Note: I don't own Naruto, but a person can dream can't they?
flashback
"thinking"
"talking"
Chapter 8 – Two Paths
by Zynthos
"Ah! Ramen tastes so good in the morning!" cried Naruto in a sing-song voice. "Oy! Another bowl old man!"
"Alright, another bowl for the best customer!" The man sitting next to Naruto let out a chuckle.
"You know," Iruka said, "I'm looking forward to when you become Hokage and finally treat me to a bowl or two." Naruto flashed a wide smile, and finished what was left of his ramen. The air was filled with an awkward silence as the men waited for the next bowl to arrive.
"Naruto," Iruka said, finally breaking the silence, "are you worried about becoming Hokage? It's a big responsibility."
"Nah" responded a nonchalant Naruto "I was destined to be Hokage. This is my dream and now I'm going to fulfill it no matter what anybody says." A moment of silence passed before Naruto continued. His attitude, however, had now totally changed.
"Iruka-sensei? Have you ever wanted something really bad and when you finally reached your goal it wasn't as satisfying as you thought it would be?"
"Hmm… there was that one time I was really hungry and waited three whole minutes for instant ramen. When I finally put the noodles in my mouth the taste was a great disappointment" Iruka jokingly answered.
"Iruka-sensei!" a slightly miffed looking Naruto cried.
"Sorry, couldn't help it" the older man apologized.
"Whatever…" mumbled the younger.
"Let me think. Oh, you may not know this but when I was younger my dream was to be a top member in ANBU black."
"Really!"
"Yeah… my parents were both ANBU and I looked up to them both so much. After they passed away I worked harder than ever to reach my goal. Eventually I reached the point where I was nominated to become a Jounin and began training as an ANBU. However, all nominees had to work as a substitute teacher at the ninja academy for a week. I thought that was the stupidest thing, wasting time with a bunch of kids who didn't know half of what it took to become a shinobi. Well, long story short I don't know what happened but I fell in love with teaching, preparing the next generation with the tools to protect this village; it's my contribution to the Will of Fire. As for joining ANBU, it never really held the same meaning afterwards. I had found my real passion." Naruto sat there listening attentively to his mentor, a new bowl of ramen, unnoticed, slowly cooling on the on counter-top. "I don't know if that answers your question, Naruto, but I've known you too long for you to hide anything from me. I know that you have some doubts about becoming Hokage, but you've known me long enough to know that you can tell me anything." With that Iruka waited patiently for his former pupil to collect his thoughts.
"It's like this" Naruto started, "When I was little all I wanted was to be Hokage so that the villagers would notice me, and more importantly my good side; that was it. But now… now, there's so much more… I don't know if I'm up to the task. How am I supposed to consider people who have never shown me anything but hate family? On top of that I have Hinata to worry about. Iruka-sensei, my wedding day is tomorrow! How can I possibly give her the amount of love she deserves when I have to take care of everyone else?" Iruka paused before giving his answer.
"It's true that there are people out there who would like nothing better than to kill you, but Naruto, how many people care for you? It's also true that if you continue to give out your love you will eventually burn out, but how many people are willing to return your love? Granted, friends will fail you, I will fail you, even Hinata will fail you, gosh, you'd have to be a god to not fail someone, sometime. But even so, some of us are willing to back you up no matter what the cost." Blankly looking down at the counter in front of him, Naruto took some time to digest what had just been said. With a small nod he looked up into the eyes of his mentor and friend and with all sincerity gave the most fitting response.
"Thank-you…"
--
Four young ladies sat around in their favorite café sipping their respective beverages.
"I can't believe out of the four of us, you're going to be the first to get married!" screeched Ino before taking a large sip of iced tea.
Hinata tried to shrink as the other three girls carried on what they considered to be a conversation, what others considered noise. It was bad enough that the three of them had to embarrass her so much, but couldn't they at least quiet down a little? The whole village didn't have to know. Sakura let out a short squeal while the other two giggled like idiots. "Guess not" she thought to herself. At least "Ten-Ten isn't as bad," Hinata tried to convince herself. Ten-Ten, however, was not giving much support, as she was too busy using her straw to blow bubbles in her milkshake like a four-year-old. Never-the-less it was the truth. If her cousin could put up with Ten-Ten enough to date her she had to be some what conservative. For some reason the thought of Neji and Ten-Ten together struck her as funny. Even though the two of them had been a couple for more than two years, it was still funny to think that even Neji, the most stoic person she knew, could fall head-over-heels for a girl. "I guess love really does conquer all," she thought to herself with a smirk.
"Hey Hinata! Everything is ready for tomorrow, right?" Sakura said, breaking Hinata's train of thought.
"Y-yes… I think so…"
"Wait, you're not sure?!" Ino asked in disbelief. Hinata blushed out of embarrassment.
"Tha-that's n-not what I m-meant…"
"Oh come on guys," Ten-Ten assured, "knowing the Hyuga clan, they've already planned out the next ten years of her life."
"Not-t that l-long..." Hinata whispered to no one in particular.
"Man, it must stink to have such little freedom, heh?" cried Sakura
"I-it's not s-so bad-d," Hinata defended, "you g-get used t-to it-t".
"It would kill me," countered Ino. "I feel so bad for Naruto having to put up with the Hyuga system. How does he handle it?" Hinata smiled.
"He waits patiently outside the Hyuga compound for me to finish whatever I need to finish".
"Wow… I can't imagine Naruto patient," Sakura said amazed.
"Actually," Ten-Ten said, "You should see him wait. It about drives him mad. He's claimed to have started writing fanfics with all the extra time. I've kept him company a couple times and he acknowledges that patience is not a strong point of his, but says it's all worth the effort". Sakura and Ino both gave an "aw". Hinata just smiled and thought happy thoughts.
"Hm," Sakura thought aloud, "I wonder if Kenji would do the same for me?" Everyone laughed. Sakura had recently started dating an older Jounin. Hinata had to admit the two of them were a good looking couple, and Kenji was pretty cute. Of course she would never tell Naruto that. "Besides" she thought to herself, "Naruto is way better looking anyways."
She then noticed, out of the corner of eye, the depressed look on Ino's face.
"What's wrong?" Hinata asked worriedly.
"Oh, nothing"
"Whatever, Ino!" Sakura chimed in. "It's because you don't have a boyfriend isn't it!"
"Shut up!"
"Ha!" Sakura cried out in victory. Not many 'secrets' stayed secrets when it came to these four, so it had been made known Ino had a crush on Shikamaru. Then one day while the other three were having lunch together Ino burst into the restaurant crying.
Flashback:
Sakura, Ten-Ten, and Hinata were having an enjoyable lunch when a loud crash sounded from the front. Ino came tearing through the restaurant knocking over a now dismayed looking waitress. As she ran closer to the girls they could see tears streaming down her face. They didn't even have time to ask what was wrong before Ino started ranting.
"I can't believe that b-"
"Whoa, slow down there" Ten-Ten said as she tried to calm Ino down, "who are we talking about?"
"Temari" venom dripping with every syllable, "she must have done something to him or som-"
"Wait who?" Sakura interrupted.
"Shikamaru" Ino's attitude had suddenly changed and now she started to wail.
"Before Te… she went back to Suna they… they…"
"they what?"
"Kissed!"
End Flashback
"Then again" Sakura continued smirk, "I'm sure you've found another crush by now." Ino's face turned red.
"See, I know her too well" Sakura commented nonchalantly.
"Oh! Oh! Tell me, tell me. Who is it?!" Ten-Ten squealed at the news of fresh gossip.
"Yes," Hinata added, more relieved at stopping her own examination than interested in who Ino's next 'target' would be.
"Well…" Ino shook her head like a giddy high school girl.
"Come on!" the other three girls cried. They awaited the words cute, gorgeous, or the all purpose 'hunkcicle'.
"Well… he'll be loyal?" Ino answered with the most excited half shrug imaginable.
--
Naruto opened the door and walked into the Hokage's office. "I wonder what this is about," he thought to himself. After all, it was a day before his wedding and three days before he was to be announced Hokage. "This had better not be a mission" he complained to himself. Mumbling Naruto walked up to Tsunade.
"Obaa-chan" he hollered, "what do you want?" Tsunade chuckled.
"Huh?" Naruto wondered, "Did she just laugh when I called her an old fart? That's not right. Usually I at least get 'the look'" "Um… Obaa- I mean Tsunade-sama, is something wrong with you? Are you sick?" Tsunade chuckled again.
"No, I really am getting old, which is exactly why I'm retiring."
"Really? You admit it?"
"Yes…" stress marks began to appear on Tsunade's forehead.
"So you're going to drop your henge and show your true self, complete with wrinkly skin, graying hair, sagging fa-" Naruto found himself imbedded into the wall.
"Stop rubbing it in, baka" Tsunade cursed at Naruto threatening to pound him a couple more times just for good measure. After she had sealed Naruto's mouth with death glares Tsunade continued with the order of business.
"Look, the reason I brought you in here has to do with you becoming hokage" she started, still a bit annoyed with the loud youth. "There seems to be a problem".
"It's the villagers isn't it?!" Naruto interjected before she could continue. Tsunade silently counted to ten before continuing. The bulging veins on her neck reminded Naruto to shut his mouth unless he wanted to be reacquainted with the wall.
"No. It's actually Hinata…"
"What!?"
"She is a liability."
"What is that supposed to mean?!"
"It means that she could potentially be the weak link in your chain mail."
"She is not weak, and besides, I don't wear chain mail."
"I don't care if you don't wear underwear, the point is, either she goes, or the Hokage title goes."
Abruptly, the verbal tennis match froze.
"What did you say?" Naruto spit out between clinched teeth.
"I said," repeated Tsunade very deliberately, "it's either going to be your fiancée, or your future."
--
Hinata sat down on the cream colored chair; this time it felt as if the seat was actually a cloud. After three years it had almost become routine for her to enter the state of mind controlled by the agkelos, and yet, each time it was a new, refreshing experience. Hinata had come, this time, because of the anxiety she faced. Tomorrow was her wedding day and even though everything had been planned out thanks to her father, she still had a strange feeling inside of her.
"Please child," the agkelos began, "what is troubling you?"
"Well, I don't know why I'm feeling this way, but I'm almost having second thoughts about this marriage."
"Oh?" the former said, slight amusement in his voice, "why is that?"
"I don't know, but I feel really guilty about it."
"Child, a second thought is nothing more then fear that the first thought was wrong. The question now becomes whether these fears are based on something worth fearing."
"I don't think I follow…"
"Think of it this way. Why did you agree to marry him?" Hinata looked puzzled.
"Well, because I love him." Patiently, the agkelos further explained himself
"what specifically do you love about him? If you only love the idea of Naruto, you're going to be very disappointed because there will be times when the spark just isn't there."
"Well, he's so sure of himself… and cares about people."
"I could say that about Jiriaya". Hinata immediately stuck her tongue out in disgust at the thought of being married to the legendary pervert.
"Eww, that's gross!"
"Sorry" the agkelos replied a slight chuckle.
"Well for starters, he's a lot better looking then Jiriaya," Hinata replied in retaliation. "He's strong, yet he's tender at the same time…"
"Sounds like a good piece of steak" the agkelos interrupted
"Shut up!" Hinata playfully shouted.
"Sorry," apologized the agkelos, this time with a full grin. "However, that list of yours is beginning to sound pretty good".
"Thanks. Let's see," continued Hinata "I feel safe when I'm with him. He loves me for who I am and hasn't ever tried to change me. He used to be immature but now he has become a real man. He's honest with me, and," a spark lit up in Hinata's eyes and a smirk came to her lips, "he's crazy about me". The agkelos smiled at the last comment.
"Now, does your list describe a person worth marrying?" Hinata thought about it for a moment and nodded her head.
"I agree. Child, I believe your fears are based on the unknown in the future, which can be frightening, but if Naruto is the person you described, I believe there is no reason to second guess yourself."
"…thank-you. Though I do have one question"
"Yes?"
"Since you are an agkelos I didn't know you could joke around like that. Did you play around like that before?"
"…"
"What?"
"…that's what she said…"
--
Naruto sat with his head down across the desk from the Hokage. The look of despair on his face was as if the whole world was crashing down on him. For all he cared, it might as well have been.
"Are you sure there are no other options?" Naruto pleaded
"Yes," came the strict response from the Hokage. After a moment of silence that seemed like eternity, Naruto finally opened his mouth.
"Tsunade, it's been my dream since as long as I can remember to become Hokage. I've worked so hard to get into a position to fulfill my dream. I was going to be Hokage so that everyone in the village would recognize me as someone great. But now I've realized that dreams can change. I don't care if the village recognizes me. I don't need it any more. It's nothing compared to what Hina-chan has become to me." Tears were slowly trickling down his face. "She is so unselfish, and puts everyone in front of herself. She has a gentle spirit, is caring to everyone she meets, and loves me unconditionally. I wouldn't trade her for anything, not even a dream. She's not only become my new dream, but my dream come true too. I'm sorry, but I can not accept the position of Hokage." With that, Naruto limply lifted his body from the chair and slowly trudged to the door. The door opened with a creak. It seemed as if it was sharing Naruto's pain and was trying to express its sorrow. Naruto silently thanked it.
"If there was a way for you to still be Hokage, would you take it?" Tsunade asked in a concerned tone.
"I would take it in a heartbeat, but we both know that it isn't possible. My whole heart belongs to Hinata now."
"That's what I wanted to hear." Naruto looked up in shock and confusion.
"What's the meaning of this 'Baa-chan?" demanded Naruto. Tsunade just stood there with a knowing smirk.
"Naruto, you have passed my final requirement."
"Nani!?"
"Many people describe the role of Hokage as the leader of the village, but that is only half true. More importantly, Hokage is the servant of the village. In order to accomplish this, the Hokage must love the people of the village more than the position and power he or she possesses." Naruto stood there dumbfounded for a second before regaining his composure.
"Does this mean that I can be Hokage and marry Hina-chan?"
"Yep."
"Then what would have happened had I chosen to become Hokage instead?"
"You would have been a miserable Hokage."
"Why you…" Naruto started, fists clinched, ready to give Tsunade a piece of his mind. He never reached her as he stopped when they both heard Shizune knocking on the already opened door.
"I'm sorry to disturb your little slugfest Naruto, but we have just apprehended someone you both might want to see."
To be continued…
--
AN- I know that I haven't been updating as often as everyone would have liked and for that I am sorry. At this point, as much as I hate leaving this story unfinished, the writing of this story has become a great burdon for me. Nevertheless I will try my hardest to bring this story to a sufficiant close. I am really in debted to Krissy-Chan for kicking my proverbial butt and pressing for me to finish this thing as well as spending her time to edit this chapter. Thanks all for reading and again, any input would be happily recieved. That's about it...