Naruto
Minato hurried straight back to the hospital, his heart pounding with anticipation to pick up Kakashi and then go to Naruto. It was crucial to him that the silver-haired teenager was by his side. He wanted to make him feel included, and he did. Kakashi was invaluable to him, and he couldn't even imagine what he had been through in the past year.
After his conversation with the Hokage, he knew he had to find a quiet moment to talk to him. But for now, he just wanted to be with Naruto, to hold him in his arms, and then go home with his sons.
With quick steps, he reached the treatment room again and listened to the voices already there. A warm smile spread across his lips as he heard Kakashi's slightly annoyed voice. He could already guess what was going on. Carefully, he knocked on the door and waited for a response.
"Come in!" came the voice from the other side of the door, and with an elegant gesture, Minato opened it and entered. A doctor stood before Kakashi, staring at Minato with wide eyes as he entered the room. "This is simply incredible," murmured the doctor, impressed.
A frustrated sigh escaped Kakashi's lips. "Can I finally go?" he asked, his impatience palpable.
With a warm smile, Minato stepped beside Kakashi and reassuringly placed a hand on his shoulder. Then he turned to the doctor and asked calmly, "How is Kakashi?"
The doctor gathered himself again and turned his gaze back to Kakashi. "I've already told you that I would like to keep you here for observation!" he explained seriously before turning to Minato. "So far, everything looks fine, but his chakra is quite low, and we need to make sure his injuries don't get infected. Unfortunately, he hasn't always followed our instructions in the past." His gaze rested sternly on Kakashi.
Just as Kakashi was about to respond, Minato gestured for him to be quiet with a hand motion. Instead, he addressed the doctor. "I'll personally keep an eye on him. You don't need to worry," Minato said with a friendly smile. "But thank you for your concern."
Minato knew Kakashi wasn't an easy patient. The doctor sighed frustratedly and waved his hand. "Fine, he can go," he finally relented, adding, "But remember, it's your responsibility!"
Minato smiled and nodded in agreement before turning his gaze to Kakashi. "Then let's go and pick up Naruto." Kakashi nodded and gently slid off the treatment table.
After bidding farewell to the doctor, they set off together to find Naruto.
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Shortly before they reached the orphanage, Kakashi turned to Minato. "Minato-sensei?" Minato glanced at Kakashi and nodded encouragingly, prompting Kakashi to continue. "How did the conversation with the Hokage go? Are you going to take up the position again?"
A faint smile played on Minato's lips. He didn't know. But it seemed important to Kakashi that Minato resumed the position of Hokage. For Minato, however, his family came first above all else. Yet he couldn't ignore that not everything was going smoothly.
He shrugged. "I don't know, Kakashi. But don't worry. I'll take care of everything," he reassured him with a calm and determined tone.
Kakashi lowered his gaze. "We don't have forever to figure out the right path," he said, pausing briefly, taking a deep breath, and continuing. "I don't want to lose you again," Kakashi confessed softly, coming to a halt with his gaze fixed firmly on the ground.
Minato also stopped and regarded Kakashi for a moment, surprised by his openness. Then he put on a reassuring smile and placed a hand on Kakashi's head. "You don't need to worry, everything will be okay," Minato reassured him gently. Kakashi nodded weakly but avoided looking at Minato. "Hey, look at me, Kashi!" Minato gently urged him.
Slowly, Kakashi raised his gaze to the older man. A reassuring smile adorned Minato's lips. "It will be okay, Kashi! No matter what happens, we'll make it through," he assured him lovingly. He gently ran his fingers through Kakashi's hair and then withdrew his hand. "Stop worrying about it. Right now, I just want to hold Naruto in my arms and go home with you guys. The Third promised me to arrange an apartment for us."
Kakashi tilted his head. "For us?" he asked, surprised.
Minato nodded with a warm smile and gently nudged Kakashi forward. "Yes, of course, for us! You're just as much a part of this," Minato explained lovingly. Together, they continued on their way.
Kakashi gave Minato a suspicious look. "You just want a babysitter for Naruto," he teased with a small smile.
Minato chuckled softly, wrapped an arm around Kakashi's shoulders, and pulled him gently closer as they walked. "You caught me!" he said with an amused twinkle in his eyes.
A smile spread across Kakashi's lips beneath his mask, and Minato was glad that Kakashi had made a joke.
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When they arrived at the orphanage, they were already greeted by the director. A broad smile adorned her lips as she caught sight of Minato. "The Fourth Hokage. I thought the Hokage was joking when he told me. It's nice to see you again!"
Minato returned the smile. "I believe you're aware of why we've come?" He didn't want to waste any time and wanted to get straight to the point.
The director nodded and gestured for Minato and Kakashi to follow her. "Yes, you want to pick up your son. We've put Naruto in a quiet room where he's playing. This way, you'll have the opportunity to get to know each other in peace," she explained as she led the two through the orphanage. "We've already packed up all his things. I assume you want to take your son with you, right?"
Minato nodded with a warm smile and glanced briefly at Kakashi, who was walking slightly behind him, wearing a suspicious expression. Something seemed to be bothering him.
The woman stopped and turned to Minato. "Your son is back here," she announced with a cheerful smile, pointing to a door.
Gratefully, Minato nodded to her. "Thank you. Would it be okay if you left us alone for a moment?" he asked politely.
"Of course, if you need anything, just let me know." The director bowed slightly and then walked away.
Minato turned to Kakashi. "What's wrong? I saw the look on your face."
Kakashi sighed and crossed his arms. "The last time I was here to see Naruto, she wasn't exactly nice to me," Kakashi began to explain. "Back then, he was about three months old. She told me I'd better stay away from..." He bit his lip and looked away. "From such a monster. Then she practically threw me out."
Minato looked at Kakashi incredulously, feeling anger rising within him. For the first time, he could also sense the Kyuubi within him, stirring. Minato closed his eyes and took a deep breath. Then he turned to the door and reached for the handle. But instead of opening it, he just held onto it, his gaze fixed on the handle.
Kakashi let his hands drop to his sides and took a step toward Minato. "Minato-sensei? Is everything okay?" he asked cautiously, his eyes full of concern.
A faint smile played on Minato's lips as he looked over at Kakashi. "It's alright, I just need a moment," he said gently. Kakashi nodded understandingly, and Minato turned his gaze back to the door, ready to sort through his thoughts.
Once again, Minato took a deep breath as slight concerns rose within him. How would Naruto react? Maybe he would be afraid of him? He swallowed hard and pushed his thoughts aside. He was Naruto's father and would be there for his son from now on. Determination filled him.
Determinedly, he opened the door and entered the room. It was a small, empty space with toys scattered around. In the middle of the room sat Naruto, whom Minato immediately recognized by his blonde hair. Naruto had his back turned to him and was playing with building blocks, trying to stack them.
Minato stepped further into the room and couldn't take his eyes off his son. Various emotions surged within him as he looked at Naruto. Kakashi followed him into the room, closed the door behind him, and stood there.
Minato walked further into the room and stopped as Naruto noticed him. The boy turned around, looked up at Minato curiously, and blinked at him, puzzled.
With a warm smile, Minato squatted down next to Naruto and looked at him affectionately. "Hello, Naruto," he said softly, his voice filled with tenderness.
Naruto looked at Minato for a moment, taking in the new person in his life, before picking up one of his blocks and holding it out to Minato. "Here," the little boy babbled, his eyes full of childlike curiosity and innocence.
Minato smiled and accepted the block gratefully. "Thank you, Naruto," he said gently, placing the block next to him. Then he turned his gaze back to his son and felt a wave of love and affection rise within him. "It's nice to finally meet you."
Naruto picked up another block and handed it to Minato again. A small smile graced his lips as his eyes sparkled with curiosity. Minato's smile widened as he accepted the next block gratefully and placed it on top of the first.
With growing curiosity, Naruto watched the tower grow before cautiously picking up another block and handing it to Minato. In his eyes reflected the sparkle of childlike curiosity as he unconsciously began to form a connection between himself and his father.
A wave of warmth flooded Minato's chest as he gratefully accepted the third block and gently placed it on top of the other two. In this simple act of play, he could already feel an infinite love rising within him and a deep determination to do everything to be there for Naruto and stay by his side.
Minato turned his gaze to Kakashi, who was still standing by the door, observing the scene. Then he refocused his attention on Naruto, who was fascinatedly admiring the small tower of blocks. In that moment, Minato knew that he had to seize his second chance, even if it meant not much to him personally to leave again. But he was firmly resolved to do everything for his two sons, to not leave them alone again. That's what he owed them!