A male medic?... Are you sure?

Chapter 4

The rest of the week flew by. I stayed at home from kindergarten to not make Naruto not feel so alone at home. I tried to teach Naruto how to read to the best of my abilities. But I am not my mother. I didn't have the vocabulary to teach someone else how to read. However, I did know the phonetic alphabets, so I was able to teach those to Naruto. Naruto was fascinated when she saw me training hard. Or at least as hard my toddler body allowed me to. She asked me why I was trying so hard. And I couldn't give her a satisfying answer other than that I wanted to become a ninja, and mom wouldn't have let me if I didn't at least try to make it back to her. "So that is why I am doing everything I can before starting the academy," I said. She looked like she was debating with herself about what I had just said. Then she hit her hand into her open palm and said: "I understand it now!". After that, she joined me in my training. Of course, it wasn't fair with her insane chakra and stamina. She ran circles around me and lasted longer as well. Totally unfair if you ask me...

It was getting closer to the end of the week, and the Hokage had not shown up yet. Naruto is getting fidgety. Mom spent as much time as she could with her. Then in the evening on Sunday, an insistent but gentle knock on the door. Dad was the one who opened the door. I could hear the hushed conversation between the guest and my father from the living room. I looked up from my book. Mom kissed my and Naruto's forehead when she walked by me to greet our guest. Naruto tried to hide in case the guest was hostile toward her presence. I give her a stern glare, and she shrinks under my glare. 'We won't let you get in danger,' I tried to convey with my eyes, but it seemed to go over her head. I sigh. "Naruto, mom wouldn't let anyone who would harm you into the home," I say with an eye roll. Naruto blushed. She sat down next to me after a few moments of indecision.

Finally, mom came back, and she sat down next to Naruto. She placed a hand on her head and pulled her into a side hug. Naruto had gotten used to mom's physical affection and basked in the closeness she rarely had before. Dad walked in and sat down next to me. "It is good to see that you are showing so much love for someone outside your family," The aged voice of the Hokage says. You could hear the smile in his voice. He moved gracefully and quietly across the room and sat down on the other side of the table. His warm smile was still plastered on his face. Mom let go of Naruto. "Of course. Naruto is just a child. She needs positive attention. Just like our son," Mom says with a respectful tone. "I see... If only more people share your philosophy," The Hokage says with a sigh. A few seconds pass of awkward silence. At least it felt awkward to my four-year-old senses. "Be that as it may, it is not why I am here. Miei-chan raised an untenable situation to me and my office," He continues as he gestures to my mother.

"I would have liked to have fixed this situation then and there but as I said then, a pressing situation arose earlier that day," He adds. "I apologise for delaying this meeting and straining your family's financial situation," He finishes with a deep bow from his sitting position. Mom and dad share a look for a few seconds. It looked like they were having a silent conversation. "Raise your head. The Hokage should not bow his head so readily to anyone," Dad says after breaking the eye contact he had with mom. "And besides, having Naruto here was more than delightful," Mom adds with a serene smile.

The aged Hokage raises his head with a slight smile on his face. "I see... Naruto is really lucky to have fallen into the hands of such a kind family," He says. Naruto fidgeted slightly, and mom placed her soft hands on her head again. "Any child is more than welcome to stay here should they need it. Is what I like to have said, but as you mentioned, our financial situation would not allow for that," Mom says with a strained smile. "I understand. You have already done konoha a great favour," Hiruzen says and gives mom an easy smile. Mom nods, accepting the praise.

"That is not the reason why I am here though. Naruto needs to find a permanent home. Due to her circumstances my council will not allow her to stay here indefinitely," the Hokage starts the real meeting. Mom looked like she wanted to protest, but a slightly pained look from the aged man stopped her in her tracks. "I agree that she should stay here. Not just for her loneliness but her continued development. I am not saying you need to cut all contact with her but she will need to stay in another house. She will be given a monthly stipend for rent and food," he explains his suggestion. "Please be frugal with your stipend," he adds as he looks at the young girl. She had her shoulders slumped and looked down at the floor. She looked smaller than she had ever had before. Mom placed an arm around the small girl and whispered in her ear. She immediately straightened her posture but still looked down at the floor. "Can you acompany her to the hokage tower tomorrow? I'll give her the keys and tell her where the apartment is then," Hiruzen asks my mother. She nods.