When Sigyn woke, she found herself surround by an unfamiliar setting. It was a well furnished home and by the looks of it, made of wood. Not a house but more a cabin. Nothing too fancy, it had a pleasantly comfortable and cozy aura. She was sitting up in a bed she didn't recognize and was taking in her surroundings when the nearby door creaked open.

Her head immediately turned to the sound and there, at the entrance, stood the same man she saw before blacking out. Sigyn remained silent but observed the man cautiously. She was afraid of breathing in too deeply and arousing hostility from said man. However, he stood there, just staring at her for a moment before speaking.

"Glad to see you're up." He closed the door behind him and walked over to a small table in the corner of the cabin. Placing a bag down, he turned to look at her once more. She hadn't moved, still eyeing him carefully. "You've been asleep for three days. For a second, I thought you might be dead." He walked over to the girl and she flinched back.

Sighing, he rubbed the back of his head in embarrassment. "Sorry, didn't mean to scare you. Names Yamato." He extended his hand to her for a handshake but she just stared at him. Yamato could tell she was frightened so he backed up a few steps. "Whenever you're ready to tell me what happened to you, I'll be here."

Sigyn clutched the bed sheets tightly. She was thinking of weather to tell him or not. He was a stranger. How was she supposed to know whether or not he would hurt her? Or worse, imprison her like Jiro had. She tried to form words. To tell him to let her go. She would figure something out on her own but the words never escaped her lips. They formed but could not go past her throat.

"Well you look rather malnourished." Yamato was now over by a small kitchen next to the dinning table. "If you try to escape, so be it but you wont get far in your current state." He started making something in a pan that Sigyn couldn't make out. Whatever it was, started sizzling and the smell was heavenly. "I won't keep you here against your will." He was stirring now. "But if you'd like to stay here, you'll have to eventually tell me what happened to you."

Sigyn contemplated this for a moment. She was still unsure if he was trust worthy. The girl hadn't met anyone, other than Ragnar and his wife Erika of being so. Her grandfather had warned her never to reveal her talents to anyone, for they might take advantage of her. She was so afraid and nervous. She wanted to trust him. She wanted someone to confide in but was so terrified of the repercussions it might cause. Tired of being alone, the girl just wanted one person she could connect with.

Yamato finished cooking and made his way over to the girl. Sitting at her bedside he showed her the plate of food he just made. It was stir fried veggies and beef. Simple yet smelled wonderful. The girls stomach growled indicating the hunger she tried to suppress.

"It's not poisoned, I promise." He smiled softly at her. This time, she was able to get a good look at him. His hair was a dark brown and eyes seemed scary but reminded her of Ragnar. Dark eyes hiding kindness. She stared at him without a word. Sighing once more, Yamato took a bite of the stir fry, chewed and swallowed. "There. See?" He offered her the plate once more and she greedily took it. Sigyn scarfed down the plate in two minutes flat, nearly choking at one point. Yamato chuckled and offered her a glass of water, which she took at once.

"Tomorrow, we'll go to town and get you some proper clothes, have you meet the Hokage and see what we can do with you. Does that sound reasonable?" At the mention of the Hokage, Sigyn's ears perked up. She remembered her grandfather speaking of the Hokage many times. They were good friends. Finally, someone she could trust. If Ragnar trusted him with his secrets then perhaps she could too. She nodded a 'yes' to Yamato and he smiled once more.

"Good. For now try to get some more rest and we'll leave first thing in the morning."

-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.

The walk to Konoha, very early in the morning, was mostly silent and short lived. The village was only a few hours away from Yamatos' cabin. Sigyn refused to speak and Yamato figured it was best to stop pestering her. When she wanted to, she'd talk. Finally reaching the village, Sigyn took a step back and stared up at the two large, closed doors. She'd never seen anything like it. Anxiety started to build within her and Yamato placed a hand gently on her shoulder.

"Don't be nervous." He smiled softly at her. She was begining to like that smile, though she wouldn't admit it. The girl gave him a curt nod and stared back at the doors. Yamato walked up to them and knocked. They slowly opened just enough for another man to peek his head through.

"Yamato! You're back early." The man greeted and let them both through. Sigyn was overflowing with anxiety and with an unanticipated gesture, she clung onto Yamatos' arm. He was surprised at her sudden contact with him but relaxed a moment after. She was afraid, he could tell and so decided to let her do whatever eased her.

The two men guarding the gate gave Yamato a strange stare, as if to ask who she was. He merely smiled and said, "It's alright, she's with me." Both men looked at each other briefly and shrugged. Sigyn continued to hold onto him tightly.

As they walked through the village, Sigyn kept staring in awe at the tall buildings, their architecture fascinating her. She'd never seen anything like it before. Trees, it seemed, were Incorporated into peoples homes and it was beautiful.

"You like it?" Yamato continued to look forward but could see the girl in his peripheral vision. She took a quick glance at him and nodded 'yes.' "Good, I'm glad." They walked for a few minutes before the male stopped in front of a clothing store. "Alright, let's get you some proper clothes."

Sigyn released his arm and finally spoke. "No." Her voice was soft and sweet but hardly audible.

"Ah, so she can speak." Yamato teased and the girl frowned at him. "Why not then?"

"I don't... I don't want you spending money on me." She was staring down at her bare feet. They were dirty and she tried to hide her toes.

"If it makes you feel better, you can pay me back when you're able." He opened the door and held it open for her, as a gesture for the girl to walk in. She stared for a moment before deciding that was an acceptable compromise.

It didn't take long for the girl to chose seven outfits and four pairs of shoes. Two sets of pajamas, three sets of regular clothes and two sets of ninja attire that Yamato insisted she would need. She acquired two pairs of sneakers and two pairs of closed ninja sandals. It goes without saying, the final total was more than the ANBU ninja was expecting. He asked the girl to change into one of her outfits so she was presentable when she met the Hokage. The girl quickly ran into the changing room and came back out wearing a pair of black jeans, a simple blood red t-shirt and her new pair matching red sneakers. Once everything was paid for, Yamato grabbed the bags and carried them for the girl. She opposed to his kindness but he ignored her.

A few more minutes of walking and admiring buildings, Yamato glanced down at the girl and realized her hair was in a rather messy, long, side braid. "Would you be opposed to a haircut?" He asked nonchalantly. Sigyn subconsciously started playing with her braid. It's true that her hair had become rather unruly. It was thin and coarse with the ends splitting badly.

"I really need one." She whispered more to herself than a reply to his question. Yamato nodded and brought her to a local hair dresser. The girl undid her braid before sitting and Yamato realized her hair was longer than he thought. The girl spoke with the woman who would be cutting her hair and asked for a shoulder length cut. Nodding, the woman proceeded with the styling.

About an hour in, the transformation was done. Sigyn appeared more presentable now. Her hair, it seemed, was rather curly. It looked a little shorter than what it was due to the curls scrunching up a bit. Still, it just hit her shoulders in elegant waves and curls. Her dark hair still needed to regain it's luster and flair but that would be achieved once the girl had a better diet.

Sigyns' eyes were more pronounced now. They shone like emeralds in the sun with a soft touch of brown. Very earthy Yamato thought. He could also tell her spirits were lifting if only for a bit. She wasn't hunched over and staring at her feet as much as before. She had relaxed a bit and was actually speaking to him.

"After speaking with the Hokage, what do you say we grab some lunch?" Sigyn nodded eagerly. There was no point in hiding she was hungry. About twenty minutes after the hairdresser, they finally reached the Hokage's office. Anxiety once again crawling its way into Sigyn. The girl was holding onto her arm in an attempt to ease her nerves.

"I'll be with you the whole time, I promise." Yamato reassured her. Sigyn stared up at him for a moment before replying with an 'ok.' Making their way inside, they were greeted with other ninja who directed them up to the Hokage's office. Knocking loudly, they heard someone say 'come in' from the other side of the heavy double doors.

There was a tall old man dressed in red and white robes. He was standing in front of a large window overlooking a monument. When he turned to greet the pair, Sigyn noticed he was smoking a pipe. He had a kind face she thought. Taking his seat at his desk, he asked, "This is the girl you mentioned?" He was looking at Yamato.

"Yes. As I stated, I found her near the crater zone. Thankfully unharmed by the earthquake."

At that statement, the girl became extremely nervous. Yamato knew it was an earthquake that had created the huge hole in the earth. He never brought it up at any time she was with him. Her hands started to sweat in fear and she was feeling queasy. She wanted to get out of here. Dreading they would imprison her once they figured out she was the cause of the earthquake, she needed to escape this place. The girl took a rather large gulp of spit that formed in her mouth and the hokage noticed.

"It's alright child, you're safe here." He stared at her for a moment before continuing. "If my hunch is correct, you're Ragnar Berg's granddaughter yes?"

Her heart skipped a beat. He knew her grandfather. That meant that the stories Ragnar told her about him were true. He was trustworthy and Sigyn was able to relax. She nodded and stared back at the old man.

"Sigyn right? Ragnar has told me much about you. How is he by the way? It's been a long time since I last saw him." At that, the girls' eyes began swelling with tears. She didn't want to cry but the memories of what happened came flooding in quickly.

It was about an hour that the girl spilled her story to the hokage. How they imprisoned her, killed ragnar, her mother not wanting her etc. Yamato stayed for her story, out of curiosity and to offer support. He thought, perhaps, his presence there would ease her into divulging information. As he listened to the girls' ordeal, he could feel his heart twist in pain for her. She had suffered a great deal, perhaps more than she led on and yet she tried to keep a strong front.

The hokage was intently listening to Sigyn as well. The last time he saw his old friend Ragnar, they had left on good terms. He was sure he would see him again soon but the day never came. The hokage remembered how fondly Ragnar spoke of his granddaughter. About her powers and abilities. Ragnar was afraid the girl would be exploited just as he had been and unfortunately it happened. Guilt resided within him. He should have checked on his old friend, made sure that he was ok after the several attempts to reach him failed. Now, because of his negligence, he died and his granddaughter suffered a great deal.

Sigyn was silent for a moment before continuing. Should she tell them what she did? How she escaped? Would she be imprisoned for life? Her heart sped up and her stomach twisted and churned with anxiety. Before she could decide, the hokage spoke.

"Whatever is troubling you, you can tell me. Rest assured your secrets are safe with Yamato and I. We want to help you as much as we are able." His kind words gave the girl the courage she needed to share the last bit of information.

Hesitating a moment, the girl told them how she managed to escape. What she did to the two guards watching over her and how she used the forbidden technique. She told them everything up to the point where Yamato found her. Her eyes were cast down, unable to meet their gaze out of shame and remorse.

Sighing heavily, the hokage stood from his chair and stared out a window overlooking the village. His back to Yamato and the girl, he was in deep thought. A few minutes later, he cleared his throat and turned to Sigyn. "If it's alright with you, I shall appoint Yamato as your legal guardian. He will train you in the ninja arts and if and when he feels you are ready, you can take the chunin exams. He will provide everything you need and if you ever want someone to confined in, you are always welcome to speak with me."

Yamato shot the hokage a look of uncertainty but would direct his questions once Sigyn was out of the room. The girl thought about his offer for a moment. She had nowhere to go to. No family she could stay with. Yamato didn't seem so bad and if anything ever happened, she could go to the hokage. Besides, what was she to do? She had no real goal of becoming anything special. Perhaps being a ninja wouldn't be so bad. Who knows, perhaps soon she could be on her own and wouldn't need to rely on anyone. That and, she needed to pay Yamato back for the things he bought her.

Shyly she replied, "Ok. Thank you." Her soft voice was hardly audible. The hokage smiled warmly at her.

"Why don't you have a seat outside while Yamato and I get the paperwork needed for your adoption. It won't take long." The hokage opened the door for the girl and she walked through. She sat right outside his office in front of his Secretary's desk. "It will only take a minute alright?" The girl nodded a 'yes' and the hokage stepped back into his office.

Once the door was closed, Yamato began to protest being the girls legal guardian. He wasn't suited to take care of a child. He was Anbu. A very busy man living a dangerous life. How was he best suited to take care of her? Perhaps Iruka could take her just as he did with Naruto. However, the hokage stated the opposite.

Hokage Sarutobi stared into Yamato's dark eyes. "She is an earth user Yamato. Her grandfather was one of the greatest earth justsu users to have even been born. His blood runs in her veins and she is capable of using the earthquake technique at such a young age. After everything she has been through, I'm surprised she hasn't killed more people other than the ones who hurt her. The girls chakra is unstable and she will need the expertise of an Anbu to look after her. Besides, Iruka has his hands full with Naruto. Putting this girl under his care would put him over the edge. I have complete trust in you. Teach her to use her jutsu, to keep it under control. I owe it to Ragnar to look after his granddaughter. If you ever need assistance with her or if you really believe you can't handle it, then return and I will find someone else to look after her."

Yamato let out a long sigh. He didn't believe he was suited to care for a child. He'd much rather take on a triple S ranked mission than do this. However, the hokage insisted and gave him this mission. Who was he to say no? Perhaps it wouldn't be so bad. She seemed to have better manners than Naruto and had a mild temperament. So Yamato agreed to take this child under his care. As soon as he exited the hokages office, Sigyn stood up. "The paperwork is signed and sealed. You're officially my daughter. So how about we discuss this further over some barbecue?"