Child of the Moon

Her Sun

After her decision to find Naruto, she caused something of a stir. She was found by a young ninja, with spikey white hair and a mask covering the lower half of his face, and brought to an old man in a robe, with a large hat. Because she wasn't supposed to be wandering around.

The young ninja had been kind, promising he was going to take her to someone who wanted to talk to her and could help her. She trusted him, despite her fear and confusion, because she could tell he was being honest. She couldn't see his face, but she could see his mind, and it was being truthful. To her, at least.

The old man, who was called "Lord Hokage" was a kindly old man.

"Why did you leave the hospital?" he asked gently, the young ninja standing quietly by the door.

"I wanted to find Naruto," she answered.

He watched her with a guarded expression. She could hear his thoughts, wondering why, and what she could know.

"I want to find him because he makes me feel safe," she said, tipping her head. "The hospital was too loud, and he made it quiet."

A small smile crossed the old man's face.

"And... he had lonely eyes," she continued, her eyes flickering briefly at the window, reflecting the young ninja behind her.

"Naruto is a terribly lonely boy," the Hokage agreed sadly. "Do you know that he was the one who found you?"

Tsukiko shook her head, confused.

"He called for help, and another ninja came and brought you to the hospital, where you woke up," he explained. After a brief moment, he looked right at her with kind eyes. "Do you wish to be his friend?"

She tipped her head at him curiously. "Can I?"

The old man looked at the ninja, who left briefly. No words or even thoughts passed between them, yet they understood each other perfectly.

"How old are you, Tsukiko?" the old man asked.

"How do you know my name?" she queried, with a surprised face.

He laughed, the sound a warm chuckle. "As the Hokage, I must know many things. But in this case, the nurses at the hospital told me your name."

"Oh," Tsukiko said, blinking owlishly. "Oh, I'm eleven. I think..."

"Only eleven!" the Hokage said, playfully surprised. "Well, you are strong for someone so young."

She flushed lightly, slightly embarrassed by the compliment.

After a few brief moments, another ninja with a wolf mask came in, with a squirming blond in one hand.

"Let me go! I didn't do anything yet!" the boy yelled, as he was dropped in front of the Hokage, next to Tsukiko. He blinked up at her, and she crouched in front of him.

"Hello," she said brightly. "Lord Hokage says that you were the one who found me. Thank you!"

He grinned sheepishly. "Aw, I didn't really do much."

"Naruto," the Hokage said warmly. "Tsukiko has nowhere to go. Would it be alright if she stayed with you?"

Naruto's face lit up so bright, it was like the sun was shining from his smile. Tsukiko instantly felt the desire to protect that smile and held her arms out to the much younger boy. He ran into her arms, hugging her tightly, and excitedly telling her about how he could make ramen and how he would show her the best ramen bar in the whole village and so many things.

She smiled to the Hokage, to show her appreciation for his kindness.