Time to meet the parents! [During the summer holidays at Kushina's house. Open to anyone who'd be there, I guess :)]

"Ah. I.. I couldn't remember if you'd told me. That's.. that's good. And.. okay. Well. I.. he blames himself for a lot of things, doesn't he?"

She sighed, stopped the ATV again. "... Yeah. He does." she muttered. "He always have."

"It's not your fault.." Minato tried. He wasn't that interested in talking about Kakashi, but the guy was obviously important to Kushina, so...

"I know it isn't. I've been trying my very best to help him all these years. He did tell me it's helped, too. So... I guess that's alright."

"Mmmh. Very alright. He seems pretty happy these days, doesn't he?"

She nodded, a smile spreading on her lips. "Yeah. Him and Rin... It's really good for him. I'm happy for them."

"They seem really happy, yeah." Minato was pretty neutral about that whole thing, but hey, cool for them.

"They seem... Just about as in love as we are." she grinned.

"That's impossible," Minato denied flatly, then smiled. "Nobody could love more than I love you." Yeah, it was sappy, but.. whenever Kakashi was brought up, he always found himself needing to out-boyfriend anyone else.

She'd opened her mouth to reply - then promptly shut it and turned a shade of red not unlike a very ripe tomato.

Ooooooooohhhhhhh yeaaaaahhh. Jackpot. He reached over, took her hand, and lifted it softly to his lips. (That was romantic - wasn't it?)

Wide eyes, blush extending to the tip of her ears... And she looked about ready to faint, actually. She might be hard on the outside, but... Yeah.

He looked into her eyes and softly whispered "I love you" before kissing her hand again. (This seemed to be going okay. If only he didn't mess up something...)

Well. She had to reach out with her free hand for the steer again, just to have something to hold on to, swallowing and trying to stammer a response, but failing horribly.

"Uhm.. are.. you.. okay?" He got off his bike and stepped in close, looking at her with concern.

Her response was a very hungry, very enthusiastic kiss as soon as he was close enough.

...woah, Did something right after all..
He grinned a very satisfied grin while he tried to kiss back as good as he got, but mostly just enjoyed the ride. (Harh.)

A small sniffle actually occurred in the midst of the kiss.

"Uhmmina?" He tried again, backing off a little. "'Shina? You ok?"

Another sniffle. "... You're such a romantic..." a weak grin, a tear sliding down her cheek.

"Ah.. hehehe.." he laughed in embarrasment. "I. Well. I'm just.. Really just saying what I feel. And.. well, it's kinda the one thing I'm good at with this whole relationship stuff, I guess.."

"Never stop with it, 'ttebane." she muttered, locking eyes with him. "Promise me that."

"I - I promise," he muttered, a little breathless with how intensely she was looking at him.

"Good." almost a growl, but not quite, and then she claimed his lips again.

Aw hell yeah. He might enjoy making her blush, but he loved it when he made her like this, and he eagerly opened his mouth to let her plunder it as she pleased.