Naru: Misty Eyes (A Naruto Fanfic) [Complete]

Chapter Ten: Return to Konoha

Unlike her journey to Suna with Kohaku all those years ago, Naru's trip back to Konoha was relatively silent. Kakashi didn't talk about his teammates, friends, or family. He barely spoke at all. For the most part, he read. Naru would hear him turning pages in his book. She wondered how he could walk and read at the same time. She had asked him what he was reading once, wondering what could be so interesting, and immediately regretted her decision. It was the most he spoke on the whole trip, and all it was was about a book series that she couldn't believe anyone would read. Naru stopped asking him questions after that.

Her trip to Konoha was faster than the one to Suna, seeing as how she could move faster now, but it felt so much longer. In addition to Kakashi's silence, which left her to her own thoughts, Naru felt dread building in her with each step she took towards the Village Hidden in the Leaves. The only people she was interested in being around again were Weasel and the Hokage.

It was only when they reached the gates of Konoha, though, that Naru realized how scared she was. Scared to face the villagers again, scared to be rejected by everyone, scared to be alone. She took deep breaths as she and Kakashi walked to the Hokage's office. It didn't help much. Naru tried to distract herself instead. The last time she'd gone to visit the Hokage, Weasel had taken her. She'd sat on his shoulders as he ran. She wondered where he was now, what he was doing, if he had missed her.

Next thing she knew, they were being called into the Hokage's office. She sat down in the chair offered her, feet still firmly planted on the ground. Things had changed since she was here last. She had changed.

"How are you, Naru?" the Hokage's voice hadn't changed. It was as elderly and affectionate as before.

Naru tilted her head to the side some. "I'm well, Hokage-sama. How are you?"

"Good, good," he chuckled, and Naru could smell the smoke from his pipe.

"You know smoking will kill you, right, Jiji?"

The Hokage laughed again. "I was wondering who you were, being so formal like that, Naru. I missed you."

"I missed you too, but I was being respectful not formal." Naru smiled. "Smoking really will kill you though."

"If no one beats it to the punch," the Hokage said, sounding amused. "I've asked Kakashi to look after you for the year. After that, we can find more permanent arrangements."

"No offense, Jiji, but I'm going back to Suna after this year. I'm already missing an entire year with my friends, parents, and baby brother. I'm not missing more than that."

"Well, you have the year to change your mind..."

"I know, but I won't." Naru sat forward in her chair some. "Hey, where's Weasel-nii at? I wanted to say hi."

"About that, Naru..." This wouldn't be good news. The Hokage was too hesitant for it to be good news. "Weasel is currently a Missing Nin."

"What?! Why?!"

"I'm afraid I can't tell you that."

"Of course not. Well, if that's all, I'm going to go process this wonderful piece of information that would have been helpful in preparation for coming back here!"

"Naru..."

"Oh, not that again, Jiji. I'll talk to you later." Maybe. "I suppose you'll come find me eventually, eh, Kakashi-san?" Without really waiting for a reply, Naru left.

Sending her away might have been the right choice, the Hokage thought, but he wasn't so sure bringing her back was. He just hoped Naru would forgive him... and Itachi too.