Title: where the spirits fly (and never die)
Summary: Minato exchanged his life for the use of Reaper Death Seal. Such deals go deeper than death. (OR: Minato is a Guardian Angel.) Wingfic. No Pairings. AU.
Category: Naruto
Title: "Haunted" by Skylar Grey
- The shinigami he'd summoned appoints him as a guardian angel - or bodyguard or undead babysitter; the entity doesn't care much for that title. It's Minato who prefers the term - to the son he'd died to protect. His life was exchanged for the use of the Reaper Death Seal, and that includes his afterlife is well. He is assured that his wife is safe - in what the shinigami says is the place souls go to rest and what the mortals refer to as heaven - and that he'll see her again, once his duty is done. Minato carefully doesn't ask when that might be, suspecting the answer with an unpleasant twinge in his chest already.
- Nothing has changed appearance-wise except for the addition of two almost blindingly white wings that, once fully extended, are as tall as him and at least three feet in width. They curve down, with the longest of his feathers almost-but-not-quite touching the floor. They are nearly see-through and incredibly light. There is no strain on his back at all, and they feel like an extension of himself, as if they'd been there all along and Minato had only just taken notice of them. He flexes them with barely a thought, and they respond easily. Childlike wonder fills his face as he takes flight, and he laughs.
- Time flows differently outside of the natural world, and his precious baby boy is no longer a baby when he finally returns to him. He is a ball of energy at six years old, loud and cheerful and talkative and with a grin that lights up the room. Minato is surely not biased when he notices these things, only observant.
- He quickly realizes that, rather than be lauded as a hero for stopping the Nine Tails from ravaging the village, his son is instead treated with suspicion and mistrust and hatred. Minato regards these sneering civilians - and Shinobi - with cold fury. His wings flare threateningly, and his mind runs through scenarios that will most efficiently handle the situation.
- It is human nature to want to place the blame upon someone or something else, but it is common sense! that without Naruto, there'd be no village left! What did Minato die for, what did he leave Naruto for, if this is the way his own son is being treated?
- He wraps his arms around a sniffling Naruto, and without conscious thought, his wings curl around the both of them, comfort and protectiveness and love emanating from him in waves. Naruto doesn't react outwardly, but he eventually does pull himself together, a small smile on his face.
- Naruto, throughout his life, has always felt a steady presence next to him, unseen and unheard, but he knows he's not imagining the feeling of belonging and comfort that seems to cling to him, especially when he is in any way upset. And he's not imagining the lack of tormentors or bullies that had always seemed to hone in on his location as soon as he so much as stepped outside. And he's not imagining the gentle but firm shove he'd felt when he'd hesitated in going after Sasuke-teme, uncertain in a way that isn't like him at all.
(He had gone after him, then, taking the encouragement as his own strength and chasing after the boy and doggedly chasing some more, until the kid finally acknowledged him. They become almost inseparable, leaching onto each others' insecurities and doubts and loneliness. Naruto may always feel that presence, but it's just that - a presence. It's not tangible, not someone he can talk to or hug back or confide in. Sasuke is all of those things and more because he understands.)
- Minato approves.
Notes: So this probably won't be more than one chapter, and even then, it'll most likely be short. Still, though, I like imagining Minato watching over Naruto, and I kind of need some fluffiness right now. Let me know if you'd like to see it! ^w^
