MINAKO'S POINT OF VIEW

MONTHS LATER

"Okay do you have your lunch? And extra pencils? And bandages in case you get cut ya know? Here take three! Wait actually take the whole box!" I sputtered out as I ran frantically around the house trying to prepare Naruto for his first day in the Academy. Said boy sat grumpily on the bottom step of the staircase and watched as I fluttered about.

"Mommy! Stop! I'm going to be just fine ya know! Yes I have my lunch and pencils! That's all I need!" Naruto said as he stood up to stop me from panicking even more. I knew he was right, that I was being overprotective and needed to stop. If he was ever going to be a ninja, he needed to be able to walk on his own two feet.

My little Naruto... A ninja...

I internally squealed in fear for him after going through what I did. I felt so much pain from being a ninja. I saw my friends die, my sensei, my sister... There was nothing easy about being a ninja... I hope Naruto learns of the sacrifice it means without actually having to. I know that isn't going to happen...but just thinking about the alternative breaks my heart. After weeks of him begging, I finally succumbed to signing him up for the next incoming class year, something Tsume did for her youngest and Mikoto for Sasuke. At least he'll have friends in the academy with him. Apparently I was staring off too long because Naruto gripped the bottom of my shirt, trying to get my attention.

"Mommy?" I turned to him, the copy of Minato's bright blue eyes looking at me. How I missed my brother in law...

"Hmm?"

"Are you going to be okay if I go to school?" He asked me. My violet eyes widened in surprise. Was Naruto worried about me?

"I don't have to go if it makes you sad Mommy." Naruto said as he looked me in the eyes. Shock invaded my system and my lip quivered slightly. I knelt onto the ground and hugged my baby tightly. He buried his blond mop of hair into the crook of my neck, hugging me back. I felt a single tear slip out down my cheek but I wiped it quickly so Naruto couldn't see. I pulled away from Naruto and placed my hands on his whiskered cheeks. He was so thoughtful and considerate, a trait both of his parents shared. I'm so proud of him.

"Naruto, don't ever hold yourself back because of me. I love you and will support you forever. Now let me tell you a little secret ya know." I whispered in his ear. He excitedly leaned forward, smiling brightly.

"What is it Mommy?! Tell me 'ttebayo!" I kissed the top of his head before ruffling his hair. I looked down at Minato's mini clone and swallowed down the lump in my throat. Within a moment, I envisioned Naruto on the Hokage mountain, standing with a grin on his face while wearing Minato's jacket...the Hokage hat in his hands. I know he'll excel one day... I'll do anything in my power to help him.

"I believe that you will be a great ninja. No matter what you do Naruto, I will always be here for you. One day, you'll be better than Kakashi and I combined ya know." Naruto grinned, a shocked expression on his little features.

"Really?!" I smiled wide, my ruby strands passing over my shoulder.

"Really. Now let's get going before your sensei kills me ya know!" I smiled. Immediately I felt nostalgia from when my sister took me to school on my first day. The agonizing pain in my chest reminded me of that. Even after seven years, the pain still remains..

Naruto and I walked into the Academy building so he could take the entrance exam. At the front of the class was a young man with a familiar scar across his face. I narrowed my eyes trying to remember who he was but it came up blank. Why was he so familiar!? Naruto took a seat next to Sasuke who looked annoyed, making me roll my eyes. Him with his Uchiha pride. I waved to Sasuke before ruffling his hair, causing him to get embarrassed.

"Mahhh! Miss Minako don't do that!" He whisper shouted, trying to sound cool in front of his peers.

"Aww you're so adorable Sasuke~ You're such a good boy. You'll do so well just like your brother!" I grinned at him. Sasuke blushed heavily before turning his face away.

"Um...thank you..." Naruto had a vein pop on his forehead before he ran to hug me as tightly as possible.

"HEY THAT'S MY MOM! GET YOUR OWN SASUKE!" Naruto growled. They glared at each other before grunting and crossing their arms, facing the other way. I laughed at the way they acted...much like Kakashi and Obito at their age.

"Sasuke kun~"

"Oh my gosh it's Sasuke!"

"Sasuke please date me!" A bunch of young girls squealed as they started crowding around the young Uchiha. He looked a little overwhelmed and Naruto looked disappointed that no one was coming to talk to him. I smiled at my little boy before ruffling his hair.

"Cheer up honey, real kunoichis won't waste time like this and will do what they can to become stronger. Personally I think you dodged a kunai on this one. Haha!" I giggled. The little girls all turned to me and had stars in their eyes.

"Wow! Are you the Red Flash?!"

"Is it true that you were trained by a legendary sannin?!"

"And the Fourth Hokage?!" I sweatdropped before blushing heavily.

"Hey hey hey! Calm down will ya? Sheesh ya know!" I huffed.

"Hey! Ino! Sakura! Please take a seat! I want to begin the test!" The voice sounded oddly familiar, I almost responded with an 'Alright Irukei sensei'. But Irukei sensei wasn't here anymore. Although...

I was tapped on the shoulder by the chunin sensei, causing me to look into very similar warm dark eyes from my first sensei.

"Hello! You must be Miss Uzumaki, Naruto's mother? My name is Iruka Umino, I will be this incoming class' sensei." I grinned and stook my hand out for him to shake. Iruka Umino... Well I'll be damned.

He shook my hand with a smile before nodding.

"Well I'm happy that you'll be my little Naruto's sensei, after all, your father was an amazing sensei to me." I grinned. His eyes went wide before he tilted his head, a spark of recognition ghosting his features.

"Y-you're that girl?! The Red Flash? The one that saved me...it's been years! I'm so sorry...I was meaning to reach out but...life just...ah nevermind." Iruka rushed his words slightly, as if meeting someone famous for the first time. I just smiled at him and shook my head, my bright red strings hanging loose.

"Hey don't worry about it. I figured you didn't want to deal with a random girl your dad taught. I'm glad that you're following in your father's footsteps though. He was a great man ya know." The young sixteen year old nodded his head, a serene look blossoming on his tanned skin.

"He sure was. I'm hoping I'll make him proud." I placed a hand on Iruka's shoulder before giving him a small smile.

"I'm sure he's smiling down on you ya know." I turned to look at the clock on the wall before turning back towards my son, arguing with Sasuke. Speaking of Sasuke, I wonder who dropped him off? I looked around to see Itachi and Mikoto talking in the parents' lounge just across the hall, along with Tsume who was quietly sitting with her companion canine. I quickly waved to Naruto a goodbye before moving my way towards the lounge. I hope Naruto doesn't slack off...

I walked into the lounge to be greeted by my younger student immediately, him showing the highest respect as always.

"Good morning Mina sensei," said Itachi. I smiled at him before saying good morning back and greeting Tsume and Mikoto.

"Hey Tsume!" I called out. She raised an eyebrow before grinning her wolfy smile. It didn't reach her eyes considering her husband just left her, completely ditching his two kids as well. I told her if she ever needed me to watch Kiba I would. Hana was twelve now and a genin, she was fully capable of taking care of herself.

"What's up?" Tsume asked. Mikoto listened in along with Itachi to see what we were talking about.

"So apparently that young sensei is Irukei sensei's son. Small world huh?" I smiled. Her eyes widened before giggling.

"No way! Haha well I guess our generation and the next will get an Umino education." I felt a tap on the shoulder before meeting eye to eye with Itachi. When did he get so tall!? I swear, my boys are growing before my eyes.

"Minako sensei, I believe Shisui left some kunai at your house. Mind if I retrieve them for him?" Itachi's solemn eyes told me that he was using our code words. I nodded my head before giving a fake smile.

"Of course! Well I'll see you guys later then ya know. Bye Mikoto, Tsume!" They waved goodbye as Itachi and I left the room. We made it outside before nodding to each other, running to the meeting spot to group up with Shisui. We finally made it to the hidden area before seeing Shisui sitting comfortably on the ground.

"Well it's about time you guys got here." He smirked. I rolled my eyes before pulling my hair up and out of my face.

"Oh shut up Shisui. Anyway what's the news?" I asked. Itachi and Shisui looked at each other before sighing.

"In a few months, we are making our move. The Uchihas have decided completely in taking over the village. We have been working on both sides to try and figure out what was going on but Shisui and I have made a decision on who we are siding with." I raised my eyebrows. So the Uchihas really were going to go through with it... I felt my heart shatter at the news. I loved the Uchihas... Seeing them fight against our village... It's just painful...

"I see... And who is it you're going to stick with ya know?" I asked nervously. The boys sighed before looking at me with broken hearts.

"We are choosing to protect this village." I felt proud yet sick at the same time. Itachi and Shisui are choosing to protect the village over their own families...something I could never see myself doing. If it was down to it, I would be fine with living my life with Kakashi, Naruto, and I against the world. I could never fight against them.

"Did you speak to the Hokage yet?" I asked. They both shook their heads.

"We were waiting for you Mina sensei." I opened my arms out to the boys that I have been training since they were six and eight years old. They were my family. They both moved in to hug me tightly, my strong boys that never got too old.

"I'm so proud of you two. Never forget that ya know." I said.

~~

After Team Mina talked to the Hokage, I went by myself to pick up Naruto from the entrance exam. He was sitting on a bench by himself when I saw a few other kids his age start to crowd around him.

"What the hell?!" I whispered to myself. I observed further to hear what the boys were saying.

"You stupid freak! Just get out of the village!"

"Yeah! No one wants you here you monster!"

"Why don't you just go and die!" They yelled at my precious baby boy. Naruto's eyes were cast downward, no tears on his face as if this wasn't the first time this happened. I clenched my fist tightly, my nails and teeth elongated.

Kurama stop. I can't kill children.

Oh come on! It will be fun... And besides the little brats deserve it.

Even though they do... I cannot kill children Kurama.

I closed my eyes tightly, trying to control the evil part of the tailed beast that was inside of me. I couldn't let it take over. I can't. Deep breaths... Deep breaths...

"Hey that's no way to talk to your classmate! You should be ashamed of yourselves. I expect you three to be in detention tomorrow and maybe you'll learn not to bully others!" I heard a voice. I opened my eyes to see Iruka standing in front of Naruto, glaring at the three boys. They grumbled to themselves before grinding their teeth.

"Jeez Naruto! Such a loser that you had to tell on us!" They said when Iruka turned to lock the door of the Academy.

"But I didn't-"

"Shut up you idiot! I'll teach you a lesson to talk back to me!" The boy said. Just as he was about to hit Naruto, I flickered in front of him, pulling the boy's wrist upwards to dangle him off the ground. His eyes flashed with fear and I knew my eyes were still red with fury.

"I would not hit others if I were you. Especially my son." I growled. "I'll let you go today without telling your parents. Go home. " I hissed. The boy dropped on the ground and he and his friends ran away in a panic. He was in complete fear...Kurama was purring in my subconscious at the sight.

I turned to my little Naruto who had tears in his cerulean eyes. I picked him up and let him cry into my chest, I hugged him tightly and snuggled into him.

"I love you Naruto. I will always protect you baby."

All of a sudden two Anbu appeared before me, both of them Kakashi's teammates. My heart sped up and I gripped my Naruto tighter. Every horrible thought passed through my mind about my fiancé that I started to panic.

"Tenzo! What happened!?" I squeaked. Tenzo lifted his mask, his bland black eyes held worry.

"I'm so sorry to tell you this...the mission was a failure. Kakashi is in the hospital." The love of my life was hurt... I felt my insides crumble. I ran as fast as I could to the hospital with Naruto in my arms.

Kakashi... Please be okay. I need you.

I opened the hospital door despite the angry nurses yelling just to see Kakashi laying on the bed, dried blood down the side of his face.

"Ma'am you're not supposed to be here." A nurse said surprised. I felt the tears roll down my cheeks and Naruto clung to me tighter, hating to see me cry.

"That's my fiancé. I'm staying." I croaked. She just shrugged before sighing and mumbling something to herself. I studied my future husband's perfect features, my heart bursting.

"What happened?" I asked. Naruto started to fall asleep on my shoulder. I wrapped my arms around him and felt myself relax. Naruto always made me feel better. The nurse looked at Kakashi's chart before sighing and standing in front of me.

"He exhausted his chakra, he cut open his head in two places and has one wound on his stomach. He also overused his sharingan. I expect two weeks in the hospital." I swallowed, anxiety filling me.

"Damn... Our wedding is in two weeks!" I exclaimed. The woman looked sympathetic before shaking her head.

"I'm sorry Ma'am." She left the room after checking his pulse and writing it down. I went to his bedside, moving his mask down and kissing his lips softly.

"Please be okay Kakashi... I can't do this without you."