The White Rose

Two months. Just like the snap of a finger, the tick of a clock.. two months had flown by. Kakashi spent the past 53 days in the Uzumaki residence with his master and his wife.

Everything was so much more peaceful now. Kakashi ran errands for the couple and their household, and began exploring some hobbies. The boy picked up on reading, as Jiraiya would often drop by promoting his new series about a heroic protagonist named Naruto. And just like that, the young boy began collecting Jiraya’s books and spent hours reading everyday. Nobody could be his favourite author other than the Toad Sage himself now. Likewise, reading became an escape from this rotten world for Kakashi.

The grey haired boy also found a passion for cooking delicious meals for the people special to him. With Kushina’s pregnancy, he enjoyed cooking her favourite meals and watching her face lighten up or soothe as she ate the food with great pleasure. He already had experience with house work as a result of raising himself, so whenever he could, he made sure to help with chores. Kushina’s delivery was also near, so Kakashi went on ANBU missions less frequently.

Now, Kakashi laid on his stomach on the house’s veranda. He held his face in his palms and closed his eyes, as the autumn breeze caught up to ruffle his hair. The trees’ leaves were all coloured differently. Some were brown, some red, some orange, some yellow, and some were still green… The wind whistled and kissed his cheeks as it flew by. The robins chirped and the sun shone. Not a sound of anything other than nature itself was spoken. The boy was so soothed in the moment, he forgot he left the house’s door open.

"What a beautiful day."

He thought to himself.

"Naruto will.. Probably be here soon.

What a name."

Kakashi smiled to himself with great content. Once the pen was in his hand, nobody could beat his Master Jiraiya in writing. He was truly second to none. Naruto, the great victorious warrior and leader who sought peace and love in the world through his utter bravery and desire for peace.

Suddenly, Kakashi’s thoughts were disturbed as he felt the bright yellow sun fading from the corners of his eyes, and he began hearing unusual noises. He tightened his eyebrows and his eyes finally opened.

Then it hit him.

Kushina!!

He stood up as fast as he could and dashed inside of the house. He saw Minato slowly trying to get Kushina to walk as he had one arm around her waist, and his other hand holding hers for support. The concern was clear in the husband’s face. His eyes were praying for the wellbeing of his wife. Of course he was nervous. His wife looked sickly. She was pale and sweaty and made subtle noises of struggle. She tightly squeezed the hand of her husband’s that she held, as she shook in disrupted patterns.

“Kakashi,” 

The boy’s master called.

Kakashi froze ever so still. His breath hitched as goosebumps devoured his body. His master did not even look at him or acknowledge him once he entered the room. Yet, he called his name so calmly without even looking at him.

The young boy stared at the hokage’s face.

The master’s face grew so serious in just a matter of seconds,

“It’s time.”

Kakashi nodded and furrowed his eyebrows.

The boy did not need to be told twice. He knew his job was to escort Kushina to safety as she gave birth to the Uzumaki-Namikaze child.

—

Kushina Uzumaki shed tears, blood, and faith.

The family had successfully made it into the hideout where Kushina would give birth to Naruto, as two doctors and Minato accompanied her, and Kakashi guarded the hideout from the outside with other guards.

And from the outside of the room, Kakashi could hear his adoptive mother’s crying and screaming. He was on full guard with other ANBU members, as Minato stayed on the other side of the door as support for his wife and the birth of their son. He was heard encouraging his wife in calm and low tones, as the two doctors helped guide the soon to be mother.

“It’s alright, Kushina. You have to try..” he spoke as he looked at his wife softly and held her hand. He could tell she was exhausted.. And he felt guilty as he didn’t know what to do or how to comfort her, so he caressed her hair with one hand. The other was busy as it held her stomach, trying its hardest to suppress the Nine Tails' spirit.

The doctors went under and out of the blanket that wrapped around Kushina’s lower body again and again checking for any vital signs.

One of the doctors yelled, “Keep pushing! There’s no sign of crowning yet!”

Kushina cried at the top of her lungs as she desperately grasped onto the bed sides. She barely spoke through heavy breaths, “Mina..to..” the woman was soaked in sweat and her hair was stuck to her face, as her body gently shook.

"It must be hell…"

The young grey haired boy thought to himself on the other side of the door.

To try to keep the nine tails Jinchuuriki sealed within you, when it wants to escape and oppose you with all of its energy, is already enough of a burden. But to try to maintain all of this while giving birth to a child, which is a rough of a time itself, was pure torture. The energy this would use would certainly kill a man. And any ordinary being.

Women are truly amazing. She’s amazing.

Kakashi thought.

The boy was so distraught on keeping guard and making sure no one dared to pose a threat to the woman who had a hand in giving him a family again, that he didn’t notice suddenly all the wailing and noises of struggle were gone. The atmosphere shifted so subtly yet so much.. And now the cries of a new life were heard.

In realisation, Kakashi’s eyes widened.

He heard the doctors exclaim, “The birth of the Uzumaki-Namikaze heir has happened!”

—

The cries of a newborn baby were heard loud and clear and Kushina Uzumaki sank into the bedrest in relief, as her husband wiped his own tears.

Upon having seen Kushina's weakened state, one doctor tended to her, while the other approached Minato with Naruto.

The fourth Hokage gently held Naruto and cradled his newborn. The vessel of the Nine Tails was indeed weakened, but she stayed awake and laid down as she watched her son in awe. Kushina Uzumaki was in disbelief as everything was so quiet and peaceful so suddenly after all she suffered through. She stared at her husband who attempted to calm their crying baby.

Naruto..

The new mother thought to herself.

The blue eyed man turned to his wife, “Kushina…

Thank you,” he gently spoke as he withheld the emotions that did not cease to overwhelm him.

Kushina was so tired. Yet, she returned a soft smile and began to sit up to get a better view of her child.

The doctors began to move once they saw her try to get up. They were about to lay her back down until Minato spoke,

“Ah don’t, Kushina, you must still be very weak,” the concerned husband spoke.

“I want to see my child,” his wife responded.

With a request like that, the husband could not keep his wife from wanting to see their child. So, the doctors looked at Minato for guidance and Minato just nodded in silence. He walked towards the mother of his child and supported her as he gave Naruto in her arms. Together, the pair admired their child.

“Hi Naruto..”

Kushina softly smiled, admiring her baby.

“I’m your mom.. And this crying person here.. Is your dad” she spoke as the baby wrapped his hand around her finger.

Once Minato heard this statement he couldn’t do anything but laugh. He looked up at his wife with his tear struck face and then continued to stare at his precious child.

“He looks.. Just like you.. Minato.” Kushina smiled as she shifted her gaze towards Minato.

Minato slowly looked at his wife and softly smiled, “You think so?”

“Mhm,” she subtly nodded.

Then, all of a sudden,

“Kakashi,” the woman spoke.

“Mm?” the man responded.

“Get Kakashi,” she repeated.

Kakashi…!

In realisation, the master’s eyes enlarged and he began to panic. 

Of course! He needs to be here!

He thought to himself

In his 24 years of living, Minato Namikaze has never stood up so fast. He ran and reached out to the door and opened it.

He saw the grey haired boy who stood right in front of the door for barely a second, as Kakashi turned around ever so quickly and braced himself to prepare for a threat.

However, just for that second, the second Minato saw the boy with his back turned to him, braced to fight any outside threats, the master had a moment of thought to himself.

Look at you. He thought.

Staying outside, all these hours and all armed up, ready to protect us at all times. Obedient and kind as ever.

However, now upon facing and having seen Minato, Kakashi lowered his daggers. 

The master of the boy stayed in the same spot, with a gentle expression painted on his face.

Kakashi stared at him as he waited for his sensei to speak. As he waited for an order. Or as he anticipated to be invited inside to look at the baby he had waited for, for the past 9 months. To look at the child he had vowed to protect not only for the duration of Kushina’s pregnancy, but to himself, he promised he would as long as he lived. As soon as he had heard Naruto’s cries when he was born, he so eagerly wanted to barge inside of the room. Even if it was to see how Kushina’s health was. Even if it was just to get a small peek of the child’s face. The boy was crazed with curiosity.

“Come in,” Minato spoke tilting his head towards the inside of the room

“I think Naruto would really like to meet his older brother .”

Older brother..?

Kakashi repeated to himself in his head.

When he heard this, the boy thought he was trapped in a dream. What he felt when Minato told him such a thing, is something that cannot be put into mere words. This unexplainable feeling had the boy feeling faint.

Minato unblocked the door’s view and Kakashi quickly stepped foot inside. The Hokage locked the door once again.

Kakashi’s view showed Kushina sitting on a bedrest that did not look very comfortable, with a baby wrapped in her arms. His eagerness to see his family converted into the slowest walk one could imagine. Lost in thoughts, he took a clear step, every one of them he took.

Kushina looked up to the grey haired boy and smiled,

“Come here, don’t be shy.. Have a look at Naruto.”

He looked at her and observed the look on her face.

Kushina is alright.

The boy sighed in relief to himself.

His short and slow steps picked up a bit faster and finally came to an end. He now stood beside the woman and slowly gave her a gentle hug.

He was just so glad she made it through just fine. To be a guard for this place for hours and always being on edge was frightening. But to see its outcome like this, was what made it all worth it. The boy wasn’t that great with words, but he spoke from the heart, 

“I’m glad you’re okay.”

Kushina held Naruto in one arm, and tried to hug Kakashi back with the other one. She lightly smiled, but in reality she was overwhelmed with gratitude. For Minato, Kakashi, and Naruto.

The two doctors just observed the precious moment between the family and smiled to themselves.

Kakashi pulled away and Kushina spoke,

“You should hold him.”

Kakashi was taken aback, and looked at the child’s face for the first time. He stared at the baby boy very intently, and was as awestruck as ever. The baby’s eyes were closed. He was fast asleep and sucking on his thumb. The little life seemed to be in his own peaceful world. Kakashi noticed the baby resembled both his mother and father a fair amount.

He then had a thought of how this child would be different. He would not live a sorrowful life like Kakashi. He would have the two of his parents by his side and an older brother figure beside him, raising him and guiding him throughout life. Knowing this, Kakashi smiled to himself. But what was unique about Naruto were the black whiskers that were painted on his face, as nobody in the family wore those.

And Naruto's face, absolutely melted the young boy. Kakashi would be a liar if he said he would not want to hold this precious existence in his arms.

So, Kakashi prepared himself as he reached his arms out and Kushina lifted Naruto, as she made her approach to give him to Kakashi. The boy was filled with anxiety, but he calmed himself down for the sake of Naruto, as he saw the baby fast asleep and didn't want to disturb his deep slumber.

As Naruto was about to be held by Kakashi, the baby disappeared in an instant, like a leaf picked up by the wind.

The new mother and young boy’s faces paled, frozen in their spots. Goosebumps covered the doctors’ skin, who were in shock at what they witnessed.

The fourth Hokage was especially speechless, but ran to the side of his wife and adoptive son. Immediately, Kakashi turned to where Minato's gaze was and saw a person with a mask who now held Naruto in the corner of the room. It was clear to Kushina, Minato, and Kakashi that this person was not an ally. 

“Naruto!” the new mother yelled.

As if that was not enough shock, just a second later the woman then gasped at the new sight she saw. Both of the doctors that helped her deliver her baby collapsed to the ground, as their necks were sliced.

Their necks were sliced by the person who carried Naruto in his arms. The person was clearly armed and a major threat.

By now, the new born's peace was interrupted and he began crying loudly, as if he read the masked person’s aura.

Kakashi’s sight refused to leave Naruto, but once he saw the bodies on the ground, he became even more tense.

Sweat trickled down Minato’s head as he clenched his teeth hard and furrowed his eyebrows in frustration.

No way

This cannot be happening

He thought to himself.

Minato wasted no time and immediately leapt to his child. But, the person holding Naruto was too fast and teleported to another corner in the room. Just by the swift moves of this person, Kakashi could tell this person had experience in combat.

Must be a rogue.

The Hokage and ANBU captain thought to themselves in unison.

Kakashi drew his sword, but nervousness took over the boy. How could he safely bring the child back when he fought with a dangerous weapon like a sword?

Regardless, the master and student each took a turn to leap at each corner until the person finally started to laugh. He was having fun doing this. But why? Who was this person? And how does he know of this location and Naruto’s birth?

Minato finally backed off, as he realised he also needed to protect his wife who was in a vulnerable state. Kakashi put his sword away and began to use close combat instead. Close combat helped him briefly touch the blanket that wrapped Naruto, but he ulitmately failed to grab the baby when the person teleported once again.

The mysterious man who held the poor baby now stood still in one corner of the room. He was not moving, and seemed like he was done with the child's play. Then in the blink of an eye, he put a hand over the baby’s face and spoke in a deep voice,

“Fourth Hokage Minato. Back away from the Jinchuuriki or your son dies at the ripe age of one minute.”