Not Quite Another Day...

[SeraphMazrakiel]

At long last, after a filling lunch, the two Adarakis made it to an all too familiar sight: home. Together, they walked up the dirt path to the front door, and opened it. Before they did anything else, there was one vital thing they had to do.

Mazrakiel handed Kage-ryu-ken to his father; he had kept it concealed in his cape, as it would not be wise to appear armed in public. Of course, it was clearly visible; who wouldn't notice a bump as big as that? But it was better to hide the weapon away than wear it proudly, especially after the war. Kagemaru nodded, and accepted the sword from his son graciously. He turned to the main room, where lay a small shrine dedicated to the former members of the Adarakis Clan, and all things important to it: a small book, minorly detailing the ancestry of the Adarakis Clan (which beared the Adarakis symbol on the front)... two family heirlooms; a small, thin wooden pipe, and a rattle in the shape of a bird... and a stand for the blade he held in his hand; Kage-ryu-ken.

Gently, carefully, he bowed his head, and lay the sword upon it's resting place. He took a step back, and clapped his hands twice; a traditional prayer.

"We offer this blade back to you, Herion. Please watch over the Adarakis Clan."

The most important business out of the way (both returning the sword to its stand and eating), it was time to go see Hokage. Though it would be a quick trip via Kagetokeru, he thought it best not to replicate his son's previous stunts, and enter Hokage's Office uninvited. It was probably best to point this out to his son, as well.

"Oh, Mazrakiel?"

No response.

Kagemaru made his way down the hall to Mazrakiel's room, where he noticed a bunch of clothes lying all over the floor; the clothes he was wearing that day (and for that matter, the last two weeks). It was only just then that he had noticed the shower running. Quietly, he walked over to the bathroom door, and knocked on it.

Kagemaru called out to his son. "What are you doing Maz?"

"I'm having a wash, Dad!"

"What for? It's not like it's a date, son."

"I know! I have to make a good impression, do I not? Besides..."... he sunk into the bath, and smiled. "I almost began to smell as bad as you do."

"WHAT WAS THAT COMMENT?!"

* * * * * * * *

A little later, the two Adarakis were clean and dressed; they'd chosen to wear their short-sleeved outfits for the remainder of the day. They were standing upon the front door step, ready to go.

"Ready to go, Father?" asked Mazrakiel, placing his hand in the shadow of a building; it was slightly later in the day, so the shadows would work more in his favour than a few hours before.

"Ooh, just a second!" Kagemaru remembered that he hadn't told his son not to go snooping around in Hokage's Office; the first time he'd used it like that, he was almost accused of being an assassin... and the second time he almost succeeded in doing so, giving the leader of Konoha Village a heart attack. "Don't forget... don't just randomly show up in Hokage's Office. Remember what happened last time?"

Mazrakiel's smile was masked in the black fog surrounding his transformation. "Heh. I won't make that mistake again, Father."

And within seconds, Mazrakiel's presence could no longer be felt.

* * * * * * *

Being later in the afternoon, it was a lot easier to reach the building where Hokage resided, the shadows cast were longer, and crossing the road was much easier this time. The two materialized in the foyer of the building, where Kagemaru politely declared they were here to see Hokage.

[Tensei Kaori]

Kaori flipped her folder shut with a sigh. She had finally finished that report she had been trying to read all day, and she didn't like what it said. No one seemed to trust anyone anymore. And everyone knew why. Well, that's the way it is, she thought. No one said this would be easy. She took a long sip of cool water and leaned back in her chair, enjoying the afternoon breeze wafting lazily through the room. All was serene. Akina was humming softly as she worked busily at her own desk, the wind was sighing through the trees, and the sounds of construction could no longer be heard - during this time of day, it was wise to take a break to avoid heat exhaustion, so Kaori had implemented a one-hour "nap break" during the day for everyone working on the reconstruction of the village. The constant trickle of chakra to her two forehead seals was completely unnoticed by now, as was the chakra flowing gently through her body. The only awareness left of that was the need for an unusually high amount of water. This was bliss. She wanted to freeze time and just curl up to nap, but no one had quite managed the ninjutsu for that just yet.

She looked up at Akina, who was just setting down a large glass of her own. It seemed so long ago that the talented Jounin before her was jthe tiny Academy Graduate shown in one of her numerous pictures, beaming proudly at any word of praise or encouragement from her sensei - and yet, it seemed just an hour or two ago. She chuckled to herself. Getting sentimental now, of all times, when they were expecting company!

"Akina, it's almost time. Will you go down and greet our guest?" Akina grinned. "Of course. I'll be back!" As the cheerful redhead bounced briskly out of the room, Kaori sat up and stretched, then set about trying to make the piles of papers on her desk just a little more organized.

* * * * * * *

Akina arrived downstairs just in time to see their two guests arriving. Perfect timing! Even with high heels she had to look up to look in their eyes, but she was used to that by now. "Konnichiwa!" She called cheerfully to them as she approached. "Kagemaru-san, Mazrakiel-kun, Kaori-sama is waiting. Please come this way." With that she turned sharply on her heel and led the way back upstairs. She knocked sharply on the door and smiled at the two. "Right through here," she chirped and opened the door, immediately heading back to her desk for a drink of water and a fresh batch of work to do.

* * * * * * *

Kaori set down her now empty water glass when she heard Akina's trademark knock. Reminding herself to get more soon, she smiled warmly at the two visitors. "Welcome!" She gestured to two chairs that had been placed in front of her desk. "Please, have a seat."

[SeraphMazrakiel]

Kagemaru and Mazrakiel set foot in Hokage's Office. As the two entered, they stood in front of Kaori's desk, and bowed in respect (Maz bowed for longer, lower... and when it occurred to him that his father had stopped bowing several seconds ago, he became slightly embarassed).

It's been a long time... thought Kagemaru to himself. He hadn't been in this office in nineteen years. Things had changed slightly in his absence. There seemed to be a lot more paperwork than in his day; maybe that's how much things change over twenty years... and Kagemaru thought to himself, maybe there wouldn't have been so much paperwork if he'd stayed assistant to the Ninth. He wasn't calling anybody else inferior, he simply wondered if things might've been different had he not been released from duty.

Anyway, now was not the time to be reminiscing. Kaori had offered them a seat. Mazrakiel sat in his seat upright, straight, and with the most respect he could muster; as if it were the most important thing in his life, slightly tense and nervous, but he wouldn't let it show. Kagemaru, on the other hand, sat back comfortably and relaxed.

"What can we do for you, Hokage-sama?" asked Mazrakiel.

[Tensei Kaori]

Kaori picked up her water glass and refilled it using the water cooler hidden conveniently under her desk. "You might have some idea already," she said with that plotting smile of hers. She paused to take a drink from her now full glass and continued. "As you see, we're rather swamped right now. The whole Ninja Administration staff is working overtime to take care of things, most of them direct results of recent events." Here Akina shot her a meaningful glance that just screamed "You wouldn't be so busy if you didn't try do do everything yourself." Kaori shot one right back - "You're just as bad as I am" - and went right on talking as if nothing had happened.

"I, of course, spend my time here with things like this." She picked up the folder and dropped it on the desk again. It landed with a smacking sound on top of several documents and sent many skittering to the floor. The avalanche caused the folder itself to slide off the pile - resulting in more flying papers - and land facedown and open on the floor with a noticeably louder thud. Akina stifled a giggle. "You see what I mean," Kaori said wryly as she picked the folder up off the floor and set it rather carefully on the desk. "I'll get the rest later. Anyways, Akina also has important duties here, and can't be running around all the time." Here she paused for another drink of water. It was a hot day today.

"I had trying to come up with a solution for the problem, but with no luck. And that's when I saw your rather interesting ability. You once offered to take on a similar job. Will you accept it now?"

[SeraphMazrakiel]

Accept it?

What... do you mean....?

...do you mean...

...you're...

...asking me to work for you?!

To be of service to you, the Tenth Hokage?!

His throat suddenly locked. It suddenly became very hot in that room. When his father had said to him that they were to go to Hokage's office, he did NOT expect this.

Maz tried to clear his throat. All these thoughts of excitement ran through Mazrakiel's mind; he could hardly contain himself. In fact, he wanted to explode with joy, and dance around the village singing songs and humming and yelling and screaming and looking like a clown until the sun set...

But she couldn't be serious... could she? She really wanted him to work for her?! Nah, that's impossible... Maz thought...

He thought he'd better make sure this is what she was asking; he didn't want to make a fool of himself, least of all in front of Kaori.

"Excuse me, Hokage-sama? Do you mean to say... you would... have me... work for you? To... serve you?"

He could hardly get the words out he was so excited. Of all the honours of the world... to serve Kaori Tensei, Hokage and leader of Konoha Village... it was too good to be true.

Wasn't it?

[Tensei Kaori]

"Well, I suppose you could call it that, yes." She raised her hand to forestall his reply. "But, this is only a part-time job between your missions, at least for now. For every day you spend helping here, you will be credited with one D-Rank mission and paid accordingly. We can't afford to keep all our shinobi here all the time doing paperwork, you see. There are far to few of us now for that." She sighed; that was an understatement. "Well, if you still want the job, it's yours."

[SeraphMazrakiel]

It was almost like a dream come true. So she said it was a part time job, but a job is a job nevertheless, yes? To work for Hokage was to work for Hokage, and even if all it was was being an errand boy, he was overjoyed.

He replied happily, humbly. "I accept, Hokage-sama."

He nodded and bowed his head to Kaori. "Thank you, Hokage-sama..."

Kagemaru smiled and noticed the look on his son's face. It was the same face... the same smile, the same look in his eyes that he had a long time ago; he'd found a reason to live again. He couldn't thank Kaori enough, to bring such passion and heart to the Adarakis boy again. Just like he was before...

He clapped his hands, and congratulated Mazrakiel, who just smiled and humbly accepted this small amount of praise.

"So, when do I start, Hokage-sama?"

[Tensei Kaori]

"Well," she said with a smile for the way both father and son took the news, "unless you have something you have to do tomorow, you can start first thing in the morning."

[SeraphMazrakiel]

"Sounds great." Maz replied excitedly. He couldn't wait, actually.

"Is there anything else, Hokage-sama?"

[Tensei Kaori]

She paused to think. "I suppose that's everything. Just come prepared to work. Also, there may be awhile every now and then when you have some down time, so if you want to bring something quiet to do, it would be a good idea." She paused for a sip of water. "I suggest you enjoy this day of freedom, and get plenty of rest. I expect you here first thing in the morning, and don't be late!"

[SeraphMazrakiel]

Mazrakiel beamed. Tomorrow would be good.

"As you wish, Kaori-sama..."

He bowed, much lower than he had before (and hadn't cared, nor for that matter noticed that he was lower than before).

"A-arigatou gozaimasu!" He spoke with so much enthusiasm and excitement he almost choked. He looked up from his bow, and looked at his father, still sitting there in his chair relaxed, smiling.

"Come, Father. Let us not trouble Kaori-sama any further."

Kagemaru nodded. Who said we were troubling Hokage-sama? Boy, my son sure is acting weird, he thought to himself.

"I shall be here first thing in the morning then. Oh, and not to worry. I won't pull some of my earlier stunts and enter uninvited again." He bowed slightly, before standing upright. Kagemaru stood next to Maz, and thanked her for her time. Standing next to each other, they looked almost identical; Mazrakiel almost looked like his father, bar the fact that Kagemaru was thirty years older than his son.

When all was said and done, the two Adarakis smiled, and bid Kaori farewell... and in precise unison, their bodies went void of colour and shape, until they became the fog they were now famous for. With a loud whooshing sound, the two black clouds dispersed and entered into the shadows... they had left the office and were on their way home.

[Tensei Kaori]

Kaori grinned as she drummed her fingers on the table after the two had left. Tomorrow was sure to be an interesting day.