Behind Closed Doors

Conversation 2: Fathers and Sons

Characters: Hiruzen Sarutobi, Asuma Sarutobi

Disclaimer: I don't own Naruto; the anime and all the characters and worlds within belong to Masashi Kishimoto. I'm just toying with the elements.

Author's Note: Here's hoping the next one doesn't take a month. I'll try and lighten up on the drama a bit too.


Tobacco and jasmine.

They didn't seem like a very pleasant cocktail of fragrances, but as Hiruzen Sarutobi lit the floral incense sticks at his desk, he couldn't imagine a better combination. Two scents of the earth, his very own element, to commemorate this special day.

The day of his death.

People called the Sandaime Hokage "The Professor" but thought his knowledge only pertained to jutsu. They didn't realize the implications of that moniker. Wiser citizens recognized that Kage didn't live to be almost seventy years old. They just didn't. Few knew that the venerable leader didn't just know things.

He knew things.

He could look at you and know you, know your motives, know the easiest way to kill you and the best way to use you. Decades of studying words and people alike had given him almost clairvoyant abilities. He could only imagine using his abilities for peace, but today he foretold his death. The sign were in the air: the death of Hayate, the return of his once favored student, the weight of the world pressing down on his chest. None of it bode well for him or Konoha, and yet it was too late to make many more provisions.

The pain of regret truly stung more than any other.

The Chuunin Exams would begin in less than an hour's time, and then it would all change. He knew that. The morning light brought him clarity like he had never felt before. Suddenly, there were so many things to do, so many people to see. All at once he saw Danzo for what he was and how he could've done more for little Naruto and how Konohagakure wasn't the village he grew up in. And there was not enough time to properly deal with any of it.

But he could do a few things.

Sarutobi took the early hours of the morning to prepare for the future he would not see. The Academy could use restructuring. The psychological department needed fine tuning. The borders could be more secure. His jutsu needed to be passed on. And so he prepared as best he could.

He wrote mission assignments when necessary and personally moved when able. Left detailed instructions for his most trusted soldiers. He didn't have all the answers, but he knew enough of the problems and had a good enough view of the board that he could leave it all to someone else.

The Elders could not know he was acting lest they get suspicious or indignant (with his old friends, the two emotions were rarely separated). He kept his schedule regular and his meetings short. Even now he was finishing notes for his two faithful students. There was only one person left he had to see before it was done.

A few knocks at the door shook the old man out of his reverie. He looked at the position of the sun. About thirty minutes until the Exams. "Never enough time," he thought.

"Enter."

Through the oak door strode a hulk of a man, one of Konoha's elite: his very own son.

Yes, there were so many words unspoken between Asuma Sarutobi and him. So many that would remain unspoken. But he did need to get some things off his chest before the end came. He thought that after a life full of so much sacrifice, he deserved a small measure of peace. They both did.

"Hokage-sama."

The voice of his youngest son reached his ears and broke him from his reverie. His head snapped up at the sound. His mind had been wandering off far too much these past few years.

"Asuma-san. Please have a seat."

With a small handsign, the room's privacy seals were activated to their medium capacity. Unwanted visitors would be repelled but no one would find his need for secrecy suspicious. A Kage handled sensitive materials regularly and the Kage office needed to reflect that.

His son stiffly eased into his seat. Sarutobi huffed at the sign. Asuma knew better than to show such tension. Then again, very few lived long enough to be able to fool this old monkey.

"I'm glad you were able to come so promptly, Asuma-san. Would you care for some tea? Perhaps a light?"

He wanted to smile at the befuddlement he knew was coming over the boy. Asuma very casually nodded before reaching for his tobacco stash. Movements perfectly measured. Body perfectly at ease. Much better. The boy learned well. He wished he…well, he supposed it was too late for wishing.

After the Sarutobi men were situated, the elder with a smoking pipe and the younger a simple cigarette, Asuma finally felt the need to speak.

"What's this all about?" His eyes searched his father's face. "As much as I'd love a smoke, I've got a kid in the finals who needs me."

The Hokage puffed on his pipe. "I suppose you do. Well, I'll make this brief."

A pause. These moments are always much easier to navigate in the mind. How does one voice their last words? How can you choose them such that they ring long after you're gone?

Well, there's always improvisation. He took a full breath and started talking.

"I've lived a long time, Asuma. My father, your grandfather, fought alongside the First Hokage Hashirama Senju in the founding of this village. This village I love so much. The Sarutobi are rooted to this village, more fervently than even the Senju. We have given much for the ideal of the village. Peace. Security. Harmony. I have given much for that ideal, even the entirety of my life. My family's lives."

The old Hokage leaned back in the chair, smoke trailing from his pipe. His son seemed too big in that chair. Wasn't he just a boy in his arms…?

"Some things I gave gladly. Others tore me apart."

Sarutobi's eyes were distant as he thought about all the sacrifice in his years. Back then he had Biwako to help steady him. Hold him through nights he thought would never end. She taught him more than either of his legendary teachers. But she died. And the weights in his life grew heavier and heavier…

"Pop. You're acting strange."

"I suppose I am son," Sarutobi said idly. "And I apologize for that. For everything."

With that, the Hokage refocused on the confused soldier in front of him and smiled. Silently, he reached for a file and slid it to his progeny, the last of his sons. He watched the man's eyes widen upon reading its contents and waited for his reply.

The jonin's mouth opened and closed a few times, searching for the right words to say.

"This is…a lot, pop. You sure about leaving this with me?"

He was sure. Someone had to carry the clan and everything else forward. He told him as such.

Asuma's nose wrinkled as he continued to scan the file. Must have only just smelled the jasmine in the tobacco. He would know what it meant. A deep frown etched itself on his face. He closed his eyes and sighed a sigh too much like his old man's.

"I will follow your instructions, honored father," the jonin said with solemnity befitting a monk.

Sarutobi felt his heart stir. Maybe things would be fine after all. Still, there always business to attend to. His guards would be here soon to escort him to the arena.

"I have a one more mission for you, Asuma-kun." With those words, he handed his son a necklace of beads. "I'd like you to pray."

Only his son could give him his last rites.

The younger Sarutobi nodded and they began to pray. They prayed for their souls and the souls of the children and of the villagers and of the ninja. They prayed for peace and respite and hope. The prayed for the present and the future and for an understanding of the past. And when they were done, they both felt at peace. There was little else to be said.

The Sarutobi men rose and prepared to leave the office. While Asuma sealed his file away and the Hokage checked his battle gear, the elder Sarutobi spoke his last words to his once-estranged son.

"I could not be prouder of you, Asuma."

Asuma stalled. There was a finality to those words that struck a strange chord within him. It was always different hearing vocalized words you longed to hear.

"In a way, you have already surpassed me. Continue to be a light for all those who cling to darkness, and all will be right."

The jonin nodded. "I understand."

With that the two men shared a smile.

"Well, I'm sure I'm in for a grade-A rant from Ino now. Better get to the arena." Asuma saluted his father before disappearing.

Sarutobi smiled. He'd done all he could. He was done. A few moments later his guards appeared by his side, and once he was sure he was ready to leave, they too disappeared.