To Become Hokage
Chapter 5 – What makes a clan?
Chapter 5 let's do this! As always I own nothing. Naruto is not mine. Do not sue me. And thank you for everyone that has followed/favorited and commented so far, I appreciate it. It has been a busy week for me so I'm sorry if this reads as rushed. For those who are requesting pairings, I have decided to not introduce any until much later in the story, I apologize if this disappoints you but I'm simply trying to write a story that I myself love. I hope you can understand and decide to read on.
Naruto pov:
It had been 2 short days since that last conversation with the Hokage. Since then Naruto had been left in the care of Satomi until Naruto's wounds had fully healed and he had some time to settle into his new home and life. Naruto enjoyed spending time getting to know the old clanswoman she wasn't like any of the elders he had met before, instead of cursing him out she treated him with kindness and however foreign that emotion felt Naruto decided that he rather enjoyed it.
In a way she was the first adult that Naruto really got to know, she was the cousin of Biwako Sarutobi who was the late wife of the Hokage. She had moved into the main clan home to take care of the Hokage's newborn grandson Konohamaru. Naruto asked Satomi why the newborn's parents weren't looking after him but he was simply told, "Duties can take us away from those we love but in doing so protect them even more."
Naruto hadn't met konohamaru yet or anyone else for that matter but was told he would meet them all soon.
This led him to where he was now, fully healed and dressed. Naruto stood next to Satomi outside the door to the main assembly hall in the Sarutobi compound; he could hear the loud chatter of the clan members waiting inside.
Satomi told him that it was custom to conduct a welcoming assembly when they introduced a new clan member. The Sarutobi clan was one of the smaller clans in the village, they had lost a lot of men and women in the war and now celebrated and relied on the power each member could bring to the clan.
Naruto was nervous; his previous experiences with groups of adults weren't great, to say the least… he could still feel the ghost of old wounds that accompanied those unpleasant memories.
Satomi placed her hand on his shoulder and he held his breath as she pushed open the big oak door separating them for his new clan.
A hushed silence stretched out across the group of people in the room as they looked at the young child. The sudden mix of reactions stunned the boy.
"HOW CUTE!" shouted a middle-aged woman with dark brown hair and black-rimmed eyes as she elbowed a dark-haired male beside her, he was either her husband or brother if Naruto had to guess.
"Isn't that …" whispered one teen to another, "He's that kid right? the Uchiha kid from my class said he was blond" the other teen whispered back.
Naruto was frozen from the number of eyes staring at him like they were trying to see right through his small body.
Luckily that was the same time that the Hokage walked into the room drawing the attention away from the young boy.
"Hello everyone, as you might know, I am calling this meeting to introduce a new clan member. Although we share no blood, I have decided that the boy is worthy of becoming my apprentice and a member of our great Sarutobi clan. In this boy, I see the strength of will that matches that of every member of our clan. I ask that you treat him like he's one of your own because now he is" announced the Oldman as he rested his hands against the podium.
"Naruto come up here son and say a few words" instructed the Hokage.
Naruto nervously made his way up to the platform and took his place beside the Hokage, looking out into the curious faces of the clan he felt his nerves suddenly disappear. For a chance of a family and being able to belong he would do whatever it would take to make these people accept him until he was no longer an orphan by anything but name.
"My name is Naruto Uzumaki and I want to become a ninja, a ninja who fights for this village and protects his family. I will work hard and I won't give up until that happens, I want to make you all proud of having me in the clan so please accept me." Naruto said bowing with a fire flickering in his ocean blue eyes.
He looked up to see the group smiling and nodding back at him. The Hokage looked down at his new apprentice with pride, "Welcome to the Sarutobi clan son" Naruto brightly grinned back at him.
Their moment was interrupted by a couple of clan members waving for the young boy to join them.
"So Naruto what's it like being Sarutobi samas apprentice eh? I bet you are gonna get the attention of all the ladies in the village when you get older!" said a young male named Tenzi. "Tenzi is it weird that I'm kinda jealous of a kid? Said the boys' twin. "Nah Mindo it's not weird, I would be jealous too if I was that ugly" Laughed Tenzi as he watched his brother's face turn red. "Why you! Come back here, you big oaf!" Responded Mindo enraged as he ran after his brother clutching his sandal.
It didn't take long for Naruto to be absorbed into another conversation with his new clanmates, this process continued until late in the afternoon.
The warm orange tones of light from the afternoon sun flooded into the assembly hall, watching his new family send smiles his way truly warmed his damaged heart. To think only a couple of days ago he was sure he wouldn't make it, he was alone, hated and bloody. He had never believed in luck or good fortune before he met the Hokage by chance, luck had never followed him before but it seemed to now.
"Naruto son come meet your first responsibility as my apprentice," said the Hokage as he waved for the boy to join him.
As Naruto got closer he could see the Hokage and Satomi peering over a small bundle resting in Satomi's arms, the bundle cooed back at them in return.
"Ah Naruto, this is my dear grandson Konohamaru I believe Satomi san has mentioned him to you before. You are brothers now in all but blood, your job as his older brother is to protect him the best you can. With his parents unable to be around and my son Asuma's position outside of Konoha, I feared he would grow up lonely but good fortune has brought you to us Naruto." Said the Hokage as he took the bundle for Satomi's arms and placed him in his own.
Looking down at the infant in his arms Naruto smiled softly.
'A brother … I have a brother!' Naruto thought to himself as he gently stroked the infant's soft cheek with his fingertip.
If Naruto could describe what exactly he was feeling at this moment it would be close to elated. He felt new anchors secure him to this village and instead of feeling trapped like he always did he felt safe.
Safe, warm and loved.
He knew in his heart he would do whatever it takes to make these feelings last.
If you like this story please follow/favorite or review so I know not to give up. Chapter 5 how are we all feeling? Should I keep the future chapters this length or go back to how it was? Let me know!
I will be uploading this story to Ao3 as well under the name AbsentSun, I know someone of you like their format better so feel free to read from whatever site floats your Naruto fic boats. I hope to see you all in Chapter 6!