Last Time:
"A few," Kushina answered. "We already did a headcount, everyone's accounted for. A few people were here finishing up with decorating and whatnot when the fire broke out. Anko says the fire started on the side of the house and before the complex was mainly empty, no one caught it in time."
"Hm." Naruto kicked around a few ashes.
Kushina let out a heavy sigh as she linked her arm with Naruto's, "I'm sorry that this happened on your birthday, Naruto-kun."
Naruto shook his head, "Don't be. I'm just glad that everyone's okay. We can replace a house, we can't replace each other. Plus, this gives us an excuse to finally use the lakehouse."
Kushina looked at Naruto for a moment before laughing. Naruto smiled at the sound of his mother's laughter, and it came as a relief. She laughed for a bit before wiping away a tear and nudging Naruto, "Look at you, always looking at the bright side."
"I learned from you," Naruto told her. "Come on, you need to get some rest, and so do I. It's been a long night."
Opposites Attract: Chapter 55 – The Beginning of a New Era
Minato let out a heavy sigh as he unlocked their hotel room door and walked in ahead of Kushina. Once Kushina was inside, he saw Kakashi trail in behind them and put down a cluster of shopping bags. Kakashi didn't say a word as he gave Kushina a quick peck on the cheek and then gave Minato a hug.
"Here," Minato reached into his pocket and pulled out a money clip, "just in case you, Anko, or Kosuke need anything in the middle of the night. But if there's anything you need from me, then don't hesitate to come and ask me, all right?"
Kakashi sighed and looked at Minato, "How are you still thinking about someone else aside from you and Kushina-san? I mean, you just lost the house you two built together."
Minato shrugged and put the cash in Kakashi's hand, "In times like this, you just have to accept what's happened and think about what you can do next. In the meantime, I'm making sure my family is okay and taken care of."
"Is Sakura at Sasuke's place?" Kakashi asked.
Minato nodded, "Yeah. I figured she'd be better off staying at his place than being cooped up in here with us. I'll hash out living arrangements with everyone later. Ideally, I'd like to get everyone in the same apartment building if at all possible, but if we need to stay in the hotel, then we'll do that."
"I'll look up some apartment buildings tonight," Kakashi assured him.
"Make sure they're downtown," Minato requested, and he saw Kakashi nod. "Good. I'll see you sometime tomorrow. Have a good night, and kiss Anko and Kosuke for me."
Kakashi nodded, "I'll do that. Good night."
Minato sighed as he shut the door and walked into the main part of their hotel room. He saw Kushina was standing at the window and seemed to be looking off into the distance in the direction of where their home used to be. He came up behind her and wrapped his arms around her waist before resting his head on her shoulder, "I'm sorry that this happened."
Kushina shook her head, "It's not your fault."
Minato sighed and released Kushina, "The fire department and police department are out there now investigating what they can, but Shisui was letting me know that they'll have better luck looking in the morning when it's daylight. The Fire Chief is already saying that it looks like it was set deliberately based on the flame pattern. Gasoline maybe."
Minato made his way over to the bags Kakashi had brought in and began to go through them. He separated out their newly bought toiletries and clothes between him and Kushina, and while he was in the middle of doing that, Kushina walked over to him and ran her hand down his arm. She then slid her hand across his chest and up his neck until her hand was on his cheek, and she made him look at her.
Without needing to say a word, Minato pressed his lips against Kushina's. It was heavy and passionate, and it was enough to make Minato forget about what he'd been doing and grab hold of Kushina's waist. As their kiss deepened, Kushina's hands unbuttoned Minato's shirt and pushed it off his shoulders before he lifted her off the ground.
Kushina was the one to break the kiss, and the pained expression in her eyes made Minato's chest tighten, "Make me think about anything else other than what happened tonight. Please."
"Don't worry," Minato assured her as he walked her over to the side of the bed and put her down, "just focus on me." Minato pulled off Kushina's bottoms and pulled her over to the edge of the bed. He kneeled down in front of her and didn't hesitate to lap his tongue against her folds and devour her.
Kushina let out a pleasurable moan as she grabbed a fistful of the duvet and a fistful of Minato's hair. She squirmed beneath him, but Minato wrapped his arms around his legs and held her in place while he allowed his lips and tongue to do all the work. "Mi-Minato," her voice dribbled out.
"That's it, keep focusing on me," Minato encouraged her before planting gentle kisses along her inner thighs and occasionally lapping his tongue against the spots he knew would get to Kushina. In all their years of marriage, Minato everything had to do to get the reactions he wanted out of her, and in times like this where she was upset, he knew what he needed to do to make her mind go blank.
He focused his tongue on Kushina's clit, and his special attention on that particular spot made Kushina squirm more, but he continued to hold her down and in place. He nibbled, licked, and sucked on it, and when he heard Kushina cry out while her body quaked, he released her legs and spread her folds.
He licked up the juices Kushina had released and chuckled when Kushina gently pushed on his head. When he was satisfied with his clean-up job, he stood up and licked his lips. "Take everything else off," he ordered as he undid his belt, and he watched as Kushina pulled off her sweater and bra.
As he pulled down his own jeans and boxers, his erection sprung forth, and Kushina sat on the edge of the bed. Without warning, Kushina ran her tongue from base to tip before swallowing all of Minato. He groaned in the back of his throat as Kushina began to bob her head against the entirety of his length and rubbed her tongue against the underside of his erection.
He grabbed a handful of her hair and watched as she seemed to continue her pleasuring of him with extra eagerness. Minato could feel the tip of his erection tapping the back of her throat, and the slurping and sucking sounds that filled their hotel room were beginning to make Minato's own mind go blank.
"That's enough," Minato moaned, and he watched as Kushina stopped but continued to hold all of him in her mouth. He chuckled and gently brushed her cheek, "On the bed."
Slowly, Kushina pulled away from Minato, and once he was out of her mouth, she licked her lips. She scooted back on the bed and laid down, and she watched as Minato climbed on top of her. A welcoming chill ran down her spine as Minato's eyes met hers, and she felt the weight of his body covered her.
She bit her lip and stifled a moan as Minato slid inside of her, and she instinctively wrapped her arms around his neck. Minato hooked her right knee underneath his left elbow, and he could feel himself sliding deeper into her.
"Minato," Kushina gasped as Minato began a steady stroke that reached deep every time he slid back inside of her. Combined with a mixture of his slow treatment and his lips against her neck, Kushina felt herself slipping deeper into ecstasy.
As for Minato, he let go of everything bad thing about tonight. As he felt Kushina dig her nails into his back and continued to listen to her moans, Minato moved his focus from what needed to be done tomorrow to what he needed to do to Kushina tonight.
Neither of them was sure how much time passed, but by the time they both collapsed onto their bed, they could see sunlight starting to trickle through the curtains. Together, they laid there in silence for a little while.
"He's eighteen," Kushina muttered.
Minato sighed, "He's eighteen." Minato looked over at Kushina and smiled a bit, "You're worried."
"Of course I'm worried," Kushina confessed. "I keep trying to tell myself and convince myself that Naruto-kun isn't ready to take over Whirlwind, but I know I'd be lying. His circumstances were especially different compared to yours and mine, so he's definitely learned a lot more than either of us could've taught him. I just don't know if now is the right time."
"It's the right time," Minato reassured her as he sat up. "I already spoke with Naruto-kun and told him that if he wasn't ready to take over, then he could tell me, and I would continue to handle things until he was ready. But he said so himself, he's ready."
Kushina sat up as well and ran her fingers through her hair, "But is he? He can say whatever he feels like is the thing you wanna hear, Minato."
"You know he's not like that," Minato reminded her. "Kushina-chan," Minato laced his fingers with hers, "I know you're worried, and I know you're scared. I can't help but admit that I feel the same way, but this was going to happen eventually. Naruto-kun's capable of handling himself. He's proven that plenty of times already. All we need to do now is have faith in our son, and guide him when he needs us."
Kushina let out a heavy sigh, "Yeah. You're right."
Minato smiled a bit. He leaned over and kissed Kushina's forehead before gently pressing his forehead against hers, "Everything'll work out."
Meanwhile, a few miles away at Naruto's apartment, he was in the middle of getting dressed when he heard his doorbell. He suspected it was either Sasuke or Sakura, but not too much of his surprise, when he opened the door he saw Nozomi.
"Nozomi," Naruto wasn't anywhere near his usual cheery self, "good morning."
"Ah, good morning." Nozomi seemed slightly caught off guard by Naruto's sullen demeanor, "I heard about what happened to your parents' house. I just wanted to come over and see if you need anything?"
Naruto shook his head, "I'm all right. Thank you, though."
"Naruto-kun."
Nozomi couldn't help but notice how Naruto lightened up at the sound of Hinata's voice. She watched as Hinata took hold of Naruto's arm and look up at him with a concerned expression, "Hinata-chan, good morning."
"Good morning," Hinata greeted her politely before looking back at Naruto. "I spoke with Otou-san, and he said that you or Minato-san could call if you need anything. And he even said that if anyone who lived in that house needs a place to stay, they can come to stay in our guest's houses."
"Houses?" Naruto repeated.
Hinata nodded, "We have a section in the Hyuuga Compound specifically for guests. A lot of the time, people seeking to employ my father, or anyone from the firm come from out of the country or pretty far off in Fire Country, so we usually provide lodging for them. Otou-san says it helps build trust with the client, and a trusting client won't keep anything from you."
Naruto smiled a bit, "Is that so? I'll let Otou-san know then, and I'll be sure to thank Hiashi-san."
"Um," Nozomi spoke up, and both Hinata and Naruto looked at her, "I actually came over to let you know that my father offered to provide the services of our company for free so that you can rebuild your house."
Naruto really lit up now, "Really?"
Nozomi smiled, "Really. My father says that he has a great deal of respect for your father and that he'd be more than happy to help in this way."
"That's great," Naruto exclaimed as he hugged Nozomi. "Thank you, Nozomi!"
"Y-y-you're welcome!" Nozomi responded as her face flushed red, and Hinata couldn't help but notice the reaction.
Naruto released Nozomi and wore a large grin on his face, "I don't know how I can thank you enough. If you ever need anything at all, no matter what it is, you can rely on me. Okay?"
"Anything?" Nozomi repeated.
"Anything," Naruto reassured her.
Nozomi smiled, "I'm sure I won't need much, but I'll keep that in mind, Naruto-kun. I'll let my father know you've accepted his offer."
"Please do," Naruto said and watched as Nozomi headed back into her apartment. He let out a sigh of relief and looked at Hinata, "That's great, isn't it, Hinata?"
Hinata nodded, "It is. You should probably call Minato-san and let him know."
"Ah, you're right." Naruto ushered Hinata into his apartment before shutting the door behind them.
Next door, Nozomi plopped down onto her couch and tossed her phone onto the coffee table. It rang three times before someone answered.
"Thank you for calling the Nakamura Group, how may I direct your call?"
"Direct me towards my father," Nozomi requested.
"Lady Nozomi," the woman that had answered had a sudden sense of urgency in her voice, "O-of course! Just one moment, please!"
Nozomi crossed her legs and looked at her nails, "It looks like I need another manicure. I guess I'll do that today."
"This is Nakamura Naoharu," the Chairman of the Nakamura Real Estate Development Group, and Nozomi's father, answered in a distracted tone, "who is this?"
"Father," Nozomi replied.
"Nozomi." Naoharu sounded tense suddenly, "What can I do for you, Princess?"
"We'll be rebuilding Namikaze Minato's house," Nozomi informed him. "I'm sure you saw on the news that it burned down last night? Quite the tragedy, if I do say so myself. Anyway, I've offered our services, and Uzumaki Naruto accepted them."
"Sweetheart," Naoharu let out a nervous chuckle, "don't you think that's something you should've asked me about first?"
"Huh?" Nozomi sat up, "I'm sorry, I didn't quite catch that, Father. What were you saying?"
"Nothing," Naoharu said. "I'll be more than happy to provide our services to Namikaze-san in his time of need. When should I expect a call from them?"
"Soon, I suppose," Nozomi said with a sigh. "Father."
"Yes, Darling?"
"I need money for new clothes."
"But…I just gave you money for new clothes the other day," Naoharu chuckled.
Nozomi smiled, "I need more clothes. Transfer the money. Now, please."
"Of course. Is that all?" Naoharu sounded desperate to get off the phone.
"That's all," Nozomi said sweetly. "Enjoy the rest of your day, Father." Nozomi hung up before grabbing her laptop and opening it up. She hummed happily to herself as she opened an application and typed in her credentials. While the application loaded, she heard a notification go off on her phone, and she opened it to see her father had transferred the money she had asked for.
When the application loaded, she tossed her phone to the cushion beside her. On the screen in front of her, she could see the entirety of Naruto's apartment through multiple cameras. She checked the bedroom camera first and was slightly surprised to not see either Naruto or Hinata there, but when she saw the living room camera, she understood why.
Sasuke and Sakura were lounging in the living room with Naruto and Hinata, and they all seemed to be in the middle of something of a serious conversation. Curious, Nozomi turned on the audio and listened in.
"Ah right, before I forget," Sasuke reached into his pocket and pulled out his phone, "Shisui texted me and told me they got their initial report from the fire department. They figured out that the fire was set deliberately."
"Deliberately?" Naruto repeated.
Sakura sighed, "I already called Haku and asked if he'd heard anything out on the street about anyone wanting to target Whirlwind, but he says there's no one stupid enough to attack us directly like this."
"But apparently there is," Naruto argued. "What about the security cameras?"
"All the ones attached to the house were disabled," Sakura answered. "Okaa-chan wanted to upgrade our security system, and they started working on replacing the cameras yesterday."
"What about the cameras outside of the house?" Sasuke asked. "If I remember correctly, there should be some cameras set up on the light posts living the main driveway up to the house. I doubt Aunt Kushina would let them disable all the cameras at the same time."
"I'll ask Shikamaru to look at them," Naruto said as he pulled out his phone.
In Nozomi's room, she closed her laptop and picked up her phone. She dialed a number, and after two rings, someone answered, "Do you know where Nara Shikamaru lives?"
"No, but I can figure it out," the man on the other end answered.
"Great." Nozomi smiled, "Find him. I don't need them identifying you because you neglected to do your job as diligently as you should've been."
"Yes, ma'am."
To Be Continued…