Just Five Minutes? (Shizune)

[Lenai Arina]

"Distance or time?" Arina asked politely, then thought for a moment. It had been...years since she had been back to Juujiro. She hadn't ever left it as a toddler, and when she had been carried to Konoha she'd been half crazed. "I'm not quite certain of either," she confessed quietly, "I wasn't exactly myself when I left. I'd judge about a few days along the main road, and then about half a mile to a mile to the east of that. I'm sorry I can't be more precise Shizune-sama, Tsunade-sama, I was only a child."

Actually, what measurments she had given were only estimates from where patrols were and the routes that ninja on missions would take. She wasn't certain at all about it, but she pray that she was at least close.

On the bright side, perhaps she wouldn't recieve an escort after all. If the Hokage was as irresponsible as she seemed from this little quarrel then Shizune would not likely want to leave her with anyone else.

She thought for a moment. As a poison nin, she respected Shizune greatly and also as a strong person. "And Shizune-sama..." she took a breath. This was a great chance for her to become a stronger ninja, and live up to her father's memory. She didn't deny she needed great training in her chosen field. "I would be honored to have you train me. Thank you very much." She bowed respectfully.

[shizune]

Shizune was bothered a little by the new expression on Tsunade’s face. A little creepy, but she decided to let it go, instead turning back to Arina. Frowning slightly, Shizune bit her lip gently in thought. Well, it can’t be helped. At least she has a general idea. Shizune decided to pack for about a week.

“It’s no matter. As long as you know how to get there,” Shizune answered smiling at the genin in front of her, before turning back to the Hokage. Tsunade had been wise enough not to suggest any genins. Of course Shizune wouldn’t leave her with any genin; the kid would probably just piss off the blonde. Though she knew that all the Jounin were busy, what with their constant missions, with training in between, Shizune couldn’t help but be a little upset. The Anbu, of course, were busy with their own duties, which only left one option.

A Chunin. Though the Chunin were busy with missions as well, there were still a good number available. There was Sakura, but seeing as the young woman had her hands full with Naruto and Sai, she wasn’t a valid choice. Shizune started to wonder who else would be able to handle the Hokage, when Tsunade’s voice broke her thoughts. Smirking, the jounin answered “My thoughts exactly, Tsunade-sama. Of course, Sakura won’t be able to stay with you, but a Chunin seems to be the perfect choice in this situation,” before reviewing the three others in her head; Hinata was a trustworthy girl, though she did have a few problems speaking up. Narenji, from what she knew, seemed like a good choice, yet Akuma seemed like he would be able to keep the rowdy Hokage in line. Shizune rubbed her temples in frustration, trying to think of which to pick, before an idea struck her. Why not have all three watch her? Narenji and Akuma to keep Tsunade in line, and Hinata to prevent any fights from breaking out. It’s perfect she thought, grinning.

“Tsunade-sama? I think I’d like to have all three watch you. Narenji, Hinata, and Akuma,” Shizune stated, before turning to Arina. “That’s great to hear. I’m excited to have you as a student, Arina,” Shizune answered. At last, things were starting to work out. “Now... Why don’t we go find my replacements, and Arina’s teammate?” Shizune wondered aloud, walking over to pick up Tonton. “And Arina, we can leave once we’re all set up and Tsunade has her new assistants.”

[Tsunade]

She smiled as Tsunade spoke. "Obviously, I'm rubbing off on her," the blond thought to herself. Her smile, however, quickly faded away as the jounin continued. She pouted. "She'll only trust me with *three* chunin to assist me?! Ugh! The utter disrespect! The...The...The nerve!" She sighed. Maybe it was for the best. After all--she did have a tendency to be...overpowering. Well, there would be nothing to do about it, so she figured she may as well face the facts. Shizune wasn't being unfair; she was being realistic. The thing that really made the Hokage's eyes widen was Tonton's letting out an agreeing oink. This provoked a palm meets face moment on her part.

"Very well..." she said at last. "I suppose I'll leave gathering the chunin to you, Shizune. Then, you and Arina may head out." Tsunade looked over to Arina.

"If that's all you came for, and you have no further questions, I suppose you're dismissed, Arina." She closed the file she had previously opened.

She turned back to Shizune. "If you don't mind, I think I'll go out and get something to drink until you come back with my new assistant." The smile returned to Tsunade's lips. She was about to stand up when she remembered that Arina was still in the room. She remained seated. She would have to wait for Arina to leave before she left herself.

She blew her fallen bangs out of her eyes. "Oh, the sufferings of the Hokage. I deserve a break," she inwardly reminded herself. Well, at least now things were getting taken care of. She quickly looked at her desk once more.

"Oh. A letter. Great..." The Hokage dreaded letters. They either required her to send out shinobi, or they were bills that she owed. Yet another downside to her rule as Hokage was the fact that she could no longer escape her debts.

As from nowhere, the blond decided that having three assistants may not be so bad. Akuma reminded her of Naruto. The quality that they had most in common was the ability to piss others off after a while. She could use that to her advantage with Narenji. Hinata was a smart girl, but, she didn't really have a strong presence. Tsunade figured she could blow her off easily. After all--she had years of practice of blowing the stubborn Shizune off. Hinata would be much easier to ignore. A quirk of her eyebrow signified that her sneaky plotting was complete.

"You deserve a break, Shizune. This should be fun for you," she said, looking up at her assistant through devilish locks of hair. "So do I," she thought to herself with a snicker, "So do I."

[Lenai Arina]

The girl was rather nonplussed at the exchange that went on before her. Obviously Tsunade-sama couldn't be THAT bad. The village hadn't gone up in flames under her rule, at least. Of course she most likely wouldn't have noticed if it had, Arina being the girl that she was. She kept her own council, and although loyalty had been driven into her skull more firmly than anything else she still would have left well enough alone if anything subtle had been going on. She was just a genin, right? Of no real practical use aside from grunt work.

She did feel a bit bad about her lack of knowledge about her home. She had only been three...No one could fault her for not knowing, right? She had been under extreme emotional duress. She had been unconscious for goodness sakes...But however she tried to justify it to herself, young Lenai Arina still felt horribly. One more reason that she should never have become a ninja. She was worthless. Of no use whatsoever.

What she realized at that moment is that seemed to be the only time this entire interview that the Hokage had addressed her directly. Certainly she really didn't need to address the genin, as Shizune had been talking, but the realization had only aided her current gloomy thought process.

After a moment's pause, she heard a bit of banging on the Hokage's door, and if she had been less in control of herself at the moment she would have smacked her head. Poor Dai! He must be wondering where I am... she thought desperately. She bowed, "Thank you for your time Tsunade-sama, and I apologize for that. I believe I remember now where Akemiri-chan went for her mission, and I'll go get her while Shizune-sama gets the chunin. I j-just left my dog outside and he gets worried..." She was blathering now, but she bowed again and fled the room.

"Daisuke!" she admonished to the great dog as he stared sheepishly at her from the direct opposite side of the doorway, "You knew very well where I was..." She was too worried about the dog to care what the Hokage and her assistant thought as she jogged down the hallway and out of the building.

(Exit to Homely Woman's Shelter to find Akemiri and wait for Shizune)