Just A Kid

Chapter 29

Araile lazily opened one eye, and then another as sunlight drifted into the hospital room. Stretching, she sat up, her muscle's protesting from being in a comfortable position.

A 'clank' got her attention as something metal fell to the floor. She blinked and looked down, sighing when she realized that the headband that Kakashi had given her had fallen from her lap, and was responsible for making the metalic noise. She picked it up with a heavy heart, and tied it securely around her neck.

'Today is the Lord Hokage's funeral...' she thought as she rested her head against the chair.

"Are you going to the Hokage's funeral today?" a voice asked quietly beside her.

Araile's eyes snapped to her brother's face.

"Kane! You're awake!" Araile exclaimed as she pounced on her brother, throwing her arms around his neck in a tight hug.

Her brother tensed at the unexpected contact, but then relaxed and placed a light hand on her back.

"Kakashi told me that you've been here for three days now," Kane stated smoothly as the nine year old detangled herself from him.

"Oh, um...yeah I have," she admitted sheepishly, scratching the back of her head in embarrassment.

Kane sighed, and winced from the pain.

Araile started, wanting to help her brother, but stopped when he raised a hand to stop her. Biting her lip, Araile waited anxiously as Kane clenched his jaw from pain. He sighed and relaxed against the pillow once the pain passes.

"It seems that my body still hasn't healed itself yet," Kane muttered, more to himself then to his sister.

The hospital room door opened, and a nurse poked her head in.

"Araile? Ah good, you're up. Kakashi is waiting in the reception room for you," the nurse said, and then left.

Araile grumbled and made a face at the door, not wanting to leave her brother's side. She wanted to spend more time with him!

She bit her lip as she had a mental debate on what to do.

"Go on. Kakashi wants you there with him," Kane said calmly.

Araile looked back at him and slowly nodded.

She silently walked out of the hospital room for the first time in three days and looking down the hallway, spotted the familiar grey hair sticking up. Araile walked over to Kakashi, looking around the reception room.

'It's way too white in here. It's starting to hurt my eyes,' she thought as she put her arm through Kakashi's arm.

He looked down and smiled with his one visible eye, recognizing said gesture as one she used to do a lot when she was younger. Araile used to do it when she was unsure about her surroundings, or if she was sad. Both walked out of the hospital; her arm through his. He told the girl what happened during the Konoha invasion. She inwardly shuddered of how close she was to losing her home. She looked around, noticing here and there the damage the enemy forces had caused. A knot formed in her stomach when she took in the damage. A hot prick of tears caused her to blink her eyes quickly.

Today was not for crying. She had to be strong. So many people were working together to repair the damages done. This helped lift Araile's spirits. Soon, her village would be back to normal.

Once she passed the ramen shop, she realized where Kakashi was going.

'We're going home,' she thought, smiling at the memories she had in the apartment.

Kakashi had taken charge of her since she was an infant. From what she could remember, she had always been with Kakashi, and couldn't be happier.

As soon as he opened the front door, she ran into the apartment with a smile.

"I'm home!" Araile giggled happily.