MINAKO'S POINT OF VIEW

It was a few days after my tenth birthday and Minato kept acting really weird around me by following me around. He was being overly nice as if he was trying to get on my good side. I was very suspicious so I asked Obito what he thought when we made our round about town to help out the villagers.

"I dunno Mina! I mean isn't Minato Sensei always nice?" I sighed and flipped my long red hair behind my shoulder. My violet eyes settled on his onyx and I shrugged.

"I mean I guess so...but isn't he a little more...weird...ya know?" Obito smiled at me. 

"Mina, we're always weird...even if we don't admit it." Just then Minato popped out of nowhere and placed a hand on my shoulder.

"Ah! My darling little Minako! What a pleasant surprise! Hey Obito, would you mind if I borrowed Mina for a while?" Obito looked at him with raised eyebrows before nodding to me that I was right, Sensei was acting weird.

"Uhh...sure?" Minato quickly turned us before walking away with his arm still placed around my shoulder. He lead us silently while smiling at the villagers who waved to him. Eventually we ended up at a park where various sakura trees were in full bloom, the warm air making it quite peaceful. He sat us on a bench and let the sakura petals blow in the breeze around us.

"Mina there is something I want to tell you." Minato started as his arm was behind me, supporting me in a way a father would support his daughter. I nodded for him to continue and moved a stray hair of crimson from my face.

"I love your sister more than anything in the entire world. I dream of being with her until we grow old, for us to see the world together...and most importantly, starting a family. I have been in love with her since we were your age. Kushina means so much to me and every time I think of the future, she is standing by my side. Traditionally I would ask the father but I know he is no longer with us...which is why I'm asking you, Minako Uzumaki, for your blessing of having your sister's hand in marriage. Will you accept me as part of your family?" I looked at him wide eyes before tears flooded within my violet orbs and I hugged Minato tightly. He seemed taken aback, smiling at me and returning the hug.

"Minato, you've been my family, ya know?" I sniffled back. Minato grinned at me with his cerulean eyes sparkling. I've always been envious of that intense blue. They were always so dazzling and made me feel at ease and safe.

"Well, now I just have to ask your sister."

~~
 
SIX MONTHS LATER

"Mina, are these flowers too bright? Do I smell weird? Does this dress fit right? Are there a bunch of people here? Oh my kami I am so nervous ya know?!" Kushina gushed as I helped her finish putting on her wedding dress. It was a beautiful, sleeveless white lace gown and a silver symbol of konoha on a chain rested around the base of her neck. A colorful flower crown stood out from her red hair, and a matching one rested on mine. I was in a violet floorlength bridesmaid dress that was a similar style as my sister.

"Yes Sis. You look beautiful. Now stop being so nervous ya know? Just think of who's waiting for you at the end of the isle." Mikoto Uchiha looked at me with a raised eyebrow while impressed.

"You never cease to impress me Mina." I smiled at her, my sister's best friend. She has only three bridesmaids, Mikoto Uchiha, who recently had a baby, Rin, and me...well if I counted, I was her maid of honor. Minato had Obito, Kakashi,as his groomsmen and Master Jiraiya as his best man. Mikoto placed some last minute touch ups on Kushina's make up before having Rin and I look at her up and down. Both Rin and I looked at each other and nodded with heart eyes.

"Waahhh! Lady Kushina you look so beautiful!" Rin complemented. I grinned at her and gave her two thumbs up.

"Lookin good sis! I think it's time to head down the isle, ya know!" Kushina let out deep breaths as we all made our way towards the hidden curtain to begin walking. Kushina stayed hidden with me by her side. Hiruzen Sarutobi, or otherwise known as the third hokage, took over for walking my sister down the isle since our father was no longer alive to do so. He came in while dressed in his Hokage attire and grinned at my sister.

"Wow! The Uzumakis look beautiful tonight! Minato is one lucky man! Your parents would be proud." My sister and I nodded with smiles.

"Thank you Lord Hokage."  The music began playing and Rin was the first to walk down the isle. She was met alongside Kakashi, who looked...okay...really good in his suit...but whatever! Next was Obito and Mikoto, the two Uchihas. Obito looked so handsome! The goggles weren't in his face and he looked like such a handsome gentleman. Finally, it was my turn as I walked down the isle holding Master Jiraiya's hand. He was a world famous ninja and pervert but I always liked him! We beat up on each other a lot but that's what makes our friendship special. He taught me alot of things as well. I saw Minato at the end of the isle looking dashing but I locked eyes with Kakashi as Jiraiya and I were making our way down. His eyes widened as he saw me and a blush crept on his face...at least what I could see as a blush since his stupid mask was still on his face. I looked at him then casted my eyes at my feet, a blush of my own crawling on my cheeks. Jiraiya and I parted ways and I saw how Obito mouthed a few words to me.

'You look pretty Mina.' I smiled brightly.

'You look good too.' I responded. Kakashi's eyes never left me once.

The music started and everyone in the crowd stood up, including Mikoto's husband while holding the infant child, and my friends Gai, Tsume (who just turned twenty and is having a child of her own), and Asuma. I looked at Minato's expression as Kushina began walking down the isle while being escorted by the Hokage. It was truly a magical moment seeing the love and adoration bloom in his features. I wish with all my heart that one day, someone would love me enough to look at me that way. Minato's expression was first one of shock, then awe, then utter and complete happiness. He gracefully took my sister's hand from the Third's and one of the monks from a nearby temple read them their vows. It was a relatively short process but I did notice a silver haired boy's gaze on me the entire time. I didn't look though because I was too busy smiling at my beautiful sister and my soon-to-be brother in law.

"Kushina Uzumaki, do you take Minato Namikaze to be your lawfully wedded husband, to love and to hold, through sickness and in health, as long as your love shall last?" Kushina, while teary eyed nodded.

"I do."

"And do you, Minato Namikaze, take Kushina Uzumaki to be your lawfully wedded wife, to love and to hold, through sickness and in health, as long as your love shall last?" Minato grinned at my sister, his eyes holding as much love as a person could.

"I do."

"You may now kiss the bride." Cheers rung out as Minato and Kushina shared the most important kiss of their relationship. Everyone was clapping for the newly wedded couple as they made their way back towards the curtain dressing rooms to prepare for the reception.

The after party was a total blast with dancing and music playing out to the guests. Master Jiraiya was drunk of course while hitting on various women who all turned him down. All of the girls lined up behind Kushina as she threw the bouquet behind her, symbolizing the next in line to be married. Tsume got her finger on it but her reach just wasn't enough, instead, I ended up catching the boquet. Kushina cheered slightly while some stars popped up in her eyes.

"Oh wow! You're next Mina!? What, in ten years will I be here while you're holding a certain Hatake's hand...ya know!?" I blushed furiously and glanced at Obito who was chatting with some other Uchihas.

"N-no way! I don't even l-like him, ya know!!" I stammered. Kushina leaned down to meet my height and chuckled.

"Whatever you say Mina." She laughed. I walked away while holding the bouquet and stood alone by the dance floor. Everyone looked like they were having so much fun but I didn't have a partner. I sighed as I placed the bouquet on a chair and looked longlingly at the happy twirling couples, including the newlyweds.

"Would you like to dance?" A hand was held out in front of me and I looked up to be met with a silver haired boy I knew all too well. I huffed at him while a hint of a smile tugged at my lips.

"I guess, since I'm desperate." I spoke confidently, without my verbal tic. I never had it with Kakashi anymore. It just vanished around him. He was the only one I was like that around. Kakashi smirked at me while I grasped his hand in mine and we made our way to the dance floor. We began dancing when he wrapped two arms around my waist and I wrapped mine between his neck and shoulders.

"I think you wanted to dance with me anyway, your desperation was just begging me to ask you." Kakashi played. We twirled quickly before coming together again. I raised an eyebrow at him while smirking slightly.

"Oh yeah? You sound like the only thing you ever look at is me. You should find a new hobby Hatake." I shot back playfully. He twirled us around again before closing some of the space between us.

"Now why would I ever do that? I enjoy this hobby." He played back. I blushed slightly before looking at my feet and then back in his obsidian eyes.

"How could you enjoy it?" I thought out loud. After all, I still hated the way I looked. The way my hair was so bright and red, my face was round...everything I have always hated about myself.

"Because I find you...incredibly beautiful, my red headed rival." I looked up at Kakashi with pink staining both of our cheeks. Kakashi's shoulder was then tapped and he turned around to see Obito smiling. 

"Can I borrow her for a dance Kakashi?" Kakashi looked annoyed but he complied.

"I guess..." He walked away while looking back at me and I couldn't help but return the look. Obito and I danced for a good while and we chatted for a bit as well...although not even being held by the boy I had loved would erase that possessive feeling I had when Kakashi said those words.

~~

It was a few months after the wedding between my sister and Minato and we were all preparing for a big mission. The Third Shinobi War was in full swing and our team was to meet with the Hokage to prepare for a new mission. The team was comprised of three jonins (two being new), Minato, Kakashi, and I...as well as two chunins, Obito and Rin. We all stood outside of the mansion where Minato asked us to wait for a moment.

"Now before we go on this mission, I think we should present the gifts we got for the two new Jonins on our team, hm?" Kakashi and I looked at each other, slightly confused since we were the two new jonins, passing the test at the same time, yet again. Minato handed Kakashi and I some cool looking kunai, the same ones he uses. 

"I know you know the jutsu to use this, Mina, but maybe in the future you can help Kakashi with it." I grinned, feeling happy I knew something Kakashi didn't. Rin was next and gave Kakashi a pin for his sword holster and me, a hairclip for the bangs that always get in my face. Obito was next and gave me a little bracelet with the Uchiha symbol then looked at Kakashi unimpressed.

"I uh...I forgot your present at home Kakashi." We all sweatdropped as the boys glared at each other, only ending when Minato sighed. 

"Time to see what our assignment is, team." The five of us made our way up towards the mansion of the Hokage to see what our mission was today. Irukei sensei was at a desk to the Hokage's left, which made me smile and wave at him. He returned it before turning towards the Hokage to see what he had in store for us.

"Team Minato...considering three jonin and two chunin make up your squad, I shall be assigning you a much more difficult task than the average group. Your next mission...is at Kannabi Bridge."