A Shared Picnic
Minato enjoyed the peace under the shady tree as he attentively watched Kakashi's training. They had resumed intensive training a week ago, after their mission had concluded three weeks prior. Although Kakashi had been given the green light for training after a week of recovery with the medical team, Minato believed it was essential to implement disciplinary measures after Kakashi had disobeyed his orders. To ensure such incidents were avoided in the future, he decided to suspend training for another week. During this time, Kakashi should focus intensively on his chakra control. Additionally, they took the opportunity to extensively discuss their recent mission again and analyze the mistakes that had led to its failure.
Furthermore, Minato decided they would only accept D-rank missions for now. In Minato's eyes, it wasn't a real punishment, but he knew Kakashi would see it differently. It relieved him not to have to travel outside the village with Kakashi for now. He still felt guilty about not protecting Kakashi. However, his conversation with Sakumo helped him realize that even someone like Sakumo made mistakes, and it was important to accept and learn from them to improve. This realization helped him come to terms with it and work on himself.
Over the past few weeks, Minato had thought deeply about their conversation and realized Sakumo had a point. He hadn't really thought about it before, but now it occupied his mind. He realized the day would come when Kakashi would go on missions without him or when Minato might not be there in time to support him in a fight. For such scenarios, it was crucial for Kakashi to gain enough combat experience. There was a difference between training and fighting in a real situation. To be as prepared as possible, Kakashi needed the chance to gain experience.
Once Kakashi truly became a chunin, these scenarios became even more realistic. Minato realized not all jonin were as lenient as he was; some would only see Kakashi's rank and talent. They would expect him to fight without considering whether he had enough combat experience. There wouldn't always be someone watching over Kakashi and protecting him - he needed to learn to defend himself. Otherwise, the consequences could be devastating, which Minato didn't even want to think about.
So, Minato decided to better prepare Kakashi. After all, he had promised Sakumo, and he would keep his word. Even if it meant Kakashi would fight in their next mission. Still, he thought about how he could keep his other promise: to continue seeing Kakashi as the child he is. When he said it out loud, he hadn't thought much about it. However, in retrospect, when he talked about the conversation with Kushina, he had to admit it wasn't as simple as he thought. But Minato was not discouraged; he would find a way to allow Kakashi to have some childhood left.
Since their mission and the subsequent conversation, something good had also come out of it: Minato finally felt Kakashi had become more open towards him. Kakashi was a bit more talkative and seemed to trust Minato more. He noticed it when Kakashi began to take off his mask in front of Minato and didn't turn away anymore. This filled him with joy and pride. He was surprised when Kakashi asked him if he wanted to be his friend. For Minato, Kakashi had been a friend for a long time, but he knew it was hard for Kakashi to recognize that immediately. So, it made him even happier that Kakashi had asked himself.
But yesterday during their training, Minato noticed something. It was just a brief moment he observed when Kakashi wanted to use a kunai in their sparring but then hesitated. For a moment, Kakashi seemed unsure as he looked at the kunai in his hand. Minato remained silent and continued the training, hoping Kakashi would approach him and talk about what was bothering him. Minato felt there was more behind this incident. But Kakashi wasn't the type to easily talk about his problems. So, Minato thought about how to start the conversation with Kakashi, knowing he had to talk about it. He already had a suspicion about what might be bothering Kakashi.
Kakashi finished his exercise and slowly walked towards Minato, who pushed his thoughts aside and sat up. A smile appeared on Minato's lips as he handed Kakashi his water bottle. "That looked pretty good, but pay a bit more attention to your footwork," he remarked kindly.
Kakashi nodded appreciatively and gratefully took the water bottle before sitting next to Minato. "Thanks, Minato-sensei." He quickly opened the bottle, pulled down his mask, and took a big gulp of water. Then he let the bottle sink into his lap and looked at it thoughtfully. He kept his mask hanging around his neck.
Minato watched Kakashi attentively before leaning back and closing his eyes. "Let's take a short break. You've been doing great so far. Later, we can focus on kunai throwing." He carefully observed Kakashi's reaction, who only nodded but said nothing more. His gaze remained fixed on his water bottle as if seeking answers to unasked questions.
For a moment, a peaceful silence prevailed, which both enjoyed in the pleasant atmosphere. Minato opened his eyes when he felt Kakashi's head lean against his side. Kakashi's eyes were closed, his breathing calm and even - he seemed to be dozing lightly. Relaxed, Minato closed his eyes too, letting Kakashi find some rest. After a two-week break, training was unusual for Kakashi again because even though the spirit was willing, he was still only five, and his body was tired.
After about half an hour, Minato felt movement beside him. With a warm smile, he looked at Kakashi, who was just sitting up and rubbing his eyes sleepily. "Did you sleep well?" Minato asked lovingly, also sitting up a bit. Slightly embarrassed, Kakashi quickly pulled up his mask and avoided eye contact with Minato. Minato chuckled softly and reassuringly placed a hand on Kakashi's shoulder. "It's okay, Kakashi. It happens to everyone."
Kakashi cast an uncertain glance at Minato and nodded briefly. Minato quickly noticed that Kakashi wasn't particularly talkative today, but he still wanted to start the conversation. Determinedly, he decided to get straight to the point. "Before we continue, I'd like to talk to you," he began with a serious tone.
Kakashi immediately focused his full attention on Minato and looked at him eagerly. Minato continued, "I noticed yesterday that during our fight, you hesitated for a moment when you wanted to use your kunai." He paused briefly as he thought about how best to proceed. Meanwhile, he watched Kakashi closely; it seemed uncomfortable for him to talk about it. But for Minato, it was important. "Is that perhaps related to our mission?" Decidedly, he chose to ask directly.
Kakashi's eyes widened in surprise, and he quickly avoided Minato's gaze. Now Minato was sure what was troubling Kakashi. Gently, he nudged Kakashi's upper arm and smiled reassuringly. Carefully, Kakashi turned his head towards Minato and finally nodded hesitantly. "I know it sounds silly, especially for a shinobi. But two days ago, I had a dream about it, and I just can't forget it since," confessed Kakashi, looking at the ground in front of him.
Minato observed Kakashi for a moment before his gaze wandered off into the distance of the training ground. "That's completely normal. I've felt those feelings too when I killed someone for the first time. It still doesn't feel right to this day," admitted Minato, keeping his eyes focused in the distance.
Kakashi looked up curiously at Minato, surprise in his eyes. "Really?" he asked amazed.
Minato looked at Kakashi and smiled warmly. "Absolutely! I think it's important to still feel something when you kill. It should never take control, it could destroy you. As long as you have feelings, you remain human. But when killing becomes just routine and even fun, you have to be careful." He paused for a moment, thoughtfully looking at his hands. "It's crucial to stay true to yourself and know who you are. Especially after the first killing experience, it's not easy. I struggled with it for a long time, but through conversations with my friends and the support of my sensei, I learned to accept it and cope."
Kakashi seemed to ponder Minato's words, letting them sink in. His gaze returned to the ground. "Will it ever get easier?" Kakashi's voice sounded strained.
"It depends on you! The most important thing is not to bottle it up. You should talk about it and not handle everything alone. I'll always be there for you, just like your father. You're not alone in this," assured Minato, placing a calming hand on Kakashi's shoulder. Kakashi nodded in response, but his gaze remained in the distance.
Minato sighed inwardly, knowing Kakashi wouldn't change his habits immediately or openly talk about his worries. He just wished he could do more to cheer him up. Suddenly, an idea struck him, and he straightened up energetically. "I have an idea!" Minato announced, beaming at Kakashi with an enthusiastic smile.
Kakashi raised an eyebrow questioningly, looking at Minato. "What do you have in mind?" he asked curiously, tilting his head slightly.
Minato's gaze softened as he replied, "Tomorrow, we'll take a day off and do something together." He looked at Kakashi expectantly, but Kakashi seemed unconvinced. Suspiciously, Kakashi raised an eyebrow and crossed his arms. Before he could voice any objections, Minato continued, "Come on, don't be so skeptical. We'll have a relaxed day, forgetting about training or missions. Even shinobi need a break now and then. Kushina and I try to do that as often as possible."
Kakashi still seemed unconvinced as he replied, "I've taken enough breaks in the past weeks. It's time for me to move forward."
Maintaining his smile, Minato explained understandingly, "Those weren't real breaks like I mean. You were still mentally occupied with work. I'm talking about a break where you don't have to worry about anything." Then his gaze turned more serious. "Besides, I have the final say, and if necessary, it's an order as your sensei."
Kakashi's eyes narrowed as he slightly turned away from Minato. "That's not fair, you're abusing your authority," he remarked. Minato scratched the back of his head and laughed in response. Kakashi sighed, lowered his arms, and relaxed his expression before finally giving in. "Alright, we'll take a break tomorrow and do something. What are we going to do?" Yet, Kakashi's voice sounded slightly annoyed.
Minato wasn't deterred. "It'll be a surprise. Come on, let's continue our training for now," he said energetically. Minato quickly stood up and stretched. Kakashi followed suit, and they resumed their training.
As they continued to train, Minato thought about how he could spend the next day. He considered asking Kushina for help. She would surely have a good idea of what to do with Kakashi to distract him. Something would come to mind. Now he just had to hope Kakashi would go along with it. A carefree day would surely do them both good.
After completing their kunai throwing, they concluded their training with their usual sparring match. Minato was impressed - Kakashi had made significant progress, despite the long breaks. If Kakashi continued to improve at this rate, he would easily pass the Chunin exams. Although Minato wasn't completely convinced yet, he knew they still had time before the exams.
After training, they said their goodbyes and agreed to meet again the next day. Minato looked forward to spending time with Kakashi that wasn't dedicated to training. Even though he knew Kakashi was still skeptical, he was confident it would be a good day.
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Minato sat in front of a woven basket and a spacious backpack, carefully checking to ensure he had everything packed. Suddenly, Kushina appeared around the corner, holding a blanket, and stopped to lovingly smile at Minato. "I just checked everything; we're only missing the blanket. Here, catch!" Minato immediately jumped up, skillfully catching the blanket out of the air before neatly placing it in the picnic basket.
Then he turned his full attention back to Kushina, who was steadily approaching him. "Thanks for your help! Honestly, I couldn't have managed without you," he confessed, wrapping an arm around Kushina's shoulders and pulling her lovingly to his side. A tender smile played on his lips. "And thank you for being willing to come along. I think the two of us can really distract Kakashi," he added, gently kissing Kushina on the hair.
She returned his smile with a charming wave of her hand. "I was happy to help. I just couldn't let Kakashi, when invited by you to a picnic, have nothing decent to eat and forget half of it." She winked at Minato with a playful look, then gently pulled away from him, adding, "Plus, I'm happy to come along. I somehow like Kakashi; he's a sweet boy. I also think your idea to cheer him up is really nice. I just hope he'll go along with it."
Minato understood her concerns well; he had thought about it too. His gaze wandered over the carefully packed items. This was an attempt to give Kakashi a taste of childhood. A shared picnic and some board games for afterward were packed by Minato. But he was aware that it wouldn't be an easy task. Still, he had to try; such opportunities didn't come often. With Kushina by his side, at least the chances were higher to distract Kakashi.
Kushina snapped him out of his thoughts as she gently placed her hand on his shoulder. "We should start heading out; otherwise, we'll be late. Then Kakashi will already be in a bad mood before the day even begins." Minato agreed and pushed his thoughts aside. Somehow, today would work out.
Swiftly, they slipped on their sandals, grabbed the basket and bag, and set off. As they hurried to the meeting point, Minato and Kushina chatted animatedly, reaching their destination on time.
As expected, Kakashi was already waiting. He looked up in surprise when he saw Kushina. Minato smiled reassuringly at him as they approached. "Hello, Kakashi!" he greeted warmly.
Kushina stood beside Minato, smiling kindly at Kakashi. "It's nice to see you again, Kakashi."
Kakashi bowed politely to Kushina. "It's nice to see you too." Then he shifted his gaze to Minato. "Hello, Minato-Sensei!" Minato looked at Kakashi, sensing something was bothering the young boy. A hint of embarrassment showed in his eyes as he looked at them.
Minato spoke up decisively. "I hope you don't mind that Kushina is joining us. The more the merrier." Kakashi nodded in response, and Minato felt relieved; it seemed he didn't mind. But something else seemed to be bothering Kakashi. "To cut to the chase, here's what I've planned. I thought we could spend a nice day together by the riverside and have a picnic." Minato explained cheerfully, watching Kakashi's reaction, but he gave nothing away.
Then Kakashi lowered his gaze, nervously shuffling some dirt on the ground with his foot. His voice was quiet and shy as he spoke, "I didn't pack anything..." He paused briefly, turned slightly away, and continued, "I didn't know I was supposed to bring anything. I'm sorry."
Just as Minato was about to reassure Kakashi, he felt Kushina stepping beside him, squatting down in front of Kakashi and smiling comfortingly at him. "You don't need to apologize. We didn't expect you to bring anything since we invited you. Your only task is to enjoy yourself." Kakashi looked up at Kushina with uncertain eyes, taking a moment to consider her words. He nodded hesitantly, and Minato realized Kakashi wasn't used to not having to do anything. He had to hold back a sympathetic expression to avoid dampening the mood.
Kushina gracefully rose from her squat and clapped her hands once. "Let's get started then! I'm starving!" she announced, nudging Kakashi gently, who immediately began to move alongside her. A faint smile played on Minato's lips as he followed them. Kushina started chatting with Kakashi, even if it was mostly one-sided and Kakashi only replied with the essentials. Minato decided to hold back, letting the two of them lead the conversation.
Soon, they reached their destination by the riverbank. The surrounding trees provided pleasant shade, while the gentle splashing of the river created a calming atmosphere. The weather was perfect for settling down by the river. The sun was high in the sky, and the temperature was comfortable, with occasional clouds decorating the sky. A gentle breeze swept across the clearing. For Minato and Kushina, this place was already familiar, and they had spent many wonderful hours here together. It was simply the perfect spot for a picnic.
With nimble hands, they set everything up, and Kakashi tried to hold back, although he hesitated to let them do all the work. Minato sensed that Kakashi felt a bit uncomfortable; clearly, he wasn't used to someone going to so much trouble for him. While Sakumo was a good father and would do anything for Kakashi, it seemed he simply didn't have the time for outings like this. Minato hoped even more that Kakashi would quickly get used to this situation and relax to fully enjoy this time.
After setting everything up, the three of them settled comfortably on the blanket. Curiously, Kakashi explored the delicacies on the blanket and then turned to Minato, "Did you make all this, Minato-Sensei?"
Smilingly scratching the back of his head, Minato shook his head, "No, to be honest, I could never manage all this. Kushina made everything." He glanced briefly at her.
Kakashi's gaze wandered between Minato and Kushina, then he looked at her curiously. Before he could react, Kushina burst into laughter. "You can admit you can't really cook."
A hint of pink rose to Minato's cheeks as he averted his gaze slightly. "It's not that bad. I just can't cook as well as you," he confessed, looking back at Kushina.
Kakashi looked at Minato in surprise, "You can't cook?"
Kushina turned to Kakashi with a mischievous smile, "And what about you, Kakashi? Can you cook?"
Kakashi nodded enthusiastically, sitting up a bit, "Of course, Dad taught me, and I've learned quite a bit on my own. We have a whole collection of cookbooks at home, and unfortunately, I've already worked through all of them," Kakashi explained with a slight pride in his voice.
Surprised, Kushina looked at Kakashi, her lips forming a proud smile. "That's great! Cooking is indeed an important skill to master," she declared, then teasingly added, "Maybe you can teach Minato a few tricks."
Kakashi giggled slightly and nodded in agreement, "I could do that." Minato couldn't help but smile slightly. It was nice to see Kakashi becoming more comfortable around Kushina.
Then Kushina leaned forward a bit and spoke in a serious tone, "How about we cook together sometime? Then we can prepare something delicious for Minato." Kakashi thought for a moment, seeming to contemplate. Then he looked over at Minato, who smiled and gave a slight nod.
Kakashi turned back to Kushina, "That would make me very happy," he said with a gentle smile. Kushina returned the smile and leaned back relaxed.
Then Minato clapped his hands together, "So, let's eat now. We can cook another time," he suggested, smiling at his two companions.
Both nodded in agreement, and they began to enjoy the meal. To support Kakashi a bit, Minato sat between Kushina and Kakashi, allowing Kakashi to hide behind him a bit. Additionally, he engaged Kushina in casual conversation to create a relaxed atmosphere. The meal went smoothly, and they thoroughly enjoyed Kushina's delicious dishes.
After finishing the meal, Kushina let out a satisfied sigh. "Ahhh, that was delicious!" she said, smiling at the other two.
Minato nodded in approval and smiled lovingly at Kushina. "Absolutely, you cooked wonderfully. Thank you so much!"
Casting a glance at Kakashi, who had adjusted his mask and appeared somewhat uncertain, Minato sensed his discomfort. Clearly, Kakashi wasn't sure how to handle the situation. To help him, Minato shifted his attention to Kakashi. "Did you enjoy the meal?" he asked kindly, offering an encouraging smile.
Looking up at Minato, Kakashi smiled faintly. "It was really delicious," he remarked. Then he turned to Kushina and added, "Thank you for the tasty food. I really enjoyed it." Kushina smiled warmly and nodded at him. Eventually, Kakashi's gaze returned to Minato as if awaiting instructions. "So, what do we do now?" he asked curiously, tilting his head slightly.
"I suggest Kushina and I clean up here, and you check the bag. I've packed some board games; choose one you like," Minato suggested. Kakashi looked a bit uncertain and glanced at the bag. After a moment, he moved over to it and began to unpack. Satisfied, Minato started tidying up with Kushina, both looking forward to the upcoming games.
In no time, Kushina and Minato had tidied everything away and carefully packed it into the picnic basket. Then they turned their attention back to Kakashi, who had turned away and was staring into the distance. The board games lay untouched beside him. A slight frown creased Minato's forehead, a quiet concern growing within him. Carefully, he approached Kakashi and sat down beside him. "Have you chosen a game?" he asked gently, placing a reassuring hand on his shoulder.
Kakashi shrugged slightly and looked embarrassedly at Minato as he explained his problem, "I don't know any of these games." His gaze then wandered away again. Minato looked at Kakashi for a moment, surprised, before retracting his hand and glancing at the board games. They were all well-known games that every child should know. At that moment, Minato was hit with a sad realization, reminded again that Kakashi hadn't had a normal childhood. A somber silence spread across the clearing.
Minato was pulled from his thoughts when Kushina approached them with a smile, picking up a game. "Then I'll choose one. This one should be fun for you. Don't worry, both Minato and I will explain, you'll get the hang of it quickly," she reassured Kakashi. Kushina set aside the other games and sat down next to Kakashi on the opposite side, starting to unpack the card game. Her warm voice and confidence brought a new lightness to the air as they prepared to have a good time together.
Kakashi watched Kushina curiously but didn't move. Minato, too, simply watched Kushina without reacting. Kushina looked up at the two of them, then sighed. "Don't look at me like that. I can't play this alone either," she said with a wink. Her words brought a slight smile to Minato's face, lightening the atmosphere.
Minato was grateful to have Kushina by his side. She knew how to handle such situations and could brighten the mood with her carefree nature. Instead of dwelling on Kakashi not knowing the games, she tried to make the best of it. Watching Kushina patiently explain the rules and give tips to Kakashi, Minato's lips formed a loving smile. It filled him with happiness to have Kushina by his side and feel the joy she brought to the situation.
Kakashi listened attentively to Kushina, absorbing all the information, much like during their joint training sessions with Minato. Minato realized Kakashi wasn't being rude, just overwhelmed. He was amazed at how Kakashi had embraced the situation so far. He had expected Kakashi to resist more. But Minato couldn't pinpoint the reason. Maybe Kakashi was just going along with it for Minato's sake. But that didn't matter now. The main thing was for Kakashi to have some fun. Maybe they could all enjoy a good time playing together.
After explaining everything, they started the game. At first, Kakashi held back a bit, but soon he blossomed, and Minato recognized his ambition to win. It filled Minato with joy to see Kakashi come out of his shell. Kushina played a card, and Kakashi sat up indignantly, pointing at the card. "That can't be! You're cheating! You can't have that many of those cards!" he exclaimed. The playful rivalry between the three filled the air with energy and enthusiasm, and Minato cherished every moment of their precious time together.
Kushina smiled affectionately at Kakashi and shook her head slightly. "I'm not cheating, I'm just better than you," she said with a wink and a playful tone. Her words were filled with warmth and humor, adding to the lively atmosphere of the game.
Kakashi crossed his arms determinedly, puffing out his cheeks defiantly. "It's not about being better. I haven't lost yet!" With a challenging look, he decisively played a card. "Let's see who's really better here," he added with a small grin. Tension rose as the game was in full swing, with each player skillfully employing their strategies. Minato watched the lively dynamic between the two with a warm smile. It was wonderful to see them challenge each other and laugh together. As they got engrossed in the game, they momentarily forgot their everyday worries and simply enjoyed each other's precious company.
After a few rounds, they switched to another game. Kakashi became more and more engrossed in the games, and they managed to make him laugh. Minato felt that Kakashi, for a moment, was just a child, able to forget his worries. It was as if the burden of reality was momentarily lifted from his shoulders. Of course, Minato was aware this was just a brief respite and reality would quickly return. But for this precious moment, Minato wanted to forget his own concerns and simply enjoy the pleasure of playing and spending time together.
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"Until next time, Kakashi. I really enjoyed spending time with you today," Kushina said as she crouched in front of Kakashi, giving him a loving smile.
Kakashi nodded gently, smiling behind his mask at Kushina. "Goodbye, Kushina. And thanks again for the delicious meal." Then he turned to Minato. "Thank you for the invitation, Minato-Sensei. See you tomorrow!" With these words, he turned around, waved to both of them, and set off down the road.
Minato and Kushina watched Kakashi for a moment longer before Kushina turned to Minato with a broad grin. "That went much better than expected. You actually managed to let him be a child again, even if just for a moment," she remarked appreciatively. Her words were filled with pride and joy over the successful time they'd had.
Minato nodded thoughtfully, letting his gaze wander briefly into the distance before looking at Kushina. "Yes, we did manage that, but it wasn't just my doing. Really, thank you, Kushina. I don't think it would have gone so well without you," he said sincerely, with a hint of melancholy in his voice.
Kushina raised an eyebrow, noticing that Minato seemed a bit down despite the successful day. "What's wrong? You seem quite thoughtful despite the day going so well."
Minato sighed, his gaze drifting off again. "I know today was a success, and I'm truly happy we could distract Kakashi for a moment. But it was just a moment. Things won't suddenly change." His words carried a touch of realism and a hint of melancholy.
Kushina looked at Minato for a moment before taking his hand and giving him an encouraging smile. "Stop worrying. Be proud of how well today went and let's have more days like this in the future. Of course, things won't change overnight, but it will be alright." Her words were full of confidence and support, and her smile radiated warm, soothing energy.
Minato looked at Kushina for a moment, then nodded to her, and together they continued on their way. Though he couldn't entirely forget his worries, he focused on enjoying today. The future remained uncertain, but he held onto the thought that things could turn out well.