Disclaimer: I do not own Naruto or any character, parts, places or likeness.

~Chapter One~

'Papers'

Walking down the streets of Konoha we find the 22 year old Namikaze-Uzumaki, Naruto, Elite Jonin and Ex-ANBU Captain. He wore traditional Jonin pants that were black and a black t-shirt under his ANBU armor. Over that he wore his black Jonin vest with his traditional red spiral. His ensemble was completed by black Shinobi sandals and a large black trench coat with the Kanji for Konoha Koori Ryuu Senkō in and azure blue with a yellow outline. On his back he carried two blades, a katana, facing to his left, christened Kuro Koori-Hime (Princess of the Black Ice). It was named for its obsidian color, and ability to channel Hyouton chakra. It was 44 inched long and had a completely black blade with a picture of a beautiful ice maiden launching an ice dragon along the length of the blade. Facing the opposite side was a ninja-to, named Tsume Ryuu, (Dragons' Claw) it was 34 inches over all and also had an obsidian blade but showed a dragon blowing fire along the length of the blade.

For all intents and purposes, Naruto was the most powerful Shinobi in the Elemental Nations, he had mastered over 3000 jutsus, including his father's prized Hirashin (Flying Thunder God), and succeeded in fusing the Rasengan (Spiraling Sphere) with not only Fuuton (Wind Style) chakra, but also Suiton (Water Style), Doton (Earth Style) and Hyouton (Ice Style).He was the next in line for Hokageship, and had earned a SSS-class rank in every Bingo Book, with a 'flee on sight' order. He was the most feared and respected Shinobi in the Elemental Countries, but there was one thing he didn't see coming. Death.

During his childhood, he had channeled the chakra of the Kyuubi frequently, throwing the power around to protect his precious people, and keep his promise to one pink haired Kunochi. During this time, he had no idea the effect that this would have on him, Naruto was dying. Plain and simple, there was no way around it, nothing could be done. He was now walking on his way to see Tsunade, he had yet to tell anyone, and didn't plan to, it was his burden to carry. He knew this would hurt her more than, telling her, but he didn't want her to throw her heart into something that couldn't be fixed. He had talked to every medical specialist in the world, he had checked and double checked, the he asked his summons if they knew a way to fix it, but that was turned up empty handed.

Now, he was going to retire from Shinobi duty, he would tell her he was tired, and wanted to stop, he knew she wouldn't argue too much, seeing as he was something of a son/little brother to the aging Hokage. She would ask about his dream and he would tell her that he knew the Council would never allow him to be Hokage, which was true, even with the new Council in place, nothing could be done to change what he carried, and the fight wasn't worth it. She knew as well as he did, but she wouldn't stop trying. He'd have to make her.

"NARUTO!!!" he heard yelled as he was thinking about all of this.

Stopping he turned to see Shizune running up to him, "Hey, Shizune-nee-chan, what's up?" he asked the heavily panting woman. "Naruto *puff* *puff* what's wrong?" She finally got her breathing under control."I've been calling you for like five minutes."

"Sorry, nee-chan, just thinking." He said chucking nervously while scratching the back of his head, "are you heading to see Obaa-chan?"

"Yeah, are you?" she asked as they continued walking. Upon getting an affirmative nod, she asked "you wanna walk together, Naruto-kun?"

"Sure, nee-chan." He smiled warmly at her, "what did you wanna talk about nee-chan?"

"Oh, I just saw you and wanted to say hi, so what were you thinking about, Naruto-kun?" she smiled back

"Well, maybe you should just sit in while I talk to Obaa-chan, ne?" he cocked his head at her. His face showed none of the pain, nervousness or fear that boiled below his calm face.

"If you're okay with that Naruto-kun," he gave her a nod, "alright then I will." They continued to the tower.

As they reached the tower, Naruto opened the door for her; she gave a small 'thank you' walking in. They headed to her office, and knocked on the door. Hearing 'Enter', they walked inside.

"GOOD MORNING, OBAA-CHAAAAAN!!!!!!" Naruto yelled, getting him a stapler thrown at his head, he swiveled to the side, letting it fly past him. It was their morning ritual of sorts. Then he heard mumblings that sounded like 'annoying blonde brats' and 'damned paper work'. He smiled at her while sitting down.

"What do you want brat?" Tsunade growled at him.

"Well, I have a requ…" He was cut of hearing

"Naruto, I don't have any missions that require you're skills. Just like yesterday."

"No, Tsunade-sama, that's not what I wanted to ask." He said in a formal tone that shocked the two women in front of him. Pulling a scroll out of his vest, he tossed it to her.

For Tsunades' part she wasn't sure what to expect, every time he called her Tsunade-sama, it was something serious. "What is it Naruto?"

"First, read the scroll, then I'll answer any questions from you both." Doing what he said, Tsunade opened the scroll, and she with Shizune started to read it, their eyes getting wider. Upon finishing it, she looked at him and asked,

"Are you serious about this, WHAT ABOUT YOUR DREAM, WHAT ABOUT BEING HOKAGE!?" She yelled. She couldn't believe what she was reading, he had always yelled about how he was going to be Hokage, and nothing would stand in his way. He'd never back down, that was his nindo, his ninja way.

"Tsunade-sama, we both know the answer to that, just like Shizune does." He tone was solemn, and his eyes showed determination. "I just want to retire, I'm tired and have fought all my life, I killed the Akatsuki, and I killed Orochimaru and Sasuke and Taka. I just want to rest, I want to start a family, and be happy."

Tsunade for her part knew he was serious, and was right, he had fought, and he had served, and protected the village. The look in his eyes told her that he was indeed serious, and just wanted to slow down and enjoy what was to come in peace, but she'd get one last mission out of him.

"Alright, Naruto-kun, I'll grant you this. I know you're tired, so am I. But, I want one favor from you." She look up at him, "I want your help selecting a replacement for me. Could you do that?"

"No problem." He looked at her and then an idea came to his head. Maybe she could help him, too."I'll do it, but I have some things to ask you first, if it's not too much trouble. Okay?"

"Okay, what's on your mind, kiddo?" she looked at him seeing nervousness in his eyes 'What could he be nervous about?'

"Well, the first on is kind of simple, but you may need some time to think." He pulled another scroll out of his pockets, and held it, "I… uh…" he stumbled over his works, not knowing how to ask this. "I wanted to know if you would consider an unorthodox alliance between, the Senju and Namikaze clans."

"Umm, what do you mean 'Unorthodox', Naruto?" She looked at him questioningly, not sure where this was going.

"Well, I… uh… wanted to know if, you would… um, sort of unofficially," again being unsure of what to say and the fear that she would reject the idea flat out he decide to just give her the scroll to read. "Um, please, just read the scroll, I can't seem to word this right." He said finally, handing the scroll to Tsunade. Opening it, Tsunades eyes started to tear up as she read threw the document that Naruto had presented her.

Jumping from her seat she wrapped Naruto in a hug, and cried softly, "Of course… I'll agree to this." She choked out in between happy sobs. Shizune picked up the scroll to read it for herself, and started smiling, while tears started to fall from her cheeks. 'Finally. They both get what they had been longing for, a Family.' Shizune thought threw the tears.

"Thank you, Okaa-chan." He smiled even while the tears ran down his whiskered cheeks.

After about twenty minutes they both calmed down and Shizune decided to ask the question she really wanted to know, "Umm, Naruto-kun, you said that you wanted to start a family, who's the lucky girl?"

Catching her question, he shied away, and looked down at his feet. That was the next thing he wanted to ask them about, but he didn't want this to be weird.

"Well, that was the second thing that I needed help with…"he grabbed another scroll from his inside pocket, 'Where does he keep all of those things?' was the unanswered question from both women. "I wanted to commission a mission, it'll be A or S ranked as you see fit." He started rather lamely, "I need help with dating." He said handing the scroll to Shizune. "The amount for an S-ranked mission is in there along with the request."

Both women looked at him while he said this, both rather shocked. Tsunade spoke first. "He doesn't mean he's never been on a date right?"

"Naruto, haven't you ever been on a date before?" the only response was a shake of head and another look at his feet, which seemed to be rather interesting to him. "Well, Naruto-kun, I think I got the perfect person for the job." She said looking at Shizune with a sly smile. 'This is perfect, Shizune has had a crush on the blonde since they met 10 years ago, now it's the perfect time to play matchmaker. Hee hee hee, Shizu-chan and Naru-kun, it's perfect.' She started planning everything out in her head. "If I can get her to open up, and share her feelings with him, then she'd be happier. She only ever truly smiles while he's around her and it's sad to see her deny herself happiness, plus she can make Naruto happy, too."

Shizune, for her part, seen her masters look and instantly knew what she was thinking, and blushed. 'No!! Damn it!! Not that I would mind going out with Naruto-kun, but if he thinks it's just part of a mission, then it won't mean anything. I want him to see me and realize what I feel for him is real and not faked for a mission.' Inwardly she sighed knowing it was pointless to ask not to be assigned this mission. 'Maybe I can get him to agree to go out with me not on a mission. Yeah that's it, I'll ask him to do it before Tsunade-sama accepts the mission.'

"WAIT," Shizune inadvertently yelled, blushing she continued, "Naruto-kun, I'll help you, you don't… um… need a mission." She stuttered out.

His head snapped up with a smile; "Really?" He said trying not to get his hopes up.

"Yes, Naruto-kun." She smiled warmly at him. "Just meet me at the Senju compound at 7:30 tonight, dressed semi-formally, and bring flowers, okay?"

"Sure thing, Shizune-nee…" he was cut off by Shizune.

"Naruto-kun, don't call me Shizune-nee-chan, from now on just call me Shizune-chan, okay?" she put her hand on his shoulder and smiled, "I mean going on a date with your sister would be kind of weird, huh?"

"Yeah, I guess you're right Shizune-chan." Smiling happily, he looked at Tsunade, "I don't have anything else, what about you?"

"Yeah, I have something else I need to talk to you about Naruto-kun." Turning to Shizune, "You've got the rest of the day off to get ready for your date, so go get ready. Make sure to have fun." Pulling out a piece of paper she scribbled down something, and then handed it to the younger woman, "Don't read it and give that to the spa worker alright, go pamper yourself."

Nodding, Shizune left, but not before pulling up her courage and giving Naruto a kiss on the cheek, turning red she raced out of the room, much to the amusement of Tsunade. Then she laughed out loud as she looked at Naruto, with a face that'd make a tomato jealous. "Alright Naruto, about Shizune and you…" her voice firm and to the point. One thing went through Narutos' mind, 'Ah Hell.'