Chapter 2: Wishful Thinking
I do not own Naruto, nor the character Shinachiku. Both belong to their respective owners.
Naruto stacked his papers into a neat pile and moved them to a corner before turning his attention back to the laptop, clicking away at the keyboard in response to a message from Gaara concerning the end of the exams. Shikamaru was looking through a book while Takeshi, in his hooded cloak, stood behind him silent.
"Do we know if there has been any new missions being reported?" Naruto asked.
"No. It's only been a couple of days since the Exams ended. You know the routine." Shikamaru said. Naruto shrugged as he looked over the top of the computer.
"Then you know why I ask." Naruto said as he flipped the top down and leaned back into his chair, exhaling loudly.
"Is this all you do when you're not handling an event?" Takeshi asked. Naruto chuckled as he brought his hands to his face and raked them down.
"You haven't asked your dad? He did this before I was in the chair." Naruto asked. Takeshi shrugged.
"Dad just tells me that it's a whole bunch of paper work every day." Naruto chuckled as he leaned back forward and got up.
"Kakashi definitely would say that." Naruto played with the things on his desk, fiddling with the photograph on his desk. "Why don't you two head home. I think we've done enough for one day." Shikamaru turned around with a scowl on his face.
"It's only noon, Lord Hokage. You can stand to work a few more hours." Shikamaru said. Naruto laughed.
"Oh come on Shikamaru. It's been a couple of days since the Exams. Don't you at least want a break?" Shikamaru glared at Naruto.
"We had two days off from the office."
"But the past two days we made sure that traffic was managed." Naruto pointed out. Shikamaru rolled his eyes.
"What, you're tired?" Shikamaru asked. Naruto nodded.
"I mean, you know how I am when it comes to these things."
"You just get tired from simply walking to the tower on a regular day." Takeshi interjected. Naruto felt a nerve pop as Shikamaru chuckled. Naruto turned his head towards his nephew.
"You know kid, there are times I want you to talk more. But damn, not when you're insulting me!" Takeshi shrugged.
"Careful what you wish for, Uncle." Takeshi said. Naruto sighed as he shook his head, sitting right back down in his chair and opening up his laptop.
"Go for a run, Takeshi." Naruto said. Takeshi nodded.
"Understood." Takeshi turned towards the open window and jumped out.
"He's a good kid." Shikamaru said aloud. Naruto's eyes remained focused on the screen as he nodded.
"Definitely not like his biological parents."
"Then Kakashi taught him well." Shikamaru said. "And you too I guess." Naruto snorted.
"Please, Kakashi did all of that. I've already got six of them to keep track of." Naruto paused for a moment as he sighed. "Though … I do wish I had gotten Sasuke back. And saved Shin so that they could have seen Takeshi now." He cast his eyes down to the photograph with himself, Sakura, and a tall, dark haired man with a big grin on his face, his eyes a dark red. An almost identical clone of his biological father. Shikamaru glanced over before turning his attention back to his book.
"How's Mai?" He asked. Naruto looked a little longer at the picture before turning his attention to Shikamaru.
"She's doing fine actually. Mai's dedication to her passion has led her beyond what even I could dream of. Sakura and I were surprised when she announced that she was going to venture out to the world so that she could learn the different variations to dancing."
"Could have been a dangerous kunoichi is she had stayed here and continued her training." Shikamaru noted. Naruto snorted as he smiled at the thought of his daughter being helpless.
"Please, she could give Yuuta a run for his money. Compared to Hikari and Aimi, she's the more active of my daughters."
"All of your kids are pretty active in general." Shikamaru said as he walked over to Naruto. Naruto shrugged as he played around on his computer.
"Well … my reputation doesn't necessarily help them at all."
"It doesn't help any of our kids." Shikamaru said. "Look at what we've done with the Fourth War. Everyone is expecting the next generation to be greater than we are." Naruto nodded as he pulled up a file and started to type.
"Yeah. As much as I care for the people and would risk my life for them, their expectations puts on pressure for those with the reputation." Shikamaru hummed as he placed a file next to Naruto. Naruto cast his eyes upon it, and reached out to push it off to the side.
"Make sure you sign that before you leave." Shikamaru said. Naruto grunted in acknowledgment.
The rest of the day was quiet as Naruto and Shikamaru worked through the paperwork and completed missions waiting for the Hokage's signature. Takeshi would return and make his spot beside Naruto as his guard. Shikamaru would file as Naruto signed off forms and typed out proposals for construction within the Village. The time passed slowly, but when it finally reached that point of leaving, Sakura entered the office to wait for her husband to finish up.
"Did you two get a lot done today?" She would ask as she walked over to Naruto and kissed him on the cheek. Naruto grunted as Shikamaru nodded. Takeshi chuckled.
"It's actually the first time I've actually seen Uncle work. And he even wanted to leave early. Good thing Shikamaru said no." Naruto sighed as Shikamaru chuckled, and he felt his wife looming over him with her arms crossed.
"Takeshi … you have your father's knack of getting me in the most awkward of situations. Do me solid … read the situation before you make a comment."
"After a little over twenty years of being Hokage, you should have had gotten used to working a full shift!" Sakura noted. Naruto turned in his chair and got up.
"You get to move around and about! I get to sit behind a desk-"
"And sign paper work." Sakura finished, putting her hands on her hips. "You knew what you were getting into when you took on the hat. It's the same old excuse you've made for the last twenty years." Naruto groaned as he walked away from his desk and walked towards the door.
"I didn't sign up for the paperwork." Naruto said. Sakura chuckled as she followed him out.
"I know genius. Now quit complaining and let's go home so that we can start dinner. The rest of the kids will be finishing up soon." Sakura turned around towards Takeshi.
"Can you pass along an invitation to your father, Takeshi? It's been a while since you two have joined us for a meal." Takeshi nodded.
"Of course, Aunt Sakura. I'm sure Dad would be more than happy to have a meal that he doesn't have to cook." Sakura laughed a little as Naruto shrugged off his white coat in exchange for his black.
"Sounds like something Kakashi would do." Naruto said aloud as he shouldered his coat. Sakura walked over to Naruto and pulled on his arm.
"I'll watch over the Hokage. You earned you break, so we'll see you for dinner." Takeshi nodded.
"We'll see you then." Naruto waved to his nephew and Shikamaru.
"Have a good night, Shikamaru. Hope Temari doesn't gut you." Shikamaru gave Naruto a weird look.
"When has she ever-"
"Say hi to her for us." Sakura interrupted as she glared at her husband. Naruto gave her a grin as he walked off. Sakura followed after, quickening her pace a moment to walk beside her husband.
"I hope his pay is worth having to deal with you all the time." Sakura said aloud. Naruto chuckled as he wrapped an arm around his wife's shoulders.
"So long as I get my amusement for the day, we're good." Naruto said as the two descended the steps. "Nothing drastic happen at the hospital today?" he asked. Sakura shook her head.
"Hikari's complaining that there's nothing to do but sit around and clean the surgical instruments a hundred times over before there is an issue. Noboru finds it relaxing that we don't have to do anything. Gives him time to read." Naruto smiled as he thought of his kids.
"She's probably dying of boredom over there since you've left." Naruto noted. Sakura sighed.
"That's your fault when looking into the genes." Sakura said.
"It takes two to tango, and you're not exactly the patient type either." Naruto said offhandedly. Sakura glared at Naruto.
"You were the one who wanted a large family."
"Could have said no to me." Naruto said. Sakura slapped Naruto upside the head, causing him to sidestep away from her to rub his head.
"We have them, and I don't regret giving birth to them with you as their knuckleheaded father. Now quit being an ass and help me think about what we're going to have for dinner tonight." Naruto sighed as he sidled back over to Sakura's side.
"I don't regret having them either, dear. I shouldn't have made that comment, so I'm sorry for offending you." The two were silent for a couple of minutes as they walked out of the office building and onto the streets, passing by citizens who hailed the Hokage. Naruto would wave in acknowledgment or exchange a few words.
"Sometimes, you amaze me with your brief moments of maturity." Sakura said. Naruto turned his head to his wife and smiled, bending his head down to kiss the top of her head.
"Gotta keep our love life exciting and amusing." Naruto said as he walked into a store for groceries. Sakura followed behind him.
"I hope you're not thinking what I think you meant by that." Sakura said quietly as she inspected an onion. Naruto reached over for a basket and looked at some tomatoes.
"Not at all Sakura. It's been a while since one of our … excursions though."
"The only reason why I'm asking." Sakura said casting a glance over to her husband.
"Can we make ramen tonight?" Naruto asked. Sakura looked at him a little longer before shrugging.
"Sure. But you get to handle the noodles. I'll take care of the other components." She said as she put the onion in her husband's basket. Naruto nodded.
"Sounds like a deal."
The two shopped on in silence, picking up the necessary vegetables needed for their meal before paying for it and making their way back home.
As Naruto didn't live in the mansion typically given to the Hokage, he and Sakura had found a home close by for their family. A two story building with gray paneling with a green house was visible behind the house, with a low leveled wooden fence that bordered the property. This had been the Uzumaki Clan's home since Naruto and Sakura had married twenty three years ago. For Naruto, this was a big step up from the apartment he had lived in for his childhood and adolescent years, and was proud of the place he called home which he built with Sakura.
A ramp went up to a deck besides the building, which the two walked up on as Naruto reached for his keys.
"I'm still surprised it's hold up this long." Sakura commented. Naruto pouted slightly.
"Hey, come on! I poured my sweat and tears into that project. Of course I made sure that it was going to be solid." Sakura chuckled as she tapped her foot on the deck.
"It's a compliment, dear." Naruto looked at Sakura blankly as she took the keys from his hand and proceeded to unlock the door.
"Oh … well … thanks." Sakura walked through the door with a smirk on her face leaving Naruto confused as he followed suit.
The two made way into their kitchen as Sakura pulled out the pans and Naruto pulled out their groceries for dinner and went about preparing the meal. Naruto made the noodles as Sakura chopped and diced vegetables to go into the broth. Both would ask the other questions concerning certain missions or make a quip about some past moments like Naruto failing on his first attempt to make dinner for Sakura on their first date, which would earn a laugh from the both of them.
The door would open and shut quickly as Naruto turned his head to see which of his kids had walked in, seeing Shinachiku with his back turned towards him and making his way down the hall towards his room.
"Shina?" Sakura questioned her husband. Naruto sighed in confirmation. "Has his attitude changed at all since the exams?"
"No." Naruto said as he shook his head and proceeded to strain the noodles. "Funny, because it's the first time that he's initiated a conversation with me in years, but it's about getting him on higher ranking missions. Don't quite know if I'm regretting giving him that promotion now." Sakura turned her head towards her husband.
"I'm sure that it's just a phase he's going through. He'll come around when the time is right." Sakura said as he dipped a spoon to taste the broth. Naruto hummed as he poured the noodles into a bowl and set aside the one he just cooked into the sink.
"I'll go see what he's up to." Naruto said as he walked around the counter.
"Tell him that dinner will be ready in a couple minutes!" Sakura said over her shoulder. Naruto nodded in acknowledgment, though he noted he should have said something so that she knew that he did.
Walking down the hallway, Naruto briefly glimpsed at the framed pictures on the wall. Ranging from family portraits to head shots, or small groups. He made his way up the stairs as he picked up on the loud music coming out of Shinachiku's room. Naruto rolled his eyes at the absurd loud volumes coming from his youngest son's room. Knocking was not going to be an option. Approaching the door, Naruto opened up into his son's room, gray walls surrounded the area, smelling of oil and metal parts as there was two desks cluttered with broken machines on them. Farthest from the room was Shinachiku, the music blaring from the speakers attached to a usb port off his computer, in which his son was bent over typing away, clicking here and there before pushing off the desk and tinkering with a machine on the ground. Naruto watched on until his son finally noticed him and went to turn the volume down.
"Disturbing the peace or something?" Shinachiku asked. Naruto shrugged.
"Probably wouldn't have bothered us for another ten minutes. In which case we would have called you down for dinner anyway."
"So why are you bothering me?" Shinachiku asked as he leaned back in his chair. "Did you finally find a mission to send me on?" Naruto narrowed his eyes at his son.
"I was curious as to what you were doing. You didn't greet us when you got home."
"I've been doing that for the past couple of months, what's new?" Shinachiku asked, raising his eyebrow. Naruto sighed.
"Some acknowledgment to your parents would be respectful. And you haven't exactly been showing that for the last three years."
"Not my fault you let it slide." Shinachiku coolly said.
"Excuse me?" Naruto raised his voice at his son, something he rarely did to his kids until they started to chest up. Shinachiku quickly realized that he had stepped out of line and looked away from his father.
"Sorry. I wasn't thinking." Shinachiku said softly. Naruto grunted.
"Clearly. Next time, be mindful of who you are talking to. I'm your father now, but when you stand at attention in front me behind the desk, it'd be best to keep your mouth shut unless it is for good reason. " He said as he proceeded to back out of the room. "Dinner in five, Mom has invited Kakashi and Takeshi for dinner." Without looking at his son's face, Naruto quickly turned around and closed the door behind him, pausing there for a moment as Shinachiku turned his music back on, causing Naruto to roll his eyes and walk back to the kitchen.
As he made his way down the stairs, he heard laughing and a groan walk through the door.
"Should have ran faster, sis!"
"I wasn't in any hurry, Yuuta. Now pipe down and take your shoes off before Mom sees you."
"Ooh, good call Hikari. Last I need is a lecture about how long she had swept and mopped up these floors for two hours. Don't know why she bothers."
"It's a matter of cleanliness, Yuuta." Naruto said aloud, catching his two kid's attention as he rounded the corner. "Something your mother has preached to you ever since you got your own room." Yuuta chuckled.
"Mom has noted that I was like you in your youth with a mess of an apartment." Naruto smirked.
"Yeah, and she rarely set foot in it unless it was totally clean or she was grabbing me for a mission. You definitely won't get a girl to come into your room with the level of disaster it's in now." Yuuta rubbed the back of his head as he chuckled weakly.
"Touché."
Yuuta and Hikari were the set of twins Naruto and Sakura had two years after their first born, and they were almost considered clones of the respective parents. Yuuta with his blue eyes, yellow hair, and mischievous smile; Hikari with her pink hair running down her back, green eyes, and the scolding look to her older brother. Yuuta was a class clown and saw humor in everything, Hikari followed the rules and had a no nonsense mentality. That said, there was at least one trait they inherited from the other parent. Hikari inherited her father's impatience, Yuuta his mother's monstrous strength.
Yuuta is the oldest by six minutes, and while tall like his father, he wasn't lanky. Rather, Yuuta sported a heavy, muscular build, with his driving notion that he always needed to be ready to fight the big monster and save the Vilage (needless to say he fancied himself a superhero, a personal dream he's had since his childhood). He wore a green, high collared short sleeved shirt underneath his flak jacket with blue cargo pants that stopped at his ankles. Green boots were wore out of a desire to trek through any terrain and not have to worry about fallen twigs or sticks in their home region. Worn bandages covered both of Yuuta's arms to hide the tattoos he had gotten years ago. While he would have preferred to show them off, Sakura does not approve of them. While Naruto noted that he was in a similar boat with Sakura, he turned it into the notion that, as the tattoos were a part of Yuuta's personal combat style, it would be best to keep them hidden as a secret weapon. Wrapped in a coil at his waist was a metal chain with a kunai attached at the end. His head band with a blue cloth was wrapped around his bicep.
Hikari was slim like her father, perhaps the only trait she inherited from him. She wore beige pants with the same colored sandals and a white long sleeved shirt. She also wore the green flak jacket, though above the left breast pocket was the medical emblem. Hikari did not wear her headband like her brother, noting that it was quite clear that she was a member of the Uzumaki Clan. Black gloves peeked from the other breast pocket, metal plating covering the fingers.
"How was your day, Dad." Hikari asked as she went to kiss him on the cheek. Naruto smiled.
"It was as smooth as it could be. But also boring. I already asked Mom how the hospital was, though I'm curious as to what your side of the story is." Hikari rolled her eyes.
"I think she probably told you that I cleaned the surgical instruments over a hundred times. Nothing's happened at all. Shina's walk in was probably the only thing I've had all month. And the Exams did happen!" Naruto sighed.
"Trust me kiddo, I hear you." He then turned to his son. "What about you?" Yuuta groaned as he brought his arms behind his back.
"Team and I worked out all day. Nothing spectacular. Tried to make a move on some cute girls while I worked out. And then-"
"I intervened." Naruto turned to the newcomer's voice, seeing Kakashi and Takeshi standing in the doorway with a bouquet of flowers in hand.
The years were catching up to Kakashi, as gray was starting to become prominent in his hair. Creases were visible from Naruto's standpoint, the laugh lines noticeable in his mask. But he still maintained that air of youth, even in his late fifties, as he walked in with a steady gait. The headband made its departure a couple years ago when Takeshi was capable of going on his own high leveled missions. But while he had announced retirement when he dropped the headband, he still wore his flak jacket. When Naruto had asked, Kakashi noted that it would be weird to be without it like it would be for Naruto with his headband. Aside from that, Kakashi didn't seem to change.
"The bastard." Yuuta growled. Kakashi turned to Yuuta, a spark of amusement in his eyes.
"Long time no see, Yuuta. I did happen to escort those young ladies back to their activities after you failed to impress them." Naruto chuckled as he turned to his son.
"Flaunting doesn't get a guy anywhere, champ. Just builds you up to be egotistical." Yuuta pouted slightly.
"It was going smoothly until he came around the corner. I didn't even see him!" Hikari scoffed.
"Goes to show you still need training." She said.
"Shut up!" The small group laughed as Naruto pushed his twins a little to get them down the hallway.
"Let's move it into the kitchen. We can talk there and get our guests situated."
The group made way into the kitchen where Sakura had mixed the noodles with the broth and noticed their two guests.
"Nice of you to join us!" Sakura said as she went to hug her Sensei. Kakashi chuckled.
"It's nice of you to invite us, Sakura. It has been a while since we've been here, hasn't it Takeshi?" Takeshi nodded as he pulled back the hood of his cloak.
Straight black hair went past Takeshi's shoulders and bangs covered both eyes. But if one were to look closely, they would notice the dark red eyes he possessed. He looked exactly like Sasuke, which caused many heads to turn and whispers to spread as he walked out in the open. The reason he chose to always wear his hooded cloak to escape the eyes of the public. But he was nothing like father personality wise (or his mother for that matter). Maybe quiet and a magnet for women, but he didn't display a cold attitude towards the people around him. He wasn't one to showboat and refrained from being a true fighter. He held great respect for his teammates and colleagues, and chose to be a shinobi simply to help others rather than for personal gain. It always caught Naruto off guard whenever Takeshi was around and didn't give his Uncle disrespect as his biological father had done in the past.
"It's only been a month, Dad. You're just not fond of cooking." Kakashi chuckled as did the rest of the room.
"There's no denying that. So, may I ask what we are having tonight?" Kakashi said as he seated himself at the table.
"Naruto suggested ramen." Sakura said as she turned back to the stove. Kakashi nodded as Naruto and his children proceeded to sit down.
"Well, when I know you're making it, it'll be healthy and good for my age. Need to cut back on the calories at my age."
"You're not much older than we are, Sensei." Naruto noted as he leaned back in his chair. Kakashi turned his glance towards him.
"True, but I am well past my physical prime, as you and Sakura have recently passed yours as well. Time enough to start considering retirement and the state of your health."
"Meaning less trips to Ichiraku's for you." Sakura said over her shoulder as Naruto pouted.
"What are you talking about? I'm in great physical shape! Besides, I've got Kurama to keep me healthy!"
Keep you alive, you idiot. Not necessarily healthy. Naruto proceeded to chuckle as he rubbed his head, noticing that Sakura was glaring at him, who probably knew full well that Kurama had made a comment.
Help a brother out, you ass!
You can help yourself by not bringing me into the mix and admitting that your teacher and wife may have a point.
Not helping.
Who said I was supposed to?
Me!
Sucks for you. I'm siding with them.
Naruto groaned as he leaned onto the table and rubbed his forehead, before noting that the kitchen was silent and looked up to see everyone staring at him. He quickly glanced towards his wife who had a smirk on her face, as if knowing that Kurama was indeed siding with her.
"You're lucky I even agreed to ramen." Sakura said as she lifted the pot up and brought it over to the table. It was then that the door opened and wheels seemed to ride over the bottom frame.
"We're home!" A high pitched voice said.
"Smells like ramen! So what are you all eating tonight while I have my ramen!" Another voice joined the first, and the pair of footsteps joined the slight grunts.
Around the corner came the eldest child and the youngest daughter.
Running down the hallway was Aimi, pink hair with two ponytails by the back of her head with blue eyes with a big smiled stretched across her face. She had her mother's eye shape and her father's mouth. She wore yellow shorts with a black and yellow striped t- shirt, her black headband wrapped around her forehead.
Aimi reached her father and gave him a big kiss on the cheek which caused Naruto to chuckle by the affection his daughter was giving, before she quickly turned and did the same to her mother, to which Sakura responded in kind. As his daughter did that, Naruto turned his head to see his oldest son wheel himself into the kitchen.
"Just in time for dinner." Naruto noted with a smirk. His son returned the gesture.
"Yeah, so what are you guys having?"
Noboru would have been Naruto's clone if not for the fact he had inherited his mother's straight hair of a medium length. Granted, it was blonde like Naruto's, and his bangs would have covered his eyes if not for the efforts of his black headband and matching colored glasses. He wore an orange zip up hoodie that covered a heavy and muscular build similar to his younger brother's. A tight black shirt was worn underneath it, black fingerless gloves on his hands, and black pants. The wheelchair that he traversed in had oddly matched pieces, duct tape, and signatures in marker all over it.
When Noboru was born, complications during the pregnancy had rendered his legs paralyzed. It was a rare birth defect as Sakura had maintained a healthy lifestyle since she had found out initially. There had been over a hundred attempts to get him on his feet, Sakura working relentlessly to give her son the chance to live a normal life as she felt guilty for bringing him into the world in his state. Though there were a few successes; they were brief, lacked the proper resources, and couldn't support Noboru for long. Sakura has yet to give up on her project, avoiding anything that would kill him at his young age. Though she valued each of her children with the greatest amount of love she can give, she believed she failed him and her husband in a way that she thinks she has to make amends for something she had little control over. In the end however, Noboru didn't let his handicap get the better of him, and has been regarded as one of the best shinobi in his generation.
"Was everything ready for the next shift?" Sakura questioned her son as she proceeded to hand out bowls. Noboru nodded as he assumed his place at the end of the table.
"Shizune Sensei took over as I was making my way out." Sakura nodded in approval.
"Excellent. Now, we're still waiting on Shina." As she said his name, Shinachiku walked through the door and took his spot on the table. The room went quiet with his entrance, every set of eyes watching him.
"Did you have a good day, Shina?" Sakura asked her son. Shinachiku looked up to his mother and seemingly contemplated answering, until he caught his father's notice and mumbled an answer. Naruto sighed, but decided to let it drop for the time being as his teacher and nephew were in their company.
"Let's get everybody served. I'm starving." Naruto said as he assisted Sakura in serving everyone.
The rest of dinner went smoothly, Shinachiku didn't speak unless spoken to by Kakashi, in which he acknowledged out of respect. Conversations were carried out here and there, in which Naruto for the most part kept silent and enjoyed the company he was in. Laughter would fill the air, Naruto would partake in it from the time to time. Eventually the meal would be finished and everyone would start to disperse to do their own things. Yuuta and Shinachiku going up to their rooms, Hikari and Aimi going to help their father with doing the dishes as Sakura brought out some tea. This too would come and go as Kakashi and Takeshi would bid their farewells and make way to their home as Noboru, Hikari and Aimi would return to their rooms for their downtime. Sakura would make way to the bedroom to wind down as Naruto would make his way into his office and go about signing some paper work needed for updating the Village's needs. The computer at his desk lit the room as Naruto typed up proposals, occasionally rubbing his eyes to push away the weariness. His headband would be untied and set onto the desk, letting his hair fall past his eyes. The plates and bandages surrounding his right arm would come loose and placed beside the headband to air out his scarred hand, causing Naruto to grimace as he reminded himself of his bout with Sasuke years ago.
"Up for a stroll?" Naruto raised his head to see Sakura standing in the doorway with her evening dress on and a coat wrapped around her shoulders. He groaned as he stretched and proceeded to get up from his chair and shut his computer off.
"A little date?" Naruto questioned as he wandered over to Sakura and grabbed his black coat, hanging it over his shoulder. Sakura smiled.
"It's been a while since we've had one." She said, walking off towards the entrance. Naruto allowed a soft smile as he followed his wife, put on his shoes and walked out with her.
"Your mother and I are going out of the house for a bit! We'll be back shortly!" Naruto called out to his kids, eliciting a response from a couple of them. He closed the door, wrapped an arm around Sakura and proceeded to walk around the Village.
They might have made a comment here or there, but for the most part, they stayed quiet and enjoyed each other's company. Their stroll would take them to the top of the Monument, in which they would sit on somebodies head (could have been the Sandaime's or the Yondaime's, it didn't matter). At about three hours before midnight, the sky was dark and the stars were out. The faint glow of the Village obscured some of the night's beauty, but it didn't diminish the moment for the two of them. Sakura leaned her head on Naruto's shoulder as Naruto looked at the night sky with a content smile on his face.
"It's a great life we lead." Sakura said softly to Naruto. Naruto turned his eyes downwards to her.
"It is. We've got our home, our family, friends, each other." Sakura sighed as she picked her head up and scooted right in front of Naruto, placing her hands in his. Naruto went to look at what she was doing, but Sakura didn't do anything with them.
"I hope it doesn't change." Sakura said. Naruto nodded in agreement.
"So do I, but that would be wishful thinking wouldn't it? Always got to be prepared for the unexpected." Sakura grimaced and pulled away a little from Naruto, which concerned him. "That concerns you?" He asked. Sakura looked off to the side and nodded lightly.
"After what we've been through with Sasuke. The War. And every other thing that's happened since, I just what us to be left alone. To enjoy our lives with each other and not have to worry about everybody else and their problems. Be with the kids and ensure they have a happy life."
"And they will." Naruto said as he cupped Sakura hands. "No matter how old they get, they'll still have the best we can give them. Just as I do with the Village." Sakura smiled a little, but it turned into a frown shortly after as looked back to Naruto.
"That said though, Kakashi did bring up a point that … it would be the best for us to consider retirement plans now. We're not exactly young anymore, and I don't want to die when the kids are still relatively young." Naruto rolled his eyes.
"Please, I'm still in good physical health with the training I do with the kids and my students."
"And when was the last time you've had a session with them?" Sakura asked with her eyebrow raised. Naruto opened his mouth and paused as he thought about it. To his surprise, he couldn't recall.
"I swear it wasn't that long ago." Naruto said as he leaned back and looked up to the skies. Sakura sighed.
"You're behind the desk on a day to day basis with the only exercise being your walk to work and back. Maybe you should consider letting Konohamaru become the next Hokage."
"That's what I've intended to do since we were kids." Naruto said.
"In a year." Sakura finished.
The space between the two was silent as Naruto processed what his wife was recommending to him. It was difficult for sure. Naruto chuckled lowly, but knew that Sakura wasn't going to let the subject go.
"After all I've done-"
"You've done this Village good during your time as the Hokage, Naruto." Sakura said. "This Village has prospered and thrived with you as its leader. Can you do more? Obviously. But maybe it's time for you to stand aside and let Konohamaru step up. It's been twenty two years since your appointment to the position. And though I've helped you maintain your diets and your lifestyle, it may not be enough. Don't you want to enjoy the time you have with your kids while they're still in the Village? Mai's already out in the world, and the other kids might follow suit."
"Are you saying that I'm not being a good father because I spend too much time at work?" Naruto asked quietly. Sakura shook her head.
"You're a wonderful father, and you make it a point to always be there for our kids and maintain our home. You have managed to balance being a leader and a parent. But with being the Hokage as well as a father, you've put so much time and effort into both. I think you're starting to become burdened by both duties and it weighs heavy on you as the years go by. I just don't want you to carry too heavy a burden that you cannot support it." Naruto sighed.
"But it's what I've done time and again. For the majority of my life, it has been the case. I've always pulled through."
"I'm just saying that it might be time to lessen the load and enjoy what you have. Take on a new team, focus on tending to the garden. Anything to fill the void of no longer being the Hokage, but with the only thing on your mind the family and yourself." Naruto looked up to the star lit sky and bit his lip.
"You ask of me to let something go that I hold dear. To create a priority for myself, I don't like the thought of it." Naruto said.
"I'm asking that you realize what you are may become too much to handle on the road ahead. Consider what I'm saying. It's just my thoughts." Sakura proceeded to lean her head into Naruto's chest as Naruto wrapped his arms around her and sighed.
"I'll heed them, Sakura." Sakura nodded.
"Thank you."
They sat there for an hour before the two of them stood up and made their way home. They would get into their room and wrap themselves in the blankets, the two next to each other as they tried to fall asleep. Soon enough, Sakura entered the steady breathing pattern she had, Naruto lied awake thinking of his discussion with his wife.
She has a point. I may have taken on too much I can chew.
But what about the Village? They need me and the needs of the many outweigh the needs of the few. It would be wrong to show favoritism to those of my own blood.
What about my family? The kids I fathered and raised with Sakura are my most precious people. I've created bonds with them that I don't want to break.
Can I not still maintain both as I've always had? It really hasn't been an issue. I'm still on good terms with my kids and my colleagues. What's changed?
Naruto had these thoughts for the rest of the night as he tried to fall asleep, tossing and turning. As he neared total sleep, he heard a knock on his door.
Not a good sign.
Naruto got out of bed and pulled his black jacket over his shoulders and walked down the stairs, pulling out a kunai as he approached the door and opened it, finding one of his body guards on his door step.
"Lord Hokage." The Bodyguard said with a slight bow. "You have an emergency call by the Daimyo to take part in a group call with the other Kage. Now."
Author's Note:
And there we have the second chapter of the story. Quite long, but when there are a bunch of characters to introduce, it's bound to happen.
Some of you guys seemed to be excited with this new story, in which case I'm glad that you enjoyed it and hope that this chapter and future ones are just as good.
If you enjoyed the chapter, great! If not, I hope to improve on the next one.
Until next time, see ya!