Love and Death
Disclaimer: I do not own any of the Naruto characters
A/N: Ahhh... guess it was kind of obvious that Naruto was going to be Hokage. Oh well, so much for the surprise. Anyway, In this chapter, a new character is introduced, thanks to my friend Lisa. She wouldn't shut up about how she
wanted to be in my fanfic, and how she wanted to be important, and BLAH BLAH BLAH! The only good thing about it was that the next chapter is the product of both of our ideas put together. That one might probably be the longest so far, because there's two fights in it, I think...and then some. As
for this one, it's mostly socializing. There's a lot of catching up on relationships and romances, so all you romantics may enjoy those parts. The romance doesn't play that large of a role in this chappie as it does in the
next, though. So, I hope you enjoy!
Chapter 4-
Assignments, Arguments, and a New Member
"Because the dobe...is now Hokage!"
Neji, Miharu, and Sasuke stared in utter shock, unable to believe the words which had just escaped the lips of their old friend. Naruto, Hokage? Although he had always dreamed and fanaticized of it, no one had actually believed that the number one hyperactive ninja, a.k.a. dobe, would actually
make it.
Now that they came to think of it, it did all fit. Tsunade-sama had
always believed Naruto could be capable of becoming the Hokage. She had even said that while fighting HIM. But why not? Aside from his immaturity, Naruto was very strong. Probably stronger than both Neji and Sasuke...when he wanted to be. Despite this, all the Jounins had figured, from the day it was first announced, that Naruto would be the most laid-back, easy-going,
and noisy Hokage they ever would have. No one argued with that.
Naruto Hokage-sama grinned his old fox grin, eyes closed in glee. The
others began to laugh. The latest-arriving ninja's faces showed nothing
more than the highest possible level of shock. From their expressions,
everyone could tell that this was the last thing they were expecting.
"Surprised, ne minna-san?" Naruto questioned with unbelievable happiness. It was as if he was the happiest man on earth. "Betcha didn't expect the dobe to become the great Hokage, did you, Sasuke-bastard? That's all right! Remember, I did warn you guys that I was gunna be the greatest
Hokage ever! Guess next time you're just gunna have to listen to what I
say, huh?"
Sasuke just stared, too stunned to speak. This time it was Miharu who snapped out of her daze first. Running forward, she stopped right in front of Naruto Hokage-sama's desk. "Wow, sugoi! I'm so happy for you, Naruto-
kun! Who would have believed!? Demo...I definitely am happy that you have
made your dreams come true!" She gushed, smiling brightly. During their journey, Miharu had missed Naruto the most. It wasn't necessarily because she had feelings for him. It was just that he was funny, and exciting to be around. When you were with Naruto, something was bound to happen that would make you laugh. Plus, she was the only one who could beat him in a ramen- eating competition. Who was she to compete with now? Hokage did not usually
go to ramen bars for dinner...
'Humph!' Neji had finally advanced. "So it seems as though this baka has finally decided to shape up and stop goofing off." He grinned slightly,
a grin that was seen by no one...with the exception of Miharu. Turning to
face the rest, Neji asked them, "Has he been a good Hokage so far?"
Most of the crowd nodded. "He's actually made some really good decisions for the village." Sakura spoke up. "And he's amazing in battle.
You guys really have to see him fight sometime later on..."
Hinata stepped forward. Looking at Naruto, she blushed furiously. "This might just be my opinion, b-but I honestly think that Naruto-kun has gotten much h-ho...I mean, cuter t-than before." Quickly glancing up from the floor, she saw everyone grinning, including Naruto. She looked back down
and added, "H-he's a really good fighter too!"
The whole room burst into laughter, and Miharu's smile widened. "So,
it seems as if there's a little somethin' somethin' going on here..." she
looked from Naruto to Hinata, then cast her eyes over the room, waiting
expectantly for an answer.
Ino smiled as she spoke, laughter filled her eyes. "Two years after you three left, which is also two years ago, Hinata worked up the courage to ask Naruto out. The best part was, it was in front of all of us that she asked him! Anyway, Naruto of course said yes, because after he had realized
that Hinata liked him...which was a
lo-o-ng time ago, just to let you know, he began to like her back. So, whatever, they went out, and have been going steady ever since! Isn't it
sweet?" Ino pretended to cry.
Miharu waltzed right up to Hinata and gave her a BIG hug. "Good for you, girl!" she whispered into her ear. Stepping back, she glanced over at Neji, to see what he thought. He was glaring at Hinata, who didn't seem to notice nor care. After a while, his eyes softened, and he grinned slightly
once more. It seemed that he was happy for his cousin after all.
Sasuke, on the other hand, looked downright amused. "So, Naruto got over his crush on Sakura, did he?" Sakura nodded frantically in answer to
his question. Sasuke chuckled softly, getting startled glances from the
rest of the group.
"Don't worry." Miharu assured them. "He's not on crack, and he's not sick. Actually, he's been smiling and laughing a lot lately. Well...a lot in
Sasuke standards..." She added, earning a laugh from her fellow ninjas, including Sasuke. What she didn't add though, was that his sudden change of attitude had occurred right after the nightmares following his brother's
brutal murder at his own hands had ended.
Miharu took all conversation into her hands. "So," she prompted, giving everyone a thorough inspection with only her eyes. "Are there any
more relationships I need to know about?"
Shikamaru sighed. "Oh, how troublesome. Fine. Ino and I have been going steady for about three years now..." Ino hugged him enthusiastically to
further state her point, and Shikamaru sighed again. "This dating stuff
really is troublesome."
Miharu grinned widely. "Ahh! Kawaii! You two are sooo perfect for one
another! I can't believe it! This is great!"
TenTen stepped forward tentatively. "I've got something to tell you
also, Miharu." She glanced over at Lee, and continued. "Although it may seem hard to believe, Lee and I have been going out for the past year..." In a very un-TenTen like motion, she blushed and backed up. Lee, on the other
hand, looked very proud.
Miharu raised her eyebrows. "Really? That is very unexpected. Wow. So
who asked who?"
Lee grinned. "Of course, the most gorgeous beast of the Konoha
Village was brave enough to ask his lady out on a date!" His eyes overfilled with tears, much like Gai-sensei's had earlier. "I'm so happy!"
He sobbed.
Miharu grimaced. "Stop it! You're still calling yourself that?
Although you look much better than you did last time, you're still
definitely not the most gorgeous beast of ANY village, Konoha, Mist, or Air." (is there air?)She sighed as everyone in the room laughed, including
TenTen and Lee. "Anyway, didn't you have a crush on Sakura?"
"I had to give up." Lee admitted, shrugging his shoulders in defeat.
"It was never going to happen."
"Oh...but then, who are you with, Sakura?"
"No one! And I'm perfectly happy with it!" Sakura exclaimed,
laughing.
"Wha? No one? Are you serious? But you're so pretty!"
"Hehe...thanks for the complement, but I am serious. Anyway, you don't
have a man either, so why should you talk?" Sakura wanted to know.
"That's none of your business!" Stated Miharu, grinning sheepishly. 'Truth is,' she thought to herself, 'I travel with two potential suitors 24/7.' But she wouldn't let anyone no that, anyway. 'I love my group!' She
screamed with joy, inwardly.
'She's probably just happy that she has Neji and Sasuke with her all
the time...' Sakura silently concluded, watching her old friend's face.
'Plus, they've both opened up and have become friendlier since the last
time we were all together like this. She's pretty lucky.'
"HEY! WHY IS EVERYONE FORGETTING ME! I'M THE MOST IMPORTANT PERSON IN KONOHA NOW!!!" Naruto yelled out, loud enough to be heard by anyone outside
the tower. All the villagers stopped at the sound of his voice, but continued on with their chores after a few minutes. It was normal enough
anyway, ever since Naruto Hokage-sama had become...well...Hokage.
"Warui, Naruto Hokage-sama." Apologized Ino and Sakura at the same
time.
"Gomen ne, Naruto-kun." Apologized Hinata.
Naruto looked at Hinata with horror. "Hinata-chan! YOU don't have to
apologize! Please take it back! I'd feel horrible if I'd accepted an
apology from you that you never even had to give!"
'How sweet!' Miharu thought. 'I wish someone was like that with me!'
Hinata smiled shyly. "Hai, N-Naruto-kun." Naruto smiled with approval, and gave her his foxiest grin. Hinata's whole face turned as red
as a tomato.
Neji's 'humph!' was loud enough for the whole room to hear. Quieting down, they turned to face him, including Miharu, who had mixed and mingled with her old friends. Stepping up from his place behind Sasuke, Neji began speaking, a hint of bitterness in his voice. "This lovely relationship crap is all good and great, but I believe we all got called here for a mission,
not to discuss our love lives." He directed his gaze straight toward
Naruto. "Hokage-sama? Are you planning on telling us what you called us
here for?"
Naruto shuddered. Neji's gaze made his skin crawl. Although Naruto knew that, as Hokage, he was way stronger than Neji could ever be, he still believed that Neji was one guy NOT to be messed with. Clearing his throat
importantly, Naruto began to speak, for the first time that day, in the
tone of a true Hokage.
"Right. I have called you all to this tower for one extremely
important mission. Maybe the last one you'll be having for a long time.
"You've all probably noticed that Orochimaru's Sound ninja's have begun appearing recently in areas near to the village. From my informants, I've gathered that he's planning something big. No one is quite sure what
it is yet, but we know for sure that it is something that will affect
everyone.
"I've called you all here because you are the best of the Jounins. All of you have even passed your old sensei in battle, both in strength and
strategy. That's why it's you, and not the older Jounin that I need.
"Basically what is going to happen is you're going to make your way up to where Orochimaru is...carefully and unbeknownst to him. Make sure that every enemy, be it Sound or any other, is ELIMINATED. We cannot have the risk of you letting the information leak, so that Orochimaru finds out that
we are on to him.
"You've got two months to complete this task. I give you that time because I realize that Orochimaru is the strongest ninja ever known. I give you that time because I know that in order to defeat him, you'll need to
tread carefully.
"First, before any of this may commence, I need our newest team to
step forward. I have a special mission...assignment...for them to complete before we can go about out task." Looking over into the shadows hiding the doorway on the left side of the room, Naruto Hokage-sama called out, "Kisa,
please step forward!"
A young girl, about the age of 18, stepped from the shadows. She wore a white blouse which covered her left shoulder, but dipped underneath her right, leaving it bare. The left sleeve reached down to the fingertips of her left hand. She wore a red skirt which cut off exactly halfway between
her waist and knee, and bandages wound themselves around her legs until they reached her knees, where they stopped. A red bandana kept her blond flyaway hair from her face. In the belt of her skirt was a dagger, hidden
away in it's sheath, and a pouch was tied around her waist. She wore a
choker around her neck.
"You three, this is Hiragi Kisa, your assignment. Kisa-san, the one with the black top is Neji, with the blue top is Sasuke, and the girl is Miharu. They are your bodyguards." When finished with the introductions,
Naruto Hokage-sama began to explain their task more clearly.
"Kisa is being pursued by certain ninja for unknown reasons. It seems as though they wish to dispose of her. Your job is to safely transport her
to the Village of the Hidden Mist, where you will then meet up with the rest of the Jounin. If any of her pursuers catch up with you, or you meet
up with them, don't skirt around. Kill them. They cannot be allowed to
catch up with her at any time."
The young girl Kisa walked forward and bowed to the three ninja to whom she was to be protected by. "Arigatou gozaimasu." Standing straight, she looked right at all of them. "I hope I will not be of any trouble to you. I can protect myself..." pointing to her dagger, she continued. "And I
also know a slight amount of hand-to-hand combat. I hope this will be
useful to you."
Naruto Hokage-sama nodded. "Your first assignment begins right now. The time we start the major mission will depend on your timing. Good luck."
A/N: So, did you like this chapter? I tried to please you all with romance,
but Neji was getting a little fed up with it all. The next chapter will hold a slight amount more romance than this one did. Anyway, I'm not quite
sure if I got the village names right...and one other thing, but I can't remember now. I'm off to do homework, and then I'll finish the next chapter
tonight. Please review! Ja ne!
Disclaimer: I do not own any of the Naruto characters
A/N: Ahhh... guess it was kind of obvious that Naruto was going to be Hokage. Oh well, so much for the surprise. Anyway, In this chapter, a new character is introduced, thanks to my friend Lisa. She wouldn't shut up about how she
wanted to be in my fanfic, and how she wanted to be important, and BLAH BLAH BLAH! The only good thing about it was that the next chapter is the product of both of our ideas put together. That one might probably be the longest so far, because there's two fights in it, I think...and then some. As
for this one, it's mostly socializing. There's a lot of catching up on relationships and romances, so all you romantics may enjoy those parts. The romance doesn't play that large of a role in this chappie as it does in the
next, though. So, I hope you enjoy!
Chapter 4-
Assignments, Arguments, and a New Member
"Because the dobe...is now Hokage!"
Neji, Miharu, and Sasuke stared in utter shock, unable to believe the words which had just escaped the lips of their old friend. Naruto, Hokage? Although he had always dreamed and fanaticized of it, no one had actually believed that the number one hyperactive ninja, a.k.a. dobe, would actually
make it.
Now that they came to think of it, it did all fit. Tsunade-sama had
always believed Naruto could be capable of becoming the Hokage. She had even said that while fighting HIM. But why not? Aside from his immaturity, Naruto was very strong. Probably stronger than both Neji and Sasuke...when he wanted to be. Despite this, all the Jounins had figured, from the day it was first announced, that Naruto would be the most laid-back, easy-going,
and noisy Hokage they ever would have. No one argued with that.
Naruto Hokage-sama grinned his old fox grin, eyes closed in glee. The
others began to laugh. The latest-arriving ninja's faces showed nothing
more than the highest possible level of shock. From their expressions,
everyone could tell that this was the last thing they were expecting.
"Surprised, ne minna-san?" Naruto questioned with unbelievable happiness. It was as if he was the happiest man on earth. "Betcha didn't expect the dobe to become the great Hokage, did you, Sasuke-bastard? That's all right! Remember, I did warn you guys that I was gunna be the greatest
Hokage ever! Guess next time you're just gunna have to listen to what I
say, huh?"
Sasuke just stared, too stunned to speak. This time it was Miharu who snapped out of her daze first. Running forward, she stopped right in front of Naruto Hokage-sama's desk. "Wow, sugoi! I'm so happy for you, Naruto-
kun! Who would have believed!? Demo...I definitely am happy that you have
made your dreams come true!" She gushed, smiling brightly. During their journey, Miharu had missed Naruto the most. It wasn't necessarily because she had feelings for him. It was just that he was funny, and exciting to be around. When you were with Naruto, something was bound to happen that would make you laugh. Plus, she was the only one who could beat him in a ramen- eating competition. Who was she to compete with now? Hokage did not usually
go to ramen bars for dinner...
'Humph!' Neji had finally advanced. "So it seems as though this baka has finally decided to shape up and stop goofing off." He grinned slightly,
a grin that was seen by no one...with the exception of Miharu. Turning to
face the rest, Neji asked them, "Has he been a good Hokage so far?"
Most of the crowd nodded. "He's actually made some really good decisions for the village." Sakura spoke up. "And he's amazing in battle.
You guys really have to see him fight sometime later on..."
Hinata stepped forward. Looking at Naruto, she blushed furiously. "This might just be my opinion, b-but I honestly think that Naruto-kun has gotten much h-ho...I mean, cuter t-than before." Quickly glancing up from the floor, she saw everyone grinning, including Naruto. She looked back down
and added, "H-he's a really good fighter too!"
The whole room burst into laughter, and Miharu's smile widened. "So,
it seems as if there's a little somethin' somethin' going on here..." she
looked from Naruto to Hinata, then cast her eyes over the room, waiting
expectantly for an answer.
Ino smiled as she spoke, laughter filled her eyes. "Two years after you three left, which is also two years ago, Hinata worked up the courage to ask Naruto out. The best part was, it was in front of all of us that she asked him! Anyway, Naruto of course said yes, because after he had realized
that Hinata liked him...which was a
lo-o-ng time ago, just to let you know, he began to like her back. So, whatever, they went out, and have been going steady ever since! Isn't it
sweet?" Ino pretended to cry.
Miharu waltzed right up to Hinata and gave her a BIG hug. "Good for you, girl!" she whispered into her ear. Stepping back, she glanced over at Neji, to see what he thought. He was glaring at Hinata, who didn't seem to notice nor care. After a while, his eyes softened, and he grinned slightly
once more. It seemed that he was happy for his cousin after all.
Sasuke, on the other hand, looked downright amused. "So, Naruto got over his crush on Sakura, did he?" Sakura nodded frantically in answer to
his question. Sasuke chuckled softly, getting startled glances from the
rest of the group.
"Don't worry." Miharu assured them. "He's not on crack, and he's not sick. Actually, he's been smiling and laughing a lot lately. Well...a lot in
Sasuke standards..." She added, earning a laugh from her fellow ninjas, including Sasuke. What she didn't add though, was that his sudden change of attitude had occurred right after the nightmares following his brother's
brutal murder at his own hands had ended.
Miharu took all conversation into her hands. "So," she prompted, giving everyone a thorough inspection with only her eyes. "Are there any
more relationships I need to know about?"
Shikamaru sighed. "Oh, how troublesome. Fine. Ino and I have been going steady for about three years now..." Ino hugged him enthusiastically to
further state her point, and Shikamaru sighed again. "This dating stuff
really is troublesome."
Miharu grinned widely. "Ahh! Kawaii! You two are sooo perfect for one
another! I can't believe it! This is great!"
TenTen stepped forward tentatively. "I've got something to tell you
also, Miharu." She glanced over at Lee, and continued. "Although it may seem hard to believe, Lee and I have been going out for the past year..." In a very un-TenTen like motion, she blushed and backed up. Lee, on the other
hand, looked very proud.
Miharu raised her eyebrows. "Really? That is very unexpected. Wow. So
who asked who?"
Lee grinned. "Of course, the most gorgeous beast of the Konoha
Village was brave enough to ask his lady out on a date!" His eyes overfilled with tears, much like Gai-sensei's had earlier. "I'm so happy!"
He sobbed.
Miharu grimaced. "Stop it! You're still calling yourself that?
Although you look much better than you did last time, you're still
definitely not the most gorgeous beast of ANY village, Konoha, Mist, or Air." (is there air?)She sighed as everyone in the room laughed, including
TenTen and Lee. "Anyway, didn't you have a crush on Sakura?"
"I had to give up." Lee admitted, shrugging his shoulders in defeat.
"It was never going to happen."
"Oh...but then, who are you with, Sakura?"
"No one! And I'm perfectly happy with it!" Sakura exclaimed,
laughing.
"Wha? No one? Are you serious? But you're so pretty!"
"Hehe...thanks for the complement, but I am serious. Anyway, you don't
have a man either, so why should you talk?" Sakura wanted to know.
"That's none of your business!" Stated Miharu, grinning sheepishly. 'Truth is,' she thought to herself, 'I travel with two potential suitors 24/7.' But she wouldn't let anyone no that, anyway. 'I love my group!' She
screamed with joy, inwardly.
'She's probably just happy that she has Neji and Sasuke with her all
the time...' Sakura silently concluded, watching her old friend's face.
'Plus, they've both opened up and have become friendlier since the last
time we were all together like this. She's pretty lucky.'
"HEY! WHY IS EVERYONE FORGETTING ME! I'M THE MOST IMPORTANT PERSON IN KONOHA NOW!!!" Naruto yelled out, loud enough to be heard by anyone outside
the tower. All the villagers stopped at the sound of his voice, but continued on with their chores after a few minutes. It was normal enough
anyway, ever since Naruto Hokage-sama had become...well...Hokage.
"Warui, Naruto Hokage-sama." Apologized Ino and Sakura at the same
time.
"Gomen ne, Naruto-kun." Apologized Hinata.
Naruto looked at Hinata with horror. "Hinata-chan! YOU don't have to
apologize! Please take it back! I'd feel horrible if I'd accepted an
apology from you that you never even had to give!"
'How sweet!' Miharu thought. 'I wish someone was like that with me!'
Hinata smiled shyly. "Hai, N-Naruto-kun." Naruto smiled with approval, and gave her his foxiest grin. Hinata's whole face turned as red
as a tomato.
Neji's 'humph!' was loud enough for the whole room to hear. Quieting down, they turned to face him, including Miharu, who had mixed and mingled with her old friends. Stepping up from his place behind Sasuke, Neji began speaking, a hint of bitterness in his voice. "This lovely relationship crap is all good and great, but I believe we all got called here for a mission,
not to discuss our love lives." He directed his gaze straight toward
Naruto. "Hokage-sama? Are you planning on telling us what you called us
here for?"
Naruto shuddered. Neji's gaze made his skin crawl. Although Naruto knew that, as Hokage, he was way stronger than Neji could ever be, he still believed that Neji was one guy NOT to be messed with. Clearing his throat
importantly, Naruto began to speak, for the first time that day, in the
tone of a true Hokage.
"Right. I have called you all to this tower for one extremely
important mission. Maybe the last one you'll be having for a long time.
"You've all probably noticed that Orochimaru's Sound ninja's have begun appearing recently in areas near to the village. From my informants, I've gathered that he's planning something big. No one is quite sure what
it is yet, but we know for sure that it is something that will affect
everyone.
"I've called you all here because you are the best of the Jounins. All of you have even passed your old sensei in battle, both in strength and
strategy. That's why it's you, and not the older Jounin that I need.
"Basically what is going to happen is you're going to make your way up to where Orochimaru is...carefully and unbeknownst to him. Make sure that every enemy, be it Sound or any other, is ELIMINATED. We cannot have the risk of you letting the information leak, so that Orochimaru finds out that
we are on to him.
"You've got two months to complete this task. I give you that time because I realize that Orochimaru is the strongest ninja ever known. I give you that time because I know that in order to defeat him, you'll need to
tread carefully.
"First, before any of this may commence, I need our newest team to
step forward. I have a special mission...assignment...for them to complete before we can go about out task." Looking over into the shadows hiding the doorway on the left side of the room, Naruto Hokage-sama called out, "Kisa,
please step forward!"
A young girl, about the age of 18, stepped from the shadows. She wore a white blouse which covered her left shoulder, but dipped underneath her right, leaving it bare. The left sleeve reached down to the fingertips of her left hand. She wore a red skirt which cut off exactly halfway between
her waist and knee, and bandages wound themselves around her legs until they reached her knees, where they stopped. A red bandana kept her blond flyaway hair from her face. In the belt of her skirt was a dagger, hidden
away in it's sheath, and a pouch was tied around her waist. She wore a
choker around her neck.
"You three, this is Hiragi Kisa, your assignment. Kisa-san, the one with the black top is Neji, with the blue top is Sasuke, and the girl is Miharu. They are your bodyguards." When finished with the introductions,
Naruto Hokage-sama began to explain their task more clearly.
"Kisa is being pursued by certain ninja for unknown reasons. It seems as though they wish to dispose of her. Your job is to safely transport her
to the Village of the Hidden Mist, where you will then meet up with the rest of the Jounin. If any of her pursuers catch up with you, or you meet
up with them, don't skirt around. Kill them. They cannot be allowed to
catch up with her at any time."
The young girl Kisa walked forward and bowed to the three ninja to whom she was to be protected by. "Arigatou gozaimasu." Standing straight, she looked right at all of them. "I hope I will not be of any trouble to you. I can protect myself..." pointing to her dagger, she continued. "And I
also know a slight amount of hand-to-hand combat. I hope this will be
useful to you."
Naruto Hokage-sama nodded. "Your first assignment begins right now. The time we start the major mission will depend on your timing. Good luck."
A/N: So, did you like this chapter? I tried to please you all with romance,
but Neji was getting a little fed up with it all. The next chapter will hold a slight amount more romance than this one did. Anyway, I'm not quite
sure if I got the village names right...and one other thing, but I can't remember now. I'm off to do homework, and then I'll finish the next chapter
tonight. Please review! Ja ne!