The heavy wooden door creaked as Kushina flung it open, her heart leaping at the sight of her husband, Minato, standing there, his familiar silhouette framed against the golden glow of the setting sun.
His cerulean eyes sparkled with that warm, mischievous glint she'd fallen in love with years ago. Without a second thought, she launched herself at him, her arms wrapping tightly around his neck as she buried her face in his chest.
The scent of the forest and a faint trace of his favorite sandalwood soap enveloped her, grounding her in the moment. Minato, ever steady, caught her effortlessly, his strong arms encircling her waist as he lifted her slightly off the ground, spinning her gently in a long, heartfelt embrace.
"Welcome home, Minato," Kushina whispered, her voice thick with emotion, her words muffled against his shoulder. She clung to him as if letting go might make him vanish again, her heart swelling with the relief of his safe return.
Missions always carried a shadow of uncertainty, and every reunion felt like a small miracle.
"I'm home, Kushina," Minato replied softly, his voice a soothing balm to her anxious heart. He pressed a gentle kiss to the top of her head, his lips lingering in her fiery red hair before carefully setting her down.
Her feet touched the wooden floor, but her hands lingered on his arms, reluctant to break the connection.
Only then did Kushina's gaze shift to the figure standing just behind Minato.
Kurenai Yuhi, her former student, stood there with a shy smile, her ruby eyes gleaming with a mix of nostalgia and warmth. Her dark hair was slightly tousled from the journey, and her cheeks were flushed from the cool evening air. Kushina's face lit up with recognition, her grin wide and infectious.
"Kurenai! Oh, it's been too long!" Kushina exclaimed, her voice brimming with excitement. She remembered the days when she'd trained the young kunoichi, guiding her through chakra control exercises and sharing stories under the stars.
Kurenai had always been a quick learner, her determination matched only by her quiet strength. "How have you been, kid?"
"I'm great, Sensei," Kurenai began, her tone warm but tinged with a nervous laugh. Before she could finish, Kushina surged forward, enveloping her in a bear hug that nearly lifted her off the ground.
Kurenai gasped, her breath catching as Kushina's enthusiasm threatened to squeeze the air from her lungs.
For a fleeting moment, she thought she might actually pass out, her vision swimming as Kushina's arms tightened with affection. Sensei hasn't changed a bit, Kurenai thought, a fond smile tugging at her lips despite her struggle for air.
Just as Kurenai's face started to turn red, Kushina released her, stepping back with a playful grin. "Oops, got a bit carried away there!" she said, laughing as Kurenai took a deep, grateful breath, her hand pressed to her chest.
"Come inside, both of you!" Kushina declared, her voice bright and commanding. "I'm whipping up dinner, and you're not escaping my cooking!" Before Kurenai could protest or even agree, Kushina grabbed her hand, dragging her into the house with the same whirlwind energy that had always defined her.
Minato followed, chuckling softly, his eyes crinkling with amusement as he watched his wife's exuberance.
The dining room was warm and cozy, the air filled with the rich, comforting aroma of Kushina's cooking—miso soup simmering gently, grilled fish sizzling, and a steaming bowl of rice flecked with herbs.
The table was set with care, each plate arranged with a touch of love, a reflection of Kushina's desire to make every moment special.
The soft clink of chopsticks and the low hum of conversation filled the room as the three sat together, the flickering candlelight casting a golden glow over their faces.
Kushina's laughter rang out like a melody, her stories animated and full of life. She recounted a recent mishap in the village market where she'd accidentally knocked over a cart of apples, only to charm the vendor into giving her a discount.
Minato listened with a fond smile, his hand occasionally brushing against hers, a silent gesture of affection. Kurenai, seated across from them, felt a pang of nostalgia.
This was the Kushina she remembered—vibrant, fierce, and overflowing with warmth.
The house itself seemed to pulse with her energy, its walls steeped in the love and laughter she brought to every moment. It was no wonder Minato had chosen her; Kushina was a force of nature, a hearth that made any place feel like home.
Kurenai savored every bite of the meal, the flavors bursting with care and nostalgia. The miso soup was perfectly balanced, the fish tender and flaky, and the rice carried a hint of sesame that made her close her eyes in appreciation.
"Sensei, this is incredible," she said, her voice earnest. "I forgot how much I missed your cooking."
Kushina beamed, her cheeks flushing with pride. "Eat up, there's plenty more!" she said, already piling another serving onto Kurenai's plate before she could protest.
Minato shook his head with a playful smirk, clearly used to his wife's insistence on feeding everyone until they were stuffed.
As they ate, they traded stories—Minato spoke of the mission, his calm voice weaving tales of strategy and teamwork, carefully omitting the more dangerous details to keep Kushina from worrying.
Kurenai shared updates about her own training, her eyes lighting up as she described a new genjutsu technique she'd been perfecting.
Kushina listened intently, her chin resting on her hand, her heart swelling with pride for her former student.
The conversation flowed effortlessly, punctuated by laughter and the occasional teasing remark, each moment knitting them closer together.
After dinner, as the plates were cleared and the candles burned low, Kushina's eyes sparkled with a sudden idea. "Let's go to my room!" she announced, grabbing Kurenai's hand once more.
Kurenai barely had time to blink before she was being pulled down the hallway, her protests drowned out by Kushina's infectious enthusiasm.
Minato followed at a leisurely pace, his hands tucked into his pockets, a knowing smile on his face.
Kushina's room was a reflection of her personality—vibrant and eclectic, with colorful tapestries on the walls, a scattering of books and scrolls on a low table, and a small vase of wildflowers adding a touch of softness.
A woven rug covered the floor, its intricate patterns telling stories of distant lands. Kushina plopped onto a cushion, patting the space beside her for Kurenai to join.
"C'mon, sit!" she urged, her voice bubbling with excitement. "I want to hear everything—every detail you didn't tell me at dinner. And don't you dare hold back!"
Kurenai laughed, settling onto the cushion as she tucked a strand of hair behind her ear. "Sensei, you're relentless," she teased, but her eyes were warm with affection.
As they talked, Kushina leaned forward, hanging on every word, her laughter filling the room like music.
——————————————-
Join my p@treon Armaan887 for extra five chapters