AN: A short last chapter! Thanks for anyone that read!

Disclaimer: Don't own.

The following day, Minoru lounged in a tree not too far from the Hokage tower. He drew in his sketchbook to pass time, waiting for his meeting time with Kakashi. His pen froze, and his brow twitched irately as he looked up to find Sasuke perched on a branch looking down at him. He mock glared at the older as he landed on the branch he was lounging on, "I swear Sasuke, one of these days…"

Sasuke chuckled, "I have to keep you on your toes." He refrained from laughing at the deadpanned look the younger man gave him, "I wanted to check-in with you. How are you doing?"

Minoru's brows quirked in surprise, "I'm fine," he answered and gave the older man a curious look.

Sasuke frowned, "What? I can't ask how you're doing?"

Minoru let out a laugh, "Sorry, I just wasn't expecting…Thank you for asking, Sasuke, and I appreciate your concern, but I'm fine."

Sasuke looked unconvinced, but dropped it anyway. He was learning when to push with Minoru, and this was one of those instances that he needed to accept the face value of his answer.

"How's your arm?"

Sasuke shrugged nonchalantly, "Fine. I have to head out. I'm glad to hear you're doing alright."

And with that Minoru found himself alone on the branch. He narrowed his eyes as if in disbelief of the interaction he just had with the Uchiha. He shook his head with an amused chuckle, hopped down from his branch and walked to the Hokage tower.

Kakashi was outside leaning on the railing of the balcony as he waited. He looked over when Minoru joined him, and smiled under his mask. He pushed away and fully turned to his son, "How are you?"

Minoru looked out to the village, taking in a deep breath and nodded, "Better." He looked over to his dad, "It's just…difficult to process."

Kakashi nodded in understanding, "That's understandable, especially since you haven't done that often."

Minoru nodded, his gaze on the horizon, "Ever since I learned of what I'm capable of, the extent of just how – for the lack of a better word – deadly I can actually be. It's…difficult sometimes. And I know," He shot his dad a knowing look, "I know that what we do does not make us who we are. For a long time…I didn't know who I was. For a long time, I was scared of what I was. Not until I realized that my bloodline doesn't make me. It's a deep-rooted part of me, but it doesn't define me."

Kakashi smiled under his mask, "And that is what makes you a strong shinobi." Minoru gave him a confused look, "Your heart." The confused look deepened. He chuckled, "Your heart is what makes you strong, Minoru. And that's apart from the technical aspects of being a shinobi. Some may argue that the heart is what causes weakness, and that's why a lot of shinobi lock it away. Many lose their sense of humanity, and instead solely become weapons, and that's simply how they live," he let out a slow deep sigh, his gaze moving out to the village, "And I speak from experience." He didn't catch how Minoru's expression softened. "When a shinobi is able to find a balance, and not lose sight of their humanity, when they are able to separate it when needed and, in the process, not lose sight of who they are, that's a strength. Not a weakness." He looked at Minoru a smile on his masked lips, "I don't say this as often as I should, but I'm very proud of you, Minoru. Not only for the shinobi that you have become, but for the man you have grown to be. And I can speak for Iru-dad when I say that we are very proud of our son."

Minoru fought back tears, "Kakashi-dad…" he trailed off when Kakashi moved and gave him a hug, one that he happily returned.

Kakashi pulled away, his hands on Minoru's shoulders, and smiled at the way the dark eyes flickered at him, "Don't ever lose sight of who you are. Even in your darkest moments."

All Minoru could do was nod as tears blurred his vision.

Naruto was cutting up apples and strawberries when arms wrapped around him from behind. A smile tugged on his lips and he glanced over his shoulder, "I rented us a movie." He chopped an apple slice and offered it to Minoru over his shoulder, and chuckled when the younger man playfully snatched it away.

"Is your plan to put me to sleep?" Minoru asked after chewing, and laughed at the mock glare Naruto threw at him.

"My plan is," he drawled and turned around in Minoru's embrace, "To have a nice relaxing night with my husband…and if he so happens to fall asleep then it can't be helped, now can it?"

Minoru snorted and laughed harder when it surprised him. He felt himself blush when Naruto laughed against him, "I'll do my best," he gave the older man a chaste kiss.

Naruto hummed, "I think you can do better than that."

Minoru grinned at the challenge and brushed their lips together, and just as he was about to kiss him, he looked directly into the cerulean eyes, "But then I'll ruin your plans," he whispered against lips.

Naruto grinned, "That's not even possible."

Your heart is your strength. Don't ever lose sight of who you are.