Fractured Fate

The next week or so had passed in a peaceful routine. I spent my days nestled against my mother, the cadence of her heart a constant comfort. My father would return each evening, more weary by the day. Like clockwork, he would enter the home just as the sun began to set, scoop me up in his arms, and trace his fingers over my tiny hands as if memorizing every detail.

This evening unfolded like any other. My mother flittered about the kitchen, cooking dinner in preparation for my father’s return. I, of course, was confined to the blanket in the living room, doomed to relearn every movement. My mother periodically checking on me.

I found myself currently interested in an alarmingly new development. It had started as a strange sensation, barely noticeable, like the lingering warmth of sunlight long after it has set. I don’t have the words for it, not yet at least, but I feel it. It’s at the edges of my consciousness but the more I found myself focusing on it the more I found myself confused.

Laying on my back, wrapped snugly in a blanket, I stare at the ceiling. The house is quiet, save for the occasional clang of a pan as my mother moves about the kitchen, the scent of something warm and savory filling the air. My mouth begins to drool at the thought of something other than mush. She isn’t speaking, isn’t making much noise at all, and yet – I know exactly where she is.

It’s a presence. A weight in the air, an impression of movement even when I can’t see or hear it. My tiny fingers twitch against the silky fabric beneath me. My mother steps into another room, perhaps to set the table, and yet, I can still feel her. A pulse of something warm and steady.

At first, I think it must be some trick of my mind, an overactive imagination filling in gaps. But the more I pay attention, the more certain I become. It’s not just my mother. There’s something else – something more.

My skin prickles. I try to focus, reach out to whatever this is, but the more I chase it, the slipperier it becomes. The warmth, the presence – I know it’s real, but I don’t quite understand it.

I close my eyes and inhale deeply, trying to push past the confusion. I let my mind drift, reaching for the feeling again, and slowly, something begins to take shape. There are other presences too – fainter, further away, but undeniably there. Distinct from my mother’s warmth.

I hear the front door slide open, breaking my focus. I become aware of what is unmistakably my father’s presence. It is different – stronger, heavier somehow. Not in a way that scares me, but in a way that feels like it carries a great burden. His energy, warm and steady, soothes the growing unease inside me. Even when I can’t see him, I know he is there, just as surely as I know my own heartbeat. Footsteps echo against the wooden floor, and I hear my mother greet him with a soft laugh, the sound light and affectionate. He enters the kitchen and speaks to my mother in a low steady tone. Their voices are muffled by the walls, but I don’t need to hear them to know they’re there. The thought lingers in my mind, settling deep within me. I can feel them.

Curious, I focus harder, searching beyond the walls of our home. It’s like stretching an unseen limb, one I’ve never used before, and suddenly – I feel them.

Small pulses of energy scattered throughout the village. Some brighter, some barely noticeable. It’s overwhelming, like a sudden flood of color after spending a lifetime in darkness. I inhale sharply. My chest tightens. How is this possible? How am I doing this?

A chill runs down my spine as I begin to notice the subtle shifts – people moving, energy shifting, surging, and fading like waves. Someone passes by outside, their presence flickering at the edges of my awareness before fading into the distance. Another lingers nearby, steady and unmoving. A third, further away, flares brightly for a moment before vanishing. Each one is distinct, carrying something unique – something I can’t quite explain. I don’t understand how, but I know they’re there. Panic creeps in at the edges of my thoughts. This isn’t normal. This sixth sense. I shouldn’t be able to do this. And yet, I can’t turn it off. The awareness is there, pressing against my mind like an ocean stretching far beyond what my eyes can see. The realization is both exhilarating and terrifying.

I squeeze my eyes shut tight, trying to drown it out, but that only seems to make it stronger. The ebb and flow of energy – chakra – surrounds me, filling the air like an invisible current. I can feel people. Their presence. Their chakra.

I open my eyes, my breath shaky, and listen to the world around me. I can sense my mother’s presence, steady and familiar, in the next room. My father’s presence is strong, lingering just beyond her.

Slowly they move from the kitchen to the living room. There’s a rustle of fabric, and then warmth envelops me. Strong arms lift me from my blanket, and I open my eyes to see my father’s face, his red eyes crinkle at the edges as he studies me.

“She’s growing fast,” he murmurs. “I swear she looks different every day.”

My mother hums in agreement. “She’s observant, too. She notices things.”

I do, I silently agree. More than they realize.

The scent of the meal my mother has been preparing drifts through the air, mingling with the warmth of my father’s presence. The weight of my newfound awareness lingers, but I push it aside as my father carries me to the dining room table. I bury my face in his chest, listening to the rhythm of his heartbeat. He pries me away from his chest and quickly places me in the high chair located close to my mother’s seat. My mother sets down a bowl of something mushy. Taking a look, I determine it to be steamed rice and some combination of pureed vegetables. Great. She begins to spoon some of the concoction into my mouth while my father takes his seat, stretching his arms with a sigh.

“Minato called me in to speak with him today,” he says, his tone shifting to something more serious. My mother stills for a moment before sliding into her seat. “Did he?”

“Something has come up,” my father continues, his brow furrows and a strange intensity takes over his usually kind eyes. “And he wants me to handle it personally. I’ll be leaving in the morning.”

The silence stretches between them for a moment, thick with unspoken words. My mother’s chakra flickers – concern, worry – but she keeps her expression even as she begins to eat. “For how long?” she asks quietly.

“A couple of weeks, if all goes well.” My father’s voice is steady, but there’s a weight to it. “Minato trusts me to get it done. I couldn’t say no.”

My mother exhales softly, nodding. “Of course. I just…” She glances at me, then offers a small smile. “We’ll miss you.”

He reaches out, squeezing her hand gently. “I’ll be back before you know it.”

A quiet understanding settled between them. This was their life – missions, separations – but that didn’t make it easier. I watch them, the warmth of their presence surrounding me, grounding me. But beneath it, a strange unease stirs. Something tells me this mission is more important than they’re letting on.

The next morning, he is gone, disappearing beyond the village gates with a team of shinobi. Life continued, but the house felt emptier. The next three days blend together – quiet afternoons spent with Kushina, who would lay a warm hand on my head and whisper about how Naruto and I would grow up together.

Sunlight filters through the windows this afternoon, casting golden hues across the wooden floors. The village hums with life beyond our home – merchants running their shops, shinobi moving to and from their posts, and the distant chatter of villagers going about their day. I am wrapped in my mother’s embrace, my tiny fingers curled around strands of her long red hair. The steady rise and fall of her chest putting me at ease.

A knock at the door shatters the tranquility. My mother stiffens slightly before shifting me in her arms and moving to answer it. As the door slides open, Minato stands there, his usually calm demeanor edged with urgency.

“Kushina’s gone into labor,” he announces, his usually calm voice now frantic. There’s an energy about him, a quiet tension that makes my mother’s breath hitch. “I was hoping you could come over and help get things ready. Once Naruto is born, I’ll need you there to assist with Kushina…Given the circumstances.”

My mother’s grip on me tightens for a brief moment before she nods. “Of course. We’d be happy to.”

Minato glances at me, his blue eyes softening. He offers the faintest of nervous smiles before his expression shifts back to one of quiet focus. “It shouldn’t be too long now. I just need to make sure everything goes smoothly.”

Without another word, he disappears in a flash, leaving only a whisper of chakra in his wake. My mother moves quickly, gathering a few necessities before wrapping me securely against her chest. As we step outside, the cool air greets us, carrying with it the scents of the village – freshly baked bread, damp earth, the faintest traces of incense burning in the distance.

The walk to Minato and Kushina’s home is peaceful, but there’s an undercurrent of anticipation beneath it. Perhaps only I feel its presence. My mother’s chakra, usually a steady and comforting presence, ripples with something I don’t quite understand. Excitement? Worry? I can feel it pressing against me, even as I rest against her.

By the time we arrive, the house is quiet. My mother moves with purpose, setting a few things in order—folding blankets, preparing warm water, and ensuring everything is ready for Naruto’s arrival. There’s something tender in the way she hums under her breath, in the way she fluffs the pillows near the cradle set up in the corner of the room. Even without words, I can sense it: the love she carries for her sister, the hope that everything will be okay.

I watch her, small and silent, my eyes tracing the soft movements of her hands. The golden afternoon light spills through the windows, painting everything in warmth. For now, it feels like any other day. But as I sit there, a chill runs down my spine, an unshakable sense of wrongness settling in my gut.

Then it hits me. The thing that has been nagging at me since Minato showed up.

Tonight is the night.

The Nine-Tails attack. The death and destruction. The loss.

I know what’s coming, and yet, I have no way to stop it. No way to warn anyone, no way to change what’s already been set in motion.

A heavy weight settles in my chest, a feeling of helplessness I can’t fight. I am just a baby, a spectator to a disaster that’s about to unfold. The hours will pass, the sun will set, and everything will change.

And there’s nothing I can do to stop it.

Perhaps I will die tonight. Like countless others that were lost in the story to the Nine-Tails attack.

The evening stretches on, the sky deepening into soft oranges and purples as the sun begins its descent. My mother keeps herself busy, moving from room to room, double-checking the blankets, ensuring everything is in place for Naruto’s arrival. Every so often, she murmurs reassurances to herself, as if speaking them aloud will make them true.

I remain where she sets me down, my small hands gripping the fabric of a blanket. The weight in my chest hasn’t eased. If anything, it’s only grown heavier, suffocating. I try to push away the thoughts, try to focus on the warmth of the room, the gentle hum of my mother’s chakra. But every second that ticks by brings us closer to what I know is inevitable.

A distant boom shakes the air, the vibrations rattling through the wooden floor beneath me. My mother freezes mid-step, her hands gripping the edge of a chair. The peaceful lull of the evening shatters as a low, guttural roar rips through the village, a sound so deep and primal that it sends chills down my spine. The walls tremble with the sheer force of it, and the flickering lights sway.

A sickening, oppressive force washes over me, curling around my tiny frame like a thick, pungent fog. The chakra—vile, monstrous, filled with raw malice—burns at the edges of my senses, far more potent than anything I’ve ever felt before. My breath catches, my entire body tensing as if my instincts recognize the sheer terror that this presence brings.

Panic ignites in my mother’s eyes as she turns toward me, but before she can react, before she can even reach for me—

A sudden, blinding flash of yellow. A whirlwind of motion.

And then, standing in the doorway, breathless and urgent, is Minato, and in Minato’s arms—Naruto.

The air is thick with tension, the lingering remnants of Minato’s teleportation jutsu crackling like static. Minato’s face is pale, his usually vibrant yellow hair disheveled and damp with sweat. He’s clutching Naruto tightly to his chest, his body trembling.

Naruto is tiny, smaller than I imagined, his round cheeks flushed, his wisps of blond hair sticking to his forehead. He stirs in his father’s arms, letting out a soft whimper before settling back into sleep. He’s beautiful, and for a brief moment, the world slows as I take him in.

But the moment is short-lived. Without a word, he gently hands Naruto over to my mother. The newborn stirs, letting out a soft whimper, his tiny hands clenching into fists. Then, in a flash, Minato is gone again. The house is silent, save for Naruto’s faint uneven breaths.

I barely have time to process what’s happening before the reality of the situation crashes down on me.

The attack has begun.

The ground trembles beneath us, a deep, resonant boom echoing through the village. The walls of the house rattle, and the lights sway precariously. A guttural, otherworldly roar slices through the air, raw and filled with rage. My mother stiffens, her arms instinctively tightening around me.

Minutes stretch into eternity before another burst of light signals Minato’s return—this time with Kushina in his grasp. She is pale, sweat dotting her forehead, her breaths labored. Her arms immediately reach for Naruto, and she clutches him to her chest, her red hair clinging to her face.

Minato and Kushina have arrived, but there is no relief in their presence—only the thick tension of something terrible unfolding. Kushina is pale, sweat dotting her forehead as she clutches Naruto against her chest. The newborn lets out a small whimper, his tiny body curled against his mother. Minato quickly places them on the bed.

Minato’s sharp gaze shifts to my mother. “The village is under attack.” His voice is steady, but there’s an urgency beneath it, pressing and immediate. “I have to go. I need to stop whoever is behind this.”

Minato gently lays Kushina and Naruto down on the bed, his movements careful yet swift, ensuring they were as comfortable as possible despite the urgency pressing in around them.

“I’m coming with you.” My mother’s response is immediate. There’s no hesitation in her voice, only resolve.

Minato shakes his head, already slipping on his Hokage cloak. “It’s too dangerous. This opponent is… different.”

“All the more reason I should be there.” She casts a glance at me, her expression softening just slightly before turning back to Minato. “I won’t sit here and do nothing while the village burns.”

Minato hesitates, his lips pressing into a thin line. “Kushina needs you here. Hana and Naruto—”

“I’ll be more useful out there,” my mother interrupts, determination burning in her eyes. “You know it.”

There is a beat of silence before Minato finally nods. “Stay close.”

She presses a kiss against my forehead, her warmth lingering even as she pulls away. “Stay here, little one. I’ll be back soon.”

Then she’s gone, vanishing in a flash with Minato, leaving only the fading hum of their chakra behind. The house feels emptier, colder, despite Kushina sitting there with Naruto. Kushina still holds Naruto, and there’s something about her gaze—the way her body trembles, the way her chakra flares—that sends a shiver down my spine.

The vile, suffocating chakra saturates the air outside. It coils around my senses like a thick fog, suffocating, consuming. It is unlike anything I have ever felt before—twisted, full of malice, wild and furious. My tiny fingers clutch the fabric of my blanket as my small body trembles. It is the first time I truly understand fear.

The air is thick with unease, and I can feel it deep in my chest, in my bones. The chakra surrounding us feels foreign—twisted, unnatural, like poison seeping into my very being. It's so strong that I can hardly breathe. I close my eyes for a moment, my small body trembling, and I try to force it out of my mind. But it's impossible.

Kushina sinks into the bed, cradling Naruto, her breathing uneven. “We need to be ready,” she whispers, more to herself than to me. Her chakra, despite her exhaustion, remains strong, steady. But I can feel the pain laced beneath it, the strain in her body. She is barely holding on, yet she still fights.

The sound of destruction in the distance grows louder. Crashes, screams, the deep, guttural roar of something massive, something dangerous. And then—a shift. A crackling energy that makes my skin prickle with discomfort.

A loud, echoing boom reverberates through the air. My eyes snap open just as I feel the oppressive presence of the Nine-Tails.

The house shakes violently, dust falling from the ceiling. The Nine-Tails’ chakra spikes, its presence growing heavier. The scent of smoke fills the air. The realization strikes all at once.

It’s coming.

I freeze, my body instinctively shrinking back, every fiber of my being screaming to get away, to run. But there’s nowhere to run. My heart beats erratically in my chest, and my small hands clutch tighter to the blanket around me.

I can feel it, the Nine-Tails’ chakra washing over me like a tidal wave. It’s suffocating. Dark. Unstoppable.

Before panic can take hold, a blur of yellow light erupts before us. Minato reappears in an instant, his expression sharp and determined. His Hokage cloak billows as he moves swiftly, reaching for Kushina. His voice urgent as he steps closer, pulling Kushina into his arms. “We have to leave. Now.”

His grip on me is strong as he reaches out and pulls me close. I barely have time to register what’s happening before the world tilts around us. A rush of wind, and then we’re gone.

We land in a clearing, the night sky above us fractured by the glow of flames. Smoke rises in thick plumes, the distant village barely visible beyond the carnage. The Nine-Tails stands tall in the distance, its hulking form illuminated by the firelight. Its eyes burn with hatred, its tails lashing out, sending shockwaves through the ground. The sheer force of its presence makes the air vibrate with raw, unchecked power. My body is shaking from the force of it.

Minato holds me close, his arms tight around me. “We’ll keep you safe, Hana,” he whispers, but I can see the fear in his eyes. He’s trying to hold it together, but it’s too much for anyone to face.

Kushina no longer has the strength to stand and falls to the ground, her chakra flaring with the remnants of her strength. She seems to be trying to hold herself together, but I can feel the exhaustion in the tremor of her limbs. She’s so strong, but I can sense it—the pain, the strain. She’s breaking down.

Then, a flicker of something else. A presence. A shift in the shadows.

Minato tenses, his gaze snapping toward the treetops.

Kushina coughs, drawing Minato’s attention, before pushing herself forward. "I can still do it," she says, her voice breathless but firm. "I can still seal the Nine-Tails. I’ll draw it into me and take it with me to my death. I’ll save you all." Her chakra chains burst from her body, anchoring themselves in the ground and restraining the Nine-Tails.

Minato’s eyes widen, and his body stiffens. His hands tremble slightly as he takes a step toward her, his voice strained but filled with desperation. "Kushina, no. I can’t let you do this. There’s another way. You don’t need to die with the Nine-Tails.”

She shakes her head, resolute. "Minato, there’s no other way. If I don’t do this, the Nine-Tails will destroy everything. I can stop it, but I need to do this now. I’m the only one who can do this."

Minato shakes his head, his face filled with anguish. He steps forward, his tone firm as he tries to hold her gaze. "Kushina… you can’t. If you do this, you’ll die, and Naruto will lose you. The village will lose you. But there’s another way."

Her expression falters, a momentary flash of confusion. "What do you mean?"

Minato doesn’t hesitate, his voice calm but urgent. "Naruto’s chakra system isn’t developed enough to handle the Nine-Tails. If we try to seal it into him, he won’t survive. But Hana…" He looks down at me, his gaze locking with mine before passing me to Kushina. "Hana is older. She has the capacity to endure this. We can seal half of the Nine-Tails into her instead."

Kushina’s eyes widen in shock, disbelief flashing across her face. "But Hana… she’s not ready for something like this."

"I know, but she has the strength. Her chakra system can withstand it. If I perform the Reaper Death Seal and use it to seal half of the Nine-Tails chakra, I can seal the other half into her. It’s the only way to save everyone."

I feel a strange heaviness in my chest at the mention of my name. I may mentally be an adult but physically I am only six months old. Just how in the hell do they expect me to “withstand it”?! Dread coils in my stomach as I’m about to be thrust onto a path that was never meant for me. It’s supposed to be Naruto, not me! If they seal the beast inside me then everything will change. Everything I know about this world will go out the door! But there’s nothing I can do. I can’t stop this. I’m just a baby, powerless to do anything but watch this absolute mess unravel.

Kushina’s breath quickens as she shakes her head. "Minato… you can’t be serious. She’s just a baby. She’s only six months old. Her chakra system—she’s too young for this. You can’t. Besides, the Reaper Death Seal—"

Minato takes a step toward her, his gaze never leaving hers. "Kushina, please. This is the only way we can save everyone. I know it’s not ideal, but Hana has the strength to survive it. I will seal the Nine-Tails inside her. If I can do this, we can save Naruto, and you won’t have to die."

Kushina’s face softens, a quiet sadness settling in her eyes. "Minato… If you do this, you’ll be risking your life as well. The Reaper Death Seal is too dangerous. It will kill you, too. I can’t lose you."

Minato smiles softly at her, though it’s tinged with the weight of their shared grief. "It’s a risk I’m willing to take. I can’t bear the thought of losing any of you. But if we do this, if we seal the Nine-Tails into Hana, she’ll have a chance to live, and so will Naruto. You’ll both be safe."

I can feel Minato’s chakra surging, the air growing thick as he prepares to use the Reaper Death Seal. It’s almost overwhelming, his energy mixing with the dark, oppressive chakra of the Nine-Tails. But before he can make a move, Kushina’s voice trembles, her arms tightening around Naruto. But she sees the determination in his eyes. The choice has already been made.

"Do it, Minato," she whispers. "I’m ready."

With a sharp nod, Minato begins the complex hand seals for the Reaper Death Seal. His movements are quick and precise, the air around him crackling with power. The air grows cold, suffocating. I can’t breathe. The weight of death, of finality, presses against me, and I know. This is it. This is the moment where everything changes.

I want to scream. I want to stop it. But I can’t.

Minato’s hands glow with the energy of the seal. The Nine-Tails' chakra is boiling, desperate to resist being sealed away. But Minato remains focused, his expression grim as he pushes forward, determined to complete the sealing.

Minato begins forming the seals, his chakra flaring as the ghostly presence of the unseen Shinigami looms behind him. The air grows cold, suffocating. I can’t breathe. He forms the last sign and quickly summons a small altar. He takes me from Kushina and lays me down gently on the cushion. Another cushion appears to the right of it, just outside of the altar. Naruto is quickly placed upon this cushion.

Just as the last step is completed, the ground shakes violently again, and the Nine-Tails lashes out in fury. Its claws sweep through the air.

Minato and Kushina react in an instant, throwing themselves in front of us. The claw pierces through them both, crimson blooming in the air. Kushina cries out and Minato’s face twists in agony, but he doesn’t stop.

I can’t look away. Their blood drips onto the ground, staining the grass beneath us. The weight of the moment crushes me.

The Nine-Tails roars, its energy vibrating through the ground beneath us.

Minato forces his trembling hands to form the last seal.

Instantly, pain ignites in my chest, searing its way through every nerve, every fiber of my being. The beast’s malice presses inward like a vice, thick and suffocating, crawling through me with a slow, unbearable burn that threatens to tear my soul apart.

I can hear Kushina’s voice through my pain filled haze, her words muddled but soft and loving.

“Don’t be picky… eat lots and grow strong… go to bed early… make friends… You don’t need to study too hard… And promise me… promise me you'll… out for each other… best friends. Always have each other’s… no matter what.”

 Her voice fades. Footsteps rush towards us and words are exchanged. The pain is too great for me to focus and the darkness quickly takes over.