Kaze No Kokoro (Naruto fanfic)

Arrival

Konoha wasn't far off and they soon arrived. Midori was sitting on Kakashi's back still tired from her long run when she sensed the gates. They were huge and she started feeling more insecure. Could she adapt to her new lifestyle? Would they all be nice like Kakashi? Weird like Guy?

They arrived at the gate and stopped by the guard post. Midori noticed that the two men seemingly on guard duty appeared to be sleeping. 'Is that even allowed?' She thought a bit in awe at how laidback these people must be to be able to fall asleep.

"Izumo, Kotetsu, wake up you fools." Asuma said startling the two chunin from their slumber. "We weren't sleeping!" They yelled quickly, trying to cover up their mistake. "We were just pretending so that an enemy would lower their guard." Izumo added.

Midori could easily sense that her companions weren't really surprised so she figured this must've happened more often. "This here is Midori." Kakashi said gesturing to the girl still safely seated on his back. "She'll most likely be staying in Konoha, we'll be taking her to the Hokage now."

The two guards nodded and wrote the information down after which the group continued their way to the Hokage's building.

It was late in the afternoon and the streets were buzzing with people as the four made their way through them. This fact caused obvious discomfort to Midori who was not at all used to being around such a large amount of people.

To make matters worse she could sense them all staring at her as they past. Why, she did not know. Maybe they noticed she was blind, or maybe it was just strange to see a little girl on a shinobi's back. Did she look odd perhaps? She figured that might very well be the case since everyone seemed to be wearing clothes that were very different from hers.

Kakashi noticed her hiding her face in the crook of his neck. He too noticed the stares aimed at the girl and decided that, after speaking to the Hokage, he would get her cleaned up and buy her some new clothes.

They would still wonder about the blind girl but he figured the stares would at least lessen and, not only would that bring her more comfort, she might feel better when cleaned up and in regular clothes.

They finally arrived at the door to the Hokage's office and Guy knocked. They didn't wait long before hearing the familiar rough voice say "Come in."

The Hokage looked curiously at the girl on Kakashi's back, though instantly noticing she was blind, there seemed to be something odd about her. "And who might this be?" He asked the team of three whose mission definitely didn't include a child.

"This is Midori, we found her while on our way back seemingly running from something." They continued to explain the days events. Carefully since, although Midori's face remained void of emotion, they sensed she didn't like being talked about.

They first mentioned her power, which seemed to interest the Hokage quite a bit, but he was patient, allowing them to finish the entire story uninterrupted. Even though once they told him she was held captive be Orochimaru his interest peaked.

After they finished the Hokage felt sorry for the girl that had to withstand so much. Even though it was obvious she had been trained it was also obvious she was no threat. It truly seemed like she didn't have a single mean bone in her body. It was also obvious that in their short time together she had become incredibly attached to Kakashi.

So the Hokage decided, not wanting to bring the girl any more stress or discomfort today, to not question her about her past. Instead he asked her a very different question.

"Do you want to be a ninja?" To say this surprised Midori would be an understatement. Even though he knew so little he was prepared to let her stay here and train to become a shinobi of the village.

Not wanting him to change his mind she quickly nodded her head, her eyes seeming to softly smile. So the Hokage smiled in return telling her he would make sure to enroll her in the academy but for now he gave Kakashi some money saying.

"Buy her anything she needs I trust you're fine with being the one to take care of her?" He asked, having already seen Kakashi was just as attached to Midori as she was to him.

The jounin nodded feeling the girl, who had remained on his back for safety, tightening the arms that were wrapped around his shoulders, obviously intending it as a hug.

After Asuma and Guy saying they would report the rest of the mission Kakashi left the office with Midori. Ready to truly make Konoha feel like home.