Disclaimer: I don't own Naruto. I just wish I did.
Beta: the lovely Midnight-Kitsune11. Thank you for all your hard work. ;-)
Now as always:
"Talking"
'Thinking'
"flash-back"
Episode (everything in bold is from the episode – though keep in mind I only use the manga to get the texts, it's much easier ;-) .)
Sorry I'm late, I know I don't update regularly, but I really try my best. I can promise that whatever happens, I won't ever abandon this story!
Thank you for all the reviews! As corny as it sounds, they really motivate me to write and make me update faster! ;-) I see a lot of people can't wait for the scenes where Minato appears in Naruto's mind. To be honest, I can't wait to get there too :-D We're almost reaching Naruto Shippuden though, after this, only the Sasuke retrieval act left ;-)
Chapter 8
"Really just like that? You didn't even think about it?" asked Minato.
"Why would I? Only crazy people want to be Hokage." Shrugged Tsunade. "I left this village for a reason and once this war is over, I'll be gone once more."
"I would say 'yes' immediately." Confessed Minato.
"Like I said, crazy people;" smirked the elder blonde.
Jiraiya huffed. "I remember in the past you saying the same thing 'I decline' when I asked you out."
"HUH!? I thought we came here for an interview. You just wanted her to come back to the village so she could check on Sasuke and Kakashi-sensei's health, right? Yet, you asked her to be our Hokage? And she declined!"
"You didn't tell him? Why did you bring him then?" asked Hiashi curious.
Jiraiya shrugged. "No clue, maybe I anticipated his reaction."
"Wow, such big words, Jiraiya." Smirked Tsunade.
'Hey!"
"I couldn't resist." Confessed the grinning blonde.
"To return to my question," interrupted Hiashi, "if you knew he would react like that, why not tell him somewhere secluded."
"I agree, who knows could overhear you there. An enemy of Konoha wouldn't need much more incentive to strike. Especially seeing as Konoha would appear weak during this period without its Hokage." Agreed Shikaku.
Shizune glanced worriedly at Tsunade.
"Don't worry so much, this person right here is the only one who can become the Fifth Hokage. She was the one that brought victory in the battle. No one has been able to acquire her techniques. Also Tsunade is the grand-daughter of the first generation Hokage. So, she is the most appropriate person for the position. If she becomes Hokage, she would have to go back to the village and then she could check up on those two. This was a decision made by the top members of the village. You have absolutely no say in this matter." Explained Jiraiya to the blond.
Naruto pouted.
"That face! Look at that face! That's just too adorable!" squealed Kushina.
"Jiraiya, this kid is worse than your previous apprentice. In terms of looks, speech and intelligence."
"What's that supposed to mean!?" exclaimed Naruto.
Jiraiya smiled. "Well, it's tough for anyone to be compared to the Fourth Hokage-"
Minato jumped up. "W-wait, does that mean?"
He looked hopeful at Naruto. The whiskered-face blond only smiled.
"Do I become the Fourth Hokage? Or did sensei take another apprentice?"
"Well, you are one of the candidates on the list." Divulged the third Hokage.
"YES!"
Minato pumped his fist in the air.
"- because he really had the talent to become a top-rated ninja. He was smart, reliable and handsome like me too."
"But even the Fourth died quickly." Interrupted Tsunade.
"Well, that put a damper on things." Muttered Minato feeling down.
"He gave up his life for the village. Life is different from money. It can't be gambled that easily, whoever puts it at risk so easily is a fool."
"That's quite disrespectful." Muttered Hiruzen.
Tsunade shrugged, clearly not bothered.
Naruto grit his teeth.
"My grandfather and the second both focused too much on bringing peace to our home, more than anything else but as a result, they just died in the middle of their dreams, like losers…"
"You've changed a lot Tsunade. I don't know what you've been thinking all this time, but you've said all that's on your mind." Frowned Jiraiya.
"Well, I'm already in my 50s. Age changes people."
Jiraiya glared at her.
"It's the same for Sarutobi. No wonder he died, because he was too old to live in his dreams."
Naruto started trembling in rage.
"Being Hokage is a shit. No one but a fool would do it."
"Just because you don't want to become Hokage, doesn't mean we aren't worth your respect." Scolded Hiruzen frowning. "There is no reason to be implying me and your family members wasted our lives."
Tsunade looked away.
Naruto threw himself forward, not minding the dishes on the table as he tried to reach her and punch her. However he was quickly grabbed by Jiraiya by the back of his jumpsuit.
"WAAA!? Let me go!"
"You do realize we're at a bar?" asked his teacher.
People around the bar looked at them and started whispering. Shizune looked worriedly at her master, who only bit her lips.
"I can't forgive anyone that says bad things our Hokage and the fourth! I don't care even if she is a woman! I'm going to kick her ass!" screamed Naruto.
"You've certainly got guts, kid." Chouza raised his eyebrows.
"This is a brilliant reaction!" laughed Jiraiya.
Fugaku snorted. "He's suicidal."
"Clueless, naïve and arrogant rather than suicidal, I think." Mused Hizashi. His brother nodded his agreement.
Naruto grinned sheepishly. "Confident and refusing to back down from something I believe in."
Kakashi snorted.
They all watched him for a moment, stunned.
"You've got guts to say such things to me, boy. Let's take this outside." Tsunade got up.
"Tsunade-sama!" protested Shizune.
Naruto growled.
They gathered in the street. It was dark outside.
Jiraiya sighed.
"This is going to be over quickly." Mused Inoichi.
"You think?" asked Tsunade sarcastically.
"I've been one of the three legendary ninjas. I don't even have to be serious to fight this little ninja boy."
"SHUT UP!"
"One finger should be enough."
Wordlessly Naruto drew a kunai and threw it at her. He rushed forward to punch her as she dodged his weapons. She ducked under him and flicked him in the face. The force dislodged his headband and threw him back several feet. Grimacing, Naruto got back up.
"Impressive as always, hime." Complimented Jiraiya.
"Hey kid, I'll ask you one thing before you pass out; why do you get so excited just by hearing the word 'Hokage'?"
"Unlike you, I really want to succeed the 'Hokage' name and I will-"
She frowned.
Naruto's face was shown, a determined look on his face. A pale blue haired man and a young boy were shown next to him, having the same expression.
"Hey, who are those two?" asked Rin curious.
Tsunade didn't answer as she stared at her lover and little brother.
"-because it's my dream to become Hokage."
Tsunade looked shocked at the boy, even more so when she saw him attempt to form a Rasengan.
Naruto rushed forward with his unfinished new technique.
"Nice start, how long had you been practicing by that time?" asked Minato.
Naruto frowned in thought. "Not sure, I think we were about a week on the road."
Minato nodded. He looked pleased.
"Why would you use a technique in such a battle when you haven't mastered it yet?" asked Kakashi with raised eyebrows.
Naruto sagged and muttered; "It seemed like a good idea at the time…"
"Take this!"
She deflected him by creating a crater in the ground with one finger, making him lose his balance.
"Shit." Cursed the young boy.
Shizune rushed forward. "Are you okay?"
"Jiraiya, was it you? Who's teaching him the rasengan?" asked Tsunade with a smirk.
"I'm his master… in principle."
"Hey, no take backs! You wanted him to come along so you could teach him!" scolded Kushina.
"The only people that can use that technique are the Fourth and you. Teaching him something he cannot do, and believing you are his master... it's better if he doesn't think that way so silly kids won't joke about foolish dreams like becoming Hokage."
"It's not a joke!" screamed Naruto with his fist raised. "You idiot! IDIOT! All I need is three days, and I can master that technique, just you wait!"
Minato laughed. "That's a bit unrealistic. You'll need at least a year to completely master that justu."
Naruto grinned. True, he did need a bit more than three days, but not that much more.
"Hehe. Some words brat. A man's word should never be taken back." Smirked the elder blonde.
"Huh? I won't take back my word. That is my ninja way!" Naruto smirked back confidently.
"Well then, is that so? I'll give you one week. If you can master that jutsu, I will acknowledge that you could become the Hokage and I'll give you this necklace." She pointed to the necklace she wore with a bright blue stone.
"Tsunade-sama, that is your precious-" Shizune protested.
"Really, you're going to bet your grandfathers necklace? With the way you always lose any gambles you make, I really wouldn't do that." Snorted Jiraiya.
"Shut up!"
Naruto interrupted. "I don't want that kind of ugly necklace."
"Don't say that Naruto!" scolded Jiraiya, "That is a very unique and precious ore that belonged to the first Hokage. If you sold it, you could buy three mountains."
"Hmm, well all right then…"
"But if you can't master that jutsu in a week, then you lose and all your money will belong to me." She held up a frog shaped wallet.
"Ahh, gama-chan." Cried Naruto. "When did she take it?"
The screen went black.
Naruto stood in a room next to Shizune who was kneeling on the ground next to the bed.
"Anyway, where's the old hag? Today's the day of the bet. I wasn't able to finish my training, but I'll have to come up big when I show her."
Shizune stared at him, then she frowned and dashed for the window. "Naruto-kun, stay in the house!"
"Wait, Shizune!" Jiraiya was outside, leaning against the wall with a miserable look on his face.
They gathered on the roof.
Jiraiya sat down. "Damn Tsunade, she put drugs in my sake. I can't release chakra well and my whole body stings. I can't even hold chopsticks." Moaned the man.
Irritated Naruto yelled at this teacher. "And you're the one to always brag about how incredible you are! You lame ass! She got you with a sexy-sexy attack?!"
"He does have a point." Muttered Kakashi.
"Shut up!"
"In her fallen state she's still a medical specialist. She's about the only one who can create a tasteless, odourless drug to use against other ninja, but… even though I was drunk, to get me like that…"
Shizune bit her lips in worry.
"Hey, Shizune, what you talked about with Orochimaru, it's about time you told us."
"Orochimaru?" asked Naruto stunned.
"Again with Orochimaru." Muttered Mikoto.
Shizune bowed her head. "I wanted to believe in Tsunade-sama, that's why I didn't say anything, but… We don't have much time, follow me!"
"Right."
"I'm coming too!"
They were jumping through the trees, Naruto somersaulting as Shizune explained.
"What are you doing?" asked Fugaku with a raised eyebrow.
Naruto shrugged sheepishly.
"Orochimaru promised Tsunade-sama to bring her brother and Dan back to life if she healed his arms. If that happens, he will attack Konoha again!"
"If we don't stop Orochimaru now… an even more dangerous situation might occur." Said Jiraiya glaring at nothing in particular.
The scene changed again. They stood in a street which was half demolished.
"Wh-what is this?" asked Naruto shocked.
"Whoa, that princess Tsunade has gone pretty wild." Grinned Jiraiya.
Shizune sighed, clearly relieved.
The scene changed again.
"Oh come on, stop it with all the flashes and show us what happens already!" Obito whined.
Jiraiya, Shizune and Naruto appeared out of a cloud of smoke in between a shocked Tsunade and Kabuto.
"Long time no see, Jiraiya." Frowned Orochimaru, who was standing behind Kabuto.
"Yo, yo, you haven't changed at all. Those wild eyes…"
"Naruto-kun." Greeted Kabuto.
"AAAAHH?! Kabuto-san?"
"Who?" asked Shikaku.
"Kabuto. He was a genin during the chuunin exams. He was a Konoha ninja, that's why I didn't understand why he was there." Explained Naruto.
Tsunade knocked Jiraiya out of the way. "Move!"
"Hey!" protested the man.
Kabuto, wearing a sound headband, took a kunai and sliced his arm open, stopping Tsunade, who looked with wide, traumatised eye at all the blood on her hands.
"My body has finally started to move." Smirked the silver-haired, glasses-wearing man. He knocked her back, but Shizune managed to catch her.
"Hey! Hey! What is going on? Why is Kabuto fighting Tsunade?"
"You are so thick, Naruto-kun. That's why you can't compare to Sasuke-kun." Smirked Kabuto.
"Look at his headband carefully. He's Orochimaru's subordinate." Explained Jiraiya.
"That's right. I am a sound village spy."
"Wha-what are you saying? Your lying, right Kabuto-san?"
"Naruto-kun, I have concluded something from your data. Unlike Sasuke-kun, you have no talent in becoming a shinobi."
"Now that is really unnecessary." Defended Obito the boy. He got remarks like that from Kakashi all the time and could relate.
Naruto's expression went quickly from shocked to angry.
"Even if you do make such a scary face, you are nothing more than an out-of-place genin. You were relying on that monster inside you, but with three legendary ninjas in front of my eyes, you are worthless. You are like a small bug right now. If you try something, I'll kill you."
Glaring, Naruto rushed towards him.
"Stop! Guh, my body is still…" tried Jiraiya.
"Kage bunshin no jutsu! I can't waste all my chakra on making too many clones. Four clones and attack at once!"
But Kabuto threw them back with no trouble. Shizune caught the real Naruto, while spitting needles at the man, who deflected them with his headband.
Kabuto jumped back to Orochimaru, who smirked.
"Shizune, you handle the guy in the glasses. I'll take care of Orochimaru." Said Jiraiya. "But before that, I would like Tsunade to do something about my body."
"The effects will probably last for a few more hours. I myself cannot do anything about it." She replied.
"Hmph, well, I guess there's nothing we can do. We have to do it like this… Tsunade, heal yourself with your healing jutsu."
"Then, what about me? What about me?" Asked Naruto eagerly.
"You protect Tsunade and her pig."
"WHAT!? I wanna fight too! I can-"
"No!"
"Please listen to sensei." Pleaded Minato. "This isn't a fight you could win, not at that level."
Naruto grimaced, knowing his father was right. He had tried, and probably saved Tsunade while at it, but he admitted he probably wouldn't have survived if she hadn't saved him afterwards.
Naruto pouted.
"Like the guy in glasses said, they're on a different level. The enemy is like me, one of the three legendary sannin, plus he killed the Third Hokage. An eye for an eye! Only I can take him. Also the guy in glasses has the same power as Kakashi."
Naruto frowned and made a hand sign.
"Hey wait! It's useless to use the kage bunshin with those two as your enemy. You'll only be wasting your chakra."
"Crap."
For a moment it was silent as they all observed each other. Then…
"This is going to be good." Said Obito gleefully.
Kakashi nodded his agreement. It wasn't often you got to see a fight between sannin.
"Summoning jutsu!"
Both Jiraiya and the enemy had performed the jutsu at the same time. Orochimaru and Kabuto appeared on top of a huge snake, while Jiraiya only managed to summon Gamakichi.
"'Sup." Greeted the little toad.
"Wh-what!?"
"AH!"
"Your stupidity still hasn't been cured Jiraiya. Then I attack first." Exclaimed Orochimaru. "I don't think there exists anyone less talented than you."
Glaring Naruto tried the jutsu, only to summon a small yellow toad. They all face palmed.
Kushina winced. "Still having problems with your chakra control, huh? I had the same trouble with it."
"What are you doing here, Gamatatsu?" asked Gamakichi.
"Ah, older brother Gamakishi."
The snake attacked. What followed next was an intense battle between Jiraiya and Orochimaru and Shizune and Kabuto. Naruto didn't see much of this as he was swallowed by the snake again and briefly lost consciousness.
He came to, to see Kabuto kicking Tsunade repeatedly. He stood up and ran forward just in time to intercept a punch the man threw, which connected on his forehead, shielded by his headband.
Both Tsunade and Kabuto looked shocked. Blood ran down his face, making his glare all the more menacing.
"Now I'll put an end to this!"
They were silent.
Quickly he tried to for a rasengan and thrust it toward Kabuto's face. The man easily dodged the attack. He taped Naruto in the leg with his hand covered in chakra, making the boy fall down.
He clutched his leg.
"I managed to put a crack in your right femur bone." Sneered Kabuto. "Even after all that, you're still moving. But you can't win, since you can't stand."
"Ow." Moaned Naruto in pain.
Tsunade frowned.
"Heh, afraid of me? Do you feel like running away?"
The man held up a card. "Naruto, isn't this picture of you from around the time of the chuunin exams¸ You're nothing special, Naruto. You should run if you can still move. It was luck that you became a genin. With your exceptional spirit it would be fitting for you to become Hokage but for that you cannot be cowardly. Now do you think you could possibly become something like that? If you want to grow up to become a true champion, it'd be best if you ran. Under these circumstances you should just quit. A person should run away when they feel like it."
"That's depressing." Muttered Obito.
Rin shushed him, still watching the memory intently.
Naruto Glared at the guy. (Capital G was deserved in this situation)
"No no no, what's with those eyes? That'll get you killed! If you die here, you'll never attain your dreams or anything else."
Tsunade looked on with wide eyes, still stunned by the trauma the blood had awakened. Kabuto approached the kid and kicked him in the stomach.
"For a kid like you I think the decision is completely simple. So if you can speak so calmly about a dream like that, you cannot run away. Then die." He finished with a smirk.
Naruto coughed. "Upright… I'm … not dead yet."
Trembling, Naruto got back on his feet. "That is my way of the ninja."
Kabuto hit him again with such force he landed just before Tsunade. He got back up.
"Why- why are you…" tried Tsunade.
"Old lady Tsunade." Started Naruto while he made hand signs. "Remember the arrangements of that bet? Now you'll have to give me that bad luck amulet of yours. Kage bunshin no jutsu!"
Naruto created one clone.
"Naruto, stop it!" Tsunade screamed.
"Stubborn." Muttered Chouza.
Kabuto drew a kunai and started running. "For that insolence, I'll give you death!"
"If you die you'll never ACCOMPLISH YOUR DREAMS OR ANYTHING ELSE!" cried Tsunade. "That's enough Naruto! Get out of the way! RUN!"
"Truly great." Muttered the blond.
Blood splashed everywhere. Naruto caught the kunai with his left hand, letting it stab his palm and grabbed Kabuto's hand. He smiled despite the blood on his face. "Until I become Hokage, I refuse to die."
Kabuto and Tsunade watched him with wide eyes.
"You won't be able to escape from this one."
Naruto held out his left hand and with the help of his clone managed to create a perfect Rasengan. He yelled and slammed the small blue chakra ball into Kabuto's chest. The sound ninja was violently thrown back until he collided with a large rock but he was still conscious.
"Yes!" cheered Jiraiya, Obito and Rin.
"Unbelieveble." Said Minato shocked. "You actually did it."
Naruto grinned proudly.
Naruto coughed up blood and fell on his back. Tsunade was at his side immediately.
"You took that attack. You-" commented Tsunade to Kabuto.
"I collected chakra in my abdomen before I took it and began recovering immediately. I'm the one who saved Orochimaru's life. It's senseless to try and kill me with that technique. My resilience is overwhelming. An ability that allows me to activate all of my cells with which to replace my damaged ones. This technique, it looked like Naruto-kun's last gamble."
"Not good enough." Smiled Minato knowingly.
Suddenly he spit out blood, started trembling and fell to his knees.
"W-what?! My healing ability, with this level of damage… my chakra won't be sufficient."
Naruto started coughing. Tsunade placed her ear on his chest. She heard his heartbeat.
"Shit! The muscles of his heart are worn out, his heartbeat has become erratic."
She pumped green chakra into his chest.
Even lying down Kabuto couldn't resist bragging.
"The chakra in his heart muscles has been sapped. The blood flow to his heart has been cut off. I've cut off any potential for him to recover on his own."
"Shut up!"
Tears gathered in Tsunade's eyes as she tried to save Naruto.
The seal appeared on his stomach. A black space was shown, bars could barely been seen.
'It's dark. So dark. Why is it so dark? My… power… why?'
"The Kyuubi again huh?" asked Minato softly.
"You came that close to dying?" asked Kushina.
Naruto nodded. He gently patted his stomach, where Kurama was currently sleeping to help him absorb his younger self's chakra.
Bright specks of light started falling in the dark. Tsunade was shown again.
"Don't die. Don't die. Don't die!" she kept repeating it over and over again.
Then Naruto's hand gently grabbed her necklace. Tiredly, he barely managed to open one eye. He smiled.
"The bet… I won."
The scene turned black.
It opened again showing Tsunade's smiling face.
"The Fifth Hokage?" exclaimed Naruto loudly.
"Really? You stop there? Come on, I wanna know what happens next!" complained Obito.
"I was unconscious!" yelled Naruto indignantly. "They fought, kicked ass and Orochimaru and Kabuto ran away! The end."
"Alright, calm down. Both of you." Pleaded Minato as Obito looked a bit at Naruto's outburst.
Tsunade, Shizune, Jiraiya and the blond were once again seated in the same booth at the same bar from before.
"So old hag Tsunade is going to become the Fifth Hokage starting today eh?"
"What are you irritated with, Naruto?" asked Jiraiya.
"Because if you compare her with the Third, she's rough, selfish, loose with money, easily pissed off and stupid." Said Naruto frowning. "Are you sure she can do it? I'm worried."
Tsunade glared nastily at the blond.
As did past Tsunade.
Shizune laughed awkwardly. "Tsunade-sama, you wanna order something?"
"Besides, isn't she a 50-year old hag? She's faking her youth. Someone like the Hokage shouldn't deceive everyone like that."
Tsunade erupted.
"Let's take this outside, brat!"
"Again?" asked Jiraiya with a sigh.
Naruto didn't look impressed. Jiraiya only sighed.
"Sheesh, same as last time."
"You really don't change much, sensei." Said Minato fondly.
The man grinned.
They stood in the streets again.
"Hmph, I'm Hokage no matter what you say. I don't need to be serious with a brat like you. This is all I need." A finger was raised.
"Stop calling me a brat dammit!" Naruto exclaimed. "I'll be Hokage someday too!"
Tsunade smiled softly.
"Come on!" Naruto surged forward. Tsunade unhooked his headband and prepared herself to flick his forehead again. Naruto, seeing what was coming, closed his eyes. Then opened them again in shock as he realized she kissed his forehead. She placed a hand on his heart and smiled at him.
"Become a good man."
Naruto smiled. "Roger!"
"Well, that was awesome!" exclaimed Obito.
Minato nodded his agreement.
"It's a nice place to end for today." Agreed the Hokage.
"What already?" asked the young Uchiha. "It's not even dinner time yet."
"That might be, young shinobi, but there is still a war going on. We can't spend all our time in here." Scolded the old man lightly.
Obito blushed. They smiled at the boy.
"Naruto, Minato, if you could stay for a little bit." Said the Hokage as the others slowly left the room.
Both blonds nodded. Kushina stretched and winked at Minato before she and the others left the room.
"Now, Naruto you are allowed in the village. I have your cover story ready and here are your official documents."
Naruto looked at the papers the Hokage handed him.
"Namikaze Naruto?"
"Yes, you do look a lot like Minato and you could easily pass as brothers. I hope you don't mind, Minato?"
"No, I have no idea who my parents were, so a younger brother is not that impossible." Agreed the other. He looked towards Naruto. "You can stay at my place. I have a spare room."
"I was hoping you would say that." Smiled the Hokage as Naruto beamed.
"Thanks."
Both blonds left the room and the Hokage tower.
"So what do you want to do? Like Obito said, it's still too early to eat dinner." Asked Minato once they were on the streets.
"Actually I-" started Naruto seriously, only to be interrupted.
"Sensei!"
Minato's team and Kushina ran towards them.
"Hey there." Greeted the blond.
"Hello, Naruto-san." Greeted Rin.
"Just Naruto is fine."
"Ne, sensei, can we go do some training? Please, please, it's still early." Begged Obito.
The three students looked hopefully at their sensei.
Kushina laughed happily.
"Well, actually, I was going to spent some time with Naruto."
Naruto smiled softly. "Don't worry about me. Konoha hasn't changed that much and there is something I need to do."
"Yeah Minato, you go with your kiddies." Said Kushina not minding the protest from the younger shinobi at being called that. "I'll go with Naruto. We Uzumaki's need to take care of each other."
"Actually I'd rather go alone." Said Naruto softly.
Kushina grabbed his arm. "Nonsense." And she dragged him away.
Minato looked concerned after them.
"So where did you wanna go?"
Naruto sighed. Now he understood what his team had to put up with…
"I wanted to visit the memorial stone."
Kushina faltered a bit and slowed down.
"R-really, why?"
Naruto bit his lip. "I need to say goodbye to someone."
"Say, before you get all depressed, are you my kid?"
Naruto blinked and watched her carefully.
"What makes you think that?" he asked cautiously.
"Well, we share the same name, you have the Kyuubi sealed in you and you act quite like I did when I was younger, 'ttebane." Grinned the redhead. "Oh and you love ramen about as much as me."
"We should have a ramen-eating contest soon."
She grinned. "Sure, now don't distract me."
"What was the question again?" asked Naruto cheekily.
"Are you my son?" She looked him in the eyes, serious as he hadn't seen her before.
He nodded. She smiled softly.
"Come here, let me take a look at you." She gently took his face in her hands and studied him. He sighed softly and smiled at her.
"You're so handsome."
Tears gathered in his eyes.
"Thanks mom."
Kami, to be able to say something so simple… She threw her arms around him and hugged him tightly.
"I'm a mom." She laughed with such emotion he felt his tears fall. He buried his face in her neck and clung to her.
"I'm sorry you had to grow up alone."
He felt her tears fall on his shoulder as they hugged each other.
TBC.
So what do you think? Worth the wait?
