' Konohagakure '. I've finally reached my destination. After three days of running I'm finally back where I belong. All the running had taken its tole on the outfit Nari had bought for me. The once plain white tank-top is now dirt brown and covered in grass stains. My teal shorts aren't any better. I am in no way presentable. I hide behind a tree to the sentries guarding the large closed doors of Konoha don't see me. I remove my backpack and check in it to see if I had anymore clothes. None were clean. I had only packed for a 2 day trip. I've seriously underestimated the distance.

Just go see the Hokage then. He wont care what you are wearing. Mika says trying to cheer me up. But I really want to see Kakashi or at least Iruka-kun first. Oh well. The sun was at it's highest point in the sky. Being in the shade didn't help me not sweat. I put all my things back into my hunters green backpack I had to take from Takiru which I failed to mention in my good-bye letter.

~ Flashback ~

I'm sitting at my desk in my room. Mika, I don't know what to say to them. Just tell them that you left and leave it at that. As I started the letter I couldn't help but to cry. They took me in without any hesitation. They have never asked anything of me, and I must leave them, I look down at the tear stained note:

Dear family,

I am so sorry for leaving like this, but I must. When I get the money I will pay you back for everything you all have done for me. I'm moving to Konoha, when I get a job I will start paying you back. Please tell Takiru I said goodbye. I love you all.

Akiri

~End Flashback~

I still say you shouldn't have told them where you where going. Mika protests, but I ignore her. I peek at the sentries making sure they hadn't noticed me. They hadn't.

" I have no choice but to transport" I say to myself. I transport to inside of Hokage's office. It is empty. I scan the room. He got new furniture. There's a new red couch near the double doors, his desk that faces those doors, and to matching chairs to sit in front of the desk. I remove my bag and place it on the second chair as I sit in the other. Moments later the door opens and closes.

"How did you get in here?" The voice of an old man asks from behind me. I stand up not yet facing him. I do an about face and salute him. " have you missed me, old man?" I ask taunting him. His mouth drops as if he has seen a ghost.

"Akiri?" He asks stunned. I nod. He walks over to me and pulls me into a hug.

"Where have you been?" He asks pulling away.

"Here and there" I joke avoiding the truth.

" Here and there. . ." he repeats his eyes not leaving mine. He walks back over to the only entrance/exit and opens the door slightly. He says something to the guard who then leaves. He walks back over to his desk and sits in his chair.

"So you are moving back?" he asks. I open my mouth to speak but suddenly the doors open. I look to see who so rudely entered the room.

"Hokage-sama" The tiger ANBBU masked person says while bowing. I look back to the Hokage in confusion. He gestured for the ANBU to remove the mask. I watch as the tiger ANBU slowly turns into Kakashi. It has been so long since I'd seen him. His hair style was still the same. I wanted to run and hug him right there, but I laugh it off.

"Way to go Hokage-sama, you've ruined my surprise" I wine, " Do you think you can make him take off that other mask?" I jokingly ask. Hokage laughs. I look back at Kakashi who still has that ' I've seen a ghost!' expression.

"Why so serious?" I ask pouting.

"We thought you were dead Akiri" Hokage seriously states. I loose my smile, but force another one. He must have noticed because he says: "We can cover that later. You can go get cleaned up. You'll be staying with Kakashi until I can find you somewhere else. Also will you be attending the Academy?"

"yes" I cheerfully answer. I can't wait to go back to the Academy. He nods in agreement.

"OK stop by here tomorrow on your way. I'll have your papers ready" He informs me. I smile and get up from my uncomfortable chair and grab my bag. I turn to Kakashi who's eye never left me. I cock out my arm like a gentleman. "Shall we?" I offer. He chuckles and faces the doors like me, and cocks out his arm. I place my arm in to his and I wave goodbye to the hokage as we walked out of his office. I take my arm back because we receive many judgmental stares. We walk out of the building and to Kakashi's house in silence. He lives in a little cottage styled home deep into the woods. When we reach his front door I break the silence.

" Kaka-kun?" I ask looking down at his concrete patio.

"yes?" he asks looking back at me with his and on the door knob. I look up at him. He looks like he wanted to speak but couldn't.

"What do you want to say?" I ask annoyed. He returns his attention to opening the door, It opens he let me into his house.

" I thought you were dead Akiri" He says sadly, " Do you know how many people die during the chunnin exams?" He asks more seriously but knows that I wouldn't have an answer for him, I look away from him. When I left I knew how he'd feel. I just had no choice. I take off my shoes and enter into his living room which is nothing but a small black sofa and coffee table. I sit on the sofa.

"Kakashi. . . I had no choice." I say avoiding eye contact as he entered the room. I stare at the ground to completely avoid seeing him.

"Why not?" He inquires.

"Itachi" I mummer.