Story: Autumn Walk
Summary: Every year, in the middle of autumn, he has the same dream. There's this man that walks in the moon.
Disclaimer: I don't own Naruto...
Every year, in the middle of autumn, he has the same dream. There's this man that walks on the moon. This person always looks at the sky, as he gently holds his hand. The young blond can't help but look at him in wonder. He's always brought to ask the same question.
"Hey...how come I won't remember you when I wake up...?"
The man looks down at him, his icy blue eyes glistening in the moonlight, as he gives a tender smile. He stays silent for a moment, as he places his finger on his chin, thoughtfully giving the same response he always does.
"Well... That's because this is just a dream..."
He picks him up, holding him in his arms, as their sun-kissed hair softly blew in the breeze. Their eyes met, as a pained curiosity slowly fills the child's eyes.
"Wait, this is a dream?", he questions, a bit confused. The man briefly nods.
"Yeah, otherwise I wouldn't be able to see you..."
The boy thinks for a moment.
"But you can still ride an egg plant to come visit me right?", he wants to know, his eyes growing big. The man chuckles in response, imaginatively sweat-dropping.
"You mean like a Obon? Isn't that a bit out of season?", he asks, then looks at the child, once again smiling.
"Hmph... I uh..." , the little blond mutters beneath his breath.
He feels a ping of hurt in his chest, trying to find the right words. "I'm beyond death, you see."
He notices the confused expression on the boy's face.
"Where is that...?", he questions. The man looks away.
"...No one knows.", he whispers, as the memory of holding a certain baby popped into his mind. To him it's an unforgettable memory. The baby smiling at him as he held it close to his chest. "Well, all I know is...that I wanted to see you... I also thought a lot of things, such as I don't want to die, and everyone else... What would happen to you if I go? Being alone and afraid."
A flash of standing before a ferocious Nine Tailed beast with that baby cuddled in his arms, as it held out an arm, tugging his shirt. comes to mind, causing him to give a brief sad smile. He places his forehead on the boy's forehead. The boy gazes up at him.
The man smiles, his Fourth Hokage cloak blowing in the wind. "And that is why I want to see you, even if it is just a dream..."
He pulls the child close to his chest, keeping his eyes closed for a long time. The boy was silent, and didn't understand it. There's a strange feeling he always gets. It feels good, and is like nothing he'd ever felt before. It would be nice if that warmth would last forever. To be able to fall asleep in his arms, with no further worries about anything else.
"and that's all that it is, though.., just a dream." Tears formed in the corners of the boy's eyes, as he wished it wasn't just a dream.
"It's almost time for me to go...", the man tells him. Naruto tightly holds onto the yondaime's hand, choking back tears.
"No, please don't...,", he sniffles. "because I won't be able to remember you when I wake up..."
"It's alright...", Minato tells him, smiling a bit sadly. "It's not that bad if you forget about me...because we won't be able to see each other..."
"I don't want you to!", the blonde cries, shaking his head. The fourth looks down at him, holding back tears himself.
"It's alright...", he replies.
"…" Naruto hesitates. "I understand... There's nothing I can do to change it. It's something I need to forget... I understand..."
Minato gazes over, taking notice of the boy standing there. He's the same boy, except older.
He smirks. "Really...? You look upset."
"Well, you see...", Naruto scratches his cheek, blushing a bit. "It's just because you always care about me..."
The larger man beams, blushing as well.
"Hey little one, why don't we go now, huh?", Naruto says softly, looking at his younger self, who looked away, still clutching Yondaime's cloak. Minato kneels down on one knee, gently pulling his cloak back.
"I'm sorry...", he apologizes. "I really wanted to see you. Even if it's only in your dreams."
The blond looks down, his bangs shadowing his eyes, as he lets go. Older Naruto gently takes hold of his hand.
"I wanted to do so much for you.", says Minato. "...Much more."
"You did more than you should.", older Naruto genuinely smiles.
"Um...", his younger self murmurs. "Can you please, come visit me next year too...?"
Minato smiles one last time. "...I will. I promise. Good bye now. What you've seen was only a dream... I hope you have a nice wake up."
With that, he turns and walks away.
...
Naruto now stands at the window of his room, contemplating the sky in wonder. Ever since that day all he can ever think about were in those words, and with that thought, he could still walk on the moon.
A/N: What did you think? Review.