Welcome Home

"There's no need to fight." The red-haired boy replied.

Tsukiko heard truth ring clear in his words and her Sharingan disappeared; her golden eyes gazed into his sea-foam-green ones.

"Tell me, what's your name?" He asked.

"Tsukiko Uchiha, and you are?" She asked respectively

"Gaara of the Desert." He replied.

She nodded, focused on his eyes; they were just like hers… filled with anger and hate… and hurt. "It was nice meeting you Gaara, I'm sure I'll be seeing you soon." She winked before walking away.

Gaara continued to walk, a small smirk lit up his face.

:::

Tsukiko could sense that someone was following her, the pursuing chakara nipped at the edge of her consciousness. 'Just leave me alone.' She thought as she jumped into the trees, quickly creating distance between herself and her pursuer. She finally stopped, the chakara was bulleting towards her, but she still had some time before whoever it was caught up to her. She leaned against the trunk of the tree, her gaze drifted off into space. 'So… You're still alive after all…' Sasuke's young face burned her mind. 'Somehow… I get the feeling Sensei knew he wasn't dead.' Tsukiko's eyes refocused on her actual surroundings, her thoughts interrupted by the chakara that grew closer. 'Might as well find out what they want.' She rationalized, flicking a kunai into the foliage

"Do you find it funny to stalk people?" She called out.

"If you would stay in one place, I wouldn't have to follow you."

Tsukiko recognized Kakashi's voice before he appeared in front of her.

"Do you have fun running away from people?" He countered, sliding his book into his vest.

She shrugged, "I want to be alone." "I was simply wondering if you wanted to come back to my house and put your things there… I'm sure you're getting tired of carrying that around." He flicked her backpack for effect.

"Its light compared to some of the things I've had to carry before."

Kakashi nodded "Still, why don't you come back? I'm sure you're tired from the trip."

"It wasn't that bad, I'm not some weak Genin." Tsukiko eyed him with some hostility.

Kakashi chuckled, "I realize that. But you're still JUST a Genin by my standards." He jumped over to another tree, "C'mon Tsukiko. I'll show you where I live." He called over his shoulder before taking off at a blinding pace.

Tsukiko stretched and took off after him, easily keeping up with his pace.

'Not bad.' He thought, jumping from roof to roof.

The village became nothing more than a blur of colors and sounds, Tsukiko's mind soared, she always enjoyed the feeling of the wind through her hair, the rush of a mission. She didn't expect to stop that quickly, nearly tackling Kakashi when he stopped.

"We're here." He announced, opening the entry way and slipping his sandals off.

She looked around; she wouldn't have expected anything less of Konoha's ex-ANBU members and elite Jounin. "Do they pamper everyone?" She teased, slipping her sandals off. He didn't say anything and led her inside. She couldn't deny that the place was beautiful.

"C'mon, let me show you upstairs." Kakashi gently pushed her towards the long hallway to her left.

Tsukiko looked around, she was currently standing in the entry way, the living room stood in front of her, the kitchen to her right, and the hallway way was to her left. She walked upstairs, finding two bedrooms that shared one bathroom, and the rest of the upstairs was a large study.

Kakashi opened a door and motioned for her to go inside, "This is where you'll be staying."

"Thanks," She murmured, throwing her backpack onto the bed, "for keeping me here."

"I couldn't have one of my students sleeping out on the streets." He laughed.

She slipped past him, heading back downstairs.

"Tsukiko, why don't I make you something to eat? I'm sure you're hungry and-"

"I think I might go out and explore Konoha for a little while… I haven't been here in years." She cut in. Her fingers absently fumbled with the headband she'd been given earlier.

"Why don't you… Just lie low tonight? Tomorrow's going to be a big day and-"

"What Kakashi? Do you have a problem with me going out? Think I'm going to cause trouble?" Tsukiko asked.

Kakashi sat down on the couch and pulled out his book, "Sharp as ever."

Tsukiko rolled her eyes and opened the door, slipping on her sandals. "I'll be back before midnight."

:::

Tsukiko looked up past the rooftops, noticing how the sun was already setting. 'I can't believe it's that late already.' She thought, mixing in with the crowd of villagers. She couldn't help but notice everyone giving her curious looks, whispering to each other as she passed by. 'Am I that interesting?' She wondered, stopping into the first flower shop she came to. She quickly purchased two white roses, ignoring the stares she was getting from the blonde girl behind the counter. Tsukiko grimaced, she was very aware of all the stares she was getting, now she looked even more conspicuous. White roses... headband in hand… she stuck out like a sore thumb.

"Would you mind? STOP STARING!" Tsukiko snapped, glaring at young woman who was gawking at her.

"I-I'm sorry!" The woman gasped as she turned and fled from the scene.

Tsukiko grimaced and continued to walk, the thorns of the roses dug harshly into her palms as she stormed through the crowd.

:::

Sasuke looked up, watching the woman flee as the unfamiliar girl yelled at her. 'What's her problem?' He wondered, catching a glimpse of the yeller's face. Something in the back of his mind stirred as he looked at her… who was she? He stood up from the table, leaving money, and began pursuing the strange girl.

:::

Tsukiko stood outside the gates, a twinge of sadness echoing within her heart as she gazed inside. It looked just as it had before… the blood was gone, washed away by rain… The colors on the buildings were faded and there was no one there but… chills ran down her spine as she stood outside of the Uchiha Village.