Hey all! Yes, I know it's been awhile and I didn't meet my deadline, I'm so very sorry, this chapter turned out more…. Well… Just more, than I expected. I did rewrite it only about four times. But here it is, late but nicely long! I hope you enjoy and I hope I've done it justice! Oh and… Warnings for… you know… the usual at this point.


The morning dawned grey and dull, sky overcast up ahead and promising spring showers as was usual for this time of year. She supposed they had been lucky; the rain could have descended earlier during the spring festivities and vexed a number of people.

She was just contemplating whether she should risk rousing Minato by covering him with her travel cloak against the morning chill when she felt the imperceptible change in his breathing beside her, signalling he was already waking up. Kushina stilled beside him, holding her breath, feeling her face redden despite herself – his head was still resting over hers to one side, fingers interlaced with hers, as he had fallen asleep, and she had selfishly leaned into him during the night. To ward off the cold, she had told herself; spring wasn't always mellow around these parts.

And if she had quietly thrilled at his proximity… if she had calmly savoured his warmth and his scent and his quiet breaths that stirred her hair, well… that had been just a side-effect to it all.

She could almost feel realisation come to him as he turned ever so slightly, breath hitching in his throat, fingers twitching against hers in the warmth of their hold. He took a second, either deliberating or composing himself; and then he straightened, gently disentangling his hand from hers. But he didn't make to get up just yet.

"Hey." she started quietly, hoarsely, before clearing her throat.

"Hey." was the simple echo of an answer and she chanced a sidelong glance at him.

Minato in the morning was a heap of messy sunshine, even on the murkiest of days. His golden locks were dishevelled just enough to give him a carefree casual look, matched only by the warmth of his easy smiles. One such was playing in the corners of his lips just now, nervous edge to it and all, as he fixed her with a tired look.

"I… I'm sorry about…" he started quietly and she could see him flex his hand as he said so, as if casting the ghost of her touch away.

"It's fine, ya know." she waved him off quickly, tucking a strand of hair behind her ear. "You look… better."

You look good. Very good. More than good, was what was going through her head instead and she clamped on that thought quickly before it ran away from her in what-if scenarios that involved more mornings spent in his company.

"I guess you were right about me needing rest."

"Naturally, ya know. I'm always right." she said through an easy grin.

His answering smile was radiant.

"Self-preservation compels me to agree."

Her hand shot up, throwing a light punch at his shoulder and he chuckled, leaning his head back against the tree and turning sideways, merry eyes fixed on her.

"Only a punch this time? No bites?" he quipped and she had the childish instinct to stick her tongue out at him.

"I'm giving you the chance to wake up first, ya know; wouldn't be fair otherwise."

Minato's smile turned lopsided.

"Are we going for fair this time?"

Her eyes widened, heat shooting up her cheeks, his casual words catching her off-guard. He held her look, smile somehow turning both apologetic and amused at the same time. Did he just…? Something daring flashed through her against good reason, a sudden need to respond in kind.

"'Morning." Shikaku drawled from across the clearing and Kushina nearly jumped out of her own skin as she realised the Nara had woken up and probably beheld their staring contest, all without her noticing.

"Good Morning, Shikaku." Minato called back, not missing a beat, clearly having felt his friend waking up already.

His eyes held hers a fraction of a second longer before he turned back to his friend, pushing up to his feet languidly and brushing the dust off his clothes.

"I'd argue how good of a morning it can be when waking up so early, but the prospect of a hot shower in my immediate future does improve it drastically." The Nara continued unperturbed and Minato grinned, hands sneaking in his pockets.

"I should start charging for my transportation services."

"I know I'd pay." Shikaku called back through an easy smile, stuffing the cloak in his backpack, withdrawing a neatly wrapped package instead. "Here, first instalment."

And with that he unwrapped the bundle, tossing a ration bar at the blond. Minato laughed, inclining his head in gratitude. Another bar was tossed her way and Kushina grabbed it in instinct.

"Thanks? I was dispatched on a mission prior, ya know, I did bring my own."

"You'll like these better." Minato said mildly, flashing her a warm smile while the Nara simply smirked and Kushina raised an eyebrow, eyeing the bar in suspicion.

It looked like a normal ration bar and it didn't smell any different either. Tentatively she took a bite out of it, expecting vicious pranks all throughout.

And then she understood. Ration bars usually didn't taste like anything, which frankly was the better option, because when they did taste like something it was most commonly mould. They were no one's favourite food, but they were nutritious, long-lasting and easy to carry. They were a standard amongst shinobi, even if universally disliked.

Unless you were Shikaku Nara.

"What… How on earth? This actually tastes good, ya know." she mumbled between mouthfuls and Shikaku laughed. "Where did you get these? Spill."

"As if. Find your own way to pay your transport fares." the dark-haired jōnin countered through a grin and Kushina chucked a pebble at him.

He dodged through more laughter.

"He's cheating." Minato explained calmly, smile never leaving his face, "They are clan-issued, Akimichi specialty. Well, Akimichi and Yamanaka to be precise. The Yamanaka don't just grow flowers, they provide the Nara and the Akimichi with herbs and spices from their greenhouses. The Nara use them for clan-issued medicine; the Akimichi produce soldier pills and ration-bars, which not only taste better, but are also more nutritious than the standard-issued ones and the ones being sold. All three clans prosper."

Kushina nodded, taking another bite out of her bar. Clan advantages, of course. There were indisputable pluses to belonging to one, even if it wasn't widely known what each clan offered to its members individually. It was a truth widely accepted though: the clan provides. And although she technically had belonged to a large clan, she had never personally enjoyed the benefits of it as her parents and her had been the only Uzumaki members in Konoha, not counting Tsunade who had been raised a Senju. Kushina had never particularly regretted that – for one, a percentage of her mission payments didn't have to be subtracted with clan taxes unlike Shikaku's. And she was certain that compulsory clan duties could be a drag.

But those ration bars though. Perhaps there was something to this whole clan business after all.

"Hey, no fair." Shikaku called out and Minato chuckled before taking a bite out of his own ration bar.

"Life's not fair, ya know." Kushina shot back, "Minato can tell you all about it."

The blond coughed with her words, momentarily choking on his food and Shikaku fixed him with a questioning look. Minato waved him off and the Nara simply shrugged just as her friend finally regained his composure, shooting her a sidelong glance. She couldn't help the daring grin that spilled on her face.


It was no more than a few minutes later when they stepped out of the Hiraishin, finding themselves at Konoha's western gate. The guards there seemed to be getting increasingly familiar with Minato's sudden appearances out of thin air. The cases in which they bristled in alarm had dropped down to only about twenty percent of the time.

Today's particular shift seemed well-briefed about him and his abilities – they simply cast him a cursory glance, one of the two men actually yawning as he did so. The entry inspection didn't take long either, the guards going through their documentation with practised speed.

"You two are to report at the Hokage Tower as soon as possible." the one man said, ticking Kushina and Shikaku's names off a list of expected returnees and they both nodded, resigned to a day involving every shinobi's most hated activity – debriefing and mission reports.

"I guess that shower will have to wait… You've probably gone through your reports?" Shikaku was saying as they stepped away from the gate, nearing the rousing village.

Already the shopkeepers were preparing to open up, welcoming the day's first customers. The pleasant scent of freshly baked goods had begun wafting through the air and for a second Minato fancied himself twelve again, weaving through the streets at first light, hurrying after an enthusiastic Kushina, hands full of warm melonpan. The Nara's words dragged him abruptly out of his reverie.

"Hm? Oh yeah, I did so when I returned yesterday."

"Lucky man."

"You've got it easy, ya know. I'll probably have to mull away whole day with the Fūinjutsu Research Centre to examine that seal I broke for entry in the base."

"I'll take that over war councils any day."

"Let me guess – they're troublesome?" Minato ventured and Shikaku grinned.

"Are you quite sure you're not actually a Nara?"

Minato chuckled just as Kushina's laughter sounded beside him and his eyes sought her out automatically, without thinking, taking in her merry face. Her eyes were alight with mirth now, full lips drawn in easy smiles, fiery locks tumbling messily over one shoulder as she tossed her head to the side in her merriment. The colour of her hair seemed like spun flames even in the dull light of the overcast day and Minato found himself quietly tracing her mane with a look, as he often seemed to do lately.

How beautiful she was. How beautiful the sound of her laughter.

"So, what are you going to do with the day's freedom?" the dark-haired man continued, stopping at an intersection that led to the Hokage Tower further down the road.

"I suppose I'll check on Kakashi. He was quite put-off when we had to reschedule training."

He had sent a clone to inform the boy of the immediate mission and even though Kakashi was unusually good at hiding his emotions for a near-six-year-old, especially under his signature mask, he was still young. His disappointment had been palpable, memory of his downcast face having flooded Minato back instantly as his clone dispelled. One would think that young kids would rejoice in having a few days off… apparently not so with his prodigious student.

"Oh yeah, I heard about that. Jōnin Instructor huh?" Shikaku said and when Minato nodded - "I'm sorry."

Kushina bit back more laughter.

"I'm pretty sure you're supposed to say congratulations." Minato said through an exasperated smile.

"Oh was that how it went..." his friend was saying through yet another grin and the blonde shook his head, rolling his eyes much to Kushina's continuous delight.

"Well, time is of the essence I suppose. Shall we head for the tower?"

Shikaku's words quickly wiped the smile from the redhead's face. She sighed, a look of morose resignation taking over instead.

"Let's get it over with, ya know."

"See you around, Minato." the dark-haired man called out, waving a hand lazily as he turned to go.

She deliberated, her eyes quietly finding his and lingering. And even if he knew that duty came first, that reports technically counted as a part of her mission, that their talk could wait… he still had to consciously squash down the instinct to step forward and ask her to stay. A minute longer spent in her presence; a minute longer to delight in the melody of her laughs.

He had once been a patient, rational man; and then Kushina had come into his life.

"I'll see you later." he murmured quietly instead, just for her, and she nodded slowly, a hint of unease nestled in her eyes. And then, much too soon, she had turned and quickly run after Shikaku, disappearing from sight.


The man was sharp, he had to hand him that. He couldn't remember the Sannin being late a single time for any of their impromptu meetings. He could appreciate as much; he didn't have time to waste on waiting with so much to be done.

He approached soundlessly, languidly, his very moves and presence exuding an air of sharp confidence, as if the world itself couldn't budge him. His slitted eyes were narrowed, opaque in the dim light of the iron-cast lanterns of the underground premises. He wasn't thrilled at their meeting; Danzō could feel as much in the icy look and the furrowed brow, mouth drawn in a thin line.

"Orochimaru." he greeted curtly, not giving him the curtesy of a bow. One of the Sannin he may be, but Danzō still outranked them all by a mile; they would do well to remember it.

"Danzō." No honorific. The man never used one, not down here, deep amongst the roots of Konoha. He deemed them equal.

The fool.

"I don't appreciate being summoned like a service dog. I have my… commitments… to adhere to." the Snake Sannin started, folding his arms against his chest as he leaned against the stone wall.

All of his movements were deliberate, graceful almost, and Danzō was momentarily reminded of the slithering grace of reptiles as he tracked the man's every move.

"These commitments wouldn't happen to have proved fruitful at long last?"

Orochimaru's lips twisted in a one-sided smirk.

"Oh they have. But not in a way that would interest you."

Danzō levelled him with a long cold look.

"Our agreement extended primarily to things that would, in fact, interest me." the bandaged man said, fingers tightening around his cane.

The Sannin's smile had a sharp edge to it.

"I will, of course, let you know as soon as my experiments bear results. As per our agreement." He rasped out, the light of the flames dancing in the man's sharp look.

"And how are said experiments going, pray tell? Are you close?"

"Close to recreating the cells and abilities of the most powerful Kage that ever lived?"

Danzō's eyes narrowed.

"I don't care much for your word games, Orochimaru. I didn't think the task easy, but I thought you capable. We're running out of time. The other nations are on the verge of joining the war and Konoha is perfectly primed to crush them all. But we need our Jinchūriki and I need someone with Hashirama's Wood Release to control it. So, I ask again, are you close?"

The Sannin was examining his hand nonchalantly, flexing long fingers back and forth.

"I'm close. But I need more time."

The older man nodded reluctantly.

"We need to be careful. I've kept you stationed in the village as often as I could, but your absence from the front lines during war times has been noticed. Even Tsunade is taking field assignments."

"Ever the soft-heart for these kinds of things." The Snake Sannin said with a shrug, "Very well. I'll pick up a mission assignment tomorrow. Perhaps I'll go visit her on the western fronts. I know for a fact there are many desperate orphans in the region… Why, Jiraya knows it best. Poor children have no one to care for them in times of war."

Danzō didn't react, not even when the man's smile had turned plainly menacing. He was too good for it, too far from caring either way; the orphans of the disputed regions didn't interest him beyond the point of their potential use.

"Good. Some of the cases with missing children here are starting to make waves. One of my operatives intercepted a missing persons mission request from a nearby orphanage."

"Oh?" the Sannin said, raising an eyebrow. "One would think there are plenty of war orphans to go around… to think two or three would be missed… And to think they'd have the money to even pay for a mission…"

"They gathered the funds from donations. Which means they're going around yapping about the missing kids. I've made sure the request never reaches the mission assignment desk, but people are starting to notice. You need to spread out your pool of… candidates. I wouldn't want it tracked back to Konoha."

With that the bandaged man deliberated, weighing the Sannin with a long look before he finally reached into an inside pocket of his robe, fetching a neatly folded piece of paper. He handed it to Orochimaru, who glanced at it curiously.

"What's this then?"

"A list of some abandoned clan bases in the Land of Fire and their coordinates. Hiruzen had us look into them after the debacle with Iwa's infiltrators. I have, of course, submitted a similar list for inspection to the Hokage and his advisors. I may have omitted the ones on this paper, however."

The Sannin had donned his signature smirk now, tongue darting out to lick his lips slowly.

"How very… interesting."

"You'll need to look into them, see if you can make use of them. Root will keep covering for you in Konoha as long as your operations are covert, but should your experiments be tracked back to the village…"

Danzō glanced meaningfully at the paper in the Sannin's hands. Orochimaru's smirk deepened, eyes flashing dangerously in the dimmed light.

"And of course you will know exactly where to find me if I need to make myself scarce. How convenient."

Or if I need to capture you to save face. Danzō chose not to voice the latter thought, although he was quite sure the cunning man before him had already reached the same conclusion. His look had turned calculating, an idea forming there, making the bandaged man feel almost on edge.

"As I said, I'm honouring my part of our agreement. I would like to see you honour yours."

"Of course."

The man's smirk had turned sardonic now as he pushed away from the wall, nearing Danzō in a slow deliberate step.

"I wonder…" he said, pausing as he was just about to pass the older man, "When you do have someone to control the beast… What would Hiruzen-sensei think of your plans for Konoha's precious Jinchūriki?"

Danzō eyed him icily from the corner of his eyes.

"The Hokage will find out eventually. Better to explain after, than to ask for permission."

The Sannin chuckled, the sound bouncing off the cold stones about unpleasantly.

"How much easier things would be if we had a Hokage who agreed with your views, wouldn't it?"

With that Orochimaru walked away, quiet steps disappearing down the winded tunnel.


The summon came in the early evening, finding him at the Hatake Residence still.

The rain had come in the late afternoon, making them abandon field practise in favour of calligraphy skills as Minato insisted that Kakashi be familiarised with at least the most basic of seals, even if they didn't turn out to be his specialty one day. The boy had plenty to learn before he found his own style, but Minato would be remiss if any student of his couldn't at least make a half-decent explosive tag on their own. They had been at it for a good hour when the knock came, resounding down the empty hall.

Kakashi, whose face had until recently been scrunched up in concentration, near-jumped with the sound, making a hasty stroke and almost tipping the ink pot over. Minato did his best not to chuckle – his student could be singularly focused on a task sometimes. The boy was just about to get to his feet and head for the front door when Minato stilled him with one hand.

He hadn't felt the chakra signature approach. He could still barely sense the man without tapping into the natural energy about him. It was shinobi custom to keep your chakra imprint bright and open, unconcealed, within the village, especially if visiting someone else's home.

Unless you were on duty.

"I believe this one's for me, Kakashi."

The boy threw a curious look at him before nodding slowly, flopping back down on the ground besides the low table he had turned in a work station.

Minato smiled, getting up in a fluid move and heading for the door. He wasn't surprised at all to see the masked man waiting on the other side, cool porcelain wolf features staring back at him.

"Minato Namikaze. Nara-sama said we might find you here. You've been summoned by Hokage-sama." The ANBU said levelly and, upon noticing how the blonde straightened to attention, he quickly added "There is no emergency."

He had to resist the urge to sigh. He would go, of course, as was his duty – he had never even entertained the idea of skirting his responsibilities to the village. But did it have to be this night…

Instead he nodded and the masked man promptly disappeared with the faintest flare of chakra. Minato threw a quick look behind him to where he could feel Kakashi standing, peering through the door of the living room. His eyes were fixed on the spot that had just been occupied by the ANBU operative.

"I couldn't smell him." he said quietly, eyebrows furrowing and Minato smiled.

"He's on duty and ANBU are not to be seen. Or smelt. I couldn't sense him either, at least not the conventional way."

"Cool." Kakashi mumbled, a keen look of interest dancing in his eyes, somehow mixing with the previous annoyance at having had his nose fooled. "Could I be ANBU one day?"

Minato hesitated. It was an honour of course, serving in ANBU and rising through its ranks. Some of the best shinobi that the village had to offer were amongst its masked members and he had no doubt that, with Kakashi's skills, he could join them easily one day. But… it was a lonely service, beneath those faceless masks. It was a needed sacrifice… but a sacrifice still, in its own way.

"You could." he said slowly, "If you wish it. But joining ANBU is one of many paths. You should consider all before choosing, when the time comes."

The boy nodded thoughtfully, eyes still scanning the outside as if he was trying very hard to figure out if there were any ANBU operatives still around.

"Well, in any case, I suppose that would be all for today, Kakashi. You can finish the last set we had started working on. Good work so far."

"Are you going away again?"

"I hope not." he said. I really, really hope not… "But I'll let you know if I have to travel, alright?"

The child nodded again, look spelling out displeasure and the blonde suppressed an amused huff. So eager to train more. He was somehow certain that if he had asked Kakashi to practise seals through the night, the boy would have probably done it happily.

Minato had wondered at first when Kakashi found the time to play, like any 6-year old; he had wondered what he did when friends called on him. But the more he got to know his student, the more certain he became that playing was just not something the Hatake did. And when it came to friends… he still hadn't seen any.

He needed to take the kid out for ramen sometime, show him there was more to life than training.

"If you don't hear from me about postponing, I'll see you tomorrow at noon at Training Field 3."

"Yeah. Thank you for the training session today, Minato-sensei."

His eyes had crinkled up, betraying a smile below his mask.

"You're welcome, Kakashi. It's my pleasure."


Drip. Drip. Drip.

It went on endlessly. The trickling water had turned in a constant down here, a part of the cavern, a part of him. Or was he a part of the cavern as well? Or maybe the cavern was a part of him.

The drops seemed to keep time with his heartbeat, steadily, unendingly. Just like him.

He felt the chakra pulse as it reverberated through the soil, almost a caress against his dirty bare feet. A second later the familiar form of White Zetsu had formed beside him, face leering in joy.

"Another fight, another boom! Rock and Fire clashed underground and it's all gone now, the cave, the base, the spies! And Mist was there also, learning about Fire and Sand!" the pale man said in a sing-song voice.

For the briefest of moments his thoughts wandered, finding long-forgotten memories of a life he had once had. Of the Senju base he had walked with his friend, the base he had been shown as a peace offering, to seal the truce between Senju and Uchiha after the first war.

Hashirama…

It was only proper that he had had Zetsu offer the location to Mist now, tempting them to join the war further. Only proper that the symbol of peace would turn in a battlefield; only proper that it be wiped. Let it be gone, forgotten in time.

Drip. Drip. Drip.

The water was dripping firmly now, a gong in the silence, echoing all about. He inhaled deeply, feeling the ghost of something flicker in him, a long-lost sense of feeling at all. Yes… it was… satisfaction. Things were going according to plan.

Let them all clash, let them bicker, let them weaken each other up there, in the land of fleeting lifespans and borrowed time. Let them waste their best warriors, their brilliant young shinobi, let them squander their future away. And then, only then, when they stood on the mountain of corpses that could have saved them, would he claim what was his. Their Jinchūriki would fall in his hands one by one, unprotected, broken by war.

"Zetsu. Make sure the Raikage is aware that Konoha stands alone amongst enemies." he said quietly, his very voice papery and brittle, the voice of a man who was not quite alive.

For now.

Drip. Drip. Drip.


Dusk had settled as he walked down the hushed corridors of the Hokage building, soft glow of the lamps lining emptied halls with dimmed lights. Already the commotion of the previous days had died down, leaving a calmness in its wake.

Minato didn't mind the silence, paying it little heed. His mind had strayed, thoughts torn between unease and impatience. Different scenarios flashed before him, possibilities about why he had been summoned, most of which he didn't want to entertain. Truth be told he really didn't want a new assignment, not now of all times. He was well aware that war waited at no one's pleasure, but he had hoped for a few days, or at least a day more, an evening to spend back home.

An evening to spend on an important talk.

He had planned on stopping by her place after visiting Kakashi, even if the thought unnerved him as much as it excited him. He may be many things, but unobservant he was not – he had seen the agitation in her look and in her posture, and in the very way she acted around him ever since that night. A leaden feeling settled in his stomach whenever he thought of it, already knowing what he would most likely hear.

Regardless, they had to talk. He cared too much about her, to let his rash actions after their spar ruin the friendship he so cherished.

He was just going through options in his head, deciding that if he was indeed sent away, he'd still find the time to speak with her before leaving, when he paused before the Hokage's office, casting his senses out in habit, taking in the room on the other side.

He paused, eyes widening, attention locking on the fiery chakra imprint inside, the very focus of his attention in the last oh-so-many-months. He did his best to school his features as he entered, but his eyes still instantly sought her out, fixing her with a steady look.

The shock of blazing locks was the first thing that pinned his attention, as always, her hair for once not tied in a combat-ready style, this time falling freely over her shoulder and spilling across a hefty unrolled scroll that she had leaned in to examine on the desk. Hiruzen Sarutobi was sitting in his chair beside her, hand wrapped around his pipe, lips spread in a calm smile.

"Ah, Minato, thank you for joining us." he said, making to get up just as Kushina turned to the jōnin as well.

Her eyes were saddened, a wistful smile in the corners of her lips as her fingers brushed across the scroll absent-mindedly, and he felt a pang of curiosity run through him.

"Hokage-sama. You asked for me?"

"Indeed I did. Forgive me, Minato, I know you've both just returned from a mission… the same mission in fact, even if you weren't both assigned to it originally." the older man said, pausing meaningfully at that and Kushina shifted ever-so-slightly in one spot. "I would have liked to give you time to rest, but there is something I must ask of you as soon as possible."

"I'm at your service, Hokage-sama."

Sandaime's smile widened, look spelling gratitude and unwavering certainty.

"You're familiar with most everything we learned from the infiltrator and the other three captives. Due to the nature of the emergency we couldn't pay enough attention to the manner of infiltration we now know he used. But things are calmer finally."

Minato nodded, thoughts drifting back to everything Inoichi had explained the previous day. The man had entered through a tunnel deep underground, one he had shaped himself using his Doton techniques continuously. It hadn't been the most time- or effort-efficient way, as the amount of chakra needed for the task had been massive and it had taken him the better part of a month to accomplish with regular rest to replenish his stocks. It would have undoubtedly been easier to assume the identity of a refugee and enter through the main gate. But then his presence would have been put on record and he would have been placed under surveillance by the Konoha police for a period of time, as with all war-refugees that were granted access to Konoha. If given access at all.

His method had, on the other hand, ensured him an undetectable chance for escape and a path which his summons could use when reporting back to his comrades in the Senju Base discovered. All in all, it had been a clever move… and it had cleverly made use of certain problems with their defences.

Problems he had foreseen months ago.

All too soon Minato had a pretty good idea about why he had been called to the Hokage's office and what his next assignment might be. And Kushina… she would have to be…

"We can't allow such situations to arise again. You had started work on improving Konoha's Security Barriers, with the help of Hyōjin Uzumaki, before his untimely fall." the man paused again, respectfully, and Minato chanced a glance at Kushina, who had bowed her head quietly, fixing the scroll with a sombre look.

And suddenly he knew what its contents were, recognising its frayed edges and the slant of the elegant kanji written there, mixed with diagrams and calculations. He had seen it before, worked on it before, along with her father, on a couple of occasions. It contained many of Hyōjin Uzumaki's notes on their unfinished project.

"Your ideas were exceptional, Uzumaki-sama admitted as much himself. If the two of you had had the chance to finish what you started… this could have been avoided all-together."

It was true; Minato's ideas for a spherical barrier around the village would have guaranteed around the clock surveillance everywhere, near-eliminating the risk of unnoticed aerial or underground attacks. But his formulas had been incomplete and the implementation complicated; even with the help of her father – arguably the best Seal Master in Konoha – the work had progressed slowly, frustratingly at times. They had been close, he was sure of it, but after the attack on Uzushiogakure…

"Alas, this was not the case." Hiruzen Sarutobi continued quietly, folding a hand behind his back, a look of genuine sadness crossing his face before he fixed Minato with a look. "But your work still stands. And so does the need for it. And while the man may be gone, his legacy isn't."

His words had a weight to them as he gestured to Kushina with one hand and she glanced at the older man with mild surprise before nodding once. For a second Minato thought she stood a little taller than before.

"I would ask you to carry on your work now, to ensure this wouldn't happen again. I understand that Kushina has been well-trained by her parents and is an excellent Fūinjutsu master herself, with an affinity for barrier seals no less. She should aid you as well as her father, if not better. I'd like to assign you both to this task, until it's completion."

Minato sucked in a breath, stilling with the older man's words, even if he had been expecting them, already having tied two and two together. His eyes flickered to her in instinct, meeting a surprised look and he was somehow willing to wager that Sandaime hadn't explained to her why she had been called to the Hokage's office before he appeared. She had probably assumed she had simply been asked to bring her father's work.

And then she huffed out a laug. It had been a brief startled sound, hushed down quickly as she bit her lip, fighting for composure.

He understood her too well. To think he had just now feared he'd be assigned away and not get a chance to see her prior… apparently his new assignment was all about her instead. How wonderfully absurd. A project like this meant working closely together for an unforeseen period of time and while on paper he would like that very much… Sometimes timing really was, as the more cynical would say, a bitch.

But this was greater than the two of them, greater than the problems they would eventually resolve. It was for Konoha and the safety of all its citizens. And after all, hadn't they proven time and time again that they worked well together? That they could be a force to be reckoned with?

A selfish part of him, a part far greater than he would have liked, was thrilled at the idea, excitement worming its way down his frame, much as it had before their fateful spar. She was brilliant with seals, he had seen it first-hand now; oh how much he would enjoy working with her on this. How much he'd delight in her sporadic ideas and her quick wit.

How much he wanted this, consequences be damned.

No more than a second had passed, but something must have shown on his face, some emotion he had failed to supress, because her expression changed, the corners of her lips lifting slowly, the spark of determination entering her eyes as she held his look and nodded.

"We'll crack it in no time, ya know."

His answering smile was somewhat lopsided, impatience already running through him, amplified with her words.

"Of course, Hokage-sama. We'll see it done." he said, finally turning to Hiruzen Sarutobi and bowing his head.

Sandaime's eyes were regarding them quietly with a shrewd look and for a second Minato had to wonder whether the man could read them as well as he seemed to be doing right that instant.

"Very well. I will make sure you receive a minimum of additional assignments until the task is done. I assume the rest of the notes on the project are with you, Minato?"

The blonde nodded, quietly following Kushina with a look as she rolled up the scroll she had probably found in her father's study, activating a storage seal on her person with a swift move and sealing his notes away.

"Well in that case I'll let you hash out the finer details of your working schedule. Thank you for your time. Dismissed."

They filed out of the office in silence, the door clicking audibly behind them in the hush.

"Well." Minato began finally, conversationally, as they both headed towards the nearest exit in habit. "This shall be… interesting."

She huffed, whether in exasperation, or amusement, or both, he couldn't tell.

"Quite." Was her quiet answer before hurrying ahead in a somewhat louder voice. "I've seen my father's notes and calculations briefly, but I'll need to see your work also to make full sense of it, ya know. I might need some clarifications here and there as well."

"Of course. They are all at my place."

They had gotten to the end of the corridor and Minato reached for the small side-door that led to the outside staircase used to enter the higher floors faster. A wall of rain greeted them, unrelenting in its intensity, as it had been for much of the last two hours. A lightning flashed far off in the distance, announcing the approach of a spring storm.

He paused, throwing a quick look at her from the corner of his eyes. She sighed, peering at the vicious shower with a pout and Minato had to fight his own smile as he remembered all the times when they were younger, confined inside by stormy weather or monotonous showers. She would stare at the clouds in anger then, as if they had personally offended her just by existing. She had always delighted in sunny days, days made for training and picnics and adventures all about. One more thing that hadn't changed with time.

"I could offer a Hiraishin, but I'm afraid the closest one to your home is still some blocks away, in the open."

She waved him off with a mischievous smile.

"A little rain never hurt anybody. And it's probably better that way. I'd go broke trying to find clan-issued ration bars to pay you with, ya know."

He laughed, as he always did around her, despite everything.

"We'll figure something out." he said through chuckles and he could have sworn he saw her cheeks redden with his words, her fingers tucking a loose strand of hair behind one ear as the wind picked her locks up gently, swaying them about.

His look lingered, drinking in the sight of her, the blush that dusted her cheeks and the expressive eyes now hidden beneath thick lashes as she refused to glance his way. And he had to clench his hand in an attempt to stop the urge to touch her. It flared in his chest, zinging through his hand, the need to gently cup her chin with two fingers and lift her face up to his and…

"Well I guess-" she started, but he cut her off, rude as it was, refusing to hear of another parting just yet.

Enough was enough.

"How about tea? My place is dry and I could get us there in a very rain-free Hiraishin." he said quickly, doing his best to keep his voice even. "I could show you my notes on the Barrier Project as well, if you want to get a head-start."

He could feel her deliberate, could see her close her eyes, eyebrows furrowing briefly. Some resignation came about her, a decision she made then and there and she squared her shoulders, finally looking up at him, eyes resolute.

"Okay."


The constriction lasted but a second, now having turned almost familiar, and she found herself standing in the entryway to his living room, now submerged in semi-darkness. The soft glow of a street lamp was filtering through the windows up ahead, casting the place in orange hues amongst the shadows, painting a familiar picture from her childhood.

A click beside her and the lights came to life as Minato flipped the nearby switch, slipping out of his sandals at the door.

"Make yourself right at home." he said with a warm smile and she could feel genuine happiness in his voice, as if he had really missed having her around.

She could relate to that sentiment quite well. It had been much too long since she had last visited his home and she really had missed it. There was a feeling of warmth and calmness that permeated all of her memories of days spent at his place when they were younger, and she realised that his house had been a sort of safe haven that time couldn't touch.

A sense of nostalgia washed over her as she also took off her shoe wear and followed him inside, eyes fixing on the familiar sofa and the low coffee table which they had once used to play cards or work on seals. Even now there were notes scattered about it, next to a calligraphy kit, Minato apparently having kept the tradition. The dining table stood further ahead, bringing memories of instant cup ramen dinners and sprawling projects across haphazardly unrolled scrolls. And there, the empty doorframe to the kitchen, where they had once duelled with ladles over the title of best chef (they had in fact burned the food and found out that no one deserved said title after all).

Every nook and cranny held a memory, she realised, seeing the ghost of a happy childhood all about.

A wistful smile had appeared on her lips as she took it all in, almost in a daze, before her eyes landed on Minato who had paused further ahead. He was leaning at the doorframe to the kitchen, arms crossed casually before him as he beheld her with a knowing smile.

"Brings back memories, doesn't it?" he said softly and she nodded. "I felt the same way when I first came back."

"It hasn't changed at all."

At this he laughed, shaking his head.

"That part wasn't without effort. You should have seen it after three years of neglect. The cobwebs alone could have probably carpeted the room."

"Mighty foes, ya know."

"Indeed." He said through a chuckle as he pushed away from where he was leaning. "So, tea?"

She nodded and he turned to the kitchen, Kushina padding after him and stopping in the doorway. Her look lingered on his back as he moved about deftly, fetching a kettle with water and putting it to boil.

"Camomile?" he asked softly, quietly.

"My favourite."

"I know."

She could see his profile from where she was standing, could make out the small serene smile on his lips as he said that and she swallowed once, a feeling of warmth spreading down her chest.

"Do you mind keeping an eye on it? I'll take a minute or so to be decent."

"Sure."

He nodded, turning around briefly and she had but a moment to see the mischievous tint to his lopsided smile before he disappeared in thin air, chakra signature reappearing somewhere above her as he Hiraishin-ed to his room.

"Show-off!" she called out after him and could hear the echo of his laughter from upstairs.

It was fair; she had had the time during the day, to go back home to shower and change after the days on the road. And while he had probably taken a shower already the previous day, if the lack of ash and debris in his hair was any indication to go by, he still bore his shinobi uniform, probably having headed for Kakashi's place straight away after their parting earlier today.

She quickly found herself slipping into old habits as she fetched two mugs from a nearby shelf, discovering through a smile that both they and the honey were exactly where she remembered them. She was just opening the lid when lighting cracked outside, followed by the almost immediate boom of thunder, indicating that the storm was about them and she threw a long look at the kitchen window, fixing the rivulets of water with a wary look. The rain was unrelenting, drumming against the glass methodically, catching the light of the street lamps like scores of tiny flames. She had to admit there was a certain beauty to it, a calming lilt to the melody of spring storms.

It would have been relaxing, most likely, on any other night. At any other time. Not so when she knew what needed to be done now.

Steel your heart.

She could feel the tendrils of adrenaline sneaking down her frame, an almost battle-ready state, as she braced herself for the words that she had avoided for so long. It was time now… because every time he was around her, it felt like slipping, falling down, each time harder to get up.

How many times had she compared him to her own little sun? She felt herself entwined in his warmth, caught like a moth by his light. She had to get a grip and put an end to it, put boundaries once and for all… before there was no going back.

The kettle whistled loudly and she quickly took it off, making her way to the table mindlessly, thoughts still locked on nerve-wracking themes. She had just placed it besides the mugs when lightning cracked once again, the deafening roar of the thunder striking at once, windows rattling, and the room went black along with the street lamps outside.

Kushina blinked, eyes trying to refocus in the pressing darkness, momentarily blinded after the glare of the kitchen lights. Her hand reached forward instinctively as she tried to get her bearings and she brushed against the side of the nearest mug. She felt it wobble and reached for it, still unseeing, fingers wrapping about its handle in instinct and catching it mid-fall just as her elbow banged in the side of the table and she yelped out. The zing went down her arm, a quiet hiss rolling out.

Real graceful, Kushina, excellent shinobi skills.

"Kushina?" came Minato's voice from up ahead, a note of concern in his tone and she nearly jumped again, not having heard him come down.

"I'm fine. Remind me not to pick fights with your kitchen table, ya know."

She heard his quiet sigh, followed by an amused huff and she was willing to bet he was smiling even if she couldn't quite make him out in the dark. There was no light source, the storm clouds having hidden the moon from sight and she squinted, trying to adjust to the blackness about.

"Almost as mighty a foe as the cobwebs, that one." he quipped and she couldn't help her chuckle.

She could just about see the ghost of his silhouette, listening to his light footsteps as he padded to the window, peering out.

"I guess electricity's out for the block."

Lightning cracked again, bathing the room in opaque light and for a moment she glimpsed him outlined against the window, a look of casual ease about him, now missing his jōnin vest and his forehead protector, his sleeves rolled up.

And he looked so much like he had that night when they sparred that it made her pause.

"Well, at least the water boiled on time." she managed, aiming for calm.

"Hold up, I'm sure I had some candles around here." he said and she heard the rhythm of his steps again as he moved towards the kitchen counter, a near-shadow in the dark.

The sound of opening drawers reached her and she almost laughed as she realised he was looking in the wrong place, assuming the candles hadn't been moved – she remembered his own house better than he did.

"Not there, ya know. Wait."

She moved forward too, stopping beside him and reaching for a cupboard just as he had turned, going for the same one, and she realised she hadn't judged the distance properly as she bumped into him, stepping on his foot. The rustle of clothing, and she jumped back, clipping the counter with one hand just as his fingers wrapped about her arm in instinct, pulling her back to steady her.

"Careful now." he murmured, automatically, and she stilled, realising how close they had ended up.

Lightning flashed again, giving her a glimpse of his eyes, the mild look of surprise, the tousled hair and the graceful lips, right before her, the momentary image of him imprinted in her mindscape in the following blackness.

She sucked in a breath, eyes still fixed on his face in the dark. Her other senses were compensating for the lack of sight, spelling him out. The heat of his touch was seeping down her frame, even through the fabric of her tunic, before he swallowed quietly, slowly letting go of her arm. But he didn't step back. And neither did she.

She could make out the flutter of his heartbeat in the stillness about, breath hitching in his throat. And his scent… it was all about her now, heightened in the dark, electrifying, and she bit her lip in instinct, grateful that he couldn't see. Her mind had jumped back to that night, the taste of his lips against hers and the feel of his sun-kissed locks between her fingers as she clutched at the nape of his neck, pulling him closer… how he had groaned in their kiss then, wanting ever-more of her…

Her heart was drumming in her chest, blood roaring down her frame and she shook her head, a shaky breath escaping her. Her hand shot up in instinct, landing on his chest, a meagre barrier, rooting him in place, keeping herself from swaying forward. She could feel him shudder under her touch, could feel his uneven breathing, could picture the blazing look in his eyes.

"I…" he started, swallowing once against a dry throat. "Please. I need to know why."

She deliberated feeling the pained grimace spill over her face.

The words lodged in her throat. How do you steel a flying heart?

"Did I… Did I hurt you, that night?" he whispered quietly.

A huff of breathless, startled laughter bubbled up her throat before her breath hitched again. There was a sting in her eyes now and she blinked against it viciously.

"Minato…"

His name came out like a sigh in the dark.

"I… I was too forward, I shouldn't have…" he was saying now and she was already shaking her head, "If I misunderstood… If I forced myself on you, I-"

She felt the ache squeeze her chest as she lifted a hand to his face without thinking, fingers brushing against his lips, silencing him.

"That couldn't be farther from the truth, ya know."

And she could feel him relax somewhat against her touch, could feel the imperceptible relieved sigh that left him, a caress against her fingertips before she lowered her hand.

"Then… why?"

She gulped. There was ice in her stomach, lead in her chest. The words felt like ash in her mouth.

"There… there are things about me you don't know."

The agitation was back now, chilling her as it went, and she finally took a step back, moving away from the warmth of his proximity. He had rooted to the spot, but she could tell he followed the sound of her moves with a look.

"Try me." was the calm reply and she swallowed uncomfortably past the lump in her throat. She felt the truth bubbling against it, an untameable tide behind her silences.

"I… I can be dangerous to be around."

Her words were met by a quiet sigh.

"Kushina…" he murmured, taking a slow step forward.

And just like that the dam broke, sweeping her.

"I'm Kyūbi's Jinchūriki."

She had expected stunned silence, or a gasp. She had expected questions, or disbelief; but above all else she had expected his withdrawal; had expected him to hedge back. He had seen a Bijū before, after all, had seen first-hand how powerful and dangerous they could be. If anyone had a good reason to fear her, it had to be him. And for once she was grateful for the dark. She thought she wouldn't bear to see the horrified look on his face. Or perhaps even worse – disgust.

Instead he took a step forward without skipping a beat.

"I know."

Kushina felt the air rush out of her with his words, eyes growing wide as her jaw dropped. Surprise rooted her, zinging through her, leaving numbness in its wake.

"W-what?"

"I know." he repeated simply and she could just picture him shrug casually, as if it was the simplest thing in the world.

"You… how? Since when?"

"I've suspected for a while, ever since that incident with Kumo. I had no proof... Until the Tokutsukai Pass."

Of course… she had been unconscious, but she had been told her chakra reserves had dropped critically… she should have known Kyūbi's chakra would have leaked out. Had she not felt its tug when she thought Kemuri was lost? And Minato… he was a sensor… of course…

All this time, he had known. When he had appeared in that tent he had known. When they had lain in the grass that first sentry shift, his hand intertwined with her hair, blazing look fixed on her, he had known. When he had shown her his Hiraishin, whisking her away to the Hokage Monument, thrilling her with his Wind Technique… when he had almost kissed her in the Training Grounds… when he had given her his teleportation kunai, when he had risked his life for her home… at the Iwa border, and at the ryokan, and at the Uzu settlement, and at the festival, and after their spar… he had known.

She felt her throat clamp up.

"Why… why didn't you say anything?" she heard herself say, a barely audible whisper.

"It was not my truth to share." was his soft reply as he took another step forward, nearing her quietly. "And… It didn't matter really. Although I would have been grateful for your trust."

She blinked.

What even was this man?

"It didn't-" she started, words hitching in her throat, "It didn't matter that I could be a monster, a ticking time-bomb, that I could lose control, that I-" she cut herself off, biting her tongue against the jumbled words before repeating quietly, disbelievingly "It didn't matter?"

Minato's shocked silence lasted but a second and then he was standing before her, having moved in a rush.

"Please don't say that, never that." he said firmly and she could almost picture his stern look, the liquid steel in his eyes. "A monster, how? You're a hero, Kushina. I wish you could see yourself through my eyes. Everything you've given, for Konoha, for our home… the strength it takes to carry this burden that no one else could, it defines you, burns bright in you, it's blinding, captivating. It takes my breath away. I… "

He paused, swallowing thickly.

She could only stare, wide-eyed. She was beyond words, the sweeping emotion washing over her, filling her, threatening to overflow as it swelled in her chest.

Oh how much she loved this man.

"Is that… is that why… You thought that I…" he said suddenly, and she could tell realisation finally came, hearing the disbelief in his voice.

And all too soon she could see it happen, could almost picture him reaching out for her despite everything. She took a step back, as if burned.

"Yes. No. Not only. We shouldn't… You shouldn't-" the words were tumbling out now, uncoordinated, jumbled, rushing to be said, to make him understand. Her hand had gone to her stomach, clutching at her tunic mindlessly, "They didn't want a female Jinchūriki, but I was the only one. You see… Mito-sama almost lost control of it once, during childbirth, because the energy it takes to suppress the Kyūbi goes to the growing baby and it was only through Shodai-sama's Wood Release that they could control it. But he isn't around anymore. And so I can't… I… I'm broken."

Her pause was followed by deafening silence, broken only by the incessant hiss of the rain against the glass. And then reason caught up with her as she realised what she had implied, and her cheeks reddened, her whole face aflame.

"I don't mean that you and I should- that we would- I just- I mean in case we-" she sighed in exasperation, running a hand down her face as she took another deliberate step back.

"Kushina."

"No, don't. Please, Minato...You deserve so much more. A full life, with someone whole."

And there it was, the whole truth, laid bare at his feet. She was breathing shallowly now, air suddenly too thin and she realised the room had turned stifling, suffocating, walls pressing in on her from all sides in the dark. She didn't need to be here anymore, she realised, now that she had braved all that needed to be said. They could hash out the rest later, the tentative truce of how they'd go about working together. Later, at some other time. Right now she just wanted to get out. The realisation had taken her but a second, before words were rushing out of her, cutting off whatever it was he was about to say.

"I'm sorry. I really am. For everything, ya know. I didn't mean to… I'll go now."

"Wait-" he started, but she had already turned, making for the door.

She wrenched it open, ignoring him as he called her name. The crisp cold air filled her lungs and she jumped ahead in a chakra-infused leap without thinking, bare-foot as she was, quickly taking to the roofs. The rain drenched her immediately, plastering her clothes to her body and her hair to her skull, feeling icy against her flushed skin.

She hadn't made it more than a hundred meters before she skidded to a stop, water splashing about as she rooted in place, Minato blocking her path. His ridiculous speed had carried him across the distance in an instant. She could make out his features now, despite the rain. His mouth was set, blazing look fixed on her.

"Don't-" she started, making to step back, but he neared her in a firm step.

"No." he said steadily, "You are the most hot-headed, strong-willed person that I know, but for this I will not back down."

He stopped before her and she found herself transfixed, caught in the fire of his eyes.

"Listen to me now." he said quietly, barely audible above the rain. "I want you, all of you, and nothing would change that, even if we couldn't…" he paused and she was somehow certain his face was flushed as he stumbled through the words. "But you're wrong. You're not broken."

She blinked against the rain, opening her mouth to protest, but he cut her off.

"You are a Fūinjutsu Master, one of the best of your clan – if you don't believe me, those are your mother's words, not mine. And I dare say I do well with seals myself. Don't you see? We'll change it, alter the seal, we'll find a way, like Shodai-sama did. This is nothing we can't handle together, do you understand me? Nothing."

The staccato of the rain was deafening as she stared at him wide-eyed. Or was that her heart hammering in her chest?

Accept your fate, her parents had once said and, terrible as it had been, she had embraced it. Because she had to. Because someone must. But she hadn't thought that… hadn't considered…

She felt the shift, a feeling of resurfacing, as if she had just come out the end of a long, winded tunnel. The realisation took root, steadying her, blossoming in her chest, world snapping back in place in crystal clarity.

"So. Any more protests?"

"Well, no, but-"

"Good."

And then he had cupped her face, lifting her lips to his own. His touch was gentle at first, tender, fingers brushing across her cheekbone, leaving a blazing trail despite the rain. Her stupor lasted but a second, a moment to realise what was happening, her whole world tipping on its axis, poised for collapse.

And then.

She let go.

She gasped against his lips, breathing in his scent, pressing herself against him without thinking, giving in to the need that had coursed through her like wildfire since that night.

She could feel him respond in kind, could feel the change in him as impatience took over, the same longing that had blazed through her as well. His one hand slid to the small of her back, his touch blazing against the wet clothes clinging to her form, pulling her ever-closer, kissing her harder, deeper, rain be damned. Her fingers had sneaked up to his neck, curling in his sun-filled hair, and he groaned softly, low in his throat.

Before she realised what was happening, his hold tightened; the constriction of the Hiraishin took her by surprise, the constant pelting of the rain disappearing in a flash. She had but a second to register that he had brought them back to his living room, away from the storm, and then his lips were back on hers with a fervent, urgent need. His one hand slid down to her waist and to her hips, pulling her flush against him and she could feel heat pool down her stomach and her legs, her knees growing weak beneath her.

She stumbled back, dragging him with her, the wall meeting her retreat and she felt herself pressed against it, dissolving at his touch. His hand found hers, fingers intertwining with her own against the wall as his lips moved to the corner of her mouth and down her jaw and to her neck, each kiss sending a tingling shock down her nerves, and she couldn't hold back the moan that made its way past her lips. He gasped at that, shaky breath ghosting against her skin as he murmured her name and she pulled him back to her lips until she could feel herself grow lightheaded, her heart drumming in her ears.

He broke away then, gasping for air, leaning his forehead against hers.

"I… I need… a moment." he whispered, trying to catch his breath.

"Did I… Did I do something wrong?"

He huffed.

"Wrong? Kushina… you're driving me to my wit's end."

She blinked, warmth sneaking up her face, lips quirking up in a smile.

"Doesn't sound so bad to me, ya know." She murmured, angling her head up, planting a slow kiss against his neck.

He sucked in a breath.

"No. But." He started just as her hands moved to the hem of his shinobi sweater, fingers sneaking underneath, brushing against the heat of his skin, trailing a feather-light touch across his stomach and he groaned, whole body tensing up.

He bowed his head, resting his forehead against the wall by her ear, a shuddering breath escaping him and she felt herself shiver, suddenly wanting him impossibly closer, breath coming out in huffs. The need burned through her, searing, blinding, erasing all thought.

"Kushina… You put too much faith in my self-control… You'll make me fight for a clear thought."

She swallowed thickly, fixing him with a burning look.

"So don't."


AN: Alriiight, wrap for now, but plenty to come. I will upload a little slower, you should know. I'll aim for twice a month. As I've mentioned to some who asked me in pms before, I'm doing my best to upload as quick as I can, but I work two jobs, six days a week and I'm trying to throw in some personal life in between it all. I take almost all me-time for my hobby and do my best to write as much as I can, but time restricts me. Even now it's near 2am and I should be waking up in some 5 hours, but darn it, sleep when you post :D

Don't get me wrong, I'm not complaining. I'm so happy to be back doing what I love, it's a wonderful way to pass my time. And when I'm not writing I'm living and breathing this story in my mind, going to sleep and waking up with it, waiting for a chance to dive in. So I guess, what I'm trying to say is… thank you for your patience! I'm powering through.

And thank you for your comments and your reviews and your messages and your support. It's meant so so much to me, I repeat myself, I know, but it's always very true. I won't tire saying it! Your thoughts or input is always valued!

If you have any questions about the text I'm happy to answer here or in pm. Chat me up!

Ja ne~