*Head hits desk repeatedly*

Why? Why is Naruto so hard to write a fic for? Why does every chapter feel like I'm trying to run a marathon uphill? Every chapter. Even with the inspiration I got to write this weekend, it still feels like a losing battle.

(In other words, sorry if this chapter wasn't all that great)

Anyway, despite my thoughts on the matter, I do intend to see this fic through to the end. Maybe if I keep at it enough, I'll break through whatever wall seems to be preventing me from hitting my stride with this fandom. If I ever do reach that point, I'll make sure to come back and give these chapters the care they need.

For now, I think I'll leave this here and go drown my frustrations in some FF.

(Thanks for pointing out the equals sign typo, aspsvensson. It's been fixed.)

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Chapter 3

Sachiko, as it turned out, was a pillow person.

Minato smiled as he prepared breakfast, fully aware that it probably looked as foolishly happy as he felt. He hadn't recalled the admittedly ridiculous amount piled atop her bed until that morning and had half expected the lot of them to be on the floor when he went to check up on her. To his amusement, however, she had buried herself within them with one held tightly against her small frame. It was cute.

Jiraiya must have agreed with the sentiment at least a little if the slight smirk he had as he walked in was any indication.

"Good morning, Sensei."

Jiraiya took one look at him and snorted. "Given your sappy smile, I guess it is."

Years of dealing with the older man allowed him to brush away the teasing easily. "I'm just happy, is all."

"I bet," he agreed with a chuckle. After that, his expression grew more serious. "Listen, though. Sensei's doing us a favor by starting the paperwork to get her instated as a citizen, but we still have a few things to take care of. I have to get back to Ame, and since those kids are almost ready to stand on their own, this time, I'll probably stay there until then. So we need to set something up for when you're out of the village too."

He could feel the smile fade at the thought, but he knew that Jiraiya was right. The war was still going strong, and because of that, things had yet to settle down. It was a wonder that Jiraiya had managed to convince Sandaime-sama to let him stay and train those three orphans in Ame for this long- although he supposed that the fact that he was still running missions for the village in nearby areas had helped. Ninjas of his teacher's caliber were too valuable to allow them to leave for so much time, after all.

He had actually been meeting up with him when they had come across Sachiko in the first place.

Because Jiraiya was gone, however, he had noticed that, as his apprentice, he was held to a certain degree of expectations as well. To be honest, he'd probably spent more time out of the village than inside of it these past two years. Unfortunately, that applied to many shinobi as well. Finding anyone both qualified and able to take care of a child would be difficult.

"There are always the genin teams," he hedged.

"Do you have enough to cover the expenses? You might be gone for months at a time, Minato. And that's another thing right there. The kid's only three, and you're the only family she has left. She's bound to get attached."

Minato grimaced, a sinking feeling settling within him as he imagined wide green eyes full of tears and a plea for him not to leave. He honestly didn't know what he would do if confronted with that.

Jiraiya noticed his reaction and sighed. "I'm not trying to discourage you from this, but I do want you to take everything into account. I'm not gonna be here to keep an eye on you or the kid, so taking care of her is going to fall on you. As fond of the little brat you might be, it can't exactly make up for not being there for her."

Another good point, he conceded. If he were part of one of the larger clans, it wouldn't be a problem, but it was just him. A fourteen-year-old chunnin. He knew Jiraiya would help where he could (he doubted something like distance would stop the man if he were really determined), but the fact of the matter was that neither of them were quite prepared for a three-year-old.

And yet...

Yet...he couldn't let her go. He wouldn't.

Family...it was something he'd always dreamed of having- agonized over during long nights in the orphanage. The warm feeling that filled his heart when he recalled the one memory he still had of his parents was something he treasured more than anything, and to have the chance to experience it every day...Maybe it was selfish, but he still wanted to try.

He had an idea on how to start, too.

"Sensei...what are the requirements to be promoted to jonin?"

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How Minato knew I loved pillows was a mystery I wasn't sure I wanted answered.

Nonetheless, I sighed softly in contentment as I snuggled deeper into the pillow pool, the muffled voices coming from the other side of the door lulling me into a state of semi-awareness. I'd actually woken up at the smell of something cooking, but I hadn't wanted to get up. Getting up meant facing Minato and Jiraiya, and I didn't know if I was ready for that just yet.

Would I ever be ready?

It didn't feel like it. How was I even supposed to act around them? I knew I wouldn't be able to act like a normal toddler no matter how hard I tried, but if I didn't, would they think something was wrong? Would they believe me strange enough to be suspicious? I did come from outside of the village- it wasn't that farfetched to think they might consider me some sort of spy.

Or maybe they'd checked that while I'd been unconscious?

I honestly didn't know what sorts of protocol they followed in these situations, so both possibilities were likely. The point was, I honestly had no idea what I was supposed to do from here.

'Going out there might be a good place to start.'

I inwardly groaned at the fact that my own thoughts had turned against me. Still, the reasonable part of me agreed. As scared as I was, I had to move forward- for the family I'd left behind, if nothing else. They wouldn't want me to wallow in homesickness or sadness. They would want me to move on, even if it hurt at first. It was the same thing I expected them to do now that I wasn't there. Although, that did bring up the question of what had happened to me in the world I'd left behind. Had I simply vanished from existence? Or was it something else that I didn't remember?

I pushed those thoughts away with a frown. It wasn't going to do me any good to think about them now.

Instead, I focused on finally getting up- a task much more daunting than it sounded. The good thing was that my stint in the woods had more or less forced me to quickly grow accustomed to a body that was much smaller than what I'd been used to. The bad thing was that there were still times I had trouble. In a lot of cases, it had involved trying to reach for something and falling short, but there were times when I'd tripped over a root or branch that I'd thought wouldn't be a problem. Currently, the problem was being stuck within the pillow pool.

'Pillows, why have you betrayed me? I loved you!'

I snorted even as I continued struggling to get out. That melodramatic thought had only brought to mind an image of two pillows in cloaks holding lightsabres with nonexistent hands. Pillow-wan Kenobi was struggling as valiantly as I was against Anakin Skypillow (another quiet snort), and seemed to be holding his own for now, which was more than I could say for myself. I paused for a moment, torn between laughing and groaning in frustration.

I would imagine something like that right now. Good to know my charming sense of humor was still intact.

"Need some help?"

There was amusement in the question, but I didn't notice until later. As it was, I barely registered the jerk I gave in surprise, too busy with the swooping sensation in my stomach as the bed seemed to vanish from beneath me. Before I could do more than gasp breathlessly, I was already caught.

"Sensei, you shouldn't startle her like that," Minato's voice was scolding, which I approved of immediately.

I'd never been fond of the feeling of falling off the bed, after all.

"It's fine, it's fine. I didn't let her fall, did I?"

He shifted me around until I was being held up from under my arms to face him (at which point I realized just how tall the guy was). In all honesty, I did want to glare at him, but I found I couldn't bring myself to do so. Not when met with his laughing eyes.

He was so happy.

I knew he'd already heard the toad sage's prophecy by now. Despite that...Despite knowing that he would go on to train someone who would turn out to be good for the world or destroy it, he was still giving it his all. The pressure of that must have been unimaginable, but he was still here, striving to find the right path. He was still smiling and would continue to do so- even in his last moments.

"The life of a shinobi is not measured by how he lived, but rather, what he did before his death."

Yes, he was a pervert, and yes, he made mistakes, but for everything he'd done...For everything he'd sacrificed in the hopes of seeing a better future...He was worthy of admiration and respect.

"See? She doesn't mind, right?" he asked with a bark of laughter.

I huffed softly, but still felt the corners of my lips unwillingly twitch upward in a smile.

Maybe...interacting with them wouldn't be as hard as I'd thought.

"No...I don't mind."

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Minato was jealous, and he was amused.

Jiraiya held back a snicker as his student pouted, no doubt wondering just what it was that had made the kid like him enough to finally say something. To be honest, he wasn't quite sure either, but he wasn't about to question it when it led to such funny expressions.

"Where are we going, Jiraiya-san?"

She was very well-spoken, too, though quiet. Part of him wondered if both were Namikaze traits. Minato had been much the same, and reports had shown him to be more advanced than his peers at that age. It was something to think about, at any rate.

"Just have to take care of a few things. Plus, we should probably get you some clothes."

They'd been lucky that Shizune was more or less her size, but even he knew that one borrowed outfit wasn't enough.

"Okay."

The hands in his hair tightened slightly as she readjusted herself on his shoulders, but the grip remained gentle.

"Your hair is really soft," she told him with a quiet, pleased sort of awe, giggling just the slightest bit as her fingers began running through it.

Minato fumed, and he laughed.

"Thanks, kid."

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Minato knew he was pouting, but he couldn't help it.

It just...wasn't fair.

"Hmm, looks like rest did you some good. How are you feeling today, Sachiko-chan?"

"A-Ah, much better now. Thank you, Tsunade-sama."

Two people. Sachiko had spoken to two people, but he was not yet one of them.

"And I see you've gotten some clothes of your own. Good. I would have punched Jiraiya through the wall if you'd shown up here in the same outfit I saw you leave with."

Jiraiya laughed nervously, but it changed to a look of surprise when Sachiko stepped in front of him and looked up at Tsunade with a cute little frown.

"Don't hit him. Jiraiya-san has been really nice."

He just didn't understand how Sensei had gotten her trust- and apparently favor -so quickly. Maybe there was something to that...unique introduction of his after all.

At least Tsunade seemed equally as taken aback by his little cousin's protectiveness.

She looked at Jiraiya, brow raised. "How did this happen?"

"I'd tell you if I knew, Hime," he shrugged before grinning and leaning down to ruffle Sachiko's hair, drawing a small laugh that had him equal parts happy and jealous. "But what an adorable little guardian I've gained, huh?"

"Makes me feel better about leaving her with you, at least," she sighed, though Minato caught a slight smile on her face before she turned away.

"About that," Jiraiya began, his tone turning serious. "There are a few things we should talk about."

"What things?" she suddenly scowled. "There's nothing to discuss."

"You know that's not true." Sensei's gaze flickered to him briefly, and then it was his turn to sigh. "Minato, mind taking the kid out for a while?"

Sensing the change in mood, he nodded. "Come on, Sachiko-chan. Jiraiya-sensei needs to talk to Tsunade-sama alone for a bit."

Sachiko hesitated, but ultimately made her way over, casting a look over his shoulder when he picked her up and began making his way toward the door.

Silence fell between them as he started walking down the street. By the time he'd reached the edges of one of the local parks, he couldn't take it anymore. He placed her on a bench and held her gaze as she looked up at him.

"Did I do something wrong, Sachiko-chan?"

Relief filled him at the confused expression his question garnered. It meant there was a good chance that whatever was keeping her silent around him wasn't his fault. Maybe if he explained himself, she would tell him what was wrong.

"It's just, you've been talking with Sensei this whole time, but you haven't said anything to me. So I wanted to know if it was something I did."

Her eyes widened, then she turned pink and looked away.

"Didn't know what to say..." she mumbled, one hand worrying the hem of her shirt. "Sorry."

"Oh," he breathed out, smiling afterward. "Is that all?"

The pink darkened to red, and she frowned, but it did nothing other than to make his smile widen. His little cousin was adorable.

"Minatooooo!"

A red blur swooped past, and the next moment, Sachiko was gone from the bench.

"Whoisthis?!Issheyourlittlesister?!Sincewhendoyouhavealittlesister?!Lookathershe'ssocute-ttebane!"

Sachiko was starting to turn blue from the stranglehug Kushina seemed to have on her, and she turned to him with a pleading gaze as she was rocked back and forth.

"N-Nii-san!"

His heart swelled when he heard that, and the next thing he knew, Sachiko was back in his arms.

"Wha- hey! Minato!"

"She was about to pass out, Kushina," he pointed out, sighing a bit at the wary look Sachiko was now giving her. "See, you scared her."

"'M not scared," she muttered, but sunk further into his hold regardless. "I just like breathing."

He choked back a laugh, shrugging apologetically when Kushina leveled a glare at him.

"But, to answer your question...This is Sachiko, my younger cousin. Jiraiya-sensei and I found her."

"Found...?" When Sachiko buried her face into his shoulder, her expression saddened in realization. "Oh...I'm sorry."

"Yeah...So, now she's going to be living with us- well, me. Sensei has to leave again soon."

Sachiko's head shot up. "Jiraiya-san is leaving? When?"

"Right now, actually," Sensei's voice cut in. They all turned to see him walking up with Tsunade-sama, who was looking...very unhappy. "Something's come up, and I need to go."

Sachiko's brows furrowed, clearly upset at the news. "But-"

Jiraiya reached over and ruffled her hair again. "Don't worry, kid. Minato will take good care of you. Tsunade too."

"I never agreed to stay!" she snapped.

"No, but I know you will anyway. You wouldn't leave Konoha right now."

Tsunade scowled fiercely and crossed her arms, but didn't say anything more. Sachiko seemed to mimic the action, but looked resigned instead of angry. Finally, she looked up at him and pouted.

So...cute.

"Come back soon, okay?"

Jiraiya blinked, but was back to grinning moments later. "Don't you worry about me. I'll be back before you know it."

"Okay."

"Minato, you take care of yourself too."

"I will, Sensei."

"Good. If all goes well, I'll see you in a few months. Later!"

The next moment, he was gone. Tsunade left immediately after with an irritated huff and a sharply barked demand to bring Sachiko in to see her next week, leaving just the three of them again.

"So...you were saying she's going to live with you?" Kushina asked, breaking the tense silence that had fallen.

"Yeah," he confirmed, grateful for her natural ability to lighten tense situations. Although remembering his earlier conversation with Jiraiya made him frown. "Only...I'm not really sure what I'm going to do when I have to go on a mission."

"I can look after her if you want."

He felt himself blink in confusion. "Huh?"

Kushina turned red and looked away, but not before he saw a flash of frustration in her eyes. "Because of what happened with Kumo a while back as well as...you know, Sandaime-sama said he doesn't want me leaving Konoha too much right now."

"Oh...I'm sorry."

"It's fine." It didn't really sound fine, but he chose not to comment on that at the moment. Instead, he let her smile and continue. "I'm getting a lot of fuuinjutsu practice in, at least! But, it gets a little boring sometimes, especially since Mikoto-chan is pretty busy these days too. So, you have someone to look after her, she's not left alone, and I have some company! Everyone wins, 'ttebane!"

It did sound like a good offer. Now that he and Kushina had had the chance to grow closer, he knew that there were few people he could trust more than her. Even so...

He looked down at the small girl in his arms. "What do you think, Sachiko? I'm alright with this, but are you okay staying with Kushina whenever I have to go somewhere?"

She looked between the two of them, then nodded hesitantly. "I guess so...but no more strangling hugs, okay, Kushina-sa-urgk!"

He did a double-take at his suddenly empty arms, and felt a nervous chuckle escape him when he realized where his little cousin had ended up.

"No, no, no!" Kushina was scolding her, doing the very thing Sachiko had just asked her not to do. "You have to call me Onee-san!"

"Leggo!"

"Call me Onee-san, 'ttebane!"

"I'm gonna kick you if you don't!"

"Ooh, I like you! Minato, you could learn a thing or two from Sachi- ouch! Hey!"

"I warned you!" she hissed from her new place behind him, though her mussed-up hair and flushed cheeks lessened the effect.

Kushina grinned, and he probably wasn't the only one to feel a bit of apprehension at that given how he felt Sachiko shift back. "Yeah? Well, you better run now. That's my warning to you- 'ttebane! Think fast!"

As Kushina surged forward and Sachiko took off running, he stared at their retreating forms in a mix of absolute befuddlement and dread.

"Take this, brat!"

"How did you even-?! Nono, don't you dar-aaaah!"

He felt a bead of sweat trail down his face when he heard Sachiko- who had been such a polite, quiet girl up until this point -let out a shriek as if the very demons of hell had descended upon her.

...Maybe there was still time to reconsider?

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This was ridiculous. Two showers, a bath, and even an hour in the hot spring, and I was still pink.

"It should come off in a week or so, Sachiko," Minato tried to reassure me, though when it didn't sound like he was too sure of that himself...

"Hmph..."

"And hey, at least we managed to wash off all the itching powder."

I wanted to send him a look for that but sighed in the end. He did actually have a point. Going by the general talk I'd heard while trying to get rid of the dye, Kushina could have actually done much worse.

Ninja with too much energy and time were dangerous people.

"You...don't hate her for this, do you?"

I was brought out of my thoughts at the nervous tone I could hear in Minato's voice. He looked genuinely worried about my answer, which was kind of silly, honestly. While it was true that I was more than annoyed at my current situation, I also knew that Kushina was not the sort of person who did these kinds of things maliciously. She was scary, yes, and very outspoken and headstrong, but she was young. I couldn't hate her for a prank.

"No. I don't hate her."

"I'm glad," Minato said before smiling gently. "She can come on really strong, but Kushina is nice. I'm sure you'll be good friends."

"Mm."

There was a chance, for sure, but I wasn't sure I'd be able to handle hanging out with her for long periods. Still, I supposed I could at least try. Because of her, a lot of the hesitance I'd felt in the morning was gone, and I felt much more at ease talking with people who had been nothing more than characters in a manga for me not too long ago.

"Do you know when your birthday is, Sachiko?"

"March sixteenth," I felt myself answer before freezing.

That...wasn't my birthday. My birthday was in October, so why did I say March? Also, why didn't it feel wrong to say?

Ooh, I didn't like the sounds of this.

But I could freak out about this later, in the privacy of my new room. The less reason anyone had to think I wasn't one-hundred percent okay was probably better.

Luckily, Minato didn't seem to catch my confusion, too caught up in his own thoughts.

"That should give me some time...Yeah, I think that'll work!"

"Um..."

He looked back at me and laughed. "Don't worry about it. Just trust your Nii-san, okay?"

Heat rushed up to my cheeks at the reminder of how I'd addressed him earlier today, but...he looked so happy about it that I just knew I'd feel worse if I didn't keep it up.

"Okay, Nii-san."

He beamed, and I resigned myself to the fact that he was going to be Minato-niisan for the rest of my time here.

...It could be worse, I guess. I could have ended up in Kiri.

OoOoOoOoOoOoOo ~ Chapter End

I swear I'll find a way to break through this Naruto Writer's block.

Not much to say about this chapter, honestly. Or it could be that I can't think of anything at the moment. But if you have any questions regarding this fic or the chapter itself, I do try to answer reviews when I have a moment. Otherwise, you can send me a PM here or come ask on Tumblr or Discord. Whatever works for you.

So...yeah. That's it for now. Take care.