Disclaimer: I DO NOT own Naruto or Avatar: The Last Airbender. I do own my own OC.
A/N: Hey everyone! So here's another chapter of "A New Life". Even though we didn't reach our goal of 3 reviews, I really felt like updating. I won't lie though, it's a bit discouraging but oh well. Hopefully with this chapter, we can get 3 reviews. Well, on with the story!
Note: There is a minor time skip between the prologue and this chapter.
"Talking", 'Thinking'
"A New Life"
Part 1: Broken and Lost
Chapter 1: Decision
1 week later….
"This is absolutely absurd! Never in the history of Konohagakure has the Hokage done something like this. This is unheard of!", yelled Homura.
Village elders Homura Mitokado and Koharu Utatane, sat opposite of the Godaime Hokage and her assistant Shizune. Currently, the four were at a secluded building, away from the public. After being called in for a deliberation by the newly chosen Hokage, the elders had assumed she wanted to discuss the current economic troubles the Leaf was facing. This , however, had left them totally flabbergasted.
"Have you even taken into consideration that their enemy will come looking for them? You do realize that he is the one that defeated the Avatar and wipe an entire city of people. Imagine if that kind of threat came to our village. Are you willing to take such a gamble?", questioned Koharu.
Closing her eyes, the Hokage picked up her tea glass and took a sip. Shizune looked on worriedly.
'This is a tough situation. If they're found here the whole village could be at stake.'Shizune looked at her master.'Tsunade-sama, what are you going to do?', thought Shizune.
"You haven't even been in office for a month and you expect-
"I'm well aware that this is a very unorthodox decision, but just think of all the good that can come of this. If we don't do this, that madman will have them killed. They are the only ones that can stop him!", Tsunade interrupted.
"And what about the village? We're still recovering from Orochimaru's attack."
" Even with all the atrocities we're facing, our village will still prevail. Their mother was a close friend of mine….if we abandon those children how can we call ourselves human beings let alone ninja?" , she said passionately.
"I sympathize with what you're saying, but the risk is too high. Don't confuse your personal feelings for the wellbeing of the village.", Koharu said sternly. With a defeated sigh, Tsunade sat down. Looking at how upset her master was, Shizune decided to intervene.
"Um, excuse me, but please allow me to say something!"
All three members looked at the dark-haired woman, shocked that she spoke up. Clearing his throat, Homura asked, "A what do you want to attribute to this finished discussion?"
Feeling heat rush to her face, Shizune dropped her head and said quickly, "Forgive me for this but bringing in the two can be a benefit to the village. If we protect them, the people from their land will establish us as allies. As for the risk of invasion, we'll have ANBU monitor the girls. We can have them trained and hopefully in time stop that man before he wipes out other cities.", she finished, taking in a deep breath.
The room was quiet, everyone stunned at the normally quiet woman's outburst. Homura let out an annoyed sigh.
Looking at Tsunade, he questioned, "How do you expect to have them trained and looked after? You as the village Hokage have your own job to take care of." Turning to Shizune, he continued. "As for you, you have your own job as the Hokage's assistant."
He paused and looked at both women. "If neither of you have the time to do either, then who do you expect to do so?"
At that question, a grin was plastered on Tsunade's face. "Don't worry, I already have two ninja in mind. I'm sure they can handle this."
The two elders gave her a questioning look. "And who may they be?"
Taking out a pen and paper, the Sannin wrote down the two names. Peering at the sheet, Shizune gasped. Seeing her reaction just made Tsunade grin even wider. After putting away the pen, Tsunade slid the paper to the other side of the table. Koharu picked it up and glared at the names written down.
"Of all the people in the village, you chose those two?"
"Yes, they are the only ones who will truly understand what those girls went through. Not only that, but they're still genin, meaning that they won't be outside the village on mission for too long. Even better, they have the strength of a Chunin if not a Jonin level ninja. They're two of Konoha's finest.
Homura and Koharu exchanged looks. Homura took off his glasses and rubbed his eyes. Putting them back on, he stared at the sheet of paper. After a few moments of silence, he looked up at Tsunade.
"You're really hell bent on taking them in."Homura sighed. "Do as you please. You are the village Hokage after all." He hissed out. "But mark my words, we will be watching over those girls and if anything happens to the village as a result of your decision, we will bring this entire deliberation to the public eye."
"Then it's a bet."
"Hm, surprising that you'd bet on this. We are aware of your poor gambling skills." Koharu said.
Tsunade just slid back in her chair. "I won't lie, I'm definitely vulnerable when it comes to gambling with money. But, on the lives of others, I never lose!"
Shizune couldn't help but smile at her master's will. Standing up, the two elders proceeded out the door. Just before going out, Homaru stopped in between the door frame. With a glare he said,
"We'll see about that."
After that statement the two left, slamming the door behind them. Shizune collapsed on the couch. Finally, it was over.
"Ah, I can't believe how difficult that was. Somehow, you did it Tsunade-sama." Shizune said cheerfully.
"Don't give all the credit to me, it was almost over before you stepped in. Let's head back to the mansion, we still have to call those two in."
"Hai!"
…..
"Of all the times she could've called us, why did she choose now?! I was just in the middle of ramen feast at Ichiraku!" Naruto complained.
"Stop whining and deal with it. You know it's probably for a mission." Sasuke pointed out.
Naruto sighed and mumbled an "I guess". Sasuke had to agree though, it was strange for the Sannin to summon them like this. The two ninja had been out in the field doing their normal sparring session when an ANBU had come and said the Hokage needed them. 'Normally if we have a mission, an ANBU ninja wouldn't be sent to us. Either I'm overthinking this or this could be important.' ,thought Sasuke as he and Naruto made it to her office.
Naruto opened the door and was about to give the Godaime hell for interrupting his ramen "date" when he stopped abruptly. Sasuke waked in after and was just as surprised as two ninja were met with the site of the Hokage rocking a small child in her arms. The two genin looked at one another and back at the Hokage."
"Umm, Obaa-san what are you doing?" Naruto asked, scratching his face.
"Well I'm obviously not putting this child to sleep", she said sarcastically.
Naruto growled under his breath and was about to yell when Shizune shushed him.
"Please, don't wake her up. It took a while to get her to sleep."
Naruto blushed and apologized. Sasuke gave the Sannin a questioning look that didn't go unnoticed by her.
"I take it you're wondering why I had you summoned."
The two boys nodded, curious as to what the Hokage wanted.
"Listen up. I'm putting you two on a special mission that'll take years to complete. I've chosen the two of you because I know you can handle such a mission." Tsunade paused to let the information sink in. Naruto looked as excited as ever while Sasuke looked mildly interested.
"I can't believe this. A special mission that'll take years to complete? What is it? Are we fighting ninja in different lands or are we going to war? Tell me!", Naruto yelled, bouncing up and down. His outburst successfully woke up the sleeping child in the Sannin's arms. The little girl looked at the blond ninja and began to cry.
"Great job dope" Sasuke said, rolling his eyes.
Shizune took the girl from Tsunade and tried to calm her down, but to no avail.
"Sorry." Naruto said sheepishly. He prayed that his outburst wouldn't have him through a wall. He looked at the Hokage and saw her shaking her head.
'I'm beginning to wonder if I chose the right people', thought Tsunade with a sigh. Bringing her attention back to the two boys she continued. "At the risk of another outburst, I'll quickly tell you what your mission is. The two of you are in charge of partially raising and training this child and her twin sister."
"…"
Well that knocked the wind out of their sails. There was not response from either boy. The two ninja just stood there, totally baffled. Tsunade stood up and took the girl from Shizune's arms. Thankfully, she had stopped crying. Sitting back down, the Sannin smiled at the two.
"Naruto, Sasuke meet Sakkora."
End of Chapter 1
A/N: What the? Wait, how did Sakkora make it to the Leaf? And where's Konoha? What happened to the rest of their family? Some of these questions will be answered in the next chapter of "A New Life". Be sure to leave a review and tell me if I used the Japanese names correctly. See you at the next chapter. Bye!
