More Sake?!

Dim clouds continued to block out the sky, and when it could be glimpsed it was a pale blue. The hardened earth road turned a narrow bend, and the forest in the new vista grew less dense. The odd tree here and there would have offered shade, had there been a sun. The air had become increasingly steamy, and there was minimal wind to shift it.

Three walkers drudged the pathway, while the fourth leap ahead. Trivial conversation passed between them, and the majority of that came from the most vocal of the group. He happily informed them about his need for ramen, and he went over the details of every fight he had ever been in. He was also the one who kept ten paces ahead of the others, and every once in a while he stopped to hurry them on.

'Naruto-kun,' Hayato started impatiently, 'true, there is an urgency about this mission, yet there is no need for us to run there to achieve it.'

Shikamaru added, 'did you hear that Naruto. We don't have to run all the way there. I know I'm not going to, believe it.'

'Agreed,' Hayato said.

Naruto halted and frowned at them. 'The sooner we get there, the sooner we complete the mission. You never know if we'll be needed back in Konoha.'

'Gods above!' Hayato fumbled around in one of his deep pockets. 'You really are enthusiastic.'

Hinata's soft voice called out. 'If we rush, we shall be tired on arrival, and our energy will be depleted. You never know if we might need it.'

Naruto waited for them to catch up, and he mused over her sensible words.

Hayato had found what he was searching for, and in his hand he held up before his eyes a silver flask. Along its side was intricate etchings, and its sheen was dull in the overcast light. 'That's true enough, good girl, Hinata-chan.'

'And the last thing we want is to be tired,' Shikamaru told him, 'and that's what I am right now.'

Naruto pushed his way in between Hayato and Hinata, and he walked at a slower pace.

The three young ninja watched the only adult among them skillfully hold his staff while unscrewing his flask, and after repositioning it in his sturdy grip, he took a sip of its contents.

Shikamaru's nose twitched and he gazed with suspicion at Hayato's second sip. 'You're drinking, now?'

Naruto glared at the flask, and he opened his mouth to speak.

Hayato said leisurely, 'it is going to be a long journey, might as well enjoy it.' He held the flask out to Naruto.

Naruto blinked stupidly. 'You're offering me sake?!'

Beside him, Hinata cleared her throat, but her polite rebuke was not heard. Even Shikamaru's eyes lit up with shock.

Naruto's arms flailed indignantly. 'We're too young to drink sake!'

Hayato's laugh was loud across the road, and he took another sip. 'Pfft, that never stopped me.'

'Are you crazy?' Naruto continued being flustered, and his rage grew. 'And you're supposed to be in charge?'

'I hope we don't have to carry you to the next village,' Shikamaru groaned.

Hinata said, 'maybe you shouldn't drink so much.'

'Does Tsunade know you have a drinking problem?' cried Naruto.

Hayato chuckled. 'Probably.' He screwed the lid back onto his flask, yet it remained in his hand. The sake appeared to relax him noticeably, and his manner was less serious. 'You don't call her Hokage, why is that?'

The conversation had turned interesting, and Shikamaru and Hinata watched the two speak.

Naruto shrugged, he had never previously considered why he was on such friendly terms with the Hokage. 'I dunno. I met her as Tsunade, and back then I knew she was old, as old as pervy Jiraiya.'

Shikamaru suddenly stated to Hayato, 'you call her Godaime Hokage, but on leaving you called her Objii-sama.'

'You are the smart one, aren't you?' Hayato smiled, and it wasn't for their benefit. 'True. I was never allowed to call her Tsunade, I expect that hasn't changed. I have to be respectful.' He laughed loudly, and the effects of the sake were slowly becoming apparent.

The three stared at him, and bafflement flickered across their faces as they stole glances at each other.

Recalling the Hokages enigmatic words, regarding Hayato being different, Hinata unexpectedly asked, 'who are you Hayato-sama?'

Hayato took another sip of drink, before putting it away in his pocket. 'Me?' he looked into Hinata's innocent eyes, and she blushed under his forthright gaze. 'I suspect you will know by the end of this journey we are on together.'

'That's very mysterious,' Shikamaru commented dryly.

'I don't see why you can't tell us who you are?' Naruto yelled, 'unless you really are just a drunk geezer.'

'Humph!' Hayato grumbled, and he looked down into Naruto's resolute blue eyes. 'I hear you have big dreams for a little ninja.'

Naruto stared back firmly. 'I'm not always going to be little.'

Hayato creased his brow and studied the determined expression on Naruto's face, and not for the first time did he take note of the faint whisker marks on his cheeks. 'Truly spoken. Do you really think you'll be strong enough, when the time comes?'

Naruto stuck his fist near his face. 'I'm going to be the greatest ninja Konoha has ever seen.'

Hayato drew back from his exuberant cry, and his surprised eyes went to Hinata as she spoke.

'It's Naruto's dream…,' she took a breath, '… to be Hokage.'

Naruto gave a sharp nod.

Shikamaru rolled his eyes to the heavens, and sighed with embarrassment.

'Well, well,' Hayato sang out. 'You do have lofty dreams; even so, you have a long way to go before you attain that type of responsibility.' Under his breath, yet still quite audible, he grumbled, 'what have I gotten myself into…,although, Tsunade did warn me…'

The three youngsters continued staring at him, while Hayato ignored their blatant questioning looks.

'Onward then,' Hayato declared, 'nothing would please me more right now than a hot spa and a comfy mattress.'