Minato stepped out of the meeting room, hearing the double doors shut behind him, he sulked down the steps and stopped at their base. People streamed by in the street in front of him. People noticed him and they were never quiet about it. Despite his sour mood, he couldn't help but smile because of this. He sensed another presence on the steps. Before he could confront it, he was tackled out of nowhere onto the hard stone ground.

"MINATO-KUN! Oh I thought you'd never come back to me my sweetie pie!"

"Oh big strong Minato! Please take me home with you, I'll be a good girl!

"No, forget them! Take me instead! I'm better than all these hussies!"

Minato fought his way out from under the pile of fan girls and tried to find a way out. Damn, time to take evasive maneuvers. He body flickered into the crowd in the street. He knew it wouldn't keep them off of him for long, however. His bright yellow hair would attract them like bees to honey. He slipped into the nearest alleyway stealthily, taking a few looks around to make sure they hadn't seen him. They numbered about a dozen. Smaller than usual, that's...

"Pretty popular, aren't you.....Minato-kun?" A mocking voice said from behind him.

He spun to see a girl, who couldn't be any older than 16 or 17, planted firmly in the alleyway before him. She had her arms crossed across her breasts, and a sly smile on her face. The light in her eyes made it seem like she was laughing at a joke only she could see, but they were concentrating on him. They were examining him, judging him, and weighing him. Why do I have the feeling that she's trouble in human form?

"You're the shinobi from the Whirlpool. The one my ANBU rescued." Minato said, taking a few looks back to the street to see if the girls had found him yet.

"And you're the Yellow Flash, the man in the stories. Tell me....what was that jutsu you used back there?" Kushina asked, cupping her chin and looking at him questioningly.

"Eh, just call me Minato please. The jutsu I used is something only I can do. I can't really give out its secret. Sorry girl. I have to go."

With those words, Minato turned and started to walk out into the street. Coast should be clear...for the most part. He was almost in the crowd when he felt a hand on his shoulder. He turned his head to see the girl. Her eyes no longer held their amused light. Now, they were full of pain.

"I need your help, Minato."