Sandaime had a habit when he had a lot on his mind to talk to the previous Hokage's, but when it came to matters dealing with Toki, he talked only to one.

"You should see how much she's grown. More beautiful then her mother and as strong as both of you combined."

Sandaime relaxed on the couch trying to will the growing head-ache away.

"You know the elders are already looking for offers to have her married. They are trying to see if we might be able to settle an agreement with other countries, however I fear for her. It might have something to do with the fact that I do not entirely trust some of the other contries..I wish that you were here making these decisions instead of me. I should be off somewhere in some distant village in my private cottage enjoying a retired life."

"Believe me, I think he would have preferred it that way himself." Replied Toki. Who by now had come through the open window and was sitting next to him on the couch looking at the pictures.

"Do you really think that I'm more beautiful than my mother?"

With a small smile gracing his face Sandaime answered, "I do indeed. However, she had more decorum then you do. She would at least have come through the door."

At that reply Toki just stuck her tongue out at the 3rd Hokage, whose smile just turned into uproar of laughter.

"You have proved me right once again, my dear."

"Why was it that you wanted to see me?"

As if by uttering those very words all the happiness that was in the room suddenly vanished.

"I am about to tell you something that I haven't told anyone yet. Not even Jiraiya or Kakashi, goodness knows they will kill me when they find out. However, I have it on good authority that the elders at the moment are looking for possible offers to different countries."

Toki, suddenly stopped looking at the Sandaime and looked directly at the floor.

"Most importantly they are looking at trying to come up with a peace treaty with Stone Country."

"What? Stone Country? Have they gone crazy?"

Sandaime quickly grabbed Toki's hand and lowered his voice to were she could barely hear.

"Be careful of what you say about the elders, for they have more authority then I do when it comes to these types things. I will try my hardest to have them wait and see about other countries or other possibilities."

Toki quickly gained her composure and began to try to think rationally.

"So Kakashi or Uncle Jiraiya don't know a thing about this?"

"Not that I am aware of. However, I think Kakashi is suspecting something. I know you have a deep relationship with them so I will not ask you to jeopardize it by promising not to tell them. You have my permission to tell them, that is if you feel like telling them. Now, I must get back to work and I know that your spending the day with the Nara Clan to work on your healing techniques. I do not want you to be late because of me, however please do not be downcast by this news. The offer hasn't even been made. I just thought that you should know about it."

Toki nodded and put on the signature smile of her father. Gave the Sandaime a kiss on the check and left. When she left the 3rd Hokage leaned further back into his couch and proceeded to talk to the Hokages. However, the 3rd wouldn't remember anything he said to them. All he would remember of that day was the look of terror on Toki's face and he secretly vowed to himself that he would do whatever was in his power to get the elders to recant their decision.

It took all of Toki's self control not to just run out of the room. She began wondering if the Sandaime was right in his thinking to tell her. But, however many times she tried to deny it she was glad to know. At least now she would know what to expect and to know what the elders had in plan for her.

4 years ago

"You know that we are right Sandaime. You need to start teaching her diplomacy. She's becoming more than just an object of hope for our little village. For the country. Other countries are starting to look at her as the princess of Konoha if you have to put a title to it. She is someone of great importance. One that could help this village in a way that no other person could."

The Sandaime tried to keep his temper in check, but knew that he wouldn't be able to hold it much longer.

"So what are you implying? That we should make her an official heiress? What will the Nobles think of this?"

"We've already talked to all the clan leaders and they have consented to initiating her and allowing her to become an heiress."

"Even Hiashi consented?"

With a calm voice, but tired of having to prove her point the elder replied, "Yes, even Hiashi has consented. He even volunteered to have her coronet made."

Sandaime let at a slow breathe, "Well, I guess the only person left to ask would have to be Toki. So, what do you think about this Toki?"

Both the elders were puzzled but soon felt Toki's chakra from outside the door. Knowing that she was caught and that there was no where to go, she opened the door and stepped right in.

She first looked at Sandaime who gave a small smile, one that was weighed down by this whole ordeal. Then she looked at the elders and noticed that they were hoping that she would say yes to whatever it really was that they were asking.

"So, what does all this entail?"

The two elders quickly looked at each other, clearly surprised that she would ask this question. For in their mind they thought that she would just agree and then ask questions. However, each knew someone would have to eventually tell.

Quietly, but in a voice that could be clearly heard one of the elders explained to her the duties set for her.

"You see, if something were to happen to the Hokage you would take over until a replacement would be found available. You will go on more diplomatic errands then you would Ninja missions."


Toki looked at them for a short while, then a quietly replied, "However, this also means that I could be married off to any Daimyo or important political power of a country is that correct?"

"Yes."

"How far am I able to go up the ninja ranks if I accept?"

"You would be able to go as a high as a chuunin, but no further. Also, you would not be allowed to be on the Anbu Squad, since you will eventually be married to someone that is not of this country."

Toki looked for a long while at the floor and then out the window. Then turned back to the elders.

"Okay, I'll do it." With that said Toki quietly took her leave.

To Toki the Nara clan had one of the most confusing houses of any that she had seen. The place was set up in such away that no matter what time of day you would cast a shadow. For poor Toki, she found that out the hard way. By now, she had come here so many times everyone knew her for more than just the Leaf Princess, but they knew her as Toki. Each clan had agreed to give Toki a special gift when she was coroneted. From the Hyuuga Clan, they had made her coronet. The Akimichi clan paid for the feast after the coronation. The Aburame Clan gave her a nicely silk spun dressing robe, one that their bugs had made, which made it very expensive. The Nara Clan had promised that they would teach her in the healing Techniques, more then what she would learn at the hospital. However, there was one clan, that if they had been alive she always wondered what they would have given her. That was the Uchiha Clan. But as quickly as the thought came, Toki pushed it away.

Toki walked into the training room where Yoshino was waiting for her patiently.

"Is Shikamaru out on another mission today?"

Yoshino looked up from where she was working and smiled, "Yes he is. That's why he's not able to be here today. Come sit down, are you ready to begin today's lesson?"

Toki was more then ready, not because she was eager to learn, which actually she was. She was more ready to forget the conversation she had before coming.

"Now today, we are going to work on using the same ingredients and seeing how many properties we can make with them."