TIME SKIP 5 MONTHS

MINAKO'S POINT OF VIEW

My nerves were shot. Today was the day...
October 10th...

The day was a warm one, despite it being October. Kakashi was helping my very pregnant sister travel to a secret location where Minato was, so that way the birth of my nephew would go smoothly. I felt uneasy, a dark feeling brewing in me. I walked slowly, guarding a few of the women that would help Kushina with the birth. It was getting darker, the air slowly getting cooler. I was on edge for some reason, whether it was just anxiety over the birth or if it really were my instincts...all I knew was that I wish Kakashi was with me right now.

The eldest midwife turned to me with a raised brow, a small smile on her face. The light wrinkles on her face showed that she had little signs of anxiety in her life. I'll probably get those wrinkles in five minutes.

"Nervous sweetheart?" She asked me. I swallowed hard and nodded. The elderly woman smiled before nodding at me. Her eyes were almond shaped, a deep set look that showed years of experience.

"There's nothing to worry about dear, I've delivered hundred of babies. The most experienced midwife in Konoha!" She exclaimed. I released a deep breath yet still felt quivering anxiety.

"Not so much worried about that part...ya know." I whispered to myself. The walk was easy, the five women with me were mostly in-shape so breaks weren't necessary, the eldest being in her early fifties. The breeze was picking up slightly but it didn't affect anything much. I felt it was a bad omen however...something terrible was going to happen...all I wanted was to be with my family...Minato, Kushina, and my boyfriend. I found the hidden temple grounds where several visable and hidden Anbu were stationed. They bowed their heads to me and I nodded back, an anxious expression on my face.

"Is everything alright Miss Uzumaki?" One guard asked. I nodded and leaned close to him...his mask resembled a scared fox...another omen.

"Keep an eye out ya know, I am feeling uneasy." The man nodded and opened the door for me, allowing me inside the small, cramped room. There in the middle on an elevated mattress was my sweaty sister, her ruby strands of hair sticking to her face and her bulging stomach was covered by a thin white sheet. I spotted Kakashi standing in the corner, watching over her along with Minato. I ran to Kakashi and hugged him tightly as the midwives tended to my sister. Kakashi was taken off guard but smoothed out my hair anyway.

"Are you okay?" I shook my head, turning to Minato as well.

"Please...I feel uneasy...I feel it in the air." Kushina's groans interrupted me however. A small puddle of water soaked the floor beneath her mattress, a sign that she was going into labor.

"Minako, help me start the ritual." I nodded and gathered the candles Minato brought and placed them around the stone room. Minato bit the tip of his finger, drawing a pattern in his blood on a clean stone tablet. Using my chakra chains, I set up a second barrier of chains to protect us. Minato was making sure the nine-tails chakra didn't leak as his wife pushed. Kushina cried out in pain, sweat beading down her face.

"You're doing great honey!" Minato cheered. Kushina's eyes burned like fire.

"SHUT THE HELL UP!"

"Okay!" I couldn't help but laugh a little at that, their interactions with each other. Even after nearly ten years, they were still the same. They loved each other more than anything. Minato would die a thousand times for her, and Kushina would do the same. Their son was going to be one of the greatest ninjas in the village. I just know it... I can see him with a heart of gold like Minato, and a smile so contagious like my sister. With that... My nephew will win the hearts of the people of the world, and I will be by his side every step of the way. I glanced over at Kakashi to see him give me a small smile. It gave me hope...maybe I really will grow up to be like my sister. I grinned at the thought, not before hearing a piercing cry of an infant. My breathing stopped and tears started welling up into my eyes.

"Naruto..." My sister panted. They chose the name after Jiraiya's first book character. He was a hero in the story... And our Naruto will be as well. She started crying happily and cradled the newborn baby in her arms. I looked at my nephew, the fluffy blonde hair and whisker marks on his cheeks were perfect and fitting. He was perfect.

"Naruto...! My perfect little nephew ya know." I cried. Minato had finished the stabilization and was able to leave the stone block. He rushed to Kushina's side kissing her forehead, thanking her for giving him the greatest gift in his life, the life of his child.

"My little son...My little Naruto..." Minato gapsed as he looked at his son for the first time. Little Naruto looked just like his father, his eyes shaped like Kushina's. I felt my heart burst, the loving feeling inside of my chest exploded into a million facets. The younger midwife took him to clean him off further when a loud bang was heard outside and the candles went out at once, causing the room to be completely dark. Quickly, I lit the candles once again with spare matches on a nearby table before noticing all of the midwives, except for the eldest, dead...their throats slashed.

Little Naruto was no where in sight.

"Naruto?!" Minato cried out. Kushina looked up in a panic but was too weak to get up.

"NARUTO!" She screamed. Minato noticed a footprint by the entrance and squatted on the ground, using his sensory type chakra.

"He's not far. Kakashi and Minako, stay here."

"But-"

"JUST DO IT!" I never heard Minato yell before, and to be honest it frightened me. Even though I wanted to come with him to save my nephew, I would listen to him. He's Hokage for a reason. Minato disappeared, a flash of yellow before vanishing all together. Kakashi quickly left to look where the explosion was and scanned outside, only to notice that all of the Anbu were dead as well. What was happening?! Was this what I was feeling?!

"Minako, someone has entered the-" Kakashi's voice was shut out, the entrance to the temple suddenly crumbled.

"MINAKO! NO!" Kakashi yelled from the other side of the rubble, however I felt chakra peak behind me. I turned to see a man with pitch black hair and a face covered by a mask. A single sharingan eye was in the hole on the right side of his face, the left was covered. Kushina was half conscious, unaware of the events taking place...the midwife fainted on the floor. I readied my kunai, my violet eyes narrowing.

"Who are you?" I growled. He sighed before appearing behind me.

"I can't bear to hurt you Mina. Please... Don't hate me..." The familiar voice said. My nickname? Do I know him? With the sharingan only on the one side and his voice...it's almost like he's-

"Nighty night Mina." He whispered in my ear before I felt a pinch on my neck and my body dropping. I was caught in the stranger's arms before he gently placed me on the ground.

~~

I was only unconscious for a few seconds, but enough for the masked man to escape. I woke to the sound of rocks crumbling, and tried going up to my feet steadily. Kakashi rushed into the room after breaking the rubble apart so see me and the unconscious woman on the ground.

"MINA! Are you alright?!" I stood up fully, tears brimming from my eyes. My fists had a thin layer of wind chakra over them, fury burning in my violet orbs.

"A masked man took my sister, and I'm going to get her back."

"Minako but you're-"

"I don't care Kakashi! She's the only family I have! I will save her no matter the cost. Now will you come with me or what?!" I hissed as I picked up the unconscious woman and brought her outside. The villagers were caucused outside the village, being evacuated by several jonin and chunin for the internal danger. I spotted Gai and Tsume in the mix. I ran to them, Kakashi hot on my trail.

"Gai, please take her, I have to find my sister." I gushed, so flustered and panicked that my speech impediment didn't even register in my brain.

"Mina, you can't go in the village. They are forbidding anyone twenty and under from joining the fight. The masked man is attempting to release the nine-tails," Gai spoke. Tsume was holding her infant son, along with her young daughter, I looked in her eyes and she sighed.

"I'd go now if I were you."

"But Gai just said-" Kakashi started before I interrupted.

"This is my sister, her husband, and their son. I will gladly die for them. Those who break the rules are scum, but those who abandon friends and family are worse than scum." I quoted before hearing a loud roar. A horrible, evil chakra plagued the air, and I turned towards the source in the middle of the village, mortified. Kurama.

"KUSHINA!" I screamed before running faster than I ever had before. I was a red blur, faster than the eyes could catch.

I was the Red Flash.

I saw Minato fighting the nine-tails as best as he could, along with dozens of other jonins and chunins. He must have found Naruto already then. The village smelled of rusted blood and the sounds of screams from the men, women and children violated the original peace. I never truly had a greatest fear until this point, but now that I witnessed this total and utter destruction of my home, my friends and family, I knew that this was what I feared the most.
This was my living nightmare.

"KUSHINA! KUSHINA WHERE ARE YOU?!" I screamed. I suddenly saw a little boy with mousey brown hair and a look of pure fear on his face. A fresh cut was sliced across his nose, a little blood dripping down. I saw one of the many tails of Kurama about to hit the child when I quickly picked him up and avoided the tail. The boy was cowering into my chest, fresh tears down his face. He must have been about eight years old.

"Are you alright?" I asked him. He nodded but started crying.

"My mommy...she's trapped...she needs my help!" He started pointing to a nearby house where it was completely collapsed into rubble, a pale arm hung limply underneath. Clearly the woman had been crushed to death.

"Sweetheart...your mommy is safe in heaven now. She didn't make it." I disclosed to him. The child's pupil shrunk and he collapsed into my arms. He was sobbing into me and I allowed it, however my goal was to bring him to safety. The tails were still a threat.

"What's your name?" I asked.

"I-iru-ka." Iruka? I swear that name was the same name as-

"IRUKA! MINAKO! LOOK OUT!" I heard a familiar voice shout. Suddenly a man pushed the child and I away, narrowly dodging a fatal hit by a tail, one the man succumbed to instead. I turned to see the man fly into a brick wall, blood flowing out of his mouth. I noticed his face and ran with the child while screaming.

"IRUKEI SENSEI!" The child was weeping.

"Daddy? Daddy! Please don't leave me. Please don't go to heaven like mommy! I need you! Please please Daddy!" Iruka begged and pleaded. My sensei smiled slightly, putting a hand on both of our heads since we were each on one of his sides. I started crying as well.

"Iruka...I love you very much. You are my greatest achievement as a man, and I couldn't have been more honored to have you as my son." He croaked, coughing slightly in between words. Iruka cried, clenching his teeth.

"Minako." My violet eyes went wide, so I could hear my sensei's final words to me, word's that'll be engraved into my mind forever.

"You are my greatest achievement as a teacher. I am so proud of the young woman you have become. You truly are a great kunoichi, and I believe you are capable of saving this village. The will of fire burns bright within you, never let anything diminish it. Please...take care of Iruka..." He gasped, his last breath leaving his lungs and his final word being his son's name. Tears slid down my face and I closed his eyes for him gently. I then untied his slightly bloody ninja headband and placed it into his son's palms.

"Make your father proud Iruka, just like I am going to do." I spoke to him. He looked up at me with admiration in his eyes, his face covered and still quivering in tears. I picked him up and quickly ran him to an area outside of the nine-tails' reach.

"Run straight ahead and never look back Iruka. There will be a group of ninjas ahead who will protect you." Iruka nodded, still tear stricken, and ran.

I turned and headed towards the town center, where my sister must be. I looked around everywhere, seeing bodies of dozens of jonins and chunins littering the ground. Kurama massacred the village and my friends. I felt pure and utter rage, wanting to destroy the masked man and Kurama along with it. I then saw another head of red holding an infant while setting up candles. Blood was drawn on the ground.
A sealing ritual.

"KUSHINA!" I screamed before heading towards her. I dodged a claw from the beast and continued running to my sister, she turned and I noticed blood all over her clothing.

"Minako...I don't know if I am going to make it ya know. Minato is going to seal the beast inside of me, and we'll die together." I froze.

"No. I refuse to allow you to die Kushina. Not if I can do something about it. Put the beast inside me, you have a son to think about, ya know." I replied. Kushina looked troubled.

"Mina, I can't have you sacrifice that-"

"Listen to me!" I shouted. She paused, letting me speak. I hugged her tightly, still giving her space for my little Naruto. He was so beautiful...

"You have a husband and a son now Kushina. You need to live...you need to live for them. Please...let me repay you for all of the endless love you have given me. I must do this for you...for your son." Kushina started crying and hugged me, burrowing her cheek into my neck.

"I love you Mina. I love you!" I wiped her cheek and kissed it. Minato appeared behind us and hugged me as well.

"So you've decided to do it, let's get started Mina." I nodded and stood outside of the small little hut my family was in. Naruto was placed into a small cradle on the ground and I stood in front of him. I caressed his cheek with my finger, his skin so soft and delicate...so innocent and pure. He doesn't deserve to have such evil sealed inside of him...he doesn't deserve that darkness. I will gladly sacrifice myself for him. My little angel...I love him so much already.

"Your chains Mina, Kushina." My sister and I looked at each other, twins nearly, and held out our hands. Our chakra chains extended towards the beast, wrapping around its legs, arms, and tails, holding him down. I was panting from the incredible release of chakra, Kushina nearly collapsed, but she still held steady.

"Now Minato!" The blond man that I grew to love as an older brother kissed me on the forehead.

"Thank you Mina...I love you very much." He turned to my sister who was ready to fall apart at any moment, knowing this sealing jutsu would kill her husband.

"I have been in love with you since the moment we met Kushina, I am so proud to know that our legacy, our son, has a mother so amazing...and so beautiful. Thank you for everything, for sharing your life, your heart...with me. I love you Kushina." He kissed her.

"Minato..." He then began forming handsigns, a giant figure appeared pulling the Nine-tails spirit towards me...the chakra following.

"Seal!" He yelled, placing his palm on my stomach. Suddenly I felt completely sick, as if my insides were on fire and replaced. My stomach was flipping and I was gasping for breath. The worst of the evil chakra was being filled inside of me first, the hardest part which required the most chakra control since it was where the nine-tails kept most of its chakra. Kurama roared into the air, breaking through a chain and hitting me with a tail, knocking me into the side of the building. Pain spread across me and Kushina screamed my name. I couldn't move, my back was broken and I very possibly could die. I glared at the beast only to see the masked man standing on a roof. Minato had to finish the ritual however and the only one left that could bear the easier of the chakra without dying was his son...was my little Naruto. He realized this and walked towards the newborn, a grieving look in his eyes. Kurama realized this too because it roared again, thrashing against the chains.

"Minato no..." I whispered. More chains broke, and Kurama was able to release a claw. It threw its claw forward, aiming for my nephew but was stopped by two bodies.
Minato and my sister.

"NO!" I screamed, I desperately tried to move but I was paralyzed by pain. I felt so completely and utterly helpless. Minato stuck his hand forward, despite the giant hole in his chest and sealed the remaining chakra from the beast inside of Naruto, a sealing swirl appearing on his bare stomach. The beast disappeared, smoke laying in its wake. I tried to crawl my way towards Naruto, my sister, and Minato...my body moving sluggishly, completely broken by the impact.

"Naruto...my son...know that Mommy and Daddy love you more than words can ever say. We will always be with you..." Kushina gasped. Minato and Kushina had blood dripping from their lips, the life in their bodies slowly leaving them.

"You will be the hero of the world Naruto...you will bring peace to this destruction. We believe in you. I love you." Minato spoke to the infant who began to cry. It was almost as if he sensed the death and grief in the air. My heart was cracking, the image of seeing Obito, Rin, Irukei...and now my family...dying... how could I ever move on? How will I ever find the strength to live? I looked down at the crying infant and felt my heart ache more.

For him. I will live on for him...my little Naruto.

"Mina..." My sister voiced, her and Minato slumping to the floor. Hiruzen Sarutobi and a few Anbu made their way towards us, calling medics to heal me since Minato and Kushina were not going to make it anyway. I finally made it to my sister and her husband, laying in between them. They each placed their heads on the crook of my neck on either side, holding each other's hands over me. They wanted to die feeling at one, feeling love. Naruto was just above us in his cradle.

"Mina...I tried to be the best mother I could for you...ya know...not to brag or anything... but I think you grew up to be the most amazing woman in the Leaf. I trust my one and only son to you...and I am so sorry to burden you with this ya know...but please...be the mother I won't be able to become for him. Give him all of the love and affection you possibly could, and more. I don't care if he ends up a great ninja or not...I want him to feel your love and our love, channeled through you. I love you Mina." I started weeping, feeling both of my greatest companions start to pass on.

"I swear on it...Naruto will be taken care of...you don't have to worry. I will love him like he is my own son. You can rest easy, Kushina...Minato. Thank you for everything." I spoke to them. They both smiled and looked into each other's eyes while laying on me, both passing on.

Hiruzen made his way towards us and was mortified by the sight, seeing the Fourth Hokage had fallen, along with his wife.

"Medics! Get this girl and the child to safety!" I started losing consciousness, slipping into a deep...dark slumber. The image of my sister and Minato together, happy with their son pasted itself into my mind.

For you Naruto...I will live on for you.