Warning: See chapter 1

Disclaimer: See Chapter 1

Note: See Author's Profile for stories status. Read A/N for additional info.

Author: Took some time, got lots of excuse but... Anyway, my muse and I debated whether to do a time skip –very tempting- but as they say time is as good as gold. Got 'a make use of the next three months in the new house. Not beta'd

Chapter 3: Papa kissed my tears away

Minato secured his precious bundle before disappearing without traced, he appeared in a dimly lit room, he soundlessly went to the king sized bed in the center of the room, where he gently deposited his child bundled in his cloak. With efficient hands, he divested the boy of the filthy rags the orphanage dared cloth his child; he carelessly dropped them in the floor to be dispose later.

After shrugging off his own cloths, he tied a singled towel on his waist and scooped the dozing boy and went to a door leading to a bathroom, he flipped the light on. With the artificial light, Minato had a full view of Naruto's small body, aside from the thin scar in the neck column the tan skin remained flawless of any previous injuries, though not bone and skin the child's smaller than average stature and flimsy limbs shows effect of poor-balance meal.

That got a frown from Minato, he made a mental note to buy supplies later and asked Kohaku-san to run a general check-up on Naruto. Running the tap water, Minato embraced his son using one arm as he reach for the soft cloth and soap, he used one hand to cupped water and moist the skin, Naruto shivered a little but otherwise remained asleep and squeezed some liquid soap in the cloth and run the material in the length of Naruto's body.

Dropping the foamy cloth, he slowly dipped the boy's bottom in the bathtub and rinsed the suds away. Grabbing the bottle of shampoo, he squeezed a generous amount in his hand and rubbed it in the sandy blond hair. With a large hand in the nape of the child's nape, he cupped some water and washed the bubble suds.

With a final rinsed, Minato pulled a fluffy towel and bundled the boy. Minato went back and left Naruto in the bed for a moment, disappearing in a corner, the sound of opening and rustling can be heard in the dark and Minato came back with folded cloths in hand. He wiped the remaining droplets of water and redressed the boy quickly less he catch a cold, tucking the boy under the quilt, Minato returned to the bathroom to presumably wash in turn.

Minutes later and Minato closed the door, already clad in a loose pants and wide-collared long-sleeve, ruffling his blond mane with a towel as he closed the wash room door. Throwing the used towel in the hamper, he lifted a corner of the quilt and slipped beside his son, sliding his arm under the small head, Minato pulled his son closed to him.

The man did not bother to close his eyes, his eyes refused to let his son out of his sight than necessary. He will not sleep for a long while.

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As the sun slowly break above the tree line, Sarutobi watched the sky gradually lighten up as he sipped his hot tea. He sat on his desk in a his personal office inside the Sarutobi residence, the window open wide to let the fresh breeze and warm sunlight in, illuminating the scattered papers and scrolls atop his desk.

One particular scroll holds the hand signature of his student.

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Naruto felt incredibly comfortable, surrounded by soft warmth, he eyes remained closed and savored the moment. A rustled and dipping of the comfortable surface he is laying disrupted his peace, attention caught, with niggling curiosity, Naruto tentatively fluttered his eyelids and letting his eyes got used to the lighting.

A sky-blue expanse welcomed him, eyes subconsciously roaming the spacious and elegant room. Naruto scuttled off of the thick quilt, it was big enough to blanket the large of what seems to be a bed, he stared wide eye, he never seen such big bed before. But it was the long lump beside him that caused his eyes to be in their state, blond hair and blue eyes on an angular face, Naruto rudely stare.

It was the blond man from yesterday, his Papa, the man smiled at him. Naruto flushed self-consciously although more out of his gawking at the man, he ducked and suddenly found the white duvet interesting, following the subtle and graceful silver needlework. A hand smooth his head made him flinched, the hand stopped and pull back, Naruto felt disappointment and relief.

He fidgeted at the sudden silence, wondering if he offends the man, Naruto was thinking whether to apologize 'till the rumpling sound and movement in the bed made him peeked under his messing hair. The man slid off the bed and stride towards the heavy layers of curtain, with one hand he parted it aside and let the morning sunlight filtered in. the man stretch out his limbs before gazing at Naruto through one broad shoulder, his smile still intact.

"Good morning, Naruto. Did you sleep well?" Minato asked softly, returning back and sitting on the bed edge, keeping a respectable distance.

"U-um, yes. Thank you." Naruto wiggled his finger together, watching the kind smiling man shyly.

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Minato kept his smile even after Naruto shrunk back from his touch, he should remember Naruto's mental state and it was not long ago following to the latest attempt on his life. It left more than a thin scar, Naruto became attached to the vile chunin, actually seeing the man as a family and it hurt more than the suppression of the villagers when said man tried to end his life.

Naruto tasted betrayal in his young life and carved deep in his mind, leaving paranoia and distrust excepting to the limited people in his life, which only happens to be three, the Sandaime and the Father and daughter manning the Ichiraku, a ramen stall. Minato had been warned beforehand, it will take effort but as Naruto returned a shy smile albeit tinged with wariness that shouldn't be easily expressed by a four years old child, Minato thought it's worth the painful waiting.

Despite his distrust, his son still held a kind heart and open mind.

"It's rather late but how about some breakfast?" Minato extend a hand and patiently remained mid-air until Naruto slided his smaller hand in his.

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Naruto ate heartily, it was a simple but flavorsome breakfast, rice and omelet and a tall glass of milk for the little boy, opposite him Minato sipped his tea, hiding the pleased smile and gazing at his son through the rim of his cup.

Gulping down the calcium rich liquid, Naruto let out a sigh, licking the lingering taste on his lips, it had been awhile since he can eat something different, back in the orphanage it was usually some tasteless soup or bitter vegetable bowl –there was a time he nibble on some unknown lump, he instantly spat it out- though the salty and savory ramen was a treat he enjoy every time he snuck out or Hokage-jiji brought him some.

"Thank you for the food!" Naruto cheered, holding his glass of milk, it was different from the milk in the orphanage and it was rich and creamy.

"I'm glad." Minato wasn't much of a cook, his average in the kitchen at best and only the simple dishes, back in his single years he only survived through fry's and take-out food, his diet only improve when Kushina learned of this and invaded his kitchenette like she own it, it turned out she's a cook goddess despite her volcanic temper.

He wondered if it was the starting point of his affection for her, Minato thought with an aching-heart and bitter amusement.

"More?" Minato gestured on the empty bowl and plate, Naruto shook his head and blushed slightly.

"No, I'm full." Naruto traced shaped on the smooth wooden surface of the table. Minato gauged whether his telling the truth or just being shy again but concluded it was the former, Naruto seem so. Who wouldn't after knocking down three bowls of rice and two omelets? For such a small boy, Naruto can eat more than his size and Minato is all too pleased to see such healthy appetite.

"Alright, finish your milk." Naruto nodded and sipped more of the creamy goodness. Minato ate his last bite and started collecting empty dishes, Naruto seeing this help in gathering the wares. Minato went to the sink and started on it.

Naruto gulped down the remaining milk and jump off the chair, as he land on the floor he stumbled and loosen his hold on the clear glass. Minato sharply turned, alarmed at the shattering sound, he found his son staring horrified at the scattered pieces.

"I-i-"

"Naruto." Minato saw the boy flinched; he dried his hand on his pants and crouched down, checking his son for any wounds.

"Are you okay? Did any shard hit you?"

"I-I'm sorry!" Naruto started cowering, his eyes filling tears. Minato gathered the trembling child, shushing the sobs.

"It's okay, forget about it Naruto." Minato rubbed the small back, his eyebrows drawing together.

"I didn't mean to drop it. Please don't hurt me…"Naruto curled in his embraced, Minato could only blinked in surprised before understanding light his eyes.

"No, baby I'm not going to hurt you." Minato shushed him, hefting his son and sat on a chair, "What made you think I will, it just an accident." The older blond rocked his son, feeling the trembles waning.

"Y-you're not going to punish me?" Naruto asked, fearfully staring through his blond bangs. Minato was stricken; his heart throbbed at the sight.

"Of course not, I will never punish for something you did not mean to happen." Minato reassured him, cuddling the child as Naruto hid his pale face on his chest.

"..I didn't mean to.." Naruto whispered lowly, thanks to his sharp hearing Minato heard it.

"I know."

"I'm sorry…" this was said in a much lower voice, burrowing his little face on the firm chest, beyond relieve that he will not be punish like the adults usually do in the orphanage. Minato didn't deign his apology any reply and hummed a familiar tune from a far memory.

Naruto remained in the arms of the man, who claimed to be his father. Naruto's mind processed this part with much doubt but with a yearning hope, the last one stronger than the former. However, his distrust of strangers outside his precious people prevents his heart from fully accepting this.

His… father stood with Naruto still in his arms, Minato walked out of the kitchen and leaving the dirty dishes for the time being. He climbed upstairs and carried on to a long corridor; he stopped in a single door. He gently set down the blond boy and Naruto looked up curiously, face still wet from tears.

"Go on." With the older blond encouragement, Naruto grasped the knob and twisted it; his wide blue eyes took in the spacious room. Minato smiled behind his son, he nudged the little boy inside and closed the door.

Naruto tried to take in the room all at once, eyes staring in wonder, there was a bed pushed at the far left, it's actually a mattress in a slightly raised dais, looking more like a futon in the flat-form because of the lacked in bed frame, there was also a bedside drawer in company. In this room there was three bookcases, the first one not far off of the futon styled bed filled with worn and thick paperbacks and scrolls that remind Naruto of the aisles in the public library, the remaining two are installed in the far right, opposite of the bed. These two bookcases are much taller and wider and to Naruto's delight filled of colorful stuff, it was there that Minato led Naruto.

The colorful stuff is toys and games in one of the towering bookcase, and story books and art materials in the other. Seemingly vibrating with excitement, Naruto needed no further signal from the man than a simple nod; he dived into the treasure trove of fun. Minato play along, removing the shiny packaging and helping his son figure out more brain stimulating toys and board games.

For someone like Minato, a genius and hard trained, interacting with his son gave him more insight of his son than the thick file folder given to him, more accurate assessment of intellectual, emotional, and physical state. Minato sharp eyes picked up every little detail as his son laugh and giggle in joy or scrunch his brows and nose in concentration, little tells and habits, gone was the fidgety child with wry eyes.

In the midst of playing tag inside the room -it was certainly spacious enough for them-, a chime echo out as Minato just tackled the little giggling boy, rolling in the soft, thick carpet. Minayo sat up, the red face huffing boy secured in his arms.

"What's that?" Naruto asked after regaining his breathing, Naruto proved to be fast and elusive especially with Minato purposely slowing every time he got closer just to stir more suspense induced adrenaline.

"It must be a friend." Minato vaguely said, sensing a familiar energy within his property. "I'll go and see our visitor. Wait for me here, okay?" Naruto nodded slowly, accepting the kiss on his forehead and a pat on the head. "Go on and play. I'll be back in a flash."

And Minato disappeared behind the door. Naruto obediently sat on the foam play mat, eyes searching amidst the cluttered items with a little downturn of his lips, he already missed the man, his Papa and he never had so much fun time and attention in his life. Naruto subconsciously realized that he wanted the man's presence than the mountain of toys around him.

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Minato arrived on the foyer and opened the door, an elderly man in a white robe and odd hat greeted him with a smile, he step aside and let the man in.

"You have a nice place, Minato-kun." the old man let his eyes roamed, neutral to earthly warm colors dyed the walls and floor, matched by varnished furniture made from exotic woods around the countries. Minato favored colors found in nature, his and Naruto's room ceiling was painted with blue sky, wisps of white made mist of clouds, in every floors there is earthly brows, forest green, and toned down colors of floras and fauna. It was alike the forest life surrounding the village, Sarutobi picked up the remnants of fondness for his village, if only for the village, it made the elder's mind lighter, these days Minato only shown neutral to outright contempt to the villagers residing within Konoha. Sarutobi silently fear within the safe confines of his mind, that the blond man's anger to the villagers will spread to Konoha as a whole.

"Sarutobi-sensei, Naruto's in his room. We'd been waiting for you." although Minato only knew of Sarutobi's visit. Sarutobi nodded as Minayo gave direction and made his way first, leaving Minato. The blond man went to the kitchen and prepared snacks and drinks, with how boisterous and active his son, he's not going to be surprise if Naruto already starting to feel his stomach.

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"Jiji!" Naruto gave a surprise shout of delight. The old man crouched down and opened his arms to receive the bear hug from the miniscule blond.

"Hello to you, Naruto." Sarutobi patted the blond locks, noticing the shining locks under the natural light. It was a bigger improvement than the sandy blond head from the day before, 'Though he's still too light.' Sarutobi thought, he's sure Minato will remedy that soon.

Sarutobi knew this was the result of his short comings, there is a limit on how he can favor the child, as much as he wanted to fired each offender in the orphanage there is a shortage of man resources, especially in charitable institutions, some of them are volunteers, it lead to dark and self-loathing nights. It was probably why he took a disturbing pleasure in taking out the last offenders, because with Minato now back there will be no more.

The old Kage carried the little blond towards a low table in the center of the room, setting Naruto down in a cushion seat and taking one beside the blond, like their weekly meetings Sarutobi asked Naruto's day, Naruto is all too gleeful to do so.

It didn't take long for Minato return as he promised, carrying a tray of refreshments and snacks. He set down the tray and passed a cup of the old Kage's favorite tea first before placing the remaining on the table, setting the tray aside. Sipping his tea, Sarutobi watched through the smooth rim of his cup as Naruto crawled off of his seat and clambered on his father's lap, gingerly taking his juice and sweet senbei handed to him.

This scene pleased Sarutobi, it only took a day for Naruto to get comfortable with the man, the man who yesterday claimed as his father. That fact rankle his inner ninja discipline, especially when Sarutobi and his subordinate personally honed young Naruto's caution to his surrounding, essential for survival but in this case it will impede with the father and son's relation.

And it's exactly the agenda of his visit and to see Naruto's reaction to the idea of having a father who appeared out of nowhere. Sarutobi was against Minato's plan to let the blond father divulged his identity to the boy, to avoid putting Naruto in shock and just like he predicted the blond man cannot contain that crucial piece of fact to himself, even for an evening. No one can blame him much less take his right to announced it to the boy, it was fortunate that Minato naturally project a calming and kind disposition since his academy days, it help that Naruto is just as kind and innocent.

Placing his cup back on the table, Sarutobi crossed his fingers and rest his elbows on the wood."Naruto-kun"

That tone made Naruto automatically sat straight, causing Minato to blinked, it remind the blond man of a student getting ready to the day's lesson. Ignoring the odd stare, Sarutobi was pleased with the immediate focus and their training was starting to show. The old man cleared his throat much like the heralded professor he is.

"Naruto-kun, do you know who he is?" without preamble, Sarutobi asked straight away. Minato didn't say anything, subtly picking Naruto's movements; afraid that outright staring will put pressure to the boy. As for Naruto, he stared blankly as his brain scrambled to process the question and form thoughts.

"He..." Naruto looked down on his glass, clasped between his small hands, "He says...he's my Papa."

Sarutobi gaze flitted from his face to his body language, seeing the twitch of tension on his shoulder. Ah, such fluctuating reaction, the men clearly see the warring of desire to discipline, Naruto was only a boy out of toddlerhood and easily fall to his heart yearning, emotions ran stronger than logic.

Minato may not clearly see the boy's face but saw that he already left much impression to his son, it was so heart wrenching to see a little boy so thirsty for love and attention that he'll easily trust anyone despite his traumatizing experience but this made it easy for him to worm his way to his son's heart and life. Taking advantage of the boy's loneliness may be a bit manipulative of him but Minato was ready to do anything to have his son within his arms.

"Ne, Jiji?" Naruto stopped swirling the orange liquid and stared straight to his grandfather figure, "Is he really my Papa?"

The question was full of apprehension and hope, Naruto desperately wanted reassurance, that this time it was for real and the man behind him was family.

"Yes, Naruto. Minato is your father." Sarutobi nodded and smiled, motioning to the blond man. Naruto stilled and looked down on his glass again; the men wait with baited breath, letting the confirmation sink in.

"H-he is..." Naruto said in trembling voice, blinking his eyes rapidly. Minato carefully pulled the trembling boy, grabbing the juice in slacked fingers to place it in the table before it spill, without the glass in hand Naruto clasped his little hands in the man, his Papa's shirt and hold tight.

"Papa…My Papa.." Naruto mumbled.

"Yes, love. I'm here." Minato let the iron wrench hold and tightened his arms around his son and shooting a smile of big gratitude towards the old Kage.

Sarutobi nodded and pick up his tea, averting his eyes to give them a sort of privacy. The blond father rocked the sniffling and trembling child.

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The men decided to cut the visit short and let Naruto adjust, Sarutobi waved Minato's gazed and made his way leaving the father and son alone in the room. Minato rocked his son, humming while rubbing the shivering back; Naruto clung to him, little fingers bunching his loose shirt and most likely wrinkle it badly.

When the sobs stopped, Minato tilted his head to hear the deep breathing, an indication that Naruto fall asleep, he gently maneuvered the child, finding a bit of resistant when the little fingers refused to budge in the first tug. He brought the sleeping child in the bed conveniently placed in the room and tucked the boy under the covers.

The blond man sat beside the boy, silently tracing the tears tracks on the cubby scarred cheeks, he delicately brushed the unruly bangs and let out a contented smile, his son briefly snuffled. He stood and touched the wall on his way to the door; he looked back at his son before closing the door soundlessly.

Minato walked down the hallway, stopping at the far end and pushed a door, this one held the study and office room. Just like the room he left there was tall window, the only window and probably wider standing directly behind a desk, bringing in the sunlight and highlighting the deep cravings in the deep mahogany wood, it's a simple and elegant piece of woodwork, a wall to ceiling bookcase was also installed on the right wall, this one filled with scrolls and thick books.

The blond man walked around the desk and stood, he gazed at the cluster of trees lining the front lawn, the sky was clear with a few cottony clouds loitering around and it was a peaceful backdrop to the towering buildings of Konoha. As a habit, whenever he mused on certain parts of life Minato will stare for hours bellow his village, watching the domestic and trivial routine of life as his people mile away like miniature dolls inside a diorama.

It always brought serenity in him but today it was only the sky that he stare up instead, it almost mirror the same shade of his son eyes though it did not hold the same strong emotions that brought a brilliant color. A alluring smile curved his lips, a touch of something made it a tad more different and attractive from his usual polite or gentleman smile -or the occasional lady-killer smile as his acquaintances say-, his smile possessed more profundity than the ocean.

This smile was brought with the satisfaction of sweeping the lingering doubt in his son; he had all the full time to get closer to his baby before the allotted time his mentor gave him. This line of thought dampen his smile, the brilliant blue of his eyes turning a little cold, like the frigid waters of early winter. Sarutobi and Minato both agreed that he will take reign once again, the Sandaime already implanted rumors among the ranks that will spread around the civilians to the outside walls of Konoha.

With the Kyuubi attacks still somewhat fresh and forever etched on the survivors mind, the fantastical idea of their hero coming back will stir things up, it's risky but if it goes favorably then he it will give him advantage, a hold within Konoha's people, it will make his entrance in the villages life more easily.

Minato smile remained for the rest of the afternoon, only losing his perfectly still form away from the window to get ready for dinner.

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His baby son was a complete darling, all soft spoken and red-cheeked again, shyly peeking at him under fair lashes, Minato was almost finish with dinner when he checked on his son, right on when the boy just woke up and brushing gritty eyes. The revelation took much of Naruto's energy, his jumbled emotions and coupled with game play exhausted his rather ample stamina, of course that includes his stomach and thankfully Minato prepared a filling dinner.

Shortly after dinner, Minato helped bath his son, Naruto obediently sat in a stool as soapy cloth ran gently on his skin and shyly returned the favor by scrubbing his Papa's back. The boy's hesitant broke halfway in the bathtub full of bubbles and floating toys; Minato indulged his baby in fooling around with the foam, they step out later, drying and now redressed in comfortable cloths.

"Um…Papa?"

"Yes, Naruto." The little blond wavered a bit, "I wanna sleep in Papa's room."

Minato combed back his damp locks and smiled, flinging the towel away; he picked up his son and touched the back of a small head. "That's the plan, love." Naruto beamed and hugged his father's strong neck, his round scarred cheeks on Minato's. The man nuzzled his baby son, almost like a lingering kiss on the damp locks before trudging to his room.

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The revelation that he, Uzumaki Naruto, resident orphan demon has a father and want and love him spin his whole world leaving him in a daze, it shattered walls he already starting to build, the smiling mask of a jester cracking. For the four years old boy, undiluted joy filled his tiny being, amazingly healing the void in his soul.

It the start of Naruto's life with the man he will love more than anyone in his existence.

TBC

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Thank you for reviweing: Dirk-Strider-Super-Sugoi, countrylovinfangirl, MyPr1nc3, Sachiel Angelo, Queen-Disturbed-Haruka, Kyore and more. As well as for those who add this story, thank you for the support. By the way does anyone know where you can post stories of mature content, Fanfiction already prohibited explicit sexual scenes -though some still do it anyway.

Revising is still underway. Type it in my tablet so sorry for the typos and wrong grammar, wonder if I'd improved it. I accidentally delete it in my tab *whimper*, I nearly scream, thank heaven I always have backup but I was an experience to see your hard work gone poof with just a click...

Review!

BlueInkHeart