Chapter 34

Ceremony

Nearly the whole leaf village turned out for the ceremony to welcome the new Hokage. Kakashi, the elders, and Lady Tsunade were standing in an area that was elevated so that members of the village could look up to see them.

Naruto was in the front row cheering on his sensi, next to him Sakura was also beaming with pride. They knew that Kakashi was going to be a great Hokage, and Sakura was excited to work with Lady Tsunade in the hospital on a more consistent basis.

Everyone at the ceremony appeared happy that Kakashi was stepping up to take on the role of Hokage. Lady Tsunade had been a great leader and had gotten them through some of the villages most trying times. But she also took the job reluctantly and although her juitsu made her look young, she was getting older and deserved to have time to do what she wanted to do.

The Hyuga clan also attended, Lord Hiashi and his two daughters. Hinata looked around for Naruto and saw him in the front row cheering Kakashi on. She thought about going to say hi but then thought that maybe it wasn't such a good idea.

The elders opened the ceremony by thanking Lady Tsunade for her service and telling her how valuable she has been to the village. She bowed and thanked the people of the leaf for all their support and told them how she loved the village and did her best to protect the people in it. Tsunade talked about Kakashi and his life of service to the leaf village and even his recent heroics in the war. She highlighted his work as a sensi and touched on the members of team 7. The villagers remembered Naruto in the days before he passed the ninja academy and joined the squad and knew this progress was largely due to Kakashi. Sakura had precise chakra control and was now known as one of the top healers in the village. Sasuke was a little more difficult, but no one could deny that he had helped in the war and he had an amazing power to rival Naruto's. After her speech she introduced Kakashi as the 6th Hokage.

Kakashi looked like a well suited replacement, as she finished her introduction she passed the Hokage hat to him to signify the transfer of leadership for the village. The crowd cheered and Naruto started a cheer of Ka-Ka-Shi that echoed for several minutes. After that the ceremony had ended and the crowd started to break up. Some people came up to congratulate Kakashi on being named Hokage and he was busy talking to groups of people as others were leaving.

Shikamaru caught sight of Temari just as he was leaving, he noticed she had her pack and supplies on. "Planning on going somewhere," he joked.

"Actually yes I am. I'm headed back to my village tonight," she mentioned as Shikamaru's smile faded "But don't worry, Kankuro will be taking my place for a while." She added.

"I'm sorry to hear that you're leaving," he managed. He thought she would be staying longer and was surprised to hear she was heading out. "Do you have an escort?" he asked with concern.

"Why do you sound so concerned?" she asked "I am a shinobi, you know." She said with attitude.

"I'm not concerned," he returned, embarrassed. "Why am I so concerned," he thought. "Have a safe trip back," he offered as he turned to leave. He decided he would ask the Hokages if they had assigned an escort because she certainly wasn't going to tell him. He walked up to Kakashi who was visiting with Lady Tsunade and Naruto.

"Hey Shikamaru," Naruto shouted when he walked in their direction.

"Hey Naruto," he returned. "I have a question for the two of you," he pointed at the Hokages, "I just found out that Temari is heading back to the Sand tonight, does she have an escort back home?"

"How do you not know," Lady Tsunade asked.

"Know what?" Shikamaru looked puzzled.

"She requested an escort a week ago and she said she would arrange the details herself. I checked in with her yesterday and she said it was all set. She said you agreed to escort her back…" Lady Tsunade began to peer over the people that were left to see if she could find the girl until Naruto distracted her.

"Since when do you let people arrange their own escorts granny, did you start early retirement last week?"

"Why you little punk!" She yelled as she picked him up by the back of his shirt.

"Some things never change," Kakashi muttered.

Temari walked up to the group and eyed Shikamaru, "Almost ready to go," she asked.

"What a drag," he thought as he made eye contact with her and looked away, he wasn't expecting her to leave so soon. "Give me a few minutes to get my things," he tried to sound angry at her but since he wasn't it was hard to pull off, "and I'll meet you at the gate to the village," he returned.

Temari turned and started walking to the gates.