A Stranger's Smile Chapter 3: II - Stubborn, a naruto fanfic

Author's Note: Hello! Apologies, I really suck at updating regularly...In my defence, my muse is really annoying! Anywho...Thank you to the lovely people who reviewed! Many thanks! x

Title: A Stranger's Smile

Author: The Unwritten Fellowship (Princess Kanako)

Pairing: Minato/OC

Date Submitted: 03/6/13

Disclaimer: I don't own the cast of Naruto...sadly. T_T

Claimer: Chikane, Hikari, Benjirou, Daiki, Mariko, Sayuri, Keiko, Ayame, Suzume, and anyone or anything related to them.

Summary: She was pale, sheltered, and insignificant compared to the healthy, confident women that inhabited Konoha, but when she smiled, she became resplendent. Something broke within him - a weight snapped away from where it had been pressing onto his heart. He had to protect this one - but what was she protecting him from?

"Chikane-sama, I love you. You know that. But I am going to tell you something that needs to be said. I'm not trying to hurt you. I know you want to be independent. You have always had that stubborn streak. There are times it is useful. This is not one of them."

Chapter II - Stubborn

When Chikane woke up, she couldn't help but notice that she felt great. The type of 'good' a person could only get when they actually got 8 or more hours of sleep, without someone coming in at six am to forcibly dress someone in a five-layered kimono, and tug her hair every-which-way. She felt fantastic. Setting up, she stretched, working out the kinks in her neck with quick fingers as she ran her plan through her mind once more. She had spent the entire day before thinking. Planning the campaign to get herself set up, and independant. It still needed work. She had some obstacles she hadn't found a way around as of yet. But she would. She could not give up on this.

It wasn't long before someone knocked on her door and it opened, revealing Suzume, the owner of the inn, with a tray of steaming food.

"Good morning, Suzume-san," Chikane greeted politely, tying the obi of her yukata around her waist tighter as she stood. Suzume mock-glared at her, honey-coloured eyes twinkling merrily as she put the tray down.

"You are far too cheerful this early in the morning, Chikane-sama." She had reached her by then. Suzume brushed a stray lock of hair out of Chikane's face and touched a soft hand to her forehead. "You've changed so much."

Chikane sighed.

"Hai. People change, Suzume-san."

Suzume stepped back and tilted her face slightly, taking Chikane by the hand.

"Alright. You'll need to dress, but what else is on the agenda for today?"

"Once I've eaten and dressed, I'm going to see if there's any work to be done," Chikane replied, pulling away from Suzume and examining the tray's contents curiously.

"Iie, Chikane-sama. You're going shopping and getting new clothes."

Chikane shrugged half-heartedly, picking up her chopsticks.

"I don't have any money, Suzume-san."

"I don't care. I will be paying for them."

She shook her head.

"No. I won't let you support me. This is only temporary. I'm looking for a job. Then I will be on my own."

Suzume frowned.

She took a deep breath before continuing.

"You were far too isolated at home. You do not have the education or the skills to get a decent paying job. You would be restricted to menial labor. I won't see you as a waitress in some ratty dive with a bunch of lowlifes thinking your body is part of the service. As it stands now, the way your clothes hang on you, I'm not sure anyone would even hire you for that. The only thing I've seen on you in the last week that fits is the kimono you arrived in."

Chikane bit her lip and looked at the floor. She knew her old nanny was right, but honestly, it hurt to hear it. Comfortingly, Suzume put her arms around her shoulders, like she used to when Chikane had had a nightmare as a child.

"You need some help right now. I'm here to help. If your sister needed help, would you help her?"

"Of course I would."

"And if she didn't want it? Would you let her turn down your help?"

"Iie. I would not. I would make her see…"

Chikane broke off, looking sheepish. Suzume grinned and nodded. She knew she had her.

"Can you expect me to do any less for you?"

Pulling away, Suzume stood with a slight creaking of her joints.

"We're going to get you some clothes that fit. Then we're going to have lunch wherever we happen to end up at noon. Then when we are done shopping for clothes, we are going to look for a job. That's the plan for today. I want you to relax and think about what you want to do. If you decide to stay, then I'll support that decision. If you decide to go back, then I'll support that decision too. But if that is what you decide, then you will not do it alone. You will stay here with me until you have prepared to live on your own. I will not let you go off on your own until I am sure that you are ready."

Chikane crossed her arms, huffing.

"Suzume, I can't let you support me. I can't expect you to put your life on hold."

She shushed her.

"It's not like I can't afford it. Business is booming. I think I can manage it, Chikane-sama."

They spent the next hour laughing over breakfast as Suzume told her about her family and the antics her guests got up to. She had just finished telling her about Saichiko's attempt at becoming a ninja when Chikane's mood changed.

"You know, I've never done anything worthwhile. I had so many things I wanted to do when I grew up and left." She frowned. "I can't remember any now."

Suzume reached out to squeeze her hand.

"Alright. I know you're supposed to think about what you want to do. But not today. No negative thoughts. Today is for you. You're going to enjoy yourself. Consider today a 'welcome to the world' celebration."

"How can I be sad around you? You never let me mope."

Suzume grinned and stood up, holding out a hand to assist. She waited patiently by the main door for Chikane and left strict instructions with a maid before leading her out to begin their shopping trip.

Minato awoke with a pounding headache and dry mouth. Probably had something to do with the empty bottle on the table by the window. He had poured a drink last night to help ease his headache. Then he had poured another to ease his heartache. After the fifth, or was it the sixth? He had only been seeking oblivion. He was convinced nothing else would dull the pain of his loneliness.

He raked a hand through his hair. He allowed his misery to take control last night. He had indulged in his self-pity. Now it was time to get down to business. He showered and dressed. He expected to find Kakashi in his kitchen again, eating breakfast. He was not disappointed. He pulled out his chair and faced his former student with a look of determination. Kakashi looked up. The Inquisition was about to begin.

Minato wasted no time.

"Any luck?"

Kakashi continued eating. He handed Minato a plate.

"Have some breakfast."

Minato's stomach turned at the thought. Now he knew why he rarely drank.

"No. I'm not hungry. Did you find someone?"

Kakashi groaned. One track mind, huh?

"You know I haven't."

Minato twitched.

"And you know that Naruto needs to be cared for while I'm at work. Are you trying to annoy me, Kakashi?"

"Not my intention."

The growling subsided.

"Then what is your intention, Kakashi?"

Kakashi took a sip of his coffee.

"To keep you from beating yourself up again."

Minato snorted. "Fantastic job, Kakashi." He paused, leveling the silver-haired shinobi with a glare that struck fear into his enemies. "And you're babysitting Naruto today."

Ignoring his student's protests, Minato went to his study to get some work done. He spent an hour and a half going over recent business that he had over-looked because of his oblivion-seeking-binge last night. He pinched the bridge of his nose. He had tried to push thoughts of Kushina to the back of his mind while he worked. Without success. She had wanted to travel. She should have. He should have taken her. He should have spent the time allowing her to drag him to see everything she wanted to see. Indulging her every whim. He should have spent every night making love to her. It would have made her happy. He could never have that chance again.

His thoughts were on her. He couldn't think of anything else. The pain of her death was still fresh. He glanced out the window into the garden. There were so many memories of her. Her joy when he had first shown it to her. His sorrow when she had died. He had shared his sorrow with no-one. He had never told anyone of the full circumstances of her death. It was too painful.

He missed her. She had been gone for nearly two whole years. It seemed longer. He missed her smile and her laugh. Although he had given her nothing to smile at or laugh about in the last few months. He had given her nothing but pain. It was his duty to protect his wife. Instead of protecting her, he had destroyed her.

To be continued...