Chapter Text
“Akari-senseiiiiiii!”
The children vibrated with excitement as she came around the corner to collect them after their run around the field. She didn’t even have to clap her hands to gather their attention. From the playground they ran directly towards her and lined up in groups of three, still chatting amongst themselves. Eager to return to lessons.
In this stretch of peace and prosperity that followed the conclusion of the Fourth Shinobi War, power in Konohagakure had changed hands once more as both the Lady Fifth and Lord Sixth currently shared the responsibilities of Hokage. In the light of expanding peacetime operations many new amendments had been made to the shinobi lifestyle. Her latest batch of students were all four and five and she surmised with the new Academy protocols in place that she would have them for the next six to seven years.
“Good job everyone. Mina-chan, go ahead and lead the class inside.”
“Yes, sensei!”
Her class leader guided them in and she just laughed softly, following up at the end of the line. However, around the bend back into the Academy halls the children drew to a stop and their pitch grew louder once more.
“Mina?” She moved from the back and worked her way in between the children.
In the hall stood Iruka-senpai, the Rokudaime, and a few ANBU. The children were gawking in excitement. Nearly in the same manner as when Naruto had visited the Academy some weeks ago.
Akari clapped her hand. “Everyone, what do we do?”
“Hello Lord Sixth, Iruka-sensei!” They called out in unison, bowing in respect.
They were far too precious.
“Very good. Now continue on to the classroom in an orderly fashion.”
“Yes Akari-sensei!”
And the line was once again moving. She paused long enough to greet her senpai and old friend before hurrying after the children. They were still rambunctious at this age, though well behaved enough that she trusted them to be unsupervised for a few minutes.
Two dark eyes, one with a scar over it, followed her as she left. She could feel them as she walked down the hall. The last time she was this close to Kakashi, she had been pulling him from the rumble of Pain’s attack on Konoha. Before that…it had been some years since they had spent any great amount of time together.
Akari pulled herself from the painful memory. A little over a year has passed since the conclusion of the Fourth Shinobi War. While the darker memories were still prevalent, everyday the sun would shine just a little brighter. Soon the war would be regulated to the history books and life would continue to move on with a happier future on the horizon. And Akari really didn’t want to end up crying in class and worrying her young students.
Rubbing below her eye she steeled herself with a deep breath and stepped inside the classroom. “Alright class! Let’s settle down! Open your books to page thirty.”
Akari focused on her children, she walked back and forth up the isles, checking over everyone’s lessons. Though the end of school bell had rang, her students remained obedient in their seats until she checked over their work and dismissed them one by one. Seated the furthest away, the student who struggled the most watched her carefully as she looked through his book.
She made one correction and ruffled Sato’s hair. “Good job today, Sato.”
“Really!?” He asked, beaming up and blushing at the praise.
“Hm! All the extra studying is showing.”
He leapt from his chair and danced, gathering his stuff. “Thanks Akari-sensei! You’re the best!”
As he ran from the classroom, she saw that Kakashi was just outside the room. Sato flew by him with all the energy instilled in a four year old. He barely seemed to register the presence of the Hokage as he passed, hurrying to catch up with his friends for their long weekend off.
“Rokudaime-sama?” She said, reaching for her bag as she joined him at the door, shutting the lights off. “Is there something you need?”
“Kakashi.” He insisted.
“Kakashi-sama.” She added the honorific because it felt unfitting to use his given name without one. Especially now that he was the Rokudaime. Regardless of their long association.
He eyed her. “Please, drop the sama .”
“Senpai?”
He chuckled, smiling, his face mask doing little to hide his amusement. “Very well then. I’ll walk you out, Akari.”
Akari had assumed he had been visiting the Academy for Iruka-senpai. They were friends, after all. But then again…he and Akari had been childhood friends. Their father’s had been close during the Third Shinobi War. Kakashi was a couple years older than her and she had always been in awe of him. He had been a prodigy from a young age.
“How have you been?” She asked, trying not to fidget under his intense gaze.
She was aware that she was a grown woman with a crush but she refused to act like one of her students. Akari inwardly shuddered at the imagery. She would die of second hand embarrassment.
“I’ve been well. Even though the Godaime’s assistance…is somewhat limited at best, we've been sharing the duties of Hokage.”
Akari wasn’t surprised. Tsunade-sama had not been discreet in her desire for retirement, especially after the war had finished. Losing Jiraiya-sama had taken an even greater toll on her than most realized.
“Well, if you need anything from me…though I don’t know what you could possibly need, don’t hesitate to ask for it.” She said lightly as they stepped out into the warm golden-orange sun.
“There is actually something you could help me with.”
“Oh?” Akari stopped and turned towards the Rokudaime.
“I’ve agreed to be Hokage for as long as it takes Naruto to be ready to take the seat after me. This is his dream, after all.” She nodded, knowing that. “Well, the thing is…he’s terrible at the actual studying portion and he could use a firm and understanding hand. I won’t have the time to assist him and he would rather throw himself out a window than take the time to learn the material he will need too by himself.”
Akari bit at her lip to avoid laughing, even as the smile spread across her face. She knew it was true. Though Iruka-senpai had been the one in charge of Naruto’s class, she remembered the sweet, rambunctious blonde with ease. He had been such a happy child…until the rumors spread that he was the Jinchuriki. Now he was the savior of not just their village but the world as well. Good things always came to the people who waited.
“Of course I don’t mind assisting.”
“Excellent. Then come to my childhood home tomorrow.” The Rokudaime left in a puff of smoke, in the typical ANBU fashion.
With a heavy sigh Akari returned to her apartment and settled in for the night after a little grocery shopping. A long, too-hot bath with a full stomach had lulled the long days' pains away. She collapsed in her bed and didn’t wake until mid-morning. Without anything to do until the late afternoon, she busied herself with cleaning and laundry until her apartment smelt fresh and practically sparkled and her clothing was either hung up to dry or folded and put away.
She needed to keep her mind busy.
At the appointed time, she left her apartment and walked towards the opposite end of the village where the housing developments were. Finding the house by the lake wasn’t difficult, she could have done it blindfolded. Her father had brought her over often as a child when he would visit Sakumo-san. She would spend her time watching Kakashi train in the backyard or helping him fish in the lake since she was still too young to spar with.
‘Hatake’ was written on the mailbox. It was in the same lettering but the paint had recently been refreshed. Knocking, she waited. Akari couldn’t remember the last time she had stood outside this door waiting for Kakashi. But the strangest feeling of nostalgia hit her. The door was slid open by a comfortable looking, bare-footed Kakashi.
“Please, come in, Akari.” He said after a moment of her just standing there like a total klutz.
Akari managed a smile and stepped up on the block and slipped her ninja sandals off and right into the pair of slippers he had set down for her. Her body brushed against his when he didn’t move aside. Instead Kakashi-senpai guided her towards the living area where the Savior of Konoha looked as if he were on some death march instead of being seated in front of a table full of study material.
“Naruto.”
He perked up, ocean blue eyes–so similar to his fathers–swung over to her and she saw the moment he recognized her. “Akari-sensei! Why are you here?”
She laughed. “I’m here to assist you in this particular S-rank mission.”
“Oh!”
Akari cracked her knuckles and stared at the sheer, daunting pile. “Uh, let’s organize this in more manageable piles, first.”
She was aware of Kakashi moving around his house but she focused on the task at hand. The first thing she did was separate Chunin and Jonin works. Setting the Jonin-level material against the wall out of the way. The less Naruto saw, the less overwhelmed he would probably feel. Once they just had the Chunin-level material spread across the table she fished out the journal she had brought with her with the checklist on it.
“Alright, Naruto, before we get started. Let’s go over what you already know, okay?”
“Hm,” He turned towards her as she started reading off skills directly from the sheet they used to grade their graduates. “Does this mean that I will need to study less?”
“Yes and no. You’ll still have to take the written exam but since you already understand the practical knowledge we can gloss over some things.”
“Okay!” His vigor for life seemed to return in full force.
After Akari had a thorough measure of what he was capable of and what he understood, she would have a better idea of creating a study plan.
“This is something that could take years Naruto but as long as you show progression that is all that matters.” She said gently.
He nodded, watching her intently as she dug through the many scrolls.
“Practical training will be in elements that you are not comfortable in, like Fire, Lightning, and Water Release. To be Hokage you must have knowledge of all elemental Releases and the ability to use them. Not Master them. That takes time.”
Naruto frowned, rubbing his shoulder, pouting some. “I don’t think Gaara knows all the Releases…”
“No, but he was a special case and I imagine over his tenure in office, he’ll begin training in them as well. Though what is expected of a Kage in Suna is different than Konoha as it is in every Hidden Village.” She said lightly, trying not to discourage him in any way.
Naruto chewed on the information before nodding again. He obediently took the booklet she passed over to him and flipped it open. They were going to start easy and work their way up. She already had an idea of how to get the best work ethic from him.
Later when they were taking a break, he peered over at her with a worried expression. “What if I’m sent on a mission?”
“That won’t be a problem. We’ll pause and once you return we’ll resume.”
“I feel bad that you were dragged into this.” He glanced away, fiddling with the corners of the booklet.
He did not like to be a burden on others.
It was interesting how the fragile little boy could reemerge sometimes, even though he was one of the strongest shinobi in the world. Gently, she ruffled his blonde hair until he turned back to her. He seemed to soak in the affection.
“I don’t mind at all. My students will be thrilled to know that I’m tutoring the Uzumaki Naruto. Or jealous. I’m not sure yet. I’ll let you know after the break.”
The blonde’s cheeks flushed before he returned to his booklet. Kakashi-senpai came and went and it was only when the scent of food began to premiate in the air did Naruto finally grow too distracted to study. Kakashi-senpai warned them to clear the table and Naruto jumped into action as she stood and made her way to the kitchen to assist.
“I’ll help.”
She filled three bowls with rice and set them on a tray. As Kakashi filled two larger plates with vegetables and fish, their arms brushed against each other as they worked. Naruto ate with enthusiasm, proclaiming that this was the first meal his sensei had ever made him dinner and dug into the fish and roasted vegetables with vigor. Kakashi refilled her tea and Naruto’s tea cups before lifting his book to obscure his face once more as he ate.
Akari volunteered to wash the dishes and Naruto was quick to offer his assistance. Tying the apron around her waist, she got to work scrubbing and rinsing as her young companion dried and set the dishes away. When everything was tidied up they returned to the living area.
After another two hours of working through the manual, she called it. “That’s it for today, Naruto. Go home and get some rest and we will continue tomorrow.”
Her young student did not linger. While Kakashi saw him off, she made her way back to the kitchen with their empty water cups and set them in the sink. Kakashi’s childhood home had not changed much at all, it looked as pristine as it did in her memories. The same kitchen, dinnerware, and living area. The same view of the woods and lake and comfortable looking engawa with two wood carved chairs.
Akari stilled as she felt broad hands pulling at the apron ties behind her. She had been so lost in her memories that she hadn’t even felt her childhood friend step back in the kitchen. Kakashi lifted the apron off and hung it on the nearby hook. He looked as if he was going to say something when they were interrupted by a knock on the door and when the Rokudaime answered she saw a familiar face.
“Captain Yamato, it’s good to see you.” She said, waving the brunette former ANBU.
He smiled. “Akari-san, it’s good to see you as well. I take it Kakashi-senpai has enlisted your aid in Naruto’s studies?”
Laughing softly, she nodded. “He did. Today was the first lesson.”
“How did it go?”
“Well. I took some notes while he was studying…and I think I know the best way to keep him motivated.”
“Becoming the next Hokage won’t cut?” Kakashi asked with a chuckle.
She snickered. “Naruto is an excellent shinobi. There are things he can do…that no one else can but he struggles with the schooling part. Physical work has more effect on him.”
“Don’t I know it.” Captain Yamato said with a grim sigh, rubbing beneath his eye.
“What is your plan Akari?” Her senpai asked, turning those dark grayish-black eyes on her.
“For everything he learns, we’re going to practice it. So not only is he reading the books conceptually but will also develop the techniques with muscle memory. For every book he passes with flying colors I’ll buy him some Ichiraku Ramen. Or some other treat.”
“So…your plan is to feed and exercise him?” Kakashi said dryly before laughing, shaking his head. “That may actually work actually.”
“He wouldn’t be the first student I’ve had struggle with the studying part. Not everyone learns the same way and some learn through hard studies while others learn with physical practice. He reminds me of Sato-chan.”
“You’re wise beyond your years Akari-san. I can see why you thrive as a sensei,” Captain Yamato said.
Laughing, she waved him off. “Not at all. The Sandaime was the one who advocated for me to take the position in the Academy. He said that the greatest students need empathic and compassionate teachers to raise them. All I can do is try my best to guide them along that path.”
Slipping her feet into her sandals she stepped out in the warm, breezy night. She bid the two shinobi a goodnight and made her way towards the village once more. Along her journey she ran into Maito Gai who was recovering quickly but still dependent on a wheelchair. He was on his way to visit Kakashi as well. She was happy that Kakashi had people to support him now. He had lost so much from such a young age…that to see him surrounded by people who loved him and cared for him made the heavy feeling in her chest lighten.
The night sky was full of twinkling stars and a bright white crescent moon. The cool late spring breeze was lovely and she always took these moments to just enjoy the present. Humming a soft tune, she stepped back into the hustle and bustle of the village but found herself almost wishing she could return to the gentle quietness of the house she had just left.