The Water Maiden

3

The air was tense in the Uzumaki household. Ayane's gold eyes were burning into Kushina's, pleading for help. "What can I do to apologize?" Kushina asked, knowing she had to protect Ellie.

Ayane was clearly distraught. "What do you mean? It isn't your fault you mistook a child for mine." She questioned nervously.

'Take her under your wing whenever I send you a message. She's the sweetest girl I know. Whenever I get free time with her, I'm only teaching her the songs of my clan.' Ayane wrote down as fast as she could.

"Wait..." Kushina said quietly. She looked at Ayane, slowly understanding why Ellie was special.

'Ellie has my kekkei genkai, Kushina. She can use her voice as a weapon. She can't produce a strong flame, but she can manipulate water like my other children can with fire. She can breathe under water. She can even walk across it naturally.'

"I see." Kushina now knew why Ellie was treated like this.

'Everyone in the clan is blinded by the jutsu. Hiro and I are the only ones not as affected.' Ayane kept writing on the piece of paper. 'She has to survive no matter what. I refuse to let my daughter die.'

"I'll do it." Ayane gave a sigh of relief. "I'll even help you and Hiro fight." Ayane's eyes widened. "I'm a seal master for a reason." Kushina said with a bright smile.

Minato got home and was surprised to see Kushina hard at work. "What's all of this for?" He asked, looking at the countless numbers of seals on the table.

"I ran into Ayane."

"You did?"

"We're Ellie's godparents."

"What? Why? When did this happen?" Minato questioned. He hasn't been this confused by Kushina in a long time. How come she made a big decision without him?

Kushina nodded. "It happened today actually. The Kasai is under a jutsu."

"What?"

"Ayane told me. Fudo's father put the entire clan under a jutsu once Ellie was born. He wants her dead and has turned the whole clan against her." Kushina explained, her eyes never leaving the paper.

"Why?" "Ellie told us the reason earlier. It's because she can't produce a strong flame like the rest of her clan. In fact, she can manipulate water like her siblings can with fire. She can even breathe under water. Ayane only has a small amount of free time for Ellie and when she does, she teaches Ellie the songs of her clan." Minato's eyes widened.

"Ellie has the Kotone kekkei genkai?" He almost shouted.

"That's correct."

"So, why are you making seals?" Minato asked, taking a seat at the table.

"Hiro and Ayane are the only ones not as affected by the jutsu as strongly as other members. I'm going to make a seal strong enough to suppress the jutsu." Kushina lifted her head to reveal a determined smile.

The next day, Minato called in the third hokage for some help. He dealt with the Kasai clan much more than Minato has ever. "I thought I taught you everything about being hokage." The third chuckled with amusement.

"It isn't that. I'm curious about the Kasai clan and want your opinion."

"Why is that?"

"Did you know of a blue haired Kasai child?"

"I've only heard the rumors."

Minato had an unsure expression. "The rumors are true. Apparently, the last Kasai clan head has the entire clan under a jutsu."