He found his student sitting at the top of the Hokage monument, as he knew he would.
Minato's house had been empty after all and a drop-by the Hokage's administrative building had informed him that the blonde had passed by early in the morning - darn his early riser habits - and dropped off a report on his latest missions.
With little else in way of information Jiraya had made an informed guess and headed for their shared favourite spot for contemplation - Sandaime's stony image overlooking the village.
The sun was starting to climb higher, warming the stones pleasantly - it was promising yet another calm spring day and Minato seemed to have decided to enjoy it, eyeing the cherry blossoms scattering with the wind below him and all over Konoha.
Jiraya took in his expressions, noting the traces of tiredom and past combat, shadows below his eyes and healing bruises adorning his face and jaw, and the older man sighed.
"How long are you planning on standing there, Jiraya-sensei?"
He had felt him, of course he had. The boy's ridiculous sensor abilities had unnerved him plenty of times and the frogs had only helped him to improve that.
"I was just wondering whether you were asleep sitting." he jibed and moved to join his student.
Minato chuckled.
"I seem to be getting that a lot lately."
"I thought I had imparted the most vital of knowledge to my dear student - you must know better than anyone where the best inns and hot springs for peaceful rest are."
"Sensei… I did my best to try and forget most of these." the blond man said pointedly and Jiraya had to laugh a throaty laugh as more than one merry occasions came to his mind.
"So, hero of the war and all that? I hear you got one of the Hyuuga kids out of trouble. I guess our old tricks came in handy."
His bawdy grin was rewarded with a nervous smile from the blonde and Jiraya was certain that Minato was still getting accustomed to his new-found fame.
"I found myself somewhat useful. Although I don't think I'll be able to pull that trick twice."
The Sannin snorted.
"You can say that again. I'd bet you a bottle of the finest sake that they're rewriting the bingo books as we speak."
"What do you reckon?" the younger man said, a mischievous tint to his smile.
"Most likely kill-on-sight. Got it faster than I ever did, damn brat."
His words were met with a quiet laugh.
"Had a good teacher I guess."
"Tsch. Flattery, eh? It will get you places." the Sannin said and flashed him a grin.
It was easy slipping into old antics. The truth was he had missed his clever student and their casual witty banter. He never thought he'd think it, but the time spent on his own ever since Minato had returned to Konoha had been decidedly less pleasant, despite the lack of nagging for his favourite inappropriate activities.
"So what brings you home? Any problems?"
"Why does everyone keep assuming there are problems when I come back?!"
"Well… for starters your last visit wasn't exactly for pleasure."
To Minato's credit his voice wavered only once as he went for nonchalance.
Jiraya sighed, feeling the weariness seep in him. Pleasant chatter couldn't last them, not with so very many things unsaid. So many things that couldn't be expressed. Uzu would always weigh on them.
He gulped as the silence stretched.
"They were a good people. Friends. I wish we could have done more."
And he tried to imbed in these words how much he meant them. Because they had tried. They had both almost died. They'd done everything they could; but sometimes it was just not enough.
Minato nodded stiffly, not saying anything on the matter, but his eyes bore a weight that the Sannin had hoped he wouldn't get to see in the cheerful man, and he had to suppress a cringe.
He could have warned his student about what it meant to be the hero of the war, losses and successes, all stained in blood. His team had been just that after all, during the last great war.
But it wasn't like Minato hadn't known; if anything his student was much smarter than Jiraya had ever been at that age. He had known it and he had dived in it with little thought about himself nevertheless, all for Konoha. But it was one thing to know it and another to live it.
And the young jounin had seen it and felt it first hand.
"You know I've told you about plenty of my victories in the previous war. Because I was pretty great, everyone knows it." he said and winked through a somewhat dashing smile before settling down for a more serious voice. "But I guess I should have told you more about my failures too. And boy, did I fail plenty. It wasn't pretty. I won't mince it for you, I didn't always win. I had to make tough calls. People died."
Minato was eyeing him warily, one hand clenching and unclenching over his knee.
"How… how did you handle it all?" the blonde asked, voice tight.
"Not half as well as you're handling it, I'll tell you that much. It took me awhile to forgive myself, but time helps. And also my stubborn teammates who kicked me back up pretty hard every time I got down. Tsunade has a mean punch, ya know, I wouldn't dare cross her."
At that the younger man did smile, a tentative fleeting sight, not quite reaching his eyes.
"Kushina told me as much two nights ago. About trusting my friends and comrades to be there for me."
And Jiraya couldn't help but grin at that, warmth spilling in his chest.
You seem to be in good hands here, Minato.
"Lucky you, getting out with just an earful. I wouldn't risk having that talk twice. I bet that damned girl kicks no less hard than Tsunade, gods save us from vicious seal-weavers. No offence, brat."
"None taken." his student said affably and something seemed to have lifted off his chest.
"So. I hear you'll be taking on a student of your own."
At this Minato finally looked up, a look between uncertainty and amusement passing over him.
"So it seems. Sandaime-sama appointed me as Kakashi Hatake's instructor, starting next week."
"You look pleased."
"I suppose I am. I guess I wanted to take on a genin team one day… And Kakashi is exceptional, it'd be an honour to teach him. I just hope I'm ready."
Jiraya reached out a grizzly hand, patting his student on the back for old times' sake.
"Sure you are. Just do everything that I did and you'll be fine."
"Everything?" the young man said, cocking an eyebrow.
"Sure. You turned out fine, didn't you? Guess you have to start frequenting hot springs. You're a good stealth, I bet the ladies won't see you half the time!"
"S-sensei!"
She didn't even know how she had gathered the courage to seek him out after her dismissal not but a day ago. Her sides warmed up at the thought of it, of him in the dark and the way he had looked at her back then, and she tried very hard to cast the thought aside.
There was something she needed to do.
Taking in a deep breath she finally lifted a hand and knocked.
Silence answered her at first and she started gnawing on her lip absent-mindedly, worrying that she might wake him up even though it was nearing noon.
"Kushina?" came his mildly surprised voice from behind her just as she was about to knock again, and she turned half-startled.
Sure enough he was there, climbing the steps to the front door of his house with a groceries bag in one hand. Judging by the look on his face he was just as surprised about her being there, before a warm smile spilled on his face.
"Hi" she said past a gulp, reminding herself why she had come.
It was important.
"Hello. Were you waiting long? I was just fetching some groceries, my kitchen's all dust and cobwebs." Minato continued as he neared her, adjusting his grip on the purchases, one hand diving deftly in a pocket to fetch his keys.
He sounded so very casual, friendly smile never leaving his face, that for a second Kushina wondered if she had imagined the events of two nights ago all together.
"Not long. I was wondering if I had been convincing enough in my rants that you decided to spend the days sleeping, ya know." she said and he huffed in amusement.
"The thought crossed my mind." he admitted merrily, unlocking his door and waving a quick seal before his face.
The air before him shimmered imperceptibly, shifting, and Kushina peered at him curiously, wondering what seals he had set up to protect his home.
His lips quirked up upon noticing her look and he paused in the doorway, turning to face her.
"Would you like to come in? I'm afraid the place isn't at its best, I have yet to finish tidying up after all these months away, but still… you're always welcome."
"I… thank you. I would love to, but I was actually here to extend my last offer." she said hesitantly, wondering when was the last time she had been to Minato's house.
It must have been years ago, before he left with Jiraya in the first place, and yet she remembered it with crystal clarity. His home had held a warmth that only carefree childhood could instill.
He inclined his head, holding her look, and she wondered if he was remembering that so-very-intimate night they had spent talking on the engawa of the ryokan.
"The place you said you want to show me when we're back."
"Yes. I'm going today, if you want to join me, ya know."
"And you won't tell me where we're going before we get there." he said, the amused tint never leaving his voice.
She smirked in return, already feeling the confirmation in his words. There were no "if"-s; she'd asked so he would come.
"Nope."
He sighed, running his free hand through his hair and her eyes followed the movement on their own accord. His locks were messy as always, even more tousled as he ran his fingers through them, giving him a carefree look.
Sun-kissed, she had always thought.
Memories came forth unbidden, of merry afternoons spent in their training field, lying sprawled in the grass, his soft hair only inches from her face, both of them bending over Fuin books and talking ecstatically.
Her smile turned mischievous as she found herself easily slipping into old habits, favourite of which had been to tease her best friend.
"I see you were planning on spending the day cleaning though. I'd hate to deprive you of the pleasure, ya know."
"It'd be a shame indeed. But I'm all about selflessness, I'll make the sacrifice." he quipped back, not skipping a beat and she grinned. "Give me a second."
He slipped in his apartment quickly and reappeared not a few minutes later after having dropped the bag off.
"Well ain't you fast, ya know."
A smile.
"I've heard it mentioned once or twice."
A quick seal and he had locked his place, the two of them heading down the stairs and towards the street.
"Have you marked southeast of Konoha?"
"Less thoroughly than up North. Do you have a region in mind?"
"How about east of Akagahara, towards the Tobirama river?" she said, her feet carrying her towards the southern village gates on their own accord. They still needed to sign themselves out if they were to leave the village temporarily or Sandaime might have a fit.
"Hmm… I do have a mark in the area. If you show me on the map-"
"Kushina-neesan!" an excited voice interrupted him and the redhead rooted to the spot, recognising the boisterous outburst with little difficulty.
She turned, lips already pulling in a wide grin, just as the enthusiastic genin barrelled into her, wrapping two arms around her merrily.
"Kemuri-kun! It's been so long! I'm glad to see you well, ya know!" she said and happily tousled his hair before the boy stepped back, positively beaming up at her.
She had kept tabs on him, of course, inquiring after his missions whenever she could, and had been happy to know that Kemuri was doing well despite the long deployment. She had been only too glad to find out that at some point his team had been appointed as guard detail to the Daimiyo's wife (most likely because of his immediate relationship with Konoha's Hokage) and he had in fact stayed away from the war fronts for the most part.
"You're back, finally! I've been in Konoha for a few days now, but I heard you were on a mission to save Konoha's Yellow Flash! You are so cool, Kushina-neesan!"
Kushina had to suppress a guffaw, remembering how very little saving Minato had actually needed.
"Naturally." she said instead, flashing him a proud smirk. "The windy-head would be lost without me, ya know!"
"Indeed." Minato murmured, amusement colouring his voice as his eyes darted to her with an oddly meaningful look "It's nice to see you again, Kemuri-kun."
"Yeah, yeah, good to see you too Namikaze Hedgehog-san." the boy said quickly before turning to her again and this time Kushina couldn't hold back her laughter as she saw Minato's dejected expression.
At this the boy's grin grew even larger, as if basking in his pride for making her laugh, straightening his back and making to look taller. Mirth washed over her yet again; it was quite clear what the relentless genin was trying to do. Apparently he hadn't given up on his antics.
"You're as beautiful as always!" Kemuri proclaimed loudly, giving her a thumbs up as if to approve of her lack of change, and she couldn't help her giggles. Who knew which book the brat had read, advising him to compliment ladies. "So, how about that date?"
He was practically vibrating on the spot with excitement.
From the corner of her eyes she could see Minato fighting laughter.
She sighed. Somehow she knew Kemuri had thought of little else in the past months since she had last seen him.
"You promised, Kushina-neesan!"
"Yeah, yeah… But I'm busy right now, Kemuri-kun."
The boy cast the blond jounin a sour look.
"With him?"
Minato's smile had acquired an apologetic tint.
"With… an important mission. Minato is helping me, ya know."
"I could help you, Kushina-neesan! I'm really great at missions, Madam Shiji was really happy with me! Although she said she'd be happier if I talked less, but I think she is a very serious lady and she likes strong silent men, which I can be! I'm plenty strong!"
At this point Minato couldn't hold back his merry chuckle.
"I'd be loath to stand in the way of your romantic life…" he started and Kushina shot him a dirty look which only made him laugh again.
Much as she adored Kemuri and as glad as she was to see him home, she was starting to feel a twinge of annoyance at his tenacity.
But she had promised.
She tried to aim for a level tone, smile never leaving her face even as she felt her one eyebrow twitch.
"I promised you, brat, so I'll do it, but not today. Pick another day, ya know."
At first the boy's face dropped, disappointment spelled clear in his whole posture, before a new thought seemed to occur to him and he looked back up, excitement crackling in his eyes again.
"Sunday then!" he called and his liveliness gave her pause, wondering what was on Sunday that had thrilled him so.
And then it hit her. She almost groaned.
The Hanami festival. The cherry blossom trees were in full bloom. And attending said festival with a date was considered a very public proclamation of your status, as far as old customs went.
Minato had stilled by her side, stealing glances at her through a somewhat thoughtful expression. She felt her cheeks warm up and was glad that Kemuri was too dense to notice, lest he misinterprets it as romantic affection aimed at him.
"Sure, Sunday, whatever, ya know." she said quickly, trying not to roll her eyes at the ecstatic yell of happiness that followed, Kemuri practically jumping in the air with a cheer. "Meet you by the red bridges at noon."
"Noon? But Kushina-neesan, the lanterns light up at night-"
"And adults go drinking at night, it's not for underage gennin. Remember the shinobi vices; responsible young men always respect them." she said matter-of-factly, seeing the boy's smile falter in uncertainty, as if wondering if he was being cheated out of what was promised.
"I hear the cherry blossoms are most beautiful at sunset." Minato said quietly, winking at Kemuri, "It's a very romantic time to part ways."
At this she did roll her eyes.
But it had worked. Kemuri beamed once again.
"Alright! I can't wait!"
"Sunday at noon, shrimp, don't forget. It's impolite to have a lady waiting, ya know." she said and he nodded enthusiastically.
"I'll be there!"
The constriction lasted barely a second, squeezing her all about in a now familiar way, as they stepped on the other side of it and Kushina blinked quickly, taking in the forest clearing they now found themselves in. The trees rustled quietly all around them, breeze making them whisper calmly every which way. The rush of the Tobirama river could be heard not too far off in the distance.
It was a breath of fresh air after the hustle and bustle of the busy Konoha streets, now even more hectic with the festival preparations.
Minato seemed to also be taking in the peaceful atmosphere by her side, eyes fleeting closed as he took in a deep breath.
"This should put us some eight kilometers North-East of the location you showed me." he said after a beat and she nodded.
"Shall we?"
"Lead the way."
They took to the trees casually. Most shinobi could make the distance in less than fifteen minutes, Minato probably for half that time, but Kushina was happy to enjoy spring's merits and they were not in a hurry.
"So." she quipped through a coy smile after some minutes of companionable silence. "Cherry Blossoms are romantic at sunset time, huh?"
She could have sworn he faltered in his step, almost missing a branch, his next jump somewhat less confident.
"Or so I hear."
"And I wondered what Jiraya-sensei had been teaching you all those years, ya know."
Despite the swish of the wind past her ears in their run, Kushina was certain she heard him grunt.
"Are you going?" she asked before she could stop herself.
The curious question had been burning on the tip of her tongue ever since Kemuri had brought it up. It shouldn't interest her so.
And yet.
Minato stole a glance at her, calm eyes studying her quietly before he looked ahead again.
"I hadn't given it any thought. I suppose I would. It's been ages since I attended the Konoha Hanami."
She nodded automatically, swallowing past the newly formed lump in her throat.
Cherry blossoms were romantic at sunset. He'd be there, enjoying them with someone else.
He could go with most anyone. She had seen how girls eyed him, especially now when he was not just Minato, but Konoha's Yellow Flash. He need only ask.
Or just agree. She was certain there were plenty of women who would be happy to do the asking themselves.
"I guess we might run into each other then." she said as she saw the path leading to their destination up ahead and jumped down lightly.
Within a heartbeat Minato had done the same, silently landing by her side.
"I don't know if that would be a good idea." he said through a bemused smile "I don't think Kemuri-kun enjoys my company very much."
At this the redhead rolled her eyes. Again. Kemuri Sarutobi had the power to make her do just that, day in and day out, no matter how fond she was of the adorable loud-mouth of a genin.
"Don't mind him. He sees you as a rival for my affection, ya know." she said, waving her hand dismissively, not even quite realising what she had said.
And then her brain caught up with her mouth, effectively shutting her up.
Fire sneaked up her face as she realised what she had blurted out, eyes widening.
Minato stilled by her side, holding her look.
"Does he now?" he said quietly, a tint of amusement in his voice.
Her throat was suddenly dry.
"I… I just meant… He sees we're close… friends, ya know." she mumbled, twisting a lock of hair in her hands.
Her cheeks were aflame.
"Of course." Minato murmured, warmth ever-present in his eyes and he trailed her fingers with a look as they kneaded her fiery hair.
She gulped.
The trees rustled quietly above them, making sunspots dance merrily across his face, light catching in the cloudless blue of his eyes and she found it impossible to glance away. His look was open, trusting, knowing. And ever-so patient.
You shouldn't look at me like this. I'm a jinchuuriki. I'm broken.
"I… we're almost there, ya know." she said instead, turning abruptly and heading down the path without even glancing back to see if he would follow.
Within a heartbeat he had caught up, falling into step beside her.
"You know, I still don't have a guess about where you're taking me."
"You wouldn't. It was set up a few months earlier, while you were away." she said quietly, not quite daring to look back at him.
If she could guess she'd say that there would be a thoughtful expression on his face right about now, gears turning as he pieced out the information. Already child laughter could be heard in the distance, echoing happily amongst the trees, the merry chaos of the settlement spilling into the forest about it.
She could almost pinpoint the exact moment when realisation dawned on him, his feet slowing down as they approached the break in the trees, sunny meadow stretching ahead of them before the small cluster of colourful buildings.
And above doors and through windows, woven in clothes drying on laundry lines, scribbled in chalk on the hut walls or carved in the wooden porches, from all around them Uzu's familiar spiral looked on.
Minato froze in one spot, sucking in a shocked breath, and Kushina chanced a glance up at him. His face had gone pale, eyes wide with surprise and something more brittle, a masked sense of a deep ache.
There was a reason why she hadn't told him where they were going. She had feared that if he had known he wouldn't have come at all. Now, seeing his reaction, she thought she might have been right.
"Uzushiogakure's survivors refused to settle in a shinobi village again. This place used to be one of the crisis centres turned orphanages with the war. It housed some of them, but later they were all gathered here and more huts were added to house everyone, ya know. They were sixty-four, now seventy-two, welcoming the babies. This place… it's their new home… at least until the children grow up and choose where to settle. The women care for them, along with volunteers. But this way they can grow up together. With a sense of community. And of home, ya know." she said quietly, eyes roaming over the group of children who were playing in the afternoon sun, oblivious to the world around them.
"I come here every now and then. There are some chakra-sensitive amongst them. I teach them basic seals, the clan's art. Most are civilians though. They just have fun with the stories, ya know. They… helped me a great deal. To overcome it. They are what my parents and all of Uzu fought for… a future. And Minato…"
She paused, turning to face him, and he reluctantly peeled his gaze from the sight before him, finding her eyes through a still dazed look.
"They are all here because of you. Because you saved them. They are seventy-two reasons why you didn't fail. And seventy-two reasons to forgive yourself."
She watched it all quietly, which was a feat in itself, as she was so rarely quiet. But she was so very conscious of the fact that this was hard for him, that it took a feat of bravery to confront the fears that plagued your nightmares every night, to stand up to the darkness that was your own and no one else's.
And he was brave and strong, she had always known it, now more than ever as she observed wordlessly, never leaving his side.
She watched him go through shock and agitation, dismay and humility as they all came forth in their own time, all the women who recognised him instantly, as soon as he appeared at their new home.
She saw him tense as they made to thank him, gratitude spilling in their words for the lives he had saved, their own and those of their children. She saw him deliberate, the tense edge to his shoulders betraying the misplaced feeling of inadequacy that she knew he was harbouring.
But there was a shift there too, a fragile sense of hope blossoming in his eyes as he sought her out with a look, as if uncertain if this was okay.
He wanted to be happy that they were well, those people he had saved.
And the answering smile that spilled on her face then was brilliant and honest.
He would be okay.
He was leaning on a blooming tree at the edge of the meadow, arms crossed casually before him as he observed the view before him through half-lidded eyes.
Kushina was sitting in the grass with a group of children, mostly younger girls, all about her, sprawled in the soft tufts or sorting through baskets of flowers, chatting merrily, their ringing laughter peeling around them and mixing with the springtime birdsong.
They were taking turns playing with her hair, trying out elaborate braids and decorating it with azaleas and pansies and any which petals they could find.
And she was laughing along with them, telling them stories, merry eyes crinkled in her mirth. Every now and then she would wave her hands as she dove into an exciting tale and she would yelp as she forgot her hair was otherwise occupied, yanking forward. The children would laugh then as she mock-chided them before settling back, clearly not one bit upset about their ministrations.
Her one hand was currently casually caressing the scarlet locks of a young girl who was sitting by her side and leaning into her. A gentle smile was playing in the corners of her lips, so impossibly full of fondness and of love that it made his heart clench as he watched.
She was so beautiful that it took his breath away.
For the first time in a very long time, Minato felt at peace, just standing there in that meadow, watching her. He thought he could do that always and it would never be enough.
Just then she looked up, meeting his look, smile softening as a blush crept up her face.
How she could make his heart skip a beat with a simple look he would never know.
His reverie was broken by a little girl, not older than three, waddling up to him with conviction, little eyebrows set in a deliberate way.
"Hello little one. What's your name?" Minato murmured as he knelt beside her.
"Kairi." she said before reaching a chubby hand for the plum blossoms above them both. "Up." she continued with all the command that only a determined toddler could have and he chuckled, kneeling to pick her up.
He settled her gently on his shoulders where she could reach the blossoms better, much to her delight, if her elated squeal was anything to go by.
She must have gotten what she needed, because she finally settled, one small hand patting his hair happily before another command was issued.
"Go, 'shina-onesan." she said and he was only too happy to do as she asked, taking her to the others in a few strides.
His eyes found Kushina's straight away and he realised she had been watching the exchange quietly, almost wistfully. She smiled brighter as she saw them approach, gesturing to the ground beside her and he knelt next to her carefully, trying not to jostle the child as he did so. He picked her up lightly and settled her on the grass between them, chuckling at the child's enthusiasm.
The girl giggled, small hand full of squashed petals, and she toddled forward to put them in Kushina's lap.
"Thank you, Kairi-chan, they're beautiful, ya know!" she said, beaming at the girl and patting her hair affectionately before Kairi gurgled a sound of happiness and moved aside, another quest demanding her attention.
Minato followed her with an amused look.
"You're good with kids." he heard Kushina say quietly beside him, hesitantly almost, and he wondered if he was imagining the sad tint in her voice.
"I'm not so sure. I'll always remember how disastrous my first meeting with Kakashi-kun was." he said through a smile, glancing her way merrily.
To his delight she laughed, seemingly forgetting about whatever it was that had upset her.
It was quite wrong, having her upset. She was made for happiness, this woman who elated him so.
"You've gotten much better then, ya know."
"You are great with them too. They adore you." he murmured, turning to meet her eyes, not even bothering to look away after said look lingered, propriety be damned.
He wanted to drink it all in, making up for lost time in all these months spent away from her.
"They adore my hair, ever the aspiring-stylists, ya know." she grumbled through mock-annoyance and the girls about her giggled once again.
"Namikaze-san, do you like it?" an older girl said, gesturing to the thick braid they had made of Kushina's fiery locks, all adorned with flowers, contrasting beautifully to the rich red of her hair.
He felt his throat clamp up as he beheld her, warmth sneaking up his neck.
"It's beautiful." he said quietly, look holding hers as he did so in a rush of boldness that had suddenly overcome him.
Kemuri had called her beautiful earlier and he couldn't have agreed more, envying the easiness with which the child had complimented her. Why was it so complicated to do so himself?
He had so wanted to say it, at the same time being all too conscious of the night he'd sent her off upon their return. Her rebuffal had been kind but clear, Kushina obviously not wanting anything but his friendship overall. He was anything but unobservant and he had seen the signs of distress that his clumsy attempt at forwardness had caused. She had escaped him before he could say a word and he didn't want to make her feel ill-at-ease again.
And yet… he could pay her a compliment, could he not?
If friendship was all she wanted, he'd happily give her that, basking in her company despite the sting that it brought in him every time when he realised just how much he cared for her.
How much he wanted her.
The girls giggled, perhaps noticing the honesty in his words and he saw her sides redden to match her hair.
"You've done a wonderful job." he said, swallowing past the rush of emotion and finally glancing away from Kushina, smiling at her stylists instead.
The appearance of the boys who had been playing not-too-far-off in the meadow saved him from having to answer any curious questions his words might have brought on.
"Kushina-neesan! You promised we'd play ninja together!" an older boy called out, sticking a tongue out at a scowling girl.
The kids were only too eager to have adults pay attention to them in their games it seemed.
A smirk spilled on his friend's face as she stole a quick glance at Minato and inclined her head in a bout of innocence that made him gulp nervously.
"I'd love to, Eiji-kun, but you know, I wouldn't be nearly as good as Konoha's Yellow Flash here, ya know."
The excited shouts that followed her admission indicated that the children had indeed heard of him, but hadn't made the connection before and he couldn't stop the grunt that escaped him, turning a look of betrayal at her.
Kushina huffed out a laugh.
Sorry, she signed in Konoha standard sign talk and his lips pulled in an exasperated smile despite himself as the boys ran to them with a million questions.
A couple of minutes later found him pulled amongst them in the meadow, being asked to join their games and he couldn't help glancing at Kushina who had quietly beckoned a boy closer earlier and whispered something to him, mischief dancing in her eyes. The boy had grinned, returning to his friends.
"What did you say to him?" he called back over his shoulder and Kushina's playful laughter already gave him a hint of what might come next.
"That tall people don't stand a chance before throngs of short attackers, ya know!" she called, just as the boys yelled "GET HIM!" and they all descended upon him, knocking him down in the soft grass through merry laughter.
The sun had set when they finally made to go, promising another visit as soon as they could, the children waving them off in excited shouts.
"That was fun, ya know." she said, turning forward and throwing her flower-filled heavy braid over one shoulder.
"Indeed." he said through a chuckle. "They are wonderful kids."
"They are, aren't they? I think they really liked you too. Not just because you're their badass war hero and all that."
He could see her grin despite the diminished light of the night, crescent moon barely reaching them below the thick canopy of trees. Shinobi had excellent eyesight after all; he didn't miss the way her red hair, darkened in the night, draped around her shoulders, revealing the crease of her neck, gentle wisps of red strands tickling her skin, and he gulped, willing his eyes up to her face again.
"Thank you. For taking me here." he said quietly, pausing to signal that they were close enough to reach his markers.
She stopped by his side, meeting his look in the evening gloom.
"Of course. I wanted to share it with you, ya know. I just wish…"
"What?"
"I wish that we could… that you could… with the war and all, you wouldn't be home much. I wish you could visit them more often, ya know."
He blinked, suddenly realising that with all the commotion around Kemuri's appearance and the Uzu survivors he hadn't told her of his new assignment and the smile that spilled on his face was elated.
She wanted to spend more time with him.
"I can, if you would have me. I didn't have the chance to tell you, but I'll be staying in Konoha for awhile."
Her eyes widened at that and the fragile hope that spilled in her eyes was easy to read even in the blackness of night. She was so open with him, unguarded, emotions worn on her sleeve, and yet she confused him so - one moment he thought he saw his feelings reflected in her look and then she'd step away firmly, wordlessly rebuking him.
"You will?"
"Sandaime-sama appointed me as Kakashi's jounin instructor, as he is clearly quite advanced for his age. So you see… I'll stick around for awhile, if there are no urgent missions."
"But… but that's wonderful, ya know!" she said, genuine happiness ringing in her voice. "Jounin-instructor, ya know! Congratulations! Wow, Kakashi will be thrilled. He didn't stop talking, ya know, about that time you helped him train. And you- you'll be a great teacher, ya know!"
"I hope you're right."
His hand had gone up to rub the back of his neck in sudden nervousness, finding himself praised before he had done any teaching at all. Her enthusiasm was infectious, warmth spilling in his chest.
"I'm always right, ya know." she quipped and he chuckled at that, inclining his head.
"So… if you wish… we could come here again sometime."
"That'd be wonderful, ya know. I mean… the kids would love it." she said, eyes suddenly darting sideways as a bout of uncertainty was about her. "And perhaps…" she started, biting her lip in habit and his eyes darted down on their own accord despite himself.
He felt his self-control slipping, stolen by the darkness about them that had sharpened his senses. He could feel the scent of the flowers in her hair, the warmth of her chakra beside him and the flutter of her heartbeat.
"Yes?" he breathed, feeling his pulse quicken.
By gods, how he wanted to kiss her. How he wanted to run his hands through her fiery hair, trailing fingers across her skin. How he wanted to press her against that tree behind her, to hear her whisper his name and-
The sudden flare of desire rooted him, coursed through him like fire and he had to will his breathing to calm down, fighting a groan. The images danced before his mindscape in a manner that would make his lecherous sensei most proud.
Her eyes had gone wide watching him, breath catching, and he wondered how much of his crumbling self-control she had seen.
"I…" she started and had to cough past a dry throat. "I thought it's been awhile since we trained together."
It was madness being this close to her on a daily basis. Seeing her every day for training again might be sweet torture.
"I'd like that." he said instead, gulping again and willing his heart to stop drumming. "I… we're not far off my first marker."
She hesitated only for a brief second before nodding and he reached forward tentatively, palm held up in an invitation. Ever her choice, he'd never force his touch on her. However much he wanted her.
She slipped her hand in his without looking away and he felt the shivers at the back of his neck, fresh fire running down his form. He need only close his fingers around hers, pull her lightly and close the distance between them and-
He swallowed thickly.
"Hold on." he said quietly instead and reached forward to the first Hiraishin tag, pulling them both across his markers and before Konoha's southern gate.
The loudness of the streets beyond assaulted them as soon as they stepped on the other side and her hand had quickly disappeared from his own, Kushina taking a hasty step back. And just like that the quiet delirium that had gripped them shattered, the emptiness stinging jarringly on the inside.
"I'll.. I'll see you Sunday." she said quietly and waved goodbye, turning to go before he could say much more.
"Yeah. Sunday…" he whispered, following her retreating form wistfully, eyes lingering on the swaying thick braid, a reminder of a wonderfully torturous day.
AN: Alright, we're getting there, those two are clearly at their wit's end :P
And yes, what can I say, Tangled may or may not be my favourite Disney film. Also, a small nod to my other Mina/Kushi fanfic here with that one flowery scene. Speaking of, forgive me for indulging in fluffy scenes, but if I ever saw a Minato Gaiden these kinds of things would be very much a part of what I would love to see. Hence my description of them.
And horraay, Kemuri is back!
I am also quite thrilled to be writing from Minato's perspective once again. His point of view is my favourite to explore, but I stayed away from it purposefully in the last few chapters. I'm quite excited for the next.
Thank you for your kind words and for your reviews, you've been most kind to express your support once again - it means a lot! I appreciate every review and your ideas are most welcome!
to huncwotka95: Thank you for pointing that out! If I have to be honest I do know there are no showers in ryokans and I actually deliberated on that one. I did research them and I read about the baths and take forever to heat up. So I figured it might make sense for travel inns to have showers in a fast-paced shinobi world, even the more traditional ryokans. I did it for time-saving's sake, please forgive the cultural clash, it wasn't done out of disrespect for Japanese customs!
Ja ne~