I'm Coming Home (sequel to RSW)

Part 5

Hikari's POV

I awoke to talking, but due to my previous imprisonment, my instincts told me to stay still. I couldn't hear the conversation that well, and I figured it was due to the fact that the people weren't in the room with me. I laid totally still as I heard a door open and one person walked over to the bed I was in. I heard a heavy sigh and then a chair scraping the floor as they sat.

"I don't care what he says, I'm not leaving without you," I heard a familiar voice mutter. My heart jumped as I recalled what had happened, and I rolled over to meet Naruto's gaze. His face broke into that cheeky smile of his. "It's about time you woke up!" I felt my soul soar, and I felt Kasai warm up with happiness. Naruto got an odd look on his face and placed a hand over his stomach, but I grabbed his hand and held it to my face.

"I missed you so much," I muttered. "Please don't leave again..." My voice broke and I felt him wrap his arms around me as I heard him laugh.

"There's no way in hell I'm ever doing that again." I nodded into his shoulder and we sat there in comfortable silence for a while. Then I remembered what today was and I pushed him away with wide eyes.

"Crap! The festival!" I jumped out of the bed, causing him to fall over, and searched for my things. My brain had already switched to all the different types of dumplings I needed to make, and I was reaching for the door when a hand covered my eyes. Instinct kicked in, and I went to elbow the person in the stomach, but the other hand caught my arm and there was more laughing.

"Calm down, Hika-chan," he laughed by my ear. My cheeks heated up as I forced myself to relax. He dropped his hands and I turned to face him, trying to hide my embarrassment. "Your boss was just here, saying that you didn't need to worry about it, if you woke up today." I nodded slowly as he pointed to a bag by the bed. "And she packed up everything you had in your room." I sighed and rubbed my face.

"So, when are we leaving?" My eyes weren't focused, so I didn't notice him lean his face on my forehead until he started talking.

"The doctor says you shouldn't travel yet, and Pervy Sage wants to leave in two hours. He doesn't want to run into anymore Akatsuki." I groaned to ignore the odd feeling in my stomach as I felt his lips move on my forehead.

"I'm sure I'll be perfectly fine to get back to Konoha. It can't be that far." Again he shook with a laugh.

"It's about four days at our fastest." My stomach fell. I had bandages all over my body, and I could still feel open wounds. Apparently Kasai wasn't strong enough to heal me yet, and that would slow them down. But I had an idea, and I smiled up at him.

"You go back with Jirayah. I'll be right behind you ok?" He looked at me in surprise, and opened his mouth to argue, but I raised an eyebrow. "Do you remember who you're talking to?" His cheeks turned pink as he closed his mouth. There was a knock at the door, and he let me go and opened the door. I heard a quiet feminine voice.

"Yes she's awake, Granny, come in." He stepped back and opened the door more and Obaa-san walked in. She teared up at the sight of me standing, and almost fine. She shooed Naruto out, much to my amusement, and then we sat on the bed. She stared at me for a long time with an intense expression. Finally, she spoke, and what she said surprised me.

"I'm going to move to Konoha with you." My jaw dropped and I stared at her.

"You're serious?" She nodded. "What about your shop?" She waved a hand in the air.

"I'm taking it with me! I'll set it back up there! I got the help of a couple nice Shinobi who said they knew you." I raised an eyebrow and looked at the door.

"It's not Naruto and Jirayah, is it?" She shook her head.

"No no. These two aren't in such a hurry to return. Come, let me grab your bag, and we'll go meet them."

~~~~

We saw off them off in front of the inn. Naruto had tried to argue for me to travel with them, but I almost had to beat it into him that I wasn't strong enough to travel at their speed, and besides I wanted to travel with my grandmother. He looked like a rejected puppy, but brightened up after I gave him a hug. Then they were gone, and my heart actually hurt as I watched them disappear into the trees. Then Obaa-san and I walked to her shop, where two men were loading her things into a large cart with a huge horse tethered to the front. As we got closer, I realized that it was Shadow, a young mare from a local breeder, that I had befriended. I raised an eyebrow and heard her laugh.

"Everyone around here talks my dear. I knew Shadow was the only choice for this when I made my decision yesterday. Now come on, let's see if they'll let us help out." I nodded as we walked around the cart, but I froze to the ground when I saw who it was. My eyes teared up at the sight of that silver hair and green jump suit. They were too busy to notice me at that moment, and Obaa continued on as if I hadn't stopped. I covered my mouth as the tears started falling, and I watched her get their attention at which point they looked at me.

"Kakashi-san," I breathed as he shoved whatever he was holding into Gai's hands. He gave me a huge hug, and the tears flowed faster. After a few moments, he held me away with his hands on my shoulders as I wiped my eyes.

"You've grown," he said with a small crack in his voice.

~~~~

I stared up at the huge gates as we passed between them, open to visitors and home comers alike. We had to stop by the guards to inform them of our purpose and whatnot, but I was told distracted. Very little had seemed to have changed, and I wandered off. I was in a plain grey traveling kimono with my hair loose, and was elated when the breeze blew through it, bringing all the familiar smells of home. I retraced steps ingrained into my head, and found myself standing outside of Ichiraku's. I had my coin purse on me, and with no other customers, I sat on the stool. I ordered the ramen that Naruto always got, and he didn't recognize me at first, until I asked if Naruto had stopped by.

"Oh Hikari! Is that really you? Goodness you've grown into a lovely lady, haven't you?" I laughed, a little embarrassed. "Ah yes, Naruto stopped in a few days ago, when he got back." I smiled my thanks as he handed me my ramen, and I ate it happily. Then I paid and left, winding my way around to the Hokage building. Most people I passed didn't recognize me, which was nice. Much better than the glares they used to give me, although I better understood why they had. Eventually, I made my way into the giant red building. Everyone there recognized me, and Kakashi was waiting outside the main office for me.

"Gai and your grandmother are heading to the location for her new store. They left a bit ago. But we're going to be having a different conversation, and-"

"I know of Lady Hokage already," I said, cutting him off. "I don't know what they wanted with me, but I always knew what they did." My expression grew dark, and he nodded before turning and knocking on the door twice. It opened before us, and I stepped in and bowed. I stood up straight and met eyes with the Great Sanin I had always looked up to.

"Welcome home, Hikari," she greeted me with a serious look. I knew she was worried about my plans for coming back.

"It's good to be back. More than you know." She nodded and waved her assistant and Kakashi away. Both left silently, and I could sense them right outside the door, waiting to jump into action if needed. She then gestured to a chair that was in front of her desk.

"Sit. We're going to be here a while."