Its posted, finally. TLJ has ended, TCJ is in progress, and I really wanted to post this. It's not top priority, mostly just something to keep my muse straight (Like ToaJ) and chapters fresh. It's a bit harder to write now days since I keep steering toward angst (despite things going a lot better), but with these chapters having been on my computer for a bit and my muse coming back for this story I feel the need to publish it before I destroy the TLJ universe with the wrong chapter typed up…Speaking of which I still need to fix that one…*Groans* Enjoy.

Disclaimer-Ha! As if. The idea isn't even mine really, it's every other author that I read with this idea, but it's not the same. Believe me, I loathe plagiarism. That said, I own the plot, Naruto's skill set, and Michiki, whom is in so many fanfictions with many variations. (Her character is the same base as Michiko, cause' I didn't feel like digging through the 114 OC's I have to find another…I just mixed her with Alice.)

Chapter Dedicated to Tobirama, my favorite Kage next to Gaara and Yagura. (When either are not a mind controlled psychopaths.)

"Hiruzen, you will become the Third Hokage."

The words rang through the young brunettes head as he stared wide eyed at the Nidaime, Senju Tobirama. The sounds of battle echoed through the surrounding forest, the silver haired Hokage giving everyone around him a level look. "I will play the part of Decoy. Watch over Konoha, Hiruzen."

The words were even and held no regret as Tobirama stood, facing toward the enemy, facing his death. Sarutobi took a deep breath, swallowing his building fear. Now was not the time to wallow in his emotions. "Understood." His voice was surprisingly firm, devoid of the fact that he was losing his master. Tobirama offered a small, uncharacteristic smirk to his student, before vanishing into the clearing before them.

I~~~~I

"I'm sorry Hokage-Sama…but we couldn't find his body. There was nothing left of the Nidaime when we got there."

The soft words left the lips of Sarutobi's friend, Shimura Danzo, as the raven haired male looked toward the Hokage monument. Taking a deep breath, the young shinobi raised his head high. "We must remain strong…even without Sensei."

I~~~~I

Red eyes opened slowly, a painful aching wetness in the silver haired man's chest. A groan passed his lips, and soon a cup was pressed to the chapped lips. "Drink."

The order was begrudgingly followed, the man being brought up to sit. "Swallow, and don't move."

Tobirama followed the kind but firm voice, his head pounding while the water cooled his burning throat. "There...lay back okay? I'll get you some more water."

Tobirama laid back and blearily opened his eyes. He winced but observed his surroundings, confused. He was inside a small room with one bed and little to no decoration or furniture inside besides the mat beside the bed. The house seemed to be small, Tobirama only noticing one room from where he was. The door leading into the room opened and a woman with bright blonde hair step inside carrying a tray. She also had a kit held under the tray. "You gave me a scare...It may be war time but I still didn't think someone could get so hurt!"

She faced the man and her blue eyes seemed to catch him off guard. "You were a kunai pincushion when I got to you. I'm surprised you are alive."

The woman set the tray on a nightstand next to Tobirama. She froze when Tobi's hand shot out and grabbed her wrist. "H-How long?"

His voice cracked and the woman sighed and offered another glass of water, her blue eyes brightening when he drank it. "A week. I wouldn't be heading back to Fire Country if I were you though…They believe you are dead. The war is drawing to a close, but only because Konoha has a new and very strong Kage taking position."

Tobirama frowned at the woman before him and set his glass on the nightstand. "Where are we?"

He cleared his throat as he spoke, his voice returning to its monotone state. The woman seemed to fidget, and Tobi realized he had yet to release her wrist. He released her, the feeling of her soft tan skin lingering on his fingertips. "River Country, not too far from the Wind Country borders either. My name is Michiki by the way."

She smiles at Tobirama again, making the silver haired man stare at her in confusion. The woman trusted him and wasn't trying to hand him over to the enemy. She was calm and carefully stepped around him, but still didn't allow her smile to slip from her features. Tobirama decided he liked this woman, which was quite a feat. He hardly ever dared look at any female twice and ignored his Brother's whining about how he needed to find a wife. Once his brother had died, those things had become even less of importance.

"I know you are Senju Tobirama, so there's no need to introduce yourself. Eat up though, and try not to move around so much."

Michi smiled once more before turning and exiting the room, her plain baby blue kimono bouncing slightly as she stepped out the door. Tobirama frowned for a moment, taken off guard by the abrupt exit of the woman. He sighed and looked to the tray, spotting some toast with eggs and fish. There was another thing of water and some pain pills as well as a small bunch of greens placed over the eggs, pain and healing herbs no doubt. Allowing his guard to slip and his body to relax, Tobirama picked up the tray and began to eat the food left for him. It was the least he could do, until he figured out what to do next.

It wasn't even five minutes after he finished that the woman came back and took the tray, leaving another glass of water for him whilst she hummed softly under her breath. Her baby blue kimono had white flowers and was tied with a white ribbon around the waist, her hair pulled back with a piece of cord. She wore sandals but had no real signs of ninja training, other than the grace in which she went in and out of the room.

The light flooding in through one of the curtained windows began to fade, Tobirama choosing to have a look at his wounds. Michi reappeared to help, seemingly knowing what he wanted to do. "Do you want to clean yourself up? You've been in that bed for over a week now."

The silver haired former Hokage sighed but agreed, not comfortable in his sweaty clothes. The bandages also needed changed, and the wounds cleaned once more. Michi, despite a slight protest from Tobirama, helped him removed his shirt and the bandages, taking her time cleaning them. "Ok. The wounds are mostly healed so you should be good to take a shower. If you need anything I'll be outside. Oh, I should probably get an extra pair of clothes…"

She trailed off, tapping her chin with her right index finger, before leaving the room once more. Tobirama muttered softly, and looked around. He had forgotten to ask where the bathroom was, but seeing an open door Tobirama decided that would be his best bet. It hurt a little and he felt his sore muscles spasm as he stood. He walked to the door, opening it.

Tobirama was thankful that the room was indeed the washroom, fit with a sink, a shower, and a toilet. There were towels folded neatly on a shelf beside the shower, washrags on the top of it. A small window was opened above the shower, midnight blue tiles surrounding it and the bathroom walls. The floor had simple brown tiles, and a blue rug right by the shower to catch water. The shower curtain itself was a simple white one, and the only other things in the bathroom were for personal hygiene, such as a brush, a comb, toothpaste and a toothbrush, and soap.

"Here you go."

Tobirama managed not to jump as Michi slipped in from behind and dropped off a pile of clothes on the counter, her white teeth flashing into a smile as she left. Her yellow hair shined as the sunlight hit it, and Tobirama noticed, just before she slipped out, that he was a good foot taller than her. "Strange woman."

I~~~~I

A month soon passed, Tobirama slowly getting used to Michiko. The woman lived in the middle of the forest and grew her own food, caring for her own animals as well. She showed him around the area and often times would let him accompany her to collect herbs or other plants. She told him about herself and he returned the favor. She revealed that her family name was Namikaze, an old Samurai family. Her brother had chosen to take up the sword, however he had died in the first shinobi war and left Michi as the sole survivor of the main branch.

The blonde haired woman would tell him stories about her family and nearing the end of the month, had begun to show him what knowledge she had of sword fighting. She wasn't too bad, maybe a low-chunnin at best, but her style was something to fear. She was unpredictable, a fact that had given her the upper hand the first time they had a spar. With his help though, she slowly was getting better. He would train with her or let her watch him train behind her house in a small clearing, before she would make lunch and they'd either eat near the training grounds or inside.

This time they had chosen to eat outside, Michi finishing first. The blonde started with a couple katas, her silver and red black glinting in the afternoon sun. The weather was perfect for mid-July, barely any clouds in the sky. Tobirama finished his lunch, watching the woman practice. She a faint sheen of sweat on her, her kimono swapped for some trousers and a tank top. The clothes were her brothers when he was in his teens, Tobirama's clothes ones that she herself had made. His armor had been far too damaged to use again, and it was basically a giant neon sign begging people to kill him, so Tobirama instead opted for black pants with a gray fishnet top. His specially designed headband had been left out of his new outfit, and he also wore a black cloak with a high collar. If Hashirama could see Tobirama now, the silver haired man was sure that his older brother wouldn't stop laughing for years to come.

There was a soft hiss suddenly which drew the silver haired man's attention. His red eyes narrowed on the shrubbery and he launched himself forward without a moment's hesitation. Michi turned barely in time to block a blow from a sword, before Tobirama dragged her behind him, drawing his own sword. The blade, while not nearly as familiar as his brothers, was nice to have. It had a decent weight and the craftsmanship wasn't bad. "Oh, lookey what we have here…"

The sneer came from the forest, and with a soft thud several ninja landed around the two. One glance to their foreheads showed Tobirama that the men were missing nin, mostly likely deserters from their village. The headbands all had the symbol of Iwa, but it was slit through the middle. "And here I thought that there wasn't anything good here."

The leader, a man with black spiky hair and wild hazel eyes, stepped forward. He smirked at them, his eyes going over their persons. He paused on Michiki, Tobirama stepping back in order to bring her closer to his side. "A blonde haired swordsman with blue eyes. You don't have the freaky mouths like the Bomber Clan…so you must be part of that Samurai Clan that was rumored to have settled here."

The information exited his lips in a last drawl, as though he were reciting from a text book. Behind him, Michi tensed and gripped her blade, ready to slip into her stance at a moment's notice.

"And you…Silver hair isn't common around here. Where are you from?"

All eyes moved to Tobirama, and instead of making him tense it relieved him. At least this way they were more likely to leave Michiki alone. "That's none of your concern, ninja."

The tone was clearly threatening, but none of the ninja seemed bothered. It only served to make Tobirama's Senju blood sing and flow through his body. The urge to protect Michi from the Nuke Nin was strong, and in all honesty the Silver haired Senju could care less about their lives. "None of my concern…Well that's too bad. Grab the girl and kill the man, it's been a while since we've had any…fun."

The implication was clear even before the detestable leader licked his lips whilst eyeing Michi, her shoulders tensing while her hands flexed around the handle of her blade. Tobirama was already going through hand signs, not wanting to give any of them the time to flee. "Fire Style, Exploding Lotus!"

Still, just because he wanted them dead, didn't mean he had to give them his best. Fire style was his opposing element, and it made it easy to look weaker than he was in front of the Nuke Nin.

A scream echoed in the air as the four 'petals' of fire spread and hit the intended targets. Michi moved and in a quick swipe, one of the men dropped while clutching his bleeding thigh. The muscle strands were sliced cleanly to the bone, leaving no way to correctly attach the back of his leg to the rest of his leg. Tobirama stayed close, deflecting Kunai alongside his female companion as the Iwa Nuke Nin tried desperately to get a hit in. They didn't succeed with their weapons, so the leader took action. "Water style, Water Bullet!"

The whistling was the only warning other than the name that Tobirama got. He quickly turned and pulled Michi to his chest, his free hand flying through seals as the earth exploded beneath them. Dust flew upward and rained down on the shinobi and the surrounding area. Another scream echoed as Tobirama flew out of the ground, Michi following, his blade driving into the side of a ninja.

Michi pulled out some ninja wire, slipping behind one of the nin. Her katana was placed at her side, out of the way whilst she engaged the nin in Taijutsu. The man underestimated her and smirked, believing this to be his win. Michi proved his theory wrong however, her strikes almost too fast, her agility too good. She was very flexible and easily held her own against the nin, not allowing him a moment to breathe. He hadn't even managed to do anything but dodge when she pulled her ninja wire around his neck and cut through his throat, letting his body drop as she turned to Tobirama.

Only two men were left standing, the other four down for the count. Tobirama was flying through hand signs as the nin tried to retreat. Michi decided to help him, going through her own set of seals. It was awkward to resort to jutsu after having not used it in 5 years, but it came out none the less. "20 Seals style, Dragon Prison Field!"

The Jutsu name flew from her lips, the dirt turning to mud, winding itself around the limbs of the escaping Missing Nins. The dirt hardened and serpentine mouths covered their hands and feet, immobilizing them completely. "Fire Style, Pheonix Flower Jutsu!"

Tobirama's voice was barely heard over the crackling of the flames, 6 fireballs launching at each of the men in succession. They let out cries before they were swallowed in the explosive jutsu, Tobirama shielding Michi discretely as dust flew up. "T-That was eventful…"

Michi's voice was weak, causing Tobirama to turn toward her sharply. His eyes widened in shock when she fell forward, his arms barely catching her as she passed out. "Michiki!"

I~~~~I

Silver spikes fell over dark red eyes, pale skin holding traces of bags under said eyes. Tobirama looked down at the exhausted form of Namikaze Michiki, her gold hair splayed out around her. She had passed out from exhaustion after the battle, Tobirama setting her in her room. He quickly cleaned up their mess and returned to his female companion, staying at her bedside until she woke.

A day had passed since then, the woman still not waking. Tobirama wasn't sure he could blame her. He knew firsthand what the Seal Style could do. It was strenuous on chakra and Michiki had avoided using it for so long. Even 20 seals was enough to make her collapse at this point, Tobirama's help in conditioning her be damned. "Your such a baka Michiki…"

His pale hands encased her right one, and he sighed softly. His heart strained and he felt his energy depleting. Seconds later, his head lay beside the woman's arm, hands covering her own small one. It had only taken a month for the blonde Namikaze to worm her way into his little protective circle, any longer with her and Tobirama feared for his emotional health.

I~~~~I

"G-Gwahh!"

The scream echoed in the room and there was a cry, Tobirama's hair sticking to his face as the nurse moved beside Michiki. The blonde woman was covered in sweat, her eyes hazy as she looked around. "There we go Miki, you hear that? The crying…It's him."

Michi's eyes fluttered open at the nickname given to her by her husband, her tire blue orbs looking toward the nurse. The woman smiled and walked around the other side of the bed, holding a pink wrinkly baby inside a blue blanket. She had cleaned off the boy already, and was now handing him to his mother. "You did it Miki, you did it."

Tobirama gently squeezed his wife's shoulder as she smiled down at their son. His blonde hair covered his head, his eyes closed as he cried inside the makeshift infirmary. "S-Senshi..."

Michi handed the boy off to his father as she spoke the name. "Namikaze Senshi."

Tobirama felt his heart swell with happiness as the little boy's eyes fluttered open, revealing violet orbs. "Hello…my little Warrior."

Tobirama looked down at his wife, wanting to see her smile. However, his heart stopped when he noticed that her eyes had fluttered closed with a sad smile on her lips, her hand laying limply at her side. "Miki?"

His voice faltered and the Nurse quickly checked her pulse. "She's not breathing…"

Tobirama zoned out, hands clutching his newborn in his arms as the Nurse failed in her attempts to revive his wife. Michiki was gone.

I~~~~I

"Dad…"

Tobirama looked up from his place at the porch, catching the violet orbs full of determination. His son, Namikaze Senshi, stood near him. At his hip was his mother's and Tobirama's own swords, sheathed and ready for battle. His blonde spikes were pulled back into a messy braid, several framing his face. He was a handsome boy, holding more of Michi's facial features than his fathers. However, where Michi gave him her looks, Tobirama gave him his abilities and his personality. "I'm leaving now…"

Tobirama could tell from the way his son bit his lip as he spoke that he was trying hard not to show emotion. A soft, pleased, sad, and understanding smile fell over Tobirama's lips. "Be safe."

It was his son's decision, to go and fight with Fire Country in the Second Shinobi War. It made Tobirama proud, to have raised a son that wanted to help others. It also saddened the silver Senju, reminding him that he would likely not see his boy again, if not because of the war, then because of Tobirama's old age. Tobirama pushed the emotion aside however, knowing that his son needed to do this. "Goodbye, Senshi. Please, visit my brother and tell him I said hello if you get the chance."

Senshi, despite his reserved personality, couldn't keep his eyes from watering. He had a kind heart, and Tobirama hoped it never left him. In one quick step and kneel, Senshi was hugging his father while trying desperately not to cry. "G-Goodbye Father."

I~~~~I

Wind blew leaves past the lone figure in the graveyard outside a small house. Two graves, one for his mother, and one for his father. Namikaze Senshi had gone on leave to return to see his father die, and had now buried him with his mother. A heavy sigh raked his body, arms winding around his waist. He turned toward the woman trying to comfort him, a sad smile lifting on his face. The woman had blonde hair like his, but brown eyes were paired to them. She was a couple inches shorter than him and looked to be a year or so younger. "Senshi?"

His wife, a medic for Fire Country, spoke up in order to distract him. Senshi supposed that even in the end, with his father dying, he had at least gotten to meet the woman that Senshi would marry. "Yes, Akiri?"

I~~~~I

The metallic scent of blood, the black smoke rising from the leaves around the fallen shinobi. He coughed up blood, another shinobi beside him. "Senshi, hang in man, dammit!"

Senshi looked up at his comrade, a soft smile lifting at the corner of his mouth. Faintly he wondered if this was how his father had felt when he had died, but he shook the thought off. Instead, he shakily gripped the wrist of his comrade, the one trying to stop the bleeding in his side. "G-Give m-my blades…t-to Akiri please…"

His vision was failing and the voice of his friend died along with him, the shouts no longer registered as his brain shut down while a smile rested on his lips.

I~~~~I

Namikaze Akiri wiped her eyes once more, looking at the picture of her husband. She looked up at her son, now a year old, sleeping soundly on the couch. She was a horrible mother for doing this, which already she knew. She didn't know how she could raise Minato though. Shaking her head and firmly making her decision, she placed the picture back in the suitcase she had packed for her son. Clothes, money, pictures, and scrolls that only he could access, filled with his father's ninja belongings. Akiri bent down and kissed her son's forehead, zipping up the case as a knock sounded from the door. Minato stirred, rubbing his eyes as Akiri stood and walked over to the door. She opened it, letting inside a man wearing white robes with red designs. "H-Hokage-Sama…"

Akiri bowed as much as she could, her voice wavering. Sarutobi sighed and gently pulled her close, hugging her as she shook. "I'll take care of Minato Akiri, I promise."

Akiri nodded, wiping her eyes once more. "I know…I know."

I~~~~I

"Hey, my name is Minato, what's yours?"

Blonde locks fell over slate blue eyes, a smile lifting his pale lips. He had tanned skin, a trait that the red head he spoke to shared. "L-Leave me alone!"

The girl pushed Minato away, annoyed that he had stepped in and 'saved' her from the bullies. She could take care of herself.

I~~~~I

The bright moon shining down, outlining Minato's golden hair and his ninja-attire clad form. In the night light Kushina could see that it wasn't just gold, but also had bits of Ivory mixed in. Her eyes drifted to her own hair, a blush forming on her face when she realized what had happened. Her red hair had saved her, had led Minato right to her. Kushina decided then that she no longer hated her hair, instead calling it her red string of fate.

I~~~~I

"I-I'm going to be a father…"

A surprised pause, a firm voice trying to collect itself and process the information. "I'm going to be a mother!"

An excited proclamation, filled with joy and longing. "I'm going to be a father!"

The accepting of the news that changed everything, the happiness that in the end, Minato and Kushina would have a family to call their own.

I~~~~I

"Listen t-to your motor m-mouth mother Naru…And take care of the village."

Death.

Blood.

Hatred.

Red Chakra and Nine Tails, then intricate black lines spiraling as a yell resounded among the falling leaves.

"SEAL!"

I~~~~I

"My name is Akihane Naru Uzumaki…"

Ivory hair fell across tanned skin, violet eyes lifting to the kids her age seated around her. From behind her, her sensei, Umino Iruka, smiled. "Nice to meet you Akihane, right class?"

His spiky brown hair was pulled into a ponytail, a scar on his tanned skin going right across his nose. His brown eyes scanned the room as a chorus of 'yes Sensei's echoed.

Naru looked back at Iruka, her face straight. "I prefer Naru, Sensei…"

I need to start writing stories for other Anime…I mean this is like my what, 11th idea for Naruto that I've written down?! I haven't even finished one of them! Well anyways this was echoing in my head, brought up from an old story I read where Madara ended up being Minato's father.I then moved on to thinking how similar both Minato and Tobirama actually are.

Personality wise, not so much. Technique and thought process? Very much so. There's also how Minato is sooo good with seals (He used Tobirama's freking space time jutsu!) and yet the Namikaze's have no real tie to such a thing. So, I decided that being a Senju entwines Minato with not only nature, but his Fuinjutsu prowess along with his uncanny ability to create amazing jutsu.

Naru will be OOC, for sure, but mostly she'll just seem distant.(Seems similar to something…) Her personality will fit most with her great great grandfather, and she will be more so tied to the Natural aspect of ninjutsu as well as the creating than anything else. No one but Minato, Minato's father and Minato's mother know exactly who helped continue the Namikaze line, so no one really knows why Naru looks so much like the Nidaime rather than her father, the Yondaime. Anyways the chapter was getting long, now over 4k words. I'll end it here and let you guys steer me toward completing this story.