Author's Note: Eh...yeah. I'm so sorry. I've just been hit with a wall when it comes to this story...I'm trying to work my my sloppy updating, promise! Thanks to all those who alerted and favourited this fic! Much love, Princess Kanako x

Title: A Stranger's Smile

Author: The Unwritten Fellowship (Princess Kanako)

Pairing: Minato/OC

Date Submitted: 28/7/14

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?

"I needed a change. Konoha seemed like the ideal place."

Chapter V - Change

Chikane was practically jogging to keep up to the silver haired Jōnin who strode on ahead, his gravity-defying hair being the only thing she could keep sight of in this crowd. He could at least slow down! she huffed as he turned yet another corner. If he doesn't slow down, Jōnin or no, he'll be in the hospital. On life support. As if he could hear her thoughts of bodily harm, the Jōnin paused and turned, his eyes as black as fresh ink as he waited for her to catch up. She held up a hand as she reached him, pressing her other hand to her side as a stitch formed. Her companion looked bemused - well, she assumed he looked bemused; it was kind of hard to tell with the mask covering most of his face.

"Are you all right, Minami-san?" he asked, amusement colouring his voice. Chikane huffed.

"I would be, if you'd slow down, Hayate-san!" she snapped in annoyance. "My civilian legs can't keep up!"

He chuckled at that.

"I apologise," he managed, "But you must be on time."

"For what?" Chikane said exasperatedly. "All you've told me is that I was needed by someone. Excuse me if I don't trust a strange ninja the second I lay eyes on him-"

"I'm sorry, but we really need to run," Kakashi said abruptly, hoisting her over his shoulder as she squealed in shock. "Hang on."

The two sat across the desk and surveyed each other thoughtfully.

Sitting opposite Chikane, managing to dominate the room effortlessly was a tallish blonde man in his late twenties. He was simply dressed in a navy-blue shirt and trousers. He glanced up, spotting Chikane surveying him and smiled. She smiled back, abet awkwardly.

Of all the people, it had to be him?

"Etto," Chikane said awkwardly, "I believe you requested to speak with me?"

"Hm?" the man hummed, flicking through a folder absently.

"The interview," Chikane explained. "The one I was called for?" She bit her lip worriedly. "Or was that Jōnin pulling my leg?"

"Oh no, he wasn't," the man reassured, riffling through the stack of papers on his desk. "I apologise for his behaviour...Kakashi is socially backward..." Chikane covered a laugh as the man opposite her muttered to himself. "Moving on. My name is Namikaze Minato." He glanced up. "We bumped into each other the other day."

"Hai. Minami Chikane, at your service Namikaze-san." She bowed deeply, straightening up after a few moments.

"So, Minami-san," Minato said pensively, reading slowly through the notes in the file. "I see you came to Konoha alone. Is that right?"

"That's right. Just me."

"May I ask why?" Minato said curiously, watching as the woman's lips tightened by a fraction.

"I was a burden to my family," she said shortly. "I needed a change. Konoha seemed like the ideal place."

"I'm sorry if my question made you uncomfortable."

"It's quite alright, Namikaze-san." She paused. "How is your little boy? Naruto-kun, wasn't it?"

Minato's smile spread across his whole face like the sunrise spreading over the horizon, an answering smile tugging at her own lips involuntarily. She had never seen anyone look so completely content.

"He's very well," he said warmly.

"So can you explain to me why I'm here?" Chikane asked after a few moments of smiling at each other.

"Well, it's quite simple really, Minami-san…"

"Just Chikane, Namikaze-san."

"Very well, Chikane-san, it's quite simple really. I understand you are looking for work." She nodded. "I would be willing to employ you for as long as you need, as I find my household-staff lacking."

"What do you mean?" she asked uncomfortably.

"My son - Naruto - needs someone to care for him while I'm at work," Minato said peacefully. "I work long, irregular hours, and I can't always bring him with me."

"What do you work as?"

Minato paused, weighing up the pros and cons of telling the truth before shrugging. "I'm the Hokage."

"I see." Chikane sat, digesting the information. "That's interesting. And I don't suppose someone who would be trained to protect your son would be better?"

"No," Minato shrugged. "Naruto seems to dislike ANBU members, and most of the shinobi have their own families to care for."

"But there are shinobi who would protect him?" she pushed. "If his carer was unable to?"

"Yes," Minato replied slowly. "If his carer was incapacitated or not near him, then the team that are assigned to Naruto would bring him to a safe-house until the situation was resolved."

"Situation?" she snatched at the word. "So he's a kidnap risk?"

"Yes," he said at last. "I've annoyed a lot of people over the years, it comes with being a shinobi. And being Hokage just amplified the risk."

Chikane looked at him for a long moment.

"If I accepted the position, what would my duties be?" she said at last. "My hours, things like that?"

Minato smiled, a tendril of hope curling in his chest.

"My assistant would be able to explain the details to you fully," he answered. "But you would be required to stay at the house as a live-in nanny."

Chikane bit her lip, weighing up her options before nodding.

"I understand." She glanced up at him. "Where do I sign up?"

Minato's jaw dropped.

"You're serious?" he asked incredulously as the woman opposite blinked at him serenely.

"Of course, Hokage-sama," she replied, standing. "When would you like me to start?"

Minato stood also. "As soon as possible. I'll send someone to bring you to the house in an hour, if you like."

"Thank you," she smiled, a dimple forming in her cheek.

"Thank you, Chikane-san," Minato answered warmly, holding out his hand for her to take. After a moment (of hesitation? Confusion?), she grasped his, her small, slender fingers surprisingly strong. Their eyes met. Azure and emerald gazed into each other's depths.

"I'd better go," she said after a few moments. "I've got a lot to do."

"Of course," he replied as her fingers slid from his grip. "I shall see you soon."

She turned in the door, a tiny smile on her lips.

"Hai."

To be continued...