The Hokage Compound

POV Hokage Hiruzen Sarutobi

Hiruzen finally entered his home after yet another long day at work, going through mountains of mostly useless paperwork, yet another report of Naruto annoying shinobi and dealing with mission reports.
Now though he had some exciting news for a certain 5 year old.

"Ruka-san, I'm home!" he shouted through the seemingly empty apartment when suddenly he found a small girl attached to his leg, not yet tall enough to hug any higher.

"Jiji, you're back!" she squealed with delight.

Ruka was often lonely in the accommodation with only her tutors and cook during the day and all of them called her 'The Honorable Daughter' for some reason. Only Hiruzen called her by her real name. She didn't even know what they meant when they called her that and no one would tell her why they called her that.

Ruka had never left the Hokage's compound, she wasn't allowed and was watched 24/7 to make sure she didn't, but that didn't mean she hadn't tried. In the end they had to distract her with intense training and the occasional cooking lesson.

But all her tutors had found out Ruka was a hard worker, which would be good for her at the Academy, unless she got bored. Then she would either fall asleep or play a prank. They found that out the hard way.

"How has you're training been going?" Hiruzen smiled at the child as he picked the child up.

"Great! I can throw shuriken in a straight line downwards and sideways now!" She grinned proudly. So did Hiruzen. Ruka would be far ahead of the other children at the Academy. Hiruzen also thought how Ruka had the same ability to pick things up as her parents.

"Well that's good." He said casually. "Because the new Academy year starts tomorrow and I've put you in the class."

Ruka stared up at him for a moment before practically bouncing in his arms. "I'm going to leave the compound!"

Hiruzen laughed at her excitement. "Yes, you will but, I've assigned a Jonin to be your Guardian at all times outside the compound. You've never been outside of the compound before and you're not even a Genin yet. Also, as the Honorable Daughter you could have a target on you're back as soon as people find out you exist."

Ruka didn't know of her high heritage yet but she would soon learn. Everyone would either falsely try to be her friend or try to kill her.

Hiruzen was well aware Naruto and several clan heirs would also be starting this year so things could get rough. Then again, they may think nothing of it.

However, he had warned her very surprised sensei that both Ruka and Naruto would be starting so this was some situation he was stuck in.

"Who's going to be my Guardian Hiruzen?" Ruka hoped it wasn't someone she didn't like.

"Hn? Oh, Ibiki."

Ruka scowled and began to whine. "But I don't like Ibiki."

Hiruzen sighed and rolled his eyes. It wouldn't do for the two to be constantly arguing for the next few years. He gave in. Kakashi was in the village at the moment and he would accept a mission to protect a very high or respectable person, however old.

Although at first Kakashi had found it hard being around Ruka after his sensei's death they had eventually made friends, Ruka was just to cute and swayed him in her favour.

Perhaps he could persuade the teenager to take her on. He would have to forgo the ANBU uniform but that could be arranged. Ruka was almost as high profile as he was so it wasn't like he was leaving ANBU, although he might have to explain that. He would assume he was fired.

"Alright, I'll get Kakashi to do it." He said, hoping he wouldn't regret this.

Ruka put her arms up and screamed in Hiruzen's ear. "Yay! Thank you Jiji, dattebye!"

Hiruzen put her down. "Alright, alright. Let's have dinner and you can go to bed. You have to be up early for the Academy. I won't be ready to help you so Kakashi will help you get everything ready before you go." He said.

After Ruka was definitely asleep this time Hiruzen sent for Kakashi to meet him in his home study, it didn't take long for the skilled shinobi to arrive.

"Hokage-sama" Kakashi bowed respectfully. Hiruzen waved for him to sit down.

"Ruka-san will be starting at the Academy tomorrow, I want you to be her Guardian while she's outside the compound. I would also appreciate it if you could help her get ready for the Academy. As you know she will have unique clothing that will make her a target. She knows how to put it on, she's been training in it, she just won't think of it for the Academy. She also won't know that she has to take her first books or shuriken set so you'll need to pack everything for her before you leave."

"Hn? You want me to take care of Ruka-san?" It wasn't often Kakashi was surprised but this took the kunai.

"You aren't being taken from you're ANBU status but I can't have anyone seeing Ruka-san followed by an ANBU. Ruka-san trusts you and you get along well. Ibiki-san is the only other person available and they argue like the worlds ending.

Kakashi nodded slowly before agreeing to take this unique responsibility.

"I've notified Iruka she will be coming and that you will be coming to, except it's still his job to intervene unless it is absolutely necessary for you to take over. Please try to stay in the shadows while Ruka-san is in class. I need her to have as normal an Academy experience as possible. And remember, this is a long term mission."

"Hai, Hokage-sama. I will be back in the morning."

In the meantime, Ibiki-san was happy to be let off this time.