The Boy Who Strives Higher Than Any[Open]

[Uzumaki Minato]

Academy Graduation had ended and at the top of the class was the boy standing on top of his grandfather's head in the village. Wind blowing in his hair against the forehead protector that he had just received. A new genin, one of legendary bloodlines with two Hokages behind him already there was only high things for this boy. He bent down and jumped as high as he could. Anyone who saw him would see only a spec blocking the sun briefly.

Minato landed softly on the rooftop and began to move throughout the rooftops at incredible speed for a genin. Grabbing onto pipes to swing himself landing softly and sliding down poles to swiftly move until landing on the grass for the training field walking smoothly up to the monuments for the wars.

Now it was time for him to begin his training as he threw the kunia with the Rajin Seal on it, making a handseal but only tiny cuts appeared on himself and the blood shot through by the kunia in the tree some yards away. "Damnit."

[uzumaki karin]

Coming back to Konoha had almost been a regret for Karin, whether she wanted to admit it or not. Secretly she felt guilt for hiding his child from the blond that appeared in her dreams. Though it had been such a long time she had never forgotten. It brought up the question had he moved on? Shaking her red hair she tied it back in a ponytail making a lunch for her sweet little boy. Soon he would finish his exam, the Graduation. "Almost done. Just the way you like it." She smiled, putting the finishing touch before placing the lid on the box. After making sure the box was sealed she wrapped it up in a piece of cloth, enough food for both of them.

"Your father would be so proud of you." She spoke to nothing as she just picks up the food. Carefully holding it glancing around her spotless home. She had been cleaning from the moment Minato had gone to the Academy. For a special reason? Maybe just excitement. Knowing her little man she figured he was there again for what reason. Well maybe his father had something to do with that?

Walking with the basket that held the food clutched in both of her hands. She smiled, and hummed a song as she walked closer to the Monument fields. "Minato! I brought you lunch...it's your favorite." She blinked looking at the blood, it scared her and she didn't drop the basket but she was at her son's side. Cradling his arm playing the worried mother. Her boy was beginning to learn new things, and it was fine with her. But she feared if he one day got badly hurt leaving her feeling worried every time he left.

Karin had to relax, let him learn and grow. Just as she had to when her village was destroyed but not as fast. Looking over her child she paused and pulled back to bring out the lunch. "Sit down...let's eat okay? I hope it's good." Pulling the small box wrapped in cloth she put it down on the ground. Just ruffling her son's hair she smiled.

"You did very well today didn't you? I'm very proud of you Minato." The girl still had her violent personality but she tried to at least be different around her son. He didn't need to mimic that sort of thing.

[Uzumaki Minato]

Eyes of concentration as Minato tried to make this all work out. Flying Rajin technique, how hard could it really be? His Grandfather made this jutsu for crying outloud!! Damn, he'd figure it ou- "Mom!?" His eyes shot around to the red haired lady carrying lunch who was already rushing by his side. Words of his lunch that she brought being his favorite had his attention averted. When his Mom said to sit down and eat he was more than obliged.

Minato began to chow down on his sandwich as he looked up at his Mom who commented on how well he did today. "That's right I almost forgot!" With his thumb, he pointed to the headband around his forehead. "I graduated the top of my class, prodigy level. Iruka-sensei said I was the fastest genin he had seen." Minato said but knew that the older Jounin had not been around during the Fourth Hokage's time.

"But I know that I'm not done yet. The extents on which I need to go to become Hokage are far and wide but I'll get there." Then through another bite of his sandwich. "Eventually." He said with a laugh finishing the rest of his favorite meal, laid back looking at the stars before jumping upward. "So, do you think Dad will have heard of me yet!?"

[uzumaki karin]

Her little boy worked so hard, just like his father in a way when he first started out. Though Karin did not know everything about that she only had a few memories of stories. Perhaps that was all they were. Once again what had Minato been doing up here? More training rather then coming home, he needed to also think about his health. Such a worried mom right? She wasn't trying to be suffocating, her little boy was one of the most important things to her. After all Karin had done in the past.

The girl laughed running her fingers through her red hair to move it out of her eyes. Really her boy was so cute sometimes. Not sometimes, always basically. He did not always listen but today was different, she only watched him eat. Minato already seemed to have plans for his life. What he wanted. "You almost forgot?" She paused to listen to him talk not wishing to push him too much, what he was doing hopefully he would be careful with.

Top of his class? Naruto would truly be proud of his child if he could see where he was. But she did not want Minato to make mistakes she had in the past. "Really hm? well you are, but don't get ahead of yourself okay?" Karin did not seem to have to worry about that it seemed almost as if the boy was aware of that. Smart enough to know he had a lot of work to do. More of he still had a lot to prepare for, exams, tasks and things to overcome. Which Karin believed her darling boy could.

'Become the Hokage? Such a dream...but you'll do it.' Again she smiled as she started to eat her lunch. Carefully keeping to her manners and watching her young son. "You'll get there just don't lose your values along the way." Why did she say that, Karin almost questioned it herself. She just smiled when he laughed and shook off any worry. No way did she need to think about it anyway simple as that.

Cleaning up the lunch putting it back in the basket she only watched him closely. Making sure they left nothing here. "I'm sure he has. Would you like to see him today?" She didn't even think twice about asking that, she had to tell him at some point. Whether Karin was truly prepared or not was another matter. How much had he changed since she last saw Naruto Uzumaki.

[Uzumaki Minato]

His mother almost seemed surprised when Minato said that he almost forgot to tell her about the way he had passed his exam. He allowed himself to reminisce on earlier today. A tournament to see who graduated from the exam. No killing of course but just fighting. How Minato had won all of his fights with his incredible agility. "Yea! It was so awesome though! I wish parents could come but they said they might provide distraction during examinations."

Minato was staring upward as he told his Mom about how he had defeated the last opponent and how the teachers were impressed that he had even the closest amount of ability to complete the Flying Rajin Technique. "Someday though, I will be known as the Second Yellow Flash of Konoha. A hero! Just like Dad and Grandad!" His fist was in the air. Such dreams.

Don't lose his values? The good ones with how calm and collective he was but how much good he had in his heart. "Don't worry Mom! I promise that I will always steer the right course and go for what's best for the world over myself! Always." Minato had spirit and a kindness that only kind once in a while for a generation.

Those blue eyes lit up when he was asked if he wanted to meet his Father today. "Yes! More than anything!" This was exciting, incredible feeling to be able to meet his Father? What boy wouldn't want that chance!?

[uzumaki karin]

Could her boy blame Karin for being a bit surprised? She would have thought he'd come home, and be all excited. Then again she also knew her son. When he got something good he would try to improve on other places he needed work. So she knew exactly where he was, and should not have been so surprised. Karin believed in her child, knew he could pass the exam. But now as she sat here with him the flashbacks started. Getting attacked by the bear, seeing Sasuke's smile for the first time. Fighting with Suigetsu when he annoyed her which was often.

Her red hair might have almost looked like snakes when she got angry. Flowing all over the place, fire or something behind it. Just the thought made Karin laugh out loud without realizing it. Lost in her thoughts maybe Minato would be rambling way too much to notice. "Well of course but I still have my ways of watching you Minato. You didn't need me or your father there to distract you knowing him he probably would." It was not a negative comment she even seemed to be laughing. Mostly when saying that of course.

Naruto would probably do something klutzy to get his attention distracted. Mostly by accident. She did not blame the blond though she did wonder if her son would pick up on those habits. Just by meeting him. Some would not be bad, but too many would be something she might get secretly upset about. Naruto didn't handle her pregnancy anger so he had no idea just how mad she might get being hormonal. But shaking that off she focused all of her attention of her son.

Well not all of it. As always she kept her guard up refusing to let it fall. Even if she seemed cheerful and happy, the fear that made her guard rise so fast and stay up never left. "Yes you will just like your father, and Grandfather." Her son would become just as amazing as his father though it would take time. She believed in everything he could do yet wouldn't push him too hard. Not always some situations did call for it though.

Such dreams. His father had them too from the stories she heard and he made them more then a dream. Which was why Naruto had to be where he usually was. Working or maybe goofing off eating ramen. "I know you will my dear. Such a sweet boy." She ruffled his hair and smiled, before cleaning up the rest of the lunch. It had been really good even if the girl had been slightly distracted with other things.

"Well then we will go visit your father soon. I promise. He'll probably be up where he usually is. Do you wish to go now or were you training still? Before I interrupted I mean." She did not wish to pull him away from that after all. Basically simple, as far as the she was concerned. Knowing that his father might win over training Karin stood up.

[UZUMAKI NARUTO]

Naruto had finally managed to catch a break and go out for some of his favorite Ichiraku ramen though of course not alone. He always had a squad of Anbu guarding him in secret prepared to strike down anyone who would lay a hand on him the wrong way. Still he had enjoyed his ramen and reminscing with Ayame who'd become owner of the franchise now. Time had flown by so fast he could remember being hated by the whole village death threats laying around him at every corner. Then he'd become Genin and it all changed slowly but surely he'd won the respect of all in his village and through the unfortunate death of his former sensei Kakashi he'd finally achieved his dream to become Hokage as he stared at the newly carved face of himself almost identical to his father the Fourth aside form the whisker-like marks.

"I did it Ma and Pa I achieved my dream." He said smiling at his father's stone face now. Yet why did he feel so lost now? Like something was missing from his life and then it hit him. He'd always had a dream before and now he just needed a new one but what could that be he wondered. Thinking of the time he'd spent with Karin he knew what it was. To settle down and have the family he'd always missed out on growing up. A son or daughter he could pass his legacy onto and a loving wife who'd support him and their child through everything as he would with them. He'd make his way up now and decided to explore Karin hadn't been at her home when he checked so he'd decided to go out for ramen then some training.

He was sure this time of the day the training field would be empty with the Academy Final Exams going on. He'd remembered failing his test only to pass when he saved his sensei Iruka's life showing off his newly learned shadow clone technique. He'd started to whistle as he finally walked out into the clearing for the training field when he finally saw her and she wasn't alone. There sat Karin talking to someone and when she stood he saw him. A blonde haired boy with whisker-like marks on his cheeks the spitting image of himself and his father. "I gotta stop eating so much ramen I'm starting to see things." He muttered to himself scratching the back of his head now as Karin stood up. now. Even Kurama was pretty surprised but he knew who the boy was feeling a spark of his own chakra inside the younger male passed onto him knowingly. Still he stood there scratching the back of his head some more unsure what to say now.

[Uzumaki Minato]

The smile grew even brighter on Minato's face as his Mom said how his Father would probably distract him during the exams. That she was watching from a far. "You think he'd distract me!? Aha! It's amazing, how friendly and laid back you make him sound but how powerful in the same stroke." The blonde hair boy was more than idealistic of his father, as he had never heard of a bad story about his Father. Everything about the Hero of the World, Uzumaki Naruto, the Prophecy Child, he was the good guy.

Dreams as Hokage, the same dreams that his two forefathers had and accomplished. Nothing would stop Minato from finishing the Third Part of the legacy of Hokage. That he would keep the family line up and that he'd be the Hokage. Especially with his Mother's support, how could he not. He would be a Hero, even better than his Father and Grandfather. The best part of the story yet!!

"Believe it!' Minato said agreeing with his Mother's statement about him becoming Hokage. As they began to talk about his Father, his Mom asked if they could go see his Father right now. Before the boy could excitingly answer, there he was. The Hokage Cloak with the blond haired man with whisker marks not unlike the one's on Minato's face.

Minato's smile faded as he looked up at his Mom. "Isn't that him Mom? Dad?" He looked back at the face of his Father, unknowing of what to say as he kind of shifted behind his Mother. Would his Father love him as his Mother or be angered that he didn't know his child? How could this man react? Even as the youngest genin in the Leaf village, he stepped back and began to collect and assess the situation.

[uzumaki karin]

Maybe she happened to be thinking over things just a bit more then she should. Karin did that sometimes. Not always, her anger had a habit of taking over. "Well that's your father. Sometimes I wonder about him. But enough of that." Karin never once told her child a bad story, they were good. Playing him out to be the hero she secretly viewed him as. Even with all that had been done, Sasuke leaving him. Various other things like that. In simple terms she would be better off not thinking like that. Other thoughts for another time anything involving Sasuke Uchiha irritated her.

Mainly as the result of his actions. She still had the scar from that as small as it might have become. Perhaps she was right in letting him meet his father, it would be right. He could learn quite a few things from the older male. Which was all Karin Uzumaki truly hoped for secretly even. If only the young boy could have met his grandfather but things did not work out that way. Simple right? Usually? Perhaps it was for the best.

The mother had not left out the stories about him either, after all the boy was named after him. Her son was named after a very good person. His father was amazing as well. That statement from her child reminded the girl of his father. So much. Shaking those thoughts away Karin looked up. She did not expect to meet her lover's eyes...the father of her child. Even. Simple right? With a small sigh she looked from her son to his father.

"Uh yes. It's your Father. Let's go up to him." She smiled and tried to ignore how nervous she felt. Truly. The girl had left him before his son was born with little warning. Now they had to face these things even if he did not know how to. Her steps took Karin closer to him her arm protectively around her son. She only seemed to be leading him there after all.

"Hello Naruto..." Her voice was quiet, more then usual but she didn't exactly relax. The boy was a lot like his father so Naruto had to notice it didn't he? Even just a little bit.

[UZUMAKI NARUTO]

Naruto truly was at a loss for words now and so nervous as both of them seemed to be as well. Here was a boy with Karin probably his son no he knew it was in his gut and Kurama knew it too. The whisker-like marks the striking resemblance to his father Minato the Fourth Hokage. He seemed to be about ten maybe eleven years old which would suggest he'd been born about the time Karin had mysteriously disappeared on him having run away without so much as a letter why. He was a little mad maybe back then but he never hated her he just wished she had talked to him and talked things out so he could know if he was to blame for whatever her reason might be. Seeing the boy now it was obvious what the reason was. He'd smile sheepishly running a hand through his hair as Minato seemed to hide behind his mother obviously nervous too it seemed and looking at Karin it seemed they all were.

"It's really nice to see you again Karin still as beautiful as ever." He finally spoke up now before getting down on one knee now coming to Minato's level. "So this is my son then? Looks so much like his grandfather." He'd smile briefly looking up at Karin again. Then his gaze quickly returned to the blonde boy smiling still. "So you'll be the next Hokage someday I bet?" He'd ask surely being his son he shared the dream too? Like his father and his parents before him all Senju and Uzumaki alike seemed to long to be Hokage. A lucky guess maybe but his gut told him he was spot on with the boy as he offered a hand to him now to shake. "So what do I call the future hokage? Surely you have a name as I'm sure your mother has told you mine many times no doubt."

[Uzumaki Minato]

Truly, Minato had thought that he wouldn't meet his Father until he showed up there but this was it.. Uzumaki Naruto, the Seventh Hokage. As bright as everyone told him as he hid somewhat behind his mother. What could he expect from this? Karin put an arm around him. How comfortable that made him feel as Naruto commented that she was still beautiful. Minato being an intuitive as it is, figured what his mother had done. Although he'd never tell her that. No she had stuck with him, loved him.

Naruto bent down and asked if he was his son. Of course, this brought joy to his heart. "Uh.... Yeah!" He said with a slight laugh rubbing the back of his head. Then he asked if Minato would be the next Hokage someday. "Believe it! The best Hokage there ever was. Even better than you Dad!" This was a promise as he held out his fist in a determined glare.

Then the most simple of questions was asked. What was his named? "Me?... I'm named after the Fourth Hokage. Uzumaki Minato or what I'll someday be known as. The Second Yellow Flash of the Hidden Leaf village!" He held out the special kunia from his Grandfather that Karin had accidentally packed and given to Minato when he set his goal to learn the Flying Rajin Technique. "I'm also one of the newest Genin of the Leaf Village. Youngest to pass since the law for being 12 was put in."

[uzumaki karin]

She had not brought the boy to see his father ever since they arrived here. With a light sigh she could only smile and gently push Minato closer to him. Not that she even needed to do that to him anyway right? The boy had just been asking about his amazing father so this was perfect timing on this situation. "Go on talk to him. You really wanted to see him after all." Karin didn't show how nervous she felt under the surface only folding her hands letting them rest over her stomach. Karin felt a bit worried for her darling little boy, but maybe it would only take some time.

Some getting used too. If anything. With a small smile she stepped back not wanting to get between the two boys. It was about time he decided to meet his father, or was actually able to. When the male wasn't busy of course. Karin flicked her hair laughing a bit almost like she was not believing what he said. "Of course you would say that...but quite the Charmer as always Naruto." She spoke her tone held no hate, no anger in it.

Maybe she feared him being upset with her more then the young mother had wished to admit. She was not as young as she had been when Minato was born but still. Another unimportant clue that she didn't need to say. "Yes this is your child, his name is well I'll let him introduce himself." With that she let her son do the talking even. It was better off for him truly was. Even if he did not wish to admit such a thing.

That was her boy. Well her son and Naruto's they were still his parents even if they were not together now. Simple as that. She could only stand back and let him continue to talk. Let him say as he wished too. "He's a very amazing little boy Naruto..." Karin believed it and truly believed in her little boy. He could do whatever he put his mind too. Even if some of those things worried her constantly.

[UZUMAKI NARUTO]

"Ha me a charmer good one." He chuckled softly rubbing the back of his head now. He'd never had any luck with Sakura trying to charm her and Hinata had moved on to greener pastures. Karin had been the only one he had any luck with despite his cheesy pick up line. She'd felt bad for him and decided to give him a chance anyways. Best decision of his life he'd been devastated when she up and disappeared on him like she had. He'd smirk looking back to Minato now. "Well then how about a proper greeting then?" He'd ask extending a balled up fist towards Minato now. Once Minato stuck his hand out Naruto would press his hand against his fist bumping him like Killer Bee had always done with him in the past. "With that attitude you'll achieve it for sure I believe in you son." It felt right calling the boy that after all he was his son. There wasn't any doubt about that now he even had that phrase Naruto had always used growing up as a Genin not to mention their dreams were identical.

"The name suits you your a lot like he was and for that I believe you'll achieve anything you put your mind to." He smirked ruffling Minato's hair a little before standing again. He'd glance at Karin briefly smiling before looking to Minato again eyeing the special kunai he held to that explained where that disappeared to. "Quite the prodigy it seems just like your namesake. As your father there is one other legacy I shall pass onto you from your Grandfather and my sensei." He'd extend a hand and in it a Rasengan whirled to life and after a few seconds it disappeared as he looked to Karin. "He had an amazing mother." Naruto replied approaching her now. Then he'd take her hands into his own a sincere smile on his face now. "I know your probably not ready to marry me yet but I want another shot at us. To be involved in Minato's life and share the love you and I once had. What do you say Karin?" He asked smiling still now.

[Uzumaki Minato]

The first bump with his dad for the first time was everything Minato. It was inspiring almost to feel his hand. This was what everyone had told him about, his father. The legend before him. it was everything. "Thanks!" Proof that his Dad believed in him, that was what he had always wanted. Nothing would stand in his way. He would strive as high as he possibly could. Then he watched his Father and Mother flirt again, knowing that his Mother still was in love with Naruto only made him that much happier. A family, a real family to help him grow strong.

Then when Naruto said that he would pass on another technique passed down from generation to generation, he held his hand and formed the legendary rasengan. Wind around Minato started to be pulled toward it. "Whoa! Please show me Dad! I can't wait!" That would be his second jutsu before the body flicker technique. This was where he grew up, his abilities will have him stronger than any opponent he would face. "Will you take me on missions too Dad!?"

But then, Karin and Naruto looked at each other as the latter asked if she would start dating him and the boy's heart pounded. Would it actually happen? Them all be together?

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[uzumaki karin]

Karin didn't look away from Naruto's eyes, as nervous as she was. Those blue eyes always had a habit of drawing her in, even if she didn't get why? So far he hadn't been snatched up. That was a bit of a first...or maybe it was something else. Was he waiting for her to get back? Did he believe Karin would come back alone? So many questions but the older blond seemed happy with his son. For the most part. Just as a father should be. She couldn't blame him for being mad at her for disappearing.

But the Jounin had her reasons. No going back on them now, even she knew that much. Standing back to watch the two she twirled her red hair around her fingers. Just a habit. Something she had picked up when she was thinking, bored or nervous. Either or and right now she might even be all three. Secretly of course. She was not one to show those things instantly or to other people. Naruto might be able to read her sometimes but other times not so much she didn't make it easy.

She did listen to how hyper her child was now. To think years ago she served that man. Went against these people. Was that loyalty still there somewhere? Hidden deep within her chest, or her mind either one of them. On instinct she almost took a step back but stopped herself. Karin couldn't do this to the father of her child even if she had fled from him.

"Well I. Did my best to raise him..." Or at least she had tried to do that for most of his life, now they were here. She couldn't keep the family apart anymore. If she worried constantly. Karin blinked looking at his hands they were still as warm as the day before she left him. It stung. Those memories she couldn't forget. But she had always put on the strong face knowing one day they would come back here.

"I..I. Yes...Just you'll train him right won't you? We will stay together right as a family should?" She smiled, the tears wouldn't come because Karin did not cry. She wouldn't. Not in front of her son or anyone. Really. The girl was just sorting through her feelings and even though she took a few minutes to say yes to Naruto she still had.

It was the start of a complete family and Minato almost seemed over joyed before they got here. Just that thought made her know what she had to do. The love had never faded, she just shoved away like she did a lot of other things. Or maybe not. Embracing it made it easier to deal with sometimes.