to glance back at his son. One lone tear escaped Minato's fire lit face and what Naruto heard next would deeply haunt him for the rest of his life…

"I'm sorry Naruto…I couldn't keep my promise…" and then giving his son one last, sorrow filled look he turned his gaze back onto the rage filled beast before him. Right as he was about to attack the demon a thick adamantine staff burst into existence and plowed into the side of the Kyuubi, sending it away and crashing into the forest beyond. A split second later the Third Hokage appeared in a flicker accompanied by four of his personal Anbu.

Minato smiled sadly to the older man and spoke up, "I'm glad you could join us. I'll take care of everything now. Please protect the village." With a yellow flash he was gone leaving behind grim faced men. Turning to Kakashi, Hiruzen bellowed out, "Kakashi! Get young Naruto back to his home and keep him safe. That is your mission and you will not fail."

Kakashi saluted his superior smartly and shifting his eyes to his young charge, felt a lump rise in his throat as he saw the scene.

Naruto was on both knees, his arms limply hanging from his side as he stared at the place where his father had been just moments before. The look Minato had given had been permanently imprinted into his brain along with the words associated with it. Two streams of tears cascaded down his face as he shook, sadness filling his soul to the brim and anyone listening would have felt their hearts wrench as they heard the soft, almost inaudible words spoken, "Tou-san…Kaa-chan…"

Kakashi moved over and gently lifted Naruto once again into his arms. From there he jumped atop the rooftops to the boy's home. Kakashi, who had always held the same indifferent and detached look after the loss of his two teammates, who never seemed to show any form of emotion, who always seemed to feel empty inside, now cried. He wept openly as he moved deeper into the village, feeling no shame in doing so; a river of tears flowing down from his exposed eye as he jumped from rooftop to rooftop. Ever since his father had died, ever since his two friends had died during the war, Kakashi had only found solace and love in life from his sensei's family. They were all he had left in this world. His friends were there of course, but for Kakashi, Minato had always been like a father after his own had…passed away. If anything happened to them, he would almost certainly break apart from grief. Sprinting across the rooftops, Kakashi held the Fourth's legacy; a boy that was much a son to the Fourth as a brother for Kakashi and he would be damned if he didn't protect him with his life.

XxX

The great Kyuubi was beyond enraged at the moment. His body was wrapped tightly beneath layer upon layer of glowing metal chains that didn't seem to budge one bit even with all the force he put into trying to break them. Before him stood the two simple humans he had grown to despise over the years. One was dying; lying there with her arms wrapped around the tiny bundle of her daughter. The second was flashing through hand seals so fast that even an accursed Uchiha would not be able to keep up, performing the numerous seals required to perform the Reaper Death Seal.

"Why…why does she have to be sacrificed…for the Tailed Beast balance…for the country…for the village!? And why do you have to sacrifice yourself…for my sake!? What about Naruto!? How will he feel being left behind!?" cried the woman who then immediately began to pant under all the effort.

"To forsake one's country and one's village is the same as forsaking one's own child. You whose birth nation is no more know that all too well. How harsh life is for those without a land to call home…besides which our family…Naruto included…are ninja!

At this Minato paused, letting Kushina think over the words, "Finally…even if I were to live, I'd lose out to you…" and this surprised Kushina, "Even though you won't have much time with her…There are things only you can tell Rina…things that I can't. She would never understand me. That is a mother's role. So I'm not doing this just for you…I'm doing it for Rina and Naruto! I will die for my children. It is my duty as their father."

With that Minato whirled around, facing the Kyuubi head on. With a swipe of its hand, the Death God shot its hand through Minato's soul and in turn his body, the hand shooting forward to grab at the Kyuubi's paw and its very essence beneath. Yelling out, Minato finally completely the ceremony.

"Fūin!" and with this exclamation half of the Kyuubi's very being began to be dragged away from its body, forming a ball of pure chakra before rocketing through the air and straight into the stomach of Minato. Minato stumbled back, the force of the hit forcing him back. After the initial experience was over and Minato's body had snapped back from the chakra roiling inside him, a seal formed upon his stomach.

"My body's going numb…I can't believe how heavy its chakra is…"

Throughout this moment the Kyuubi's body began to shrink in size, becoming half of what it had truly been and it roared out in protest. The chakra chains from Kushina still held it in place, but they appeared to be much looser than before.

"Y-You…! Yondaime Hokage!" the beast roared at the man who had turned his back on it and began to slowly and painfully walk over towards his wife sitting on the ground. "

"All right…Now for the Eight Signed Sealing…To seal the rest of Nine Tails inside Rina…" Dropping to his knees, he pushed his hand to the ground and summoning a small, pillow clad pedestal surrounded on all sides by burning candles, took his daughter from Kushina and laid her down upon the small surface.

"A ritual altar!?" Quickly realizing the Hokage's intent and using all of its strength and with the chains slacking due to Kushina's decreasing health, the Kyuubi struck out, rising high in the air with its paw shooting forward intent on killing the babe then and there so as to stop the ritual from being completed.

Their forms reacting on instinct, both Minato and Kushina diving in front of the impending attack and taking the extended claw for their child. They felt it pierce through both their bodies, barely avoiding hitting Rina as well and instantly began to puke up blood from several of their organs being all but destroyed.

"I said I was their father. Dying for Naruto and Rina is my right."

"I'm their mother…It's my right too…" Kushina replied instantly, panting harshly and trying to draw breath into her lungs. "I guess…this is the end of the line for both of us…"

Minato nodded grabbed her shoulder. Forming a single seal with the other, intent on putting both their chakras into the seal, he finally responded once everything was complete. "Okay. That should do it. Kushina…I am starting…the Eight Signed Sealing now. We won't be able to see her for a while…with the way the seal is set up.

Kushina began to softly weep, thinking that all she could have said would never be.

Sensing this Minato asked, "Do you have enough chakra to...make a clone? If you do, I can make one too…and we can flash them back…to the house where we can…settle our affairs with our children."

"Of course. I always have chakra remember?" and after that weak attempt at humor formed the necessary hand sign and out of the smoke emerged a perfect copy of herself. After Minato had done the same both clones disappeared in a bright flash. They stood there then, trying to give as much advice as they could in that moment to Rina, with her mother speaking most of the time, putting her heart into every word she spoke. Finally, she ended her small speech with a soft…

"Rina…there'll be plenty of hard and painful times ahead. Take care of yourself. Make sure to have dreams…To have the confidence…to make those dreams come true…and remember that Naruto and both of us…are always watching over you!

She then grasped Minato's hand tightly, pouring her own feeling into the grip while sobbing out, "So much! There's so so much! There really…There really is…so much I want...I want to tell you. I want to be with you and Naruto longer! I love you both so much."

Turning to her husband she said guiltily, "I'm sorry...Minato…I talked too much."

"No..It's all right. Rina…my words to you as your father…is ditto to what your loquacious mother said. Love your brother. I know he will always protect you." With those last words Minato finally said, "Eight Signed Sealing!"

With those three words, both Minato and Kushina closed their eyes, feeling the claw impaling their stomachs dissolve into simple chakra before the final half of the Kyuubi's essence flowed into the seal on Rina and with that was gone from sight. Their two bodies fell to the ground, lifeless and still with both their arms pointed towards Rina as if begging to stay with her.

Hiruzen, having been forced to watch from the side due to the barrier set up by Kushina, leaped onto the scene and stood before the three. He stared sadly down at the two prone figures and finally to the crying body of their daughter. Shaking his head, he sighed and bowed deeply towards the two with utmost respect and pride; calling Anbu to take the bodies while he took the babe back to her home and her waiting older brother.

XxX

It was many hours later that Naruto finally awoke. His body and mind had taken a psychological beating and within Kakashi's arms had blacked out from the inner turmoil.

Now the young boy flicked his eyes open and slowly got up, his head lazily looking about and wondering why he was back in his room. Then as if the sleep had been holding the memories at bay even from his dreams, the terrible incident that had occurred returned to Naruto. His vision lost focus and once again he was reliving the moments prior to his mother leaving following quickly by the appearance of his father before him, informing him that he had broken his promise.

Yet again Naruto broke down, tears filling his eyes before rolling down his face and soaking the blanket he held up to it. His chest hurt, his heart feeling as though it was being constricted from within and trying to relieve the pressure he pressed his hands to his chest, his fingers grabbing and tearing at his shirt in his efforts. He was short of breath, his breath coming out ragged. Burying his face into his pillow he screamed his heart out, his spine arching, fists beating at the bed beneath him, muffling his bellows of pain and grief for with the influx of memories came the knowledge that something awful had happened; something to make even his father cry.

After many long minutes of weeping, Naruto finally managed to control himself. It was then he heard quiet talking in the room beyond and wondered if his parents were back, if his dread and fear were all for naught. Jumping out of bed he raced over towards the door and running as fast as he could down the hallway, he slid precariously into the living room.

The two figures inside were not his parent, which saddened Naruto greatly. Leaning back against a nearby wall with his arms crossed was Kakashi, lone eye showing the great sadness he was feeling concerning the news he had just received. The other member of the room, smoking his pipe slowly and sitting on the couch, was the Third Hokage who glanced up as he saw Naruto standing there.

"Oh my dear boy how are you?" the Third Hokage asked, genuinely curious as to how the boy felt after seeing the Kyuubi up close and personal like that. The memory alone was enough to make many people go insane from just the pure terror that the beast could instill.

Naruto ignored the question and gave the previous Hokage an icy yet fearful glare, "Where are Tou-san and Kaa-chan?"

Sighing Hiruzen just rubbed at his eyes, small traces of tears filling in at the corners. "Naruto, there is no easy way to tell you this. Tonight was a hectic time for all of us and within that time there were many heroes who lived and many heroes who gave up their lives. Your parents were part of the second group for in doing so, they knew that they were protecting the village and more importantly you."

There it was. There was the truth he had sought. His parents were…dead. The parents he had loved for six and a half years, the parents that had cared for him, looked after him, the parents that had loved him possibly even more than he them, were dead. He couldn't take it. He couldn't take or accept the thought that his parents would no longer wish him good luck at the Academy in the mornings, would no longer help him with his mediocre skills in fūinjutsu, would no longer be here with him. Who would love him now? Who would he love now? He just couldn't take it.

The boy broke down then and Kakashi immediately moved to Naruto's side, crouching to one knee and guiding the blonde's face gently into his flak jacket. The man wasn't very skilled in consoling people and had dealt with personal issues stoically alone rather than get help from others. Still he tried.

"It's all right Naruto. Don't be ashamed to cry. It's all right to feel sad right now and I completely understand, trust me. The loss of one's parents or any loved one is hard, but let me ask you this. Would your mother and father really want you to be crying over them?" And he waited for a small shake of the boy's head before continuing. "No they wouldn't. They'd want you to put a smile on your face and grow up big and strong just like your father and as kind as your mother. You know that."

Kakashi held the boy close, gently rocking him for several minutes, the only sound in the room being the sound of weeping. Hiruzen looked down sadly at the boy, someone he had come to look at as a grandson of sorts. This was a terrible loss for the now poor orphan for the pain of losing one parent was great, but the pain of losing both at the exact same time was excruciating. He would know. He had experienced the same in the first great war when his parents had been sent out on a scouting mission and had never returned; later to be informed of their ultimate demise at the hands of Kumo shinobi.

After several long minutes Naruto seemed to have calmed down enough, the sound of his crying diminishing into soft whimpers. Realizing that the boy needed something in his life, something to hold onto Kakashi carefully removed Naruto's head from his jacket until he was staring down into the boy's face.

His nose was dripping, his cheek were red, but most of all those oh so expressive eyes, the same eyes as his father, showed the pain, showed the insurmountable sorrow he was dealing with and would continue to deal with for quite some time to come.

"Naruto…" Kakashi started gaining the boy's attention. "I need to show you something. Are you up for it?"

The blonde blinked at that, his overloaded mind barely comprehending the words. Finally after the words had sunk in Naruto nodded.

Seeing this Kakashi rose slowly, taking Naruto's hand in his own. From there all three: Kakashi, Naruto, and Hiruzen moved down the small hallway and stopped just short of the guest room at the end of it. Placing a finger to his lips Kakashi bid Naruto to be silent before he quietly opened the door, moving in with Naruto and Hiruzen trailing behind the masked man.

The room was dark, bare besides a bed, closet, and what appeared to be a crib set in the far right corner. It was here Kakashi guided the boy, placing a hand on his back and pushing him towards the crib. When Naruto had gotten close enough, his height barely giving him enough to see over the edge, he suddenly gasped at what he saw. There before him, wrapped in a small blanket with her eyes closed but a contented smile adorning her lips, was a small baby quietly sleeping.

Glancing sharply up at Kakashi the man responded to the silent question.

"She's your sister Naruto. Her name is Uzumaki Namikaze Rina."

"She looks just like Kaa-chan…she has the red hair too," Naruto said, somewhat in a daze and seeming to just be rambling to himself. Needing to get a better look, wanting to get a better look, he carefully pulled himself up so that he was leaning over Rina, staring down at her with his big blue eyes.

"She's…" He couldn't take it. Seeing his sister there while their parents had died leaving them orphans made him just break down anew and without meaning to the tears began to fall from his face onto Rina. Naruto's breath hitched as he saw this and his brotherly instincts took over for the time being. Drawing back and hopping back down onto the floor, hoping he had not woken up the babe, he wiped his face and turned to the two figures who were simply watching him at this point.

Knowing the boy would have questions Hiruzen smartly guided them out of the room, noiselessly shutting the door except for the barest of 'clicks'. Turning back to Naruto he waited for the questions to come to which they did only moments after leaving the room, the words coming out hushed and with an undertone of concern.

"What do I do?"

"Don't worry Naruto-kun. I will send someone over who will watch over her. But there are a few more things you have to know before we go. Naruto…where do you think the Kyuubi went?" asked the Hokage, giving the boy a hard and calculating gaze, wanting to know his answer and see how he reacted with the next bit of news he must impart.

"Didn't Tou-san kill it? That's why it isn't here anymore?" Naruto questionably asked the two, the Hokage more specifically.

"No Naruto, your father did not kill the demon. There is just no possible way to actually destroy a demon. I know you're starting to learn about chakra so I will just say simply it is a being made up entirely of chakra. One cannot kill something that technically is not living. No...the only way to get rid of a demon is to seal it somewhere where it won't hurt people."

"And where did Tou-san seal it?" Naruto curiously asked, wanting to know what could possibly hold a demon.

"I'm sorry Naruto. Your father decided the only true place to seal the Kyuubi was within your sister. Since he didn't feel comfortable stealing someone else's child and you knowing how he is, you can understand why he would give up his own child for this. But he did leave express wishes for her to be treated as a hero for the sacrifice. I will try my best to make sure his wishes come true."

Naruto was stunned speechless, but the shock of it all quickly passed and in its place remained the totally serious demeanor that marked the protective instincts of an older brother, "And she is not the demon?"

"Good heavens no!" Hiruzen hastily responded, not wanting him to get any ideas. "She has it stored in a seal inside of her, but she is definitely not the demon. This is your sister, your one and only sister. This raises another point I have to make. The other villagers might not see her as such and only see the demon so there may be attempts on her life. I will keep a squad of my men here 24/7 around your house so that she is given the protection needed. I will not allow her to come to harm."

"Neither will I. She is my little sister and I will protect her no matter what," replied Naruto firmly and without hesitance, the set of his jaws and the flash of his eyes showing his conviction.

Clapping him on the shoulder with pride Hiruzen smiled down at the blonde, "That's the spirit. And if you want to protect her even better you should focus on your school work and growing up to be a fine young ninja. But remember this and remember this well." Hiruzen's voice lowered significantly. "No matter how strong you are there are always those out there that are stronger still so know that there is never a complete guarantee that even at your best it is enough. Train with the thought of always needing to improve. Never let your best truly be your best. Always train like that for, with someone to protect, anyone no matter the situation can grow stronger because of it. There's nothing you can't accomplish if you do.

It was after this that all decided to get some rest and both giving the boy a hug, Kakashi and Hiruzen quickly departed the house leaving behind two new orphans: young boy and his newly born baby sister.

XxX

It had only been a week since the Kyuubi attack and already life was very different for Naruto. The very first day after that terrible night the house was plagued with attacks on an almost hourly rate, people demanding for the death of the demon child, and only with the help of the family's Anbu guard was Rina not hurt in all of this. While all of this was going on Naruto had had to deal with one attempted murder by the woman sent to take care of the family. Naruto had discovered her with a small knife concealed under a blanket and quickly called on Anbu to stop the situation before it had even started.

All the property and belongings of the now deceased parents had gone to Naruto and his sister. Going through all the rooms, Naruto had then discovered two envelopes neatly beside one another on his parents' bed. Upon reading his father's letter he had begun to cry, and upon the second from his mother he had broken down in both happiness and sorrow.

Dear Naruto,

If you are reading this then I did not survive the fight against the Kyuubi as I thought. I managed to use the last bit of my chakra to form a clone to write this letter so please pay attention to what I have to say. I sit here writing, thinking about your beautiful mother clutching our angelic daughter and your sister and know that I would happily give my life for them. It is the job of a father to protect his family and if he has to make the ultimate sacrifice for them, he would gladly do so. Under the circumstances I have done just that and my only regret is leaving you behind without your parents. Know that, I am extremely sorry that I had to leave you in such a way, but remember that family and friends are everything. Do not go through life fearing, but be brave and strive to protect those you love and cherish. I know life will be hard for you right now, but you have to be a strong man and fight through it all. I know you can. I believe in you.

Now with what I am doing, I will be leaving your sister holding a great burden on her shoulders. Please tell her that I love and loved her with all my breaking heart as I write this letter. If there were any other way to rid us of the Kyuubi I would have gladly done so. Since there is not, I have to simply ask this. How could I sacrifice someone else's child when I cannot do so with my own? It would be barbaric for me to do so and I cannot stand that so I sealed the Kyuubi within her believing that, after looking after you for these six long years, she would be able to handle it herself and with you to help I'm sure she will. Both you and her mean the world to me and I could not live with myself if something bad were to happen to the both of you. That is why I warn you now…

The night of the Kyuubi attack…was no coincidence. There was a man within the shadows of it all, but do not go telling this to anyone besides the current Hokage. He had on a mask with an orange spiral and surprising of all he had the Sharingan within the lone eyehold on the mask. I know it may sound preposterous and confusing to you, but tell the Hokage that I believe the masked man behind summoning the Kyuubi into our village was none other than Uchiha Madara. Be wary in the future for he might come to strike again and regain position of the Kyuubi putting Rina in grave danger. That is why you must practice hard and become the best ninja you can possibly be. I believe in you as I always have and believe you will rise to the occasion and protect your sister. There is so much more I wish to tell you Naruto…about how proud I am to be your father…about how you mean so much to me…but I'm running out of chakra and can't write it all down. Grow up big and strong. Your mother and I will be watching over both you and Rina for so long as you may live and will gladly open our arms out to you when you come to us so that we can once again be a family. I love you, Naruto, and I will love you always.

P.S. Attached to this letter is another I wrote for Rina so please give it to her when the time is right. Also, there is a book on the bookshelf labeled 'The Tales of the Utterly Gutsy Ninja' It has instructions within that will lead the way to our secret room. Use it well.

With a Loving and Broken Heart,

Your Father Namikaze Minato,

Yondaime Hokage no Konohagakure no Sato.

Batting at his eyes, trying to halt the flow of tears threatening to overwhelm him, Naruto then moved to the letter written by his mother.

Naru-chan,

I so wish I did not have to write this letter. As your father, I managed to scrounge up enough chakra to make a clone to write this, but a clone can still cry and I'm doing so every moment I write this letter to you. Naruto, I love you so much! I wish I could be there with you two as you grow up to become adults. I wish I could be there to help you get dressed for your first date or make you a cake to celebrate you becoming a ninja. I wish I could be there for you to see you get married and watch over all the grandchildren you would give me. I wish for so much and yet cannot have any of this. Know that if there were a way, I would happily give anything to be with you and Rina again. I love you both so much my heart hurts just thinking about it.

With the time I have left here are a few things I have to say to you my dear little Naru-chan. Don't be a picky eater. I know you love ramen, but that sort of food won't let you grow up properly and could even stunt your growth with the lack of nutrition so try to eat more healthily. Make sure you bathe every day and stay warm. Don't stay up too late so that you can get plenty of sleep. I also want to hear about all of your friends you make in your life when we see each other again some day. You don't need a lot; just a few that you can really trust. Make sure you study hard and when studying to be a ninja, don't focus on one type of art, but try and learn as much as you can from all of them. Your Mom was bad at this, but I know you actually like learning so I have hopes for you unlike me. No matter what happens in the coming years and with our deaths, please don't get depressed okay? We know you are sad right now, but we never want to see you like that. Be a big boy, put a smile on your face, and remember all the good times we shared together. You have to be strong for Rina and you don't want her to see you sad do you? Respect everyone around you and make sure not to become arrogant because that is something that can lead you down the wrong paths in life.

Regarding the Three Prohibitions, please don't take after your perverted godfather. Be extra careful about loaning and borrowing money. Make sure you save money from every mission and don't start drinking until you're twenty-one. Make sure to drink in moderation when you do because too much drinking is bad for your body.

Most of all though, even though I'm a girl and don't really know much about this, at some point you'll notice girls and that's completely normal. Just be careful that you don't fall for the first girl that comes your way because she might not always be the one. Find someone like me who would love you with all her heart and give up everything just to be with you. If she is able to do that, you know you found the one for you.

Naru-chan. Just like I will tell Rina, there will be many challenges ahead of you and many will not be pleasant to go through. I have to inform you that those with a demon sealed within them are known as jinchuriki also known as Power of Human Sacrifice. They hold the demon inside in check and make sure they do not get out. I was one of these people and even if I had survived the Kyuubi attack, I would have died due to one important fact. All jinchuriki die when the demon inside of them is removed. It is just a cold, hard fact so make sure you watch over Rina. As someone who was like Rina now, I know the difficulties of growing up with such a heavy burden on my shoulders. She will need someone there for her to protect her so please be there for her. If she needs a shoulder to cry on, be that shoulder. If she needs a hug, offer that hug. I know you will look after her and love her just as much as we would. I so very much love you Naru-chan and I can't even describe it into words. Fight through everything and come out strong just like your mother and father. And remember this…you are never alone. We will always be in your heart no matter what. We both love you with all our hearts Naru-chan. We will wait for you…but make sure you don't come too early.

P.S. I'm sure your father is giving you the instruction in order to get to our secret room. In there is a scroll that contains instructions on how to perform the Uzumaki Chakra Chains. Only those with a special type of blood are able to use this technique and I believe you are one of these special people like I was You're my son after all. I hope it helps you in the future. There is a letter beside this one for Rina when the time is right so please give it to her Naru-chan.

With tears in her eyes and her heart full of love,

Your mother Uzumaki Namikaze Kushina,

A loving parent that will never be able to express how much her children mean to her

At this, feeling the emotions rolling from the letter, Naruto curled up into a tight ball at the front of his parents' bed and cried his eyes out; ridding himself of every sad and sorrow filled emotion associated with the loss of his parents. After purging his body slowly of the negative emotions, Naruto read over both letters twice more before laying them down.

With his eyes hardening, the resolve clear behind those strikingly blue eyes, Naruto stood up, his eyes and cheeks still red from his weeping, but no more tears escaped him. He would do as his parents asked himand would become stronger; stronger to protect those that he cared about especially Rina.

Remembering what both father and mother had told him, Naruto made his way over to the bookshelf and removing the indicated book flipped it open. There folded into a neat bundle sat a folded up piece of paper. Unfolding it, Naruto read through the instructions on how to reach the secret room hidden in the small library of their house and what to do in order to access it.

Stalking to the library, Naruto moved over to what seemed like a blank wall, the surface smooth and unblemished. As instructed he nipped his thumb and trailing a streak of blood across the wall, watched in fascination as the blood seeped into the wall. Moment later a single black dot emerged and from there visible seal markings began to swirl and grow from it, glowing and expanded outwards from that single point, ultimately forming a pitch black door like hole in the wall. His father had said in his instructions that only those with the blood of the Namikaze line would be able to access the room since the seal was synced with the very DNA in his blood.

Without hesitation Naruto walked through the inky blackness, feeling almost weightless in the space. After a few moments of floating Naruto felt his feet hit solid ground. Blinking away the fuzziness, he turned his head this way and that, seeing candles lit and giving off soft glows of light to illuminate the large room. On one wall completely covered with a bookshelf that stretched from corner to corner, Naruto saw books. Each shelf was packed to the very brink with some areas having books squeezed in wherever possible, the paper in some indicating the many years they had endured.

Sharply glancing to the next wall, Naruto saw a large, polished wooden desk with various scrolls and even more books covering its surface. This was where both his parents went to in order to work on seal ideas that they thought up he guessed. Later Naruto would find there a scroll that told him the step-by-step procedure to making his own, unique alter dimensional room for himself.

Turning to the next wall, Naruto gasped aloud at the sight of numerous weapons including his father's infamous Thunder God kunai lining the wall. The entire wall was filled with pegs holding this weapon and that weapon and Naruto saw too among these was his mother's personal sword. Moving over to it, he gingerly drew the sword. Removing it from its sheath he admired the fine craftsmanship that must have gone into producing such a fine blade.

After placing the weapon back onto its rightful pegs Naruto then turned to the last side of the large room. What met his gaze were two glass-covered cases, each holding a few tightly rolled up scrolls. Upon further examination, Naruto could read that one read Uzumaki while the other read Namikaze. Moving first to the Uzumaki case, Naruto discovered the Adamantine Sealing Chains scroll as he had been told in addition to the scrolls of their clan's fighting technique as well as everything he would need to know in the art of kenjutsu; the other thing besides sealing and longevity the Uzumakis were famous for.

Shifting to the next case, Naruto gasped again. There in the scroll he was holding was the complete and well detailed process on how to go about performing his father's infamous time-space jutsu; the Flying Thunder God Technique. Tightly rolling that scroll up knowing he would definitely come back to it Naruto then read over the scroll containing the process on how to make the Fourth's creation; the Rasengan. After that, as before, he was given a scroll containing the much faster fighting style of the Namikaze clan.

Ending his tour of the place he knew he would definitely be coming back here not only for himself but also as a place to keep Rina safe in case of danger since the room was virtually indestructible according to his father. Turning about on his heels, without even a single glance back, Naruto left the room to face his new life, ready to take on whatever it had to throw at him.

XxX

Naruto now had a new purpose in life. Every day he would go to the Academy and learn what he didn't already know with clear attentiveness before racing home to his sister. When not being able to attend to her, Rina was now being watched over by a family friend, Uchiha Mikoto, who upon each visit brought along her young son, Sasuke, who bubbled over in laughter whenever he saw Naruto.

After spending time with Rina and performing the Kage Bunshin no jutsu he had recently learned from one of the largest scrolls in the room labeled the Scroll of Seals, he would watch over his sister with a clone while he moved off to the secret room to study. The entire room was chocked full of books containing information on the art fūinjutsu he had just started prior to the Kyuubi attack as well as countless other subjects.

Spending three hours in there, busily reading over the dusty manuals and numerous scrolls and books, he would then head outside the house and perform the various katas of his parents' fighting techniques, wanting to learn them both in order to pay respect to his fallen heroes and parents. After this for the last two hours until nightfall he would practice his katana and throwing skills and aided by both the kenjutsu scroll as well as the occasional interference courtesy from one of the Anbu set to watching over his family, Naruto began to grow in his skills with weapons. He had refrained from using the his father's special kunai for the time being and instead stuck with his mother sword. The sword was a thing of beauty and was how his mother had gained the name of Red Hot-Blooded Habanero in conjunction with her dark, red hair flowing out behind her as she entered the battlefield.

Washing up after his intense day, Naruto would then spend his free time cooking dinner for Rina and himself, playing with her for a time after before sending her off to bed. When she had grown older, she would always pouted at this and always managed to convince him to let her sleep with him in the master bedroom, which he had taken over after his parents had passed away. How could he say no when she gave him that adorable and heart melting puppy dog look? He could never say no to her.

This schedule continued on for many years and Naruto easily graduated the Academy at the age of eleven nearly twelve and then six months later passed the Chuunin Exams held in Sunagakure (Village Hidden in the Sand) with his team and was the only one among them to be promoted to the rank of Chuunin for that first run. He had desperately wanted to continue working with them, but his newest responsibilities as a Chuunin didn't offer him much time. This rankled Naruto even more because he craved more time to spend with his sister who was growing up so fast. He knew she could take care of herself for the most part now, but he still worried. There had been the awful night to which Naruto had taken his first kill…

-Three Years Prior-

Naruto was walking back in from a longer than usual workout outside, his mother's katana now firmly strapped to his back so as to give him maximum movement. Readying the stove and hoping Rina wouldn't be mad at him for starting dinner so late, he almost didn't notice the lack of the usual "Nii-san!" that he often heard from his little sister.

Finally noting the absence, Naruto turned around and began looking about for her in case she might be starting another one of her hide and pounce games with him. Placing his sword on a nearby table, he moved from room to room, peering in before moving on after not finding her. Finally upon reaching her door at the end of the hallway, Naruto opened it and was stunned to what he found.

Lying on her bed with her feet being bound together so as to force her to remain still a large figure loomed over the bed. His appearance was like that of every other Anbu member Naruto had ever seen except that on the right shoulder that held the usual marking for Anbu, this one had a different marking that reading the word Ne.

The figure seemed to notice the entrance of the boy and spinning around, launched four kunai in Naruto's direction. Reacting quickly, Naruto rolled to the side, the door taking the hits and splintering on contact with the sharp weaponry.

Rising from his position, he launched himself at the masked figure wanting desperately to get the person away from Rina. All he got was a kick in the face for his efforts and he crashed into the side of the opposite wall with a loud 'crunch', some furniture being destroyed as it had been in his way. Picking up one of these broken pieces, Naruto flung it at the person watching it sail right passed him without harm.

Giving a malevolent snarl at the figure and forcing the pain down, Naruto once again moved to his feet and jumping forward, lifted his right fist up high and aimed for the mask covering the figure's face. Yet again he was stopped and blown away, but in the same process, the man took a step back to prepare himself for the impending attack. This happened over and over again, the figure stepping back a step and Naruto being sent flying away. However, no matter how painful this was, it was not nearly as painful as the thought of losing his sister.

Enraged by this thought and not wanting to fail his parents, Naruto raced forward one last time, his eyes only seeing red in his maddened and slightly crazed state and with his movements quickened by stone cold fury and desperation, he managed to score a devastating shove to the figure's chest. This was not what had made Naruto give a grim smile. No, it was the fact that with that push backwards he had sent the figure's body straight back into the pointed tip of the broken piece of a desk leg that Naruto had thrown close to the beginning of the battle, the leg impaled in the wall.

He watched grimly as a thin trickle of blood escaped down the figure's front, coating the black clothing red even though the blood was so dark one could barely see it staining the clothing. The sharp leg had pierced the figure's heart and had instantly killed the intruder.

Naruto slumped over, exhaustion finally creeping into his body after the high caused by the adrenaline coursing through his veins had died down. Weakly, he opened one bruised over eye and stared at the now dead, masked person. Realizing what he had done, how he had just killed a human being, Naruto felt like he was going to vomit, but quickly rationalized the whole thing out telling himself that if he had not, Rina and himself might have died this very night or worse.

Still feeling uneasy about the whole thing Naruto rose slowly from his position and limping, made his way over to Rina's tied up form. Her eyes were wide and tear stained, but once Naruto managed to untie the bindings, she leaped into his arms, her own wrapped tightly around his body so tightly that she seemed never to want to let him go.

"Nii-san! I was so scared!" she cried into his shoulder. Remembering his mother's words faintly, he let her do so, knowing perfectly well that if his mother hadn't told him that he would have done so anyways. Lying there together, they took comfort in each other's presence and slowly relaxed with it.

Realizing that she was now calm, Naruto then ran with Rina in hand to the Hokage Tower where he informed Hiruzen of everything that had transpired. Needless to say the Hokage was furious and ordered an immediate investigation. After being informed that the team watching the house had been found dead, their bodies left in some nearby bushes, the Hokage then asked if Naruto remembered anything about his attacker whose body had not been found at the scene of the crime. Upon being informed of the Ne sign he had seen, Hiruzen growled something out under his breath before telling Naruto that he and his sister would stay in his home for the time being until all of this had been sorted out.

Bowing in thanks for his kindness, the two made their way home to pack up a few belongings and clothes. Once done, they left and with the Hokage guiding them, made their way to his home where they settled in, waiting for two long weeks before they were allowed to return to their home.

XxX

After that night Naruto had worried for his sister on a daily basis, knowing the way the villagers spoke about her and even him on occasion, calling him the brother of that demon child. Many didn't know how to feel on the situation. For one, both children were that of both Uzumaki Kushina and their late Yondaime Hokage, Namikaze Minato, but as well one of them held the demon that had attacked and killed so many of their loved ones. Some decided to look at their family passed the demon, but many others didn't and cursed the entire family believing it had been corrupted by the demon. It was at the tender age of twelve almost thirteen that Naruto finally thanked Kami that he had gone over every facet of Konoha's legal system. And of course all thanks were to be given to his clones.

-Six Months Later-

As the only current, eligible person to take the mantle of Uzumaki and Namikaze within Konoha, Naruto had found himself one day in the grand Council room doing his duty as the head of both clans.

Many didn't think much of him, thinking he was the brother of the demon or he was just some snot nosed upstart that didn't know one end of a kunai to the other. Of course these many comments usually came from the civilian side of the Council as well as an occasional remark from one of the aging Elders. The shinobi side had great respect for the boy, both as the son of the their former Yondaime Hokage as well as personally for his own skills. He was shaping up to being one of the best Chuunin they had within the village and there were even talks of a Jounin promotion after having only become a Chuunin six months prior. All he seemed to need was experience and he received plenty with the many missions he had led over that six-month period.

Naruto of course didn't really care much for his rank personally and simply did what had to be done in order to strengthen himself and protect his sister. It had even gotten to the point where Naruto barely saw anyone but Rina except for the occasional visit by the Hokage, Uchiha Mikoto who seemed to want to help her best friend's children as much as she possibly could, as well as Kakashi who tried to stay in touch, but was always busy with Anbu.

Sitting there, Naruto just listened to the usual chatter about the demon doing this and the demon doing that and only did his anger flare up when he heard mention that she should die for just being born into this world. At this Naruto's anger became palpable and his chakra flared out to match his mood, creating a killing intent that could rival that of a low level Jounin, pressing down on all of them before finally lessening the effect as soon as he heard the first fake and pleading apology coming from them.

The Anbu set to guarding the room had immediately responded to the spike in chakra, but noting it was only Naruto quietly slunk back to their original positions. The shinobi side merely smiled over at the boy that looked at them, all realizing what he was going through. None of the clan heads, while losing many from their clan in the Kyuubi attack, faulted Rina for any of it and did not see her as the demon many mistook her to be. They all reasonably saw a scared girl who was being accused of something she had had no control over since she had been just a babe at the time. Naruto greatly appreciated this and often voiced his thanks in hushed whispers; given shakes of the head in return telling him it was no matter. Even the ever-stern Hyuuga Hiashi, clan head of the Hyuuga clan, had grown a soft spot for the girl and his daughter had quickly become attached to her, almost seeing her as a sister of sorts.

When the Hokage had entered and everyone had risen in respect for the older man, the Council meeting was started. Yagado Kisu, a large and bulky businessman who had control over many of the stores in Konoha, raised his voice to start it off, "Hokage-sama, we are here to today to discuss the enrollment of the… girl earlier this week. We do not believe she should be allowed to be entered and most importantly should stay home so that she does not corrupt anyone else around her.

Hiruzen had been about to defend the girl personally, but when a large killing intent coming from his right caught his attention he sighed and sat back, inwardly smiling at the fact that Naruto's intent was progressing well to the point where he too could feel the effect on him to a lesser degree.

"Councilman Yagado, pray tell what do you mean by your comment concerning the corruption done by Uzumaki Namikaze Rina? I must not have heard you correctly since you seem to have been implying that she has corrupted those around her. Might I ask why you think she is able to corrupt people? Is there a reason you think such? Do tell." During this whole process Naruto had yet to relinquish his killing intent and some were feeling the effects. Worst off was the questioned man who was barely breathing under the glare and pressure directed towards him. When he finally realized he would receive no answer because of the intent he was giving off, Naruto took deep breaths to calm himself and the feeling went away, many thanking their lucky stars that it did or else they wouldn't have lasted much longer.

Yagado Kisu for his part gulped at the questions given to him and knowing he could not actually speak of the Kyuubi under the Third Hokage's Law, stuttered out his response. "We of the civilian council believe that the girl would be a bad influence on the easily malleable and manipulated children around her…" at this he received a short burst of intent that silently informed him to tread lightly, "I mean we just don't believe she would be a good influence on everyone is all. We just worry about our children's safety. We can't be faulted for that."

Hiruzen knew better than to interrupt the current conversation and merely let it unfold. "I see. So you think she is a bad influence then? You worry about your children's safety? That is perfectly understandable, Councilman Kisu, and I can completely relate to your situation." Through all of this Naruto spoke with a leveled, icy tone, his eyes shifting to dark cerulean so that his eyes matched his tone. "Hyuuga-san, might I ask if you believe my younger sister, Rina, is considered a bad influence on your daughter and clan heir, Hyuuga Hinata?"

Hiashi smiled back at the boy for a moment before turning hardened, pale eyes towards Kisu, "No I do not Namikaze-san. I believe that she has been a very good influence on Hinata and now they treat each other, from what I can see, as sisters." With that said, he slowly closed his eyes, once again assuming his quiet and controlled stance he usually took in such meetings.

Kisu who had been mostly embarrassment throughout this entire conversation raised his voice, completely forgetting where he was or whom he was speaking with, "That's because it's using Lady Hinata like some puppet. Trying to get close so that she can-" and he was immediately stopped by Utatane Koharu, one of the three Elders and advisors for the Hokage.

"What I think Councilman Kisu is trying to say is that he is just concerned with the safety of your daughter and hopes you are keeping tabs on her to just be sure of the situation. We wouldn't anything further disastrous happening to your daughter, Hyuuga-san." She had intervened at a very crucial point for if Kisu had insulted the Hyuuga clan in such a way then the entire clan would be out for blood and a possible upheaval could occur.

Hiashi had opened his eyes once more and was staring harshly over at Kisu, his eyes activated into his family's famous Byakugan with bulging veins formed around his pale eyes. At the remark given by Koharu his attention snapped to her when she implied the situation concerning his late brother and the attempted kidnapping of his own daughter for their bloodline, the Byakugan. He stared at her long and hard before nodding his head, "I have been watching her and will put all my confidence within the young girl. I trust her and trust her in the company of my daughters."

Knowing they should move away from such a dangerous waters or risk further complications Hiruzen then spoke, "Are there any more potential reasons to keep young Rina-chan out of the Academy?"

One of the other Elders, a man by the name of Danzo who's right half of his body was completely bandaged over, spoke up, "Yes Hiruzen. I believe I have something to add…"

Naruto had never liked this man although he didn't have any real reason to do so besides feeling weary around the old man. When he heard how he had addressed the Hokage, Naruto voice cut through the room while staring straight into Danzo's visible eye, "That is Hokage-sama to you, Elder Danzo. You will give the Hokage his proper respect and title that he has rightfully earned. Do not show such blatant disrespect in my presence again, Danzo-san," and Naruto said his name in an almost challenging tone of voice.

Clearing his throat to try and fend of any possible confrontation or argument between the two Hiruzen spoke up, "Yes Danzo? What would you like to add?"

"Hokage-sama…" and his eye flicked to Naruto for the briefest of moments before moving back to the Hokage, "I believe that the girl would best serve under me as an apprentice. Under me she could learn how to control her powers that will begin to slowly emerge if what he have been told by the one that examined the seal is to go by. It is all for the good of the village and I would take full responsibility of the girl."

Every shinobi instantly picked up on what he was aiming for, trying to gain full custody of the girl, but it was Naruto that spoke up.

"I am sorry Danzo-san, but I can;t allow that. As I am a ninja and therefore considered a legal adult, I am entitled to watch over my sister as her legal guardian. She does not need another. As her guardian, I am the only one that can legally tell her what to do since she is not a ninja and is not thought of as a threat," and here Naruto gave everyone a hard look as if to dare them to refute his claim. "As well, I do not trust…" and he emphasized that word in particular, "you enough to hand over my sister to you. She is a valuable member of my joint family and as such might have potentially dangerous information that I can't in good conscious allow to be let out to the general public such as her current status was when the higher-ups, you three Elders among those present, were strictly told to keep tight-lipped about the truth of her condition. Then a day later the first attack occurred at our home by one drunk man screaming at the top of his lungs that he was going to kill the 'demon' once and for all. From then on more and more people began to show up uninvited to our home with information that they should not have known. This is why I will not willingly hand over my sister to you, Danzo-san. Do not take it as an insult, but merely words from an overprotective and weary older brother."

The shinobi side and even the Hokage to a lesser extent smirked at the way Naruto had tactfully handled the situation. He had insulted the man, accused him or the other Elders of leaking the information, had informed all that they had no control or authority over Rina, and had said it all while keeping cool and levelheaded in the current situation.

Danzo remained silent after this and seeing this the Hokage went on, "Very well. Danzo will not teach young Rina-chan. She will attend the Academy until she reaches the age to attempt the Genin Exam and if passed, will move onto to become a Genin of the Leaf."

At this there were many outraged cries, comments such as "don't let the thing near out children" or "she should be controlled and not allowed to walk freely" were among the many shouted out by the civilian representatives.

It was during all this that Naruto was growing angrier by the comment, but only the thoughts of keeping his cool kept him from exploding at the civilians. They would take that as a clear sign that he was unable to manage his role as a legal guardian due to being unable to control his temper and would use that opportunity to strip him of that role to do who knew what to her.

"That girl that you are all referring to is not a thing. She is Uzumaki Namikaze Rin, sister of Chuunin ranked Uzumaki Namikaze Naruto. She is the daughter of the late Uzumaki-Namikaze Kushina and her husband, our late Yondaime Hokage, Namikaze Minato. She is a young human girl who has feelings and should be treated as such. I implore you to keep that in mind, civilians, or else there will be hell to pay." Naruto had seen the obvious reaction at being insulted by being labeled as simple civilians, but all had bitten back angry retorts knowing that Naruto never went back on his word and suffice to say would carry out his threat if need be.

"Is that a threat?" asked the last of the three Elders, one that went by the name of Mitokado Homura. He was as old as his two companions but seemed the more lenient of the three.

"It was a simple fact. I am sure you all know how protective I can be for my loved ones. Suffice it say that if anything was to happen to her, I would find her if taken and wreak havoc on those that would dare insult my family. After that I would take both her as well as the techniques such as the Thunder God and Rasengan and travel far away from this village. I really doubt you want to risk losing two valuable things such as those as well as the last members of the Uzumaki and Namikaze clans. So as I said before, it not a threat, but a simple fact Elder Mitikado."

The older man seemed to consider this for a moment, his eyes staring at the young boy in intrigue for a few moments before nodding his head. The young clan head fascinated him for, even though he was vastly intelligent, strong willed, and powerful in his right, he was still quite very young. Homura had always had a liking for his mother, Kushina, for she too had possessed those same qualities when she had come to the village as a refugee of sorts and this respect had now passed down onto her son. "Very well. I think we all see what you are saying, Uzumaki-san. Thank you for elaborating."

Hiruzen quickly put in his two cents before the meeting would be adjourned, "I don't think that will be necessary Naruto. Rina-chan will be treated with respect that she is due as is any other child her age. We all greatly respect your clans and nothing bad will come to them I can assure you of that. Now then, I think we are finished here for the time being. Naruto, I will like to see you in my office to talk about the upcoming Jounin Exam. Thank you everyone and be safe."

XxX

It was safe to say that Naruto had kept a tight watch on his sister from then on when he could and begged both the Anbu and Mikoto do so when he could not which they gladly did since the new Anbu team as the one prior had taken a liking to Rina's sweet and kind personality, the new young purple-haired swordsman looking Anbu taking an obvious shine. And so Naruto went about life, watching his sister closely and after a month of waiting for the Jounin Exam to start, passed that with flying colors and took up the position of Jounin Uzumaki Namikaze Naruto no Konohagakure.

XxX

A small orphan cries

Death's Doors in his parents' eyes.

And all he has left is his sister.

He needs to grow strong.

He doesn't have long.

To protect the life of his sister.

Will he take up the challenge?

Will he draw in the knowledge?

To make sure he can keep harm from his sister.

For if he cannot.

It all matters not.

His sister will not have long after.