Lights in the Fridge

Disclaimer: I don't own Naruto.

Author's Note: Had to stay home sick today and it hurts for me to swallow, so I've been living on a liquid diet of peaches and tea. Lovely Monday I'm having, huh?

I find it strange to think that this story has gotten over 500 reviews. It's incredible to me, so I want to thank all of the reviewers and the readers who have kept this story going.

Also, there's a movie and a book reference in here. Kudos to anyone who knows them!

-~-~-~-~

The thing about family disasters is that you never have to wait long before the next one puts the previous one into perspective. ~Robert Brault,

-~-~-~-~

Minato and Kushina step through the door, luggage in hand and they instinctively stop in the doorway. It has yet to happen that they come home from anywhere and there is not some kind of disaster waiting for them. But the living room was clean, the walls devoid of any smears or holes.

Cautiously, they continued forward. "Kakashi! Naruto!" Minato called. "We're home."

"Over here!"

Minato was grateful that there was no anger, restrained or otherwise, in his student's voice. Minato left his suitcase by the door, Kushina going immediately for a glass of grape juice (Suna didn't have any and she mourned it) and he glanced in the bathroom.

His eyebrows disappeared into his bangs when he saw the sight that lay within. There were bubbles frosting the ceiling (he was not even going to begin to think about how they got up there) and water had formed puddles on the tiled floor.

Kakashi was doing a very good impression of Santa Claus with his hair all plastered flat like it was and the bubbles framing his chin in a rather impressive beard. His clothes were plastered to him and Pakkun was resting comfortably on his shoulder.

Minato's seven year old was standing in the tub, pajamas soaked through and had apparently been attempting to make a mohawk out of his hair with the bubbles when he walked in. The fox that Naruto had brought home, named Sohrab after a character in a book that Sasuke had read, was pawing at the almost-mohawk.

Minato sighed. "Dare I ask?"

Kakashi arched an eyebrow. "Go ahead, ask."

"Alright. What in the name of the Holy Hand Grenade of Antioch is going on?"

Kakashi let out a long breath. "Let's just say that Pakkun and Sohrab don't exactly get along all that well."

Minato fetched a towel from the hall closet and motioned Kakashi over to him. When the teenager neared, Minato began furiously, though he was careful not to let it really hurt, toweling the silver hair dry. "I think that is putting it very, very lightly."

"At least Kushina doesn't have to work very hard to get Naruto into the bath." Kakashi said hopefully and Minato had a feeling that there was a slight, sheepish smile beneath the mask and beard.

"You're lucky I'm tired, brat." Giving the moist hair a final, affectionate ruffle, Minato continued, "I'm so tired from the trip that I forgot to get a picture of this for blackmail."

"How are you tired after coming back from vacation?" Kakashi whirled to glare at him, though much of the effect was lost because of the bubbly beard. "And you wouldn't dare."

Minato grinned wickedly. "I would. But because I'm such a good person, I decided to give you a break." He crossed the room to his son, careful to avoid the puddles. Naruto grinned at him and hugged his father tightly, leaving Minato with a very wet midsection.

"Oh, and by the way, Kakashi," The teenager looked at his teacher. "What kind of student did I teach that you can't even show a seven year old how to make a mohawk with bubbles?"

Kakashi tossed the towel at him. "See if I baby/pet-sit for you again."

Minato's laughter echoed off of the bubble-frosted walls.