AN: Short and sweet. Thanks for reading! Until next time (Which idk when that'll be)

Disclaimer: Don't own.

Three weeks later…

Kakashi drummed his fingers on his desk, his eyes on the report of Minoru's last appointment. He looked at Naruto who sat across from him, "How's his training?"

Naruto nodded, "Good," he answered, "He hasn't had any issues with his jutsu or ability. I did notice that his limits and recovery time have increased."

Kakashi hummed, and looked up in thought, "And the link?"

Naruto fought back a blush with a clearing of his throat, "Still there but less…evident." He refrained from thinking back how a few of weeks ago when they couldn't keep their hands off of each other. They already had a healthy sex life, and to add a link on top of that made things even more intense. He vaguely wondered how they didn't pass out from dehydration.

Kakashi considered his son-in-law for a moment, "I was thinking," he started bringing the younger man to attention, "How often do you two train with the nine-tail engaged?"

Naruto quirked a brow, "Not often," he said, "I mean, the last time was a few weeks ago…that's how…we found out…" he trailed off, averting his gaze and pretending interest on a scroll that hung on the wall. He cleared his throat, "Uh, but before that, every once in a while."

There was an invisible amused smile under Kakashi's mask, "I think it would be a good idea if you trained with the nine-tails engaged more often," he leaned forward on his desk, "It would be a good thing to know how deep this link goes."

Naruto nodded in understanding, "…What is the likelihood…of a contamination happening again?"

Kakashi let out a slow sigh, "That's a good question. One that I've been wondering about myself. My assumption would be that it can happen again due to the nature of Minoru's ability. But details such as rate and severity are unknown right now. Minoru triggered his ability a very long time ago. All those exposures over the years took a slow toll on him." He drummed is fingers on the desk again and frowned under his mask, "Unfortunately, only time will tell." He let out a sigh, "It's frustrating having limited information about his bloodline. When he was younger, I hardly managed to find hospital reports – a lot of hospital reports – of his great-great grandfather and chakra related injuries upon returning from missions. The reports aren't clear as to what was determined or if they were just dismissed as chakra depletion. Now I'm wondering differently…" Naruto slowly nodded in understanding, and furrowed his brows. Kakashi studied him, "You're wondering if it does happen again, if this solution would work again"

Naruto sighed, moving to stand and pace, "I don't see why it wouldn't…" Kakashi looked at him, "You don't think it would…"

Kakashi shrugged, "Like I said, we don't know what we don't know. It's like Sakura said, a chakra transfusion is like blood: you can't just receive from anyone." Naruto stopped pacing.

"But…," Naruto slowly turned to face Kakashi who tilted in head in response, "Since Kyuubi used his chakra…doesn't that mean that…technically…Kyuubi is a donor for Minoru…"

Kakashi watched curiously as the wheels in Naruto's mind turned, "What are you implying?"

"That means…routine transfusions –"

"You're assuming that Kyuubi would agree and be compliant."

Naruto smiled, "I'm not assuming."

Kakashi eyed the younger man questioningly, "You know?" Naruto nodded, "And…how are you so sure?"

Naruto's smile widened, "I just am."

Minoru laughed incredulously as he shook his head, "No no - no," he gave the older man a disbelieving look, "Are you trying to make me pass away from dehydration?"

Naruto opened his mouth to say something and thought against it and instead cleared his throat, "It's a preventative step," he reassured, "In combination with routine exams, we can prevent this from happening again." He watched as Minoru pinched his nose and took in a deep breath in attempts to get a hold of himself.

"Naruto," Minoru started, "I love you, so much, but the other night I seriously thought I was going to die – happily – but die from coming too much," he scowled at the older man's grin, a blush burning his cheeks, "I'm serious!"

Naruto's grin softened to a smile and moved closer, noticing how dark eyes flickered at him, "That's another thing, we can learn how to control this link between us. The intensity we felt the other day…" he trailed off as he reminisced about "the other day". He mentally shook his head and focused, "That won't happen every time. Like all things that involve chakra control, we can learn how to control this too." Dark eyes flickered at him before they slowly closed as if in defeat. He reached out and took a pale hand into his, thumbing the metal band.

The gesture made tears of frustration sting Minoru's eyes. He found himself being pulled into a warm embrace he let himself melt into it, "Okay," was all he could manage. He felt Naruto pull away slightly to look at him and he opened his eyes, blinking away tears. Naruto gently smiled at him as he brushed them away.

Naruto didn't have to ask. He could only imagine what his husband was feeling. After years of training and finally mastering his ability and jutsu, he was being forced to take five steps back and ten sideways. After years of one mystery after another, and finally feeling free from them, another surfaced.

But he also knew that it wasn't anything Minoru couldn't handle.

Three months later…

After weekly routine exams, that soon became bi-weekly, another chakra transfusion and learning how to control the chakra link that had formed, both Minoru and Naruto had a better understanding of the situation at hand. The exams revealed that his chakra channels were actually healing and strengthening – much to Sakura's delight – she even claimed them to be "the healthiest" she's seen. Minoru didn't know how true that was, but accepted it nonetheless. But even after all the reassurance, the training, the learning, Minoru for one still felt unsure of what this all meant. Even after Kakashi theorized and explained that only good could come out of this. He couldn't shake off this feeling of uncertainty. It made him feel uneasy.

He did notice some subtle differences, such as not feeling as fatigued after training, he was sleeping better, and the tingling almost burning sensations on his hands or anywhere he expelled chakra didn't happen anymore. It made him realize that what he accepted to be normal - wasn't. He refrained – or at least tried – not to think too much about his bloodline; the source of all of this. He tried not to think that maybe this was why he was the only one left.

On the other hand, he tried to focus on the bright side. The good and positive that came from all of this. For one thing, he felt a different type of closeness to Naruto, one that he couldn't quiet describe or put into words. Their relationship was already strong to begin with, but with the chakra link that inadvertently formed between them it was…different. It was as if Minoru was able to see both sides of the moon now. It was as if he could see and feel all of Naruto. Learning how to control the link was, in Kakashi's words, "detrimental". Understandably, he made the point that if any enemy nin were to catch a whiff of this information, it could and would be used against them. Learning how to control the link meant learning how to turn it off, and vice versa. It meant experimenting during training, mundane activities, long distances, close distances, and one of their personal favorites, sexually.

Minoru frowned and touched his stomach when it turned, making him feel a bit nauseated. He suddenly didn't want the tea he was about to make. Unbeknownst to him, Naruto noticed and studied him from behind where he was putting away the dishes. He felt his husband's eyes on him, and turned around, "I think it was something I ate." He knew Naruto wasn't convinced when cerulean eyes gave him a once over.

Naruto closed the cabinet and moved closer to Minoru who narrowed his eyes in amusement.

Minoru humored him and watched. Watched Naruto take one of his hands into his and looked off to the side in thought, feeling, searching. Watched him as he closed his eyes and a warm sensation made his palm tingle pleasantly. Watched him as his eyes opened to reveal a slitted pair that locked with his briefly before they disappeared with a blink. Watched as his expression turned sheepish, a playful smile on the older man's lips.

"It…must have been something you ate."

A smile played on Minoru's lips and he shook his head slightly, "How are you so freaking adorable." His smiled widened at the blush that blossomed on the sun kissed cheeks, "Please tell me that I don't make you worry every time I have some sort of bodily discomfort."

Naruto gently squeezed the hand in his, "I can't help it."

Minoru's brows knitted worriedly, "Naruto…I don't want you worrying about me all the time…" he trailed off when his husband shook his head with a smile on his lips.

"Minoru, I care about you – no, that's an understatement. I love you, and caring about you is just natural to me. It's not that I worry about you, I care about you…I can't help it." He noticed how dark eyes flickered at him before they averted their gaze.

There was a moment of silence, "What if…" Minoru started, and clenched his jaw.

"What if what?" Naruto asked gently after a moment. The pale hand in his gently squeezed his almost subconsciously. He squeezed it back, "Minoru…" he said softly, studying the younger man's profile for a moment before his husband turned his gaze back to him, the soft glow in the solemn dark eyes made his heart ache.

"What if…I need these treatments for the rest of my life?" Minoru swallowed. A soft smile graced Naruto's lip.

"Then I'll give you these treatments for the rest of your life," Naruto said simply, and the glow grew in the younger man's eyes grew, "Minoru," he cupped the younger man's jaw and brushed a thumb on a cheek, "You are my husband. The love of my life. If all I have to do is give you these treatments so that you can live the longest and healthiest life that you can live, then I'm more than happy to do it." He smiled fondly as the younger man knitted his brows together, "Caring for you comes naturally to me, I can't help it. I don't want to."

"Naruto – I –," he choked on his words. The lips that kissed his forehead made his reserve break. The tears that threatened his eyes spilled over. The emotions and frustrations he had with himself, all those feelings he was holding back in order to make the best of the situation. Trying not to think how much it felt like the rug was pulled from under his feet. Trying not to feel that frustration he had so long ago towards his bloodline and the lack of knowledge he had – how it all came rushing back. Trying not to think of how much work he had put himself – his ability – his jutsu – only to feel betrayed by his own body. All the hard work that Naruto helped him through. Gentle hands brushed away his tears and directed his gaze to the cerulean pair.

"You are not a burden," Naruto said softly, "You are not an inconvenience." He didn't need a chakra link to know that this was something Minoru needed to hear. He simply knew Minoru. His heart ached at the way Minoru's breath caught and his glowing eyes pulsed. Arms wrapped around his shoulders and the dark head buried into the nape of his neck, and he returned just as strong and held him as close as he possibly could.

Six months later…

Minoru leapt from branch to branch, barely touching the bark before jumping to the next. He swiftly dodged a pair of kunai, and soundlessly dropped low amongst the trees. Leaves barely rustled as he moved through them. He jumped and turned in mid-air to catch a fire jutsu and seamlessly absorbed it. He reserved it for later. He soundlessly landed on a high branch and bunkered down. He leaned on his hand against the trunk and winced. Instinctively he looked at his palm, with the aid of the dim moonlight and his glowing eyes he could see the angry chakra burn that was forming.

He swallowed and mentally cursed at himself for not noticing sooner. He looked down when he heard the enemy nin land nearby. He needed to either lose or get rid of them. He used the reserved chakra and threw the fire jutsu back at them, using the diversion to create more distance between them.

He kept going, kept moving, and landed on another high branch, wincing when he used his injured hand, "Shit," he cursed under his breath and looked at his hand again. It was throbbing now. The jutsu made it worse. Now his only option was to get out of there. Getting rid of the nin meant using more chakra, using more chakra meant more damage, more damage would slow him down – he stilled when he heard the tale tell creak of a branch –

Naruto winced at the prickling sensation in his hand. He put down the knife he was using to cut fruit and looked at his palm. He frowned when he found nothing there. He tried thinking back, wondering if he had done something without noticing. Then it burned making him grimace. He furrowed his brows and his heart sank in realization. He looked around the empty kitchen, thinking.

When was the last time…Naruto thought, At least three months? Maybe four? He frowned.

He pulled out a chair and sat, took a few deep breaths and closed his eyes.

Minoru was on auto pilot as he moved from branch to branch, creating distance and trying to be mindful of his injured hand. He tried to ignore how his other hand was starting to sting. He landed on a high branch and leaned against the trunk to silently catch his breath – he was getting winded. He cursed under his breath; this wasn't good. Part him regretted not receiving a treatment prior to his mission. Part of him thought he didn't need it. There weren't any signs that he did, which he thought was a good sign in and of itself. He thought it was progress. Part of him knew he should have listened to Naruto when he insisted telling him that he just had a "feeling". He stilled as a sudden calmness filled him and made him briefly close his eyes. He looked down at his hand and noticed that the burn was gone. He closed it into a fist and held it above his heart, "Thank you," he whispered under his breath, and kept moving –

Naruto opened his eyes and smiled as he let out a slow breath, "As soon as you get home though…" he said to the empty kitchen.

Miles away, Minoru mentally cringed.