Hey y'all! Welcome back for the next chappie of Cerise Tides. Hopefully I can get this up for tomorrow, but if not then there's always next week. We'll see what happens I suppose. I really want to work more on this though. I also have other stories with fanfiction and original that require my attention as well. Hehes

Anyway, I hope you all enjoy what happens this time. Please remember to favorite, follow, etc. along with leaving some nice reviews.

Chapter 11: Vexation

Kakashi

Why does father need to bring him back? Yeah, he's my cousin and all, but he can be a real pest at times. Maybe he means well? I have no freaking idea at this point what his thoughts are heading him to. There's also a new presence in the palace that worries me. Has Naruto taken note of it too? If so, then how is he going to handle it? I doubt it's going to be a good reaction. Inwardly sighing to myself, I take him back in, seeing him perk up at sensing something inside of these walls.

"Do you feel it too?" Whispers Naruto, darting his gaze back and forth nervously.

Hesitantly, I respond to him, "Yes…I do. Are you aware of who it is?"

Biting his lower lip, Naruto nods, closing his eyes for a moment. Probably he's having a conversation with Kurama. It's no surprise there. It's come to be a normal occurrence where he takes some time to converse with her. It makes sense considering she's always going to be there within him until he dies to allow her freedom onto the world. Fortunately, that day isn't going to be anytime soon. I prefer for him to live a long and fruitful life; especially with me that is. Opening his eyes again, he has flecks of red within the usual sapphire orbs. Looking at me with determination there, I can tell he wants something in particular.

"I'll go see him. I'll meet you back in your room later, ok? Please don't worry about me, Kashi. I know what I'm doing when it comes to my own family."

()()()()()

Naruto

Sensing my father's chakra signature isn't something I thought I might come across down here. Approaching the throne room after Kakashi and I reluctantly separate our ways, I knock a few times on the double doors before being given permission to come inside. Sakumo is there as per usual although there's an all too familiar older blonde with him. Seeing me, I can tell he's nervous about this little reunion of ours. Yeah, this isn't the ideal place to have it, but I guess he has been thrown off his ship for him to end up down here of all places.

"Hey," is all I say at first to him, not sure how this will all play out.

"Naruto," breathes out Minato, swimming over to hug me tightly. "Thank Kami that you're alive. Honestly, I have no idea what you and Kushina have been through while I've been out trying to return to you both. Are you ok?"

"Of course," I embrace him back warmly, feeling at ease with knowing he's ok though it does worry me about those after us. "I met someone…."

"It's Kakashi, right?" Nudges my father, having a smile curve his lips as if he knows something I don't. "We all find our true mate at some point, my son. It's good to know you've come across yours now rather than later."

"You know of those after us, correct?" I question, feeling heat rush to my cheeks at what else he tells me, guessing he's probably right about that part. "About him….yeah, I suppose he's like that to me."

"Good," he releases me, seeming thoughtful as he recalls what else I spoke about. "Yes, I'm aware of what Madara plans. He has taken over our kingdoms ever since the day we managed to flee from there."

"Do you ever wish to reclaim them?" I pose this to him, feeling it's a good challenge to see what his honest opinion is about it.

"Perhaps one day…. Today isn't that one yet. Just you wait though because I'm sure he'll be looking for both of us now that I've come back to these fathoms."

Oks, that's the end of this chappie. I'm so terribly sorry for the late. Other stories, life, etc. has been getting in the way. Though I also have my original stories that take up most of my focus. I still try to update my fanfics when I can because I still work on them. I'm also having a hard time handling my mental health issues.

Anyway, I hope you all enjoyed. The next chappie will be out shortly whenever I have it finished being written up. Hopefully that won't be too long of a wait for it. Until then, please remember to review, darlings!