White
4.
"…Sakumo would have never let them get away."
He was talking to himself again.
Usually, he caught himself before words tumbled out of his mouth randomly like this. He NEVER wanted to be that man who mumbled to himself, even if it was a silly reminder pick up some bread or milk. "Nobody needs to know we need cheese…oh…!" He cursed. He turned his head away from the door. And cursed aloud again. Why should he? He had everything in the world right now. Damn straight.
He stood and headed out the door to walk down the halls. He even smiled a little, faintly. Yes. Everything was going well, considering. All those things out there in the light were turning as supposed to, and all those things moving in the dark were moving, as they should. Yes indeed. And here he was, coursing leisurely between both. No one knowing just how much he was involved in either. "Fine night," he said aloud. To a prison guard.
The man nodded. "Oh, sir, I heard about Itachi…Congratulations!"
"Thank you," Fugaku smiled.
"Top of his class. You must be so proud."
"Very much so. Carry on."
"Yes sir!" saluted the genin.
Fugaku walked outside. And made a round. It took him near the Hokage Tower. It took him near the marketplace. It took him to the bridge across the little river. The thought of his genius kid took his mind off Orochimaru and Jiraiya. Itachi. Oh Itachi would be of great help to his plans. Itachi was the perfect, powerful vessel. How blessed could Fugaku be?
"Oh, good evening Fugaku-san."
"…Yondaime-sama!" All of a sudden Fugaku's back straightened when he recognized the voice.
Minato smiled, "Off duty?"
"Yes—Well, no. Never off duty."
"I was just coming on duty…so to speak. I have someplace very important to go tonight."
Minato's friendly nature invited conversation. It was infectious. "The border, sir?" Minato nodded, "Some preparations must be made. But first thing's first."
Fugaku looked at him as if he did not know as to what Minato was referring.
Minato smiled, "My wife," he said, showing some flowers from behind his back.
Fugaku smiled, a little.
"Good-bye then."
"Safe journey sir…to both locations."
"Thank you."
Flash.
Fugaku stood there. "Flowers aren't a bad idea right about now…Oh shit I've done it again." Before he ended the round, heading for the Yamanaka Flower shop, he noticed Homura and Sandaime, walking, in the night. Sarutobi often walked alone. Having a companion made Fugaku curious, but he bought the flowers and went home.
.
Kushina stared. "Oh, sweetheart…how nice…" She took them and then beat his collar, "You said you were going to pick me up at six!"
"I know, I know, I'm so sorry I was—"
"You flashing mob of one!" Kushina exclaimed, swatting at his head with them as he tried to duck. "Explain yourself!"
"I was in the meeting…"
"In the meeting!" she repeated. "A hokage, in a meeting! How ridiculous!"
"Extraordinarily…" Minato agreed with a weary undertone.
"Exactly!" Kushina grumbled and put—popped the surviving flowers inside a vase without any water for their poor aching feet.
"I really am sorry Kushina, I tried, but the mission…"
"The mission, yes, the mission to Kannabi."
"Kushina…"
"No, it's all right… it's all right…"
Minato cocked his head. "I'm really sorry."
Kushina fought down a grin. His eyes were a bassets, and his lip was curling, genuinely sorry. "Oh Minato," she threw her arms around him. "Please be careful. Please?"
"I will."
She released him and let him go to the bedroom to pick up stuff that he needed in his pack.
Kushina went to the kitchen to fill the vase with water before she followed him and sat upon the bed, watching him intently from behind. He was tall and slim, yellow hair, and his cloak was on. The one that said Yondaime Hokage. She smiled. She liked the cloak. It was red and white. "Is this for me?" he asked.
She contained a grin. The only thing better than flowers were sweets to go with. "Thank you, Kushina…for these…They'll be great…for the road…They…are for me, right?"
She laughed.
They were silent for a while until Minato turned, "I've got some preparations to…make," he said.
"I know," she understood. "We'll do dinner some other time."
"When I get back."
"When you get back."
"Oh Minato," she stood and threw her arms around him, "Please be safe, please!"
"I can take care of myself."
"You have students to take care of too."
"Kakashi will be a jounin in a couple days."
"Yes well, he's what, thirteen? Hormonal and lonely. I always thought it was sad what he went through. Watch him."
Minato nodded. "I was hoping to work on him more…We'll be all right. I can't guarantee it, but I will make an effort."
"You do that," she smiled, and held him for a long time. "I'll miss you."
"I miss you already."
"Really?"
"Really," he smiled.
"Ohh!"
"Kushina, I do have to go soon."
"How soon."
"KUSHINA!"
…
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