Chapter 7 New Year Celebration

(QUICK QUESTION FOR YOU READERS... I WONDER IF ANYONE UNDERSTANDS THAT "MATURE CONTENT" DOESN'T NECESSARILY MEAN THAT THERE WILL BE SEX IN THE STORY. A LOT OF TIMES THE RATING (M) CAN MEAN THAT IT MAY BE TO DIFFICULT FOR YOUNGER MINDS TO COMPREHEND PROPERLY. I HATE HOW EVERYONE THINGS (M) = SEX OR SOME TYPE OF SEXUAL RELATIONS)

Mikoto chuckled, "Neither do I... 'KUN?' Miss Uzumaki you don't have a crush on our hokage, DO YOU?" Mikoto accused.

Taken aback "No! O- Of course not! We are just friends! Besides... He really loves his wife and I can't interfere with that. I'm not good enough."

"Hm..."Mikoto shrugged and picked up the ladle in the pot. Kushina watched the golden liquid ripple in the porcelain bowl as it left the ladle. "Trust and believe Kushina, he really does and you'd be surprised what he thinks of you."

"What makes you say that?" Out of curiosity, Kushina questioned.

Mikoto glanced up from her spoon with her haunting black and grey eyes. She sipped the hot soup. "Women's intuition." Mikoto sighed as she swallowed the seasoned liquid.

Accepting the answer Kushina fixed herself another bowl of ramen, and moved on to chat about Sasuke and his revenge. She really felt this was the beginning of beautiful friendship(s). Something about this entire night just felt comfortable and familiar. It was like having a family again.

"By the way... I wonder how Minato-kun knew Sasuke is a virgin..."


8:00AM December 31, 2010

Can we pretend that airplanes in the night sky are like shooting stars? I could really use a wish right now, wish right now, wish right now.

Can we pretend that airplanes in the night sky are like shooting stars? I could really use a wish right now, wish right now, wish right now.

Yeah! I could use a dream or a genie or a wish, to go back to a place much simpler than this

Cause after all the partyin' and smashin' and crashin'

And all the glitz and the glam and the fashion

And all the pandemonium and all the madness

There comes a time when you fade to the blackness

And you starin at that phone in your lap and you hopin but them people never call you back

But that's just how the story unfolds, you get another hand soon after you fold

And when your plans unravel in the sand what would you wish for if you had one chance?

So airplane airplane sorry I'm late, I'm on my way so don't close that gate

If I don't make that then I'll switch my flight and I'll be right back at it by the end of the night

(This song is sooo ironic. This is the theme song of this story along with the middle song and ending.)

9:00AM

"Kushina..."

Kushina groaned sleepily and tugged the blankets over her head to ward out the annoying sunlight. Now the pain in her body finally receded but exhaustion set in. Warm hands crept under the sheet and over her thigh causing a blanket of drowsy red to paint her face.

"Wake up!" He exclaimed. Kushina squirmed uncomfortably. As usual she was tangled in her own bed coverings beyond hope and even if she couldn't admit it to herself, to feel his hands searching for her, she hoped he could find her and wake her from the cold reality setting in. That second aura was undeniable the one person she DID NOT want to see on holiday's. Especially not on the day which would begin the entire year.

"Kushina!"

"What?" -Oof!- At the sound of Gouzen's voice exhaustion fled as she struggled to untangle herself and move as far away from him as possible. (Speak of the devil, yeesh. This guy makes even me sick and I'm the one writing about him. Ugh I think I upchucked my leftover pizza. Oh well though, I kinda figured this would be a good chapter to get to know the enemy's relations better with Kushina.)

In the process of evacuation Kushina rolled off the bed and towards the floor. Lucky for her though, Minato saved her from the impact once again.

Minato coughed in the awkward silence. "Yeah... This is pretty much how she wakes up every morning; screaming at someone and then defying gravity. |O.o|

"Hm, are you sure she wasn't screaming your name?" (Didn't we already do this?)

"... You were standing right there. You have ears. Did you seriously just ask that?" (Lols he's just fucking with you Minato. Hey at least he's got a weird sense of humor.)

*shrug*

Silence bestowed its grace among the two men. Kushina lay as still as stone curled in Minato's strong embrace, hoping hopelessly that they had forgotten about her. Her breathing was shallow and suppressed. A very loud pounding echoed against her ear drums. The pounding of her terrified heart. Could she really be that afraid of one man?

A strong voice broke the loud silence. "So, where are you taking her today?" Minato questioned casually. Kushina could feel his chest vibrate against hers as he spoke.

Gouzen paused as if reluctant to answer. "Oh, you know... Around town to take care of some business. After all, we are getting married in two months.." He replied in the same casual manner. Something didn't seem right to Kushina in the situation. Was that mistrust she could feel coming from Minato's voice?

"Congratulations!" He exclaimed, his smile showering the room with a soft glow. "How is everything so far?"

Gouzen chuckled warmly. The sound of the bed sinking under him as he sat on it followed his laugh. "Well thank you and... pretty good. Today we finalize all arrangments. Reservations have been made. Invitations were sent out; you know the works. But today is the day my little flame gets to pick out the most beautiful wedding dress she will never wear." Kushina flinched as Gouzen leaned over the bed and made an attempt to ruffle her hair playfully though the covers. For once being tangled like this actually paid off.

"Wow that sounds great to me. You finished so early in the game... When did you propose?" 'Two months! HE moved the date! That's so soon!' Kushina exclaimed inwardly.

"Well..." Gouzen paused in contemplation. "Actuallynot everything is complete... I still need a best man... and I would be absolutely thrilled if the new hokage would do me the honor... of becoming my best man."

'What is he getting at?' Kushina wondered. 'New hokage? Something seems very wrong here.'

"My son?" Minato questioned with a hint of anticipation and excitement.

"Well, he IS one of the new leaders along with you and Tsunade-sama."

"Three? Me? Best man? Hokage? What?"

'Hah, and just last night I was stuttering incoherently in shock. Now you know how I feel.' Inner Kushina mocked while sitting in her imaginary fun chair.

"Oh I'm sorry hokage-sama, no one has told you about the new system the Godaime hokage installed. She thought it would be safer for three trustworthy leaders for the modern revolution. America and other countries outside of Japan are really tight in their military forces. It would only make sense if we did the same. As for my best man... Actually that was my way of asking you. After all, you are a living legend."

After a long moment of silence Minato laughed. "Uh wow! That was unexpected! I would be honored, thank you!... N-Naruto and I are going to be leaders... together? That's awesome!" Minato exclaimed joyfully. Kushina shook her head in utter disbelief. That was just like Gouzen to pull some strings and bring up some unbelievable news just to get on the good side of people. She was positive he had A LOT to do with this new 'system.' Even granny Tsuande was like puddy in his hands! This is very bad.

After a good half an hour of talking about the new 'system' and how the next few months were looking for Konoha and Kushina's future, Gouzen casually and totally innocently invited Minato to join them on their lovers hunt for her treasured dress and maybe even pick out his suit. Something told her the dress would be rigged with some kind of device against her. Of course with this unbelievably exciting and totally random news Minato had to politely deny his invitation to go and have the traditional emancipation ceremony which coincidentally was scheduled for today exactly an hour from now which would proceed throughout the entire day with nearly the entire city. Of course it was planned, all the signs were WAY to obvious. Kushina figured they probably will go shopping for her "treasured" dress of "love" but what he didn't mention is what they would be doing after that. 'I know DAMN WELL it DOES NOT take all day to pick out ONE damn dress!'

"I can't believe this! I should be leaving right now... but hey, where are you two lovers going after you get the dress? We all know it doesn't take all day to shop for ONE dress." Minato laughed. 'Yes! You read my mind Namikaze!' Inner Kushina cheered happily.'Bet you didn't expect him to ask that did you, you sleeze!'

Calm, cool and collected as usual, Gouzen answered, "Well... I was thinking we might escape for the holiday to a Suna Spa Resort. Just the two of us, you know?"

- (Notice I don't want to write to much depressing shit, I like to stick to romance and comedy and drama, action adventure. Sadness and sorrow? Not my thing... I mean don't get me wrong , I am NOT a nerd, I am not this really fat kid with no life. I'm pretty normal and I know I'm not ugly. -Actually yu can add me on facebook under Kushina Namikaze...- Besides the point though, the point is life kinda sucks at some points and this website is kinda like my escape, though I am more of a writer then a reader. Writing allows me to create my own world where anything is possible. Am I the only one who feels this way about writing?)-

Kushina bit her lip and clenched her fists, hoping Minato might see through this. Her heart sank as Minato failed to see through Gouzen's hoax. In the next hour she found herself being swept away once again towards the outskirts of Konoha to some random bridal shop. Kushina wished she invited Mikoto if she had known ahead of time. If anything, one thing Gouzen did not do was tell her any plans... until last minute.

So here she was, beautiful red hair blowing in the wind as she trudged through the snow with her.. fiancee. The sounds of a far off ceremony beckoned her mind astray from whatever Gouzen decided was appropriate to speak about. Today was such an exciting day for him... It wasn't that hard to feel the pure joy in Minato's voice at the thought of being hokage with his son and spending all his time teaching him the basics. To be honest she felt a bit down in the dumps that she had to miss such an important event for what? That thing with cheap cologne?

Kushina straightened one of the long sleeves on her snow white thin designer jacket with a red and orange belt and the Uzumaki symbol in silver imprinted on her back. Her fingers traced the gold lining of the denim apple bottom jeans down her thigh. The chill of winter didn't bother her as much as it used to. Most things these days felt pretty numb.

"You know, you're really stupid and useless. You can't do anything right!" Kushina snapped out of her thoughts immediately and turned to glare up at him. She stopped in her tracks and threw her hands on her hips, demanding an explanation for his insults.

"Don't look at me like that. I heard everything you were thinking... Even if some miracle happened and your thoughts did reach his mind... If my own kind like you can't stand against me, what makes you think a mortal like him can. Even if he could, he would neverwin." Gouzen spat viciously, baring those piercing cold eyes into hers.

That stare wouldn't work on her this time. It was one thing to say about her but when he verbally attacked her friends? Still crossing many lines here!

Ignoring her thoughts being revealed Kushina moved on to the next subject. "What do you mean a mortal like him?" Kushina spat back with the same vicious venom. Heated aura threatened to burst from within as she prepared for some type of physically battle he could start.

Gouzen rolled his eyes and sighed in exasperation. "Damn you are seriously just that dumb aren't you? I thought it was the blonde females who were supposed to be this stupid. You are royalty, stop trying to be mortal. It's beneath you. Your my wife."

"Not yet I'm not. WHAT do you mean a mortal like him?"

"You know exactly what I mean Kushina. He's weak, unreliable. He allows emotions to override him and worst of all.. He's lying to you. Everyone in the village is, even the fox-boy and your little Uchiha girlfriend."

"So what the fuck you ass! You've lied to me plenty of fucking times!" Kushina shouted in rage. Her teeth clenched and fist ready to fight. Even if it was true that her own village was lying to her, about what? Right now it didn't matter, Gouzen has no right to say who did what.

"We are gods Kushina. Lying to us is trivial."

"Then what the hell are you pointing it out for?"

"Because... It's not trivial to you. I know you care, I can feel it there." Gouzen pointed to her chest. Kushina narrowed her eyes and let out an angry huff. There were times Gouzen did tell the truth, but only for his own benefit. What could he possibly benefit from telling her that everyone in Konoha is lying to her? Even if it was true it certainly wasn't going to make her love him at all.

With more tense silence and competitive glares, at last Kushina gave up and angrily stormed off down the empty street towards the Bridal Store. "Fine! Whatever!" She yelled. "One more thing though." Kushina turned around with unwavering eyes and a courageous aura. "You can be a "god"and still be nothing but a little kid. Minato may not be a god but one thing he IS that you are not and NEVER will be is a man." The look on Gouzen's face after she said that was definitely and no doubt sheer and total SHOCK.

For once, that man was speechless and in shock. Even Kushina was astounded but for some reason it unlocked a whole new era of feelings. Like she unlocked a secret box that's been hidden for centuries full of memories. It's been so long and the impact Gouzen had on her life really changed her. He weakened her... but Minato made her strong even if she didn't know him for to long. It felt good, really good to stand up and fight.


2:13:PM

"You're so boring. I can't take you anywhere without you getting into some type of argument."

"They are not arguments, it's a strongly worded... de..bate, debate."

"..." "Yeah and that's another thing, you suck at telling jokes cause you always give it away."

*Sigh* "Just shut up before I slap you so fucking hard your grandchildren's grandchildren's cousins' WILL feel it."

"..." "Haha that's hilarious." Gouzen mocked sarcastically. "Just hurry up... God you're difficult."

Five minutes later-

"That is perfect, we'll take it!"

"Uh no we won't, it's to small."

"Well obviously your getting fat, lose some weight."

"Ok FIRST of all I am NOT fat! My fucking breasts are to fucking big! Comprende?"

"Wh- What is that? Did you just speak spanish? Since when did you speak Spanish?"

"..."OH my fucking gosh!"

"No really!"

"... Sasuke taught me."

"The duck butt kid?"

*glare* -sigh- "You know I REALLY enjoy all the little nicknames you give my friends. Fox-boy, fuck butt.. er- duck-butt kid. What's next? Let me guess, Minato is the golden flash because he goes around naked in his hokage coat flashing people his golden balls."

"That's not a nickname, that's in-sult-ing."

"Whatever! This dress is to small!"

"You picked it out, it's your fault. You're always changing your mind and you are to damn hard to please."

"Bitch! How was I supposed to know? It doesn't have a bra size labeled!"

"Well here's a thought Kushina, try and fit a watermelon in the dress and if it doesn't fit of course it's to small!" (Wait is that a compliment or an insult?)

-Uh sir.. mam?- (Random clerk lady)

"A watermelon? REALLY? In a bridal store? Are you on crack or some shit?"

-Mam...?-

"Are you!"

-sir-

"I must be if I'm actually engaged to you!"

"I must be if I'm engaged to a flippin tomato!" O.O (Lmao..)

-guys...-

"WHAT?" The small brunette clerk shrunk back behind the desk at their shout. (Nuff said.)

"Uh... I'm guessing your the happy couple." The clerk scratched the back of her neck nervously and cleared her throat. Kushina was positive 1 out of 10 to none couples came here as anything less then happy towards each other.

"We are getting married if that's what you mean tetebane." Kushina tried to soften her voice and not talk as fast as she normally does.

The clerk straightened her round black glasses on her thin nose and cleared her throat again. "Yes, well I think I have the perfect dress that you can both agree on." She offered and hopped off her foot stool. Kushina and Gouzen dragged themselves behind her as she scurried to the back of the store and went behind a door labeled 'Authorized Personal Only.'

It was quite some time before the mouse-like female returned with a dusty light pink, very large card board box. By now Kushina was tapping her heel impatiently just wanting to get this over and done with. That spa offer was looking really good right now.

She sneezed as she blew over the box and brushed the remaining dust bunnies to the red carpeting below her. The box was plain, no designs what so ever and nothing showy. Kushina pondered exactly how old this dress was.

Reading her mind, Gouzen asked, "Sweetie, exactly how long have you had this dress?" He smiled. The clerk gasped and nearly dropped the box. Her face flushed pink and Kushina rolled her eyes. No surprise to see that reaction.

"Uh... U- Uhm Actually we just got it last week..." She stuttered and pressed her fingers to the opening, to pry the sealing off of it.

"Sure doesn't look like it.." Kushina muttered.

"Oh, I know. A little dust changes the whole picture. We are running short on staff... Actually I'm the only worker here and my boss doesn't clean... There's so much to do and I don't have time..." She trailed off. Finally the invisible seal broke and the box top flew off.

"Uh wow.. I didn't know it looked like.. - Well they do say the most beautiful things are found in the most un-likely packages!"

Kushina blinked. Was she really going to wear THAT to her wedding? It was... it was... so.. gorgeous!


End of chapter 7 Please review and add this story to alerts if you haven't already. Remember, the more reviews and activity from you the faster I update and the better the chapters get! SOO PLEASE REVIEW! MOST PEOPLE DON'T REVIEW BECAUSE THEY FIGURE THAT SOMEONE ELSE WILL. IF EVERYONE THINKS THAT THEN NO ONE REVIEWS! SO PLEASE DROP THAT THOUGHT AND JUST REVIEW! YOU CAN'T BE THAT LAZY!

Next chapter... Chapter 8 Valentines Day!