Informing the Elders

"I think that's the most intelligent thing you've done."

Naruto turned slightly to look at Jiraiya. He was sure the surprise he was feeling was evident on his face. His master was the last person he expected to be pleased. Thought he hated having to do, Naruto figured he should tell Grandma Tsunade and Jiraiya about the baby. Grandma was the village leader and his ultimate boss and the pervert was his teacher. They needed to be notified first.

He mentally shuddered at the thought of them sending him on a mission right when Shika was due because they didn't know any better.

"What?" Tsunade screamed.

"I said I think that's the most intelligent thing the brat's done."

Tsunade lunged to her feet and slammed her hands against her desk. The poor wood buckled under the assault and shattered. Tsunade swept one hand in front of her to prevent splinters from affecting her vision and simply walked over the crumbled desk. A few feet to the left of Naruto, came Shizune's stilted groan.

"There goes another one," she muttered before growling and flipping open one of the folders in her hand. "We're going to have to order some more. Reserves are running low. The Council has been more irritating than normal lately."

"Yes, Shizune-sama," a male voice replied.

Naruto spun around to see just who'd spoken and was surprised to find a brunet young man standing several feet behind Shizune. He guessed the chunnin – Naruto noted the green flak jacket – was Shizune's assistant. No doubt the medic-nin needed all the help she could get wrangling Grandma Tsunade.

Speaking of Tsunade, the busty blonde looked in their direction and sneered before turning to her former teammate. Hands on her hips, she glared at Jiraiya. "What did you say, pervert?" she asked through clenched teeth.

Naruto took a step back. There was a certain light in the Hokage's eyes and Naruto wasn't foolish enough to ignore the growing heat there.

"I won't say it again, Princess. It's a smart thing. Even if it wasn't planned, like I expect." He glanced sharply at Naruto and the blond nodded slowly to confirm his master's thoughts. "He's starting a family. This is the best time to do it. If only we were smart enough to do the same."

"What?!" Tsunade screamed.

"With others," Jiraiya clarified. It did nothing to placate Tsunade. He sighed and strode across the room to take a seat. Moments like these made Naruto realize just how powerful his master truly was, because only the strongest ninja could or would turn his back on an angered kuniochi, especially one of Tsunade's prowess. Sometimes he forgot Jiraiya was just as strong as Tsunade, just in different fields.

Jiraiya settled his clothing around him before looking up at Tsunade. "Where would we be now, Tsunade if we'd made the same mistake or decision at his age?"

She froze. "Dan," she said in a voice only slightly heavier than the gossamer wings on a butterfly.

Neither was supposed to hear the name but they could never ignore the anguished whisper.

The sight was terrifying. Like watching a human became a caricature of herself. Tsuande was a being of light and life. She was always on the move and larger than life.

It took several long moments but eventually Tsunade shook herself from her stupor. She released a deep, chest expanding breath, and queue the leer from Jiraiya, before pulling one of the seat in front of what used to be her desk and taking a seat.

"Families. Children. Loved ones to carry on our gifts and teach what we've learned. People to come home to and fight for," Jiraiya continued. "Sometimes the best decisions are the ones never made."

Tsunade stumbled back to her seat, moving as though she'd managed to consume a barrel's worth of sake. She kicked the largest piece of what was her desk and it flew across the room to hit the right wall. The loud sound of wood cracking and the wall denting echoed through the room.

The door flew open and three ANBU appeared in the room. Tsunade sat back in her seat and sighed. Jiraiya laughed. "Relax. She's just destroying what's left of her desk. Again," he told the three ninja.

Naruto was really, really glad he'd talked Shikamaru out of inviting the two Sannin to his house, their house to tell them the good news. He shivered. His manor probably wouldn't even be left standing when Tsunade was through. Everyone knew the Hokage tower was the strongest building in Leaf and she left a hole in one wall like it was nothing.

The three ninja turned and headed out the still open door. Though Naruto couldn't see their faces as they were wearing the trademark ANBU animal masks, he got the distinct impression that they were glaring at the two Sannin.

"Hope I'm around to see your brat." Jirayai giggled lecherously. "I hope I'm around to train your brat. Your looks and Shika's intelligence…" The white haired trailed off and his gaze became unfocused. Then his eyes cleared and landed on Naruto. "Hope you're having a boy. I'm no good with women. Well… He'll be a dream come true. Handsome. Dangerous. Destructive. Brilliant." He shuddered and it was a move of such pleasure, Naruto couldn't help feeling a little dirty and making a mental note to kill Jiraiya before his kid entered the Academy.

"You, Super Pervert will stay away from my children."

Jiraiya sat up and rubbed his hands together. "Anticipating having more than one?"

Naruto's mouth tightened. "That is entirely up to Shika." He starred that mental note to make sure Jiraiya has a fatal accident in the coming years.

Tsuande peered at him. "So, you and Shikamaru Nara?"

Naruto forced himself to relax and nodded.

"You're together?"

He sighed and slipped his hands into his front pockets. "Yes, Grandma. Getting deaf in your old age?"

Her glare tightened at his words, but he could see the amusement in her honey gaze. Insults were a game to them now. "He's having a baby. Your child, brat?"

"Yup." He rocked on his heels, still very excited about the thought of becoming a father even though he'd known for over two weeks now. The baby wouldn't be there for another six months, but he was already looking forward to his or her arrival.

"Kid can't be as smart as everyone claimed then," she muttered before sitting back in her seat. "Despite what the idiot says, I don't think either of you are old enough or responsible enough to be parents, especially you, brat."

Naruto shrugged. He'd expected her to say as much and he totally agreed. Neither one of them were ready, but they would deal and he was going to make sure his kid had all the things he didn't and more.

"I didn't even know you two were friends. Classmates, yes. Friends, no," she muttered, but the words were loud enough for him to hear.

He smirked. "There's a lot about me you don't know, Grandma."

Her nostrils flared, then she huffed. Her eyebrows drew down and her mouth flattened. "What about Sakura?" she asked.

"Huh?" was Naruto's intelligent reply and he didn't think he could be blamed. They were talking about Shikamaru and Naruto having a baby. Where the hell did his teammate come into this? Maybe Grandma had been hitting the sake a little earlier than normal. Wouldn't be the first time. Poor Shizune.

Tsunade rolled her eyes. "I thought you had a crush on her? Undying teenage love, angst and all that rot."

He blushed, remembering just how dramatic and loud he used to be. "Uh, yeah, I got over that. I…uh…well….Shikamaru."

She chuckled. "Well, that explains things. I'm guessing he's at least part of the reason you're no longer chasing after the Uchiha."

Naruto didn't answer, didn't even think nodding was worth it.

Tsunade smiled. "I have been reading your mission reports. Yours and the fool's. You've come a long well from the loud mouthed brat I gambled against."

"A gamble, you lost." He couldn't help reminding her.

She rolled her eyes. "I'm well aware, little idiot. Curse your name every time the paperwork grows, which is every damn day. Congratulations, brat. I expect to see Shikamaru for all his medical checkups."

Naruto considered arguing with Tsunade, but then he realized just how foolish that would be. Tsunade was the greatest medic in Leaf's history. Period. Naruto couldn't find a better medic if he had the Fire Lord's funds.

He also knew Grandma Tsunade cared and was worried about Naruto losing Shikamaru and this was her way of making sure nothing happened to either the lazy brunet or the baby he was carrying.

Shrugging, he replied, "Fine with me, but you should know Shika's mom is a medic. You might have to deal with her."

Tsunade smiled brightly. "I'll take care of it. Again, congratulations, brat. Now, get out of here. Don't want to see your face again unless it's about a mission. No pranks. You're going to become a father."

Naruto snorted. Just for that he was going to prank her before the week was up. "Yeah, yeah," he said as he walked to the window. As usual it was open.

"So, Grandma Tsunade, ready to become a great-grandmother?" Naruto called before leaping out the window. As he ran down the side of the building, he could hear Tsunade calling for sake, cursing his name, and screaming about not being old enough to be a grandmother, let alone a great-grandmother.


As far as Naruto's concerned "the Elders" are Jiraiya, Tsunade, and to a lesser extent, Shizune.

Many have reviewed about the ending and I read and heard your words. Here's your first scene/chapter. I'm still writing, but I'm working on original fiction mostly. I've even been blessed enough to have some stuff contracted and releasing shortly, so if you're wondering where I am, well, I hope that answers.