A Mother's Love

97. For the Hokage

Kushina reached down and gently touched her son's forehead. He was hot. She heard the small wheezing as he breathed in and out. She looked at the heart monitor and saw his heart beat was rising. She saw the way Hinata looked at him as she held his hand. She understood, though no one would say the actual words. Naruto was slipping away.

She looked around the crowded hospital room. Even though it was now night time and visiting hours had long been over no one had left. In fact, more people had come. Rock Lee had arrived and told everyone not to worry; Naruto's flames of youth were too strong to ever be put out. Asuma, Chouji, and Ino had come together. Ino had brought a beautiful flower arrangement and immediately offered to do anything she could for Hinata.

Kushina looked at all the people who were here now. They were all family or dear friends to her son, and they all loved him. She was so glad to have them here. They were living proof that her son mattered to people. Had she gone down to the lobby she would have found a crowd filling it and spilling out into the street, all of them praying that their Hokage would be all right.

Outside the room there was sudden loud shouting.

Kushina, Kakashi, and Jiraiya quickly opened the door to find the three Hyuga facing four ANBU in masks. It was quite obvious that things between them were heated. The door was open and everyone inside was looking out into the hall.

"What the hell is going on out here?" Kushina demanded.

One of the Hyuga turned to her. "Kushina-san, these men are ordering us to leave our posts. They say they will take over guarding the Hokage and that we have no authority to do so."

An ANBU in a ram's mask immediately stepped forward. "That's right, The Hokage has ordered the ISF disbanded and sent us here to provide security."

Kushina snapped a finger into the room. "Your Hokage did no such thing."

Feeling her killer intent and the killer intent of the others the ANBU took a nervous step back.

"Stand aside Kushina," an old woman's voice spoke. Koharu came forward to face her. "We are here to carry out the orders given unto us by the Hokage."

"My son gave no such orders."

"I am referring to the acting Hokage, Uchiha Riyuki." She held out an official document. "I have a signed and sealed order to…"

Kushina snatched the paper out of her hand and tore it up. "I've heard about the secret meeting of Danzo's and Riyuki's little promotion. If you think that bastard has any authority here you're kidding yourself."

"Show some respect!" Koharu demanded. "Riyuki is the acting Hokage and will some day be the Seventh Hokage!"

"I know what Riyuki is," Kushina spat. "And it's not Hokage. I have had a husband, a dear friend, and my son be Hokage. Riyuki is not fit to wash their feet."

"How dare you!" Koharu shouted. "Stand aside and go home! Visiting hours are over. The ANBU will ensure your son's safety."

"It was an ANBU that tried to kill him." Kushina answered.

"Stand aside Kushina, clan head or not, if you disobey the Hokage's order you will be arrested."

"Are you sure you want to try that?" Jiraiya said in a friendly voice. "You might want to get quite a few more ANBU first. Or I suppose you could use a genjutsu, you are still proficient with those aren't you?"

She sent Jiraiya a glare. "I am a genjutsu mistress and my skills have not diminished."

"I'm sure they haven't." Jiraiya said quietly.