Fear Is Not The End Of This

Chapter one

I DO NOT OWN NARUTO or any of its characters, they belong to the wonderful Masashi Kishimoto

       Fear Will Not Be The End Of This

                           Chapter one

        

Click click click...click click click....both Flesh and prosthetic fingers stop and hover over worn keys as a deep sigh escapes the owners mouth.  A resounding creak fills the quiet room when a tired weight sinks back into a well used office chair, placing Naruto's head in the direct path of sunlight glaring through the open window, basking him in a warmth that only makes him more lethargic.  Another long sigh. 

"You're beginning to sound like Shikamaru.."

A cerulean orb peaks out of a single heavy lid at its intruder. A silver crow. Leaf headband no longer secured over one eye, characteristic mask concealing his mysterious lower face, and very uncharacteristic comfortable garb draping a hard, lithe body still capable of exerting the power of a man half his age.

"Should a retired Hokage be hopping through a high window unannounced ? It doesn't seem very professional."  With a small chuckle and shake of his head Kakashi leaps gracefully to the floor, stepping the short distance to the desk to perch on the ledge facing Konoha's current Hokage, whom has both eyes closed again.  "For as long as it continues to be the quicker route, I shall continue to take it... Hokage-sama."

Naruto forces out a chuckle himself and sits up straight, spine popping, to run his real hand through golden locks at a length more reminiscent of his teenage years, the other hand reaching forward to shut the computer down.  The scarecrow leans over to tap the top of it with a long slender finger, "all done?"

"Not quite. I stopped because I couldn't remember how to spell eloquent, or if I was even using it in the right context and now I just don't care at the moment. I'll finish it first thing tomorrow.  Shall we?" Naruto sweeps a hand towards the front of the office, "you are coming with us still, right ? You promised Himawari."  Kakashi simply nods as they stand in unison and head out the door together but he glances back at the stacks of reports and scrolls, "I don't miss this job."

Laughing, Naruto shakes his head. "It never really suited you...but you were a great Hokage, none the less."

A crinkle of one visible eye lined with crows feet is the only sign of a smile on the older mans face. "Of  course I was. I am amazing at everything, Naruto-kun."

"Hai, hai."

The sixth and seventh exit the building together returning greetings in passing to various civilians and fellow ninja, heading in the direction of the Uzumaki household.  After fifteen minutes of companionable silence they reach their destination and enter, only for Naruto to be immediately bombarded by an adorable dark haired girl on a rampage. 

       Clinging to the front his shirt, Himawari looks up from the height of his waist with watery eyes, the apples of her cheeks red with frustration. "Papa! Boruto-Baka ruined it! Momma's favourite dish..." She lowers her head as her voice starts to wobble, trying to hold back her tears. "It'll take me hours to make it again and we're supposed to leave soon." Boruto comes stomping down the hall as their father starts to pat her head, mouth open and ready to holler out his defence when he notices the former Hokage standing beside Naruto, an amused expression on his face. 

"Rokudaime-sama!" Boruto exclaims with a quick bow in Kakashi's direction. He nods in return and Himawari peaks out from where she's  buried her face in Naruto's shirt, fixing her older brother with a glare identical to the one  her mother reserved only for her greatest enemies.