A/N: Welcome to chapter 2. I still don't own Naruto.

Chapter 2: The Ronin's New Gig

At this, the swordsman felt the headache he knew this incident would give him quickly mounting its way to migraine status. 'I don't see this going smoothly for me. Oh well, at least he didn't kill me on the spot.' "As you wish, Lord Hokage. Would it be possible to have someone get my hat and cloak from on that building there?"

The Hokage could barely suppress a chuckle at the question. "Certainly. They will be delivered to my office shortly. Now, if you would be so kind." With that, the Hokage extended his hand. When the confused ronin finally worked up the courage to take his hand, both were obscured by a swirl of leaves before appearing in a large office. "Now, if you'll take a seat, I have a few questions I'd like to ask. I'd appreciate it, obviously, if you would be honest with me. If I get the slightest indication you're not, then I will have no choice but to turn you over to our interrogation unit."

"Understood, Lord Hokage." At this point, a brief flash of concern and sadness played out in the boys eyes, but not quick enough for the Hokage to miss it. "I will answer everything you ask truthfully, but there are some questions which I either cannot or will not answer. If that means interrogation, so be it, but just as you must do what you believe best for your village, I must do what I feel best for myself."

"Hmm," the aged Hokage wanted to give the man the benefit of the doubt, considering what he'd done for Naruto, but with his obviously impressive skill set, he couldn't afford to just give him a free pass either. "We'll see. That will depend a great deal on the nature of question you refuse to answer." Seeing the man nod in understanding, the Hokage began. "First, why don't you introduce yourself?"

"I am Ken Heiwa from the Heiwa clan. I am not a ninja, though I have some training in chakra development and use. The Heiwa clan were samurai trained in ninja tactics to be used as an elite body guard service for those who either could not or would not go to a hidden village for protection. I am 19 years old and began my training at the age of three. I killed my first ninja when I was six. I began wandering throughout the elemental nations six years ago, offering my services as a personal bodyguard to other travelers in exchange for a meal when reaching their destination."

'Shocking. For all his desire not to answer certain questions, he was very forthcoming on this one.' And indeed, the aged Hokage was right. To get so much information from simply asking for a general introduction was more than he had bargained for. However, when he reflected on some of what was shared, it did bring up other questions. "I notice you referred to your clan in the past tense. Might I ask what happened?"

Once again, sadness flashed across Ken's face, only to be replaced by his stoic, emotionless self again in a matter of seconds. "If possible, that would be one of the questions I'd prefer not to answer. Please simply accept that my use of the past tense was not an accident."

"My apologies, Ken." At this, Ken gave a small, sad smile, having been surprised by the genuine sadness in the Hokage's voice. "I'd like to know what your training actually consisted of. I don't need any specific techniques, but I'm curious as to your skill level and proficiencies."

"With all due respect, Lord Hokage," he said, unable to hide the slight anxiety in his voice, "I'm not sure of the relevance. It's not like I am a leaf ninja, after all."

At this, the wizened old man could only chuckle. "Very well, perhaps I shall return to that question, depending on how you answer this one." After he allowed the confusion to settle firmly on Ken's face, he continued. "Why did you involve yourself with Naruto?"

"Lord Hokage, may I speak freely?" he asked, with a serious look on his face.

Both the tone and the look on his face caught the Hokage slightly off guard. "Of course. I prefer that you do."

"Very well then." Ken closed his eyes, took a deep breath, and then all but shouted at the Hokage, "What the HELL do you mean why did I involve myself? What kind of a sick bastard do you think I am? He's a damned CHILD and those bastards were gonna kill him! I may not be an angel, but even the devil himself wouldn't stand idly by while crap like that was going on! While I have permission to speak freely, what the HELL took you so long to get there? Why is it that a mass of people can beat the shit out of a child, and you and your damned elite guard doesn't show up 'til some trained warriors are getting some sense beat into them?" Having gotten that off his chest, Ken closed his eyes again, slowed his breathing and prepared to hear the death sentence he knew was coming. Only, it never came.

No, instead the sound which got Ken to open his eyes was the sound of the Hokage chuckling. When the Hokage saw the confused look on Ken's face, he began to explain, still fighting his chuckles, "My apologies. Your answer was far better than anything I could have hoped for. As to your last question," at this, the Hokage ceased laughing, and instead let out a heavy sigh before continuing, "the truth is that most of the village hates the boy for reasons beyond his control or understanding. Only myself and a handful of loyal ninja recognize the truth in what you just said. With there being so few of us, and so many things which require my attention, unfortunately I am not always able to respond in time."

The shock on Ken's face had gradually changed to anger. Gritting his teeth to keep himself under control, he asked, "Are you telling me this isn't the first time this crap has happened?"

"Sadly, that is precisely what I am telling you." At this point, he developed the beginning of a smile again. "However, this does bring me back to my previous question about your skills. Allow me to explain the relevance to you. You are right, you are not a shinobi of the leaf, nor will you likely ever be. That is precisely what makes you perfect for what I have in mind. Since you are not a shinobi, you can never be sent on missions, and you would be working directly under me. No interference from the council, clans, or elders. But I would need to have the utmost confidence in your abilities."

"What job are you speaking of, exactly?" asked the confused as ever Ken.

"I would like to personally hire you as Naruto's bodyguard. This would be a long term job, mind you. Not for his entire life, but at least until he graduates the academy and becomes a genin. At that point he should hopefully be better able to protect himself."

To say he was stunned would be the understatement of the century. In spite of his shock, he still managed to list off his self assessment of his skills. "I probably have low jonin chakra levels, high jonin control. My taijutsu is probably high chunin, but my sword skills I would be confident putting up against anyone, even Kage level. My only techniques are chakra enhanced muscles and senses, and several unique sword techniques that most people only ever see once." Here, Ken finally shook off his shock enough to ask the Hokage a couple questions. "But wait, before this goes any further, I think I'm entitled to some answers as well. For starters, why does everyone hate Naruto?"

A dark look passed over the Hokage's face, making Ken more curious but slightly terrified that he may have crossed a line. "Very well. I suppose you are entitled to know why he needs protection. However, what I am about to tell you is an S class secret, and anyone who speaks of it will be executed. Do I make myself sufficiently clear?" Once Ken nodded, he continued. "Are you familiar with the nine bijuu?"

"Of course. They are the stuff of nightmares for everyone."

"Indeed. Well, four years ago, the mightiest of the tailed beasts, the Kyuubi, attacked Konoha. My successor and predecessor, the Fourth Hokage, Minato Namikaze, gave his life to seal the beast away. However, the only vessel which could contain such a power was a newborn infant." Here the old man trailed off, as he watched the light of recognition dawn on Ken's face. Now would be the real test, how would the man react?

"So then, that child was Naruto?" Seeing the nod of the Hokage, Ken balled his hand into a fist and slammed it down on the arm of his chair. "Bastards! I should have killed every last one of them! As if the boy doesn't have enough problems waiting for him down the road. Those sons of bitches decided to torture a child who is, quite literally, the only thing keeping the beast from tearing them apart. Besides, the only way the beast would get loose is if they piss the kid off bad enough for the damned fox to take over! Damned morons."

Once again, the Hokage couldn't help his smile. "Ken, I believe there could be nobody better qualified for the job of being Naruto's bodyguard. If you'll take the job, I'll pay you from my own household and provide you an apartment to live in. It won't be anything fancy, but it is in the same complex as Naruto. Literally next door, in fact. Are you interested?"

"Lord Hokage, if Naruto is willing to accept the arrangement, I will gladly give my sword and my life to his service until he is able to defend himself."

At this, the Hokage smiled warmly. "Ken, Naruto is like family to me. If you are willing to protect him, then so are you. Please, call me Sarutobi."

Now it was Ken's turn to smile. "Of course, Sarutobi."

"Well then, let us go see how young Naruto is doing and inform him of the arrangements." At this point, an Anbu appeared in the room, setting down Ken's hat and cloak, and whispering something in Sarutobi's ear, which brought another shocked look onto his face. "Before that though, perhaps you could enlighten me as to why two of my Anbu are being treated for chakra burns after trying to bring you your sword?"

Ken chuckled somewhat sheepishly, "Hehe, sorry 'bout that. There was a reason I didn't ask you to bring my sword with my hat and cloak, though. Matomeyaku is very picky. She lashes out at any chakra signature other than mine that attempts to wield her."

Sarutobi just shook his head, still smiling. "Very well then, let's go pick up your temperamental sword and then go visit Naruto."

After a quick stop by the alley to get his sword, Ken was brought to Naruto's room, where he was shocked to see the boy sitting up and staring out the window, physically almost healed already. 'This must be thanks to the Kyuubi.'

When Naruto saw Sarutobi, he literally jumped out of the bed and ran to him. "Gramps! I'm glad you're here!"

The old man chuckled, both at the boy's response and at Ken's obvious shock to see someone talking to strongest man in the village that way. "It's good to see you as well, Naruto. Now, do you recognize this man?"

Naruto looked behind the Hokage and saw Ken, now in his cloak and hat. He backed away, looking very nervous, until he heard the man chuckle a little and speak, "Forgot me already, eh, little man?"

Once Naruto heard the nickname that his savior had given him earlier, the light came on in his head, and he ran up and hugged the man's leg, his head only a little higher than the man's knee. "Is it really you, mister? Are you the one who saved me?"

Ken took off the hat and undid the buttons on his cloak, dropped to a knee to be closer to the boy's level, and looked him in the eye with a big smile, "That's right, little man. It's really me. My name's Ken Heiwa, but you can call me Ken. Now, I have a question for you, Naruto." Waiting to make sure he had the boys full attention, he continued, "I'm new to the village, and I'm moving into your apartment complex. I'm gonna need someone to help me figure out where everything is, and the Hokage said you were just the man for the job. So, you cool with me following you around for a few years?" Naruto's eyes got as big as dinner plates before he practically tackled Ken in a giant hug. "Haha! I guess that's a yes, eh little man?"

Naruto let go of the hug to look his new friend in the eye, "Can I ask you a question, Mr. Ken?"

Ken couldn't help chuckling a bit at the boy, "Sure thing Mr. Naruto, ask away."

Naruto began scratching the back of his head, and looked off to the side, "Well, um, I was just kinda wondering, if, well, you know, unless you don't want to, but um, well, could I, maybe sometimes, sorta, call you brother?"

Ken saw the anxiety on the boy's face, but also the hope. He couldn't help but grin even bigger when he answered, "You got it, bro. In fact, I'd love it if you think of me as your brother."

This got the biggest, happiest smile Ken had ever seen in his life as his newly dubbed little bro once again hug tackled him, sending the entire room into laughter. Sarutobi couldn't help a few happy tears at seeing Naruto truly happy. Though he couldn't help but wonder whether or not Ken really understood just what he had signed up for by becoming Naruto's unofficial brother.

A/N: Alright. Another chapter done. I'm hoping to have Chapter 3 up in a week or so, but no promises. Like it? Hate it? Either way, let me know what you think.