Some matters in this story are only hinted, I have no doubts the readers will fill where's necessary in. Though, if in doubts - ask.
Sorry, no beta-read. A help in that matter (beta-ing, pointing errors) would be much appreciate.
Tsunade looked out of the window of the Hokage Tower. For once all was peaceful in the village. No more overwhelming enemies, words of strange activities, rumors that another village is preparing for a war. Konoha prospered better than ever. Yet, the fifth Hokage was in melancholy. She honestly didn't want to go into her teacher's steps and stay as the Hokage till a very old age. She believed the future should lay in the hands of the young ones.
Damn that silver haired brat, saying he wasn't sworn into the Hokage and putting all the paperwork back on my shoulder right after my recovery.
"Where are they anyway? They ought to be back this morning. I knew I shouldn't let that gaki talk me into a B-rank mission."
That gaki... who looked so much like Nawaki, like Dan... He would be already a Hokage if he only wouldn't be such a moron most of the time!
"Shizune!" she called and her black haired aid looked into the office. "Yes, Tsunade-shishou?"
"Did they send a message?" Out of all the teams that were outside and that the Hokage could refer to, only one team always put that irritation tone, that should hide her anxious, in her voice.
"No, they didn't. Don't worry, they're only twelve hours late. Maybe they stopped to rest and for a dinner?" Shizune tried to shone her master worries. "It is Team Kakashi, after all."
Tsunade send her a look. "Exactly, it is Naruto's team. They always run into troubles."
Even if Kakashi still was officially the team leader, somehow the people began to call the former Team 7 Naruto's team. Well, lately he was the most prominent person in it, known not only as Savior of Konoha, but also Elemental Countries Bind.
A commotion outside of the chamber got both women attention. The evening shift was usually the most quiet one, as generally missions were given at morning and other activities took place through the night. A shout of "Dattebayo!" calmed their worries, but rose Tsunade's anger.
After a short knock, courtesy of Sakura no doubts, the door opened and Team Kakashi strolled in.
It was another of their quirks. Coming back from a regular missions most teams checked out at mission desk and gave writing reports back later. The exception were missions with unexpected outcome or providing vital information. Though, the Team Kakashi always reported directly to the Hokage. Since almost all of their mission come with surprises, it was the official excuse. Though Shizune knew better. Simply, Tsunade had to see on her own eyes that her favorite person had come back in one piece.
..
"You are late." The Hokage welcomed them. "Did something happened?" She asked ready to hear about another unexpected enemy, new ally, or simply that Naruto managed to lost himself while helping another unknown kid.
"No, Tsunade-sama. The mission went according to the plan, without any problems." Kakashi answered from behind his book, a slight wonder in his voice. A fast once-over told her, no injures were taken, or Sakura already took care of them.
"So, pry to tell, why are you so late?" Kakashi shrugged noncommittally.
"There was festival in Tokuwa town and we stopped to rest a bit." Sakura volunteer with answer.
"And none have to think of sending a word?" The anger in her voice was rising.
"Why, were you worried about us?" Naruto, who was surprisingly quiet till then asked with mocking tears.
Of course, Tsunade couldn't agree with that sort of statement. It wasn't uncommon for ninja on a B-Rank mission to be late even for three days, not merely twelve hours.
"Aw, baa-chan..." A vein popped on her head.
Yet before she could react Naruto remembered something. "Yeah, Baa-chan, I got you a gift."
He put a wrapped object on her desk. Seeing the sudden interest in his teammates eyes she warily took it and unwrapped.
"Slippers? What the hell I should do with slippers?"
"You ought to say thank-you, you know? Anyway, Shizune-neechan said you don't have any..." Tsunade looked back at her aid, and Shizune rose her hands "He asked about it."
"...and every grandma should have one, right?" Hearing the snickers from the rest of the Team made her anger break through.
"I don't need any slippers or whatever. Save your money on your stupid pranks. And don't call me Granny! I'm not that old!"
It become utterly quiet in the Hokage office. Naruto didn't shout back that she was old under her genjutsu, so she was a granny. Instead he looked hurt, his eyes hidden behind the bangs of his hair. Suddenly Tsunade recognized that the gift was a genuine token of his attachment, without any ulterior motive.
"Naruto..." She called softly. The blonde boy, or rather a young man, shook his head. With a painful gaze he whispered. "I can't call you baachan... I never could call you kaa-san either..." In a golden flash he disappeared from the office.
With a startled gasp Tsunade froze. "No, it's not possible..." She sagged back to her seat, hands covering her face.
"Tsunade-sama?" Shizune called, worrying at her master behavior.
Forcefully Tsunade shook the shock off and looked at Kakashi. "Since when Naruto-kun know that jutsu?"
"I have no idea. It's the first time I saw him use it."
"It was The Fourth Hokage signature jutsu, wasn't it?" Sakura sought a confirmation. Kakashi only nodded.
"It's late. Team Kakashi, give the report at mission desk tomorrow, dismissed." With couples of "Hai." the ninja exited the room.
..
Tsunade indulge into her thoughts of past. The time she spent with Dan, her lover, and the hard time after his death. In the depression she felt over at the time she took an action she started to regret recently. She wondered lately if she shouldn't take an action and try to fix it, but she feared it would only turn to worse...
"Tsunade-sama?" Shizune voice startled her. She completely forgot that she was with her in the same room.
"Naruto never asked you to be his mother, right?" Tsunade nodded absentmindedly. "So, why did he said you never allowed him to call you mom?"
"Shizune.."
"Yes, Tsunade-sama?"
"Leave me alone tonight." Though confused, the woman abide to the request.
..
It was night, but Senju Tsunade couldn't bear the uncertainty any longer. She raided every document it the Hokage Tower she could find on the subject, but Sarutobi was sure to not leave even a slight lead. There was only one place he would hide such an information, ready for her to find, if she ever would look for it.
With a dread and anticipation she went into a tunnel under the Hokage Mountain. After some walk the tunnel ended. She looked up, the moon shone directly down, making the cliff edges even more sharp than in the reality. She stopped in front of a big wooden gate. She doubted there were many people who knew that the Senju Clan have it's own property in Konoha. And less than a handful of people would know where to look for it.
She put her hand on the gates and an entrance seal appeared. With slight glow it unlocked and she pushed the door hesitantly. It moved flawlessly and without a sound. Making a long forgotten katon jutsu, a light appeared over her head. She took a deep breath and carefully stepped onto the path, partially invisible under all the greenery. After some walk she stopped in front of a large, traditional looking house. Unlike rest of the homes it looked well cared for. Suddenly she couldn't make a step in that direction. She turned around and walked rashly.
The Senju graveyard was as green as everything in here. Though the gravestones were cleaned, particularly three ones. Tsunade read the epitaph on the gravestones. She couldn't tear her eyes from the one on the newest one. "Loved since the conception and beyond the grave."
..
It was early in the morning when a racked on his apartment door woke Naruto up. He was more than groggy, the last day turning more heart wreaking than he thought. He opened the door. "Baa-chan? Are you all right?" He asked instantly awake.
"Can I... can I come in?" After a slight hesitation he nodded.
"Herbal tea with honey, right?" He asked while showing her inside.
Tsunade didn't answer, instead she took his head in her hands, gently but steady holding it straight. Naruto's eyes widened a bit when he saw her eyes shortly looking behind him through the window, at the heads carved in the Hokage Mountain, and immediately back at his face.
"It is true... How is it possible?" She whispered.
Naruto flinched and tried to step back. However, before he had a chance Tsunade's arms sneaked around him and held him as if her life would depend of it.
"I'm sorry." She said, and as if it wouldn't be enough she repeated over and over again. "I'm sorry, I'm so sorry. Please, don't leave, I'm sorry."
Tears flew from her eyes and began to soak his shirt. "Sh, it's all right, I'm all right. I'm not leaving... sh... I'm not angry."
He carefully steered her to his couch he was sleeping before and finally calmed her down. Exhausted she felt asleep in his arms.
..
tbc
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