Chapter One

"Is that what you want?", he asked as her back arched towards him deeply caught in euphoria.

"Yes.", she all but moaned. Hot breath tickled his ear and her hands drifted lower and lower until -

"Uzumaki Naruto?"

The blond teenager looked up from the little notebook he had been writing in. The voice that had interrupted him belonged to a girl, maybe fourteen years of age, probably fresh out of academy. She saluted to him then kneeled down.

"Hokage-sama has scheduled a meeting at her office in ten minutes, Uzumaki-sama."

Naruto nodded but didn't make a single move to stand up. The girl seemed confused but didn't voice it as she stood up again and left him to his thoughts. He was sitting on the stone head of his father all the way up on Hokage Mountain. Even after all these years he still loved it being up here. A cool wind was blowing, leaves rustling through some lone trees and the bustling village right in front of him. Today he came here with the thought of finishing the novel. Not just some novel, mind you. It was kind of a continuation of Jiraiya's works. Originally Kakashi had come up with the idea of publishing more erotic novels, but Naruto had hesitated. Porn wasn't really his style. But when Kakashi had fallen in battle...

He knew he wasn't the best of writers but for him it was like keeping both his senseis memories not only to himself. He was trying to share with others as well.

Sakura backed him up in that regard. She gave him ideas, pointed things out and somehow always found the ultimate twist to the story he couldn't have come up with in his wildest dreams. Then there was Sasuke. After the war everything had changed. The – finally – last Uchiha had shown remorse. Not for everything he did but for most. He accepted that his idea of revenge had been wrong. He had bowed before the whole of Konoha excusing his deeds. Only some welcomed him back. Naruto was the first. He could see hope again. Sasuke encouraged him to keep on with writing even though he hated that kind of literature. Never liked Kakashi reading it. But he didn't mind helping Naruto at all. Maybe it was his way of bonding. Of forming the old brotherhood once more.

Lost in thoughts the blond navigated his way down the Mountain and onto the busy streets of his home town. People nodded. Back in his youth they might have shunned and hated him but now he was their pride. He had helped ending the war after all. Rebuilding the village stone by stone. If it wasn't for him the peace wouldn't have roamed the lands for long. Naruto's friendship with Bee and Gaara had helped overcoming annoyances between the Hidden Villages. Now people were grateful to have him in their midst.

As he made his way to Hokage Tower his eyes roamed his environment. The villagers were laughing, kids were merrily playing on the streets, Academy students were busy showing off new weapons their parents had got them.

He allowed himself a little smile.

Konoha was alive. Even if friends had to give up their lives. Everyone had lost loved ones but nobody was complaining any more. Times had become better.

His smile vanished and a blank look entered his face.

Maybe the cost was too high. Not that he could change anything but the fact...

Naruto sighed. He should stop thinking that it was his fault. But if he had come out of hiding early. Fighting Tobi head on just a few weeks before everything went downhill. Too many 'If's'.

The blonde nodded to the secretary that was stationed at the foot of the Tower. She was new. Had picked up the job barely a week before. He guessed she had a crush on him or every other shinobi as a faint blush coloured her cheeks a soft rose.

Noting how the worn out steps under his feet resembled his mood quite good he reached the second level. More friendly smiles and nods were traded and he climbed another pair of stairs.

When he reached the door to his destination he was ready to knock but a voice from behind interrupted the process.

"Just go in Naruto.", Shizune advised. The woman smiled at him. He was her little brother, she his older sister. That explained the way they treated each other. If there was no one else of his friends in the village he came to her first, saying he was back from a mission or ready to go on another. She was the one that had helped him find a bigger apartment, taught him how to cook fresh meals and helped preparing for examinations. Not that there wasn't anybody else that might have done that but he was most comfortable with Shizune being the one. As she was 'only' Tsunade's advisor and her secretary, sometimes around for Jounin missions or a little help for the Medics she often had time for him. Unlike others. If he asked they would meet up and she would explain. It also helped that she was older than him. Not only a year like Neji or TenTen but actually fifteen years. The age gap overcame inexperience. She knew what he didn't and probably wouldn't for another few years to come.

Naruto let a smile grace his features. A real smile, not a fake one, like the ones he put on for those villagers, Shizune deserved so.

"Thanks."

The blond entered the room noiselessly. Being a shinobi was so ingrained, that he couldn't just stomp in like an elephant in a china shop. Tsunade was already waiting for him with her hands poised on her hands. A lone bottle of sake was standing to her right while a yet unfinished stack of paperwork accumulated on her left.

But his interest was drawn to something entirely else. A small scroll resting between her elbows – right in front of her cleavage he ought to mention. Tainted black around the edges. Inscribed with flowing red ink. 'S-Class'.

So Naruto was called here for yet another mission. Not that he would mind. It would take his thoughts of things. That's for sure.

He raised his eyes just fast enough to catch the smirk that was forming on her face.

"You'll like this one.", Tsunade started and could already see the gears moving in his head. She threw him the scroll. "Do me the favour and think about it before accepting."

As he unfolded the paper he formulated questions in his mind.

"How many persons are allowed to come?"

She nodded in acknowledgement. "Depending on how many you choose to come. You'll be leading the mission of course."

"Sure", he said as if that happened every other day. Which it actually did.

"Only ANBU?"

The busty Hokage shook her head.

"It was asked to get at least a good number of the best, which would be ANBU of course. But beside that … personally I'd advise you to bring at least one other Jounin. If not as a battle companion then maybe as mediator between you and the client."

Naruto stopped analysing the scroll and looked up to her. "What are you intending to say?"

Tsunade let another smirk unravel.

"Well. You – of course – will be going as a member of ANBU, so will probably the rest of your team if you choose to bring them along. It might be in your favour to let another non-ANBU tag along. That way you won't be in the need to deal with your applicant or any one else related to him or the mission. While you would be the task force, the Jounin – or whatever rank you wish that person to be – would be the official face of the mission."

While he thought about it, it started to sound logical. He would still be the one to do paperwork, but not the one to talk. ANBU weren't people in the need to talk. They just did what they were asked to do, no questions needed. ANBU only served the Hokage, nobody else. So if any issues would arise between him and the client... bringing someone else didn't sound to bad, all of sudden.

"Would it have to be only one non-ANBU?"

She narrowed her eyes at him.

"What are you intending to say?", Tsunade quoted his earlier statement.

Naruto moved his weight from one foot to the other. The old hag had gotten rid of the second chair her office provided after Nara Shikamaru had fallen asleep during a mission debriefing.

"If I were to take a Jounin for the purpose of mediating, but also another shinobi, possibly one of the higher standing clans..", he let his sentence trail of and just knew the second Tsunade stiffened in her chair that she got the meaning of his sentence. She prepared another dish of sake for herself and downed it in one shot.

"You want to take Hyuuga Hinata?"

Naruto firmly shook his head. "I probably would take her if it wasn't for a mission such as this. She's the heiress of her clan. Which means she wouldn't be allowed to go on a mission with a duration that is yet unknown." Naruto really wanted to take her along, if it was only for the reason of getting her away from her father. But he couldn't. So he did the next thing he thought about.

"I want Hyuuga Hanabi. She is only the next in line and due to that it is acceptable for her to be absent from clan business for some time. It will also strengthen her diplomatic skills." He nodded to himself, quite proud to formulate it like that.

It seemed like Tsunade thought the same, as she nodded along with him. "Good plan, brat."

Before he could even utter a 'Hey!' the door opened and Shikamaru strolled in. Cigarette alight and vest aloof he positioned himself just a bit behind Naruto and quickly saluted to Tsunade.

"Hokage-sama."

"Shikamaru."

The brunette relaxed into a tired stance.

"As you can see I already though about a Jounin to accompany you. Nara Shikamaru has agreed on the mission and his own position in it.", Tsunade introduced her part of the plan and gestured to the lazy shinobi. Naruto looked to his old friend. Shikamaru looked just as tired as the blond felt. During the war he had lost his father, gained the position of Jounin and was now ready to take over Shikaku's old position. Not only on the council but also as Jounin Commander. He didn't really want it but since his mother had broken down in grief he was one of the last standing Nara and as such had to take up the leadership role. Since his life was of such an importance the elders of Nara-Clan – and indeed they still existed – had banned him from entering the ANBU. But knowing him Tsunade didn't even try to hide the fact that Naruto was a member of it or that he would be the leading commander for the upcoming mission.

Naruto wasn't stupid. He was grateful for his friend to come with him. He had brains, enough experience to handle at least five enemies at once and he was always good for a bit of fun, even if that only entailed drinking until the next morning came around.

"Thank you Baa-chan."

No matter how old Naruto grew, how many miseries he lived through or who he had killed barely seconds before, Tsunade stayed 'Baa-chan' for him. Nobody would be able to change that, no matter how much they tried. The blonde wasn't the naïve twelve year old or the slightly more mature sixteen year old. He was eighteen, battle hardened, a skilled and deadly warrior, but a world without his Granny way a world he didn't want to live in yet.

"As he is of importance to the Nara-Clan, Shikamaru will be switched with another shinobi in a few months time. You both accept that?", the Hokage asked and both nodded. "Good."

Shikamaru looked at Naruto, inquiring. "Who else are you going to take?"

The blond just shrugged. "Haven't thought that much about it yet. I'm only sure 'bout Hanabi."

"Troublesome", he muttered and pushed his hands into the pockets of his pants. "You'll need at least one medic in case someone gets hurt or sick in general."

Naruto knew that of course and had been ringing with himself. Should he or shouldn't he? He didn't want to bring his old genin team. Not to that extent at least, since he knew he just couldn't go on a longterm mission without Sasuke at his side. But Sakura as well? He wasn't sure. She would be a welcomed addition since everyone got along with her and she was a medic. But Naruto also knew that old dynamics were often picked up again in certain environments and a mission as long as this one certainly was one of those. He slowly shook his head to get rid of the thoughts.

"I'd like to take Raven as Second-In-Command, as well as Dove as Third-In-Command. I also request to extract Slug from the Medics-Unit and put her onto my team for this mission as she is experienced enough with situations such as these.", he stated and stared at his Hokage. The woman looked at the paperwork to her left, thinking.

"A six-men-cell?", she asked, just to be sure.

Naruto agreed. "Yes. Three standard ANBU, a member of the MU, a Jounin advisor and mediator and as representation of Konoha's Clans, pride and strength Hyuuga Hanabi. Do you accept my request?"

Of course he knew of the standard procedure to get access to human resources, but Shikamaru never had seen Naruto being so … formal. The corners of his mouth slowly moved upwards.

Tsunade stood, moved to the side of the room were a shelf with different forms was positioned and pulled out some papers.

"Get them to sign this and they will be on the mission with you.", she said as she handed them to Naruto. "The signing also goes for the two of you.", the blond added and pushed one in the direction of Shikamaru. He took it with a nod.

After the Hokage at once again taken her seat she continued.

"As the client and I have agreed you will be leaving in two days time. The exact time is in the scroll, as you've seen. You should pack warm clothes, since the ground you'll will be guarding and were your main base of operations is, is a region with early frost.

"Reports are to be given at least once a month, more often if you see the need to do so. Naruto, you will come and get your final orders half an hour before all of you will leave, is that clear?"

"'Course."

"Good. Now leave."

As they were about to turn around and open the door Tsunade called Naruto back one last time.

"Brat!"

He looked over his shoulder. "Yes?"

The busty Hokage leaned heavily onto her table and had a look about her that just screamed: Take this fuck'n serious!

"I hope you will take this mission as preparation for the title of Hokage. Shikamaru will tell me if you still lack leadership, or if you're finally ready. Once you come back..."

She let the sentence trail off, but wouldn't have needed to say any more. Naruto understood. How could he not.

He left the room with a soft smile gracing his features.

'Might as well finish the book later.'

Tbc

A/N:

Regarding the reviews...I never knew that out of over 222 people reading a story only 5 post reviews...Guys! Reviews will help me getting better with writing, they will push me to write more often (an/or update) and they tell me that there are people that like my story.I'd very much appreciate a bit more reaction on your side. Thanks.

Second:

Sorry, no pairings as of yet. Since they are on mission, no real romance will bloom there. Work-realationships yes, romance no. They might comfort each other and it might look like love is in the air, but nope, no such thing. Sorry once again. Hope you'll continue reading anyway.

Regarding updates. I haven't planned on updating once a week, or twice a week or with a schedule at all. New chapters will be published when the Muse has struck me and I have finished some stuff.

I hope you liked it. Please review.