280 days after the Uzushiogakure Massacre
Uzumaki Kushina
I silently sneaked into the apartment. It was past midnight and I didn't want to wake up Kichiro. I glanced over at his bed and frowned when I saw it empty. I glanced at the kitchen table and saw Kichiro slumped over a book, a candle burning faintly beside him. He had fallen asleep reading as he waited for me. I scurried into the bathroom, changed into my pajamas, and shuffled back out.
"Kichiro!" I said quietly, shaking his shoulder as I blew out the candle.
He mumbled an answer and slowly pulled himself upright. I ducked under his arm and helped him to his bed where he flopped face-down on the mattress. I stifled a giggle and wriggled under his arm. He grumbled about having a second bed, but still curled closer, tucking his face into my hair. I was asleep almost immediately.
When I woke up, Kichiro was still fast asleep, facing away from me as I snuggled against his back and my cold fingers pressed against the warm skin of his back.
I didn't have to go to the Academy, and Kichiro had the day off as well. I curled closer to him, content for a little while, but when the sun finished rising, I couldn't sleep any longer. I didn't want to wake him up, so I slowly extracted myself and pulled away. Kichiro didn't stir. I was about to get up when I noticed that he had just cut his hair and it only fell halfway down his neck. Instead of getting up, I decided to play with his hair. I carded my fingers through his hair. It was a long time before he stirred. It was even longer before he finally opened his eyes and rolled over to look at me.
"Mornin'," he slurred, his head in my lap.
"Morning, Nii-san," I responded, still playing with his hair.
He started to sit up so I shuffled forward to hug him and press my chilled fingers to the warm skin under his shirt. He squeaked out a protest but still hugged me back.
"I don't wanna do anything today," he mumbled.
"But I'm hungry."
He groaned. "Fine, I'll make—"
"No! I want to make something."
He shrugged. "Have at it."
I stood up and scurried over to try and make something for breakfast. After a minute, Kichiro spoke up. "Kushina? Could you get me that book?" I looked over to see where he was pointing. A small satchel sat at the foot of the bed.
"Just sit up!"
"I don't want to move."
I opened my mouth to comment, but thought better of it and got him the book.
"Thank you, Kushina! I love you!"
I rolled my eyes, but couldn't hide my smile.
