Disclaimer: I don't own Naruto. I just own my OCs.


Pre-Team 7

Hiruzen peered over the edge of his desk and examined the kunoichi kneeling before him. Her dark hair was twisted into a French braid that reached the middle of her back, and the black Anbu cloak that hung from her shoulders made it impossible for anyone to be able to discern anything else about her physical appearance. She even opted out of the standard shinobi sandals for a pair of fitted over-the-knee boots.

"You summoned me, Hokage-sama?" she asked as she stood back to attention.

Hiruzen nodded and pulled a sealed folder from one of the drawers of his desk and held it out for her to take. After opening the folder, her amethyst hued eyes moved from the paper to the photo that was stapled to the upper right corner.

Client: Minami Hitomi

Age: 20

Eye Color: Green

Hair Color: Dark Brown

Height: 167 cm.

She skimmed over the physical description before reading the mission detail.

Mission Rank: B

Mission Detail: The client and her unborn child are to be safely escorted from Kusagakure to Konohagakure as soon as possible.

And that was all the information that was provided.

'Not a lot of details…' She noted to herself.

As she read through the file, Hiruzen had prepped his pipe. Once lit, he took a deep inhale and let the smoke linger in his lungs for a few seconds before slowly exhaling. "I know you noticed that the details for this mission are very minute…" he took another drag from his pipe. "… this scroll is just for public records. The main details have been left out on purpose."

He removed his pipe from between his lips and held it in his hand. "This is an A-rank mission that needs to be completed as discreetly as possible. The situation is a bit more complicated than what the file lets on. Our client is a citizen of Konohagakure, but she has been residing in Kusagakure tending to her grandmother. During her time there, our client met someone and developed a relationship – which has led to an unplanned pregnancy. And the father of her unborn child is the son of the Daimyo of Tsuchi no Kuni."

Her eyes widened in surprise.

"You see how this complicates things…" Hiruzen said as he took another inhale.

She nodded.

'Complicated indeed… an illegitimate heir to the throne.'

She closed the folder and resealed it. "Why the sense of urgency and discretion?"

"Someone has become aware of her condition and is threatening to eliminate her if she does not abort the pregnancy. She is seeking sanctuary and protection from her home village. Your mission is to safely escort a citizen of Konohagakure home by any means necessary – so long as it does not bring about repercussions for our village."

"What of her grandmother? The report specifically states the safety of Minami-san, but mentions nothing of her grandmother."

Hiruzen finished his pipe and put it away before placing his elbows on top of his desk. "Her grandmother has recently passed due to her illness."

"And the threats?"

"According to the Minami-san's ally, she has been receiving death threats from an unknown sender and that she's being watched constantly. There have also been several mutilated animals left for her to find. It is only a matter of time before things begin to escalate."

"Why have they not informed the Daimyo? Kusagakure alone is known to be very diplomatic. Perhaps she can come to some sort of an agreement."

"There is the possibility that the Daimyo may be the one behind the threats. I am not willing to risk our client's life to find out."

"Forgive me for being so bold, but is it a wise choice for the village to be interfering with such matters? If I am discovered, this could lead to a war. Are we willing to add more conflict and stress to our village over a woman and her poor choices?"

"You would rather I just abandon a citizen of Konoha?"

"The needs of the many outweigh the needs of the few, or the one, Hokage-sama," she countered but quickly regretted. "Sorry…" she apologized with a slight bow. It wasn't her place to question his orders.

"Don't be," he gave her a look of reassurance. "you're right. But no matter how significant or insignificant someone is considered; the value of life is the same. As a kunoichi, your duty is to your village, and your village would be nothing without its people. Within this village, the citizens should always be a priority. What's that saying…?

"Those in the shinobi world who break rules and regulations are called trash, but those who don't care about their companions are even worse trash."

Aren't those the words that he has started to live by?"

She bowed once more to him in shame. "Apologies, Hokage-sama. I should not have questioned you. I know he would be upset with me as well."

"Don't be so hard on yourself. You're right to question me at this moment. I am risking a lot with this mission. Keeping me aware of both perspectives keeps me grounded. I specifically summoned you for this mission because I can't think of anyone more appropriate. I know you'll complete it without any trouble – just like your other missions."

The proud look on Hiruzen's face was all that she needed to keep silent and nod her head in understanding. After everything he has done for her, she would forever be loyal and devoted to him.

"Hai, Hokage-sama. I accept this mission," she said as she bowed deeply.

"Excellent." He noticed she was about to teleport out of his office. "Will you be informing him of your departure?" he asked before she disappeared from the room.

"I suppose I should…" she murmured. The look on her face told Hiruzen that the thought of doing so never crossed her mind. "…he would be displeased with me if I did not…"

Hiruzen hummed in agreement.

She bowed before him once more before disappearing in a puff of smoke. After she left his office, he turned his chair to face the windows that looked out to the village. It had already been a year since the two of them signed the document that bound them for life. Hiruzen chuckled as he thought back to that day.


She reappeared at his usual spot; a tall tree in training ground three. At the base of it, she looked up and found him sitting on one of the many thick branches while reading a light rose colored novel with a big red circle on the back – the ever scrutinized 'Icha, Icha Paradise'. He'd been hooked the day he came across the series and she never complained about his choice of reading material. After all, there were worse hobbies he could have.

The silver-haired man sat with his back against the trunk of the tree. His right leg was bent at the knee while his left stayed outstretched and straight. "C'mon up," he called down to her. "it's very nice in the shade." His single exposed eye never strayed from his novel.

Not needing to be told twice, she propelled herself to be on his level. "I was just coming to tell you that Hokage-sama has assigned me a mission and that I will be departing soon."

He read one more page before he closed the little book and stored it safely back into his pouch. He slowly stood and gave his wife a smile. "Did Hokage-sama tell you to come and say "bye" to me, my ningyō?" he teased as he rubbed the top of her head.

"No…" she quickly muttered. "… he merely suggested it. I also remembered how you reacted the last time I did not inform you… and I do not know how long I will be gone this time. Contact will be minimal."

She suddenly found herself pressed against his solid chest and felt his arms wound tightly around her head.

"Then I'll miss you every second you're away and will continue to miss you until you come home, my anata!" Kakashi exclaimed in a childish tone while keeping her in his playful embrace.

She was thankful that the leaves and branches on the trees are dense. She managed to free herself from his arms and his sudden display of affection. "Y-you are ridiculous sometimes!" she stammered as she recomposed herself.

"But, my sweet dango, who knows when I'll see you again!" he continued with his teasing while gently pinching her cheeks.

She slapped his hands away from her face as she readied to leave to go home and gather her things. Before she could take one step, she once again found herself against his broad chest. She didn't resist his embrace this time because she knew that this one was serious. Allowing herself and her senses to become enveloped by him, she closed her eyes and took a deep breath. His clothed lips pressed and lingered against her forehead. It was a quick and simple kiss that said it all: "Be safe", "I love you", "I'll miss you".

He placed his right hand over her sternum and gently pressed against it. He couldn't feel it, but he knew the rings were there. "Don't be reckless. I'll see you when you get back, my ningyō."

She brought her hand to rest over his. "I expect the same from you," she said as she stepped out of his warm embrace.


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