Chapter 1: Transfer

Just as the sun started to set I reached the gates of Konohagakure, my new home. In the distance against the haze of small shops and houses I saw two figures approaching.

"A welcome party already?" I quipped smirking to myself.

Eventually they stopped leaving a few meters between us. They were both men; One was tall and had silvery hair, but I had a hunch he hadn't even reached thirty. His face was covered by a mask and one eye was hidden purposefully by his headband. My opinion: secretive, purposeful and from what I could tell, handsome.

The other man had brown hair and a scar across his face, carved from one cheek the other. He seemed the more friendly and extroverted of the two. I stood there for a few more minutes observing them until finally the shorter man spoke.

"Hello, I'm Iruka Umino and this is Kakashi Hatake." He pointed to the masked man. "You're Hanami Kanaro, right?"
"That's right. I'm guessing Lady Tsunade sent you to escort me?" my gaze passed them to view the wide open city gates. Everything looked relaxed and happy through the archway.

'This will be a much better place to live.' I thought to myself. Kakashi spoke, pulling me back to reality.
"Yes, but since you are here officially joining our ranks as an ANBU we need to give you one of these." He rummaged in his vest pocket until he found what he was looking for. Holding out his hand he revealed the Leaf Village headband, his uncovered eye silently ushered me to take it. Obliging in silence I untied my Kusagakure band from around my leg and placed it in his hand, taking the other. I could almost feel my relations to the Grass village slip away as easily as untying that knot. I looked at the new symbol sitting in my palm. It was strange to see the metal so shiny and unscratched. Truly it was like my future here; a clean slate to make a new life. I traced the leaf with my finger slowly before putting it on.
"Thank you," I said to him to which he only nodded in reply.

"So, off to Lady Tsunade then?" I asked, waiting for them to show me the way.

Ten minutes of walking through the city we eventually came to large, arched wooden doors. Kakashi went forward and knocked. Almost as soon as he finished his last rap of the wood they swung open to reveal a pretty, pink haired kunoichi.
"Oh. Is this Hanami Kanaro?" she asked. Kakashi answered,
"Yes and she's here to see Lady Tsunade."

" Please come in." She motioned to us all to enter. I went first and stood in the centre of the room. Sitting at the desk in front of me was a blonde haired woman, her head resting on top one of her hands. I wasn't sure if she could look any more uninterested in our presence.
"Hello Hanami. We have to wait for one more person to arrive before I give you more details about your transfer."

Lady Tsunade continued to stare at me, honestly making me quite nervous. The minutes went by in silence; it felt like hours. A jarring knock on the door made us jump.
"Come in." Tsunade called. I turned around to see a young man enter, but his face was obscured. His coat had a stiff, tall collar that hid all but his eyes upon which he wore dark, round glasses. "What is it with people and covering their faces here?" I tried not to stare though it was difficult to stifle my curiosity. What exactly were these two hiding?
"Shino come up next to Hanami please." Tsunade instructed of the mysterious boy.

'Shino" I repeated his name in my head, wondering what he was like. Sneaking more than a few glances at him standing next to me I wasn't sure how to take him. So far he hadn't looked at me nor made an attempt to acknowledge me.

"As I was saying to Hanami about her transfer, I have obviously approved it. She is one of the best from the Grass Village and could rival anyone here in my own village." I could feel the stares from all those in the room, though as expected Shino kept his face forward and stood with hands in his pockets.

"Shino, I want you to make Hanami comfortable and show her around. You have spare bedrooms, don't you?" He nodded in a way that was barely perceptible but Tsunade noticed " Good now everybody out, I have work to do."

Shino's house was a fair distance from the Hokage's office, nearing the edge of the city. He unlocked the front door and stepped in, leaving the door open for me. I was hit immediately by the smell of fresh paint. I scrunched up my nose at the pungent room, something that Shino actually seemed to have noticed.

"I had to re-paint the walls and lay down new floorboards. The bugs that take refuge under my house had worn down the timber " He stated this as if it was a normal every day occurrence that a house is over run by insects. Following him we turned a corner into the kitchen.

"Are you hungry?" Shino asked.
"Only a little" I replied, not wanted to state I was actually starving.
"There is food in the fridge. I need to get ready for a mission." Without further delay he turned and walked up the hallway.
"How can he contain his excitement?" I thought dryly. I opened the fridge but there was nothing except old cheese but I wasn't eating that.
"How does anyone live here with no decent food?"

I walked back out into the main room and saw a note on the coffee table. I wasn't sure if this was left for me so I picked it up to read.

Here is a spare key for the house.

Your room is down the hall, the second on the left.

There are spare sheets in the cupboard.

I should be back in about two days.

Kakashi should be able to show you around the village while I'm away.
Shino

The straightforward message did not leave anything to the imagination. I realised I was dealing with the bluntest man I had ever known.

"Kakashi…" I wanted to meet the silver haired ninja again because I couldn't help but contemplate what he was hiding under the mask. Had he been disfigured from a battle, or perhaps, he was too attractive. I smiled to myself; I shouldn't think about stuff like that, I had only just met the man.

Picking up the little silver key I left, locking the house behind me. I walked slowly down the road taking in the sights and sounds of the village. I was so far into my own world that I bumped into someone - a boy with spiky blonde hair wearing a black and orange jumpsuit.
"Sorry. I wasn't watching where I was going." I apologized to the boy. He put his hand on the back of his head and waved my apology away.
"It's okay. I wasn't watching either. I was going to get something for breakfast". Just hearing the word breakfast made my stomach growl. I had been traveling for days without a proper meal and Shino's fridge was disappointing.
"Did ya wanna come with me?" He asked. "It's okay if you don't."
"No, no. I'll come. I don't really know anyone so I'd like a friend." He gave me a friendly laugh which made me feel comfortable.
"Well come on" he said as he ran ahead.

After following him in a blind chase we came to a halt in front of a small shop named Ichiraku Ramen. I took a seat and noticed the boy already had a bowl in front of him.
"This is the best ramen in Konoha!" He gasped between mouthfuls of the golden noodles.
"I'll take your word for it." I looked at the menu on the back wall and decided on the pork miso ramen. The boy had finished his first bowl and ordered another. While both meals were being prepared the blonde boy turned to me, finally deciding we should get to know each other.
"So, who are you anyway?" He squinted suspiciously, his was of questioning bordering rude.
"I'm Hanami Kanaro. I'm moving to Konoha from my home village, Kusa." I looked at him thinking for a minute and then asked, "Kusa?" I laughed.
"The village hidden in the grass, Kusagakure."
"Oh. So, you're a ninja like me?" He gave a wide smile and pointed to his chest. "You're sitting with the future Hokage, Naruto Uzamaki." his confidence in himself was nothing if not earnest.
"The future Hokage" I mused out loud. He nodded but his attention became divided by smell of pork and miso. Two steaming bowls were paid out in front of us which were what Naruto claims, is the best Ramen I'll ever eat.
"Please enjoy," our server bowed and left us.

Naruto had not lied, the ramen was perfect. I savoured each mouthful and was disappointed as I drank the last of the soup from the bowl. To thank my new friend for sharing his favourite meal with me I stood up pay for his meal. He thanked me profusely. "Lets meet up again" the suggestion raised a smile on his lips.

"Lets" He agreed. Before I could start walking back down the street I heard someone call my name from behind me, It wasn't Naruto's voice so I looked around. It was Kakashi.
"Hi Kakashi – sensei" Naruto said automatically. Kakashi nodded in acknowledgement.
"The Hokage wants to see you."
"Again!" I exclaimed "But I just saw her!"
"She said she has a mission for you."
"A mission?" asked Naruto. "Why don't I get any missions?" he paused and looked around. "Hanami? Kakashi – sensei?" Naruto was too late to ask because we had already left.