Naruto tossed and turned in his futon, eyes wide open in the dark, heart drumming like war drums before battle.
The stars outside blinked above Konoha, silent witnesses to a boy who never dreamed his life would turn like this.
Marriage.
Tomorrow.
Too fast.
Too unreal.
He’d sent out letters—invites scrawled with urgency and chicken-scratch handwriting—to those who mattered.
Konohamaru.
Shikamaru.
Gaara.
Even Killer Bee.
But they were scattered, some at borders, others in missions.
It was too soon.
It was too much.
His eyes burned.
He closed them.
Eventually, the wave of exhaustion dragged him down.
He opened his eyes.
And found himself in a sun-dappled room that smelled like old paper and warm miso.
Two figures sat before him.
His breath caught.
“Mom? Dad?”
“Naruto,” Minato said, smiling, arms open.
“Y-you guys—!” Naruto launched himself forward, hugging them both in one huge, trembling squeeze.
He hadn’t realized how much he needed this until now.
Minato chuckled, brushing Naruto’s hair.
“Oh, Minato!” Kushina wailed, crying loudly into her husband’s haori.
“He’s marrying Mikoto’s little girl! Our families are finally connected! Oh, I’m so happy, I could punch the moon!”
Naruto pulled back, blinking.
“Wait, you know about that? You’re okay with it?”
“Okay?” Kushina sniffed, “Sasuke’s perfect! A little rough, but strong, loyal, intense—just like me! You chose well, sweetie.”
“I think she’s forcing herself,” Naruto muttered, shoulders slumping.
“She doesn’t care about dying. I think she just doesn’t want me to hurt.”
Minato’s eyes softened.
“Maybe. But that only proves she cares. She’s not the kind to bend for anything… unless it matters.”
Kushina wiped her nose again—onto Minato’s other sleeve.
“And it’s so obvious she likes you. She’s just emotionally constipated, that’s all.”
“Yeah,” Minato added with a grin.
“Besides, no one else is worthy of her.”
Naruto blinked.
“Huh?”
“You gave blood for her,” Minato said.
“You chased her through hell and back. You never gave up on her. You already married your soul to hers years ago.”
“I guess…” Naruto looked down, unsure.
Minato gently took his shoulder.
“Listen. A few things. When she’s angry, let her win the argument. When she’s quiet, just sit with her. When she’s tired, cook for her—or at least try. And when she looks away… that’s when she needs you most.”
The door suddenly burst open with a blast of smoke and drama.
“Hahahaha! Did someone say marriage?!”
Naruto’s jaw dropped.
“PERVY SAGE?!”
“Your one and only godfather has arrived!” Jiraiya swept into the room, striking a ridiculous pose.
Naruto jumped up and tackled him into a hug.
“I wish this was real,” Naruto whispered, voice catching.
“It is real… in here.”
He handed Naruto a tattered, shiny-covered book.
Icha Icha Nuptial Night.
“This’ll guide you through the honeymoon.”
“JIRAIYA!” Kushina roared, snatching the book and hurling it into a dream bonfire that exploded in pink flames.
“YOU PERVERTED TOAD!”
Minato was silently trying not to laugh.
Kushina then grabbed Naruto’s cheeks and smooshed his face.
“You listen here, buster. You treat that girl right. With respect, with patience, with ramen.”
“Ramen?”
“I want five grandkids at least—and name them after ramen, y’know?! Shoyu, Miso, Tonkotsu, Chashu—”
“MOM!”
They all laughed.
The room started fading.
Naruto looked around, eyes wide.
“No, wait—don’t go—!”
One by one, they hugged him.
Jiraiya ruffled his hair.
Kushina kissed his forehead.
Minato gripped his shoulders.
And then—
Sunlight.
Real and bright, streaming into the real world.
Naruto sat up, breathing hard, hand reaching for air.
But a smile crept onto his face.
Today… was the day.