A Little More Than This (Discontinued)

Chapter 31

There was a slightly awkward atmosphere to the room. The two young teens stood, slightly apart, facing the newly appointed Fifth Hokage.

"Now as I was not present at the previous Chūnin exams I believe that none of the participants should not become Chūnin. But the evidence I have been presented with here is too overwhelming. I believe that it's in the village's best interest to make you both Chūnin" Tsunade sighed, sorting through some papers. "If you have any questions please speak up" she continued, glancing up at the two before her.

"Do... do we have to become Sensei's at the academe?" Shikamaru asked rather sheepishly. "No, Nara. You do not. Although you may chose to do so once you've achieved a certain mission income" Tsunade replied, smirking as he and Mei both sighed heavily with relief.

"I wish to request a leave of absence Hokage-Sama" Mei asked, earning a look from the male in the room. "What for?" Tsunade asked, looking up at the girl. "While out with Jiraiya a man came up to me, whilst I was training, and requested that I train with him and his partner" Mei replied. "He says he was impressed with what I was training with, but wishes to train me outside of the villages restrains" she continued.

Tsunade gave the young girl a quizzical look, before removing and placing her glasses on her desk. "Nara-San please leave the building" she commanded. Shikamaru, who was still staring at Mei, shook out of his shocked state and left the room, but not without sending a worried glance back at Tsunade.

"Would these Sensei be in our Bingo-book?" Tsunade asked. "Yes, but they are good men! They're-" Mei started, but caught herself as she realised what she was about to stay. "Family? Mei, I know, I gave Jiraiya his information" Tsunade finished, raising an eyebrow at the tangerine.

"Though, now you're probably wondering whether nor not I'll brand you a traitor. Aren't you?" Tsunade asked, as Mei's eyes widened. "Well the answer is no. But I will allow you to leave with them, I know how important family is" She continued, pulling out a reasonably thick file and a stamp. She pressed the stamp onto the file and shooed Mei from the office.

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Shikamaru waited outside the building until Mei emerged some 10 minutes after he did. The instant she emerged Shikamaru grabbed her arm and dragged her to the edge of the village, before pulling her towards a little clearing.

"Private enough for you?" Mei asked, smirking slightly. "Why? Why can't you stay here?" Shikamaru asked. "It's a secret" Mei replied, looking downcast.

Shikamaru gripped the girls' shoulders and held her at arms length, bring her slightly closer. He dropped his head and took a large breath.

"There are monsters, human or not, out there. What about the S-class criminals? Or some other feral life forms? Please" Shikamaru pleaded, lifting his head and giving her a begging look. Mei removed his hands from her shoulders and hugged him, surprising the lazy ninja.

"Don't worry. I trust these guys with my life. And if any creep comes within five feet of me I'll kick his ass" Mei replied, smirking slightly as Shikamaru wrapped his arms around her tightly. "Promise you'll come back? In one piece?" The boy asked, releasing Mei from the hug. The girl giggled before nodding and turning to walk away.

"Travel does not exist without home... if we never returned to the place we started, we would just be wandering, lost. Home is a reflected surface, a place to measure our growth and enrich us after being infused with the outside world" Mei said, smiling in his direction before leaving him standing in the clearing.

Mei made her way back to her and Kakashi's apartment. She went to her room, quickly packing all her ninja tools and scrolls, as well as some clothing and a few keepsakes. Like the little friendship bracelet Hinata gave her and a couple of books she had been given over the years she had spent on Konoha. She placed them all in a large, sturdy bag before leaving the room.