Separating his job from his personal life is tough. How tough… he just came to know. Times like this he wondered why he become Hokage in the first place. Oh right, so that people would recognize him.
The request that the Hokage got was very difficult to say no to. Wish he may, Naruto can't deny a personal request from the fire daimyo. It was difficult and was *unwise* (how Shikamaru puts it); most importantly un-Hokage like. It was his job as a Hokage to adhere to the mission request to his best capacity. Beside, this mission will bring in good money for the village (city?).
"Argh! My head will split over this matter." Naruto sat with his elbows on the table, head on his hands. There was a knock on the door and his secretary pops her head in.
"Sorry to disturb you Hokage sama, but Shikamaru san wants a word with you." She said, questionably looking at him.
"Let him in, please, Arisu san." She gave a curt nod and disappeared. Moments later Shikamaru enters and behind him Sakura. The head of the Medicine Department was wearing her white coat over a pink dress. It seems like she left for work and came here directly. Naruto sat up and waves his hand towards the chairs in front of his table. Both of them quietly sat down. All was quiet for a moment except the ticking of the clock, and then Sakura spoke.
"Hey Naruto, you doing okay?" Her voice was full of compassion. Naruto took a long breath and let it out slowly.
"So you know. Sakura chan… I can't do this." He said quietly. "I can't take this risk. I've think this over and over but the result is the same. It's not worth it." He looked at her pleadingly. "What should I do?" Sakura's eyes were full of concern and sympathy for her former mate.
"Hokage sama, if I may?" Naruto looked at Shikamaru with a start. Was the matter this grave?
"Shikamaru…" Naruto's voice trails off.
"You should accept. We are in no position to say no to the Damiyo. You may think me as being selfish or such but isn't this is what you have accepted as your duty when you become Hokage? To care of the needs of the village before your needs? Please consider your position before saying anything irrational." Naruto start rubbing his forehead.
"Times like this make me rethink about my decision of becoming a Hokage." He said in a quiet voice. "This and when Arisu chan brings me the paperwork to sign." He smiled at them both. "I can't wiggle out of this one, huh?"
"Naruto I think you should talk to Hinata about this. After all she is the one they requested," said Sakura. But was startled when Naruto banged his hand on the table, making everything rattle.
"Exactly! Why? Why would they request her specifically, I would want to know!" Shikamaru tilted his head on one side.
"Oh I wonder that too. Perhaps because she is the Byakugan Princess? Or perhaps she is the Hokage wife? Well genius, you do the math." Naruto gave him the death stare. Shikamaru raised his eyebrow.
"Well? Am I wrong? It's the Daimyo we are talking about, silly. The most important person in the entire country. They only care about themselves, not others or what they are going through," and when Naruto stares at him, "yes I know. By the way, congratulations! Sakura san told me when I met her earlier in the hospital." Shikamaru said with a smile. "How convenient of you, Shikamaru, to bring the only person I'm unable to reason with." Naruto said with a sigh. Sakura smiled at him.
"And is he wrong?" She tilted her head sideways. "Naruto she is pregnant, not ill, god forbid. I know how you feel being it your first time and all but think of the village first. This is your responsibility. Hinata will be fine, trust me." Naruto looked at Sakura and remembered the most important day of his life, well the second most.
**FLASHBACK**
One week ago
Naruto and Hinata were sitting in Sakura's office. Sakura was at her desk looking through some reports. Sensing her tension Naruto slides his hand in Hinata's and squeezed it a little. Startled, Hinata looked at him and tried to smile. Finally, Sakura stacked the reports and straightened up. She looked at both of them very seriously. Naruto and Hinata stared at her. It was dead silent, and then Naruto shifted nervously in his chair.
"Well, Sakura chan? What did it say?" Hinata closed her eyes and squeezed Naruto's hand. Sakura glanced at her, and then looked in Naruto eyes. Naruto was never this afraid, even when he faced Madara. At last, Sakura spoke, in her 'it's-grave-news' voice.
"I hope you know what I am going to tell you is very serious. Are you prepared to hear it?" Hinata, eyes still closed, nodded. Naruto just stared at Sakura .
"Well then…" she paused. "Congratulations! Hinata, you are one moth pregnant! Naruto, you are going to be a father!" she grinned and winked at Naruto, laughing inwardly at both their impressions. *Cha! Sakura you are the real drama Queen! That Ino pig knew nothing!* she smirked. Slowly, she saw that the news dawned on them. Hinata, teary eyed, turned towards Naruto, who was still staring at Sakura.
"Hey Naruto, you hear that? We are going to be parents." She said softly. No response. "Hey Naruto kun? Naruto?" she shook him by his shoulder. "Darling? Did you hear?" she turned towards Sakura.
"S-Sakura chan, what happened?" Hinata's eyes were the size of plates. Poor thing, Sakura thought, rolling her eyes.
"Oh it's nothing, Mrs. Hokage. It's a rare case of bewilderphobia." She said, picking the morning paper from her desk and started rolling it. A nerve was twitching in her forehead.
"Bewilde-what?" Hinata turned towards Naruto. "Oh darling, I am so sorry! How can it be cur…?!"
*SMACK*
The loud sound cut her sentence in half. Sakura had smacked Naruto on his head with the newspaper.
"Owww Sakura chan! So rude!" Naruto said, rubbing his head. Sakura threw the paper back on the desk.
"Here, cured!" she said, standing up and then hold Naruto's ear and twist it.
"Ow ow ow ow…" Naruto stood up holding his ear.
"Sakura san!" Hinata stood up too, alarmed. Sakura ignored her.
"Baka Naruto!" she shouted in his ear. "I just told you the best news of your life! Don't sit there like an idiot, making your wife worry!" She let go of his ear and pointedly looked at him. Naruto stood there rubbing his ear. He turned towards Hinata and bowed.
"Sorry Hinata chan!" He looked up, with tears in his eyes. *Were the tears because of the news or because of Sakura twisting his ear?*
"S-sorry?" He was not happy? And then she noticed his twinkling eyes. Naruto straighten up and within a second she was in his arms. Naruto was kissing her face passionately.
"Darling!" Hinata started to giggle. It was the best day of her life.
"Thank you for giving me the best gift ever, Hina chan. I am a very lucky man. Thank you so much." Naruto was beside himself.
"Congratulations, you two!" Sakura smiled at them. She was so happy for Naruto. He deserved all the happiness in the world. Hearing her voice, Naruto turned towards her, his arm around Hinata protectively. Something breaks inside Sakura: How she wished Sasuke would hold her like that too. Not good thinking like this now. She was so happy for Naruto. Naruto was bowing at her.
"Thank you so much, Sakura, for giving me the best news of my life!" Oh how cute Hinata looked with that blush.
"I'm so happy for you both. Now sit down I have some important stuff to discuss." Sakura took the chair behind her desk, beckoning Naruto and Hinata to sit down.
"Important stuff? Like what?" Naruto said while helping Hinata to sit. Then he sat down too. He took Hinata's hand in his. How cute, Sakura thought.
"Like what diet should Hinata take from now on. You should be very gentle with her now, Naruto, and give her special care. Also, I think you should take a break from going on missions too, Hinata…"
**FLASHBACK ENDS**
"I remember every moment of it Naruto, trust me I do. But as Shikamaru told me I don't think there is any harm in it. It's a simple escort mission." She looked at Shikamaru who nodded.
"But what if something bad happened, then? You and I both know that simple escort missions can very well turn into A-level missions." Sakura looked at him with worry.
"Naruto, I...," she hesitated, and glanced at Shikamaru for help.
"Naruto, thinking like this won't do you good. Tell you what. Why don't you go home tonight and discuss it with Hinata. Let's hear what she had to say about all this." Shikamaru stood up.
"But…" Naruto looked at him pleadingly.
"That's a great idea, Shikamaru. Nobody knows Hinata better than Hinata, right? Go home and discuss all this with her. If she refuses… then, well… let's see." Sakura stood up, stretching her back. "I have to go back. Sasuke texted me in the evening that he might come by tonight."
"Yea I should go back too or else Temari will have words with me. Troublesome!" With this Shikamaru left.
"Naruto, please don't over-think about it. Everything will be alright. I better leave now. Take care of yourself and say hi to Hinata for me, 'kay? Good night." She waved and left the office.
Naruto was left alone with his thoughts and his worries.
Sometimes he had second thoughts of his decision to become Hokage.
*Hey Everyone!
As you can understand this all is happening after Naruto and Hinata's wedding. Hinata is requested for a special mission. Let's see if she accepts or not.
I'm writing after a very long time. Please review and tell me how is it.
Thank you!