!!EDIT!!

IF YOU WANT TO GET STRAIGHT TO THE PART WITH NARUTO IN IT, PLEASE SKIP AHEAD TO CHAPTER 8: THE END OF THE BEGINNING. THAT IS THE FIRST CHAPTER WITH BOTH THIRTEEEN YEAR OLD NARUTO AND HINATA IN IT. OTHERWISE, IF YOU WANT TO KNOW KUSHINA'S HISTORY (THAT IS HIS MOTHER), PLEASE SIT BACK AND ENJOY THE STORY! (Her story is any chapter that has the word prolouge in it's name.)

This was a challenge from fellow author VFSNAKE. This story will take a long time as will my other ones, so don't be a ditherspaz if I don't update this or any of my 2 other stories because having 3 stories at one time, try to or writing each chapter to be nice and long is kinda hard, don't cha think? So now, sit back and enjoy the first part of the challenge, The Secret of Whirlpool Country!

Disclaimer; I don't own Naruto or anything relating except my OCs and what happens, though what happens kinda belongs to VFSNAKE. ;)

Chapter 1: Preparations

Uzumaki Tsuzei slammed his old withered fist down on the table. "I will not put our only grandchild in such danger! How could you even suggest such a thing Shisuse?"

Shisuse gave her husband a hard look. "Do you want the Uzumaki Clan to die? We are small, but do you remember our heritage? We are the ones skilled with the sword, the fury of water, and the descendants of Beowulf! Do you know what that will mean when he comes here to destroy us? To wipe us out? If Kushina goes to Konoha, then our blood will survive if we don't! That's reason enough to send her. Besides, the Third Hokage has already agreed to take her in and has arranged an ANBU escort." She folded her arms and leaned back. "She must be ready at all times."

The Uzumaki clan meeting was in a heated debate over their future. To date, Kushina was the only child fit to go anywhere and start over their whole life. For that reason, she was picked to leave for Konoha in a moments notice when a young but still strong Pain came looking for power to help avenge and protect his friends and family. The Uzumakis, famous for their unbeatable swordsmanship, was ideal for power hunters, for if they learned and became masters of it, they would be practically invincible on the battlefield with sword in hand. It seemed that Pain was moving towards them every passing day, as news and locations of various battles involving him came closer and closer.

Tsuzei sighed. "Alright I give in, but one question: Why Konoha? There are plenty of other locations to send Kushina to."

Myuri, another elder explained to him. "Tsuzei, Konoha is perfect. One, because it is the strongest village there is. Two, because there are thousands of children in it and it would be impossible to find much less tell which one was Kushina. Three, there are many boys in Konoha that will grow up to be strong suitable husbands and fathers to her children. Does that satisfy you?"

The clan head nodded reluctantly. "I guess."

"Right then. So is this meeting dismissed?" asked Shisuse.

Kushina's door slid open. "Kushina, its Shisuse-baa-chan. May I come in?"

"Shisuse-baa-chan!" A little red-headed girl flew to her grandma. Then she noticed her elders sad face. "What's wrong Obaa-chan?" she asked in that adorable way of hers.

Shisuse shook her head sadly. "Come. Let's go into the garden."

Outside, they sat down on a bench facing the koi pool underneath the Sakura trees. "Kushina my dear, this is hard to say but…"

Shisuse turned away from her granddaughter. "You're leaving for Konoha sometime…soon. It might be at any time of day over the next few days but," she hugged Kushina. "You're leaving. For good. Once you go you won't be able to come back."

Kushina's eyes widened as she heard what her grandma way saying. "Shisuse baa-chan no! I don't wanna go! I wanna stay here with you and Daddy-kun and Mommy-chan! And everyone else! Why do I have to go? It's not fair!" She pulled away and sobbed into her knees. "Why why why…" She looked up hopefully. "C-can I at least come and visit? Or you come and visit me? Please?"

Shisuse shook her head sadly. "No, Kushina. No. You won't ever see anyone ever again." She hugged the shocked, sobbing child tighter than ever, all the while rocking back and forth. "I'm sorry I'm sorry, shh my darling… I wish it could be different too. I mean who's going to help me make rice balls for dinner?" Shisuse chuckled at the end, trying to lighten the mood.

It didn't help. Kushina clutched her grandmother even harder and cried harder. She didn't want to believe that in a few days time, she would have to leave everything behind; her friends, her family, everything she knew, and start anew, not knowing anybody or anything.

After the child stopped crying, she wiped her tears away with the back of her hand. "Shisuse-baa-chan, why am I leaving?"

"Kushina, that I cannot tell you. But what I can tell you is that if you go, the Uzumaki clan will survive."

"Is someone coming to do bad things to us Baa-chama?"

"Yes."

"Who?"

"His name is…Pain."

(At the meeting the next day)

"We know that Nyazu-san, Jomi-san, Rito-san and Karitan-san can fight and their wives too, but what about us? The Elders? I believe we should go into the secret chamber under the main house since we aren't exactly young anymore and we don't have the strength we once used to have. Also, if Kushina has children, she won't be able to teach them anything because she never learned anything herself and we know all the clan Kinjutsu. For the survival of the knowledge, I suggest we go and hide when he comes. When we hear that she and her children are both of age, we will send for them and teach them the ways."

Myuri stood up in his seat. "I am not old! Well, yes I am… but I still have as much strength as the younger ones!" He pointed an accusing finger at Tsuzei. "I can fight!"

Shisuse sighed. "Myuri-san, calm down. Don't let your temper get in the way of logic. You know you don't have a chance against Pain. By the reports we have, he is considered very strong. I have a feeling that the younger ones might not have a chance."

Myuri, still a child at heart, sat down, leaned back, crossed his arms and huffed. "Fine."

"Now, is Kushina packed?"

"Yes Tsuzei-san. She is ready to go at any moment. She and I packed her bags yesterday after I told her." Shisuse replied.

"God will I miss her." Tsuzei buried his face in his palms.

"We all will." Everybody's faces immediately were downcast remembering the fond memoreies they had of the little girl.

"Daddy-kun! C-can I sleep-p w-with you a-and M-Mommy-chan tonight? Just this one time?" the red head turned her hopeful green eyes from her feet to her blonde father. Nyazu smiled sadly at his daughter, knowing exactly why she asked.

"Of course Kushina-chan. Of course you can."

That night, Kushina climbed into bed with her parents. It would be the fondest and last memory that she ever had of them, for it was the last full night the four-year old girl would ever spend with her mother and father.

A/N: So that was the first chapter. I hoped you liked it. If you are wondering, 'Baa-chan' means grandma in Japanese. Also, if you would like to be my beta for my other Naruto story, Hidden Art, PM me. And a cookie and a brownie for eveyone who reviews!

Next chapter: Kushina leaves her clan forever, and her clan leaves the world at the hands of a madman.

USD