route_1065 | ❂ .//. We're gonna party like it's 1999!

[~~Get in losers we're going shopping. For party supplies.~~ No party is complete without decorations and food, and there is going to be plenty of that to go around, for sure! Of course that might mean going out to get supplies, or making our own...]

So what else have we gotta get? Mom?? [He's never thrown a party before and doesn't know what else they actually have to do to prepare but he doesn't mind either, he needs something to occupy him and fill up the time.]

What are you doing now? Can I help you with it?!

[Kushina is taking a second to survey their haul. There's paper in different colors that they can make into paper chains, and there will be plenty of cheer at this party, but there's definitely something MISSING. When Naruto speaks up it breaks her train of thought, and she looks over.] Naruto, perfect timing! I'm just trying to make sure we've got everything. I feel like something's missing, ya know?

[She reaches up to scratch at her head while mulling it over.]

Uh.. let's see..

[He looks around the room too, thinking. They have the decorations, they don't need to get the food yet, they got the hat-]

Oh! We need party hats! It can't be a proper party if we don't have hats, right?!

[As soon as he says it she realizes that's exactly it, bringing a fist down to the palm of her hand with finality.] Party hats, of course! We should go check it out and see if they've got some at the general store. We can always make our own if they don't, right?

[The Uzumaki's energy is palpable and almost contagious amongst their little group. No one should be surprised to see that Shino appears the same as ever, but that doesn't mean he's been excused from helping out with the preparations!

He'll enter the room whilst Kushina is mid-sentence, silently placing his shopping bags on the table and pulling out a packet of something colourful and appropriately festive.]

... Will these not suffice?

[Someone added party poppers onto the shopping list. No Shino, they're no substitution for HATS.]

[Peering at the list.]

Can you wear 'em on your head?

[NO YOU CANNOT SHINO. NO.]

No... you use this for this. [He's gotten one, aiming it in the appropriate direction and- BAM! exploding streamers and confetti in Naruto's face.

NO SHINO, HE DIDN'T NEED YOU TO TEST THEM OUT.]

[Flailing backwards and almost falling on his ass at that.

3..2..1..]

OI, SHINO!!

[Lowers the party popper, satisfied that they seem to work properly.

...

Yes, Naruto?]

Don't do that creepy staring thing, you know what I'm gonna say!

[Aww. Fine, he'll only do the "creepy staring thing" for a couple of seconds more.]

They are not party hats, but I thought they would be festive enough. Or would you like us to return back to the store?

[The "us" is an invitation for Kushina as well, regarding her whilst speaking and... ignoring Naruto. If he has to go back to buy freaking party hats, Naruto coming with him isn't really a question. He's joining Shino shopping, period.]

But they're nothing like party hats, why would you even think they'd be enough? Of course you're going back.

[YOU haha]

Edited 2013-05-19 04:06 (UTC)

[Kushina firstly receives an imploring look from behind his shades. ~~DO SOMETHING ABOUT YOUR SON.~~ In Shino-ese, he's wondering if she'll accompany them.]

We. I am openly inviting you to join me.

[So it's an automatic yes. That's how it works, right.]

You're the one that screwed up, why do I have to go?

[NO that is not how it works geez!!]

[He did not screw up tyvm. You never put party hats on the list!]

Because... [You get a nice pause here-] You are the one that insists we need them.

[Shut up thats not the point!!]

Actually my Mom said it first, you gonna drag her out with you too?

If Kushina-san would like to.

[WHAT'S WITH THESE DIFFERENT STANDARDS]

I don't want to.

As a shinobi, there are many things we do not want to do, but must.

That is what it means to "endure".

[In SHINO, that is essentially: "Build a bridge and get over it".]

[Yeah sorry, first of all. The party popper in Naruto's face earns this ~~creepy man laugh~~.]

[second of all omg. You two are ridiculous. But it's funny ridiculous and she's in a really freaking good mood so no violence will ensue.]

Come on you guys, there's no need to argue! Shino, these are great, and Naruto, the more festive the better. Right? Where's that Uzumaki spirit?

[Which is emphasized with a hearty slap on the back that would knock most people forward.]

Besides, maybe we'll find something else we forgot, right?

Yeah well I have to endure it- [ALL THE DAMN TIME WITH YOU. But he doesn't get to finish that because suddenly, Mom is slapping him on the back and he's grumbling.]

[Mother's day may have yet to arrive but- thank your mom, Naruto. It's fortunate she's stopped you from continuing that sentence. ~~New favourite Uzumaki.~~

He seems pretty content with her answer, too.]

The shops will be closing soon.

[Random offhand comment pff. He's ready to go!]

[Urgh he cannot be bothered to deal with these Shino-isms anymore.]

Fine!

[Getting up out of his chair now and heading towards the door, BETTER FOLLOW.]

[Someone is going to have to explain Shino-isms to her sometime you know. And you're welcome Shino ~~aw yeah~~]

Naruto! [But he's already marching off. Kushina mumbles something about his mood under her breath, but looks at Shino before going to follow.]

Do you two always get along this well?

[Tact.

What is that? Can I eat it?]

[Although Shino doesn't try to annoy others... Hinata is the true tactful one of his team.

If he were the type to shrug so casually, he might've right now. Instead he just closes the door behind them.]

We get along as well as two friends might.

[There were party hats. Of course there are party hats! There was even one already put aside specifically for Minato.

Truthfully that was just the tip of the iceberg. Those of them waiting in Cianwood had really gone all out in preparing, what with having three days to plan and all. They'd needed to get a little creative with the limited supplies but it was definitely a welcoming atmosphere. They'd talked the inn keepers into letting them use one of the bigger rooms and part of the porch for the celebration, so now paper lanterns would keep the area well lit after dark and colorful during the lighter hours of the day. There were colorful paper chains ~~Painstakingly crafted by that guy in a hood with glasses IDK what's his name again?~~ and a table full of food.

They are SO READY FOR THIS.

Kushina is standing to the side eagerly waiting next to whoever else who wants to stand and watch the sky with her.]

[And incoming they were... which was good since it was pretty early morning still, and god why are you people even awake?! Still, Obito landed, having switched back to Kiyo for the home stretch, and blinked at the people waiting. He'd loaned Sensei Tobi, who now had wings so... that worked better to speed time.]

Why are you guys waiting now? You haven't been out here all night have you? He's just behind me.

[Landing had turned out to be just as... interesting as flying itself.

He really wasn't very good at any of it, yet.

But Obito's Pokemon were, at least, and Minato had managed to make their trip in one piece. He was exhausted, nervous, excited- a whirlpool of emotions, if you'll forgive the reference.

His family. Ah...]

It's nice to be welcomed, hm?

[Nice didn't really cut it- already his vision was clouded with tears and his pace quickened, one hand reaching out to give Obito's hair a brief ruffle as he passed.

Sorry kid, there was a beautiful woman he needed to go take into his arms.]

[Fine with him, he totally was getting everyone into a ball who would go into one so he could get ready to go~! He had places to be Sensei!]

[Just when she thought that her chest couldn't get any tighter or her stomach any more uneasy, there they were, with Obito announcing Minato's arrival. Of course with her eyes glued to the sky it would have been impossible to miss anyway. And if they were up all night WOULD YOU EVEN REALLY BE SURPRISED Obito, would you really?

Of course it's kind of hard to focus on anything beyond Minato is right there and we're about three seconds away from a proper family reunion with all three of them. It didn't seem to matter that her own eyes were misting up, her legs carried her forward without any trouble. She was already moving forward ready to meet Minato halfway, reaching up to throw her arms around his shoulders, beaming. Nice didn't even begin to cover how good it felt to welcome them either. Not even close.]

Welcome home!

[Though in this case home was less literal and more figurative... details.]

[The space between them once he'd caught a glimpse of her seemed much, much more vast than what the map had shown days ago. He couldn't get to her fast enough, breaking out into a sprint, backpack shifting and hitting against him with each hurried step. Kushina-]

...I'm home.

[Details. Home was where the heart was and right then- his heart was exactly where it needed, and wanted, to be.

Even without the extra boost chakra afforded Minato had little issue picking her up once arms were slung securely around him, enough to lift her feet off the ground as he spun, laughter cut short by an occasional choked sob. His chest ached and he was pretty sure he'd have to sleep for a week to make up for the stress of the past few days but right then, right then he couldn't be happier.]

I'm home, Kushina.

[Repeated as he finally came to a pause, set her back down. She was here and she was okay and she was smiling at him again and-

Both hands moved to cup her face, brushing stray wild strands back, his eyes searching hers, Minato trying to commit the moment to memory. And then he leaned in, tilting his head to press smile quirked lips against her own.

I'm home.]

[That actually made him pause, leaning on the dragon he rode in as he just took in his sensei and Kushina for a moment. They looked so happy...

Oh kami, did they both remember dying? Is that... He hadn't asked! What kind of student didn't ask these things?!

WHAT KIND OF STUDENT FORGOT?! So yep, he was covering his face with both hands now, yep.]

[Hearing all the commotion, the thumping on wood can be heard as Naruto is rushing back into the room. Coming to a half right beside Obito he just stares for a moment. Both of his parents are here and it feels like a dream, the best kind of dream.

He'll just.. give them a moment to stop kissing before he comes over :|]

Mom! Dad!!

[She's laughing right along with him, holding on tight but trusting as he spins them in a circle before setting her back down again. ~~SORRY KIDS AUDIENCE IS TEMPORARILY FORGOTTEN AT THE MOMENT~~ She's smiling just as much when his lips find hers, and she gives everything right back with a murmured "I love you".

Finally, this feeling that things are beginning to settle into place, like that final piece finding its home.

Getting a second chance to be a family like this is more than she could have hoped for. Knowing that this place had made it possible made it increasingly difficult to feel anything worse than wariness for its existence. That was especially true right now, with Minato's arms around her, solid and warm and real, strong, tight, comforting. The only thing truly missing was--

Mom! Dad!!

And wow, hearing him calling for the both of them like that-- had a pretty powerful impact. It prompted Kushina to break the kiss, flashing Minato another bright, excited smile, and turned, taking his hand firmly in hers to lead him towards their son-- as if he needed the prompting. She knows he doesn't but she does it anyway. Come on, come on! is what her body language seems to say, eager to have them both in on a family embrace.]

Edited (NOT ENOUGH FEELS. I DEMAND MORE.) 2013-05-05 08:11 (UTC)

[Minato at least looked a little sheepish when Naruto called out and Kushina broke the kiss, remembering that the kids were watching them and, well. Ahem.

Their love had never been much of a secret, nor did he want it to be, but maybe he'd try to be a little more polite in front of their son. Maybe.

Fingers interlaced with Kushina's, Minato easily falling into step as she urged him forward- a good thing, in a way, as his free arm was raised in an attempt to clear his vision, wipe the tears away. Mom. Dad. He'd dreamt for so long about being a father, they'd planned for the future and waited not so patiently for their little boy...]

Naruto.

[A little more composed now (not really) his arm lowered, hand open in invitation for Naruto to join them.

There was plenty of time to catch up, to be briefed, to explain the things they hadn't had time to before. But right then- Minato really just wanted to enjoy his family, and to hug his son.]

[Obito finally composed himself and gave them all a smile, shaking his head.]

I'm glad some things don't change. See you later Sensei, Kushina-nee~! Have a fun party~!

[Now then, a flier that wasn't tired was in order, and he gave them all a wave as he moved off a bit to set about readying himself for the next leg of his flight.]

[It barely registers that anyone is talking to him at first- he's staring in a daze, almost unable to believe this is happening even though the two of them are right in front of him. They weren't at home, they didn't belong here, but... this was a place that was making his wishes come true.

Snapping out of it finally and grinning at his two parents, it barely takes him two seconds to close the gap between them, practically falling into the two as an arm wraps around each of them, holding on tight.]

[Well, if they had to be "stuck" anywhere for an indefinite period of time at least they could be stuck together, right? Kushina thinks so, if the way that her arms tighten around both blonds is any indication.

It's not even that she doesn't hear Obito- she does, but it's muted under the weight of everything else, like the warmth of both of her boys and the emotion in Minato's voice as he says their son's name, and especially the grin on Naruto's face so much like her own as he completes their family circle.

FINALLY, this is how it should have been.

Her arms are full and they have an audience and this is right out in the open for anyone happening by to see, and she just can't bring herself to care about any of the rest of that. Not yet. They need at least a few moments to really soak this in. It's long overdue.]

[He wasn't overly worried about Obito trying to run off right away- Minato was pretty sure none of his Pokemon would be willing to take off so soon, and that they would corral his over eager student inside to get some food and some rest instead. Well... he hoped, anyway.]

Ah... look at you.

[He laughed as their arms closed in around him, the stress and worry of the past few days beginning to dissipate and give way to simple happiness. Yes he'd have to learn more about this world, learn the dangers and what exactly was happening to them and how to get the others back home and--

You're not even gonna believe how big he is! Ero-sennin made me sign this contract... I've got a whole bunch of them now, you wanna see?! This one's Gama-chan!

And he'd definitely have to try and learn everything about his son's life. Sixteen already. Naruto was practically a man now, quickly closing in on him in height when he'd been just a newborn in his arms only days ago.

Arms that were currently tightening around his family in return, confirming just how very real this all was. That they were safe, together. Finally.]

[When things finally start to calm down again there's room for other things, like cleaning up, making plans, breaking up into smaller groups, to socialize, or hitting the hay. Feel free to just do whatever!]

❂ .//. We're gonna party like it's 1999!

❂ .//. Party planning! » April 29th-30th

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I figure the something missing could be the party hats. IDK LOL

yess B)

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1/2 or IDEK I CLEARLY NEED TO BE TRACKING THIS THREAD. YOU TWO.

2/2 YEP JUST TWO

MOOOOM

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❂ .//. The guest of honor arrives! » May 1st

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NARUTO DON'T MAKE THAT FACE

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In this thread I am the latest.

teaches you hiraishin

❂ .//. The aftermath! » May 1st-2nd