Chapter 14: KONOHA GATE

Akemi came too in a bright white room. She sat up as her body felt sore and stiff. There really wasn't any lasting damage. She was outclassed in the fight – she had no chance.

"Are you ok Akemi? What happened?" Sakura was there with her.

Akemi looked around the room, only Sakura was there. It was dark outside the window.

"Naruto was waiting outside for you for hours, but you never showed up. He was called off somewhere else but told me to wait for you. He said something about you went to the Hyuuga's."

"Thank you Sakura." Akemi was distant. She had to leave, she had lost. At least she could go without seeing Naruto. She didn't want to hurt him any further. She got off the bed and stumbled a bit before regaining her center of gravity.

"Are you sure you're ok?" Sakura asked again.

"I'm alright. Bye Sakura."

Sakura was left in the room, confused. Akemi left the hospital and wondered around the village until she found the main road. If she kept following it she would get out of the village. The village was dead silent; everyone was asleep. It must be really late.

She could see the large gate now, it was still far off. She paused, looking around at the surrounding buildings. The place that was almost home. She shook the sadness and locked it away for later as she started walking again.

She reached the gate. The watchmen at the welcome desk weren't paying her much attention. She would get out without anyone noticing. She took one deep cleansing breath before taking another step forward.

"AKEMI!" Naruto's voice called out after her. He had stopped at the hospital only to be told that she left. Sakura had said that Akemi was acting strange. He didn't know why, but he was feeling drawn to the gates.

Akemi stopped. He had found her. This was going to be hard. "I have to go."

"Why?" Naruto pleaded.

Akemi couldn't tell him why, it would only hurt him. "I don't belong here. I need to get stronger." She was trying to come up with any excuse possible.

"No." Naruto said simply.

Akemi looked around, tears threatening to pour out. He couldn't be doing this to her. She had made up her mind back at the fight. He looked so determined, her heart shattered.

"You belong here."

Her body was shaking from the tears she was holding back. Seeing him here, like that. Could she really leave him? Would staying hurt him less?

"Akemi, please."

Her resolve hardened with his words. She bit her lower lip as the tears started flowing down her cheeks. "Naruto!" She closed the distance between them, almost knocking him over with the force of her hug. "I'll stay," she sobbed.

"Good." He said softly, hugging her back lightly.

Morning came and Akemi had made breakfast. Naruto was coming over for breakfast once he was allowed to. The day seemed bight and happy as she worked.

A knock came at the door and she ran to get it. "Naru!...to?" she questioned him. He had a backpack on.

"I was going to tell you last night…" his words were quiet.

"What's going on?" Akemi asked.

"I'm going to go train with Ero-Sanin…"

"Who?"

"Jiraiya, one of the legendary Sanin." Naruto explained simply.

"When?"

"We leave soon."

Akemi shook the feelings that were building up "Do you have time for breakfast at least?"

"Yea."

The two of them at breakfast in silence. Akemi walked with him back towards the gate. It seemed to be a popular destination for the two. "How long?"

"I don't know."

"Oh."

Naruto continued to walk, not looking at her, "I know you might leave again; but will you stay?"

"This is my home," she smiled, "where else do I have to go?"

He turned to her, giving her one of his trademark smiles. "Then there is just one more thing to come home to."

Akemi felt her face grow hot looking at him. She knew she was reading too much into what he had said; but it was still nice to think that way.

They had made it to the gates where a tall man with long white hair was waiting.

"Hey Naruto, who's your friend?" the man asked.

"Ero-Sanin, this is Akemi. She came to see us off!" Naruto answered happily. It seemed his mood had changed since earlier that morning.

"Hmm, how nice. Is she your girlfriend Naruto?" Jiraiya teased him.

Akemi's face got hotter when he asked that.

Before Naruto could respond, Jiraiya spoke again; "I'm only teasing. Let's head out Naruto."

The two were walking through the gates. Akemi had to say something. "Train hard Naruto!"

"I'll be back." Naruto put his hand up, giving her a thumb up as the teacher and student left Konoha.