Disclaimer: I don't own any rights to Naruto or its world. I don't own any media or pop culture referred to or mentioned in the story.
A/N Thanks for reading my story *^-^* We've now entered the New Home arc. Nami learns what it means to have a home, a family, and (in time) Friends!
* SPITE * SPITE * SPITE * SPITE *
Childhood Memories: Wrapped Around her Fingers
"Minato, admit it. You're wrapped around Nami's little fingers." Kushina grinned, teasingly pointing a spatula at her boyfriend as she cooked dinner.
Minato, sitting at the table, shook his head and waved off her jest. "Oh please. I have no problem saying no to her. Unlike some people."
Kushina scoffed, flipping the thin dough over. She was making some Dan Bing to go with the savory pork she made when Minato finished his courier mission earlier today.
(Minato loved Kushina's cooking. It was something he looked forward to when they were both home from missions. He could eat it everyday and die happy.)
But that didn't change the fact that she was wrong: Minato did NOT have any problems saying no to little Tsunami.
He repeated that to Kushina, this time with examples.
After his short tangent ended, Kushina only hummed, "Whatever you saaay…"
Minato accepted her admittance, ignoring the sarcasm. "Exactly."
Being the bigger person, he turned back to the mission report he was filling out. It wasn't due for a few days, but he can finish it tonight if he really puts his mind to it.
After only a few minutes of silence, Kushina made the sound of a whip. For the fifth time that evening.
Minato set down the report papers, narrowing his eyes at his girlfriend. He was NOT whipped!
Offended by her accusation, Minato went to correct her, with MORE examples of how SHE couldn't say no to Tsunami, when a quiet voice called out, "Jiejie?"
Minato froze, watching as Kushina grinned, looking over his shoulder. "Hi sweetness! Looks like you had a good nap."
"Mm." He heard a sound of agreement then little feet shuffling closer. "But I found this and…" She hesitated.
Kushina's expression and tone softened. "Go on," she encouraged the girl.
Nami still didn't ask for things independently, afraid she'll have things taken away. It was hard work, but with the psychologist's help, Kushina never stopped working with Nami to help her heal and open up.
This time, she hoped Nami made her request independently.
"Well…" Nami's voice paused. Kushina looked at Minato, following where Nami's attention went.
Oh, Nami wanted… him?
Slowly, Minato turned in his chair and saw Nami looking at him with pleading eyes. Gah! Not the puppy-dog eyes.
Minato remembered the first time he saw Nami. Those adorable, red curls and crystal doe eyes had him hooked from day one. She was like a tiny, fluffy, carry-sized Kushina!
To say he was smitten was an understatement.
Now, months later, he was faced with those same soulful eyes that always knocked down his resistance.
Kushina watched from the kitchen, trying not to laugh. Whipped, case and point.
Nami stood there (adorably), holding a scroll. It was so large, she wrapped both arms to hold it! (So cute, Minato thought.)
She must've gone through their collection of scrolls and books after her nap. "Nii-sama, may you help me, please?"
"Sure, what do you have there?" Minato tried not to rush to her side. He didn't want to startle her. But she looked so precious carrying the large scroll!
Nami huffed when the scroll tried to slip, but she adjusted her grip on it—she did it! Victory!
Minato stopped himself from clapping for her.
Kushina shook her head. Minato's attention stayed riveted on everything the little redhead did. The girl could put her dish in the sink and Minato would congratulate her.
A few months ago, Kushina put a stop to it. Lest the man confuse Nami on socializing.
After a talk about restraint and common sense, Minato reeled it back. But his adoration for Nami never waned.
In fact, he seemed more smitten with time! He was totally whipped.
At that moment, Nami looked at Minato hopefully. "It's chakra man-ma-manipulation." She stumbled over pronouncing the last word, still getting used to speaking Common more often, but she managed to complete her sentence.
Minato thought Nami was so cute, trying to study advanced chakra theory! He wondered if Kushina was that adorable when she was that young… (No! Focus Minato.)
Though his heart did warm a bit, imagining little versions of them running around-maybe a child with his eyes and her smile? Yeah… that's a nice dream.
But right now, their little girl needed him! "Of course, let's see what you understand." He was rewarded with a tiny smile and pink cheeks flushed in delight.
Of course he couldn't say no to Nami's request to read her a book. Never mind it was well outside her range of comprehension. The two just loved spending time together, cozying up with books or scrolls, discussing chakra and fuuinjutsu or as Nami called them...
("Magic and magic words!" Little Nami said excitedly the first time Minato read a book on basic chakra theory and fuuinjutsu to her.
He had picked it because he was reviewing concepts for a project. He in no way expected her to FOLLOW ALONG.
The more he read, Minato was surprised she grasped several kanji combinations, accurately pointing out their meanings or use in the basic seal arrays the book gave as examples.
She was only recognizing a few kanji at a time or a short line at most, not entire lines and phrases. Still… she was so young and this knowledge was niched to fuuinjutsu, albeit only the first level.
When asked how she knew those fuuinjutsu basics, Nami quieted, speaking in Uzek. "My Ba… My Shifu taught me…"
Little Nami always hesitated when it came to her past. There were always these two figures who kept popping up-Shifu and Baabaa. She spoke as if they were two different people, but Minato and Kushina had a theory they were the same person.
Until Nami told them-if she ever decided to tell them-they'd accept her snippets and surround her with love as much as they can.)
In short, Minato proved Kushina's initial point of him being wrapped around Tsunami's little finger.
.
.
.
Not that Minato minded. Nami's sweet smile of relief and gratitude only made him adore the girl more.
A/N Take care! See you next time.