The future has passed

Strength that was gave

The gate loomed over them. Naruto's fists were shaking as he stared into the village. The citizens of Roran filtered through as they were being processed, registering every man, woman and child. Sara refused to stand at the front of the group, instead taking a place towards the back to make sure everyone was accounted for.

Unable to make his legs move, he found his place behind her. He wouldn't register as Uzumaki Naruto, shinobi of the hidden leaf village. Not yet. Until the matters were handled and they had their meeting with the Hokage, he was just Naruto, the refugee.

Yamato: Naruto!!!

He slap him on the back. Naruto drew a sharp breath.

Yamato:At attention, soldier!!!

Naruto straightened his back, walking forward with Sara and Yamato to one of the five booths they had set up for the registrations. Minato was standing next to it, giving them a soft smile.

Young Chunin: Please fill out this form. You'll find a second paper asking for your former profession, please describe your skills so we can more easily organize work after the initial waiting period for refugees is over.

Minato:Ah, Eiichirou-kun.

Minato voice made the Chunin look up.

Minato: I already told you about those two shinobi I'm bringing to the Hokage and that is the queen.

Eiichirou blinked, standing up so fast that his chair was knocked over. He bowed over the papers that were stacked on the table in front of him.

Eiichirou: I am terribly sorry!!!Welcome to the hidden leaf, Queen Sara.

Sara: Just Sara.(she said)

She using one of the pens to fill out the form she picked up.

Sara: Sara of Roran, I no longer carry any titles.

Naruto stared at her from the corner of his eye. She didn't sound sad or otherwise distressed. She didn't sound happy or relieved either. The sound that broke the awkward silence was the pen scratching on the paper as Yamato followed suit.

Minato: We can handle this later, we've already sent word ahead about you three. The Hokage's tower is straight down this road.

Sara and Yamato nodded, Naruto was still staring at the empty form he reflexively lifted off the table. It felt unreal. It almost looked the same. Almost. He furrowed his brows.

Naruto: Minato, is Orochimaru in the village???

Yamato's sharp glare almost made him stumble, but he kept going. Minato shrugged.

Minato: I think he's out on a mission right now. Why do you ask???

Naruto: I was just curious.

Yamato nodded, the motion looking stiff.

Yamato: There's some stuff we need to talk about later.

Minato: I see. Queen Sara, I hope I'm not imposing on you with this request. Until Naruto can earn some pay on missions, he won't have a place to stay. Do you think it'd be possible for the people of Roran to keep him around for a while longer???

Naruto and Sara both looked confused at the question, but before the former could say something Sara spoke up.

Sara: We'd never refuse a hero of our people.

Minato: Thank you very much.

Naruto blinked.

Naruto: What about the captain??? (he asked while pointing at Yamato)