Okay people we've talked about this- if you can't say something nice... Then go fuck yourselves.

Honestly who do some of you think you are leaving reviews telling me that 'i'm a piece of shit'. Well two can play that game you little pissant. The next time you wanna call someone a piece of shit- take a good long look in the mirror.

And for those of you who have forgotten; flames will not be tolerated!

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"You shouldn't have spoken about your life outside of the village and my need to hide you," The elder said in an angry tone as he pulled her along behind him. Not walked with her. Not led her. Pulled her along- like a dog. Too great was his anger and worry over her sensei's questioning of her that he didn't even stop when she stumbled and he began to drag her. "I'm unclear on whether or not Iruka holds animosity for the child that the demon was sealed inside- So I have no way of knowing how he would react to knowing that you're that very same child."

"Then lie to him if you feel the need too. But inevitably he will find out the truth." Naru said as she started to tug on the hand he held in his grasp, trying her damndest to escape.

Stupid old man! He was hurting her!

The elder came to an abrupt stop, giving her enough time to regain her footing as he looked down at her for a moment. Her hair, and clothing now covered in dirt and other unsavory things before he said in a deathly quiet tone, "Go back to the tower without me and take a bath and eat something. I have something that I need to do-"

"You should calm down first otherwise your only going to make mistakes." Naru snapped at him in irritation as she picked leaves and several other things out of her long hair.

The elder reached out and placed his hands on her delicate little shoulders and knelt down in front of her for a moment and stared at her before saying gently, "There can be no mistakes in this Naru. You are the inheritance of this village. The inheritor of my will. The one who will one day take my place. Until your ready and the people can find a way to accept you- I will protect you in all things. Even if it's just from nosey school teachers. Now please, go home."

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A week later-

Iruka sat at his desk alternating between grading the tests he'd given earlier and staring at Naru as she worked through the coded paper that he had assigned to her to see if she could crack his hidden message. And off to the side, leaning up against the wall in his seat- was the Hokage. His straw hat was tipped down to cover his eyes, giving him the illusion of sleep or restfulness, but Iruka wasn't fooled for a moment.

The man was glaring at him as if he were trying to will his hair to burst into flames or something. Since the first day of school for Naru, the Hokage had been acting strangely. Sure he continued to come to the school and sit in during classes, and Iruka couldn't help but wonder if perhaps the elder was continuing to stay glued to Naru's side in an effort to keep him from asking anymore questions.

Which only left him the calculated conclusions he'd come up with.

Naru had said that the Hokage was her 'grandfather' yet everyone and their cousin knew that the elder had no grandchildren as of yet. His daughter had only recently married and if the latest gossip was anything to go on- wouldn't be having any kids for at least another year or two since her husband had been sent on a mission shortly after their marriage. So maybe calling the elder 'grandfather' was simply a nickname or term of endearment for Naru.

Then again...it was well known that the Hokage had had three grown children, two son's Asuma, and Sora. And his daughter Yumi. Asuma was too busy with his job as a ninja to bother fathering any children. And Sora had died seven years ago in the Kyubbi attack- Wait a second.

Iruka looked back at Naru again, his eyes narrowing slightly. Was it possible? Could Naru really be the Hokage's actual grandchild? If she was it would certainly explain the elder's protective streak towards the girl. After all if any enemies learned of her existence they might try to kidnap, exploit her in some way or even kill her in an effort to hurt the Hokage.

Which would certainly explain Naru's story about living alone outside the village. It would even explain what she had started to say about needing to hide. However he still had questions that he wanted answers too. But with the Hokage playing mamma bear at the moment then he'd have to forget about trying to ask those questions.

Which meant that in the meantime he'd have to play things by ear.

A paper suddenly appeared in front of his face, breaking off his train of thought and causing him to tip back his head a little bit to look at the person standing there and blinked when he noted that it was Naru and spazzed out for a second before catching himself and asking nervously, "Naru, finished already?"

She nodded her head and set the paper down on his desk and then folded her arms over her chest and stared at him as he picked up a pen and started grading the paper. He shouldn't have been surprised when she got an A on it. But oddly enough for some reason he couldn't really fathom- he was surprised.