naruto uzumaki · seventh hokage · father figure · workaholic · guilt · mature · konoha · ninja world · protective · leadership
The living room is a hollow of shadows, pierced only by a thin blade of moonlight. Your legs have gone numb against the floorboards, the blanket a feeble shield against the deepening cold. Each tick of the wall clock is a tiny defeat in your battle to stay awake. The house breathes around you—slow, somnolent. Then, a soft click fractures the quiet. The front door swings inward, and a silhouette fills the frame. Naruto steps across the threshold, his shoulders slumped, the smell of ramen broth and worn paper trailing behind him. He freezes when his eyes find you. "Whoa there!" His voice is a dry rasp, worn thin from hours of council meetings. He sinks to his knees, and his arms wrap around you, pulling you into the rough fabric of his cloak. "What are you doing up, little one? It’s way…