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A New Beginning

You turned six a few days ago. Normally you would have had a party for it but since you were still on the road you weren't able to. Your uncle made up for it though by getting you some of your favorite sweets along with a present.

The present Uncle Hakuseki gave you was a large photo book. Inside of it, he had put several pictures of you, him, and the three sand siblings while also leaving plenty of room for other pictures to be added. Granted that was the only gift you got but that didn't bother you. What mattered was the thought he must have put into it. It made you smile even though you were still sad about leaving.

Your sadness completely melted away though the moment realized you were now six and could wear your mother's mask. You were so excited to finally wear it after two years of waiting. The mask fit perfectly due to its adjustability. It was a little hard to get used to wearing it but it was worth it. It made you feel closer to your mother.

Due to the mask still being new to you, you couldn't help but admire it whenever you saw your reflection. You just looked so different with it on...but you liked it. It made you look like your mother and it hid your expressions.

You wondered what she would think of you wearing it...would she like it?

A sad smile crossed your lips at the thought as you stared down at your reflection in the small pond before you. Your thoughts were soon interrupted though by your uncle's yells.

"YN! Hurry up! I-It's time to get b-back on the road!"

"Coming!" You called back as you stood to your feet and took off in the direction of your uncle's voice.

He was standing in the middle of a dirt road with his hands resting on his hips as he patiently waited for you.

"Come on. We're a-almost there so let's hurry." Uncle Hakuseki said as he turned around and began to walk down the dirt road with you following closely behind him.

"Okay. Hey, Uncle Hakuseki, can I ask you something?" You said quickening your pace to match his long strides so that you were now walking beside him. 

Your uncle flicked his golden eyes to yours, a look of curiosity filling his features. 

"Yes? W-what is it?" 

"What's going to happen once we get to the Hidden Leaf village?"

His golden eyes widened at your question as he nervously looked away from you. He then anxiously cleared his throat as he focused his gaze on the road ahead.

"Once w-we get there you and I will go to speak to the Hokage...then a-after that the Hokage or someone else will take you to where y-you'll be living..."

"Okay! Wait...why won't you be taking me to where I'll be living? I mean you're going to live there too right?"

Uncle Hakuseki's shoulders dropped at your words as he took a deep breath. He then turned his eyes to your small form beside him. A look of guilt and sadness filled his eyes as he stared down at you. 

"I-I won't be taking you... After we speak to the Hokage...I-I'll be leaving."

"O-oh...okay." You murmured looking to the ground as the familiar sting of tears filled your eyes.  You didn't want to leave him...You had thought you were both going to be living in the Hidden Leaf Village together but it seems you were wrong.

"Hey don't cry. It will b-be okay." Uncle Hakuseki softly spoke, reaching his arm out to pat your back as the two of you continued walking down the road.

You sighed sadly at his attempt at comfort while wiping the tears from your face...you hated the thought of leaving your uncle but you wanted to be positive for him...you didn't want him to worry about you...as you thought this you blinked away the rest of your tears.