Minasan, kon'nichiwa! For those following my others stories, I'm sorry I haven't updated in a while! But if you all could love me forever still, that would be awesome! I'm done with my knee surgery and working on therapy now :) So bear with me!

I don't own Naruto, only my OC Ayame.

Welcome Home

"Ayame, there's a letter for you from her." I cracked an eye open as the figure in front of me spat 'her' out. I sighed, already knowing what my grandmother was going to say.

"Obaa-san, it's okay." I pushed myself up from the grassy ground and dusted my black shorts off. I placed two of my fingers inside my mouth and let out an ear-piercing whistle. A hawk rapidly descended from the blue sky and landed on the arm that I held out for it. I gently patted his head before whispering, "Thank you, Rio." The hawk stared at me as I untied the letter tied around his foot.

"Tsunade-sama wants you back, Ayame-sama." I rolled my eyes, already knowing what she wanted.

"Go back to Tsunade before she pulls one of your feathers out," I teased. Even for a hawk, I could see the color draining from his face. Rio shuddered, flying away quickly.

"Are you going to read it?" My grandmother shot the letter a stink eye. As if it could see you staring at it, obaa-san… I unfolded the small letter and read Tsunade's elegant script:

I want you back, Ayame. Come back to the Leaf Village.

"Obaa-san, I'm going back, nee? I'll ask the neighbors to check in on you every day, so don't disappear on me. I chuckled, barely escaping her claws.

"I won't disappear, you baka! I'm not that old!" She screeched. My chuckled developed into a loud laugh as I poofed home to pack a backpack.

"H-hey!" A voice called out from the gates of the Leaf Village. I promptly ignore the voice and proceeded to walk through the gate.

"Hey you! I'm talking to you!" A different voice called out, louder than the first weak voice. I sighed exasperated. I pushed my hood down, revealing my midnight silver hair and my golden eyes. My mask was still on, covering my nose and mouth. I gave the two ninjas a crooked smile that showed behind my black mask.

"You oughta stay awake at your job. Oh and try to sound more intimidating." I lifted a hand up as if to wave and continued to walk towards the city.

"You cocky little brat! You're only fifteen!" The brunette with a bandage on his nose shouted. I stopped dead in my tracks.

"I'm not a brat, and fyi – I just turned sixteen, thank you very much." I snarled. My hands moved to the double swords on my back that were hidden behind my black cape. Their eyes widened before hardening, taking a defensive stance. I pulled Eimin and Fushi out from their sheaths. Ironic, I know – having two swords named 'Death' and 'Immortal' with me – death for the enemies and Immortality of power and intelligence for the wielder. Eimin was glowing a bright red color of blood and Fushi was emitting a soft glow of yellow. Will Tsunade be upset if I killed them? A Cheshire cat smile lit up my face as I rushed towards my opponents.

My opponent sank into the ground as I concentrated about 2% of my chakra into the swords. Shock showed on his face briefly as he struggled against the earth that was swallowing him up. His eyes flitted towards his comrade who was already unconscious after my kick to his stomach. Number 1 was knocked out, slumped against the tree. Number 2, however, was a pain.

"You could have let me go through easily, and then we wouldn't be in this ordeal, sir," I drily commented. Sweat shone on his face. He was in a bad position – he was already up to his thighs in the ground. I leaned towards him, exerting force behind my blades to push him down. Smirking, I just had to rub salt into his wound.

"How does it feel to have a sixteen year old beat you?" I watched in satisfaction as he gnashed his teeth. He was sinking down fast as he was down to his chest now. He opened his mouth to snarl back but a sharp voice sliced the air.

"Ayame!"

I immediately recognized the voice as Tsunade's. What bad timing… I didn't back down, continuing to force the man down deeper into the earth.

"Ayame, stop it!" Tsunade's voice was almost close to me. Eimin vibrated in my hand, urging me to finish my opponent off. I was very tempted to, but Tsunade was closing in on me and I knew I had to control my bloodlust. Tsunade cleared her throat, causing me to turn my head around. She stood with her hands on her hips and her aide Shizune stood behind her, holding Tsunade's pig. I rolled my eyes as I withdrew my swords, putting them back into their sheaths. However, I left my attacker in the ground, unable to move. Not only was I a fighter, but I was also trained as a medical ninja – I healed Number 1's broken ribs and other bones within seconds. I stood up dusting my hands and walked towards my old mentor.

"Hokage-sama! Watch out! She's dangerous!" The conscious man continued to struggle against the earth's tight grip. I smiled sweetly at me as she narrowed her eyes at me.

"It's alright, Hikaru. She's an old student of mine." Tsunade kept her eyes on me the entire time. "Ayame, how much power did you use?"

I smirked. "Chakra or brute force?"

"Both."

"Chakra – 2%. Force – 3%." I replied, flipping my silver hair behind me. It caught the sunlight at that time, creating a shimmery effect on my hair.

"Well, don't use chakra against my villagers, Ayame." Her stern voice made me let out a loud sigh. Shizune smiled at me from behind Tsunade. My lips twitched up but I quickly regained my composure. Tsunade's quick eyes caught my movements, however.

"Are. You. Laughing. At. Me?" I shuddered visibly for effect.

"No, of course not, sensei!" You're getting too soft, Tsunade-sensei.

"Tsunade-sama," Shizune whispered. "Hikaru is still…uh…" Tsunade snapped her eyes towards the man whose head only appeared.

"Release him, Ayame." Tsunade sighed. I reluctantly made hand signs, "Earth Style: Release!" The ground spat its prisoner out – literally spat him out. He landed on the ground nimbly.

"You're welcome, good sir," I smirked. He glared at me before bowing to Tsunade.

"Dismissed. Thank you Hikaru." He walked over to his comrade and picked him up before vanishing. Tsunade turned her attention to me the moment they disappeared, leaving the three females behind to talk.

"About time you came back, Ayame Hijitake." I grinned.