Warning: If you have virgin eyes and aren't used to reading curse words, hit the back button, dear reader. There be one, or maybe two down below. o.O

Chapter 3: The Unloved Yearn for Affection

The only reason Minato hadn't used his teleportation jutsu to get to the blond child was because he feared he'd be teleported again without finding some facts about why Obito had wanted to bring them to this time, and he was also afraid that he might accidentally stumble into the little boy.

Wouldn't want the lad to fall forward and stab himself, now would we...?

"Damn it," Kakashi whispered, just missing the child. He barely avoided colliding with a random building, forcing his chakra straight into his hands so that when he threw them out to protect his face, the force of the impact could bounce him back. That would've been a stupid mistake, he thought as he landed awkwardly on his feet.

The blond child giggled, running onto another street, while Kakashi started to reach for his kunai. He threw it, but the attack was intercepted by Rin's shuriken before he could do any damage.

Rin gave him a slight look of accusation under her mask. "He's a child," she stated. And he barely looks four…

"I wasn't going to kill him," Kakashi explained, shaking his head. More like make a small nick on his shoulder… "Look, we've been at this for an hour," he continued crossly. "Besides, I don't think he'd be missed if—"

"We can't murder a civilian for stealing a mere kunai, Kakashi," Minato reminded his pupil, slight mirth in his voice. "He's fast, though; I'll give him that." He smiled under his mask at this revelation. It reminded him of the time his team had to catch a patron's cat as a mission—damn difficult. Obito had to resort to asking the old ladies, which were a great help… but it took them most of the day.

Minato declared that event as his favorite with his team, wishing they could go back to simpler times. It was going to get harder from now on, and even though his team members were trained shinobi, he still felt a slight sadness in the fact that they'd signed themselves up for adult affairs, like he had when graduating from the academy.

How strange it was to him as child, wanting to grow up so suddenly to become something great, and then wishing he had more time to revel in his youthful years now… Adolescence was an experience that children should cherish, but shinobi children… they'd never know what it was like to run around with their peers for 'the fun of it'. They had little time to actual live—to get out in the world and find themselves…

And so far, as ninja, with this war raging on, the only place they'd all find themselves in would be an early grave.

Minato shook the morbid thoughts off, keeping his attitude even. His pondering reverted back to the blond child, the little terror, labeling him as a boy with potential. Four shinobi can't even catch a small boy… I suspect that even a member of Anbu can't catch him… He hoped the kid had plans to put that speed to use for Konoha in the future.

Minato pointed above them. "Let's regroup along the rooftop."

Obito groaned while he and his teammates jumped up, fatigued. "That little guy's fast," he said as he landed on the red tile. He wished he could take his hot attire off, feeling his sweat soaking his dark clothes. "I definitely wasn't expecting all that, and did you see the way he evaded us?" He sounded in awe of the child. "I can't believe we're losing to a little kid…"

Rin and Kakashi agreed with quick nods, clearly worn out from where they sat. Kakashi spread his legs in front of him with a slight huff, leaning back on his hands while he caught his breath, and Rin sat on her lower legs, fanning herself with her hand. Minato was seated with his right knee propped up beside her, and Obito sat cross-legged on his left side next to Kakashi, finishing their small circle.

"I say we give it another round," Obito said, lifting his left fist up. He was grinning, excitement weighing in on him. This was the most fun their team had in a while, making them feel drained, yet incredibly refreshed. They all welcomed the change of pace… except Kakashi.

Kakashi looked at his wits end underneath his mask, envisioning himself inflicting corporal punishment on the child for being such a nuisance to their mission. I hope I never have children. "Can we at least spank him if we catch him, sensei?" A little discipline goes a long way…

Rin gave him an accusing look, hoping he could sense it under her cover-up. She slowly began shaking her head as she glanced to her sensei for instruction. "Minato-sensei, maybe it'd be better if Kakashi didn't go near him…?"

Minato chuckled, sounding wearisome, but he nodded, nonetheless. "Agreed." He glanced at the silver-haired child. "Kakashi, you'll be look out." Rin breathed a sigh of relief, placing her right hand over her heart. She couldn't imagine what she'd do if she ever saw a child being beaten, or perhaps she'd probably attack the abuser…

Kushina certainly would. Rin nodded. Yep, she'd go all out. Kushina could put fear in any poor soul foolish enough to be on the receiving end of her rage. Sensei must miss her...

Rin glanced up at Minato, knowing he was the foundation of the group that kept everything intact.

He's her polar opposite, Rin thought. But they make a good match. Her small smile of admiration turned into a slight frown the more she watched the respected man. But I'm scared to see what could happen to us as we travel. Obito's cousin might've tried to hurt our future selves… and I don't want anything to happen to sensei and the others.

A sudden determination clouded her vision, making her dark eyes shine with hope. Whatever wrong I see, maybe I can change it… She'd make sure this mission ended well. Beside her, Obito was hoping the same.

When Minato glanced down, he tilted his head, offering Rin a pleasant grin. Although Rin couldn't see it, she knew it was there, having received it often, and she gave him the same in return. She had been glad to be in his presence—as well as the comforts of her other teammates.

"Naruto!" someone shouted. "Get back here!"

Naruto? Minato thought. How could a name he'd never heard before sound so familiar?

"No way!" the little blond boy shouted back down below. His pitch was so loud and high that he sounded like an adorable, squeaking kitten.

Team Minato paused, deadpanned expressions as they watched a group of shinobi rush after Naruto. Once the commotion had passed, the four of them remained silent, watching their retreating backs, until Kakashi, who pointed in an aloof manner, decided to voice his success.

"Sensei," he said. "Target sighted. I've completed my mission as lookout." He gestured with his head towards the frustrated ninja who'd just ran by while he laid down on the roof to get some rest. "Obito, Rin, retrieve the brat."

Minato fought the urge to face-palm, but his hand raised slightly. He opted to rest it on his knee instead. All this to catch a little boy?

Obito had gone quiet for a while, fixated on one spot, and Rin noticed, touching his shoulder. "Obito," she asked, brows furrowing. "What are you looking at?"

Obito lifted his index finger in the direction of the Hokage Mountain, eyes serious as he took off his mask. "It's…"

Rin followed his gaze, gasping at what she saw. "It's Minato-sensei!"

Minato simply stared over at the mountain with a collected gaze. He wasn't surprised. Hiruzen had already informed him that he'd been chosen as his successor over Orochimaru… He wondered what had become of the man in this time period.

Obito gave his sensei a look of admiration, while Rin touched the Uchiha's shoulder, squeezing it with excitement.

"I'm proud of you, Minato-sensei," Rin stated. Never thought I'd be saying that to sensei. It's usually the other way around… When she'd first learned that she'd be the student of the Yellow Flash, she was in awe of his high ranking status, but now that she knew he'd be Hokage, she felt starstruck, enchanted even, that she got the privilege to work with someone so accomplished—to have the honor of fighting along side him during his rise from a shinobi to Hokage.

The fact that he was so modest in his achievements made him all the more likable, a true hero in her eyes.

Kakashi casually lifted his thumb from where he rested. "What Rin said, sensei." Typical Kakashi encouragement.

Obito agreed with several, forceful nods. "Right, right! What Rin said! Way to go, sensei!"

"Calm down," Minato instructed, a humble smile gracing his lips as he ruffled Obito's hair. "And put your mask back on." The Yellow Flash didn't want to boast about his position; it wasn't a trait that he'd been accustomed to. Instead, he rose on his feet quickly, hoping his students wouldn't ponder too much on the future. "We really need that kunai." Rin and Obito stood with him as he said, "I think we can use the other shinobi to distract Naruto while we counter his positions."

Both teammates agreed, nodding. "Right," they said.

Minato paused, glancing at Kakashi. If I have Obito stay here with him, another fight's bound to break out… Who can I trust more on this? "...Rin, stay with Kakashi." It was a no-brainer.

She nodded. "Right."

"I don't need to be babysat," Kakashi grumbled.

"And I don't need one of you getting attacked without backup," Minato clarified.

"But sensei, your backup's Obito," Kakashi stated. That was his way of saying he was worried, and Minato had to grab Obito's shoulder before the little Uchiha could retort, or approach his silver-haired teammate.

"Let's go," Minato stated. Obito grumbled and placed his mask on, running ahead, but before Minato could run with him, he stopped himself.

He squatted next to Kakashi, giving the child a quick poke on the chest before he rested his forearms on his knees. "When you're done sunbathing, I need you be on the lookout for our target with Rin, okay?" There was a bit of playfulness in his tone, one that made Rin stifle a giggle.

Kakashi, ever the serious one, nodded. "Sure, sensei."

I'm hoping he'll find a way to loosen up once everything is said and done with this mission, Minato thought. After giving his students one final, worried glance, he hurried off after Obito in search of Naruto.

Kakashi sat up, watching him go, and beside him, Rin was doing the same. Neither were aware of the silver-haired shinobi that watched them with a haunted expression further off. In fact, if they'd paid just a tad more attention to their surroundings, like they were supposed to do instead of eyeing the Hokage Mountain for a second time, they'd have noticed an older Kakashi was preparing to attack them.

When both team members finally felt his presence, they stiffened. The older Kakashi was already too close for comfort, and the man's shadow towered over Kakashi's petite form, stretching past his exposed toes.

Rin started raising her kunai, prepared to fight the man. "Kakashi," she said warily.

"Hello there kids," the shinobi told them with a lax wave. He smiled with his right eye, crinkles forming at the edge of the corner as he tilted his head. "I can tell that you're not true Konoha shinobi, and I hope you have permission to be here, or there's a high possibility that you're going to die today." No pressure.

He knew the faces under the masks, having seen a piece of Minato's blond hair sticking out of his coverup earlier as proof, and also Obito's face just moments ago, but he thought them to be mere clones. Kakashi was determined to end the life of anyone who thought the idea of having his fallen comrades walking about so freely would be humorous.

It wasn't. If anything, it pained him to see them, to hear Rin's voice speak his name just now... It had to be a trick, a work of one of his enemies. Maybe it's a genjutsu technique...

Slaying these replicas would also open old wounds, but he couldn't imagine having another Konoha shinobi participate. It was his team; his problem.

He'd have to rectify the situation immediately.

"Get back here!" a shinobi shouted.

"Nuh-uh!" Naruto intoned. Too many! He rounded the corner, skidding through the space between the open legs of his potential capturers, and he hurried off. Naruto easily jumped out of harm's way when one of the shinobi tried to catch him, laughing when the man collided into the wall Naruto had used for leverage during his jump.

It was when Naruto looked back to check on the other shinobi that he failed to notice a force of nature headed his way. A flash of yellow was all he saw before Minato snatched the kunai out out his hands. During that time, Obito grabbed Naruto's petite frame by the waist, and said, "Got'cha!" while dodge rolling to block the child from the force of his swift lunge.

They landed onto another a street so quickly that the other shinobi easily overlooked them, rushing by to search further off, near the Hokage Mountain.

The pair waited behind some abandoned carts and boxes, and Naruto was doing his best to claw at Obito's neck, since the Uchiha's face was guarded by his mask. "Let go of me!" he demanded in a hoarse squeak. Minato appeared beside them in an instant, eyeing the scene with a wearisome, but somehow humored, gaze. Naruto was a determined little thing, and highly rambunctious.

Once again, Minato was reminded of the cat mission.

Obito stood during the boy's attack, holding the tiny child at arm's length while Naruto kicked and made a fuss. In spite of it all, the Uchiha chuckled. "Rin was right. He's kind of cute, sensei!"

Naruto looked offended as he wrinkled his nose, and he flailed his arms around in a haughty manner, his hissy-fit in full force. "Put me down!"

Minato felt the child's pain, knowing it must be frustrating at that age to be taken seriously, especially if one's tone resembled something worth cuddling. Naruto looked no more than three or four, though. Adorable little thing. "Obito," Minato started. "We have the kunai now. We can let him—"

"Gaaaaah!" A piercing battle cry; that was the only warning Naruto gave for the damage he was about to ensue. He managed to viciously bite Obito's left forearm, and the Uchiha shrieked in surprise, dropping him to the ground. Naruto landed with a thud on his feet, watching with pride as Obito began nursing his bleeding limb.

The Uchiha gazed down at the little terror, who was glaring up at him with crossed arms. His fingers hovered over the oval shaped wound, and his dark fabric was getting soaked around the small area due to his crimson body fluid. "Y-You bit me…?"

Naruto gave him a haughty look of defiance. "I told you to put me down, dattebayo!"

Minato's brow arched upon hearing that word... It sounded familiar to him. That sounds like...

"You bit me!" Obito stated, voice rising. Kakashi was right, for once. "You are a little brat...!"

Naruto stuck his tongue out. "My name's not Brat! It's Naruto Uzumaki, and I'm gonna be Hokage!" Both members of Team Minato froze while Naruto aimed his small fist at Obito. "Remember that, dattebayo!"

Minato took a surprised step forward while he watched Naruto glare at his student. Uzumaki…? "Datte…?" It was making sense now, the spiky blond hair, the blue eyes, Kushina's face shape… Unless the redhead had married some other blond shinobi, Minato assumed Naruto was definitely his child. It was clear to see whose personality the tiny tot had taken, but Minato wondered why Naruto didn't have his surname.

It didn't make sense, not that he cared too much... although...

Did Kushina not want Naruto to have my surname?

Obito had caught on to who Naruto was after hearing that spirited introduction as well, having seen a glimpse of Kushina flash across the child's face the moment he'd spoken it. The Uchiha glanced at Minato, and then his gaze slowly traveled back to Naruto. He repeated the action multiple times, the future baffling him.

Wow, was all the Uchiha could think. I wonder what me and Rin are doing in this time… He already caught a glimpse of Kakashi reading his questionable novel, so that was the silver-haired boy's fate... but Obito's enthusiasm to see if he had the courage to admit his feelings to his teammate weighed heavy on him.

Obito hoped that Rin still had that natural glow about her whenever she smiled… The sweet gesture made everything stop, like it was just the two of them against the world, unless the grin was directed Kakashi. Then Obito would feel like he always had, as if it were Kakashi's world, and he was a mere stepping stone on his way to success...

Naruto paused, tilting his head curiously at the silent duo. It was so quiet that it was deafening, and he didn't like it at all. This new development caused him to pout, but he also realized that this was the first time people had taken interest in him since... well, since his new friend that he'd met earlier that day.

It was a welcomed feeling.

Minato was at a loss for words at the moment, greeting the silence as he approached little Naruto. That pout, he thought. Definitely Kushina's... I wonder, would be alright if I held him...? He is my son, after all? Would he recognize my touch, my voice...? He shook his head. I spoke earlier and he didn't seem familiar with the sound... Minato was excited, and a little shy, to meet the boy, having no real family himself growing up.

So many questions flooded his mind while he debated on what he should do, what to say. He kept starting to approach, only to pause mid-step and retreat back to his previous position. I... I have son? Kushina and I, we have a child together...

The Yellow Flash had secretly lost his equanimity, but the slip-up was validated.

Does he have siblings? Minato asked himself. He shook his head again, touching the right side while feeling a headache forming. Why isn't he in preschool? And where's Kushina...?! And... and he's staring at me... Should I try picking him up? The kid was a biter, for sure. He was definitely hesitant.

Beside him, Obito was grinning like an idiot. Aw, sensei... scoop 'em up! he secretly encouraged. He wanted to witness the man hold his future son. Do it, do it! The Uchiha held his breath when Minato slowly began reaching for the child, and he froze, anticipation keeping him in place. Be careful about those teeth, sensei...

There was an immediate sense of protection when Minato had first laid eyes on the boy—not enjoying the idea of a child running around with a kunai—but the feeling amplified once he'd found out the boy shared his DNA, that Naruto was his own flesh and blood.

Naruto was hesitant to move, unsure of what he should do. No one had ever bothered with him, so this was a new experience… but he felt a soft aura lingering around the stranger, much different from the Uchiha who had him dangling at arm's length earlier... Home? he thought. He glared at Obito, who was making a sort of 'shooing' motion for Naruto to go forward. He's weird. But Naruto focused on the feeling he felt from before as he glanced back at Minato, loving it.

Home.

He confused the word with the other emotion he was feeling, with trust, his sense of security—a feeling of love. That's the sensation that Naruto sensed radiating from the masked man who waited on a response, arms still spread.

Out of various forms of neglect, Naruto slowly extended his arms towards him, craving a hug he never had, and Minato lifted him gently in his arms, embracing the child with a contented sigh. Naruto watched on curiously, not understanding why someone in the village would suddenly take the time to show him such affection, but he certainly wasn't complaining. He'd cherish this hug always, even if it was from a mere acquaintance.

What a pity it was for the unloved to search for, and accept, any method of comfort that came their way during their time alone.

"Who're you?" Naruto asked, adjusting himself on Minato's right side. He seemed to have calmed down a bit, and he even propped his arm on Minato's shoulder, relaxing. When he reached for the man's mask, Minato leaned his head back, grabbing the child's wrist.

"Someone who...," Minato whispered softly, stopping himself with a smile. I'm the one who loves you most in this world, Naruto, just like your mother.

Naruto pointed at his mask, blue eyes intrigued. "Do you know Tobi, too?" The squeak in his voice caused a grin to appear on Minato's lips, one that wasn't leaving anytime soon. Naruto had his undivided attention.

Minato paused, slightly confused. "Who's Tobi, Naruto?"

"My new friend," he answered with bright eyes. "He's my first one."

"Oh really?"

Obito could hear the smile in his sensei's tone, opting to give them some privacy. He bowed slightly to his sensei, waiting on Minato to give him leave. When the man gave him a quick nod, Obito hurried off to go join Kakashi and Rin as lookouts. Congrats, sensei… I just hope the future me doesn't do anything to screw up your life...

"Yeah, yeah!" Naruto piped up, eyes shining with excitement. He nodded with vigor. "Tobi says he'll be my new friend if I keep that—" He pointed at the kunai sticking out of Minato's black belt. "Away from the people in the white fox masks, like you."

Ah...

Minato stiffened, gently placing Naruto back on the ground while he folded his arms, contemplating his next move. If he needs younger Obito, why in the world is he playing mind games with my son? Just what is he trying to achieve...?

Naruto peered up at him, missing the contact of the mysterious man, but he crossed his arms as well, mimicking his new friend. It was fun for him. When Minato glanced down and saw this, Naruto gave him a wide grin, revealing a missing tooth on the right side of his gums.

Too cute, Minato thought. He couldn't wait to marry Kushina and watch Naruto grow up. They'd never have a dull moment. "...Naruto? What did Tobi look like?"

"Um…?" Naruto hovered his hand near his face, spinning it in a circular motion while giving Minato a shrug. "He had a orange mask."

Minato made a noise of discomfort, slightly enraged by the news. "Obito," he whispered to himself.

Naruto tugged on the fabric of Minato's leg, pouting. "No, no! His name's Tobi, dattebayo! Tobi!"

Kushina, Minato thought to himself. I can't wait for us to meet him… so precious... And suddenly the idea of only having a girl made little sense to him. Naruto seemed troublesome, yes, but in that moment Minato realized that the gender of his offspring didn't matter. Whatever they were, however they acted, he'd loved them the same way he loved Naruto in that instant, with his undying affection.

Minato knelt, taking Naruto's right hand in his left. It was so tiny in comparison to his, but Naruto squeezed it back all the same, loving the new attention he was getting. "Naruto, where is Tobi now?"

Naruto huffed, eyes rolling upwards while he remembered what the man had told him. "He said he's 'already gone,'" Naruto replied, nodding to himself. "But he'll be back. He promised."

"Did he?" Minato asked, although it was more to himself. They'd have to return to this time later, but for now, their business was needed where the older Obito had vanished off to. However, there were still a few questions that Minato had for his son. "Naruto, where are your parents so I can take you to them?" He should be safe as long as he's with me and Kushina, but I can't just barge into the Hokage Residence… unless…

He thought of the leaf necklace that Hiruzen had given him. I can use that, but Hiruzen's stepped down by now since I've taken his place. It won't matter... I'm sure my older self will remember this mission. He'll let me return Naruto safely.

Naruto blinked at him, a dark frown appearing on his lips. This stranger was an odd one to him, asking him such a peculiar question. Everyone in the village knew Naruto had no family, that he was an orphan. "I dunno," he finally answered.

"That's alright," he stated. "I'll take you to them."

Naruto's brows rose, and he parted his lips to speak. He was confused with the situation, but someone had taken interest in him, so he simply quieted. He thought if Minato found out that he had no family, he wouldn't be his friend anymore, a childish reason not to tell the truth, but Naruto was in fact quite young. "'Kay...?"

Minato took Naruto's right hand, leading him down the street, an adorable stroll taking place. He thought it was alright to return Naruto home, since the child had informed him of older Obito's absence. His team was safe because of this, so there wasn't much room for fret at the moment. Besides, what kind of father would he be if he left Naruto, a child who looked no more than a few years, to walk home by himself? "...How old are you now, Naruto?" he asked softly.

Four digits raised, twirling. "This many!" With every step Minato took, Naruto had to take three pitter-patters to keep up, but he didn't seem to mind. He was enjoying the man's company. "How old are you?" he asked curiously.

"Old enough," Minato stated with a chuckle. "But not too old." He was actually quite young in age, twenty-one to be exact, and he'd die at the fresh age of twenty-five later, on the birth night of his son.

The answered seemed to be acceptable to Naruto, who nodded. "Cool..." He quieted when they arrived on a busy street, squeezing Minato's hand with a sudden fear. Minato almost questioned the action as they walked, until he heard the whispers from the villagers.

"It's him," someone said. They sounded disgusted.

"Foolish man," someone spoke up. "Doesn't he know that boy's cursed?"

This made Minato pause. Everyone was treating his son as if he were a walking plague, like a sinner among saints ready to cast the first stone of judgement.

Naruto had visibly shied away from their glares, leaning his face into Minato's hand and gripping the fabric of his pants with his free hand. I dunno why they get so mad at me...

Minato was baffled, perplexed even, at this sudden revelation. Why in the world…? They'd treat my son like this—the Hokage's son like this?

"I should warn you," an elderly, male villager said in a stern voice. "That boy's nothing but trouble."

Minato frowned under his mask, his anger rising. Surely they wouldn't treat his son that way, given his high ranking position. If Kushina were there to see, she'd smack them all in the face. "...Do you even know him?" he asked. He'd spoken it with authority, but there was still a slight sensibility in his voice, ever the composed one.

The question had made Naruto gaze up at him, grateful, yet stunned.

The man scoffed. "We don't have to know him; we know what he's capable of."

"Which is?" Minato questioned. Naruto felt his hand being squeezed slightly, the action making him smile. Someone cared about him.

The villagers had no answer for the Yellow Flash, because they honestly didn't know themselves. It had been a secret between the third, and a select few shinobi, as to why Naruto should be feared.

After receiving no answer, Minato reached down for Naruto, scooping him up and hurrying off.

For the villagers of Konoha to hate Naruto simply because made Minato question his people. Surely, they wouldn't be spooked by mere gossip over a child?

It was later, when they landed near the Hokage residence that Naruto frowned at him. "Why're we here?" the child asked. He knew this wasn't his address. His home was further off, and it wasn't nearly as welcoming.

Hiruzen had just exited, his Hokage attire still intact. There were more age lines on his tanned skin, and some moles here and there on his face, but Minato still recognized the man. He immediately took off his mask when the four shinobi around Hiruzen got defensive.

"Third Hokage...?" Minato greeted, baffled. Naruto was still pouting in his arms at Hiruzen, burying his face in the crook of his new friend's neck to avoid eye contact. The child didn't want to be scolded for his existence again today, and frankly, he had a slight headache from the encounter with the villagers earlier.

The time traveling mission… Hiruzen thought. I had high hopes that I'd get to see you again at least once after your death, Minato. Hiruzen took a puff from his pipe to maintain his bravado. It's been too long… "Just to clarify: You are you in fact… alive?" he asked Minato, ignoring the questioning looks of his bodyguards.

"Yes. My team and I are on an A ranked mission," Minato said. He pulled a leaf necklace out of his pouch, raising it up. He lifted it slightly higher when Naruto tried to reach for it, smiling a little. "That you sent us on, Third."

Hiruzen slowly pulled his pipe from his lips, eyeing Minato with a neutral gaze before he turned and headed back up the stairs. "Follow me," he instructed. He decided it best not to voice his feelings about Minato's return. As Hokage, he was the rock that kept everyone together, so he had to keep his emotions in check… but he missed the man, all the same.

"My students are with me," Minato reminded him, following him up the stairs. "I don't want to cause trouble while I'm here."

Hiruzen murmured something to a nearby bodyguard, and the shinobi took off. "They'll arrive shortly," he assured him. He had asked one of his guards to command Ebisu to seek out three youths in white fox masks...

As soon as they all entered the grand residence, the bodyguards dispersed, and Hiruzen slowly paced down the elongated hall. Minato paced behind in silence, while Naruto wondered when he'd get the chance to eat some ramen. Running around to find some fresh paint to steal for later use on the mountain was second on his To-Do List... The decisions of a four year old were agonizing.

"I understand that this may seem odd to you," Hiruzen spoke up as they walked.

"It does," Minato stated with a firm nod. He shared a brief glance with an impatient Naruto, who promptly rested his head on his shoulder again. A loving hand cradled the boy's head, brushing through the blond spikes. Patience little Naruto... "Could you brief me on what's going on?"

"I must caution you to remain calm if I do, Minato," Hiruzen said as they entered a large room.

"Mi-na-to?" Naruto intoned.

The room they stepped into was blocked off by a sliding, paneled door and there was a red tatami carpet that covered majority of the wooden floor. The decorations were elegant in structure, and there were three, large portraits along the wall. Minato's was among them, right beside the previous Hokage's who'd perished.

It didn't take Minato long to catch on to what Hiruzen was showing him, but Naruto looked on in confusion. Ten seconds passed on in silence, while Hiruzen gathered his thoughts. Those ten quickly turned to twenty, then forty, and before either of them knew it, they'd remained quiet for nearly five minutes. The entire time, Hiruzen stared at Minato, wishing the man hadn't met such a tragic end, while Minato stared back at him, pale from the silent news.

Eventually, Naruto pointed at the pictures, remembering the familiar faces. "The dead guys on the mountain!" he said with surprise. He gasped, frowning up at Minato with a look of hurt in his eyes—as if he'd just watched the man take his last breath. "But… but then you're a ghost!"

"Naruto," Hiruzen warned, slightly sympathetic. He took pity on the boy when he saw tears form in his eyes.

"That's not fair, dattebayo!" he yelled, sniffling. Tiny fists, rubbed at his eyes. Naruto's only friend was a dead man, save for Tobi, and he felt remorse for Minato's death, even if he hadn't witnessed it. The mere thought of it frightened him. He didn't understand what was fully going on; he just knew Minato wasn't supposed to be alive and that hurt him more than ever.

Hiruzen lowered his head, hiding his look of dismay under his conical hat. "Naruto…"

Minato rubbed soothing circles on Naruto's back, allowing the boy to cry for the both of them, since he'd blinked back a few tears. "Naruto," he said softly. "I'm very much alive right now," he assured him. At least we have this moment... We've got today...

"You're not really dead... are you?" It had been an innocent, heartfelt question, but the severity of it impacted both adults in the room.

A noise of discomfort left Minato while he tried his best to process this new information. The fact that his son had so casually asked him a question concerning his death made him all the more uneasy. His dilemma was sinking in, full force and he thought the room to be swaying—or perhaps it was all in his head? I'm dead…? It felt peculiar to think about. I'm no longer… alive…? "What happened to me?" he asked in a whisper.

Hiruzen seated himself at the nearby table, waiting for Minato to do the same on the other side. Once his successor had, he reached forward and touched the man's left forearm, while Naruto seated himself in his lap, lips quivering and tear lines staining his cheeks. "Forgive me, friend," Hiruzen spoke up, placing his pipe on the table. "But I did what I thought was necessary…"

If he wasn't confused before, Minato certainly felt the emotion now. "...I don't understand."

"You died four years ago," Hiruzen stated, clasping his hands together on the table. "You... and Kushina."

More silence, but this time, it wasn't welcome.

"Ku... Kushina," Naruto whispered with furrowed brows.

"...How?" Minato asked quickly, slightly losing his equanimity. He almost stood, until he remembered that Naruto was seated in his lap. The shinobi had managed to keep his opinions to himself on everything pertaining to his tragic situation, but when it came to Kushina…

Not Kushina...

The redhead was the love of his life; strong, compassionate, vengeful at times, but still filled with love… She was his, and Minato hers, true soulmates meant to grow old together, meant to raise their child together... Minato wasn't taking the news well, and he almost wished that what he was hearing were a hoax.

Naruto was too young to fully understand. No four year old would be smart enough to consider time travel as the culprit of obtaining a new friend, so he tried his best to comprehend the information given with a pout, sniffling slightly at the thought. His petite frame curled into Minato's chest as if that'd be the last time he'd see his friend, and he felt that same feeling of trust when firm arms wrapped around him protectively.

That touch spoke volumes; fear, rage, love and despair...

If Naruto knew who Minato truly was, the tears produced would be unable to stop flowing, for the very thing Naruto wanted most in life—besides becoming Hokage—was right there beside him: someone he could call mother, or father, a parent.

Naruto wanted a person to love him and be there for him; he needed a kind soul who stuck around for knee scrapes and timeouts—who'd wait for him to fall asleep whenever he'd wake from nightmares. He required a parental figure, affection—all children did.

But low and behold, his dream of having one was gone before it had even began.

On the Konoha rooftops, Obito had used his Fire Style, Fireball jutsu, shooting it towards the direction of his attacker, who easily avoided it. He'd arrived there moments ago to find his teammates being hunted down by Kakashi's older self, and the man appeared to be out to kill them.

The Uchiha gazed to his left, watching Rin just miss getting slashed by the man, and his silver-haired teammate was attacking his older form head on. "Kakashi, don't!" he shouted.

The jonin glanced at his younger self with a lidded gaze as he deflected the hit from the tanto weapon, throwing the boy back a few yards with a simple toss. He crouched on the rooftop, resting his chin in his left hand. "You realize that I know all of your movements? You are a younger replica of me, after all." His right hand began to glow with blue electricity, making Rin, who was further off, wary.

"Replica?" Kakashi asked himself, glaring. He threw some kunai at the man, determined to win against him. "I'm real." He hadn't anticipated the shinobi appearing behind him with an airborne attack, that same electrifying hand being aimed his way. Rin had guessed the movement before her teammates could, rushing to his aid.

"Rin!" Obito rushed to stop her, sensing the impact would go straight through both her head, and Kakashi's, from that brutal angle.

Rin quickly positioned herself so that she stood with her back to Kakashi's. Her swift, fearless hands ripped off her mask, revealing a determined, slightly frightened, look in her eyes as she gave the older Kakashi a small glower. "Wait!" she shouted, spreading her arms. "We're your teammates, Kakashi!" What happens in our time if we die here…?

Even though the shinobi attacker hesitated his assault on Rin, the angle at which he was about to land—fist first— was going to maim the two comrades. Rin didn't even blink, gazing at the sight with discomfort while she began holding her breath, anticipating the mutilating impact…

She was stunned when she watched the man flip downward at last minute, crushing the rooftop they were standing on into mere pieces of nothing.

The four of them fell through the damaged hole in the ceiling, landing on top of the debris. The sounds of civilians shrieking, followed by rushed footsteps, surrounded them as they all recovered from the fall.

Obito's face mask had split in half during his impact, as did his goggles. "No way," he groaned, holding up his broken items. "See what you did?" He glared up at the older Kakashi. "You owe me."

The man said nothing in reply, unnerved by their presence. He kept his gaze lax as he sat in the rubble, though—classic Kakashi.

Rin was giving him an offended stare, her mask lost somewhere in the pile of debris. "You tried to kill us, Kakashi!" She was murmuring to herself now as she stood, dusting herself off. "I swear, I hope the older me smacks you good." Beside her, both teammates nodded.

The jonin blinked. "The older you…?" If she thinks her older self is alive then…? She's not a clone, or she would've evaporated during the collide from the fall... Could this be the work of a time traveling jutsu...? But I don't remember this mission… How is that possible?

Ebisu appeared near the rubble wearing a black bandana while he glanced at the younger Kakashi's fox mask. There's one. He cleared his throat, fixing his dark glasses. "Right. The third requests an audience with you immediately. I've been informed that your sensei is already... You're...?" Obito and Rin...?! He gazed at Kakashi, who shrugged in response.

"Old mission," the jonin spoke up to clarify. He hadn't moved from his spot on the debris.

"The third?" the three teammates asked in unison.

Kakashi was arching his brow under his mask. "How come he's still giving orders?" What about sensei?

His older self had closed his visible eye, sighing.

Ebisu gasped, pointing at the boy. "Hey you! Have some respect!" He was sure the kid in question was a younger Kakashi, considering... Rin and Obito, he thought. They're alive...? He rubbed his temples. I don't even want to know... but Kakashi... He gazed at the man. How can you stand it...?

He couldn't.

"Hold on." Obito stood, dusting himself off. "I'm not really getting this. Why the third?"

Rin agreed. "And where are you and I?"

"Maybe we're on a mission somewhere," Obito suggested, grinning. Or on a date...

Their teammate scoffed. "Or maybe you two got married and lived happily ever after," he droned.

Ebisu was focused on his comrade. "Kakashi—?"

"I know," the older Kakashi stated, gaze lidded as he opened his eye. He was unamused of the situation. "Spooked me, too..."

The Kakashi on Team Minato approached his older self, peering at him with a cross look. Too bad his mask hid it from view, but he knew removing it would cause more problems for his team if people saw two of himself.

A stare off began.

"...What?" the jonin asked, rising to his feet. He sounded tired, emotionally drained of life, and he ignored the small piece of wood that was sitting on his head, balanced by his spikes. Ebisu pitied him, brows furrowing.

The younger was secretly glaring at him. "You… you read dirty novels," Kakashi accused.

Puberty be damned.

...

A/N: I'm not entirely sure there's a specific type of dialogue of a 4 year old child. I've seen some who are articulate and can form complete, basic sentences while some still sound like underdeveloped two year olds. All children develop differently, I'm sure... I just based Naruto's character off of a friend's four year old. That little guy was my reference lol

I'm not sure if this chapter flowed the exact way I wanted, but I did chop out a few scenes out so it wouldn't drag too much. I also wanted to make sure that Minato and Naruto got enough scene time. I really didn't want to have his character be like "Oh, yeah that's my son, but we gotta go, so it's whatever. It can't be helped..." I think even if he is a level-headed man, he'd still kind of freak out about meeting his future child. Lastly, I'm not having Hiruzen tell Minato every little detail, but he's going to explain the gist of it. Prepare for a real fight scene, too.

Anyone's welcome to leave a comment, or hit a button below, or raid the fridge like I'm about to do, and thanks for reading y'all. :)

Reply to guest review: Yaaaaas! It's not just me lol I was actually going to have Team Minato go through every time event in order but I thought that'd be too cliche and it left little room for them to gather information about themselves as the story progressed, so I changed it. Thanks for commenting!