Chapter Five:
The Hokage's office was about as quiet and still as a graveyard as Inuzuka Tsume stood at attention in front of Sarutobi Hiruzen, the Third Hokage.
Earlier than expected… thought Shikaku. He had only just gotten the report himself. Tsume must have been notified from an independent source. That was odd, yet… Sarutobi didn't seem worried, at least not yet. While it could very well be a sign of misdoings, it was also very likely to be a product of the village gossip vine making its rounds. Though, considering the child in question, either scenario was just as likely in Shikaku's book.
Or that could be a case of paranoia on his part. Troublesome…
Rubbing his temple, near the upper of his two large scars, Shikaku disregarded the previous observation as it was currently unhelpful with the situation at hand, to instead return his attention to the crystal ball on the Hokage's desk. In its reflection was the image of Uzumaki Naruto. She stood in front of several slightly decomposed bodies; likely the spies which had been apprehended. The bodies were a grim sight in front of the girl that was wearing the brightest orange rubber raincoat that Shikaku had ever seen, which was practically vibrating with how badly the girl was shivering. The bodies had a grey pallor that was prominent against the dark shinobi clothes they wore.
Naruto poked one with her foot, then she made an odd motion with her head. It appeared as if she were looking up at another person. No, she'd likely be listening to something in the trees above her, or listening for scavengers. Her mouth moved. She's talking to herself... Any child would.
"Hmm…" It was Tsume, watching the scene with a grimace.
"You don't believe in ghosts, do you, Tsume?"
"Without a doubt," said Tsume, flicking her eyes towards Shikaku. "They make the air smell weird. It gets heavy with chakra."
There was a knock on the door.
"Enter," said Sarutobi, not taking his eyes off the ball. The door opened to Hyuga Hiashi and Aburame Shibi. At this, Shikaku could not keep his surprise from being evident on his face. There was a leak somewhere.
"Well, well, well… I owe Anko an order of dango, Hiashi. You do still have your old uniform." Tsume snickered at Hiashi's appearance, likely from the fact that the man was wearing the standard jounin uniform in place of the man's usual white robe.
The ice cold glare Tsume received from Hiashi only made her snicker hard. Shikaku fought the urge to join. He hadn't seen the typically elegant man in such inelegant clothing in years. Makes you wish for a camera. I probably won't see this again for a good long while.
"So, where is the leak?" Shikaku asked, eyeing the three of them with a bored drawl.
"My son," barked Tsume with a bit of pride in her voice. "Yours as well, and the Akimichi boy. They all listened in on Iruka-sensei interrogating the boy- I think his name is Hibachi? They came running to me in absolute hysterics, convinced that Hibachi is the one who started the whole thing."
Shikaku fought down a grin as a burst of pride bubbled up. Well, the kid is starting to show some drive. Yoshino will be happy about that.
"Lord Hokage, how long has the Uzumaki girl been missing?" said Shibi, business oriented as usual.
"According to the guards at the gate she left the village walls at approximately four O'clock yesterday afternoon. She returned a few minutes later, only to leave the village again at approximately four thirty, this time with a raincoat. She did not return the second time. I read the report that she hadn't returned but wasn't worried about it at the time. As much as I dislike the fact, staying out in the woods all night isn't unusual behavior for her." Saratobi interlaced his fingers in front of a deep grimace, "Until Iruka came to me with the report of what his student, Hibachi, told him, I didn't believe the situation to be concerning."
"The girl is in the habit of camping in the woods?" said Hiashi, blank violet eyes giving a skeptic glance to Sarutobi.
"Does the fact surprise you, Hiashi," remarked Shibi, emotionlessly.
"Not entirely."
Shikaku turned back to the crystal ball. At the moment, Naruto was attempting to pull off what looked to be a waterproof backpack from one of the corpses. Grim… But possibly a boon as well. Might have supplies that will aid her until we can get to her. He took in the lack of landmarks in the area the crystal ball was currently displaying.
Breaking the silence was Tsume who asked in a hesitant voice, "Lord Hokage, is there any chance that when Naruto was attacked there may have been an… incident with the seal? Kiba mentioned that when he overheard Hibachi being interrogated by Iruka, Hibachi mentioned Naruto's eyes went red."
Foxglove. It was one of the more concerning things in Iruka's report. It meant there was a possibility that the seal containing the Kyuubi had been compromised.
The Third Hokage inclined his head. "Yes, there is. Which is why it is vital that you find her and bring back to the village so that the seal can be examined."
A growl came from Hiashi, "My concern is why this happened in the first place. The academy is supposed to be safe. Do I need to be concerned about either of my daughters being randomly attacked by a classmate?"
Tsume's reply was dry as a bone. "Unlikely, Lord Hyuga. According to my son, Hibachi chose Naruto as his victim because, 'No one would care if she got hurt,''"
At this Hiashi blank violet eyes narrowed as he raised one slender, extremely elegant eyebrow.
"I don't know why everyone seems to hate her…"
Directing his attention back to the crystal ball, Shikaku grimaced. The implications of this are not good. Keeping Naruto's status as a jinchuriki a secret was supposed to protect her from this treatment. The bag that Naruto was after was now successfully removed from it's previous owner. Once Naruto set her prize down on the grown, she began digging around in her own pockets. What is she after?
The girl pulled out what looked to be coins. Carefully, she placed a few into each of the corpses discolored hands before folding the limbs neatly over their abdomens.
"Oh, good girl," Shikaku heard Tsume mutter.
"I find the idea of one of Uzumaki's classmates being so confident that her absence would be disregarded concerning." said Shibi, stiffening.
"I agree," said Shikaku, with a nod to Shibi. The Aburame clan is certainly no stranger to distrust and resentment, considering their own abilities. This could get ugly if the situation isn't handled well. "Though not surprising."
"Oh?" Hiashi turned his detached gaze to Shikaku, "Why do you say that?"
"I had a disturbing conversation with my son the other night, as I'm sure you are aware, Lord Hokage. Shikamaru witnessed a shopkeeper assaulting Uzumaki Naruto for entering his shop. He was understandably distressed about it."
"Lord Hokage, I was unaware that such behavior was tolerated in this village," said Shibi, eyes still invisible behind his thick sunglasses, but his shock was apparent by the raised eyebrow.
"I assure you, Shibi, it is not." Sarutobi stated, unlacing his hands and planting them firmly on his desk, dissolving the tension that had begun to build in the room. "However, beyond damage control after the event has taken place, there is little that can be done."
"Does she not have a constant ANBU presence? Where were they when Naruto was attacked? Both times?" said Hiashi, then he added, "I mean no disrespect. I simply believe it may be prudent information while attempting to track her down."
There may be a traitor. The thought was all but said out loud by the entire room. Her status as a Jinchuriki was a secret that most adults who were old enough to remember the attack from the Kyuubi ten years ago knew. Jinchuriki were powerful; absurdly so. They were weapons that were guarded jealously by the villages that possessed them. Hence the reason for a constant ANBU guard that was supposed to keep watch of Naruto around the clock.
Sarutobi glared at his crystal ball, where Naruto was currently digging through the bag she had successfully removed from the corpse while holding her nose. It was almost cute, in a horrific sort of way. The cold, white skin that was visible between the hem of her shorts and the tops of her sandals was littered with scabbed over gashes from what Shikaku suspected was a kunai knife. Dark blood was visible on the back of Naruto's head, even with her wet hair. A head injury perhaps, in addition to the cuts on her legs? That's not a good sign, but she's still up and moving. Shikaku matched Sarutobi's glare with his own, noting the lack of an answer about Naruto's ANBU guard.
When Naruto finished wrestling the bag from the corpse, her prize was a remarkably dry woolen blanket, as well as a bag filled with… something that wasn't viewable from their position, and what looked to be ration bars along with a canteen. Upon seeing the items, some of Sarutobi's visible tension seemed to leave him.
"Well, I never thought I'd be grateful for our shinobi blatantly disrespecting the enemies dead," muttered Sarutobi. "As for her ANBU guard… I have Inoichi doing reconnaissance on the situation right now. At the moment, that is all I can tell you."
At the moment…
"Of course," said Hiashi, "Thank you, Lord Hokage."
"Did the shinobi who encountered the spies record the coordinates of the bodies?" said Shibi, his voice as casual as if he were asking for a plate to be passed to him at the dinner table.
Sarutobi nodded, and took a folder that was on his desk, "They did. It is in their mission report."
A wave of relief flooded Shikaku, and he saw Hiashi's normally stony face take on what may have been a slight smile as Tsume let out a relieved sigh. Even Shibi seemed to relax. They had an exact location. Considering how difficult tracking the girl would be without it, it was a blessing from the gods. That, and Naruto had managed to find food and a blanket. Even if she didn't have proper shelter from the downpour that was currently overhead, those two things would help keep her alive long enough for the three of them to fetch her.
"Very well," said Tsume, "We'll head out immediately."
Why now? Could it simply be a child assaulting another child, or… Hiashi's question about Naruto's ANBU guard echoed in Shikaku's head. Possible, but unlikely. Nothing so far suggests that it is anything more than a vicious attack by an angry and embarrassed classmate. It's a possibility that should stay open, but until more evidence presents, incompetence is almost always more likely than a malicious conspiracy.
"Good," said Sarutobi, "You should be aware that from what I've observed before you arrived, she does not seem to be in a correct state of mind. She has been… muttering to herself. I haven't been able to hear most of what she was saying, but it sounded like half of a conversation."
"Do you think it's related to the head injury?" Tsume pointed to the crystal ball.
Sarutobi nodded, "Possibly. There may be another explanation… Personally I hope it's the head injury." Sarutobi interlaced his fingers again, "With a weak enough seal the tailed beasts have the potential to exert a certain amount of influence on their hosts. Considering Hibachi's claim... The possibility the Kyuubi is attempting to exert control over Naruto should not be discounted."
"Sarutobi, what are you trying to say?" Tsume frowned, gripping the mission report tightly.
"Just… Bring her home, by whatever means necessary. I do not believe that the Kyuubi is in danger of escaping, but Naruto's emotional state could urge her to draw on it's power." Sarutobi watched the crystal ball. Naruto was lying down now underneath a large fallen tree. Her orange raincoat was draped over an entrance, blocking the worst of the wind and rain, while she huddled under the blanket. "She may not recognize you as her rescuers."
Meaning she may try to run away again, or worse attack them. The latter of which could result in any number of further injuries, further aggravating an already weakened seal. Troublesome… Shikaku frowned, watching as Naruto opened the bag and sniffed the contents and gave it a suspicious glare.
"I see…" said Tsume. "Actually, that makes a certain amount of sense for either scenario. Kids are like dogs, after all."
"I am afraid I do not understand," said Shibi, with the barest hint of confusion.
"You can't expect an animal that's scared and hurt to act rationally. Sometimes they understand that you're an ally and they'll sit there as you tend to their wounds. Othertimes you're not so lucky. They might try to bite you, even if you're trying to help them." Tsume sighed, "Kids are the same way. Some understand when a person is trying to help them. Others don't."
"I see," Shibi paused, "Then it is likely that Naruto may run away if she detects our presence?"
"Injured, cold, potentially in shock? Plus, who knows what Hibachi said or did during the attack. Absolutely," said Tsume, stepping back and bowing to Sarutobi, "Thank you, Lord Hokage. We shall all do our best."
Once Tsume closed the door, Shikaku turned back to his watch.
"What do you make of it, Shikaku?" said Sarutobi.
"I haven't seen anything in any mission reports or intelligence briefings that points to this being a plot or conspiracy." Shikaku replied promptly, "At the moment I'm hedging my bets on this being the result of a schoolyard grudge gone way off it's mark, unlucky weather, and general incompetence."
Sarutobi sighed, "I had almost hoped for the latter,"
Shikaku nodded, examining the cuts on Naruto's legs, and the bruises he could see on her arms now that her coat was removed. There was no sound, but he coils imagine the teeth chattering, judging by the shivers coming off of her. She's smaller than Shikamaru, and I can't imagine him holding up well in these conditions. No matter. Tsume and her team will be there soon. They have exact coordinates for the dump site, so finding her should be an easy enough task.
"Shikaku," Sarutobi spoke softly but abruptly.
"What is it, Lord Hokage?" said Shikaku.
Sarutobi pointed to the crystal ball. "The bag that Naruto procured from the spy's body; she's eating whatever it contained. It looks like small, brown balls."
What a drag… Shikaku groaned, rubbing his temples as he felt a migraine coming upon him after some careful observation. An urge, an old itch and crushing need for a drink of very strong sake reared its ugly head, which he immediately crushed. Those can only be one thing. Soldier pills. Considering how small she is, and the fact that she wouldn't have any idea of the effects of the pills, she will probably be a paranoid wreck by the time Tsume, Hiashi, and Shibi get to her. An extremely fast, not to mention strong, paranoid wreck.
"Well, she's- she's ten. I can't imagine a few soldier pills will give her the upper hand when it comes to Tsume and the others." Shikaku sat back in his chair, frowning. Luckily, Naruto didn't appreciate the acrid, bitter aftertaste the soldier pills left in the mouth of the one consuming them, and tossed the bag away after only a few. Sarutobi chuckled as she stuck her tongue out, gagging, before drinking heavily from the canteen.
"There is a reason they are made to taste bad, child," said Sarutobi, smiling, "The medics would rather a ninja eat as few of them as possible. Their side effects are nothing to scoff at. Exhaustion, both physically and mentally..."
Shikaku gave a hum of agreement.
"Speaking of Naruto's mental health…" Shikaku began his question slowly, "What are your plans for her once she has been secured, and her seal examined? She is bound to be in a rather intense emotional state."
Sarutobi didn't answer for a long time. Instead, he continued to watch Naruto with his hands interlaced in front of his face. He smiled fondly once more as she gave a tasteless ration bar a glare that promised a painful death. Once she was done, the girl relaxed a bit, lying down and curling up in her blanket. Then, she sat up rather suddenly, crossed her arms and pouted. She glared at something only she seemed to be able to sense, and then said a few words before covering her ears and lying back down in a blanket cocoon.
"That remains to be seen. I am hopeful that in time she will be able to go back to her regular schedule." Sarutobi leaned back, aiming Shikaku a calculating stare. "Why do you ask, Shikaku?"
"The reports we've been getting from Suna about their own jinchuriki are… concerning," said Shikaku, recalling the reports he had been receiving from their spies in Suna over the last four years. The jinchuriki that lived there was Naruto's age, but far more unstable. The boy had killed more than a few of his nannies in fits of rage. No hesitation. No remorse. "I'm sure you've read them yourself"
"I have," said Sarutobi, frowning deeply, "I am unsure of what you are asking me to do concerning Naruto. Do you wish for her to be locked in a cage?"
"Absolutely not," Shikaku raised an eyebrow, "I only mean that parental supervision may be beneficial for her."
"There is a team of ANBU-"
"That isn't the supervision I meant, Lord Hokage." Shikaku interrupted. At Sarutobi's silent reply of a single quirked eyebrow, he continued, "She lives alone. To add to that, while she may be guarded by ANBU, Naruto hasn't the slightest idea that they exist. Lord Hokage, my son has difficulty functioning by himself even for a day if Yoshino and I are both too busy to cook or make sure he's wearing clean clothes, showering, doing his homework…"
The exhale Sarutobi gave as he closed his eyes and nodded was heavy and prolonged.
Shikaku didn't let up, "She needs a parent. She vandalizes shops, she skips school-"
"Doesn't your own son do the same?"
"Skipping school? Yes," said Shikaku, not missing a beat, "However, when he does so there are consequences for it, and he doesn't vandalize shops."
Nodding, Sarutobi turned to watch Naruto once again. Her head was visible now. Shikaku could see her mouth moving in a fashion that made him think of singing, while her eyes were closed. Singing herself to sleep, perhaps? I wonder… She does live alone. Could her behavior be the result of an imaginary friend she's made for herself to play with? Shikamaru used to have them when he was younger, before he met Choji. One of them, Shikaku remembered fondly from a conversation during one of the first shoji games he played with Shikamaru, was a boy who refused to let Shikaku know his name. Shikamaru's unseen shoji ally had permitted Shikaku to be given the information that he lived in a blue castle on a cloud, constructed of jay feathers and pine cones.
"Oh? Jay feathers and pine cones? Impressive building choice."
"I didn't think so. I told him that it was shortsighted. The slightest wind would knock over any walls made from jay feathers, and the castle is in a cloud, Dad. a cloud. It's a terrible strategic choice. But I guess it looks cool."
"Well, obviously they know what they're doing if they're able to live in it. Could there be a reason beyond looks that gives them a tactical advantage? Or could there be something that makes it easier for them to use such difficult building material? Check, by the way."
"Ah man... Maybe… Do you think that maybe they have a jutsu that lets them use feathers for walls?"
"I dunno, you tell me. You know the kid. Does such a jutsu exist? Check, again."
"Such a drag… Well, he wouldn't just tell me state secrets like that, Dad. Duh."
"Ah, I see. Well, if he's your friend, then it's probably best to not press him for such protected information. You might have to do a bit of exploring."
"I know, but it's such a drag, because it's truly the worst building choice they could have chosen, and it's just- it's just exhausting!"
"Lord Hokage, I offered to take her in ten years ago, along with many of my peers. Yoshino had just had Shikamaru not two weeks before Naruto's birth; raising them as twins would not have been difficult with a few well placed lies." Shikaku leaned forward, continuing once prompted. "I understand your reluctance back then to have been raised in a clan environment. Clan politics can get messy; with how unstable the village was after the loss of the Fourth Hokage, not to mention the destruction left in the Kyuubi's wake… At the time, destabilization of power amongst the clans was a reasonable and valid concern. However, I believe the situation has changed, which means that our outlook on the matter should also change."
Sarutobi nodded, "Of this, you and I are in absolute agreement." He sighs, then shifts his position, pulling a long pipe from his robes. Once the bowl of the pipe was loaded he lit the contents, inhaling deeply, exhaling through his nose. "I didn't intend for it to end in her current living situation. I attempted to find her a civilian family to live with. Unfortunately, when the news of her status as a jinchuriki was leaked to the public, that campaign soon ended. Civilians, for the large part, do not understand how sealing works. They don't understand that Naruto and the demon fox are not one and the same. How could they? As it is, most shinobi do not understand how sealing works."
"Hmm…"
"After her enrollment in the academy she moved into her apartment. In exchange for an additional monthly sum, the landlady there agreed to tend to her physical needs, such as meals, laundry, as well as some amount of parental guidance." After an angry puff and a deep growl, Sarutobi continued, "Needless to say, the arrangement did not work out as well as I hoped."
Another puff. "I have hired other caretakers who have all meant well, but…"
"What happened to them?" said Shikaku. His eyes flickered back to the crystal ball, then to the clock on the wall. Tsume and her team should be arriving soon.
"Lack of trust. Naruto won't trust the caretaker, so she tests them to see if they'll actually stay."
"Aaah…" I can imagine what those tests are like.
Sarutobi nodded, giving another irritated puff, "It generally ends in the caretaker storming off in anger, or quitting after the emotional reality of being a caretaker for another human being sets in." Another irritated puff, "While it is an understandable flaw in their human ability, unfortunately it is Naruto who pays the price."
A deep grumble came out of the man. He leaned back further in his chair, the lines in his face deeply apparent. "I suppose at the end of the day, it doesn't matter why. Excuses won't fix the situation." said Sarutobi sadly, "Shikaku, I've always trusted your mind in strategy. What would you suggest?"
"Let me take her in."
If Shikaku were a less shrewd man, at the pleased brightening of Sarutobi's eyes he would have thought Sarutobi would say yes immediately. As it was, this was not his response. "I would love to allow that. However, one clan having such a large influence over the jinchuriki-"
"Lord Hokage, if you would allow me just a moment," said Shikaku, noting the repetitive drone to Sarutobi's words, as if they were rehearsed. "It would certainly cause an imbalance of power in the village. Yet if Naruto's seal is already having issues due to emotional stress, I think that her mental state has a higher priority."
"This is sound reasoning," said Sarutobi, a slight smile appearing.
Shikaku then said in a firm voice, "I would also like to ask; what does it say about us as shinobi if we allow the fear of a potential political hurdle, one that I am certain we can easily resolve, to keep us from tending to the needs of one of our most vulnerable citizens?"
Sarutobi nodded, "It would be an intolerable mark upon our honor."
"Having a sibling would be good for her," said Shikaku. The hundreds of baby pictures that Yoshino had of Shikamaru suddenly came to mind; Shikamaru reading his first chapter book at two, Shikamaru at five years old and curled up with one of the orphaned fawns they occasionally had, Shikamaru underneath a pile of fallen antlers and laughing at eight. Yoshino would undoubtedly want more pictures. The woman always did want a daughter, and was the reason Shikaku was pitching the idea to Sarutobi. She's going to want to make up for lost years and spoil her rotten.
"Plus, Yoshino would be an incredible mother for her. Naruto should have a female influence in her life. One more thing," Shikaku pulled out his wallet, flipping to the picture of Shikamaru napping with the fawn, then showing it to Sarutobi as the man inhaled from his pipe. Sarutobi's eyes wrinkled as a low laugh rumbled from his throat. "Deer are great for kids. They are a calming, relaxing presence."
"Shikaku, are you trying to convince me, or yourself?" said Sarutobi, smoke billowing out as he laughed and took the picture, "It's a beautiful picture."
"It's my favorite one," said Shikaku, remembering how much he had moaned when Yoshino started nagging him about taking pictures. Shikaku hadn't seen the point until that one had been taken. There wasn't anything particularly special about it; the lighting was off as well as the framing, Shikamaru's face was covered in sweat and dirt, and the fawn had a questioning look on its face. As if it wasn't quite sure what to think of the camera.
Yet, he saw the photo and he remembered the heat of the sun, the pollen from the grass and trees that was everywhere, the warmth of the orphaned fawn's bottle it drank from, the onigiri that Yoshino made for lunch, and the way Shikamaru clung to his back as Shikaku carried him back into the house. It was a perfect day. One of the few from those years where he was clear headed and sober.
"I am convinced, Shikaku. Once Naruto has been secured, and has undergone any necessary medical treatment, we shall discuss this further.
Shikaku grinned so wide he could feel it stretch one of his scars. "Thank you, Lord Ho-"
Movement from the crystal ball caught his attention. Naruto, in one quick jolt, sat up. Eyes wide and fearful, she sat as stiff and still as a statue. She heard something. Could it be the rescue team?
Slowly, Naruto took her raincoat off from where it was hanging and put it back on over the blanket, lifting part of the blanket's bulk over her head. She crossed the rest over her chest like a kimono, before buttoning the raincoat closed. Once she was satisfied with the blanket's arrangement, she stuffed the ration bars into her pockets, then slung her canteen over her shoulder.
For a few moments after Naruto just sat as far out of sight as she could, then another person came into view. It was Hyuga Hiashi. On the crystal ball, Naruto gave a silent scream at the sight of his dark hair and blank, purple-eyed stare, aided by his Byakugan which made the veins around his eyes bulge out in an unholy, nightmarish way. Shikaku couldn't blame her.
When Hiashi reached out to grab her Naruto screamed again and kicked out, hitting Hiashi in the face. While he was distracted by a bleeding nose Naruto bull-rushed him, headbutting him in the stomach before running away. However, Tsume appeared in front of Naruto in a flash. Before she knew it, Naruto was being scooped up and dragged off.
Tsume was only able to take about two steps. The shriek Naruto gave was sure to be an ear-piercing, milk-curdling one that would have hurt any normal human's ears, much less an Inuzuka's. As her arms were preoccupied with a screaming, scratching, soldier-pill enhanced ten year old, Tsume was visibly trying to protect her ears with her shoulders. It was then that Naruto took advantage of her predicament to bite down. Hard.
Tsume was forced to let go.
About three seconds later a swarm of bugs appeared. Naruto was lifted up off her feet. She screamed silently in the crystal ball, clawing and scratching at her ankles, hitting the bugs that were holding her in the air. Shibi walked up, then tapped her on the head.
Naruto went limp. Shibi's beetles allowed the man a moment to take hold of her before they released her ankles, and Naruto was being carried back to the village.
The chair Shikaku sat in groaned as he leaned back, letting relief flood through him. Now it's another waiting game and a hospital trip.
Whoo Hoo! Next week shall be Naruto's point of view! See ya then! Thank you so much for reading!