Chapter 3
Sonya's PoV
I followed Kakashi and the other ANBU back to where the Hokage worked. As we entered his office, I saw Kakashi talking to who seemed to be a secretary, requesting that we could speak to the Hokage. The secretary quickly looked at a logbook, and then have us a nod as a 'go ahead.'
Naruto had fallen asleep on the way here. I shifted him a bit on my hip, and he gave a soft snort and buried his face in my neck. I smiled and held him with both my arms, rubbing small circles on his back. I had previously sheathed Naomi back onto my back. Kakashi turned back to me to gesture me to him. I walked up to him silently. He was about as tall as me I noticed. Then he spoke
"You are currently a guest here, and as such I'll need to remove you of your weapons. If I may?" He asked
"Yeah, sure, go ahead. I've only got a kunai pouch on my left leg, and Naomi." I replied
I effortlessly lifted Naomi off my back, and an ANBU beside me took it. As I handed it to him, I noticed him quickly drop it a few inches in the air, obviously taken back by the weight. I could even see Kakashi give it an incredulous look. He then proceeded to unstrap my kunai pouch off my leg. He handed it off to another ANBU member, and then he turned back to me, looking questioningly at my other pouch on my right arm. I gave him another smirk
"That pouch doesn't have any weapons. All it really has is some money, playing cards, lock picks, some coffee and tea pouches-"
"Wait, why are you carrying tea and coffee with you?" Kakashi asked
"Hey, the life of a bounty hunter is always changing. One day you might have an apartment near your target, and the next you might need to take shelter in the woods. Plus, I need my coffee in the morning, and I'm a tea addict." I answered truthfully
Of course, the second the word 'bounty hunter' came out of my mouth, I think every single ANBU member had their weapons out and were getting ready to kill me on the spot. Kakashi just raised an eyebrow at me, with a bored expression on his face …
"A bounty hunter, eh? And what exactly is you business here?" Kakashi asked with narrowed eyes
'Oh crap, these people are about 2 seconds away from killing me.' I thought
"Eh, nothin' really. I'm an EX-Bounty hunter if you need to know. Decided killing for money or whatever goodies I got wasn't the healthiest thing for the soul, ja?" I said with a sheepish grin
Kakashi just looked at me, as if trying to see if I'm lying. The ANBU guys around me were still tensed, waiting for the order to put a kunai in my back. Just when I thought the atmosphere couldn't get any more tense, Naruto lets out a weak meep, a troubled expression on his face. His arms and legs kept twitching. It looked like he was having a nightmare. I shifted him in my arms a bit, and stroked his hair and back to try and calm him down, while I hummed a soft lullaby in his ear. He quickly calmed down, and went back to nuzzling my neck and snoring softly. I smiled at the tike, happy he was safe at the moment. I looked up to see Kakashi watching me, a small grin I could see was tugging at his lips under the mask.
"Well, it doesn't look like you've got any murderous intentions. I think it's safe for you to meet the Hokage." Kakashi waved his hand dismissively, signaling yet again for the ANBU to lower their weapons. I think the bounty hunter part spooked them though, because I swear I could feel the glares on the back of my head.
We silently walked into the Hokage's office. I took in my surroundings a bit.
'Meh, pretty plain, wouldn't've guessed that this was the Hokage's office. Well, except the tower of papers on his desk.'
That tower of papers was enough to send me running for the hills. I eyed them with disdain while thinking
'I will never get a desk job … NEVER!'
I heard a soft chuckle come from behind the desk. I clearly had missed the Hokage himself. He was an elderly man, but with a kind weathered face. He seemed like an old grandpa, though he emits an incredibly powerful aura. I like him already.
"I see you've noticed my papers. Believe when I say, they are as intimidating as they look." He said with a small smile
"I believe it. I'll take being anything else over a desk job anytime." I said with grin
He chuckled at this. Then his eyes drifted to the still sleeping Naruto in my hands. I was still stroking his back, just in case he went back into a nightmare. He still had his face buried in my neck, his small arms encircling my neck, and was softly snoring. The Hokage smiled at us, clearly relieved that Naruto was safe at the moment.
"I thank you for saving Naruto. Who knows what those men would have done with him. Unfortunately the villagers have a hard time seeing who is the prisoner, and who is the prison." He said with a grim face
I raised my eyebrow at this.
"Prisoner? Prison? Do tell, because I've no idea what you're talking about gramps."
Other than laughing at my new nickname for him (while all the ANBU seemed shocked at my blatant 'disrespect'.) The Hokage (whom I now know as Sarutobi, Hiruzen) explained to me all about how Minato, the fourth Hokage, had been forced to seal Kyuubi, the nine tailed kitsune demon, into Naruto. Hiruzen had forbid anyone from telling the younger generation about who Naruto really was, and what he had sealed in him. For Naruto's own protection, Naruto was forced to take his mother's last name.
I had managed to find a chair and was currently sitting down, listening to Naruto's horrible life. I felt myself grow angry at all those who saw him as a demon, rather than a poor boy who needed a family.
After the Hokage stopped with his tale, he looked back to me, a pained expression on his face. I gazed back, with determination set in my mind
"Gramps, I want to adopt Naruto as my own." I said in a strong and determined voice
He looked surprised at this, even Kakashi was. Hiruzen looked me over before answering.
"You? You are new to this city, and before now, knew nothing of Naruto's predicament. Why would you want to adopt him as your own?"
My gaze drifted down to Naruto, nestled in my lap. My heart seemed to cry out at his abuse. I knew what it was like to have little to no friends, and a father who wanted nothing to do with me.
"Because. He did nothing to deserve his fate. I do not see a demon when I look at him. I see a poor boy that needs someone to love him in life. I know what's it's like to be alone, to feel like no one is there for you, to have no one to cry on, no one to ask help for. It's bitter, and can destroy a person not strong enough to handle it. He doesn't deserve this. I want to help him. I want to be there for him when he needs me. I want to be able to look at him and say 'I love you. You're my son, and I will always love you.' It's not fair, and I want to make it fair, or at least make it better. He may always have scars from his past, but I want to be here for him, to help him through it."
I still had my eyes locked on Naruto. He looked so peaceful in sleep, nothing like the boy I had encountered, scared to death in an alley. I saw something wet plop on his spiky yellow hair, and I realized I had hot tears dripping down my face. I quickly wiped them away with the back of my hand, feeling a bit foolish to cry in front of everyone. I looked up to see Hiruzen looking at me, a calm and loving expression on his face. He had a small smile, and seemed content at the answer I had given him. I gave him a small sheepish smile of my own.
"Well, other than knowing next to none about you, I'd still say you were the perfect person for Naruto. I have no problems about you adopting Naruto. But we will need to apply for citizenship for you, and have the adoption forums for Naruto."
I let out a small groan at the thought of paperwork.
'Damn you paperwork! You seem to follow me wherever I go!' I thought to myself
Hiruzen, quickly picking up on my disinterest for paperwork, let out a small chuckle.
"Of course though, we will need to wait for Naruto to wake up to decide if he wants to be adopted by you, though I honestly doubt he would refuse such a kind lady. In the meantime, let's get you some place to stay."
I smiled at Hiruzen, thankful for his assistance.