I blink a few times in surprise at his question.
"You don't recognize me?" I ask, my voice weary. Naruto takes a moment to think, and examines me. His eyes stare at my cloak and his eyes widen.
"You're the Fourth Hokage.." He says, reading my cloak and his eyes beam with awe.
My breathing hitches and my body feels numb. He doesn't know who I am. He doesn't know that I'm his father. I stand up, my legs shaking beneath me. "I'll be right back." I say and walk out the door. As I walk through the hallways of the hospital looking for a nurse, I think of how this could have happened. He can't just suddenly forget me? Maybe there was a mind jutsu done on him, or maybe he hit his head a bit too hard and he's just delirious. I curse under my breath. If only I had brought him to the office with me, none of this would have happened.
I guess you could say that I haven't really been an ideal father for Naruto. Sure, I fed him, gave him a room to sleep in, and clothed the kid, but I never really spent one on one time with my son. When I found out the news that Kushina had passed away a week before I woke up from a small coma after the attack, I completely shut down. It's not like I blamed Naruto for her death or anything like that, but I just found it so hard to live without her and Naruto reminded me so much of her that I couldn't bare to be around him without tearing up. And so, I drowned myself in paperwork to keep my mind busy and left Naruto with babysitters, usually my team and sometimes my former Sensei, Jiraiya. And this routine has just stuck with me now, I share small conversations with Naruto and then I'm back to work. Although, I wish it wasn't this way, and I always tell myself that I will change that, I'll be the father I want myself to be, but I never do it. And now racing down these hallways I hate myself for never being there for Naruto.
"Minato Sensei!" I turn around to see who called. It's Rin. She runs up to me and immediately begins speaking.
"How's Naruto? I just saw Lady Tsunade rush to his room. Is he all right? Obito told me what happened." She bites her lips nervously and her eyes are wide with concern.
"He's doing okay, nothing seems to be wrong with him, physically," I take in a breath and force back the tears that I do not dare shed in public," He doesn't remember me though. He only remembers me as the Fourth Hokage." I say the last part biting my lower lip. Rin's eyes go even wider with shock.
"Oh no, Sensei…" She says her eyes glazed with sympathy. I give her a small smile, "I'm sure it's just temporary, I'll have to go see what Tsunade has to say. Bye Rin." I move past her and rush into Naruto's room.
I open the door to his room and see that Naruto is sitting in his bed arguing with Tsunade.
"Listen old lady, nothing's wrong with me! I'm perfectly see!" He wiggles his toes and flails his arms. Tsunade grabs his arms and brings them down to his sides. "Naruto, please stop it! Just answer the questions." She snaps at him and Naruto's expression turns annoyed.
Tsunade sighs and I walk over to her side. When Naruto notices me he cowers a little but his eyes show every sign of awe. Do I intimidate him?
"Oh, Minato didn't notice you here."
"Can I talk to you, privately real quick?" I ask motioning for her to step out of the room. She gives me a quick nod and then glares daggers at Naruto to stay still. He gulps and nods his head up and down notifying her he'll be a good boy. We step out of the room and I ask her a few questions.
"Tsunade, why doesn't Naruto recognize me?" My voice is stern, but the little hint of disappointment and fear are visible in my eyes. I can feel my body tremble a little at the thought of losing Naruto.
"Minato he had a seizure. And suffered from memory loss. I tried asking him if he could explain what happened earlier today, and he told me he couldn't remember." She leans on the wall her face falling with disappointment and worry.
"What does he remember?" I ask, my voice weak.
"He seems to remember everything else just fine, he remembers what he had for lunch yesterday, he knows that he's in the Hidden Leaf Village, and he knows how old he is. Every question I asked him he answered correctly, but he doesn't know of his parents, he told me that he never had parents. That he's orphaned." Her eyes lock with mine," In all seriousness, I think it's best for you not to mention being his father. If you do mention and his memory comes back he could be deeply confused. I say for the time being, don't mention anything to him. Let him slowly regain his memory."
"So, I'm just going to pretend not to be his father?!" I practically yell in distress.
"Yes, until his memory comes back."
"And if it doesn't?"
Tsuande averts her gaze from mine and stays silent. We both know the answer to this question.
I'll lose my son.
Naruto's POV
The Fourth Hokage was just standing in my hospital room. I've never met a kage up close, at least I don't think I have. I don't really remember much now that I think about it, my brain is hazy and I can't think straight. I can't remember what happened earlier today at all, and I'm still confused as to why I'm in a hospital. That weird old lady was asking me some pretty odd questions. She first told me to tell her my name and my age. Well, that wasn't hard. And then she made me answer questions like what village I'm in, who's my academy teacher, who's my best friend (Which I didn't answer because I don't really have one), and lame questions like that. But, when she asked me about my parents my mind totally blanked. It was like I couldn't remember them, so I figured I don't have parents and told her I was orphaned. If I can't remember them they don't impact my life, right?
I watch the door as it opens and Granny and The Fourth Hokage walk in. Finally they're back. I sigh dramatically and jump out of my bed.
"Can I go now?" I ask impatiently tapping my fingers on my thigh. Granny shoots me a stern look and I give her a nervous smile. "Please?" I squeak out.
"Where do you live Naruto?" The Fourth asks before Granny can yell at me. I open my mouth to answer and realize that I have no idea. Where do I live? I tilt my head in confusion. Why can't I remember?
"I…I don't know."
The Fourth sighs running his rough hand through his golden hair. He looks distressed and I wonder what's going on, but decide to keep my mouth shut as he slams his fists against his thighs. The loud noise of his fists hitting his thighs echoes in the room and I flinch.
"Darn it Tsunade! Fix this!" He yells at her, his eyes turning cold. I know that look, it's all too familiar. The sudden cold gaze makes my heart stop beating and I'm stricken with fear. It's how everyone looks at me. With anger, disgust, frustration. Does he mean "fix this" as in he wants me gone? No, he's the man I've been looking up to all my life. He can't possibly hate me like the rest, right?
He looks dead at me, and I feel my body freeze. His face relaxes as he notices my expression.
"I'm sorry, that was uncalled for." He says his voice returning to his normal tone. His eyes lose the cold glare, but I'm still weary. The doctor walks past The Fourth giving him a cold glare as she passes him, and bends down so that we are at eye level.
"Naruto, you recognize the man in front of you right?" She asks her voice sweet. I hesitate before nodding. "He's the Fourth Hokage." I can't help but smile. He's been my hero for the longest time. She nods, "That's right!" and pats me on the head gently.
"Are you mad at me?" I ask, peaking my head over her shoulder and looking up at the Fourth. He blinks in surprise a few times and then gives me a warm smile. "No, I'm just a little frustrated. I'm sorry for scaring you."
I knew it! He doesn't hate me after all. A smile plasters on my lips and my pearly whites beam. "It's okay!" I chirp. I'm talking to The Fourth Hokage, and he doesn't treat me like the rest of those villagers!
"So, can I go now?" I ask the blonde haired lady who's crouching down. "But where will you go?" She asks raising an eyebrow. I ponder on her question for a little before answering. Shrugging I reply," Anywhere, but here." The Fourth chuckles at my answer and I stand there cross armed hoping that I can just get the heck out of here.
"Why don't you stay with me Naruto. I have a room you can use." The Fourth says coming over to me. My eyes widen in shock. He's inviting me to his house?! My eyes flash with excitement and I nod furiously. The doctor just gives the older blonde a skeptical look and he brushes her off.
I get to stay in the same house as the most powerful man in the village. No one can touch me now.
For the first time in my whole entire life, I feel safe.
Minato's POV
We exited the hospital and are now making our way down the rainy street. Naruto keeps splashing in the puddles, giggling and entertaining himself. His kid like behavior makes me all warm on the inside. I haven't seen him so lively in years. When we used to walk through the village he was quiet, keeping his distance from me, and staring at the ground. Sometimes I even forget he's a kid, he acts so mature using "father" instead of "dad" and his conversations with me are usually about topics that most kids don't discuses, like my meetings, or my paperwork. Come to think of it, the conversations we have are usually just about our days and then I'm off to more meetings or signing more papers. I shake the thoughts out of my mind. I'm such a crappy dad.
Water squirts up at my face and Naruto suddenly stops. He looks up at me with wide eyes, is he afraid?
"I'm so sorry! I-I didn't mean to!" He blurts out bowing his head apologetically. Right, I'm the Fourth Hokage people fear me. I laugh at his behavior. He lifts his head up and his brow is raised in confusion. I wipe the dirty water from my face and lightly nudge him on the shoulder.
"You don't have to apologize. It's no big deal." As the words slip out of my mouth, his whole entire face brightens and the sparkle in his eyes glows even brighter. I don't think I've ever made him this happy, but what did I even do? He turns his attention back to the road and continues jumping into the small puddles. I watch him as he jumps around some more. I shake my head. We'll never make it home.
"Here we are." I say stopping in front of our house. Naruto bumps into me, not realizing that I had stopped, and rubs his nose. I watch him, as he turns his attention to the house and I see his eyes widen to the size of watermelons.
"This is your house?! It's awesome!" He exclaims running up to the door. "You gotta show me the inside!" He squeals in excitement and jumps up and down near the entrance. His excitement surprises me. Naruto has never been this cheery about anything; he's usually so quiet. This new Naruto is just a bundle of joy, and his constant enthusiasm has no end. Is it because his memory of me is erased? I feel my heart sink at the thought. Shaking my head I walk to the door and unlock it.
I open the door to the house and step into our small mudroom. Overlooking the mudroom is our living room, which opens up into the kitchen. To the far left of the living room is a wall with big glass doors that lead into my office/library. It's where I spend most of my time actually. Further into our living room, still to the right of the room, is the spiral staircase that leads to the upstairs.
I take off my shoes and put my cloak and hat into the closet. Naruto just stands there admiring the house. His mouth open and eyes wide in awe. I let out a small chuckle at his expression. If only he knew that he's actually lived here ever since he was born.
"You like it?" I ask stepping into the living room. He follows me and I hear him jump in the air and then land back onto the hardwood floors.
"Like it? Hokage-sama I love it! You're so lucky!" He says walking around and looking at everything. "You sure I can stay here? I don't mind a hotel you know." He asks rubbing the back of his head sheepishly.
"Don't even worry about it. I offered didn't I? Come on, let me show you to your room." I walk up the stairs and he follows. I open the door to his room; the bright orange walls shine as I flick on the lights. He smiles as he observes the room. His room.
"It's awesome! Orange is my favorite color." He says plopping on the bed. I walk over to his dresser and grab some pajamas. I toss them next to him and he sits up and looks at me.
"Change into these. You'll sleep better in those than the clothes you have on now." I say heading for the door, but am stopped at a question.
"Do you have kids Hokage-sama?"
I stop and turn around. How am I supposed to answer this?
"No, this is just a guest bed room for when people who come to visit have younger children…I live alone." I say firmly. Naruto nods slowly not really believing me, but then shrugs it off.
"Oh. Well, thanks for letting me stay here for the night. Goodnight!" He chirps and I tell him goodnight, but before I leave I say one thing," Oh, and you can call me Minato." And I then shut the door. Once, the door is shut I lean on it and listen as he hops off the bed and begins to change, the rustling of clothes filling my ears.
I close my eyes and let out an exhausted breath.
At least maybe now I can start over and do things right. I can be the best father I can be for my son, even though he doesn't even know we're related.
AU: Hey! Back with another chapter...i dunno really inspired for this story. I honestly don't think this is good at all...but I love Minato and Naruto like loads. I think Minato is like the best dad ever (obvi in this version he's got a long way to go) but in the anime he's da bomb. Yeah so dunno how this story will work out, but i've found myself writing it a lot and listening to some deep music. I really like it so far...but idk maybe you guys don't. .-. Let me know! I appreciate reviews they help me out tons! Until next chapter, toodles~