Searing Love

Chapter IV

❂Konoha, Hokage's Office❂

"I really hate paperwork," Tsunade declared as she signed yet another document. "You need to work the hardest you can. The shanobi from the other villages are coming and you don't want to be stuck here doing paperwork throughout the whole exams," Shizune reasoned.

The medical ninja glared at her assistant and sighed. "I know...I just don't think I can face the Kazekage after what the council did to Naruto," she admitted. Shizune frowned, "Don't be like that, Naruto wouldn't want to see you like this," she said softly.

It has been five months since squad eight had arrived back from Suna. That day, Tsunade cried her heart out. The Hokage went into depression for a few weeks, till Jiraiya come and comforted her. The Toad Sage told his teammate that Naruto would have wanted her to continue and be the best Hokage she could be.

Tsunade nodded, "Yeah...I guess you're right," she sighed. Shizune smiled and looked out the window. "It looks like the squads are arriving," she observed. "I know, let's go down and greet them," Tsunade said as she stood up and started to head towards the door.

Shizune sighed, "You need to do your paperwork," she pointed out. "I'll do that later, I want to see what villages really came," the Slug Queen said as she walked out of the door. Shizune shook her head and followed her teacher out.

❂Konoha, Front Gate❂

Once they arrived, Tsunade and Shizune saw that so far the Mist, Stone, and Cloud villages have arrived. "So the only one we're missing is the Sand," Tsunade observed. Shizune nodded, "Not really a surprise. Gaara was really close to Naruto. I'm surprised that he would willingly agree to set foot in the village considering," she confessed.

Tsunade nodded in agreement. "Yeah, keep an eye on Suna ninjas when they get here. I don't think that they will do anything, but you know what they say. Better safe, then sorry," she replied. "Of course, I will have the ANBU watch their movements," Shizune said with a nod. Tsunade nodded and continued watching the other villages flow into the village.

❂A few hours later❂

The two ladies watch for hours as the villages flowed into the Leaf. All the villages, but Suna, have arrived. "Well, I think that's all of them that are going to show up," Shizune said.

"Just another hour, I want to give Suna a little bit more time," Tsunade said. "I'm sorry, Lady Tsunade, but we can't really do that. It would be unfair to the others that have gotten here already," Shizune said. Tsunade sighed, "Fine, close the gates," she muttered.

Shizune nodded and motioned for the gates to be closed. The gate started to close slowly. Just as the gates were about to completely close, they were suddenly thrown open.

"Going to close the doors on the Sand? How rude," a voice sounded. The two ladies looked to see three Genin squads, three Jōnins, Gaara, and seven others in hooded robes and conical straw hats with small ornamental torques and tassels that hid their faces from view.

"Lord Kazekage," Tsunade greeted. "Lady Hokage," Gaara greeted back with a nod. "Gaara, we will head to the hotel while you talk to the Hokage," one of the hooded figures said. Gaara nodded, "Very well, go and get settled," he said.

The figure nodded and motioned for the other six to follow. The six cloaked figure nodded and followed the supposed leader of the group into the village.

Tsunade raised an eyebrow and looked at Gaara questioningly. "It was a very taxing journey for them," the Kazekage answered. Tsunade nodded and watched to seven figures walk away. "Shall we catch up? You know...just talk about stuff?" she asked as she glanced nervously at the Kazekage.