"Lord Seventh," Korra intoned with respect, kneeling at the bedside in full gear. "You summoned me sir?"

"I did," responded the slightly raspy voice above her, before descending in to a minor coughing fit. "Remove your mask please," he ordered when recovered.

Korra did so, hanging her standard issue ANBU mask on her hip.

Movement in the corner of her eye drew her attention, and instinctively, she put a hand in to her tool pouch, her hand wrapping around the handle of a kunai knife. Her grip relaxed however, when she realized it was only Shikamaru Nara, premier advisor to Lord Seventh.

Shikamaru moved forward towards the Hokage, who waved him off, dabbing at his lips with a handkerchief. The amount of blood that came away concerned Korra, and she could even see Shikamaru scowl slightly at the sight, though she schooled her expression as best she could.

Korra looked up in to the wrinkled face of the Seventh Hokage, his smiling face gazing down on her with amusement, his once blond hair, now pale white, framing his smile. His bright blue eyes, still alert and measuring, seeming, as they always did, as if they could see in to her very soul. His hands sat folded on top of his hat, which bore the symbol of The Land of Fire, in his lap.

And they seemed to be doing exactly that, searching for something inside her as Korra did her best to meet that gaze.

"How can I be of service my lord," she questioned.

The Hokage chuckled, his hand going up to stroke his chin. "Hmm," he mused. "Service indeed."

"Lord," Korra prompted, slightly confused.

The Hokage motioned to Shikamaru, who handed him a file, which he flipped open, glancing at it periodically as he began to speak. Korra surmised he already knew most of what the file contained beforehand, judging by how little he actually seemed to be reading from it.

"You have quite the impressive record Korra. Graduated early from the Academy, promoted to Chunin a year later, and Jonin not six months after that, upon which time, I recruited you in to the ANBU. Since then you've taken on almost exclusively, missions of A and S rank, each one of them completed successfully, with minimal casualties. You've mastered numerous and varied jutsu of some difficulty." He turned deadly serious for a moment. "Not to mention the VERY special asset you possess. An asset crucial to the survival of the Hidden Leaf, and keeping the peace in this volatile Shinobi World."

Korra briefly traced her fingers across her eyes, well aware of the secrets they held, which she could activate at any time, should there be a need.

"You are quite the Shinobi, Korra, especially for one so young. How old are you now Korra?"

"Me sir?" The question surprised her. "Twenty, sir."

"Ah, so young," he laughed quietly. "If Guy Sensei were here, he would no doubt have an impassioned speech about the power of youth to make. But I digress," he waved his hand in a dismissive fashion. "Doubtless, your abilities are indeed impressive."

"Thank you my Lord," Korra spoke humbly, lowering her head in an attempt to hide her blush. It was no small feat to be complemented such, by a ninja as accomplished as Naruto Uzumaki. With everything the man had been through, everything he had seen and experienced and accomplished, it was high praise indeed to impress the man. "I only try to serve the village to the best of my abilities," Korra insisted.

"Hmmm," the old man hummed to himself. He stroked his chin, looking amused. "And those abilities are certainly considerable. Not to mention the fact that you were born with FOUR chakra natures, an unprecedented event. To think, in my lifetime…" he trailed off, vision focused on a point somewhere in the distance.

Shikamaru cleared his throat as the silence lengthened. "My Lord…" he prompted.

"Hmm?" The Hokage shook himself, his attention returning to the woman before him. "Ah yes," he chuckled, shaking his head. "Forgive me. My mind tends to wander these days." He seemed to steel himself, a new focus entering his eyes. "All the more reason to conclude this business as soon as possible."

"Lord Seventh," Korra questioned. "Do you have a mission for me?"

"Of a sort, of a sort." He made a patience gesture with his hand. "But first, a question for you."

Korra raised an eyebrow in curiosity, unsure where this could possibly be going. It felt like the Hokage was leading up to something, but she couldn't for the life of her, figure out what it may be.

"Who would you consider to be the king?"

Korra stared blankly, blinking in confusion, as the Hokage and Shikamaru exchanged a knowing look.

"The…king sir?" She wasn't sure if she had heard correctly.

"Indeed," he nodded. "Who do you think it is?"

Korra furrowed her brow in thought. Clearly this question meant something, something important. And if she had to guess, there was a deeper meaning to the question than was immediately apparent. If Shikamaru was involved, that was guaranteed. Think Korra, think. Work your way through the problem step by step, she reasoned. Think like Shikamaru. Think like Asami. She smiled briefly, at the thought of her beautiful, brilliant shinobi of a wife, before re-focusing on the problem at hand.

Wait, she realized. I'm on the right track here. Asami and I love playing Shogi, and there's a king piece in Shogi. Ah let's see, what else? The other pieces in Shogi are knights and pawns, and there's the sacrificial piece. Out of all of them, the king is the most important piece. Lose the king and you lose the game. Understanding came over her, a smile creeping on to her face. So all I have to do is equate the game pieces to the real world and determine who the king is.

So who do we lose that would make us lose the game? Initially, she wanted to say the Hokage, or perhaps the Feudal Lord, but dismissed those answers as too obvious. The Hokage and the Feudal Lord could both be replaced, as much a blow as it would be to lose either of them. Like it or not, both of them were replaceable. Neither of them were the right answer. Who isn't replaceable then? Who can we not afford to lose? Her mind flicked through the roster of the village's inhabitants, people and names and all the multitudes of citizens she knew were there but didn't know personally flashing through her mind.

Through it all, images of Asami and their young daughter Yasuko kept appearing. Korra would be devastated if anything happened to them, but ultimately she knew she would survive. Though if Yasuko were to be killed and Korra didn't go first, she would never forgive herself and would never be able to look Asami in the eye again. Any mother would be crushed by the loss of her child. Wait…that's it. She gasped slightly, an expression of shock, followed by a smirk of understanding as revelation hit her.

Looking up to the Hokage and Shikamaru, she spoke with confidence in her voice, and a slightly smug grin on her face. "The children," she said. "The children are the king. They're the future of the village, so if we lose them, we lose the game."

The two men chuckled, looking at her with approval in their eyes, and they exchanged a look between themselves.

"Well," the Hokage began. "She certainly figured it out faster than you did, eh Shikamaru?"

Shikamaru smirked at him. "And I had to explain it to you sir, so what does that make you?"

Naruto laughed. "True, true," he admitted, turning his attention back to Korra. "Now then," he rubbed his hands together. "You have proven you understand who must be protected at all costs, and are willing to give your own life to do just that, given your mission record. Korra…you have the Will of Fire indeed. The fierce desire to protect those you love, and the village with everything you have."

Humbled, Korra almost whispered, "Thank you my lord." It was said that the Third Hokage often spoke of the Will of Fire, and she had heard the current Hokage's thoughts on the matter before, but to have it stated for her so plainly that she possessed the same spirit, was both humbling and encouraging. It was good to know that the higher ups thought so highly of her.

"Which is why," the Hokage continued, smiling and nodding. "We have come to a very important decision regarding you."
He held out his hat towards her, indicating that she should take it, and cautiously, Korra reached out and grasped the other side with both hands.

"Korra," Naruto said, with great seriousness in his voice and his expression. "As of this moment…YOU are the Hokage." He released the hat, and Korra drew it towards herself slowly.

She stared at the older man for a long moment, the room silent, processing, before what had just been said finally hit her. "WHAT," she questioned loudly, going slack jawed. "Ho…Hokage…me…what…I can't," she protested. "S…surely someone more qualified…" She thrust the hat back towards him, attempting to return it.

He in turn pushed the hat back towards her. "There isn't anyone more qualified," he argued quietly. "But if you truly don't desire the position, you're going to have to come up with an alternative."

"Sasuke," she countered quickly. "He's just as strong as you, and didn't you say he once claimed he was going to be Hokage?"

The Seventh laughed. "Sasuke doesn't have the mentality to be Hokage, and he knows it. He's too much of a loner. He's done too much against the village in the past to be accepted anyway. It's true that in the end he helped save the village, but the doubt is there. No. Sasuke is not suitable for the position. Besides, he's older than I am. It should be someone young, and strong, with many years ahead of them to guide the village. Someone like you."

"Asami then. She's young like me, and she's strong, and she's way better at decision making than I am, plus she knows just as many jutsu, if not more."

"Your wife is talented yes," he agreed, stroking his chin. "However, you and I both know she is currently far too busy working with the medical team under Sakura, and helping you raise your daughter, to take on the responsibility of leading the village."

Frowning, Korra racked her mind for someone else, anyone else that could possible take her place, but everyone she thought of that was remotely qualified was either too old or far too busy with previous engagements. She took in a deep breath through her nose, letting it out through her mouth slowly. It seemed she had no choice. There really was no one else for the job. Not that she was completely averse to the idea, it was simply overwhelming to think that she would suddenly be thrust in to this position, with the entire village depending on her for guidance.

"I suppose," she began hesitantly, looking up at the two older shinobi. "That it's up to me then." She hesitated a moment, a look of concern passing over her face. "You really think I can do this?" This last question directed at the Hokage…No the previous Hokage, she reminded herself. That's you now...I'm the Hokage, she thought frantically. Oh spirits I'm the Hokage!

Naruto laughed lightly, and she met his eyes. The old man had a smile on his face. "It's hitting you isn't it," he asked kindly. "The weight of your responsibilities."

Unable to speak, she made a sound of confirmation and nodded, blushing.

"Ahhh, I understand," he soothed, reaching out a hand and patting her on the shoulder. "It is not an easy thing, accepting such a burden. Even I had my moments of doubt after assuming the position, and it was what I had wanted ever since I was very young."

"Yes sir," she responded quietly. "Thank you for your trust. I swear I'll do my best."

"I know you will," he confirmed, nodding. "That is why I chose you to succeed me." He contemplated a moment, seeming lost in memory. "You know, I had originally intended Konohamaru to succeed me. However," he sighed. "Circumstances being what they are…"

Korra remained quiet. The death of Konohamaru weighed heavily on the old man, she knew. He felt responsible for the young shinobi's demise, as he had been the one to assign him the mission in which he'd lost his life.

Naruto shook himself out of his funk. "Ah but that is neither here nor there. We are here, and you are Hokage now, and I can rest easy knowing the village is in good hands."

"Thank you my lord. I'm honored…truly."

"Ah good, good," he chuckled, waving his hand. "Now perhaps you should go and inform your wife of your new responsibilities? I'm sure she'd want to know."

I am going to have to tell Asami, she realized. I wonder how she'll react?

She rose to her feet, tucking the hat under her arm, and bowing. "By your leave then Lord Seventh?"

He smirked at her, bowing his head. "By your leave Lady Eighth."

She blushed, ducking her head slightly. Lady Eighth huh? I guess that's technically what I am now. Guess I'll just have to get used to it.

She started towards the door, but stopped as another thought hit her. "Wait," she reasoned. "Aren't we supposed to have a ceremony? Shouldn't everyone be informed? They have a right to know who'll be leading them after all, and don't the Jonin have to approve? And what about the Feudal Lord?"

"The Feudal Lord has already been contacted and approves," Naruto calmed her with a raised hand. "And the Jonin of this village love you Korra. They have a fierce admiration and respect for you. No need to worry about them. The entire village loves you. You know this. And as for the ceremony, we can have that at any time you please. Tomorrow even. Your cape should be ready by now."

Considering this for a moment, she let out a breath. I should have known he had this all planned out. I bet he knew I'd accept. She gave a little smile. That's Lord Seventh for you.

"I'll take my leave then," she informed the men, a grateful smile on her face.

With a final bow, she turned and left the room, pausing a moment before opening the door, and with a determined expression, she placed the hat on her head and opened the door, stepping out in to the hall.

A moment of quiet reined in the room as the two men gazed at the door, before turning to each other.
"She'll do just fine," Shikamaru confirmed.

"Aye," Naruto agreed, nodding.

Shikamaru regarded him for a long moment of silence. "So," he ventured. "When are you going to approach her regarding that other matter?"

Naruto shook his head slowly. "Not yet. Let her settle in first, find her rhythm as Hokage. Then I'll see what she wants to do."

Shikamaru gave a curt nod, making a sound of agreement.

Stepping out in to the hall, Korra took a moment to collect herself, shutting the door and letting out a breath as she leaned against it. Gathering herself, she moved off the wall, and looked across the hall to where Mako leaned on the opposite wall.

The tall, orange-eyed man, with the spiky hair, had been one of her two team mates along with his younger brother since they graduated from the academy, up until Korra had joined the ANBU. He moved off the wall and came over to her.

"Hey," he said in his usual calm manner. "What did Lord Seventh want? Are you going on a mission?" Then his expression changed, taking in what she wore on her head. "What is that? Isn't that the Hokage's hat?"

"Yeah," she answered quietly.

Mako raised an eyebrow. "And you have it because…"

"He gave it to me…he…he made me Hokage." She was still somewhat dazed after what had just happened, still processing.

Mako was flabbergasted, his mouth hanging open in shock for a moment. "You're serious?!"

Korra began walking down the hallway and Mako followed. "Yeah," she confirmed, looking over at him briefly and nodding. "It surprised me too. But he called me Lady Eighth and everything."

"Wow," Mako scratched the back of his head. "Korra, that's amazing. You must be really happy. I'm sure happy for you. It's not everyday you become Hokage after all, or your best friend does in my case."

She looked over at him, to see a rare, large smile on the man's face. "I am happy," she agreed, sticking her hands in her pockets. "It's just a lot to take in ya know?"

"That's what she said."

Korra looked at him out of the corner of her eyes, seeing his smirk, and she smirked back. "Somebody mark the date. Mako made an actual joke. Someone declare a national holiday."

"Ha. Ha," Mako countered, his tone equally playful. He was silent for a while as they exited the building and moved in to the village. "You know…with you being Hokage and all now, you could probably make that happen."

"Oh my God, shut up!" She laughed, shoving him, making him laugh as well.

Getting a serious look on his face, he stopped walking. Korra stopped as well, curious.

He bowed deeply to her. "As you wish, Lady Hokage, ma'am." Raising his head, she could see the smirk on his face.

Korra shook her head, laughing and moving off. "Remind me to have the ANBU murder you," she said without malice.

"Noted." The smirk still hadn't left his face.

She paused for a moment, a shocked look on her face. "Oh God I actually could do that. I'm in charge of the ANBU now I suppose."

Taking in her somewhat shell-shocked expression, he let out a breath. Placing a steadying hand on her shoulder, she shook her slightly.

Korra looked over at him, the nerves clear on her face. In fact, she was sure she looked positively terrified. She certainly felt it.

"You ok," he asked her, concerned.

"Errrmm," she scratched the back of her neck. "Define ok." She let out a breath. "Honestly, I'm continually shifting between, 'I can do this' and, 'Someone help me I have no idea what I'm doing…' so yeah. There's that."

Mako let out a breath, moving in front of her and putting both hands on her shoulders. She looked up at him curiously.

"Korra, look," he began slowly. "You are the strongest shinobi I have ever met, with the exception of maybe Lord Seventh. You are also the kindest, most selfless, most beautiful, most amazing woman I have ever had the pleasure to call my friend." He scratched the back of his head nervously. "Errm…don't tell Asami. She's really great too, I mean it's not like I think she's ugly or anything, and she's selfless, and smart and beautiful too but uhhh…" He trailed off when he noticed Korra smirking at him.

She laughed, patting him on the shoulder. "Thanks Mako." There was a genuine smile on her face. "That really means a lot to me."

He let out a relieved breath. "Oh good. Plus I really didn't want Asami angry with me. Your wife is scary when she gets mad."

"She sure is," Korra agreed, nodding. "Well, speaking of my wife, I'd better go tell her that I've been put in charge of the entire village." She scratched the back of her head, laughing nervously. "Ok still not used to that. Anyways, I'll see you tomorrow ok?"

He nodded, and Korra moved off, taking the fast way home by leaping from rooftop to rooftop. She smirked. I love being a shinobi. Really has its perks. You're not gonna see the average person doing this.

Smiling, Korra came to a stop, dropping down in front of the door to the home she shared with the two favorite women in her life. "Asami," she called out, walking in and shutting the door behind her. "Yasuko. I'm home!"

The sound of rapidly pounding tiny feet on the wooden floor was her answer, and before long, her daughter came careening around the corner. Korra barely had time to straighten from removing her sandals before she was tackled.

"Mommy," the little girl cried out in excitement, clinging tightly to Korra's torso. "You're back!"

"Oof," Korra grunted as Yasuko squeezed. "Hey kiddo. I missed ya. Were you a good girl for Mama while I was gone?" She looked down at the child affectionately. Dark skinned like Korra, though not quite as dark due to Asami's influence, but with the green eyes and flowing black hair of her other mother. Medical ninjutsu was truly a glorious thing, and Korra was truly grateful that it had advanced enough to allow them to have a child of their own blood, even though both of them were women.

Yasuko pouted, puffing up her cheeks to the point it began to make her look like a startled toad, and Korra had to avoid laughing, so as not to insult her daughter.

"Mommyyyyy," the girl whined. "I'm always a good girl."

Laughing, Korra patted her on the back. "I know you are sweetie. Now where's Mama? I need to say hi to my other favorite girl."

"Mama's in the kitchen. She's making stir fry." Yasuko smiled up happily at her mother.

Korra sniffed the air. "Mmm. You're right. I thought I smelled something good." She took her daughter's hand. "Come on munchkin. Let's go say hi to Mama ok?"

"Ok!" Yasuko followed along eagerly, skipping and swinging her free hand. As the pair walked, Yasuko gazed curiously up at her mother, sure she'd seen that hat somewhere before. She tugged on Korra's arm, and the young woman looked down at her. "Mommy, where'd you get that hat?"

"Oh this?" She fingered the hat brim, smiling down at her child. "Lord Seventh gave this to me."

The child's eyes widened with awe. "He did?"

"Mmhm," Korra confirmed, with a nod of her head, amused at her daughter's reaction.

"He's so nice!" She had met the previous Hokage before several times, and always reacted well. The two had a positive relationship even if they weren't particularly close.

Korra chuckled, glad of her child's happiness, and general positive outlook on life. She hoped it stayed with her throughout her life, despite the world's way of crushing spirits like hers with reality. "Yeah," she agreed. "He is."

Opening the kitchen door, and stepping through, Korra was met with the delicious smell of her wife's cooking, the mouth-watering smell of stir-fry filling the room. Inhaling deeply, she let out a pleased hum, and smiled as she spotted Asami at the stove, spatula in hand, as she stirred the food.

Yasuko broke away from Korra, running up to her other mother and grabbing on to her leg with a cry of, "Mama! Mommy's home!"

"Ah, I thought I heard you two talking out there. Welcome back," Asami said, turning with a smile. Then she took in Korra's new accessory and a look of shock passed over her face. "Korra…what?" The questioning look on her face said it all.

Blushing, Korra fingered the brim of the hat. "Oh this? Well funny story actually, see…well…I'm sorta the Eighth Hokage now…yeah…heh heh."

Absolute shock was all that could be seen on Asami's face at Korra's statement. "Y-you're serious." Her eyes flicked between Korra's face and the hat on her head, the serious expression on the dark-skinned girl's face giving credence to her words. "You are serious," Asami confirmed. Turning down the heat on the food, and putting down the spatula, she walked to Korra, taking both her hands in her own. She raised a hand up, affectionately stroking Korra's cheek, who looked up at her. "Korra," The affection in Asami's voice was palpable. "You are the most amazing woman I've ever met. I'm so proud of you. You deserve this. I'm so lucky to call you mine."

"'Sami," Korra protested, the blush growing on her face. "I've always felt like the lucky one. After all, I've got you…but thank you. You're support is everything to me."

"And you'll always…have it," Asami assured, as she leaned in. Korra leaned up to meet her, and their lips met, Asami's arms wrapping around Korra's shoulders, and Korra's around the taller woman's waist. They held each other tightly as they kissed. Getting in to it, Korra opened her mouth, inviting Asami's tounge inside, and the older woman responded eagerly, their tongues swirling and dancing with each other. Asami let out a little moan, and Korra felt her heart speed up at the sound.

"Ewww," The small voice made the both of them jump, and they pulled away from each other, blushing. They had forgotten they weren't alone in their moment of passion. Their daughter stuck out her tongue at them, making a disgusted face, causing both women to chuckle embarrassedly. "Mommy, Mama, that's gross! Blech," she declared with all the certainty of a child who believes with absolute certainty that their point of view is irrefutable.

Asami and Korra both laughed, and Asami walked over to their daughter, stroking her hair. "Someday you might not think so sweetie. Someday you might meet a guy or girl who you want to kiss too," Asami spoke, holding up a finger and leaning forward with a smile, making eye contact with the young girl.

Yasuko crossed her arms with a "hmmph," and pouted, the spitting image of Korra, making Asami chuckle. "No way," she declared. "Kissing is icky." Both her parents laughed again at this.

Korra turned to Asami. "Is the food ready? I'm starving," she asked, rubbing her stomach. As if on queue, it gurgled, making Korra laugh.

Asami rolled her eyes, a smile on her face. "Just about," she said, going back to the food, and taking up the spatula again. "Why don't you go wash up? I'll call you when it's ready."

"You're the best 'Sami," Korra declared, walking up beside her wife and wrapping an arm around her waist. She gave her a peck on the cheek, and turned to head upstairs.

Asami smiled, watching over her shoulder until Korra left the kitchen, before turning back to the food. She turned to look over her other shoulder. "You go wash up too Yasuko, alright hun?"

"Ok Mama," the girl agreed pleasantly, smiling and hopping off the chair she had been sitting in, heading towards the door.

"Good girl." Asami smiled at her, turning back to the food. I have two such amazing girls in my life, she marveled. How did I ever get so lucky?

"He's late," the tall woman said to her companion. She turned to him, her long braid swinging with the movement of her head, the eye like mark on her forehead shining in the moonlight.

"He'll be here," the shorter man assured her, his shaved head reflecting moonlight almost like a mirror.

"He'd better," the tall woman grunted in annoyance, turning to look over the cliffs. Hidden Leaf Village could just be seen in the distance.

"Patience P'li." He held up a hand. "Ghazan has never failed us before. He'll complete his mission."

There was a silence between the two, as they stood watching the village in the distance below them, their black cloaks fluttering in the wind. A noise made them both turn, a figure dressed as a Leaf Shinobi coming up the path towards them. Reaching the top, the figure paused, and P'li and the shorter man both tensed, moving their hands instinctively towards their weapons.

The figure held up a hand. "It's me," the rough voice said, and he erupted in a wave of smoke, a pooffing sound accompanying it, as he released the Transformation Jutsu. When the smoke cleared, it revealed a heavily muscled man, with long black hair, and a squared off mustache separated in to two parts. He wore the same robes as the other two.

"You're back," the short man said, turning fully to face him. "Were you able to infiltrate the village?"

Ghazan nodded. "Yeah. We were too late. It looks like they just inducted a new Hokage about two days ago. I wasn't able to find the previous Hokage. My guess is they've got him hidden away somewhere."

The man with the shaved head turned away, putting a hand to his chin in thought, supporting his right elbow with his left hand.

"Zaheer," Ghazan prompted. "What do you want to do?"

"This new Hokage…did you get a look at them? Who are they?" Zaheer turned back to face Ghazan.

Ghazan snorted in derision. "Some kid. She didn't look like much to me." He shrugged.

"Even so, if she managed to become Hokage, she must have some skill," Zaheer countered. "We can't afford to take her lightly, especially at this early stage."

P'li walked up and joined them. "So what now?"

Zaheer was silent for a long time, and if they weren't familiar with him, the two would think he wasn't going to answer. Instead they knew he was contemplating, considering every outcome, planning hundreds of steps in advance. That's how it worked. Zaheer was the brains, and thus he was their leader; the chess master, surveying the board from above and ensuring that each piece moved the way it should. Though he wasn't incapable of getting in the fight himself, a fact he had proven multiple times in the past. This master of genjutsu was no one to be trifled with.

"For now we retreat and regroup. We wait for Ming Hua to return from Hidden Rain. Her sensory skills will be invaluable in getting a read on this new Hokage."

The other two made sounds of agreement, nodding. Zaheer stepped forward, placing a hand on each of their shoulders. A rare smile split his face. "Patience my friends," he told them with confidence. "Soon we will return this world to its rightful state." They all turned to face the village. "Soon…the Red Lotus will triumph, and the world will know true freedom once more."

As if some sign from the heavens, the red lotus symbol on their cloaks seemed to flash brightly for a brief instant.

A/N: I promised myself I wouldn't do this. I promised myself I'd stick to one or two stories at a time, but I couldn't resist sharing this with you guys. If I have any flaws I'd say it's that I come up with too many story ideas at a time, and jump between them constantly. Seriously, ask my friends. :p Anyways, here's the start of another story. Maybe I'll be able to finish the ones I've started within the next five years. XD Hopefully it doesn't take quite so long. Either way, enjoy, and as always, reviews are encouraged and appreciated!