Naruto's POV

Why do I feel so empty?

I close my tired eyes.

I thought I would feel relieved once Minato had assured me that he isn't my father, but a part of me wanted him to say yes.

And now, lying in this hospital bed, I wonder who really is my father.

Do I even have parents? Or am I actually orphaned?

The door opens, but before I can open my eyes to see who it is a memory flashes.

"Naruto, I can't. I'm busy. Find someone else." Minato retorts, leaning over his desk to look at the small boy before him. He scans the boy up and down, then sits back in his chair and proceeds with his paper work.

Naruto pouts, puffing out his lower lip in disappointment.

"But, why not? You've been in the office all day father, I'm just asking for a few minutes of training…I'm having a really hard time with this new technique and-"

"No is no. I told you I'm bu-"

The boy slams his fists against his knees, and looks up at his father with teary eyes.

"You're always busy! You have time for this and that, but never time for me! Why?! Am I not important?!" The small blonde yells back.

Minato's eyes widen at the boy's sudden outburst, but his merely shocked expression is quickly glazed over with a bored stare.

"I'm the Hokage. My duties interfere with your needs sometimes, next time okay? Now please, let me go back to doing my work." He says, using a monotone voice not even daring to look the child in the eyes.

The boy slouches in defeat, letting his golden bangs droop over his eyes. He clenches his fists until his knuckles turn a frosty white.

He turns around and walks out of the office.

Not a single tear shed.

"It's not even worth it."

My eyes shoot open, my heart pounding against my chest, and my breathing uneven.

I grab at the bed sheets, crinkling them under my tight grasp.

What's going on? That's the third time. And this time he said my name.

I take a raspy breath.

But…why is Minato acting so cold towards me in these dreams? He's such a nice person, this is unexpected.

I bite my lip and ponder on the thought. All of the memories since the day I woke up in the hospital flood my mind.

I woke up that night and remember Minato running up and hugging me.

He hugged me. Strangers don't just hug strangers.

And the fact that the Fourth Hokage took the time to take me in is surely rare.

He wouldn't just take a random stranger into his home, he would only take someone he truly cares.

It all makes sense now.

Minato knows me, no he knew me, even before the accident. He knew my name and I remember him looking hurt and confused when I asked who he was.

And the fact that he was acting so protective of me, the fact that he was willing to take me in, to train me, feed me, care for me.

It's all so clear now.

Could it be possible that I lost my memory of him, and now it's all just flooding back? That he wasn't as loving as a father before and now that I don't know of his relationship with me he's starting fresh?

But, why didn't he just tell me in the first place?

Does he really still hate me...?

Please don't let this be one of his acts, please.

Minato's POV

Standing up from my desk, I run a hand through my rough hair.

Looking over at the clock I realize it's rather late, but not too late.

Time to make a quick stop before returning to Naruto's hospital room.

Ding Dong.

The door opens moments later, revealing a very exhausted Uchiha munching on a half eaten granola bar.

"Sensei? What are you doing here?" He asks, chewing on his granola bar. His hair is messy, he's wearing an oversized shirt, sweatpants, and fuzzy socks.

"I came to talk." I say, and he steps aside to let me in. Standing by the door, I watch as he closes it and faces me.

Putting his granola bar on the side table he looks at me questioningly.

"What's on your mind?"

"Obito, I have my suspicions." I begin and immediately notice the slight bit of shock written on his face.

"I think, through great observations, that you're the one casting a g-"

"I can explain." He cuts in, his eyes intense as he stares into mine. I feel small under his gaze, but return it nonetheless.

Since when has Obito become so intense?

Crossing my arms I wait for a response.

Rubbing the back of his head sheepishly he begins to elaborate,

"I was the one who took Naruto's memory away." I scowl, he flails his arms in defense," But, I did it because he asked me too. Well indirectly that is."

My eyes widen at his response. I was not expecting to hear that.

"He asked?" I question, very confused.

"Yes," he nods and continues," A few days before he 'lost' his memory I came over to do my weekly check in on him. And when I came through the door of your house, what I found was not pretty."

My body tenses at his words. What did he find?

He takes in a deep breath.

"He was…he was sitting in his bathroom, his clothes torn, nose bloody, and his head buried in his hands. He was bawling his eyes out, and I tried asking him what was wrong, but every time he started he cried even harder. I…I've never seen his so, so torn. So beat up, and broken hearted. When I finally got him washed up and calmed down, he explained to me that he got beat up by a few classmates. I told him he should go talk to you about it, but he refused saying that you wouldn't care. And he went on and on telling me that you were never there for him, that sometimes he felt like his father was a mere stranger and nothing close to family. Yet, he wished that it wasn't that way, he wished he actually had a dad."

My body trembles and I feel tears slipping into the corners of my eyes.

Naruto was so hurt, yet I wasn't the one that found him. I wasn't there for him, to comfort him.

My poor son, had to endure the wrath of the village all on his own.

Obito clenches his fists.

"And that was the last draw. I knew something had to be done. At that moment, I knew that he needed a father, I knew that he needed you. And waltzing up to your desk and asking you to become a better father was not an option. So, I did what I felt was the best thing. I set a simple mind restricting jutsu on him, making sure to block out any memories of you. That way, you might've started worrying and actually caring about him."

He stops and gives me a small, but genuine, smile.

"And I see that it worked." He chuckles to himself and runs a hand through his already messy hair.

"I know, I should have consulted you on this plan but…I had my doubts on your answer. I'm sorry Sensei." He finishes, fiddling with his fingers.

I cannot believe it.

Instead of feeling an engulfing hatred towards Obito for putting my son through so much confusion, I actually feel very grateful.

He put Naruto's needs in front of everyone else's, he could have cared less about all of the stress I had to go through, he only cared that Naruto got what he wanted.

That he got to have dad.

Dropping all of my pride, and forgetting a scolding I smile warmly.

"Obito, thank you." I say, walking over to him and placing a caring hand on his shoulder.

"Without your help I probably would have never even bothered to make an effort and care for Naruto," I chuckle weakly, "Who am I kidding, I would have totally ignored the kid."

He looks at me with sad eyes.

"It's okay Sensei. You have him now."

"That's true, but you're giving him his memory back slowly aren't you?"

He remains silent, but doesn't break away our gaze. I continue without giving his questioning silence a second thought.

"Then, once he remembers everything he might completely reject me…"

Obito chuckles, his laugher light and free.

"Don't be ridiculous! I know for a fact just how much Naruto wanted to have a dad around, I think he'll be more than happy."

I release my grip, step pass him and head for the door. Looking back I dawn on the fact that Obito is finally growing up.

"Eh? What's with that look?" He asks, biting his granola bar and slowly inching away from me. "Stop staring!" He shouts out, and I laugh.

"You're finally growing up Obito." I say, chuckling under my breath and walk out the door.

"EHH?! What's the supposed to mean?" He asks rushing to the door, and before I shut it something in my mind clicks.

"Obito, how were you able to perform such a high level mind jutsu on him, one that the Yamanaka's couldn't even break?" I question, knitting my eyebrows as I lean on the doorframe.

A cold breeze flies into the house, rustling Obito's messy hair and he stares at me a look of pure discomfort.

Sheepishly, he rubs the back of his head with his callused hands.

"I'm not as weak as you think Sensei."He rolls his eyes and I give him a glare, "Before your eyes burn me alive I'll just spit it out. I did a lot of research and got a lot of help from Fugaku-sama, I know surprisingly enough he seemed to take me in once I explained why I wanted to learn such a highly advanced jutsu. Although, he didn't really train me he just gave me a ton of books to study from and I modified it a bit to make it fit my skills. But, I'm pretty sure the barrier is already breaking since the last time I sparked a memory for him, the barrier seemed uneasy…" He drifts off giving me a nervous stare.

I don't even wait to give him a proper goodbye, just a nod of my head and I'm off.

If Naruto regained his memory already he must be so confused.

Just please don't hate me.

Naruto's POV

The dim light of the monitors is the only thing illuminating the small hospital room. The drizzle of rain begins to tap on the window, and remind me that I'm not alone.

Ever since I came to my realization about Minato, I've had a flooding of memories, so many that I'm pretty sure I remember everything.

He is my father. No doubts about it.

So, why the heck did he start to care the minute I loose my memory?! Is this just an act until I announce I have gotten my memory back?

That night, when I supposedly lost my memory, I was finally going to set things straight with him. I was going to lash out at him, tell him how much his mistreatment has affected me.

I was going to tell him I hated him.

But, then suddenly when I wasn't aware of our relationship, he acts like the father I had always wished he was.

I groan in frustration and sink deeper into my pillow.

Still pondering on all of these thoughts, the door to my room opens and guess who's here to visit.

My father.

His smile slowly fades as he sees my aggravated expression.

"Hi father." I say, stressing the word father.

His face falls, no, he turns pale white and looks mortified.

"Glad you could pay me a visit, glad you actually started caring after all those years." I lash out.

All those memories of resentment, of hatred, of fear, of loneliness, bubble in my blood and I feel like crying and laughing hysterically all at the same time.

"Naruto, I can explain." He says, shutting the door and standing before me.

"Why? Why did you suddenly start acting like the greatest dad ever, the second I loose my memory, but all those years, when I really needed you, you just ignored me. I actually wanted to be there with you, but you threw me aside like I was nobody. So, why did you start caring now? And why did you lie to me when I asked you earlier today? Do you really not trust me…was this all an act?"

I feel hot tears scascade down my crumpled face.

"I realize, that my actions before this whole incident were wrong. Naruto, you're not the only that was trying to engage in a father/son relationship. Even if I acted like I couldn't stand to be with you for more than five minutes, deep down I wanted to be there with you. Through absolutely everything, but-"

"But what?" I cut in, my voice muffled because of my sobs.

"You reminded me too much of your mother. The pain that throbbed in my heart every time you tilted your head and plastered that goofy smile on your lips, or when you got that crease on your forehead when you were focused, even when you pumped your fists in the air and exclaimed you were going to become the world's greatest Hokage. It was all too much like your mother. I know it's stupid to say that I didn't want to be around you because you reminded me of your mom…but she was the love of my life and after her death I had nobody but you…but I couldn't even be there for you. Naruto, I am so sorry."

His voice breaks, and I see tears roll down his face. His body shudders, and in that moment I realize just how hard it was for my father all of those years. A small sense of sympathy washes over me.

My mother? I don't know much about her… the only thing Obito, Rin, and Kakashi have ever told me is that she was feisty, caring, and one heck of a shinobi.

A warm feeling creeps its way into my heart.

I'm like my mom, and that makes me so happy!

"Naruto, you have every right to hate me what I did to you is unforgivable." He states, the tears never leaving his blue orbs.

"I do hate you," I say and his face crumbles, his skin wrinkly and he looks so much older than he did when he walked in. He looks purely exhausted.

"I did hate you," I clear my throat, "But, not anymore. Those few days when I lost my memory and you looked after me…it was all like a dream. I don't want to lose what we had throughout those days…dad." I finish and before I can even react I feel warm arms envelop my body.

Burying my face into his chest I feel the warmth and security that his embrace brings. Warm tears flow down my eyes and meet his shirt. He buries his face into my golden locks, and holds me tighter, rocking me back and forth.

The bond between a father and son is beautiful.

And I realize, that we had it all along. Stored in our hearts, but locked away because of fear.

We were both simply afraid to be a family, afraid to love, afraid to forgive and forget.

The first crackle of thunder booms throughout the village, and lands in my ears.

But, I'm not afraid.

For the first time in my life I'm not afraid.

I'm safe.

AN: Wow, totally not satisfied with this chapter :/ Maybe i'll try to rewrite it but for some reason it's become SO hard to write this story! D: I have all the ideas and then when I sit down to write I completely blank and write down useless garbage. I dunno please don't be too harsh on me, I'm having a really difficult time writing. (Please don't hate me I'm so sorry if I'm disappointing any of you! ;-;)

But, this chapter is really deep. It shows all of the emotions running through Naruto's head and he finally gets his memory back! I hope you all enjoy the chapter even though i do noT think it's my best work by any means! All the father son fluff is adorable and I'm glad Naruto and Minato could figure it all out. ALso! Next chapter we will be seeing who Minato chooses to fill the role of Hokage, and I think I'll add some more Father/Son fluff and it might just be the last chapter of this story...sounds crazy! But it might not be I'm not too sure yet. Guess it depends on how i feel about the story! Let me know what you guys think so far! (:

Until next chapter, toodles~