Road to Hokage: Save the Hyuga Clan

Today's Agenda

Shikamaru sat on the couch in the Hokage's office. In one hand, he held a folder with Lord Sixth's schedule for the day, and the other hand he held a cup of coffee. He only recently started drinking it in hopes of slowing down on his smoking habit.

Lord Sixth's day was busy which meant his day would be busy. Plus Naruto was scheduled to appear with Lord Sixth today at the hospital. He looked at the time. Naruto better not be late today, he thought to himself.

Kakashi walked into the office with Tsunade trailing behind him. No drinking today, Shikamaru noted.

"Is Naruto here yet?" Tsunade asked looking around. Shikamaru shook his head "no" without taking his eyes off the schedule in his hand.

"He's not late....yet," Kakashi said. He adjusted his Hokage cape. The matching hat sat on the desk leaving his silver almost white hair exposed.

Suddenly, the door flew open hitting the wall behind it and causing the third Hokage's picture to fall off the wall. Shikamaru rushed to grab it off the floor, noticing the glass was cracked now. He sighed and placed it on the nearby bookshelf. 

"I'm here, Kakashi Sensei!" An out of breath Naruto announced. "And I'm not late."

" I see," Kakashi smiled, grabbing his hat.

He gestured towards Shikamaru to begin discussing the agenda.

"Lord Sixth, you have a meeting with the jonin commander this morning. This afternoon, you and Naruto will meet with Lady Tsunade for an appearance at the hospital." Shikamaru started. "Naruto, there are several war orphans who wish to meet you. So ... Naruto, are you listening?"

Naruto had his eyes closed and head bowed almost as if he was in prayer. "Orphans?" He asked softly. "Asked to meet me?"

"Yes," Tsunade said. "Sakura organized a campaign to grant each child a wish. Most asked for toys or new clothes. Different citizens were able to sponsor a child and grant their wishes. Several children wanted to meet you. Lord Hokage is sponsoring those children today and having you accompany him. "

Naruto felt overwhelmed and humbled at this. He knew what it was like to be alone and wish for things with all your might. Growing up alone and rejected by the village, the dream he wished for the most, even before becoming Hokage, was knowing his parents and being accepted.

"Naruto?" Shikamaru asked, he was slightly disturbed at how solemn Naruto looked. This expression seemed so out of place on his face.

"Sorry, I guessed I zoned you out for a minute, " the blonde recovered with a big grin while scratching his head.

"Are you up to this?" Shikamaru asked, raising one eyebrow.

"I can't be the reason they are disappointed," Naruto answered. "Yeah, I couldn't live with myself if I don't honor their precious wishes."

"Good. Lord Sixth and Lady Tsunade will go to the hospital earlier in the afternoon to take visit some of the other patients and medical ninja. The Anbu will escort us later in the afternoon until then we—-"

"NANI," Naruto exclaimed, recoiling at Shikamaru. " The Anbu? Anybody but those guys!"

"Naruto," Shikamaru groaned.

" They are creepy." Naruto shivered. " They never talk and those masks - tch." Shikamaru rubbed the space between his eyebrows.

Naruto, the Anbu are not that bad. They are like any other ninja in the village." Kakashi said placing his Hokage hat over his hair. "Yamato and Sai were both in the Anbus at one point."

Naruto deadpanned. "Yamato was definitely creepy. Sai is Sai. I don't see why Shikamaru and I just can't go by ourselves. No one is going mess with us, anyway". Naruto absently fiddled with the tape around his right thumb. Tsunade joined him on the couch and slapped his hand away from the tape.

"Don't pull that. There won't be enough time to fix it if you pull it off. Naruto, the anbu is a precaution- not because you aren't strong enough. You have high visibility in the village now. People recognize you everywhere you go now. Remember the time you thought you had enough time to stop for ramen before the last week's meeting with the elders?" Tsunade reminded him. 

Naruto cringed at the memory. The fangirls. They mobbed him at Ichiraku. Luckily, Shikamaru and Choji were close enough to help. He made it back to the Hokage office... minus a shoe and his left sleeve. Not the best first impression with the elders.

"Right," Kakashi agreed. " Naruto, the Anbu will make sure you get to the hospital in time for this afternoon. Also, this keeps you from having to run or address any admirers yourself."

"Okay..." Naruto agreed. I guess I rather deal with the Anbu ..., he thought, the fangirls are vicious. "What about this morning? What I do until then?"

Kakashi turned slightly red as he grinned under his mask. His eyes crinkled and he let out a small laugh.

"Just an errand with Shikamaru."  He said with a wave of his hand. " Lady Tsunade, we should get going." The two rose from their seats and hurried out of the office. Naruto scratched his head in confusion. He turned to Shikamaru.

"What's that about?" Naruto asked. " Kakashi was acting weird. What does he want us to do?"

Shikamaru sighed and picked up a medium-size cardboard box. " Pick up that box on the desk, would you? I'll explain on the way to the library."