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Illusions
January 1964 - The Wind-Up

December whirled by in a dizzying blur of glitz and gin and that would have swallowed Naruto whole had his friends not insisted on seeing him as often as they did. (And, in Sakura's case, making sure his refrigerator had food in it, and that apartment wasn't a health hazard.)

Before anyone could blink, the newspaper announced the arrival of 1964, and an ordinary Wednesday was transformed by the mesmerizing glamor of new beginnings, resolutions, and hope. That same week, a massive snowstorm rocked the southeast United States, but the Konoha Chronicle declared that Hanabi Hyūga, remained unaffected, and en route to Konoha from NYC.

The same morning those headlines landed on doorstops all over the Land of Fire - the telegrams from Shino Aburame arrived.

'The Hyūga Council has made its selections. Please reserve a timeslot to review your individual reports. Appointments available M-F Jan 6-17 9a-4p at the Konoha Waldorf. Details to follow.'

Konohamaru was at his Grandfather's when his telegram came, and he just managed to get a hold of Naruto before the barrage of calls began.

The phone was ringing as Naruto walked in, and he nodded to where Master Sarutobi sighed before answering.

"Been lots of calls?"

"Nonstop," Konohamaru snorted, closing the door behind him. "Since this morning. He made me sit and listen to a few of them when he needed a break. Lots of 'mm-hm,' and 'I see,' and 'well, I am sure we will know more shortly.'"

"What does all of this mean?" Naruto nodded to the Professor who gave a small wave as they disappeared into the kitchen. Konohamaru took the telegram from the refrigerator and handed it to Naruto.

"It means," he reached for the whistling kettle and his grandfather's trusty mug, "everyone that was playing nice to Shino and his crew now has to go to him, on his borrowed turf, and see if they made the team or got cut."

"Ouch," Naruto winced. "Doesn't sound like a good time."

"Are you kidding?" Konohamaru laughed. "This is the best! Everyone has their shorts in a knot because of what this guy might or might not say – and they have to sweat it out for a week!"

"If you say so," Naruto shrugged, putting the telegram back on the 'fridge as Konohamaru finished with the tea.

"Here, Gramps," he offered the mug just as the old man hung up the phone. "Thought you might need this."

"Thank you," he sighed, clearing his throat. "It has been a while since I had to speak so much before lunch."

He had just taken a sip when the phone rang again. The professor muffled a sigh and looked hopefully to Konohamaru.

"Naruto's turn," he shrugged, and both men looked over to him.

"Fine," he rolled his eyes, perching on the arm of the chair and reaching for the phone, "but just because I feel sorry for you, Old Man. Sarutobi residence." He paused to listen. "An international call?" he looked at the old man, who nodded. "Put it through."

There were a few seconds where the operator was patching the call through, before a gentle voice said. "Is this the Sarutobi residence?"

"It is," Naruto continued to watch the professor. "May I ask who is calling?"

"Forgive me," the speaker was flustered. "This is Satō Hi… Hinata Satō, calling at the request of Mr. Aburame."

"Ms. Satō!" he smiled. "This is Naruto Uzumaki."

"How nice to speak with you, Officer Uzumaki."

"Just Naruto is fine," he laughed. "The Professor just showed me Mr. Aburame's telegram. I guess you're all on your way back to Konoha?"

"We will be soon," she admitted. "That is partly why I need to speak with Mr. Sarutobi."

"Well he's," Naruto looked over to the Professor who carefully put down his tea and held out his hand. "He's right here. Good talking to you, Ms. Satō. See you soon – oh! And Gambunta says 'hi,'"

Her laugh was light over the line. "Please tell him 'hello,' from me, as well."

"Will do. Take care, Ms. Satō"

"And you, Officer Uzumaki."

Naruto smiled as he handed over the receiver.

Professor Sarutobi chuckled and greeted Ms. Satō, soon switching from speaking English – the general neutral language of the Land of Fire – to Japanese. At the end of the call, he hung up, and looked to both of them.

"Ms. Satō was clearing up the next few steps of their arrival," he said easily. "There will be a reception on the 25th for all of those who participated in the evaluations, as well as to announce which pieces will be included, and the overall schedule of the exhibition."

"How long will it be here?" Konohamaru leaned back on the couch.

"Through August," The professor picked his tea back up. "But you don't know that yet."

"Fair," Konohamaru shrugged, but was internally excited. By his calculations, that gave six months that Hanabi Hyūga was likely to be in Konoha, and he was technically assigned to run into her.

"The installation itself takes time," Professor Sarutobi said, considering. "I understand from my friend at the Museum that it will take at least a month to get everything in and stored properly, and there will be several pieces rotated throughout the time here."

"Why?" Naruto frowned. "Why not just put everything out?"

"You can't keep certain items under direct lights for too many months," he explained. "Paper, silks, weaponry - Ms. Satō is in charge of rotating the items as needed."

"Huh," Naruto rubbed the back of his neck. "I figured she'd just be around answering questions and giving tours or something,"

"She will do that as well," he smiled into his cup. "Several of us have already volunteered to offer tours or lectures, but she will be the main person coordinating all of it."

"A lecture?" Naruto blinked twice. "Ms. Satō?"

"She is quite knowledgeable."

"Oh, no, I get that – it just doesn't seem like her thing."

"Ms. Satō is full of surprises," the Professor nodded to the phone. "Speaking of, I hear Hanabi will be in Konoha soon, and has already been in touch with several people who are hoping to be included in the exhibition. I suspect her recent travels have not been solely for the tabloids."

"You mean there are people here that believe her," Naruto's eyebrows shot to his hairline. "Someone other than this guy?" he jerked a thumb at Konohamaru.

"There are," Hiruzen ignored his grandson's protests. "Some who truly believe her claims, and others that are willing to use her influence if necessary."

"That sounds serious," Naruto blinked. "Is this something the Captain is aware of?"

"To an extent," he shifted in his chair. "What you must understand, my boy, is that there are many forces at play here, from a variety of levels. While I do not suspect Hanabi of much more than being someone other than she claims to be, there are others who would use her regardless of if they believe her or not. It would do us well to know her and her motivations better."

"Looks like you'll get your wish, Casanova," Naruto nudged Konohamaru. "And all for the sake of national security."

"Hey," Konohamaru rubbed his ribs. "Joke all you want, but I'm aware that my job has more to it than hanging around Hanabi. There have always been plenty of people after the Hyūga's family and property. Innocent or not, she could really get hurt."

"I suppose that is true," Naruto relented. "Makes it even more curious why she would go to through the trouble of this charade."

"Money and fame are powerful motivators," Hiruzen mused, sitting back in his chair.

"Not you too, Gramps," Konohamaru sighed.

"On the contrary," his grandfather smiled wistfully. "I would love to believe that the girl I met so very long ago had survived that terrible wreck, and was still in this world. But that is merely the whim of an old man with a romantic heart." He looked to his grandson pointedly. "You have to differentiate between what your heart, head, and gut tell you. Each can be misled."

"Fine, fine," Konohamaru waved off the thickening atmosphere. "What I'm really concerned with now is who has to answer the phone next."

Master Sarutobi reached over and took the phone off the receiver.

"Now we're talkin'," Konohamaru grinned. "Is there any pie left?"

"Help yourself," he waved over his shoulder.

Konohamaru bounded off for the kitchen, leaving his partner and his grandfather to shake their heads. "Well," Hiruzen stood with a sigh and a playful gleam in his eyes. "We'd better make sure there is enough to go around. And since my grandson will finish first – he can have the first shift after our break."

Naruto grinned.

"I like how you think!"

*Clarification:

Hiruzen Sarutobi had a longstanding career as an Ambassador and diplomat. He is still involved in international affairs, primarily on a consulting basis. He is a professor at Konoha University, specializing in international issues/affairs. He is referred to by a variety of titles, depending on the character, and how tired I am when editing.