Suzi wore her best dress, making sure it was smooth as she flattened the seams. She turned to the mirror, seeing her presentable figure for her meeting with the Hokage.
It was unusual, to be allowed such a prompt meeting as she headed for the door, arriving at the reception quickly.
"Miiya," she said, seeing a head peer from behind the desk. "Tell Dowa to find me when he's back. I'll be a few hours."
Dowa was out too, arranging food for the orphanage as Miiya nodded. "Where are you going?" she asked, shifting up in chair as Suzi turned away.
She waved, then was gone as Miiya grumbled. "Probably another date," she said, returning to her book. "Floosy."
If only she knew, as Suzi arrived at the wooden doors, flicking the switch as she worried inside.
The Hokage had granted her request, but asked she come alone; which wasn't ominous at all as she headed out, joining the crowd in the street with a confident strut.
The Orphanage was in a bad way, and despite her best efforts, careful management and frugal spending. It wasn't enough, they were bankrupt; their status as a charity all but forgotten by the stingy people of Konoha.
Yet still they came, just as Juugo had all those months ago. It would be a year soon, a year as she thought of her yellow eyed boy.
She rounded a bend, seeing a building ahead that was painted red. "You can do this Suzi," she said, striding towards it. "You can do it."
She stepped inside, walking rigidly as she approached a tidy desk. "Hello," she said, trying to smile. "I am here to see the Hokage."
The receptionist looked, sniffed, then looked away. "Name," she said, clipped with authority.
"Suzi Akagaru."
The woman checked her list, as if perusing a menu while Suzi waited, trying her best not to shuffle in the air-conditioned room.
It all seemed very official, as she looked to the stairs beyond, where a man stood with watchful eyes.
There was sure to be more, many more as Suzi heard the receptionist tap the desk. "You're early," she said, meeting Suzi's eye. "The Hokage is a busy man, so you'll have to wait."
She gestured to the chairs along the wall behind, which looked uncomfortable as Suzi bowed, thanking her.
Suzi took her seat, arranging her dress on the uncomfortable wood.
It was deathly quiet. No music. No chatter, nothing as Suzi glanced at the receptionist, unable to help her subtle scowling.
How did she get this job, she thought; was there more to it than what Miiya did?
Suzi couldn't see how there was, not with the guard looming behind, who seemed to notice her attention with ease.
He winked at her, prompting attention away as footsteps approached from upstairs, clicking loudly as they stormed to reception.
The man stopped, pausing as if to say something.
He thought better of it, continuing with a huff as the guard watched him leave, his posture relaxing as a voice piped up. "You can go now," said the receptionist, sparing a glance from her book. "Be polite."
Suzi stood, offended as she walked past, heading for the guard who appeared amused. "Sorry about her," he whispered, unable to help as his eyes flicked across her elegant figure.
She had soft curves, as he watched her hurry past, grinning as she climbed the stairs with careful steps.
They needed new staff, thought Suzi. About half-way up as her nervousness grew. She'd never met the Hokage, only seen him from afar as she arrived at the door.
It was clearly marked, a sign above that read 'Hokage'.
She knocked softly.
"Come in."
The door opened as she stepped through, seeing the Hokage who watched from his desk. "Ah, Suzi," he said, inviting her over. "It's nice to finally meet you."
Suzi approached, smiling politely. "And you, Hokage-sama. Thank you for seeing me."
He waved it off.
"It's no bother," he indicated she sit, wondering as she did why her dress had flowers on it. "Quite the opposite, actually."
He'd been meaning to check up on them, as Suzi folded her hands, looking down at her lap as they twiddled softly.
The Hokage knew why she was here. "I expect," he began, waiting for her to meet his eyes. "That things are difficult, at the Orphanage."
Suzi glanced up, trying not to grimace as she nodded once. "Y-yes, Hokage-sama," she said quietly, unable to hold his eye as she looked away in shame. "I don't know what to do."
This wasn't what she wanted, nor the Hokage as he hummed in a sombre tone. There weren't many Orphanages in Konoha, only 6 as he stood, thinking of the report he'd read as he arrived by the window.
It was inevitable, as he turned back to her. "Forgive me," he said, hiding his frustration as Suzi looked his way. "My best advice, is to seek a final meeting with the council, with my recommendation."
It should help, the most he could do for a civilian Orphanage.
"You won't help?" she asked, terrified as she swivelled in her chair. "But - the children, they have nowhere else to go!"
Suzi was angry, looking it as the Hokage raised his hand. "It is out of my control, a civilian matter," he explained, walking slowly back to his desk. "The Civilian Council manages that. Not the Hokage."
He sighed, it was one of many failings by his predecessors, which as he took his seat, could not be changed.
"But you're the Hokage," pled Suzi, appearing lost. "I've already asked them, many times. They won't help me."
That was the problem.
Her.
…
"What about Juugo," she stated, looking up without regard. "What of him, you'll re-home him? Send him to another Orphanage?"
She scoffed.
"He'd never go."
Suzi knew this, knew enough of the boy with a will like iron, who was headstrong and independent.
He'd leave, go off somewhere and do as he did, as he'd always done before stepping one single toe in Konoha.
…
However, as the Hokage listened.
She was wrong.
"I will speak to the council," he said eventually, watching her every move. "And should they accept, the Orphanage will survive."
Suzi smiled, yet hastened as the Hokage looked at her warningly.
"But should they refuse."
He titled, conveying how empty her words had been. "Juugo will be adopted," he said, knowing many families that would take such a talented boy. "And you, will never see him again."
That was the deal, one the Hokage was glad to make as Suzi blinked, utterly confused.
"You should be in no doubt as to why this is so," stated the Hokage, pulling the report he'd received mere days ago. "It appears you are ill-suited at running an Orphanage."
Suzi was a poor caretaker, one he'd looked into too late after his meeting with Iruka. The man was besotted, unable to see how her management was the cause of it all.
Extravagant expenses, gifts, rewards and days out that were entirely unnecessary.
Blackbeam was an Orphanage, not a summer camp.
It was no wonder it had run out of money, and about time too as the Hokage stood. "Do we understand each other?"
He waited, his eyes glinting as Suzi nodded.
"Good," he said, indicating she go. "The council will inform you."
Suzi rose sluggishly, bowing deeply before hurrying away.
The Hokage watched her go, shaking his head as her dress swished through the door.
"Tiger."
"Hai."
"Find Fumiko," he said, wanting to check something. "Bring her to me."
The Anbu vanished, leaving the Hokage alone as he stared out the window.
A minute passed before Fumiko arrived, appearing out of sorts as she stood before him.
"Hokage-sama."
She bowed, confused as the Hokage failed to greet her, nor even look her way as he stared outside.
"Juugo," he said after a moment, causing her to blink as he reached for his pipe. "Tell me about his abilities: the one's you know."
Because, as the Hokage lit his pipe, it seemed there was more to the boy as Fumiko frowned in thought.
"I wish to know how advanced he is," he added.
Fumiko had understood, of course she had as question came to mind. "If I may, Hokage-sama."
A nod.
She straightened. "Is Juugo in some kind of trouble? Because he-"
"He's not in any trouble. Just tell me."
What was happening today, thought the Hokage.
Why was everyone questioning him?
He was the Hokage, not them.
"Juugo is a prodigy," said Fumiko, feeling no regret as the Hokage looked at her sceptically. "He is sir. At least from what I have seen. I've never known such a natural Sensor."
She smiled, recalling the fish that had swum in the lake. "He can feel almost everything. Birds, trees; even fish."
"Fish?"
The Hokage set his pipe down, regarding her closely. "He could feel them?"
"Yes. Quite easily."
…
"Go on."
Fumiko thought of what else she'd learned, telling him of the shadow guise and his jaunt in the forest.
"I see," mused the Hokage, turning away in his chair. "That is quite something."
The Second Hokage had been much the same, though in Hiruzen's mind, not exactly. "Does Juugo do anything," he said, recalling something. "For example, touch the ground when he senses?"
Fumiko quickly shook her head, her ponytail flicking behind.
"No, I asked him the same. He does nothing beyond focusing his mind."
He'd never once used the Ram seal, despite her teaching him how. It was a crutch, he'd said as the Hokage asked her again. "And what of his personal life," she heard, noting the Hokage's tone. "Does he seem happy at the Orphanage?"
The Hokage may trust in his shinobi, and their reports, but he wasn't stupid. He knew how things could be different when critiqued with a closer eye.
And he was right, he'd gotten lazy as Fumiko giggled.
"He does seem happy," she said, smiling softly. "Suzi dotes on him, looks out for him. He speaks of her often, and Hana, his friend from the Orphanage."
The Hokage tightened his jaw, asking what she thought of Suzi. "She does her best," said Fumiko, nodding with resolve. "It's not easy running an Orphanage, or finding a husband."
"It's not that hard."
"It is," she corrected, meaning both as the Hokage crossed his arms. "But especially for her, as it's not just her that would come along. The Orphanage is her family."
Fumiko thought of Iruka, understanding why she was interested as she glimpsed the same in the Hokage's eyes. "Iruka is a good man," he commented. "His father too."
The Hokage moved on, hiding his guilt as he asked the last and final question. "Fumiko," he said, making sure she was listening. "If Juugo were forced to leave the Orphanage, what do you think he'd do?"
It was obvious now, he saw it clearly as Fumiko leaned away.
"I don't know," she admitted, but could guess. "If he didn't like where he ended up, he'd leave. Live in the forest, run away."
She shrugged, getting the sense during their time together that Juugo was used to moving, never bothered when asked to meet in new places.
Juugo did love the forest though, always preferring to go there over anywhere else. "Hokage-sama," she asked, hoping she wasn't overstepping. "Is the Orphanage going to be closed?"
…
The Hokage sighed, sitting back in his chair. "Perhaps," he said, not excluding the possibility. "If it does, it'll cause problems. I do wonder what the Civilian Council thinks sometimes."
They were all, aside from a few, conceited to the core. Having been picked as the best the civilians had to offer.
Merchants. Lords. Ladies. Take your pick.
"Does the Orphanage need money?" asked Fumiko. "I don't mind donating, and I am sure others will help too once they know."
The Hokage quickly shot it down. "No, I have it in hand. But thank you, Fumiko."
She nodded, breathing with a soft nod.
He dismissed her. "Oh, and Fumiko."
She glanced back.
"Don't mention this to anyone."
It was often when the Hokage had to remind his shinobi to stay quiet.
"Of course."
She bowed, disappearing in a swirl.
…
The Hokage rose, doing so a lot today as he paced by the window, debating his next course.
He'd been a little harsh with Suzi, shaking his head as he paced some more. Reports were easy, and had a way of forming opinions before proper steps had been taken.
He should have talked to Fumiko before, feeling a fool for failing to check up on the promising boy.
Clearly, the situation was far different that he'd thought, along with Juugo's character. Which they seemed so sure of, as the Hokage slowed, looking out at the village he was tasked with protecting.
Juugo was a brilliant boy, like so few ever were as he decided what to do.
…
The Orphanage would stay open, one way or another.
AN
Good stuff. Building the foundation, time skip coming soon just as a heads up. I didn't want the pre-canon stuff to get too long.
As usual let me know your thoughts!
Pa – treon dot com / bactum too if you want to read ahead.
Till next time!