Kitsune no Akuryō - Under Maintenance

Foggy Memories...!!

Kon'nichiwa minna! Welcome to the next chapter. So, I'm at that part in writer's block where, I really want to write something, but I still have no clue what to write. Honestly... There is some music which goes with this chapter, and you can start it whenever; however you want to go. Everything was going fine until some creep bit our golden ball of sunshine. Afterwards, Team 7 made it through many terrors and toils, passing the 2nd stage of the Chunin exams; meanwhile, the Hokage is helping Naruto, but before we can say, "Crisis averted," two ANBU ninja come along with their own plans and rip the sadness seal straight off of Naruto's body. Who knows what damages that will cause...

Minato Namikaze's P.O.V.

    Akiri was next to me. Her soft gentle snores calmed my racing thoughts after another dream. This time my nightmare centered around Kushina. I nuzzled into her side for a brief moment of relief when she turned to me, whispering, "It'll be alright."

    "I didn't mean to wake you."

    "I am happy to be awake. Kakashi came by yesterday. Have you seen him?"

     I nodded, "Yes, he was helping me with a, a project."

     "Hm," she snuggled back into my chest, " I know how these things have gotten to you ever since you, we lost him."

     "Don't you think?" I whispered.

      She shook her head and squeezed my arm while it embraced her, "I can't get my hopes up. I don't want everything to, to...huh. We shouldn't force anything on him if he's not, well, our Naruto."

       She at last said the name, and the pain settled in again as if it was fresh. Naku was gone, captured and killed on the edge of the Land of Fire, and I could do nothing. I leaned my head back against the back board, staring at the ceiling. How could I have lost him? Why didn't I protect him more? Fresh tears pricked my eyes as I silently wept for my little boy who I couldn't save. He was dead; it was all my fault.

     I felt Akiri move in front of me. I looked back to see her reaching out to wipe the droplets which had begun down their winding path, "You don't have to tell me, but let me know if anything starts bothering you."

      I nodded, holding her close and kissing the top of her brunette head. We remained like that as the dawning light peeked through the window, and Akiri pulled away. "I'll be making breakfast. Get a bite before you head to work."

     I nodded understanding and began getting ready for the day. The Chūnin Exams had entered a short lull for the contestants, but I still had duties to attend, aside from notifying high-ranking officials about the finals.

    I came down stairs to find my family sitting down to breakfast.

    "Good morning, Tou-chan!"

    "Good morning, Hanako," I kissed her forehead.

     "Tou-chan!"

      I turned to Menma as he stood just inside the entry hallway. "You'll come home to train me right? The Chūnin Exams have stopped, so you'll have enough time."

      My little boy had stomped up to me from down the stairs, determination in his eyes, so I ruffled his hair as we both walked towards the door, "We'll see. I still have a lot of work to do. You might have to practice with your mother."

    I could tell that he was disgruntled about it, but he nodded, trying to smile while his hands stubbornly crossed and his face was set in a deep frown, just like his mom when she couldn't get something quite right.