There. After racking my brains for this, it's finally out!
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I'M ABSOLUTELY HAPPY AT THE AMOUNT OF FAVORITES AND FOLLOWS FOR THIS ONE! (though I feel sorry for my other fanfic, 'Red Thread of Fate', looks like they don't like you. *cries forever*)
MINNA-SAN, ARIGATO GOZAIMASU! (though I'm sorry this story can't be finished before Christmas. :'( shame on me for naming this 'Christmas Three!' *cries forever*)
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Here you go. Please send me a review if you found I missed on something. My brain's not working fine lately.
Chapter 2 – A week's too short!
Just as he was turning back to his baa-chan after seeing his young parents out of the door, Naruto saw Tsunade put on a grim face.
"Naruto," Naruto walked near her desk, she has her chin on her folded hands "Do you understand how serious and complicated this situation is?"
He answered slowly, scratching his cheek, "Uh yeah…a little I guess." He was forced to revise his reply when Tsunade looked intently at him, making him answer with utmost honesty.
Tsunade sighed. Right, she should not have had hope on Naruto comprehending this so easily. Naruto had always been slow on complex things.
"Even I have limited knowledge on this, Naruto, but I'll tell you what I can."
Naruto nodded and settled himself in front of her.
"Things with space-time should not be messed with, because of its consequences on any of the past, present and the future. I almost slipped back there when I mentioned that something like this happened before, it is fortunate I didn't go as far as tell who it is. It was actually your father, Minato, when he was nearing completion and mastery of the jutsu he was famous for, the Hiraishin no Jutsu."
"Tou-chan?"
Tsunade closed her eyes, as if to get a better recollection of the things that happened a few years ago. "Ah. It's a good thing that someone who was present during the course of his training devised a jutsu to bring him safely back, and that jutsu formula is present and safeguarded at the Library. He had told us that the same thing happened back when he was younger, but he can't remember much of the details, but he was sure he also landed in Konoha, so I assumed at that time that it was the future 'us' that helped his younger self. Are you seeing the loop here—eh, Naruto? "
MOU! I can't understand a single thing! True enough, Naruto felt like his brain juices were squeezed out and his brain is currently passing through a steamroller.
"Baa-chan, I… can't… I CAN'T UNDERSTAND IT-TTEBAYO! WHY IS THERE NO EASIER EXPLANATION FOR THIS?!"
"I do not understand it fully either. The reason behind why his older self came before his younger self, his form which you see now, I suppose that can be attributed to the hidden workings of time and space."
Tsunade relaxed a bit, and shifted her position.
"Finding the scroll for the jutsu, reviewing how to execute it, and the day itself when the jutsu will be executed; all of those will take a week. We will begin work tomorrow. I shall see to it myself."
A week. Just a week… he thought as he looked down on the floor.
Tsunade stood up, and went around her desk to stand in front of Naruto.
"How about them? Where will they be staying for the week?" Naruto asked. He knew stuff like this was left in the care of ANBU, so he didn't hold up much hope that…
Tsunade put a hand on his head, and he looked up.
"I know they're both important to you, so I'm going to assign you to take care of them for the coming week. That will be your mission, Naruto. Don't fail me," she told him as she winked.
Naruto's face brightened as he flashed a smile.
"Thank you, baa-chan." You don't know how happy I am.
"Now, go. They're waiting for you outside."
Naruto nodded earnestly and strode to the door and closed it behind him.
"Naruto," Tsunade whispered to herself, "Don't waste this chance."
"Oh, finally you're out," Kushina remarked, "My feet are starting to get tired from waiting out here."
"What did Tsunade-sama tell you?" Minato immediately inquired.
"Oh, stuff and more stuff that I didn't understand. Ah! She said you're going to be staying with me for the rest of the week!" he took both of their hands, "We're going to have fun together!"
"So where would you two like to go?"
The three were currently walking down one of the main streets that branch out from the HokageTower.
"I guess we should buy clothes, Minato. We brought nothing with us other than our weapon holsters when we…time-travelled," Kushina pointed out.
"Okay than, ka—Kushina-chan. This way!"
Minato saw that there was not much that changed in Konoha. It's almost exactly as he remembers it back from the time they came from.
Oh, it's this shop, ran by _-san. he thought when he saw a familiar stall. This shop wasn't here before. he thought when he saw a stall that wasn't there at their time.
"Here, here!" Naruto beckoning to the two of them broke Minato's reverie. He heard Naruto greeting the lady shop keeper, and asking her if she sells clothes for young girls and boys. Minato walked in the shop just in time to see the woman nod and smile, and gesture toward a corner of the little shop. Kushina was already there, and browsing the girls' clothes.
"To—," Minato looked up to Naruto, "Minato-chan, look around for clothes you might like. Go on."
"But…" Isn't this too much? We, as shinobi, can go on a week long mission and not change clothes for the mission's duration, and…
He smiled, "Don't worry, I'll pay, if that's what your thinking about."
Minato nodded, and proceeded to the boys' corner. He quickly picked out a navy blue hoodie with two yellow stripes down the right sleeve, a white zip jacket with a high collar, a pair of black shirts, and two pairs of comfortable pants. Of course he made sure to check the prices of the items he took.
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While Naruto wasn't looking, he discreetly talked to Kushina.
"Is this okay? I mean, paying for these?"
"Well, Tsunade-sama herself left us to his care, so I guess he wouldn't mind. But now that you mention it, these clothes are quite expensive."
Minato sighed, but Kushina smiled at her.
"But since I'm also indebted to him for helping us, not to mention we'll be staying at his place, I'll be taking the clothes that I like with the lowest prices."
"You two done?" Naruto walked over to them. He was just in time to see Kushina pull out a green sleeveless blouse with a black band at the waist, along with a yellow shirt a size too big for her. Already in her arms are two pairs of leggings, one black, and the other pale red.
"That's okay?"
"Hai," they replied.
Naruto took the clothes they selected and headed to the cashier, "All of these please!"
Minato heard the shop owner ask, "Who are these kids, Naruto-kun?" to which Naruto answered, "Oh, they're… friends. Sorry, can't tell you much," while handing his money to her. She nodded and said no more, and handed the items he bought.
When Naruto turned around, he asked them, "Don't you have any more you need?"
They both shook their heads. "It's almost lunch, let's eat!"
Naruto took them to Yakiniku Q. He ordered two sticks of pork barbeque and two cups of rice each for all three of them and just like at the clothes shop, paid for everything they ate.
When they were full and all, and tidied up after eating, they exited and Naruto asked the two of them again, "Don't you have anything more you need?"
Well… Minato shook his head almost immediately, while Kushina took a while before answering, "No. Nothing more, Naruto-nii."
"Then, we're going to Sakura-chan."
Naruto rang the doorbell outside Sakura's residence.
Haruno Sakura, huh. With the way she talks about her, I bet he likes her. Kushina snickered to herself. Naruto had told them about the girl named Sakura while they were heading for her house, and Kushina saw that he holds her dear. Minato looked at her worriedly, maybe the pressure of the situation they both are in got into her?
"Hai, hai, just a sec," they heard a girl's voice from inside the house, and then the door opened.
"Hi, Sakura-chan."
"Oh, Naruto," then her gaze fell on the two of them, but she said nothing, "Come in."
They settled in the living room and said their greetings to both Mebuki-san and Kizashi-san.
"Oh, who are these two children, Naruto-kun?" Mebuki asked, delighted at the sight of children.
"They're friends, Mebuki-san," Naruto replied, flashing a smile while scratching his head.
Why is he acting like he's… caught lying? Hm… Kushina's beginning to form suspicions, but she shook it off. I'm probably thinking too much. I really need to rest. She smiled.
"Oh, kaa-chan, can they stay for dinner? I'll be cooking, don't worry!" Sakura asked permission from her mother.
"Well, I guess that's okay, for your two little friends over there," Mebuki smiled at the two. "Just keep the house clean."
"Ah, Mebuki-san, do you have extra futons? You see, these two will be staying at my house temporarily, and I don't have futons since I live alone…so…can I borrow one?" Naruto asked.
"Well, sure, we have two extra; you can get the one with the dragonfly pattern. It's large and can fit two. Sakura, give it to them later before they leave, neh?"
"Hai, kaa-chan."
Kizashi was about to speak next, but Sakura cut him out, "Hai, hai, tou-chan, don't you and kaa-chan have something important to do? You're going to attend a Christmas party tonight right? Go on and dress up, neh?" while pushing her parents outside the room.
When the noises in the stairwell died down, Sakura returned to the living room then went to the kitchen for a while to get them all snacks and drinks, but she pulled Naruto along with her.
"So do you think those two are…lovey dovey and such?" Kushina asked Minato.
She saw that Minato was taken aback by with her question, "What are you saying all of a sudden, Kushina? That's absurd."
"Well, what, haven't you noticed it? He's perked up at the sight of her parents. And—"
Minato showed no interest in the topic, so Kushina stopped and they sat in silence for a long time, while listening for signs of the return of Sakura and Naruto.
"Do you think…"
Kushina, sort of surprised that he was the one who broke the silence, looked at Minato who has his head bowed down.
"Do you think we can really get back, safe?"
Kushina would have made fun of him, since he was the one who dragged the both of them in the situation, but it's just the two of them in this together, so…
She held his hands in hers, and smiled, "Just believe… and… don't you dare forget that I'm always here for you."
"OH, LOOKIE!" Kushina dropped Minato's hands abruptly at Sakura's voice. Even Minato was shocked.
At the entrance to the living room stood Naruto, smiling like he's just been given some wonderful news, and Sakura, giggling so hard it was somewhat fortunate that Naruto was the one handling the tray for drinks.
OH MY! Tch, Naruto-nii must have told her something.
"Oh, please, don't mind us. We'll just be at the kitchen cooking dinner if ever you need us. Don't let us disturb you," Naruto announced, as he placed two glasses of orange juice from the tray he held on the coffee table.
"Mm-hm," Sakura nodded in agreement, as she in turn placed a plate of senbei on the table.
"We're off then!" Naruto and Sakura announced before leaving the room, leaving both Kushina and Minato blushing deep red.
Mebuki and Kizashi left at about 5pm, Minato and Kushina heard a shriek from the kitchen a bit afterwards and when dinner was ready at around 6, Naruto beckoned the both of them to the dining table. They said "Itadakimasu" and ate the simple meal Naruto and Sakura prepared. After that, Minato and Kushina brought the plates to the sink, Naruto washed the dishes as a sign of thanks for allowing the three of them into Sakura's home (and for the dinner too!) while Sakura tidied the table, after which she went upstairs to get the futon Naruto borrowed.
It's kinda good that I can tell Sakura-chan everything about this… I feel like I'm not alone. I hope she didn't get bored at the shopping and eating parts. Sigh.
While they were cooking dinner, he had told Sakura everything that happened since this morning: the appearance of the two, what Tsunade told him about the situation, shopping, eating and such.
Oh right. "Thanks a lot, Sakura-chan, for this futon!" And for listening to me. "I would never have known how we'll all sleep tonight and for the week to come," Naruto smiled, as he carried one side of the folded futon in his arms.
"No problem, just return them nice and clean, else kaa-chan will get mad at me," Sakura replied, carrying a side of the futon in her arms as well, "And I with you!" she followed up quickly with a scary glint in her eye.
It's already around 8pm, and they're currently heading for Naruto's apartment, with his little parents carrying the bags of clothes they shopped.
"Wait here for a moment, Sakura-chan; I'll clean up for a bit before you get that in. Minato-chan, Kushina-chan, you can drop those at my bed, in my room, then you can take a bath before sleeping," Naruto said as he unlocked the door and turned the lights on.
He let his parents come in, then he flipped the lights on in his room, then he proceeded to picking up the various items of clothing, random empty ramen cups and jutsu scrolls scattered around the floor of his room, and sweeped the floor a little before calling out, "Hey, Sakura-chan, you can put that here now."
Sakura came in and dropped the futon where Naruto pointed on the floor.
"Looks like you've finally learned how to keep your room clean, Naruto. Quite impressive, even for you," Sakura remarked upon seeing his room. She saw that the floor was fairly clean, though not spotless. The room was very orderly, even by Naruto standards.
"Sigh." If only you knew how messy this room is before I left with kaa-chan and tou-chan this morning. Naruto gazed with longing towards the two children that are his parents. Minato and Kushina did not seem to notice, however, since they're busy discussing what they would do for the coming week.
He felt Sakura tap his back. He turned his head, and she whispered in his ear, "Don't waste this chance then, so that you will regret nothing in the end."
Then she called out, "Yo, Minato-chan, Kushina-chan, I'm going home now, take care. Jaa ne, oyasumi-nasai."
"Hai, arigato ne, Sakura-nee," Minato replied. "Oyasumi-nasai!" Kushina greeted back.
Naruto saw Sakura out of the door, and afterwards secured it and then proceeded to slump on his bedroom floor.
He gestured toward the bathroom door and said, "There's the bathroom, go ahead and use it," with a slight smile on his face. When he saw the two of them taking out the clothes he bought for them…
"Hey, hey! Don't use those," he walked up to the two, "You won't sleep in those, now would you? Those are for tomorrow." He turned to one of the two cabinets he has in the room, opened a drawer, and took out two pairs of pajamas, too small for a grown boy like him, but just right for Minato and Kushina.
"Here, use these," he gave each of them a pair of the bluish pajamas, "Go ahead and change."
Minato let Kushina change first, so he and Minato were left in the room.
"Anno, Naruto-nii…"
"Eh? What is it, Minato-chan? Do you feel bad?" Naruto asked worriedly.
"Iie. I'm okay. Anno… Arigato ne. For everything."
I should be the one thanking you, for allowing me to have this chance with you and kaa-chan. "Oh, that's nothing, I don't mind. You two are always welcome here."
They then sat on the floor for a while in silence, and when Naruto was close to falling asleep where he sat, they heard the bathroom door open, and Kushina announced, "I'm done, Minato your turn."
Minato stood up and gathered the pajamas Naruto gave him and went in the bathroom. Naruto pulled his pajamas from the drawer while waiting for his turn.
"Oi, Naruto-nii, arigato ne. For the food and the clothes... and for allowing us to stay here."
Now that you mention it, Gama-chan seems to be on the small side suddenly. Doesn't matter though. "Don't mention it, ka—Kushina-chan," he replied with a smile.
"Ah right, I just remembered."
"Eh? What is it?"
"You mentioned at breakfast that you live alone."
"Yes, I think I said that, yes."
"Why?"
"'Why?' what?" Oh… I know where this is going.
"Where are your parents?"
I thought so. I knew one of them would ask.
He frowned infinitesimally at the recollection, "Well, they… died… a long time ago."
When the Kyuubi attacked the village. My birthday.
Kushina couldn't help but gasp. "G-gomenasai! I shouldn't have asked."
"Mm," Naruto shrugged and awkwardly laughed. "I kinda expected it…"
He drifted off, and when Naruto's eyes were starting to close from his exhaustion, the bathroom door opened again.
"Finally, my turn. Just a moment neh?"
He stood up and picked up his pajamas, went in the bathroom and closed the door. Then he opened it again, "Right, Kushina-chan, you could sleep in my bed. Minato-chan and I will be sleeping on the futon."
He closed the door again then he stripped his clothes and turned on the shower. The water was cold, but he didn't mind.
Kind of wakes me up actually.
He stood there for a long while, so long that he was thinking that Minato and Kushina were starting to worry that he'll catch a cold or worse, pneumonia, if he stood in the water for long. When he went out of the bath, with towel in hand to dry his hair, he checked on the two and found them fast asleep. He turned the lights off in the room.
Sleeping already, huh. Tou-chan even laid out the futon on his own. They must be as tired as I am.
Nonetheless, he headed for the kitchen and turned on the lights, poured hot water into an open ramen cup and ate its contents slowly. He stared into the wall in front of him the whole time. When he was done, he stood up and turned the lights off, and made his way into the bedroom in the dark. It wasn't wholly dark in the room, because the moonlight comes in from the windows, so he had no difficulty in navigating to his place in the futon. He tucked himself in.
A day. Tomorrow Tsunade-baa-chan will begin preparations for them. he thought as he gazed beside him, on Minato's sleeping face. I'm afraid that time will tick quickly starting tomorrow.
Neh, Kami-sama, please, can you give me more time?
Reviews appreciated!
