Author's Note: Hello! Thank you to the loverly person who reviewed. Merci, mon ange! Oh, and by the way, if anyone has a problem with how Naruto talks in this chapter, my nephew talks like that a lot of the time, and I can't type anymore without a spoiler, but it's a stressful thing for a 2 year old, alright? Merci.

Title: A Stranger's Smile

Author: The Unwritten Fellowship (Princess Kanako)

Pairing: Minato/OC

Date Submitted: 06/6/13

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

Claimer: Chikane, Hikari, Benjirou, Daiki, Mariko, Sayuri, Keiko, Ayame, Suzume, Usagi, 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?

As she walked, Chikane unfurled her hand to gaze at the simple square of linen in her hand, embroidered with two initials: M.N.

Chapter III - Linen Squares

Chikane was enjoying her day with Suzume. It had been so long since she had just forgotten her troubles and spent a day doing nothing but frivolous things. She sat across from Suzume having lunch. They'd stopped at a ramen restaurant close to the shopping district they had just left. She had tried again to talk Suzume out of spending money on clothes for her. When she had told her she needed them, she realized she was right. And a plan began to form.

She had let Suzume pay for her purchases, but she was careful to buy things that were versatile. Things she could get a lot of mileage out of. And she would pay her back for all of it. It would take time, but nothing stopped her when she made up her mind. She had learned a few things from her family. She was tired of being the prize in the game. It was time she joined the game as a participant. And she played to win.

She spent the next day fine-tuning her plan. It hadn't taken long to find out what she needed to know. When Suzume began work on Monday, she would have the day to work out the rest of the details. She logged off the computer Suzume had let her borrow - after explaining just how it worked.

"Take that, you overprotective parents! You underestimated me in the past and you haven't learned from your mistakes. If I can dance in a nine-layered formal kimono, I can manage my life. Thank you very much."

Chikane was an early riser, which worked to her advantage. Monday morning was the day she set her plan into motion. Suzume woke 5:30, showered and dressed by 6:00. She visited Chikane with her breakfast, and after a long leisurely talk, stood and headed for the door at 7:15. She stopped, pausing at the door. Taking out her little purse, she handed Chikane some money.

"I'll be run off my feet all day. If you want to go shopping, or eat lunch out… Maybe take the time to explore the village a little more. You know."

Chikane surprised her by accepting the offering without complaint.

"What time will you be finished? So I know when to return."

She smiled at her and gave her a quick kiss on the cheek.

"Just be back before eight, Chikane-sama."

Chikane nodded as Suzume smiled, then closed the door.

Alright. Give her time to get busy.

She took her time showering, dressing in a knee-length white cotton sundress, and brushing out her long black hair luxuriously. Making sure she had everything she needed, she slpped out of her room and left the building.

The walk was pleasant. It only took half an hour from the inn. She found the application building easily enough. She had put in a request for a list of materials online and asked for them to be held for her to pick up. Once she had the materials in hand, she set about filling out her application and making an appointment.

Chikane waited patiently while the woman behind the counter told her she was in luck, the financial aid officer had an opening tomorrow morning at 10:30. She was informed, however, that he was in a different building, and the woman gave her directions, even going as far as to draw her a little map. Chikane thanked her and headed for the market. She was starving again, and she felt the need for something sweet. She was glad she hadn't given Suzume a hard time about the money. She had to pay for the materials she'd ordered - and the food she was about to order.

Kakashi entered the administration building, a whiny Naruto in tow. Rin was leaning against the wall a few feet ahead of him, her lovely face unusually grim.

"The Hokage wants us both in his office - now."

Kakashi let out a sigh as they mounted stairs and walked along the corridors.

"It's not about business. Is it?"

Rin snorted.

"Of course it is. You haven't managed to find a minder for Naruto yet. It's been - what, three days? Maybe four?" She brushed an annoying clump of hair out of her eyes. Kakashi blinked in astonishment.

"How do you-?"

"Oh, everyone knows," Rin said, a grin on her face, "You really shouldn't leave your scrolls ying about, you know."

He groaned.

"Everyone?"

"ANBU Black Ops and all," she confirmed, shrugging, "Who knew that Usagi was a gossip?"

"One of these days, Rin," he sighed wearily.

"Hai, hai, I know."

Kakashi rubbed his temple. He just loved starting the day with a headache.

"You ever get the feeling that this is more trouble than it's worth?"

Rin nodded.

"Hai. And then I look at how unhappy he is, and I remember every single thing he's done for me over the years."

"Damn logic."

They reached the huge walnut doors that were the entrance to Minato's floor. Pushing it open, they were greeted by one of his assistants. The man had two of the most efficient assistants in existence. They still had a hard time keeping up with him.

"Kakashi-san, Rin-san. He is waiting for you. Go on in."

It didn't surprise them. They were early by a few minutes, but it was expected. No one was ever late to a meeting with Minato. Not more than once. They weren't given another opportunity.

"Mind Naruto for me?" he asked, holding out the squirming infant to the assistant. Uncertainly, she took the toddler and sat him on her desk, while her companion doubled over in silent spasms.

The sweet, fruity ice-cream tasted amazing. Chikane giggled to herself as she wandered about Konoha, keeping an eye on the time as best she could. She let her feet take her wherever they wanted to go, eventually winding up outside the building she would be having her interview in the next day. Behind it, four enormous faces had been carved out from the side of the mountain. All were male - and all looked rather imposing. She shivered, crumpling up the little paper carton in her hand. Wincing as she felt the cold, sticky substance slid over her fingers, she rummaged in her sleeve with her non-sticky hand for her handkerchief and wipe the liquid away.

She jumped when a sniffle sounded to her left. She whirled around, her black hair swishing, to see who was there. No-one. Sniff. She glanced down - and her heart melted. A little boy, around two or three years old, was sitting, crying on the pavement, his spiky blonde hair messy. Chikane glanced around to see if there was a parent or minder -one was walking towards her; heck, no-one seemed to take any notice. Well then.

"Are you alright, little one?" she asked softly, squatting down beside him and placing a hesitant, non-sticky hand on the top of his head. He glanced up, searing blue eyes puffy and red from crying, his cheeks shining with tears. She blinked. Were those whisker marks on his cheeks? Chikane shook her head. Not the time to think about it. Carefully, she scooped him into her arms, cradling him with ease as she stroked the hair away from his eyes.

"My goodness, you're so small – where could your Otousan and Okaasan be?" she wondered.

"'Tou-san," he whimpered. Chikane bounced him in her arms.

"We'll find him," she crooned, shifting his weight to one arm as she brought her hand up to his face, "So you've got to have a big smile on your face when you see him, ne?"

She started wiping his cheeks with her handkerchief, but bit back a laugh as the little boy made a grab at it and pressed it against his cheek, a little like she used to press her teddy against her cheek when she was small.

"Pitty," he mumbled, a chubby finger clumsily tracing the intricate vines stitched into the cloth.

"My Onee-sama made it," Chikane told him, "You can keep it if you like."

About two seconds later, a voice bellowed from above, "Naruto!"

The boy's head snapped up, his big blue eyes glassy, and squeaked, "'Tou-san!"

A blonde man landed beside Chikane without warning and scooped the little boy into his arms, pressing kisses to his son's forehead, temple, and cheek while the boy wrapped his arms around the man's neck and began to cry. Chikane blinked. Clearly, this was the boy's father. Hell, he must be; they looked almost exactly alike...well, except the father didn't have whisker marks on his cheeks. And his eyes were slanted. And his hair was longer in the front. And...oh kami, what was she doing? She slapped herself lightly.

"Daddy, l-l-lost," Naruto whimpered as he pulled at his father's overcoat like a kneading cat that had gotten a claw stuck in the fabric. "'nd s-s-scawred."

Minato exhaled slowly, his eyes and voice soft.

"Shh, Naruto. It's okay now – you're safe."

The man disentangled himself from his son enough to hold out a hand to Chikane. Blinking, she remembered she had to shake it, and did so, albeit flusteredly.

"Thank you, Oujosan. That was quite a scare he gave me, and it's good to know he was safe."

"Oh, um, you're quite welcome," Chikane said distractedly."What was he doing out alone?"

Minato frowned slightly. "He doesn't like being cooped up in the office" he explained, "I was diving into a mountain of paper-work before he arrived, and lost track of the time."

Chikane's brow rose.

"Sounds fun," she quipped, "Perhaps I'll try it someday."

"I wouldn't. The paper-cuts are murder," Minato laughed. She laughed with him, Naruto watching them both with wide eyes.

"Oh my," Chikane gasped, wiping her eyes, "I haven't laughed that much in a long while."

"I know the feeling," Minato agreed, his cheek pressed against his son's hair as the toddler shut his eyes. The Fourth's sharp eyes, however, picked out a bundle of cloth in his son's clenched fist. "What is-"

Chikane's eyes searched until she saw what he meant.

"Oh,that's my handkerchief," she said, waving a hand in a 'what can you do' manner, "He seems to like it. He can keep it."

"Thank you," Minato said, dipping his head, "That's very kind of you. In exchange-" he reached into his pocket and drew out a square of plain blue linen, "You can have mine."

"But-"

"I insist."

Something strange happened as she reached out to take the handkerchief from Minato, something that he wouldn't be able to explain. She was pale, sheltered (obviously, since she didn't know who he was), and virtually insignificant compared to the healthy, confident women that inhabited Konoha, but when she smiled at him as she took the cloth from his hand, she became resplendent. Something broke within him - a weight snapped away from where it had been pressing onto his heart. What on earth...?

"I'd better go," she said softly, brushing a lock of hair away from her face as it danced in the breeze, "I'm expected back. And-" her nose wrinkled. "I think he needs to be changed."

Minatos' expression mirrored hers; 'oh wow, that smells terrible', plus 'kids will be kids', and a good dose of 'your timing is hilarious, kid'.

"I agree wholeheartedly with that statement," he joked. She smiled again, bowed her head, and slowly started walking back down the main street, mingling with the crowd until even Minato's eyes couldn't see her anymore.

As she walked, Chikane unfurled her hand to gaze at the simple square of linen in her hand, embroidered with two initials: M.N.

"M.N.," she said quietly to herself, her face soft and dream-like, "I wonder if I'll see you again?"

To be continued...