A Heart's Surrender
I DO NOT OWN NARUTO OR ITS CHARACTERS ALL RIGHTS BELONG WITH KISHIMOTO, VIZ MEDIA, AND SHONEN JUMP. PLEASE SUPPORT THE ORIGINAL RELEASE!
THE IDEA OF THESE OC CHARACTERS ARE NOT OWNED BY ME. THESE SPECIFIC VERSIONS HOWEVER ARE MY BRAIN CHILD, IF YOU USE THEM GIVE ME CREDIT.
We are nearing the end. This chapter will focus on Kushina giving up on attempting to capture Minato's heart. This will establish how Akimitsu Senju and Kushina Uzumaki finally tie their knot.
The Uchiha Rebellion
Chapter 11: A Heart's Surrender
Kushina Uzumaki sat on the edge of her bed, the dim light of the moon casting long shadows across the room. Her mind churned with thoughts she couldn't escape, memories she couldn't bury. Every time she closed her eyes, she saw Minato's smiling face as he kissed Akane in front of the entire village—their shared laughter, the look of pure happiness in their eyes. It haunted her.
"Dammit," she muttered, burying her face in her hands. It shouldn't hurt this much. She had known, deep down, that Minato's heart belonged to someone else. But knowing didn't make it any easier to bear.
The sound of the door creaking open caught her attention. Kushina looked up to see Akimitsu Senju standing there, a concerned smile on his lips. He closed the door behind him and approached her, his movements graceful and deliberate.
"Kushina," he greeted softly, taking a seat beside her on the bed. "You've been cooped up in here for days. I was worried."
Kushina let out a soft sigh, her shoulders slumping. "I'm sorry, Akimitsu. I just… needed some time to think."
"To think?" Akimitsu echoed, his tone gentle but probing. "Or to wallow?"
Kushina shot him a weak smile, but it didn't reach her eyes. "Maybe a little bit of both."
Akimitsu's eyes narrowed slightly as he regarded her. He had spent the last few years carefully cultivating his relationship with Kushina, steering her emotions toward resentment and jealousy while keeping her reliant on his support. He had tolerated her pining for Minato because it was the perfect tool to keep her focused on their shared goal. But now… Now, it felt like she was slipping through his fingers.
"And what are you thinking about now?" he asked softly, leaning closer. His voice was a smooth whisper, coaxing her to open up. "Surely you're not giving up, are you?"
Kushina's brow furrowed, and she looked away. "I don't know… I just feel like… like we're doing something wrong."
"Wrong?" Akimitsu's smile tightened, but he kept his tone even. "There's nothing wrong with wanting what's rightfully yours, Kushina. Minato was supposed to be with you, not with her. You're the one who's always been by his side. You're the one who loves him."
Kushina winced at his words, a pang of guilt twisting in her chest. "But… they're happy, Akimitsu. I've seen it. Minato and Akane… they love each other. How can I—how can we—try to take that away from them?"
Akimitsu's gaze darkened, frustration bubbling beneath the surface. He forced a smile, his voice dropping to a conspiratorial murmur. "It's a minor setback. They got married—so what? Marriage is just a piece of paper, Kushina. It doesn't mean they're invincible. If anything, it makes it easier for us to—"
"No," Kushina interrupted, her voice firmer than he had ever heard it before. She turned to face him, her expression resolute. "I'm done, Akimitsu."
"What?" He blinked, caught off guard. This wasn't how the conversation was supposed to go. He leaned forward, searching her face for any sign of hesitation. "Kushina, don't be hasty. We've come so far—"
"No," she repeated, shaking her head. "I can't do this anymore. I can't keep trying to come between them. It's… it's not fair to them, and it's not fair to me."
Akimitsu's fingers twitched at his sides, his control slipping ever so slightly. "Kushina, listen to me. This isn't over. We can still—"
"It is over," she insisted, her voice rising. "It has to be. I'm not going to sabotage their relationship just because I couldn't capture Minato's heart."
Akimitsu clenched his jaw, struggling to keep his emotions in check. "But Kushina… Minato was always supposed to be yours. If you give up now, you'll lose everything you've fought for."
"I'll lose more if I keep going," Kushina whispered, her gaze dropping to her hands. "If I keep trying to ruin things for them, I'll lose Minato as a friend. I'll lose Akane as a friend. And I can't—" Her voice broke, and she took a deep breath, steadying herself. "I can't do that, Akimitsu. I can't lose them both."
Akimitsu stared at her, a mixture of anger and disbelief roiling inside him. How could she back down now? How could she throw away everything they had worked for—everything *he* had worked for—just because she was too weak to see it through?
"Kushina," he began, his voice low and dangerous. "You don't know what you're saying. You—"
"I know exactly what I'm saying," she cut him off, her tone sharp. "I'm saying that I'm done. No more plans, no more manipulation, no more trying to win Minato back. I just… I just want things to go back to the way they were."
Akimitsu's gaze hardened, and for a moment, he felt a surge of something dark and vicious rise within him. But he swallowed it down, forcing himself to smile—a smile that didn't reach his eyes.
"Fine," he murmured, leaning back slightly. "If that's what you really want."
"It is," Kushina replied softly. "I just want to be his friend again. That's all I've ever wanted."
Akimitsu nodded slowly, though inside, his mind whirred with a thousand different thoughts. He would need to reevaluate, adjust his plans. Kushina might be backing out now, but that didn't mean he had to give up. He would find another way—some way to make sure that Minato and Akane didn't get to live their perfect little life together.
But for now, he needed to play his part. He needed to make sure Kushina didn't suspect a thing.
"Alright," he said quietly, his voice smooth and reassuring. "If that's what you want, then I'll support you. I just want you to be happy, Kushina."
Kushina looked at him, relief and gratitude shining in her eyes. "Thank you, Akimitsu. You've… you've been such a good friend to me."
Friend. The word tasted bitter on his tongue, but he nodded nonetheless, keeping his expression neutral. "Of course."
Kushina gave him a small, shaky smile before standing up. "I need some time alone to process everything… but thank you, Akimitsu. For understanding."
"Take all the time you need," he murmured, watching as she walked away, her footsteps light and hesitant.
As the door closed behind her, Akimitsu's smile vanished, replaced by a dark, calculating look. He clenched his fists, his jaw tight with barely suppressed rage.
"Enjoy your peace while it lasts, Minato," he whispered, his voice low and dangerous. "Because I'm not done with you yet."
One Month Later
Akimitsu Senju sat alone in his dimly lit study, his fingers tapping rhythmically against the wooden surface of his desk. The faint glow of a single candle illuminated the room, casting shadows that danced and flickered with each subtle movement. Scattered across the desk were various scrolls, maps, and diagrams—fragments of ideas and strategies that had yet to coalesce into a cohesive plan.
His eyes narrowed as he scanned over the half-finished sketch of the Hokage's office and surrounding areas, his mind racing with possibilities. It had been a month since Minato and Akane's wedding—a month since his plans had been thrown into disarray. But setbacks were part of the process. Each failure was a lesson, a chance to refine his methods.
And Akimitsu Senju was a patient man.
The door to his study creaked open, and he glanced up, his gaze sharpening as he saw Orochimaru step inside. The Sannin moved with his usual eerie grace, his golden eyes gleaming with curiosity and something darker.
"Sensei," Akimitsu greeted, inclining his head respectfully. "I wasn't expecting you tonight."
Orochimaru's lips curved into a thin smile, his gaze flicking to the cluttered desk before settling back on his student. "I am just a shadow clone. The original me is at the housewarming party. Minato and his charming wife were quite the hosts."
Akimitsu's jaw tightened imperceptibly, but he kept his tone even. "I see. Did they enjoy your company?"
Orochimaru's smile widened slightly, a hint of mockery in his eyes. "As much as one can enjoy the company of a snake, I suppose. But I didn't come here to discuss social gatherings, Akimitsu-kun." He moved closer, his gaze drifting over the diagrams and notes scattered across the desk. "I'm more interested in why you weren't there."
"I had more pressing matters to attend to," Akimitsu replied coolly. "Your experiment, for one."
"Ah, yes." Orochimaru's eyes gleamed with interest. "And how is it progressing?"
"As expected. The results are still inconclusive, but we're getting closer to a breakthrough."
"Good," Orochimaru murmured, his fingers trailing idly over a map of Konoha. He glanced at Akimitsu, his gaze sharp. "But I can't help but wonder, Akimitsu-kun… is that the real reason you didn't go?"
Akimitsu's eyes narrowed, but he kept his expression neutral. "I didn't see the point in celebrating Minato's victory."
Orochimaru let out a soft chuckle, the sound low and dangerous. "Victory? I see. You still view it as a competition."
"It is a competition," Akimitsu muttered, his voice hardening. "Everything he has—everything he's accomplished—it should have been mine. I was supposed to be Hokage. I was supposed to lead this village. But Hiruzen—"
"—chose Minato instead," Orochimaru finished softly, his gaze piercing. "Yes, we all know the story. But dwelling on what should have been will only cloud your judgment, Akimitsu-kun. You must look forward, not backward."
Akimitsu clenched his fists, his knuckles turning white. "And what would you have me do, Sensei? Smile and congratulate him while he flaunts his perfect little life in front of me?"
"No," Orochimaru whispered, his smile widening. "I would have you destroy him. Piece by piece. But for that, you need patience. Planning. And most importantly, control."
Akimitsu's gaze darkened, but he nodded slowly. "You're right. It's just… difficult, sometimes."
"Emotions are a hindrance," Orochimaru murmured, his voice soft and hypnotic. "But they can also be a weapon if wielded correctly. Use your anger, your jealousy. Let it fuel you. But do not let it control you."
The tension in Akimitsu's shoulders eased slightly, and he took a deep breath, centering himself. "Thank you, Sensei. I needed that reminder."
Orochimaru's smile was thin and cold, but there was a hint of satisfaction in his gaze. "Good. Now, tell me, what is your next move?"
Akimitsu's eyes flicked back to the diagrams on his desk, a slow, calculating smile spreading across his lips. "For now, I'll play the part of the supportive friend. I'll bide my time, wait for the right opportunity. And when the moment comes…"
Orochimaru's gaze gleamed with approval. "You'll strike."
"Exactly."
Meanwhile, across the village, the Namikaze household buzzed with life and laughter. The spacious new home was filled with friends and well-wishers, each of them celebrating Minato and Akane's new beginning. The aroma of freshly prepared food drifted through the air, mingling with the sound of cheerful conversations and the occasional burst of laughter.
Minato stood near the entrance, his heart swelling with happiness as he watched the people closest to him. Jiraiya and Hiruzen Sarutobi were engaged in animated discussion near the shoji doors, while Tsume Inuzuka regaled Hiashi Hyuga with a particularly wild mission tale, her voice loud and boisterous. Choza Akimichi and Shikaku Nara hovered over a game of shogi, their expressions intent as they strategized against one another. And then there was Akane, moving gracefully through the crowd, her smile bright and welcoming.
Kushina stood by the window, a small smile on her lips as she observed the gathering. She had come, despite the lingering ache in her chest and the turbulent emotions that swirled within her. She had come because Minato and Akane were her friends, and she loved them both.
And because, deep down, she knew she needed to let go.
"Minato," Akane called softly, her voice cutting through his thoughts.
Minato turned to see her approaching, a questioning look in her eyes. "What's wrong?"
"Have you seen Akimitsu?" she asked, glancing around. "I thought he'd be here."
Kushina shifted uncomfortably at the mention of Akimitsu's name. She had barely spoken to him since the night she told him she was done with their plan, and she wasn't sure how he felt about it. But before she could say anything, another voice joined the conversation.
"Akimitsu is currently… preoccupied," Orochimaru said smoothly, stepping into the circle. His smile was polite, but there was something almost predatory in his gaze. "He's overseeing one of my experiments while I attend this lovely gathering."
Akane's brow furrowed, concern flickering in her eyes. "That sounds like him. He's always been so focused on his work."
"Yes, quite the dedicated student," Orochimaru murmured, his gaze lingering on Kushina for a fraction of a second before shifting back to Minato and Akane. "But I'm sure he would have loved to be here, had circumstances allowed."
"Well, he's missing out," Minato said with a chuckle, his arm slipping around Akane's waist. "But I'm sure we'll catch up with him soon. He'll want to give us a hard time about our choice of decorations."
Kushina forced a smile, trying to push away the unease that settled in her stomach. "Yeah… Akimitsu will probably have a lot to say. You know how he is."
Orochimaru's smile widened ever so slightly, a glimmer of something dark flashing in his eyes. "Indeed. But for now, let's enjoy the evening. After all, it's not every day we get to celebrate such a momentous occasion."
The conversation shifted to lighter topics, but the undercurrents of tension remained, unspoken but palpable. And as the night wore on, each of them found themselves caught up in their own thoughts, their own worries.
For Minato and Akane, tonight was a celebration of love and unity. For Kushina, it was the beginning of a long journey toward acceptance. And for Akimitsu Senju and Orochimaru… it was another opportunity to observe, to manipulate, and to wait for the perfect moment to set his own plans into motion.
Another brief chapter. This one just gets to the point and forwards us up the timeline some. The next chapter will be Naruto's birth