DISCLAIMER: I do not own Naruto and I am no way affiliated with the manga or anime

CHAPTER IV

Sandaime

I have to admit, I was a little depressed after meeting the Hyuugas. I was expecting this warm welcome and, much to my chagrin, I didn't get it. I was glad I met Kakashi, though. I was still so happy to finally be in Konoha; I had dreamt of it since as long as I remember dreaming at all.

I gazed misty eyed at my new ring while I found my way out of the Hyuuga compound. My father's ring, I thought as I held it close. I tucked it away in my pocket. At least something good had come out of this. I sighed.

" Hey there!" Kakashi jumped down from out of nowhere just as I was reaching the exit. " How'd it go?"

"Very well" I said smoothly. " I've decided to live on my own, if that's possible"

The look on his face is very strange, I thought suddenly. He started walking without a word.

"Are you coming?" he said without turning around and I finally realized I was standing looking completely dumbfounded. I dashed to catch with him again.

He didn't tell me where I was going. I clearly remember that the only significance in that particular memory was that the moment I lied to him, Kakashi Hatake had stopped treating me like a child, but had failed to start treating me like a liar. He didn't eye me suspiciously or point out that lying was wrong. He just walked in silence with me beside him.

That was the same day I met the Third Hokage, the Sandaime...

" You're late, Kakashi" a man's voice rang from behind the large wood door. Kakashi pushed the door open from behind me.

"After you" he whispered. I inhaled sharply and stepped in. There was a older looking man behind a large desk. He was looking down and chuckling to himself.

He looks nice when he laughs, I thought, it suits him. His wrinkles and laugh lines scrunched together nicely.

"My apologizes, Hokage-sama" Kakashi grinned as he closed the door.

The Hokage had stopped chuckling and was looking up at me. I looked at his face. Even though he was not chuckling his laugh lines still showed. He had a pleasant face. I smiled involuntarily at the thought.

The Hokage smiled "Who might you be child?" I liked how he asked me who I rather than asking Kakashi.

"Haruhi Hyuuga-Ryouko" I said confidently. No point hiding the truth now, I thought bitterly.

"That you might have to explain to me" remarked the Hokage. I looked to Kakashi, he nodded.

Apparently a nod from Kakashi was all I needed, because I did explain it. Hiding the truth just seemed silly at that point. I didn't go into the same detail I did with Kakashi, but I remember how the Sandaime's eyes looked liked they could see right through you. It was like he understood the whole story before I was finished with or without details.

"I see" said the Sandaime as I finished my tale. "Well, Konoha welcome's you"

My heart gave a lurch. "Really?" I said letting my excitement get the better of me

Kakashi chuckled

"Well of course, you were meant to live in Konoha, you are the child of two of the most powerful clans the Fire Country has ever had. We'll need paperwork so that you can become an official citizen of Konoha..."

"Will I be an official ninja?"

Sandaime smiled, "Of course there will need to be some tests. Though I'm sure the academy will suit you. When you graduate you will get and three-man squad and yes them you will become an official ninja."

Euphoric, I was practically euphoric at that moment. My own squad, me , a ninja...euphoria. Acceptance into a world I had dreamed of every time I picked a kunai. At long last Konoha seemed as wonderful as I had imagined.

Sandaime had me settled into an apartment that was cozy yet comfortable. Living by myself in a house seemed strange without Oji-san, but it was easier than the weeks I had lived on my travels. Konoha was my home the moment I stepped inside this was where I belonged, and my heart had always known it.

REVIEW! i know it was short, consider it a filler :P R&R grazie mille!