Minato's Daughter

Chapter 19 - Her Return

Miyuki

Two days had passed since Team Kakashi and an elder named Granny Chio had left the village, intending to bring the Kazekage, Gaara, back with them. I sighed, staring up at the ceiling of the room I had been staying in. I wasn't sure how Sand shinobi were able to work in the heat. While it wasn't hot enough to give someone heat stroke, it wasn't pleasant either.

"Sora, it sounds like the Kazekage has been found."

I whipped my head to the opened door and saw the Kazekage's brother, Kankuro. He blinked a few times before he quickly slammed the door shut.

"I apologize for entering without knocking!" He yelled before I heard his feet shuffling away.

I couldn't help but smile. It had been nice to be in a village again, surrounded by people who treated each other like friends and family. The Kazekage's siblings were pleasant as well. I placed the ANBU mask over my face and swung the cloak over my body. If the Kazekage had been found, that meant that I could report to Lord Baki and head back to Konoha. I stepped out and made my way to Lord Baki's office. Before I could even knock, he opened the door, surprising me.

"Oh, Sora, was there something I could do for you?" He asked me, taking a few steps back so I could enter his office.

"I was reporting to you that I believe my work to be completed here," I informed him.

He walked to the back of his office where a window was. He looked out of it, appearing to contemplate something.

"Many of our shinobi just left to bring the Kazekage home. Would it be alright with you if you stayed to protect the village, just until they're back?" He asked me.

I was hesitant but I agreed. I was sure that Team Kakashi and the second team would probably head home immediately now that the mission was complete. Lord Baki thanked me before telling me that I could simply inform a shinobi to relay a message that I had left once the majority of their ninja, and the Kazekage, had returned home. Worst case, he could always ask Lady Tsunade if I had made it back. I walked through the village, watching as many of the villagers talked excitedly.

"The Kazekage has been found!"

"He is returning home!"

A child who was running ran straight into my legs, falling back. They looked up at me, quickly apologizing with tears in their eyes. I noticed that they had received a small cut on their leg. I couldn't help but soften up. I began to crystalize a small crystal flower in my hand and gave it to the girl.

"Be careful where you go so you don't get injured again," I said to her, handing over the flower.

Her face lit up and the tears appeared to dry instantly. I found myself smiling and wondering if I would have done the same for Naruto, had I been around to care for him as a child. I continued my path throughout the village until I heard a shinobi saying they could see the welcoming squad. I sat on top of the mountain that acted like a gate for the village and watched them from afar. I looked at the man that was being supported and realized that he must be the Kazekage. I was surprised by how young he was. My eyes shifted over to the boy next to him and my body froze. Blonde hair and blue eyes. He looked so similar to dad that it was painful. Was that Naruto? I looked behind him and saw a flash of white hair and quickly walked a few steps back, disappearing from welcome party's line of sight. Why did he return back to Sunagakure? Why was he with Naruto? Was it possible that Lord Third had assigned Kakashi as the one in charge of Naruto? I quickly found a Sand shinobi, one that appeared to be a genin, who was running to the welcoming committee, telling him to tell Lord Baki that I was returning to the Leaf.