"Hiruzen, what should we do? Our jinchuriki is unsuited for being a ninja and we just lost the Uchiha clan, only one person survived," Danzo said.
Hiruzen sighed and rubbed his temple. In truth he had not expected any of this and was barely forming plans to deal with them. "I can deal with Naruto's problem, she is used to not having an arm by now. It's the eye I'm worried about. As for Sasuke, he will need to be watched and put into counseling to get over this horrible incident."
Danzo nodded, pleased with the answer. "I know this may sound rude and un-moral, but perhaps we could give Naruto the sharingan? LIke Kakashi. As for the boy, I know a great counselor."
Hiruzen glared at his friend and denied his suggestions. "I will not let a sharingan be placed inside that girl. And Sasuke will not be placed under your counsel."
Danzo nodded, "It was worth a shot."
Danzo might not be the best person, but in truth he was necessary to the village. He had his own ninja do some dirty work that Hiruzen did not have the heart in his old age to send his ninja on. That was why he was still allowed to operate, as long as he did not take anyone important or already enrolled into the academy.
"I guess so. No, I have another assignment for you. Collect the eyes of the Uchiha and burn them," Hiruzen said. A cloud of smoke exhaled from his lungs in circles and rose to the ceiling.
Danzo briefly stroked his chin, "How soon?"
"You have a day before burial, any time during that period you can do it."
"I see, I'll get right on it."
A knock on the door stopped any further conversation. Danzo got up and left, a shy secretary walking past him.
"I-I got the paperwork you requested, Lord Hokage," she said. Hiruzen accepted the package and dismissed her with a wave. With a wave of his hand he summoned two ANBU for guards.
"We're going to the hospital for a visit," the aged Hokage said.
"Naruto, if you still want to continue to be a ninja, you will be required to get an apprenticeship under a blacksmith. Sign these papers to accept," Hiruzen said. He hands the papers over to the gaping girl. Next he turned to Sasuke, "And you will need to have therapy sessions, I picked your doctor personally as I did with the blacksmith Naruto will apprentice under." Sasuke received those papers as well.
"Think about it, you do not have to continue being ninja. But if you do so choose, you will have to report to me once a month so I can learn of your progress."
"W-who will I be apprenticed under?" Naruto asked. The young girl's concern was of the hate people usually sent her way. And her distrust of people, that seemed to be growing from her latest encounter.
Hiruzen's face softened. "Her name is Toki, she is a foreigner who can be trusted. Of course, you will have to get to know her yourself. Any more questions?" the third Hokage said.
"Yeah, why are we in the same room together?" Sasuke asked. The grumpy way he said that had Hiruzen smiling.
"Yeah, why put me in the same room as that show off?" Naruto exclaimed, teaming up with Sasuke accidently.
Hiruzen only chuckled. Any answer they tried to get out of him on the subject was waved away. Eventually they dropped it.
The aged man went back to his mansion while the two sat in silence. For these two, the decision was a no brainer. They would reap many more benefits from this than they would from not signing it. Yet, both hesitated.
Naruto did not know if she wanted to work for and protect the people who tortured her. There were those that didn't, but were they even worth the effort? Yes they are worth it, because eventually they will have to acknowledge her as their Hokage. That would throw what she suffered into their faces. A pen met paper and her name was signed.
Sasuke did the same. The Uchiha caught her gaze. She huffed and turned away. Her blue eyes caught the sight of birds flying by her window and focus on that.
"Annoying," she mumbled.
"I didn't know you liked forging."
"Maybe you would have if you stopped looking down on me and ignoring me every chance you had."
"I-I didn't look at it like that… well, my clan taught that Uchiha were the best- I truly did not care about anyone outside my clan. Now I'm alone, no friends or family."
Naruto, loud mouth she sometimes was, became speechless as Sasuke talked.
"Maybe-Maybe we could become friends?"
Naruto hesitated just for a moment. She thought back on all the mean things Sasuke has done or said. Even accounting for all of it, she could not find a reason to deny him at least the chance.
Naruto frowned and replied, "As long as you promise not to be mean!"
When the two were released there was an obvious difference between them. They actually talk, and like best friends to boot.
Sasuke's mind had been taken off of the massacre momentarily.
Naruto had gotten used to her new sight. Plus she has a cool ass eye patch now.
Both set off to their separate appointments as per their deal with the Hokage. The blonde girl had instructions in hand while carrying a bag filled with tools over her shoulder. The tools had been stolen or found. Nobody would miss them.
She looked around in awe as she entered the forgery. All the tools and desks were arranged neatly and with a glance she knew that it would be easy to learn the layout.
"Hello? You must be Naruto, my new apprentice!" The woman talking was tall, with brown eyes and dark brown hair. Over the bridge of her nose was soot, perhaps from wiping away sweat while forging. She also had a small accent, from where, Naruto did not know.
"Yes, thank you so much. Please take care of me." Naruto said, a healthy blush dusted her cheeks.
"There's no need to be so nervous," she said, "Let me introduce myself, I am Toki Yuki."
"No fair, that's such a cool name. Mine only means fishcake."
Toki chuckled and gesture with a hand. "Come, I'll introduce you to my assistant."
Naruto nodded and followed the older woman to a back room. There was a man leaning back in a chair pouring water over his face.
He grinned and sat up. "So this is that new apprentice we were forced-Ouch! Why'd ya do that?"
"Don't be rude. She's just a little girl. Now be nice and introduce yourself," Toki said.
"Now be nice and introduce yourself," he mumbled to himself, then he straightened and louder he spoke, "Hi, I'm Kira Yuki. Welcome to the Leaf Steel Forge. Ow! What did I do that time!"
"Don't be so dismissive of our forge!"
At this point Naruto knew they were married. It was nice; it was so nice it made her laugh. She missed the smiles they both sent her way.
The rest of the day was spent orienting Naruto with the shop and getting to know each other. It was the two adults whom carried on most of the conversation, asking many questions, Naruto answered the questions but didn't really know what to ask.
That night, when she got home, there was a letter on her night stand. It didn't say whom it was from. It was merely labeled 'Suffer.'
She didn't even bother opening it, instead she placed it in the toilet and flushed. She had a great day today, she wouldn't let some stranger ruin it. And on that note she went to make sure her door handle still locked, it does. She never forgets to lock it.
The last bit was forced, as was most of this chapter. I could barely put this together, even when I worked up the effort to put into it. I had no drive to write for the past few months, and I apologize. That said the next chapter might be forced, but I'll try my best and get it out as soon as possible.
Enough with my excuses now. I thank all who read this story, and those who have reviewed, favorited, and/or followed. If you have still bothered to stick around, thank you.
There was a review that actually hit pretty close to home on what I was planning. Now I use planning loosely because I was really only thinking about it and how cool it would look. Anyways, sorry for not answering over PM, as I said I've been lazy lately.