Authors note: Hi everyone. This is my first ever Naruto fic and the fist fic I have posted anywhere in years. The idea for it struck me a few days ago and just kept bugging me until I wrote it out. Feedback is appreciated but please be gentle with me. I've had an idea rolling around for a second chapter but I will see how this goes before I decide to write it. I hope you enjoy!

Disclaimer: unfortunately Naruto and characters don't belong to me

The Wait

He looked ridiculous. Minato tried to readjust his clothing but no matter how he tried he still thought the jacket looked ridiculous on him. Sighing he move away from the mirror and slumped down into the nearest chair. What was he thinking? Why hadn't he argued with the Sarutobi-sama when he had first mentioned this whole thing? Well of course he had protested a bit but surely there had to be something more he could say to talk the crazy old coot out of this. That is what he'd do. He'd get up right now and go talk to the geezer and end this madness while there was still time. With that decision set firmly in his brain he stood. He'd been left in quiet and solitude all morning so Minato was understandably shocked when before he could even take a step towards the door a loud knocking reverberated throughout the otherwise still room.

"Come in!" he called automatically before he could even think. The door opened but he wasn't surprised at who walked in. After all there was only one person he'd ever met who knocked quite like that.

"Hm, you clean up nice after all. Who'd have thought?" She said with a smile as she moved close enough to fiddle with his collar.

"I look ridiculous." he replied voicing his earlier thoughts. He moved away to look at his reflection in the mirror.

"No more than usual. Besides looking ridiculous has never bothered you before." Minato glanced at her reflection in the mirror. He could see the teasing look in her eye and though he knew he should be angry at her being so light hearted when he was in such a terrible situation, he could not find an ounce of anger. In fact felt the knots in his stomach were loosening just a bit at her small smirk. Again he shouldn't be surprised she always knew what to say and do to make him feel better. She walked closer and rested a hand on his shoulder "You look perfect. It fits like a glove." her tone was soft and sincere now.

Objectively speaking he knew she was right. It did fit perfectly. The women who had made it for him had taken every measurement she could think of. His height right down to the millimeter, the circumference of his arm in three different places, his chest the length of his torso and he was sure a few dozen more after he had stopped paying attention. The coat fit perfectly. The jacket seem to get heavier and heavier the longer he stared at his reflection. Minato mentally shook himself. Objectively he knew the jacket itself looked perfect on him. It was what the jacket symbolized that made Minato feel ridiculous in it. Him the Hokage? What could be more ludicrous? Abruptly he remembered what he had been getting up to do when she had walked in. He pulled away from the comforting hand still resting on his shoulder and headed for the door.

"Where are you going?" She asked confusion written on her face at him abrupt attempted departure.

"To go talk the old man out of this of course!" Minato could hear the panic that was seeping into his voice. The jacket felt like it weighed a hundred pounds now.

"Oh no, you don't! You'll do no such thing" She spoke in a tone that booked no opposition and in what seemed like an instant she was suddenly standing in front of the door blocking his path. Geez, and people thought that he was quick. They'd obviously never gone up against Kushina Uzumaki when she was miffed. Minato sighed deeply and went to once again slump in the chair. He was pathetic. What kind of Hokage couldn't get past his girlfriend? Minato stared vacantly at the ceiling and after a moment he heard Kushina leave the door to kneel in front of him. He felt her hands rest on top of his own.

"What happened? You were fine with this yesterday. You were excited even, remember all the things you said you want to do as Hokage? What happened to them? You still want to do them don't you?" Minato blinked and redirected his stare to her. Was that a hint of accusation in her tone?

"Of course I do" Minato said feeling a bit defensive.

"Then what is the problem?" She asked.

"It's just that…well…"Minato struggled for a moment trying to find the right words "This is so much responsibility I mean I thought looking after my genin team was trying. Can you imagine what it will be like to have to worry about the entire village? It's a lot of responsibility." Then there it was again, that strange look that passed across her face when he said the word 'responsibility' or something similar. It was like the word had some special meaning but what it could be was a complete mystery to Minato. Women were so confusing. Minato decided to call her on it this time. "Is there something wrong? The last few days whenever I mention responsibility you get the oddest look on your face."

She shifted uncomfortably for a moment before speaking "I'll tell you about it after the ceremony." Her voice had that firm resolute quality again. "I don't want you to be distracted"

"Distracted? What is it? Is something wrong with you? Are you alright? It's something bad isn't it?" He could feel a whole different kind of panic bubbling up inside him. To his surprise Kushina laughed. She picked up one of his hands and brought it to her lips giving it a gentle kiss

"I don't think it's bad" she said but her tone was somewhat careful like she wasn't sure he'd agree. "It's nothing like what you're thinking I can safely promise you that." she said her smile back in full force. Minato looked at her appraisingly trying to figure out what she meant by that when his musing were interrupted but another knock on the door. Kushina was on the other side of the room in an instant.

"Come in" the man who walked in looked a little surprised to see Kushina in the room but didn't comment.

"Sorry to interrupt but the Hokage would like to see you before the ceremony." the young ninja and the doorway said quickly.

"Alright, I'll be there in a moment." Minato said his tone dismissing the young ninja. The young man stood for half of an indecisive moment and then nodded leaving the room and closing the door behind him. Minato stood up straightening his jacket. Kushina quickly came forward and took over.

"You'll be the best Hokage the Leaf Village has ever had. I'll make sure to keep you in line." The confident sureness was back in her voice when she spoke and her eyes were warm with their familiar mischievous twinkle. As her hands slid over his shoulders and chest smoothing the cloth the extra weight seemed to vanish. Suddenly he believed her.