Chapter 6: Painful Goodbyes

Hiraku slowly opened his eyes to reveal Misaru and the Hokage talking amongst themselves. Wondering what they were talking about, Hiraku decided to pretend like he was sleeping so that he could eavesdrop on them.

"Don't worry Misaru, I can clear your name with ease. As for the boy it will only take a few months and then the villagers will get used to him. Besides, it is clear that you have taught him well enough that he can defend himself against any of the villagers that would attack him." Misaru's face still showed that he did not like what the Hokage was telling him.

"I know some of these people far to well, and besides the fact that they will wait until Hiraku is ill prepared to fight them, they will use whatever cheap method they can to kill him. Just make a formal announcement that you are placing him under the village's protection. Then no one would dare to attack him!" Hiraku felt happy as he heard Misaru battle for his safety. It seemed that the older ninja truly did care about him.

"Misaru, we both know that is one action that I can't take. It is bad enough that I am allowing the boy to live in the village, but to place him under its protection will drive the village into a revolt. That is something I will NEVER be a part of." Misaru grew quiet as he heard the Hokage's words.

"At least allow me to protect him..." Misaru was interrupted by the Hokage before he could finish his words.

"No, you can't risk the villagers seeing you not working your hardest to redeem yourself. From now on I want you to spend as little time as possible with the boy, and as much time as you can doing missions for the village." Hiraku thought that Misaru was going to be quiet now, but suddenly the Jounin's face was contorted with rage.

"YOU asked me to raise the boy and train him. Did you not think that doing all of that would make me grow to care for the boy as if he was my own son? I don't care what the villagers think about me, I WILL be allowed to be with the boy as much as I want, and I WILL be allowed to protect him!" Misaru's sudden outburst startled both the Hokage and Hiraku.

"Then you would prove nothing more than the fact that you are a fool. Protecting the boy would not only draw more attention to the two of you, but it would also make it easier for both of your enemies to team up and attack you in a force. I care about both of you too much to allow that to happen to either one of you." With that the Hokage turned and left Misaru and Hiraku alone in the room.

"Misaru, I'm going to miss you." Misaru slowly turned with a shocked look on his face as he realized the boy had heard him and the Hokage talking.

"You have to be strong Hiraku. You're a member of Konoha now, and that means you have to protect the village at all costs. I expect you to work harder than you ever have for now on." Misaru felt his heart sink as he watched the boy break down into tears.

"Don't worry Misaru, I'll protect the village at all costs!" Hiraku felt his sadness deepen as he watched several tears fall down Misaru's face.

"Well then I leave you Hiraku. Don't worry, I'll see you again in a few years. Until then, work hard to become a great ninja..." With that, Misaru slowly rose to his feet and began to walk to the door.

"I will become a great ninja Misaru, you'll see!" Hiraku said the words just as Misaru walked through the door way.

"I know you will kid..."