The start of all
Keigo never thought today was the day he was going to sacrifice for his village.
But let's star form the beginning. Keigo Uzumaki-Namikaze was what you can define an accident baby. As much as you can call an accident, keigo grew up to become one of the most promising ninjas of the village.
He had bright red hair, like his mother's, and ocean blue eyes, like his father's, a set of three whiskers per cheek and a smile that was both joyful and mischievous. He managed to graduate from the academy early, not thanks to his commitment to studying but more due to the impossibility of entertaining him and making him concentrate on the lessons.
He was what they called a prodigy and that brightness would lead him to his demise.
It was the day that Keigo waited for 9 entire months, his baby brother was arriving, his little Naruto.
Mom was escorted to the place where she would give birth, outside the village limits, in case the nine tailed beast gets loose. He knew his mom was the jinchuriki, he always felt the warmth she radiated and thought how something so evil could reassure him so much.
He was waiting for some news almost all day, it was nearly night time and he was still walking around. Nobody was waiting for him at home, dad was in office as usual, he hasn't been around much since he was appointed hokage. Kakashi was on a mission or gods knows where. And Obito, Obito wasn't around anymore and Keigo didn't want to talk to a grave in the cemetery the day that was supposed to be the best day of his life.
For the last year the only one who would wait for Keigo at home was mom. Even though he never let her wait for his return, he couldn't disappoint her like all the times Dad left her waiting.
Eventually he found himself on top of the hokages mountain when everything went down. A loud crash, a wave of killing intent and a familiar warmth was all he had to feel to know that something where wrong had happened to his mom.
Before he could decide what to do he was picked up by a familiar pair of arms and hirashin to a new place, a room that was filled with the most important people of his life.
Dad haven't even said a word before handing him one of special kunais and leave the room.
Keigo didn't even spare a thought for him before running to the bed on which his mom was resting and form where she was staring at him with worry and a hint of fear. When he reached her he wasted no time in sliding into her waiting arms but this time she was cold, not a bit of warmth was left in her body.
He was then introduce to his baby brother, a newborn with a yellow fuzz of hair and the same whiskers and blue eyes as his.
He was perfect, from his little nose to the tiny fingers that were holding his thumb.
Keigo didn't even have time to register dad's arrival before everything went black.
He woke up to distant screams and sounds of fighting. He was on the ground in forest and his whole body was aching due to the explosion. As his vision returned to normal, he could see the end of the fight between his father and a masked stranger. For a moment he swore he recognized the voice of the enemy, but it all ended when he was captured by his father's guard.
With his remaining strength he began to crawl towards where his mother and Naruto were positioned. His parents were arguing, something they had never done before, and he could understand that they both wanted to sacrifice themselves for each other and their children to seal the fox away again.
"I could help seal the fox with my chains too" Keigo called out. His parents froze. He hadn't told them yet that he was training the technique of the Uzumaki clan. His mom was already using hers as they were talking.
Before they could even respond the demon fox launched towards them this his claws, and the next thing Keigo knew was a burning sensation just under his ribs. Looking down wasn't the best idea he ever had, noticing the final part of the claw stabbed in his abdomen. The worst part, his mom was in front of him blood already running down her mouth and his father was to his right , hit in the shoulder, shielding little Naruto from his same fate.
The moment the fox retracted his claws, despite the immeasurable pain, he was already in action. He could feel the chakra travel throughout his body condensing into chains that flowed from his hands, arms and back flying towards the fox and trapping him. He knew he couldn't bear to take all the demon inside of him, he was too young, so he split it in half. His mother had already understood and kept the part he couldn't keep for herself.
Keigo was in his mind battling the unknown chakra trying to seal it in the cage he created, it was hard and he was about to be overwhelmed when some whisper reached him, " Love, you gotta fill the cage with love, it's the only way you can beat the nine tails" his mom always knew what he needed to hear.
"My brave little Kei, you have to promise me you will take care of your little brother and your overworked father, he loves us so much but he gets lost in the work. I know your future is bright and your gonna be a fantastic person, I won't be here to see it but knowing I saved both you and Naruto reassures me".
"Mama loves you Keigo" it was the last thing Keigo heard before waking up. He knew mom died. She had spent the last of her energy sealing the other half into Naruto.
His dad was now beside him, Naruto in his embrace. Keigo's head was now in Kakashi's lap, he hadn't even realized when he had arrived. He was feeling wet and when he brought his hand to his face he saw that it was stained in red. He hadn't realize before but his breathing was heavy and he could taste the metal in his mouth.
"You're gonna be okay bubba, you're gonna be just fine, you just have to hold tight bubba." dad whispered to me. Bubba. The last time he called me bubba was when I became a genin. Looking him in the eyes now I couldn't recall a time when I saw him this scared. His eyes where wet an he was still whispering nonsense to me. Kakashi was stroking my hair back.
Oh.
I was going to die.
You know when the tell you that 7 minutes of your best memories come to mind before you die, it's true.
Minute 1. " One day you'll understand why is it worth fighting for the village, because you'll never know if all this can become your's" dad talked to me. At the tender age of five I didn't fully understand what dad was saying but in that moment, at the top of the head of the first on the hokage mountain with dad crouched besides me, I felt like the most important person alive because dad was giving me a reason to fight for. The village and everyone inside.
Dad and Kakashi had a green light surrounding theirs hands. They were trying to heal me.
Minute 2. My sunshines, that's what mom called me and Obito. We were inseparable, where one was the other wasn't afar. Even with a 6 years age gap we had a bond stronger than brothers, Obito always took care of me and I understood him better than anyone. We would go on little adventures and when I became a genin he would help me train.
I began coughing blood.
Minute 3. My mother's hugs were the best. Konoha was where I lived but my mom was my home. She embraced me with every inch of her body, from wrapping her strong yet gentle arms around me to the cascade of bright red hair that enveloped us and separated us from the world.
I could hear the distant cheers of the ones who survived the night.
Minute 4. I always loved when granny Tsunade and Jiraya spared some time of their travels to come and visit me. They were loud and strong and always spoiled me rotten with ramen, dango and all the things I could imagine.
My eyes were growing tired and heavy.
Minute 5. From the first time I can remember Kakashi and I always shared a room. Our room was the little attic.I didn't mind sharing the small room, I loved its sloping roofs, the skylights and the little luminescent stars I had attached to the ceiling. Anyway kakashi wasn't home much but when he was he never failed to put a smile on my face by calling his pack or bring me little things from distant villages.
My dad was now shouting someone help.
Minute 6. Water was my second home. From the moment mom taught me how to swim I was always running to the river. Laying in it's bed calmed me, it was the only time where my mind would just shut up from the constant mumbling. The Uzumaki clan came from the water and even though I was born in the forest the water called me.
I was scared, so so scared.
Minute 7. I loved to watch mom and dad dancing. The last time they did it they were in the backyard, they moved around like no one else mattered in the moment, like they were the only ones who existed. I was watching from the patio steps and saw how much e they loved each other.
"I'm scared dad" I mumbled to my father. I don't know where I found the strength to talk. "I d-don't wanna die" I was now stuttering. "I just wanted to save you, mom and Naruto" silent tears were now falling from my eyes.
My gaze went to the night sky and it's stars. I couldn't hear anymore watch Kakashi and dad were saying but I could feel Naruto and the same warmth he radiated. The same as mom. In that moment I felt like she was with me again, and the my eyes closed.
In the end Keigo wasn't scared, he knew his mom would be waiting for him.