Shiori had hugged her parents before going to bed, without dinner, so unless her parents had broken the news, Shiori didn't think her sister knew she was back in the village. She got out of bed, took a quick shower, before dressing in her uniform with a Chunin vest and Hitai-ate tied around her forehead. Heading out the door, Shiori peeked into the dining room and was surprised to see no one was present.
"What time is it?" She muttered to herself, before glancing out at the sun. Oh, she had woken up way earlier than expected, the sun isn't even fully up yet. Humming to herself, the pink haired Chunin headed over to the stove before pausing. She smiled to herself a little, the last time she prepared a meal here, she couldn't even reach the stove without the aid of a stool, now the stove was ended around the middle of her tummy. "Hm... Saba fish and Miso Soup should be good."
Mebuki Haruno froze as she heard humming from her kitchen along with the smell of rice and fish. She peeked into the kitchen and a sad smile slipped onto her face, it was the daughter she hasn't seen in several years, taller than Sakura was, she stood over the stove cooking breakfast for the family she had left behind to complete her training. Opening her mouth, she greeted, "Ohayo, Shiori."
"Ohayo, Okaa-san," Mebuki honestly wasn't surprised to know her daughter wasn't startled, after all, even she knew how prodigious her daughter was. "I made saba fish for everyone today. The lemon is already sliced, rice is in the cooker, plates are set up and the soup is almost ready. Why don't you take a seat, Okaa-san?"
Mebuki, stunned, took a seat at her usual dining area. She gazed at her daughter, how wonderful Shiori has become, and to think it wasn't them who had raised her. It hurt a little but perhaps it was for the better. Watching the way she moved, Mebuki recognized the similarities her daughter had to the tough kunoichis that guarded and protected their village, as much as it hurt to know their daughter's greatness wasn't the fruit of their efforts, Mebuki was proud of her daughter nonetheless... even if it was a little awkward.
Kizashi soon walked down, he also had a look of fascination and surprise to see his daughter cooking. Silently, Mebuki patted the chair beside her to gesture for him to take a seat. "Ohayo, Otou-san. Breakfast would be served soon."
"Ohayo, Shiori," Kizashi smiled, one hand clasped around his wife's the other flipping the newspaper that was on the table. Soon, the plates of food were set down into four separate dishes, one for each member, and Shiori took a seat across Mebuki. She smiled at them, for a second they thought they were dreaming because Shiori never used to smile that easily, "How was your sleep? I apologize for yesterday, I was much too drained to stay up any longer."
Well, at least the familiar speech pattern didn't change much, Mebuki thought, amused, "It was wonderful, dear. We're glad to have you back. How was your training?"
Shiori froze, before relaxing. "Interesting and much resourceful. I apologize once more, but I have to report to Hokage-sama soon, so I won't be able to spend much time with both of you."
"Why not wait for Sakura to wake?" Mebuki pressed, the both of them hadn't seen each other yet, after all. Shiori shook her head, "I'm afraid I can't, it's almost the appointed time. Please feel free to inform her of my arrival."
"Hai...."
And off she went.
Shiori looked at the Hokage Monument, flabbergasted. There was paint splattered all over and drawings. Was the Leaf trying to colour code their Hokages? Shaking her head, Shiori shushined away to the red tower that stood tall and mighty, she stood across the secretary's table, the lady had thinning brown hair, large round spectacles that circled her soft blue eyes and a kind smile, "Good Morning, how may I help you?"
