A/N: Sort of a situation I imagined where Minato was forced to do the right thing for his village. (And yes, I keep Kushina alive. Why? Because I think she's alive.) Review!!!
Dying was supposed to feel cold, wasn't it? Somehow, Namikaze Minato felt warm. Everything was a little out of focus, but still warm.
"Minato, no! You can't do this! Naruto is your son! He's our son, for God's sake! I'll die before I let this happen."
He had done his duty as Yondaime Hokage, and he had saved the villagers from the Kyubi.
"Kushina, I love him as much as you do. I'm doing this because I have faith in him."
Minato was dying; there was no doubt about it. Yet, as the Kyubi slowly melted into his baby, he smiled.
"I can't let you do this. What will he think of me? His mother, the one who is supposed to give him unconditional love, he'll think I'm a monster."
It had been the most difficult decision of his entire life, but Minato didn't regret anything.
"Then leave. Leave Konoha."
No, he didn't regret anything, not even telling his wife, the one he loved most, to desert her village and family.
"And leave him alone? Like unwanted trash? Nobody will care for him."
Minato had responsibilities, and that required him to put the village's best interests above his own.
"He is strong. He is my son. He is our son. He will be hailed as the hero who saved everyone."
He was actually quite content with his situation. Minato didn't know if he'd be able to live through seeing his family fall apart.
"He will never forgive me."
Some had called him the strongest man in the world, but he didn't appreciate it. They didn't realize the burdens that came with such a title.
"Then never come back. This must be done Kushina, and you know that, somewhere inside."
Kushina's eyes had filled with tears, and the tomboyish woman had started to cry, something that twisted Minato's heart into an uncomfortable knot.
"I love you Minato. I know you know that. I love Naruto. And I love Konoha."
"Then you know what must be done."
Her body shaking with sobs, Kushina had gently placed her son into Minato's arms.
"We are terrible parents."
"We are ninjas."
A baby's soft cries were the last sounds to reach Minato before he felt the darkness take over.