Peregrination

Chapter 01

~23:06 (military time)

He looked down at the four diamonds gleaming softly in the pale moonlight. The ring had delicate silver arms that wrapped gently around each diamond in an ornate design. The jewelry was nestled in a pillow of dark stain held within a small velvet box. He gently ran his thumb across the ring once more before closing the small box with a quiet 'snap.'

Tonight, he was going to ask her to marry him. He knew that he wanted to spend the rest of his life with her and he wasn't willing to waste anymore time. As ninjas, they both risked their lives on a daily basis. One day, hopefully later rather than sooner, when his skills weren't enough to fend off enemy shinobi and he would lose his life.

Or worse… she would lose hers.

It was a humbling thought, one that made him even more determined to ask her tonight.

So he steeled his nerves, slid the box into his back pocket, and knocked firmly against her door.

He waited…

What if she's not here?

And waited…

No, she has to be here. She was scheduled to return home from her mission earlier today. There was no reason for the Hokage to send her on another mission so soon. He looked at the moon and then back at her apartment. It's just past eleven and her bedroom lights are still on. She is here.

He counted to thirty. No response. He knocked again – louder this time.

One minute. I'll wait one minute.

10 seconds…

She never takes this long to answer the door. He shifted anxiously from one foot to the other.

20 seconds…

Did she fall asleep with the lights on again…? No, she is a ninja, an excellent kunoichi. She would have heard me by now. He shifted to the other foot.

30 seconds…

Maybe… Hesitantly, he stepped forward and reached toward the handle. No…She's fine. He moved back.

40 seconds…

Did something go wrong on her mission? Was she followed home? He leaned forward and pressed his ear against the door, desperate to hear some form of life beyond the wood.

50 seconds…

No sound – something is wrong… His hand twitched at the handle as his mind ran through the countless circumstances that could have gone wrong with her mission. She would have to be tied down not to answer the-

54 seconds…

Realization struck. She's being held hostage. His light and anxious mood was instantly replaced with a fierce determination to protect. She had to have been followed home.

55 seconds…

The ninjas must have broken into her apartment and waited to ambush her… His hand tightened around the round doorknob.

56 seconds…

But I can't just burst in because they will hear me. He reluctantly released the knob and moved his hand to his pocket.

57 seconds…

I'll have to sneak in…He pulled out a small key. She is probably tied up by now…

58 seconds…

Or in a genjutsu…He slid the key into the lock and turned it.

59 seconds…

Or she's… No! She is just fine! A soft click sounded in the quiet air. He quickly returned the key to his pocket and reached for the doorknob.

60 seconds…

I will protect her!

Swiftly, he opened the door and crept silently into the apartment. Armed with a kunai, he cautiously examined the front room and shut the door softly behind him. Something was off… There were no dirty dishes lining the floor, no loose kunai or shuriken and all of the scrolls were neatly stacked in the corner.

Not normal. This place is never clean. Somebody ambushed her, he thought as he moved towards the hallway. The fight made a mess and the enemy ninja tried to clean it up to avoid suspicion.

Senses alert, he moved silently to the door at the end of the hall. It was too quiet. There was no noise coming from behind the door.

Suddenly an ear-shattering scream followed by a loud thud rang through the apartment.

No! He was at the door in a flash and flung it open.

"Let her go!" He yelled viciously, kunai poised to kill.

Almost instantly, kunai flew through the air at him. He swiftly dodged them but stumbled back as a body crashed into him. The air was knocked out of him and he was suddenly falling backward with cold steel pressed against his neck. Acting on reflex, he swiftly flipped them so that the arms and body was pinned beneath him.

Violet eyes met blue.

"Minato!"

"Kushina, are you alright?"

"What are you-" She cut off suddenly.

Minato watched with mild fascination as her face flushed tomato red. Is she sick? Minato quickly placed a hand against her forehead. She feels warm. Does she have a fever?

He opened his mouth to ask but was stopped by a strong punch to his gut.

"GET OFF!"

Of course! The enemy is still here! Ignoring the pain in his gut, he quickly jumped up and spun to defend against any enemies. He narrowed his eyes when he was met with an empty room. Where are they?

Distantly, he heard Kushina get up and move to stand behind him. She is safe. The thought caused an unknown weight to drop from his shoulders. She is safe! He gripped his kunai tighter as he scanned the room again for the enemy ninja, searching out their hiding places. I will always protect her, al-

A fist flying towards his head interrupted his thoughts. Above! He quickly spun and caught the wrist but was momentarily confused. The arm was Kushina's.

"Kushina?" He asked wearily. Why is she attacking me? It is not a henge so why-

His thoughts suddenly derailed only to crash as he finally took in Kushina's form. Her dark violet eyes glared harshly at him and her face was flushed an even deeper red than before. Growling lowly, she took a step forward, causing her wild red hair to sway in dripping wet strands around her naked body.

She's…

"GET OUT!"

Dazed, he watched the world spin as she flipped him over her shoulder and into the hallway. A loud slamming door sounded behind him as he skidded to a halt on the cold floor.

Beautiful…

"Next time you decide you need to save me from Kami-knows-what," Kushina yelled angrily, stomping, fully clothed, into the front room, "don't!"

Minato gave her a guilty look as he stood up from his seat on the couch. "When you did not answer the door, I came in to save you."

She gave him a skeptical look. "Uh-huh..."

"And when you screamed I assumed the worst."

Kushina crossed her arms and glared at him. "You honestly believe that if an enemy ninja was able to sneak up on me, the first thing I would do is scream?"

Minato gave a guilty chuckle as he stepped closer to her. "Well I wanted to protect you from whatever made you scream."

A dark blush crept across Kushina's cheeks. She glared off at a random corner and mumbled, "I just got out of the shower and I tripped on my towel."

"But you're a ninja," Minato pointed out. "Shouldn't you be more aware of your surroundings?"

"You slammed open my door and scared the hell out of me. I reacted accordingly," she said quietly as she took a threatening step towards him. "I'd say I was pretty aware of my surroundings."

"But you slipped on your towel."

Kushina gave him another scathing glare. "Don't make me kill you."

Somehow, the glare was not as effective as it usually was. Maybe it is the drowned-cat look she has because of her hair? Or maybe it is the blush? Kami, even in sweatpants and a t-shirt she's beautiful… Minato felt his face heat up as he remembered…

"Hentai!" Kushina yelled as she landed a punch on Minato's chest.

Minato gave a small grunt as he stumbled backwards. An idea started to form in his head. Looking at Kushina, he gave her an impish grin. Then, moving swiftly, he dashed forward. Kushina gave a startled yelp as she was swept up into his arms bridal-style.

"You're beautiful," he said, moving his face close to hers.

Kushina's face suddenly went blank and turned a rosy red.

"S-stop it! And let me down!" She yelled, struggling in his grip.

"Nope," he laughed as he tightened his grip, "I think I want to keep you right here."

The moisture from her damp hair was soaking through his cloths but he could care less. He loved having her so close. Kushina gave a huff of annoyance and settled with crossing her arms and facing away from him. As silence echoed loudly against the walls, Minato took the time to discretely smell her hair. Lovely...

"So…" she trailed off, looking at the stack of scrolls in the corner.

"So…?" Minato prompted, still smiling.

Kushina faced him and, ignoring the small distance between them, poked a finger against his nose. "Other than to spy on me naked, why else are you here?"

Minato was momentarily stunned as her soft breath floated across his face. The heat that rushed to his face was inevitable. A gentle hit against his cheek brought him back to the present.

"Oi hentai! Quite dreaming and answer me!"

Minato smiled softly as his stomach began to flip. "You want to go on a walk?"

Kushina arched one eyebrow up. "That doesn't answer my question and it's 23:14," she stated.

"I'll answer your question if you come with me," he replied genially. "Think of it as a midnight stroll."

She narrowed her eyes and gave him an accusing gaze. "What are you up to?"

"Come with me and find out," he countered with a smirk.

~23:58

"You know it isn't much of a midnight stroll if you carry me the entire way."

Minato merely smiled. He was fighting hard against the flips and twists of his stomach. What if she says no? Is she ready? He gazed down at her.

Kushina had her arms wrapped around his neck and was gazing at the stars. Does she even want to marry me? With each step he took, her long hair swung back and forth, creating a damp spot as it hit against his leg. The moonlight played softly against the arches and curves of her face, giving her an ethereal glow. Her violet eyes seemed to glow in the night and a look of awe was painted across her face as she stared at the stars. So beautiful.

Minato stopped. They were at the top of the Hokage Monument, just a few feet from the edge of the Sandaime's head. If she says no, then I will wait for her, even if it takes years. I want to stand by her for the rest of my life. Kushina turned her head to stare across Konoha. I love her.

"I love you Kushina," he said softly.

She slowly turned her attention to him. Her wide eyes stared back into his. Ignoring the mild nausea in his stomach, he gently set her down. Now… Ask her now… Slowly, Minato reached into his pocket and pulled out the velvet box.

"I love you," he repeated.

"Minato…" She breathed.

Suddenly, she gave a startled gasp as she jerked forward, gripping her stomach.

"Kushina!" Minato quickly grabbed her shoulders when her knees buckled beneath her. The velvet box fell to the ground, forgotten. What happened? She's gripping her stomach. Was she injured?

Kushina gave a short painful yell as Minato lowered her to the ground.

Her breaths were coming in and out in short gasps. Minato gently moved her hands away from her stomach and lifted her shirt. Pulsing blood red against her pale skin was the seal that contained the Kyuubi. Is the seal breaking? Minato leaned down, quickly examining each symbol of her seal closely.

No, the seal is intact and the Kyuubi is still contained. But what's happening? He rested a hand gently against the seal but immediately pulled it back when Kushina gave a painful yell and red chakra lashed out at him.

What is that demon doing to her? Minato thought desperately. He quickly looked to her face and felt panic well up inside him when he noticed her eyes were closed.

"Kushina! Look at me. Don't close your eyes!"

Groaning softly, Kushina slowly opened her eyes.

"Talk to me," he ordered. "Tell me what's happening!" I'll protect you!

"Minato," Kushina groaned softly. "The Kyuubi… Inari-sama…"

"Kushina, keep talking," he ordered, trying hard to keep the panic out of his voice. He gripped her hand and leaned in close to her face. Her eyes were half-lidded and filled with pain.

"Keep your eyes open, Kushina! Stay here!" I'll always protect you!

Flaming red chakra burst from the seal and swallowed them whole as her eyes fell shut.

R & R

~PromistDream