Sorry for the mix up on the last chapter. I posted this chapter by accident.

Sakura looked up at the sky as she walked back to the Hokage tower. Her first day of vacation was a bust. She'd spent the entire day working. Midori was iron deficient which was easy enough to address but her case was severe enough that Sakura placed her on inactive duty. She'd filled out all the forms for Midori's critical return status and got the head of the Medical Corp to sign off. It needed Naruto's signature to be complete. She went to visit Midori's family. There was little she could do for Midori's husband. He had lung damage from a fire jutsu. Lung tissue was extremely delicate. It was best to let it heal naturally. Midori's mother was another story. She had a mild form of poisoning. Sakura gave her an antidote. She was required to file a report on the poison type, likely source, method of dispersion etc. It was likely an item that was sold at the family business. They sold exotic items from other lands. This was a poor approach to attacking a village. The poison left the merchant woman with a weakened immune system and a mild infection afflicted her intestines. Sakura had to return to the hospital to prescribe the necessary medications. She left the prescriptions with Midori to fill when she checked out.

As the sun was falling in the sky, she was on her way to see Naruto to get the forms signed. She reached his office and knocked. After a moment the door opened. Shikaku Nara was at the door.

"Please come in, Haruno-san," he said in his deep droning voice.

Sakura entered and handed the forms to Naruto. He looked at them and signed them. He handed them back.

"Thank you, Hokage-sama," she said.

It was clear they were in a meeting. She turned to leave.

"If you have a moment, Haruno-san, I would like you to stay," said Shikaku.

Sakura nodded.

"I heard that the Hokage no longer has an assistant due to medical complications," he said.

Sakura confirmed his statement.

"I have been unsuccessful at finding a qualified replacement, but your recent return would seem fortuitous."

The rosette looked at the commanding Jonin.

"Sakura is on vacation, Shikaku," said Naruto firmly.

He nodded.

"I apologize for suggesting it, but she has the necessary clearances and qualifications to serve as a temporary assistant until I can find a proper replacement for Midori-san's extended leave. Her experience assisting the Godaime would be invaluable to you, Rokudaime-sama."

Naruto shook his head.

"She recently completed a difficult mission and I intend to allow her to rest."

"Would you consider hearing Haruno-san's opinion before making a final decision?"

Naruto looked at her. She wanted this vacation but this would help her new mission. Shikaku obviously knew about her mission and he was positioning her to be close to Naruto.

"I would be happy to help on an interim basis. My mission was stressful but easing back into village life would be agreeable."

Being the Hokage's assistant was anything but easy. She learned that working for her master, but she could assert more control over Naruto than Tsunade. The blonde Kage sighed in defeat.

"If you agree, I would not object to your help," he said.

It was clear today was more difficult than usual.

"Excellent," said Shikaku. "Your first duty will be to attend the staff meeting tomorrow morning at 9AM."

Sakura nodded. Naruto groaned. Shikaku had a small smile on his face.

"I know you find the meeting trying, Hokage-sama but they are necessary."

Naruto nodded like a scolded child.

"Dismissed," he said waving his hand

Shikaku bowed and turned. Sakura smiled at her friend before leaving. Sakura walked in silence next to Shikaku. He stopped near the exit to the tower.

"I am pleased that you agreed."

His eyes carried the rest of the message. Sakura nodded before they parted ways.

She felt exhausted when she reached her front door. Her vacation was ruined and she now had a position that no sane person envied. Sure, some might think it was an excellent position to learn about village politics and influence the Hokage. In reality it was like being a nanny. She had to keep the Hokage on task and on time. She had to deal with whining and the various vices the Hokage had that could never be public. All in all it was like a parenting a powerful child.

The faux redhead entered the kitchen to find her parents silently eating dinner. Her mother looked up with angry eyes. Sakura got the message.

"Prepare a plate and join us," said her mother.

Sakura went about dishing up her dinner. She joined her parents at the table. She tried to explain her day but her mother seemed uninterested. Sakura had to tell them about the festival.

"The Hokage," said her mother with interest.

"Yes. I asked him to be my escort."

Her mother looked to her father. He had an impressed look on his face.

"I'm glad you're taking my advice more seriously," said her mother.

Sakura's eyes went wide. This was about convenience, sticking it to the elders and protecting her friend. This wasn't about love. Her mother went off into her own monologue about Sakura's progression of moves and tests that Naruto would have to pass to be considered husband material. Interruptions were ignored and her mother continued on for some time. The wedding is when her father drew the line. He put an end to the fantasy.

"Sakura has met us half way and I suggest we do the same," he said politely but firmly.

Her mother nodded. Sakura went to her room to get ready for bed. She had a feeling that the next day was going to be long.

Sakura woke early. She completed her morning rituals and went downstairs to find her mother happily humming away at the stove. She decided not to ask believing the answer was her mother's pleasant dreams about blonde grandchildren with green eyes. Sakura helped with a few things before her father entered the kitchen. The Haruno family was enjoying breakfast when the Haruno matriarch started asking questions. It ranged from Naruto's favorite food to his feelings about certain village political issues. Sakura answered as best she could without answering.

"What does he think of you?" asked her mother with great interest.

Sakura wanted to slap her ample forehead. She decided on the truth.

"He thinks I'm beautiful," she answered.

This simple comment would keep her mother happy for some time or so she hoped. Her mother's look was a mix of a sappy look and an excited look.

"Good, you have him interested. Be sure to keep him interested but don't give him the goods too soon."

Sakura's father choked on his tea. He coughed for several minutes.

"What?" he managed to get out.

Sakura's mother looked at him.

"Don't act so old fashioned," said her mother dismissively.

Sakura saw her father's eyes on her. It seemed he never considered that his daughter might have a sexual interest in men. Sakura put her head down.

"Mom. Naruto is my friend. We are going to the festival as friends. He is a handsome man, but…"

Her mother crossed her arms. It took very little to sour her dreams.

"Fine. I'll die old without any grandchildren. My daughter will work herself to death."

The elder woman marched out of the kitchen in a huff. Sakura looked to her father.

"Your second cousin Amaya is pregnant," he explained.

Sakura nodded to confirm her understanding. Her mother didn't have siblings so she was close to her cousins growing up. Awful feelings filled the medic nin. She didn't want her mother angry or hurt but she had to understand she wasn't a civilian. Duty was her priority right now. She would have time for a husband and children later. At least she understood why her mother was sensitive. Family rivalry could be healthy but it sometimes did more harm than good.

The rosette finished her breakfast and left the house after a final trip to the restroom. She wore a long skirt with a more formal top. She had her headband in her hair to denote her status as a ninja. She could be accessing sensitive materials and having her headband made it easier. Sakura entered the Hokage Tower and went to her temporary desk. Reports and requests were stacked up on it already. Sakura knocked on Naruto's door. She didn't get an answer. It was only seven in the morning. He needed an hour to get ready so she'd give him until quarter to eight. Sakura found the Hokage's appointment book and started to go through it. Midori had a system of color coding and organizing that impressed and pleased Sakura. Notes were jotted in the border with special requests or potential problems. After twenty minutes, Sakura felt she had the big picture of the next couple weeks. It was routine so that helped. The yearly budget meetings and other intense meetings were not scheduled for over a month much to her relief.

As the time approached a quarter till eight, Sakura straightened her desk. She rose to wake Naruto when she heard footsteps. She looked to see him walking down the hall. He had a small smile on his face.

"Good morning," he said to her.

"Good morning, Hokage-sama," she said while bowing her head.

His face fell.

"Sakura-chan," he whined.

She rolled her eyes.

"I am here as your assistant, not your friend. A proper greeting is required," she lectured.

He pouted for a moment before straightening up.

"Very well, Haruno-san. What is on my schedule today?"

He walked into his office and she followed him. Hearing her family name was like nails on a chalkboard coming from him. They were too close for such formalities but it was necessary given her new positions.

Sakura recited his schedule and some of the notes in the margins. Naruto was just nodding to pretend to listen. After a few moments, Sakura had it.

"Are you even listening," she growled.

He sighed.

"Look, I'm a short term person. Usually, Midori will only tell me about the big picture stuff. I trust the details to her."

The medic nin sighed. This was going to be worse than Tsunade.

"Well, you have a staff meeting in a little over an hour. I suggest you review the summary reports from the department heads."

She pulled a small stack of folders from his desk and handed them to him. He smiled at her. As she walked out of his office he spoke.

"Can I ask you something?" he stated somewhat nervously.

She turned and looked at him. She raised an eyebrow which he seemed to interpret as permission.

"Are you going to keep you hair red or are you going back to your natural color?"

She was taken aback by his question.

"I haven't decided yet," she answered after a brief pause.

The length issue was decided but she had received a number of compliments on her red hair. She was still debating the color of her hair. He nodded and looked down at his reports. She smirked. If he was going to ask such questions he'd better be ready for the consequences.

"What do you think I should do?" she asked.

He froze. She could see the sweat starting to bead on his skin.

"I…well…"

She moved back in front of his desk. He looked up nervously.

"I…well…you look good with red hair, but I like the pink too."

She pouted.

"That isn't much of an answer," she said sweetly.

"Well…red…red makes you look dangerous in a good way. Pink hair is more…ahhh…friendly."

She looked at him with her usual disbelief. She took in a deep breath and let it out. She knew it wasn't an insult in his mind. Taking offense was worthless. If anger wasn't the best option, she'd have to tease him.

"Well, I will have to keep it red until the festival is over."

"Huh?"

"I want to look dangerous enough to be on the arm of the most dangerous Kage in the world."

Without another word, she turned and left his office. After closing the door she giggled. That would leave him confused for hours if not days. She learned the best way to poke fun at him was to flirt. Hitting him had a certain satisfaction, but flirting with him was so much easier. She'd say a few things that could be interpreted in a few ways. He'd stew for days afraid to ask for clarification.

Five minutes before the meeting, Sakura knocked on his office door and entered. He was facing out the window in his chair. The reports weren't on his desk.

"Hokage-sama," she said.

He spun in the chair. The reports were on his lap. One was open.

"That time already," he said with a distinct lack of enthusiasm.

She nodded. The walk to the meeting room was like a slow punishment. Naruto's lack of energy was radiating from him. She felt like it was bringing her down as well. He entered the room to find everyone was present. Shikaku was talking to his subordinate. Sakura recognized the heads of the Medical Corp, Decoding Corp, Intelligence Corp, Interrogation Corp, Village Security Corp and ANBU head captain; the ANBU head captain's mask anyway. The elders were sitting in their usual seats. Both had their usual neutral scowl expressions. Everyone came to attention when the Hokage entered the room. They greeted him and he responded. He took a seat at the head of the table.

"Midori-san is out on medical leave. Sakura-san will replace her," said the blonde.

Everyone nodded except Homaru.

"Is it wise to have a former teammate as your assistant?" he inquired.

Sakura saw Naruto's face darken immediately. He looked ready to snap something but Shikaku spoke first.

"It was my idea. Haruno-san has all the necessary clearances and she assisted the Godaimine in the past. It is a temporary fix until we can find a longer term replacement for Midori-san. I have several candidates in mind. The clearance process is underway. It should be resolved in the next couple weeks."

Homoru nodded with a long gaze at Sakura. She kept her eyes fixed forward. The old man wasn't going to rattle her.

"We should get started," said Shikaku.

Naruto nodded. The meeting was mostly routine until the Medical Corp report. The Medical Corp head spoke about Midori's new classification.

"That status is reserved for high ranking ninja," said Koharu with a glare toward Naruto.

"She is a valuable ninja with knowledge of the Hokage, his schedule and S-rank secret information," said Shikaku.

"Her condition is self inflicted," said Koharu. "On-duty injury is required."

The head of the Medical Corp did not agree. The other department heads remained silent. The elders continued to press their position until Naruto stood. He walked to the window with his arms behind his back.

"The decision is made," he said in as calm a voice as he could muster.

Irritation had leaked into his voice. Everyone seemed surprised that Naruto took such a firm stance. It seemed that Naruto had been ruling by committee.

"What's next?" he asked after a pause.

The meeting continued. Sakura noticed the elders stealing glances at each other throughout the meeting. As the meeting drew to a close, Koharu asked about the Spring festival.

"Security is running training exercises. The gate patrols are undergoing additional training as is the norm for this festival," said the head of the Village Security Corp.

"We don't have any credible threats at this time," said the head of the Intelligence Corp.

Sakura's eyes snapped to her. If she was lying, she was a master.

"We have no strange occurrences to report," said the ANBU head captain.

"Very well," said the Hokage. "If there is nothing else..."

Homaru cleared his throat. Naruto turned away from the window and looked at him.

"Who are you asking this year?" asked the elder. "Or will we be arranging another escort?"

Naruto remained stoic.

"I'm not asking anyone and no arrangements are required," he replied.

Koharu and Homaru shared a displeased look. Naruto seemed content leaving them in the dark. Sakura wasn't going to volunteer any information.

"This is not acceptable, Naruto," said Koharu.

Naruto shook his head once. He looked at the elder for a moment before a smile spread across his face. Sakura closed her eyes. He was going to blurt it out.

"I just realized something," he said.

People were looking at him with great concern. Naruto's ideas were seldom politically correct.

"Both of you were appointed by the Sandaime and you were his teammates," said the blonde.

Koharu and Homaru nodded.

"Yet, the first thing you do when my teammate is taking a temporary position as my assistant is question the decision."

The elders' faces darkened.

"Interesting," added the sage.

He looked around the room. Everyone was staring at the center of the table.

"Well, this meeting is over," he said with a smile.

The department heads rose and bowed before leaving. Shikaku nodded to the Hokage before leaving. Sakura stood and moved toward the door.

"You may think your speeches cute, boy, but we served this village before your parents were born," said Homaru.

"Boy," inquired the blonde as he shook his head.

"Yes," said Koharu firmly.

"Consider your days in your position numbered," said the jinchuuriki.

Both elders rose without another word and left. Sakura looked at Naruto. He had a serious look on his face. It was the look of a Hokage. She smiled internally. Naruto was always a goofball, but it seemed that he had a serious side.