CHAPTER 1: NARUTO'S NEW FRIEND
Hokage's Office
Tsunade let out a sigh that was louder than originally intentioned. Here she was again, sitting in at her desk and signing piled upon piles of paperwork that never seemed to end- even after the papers for the day stopped coming in.
She took a moment to sit back in her chair and rub at her temples. Her eyes felt strained and actually hurt a little bit. The idea of numbing the pain with a little sake flashed across her mind and promptly slipped open the bottom drawer next to her foot. She pulled out a bottle before opening the top drawer to grab a glass. Closing both drawers, Tsunade proceeded to sip away at the rice wine. Her eyes randomly scanned the office before landing on the top of the desk. Looking past the bane of all Hokages, brown eyes looked into a framed photo of herself smiling with a certain hyperactive blond. A loving grin crossed the Sannin's complexion before she sighed out of content. That same grin, however, faded ever so slightly as something else crossed her mind: worry.
Sure, she knew Naruto could handle himself just fine, but that didn't stop her from thinking of all the what-ifs. It has only been a month since Naruto's fight with Sasuke at the Valley of the End. Naruto came into the hospital unconscious with numerous severe wounds, including broken bones. The doctors stabilized him with her guidance within the hour but he didn't wake for another 3 or 4 days.
Tsunade recalled coming into his hospital room everyday, checking his vitals and whatnot before stopping to watch the Genin slumber in his coma and silently praying to any god that would answer. This caused the Godaime's eyes to sting. She blinked the tears away the best she could and used her hand to get rid of the rest.
Unwilling to dwell on it any longer, she shook herself and downed a shot of sake in hopes of dulling the negative emotions.
Naruto should be back sometime today, Tsunade thought to herself. She was referring to a solo mission she sent the energetic Genin on. He was supposed to be back either later today or early tomorrow by her calculations.
Konoha Gates
Naruto's face beamed as he spotted the gates to Konoha up ahead. He quickened his pace a little and before long, he was passing through and officially entering the village he grew up in- until the two Chunnin on guard stopped him.
"Stop! Who are you!" one of them commanded, "State your name and your business." Naruto was taken aback by this. These two guards never once acted like this towards him. He confusion was quickly diffused when he remembered that he now had a new little friend with him.
"Uzumaki Naruto, Genin-rank Shinobi of Konoha," Naruto complied, "I am returning from a mission assigned by the Hokage." The Chunnin addressed nodded in acknowledgement then looked past Naruto at the other character.
"And who's this with you?" he asked further. Naruto glanced at his new friend. She had the appearance of a girl with cat-like limbs and tail. Pink claws could be seen within her paws. On her head were cat-like ears and a mane of blue hair that matched her blue eyes. White fur completely covered her limbs but barely covered her more explicit areas.
Naruto gave her a warm smile and pet the area between her ears for a second before turning back to the Chunnin.
"She is someone I met while on my mission. She has nowhere else to go," Naruto calmly answered. The Chunnin nodded again then called to the other Chunnin guard, "Hold down the fort for a short while. I'll take them to the Hokage."
Hokage's Office
Tsunade yawned as she kept at completing the endless paperwork as usual. The shots of sake from earlier seemed to have left her drained, giving her urges to just pass out and nap away. A knock on her office door, however, jerked her back to full awareness. She looked up to find a Chunnin sticking his head into the room.
"Lady Tsunade, Uzumaki Naruto is back from his mission and is waiting to see you," the Chunnin reported.
"Send him in," Tsunade replied without much emotion. Despite trying to sound professional, Tsunade was anxious on the inside to see her "godson" home safe. She didn't have to wait long at all as Naruto made his way into the office. She felt a welcoming smile cross her face- only to switch to a look of confusion and curiosity upon seeing who came in, tailing behind the hyper blond.
"I'm back, Baa-chan! The mission was a success," Naruto announced.
"Well done, kiddo," Tsunade remarked as she sketched some quick notes, "However, I would like to know about your little friend there."
Naruto nodded with a, "Will do," and began his story.