namikaze girl ! k. hatake

seventeen.

"i wish you didn't have to leave," naruto's voice was childlike, slowly walking alongside me as kakashi stayed just a step behind, on my left. i looked at naruto, seeing his head bowed down with eyes closed for a moment. i breathed, glancing back, between our shoulders, at the people of konoha, who were quick to devise a reconstruction crew.

"not yet, naruto. . ." naruto had suggested that whenever lady tsunade woke from her coma, she would certainly welcome me home again. still, my stomach turned, knowing danzo was still near konoha, likely hiding from the destruction of pain. i couldn't stand his selfishness; running away at the first sign of battle. . . i wouldn't return home until konoha would see what i saw within him, no matter how much naruto begged and pleaded.

"i'll make sure she gets back safely. i've left yamato in charge," kakashi told naruto, reminding me that kakashi was never going to leave my side until we had a chance to. . . what were we going to do? i knew kakashi was curious about my feelings, though it hadn't dawned on me how persistent he would be for it. still, i was glad i would have another chance to be alone with him.

"well, when can we see you again?" naruto asked, finally looking back at me again just before stopping in his tracks. we had wandered far from the group, and this seemed to be where the gates used to stand tall. i saw the pillars on either side of us, broken down entirely. home sweet home.

"i'm never very far," i simply stated, forcing a grin to my face before naruto nodded slightly, wanting to believe me. it was true, however, i never went too far from konoha, though it was always rare i would see naruto. it just so happens that it's been more than usual, these days. still, he looked almost disappointed. "hey. . ." his blue eyes looked up at me again, matching my own. "no matter what happens - whatever you do - i'll always be there. . . i love you, always."

the words meant something to him, as i was worried they wouldn't. i was practically a stranger, who just so happened to look a lot like him and shared the same dna. i didn't feel so guilty telling naruto that i loved him, because i knew for certain that it was true, and that he wouldn't have to worry if i was by his side. with kakashi, there was always that wall i held up for whatever reason. kakashi was an acquired love that grew on me over time. with naruto, it was a birth right, since the day i met him.

as much thinking that i did, i hardly realized naruto was hugging me again. he remained silent, though i didn't mind. i gave my brother one last strong embrace, feeling slightly guilty that my dried blood was likely rubbing on his shoulder, though he didn't seem to care. i was glad he was able to speak with minato alone, without me there. i was hopeful that the two of us would meet him again, this time not trying to kill the other.

when naruto released his grip on me, i saw the glistening reflection of tears streaming down his cheeks before he was able to wipe them away. i looked to kakashi, as if to queue him that i was ready, and i think naruto was, too.

"i'll be back, naruto," he eased to his student, earning a soft nod. i let my hand leave naruto's shoulder slowly, looking back at him as kakashi took his place beside me. naruto's small hand came to the air, waving a goodbye. i felt my eyes burn, telling me it was time to face forward, toward the path kakashi and i walked along. the shinobi's eye scanned the woods around us before shifting over to me. "you're still very pretty, even when you have blood all over your face."

i felt my cheeks warm at his words, thankful that they were already painted red to save me from further embarrassment. before i could even find the courage to thank him, his eyes went forward again as he spoke.

"and, thank you for helping me against pain. . . i'm glad naruto has accepted you," his words abruptly stopped, as if he didn't want to continue and say something he shouldn't. it had reminded me of how naruto acted in the beginning of our talk, and it made me look at kakashi, hoping he would continue.