Amaya Uzumaki POV
– So that's what love is. It's being with someone who makes you better, who cherishes you, and who truly sees you even at your worst – Minato finally said, a serene smile on his lips – It's carrying the other person with you, whether they are physically there or not.
I couldn't say when I'd started gaping during the blond's story, but I knew I was still doing it.
A jumble of emotions swirled inside me at that moment, most of which I couldn't even process. But the feeling of lightness was good, so I smiled.
I knew Kushina and Minato's feelings for each other were strong. Watching them together, whether at home or around the village, made that obvious, but I never imagined how deep their bond really was.
They saved each other. They taught and learned how to love, together.
Their story was beautiful, and it left a warm feeling in my chest. It was like those stories I'd read before, trying to understand love on my own, but without all the perfection those narratives showed.
Minato and Kushina went through sadness, anger, joy... They were real things, the kind we actually face in our daily lives. It wasn't a story without ups and downs, where everything always ends well. Especially because their story wasn't over yet, and I hoped it was still far from its end.
– Maybe that was too much information at once... – Minato said suddenly, giving a weak laugh.
– It was, but I understood it – I reassured him and finally looked at Namikaze, feeling a happy smile on my face – Thank you!
– As your father, it's the least I can do – He rested one of his hands on my head, gently ruffling my hair.
I ended up laughing with Minato and let myself enjoy that moment, both for his company and the good feeling present within me.
– Otousan... – I said after a few moments, and Minato turned his eyes to me – You said these rings are for you to propose to Kushina, right? – He nodded – When are you planning to ask her?
– Well, it's a bit complicated... – The blond scratched the back of his neck with a weak smile.
– Why?
Minato looked at me but didn't answer my question right away. He just... stared at me. His blue orbs directly into my eyes, intently, as if he was questioning something internally.
– How do Shisui and Kakashi react when something bad happens to you on a mission? – The blond asked suddenly.
I raised an eyebrow, confused. It wasn't a question I was expecting, and at first, it didn't seem related to my own question for Minato.
– They worry – I replied – They get nervous about my condition and try to protect me.
– Because, just as they are important to you, you are important to both of them – Minato stated and looked at me again – And how do you think the two would react if you were killed during one of those missions?
For a moment, I was a little stunned by that question. I had never truly considered that happening, even though it was the most likely outcome every time I left the village for a war mission.
– They'd probably be... devastated.
Even though I couldn't answer with absolute certainty how Kakashi and Shisui would be if that situation really occurred, putting myself in their shoes regarding either of them, that's how I would feel.
– Possibly even worse – Namikaze said, and I looked at him again – It would destroy them.
That's when I understood what the blond was trying to say. His question was indeed the answer to my own: He didn't know when he would propose to Kushina because he feared the same situation could happen to him.
– You're afraid of making her suffer... – I said in a lower tone and looked at Minato, seeing him give a weak nod.
Just like me, the blond was always involved in the ongoing war missions, and the risk he took was much greater than mine, because he had already acquired many enemies – so he was in danger, both from the conflicts and from the people who wanted to find and kill him.
But...
– You're wrong... – I said quietly, and Minato promptly looked at me – You should propose to her, even if something might happen and hurt Kushina – I clenched my hands – It would be even more painful for Okaasan not to know how you truly felt about her. Not telling someone how much they mean to us can be almost as painful as losing them...
Although part of what I said was for Minato and his situation, I also ended up involving myself.
Not having had the chance to thank Sakumo for everything he did for me and to tell him how important he was in my life... Just like Sukea and the children from the lab.
Each of them was a part of my life and had their importance to me, and they brought me to where I am today. I had feelings for each one, no matter how simple. They were still feelings I considered important.
– Just as you fear something might happen to you during a mission, the same goes for Kushina – I continued in my low tone – I can say that with certainty because it's almost the same for me when we see you leave for a new mission and we eat ourselves up inside hoping you return safely – I stared at Namikaze – And I can even guess you'd feel the same if Okaasan were in your place, leaving for a mission with no certainty of return.
When I stopped talking, the first thing that crossed my mind was how rude my words might have sounded to Minato, although that was never my intention.
But when I looked at his face, the only thing I noticed was a happy smile on his lips. And then the blond started to laugh. Obviously, I tilted my head slightly to the side, not understanding what he found so funny.
Minato then moved closer to me and hugged me. I can't say I wasn't surprised by his behavior, but I let myself enjoy the moment. I felt calm with him hugging me it showed he was there, truly, and safe.
– Adults really are complicated, aren't they? – Minato commented a little after he stopped laughing, still holding me in his arms – I needed a scolding from my own daughter to open my eyes to something so simple.
– What...? – I asked, confused, and the blond momentarily pushed me away to look at me.
– Do you remember what I told you before, that loving someone is also carrying the other person with you, whether they are there or not? – I nodded, and Minato gave a weak smile – My feelings and Kushina's are one, and no matter what happens to us, they will always exist.
– So...! – I started to speak excitedly, and the blond nodded.
A smile formed on my lips, and I threw myself at Minato, hugging him again as we laughed happily. Knowing I could help him with his dilemma... made me happy.
– What's all this commotion? – We heard a voice from the bedroom door, and at the same moment, Otousan and I looked toward it.
Kushina was there, still in her pajamas, her hair a little messy, betraying that she had just gotten out of bed. She looked at us with half-closed eyes, the lingering tiredness evident on her.
– Kushina... – Minato was the first to speak and stood up.
The blond kept one of his hands behind his back, thanks to the little box with the rings he still had with him. Kushina can't see that!, I thought nervously.
– We were talking about the book I was reading – I said quickly, calmly, to sound convincing enough.
I grabbed the book I had placed on the windowsill, took it in my hands, and stood up from the sofa, stopping next to Minato. Then, I discreetly took the box from the blond's hand, hiding it behind my book.
– Another book? – The redhead asked as I went near my bed – And what... – She yawned lazily – What is it about?
– A romance – Minato said as I opened the second drawer of my dresser, putting the book and the ring box inside.
– Ah, yes, a romance... – The redhead commented calmly, but then she blinked a few times – What?! – She quickly alternated her gaze between me and Minato – A romance, dattebane?! – I agreed.
At that moment, the redhead parted her lips to say something but stopped midway. She looked at me and took on a more serious expression, lowering her head. And for a moment, I was worried.
– Okaasan...? – I called her, a little apprehensive because of her sudden mood change.
And the next moment, Kushina entered my room and walked toward me with determined steps. Instinctively, I took a step back but realized I had no escape since I was in front of my own bed and the dresser.
The Uzumaki stopped in front of me with a stern expression. I tried to figure out what I had said that bothered her or something I might have done earlier that could have upset her, but I couldn't find anything.
Kushina moved her arms toward me and held my hands, lifting them up. My expression was probably the most confused possible at that moment. And when I looked at the redhead in front of me, my confusion only grew.
Her expression wasn't stern anymore, but rather... tearful? Kushina's lips were forming a small pout, like a little child throwing a tantrum, and her eyes looked ready to start crying.
– Why...? – She asked quietly, and I stared at her.
– What? – I asked, my voice betraying all my confusion.
– Why were you talking to Minato about this? – Kushina asked again and finally looked at me – As your mother, I should be the first one to talk to you about your first love, 'ttebane!
– What?! – I asked again, but this time completely astonished.
I couldn't even say anything to explain to Kushina that it was nothing like what she was thinking, but my confusion mixed with shame took over.
However, what saved me at that moment was Minato's laughter. Both the redhead and I looked at the blond, who was trying – and failing miserably – not to laugh.
– It's not funny, Minato! – The redhead scolded him.
– Sorry... – He said, struggling to stop laughing – But this is just too funny – The Uzumaki stared at him, not understanding – We weren't talking about that, Kushina.
– I don't have a first love, Okaasan! – I quickly stated, and she looked at me again.
The redhead opened her mouth to speak but ended up stopping.
– You don't? – She asked more quietly.
– No.
– None at all? – She insisted, and I denied it – Ah... – The redhead let go of my hands more slowly than when she had grabbed them and then scratched her head, slightly embarrassed – Guess I got a little carried away and completely misunderstood... – Minato gave a weak laugh.
– Don't worry, I thought the same when I found out Amaya was reading a romance – I quickly looked at him.
– What?! – I asked, and the blond, just like Kushina earlier, scratched his head.
– You're at the age when girls start to become interested in boys, so... – Kushina pointed, and I looked at her again – Now that you know, if you start liking someone, I want to be the first to know all about it, understood, dattebane?
And this time it was my turn to be left speechless.
I was still trying to process what I had just heard from Kushina and Minato. Liking someone..., I thought. And inevitably, the situation Shisui had created for me and Kakashi came to mind.
I felt my face heat up, remembering how embarrassing that situation had become because of my idiot brother, and I instinctively raised my hands, covering my face in an attempt to hide my shame.
– Your face is all red... – Okaasan commented and placed one of her hands on my forehead, and I looked at her – Do you think you have a fever?
– No! – I denied quickly and moved past Kushina, heading toward my bedroom door – I'll make dinner tonight – I said then, really fleeing from the subject – Do you want anything special?
– The cook's choice – Minato said with a smile, and Kushina approached the blond, agreeing.
– Okay – I said and couldn't help but smile, watching them together before finally heading to the kitchen.