[Open] He liked this

[withoutareason]

He had been surprised at the weather, unable to help but to appreciate the pretty snowfall as he picked his way through it, being very careful not to get it into his shoes. He didn't think he would get sick, but he didn't want to risk the possibility.

Between everyone in the house he probably wouldn't even be able to move an inch without someone suddenly being there and that would put a huge kink in pretty much everything. He'd gotten really fond of exploring this village on his own, after all.

For now though, he was trying to avoid making new footprints in the snow, though how successful he'd been,he wasn't terribly sure, as he hopped from one bare spot to another.

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[konohasuperstar]

That mop of blonde hair he'd seen going around had attracted his attention, and the Uchiha had moved to intercept him. "Hey there mini-Menma~" that was his hope, but really? "Though here it's probably Naruto huh?"

That bite-sized buddy of his certainly brought back memories... "Havin fun tryin to evade the snow?"

[withoutareason]

He paused, blinking up at the other for a long moment before putting his hands behind his back and tilting his face toward the ground, only peeking at him through the fringe of his hair. "It's Naruto. And... yeah."

[konohasuperstar]

"Heh... now you're looking sorta shy. Or like you're planning some trick." oh did he ever know that look too. "This weather sure is funny. Never seen snow fall on the ground and not melt when it's that hot~" you'd think he would take a monstrous twister well too...

[withoutareason]

"I'm not planning anything!" At the moment. He'd pared back on his tricks to an extent since getting here given he'd been getting no small amount of attention from his mother.

[konohasuperstar]

"Ahahah! That's what they all say~" he gave a grin. "Why are you evading the snow though? Don't you want to build snowmen? Or a fort?" after all, if he had that kind of snow as a kid, he would have been all over that.

[withoutareason]

"I.... wanted to make sure it would be harder for me to be followed." He looked just a tad guilty as he said this. "I just like being outside."

[konohasuperstar]

"Ohh~ You're a clever one!" he gave a nod. "Oh, uh... wait a sec... that means it ain't a good thing that I spotted you, huh?" he chuckled lightly. "I can pretend I haven't if you like." there was a pause and then light concern. "Why don't you want to be followed? Are there any people being not nice to you?"

[withoutareason]

"It's... a habit. My ANBU couldn't do so much when I was littler and people made sure I knew they didn't want me messing up their things." Or being in the area, or breathing, but he didn't say any of that part.

[konohasuperstar]

"Really? You know, I was sort of a little monster too, I think I can relate. Can't have a childhood without having adults angry at you. But hey, you can mess up my stuff all you like if it makes you feel better!" that wasn't the point at all though.

[withoutareason]

He shook his head at once, staring up at him. "You're a big Sasuke. Why would I mess up your things?"

[konohasuperstar]

"Hahahaha~ You just mess things that belong to the smaller ones? I guess it ain't fun messing up nonexistent stuff huh? There's really nothing you can blackmail me with in my room anyway" he grinned. "Since we've met and all, y'hungry?" stupid question. "Ramen sounds good huh?"

[withoutareason]

"I don't mess up things for Sasukes." His tone was soft, and he hesitated before coming to his side and staring up at him with a nod.

[konohasuperstar]

Now wasn't he endearing? "Ramen it is!" he had sure earned it too. "Want a ride?" he asked, extending both arms.

ps - apologies in advance. My tags will be slow but I just couldn't resist a mini-Naruto

[backina]

Minato left no footprints where he walked, the same ability that let him walk across water, leaving the snow undisturbed in his wake. He was back again, somehow, in this strange village. He wasn't sure why, being dead, he was pulled back here time and again but - with a silent sigh he knew there must be a reason. The snow fell softly and he wore the hokage hate, shedding its flakes off of him before they could settle.

He walked to walk, not going anywhere intentionally and when he caught the motion ahead, it didn't strike him for a moment. He recognized it. A child, in the snow. Going somewhere or nowhere, just out on his own and happy about it. But then his vision focused and he saw the shock of yellow hair and something in his chest clenched and tore all at the same time. He knew. He knew.

Footsteps silent, he shifted, following behind the child, curious and protective, willing to let his Naruto go where he was headed until he either reached it or noticed someone following behind.

You have no idea the intensity of the squee seeing your screen name in my inbox again caused.

[withoutareason]

The first indicator that the boy had, at some point, noticed him was that he slowed, his small hops from footprint to footprint growing more and more precise as he took longer and longer to do them at all. Finally, with a last one, and having stopped nowhere in particular, he turned to look over his shoulder.

His blue eyes were guarded, but there was a curiosity in his posture that still shone through, no matter how wary he might be. He didn't speak though, at least, not out loud, having decided to test the person watching him, it was a motion he made before his eyes landed on the man, and it was his hands folded into the ANBU signal for 'friend' as done in question.

He didn't drop the sign when he looked at the blond though, abruptly far far more interested.

haha! I'm glad but have no idea when I've written with you before

[backina]

He stops when his son stops, a 'nonthreatening but close enough if danger threatens' distance away. He's both patient and aware that he left his son's life without having had the chance to be a real father to him. It's always Naruto's choice on how he wants to react to him after something like that.

He does blink though, once, at the movement of the child's hands. How would his son know ANBU sign already? And will he like the answer? His hands still automatically move, a small, fluid gesture but one that answers with 'friend' in the definitive. A slight laxness in one of the fingers indicates he might be something more but it's subtle, open to interpretation. He doesn't move, eyes half hidden under the hat. Waiting to see what his son does next.

Then my work is done! -coughs- proudofmybaby is also mine.

[withoutareason]

He brightened at the easy acceptance of his use of the hand signs and pivoted in place, looking over the man with curious eyes for a long moment before picking his way toward him. He still had a hint of that guarded expression lurking around the eyes, but it was significantly diminished, turning to a more open cautious curiosity.

Part of it was the answer, but part of it was also the simple fact that he recognized him. They'd met before, though the man hadn't stayed at all long enough for him to really know him. It was still enough that when he reached him, just far enough out to be not in immediate grabbing distance, he brought his hands up in another sign, this one a pair of two, the mix of captain and family being done in quick succession to indicate something like parent.

It was one he'd put together himself. His spoken words were a little different though. "Do you know me too?"

ah, well then - cough - I'm also never_was

[backina]

He sank to a knee as Naruto approached him, an instinctive move to look less threatening and more approachable. He noted the safe distance away from him that the boy came to a stop and it made his heart ache but it was Naruto's choice and Minato hoped to be trustworthy enough to lose that distance. The tiny hands flashed again and Minato felt a little jerk of surprise. Again his heart ached but it was for a better reason this time. His smile was his answer and it held pride too. Naruto was adaptive. He was so very proud his son had that gift. So his own fingers moved as well, adapting ANBU sign to suit them. His gesture said 'family' and then 'precious cargo'.

The words he spoke meant the same even if they came out a little rough with his contained emotion.

"I do. You're my son, Naruto."

I figured that out last night -sob- I spent since you posted him going nuts guessing who it was.

[withoutareason]

He stared at the sign, visibly surprised at being designated as precious, and then his eyes slid up to his face as a shy, hopeful smile lit his face. he padded two steps closer, looking at him carefully.

That was encouraging, that was encouraging a lot because he knew that his father had died the day he was born so if he was from before that at all he wouldn't have known him, but this man did, and that made him really happy, even if he was still a bit cautious about the whole thing.

"I met you once, before you vanished again." It was very softly spoken, and his hands slid into a different sign, an inquiry. 'Stay?'

I'm very repetative with icons ;)

[backina]

"I'm sorry, Naruto." He didn't remember the meeting so perhaps it was his future. Perhaps it was a different him. This place drew in strangers from everywhere he'd learned. The thought of having left his son again, of probably having to leave him again, was painful but Minato wouldn't lie to him.

"I will stay as long as I can." And his fingers moved ' until mission's end'. Softer, he added: "I wish I could stay with you always."

I didn't even notice -face in hands- My observation skills failed me.

[withoutareason]

His shoulders drooped, just a little, and his hands moved to the sign for confirmation. He shouldn't be greedy. He had his mother now, didn't he? He shouldn't want more to stay around too.

Then the child took two steps forward and leaned on the man, hiding his face in his shirt.

[backina]

A child shouldn't have to grow up without his father and Minato would have given almost anything to have stayed with his son. Almost. But not Konoha and not Nine Tails loose on the world when it was his village's duty to keep it contained. Not even for his son would he give those up.

They had this moment though and when his son trusted him enough to step forward into him it broke Minato's heart in the sweetest way. Exhaling, he wrapped his arms around the little boy, enclosing him in the fall of his hokage jacket, pulling that most precious body close and safe in his arms, head tipped downward, hat sheltering them both from the falling snow. In that moment, his world was perfect.

"I am so proud of you, Naruto. So very, very happy with who you have become."

[withoutareason]

The words were a surprise to him, visibly so, because for all that he had met and spoken with both parents, more than one version in his father's case... no one had said that to him. For him it was all sad looks or smiles or too tight hugs...

Not being proud of him.

[backina]

Minato felt the surprise move through his son at his words and, keeping his arms around him, he pulled back just enough to look down into that little face.

"You speak ANBU. I know. It doesn't say you've had a simple childhood. I am sure things have been hard for you at times. But no matter what has happened, you are still you. You have held onto yourself and you've kept your heart open. You are brave and you are kind. No matter what else, I am proud of a son that is that way." He lifted one hand and rested it on his son's head. With his other hand, he let go of the boy for just a minute. Long enough to sign: understand?

[withoutareason]

A pink tinge touched his cheeks then as he stared up at him, eyes just a little wide before a sudden, brilliant smile broke out over his face and he put his fist over his heart. It was the clear, resolute sign that had no defined meaning, but was used to show that someone would never forget or otherwise fail to pay tribute to something. It was one of those signs that was only ever used when one of the ANBU could think of no other way to express how they were feeling, though always positive.