I'm Coming Home (sequel to RSW)

Part 6

After my talk with Lady Hokage, I wandered around the village a bit more. I wasn't ready to go home, or to see Obaa-san, so I made my way to the K.I.A. stone. There was no one around, so I sat behind it, in the shade. With no one around, my mind began to slowly retrace everything that happened since the Chunin exams. There were many blanks, as my mind refused to believe what happened to me. I stared up at the sky, watching the clouds blow across it above me, feeling the energy swirl around me. Still in my grey kimono, I was barely recognizable, so when I heard footsteps approaching from behind, I didn't pay too much attention. It was tthe name they used that shocked me.

"Chiyo, is that you?" I stood and met the gaze of an old man, who's expression changed from hope to sadness.

"Who are you?" I asked calmly, although my guard was at maximum. After listening to Obaa-san, I no longer trusted anyone associated with my clan. He sighed and took a few steps closer to the stone. My muscles tensed and I prepared myself to throw the senbon needles hidden in my sleeves.

"You must be Hikari. You look so much like her, that I mistook.." He trailed off and ran a hand through his gray hair. "I'm sorry for rambling. I am Taiyo, your great-uncle I believe. I am Chinatsu's brother." My eyes widened and then narrowed as I raised an eyebrow. He seemed genuine enough, but after the two months with Lili, I was suspicious.

"Well, I wish I could say it was nice to meet you, but I'm not the social type anymore." He nodded slowly. I watched his jaw tense and relax multiple times, as if he was trying to figure out what to say, but he never got the chance to get the words out. A cloud of smoke erupted between us as someone used a teleportation jutsu. My fingers cramped to attack both of them, but I needed to control myself.

"Huh? I hope I'm not interrupting anything," a familiar voice said as I watched silver hair emerge from the smoke. Kakashi was carrying two bento boxes, and I watched in curiosity as Taiyo quickly left us. He pretended not to notice as he turned and held out one of the boxes to me. I smiled slightly and took it. We then sat and I began eating.

"Did you make these ones this time?" He laughed as he pulled down his mask and opened his box.

"You can tell the difference?" I laughed and nodded, glad to feel relaxed again.

"Your cooking is the only one that can rival mine." We laughed for a few minutes and then ate in comfortable silence. The breeze blew gently around us as I recalled that day three years ago. What I thought next made me sad and lose my appetite, so I leaned back on the stone.

"What's on your mind?" Keen as ever.

"What do you think we would be like if we had all stayed?" I asked quietly. I had found out about Sasuke from Lady Hokage, and it seemed to be the only thing I could think about. Hell, I hadn't even seen Sakura since I got back... How was she handling all of this? Would she still want to be my friend? I felt a hand ruffle my hair and I looked up, the wind blowing free tears that I hadn't realized were building.

"Don't dwell on the past. Grow from it." I bit the inside of my cheek to keep from crying, but I couldn't seem to help it. Tears streamed down my face as I held my head in my hands. I felt him rub my back as I let out all my fear and frustration. I wasn't there. I left my friends all alone...

"Hika-chan!" I looked up to meet green eyes across the field. Naruto was following at a slower pace. Something about seeing my childhood friend pulled me to my feet, the bento spilling over the ground. I crashed into her arms, sending us to the ground. I wrapped my arms tightly around her as I cried into her neck.

"Sakura-chan!" I mumbled incoherent apologies for leaving her, but she just held me close as we laid on the ground. Eventually, the tears ran dry and we sat up and we both started laughing.

"I'm just happy you're back. Let's not dwell on the past." My laugh faltered as I heard that phrase for the third time today. I couldn't remember much from my time with the Akatsuki, but was there something dangerous hidden there? If I remembered, would I become the danger everyone feared I was..?

A/N Sorry it's a tad short, but I know you've been waiting!