"We cannot," Minato said in a serious tone of voice.
"If the masked man tried to control the Kyūbi, then it must mean that he has the Sharingan. What he attempted to do is similar to the way Uchiha Madara did in the past," said Danzō calmly, though his lone eye was narrowed slightly, indicating his inability to find the situation reasonable. "That means that the Uchiha Clan has to be put under suspicion. Who knows what else they are planning… or rather, capable of."
"And what if they are innocent?" Minato said, apparently not backing down on this argument. "If you and the Council fear that the Uchiha Clan will control the Kyūbi with the power of their Sharingan, that… is only the legend of Uchiha Madara. Since then, no one has done something like that, and the masked man who attempted the act bore no Sharingan. Perhaps it is either for that reason that he failed, or because Uchiha Madara was the only one who could do it."
Danzō stayed silent, his eyes remaining narrowed.
Minato's stance was adamant. "Sowing this seed of discord would cost us the trust of one of the oldest and honourable clans in Konoha, not to mention the possibility of a civil war. I shall not allow it."
The emotionless façade Danzō was painting on his face was now scraping away little by little by the growing hint of anger in his features. "Yondaime-sama, don't think that mere words and promises can satiate hatred." He made a dull noise in the back of his throat and proceeded to walk out of the room.
Minato's gaze on his back was unwavering.
Before Danzō disappeared from sight, his form stopped by the doorway.
"If they are indeed perpetrators or the masterminds of the attempted treason towards the village, Yondaime… It is you who will regret ever giving them a worthless chance."
• • •
"I'm home," Minato sighed, taking off his shoes before stepping into his and Kushina's apartment.
"Welcome back!" Kushina's cheery voice greeted from the kitchen. The smell of soup drifted into his senses, indicating that his wife was already making dinner at this time. "You're here so early. How was work?"
Minato smiled, following the direction of her voice. "Tiring. Sarutobi-sama sent me home to rest and told me he'd take care of the minor matters concerning the village."
Kushina's head craned towards him, her expression displaying grim concern. "The funeral for Biwako-sama is in a week, isn't it?"
Minato nodded somberly. "It seemed that Sarutobi-sama wanted to keep his mind off his wife's death by working," he said. "I let him."
Kushina sighed, thinking of the cranky old woman who unfortunately died by the masked man's hands. Sarutobi Biwako wasn't the most cheerful person around, but she wasn't always stiff and grumpy. She loved children and smiled and laughed a lot around them, as shown when she encountered Mikoto's son and when she held Naruto in her arms.
"The old man really needs to be reminded that he's retired already," Kushina said, trying to lighten up the atmosphere a bit. "But I guess old habits die hard."
Minato managed a smile.
She stared at her husband. "By the way, did anything happen at work? You look pretty tired." Her words were laced with concern.
Minato slumped on a chair, sighing. "Danzō-sama insisted that the Uchiha Clan be isolated from the village 'temporarily' and transferred into one place in order to keep an eye on them since after the Kyūbi incident, the elders have been suspicious of their 'secret activities'. He suspects that the masked man has a Sharingan."
Kushina frowned, thinking about Mikoto. The woman was a gentle soul. However, admittedly, also submissive towards her husband. It was unthinkable that she would agree to these so-called 'secret activities', though. From what she knew, Fugaku and Mikoto respected Minato greatly, the former even more so. Nobody would dare cause trouble in Konoha as long as the Yellow Flash himself was the Hokage.
"He can't do that!" she exclaimed, her irritation spiking at the mention of Danzō. She had never really liked the man. He was too sketchy. "Knowing those boring, emotionless, and arrogant guys, they'd get a hell of a lot angry about the isolation thingy, 'ttebane! And that slimy Danzō can't do anything about it if you still insist that the masked man doesn't have a Sharingan. Woe for him!"
Minato looked at her, amused as she swung her ladle back and forth while in the middle of her rant.
"I guess you're right," he said softly. "Maybe you're a better Hokage than I am."
Kushina sent a silly grin his way. "You bet, dattebane! I'm gonna throw you outta the office and replace ya first thing in the morning!"
Minato laughed, feeling the tension and stress seep away from his body. His wife always knew how to cheer him up after a long day at work. "By the way, where's Naruto?" He peered at her form worriedly. "Are you sure you should still be up and about? You did give birth only three days ago and you refused hospital treatment after the incident."
"He's in his crib, sleeping." She turned around to face him fully, now ignoring the soup she was minding. "Of course! I feel all better now. Uzumaki women aren't that weak, ya know!"
Minato watched as her face slowly underwent a solemn transition, his expression serious and thoughtful.
"Minato?" Her voice became quiet.
"What is it?"
"About… the Kyūbi…"
"Have you told anyone about what really happened?"
"…No. No, I haven't."
"Good." Minato folded his arms across his chest, closing his eyes. "It's still something we can't comprehend up to now. It would be best to leave it aside for now until we understand what happened. Let's just make sure that no one knows about this."
A small, faint smile curved Kushina's lips. "I agree… Maybe… we'd find the answer someday." She faced him, and his eyes softened. "Through Naruto himself."
• • •
Uchiha Itachi loved his little brother.
The moment Sasuke was born, he already had an indescribable attachment to him. It was as if Itachi wanted to bind Sasuke to him and protect him forever, without fail. But he also wanted to let him go on his own for the sake of his little brother's personal freedom and independence. It was a mixed, foreign feeling, something which Itachi had to get accustomed to.
'Maybe this is what it's like to be an older brother,' Itachi had thought.
It felt different, though. But it was not unwelcoming.
What Itachi noticed the most about Sasuke though, who was already a few months old, was that he seemed to always be staring at him. That alone should not pose as something unusual, but the gazes were not the kind that emitted curiosity or anything akin or similar of the sort. No, baby Sasuke's gaze was more solemn than what normal babies were capable of. Solemn… and with a hint of restrained, unbridled happiness.
It was definitely unusual.
• • •
Haruno Sakura, as a baby, was quiet most of the time. She often, much to her parents' confusion, sat up in her crib and closed her eyes as if she were sleeping upright. She did this about two or three times a week. The first time she did this, she almost made Kizashi faint because the latter thought that his precious daughter was caught in a genjutsu of some sort or even a ninjutsu which made her a statue. In response, Mebuki slapped him on the head for being unfunny and overreacting.
Sakura was an affectionate child, though. She often gave her parents a hug, even when she was crying. The look in her eyes whenever she looked at them and her surroundings seemed as if—
But then that spell would break and she'd be back to her normal baby self again.
• • •
"Kushina?"
"Mikoto?"
The two women grinned when they saw each other as they strolled through the streets. Kushina marveled at the baby on the stroller which Mikoto's eldest son was pushing.
"Sasuke has started smiling," she remarked in awe while gazing at the child. "The last time I saw him, he was half-asleep!"
Mikoto nodded with a smile. "The last time you saw him, it was more than a year ago. What have you been up to lately?"
"Well, this little rascal here," Kushina said, lightly pinching her son's cheek, "caused me a lot of trouble at home with his hyperactivity ever since he's started walking! I can barely even leave the house!"
Naruto, who had been eating his fingers, widened his mouth as he giggled. He was standing a bit upright now, and was occasionally sending unsure yet somewhat curious glances at the strangers who were talking to his mother.
Mikoto chuckled. "Sasuke here doesn't bother us that much. He only bothers Itachi-kun."
"Really?" Kushina gazed at Itachi, who was looking at her with gentle, curious eyes. "You're Itachi, right?" She poked him on the cheek lightly, like she did with Naruto, causing him to harbour a startled expression on his face. "You're so cute! Mikoto, I'm so jealous! Your children seem like they're gonna be handsome dudes one day, 'ttebane!"
Mikoto laughed at Kushina's word choice. "Now, now, Kushina," she said teasingly. "Who's to say that your son wouldn't become a hotshot as well?"
"That goes without saying!" Kushina boasted proudly.
Mikoto chuckled once more. "Can I hold him?" she asked softly.
"Sure!" Kushina gently pushed Naruto to her friend. "Naruto, say hi to mommy's friend!"
Naruto didn't say anything, only staring at Mikoto. Mikoto gave him a smile as she took out a toy which she kept inside her pocket. She dangled the small yellow bear in front of Naruto, causing the latter to approach it curiously, enchanted by the bright colour.
"He likes it," Mikoto mused, giving the bear to Naruto as he played with it. Then she scooped him up, earning her no reaction since he was currently busy. "He can have it since Sasuke doesn't like the colour yellow very much."
"Thanks a lot," Kushina said gratefully.
"He's one and a half years old now, right?" said Mikoto, gazing at Naruto's bright blue eyes which were now momentarily looking up at her in delight as she bounced him in her arms. "He looks so adorable, Kushina. I bet he and Sasuke would become the best of friends!"
"That sounds like a great idea!" Kushina hummed happily. "Naruto, say 'Mama'!"
"Papa!" Naruto said cheerfully, still turning the bear around in his hands.
A tic mark formed on Kushina's temple. "No, not 'Papa'! Come on, say 'Mama'!"
"Papa!"
Mikoto sweatdropped. "It is a little odd, though… Babies usually find it easier to say 'Mama' than 'Papa'…" She smiled. "I guess this mean's he's daddy's little boy?"
Kushina's shoulders slumped in depression. "B—But… I want him to be my little boy," she lamented. She turned to Itachi, who was talking about something to Sasuke. "Can Sasuke say 'Mama'? Oh, and why isn't he walking?"
"We've been walking around for a while, and it's nearing his nap time, so I placed him in the stroller," Mikoto replied. "And yes, Sasuke can say 'Mama' and 'Papa', too. He's improving his vocabulary little by little since Itachi's the one who's been teaching him words."
Kushina's eyes sparkled. "Really? Itachi-kun!" She immediately placed warm hands on the young boy's shoulders, effectively startling him. "Please teach Naruto, too!"
"E—Eh…?" Itachi managed to say.
"Ahaha… You really want him to say 'Mama', huh…?" Mikoto remarked in amusement.
"Yes!" Kushina cried. "All he ever says is 'Papa'! I mean, not that it's a bad thing, 'ttebane, but it's like I'm a stranger! He never calls out to me!"
Kushina, in the end, walked with them as she chattered away, with Mikoto filling in here and there. Mikoto still held Naruto in her arms, the child still engrossed with his new toy, since Kushina was busy cooing at Sasuke. She tried to hold him, but Sasuke immediately bawled, struggling in Kushina's hold. Itachi chuckled as he took his little brother, rocking him in his arms and whispering soothing words in his ear.
Kushina immediately fell into depression. "…I guess babies just don't like me…" she muttered pitifully.
"Now, now," Mikoto tried to assure. "Sasuke's always like that. He just prefers to be with Itachi-kun rather than anyone else."
Kushina was about to sigh when she spotted a particular orange shirt for babies in a nearby store. Immediately attracted, she rushed inside, calling out a "Watch Naruto for me for a bit!" before she examined the clothing in the racks.
Mikoto chuckled. Kushina was certainly a very lively woman. She and Minato complemented each other perfectly, what with the man's calm, gentle demeanour. She really did hope that Naruto and Sasuke would become good friends one day, and the reason was not because of politics at all.
She simply wanted her and Kushina's families to blend together as one. She honestly believed that a friendship like this could last forever, down to their descendants.
Suddenly, Mikoto was snapped out of her thoughts by a loud, shrilly cry. It took her a moment to realize that it came from Naruto, who was struggling in her arms.
"Ssh… Ssh, Naruto-kun," she cooed, trying to get the baby to calm down. "What's wrong? Are you hungry? Sleepy?"
But Naruto paid no attention to her, still squirming. Mikoto gently put him down, but gripped his hand securely in case he would suddenly run off. His head was darting around as if looking for something.
'Ah…' It clicked in Mikoto's mind instantly and she smiled.
"Are you looking for your mother?" she asked.
Naruto sniffed, still looking distressed. "Mama… Mama…" he muttered anxiously. "Mama…"
Mikoto's heart melted.
'He isn't a daddy's little boy, after all…'
"I'm back!" Kushina's sunny voice declared. "I have — oh, Naruto!" She immediately rushed to her son's side, scooping him up in her arms. "Are you sleepy? Then let's go home now. But wait, look!" She cheerfully held up the orange shirt she bought from the store. "It's your new clothing! Looks pretty, huh? It's a combination of me and your Papa's hair colours! Orange! Yay!"
As Kushina waved goodbye at the Uchiha family and began to go home, Mikoto smiled as she watched them.
"Isn't Aunt Kushina the one they say who's beautiful and deadly at the same time?" Itachi spoke up curiously.
Mikoto nodded, giggling. "Yup. Though they forgot one minor thing about Kushina's personality…"
"What is that?" Itachi's tone was inquisitive.
Mikoto turned to her son and chuckled. "That she's a bit dense sometimes."
• • •
When Minato came home one night, he was surprised. A strong, delicious aroma wafted through his nostrils as he entered the house, causing him to become thoughtful for a moment.
It wasn't very unusual to say the least. Kushina was a good cook, after all, and always made sure that he and Naruto were fed on time. However, she only ever cooked this many dishes when there were guests.
"Narutooo~" Kushina's voice sing-songed from the kitchen. "One of your uncles is coming over! Isn't that exciting?"
"Who is it?" Minato asked with a smile, his head popping out from the edge of the doorway.
Naruto, who was now two years old, was pulling at his mother's apron as he watched what she was doing. However, when he heard his father's familiar voice, he turned around and grinned.
Minato came up to his son in an instant, poking at his chubby cheek which only made Naruto laugh.
"Papa!" he exclaimed.
"Who else?" Kushina chuckled. "It's—"
The sound of the door opening and footsteps interrupted her sentence. Minato blinked, then a new voice resounded in the room.
"Yo."
"Oh," Minato said with a grin, turning to see his former student looking unreadable as always behind the perpetual cover of his visage. At least, for once, he wasn't donning his ANBU mask. "Kakashi! It's you!"
Kushina turned her head as well and gave a bright grin. "Kakashi-kun! Glad you came! Come, sit! Dinner will be ready in just a moment."
"Kushina-san, Minato-sensei," Kakashi greeted evenly. Then his gaze came to rest upon the cheekily grinning child. "Is that…?"
"Yes," Minato affirmed, picking up his son and walking towards him. "You haven't seen him ever since he was born, right? Kakashi, this is Naruto." Minato gave him a warm, almost paternal smile.
Kakashi peered at Naruto's face, his lone eye betraying nothing of his emotions. "He… looks just like you, sensei." His voice was low and soft.
"Hey, he's got my smile, ya know!" Kushina hollered from the kitchen. "He's gonna look like me when he grows up!"
Minato turned to his son. "Naruto, this is Uncle Kakashi."
"Un... cle 'Kashi?" Naruto mimicked.
Minato chuckled, facing Kakashi. "Want to hold him?"
Kakashi looked startled at this offer. "I…"
Minato gave him an encouraging smile. "Go on, Kakashi."
There was a brief hesitation on Kakashi's part. In his life, he experienced losses of many kinds. First was his father, who committed suicide. Who didn't even think about his son before deciding on death. Who didn't even think about the fact that his son was still young and, contrary to what most people believed, needed a father, a parent who could guide him through life.
Second was Obito. Kakashi had been nothing but strict and apathetic towards him, yet the boy only served to prove his beliefs wrong from the very start. Even though they weren't even the best of friends, Obito still sacrificed his life for Kakashi, even going so far as to give his Sharingan eye to him as a gift for becoming a jōnin.
Third was Rin. Even though he wasn't good at showing it, Kakashi had always cared for her and protected her whenever she got in trouble which she couldn't handle on her own. He knew she was strong in her own way and respected her for it. She was the mediator between him and Obito whenever they squabbled.
Till then, Rin remained kind and selfless. The latter, however, not so much. She did not even think about what he would feel when he was the one whose hand hurt her, whose power ripped straight through her flesh regardless of whether he expected it or not. Kakashi could not help being a little bitter, but sadness and acceptance always won over afterwards.
The ones who were close to him always died. Always left this world. Always left him behind.
Just what was so special about him, anyway? Why was he allowed to live, and why were they supposed to die?
Kakashi stared at Naruto's cheerful yet also somewhat expectant face as Minato held his son out to him.
But he was not alone yet. His sensei… The Yondaime Hokage, Namikaze Minato… He was still here. He didn't leave Kakashi behind.
He was alive.
And there was also that person… one whom he didn't expect…
"You know, sensei," Kakashi said, tentatively holding Naruto in his arms and looking at his former teacher in the eyes. Minato stared back, puzzled, yet waiting for his student to finish his sentence.
There was a hint of a grin in Kakashi's voice.
"I think, someday, he'll become Konoha's sun."
END OF INTERMISSION
• • •
• •
•
OMAKE/EXTRA
Kushina was out to buy some groceries, so Minato was alone in the house with Naruto.
"Come on, Naruto," he urged. "Say 'Papa'!"
"Mama!" Naruto said cheerfully.
Minato sighed, a small smile creeping up on his face. "You've gotten your mischievousness from your mother… only calling me 'Papa' when she's around." Grinning widely, he tossed his son into the air, basking in the wonderful comfort of Naruto's happy cries. "You're so cute!"