Time has a way of getting away from Minato. Before he knew it his son had reached the two-year mark. And yet another birthday party came and went. It was smaller than the first but it was still wonderful! What was important was that Naruto was healthy and well. He was getting bigger every day and becoming more of a handful. Now he constantly ran around the house. Which meant even more chaos.

He was also pretty darned messy too. Minato was constantly picking up after his son. He tried to teach his son to clean up after himself but so far it wasn't working. It drove Minato nuts. He liked a clean and orderly house and with Naruto in it it was becoming difficult. Sometimes he infuriated his father but he wouldn't change it for the world.

He is exactly like his mother. Minato thought as he cleaned up after his son for the millionth time. It never cease to amaze in the ways that Naruto was just like his wife. He was rambunctious, cheerful and mischievous. He also had a very short attention span and even shorter temper. Despite all this, Kushina insisted that he took after his father.

Despite the chaos, their lives settled into a daily routine. Kushina got up early to get everyone started for the day. Later Minato would wake up and get Naruto out of bed. Once they had eaten: Kushina would get Naruto ready for the day while Minato got ready for work. Finally, they would leave for his office together. It was nice to be with his family before the craziness of the day started. Being with them gave him The strength to do his job. They were his calm before the storm.

Today however, was one of his precious days off. It was a day that he intended to spend the rest of his family. Minato hated how little he got to see them. He knew that being the Hokage meant that he couldn't be with them as much as he wanted to. So he was going to enjoy every second he could with them.

Which started with helping to get Naruto dressed. Minato wanted to give Kushina the day off. She was always caring for Naruto. She never thought of herself when it came to him. It was always what Naruto needed that mattered. However, Minato could see that she needed rest. He also wanted a little alone time with his son. So, he was glad to step in.

He wanted to pamper her. He wanted her to do as little as possible today. He would take care of the grunt work. Even if she Insisted on doing it herself. She didn't seem to understand that he WANTED to do it. That he WANTED to care for his son. She always insisted that he had too much to worry about then to change diapers and cleanup drool. But he loved his son and he wanted to be part of his life – all of his life. Even the boring bits. He just couldn't seem to convince Allie.

Minato hoped that she would eventually change your mind, but for now he would have to except rare moments like this. When Kushina allowed him to do the dirty work. The stuff a Hokage should probably never do. Not that he cared or anything.

Kushina laid out the clothes that she wanted Naruto to wear last night before they went to bed. She had placed it on top of the dresser. Which Minato found easily. However, before he could go ahead and dress his son he had to get that diaper off. Minato found that difficult to do because Naruto did not want to sit still. He found it difficult to complete the task. As soon as he had removed the diaper Naruto was off. He took a vantage of his father's inattention to get down. Minato's back was only turned for a minute when he heard the thump of his son's bottom hit the floor. Naruto laughed hysterically at the sound. Thank goodness he's not hurt. Minato thought as he picked up his son and returned him to the table. He held him there as he finished changing his diaper.

Once he was finished, Minato went to get Naruto's clothes. In that little time, Naruto lockdown again and was often running. He laughed as his father scooped him up. "Oh no you don't." Minato said as he close the door behind him. "You're not getting away from me."

Minato held his son up so that he could look his son in the eyes. He informed his foolish little boy, "You may not realize this yet, but your father is the Yellow Flash. You're going to have to work a lot harder than that to get away from me!"

Minato pulled his son in for a kiss. As he held him close, Naruto cried, "Let's play daddy."

Minato couldn't refuse him. So he ran around the room for a bit. He chased his son around and around the room. He made sure that he was always just a step behind him. Naruto and laughed and laughed as they played. After a little bit he 'caught' his son then ran around with him in his arms. It felt good to spend time alone with his son.

Eventually, he realized that they were taking too long. Kushina was going to kill them if they didn't get going. So, he told his son, "We better get going, don't you think, Naruto?" Minato said as he returned his son to the table. As soon as his back was turned Naruto got down again. This time, he held his son as he collected his clothes.

It never ceased to amaze Minato how fast his little boy could be. He just kept going and going. You could never stay still for too long. If he had kept the game going he would've had to resort to using his Flying Raijin to catch him. Otherwise he would've never gotten Naruto changed. He just didn't seem interested in wearing clothes. It took several minutes to wrestle with him and get all of his clothes on. When we were finished Minato that his son downstairs to meet his awaiting mother.

Minato thought that Kushina would be enraged. They had taken way too long to get Naruto dressed. However, to his surprise, Kushina wasn't mad. In fact, she seemed extremely amused. As they approached, she asked Naruto, "Did you have fun with daddy?"

Naruto cried enthusiastically, "Yeah!"

"I'm glad." Kushina didn't say anything about what she heard. Or about how long it took. It seemed that none of that matter to her. She seemed content. So Minato didn't press. They were going out as a family. It was going to be a great day. Since today would be Naruto's first time outside the village walls.

They weren't going far but it was still difficult to get approval to do this. Sometimes being the Hokage got in the way of life. In order to get approval Minato had to give the elders the exact route that they were going to be taking then allow them to post ABU along the route. It was annoying but it was necessary if they wanted to do this

He understood the elders fear but he believes that he could protect his family without the extra precautions. The guards were unnecessary. Nothing would happen. He would see to that. They were the most precious part of his life and he was not going to lose them. Especially, to an enemy.

Naruto held his father's hand as they walked through the streets. He sang some song that Minato couldn't quite understand. It kept them busy so Minato didn't press. They had everything they needed; food, water, diapers, a change of clothes for Naruto, and most importantly – kunai. Minato wasn't going to take any chances. The area was about to send it but it was still possible that someone could slip in. And if that happened Naruto would be in danger. Minato had no intention of letting that happen.

Minato had also taken the caution of placing his marker on his son. That way he could always get to him if he was in trouble. Something very useful in the forest like this. There were so many more dangers out there then just enemies to worry about. There were so many ways for a child to get hurt or die. Wasn't going to take chances with his life. Naruto was too precious to lose. After all he was his son.

It took forever but they finally reached the gate. The guards at the gate stiffened at the sight of the Hokage. They cried, "Lord Fourth!" As the group stopped in front of them.

Is always a tad uncomfortable being called by that title. It came with the job but he still didn't feel that he was that special. He was no better the men he commanded. After all, he was the same as the rest of them. You had no plan to speak of and he was just as flawed as everyone else. There was no reason to put him on a pedestal. But that was also part of the job. Minato was just going to have to get used to it.

Minato greeted the guards by name. He tried to sound commander like as he spoke but he doubted that it was that impressive. Even after all this time he was unsure of how to sound in front of his men. So, he had to Wing it every time. He wondered: How was a Hokage supposed to sound anyway? He was still working on the answer.

Naruto used the guard's distraction to worm himself from his father's grip. Once he was free, he was off towards the gate. Something on the other side had caught his attention. He was racing off to find it.

"Naruto, come back here!" Kushina called out as she ran. Naruto ignored his mom and tottered off to wherever adventure he dreamed of next. He was not going to be stopped so easily. His mom caught him pretty quick and the adventure ended before it began.

Minato was a bit embarrassed by the display. It didn't look good to be seen so out of control in front of his men. Then again things like this always seem to happen to him. No one had called out for his removal yet so perhaps it wasn't so bad. Maybe it was a sign that he was doing something right Minato hoped that was true. Because the alternative was something he'd rather not think of.

Once Naruto was arraigned in they headed off. After a little bit, Kushina little explore a little bit on his own. Naruto pick up stones, splashed in puddles, and went wherever the wind took him. Everything was new to Naruto. It was fun to watch them explore his world.

Every so often, he brought something slimy or dirty back to his parents to see. His smile was infectious as he showed them his prizes. Pretty soon Naruto looked as disgusting as the things that he found. Which meant they had to stop by a stream just so they could clean Naruto up.

While Kushina was cleaning him up Minato noticed something was amiss. His instincts told him the danger was nearby. However, he couldn't quite pinpoint its source. So, he sent shadow clone out to check out the area. He didn't want Kushina or Naruto be alarmed. Luckily, what the clone found was minor. It turned out just to be Large cat. Which was easily scared off.

Minato broke the jutsu then checked to see if anyone had noticed the disturbance. When he was satisfied they didn't, he returned to them. He pretended that nothing had happened. There was no need for them to worry.

The day passed very quickly. They walked for a little while longer then had lunch. Minato had picked his favorite spot in the forest for his family to eat. It was a great rock that overlooked the forest below. It was a bit tricky getting Naruto up there since the only way up there was like climbing up the rock face. Fortunately, Naruto had a convenient way up there. All he had to do was get on board the daddy express!

Minato secured Naruto within his arms then ran up the rock face. Naruto yelled, "Wheeee!" As his father flew up there.

That Naruto, Minato thought, he's a real speed demon.

Once they reached the top they had to wait for Kushina to catch up. She was a tad slower than her husband. When she got up there Minato gave her their son so that he could create a barrier around the ledge. That way they could let their son run around and not worry about him falling.

For the next hour or two they remained on that cliff. They ate. They talked. They spent precious time together. They got to be a family. And for that Minato was eternally grateful. For they were the reason that he works so hard. He wanted to build a better world for them. And he did that one day a time.

After lunch Minato sat on the blanket watching the world below. He was lost in thought about his family and the world are they lived in. He didn't notice a little munchkin's attack until it was too late. The little pest launched himself upon his father. Naruto wanted to play. He always wants to play. Minato thought as a counterattacked. He grabbed him, threw him into his lap, then launched a tickle attack. Naruto tried to break away from his father but his father's grip was like iron. He was not going to escape so easily. He roared as his father continued the onslaught.

Finally, Naruto pretended to cast a jutsu. Which prompted the Hokage to play dead. Naruto seized the opportunity given to him and tackled his dad again.

"Oh no! He got the Hokage!" Kushina cried out, pretending to be distraught.

Naruto giggled then turned on his mom. He launched himself onto her. She pulled him in close then give him a kiss on the top of his head.

She told their son, "How about we end playtime, okay?" She gently released Naruto then turned to her husband. He was still laying down, 'playing dead.' She smiled at him then continued, "Go revive your father, okay?"

Minato obeyed her command. He waited for his son to arrive to 'revive him." The he mysteriously revived. He helped her pack up afterwards. They were going to head out. The day was starting to get away from them and there was a fair amount farther to go. Not that it mattered to Minato. It wasn't about the territory, it was about being with them. So, if they didn't get to everything it didn't matter. Still, he was going to do what his wife told him to do.

The day ended a lot faster than he wanted it to. But eventually they had to head home. Tomorrow is a busy day. Besides, Naruto is now asleep in his father's arms. It was time for bed. It was best that they got there.

However, Minato was in no hurry to get home just yet. So instead of teleporting them Home, they walked at a slow pace. He wanted to enjoy every second he could. He took in the world around him as they walked. It was a beautiful night with his favorite people. He was at peace.

Kushina seemed a bit uneasy though. Something was on her mind but she didn't seem able to get it out. Minato was starting to become concerned when she finally blurted it out, "What was in the bushes earlier?"