Chapter 45
Hiruzen felt good, finally able to relax. Whatever Yamanaka had given him was working well, and Jiraiya's return had finally brought something positive. For the first time in a long while, he felt a sense of contentment. So, he enjoyed a slow, leisurely puff of the new stuff. Now he could think and realize that he hadn't checked on Kakashi in quite a while.
The brat was probably out of his depth taking care of a child. Being kind and understanding, Hiruzen felt somewhat bad for him. After a moment of thought, he came up with a great idea: not only would he check on Kakashi, but he would also get him a gift. Since he only knew that Kakashi liked dogs, he headed straight to the Inuzuka clan.
"Most people choose regular dogs," Tsume Inuzuka said as she led Hiruzen to her kennels. "Our dogs are difficult to manage, and if you intend to use them in combat, you'll need our clan's training. They're basically big, attention-craving beasts, and grooming will be a challenge."
"Perfect, Kakashi needs something he can take care of in his life." Hiruzen liked what he heard and smiled back as they entered the kennels. "Something grey, maybe with patches of black covering its body, would be great. Hmm, what about this puppy?"
"Hokage-sama, he's the runt of the litter," Tsume replied.
"That's great; he even has character—perfect!"
"Look at him; he's as dull as they come. Lazy too—he won't even protect your house from cats. At least choose something that could be a good companion and would be able to perform simple tasks and respond to basic commands."
"What are you talking about? I don't need him to do tricks," Hiruzen said, picking up the fluffy, spotted pure white dog as it looked back with a huge smile, its long tongue sticking out and attempting to lick him. "All they need to be is cute and lovable. He's perfect."
"I don't even know why I tried to argue with you," Tsume replied. "Are you even listening to me?"
"Tsume-chan, you need to relax sometimes," Hiruzen said, placing the puppy on Tsume's head, thinking it was a cute look. "You have nothing to prove to me. I already know how good a leader you are—a great shinobi and a wonderful mother."
"Thank sir, but I still would like you to consider a better option," Tsume said as she took the puppy from her head.
"You're cute even when you growl like that," Hiruzen said, ruffling her hair as if she were a puppy. "But you need to be a bit more honest with yourself. I know it can be challenging, especially when you're young and have numerous responsibilities and expectations placed upon you. But I believe you will do great."
"Of course I will," Tsume huffed, annoyed but not swatting away Hiruzen's hand from her head.
"That's the spirit! I must say, you're one of a kind, Tsume," Hiruzen replied gently, smiling. "So fierce, so understanding, and so pretty. The clan is very lucky to have you as their leader. As I am having you as one of my shinobi."
Only then did Tsume step back from Hiruzen, her ears slightly red. Hiruzen didn't notice, as he was focused on the puppy, and just saw Tsume avoiding his gaze, looking down at her feet. He was unaware of what she was doing, but satisfied with his find, he thanked Tsume once again and played with the puppy before leaving, cradling it in his arms.
…
Hiruzen felt quite good as he took another long puff from his pipe. With each smoke, he felt lighter and all the worries left him. He was in such a good mood that he couldn't even think of a plot or a scheme, even when he knew the official was coming tomorrow. All on his mind was the puppy in his arms and the person who would soon be very happy to receive it as a gift.
"Is anyone home?" Hiruzen asked as he knocked on Kakashi's house doors. "Well, hello here, little one."
The door opened slowly by a boy. Hiruzen felt the chill coming from within, but it was just a retreat from the quite warm weather outside. The kid looked at Hiruzen with expressionless eyes, and Hiruzen responded by putting the puppy he had on the kid's face. He welcomed himself inside as the kid looked at the puppy and Hiruzen in confusion.
"Is Kakashi not home?" Hiruzen asked as he checked inside. "You didn't freeze him to death now, didn't you?"
The kid completely ignored Hiruzen as he was mesmerized by the puppy, which licked his face. He had no idea what to do, completely frozen in place. On the other hand, Hiruzen looked around and rummaged through the house. Just as Hiruzen expected, it was quite barren. He wondered if Haku didn't live here, if there would be anything at all other than walls and the ceiling.
"Let the dog familiarize himself with his new home and come here and help me prepare some tea," Hiruzen instructed the kid. "Where does Kakashi keep his cookies? Don't tell me all he has is those tasteless crackers?"
"Does it have a name?" The kid finally spoke.
"He will if you give him one," Hiruzen replied as he continued to look around Kakashi's kitchen.
"Hikari," Hiruzen looked at Haku as he spoke. "His name will be Hikari."
"Arf! Arf!" The dog seemed happy with the name.
"Good for him," Hiruzen said. "Now why is Kakashi's kitchen empty. There's nothing edible here, just bread, butter, vegetables, and fruit. And I am starving."
Haku ignored Hiruzen as he was now playing with Hikari. Completely lost in his world. Hiruzen, not getting an answer, got annoyed and called one of the ANBU who was always following him. He told her to go to Ichiraku and bring ten servings of ramen with various flavors, as Hiruzen couldn't decide on one he wanted.
"And buy some cookies with chocolate chips," Hiruzen added before the ANBU could leave. "Well, while we are waiting for our lunch and snacks, why don't we get comfortable?"
"Kakashi will be gone for a while; he went to help with training with the big guy."
"Ah, who needs him?" Hiruzen replied as he sat down on the floor before Haku and Hikari. "So, how has it been living in this ice castle? Hmm? Not a talkative one, aren't you? Well, why don't you just listen to this old man's ramblings until Kakashi returns?"
"Are you also afraid of my powers?"
"What?" Hiruzen was surprised by the sudden question. "What power are you talking about, kid?"
"This," Haku held a hand out, and ice crystals started forming in the air.
"How pretty," Hiruzen muttered as the air in front of him glistered. "Can you make them resemble flowers?"
"I could make them sharp and kill you with them."
"Really?" Hiruzen picked up a few of the crystals. "I don't think you could."
"I can!" The boy yelled in frustration. "That's why everyone is afraid of me. That's why mom abandoned me. Ow!"
Hiruzen replied with a flicking his finger at Haku's forehead. The boy cried out in pain as he looked teary-eyed at Hiruzen. He took Hikari and buried his face into the soft fur of the puppy. Hiruzen sighed and thought for a moment. Seeing that his ANBU wasn't coming back yet, he decided it was better to explain a few things to the kid.
"Kakashi didn't tell you the truth, did he? That idiot thought he would rather take all of it on himself."
"I never asked, but I knew," Haku replied. "I saw how mother looked at me with horror in her eyes. She gave me up because she didn't want me anywhere near her. She didn't even tell dad about me."
"You're a smart kid," Hiruzen began. "You heard things and made out your mind from that information, as limited as it was. Yes, some people are afraid of powers like yours and want to eliminate all those who possess them. Your mother wasn't afraid of you. She was afraid for you."
"You're lying," Haku tried to create a distance from him. "I am a monster. Something others only fear and despise."
"Is that what you see yourself as?" Hiruzen asked. "You're smart, so you rationalized everything that happened to you in a way that would make sense. But if your mother was afraid of you, why did she keep the secret of your abilities from others? Why didn't she abandon you sooner?"
"Because," Haku tried to make a reason, but was running short.
"Because if others discovered your abilities, word would come and you would be taken away by people who don't like your abilities," Hiruzen thought for a moment before deciding to treat the kid like an adult. "They would have either killed you outright. Or they would have trained you to become a tool for them. A tool they could use and then throw away. Your mother knew that, and that's why she begged Kakashi to take you. Since that would be the last chance she could give you a chance for a better life."
"Aren't you going to use me like that too?" Haku asked. "I thought every village was the same."
"No, you didn't," Hiruzen completely understood why Haku would think that way. "Others in your home thought that way. To normal civilians, all Hidden Villages are the same. There are similarities, but we are all different. Built on different ideologies. Konoha follows the Will of Fire."
"Will of Fire?" Seeing that Haku wanted to change the subject, Hiruzen obliged.
"Yes, our founders wanted to end the endless fighting and build a place where children could grow to be part of a family rather than a part of endless war, just another casualty. But that is history, the history of war and the cycle of hatred that continues to this day. To me, the Will of Fire is to sacrifice oneself for others. Not to fight or hate, but to understand and accept. It can be different for you, as it is for everyone else. As long as you follow your heart, think not only for yourself and fight for others, I will understand and accept your actions, no matter what they might be."
"Aren't you going to force me to be a shinobi?"
"Be anything you want to be, kid," Hiruzen replied. "It might seem that with your abilities, every road is already paved for you and all your destinations are already built. But don't think that there is no other way. We don't need roads to walk forward, and we don't need a destination to enjoy the journey. Now, where is my food? I am starving."
"I have returned, Hokage-sama."
Right at those words, his ANBU returned with bowls of ramen and boxes of cookies, expertly balancing on her thin arms. Hiruzen, at this point, completely forgot about Kakashi and ate his lunch while playing with Haku and Hikari. Having the time of his life, completely forgetting that he should return to his office.
…
"Shizune, phew, good thing I found you." Shizune looked at the Yamanaka clan's head as she walked back to the Hokage tower. "Do you know where the Hokage-sama is. I completely messed up his order. I need to change it before it is too late."
"It is fine," Shizune replied.
"No, you don't understand. What I gave him wasn't tobacco; I mixed it up." Inoichi Yamanaka panicked, but Shizune didn't care.
"I know," Shizune said. "So, don't worry, everything is fine. Have you forgotten who my teacher is? If I didn't know the difference between the herbs you gave, Tsunade-sama would be very disappointed in me."
"Alright, then, it seems I've been worried for nothing. You can return it to me, and I will replace it."
"That's not happening."
"What, but you said…"
"I know what I said, sir," Shizune only smiled. "No, if you please, I am busy. Oh, and from now on, please send the same order to me every month."
Maybe what she did was wrong. But she hasn't seen the Third so relaxed ever since she started helping him. With numerous worries in his daily life, Shizune was deeply concerned. One needed to do something to counter all this stress. She was fully prepared to take full responsibility when the Third found out what he had been smoking, but for now, she thought it was for the best.