5 Years Old

"I think you should be a ninja."

Minato lifted up his head to look at his twin brother, who sat on a branch higher than where he is and slightly frowns when he saw Makoto's signature bright grin.

"Why should I?" Minato inquired, "You don't even want to be one."

And while Minato is trying hard to catch up to his hyperactive, boisterous older twin brother, he's not willing to do something his brother doesn't take any part to. Not yet, at least. They always do things together, both of them. Minato mostly followed his brother's step, calmed by his laughs and warmed by his grins.

But since that night when they both accidentally eavesdrop their parents talk with a neighbour about a possible Shinobi War coming, which somewhat developed to the talk of their kids's future, Makoto was not as cheerful as always. Minato didn't really understand what the adults were talking about (he knew they mentioned Minato and Makoto a few times, and mentioned about ninja and shinobi) and is very anxious to get caught, but Makoto, his brave bright older brother, seemed to understand as his blue eyes darkened and he clenched his fists. Minato assumed it may be because his twin doesn't want Minato or himself to be ninja.

Then Makoto started to (failedly) persuaded Minato to be ninja ever since. Minato doesn't understand his twin at all. If it made him sad, why does Minato have to be ninja? And why does Makoto insists that he can't be a ninja?

Makoto rolled his eyes, "Who said that i don't want to? I already told you i can't be one, dear cutest brother."

There Makoto again and his usual reason Minato doesn't understand. Little Minato pouted to the nickname and Makoto laughed.

"Then i can't be one, too." Minato firmly said.

Makoto sighed, but then he wore that smirk he usually uses when he's preparing a very devastating prank to those mean neighbours and Minato is wary at it, "We'll see, dearest otouto, we'll see."

5 Years and 5 Months Old

The war did happen, and their parents parted away from the Namikaze twins.

Makoto lingered more to their parents, suddenly he showed how much of a spoiled, cry-baby five years old he is; which made Minato raise an eyebrow. Minato believed in their parent. They will win the war and defeat the bad guys. They will come back to them.

But seeing Makoto hugs their mother and father tightly with glassy eyes and whining with shaky, high-pitched voice which is so unlike Makoto, anxiety settled in his stomach. Makoto never cry. Sad maybe, chilling anger, silent frustration. But Minato never saw Makoto cry even once in his life.

It made Minato wants to cry, too.

Seeing their twins glassy eyes, their mother cried too, and for one last time, she hugged them both tightly. Their father let out a strained smile and nodded, before he, too, pulled them both in a bear hug.

The twins watched their parents depart, waiting until their shadows disappeared on the horizon.

Makoto turned away hesitantly after that, rubbing tears away from his sapphire eyes. Minato lingered longer, thinking about ninja world, their parents, and then his own future. Does he want to be a shinobi? Yes, a voice back in his mind eagerly replied. But does he want to leave Makoto behind like how their parents leave them behind?

Minato curled up his lips, and turned away, catching up to his twin.

5 Years and 8 Months Old

Their parents didn't come back.

The Hokage made a monumental stone, an ANBU knocked on their door and delivered a letter for both of them. The ANBU nodded when Minato took the letter, quickly disappeared in swirling leaves.

Makoto eyed the black envelope, and he pulled out his hand, silently asking Minato to hand it to him. Minato did so, even though he's confused. Makoto doesn't want him to open the letter. But why? Yet Makoto's eyes looked so grim and his expression is stone flat; it left no room to argue.

Minato watched Makoto rip open the envelope, and saw how his twin's eyes trailed the words on the pristine white paper. Makoto's grip on the letter tighten, the paper crumbles under his fingers and soon, he ripped the letter to pieces. Minato widened his eyes in shock.

But before he could ask, Makoto turned away and said, "We'll meet mom and dad," he quietly said, "change to suits in 3rd closet."

Suits in 3rd closet. Black suits, custom made, only used on special occasion. That is to say, a funeral.

Minato feels strangely numb. He followed his twin's footsteps to their room, and they both changed in silent.

Men and women in black clothes poured down the clearing, some sobbed, some looks devastated, and the twins made their way through the front of the crowd. His eyes scanned the name on monumental stones and Minato feels cold wind brushed his being. There are two Namikaze names on it. Their mom's and dad's.

Minato couldn't fully register what the Hokage said, he didn't know when the clearing has become empty when it's clear not a minute ago it's crowded with black color. But he could feel Makoto's hands slowly gripped his, his fingers slowly curled up to his, and the next thing he knows, he's pulled to a tight hug by his older brother.

Then it comes to Minato. His parents are gone. They will not come back. Soon he'll forget his mother's cookings, his father's laugh will gone and their house will be very quiet. His mother wouldn't hum melodies as she tends to the Garden, and his father would not taught them and ruffle their hair. Because they are dead. And the twins are alone, now. Completely alone. They only have each other. Minato only have Makoto and he's crying on his twin's shoulder, sobbing and shaking for a seemingly long time. He could also feel Makoto's shaking body in his arms and heard choked sobs in his ears. And for once, Minato is glad he's not the only cry baby this time.

They will manage. They are alone, yes, but they will manage.

6 Years Old

They moved to orphanage.

Makoto is reluctant to leave their parent's heritage but the Hokage is right; it's not healthy for them to dwell in the past. Minato, as per usual, followed his brother and offer logical advices here and there. The younger is always the voice of reason between the two of them, after all.

The older also has come back to his usual brash and bright self, much to Minato's joy and exasperation. Sometimes he wondered who's actually the older between the two of them. But with Makoto bragging about his 'cute, handsome, will be very very awesome' little brother, almost everyone in the orphanage, if not in the entire neighbourhood, knew about the Namikaze twins; the older brash one and the younger calm one. Still, how Makoto acted sometimes made Minato thinks he is the older one.

Like now, for example. How Makoto was hanging upside down on tree branch invited amused yet horrified looks on other kids, and Minato could only stare at his supposed aniki with unreadable expression.

Then Makoto pointed at the Hokage monument, and solemnly said, "One day, your face will be carved on it. And by your face, that means my face too since, you know, we have same face and all."

Minato stared.

"And you will be the most awesomest ninja in the entire world, otouto. The world will know your name and remember your face. You'll plant fear simply by name. You will end this war. The key is, to never give up. Ever. And always remember to look underneath the underneath."

How Makoto could spew some wise and serious things while hanging upside down is... Minato isn't sure how to react.

Minato sighed. "You can't give exhortation while hanging upside down like that, Makoto."

"Of course i can!" He cheerfully said. "I am your older brother, i can do anything i want!"

The younger fight the urge to roll his eyes. "Only by five minutes." A pause, "now get down here, aniki, or i'll leave you behind."

Makoto gawked, obviously exaggerating his surprised expression, "Who are you and what did you do to my cute handsome kind wise little brother?! Are you the one who caused this diziness too?!"

Just another day when Minato fought the urge to face palm or slam his head on nearby concrete.

8 Years Old

Sometimes, Minato envy his older brother.

Then Makoto will leap from building to building, swing from one tree branch to others with impressive skill and flexiblity and suddenly, Minato envy his older brother very much.

The first time Makoto leaped from one rooftop to another, Minato almost had a heart-attack. Because he can't see his brother's body on building across where he stood right now and he's afraid if his aniki hurt himself and fell down the building, or hit his head or broke his bones or—

—then said brother waved excitedly with his signature big goofy grin and Minato exhaled in relief. Minato tried to talk his brother out of doing dangerous things like that from time to time, but Makoto never listened. In fact, he seemed to be more eager to jump here and there, be it to infuriate Minato or just to feel like flying.

Because that's the reason why he did that. To feel like flying. To be free, he said.

Minato tried once; a simple thing, really, leaping from one tree branch to another but he has no agility or speed on par with his brother to execute it. If not for Makoto's strong hand who pulls him up then Minato is sure he'll break his legs. It's annoying, and sometimes frustrating; because they are twin. Identical being. They always do things together. What Makoto can do then Minato can do too, and vice versa. It's the first time Minato can't do something that Makoto can, and bitterly, he accepts that fact.

Minato has learned to simply follow where Makoto has gone on land, running and watching with awe on how his twin managed to roll around, leap, and twirl himself in the air while laughing. He looked so happy, and while Minato is sad that he can't follow Makoto on the same ground, as long as they don't get separated, then it's okay.

Then they will end up in a clearing up Hokage Mountain, both sweaty and weary from jumping and running around the village. Makoto will grin, looking down at the village, and spread his hands widely,

"We are free!"

Looking up to the bright blue sky above, how this moment is reserved for them alone, Minato thinks, yes, they are as free as they can be.

9 Years Old

"I enrolled you to The Academy."

Minato looked up from his book, surprised, then seconds after his expression turned betrayed.

"Relax, dear brother, i enrolled myself too."

Makoto grinned as he picked up a book titled 'basic chakra control exercise' and sat down in front of his twin. Minato looked a little relieved but still looked at his twin suspiciously. Makoto rolled his eyes.

"Do you think i don't know you won't attend the Academy without me?"

Minato frowned, "But you said—"

"I changed my mind." Makoto cut. "Our... parents said i can't be a ninja, you know." He slowly said, and Minato widened his eyes in slow realization, "i think they talked about my chakra reserve being too low for a ninja, but too much to be a civilian's too. It's something between civilian's and low-ranked ninja's." Makoto shruged, "I don't know. But whatever. To hell with it. If i can't be a ninja then i can at least try to be one, right?"

Minato smiled. "I thought for a moment you aren't my older brother there," he calmly said, "i don't remember my older twin could be so wise like this."

"And i don't remember my cute little brother being so sassy like this." Makoto made exaggerated shocked yet horrified noises. "But, you'll be surprised on what wise things i could spew, Minato."

"Like what?"

"Like, do you know what goes first? The egg or chicken?"

The younger looked taken aback by the random question and his brother's grin. He can't answer, but apparently it's not a problem since Makoto continued.

"It's the chicken, since it can think. 'I think, therefore i am.' Eggs couldn't think so they don't exist before the chicken."

Minato looks dumbfounded, then concerned, and confused. All those emotions flickered quickly on his face and Makoto burst out laughing.

10 Years Old

Unsurprisingly, the Namikaze twins has become popular in the Academy.

The teachers adore the calm and smart Minato, while the students adore the friendly and bright Makoto. But no matter how irritated the teachers are by Makoto and his antics, the older of the two always amanged to get high score. He's a genius like his younger twin, and the younger twin is actually as friendly as the older if you tried talking to him.

But while Minato would excels on everything, Makoto will get very down on anything related to chakra. Nobody mocked him as dead-last though, as they all encouraged by him and in return, they too encouraged Makoto to continue. Often times Makoto will bounce back up from every failures but other times, Makoto will shrug, shows a strained smile and said, "It's okay, it's not my thing anyway."

Minato will get worried if that happens, but a taijutsu spar between the twin usually eases tension on Makoto.

Because Makoto is a top-notch on taijutsu. Not even Uchiha Fugaku and his special Uchiha style taijutsu could beat him on taijutsu class. In fact, no clan kids in their class could beat Makoto. Not that they can beat Minato either but Makoto is on a whole another level. The only one who stood a chance againt Makoto is Minato himself.

Where Minato's taijutsu style is more to observe, evade, and strike on the right time using academy's usual taijutsu style, Makoto's style, while similiar in observe and evade aspects, is very peculiar and unique. It's a style only he can use. Rather than fighting, Makoto always looks like he's dancing; he grins, laughs, light steps, flips in mid-air and other acrobatic moves only he could pull.

It's full of surprise and more often than not, Minato found himself mirroring his twin's grins on their spar.

Minato could tell how the students get quiet and awed every time this match happens, even the teacher is enjoying the show.

Still, all those fame are still not enough to drove the bullies away.

They really liked to call Minato with girly name. Or simply called him 'girl.' Or Sissy. Actually, it's more often sissy. Because Minato's long hair, his calm and collected demeanor, his polite smile and his love on reading books actually made other boys thinks of him as girly. Minato ignored them most of the time, of course. They are just jealous to him and Makoto. And they can't bully Makoto if they don't want to get beaten up so Minato is a really juicy target. It hurts sometimes and it's not like they do any real harm but—

"OI, MORONS! WHO THE HELL DID YOU CALL SISSY?! MY LITTLE BROTHER IS THE HANDSOMEST, AWESOMEST, KINDEST, CUTEST, BESTEST LITTLE BROTHER IN THIS WORLD! AND IF ANYONE HAS ANY RIGHT TO CALL HIM SISSY THEN IT'S ME! ME! ONLY ME! YOU HEAR THAT YOU PUNK?!"

—his brother.

Minato covered his face with his book then, and prayed to whatever God it is up there to just swallow him to earth. He seriously never asked for a twin in his life, but now he got one and yes, embarrassedly, irritatedly, Minato admits, he does love his twin so much.

11 Years Old

In their second year, the twins got pretty much more attention from clan kids in their class, as the civilian kids mostly get eliminated last year. Unsurprisingly, Minato managed to form a circle of friendship formed by Shikaku Nara and Inoichi Yamanaka. And his twin, Makoto, is a fine definition of free, as there are no civilian kids fawning over him anymore. Sometimes he'll hang out with Tsume Inuzuka, or Aburame Shibi. Sometimes he'll drag Minato so they could play with the Hyuuga twins, Hiashi and Hizashi. What he meant by play is apparently to study tenketsu and anatomy.

All is pretty much good, until his friends was on first seat to watch Makoto's mother-henning tendencies.

It all started with something harmless enough; a simple discussion in the middle of afternoon, after class. Minato enjoyed his time with Shikaku and Inoichi, when suddenly, Makoto dropped down from nearby tree and rolls to sit between them.

Minato, far too used to his twin acrobatics, only smiled, while his friend stared at the newcomer like he just grew another head.

"My cute little brother!" Makoto opened his hands, grinning widely, then proceed to hug said cute little brother and patted his head, much to Minato's annoyance.

Makoto glanced at Shikaku and Inoichi then—both surprised by calculating blue eyes on his face. But then the serious atmosphere broke once again as Makoto showed his signature goofy grin, "I see you've made some best friends, Minato!"

Best friends? "Perhaps," A pause, "What of it?"

"Oh nothing!" Makoto said in a sing-song voice, hands waving in dismissal. But then he narrowed his eyes, "I just want to tell them if they leave you alone then i'll hunt them down and kill them with my own hands."

What.

"Take care of my cute little brother here or i'll murder you and hang your corpses on Hokage Mountain myself."

Silence.

"That's all!" Makoto laughed then, breaking the ice like it's never there, then stood up and patted dirt out of his pants. "What do you want for dinner, Minato?"

Minato was immediately distracted from his previous thoughts, blanched at the thought of Makoto cooking, using orphanage's kitchen and caused chaos like that one time he tried to make a simple omelet.

"No." He firmly said. "You are not going to get close to any kitchen."

"Aaaww! You do like my cooking, cute brother!"

And that's it, Minato ever so calm Namikaze lose his cool, "They aren't even edible!" He screeched, "Makoto i swear to god—"

Said blond disappeared with sound of maniac cackles, and while Minato face-palmed, Shikaku and Inoichi looked at Minato with amused expressions.

But then Inoichi said, "Do you know how weird it is to see your face threatening people with cold glare then grinning and cackling like a maniac a second after, Minato?"

Minato stared at the silver-blond.

"..nevermind, then."