One month later...
I stood outside of Konoha's gates, waiting for Lee. He and Gai-sensai were off on a week-long mission and were supposed to be coming back today.
I saw the gates open up. I hid quickly behind a barrel. When he stepped inside I jumped out and leapped onto his back. He almost fell over and I giggled.
"You're home!" I squeeled hugging him tighter.
Gai-sensai gave a quick thumbs-up, "I'll let you take it from here, Lee!"
"Yes, Gai-sensai!" Lee said saluting.
"What're you talking about?" I asked trying to get off of his back.
He wouldn't let me come down. "Come with me, Kyonai, I'll show you!" he shot back out the gates, into the forest.
"I've got a surprise for you!" he said.
"Surprise? What is it?"
"Well, if I told you it wouldn't be a surprise!" he laughed, "Gai-sensai and I found something that I think you'll like..."
"Uh, Lee?" I said, "I can walk myself."
He shook his head. "No! I'm taking you this way!"
I sighed and let him lead the way.
We went on for about an hour, and finally Lee jumped to the ground. I got off his back and looked forward. A small cabin stood in the middle of a clearing. Lee took my hand and led me inside.
"Where are we--" I stopped dead in the doorway, my eyes filled with happy tears. A man stood inside of the cozy cabin, one that I recognized, and never thought I'd see again.
I let go of Lee's hand and ran to him. I hugged him. "Father!" I cried into his chest.
My father put a hand on my head. "Kyonai... my, you've grown."
I clutched his shirt and cried openly. Then I remembered something I'd been wanting to say for a long time.
"Father... remember that day... when you left Konoha?"
"What about it?"
"... you said... when I grow up to meet someone nice... and carry on our clan. You knew that I'd survive, didn't you?"
"Yes..." he said, "Somehow, I just knew."
I looked up and him and smiled. "Well... I think I met someone perfect."