Chapter 4- Guard Duty, NARUTO!, and Hope
A/N: Italics will symbolize a dream in this chapter. Enjoy! Please please review!
Naruto's POV
I don't care that Sakura says that Sensei was probably at Ichiraku with that lady on business. The way she smiled at him seems more than friendly. Which is why I'm going to ask him about it. I knock on the door to sensei's office. A lazy "Come in." greets me. "Hey Sensei," I replied, stepping into the room. "Naruto, what do you need?" Kakashi-sensei says looking up from the paperwork he was pretending to do. His ANBU guard is still standing at attention in the background. "I have a question for you," I said a small grin coming onto my face. "No, I haven't heard anything from Sasuke, no I don't have time to get ramen, and yes Hinata has been in love with you since the academy," Sensei replied going back to stamping papers. WAIT WHAT? HINATA IS IN LOVE WITH ME? Not the point Naruto. "None of those are the answer to the question I have sensei," I reply smiling even wider. "Fine then, ask your question," he replies, not looking away from his work. "Last night after training, I was planning on getting some ramen, but when I got to Ichiraku, you were there with a girl! Kaka-sensei were you on a date?" I ask giggling. HEHEHEHE sensei is going to kill me. "No. The woman I was with is the Captain of the ANBU Black Ops. She is often my personal guard and helped me resolve an issue I was having, the dinner was a thank you. Nothing more, nothing less." Sensei replied not meeting my eyes. Interesting. "AH MAN, Sakura-chan was right then. She said it was business or something. Can I ask you something else, sensei?" I reply thinking of the next question. "Okay, last one Naruto," Sensei replied, finally meeting my eyes. "Do you want someone to spend your life with, sensei? I'm asking because I'm starting to think of Hinata as more than a friend, and we both know there is something between Sakura and Sasuke. And Sai is with Ino. We care sensei, and we don't want you to feel lonely in the future." I finished. I hope he understands. "Naruto, I appreciate your concern. And yes, someday I would like to have a wife. But it's more complicated for me. I'm a lot older than you and my time to spend finding a partner is limited. I'm the Hokage and that makes me a target. I don't want to make her a target either. But thank you again." Sensei replied. So that's what is really bothering him. "I don't get it. But just know, no matter how old we get or how much time passes, the four of us, you, me, Sakura-Chan and Sasuke-teme, will always be Team 7. We are family, and nothing can change that." I replied walking out of the office.
Kakashi's POV
Kami when did those kids grow up? Since when was Naruto so mature? Gosh I'm old. "That was sweet, what Uzumaki-San said," Wolf said from behind me. I forgot she's on guard duty today. Well this is awkward. "Yeah I suppose it was," I reply. I really don't want a lecture right now. "It's less complicated than you think, finding someone I mean. There are plenty of Kunoichi in the village that have expressed interest in you. And I know it's hard for people like us to find someone who understands our trauma. But stop thinking you don't deserve it. After everything you've been through, after serving the village for as long you have, you deserve to be happy. To have people to come home too." Emiko said not moving from her place by the window. Damn why does she always know what I'm thinking? It's like I can't escape. Kami I know she's right. "Thank you, Emiko-San," I replied getting back to work. The office becomes silent and I continue to work and read. Wolf keeps up her post by the window. Suddenly, the door slams open, and Naruto and a weak Hiashi Hyuuga storm in. "Hokage-sama! My daughter Hanabi has been taken by Tonari, a member of the Otsutsuki clan from the moon!" Great, this is just what I need. "Wolf, gather the ANBU cannon and position it on Hokage mountain."
PHEW. That was close. But naturally Naruto saved the day once again, and he got a girlfriend out of it, the lucky bastard.
Emiko's POV
Two Months Later
The five Kage summit starts this week and it's in Suna this year. I HATE the road to Suna. But whatever, I am still honored that Kakashi chose me to be a part of his personal guard for the event. The first stop is a small inn right on the border of the Land of Wind. Shikamaru says it took him weeks to find an inn suitable for Hokage-sama. "What do you mean there are not enough rooms?" Shikamaru asks the obviously flustered innkeeper. "Sir, I apologize but there are only 6 rooms available." Yikes we have a party of 12. "That won't do! Hokage-sama requires his own room and there is only one female member of our party, she requires her own as well. Which leaves four rooms for 10 people." Shikamaru is clearly angry. "Don't worry about it Shikamaru, I can share with Wolf, problem solved." Wait WHAT? Did he just suggest that we share? "Fine," Shikamaru replies and hands me a key. The room is small with a queen-size bed and a cot in the corner. Good, the cot will be fine for me. Kakashi begins to settle and removes his vest and shoes. "Kakashi-sama, do you mind if I remove my mask?" I ask hoping he will say yes. I hate sleeping in it. "Drop the sama, and go ahead." I sigh as I take off the mask and let my hair out of the tight ponytail I keep it in on missions. I notice his stare and turn away. I'm not ugly by any means and men often ogle me. "Do you require anything else before I turn in for the night, Kakashi-sama?" So what if he said to drop the sama. I am not doing it. The man is a hero and Hokage, sama is fitting.
Kakashi's POV
"We're surrounded!" I shout looking to Rin next to me. "Go Kakashi, it's me they want." She replies, taking a step forward. It's not her they want, it's the power inside her. "No. I won't leave you." I reply thinking about how we can escape this. "Kill me Kakashi. Kill me and they leave, kill me, and the Leaf is saved." She says stepping towards me. I'll Chidori all of them. I pull out the jutsu but it's too late. There Rin is in front of me, sacrificing herself for the village. "Kakashi." Is all she says. This time I can hear the distant scream of "RIN." From Obito's lips and I know I have failed both of them. "Kakashi-sama." "KAKASHI-SAMA!"
I sit up with a start to find Emiko at the end of the bed. "You were having a nightmare Kakashi-sama." She says and ruffles through her bag. "Hai," I reply, there is no use in lying to someone like her. "Here, take one of these. It's all herbal. I got them from Lady Tsunade a few years ago. It helps calm you down prior to sleep, so you are less prone to nightmares." She says and places a small green capsule in my hand. For some reason I feel her kindness in it. She places a glass of water on the bedside table and heads back towards the cot in the corner. "Thank you," I replied by taking a sip of water and swallowing the pill. "You're welcome. I know what it's like to have nightmares. Let me know if you want to speak about it." Emiko says flashing me a smile and getting back into her cot.
The next morning.
When I awoke, Emiko was already in her ANBU gear, a tray of food empty at her bedside. "Good morning, Hokage-sama." She says and places a steaming tray at my bedside. I eat quickly and avoid her. It's embarrassing that she seems to be able to drive my nightmares away. "Are you ready to leave, Hokage-sama?" she asks, getting up and stationing herself by the door. "Yeah I'm ready," I reply and she exits the small room.
