disclaimer: emo fox ATTACK still does not own Naruto.

Chapter 4

Shizune sighed as she looked at the large stack of unchecked mail for Tsunade, a small note from the Kazekage right on top.

The last few days had been complete and utter chaos. Everyone was taking the news of Tsunade's retirement very hard, but Tsunade seemed particularly troubled. It was obviously stressful, giving up the position that had been the focal point of her life for so many years: Shizune understood this. But it still hurt, seeing her mistress unhappy and being unable to do anything about it.

If anyone would be able to cheer Tsunade up, it would be Naruto, but her Lady had told the ANBU at her door to turn away all visitors, and Shizune watched from the shadows as every day a dark-eyed Naruto was told politely that the Godaime was indisposed, and to please try again later. Sakura was just as bad off as Naruto, as her meeting with Tsunade had ceased. But she kept herself occupied well, booking five back-to-back shifts at the hospital, kept conscious by an unhealthy mix of caffeine and adrenaline manipulating jutsus.

Shizune noticed that the Council of Elders did not seem overly perturbed by Tsunade's abdication Homura and Koharu had been utterly emotionless as they stood behind Tsunade, and Danzo had seemed rather pleased when she saw the Council gather to hold an impromptu meeting with the ex-Hokage.

Something seemed amiss with the entire situation, and Shizune wondered just how many things her mistress kept a secret from her. They had not been talking much lately, as Tsunade seemed so distant and preoccupied nowadays, and the conversations they did have were always so cryptic that Shizune could barely make head nor tails of them. She recalled their last conversation with a small frown; it had been particularly unsettling.

"Shizune?" Shizune looked up from the scrolls she had been filing, regarding her mistress warily.

"Yes, Lady Tsunade?"

"Shizune… How long has it been, since you joined me?"

"I've actually lost track of time since I began traveling with you…" She took a moment to think. "It's been a bit over a decade now, yes?"

Tsunade shrugged tiredly and plopped down into a chair as she closed her eyes.

"Perhaps… perhaps… but, in all respects, it has been a long time, yes?"

"Yes…"

"Shizune, you know you'll have to leave me one day, right?"

"My Lady! I-"

"-'know that I will have to leave you,' is what you were going to say, right, Shizune?"

Shizune started. "My Lady, I don't- Why-?"

Tsunade sighed. "I'm sorry, Shizune, I'm just upset is all. It's not your fault I'm pissed, and I shouldn't take it out on you. But," she continued gingerly, "things will change. You know that, right?"

Shizune was quiet for a moment. "All things change, Lady," she finally whispered.

"All things change," Tsunade echoed. They sat together for a moment, before Tsunade stood to excuse herself. But before she left-

"Oh, and Shizune? Look out for mine when I can't, alright?"

Shizune swallowed heavily before smiling.

"Of course." When Tsunade was gone, Shizune had to wonder what exactly was the point of that conversation. She realized it may take a while before she truly understood.

Tsunade was a blunt personality, and for her to be so vague about anything was always a bad sign. Take care of hers? The only thing Tsunade really called hers was Naruto, but their was no point in asking her to look out for him- Shizune would always look out for him.

It was not easy, being Tsunade's assistant, especially when she was acting like this, but easy lives were not meant for shinobi, were they?

Shizune looked down at the note from the Kazekage to Tsunade, opening it carefully and scanning it quickly.

To: Godaime Hokage

Dawn has come once again.

The earth has betrayed.

Beware, for the trees roots dwell in the earth.

Inform the sun of an impending eclipse.

Shizune paled and tucked the note in her sleeve. Tsunade would have to see this quickly. She coughed, and Kitsune stepped out of the shadows. "Tell Lady Tsunade I must speak with her. It cannot wait."

Kitsune nodded and disappeared, and Shizune slumped in her seat. What would the ext Kage be like, she wondered. They would have to be informed of the Akatsuki crisis, obviously: would they be efficient, or allow the Council to impose their safety protocols on the village? Shizune did not expect too much: there was likely not another Tsunade out there. The Council would have a field day, and reassert themselves eagerly, destroying all headway Tsunade made, for incoming Hokages.

"Damn it all!"

"Shizune?

"Lady Tsunade!" Shizune stood hastily and bowed as her mistress entered her office.

"Kitsune said you had a message for me?"

"Yes, from Gaara-sama."

She passed the note to Tsunade, who read it quickly. A grim line set upon her brow, and her chuckle was not pleasant.

"So, Gaara has confirmed it, then?" she said. Shizune nodded.

"Yes, this note correlates with what Jiraiya's spies told us. Akatsuki is once again becoming active, the Stone appears to have sided with them, and the Nekomata Jinchuuriki-"

"No, "eclipse" does not refer to Nekomata. Naruto is "the sun". What is the only thing that would cast a shadow on him?" Shizune thought for a moment, then paled. "No…"

Tsunade nodded. "Yes. The Uchiha boy is on the move. If Naruto were to encounter him…"

"I understand. We must keep Naruto from learning of this. If he were to learn that Sasuke was active, he would request retrieval missions, thinking he had another chance to… We must prevent him from doing anything rash."

Tsunade smiled when Shizune said this. "We have to keep Naruto from finding out anything else about the Uchiha boy. Don't worry about a thing, Shizune, I'll keep Naruto preoccupied. I'll keep him busy for a month, and then-"

"Wait, only a month?"

"Yes, only a month. Once that month is up, Naruto will find himself quite busy. He wouldn't be able to track the Uchiha brat if he wanted too."

Shizune wanted badly to ask Tsunade why she had been pushing Naruto away then, if she planned to take care of everything, but she kept her mouth closed and her thoughts to herself. She had followed Tsunade for years- now was not the time to question.

Naruto rubbed at his eyes as he hurried to answer his door. Who the fuck would call on him now, at fucking midnight! He opened the door as far as the chain lock would allow, a volley of curses ready on the tips of his tongue until he spied the white face, with the black red-rimmed eyes and red, snarling, fanged, grinning mouth that uttered, "Tsunade summons you at the Memorial Stone."

ANBU.

Naruto sighed as he bit back his curses, and huffed as he closed the door to go find some pants.

Can anyone say filler much? (And we're only at the fourth chapter...sob)

I guess by now you've all come to expect short chapters from me, but I'm actually a bit ashamed for the length of this one. Well, I was kinda stuck, and this is merely a transition chapter... we should be getting into the real story within a few chapters. I'm guessing four. I don't like this chapter much (expect for the very end with Naruto, but I digress.) This was not edited too much, so yeah.

Thanks for the reviews! They are what motivate me to actually keep up this story (along threats of [severe bodily harm from hydraling110). I read every single review I get, and they all make me happy, but I have to comment on one: kyuubi-rain, I swear, I almost died from laughing when I read your comment, and I don't know why. True story. This note is way longer than I intended... well...

emo fox ATTACK