AN: I would like to take the time to thank Artful Lounger for helping me edit this chapter and a few others in the past with my grammatical errors as well as a few suggestive hints here and there. I really appreciate your time and thank you for putting up with how many times I spelled Sarutobi with Saratobi.

Your Mistress.

PS: Step away from the cattle prod!

For The Good Of The Village

Ch 4 A Talk With The Hokage

"Hokage-sama, you have a visitor." His assistant called from his doorway.

"Let them in," Sarutobi announced after exhaling a wisp of smoke from his lips as he sat comfortably behind his large desk.

Nails scratched the wooden floor as Pakkun scampered up to the front of his desk. When he reached the center, he rolled over onto his back in submission and called out respectfully, "Hokage-sama, I have a message from Kakashi."

"Oh?" Sarutobi took another pull on his pipe before he gestured for his assistant to leave. "Is everything okay? I didn't expect to hear from him until they returned."

Pakkun sat on his haunches and shook his head, making his ears flap. "Team seven came across two Kiri ninja along the way to Wave. Although there wasn't any confrontation, Kakashi wanted to make sure any missions heading from Konoha to Wave should probably be diverted."

Sarutobi nodded, "I agree." Pressing the button to get his assistant's attention, he called into it, "Check the lists of missions going to Wave or returning from there. Have any that haven't left yet redirected and any that may be sent a message through our 'hawk' system to divert accordingly."

"Hai," The assistant was off to do as instructed.

The Hokage watched over the process as several messengers were gathered and missions were ticked off as being diverted, will be diverted, or needed to get in contact with. As he was waiting...

"I'm assuming they're doing well as well as their new team mate?"

"From what I can tell they seem to be getting along okay." Pakkun licked his jowels. "The young Hyuuga with them seems pleasant."

"Oh?" The Professor inquired curiously.

"Yes, she carries the most tastiest treats."

The Third Hokage had no doubt to Pakkun's claim when the little pug happily wagged his tail panting.

"Is there anything else to report?"

"Everyone seemed to be getting along well and there wasn't a pile of dead bodies like the last time Kakashi called me."

"That's always a plus. Excellent work, Pakkun." The Hokage pulled a drawer open and tossed a biscuit to the ninken, who aptly grabbed it in mid air.

"You're dismissed." Pakkun disappeared in a puff of smoke.

"Well now, isn't that something." The Hokage turned his attention back to the large window overlooking his precious village. "That is something indeed."

"My Lord Hokage, Lord Hiashi and Jounin Kurenai are waiting to see you." His assistant called from the intercom on his desk.

Sighing, the Leaf's Hokage rubbed his withered face tiredly.

There were few things in the shinobi world he hated more than politics. When dealing with some of the special treatment the founding clans enjoyed, he understood that there would be times when privileges would be pushed to their limits as well as the clans that used them would try to show their own importance without fear of repercussion.

Only two such clans gave him as much headache as he was preparing himself for now.

One of them was almost extinct. The other was led by someone waiting outside his door...

"Hmm." Sarutobi glanced at the headdress of his station on the edge of his desk, wondering if he should put it on in front of the Hyuuga Clan Head. The man could be impertinent to coolly belligerent. He decided that it being in plain view was enough. The Hokage has had more then his share of times reminding people of them who the leader was of the village they were in.

"Let them in."

The assistant opened the door, but not without an annoyed glanced when he noticed Lord Hiashi had stepped purposely in front of Kurenai to enter first. Kurenai narrowed her eyes at the back of Hiashi's head, but said nothing as she passed the threshold. The Hokage closed his eyes, clearly preparing himself for the oncoming dispute.

"Hokage-sama," Kurenai's voiced respectfully, bowing. "You requested me?"

Kurenai didn't recover from her bow. Permission had not been granted, so she opened a crimson eye and realized that Hiashi had yet to greet or address the Hokage properly. The Head of the Hyuuga Clan stood stoically before the village leader, emotionless, perfectly handsome and straight backed.

The Hokage gave Kurenai a brief glance and nod, accepting her acknowledgment.

She stood back up, but not without staring at the side of Hiashi's profile dangerously. Being a woman who has excelled through the ranks and achieved the rank of Jounin was an accomplishment very few women could attest to. In a world filled to the brim with dangerous men, she was able to make a name for herself as a specialist in Genjutsu, in a profession that had a fifteen percent female/eighty five percent male ratio. The crimson eye'd sensei was not as formally trained in decorum and customs as Hiashi was, but this blatant show of disrespect was the equivalent to a thrown gauntlet. Although, to openly correct a Clan Head, and a powerful Jounin, as elite as the Hyuuga's was treading a dangerous line. They had their hands in almost everything: politics, village security, diplomacy, etc...

Her duty as a shinobi of the Leaf and her standing as a Jounin promoted by Sarutobi, himself, made her speak her mind.

"Bow to the leader of your village or-" Kurenai began, but Sarutobi Hiruzen gave her the smallest shake of his hand, as if to say 'I'll take care of it, don't worry'.

Deciding The Professor would do as he claimed, she closed her mouth and bit off the rest of what she wanted to say. To witness this level of disrespect from someone of Hiashi's legendary pedigree was a huge insult.

How has someone as gentle, cultured, and well mannered as Hinata every come from such a horrendously arrogant person? Yuhi Kurenai pondered.

Sarutobi waited patiently, unfazed by the man's disrespectful lack of action. He returned Hiashi's cold stare with one of his own, realizing that this was just another one of the tricks the man played while trying to control the environment he was in. He was also sure this was something he now distributed freely to many of the diplomatic councils to negotiate treaties and other such necessities requiring a mixture of finesse and strength in the Hokage's stead.

His current disposition was highly unacceptable and would be remembered.

Hiashi was not in a session with some out of country dignitary or a foreign Diamyo. This was his Lord Hokage and leader of the village where the Hyuuga clan resided.

While maintaining Hiashi's gaze, he turned over his pipe, emptied the used tobacco into his palm, dusted it into the trash by his desk, and packed it with new tobacco without blinking or watching his hands. Hiashi was not impressed or even so much as breathed differently since he entered his office.

Lighting his pipe, taking a few puffs to ensure it stayed lit, he directed his next words towards the female Jounin in the room, "Kurenai-san, please have a seat."

He gestured to the seat by her leg and she took it. The crimson eye'd Genjutsu weaver is acute enough to not say anything but sat properly, quietly.

The same offer was purposely not made to Hiashi.

Sarutobi stroked his beard low on his chin, watching the ever so slight shift of Hiashi's eyes, just enough to see him notice without openly admitting he saw it. Hiashi's austere countenance broke into a slight frown. Hiashi lost that bit of control he was trying to maintain.

That was enough for Sarutobi.

"Our meeting was supposed to between you and I alone, Hokage-sama," Hiashi's voice oozed impatience, breaking the silence he had otherwise tried to keep. "May I ask why you have decided to include Hinata's sensei?"

"This meeting must involve her sensei if you wish to discuss your request to revoke Hinata's status as a Leaf shinobi," he took a slow drag of his pipe, enjoying the aromatic smoke before exhaling it. He turned to a simmering Kurenai, "Seeing as how it will affect Kurenai's team and her, personally as someone who has taken the young lady into her care she should have some say into the development of her apprentice."

"She is not Hyuuga." Was Hiashi's simple response.

"The Hyuuga threw her out. Kurenai is taking care of what you discarded so she has almost as much right to Hinata as you do. Besides, I just got a report from Kakashi while he and his team headed out towards Wave."

Kurenai frowned slightly. "Is everything okay, Hokage-sama? They should not have anything to report till they come back, which should be about a few weeks now."

Lord Hiashi turned to Kurenai and then slowly to Sarutobi. "Has something happened?"

"Team Seven met up with a pair of Kiri nins along their way to Wave Country." Sarutobi watched their reactions carefully.

Kurenai stiffened, "Bloody Mist nins? Is everyone okay?"

"Is she dead?" Hiashi asked in that same emotionless tone, as if he was asking if the paint on the wall was dry. "Is that why you brought her here, Hokage-sama?"

The Hokage's eyes opened wide, furious at the lack of a parent's concern over their child. He recovered well by biting down hard on his pipe.

Kurenai bared her teeth, ready to jump over the chair and hurt that arrogant prick who so carelessly regarded the possible death of his own child.

"Everyone is fine," he walked around his desk and stood before the tall Hyuuga Lord, making sure to punctuate the word Every. Hiashi kept his eyes straight, looking over the elderly man's bald pate. "From what I heard they were not accosted, however there has been an action to keep all travel from here to Wave diverted and anyone already on the road to be on guard."

Hiashi lowered his eyes to the Hokage, "How did Hinata perform?"

"It was not stated, but I am sure if something negative happened I would have been informed." The Hokage offered.

Hiashi just shook his head, disbelief and disgust barely visible from his stern face, "If she didn't pass out, cry, hide, or whimper into her hands, I would call that a vast improvement."

"As much as those traits are hardly considered acceptable." Sarutobi pointed out with a gesture of his pipe, "She is still young and has a lot of potential. This slight change could help her receive some new perspective and a chance to get used to a new group of peers that are different than those whom she has worked with."

"Yes, an Uchiha and a rambunctious juvenile." Hiashi clamly grumbled, receiving frowns from both listeners. "It is a poor showing that the Academy is unable to keep a higher standards in which useless students were taught acceptable levels of shinobi skill and decorum. Letting students like the village idiot and Hinata graduate is hardly the caliber in which to expect anything but a failing future for our village. I am not surprised our last Uchiha made it as a star student without anyone of his family to guide his hand."

Kurenai looked ready to bite steel and jump Hiashi. The Hokage was less perturbed by Hiashi's perception of the up and coming generation, but he was not happy about it either.

"Well then, I can safely say that not everyone holds your views to the same expectations that you hold your own family, Lord Hyuuga."

"Hmm." Hiashi agreed.

"Then again, maybe it is because of his chaotic attitude and exceptional ability to not bend to the expectation of social structure that could make Naruto an excellent shinobi." Sarutobi offered lightly with a wave of his pipe.

"He could hopefully succeed in helping Hinata become more expressive and pull her away from her shyness since he doesn't seem to suffer from a lack of confidence like she does." Kurenai offered, ever protective of her frail student. Exhaling in obvious relief, she closed her eyes and expressed a grateful, "Thank goodness they're okay."

"Lord Hokage," Hiashi announced in a tone that was louder then before, showing his displeasure at being held in his office more then he wanted. "I'm going to assume you had more to tell me other than how Hinata's escort team was not injured and that you have some positive response to my request for Hinata's revokation of being a shinobi?"

"As far as assumptions are concerned, I expected that a caring father would want to know when their child was in danger and that they were safe. If it shows in the concern of their sensei, surely it would be even more so for you, ne, Lord Hiashi?"

Sarutobi took his time wiping the corner of his desk and leaning on it's edge, waiting for his response.

"I guess I could 'express' more concern for Hinata since she is a Hyuuga." Hiashi said cryptically, but not without adding in a heated whisper. "Then again, I don't expect to extend to much of a personal investment in her considering her questionable heritage."

Kurenai's snapped her head around so quickly her hair flew over her face.

Crack!

Smoke started to filter through the Hokage's fingers with the remains of his pipe cupped in his palm. His eyes glowered at the Lord Hiashi, smothering him with murderous intent. Hiashi bore the threatening assault haughtily, arrogantly.

"That is hardly appropriate conversation to be said in view of her sensei! It is also disgraceful to talk that way about Hatsumi!" The Hokage exhaled angrily through his nostrils, patience held in check only by effort practiced through years of training.

Kurenai slowly turned her large crimson eyes to the Hokage. "She's...not his child?" she asked disbelieving.

The Hokage lowered his chin in slight defeat, about to take a pull on his pipe but found it shattered regrettably. He dropped the smoldering chunk of tobacco in a cup of tea and wiped his hands over the waste can.

With a forced grace, Sarutobi sat behind his desk and tented his fingers in front of himself. "Since it is not my place to discuss clan matters and Lord Hiashi seems at ease about relaying such information without regards to the reputation of Hinata, I believe you should ask the Clan Head yourself."

Hiashi turned an impertinent tilt of his head to the Genjutsu specialist, waiting for her to ask him...daring her to ask him.

"Hiashi-sama," she bit the words through clenched teeth, her right hand straying to her weapon's pouch to seek comfort in something that made her feel complete in the impending battle she knew was inevitable. "Is she your daughter?"

Hiashi chuckled mockingly, but not to her. He took an uncharacteristic glance outside the Hokage's window, pacing to it with his hands folded behind his back. He glanced at a smudge and frowned at it with disapproval.

"I don't know." Hiashi announced in an odd lilt. "The circumstances were not exactly cleared."

Kurenai sent a questioning glance to the Hokage, but he said nothing, just seeming to stare distantly. She figured out already that he knew something about this scandal if it was even a rumor. Closing her eyes to focus, she turned into herself to ponder on what she already knew from what was said.

Hinata's mother was a paragon of virtues and held herself accordingly, as far as everyone could tell. Even the mere mention of her and adultery in the same line was enough to put the speaker in a foul view of anyone listening. Kurenai had known her only briefly, mainly due to her interest in botany and then the beautiful daughter who always hovered around her. She and Hinata were cut from the same cloth, even in quiet temperament and graceful elegance. Beautiful was never a word that one spoke of Hatsumi without saying it in some form of reverence. She was a class of her own in almost everything she put her mind to. Hard working and delicate, honest and trustworthy, polite and cultured...

Why would a woman like this ever stray from the man who she chose to marry...

Kurenai's eyes opened and turned to Hiashi, almost sure she knew the answer. "You had an arranged marriage."

Hiashi 'hmph'd' and turned his back to her.

"It's not an uncommon thing among the Hyuuga's to accept an arranged marriage. Our clan has been party to it for generations. Our bloodline is blessed with the Byakugan, that which exceeds all other's in ability and utility. Once she was married to me, she was honor bound to stay faithful. She was my wife and it was her duty to help bless the clan with my children."

Hiashi's voice never rose above that of a normal conversation. Anyone listening from a distance would only suspect they could be talking about clan affairs that were mundane and boring. His eyes spoke differently, though.

He was disgraced and humiliated by this.

Kurenai absorbed this, but a quick question came to mind. "If there was ever any doubt, then why was a paternity test not done? Though embarrassing, I'm sure it would not take long for the results to acquit any other possibility."

Sarutobi's head lowered onto his knuckles, seeming to grow older before her eyes. He knew the answer to this too, she realized.

Hiashi turned his attention to the old man at the seat of power in Konoha, behind the large well worn desk, who has faced the onslaught of paperwork that has kept the hidden village going for generations upon generations. He straightened the Hokage's hat for him and looked Sarutobi in the eye, sharing a brief moment of understanding.

"Yuhi-san, have you ever partaken of an interest in politics?" he asked lightly, free of malice or even the usual hint of arrogance. "Maybe delved into the very mind numbing world of finance? Negotiations on a level where cities, villages, and even whole societies fall and rise to power upon your words? Can you even comprehend the power a person must wield carefully, but also have those listening to you have true and utter faith? To the neighboring civilians, such discussions would be a scandal that would be whispered about the family and then maybe swept under the carpet after some time. However," he purposely pointed to the Hokage's portraits hanging on the wall, "when you represent the Hokages you have to live and be seen to have a lifestyle that is infallible without a doubt in everyone's eyes!"

Kurenai had given him her undivided attention to him. There was more, she knew it. This was her favorite student, though not her best. She knew Hinata was as precious and capable as either Shino or Kiba, but there was always that gloomy cloud that was ever present. Why, she had asked herself hundreds of times. Why is she always so depressed and unhappy? When she went to go pick her up at the Hyuuga dojo and saw Hiashi's focus on the panting Hinabi, she was entrusted Hinata to her, she had immediately felt protective of the heiress. Sarutobi had warned her that there were circumstances that would need careful attention and even a strong reserve for her new ward. She had not completely understood at first, but she did when she saw Hinata's sad eyes and defeated posture by the dojo door, her uniform wrinkled and her skin blemished with splotches with dark red welts and bruises.

Though she didn't complain, it was obvious that the girl was not given a gentle training lesson.

"No," Hiashi said quietly, regaining his composure and taking a moment to straighten out his kimono. "The fact that Hinata 'could' be my daughter is not enough. There were a lot of questions and even raised speculation on the day Hatsumi became pregnant with her. I stayed married to her because it is just one of the many things that a man, as a Clan Head and a man who honors his vows , does for his people and his Hokage."

He folded his hands together and gave the Hokage a slight bow, but it was not as respectful as the gesture should have been given. Sarutobi let it go, though. He knew there was more smoldering intent in the Hyuuga's world then he was allowing Hinata's sensei know about.

"Hanabi is my daughter. Extreme measures were taken to ensure that she was but with her there is absolutely no doubt."

The silence that followed was almost deafening.

Kurenai stood up, her fingers clawed at her sides. "What do you think this has done to Hinata?" her voice was lethal. "I can't tell you how many times I've tried to make her smile or get her to accept any kind of compliment or raise her spirits a little! Her team mates care for her to their utmost ability and yet she can't seem to find control or even focus because her spirit is so broken that there is almost nothing left!"

She turned to the Hokage, her red eyes glowing with their sincerity. "Hokage-sama, please, let me adopt Hinata! I promise I'll cherish her and love her with all my heart. There is obviously none of it for her in the Hyuuga. Please, I beg you, let me-"

"When did the Jounin of this village," Hiashi interrupted coldly, loud enough to break Kurenai out of her outburst. "become so stupid?"

Kurenai closed her eyes and breathed. She needed to breath to control herself and her tumult of emotions. She was loosing herself and she was indeed being foolish.

"Kurenai-san," the Hokage exhaled heavily, knowing all to well what it felt like to want to protect and love a child that was dear to them. Naruto was one of many that he wish he could have taken a more active role in. "You can't adopt Hinata. Her father, or at least alleged father," he pointedly chewed off the distasteful word, "has all legal rights and formal parental authority given to him as if he is the biological father. In order for you to be able to adopt her, he would have to release them or Hinata would have to put in a request for emancipation through her own free will. Now," he gestured to Hiashi, "if you wish to release your parental rights to Kurenai I can have the paperwork prepared and the issue finished in about a week's time."

"No," Hiashi said with a sharp finality. "As distasteful as the girl's presence is to me, she is still Hyuuga and is my mark of shame to bear. From the day she was born she was my burden and those to the burden of anyone who comes to know her. I accept the responsibility and those of her actions. Until that marked day that she has either proven her self, been married off to someone who might make use of her, or dies, I will not stray from my duty as her provider."

A stray tear fell from Kurenai's cheek.

She was so close...so very close to helping the girl and turn her into the powerful woman that Hinata had the potential to be. It was there...right there...and yet she failed to grasp it and take hold because she did not have the power or authority.

Yuhi Kurenai accepted this, of course, not without some feeling of loss. One could loose several battles and still win a war. Yes, she walked into this ill prepared and unaware of the realities, but she was now more informed and more aware. She would take her new insight and apply it to her student as best she could. Hinata needed her and, she had to admit, she needed Hinata. If ever there was a challenge that needed to be won and a mark in her life that could be called giving everything she had for, it was that shy, timid, and lost soul that was created because of the circumstances she was born into, not because of who she was.

"Since there is nothing left to discuss on that matter, let us continue as to why you have been summoned, Hiashi-san," the Hokage's lift in spirits caught his visitors attention. Hiashi didn't like the turn of his superior's personality. The man was as wise and cunning as anyone he had ever met. One does not become Kage of a ninja village without becoming the best in almost everything they do.

"Of course," Hiashi said smoothly. "So you have an answer to my request?"

"Hmm." The elderly leader turned a paper over that was resting on his desk, pushing it towards the Hyuuga Lord.

Hiashi glanced down at it and nodded in approval. "I see you have carefully read my request and have a finalized copy. All that is needed is to check granted or refuse and...what is this at the bottom?"

Opening a drawer and pulling out his spare pipe, the Hokage was all smiles now, pinching and tapping his tobacco into the bowl. "You're right, I did not answer it yet, Hiashi-san. The rest is a little extra that I need you to fill."

In a flash of dark hair, Kurenai blurted to her leader.

"I respectfully ask that you reconsider, Hokage-sama! Give her a chance! I just need six months and I'm sure with just a little more-" Kurenai requested eagerly, going as far as to get up from her seat, beeseaching Sarutobi till he lifted his hand to stop her where she stood.

The Genjutsu user was obviously worried.

Hiashi calmly examined it again, ignoring the outburst. "At the bottom of this, though, is a remarks section. That is highly unusual. May I ask as to why this was added? My reasons have already been stated."

"I agree, they have been," The Third nodded, but gestured to the part at the bottom of the letter, "however you must tell me what role you have for our young Hyuuga if she is not to maintain her role as one of our proud kunoichi. What plans do you have for her?"

Hiashi blinked at the man, as if he had said something very impertinent.

"That is Clan business."

"Currently, she is my business. I am the Hokage and she is a shinobi. If you wish to extract her from duty, this is one of the steps I must know or I will refuse on the spot."

Glaring down at the authoritarian figure that had not only maintained the longest running title of Hokage for their village or almost anywhere, else in the Elemental nations, Hiashi sighed with composed ire. His answer was bitten off impatiently, "There are suitors that will be coming to visit. Preparations need to be made and since she is a part of the procession she needs to be made readily available. We anticipate she will be very busy, very soon."

"Suitors?" Kurenai blinked, turning from one man to the other. "Suitors for who? Hinata?"

Hiashi ignored her and the Hokage deflected her question to keep things going.

"Then, for the purpose of formality, please state your reason and sign." The Hokage motioned to the document.

Hiashi gestured to take the pen on the Hokage's desk and he granted with a nod. Marking his reason in perfect calligraphy, Hiashi placed the pen on the desk.

"Now, in response to this," The Hokage pulled out another paper, an exact copy that Hiashi had read, but with Kurenai's name on it. "Sensei Yuhi, please state your remarks if you will somehow agree to appease the traditions and clan business of Hyuuga Hiashi and his clan pertaining to Hyuuga Hinata."

"What is this?" Kurenai read the document that was an exact copy of Hiashi's in detail.

"Lord Hiashi has given reason as to why he wants his daughter to be removed of status. In conclusion, it's clan issues that he feels will interfere with your team and possibly the group as a whole. Do you think there is anything you can do on your part to assure her father and I that neither of these things will not affect Hinata as a kunoichi or her family's business?"

Taking the same pen Hiashi had used, she scribbled off a detailed answer, ensuring she would do what she could to give her Gennin plenty of time to prepare for whatever ceremony, coming of age, or gathering her family would need if given a decent amount of time to prepare.

"See?" The Third gestured as Kurenai signed her name and handed the document to Hiashi. "This meeting has been mediated."

He didn't seem pleased at all and looked ready to dispose of both documents had they not been upon the Hokage's desk. Deciding his request wasn't so much denied but just temporarily postoned, he spoke his next words with clear irritability.

"If there is nothing else, Hokage-sama. I am a very busy man."

"Hm," The Hokage granted with a gesture of his hand.

Hiashi turned away from Kurenai without so much as a glance, however, before he exited the Hokage's office, he spoke over his shoulder. "Yuhi-san, be warned."

She narrowed her eyes, gripping the back of the chair she was sitting on to keep her put.

"If you try to do anything to encourage her to break away from the Hyuuga clan I will do everything in my power to have her separated from your team and isolated within the compound till she is of legal age to marry. In that case, she will be someone else's burden. She is a ninja now because there is a chance as a failure she will do something honorable with herself, enough so to earn the right of being the Hyuuga heiress, such as die with honor."

He took in the heated glare of Hinata's sensei undaunted. "If she does, then she will do the Hyuuga a favor by granting Hanabi, my true daughter, the position she was meant to wield. Until then, she is just in the way."

Hiashi closed the door behind himself with a click.

Kurenai turned to the Hokage, "What is this talk of suitors, Hokage-sama? Also, I would really like to know who Hinata's father is?"

Sarutobi sighed, rubbing the side of his face with a weathered hand.

"Kurenai, what I'm about to tell you is an 'A' rank rumor. It is not so much ranked so because the information is dangerous, but the fact that is speculative and the repercussions are that remove a family of elite ninja would be dealt a devastating blow to their reputation. We need them to stay as Hiashi has portrayed them, thus, my hands are tied as far as what I can do about their clan business. Since it is just a rumor and there has been no paternity test done to prove otherwise, Hinata's standing will always remain that of Hiashi's daughter."

"I understand."

"Good." Sarutobi reached under his desk with a mischievous smile that belied his old age, giving him a wrinkled and impish countenance. Opening a small hidden drawer, he pulled out a small porcelain magnum and two saucers.

He smirked knowingly at his Jounin's disapproving squint.

"Hokage-sama, sake?" she clucked her tongue at him, but could not help at the playful chuckle he gave her.

"Only on really bad days, dear Kurenai-san. I am not the only Hokage who has braved a nip here and there. I'm sure the Hokage after me will keep more useful things in this compartment other then sake."

"Well, if it's a woman I'm sure she'll keep a nice stash of chocolates." Kurenai walked over to the side of his desk when he offered her a saucer of the rich liquid.

They shared a small toast. "To the people we love."

"To the people we love, Hokage-sama."

They drank.

The young jounin cheeks became aglow like her eyes.

"Aaaah...good stuff, hmm?" Sarutobi poked fun at Kurenai, slapping her on the back good naturedly.

She nodded, coughing into her fist.

"Now then...The rumor has it that Hinata's father is..."