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Author's Note:
A young boy around the age of twelve opened the door and walked into Naruto and Hinata's room. He was still wearing his dirty shoes and his hands were covered in dirt. He has black hair, nice and straight at the front but as his hair progresses backwards it steadily becomes messier and messier. His headband looks worn out and old, it covers his straight fringe but some of his hair peaks out from underneath the headband lying in between both his eyes. He wears a grey hoodie with black stripes running down the arms and dark blue three quarter length shorts with the usual white bandages wrapped around his right thigh with the extra kunai holder attached. Lastly the normal blue shoes on his feet blending with the dark colour of the dirt. He sneakily tip toed over to his parent's bed and jumped on top of them both.
Minato: Wake up! Wake up! My exam's today! You need to be up early Dad!
Hinata: Son, would you please get up off of your father and I.
Minato: Sure, sure. Sorry, Mum.
Minato rolled off the bed and onto the floor jumping up with a big grin on his face. Hinata sat up in the bed and rubbed her eyes.
Hinata: Naruto... Naruto... Are you?
She rolled him over and he was sound asleep, breathing in and out peacefully, the bubble protruding from his nose growing and decreasing in size with every breath. Hinata smiled at him and then gently shook him awake.
Naruto: Ma... put down the rolling pin... Don't get too mad...
Awakening from his dream with some extra thoughts Naruto saw both his son and his wife smiling at him. This is what gave him the will to get up today.
Hinata: What are you doing up so early, Minato? It must be, around eight in the morning right now. And why are your shoes dirty?
Minato: I woke up at around six and couldn't sleep so I decided to go out for a jog to prepare for today.
Naruto: That's what I'd expect out of you, now remember the chunin exam isn't going to be a walk in the park.
Minato: I know Dad, but I know I'm going to pass. So no worries.
Naruto gave his son a trusting nod and got out of bed walking over to his closet.
Naruto: Right, go away now. Me and your Mother have to get changed.
Hinata: I'll come down and make you some breakfast in a minute, Minato.
Minato: Alright, thanks Mum.
Minato walked out of his parent's room with his hands clasped behind his head and down the stairs to the kitchen. Naruto opened up the closet, took off his white shirt and dropped it on the ground. He then unhooked his undershirt and pulled it on. He grabbed his orange jacket and trousers, putting those on as well, then he grabbed his shoes and chunin jacket. Naruto walked over to his bed and sat down putting his shoes and jacket on. He looked across at his bedside table at the picture of him, Hinata and Minato at the park when Minato was very young. His eyes lingered downward to his drawer which he opened and retrieved his head band from. Naruto sighed and then looked around at Hinata who was already dressed in a long light purple dress. They both walked down the stairs together. Naruto sat down with Minato at the kitchen table as Hinata made breakfast for them both.
The bright sun shone down on both Minato and Naruto as they walked toward the Hokage's Mansion.
Minato: Hey Dad?
Naruto: Yeah, son?
Minato: How is that woman with the pink hair doing?
Naruto: Sakura... I don't know son, the only time I see her is when she comes to me looking for a mission and even then the conversation is limited. I'm always worried about her.
Minato: Have you tried going to see her?
Naruto: I've been trying every other week for a long time now but there's always been no answer. I really don't want to talk about this son. Why are you asking anyway?
Minato: I dunno, you just haven't been the same since... doesn't matter.
There was a thick silence between Father and Son for the rest of the journey. Naruto grasped the handle of his office door and walked in being greeted by his two advisers, the two men he trusts the most in the world, Kakashi-Sensei and Shikamaru. Kakashi was sitting in Naruto's chair finishing up some paper work Naruto had left behind the night before.
Kakashi: Oh, Naruto you're actually early. This morning's filled with miracles. You're early and Shikamaru's earlier than you.
Minato snickered under his breath.
Kakashi: Your earliness must be Minato's work.
Minato put his hands behind his head and smiled proudly.
Minato: That's right, Kakashi-Sensei!
Naruto: Okay Minato go and do some more exercise now for the exam later. I need to talk to these two in private now.
Minato: Alright, Dad.
Minato turned around and left the office. Naruto walked over to his desk as Kakashi got up out of the seat, Naruto sat down in it.
Naruto: So what's the weekly report look like from the other villages?
Shikamaru yawned loudly as he walked across from the other side of the room to the window sill.
Shikamaru: Suna's fine, Gaara should be here within the hour. Kumo's fine, the Raikage should also be here within the hour. Iwa's fine but we received some unusual news from the Mist...
Kakashi: A large amount of their shinobi have gone missing in the last few days. They've launched investigations into the matter but now they're very low on shinobi that can actually protect the village. So they've requested that we send some of our own so as to increase their military well being. They've become a vulnerable target, especially after losing some of their strongest.
Naruto: How many can we spare during the chunin exams?
Kakashi: I'm not sure without any calculations...
Shikamaru: We need at least half of our military force so as to not get in the same situation they're in and then more because of the chunin exams. The Raikage and the Kazekage are coming here, nothing can happen to them or their villagers while they're visiting.
Naruto: You act as if there's some sort of threat to them, Shikamaru
Shikamaru: We can't be too careful after what's happened to Kirigakure. We have to cover every possibility. By my calculations we can spare just under a quarter of our forces for them but first and foremost we need someone who'll lead them.
Three knocks were then heard on the door and the three men's head's were drawn to attention.
Naruto: Come in.
The door opened and Sakura stepped into the room closing the door after her, she was wearing her normal ninja uniform with the chunin jacket on.
Sakura: Shikamaru, Kakshi-sensei... Hokage sama. Any new missions, I don't care about the rank, anything will do.
All three of them looked at her with concerned faces. Naruto sighed.
Naruto: Yes, I have one. I haven't gotten the assignment written up just yet but...
Shikamaru threw Naruto an ink bottle. Naruto caught it while looking for a piece of paper and took out his brush. He then started to write a brief note to the Mizukage on it then sealing it in an envelope.
Naruto: Here...
He held up the letter and Sakura walked across the room to his desk plucking it from his grasp.
Naruto: You'll be headed to Kirigakure with a quarter of our forces to help defend their village...
Sakura: Defend from what?
Naruto: That's the golden question we all want to know the answer to. Kiri is looking into it. While you're there you're under orders of the Mizukage. I'm sure she'll treat you well. I'll leave it to you to gather up the force, I trust your judgement, leave as soon as possible.
Sakura: Alright...
Sakura turned on her heels and walked towards the door again.
Naruto: Sakura, stay safe.
She stopped for a moment as her hand wrapped around the door handle, then a few seconds later she left the room.
Kakashi: You sure about this Naruto?
Naruto: Yeah, the way she is now. She'll be able to handle herself.
Shikamaru: The way she is now... Is that a good thing or a bad thing.
Naruto: * I dunno anymore *
Five swift knocks on the door were heard and a Leaf ninja entered.
Leaf Ninja: Hokage sama the Raikage and Kazekage have arrived.
Naruto: Great! B and Gaara! It's been too long.
Kakashi: And A, Naruto.
Naruto: Oh right, him too.
Naruto faintly smiled and rubbed the back of his head.
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Author's Note:
Any writing in between this symbol '*' means the character is thinking it.
Preparation and the Mist
A young boy around the age of twelve opened the door and walked into Naruto and Hinata's room. He was still wearing his dirty shoes and his hands were covered in dirt. He has black hair, nice and straight at the front but as his hair progresses backwards it steadily becomes messier and messier. His headband looks worn out and old, it covers his straight fringe but some of his hair peaks out from underneath the headband lying in between both his eyes. He wears a grey hoodie with black stripes running down the arms and dark blue three quarter length shorts with the usual white bandages wrapped around his right thigh with the extra kunai holder attached. Lastly the normal blue shoes on his feet blending with the dark colour of the dirt. He sneakily tip toed over to his parent's bed and jumped on top of them both.
Minato: Wake up! Wake up! My exam's today! You need to be up early Dad!
Hinata: Son, would you please get up off of your father and I.
Minato: Sure, sure. Sorry, Mum.
Minato rolled off the bed and onto the floor jumping up with a big grin on his face. Hinata sat up in the bed and rubbed her eyes.
Hinata: Naruto... Naruto... Are you?
She rolled him over and he was sound asleep, breathing in and out peacefully, the bubble protruding from his nose growing and decreasing in size with every breath. Hinata smiled at him and then gently shook him awake.
Naruto: Ma... put down the rolling pin... Don't get too mad...
Awakening from his dream with some extra thoughts Naruto saw both his son and his wife smiling at him. This is what gave him the will to get up today.
Hinata: What are you doing up so early, Minato? It must be, around eight in the morning right now. And why are your shoes dirty?
Minato: I woke up at around six and couldn't sleep so I decided to go out for a jog to prepare for today.
Naruto: That's what I'd expect out of you, now remember the chunin exam isn't going to be a walk in the park.
Minato: I know Dad, but I know I'm going to pass. So no worries.
Naruto gave his son a trusting nod and got out of bed walking over to his closet.
Naruto: Right, go away now. Me and your Mother have to get changed.
Hinata: I'll come down and make you some breakfast in a minute, Minato.
Minato: Alright, thanks Mum.
Minato walked out of his parent's room with his hands clasped behind his head and down the stairs to the kitchen. Naruto opened up the closet, took off his white shirt and dropped it on the ground. He then unhooked his undershirt and pulled it on. He grabbed his orange jacket and trousers, putting those on as well, then he grabbed his shoes and chunin jacket. Naruto walked over to his bed and sat down putting his shoes and jacket on. He looked across at his bedside table at the picture of him, Hinata and Minato at the park when Minato was very young. His eyes lingered downward to his drawer which he opened and retrieved his head band from. Naruto sighed and then looked around at Hinata who was already dressed in a long light purple dress. They both walked down the stairs together. Naruto sat down with Minato at the kitchen table as Hinata made breakfast for them both.
*
The bright sun shone down on both Minato and Naruto as they walked toward the Hokage's Mansion.
Minato: Hey Dad?
Naruto: Yeah, son?
Minato: How is that woman with the pink hair doing?
Naruto: Sakura... I don't know son, the only time I see her is when she comes to me looking for a mission and even then the conversation is limited. I'm always worried about her.
Minato: Have you tried going to see her?
Naruto: I've been trying every other week for a long time now but there's always been no answer. I really don't want to talk about this son. Why are you asking anyway?
Minato: I dunno, you just haven't been the same since... doesn't matter.
There was a thick silence between Father and Son for the rest of the journey. Naruto grasped the handle of his office door and walked in being greeted by his two advisers, the two men he trusts the most in the world, Kakashi-Sensei and Shikamaru. Kakashi was sitting in Naruto's chair finishing up some paper work Naruto had left behind the night before.
Kakashi: Oh, Naruto you're actually early. This morning's filled with miracles. You're early and Shikamaru's earlier than you.
Minato snickered under his breath.
Kakashi: Your earliness must be Minato's work.
Minato put his hands behind his head and smiled proudly.
Minato: That's right, Kakashi-Sensei!
Naruto: Okay Minato go and do some more exercise now for the exam later. I need to talk to these two in private now.
Minato: Alright, Dad.
Minato turned around and left the office. Naruto walked over to his desk as Kakashi got up out of the seat, Naruto sat down in it.
Naruto: So what's the weekly report look like from the other villages?
Shikamaru yawned loudly as he walked across from the other side of the room to the window sill.
Shikamaru: Suna's fine, Gaara should be here within the hour. Kumo's fine, the Raikage should also be here within the hour. Iwa's fine but we received some unusual news from the Mist...
Kakashi: A large amount of their shinobi have gone missing in the last few days. They've launched investigations into the matter but now they're very low on shinobi that can actually protect the village. So they've requested that we send some of our own so as to increase their military well being. They've become a vulnerable target, especially after losing some of their strongest.
Naruto: How many can we spare during the chunin exams?
Kakashi: I'm not sure without any calculations...
Shikamaru: We need at least half of our military force so as to not get in the same situation they're in and then more because of the chunin exams. The Raikage and the Kazekage are coming here, nothing can happen to them or their villagers while they're visiting.
Naruto: You act as if there's some sort of threat to them, Shikamaru
Shikamaru: We can't be too careful after what's happened to Kirigakure. We have to cover every possibility. By my calculations we can spare just under a quarter of our forces for them but first and foremost we need someone who'll lead them.
Three knocks were then heard on the door and the three men's head's were drawn to attention.
Naruto: Come in.
The door opened and Sakura stepped into the room closing the door after her, she was wearing her normal ninja uniform with the chunin jacket on.
Sakura: Shikamaru, Kakshi-sensei... Hokage sama. Any new missions, I don't care about the rank, anything will do.
All three of them looked at her with concerned faces. Naruto sighed.
Naruto: Yes, I have one. I haven't gotten the assignment written up just yet but...
Shikamaru threw Naruto an ink bottle. Naruto caught it while looking for a piece of paper and took out his brush. He then started to write a brief note to the Mizukage on it then sealing it in an envelope.
Naruto: Here...
He held up the letter and Sakura walked across the room to his desk plucking it from his grasp.
Naruto: You'll be headed to Kirigakure with a quarter of our forces to help defend their village...
Sakura: Defend from what?
Naruto: That's the golden question we all want to know the answer to. Kiri is looking into it. While you're there you're under orders of the Mizukage. I'm sure she'll treat you well. I'll leave it to you to gather up the force, I trust your judgement, leave as soon as possible.
Sakura: Alright...
Sakura turned on her heels and walked towards the door again.
Naruto: Sakura, stay safe.
She stopped for a moment as her hand wrapped around the door handle, then a few seconds later she left the room.
Kakashi: You sure about this Naruto?
Naruto: Yeah, the way she is now. She'll be able to handle herself.
Shikamaru: The way she is now... Is that a good thing or a bad thing.
Naruto: * I dunno anymore *
Five swift knocks on the door were heard and a Leaf ninja entered.
Leaf Ninja: Hokage sama the Raikage and Kazekage have arrived.
Naruto: Great! B and Gaara! It's been too long.
Kakashi: And A, Naruto.
Naruto: Oh right, him too.
Naruto faintly smiled and rubbed the back of his head.
)
