Childhood of a Tiger cub
PROLOGUE
Coming Home
The gate at the Kohona was quiet with the exception of crickets chirping into the night. Wind blowing softly among grass that cause a few leafs to scatter away. Only two guards were there to enjoyed this peaceful scenery, but they were there to keep watch on the front entrance as it was their duty to do so. They expect to be alone throughout their shift until a hooded-figure walked tour them in a hesitated manner.
"Stop right there" barked the guard as he straighten his stance.
"First, state your business then show us your entry papers"
"umm...my name is." came a nervous voice, shaken by the guards. She continued in a tone that, she hoped, showed superiority. "I was told by a shinobi named Sakumo Hatake that I would be expected around this time."
"We were not told of any visitors coming around this hour." said the second guard
The hooded-figure lifted up her head, which made her amber eyes visible, and nearly yelled in outraged
"What?"
"Let me make this clear." the first guard explained, his irritation evident in his voice. "You need entry papers to be allowed inside and that they must be signed by the Hokage or your current Lord"
"But if a Leaf shinobi told you about me?"
"Then that would be acceptable" he said "but only, he actually told us."
"But I was told that I didn't need anything!"
"And who told you that?" he said while beginning to lose his patience.
"I did." said a man behind the guards.
They turned and saw it was Sakumo Hatake, himself, who was one of the respected members of the jounin rank. They quickly felt embarrass to question a order from a superior and bow as a sign of apology.
"We're truly sorry Sakumo-san" said the second guard "but, we haven't heard from anybody saying that there was a visitor coming to the Konohagakure village"
"Ah, I see then it should be me apologizing, but please allow me to take this young lady home so that you guys can go back to your duties" said Sakumo
"Take care Sakumo-san" they both replied as they return to their post.
When the two of them manage to gain distance form the guards, the young woman took her hood off. She had dark red hair that looked brighter from having the moonlight reflected upon it. She slowly combed her long hair relieved that she no longer had to cover her head.
After some time, the young woman felt that it was safe to talk to her master.
"Thanks Sensei but you really ought a have told them about me before I came here"
"Yeah, sorry, Kushina" said Sakumo with a nervous laugh ",but you see I had to watch my kid, and since you didn't come yesterday I figured that you wouldn't be here tonight" Sakumo explained
"Yeah, ok" she said rolling her eyes. Kushina was all too aware of how careless Sakumo can be when he isn't on a mission.
"But you should really meet Kakashi, Kushina. The boy barely a toddler and he already reading the newspaper" Sakumo said with pride.
"I don't know, Sakumo maybe tomorrow. I feel really tired right now" said Kushina, who had panda eyes from a lack of sleep.
"Then do you want to stay at my place for a while, until we find you a new place to lived?" asked Sakumo
"Nah, I'll just crash at a inn" said Kushina and with that they said good night and departed away from each other.
Kushina came into the guest room. Closing the door gently behind her and throwing her bag at the nearest corner of the room, she walked towards the bed and lay down. She felt too tired to change or even taking off her cloak and started falling asleep. During those moments when she was still awake, Kushina remember back to the days before becoming a ninja and sometimes wondered if her fate had been inevitable. She slept with this question in mind.