Disclaimer: I STILL don't own Naruto, and i never will -_-

Minato had not left Kushina's side since he had rushed her back to Konoha… that was three weeks ago.

Kushina was in an induced sleep so that her wounds could heal a bit before she woke up. Minato just sat in one of those uncomfortable plastic chairs they have at the hospital and dealt with the back pain they brought on. As long as he was able to be next to Kushina, he didn't care.

Minato's eyes were droopy from lack of sleep. Only thing keeping him awake was the beeping of the monitors attached to Kushina and all the caffeine he's been consuming.

He didn't want to sleep. He wanted to be awake when Kushina finally woke up… he wanted to be the first person she saw.

'Minato, you should go home and get some rest,' Tsunade sighed as she walked into the room.

'No, I'm staying here until she wakes up…' He replied quietly.

Tsunade pursed her lips for a second before replying. 'So it's happened?'

'What has?' Minato muttered.

'You've fallen for her.'

Minato shrugged. 'Is this when you start saying "I told you so"?'

Tsunade shook head. 'No, not this time…'

Minato stayed silent and reached over and placed a hand over Kushina's limp one; when he felt hers unconsciously squeeze his.

Minato's eyes widened at that and he turned to Tsunade 'T-Tsunade, she-'

Tsunade nodded. 'Yes, she's waking up.'

Minato smiled at this news. 'I'm… glad.'

Tsunade turned and walked from the room, deciding to leave Minato alone with Kushina, for when she fully awakens…

Minato closed his eyes and pressed his lips to Kushina's hand, wanting her to wake up sooner, rather then later. His eyes were suddenly opened when he heard her voice say his name, 'Minato…?'

And what a voice she had. He had never heard anything like it… it had to be the best sound in the world.

'Kushina…' he breathed as he gently dropped her hand.

Kushina's eyes fluttered open and smiled softly as she saw him. (Is it me or does this sound tacky?) 'Minato… where am I?' she asked.

'Your in the hospital… in Konoha…' he replied.

Kushina nodded and winced in pain as she tried to sit up.

'N-No don't move, you'll hurt yourself,' Minato said quickly as stood up and gently pushed her back down.

Kushina glared at him, which Minato found quite amusing, as he had never seen this side of her. Her glare soon softened as she took a proper look at Minato's face. He looked rather aged, like he hadn't slept in days.

'Minato… you look tired, when was the last time you had a good nights sleep?' she asked.

Minato shrugged. 'Before you were taken I spose…'

'… You sacrificed sleep just to stay with me?' she asked quietly.

Minato looked down. 'I… was worried about you…I-I was suppose to keep you safe… protect you. But I obviously failed.

'I'm sorry Kushina I-'

Kushina placed a finger to Minato's lips and gave a soft smile. 'It's fine. don't worry about it. I'm okay now.'

Minato, who looked like he was about to argue, was given a stern look by Kushina. 'Go home and get some rest. I don't want to be the reason for your sleep deprivation.'

'Oh Kushina, you wound me,' Minato sighed as he placed a hand to his chest and plastered a fake look of hurt onto his face.

'Minato, go home before I-'

Kushina was unable to finish her threat as Tsunade was now successfully dragging Minato from the room. 'Go home, get some rest then see Sarutobi sensei… and then I will un-ban you from the hospital,' She said as she kicked him out...

'… I've been banned…' he said in surprise before frowning and stalking off into the direction of his house…

Minato soon felt the wait of his sleepless night coming back at him. 'Huh… guess I'm tired after all…'

The next morning Minato groaned cause he had a sore head. He sat up and looked at his surroundings, only to realize that he was in his hallway. '… I slept in my hall way…?' He groaned and got to his feet, walking into his bathroom to have a shower and get dressed. After that he walked into the kitchen and grabbed something to eat before laving for Hokage tower, remembering that the Hokage wanted a word with him.

'Hello Minato,' Sarutobi said cheerfully as Minato entered his office.

'Hello Hokage sama,' Minato replied with a small bow.

'Is Kushina san alright?'

'Yeah, she's awake… I haven't seen her today though,' Minato replied.

The Hokage nodded. 'Well… I wanted to see you today because I need to ask you something.'

Minato nodded, waiting for him to continue.

'How do you feel about acquiring a genin team?'

'A genin team?'

Sarutobi nodded.

'Oh well… I… don't think it's a good idea for me being responsible for-'

'Minato, I'm asking you because I trust you to look after the team. Besides…' he fell silent for a moment. 'We become shinobi, knowing very well that we may die out on the battlefield. We are in a world full of risks so don't blame yourself for the deaths of others.'

Minato kept a straight face and nodded. 'I-I understand.'

'Good then you will take the genin team, here is information on them,' Sarutobi said as he handed Minato three folders. 'You will meet them tomorrow at 10, do not me late… you may leave.'

Minato nodded and took the folders before leaving...


Kushina let out a sigh of relief as she exited the hospital. She was allowed to leave as long as she kept off her feet as much as possible.

She hated it there, it was small and clammy and smelt like disinfectant.

She smiled and started skipping thought Konoha. She couldn't wait to see Minato again, he had in a way become her best friend. Plus she wanted to know if he actually got some sleep like she said to.

Kushina's thoughts were interrupted when she ran into someone.

'O-Oh I'm sorry,' she stuttered apologetically. Of course she wanted to yell at the bastards that ran into her, but she was in her new village and didn't want to ruin her chances at new friendships.

'No, the fault was all mine,' a tall raven-haired man replied as he held his hand out to her.

Kushina looked up at him, mesmerized by his strange red eyes. She was hesitant but soon took his offered hand and he helped her up. 'I'm Haru,' he said with a smile. 'And you… is your name as pretty as your face?'

Kushina flushed a bit. 'Is he hitting on me?' 'I-I'm Kushina.'

Haru smiled. 'And the name suits you perfectly.'

Kushina gave a shy smile at the comment.

'Now Kushina, where were you going before I accidentally knocked you to the ground?' Haru asked.

'Oh I-I was going to my friends place… I'm staying with him for a while.'

Haru nodded. 'Well let me escort you to your destination.'

'Oh, I could never ask you to-'

'It would be an honor. Besides, I cannot allow you to wander around Konoha alone, you could easily get lost,' Haru replied.

'O-oh, okay then,' Kushina replied with a smile.

Haru smiled and said 'After you,' Before following Kushina.

Little did they know, that Minato was behind them, watching the whole scene…

yes its a shorter chapter, but its something at lease :)

Please review =)