#crimsonthread

[narakaasan-blog]

"Yoshino-san! It's been awhile, hasn't it? Welcome to Iwakiri."

"K-Kushina-san?!"

She was not seeing things - she hadn’t lost her wits yet but there was Uzumaki Kushina - dead eleven years - greeting her. Shaking her head she gathered her wits as quickly as she could.

"I dare say, Kushina-san!" she bowed a greeting - Shikaku had been fairly close to Minato, the same could not really be said for Kushina and Yoshino so manners were required. "Thank you - it’s been an adjustment."

[mebuki-haruno]

Aren't You?... | Kiba & Kushina

Kiba was walking along the trail outside of the school when he spotted a woman who looked distressed. She had long, crimson red hair that seemed like it would be impossible to manage. She turned around and sat down on a bench. It was night, so the street lamps were on around the school. Her face was illuminated, and Kiba was taken aback. It was...Naruto's mom. He didn't know much about her, just her name and who she was related to. Wasn't she supposed to be dead? He walked over to her. "Uh, hello...I'm Kiba. You seemed kind of lonely over here, so I wanted to make sure you were okay?" He didn't want her to know he had been sizing her up from afar. 

[minabutt]

The Love Between Us || crimsonthread

A certain blonde had been spending his time at night awake lately.

Even now, as a Jounin and with missions after missions lined up, the male sat on his roof, azure eyes gazing at the landscape of Konohagakure before him. A sigh left his parted lips, which immediately turned into a puff of white fog. His back resting on the tiles beneath him as he hugged the lone blanket closer to his body, wondered what it might feel like to have someone beside him at this very moment.

Scanning the star studded sky above him, Minato closed his eyes - even now, all that he could see was that girl's captivating crimson hair, those breathtaking sapphire eyes and that bright smile. Instead of enjoying the wind's soft whisper of the night, all he could hear was her laughter, her flustered stutters and that familiar verbal tic - Dattebane!

Was it weird that he was finding himself to be mildly frustrated about his overwhelming emotions?

Minato could tell that it was well past midnight, giving him less than five hours to sleep for the mission that he had the following day. But it had gotten to the point where he didn't care. And this was surprising, even for himself.

"Kushina..." Minato murmured, enjoying how her name rolled so smoothly on his tongue. The blonde squeezed his eyes shut, in hopes that the bright memories of her would leave his mind. His heart was racing in his chest while just the thought of her brought colour onto his usually pale cheeks. A whimper now left his mouth as he suppressed the urge to visit her right at this moment.

Don't be absurd, Minato, its one in the morning!

He bit his lip and finally sat back up for a brief stretch before jumping back in into his room, shoulders slumped as he stood there, disappointed in himself. Perhaps he'd just think of it in the morning. Without a doubt that he would, the blonde changed into his pajamas and closed his eyes, snuggling deep within the blankets that hugged him tightly.

--

The mission was finished in a rough, but swift manner.

The male had found himself bombarded continually with the thoughts of her, as he threw the kunais at the enemy in a quicker pace than normal, desperate just to get home - desperate to see her.

Normally, the Uzumaki would send him off on his missions, giving him a specially made bento for the trip. But today she was occupied, a few friends tagging along with her made things rather awkward on the both of them. They were both equally shy and was flushed with embarrassment as Kushina handed over his lunch box. There was no familiar goodbye hug, much thanks to her friends' teasing.

But now, he traveled fast back in the direction of home, with hopes that she would be there, waiting. And true to his thought - as he landed on the ground at the entrance of the East Gate, he saw her waiting.

Her hair, cascading down her back like a gentle waterfall was enough to excite him, sending his heart racing once more. He gazed almost lovingly at how her hands were clasped above each other on her chest in anticipation, enjoying the pink that blossomed on her cheeks. Minato took a step towards her, only to turn around to look at his team mates - whom snicked and smiled in encouragement before jumping off to report their mission to the Third Hokage.

Thankful that they were alone at last, Minato walked over to her, his own cheeks tinted pink as he ruffled his hair nervously.

"Sorry to keep you waiting..." He felt at ease now that he could see her and be next to her, his eyes gazing deeply into hers.

"Tadaima, Kushina."