(Naruto Shippuden)The Heart's Path - Chapter 1: Return and Rebirth

3rd Person POV

It's been two and a half years since that time. When Sasuke Uchiha left the Village Hidden in the Leaves to Orochimaru and Naruto Uzumaki left to train to bring Sasuke back too.

But it has also been the time Hana Lumara left for the Lightning Village to heal and train after the encounter with the Raging Bomber.

And Mikari Ookami as well. Who left Konoha for the Rock Village after receiving horrible injuries from her own twin siblings.

Not only was it a healing trip for the girls. It was their chance to retrain themselves the way they want. And to be in more tune with their tailed beats, Nibi no nekomata and Gobi no Houkou.

Even though they were far away, Mikari and Hana did stay in touch with each other, just never visited. So when they decided to meet up to go to Konoha after two and a half years. They were surprised at their appearances.

Now being at the age of 15, Hana Lumara surely changed well. She had a height of 158cm and a weight of 43.6kg. Then her purple hair had grown down to her butt now. Also her outfit attire had changed to a sleeveless, black dress that hugged all her curves. Followed by black boots, black gauntlets and her clan symbol on the corner of her mini-dress. And her final accessories were a black choker on her neck and a katana on her back.

Then Mikari had changed into a mature 16 year old. Now her weight was 156cm and a weight of 45.6kg. She also now wears a blue mini-dress with outlines on it that hugs her body and a black wolf paw on the back. Also, she now had metal gloves and boots with knee and elbow pads. Finally, her wolf ears and tail were a bit bushier and her brown hair was just a bit shorter then Hana's, reaching to her lower back.

Both Mikari and Hana commented on how beautiful the other looked. They could even sense the higher power levels they had now.

And now they were on their way home to Konoha after two and a half years of being away from it and the people they haven't contacted since.

Mikari's POV

"YAHOOOOOOOOO!" I ran right through the village gates with my arms in the air. Stopping after entering the main gate, I began to jump in the air all giddy and hyper.

Right behind me, Hana was sighing at my behaviour. "Sheesh after these years, your behaviour hasn't changed at all." I stopped jumping to give her a big smile. "Of course."

My wolf ears then twitched. I caught the sound of moving feet coming this from outside the village like we did.

Both Hana and I turned around to see a cloud of dust coming right at us. We quickly moved out of the way and the dust cloud stopped right in front of us. And right there was Gai-sensei with Kakashi on his back in a piggy-back style.

While I had wide eyes and a gaping mouth, Hana had a disgusting face at the scene. Then right beside them came in Rock Lee as well.

"A-ano...hi." I said getting their attention on us. Lee's eyes got hearts in them, and he ran over to grab our hands. "My beautiful ladies. Would you like me to escort you both?"

I just sweat dropped at his same behaviour and Hana hit his head. "Baka! Don't you recognize us?" "My god! It's Hana and Mikari!" Gai yelled out almost dropping Kakashi.

"Hana? Mikari?" Not only did Lee yell this, but a few other voices did as well.

Hana and I turned toward the gates to see Naruto, Sakura, neji and Tenten. They all had different clothes and looked much older.

"Oh me...group hug!" I grabbed Hana and Lee by their arms and dragged them to the others and pulled everyone in one group hug. Everyone joined me in a laugh except Hana and Neji who groaned slightly.

We all let go and just stared. "You two are finally back! And after me?" Naruto said. "Mikari got lost when meeting with me." Hana said. I pouted slightly. "Well sorry...and why Naruto? Your taller than me!"

While I measured my height to Naruto's, Hana asked Sakura what happened to the dead-looking Kakashi.

Sakura told her that Tsunade would explain much better than they could. Hana agreed but said that we should get Kakashi to the hospital.

We all agreed and headed to the hospital, though Gai's team had to go check in at the office. This was definantely going to be interesting.