Bluebird (Naruto Fanfiction)

Part One: 19, goodbyes and butterflies

*Aiko's Perspective*

I was anxiously waiting at the gate, we had heard that the boys were on their way back. I couldn't go alone of course, Lady Tsunade had asked Asuma to escort me to the gate. I didn't know much about him, only that he was Shikamaru's sensei. He was leaning against a tree smoking a cigarette, only glancing back at me every once and awhile.

I was restless, yet hopeful. I had faith that they could retrieve Kiyomi and bring her home safely. I decided that making some polite small talk might calm my nerves. I approached his relaxed figure.

"You must be excited to be a father, when is the baby due?" I asked, trying not to glance at the gate.

"Yeah, two more months till there's a mini me in the world" He laughed gruffly.

"Have you decided a name yet? What's the gender?" I asked getting a little excited at the thought of a new born baby. They're so precious and cute, maybe I should offer to babysit one day.

He smiled, I couldn't help but notice Asuma is pretty attractive. Nice catch Kurenai. I thought to myself.

Asuma was about to answer but then his eyes drifted to the gate and stayed there. He suddenly stood up straight, which caused me to turn around to see what he was looking at.

I saw Kakashi, Naruto, Yamato, Sai and Neji walk in. Maybe Kiyomi was behind them? Neji's eyes caught mine and I saw the guilt they held. I instantly knew that guilt came from not being able to return Kiyomi. I looked down at my feet and tried to hold back tears, I didn't want to burden the people that tried so hard to get her while I was useless and held back but my emotions were overwhelming.

I kept my head down until the group was standing right in front of me. I sheepishly looked up at them, knowing bad news was about to be given to me. The boys all looked at each other, probably debating through their eyes who was going to be the unlucky sap to break the news to me.

Kakashi sighed, taking leadership. "Aiko, circumstances have changed. Kiyomi was taken by Orochimaru but has chosen to stay there willingly. Orochimaru is a manipulative sannin, he promised to make Kiyomi strong and train her,she thinks she's doing something good because she wants to become strong so that she can protect you. But what she doesn't know is that Orochimaru only wants her to be strong so that he can later use her body as a vessel. She is also alongside Sasuke, who I'm sure you've heard about, which is quite troublesome."

I couldn't bring myself to speak, my body felt glued in place and I could hear my own heartbeat while my hands were shaking by my side. I just looked at the group, taking in the information that felt like it had slapped me in the face. Kiyomi must have felt so vulnerable and abandoned, that it seemed like a good idea to join forces with a runaway delinquent and manipulative sannin.I also knew Kiyomi is stubborn so if she thought that was the right decision, I doubt she would abandon the offer.

"Aiko, I know this news is terrible, but we're not going to give up on her. We will get her back,stay strong." Neji said, breaking me from my intense thoughts.

"I-I um have to go." I mumbled, feelings the tears begging to be released, I also felt a sudden rush of anger and abandonment, but I knew Kiyomi's intentions were good. I just wish she were with me, I wish she asked me so I could tell her we can get strong together and tell her that I want to protect her just as much as she wants to protect me.

I started walking away and my walk quickly turned into a sprint as I began to bawl. I was hoping I would be able to get some alone time to come to terms with things but I knew someone would follow me since I'm probably still on lockdown. I wasn't exactly sure where I was running to, but my feet took me to a field with tall grass up to my hips and wild flowers scattered the vast majority of green.