status ongoing
prompt none
warnings language, fluff
pairings minato/kushina
disclaimer i do not own naruto
notice although the lyrics are removed, the songs are still there. i'm not going to say which songs i'm using, so i'd like you to figure them out. some will be pretty obvious, some others...not so much. if you find which ones i'm using, give them a listen!


2. Here Comes Santa Claus

"You be the anchor that keeps my feet on the ground. I'll be the wings that keep your heart in the clouds."


They met again the next day and the day after that. And the day after that. In a matter of days, Minato and Kushina had become the best of buddies. A month after their first meeting, they were inseparable. Their love for music bound them together in a friendship strong like the bonds between family members. They were so different, yet at the same time, so much alike.

Kushina had tried to make more free time out of her busy schedule, just to hang out with Minato as much as she could. Minato, on the other hand, was programming his daily schedule based on Kushina. Wake up, call Kushina, go to work, have lunch with Kushina, go to the park with Kushina, play guitar with Kushina, walk Kushina to her apartment, go home and sleep. He was happy that he had found her. She was someone special, a person with who he could share his thoughts freely, without being afraid she would judge him.

Deep inside, Minato realized, he had deep feelings for the red-haired girl – feelings deeper than friendship. He didn't know exactly what it was, but he was starting to think it was something like love. And the more time he spent with her, all his doubts faded away. Kushina was special and unique, and he wanted to be more than friends with her. Minato had never been a strong believer of "love at first sight" but a voice in his head told him that he was experiencing it.

However, he wasn't sure whether to try and make a move on her – Kushina may was special, but she was scary nonetheless. Being close friends with her, even for a short while, he had witnessed her wrath. Once, they had an argument – nothing important, Minato couldn't even remember what it was about – and she had gottenreally mad at him. Long story short, it earned him a fat lip and an ashtray he owned was left lying on the floor, broken into a thousand pieces, an innocent victim of Kushina's rage. Heck, he was a guy, he had gotten in many fights in school, had faced bullies and had his own share of trouble in life but this was something else. For once in his life, Minato felt actually scared. So the best option was to never make her mad again.

This was the main reason why Minato was afraid to make a move on Kushina. He didn't want to get a black eye – or a broken rib – from a woman. It would be a blow in his male pride and dignity. But he was determined to have a talk to her, when he got the chance. But for now, he would hold his horses. Maybe Kushina would give him a sign one of these days that she liked him more than a friend, and then, perhaps, he would confess.

Perhaps.

Minato was sitting on his couch, holding his guitar in his lap and waiting for Kushina to show up. The sun had already set and he didn't quite like the idea of her being out in the streets alone. She could defend herself, he knew it better than anyone, but he didn't want her to have to.

It was an unusually cold evening in the first days of October. He had put on a black hoodie with the logo "No Music, No Life" on it, and a pair of worn out jeans. His blonde hair was unruly and spiky, but he knew well enough that any effort to try and put it in order would be in vain. His hair seemed to have a brain on its own, somehow.

Glancing at the clock, he sighed. Kushina had said that she had to give in a project to her Art's teacher and then she would drop by at his apartment. Tired of waiting, Minato realized that only a song would help him take his mind off her. He placed his hands on the guitar's chords.

On second thought, though, this was entirely not the case, because every song reminded him of her. This particular one had popped into his mind the previous night, after walking Kushina back to her apartment. The lyrics were clearly about her. He called her his "wonderwall", someone who made him happy and brightened his every day, and for whom he reserved a special place in his heart.

He had to admit that since he met Kushina, his inspiration had skyrocketed. He couldn't stop writing new songs, producing new melodies. His mind was constantly forming new ideas for songs and he was almost running out or paper to write down his lyrics. He would have never imagined that having a love interest would inspire him so much. Life sure was weird for an upcoming musician.

He looked up to the door when he heard the doorbell. His lips pulled up to a bright smile and he went to answer the door. He flung it open, to reveal the beautiful face of Kushina. She had her guitar bag on her back and a folder in her hands. Minato stepped aside to let her in. Kushina sat down on the seat Minato had left earlier and he took a seat across from her on an armchair, his blue eyes never leaving her form and his smile never ceasing.

Kushina raised an eyebrow at the smiling blond. "What?"

"What do you mean what?"

"You're staring at me," she pointed out.

"Am not," Minato told her.

"Are too."

"Am not."

"Aretoo."

"Am not."

"Whatever," Kushina gave up with a growl. Minato's smile turned into a smirk. "You're weird."

"Takes one to know one."

Kushina sighed and threw her arms in the air. "Seriously, what is your problem?"

"Me?" He pointed at himself. "I have absolutely no problem."

"Sure you don't," Kushina said sarcastically. "Did you smoke weed or something?"

Minato scowled. "Here I am, just trying to be nice and you're telling me I'm a junkie."

"Well, you're starting to give me the creeps," she explained.

"Relax, Kushina, I'm fine. I just happen to be on a very good mood today," Minato said.

Kushina seemed interested. She leaned forward. "And why would that be?"

He grinned. "I wrote another song."

Her almond eyes widened. "Another? Minato, you've written like ten different songs in the past three days! Where do you get all this inspiration from?"

He shrugged. "You."

Now, Kushina was not the girly type. She didn't like wearing skirts, heels or make-up and painting her nails. She rarely wore jewellery; her wrists were usually covered by wristbands and she always wore a pendant with the peace sign on her neck. She was far from being a sweet girl. Therefore, she didn't blush or giggle. So, the bright red color that painted her cheeks after Minato's words sunk in was a first.

"Me?" Kushina said while blushing. Minato had an effect on her that no one else had.

He nodded, trying not to feel too proud and mushy for making her blush. "You inspire me."

"Um, thanks?" she said, unsure of what else to say. She quickly shoved off her nervousness, though. After all, she had come to his place for a reason. "Minato," she said firmly.

"Kushina," Minato replied with the same serious tone, though she could see he was faking it.

"I have two things to tell you."

Minato raised a blond eyebrow. Two things? Suddenly, he felt blood rush into his brain, and his heart starting to beat faster. What if she was going to tell him she liked him? Or what if she was going to tell him she wanted him to get any idea out of his mind, and that nothing could ever happen between them? He began to feel fear. He didn't know if his poor heart would take rejection from her. He gulped silently and said in a steady voice, "Go ahead."

Kushina nodded. "Well, firstly, I have finished the song I was working on."

Minato felt like slapping himself, but decided against it. "What song?"

She rolled her eyes. "Umbrella."

"The one you've been trying to finish for like, three weeks?"

She nodded again and smiled. "Wanna hear it?"

It was Minato's turn to roll his eyes. "Do you seriously expect me to answer?"

Kushina stuck her tongue at him and picked up his guitar, feeling too bored to unpack her own. She took a deep breath and started playing.

Minato was listening closely to the lyrics as she sang. He wondered if there was a slight chance she had written this song for him, or at least she was thinking of him while writing it. She had started working on it soon after they met, that's what she had told him. Was it just a coincidence that she had finished it now that they had come close or was there something more than meets the eye?

Lost in his thoughts, he didn't realize Kushina had stopped playing and was staring at him expectantly, waiting for him to voice his opinion on her song. She valued Minato's words more than anyone else's. To Kushina, any music professional was shit against Minato. She had never seen someone so devoted to music like him before. When he remained as still as a statue, she threw a pillow at him, snapping him out of his train of thoughts.

"What was that for?" he asked, throwing the pillow back at her.

She caught it with ease. "I thought you died in there or something."

The blonde man shook his head. "Just thinking…"

"Thinking? You? Ha, that's a first!" she joked.

Minato frowned in mock hurt. "Kushina. Always so tactful."

"Shut up, blondie." They had a glaring contest for a minute. "So…"

"So?" Minato repeated.

"What do you think of the song?" she said quickly, tired of waiting for his brain to start working properly. If it ever would, for that matter.

"It was really nice, though I think it is lame that it took you three weeks to finish it," he said in a playful tone.

"Well, not all of us have your inspiration, Minato," Kushina tried to sound offended, though failing miserably.

Minato smiled. "Face it, hun. You can't be me."

She rolled her eyes and leaned back on the couch. "Like I would ever want to be you, bimbo."

Minato frowned. "I'm not a bimbo."

"Whatever helps you sleep at night, Minato."

He groaned and fell back on his chair. "You're so mean."

"I know," she said, a mischievous grin playing on her lips. "Now, the second thing I wanted to tell you," she tried to put on a serious face, but the excitement running in her veins didn't let her. She was desperate to see Minato's expression when he heard what she had to say.

Minato, though, appeared to have forgotten about it. "Oh, and what would that be?" He tried to block his previous thoughts of Kushina confessing to him.

Kushina took out some papers from the folder she was holding when she came to his place, and handed them to Minato. His eyes drifted from the papers to her, back to the papers and then back to Kushina. A blonde eyebrow quirked up and got lost in the mass of yellow hair covering his forehead.

"What is this?" he asked.

"Can't you read?"

He shrugged casually. "I can, but why don't you just tell me and save me the trouble?"

Kushina let out a deep sigh. So much for the element of surprise. Damn Minato and his blonde head. "Well, remember when you told me you wanted to become a famous musician?"

He nodded. "I tell you this every day."

"Yeah, well, remember when you said that the first step you had to take to become famous was to sing in a radio station?" Another nod. Kushina sweat dropped. "Seriously, haven't you figured it out, yet?"

She watched him as his azure eyes widened and his lips parted in shock. He tore his gaze from her and looked over the papers to see the program of a radio station. Examining closely the details, he saw that next to a radio show's name, was his name as a guest. Kushina couldn't tell what was going through the man's head. Frankly, she wasn't even sure he had comprehended what was happening. He was a blonde, after all. Sometimes, she thought he was speaking a different language.

Minato looked up at her and placed the papers on the coffee table in front of him. "How?" he whispered in disbelief.

Kushina smiled. "The program's broadcaster, Inoichi Yamanaka, is a family friend. Close friend, actually," she started. "After all you've said to me about your dream, I figured out I could help you out. I did a few calls and persuade him that your songs rock and that his audience would love them, so, after some thinking, he agreed to invite you to his show. I practically had to kiss his ass and–" she was cut off suddenly by Minato's warm lips on hers.

Kushina could swear that bloody heart of hers stop right there. Her brain shut off, too, leaving her with eyes opened wide in shock. She hadn't even seen him stand up and nearing her! Before she could embrace the events and decide on how to deal with the current situation she was in, Minato pulled away with a grin that put the city lights to shame. Minato hugged her to his chest and chuckled.

"I love you, Kushina! No one has ever done something like this for me! This is huge, I tell you! Thanks!" he exclaimed happily, placing his hands on her shoulders to look in her eyes. "I don't know what to say!"

Kushina, who had somehow gotten out of the trance Minato's kiss had put her in, gave him a small smile, feeling her cheeks flush for the second time that evening. 'Well, your kiss said enough already...'she thought.

"You're…welcome," the red-haired girl whispered softly.

"We have to celebrate this! Come on, I'll treat you ramen!" he exclaimed going to grab his jacket.

Kushina's brain came to focus again and she shook her head to clear her thoughts. It was pretty late for dinner and she should be heading home. She hadn't planned to stay over at Minato's for so long. Truthfully, all she wanted to do was hit the sack. Also, the broadcast was at 11am, and she doubted Minato had checked it. He had to go to sleep early in order to be able to wake up and be at the radio station in time. Minato was not a morning person.

"Minato," she called.

He peeked his head from his bedroom door. "You called?"

Kushina nodded. "Look, it's pretty late. I don't think we can go for ramen."

Minato joined her in the living room, his jacket still nowhere to be found. "But we need to celebrate this," he objected.

"I know – we can do it tomorrow, after the show. Besides, do you know what time the broadcast airs?"

Minato scratched the back of his head. "In the afternoon?"

Kushina sighed. "It's at 11 o'clock in the morning, and they want you to be there an hour earlier."

"Seriously?"

She nodded. "You better stay in and have a good night's sleep. And call your boss to tell him you're not going tomorrow."

"I have a day off, anyways. Are you coming?" he asked expectantly.

"I have classes in the morning. I don't know if I'll make it," she explained.

Minato pouted. "I wanted you to be at the studio with me."

She smiled apologetically. "I know, I'm sorry," she paused. "I got it," she spoke again after a moment's thinking, earning a confused look from Minato. Her ability to come up with ideas on the spot was fascinating, yet it frightened him at the same time. "Here's the thing, I'll try to finish up with my classes early and I'll drop by at the studio to pick you up so we can go for ramen next, okay?" she finished her thought.

Minato pretended to think about it for a minute. "Promise?"

Kushina chuckled. He was such a child. "Promise."

The blonde grinned again. Kushina put on her jacket and picked up her guitar from the couch. Minato walked her to the door and they shared a hug before she left, after ensuring him she didn't need him to walk her home. She had to threaten him in order to be convincing and, in the end, Minato gave up trying to change her mind. He was kind of afraid of her, after all.

She took the way to her apartment, digging her hands deep into the pockets of her jacket. She was glad she had made him happy. Minato deserved to become a famous vocalist/guitarist. His songs were amazing. His guitar playing was amazing. He was amazing. The thought that she may had helped him start his career made a warm smile appear on her lips. However, some other thoughts troubled her.

What was the kiss all about? Did he feel something more than friendship towards her? Did he kiss her on the spur of the moment? Did he mean it when he said he loved her, when only a few minutes ago, he had told her the opposite?

Those questions troubled Kushina's mind on the way home. Deep inside, she hoped Minato was having the same feelings for her, like she did towards him. She may have known the blonde a month or so, but she didn't need to know him for years to figure out that he was a nice, caring and ambitious young man. During the time they spent together, she realized how simple and adorable he was. Minato was still a child in the heart, something that made him cherish everything in his life – every single moment, every little thing.

On the other hand, she was the one whose feet and mind were always on the ground. She was sharp, punctual and strict when it came to work and school, in contrast with Minato, who always stood her up in their meetings and never showed up on time for work. Why he hadn't been fired yet was beyond her. Minato had said that he was the best photographer they could hire, so firing him was absolutely out of the question. The blonde knew exactly how important he was and used it to his advantage.

Kushina reached her apartment and changed into her pyjamas the moment she stepped in. After a few minutes, she was wrapped in the cotton sheets of her double bed, craving for a good night's sleep and trying to take the blonde out of her head. She would think of how to deal with the situation tomorrow. So she drifted off to sleep, keeping only in mind the memory of his lips on hers.

Meanwhile, Minato was lying on his bed, too, having a weird mix of emotions in his stomach. There was anxiety, excitement and joy for tomorrow's radio broadcasting (the only bad about it was that he would have to wake up early to decide which songs he'd play in the show), along with gratitude and love towards Kushina, the girl who, now he was sure, was the girl of his dreams. He wasn't expecting her to do something like that for him, a person whom she knew for only a month. That was how he knew she was special. Kushina was generous and caring towards the people she cared about, Minato figured.

Then, he found himself thinking of his own actions that evening. All his worries and restraints had faded out when she had told him about the radio show. Out of excitement, he had kissed her. She hadn't pushed him away or kicked him in the gut for trying something like that on her, which gave him some hope that she had romantic feelings for him. Minato went to sleep with a genuine smile on his lips that night, thinking about what the future might held for him, his career and his relationship with Kushina. He wasn't sure, but he had a feeling it would be alright.

After all, he had a goal in his mind, a guitar in his hand, and a temperamental red-head there for him in every step he took.