MINAKO'S POINT OF VIEW

"Mina! Breakfast!" I leaned up out of my bed only to smell the wafting perfume of bacon and pancakes. A smile brewed across my face. It was my favorite. I quickly ran with my little legs down the stairs and into the kitchen, hugging Kushina tightly.

"Oh? Someone's giving me love for making breakfast ya know." Kushina giggled. I snagged a piece of meat and savoured the taste.

"You're the best big sister in the world ya know!" I chimed. Kushina smiled at me and kissed me on the forehead.

"Only to the little sister I love more than anything."

~~

"Minato! Help me! I'm lost!" I started crying as four year old me wandered through a forest alone. I was supposed to be playing hide and seek with my sister's boyfriend but being clumsy me, I got lost. I whimpered as tears fell down my face, shaking slightly because it was getting dark. I kept walking, almost mindlessly when suddenly the forest floor gave way and I fell into an old forgotten ninja trap.

"MINATO!" I screamed, death certainly was waiting for me... my body was falling. Suddenly, I was in a pair of warm, soft arms and cradled into a comforting chest.

"Shh don't cry Mina. I'm here." Minato spoke softly. I cried into the crook of his neck, letting out all of my previous fear.

"I-i was so s-scared ya know?" I whimpered. He sighed and stroked my hair, making me feel safe and loved.

"I'll always protect you Mina. I'll never let you fall."

Kushina... Minato...

I miss you.

The tears have dried...none left to cry. My chest felt heavy...my heart...completely shattered. When I was a child, I thought being a shinobi meant traveling to faraway places...meeting people...making friends and protecting my village. I never truly understood the misery, and utter loss that came with being a ninja. I didn't understand the true meaning of sacrifice...until the moment my family and friends were violently taken from me. Obito...Rin...Irukei...Minato...Kushina...may your souls rest in happiness and peace.

I cracked my eyes open only to be greeted by a bright light. I looked around, noticing I was in a hospital bed and that a silver haired boy was laying on me, holding my left hand in his. His eyes were slightly red and puffy from crying, his cheeks were stained. I moved my right hand through his hair, feeling nothing, whether it was the painkillers in my system or not. My mind was blank from the traumatizing events that happened. After all, what do you do when you're in so much emotional pain that it paralyzes you? Every pain pill in the world would never fade the piercing shatter of a broken heart. The boy started to wake up, looking at me with sleepy eyes before widening them and immediately sitting up.

"Mina! You're awake." I only smiled a little bit at him, feeling upset that he was crying.

"Why were you crying Kakashi?" I asked softly. My voice was scratchy, and suddenly my throat was burning. When was the last time I had a drink of water? Kakashi looked me in the eyes before kissing me fully on the lips, I welcomed it. 

"I thought I was going to lose you." He whispered. I smiled softly at him and cradled his face, bringing his lips back to mine.

"Not when I have something to live for." I spoke back.  He grinned and kissed my cheek before sitting down again and holding my hand. 

"So what happened to me?" I asked.

"You broke your spine in two places, luckily there were no fragments and just cracks. However, the medic ninja performed surgery and she said it was a miracle. That your spine was healing so fast...almost as if there was barely any damage done. She said you should be out of the hospital by the end of the week. Normally it would take a few months of rehabilitation." My eyes widened but then I remembered why I would be healing so fast.

"Kurama." Kakashi looked confused.

"What?" 

"The nine-tailed fox. Its chakra is healing me." Kakashi stood up, a shocked look in his eyes. He put his hands in his hair and tugged.

"Y-you're the host? Please tell me that's not true Mina! This...this is the monster that destroyed the Leaf! The creature that killed your family!" I sniffled, a tear streaming down my cheek.

"Don't you think I know that?! I didn't have a choice! Only Uzumakis are strong enough to survive the strength of its chakra! I had to save the village!"

"What about the baby? Couldn't you just let him be the jinchuriki? Why did you have to do it?! Why you?! Anyone but you!" He pleaded with me. I shook my head and I placed a hand on my stomach. I was angry now.

"Did you truly believe I would put my infant nephew in danger like that? To have him grow up being hated and feared for something he couldn't control? I would take that on instead. I could handle being viewed as a monster, as an evil creature for containing the beast. To think that you, of all people, viewed me as a beast too..." Kakashi's eyes widened and he tried to touch my hand but I quickly moved it away. Kakashi looked like I smacked him in the face.

"Mina, I'm-"

"I'm a monster, I know. I lost my 'brother', my sensei...my sister. What more do you want from me? What are you expecting? I am the nine tails jinchuriki." Kakashi looked destroyed at the reminder of my loss. He knew what it was like to lose family, yet he never understood what it was like to live as a monster, a survivor of something that you shouldn't be. 

"I'm not looking for anything. I only care about you. I only care about you being safe and happy... that is all. I LOVE you Mina. Jinchuriki or not. And I always will love you. I just...I hurt knowing that you are a host...I know you'll go through ridicule and I don't want you to ever experience that. I don't want you to ever feel hated or unsafe in your own home. You're a hero. You saved the village." I looked down at my clenched hands before another hand smoothed mine out.

"You don't have to stay with me you know...I'm not going to drag you down with me Kakashi...there are plenty of beautiful women out there, women less messed up than me...women that aren't monsters." I whispered. Kakashi removed his mask and moved my chin up so I looked him in the eyes.

"But they aren't you. They aren't as beautiful as you. They aren't as amazing and perfect as you. They aren't my everything like you...I told you already Mina, jinchuriki or not, I'm in love with you." He then placed his soft lips on mine again, cradling my face. I loved Kakashi. I loved him more than I ever thought I could, and with him with me, it made the pain I felt in my chest fade slightly. Kakashi released his hold on my lips and ran his fingers through my hair.

"I'm sorry what I said earlier hurt you." I shook my head. A small smile on my face.

"It's okay." Kakashi turned from me and walked towards the door.

"I have a surprise for you though." 

"Huh?!" I questioned. 

"Just wait a second." I looked out the window when Kakashi left, a perfect view of the village or what it used to be. Smoke and debris were everywhere, some buildings completely untouched while others were destroyed. Knowing the thing that caused it was inside me was insane. I looked down at the necklace Minato gave me and touched it. This was the last bit of their energy, their chakra...in here. After Kushina passed, I unhooked her necklace, hoping that one day I could give it to her son... The only piece he'd ever have as a reminder of his mom. I heard the door open and looked up to see Kakashi walk into the room alongside a nurse who was holding Naruto. I grinned, happiness filling me seeing the calm, healthy, sleeping baby.

"Miss Uzumaki, your child." I ignored the part where she said my child and focused on holding the baby, something I have yet to do. The sleeping infant was placed into my arms and I cradled him close to me. I immediately fell in love.

"Little Naruto... I love you." I cooed to the baby. The infant looked just like his father... The fluffy mop of blond hair on his head and lightly tanned complexion proved that.

"He's so beautiful Kakashi." I whispered. The nurse left the room and Kakashi looked at the child.

"He looks just like sensei. I wonder how strong he'll be." I smiled down at the baby... The only living testament to my sister and her husband.

"He'll be everything Konoha needs him to be... I just know it. He's a little hero... My little hero." I kissed his forehead delicately. Suddenly, the door to the room opened and two older men and a woman walked through...Master Jiraiya, Lady Tsunade, and Hiruzen Sarutobi came towards me, astonished looks on their faces.

"You're awake?" Jiraiya asked. I nodded, glancing over at Kakashi who was standing protectively next to me.

"Good because we have some things to discuss with the two of you." Hiruzen said. The older man came to my bed side followed by his two students. Lady Tsunade took a clip board that was next to my bed and analyzed it.

"First things first, Tsunade will give you an update on your progess Minako." I looked over towards the medic ninja and held Naruto towards me, my body warming him.

"Well everything looks pretty good to be honest despite your broken spine. In fact, any normal person should have not been able to even move right now and you are sitting up. The surgery was a total success and we easily mended parts in your back which were cracked. However, you are running a slight fever but it is not from anything natural. The nine-tails chakra inside you has caused your internal temperature to rise for what I believe is premanent. It also is speeding up your recovery process dramatically. It is quite impressive, considering most would die or get burned from contact with the chakra. You are flourishing with it. As for your nephew, Naruto, he should stay in the hospital in the nursery for the week so that way the nurses can give him the proper vaccines and monitor any potential threat considering he is hosting some nine-tails chakra as well. Luckily for him, he recieved a much less threatening amount, versus you. Since in the will of the Fourth Hokage, he specifically entrusted his son to you, we of course need your permission to give any treatment to him." Tsunade updated to me. I looked down at the little bundle in my arms and was feeling relieved that he was having constant care while I was injured. He needed that attention... Especially since I had no idea what I was doing. After all, how could I be a parent at fourteen?

"Whatever he needs." Tsunade nodded and gave me a small smile. Hiruzen spoke.

"The chakra inside you is multiple times stronger than the amount inside Naruto. All of the evil inside the beast was sealed inside you, meaning it will be incredibly difficult to control. The seal Minato did was perfect in design but it does not mean that the chakra cannot leak. To prevent this for both you and Naruto, Jiraiya here will help you develop some skills so that way you could learn to be completely in control." Jiraiya placed a hand on my head and I looked up at the man I walked with at my sister's wedding. The man who was a friend to me growing up. How life can change in just a few years...

The Uchiha bracelet Obito gave me jingled in reminder.

"What are your plans ya know?" I asked Jiraiya. He sighed and leaned against the wall while crossing his arms.

"You will just have to find out." He responded. I deadpanned at his reply before looking over at Hiruzen.

"What about Kakashi, Naruto, and I's living arrangements ya know? We used to be living at the Hokage mansion and now Minato is no longer the Hokage...where do we go and who's going to lead?" I asked. I was worried, I had enough money for a very small apartment but if I moved, I wouldn't have enough money to provide for Naruto. He was obviously my biggest priority by far.

"You both can remain at the mansion for as long as you need to. At fourteen years old, no one expects you to be completely independent without a provider. Even your sister used me as her benefactor sometimes. It is also good for you to remain there for at least a little while so we can protect you just in case the man that released the nine-tails comes back. As for who will lead, the counsel has decided to inaugurate me as the Hokage once again." I was relieved that the Third would be back in power and not some stranger. He was an amazing Hokage after all and someone I could rely on as a person. I froze at the reminder of the masked man, remembering his familiar voice and sharingan... The fact my nickname was known to him and rolled off the tongue... How he refused to hurt me... It was all weird and suspicious. Whoever he is, I will find him and I will kill him. After all, he caused the death of hundreds of citizens, the destruction of my village, and the massacre of my family. Kakashi was silent this whole time before standing and scratching his head.

"Lord Hokage, is the contract I signed with the Fourth still active?" I turned my head curiously at him, completely confused as to what Kakashi was saying. The Third knew what he was referencing however and nodded. 

"Yes, I'll assign you to a mentor as soon as possible. Congratulations." 

"Kakashi what are you guys talking about?" He turned to me and placed a hand on my shoulder, trying to relax me. It worked.

"Sensei told me that after Kushina had the baby and my job for being her body guard was finished, he would promote me to Anbu." My eyes bulged.

"What!?" It would be the first time one of us was promoted and not the other. For some reason... It truly bothered me. Not because I felt beneath him or anything... But because I felt like it was something him and I shared... Milestones in our lives that we bonded over.

"Yes... But for right now, the rebuilding of Konoha is our first priority. We need to be strong because without strong ninjas, other nations could easily attack us." The Third spoke. I looked down at Naruto and at my love. I narrowed my eyes and scrunched my nose.

Like hell I'd ever let anyone be even close to hurting my Naruto.

~~

2 WEEKS LATER

"Mina! The strap goes on the outside and his legs go through here! There you go. Now make sure it's not too tight but not too loose, you don't want him to slip out. Good work!" Mikoto Uchiha was coaching me on how to properly put Naruto in a diaper. She's been very helpful since the passing of my sister, being a mother of two with a three month old infant made her fresh on the knowledge as well. 

Ever since I was released from the hospital, I have been spending quite a bit of time with my sister's best friend. She reminded me of a much more mellow version of her, toning down some of the agony in my heart at just the mere thought of her. Mikoto was patient with me and gave me advice on parenting, how to warm a bottle, hold and feed a baby, what to do when he cries, when to change and bathe him... The list goes on, so many things I didn't even know a mother had to do. 

Mikoto promised me that when I would go on missions, she would help watch Naruto. Her eldest son, Itachi, was also very helpful. He was just a young child, yet he was advanced beyond his years. He understood orders and followed through, making him his father's favorite, easily. Itachi was going to be entered into the Academy as soon as it was repaired, only a year older than I was when I entered, six. I wouldn't be surprised if he was a prodigy for the Uchiha clan.

"Awwh wittle Nawuto wooks so cwute." I cooed at the baby as I put clothes back on him. He was wearing a little fuzzy orange onesie that Mikoto lent me since Sasuke grew out of it. Naruto let out his first giggle, freezing me in my tracks before a huge grin spread on my face. His laugh was beautiful. What I would give so my sister could hear his laugh... Just once...

~~

Naruto was sleeping soundly in his crib and I was reading, waiting for Kakashi.

The silver haired boy walked into Naruto and I's shared room, taking off his mask and placing it on my dresser. He was tired from his Anbu training, a thin layer of sweat was causing a sheer gloss to cover him. He hung up his metal chest plate and arm guards, carelessly tossing the rest. I raised an eyebrow at his actions and moved myself so that way he could sit next to me on my bed. It was the only time of the day I would see him, besides when he would kiss me goodbye in the mornings when he left for training.

"You look tired." I commented. He then yawned and laid across my lap, looking at me with those eyes I love so much.

"It was my last day of training since I passed every test they threw at me... And because they are desperate. I got the official tattoo today." I looked over and saw red and irritated skin before seeing the symbol of an Anbu forever painted. I smiled softly, the curve never reaching my eyes.

"I'm proud of you." I told him truthfully. He sat up and placed my scarlet hair behind my ear, analyzing my face.

"What's wrong Mina? Is everything okay?.... Are the bad thoughts coming back..?" He whispered the last part... Referencing the depression I went through a few years ago when Obito died. I couldn't allow myself to drown in sorrow, as much as I wanted to. I couldn't, no.. wouldn't allow myself to do that... Because there's someone who needs me more than anything... And that someone is my nephew. He and Kakashi were my only saving graces... The only things keeping me afloat.

"No... I just... Parenting is so much... It's just so overwhelming." I said. Kakashi looked at me seriously.

"If you need me to drop out of the program to help you I will-"

"No way. No. Kakashi you've been dreaming of this opportunity for a long time. I will never take that from you. I'll be okay, I'll survive." I reassured.

"I love you, I hope you know that." Kakashi spoke softly. He pulled his mask down, revealing his perfect and flawless face. I had instant butterflies when I saw him maskless. He pressed his lips to mine lovingly and longingly...caressing my face with his hands.

With Kakashi by my side... Maybe being a Mom would be possible.