A/N: Don't own it, never will, etc.

Chap. 10

"What do you mean, Naruto? His... his cage is empty? He's escaped? But... how? Let me see the seal!" While she was speaking so rapidly, the first murmurs of panic began to sweep the gathered nobles.

"Lady Hokage... if this whole thing has been an elaborate ruse to lure us here and let the Kyuubi attack us all..."

"Quiet!" she said, ripping Naruto's shirt upward so hard it ripped, and slapping her hand against his abdomen. In the space of a second, the seal began to glow bright red, then blue, and then black, where it stayed until beginning to fade slowly after she removed her hand.
"No... both seals still strong. The Demon Fox is still inside you. I'm not quite sure what's happening. Can you check again for me, please, Naruto?"

She leaned back to sit on the edge of her desk, a hand on her bosom to help calm her breathing. The nobles had fallen silent, but shared looks of concern, dismay, and fear.

When the young man opened his eyes again, they were wider than before, but with less fear. "He's... in there still. Sorry, I didn't mean to worry you. He was just... not what I was expecting."

The nobles made no other sound, but Tsunade asked forcefully, "What do you mean?"

He scratched the back of his head for a moment, eyes half-shut as he tried to find the words, "He's... well, usually when I go to see him, he's in this huge cage with a seal charm on the doors. It's strong. And he's massive... and so evil you can feel it oozing out of him. This time... the cage was there, and the seal too... but instead of those horrible, giant eyes there was... a fox. A normal-sized fox. But he was still scary! Just a lot smaller!"
The old woman smiled weakly and returned, feigning calm, to her chair. "There you have it, ladies and gentlemen. His replies to the questions you all agreed on, and some of the best news we've had since I became Hokage."

"I'm not sure I understand," one of the merchant lords said.

"It's very simple. The seal the Fourth designed for his son was one of the most intricate ever created. Unlike the normal seal that is used to create a jinkuurichi, this particular seal is... different in almost every way. They can still communicate, and the host can borrow power. But since the Demon Fox is so strong, and it was sealed inside a baby without a fully-formed Chakra network, it was created so that the beast's Chakra would be fully controlled, and leak out only the tiniest bits of it's own Chakra. However, there's more to it. The original seal was also designed to fade after time, but fade slowly, so that as it's host became mature, he would have access to more and more of the Fox's Chakra, an effect reinforced by the less powerful but no less intricate seal placed eight years before on Naruto by Master Jiraiya."

Those with little to no knowledge of what made shinobi work were already lost, but a few, like the Lord of Fire and Naruto, were steadily growing more amazed.

"Yes... that's what happened, and is still happening, I think. Naruto himself has said he hasn't communicated much with the Fox since then, more or less, so it's no surprise that he hasn't noticed before now. But now that he's an adult in his prime, his chakra network is fully grown, he has begun to fully integrate the Fox's chakra into his own... and since it is a being made up of almost entirely chakra, it is... shrinking, quite literally, as it's power disappears into Naruto."

The Fire Lord was the first to recover enough to speak, "So... this means that the Demon Fox is no longer a danger to us? It has become... well, a non-issue?"

Tsunade nodded, "It seems so. Naruto... have you felt any difference?"

He shook his head. "Nope. But then, mind you... since we finished off Akatsuki, I've never had to even come close to emptying myself of Chakra, either. Gamabunta was just a drop in the bucket by then, so..."

She nodded, "Yes, your reserves were always the highest in the village, even without the Fox helping you. One of your father's traits, though yours is many orders of magnitude beyond even his because of the Kyuubi."

The conversation continued until after the sun had set, until each of the lords had had a chance to speak to Naruto directly, most of them asking a few questions of their own, either about himself or his history with the Demon Fox. Eventually, however, they had all taken their leave until only Tsunade and Naruto were left in the room.

"So... do you want to tell me why you summoned me, Granny Tsunade? You said you had some news?"

She smiled and looked wistfully out the window before answering, "You love this village, don't you? It's in almost everything you do."

"Uh... of course I do. It's my home. Why, what's up?"
She didn't turn back to him, but answered, "I'm... dying, Naruto. I've got maybe three years left, tops, before my seal can't sustain me any more. I used it too much when I was younger, and even that fight with Orochimaru where... well, when we met. That almost killed me, and I've used it three times since then."

There were tears running unashamedly down his face when she turned to look at him.

"Oh, Naruto... don't cry for me. I've led a good life, and it's been thousands of times better since I met you."

"I... I'm not crying for you. I don't want you to die. That's all. I'll... miss you so much!"

As quickly as she could, she crossed back around her desk to kneel before him, pulling him into a huge hug, "Silly boy... I'll miss you too. But I'll get to see Dan and Nawaki, and that old lech again. So... I can't be too sad, even though I'll be leaving you, Shizune, and Sakura behind."

He sniffled and buried his face in her hair while she continued to speak, "Besides... you have others to help you with the pain. Hinata, Sakura, Shikamaru, and all your other friends. And you're so strong even on your own. That's one of the reasons... why I've made my decision."

He didn't ask for a long time exactly what she meant, but when he did, she took her time answering as well, "Starting next week your only missions for the next year will be training your team and working as my desk-apprentice."

"But... desk apprentice? Why, you know I hate paperwork..."

She squeezed him even tighter, but only said, "Because... you have to learn to do it. You are going to be the Sixth Hokage, dummy."

* * *

Sakura didn't know why Naruto never actually joined her that evening, but she didn't mind terribly. She knew Tsunade had called for him and that it was important, and it was enough. But a part of the woman, a large part, if she was honest with herself, was glad for the break. They'd been spending a lot of time together, practically all of their non-working time, and it was hard to adjust. Not that I mind. I love spending time with him. But I miss my other friends, and I miss being alone, too. I should have known he'd be the clingy type, though, she thought wistfully.

But still... there's some down sides to this, too. Now that the others have all gone home, I'm stuck alone, thinking of Naruto by myself. And thinking of her, too. I wish... I wish we could have stayed friends. I hate what we did to her... what all three of us did to... all three of us, really. I miss her so much, sometimes. And I know he does, too.

With a sigh, Sakura got up off her couch to check her fridge for ice cream, but there was none to be had. Figures. Guess I'll go over to Naruto's... even if he's not there. He always has junk food.

When the kunoichi stepped lightly through his perpetually-unlocked front door, she was surprised to see a strange man in the apartment. But no... that's not a man. Wary, she drew the only weapon she carried around the village nowadays, a single small Kunai, and advanced into the living room. As soon as the door shut, the paper construct began to speak.

"Message: Operative Alpha-Delta-Seven-One to Kaze Knight. Message as follows: Target at location 44,3321.0 by 434,32.991. Plans: Remain at or near location for foreseeable future. Advise haste, enemy moving quickly. Relay message pattern: Kaze Knight to Ho Knight Junior. Additional Message for Ho Knight Junior as follows: I have found her. I will retrieve your woman for you, Junior. Now I only owe you seven thousand more." And then, without another word, the paper began to crumple upon itself until it was just a tiny scrap, and then burst into flames.

Shit. What the hell did that mean?

When Sakura burst into the Hokage's office, she was surprised to see the old woman still there, but more surprised to see her asleep with her head on Naruto's lap. He was awake, his eyes crusted with salt, but he still smiled when he saw her. "Sakura-chan. Sorry I didn't make it... I'll explain why tomorrow, okay?" His voice trembled, but the woman couldn't afford to let him be weak right now. "Naruto... do you know who the Kaze Knight is? Or the Ho Knight?"

He looked surprised to hear her say it, but said, "Of course. I'm the Ho Knight... one of 'em, anyway. Gaara is the Kaze Knight."

Her knees trembled and she sank to the floor in front of her master and lover. "Gaara... he knows where Hinata is. He said he was bringing her back for you, and he only owes you... owes..." and then she was crying, her face in her hands.

Tsunade grumbled a little when Naruto slid out from under her as gently as possible to clutch his girlfriend close to him and murmur, "I'm not leaving you, Sakura. You don't need to cry... I'm not ever going to leave you."

She sniffled a bit more, but worked out, "I'm not sad... I'm happy. I'm so relieved that she can come back... I've felt terrible for so long about how this all worked out... and I miss her."
"I know, love. I do too. But we will see her again. It won't be too long now. And hey... I have some news that might cheer you up."

* * *

That morning, all three of them woke almost simultaneously when Shizune came into the room to wake Tsunade up from her desk with coffee and pastries. She was more than a little surprised to see her master on the couch instead, and the other two curled up below her on the floor.

"Morning, Shizune," Tsunade said, wiping her eyes groggily, "You can take the day off. Naruto's gonna... hey, what are you doing here so early?" she asked, giving an already-sharp glance at the two still sitting on the floor.

He mumbled, "Didn't leave... didn't want to wake you up," and for once, the old woman blushed herself.

"So... the Rokudaime, huh?" Shizune asked for the fifth time a few hours later, "It couldn't have been a better person, Naruto. I'm happy for you, and proud too."

"Thanks, big sister," he said, meaning every word. And at that, she lost a little of her famous composure, too.

The morning's training went as well as could be expected, with the three women- even Sakura now familiar with the day-to-day running of the village- helping the clueless man out. Fortunately, as much as he detested the boredom, Naruto was nothing if not a quick study. It wasn't even lunchtime when he was able to make decisions on his own and not worry too much about the consequences. The paperwork itself, while there were massive piles of it, was deceptively simple. Approve funding here, cut it there, permission for this mission training, deny that, request for more weaponry to be shipped to the village stores, and so on. But while that part was easy, the sheer volume of orders that needed to go out daily staggered the young man and made his head spin.

"That's it, Naruto," Tsunade said an hour after they'd returned to work after their hasty lunch break, "Congratulations. You've finished your first day as acting Hokage, and you already got the day's paperwork done... Shizune has to do half of mine every day."

He slumped back in the chair and griped, "You know, I'm okay with the title... but how 'bout we start delegating some of this stuff? Isn't that what leadership is all about?"

Tsunade laughed and answered, "Why do you think I leave it for Shizune? She just passes it on, anyway, so I don't even have to do that!"

The medic looked terribly hurt, and Tsunade relented after she saw it, "Oh, come on Shizune. You know I'm just kidding... you only pass on about half of it."

While the two old friends bickered at length, Naruto and Sakura shared a glance, both of them wanting some much-needed alone time. The two had almost reached the door when it burst open to reveal Kamisori and Tenchi, panting and holding each other's hands tightly. The two spared a quick bow for their sensei and his girlfriend, then rushed to the Hokage's desk.

"Lady Hokage!" the boy said, a note of urgency in his voice, "we have a request!"

"What is it?" she asked, motioning for Naruto to wait.

"We... that is... I wanted... we wanted to ask you..." he stammered, but was saved by his girlfriend.

"Lady Hokage, we wanted to ask your permission to get married. Our families will say no unless we have your permission, so-" the pretty young girl fell silent as Tsunade raised her hand.

"I'm sorry, but it's my day off. You'll have to take up this matter with your acting Hokage. He's right behind you."

Naruto glared daggers at both Tsunade and Shizune as they calmly (outwardly at least) walked past him and shut the door. Both he and Sakura cringed to hear the two laughing together from down the hall.

"Uhm... Naruto... I think you'd better say something," Sakura whispered, giving him a little nudge back towards the two teens.

"Uh... yeah... what was it you two wanted, again?"

This time, it was the Aburame girl who spoke first. "Sen- I mean, Acting Hokage-sama! The two of us are requesting permission for us- Hatake Kamisori and I- to marry! Please, sir!"

The 'Acting Hokage's' face got even paler and he slumped down into the chair closest to the door, his hand still gripping Sakura's tightly.

"I... there's no way, you two. I'm sorry... you're just too young."

"But sensei!" Kamisori said loudly, but Naruto spoke louder.

"Absolutely not! You are ninja, yes, but you are still children. You are not ready, no matter how ready you think you are!"

"But Hanabi-san is engaged already, and-"

Naruto's eyes rolled. "The business of the Hyuga Clan is, first of all, none of yours. And secondly, Hanabi was engaged when she was six. So that doesn't really count. It was a political thing. You two want to marry out of... whatever. And you just aren't ready. Besides, Hanabi's not getting married for at least four more years- and she'll be nineteen by then."

The two teens looked mutinous, and their hands trembled together, but they said nothing.
Naruto wiped his eyes and gave Sakura's hand a little squeeze before releasing it and standing slowly. He approached the two cautiously while they glared at him, but all Sakura could see in his eyes was compassion.

"Look... I really am sorry. I swear, I know exactly what it's like to be young and in love. I'm not that much older than you, and... I remember it all. But just trust me on this, okay? No matter how much you love each other now, you will both regret it if you get married. So I have to say no. If you hate me forever, so be it. That's my cross to bear. But I won't be responsible for you two ruining your lives. All right?"

Neither nodded, or spoke, but at least they didn't attack him either, and Naruto took that as a good sign. "Listen... I'm kind of beat from all the paperwork. You two can take the day off, plan my assassination or whatever. Just don't go elope, and that's an order. You both need to report to training field one at eight am tomorrow morning- and still single. I'll go let Inoko know."

The two stormed out of the office then, and a few seconds after the door slammed, Naruto felt Sakura's slender arms wrap around him. "That was good, Naruto. You handled it better than I could have."

"Then why do I feel like such a jerk?" he mused, but leaned back into her just a little. "Come on, better go find Inoko. We were supposed to meet an hour ago... and if those two are here, she probably already knows somethings going on. She's got a thing for Kamisori, too."

Sakura chuckled, "Really? What is it about the silver-haired ones? Kakashi was really popular with the ladies, too."

Naruto finally laughed and they two left the office as well.

"So did you have a crush on Kakashi-sensei too?" Naruto asked a while later.

"Of course I did. He was so mysterious... always wearing that mask. Tall, handsome, if a little scruffy, and so skilled... yeah. I had a crush... but it was nothing compared to Sasuke, and that was nothing compared to you. So you don't have to be jealous."

The blond laughed again and pushed her playfully, and she responded in kind. "But if you want to talk about crushes on sensei... I heard that Kiba actually asked Kurenai-sensei out once. He was crushed when she said no..."

Naruto now had difficulty walking.

"But that's not the best one. This one... you have to promise not to say anything. It's... about Ino."

His eyes widened and he shut up at once, eager to hear gossip- about the town gossip.
"She had a huge crush on Asuma-sensei. For years. But then, when she found out he was with Kurenai... she cried for hours and hours. I was the only one she'd talk to, and she didn't talk to Kurenai-sensei, or any of her team, for almost a year afterwards, even on missions."

"Really? Wow! I never would have thought Ino would go for older guys. She always seemed the young-and-vigorous type to me. Like... well, Lee."

They continued talking about the blond kunoichi's past relationships until they arrived at her house, after having already checked for Inoko at the training fields, the Academy, Ichiraku's, (where they had stopped for a few bowls and one bowl), and almost every other teen hangout in the area.

But their conversation fell silent when they heard what was going on inside the small home.

"-not fair! Why can't he just love me instead?! Am I just not pretty enough?"

Over the screaming girls' voice, the two could just hear Ino's, loudly but still mostly calm, "You are gorgeous, Inoko, he's just a fool not to see it. But you can't control him, either."

The younger didn't seem to even be listening, because her rant continued unabated, "Maybe I should just quit being a ninja and run the flower shop! Then you and grandma can have more help, and I won't have to see that stupid-"

"-not fair to any of you, hon. Just take a while to be away for a bit, and-

"Or maybe I should just go out with everyone else like you do, it seems to work for y-"

This time, the girl did actually stop, her screaming interrupted by what sounded like an extremely painful slap to the face.

"Room. Do not speak. Do not leave. When I can see you without hitting you again, we will talk. You will think about what you said. Go."

It was almost ten minutes before Sakura worked up the nerve to knock. The door was opened just after the first tap, and Ino was standing there, in full tears. She gestured the two in without a word and sat on the couch, looking absolutely miserable.
"I'm... a horrible mother. I've never hit her before, but when she said that, I just couldn't help myself. I should be arrested."

"You... you knew we knew?" Naruto asked, and she nodded. "I heard you talking about me right before she started yelling... seems to be a popular topic, nowadays. The whole towns' talking about how I go from one guy to the next... and now I've stooped so low for my fix that I went to Lee. Bastards don't know anything."

Sakura moved to sit next to her friend and took her hand in one, putting the other over her shoulder and pulling her close. Naruto sat on the love seat opposite the two. "Do... do you want me to talk to her?" he asked, but Ino shook her head. "No... she has my temper. She'd just throw things at you until you hit her or left."

"Do you know why she's so mad?" Sakura asked, and Ino nodded.

"Yeah... part of it is hormones. Puberty and all."

"Shut up, mother!" was heard from upstairs, but Ino didn't stop at all.

"Some of it is... Tenchi and Kamisori. And the rest is Lee. She doesn't think he's good enough for me, or something. But he's more than I deserve."

The girl was suddenly storming down the stairs, but none of the adults was watching her as she stood in the doorway, yelling, "You don't know what you're talking about! Don't think you understand me just 'cause you gave birth to me! I'm not you, mother!"

Naruto caught just the faintest shimmer of red in the girl's eyes, and he stood to distract the women away from the teen for a moment. It's not really early... but I'm so not ready for this, too.

"This is an order from your sensei. You will be quiet until those of us that have some authority in this house allow you to speak. Then you will get your turn. Until then... you apologize to your mother, right now."

The girls' mouth worked for a moment, then she belted at the top of your lungs, "You aren't my father! You can't even pretend like Lee! You can't control m-"

Suddenly she was silent. A single hand-sign from Naruto and the girl made no sound whatsoever, even as she continued to scream and rail at him.

"Sorry about that, Ino," he said, blushing slightly, "not trying to overstep my bounds. I just think she needs to hear some things. Do you mind if I continue?"

Sakura could only stare in wonder. Where did this come from? I know he can take charge, but... he's actually acting like a real father. And a sensei.

Naruto turned back to the girl when her mother gave a faint nod, her own eyes wide with shock, and he said, his voice deadly calm, "You will be still and listen for a moment. Your mother will say what she wants, then Sakura if she wishes, and then I will say something to you. Then you may speak. If you do not choose to be still, I will make you listen. Don't push me, girl. I've seen things that would scare you right out of your mind."

All the fight fled from the girl at once. She slumped to the floor leaning against the door jamb, her eyes on Naruto as he slowly walked back to the love seat. He gestured for Ino to begin, but she took a while before doing so.

"Inoko... darling. You know I love you. I thought I loved your father, but he was a horrible, cruel man who was bent only on one thing- revenge- for almost his entire life. The only good thing that ever came out of my relationship with him was you. And you are the best thing in my life.

"The other men... yes, I've slept with a few of them. So what? I'm an adult, and... before Lee, there was precious little in my life besides you that I could take some pleasure in. Is it such a hard thing to accept, to understand? It's half of what you want from Kamisori, anyway. So you should have at least a little understanding of what I went through.

"And as for Lee... I would... go crazier than I am now if he decided to leave me. I love him, Inoko. I really do. I want to marry him, I want him to help me finish raising you. I want... kami, someday I pray you'll call him Dad. Maybe we'll even have kids of our own- but we wouldn't push you aside. I love you too much."

The teen's eyes were welling with tears, but her mouth was still clenched in a thin line. Sakura, glancing at Ino, said quietly, "I've been your mom's best friend for as long as I can remember, sweetie. She was never happier than the day you were born, I can promise you that. But this time with Lee, she's even happier- because she has both of you. Would you want to take that away from her?"

The girl still didn't move, but her eyes clenched shut and didn't relax.

Naruto looked at each of the women for a moment before turning his attention back to the girl and releasing her to move again. She didn't.

"Inoko... In lots of ways I know you the least out of the adults here. And I definitely know the least about relationships. But... there's some things I do know. Do you know why I sealed your voice?"

She shook her head, almost violently, and glared at him.

He spoke again, his voice soft, "It's because if there's one thing I do know, it's that if you're talking... you aren't listening. Your mother was doing her best to help you when we got here, and you weren't even letting her. And it was worse after we got here, and for that I'm sorry. But none of us want you to hurt. I swear it, as the future Hokage. You are... are- are the daughter of my first, best friend and my girlfriend's best friend. You are one of the citizens of the Village Hidden in the Leaves, that I have already taken three oaths to protect, and will take another in the near future. It kills me to have to make you do something you should to because you love your mother. Do you understand what I mean?"

She gave the slightest nod, but didn't unclench her eyes.

"Good... I'm not going to ask you to apologize to me, because I don't need it. I know you understand, and that's all I want. I will apologize again to you, though," he said, standing and moving over to kneel at her side. He helped her up with one arm under hers and then resumed his position in front of her, bowing his head down to the floor, and said, "I'm sorry, Yamanaka Inoko, for causing you pain," and didn't move until she murmured her acceptance.

No one said anything for a long while, and no one would meet anyone else's gaze, either.

It was Ino who finally broke the silence, "I'm so sorry, Inoko dear. If only I was a better mother, I-"
"Stop it mom," the teen cried, rushing to her mother and embracing her, "you're the best mom I could have. I'm the one who's a horrible, snotty brat. I'm... I'm so sorry!"

The girls, all three of them, cried for a little while, and Naruto still avoided meeting any of their eyes.

After a time, the teen excused herself and went back up to her room to finish crying out her pain, and the adults resumed their conversation in much quieter tones.
"Sorry you two had to see that... but thank you, so much, for the help. I don't know what I would have done if you hadn't come by."

"It was nothing," Sakura said, putting a hand on her friend's shoulder, "we're glad to help, right, Naru- Naruto! What's wrong with your eyes?"

He blinked, surprised, and then turned a deep scarlet. "Sorry... I forgot about that side effect. It's nothing, just the Sage Technique. My meld isn't perfect yet, so I still take on some toady side-effects when I use it. It'll fade in a few minutes."

"You... used a Sage Technique just to calm down my daughter?" Ino asked, amazed.

He nodded, "Yeah... I don't know a jutsu to silence people, but you can do a lot of things with Sage chakra- if you think around the box. I just... coated her vocal cords with some frog oil. She'll probably just digest it, and never even notice."

This time, it was Sakura who was most shocked. "You... that was brilliant, Naruto!"

He grinned sheepishly, and tried to change the subject, "Hey, so... we actually just came by to tell Inoko to take the rest of the day off. Tomorrow we're meeting at eight in field one, if she's up to it. If she's not... we'll practice without her until she's ready. I can't have my team be at less than their best. They're going to be the next Three Legendary Sannin, after all!" he grinned, and Ino's mouth fell open.

"It... it finally happened? Your crazy dream? You're... going to be the Rokudaime?"

He nodded, but Ino looked over at Sakura for confirmation, unable to believe it, until she nodded too.

"Well," Sakura said, smiling, "that saves us the trouble of telling all our friends, Naruto. By tomorrow the whole village will know."

* * *

"... yes, I'll help you with your goals, Danjiro-san," Hinata said, moving to take off the headband she still wore. "I can't go back to Konoha any more, so I may as well make your new Land of Stone my home."

Once it was done, she pulled a Kunai from her pouch and scratched the deep gouge across the Leaf symbol that was traditional for a shinobi who has renounced his or her vows of fealty.

"I'm so glad to hear it, Hinata," the captain said, and he moved close to begin to explain the details of his plan. A few minutes later he placed a hand on her thigh, and she tensed just a little, but didn't ask him to remove it.