Bluebird (Naruto Fanfiction)

Part One: 5, raging ramen

*Aiko's Perspective*

The longer we spent with the leaf ninja, the more friendly and open they got. All the boys there, even Shikamaru, started to show what seemed to be their real personalities.

"We're not too far from the village now"Sakura said giving Kiyomi and I a warm smile.

"Granny Tsunade really wants to meet you guys" Naruto cheerfully added.

"Who's Granny Tsunade? Is that supposed to be the Hokage?" I asked him, he smiled and nodded his head. "She lets you call her Granny?" I questioned.

"She didn't like it too much at first, but she's used to it by now"Naruto shrugged.

"Are we also going to be meeting the Legendary Sannin Jiraiya?"Kiyomi asked.

"Master Jiraiya is on a mission, but I'm sure your paths will cross eventually"Kakashi answered. We continued walking in silence, over the past 3 days we learned a lot about the village and the people there. We've heard stories about the many ninjas we haven't met yet. Surprisingly, I was excited to see the village. I don't think it sunk in yet that we're here permanently, not for a visit.

Once we got some distance from the other ninja Kiyomi and I gossiped about how cute all the boys were, and agreed that we can't call dibs til we've seen all of our options. I assumed we had arrived at the village, we approached the gates and Kakashi greeted the guards.

As we walked through the village, I couldn't help but admire everything. I looked at all the shops, and happy faces around us. Things weren't much different than the sand, the only thing missing was Temari, Kankuro, Minyo and Gaara's smiling faces. Minyo loved to travel to different villages, he would have been so happy to be here.

The memories flooded back, Minyo lying helplessly in Gaara's arms. His last words to us will forever be scarred in my mind. I would do anything to have him here right now, then again, if he were alive there would have been no reason for us to come here. In my mind I was conflicted and battling with myself about the positives and negatives of the situation and decided it was best for everyone if I focused on the bright side before I start crying like a baby as I usually do.

I don't want the team of leaf ninja to feel as if their babysitting us, so I need to stay strong. Not just for me, but for Kiyomi too. Even though I'm sure she already knows how affected I am by the whole situation. I'm not saying these new people aren't great but no one could compare to our sand family , we haven't even figured out where we're staying yet and I already feel home sick. The only thing keeping me from curling up in a ball alone in a corner is the fact that Kiyomi's still by my side and Minyo would most definitely disapprove but I also can't help to feel a bit pathetic as to how reliant I am.

I didn't notice how deeply distracted I was by my thoughts and was taken back to reality when I crashed into something. I stumbled for a split second as I realised I bumped into someone and not something.

"Oh, I'm so sorry Sakura. I didn't mean to" I apologised right away and couldn't help feeling embarrassed.

"Aiko don't even worry about it, I understand. You must be overwhelmed from all that's going on right now, there's nothing wrong with getting a bit distracted by your thoughts. Just know if you need anything, you have me and your cousin" She replied with a look of concern and understanding written on her face.

I smiled back in appreciation and also thanked myself for bumping into Sakura and not someone who would yell at me but I still feel so frustrated with myself. I don't know if I wanna punch something or just scream and cry but I have to try my best to leave my childish ways behind. My emotional impulses have always been something that I had hated about myself, it makes me feel like i'll never be the great ninja my family would have wanted me to be.