Time Flows Like Ink
Summary: After a fuinjutsu experiment gone wrong, Minato is yanked into a future where his family is dead, his team fell apart and the Uchiha were slaughtered. With the defective seal burning in his palm, Minato struggles to stay afloat in a Konoha that isn't his.
Chapter 7
Minato was not a violent person. He was a more than capable shinobi – he hadn't become Hokage for nothing – with a flee-on-sight order in several countries, oh yes. But he wasn't fond of unnecessary violence and prefered to solve conflicts diplomatically.
The more time he spent in this odd future with Naruto, the more his peaceful nature was challenged.
Add to that the weariness of several sleepless nights and Minato was uncharacteristically irritable. He hadn't dared to go to sleep since the seal had started to tug at his hand, unwilling to be caught unaware. He was surprised he had managed to suppress it so far.
He knew that he couldn't postpone telling Naruto the truth for much longer. Things just kept getting in the way.
Minato had practiced the conversation by himself the entire morning, carefully crafting the best way to tell Naruto that he would have to leave soon. Even worse, that he didn't know when he would be back. For all he knew, another few weeks could pass, or even more than that. He owed Naruto more than to disappear without a word of warning.
By the time Naruto came home from the academy, Minato was determined to sit Naruto down for a talk and get it over with. All his resolve crumbled when he saw Naruto's trembling fists and the frown on his face.
"Naruto?" He stood from his place on the ground and left his notes behind. He hadn't looked at them in at least an hour, anyway. "What's wrong?"
"It's nothing," Naruto said, way too fast. He wouldn't look Minato in the eyes.
Naruto never talked about the academy if he could help it. Was he being bullied? Minato hadn't seen anything happen personally, but that didn't mean much.
Or maybe Naruto wasn't doing as well in his classes as he could. "Are you having trouble in class?" Naruto winced. Bingo.
Minato had noticed that Naruto couldn't read very well – something he had found out only after he'd tried to make him study fuinjutsu through books. He wondered how different it could have been with someone there to teach Naruto, someone he could have fallen back on and to support him when he needed it.
"Have people been giving you trouble?"
Naruto scowled. "Like I care. They're all stupid anyway."
"What exactly are they doing?"
Naruto shrugged, still not looking at him. "I'm supposed to live up to your name or whatever."
"Is that what they've been saying?" Minato sighed, dragging his hand through his hair. He was not an easy person to be compared to.
"It's not a big deal," Naruto muttered.
"Naruto, I–"
"It's not a big deal!" Naruto yelled, his fists clenched and his voice trembling. With anger? Frustration? Minato couldn't quite tell.
Before he could think of anything to say, Naruto stormed into his bedroom, leaving Minato to contemplate whether he should go after him or leave him alone for a while. Naruto had never lashed out at him before, but surely that wasn't out of the ordinary for a teenager? He had only his genin team to go by.
Minato frowned, deciding that maybe Naruto just needed a bit of time for himself. He'd get the hang of this parenting thing eventually.
It was only later at the library that he realized he had forgotten to have the talk. Again. But he couldn't stop now. He was in the middle of studying a new lead concerning the seal, there was no way he could leave just like that. He would just have to finish this quickly and track down Naruto immediately after.
A few hours later Minato was torn out of his studies by Kakashi. "Minato!" he called out as soon as he caught sight of him. "There you are."
Kakashi's tone of voice put Minato on edge. "What's wrong?"
"Naruto is gone."
"Gone? What do you mean, gone?"
Kakashi nearly stumbled over his words, quickly as he tried to get them out. "He stole a forbidden scroll from the archives. The Hokage sent out shinobi to find him. They've been looking for a while, but so far no luck."
Minato leaped up, abandoning his notes and research papers in a heap. "Why didn't you tell me sooner?"
"I found out myself just now. I suspect the others didn't know where to find you."
Minato suppressed a curse, grabbed Kakashi's arm and teleported. Did it count as overprotective to put a Thunder God seal on his son? Oh well.
They appeared in the forest. Minato felt his blood boil as he caught sight of Naruto, bruised, dirty and cowering behind a tree. His eyes widened as they fell on Minato.
"Dad! I-Iruka-sensei, he's…"
Minato followed his glance. Two shinobi were fighting behind Naruto's hiding place – neither of them seemed injured, but the fight was getting more intense by the second. Minato dashed forward and had both of them immobilized and bound with ninja wire in the wink of an eye.
He knelt back down next to Naruto, checking him for injuries. The two figures bound and gagged behind him could be glad when he didn't find any serious ones. "What happened?" Minato winced. That had come out harsher than he had planned.
Naruto winced and avoided eye contact instead of answering.
"Naruto," Minato said, softer this time.
"The graduation exam was today!" Naruto burst out.
Minato blinked, both in surprise and confusion. A tiny spark of hurt flared up in his chest at his son not inviting him. Or even mentioning it. "Why didn't you tell me?"
"I failed, alright? They were right. I didn't want you to watch." To Minato's alarm, he could see tears forming in Naruto's eyes.
"Who's right?"
"Just… people."
Minato grabbed one of Naruto's wrist, squeezing it reassuringly. "Is this about what we talked about before?"
Naruto grimaced, but nodded. He still wouldn't meet his eyes.
"Naruto, please." Minato waited until Naruto was looking at him. "Tell me?"
"'s just. They say someone like you deserves someone better. That you were a prodigy and that you shouldn't have such a f-failure as a son." Naruto's voice faltered and made fury churn in Minato's gut.
He pressed it down. His feelings were justified, but right now Naruto didn't need his anger.
"None of that matters to me," he said gently. "They shouldn't have said that."
"But why did you steal the scroll?" Kakashi chimed in, making Naruto frown.
"It was Mizuki-sensei, that bastard! He lied to me. Told me I'd only have to master a technique from the scroll and they'd have to let me graduate." He hesitated. "Iruka-sensei found out. Mizuki-sensei just wanted the scroll for himself."
Naruto's mouth twisted, holding back words he didn't want to speak out loud.
"Please, Naruto." Minato put a hand on his son's shoulder and squeezed. "Tell me everything?"
"He told me about the fox." Naruto's voice had changed. It was stiff, cutting off before he could ask the questions Minato saw in his eyes.
MInato sighed, admitting defeat. He had planned to have this conversation days ago, but he wished the circumstances were different. "There's something I need to tell you. As soon as we're home, I promise."
Naruto hesitated, then nodded.
"Kakashi," Minato said, "please bring Naruto to the hospital. I'll take care of the rest." He took a look at his two prisoners. "Erm."
He sent a sheepish look to his son. "Which one of them is Iruka?"
Naruto pointed at the brown-haired of the two. "Iruka-sensei was so cool! He fought Mizuki-sensei to save me!"
It looked like Minato would have to apologize for his rough treatment. Oh well.
"Oh, before you go," Minato said, stopping Kakashi in his tracks. "Naruto. Did you manage to master one of the techniques?"
Naruto's face split into a grin. "I did!"
Minato matched his expression and ruffled his hair. "Nice job. See you at your apartment."
Kakashi dashed off, taking Naruto with him and leaving Minato with the scroll and the two still bound shinobi.
It was only then, after his son had already disappeared with Kakashi, that Minato belatedly realized something. Naruto had called him 'Dad'.
Kunai in hand and approaching the two bound shinobi, Minato had to smile.
Much to Minato's frustration, he couldn't simply deliver Mizuki to T&I and leave the rest to Iruka. They would not budge on keeping him involved, both because he had been the one to apprehend Mizuki and because it had been his son who had fallen victim to him in the first place.
At least Minato had been able to thank Iruka for saving Naruto, although to his great alarm, the teacher had looked close to fainting after Minato had finished. Apparently he was not yet used to the idea of the Fourth Hokage running around the village, much less thanking him for saving his son.
It got even more annoying when Minato was told that they'd need him the next day, too. Right at the time, as it turned out, when Kakashi would be testing his potential new genin team – which included Naruto. Not that Naruto knew anything about that yet.
By the time noon had passed Minato was finally free to leave T&I and hurry outside, eager to teleport home. He was anxious to know how it had gone – Kakashi hadn't told him what kind of test he would use, but Minato could take a guess. He still had to sit down with Naruto to have their talk. At this point it was getting ridiculous how it kept being postponed.
The universe wouldn't stop conspiring against him and, yet again, put an obstacle in his way.
"Minato."
Minato stiffened and put on a neutral expression. "Sensei."
Jiraiya didn't look well. His hair was unkempt and his clothes ruffled, dark shadows under his eyes giving him an air of exhaustion. He looked like he had travelled all the way to Konoha without a single day of rest.
"I gave you the kunai for a reason. I could have picked you up."
Jiraiya shrugged. "I thought the trip would be a good idea." He hesitated, then added, "A dead student doesn't come back to life every day."
Jiraiya believed him, then. Minato wondered how long he had argued with the toads upon receiving his message, trying to find an explanation other than the truth.
"Minato, I–"
"Why weren't you here?"
That took Jiraiya aback. "I– What?"
Jiraiya was unnerved by his emotionless expression, Minato could tell. He couldn't bring himself to care. "Naruto was right here. Growing up on his own. Where were you?"
Jiraiya winced. "Minato, look… I…" He broke off with a sigh. "I don't have an excuse."
"Yeah," Minato said, dragging his hand through his hair. "I've heard the same thing from Kakashi." He caught Jiraiya's gaze. A small part of him wanted his next words to hurt. "Except he was a fourteen-year-old boy. You were an adult and Naruto's godfather."
Jiraiya flinched. His voice shrank to a whisper. "I deserve that."
Most of Minato's anger evaporated. He didn't have the desire nor the energy to fight about this. He was just so tired. "I don't have time for this. There's a reason I asked you to come."
Minato needed answers. The more information he had about what had gone wrong in this horrible future, the bigger was the chance for him to change it. Even if Jiraiya had been outside the village at the time, Minato couldn't imagine him not keeping up to date with what was going on in Konoha. Despite everything, he was one of the few people Minato trusted to tell him the truth.
"The situation back then wasn't easy," Jiraiya admitted. "The Uchiha's standing in the village was deteriorating, most people could see that."
"Are you saying the stress of it all could have been too much for Itachi?" That felt like a weak reason for slaughtering an entire clan.
"It might have been part of it." Jiraiya looked into the distance, thoughtfully. "I wasn't there myself, so I can't tell you for sure. I do know that Itachi wasn't just an ANBU. Up until he went mental, he received orders right from the top. The elders tend to forget that their shinobi are still human."
Jiraiya might have had a point. From the sounds of it Itachi was put into a position with his clan on one side, and Konoha on the other. Had the decision been too much for him to handle?
"What else has been going on?" Minato asked.
"I suppose you mean beyond the village borders." Jiraiya paused, directing a thoughtful glance into the distance. "Our so-called 'peace' is as fragile as it can get. Kiri is still recovering from a civil war, but the other villages are itching to start another conflict." He caught Minato's glance. "That includes Konoha."
They took to the rooftops, away from curious ears. Minato directed them towards Naruto's apartment.
"That's not even mentioning the minor villages. They're growing restless, Minato. Too much blood spilled within their borders. I have my eyes set on Ame right now, and it's not looking good."
"Ame?" Minato asked. "Isn't that where–"
"Yeah." Jiraiya sighed. "I lost track of them years ago. With so much going on, they might easily be dead." He chuckled humorlessly. "You have no idea how much I regret not keeping in contact."
Perhaps it wasn't too late for that, either. Minato realized that three orphan children most likely wouldn't matter in the grand scheme of things. But if it would put Jiraiya more at ease, Minato could at least try.
"Your turn," Jiraiya said. "You haven't told me yet how it can be that I'm talking to you at all."
Minato raised his palm, letting Jiraiya take a look. "Fuinjutsu technique gone wrong. The seal activated on its own and burned itself into my palm. Whenever it starts tugging, it… It…" Minato trailed off, staring at his palm in horror.
"Minato? What–" Jiraiya yelped as Minato grabbed his arm and teleported straight into Naruto's apartment.
Naruto almost fell off the couch, still not quite used to the technique. "D-Dad? Who's that?"
"There's no time." Minato took a breath. "This is Jiraiya, your godfather. Yes, I know," he cut off Naruto's interruption, his son's eyes wide with surprise, "but you'll get to know him now. He'll take care of you for a bit."
"I will what?"
"You heard me." Minato pierced him with a glance, not leaving room for protest. Jiraiya owed him this much.
The seal grew hotter, shaking off the last effects of the stasis seal. Minato leaped up to gather the most important notes he had collected. He started to speak faster. "I'm sorry, Naruto. I haven't told you everything. I can't stay any longer. This," he held up his hand, "is leaving me no choice."
"Wh-What? You're leaving?" Naruto stared at him in disbelief. "But… Will you be back?"
Minato finished stuffing the paper in his bag and swept the room with one last glance. Not finding anything else important, he dropped down next to Naruto. "I will. But I can't say when." He pulled Naruto into a hug, feeling him go stiff instead of returning it. The seal was hot enough to hurt.
"Tell Kakashi and Rin what happened," he forced out, not even sure if he was talking to Jiraiya or to Naruto.
"But– Wait!" Naruto yelled, and it was tearing Minato apart. "You can't leave now! I just had my graduation test – the real one, why do they call the other one graduation exam if it's not, anyway – and guess what! It was Kakashi! I mean, Kakashi-sensei! And we did it! I have to tell you about it, you can't leave."
Minato's eyes prickled. The corner of his mouth tugged down, making his smile feel forced. "I'm sorry, Naruto. I'm so proud of you, you have no idea. But I don't have a choice."
"... But you'll come back?"
"I will. Just wait for me." Keeping the smile on his face hurt, but Minato tried his best.
The seal was ablaze and Minato felt a yank. Before it could whisk him away, he felt a weight crashing into him.
Everything was a blur. Gravity didn't exist. The familiar feeling of dizziness kicked in as Minato lost track of his surroundings. Something was different. Something was wrong.
He realized that at this rate he would crash into a stranger's house. The seal he had placed in Kushina and his apartment tugged at his senses, barely within range, and he reached for it, changing direction.
The world zoomed back into focus and Minato crashed to the floor in the middle of their apartment.
"Minato. You're… here."
His head was still spinning, but Minato felt like he should be insulted at the lack of enthusiasm in Kushina's voice. He looked up and froze.
Staring at him were Kushina and Mikoto, both sitting on their couch, holding tea cups. "Hello, Mikoto," he brought out, going for cheerful and missing by a mile. "You're back from your mission."
"Hello, Minato. You look well for someone supposedly bedridden."
Next to her, Kushina looked conflicted between burying her face in her hands and breaking out into hysterical laughter.
"Do tell," Mikoto went on, still in that pleasant, polite tone of voice that felt ridiculous considering he was still lying on the ground in an undignified heap. "Why is there a kid lying on top of you?"
Just like that, all the remaining fog cleared. Minato's head snapped down and there, sprawled over his stomach and looking as dazed as he felt, was Naruto. His son gave a moan and looked like he wouldn't get up any time soon.
Minato let his head fall back to the ground. "... I can explain," he said weakly.
"... Dad. Where are we?"
Mikoto and Kushina's eyes widened at the word 'Dad'. Kushina's teacup slipped out of her grasp and shattered on the ground.
It was at this point that Minato accepted his fate. His wife was going to kill him.
A/N: My betas are Igornerd, To Mockingbird and PyrothTenka! Go check them out, they're all wonderful writers!
Please take the time to leave a review!
~Gwen