Heh, that chapter was enjoyable; I dislike Danzo as much as any person. I do agree with Sayle: don't expect a swift death for Danzo. As far as I'm aware, Jiraiya didn't hand Naruto the toad summoning scroll, but if anyone can tell me where, that'd be greatly appreciated. 3 I'll edit Shikaku's role: my bad there.

Once more, thank you so very much for the helpful reviews. They really help in writing this story. ^_^

Also, if you guys want a brilliant, fascinating Minato-resurrection story, go read Morta Priest's 'Torikaeru'. One of my favorite fics here, and important inspiration for my own. 333

Disclaimer: See first chapter.

Chapter Fourteen – An Overdue Visit

The evening was setting in gradually, the sky bathed in a radiant pink glow. The few clouds hanging in the sky shone deep pink and orange, framing the fire of the dying sun. A soft breeze blew through the rubble of Konoha, giving relief to those who had worked hard during the day to restore the village's glory. In short, the evening was splendid, a true spectacle of Nature.

Minato scarcely noticed.

The former Hokage had exited the Command room but ten minutes ago, walking through the village quietly. On his way, many people stopped him and talked to him, thanked him for returning or asked him to take care of those who had done that to Konoha. In reply, Minato smiled and chatted with each and every villager, his expression falsely welcoming. At any other time, he would have been happy to converse with the citizens of Konoha, civilians or shinobi alike. However, although he did his best to appear cheerful and content, his heart wasn't into it. After the first five minutes, he concealed his presence, moving undisturbed through the village. Those jounin and Anbu who detected him knew him well enough to let him be.

It was time.

Minato stopped veiling his presence when he arrived at his destination, just outside the village; the burial grounds. On its threshold, the blond hesitated, glancing around him. At the same time, he was both afraid of entering and relieved at finally arriving; his visit was long overdue. For several still minutes, the Fourth Hokage stood motionless, gazing at the expanse of grass that swayed with the wind almost like a wave. Finally, after taking a deep, calming breath, Minato took the difficult step forward, walking towards Konoha's shinobi graves.

Given the amount of graves it hosted, Konoha's graveyard was quite large. The area, separated from the village by a small stream and bridge, was eerily quiet and calm, peaceful. Trees surrounded it and grew within it almost as if the area had not been touched by man. Nature's touch on the resting place of the dead gave it a more welcoming,pleasant feel than it would have otherwise had. Glancing towards the treeline, Minato sighed heavily. To his left lay the clearing with the memorial stone, where all the heroes had their names carved. In front of him now, unhindered by trees stretched the ceremonial plaza, where funerals were held, an orange carving of a fire standing erect in its center. Just further ahead, after stepping through a stone fence, lay the graves of the various shinobi, arranged in a horizontal rectangle as one entered. In order to avoid his demons for as long as possible, Minato turned left and headed for the memorial stone.

Crickets chirped around in in the dusk as his feet carried him forward, passing the plaza where so many funerals must have been held, including his own. As he placed one foot in front of the other, Minato felt a pressure growing in his chest. The treeline was approaching fast and with them, his dread only increased. As his sandals struck the red tiles that decorated the ground before the glossy stone, Minato felt his pace slowing noticeably. Inwardly, the blond chided himself. You don't even have the courage to do this.

Eventually, the former Hokage found himself standing in front of the stone, fists clenched at his sides. His azure eyes were wide and staring at the names carved into the rock, characters blurring in his unfocused state. Come on, Minato. Pull yourself together! You need to know. Shaking his head lightly to clear it of stray thoughts, the blond knelt forwards and ran his hand across the marble. By memory alone, it wasn't hard to find the name he had last carved into the stone, sixteen years ago: Shou Akasa. To his dismay, the stone was almost filled up, at least a hundred names added on after his death. He ran his hand over them all, feeling a stab of pain in the heart for every shinobi that had lost their life.

"Umino Kyo and Umino Irumi..." Minato read aloud, stroking the two names written side by side. I'm sorry you had to leave your son for me. he thought sadly to himself, remembering the boy he had come to know during his lifetime. I'm sorry you had to sacrifice yourselves. Thank you, however, both of you. From the bottom of my heart. Without Iruka, my own son would still be lost. I'll take care of him now, I promise you.

Sighing, he continued, skipping over his and Kushina's names altogether; his would have to be removed and Kushina's... That name he couldn't face just yet. The night was still too young and the pain in his heart too deep. Instead, he traced other names, clustered together. He could tell just by the ache in his chest that they had all died in the Kyuubi attack; died for him, waiting for him to save them. Several names stood out which he traced with gentle fingers.

"Rin..."

The name was painful to breathe, painful even to think of. Unbidden, an image of the quiet, cheerful girl came to mind, with her gentle brown eyes and purple clan tattoos. It almost caused him physical pain to read her name on the memorial stone, knowing that he had failed another student, had failed to get there in time. Kakashi's words from several days ago came to mind, bringing with them a fresh wave of guilt: 'The Third held your funeral in the morning; he had all of you together, you and Kushina, Umino Kyo and Irumi... Rin...' Another pang of guilt stabbed him in the heart, eliciting a winded gasp. Breathlessly, Minato leaned forward, supporting himself on the Memorial Stone with one arm.

I'm sorry. I failed you all. I couldn't get there in time, couldn't stop any of your deaths. I'm so sorry. he thought, knowing that he wasn't really to blame for it all, but still feeling as if he should take responsibility. After all, it was the Hokage who was responsible for his village. Shivering in the light breeze, Minato remained in the same position for several moments, eyes closed tightly. After he had calmed his breathing, he sat back on his haunches, gazing at the stone, eyes somewhat red-rimmed. He didn't let any tears fall, however; he owed it to the dead to respect their sacrifice and their choices.

Turning away from that section of the Memorial stone, Minato was somewhat relieved that the names thinned out far more over the following sixteen years. The pang of loss didn't lessen with each passing name, however, as all the fallen shinobi had once been under his command. As for those he didn't recognize, the pain was even greater, for Minato knew them to be young genin or chuunin, scarcely eighteen years of age. Names stuck out here and there, people he had been well familiar with.

Yuuhi Akane.

Uchiha Fugaku and the remainder of his clan.

Sarutobi Yamiro and Asuma.

Sarutobi Hiruzen.

With pain flaring anew in his chest, Minato barely chocked back a low moan of grief. There were so many people, so many faces that had died and there was nothing he could do to save them. He was too late, once more, and had no other choice but to sit there and mourn Konoha's heroes.

This time, it took several minutes before Minato managed to calm himself down, blinking at the smooth stone blankly. Taking a slightly deeper breath and holding it in, Minato brought his hands together and sent a prayer up to the deceased.

Rest well, my friends. I will do my best to ensure your sacrifice is not in vain.

Releasing his held breath, Minato pushed himself up and bowed to the memorial stone slightly, eyes closed as he finished his prayer. He cast a final glance at the names, stroking the smooth rock's glossy surface before turning his back to it, walking away. The wind blew gently onto him, drying the tears that had risen to his eyes and blowing his hair back out of his face, even causing his coat to billow out from behind him. Though his step was lighter when leaving the clearing, the former Hokage's chest felt far heavier with guilt and pain. For a split second, Minato considered leaving and returning another time, but the thought dismissed itself immediately. I owe it to them, I owe them at least this much. Besides, what kind of Hokage shies away from the honored dead?

When he was back at the plaza, Minato found himself staring at the carved flame. In the bright moonlight, the statue seemed almost to flicker and move, leading Minato to blinking in order to cease the illusion. Almost subconsciously, his feet carried him to the stone, a hand rested on the rough texture.

"The Will of Fire..." Minato muttered under his breath, sighing slowly. "You always were a poet, Sarutobi-sama." Despite the evident sorrow in the man's voice, his lips quirked upwards into a slight smile. As his hand dropped from the carving, an idea occurred to the young Hokage, strengthening his smil

e slightly. A hand ventured into his weapons' holster as he made his way towards the inner chamber; the resting place for the fallen shinobi.

This time, Minato didn't allow himself to hesitate. Instead, the blond walked in purposefully, only slightly overwhelmed by the number of graves. His step faltered for only a second before he resumed his brisk pace, crossing the cemetery to the other side. There, on a separate level one reached by climbing a few stairs, lay four graves, marble tombstones gray with time and age. Giving no thought to the first two, which he knew to be empty, Minato approached the final duo, shivering violently as he laid eyes upon one of them.

His tomb.

Although he had been quite nonchalant about waking up in his coffin when he had been discussing the matter with Shikaku and Kakashi, the thought now caused the Fourth Hokage to shudder violently and stumble, holding onto the tombstone for support. Once again, a sense of panic and claustrophobia coursed through his body, threatening to bring on a panic attack if he didn't gain control again.

Idly, it occurred to him that he had barely been back for five days. Everything that had happened suddenly crashed down onto the man's shoulders, sending him to his knees on the firm ground, hand clutching his throat. It took great effort to draw a clean breath and soon, his lungs were screaming for oxygen. Dark spots began dancing in front of his eyes before Minato leaned forwards, pressing his forehead into the cool grass.

I can't have a breakdown, not now. he thought to himself, almost pleading with his body. Closing his eyes, the former Hokage took in the scent of the fresh grass, felt the wind on his back and hair. Breathe... Focusing on his heartbeat, he managed to calm his breathing and avoid the onset of a full panic attack. Still, he remained on the ground for a minute before rising, glancing at his grave briefly. Whatever happened happened. I'm not in there, nor do I plan on returning for a while. he told himself firmly, finally releasing a taunt breath and moving forward determinedly. Bypassing his grave altogether. He moved instead to the grave beside his own, kneeling down on the grass and staring at the name, hands folded in his lap. His head was still light from the mini panic attack, but it slipped to the back of his mind as he gazed at the gravestone.

Sarutobi Hiruzen.

"Sandaime-sama." Minato spoke softly, head bent in respect. "I've been told what you did for Konoha...I don't really have much to tell you now, sitting in front of you even though you buried me years ago." Here, talking to a man whose death he didn't regret, he felt more at peace. As he sat, he thought of the old man, a steadfast symbol of strength and determination that the Fourth had always admired. The memory brought a bittersweet smile to his face. "I suppose I do have to apologize to you, as well, though." the blond continued with a faint smile. "I forced the paperwork back on you, didn't I? And you were so happy to finally get rid of it." A soft chuckle escaped his lips, the sound wistful, but not melancholic. As he spoke to the old man, Minato removed a brush he used for sealing from his pouch, uncorking a small bottle of ink in the process. "I'm sorry about Biwako- I never got the chance to tell you. You must be with her now aren't you?" A sudden flashback hit him; Kakashi's words again. Unbidden, a sad sigh escaped him. "Then again, you used the Shiki Fuujin yourself, didn't you...? I almost wish I had never created that seal... I refuse to apologize, though." he continued, voice soft and soothing. "You did your duty, as did I. I suppose only a Hokage can truly understand another, wouldn't you agree?"

As his hands worked, Minato continued talking to his sensei's sensei, occasionally chuckling in a somewhat bittersweet manner. When he was done, he rose to his feet, dusting his knees off. A smile had returned to his lips; the first one he'd truly given since entering the cemetery. After talking with his former colleague, he felt peaceful again, as if someone out there understood him. As if someone out there knew the burden he had had to bear and the sacrifice he had had to make. The image of the smiling old man reached him suddenly and the young man couldn't help but smile a little more widely, fondly stroking the stone as he rose.

"Thank you, Hiruzen." Minato said softly as he bowed to the grave, hands clasped in front of him. "I hope you may rest in peace, wherever you are, old friend. Thank you for listening, as always." Thank you for giving me the strength to do what I must. he added to himself, not allowing those private thoughts to slip out despite knowing he was alone.

When the Fourth Hokage turned to leave the raised platform, a calligraphy brush was left on the marble of his predecessor's tomb. There, weighed down by a fist-sized rock, lay a paper, inscribed with sealing ik that would take a while to fade.

'When the tree leaves dance, one shall find flames. The fire's shadow will illuminate the village, and once again, tree leaves shall bud anew.'

"Hello, Kushina."

When he spoke, his voice was low again, hesitant. Despite the obvious grief in his eyes, Minato didn't flinch away from the old grave. His smile was full of love and pain and, gently, tenderly, the man stooped to stroke his wife's name inscribed on the marble.

It had taken him a while to find the old grave, kept clean and tidy by the various Academy students. He sent those children a silent thanks as he sat down in front of his wife's tombstone, unable to help the silly grin that appeared on his face.

"I know what you're probably thinking... it took me long enough, didn't it...?" he smiled, leaning back on his hands and staring up at the starry sky. "I'm sorry for taking my time. I guess I wasn't brave enough to come here earlier. I could make excuses, but you'll only call me a flake again. I suppose you could still call me one, as I've been acting like it." Softly, Minato chuckled again, looking down towards where her body would be lying.

"I met him, do you know?" he smiled, sitting up now so that he would be closer to her. "Your son's just as impossible as you. He found a way to talk that Nagato out of destroying Konoha entirely. Brought me back in the process. He's really something, Kushina... You'll love him when you meet him. It shouldn't be too long now. I didn't tell him how we met, or what we told him when he parted. I left that to you; thought you'd want to do it yourself. After all, you are the mother."

Chuckling to himself again softly, Minato reached for the grass and played with it, not daring to pull even one blade out of place. "You know he perfected my Rasengan? I've only seen it briefly, but it looks spectacular. I'll have to get him to try and show me what he did, where I went wrong. Oh, he also asked me to teach him the Hiraishin." A sorrowful edge entered his voice, but he remained smiling , albeit bitterly. "Lets just hope he's better at it than you, eh? And to think, he even wants to be Hokage... Just like us. Really, Kushina, I can't wait for you to meet him. I would have him train to control the Kyuubi here and now, but it's not time yet. Please, try and be patient, though I know that's like asking the sea to not be wet."

Resting his hand against the cool marble, Minato allowed himself to think of his late wife, to remember her smile and loud voice, the smell of her hair and the feel of her lips. Exhaling softly, he shook his head at the torrent of memories. "I forgot to mention. I've beaten our bet one, and I'm going to beat it again. I suppose it's nothing new, since I won't be the first Hokage to receive leadership over the village a second time." Briefly, his mind went to the man he had been talking to earlier, and smiled even more. "I'm going to be this village's Hokage, Kushina, and I'll be our child's father. I'll be there for both of them and protect them with everything I have. I promise."

Minato finally lapsed into a comfortable silence, tracing his wife's name with a finger tenderly, a warm, loving smile on his face. The meeting had gone far better than he could have ever hoped for. The grief might have been close to his heart, but he knew just by sitting at her grave that his love wouldn't have wanted him to be consumed by his grief. She would have wanted him to move on and focus on the matters at hand. To concentrate on their son, and on the village they had both died to protect. Just knowing that Kushina was here, ready to listen whenever he needed to talk made Minato feel instantly lighter. As he sat by her, the wind gentle and fragrant on his face, the shinobi couldn't remember what had seemed so daunting when he had entered the graveyard earlier that day, plagued by ghosts. He would live, just as she would have wanted him to.

"I love you." Minato breathed after an immeasurable amount of time just seated there, drinking in the sights and smells of the beautiful night. "I miss you, Kushina. But I'm going to do my best- I promise you. You don't have to worry about us anymore. I have to go now, but I'll be back soon. I'll bring Naruto with me, too. He wants to meet you, to learn about you. I've told him all the important parts, like how you were the stubbornest woman I ever met." he grinned as the wind picked up slightly, blowing a few leaves into his face. "Hey, I included 'most beautiful' as well!" he laughed, getting to his feet. Looking at the tombstone once more, he smiled, his eyes in less turmoil than when he'd entered the cemetery, chest less tight.

"I'll be back. Until then, watch over us, my love."

When Kakashi caught up to his sensei, he found the man seated on top of his head on the Hokage monument, gazing down at the village. From so high up, the little settlement appeared as little more than a small light in the dark, a spark trying to catch amidst freshly fallen leaves. At first, he approached with caution, but the gentle, peaceful smile on his sensei's tranquil face set him at ease.

Earlier that afternoon, he had followed his sensei as he left the command room, knowing his old teacher all too well to know he would push his limits on all the fronts. It hadn't escaped his attention how the man had appeared tense and haunted ever since stepping foot into the cemetery. Still, he had elected to remain concealed, watching from a safe distance.

He had watched as his sensei talked to the dead he knew at the memorial stone. He had watched, and almost intervened as his sensei almost had a panic attack at his own grave, but had held himself back at the last moment. He had looked on as his sensei prepared the slip of calligraphy he had left on the Third's tomb, had noticed how his heart had appeared lighter after the discussion.

He had left, however, when his sensei had moved to Uzumaki Kushina, his late wife's grave. Up until that point, he could justify his concerns as valid anxiety for his sensei's mental state. After seeing the determined look in his eyes, however, he could no longer justify his prying eyes. Grieving was something people should be allowed to do, especially when it concerned those they loved. Thus, the copy-nin had discretely left, waiting for his sensei to finish. He had been anxious for his mentor's state, yes, but the man in front of him was one that had conquered hi ghosts, not the other way around.

He had always known he could believe in his sensei.

As he approached, Minato turned his head to look up at him, a playful grin appearing on his face. "Finally stepped out of the shadows, eh, Kakashi?" he asked teasingly, surprising Kakashi only a little. The Hatake didn't comment as he stood beside the blond. Whether or not he had been discovered didn't matter to him as long as his sensei was alright with it. When he turned to ask, he saw his sensei's bright eyes sparkling brilliantly, their verve and fire renewed.

"I love watching Konoha from up here." Minato said suddenly, gazing down at the patchwork buildings and makeshift shelters. "It seems so fragile, like a flame I have to rekindle, a candle I can't let go out." Kakashi raised an eyebrow as Minato laughed at his own wittiness, shaking his head.

"Let me guess. The fire's shadow will illuminate the village hidden in the leaves, right, sensei?" he asked in a carefully light tone, eliciting a pleased smile from Minato.

"As long as new leaves grow on the tree, Kakashi, the old can afford to fall off." he answered, earning a puzzled look in return. "Come on. We should be heading back before Naruto starts wondering where we are." the former Hokage smiled instead of answering the unspoken question, getting to his feet.

"The only thing Naruto will be wondering about is whether he can eat without us." Kakashi quipped lightly, earning a laugh from Minato. The blond shot his student a grin, then raised two fingers in a handseal and salute before vanishing into thin air.

Standing atop the Hokage monument, Kakashi shook his head and took one of his favorite books out. Really, he should have known better than to worry about his sensei.

The man was illumination itself, after all.