I'm Coming Home (sequel to RSW)

I panted as I leaned against the tree. I had somehow escaped a three year imprisonment with the Akatsuki. I figured that I hadn't really escaped and that they were tailing me seeing what I would and where I would go, but I had no idea what to do now. They had trained me, and beaten me, but I still couldn't figure out why. Half the time I had been kept at the brink of death, and other times I was almost treated like royalty. My heart still yearned for home, but how was I to get back there? I didn't even know where I was, let alone how they had gotten me there in the first place. I gritted my teeth and summoned a few crows. I instructed them to find the closest village so hopefully I could get something to eat soon. I sat on the ground, still on high alert, but allowed my body to rest. I just wanted to go home. After what seemed like hours, the crows finally returned, informing me of a village to the south. I nodded, released them, and stretched. Dawn was still a ways off, so I got on my way. Maybe I could even find a quick way to earn money. The sun peaked above the horizon as I got to the village. It was a decent size with a few inns. I walked to the one closest to the edge of town and walked in. The woman at the desk smiled in greeting.

"Hey there, what can I do for you?" I frowned a little as I remembered that I had no money.

"I was wondering if there was anyone looking to hire." She got a thoughtful look on her face.

"What kind of work would you say you're best at?" I shrugged.

"Bodyguard, manual labor, that sort of stuff." She raised an eye brow. "I know I don't look it, but just trust me." It was her turn to shrug as she put a key on the counter.

"Well I'll give you the first day and night free while I dig up something for you. Otherwise I could always use some help around here, if you don't find anything." I nodded and smiled for the first time in years.

"Thank you. I'm Hikari, by the way." I held out my hand to her.

"Lili. Nice to meet you." She smiled more and shook my hand. I walked up the stairs behind her as I looked at the room number on my key. I was in room 11, which turned out to not be that far from the stairs and faced the street. The room was a decent size with a very soft looking bed. I kicked off my stolen sandals, curtesy of Tobi, and flopped face first into the squishy mattress. My body ached as it started to relax, and I fell asleep right away.

~~~~

"Hey, Hikari, get up!" I groaned as a tried to roll away from the hand shaking my shoulder. I felt emptiness for a second and then a sharp pain in my head and shoulder, along with laughter. I rubbed my eyes and sat up to see Lili standing on the other side of the bed.

"What?" I yawned and stretched.

"Did you sleep well?" I nodded. "I would hope so, because you slept for three days straight." My eyes popped open and I jumped up and grabbed her shoulders.

"WHAT?!" She nodded and started laughing. I dropped my hands and covered my face. "I'm sorry. I already owe you money, and I don't even have a job yet..." I felt a hand on my shoulder and I peeked through my fingers and hair at her.

"It's fine. I did some asking around, but unfortunately, no one is hiring right now." I hung my head. "Hey, I'm still looking for someone remember?" I perked up. "Do you know how to cook?" I smirked.

"You have no idea." She smiled and clapped. 

"Perfect. Let's go look in the kitchen and you tell me what you need and whatnot." I happily walked out of the room with her and down to the main floor. We went through a door behind the desk and down a short hallway that opened up into a large kitchen. My eyes widened as I wondered around a little to look at all the equipment.

"Hey, Lili-chan!" I looked up to see  man who was about 20 standing at the half-wall that ran along one side of the kitchen.

"Oh hey, Taiyo. When did you get back?"

"This morning." He looked at me and a hole started to form in my gut. "And who are you?"  He still had a smile on his face, but his eyes screamed anger.

"Kari," I said simply. Lili gave me a knowing look.

"Why don't you look at the supply in the fridge and put together a list for the market." I nodded and happily retreated. I could hear heated whispering as I looked at the food at my disposal. There was plenty for pork dumplings and ramen, but nothing else. I mentally made a note to get some veggies, and then looked in the cabinets. There were plenty of spices and other dried products. When I looked back to Lili, Taiyo was gone and she was leaning against the counter rubbing her eyes.

"Hey." She looked at me. "Looks like you just need some veggies, unless there is a specific menu that's made every day." She shook her head.

"Most of the people who come here, come only to drink. I mainly make ramen to keep the hangovers to a minimum."

"Alright, well I make amazing dumplings, and ramen isn't that hard to do." She nodded, but still seemed distracted. I shifted my weight from one foot to the other, not sure how to react. It had been so long since I interacted with a normal person. After about another minute of silence, Lili clapped her hands.

"Well, we better get to the market, and it seems we need to get you some more clothes." She questioningly eyed my oversized black shirt and black shorts. My eyes darkened and I looked away from her.

"Maybe I'll trust you with that story some time."