voice + action || backdated to father's day

[fervidity]

[At first, not much registers on the journal other than a long bout of nothing but the clatter of someone working on something, It's only after it stops does Kushina’s voice finally pipe up.]

--Here, what about this?

[She sounds a bit nervous and when nothing is said for too long (it’s really like ten seconds) she prompts with an impatient;]

Well? How is it?

Hmmm.... [Naruto’s voice can now be heard, humming to himself as he contemplates something.]

Yup! It’s good!

... Really?

Yeah, of course it is! There’s no way he’s not gonna like it, and even if he doesn’t for whatever reason it’d be his loss, ‘cause we’d get to keep it for ourselves y’know?

[Kushina’s laugh is softer than usual, warmer. There’s a ruffle as she pats down blond hair teasingly.]

Well then, I”ll make extra.

Yosh! [There’s a soft thump and suddenly his voice sounds louder- because now he’s leaning over the journal.] So what d’ya want me to do now?

Do you think you can preoccupy your dad and make sure he doesn’t come in here?

[There’s challenge and humor and something ELSE in her voice as she asks this, it’s always there when she’s talking to or about Naruto, in any case.]

Unless you want to stay and keep helping me... [The sentence trails off and it's obvious she's distracted with something now.]

It’ll spoil the surprise if he comes in now right? Maybe I can get him to go train with me or something.

[There’s a shuffling sound as Naruto chuckles to himself, shortly followed by the opening of a door as he calls back..]

See you later, Mom!

Wh- Hey! Just don’t forget about tonight, ya know?!

[It’s completely silent now with only one person in the house; no laughter or excited chattering over what they were doing to do today or predicting how surprised Minato was going to be later. So she turns to the journal to maybe find someone to talk to and notices it’s recording.

There’s more silence, awkward, until finally a she blurts in a fluster.]

Ah, er! Whatever you heard... you didn’t hear it, okay?

[OFF IT GOES.]

--

[1. Earlier, Kushina is seen rushing around a store, having too much in her arms and dropping a whole lot of it sometimes in her haste. She grumbles to herself and tries picking it back up, but ends up spilling more and making a whole lot of noise. This happens quite a few times throughout the store and as she's shopping--

Until she decides to use her new blue apron as a basket because who uses shopping carts?

2. Even earlier than that, she's a flash of bright red hair running through Luceti at top speed. And since she's had plenty of practice, the wings give her a higher velocity as they beat against her back.]

Comments

[derpivity]

[Aw shucks, Naruto. You're going to make your Dad blush for a grown man lmao. Though, instead, his lips curve up into a wide grin as he gives his son more hair ruffles because aaaa that compliment!]

I hope you don't make a habit of bragging about it too much.

[Believe it, son. He's the coolest Dad ever!]

[believeit]

I don't. Even if it is pretty cool. [Maybe when he's acting a brat perhaps, but generally he doesn't brag about it. After all, all his friends here with parents and families are suddenly without them, it would be a little weird.]

[He totally brings it up from time to time though when it's needed, because who wouldn't?]

So yeah! Food! [Being Father's Day he'll even let Minato choose what they eat HOW ABOUT THAT.]

[derpivity]

[Minato's mostly kidding when he said that, though, since he doesn't expect Naruto to be rude and come out bragging about it when he can. But bringing it up is definitely okay!

At the mention of food, however, Minato gives an understanding smile.]

I'm sure you'd prefer ramen. [And he's totally okay with it!]

[believeit]

I would! But I said you should choose, and a man's gotta stick to his word!

[Please choose ramen dear sweet Dad.]

[derpivity]

[He can sense (without even trying to sense) that his son would want some ramen, so without any hesitation, Minato smiles.]

Alright, then let's have ramen.

[Another affectionate ruffle of Naruto's hair (because he does the same agreeing when it comes to Kushina) before he lets his hand fall to his side again.]

I think there's some in one of these shops.

[believeit]

[Yatta! That sure was a little jump for joy because ramen-chan~ ♥]

Yeah, there is! Well, I know one's got packets of ramen at least, 'cause I took a whole bunch the day after we got here. I haven't looked in most the others though.

[derpivity]

[Minato nods.]

Then, we should go get some from there. [He would have said 'buy' but he immediately remembers everything's for free here.] Do they have some sort of eating area there, though?

[believeit]

[Naruto's player has no idea, so..... yes. Yes it does.]

Yeah! I think so. Wanna go there, then? We're pretty close already.

[derpivity]

[It's okay, this mun doesn't have any idea either.

Looking around, Minato can tell that they are close. As he turns back to Naruto, he nods.]

Mm, sure. Lead the way, Naruto. [A brief pause.] Have you been eating there often?

[believeit]

[Leading the way he does- speeding up just enough that he is a couple steps ahead of his dad.

He turns back to answer with that innocent 'ive been good plz dont ground me' face that kids get when they've done something wrong.]

No, I mean I've only been there a couple times, and I only ate in there once I think.

[Twice. Four times. Okay lies, seven. Sometimes the wait for dinner is a little too long okay and he doesnt wanna eat veggies quite so often!! la la la MOVING ON]

I ran into Neji the first time I went there, he's Hinata's cousin do you know him? You've met most of my classmates, right?

[derpivity]

[He wouldn't blame Naruto if he wanted to eat before dinner. He always seemed very eager come dinnertime anyway, so it's fine. As long as he doesn't spoil dinner and he enjoys his mother's cooking, all is well for Minato.

He nods at his son's admittance, then, and chooses to answer his slew of questions.]

Yes, I have. I think I met Neji in the weapon's shop. He seems like a good fellow. [All of his classmates are. With a pause, Minato nods again.] Going back on it, yeah, I think I've met everyone from your graduating class. Why, what about Neji?

[believeit]

[He is a growing boy after all! Always eating.]

[Once he's asked about Neji though, he doesn't... really know why he mentioned the guy. Probably still feeling guilty about his death, actually.]


Nothing. I mean-- not really. I guess I was just wonderin'.

[derpivity]

[Minato understands this!! Eat more of your mom's cooking and you'll grow into a healthy boy!

The reaction Minato receives from Naruto confuses him a little that he asks in a slightly worried tone.]

... Is there something wrong, Naruto?

[It's not really hard to read your expressions, son.]

[believeit]

No.

[Though the way his shoulders droop says that is a lie. He may as well say it.]

I guess I dunno what to say to the guy. He's the only one of my friends that, y'know. Died, before coming here.

[derpivity]

[Okay, that genuinely shocks Minato. The young man doesn't look like he's way older than Naruto so for him to die that young...]

He... what? [Even if he doesn't know Neji personally, something within Minato clenches.] How did he...?

[believeit]

[Oh no. No no no no Dad did you have to ask why ;;]

...He was protecting me. Well. Protecting Hinata who was protecting me. [Wow look at him speeding up a little RAMEN IS THIS WAY. He still blames himself for it.]

[derpivity]

I see.

[Minato pauses, his face falling at the information he was given. He remembers Obito and Rin, the former died to protect his teammate while the latter died to protect her village. It takes a while before he speaks up again, finding this information hard to accept.]

I'd have to thank him, then, the next time I see him. [If nothing else, though Minato assumes it'd just confuse Neji.]

[believeit]

You could, but he might think it's weird. Cause- [The whole situation is weird. Sometimes Neji is weird. Naruto doesn't know how to act around it because it's weird. Weird is the word of the day.

Not finishing whatever sentence he was about to say, he instead shakes his head of those thoughts, pointing down the street in front of him.]

Yosh! I can see the place already.

[derpivity]

[Minato would have pressed on for answers, but he's not about to when he can tell that the whole subject makes his son a little uncomfortable. That, and he knows it's improper.

So, he just chooses to acknowledge the fact they're near the place.]

Mm, looks like we're near. [Then, he wonders something.] Do you like salt ramen like your mother, too?

[believeit]

I love all ramen! My favourite's the miso ramen, with lots and lots of pork though, y'know?

[Making his way over, he opens to door and actually holds it opne, look what a good son he is!]

What about you Dad, what's your favourite?

[derpivity]

[You didn't have to do this, Naruto, but your Dad appreciates it. So he walks past him but waits for his son to enter as well.]

Salt ramen. Your mom and I used to eat it a lot. [Back in the day during their ~courtship~ stage.]

[believeit]

That's 'cause ramen's the best thing to eat. Hey, hey, did you guys ever go to Ichiraku's?

[Ichirakus is THE BEST. Anyway he's following inside, going to find dat ramen.]

[derpivity]

[He follows Naruto as he begins his search, also subtly searching for dem ramen.]

Yes, we did. You know how much your mom loves salt ramen so we eat there often enough.

[believeit]

Ahh, Ichiraku's was the best! I used to go eat there all the time.

[Oh, look!! Ramen. He's walking over to it.]

[derpivity]

[He chuckles, walking to that ramen he spotted.]

I won't put it past you to be their regular customer.