Idea: After Minato returns from his mission to Rouran he says not a word. After swearing his young student Kakashi to silence also, he remembers. He remembers, and plans. A Life and Times Divergence fiction.

Summary: After watching his son fade away, Minato and Kakashi return to Konoha. They remember, and they plan for the worst. (Minato/Kushina, Minato-centric and maybe a few more pairings in later chapters)

Warning: Kyuubi is out of character, OCs! Violence (come on, they're ninja…)

Disclaimer: You think I own them? Nope! I own the OCs, only! …Wish I owned Naruto though...

Title: Aftermath of A Fox's Tail: Minato's Tail

(Prologue: Returning Home)

Minato's eyes hardened a split second after the teenaged form of his orphaned son disappeared, "Let's go home." He turned away, Kakashi being the only one to notice that his Sensei wasn't as happy as he seemed. "How can they hate him?" Kakashi heard his Sensei ask through mind-speech.

Kakashi shrugged helplessly how was he supposed to know? He was ten now and Naruto had looked to be about sixteen so, "I don't know Tou-san, but Naruto never deserved that," he replied sadly. "I can't wait…" he muttered, he just wanted to go home and sleep in his bed in the Namikaze Estate. His Otouto didn't deserve his fate…

Several days later, Minato sat at the kitchen table, struggling to write his report. "Damn it, I want to add 'Ruto-kit in but I can't…" Minato rubbed his face with both hands in frustration; his son was so bright. So brave, forced to hide his intelligence to stave off actual attacks on his person… Forced to live his worst fear because showing that he was intelligent was more dangerous than acting the idiot, and worst of all… Minato shivered, trying not to drown it the memories he'd been given. Kushina was on a mission of her own and Minato was glad that his Uzu-hime wasn't here, (he might not have been able to stop himself from breaking down and telling her) looked up, smiling sadly as his eyes landed on Kakashi, who was napping on the couch. …Maybe he could disguise the fact that he was talking about a time traveler? Minato nodded and started again, this time just using 'kit' and not giving a name.

Everyone knew that Kakashi was his kit so they would all assume that he was talking about Kakashi's performance instead of someone else's. Minato finished the report with a sigh. He got up, rolled up the scroll and went to shake Kakashi awake, "Kaka-kit."

Kakashi opened one sleepy eye, "…Hmm?"

"I'm going to turn in the report; I'll carry you up to bed when I get back alright?" Minato asked.

Kakashi nodded, his eye sliding closed as Minato pulled away. "…Hai Tou-san…" He was too tired to do anything but nap. And here in the Namikaze Compound he was even safer than he had been in his father's house.

As it was, Minato was still sure that he wouldn't be able to stop himself from crying into Kushina's beautiful red hair when she returned… Minato left the compound and headed for the Hokage Tower.

How old had his son been? Minato wondered; he had looked to be about fifteen, maybe sixteen years old, which gave him and Kakashi, and maybe Kushina four years at most to plan for the worst, which was no change to the time line. That was something he didn't want at all!

When he arrived at the tower, he heard whispers; it seemed that his Uzu-hime was back. He swallowed, stealing himself for the raw emotions that would truly test his control. Minato would have to get Kushina home quickly so that he wouldn't break down in front of the Hokage.

Minato took a deep breath before knocking on the Hokage's door.

The Hokage looked up at the knock on the door, Minato had arrived. He gave the petit redheaded woman a smile, which she returned with a fond expression of her own and called out, "Enter."

Minato pushed the door open, smiling softly, fondly to the woman, brushing cheeks with her in greeting. "Okeari Kushina-hime."

"Tadaima," Kushina returned, "How was your mission Minato-kun?"

"It went well, Uzu-hime, the Kit did exceedingly well."

She giggled, "I'm glad."

Minato held out the scroll to the Hokage, "My mission report Hokage-sama."

Sarutobi took the scroll, "Then you and Kushina-san are dismissed for the time being. Go home and get some rest you two."

"Yes Sandaime-sama," Kushina smiled, "I'll make sure Minato-kun rests,"

Minato wrapped an arm around the redhead, "I'll make sure that she gets some rest too, Kakashi has been too tired to do anything but nap in the three days since we've returned from Rouran. Most likely, I'll put him to bed and then make a simple dinner for the three of us before doing anything else." Minato gave his girlfriend a sideways glance, trying to convey some of what he was feeling to her. "We'll see you in a few… days?"

"Yes, take a few days off you two, Kakashi as well." The Sandaime agreed.

Minato's Tail

Minato and Kushina walked in the front door of Minato's house quietly half an hour later. He let go of her took his shoes off. "Tadaima, Kakashi-kit," He called quietly, but didn't get a reply. "I need to get him to bed then…" Minato smiled fondly as he shared a glance with Kushina.

Kushina giggled, "So, how did the mission really go? I heard that the summoned the Foxes for the first time in how many years?" she asked curiously.

Minato's shoulders slumped slightly, "I'll tell you after I put Kakashi to bed, I really drained him, forcing him to keep up with us the way I did, I'm glad Sandaime-sama has given us a few days off…" He left Kushina in the hall to take his student to his room. "Go ahead and find a seat in the living room."

Kushina followed Minato to the living room, where she watched him tenderly pick his ten-year-old student. "…Minato…?"

Minato looked up at her from where he was kneeling, positioning Kakashi on his back. His diamond blue eyes were stormy, emotions battling to get out but his control was great and nothing got passed his eyes. "I'll be fine, everything will be explained My Love, My Vixen…" He returned to her side, bushing his cheek against hers before leaving her in the room.

Kushina blinked as she sat down on one of the fluffy couches in the room.

(End)

*looks at the fic* …Wow, this just from a retelling of The Lost Tower? Eh… You guys asked for this so… please tell me what you think!

Neph