Naruto- More than a Number-Part 1.

Chapter 6 Jiraiya's Return.

(Mio's POV)

"So, you know sign language?" Jiraiya inquires and I nod, hesitantly staring towards my feet. Was I supposed to tell him, have I been disrespectful for not telling my savior this type of communication I own? "Don't worry kid, I understand you aren't much of a talker," he assures, placing his large hand on my slim shoulder. I look up to him with a expressionless face, then trail my eyes nervously back down to the ground.

Jiraiya has done so much for me, without him I would still be out in the woods fighting for survival. I would still be watching over my shoulder constantly as I run away from the Rogue's who are still searching for me. Luckily, I'm safe in the village that I was searching for. I've been trying to run and find my way to the Leaf, so that I can sneak in to the Hyuga compound and read their secrets. I want to gain complete control over my dojutsu and thanks to Jiraiya I now have that chance. I am grateful to the Sannin who saved and helped me find my way into the Leaf. I don't want to sound malicious and deceitful as if all I wanted was power from the village and he gave it to me, because that's not true. I am appreciative to the Toad Sage for bringing me safety, stability and my Father. I would not want to show him disrespect, after all I am indebted to this Sannin.

"Will you communicate with me now that I know you can use sign language?" he asks, lifting his hand from my shoulder and looking down at me.

I stare up with emotionless red hues and sign, 'if that is what you want.'

"It's better then talking to myself," he chuckles and looks ahead as I nod gently. "So, what do you feel like doing?"

'Training,' I sign and his face drops into a bored expression.

"Come on kid, don't be so boring. The Uchiha's are rubbing off on you, how about we go get a bite," he explains, with a grin. "Your still so slim," he adds, patting each of my shoulders to add emphasis.

'If you want,' I sign, looking to my blue sandals once again.

"Don't look so dull, loosen up and have some fun," he smiles, with a hidden worry resting in his brown hues. He is worried about me and I can tell, it's the look everyone gives me when they hear my past which I never clarified. They all give me a look of pity or worry, they think I'm unfortunate and sad. Truth is, I'm not, of course I never wanted to become a slave for a bunch of Rogue's. Although some good did come from it and I won't deny that. If it wasn't for the Rogue's I wouldn't have learnt how heartless people can be. I wouldn't have learnt how naive I was. I wouldn't have learnt that my siblings would stab me in the back. I wouldn't have learnt how to fight for survival. I wouldn't have gotten the chance to become a shinobi, as my parents never wanted me to be a ninja and above all I wouldn't have found out my real genetics. Now, I can protect the truth about who I am and not live in fear that people will find out without me knowing it myself.

People are allowed to hold pity for me but there is really no need, my Father always said I was an optimistic child who saw good and bad in everything, instead of only the bad. I guess that's true because I haven't taken my whole abduction thing as terrible and do believe some good came out of it.

"So, what do you want to eat?" the Sannin questions, looking down at me once more.

'...Sushi,' I sign, after a few moments of thought.

"Alright," Jiraiya smiles and I nod.

Finally arriving at a small restaurant, we find a small table inside and sit down. Jiraiya passes me a menu and I open it up. I look over the pictures first to see if anything catches my interest, then start on the words. I look over the cheapest meals, so that Jiraiya doesn't have to spend to much. "So, have you decided what you want?" said man asks.