'Cause Naruto's daddy is just as awesome! And we all love dat fictional drama.

Disclaimer: I suppose since these are required, I must say, "I do not own anything of this fic but the idea!"

lxvi — succumb II

"Yondaime-sama."

Her voice was devoid of emotion, of its usual heartiness. To make matters worse she slipped a white envelope onto his desk, and Minato dreaded having to read the neatly calligraphed words on its cover. He already knew what this letter was. What it meant. The blond Hokage said nothing, his eyes glued to the inconsequential paperwork currently undergoing his scrutiny.

Minato's office was deathly quiet for some time until he spoke at last. "Why?"

"Sango-chan's offered to come by and pick up my final paycheck for me. So if you don't mind, I would appreciate it being available as soon as possible, maybe within the next few da—"

"Why?" Minato repeated, louder. He raised his head and set his eyes on hers.

Kagome was undeterred as she held his intense gaze, and after what seemed a moment of contemplation she dipped into a low respectful bow. "I officially resign, Yondaime-sama."

Then she turned to leave.

Minato shot up from his chair, his palms flat on the surface of his desk. "Wait, Kagome. If you're doing this because of my mistake—"

Kushina, Minato…!

Say yes. Just say yes, Kagome.

"—because of what I did, don't. What I asked of you that evening was completely out of line. I don't know what got into me, and I apologize for my actions." He bowed to the woman, remorseful. "I ask for your forgiveness not as the Hokage, but as Namikaze Minato."

Kagome spun sharply to face the shinobi once more, her eyes wet and glistening.

"Minato—" She was interrupted by the door to the office being swung wide open.

"Minato!" Kushina sang aloud, her euphonious voice and the smell of the packaged to-go ramen in her arms inappropriate and intrusive in the heavy atmosphere. "I thought you might be overworking yourself again so I brought you lunch, and we can—oh, Kagome-chan?" She stepped beyond the door frame.

"Please excuse me," Kagome whispered as she hastily walked past Kushina out the door, her bangs shielding her eyes.

"Hey, what's wrong with her?" Kushina craned her neck back with a puzzled expression. "She's seriously been avoiding me like hell these past few days. Do you know anything, Minato?"

The young Hokage, now standing erect with his arms hanging down, shook his head as no. "… Afraid not."

His girlfriend clicked her tongue and turned her head forward, shaking it. "To think Kagome and I used to be good friends in our academy days, and now she ignores me. Hmph!" Kushina's annoyance soon dissipated when she remembered the aromatic food in her possession. Her eyes lit up and she grinned. "Ne, ne, why don't you take your break now? I'll eat with you."

"All right, Kushina." Minato deftly organized all the paperwork into a neat pile, sticking Kagome's resignation letter somewhere in the unseen middle. Then he went to retrieve an extra chair, and the couple settled down together at his desk for lunch.

.

.

.

"… Is the ramen no good?"

"It's delicious, as always. Why do you ask?"

"I've never seen you looking so upset while you eat it, that's why."

"A-ah… I see."

"Minato, is something the matter?"

"I… I am an unworthy man, Kushina…"

Gravitation is not responsible for people falling in love.

—Albert Einstein

Author's Note: Now off to bed I go. Church in the morning and a 9 hour shift at work! If anyone particularly enjoys this, let me know and I will plot up a few more chapters for it. Goodnight!