Not without a small flourish the Hokage of the Hidden Leaf Village placed the last piece of paper upon the now tottering stack of 'done' papers. Allowing a small content smile to overtake his features Sarutobi took in the very appealing sight of an end to the work day. Patting the desk fondly he moved to stand but sat back down when a cloud of smoke popped into existence.

Fighting the urge to rub away the headache that he could feel blossoming in his temples Sarutobi waited for the smoke to disappear and the crises to present itself. Quietly taking in the sight of anbu squad thirteen holding two children in their arms, bleeding with dirt and grime on their small bodies Sarutobi waited for an explanation.

The captain stepped forward clearing his throat as he did so. Hawk and Cat quietly set the children down in nearby chairs before going back to their positions behind their leader. His eyes widened slightly when he realized exactly who the children were; Naruto and Sakura.

"Hokage, while patrolling sector three in the forest we noticed a large jump in chakra with no attempt to mask itself. We traced it to its source and discovered the girl unconscious with a leg wound and a minor concussion but without any extensive damage."

Taking a small breathe he continued, "The boy was engaging an unknown nin with no markings to signify his village. The jump in chakra had come from the boy who at this time was surrounded in red chakra; it was giving off a very intense heat. After defeating the enemy nin with little trouble the boy went to the girl and collapsed." Silence permeated the air as the Hokage took in the implications of this seemingly staring at his hand with an absent minded gaze.

The soft sound of his hand falling onto the desk seemed to shake the elderly man from his trance as his eyes hardened and his posture straightened. "I want a detailed report in my hand in an hour from each of you." Ignoring the bowing ninjas Sarutobi pressed a buzzer that summoned his personal aide to his side.

He didn't have to wait long as a rather unremarkable man save for the scar that crossed his face bustled in papers tucked under his arm and writing utensil shoved behind his ear. Before the man had a chance to close the door the Hokage was talking as he pulled out blank paper and started writing furiously. "I need Kakashi in here in an hour, on time. Lie if you have to. Set up a council meeting tomorrow, as late as possible. Also, an adapt medic in here would be wonderful."

With small bow and a formal, "Hokage-sama" the man was back out the door leaving the Hokage to flesh out his plans every now and again stopping to behold the young boy before him that had managed to worm his way into the old man's heart. Each time he looked up his strength and resolve renewed itself and Sarutobi pushed the doubt to the back of his mind where it would stay with any luck.

The medic came first, without even stopping his writing he pointed towards the children and ignored the foreign presence completely. A few minutes later Iruka came back slightly out of breathe. Breaking from his tasks long enough to hear that Iruka had done as instructed the Hokage assigned him another task. "There's a body in sector three, the forest area. It needs to be recovered and the battle scene taken car of. The usually analysis's should be preformed."

Shortly after Sarutobi had the reports from the anbu safely in his possession he poured over them taking in every minute detail. Checking the clock he noted that in five minutes Kakashi would be here. Standing up the Hokage of the Hidden Leaf Village felt every year in his long life weighing him down. Sluggishly he moved to crouch by the small child who was perhaps the greatest savior the village had ever seen.

Dismissing the medic-nin with a curt nod he steeled himself for the next few days and all the trials they would bring. Shaking the boy gently he waited for wide eyes to open still hazy from sleep. "Naruto, I need you to tell me what happened." Spoken softly but with a firm tone the man waited for conformation on what he hoped had taken place.

Tears started to well up as Naruto tucked himself into a ball casting his eyes away from the person he both loved and respected. Seeing Sakura in an identical chair safe no longer bleeding alleviated the pressured feeling that had been inside of him. Turning back to the Hokage he spoke in a small voice, "He was going to hurt Sakura-chan." Naruto waited for the Hokage to do something, instead he stayed still, face solemn. Suddenly he was up and back behind his desk digging around in search of something.

Sliding off his chair Naruto went to Sakura and marveled that she was good as new again, nothing to show the ordeal they had been through. Maybe that means it never happened! He thought excitedly a smile almost breaking out before his mind caught up and shoved the facts to the forefront. The Hokage had asked what had happened. It had taken place. He had killed someone. Feeling sick to his stomach Naruto slid to the ground holding Sakura's hand as if it were life itself.

Naruto heard the slight pop and could smell the smoke as a ninja appeared in the office but he couldn't bring himself to focus in on it. He was drifting in wonderful numb bliss with only a light grip on reality.

"The Kyuubi…came out…reversing not…"

"Me? Why…"

"No one else…trust…years…money…"

"Where…teach…dangerous."

When he felt someone taking Sakura's hand out of his grasp his perceptions sharpened enough to understand that he didn't want to let go. Wild eyed he struggled to hold on against the silver haired demon that was trying to take away his Sakura-chan.

"Relax Naruto, she needs to go home. Her mother is very worried." The soothing voice of someone he knew penetrated the haze and he loosened his grip. Rolling his head back to see who had spoken he saw two men conversing. "You need to go now Kakashi, the council alone won't be pleased and if the citizens find out…I wouldn't be able to do anything about it."

"I understand the situation Hokage-sama." The one who Naruto supposed was Kakashi responded.

"Good." Pressing a pouch that clanked pleasingly into Kakashi's hands the older man continued. "I want a report of the situation every month. I have a few things in there that will get you into safe havens but don't stay long, for obvious reasons. More than one person wants him and every single one doesn't have our best interests in mind." For the first time in his life Naruto realized how very old the Hokage was.

"Come on little one." Kakashi hummed with a smile visible through his mask. "We've got quite the adventure ahead." With no further preamble Kakashi picked him up and placed him on his shoulders leaving his hands free to use the standard teleportation jutsu.

"Take care of him Kakashi." Naruto waved as he tried to figure out what was going on that would cause the Hokage to be misty eyed. With a white flash Naruto left the world he had know with all of it's joys and sorrows for a future uncertain.

-

This is to get things moving. Essentially the Hokage had to slip Naruto out of the village otherwise people would call for his death so that the Kyuubi wouldn't have a chance of escaping the seal. Not my favorite chapter but it came out the nicest, wrote it in two hours. Not bad if I do say so myself. Feedback is always appreciated aka review!