Characters: Yondaime and young Naruto
Notes: There are some minor spoilers in this, names and such. It might be a bit confusing, but here's the thing, it's only real for Yondaime. Sorta like an unreal wish.
April 2, 2009
gambol
intransitive verb:
1. To dance and skip about in play; to frolic.
noun:
1. A skipping or leaping about in frolic.
"Daddy, daddy!" A small child with blond hair and bright blue eyes tucked at his father's cloak, trying to get his attention. "Look what I did!" Excitedly, the child pulled him towards the exit of his office, but the figure of his dad wasn't budging, unfortunately. Finally giving up, the child crossed his arms and pouted. "You never come with me, daddy. Mommy always comes with me!"
"I don't have time to play with you today, Naruto," the man replied, looking up from his work at last. "Maybe some other time, when I'm less busy."
The pout increased. "You're always busy, daddy. You don't have other time." The child frowned. "If you're so busy, than I don't want to be Hokage!"
His father laid a hand on his head. "Now now, Naruto, you know I have to do this to protect the village? Who else is there to divide the missions, and to lead the ninja of Konoha to victory whenever it is necessary?"
Naruto looked down, though the pout was still visible. "You, daddy," he softly said.'
His father grinned. "That's right, and you know what?" Naruto looked up and the blond haired man put him on his knee. "One day, you can protect this village too, just like I am today." He turned around the chair to face the window. "You see this village?" Naruto excitedly nodded. "This is your legacy." He brushed Naruto's hair out of his face, his face suddenly serious. "Take good care of it when I'm gone, all right?"
The six-year-old stared up to his father in awe and knew he was able to do great things. "I will, daddy," he finally promised, than skipped of his dad's lap and ran out of the door. "See you at dinner!" he could just hear the boy yell. Then he was gone.
The Yondaime let out a sigh of relief, but not because he was happy. He stared at the open door, hoping his son would come in, demanding his attention or whining about the yucky dinner Kushina had made. He chuckled shortly, than dropped his head in his hands. It would all be over soon. He had been promised a day, and this was the end of it. He had seen his son, his wife, the village. Inside it felt like it wasn't enough. This was the way it could've been, and yet it would never happen.
Longingly, he stared out of the window. There was no way to turn time back now. He stood up from his desk – no, the desk that used to be his. He watched the sun go down slowly, basking the village in sunlight one last time. He had had his wish, and now it was time for Naruto to carry on his legacy. The boy would know it once he was ready. Smiling softly, he turned away from the window and looked at the door. "I'm ready," was all he said. All there was left of the Yondaime now, was his son, his legacy, and the words he had left behind. No one doubted that they would never forget them.