Chapter 2 return to Konoha

I woke up in the night and looked around. The watch was walking around the ship; a man in the crow's nest was looking over the sea. Something caught my nose; I grinned and looked straight down. Kakashi was silently making his way up the rope ladder. I waved and moved over for him to stand beside me.

He moved and stood next to me, looking out to the ocean. I kicked my legs, swinging them back and forth. I whispered, "Out for an evening stroll?"

He sighed and I looked up at him worried, "What's up?" Kakashi looked at me and said, "You remember the nine tail fox?"

I looked at him and nodded, "Yeah, I remember. Why?"

Kakashi looked at me and said, "The boy is Naruto Uzumaki. He's pretty much shunned by the whole village." I looked out sadly at the ocean, "So that boy has lived his whole life being treated like a monster. Man things sure haven't changed since I left."

I smiled at Kakashi and said, "I'll bet you get Naruto." He shook his head, " Yeah we'll see. I'm going to catch some shut eye, but I wanted to know if you were ok after everything?"

I nodded and he looked a bit relieved before jumped down to go to bed. I leaned back against the pole and frowned, "I wonder what team I'm getting?"

Sighing, I shook it off, and slept again.

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I woke up as someone yelled, "Land Ho!" I yelped in surprise and rolled right off the mast. "Ah!"

Kai looked up as I fell and opened his arms and caught me. I wiped my forehead, "Whew! That was close!"

He gave an amused snort and set me down. I grinned just as Kakashi and Mika walked up as the boat docked and we got off. I hopped around excitedly and said, "Let's go!" Kakashi sighed exasperatedly; "I forgot how much energy you have."

I grinned and Mika said negotiable, "We should get back quickly to report in."

Kai nodded, "Yeah, and the Hokage said to rush back once the boat docks."

Kakashi looked at me and I gave him the puppy dog eyes and he relented. I cheered and ran ahead barley containing my excitement in getting to the village. Kai caught up with me and kept pace with me, and it turned into a race.

Kai and I were the first one's to get to the gate, Mika and Kakashi followed right behind. I grinned and we walked in. Kakashi said, "We need to report in."

I looked around and saw someone I recognized. I said, "That's ok. I see someone I recognize, so I'll be over in a minute." With a grin I ran in one direction, hopped up, landed on Guy's back and put my hands over his eyes and said, "Guess whom!"

Guy reached up grabbed my arms and flipped me off. I grinned, twisted and landed on my feet, skidding back from the throw. I saluted him, "Yo, forget me already Guy?" Guy's jaw dropped all the way down to the ground, then it snapped up and he looked at me in disbelief, "Ariana?"

I gave a snort, "Oh yeah sure, now you remember. Fine if that's how it is." I turned my back on him and he gave a joyous shout and scooped me up in a hug, swinging me around. "Ariana, you sly dog!" I gasped, "Air! I need air!" You could almost hear my bones cracking.

He set me down and I grinned up at him, then I scowled, "Your taller! Why is everyone tall now? Not fair!"

Guy laughed and thumped me on my back, "Your still shorter than most of us! And you haven't changed a bit!"

The force made me fall and face plant the ground. I hopped back up and thumped him, making him stagger, "Neither have you!"

He laughed and I grinned, and then a scent caught my nose, making it tingle and I looked over to one of the buildings. I smiled, "Well Guy, I'd love to stay and chat, but I have to go see the Hokage."

He nodded and scooped me in another hug that nearly crushed my ribs. After I finally coughed out that I couldn't breath, he let me go and I waved bye and ran down the street. Following my nose I saw a guy with long white hair and a huge scroll on his back, walking away.

I gave a joyish shout, "Jiraiya!" ran up and as he turned and I jumped and gave him a huge hug.

He said, "Whoa! Who might you be?"

I let him go and backed up a step for him to see. He stared, his jaw dropped to the ground and I laughed, "What Jiraiya, see a ghost?"

He gapped, stuttering a bit and I grinned, amused. He finally laughed and scooped me up in a hug. "Ariana! What are you doing here? Oh who cares, it's good to see you!"

I laughed as he swung me around, "You too!"

He let me go and I looked up at him and sighed, "Again everyone's gotten taller than me."

He chuckled, "Not that it made much difference huh? You could still give Guy a run for his money in a fight."

I grinned and asked, "So how have you been?"

He nodded and we started walking again, "Good, you?"

I frowned and turned away so that he couldn't see the pain and sadness flicker across my face. But knowing my past, Jiraiya put a hand on my shoulder, "What happened when you were forced back?"

I shivered and said quietly, "Lets just say they weren't happy, it took me this long to fight them and win so that I could come back."

Jiraiya said solemnly, "So were you right? Did you have to kill them?"

I looked up at him and he saw the answer in my eyes. I looked down and said softly, "They almost got us, but Kero and I were able to come back after all."

Jiraiya, stunned, grabbed my shoulders and made me look at him. He looked at my eyes and he said softly, "I'm sorry."

I gave a small smile, "Eh, we both knew they had it coming. Oh and I better let Kero out, he'll get cranky."

I held out my hands and a small smoky gray wolf pup appeared. I set him down as he shook his head and looked up and said cheerfully, "Well if it isn't the old man! How have ya been?"

Jiraiya gave a snort, "As blunt as ever I see Kero. And I've been good thanks."

I grinned, and Kero gave a bark hello and grew to my knees. Then we started walking again and he walked beside us. I grinned at Jiraiya to show I wasn't too sad, "It doesn't bother me as much as I thought it would. So anyway, what are you up to?"

Jiraiya grinned and said, "I'm actually heading out for a mission. But if you want I can stay another day. And show you to the Hokage's office."

I nodded, then grumbled, "It's not like I'd get lost." He chuckled, and said, "Sure sure."

We walked and Kero sniffed around and we came to a big red building. I grinned, "Now I remember."

He grinned and said, "Well then, I gotta get going, I'll come see you as soon as I get back." I nodded and grabbed him in another hug and waved bye as he disappeared. Kero and I glanced at each other and walked into the building. I looked around and we came to a door. I stood beside Kero, knocked and went in. The Third looked up and his face broke into a huge grin, "Ariana, it's good to see you again."

I smiled big, "Good to see you too sir." Then he frowned, "How are you? You looked starved."

I gave a grin, "Well they weren't exactly going to feed me after I got back, I had to fend for myself."

He looked at me and said, "You better tell me everything."

I sat down, after Kero barked hello and I said sadly, "They had somehow found the gate on their end and came through. I made a choice. I attacked them, and Kero and I took them back. We sealed the gate we came through. Since then, they beat me, starved me, to get back here. And they had almost killed Kero. I snapped, I killed them. And came back here. 3 years later."

I pet Kero absently, who had his head on my knee, "Kero tried to stop them, he wanted them to stop and let us go. But they… they wouldn't listen and Kero tried to rescue me. They kept me chained in a dark place, and they caught him. They almost killed him right in front of me."

I looked at the Hokage sadly, "So they died, and I came back and destroyed the gate. That's the whole story."

The Hokage nodded and said gently, "You had no choice. And thanks to you, they are no longer a threat." I smiled a bit, feeling better. He smiled, "This is your home." I smiled and then gave a sly grin and asked, "So what's this about me teaching a team this year?"

He smiled and said, "ah yes, I have some students that will need your specific expertise." I looked at him in confusion and he said, "As you have control over the elements, these three have control over one each."

I blinked and said, "oh." I thought about it a moment, then smiled, "Well sounds good, when do I meet them?" He smiled and said, "In three days, in the mean time, you can get settled." He looked at me and asked, "You think you've been gone for three years? Well here, it's been 8."

I blinked and sighed, "Well that explains a bit. So am I 18 or 23?"

He smirked and said, "Let's just say 23, but that doesn't mean you can drink." I gave a snort and grinned, "like I want to. No thanks." He chuckled, "I've arranged for you to stay at a hotel for the night, and tomorrow your new apartment will be established."

I smiled thankfully and nodded, "thank you so much sir." He nodded and handed me a credit card; "This should cover clothes, equipment and dinner. But I do need it back."

I smiled and went around his desk and grabbed him in a hug, "It's so good to be home. Thank you so much Gramps." He chuckled, hugging me back and we let go and I stepped back and waved as Kero and I left, "I'll see you in a bit."

Hokage called, "Don't forget I need that card back!"

I shouted behind me, "OK!" We ran out excitedly, I couldn't wait to get out of these itchy clothes. I looked around the building to try and find the clothes shop and bumped into someone, "Excuse me." She turned, and I saw a tall woman with long brown hair wearing a kimono type thing and had red eyes. I recognized her and grinned, "Hi Kurenai. Remember me?"

She gasped, stepping back to get a better look, "Ariana! No way! It's good to see you!" A guy next to her turned and I saw a guy with a pointed beard and smoking a cigarette. I recognized him as Asuma. I saluted and he nearly dropped his cigarette. "Ariana!" I laughed and gave Kurenai a hug, "My, don't you two make a cute couple."

They denied and I laughed grabbing Asuma in a hug. They said hello to Kero and I asked, "So do you two get students this year? I'm getting a team."

They nodded and I smiled, "Well I got shopping to do, can you point me out to the clothes shop?" She looked around and pointed me to a shop, "They sell good enough clothes, and they can direct you to the equipment shop and such." I grabbed them in another hug and waved bye as I jogged to the shop.

Kero said amused, "They do make a good couple." I nodded and grinned and we came to the clothes shop. Kero and I went inside and I looked at the different assortment of ninja clothes. I whistled and with Kero's help picked out a pair of black jeans, a black tank top, with a Jonin vest over it. I found some hair ties, and other assortments and we bought everything.

I went in back and changed. Taking my new brush I brushed out my old ponytail and put up a new one. My shoulder length black hair gleamed, and my bangs split down my cheeks, shining silver.

I came out and Kero said, "Very nice, I bet your feeling better after getting out of those itchy clothes."

I smiled, "Oh yeah. Now lets go to the weapon store."

I asked the clerk and we were directed to the next shop. I purchased some Kunai knives, throwing stars and I saw some swords in the back. I asked the man, "Excuse me, but do you have any swords?"

He nodded and showed me what he had. I looked and saw a good one. It had a black hilt, with dragons etched on the hilt. About as long as my arm, it felt good in my hand and I grinned and bought everything. Putting the stars and knives away, I strapped the blade to my back.

I came out and said, "Much better." Kero asked, "What now?"

I shrugged, "Wander. See if we meet anyone else we know."

He nodded and we started walking down the street. Kero looked up at me and said, "It's been quite awhile since I've seen you this happy."

I grinned, and looked around lovingly, "We're home. And you're still with me."

He barked happily and I giggled. I heard my stomach growl, and asked, "Are you hungry?"

He nodded and I sniffed a bit and looked around. Kero said, "How about Ramen?"

I smiled, "Awesome choice."

Kero gave a wolfish grin and I followed my nose till we came to a Ramen shop.