Hatake

48

I trusted Tenzo to inform the hokage.

She'd probably be relived to know I'm leaving.

Kakashi told Guy. He was more interested than sad.

We stopped at the Nara house before setting out.

"You'll visit soon right?" Shikamaru asks.

I give him a tight hug.

I nod hoping that I will be able to come back someday.

"Thank you for everything." I say to all of them.

Shikaku smiles and hands me a small packet.

"Open it when you're missing the hidden leaf. And feel free to write me about any new plants you might find." He says.

We say bye and head out.

My fingers circle around the small charm that Kisame gave me all that time ago. I slip it back into my pocket.

I lead the way. Surprising Kakashi with my navigational skills.

"Picked up another skill I see." He says.

"I have." I say proudly.

...

Once it reaches sunset we set up camp.

We're in a good spot nothing too crazy and still far from the boarder.

As Kakashi adds a few sticks to the fire I can't help but feel my heart flutter.

I scoot closer to him and rest my head on his shoulder.

"I missed this." He says.

He wraps his arm around me. He pats my lumpy pocket on my vest.

I let him undo it and see the charm.

"Where did you get this?" He asks.

"Uh well it's sorta complicated, but Kisame and Itachi gave it to me." I reply.

"Hmm." He says and runs his thumb over it.

He puts it back in my pocket.

"You know I knew Itachi?" He says softly.

"No." I say.

"He was a cute kid. Talented and smart enough to jump up ranks. We were in the Anbu together. I think we understood each other. We both had heavy pasts." He says.

I cup his face and nod.

"I'm almost glad you met him." He says.

"He saved me. Both of them. They never were mean or upset with me. When I found out they were some of the most terrifying rouges- imagine how I felt." I say.

He laughs quietly.

"But they never told me who hired them. Maybe they didn't know. But someone knew I was there." I say.

"Did you ask Jiraiya about this?" He asks.

"Yes. Even he was stumped." I say.

...

In the morning we get an early start.

As we get closer I can almost hear the sound of the rain. Even though I know that impossible.

We reach soft dirt and I slip my shoes off.

"I meant to ask you, or maybe I have, why when I met you did you have no shoes?" He asks.