[Morning]

There were very few people in his life that he could turn to. Growing up without parents, he was fortunate in that he was keener and mentally older than most his age. Instead of pushing people away, he sought their approval, their favour, and fortunately, those whose favour he sought were not the worst to look up to.

His intelligence and natural gift for picking things up garnered him more favour with the general public. Sure, he was an orphan, but he was a brilliant one and one who wished to join their military ranks. There was as much promise in him defending the village as there was in him turning against it and it was in everyone's best interest to ensure he remained loyal to Konoha.

Some would say it was because of this upbringing that his self-confidence and anxiety problems not only emerged, but rapidly grew. So when he found himself spiraling once more he went to the one person he knew would knock some sense into him.

"You're a fucking idiot." Raging violet eyes narrowed at him not even a second after he finished explaining his current concerns. "Only you would believe, think, and feel like you were inadequate when Konoha's White Fang asked you to mentor his one and only son and heir." Rubbing the back of his head and knowing better than to interrupt he let her continue. "Stop thinking about you for once and place yourself in his shoes. You are quite possibly the only person, sans the Hokage himself, who could possibly relate to the mini-fang." She brought a hand up to her nose and pinched it as she sighed. "You prodigies are fucking quirky."

"Y'all don't get it, do ya?" A short, rust-haired Chūnin sighed and shook her head. "I've known ya prodigies are quirky, but damn nobody mentioned daft."

"His kid graduated at 5 and off season as well. He clearly doesn't have the time to apprentice him himself. He's in and out of the village constantly and given current events, I doubt the Hokage is willing to sideline him now." The brilliance in watching Kushina was that, for the most part, she wore her heart on her sleeve. Sure, she could maintain a neutral facade when needed, but you get her worked up and you could watch, and sometimes listen, to her breakdown problems. "Plus, there's just the two of them." Shaking her head, she continued. "Sakumo is brilliant, but not so much Nara or prodigy brilliant as he is Maito-brilliant." She nodded to herself as he mentally noted her using Hatake-sans first name. "Everything he's earned was through hard work, not natural talent. So of course he would ask you and only you." He could understand how she came to her conclusions, but there was a large overlook issue with her line of thinking.

"There are other prodigies out there, Kushina." He offered earnestly. "You've said so yourself. There are Nara's out there. The Hyūga and Uchiha have more than a handful of prodigies as well. Better people, some would say. At least someone better than just some orphan." Anticipating the punch didn't help or lessen the pain. Rubbing his arm the Namikaze dared to narrow his own at the Uzumaki.

"For someone so smart, you're so fucking daft." The tension shared between them was hostile, neither willing to back down from their stances. "Did you ever consider that may be the reason why? You're an orphan and your loyalty remains solely to the village and your friends." He paused and his brows pulled up as she continued her explanation. "I don't know much about the Hatake, but they're no longer a large clan. Sakumo likely grew up during or at the back end of the warring era...definitely during the second and possibly the first wars if not. Sit down and add that to your calculations."

[Midday]

Panting as he brought his hands to his knees Minato felt alive. Never in a million years would he have ever thought of asking to train with the White Fang, so when the elder walked up and asked him for a light morning spar, how could he say no? There wasn't a doubt in his mind that while the Hatake had done nothing but compliment him he was still holding 's words rang in his mind as the elder Jōnin parried and dodged his attacks expectantly earlier on. As time progressed, Minato felt as if he had passed some sort of test. The Hatake's moves were no longer expected. They no longer mirrored what someone from within the village would do. He was caught off guard more times than he was happy with, but he appreciated the difficulty.

History of the Hatake clan hadn't ever been expressed or explained academically or socially. So it took the Namikaze a couple of minutes to parse out that the Jōnin was possibly a skilled Samurai or at the very least trained in the art. But just as he figured that out his stance and attacks would shift and it was during the middle of one of these shifts that he heard the man chuckle. Keen war-torn onyx eyes smiled in mirth at his raised brow and concentrated look. Their spar would end without him piecing together exactly what styles the White Fang had in his pocket, before he was invited out to lunch.

"You're fast." Gossip spread through the village like wildfire, so out of courtesy Minato didn't so much as bother looking at the young Genin when he ate. Not that his mask was down for longer than absolutely necessary to do so between bites. He could definitely understand the difficulty Kushina expressed when she told him of how she and the young Hatake's self-proclaimed rival had spent the better part of a Tuesday trying to see who could catch a glance.

"Thank you. Speed is my strongest suit, yes. I am not built as others are." He neglected to mention it was likely due to his upbringing. "You're father for example, he is not as big as others, but it is clear that he has muscle on him. Instead of taking the time required to build bulk and power, I have opted for the speed route."

"And if you're caught?"

"I've been told I'm quick-minded as well. Ideally I'll have a backup plan for that." He thought back to the plenty of times where his father had or could have injured if not crippled him during their spar.

"And when that fails?"

"I can hold my own in a taijutsu scenario if that is what you're asking. I can also take quite a beating before I am incapable. I will admit that I didn't spend nearly enough time on either of those when I was younger. But I have a friend who is working herself to the bone to get stronger and if she kicks my, beats me too easily in a spart I'll not only never hear the end of it, but likely be forced to partake in her… questionable training." Kushina passive threats had never been implemented, but having seen some of the training she does around the village with the Maito's… he'd never have time to learn anything else. "Plus, I've a few other tricks under my sleeve."

"You're insinuating Fūinjutsu." The five-year-old stated, "My…. I've someone who is skilled in it as well."

"Oh?" Curiosity piqued Minato voiced his thoughts. "Perhaps we know each other. Maybe one day we can-"

"What's your element?" Caught off guard by the sudden question, he answered instantly.

"Primary? Fire."

"Secondary?"

"Wind." The Genin nodded before returning to frying some more beef on the grill in front of them, closing the conversation. A glance over to his father and the blond found the man smirking knowingly at him. Caught, the Namikaze rubbed the back of his head as he reached out with his other hand to grill his own beef.

[Early Evening]

Watching as the father Hatake had his back to him and prepared the water for the tea left Minato with a couple of minutes to look around the house. Much like the rest of the empty compound, it was scary clean and organized. Everything had its place, down to the location of where they placed their shoes. He hadn't said anything when he watched his soon-to-be apprentice shift his shoes to the side leaving space for what he presumed was the mother of the household. He hadn't so much as had time to apologize before the deed was done and the youngest excused himself to bed. Sakumo merely smiled knowingly at his son before stating he would be making them tea, leaving him no room for comment.

"He's really curious about you."

"Eh?" Kakashi hadn't said much during their entire dinner and even less during their walk back. Albeit, Minato didn't get the feeling that the kid wanted him to leave and he was far too curious about the pair to end the night. "I wasn't sure whether or not he wanted me to leave."

"Trust me, if he doesn't want you around. You will know." The father offered, placing a cup of warm green tea in front of him. "Now tell me, what's bothering you?" Looking up, the teen wondered if the man was some sort of mind reader. "She mentioned the way you set your jaw." He offered, smiling and pointing at his tell. "She wasn't wrong. When you know where to look, at least you are quite the open book."

"She's always giving me away." He laughed, rubbing the back of his head with his right hand. "But there is something that's been on my mind this entire time."

"Why you?" Sakumo interrupted before he could ask. "You're very similar," he continued without pause. "The way you pick up on things." The elder chuckled to himself. "To be honest, it wasn't until she invited me to join and watch you all train with Jiraiya that I saw it for myself." Embarrassed mid statement Minato had looked away, looking up only now as the father paused, greeting him to a mirthful genuine crinkled smile. "You're like him. And can better understand the way he works and understands things. I erased any doubts I had with how active he was with you today." The Hatake jerked his head at Minato. "You. A complete stranger."

"You're far too kind, Hatake-sama."

"Ah quit with that." He waved. "Ahh. She's a terrible model, but call me Sakumo. You're my son's sensei. You're pack now."

"Pack?" Violet eyes narrowed as her neck cocked to the side. "That's a weird way of saying family."

"What can I say?" The brunette haired seal's mistress chuckled, rubbing the back of her head. "If I go around calling my loved ones a leash, skulk, or earth, it'd only confuse people further."

"I don't know, I think leash sounds kinda nice." Kushina chuckled, elbowing him on the side.

"Minato-kun?" Sakumo interrupted, slightly concerned onyx orbs glancing above the tea cup paused at his lips.

"Pack, huh? I don't feel like I've earned it."

"It matters not if you feel you have earned it. As far as we were concerned with you being Kushina's other half, as she called it, you were already an honorary member. Someone worth noticing." He could feel the flush on his cheeks. Just the thought of Kushina calling him her other half was the highest honor. "Now, you've just earned your own place of your own merit."

"You're speaking as if the decision has been made." He paused momentarily. "You have this entire day." Grasping his offered drink in his hands, the blond's heart fluttered at the thought. "Kakashi-kun."

"Trust me, just Kakashi. Honorifics aren't really a thing amongst one another." Nodding at the correction, Minato continued.

"Kakashi hasn't voiced his opinion. Plus, there is still the Hokage's final decision on the matter. I have yet to speak with him about it." A soft smile slipped across Konoha's White Fang's lips and it was only then that Minato realized just how contradictory the Hatake was compared to his reputation on the field. Or rather, perhaps in order to have this side he had to be the terror he was on the field. He had his enemies, and he was nothing like Minato, who was only just making a name for himself. He had made himself into the demon he was known to be to their enemies to ensure that the village, that his family, his pack, was protected and not targeted behind these walls.

"With time..." The elder offered. "You'll quickly realize my son doesn't express himself as others do. He is a child of action over words." Nodding over to the shoes at the genkan, he continued. "He silently moved your shoes to the side. Not saying a word or any sliver of KI." Setting his glass down Sakumo continued his shoulders more taut as was his smile. "She's been missing for sometime now and he refuses to allow the home to settle back as if she were never here. He's yelled and ignored his closest friends for the inadvertent insult. And yet he merely repositioned your shoes and excused himself for the night." Sakumo held up his hand before Minato could point out the dismissal. "He has a strict schedule of his own creation. He needn't have remained with us during our stroll home, but he had. Yes, he went straight to his room, but it is so he can maintain his regular schedule."

[Night]

Leaving the Hatake's home and estate left a sour taste in his mouth. It had nothing to do with the shared time he spent with the duo, and everything to do with what a certain red-haired Uzumaki had said and implied earlier in the morning. While the estate was nowhere near the size of the Uchiha, Hyūga, Inuzuka, or Nara, it was comparable to that of the Yamanaka and or Aburame. Larger than average, but not massive. An entire area set aside but a couple of generations ago to a clan who gave the First's 'peace' a chance. Yet here it stood, now completely empty with homes that were maintained, but likely not used since the second shinobi war.

A clan on the brink of extinction and nobody was batting an eyelash.

A father who was seemingly still in his prime and his son who had just dipped his toes in the bloody water.

Rubbing his arms the Namikaze couldn't help but wonder if they should do something about it. If anything had been done. What would happen to the clan once the father and son passed, saying neither had more children of their own. Kakashi was young, yes, but his social skills were questionable... and that was being generous. Plus, Minato for the life of his couldn't even remember if he knew what the Hatake matriarch had looked like, nevertheless when she passed and if her widow had pursued others since.

"The Hatake?" Shikaku asked lazily, glancing up from the shogi board. "Has he finally asked you to train his son?" Minato sighed, relaxing his shoulders. He expected the Nara being one of the few who noticed, but the manner in which he asked made it seem like maybe he was the only one who didn't see this coming. "Do it. The two of you could learn a lot from each other. Plus, you've been trying to find a reason to remain in the village without feeling guilty. No? A student would do just that. You'll still be assigned missions, especially given the state of things, but you will not be out as frequently as you will be if you do not take him."

"I don't know why I expected you to say otherwise."

"I don't tell people what they want to hear, Namikaze. You know that, and it is precisely why you came to me." A moment of silence paused before he continued. "This will benefit all parties involved. While I cannot say much, I can say that you would ease a lot of the unsaid tension going on behind the scenes with the Clan."

"Tensions?"

"I cannot tell you anything now. It's clan matters, but you will become privy to more of it if you take him on to be your student. This isn't the first time the village has been in this position, but it is that certain factions are taking an interest in it." Charcoal eyes shifted from him and back down to their board. "The Hatake's are loyal, to a fault, and it has cost both them and the village."

Ruffling his hair for the nth time that day, Minato opened the door to his apartment and was caught off-guard with the savory smell wafting in the air and the back of the only woman who caught his eye.

"K-Kushina?" They each had the other's spare key, but seldom did either use it when they knew the other was in the village. Noted out of the two of them, she was the one who used his more than he hers.

"Welcome home." She offered over her shoulder as she continued to stir whatever delicious concoction she had cooked over the stove.

"Ah. I'm home." Shutting the door behind him, he continued further. "Kushina, what are you-"

"Ch. Ch. Shoes off. Go shower. I smell you from here and over the food." Pausing in place, he lifted his arm up and sniffed his shirt. He didn't smell any different from what he did after a good spar. Plus, it had been a couple of hours since then and neither Sakumo nor Kakashi had said anything about it. "Go. Dinner will be done by the time you're out." Leaving him no room for argument, he slid off his shoes and placed them next to hers before retreating to his room. Grabbing a pair of clean clothing to lounge about the house, he left his room and glanced at the Uzumaki as she cut up some vegetables. When she paused and glanced at him at the corner of her eye before narrowing her sights, he shuffled quickly to the bathroom, shutting and locking the door behind him.

Placing the folded pajama shirt over the sink, he turned on the water, glad to be in one apartment that had running piped water, and waited for it to warm. His eyes settled onto the shirt purchased by his sensei. A childish knitted toad stare at him on the front and while he had never asked, and he was sure his sensei would never admit, Minato was positive that the Sannin made it in his free time.

Standing under the water, the smell of Kushina's cooking was only exasperated and drowned out the generic soaps he used on both his hair and his body. Scrubbing down quickly, he was in and out from under the water in a couple of minutes. Towel over his head, he stepped out of the bathroom and seated at the recently purchased kotatsu. The table had mostly been set and Kushina was sitting across from him minutes later.

"You actually got one." She chirped across from him and placing the blanket over her lap. Smiling, he watched as she basked in the warmth and her cheeks remained pulled in a content smile. "Ahhh. I knew it would be nice, but I didn't think it would be this cozy." Falling onto her back, she stretched out, kicking his leg. "A girl could get used to this."

"You like?"

"Love. Yes, and it's just in time for the winter months too!" To calm both his racing heart and hide his flushed cheeks, Minato looked down at the delicious bowl of ramen placed in front of him. "How did it go?" She tapped his thigh with her foot violet eyes, clearly expecting a response.

"I am not quite sure if there was anything to be worried about." Her brows bounced twice. It was the silent Kushina 'I told you so.' "I think I had an apprentice before either of us knew it."

"Sakumo isn't an idiot, and he is an excellent judge of character."

"You seem to know him really well."

"Ah." She paused, looking away from him and up at the ceiling. "I've a friend who is close to them. We practically know everything about one another and those we care about." It was only then that some conversations and events of the day aligned up.

"It's Emi, isn't it?" Instead of an answer, the redhead mumbled a quiet itadakimasu, before scarfing down her food. He had been so busy worrying over other things that he only just now realized how long it had been since the brunette was at their joint Fūinjutsu sessions. He remembered Kushina mentioning that she had a mission sometime ago, although the exact date eluded him. A lot more things fell into place and rose more questions in his head as he muttered his own quiet 'Itadakimasu' to eat his own bowl.