Disclaimer: I do not own Naruto
Warning: All warnings addressed at the bottom of chapter 2.
Beta: Cyndaquil123
Tripe update 'cause it's my birthday :D Special birthday wishes for all my fellow July babies and Cancer buddies.
Angst start for our fave drama queen. Things get back on track at the end though, be prepared for a roller coaster.
Side note: Naasica, Kakashi, and Obito are the epitome of what not to do when you have PTSD. DID forms (typically) when you detach yourself to your traumatic experiences instead of dealing with them. Don't do as she does, friends. If you've been hurt, seek help.
(ง ⌣ ~ ⌣) ง
I'm just being me.
Cut out the things that I don't need
Don't care if you disagree, I don't need your sympathy
Winning this game on my own
Monster by Kira
(ง ⌣ ~ ⌣) ง]
I kissed Kushina's cheek. "Take care, okay? Don't have him until I get back."
Kushina smiled adoringly at me, brushing back a strand of my hair. "I wish you could stay."
"We can't refuse a request from the daimyo, and given that your condition is meant to be a secret," Minato trailed off. "There's no public reason to refuse."
"Don't worry, Nee-chan," I soothed her, reaching over and carefully patting her soft cheek. "Everything will be okay in the end."
Her smile softened as she patted her round stomach. Her eyes were filled with love when she looked down at Naruto. "You're right."
She's sunlight embodied.
"Don't worry, we'll keep an eye on her," Obito said with a big grin.
"It'd be easier if we were allowed on her guard service," Kakashi muttered, glancing over at Minato.
Minato frowned. "We don't want to draw attention to this. Your entire team is well known to be Konoha's best. If we had you on guard duty for Kushina—"
"Everyone would immediately have their eyes on her, we know," Kakashi cut in. "That's why if you let us into ANBU—"
"Absolutely not," Minato denied. "You three have been put through enough from the war, and seeing how all three of you refuse to see a therapist—"
"We don't need one," we said as one.
"It's a requirement to be in ANBU to pass your psych evaluations and receive regular visits," Minato repeated for the millionth time when Kakashi brought up ANBU.
"The day I go to therapy is the day Kushina dyes her hair black," I bit out.
Minato sighed while Kushina giggled. I smiled one more time at her, taking in the moment of seeing her so happy and alive.
You're so beautiful, I thought with fondness. So filled with life, and hope. Our precious jinchūriki, so you were kept untouched by the war and the horrors it holds. You should not be so red.
I'm sorry I have to make you redder.
"I need to head out now. I'll be back as soon as I can," I promised them.
Goodbye, dear sister.
(ง ⌣ ~ ⌣) ง
My eye gleamed in the darkness, and I landed lightly on the water. The ANBU immediately noticed me, one of them even stepping towards me in a warning. I opened my right eye, Madara's Sharingan coming to life, and I moved towards the ANBU.
A smile crawled its way on my face, as I felt the thrill of adrenaline begin to run inside of me. The task itself wasn't a particularly pleasing task—most certainly not—but the prospect of battle, the high risk scenario, and the idea that this was the first big step to that perfect world appealed greatly to me.
Kushina would die tonight, I knew that.
As Senju Naasica, her adopted daughter, I mourned her.
As Owari, Madara's tool, I didn't care.
It was such an odd thing—these two stark, and conflicting emotions. They split me right down the middle. There was no turmoil or strife in where they were; they simply existed beside each other. They were accepted feelings.
Besides, she wouldn't really die. She would just be... going away. I would see her again, in that Eternal Dream, and she would thank me. Why? Because I would have had a hand in creating the perfect world. Madara-sama's world. There would be no violence or pain in that world. It would be a true utopia—and isn't that what she would want? Wouldn't she want such a world for her son?
Of course she would. Any mother would.
So while I mourned the fact that I would not see her for a while, I knew it was just for a while.
She and Grandmother would just have to enjoy their little vacation from this hell, and be patient.
Murderer.
I largely ignored the voice, and the part of me that screamed in guilt at me. My hands clenched into fists, and I prowled towards the ANBU. I raised my gaze to meet their own, and the second their eyes met Madara's Sharingan, I brought them into Tsukiyomi.
Monster, a voice whispered to me in my ear.
I—I—I ignored it.
Owari resumed control.
He thought it would be best. Naasica had to be prepared for what came afterwards.
Owari slipped into the cavern, placing a high-level genjutsu over himself to stay hidden. If Minato was more focused on his surroundings, rather than his wife in labor, he probably would have noticed the genjutsu take hold.
Unfortunately for him, he did not.
Owari climbed up onto the ceiling, watching Kushina scream and writhe in pain.
He hated to see her in pain. He wished he could snap her neck and let her suffering be over with. She could sleep and dream away in wonderland while he fixed the world up. Then he'd bring her back and they could all finally live happily together. No more war and no more red. Children could play in the streets without worry of predators. Parents would no longer outlive their children. Friends and family would always come back home.
No more hunger.
No more pain.
A true utopia.
It would be glorious.
Owari longed for it to come true with every fiber of his being. He wished for it so dearly that it physically pained him that it was not yet a reality.
