InsaneJournal

Who: Minato and Anna
What: Minato gives Anna her birthday present a little early
When: Wednesday, November 16th Evening
Where: Minato’s place
Rating/Warnings: Low/None
Status: Complete





Birthday's were important, especially ones that marked a milestone. A person only turned 21 once, and well, while he'd be there for the party he didn't want his gifts to get lost in the shuffle. Besides, he thought it would be better if he presented the presents to Anna himself. They were nicely framed photos from the photographer that had done all of prints in his house.


He could still remember the first time she came over to his home and saw them, and he thought he could give her a little bit of that wonderment back. The prints were landscape shots of a few different places in Japan. His friend had visited there and well, Minato was a sucker for anything that was from his homeland.


He still needed to travel there to meet his son. They'd exchanged a few letters, and he knew that Naruto was still pissed at him but he thought he might be coming around. The pictures, there were two that he'd picked out for her; one that featured the beautiful cherry blossoms and the other that features Mount Fuji. He thought that she'd appreciate those. Along with that he'd picked up a bottle of wine to give to her, and a simple silver bangle bracelet that read Anything is Possible.


Tonight, however, he wasn't going to cook dinner. Instead he'd ordered something that he thought she'd enjoy and had it delivered. The food was there, already plated while he waited on her to arrive.


Anna was excited to be spending the evening with Minato. Things had been a little weird since they’d kissed that one time. She felt a little guilty about it. He was a good friend--probably one of her best friends--and she didn’t want to treat him poorly. At the same time… well, she kinda needed him. She needed someone normal in her life. So it was almost completely selfish of her to continue seeing him. But she was allowed to be selfish, right? Every once in a while?


She headed to his place after a long study session, still wearing her yoga pants and UCI sweatshirt. At least she left her gargantuan bookbag in the car, so she wasn’t slouched over under the weight of her textbooks. She rang the bell and leaned against the wall, lifting her phone to use it as a mirror and check her hair. It wasn’t perfect, but it wasn’t a disaster, either. Most of her make-up had probably worn away over the day, but that couldn’t be helped.


At the sound of the doorbell, Minato turned with a smile toward it. Pulling the door open, he gave Anna a smile, "Come in, you know, you don't have to ring the doorbell right? You're always welcome to just come on in." It was rare that Minato locked his doors, and he believed that friends shouldn't have to knock anyway.


He hadn't mentioned the kiss since it'd happened, Minato didn't want to make things anymore awkward than they needed to be. That didn't mean he didn't think about it from time to time, but in the end he tried not to dwell on it.


Why would anyone want you anyway?


Kurama's voice broke through his thoughts, and mentally Minato told the fox to shut the hell up. Maybe he'd be lucky enough to not have him speak to him again tonight, but he doubted that he'd be that lucky. "Food's here already, drinks are in the fridge, feel free to make yourself at home."


“Thank you! I mean, that’s really kind.” Anna knew that people were totally allowed to just come in to her house, too, but she didn’t want to assume the same thing of her friends. What if she got it wrong? Anyway, now she knew, and the next time she could just come in without knocking. Even though it felt a little weird. “And you know the same goes for you, right? At my place?”


She followed him inside and moved along the hallway, looking at all of the beautiful photographs on the walls as she walked. “I’m super excited. I mean, my birthday’s not until Sunday, but I’ve got so many fun things planned. This is the first in a long line of birthday celebrations.”


"You're a friend, and my home is always open to my friends." He gave her a smile, and then nodded. "I know, and I appreciate it. I promise to never to actually pop in unannounced." He was, of course, referring to the kunai he'd given her.


"That's good! I'm glad to hear that you've got all these fun things planned." His smile widened, almost hurting his face. It was hard not to be happy in Anna's presence, she was a bright spot in a dark world. Minato stopped in front of the two wrapped presents, and held out the other smaller package. "Happy Early Birthday, Anna."


Anna beamed over at him. It was really nice to have good friends like Minato. He’d given her so much, and been there for her in a time when she really needed him. She wasn’t sure she could ever repay his kindness, and he just kept giving. Even though things were a little weird between them, after they’d kissed, she was thankful it hadn’t ruined their friendship.


She accepted the present. “Thank you so much!” And then tore off the paper in a frenzy. Anna loved presents. She opened them with gusto.


Minato was the sort to not think about getting anything in return, he just enjoyed giving to the people that he cared about. Anna was a good friend, and he hoped to keep her as a friend for a long time to come. "You're very welcome." He watched her with a smile as she opened the bracelet, hoping that she would like it as well as the pictures he'd bought for her


Anna already had plans as to what she was going to get for Minato for Christmas. She opened the beautiful presents and gasped. “This is lovely!” She said, giving him a bright smile. “You really went above and beyond.” Then she held the bracelet out to him, along with her wrist, silently asking for help to put it on.


Chuckling softly, Minato lifted a shoulder before he took the bracelet from her. "I figure that you only get one 21st birthday, so why not?" He carefully put the bracelet onto her slender wrist, and then dropped his hands away. "I'm glad you like everything, and if you're ready to eat, dinner is waiting." Minato motioned over to the dining room table, "So how's everything been going?" He asked, feeling as if he needed to catch up with her on things.


“You really spoiled me, Minato. Thank you.” Anna said, giving him a warm smile. She felt little hairs stand up on the back of her forearm when his fingers brushed against her skin, putting the bracelet on for her. Then she brought it up in front of her face to get a really good look at it. He had excellent taste. “Dinner, too?” She asked. “Jeez, you’re like, the world’s most amazing guy.”


With a chuckle Minato lifted a shoulder. "I have my moments, but I wouldn't go that far." Minato had his fair share of screwups over the years, and he tried to treat people the way he believed they deserved to be treated. Anna was a good woman that hadn't been treated so kindly in the past by guys, and he wanted to do right by her as her friend. "But yes dinner." He gave a small inclination of his head toward the small dining area. "Come on, let's eat."