Chapter Forty-Six
The Hokage's office felt almost claustrophobic with the amount of issues packed inside it on the rainy night. Kakashi rubbed the bridge of his nose as the incessant drumming of the rain built tension in the room. Behind the Hokage's desk sat Minato, pensive and intently focused as a razor. Kakashi knew for as focus on the here and now as Minato was, he was intently worried about his son, just as he had been this night thirteen years ago. And like you aren't? Intense anxiety plagued both men on this night for the past thirteen years – the night when one critical moment changed the course of the Shinobi world. Kakashi shivered thinking about standing over Minato and Kushina's graves if he hadn't been there that night.
Enough dwelling on it, focus or we'll have another night of nights sooner rather than later. Seated before the Hokage's desk were Shikamaru and Temari, both looking deathly serious. Jiriaya, Tsunade, Fugaku Uchiha, Itachi Uchiha, Hiashi Hyūga, Anko, Might Guy, and Shikaku Nara sat beside them in a semi-circle around the desk. "So, there it is, everyone," Shikaku starred at Minato as if transmitting his thoughts directly. "We know the enemy is coming, as well as his plan of deployment, thanks in no small part to these two."
"What's his goal?" Shikamaru asked the obvious elephant in the room. "You don't murder a Kage, impersonate him, and prepare to start a war on a whim; so, what is his goal?"
Kakashi let the question roll around in his head. Unfortunately, no one had a satisfactory answer to the question. You were never good at discovering motives. Kakashi knew father had killed himself because of the shame of a particular failed mission; that was easy. However, Oorochimaru's goals were every bit as elusive as Obito's goals, starting with what Obito had been planning on doing thirteen years ago. For some reason, he couldn't help but wonder if the two plots against the village were linked somehow.
The conversation droned on, but his mind turned further from the task at hand. "Step away from the jinchuriki, or the boy dies!" He could still see the decision point, clear as it had been. Kakashi had seen the threat, and Kakashi didn't hesitate to jam the blade of his kunai through the neck of the assailant. Could he have done the same had he known it was someone he once considered his best friend? Could you have restrained yourself knowing what the hell he was doing, how many lives he would have destroyed besides Minato and Kushina's? For that matter, what do you know about that night?
Even years later, the nightmare played out in his head, and he'd wake up covered in sweat at 0200, still questioning what he was missing. I know he loved Rin, but she didn't love him, at least not that way. Would you really slaughter a village out of jealousy? He knew Kushina was carrying the Fox, but how? Nobody knew that! It was a goddamn state secret, and he was a low-level genin! Kushina never told him! The only people who would have known are in this room right now, and none of them would have sold her out!
"Kakashi?" Jiraiya's voice came from his side, "are you all right?"
"Huh," he shook out of his cocoon of recrimination, "Apologies, I haven't been sleeping well with everything that has been happening."
"It's fine, Kakashi," Minato reassured. "This date is not an easy one for most of us here. However, I believe our worries remain with these two."
"If it's all the same, Lord Hokage, the plan appears sound," Temari said.
"Temari, you can call me Minato," he offered a slight smile. "This meeting doesn't exist, and possibly never will if you take my meaning."
"I do, sir, I'm just not used to being this informal," she replied.
"Lord Minato," Shikamaru spoke, "If I might be so bold, I think it's dangerous for us to have Temari here…"
"Dammit, haven't I proven myself yet!" She shouted.
"I meant dangerous for you," he said flatly. "Her movements are watched way too closely, and her being seen at the Hokage's office could blow the whole game." He paused as stared at the girl, "And it would be putting her life in danger if the other side finds out she's been feeding us information and our plan fails."
"I agree," Kakashi said. "We thought an official cover story was in order." Behind his mask, Kakashi grinned naughtily.
"What sort of official cover story?" Temari eyed him skeptically.
"Your little stunt of carrying him out of danger was well-televised, and the tabloids gifted us the believable story that you two began a relationship after being stuck together in the field for almost three days."
Both Temari and Shikamaru recoiled at the suggested. "Me dating HIM!" Temari protested. "Ugh, what a pain! Seriously, this troublesome girl?!" Shikamaru joined the protest. Interestingly, Kakashi caught a strange reaction between the two. As both blushed, neither pulled away but instead moved slightly closer. If I didn't know better, I'd say the official cover story might be a little too accurate. During their debriefing, Choji and Ino had hinted Shikamaru's interest in Temari was more than professional. Shikamaru denied anything, almost too vigorously. Temari wasn't much different. To be young and struggling with puberty. Having dealt with so much trauma at a young age, Kakashi made no time for such things – probably why he was oblivious to Rin's feelings.
Lately, the emptiness of feelings began bugging Kakashi. He lost himself in his work, training Team Seven for the longest time and guarding Minato and his family. But things were changing: Naruto was leaving next year, Sakura would be starting her internship in earnest, and Hinata was increasingly more involved as a clan leader. For all purposes, Team Seven wouldn't exist soon, and he didn't know if there was anything to fill the hole with. His eye wandered to Jiriaiya and Tsunade, apparently both of them were now in a relationship. Maybe there is hope, but there probably isn't. Get over it and live in the now!
"Shikmaru," Shikaku scolded, "this is damn important to the safety of the village, and you will put aside whatever feelings you have toward this girl, and you will treat her with respect until this affair is resolved!"
"Yeah, Shikamaru, treat me with respect," Temari smirked wickedly. Even Kakashi had to crack a minor smile.
"Ugh, what a pain!" Shikamaru ran his fingers through his hair.
"Everyone, if that is all," Minato spoke up, "I believe we have a long day tomorrow. I suggest we all get some rest." The group began to disperse, Shikamaru storming out while being teased by Temari, followed by Shikaku, Guy Sensei, and finally Jiraiya and Tsunade. Only Minato and he remained. "Got something on your mind, Kakashi?" Minato asked.
"Do you have a bad feeling?" Kakashi had asked the question for the past eleven years this night. Minato had told him afterwards about the premonition, but there had never been another one.
"Not the kind you're asking about," Minato shook his head. "Can I ask you an odd question?"
"Shoot."
"Are we being too interventionist in their relationship?" Minato leaned back, folding his hands behind his head.
"I don't think so," Kakashi replied. "He cares for her, she cares for him; if anything, I wonder if we haven't been too hands off."
"How so?" Minato raised an eyebrow.
Kakashi sighed, truly out of his element, "Minato, I… I'm not one to lecture you on how to manage your son's romance life, but look at how screwed up I am because I didn't have someone to guide me on that journey. A father's love can be a terrible thing, as I always say."
"I guess," he looked at his watch, "I'll be having that conversation with him when he wakes up. Is everything ready?"
"Yes," Kakashi lightened his tone, "have fun with that." He turned to leave.
"Oh Kakashi," Minato called to his back, "I almost forgot," he reached into his pocket, "This was on my desk when I got it. It's addressed to you." Minato extracted a grey envelope.
"How did it get on your desk without one of us seeing it?" Kakashi asked, hairs on the back of his neck standing on end. He walked back to the desk and accepted the envelope, noting the neat spelling of his name on the front. On the back, a red heart sticker sealed the envelope, "You put Might Guy up to this, didn't you?"
Minato chuckled, "My wife is the prankster, not me; besides, does that look like Guy's writing?"
"No," Kakashi's voice trailed off. Cautiously, he tried the envelope between his fingers, feeling for anything that might be hazardous or the telltale warmth of an explosive tag. It's just an envelope. It's just an envelope sealed with a red heart sticker. His heart began climbing up his throat as he tore open the envelope, careful not to destroy it. The letter was good quality stationary that bore no mark. Kakashi unfolded it and read:
Dear Kakashi,
I've longed to have the courage to give this to you, to make my presence known. You've given so much to the village and those you care about for so long. Please know that your efforts have not gone unnoticed, that others care for you. I hope that one day soon, I will have to courage to speak to you in person.
Always yours,
Your Secret Admirer
"Minato," Kakashi spied his master's face for even the slightest reaction, "who gave this to you?"
"Like I said," Minato extended open palms, "it was on my desk when before we started the meeting." Minato's forehead furrowed in concern, "Is everything all right?"
"Minato," Kakashi handed him the letter, "who would send this?"
Minato scrutinized the letter, reading it then pulling it in close for further inspection. "Huh, seems you have a young lady that is a secret admirer."
"How do you know that?" Kakashi began feeling tight in his chest. He knows more than he's letting on, he has to!
"Well, for one, this is good quality stationary, not plain rag paper," Minato stroked his thumb over the letter of the corner. "Second, this was written by someone who is skilled in calligraphy and takes frequent, clean notes, judging by the quality of the calligraphy." Minato brought the letter close to his face, sniffing faintly, and smiling like dog rewarded with treats. "And finally, the faint scent of cherry blossoms," he held the letter up to the ceiling light and grinned wider, "ah yes, a young lady with thin lips." He handed Kakashi the letter back, "She kissed the letter before sealing it, but there are still traces of lip balm.
Kakashi seized the letter, holding at an angle. Indeed, there was a faint reflection of a woman's lips just beneath the closing of the letter. Impossible! For several awkward moments, he and Minato stood still. "Kakashi, are you all right?" Minato asked.
"I… I don't know," he shook his head. In the back of his head, he felt the weight of Rin's gaze on him. Her love for him had gone unrequited, and he hadn't had time to explore his feelings, whatever they were before she died. He had promised Obito he would protect her, and he failed, miserably. Whomever sent this couldn't have known, otherwise she wouldn't have sent it.
"Kakashi, sit down for a minute, my friend," Minato spoke in his sensei voice. After losing father at age eight, Minato had been the next closest thing to a father figure he'd ever had during his critical teen years. Right now, he was feeling very much like the frightened child who opened the front door to the house to find his father lying in a pool of his own blood. "Kakashi, have a seat, please," Minato's voice became more commanding. He sat down in front of the desk.
"Minato… Sensei," Kakashi sighed. "I don't understand."
"It's not easy understanding, Kakashi," Minato replied. "I lost my dad when I was eight, too," Minato crossed his arms, "I can barely remember him."
"Is that why you chose me for your team when the time came?" Kakashi asked.
"Part of it," he shrugged, "I hoped I could do a better job than Jiraiya did for me. I guess," he sighed, "I didn't do such a great job – lost two-thirds of my team, almost lost you a few times."
"Minato," Kakashi stared him in the eyes, "If it weren't for you and your family, I would be dead right." Kakashi stared back at the letter. Kakashi had built a veritable castle around his emotions to protect himself from harm, and now, a piece of paper that appeared from nowhere had suddenly caused the castle to crumble. "This," he held up the letter, "this isn't a bad joke; this letter is real!"
"Very real by the look of things," he shrugged with a light chuckle, "Unless Guy Sensei has gotten into some really weird stuff."
Even Kakashi laughed. "Well, another mystery to be solved before the year ends," he put the letter back in its envelope. He looked at Minato's thoughtful face, "You know who it is, don't you?" Kakashi asked.
"A strong suspicion," Minato smiled, "Would you like me to tell you, or would you like to figure it out, yourself?"
"I want to figure it out myself," Kakashi answered without hesitating. His heart raced at the thought of someone being interested after all this time.
"Excellent! I was hoping you'd say that."
"Were you?" Kakashi asked.
"Kakashi, you missed a lot of your childhood, that doesn't mean you have to miss out on life." Minato affirmed. "Now come on, we have an early morning ahead."
Minato sat in his son's desk chair, waiting for Naruto to wake up. The ritual had begun as part of his therapy after Naruto was born. Beginning on Naruto's first birthday, he woke at 0200, met with Kakashi, went to the shrine for Lord Sarutobi's wife, and placed flowers at her memorial. Afterward, they went to the memorial at Training Ground Three to pay their respects to comrades lost, particularly the six ANBU who died that terrible night. The cycle repeated year after year, including this year.
Minato returned home, did his morning exercises, showered, quietly got dressed, and made himself a large cup of coffee, grabbed the morning newspaper, and snuck into his boy's room at ten minutes to five. Before sitting down to his son's birthday morning ritual, he deviated slightly from the normal routine; he shut off the Naruto's alarm clock. As he sat in the milky predawn light, Minato stared at his exhausted son as he slept. Sleep well, son, you earned it this year.
As he sat watching Naruto, Minato hoped he and his wife were making the right decision by what they had planned today. The birthday wasn't just special to Naruto; it was special to all of them. This would be the last year he'd perform this part morning ritual. Naruto would be gone his next birthday, and he'd be too old for this when he got back. His boy was thirteen and becoming a man.
Naruto's shadow board hung, now decorated with newspaper clippings, and the before and after photo of his group of friends for Part II of the Chunin exams. Naruto's photograph was all smiles in the before photo, despite the early hour it was taken. The after photo looked much different. Naruto looked tired beyond simple physical exhaustion. After debriefing Naruto, the past month had disappeared. Minato could count on his hand how many father-son conversations they'd had in the past month. So much done by someone so young, more than I achieved by that age!
Minato sighed wishing the growing process wasn't taking such a toll on Naruto. I should have let the damned exam fly by so he could spend the rest of this year as a kid. Minato knew it was supremely selfish – Naruto would have been in agony missing the exam, and the village would be probably wandering toward even greater danger without forewarning if he and his friends hadn't participated. Minato was blindly trying to reconcile the conflicting desire to protect his son and let him grow at his own pace – an incredibly fast pace.
Growing up, Jiraiya had tried his best, but he was an orphan raising another orphan. Minato had failed Kakashi all the same, not being there to teach him how to live beyond being a shinobi until it was too late. This morning would be different. He was going to be there for his son, and he would have with Naruto the conversation he once needed to have with Kakashi. He would finally get to the bottom of what had been driving Naruto like a madman lately, and he would teach him the importance of this birthday. Minato smiled as he sipped his coffee and smiled. His son would be upset, initially, but he hoped his son would come to appreciate what they had planned.
"Mmm…" Naruto stirred, Minato almost thought he was waking up until he saw his boy's eyes darting behind his eyelids in REM sleep. Minato looked at the clock as he sipped his coffee – 0712. "Mmmm…" Naruto's head began turning as if he were trying to avoid something unpleasant in his dream. Minato wondered if he should wake Naruto when his boy whispered slowly, "Hi-Hinata." Oh crap, one of those dreams.
Minato silently wondered what the etiquette was for waking his son from a potentially wild teenage dream. There door was there, beckoning Minato to quietly leave, but Minato sat firmly rooted. He'd missed too much for his son already. When Naruto awoke, there was a good chance he'd be confused and have a world of questions. Minato would talk to his son about growing up. He would tell him about being a man and how to treat women. He would tell him the importance of not pushing people away when things got tough. Awkward as it might be, he wanted to explain it to Naruto and not Jiraiya or one of his friends.
"H-Hinata," Naruto moaned as he began slowly tossing and turning, his breathing accelerated to full on panting. "Hinata!" he moaned.
"Naruto," Minato said gently, awkwardly to no avail, "Naruto," he said slightly louder as his son bolted upright, his face contorted in the strange mix of pain, ecstasy, confusion, and embarrassment. He heaved several deep breaths before locking gaze with Minato. "Good morning son," Minato saluted with his coffee cup, "It seems we need to have a long talk about a few things. Oh, and happy birthday!"
Dizzy clouds circled Naruto's head as he walked along the thoroughfare decorated with paper lanterns as costumed children and adults hustled by. The Yokai Market?! Naruto strolled slowly among the bustle of revelers dressed as monsters and demons for the November holiday. Growing up, it was Naruto's favorite festival event, roughly halfway between his birthday and Hinata's birthday.
"Come on, Naruto!" Choji, Shikamaru, and Sasuke ran past dressed as bird-like tengu yokai. "Yeah, free barbecue to be had!" Choji burst from the seams of his costume. A wave of euphoria washed over Naruto at being here, feeling safe and free from the burden of missions and exams. Naruto hustled to catch up to his friends, looking down to see himself dressed in an orange nine-tailed fox costume, a much larger version of the one his mom had made for him as a child. The crowd grew thick, and his buddies disappeared into it.
As he pushed past a large crowd toward the smell of food, he entered a large void in the crowd – that was when he saw her. The girl wore a stark-white kimono trimmed a flaming red, a red hooded cape concealed her hair, and a mask covered the whole of her face. Naruto recognized the kitsune mask, similar to some of the ANBU masks. The mask was a glossy pearl white, clearly expensive, with scarlet accents, black whiskers, and blacked out eyes.
Whomever it was tilted her head slightly, like a curious animal eyeing a potential prey. Something about the shiny black-pearl eyes sent chills all the way down to Naruto's toes. There are no slits for vision; no one could see out of that thing! The fox-girl continued to regard him as his heart began pounding away. She took a step toward him with a slow, deliberate motion. Naruto recognized it as the movement of a wild animal getting ready to bounce.
He didn't remember if he ran or just walked briskly, but he was moving away from her on the edge of panic. A backward glance confirmed she had disappeared, but as he turned his head forward, she was blocking the path ahead of him. And now she was only half the distance she had been. Again, she tilted her head side to side, and she began approaching at a quicker, more deliberate pace, the glossy black singularities where eyes should be threatened to swallow him.
This time, Naruto turned and ran from whatever this demon was. "Naruto," a smooth, hazy voice followed behind him. Can't let her catch me! His breathing turned into panicked heaving and sweat began beading down his body against the feverish heat his costume trapped inside. "Naruto," again the voice assailed him, closer than before. He darted and ducked through the crowd, but every avenue escape seemed to have her blocking the way. "Naruto."
One path didn't appear blocked – the dark mouth of an alley. You're a shinobi; shadow is your friend! He took off full speed, his legs outpacing the beat of his heart until he was in the alleyway. The festive light and sound gave way to cold grey, black, and white as he ran deeper into the alley. The only sound now was the crunching of snow under his shoes. Snow?!
Fluffy tufts of snowflakes fell like cotton fuzz. It all came back to him; the alleyway, he remembered it. "Naruto," the low whisper carried from the mouth of the alley. The fox-lady blocked his escape much as Kumo's Head Shinobi had blocked Hinata and his escape from this same alley ten years ago. She paused statue-still.
"Who are you!" Naruto challenged, wishing he felt has as strong as his voice sounded.
Wordlessly, she shook as if giggling intensely. "What are you afraid of?" the voice became solid as she pulled back the hood and slowly pulled the mask aside. Her face was almost pale as the mask, but her eyes were anything but lifeless as the pale amethyst Byakugan focused on him. Hinata smirked, accented by fox whiskers painted on her cheeks.
"H-H-Hinata," Naruto stammered, relieved to see her. Despite the wave of relief, Naruto's heart sat firmly in his throat. She's so beautiful in that costume!
"What's wrong, honey," she began closing the distance to him, "why are you running away from me?"
Despite her non-threatening demeanor, Naruto's legs urged him to run; except, there was nowhere to run. "I… I… I'm…" Naruto choked on his words, "I'm not afraid of you, Hinata." He tugged at his collar hoping to release some of the pent up heat from his costume.
"And yet, you run when I draw near," she was almost to him, "Why? Why do you push me away when I'm so close?"
"I…" Naruto shook," I don't…. I…"
"Do you not like me anymore?" her face became sullen.
Instantly he felt his panic surge, "No, no, it's not that!" He took her by the hands as he protested.
Her beautiful eyes once again met his, "My future Hokage," her hand caressed his cheek, cool but not cold, "I've chased you so long, wanted to be next to you." She drew herself closer to him, snaking her hands around his neck and shoulders. "And now I have you!" Hinata kissed him forcefully; so much so that his knees gave out.
As they fell backwards, they didn't land pavement or snow, but rather, they were cocooned together Hinata's sleeping bag at their camp by the river outside the village. A crackling campfire and the warmth of snuggling together caused tiny sweat rivulets to tickle his body. She didn't release him from her kiss as her hands began tracing along his face. He, too, was determined not to separate; he snaked his arms around her back, massaging the length of her spine. Ever since the night he breathed for her in the bunker, he thought about coming back here and doing this with her. She separated from him, her hot breath along his neck as he felt her nibbling hickeys into his skin. Naruto felt pleasantly fuzzyheaded as her lips began suckling toward his left ear.
"Hinata…" his voice trembled breathlessly as she reached the bottom of his ear, "… I love you!" he moaned as she sucked on his earlobe, tracing it in her tongue. His lips splint into a trickster grin as a giddy headrush made him dizzy.
"Naruto!" she moaned to his ear.
"Hinata," he moaned, paralyzed by her.
"Naruto!" His body began tingling throughout with electricity.
"Naruto," a familiar masculine voice sounded in his head. DAD! Naruto's eyes opened in alarm. He thrashed against harsh morning light and his body jerked upright as he the strangest sensation in his core. OH GOD! His breathing was deep and rapid, and his fingers clutched his sheets. He was in his room, in his bed, and Dad was sitting there at his desk. A strange sensation in his shorts left Naruto a strange cascade of confused and embarrassed. Oh god! Did Dad just really see me do that!
"Good morning, son," Dad raised his coffee cup, "It seems we need to have a long talk about a few things. Oh, and happy birthday!" Dad smiled as if this was a meeting at the Hokage's office.
"Dad!" Naruto's voice squeaked, "I think I…" Naruto couldn't finish.
"If it was the type of dream that leaves your shorts a sticky mess," Dad shrugged, "it's nothing to be ashamed of; it just means you're becoming a man."
Momentary relief washed over Naruto. Having a wet dream was awkward enough; at least Dad was cool about it. His relief was soon dashed when he saw the alarm clock – 0735! Oh shit! I'm late! "Dad, tell me that clock is wrong!" Naruto hollered, voice cracking again.
"Oh, it's quite right," Dad grinned.
"Dammit, I'm late for training!" Naruto began awkwardly trying to extract himself from the tangle of his sheets and blanket.
"No, you're not, Naruto," Dad insisted, "By my special order your team is taking the day off; you are taking the day off. And yes, I'm the one who shut off the alarm."
"Dad," Naruto shook his head, "what is going on?"
"What's going on?" Minato looked shocked, "What's going on is it is your thirteenth birthday, young man – I mean that part about being a young man – and for the past few months you've been determined to avoid that fact. So, you might as well tell me, why?" Dad rested his chin on his hands. "Before part two you were all smiles and high as a kite after Hinata's duel, and you've been acting like the oldest teenager I've ever seen ever since."
"Dad," Naruto sighed, "It's just another day. Part Three is only a week away, and you know what's going to happen…"
"Yes, I know. I've been to war before, and I'm hoping we avoid a full-on open conflict again. But life goes on, son, even in war." Dad sighed, "I wish… I wish there had been another way other than reading you into this thing, but," he paused, looking at Naruto, "So many more lives would be in danger right now if it weren't for you and your friends. You all had to grow up so much faster than necessary."
"Dad," Naruto felt guilty, knowing how much his birthday meant to his parents, "can't we just celebrate another day? After the tournament, after this mess is over."
A thoughtful look painted Dad's face, turning into a thin smile. "Let me tell you story about the most important lesson I learned…"
"Dad, you already told me the story about letting things go after the war," Naruto cut him off.
"No," he shook his head, "this is a different story, one you've never heard – one you might find incredibly relevant to your situation."
Naruto sighed, shaking his head, "And what might that story be."
"The time your mom and I broke up," Minato spoke quickly, as if trying skip over something painful in just saying the sentence.
"Wait, what?!" Naruto contorted his face in confusion. Dad nodded. "Dad, what are you talking about? You and Mom have been together since you rescued her at age twelve," Naruto paused, digging through his memory for any mention of other boyfriends or girlfriend, "right?"
"Admittedly," Dad chuckled, "Mom and I don't talk much about it, much like how you don't like talking about the New Years at the Hyūga Compound. But, I think it contains a lesson, if you'll hear it." Dad spread his hands. Naruto nodded dumbly, instantly curious.
"So, this happened during the Third Shinobi war, the day before I first shipped out for the front," Dad said.
"The battle of Kanto Plain," Naruto interjected, "The battle that turned the tide of the war; that's where your nickname 'The Yellow Flash of Konoha' first was used."
Minato nodded, "Highest marks, but that has nothing to do with this story, at least not directly."
"So?" Naruto asked curiously.
"What you probably didn't get in history class was just how desperate our plight was at that time." Dad's gaze looked past him, peeling back the layers of time, "We had suffered major reversals along the border regions and had taken heavy losses. While it wasn't widely publicized, plans had been drawn up to evacuate Konoha; people were really scared that an enemy flag would fly over our village."
Naruto was shocked. He couldn't fathom the idea of leaving the village forcefully, being a refugee from his home. Minato nodded, "Needless to say, the battle we were marching off to join was not a sure thing, and most of us were not expected to return. Your mom had been ordered to stay behind in the village; Lord Third was worried what might happen if she was captured."
Naruto tilted his head, "So, how did this cause you two to break up?" Nothing made sense.
"The night before I was to ship out, we had dinner in the apartment we shared," he shook his head, "she was already not in the greatest of moods having been told she had to stay behind. Me, in my youthful naivety, told her that I hated long good-byes, and that I would see her when the war was over."
"She broke up with you over that?" Naruto asked.
"Yeah," Dad sighed, "She told me if that was how I felt, she wasn't going to make me wait for her; she asked me to leave. I went down to the troop depot and put my head down in disgust, not knowing what I did wrong." A lone tear gathered in Dad's eye. Clearly this wasn't easy.
"So, what happened," Naruto had to admit, the story was curious.
"I had the worst nightmare I think I ever had, except maybe the thought of leaving you an orphan," he pinched the bridge of his nose. "I writhed on that uncomfortable cot for hours, dreaming I came home from the war without so much as a scratch on me. When I came back to the apartment I'd shared with Kushina, she wasn't there. I searched the village desperately to find her, and when I did," Dad paused, pained at the thought, "she was carrying this beautiful baby boy." Dad shook his head, tears now dotting his red cheeks, "She told me she had gotten married to a medical-nin a few months after I left. She told me she was sorry, but she had fallen in love, that he'd been there for her." Dad locked eyes with Naruto, "I can't tell you how badly that shook me, seeing my girl in another man's arms, the only woman I'd loved. That was supposed to my wife, my baby, and I'd blown it!"
"But Dad," Naruto shook his head, "That makes no sense, you… Mom… you both got married…"
Dad smirked, "We did," he sighed in relief, "I woke around 0300 in a cold sweat, and ran back to the apartment, pounding on the door until she answered it – forget that I had a key." Dad grinned. "I told her I couldn't live without her in my life, that I'd know since the day I met her that she was the one." Dad looked fondly, "I asked her to marry me, no ring, no nothing," he smirked. "We went to the Hokage's office at dawn, begging Lord Third to marry us. The rest, as you say, is history." Dad smiled.
"So, you're telling me not to let a good thing pass me by?" Dad tapped his right temple in affirmation. "But Dad," Naruto sighed, "it's too late to celebrate, all my friends are out on assignment."
"No, not true," he shook his head. "A certain young clan leader I know would be tickled pink to go on a date with you."
"Hinata!" Naruto felt his cheeks flush.
"Why not, you two are already a couple, aren't you?"
"Yeah, but…"
"But what?" Dad asked. "You like her, she likes you, and you've been together since you two were fooling around on Hokage Rock."
Damn, were we that obvious? "Dad," Naruto thought about his words carefully, "I, I don't know."
"Again, why not, son? You do like her, right?"
"Yes," Naruto debated if he should reveal how far that went.
"You love her, don't you?" He pushed Naruto a bit further.
"Yes," Naruto said, "after everything we've been through, my heart tells me she's the one."
"But?" Minato nodded with a smile.
"Dad, she's a clan leader, a high-society girl, I'm just…"
"The Hokage's son," Dad corrected. "Do you think that matters to her?" he shook his head. "You're really scared about being apart for a few years, making her wait, and waiting yourself."
"Dad, Mom waited for you twice," Naruto said, closing his eyes, "and I've put her in danger so many times."
"Naruto," Dad reminded, "We live in a dangerous world, so did your mom and I." Dad put his palms up, "Putting things off is no defense against bad things happening. And putting up walls and fortifications around people we love can't guarantee they will be safe." Dad laughed, "Otherwise, I would have sent you away for your own safety. Would you have preferred that?"
"Admittedly, I don't think I would have been happy if you'd sent me to some distant monastery away from you and mom, away from my friends… away from Hinata."
"Son, the day won't last forever, but regret will." Dad handed him the newspaper. "The movie listing is circled in red. I suggest you get cleaned up and call her before it gets too late."
Naruto looked at the listings. There were a few action flicks, a horror movie, and an animated family move. "Any suggestions?"
"Go for something around 1700, give or take. You two can meet up with Mom and I at Ichiraku's for dinner afterwards. I suggest the animated film, personally," Dad winked.
"What do we do the rest of the day, it's early yet?"
"Well, for one, you need to learn how to shave," Dad rubbed Naruto's chin, "and for two, I think we need to grab breakfast, have a long talk about what it means to be a man, and some important things about girls."
"The talk?" Naruto asked.
"Yup, I don't want you making me a grandpa too early," he giggled. "Don't give me that look," Dad said as Naruto scowled, "I had to get it from Jiraiya," he laughed.
Naruto cringed, "Got it, dad, I don't need details."
"Get cleaned up! I'll meet you downstairs."
Naruto quickly showered and put on fresh clothing. As he ran down the stairs, his heart began thundering as he approached the phone. It's just Hinata. You've called her house how many times? He lifted the receiver and dialed. "Hello," Aunt Akemi's voice chirped
"Aunt Akemi," Naruto struggled to keep his voice from cracking, "is Hinata around?"
"Oh yes," he could hear her smile, "one moment."
A short shuffling later, and Hinata's heavenly voice filled his ear, "Naruto! Happy birthday!" He could see her blushing, tapping her fingers.
"Hey thanks!" he beamed, "Um, Hinata… I…" Naruto felt his throat pulsate.
"Yes?"
"W-would you like to go to the movies tonight? On a date?"
Silence hung in the air for a second and soon two seconds. Oh no, please don't faint! Please don't say no! Please… "YES!" he heard her squeal, "I'd love to!" Naruto finally remembered to breathe. They had a date to plan.
Author's note: Hey everyone, thank you all for reading. I hope you're enjoying, and I'm glad to announce that I am recovered from my injury. I hope I'll see you all next week. To anyone stateside, Happy 4th of July. Everyone else, have a great week, stay safe, stay healthy, and I see you next week!