Disclaimer: I don't own Naruto.
The Shinigami decides to be merciful tonight, allowing a man a few final moments to say good bye.
Minato edges towards his wailing son, feeling the clawed hands of the Shinigami begin to pierce him. Not yet…
His eyes fill with salt tears as he rubs the soft blond fuzz on his head and he leans down to kiss his tender forehead. Naruto has been cleaned of the sticky amniotic fluid that always accompanies a birth.
Minato's sea blue eyes darken to see the ugly black spiral seal snaking up the baby's belly, the livid marks a reminder of what he had done to the child, of what has been sealed inside of him.
He draws his arms around his son, pulling him closer. It is so cold this October. You may grow up hating me for what I've done, but you have to believe me, I think it was the right thing to do. The fox couldn't be allowed to destroy any more of the village.
Naruto's sobbing begins to die down as he realizes that there is something warm and soft around him. Minato smiles a watery, tearful smile as Naruto opens his eyes and looks at him. Baby blue eyes, eyes the color of cornflowers in spring stare back at his father, full of wonder and adoration.
A sob chokes in Minato's throat as he remembers that this is the look, the look of total, unconditional trust, that almost made him not seal the Kyuubi in him. Minato knows he doesn't deserve that sort of trust.
I'm so sorry.
The two snuggle closer together as Minato feels the grip of the Shinigami tighten. "I don't want to lose you," he whispers, only a few tears dripping from his dimming eyes now. "But I don't seem to have much of a choice. Oh well," he smiles weakly, attempting to make a joke. "I guess I'm going to have to go explain all of this to your mother now."
A patter of feet alert Minato. He looks up. Greeting him is a pair of mismatched eyes, one black, one Sharingan red. Kakashi stares down at him, his face above the mask pale and drained.
As the Shinigami finally tears Minato's life from his veins, he finds the strength to whisper, with an almost serene smile on his face, "Take care of him, Kakashi. He's a hero."
I feel so sorry for Minato.