"I don't know how this is going to go...." the blond boy muttered.
"True," Toltiir agreed... and then grinned. "However, it has the potential to be amusing."
A bit leery of what this cat would consider 'amusing', Naruto's brow furrowed. "I'm not sure about that."
"Well, let's see then."
The self declared 'future Hokage' turned slowly, and warily, towards the projected image.
The strange man with the same sort of eyes that Hinata had folded his hands in front of his belly and walked into the garden with a frown on his face. "I am not sure that I understand what you are suggesting."
"It's not that complicated, Hiashi," the man with the spiky blond hair retorted. "We just promise to have our children marry when they come of age."
"Which is what I do not understand. This is not like you."
"You think so? Maybe, but the truth is that Kushina and I don't come from large families. In fact, we don't have much in the way of family at all. I'd like for my child to have a large family to lean on if something... happens."
"You are Hokage. So, you must understand the sort of power shift this could bring, Minato," Hiashi commented.
"Perhaps. But it's not like either side would really use it. And who knows. Perhaps my wife will have a girl and my daughter would be marrying into your family."
"That may be possible. But either way... it does not seem to be a terrible proposition."
"Great. Now I just have to figure out when to tell Kushina," Minato sighed. "Maybe after the baby's born. Don't want to give her too much to think about."
"Oooh!" the pink haired woman gushed as she took in the set of baby clothes in front of her. "That is so cute, Kushina!"
Kushina blushed and picked up a pair of pajamas. "Isn't it though? I'm just happy that I could get something like this. Every time that I talk to someone who's had children already, they tell me about something else that I'm going to need."
"Don't I know it! Though sometimes I just forget when I think about how nice it'll be to have my body back to myself again!"
"It is nice to have an attentive husband though. Right, Mrs. Haruno?"
Smiling at the reminder of her own married state, the other woman nodded. "Yes, even if he doesn't know what he's doing sometimes."
"True."
"It's fortunate though. If I have a daughter, having her marry someone like him wouldn't be all that bad."
"Well, I wouldn't mind having my son married to your daughter. Or my daughter to your son. Sharing this with you has made this much easier."
"Then why don't we do exactly that?" Mrs. Haruno suggest. "Let's make a promise to have them marry when they come of age."
"I'm not sure...."
"You don't want to?"
"Well... why not? If it will give my child a family, then what's the harm?" Kushina allowed.
"Wonderful. I will tell you, that does give me something to look forward to. Though, I don't know if I'll be picking out dresses or a formal suit when the time comes."
Giggling slightly, Kushina nodded at her companion's words. Just how she had gotten to be so lucky to have made such a friend, she didn't know. If that black cat had not gotten her way, she might not have even met her. But now, she knew that she could at least arrange some happiness for her child's future.
Tapping his pipe out into the ashtray on his desk, the Third Hokage slouched in his chair. It wasn't something that he normally let people see, but then this wasn't a normal moment. His office was quiet, shadowed... and hadn't been his office for a while.
Had he had his way, it would have still been Minato's, but then again, plans were what you made before life got in the way.
"We... must make arrangements," he finally said, glancing at the man sitting across from him.
"I understand," the blond man allowed. "We might not have had the intelligence that someone who try to release the fox, but we can be on the look out for it...."
"Not that. At least, not directly. This is about the child."
"Him? But I thought that the boy already has his caretakers."
"Yes, yes, but that isn't all that he'll need," the Hokage murmured and glanced out the window at the town below. "As much as this village is my responsibility, that little boy is too. He never asked for any of this. And he is all alone in the world."
"Of course. You're right."
"That is where you come in, Yamanaka."
"Me? Why?" the blond man asked.
"You have a daughter, don't you?"
"Yes...."
The old man sighed. "I understand this is a lot to ask, but I think that it may be for the best. That boy will need a family. You have one. I was thinking of perhaps... joining them. Having your daughter marry Namikaze's son."
"An arranged marriage. Other than a possibility of Ino joining Choza or Shikaku's sons...."
"Are you against this?"
"No... Just surprised. I'll have to talk to my wife, but you personally picked my family for this."
"Good. I'm glad. And I know that you will raise a wonderful daughter. Though, it is my hope that she will be the one to be able to reach young Naruto no matter what."
The Yamanaka clan head started to ask a question... and then shut his mouth as he began to understand what the Hokage was getting at.
The road seemed to go on for ages, but Jiraya didn't seem to mind. Sooner or later, he'd come across something to do, and he'd have fun with it. Then again, it wasn't like he didn't have a reason to be out there, as he did have his work, and that didn't just include gathering information and making contacts. Perhaps he'd find a nice onsen where some lovely ladies would be willing to help him do research for his writings.
Though he did have to admit that there were going to be those who wouldn't catch his attention. Why, if there was some old crone there, he wouldn't want to give her a first look, never mind anything more. On the other hand, some might be way too young for him, which would be something of a problem if they got in his way.
But as he thought about it, he began to realize that didn't hold the same for Minato's child. That kid would eventually need to have his own children, and that meant having a wife of his own. Well, Jiraya was his godfather... and to be honest, he was a little bit embarrassed about him being the inspiration for the kid's name. So, he figured that he might as well help his godchild get ahead in life.
Figuring that it might not be so bad an idea to get Naruto a fiancee from another village, he began whistling as he walked, wondering where he would find a good girl for the role.
There wasn't a laugh, a chuckle, or even a snicker from the cat. Not even a comment had passed by the feline's lips. All that had happened had been that the strange cat had watched what was going on.
Toltiir had kept a smirk on the whole time, but he'd just been watching the show.
Something about that annoyed Naruto, while:
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(Posted Thu, 02 Jun 2011 04:45)
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