Chapter 2! More to come!
A
Chapter Two
Walking down the destroyed Konohagakure was heartbreaking. So many buildings where just gone. Nyakao had small memories of when her parents still took her out of the compound. It was sad. The building she just passed used to be a dango stand her father had taken her too. It was one of her happiest memories because he had gotten tea stuck up his nose when he laughed at her face after she had eaten dango for the first time.
"You've got dango all over you nose too, little flash." Papa chuckled.
It hurt so much. She blinked away the tears as she clutched her chest. She needed to be strong for her Imouto and Oototo. Naruto and Hanako needed her. And right now Naruto was with someone she didn't know but prayed it was Jiji. Sarutobi Hiruzen was not only Nyakao's honorary grand godfather but also soon to be if not already the next Hokage. And he was the only one she trusted to have Naruto. Anyone else and she'd be binding heads together with her chains.
She prayed Jiji had him.
Passing more people, she crossed the bridge that led out of what used to be the park ending up in front of the Hokage's tower.
Nyakao remembered the day her mother announced her pregnancy. It was a grand ordeal. Laughter, happiness, trepidation.
"You're going to be a big sister Ny-chan!"
"Huh, A baby"
"A mother! Ya Know!"
"Moi! Your already parents!"
Nyakao clutched her head. Not right now! God dammitt. She steeled herself and looked up.
The giant red building loomed in front of her like an imposing behemoth. It was one of the most heavily guarded buildings in Konoha.
And her brother might be in there. It didn't stop Nyakao from swallowing nervously. It didn't stop her heart from clenching. Her father was once in this building. Not even three weeks ago, Alive.
God Dammitt!
What if Jiji doesn't believe her and let her remove his seal? What if Naruto's not even there? What if Jiji's not even there?! What if this was a stupid idea to begin with and she was just a little girl who should go home and take care of the one sibling she did have already?!
God Dammitt!
She cried internally freaking out at the prospect of making the wrong choice. The wrong life. The wrong everything. Nyakao prayed and prayed that Naruto was safe and with Jiji. Because if he wasn't' she didn't know what she was going to do. She made a promise. She planned to keep it. It just hurt so fucking much.
After all, Jiji didn't know her any more than a normal civilian new ninja's. Not anymore.
"Ya know the rules young lady! Head up!" Kushina scolded.
"Hai Mama." Nyakao whispered to herself.
Pulling her shoulder's back like her mother taught her, Nyakao headed towards the building with her head held high.
She was going in anyways. Better to save face then to bow down after all.
God Dammitt.
With a heavy heart Nyakao plucked up her courage and stepped into the building to face Konoha's God of Shinobi.
Sarutobi Hiruzen sighed as he bounced his newly orphaned honorary grandson on his knees. Ever since the Kyuubi's attack it had been one cluster fuck after another. The council wanted to kill little Naruto right after the incident. If it wasn't for his quick thinking and support of the child, then he was sure Minato's son would be dead. Then taking up the mantle again. He'd just retired dammit! But the people needed him. As much as they hated Naruto. Only three weeks old and already the village was turning on him.
Sarutobi had three assignations attempts this week. From civilians, no less! His hand was forced. He made the degree and added a harm clause in as well. Anyone try to touch his ward and they'll have a rude awaking.
Now he had paperwork. The Bain of his existence. The council kept trying to force Naruto away from him and into the orphanage. And sadly, since he was stopped from adopting Naruto they were winning.
Just a few more days that's all he needed. A few more days and he could figure this stuff out. He had fixing the village, getting the Hospital supplies, memorials to attend, and a hundred other things that just kept piling and piling up.
I'm too old for this Sarutobi groaned internally.
Sighing again he burped Naruto before handing his godson off to an Anbu. He had work to do and even if he insisted on being the only one to feed the babe, that didn't stop the paperwork from piling up.
Placing the hat back on Sarutobi nodded for his new secretary to be let in.
"Hokage-sama." Kikuyu bowed as she entered. She was an ex Anbu like most of his secretary's non-discriminant and plain.
"I've gotten fifteen more request sheets that need your signature, The Civilian Council are instancing a meeting again about the-well you know. And I have a line of citizen ninja and civilian alike insisting to see you today. Most are reporting in for missions and need debriefing, the civilian…well." She finished biting her lip.
"Yes?" Sarutobi asked going over the paperwork she handed him. "It's a child sir. A little girl, she refuses to leave even after I exclaimed that you were too busy for her to see you. I'll send her on her way with an Anbu if you approve sir but I'm not really sure what to do with her." Kikuyu exclaimed bowing.
"Tell her to go, I'm much too busy to see the child today. If you set up a meeting with one of the council members I'll have them take care of her. I need to go over the delegation preparations for Suna, Kumo and Wave. With me back on the mantle I need to assert our alliances again. And go through this paperwork." He sighed signing another release for hospital goods. "Yes sir." Kikuyu bowed again before pausing. "And the Anbu sir, should I have her escorted out?" The girl asked.
"No, no need for that get her name and address and send her to the council. Now on your way out send in the next reporting in." Sarutobi replied lighting his cigar. He was really getting too old for this.
Now even children thought they could just see him willy nilly.
Getting the day started Sarutobi saw shinobi after shinobi. Signed paperwork after paperwork. Fed Naruto again and set him down for his nap. Before going back to more paperwork. More disgruntled Civilian Council and had a light supper before staying into the night working on catching up past paperwork.
After a long day, Sarutobi wiped his head of sweat and called his secretary in one more time before leaving for home.
"Alright, I've signed the Delegation's agreements, finished stack A and B and met with all the shinobi I can for today anyone else I want you to send home for tomorrow then go home Kikuyu, I know your tired." The old man sighed feeling tiredness in his bones as well.
"Yes sir." Kikuyu replied picking up the finished paperwork's stack. She headed to the door before stopping in front of it. "Sir," she called turning half around. "I thought you should know, that little girl. She's still here by the way. She refused to leave even after I threated to send Anbu on her. The girl's quite resilient she hasn't eaten anything all day and I could hear her stomach growling." The secretary giggled. "I just thought you should know sir." Kikuyu said and left his office.
Perplexed the newly old Hokage gathered up his hat and cloak before existing his office.
Just like his secretary said there was a little girl with long straight blonde hair sitting with her knees up on one of the waiting chairs in the back corner of the hall.
He could hear her stomach growling from the door. Sarutobi sighed well he give this girl one thing, she was resilient for sure.
Something nagged at his mind at the sight of her but he brushed it off. Straitening his robe he walked over to the little girl crouching down in front of her.
She looked up at him with half lidded blue eyes. Sarutobi's breath caught. She was almost the spitting image of Minato.
"H-Hello there." Sarutobi paused. Whoever this girl was she just a wee thing. Best to get her home before her parents worried. If she still had parents that is.
Something nagged at him again.
Maybe he was getting a headache.
"I'm Sarutobi Hiruzen, I was told you wanted to see me. I'm sorry I was rather busy today, but I'm free now what can this old man do for you child?" He asked in his grandfather voice.
The girl blinked like she was coming out of a stupor then bit her lip. "H-hi." She whispered.
Sarutobi leaned on his haunches. Ow his knees wined. "Hello." He replied smiling. He stood up and sat next to the girl the relieve his pain.
He was getting to old to be standing down like a young in.
"I-I'm Nyakao." The girl said staring up at him intently. Alright he was getting somewhere. This girl was sure a shy one. Poor thing. Must have lost her parents then. And came to the only person she thought could help her. Well He was Hokage for a reason.
"And I'm Sarutobi Hiruzen. Nice to meet you Nyakao." He smiled holding out his hand to the girl to shake. She stared at his appendage like it was going to bite her. Chuckling Sarutobi said just that. "I won't bite I promise, though I might tickle you to death." He joked grinning then wiggled his fingers mockingly.
Sarutobi triumphed when a giggle pierced her lips. And win for the old guy who could still make cute girls giggle with glee no matter what age.
"Hi. I know you're the Hokage. Right?" She asked staring down at his liver spotted hand. He nodded pointing up to his hat.
"Well I am, but if you know any other guys claiming to be me then maybe I can finally retire." He replied dropping his hand. The girl's eyes fallowed his appendage like it was a loss to her.
She smiled and nodded striating herself out of her ball. "I'm Nyakao." Nyakao said again taking his hand from his lap.
She traced his liver spot intently finding it fascinating for some reason. "Yes, Yes your Nyakao. I'm Sarutobi Hiruzen. Are you okay Nyakao? Did you lose your family?" He said concerned. She was repeating herself. She must not be very well in the head.
The girl stiffened before nodding. "Yeah, Something like that." She replied thickly. Oh, poor girl. Another orphan from the attack. If he ever found out who instigated the Kyuubi's release he was going to kill them. Leaving poor children like little Nyakao all alone not knowing anyone to trust but the one face she knew.
"I'm so sorry, Nyakao." He replied sincerely. "Is there anything I can do. Anyone one you can go too that you know off?"
"Yeah, I just need him to remember me." She replied tracing his liver spot again.
What she found fascinating about it he would never know. It was just another sign he was getting to old.
"Who needs to remember?" He asked trying to get more information out of the closed off girl.
"You." She whispered softly. So softly Sarutobi was unsure what she even said at all. But suddenly she jabbed her finger into the middle of his liver spot and Sarutobi felt of rush of chakra.
Then he was no longer in the Hokage's tower but a forested area with a medium sized house.
Genjutsu? How was she a sleeper agent? "Kai!" Sarutobi flared his chakra only for the scene to stay the same.
"Really Hiruzen you need to lighten up! Now only a few steps farther." A voice he hadn't heard in three weeks said behind him.
Sarutobi's eyes widened before turning around. The sun glared as two figures stepped out from the brush. One blindfolded and the other smiling like a loon.
"I like to see how you feel not knowing where you're going and have to travel through your blasted seals. It was like a throw up inducing session of torture. Maybe You should think about joining T&I. You could sick everyone to death." The old man next to him grumbled crossing his arms.
The blonde-haired man next to him laughed. "Aw come on its not that bad. At least I didn't plug your ears so they wouldn't implode."
"Hardy Har, har."
Sarutobi stared not believing his eyes.
"Now you can take off the blindfold." Minato said smiling.
"About dam time. Now what was this most spectacular thing you just had to show me." Sarutobi's other self-grumbled before removing his blindfold.
The old man stared out at the foliage before trailing his eyes on the orange shuttered house.
"Well what's this you finally decided to propose? I'm sorry to tell you son, but I'm the wrong person for that." Sarutobi grumbled fallowing the words with his mouth. Minato Chuckled.
"No Nothing like that, Actually I'm already marrie- "The blonde was cut off.
He blinked in confusion.
"Daddy!" A little voice yelled from the house opening the door.
"Daddy?!" Both Sarutobi exclaimed as a little blonde girl rushed from the house into Minato's arms.
The look on Both old men's faces was priceless.
Picking up the girl Minato chuckled. "Sarutobi, I'd like you to meet this most spectacular thing Nyakao NamiKaze-Uzumaki." Minito said as the little pink kimono dressed girl hid her face in her father's shoulder. She couldn't be no older than two.
"NamiKaze! Uzumaki?!" He exclaimed surprised.
"What you have a problem with my name Ya Know?" Another voice replied from the door way. There standing was a long red haired woman he'd come to love like a daughter.
"Kushina!" Sarutobi exclaimed his face still one of disbelieve. Kushina wiped her hands on her apron green dress.
Minato chuckled again at the old man's expression. "Well We know it was going to be a surprise but we didn't think you'd be this speechless. You losing your touch old man."
"Old man. Why you!" Sarutobi stopped before he finished his treat leaving the little girl hiding her face in her father's shoulder.
"Ah-Um…Sorry Nyakao-chan. I-I'm um…" The old man paused with baited breath as the girl looked up at him with huge baby blue eyes. She was just gorgeous.
He couldn't believe it. Minato and Kushina had a child. Another Child! What's next Naruto having a twin?!
The girl smiled at something her father whispered in her ear before looking up at him. "Are you really my grandpa?!" The girl exclaimed excitedly.
"G-Grandpa?!" Sarutobi repeated shocked. "Neh, Neh! Jiji! Will you play Shogi with me?!" Nyakao asked jumping down from her father's arms.
"Now, now, Ny-chan what do you say?" Minato scolded holding his finger above the girl's head.
"Oh Sorry!" She said fixing her skirts before bowing to the old man. "Mr. Grandpa will you please play shoji with me. I keep beating Daddy and Mama is no good. Please Pretty please!"
Kushina came over with a camera and took a picture suddenly. "Oh, my Ny-chan's just the cutest Ya know!"
"Jiji?" Sarutobi exclaimed still in shock. How could how could those to. "What?"
More memories came pouring in to Sarutobi's head. Playing Shoji with Nyakao. Brushing her hair. Eating dinner with the family. Showing her sealing scrolls because she was surely a prodigy. Letting Minito place a seal on him to forget her. His granddaughter. His Ny-chan. Oh god.
Sarutobi opened his eyes to see that very little girl staring intently at him from the seat next to him. Naruto's older Sister.
"Ny-Chan." He exclaimed tears coming to his eyes. "Hay Jiji. I missed you." Nyakao cried in relief. Oh, she must have been so scared.
He hugged the girl to him. "I missed you."
"So, you've been at the other house this whole time?" Jiji asked as Nyakao slurped more instant Raman like it was going out of style. The girl never liked Raman in her past life but much like her mother something in the Uzumaki taste buds made the noddle dinner deliciousness.
"Uh Huh. I've been taking care of Hanako." She replied after she had swallowed. After she was able to release Jiji's seal they had moved back into his office where he had a supply of instant Raman on hand.
"Naruto's twin, right? I just can't believe you've been on your own." Jiji exclaimed still in shock he ruffed his hair through his fingers.
"I'm old enough to take care of myself Jiji. I've been fine. Naruto is the issue. I made Mama a promise I would take care of him. Where is he?" Nyakao demand. She was tired and full and just wanted her bed and her brother back.
Jiji rubbed her back as she leaned into him. He sighed. "With Anbu right now. He's a much to public figure, He'll be going to the orphanage soon and I can't do anything about it." Sarutobi groaned rubbing his eyes with his other hand. Nyakao could see her grandfather was tired. She was too.
She had to worry about Hanako, food, Naruto, Money, taking care of the house, making Jiji remember her, and the future. She just wanted to sleep right now. And be a kid again.
She snuggled into her grandfather more. "Then what are we going to do Grandpa?" She asked her voiced muffled in his shirt.
He was so sturdy and soft she could just fall asleep right there.
"I'll think of something dear. I'm here for you now. It's okay." He said brushing his hands through her hair.
Nyakao let go falling asleep. She had the seal bushinn with Hanako she'd be fine until she released it. For now, she was safe and one of her precious people remembered her. He was holding her keeping her grounded. And she could just let go.
"I've got you Ny-chan." Sarutobi mumbled holding the tired child to him. Now what was he going to do?
The old man sighed for the umpteenth time that day and held the girl closer.
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