So I am home sick today, but I figured I could use this opportunity to write for you. I am so excited, I finally saved enough to set up a recording studio in my house, and I ordered a new Les Paul single cut out electric guitar and a nice keyboard for recording. I am so excited, so I am going to turn it into inspiration. My dog is sleeping behind me in my papasan chair and it's really comfortable. There is too much snow outside I am rambling.

This story looks like it will be, around forty chapters, I am writing the plot right now, and after these next few chapters it should really pick up. I am really excited about this story! Onward, little Marshmallows!

"Sometimes you need to distance yourself from people. If they care, they'll notice.

If they don't, you know where you stand." ~unknown

Naruto's POV

I wake up and begin coughing. The fit calms after a minute or two, and I glance over at the only two other occupant of the room. The red and black fox looks concerned, but I smile to reassure them. After shifting my hair a little, I speak to them, my oldest animal companions.

"It's alright Kiko and Kenshin. I am okay. Come on we should go see where Rukia is," I say and get out of the bed, wincing as I stretch old bruises. I have been here for a day now, and I am sure they have to let me out of this god forsaken hospital!

As I stumble across the floor, I stumble. My foxes catch me, my left hand smoothes over the black fur of Kiko's back as she supports me. We make it out the door and down the hall, and I smile whilst also gritting my teeth. I am utterly surprised that there are no nurses walking around, or anyone for that matter.

That thought is completely shattered when a white fox with icy blue eyes runs down the hall to me.

The two beside me yip and kneel down, releasing my grip on them so they can meet up with their comrade. They run in a circle until she runs to me. I get knocked over and they all lick my face, catching up in Rukia's happiness.

"Come on girl, get off me! I have to get out of here, we have to find-"

"Where do you need to go? What do you need to find?"

I jump and one of the cuts on my shoulder opens, but I ignore the blood rolling down my shoulder as I stare into the hawk like eyes of an old friend.

"Shikamaru!" I yell, hopping up and hobbling over, despite the whimpers from my foxes, whimpering and telling me to be careful. He rushes forward to help me, and catches me in a hug, picking me up and spinning. I laugh, then turn skeptical.

"Where the hell did the lazy man I left go, hm?" He stops the genuinely happy smile, and looks sheepish, and rubbing his neck. I giggle at him.

"Troublesome woman." I kiss his cheek as he releases me. Another group comes around the corner, being led by someone I was hoping not to see on this walk. My other red fox trots beside them.

I smile, remembering him to be the one I had told Shika to keep watch of, as a parting gift when it was a kit. In this ragtag group is the most of the Konoha twelve. The leader is none other than the hokage, Tsunade.

"Yes Naruto, tell us all what you were doing, out of bed?" The old woman took a very familiar stance with her fists on her hips while leaning down to be at eye level with me.

"I was... looking for the bathroom!"

"You haven't been gone long enough to have forgotten where the bathroom is," she state flatly.

Yeah, but it feels like it has been a lifetime since I was last here, I think, remember the toughest parts of the last three years. I shake my head to remove such thoughts and smile at her sadly.

"Have I really?" The question is rhetorical, and I can't help the mournful tone. As I turn and lead the way back to my room, I don't miss the skeptical looks on a few peoples faces.

I sit on the bed when we reach our destination, and lean my head forward so that my hair falls in front of my face like a curtain. Everyone shuffles in and remains silent until it becomes unbearable. I look up and glare.

"Well? You all must have something to say," I smile at them now, genuinely. "It has been so long...I am so glad to see you."

They all began muttering greetings and Shikamaru comes to stand by me.

"And you! I see you have kept up with this little rascal," I say scratching the fourth foxes ear. "What did you name him?"

"Swift."

He can't be serious. I burst out laughing while everyone else watches the scene with a look of clarity. Before I can say anything, Ino pipes up.

"I was wondering where he got the this guy from. He has been a great help on missions, but loves chewing on my hair," she says, stroking her long ponytail lovingly. I chuckle, then grow serious, especially when I see eyes wandering over my not so covered wounds. Hinata voices the question all of them surely had on their minds.

"What ha-happened to you, Naru-kun?"

I lay down on the bed and wait a few moments to tell the story to them. I keep my eyes trained expertly on the ceiling. Half way through, Jiraiya walks in with a bowl of soup and takes a seat in the chair left of my bed. When I finish, many have tears in their eyes.

"That's horrible! We have to go and catch those cowards!" Everyone in the room nods and shouts in agreement, but Jiraiya sees the fear in my eyes and speaks up.

"I don't think that is wise. They are all S ranked criminals, while you are only genin and chuunin. It would be grave consequence to pay just to get back at them for torturing her. Besides, do you not see the fear she has of those men?" They look at my quivering form.

"I never said we would go anytime soon, just that we needed to get them."

"Well, I think it should wait a while, seeing that the person who we should be doing this for, doesn't want it now."

We conversed, and during that time, I ate my soup, then baa-chan kicked everyone out.

I learned that Hinata has less than six months before she takes the lead of the Hyuga House. Shikamaru has passed the clan leadership down to a younger brother who was born whilst I was gone. Sakura and Sasuke have begun dating, along with Lee and Tenten (who started dating within the week I had left), and Kiba and Hinata. I smile at the news Lee announced to everyone that he was going to propose to Tenten in a few days. Sakura is, as I suspected, one of the leading medic nin in Konoha.

It is good to know that everyone's life is going so well.

Tsunade remains in the room with me.

"Tsunade?"

"Yes gaki?" I scowl.

"Do you think after I get out of this hospital I could take a leave of absence to get back into shape, and move into my family's lake house?"

"How do you know about the lake house?"

"Jiraiya and I stayed there while we were training every now and then."

She contemplates the request for a while, then gives a stern look to me.

"You must bring a team of guards with you. I don't want you out there alone. You or one of such guards are also to write reports and letters to me, so I know you haven't been captured again. You are allowed to leave a month after being released, to ensure a full recovery." I smile, and a question comes to mind.

"Can I choose who comes with me?" She nods and I jump in excitement.

"I want team seven, including Kakashi, Jiraiya and Shikamaru."

"An adequate team. I will leave you now to sleep. Goodnight kid."

"Night."