I'm Coming Home (sequel to RSW)

Part 2

The picture is Hikari in her nighttime uniform in the kitchen and bar. 

It's been two months since I started working for Lili, and I've never had so much fun in my life. The inn itself is usually empty, but the nightly patrons were a riot. I got to know most of the village in the first week, and they were all very friendly. Maybe once a week, a shinobi would wonder in looking for a room and then come downstairs for dinner. I tended to pay more attention to the stories they told, especially if a Leaf shinobi blew my way. I was always careful to not pry too hard, but I doubted any of them would've recognized me, but they always said that I made the best dumplings ever tasted. This particular day, I was out at the market getting all the supplies for the New Year's festival the following night. I was currently looking at a scarf similar to the one I had gotten from Kono-kun when I heard familiar voices. I turned to see a familiar head of blonde hair and I quickly paid for the scarf and thanked the lady as I ran back to the inn, and my path would take me right passed him.

"Bye, Kari! I'll be stopping by for some dumplings tomorrow!" she shouted, and most of the others I ran by agreed. I ran to the left of him, making sure to bump into his shoulder slightly. I turned, smiled and waved as I continued on my way.

"Sorry!" I looked at his face and blushed at how he had grown and he met my gaze. His cheeks turned a light pink and I quickly turned and sprinted for the inn. I ran straight to the kitchen and braced myself against the counter after I put the bags down. I made sure no one was around and lightly touched the marking behind my ear. I always kept it hidden with my hair, and I also realized that Kasai had been quiet ever since I left the Akatsuki. I pushed that to the back of my mind as I started putting the food supplies away and then moved to the front desk, where I was barely aware of Lili checking in some new guests. I was sticking some decorations under the desk when I heard a suggestive comment and Lili giggle. I looked up and came face to face with Naruto and Jiraiya. I managed to keep a mildly curious expression on and looked and Lili.

"What?" she asked innocently. I rolled my eyes.

"No flirting with the guests, remember?" She laughed again as she handed them keys. I saw that they were in the room across the hall from mine. I inwardly cringed. "Anyways, seems like you too rolled in just in time. The festival is tomorrow." I saw Naruto's face brighten a little and Jiraiya gave him a look I couldn't recognize. They headed upstairs and I couldn't help but watch them. It felt like a dream.

"Well well well, someone you know?" I shrugged before I nodded.

"He was in town, and I ran into him. He's really cute," was all I could manage to say. I went upstairs with my kimono and scarf and went to lay down for a while. Lili was giving me the night off the prepare for tomorrow. I was about to enter my room when Naruto exited his. He had a tired and sad look on his face. I had to resist reaching out to him. It took him a minute to realize I was standing there.

"Oh, um hey." He easily put on a smile that could've fooled anyone. I tilted my head a little.

"Why are you sad?" He looked at me in shock. "Oh, um sorry. I'm sure you don't wanna share something like that with a stranger." He shrugged and stuffed his hands in his pockets. I glanced at his headband and my eyes widened at the black fabric under the metal plate. I quickly averted my eyes and we stood there in an awkward silence.

"It's someone, well a couple people actually, that I lost. I'm just worried I won't get them back is all." My heart warmed and I smiled slightly and I turned to unlock my door.

"I'm sure you will. You've got that air about you. I'm Kari, by the way." His face seemed to lift and he headed to the stairs.

"I'm Naruto Uzimaki." I walked into my room and collapsed against the door after it closed. I took a deep breath and then I was on high alert. Something wasn't right. I walked to my window just in time to see a shadow disappear. I bit my lip in worry. Suddenly, there was a knock at my door. I opened it a little to see Naruto standing there. His face was pink and he was scratching the back of his head.

"Yes?" I prompted.

"Um, I was wondering if you would show me around town? I really just want to be away from my sensei, but I'd still like to talk to someone, and you're really cute and-" He cut himself off as both our faces turned red. I couldn't help from giggling, but I managed to not hug him.

"Ok then. I have the night off anyways. Just let me grab my scarf." He nodded and I grabbed my new scarf. I was a darker blue, but just as soft, which surprised me. I wrapped around my neck and pulled my hair from under it and let it flow freely with the ends of the scarf. I slipped on a pair of black winter boots which matched my leggings and grabbed my hand bag and made sure my money pouch was in there. I stepped into the hall and locked my door. I turned to see Naruto staring at me and I blushed. I cleared my throat and he seemed to snap back to reality.

"So, um, I'm not sure where to start. I didn't really see interesting when we arrived." I giggled again.

"That's because the interesting things are hidden from strangers." We started walking down the stairs. "This is a small village, and we want to keep it that way. No tourist destinations here." He nodded and I waved to Lili as we left the building. We were silent mostly as we walked down the main street, and I would notice him look at me curiously when people would greet me. When we were a little passed the center of town, I pulled him into a little shop.

"What is this place?" I smiled as I looked around at all the cool nicknacks around the space.

"This is my favorite shop. Lady Chi's is only open two months a year, because she travels around to find all these unique items. She'll be leaving the day after tomorrow" He nodded as I dropped his hand and wondered around, gazing at all the amazing objects. Candles were lit all around, adding a soft and mysterious light to everything. A red shine towards the back caught my eye, and I went to see Lady Chi setting up a new set of armor. I stared at it and I gasped in surprise. She turned to me, and her face brightened.

"Oh, Kari, dear! I'm so glad you came in today. What do you think?" I walked over and gently ran a hand over the shiny plating.

"Where did you find this?" She started laughing.

"Find? Oh no, dear child, I didn't find this. It was given to me. Well, given back I should say." I looked at her questioningly. "This set of armor has been in my family for generations, when I decided to not become a kunochi, I saved it for my daughter. She brought it back to me some years ago, but she hasn't been since." Her face fell and I put a hand on her shoulder. She looked up into my eyes and smiled again as a tear ran down her face.

"What is it?" She brushed some of my hair from my face.

"You look so much like her. Maybe that's part of the reason I enjoy your visits so much." My eyes widened and started to water. Our little moment was interrupted when Naruto approached. I wiped my eyes as he asked Lady Chi about something in a case. I followed them to a jewelry case near her register. I wondered back over to the armor and stared at the red metal in the candle light, losing myself in thought.

Hello Hikari. I snapped into reality and looked around. Naruto was buying something and Lady Chi was giving me an odd look. I walked over in time to catch her putting a wrapped package in a small bag. He smiled his thanks, and it was the saddest smile I had ever seen. We walked out and I saw that the sun was starting to set.

"How long were we in there for?" Naruto asked. I shrugged and looked around to see what was open.

"Wanna grab some dinner back at the inn? Sorry I couldn't show you more, but I guess that's alright. The best place will probably look amazing tomorrow night." I looked to see him staring into space and nodding. I wanted to get to know him again. I wanted to know what I has missed in the last three years. I wanted to tell him how I felt. Maybe I wanted too much.