Home. She was finally headed home. Konoha was a place she had not even seen since after he died, almost twelve years ago. But it was still home.
"Something troubling you?" She turned to Hayate, her teammate, noticing him for the first time since they had left. She studied his features, his eyes, the way his hair fell into his face. She smiled at him, remembering the many nights he had held her, silencing her tortured cries.
"No Hayate-san, just getting more anxious."
He blushed slightly and scratched the back of his head. She knew he was thinking back to the night when they had forgot their mission, everything in this world, and became lost in their passion for each other.
"I love you." She quieted his confession with a powerful kiss. He wrapped his arms around her and pulled her close. They had not slept together that night. Instead, they buried their feelings and pressed on with their mission. She turned and caught Hayate staring at her.
"What? Why are you looking at me like that?" Hayate shook his head.
"You still planning on going through with it, aren't you?"
"Only to an extent. I'm not ready to face him yet. I want to see him, see if he's changed."
"Good. I'm proud that you are able to rid yourself of your lust for revenge."
"Only thanks to you, Hayate." He scratched the back of his head again and focused on the road.
Again, she thought of him, thought of that day, the last day before she left Konoha for this long term mission.
"Older brother, older brother" She giggled, chasing him through the woods. She heard him laugh as she ran past ans quickly spun around. There he stood, only three years older, but at ten, Obito towered over her small four foot frame. He picked her up and spun her around.
"Shouldn't you be training, little one?"
"I am. I am practicing to chase you down and beat you" Obtio laughed, his eyes twinkling.
"Ah, little one, without you, life would be dull. You make each day special."
"Obito, train with me?" A slight cough from behind her snatched her attention. Kakashi stepped out from behind a tree.
"Obito, we must meet with Rin and Yondaime-sensei", a disapproving glare was sent her direction. "And shouldn't you be with your teammates?" Obito knelt down and kissed her newly-earned forehead protector.
"I'll see you at home, little one."
A sudden stop from Hayate brought her back into the present. "We're almost there now.
We can stop for a few minutes and rest."
"Good idea", she said quietly, "I've waited twelve years to return, a few more minutes won't hurt." But stopping to rest was only allowing her memories to flood in more intensely.
She was sitting in the middle of the road playing with her kunai, when they approached. "You didn't say good-bye"
Obito smiled. "You're right, I'm sorry. We're just moving faster for this mission. Kakashi was just made a jounin and this is his first mission as a leader."
Her face sank. "Obito, don't go. I don't trust this."
"What! Little one, I'll be fine." Obito put his arm around her. She didn't push him away, instead let him hug her. He kissed her forehead protector.
"I'll take care of him", Kakashi said, his eyes to the ground.
"Little one, go and train so that someday, you can beat me! I'll be home soon enough."
A silent tear dropped down her nose. Hayate was fast asleep on the ground next to her, his arm tossed lazily across her chest.
Her heart soared. A whisper had made its way to her. Kakashi's team had returned, mission successful She ran through the streets towards the training grounds, where Obito and his team was sure to be. Reaching the grounds, she noticed three figures. Yondaime-sama and Kakashi were sitting together and Rin was off to the side. She ran up to them.
"Did Obtio already head home? Did I miss him?" Kakashi looked up and Rin turned towards her on Obito's name. Both of them merely glanced at her. She noticed Rin's eyes were bloodshot; she must have been crying. Slowly, she backed away slightly and again asked where Obtio was. Yondaime stood up and grasped her shoulders.
"Sit."
"No where is he?" She pushed his arms away. Her voice was suddenly desperate, searching their faces for the answer. Yondaime shook his head and motioned for her to sit. She plopped onto the ground, anxious for an answer. Yondaime glanced at the other two before looking at her.
"The mission was endangered. I was separated from them and Rin was captured. It was Obito's idea to rescue her." She glanced over at Rin, who met her gaze and began to sob. She shook her head.
"No, no, no, no, no, no. He's at home. That's where he is." She pushed past the small group and took off towards her home.
She felt breathless as she ran past the buildings, past the villagers, past her life. He must be at home. He had to be.
Hayate smiled as he watched her sleep, thinking back to the many nights that she never could. Their mission had been a success, finally, and she had even been able to get revenge on the one stone who had survived the fight with her brother. The Stone were at war with the Rain village and during one fight, she had been able to transform herself into the enemy and kill him, leaving no one the wiser. But he was worried then and worried more now. She had seemed so calm before she had faced him. She had expressed no guilt afterwards. He wondered if she spoke the truth when she said she would not kill Kakashi.
It was late afternoon and although Hayate hated to, he woke her so they could reach Konoha before nightfall. He gently shook her small frame. She turned and opened her eyes and he gasped suddenly. Tears fell silently down her face and she had that look. The look that he had seen so many nights long ago.