"Shit."

Airi couldn't stop herself from speaking at that exact moment. The very boy she was hoping to avoid stood before her, his beautiful blue eyes cast down towards her. He held concern in the shining hues, his blonde hair swaying slightly in the breeze. The gods of this world couldn't have created a more perfect man than him, she thought.

"Are you okay?" He decided to brush off her reaction, thinking it was because she didn't want anyone to catch her in this state.

She only gaped back at him, her eyes unblinking as she stared. Minato didn't know what else to do except stare back curiously. Her reaction only furthered his confusion. Finally, she blinked. Once. Then twice. She stood up quickly, her brown hair falling to her waist as she continued to gape at him.

'Say something!'

"Uh, I-uh..."

She was done for. He was going to think she was crazy.

"Are you sick?" He asked, placing his hand on her forehead. "Your temperature is normal..."

"Huh?" Airi took a second to realize he was actually touching her and she yelped, jumping back. Minato flinched from her reaction, his eyes growing wide.

"I'm sorry! I didn't mean to scare you." His face contorted slightly, a frown appearing on his lips. All Airi could think about was how cute he was when he frowned.

"I-it's okay. Um, I was crying because I actually don't know where I am." She finally managed to explain herself. She already failed at avoiding him. The least she could do was not fail at what she was originally here for. And that was to befriend the boy in front of her. For that to happen she needed to seem not crazy.

"You don't know where you are?"

"I-I woke up here. And I don't remember anything. I don't remember where I am."

Minato finally understood what was going on. She seemed to have amnesia and she was scared. His expression softened and he gave her a friendly smile.

"I'm sorry to hear that. My name is Minato Namikaze. Do you remember your name, by any chance?"

Airi thought for a moment. Should she play fully into having amnesia? Would it benefit her in any way?

"Airi... I think it's Airi. I'm not sure what my last name is..."

"Airi, that's a nice name. It's nice to meet you. You're in the Leaf Village. Do you remember what the Leaf Village is?"

He was being so sweet. Which she expected him to be nice because he was always known to he a kind person, always gentle in contrast to his Yellow Flash status. But she hadn't expected him to be so gentle with a stranger. It made her feel bad about lying to him. But this was her life now and if she was stuck here she had to stop this world from its dark path. She couldn't relax because now she has met the very man that may be the key to everything.

"I think I live here... but I don't know where..."

"That's okay, I'll help you. Did you hit your head? Are you hurt anywhere?"

"I-i think. Maybe. My head hurts."

"Ok. I'll take you to the hospital. Is that okay with you?" He held out his hand for her to take, a warm smile spreading across his lips as he gazed at her. Airi eyed his outreached hand for a moment when suddenly a warm breeze blew between them. Leaves flitted down from the tree above them and her hair blew out of place to which she brushed it back and looked back up at Minato, her eyes meeting his. It was truly a sight to behold.

His hair swaying in the breeze, his blue eyes glimmering as he gazed at her with a warmth that she'd never seen anyone give her. Not even in her past life. "It's ok. You can trust me." And so she did.

She reached out to him, her fingers brushing over his as his hand closed around hers.

~

Minato didn't know what to think of the situation. Airi. The name was familiar. She was in his graduating class at the academy. She was a Jonin. That much he knew. They'd never spoken a word to each other. Not one interaction until now. There wasn't anything particularly special about her. She wasn't from a noble clan and she was rather low ranking in their class.

But now here they were, him leading her to the hospital after finding her sobbing on the ground in a training area. She was currently looking at their surroundings as they walked through the streets, her shimmering eyes observing everything. Her mouth parted in awe. It was as if she was seeing this place for the first time. Which made sense in a way, because it seemed she had amnesia.

When Minato noticed he had been staring at her for too long he finally looked forward. He didn't want to scare her more than she already seemed to be.

~

Airi sat patiently on the exam table, her legs swinging back and forth anxiously. Minato sat outside patiently, reassuring her that he wouldn't leave her. Even though she said it was fine if he left her there.

Outside, Minato was staring at the wall he sat across from. He was on his way to meet with Kushina when he came across Airi. What was he supposed to do, leave the girl under that tree crying? He needed to make sure she was going to be okay.

Just then, the door to the exam room slid open and the girl stepped out. She bowed in thanks to the doctor before turning and walking towards him. Standing up, Minato met her halfway.

"They said that they don't know how long it will take for my memory to come back. But they said that I'm supposed to be a Shinobi?"

"Yes, I believe so. A very good one."

"I don't know anything about that. I don't remember how to do anything..."

That's okay. Let's just focus on finding your home and then we can worry about that later." Minato didn't know why he said 'we' when he didn't even really know her all that well. But he couldn't help but be drawn to her. Like he was where he was meant to be. He'd have to explain why he was a no show to Kushina and he hoped she wouldn't be too angry at him.

~

"We?" Airi looked at him in surprise, her brows raised. She was confused as to why he hadn't left yet. He surely had better things to do than worry about her. He'd already taken it upon himself to take her to the hospital and stay there to wait on her. Minato Namikaze, currently the most talented Jonin in the village, must need to be somewhere far more important.

Airi wondered if he was really just that good of a person.

"Yeah, you didn't think I was going to let you do this on your own, did you?"

"Well, I mean, yeah. I did. Not that I don't mind your help it's just... you don't know me."

"Yes I do, you're Airi."

"That's not what I meant..."

"I get what you mean, but just because I don't know you doesn't mean I can't stay by your side until this is all figured out."

Stay by my side. Airi couldn't help but feel a warmth blossom in her chest at those words. Why would this boy go to all this trouble for her? Then the little floating spirit's voice echoed in her memory. Yato said that her otherworldly soul was somehow connected to his. How could it be possible that a soul from another dimension could be connected to his? Maybe... maybe in that life-

"Airi? Airi."

"Huh? Oh, sorry, Minato. Just lost in thought."

"That's ok. I think we should start by going to the Hokage. You were a ninja so naturally he's going to know who you are and have a file for you."

"Whatever you say, Minato." She gave him a nod, a smile spreading across her lips.

"You smiled!" Gasped the boy, his eyes wide and a playful grin on his lips. She hadn't once smiled since he found her, and he couldn't help but feel some type of way. He finally managed to put a smile on her face.

"N-no I didn't!"

"You did! C'mon let's go!" Minato grabbed her by the wrist and pulled her along down the hallway. The girl stumbled a little but she regained her footing, she was ready to tell him off for almost making her fall but when she looked up at him, he was looking back at her with such a warm gaze and bright smile that the words died on her lips. A smile formed on her lips in return, a small giggle escaping.

Maybe being in this world wouldn't be so bad.