15

Notes:

Oops I changed my mind about ending it now. You can thank your fellow readers for the inspiration to write a bit more of the immediate aftermath :) Ok for sure though, one more chapter wrapping up Zetsu stuff and then we get a time skip epilogue. Love me a time skip epilogue.

Fair warning that the first chunk of this chapter might be a bit rough. TW for funerals, discussion of character death.

(See the end of the chapter for more notes.)

Chapter Text

For a few moments, time seemed to stand still. It was just them and their grief, mourning not only their immediate loss, but also the loss of so many "what ifs?" What if they'd gone back for Obito's body after the rockfall? What if they'd realized he was still alive, and spared him from his fate? Kushina blinked and she pictured a different reality, one where two teenagers bickered at the dinner table and Naruto had two almost-brothers instead of one. Maybe the change would have caused enough ripples to alter the fate of Minato's third student as well. They'd all fuss and coo over Naruto, and Minato wouldn't have the stress lines on his face that had developed since Kannabi Bridge. 

But that wasn't what happened. Another blink, and the scene disappeared. A breath, and time moved forward. 

Kakashi wasn't exchanging playful barbs with his teammate, or rolling his eyes as Obito shouted promises that he was going to be Hokage. Obito was still and silent, and Kakashi was leaning over his lifeless body, shaking with grief. Minato wasn't moving a muscle, kneeling in the dirt with his back ramrod straight and his gaze fixed blankly downwards. 

Kushina realized she was still holding Obito's limp hand. There was no life left in it, but she couldn't quite bring herself to let go. With her other hand, she held Naruto closer, feeling the slightest reassurance as she felt his little heart beating against her own. It was hard not to think about your loved ones in situations like this, worrying about who could be next. 

Minato was sporting an expression that Kushina had never seen before. Grief, mixed with anger, guilt, and a torrent of other complex emotions. She wanted to reach out, but she wasn't ready to let go of Obito's hand yet, and her other was occupied holding Naruto. 

He blinked once, and his expression hardened. He glanced around, and must have realized that their limited privacy was about to be compromised. The dust and ash in the air was still keeping them shrouded, but it was already starting to disperse. Without any explanation, Minato retrieved the discarded orange mask and placed it back over his late student's face. 

Kakashi looked at his mentor questioningly. "Sensei? What are you doing?" 

"The man who attacked the village tonight," he said dully, rising to his feet, "was Madara Uchiha. An enemy we thought long dead. Who else would have been able to control the bijuu?" 

Kushina and Kakashi exchanged a surprised glance. She couldn't say she was opposed to keeping Obito's identity a secret, but for the Hokage to suggest lying about such a thing…

"Are you sure?" she asked. "If the truth ever gets out–" 

"It won't. Who would believe it, anyway?" her husband insisted. 

It was very unlike Minato to lie like this. Of course he kept secrets, it was inevitable as the most powerful person in the village, but it was never to this scale. The only thing that may have come close was the truth about Kurama's journey through time, but that had been more of a lie of omission to everyone outside their inner circle. Minato was an honest person, and a fair man. Lying would be hard on him, but not as hard as telling the truth. 

Kakashi looked relieved about keeping his teammate's legacy intact. He gave Obito's hand a final squeeze, before resting it over the boy's lifeless chest. Kushina mirrored the gesture. She understood. If that was the story they were going with, they couldn't be seen kneeling and grieving for their fallen enemy. She stood up to match her husband, leaning against him for comfort and support. He seemed to soften a bit at the contact, but just barely. Kakashi was the last to get to his feet, and also the last to compose himself. As someone who normally bottled up their emotions, it was inevitable that a situation like this would make them bubble over uncontrollably. 

Their companions had bought them time, but it would look suspicious if they lingered any longer. The forces the Sandaime had taken charge of all converged on their location. Virtually every high ranking shinobi in the village, who they were about to lie to. 

"Lord Third," Minato greeted, hailing his predecessor as he approached them first. 

"I'm glad to see all of you unharmed," the old man greeted, motioning for the rest of their forces to hang back. He eyed the unmoving body on the ground, before his gaze flickered over to what remained of his former teammate. Based on how his eyes widened, it seemed that the remains were recognizable. "So, my old friend truly was involved in tonight's tragedy. I have to admit that I hoped you were wrong, Minato." 

With uncharacteristic harshness, Minato responded, "Kakashi was a witness to Lord Danzo's crimes, and that he possessed a stolen Sharingan. We knew what we were dealing with." 

The Sandaime looked apologetic, "I am sorry, my boy. I did not mean to imply that young Kakashi here had been untruthful. It is just difficult to accept that someone I once held dear was responsible for something so heinous." 

The others probably wouldn't notice, because they didn't know Minato as well as she did, but Kushina could see the quickest flash of sympathy and understanding in her husband's eyes. He was likely having similar thoughts about his own loss. 

"And what of our enemy?" the former Kage asked, nodding toward the prone, masked figure before them. 

Without a hint of emotion Minato responded, "Madara Uchiha was responsible for both the attack tonight, and the incident with the Kyuubi the night Naruto was born." 

"That should be impossible. Are you entirely certain?" The Sandaime didn't say it was impossible, only that it should be. He knew better than to completely dismiss the explanation. 

"I heard it straight from the man himself," Minato confirmed. "Besides, there couldn't possibly be anyone else powerful enough to so thoroughly control three bijuu, including the Kyuubi." 

"So he took control of the Kyuubi as well?" 

"Briefly," Minato replied. "From what I can tell, Madara confronted Lord Danzo for control of the jinchuuriki. He took control of the Kyuubi and Lord Danzo was killed in the altercation. I barely arrived in time to stop the Kyuubi from completely tearing through the seal and killing Naruto," he lied. "He wasn't at full power, thankfully, or else I doubt I would have been able to best him." 

The Sandaime shook his head in disbelief. "I am immensely grateful that I passed on the hat to you. I'm far too old to be dealing with any of this." He glanced at Danzo's remains once again. "What explanation are you giving for the fate that befell Lord Danzo?" 

Minato frowned. "Is there any particular reason you would be expecting me to not reveal the full truth?" 

"I am not telling you to do such a thing," the old man said carefully, "I am just sharing my wisdom and urging you to use caution in this scenario. Lord Danzo had many powerful allies, and was a prominent Councilman. Revealing the nature of his crimes will force the validity of any of his political decisions and policies to be questioned. It will be a very big headache for you to review them all, and may cause unrest in the village." 

Minato fixed his predecessor with a look that Kushina had never seen before. Disappointment, anger, and just a hint of disgust. "Lord Third, I understand that you have a history with Lord Danzo, but I fear that your own biases are blinding your judgment. Given the nature and severity of the man's crimes, I will not allow them to be swept under the rug." 

Kushina knew that her husband must be feeling a bit hypocritical, considering he was doing something very similar for his own student. She also knew that the situations were quite different. For all the harm Obito had done in the past few years, he was still basically a kid, and a heavily manipulated one at that. Functionally, he was a long term POW with questionable mental stability. And, while it didn't excuse any of his other terrible actions, in the end Obito had chosen to do the right thing. The same could not be said for the deceased Councilman, who had been scheming and lying until his last breath. 

Apparently on a roll, Minato continued, "I have multiple witnesses of confirmed bloodline theft, which would be enough to strip Lord Danzo of his position by itself. On top of that, he had his own group of private loyalists that attacked and killed Konoha shinobi, including ANBU." He gestured toward Kakashi, who was still down an eye and looking incredibly haggard. The bijuu chakra boost may have healed him, but it didn't remove the blood stains or tears from his clothes. "And then, of course, there is the attempted kidnapping and endangerment of the village jinchuuriki. Given the nature of the man's crimes, I welcome further investigation into any and all policies he has backed. In particular," he added, "any related to placing restrictions on the Uchiha Clan. I find it incredibly suspect that Lord Danzo has been the loudest in his distrust of the clan, while simultaneously possessing their own doujutsu. It makes his motives extremely questionable." 

The Sandaime nodded solemnly after the lecture, his expression remaining impassive. "Your convictions are why I chose you as my successor, Minato. I trust your judgment, even if it may not be the path I would have taken." 

Minato didn't say anything else to his predecessor, walking past him without a sideways glance. The Sandaime looked taken aback by the gruff attitude, but he didn't comment on it. In the face of adversity and tragedy, Minato generally remained positive and level headed. Even the Kyuubi attack had not caused such a harsh reaction from him. Others would likely brush it off as stress from the day's events, but Kushina knew there was more underneath the surface. Her husband was not ok. 

She tried to offer her support. "Minato–" 

Although he softened minutely when he addressed her and Naruto, his expression was still uncharacteristically harsh. She knew it wasn't directed toward his family, but it was still startling to see. "Please get yourself and Naruto to the hospital. I know you used up a lot of chakra, and we don't know if Lord Danzo did anything to Naruto." 

Kushina frowned at the dismissal. "I'm not gonna just run away and lick my wounds while you clean up this mess. There are still people that need help, y'know!" She gestured toward the worst of the destruction, where there were undoubtedly citizens injured or even trapped under debris. "Besides, what about–" 

"I will have Madara's body taken for autopsy, to see if we can find out any other secrets." He made the statement loudly enough that the Sandaime and other high ranking shinobi approaching them would hear. "Given the recent betrayal of one of our own, we will need to be cautious about who we place our trust in. Kakashi," he turned toward his student, "take Madara's body to Lady Tsunade. No one besides me, herself, or Master Jiraiya will be allowed to access it. Not until we know for sure there are no other traitors in our midst." 

Kakashi nodded, understanding the opportunity Minato was giving him. Given the reach of Lord Danzo's influence, it was not unreasonable to be concerned that he had co-conspirators. Minato would want to be seen acting cautious with any potential information about their enemy. It would also make sense that he would only place his trust in his own student, or the Sannin. In reality, Minato was giving them a chance to move Obito's body before anyone else could look under the mask and draw their own conclusions. What they would do from there, Kushina wasn't sure. 

Kakashi was doing an excellent job remaining stoic as he scooped up his teammate's lifeless corpse. Kushina knew he must be breaking on the inside, but he kept the conflict hidden away, acting as the Hokage's ANBU and not a boy grieving over the loss of his friend. He shunshin'd away without a word. 

Minato turned to her next. "Now," he sighed heavily, "would you please get yourself and Naruto to the hospital?" 

She hated the idea of leaving, even if she did want to make sure Naruto was ok. Her husband needed her, and there were still people she could help in the village. "I'm fine. I'll get Naruto checked out, of course, but you don't need to hide me away. I can help!" 

Minato put his hands on her shoulders and held her gaze. He was barely holding it together. "Please stay with Naruto. I can't–" He inhaled shakily, struggling to maintain the calm, collected facade that he needed right now. "I can't keep going unless I know he's with you. I'm sorry, I know you can help, and I know I'm being selfish but I just need to know that he's going to be safe. Please." 

Kushina felt her heart breaking. She didn't want to leave Minato like this, but she did need to make sure their son was ok. It wasn't that she was planning on leaving him alone or anything, but she'd been planning on finding her way back sooner rather than later. But if Minato needed her to lay low with Naruto instead, she could do that. She knew it wasn't because he didn't trust her to help, or that he didn't trust one of their close friends or allies to protect Naruto. They were both shaken after everything that happened today, and needed to feel in control. 

"Of course," she promised with a small smile, "I'll make sure that Lady Tsunade herself looks Naruto over." 

Minato visibly relaxed, looking relieved. "Thank you." He pulled his hands back. 

Kushina didn't want the contact to end so abruptly. She reached forward to pull him into a quick embrace, so all three of them could be briefly connected. To her surprise, her husband stepped back and shook his head sadly. 

"I'm sorry. If I start holding you and Naruto, I won't be able to walk away. I can't break down right now," he explained, looking dangerously close to losing his composure. "The village needs its Hokage. If I stop to think, or even breathe I–" He shook his head again.

It wasn't a rejection, per say, but it still hurt. But she understood. "Ok. But later, I'm going full octopus on you, Naruto, and Kakashi. And I don't want to hear a single complaint about it." 

That at least got a pathetic huff of laughter from Minato. "I'll hold you to it." He did at least give both her and Naruto a kiss on the cheek before pulling away. 

Kushina watched her husband's expression harden again, as if donning an invisible mask. He was back to being the Yondaime Hokage, the Yellow Flash, and not her goofy, doting husband. It was what he needed to do to cope right now, and it was what the village needed. It was hard, sometimes, watching Minato split his attention between his family and the village. They'd always known it would be difficult to balance family and Hokage duties, but it didn't make it any easier when it happened. 

Minato's torn Hokage cloak billowed in the breeze. He shot a small smile over his shoulder, and then he was off. Kushina only watched him for a few moments before turning in the opposite direction toward the hospital. 

It was unsurprisingly chaotic when she arrived, but her being the Hokage's wife, and also carrying the unconscious jinchuuriki in her arms, was enough to expedite her triage process. She felt a little guilty jumping the queue, but she knew that getting Naruto assessed quickly was important to more than just his mother. 

A high ranking med nin triaged both of them and deemed them stable enough to wait for Lady Tsunade, who'd made it to the hospital to assist them. Her influence was obvious in the improved efficiency of all the med nin and support staff. Only a few hours and it was like a completely different environment. 

Tsunade arrived after only a short wait, assessing Naruto first at Kushina's insistence. The Sannin's face was pinched in concentration, her hands glowing with chakra as she looked over the jinchuuriki. Kushina found herself holding her breath, until Tsunade pulled her hands back with a surprisingly soft smile. "He'll be just fine. There's no lasting physical damage, thanks to our fox friend." 

Kushina breathed out a sigh of relief. "Will he wake up soon?" 

Tsunade shook her head. "Right now, he needs sleep. A lot of sleep. I wouldn't be surprised if he's out for the next few days. We'll need to keep him here for observation and medical support but from what I can tell, he should eventually wake up just like he'd been taking a particularly long nap." 

Kushina nodded in understanding. "Anything else I should be aware of?" 

"He's going to be absolutely ravenous when he wakes up," Tsunade explained. "And probably cranky." 

"Wonderful…" Kushina sighed. So, she'd be dealing with a moody toddler on top of everything else. Still, it was a small price to pay for Naruto's safety and quick recovery.

"Your turn," Tsunade instructed, starting her assessment of Kushina next. "You're damn lucky," she explained as she worked, "and damn stubborn. The fact that you managed to walk yourself here at all is both impressive and idiotic." 

"Thanks?" 

"You're getting the same prescription as your brat; lots of rest," Tsunade told her as she pulled her hands back. "The fact that you didn't completely ruin your chakra pathways is a miracle."

Kushina grinned. "It's that good 'ole Uzumaki chakra. Very resilient." 

"Probably," Tsunade agreed. "Now, let's get the brat settled in so you both can rest." 

Tsunade and the hospital staff got Naruto hooked up to various machines and monitors. They placed an IV and other treatments that Kushina wasn't familiar with. But she trusted Lady Tsunade, so she didn't feel the need to question what was being done. 

Once Naruto was tucked comfortably into the scratchy white sheets of the hospital bed, and the rest of the med nin had left them alone, Kushina was ready to make her next request. "Can you knock me out?" Kushina asked. "I want to talk to Kurama." 

Tsunade nodded. "Yeah, sure." She raised her fist, smirking when Kushina flinched and leaned away. 

"Ah! Can't you do it in a less punch-y way?" Kushina instinctively held her arms up to protect her face. 

The Sannin laughed at her discomfort. "I was just kidding!" Her hands started glowing green. "It won't hurt, you'll just fall asleep." 

Kushina warily lowered her arms, settling onto the hospital bed next to Naruto. Fortunately, Tsunade wasn't lying. She placed her hands on either side of Kushina's head, and then the world was slipping away from her. It didn't hurt at all, though she had to smother down the shinobi instincts that balked at purposefully allowing herself into such a vulnerable position. Her eyes became heavy, and the sterile white walls of the hospital faded from her vision. 

When she opened her eyes, she knew she'd entered the mindscape. It was the same as ever, a beautiful expanse of greenery and nature, only disrupted by a mound of orange fur. 

Well, it wasn't quite the same, because there was no longer any barrier between the Kyuubi and the rest of the mindscape. Kushina surprised herself with the lack of panic over seeing the seal wide open. Even now, though she trusted Kurama completely with her son's well-being, she still expected a bit of residual wariness. Something subconscious, maybe a deeply buried instinct that saw the Kyuubi completely uninhibited in her son's consciousness and worried about the worst case scenario. 

She didn't feel that way in the slightest. 

Naruto was reacting more to the lack of barrier between him and Kurama than the fox was. The boy was running and jumping in the space where the cage bars used to be, displaying all of his endless toddler energy. Conversely, Kurama was lounging around as lazily as ever. His massive head rested on his paws, but his eyes followed Naruto's toddling form with unconcealed amusement. He didn't glance at Kushina, but his ear flicked in acknowledgement. 

"Rough day?" she asked, snickering at the fox's casual attitude. 

Kurama grunted in response, and lifted his head to properly look at her. "I've been funneling all my chakra into the brat. He's like a sponge. A very exhausting sponge." 

Naruto squealed with delight as he noticed his mother's presence. Given how long he'd been unconscious in the real world, plus the time he'd been in Danzo's clutches, it had been a while since he'd seen her. Kushina knew Naruto was fine, and just needed rest, but it was still a relief to see him acting so lively. Her heart hurt when she looked at his subdued, sleeping form outside the mindscape. 

She caught him instinctively as he made a running leap toward her. "Mama!" 

"Oh my perfect, darling boy! You've been so brave," she cooed, holding her son close to her chest. She kissed every inch of his face that she could reach, prompting a round of delighted giggling from the toddler. She put him back down, and he grabbed her hand and pulled her closer to the bijuu. 

Kurama snorted, laying his head back down on his paws, making a point of looking irritated. "You're going to inflate his ego." 

Kushina shot the fox an incredulous look. "Says the creature that defied the laws of space-time to give him a better life." 

The bijuu made a noise that could be considered a huff of laughter. "Yes, and what a pain in my tails that has turned out to be. Just like I knew it would." Despite the complaint, Kurama did not look particularly bothered. 

Kurama seemed to be in a good mood, so Kushina decided to ask, "So…what happened with Obito?" 

The Kyuubi didn't immediately answer, remaining contemplative as if he was deciding what to say. "I showed the Uchiha brat the truth," Kurama finally explained. "I let him see the fate of my reality, and my most important memories with Naruto. It almost wasn't enough, but Naruto was able to reach him before it was too late." 

Kushina swallowed back her own grief. "I'm glad that Obito was able to see reason, before the end. But Kurama," she added with a gentle smile, "it wasn't Naruto that reached him this time. It was you." 

The fox looked completely affronted. "I was backed into a corner! If the option had presented itself, I would have killed him." Kurama bared his teeth and flicked his tails irritably. "Do not mistake my desperation for any semblance of fondness for your species," he spat. 

"Ok," Kushina replied, humoring the bijuu. 

Kurama snarled, "I mean it! I wish I had been able to kill that brat for what he put me through!" 

"I believe you." She did. Kushina didn't doubt that Kurama would have killed Obito if the situation presented itself. However, she also had a feeling that maybe the fox didn't try as hard as he could've to find himself in that sort of situation. 

Whether he wanted to admit it or not, Kurama had changed, even beyond what he'd done in his original time. She now knew that he was never a mindless killing machine like she'd been told, but his rage and hatred were very real. They were not completely gone, and probably never would be, but the fox was visibly lighter. His mannerisms, and his chakra, and just the way he held himself. He'd learned, and adapted. And, he'd changed them too, even though he probably didn't realize it.

The changes in Kushina and Minato may be obvious to him, since they were always in close proximity. Both of them had become willing to trust the bijuu, to see them as allies, and partners, rather than monsters or weapons. And speaking of the bijuu, it was Kurama's influence that had allowed Kushina to talk Isobu down, and ultimately led to him saving Kakashi's life. Isobu hadn't been sealed in Kakashi for very long, but Kushina had a good feeling about their partnership. Plus, thanks to the changes Kurama made to their timeline, Kakashi had been functionally integrated into their little family. He would likely never be the most open person, but he was almost unrecognizable from the cold, lonely boy he'd been before Naruto's birth. 

Hell, even the Uchiha were better off with the changes Kurama made, and she wasn't just talking about the tragedy he'd prevented. Since Kurama revealed the truth to Mikoto, who subsequently shared the information with her husband, she'd noticed a difference in the clan head himself. Fugaku was no longer pushing Minato about letting Itachi graduate early, and seemed overall much more openly affectionate toward his family. Once, when Kushina stopped by their home to give something to Mikoto, she even saw him playing with his sons! Outside! In broad daylight! Not training, or lecturing, just goofing around. Something silly and undignified that left all three of them covered in dirt and grass stains. Kushina understood how desperate the man must feel to hold onto what he could have lost, because she felt the same way about her own family. 

"Why do you have that stupid expression on your face?" Kurama narrowed his eyes at her. 

Kushina shrugged, but couldn't stop smiling. "I was just thinking about how proud your Naruto would be of you." 

Kurama made a face like she'd physically struck him. Actually, he'd never made an expression like that when they'd wrestled for control before, even when Kushina pinned him with her chakra chains. He'd snarled and snapped at her, his face twisted into something furious. This was nothing like that. He was clearly not expecting her words, and struggled to get his metaphorical footing. Then, for the briefest of moments once the shock faded, the Kyuubi smiled in a way she didn't know was possible. A small, gentle, and proud little thing. If the bijuu could produce tears, he probably would have done so. 

Of course, the vulnerability didn't last. Kurama's usual grouchy scowl returned. All he offered to the heartfelt words was an indifferent, "Hmph." 

She didn't hold it against him, nor did she decide to tease him about it. This wasn't the right time for that. 

Both of them fell into an amicable silence as they watched Naruto scramble around on all fours, making adorable growling noises that appeared to be imitating Kurama. He pounced on one of the Kyuubi's tails, wrestling with it as if it were an enemy attempting to ensnare him. Kurama made a show of trying to tug his tail out of the toddler's grasp, but didn't actually put any strength behind it. Naruto grinned triumphantly as he pinned the tail to the ground with both of his tiny hands. 

"Got Ku-ra!" the toddler cheered. 

Kurama used one of his remaining tails to playfully nudge the jinchuuriki. Naruto giggled in delight at the action. 

Kushina watched the scene fondly. "I'm glad he has you," she told the fox genuinely. "You've been such a good friend to Naruto." 

The Kyuubi scoffed at her word choice. "Yes, well, he is the most tolerable of your species." He was obviously downplaying how much he cared about his jinchuuriki. 

"Right," Kushina chuckled. She hesitated, then added, "Uh, I was kind of thinking that maybe we were friends too? I mean, I know we started out kinda rocky, but I feel like we've been getting along pretty well lately. Don't get me wrong," she rambled, "I still think you're a grumpy old flea bag, but in a charming sort of way." 

Kurama raised his head to look at her properly again, not showing any obvious reaction to her words. Then, he rolled his eyes and scoffed, "And I still think you are nothing more than an obnoxious, overdramatic gnat." He didn't get up, but he shifted so he could reach out toward her, his massive paw curled into a fist. "But you're alright for a human, I guess." 

It took her a few moments to understand, but once she did, she couldn't hold back her grin. She met Kurama's outstretched fist with a quick bump of her own. Kurama didn't say anything else, or outwardly acknowledge their relationship, but Kushina understood the gravity of the gesture. This was probably as close as anyone besides Naruto would get to making friends with the demon fox. He would probably deny it, but Kushina swore that there was a quick flash of a pleased grin from the fox as he pulled his paw back. Ah, the old fox really was a big softie afterall. 

"Disgusting human sentimentality," Kurama grunted. "Now, can we get down to business?" 

Kushina frowned at the fox, confused. "What business? We stopped Obito," she grimaced as she remembered the life leaving the teen's eye, "which means we should have stopped the world from ending. Right?" 

"Did you think it would be that easy?" Kurama asked. "You may have delayed the apocalypse, but I doubt you have stopped it. There is still a loose end." 

She tried to remember all of the players from Kurama and the other Naruto's time. It was difficult to not mix up the events of the future that would never be with the actions of the counterparts from her own timeline. The memories Kurama showed her were vivid enough that she sometimes mistook them for her own when she tried to recall them. She sometimes found herself almost referencing events that had not happened yet, and may never happen at all in this reality. 

Stopping Obito had been their main priority. It was their goal, to capture him and turn him from his path in one way or another. They'd also stopped Master Jiraiya's former students from becoming the group that would target the bijuu. Kushina knew that the Toad Sage was still in contact with them, and that they seemed to have intervened with plenty of time to keep the Akatsuki from morphing into something more sinister. The tabs they kept on the group confirmed that they were still focused on helping their own people, and not world domination. 

They'd even warned the bijuu to be extra cautious. Kurama confirmed that his siblings knew the truth about his journey through time, and that they'd all agreed to warn their respective jinchuuriki about the potential threat they could be facing. Even if the Akatsuki did somehow become a bijuu-hunting group, the bijuu would not be so easily captured this time. They were not isolated, nor were they in the dark about their potential fate. Whether or not they would work with their jinchuuriki was unclear, but Kurama assured her they would all at least cooperate enough to prevent their capture. Afterall, it was in their best interest too. 

There was the real Madara Uchiha to consider, but Kurama seemed convinced that he was already dead, or at the very least too withered and weak to be a threat beyond his manipulation. Although, without Obito, if Madara was still alive he might be looking for a new puppet. 

"Are you worried about Madara still being around?" 

Kurama didn't bother holding back a snarl at the name. "Unlikely. But the one pulling Madara's strings is still out there." 

"Uh, who was that again?" she questioned sheepishly. It wasn't her fault this plan was so convoluted and hard to remember! 

"Zetsu," Kurama snarled. "As long as that creature remains, the risk of the Juubi's formation and Kaguya's resurrection is a continued threat." 

"Zetsu…the black shadowy thing?" 

Kurama grunted affirmatively. "Even if it was not successful now, it could wait decades, or even centuries before striking again." He waved a massive paw dismissively. "It would not matter for you, but I will still be around, and I would rather not have to worry about this threat for the remainder of my existence." 

Kushina nodded in understanding. With a creature like that, there was no telling when it could cause problems for them. They needed to take care of it not only to protect themselves, but to protect future generations. "Any idea where to look for it? And how to kill it?" 

"Kill it? I suspect that you will not be able to," Kurama replied ominously. "It is not truly alive, and it is the extension of a power that does not belong to this world." 

"So then what would you suggest? Have a tea party and ask it really nicely not to kill us all?" she replied sarcastically. 

The fox was not the least bit amused by her quip. "Must I do everything for you? The uselessness of your species never ceases to astound me." 

Kushina ignored the insult, knowing it was more habitual than anything at this point. "Just tell me your master plan." 

"Isn't it obvious?" Kurama scoffed. "Seal it." The fox's expression became troubled. "It is what the Sage intended. I thought Naruto and the Uchiha boy had succeeded in our time, but something went wrong. The creature evaded them before they could strike it and the Goddess down." 

"How are we supposed to seal it when the rest of you couldn't, even with the help of the actual Sage of the Six Paths?" She remembered how strong Naruto and his friends had been in Kurama's memories. Plus, he'd been given additional powers from the Sage himself. If that wasn't enough to stop Zetsu, what chance did the rest of them have? 

"Without the Goddess, Zetsu should be limited," Kurama explained. "If it could have acted on its own without her, it wouldn't have needed Madara as its pawn. I wouldn't underestimate it, but I suspect it won't be at quite the same level as what we faced in the other timeline." 

That sounded like a risky assumption to make, but Kurama would know more about the creature than anyone else, so she had to trust his opinion. "Guess it's time to get to work on another seal, then." At least she wouldn't have to deal with the Uchiha clan heads breathing down her neck about this one. 

"Good." The Kyuubi nodded in approval. "And there is one other thing." 

"What else?" Kushina groaned.

"That foolish puppet in Amegakure still has the Rinnegan," Kurama explained. "It must be destroyed. Even if you fail to subdue Zetsu, or if Kaguya has another failsafe in place, their plans should be impossible without access to the Rinnegan." 

Kushina was doing her best to remember all the memories Kurama had shown her. There were a lot of important people and events to keep track of! "That's…oh! He's the one that's an Uzumaki, right?" 

"Yes, that's the one." 

She'd been interested in meeting him since Kurama revealed his heritage. "Ok, so get rid of the Rinnegan and seal the weird alien shadow thing. We can do that!" 

Kurama scoffed, "Do not be so flippant about your tasks. Remember that the fate of the world is at stake!" 

Kushina gave a mock salute. "You can count on me, O wise and powerful Kyuubi!" She grinned at her own sarcasm. 

The fox half-heartedly swiped at her with a tail, and she easily ducked out of the way. Naruto giggled and started trying to get Kurama to play the same "game" with him. Of course Kurama relented, not even bothering to pretend that he wasn't wrapped around the toddler's finger. 

Kushina smiled at the scene, watching the mighty Kyuubi "attack" Naruto with comically slow swipes of his tail. Naruto's stubby little legs weren't very good for jumping, and his reflexes were as terrible as one would expect for a toddler. More often than not, Kurama ended up gently nudging or lifting the boy when he failed to dodge. Naruto seemed to enjoy that game even more than trying to avoid the tails. He squealed with laughter as Kurama carefully bounced him around between all nine of his bushy tails, never even coming close to letting the boy fall. 

Just a few years ago, the idea that the Kyuubi could be gentle and playful with his jinchuuriki would have been completely ludicrous. Now, it felt like the most obvious thing in the world. Even though she knew the extent of the Kyuubi's power, in moments like this, it was hard to remember why she'd ever feared him. In the safety and isolation of the seal space, their shared mindscape, this wasn't a bijuu and their jinchuuriki. It wasn't a chakra demon and a child with an impossible destiny. It was two friends, brought together through impossible odds. It was…

Kushina chuckled to herself and murmured, "Just a boy and his fox." It was a silly thought, but somehow it encompassed all the emotions that were too much to put into words. 

—------------------------------

It took an incredible amount of scheming (and a bit of ass-kissing) but Minato managed to arrange a traditional Uchiha funeral for Obito. Or at least, a modified version of one. For obvious reasons, they couldn't take Obito's body into the Uchiha Compound to be laid to rest with his ancestors. None of their traditional funeral rites could be performed. 

The only reason it could even be considered some variation of a traditional Uchiha funeral at all was because they'd talked the clan head himself into presiding over it. Fugaku wasn't happy about it, but he begrudgingly agreed. Perhaps it was out of pity, or a sense of mutual respect with Minato, or maybe even to let him hold a favor over the Hokage's head. Whatever the reason, Kushina was grateful. 

While Obito had never been particularly spiritual, or a respected member of the clan for that matter, they wanted to offer him peace, if it was possible. The Uchiha were a very old clan, with many ancient traditions and beliefs. One of those beliefs was that certain funeral rites needed to be performed for them to enter the afterlife. 

They weren't on sacred ground, and weren't even anywhere near the village, but it would have to do. They needed to be far enough away to hide their presence, since officially "Madara's" body was still locked away in the bowels of T&I. If they got caught performing funeral rites for their enemy, it would open the door to a lot of questions that they couldn't afford to answer. It was already a challenge to fool people like the Nara clan head, who made it his business to uncover everyone's secrets. 

"Are you ready?" Fugaku asked them. 

The three of them all glanced at each other. Kakashi, with a bandage covering his recently re-transplanted eye, stepped forward. "Can I…?" He held up the item he'd brought. 

The clan head nodded. "It is not uncommon for the deceased to be cremated with objects of great importance." 

Kakashi approached the shrouded remains and placed Obito's battered goggles on top. His hand shook the entire time, and he bowed his head before shuffling back. Kushina placed an arm around the teen, pulling him close. Beside her, Minato shifted closer as well, holding Naruto tightly in his arms. 

"We're ready," Minato answered quietly. 

Without another word, Fugaku went through a series of hand signs, then lit the pyre with a massive fireball. It was a bit different than the katon techniques she'd seen the Uchiha use in battle. There were flashes of different colors within the blaze, and it spread out in a slow wave. It was not an offensive technique, meant for ceremonial purposes rather than for fighting. And it was beautiful. 

When the stream of flame cut off, the clan head began to murmur something none of them could understand. Some traditional words from a long past era, in a language no one spoke anymore outside of very specific clan ceremonies. Kushina recalled Mikoto complaining about needing to learn the dead language, since it was her side of the family that had produced all the previous heads of the clan, not her already arranged future husband's. This was Kushina's first time hearing it, and as much as she wanted to admire the history and tradition of the moment, it just made her sad. There was something somber in the cadence of the unknown words, even if she could only guess at their meaning. 

Once he was done speaking, Fugaku offered them a final, solemn nod. "That's all I can do for him here." 

"Thank you," Minato told him, since the rest of them were too choked up to speak. "It means a great deal to all of us that you were willing to do this much. I know it was a lot to ask after everything Obito had done." 

The clan head's expression didn't soften, per say, but there was a surprisingly amount of sympathy readable on his face. "If it came down to it, publicly, I would condemn the boy as a traitor. The clan's position is too precarious to allow us to look sympathetic toward him after all the harm he's caused," the man explained. "But, on a more personal level, I have been thinking about Obito often since you revealed his identity to me. It is hard not to wonder if his path could have been changed. I fear that the clan, and myself by extension as its head, left the boy floundering on his own after his parents passed, instead of offering the support I'm sure he desperately needed." 

Kushina wanted to be surprised by the thoughtful explanation, but it was actually quite fitting for her new understanding of the Uchiha clan head. She still didn't know Fugaku well, but they'd been spending a lot more time around each other now, and she was starting to understand some of his nuanced expressions and actions. Kurama's reveal of the clan's future had irrevocably changed something in the stubborn man. She'd thought it was just with his own family, but perhaps the information had forced him to look at the bigger picture as well. 

Still, despite the obvious changes, Fugaku was still surly and uncomfortable with over-emotional displays. He cleared his throat, a bit awkwardly. "Anyway," he deflected away from the discussion of deeper topics, "I assumed you all would want to be the ones to see to the ashes, so my job is done. I will take my leave now." 

They all watched the clan head leave, their hearts heavy. Naruto didn't understand why everyone was so depressed, and just seemed entranced by the warmth and brightness of the pyre. Once again, Kushina couldn't help but think about how different things could have been. Naruto wouldn't remember ever meeting Obito this time around, though that was probably for the best. Their only experiences together had been Obito trying to capture or kill the boy, and now the funeral. 

She and Minato hadn't decided what they would tell Naruto about Obito from either timeline, or really if they would be truthful about the time travel at all. Kurama had only requested that they not keep the Kyuubi's existence a secret, but they hadn't yet discussed with him or each other about what secrets they would reveal to Naruto. It would be a while before he was old enough to understand the concept of time travel or alternate realities, and probably even longer before they could trust him to keep the fox's secret at all. But eventually, the day would come. 

Kushina hated the heavy silence that surrounded them, but she didn't want to interrupt Minato or Kakashi's mourning. Normally, she would have expected Minato to say something, but he was still not back to his normal cheerful self. He remained stuck in his own head, blaming himself for all of their recent misfortunes. He felt guilty about ultimately delivering the fatal blow, guilty about lying to everyone about the masked man's true identity, guilty that he didn't go back for Obito's body after Kannabi Bridge, and guilty that he wasn't able to keep Naruto or Kakashi from being hurt. 

Kakashi was completely devastated. He didn't seem to blame Minato for being the one to kill Obito, and he was handling his new jinchuuriki status without much fuss. But he'd still functionally lost his teammate all over again. Kushina thought he'd just started to heal from Obito and Rin's deaths, and now the wound was fresh again. She was afraid that the teen would go back to his previously isolated, lonely self. 

She couldn't let that happen. And she couldn't let her husband drown in his own grief and guilt either. "We should say something," she offered, hoping to break up the depressing atmosphere at least a little bit. 

Neither of her companions moved or spoke, but Kushina could tell their attention was on her. They didn't seem opposed to the idea, but she would probably need to be the one to start. That was fine, she was used to being the one to break uncomfortable silences. 

"I remember the first time I saw you all as a team," Kushina reminisced. "Well, at least a team on paper. You were all kind of a hot mess." 

Both Minato and Kakashi laughed dryly in agreement. Minato smiled sadly and added, "I felt like I had no idea what I was doing. I had so many ideas in my head about what our team would be like, and they were turned on their head the moment I saw the three of you together." He chuckled again, still empty. "All three of you were waiting for me, and you and Obito were already at each other's throats. I don't know how it started, but by the time I got there you had him on the ground, sitting on his back while he screamed at you. Poor Rin was trying so hard to play the peacekeeper but neither of you were listening." 

"I was being an asshole," Kakashi admitted. "Obito was just trying to talk to me and get to know his teammates and I was…" he shook his head sadly. "I wasn't exactly nice. To him or Rin. He got mad when I said something rude to Rin and then tried to fight me 'for her honor', or something." He shrugged. "He didn't win." 

"He never did," Minato sighed. 

"I wish I could go back and change how I treated both of them," Kakashi told them, his shoulders slumped. "I wish I could have had some sense knocked into me sooner." 

Kushina nudged Kakashi with her elbow. "Well, we know time travel is possible," she joked, but it sounded unenthusiastic even to her own ears. More seriously, she wrapped an arm around the teen's shoulders and offered a supportive smile. "I'm sure they know you love them. And, I bet they're both proud of how much you've changed. I know I am." She shot her husband a look, but he was already one step ahead of her. 

"Me too," Minato agreed. 

"Seriously," Kushina grinned, "you're almost a functional person now!"

The light teasing seemed to do the trick. Kakashi laughed quietly, pained but genuine. Naruto picked up on the change in demeanor, and started giggling along with him. He started reaching for Kakashi, prompting Minato to hand the toddler over. Kakashi took the wiggly toddler into his arms, and Naruto settled contently. 

"Hilarious," Kakashi deadpanned as he shifted the toddler into a more comfortable position. He was quiet for a few moments, then murmured, "I wish Naruto would have been able to meet them. I mean, properly. Not like–" The sentence was unfinished, but he gestured toward the still burning pyre. 

"So do I," Minato agreed. "We'll have to make sure to tell Naruto plenty of stories." 

Naruto perked up at the familiar word. "Story?" 

"I've got one," Kakashi offered. "Let me tell you about our first B-rank. The one with the bear." 

Minato laughed openly at the memory. "That's a good one. Even if it did give me my first gray hair." 

Naruto listened with rapt attention, even if he didn't understand most of the words he was hearing. "Story!" he cheered. 

"So," Kakashi recounted, "Obito was late as usual. I think this time the excuse was a kitten in a tree." He chuckled. "Fortunately, your father gave Obito a meeting time that was actually an hour earlier than we needed to leave, so Obito only ended up being a little bit late. The client wasn't even mad, because Rin and your father were pouring on the charm…"

Kushina smiled at the sight of her family, a little broken, but not shattered beyond repair. They'd get through this. Together. 

—------------------------------

The village had not remained unscathed from the dual assault of the Sanbi and the Rokubi, even if they'd managed to keep both bijuu mostly away from the populated areas. Kurama had done some damage as well, though he'd been impressively careful about containing the destruction, not wanting to give the villagers any new ammunition against his jinchuuriki. 

Danzo had also left a mess behind. Kurama had killed a great number of his loyal agents, but there were plenty that had slipped through the cracks. They'd also found a number of missing or unclaimed children that had been apparently waiting for full indoctrination. Not to mention evidence linking the deceased Councilman to bloodline theft (beyond what they'd already known), unethical experimentation, and a slew of other morally ambiguous actions. 

Then, there was the matter of "Madara's" body disappearing. The official story, backed by the Slug Sannin herself, was that their examination triggered some kind of post-mortem seal that destroyed their enemy's remains. It must have been an attempt to hold on to his own secrets, she'd told everyone. Conveniently, she had confirmed the man's identity and how he'd used her grandfather's cells to extend his own life before his body was destroyed, but now there were no remains to contradict her explanation. 

The truth was that after the funeral, they'd buried Obito's ashes in the formerly empty grave that he'd been given after Kannabi Bridge. Rin was buried next to him, so they were finally back together. 

So far, no one was questioning it too much, but Kushina knew that at the very least, the Nara clan head was likely to become suspicious. Shikaku could sniff out lies and conspiracies like a particularly keen bloodhound. It was likely only the general chaos and aftermath of the Councilman's own treachery that protected the rest of them from suspicion. 

Still, they all knew they needed to tread carefully. 

Unlike during the last bijuu attack, their home had not been completely spared. The damage was relatively minor, all things considered, but there were some structural issues and shattered windows that needed to be repaired before they could safely inhabit their home. Kushina was just glad that none of them had been there when the damage was done. 

Minato was sleeping in his office, since he was basically needed there around the clock anyway. When she saw him he was grumpy and looked exhausted, and it was more difficult than usual for him to muster up even a small smile for his family. He was also usually a clone, the original too busy with damage control to risk leaving for more than short stretches of time. She knew that everything–Obito's death, Naruto's kidnapping, the damage to the village, the political implications of making a new jinchuuriki–was wearing him down. Somehow it was even worse than after Naruto's birth. 

As much as she missed her husband, Kushina was grateful for her much more comfortable accommodations. Mikoto had opened her home to them the moment she heard her friend was in need. This time, both of them were beyond caring if it looked like special treatment toward one family or one clan. Although, unsurprisingly, without Danzo around, the opposition toward the Uchiha was far more subdued. It also helped that they'd been front and center during the attack, risking their lives alongside the rest of the village to stop both bijuu. 

It turned out that Kushina was (mostly) right about Fugaku's actions being seen in a positive light. Yes, there were some cries of outrage and suspicion about the clan head proving he could subdue multiple bijuu, but they were undeniably the minority. Mikoto had also not been idle during the attack, directing not only her own clan to safety, but also taking charge in the midst of the general chaos and destruction. She took Itachi into the field with her, and the two of them had been at the forefront of rescue efforts during the attack. The family's effort, along with a very public gesture of appreciation from Minato, went a long way toward changing perceptions of the clan as a whole. 

Some of the Compound had been severely damaged this time as well. Kushina wouldn't say out loud that she was secretly glad it happened, because it would make her sound insensitive, but it made them look less suspicious than when their land had been one of the only areas not damaged after the Kyuubi's rampage. Overall, even if it didn't erase all of mistrust or wariness overnight, it was undeniable that the Uchiha were being regarded with much less hostility than before. 

Kushina couldn't help but smile, strained as it was, when she thought about all the change they'd created. The Uchiha, the bijuu, even their own little family. As Kurama had said, there was still more to be done, but Kushina could confidently say they'd changed things for the better. 

"What are you smiling about?" Mikoto asked, curious and amused.

If it wasn't for the signs of destruction she could just barely make out when peering out of the window of her friend's home, she could pretend that she was just here for a friendly visit. They were sipping tea while the younger kids toddled around, playing with a pile of toys that they'd salvaged from Naruto's room. 

Kushina shrugged at her friend's question. "I'm just thinking."

"That's dangerous," Mikoto replied with an undignified snort. 

"Hilarious." Kushina rolled her eyes. More seriously, she explained, "I was just thinking about how much things have changed in the past few years."

Her friend's expression softened. "For the better, I'd say." She looked past Kushina, toward the kitchen where her eldest son was preparing some kind of snack for the younger kids. 

Kushina understood, of course, and she agreed wholeheartedly. How could she not, when the alternative was her son being raised alone, her best friend's family being massacred, and the world ending in darkness? 

"Definitely for the better," Kushina agreed. 

They lapsed back into a comfortable silence that remained well into the night. All of them, her host's family and her own, were in and out, helping with village repairs, defense, and politics in their own ways. They rarely got to actually sit down and have a meal together, and sometimes only saw each other in passing. Even Itachi, who was still an academy student in this timeline and mostly relegated to babysitting duty, was not exempt. The older academy students had organized volunteer efforts to help with manual labor and other menial tasks around the village. Everyone was doing their part. 

It was all very cohesive and inspiring, but it made it difficult for their group (Team Time Travel, she liked to call them) to meet to discuss their next move. Kurama hounded her everytime she fell asleep, insisting that the creature Black Zetsu was too dangerous to continue to exist in the world. It took weeks for their schedules to align (Minato still just sent a clone) for all of them to safely meet. 

That was how they found their little group packing themselves into the Uchiha clan head's study, which he assured them was nearly as secure as the Hokage's office. Kushina added her own privacy seals to make sure. 

As always, Itachi was visibly disappointed about not being included in their super secret meetings and being put back on babysitting duty instead. He adored the kids and liked spending time with them, but he clearly didn't appreciate being left out of something so important and interesting. 

"Sorry, kiddo," she told Itachi as she set down Naruto in front of him. "I know it sucks when you're young and no one wants to include you in anything, but you should really enjoy the blissful ignorance while it lasts. Being an adult sucks." 

"I understand," the kid told her, even though he was still too young to fully realize how to hide all his emotional tells. His disappointment was impressively subdued, for his age, but it was obvious enough. 

Mikoto smiled at her oldest son sympathetically. "Don't be in such a hurry to grow up, ok? I'd give anything for the days when I didn't have to spend all my time in boring meetings." She leaned over and kissed the top of his head. 

Itachi nodded, but he didn't respond immediately. He seemed to be considering something, then asked quietly, "Are you meeting to talk about the other future?" 

Both women stiffened, glancing between each other frantically. Perhaps it was a very uncharacteristic and novice mistake to reveal their own hands so easily, but how the hell else were they supposed to react? How did an academy aged kid know anything about that?! It was too late to feign ignorance. Itachi was too sharp, and saw how they both reacted. He would know they were lying if they denied it. 

Mikoto frowned at her son. "Itachi," she said sharply, "where did you hear about that?" 

He straightened up, as if about to give a mission report, knowing he was discussing something he definitely shouldn't be. "Adults say a lot of things in front of kids, because they think we aren't listening or won't understand," he answered. "Don't worry, it wasn't obvious at all. It was really only a theory until you just confirmed it, mother." 

Kushina had to slap a hand over her mouth to stop herself from cackling violently. Outsmarted by a child. Those damn genius prodigies. Mikoto shot her a knowing glare, definitely aware of how amused her friend was by the entire situation. 

"How much do you know?" Mikoto asked her son. 

"Not much," he admitted. "Only that time or dimensional travel is possible, and that it was used to prevent something catastrophic from happening." He tilted his head in thought. "I have more theories, though." 

Mikoto sighed in defeat. "You can talk about your theories with myself, your father, Kushina, or Lord Fourth. No one else. We will decide what we want to tell you." 

She shot Kushina a very brief, but very purposeful glare. The meaning was obvious; they weren't going to tell Itachi about his other self, or what he did in that reality. Kushina didn't need Mikoto to tell her not to do that, though. She would never put that weight on the kid's shoulders, not when he hadn't done anything wrong in this timeline and the world seemed to be getting further and further from that reality with each passing day. 

"Yes, mother," Itachi replied dutifully. 

Mikoto studied her son's expression, evaluating his sincerity. "I mean it, Itachi. You can't even talk to Shisui about this." 

The boy nodded in understanding. "I know. I don't understand all of it, but I do understand how devastating it could be if the wrong person finds out." 

Kushina believed him, and it seemed that his mother did too. Mikoto relaxed, then pulled her son in for a quick hug. The boy went willingly, settling easily into the embrace. "I see you took your father's lessons to heart," she said affectionately. 

"Yes," Itachi replied. "A good shinobi is always gathering information." 

"There's information gathering," Mikoto countered, "and then there's eavesdropping on your parents." She pulled back, placing her hands on her hips and raising an eyebrow at her son. She wasn't mad, but she was definitely giving her son a warning. 

"Sorry, mother," the kid responded with a respectful bow of his head. 

"Don't blame yourself, Itachi. Maybe your parents need to be a little more aware of their surroundings when they talk about something this important," Kushina teased, grinning wildly at her friend. 

Mikoto turned on her, a devious smile of her own stretching across her lips. "Didn't Kakashi find out after he walked in on you talking to yourself? Were you aware of your surroundings then?" 

Kushina sputtered, "I wasn't talking to myself !" 

Mikoto laughed, then patted Itachi on the back a few times. "Go on and play with your brother and Naruto. We'll talk about this later." 

The boy's expression warmed at the mention of the younger kids. "Yes, mother." He nodded respectfully at his mother and Kushina, then turned his attention back to the two toddlers that were currently occupying themselves with a few stuffed toys. 

Mikoto smiled warmly at the sight, then motioned for Kushina to follow her. Kushina did as she was bid, only stopping briefly to ruffle Itachi's hair in the way she knew annoyed him. 

"Hey," she said, filled with the sudden need to say something to the boy, "you're a good kid. I wouldn't trust just anyone with Naruto, y'know?" 

Despite the irritation he had to obviously push down from the hair ruffling, likely trying not to offend someone that outranked him, he flushed slightly at the praise. "Thank you for your trust," the kid replied professionally. More gently, and genuinely, he added, "Naruto is not my brother, but I care for him very much too." 

"I know," she replied, understanding the gravity of the kid's statement. Even knowing Itachi basically from birth, he was still hard to read sometimes, and she knew that he didn't give out his affections easily. He wouldn't say it if he didn't mean it wholeheartedly. "And I hope you know that Minato, Kakashi, and I all care about you and Sasuke just as much." 

Based on the genuine surprise on the kid's face, the statement was apparently news to him. Poor stunted little genius. She knew that the Uchiha were very stoic, and that outward expressions of love and affection were reserved for very close relationships. She also knew that it was a recent change that the kid's parents had made, trying to be more open with both of their sons. Still, she hadn't realized that the declaration would be this surprising. 

"I–thank you. That means a lot," the kid told her, sounding a little shell shocked. Still, she could tell that he meant it, he was just caught off guard. 

Kushina brushed past all the kids, ruffling Itachi's hair again. He didn't seem as irritated this time, perhaps now just realizing that she was doing it out of affection. Mikoto met up with her, looking moved by the display. 

Kushina nudged her friend's arm affectionately with her elbow. "We've got good kids." 

"We do," Mikoto agreed. 

The two of them joined the meeting with Fugaku, the two Sannin, Kakashi, and one of Minato's clones. They had an alien parasite to hunt down.

Notes:

I meant to write like one line with baby Itachi but my hand slipped and I started making him a functional human with emotional attachments. And also making Fugaku be a decent father, whoops. I'm trying to repair relations with the Uchiha and the village while not erasing all the animosity in the blink of an eye. Yeah Danzo was definitely a big pusher of their mistreatment, but he wouldn't have been able to do what he did if he was alone in his sentiment. Things are better for them but not perfect. I mean, we do have a set of filler episodes where Minato was still Hokage and the Uchiha didn't die, so I'm taking that as proof that the Sandaime not returning to power is already a huge improvement for them haha

Kushina and Kurama have come so far together! Kurama will never call anyone else his friend but we all know his really a huge softie.

Sorry I killed off Obito :( I love him but it felt right for his story to end here. Someone mentioned wanting an alternate ending where he lives, is that the general sentiment? I'm not opposed to writing something in the future, but I'll definitely finish off some WIPs first.