Lord Hokage's Dog—Part 1

Looking out from the watchtower, Sakura sighed contentedly; the day had been quiet and sunny. Kohona was quiet -now that the wars were over, and she was grateful for the peace that had settled around the village.

For five years, wars had rocked the continent, brought by two countries from afar. Strikingly enough, the recreated Sound had allied with Kohona, bringing their enemies to their knees with the help of the Wind and Wave villages. Despite Kohona's victory, Sakura could not help but shudder at how bitter the war had been, and how the shinobi countries had barely overcome the sudden assault of the other lands.

The two nations from afar had covertly been recruiting ninja for their attempt at a takeover, and when they came, they came with more ninja than ever anticipated. Sand, though a close ally, could not lend their full support because of an uprising within the Wind Village, and Wave, though strong, was also small, and even with all their help, Kohona struggled. The Hokage, strangely enough, had foreseen this and had dove directly into the fray, saving Kohona from invasion and Suna from a complete coup de grace.

Naruto saved them all.

After Danzo had died at the hands of Sasuke during the war, Tsunade had been called on to select the next Hokage and had handed Naruto the title. All of Kohona's shinobi had expected it except for him, and Naruto, for a moment, did not accept the position—which shocked everyone. Sakura would never forget the moment when he took the previous Gondaime's offer though.

"Alright, Granny, you got me."

Tsunade's eyebrow rose slightly, and she swiveled in her chair, looking suspicious. She crossed her arms, looking miffed. She drawled, "Oh, so now you want it. Why should I let you have it when I practically threw it into your lap before? Last time, I was put to shame in front of the council because you said no." Naruto smiled and shrugged, "Maybe because this time I know it's overdue, and you've finally realized that not everybody loves me like you…"

Tsunade balked, but Naruto kept talking, his face growing into a solemn smile, "Or maybe because I now know just how much I have to be willing to give up for this village?"

Contemplative, Tsunade swiveled in her chair and looked out the window. She gazed at the village, knowing what Naruto meant, but wanting to dangle his reward in front of him for a little while longer. "So, enlighten me: What does one have to be willing to give up?"

Calmly, Naruto replied, "To be a shinobi, you have to be willing to die for your country. To be the Hokage, you have to live for your country. So I think what I'm trying to say is, you have to be willing to give up your essence, what makes you tick, what makes you, well… you. Including those who you love the most, know the best—"Naruto choked on those words, and Tsunade knew just how hard they were to swallow. "Well, I think that you know better than anyone what I mean. This necklace is just an example of that."

Holding up the pendant that Tsunade gave him, Naruto drew closer, and the crystal caught the morning light, casting it on the opposing wall. Absentmindedly, the Hokage watched the sparkle as Naruto finished.

"Just like this. You have to spread everything good that comes to you."

With a soft smile, Tsunade stood from behind the desk and embraced him, tears falling silently. With a soft whisper she said, "Jiraya would be so proud of you, brat."

Sakura sighed with remembrance, until a hand clapped her on the back so hard that she pitched forward. Whirling around, she snapped at the blonde kunoichi behind her, "Ino Pig! What was that for?"

Ino put her hands on her hips and rocked back and forth on her heels, "You were thinking again, and everybody knows that's dangerous, Forehead Girl! Besides, aren't you supposed to be the Hokage's ever-alert assistant?"

Grinding her teeth, Sakura fired back, "Of course I am Ino-pig! You're the only one that seems to forget that!"

Ino smiled and her head tilted to the side, snaking an arm around her friend's shoulder[.] "Naw, I just gotta remind you of your duty to the Boss."

With a cry of mock anguish, Sakura relaxed and turned to her friend, shoulders sagging[.] "Why do you guys always call him that? He's still Naruto, you know."

In thought, Ino stood back from her friend, and leaned on the lookout wall, "I guess 'cause of Konohamaru; when Naruto ascended, I think it just stuck. Now even Lee calls him Boss."

Sakura groaned, "Lee too! Aw man!"

Ino pouted and was about to respond when said shinobi rounded the corner. "Well, speak of the green beast…" Sakura murmured.

He smiled brightly and gave her a thumbs-up, "Miss Sakura, the Boss wants you to go talk to Shikamaru. There's a bit of a slack at the North Gate, and he wants you to help him fill in the gaps."

Rolling her eyes, she raised her hands in exasperation as she marched away, "One would think that the man didn't have an unlimited amount of clones to do that sort of thing! Jeez!"

Lee laughed shook his head, "Miss Sakura, do you realize how strange it would be to have the reigning Hokage on gate watch?"

Pausing, Sakura nodded, "Yeah, but do you realize how strange it is to have the assistant of the reigning Hokage on gate duty?"

*&*

Shikamaru leaned back on the borrowed chair that he stole from sentries at the South Gate, and put his feet up on the table that was set up to process visitor documents. He closed his eyes and let the sunlight filter in through his eyelids, but just as he relaxed he felt a shadow block the sun from his skin. "Maa, Sakura, you're late."

Sakura cringed but ignored the comment, casting a glance around the empty gate. It seemed that Shikamaru hadn't had much to do that day, so why didn't he just come and get her himself? "Oh yeah, the infamous laziest squad captain…" she remembered. Shikamaru indulged her presence by opening one eye, and said, "Ugh, how troublesome; I'm just about to leave and someone finally shows up."

Sakura clenched her fist and was about to deck the lazy nin, when she realized he was speaking of the quiet chakra source behind her.

Dressed in rags from head to toe, the stranger was incredibly tall, with long black hair that was filled with dirt and brambles. There was a dirty sword on his back, and he shuffled silently to the table, his movements were weary, and Sakura wrinkled her nose at his approach. He smelled strongly of sweat, dirt, and musk, to the point that the Hokage's Assistant wanted to gag, and even more so as he advanced. Even Shikamaru had to fight to keep a straight face as he asked what the stranger's business was.

"I'm here to see the Hokage", the stranger ground out in a voice that rang familiarly in Sakura's ear. She knew that voice, but it was so buried under weary bitterness that she couldn't make it out. Shikamaru asked for the man's papers, and the foreigner reached into the rags to pull out his dilapidated documents, hands shaking slightly. Sakura watched the exchange warily, but grabbed the man's hand as he went to place the limb back in his clothes.

"Who are you? You seem… familiar. Have you ever been to Kohona before?"

The man moved his shaggy head back to her, then replied flatly, "Once, but I was young. I really need to see the Hokage though."

Irked by how he skipped her main question, Sakura nibbled slightly on her lip, glaring mildly. Apparently amused, Shikamaru handed the man back his papers, and the visitor ripped his hand away from hers. The lazy ninja watched Sakura's frustrated face and clenching fists, then handed the man his passport and identification, "Here's your papers sir, but I don't think you should go any further." The man paused as he put his things back in place, and growled, "And why is that?"

"Because you are under arrest, Sasuke Uchiha."