Disclaimer: Still own nothing

Chapter 15

Morning broke over the sleepy village of Konoha, the wind rustle against the tree rustling the leaves as the sun broke the dusk of night. The village was sound asleep few shops were beginning to open to prepare for another day, few were walking on the streets to get fresh air while others were waking ready to start another day.

One particular Shinobi was up at dawn at a certain hotel inn, already showered changed and making some tea for herself in the kitchen. The anxiety that she felt was killing her, Mei wanted this day to speed up as much as possible. Why, you may ask because today was the day in which Naruto finally get to know who mother really is. On the other hand, Mei was starting to have doubts about the plans that she set up with the third hokage but for Naruto sake if that route was taken, she was going to do what her heart told her to do it and be happy about it.

The boiling pot whistled as it signaled that it was ready to be served; taking out a cup; she poured herself the hot liquid, walked to the window opening to let the cool breeze hit her face as the it opened. She sighed deeply suddenly lost her thoughts.

'If this plan does works I will definitely have to cut my hair up to my shoulder.' She pictured herself with shorter hair as she had six years ago. 'It would not look bad just a little different than I am use too.'

Lost in her thoughts, she did not hear Ao come into the living room when he called out to her.

"Lady Mizukage?"

Startled by his voice she turned quickly spilling her tea a bit on the ground giving anyone her famous glare for interrupting her thoughts. She soon regained composure once she saw it none other than Ao she gave him a cold stare sending shivers down his spine.

Apparently, he was still wearing his pajamas and his hair was a bit in a mess as the sweat dripped from his forehead with nervousness written all over his face.

"What do you want Ao?"

"Ehh…nothing really…just wanted to say good morning…Lady Mizukage…heh…heh"

"Hmm…" She took a sip from her tea looking out the window once again

Ao being curious as he was looked at the Mizukage from the reflection of the window since it was opened partially; he looked at her with calculating eyes before questioning her.

"Is something on your mind?"

"Hmm…" She took a deep breath then exhaled, "Remember when I told you 'I will explain all but not here and especially not now...we will stay in Konoha for a bit longer than I excepted so make yourselves comfortable as can be'?"

"Yes…"

"Well, I was going to tell you and Chōjūrō when we got back to the Hidden Mist about the talk I had with the third hokage but it appears I going to tell you anyways. Well get comfortable I going to tell what happened…"

Flashback

He stroked his goatee, "Well you two options here Mei; One: give up your title as the fifth Mizukage and move here to Konoha or two: we can send one of our own to the Hidden Mist and watch Naruto growth and movement except when it comes to private times and update me on his performance which would you prefer?"

She didn't like it but what choice did she have, losing the title of Mizukage meant that all the work she has done for Mist would flush down the toilet but second she didn't like either because it was an invasion of family matter.

"I choose…" Her lips froze dare she say it. Dare she say that she was going to give up her title as the fifth Mizukage if she did that means that she will lose everything that she worked to gain alliance with the Hidden Leaf Village? She did not want to lose that chance, on the other hand if she took Naruto away from his rightful birth place, she be taking the heir to the village. Not to mention the elders of this village looked to Naruto as weapon since he was a jinchuurki take that away and she got war on her hands despite the monitoring of his every movement.

'I don't want war between Mist and Leaf. The hidden Mist is in no condition to go to war especially against the Leaf; they have an alliance with Sunagakure and a few others Nations.'

A single tear rolled down her cheek as she hid her face within her bangs, everything that she worked for was going to be lost with her final decision unless…Then it hit her, one of the two body guards could hold the position but which one was the question. Chōjūrō is part of the Seven Swordsmen group, which was a good thing; but he is too shy of an individual and lacks self-confidence in his abilities not to mention he was new at the whole bodyguard thing. Ao on the other hand was an experienced veteran, having been raised under the feared regime of the Bloody Mist and having fought in war before he could easily know what to do with the village and clearly steer it in the right direction despite his tough attitude.

Making up her mind, she decided on her decision. The third waited patiently on the young woman, it was very crucial that she chooses wisely and not based on emotion.

"I choose…to give up the title third…" she said, "I want to be with my son…"

He looked at her coldly looking straight into her eyes as he leaned on his hands on the table, studying her face very carefully making sure that this was her decision and not based on emotions.

"Are you sure?" he said gruffly

"Yes, I will give up the title and live here beside I just thought about a person who will fit the job perfectly as my successor and it has been a long six years of mourning."

"Very well Mei…" The old man went through his desk opening up a drawer taking out a thick packet and sliding it in front of Mei.

She did not need to be told twice on what laid before her, for back in her home she had a similar one, it was the citizenship packet. She nodded her head in approval; the third took out a feather pen for her as she began to write into the evening. It was long process but after fours hours it was worth it as Mei thought, she could finally breathe a sigh of relief when she put that feather pen down from her aching right hand.

"Give it three to six months to let the paper work process between the elders and village councils to make their final decisions, but I am sure they will be more than will to let you stay after they hear what you have to say."

"Hmm…"

The thirds quickly went through the packet making sure that Mei did not miss a spot; once he was done revising; he dismissed the redhead woman leaving her with a final thought as she went to collect her son.

"Just to let you Mei, Kumogakure is sending representatives over for talks about a peace treaty with Konoha in about three months I suggest you let your successor know that whoever they might be."

"Thank you third; I will bear it in mind."

"Have a good evening Mei."

"Same to you, Hiruzen Sarutobi."

She left leaving the third in his thoughts at his desk.

"One more thing Mei…" She turned her head right as she step her foot out the door, "Tonight I will send a message meeting to all the head leaders of every clan and to let you know that tomorrow which is today at noon will be begin the meeting."

"Thank you…"

End Flashback

Mei left the part out that she has already chosen Ao to be her successor that night when she was coming home; she wanted to surprise him today when the time came to announce the new Mizukage, and so for now she kept it in the back her mind until noon, speaking of time.

"What time is it any way?"

Ao was stunned to hear the story of yesterday occurrence, the Mizukage had a choice of letting go her position or letting one of Konoha very own watch the boys every movement, hopefully he thought to himself that the Mizukage choose the second option instead of the first but then it was her decisions to make.

"Hello…earth Ao...HEY!"

"Yes Lady Mizukage I understand perfectly!" Silence three seconds passed "Umm…that's not what you asked for was it?"

Ao looked at his soon to be leader face, her face read annoyed on it and he was sweating bullets already.

"No… it wasn't…" she said she then leaned close into his ears, "Don't pay too much attention to me again and I'll kill you!"

Ao paled ghostly white as he breathing suddenly stopped it just hitched in his throat however luckily a certain someone was listening to whole conversation and saved his companion from further embarrassment in front of his leader.

"It is 7:00 am in the morning Lady Mizukage." Both turned to see a fully showered and clothed Chōjūrō standing at the entrance of living room with a smile on his face.

"Chōjūrō how long have you been standing there?" Ao demanded

"Enough to hear the Mizukage's story about her needing to be at Konoha village council hall at noon which I need to express Lady Mizukage…whatever decision you make you have my support all the way." Mei wanted to hug this young man; she started to tear as she heard these words coming out of his mouth.

"You also have mine Mizukage whatever you chose we'll be right behind you."

"Thank you…the both of you…" She choked on her sob but let the tears run freely as she smiled, "You don't know how much this means to me…"

Naruto was the final one to come into the room, when he came in he was still in his clothes from the other night and he was groggy as well. "Heey lady…" he said rubbing his tired eyes, "Where can I get a decent meal around here?"

Ao narrowed his eyes at him as he stood and towered over the young blonde-haired boy, "Boy I hope you more respect for the Mizukage that is no way for you to speak to her like that."

Naruto was not the one to take orders from anyone and he certainly was not in the mood to be dealing authority like figures like this person. "Hey…buzz off Cyclops nobody asked you for your opinion!"

"Cyclops!" Ao roared, "WHY YOU!"

Without warning he smacked the young boy across the face sending skidding to the other end of the wall from where he standing.

"Oh my…" Chōjūrō flinched, as if he was the one who received the impact of the wall instead of Naruto. He looked at the Mizukage; shock was evented in her face and just like it turned to pure rage. Faster than the human eye could see she dropped kicked Ao to the floor hitting in the most sensitive spot to a man can have and raced to her sons side cradling him in her arms as he suddenly realized what had happen and began to sob in her chest.

Ao groaned in pain as he put his hands to his crotch trying to recover from the sudden burst of pain, without warning he was suddenly lifted to the air face to face with an enraged soon to be Mizukage with tears running down her face.

"Don't you ever, I mean ever touch my SON like that again! You hear me Ao, not you or Chōjūrō or anyone in this damn village has the right to discipline by hitting him! I don't want to hear you excuse why you hit him got it!" Ao could only nod as he continued to groan in pain, dropping him to the floor caused more pain to erupt.

"If you ever hit my son again I swear I will make your life a living nightmare!" Angry tears still rolled down her face. Ao was slowly but surely was getting up from the ground as he asked for forgiveness from both Naruto and Mizukage, which only Mei glared at him but forgave Naruto on the other hand suddenly, realized what the woman holding said.

"Hey…*sniff*…you called me 'son'…" Wiping the tears from his eyes, "Why?"

Wiping her own tears she looked at him with a smile, "That because Naruto you are my son…"

Quickly pushing her away, he took a good look at this woman's face before shouting to her in anger, "WHO DO YOU THINK YOU ARE YOU LADY! YOU THINK YOU CAN JUST HOLD ME HERE AND PRETEND TO BE MY MOTHER AND EXPECT ME TO BELIEVE YOU!"

"Naruto please let me explain…" she was caught off by him

"WELL I GOT NEWS FOR YOU I DON'T HAVE PARENTS NO ONE WANTS ME I'M THE MONSTER OF KONOHA, THE ONE WHO BRINGS MISFORUTANE TO EVERYONE WHO SEES ME, I ALWAYS BEEN ATTACKED NEVER ONCE FELT LOVE OR BEEN HUGGED OR TOLD THAT THEY, THAT THEY EVER… loved me...not once...ever…" he said barely audible Chōjūrō knew this a family matter quickly gathered Ao and left Naruto and Mei to talk to each other. This is not what Mei was hoping for; this really was not the result she excepted to receive at all.

Setting Naruto down on his two feet, she stooped down to his level with sympathy and love written in her eyes.

"Naruto I know this a lot to digest but please believe me I am your mother."

"Why? So you can stab me in the back like everyone else did?"

'This village is going to feel my wrath when I get my hands them!' She thought, shaking her head she said to him. "Naruto if I wanted to hurt you would I have taken you in?"

"No…"

"Then…" It hit her suddenly "Look here…" She took out the test results showing him and point to the bottom where the 99% was, he stared showing no emotion to the where the black and white number was. He pulled the paper down to see this woman face, she had sad smile but he narrowed his eyes and did something that she was not excepting him to do, he smacked her across the face on her left cheek. Naruto may have been small but he packed quite the punch, nonetheless she stared at him blankly touching the irritating burn on her left cheek.

"Where were you when I needed you?" he sank to his knees and began to sob Mei enveloped him in a hug while whispering in his ears, "I'm sorry" and "I never knew you were alive…" repeatedly all the while crying onto his shoulders and squeezing him hard refusing to let him go.

She whispered into his ear "I'm sorry, I never knew you were alive they told me you were... Naruto I'M SORRY THEY TOLD ME YOU WERE DEAD!" Squeezing him more. Naruto quiet awkwardly was standing there with tears flowing down his cheeks not knowing what to do since this was the first time someone had hugged him with affection.

'So this is what real affection and love is like…' Naruto slowly wrapped his arms around her neck, Mei heart melted when she felt his hands go around her neck and squeezing her hug back.

"I promise I'll never let anyone hurt you ever again...ever…"

"You promise?"

"Yes Naruto I promise…"

"I love you mom…"

Her heart melted when she heard him say that, "And I love you my son…"

Chōjūrō peeked at the both of them; he smiled at the scene before him. It warmed his heart to see his leader finally able to amend with her son.

"Chōjūrō what's going on?" Ao whispered loudly enough for Chōjūrō to hear but softly enough for the his leader not to notice that they were spying on them.

"They making amends Ao I suggest we let them make them for a little while longer before interrupting."

"Yeah, yeah need I need to remind you that the Mizukage has to meet with Konoha village council to discuss matters?"

"Oh hush up you old geezer and let them enjoy the moment with each other besides the Mizukage has not seen her son in a very long time."

"Hmph, you forget I loathe children." "If Lady Mizukage heard you say that she drop kick you again since she does have a soft-spot for children."

Ao grumbled under his breath as he placed ice back on his groin, "This is the reason why I don't want to get mar…"

"Finish that sentence Ao and I'll kill you!"

Ao shut his lips before anything else was said. His companion had to stifle laughter from erupting on the hand Ao sent a death glare to the young man and began to limp to his way to bathroom.

LXD: So pardon for the long delay I have been busy, but I'm going straight to the point I get one review saying that and I quote "Abominably slow. Everything here could have been done in two or three chapters, so it has actually been pretty boring" unquote. I understand if you are not use to slow updates, I should've pointed this out before anything else, this story is going to take a while to complete so your patients is greatly appreciated. On that note please comment, rate and/or subscribe, until the next chapter.