Hey everyone! This is my new idea, and i promise: I DIDNT READ ANY OTHER NARUTO FANFICITONS RELATING TO MINATO AND KUSHINA, SO I HAVE NO IDEA WHETHER ANYONE HAS ALREADY USED THIS IDEA! SO IF ANYTHING IS SIMILAR, I GUESS THAT GREAT MINDS THINK ALIKE!

anyway, know that there are HUGE SPOILERS IN THIS STORY! DON'T READ UNLESS YOU'RE UP TO DATE ON THE MOST RECENT NARUTO MANGA!

you've been warned, so please dont get all huffy.

Please tell me what you think, and if you think I should continue with this idea. PLEASE REVIEW! :D

Minato Namikaze felt his wife trembling in his arms as he teleported back to an underground basement used for the protection of common citizens and the injured in case of an attack. It was still empty…the Kyuubi hadn't reached the perimeter that would warrant an evacuation. That was good…he still had time.

Minato breathed a shaky sigh of relief when he found Naruto still peacefully dozing off on the small padded table, his chubby fingers clenching the fabric tightly. Kushina Uzumaki let out a sob as Minato gently set her down beside her son, and the faint woman unsteadily reached out to cradle the small head, and to press the baby against her neck as she cried tears of relief. Minato watched her, his hand stroking her hair as his wife kissed their son's still wrinkled forehead.

The Fourth Hokage's hand was steady now, unafraid, as he reached for his robe, and Kushina raised her head weakly to stare at him.

"They need you now…Minato." Her violet-blue eyes were burning as they took him in, and the Hokage turned to smile at her with his equally vivid eyes. Violet and cerulean battled for a moment, and then Kushina let her head fall back to the padded surface of the table, panting in exhaustion.

Minato slipped on his robe that were adorned with bright flames at the end, the collar flaring as he whipped it over him swiftly.

"I'll be back."

Kushina was too weak to answer, and Minato stole one last look at his wife. His beautiful, fierce, wonderful wife…his Kushina. After memorizing every feature of her, his eyes strayed to his son, and his heart clenched at the innocent way his son nuzzled Kushina's neck…the way his delicate fingers clenched into fists.

Naruto would live…that was the burning determination that flared through him in that moment. As much as he loved his wife – and he loved her unconditionally – as much as he loved Konohagakure…those emotions were nothing in comparison to the love and tender adoration he felt for his newborn son. His son was the future, part of the delicate puzzle that would shape the existence of Konohagakure. His son was a part of him; his son was his gift to the world, more precious than any corporeal riches one could offer.

Minato then let the tug of that familiar teleportation tug at him, and he closed his eyes as it all blended into nothing.

Mikoto Uchiha ran through the streets as the looming shadow of the Kyuubi came into view, and she hovered behind her six-year-old son Itachi, her dark eyes flickering towards the infant Sasuke was securely wrapped up in Itachi's arms. Mikoto knew that Itachi wouldn't drop Sasuke, and she knew that she couldn't protect the two from any harm if her hands weren't free. The Uchiha woman flinched as she heard the piercing screams of ninja dying to try and hold off the Kyuubi's attack, and Itachi's young face was pale and frightened as he saw a ninja tossed into the air and pierced by the Kyuubi's claws. Mikoto quickly turned him around so he wouldn't have to see, and whispered encouragement.

"It's alright, Itachi, we're all going to be alright."

"Where's Father?" Itachi's voice was panicked, and Mikoto ducked the three of them behind a building and knelt down to be at eye-level with her oldest son, who had tears in his eyes.

"Your father is fighting to protect this village from the Kyuubi. He loves this village very much, but he loves our family even more. He's doing this for you, Sasuke, and me. Do you understand?"

"Y-Yes, Mother."

"I know you're scared, sweetheart, but I need you to do something for me. I have to go help the others get out, because I love this village too, and I need to do what I can to protect its people. But you and your brother need to go down to the shelters underground, do you remember where the entrance is?" She put her hands on her son's shoulders as the boy nodded, a tear dripping down his cheek. "Itachi, you need to do something too. I want you to keep Sasuke close to you; don't let anything happen to him. He is your responsibility, Itachi. He is something precious that you have to protect, and to do that you have to be brave. Can you do that?"

Itachi stared at his mother, and a weak sob filled his throat as he stared down at his younger brother, sleeping peacefully in his arms. His dark eyes clouded with tears, but he wiped them away as he clutched Sasuke closer to him, and nodded in determination.

"Yes…I can."

"Good, now go." Mikoto reached forward to envelop both of her sons in a tight and frantic hug. She kissed each of her sons on the forehead, and then urged them out and into the street once more. "Be safe!"

Itachi stared at her for a moment, but then shifted so Sasuke was more secure, and ran quickly down the street, away from her. Mikoto stood alone, staring at her son as he disappeared into the crowd of common citizens and disabled ninja that were rushing towards the shelters.

Mikoto turned to stare at the looming figure of the Kyuubi, and Kushina's cheerful face flashed in her mind.

"Sasuke will be the same age as Naruto…I hope that they'll be friends!"

Mikoto had watched, waving goodbye, as the elderly woman tugged her best friend away, and Kushina's long red hair rippled behind her as she enthusiastically waved back. Those violet-blue eyes were always so happy…so confident.

The Uchiha woman smiled, shaking her head in amusement at the squeaks of irritation from Kushina at being dragged off reached her ears, and with a sigh, the mother moved on towards the store to finish her shopping.

Mikoto stared up at the shadow, and her dark brows furrowed in nervous worry at the sound of the Kyuubi's roar. No one knew where Kushina and Minato had gone…and that was beginning to plant seeds of panic in the Uchiha's heart. Were they dead, where they still alive but unable to get to the shelters? Why, oh, why hadn't they told anyone where they were going?

But the question that plagued her most harshly was how and why the Kyuubi was attacking Konoha. It had appeared so suddenly and without warning…why hadn't anyone seen it coming?

And was it merely coincidence that it chose to appear the day that Kushina was set to give birth to her son?

Suddenly, an old man appeared in front of her, and she bowed immediately when she recognized it to be the Third Hokage. He was retired from his position as Hokage, but nevertheless was still garbed in his battle armor.

"Mikoto Uchiha, Kushina Uzumaki has been found in the first emergency shelter, along with her newborn son." Mikoto sighed in relief, and the older man continued. "I need your help."

"Of course, sir, what can I do?" Mikoto stood straighter as the Third Hokage led her through the streets towards the shelter. The woman's eyes unconsciously searched for her sons, and when they were nowhere to be found, she had to force down the instinctual panic that rose in her chest.

They're probably already down in the shelter…calm down…

"I need you to watch over her son, because Kushina is needed in this battle against the Kyuubi."

"But sir, she just gave birth! How could she possibly be in any–"

A stern look from the man silenced her, but her chest was still heavy as she followed the man towards the nearest hidden entrance to the shelter.

Mikoto lifted the trap door under the weapons shop, and let the former Hokage go in before her. She slowly descended into the cellar, and saw that several groups of families were already inside. Mikoto rushed forward at the sight of her friends red hair splayed out on the padded table, and Kushina seemed dazed as she struggled to focus on Mikoto.

Before Mikoto could speak, the Third Hokage moved forward, and Kushina smiled weakly at him, clutching the baby beside her more securely.

"You're not taking Naruto, Third Hokage. I won't…let you."

"That was never my intention, Kushina. You see, your body is so strong that it is possible for the Kyuubi to go back…"

Kushina nodded before the man could finish, leaving Mikoto thoroughly confused. She was about to ask what they meant, when she felt a soft bundle being passed to her. The Uchiha looked down in surprise to see Kushina's weak and trembling arms holding out her son.

The infant, Naruto, was still wrinkled and slightly flushed from the strain of being born, but through it Mikoto could see three faint lines on each cheek, as well as a light fuzz of blonde hair atop his round head. He was still peacefully asleep, and his hands were clenched into chubby fists, jerking in his sleep at the sudden movement from his mother's warm side.

Kushina's violet-blue eyes were pained as she reluctantly released her son to Mikoto, watching as Mikoto's arms automatically came around to cradle the infant's body carefully.

The Third Hokage, without another word, scooped Kushina up in his arms – her head rolled over his arm for a moment before he supported her. Mikoto moved forward, but before she could reach them, they had disappeared into a cloud of smoke.

Minato raced through the trees, and his cerulean eyes were determined as he heard the screams of the fighting ninja and the earth shaking roars of the Kyuubi.

He was the Hokage of Konohagakure…he would protect his village even at the cost of his own life.

The young man thought of his son, and his heart beat painfully as he steeled himself. Something had to be done…and the way things were going on the front line, he would need to use that jutsu. The jutsu that would end his life…but also put an end to the rampage of the Kyuubi.

Kushina would be furious that he hadn't told her, but it was better this way. She would survive…she would tell their son of how his father sacrificed himself to make sure that the village remained intact. Kushina was strong that way…she could live through pretty much anything. She would survive this…

The Fourth Hokage leapt out so he was perched on the very top of the tallest tree, and stared down at the bloodied battlefield, staring with narrowed eyes at the scattered bodies and the sounds of dying victims. The Kyuubi was lashing out with its many tails, blood dripping down its chin as its cruel crimson eyes glowed. It was outlines like a fire against the cool round shape of the full moon, and Minato let a deep sigh escape him as he made to begin the signs needed to summon Gamabunta.

But before he could do so, he saw a flash of red hair, and his body instinctively moved towards it.

Kushina?

Minato burst through the trees, and saw his wife on her back in a small clearing, candles lit all around her and her shirt raised so her abdomen was exposed. Her eyes were hollow and sunken, and the only sign of life was the shallow rise and fall of her chest. The seal that once held the Kyuubi was absent, and Minato was about to rush to her when he caught sight of a short figure standing on the tree above her.

It was the Third Hokage, and he was making quick hand signs, and the Kyuubi was running in towards the former Hokage for an attack.

Minato recognized those hand signs, and ran up the tree to try and stop the old man.

It wasn't supposed to go like this; you weren't supposed to interfere, Third Hokage!

But it was too late.

The Third lowered his hands, finishing the Dead Demon Consuming Seal, and raised both of them shakily, his eyes glinting in effort as he and the Kyuubi were surrounded in a blinding white light. Minato covered his eyes, and when the light subsided the Kyuubi was gone…and the Third Hokage was kneeling beside Kushina, who was writhing and screaming on the ground. Her thin fingers clenched and grabbed at the grass beneath her, and her violet-blue eyes were glowing slightly as the Third Hokage held his tense fingers above her stomach. There was a roar of fury, but it seemed echoed slightly, as if the volume dial of a radio was slowly softening it. There was a huge mass of chakra that flared between the two figures, but then the Third Hokage was pressing his fingers against her abdomen, and Kushina gave one last scream before going completely limp.

There was a dark black mark on the woman's stomach…the Eight Trigrams Sealing Style surrounded by two sets of Four Symbol Seals…the exact seal that had been on her stomach but two hours ago, before someone had forcibly torn the Kyuubi from its host.

And now…the Kyuubi was once more inside Kushina. The air was still as Minato slowly jumped down, and his eyes were sad as they stared down at the Third Hokage. The Third Hokage was sitting unsteadily, and his eyes looked up at Minato with a smile.

"I couldn't let you do it…Minato. This village needs you, and I would rather sacrifice myself than allow you to…do the seal. You were planning to do it on Naruto, no?"

"Yes…I wanted him to have that power, I wanted the village to see him as a hero."

"Oh Minato…so much pain and suffering to inflict on an innocent child."

"I know, but…" His eyes glanced towards his unconscious wife. Her body was still, but he would see her pulse thudding in the vein of her neck. "…will Kushina be alright?"

"Yes…it will take awhile, but the Kyuubi's chakra and Kushina's will become harmonized once more. I…" A racking cough escaped the old man, and Minato caught the man as he fell backward. "…wanted to see the future generations, but I see that that was not my destiny…such a pity…"

There were no parting words, no last wishes…there was only a regret that he wouldn't be around to see others grow and live their lives. The Third had never been a selfish man, and this was more prominent in the moments before his death than it had ever been in life.

Minato held the man as his breaths got more and more shallow, and a sinking feeling filled his chest as the old man jerked, and then went still. A contented sigh escaped his cracked and rough lips, and those dark and wise eyes closed for the last time.

And that was how the great Hiruzen Sarutobi died.

Minato couldn't find words to say, for there were so many emotions running through him at that moment that they all jumbled together hazardously. There was no way to express them, but after a moment, the young man felt tears dripping down his face.

Minato let the tears flow, and their silvery wetness made the grass seem like it was sparkling as the Fourth Hokage let his grief rush forth in waves.

There was no one to hear the man's sobs as he held the deceased Third Hokage, and it wasn't until much later that Minato came to himself and quickly transported Kushina to the hospital. The Third Hokage's body was carried to the morgue to be prepared for the funeral, and the families of Konohagakure mourned for those lost in the struggle.

But life would go on, as it would have gone on even if Minato had been successful in sealing the Kyuubi inside his infant son.

"Are you sure you're ready to stand up, Kushina? I can just tell the elders at the meeting what you want to say, so–"

Kushina snorted, some of the life back in her tone as she rolled her eyes. "For the last time, yes! I've been in the hospital for three months, I need to get outside! And those elders won't listen unless they explore my head personally with their mind jutsus, so your word isn't enough."

Minato smiled at her irritated tone, and shifted Naruto to his other arm as he helped Kushina slowly slide out of the hospital bed. Her feet pressed against the floor, and with a grunt, Kushina rose to her feet and leaned against her husband unsteadily.

The baby Naruto had his eyes open, and he smiled at his mother as if congratulating her, his chubby fists waving towards her as she tickled him in his round little belly. He was strong enough to start supporting his head, and he lifted it slightly to coo at her before cuddling against Minato's chest once more. Kushina's violet-blue eyes glowed with love as her son giggled.

"Oh, Naruto…you're so cute!"

"Why can't I get greeted like that?" Minato muttered, a smirk on his face at her expression.

"You're jealous of your own son? Jeez, get over yourself, Minato."

She softened her words by leaning in to kiss Minato softly, letting the kiss stretch into the better part of a minute before slowly pulling back. Minato was grinning sheepishly, and she pecked him once more before going on.

"And if I were going to describe you, cute would be too much of an understatement…"

"Wait, so–"

"C'mon, let's get going! I'm happy they allowed me to change earlier this morning…because there's no screen to change behind."

"Uh, Kushina, I don't know if you remember this, but I'm your husband, and I have seen you naked before. Multiple times, in fact."

Kushina snorted, and nodded towards Naruto. Minato laughed, his eyes bright as he stared down at his wife.

"I doubt that Naruto's mind is developed enough to be scarred by seeing a naked woman…and you're going to have to get used to the whole mind scarring thing…seeing as Jiraiya's his godfather."

Kushina groaned, and Minato chuckled as the two of them teleported outside the hospital – Minato and his wife had officially checked out the day before, but the doctors recommended one last night just so let her get some rest under medical supervision before going home for good.

Naruto cooed and waved his hands at the sensation, and Minato smiled adoringly at his son. Kushina and he walked hand in hand down the street, and Kushina waved frantically to a slender, dark haired woman who waved back before heading towards them, a small boy running alongside her.

"Good morning, Lord Hokage, sir…" Itachi bowed respectively, and Minato rubbed the back of his head in embarrassment.

"Just call me Minato…much less formal."

Itachi's eyes brightened, and Kushina rubbed the top of his head energetically. Itachi scowled in mock anger as he tried to swat Kushina's hands away. Kushina kissed the boy on the forehead – causing him to blush – before leaning to hug Mikoto. The Uchiha woman sighed as she studied Kushina's face worriedly.

"I'm glad to see that you're finally out of the hospital, Shina. I've missed you…"

Kushina grinned. "Me too! I've missed so much…but I'm sure it'll be back to normal in a few days. Oh my gosh…I haven't eaten ramen in three months! Three months without ramen, imagine!"

Both Mikoto and Minato exchanged looks and shrugged their shoulders. Some things never change…and that included Kushina's obsession with ramen.

"You know, Mother says if you're not careful, you'll pass along your unhealthy ramen obsession to Naruto." Itachi stated primly, as if reading from a book. Kushina raised an eyebrow at Mikoto, who bit her lip in embarrassment. Minato smiled warmly at the child, and slowly knelt down.

"You know, Itachi, I've heard from your mother that you're good at handling babies."

Itachi nodded proudly, and Kushina squealed at the adorable way he puffed out his thin chest.

"Well, Kushina and I have to go to a meeting…and I was wondering if you could take Naruto for a while. Is that okay with you?"

Itachi was nodding before the Hokage finished, and ran off with the baby in his arms before Minato could blink. Kushina laughed at Mikoto's embarrassed flush, and the Uchiha sighed.

"Itachi's so motherly…I'm surprised he hasn't stolen a baby of his own by now…"

"I suppose Sasuke keeps him pretty busy." Minato said, and Kushina wrapped an arm around her husband's waist as Mikoto nodded.

"Yes, ever since the Kyuubi Attack, Itachi's been stuck to Sasuke – children in general, actually – like white on rice…I suppose its natural after experiencing something like that, you're bound to be protective."

Kushina nodded, her hand twitching towards her now flat belly. Minato's eyes flashed to his wife, and he quietly excused the two of them. Mikoto hugged Kushina once more, and said goodbye as they parted ways.

Kushina sighed as she leaned against her husband, and by the sad look in her eyes Minato knew that she was remembering the night of the battle, the feeling of the Kyuubi – cruel, despicable, but still her closest companion – torn from her, and the feeling of it being forced back inside her once more.

Minato could do nothing more than be there for her, and that hurt him more than anything.

The two reached the tall and proud Hokage building, with the domed roof and the three spires rising high in the air. A hawk flew across the sky, and the two ninjas caught the sight of movement immediately.

"The meeting is about to start…" Kushina murmured, and Minato nodded, his cerulean eyes staring up at the hawk which circled over the building almost lazily. Minato knew that this meeting would decide the fate of a particular clan of individuals…this meeting and Kushina's testimony would decide the fate of the entire Uchiha clan. They wanted to blame the Uchiha for the arrival of the Kyuubi, for reasons that Minato could not fathom.

If Kushina's testimony proved to the Elders that the Uchiha clan was innocent, then nothing would change, and Konohagakure would continue to thrive as it was.

But if for some reason they chose to not believe Kushina's words…then the Uchiha clan would be moved to a separate and secluded compound much more supervised than the current living quarters that housed the Uchiha clan. It would allow for constant surveillance, which Minato knew would make the Uchiha very wary and suspicious.

Minato's eyes narrowed at the memory of Itachi cradling Naruto softly, his dark eyes wide with awe and wonder at Naruto's bright blue, slightly unfocused eyes staring back at him. The happy smile that stretched across the boy's face as he was entrusted with Naruto's presence for a few hours.

No…the Elders would have to believe Kushina…they would just have to. Konohagakure had been foolish enough to try and subdue the Uchiha clan once, and it would be breaching on insanity for the village to do so once more. The Uchiha needed the rest of the village as much as the village needed them.

Kushina's eyes were determined, and Minato knew that in that moment, his wife was thinking the exact same thing.

"Mother!"

"What is it, Itachi?" The mother wiped her hands hurriedly on her dishtowel, dropping the carrots she was cutting and racing down the hall and into the large living room that opened to the garden, letting light stream in.

Itachi was smiling widely, and pointed to the two babies gurgling on the floor mat.

"They're already friends!"

Mikoto smiled slowly as she leaned against the wall, staring at the two babies that were currently staring at each other in fascination. One's hair was dark, and his skin was pale as he squirmed on the mat beside the other. The other one was slightly darker skinned, and had a puff of golden hair atop his head, and his face was rounder and chubbier than the boy beside him.

And yet their hands were touching each other in curiosity, their differences unknown to them, and it somehow came that they were holding hands. Naruto giggled, his feet kicking behind him in excitement, while Sasuke's head tilted in confusion at the new sensation of interacting with someone else his size.

Then, slowly, Sasuke began to giggle and laugh along with his companion, and Mikoto had to brush a few tears away before slowly retreating and making her way back to the kitchen.

Itachi smiled, and lay on his stomach; dark eyes alight with joy as he watched his younger brother play with his new friend. He reached over to tickle them both, and the two stared at him with the same happy expression, the sounds of their giggles and squeals filling the air.

Minato sat beside his wife as she told her story of her kidnapping, and the physical description of the man who had committed the crime. Her voice was calm and collected, but Minato knew her more than anyone, and could hear the nervousness trembling in her voice. He couldn't blame her for being nervous; the future of her best friend's clan depended on the validity of her testimony.

The Elders sat in tense silence as they listened without interruption, and after Kushina had finished, one of the interrogators from the Yamanaka clan stepped forward. He smiled comfortingly at Kushina and told her to relax.

"I can't promise that it wont be uncomfortable, but I do promise that I will only look at the memories you have described, and nothing more."

Kushina nodded silently, and her hand squeezed Minato's for a moment before she closed her eyes. The Yamanaka man glanced at Minato, who gave him a nod and a stern glare, letting the man know that if he went anywhere other than where he promised, things wouldn't be pleasant for the man in the future.

The Yamanaka clan member bowed respectively, and his hands moved rapidly into the familiar mind-melding jutsu, and then he went limp. A few of the guards caught him and lay him carefully on the floor. Kushina went limp as well, and Minato held her as the Yamanaka man searched through his wife's memories.

It felt like years later that the two finally regained consciousness, and Kushina leaned her head against Minato's shoulder as the Yamanaka man slowly got to his feet.

The man's bright blue eyes were troubled, and he cleared his throat before turning to the Elders.

"It happened exactly as she said. A man who isn't a part of Konohagakure, but who possesses the Sharingan, forced the Kyuubi out of Kushina's body and manipulated it to attack the village. Her memory hasn't been tampered with, nothing in her mind has been touched since that night. I believe that she is telling the truth."

The Elders murmured to themselves in troubled shock as one of the oldest stood slowly. "The only man we know of who is outside the village and possesses the Sharingan is Madara Uchiha…could he be a suspect?"

One of the other Elders nodded, and stood. "Yes, but how do we know for sure that the Uchiha clan hasn't been communicating with him in secret?"

Minato sighed. "Madara was banished because of his goals to destroy Konoha, what would the Uchiha gain from trying to ally themselves with him?"

The elder who had spoken flushed, and quickly sat back down. Kushina glanced at Minato in gratitude, and spoke quietly.

"Maybe Madara was planning this…to have us blame the Uchiha clan for the attack. From what I know of him, he felt betrayed by the Uchiha clan for not going along with his plans for complete control."

"But why would he use the Kyuubi? Why would he want the Kyuubi to attack Konoha?"

Kushina bit her lip. "Maybe…because he wanted…the current Hokage to be eliminated. This would force the Third to step up, and seeing as he was growing older…it would have been a much less powerful ruler. The Third was a strong leader, but he wasn't as strong of a man as Minato is. If the Uchiha grew resentful enough to plan an attack on Konoha, the Third would fight against it, but he wouldn't have the strength to prevent the elimination of the Uchiha clan. Getting Minato and I out of the way…would spell out the path of the Uchiha clan's doom."

Minato stiffened, and Kushina stoked his arm anxiously, leaning against his shoulder. The Elders sitting around the table stared at the pair with wise, silent eyes, their fingers in various positions on the table before them.

An Elder sighed, and waved a hand in desperation. "A good theory…but how can we be sure?"

The elder in the center of the half-arch of the table stood, and spoke in a calm and emotionless voice. There were twelve Elders staring at their hands on either side of the main Elder, and none of their expressions were anything to go by on what their opinions were.

"All in favor of the Uchiha clan's isolation…"

Kushina held her breath as seven hands rose slowly, and her eyes pricked with tears as the Elder spoke again.

"All in favor of the Uchiha clan being innocent…"

Six hands rose, and the main elder sighed, an old and dusty sound that filled the entire room.

"I have yet to vote." Kushina's dry sobs quieted, and she stared with wide eyes as the old man looked up to stare into the stained glass that made up the skylight of the window above them. His impossibly old face seemed tired, but his mouth was firm as he spoke.

"I vote in favor of the Uchiha's innocence, but that still leaves us at a tie. Lord Hokage…your vote is needed. But you must promise that no bias will be involved in your vote."

Minato nodded, and Kushina stared at him silently as his cerulean eyes narrowed in thought.

"Minato…you cant possibly be…"

"Kushina, please be quiet. I have to think." Minato's voice was stern, and the woman fell silent as her husband leaned his chin on her shoulder, staring at the floor in concentration.

After a few moments, Minato sighed, and he raised his eyes to stare at the main Elder.

"I have my suspicions about the Uchiha clan, but these suspicions are the suspicions that every single person has for one another. There are some things I will never know, even though I am the Hokage. But I do know without a doubt that the Uchiha clan is loyal to Konohagakure, and would never willingly join with Madara. Our isolating them would only bring about resentment within the Uchiha, which would lead to disaster. So I vote in favor of the Uchiha clan's innocence, and that their loyalty resides firmly in this village and everyone in it."

The main Elder nodded, and bowed to the room as the other Elders silently filed out of the room.

"Then it is settled. The Uchiha clan is innocent, and will not be moved into isolation."

And with a nod to Kushina and Minato, the main Elder followed his fellows out the large oaken doors, and the guards and other ninja disappeared in wisps of smoke. Kushina and Minato were left alone in the large hall, and Kushina yelled in triumph while Minato hugged her tightly.

The crisis was averted. The Uchiha clan was no longer in any danger.

Mikoto knew from the moment that Kushina appeared in her doorway that something dark and ominous had passed, and instead of that underlying worry in her friend's eyes, there was only joy and that familiar mischief. The sun was slowly setting, and Kushina smiled widely before stepping into the bright kitchen.

"Hey Mikoto! Where're the boys?"

Fugaku poked his head out from behind the kitchen wall and nodded to Kushina before resuming his reading of a large scroll. Kushina rolled her eyes.

"Not even a hello…why am I not surprised…"

Fugaku chuckled from his position at the kitchen table, and his wife pecked him on the cheek before leading Kushina into the interior hallway of the house, and down the outer hallway that was partially open to the gardens.

"They fell asleep half an hour ago, Itachi was reading to them."

"Oh, Itachi's such a sweetie!" Kushina sighed longingly, and Mikoto smiled.

"Thank you."

The women peeked into the room, and Kushina had to cover her mouth to restrain herself from giggling in delight.

Itachi was asleep on the ground, his face pillowed by the large picture book in his hands, while the two adventurous babies were crawling all over the boy, giggling and spitting everywhere. Two pairs of large round eyes – one pair cerulean blue, the other the color of polished onyx – snapped to the women standing at the doorway. Kushina ran forward to scoop up Naruto, who nuzzled her in greeting. Kushina smiled, rubbing noses with him in happiness as she hugged him close. Mikoto picked up Sasuke, ignoring his squeals of protest, and leaned out to call softly to Fugaku.

"Fugaku…do you mind carrying Itachi to bed?"

Fugaku sighed, but was there in an instant, and his gruff expression eased as he stared at his peacefully sleeping child. Strong arms carefully and easily hefted the boy so that Itachi's cheek was pressed against Fugaku's shoulder. Itachi mumbled incoherently, but relaxed when his father stoked his hair comfortingly. The man walked down the hall, and disappeared around the corner. Kushina sighed as she shifted so that Naruto was comfortably tucked into her elbow, and thanked Mikoto for taking Naruto for the day.

"It was no trouble, Kushina. I really do hope that Naruto and Sasuke will be friends…"

Kushina smiled, and kissed Naruto's forehead. "I'm sure that they will."

The two said their goodbyes, and Kushina headed down the street, Naruto giggling and squirming at the sight of the bright orange light that was shed on everything. Kushina sighed as she shifted the baby so he was against her shoulder, leaving him free to stare behind them.

Minato came up beside his wife and took her hand.

"Already a handful, huh?"

Kushina nodded, and shifted Naruto once more so he could see what was in front of them. "Yeah…he's so full of energy…"

"As are you." Minato said quietly, and Kushina laughed lightly as she finally gave up and handed Naruto to Minato. Minato smiled and lifted Naruto up in the air so that he was looking up at the boy.

"Just like your mother, huh little guy? Let's hope you get some of my good traits too."

Kushina smiled, and touched their son's bright hair. "He already does, Minato. He is your son too, after all."

"Yeah…I know. It's still such a strange concept, being a father. I never expected to be here…I expected to…well…"

Kushina's eyes were soft in the light of the dying sun. "You expected to die that night."

"Yeah. I knew that I had to do something, but then I saw you, and the Third Hokage."

Kushina smiled, and turned so that they were staring up at the mountain which held all four of the Hokage's faces.

"You know, while he and I were preparing, he told me that often times the more obvious, predictable path is the wrong one. He said that it was to be expected that you would eventually sacrifice yourself for the village…but that was the wrong path. He told me about what our deaths would lead to – you heard the gist of his idea in the meeting this morning – and we both knew that if the path was allowed to take root…not only would the Uchiha clan be destroyed, but our son would be seen as a monster. No one would've seen him as a hero. They would only see him as the monster that took away some of their beloved family members in the battle with the Kyuubi. But now that it's back inside of me – and no one knows that fact – life can go on."

Minato stared at his wife, and she grinned at him happily. He looked up to see that Naruto's grin of joy was the exact same.

"He has your smile, Kushina. Naruto has your smile."

The baby boy giggled at the sound of his father's voice, and the light around him made his skin glow and his eyes sparkle. The red haired woman leaned against her husband, who was smiling as he watched their son kick and giggle above them.

The sun was setting now, sending shadows of grief and remorse into the heart of Konohagakure. But the darkness couldn't last forever. Soon, the bright light of a new day would shine upon them, casting out the shadows and paving the way to the future. There was no reason to linger on the past and what had happened in the darkness of night. When that sun sunk below the horizon, there was only one question that could be asked.

What will tomorrow bring?