C.M.D: Thanks for reviewing: Moii-san, Swordzoro, Kai, Yams41, CherryKamoku, Cluelessninja65, The Only Love For Soujiro Seta, JuMiku, and SkyglazingMaro. And thanks to everyone else for who read the last two chapters, but didn't review. I love you all!
It was late now. The sky was dark at the very tips, spreading as the sun slowly made its descent. A kitchen light was on in a cozy home, two men sitting across from each other, steam rising from the cups in front them. They were at the moment discussing something very important.
"He wanted to go the Academy?," Minato asked incredulously.
Kakashi nodded his head, pulling his mask down a little to sip at the mug of coffee his sensei had made. "Yep. Threw quite a tantrum too," the copy-nin added.
The Yondaime sat back in his chair, hands gripping his own cup. Blonde brows were furrowed in disbelief and confusion. Naruto had never thrown a tantrum before... nor did he ever want to do to the Academy. Blue eyes found there way up, staring at the ceiling. At the moment little Naru was asleep in bed, tuckered out from his day with Kakashi.
"He wanted to see one of the students," the jounin spoke up.
"Which student?," Minato demanded immediately.
"Uchiha Sasuke," Kakashi elaborated.
The blonde sucked in a breath, resting his chin in his hand, and gazing out the kitchen window. His brow was still furrowed.
Kakashi sighed, trying to keep from grinning. His sensei's protectiveness toward Naruto was highly amusing, but utterly understandable. Without a mom, the young Uzumaki only had a father to rely on, and Minato would do anything to keep Naruto safe and well. I mean, who wouldn't? Naru was so cute, everyone wanted to shelter the little gold angel.
There was only one other thing that could match in intensity the Yondaime's protectiveness, and that was the Uchihas' possessiveness. The clan was renowned for that. Well...aside from the Sharigan, of course.
It was always said that what a Uchiha wanted, they got. And they didn't share either.
Kakashi could see the problems that would arise if Sasuke grew attached to Naruto. 'But with the way the brat acted this afternoon, I find that unlikely,' Kakashi thought to himself. Although... with Naruto being so determined to befriend the raven, it just might happen.
Kakashi began to feel a little for Itachi. If Minato didn't like whatever Sasuke did to his son, it would be the other Uchiha paying the price. 'Actually... that would be pretty funny to see,' the jounin amended. His cup clicked against the table top as he set it down, empty, snapping his sensei out of his trance.
"Alright," Minato sighed, getting up. "I'm going to go wake Naruto up for dinner. Don't want him napping any longer, or he'll be up all night."
Kakashi nodded, getting to his feet as well. "Will you need me to babysit tomorrow?," the grey-haired shinobi asked.
Minato walked with him down the hall, to the front door. "No. Tomorrow's my day off, and I promised Naru that I'd take him to that new Ice-cream parlor that opened up down by the tower." The blonde man held the door open for Kakashi, leaning against it tiredly. "I really don't know what I'm going to do, Kakashi," Minato confessed, "Being Yondaime is important, and I love what I do... but it takes too much time away from me and my son."
The jounin sympathized with his superior. "I'm sure Naruto will be alright," Kakashi consoled. "You always show how much you love him, even if you can't always be with him. Besides, Naru knows how much it means to be Hokage. He'd never come to hate you, sensei."
Minato smiled, his posture appearing relieved. The copy-nin felt a pang of sorrow for his teacher, hiding it behind a small smile. He wasn't a father but he could only imagine the fear that plagued the older man every time he was away from his child.
"Call me anytime you need me," Kakashi said, stepping outside. The Yondaime nodded, thanking the grey-haired shinobi, closing the door behind him.
Minato carried his wiggling son, trying to keep steady as he walked, chuckling along with the little boy. "Naru...," the man playfully growled, twisting the child around so they were facing each other, "Little boys are supposed to behave themselves and stay still.
"But I a worm!," Naruto protested, smiling broadly.
The older blonde chuckled, trying to get a better grip on his squirming son so he wouldn't drop. Villagers around them were smiling at the adorable family of two. Coming up with a brilliant idea, the Yondaime turned his son around, holding the boy under his arm like a sack of potatoes.
"No fair!," the young Uzumaki whined. He kicked his legs out, arms flailing. He was unable to move now.
Minato grinned cheekily down at the child. "Worms can't eat ice-cream."
"Weally?"
"Really," Minato answered. "Only little boys get to eat ice-cream."
Naruto crossed his arms, lips forming a pout as he thought about it. "'Kay!," the tiny blonde exclaimed. "I be a boy, and get ice-cream too!"
Minato chuckled. Looking up, he saw that they had reached the ice-cream parlor. He set his son onto the ground, watching amused as Naruto ran into the shop with a loud cheer. "I want that! An' that! That too!"
Minato grinned, walking up behind the little blonde; who was running around the length of the counter. A tiny finger was waving at each of the pictures on the wall behind the counter, that displayed various frozen treats.
"How about you choose just one for today, then we'll get a different one next time," the man said, picking up the boy and holding him in his arms.
Naruto pouted, but looked down at the counter, analyzing all the different colors he could see through the glass. "Mhmm...," the Uzumaki hummed in thought. "I wan that one!" The cashier, who had been waiting patiently for them to order, looked to see where the pudgy finger pointed and grabbed a scoop.
"Do you want a normal cone, or a pink or chocolate cone," Minato asked.
Naruto turned a little, looking at his dad. "'Ormal," he answered. Minato nodded, and the cashier scooped some blue raspberry bubblegum ice-cream into a small vanilla cone. Smiling, the cashier handed the cone to the eager child, ringing up the price. Ice-cream bought, the Yondaime exited the shop, strolling around.
"Daddy...we go to the park?," came a quiet question.
Minato cocked his head at his son, wiping of a daub of ice-cream that had gotten on the boy's nose. Naruto was a somewhat messy eater. "No, not today Naru," he replied.
The child's eyes dimmed a little. "Why?"
'Because I don't want you hanging around that Uchiha brat.' Minato shook his head. "Because," he answered.
Naruto's brow furrowed, the kid taking a big bite out of his cone. It was obvious that the younger blonde wasn't happy. It was quiet for a minute until... "What school?," Naruto asked this time.
The man sighed, pondering on the question. It was an okay question, it was just how he should word it in a way that his son would understand that was posing a problem. "School is... a place you go to learn, things like math, and writing, and ninjutsu."
Cerulean orbs sparkled in comprehension, a hand tugging lightly on Minato's sleeve. "Daddy go to school?"
"Once, yes," Minato answered.
"Do I go to school?," came the next question.
This one, the Yondaime had been expecting. He looked at his son, shifting the child in his arms just a little. "You're too young to go to school right now."
"I not too 'ung!," Naruto protested, chomping on the last bit of his ice-cream treat. " I 'ive!" Here, the boy held up five sticky fingers, pushing them into his dad's face to make his point. The man chuckled, planting a kiss on his son's forehead.
"You can go in the fall," Minato said. "After the summer, ok?"
Naruto nodded his head vigorously, wrapping his arms as far as they would go around his dad's neck. "I wuv you daddy!"
The Yondaime smiled, pulling his son closer and pressing his nose into small gold spikes. This little bundle meant the world to him. "I love you too, Naruto," he murmured in response.
C.M.D: so...the third chapter! It's kind of an interlude of sorts so this chapter was a little short, but umm, next chapter will definitely include Sasuke so it will most likely be longer. Mostly I'm just happy you guys are even enjoying the story. So... that's pretty much it this time. I'll see you guys next update!! Ja!